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diff --git a/old/13306-8.txt b/old/13306-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0d98ec3 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/13306-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9813 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. +CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV., by Various + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV. + +Author: Various + +Release Date: August 27, 2004 [EBook #13306] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BLACKWOOD'S EDINBURGH *** + + + + +Produced by Jon Ingram, Victoria Woosley and PG Distributed +Proofreaders. Produced from page images provided by The Internet +Library of Early Journals. + + + + + + + BLACKWOOD'S + + Edinburgh + + MAGAZINE. + + + + VOL. LV. + + JANUARY-JUNE, 1844. + + [Illustration] + + + 1844. + + + * * * * * + + + BLACKWOOD'S + + EDINBURGH MAGAZINE. + + + * * * * * + + No. CCCXXXIX. JANUARY, 1844. VOL. LV. + + * * * * * + + + + CONTENTS. + + + STATE PROSECUTIONS, 1 + ADVENTURES IN TEXAS. NO. III. THE STRUGGLE, 18 + CLITOPHON AND LEUCIPPE, 33 + THE NEW ART OF PRINTING. BY A DESIGNING DEVIL, 45 + THE BANKING-HOUSE. PART THE LAST, 50 + KÍEFF, FROM THE RUSSIAN OF KOZLÓFF, 80 + MARSTON; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A STATESMAN. PART VII. 81 + LETTER FROM LEMUEL GULLIVER, 98 + THE PROCLAMATION, 100 + THE FIREMAN'S SONG, 101 + POSITION AND PROSPECTS OF THE GOVERNMENT, 103 + + + * * * * * + + EDINBURGH: + + WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS, 45, GEORGE STREET; + AND 22, PALL-MALL, LONDON. + + To whom all Communications (post paid) must be addressed. + + SOLD BY ALL THE BOOKSELLERS THE UNITED KINGDOM. + + * * * * * + + PRINTED BY BALLANTYNE AND HUGHES, EDINBURGH. + + + * * * * * + + + +STATE PROSECUTIONS. + + +The Englishman who, however well inclined to defer to the wisdom "of +former ages," should throw a glance at the stern realities of the +past, as connected with the history of his country, will be little +disposed to yield an implicit assent to the opinions or assertions of +those, who maintain the superiority of the past, to the disparagement +and depreciation of the present times. Maxims and sayings of this +tendency have undoubtedly prevailed from periods of remote antiquity. +The wise monarch of the Jewish nation even forbade his people to ask +"the cause that the former days were better than these;" "for," he +adds, "thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this." Far different +would be the modern precept of a British monarch. Rather let the +English subject "enquire _diligently_ concerning this," for he cannot +fail to enquire wisely. Let him enquire, and he will find that "the +former days" of England were days of discord, tyranny, and oppression; +days when an Empson and a Dudley could harass the honest and +well-disposed, through the medium of the process of the odious +star-chamber; when the crown was possessed of almost arbitrary power, +and when the liberty and personal independence of individuals were in +no way considered or regarded; days when the severity of our criminal +laws drew down from a French philosopher the sneer, that a history of +England was a history of the executioner; when the doomed were sent +out of the world in bands of twenty, and even thirty, at a time, at +Tyburn or at "Execution dock;" and when, in the then unhealthy tone of +public morals, criminals famous for their deeds of violence and +rapine, were regarded rather as the heroes of romance, than as the +pests and scourges of society. Let him enquire, and he will find that +all these things have now long since passed away; that the rigours of +the criminal law have been entirely mitigated, and that the great +charters of our liberties, the fruits of accumulated wisdom and +experience, have now been long confirmed. These facts, if universally +known and duly pondered over, would go far to banish discontent and +disaffection, and would tend to produce a well-founded confidence in +the inherent power of adaptation to the necessities of the people, +possessed by the constitution of our country. Thus, the social wants +of the outer man having been in a great measure supplied, the +philanthropy of modern times has been chiefly employed on the mental +and moral improvement of the species; the wants of the inner man are +now the objects of universal attention, and education has become the +great necessity of the age. Hitherto, the municipal laws and +institutions of this country have been defective; inasmuch as they +have made little or no provision for the adequate instruction of the +people. Much, no doubt, has been already done, and education, even +now, diffuses her benignant light over a large portion of the +population; among whom, the children of the ignorant are able to +instruct their parents, and impart, to those who gave them being, a +share in the new-found blessing of modern times. Much, however, +remains still to be done, and the splendid examples of princely +munificence which a great minister of the crown has recently shown the +wealthier classes of this wealthy nation, may, in the absence of a +state provision, have the effect of stimulating private exertion and +generosity. In spite, however, of the moral and intellectual +advancement of the present age, the passions and evil designs of the +vicious and discontented are still able to influence vast masses of +the people. The experience of the last few years unfortunately teaches +us, that increased knowledge has not yet banished disaffection, and +that though, during the last quarter of a century, the general +standard of the nation's morality may have been elevated above its +former resting-place, that education, in its present state of +advancement, has not as yet effectually disarmed discontent or +disaffection, by showing the greater evil which ever attends the +endeavour to effect the lesser good, by violent, factious, or +seditious means. + +Within the last thirteen years, the government has been compelled, on +several occasions, to curb the violence and to repress the outbreaks +of men who had yet to learn the folly of such attempts; and the powers +of the executive have been frequently evoked by those who, of late +years, have wielded the destinies of this country. Several state +prosecutions have taken place during this period. They never occur +without exciting a lively interest; the public eye is critically +intent upon the minutest detail of these proceedings; and the public +attention is concentrated upon those to whom is confided the +vindication of the public rights and the redressing of the public +wrongs. It has been often asked by some of these critical observers, +How is it that, when great crimes or misdemeanours are to be punished, +when the bold and daring offender is to be brought to justice, when +the body politic is the offended party, when the minister honours a +supposed offender with his notice in the shape of criminal +proceedings, and the government condescends to prosecute--how is it, +it has been asked on such occasions, when the first talent, science, +and practical skill, are all arranged against the unfortunate object +of a nation's vengeance, that the course of justice should be ever +broken or impeded? Is the machinery then set in motion in truth +defective--is there some inherent vice in the construction of the +state engine? Is the law weak when it should be strong? Is its boasted +majesty, after all, nothing but the creation of a fond imagination, or +a delusion of the past? Are the wheels of the state-machine no longer +bright, polished, and fit for use as they once were? or are they +choked and clogged with the rust and dust of accumulated ages? Or, if +not in the machine, does the fault, ask others of these bold critics, +rest with the workmen who guide and superintend its action? Are the +principles of its construction now no longer known or understood? Are +they, like those of the engines of the Syracusan philosopher, lost in +the lapse of time? Is the crown less efficiently served than private +individuals? and can it be possible, it has even been demanded, that +those who are actively employed on these occasions have been so long +removed on the practice of what is often deemed the simpler portion of +the law, and so long employed in the higher and more abstruse branches +of the science, that they have forgotten the practice of their youth, +and have lost the knowledge acquired in the commencement of their +professional career? Lesser criminals, it is said, are every day +convicted with ease and expedition--how is it, therefore, that the +cobweb of the law holds fast the small ephemeræ which chance to stray +across its filmy mesh, but that the gaudy insect of larger form and +greater strength so often breaks through, his flight perhaps arrested +for a moment, as he feels the insidious toil fold close about him? It +is, however, only for a moment; one mighty effort breaks his bonds--he +is free--and flies off in triumph and derision, trumpeting forth his +victory, and proclaiming his escape from the snare, in which it was +hoped to encompass him. The astute and practised gentlemen thus +suspected, strong in the consciousness of deep legal knowledge, and +ready practical skill and science, may justly despise the petty +attacks of those who affect to doubt their professional ability and +attainments. Some in high places have not hesitated to hint, on one +occasion, at collusion, and to assert, that a certain prosecution +failed, because there was no real desire to punish. + +Such is the substance of the various questions and speculations to +which the legal events of the last thirteen years have given rise. We +have now collected and enumerated them in a condensed form, for the +purpose of tracing their rise and progress, and in order that we may +demonstrate that, though there may possibly exist some reasons for +these opinions, founded often on a misapprehension of the real +circumstances of the cases quoted in their support, that they have, in +fact, little or no substantial foundation. With this view, therefore, +we shall briefly notice those trials, within the period of which we +speak, which form the groundwork of these charges against the +executive, before we proceed to state the real obstacles which do, in +fact, occasionally oppose the smooth and _rapid_ progress of a "State +Prosecution." + +The first of these proceedings, which occurred during the period of +the last thirteen years, was the trial of Messrs O'Connell, Lawless, +Steel, and others. This case perhaps originated the opinions which +have partially prevailed, and was, in truth, not unlikely to make a +permanent impression on the public mind. In the month of January 1831, +true bills were found against these parties by the Grand Jury of +Dublin, for assembling and meeting together for purposes prohibited by +a proclamation of the Lord Lieutenant; and for conspiring to do an act +forbidden by the law. By every possible device, by demurrers and +inconsistent pleas, delays were interposed; and though Mr O'Connell +withdrew a former plea of not guilty, and pleaded guilty to the counts +to which he had at first demurred--though Mr Stanley, in the House of +Commons, in reply to a question put by the Marquis of Chandos, +emphatically declared, that it was impossible for the Irish +government, consistently with their dignity as a government, to enter +into any negotiation implying the remotest compromise with the +defendants--and that it was the unalterable determination of the +law-officers of Ireland to let the law take its course against Mr +O'Connell--and that, let him act as he pleased, judgment would be +passed against him--still, in spite of this determination of the +government, so emphatically announced by the Irish Secretary, the +statute on which the proceedings were founded was actually suffered to +expire, without any previous steps having been taken against the state +delinquents. There has ever been that degree of mystery about this +event, which invariably rouses attention and excites curiosity; the +escape of those parties was a great triumph over the powers, or the +expressed inclinations of the government, which was well calculated to +set the public mind at work to discover the latent causes which +produced such strange and unexpected results. After an interval of +seven years, another case occurred, which was not calculated +materially to lessen the impression already made upon the public; for +although, in the following instance, the prosecution was conducted to +a successful termination, yet questions of such grave importance were +raised, and fought with such ability, vigour, and determination, that +the accomplishment of the ends of justice, if not prevented, was +certainly long delayed. + +On the 17th December 1838, twelve prisoners were brought to Liverpool, +charged in execution of a sentence of transportation to Van Diemen's +Land for having been concerned in the Canadian revolt. Here the +offenders had been tried, convicted, sentenced, and actually +transported. The prosecutors, therefore, might naturally be supposed +to have got fairly _into_ port, when they saw the objects of their +tender solicitude fairly _out_ of port, on their way to the distant +land to which the offended laws of their country had consigned them. + +If justice might not account her work as done, at a time when her +victims had already traversed a thousand leagues of the wide +Atlantic, when could it be expected that the law might take its course +without further let or hindrance? On the 17th of December, as has been +observed, the prisoners arrived at Liverpool, and were straightway +consigned to the care and custody of Mr Batcheldor, the governor of +the borough jail of Liverpool; by whom they were duly immured in the +stronghold of the borough, and safely placed under lock and key. +Things, however, did not long continue in this state. In a few days +twelve writs of _habeas corpus_ made their sudden and unexpected +appearance, by which Mr Batcheldor was commanded forthwith to bring +the bodies of his charges, together with the causes of detention, +before the Lord Chief Justice of England. Mr Batcheldor obeyed the +command in both particulars; the judges of the Court of Queen's Bench +met; counsel argued and re-argued the matter before them, but in +vain--the prisoners were left in the governor's care, in which they +remained, as if no effort had been made to remove then from his +custody. All, however, was not yet over; for, as though labouring +under a strange delusion, four of the prisoners actually made oath +that they had never been arraigned, tried, convicted, or sentenced at +all, either in Canada or elsewhere! Upon this four more writs of +_habeas corpus_ issued, commanding the unhappy Mr Batcheldor to bring +the four deluded convicts before the Barons of the Exchequer. This was +done; arguments, both old and new, were heard with exemplary patience +and attention; the play was played over again; but the Barons were +equally inexorable with the Court of Queen's Bench, and the four +prisoners, after much consideration, were again remanded to the +custody of the governor of the jail, and, together with their eight +fellow-prisoners, were, in course of time, duly conveyed to the place +of their original destination. + +The next of these cases, in chronological order, is that of the +Monmouthshire riots in 1839. This case, also, might tend to +corroborate the opinion, that the service of the state, in legal +matters, is attended with much difficulty and embarrassment. It will, +however, be seen upon examination of the facts of the case, that the +difficulty which then arose, proceeded solely from the lenity and +indulgence shown to the prisoners by the crown. On New-Year's day +1840, John Frost and others, were brought to trial, on a charge of +high treason, before a special commission at Monmouth. The proceedings +were interrupted by an objection taken by the prisoners' counsel, that +the terms of a statute, which requires that a list of witnesses should +be delivered to the prisoners _at the same time_ with a copy of the +indictment, had not been complied with. The indictment had, in fact, +been delivered five days before the list of witnesses. This had been +done in merciful consideration to the prisoners, in order that they +might be put in possession of the charge, to be brought against them, +as early as it was in the power of the crown to give them the +information, and probably before it was _possible_ that the list of +witnesses could have been made out. The trial, however, proceeded, +subject to the decision of the fifteen judges upon the question, thus +raised upon the supposed informality, which nothing but the _anxious +mercy_ of the crown had introduced into the proceedings; and the +parties were found guilty of the offence laid to their charge. In the +ensuing term, all other business was, for a time, suspended; and the +fifteen judges of the land, with all the stately majesty of the +judicial office, were gathered together in solemn conclave in +Westminster Hall. A goodly array, tier above tier they sat--the heavy +artillery of a vast legal battery about to open the fire of their +learning, with that imposing dignity which becomes the avengers of the +country's and the sovereign's wrongs. Day after day they met, heard, +and deliberated upon arguments, which were conspicuous from their +consummate learning and ability. At length these learned persons +delivered their judgments, and, amid much diversity of opinion, the +majority thought, upon the whole, that the conviction was right, and +that the terms of the statute had been virtually complied with. The +criminals, however, probably in consequence of the doubts and +difficulty of the case, were absolved on the most highly penal +consequences of their crime, and were, by a sort of compromise, +transported for life to one of the penal settlements. + +The doubt which some have entertained of the real insanity of Oxford, +and others who have recently attempted the same crime which he so nearly +committed, has caused these cases also to be brought forward in +confirmation of the opinions, which we contend rest upon no real +foundation. The insanity of a prisoner is, however, a fact, upon which +it is the province of the jury to decide, under the direction of the +presiding judge. In each case the law was luminously laid down by the +judge for the guidance of the jury, who were fully instructed as to what +the law required to establish the insanity of its prisoner, and to prove +that "lesion of the will" which would render a human being irresponsible +for his acts. These verdicts, undoubtedly, gave rise to a grave +discussion, whether the law, as it now stands, was sufficiently +stringent to have reached these cases; and though this question was +decided in the affirmative, the mere entertaining of the doubt afforded +another specious confirmation of the impression, that a singular +fatality was attendant upon a state prosecution. This idea received +another support from the case of Lord Cardigan, who, about this period, +was unexpectedly acquitted, on technical grounds, from a grave and +serious charge. This, however, was no state prosecution, and we do but +notice it, _en passant_, in corroboration of our general argument. + +We now come to the case of the Chartists in 1842. For some time +previous to the summer of 1842, great distress, it will be remembered, +prevailed among the manufacturing population of the northern and +midland counties. The misery of the preceding winter had been dreadful +in the extreme; emaciated, haggard beings might be daily seen +wandering about the country half naked, in the coldest weather; +sufferings, almost without a parallel, were borne with patience and +resignation. Despair there might be in the hearts of thousands, but +those thousands were mute and passive in their misery; all was dark, +all was hopeless; the wintry wind of penury blew untempered, keen upon +them, but still they cried not; hunger preyed upon their very vitals, +but they uttered no complaint. Let us not, even now, refuse a passing +tribute of honour and respect to the passive heroism which in many an +instance marked the endurance of the hopeless misery of those dreadful +times. At length, however, evil and designing men came among the +sufferers--remedies for the pressing evil, and means of escape from +the wretchedness of their condition, were darkly hinted at; redress +was whispered to be near, and they, the hungry fathers of famished +children, lent a greedy ear to the fair promises of men whom they +deemed wiser than themselves. The tempter's seedtime had arrived, the +ground was ready, and the seed was sown. Day by day, nay, hour by +hour, was the bud of disaffection fostered with the greatest care; +and, day by day, its strength and vitality increased. When, at length, +the people were deemed ripe for action, the mask was thrown off, +treasonable schemes and projects were openly proclaimed by the leaders +of the coming movement, and echoed, from a hundred hills, by vast +multitudes of their deluded followers. Large meetings were daily held +on the neighbouring moors, where bodies of men were openly trained and +armed for active and offensive operations. At length the insurrection, +for such in truth it was, broke forth. Then living torrents of excited +and exasperated men poured down those hillsides; the peaceful and +well-affected were compelled to join the insurgent ranks, busy in the +work of destruction and intimidation; when each evening brought the +work of havoc to a temporary close, they laid them down to rest where +the darkness overtook them. The roads were thus continually blockaded, +and those who, under cover of the night, sought to obtain aid and +assistance from less disturbed districts, were often interrupted and +turned back by bodies of these men. Authority was at an end, and a +large extensive district was completely at the mercy of reckless +multitudes, burning to avenge the sufferings of the past, and bent on +preventing, as they thought, a recurrence of them in future. The very +towns were in their hands; "in an evil hour" a vast body of insurgents +was "admitted" into one of the largest mercantile towns of the +kingdom, where they pillaged and laid waste in every direction. In +another town of the district a fearful riot was put down by force, +some of the leaders of the mob being shot dead while heading a charge +upon the military. The ascendancy of the law was at length asserted; +many arrests took place; the jails were crowded with prisoners; and +the multitudes without, deserted by those to whom they had looked up +for advice, their friends in prison, with the unknown terrors of the +law suspended over them, probably then felt that, miserable and lost +as they had been before, they had now fallen even lower in the scale +of human misery. Criminal proceedings were quickly instituted. Several +commissions were sent down to the districts in which these +disturbances had take place, in order that the offenders might meet +with _speedy_ punishment. The law officers of the crown, with many and +able assistants, in person conducted the proceedings. Temperate, mild, +dignified, and forbearing was their demeanour; in no case was the +individual the object of prosecution; it was the _crime_, through the +person of the criminal, against which the government proceeded. No +feelings of a personal nature were there exhibited; and a mild, but +firm, as it were, a parental correction of erring and misguided +children, seemed to be the sole object of those who then represented +the government. Conviction was heaped upon conviction--sentence +followed sentence--the miserable tool was distinguished from the man +who made him what he was--the active emissary, the secret conspirator, +also received each their proportionate amount of punishment. True, a +few of the more cautious and crafty, all included in one indictment, +eventually escaped the penalty due to their crimes; but, among the +multitude of cases which were then tried, this was, we believe, the +only instance even of partial failure. In spite of this single +miscarriage of the government, the great object of these proceedings +was completely answered; the end of all punishment was attained; the +vengeance which the law then took had all the effect which the most +condign punishment of these few men could have accomplished; the +constitutional maxim of "_poena ad paucos, metus ad omnes_," has been +amply illustrated by these proceedings; Chartism has been suppressed, +by the temperate application of the constitutional means which were +then resorted to for the correction of its violence, and the +prevention of its seditious schemes. + +We must not omit to mention the instances of signal and complete +success which have been, from time to time, exhibited in other +prosecutions against Feargus O'Connor and different members of the +Chartist body, within the period of which we speak. On none of these +occasions has the course of justice been hindered, or even turned +aside; but the defendants have, we believe, without exception, paid +the penalty of their crimes by enduring the punishments awarded by the +court. + +The recent trials of the Rebecca rioters were also signally successful +and effective; and the prejudices of a Welsh jury, which some feared +would prove a fatal stumblingblock, were overcome by the dispassionate +appeal to their better judgment then made by the officers of the +crown. + +From a review of the cases, it therefore appears, that the failures of +a state prosecution have been comparatively few; and that the crown +has met with even more than the average success which the "glorious +uncertainty of the law" in general permits to those who tempt its +waywardness, and risk the perils of defeat. The welfare and interest +of the nation, however, lie in the _general_ results of these +proceedings, rather than the _particular event_ of an individual +trial. Therefore, though we should assume that a part only of what was +intended has been accomplished, still if that portion produces the +same general results as were hoped for from the successful +accomplishment of the whole, the object of the government has been +attained. Now, it may be observed, that, with perhaps the single +exception of the case of Mr O'Connell in 1831, the end and object of +all state prosecution has been uniformly and completely accomplished, +by the suppression of the evil which the crown in each instance was +anxious to put down. When this has taken place, there can have been no +failure. Beyond what is necessary for the welfare of the state, and +the general safety and security of the persons and property of +individuals, the crown has no interest in inflicting punishment; it +never asks for more than is required to effect _these objects_, and it +can scarcely be content with less. + +There are, however, difficulties almost peculiar to the more serious +offences against the state, but which are entirely different, in their +nature, from those imaginary difficulties which have formed the +subject of so much declamation. A passing glance at the proceedings +now pending in Ireland, will give the most casual observer some idea +of what is sometimes to be encountered by those to whom is entrusted +the arduous duty of conducting a state prosecution. Look back on the +"tempest of provocation," which recently assailed the Irish +Attorney-General, on the vexatious delays and frivolous objections +which sprang up at every move of the crown lawyers, called forth by +one who, though "_not valiant_," was well known to the government to +be "most cunning offence" ere they challenged him, but who, "despite +his cunning fence and active practice," may perhaps find, that this +time the law has clutched him with a grasp of iron. In ordinary cases, +criminals may, no doubt, be easily convicted; and in the great +majority of the more common crimes and misdemeanours, the utmost legal +ingenuity and acumen might be unable to detect a single error in the +proceedings, from first to last. Still it must be remembered, that +even among the more common of ordinary cases, in which the forms are +simple, the practice certain, and in which the law may be supposed to +be already defined beyond the possibility of doubt, error, or +misconception--even in such cases, questions occasionally arise which +scarcely admit of any satisfactory solution--questions in which the +fifteen judges, to whom they may be referred, often find it impossible +to agree, and which may therefore be reasonably supposed to be +sufficiently perplexing to the rest of the world. State offences, such +as treason and sedition, which are of comparatively rare occurrence, +present many questions of greater intricacy than any other class of +crimes. In treason especially, a well-founded jealousy of the power +and prerogatives of the crown has intrenched the subject behind a line +of outposts, in the shape of forms and preliminary proceedings; the +accused, for his greater security against a power which, if unwatched, +might become arbitrary and oppressive, has been invested with rights +which must be respected and complied with, and by the neglect of which +the whole proceedings are rendered null and void. At this moment, in +all treasons, except attempts upon the person of the sovereign, "the +prisoner," in the language of Lord Erskine, "is covered all over with +the armour of the law;" and there must be twice the amount of evidence +which would be legally competent to establish his guilt in a criminal +prosecution for any other offence, even by the meanest and most +helpless of mankind. Sedition is a head of crime of a somewhat vague +and indeterminate character, and, in many cases, it may he extremely +difficult, even for an acute and practised lawyer, to decide whether +the circumstances amount to sedition. Mr East, in his pleas of the +crown, says, that "sedition is understood in a more general sense than +treason, and extends to other offences, not capital, of a like +tendency, but without any actual design against the king in +contemplation, such as contempts of the king and his government, +riotous assemblings for political purposes, and the like; and in +general all contemptuous, indecent, or malicious observations upon his +person and government, whether by writing or speaking, or by tokens, +calculated to lessen him in the esteem of his subjects, or weaken his +government, or raise jealousies of him amongst the people, will fall +under the notion of seditious acts." An offence which admits of so +little precision in the terms in which it is defined, depending often +upon the meaning to be attached to words, the real import of which is +varied by the tone or gesture of the speaker, by the words which +precede, and by those which follow, depending also upon the different +ideas which men attach to the same words, evidently rests on very +different grounds from those cases, where actual crimes have been +perpetrated and deeds committed, which leave numerous traces behind, +and which may be proved by the permanent results of which they have +been the cause. Technical difficulties without number also exist: the +most literal accuracy, which is indispensable--the artful inuendoes, +the artistical averments, which are necessary, correctly to shape the +charge ere it is submitted to the grand jury, may be well conceived to +involve many niceties and refinements, on which the case may easily be +wrecked. It must also be remembered that the utmost legal ingenuity is +called into action, and the highest professional talent is engaged in +the defence of the accused. The enormous pressure upon the accused +himself, who, probably from the higher or middle classes, with ample +means at his command, an ignominious death perhaps impending, or, at +the least, imprisonment probably for years in threatening prospect +close before him; his friends active, moving heaven and earth in his +behalf, no scheme left untried, no plan or suggestion rejected, by +which it may, even in the remotest degree be possible to avert the +impending doom; the additional rancour which politics sometimes infuse +into the proceedings, the partisanship which has occasioned scenes +such as should never be exhibited in the sacred arena of the halls of +justice, animosities which give the defence the character of a party +conflict, and which cause a conviction to be looked upon as a +political defeat, and an acquittal to be regarded as a party +triumph--all these circumstances, in their combined and concentrated +force, must also be take into consideration. In such a case every step +is fought with stern and dogged resolution; even mere delay is +valuable, for when all other hope is gone, the chapter of accidents +_may_ befriend the accused; it is one chance more; and even one +chance, however slight, is not to be thrown away. Such is a faint +picture of the defensive operations on such occasions: how is this +untiring, bitter energy met by those who represent the crown? + + "Look on this picture and on that." + +Here all is calm, dignified, generous, and forbearing; every +consideration is shown, every indulgence is granted, to the +unfortunate being who is in jeopardy. The crown has no interest to +serve beyond that which the state possesses in the vindication of the +law, and in that cool, deliberate, and impartial administration of +justice which has so long distinguished this country. Nothing is +unduly pressed against the prisoner, but every extenuating fact is +fairly laid before the jury by the crown; it is, in short, generosity, +candor, and forbearance, on the one side, matched against craft, +cunning and the resolution _by any means_ to win, upon the other. Such +are the real difficulties which may be often felt by those who conduct +a state prosecution. Surely it is better far that these difficulties +should, in some instances, be even wholly insuperable, and that the +prosecution should be defeated, than that any change should come over +the spirit in which these trials are now conducted; or that the crown +should ever even attempt to make the criminal process of the law an +instrument of tyranny and oppression, as it was in the days of Scroggs +and Jefferies, and when juries, through intimidation, returned such +verdicts as the crown desired. Our very tenacity of our liberties may +tend to render these proceedings occasionally abortive; and the twelve +men composing a jury of the country, though possibly all their +sympathies would be at once enlisted in behalf of a wronged and +injured subject, may, unconsciously to themselves, demand more +stringent proof, in cases where the sovereign power appears before +then as the party; and more especially, when the offence is of an +impersonal nature, and where the theory of the constitution, rather +than the person or property of individuals, is the object of +aggression. In the olden time such was the power of the crown, that, +whenever the arm of the state was uplifted, the blow fell with +unerring accuracy and precision; but now, when each object of a state +prosecution is a sort of modern Briareus, the blow must be dealt with +consummate skill, or it will fail to strike where it was meant to +fall. On this account, perhaps, in addition to then own intrinsic +paramount importance, the proceedings now pending in Ireland, have +become the object of universal and absorbing interest throughout the +whole of the United Kingdom. Under these circumstances it has occurred +to us, that a popular and accurate review of the several stages of a +criminal prosecution, by which the general reader will be able, in +some degree, to understand the several steps of that proceeding which +is now pending, might not be unacceptable or uninstructive at the +present moment. It must, however, be observed, that it is scarcely +possible to divest a subject so technical in it very nature from those +terms of art which, however familiar they may be to many of our +readers, cannot be understood by all without some explanation, which +we shall endeavour to supply as we proceed. + +The general importance of information of this nature has been well +summed up by a great master of criminal law. "The learning touching +these subjects," says Sir Michael Foster, "is a matter of great and +universal concernment. For no rank, no elevation in life, and, let me +add, no conduct, how circumspect soever, ought to tempt a reasonable +man to conclude that these enquiries do not, nor possibly can, concern +him. A moment's cool reflection on the utter instability of human +affairs, and the numberless unforeseen events which a day may bring +forth, will be sufficient to guard any man, conscious of his own +infirmities, against a delusion of this kind." + +Let us suppose the minister of the day, having before been made aware +that, in a portion of the kingdom, a state of things existed that +demanded his utmost vigilance and attention, to have ascertained the +reality of the apparent danger, and to have procured accurate +information as to the real character of the proceedings, and to find +that acts apparently treasonable or seditious, as the case may be, had +been committed. Suppose him, charged with the safety of the state, and +responsible for the peace, order, and well-being of the community, to +set the constitutional process of the law in motion against the +offending individuals; his first step, under such circumstances, must +be to procure full and satisfactory evidence of the facts as they +really exist. For this purpose agents must he employed, necessarily in +secret, or the very end and object of their mission would be +frustrated, to collect and gather information from every authentic +source, and to watch, with their own eyes the proceedings which have +attracted attention. This is a work of time, perhaps; but suppose that +it is complete, and that the minister having before him in evidence, +true and unmistakable, a complete case of crime to lay before a jury, +what, under these circumstances, is the first step to be taken by the +crown? Either of two distinct modes of procedure may be chosen; the +one mode is by an _ex officio_ information, the other is by +indictment. An indictment is the mode by which all treasons and +felonies must be proceeded against, and by which ordinary +misdemeanours are usually brought to punishment. An _ex officio_ +information is an information at the suit of the sovereign, filed by +the Attorney-General, as by virtue of his office, without applying to +the court where filed for leave, and without giving the defendant any +opportunity of showing cause why it should not be filed. The principal +difference between this form of procedure and that by indictment, +consists in the manner in which the proceedings are commenced; in the +latter case, the law requires that the accusation should be warranted +by the oath of twelve men, before he be put to answer it--or in other +words that the grand jury must give that information to the court, +which, in the former case, is furnished by the law officer of the +crown. The cases which are prosecuted by _ex officio_ information, are +properly such enormous misdemeanours as peculiarly tend to disturb and +endanger the government or to molest or affront the sovereign in the +discharge of the functions of the royal office. The necessity for the +existence of a power of this nature in the state, is thus set forth by +that learned and illustrious judge, Sir William Blackstone. "For +offences so highly dangerous, in the punishment or prevention of which +a moment's delay would be fatal, the law has given to the crown the +power of an immediate prosecution, without waiting for any previous +application to any other tribunal: which power, thus necessary, not +only to the ease and safety, but even to the very existence of the +executive magistrate, was originally reserved in the great plan of the +English constitution, wherein provision is wisely made for the +preservation of all its parts." + +The crown, therefore, in a case such as we have imagined, must first +make choice between these two modes of procedure. The leniency of +modern governments has of late usually resorted to the process by +indictment; and the crown, waiving all the privileges which appertain +to the kingly office, appears before the constituted tribunals of the +land, as the redresser of the public wrongs, invested with no powers, +and clothed with no authority beyond the simple rights possessed by +the meanest of its subjects. We shall, for this reason, take no +further notice of the _ex officio_ information; and as treasons form a +class of offences governed by laws and rules peculiar to itself, we +shall also exclude this head of crime from our consideration, and +confine ourselves solely to the ordinary criminal process by which +offenders are brought to justice. + +In, general, the first step in a criminal prosecution, is to obtain a +warrant for the apprehension of the accused party. In ordinary cases, +a warrant is granted by any justice of the peace upon information, on +the oath of some credible witness, of facts from which it appears that +a crime has been committed, and that the person against whom the +warrant is sought to be obtained, is probably the guilty party, and is +a document under the hand and seal of the justice, directed generally +to the constable or other peace-officer, requiring him to bring the +accused, either generally before _any_ justice of the county, or only +before the justice who granted it. This is the practice in ordinary +cases; but in extraordinary cases, the warrant may issue from the Lord +Chief Justice, or the Privy Council, the Secretaries of State, or from +any justice of the Court of Queen's Bench. These latter warrants are, +we believe, all tested, or dated England, and extend over the whole +kingdom. So far the proceedings have been all _ex parte_, one side +only has been heard, one party only has appeared, and all that has +been done, is to procure or compel the appearance of the other. The +warrant is delivered to the officer, who is bound to obey the command +which it contains. It would seem, however, that, as was done in a +recent case in Ireland, it is sufficient if the appearance of the +accused be virtually secured, even without the intervention of an +actual arrest. + +When the delinquent appears, in consequence of this process, before +the authorities, they are bound immediately to examine into the +circumstances of the alleged crime; and they are to take down in +writing the examinations of the witnesses offered in support of the +charge. If the evidence is defective, and grave suspicion should +attach to the prisoner, he may be remanded, in order that fresh +evidence may be procured; or the magistrate, if the case be surrounded +with doubt and difficulty, may adjourn it for a reasonable time, in +order to consider his final decision. The accused must also be +examined, but not upon oath; and his examination also must be taken +down in writing, and may be given in evidence against him at the +trial; for although the maxim of the common law is "_nemo tenebitur +prodere seipsum_," the legislature, as long ago as the year 1555, +directed that, in cases of felony, the examination of the prisoner +should be taken; which provision has recently been extended to +misdemeanours also. Care must be taken that his examination should not +even _appear_ to have been taken on oath; for in a very recent case, +in which _all_ the examinations were contained upon one sheet of +paper, and under one general heading--from which they all purported to +have been taken upon oath, the prisoner's admission of his guilt +contained in that examination, was excluded on the trial, and the rest +of the evidence being slight, he was accordingly acquitted. Now, if +upon the enquiry thus instituted, and thus conducted, it appears, +either that no such crime was committed, or that the suspicion +entertained against the accused is wholly groundless, or that, however +positively accused, if the balance of testimony be strongly in favour +of his innocence, it is the duty of the magistrate to discharge him. +But if, on the other hand, the case seems to have been entirely made +out, or even if it should appear probable, that the alleged crime has +in fact been perpetrated by the defendant, he must either be committed +to prison, there to be kept, in safe custody, until the sitting of the +court before which the trial is to be heard; or, he may be allowed to +give bail--that is, to put in securities for his appearance to answer +the charge against him. In either of these alternatives, whether the +accused be committed or held to bail, it is the duty of the magistrate +to subscribe the examinations, and cause them to be delivered to the +proper officer, at, or before, the opening of the court. Bail may be +taken by two justices in cases of felony, and by one in cases of +misdemeanour. In this stage of the proceedings, as the commitment is +only for safe custody, whenever bail will answer the same intention, +it ought to be taken, as in inferior crimes and misdemeanours; but in +offences of a capital nature, such as the heinous crimes of treason, +murder, and the like, no bail can be a security equivalent to the +actual custody of the person. The nature of bail has been explained, +by Mr Justice Blackstone, to be "a delivery or bailment of a person to +his sureties, upon their giving, together with himself, sufficient +security for his appearance: he being supposed to continue in their +friendly custody, instead of going to gaol." To refuse, or even to +delay bail to any person bailable, is an offence against the liberty +of the subject, in any magistrate, by the common law. And the Court of +Queen's Bench will grant a criminal information against the magistrate +who improperly refuses bail in a case in which it ought to have been +received. It is obviously of great importance, in order to ensure the +appearance of the accused at the time and place of trial, that the +sureties should be men of substance; reasonable notice of bail, in +general twenty-four or forty-eight hours, may be ordered to be given +to the prosecutor, in order that he may have time to examine into +their sufficiency and responsibility. When the bail appear, evidence +may be heard on oath, and they may themselves be examined on oath upon +this point; if they do not appear to possess property to the amount +required by the magistrates, they may be rejected, and others must be +procured, or the defender must go to prison. Excessive bail must not +be required; and, on the other hand, the magistrate, if he take +insufficient bail, is liable to be fined, if the criminal do not +appear to take his trial. When the securities are found, the bail +enter into a recognizance, together with the accused, by which they +acknowledge themselves bound to the Queen in the required sums, if the +accused does not appear to take his trial, at the appointed time and +place. This recognizance must be subscribed by the magistrates, and +delivered with the examinations to the officer of the court in which +the trial is to take place. With this, the preliminary proceedings +close: the accused has had one opportunity of refuting the charge, or +of clearing himself from the suspicion which has gathered round him; +but as yet, there is no written accusation, no written statement of +the offence which it is alleged he has committed. True, he has heard +evidence--he has heard a charge made orally against him--but the law +requires greater particularity than this before a man shall be put in +peril upon a criminal accusation. The facts disclosed in the evidence +before the magistrates must be put in a legal form; the offence must +be clearly and accurately defined in writing, by which the accused may +be informed what specific charge he is to answer, and from which he +may be able to learn what liability he incurs; whether his life is put +in peril, or whether he is in danger of transportation or of +imprisonment, or merely of a pecuniary fine. This is done by means of +the indictment. The indictment is a written accusation of one or more +several persons, preferred to and presented upon oath by a grand jury. +This written accusation, before being presented to the grand jury, is +properly termed a "bill;" and, in ordinary cases, it is generally +prepared by the clerk of the arraigns at the assizes, and by the clerk +of the peace at the quarter sessions; but, in cases of difficulty, it +is drawn by counsel. It consists of a formal technical statement of +the offence, which is engrossed upon parchment, upon the back of which +the names of the witnesses for the prosecution are indorsed. In +England it is delivered to the crier of the court, by whom the +witnesses are sworn to the truth of the evidence they are about to +give before the grand jury. In the trial now pending in the Court of +Queen's Bench in Ireland, a great question was raised as to whether a +recent statute, which, on the ground of convenience, enabled grand +juries in Ireland themselves to swear the witnesses, extended to +trials before the Queen's Bench. This question was decided in the +affirmative; therefore, in that country, the oath, in every case, must +be administered by the grand jury themselves; whereas, in this +country, the witnesses are sworn _in court_, and by the crier, as we +have already mentioned. The grand jury, ever since the days of King +Ethelred, must consist of twelve at least, and not more than +twenty-three. In the superior courts they are generally drawn from the +magistracy or superior classes of the community, being, as Mr Justice +Blackstone expresses it, "usually gentlemen of the best figure in the +county." They are duly sworn and instructed in the articles of their +enquiry by the judge who presides upon the bench. They then withdraw, +to sit and receive all bills which may be presented to them. When a +bill is thus presented, the witnesses are generally called in the +order in which their names appear upon the back of the bill. The grand +jury is, at most, to hear evidence only on behalf of the prosecution; +"for," says the learned commentator already quoted, "the finding of an +indictment is only in the nature of an enquiry or accusation, which is +afterwards to be tried and determined; and the grand jury are only to +enquire upon their oaths, whether there be sufficient cause to call +upon a party to answer it." They ought, however, to be fully persuaded +of the truth of an indictment as far as the evidence goes, and not to +rest satisfied with remote probabilities; for the form of the +indictment is, that they, "_upon their oath_, present" the party to +have committed the crime. This form, Mr Justice Coleridge observes, is +perhaps stronger than may be wished, and we believe that the criminal +law commissioners are now seriously considering the propriety of +abolishing it. + +After hearing the evidence, the grand jury endorse upon the bill their +judgment of the truth or falsehood of the charge. If they think the +accusation groundless, they write upon it, "not found," or "not a true +bill;" in which case the bill is said to be ignored: but, on the other +hand, if twelve at least are satisfied of the truth of the accusation, +the words "true bill" are placed upon it. The bill is then said to be +found. It then becomes an indictment, and is brought into court by the +grand jury, and publicly delivered by the foreman to the clerk of +arraigns, or clerk of the peace, as the case may be, who states to the +court the substance of the indictment and of the indorsement upon it. +If the bill is ignored, and no other bill is preferred against the +party, he is discharged, without further answer, when the grand jury +have finished their labours, and have been themselves discharged. To +find a bill, twelve at least of the jury must agree; for no man, under +this form of proceeding at least, can be convicted even of a +misdemeanour, unless by the unanimous voice of twenty-four of his +equals; that is, by twelve at least of the grand jury assenting to the +accusation, and afterwards by the whole petit jury of twelve more +finding him guilty upon the trial. + +This proceeding is wholly _ex parte_. As the informal statement of the +crime brought the supposed criminal to answer before the inferior +tribunal, so does the formal accusation call upon him to answer before +the superior court. The preliminary proceedings being now complete, +and every step having been taken which is necessary to put the accused +upon his trial, the _ex parte_ character of the proceedings is at an +end. The time approaches when the accused must again be brought face +to face with his accusers; and when, if he has been admitted to bail, +his sureties must deliver him up to the proper authorities, or their +bond is forfeited; in which case, a bench warrant for the apprehension +of the delinquent may issue; and if he cannot still be found, he may +be pursued to outlawry. It may be here mentioned, that the +proceedings may be, at any period, removed from any inferior court +into the Queen's Bench, by what is called a writ of _certiorari_. When +the offender appears voluntarily to an indictment, or was before in +custody, or is brought in upon criminal process to answer it in the +proper court, he is to be immediately arraigned. The arraignment is +simply the calling upon the accused, at the bar of the court, to +answer the matter charged upon him in the indictment, the substantial +parts, at least, of which are then read over to him. This is +indispensable, in order that he may fully understand the charge. So +voluminous are the counts of the indictment recently found against Mr +O'Connell and others, that the reading of the charges they contained +was the work of many hours. The accused is not always compelled +immediately to answer the indictment; for if he appear in term-time to +an indictment for a misdemeanour in the Queen's Bench, it is +sufficient if he plead or demur within four days; the court has a +discretionary power to enlarge the time; but if he neither pleads nor +demurs within the time prescribed, judgment may be entered against him +as for want of a plea. It he appear to such an indictment, having been +committed or held to bail within twenty days before the assizes or +sessions at which he is called upon to answer, he has the option of +_traversing_, as it is termed, or of postponing his trial to the next +assizes or sessions. He is also always entitled, before the trial, on +payment of a trifling charge, to have copies of the examinations of +the witnesses on whose evidence he was committed or held to bail; and +at the trial he has a right to inspect the originals gratuitously. In +prosecutions for misdemeanours at the suit of the Attorney-General, a +copy of indictment must be delivered, free of expense, if demanded by +the accused. These seem to be all the privileges except that of +challenge, which we shall explain hereafter, which the accused +possesses, or to which the law gives him an absolute indefeasible +claim as a matter of right. The _practice_ of different courts may +possibly vary in some degree on points such as those which have been +recently mooted in Ireland; for instance, as to whether the names of +the witnesses should be furnished to the accused, and whether their +address and description should also be supplied. In such matters the +practice might vary, in a considerable degree, in the superior courts +of England and Ireland; and yet each course would be strictly legal, +in the respective courts in which it was adopted; for, as it was +clearly put by one of the Irish judges on a recent occasion, the +practice of the court is the law of the court, and the law of the +court is the law of the land. + +When the time has arrived at which the accused must put in his answer +to the indictment, if he do not confess the charge, or stand mute of +malice, he may either plead, 1st, to the jurisdiction, which is a good +plea when the court before whom the indictment is taken has no +cognizance of the offence, as when a case of treason is prosecuted at +the quarter sessions; or, 2dly, he may demur, by which he says, that, +assuming that he has done every thing which the indictment lays to his +charge, he has, nevertheless, been guilty of no crime, and is in +nowise liable to punishment for the act there charged. A demurrer has +been termed an issue in law--the question to be determined being, what +construction the law puts upon admitted facts. If the question of law +be adjudged _in favour_ of the accused, it is attended with the same +results as an acquittal in fact, except that he may be indicted afresh +for the same offence; but if the question be determined _against_ the +prisoner, the law, in its tenderness, _will not_ allow him, at least +in cases of felony, to be punished for his misapprehension of the law, +or for his mistake in the conduct of his pleadings, but will, in such +case, permit him to plead over to the indictment--that is, to plead +not guilty; the consequences of which plea we will consider hereafter. + +A third alternative is a plea of abatement, which is a plea praying +that the indictment may be quashed, for some defect which the plea +points out. This plea, though it was recently, made use of by the +defendants in the case now pending in Ireland, is of very rare +occurrence in ordinary practice--a recent statute having entirely +superseded every advantage formerly to be derived from this plea, in +cases of a misnomer, or a wrong name, and of a false addition or a +wrong description of the defendant's rank and condition, which were +the principal occasions on which it was resorted to. + +The next alternative which the prisoners may adopt, is a special plea +in bar. These pleas are of four kinds: 1. a former acquittal; 2. a +former conviction; 3. a former attainder; 4. a former pardon, for the +same offence. The first two of these pleas are founded on the maxim of +the law of England, that no man is to be twice put in jeopardy for the +same offence. A man is attainted of felony, only by judgment of death, +or by outlawry; for by such judgment, the prisoner being already dead +in law, and having forfeited all his property, there remains no +further punishment to be awarded; and, therefore, any further +proceeding would be superfluous. This plea has, however, been +practically put an end to by a recent statute. A plea of pardon, is +the converse of a plea of attainder; for a pardon at once destroys the +end and purpose of the indictment, by remitting that punishment which +the prosecution was calculated to inflict. + +All these pleas may be answered by the crown in two ways--issue may be +joined on the facts they respectively set forth; or they may be +demurred to; by which step, the facts, alleged in the plea, are denied +to constitute a good and valid defence in law. In _felony_, if any of +these pleas are, either in fact or in law, determined against the +prisoner, he cannot be convicted or concluded by the adverse judgment; +and for this reason. Formerly all felonies were punishable with death, +and, in the words of Mr Justice Blackstone, "the law allows many pleas +by which a prisoner may escape death; but only one plea in consequence +whereof it can be inflicted, viz., the general issue, after an +impartial examination and decision of the facts, by the unanimous +verdict of a jury." The prisoner, therefore, although few felonies +remain still capital, is nevertheless still allowed to plead over as +before. In misdemeanours, however, which are never capital, and in +which, therefore, no such principle could ever have applied, the +judgment on these pleas appears to follow the analogy of a civil +action. Thus, if, upon issue joined, a plea of abatement be found +against the accused, the judgment, on that indictment, is final; +though a second indictment may be preferred against him; but if, upon +demurrer, the question of law is held to be against him, the judgment +is, that he do answer the indictment. If a plea in bar, either on +issue joined, or on demurrer, be determined against the defendant, the +judgment is in such case final, and he stands convicted of the +misdemeanour. + +The general issue, or the plea of "not guilty," is the last and most +usual of those answers to the indictment which we have enumerated, the +others being all of extremely rare occurrence in the modern practice +of the criminal law. By this plea, the accused puts himself upon his +county, which county the jury are. The sheriff of the county must then +return a panel of jurors. In England the jurors are taken from the +"jurors' book" of the current year. It must be observed, that a new +jurors' book comes into operation on the first of January in each +year, having previously been copied from the lists of those liable to +serve on juries, made out in the first instance, between the months of +July and October, both inclusive, by the churchwardens and overseers +of each parish, then reviewed and confirmed by the justices of the +peace in petty sessions, and, through the high constable of the +district, delivered to the next quarter sessions. If the proceedings +are before the Queen's Bench, an interval is allowed by the court, in +fixing the time of trial, for the impanneling of the jury, upon a writ +issued to the sheriff for that purpose. The trial in a case of +misdemeanour in the Queen's Bench is had at _nisi prius_, unless it be +of such consequence as to merit a trial at bar, which is invariably +had when the prisoner is tried for any capital offence in that court. +But before the ordinary courts of assize, the sheriff, by virtue of a +general precept directed to him beforehand, returns to the court a +panel of not less than forty-eight nor more than seventy-two persons, +unless the judges of assize direct a greater or smaller number to be +summoned. When the time for the trial has arrived, and the case is +called on, jurors, to the number of twelve, are sworn, unless +challenged as they appear; their names being generally taken +promiscuously, one by one, out of a box containing a number of +tickets, on each of which a juror's name is inserted. Challenges may +be made, either on the part of the crown or on that of the accused, +and either to the whole array or to the separate polls. The challenge +to the array, which must be made in writing, is an exception to the +whole panel, on account of some partiality or default in the sheriff, +or his officer, who arrayed the panel, the ground of which is examined +into before the court. Challenges to the polls--_in capita_--are +exceptions to particular persons, and must be made in each instance, +as the person comes to the box to be sworn, and before he is sworn; +for when the oath is once taken the challenge is too late. + +Sir Edward Coke reduces the heads of challenge to four. 1st, _propter +honoris respectum_; as if a lord of Parliament be impannelled. 2d, +_propter defectum_; as if a juryman be an alien born, or be in other +respects generally objectionable. 3d, _propter affectum_; for +suspicion of bias or partiality: and 4th, _propter delictum_; or, for +some crime that affects the juror's credit, and renders him infamous; +In treason and felony, the prisoner is allowed the privilege of a +limited number of _peremptory_ challenges; after which, as in +misdemeanours, there is no limit to the number of challenges, if the +party shows some cause for each challenge to the court. This cause is +tried by persons appointed for that purpose by the court, when no +jurymen have been sworn; but when two jurymen have been sworn, they +are the parties who must adjudicate upon the qualifications of those +who are afterwards challenged, who, except when the challenge is +_propter delictum_, may be themselves examined upon oath. The crown, +also, we have seen, can exercise this privilege, but with this +difference, that no cause for challenge need be shown by the crown, +either in felonies or misdemeanours, till the panel is exhausted, and +unless there cannot be a full jury without the persons so challenged. + +When twelve men have been found, they are sworn to give a true verdict +"according to the evidence," and the jury are then ready to hear the +merits of the case. To fix their attention the closer to the facts +which they are impannelled and sworn to try, the indictment, in cases +of importance, is usually opened by the junior counsel for the +crown--a proceeding, by which they are briefly informed of the charge +which is brought against the accused. The leading counsel for the +crown then lays the _facts_ of the case before the jury, in a plain +unvarnished statement; no appeal is made to the passions or prejudices +of the twelve men, who are to pronounce upon the guilt or innocence of +the accused; but every topic, every observation, which might warp +their judgment, or direct their attention from the simple facts which +are about to be proved before them, is anxiously deprecated and +avoided by the counsel for the prosecution. The witnesses for the +crown are called one by one, sworn, examined, and cross-examined by +the accused, or his counsel. When the case for the crown has been +brought to a close, the defence commences, and the counsel for the +defendant addresses the jury. It is the duty of the advocate, on such +an occasion, to put forth all his powers in behalf of his client; to +obtain acquittal is his object: he must sift the hostile evidence, he +must apply every possible test to the accuracy of the testimony, and +to the credibility of the witnesses; he may address himself to the +reason, to the prejudices, to the sympathies, nay, even to the worst +passions of the twelve men whose opinions he seeks to influence in +favour of his client. He may proceed to call witnesses to disprove the +facts adduced on the other side, or to show that the character of the +accused stands too high for even a suspicion of the alleged clime; he +has the utmost liberty of speech and action He may indefinitely +protract the proceedings, and there seems to be scarcely any limit, in +point of law, beyond which the ultimate event of the trial may not be, +by these means, deferred. Whenever the defence closes, in those cases +in which the government is the real prosecutor, the representative of +the crown has the general reply; at the close of which the presiding +judge sums up the evidence to the jury, and informs them of the legal +bearing of the facts, on the effect and existence of which the jury +has to decide. This having been accomplished, it becomes the duty of +the jury to deliberate, decide, and pronounce their verdict. If the +verdict be "Not guilty," the accused is for ever quit and discharged +of the accusation; but if the jury pronounce him guilty, he stands +convicted of the crime which has been thus charged and proved against +him, and awaits the judgment of the court. In felonies and ordinary +misdemeanours, judgment is generally pronounced immediately upon, or +soon after, the delivery of the verdict; in other cases, when the +trial has been had before the Queen's Bench, the judgment may, in +England, be pronounced either immediately or during the ensuing term. +But whenever this event occurs, the prisoner has still one chance more +for escape: he can move an arrest of judgment, on the grounds either +that the indictment is substantially defective, or that he has already +been pardoned or punished for the same offense. These objections, if +successful, will, even at this late stage of the proceedings, save the +defendant from the consequences of his crime. But if these last +resources fail, the court must give the judgment, or pronounce the +measure of that punishment, which the law annexes to the crime of +which the prisoner has been convicted. + +By the law of this country, the _species_ of punishment for every +offence is always ascertained; but, between certain defined limits, +the measure and degree of that punishment is, with very few +exceptions, left to the discretion of the presiding judge. Treasons +and some felonies are, indeed, capital: but, in the mercy of modern +times, the great majority of felonies, and all misdemeanours, are +visited, some with various terms of transportation or imprisonment, +which, in most cases, may be with or without hard labour, at the +discretion of the court. In these cases, the punishment is prescribed +by the statute law; but there are some misdemeanours the punishment of +which has not been interfered with by any statute, and to which, +therefore, the common law punishments are still attached. The case of +Mr O'Connell, which is now in abeyance, seems to range itself under +this head of misdemeanours. Such cases are punishable by fine or +imprisonment, or by both; but the amount of the one, or the duration +of the other, is each left at large to be estimated by the court, +according to the more or less aggravated nature of the offence, and, +as it is said, also according to the quality and condition of the +parties. That a fine should, in all cases, be reasonable, has been +declared by Magna Charta; and the Bill of Rights has also provided, +that excessive fine, or cruel and unusual punishments, should not be +inflicted; but what may or may not be unreasonable or excessive, cruel +or unusual, is left entirely to the judgment of the executive. + +For crimes of a dark political hue, which, by their tendency to +subvert the government or destroy the institutions of the country, +necessarily assume a character highly dangerous to the safety and +well-being of the state, it might be difficult to say what degree of +punishment would be excessive or unusual. It seems probable, that in +cases of this nature, which include crimes, so varied in their +circumstances that there appears no limit to the degree of guilt +incurred--crimes, the nature and character of which could not possibly +be foreseen or provided for, in all their infinite multiplicity of +detail; it seems probable that, in such cases, a large discretion may +have been purposely left by the framers of our constitution, in order +that the degree of guilt, on each occasion, should be measured by an +expansive self-adjusting scale of punishment, applied, indeed, and +administered by the judges of the land, but regulated and adjusted, in +each succeeding age, by the influence of public opinion, and by the +spirit and temper of the times. + +Even at this latest stage of criminal prosecution, in the interval +which must necessarily elapse between the pronouncing and the +infliction of the sentence, the convicted delinquent is not without a +remedy for any wrong he may sustain in the act which terminates the +proceedings. If any judgement not warranted by law be given by the +court, it may be reversed upon a _writ of error_, which lies from all +inferior criminal jurisdictions to the Queen's Bench, and from the +Queen's Bench to the House of Peers. These writs, however, in cases of +misdemeanour, are not allowed, of course, but on probable cause shown +to the Attorney General; and then they are understood to be grantable +of common right, and _ex debito justitiæ_. The crown, if every other +resource has failed the prisoner, has always the power of exercising +the most amiable of its prerogatives. Though the sovereign herself +condemns no man, "the great operation of her sceptre is mercy," and +the chief magistrate, in the words of Sir William Blackstone, "holding +a court of equity in his own breast, to soften the rigour of the +general law, in such criminal cases as merit an exemption from +punishment," is ever at liberty to grant a free, unconditional, and +gracious pardon to the injured or repentant convict. + +We have now rapidly traced the progress of a criminal prosecution from +its commencement to its close, and we have given a summary of the +_ordinary_ proceedings on such occasions. Although it may be possible +that the practice of the courts in Ireland on minor points, should +occasionally differ in some degree from the practice of the English +Courts, we may, nevertheless, have rendered the proceedings now +pending in the sister isle, more intelligible to the general reader, +who may now, perhaps, be enabled to see the bearing, and understand +the importance of many struggles, which, to the unlearned, might +probably appear to be wholly beside the real question now at issue +between the crown and Mr O'Connell. Whatever be the result of that +prosecution, whether those indicted be found guilty, or acquitted, of +the misdemeanours laid to their charge; we feel assured, on the one +hand, however long and grievous may have been the "provocation," that +while there will be "nothing extenuate," neither will there be "set +down aught in malice;" but that the measure of the retribution now +demanded by the state, will be so temperately and equitably adjusted, +that while the very semblance of oppression is carefully avoided, the +majesty of the law, and the powers of the executive, will be amply and +entirely vindicated. On the other hand, if Mr O'Connell, and his +companions, in guilt or misfortune, should break through the cobwebs +of the law, and hurl a _retrospective_ defiance at the Government; we +feel the utmost confidence, that the learning, foresight, and ability, +of the eminent lawyers who represent the crown, together with the +firmness and integrity of the Irish bench, "_sans peur et sans +reproche_," will demonstrate to the millions who look on, that the +constitutional powers of the state still remain uninjured and +unimpaired in all their pristine and legitimate energy and vigour; and +that neither in the machinery now set in motion, nor with those who +conduct or superintend its action, but with others on whom, in the +course of these proceedings, will be thrown the execution of a grave +and all-important duty, must rest the real blame, if blame there be, +of the failure of _this_ "State Prosecution." + + * * * * * + + + + +ADVENTURES IN TEXAS. + +No. III. + +THE STRUGGLE. + + +I had been but three or four months in Texas, when, in consequence of +the oppressive conduct of the Mexican military authorities, symptoms +of discontent showed themselves, and several skirmishes occurred +between the American settlers and the soldiery. The two small forts of +Velasco and Nacogdoches were taken by the former, and their garrisons +and a couple of field-officers made prisoners; soon after which, +however, the quarrel was made up by the intervention of Colonel Austin +on the part of Texas, and Colonel Mejia on the part of the Mexican +authorities. + +But in the year '33 occurred Santa Anna's defection from the liberal +party, and the imprisonment of Stephen F. Austin, the Texian +representative in the Mexican congress, by the vice-president, Gomez +Farias. This was followed by Texas adopting the constitution of 1824, +and declaring itself an independent state of the Mexican republic. +Finally, towards the close of 1835 Texas threw off the Mexican yoke +altogether, voted itself a free and sovereign republic, and prepared +to defend by arms its newly asserted liberty. + +The first step to be taken was, to secure our communications with the +United States by getting possession of the sea-ports. General Cos had +occupied Galveston harbour, and built and garrisoned a block-fort, +nominally for the purpose of enforcing the customs laws, but in +reality with a view to cut off our communications with New Orleans and +the States. This fort it was necessary to get possession of, and my +friend Fanning and myself were appointed to that duty by the Alcalde, +who had taken a prominent part in all that had occurred. + +Our whole force and equipment wherewith to accomplish this enterprise, +consisted in a sealed despatch, to be opened at the town of Columbia, +and a half-breed, named Agostino, who acted as our guide. On reaching +Columbia, we called together the principal inhabitants of the place, +and of the neighbouring towns of Bolivar and Marion, unsealed the +letter in their presence, and six hours afterwards the forces therein +specified were assembled, and we were on our march towards Galveston. +The next day the fort was taken, and the garrison made prisoners, +without our losing a single man. + + +We sent off our guide to the government at San Felipe with news of our +success. In nine days he returned, bringing us the thanks of congress, +and fresh orders. We were to leave a garrison in the fort, and then +ascend Trinity river, and march towards San Antonio de Bexar. This +route was all the more agreeable to Fanning and myself, as it would +bring us into the immediate vicinity of the _haciendas_, or estates, +of which we had some time previously obtained a grant from the Texian +government; and we did not doubt that we were indebted to our friend +the Alcalde for the orders which thus conciliated our private +convenience with our public duty. + +As we marched along we found the whole country in commotion, the +settlers all arming, and hastening to the distant place of rendezvous. +We arrived at Trinity river one afternoon, and immediately sent +messengers for forty miles in all directions to summon the +inhabitants. At the period in question, the plantations in that part +of the country were very few and far between, but nevertheless by the +afternoon of the next day we had got together four-and-thirty men, +mounted on mustangs, each equipped with rifle and bowie-knife, +powder-horn and bullet-bag, and furnished with provisions for several +days. With these we started for San Antonio de Bexar, a march of two +hundred and fifty miles, through trackless prairies intersected with +rivers and streams, which, although not quite so big as the +Mississippi or Potomac, were yet deep and wide enough to have offered +serious impediment to regular armies. But to Texian farmers and +backwoodsmen, they were trifling obstacles. Those we could not wade +through we swam over; and in due time, and without any incident worthy +of note, reached the appointed place of rendezvous, which was on the +river Salado, about fifteen miles from San Antonio, the principal city +of the province. This latter place it was intended to attack--an +enterprise of some boldness and risk, considering that the town was +protected by a strong fort, amply provided with heavy artillery, and +had a garrison of nearly three thousand men, commanded by officers who +had, for the most part, distinguished themselves in the revolutionary +wars against the Spaniards. Our whole army, which we found encamped on +the Salado, under the command of General Austin, did not exceed eight +hundred men. + +The day after that on which Fanning and myself, with our four and +thirty recruits, reached headquarters, a council of war was held, and +it was resolved to advance as far as the mission of Santa Espada. The +advanced guard was to push forward immediately; the main body would +follow the next day. Fanning and myself were appointed to the command +of the vanguard, in conjunction with Mr Wharton, a wealthy planter, +who had brought a strong party of volunteers with him, and whose +mature age and cool judgment, it was thought, would counterbalance any +excess of youthful heat and impetuosity on our part. Selecting +ninety-two men out of the eight hundred, who, to a man, volunteered to +accompany us, we set out for the mission. + +These missions are a sort of picket-houses or outposts of the Catholic +church, and are found in great numbers in all the frontier provinces +of Spanish America, especially in Texas, Santa Fe, and Cohahuila. They +are usually of sufficient strength to afford their inmates security +against any predatory party of Indians or other marauders, and are +occupied by priests, who, while using their endeavours to spread the +doctrines of the Church of Rome, act also as spies and agents of the +Mexican government. + +On reaching San Espada we held a discussion as to the propriety of +remaining there until the general came up, or of advancing at once +towards the river. Wharton inclined to the former plan, and it was +certainly the most prudent, for the mission was a strong building, +surrounded by a high wall, and might have been held against very +superior numbers. Fanning and I, however, did not like the idea of +being cooped up in a house, and at last Wharton yielded. We left our +horses and mustangs in charge of eight men, and with the remainder set +out in the direction of the Salado, which flows from north to south, a +third of a mile to the westward of the mission. About half-way between +the latter and the river, was a small group, or island, of muskeet +trees, the only object that broke the uniformity of the prairie. The +bank of the river on our side was tolerably steep, about eight or ten +feet high, hollowed out here and there, and covered with a thick +network of wild vines. The Salado at this spot describes a sort of +bow-shaped curve, with a ford at either end, by which alone the river +can be passed, for although not very broad, it is rapid and deep. We +resolved to take up a position within this bow, calculating that we +might manage to defend the two fords, which were not above a quarter +of a mile apart. + +At the same time we did not lose sight of the dangers of such a +position, and of the almost certainty that if the enemy managed to +cross the river, we should be surrounded and cut off. But our success +on the few occasions on which we had hitherto come to blows with the +Mexicans, at Velasco, Nacogdoches, and Galveston, had inspired us with +so much confidence, that we considered ourselves a match for thousands +of such foes, and actually began to wish the enemy would attack us +before our main body came up. We reconnoitred the ground, stationed a +picket of twelve men at each ford, and an equal number in the island +of muskeet trees; and established ourselves with the remainder amongst +the vines and in the hollows on the river bank. + +The commissariat department of the Texian army was, as may be +supposed, not yet placed upon any very regular footing. In fact, +every man was, for the present, his own commissary-general. Finding +our stock of provisions to be very small, we sent out a party of +foragers, who soon returned with three sheep, which they had taken +from a _rancho_, within a mile of San Antonio. An old priest, whom +they found there, had threatened them with the anger of Heaven and of +General Cos; but they paid little attention to his denunciations, and, +throwing down three dollars, walked off with the sheep. The priest +became furious, got upon his mule, and trotted away in the direction +of the City to complain to General Cos of the misconduct of the +heretics. + +After this we made no doubt that we should soon have a visit from the +worthy Dons. Nevertheless the evening and the night passed away +without incident. Day broke--still no signs of the Mexicans. This +treacherous sort of calm, we thought, might forbode a storm, and we +did not allow it to lull us into security. We let the men get their +breakfast, which they had hardly finished when the picket from the +upper ford came in with news that a strong body of cavalry was +approaching the river, and that their vanguard was already in the +hollow way leading to the ford. We had scarcely received this +intelligence when we heard the blare of the trumpets, and the next +moment we saw the officers push their horses up the declivitous bank, +closely followed by their men, whom they formed up in the prairie. We +counted six small squadrons, about three hundred men in all. They were +the Durango dragoons--smart troops enough to all appearance, capitally +mounted and equipped, and armed with carbines and sabres. + +Although the enemy had doubtless reconnoitred us from the opposite +shore, and ascertained our position, he could not form any accurate +idea of our numbers, for with a view to deceive him, we kept the men +in constant motion, sometimes showing a part of them on the prairie, +then causing them to disappear again behind the vines and bushes. This +was all very knowing for young soldiers such as we were; but, on the +other hand, we had committed a grievous error, and sinned against all +established military rules, by not placing a picket on the further +side of the river, to warn us of the approach of the enemy, and the +direction in which he was coming. There can be little doubt that if we +had earlier notice of their approach, thirty or forty good +marksmen--and all our people were that--might not only have delayed +the advance of the Mexicans, but perhaps even totally disgusted them +of their attempt to cross the Salado. The hollow way on the other side +of the river, leading to the ford, was narrow and tolerably steep, and +the bank was at least six times as high as on our side. Nothing would +have been easier than to have stationed a party, so as to pick off the +cavalry as they wound through this kind of pass, and emerged two by +two upon the shore. Our error, however, did not strike us till it was +too late to repair it; so we were fain to console ourselves with the +reflection that the Mexicans would be much more likely to attribute +our negligence to an excess of confidence in our resources, than to +the inexperience in military matters, which was its real cause. We +resolved to do our best to merit the good opinion which we thus +supposed them to entertain of us. + +When the whole of the dragoons had crossed the water, they marched on +for a short distance in an easterly direction: then, wheeling to the +right, proceeded southward, until within some five hundred paces of +us, where they halted. In this position, the line of cavalry formed +the chord of the arc described by the river, and occupied by us. + +As soon as they halted, they opened their fire, although the could not +see one of us, for we were completely sheltered by the bank. Our +Mexican heroes, however, apparently did not think it necessary to be +within sight or range of their opponents before firing, for they gave +us a rattling volley at a distance which no carbine would carry. This +done, others galloped on for about a hundred yards, halted again, +loaded, fired another volley, and then giving another gallop, fired +again. They continued this sort of _manège_ till they found themselves +within two hundred and fifty paces of us, and then appeared inclined +to take a little time for reflection. + +We kept ourselves perfectly still. The dragoons evidently did not +like the aspect of matters. Our remaining concealed, and not replying +to their fire, seemed to bother them. We saw the officers taking a +deal of pains to encourage their men, and at last two squadrons +advanced, the others following more slowly, a short distance in rear. +This was the moment we had waited for. No sooner had the dragoons got +into a canter, than six of our men who had received orders to that +effect, sprang up the bank, took steady aim at the officers, fired, +and then jumped down again. + +As we had expected, the small numbers that had shown themselves, +encouraged the Mexicans to advance. They seemed at first taken rather +aback by the fall of four of their officers; but nevertheless, after a +moment's hesitation, they came thundering along full speed. They were +within sixty or seventy yards of us, when Fanning and thirty of our +riflemen ascended the bank, and with a coolness and precision that +would have done credit to the most veteran troops, poured a steady +fire into the ranks of the dragoons. + +It requires some nerve and courage for men who have never gone through +any regular military training, to stand their ground singly and +unprotected, within fifty yards of an advancing line of cavalry. Our +fellows did it, however, and fired, not all at once, or in a hurry, +but slowly and deliberately; a running fire, every shot of which told. +Saddle after saddle was emptied; the men, as they had been ordered, +always picking out the foremost horsemen, and as soon as they had +fired, jumping down the bank to reload. When the whole of the thirty +men had discharged their rifles, Wharton and myself, with the reserve +of six and thirty more, took their places; but the dragoons had almost +had enough already, and we had scarcely fired ten shots when they +executed a right-about turn, with an uniformity and rapidity which did +infinite credit to their drill, and went off at a pace that soon +carried them out of reach of our bullets. They had probably not +expected so warm a reception. We saw their officers doing every thing +they could to check their flight, imploring, threatening, even cutting +at them with their sabres, but it was no use; if they were to be +killed, it must be in their own way, and they preferred being cut down +by their officers to encountering the deadly precision of rifles, in +the hands of men who, being sure of hitting a squirrel at a hundred +yards, were not likely to miss a Durango dragoon at any point within +range. + +Our object in ordering the men to fire slowly was, always to have +thirty or forty rifles loaded, wherewith to receive the enemy should +he attempt a charge _en masse_. But our first greeting had been a +sickener, and it appeared almost doubtful whether he would venture to +attack us again, although the officers did every thing in their power +to induce their men to advance. For a long time, neither threats, +entreaties, nor reproaches produced any effect. We saw the officers +gesticulating furiously, pointing to us with their sabres, and +impatiently spurring their horses, till the fiery animals plunged and +reared, and sprang with all four feet from the ground. It is only just +to say, that the officers exhibited a degree of courage far beyond any +thing we had expected from them. Of the two squadrons that charged us, +two-thirds of the officers had fallen; but those who remained, instead +of appearing intimidated by their comrades' fate, redoubled their +efforts to bring their men forward. + +At last there appeared some probability of their accomplishing this, +after a most curious and truly Mexican fashion. Posting themselves in +front of their squadrons, they rode on alone for a hundred yards or +so, halted, looked round, as much as to say--"You see there is no +danger as far as this," and then galloping back, led their men on. +Each time that they executed this manoeuvre, the dragoons would +advance slowly some thirty or forty paces, and then halt as +simultaneously as if the word of command had been given. Off went the +officers again, some distance to the front, and then back again to +their men, and got them on a little further. In this manner these +heroes were inveigled once more to within a hundred and fifty yards of +our position. + +Of course, at each of the numerous halts which they made during their +advance, they favoured us with a general, but most innocuous discharge +of their carbines; and at last, gaining confidence, I suppose, from +our passiveness, and from the noise and smoke they themselves had been +making, three squadrons which had not yet been under fire, formed open +column and advanced at a trot. Without giving them time to halt or +reflect--"Forward! Charge!" shouted the officers, urging their own +horses to their utmost speed; and following the impulse thus given, +the three squadrons came charging furiously along. + +Up sprang thirty of our men to receive them. Their orders were to fire +slowly, and not throw away a shot, but the gleaming sabres and rapid +approach of the dragoons flurried some of them, and firing a hasty +volley, they jumped down the bank again. This precipitation had nearly +been fatal to us. Several of the dragoons fell, and there was some +confusion and a momentary faltering amongst the others; but they still +came on. At this critical moment, Wharton and myself, with the +reserves, showed ourselves on the bank. "Slow and sure-mark your men!" +shouted we both. Wharton on the right and I on the left. The command +was obeyed: rifle after rifle cracked off, always aimed at the +foremost of the dragoons, and at every report a saddle was emptied. +Before we had all fired, Fanning and a dozen of his sharpest men had +again loaded, and were by our side. For nearly a minute the Mexicans +remained, as if stupefied by our murderous fire, and uncertain whether +to advance or retire; but as those who attempted the former, were +invariably shot down, they at last began a retreat, which was soon +converted into a rout. We gave them a farewell volley, which eased a +few more horses of their riders, and then got under cover again, to +await what might next occur. + +But the Mexican caballeros had no notion of coming up to the scratch a +third time. They kept patrolling about, some three or four hundred +yards off, and firing volleys at us, which they were able to do with +perfect impunity, as at that distance we did not think proper to +return a shot. + +The skirmish had lasted nearly three quarters of an hour. Strange to +say, we had not had a single man wounded, although at times the +bullets had fallen about us as thick as hail. We could not account for +this. Many of us had been hit by the balls, but a bruise or a graze of +the skin was the worst consequence that had ensued. We were in a fair +way to deem ourselves invulnerable. + +We were beginning to think that the fight was over for the day, when +our videttes at the lower ford brought us the somewhat unpleasant +intelligence that large masses of infantry were approaching the river, +and would soon be in sight. The words were hardly uttered, when the +roll of the drums, and shrill squeak of the fifes became audible, and +in a few minutes the head of the column of infantry, having crossed +the ford, ascended the sloping bank, and defiled in the prairie +opposite the island of muskeet trees. As company after company +appeared, we were able to form a pretty exact estimate of their +numbers. There were two battalions, together about a thousand men; and +they brought a field-piece with them. + +These were certainly rather long odds to be opposed to seventy-two men +and three officers' for it must be remembered that we had left twenty +of our people at the mission, and in the island of trees. Two +battalions of infantry, and six squadrons of dragoons--the latter, to +be sure, disheartened and diminished by the loss of some fifty men, +but nevertheless formidable opponents, now they were supported by the +foot soldiers. About twenty Mexicans to each of us. It was getting +past a joke. We were all capital shots, and most of us, besides our +rifles, had a brace of pistols in our belts; but what were +seventy-five rifles, and five or six score of pistols against a +thousand muskets and bayonets, two hundred and fifty dragoons, and a +field-piece loaded with canister? If the Mexicans had a spark of +courage or soldiership about them, our fate was sealed. But it was +exactly this courage and soldiership, which we made sure would be +wanting. + +Nevertheless we, the officers, could not repress a feeling of anxiety +and self-reproach, when we reflected that we had brought our comrades +into such a hazardous predicament. But on looking around us, our +apprehensions vanished. Nothing could exceed the perfect coolness and +confidence with which the men were cleaning and preparing their rifles +for the approaching conflict; no bravado--no boasting, talking, or +laughing, but a calm decision of manner, which at once told us, that +if it were possible to overcome such odds as were brought against us, +those were the men to do it. + +Our arrangements for the approaching struggle were soon completed. +Fanning and Wharton were to make head against the infantry and +cavalry. I was to capture the field-piece--an eight-pounder. + +This gun was placed by the Mexicans upon their extreme left, close to +the river, the shores of which it commanded for a considerable +distance. The bank on which we were posted was, as before mentioned, +indented by caves and hollows, and covered with a thick tapestry of +vines and other plants, which was now very useful in concealing us +from the artillerymen. The latter made a pretty good guess at our +position however, and at the first discharge, the canister whizzed +past us at a very short distance. There was not a moment to lose, for +one well-directed shot might exterminate half of us. Followed by a +dozen men, I worked my way as well as I could through the labyrinth of +vines and bushes, and was not more than fifty yards from the gun, when +it was again fired. No one was hurt, although the shot was evidently +intended for my party. The enemy could not see us; but the notion of +the vines, as we passed through them, had betrayed our whereabout: so, +perceiving that we were discovered, I sprang up the bank into the +prairie followed by my men, to whom I shouted, above all to aim at the +artillerymen. + +I had raised my own rifle to my shoulder, when I let it fall again in +astonishment at an apparition that presented itself to my view. This +was a tall, lean, wild figure, with a face overgrown by long beard +that hung down upon his breast, and dressed in a leather cap, jacket, +and mocassins. Where this man had sprung from was a perfect riddle. He +was unknown to any of us, although I had some vague recollection of +having seen him before, but where or when, I could not call to mind. +He had a long rifle in his hands, which he must have fired once +already, for one of the artillerymen lay dead by the gun. At the +moment I first caught sight of him, he shot down another, and then +began reloading with a rapid dexterity, that proved him to be well +used to the thing. My men were as much astonished as I was by this +strange apparition, which appeared to have started out of the earth; +and for a few seconds they forgot to fire, and stood gazing at the +stranger. The latter did not seem to approve of their inaction. + +"D---- yer eyes, ye starin' fools," shouted he in a rough hoarse +voice, "don't ye see them art'lerymen? Why don't ye knock 'em on the +head?" + +It certainly was not the moment to remain idle. We fired; but our +astonishment had thrown us off our balance, and we nearly all missed. +We sprang down the bank again to load, just as the men serving the gun +were slewing it around, so as to bring it to bear upon us. Before this +was accomplished, we were under cover, and the stranger had the +benefit of the discharge, of which he took no more notice than if he +had borne a charmed life. Again we heard the crack of his rifle, and +when, having reloaded, we once more ascended the bank, he was taking +aim at the last artilleryman, who fell, as his companions had done. + +"D---- ye, for laggin' fellers!" growled the stranger. "Why don't ye +take that 'ere big gun?" + +Our small numbers, the bad direction of our first volley, but, above +all, the precipitation with which we had jumped down the bank after +firing it, had so encouraged the enemy, that a company of infantry, +drawn up some distance in rear of the field-piece, fired a volley, and +advanced at double-quick time, part of them making a small _détour_ +with the intention of cutting us off from our friends. At this +moment, we saw Fanning and thirty men coming along the river bank to +our assistance; so without minding the Mexicans who were getting +behind us, we rushed forward to within twenty paces of those in our +front, and taking steady aim, brought down every man his bird. The +sort of desperate coolness with which this was done, produced the +greater effect on our opponents, as being something quite out of their +way. They would, perhaps, have stood firm against a volley from five +times our number, at a rather greater distance; but they did not like +having their mustaches singed by our powder; and after a moment's +wavering and hesitation, they shouted out "Diabolos! Diabolos!" and +throwing away their muskets, broke into precipitate flight. + +Fanning and Wharton now came up with all the men. Under cover of the +infantry's advance, the gun had been re-manned, but, luckily for us, +only by infantry soldiers; for had there been artillerymen to seize +the moment when we were all standing exposed on the prairie, they +might have diminished our numbers not a little. The fuse was already +burning, and we had just time to get under the bank when the gun went +off. Up we jumped again, and looked about us to see what was next to +be done. + +Although hitherto all the advantages had been on our side, our +situation was still a very perilous one. The company we had put to +flight had rejoined its battalion, which was now beginning to advance +by _échelon_ of companies. The second battalion, which was rather +further from us, was moving forward in like manner, and in a parallel +direction. We should probably, therefore, have to resist the attack of +a dozen companies, one after the other; and it was to be feared that +the Mexicans would finish by getting over their panic terror of our +rifles, and exchange their distant and ineffectual platoon-firing for +a charge with the bayonet, in which their superior numbers would tell. +We observed, also, that the cavalry, which had been keeping itself at +a safe distance, was now put in motion, and formed up close to the +island of muskeet trees, to which the right flank of the infantry was +also extending itself. Thence they had clear ground for a charge down +upon us. + +Meanwhile, what had become of the twelve men whom we had left in the +island? Were they still there, or had they fallen back upon the +mission in dismay at the overwhelming force of the Mexicans? If the +latter, it was a bad business for us, for they were all capital shots, +and well armed with rifles and pistols. We heartily wished we had +brought them with us, as well as the eight men at the mission. Cut off +from us as they were, what could they do against the whole of the +cavalry and two companies of infantry which were now approaching the +island? To add to our difficulties, our ammunition was beginning to +run short. Many of us had only had enough powder and ball for fifteen +or sixteen charges, which were now reduced to six or seven. It was no +use desponding, however; and, after a hurried consultation, it was +agreed that Fanning and Wharton should open a fire upon the enemy's +centre, while I made a dash at the field-piece before any more +infantry had time to come up for its protection. + +The infantry-men who had re-manned the gun were by this time shot +down, and, as none had come to replace them, it was served by an +officer alone. Just as I gave the order to advance to the twenty men +who were to follow me, this officer fell. Simultaneously with his +fall, I heard a sort of yell behind me, and, turning round, saw that +it proceeded from the wild spectre-looking stranger, whom I had lost +sight of during the last few minutes. A ball had struck him, and he +fell heavily to the ground, his rifle, which had just been discharged, +and was still smoking from muzzle and touchhole, clutched convulsively +in both hands; his features distorted, his eyes rolling frightfully. +There was something in the expression of his face at that moment which +brought back to me, in vivid colouring, one of the earliest and most +striking incidents of my residence in Texas. Had I not myself seen him +hung, I could have sworn that _Bob Rock, the murderer_, now lay before +me. + +A second look at the man gave additional force to this idea. + +"Bob!" I exclaimed. + +"Bob!" repeated the wounded man, in a broken voice, and with a look +of astonishment, almost of dismay. "Who calls Bob?" + +A wild gleam shot from his eyes, which the next instant closed. He had +become insensible. + +It was neither the time nor the place to indulge in speculations on +this singular resurrection of a man whose execution I had myself +witnessed. With twelve hundred foes around us, we had plenty to occupy +all our thoughts and attention. My people were already masters of the +gun, and some of them drew it forwards and pointed it against the +enemy, while the others spread out right and left to protect it with +their rifles. I was busy loading the piece when an exclamation of +surprise from one of the men made me look up. + +There seemed to be something extraordinary happening amongst the +Mexicans, to judge from the degree of confusion which suddenly showed +itself in their ranks, and which, beginning with the cavalry and right +flank of the infantry, soon became general throughout their whole +force. It was a sort of wavering and unsteadiness which, to us, was +quite unaccountable, for Fanning and Wharton had not yet fired twenty +shots, and, indeed, had only just come within range of the enemy. Not +knowing what it could portend, I called in my men, and stationed them +round the gun, which I had double-shotted, and stood ready to fire. + +The confusion in the Mexican ranks increased. For about a minute they +waved and reeled to and fro, as if uncertain which way to go; and, at +last, the cavalry and right of the line fairly broke, and ran for it. +This example was followed by the centre, and presently the whole of +the two battalions and three hundred cavalry were scattered over the +prairie, in the wildest and most disorderly flight. I gave them a +parting salute from the eight-pounder, which would doubtless have +accelerated their movements had it been possible to run faster than +they were already doing. + +We stood staring after the fugitives in perfect bewilderment, totally +unable to explain their apparently causeless panic. At last the report +of several rifles from the island of trees gave us a clue to the +mystery. + +The infantry, whose left flank extended to the Salado, had pushed +their right into the prairie as far as the island of muskeet trees, in +order to connect their line with the dragoons, and then by making a +general advance, to attack us on all sides at once, and get the full +advantage of their superior numbers. The plan was not a bad one. +Infantry and cavalry approached the island, quite unsuspicious of its +being occupied. The twelve riflemen whom we had stationed there +remained perfectly quiet, concealed behind the trees; allowed +squadrons and companies to come within twenty paces of them, and then +opened their fire, first from their pistols, then from their rifles. + +Some six and thirty shots, every one of which told, fired suddenly +from a cover close to their rear, were enough to startle even the best +troops, much more so our Mexican dons, who, already sufficiently +inclined to a panic, now believed themselves fallen into an ambuscade, +and surrounded on all sides by the incarnate _diabolos_, as they +called us. The cavalry, who had not yet recovered the thrashing we had +given them, were ready enough for a run, and the infantry were not +slow to follow them. + +Our first impulse was naturally to pursue the flying enemy, but a +discovery made by some of the men, induced us to abandon that idea. +They had opened the pouches of the dead Mexicans in order to supply +themselves with ammunition, ours being nearly expended; but the powder +of the cartridges turned out so bad as to be useless. It was little +better than coal dust, and would not carry a ball fifty paces to kill +or wound. This accounted for our apparent invulnerability to the fire +of the Mexicans. The muskets also were of a very inferior description. +Both they and the cartridges were of English make; the former being +stamped Birmingham, and the latter having the name of an English +powder manufactory, with the significant addition, "for exportation." + +Under these circumstances, we had nothing to do but let the Mexicans +run. We sent a detachment to the muskeet island, to unite itself with +the twelve men who had done such good service there, and thence +advance towards the ford. We ourselves proceeded slowly in the latter +direction. This demonstration brought the fugitives back again, for +they had, most of them, in the wild precipitation of their flight, +passed the only place where they could cross the river. They began +crowding over in the greatest confusion, foot and horse all mixed up +together; and by the time we got within a hundred paces of the ford, +the prairie was nearly clear of them. There were still a couple of +hundred men on our side of the water, completely at our mercy, and +Wharton, who was a little in front with thirty men, gave the word to +fire upon them. No one obeyed. He repeated the command. Not a rifle +was raised. He stared at his men, astonished and impatient at this +strange disobedience. An old weather-beaten bear-hunter stepped +forward, squirting out his tobacco juice with all imaginable +deliberation. + +"I tell ye what, capting!" said he, passing his quid over from his +right cheek to his left; "I calkilate, capting," he continued, "we'd +better leave the poor devils of dons alone." + +"The poor devils of dons alone!" repeated Wharton in a rage. "Are you +mad, man?" + +Fanning and I had just come up with our detachment, and were not less +surprised and angry than Wharton was, at this breach of discipline. +The man, however, did not allow himself to be disconcerted. + +"There's a proverb, gentlemen," said he, turning to us, "which says, +that one should build a golden bridge for a beaten enemy; and a good +proverb it is, I calkilate--a considerable good one." + +"What do you mean, man, with your golden bridge?" cried Fanning. "This +is no time for proverbs." + +"Do you know that you are liable to be punished for insubordination?" +said I. "It's your duty to fire, and do the enemy all the harm you +can; not to be quoting proverbs." + +"Calkilate it is," replied the man very coolly. "Calkilate I could +shoot 'em without either danger or trouble; but I reckon that would be +like Spaniards or Mexicans; not like Americans--not prudent." + +"Not like Americans? Would you let the enemy escape, then, when we +have him in our power?" + +"Calkilate I would. Calkilate we should do ourselves more harm than +him by shooting down his people. That was a considerable sensible +commandment of yourn, always to shoot the foremost of the Mexicans +when they attacked. It discouraged the bold ones, and was a sort of +premium on cowardice. Them as lagged behind escaped, them as came +bravely on were shot. It was a good calkilation. If we had shot 'em +without discrimination, the cowards would have got bold, seein' that +they weren't safer in rear than in front. The cowards are our best +friends. Now them runaways," continued he, pointing to the Mexicans, +who were crowding over the river, "are jest the most cowardly of 'em +all, for in their fright they quite forgot the ford, and it's because +they ran so far beyond it, that they are last to cross the water. And +if you fire at 'em now, they'll find that they get nothin' by bein' +cowards, and next time, I reckon, they'll sell their hides as dear as +they can." + +Untimely as this palaver, to use a popular word, undoubtedly was, we +could scarcely forbear smiling at the simple _naïve_ manner in which +the old Yankee spoke his mind. + +"Calkilate, captings," he concluded, "you'd better let the poor devils +run. We shall get more profit by it than if we shot five hundred of +'em. Next time they'll run away directly to show their gratitude for +our ginerosity." + +The man stepped back into the ranks, and his comrades nodded +approvingly, and calculated and reckoned that Zebediah had spoke a +true word; and meanwhile the enemy had crossed the river, and was out +of our reach. We were forced to content ourselves with sending a party +across the water to follow up the Mexicans, and observe the direction +they took. We then returned to our old position. + +My first thought on arriving there was to search for the body of Bob +Rock--for he it undoubtedly was, who had so mysteriously appeared +amongst us. I repaired to the spot where I had seen him fall; but +could discover no signs of him, either dead or alive. I went over the +whole scene of the fight, searched amongst the vines and along the +bank of the river; there were plenty of dead Mexicans--cavalry, +infantry, and artillery, but no Bob was to be found, nor could any one +inform me what had become of him, although several had seen him fall. + +I was continuing my search, when I met Wharton, who asked me what I +was seeking, and on learning, shook his head gravely. He had seen the +wild prairieman, he said, but whence he came, or whither he was gone, +was more than he could tell. It was a long time since any thing had +startled and astonished him so much as this man's appearance and +proceedings. He (Wharton,) had been stationed with his party amongst +the vines, about fifty paces in rear of Fanning's people, when just as +the Mexican infantry had crossed the ford, and were forming up, he saw +a man approaching at a brisk trot from the north side of the prairie. +He halted about a couple of hundred yards from Wharton, tied his +mustang to a bush, and with his rifle on his arm, strode along the +edge of the prairie in the direction of the Mexicans. When he passed +near Wharton, the latter called out to him to halt, and say who he +was, whence he came, and whither going. + +"Who I am is no business of yourn," replied the man: "nor where I come +from neither. You'll soon see where I'm goin'. I'm goin' agin' the +enemy." + +"Then you must come and join us," cried Wharton. + +This the stranger testily refused to do. He'd fight on his own hook, +he said. + +Wharton told him he must not do that. + +He should like to see who'd hinder him, he said, and walked on. The +next moment he shot the first artilleryman. After that they let him +take his own way. + +Neither Wharton, nor any of his men, knew what had become of him; but +at last I met with a bear-hunter, who gave me the following +information. + +"Calkilatin'," said he, "that the wild prairieman's rifle was a +capital good one, as good a one as ever killed a bear, he tho't it a +pity that it should fall into bad hands, so went to secure it himself, +although the frontispiece of its dead owner warn't very invitin'. But +when he stooped to take the gun, he got such a shove as knocked him +backwards, and on getting up, he saw the prairieman openin' his jacket +and examinin' a wound on his breast, which was neither deep nor +dangerous, although it had taken away the man's senses for a while. +The ball had struck the breast bone, and was quite near the skin, so +that the wounded man pushed it out with his fingers; and then +supporting himself on his rifle, got up from the ground, and without +either a thankye, or a d---nye, walked to where his mustang was tied +up, got on its back, and rode slowly away in a northerly direction." + +This was all the information I could obtain on the subject, and +shortly afterwards the main body of our army came up, and I had other +matters to occupy my attention. General Austin expressed his gratitude +and approbation to our brave fellows, after a truly republican and +democratic fashion. He shook hands with all the rough bear and buffalo +hunters, and drank with them. Fanning and myself he promoted, on the +spot, to the rank of colonel. + +We were giving the general a detailed account of the morning's events, +when a Mexican priest appeared with a flag of truce and several +waggons, and craved permission to take away the dead. This was of +course granted, and we had some talk with the padré, who, however, was +too wily a customer to allow himself to be pumped. What little we did +get out of him, determined us to advance the same afternoon against +San Antonio. We thought there was some chance, that in the present +panic-struck state of the Mexicans, we might obtain possession of the +place by a bold and sudden assault. + +In this, however, we were mistaken. We found the gates closed, and the +enemy on his guard, but too dispirited to oppose our taking up a +position at about cannon-shot from the great redoubt. We had soon +invested all the outlets from the city. + +San Antonio de Bexar lies in a fertile and well-irrigated valley, +stretching westward from the river Salado. In the centre of the town +rises the fort of the Alamo, which at that time was armed with +forty-eight pieces of artillery of various calibre. The garrison of +the town and fortress was nearly three thousand strong. + +Our artillery consisted of two batteries of four six, and five +eight-pounders; our army of eleven hundred men, with which we had not +only to carry on the siege, but also to make head against the forces +that would be sent against us from Cohahuila, on the frontier of which +province General Cos was stationed, with a strong body of troops. + +We were not discouraged, however, and opened our fire upon the city. +During the first week, not a day passed without smart skirmishes. +General Cos's dragoons were swarming about us like so many Bedouins. +But although well-mounted, and capital horsemen, they were no match +for our backwoodsmen. Those from the western states especially, +accustomed to Indian warfare and cunning, laid traps and ambuscades +for the Mexicans, and were constantly destroying their detachments. As +for the besieged, if one of them showed his head for ten seconds above +the city wall, he was sure of getting a rifle bullet through it. I +cannot say that our besieging army was a perfect model of military +discipline; but any deficiencies in that respect were made good by the +intelligence of the men, and the zeal and unanimity with which they +pursued the accomplishment of one great object--the capture of the +city--the liberty and independence of Texas. + +The badness of the gunpowder used by the Mexicans, was again of great +service to us. Many of their cannon balls that fell far short of us, +were collected and returned to them with powerful effect. We kept a +sharp look-out for convoys, and captured no less than three--one of +horses, another of provisions, and twenty thousand dollars in money. + +After an eight weeks' siege, a breach having been made, the city +surrendered, and a month later the fort followed the example. With a +powerful park of artillery, we then advanced upon Goliad, the +strongest fortress in Texas, which likewise capitulated in about four +weeks' time. We were now masters of the whole country, and the war was +apparently at an end. + +But the Mexicans were not the people to give up their best province so +easily. They have too much of the old Spanish character about +them--that determined obstinacy which sustained the Spaniards during +their protracted struggle against the Moors. The honour of their +republic was compromised, and that must be redeemed. Thundering +proclamations were issued, denouncing the Texians as rebels, who +should be swept off the face of the earth, and threatening the United +States for having aided us with money and volunteers. Ten thousand of +the best troops in Mexico entered Texas and were shortly to be +followed by ten thousand more. The President, General Santa Anna, +himself came to take the command, attended by a numerous and brilliant +staff. + +The Texians laughed at the fanfarronades of the dons, and did not +attach sufficient importance to these formidable preparations. Their +good opinion of themselves, and contempt of their foes, had been +increased to an unreasonable degree by their recent and rapid +successes. They forgot that the troops to which they had hitherto been +opposed were for the most part militia, and that those now advancing +against them were of a far better description, and had probably better +powder. The call to arms made by our president, Burnet, was +disregarded by many, and we could only get together about two thousand +men, of whom nearly two-thirds had to be left to garrison the forts of +Goliad and Alamo. In the first named place we left seven hundred and +sixty men, under the command of Fanning; in the latter, something more +than five hundred. With the remaining seven or eight hundred, we took +the field. The Mexicans advanced so rapidly, that they were upon us +before we were aware of it, and we were compelled to retreat, leaving +the garrisons of the two forts to their fate, and a right melancholy +one it proved to be. + +One morning news was brought to Goliad, that a number of country +people, principally women and children, were on their way to the fort, +closely pursued by the Mexicans. Fanning, losing sight of prudence in +his compassion for these poor people, immediately ordered a battalion +of five hundred men, under the command of Major Ward, to go and meet +the fugitives and escort them in. The major, and several officers of +the garrison, doubted as to the propriety of this measure; but +Fanning, full of sympathy for his unprotected country-women, insisted, +and the battalion moved out. They soon came in sight of the fugitives, +as they thought, but on drawing nearer, the latter turned out to be +Mexican dragoons, who sprang upon their horses, which were concealed +in the neighbouring islands of trees, and a desperate fight began. The +Mexicans, far superior in numbers, received every moment accessions to +their strength. The Louis-Potosi and Santa Fé cavalry, fellows who +seem born on horseback, were there. Our unfortunate countrymen were +hemmed in on all sides. The fight lasted two days, and only two men +out of the five hundred escaped with their lives. + +Before the news of this misfortune reached us, orders had been sent to +Fanning to evacuate the fort and join us with six pieces of artillery. +He received the order, and proceeded to execute it. But what might +have been very practicable for eight hundred and sixty men, was +impossible for three hundred and sixty. Nevertheless, Fanning began +his march through the prairie. His little band was almost immediately +surrounded by the enemy. After a gallant defence, which lasted twelve +hours, they succeeded in reaching an island, but scarcely had they +established themselves there, when they found that their ammunition +was expended. There was nothing left for them, but to accept the terms +offered by the Mexicans, who pledged themselves, that if they laid +down their arms, they should be permitted to return to their homes. +But the rifles were no sooner piled, than the Texians found themselves +charged by their treacherous foes, who butchered them without mercy. +Only an advanced post of three men succeeded in escaping. + +The five hundred men whom we had left in San Antonio de Bexar, fared +no better. Not being sufficiently numerous to hold out the town as +well as the Alamo, they retreated into the latter. The Mexican +artillery soon laid a part of the fort in ruins. Still its defenders +held out. After eight days' fighting, during which the loss of the +besiegers was tremendously severe, the Alamo was taken, and not a +single Texian left alive. + +We thus, by these two cruel blows, lost two-thirds of our army, and +little more than seven hundred men remained to resist the numerous +legions of our victorious foe. The prospect before us, was one well +calculated to daunt the stoutest heart. + +The Mexican general, Santa Anna, moved his army forward in two +divisions, one stretching along the coast towards Velasco, the other +advancing towards San Felipe de Austin. He himself, with a small +force, marched in the centre. At Fort Bend, twenty miles below San +Felipe, he crossed the Brazos, and shortly afterwards established +himself with about fifteen hundred men in an entrenched camp. Our +army, under the command of General Houston, was in front of +Harrisburg, to which place the congress had retreated. + +It was on the night of the twentieth of April, and our whole +disposable force, some seven hundred men, was bivouacking in and about +an island of sycamores. It was a cloudy, stormy evening: high wind was +blowing, and the branches of the trees groaned and creaked above our +heads. The weather harmonized well enough with our feelings, which +were sad and desponding when we thought of the desperate state of our +cause. We (the officers) were sitting in a circle round the general +and Alcalde, both of whom appeared uneasy and anxious. More than once +they got up, and walked backwards and forwards, seemingly impatient, +and as if they were waiting for or expecting something. There was a +deep silence throughout the whole bivouac; some were sleeping, and +those who watched were in no humour for idle chat. + +"Who goes there?" suddenly shouted one of the sentries. The answer we +did not hear, but it was apparently satisfactory, for there was no +further challenge, and a few seconds afterwards an orderly came up, +and whispered something in the ear of the Alcalde. The latter hurried +away, and, presently returning, spoke a few words in a low tone to the +general, and then to us officers. In an instant we were all upon our +feet. In less than ten minutes, the bivouac was broken up, and our +little army on the march. + +All our people were well mounted, and armed with rifles, pistols, and +bowie-knives. We had six field-pieces, but we only took four, +harnessed wit twice the usual number of horses. We marched at a rapid +trot the whole night, led by a tall, gaunt figure of a man who acted +as our guide, and kept some distance in front. I more than once asked +the Alcalde who this was. "You will know by and by," was his answer. + +Before daybreak we had ridden five and twenty miles, but had been +compelled to abandon two more guns. As yet, no one knew the object of +this forced march. The general commanded a halt, and ordered the men +to refresh and strengthen themselves by food and drink. While they +were doing this, he assembled the officers around him, and the meaning +of our night march was explained to us. The camp in which the Mexican +president and general-in-chief had entrenched himself was within a +mile of us; General Parza, with two thousand men, was twenty miles +further to the rear; General Filasola, with one thousand, eighteen +miles lower down on the Brazos; Viesca, with fifteen hundred, +twenty-five miles higher up. One bold and decided blow, and Texas +might yet be free. There was not a moment to lose, nor was one lost. +The general addressed the men. + +"Friends! Brothers! Citizens! General Santa Anna is within a mile of +us with fifteen hundred men. The hour that is to decide the question +of Texian liberty is now arrived. What say you? Do we attack?" + +"We do!" exclaimed the men with one voice, cheerfully and decidedly. + +In the most perfect stillness, we arrived within two hundred paces of +the enemy's camp. The _reveillée_ of the sleeping Mexicans was the +discharge of our two field-pieces loaded with canister. Rushing on to +within twenty-five paces of the entrenchment, we gave them a deadly +volley from our rifles, and then, throwing away the latter, bounded up +the breastworks, a pistol in each hand. The Mexicans, scared and +stupefied by this sudden attack, were running about in the wildest +confusion, seeking their arms, and not knowing which way to turn. +After firing our pistols, we threw them away as we had done our +rifles, and, drawing our bowie-knives, fell, with a shout, upon the +masses of the terrified foe. It was more like the boarding of a ship +than any land fight I had ever seen or imagined. + +My station was on the right of the line, where the breastwork, ending +in a redoubt, was steep and high. I made two attempts to climb up, but +both times slipped back. On the third trial I nearly gained the +summit; but was again slipping down, when a hand seized me by the +collar, and pulled me up on the bank. In the darkness and confusion I +did not distinguish the face of the man who rendered me this +assistance. I only saw the glitter of a bayonet which a Mexican thrust +into his shoulder, at the very moment he was helping me up. He neither +flinched nor let go his hold of me till I was fairly on my feet; then, +turning slowly round, he levelled a pistol at the soldier, who, at +that very moment, was struck down by the Alcalde. + +"No thanks to ye, squire!" exclaimed the man, in a voice which made me +start, even at that moment of excitement and bustle. I looked at the +speaker, but could only see his back, for he had already plunged into +the thick of the fight, and was engaged with a party of Mexicans, who +defended themselves desperately. He fought like a man more anxious to +be killed than to kill, striking furiously right and left, but never +guarding a blow, though the Alcalde, who was by his side, warded off +several which were aimed at him. + +By this time my men had scrambled up after me. I looked round to see +where our help was most wanted, and was about to lead them forward, +when I heard the voice of the Alcalde. + +"Are you badly hurt, Bob?" said he in an anxious tone. + +I glanced at the spot whence the voice came. There lay Bob Rock, +covered with blood, and apparently insensible. The Alcalde was +supporting his head on his arm. Before I had time to give a second +look I was hurried forward with the rest towards the centre of the +camp, where the fight was at the hottest. + +About five hundred men, the pick of the Mexican army, had collected +round a knot of staff-officers, and were making a most gallant +defence. General Houston had attacked them with three hundred of our +people, but had not been able to break their ranks. His charge, +however, had shaken them a little, and, before they had time to +recover from it, I came up. Giving a wild hurrah, my men fired their +pistols, hurled them at their enemies' heads, and then springing over +the carcasses of the fallen, dashed like a thunderbolt into the broken +ranks of the Mexicans. + +A frightful butchery ensued. Our men, who were for the most part, and +at most times, peaceable and humane in disposition, seemed converted +into perfect fiends. Whole ranks of the enemy fell under their knives. +Some idea may be formed of the horrible slaughter from the fact, that +the fight, from beginning to end, did not last above ten minutes, and +in that time nearly eight hundred Mexicans were shot or cut down. "No +quarter!" was the cry of the infuriated assailants: "Remember Alamo! +Remember Goliad! Think of Fanning, Ward!" The Mexicans threw +themselves on their knees, imploring mercy. "_Misericordia! Cuartel, +por el amor de Dios!_" shrieked they in heart-rending tones but their +supplications were not listened to, and every man of them would +inevitably have been butchered, had not General Houston and the +officers dashed in between the victors and the vanquished, and with +the greatest difficulty, and by threats of cutting down our own men if +they did not desist, put an end to this scene of bloodshed, and saved +the Texian character from the stain of unmanly cruelty. + +When all was over, I hurried back to the place where I had left the +Alcalde with Bob--the latter lay, bleeding from six wounds, only a few +paces from the spot where he had helped me up the breastwork. The +bodies of two dead Mexicans served him for a pillow. The Alcalde was +kneeling by his side, gazing sadly and earnestly into the face of the +dying man. + +For Bob was dying; but it was no longer the death of the despairing +murderer. The expression of his features was calm and composed, and +his eyes were raised to heaven with a look of hope and supplication. + +I stooped down and asked him how he felt himself, but he made no +answer, and evidently did not recollect me. After a minute or two, + +"How goes it with the fight?" he asked in a broken voice. + +"We have conquered, Bob. The enemy killed or taken. Not a man +escaped." + +He paused a little, and then spoke again. + +"Have I done my duty? May I hope to be forgiven?" + +The Alcalde answered him in an agitated voice. + +"He who forgave the sinner on the cross, will doubtless be merciful to +you, Bob. His holy book says: There is more joy over one sinner that +repenteth than over ninety and nine just men. Be of good hope, Bob! +the Almighty will surely be merciful to you!" + +"Thank ye, squire," gasped Bob "you're a true friend, a friend in life +and in death. Well, it's come at last," said he, while a resigned and +happy smile stole over his features. "I've prayed for it long enough. +Thank God, it's come at last!" + +He gazed up at the Alcalde with a kindly expression of countenance. +There was a slight shuddering movement of his whole frame--Bob was +dead. + +The Alcalde remained kneeling for a short time by the side of the +corpse, his lips moving in prayer. At last he rose to his feet. + +"God desireth not the death of a sinner, but rather that he may turn +from his wickedness and live," said he, in a low and solemn tone. "I +had those words in my thoughts four years ago, when I cut him down +from the branch of the Patriarch." + +"Four years ago!" cried I. "Then you cut him down, and were in time to +save him! Was it he who yesterday brought us the news of the vicinity +of the foe?" + +"It was, and much more than that has he done," replied the Alcalde, no +longer striving to conceal the tears that fell from his eyes. "For +four years has he dragged on his wretched existence, weary of the +world, and despised of all men. For four years has he served us, +lived, fought, and spied for us, without honour, reward, hope, or +consolation--without a single hour of tranquillity, or a wish for +aught except death. All this to serve Texas and his countrymen. Who +shall say this man was not a true patriot? God will surely be merciful +to his soul," said the Alcalde after a pause. + +"I trust he will," answered I, deeply affected. + +We were interrupted at this moment by a message from General Houston, +to whom we immediately hastened. All was uproar and confusion. Santa +Anna could not be found amongst the prisoners. + +This was a terrible disappointment, for the capture of the Mexican +president had been our principal object, and the victory we had gained +was comparatively unimportant if he escaped. Indeed, the hope of +putting an end to the war by his capture, had more than any thing +encouraged and stimulated us to the unequal conflict. + +The moment was a very critical one. Amongst our men were some thirty +or forty most desperate characters, who began handling their knives, +and casting looks upon the prisoners, the meaning of which it was +impossible to mistake. Selecting some of our trustiest men, we +stationed them as a guard over the captives, and, having thus assured +the safety of the latter, began questioning them as to what had become +of their general. + +They had none of them seen Santa Anna since the commencement of the +fight, and it was clear that he must have made his escape while we +were getting over the breastworks. He could not be very far off, and +we at once took measures to find him. A hundred men were sent off with +the prisoners to Harrisburg, and a hundred others, capitally mounted +on horses found in the Mexican camp, started to scour the country in +search of the fugitive chief. I accompanied the latter detachment. + +We had been twelve hours in the saddle, and had ridden over nearly a +hundred miles of ground. We began to despair of finding the game we +were in quest of, and were thinking of abandoning the chase, when at a +distance of about seven miles from the camp, one of our most +experienced hunters discovered the print of a small and delicate boot +upon some soft ground leading to a marsh. Following this trail, it at +last led us to a man sunk up to his waist in the swamp, and so covered +with mud and filth, as to be quite unrecognizable. We drew him from his +hiding-place, half dead with cold and terror, and, having washed the +dirt from his face, we found him to be a man of about forty years of +age, with blue eyes, of a mild, but crafty expression; a narrow, high +forehead; long, thin nose, rather fleshy at the tip; projecting upper +lip, and long chin. These features tallied too exactly with the +description we had had of the Mexican president, for us to doubt that +our prisoner was Santa Anna himself. + +The only thing that at all tended to shake this conviction, was the +extraordinary poltroonery of our new captive. He threw himself on his +knees, begging us, in the name of God and all the saints, to spare his +life. Our reiterated assurances and promises were insufficient to +convince him of his being in perfect safety, or to induce him to adopt +a demeanour more consistent with his dignity and high station. + +The events which succeeded this fortunate capture are too well known +to require more than a very brief recapitulation. The same evening a +truce was agreed upon between Houston and Santa Anna, the latter +sending orders to his different generals to retire upon San Antonio de +Bexar, and other places in the direction of the Mexican frontier. +These orders, valueless as emanating from a prisoner, most of the +generals were weak or cowardly enough to obey, an obedience for which +they were afterwards brought to trial by the Mexican congress. In a +few days, two-thirds of Texas were in our possession. + +The news of these successes brought crowds of volunteers to our +standard. In three weeks, we had an army of several thousand men, with +which we advanced against the Mexicans. There was no more fighting, +however, for our antagonists had had enough, and allowed themselves to +be driven from one position to another, till, in a month's time, there +was not one of them left in the country. + +The Struggle was over, and Texas was Free! + + * * * * * + + + + +CLITOPHON AND LEUCIPPE. + + +When enumerating (in our number for July, last year) the principal +Greek romances which succeeded the _Ethiopics_ of Heliodorus, we +placed next to the celebrated production of the Bishop of Trica in +point of merit (as it is generally held to have been also in order of +time) the "Adventures of Clitophon and Leucippe," by Achilles Tatius. +Though far inferior, both in the delineation of the characters and the +contrivance of the story, to the _Ethiopics_, (from which, indeed, +many of the incidents are obviously borrowed,) and not altogether free +from passages offensive to delicacy, "Clitophon and Leucippe" is well +entitled to a separate notice, not only from the grace of its style +and diction, and the curious matter with which the narrative is +interspersed, but from its presenting one of the few pictures, which +have come down to these times, of the social and domestic life of the +Greeks. In the _Ethiopics_, which may be considered as an _heroic_ +romance, the scene lies throughout in palaces, camps, and temples; +kings, high-priests, and satraps, figure in every page; the hero +himself is a prince of his own people; and the heroine, who at first +appears of no lower rank than a high-priestess of Delphi, proves, in +the sequel, the heiress of a mighty kingdom. In the work of Achilles +Tatius, on the contrary, (the plot of which is laid at a later period +of time than that of its predecessor,) the characters are taken, +without exception, from the class of Grecian citizens, who are +represented in the ordinary routine of polished social existence, +amidst their gardens of villas, and occupied by their banquets and +processions, and the business of their courts of law. There are no +unexpected revelations, no talismanic rings, no mysterious secret +affecting the fortunes of any of the personages, who are all presented +to us at the commencement in their proper names and characters. The +interest of the story, as in the _Ethiopics_, turns chiefly on an +elopement, and the consequent misadventures of the hero and heroine +among various sets of robbers and treacherous friends; but the lovers, +after being thus duly punished for their undutiful escapade, are +restored, at the finale, to their original position, and settle +quietly in their native home, under their own vines and fig-trees. + +Of the author himself little appears to be certainly known. Fabricius +and other writers have placed him in the "third or fourth" century of +our era; but this date will by no means agree with his constant +imitations of Heliodorus, who is known to have lived at the end of the +fourth and beginning of the fifth century; and Tatius, if not his +contemporary, probably lived not long after him. Suidas (who calls him +_Statius_) informs us that he was a native of Alexandria; and +attributes to his pen several other works on various subjects besides +the romance now in question, a fragment only of which--a treatise on +the sphere--has been preserved. He adds, that he was a pagan when he +wrote "Clitophon and Leucippe," but late in life embraced +Christianity, and even became a bishop. This latter statement, +however, is unsupported by any other authority, and would seem to be +opposed by the negative testimony of the patriarch Photius, who (in +his famous _Bibliotheca_, 118, 130) passes a severe censure on the +immorality of certain passages in the works of Tatius, and would +scarcely have omitted to inveigh against the further scandal of their +having proceeded from the pen of an ecclesiastic. "In style and +composition this work is of high excellence; the periods are generally +well rounded and perspicuous, and gratify the ear by their harmony ... +but, except in the names of the personages, and the unpardonable +breaches of decorum of which he is guilty, the author appears to have +closely copied Heliodorus both in the plan and execution of his +narrative." In another passage, when treating of the _Babylonica_[1] +of Iamblichus, he repeats this condemnation:--"Of these three +principal writers of amorous tales. Heliodorus has treated the subject +with due gravity and decorum. Iamblichus is not so unexceptionable on +these points; and Achilles Tatius is still worse, in his eight books +of _Clitophon and Leucippe_, the very diction of which is soft and +effeminate, as if intended to relax the vigour of the reader's mind." +This last denunciation of the patriarch, however, is somewhat too +sweeping and indiscriminate, since, though some passages are certainly +indefensible, they appear rather as interpolations, and are in no +manner connected with the main thread of the story, the general +tendency of which is throughout innocent and moral; and whatever may +be said of these blemishes, it must be allowed that the pages of +Achilles Tatius are purity itself when compared with the depravity of +Longus, and some of his followers and imitators among the Greek +romancists. + + [1] This work is now lost, and we know it only by the abstract + given by Photius in the passage quoted. + +The period of time at which the adventures of _Clitophon and Leucippe_ +are supposed to take place, appears to be in the later ages of Grecian +independence, when the successors of Alexander reigned in Syria and +Egypt, and the colonized cities in Thrace and Asia Minor still +preserved their municipal liberties. The story is related in the first +person by the hero himself; a mode of narration which, though the best +adapted for affording scope to the expression of the feelings of the +principal personages, is, in this instance, very awkwardly introduced. +A stranger, while contemplating a famous picture of the Rape of Europa +in the Temple of Astarte at Sidon, is accosted by a young man, who, +after a few incidental remarks, proceeds, without further preface, to +recount his adventures at length to this casual acquaintance. This +communicative gentleman is, of course, Clitophon; but before we +proceed to the narrative of his loves and woes, we shall give a +specimen of the author's powers in the line which appears to be his +forte, by quoting his description of the painting above referred +to:--"On entering the temple, my attention was attracted by a picture +representing the story of Europa, in which sea and land were +blended--the Phoenician Sea and the coasts of Sidon. On the land was +seen a band of maidens in a meadow, while in the sea a bull was +swimming, who bore on his shoulders a beautiful virgin, and was making +his way in the direction of Crete. The meadow was decked with a +profusion of bright flowers, to which a grateful shelter was afforded +by the dense overhanging foliage of the shrubs and clumps of trees, +which were interspersed at intervals throughout its extent; while so +skilfully had the artist represented the appearance of light and +shade, that the rays of the sun were seen to pass here and there +through the interstices of the leaves, and cast a softened radiance on +the ground underneath. A spring was seen bubbling up in the midst, and +refreshing the flowers and plants with its cool waters; while a +labourer with a spade was at work opening a fresh channel for the +stream. At the extremity of the meadow, where it bordered on the sea, +the maidens stood grouped together, in attitudes expressive of mingled +joy and terror; their brows were bound with chaplets, and their hair +floated in loose locks over their shoulders; but their features were +pale, and their cheeks contracted, and they gazed with lips apart and +opened eyes on the sea, as if on the point of uttering a cry +half-suppressed by fear. They were standing on tiptoe on the very +verge of the shore, with their tunics girt up to the knee, and +extending their arms towards the bull, as if meditating to rush into +the sea in pursuit of him, and yet shrinking from the contact of the +waves. The sea was represented of a reddish tint inshore, but further +out the colour changed to deep azure; while in another part the waves +were seen running in with a swell upon the rocks, and breaking against +them into clouds of foam and white spray. In the midst of the sea the +bull was depicted, breasting the lofty billows which surged against +his sides, with the damsel seated on his back, not astride, but with +both her feet disposed on his right side, while with her left hand she +grasped his horn, by which she guided his motions as a charioteer +guides a horse by the rein. She was arrayed in a white tunic, which +did not extend much below her waist, and an under-garment of purple, +reaching to her feet; but the outline of her form, and the swell of +her bosom, were distinctly defined through her garments. Her right +hand rested on the back of the bull, with the left she retained her +hold of his horn, while with both she grasped her veil, which was +blown out by the wind, and expanded in an arch over her head and +shoulders, so that the bull might be compared to a ship, of which the +damsel's veil was the sail. Around them dolphins were sporting in the +water, and winged loves fluttering in the air, so admirably depicted, +that the spectator might fancy he saw them in motion. One Cupid guided +the bull, while others hovered round bearing bows and quivers, and +brandishing nuptial torches, regarding Jupiter with arch and sidelong +glances, as if conscious that it was by their influence that the god +had assumed the form of an animal." + +To return to Clitophon and his tale. He begins by informing his +hearer, that he is the son of Hippias, a noble and wealthy denizen of +Tyre, and that he had been betrothed from his childhood, as was not +unusual in those times,[2] to his own half-sister Calligone:--but +Leucippe, the daughter of Sostratus, a brother of Hippias, resident at +Byzantium, having arrived with her mother Panthia, to claim the +hospitality of their Tyrian relatives during a war impending between +their native city and the Thracian tribes, Clitophon at once becomes +enamoured of his cousin, whose charms are described in terms of +glowing panegyric:--"She seemed to me like the representation of +Europa, which I see in the picture before me--her eye beaming with joy +and happiness--her locks fair,[3] and flowing in natural ringlets, but +her eyebrows and eyelashes jetty black--her complexion fair, but with +a blush in her cheeks like that faint crimson with which the Lydian +women stain ivory, and her lips like the hue of a fresh-opened rose." +Love is not, however, in this case, as in that of Theagenes and +Chariclea, instantaneous on both sides; and the expedient adopted by +Clitophon, with the aid of his servant Satyrus, (a valet of the +_Scapin_ school,) to win the good graces of the lady, are detailed at +length, evincing much knowledge of the human heart in the author, and +affording considerable insight into the domestic arrangements of a +Grecian family.[4] An understanding is at last effected between them, +and Clitophon is in sad perplexity how to defer or evade his +approaching nuptials with his sister-bride, when Calligone is most +opportunely carried off by a band of pirates employed by Callisthenes, +a young Byzantine, who, having fallen in love with Leucippe from the +mere report of her beauty, and having been refused her hand by her +father, has followed her to Tyre, and seeing Calligone in a public +procession chaperoned by Panthia, has mistaken her for Leucippe! The +lovers are thus left in the unrestrained enjoyment of each other's +society; but Clitophon is erelong detected by Panthia in an attempt to +penetrate by night into her daughter's chamber; and though the +darkness prevents the person of the intruder from being recognised, +the confusion which this untoward occurrence occasions in the family +is such, that Clitophon and Leucippe, feeling their secret no longer +safe, determine on an elopement. Accompanied by the faithful Satyrus, +and by Clinias, a kinsman and confident of Clitophon, who generously +volunteers to share their adventures, they accordingly set sail for +Egypt; and the two gentlemen, having struck up an acquaintance with a +fellow passenger, a young Alexandrian named Menelaus, beguile the +voyage by discussing with their new friend the all-engrossing subject +of love, the remarks on which at last take so antiplatonic a tone, +that we can only hope Leucippe was out of hearing. These disquisitions +are interrupted, on the third day of the voyage, by a violent tempest; +and the sailors, finding the ship on the point of coming to pieces, +betake themselves to the boat, leaving the passengers to their fate. +But Clitophon and Leucippe, clinging to the forecastle, are +comfortably wafted by the winds and waves to the coast of Egypt, and +landed near Pelusium, where they hire a vessel to carry them to +Alexandria; but their voyage through the tortuous branches of the Nile +is intercepted by marauders of the same class, _Bucoli_ or buccaniers, +as those who figure so conspicuously in the adventures of _Chariclea_ +and _Theagenes_. The robbers are at this juncture in expectation of an +attack from the royal troops; and, having been ordered by their +priests to propitiate the gods by the sacrifice of a virgin, are +greatly at a loss for a victim, when chance throws Leucippe in their +way. She is forthwith torn from her lover, and sent off to the +headquarters of the banditti; and Clitophon is on his way to another +of their retreats, when his captors are attacked and cut to pieces by +a detachment of troops, whose commander, Charmides, commiserates the +misfortunes of our hero, and hospitably entertains him in his tent. + + [2] The laws of Athens permitted the marriage of a brother + with his sister by the father's side only--thus Cimon married + his half sister Elpinice; and several marriages of the same + nature occur in the history of the Egyptian Ptolemies. + + [3] Fair hair, probably from its rarity in southern climates, + seems to have been at all times much prized by the ancients; + witness the [Greek: Xanthos Menelaos] of Homer, and the "Cui + _flavam_ religas comam?" of Horace. The style of Leucippe's + beauty seems to have resembled that of Haidee-- + + "Her hair, I said, was auburn; but her eyes + Were black as night, their lashes the same hue." + + [4] One incident, where Clitophon pretends to have been stung + on the lip by a bee, and to be cured by a kiss from Leucippe, + has been borrowed by Tasso in the Aminta, (Act I. Scene 2.) + "Che fingendo ch'un ape avesse morso il mio labbro di sotto," + &c., whence the idea has been again copied by a host of later + poetasters. This is not Tasso's only obligation to the Greek + romances, as we have already seen that he was indebted to + Heliodorus for the hint of his story of Clorinda. + + + +A general attack on the buccanier force is projected for the next day, +but the advance of the troops is found to be barred by a trench so +wide and deep as to be impassable; and while preparations are made for +filling it up, Leucippe is brought to the opposite brink by two +officiating priests, sheathed in armor; and there, to the horror of +Clitophon, apparently ripped up alive before the altar. After +completing the sacrifice, and depositing the body in a sarcophagus, +the robbers disperse; the passage of the trench is at length effected; +and Clitophon is preparing to fall on his sword at the tomb of his +murdered love, when his hand is stayed by the appearance of his +faithful friends, Menelaus and Satyrus, whom he had supposed lost in +the ship. The mystery is now explained. They had reached the shore, +like Clitophon, on pieces of the wreck and having also fallen into the +power of the robbers, (as appears to have been the inevitable fate of +every one landing in Egypt at the time of this narrative,) were +surprised by finding Leucippe among their fellow captives, and +learning from her the dreadful fate which awaited her. Menelaus, +however, having recognized some former acquaintances among the +buccaniers, was released from his bonds; and having gained their +confidence by proposing to enrol himself in their band, offered his +services as sacrificer, which were accepted. He now contrived to equip +Leucippe with an artfully constructed _false stomach_, and being +further assisted in his humane stratagem by the discovery of a knife +with a sliding blade, among some theatrical _properties_ which the +robbers had acquired in the course of casual plunder, succeeded in +appearing to perform the sacrifice without any real injury to the +victim, who at his call rises from the sarcophagus, and throws herself +into her lover's arms. + +It might be supposed, that after so portentously marvellous an escape +as the one just related, the unlucky couple might be allowed a short +respite at least from the persecutions of adverse fortune. But perils +in love succeed without an interval to perils in war. It is the +invariable rule of all Greek romances, as we have remarked in a +previous number, that the attractions both of the hero and heroine, +should be perfectly irresistible by those of the other sex; and +accordingly, the Egyptian officer Charmides no sooner beholds +Leucippe, than he falls in love with her, and endeavours to gain over +Menelaus to further his views. Menelaus feigns compliance, but +privately gives information of the designs of Charmides to Clitophon, +who is thrown into a dreadful state of consternation by his +apprehensions of this powerful rival. At this juncture, however, +Leucippe is suddenly seized with a fit of extravagant frenzy, which +defies all the skill of the Egyptian camp; and under the influence of +which she violently assaults her friends, and is guilty of sundry +vagaries not altogether seemly in a well-bred young lady. Both her +admirers, Charmides and Clitophon, are in despair, and equally in +ignorance of the cause of her malady; but before any symptoms of +amendment are perceptible, Charmides receives orders[5] to march with +his whole force against the buccaniers, by whom he is inveigled into +an ambuscade, and with most of his men either slain or drowned by the +breaking of the dykes of the Nile. The madness of Leucippe is still +incurable, till a stranger named Choereas makes his appearance, and +introducing himself to Clitophon, informs him that he has discovered +from the confession of a domestic, that Gorgias, an officer who fell +in the late action with the _Bucoli_, captivated, like every one else, +by the resistless charms of the heroine, had administered to her a +philtre, the undue strength of which had excited frenzy instead of +love. By the administration of proper remedies, the fair patient is +now restored to her senses: and the total destruction of the +robber-colony by a stronger force sent against them having rendered +the navigation of the Nile again secure, the lovers once more embark +for Alexandria, accompanied by Menelaus and Choereas, and at length +arrive in safety at the city, which they find illuminated for the +great feast of Serapis. The first sight of the glories of Alexandria, +at the supposed period of the narrative the largest and most +magnificent city in the world, and many ages subsequently second only +to Imperial Rome herself, excites the astonishment and admiration of +the newcomers:--and the author takes the opportunity to dilate, with +pardonable complacency, on the magnitude and grandeur of the place of +his birth. "When I entered the city," (says Clitophon,) "by the gates +called those of the sun, its wonderful beauty flashed at once upon my +sight, almost dazzling my eyes with the excess of gratification. A +lofty colonnade of pillars, on each side of the street,[6] runs right +from the gates of the sun on one side, to those of the moon, (for +these are its guardian deities,) on the other; and the distance is +such, that a walk through the city is in itself a journey. When we had +proceeded several stadia, we arrived at the square named after +Alexander, whence other colonnades, like those I saw extending in a +right line before me, branched off right and left at right angles; and +my eyes, never weary of wandering from one street to another, were +unable to contemplate separately the various objects of attraction +which presented themselves. Some I had before my eyes, some I was +hastening to gaze upon, when I found myself unable to pass by others, +while a fresh series of marvels still awaited me, so that my powers of +vision were at last fairly exhausted, and obliged to confess +themselves beaten. The vast extent of the city, and the innumerable +multitude of the population, produced on the mind the effect of a +double paradox; for regarding the one, the stranger wondered where +such a city, which seemed as large as a continent, could find +inhabitants; but when his attention was drawn to the other, he was +again perplexed how so many people, more numerous than a nation, could +find room in any single city. Thus the two conflicting feelings of +amazement remained in equilibrio." + + [5] These orders are said to have come from the "_satrap_," + the Persian title having been retained under the Ptolemies, + for the governors of the _nomes_ or provinces. The description + of the stronghold of the buccaniers, in the deep recesses of a + marsh, and approachable only by a single hidden path, (like + the stockades of the North-American Indians in the swamps, as + described by Cotton Mather,) if not copied, like most of the + other Egyptian scenes, from the _Ethiopics_, presents a + curious picture of a class of men of whom few details are in + authentic history. + + [6] The main street, according to Diodorus, was "forty stadia + in length, and a _plethrum_ (100 feet) in breadth; adorned + through its whole extent by a succession of palaces and + temples of the most costly magnificence. Alexander also + erected a royal palace, which was an edifice wonderful both + for its magnitude and the solidity of its architecture, and + all the kings who have succeeded him, even up to our times, + have spent great sums in further adorning and making additions + to it. On the whole, the city may be fairly reckoned as the + first in the world, whether for magnitude and beauty, for + traffic, or for the greatness of its revenues."--"It + comprehended," says Gibbon, speaking of it under the Roman + Emperors, "a circumference of fifteen miles, and was peopled + by 300,000 free inhabitants, besides, at least, an equal + number of slaves." + +Choereas, himself a native of the city, who had been called upon to +take service in the late expedition against the buccaniers, does the +honours of the locale to his new friends:--but he is not proof against +the fatal charms of Leucippe, and resorts to the old expedient of +procuring her abduction by a crew of pirates while on an excursion to +the Pharos. The vessel of the captors is, however, chased by a +guard-boat, and on the point of being taken, when Leucippe is brought +on deck and decapitated by the pirates, who throw the headless body +into the sea, and make their escape; while Clitophon stays the +pursuit, to recover the remains of his mistress for sepulture. +Clitophon now returns to Alexandria to mourn for his lost love, and is +still inconsolable at the end of six months, when he is surprised by +the appearance of Clinias, whom he had supposed to have perished when +the vessel foundered at sea. Clinias relates that having, like the +others, floated on a piece of the wreck, he had been picked up by a +ship, which brought him back to Sidon; and as his absence from home +had been so short as not to have been generally noticed, he had +thought it best not to mention it, especially as he had no good +account to give of his fellow-fugitives. In the mean time, as +Calligone is given up for lost, Sostratus, who has heard of his +daughter's attachment to Clitophon, but not of the elopement, writes +from Byzantium to give his consent to their union; and diligent +enquiries are made in every direction for the runaway couple, till +information is at length obtained that Clitophon has been seen in +Egypt. His father, Hippias, is therefore preparing to set sail for +Alexandria to bring back the truant, when Clinias, thinking it would +be as well to forewarn Clitophon of what had occurred in his absence, +starts without delay, unknown to Hippias, and reaches Alexandria +before him. + +The intelligence thus received throws Clitophon into fresh agonies of +grief and remorse: he curses his own impatience in carrying off +Leucippe, when a short delay would have crowned his happiness; accuses +himself anew as the cause of her death; and declares his determination +not to remain in Egypt and encounter his father. His friends, Menelaus +and Clinias, in vain endeavour to combat this resolve; till the +over-ready Satyrus finds an expedient for evading the difficulty. A +young "Ephesian widow," named Melissa, fair and susceptible, who has +lately lost her husband at sea, and become the heiress of his immense +wealth, has recently (in obedience to the above-mentioned invariable +law of Greek romance) fixed an eye of ardent affection on Clitophon; +and it is suggested by his friends that, by marrying this new +inamorata, and sailing with her forthwith on her return to Ephesus, +his departure would at once be satisfactorily explained to his father +on his arrival, and he might return to his friends at Tyre after their +emotions at the tragical catastrophe of Leucippe had in some measure +subsided. After much persuasion, Clitophon accedes to this +arrangement, with the sole proviso that nothing but the _fiançailles_, +or betrothal, shall take place in Egypt, and that the completion of +the marriage shall be deferred till their arrival in Ephesus--on the +plea that he cannot pledge his faith to another in the land where his +beloved Leucippe met with her fate. This proposal, after vehement +opposition on the part of the amorous Ephesian, is at last agreed to; +and Clitophon, with his half-married bride, sets sail for Ephesus, +accompanied by Clinias; while Menelaus, who remains in Egypt, +undertakes the task of explaining matters to Hippias. The voyage is +prosperously accomplished; and Melissa becomes urgent for the formal +solemnization of the nuptials; while Clitophon continues to oppose +frivolous delays which might have roused the anger of a lady even of a +less ardent temperament. Her affection, however, continues +undiminished; but Clitophon, while visiting, in her company, her +country residence in the neighbourhood of the city, is thunderstruck +by fancying that he recognizes, in the disfigured lineaments of a +female slave, said to be a Thessalian of the name of Lacoena, who +approaches Melissa to complain of the ill-treatment she has received +from the steward, Sosthenes, the features of his lost Leucippe. His +suspicions are confirmed by a billet which Leucippe conveys to him +through Satyrus; and his situation becomes doubly perplexing, as +Melissa, more than ever at a loss to comprehend the cause of his +indifference, applies to Leucippe, (whom she supposes to possess the +skill of the Thessalians in magic,) for a love-charm to compel his +affections, promising her liberty as a reward. Leucippe is delighted +by the proof which this request affords of the constancy of her lover; +but the preparations for his marriage with Melissa still proceed, and +evasion appears impossible; when at the preliminary banquet, the +return of her husband, Thersander, is announced, who had been falsely +reported to have perished by shipwreck. A terrible scene of confusion +ensues, in which Thersander, + + --"proceeding at a very high rate, + Shows the imperial penchant of a pirate." + +Clitophon gets a violent beating, to which he submits with the utmost +tameness, and is thrown into fetters by the enraged husband; and +though Melissa, on certain conditions, furnishes him with the means of +escape from the house in the disguise of a female, he again unluckily +encounters Thersander, and is lodged in the prison of Ephesus. +Leucippe, meanwhile, of whose unrivalled charms Thersander has been +informed by Sosthenes, is still detained in bondage, and suffers cruel +persecution from her brutal master; who, at last, having learned from +an overheard soliloquy her true parentage and history, as well as her +attachment for Clitophon, (of her relations with whom he was not +previously aware,) forms a scheme of ridding himself of this twofold +rival, by sending one of his emissaries into the prison, who gives out +that he has been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the +murder of Leucippe, who has been dispatched by assassins employed by +the jealous Melissa. Clitophon at once gives full credence to this +awkwardly devised tale, and determines not to survive his mistress, in +spite of the remonstrances of Clinias, who argues with much reason, +that one who had so often been miraculously preserved from death, +might have escaped also on the present occasion. But Clitophon refuses +to be comforted; and when brought before the assembly in the forum to +stand his trial, on the charge, (apparently, for it is not very +clearly specified,) of having married another man's wife, he openly +declares himself guilty of Leucippe's murder, which he affirms to have +been concerted between Melissa and himself, in order to remove the +obstacle to their amours, and now revealed by him from remorse. He is, +of course, condemned to death forthwith, and Thersander is triumphing +in the unexpected success of his schemes, when the judicial +proceedings are interrupted by the appearance of a religious +procession, at the head of which Clitophon is astonished by +recognizing his uncle Sostratus, the father of Leucippe, who had been +deputed by the Byzantines to offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, at the +Temple of Diana, for their victory over the Thracians. On hearing the +state of affairs, he furiously denounces the murderer of his daughter; +but at this moment it is announced that Leucippe, whom Thersander had +believed to be in safe custody, has escaped, and taken refuge in the +Temple of Diana! + +The interest of the story is now at an end; but much yet remains +before the conclusion. Thersander, maddened at the prospect of being +thus doubly baulked of his prey, throws gross aspersions on the purity +of Leucippe, and even demands that Clitophon, in spite of his now +manifest innocence, shall be executed in pursuance of the previous +sentence! but the high-priest of Diana takes the lovers under his +protection, and the cause is adjourned to the morrow. Leucippe now +relates the circumstances of her captivity:--the Alexandrian pirates, +having deceived their pursuers by beheading another captive dressed in +her garments, had next fallen out with and murdered their base +employer Choereas, and finally sold her for two thousand drachmas to +Sosthenes: while from Sostratus, on the other hand, Clitophon receives +tidings that his long-lost sister Calligone is on the point of +marriage to Callisthenes, who, it will be remembered, had carried her +off from Tyre by mistake for Leucippe, (having become enamoured of the +latter without ever having seen her,) and on the discovery of his +error, had made her all the amends in his power by an instant transfer +of his affections. Thus everything is on the point of ending happily; +but the sentence passed against Clitophon still remains unreversed, +and Thersander, in the assembly of the following day, vehemently calls +for its ratification. But the cause of the defendant is espoused by +the high-priest, who lavishes on the character and motives of +Thersander a torrent of abuse, couched in language little fitting his +sacred character; while Thersander shows himself in this respect fully +a match for his reverend antagonist, and, moreover, reiterates with +fresh violence his previous charge against Leucippe. The debates are +protracted to an insufferably tedious length; but the character of +Leucippe is at last vindicated by her descent into a cavern, whence +sounds of more than human melody are heard on the entrance of a damsel +of untainted fame. The result of this ordeal is, of course, +triumphant; and Thersander, overwhelmed with confusion makes his +escape from the popular indignation, and is condemned to exile by +acclamation as a suborner of false evidence; while the lovers, freed +at length from all their troubles, sail for Byzantium in company with +Sostratus; and after there solemnizing their own nuptials, return to +Tyre to assist at those of Callisthenes and Calligone. + +The leading defects observable in this romance are obviously the +glaring improbability of many of the incidents, and the want of +connexion and necessary dependence between the several parts of the +story. Of the former--the device of the false stomach and theatrical +dagger, by means of which Menelaus and Satyrus (after gaining, +moreover, in a moment the full confidence of the buccaniers,) save the +life of Leucippe when doomed to sacrifice, is the most flagrant +instance; though her second escape from supposed death, when Clitophon +imagines that he sees her head struck off by the Alexandrian pirates, +is almost equally liable to the same objection; while in either case +the deliverance of the heroine might as well have been managed, +without prejudice either to the advancement or interest of the +narrative, by more rational and probable methods. The too frequent +introduction of incidents and personages not in any way connected +with, or conducive to the progress of the main plot, is also +objectionable, and might almost induce the belief that the original +plan was in some measure altered or departed from in the course of +composition. It is difficult to conceive for what purpose the +character of Calligone, the sister and fiancée of Clitophon, is +introduced among the dramatic personae. She appears at the beginning +only to be carried off by Callisthenes as soon as Clitophon's passion +for Leucippe makes her presence inconvenient, and we incidentally hear +of her as on the point of becoming his bride at the conclusion; but +she is seen only for a moment, and never permitted to speak, like a +walking gentlewoman on the stage, and exercises not the smallest +influence on the fortunes of the others. Gorgias is still worse used: +he is a mere _nominis umbra_, of whose bodily presence nothing is made +visible; nor is so much as his name mentioned, except for the purpose +of informing us that it was through his agency that the love-potion +was administered to Leucippe, and that he has since been killed in the +action against the buccaniers. The whole incident of the philtre, +indeed, and the consequent madness of the heroine, is unnatural and +revolting, and serves no end but to introduce Choereas to effect a +cure. But even had it been indispensable to the plot, it might have +been far more probably ascribed to the Egyptian commander Charmides, +with whose passion for Leucippe we were already acquainted, and who +had, moreover, learned from Menelaus that he had little chance of +success by ordinary methods, from the pre-engagement of the lady to +Clitophon. + +Nor are these defects compensated by any high degree of merit in the +delineation of the characters. With the exception of Leucippe herself, +they are all almost wholly devoid of individual or distinguishing +traits, and insipid and uninteresting to the last degree. Menelaus and +Clinias, the confidants and trusted friends of the hero, are the +dullest of all dull mortals--a qualification which perhaps fits them +in some measure for the part they are to bear in the story, as +affording some security against their falling in love with Leucippe, a +fate which they, of all the masculine personages, alone escape. Their +active intervention is confined to the preservation of Leucippe from +the _bucoli_ by Menelaus, and a great deal of useless declamation in +behalf of Clitophon before the assembly of Ephesus from Clinias. +Satyrus, also, from whose knavish ingenuity in the early part of the +tale something better was to be expected, soon subsides into a +well-behaved domestic, and hands his master the letter in which poor +Leucippe makes herself known to him at Ephesus, when she imagines him +married to Melissa, with all the nonchalance of a modern footman. +Clitophon himself is hardly a shade superior to his companions. He is +throughout a mere passive instrument, leaving to chance, or the +exertions of others, his extrication from the various troubles in +which he becomes involved: even of the qualities usually regarded as +inseparable from a hero of romance, spirit and personal courage, he is +so utterly destitute as to suffer himself to be beaten and ill +treated, both by Thersander and Sostratus, without an attempt to +defend himself; and his lamentations, whenever he finds himself in +difficulties, or separated from his ladye-love, are absolutely +puerile. As to the other characters, Thersander is a mere vulgar +ruffian--"a rude and boisterous captain of the sea,"--whose brutal +violence on his first appearance, and subsequent unprincipled +machinations, deprive him of the sympathy which might otherwise have +been excited in behalf of one who finds his wife and his property +unceremoniously taken possession of during his absence; while, on the +other hand, the language used by the high-priest of Diana, in his +invectives against Thersander and his accomplices, gives but a low +idea of the dignity or refinement of the Ephesian hierarchy. But the +female characters, as is almost always the case in the Greek romances, +are far better drawn, and infinitely more interesting, than the men. +Even Melissa, though apparently intended only as a foil to the +perfections of Leucippe, wins upon us by her amorous weakness, and the +invincible kindness of heart which impels her, even when acquainted +with the real state of affairs, to protect the lovers against her +husband's malpractices. Leucippe herself goes far to make amends for +the general insipidity of the other characters. Though not a heroine +of so lofty a stamp as Chariclea, in whom the spirit of her royal +birth is all along apparent, she is endowed with a mingled gentleness +and firmness, which is strongly contrasted with the weakness and +pusillanimity of her lover:--her uncomplaining tenderness, when she +finds Clitophon at Ephesus (as she imagines) the husband of another, +and the calm dignity with which she vindicates herself from the +injurious aspersions of Thersander, are represented with great truth +and feeling, and attach a degree of interest to her, which the other +personages of the narrative are very far from inspiring. + +In the early part of the story, during the scenes in Tyre and Egypt, +the action is carried on with considerable spirit and briskness; the +author having apparently thus far kept before him, as a model, the +narrative of Heliodorus. But towards the conclusion, and, indeed from +the time of the arrival of Clitophon and Melissa at Ephesus, the +interest flags wofully. The _dénouement_ is inevitably foreseen from +the moment Clitophon is made aware that Leucippe is still alive and in +his neighbourhood, and the arrival of Thersander, almost immediately +afterwards, disposes of the obstacle of his engagement to Melissa; but +the reader is acquainted with all these circumstances before the end +of the fifth book; the three remaining books being entirely occupied +by the proceedings in the judicial assembly, the recriminations of the +high-priest, and the absurd ordeal to which Leucippe is subjected--all +apparently introduced for no other purpose than to show the author's +skill in declamation. The display of his own acquirements in various +branches of art and science, and of his rhetorical powers of language +in describing them, is indeed an object of which Achilles Tatius never +loses sight; and continual digressions from the thread of the story +for this purpose occur, often extremely _mal-à-propos_, and sometimes +entirely without reference to the preceding narrative. Thus, when +Clitophon is relating the terms of an oracle addressed to the +Byzantines, previous to their war with the Thracians, he breaks off at +once into a dissertation on the wonderful qualities of the element of +water, the inflammable springs of Sicily, the gold extracted from the +lakes of Africa, &c.--all which is supposed to be introduced into a +conversation on the oracle between Sostratus and his colleague in +command, and could only have come to the knowledge of Clitophon by +being repeated to him _verbatim_, after a considerable interval of +time, by Sostratus. Again, in the midst of the hero's perplexities at +his threatened marriage with Calligone, we are favoured with a minute +enumeration of the gems set in an ornament which his father purchased +as part of the trousseau; and this again leads to an account of the +discovery and application of the purple dye. The description of +objects of natural history is at all times a favourite topic; and the +sojourn of the lovers in Egypt affords the author an opportunity of +indulging in details relative to the habits and appearances of the +various strange animals found in that country--the crocodile, the +hippopotamus, and the elephant, are described with considerable spirit +and fidelity; and even the form and colours of the fabulous phoenix, +are delineated with all the confidence of an eyewitness. + +Many of these episodical sketches, though out of place when thus +awkwardly inserted in the midst of the narrative, are in themselves +curious and well written; but the most valuable and interesting among +them are the frequent descriptions of paintings, a specimen of which +has already been given. On this subject especially, the author dwells +_con amore_, and his remarks are generally characterised by a degree +of good taste and correct feeling, which indicates a higher degree of +appreciation of the pictorial art than is generally ascribed to the +age in which Achilles Tatius wrote. Even in the latter part of the +first century of our era, Pliny, when enumerating the glorious names +of the ancient Greek painters, laments over the total decline, in his +own days, of what he terms (_Nat. Hist_. xxxv. 11) "an aspiring art;" +but the monarchs of the Macedonian dynasties in Asia, and, above all, +the Egyptian Ptolemies, were both munificent patrons of the fine arts +among their own subjects, and diligent collectors of the great works +of past ages; and many of the _chefs-d'oeuvres_ of the Grecian masters +were thus transferred from their native country to adorn, the temples +and palaces of Egypt and Syria. We find, from Plutarch, that when +Aratus was exerting himself to gain for the Achæan league the powerful +alliance of Ptolemy Euergetes, he found no means so effectual in +conciliating the good-will of the monarch, as the procuring for him +some of the master-pieces of Pamphilus[7] and Melanthius, the most +renowned of the famous school of Sicyon; and the knowledge of the high +estimation in which the arts were held, under the Egyptian kings, +gives an additional value to the accounts given by Tatius of these +treasures of a past age, his notices of which are the latest, in +point of time, which have come down to us from an eyewitness. We have +already quoted the author's vivid description of the painting of +Europa at Sidon--we shall now subjoin, as a pendant to the former +notice, his remarks on a pair of pictures at Pelusium:-- + + [7] Pamphilus was a Macedonian by birth, and a pupil of + Eupompus, the founder of the school of Sicyon; to the + presidency of which he succeeded. His pupils paid each a + talent a year for instruction; and Melanthius, and even + Apelles himself, for a time, were among the number.--Pliny, + _Hist. Nat_. xxxv. 36. The great talent of Melanthius, like + that of his master Pamphilus, lay in composition and grouping; + and so highly were his pictures esteemed, that Pliny, in + another passage, says, that the wealth of a city would hardly + purchase one. + + + "In this temple (of Jupiter Casius) were two famous works of + Evanthes, illustrative of the legends of Andromeda and + Prometheus, which the painter had probably selected as a pair, + from the similarity of the Subjects--the principal figure in + each being bound to a rock and exposed to the attack of a + terrific animal; in one case a denizen of the air, in the + other a monster of the sea; and the deliverers of both being + Argives, and of kindred blood to each other, Hercules and + Perseus--the former of whom encountered, on foot, the savage + bird sent by Jove, while the latter mounted on borrowed wings + into the air, to assail the monster which issued from the sea + at the command of Neptune. In the picture of Andromeda, the + virgin was laid in a hollow of the rock, not fashioned by art, + but rough like a natural cavity; and which, if viewed only + with regard to the beauty of that which it contained, looked + like a niche holding an exquisite fresh from the chisel; but + the sight of her bonds, and of the monster approaching to + devour her, gave it rather the aspect of a sepulchre. On her + features extreme loveliness was blended with deadly terror, + which was seated on her pallid cheeks, while beauty beamed + forth from her eyes; but, as even amid the pallor of her + cheeks a faint tinge of colour was yet perceptible, so was the + brightness of her eyes, on the other hand, in some measure + dimmed, like the bloom of lately blighted violets. Her white + arms were extended, and lashed to the rock; but their + whiteness partook of a livid hue, and her fingers were like + those of a corpse. Thus lay she, expecting death, but arrayed + like a bride, in a long white robe, which seemed not as if + woven from the fleece of the sheep, but from the web of the + spider, or of those winged insects, the long threads spun by + which are gathered by the Indian women from the trees of their + own country. The monster was just rising out of the sea + opposite to the damsel, his head alone being distinctly + visible, while the unwieldy length of his body was still in a + great measure concealed by the waves, yet so as partially to + discover his formidable array of spines and scales, his + swollen neck, and his long flexible tail, while the gape of + his horrible jaws extended to his shoulder, and disclosed the + abyss of his stomach. But between the monster and the damsel, + Perseus was depicted descending to the encounter from the + upper regions of the air--his body bare, except a mantle + floating round his shoulders, and winged sandals on his + feet--a cap resembling the helmet of Pluto was on his head, + and in his left hand he held before him, like a buckler, the + head of the Gorgon, which even in the pictured representation + was terrible to look at, shaking its snaky hair, which seemed + to erect itself and menace the beholder. His right hand + grasped a weapon, in shape partaking of both a sickle and a + sword; for it had a single hilt, and to the middle of the + blade resembled a sword; but there it separated into two + parts, one continuing straight and pointed, like a sword, + while the other was curved backwards, so that with a single + stroke, it might both inflict a wound, and fix itself in the + part struck. Such was the picture of Andromeda; the design of + the other was thus:-- + + "Prometheus was represented bound down to a rock, with fetters + of iron, while Hercules, armed with a bow and arrow, was seen + approaching. The vulture, supporting himself by fixing his + talons in the thigh of Prometheus, was tearing open the + stomach of his victim, and apparently searching with his beak + for the liver, which it was his destiny daily to devour, and + which the painter had shown through the aperture of the wound. + The whole frame of the sufferer was convulsed, and his limbs + contracted with torture, so that, by raising his thigh, he + involuntarily presented his side to the bird--while the other + limb was visibly quivering in its whole length, with + agony--his teeth were clenched, his lips parted, and his brows + wrinkled. Hercules had already fitted the arrow to the bow, and + aimed it against his tormentor: his left arm was thrown + forward grasping the stock, while the elbow of the right was + bent in the attitude of drawing the arrow to his breast; while + Prometheus, full of mingled hope and fear, was endeavouring to + fix his undivided gaze on his deliverer, though his eyes, in + spite of himself, were partially diverted by the anguish of + his wound." + +The work of Achilles Tatius, with all its blemishes and defects, +appears to have been highly popular among the Greeks of the lower +empire. An epigram is still extant, attributed to the Emperor Leo, the +philosopher,[8] in which it is landed as an example of chaste and +faithful love: and it was esteemed as a model of romantic composition +from the elegance of its style and diction, in which Heretius ranks +the author above Heliodorus, though he at the same time severely +criticizes him for want of originality, accusing him of having +borrowed all the interesting passages in his work from the +_Ethiopics_. In common with Heliodorus, Tatius has found a host of +followers among the later Greeks, some of whom (as the learned critic +just quoted, observes) have transcribed, rather than imitated him. In +the "Hysminias and Hysmine" of Eumathius, a wretched production of the +twelfth century, not only many of the incidents, but even of the +names, as Sostratus, Sosthenes, and Anthia, are taken from Clitophon +and Leucippe: and to so servile an extent is this plagiarism carried, +that two books out of the nine, of which the romance consists, are +filled with descriptions of paintings; while the plot, not very +intelligible at the best, is still further perplexed by the +extraordinary affectation of making nearly all the names alike; thus, +the hero and heroine are Hysminias and Hysmine, the towns are +Aulycomis, Eurycomis, Artycomis, &c. In all these works, the outline +is the same; the lovers undergo endless buffetings by sea and land, +imaginary deaths, and escapes from marauders; but not a spark of +genius or fancy enlivens these dull productions, which, sometimes +maudlin and bombastic, often indecent, would defy the patience of the +most determined novel reader. One of these writers, Xenophon of +Ephesus, the author of the "Ephesiacs, or Habrocomas and Anthia," is +commended by Politian for the classical purity of his language, in +which he considers him scarcely inferior to his namesake the +historian: but the work has little else to recommend it. The two +principal personages are represented as miracles of personal beauty; +and the women fall in love with Habrocomas, as well as the men with +Anthia, literally by dozens at a time: the plot, however differs from +that of the others in marrying them at the commencement, and sending +them through the ordinary routine of dangers afterwards. The +_Ephesiacs_ are, however, noticeable from its having been supposed by +Mr Douce, (_Illustrations of Shakspeare_, ii. 198,) that the +catastrophe in Romeo and Juliet was originally borrowed from one of +the adventures of Anthia, who, when separated from her husband, is +rescued from banditti by Perilaus, governor of Cilicia, and by him +destined for his bride. Unable to evade his solicitations, she +procures from the "poverty, not the will" of an aged physician named +Eudoxus, what she supposes to be a draught of poison, but which is +really an opiate. She is laid with great pomp, loaded with gems and +costly ornaments, in a vault; and on awakening, finds herself in the +hands of a crew of pirates, who have broken open her sepulchre in +order to rifle the treasures which they knew to have been deposited +there. "This work," (observes Mr Douce,) "was certainly not published +nor translated in the time of Luigi da Porto, the original narrator of +the story of Romeo and Juliet: but there is no reason why he might not +have seen a copy of the original in MS. We might enumerate several +more of these later productions of the same school; but a separate +analysis of each would be both tedious and needless, as none present +any marked features of distinction from those already noticed. They +are all, more or less, indifferent copies either from Heliodorus or +Achilles Tatius; the outline of the story being generally borrowed +from one or the other of these sources, while in point of style, +nearly all appear to have taken as their model the florid rhetorical +display and artificial polish of language which characterize the +latter. Their redeeming point is the high position uniformly assigned +to the female characters, who are neither immured in the Oriental +seclusion of the harem, nor degraded to household drudges, like the +Athenian ladies in the polished age of Pericles:[9] but mingle without +restraint in society as the friends and companions of the other sex, +and are addressed in the language of admiration and respect. But these +pleasing traits are not sufficient to atone for the improbability of +the incidents, relieved neither by the brilliant fancy of the East, +nor the lofty deeds of the romances of chivalry: and the reader, +wearied by the repetition of similar scenes and characters, thinly +disguised by change of name and place, finds little reason to regret +that "the children of the marriage of Theagenes and Chariclea," as +these romances are termed by a writer quoted by d'Israeli in the +"Curiosities of Literature"--have not continued to increase and +multiply up to our own times. + + [8] Some bibliographers have assigned it to Photius; but the + opinion of Achilles Tatius expressed by the patriarch, and + quoted at the commencement of this article, precludes the + possibility of its being from his pen. + + [9] See Mitford's _History of Greece_, ch. xiii, sect. 1. + + * * * * * + + + + +THE NEW ART OF PRINTING. + +BY A DESIGNING DEVIL. + + "Aliter non fit, avite, liber."--MARTIAL. + + +It is more than probable that, at the first discovery of that +mightiest of arts, which has so tended to facilitate every other--the +art of printing--many old-fashioned people looked with a jealous eye +on the innovation. Accustomed to a written character, their eyes +became wearied by the crabbedness and formality of type. It was like +travelling on the paved and rectilinear roads of France, after winding +among the blooming hedgerows of England; and how dingy and graceless +must have appeared the first printed copy of the Holy Bible, to those +accustomed to luxuriate in emblazoned missals, amid all the pride, +pomp, and vellum of glorious MS.! + +Dangerous and democratic, too, must have appeared the new art, which, +by plebeianizing knowledge and enlightening the mass, deprived the law +and the prophets of half their terrors, and disrobed priestcraft and +kingcraft of their mystery. We can imagine that, as soon as a printed +book ceased to be a great rarity, it became an object of great +abhorrence. + +There were many, no doubt, to prophesy, as on occasion of every new +invention, that it was all very well for a novelty; but that the thing +would not, and could not last! How were the poor copyists to get their +living if their occupation was taken from them? How were so many +monasteries to be maintained which had subsisted on _manuscriptum_? +And, then, what prince in his right senses would allow a +printing-press to be set up in his dominions--a source of sedition and +heresy--an implement of disaffection and schism? The free towns, +perhaps, might foster this pernicious art, and certain evilly-disposed +potentates wink at the establishment of type-founderies in their +states. But the great powers of Europe knew better! They would never +connive at this second sowing of the dragon's teeth of Cadmus. + +Thus, probably, they argued; becoming reconciled, in process of time, +to the terrible novelty. Print-books became almost as easy to read as +manuscript; soon as cheap, and at length of a quarter the price, or +even less; till, two centuries later, benefit of clergy ceased to be +a benefit, books were plenty as blackberries, and learning a thing for +the multitude. According to Dean Swift's account, the chaplain's time +hung heavy on his hands, for my lady had sermon books of her own, and +could read; nay, my lady's woman had jest books of her own, and wanted +none of his nonsense! The learned professions, or black arts, lost at +least ninety-five per cent in importance; and so rapid as been the +increase of the evil, that, at this time of day, it is a hard matter +to impose on any clodpole in Europe! Instead of signing with their +marks, the kings of modern times have turned ushers; instead of +reading with difficulty, we have a mob of noblemen who write with +ease; and, now-a-days, it is every duke, ay, and every duchess her own +book-maker! + +A year or two hence, however, and all this will have become +obsolete.--_Nous avons changé tout cela!_--No more letter-press! +Books, the _small_ as well as the great, will have been voted a great +evil. There will be no gentlemen of the press. The press itself will +have ceased to exist. + +For several years past it has been frankly avowed by the trade that +books have ceased to sell; that the best works are a drug in the +market; that their shelves groan, until themselves are forced to +follow the example. + +Descend to what shifts they may in order to lower their prices, by +piracy from other booksellers, or clipping and coining of authors--no +purchasers! Still, the hope prevailed for a time among the lovers of +letters, that a great glut having occurred, the world was chewing the +cud of its repletion; that the learned were shut up in the Bodleian, +and the ignorant battening upon the circulating libraries; that hungry +times would come again! + +But this fond delusion has vanished. People have not only ceased to +purchase those old-fashioned things called books, but even to read +them! Instead of cutting new works, page by page, people cut them +altogether! To far-sighted philosophers, indeed, this was a state of +things long foreshown. It could not be otherwise. The reading world +was a sedentary world. The literary public was a public lying at +anchor. When France delighted in the twelve-volume novels of +Mademoiselle de Scudéri, it drove in coaches and six, at the rate of +four miles an hour; when England luxuriated in those of Richardson, in +eight, it drove in coaches and four, at the rate of five. A journey +was then esteemed a family calamity; and people abided all the year +round in their cedar parlours, thankful to be diverted by the arrival +of the _Spectator_, or a few pages of the _Pilgrim's Progress_, or a +new sermon. To their unincidental lives, a book was an event. + +Those were the days worth writing for! The fate of Richardson's +heroines was made a national affair; and people interceded with him by +letter to "spare Clarissa," as they would not now intercede with her +Majesty to spare a new Effie Deans. The successive volumes of _Pope's +Iliad_ were looked for with what is called "breathless" interest, +while such political sheets as the _Drapier's Letters_, or _Junius_, +set the whole kingdom in an uproar! And now, if Pope, or Swift, or +Fielding, or Johnson, or Sterne, were to rise from the grave, MS. in +hand, the most adventurous publisher would pass a sleepless night +before he undertook the risk of paper and print; would advise a small +edition, and exact a sum down in ready money, to be laid out in puffs +and advertisements! "Even then, though we may get rid of a few copies +to the circulating libraries," he would observe, "do not expect, sir, +to obtain readers. A few old maids in the county towns, and a few +gouty old gentlemen at the clubs; are the only persons of the present +day who ever open a book!" + +And who can wonder? _Who_ has leisure to read? _Who_ cares to sit down +and spell out accounts of travels which he can make at less cost than +the cost of the narrative? _Who_ wants to peruse fictitious +adventures, when railroads and steamboats woo him to adventures of his +own? Egypt was once a land of mystery; now, every lad, on leaving +Eton, yachts it to the pyramids. India was once a country to dream of +over a book. Even quartoes, if tolerably well-seasoned with suttees +and sandalwood, went down; now, every genteel family has its "own +correspondent," per favour of the Red Sea; and the best printed +account of Cabul would fall stillborn from the press. As to Van +Dieman's Land, it is vulgar as the Isle of Dogs; and since people have +steamed it backwards and forwards across the Atlantic more easily than +formerly across the Channel, every woman chooses to be her own +Trollope--every man his own Boz! + +For some time after books had ceased to find a market, the periodicals +retained their vogue; and even till very lately, newspapers found +readers. But the period at length arrived, when even the leisure +requisite for the perusal of these lighter pages, is no longer +forthcoming. People are busy ballooning or driving; shooting like +stars along railroads; or migrating like swallows or wild-geese. It +has been found, within the current year, impossible to read even a +newspaper! + +The march of intellect, however, luckily keeps pace with the +necessities of the times; and no sooner was it ascertained, that +reading-made-easy was difficult to accomplish, than a new art was +invented for the more ready transmission of ideas. The fallacy of the +proverb, that "those who run may read," being established, modern +science set about the adoption of a medium, available to those sons of +the century who are always on the run. Hence, the grand secret of +ILLUSTRATION.--Hence the new art of printing! + +The pictorial printing-press is now your only wear! Every thing is +communicated by delineation. We are not _told_, but _shown_ how the +world is wagging. The magazines sketch us a lively article, the +newspapers vignette us, step by step, a royal tour. The beauties of +Shakspeare are imprinted on the minds of the rising generation, in +woodcuts; and the poetry of Byron engraver in their hearts, by means +of the graver. Not a boy in his teens has read a line of Don Quixote +or Gil Blas, though all have their adventures by heart; while +Goldsmith's "Deserted Village" has been committed to memory by our +daughters and wives, in a series of exquisite illustrations. Every +body has La Fontaine by heart, thanks to the pencil of Granville, +which requires neither grammar nor dictionary to aid its +interpretations; and even Defoe--even the unparalleled Robinson +Crusoe--is devoured by our ingenuous youth in cuts and come again. + +At present, indeed, the new art of printing is in its infancy, but it +is progressing so rapidly, that the devils of the old will soon have a +cold birth of it! Views of the Holy Land are superseding even the Holy +Scriptures; and a pictorial Blackstone is teaching the ideas of the +sucking lawyers how to shoot. Nay, Buchan's "Domestic Medicine" has +(proh pudor!) its illustrated edition. + +The time saved to an active public by all this, is beyond computation. +All the world is now instructed by symbols, as formerly the deaf and +dumb; and instead of having to peruse a tedious penny-a-line account +of the postilion of the King of the French misdriving his Majesty, and +his Majesty's august family, over a draw-bridge into a moat at +Tréport, a single glance at a single woodcut places the whole disaster +graphically before us; leaving us nine minutes and a half of the time +we must otherwise have devoted to the study of the case, to dispose of +at our own will and pleasure; to start, for instance, for Chelsea, and +be back again by the steam-boat, before our mother knows we are out. + +The application of the new art is of daily and hourly extension. The +scandalous Sunday newspapers have announced an intention of evading +Lord Campbell's act, by veiling their libels in caricature. Instead of +_writing_ slander and flat blasphemy, they propose to _draw_ it, and +not draw it mild. The daily prints will doubtless follow their +example. No more Jenkinsisms in the _Morning Post_, concerning +fashionable parties. A view of the duchess's ball-room, or of the +dining-table of the earl, will supersede all occasion for lengthy +fiddle-faddle. The opera of the night before will be described in a +vignette--the ballet in a tail-piece; and we shall know at a glance +whether Cerito and Elssler performed their _pas_ meritoriously, by the +number of bouquets depicted at their feet. + +On the other hand, instead of column after column of dry debates, we +shall know sufficiently who were the speakers of the preceding night, +by a series of portraits--each having an annexed trophy, indicative +of the leading points of his oration. Members of both Houses will be, +of course, daguerreotyped for the use of the morning papers; and +photographic likenesses of the leaders of _ton_ be supplied gratis to +the leaders of the press. + +How far more interesting a striking sketch of a banquet, containing +portraits of undoubted authenticity, to the matter-of-fact +announcements of the exploded letter-press--that "yesterday his Grace +the Duke of Wellington entertained at dinner, at Apsley House, the +Earls of Aberdeen and Liverpool, the Dukes of Richmond and Buccleuch, +the Master of the Horse, the Lord Chancellor, Sir Robert Peel, Sir +James Graham, Sir Frederick Trench, Colonel Gurwood, and M. Algernon +Greville!" Who has patience for the recapitulation of a string of +names, when a group of faces may be placed simultaneously before him? + +And then, accounts of races! How admirably will they be concentrated +into a delineation of the winner passing the post--the losers +distances; and what disgusting particulars of boxing matches shall we +avoid by a spirited etching. Think of despatches from India, (one of +Lord Ellenborough's XXXX,) published in a series of groupings worthy +the frescoes of the tomb of Psammis. As to the affairs of China, we +shall henceforward derive as much pleasure from the projects of Sir +Henry Pottinger, cut in wood by the _Morning Herald_, as in surveying +the Mandarins sailing on buffaloes through the air, or driving in +junks over meadows, in one of Wedgewood's soup plates! + +It has long been the custom for advertisers in the continental +journals to typify their wares. The George Robinses of Brussels, for +instance, embody their account of some exquisite villa in a charming +perspective of the same, or of a capital town mansion in a grim +likeness; while the _carossiers_, who have town chariots or family +coaches to dispose of, make it known in the most designing manner. The +consequence is, that the columns of certain foreign papers bear a +striking likeness to a child's alphabet, such as "A was an archer, and +shot at a frog." Among ourselves, this practice is at present only +partially adopted. We are all familiar with the shape of Mr Cox +Savory's tea-pots, and Messrs Dondney's _point-device_ men in buckram; +while Mordan acquaints us, with much point, how many varieties he has +invented of pencil-cases and toothpicks. As to the London Wine +Company, the new art has long imprinted upon our minds a mysterious +notion of a series of vaults in the style of the Thames tunnel, +frequented by figures armed with spigots and dark lanterns, that +remind us of Guy Fawkes, and make us tremble for ourselves and Father +Mathew! Loose notions of the stay-making trade have been circulated by +the same medium; and we have noticed wood-blocks of wig-blocks, +deservedly immortalizing the pernquier. + +But consider what it will be when the system is adopted on a more +comprehensive scale. The daily papers will present a series of +designs, remarkable as those of the Glyptothek and Pinacothek at +Munich; and in all probability, the artists of the prize cartoons will +be engaged in behalf of the leading journals of Europe. Who cannot +foresee her Majesty's drawing-room illustrated by Parris! Who cannot +conceive the invasion of Britain outdone in an allegorical leading +article: "Louis Philippe (in a Snooks-like attitude) inviting Queen +Victoria to St Cloud; and the British lion lashing out its tail at the +Coq Gaulois!" + +As to the affairs of Spain, they will be a mine of wealth to the new +press--_L'Espagne Pittoresque_ will sell thousands more copies than +Spain Constitutionalized; and let us trust that Sir George Hayter will +instantly "walk his chalks," and secure us the Cortes in black and +white. + +The Greek character will now become easy to decipher; and the evening +papers may take King Otho both off the throne and on. The designs of +Russia have long been proverbial; but the exercise of the new art of +printing may assign them new features. The representations of +impartial periodicals will cut out, or out-cut De Custine; and while +contemplating the well-favoured presentment of Nicholas I., we shall +exclaim--"Is this a tyrant that I see before me?" Nothing will be +easier then to throw the Poles into the shade of the picture, or to +occupy the foreground with a brilliant review. + +As to Germany, to embody her in the hieroglyphics of the new press, +might be a study for Retsch; and who will care for the lumbering pages +of Von Raumer, or the wishy-washy details of Kohl, when able, in an +_augenblick_, to bring Berlin and Vienna before him; to study the +Zollverein in the copy of the King of Prussia's cogitative +countenance, and ascertain the views of Metternich concerning the +elder branch of the Bourbons, by a _cul de lampe_ in the _Morning +Chronicle_! + +We have little doubt of shortly seeing announcements--standing like +tombstones in those literary cemeteries, the Saturday papers--of "A +new work upon America, from the graver of George Cruickshank;" or "A +new fashionable novel, (diamond edition,) from the accomplished pencil +of H.B." Kenny Meadows will become the Byron of the day, Leech the +Scott, Forrester the Marryatt, Phiz the Trollope; Stanfield and Turner +will be epic poets, Landseer preside over the belles-lettres, and +Webster and Stone become the epigrammatists and madrigalists of the +press. + +All this will, doubtless, throw a number of deserving persons out of +employ. The writers, whose stock in trade consists of words rather +than ideas, will find their way to Basinghall Street, prose will be at +a discount, and long-windedness be accounted a distemper. A great +variety of small Sapphos must turn seamstresses*, at three-halfpence +a shirt instead of a penny a line; while the minor poets will have to +earn a livelihood by writing invoice, instead of in verse. But this +transposition of talent, and transition of gain, is no more than arose +from the substitution of railroads for turnpike roads. By that +innovation thousands of hard-working post-horses were left without +rack or manger; and by the present arrangement, Clowes, Spottiswoode, +and the authors who have served to afford matter for their types, will +be driven from the field. + + *Transcriber's Note: Original "semstresses" + +But the world (no longer to be called of letters, but of emblems) will +be the gainer. It will be no longer a form of speech to talk of having +"_glanced_ at the morning papers," whose city article will, of course, +be composed by artists skilled in drawing figures. The biographies of +contemporary or deceased statesmen will be limned, not by Lord +Brougham or Macaulay, but by the impartial hand of the Royal Academy; +and the catacombs at Kensal Green, like those discovered by Belzoni on +the banks of the Nile, exhibit their eulogistic inscriptions in +hieroglyphics. By this new species of shorthand we might have embodied +this very article in half a dozen sprightly etchings! But as the +hapless inventor of the first great art of printing incurred, among +his astounded contemporaries, the opprobrium of being in compact with +the evil one, (whence, probably, the familiar appellation of printers' +devils,) it behoves the early practitioners of the new art to look to +their reputations! By economizing the time of the public, they may +squander their own good repute. It is not every printer who can +afford, like Benjamin Franklin, to be a reformer; and pending the +momentum when (the schoolmasters being all abroad) the grand causeway +of the metropolis shall become, as it were, a moving diorama, +inflicting knowledge upon the million whether it will or no--let us +content ourselves with birds'-eye views of passing events, by way of +exhibiting the first rudiments of THE NEW ART OF PRINTING! + + * * * * * + + + + +THE BANKING HOUSE + +A HISTORY IN THREE PARTS. PART III. + + +CHAPTER I. + +SYMPTOMS OF ROTTENNESS. + + +Michael Allcroft returned to his duties, tuned for labour, full of +courage, and the spirit of enterprise and action. Discharged from the +thrall which had hitherto borne hard upon his energies, and kept them +down, he felt the blessed influence of perfect Liberty, and the +youthful elasticity of mind and body that liberty and conscious +strength engender. Devoted to the task that he had inflicted upon +himself, he grudged every hour that kept him from the field of +operations. Firm in his determination to realize, by his exertions, a +sum of money equal to his parent's debts, and to redeem the estate +from its insolvency, he was uneasy and impatient until he could resume +his yoke, and press resolutely forward. Rich and independent as he +was, in virtue of the fortune of his wife, he still spurned the idea +of relying upon her for his release--for the means of rescuing his +fathers name and house from infamy. No; he saw--he fancied that he saw +a brighter way marked out before him. Industry, perseverance, and +extreme attention would steer his bark steadily through the difficult +ocean, and bring her safely into harbour: these he could command, for +they depended upon himself whom he might trust. He had looked +diligently into the transactions of the house for many years past, and +the investigation was most satisfactory. Year after year, the business +had increased--the profits had improved. The accumulations of his +father must have been considerable when he entered upon his ruinous +speculations. What was the fair inference to draw from this result? +Why--that with the additional capital of his partners--the influx and +extension of good business, and the application of his own resolute +mind, a sum would be raised within a very few years, sufficient to +reinstate the firm, to render it once more stable and secure. And +then--this desirable object once effected, and the secret of the +unfortunate position of the house never divulged--the income which +would afterwards follow for his partners and himself, must be immense. +It was this view of the subject that justified, to his mind, the means +which he had used--that silenced self-reproof, when it accused him of +artifice, and called him to account for the deception he had practised +upon his colleagues. It must be acknowledged, that the plan which he +proposed held out fair promise of ultimate success and that, reckoning +upon the united will and assistance of his partners, he had good +reason to look for an eventual release from all his difficulties and +cares. Yet it was not to be. "_We still have judgment here._" +Punishment still comes to us from those whom we would circumvent. It +was in vain that Michael set foot in the Bank with an indomitable and +eager spirit; in vain that he longed to grapple with his +fate--resolute to overcome it. The world was against him. The battle +was already decided. His first hard struggle for deliverance was +coincident with his last hour of earthly peace. + +Before one year had passed over the respectable heads of our notable +Banking-House, Allcraft was involved in a net of perplexity, from +which it required all the acuteness of his apprehending mind to work +out a mode of extrication. Augustus Brammel continued abroad, spending +his money, and drawing upon the house, with the impudent recklessness +which we have already seen to be a prime ingredient in his character. +He did not condescend to communicate with his partners, or to give +them any information touching his whereabouts, except such as might be +gathered from his cheques, which came, week after week, with alarming +punctuality, for sums as startling. From this one source of misery, +where was a promise or a chance of a final rescue? Michael saw none. +What if he refused to cash his partner's drafts? What if he permitted +them to find their way back, as best they might, through the +various channels by which they had travelled on their previous +journey--dishonoured and disgraced? Who but himself would be the loser +by the game? Such a refusal would lead to quick enquiry--enquiry to +information--information to want of confidence and speedy ruin. What +reliance could repose upon a house, divided against itself--not safe +from the extravagance and pillage of its own members? The public eye, +ever watchful and timid, waits scarcely for the show of danger to take +alarm and withdraw its favour. Michael shrunk from the bare conception +of an act of violence. It was more agreeable, in an hour of +self-collectedness, to devise a remedy, which, if it did not cure the +disease, helped at least to cicatrize the immediate wounds. He looked +from Brammel to Brammel's father for indemnification. And the old man +was in truth a rare temptation. Fond, pitiable father of a false and +bloodless child! doting, when others would have hated, loving his +prodigal with a more anxious fondness as his ingratitude grew +baser--as the claims upon a parent's heart dwindled more and more +away. The grey-haired man was a girl in tenderness and sensibility. He +remembered the mother of the wayward child, and the pains she had +taken to misuse and spoil her only boy; his own conduct returned to +him in the shape of heavy reproaches, and he could not forget, or call +to mind without remorse, the smiles of encouragement he had given, the +flattering approbation he had bestowed when true love, justice, duty, +mercy, all called loudly for rebuke, restraint, wholesome correction, +solemn chastisement. Could he be conscious of all this, and not excuse +the unsteady youth--accuse himself? It was he who deserved +punishment--not the sufferer with his calamities _imposed_ upon him by +his erring sire. He was ready to receive his punishment. Oh, would +that at any cost--at any expense of bodily and mental suffering, he +could secure his child from further sorrow and from deeper +degradation! To such a heart and mind, Michael might well carry his +complaints with some expectation of sympathy and reimbursement. +Aggrieved as he was, he did not fail to paint his disappointment and +sense of injury in the strongest colours; but blacker than all--and he +was capable of such a task, he pictured the gross deception of which +he had so cruelly been made the subject. + +"I could," he said to the poor father, in whose aged eyes, turned to +the earth, tears of shame were gushing, "I could have forgiven any +thing but that. You deceived me meanly and deliberately. The character +you gave with him was false. You knew it to be so, and you were well +aware that nothing but mischief and ruin could result from a connexion +with him." + +"Indeed, Mr Allcraft," replied the unhappy man, "I had great hopes of +his reformation. He had improved of late years a little, and he gave +me his word that he would be steady. If I had not thought so, I should +certainly not have permitted you to receive him. What can we do, sir?" + +"Ah! what, Mr Brammel. It is that I wish to know. The present state of +things cannot continue. Where is he now?" + +"Indeed, I do not know. He is a bad boy to hide himself from his +father. I do not deserve it of him. I cannot guess." + +"Are you aware, sir, that he is married?" + +"They have told me something of it. I am, in truth, glad to hear it. +It will be to his wife's interest to lead him back to duty." + +"You have not seen her, then?" + +The old man shook his head. + +"Well, well, sir," continued Allcraft, "this is not to the purpose. We +must protect ourselves. His profligacy must be checked; at all events, +we must have no connexion with it. Hitherto we have honoured his +drafts, and kept your name and his free from disgrace. I can do so no +longer. We have paid his last cheque this very day. To-morrow I shall +advertise publicly our determination, to honour his demands no more." + +"No--no, no, Mr Allcraft," interposed old Brammel anxiously, taking +every word for granted, "that must not be done--I cannot allow it; for +the poor boy's sake, that determination must not be made at present. I +am sure he will reform at last. I should not be surprised if he +returned to business in a day or two, and settled steadily to work for +the remainder of his life. It is likely enough, now that he is +married. I have much to answer for on account of that youth, Mr +Allcraft, and I should never forgive myself if I suffered any thing to +be done that is likely to render him desperate, just when a glimmering +of hope is stealing upon us. You shake your head, sir, but I am +confident he will yet make up for all his folly." + +"Heaven grant it, sir, for your sake!" + +"Yes, and for his own, poor child--for what will become of him if he +does not! Now, as to these cheques, Mr Allcraft, let me have them all. +I will restore every farthing that you have paid on his account; and +should any more be presented, let them be duly honoured. I hold myself +responsible for their discharge. I am sure this is the wisest course +to pursue. It is quite reasonable for you to demur, and to object to +these demands. I like you the better, Mr Allcraft, for your scruples: +you are an honourable man, sir. I would lose my last drop of blood to +make my poor boy like you. It is wise and praiseworthy in you to look +so carefully to the good credit of your house; and it is fair and +right that I should take this matter upon myself. I do it, persuaded +of the propriety of the step, and satisfied that all will go well with +him yet. Be lenient with the unhappy boy, sir, and have yet a little +patience." + +"I am afraid, sir, that he will but presume on your generosity and +good nature." + +"Ah, but he is never to know it, Mr Allcraft; I would not for the +world have him hear of what I have done. Should you discover his +abode, write to him, I pray--tell him that I am enraged at his +proceedings--that I do not think that I can ever be reconciled to him +again. Say that my anger has no bounds--that my heart is +breaking--will break and kill me, if he persists in his ingratitude +and cruelty. Implore him to come home and save me." + +The old man stopped and wept. Michael was not yet a father and could +not understand the tears: it appears that he understood business much +better; for, taking leave of Brammel as soon as he could after the +latter had expressed a wish to cash the cheques, he went immediately +to the bank and procured the documents. He presented them with his own +hand to the astounded father, from whom, also with his own hand, he +received one good substantial draft in fair exchange. + +So far, so good; but, in another quarter, Allcraft suddenly discovered +that he had committed an egregious blunder. He had entrusted Planner +with the secret of his critical position--had made him acquainted with +the dishonest transactions of his father, and the consequent +bankruptcy of the firm. Not that this disclosure had been made in any +violent ebullition of unguarded feeling--from any particular love to +Planner--from an inability on the part of the divulger to keep his own +good counsel. Michael, when he raised Planner from poverty to +comparative affluence, was fully sensible of the value of his man--the +dire necessity for him. It was indispensable that the tragic underplot +of the play should never be known to either Bellamy or Brammel, and +the only safe way of concealing it from them, was to communicate it +unreservedly to their common partner, and his peculiar _protégé_. He +did so with much solemnity, and with many references to the +extraordinary liberality he had himself displayed in admitting him to +his confidence, and to a share of his wealth. "Maintain my secret," he +said to Planner, "and your fortune shall be made; betray me, and you +are thrown again into a garret. You cannot hurt me; nothing shall save +you." He repeated these words over and over again, and he received +from his confidant assurance upon assurance of secrecy and unlimited +devotion. And up to the period of Allcraft's return from France, the +gentleman had every reason to rely upon the probity and good faith of +his associate; nor in fact had he less reason _after_ his return. Were +it not that "the thief doth fear each bush an officer," he had no +cause whatever to suspect or tremble: his mind, for any actual danger, +might have been at rest. But what did he behold? Why, Planner and +Bellamy, whom he had left as distant as stage-coach acquaintances, as +intimate and loving, as united and inseparable, as the tawny twins of +Siam. Not a week passed which did not find the former, once, twice, or +three times a guest at the proud man's table. The visits paid to the +bank were rather to Mr Planner than for any other object. Mr Planner +only could give advice as to the alteration of the south wing of the +hall: Mr Planner's taste must decide upon the internal embellishments: +then there were private and mysterious conversations in the small back +room--the parlour; nods and significant looks when they met and +separated; and once, Michael called to see Planner after the hours of +business, and whom should he discover in his room but Mr Bellamy +himself, sitting in conclave with the schemer, and manifestly intent +upon some serious matter. What was the meaning of all this? Oh, it was +too plain! The rebel Planner had fallen from his allegiance, and was +making his terms with the enemy. Allcraft cursed himself a thousand +times for his folly in placing himself at the mercy of so unstable a +character, and immediately became aware that there had never been any +cogent reason for such a step, and that his danger would have been +infinitely smaller had he never spoken to a human being on the +subject. But it was useless to call himself, by turns, madman and +fool, for his pains. What could be done now to repair the error? +Absolutely nothing; and, at the best, he had only to prepare himself, +for the remainder of his days, to live in doubt, fear, anxiety, and +torture. + +In the meanwhile, Planner grew actually enamoured of the +_Pantamorphica_ Association. The more he examined it, the more +striking appeared its capabilities, the fairer seemed the prospect of +triumphant unequivocal success. In pursuance of his generous +resolution, he communicated his designs to Allcraft. They were +received with looks of unaffected fright. Without an instant's +hesitation, Michael implored his partner to desist--to give up at +once, and for ever, all thoughts of the delusion--to be faithful to +his duty, and to think well of his serious engagement. "Your +Association, sir," he exclaimed in the anger of the moment, "is like +every other precious scheme you have embarked in--impracticable, +ridiculous, absurd!" Planner, in these three words, could only +read--_ingratitude_--the basest it had ever been his lot to meet. Here +was a return for his frankness--his straightforward conduct--his +unequalled liberality. Here was the affectionate expression of thanks +which he had so proudly looked forward to--the acknowledgment of +superior genius which he had a right to expect from the man who was to +profit so largely by the labour of his brains. Very well. Then let it +be so. He would prosecute the glorious work alone--he would himself +supply the funds needful for the undertaking, and alone he would +receive the great reward that most assuredly awaited him. Very +delicately did Michael hint to his partner, that his--Planner's--funds +existed, with his castles and associations, in the unsubstantial air, +and no where else; but not so delicately as to avoid heaping fuel on +the fire which he had already kindled in the breast of the offended +schemer. The latter bristled at the words, lost for an instant his +self-possession, said in his anger more than he intended--more than he +might easily unsay--enough to bruise the already smarting soul of +Allcraft. A threat escaped his lips--a reproach--a taunt. He spoke of +his _power_, and touched cuttingly upon the deep schemes of _other_ +men, more feasible than his own perhaps, and certainly more honest. +Allcraft winced, as every syllable made known the speaker's actual +strength--his own dependence and utter weakness. He made no reply to +the attack of the man whom he had drawn from beggary; but he looked +him in the face steadily and reproachfully, and shamed him into +vexation and regret. + +"I did not mean to speak unkindly, Michael," he stammered with a view +to apologize. "I am sorry that I lost my temper. You need not fear me. +Don't remember what I have said." + +"You have threatened me, Planner," answered Allcraft, trembling with +irritation. "You have attempted to frighten me into compliance with +your demands. I say, sir, you have threatened me. It is the first +time--it shall be the last." + +"It shall, Michael--I promise you it shall." + +"I ask no promise from you," continued the excited and suspicious man, +writhing under a sense of his helplessness. "You have betrayed the +cloven foot. I thank you for it. I am aware of what is to follow--I +expect it--I shall hold myself prepared!" + +"Do nothing of the kind, Allcraft. You know me better. You are safe +with me. I am ashamed of myself for what I have spoken. Forgive me"-- + +"But never mind," proceeded the unhappy Michael. "I defy you: do your +worst. Let this be your acknowledgment of past favours--the fulfilment +of your sacred promise. Betray me to Bellamy, and be at ease." + +"Michael, you do not use me well. I spoke angrily, and without +consideration. I am sorry that I did so, and I have asked your +forgiveness. What can I do more? You should allow for wounded +feelings. It was hard to hear you ridiculing an affair that occupies +my serious thoughts. I was irritated--think no more about it." + +"Answer me this, How much does Mr Bellamy already know?" + +"From me--nothing. Make your mind happy on that score. It is not to +the interest of any one of us that secrets should be known. You need +not fear. Shake hands." + +Michael took his hand. + +"And as to this Association," continued Planner, "let me have my way +for once--the thing is clear, and cannot fail. The elements of success +are there, and a splendid fortune must be realized. I am not greedy. I +don't want to grasp every thing for myself. I told you just now that +we would share and share alike. You are not up to projects of this +nature. I am. Trust to me. I will engage to enter upon no new affair +if I am disappointed in this. The truth is, I cannot quietly let a +fortune slide through my fingers, when a little skill and energy only +are necessary to secure it. Come, Michael, this once you must not say +_no_." + +The hope, however faint, of making money by this speculation, and the +fear of offending the depositary of his great secret, compelled at +length from Allcraft a reluctant acquiescence. He consented to the +trial, receiving Planner's solemn promise that, in the event of +failure, it should be the last. Planner himself, overjoyed at his +victory, prepared himself for action, and contemplated the magnificent +resources of the bank with a resolute and daring spirit that would +have gratified exceedingly the customers of the house, could they have +but known it. Planner conscientiously believed that he had hitherto +failed in all his schemes, because he had never commanded cash +sufficient to carry out his views. This great obstacle being removed, +he wisely determined to make the most of his good fortune. And in +truth he was without the shadow of an excuse for timidity and +forbearance. The anxiety which might have accompanied his ventures, +had the money been his own, was mercifully spared him; the thought of +personal danger and ruin could never come to cloud his intellect, or +oppress his energy. As for the ruin of any other party, the idea, by a +very happy dispensation, never once occurred to him. It took a very +few months to make Mr Planner the largest shareholder--the principal +director--the president and first man in the famous "_Joint-Stock +Pantamorphica Association._" + +And whilst he was busy in the purchase of lands required for the +extensive undertaking, his dear friend Mr Bellamy was agreeably +occupied in paying off, by degrees, the heavy mortgages which, for +many years, had been weighing on his beautiful estate. In addition to +the ten thousand pounds which he had abstracted during the absence of +Mr Allcraft, he had not hesitated to draw large sums under the very +nose of his too easy and unsuspecting partner. The manner of Mr +Bellamy threw Michael off his guard. He walked so erect--looked upon +every body so superciliously--spoke even to Allcraft in so high a +tone, and with so patronizing an air, that it was quite impossible to +suspect him of being any thing but real coin, a sound man, and worthy +of all trust. It is certainly true that Mr Bellamy had not brought +into the concern as he had engaged, some twenty, or forty thousand +pounds--it does not matter which--but the reasons which he +condescended to give for this failure were perfectly satisfactory, and +accounted for the delay--so well accounted for it that Michael +entreated Mr Bellamy not to think about it, but to take his time. And +how very natural it was for a man of Mr Bellamy's consideration and +enormous wealth to secure the little property that adjoined his own, +and to borrow from the bank any sum of money that he might want to +complete so desirable a purchase! And how very natural, likewise, on +the part of Allcraft, ever fearful of discovery, ever desirous to keep +upon the best terms with Mr Bellamy (the great man of the country, the +observed of all observers)--to be at all times anxious to oblige his +friend, to render him sensible of his desire to please him, and of the +obligation under which, by these repeated acts of kindness and +indulgence, he was insensibly brought. + +And so they reached the close of the first year of partnership; and +who shall say that the situation of Michael was an enviable one, or +that the persevering man had not good cause for despondency and dread? +He was already deeply indebted to his wife; not one of his three +partners had proved to be such as he expected and required. Danger +threatened from two of them: Mr Bellamy had not afforded the support +which he had promised. A stronger heart than Michael's might have +quailed in his position; yet the pressure from without animated and +invigorated _him_. In the midst of his gloom, he was not without a +gleam of hope and consolation. As he had foreseen, the business of the +house rapidly increased: its returns were great. Day and night he +laboured to improve them, and to raise the reputation of the tottering +concern; for tottering it was, though looking most secure. For +himself, he did not draw one farthing from the bank; he resided with +his wife in a small cottage, lived economically, and sacrificed to his +engrossing occupation every joy of the domestic hearth. The public +acknowledged with favour the exertions of the labouring man; +pronounced him worthy of his sire; vouchsafed him their respect and +confidence. Bravely the youth proceeded on his way--looking ever to +the future--straining to his object--prepared to sacrifice his life +rather than yield or not attain it. Noble ambition--worthy of a less +ignoble cause--a better fate! + +The second year passed on, and then the third: at the close of this, +Michael looked again at his condition. During the last year the +business of the house had doubled. Had not the profits, and more than +the profits, been dragged away by Bellamy and Planner--his ardent mind +would have been satisfied, his ceaseless toil well-paid. But the +continual drafts had kept ever in advance of the receipts, draining +the exchequer--crippling its faculties. Even at this melancholy +exhibition, his sanguine spirit refused to be cast down, and to resign +the hope of ultimate recovery and success. He built upon the promise +of Mr Bellamy, who at length had engaged to refund his loans upon a +certain day, and to add, at the same time, his long-expected and +long-promised quota of floating capital: he built upon the illusions +of Planner's strong imagination--Planner, who suddenly becoming sick +of his speculation, alarmed at his responsibility, and doubtful of +success, had been for some time vigorously looking out for a +gentleman, willing to purchase his share and interest in the unrivaled +_Pantamorphica_, and to relieve him of his liabilities; and had at +last persuaded himself into the belief that he had found one. _He_ +likewise fixed a period for the restoration of a fearful sum of money, +which Michael, madman that he was, had suffered him to expend--to +fling away like dirt. Upon such expectation, Allcraft stood--upon such +props suffered his aching soul to rest. There wanted but a month to +the acceptable season when claims upon the house poured in which +could not be put off. Michael borrowed money once more from his wife +to meet them. He did it without remorse or hesitation. Why should he +have compunction--why think about it, when the hour of repayment was +so near at hand? It was a proper question for a man who could slumber +on a mine that was ready to burst, and shatter him to atoms. + + +CHAPTER II. + +A MEETING. + + +It was a constant saying of old Mr Brammel, that if his time were to +come over again, he would adopt a very different plan from that which +he had pursued in the education of his son. Now, a different plan it +might have been; but one leading to a more satisfactory result, I must +take the liberty to deny. Of what use is experience to one who, with +sixty years of life in him, still feels and thinks, reasons and acts, +like a child? Who but a child would have thought of paying the +wholesale demands of that dissolute, incorrigible youth, with the +notion of effecting by such subtle means his lasting reformation: who +but a child would have made the concealment of his name a condition of +the act? As may be guessed, the success of this scheme was equal to +its wisdom. Augustus Theodore, too grateful for the facilities +afforded him, showed no disposition to abridge his pleasures, or to +hasten his return. In the regular and faithful discharge of his +drafts, his vulgar soul rejoiced to detect a fear of offending, and an +eagerness to conciliate, on the part of his partner, Michael Allcraft. +He would see and acknowledge nothing else. And the idea once fixed in +his mind, he was not likely to rest contented with half the glory of +his victory. "No.--He would punish the fellow.--He would make him +smart; he would teach him to come all the way to France on purpose to +bully him. He hadn't done with the gentleman yet. Master Allcraft +should cry loud enough before he had. He'd sicken him." Still the +hopeful youth pursued his travels--still he transmitted his _orders at +sight_--still they were honoured punctually--still Augustus Theodore +chuckled with stupid delight over what he considered the pitiful +submission of his partner, who had not courage to reject his drafts, +and dared not utter now one brief expostulatory word. Mr Brammel, +junior, like the rest of the firm, lived in his own delusions. The +fourth year dawned, and Mr Brammel suddenly appeared amongst his +friends. He and his lady had travelled over Europe; they had seen the +world--the world had seen them; they were sick of wandering--they +desired to settle. A noble villa, with parks and paddocks, was +quickly taken and sumptuously furnished; hunters were got from +Tattersall's--nursery-maids from France--an establishment worthy of +the name rose like magic, almost within sight of Michael's humble +dwelling, taking the neighbourhood by surprise, startling and +affrighting Allcraft. Again the latter visited the fond old +man--remonstrated, complained; and once more the father entreated on +behalf of his son, begged for time and patience, and undertook to +satisfy the prodigal's extravagance. He gave his money as before, +willingly and eagerly, and stipulated only, with unmeaning +earnestness, for secrecy and silence. And the fourth year closed as +drearily as it had opened. The promises of Bellamy and Planner were as +far from fulfilment as ever; their performance as vigorous and +disastrous as at first. The landed proprietor still redeemed, day +after day, portions of his involved estate. The schemer, disappointed +in his expectations of a purchaser, returned to his speculation with +redoubled ardour, and with fresh supplies of gold. His only chance of +ultimate recovery was to push boldly forward, and to betray no fear of +failure. One retrograde or timid step would open the eyes of men, and +bring down ruin on the _Pantamorphica_. Planner became conscious of +all this to his dismay, and he had nothing to do in the very extremity +of his distress, but to proceed in his venture with the best spirits +he could command, and to trust himself fairly to the swelling +tide.--Allcraft looked on and trembled. + +It is wonderful how long a withered leaf will sometimes cling to its +branch. It will hold tenaciously there, the last of its race, days +after the decay of its greener and more healthy-looking mates. "A +creaking door," the proverb has it, "hangs long upon its hinges;" and +many a wheezing, parchment-looking gentleman, as we all know, who +ought to have died every year of his life since he was born, draws his +difficult breath through threescore years and ten; whilst the young, +the hardy, and the sound are smitten in their pride, and fall in heaps +about him. It is no less strange that a house of business like that of +our friend Mr Allcraft, should assert its existence for years, rotten +as it was, during the whole of the time, at its very heart's core. And +yet such is the case. Eight years elapsed, and found it still in the +land of the living: yes, and to the eye external, as proper and as +good a house of business as any you shall name. Its vitals were +going--were gone, before the smallest indications of mischief appeared +upon the surface. Life must have been well nourished to maintain +itself so long. And was it not? Answer, thou kind physician, gentle +Margaret! Answer, thou balm and life's elixir--Margaret's _gold_! + +Eight weary years have passed, and we have reached a miserable day in +the month of November. The wind is howling, and the rain is pelting +against the parlour windows of the Banking-house, whose blinds are +drawn close down. The partners are all assembled. Michael, whose hair +is as grey as his father's on the day of his death, and whom care and +misery have made haggard and old, sits at a table, with a heap of +papers before him, and a pen in his hand--engaged, as it appears, in +casting up accounts. Mr Bellamy, who looks remarkably well--very +glossy and very fat--sits at the table likewise, perusing leisurely +the county newspapers through golden eyeglasses. He holds them with +the air of a gentleman, comfortable and at ease in all respects, +mentally and bodily. Augustus Theodore swings on a chair before the +fire, which he keeps at work for his own especial consolation. His +feet stretch along the fender--his amusement is the poker. He has +grown insufferably vain, is dressed many degrees above the highest +fashionable point, and looks a dissipated, hopeless blackguard. +Planner, very subdued, very pale, and therefore very unlike himself, +stands behind the chair of Allcraft; and ever and anon he casts a +rueful glance over the shoulder of his friend, upon the papers which +his friend is busy with. No one speaks. At intervals Mr Bellamy coughs +extensively and loudly, just to show his dignity and independence, and +to assure the company that _his_ conscience is very tranquil on the +occasion--that his firm "withers are unwrung;" and Mr Brammel +struggles like an ill-taught bullfinch, to produce a whistle, and +fails in the attempt. With these exceptions, we have a silent room. A +quarter of an hour passes. Michael finishes his work. He spends one +moment in reflection, and then he speaks:-- + +"Now, gentlemen," he begins with a deep sigh, that seems to carry from +his heart a load of care--"Now, if you please"-- + +The paper and the poker are abandoned, chairs are drawn towards the +baize-covered table. The partners sit and look at one another, face to +face. + +"Gentlemen," said Michael, at first slowly and seriously, and in a +tone which none might hear beyond their walls--"you do not, I am sure, +require me to advert to _all_ the causes which have rendered this +meeting necessary. I have no desire to use reproaches, and I shall +refer as little as I may to the past. I ask you all to do me justice. +Have I not laboured like a slave for the common good? Have I not +toiled in order to avoid the evil hour that has come upon us? Have I +not given every thing--have I not robbed another in order to prop up +our house and keep its name from infamy?" + +"Be calm, be calm," interposed Mr Bellamy gently, remarking that +Allcraft slightly raised his voice at the concluding words. + +"Calm! calm, Mr Bellamy!" exclaimed the unhappy speaker, renouncing +without hesitation all attempts at the _suaviter in modo_, and yet +fearful of showing his indignation and of being overheard--"Calm! It +is well for you to talk so. Had I been less calm, less easy; had I +done my duty--had I been determined seven years ago, this cruel day +would never have arrived. You are my witness that it never would." + +Mr Bellamy rose with much formality from his seat. + +"Gentlemen," he said, "I cannot submit to dark and plebeian +innuendoes. I have come here to-day, at great personal inconvenience, +and I am prepared to listen respectfully to any thing which Mr +Allcraft thinks it his duty to bring before us. But I must have you +remember that a gentleman and a man of honour cannot brook an insult." + +"I ask your pardon, sir," added Allcraft, in a tone of bitterness--"I +meant no insult. Pray be seated. I have the honour to present you with +a statement of our affairs. We have claims upon us, amounting to +several thousand pounds, which must be met within a week. A third of +the sum required will not be at our command. How is it to be obtained? +and, if obtained, how is it to repair the inroads which, year after +year, have been made upon the house, and how secure it from further +spoliation? It is useless and absurd to hide from ourselves any longer +the glaring fact that we are on the actual verge of bankruptcy." + +"Well! I have had nothing to do with that. You can't say it's me," +ejaculated Mr Brammel. "You have had the management in your own hands, +and so you have nobody but yourself to thank for it. I thought from +the beginning how the concern would turn out!" + +"_Your_ share, sir, in furthering the interests of the bank we will +speak of shortly," said Michael, turning to the speaker with contempt. +"We have little time for recrimination now." + +"As for recrimination, Mr Allcraft," interposed Mr Bellamy, "I must be +allowed to say, that you betray a very improper spirit in this +business--very--very. You are far from being temperate." + +"Temperate!" + +"Yes; I said so." + +"Mr Bellamy," said Allcraft, bursting with rage, "I have been your +partner for eight years. I have not for a moment deserted my post, or +slackened in my duty. I have given my strength, my health, my peace of +mind, to the house. I have drawn less than your clerk from its +resources; but I have added to them, wrongfully, cruelly, and +unpardonably, from means not my own, which, in common honesty, I ought +never to have touched--which"-- + +"Really, really, Mr Allcraft," said Bellamy, interrupting him, "you +have told us every word of this before." + +"Wait, sir," continued the other. "I am _intemperate_, and you shall +have my excuse for being so. _You_, Mr Bellamy, have never devoted one +moment of your life to the interests of the house; no, not a moment. +You have, year after year, without the slightest hesitation or +remorse, sucked its life-blood from it. You have borrowed, as these +accounts will show, thousands of pounds, and paid them back with +promises and words. You engaged to produce your fair proportion of +capital; you have given nothing. You made grand professions of adding +strength and stability to the firm; you have been its stumblingblock +and hinderance." + +"Mr Allcraft," said Bellamy coolly, "you are still a very young man." + +"Have I told the truth?" + +"Pshaw, man! Speak to the point. Speak to the point, sir. We have +heavy payments due next week. Are we prepared to meet them?" + +"No--nor shall we be." + +"That's unfortunate," added Mr Bellamy, very quietly. "You are sure of +that? You cannot help us--with another loan, for instance?" + +Michael answered, with determination--"No." + +"Very well. No violence, Mr Allcraft, pray. Such being the case, I +shall decline, at present, giving any answer to the unjust, inhuman +observations which you have made upon my conduct. Painful as it is to +pass this barbarous treatment over for the present, still my own +private affairs shall be as nothing in comparison with the general +good. This provided for, I will protect myself from future insult, +depend upon it. You are wrong, Mr Allcraft--very wrong. You shall +acknowledge it. You will be sorry for the expressions which you have +cast upon a gentleman, your senior in years, and [here a very loud +cough] let me add--in social station. Now, sir, let me beg a word or +two in private." + +It was very unfortunate that the whole establishment stood in +unaffected awe of the redoubted Mr Bellamy. Allcraft, notwithstanding +his knowledge of the man, and his previous attack upon his character, +was not, at this moment, free from the fascination; and at the +eleventh hour he found it difficult to withdraw entirely his +confidence in Mr Bellamy's ultimate desire and capability to deal +honorably and justly by him. Much of the Mogul's power was +unquestionably derived from his massive _physique_; but his +chief excellence lay in that peculiar off-hand, patronizing, +take-it-for-granted air, which he made it a point to assume towards +every individual with whom he came in contact. He had scarcely +requested a few minutes' private conversation with Allcraft, before +Planner and Brammel jumped involuntarily from their seats, as if in +obedience to a word of command, and edged towards the door. + +"If you please," continued Mr Bellamy, nodding to them very +graciously; and they departed. In the course of ten minutes they were +recalled by the autocrat himself. The gentlemen resumed their seats, +and this time, Mr Bellamy addressed them. + +"You see, my dear sirs," he began with, for him, peculiar gentleness, +"it is absolutely necessary to provide against the immediate exigency, +and to postpone all discussion on the past, until this is met, and +satisfactorily disposed of." + +"Certainly!" said Augustus Brammel, who, for his part, never wished to +talk or think about the past again. "Certainly. Hear, hear! I agree to +that"-- + +"I knew you would, dear Mr Brammel--a gentleman of your discretion +would not fail to do so." + +Augustus looked up at Mr Bellamy to find if he were jeering him; but +he saw no reason to believe it. + +"Such being the case," continued the worthy speaker; "it behoves us +now to look about for some assistance. Our friend, Mr Allcraft, I am +sorry to say, does not feel disposed to help us once more through the +pressure. I am very sorry to say so. Perhaps he will think better of +it, (Allcraft shook his head.) Ah; just so. He desponds a little now. +He takes the dark side of things. For my own part, I prefer the +bright. He believes, as you have heard, that we are on the verge of +bankruptcy. Upon my honour as a gentleman, I really can believe in no +such thing. There is a general gloom over the mercantile world; it +will break off in time; and we, with the rest of mankind, shall pass +into the sunshine." + +"Hear, hear!" exclaimed Augustus Brammel; "that's the way to look at +things!" + +"Taking it for granted, then--which, positively, I an not inclined to +do; for really, Mr Allcraft, it is against your interest not to help +us in this emergency--but, however, taking it, I say, for granted, +that our friend here will not succour us--it appears to me, that only +one legitimate course is open to us. If we are refused at home, let us +apply for aid as near our home as possible. There are our London +friends"-- + +"Ah, yes, to be sure--so there are," cried Theodore Augustus. + +"We surely cannot hesitate to apply to them. Our name stands--and +deservedly so--very high. They will be glad to accommodate us with a +temporary loan. We will avail ourselves of it--say for three months. +That will give us time to turn about us, and to prepare ourselves +against similar unpleasant casualties. See what we want, Mr Allcraft: +let the sum be raised in London without delay, and let us look forward +with the hearts of men." + +"Capital, capital," continued Brammel; "I second that motion." + +"Thank you, sir," said Mr Bellamy, with a gracious smile. "There +remains then to consider only who shall be the favoured individual +deputed to this important business. One of us must certainly go to +London, and I do think it due to our youngest member, Brammel, to +concede to him the honour of representing us in the metropolis. No +offence will, I trust, be taken by our other friends, and I hope that +in my zeal for Mr Brammel, I shall not be suspected of betraying an +undue preference." + +Mr Bellamy turned towards Augustus Theodore with an almost +affectionate expression of countenance, as he spoke these words; but +perceived, to his mortification, that the latter, instead of being +pleasantly affected by his address, wriggled in his chair most +impatiently, and assumed the complexion and aspect of a man with whom +something has suddenly and violently disagreed. + +"No--no--no!" he bellowed out, as soon as he could; "none of that +soft-soap, Mr Bellamy; make up your mind at once--I sha'n't go. I +can't borrow money. I do not know how to do it. I don't want the +honour, thank you. It's very good of you, and I am much obliged to +you--that's a fact. But you'll look out for some body else, if you +please. I beg to say I decline--pos"-- + +Mr Bellamy cast upon Theodore one of his natural and annihilating +glances, and said deliberately, + +"Mr Brammel, for the first time in your life you are honoured by being +made a useful individual. You are to go to London.--Go you shall"-- + +"Go, I sha'n't," answered Brammel, in his accustomed easy style and +manner. + +"Very well. You are aware, Mr Brammel, that your respected parent has +yet to be made acquainted with sundry lively doings of your own, which +you would rather, I believe, keep from his ears at present; you +likewise are aware that if any thing happens to the serious injury of +the bank through your imprudence--your inheritance from that respected +parent would be dearly purchased for a shilling. I shall be sorry to +hurt your feelings, or your pocket. I have no wish to do it; but +depend upon me, sir, your father shall be a wiser man to-night, if you +are obstinate and disobedient." + +"I can't borrow money--I can't--I don't know how to do it," said +Brammel peevishly. + +"And who reproaches you for your inability, my dear sir," said Bellamy +coaxingly. "No one, I am sure. You shall be taught. Every thing shall +be made easy and agreeable. You will carry your credentials from the +house, and your simple task shall be beforehand well explained to +you." + +"I am not used to it." + +"And you never will be, Mr Brammel, if you don't begin to practise. +Come, I am sure you don't wish me to see your father to-day. I am +certain you are not anxious to part with your patrimony. You are too +sensible a man. Pray let us have no delay, Mr Allcraft. See what we +want. Mr Brammel will go to London to-morrow. We must take time by the +forelock. Let us meet these heavy payments, and then we can think, and +breathe, and talk. Till then it is idle to wrangle, and to lose one's +temper. Very well: then there's little more, I imagine, to be done at +present." + +Augustus Theodore still opposed his nomination, like an irritable +child; but a fly kicking against a stone wall, was as likely to move +it, as Brammel to break down the resolution of such a personage as Mr +Bellamy. After an hour's insane remonstrance, he gave in to his own +alarm, rather than to the persuasion of his partner. He was fearfully +in debt; his only hope of getting out of it rested in the speedy +decease of his unfortunate parent, whom he had not seen for months, +and who, he had reason to believe, had vowed to make him pay with his +whole fortune for any calamity that might happen to the bank through +his misconduct or extravagance. It was not from the lips of Mr Bellamy +that he heard this threat for the first time. What he should do, if it +were carried out, heaven only knows. He consented to go to London on +this disgusting mission, and he could have bitten his tongue out for +speaking his acquiescence, so enraged was he with himself, and all the +world, at his defeat. He did not affect to conceal his anger; and yet, +strange to say, it was not visible to Mr Bellamy. On the contrary, he +thanked Mr Brammel for the cheerful and excellent spirit in which he +had met his partners' wishes, and expressed himself delighted at the +opportunity which now presented itself for introducing their young +friend to life. Then, turning to Michael Allcraft, he begged him to +prepare their deputation for his work immediately, and to place no +obstacle in the way of his departure. Then he moved the adjournment of +the meeting until the return of Mr Brammel; and then he finished by +inviting all his partners to dine with him at the hall that day, and +to join him in drinking success and happiness to their young +adventurer. The invitation was accepted; and Mr. Bellamy's grand +carriage drew up immediately with splash and clatter to the door. + + +CHAPTER III. + +A CHAPTER OF LOANS. + + +Augustus Brammel hated his partners with all his heart and soul. He +had never been very fond of them, but the result of this interview +gave an activity and a form to feelings which it required only +sufficient occasion to bring into play. Notwithstanding the polite +tone which Mr Bellamy had cunningly adopted in placing his mission +before him, even he, the ignorant and obtuse Brammel, could not fail +to see that he had been made the tool, the cat's-paw in a business +from which his partners shrank. Now, had the young man been as full of +courage as he was of vulgar conceit, he might, I verily believe, have +turned his hatred, and his knowledge of affairs, to very good account. +Lacking the spirit of the smallest animal that crawls, he was content +to eject his odious malice in oaths and execrations, and to submit to +his beating after all. No sooner was the meeting at an end, than he +left the Banking-house, and turned his steps towards home. He had +become--as it was very natural he should--a brute of a husband, and +the terror of his helpless household. He remembered, all at once, that +he had been deeply aggrieved in the morning by Mrs Brammel; that as +many as two of his shirt buttons had given way whilst he was in the +act of dressing, and unable to contain himself after the treatment of +Mr Bellamy, he resolved forthwith to have his vengeance out upon his +wife. But he had not walked a hundred yards, before his rancour and +fury increased to such a height, that he was compelled to pull up +short in the street, and to vow, with a horrible oath, that he would +see all his partners roasting in the warmest place that he could think +of, before he'd move one inch to save their souls from rotting. So, +instead of proceeding homeward, he turned back again, with a view to +make this statement; but before he could reach the Banking-house, a +wiser thought entered his head, and induced him to retrace his steps. +"He would go," he said, "to his father; and lay his complaint there. +He would impeach all his partners, acknowledge his errors, and promise +once more to reform. His father, easy old fool, would believe him, +forgive him, and do any thing else, in his joy." It was certainly a +bright idea--but, alas! his debts were so very extensive. Bellamy's +threatening look rose before him, and made them appear even larger and +more terrible than they were. What if his father insisted upon his +going to London, and doing any other dirty work which these fellows +chose to put upon him? Bellamy, he was sure, could make the old man do +any thing. No, it wouldn't do. He stamped his foot to the ground in +vexation, and recurred to his original determination. It was all he +could do. He must go to London, and take what indemnification he might +in the domestic circle previously to starting. And the miserable man +did have his revenge, and did go to London. He was empowered to borrow +twenty thousand pounds from the London house, and he was furnished by +Michael Allcraft with particulars explanatory of his commission. And +he walked into Lombard Street with the feelings of a culprit walking +up the scaffold to his execution. His pitiful heart deserted him at +the very instant when he most needed its support. He passed and +repassed the large door of the establishment, which he saw opened and +shut a hundred tines in a minute, by individuals, whose +self-collectedness and independence, he would have given half his +fortune to possess. He tried, time after time, to summon courage for +his entry, and, as he afterwards expressed it, a ball rose in his +throat--just as he got one foot upon the step--large enough to choke +him. Impudent and reckless us he had been all his life, he was now +more timid and nervous than an hysterical girl. Oh, what should he do! +First, he thought of going to a neighbouring hotel, and writing at +once to Allcraft; swearing that he was very ill, that he couldn't +move, and was utterly unable to perform his duties. If he went to bed, +and sent for a doctor, surely Allcraft would believe him; and in pity +would come up and do the business. He dwelt upon this contrivance, +until it seemed too complicated for success. Would it not be more +advisable to write to the London house itself, and explain the object +of his coming up? But if he could write, why couldn't he _call_? They +would certainly ask that question, and perhaps refuse the loan. Oh, +what was he to do! He could hit upon no plan, and he couldn't muster +confidence to turn in. The porter of the firm mercifully interposed to +rescue Mr Brammel from his dilemma. That functionary had watched the +stranger shuffling to and fro in great anxiety and doubt, and at +length he deemed it proper to enquire whether the gentleman was +looking for the doorway of the house of Messrs ---- and ----, or not. +Augustus, frightened, answered _yes_ at random, and in another instant +found himself in what he called "THE SWEATING ROOM of the awfullest +house of business he had ever seen in all his life." It was a large +square apartment, very lofty and very naked-looking. There was an iron +chest, and two shelves filled with giant books; and there was nothing +else in the room but a stillness, and a mouldiness of smell, that hung +upon his spirits like pounds of lead, dragging them down, and freezing +them. Yet, cold as were his spirits, the perspiration that oozed from +the pores of his skin was profuse and steady during the quarter of an +hour that elapsed whilst he waited for the arrival of the worthy +principal. During those memorable fifteen minutes--the most unpleasant +of his life--Augustus, for two seconds together, could neither sit, +stand nor walk with comfort. He knew nothing of the affairs of his +house; he was not in a condition to answer the most trivial business +question; he had heard that his firm was on the eve of bankruptcy, +(and, judging from the part he had taken in its affairs, he could +easily believe it;) he felt that his partners had thrown the odium of +the present application upon him, not having courage to take it upon +themselves; and he had an indistinct apprehension that this very act +of borrowing money would lead to transportation or the gallows, should +the business go to rack and ruin, as he could see it shortly would. +All these considerations went far to stultify the otherwise weak and +feeble Mr Brammel; when, in addition, he endeavoured to arrange in his +mind the terms on which he would request the favour of a temporary +loan of only (!) twenty thousand pounds, a sensation of nausea +completely overpowered him, and the table, the chairs, the iron chest, +swam round him like so many ships at sea. To recover from his +sickness, and to curse the banking-house, every member of the same, +and his own respectable parent for linking him to it, was one and the +same exertion. To the infinite astonishment of Augustus Theodore, the +acquisition of these twenty thousand pounds proved the most amusing +and easiest transaction of his life. Mr Cutbill, the managing partner +of the London house, received him with profound respect and pleasure. +He listened most attentively to the stammering request, and put the +deputation at his ease at once, by expressing his readiness to comply +with Mr Allcraft's wishes, provided a note of hand, signed by all the +partners, and payable in three months, was given as security for the +sum required. Augustus wrote word home to that effect; the note of +hand arrived--the twenty thousand pounds were paid--the dreaded +business was transacted with half the trouble that it generally cost +Augustus Theodore to effect the purchase of a pair of gloves. + +Mr Bellamy remained at the hall just one week after the receipt of the +cash, and then was carried to the north by pressing business. Before +he started he complimented Allcraft upon their success, trusted that +they should now go smoothly on, promised to return at the very +earliest moment, and gave directions on his route by which all +letters of importance might safely reach him. And Allcraft, relieved +for a brief season, indefatigable as ever, strained every nerve and +muscle to sustain his credit and increase his gains. As heretofore, he +denied himself all diversion and amusement. The first at the bank, the +last to leave it, he had his eye for ever on its doings. Visible at +all times to the world, and most conspicuous there where the world was +pleased to find him, he maintained his reputation as a thorough man of +business, and held, with hooks of steel, a confidence as necessary to +existence as the vital air around him. To lose a breath of the public +approbation in his present state, were to give up fatally the only +stay on which he rested. Wonderful that, as the prospects of the man +grew darker, his courage strengthened, his spirit roused, his industry +increased! And a bitter reflection was it, that reward still came to +him--still a fair return for time and strength expended. He could not +complain of the neglect of mankind, or of the ingratitude of those he +served. In the legitimate transactions of the house, he was a +prosperous and a prospering man. Such, to the outer world, did he +appear in all respects, and such he would have been but for the hidden +and internal sores already past cure or reparation. Who had brought +them there? Michael did not ask the question--yet. Never did three +months pass away so rapidly as those which came between the day of +borrowing and the day of paying back those twenty thousand pounds. The +moment the money had arrived, Michael's previous anxieties fled from +his bosom, and left him as happy as a boy without a care. It came like +a respite from death. Sanguine to the last, he congratulated himself +upon the overthrow of his temporary difficulties, and relied upon the +upturning of some means of payment, on the arrival of the distant day. +But distant as it looked at first, it crept nearer and nearer, until +at the end of two months, when--as he saw no possibility of relieving +himself from the engagement--it appeared close upon him, haunting him +morning, noon, and night, wheresoever he might be, and sickening him +with its terrible and desperate aspect. When there wanted only a week +to the fatal day, Michael's hope of meeting the note of hand was +slighter than ever. He became irritable, distressed, and +anxious--struggled hard to get the needful sum together, struggled and +strove; but failed. Hours and minutes were now of vital consequence; +and, in a rash and unprotected moment, he permitted himself to write a +letter to the London house, begging them, as a particular favour, just +for one week to retire the bill they held against him. The London +house civilly complied with the request, and five days of that last +and dreary week swept by, leaving poor Allcraft as ill prepared for +payment as they had found him. What could he do? At length the gulf +had opened--was yawning--to receive him. How should he escape it? + +Heaven, in its infinite mercy, has vouchsafed to men _angels_ to guide +and cheer them on their difficult and thorny paths. Could Michael +suffer, and Margaret not sympathize? Could he have a sorrow which she +might chase away, and, having the power, lack the heart to do it? +Impossible! Oh! hear her in her impassioned supplications; hear her at +midnight, in their disturbed and sleepless bedchamber, whilst the +doomed man sits at her side in agony, clasps his face, and buries it +within his hand for shame and disappointment. + +"Michael, do not break my heart. Take, dearest, all that I possess; +but, I entreat you, let me see you cheerful. Do not take this thing to +heart. Whatever may be your trouble, confide it, love, to me. I will +try to kill it!" + +"No, no, no," answered Allcraft wildly; "it must not be--it shall not +be, dear Margaret. You shall be imposed upon no longer. You shall not +be robbed. I am a villain!" + +"Do not say so, Michael. You are kind and good; but this cruel +business has worn you out. Leave it, I implore you, if you can, and +let us live in peace." + +"Margaret, it is impossible. Do not flatter yourself or me with the +vain hope of extrication. Release will never come. I am bound to it +for my life; it will take longer than a life to effect deliverance. +You know not my calamities." + +"But I _will_ know them, Michael, and share them with you, if they +must be borne. I am your wife, and have a right to this. Trust me, +Michael, and do not kill me with suspense. What is this new +affliction? Whatsoever it may be, it is fitting that I should know +it--yes, will know it, dearest, or I am not worthy to lie beside you +there. Tell me, love, how is it that for these many days you have +looked so sad, and sighed, and frowned upon me. I am conscious of no +fault. Have I done amiss? Say so, and I will speedily repair the +fault?" + +Michael pressed his Margaret to his heart, and kissed her fondly. + +"Why, oh why, my Margaret, did you link your fate with mine?" + +"Why, having done so, Michael, do you not love and trust me?" + +"Love?" + +"Yes--_love_! Say what you will, you do not love me, if you hide your +griefs from me. We are one. Let us be truly so. One in our joys and in +our sufferings." + +"Dearest Margaret, why should I distress you? Why should I call upon +you for assistance? Why drag your substance from you?--why prey upon +you until you have parted with your all? I have taken too much +already." + +"Answer me one simple question, Michael. Can money buy away this +present sorrow? Can it bring to you contentment and repose? Can it +restore to me the smile which is my own? Oh, if it can, be merciful +and kind; take freely what is needful, and let me purchase back my +blessings!" + +"Margaret, you deserve a better fate!" + +"Name the sum, dear. Is it my fortune? Not more? Then never were peace +of mind and woman's happiness so cheaply bought. Take it, Michael, and +let us thank Heaven that it is enough. My fortune never gave me so +much joy as now. I do not remember, Michael, that you have ever +refused my smallest wish. It is not in your nature to be unkind. Come, +dearest, smile a little. We have made the bargain--be generous, and +pay me in advance." + +He smiled and wept in gratitude. + +Now Michael retired to rest, determined not to take advantage of the +generous impulses of his confiding wife; yet, although he did so, it +could not but be very satisfactory to his marital feelings to +discover, and to be assured of the existence of, such devotedness and +disregard of self and fortune as she displayed. Indeed, he was very +much tranquillized and comforted; so much so, in fact, that he was +enabled, towards morning, to wake up in a condition to review his +affairs with great serenity of mind, and (notwithstanding his +determination) to contrive some mode of turning the virtuous +magnanimity of his wife to good account, without inflicting any injury +upon herself. Surely if he could do this, he was bound to act. To save +himself by her help, and, at the same time, without injuring her at +all, was a very defensible step, to say the least of it. Who should +say it wasn't his absolute duty to adopt it? Whatever repugnance he +might have felt in asking a further loan from one who had already +helped him beyond his expectations, it was certainly very much +diminished since she had offered to yield to him, without reserve, +every farthing that she possessed. Not that he would ever suffer her +to do any thing so wild and inexcusable; still, after such an +expression of her wishes, he was at liberty to ask her aid, provided +always that he could secure her from any loss or risk. When Michael +got thus far in his proposition, it was not very difficult to work it +to the end. Once satisfied that it was just and honourable, and it was +comparatively child's work to arrange the _modus operandi_. A common +trick occurred to him. In former transactions with his wife, he had +pledged his word of honour to repay her. It had become a stale pledge, +and very worthless, as Michael felt. What if he put his _life_ in +pawn! Ah, capital idea! This would secure to her every farthing of her +debt. Dear me, how very easy! He had but to insure his life for the +amount he wanted, and let what would happen, she was safe. His spirit +rejoiced. Oh, it was joy to think that she could save him from +perdition, and yet not suffer a farthing's loss. Loss! So far from +this, his ready mind already calculated how she might be a gainer by +the arrangement. He was yet young. Let him insure his life at present +for twenty thousand pounds, and how much more would it be worth--say +that he lived for twenty years to come? He explained it to his +lady--to his own perfect satisfaction. The willing Margaret required +no more. He could not ask as freely as the woman's boundless love +could grant. He, with all his reasoning, could not persuade his +conscience to pronounce the dealing just. She, with her beating heart +for her sole argument and guide, looked for no motive save her strong +affection--no end but her beloved's happiness and peace. Woe is me, +the twenty thousand pounds were griped--the precious life of Mr +Allcraft was insured--the London house was satisfied. A very few weeks +flew over the head of the needy man, before he was reduced to the same +pitiable straits. Money was again required to carry the reeling firm +through unexpected difficulties. Brammel was again dispatched to +London. The commissioner, grown bolder by his first success, was ill +prepared for hesitation and reproof, and awkward references to "that +last affair." Ten thousand pounds were the most they could advance, +and all transactions of the kind must close with this, if there should +be any deviation from the strictest punctuality. Brammel attempted to +apologise, and failed in the attempt, of course. He came home +disgusted, shortening his journey by swearing over half the distance, +and promising his partners his cordial forgiveness, if ever they +persuaded him again to go to London on a begging expedition! + +Oh, Margaret! Margaret! Oh, spirit of the mild and gentle Mildred! +Must I add, that your good money paid this second loan--and yet a +third--a fourth--a fifth? When shall fond woman cease to give--when +shall mean and sordid man be satisfied with something less than all +she has to grant? + + +CHAPTER IV. + +A DISSOLUTION OF PARTNERSHIP. + + +The most remarkable circumstance in that meeting of the partners, +which ended in Brammel's first visit to London, was the behaviour of +our very dear friend and ally--the volatile Planner--volatile, alas! +no longer. His best friend would not have recognized him on that +deeply interesting occasion. He was a subdued, a shaken man. Every +drop of his brave spirit had been squeezed out of him, and he stood +the mere pulp and rind of his former self. He who, for years, had been +accustomed to look at men, not only in the face, but very +impertinently over their heads, could not drag his shambling vision +now higher than men's shoe-strings. His eye, his heart, his soul was +on the ground. He was disappointed, crushed. Not a syllable did he +utter; not a single word of remonstrance and advice did he presume to +offer in the presence of his associates. He had a sense of guilt, and +men so situated are sometimes tongue-tied. He had, in truth, a great +deal to answer for, and enough to make a livelier man than he +dissatisfied and wretched. Every farthing which had passed from the +bank to the _Pantamorphica_ Association was irrecoverably gone. The +Association itself was in the same condition--gone irrecoverably +likewise. Nothing remained of that once beautiful and promising +vision, but some hundred acres of valueless land, a half-finished and +straggling brick wall, falling rapidly to decay, the foundations of a +theatre, and the rudiments of a temple dedicated to Apollo. Planner +had gazed upon the scene once, when dismal rain was pouring down upon +the ruins, and he burst into bitter tears, and sobbed like a child at +the annihilation of his hopes. He had not courage to look a second +time upon that desolation, and yet he found courage to turn away from +it, and to do a thing more desperate. Ashamed to be beaten, afraid to +meet the just rebuke of Allcraft, he flung himself recklessly into the +hands of a small band of needy speculators, and secretly engaged in +schemes that promised restitution of the wealth he had expended, or +make his ruin perfect and complete. One adventure after another +failed, cutting the thread of his career shorter every instant, and +rendering him more hot-brained and impatient. He doubled and trebled +his risks, and did the like, as may be guessed, to his anxieties and +failures. He lived in a perpetual fear and danger of discovery; and +discovery now was but another name, for poison--prison--death. Here +was enough, and more than enough, to extinguish every spark of joy in +the bosom of Mr Planner, and to account for his despondency and +settled gloom. And yet Planner, in this, his darkest hour, was nearer +to deliverance and perfect peace, than at any previous period of his +history. Planner was essentially "a lucky dog." Had he fallen from a +house-top, he would have reached _terra firma_ on his feet. Had he +been conducted to the gallows, according to his desserts, the noose +would have slipped, and his life would certainly have been spared. + +It happened, that whilst Michael was immersed in the management of his +loans, a hint was forwarded to him of the pranks of his partner; a +letter, written by an anonymous hand, revealed his losses in one +transaction, amounting to many hundred pounds. The news came like a +thunderbolt to Allcraft. It was a death-blow. Iniquitous, unpardonable +as were the acts of his colleague--serious as was the actual sum of +money gone; yet these were as nothing compared with the distressing +fact, that intelligence of the evil work had already gone abroad, was +in circulation, and might at any moment put a violent end to his own +unsteady course. He carried the note to Planner--he thrust it into his +face, and called him to account for his baseness and ingratitude. He +could have struck his friend and partner to the earth, and trod him +there to death, as he confronted and upbraided him. + +"Now, sir," roared Allcraft in his fury--"What excuse--what lie have +you at your tongue's end to palliate this? What can justify this? Will +you never be satisfied until you have rendered me the same hopeless, +helpless creature that I found you, when I dragged you from your [§] +beggaring. Answer me!"-- + +There is nothing like a plaintive retort when your case is utterly +indefensible. Planner looked at the letter, read it--then turned his +eyes mildly and reproachfully upon his accuser. + +"Michael Allcraft," he said affectingly, "you treat me cruelly." + +"I!" answered the other astounded. "I treat _you_! Planner, I +intrusted you years ago with a secret. I paid you well for keeping it. +Could I dream that nothing would satisfy your rapacity but my +destruction? Could I suppose it? I have fed your ravenous desires. I +have submitted to your encroachments. Do you ask my soul as well as +body? Let me know what it is you ask--what I have to pay--let me hear +the worst, and--prepare for all my punishment." + +"I have listened to all you have said," continued Planner, "and I +consider myself an ill-used man." + +Michael stared. + +"Yes--I mean it. I have worked like a negro for you Allcraft, and this +is the return you make me. I get your drift; do not attempt to +disguise it--it is cruel--most, most cruel! + +"What do you mean?" + +"Have I not always promised to share my gains with you?" + +"Pshaw--_your_ gains--where are they?" + +"That's nothing to the point. Did I not promise?" + +"Well--well." + +"And now, after all my labour and struggling, because I have _failed_, +you wish to turn me off, and throw me to the world. Now, speak the +truth, man--is it not so?" + +Oh! Planner was a cunning creature, and so was Michael Allcraft. Mark +them both! This idea, which Planner deemed too good to be seriously +entertained by his colleague, had never once occurred to Michael; but +it seemed so promising, and so likely, if followed up, to relieve him +effectually of his greatest plague, and of any floating ill report, +that he found no hesitation in adopting it at once. He did not answer, +but he tried to look as if his partner had exactly guessed his actual +intention. Such [§]* gentlemen both! + + *Transcriber's Note: Original cut off between [§]s--Section + completed with best guess of correct wording. + +"I thought so," continued the injured Planner. "Michael, you do not +know me. You do not understand my character. I am a child to persuade, +but a rock if you attempt to force me. I shall _not_ desert the bank, +whilst there is a chance of paying back all that we have drawn." + +"_We_, sir?" + +"Yes--we. You and I together for our schemes, and you alone for +private purposes. You recollect your father's debts"-- + +"Planner, do not think to threaten me into further compromise. You can +frighten me no longer--be sure of that. Your transactions are the +common talk of the city--the bank is stigmatized by its connexion with +you." + +"Curse the bank!" said Planner fretfully. "Would to Heaven I had never +heard of it!" + +"Leave it then, and rid yourself of the annoyance. You are free to do +it!" + +"What! and leave behind me every chance of realizing a competency for +my old age! Oh, Michael, Michael--shame, shame!" + +"Competency! Are you serious? Are you sane? Competency! Why, the +labour of your life will not make good a tithe of what you have +squandered." + +"Come, come, Michael, you know better. You know well enough that one +lucky turn would set us up at last. Speak like a man. Say that you +want to grasp all--that you are tired of me--that you are sick of the +old face, and wish to see my back. Put the thing in its proper light, +and you shall not find me hard to deal with." + +"Planner, you are deceived. Your mind is full of fancy and delusion, +and that has been your curse and mine." + +"Very well. Have your way; but look you, Michael, you are anxious to +get rid of me--there's no denying that. There is no reason why we +should quarrel on that account. I would sacrifice my prospects, were +they double what they are, rather than beg you to retain me. I did not +ask for a share in your bank. You sought me, and I came at your +request. Blot out the past. Release me from the debt that stands +against my name, and I am gone. As I came at your bidding, so, at your +bidding, I am ready to depart." + +"Agreed," said Allcraft, almost before the wily Planner finished. "It +is done. I consent to your proposal. A dissolution shall be drawn up +without delay, and shall be published in the next gazette." + +"And publish with it," said Planner, like a martyr as he was, "the +fate of him who gave up all to his own high sense of honour, and his +friend's ingratitude." + +So Planner spake, scarcely crediting his good fortune, and almost mad +with joy at his deliverance. He had no rest until the seals were fixed +to parchment, and the warrant of his release appeared in public print. +Within a week, the fettered man was free. Within another week, his +bounding spirits came like a spring-tide back to him, and in less than +eight-and-twenty days of freedom and repose, he recovered quite as +many years of sweet and precious life. He made quick use of his wings. +At first, like a wild and liberated bird, he sported and tumbled in +the air, and fixed upon no particular aim; a thousand captivating +objects soon caught his eagle eye, and then he mounted, dazzled by +them all, and soon eluded mortal sight and reach. But, glad as was the +schemer, his delight and sense of freedom were much inferior to those +of his misguided and unlucky partner. Michael breathed as a man +relieved from nightmare. The encumbrance which had for years prevented +him from rising, that had so lately threatened his existence, was +gone, could no longer hang upon him, haunt and oppress him. What a +deliverance!--Yet, what a price had he paid for it! True, but was not +the money already sacrificed? Would it have been restored, had the +luckless speculator himself remained? Never! Well, fearful then as was +the sum, let it go, taking the incubus along with it. Allcraft took +care to obtain the consent of Bellamy to his arrangement. He wrote to +him, explaining the reasons for parting with their partner; and an +answer came from the landed proprietor, acquiescing in the plan, but +slightly doubting the propriety of the movement. As for Brammel, he +consented, as he was ready to agree to any thing but a personal visit +to the great metropolis. And then, what was Michael's next step? A +proper one--to put out effectually the few sparks of scandal which +might, possibly, be still flying about after the discovery of +Planner's scheme. He worked fiercer than ever--harder than the +day-labourer--at his place of business. It was wise in him to do so, +and thus to draw men's thoughts from Planner's faults to his own +unquestioned merits. And here he might have stopped with safety; but +his roused, suspicious, sensitive nature, would not suffer him. He +began to read, then to doubt and fear men's looks; to draw conclusions +from their innocent words; to find grounds of uneasiness and torture +in their silence. A vulgar fellow treated him with rudeness, and for +days he treasured up the man's words, and repeated them to himself. +What could they mean? Did people smell a rat? Were they on the watch? +Did they suspect that he was poor? Ah, that was it! He saw it--he +believed he did--that was equivalent to sight, and enough for him. Men +did not understand him. He would not die so easily--they must be +undeceived. Miserable Allcraft! He speedily removed from his small +cottage--took a mansion, furnished it magnificently, and made it a +palace in costliness and hospitality. Ah! _was_ he poor? The trick +answered. The world was not surprised, but satisfied. There was but +one opinion. He deserved it all, and more. The only wonder was, that +he had hitherto lived so quietly, rich as he was, in virtue of his +wife's inheritance, and from his own hard-earned gains. His increasing +business still enlarged. Customers brought guests, and, in their turn, +the guests became good customers. It was a splendid mansion, +with its countless rooms and gorgeous appointments. What +pleasure-grounds--gardens--parks--preserves! Noble establishment, with +its butler, under-butler, upper-servant, and my lady's (so the working +people called poor Margaret) footman! In truth, a palace; but, alas! +although it took a prince's revenue to maintain it, and although the +lady's purse was draining fast to keep it and the bank upon its legs, +yet was there not a corner, a nook, a hole in the building, in which +master or mistress could find an hour's comfort, or a night's +unmingled sleep. As for the devoted woman, it made very little +difference to her whether she dwelt in a castle or a hovel, provided +she could see her husband cheerful, and know that he was happy. This +was all she looked for--cared for--lived for. _He_ was her life. What +was her money--the dross which mankind yearned after--but for its use +to him, but for the power it might exercise amongst men to elevate and +ennoble _him_? What was her palace but a dungeon if it rendered her +beloved more miserable than ever, if it added daily to the troubles he +had brought there--to the cares which had accumulated on his head from +the very hour she had become his mate? Michael Allcraft! you never +deserved this woman for your wife; you told her so many times, and +perhaps you meant what was wrung from your heart in its anguish. It +was the truth. Why, if not in rank cowardice and pitiful ambition, +entangle yourself in the perplexities of such a household with all +that heap of woe already on your soul? Why, when your London agents +refused, in consequence of your irregularity and neglect, to advance +your further loans--why take a base advantage of that heroic +generosity that placed its all, unquestioning, at your command? Why, +when you pretended with so much ceremony and regard, to effect an +insurance on your worthless life, did you fail to pay up the policy +even for a second year, and so resign all claim and right to such +assurance, making it null and void? Let it stand here recorded to your +disgrace, that, in the prosecution of your views, in the working out +of your insane ambition, no one single thought of her, who gave her +wealth as freely as ever fount poured forth its liberal stream, +deterred you in your progress for an instant; that no one glow or gush +of feeling towards the fond and faithful wife interposed to save her +from the consequences of your selfishness, and to humble you with +shame for inhumanity as vile as it was undeserved. It is not +surprising, that after the taking of the great house the demands upon +the property of Margaret were made without apology or explanation. He +asked, and he obtained. The refusal of aid, on the part of the London +house, terrified him when it came, and caused him to rush, with a +natural instinct, to the quarter whence he had no fear of denial and +complaint. He drew largely from her resources. The money was sucked +into the whirlpool; there was a speedy cry for more; and more was got +and sacrificed. It would have been a miracle had Allcraft, in the +midst of his crushing cares, retained his early vigour of mind and +body, and passed through ten years of such an existence without +suffering the penalties usually inflicted upon the man prodigal of the +blessings and good gifts of Providence. In his appearance, and in his +temperament, he had undergone a woful change. His hair--all that +remained of it, for the greater part had fallen away--was grey; +and, thin, weak, and straggling, dropped upon his wrinkled +forehead--wrinkled with a frown that had taken root there. His face +was sickly, and never free from the traces of acute anxiety that was +eating at his heart. His body was emaciated, and, at times, his hand +shook like a drunkard's. It was even worse with the spiritual man. He +had become irritable, peevish, and ill-natured; he had lost, by +degrees, every generous sentiment. As a young man he had been +remarkable for his liberality in pecuniary matters. He had been wont +to part freely with his money. Inconsistent as it may seem, +notwithstanding his heavy losses through his partners, and his fearful +expenditure, he was as greedy of gain as though he were stinting +himself of every farthing, and secretly hoarding up his chests of +gold. He would haggle in a bargain for a shilling, and economize in +things beneath a wise man's notice or consideration. For a few years, +as it has been seen, Allcraft had denied himself the customary +recreations of a man of business, and had devoted himself entirely to +his occupation. It was by no means a favourable indication of his +state of mind, that he derived no satisfaction at the grand mansion, +either alone or in the mere society of his wife. He quitted the bank +daily at a late hour, and reached his home just in time for dinner. +That over, he could not sit or rest--he must be moving. He could not +live in quiet. "Quietness"--it was his own expression--"stunned him." +He rushed to the theatre, to balls, concerts, wherever there was +noise, talk, excitement, crowds of people; wherever there was release +from his own pricking conscience and miserable thoughts. And then to +parties; of course there was no lack of them, for their society was in +great request, and every one was eager for an invitation in return to +_Eden_--such being the strange misnomer of their magnificent +prison-house. And, oh, rare entertainments were they which the +suffering pair provided for the cold-hearted crew that flocked to +partake of their substance! How the poor creature smiled upon her +guests as they arrived, whilst her wounded heart bled on! How she +sang--exquisitely always--for their amusement and nauseous +approbation, until her sweet voice almost failed to crush the rising +tears! How gracefully she led off the merry dance whilst clogs were on +her spirits, weighing upon every movement. Extravagant joyousness! +Dearly purchased pleasure! Yes, dearly purchased, if only with that +half hour of dreadful silence and remorse that intervened between the +banquet and the chamber--not of sweet slumber and benevolent repose +but of restlessness and horrid dreams! + + +CHAPTER V. + +THE CRISIS. + + +Michael was half mad in the midst of his troubles; and, in truth, they +gathered so thickly and rapidly about him, that he is to be admired +for the little check which he contrived to keep over his reason, +saving him from absolute insanity and a lunatic asylum. Mr Bellamy, +although away, made free with the capital of the bank, and applied it +to his own private uses. Mr Brammel, senior, after having, for many +years, made good to Allcraft the losses the latter had sustained +through his son's extravagance, at length grew tired of the work, and +left the neighbourhood, in disgust, as Michael thought, but, in sad +truth, with a bruised and broken heart. At last he had dismissed the +long-cherished hope of the prodigal's reformation, and with his latest +hope departed every wish to look upon his hastening decay and fall. He +crawled from the scene--the country; no one knew his course; not a +soul was cognizant of his intentions, or could guess his +resting-place. Augustus Theodore did not, in consequence of his +father's absence, draw less furiously upon the bank! He had never +heard of that father's generosity--how should he know of it now? And, +if he knew it, was he very likely to profit by the information? +Michael honoured his drafts for many reasons; two may be mentioned, +founded on hope and fear--the hope of frightening the unfortunate +Brammel senior into payment when he met with him again, the fear of +making Brammel junior desperate by his refusal, and of his divulging +all he knew. Could a man, not crazy, carry more care upon his brain? +Yes, for demands on account of Planner poured in, the very instant +that fortunate speculator had taken his lucky leave of the +establishment--demands for which Michael had rendered himself liable +in law, by the undertaking which he had drawn up and signed in his +alarm and haste. Oh, why had he overwhelmed himself with partners--why +had he married--why had he taken upon himself the responsibility of +his parent's debts--why had he not explained every thing when he might +have done it with honour and advantage--why had he not relied upon his +own integrity--and why had he attempted, with cunning and duplicity, +to overreach his neighbours? Why, oh why, had he done all this? When +Michael was fairly hemmed in by his difficulties, and, as it is +vulgarly said, had not a leg to stand upon, or a hole to creep +through, then, and not till then, did he put these various questions +to himself; and since it is somewhat singular that so shrewd a man +should have waited until the last moment to put queries of such vast +importance to himself, I shall dwell here for one brief moment on the +fact, be it only to remind and to warn others, equally shrewd and +equally clever, of the mischief they are doing when they postpone the +consideration of their motives and acts until motives and acts both +have brought them into a distress, out of which all their +consideration will not move them an inch. "Why have I _done_?" was, +is, and ever will be, the whining interrogative of stricken +_inability_; "Why am I about _to do_?" the provident question of +thoughtful, far-seeing _success_. Remember that. + +I am really afraid to say how much of poor Margaret's fortune was +dragged from her--how little of it still remained. It must have been a +trifle, indeed, when Michael, with a solemn oath, swore that he would +not touch one farthing more, let the consequences be what they might. +Could it be possible that the whole of her splendid inheritance had +shrunk to so paltry a sum, that the grasping man had ceased to think +it worth his while to touch it? or did the dread of beholding the +confiding woman, beggar'd at last, induce him to leave at her disposal +enough to purchase for her--necessary bread? Whatever was his motive, +he persisted in his resolution, and to the end was faithful to his +oath. Not another sixpence did he take from her. And how much the +better was he for all that he had taken already? Poor Michael had not +time to enquire and answer the question. He could not employ his +precious moments in retrospection. He lived from hand to mouth; +struggled every hour to meet the exigencies of the hour that followed. +He was absorbed in the agitated present, and dared not look an inch +away from it. Now, thanks to the efforts of her people, England is a +Christian country; and whenever fortune goes very hard with a man who +has received all the assistance that his immediate connexions can +afford him, there is a benevolent brotherhood at hand, eager to +relieve the sufferer's wants, and to put an end to his anxiety. This +charitable band is known by the name of _Money-lenders--Jewish_ +money-lenders; so called, no doubt, in profound humility and +self-denial, displayed in the Christian's wish to give the _honour_ +of the work elsewhere, reserving to himself the labour and--the +profit. When Michael needed fresh supplies, he was not long in +gathering a gang of harpies about him. They kept their victim for a +while well afloat. They permitted their principal to accumulate in his +hands, whilst they received full half of their advances back in the +form of interest. So he went on; and how long this game would have +lasted, it is impossible to say, because it was cut short in its +heighth by a circumstance that brought the toppling house down, as it +were, with a blow and a run. + +When Allcraft, one morning at his usual hour, presented himself at the +bank, his confidential clerk approached him with a very serious face, +and placed a newspaper in his hand. Michael had grown very timid and +excitable; and when the clerk put his finger on the particular spot to +which he desired to call his superior's attention, the heart of the +nervous man leapt into his throat, and the blood rushed from his +cheek, as if it were its duty to go and look after it. He literally +wanted the courage to read the words. He attempted to smile +indifferently, and to thank his servant as courteously as if he had +given him a pleasant pinch of snuff; but at the same time, he pressed +his thumb upon the paragraph, and made his way straight to his snug +and private room. He was ready to drop when he reached it, and his +heart beat like a hammer against his ribs. He placed the paper on the +table, and, ere he read a syllable, he laboured to compose himself. +What could it be? Was the thing exploded? Was he already the common +talk and laugh of men? Was he ruined and disgraced? He read at +length--_The property and estates of Walter Bellamy, Esq., were +announced for sale by auction._ His first sensation on perusing the +advertisement was one of overpowering sickness. Here, then, was his +destruction sealed! Here was the declaration of poverty trumpeted to +the world. Here was the alarum sounded--here was his doom proclaimed. +Let there be a run upon the bank--and who could stop it now?--let it +last for four-and-twenty hours, and he is himself a bankrupt, an +outcast, and a beggar. The tale was told--the disastrous history was +closed. He had spun his web--had been his own destiny. God help and +pardon him for his transgressions! There he sat, unhappy creature, +weeping, and weeping like a heart-broken boy, sobbing aloud from the +very depths of his soul, frantic with distress. For a full half hour +he sat there, now clenching his fists in silent agony, now accusing +himself of crime, now permitting horrible visions to take possession +of his brain, and to madden it with their terrible and truth-like +glare. He saw himself--whilst his closed eyes were pressed upon his +paralysed hands--saw himself as palpably as though he stood _before_ +himself, crawling through the public streets, an object for men's +pity, scorn, and curses. Now men laughed at him, pointed to him with +their fingers, and made their children mock and hoot the penniless +insolvent. Labouring men, with whose small savings he had played the +thief, prayed for maledictions on his head; and mothers taught their +little ones to hate the very name he bore, and frightened them by +making use of it. Miserable pictures, one upon the other, rose before +him--dark judgments, which he had never dreamed of or anticipated; and +he stood like a stricken coward, and he yearned for the silence and +concealment of the _grave_. Ay--the grave! Delightful haven to +pigeon-hearted malefactors--inconsistent criminals, who fear the puny +look of mortal man, and, unabashed, stalk beneath the eternal and the +killing frown of God. Michael fixed upon his remedy, and the delusive +opiate gave him temporary ease; but, in an another instant, he derived +even hope and consolation from another and altogether opposite view of +things. A thought suddenly occurred to him, as thoughts will occur to +the tossed and working mind--how, why, or whence we know not; and the +drowning man, catching sight of the straw, did not fail to clutch it. +What if, after all, Mr. Bellamy proposed to sell his property _in +favour of the bank_!! Very likely, certainly; and yet Allcraft, +sinking, could believe it possible--yes possible, and (by a course of +happy reasoning and self-persuasion) not only so--but _true_. And if +this were Mr. Bellamy's motive and design, how cruel had been his own +suspicions--how vain and wicked his previous disturbance and +complaints! And why should it not be? Had he not engaged to restore +the money which he had borrowed; and had he not given his word of +honour to pay in a large amount of capital? At the memorable meeting, +had he not promised to satisfy Allcraft of the justice of his own +proceedings, and the impropriety of Michael's attack upon his +character? And had not the time arrived for the redemption of his +word, and the payment of every farthing that was due from him? Yes; it +had arrived--it had come--it was here. Mr Bellamy was about to assert +his integrity, and the banking-house was saved. Michael rose from his +chair--wiped the heavy sweat-drops from his brow--dried his tears, and +gave one long and grateful sigh for his deliverance from that state of +horror, by which, for one sad, sickening moment, he had been +bewildered and betrayed. But, satisfied as he was, and rejoiced as he +pretended to be, it could hardly be expected that a gentleman +possessed of so lively a temperament as that enjoyed by Mr. Allcraft +would rest quietly upon his convictions, and take no steps to +strengthen and establish them. Michael for many days past had had no +direct communication with his absent partner, and, at the present +moment, he was ignorant of his movements. He resolved to make his way +at once to the Hall, and to get what intelligence he could of its lord +and master, from the servants left in charge of that most noble and +encumbered property. Accordingly he quitted his apartment, threw a +ghastly smile into his countenance, and then came quickly upon his +clerks, humming a few cheerful notes, with about as much spirit and +energy as a man might have if forced to sing a comic song just before +his execution. Thoroughly persuaded that the officials had not +obtained an inkling of what had transpired in his _sanctum_, and that +he left them without a suspicion of evil upon their minds, he started +upon his errand, and waited not for breath until he reached his +destination. He arrived at the lodge--he arrived at the Hall. He rang +the loud bell, and a minute afterwards he learned that Mr Bellamy was +within--had made his appearance at home late on the evening before, +and, at the present moment, was enjoying his breakfast. Michael, for +sudden joy and excitement, was wellnigh thrown from his equilibrium. +Here was confirmation stronger than ever! Would he have returned to +the estate upon the very eve of disposing of it, if he had not +intended to deal well and honestly in the transaction? Would he not +have been ashamed to do it? Would he have subjected himself to the +just reproaches and upbraidings of his partner, when, by his absence, +he might so easily have avoided them? Certainly not. Michael Allcraft, +for a few brief seconds, was a happier man than he had been for years. +His eyes were hardly free of the tears which he had shed in the +extremity of his distress, and he was now ready to weep again in the +very exuberance and wildness of his delight. He presented his card to +the corpulent and powdered footman; he was announced; he was ushered +in. Walter Bellamy, Esquire, sitting in state, received his friend and +partner with many smiles and much urbanity. He was still at breakfast, +and advancing slowly in the meal, like a gentleman whose breakfast was +his greatest care in life. Nothing could be more striking than the air +of stately repose visible in the proprietor himself, and in the +specious and solemn serving-man, who stood behind him--less a +_serving_-man than a sublime dumb waiter. Michael was affected by it, +and he approached his colleague with a rising sentiment of +awe--partly, perhaps, the effect of the scene--partly the result of +natural apprehension. + +"Most glad to see you, my very good friend," began the master--"most +glad--most happy--pray, be seated. A lovely morning this! A plate for +Mr. Allcraft." + +"Thank you--I have breakfasted," said Michael, declining the kind +offer. "I had no thought of finding you at home." + +"Ay--a mutual and unexpected pleasure. Just so. I had no thought of +coming home until I started, and I arrived here only late last night. +Business seldom suites itself to one's convenience." + +"Seldom, indeed--very seldom," answered Michael, with a friendly +smile, and a look of meaning, which showed that he had taken hope from +Mr Bellamy's expression--"and," he continued, "having returned, I +presume you spend some time amongst us." + +"Not a day, my friend. To-morrow I am on the wing again. I have left a +dozen men behind me, who'll hunt me over the country, if I don't +rejoin them without delay. No. I am off again to-morrow." (Michael +moved uneasily in his chair.) "But, how are you, Mr Allcraft? How are +all our friends? Nothing new, I'll venture to say. This world is a +stale affair at the best. Life is seen and known at twenty. Live to +sixty, and it is like reading a dull book three times over. You had +better take a cup of coffee, Mr Allcraft!" + +"Thank you--no. You surprise me by your determination." + +"Don't be surprised at any thing, Mr Allcraft. Take things as they +come, if you wish to be happy." + +Michael, very uneasy indeed, wished to make a remark, but he looked at +the man in crimson plush, and held his tongue. Mr Bellamy observed +him. + +"You have something to say? Can I give you any advice, my friend? +Pray, command me, and speak without reserve. As much as you please, +and as quickly as you please, for I assure you time is precious. In +half an hour I have twenty men to see, and twice as many things to +do." + +Again Michael glanced at the stout footman, who was pretending to +throw his mind into the coming week, and to appear oblivious of every +thing about him. + +"I have a question to ask," proceeded Michael hesitatingly; "but it +can be answered in a moment, and at another opportunity--in a little +while, when you are _quite_ at leisure." + +"As you please; only remember I have no end of engagements, and if I +am called away I cannot return to you." + +Poor Michael! His expectations were again at a fearful discount. The +language and demeanor of Mr Bellamy seemed decisive of his intentions. +What could he do? What--but fasten on his man, and not suffer him to +leave his sight without an explanation, which he dreaded to receive. +Mr Bellamy continued to be very polite and very talkative, and to +prosecute his repast with unyielding equanimity. At the close of the +meal the servant removed the cloth, and departed. At the same instant +the landed proprietor rose from his chair, and was about to depart +likewise. Michael, alarmed at the movement, touched Mr Bellamy gently +on the sleeve, and then, less gently, detained him by the wrist. + +"What do you mean, sir?" asked Bellamy, turning sharply upon his +partner: "What do you mean? What is your object?" + +"Mr Bellamy," said Allcraft, pale as death, and much excited; "you +must not go until you have satisfied me on a point of life and death +to both of us. Your conduct is a mystery. I cannot explain it. I know +not what are the motives which actuate you. These are known to +yourself. Let them be so. But I have a question to ask, and you must +and shall answer it." + +"_Must_ and _shall_, Mr Allcraft! Take care--pray, take care of your +expressions. You will commit yourself. When will you cease to be a +very young man? I will answer voluntarily any questions put to me by +any gentleman. _Must_ and _shall_ never forced a syllable from my lips +yet. Now, sir--ask what you please." + +"Mr Bellamy," continued Allcraft, "your property is announced for +public sale." + +"It is," said Bellamy. + +"And the announcement has your sanction?" + +"It has." + +"And with the sum realized by that sale, you propose to"-- + +Michael stopped, as though he wished his partner to fill up the +sentence. + +"Go on, sir," said the proprietor. + +"With the sum thus realized, I say, you propose to make good the +losses which the bank has suffered by your improvidence?" + +"Not exactly. Is there any thing else?" + +"Oh, Mr Bellamy, you cannot mean what you say? I am sure you cannot. +You are aware of our condition. You know that there needs only a +breath to destroy us in one moment for ever. At this very time your +purpose is known to the world; and, before we can prevent it, the bank +may be run upon and annihilated. What will be said of your +proceedings? How can you reconcile the answer which you have just now +given to me, with your vaunted high sense of honour, or even with your +own most worldly interests?" + +"Have you finished, sir?" said Bellamy, in a quiet voice. + +"No!" exclaimed Michael, in as angry a tone of indignation: "no! I +have not finished. I call upon you, Mr Bellamy, to mark my words; to +mark and heed them--for, so Heaven help me, I bid you listen to the +truth. Quiet and easy as you profess to be, I will be cozened by you +no longer. If you carry out your work, your doings shall be told to +every human soul within a hundred miles of where you stand. You shall +be exhibited as you are. If every farthing got from the sale of this +estate be not given up to defray your past extravagance, you shall be +branded as you deserve. Mr Bellamy, you have deceived me for many +years. Do not deceive yourself now." + +"Have you finished, sir?" repeated Mr Bellamy. + +"Yes--with a sentence. If you are mad--I will be resolute. Persist in +your determination, and the bank shall stop this very night." + +"And let it stop," said Bellamy; "by all means let it stop. If it be a +necessary, inevitable arrangement, I would not interfere with it for +the world. Act, Mr Allcraft, precisely as you think proper. It is all +I ask on my own account. I have unfortunately private debts to a very +large amount. What is still more unfortunate, they must be paid. I +have no means of paying them except by selling my estate, and +therefore it must go. I hope you are satisfied?" + +Michael threw himself into a chair, and moved about in it, groaning. +Mr Bellamy closed the door, and approached him. + +"This is a very unnecessary display of feeling, Mr Allcraft," said the +imperturbable Bellamy; "very--and can answer no good end. The thing, +as I have told you, is inevitable." + +"No--no--no," cried Allcraft, imploringly; "Not so, Mr Bellamy. Think +again--ponder well our dreadful situation. Reflect that, before +another day is gone, we may be ruined, beggared, and that this very +property may be wrested from you by our angry creditors. What will +become of us? For Heaven's sake, my dear, good sir, do not rush +blindly upon destruction. Do not suffer us to be hooted, trampled +upon, despised, cursed by every man that meets us. You can save us if +you will--do it then--be generous--be just." + +"As for being _just_, Mr Allcraft," replied Bellamy composedly, "the +less we speak about that matter the better. Had _justice_ been ever +taken into account, you and I would, in all probability, not have met +on the present business. I cannot help saying, that, when you are +ready to justify to me your conduct in respect of your late father's +liabilities, I shall be more disposed to listen to any thing you may +have to urge in reason touching the produce of this estate. Until that +time, I am an unmoved man. You conceive me?" + +"Yes," said Michael, changing colour, "I see--I perceive your drift--I +am aware--Mr Bellamy," continued the unhappy speaker, stammering until +he almost burst with rage. "You are a villain! You have heard of my +misfortunes, and you take a mean advantage of your knowledge to crush +and kill me. You are a villain and I defy you!" + +Mr Bellamy moved leisurely to the fire-place, and rang the bell. The +stout gentleman in plush walked in, and the landed proprietor pointed +to the door. + +"For Mr Allcraft, William," said the squire. + +"Very well!" said Michael, white with agitation; "Very well! As sure +as you are a living man, your ruin shall be coincident with mine. Not +a step shall I fall, down which you shall not follow and be dragged +yourself. You shall not be spared one pang. I warn you of your fate, +and it shall come sooner than you look for it." + +"Pooh, pooh; you have been drinking, Mr. Allcraft." + +"You lie, sir, as you have lied for months and years--lived upon lies, +and"-- + +"You need not say another word. You shall finish your sentence, sir, +elsewhere. Begone! William, show Mr. Allcraft to the door." + +William pretended to look very absent again, and bowed. Michael stared +at him for a second or two, as if confounded, and then, like a madman, +rushed from the room and house. + + +CHAPTER VI. + +THE CRASH. + + +The plans and objects of Mr Walter Bellamy were best known to himself. +Whatever they might be, he diverged from them for a few hours in order +to give his miserable partner the opportunity he had promised him, of +completing that very inauspicious sentence--the last which he had +uttered in Mr. Bellamy's house previously to his abrupt departure. +Michael had not been in the banking-house an hour after his return +from the Hall before he was visited by a business-like gentleman, who +introduced himself as the particular friend of Mr. Bellamy, on whose +particular business he professed to come. Allcraft, with his brain on +fire, received the visit of this man with secret glee. All the way +home he had prayed that Bellamy might prove as good as his word, and +not fail to demand immediate satisfaction. He longed for death with a +full and yearning desire, and he could kiss the hand that would be +merciful and give the fatal blow. A suicide at heart, it was something +to escape the guilt and punishment of self-murder. Bellamy was reputed +a first-rate shot. Michael was aware of the fact, and hugged the +consciousness to his soul. He would not detract from his reputation; +the duellist should add another laurel to his chaplet of _honour_, and +purchase it with his blood. He had resolved to fight and fall. It was +very evident that the friend of Mr Bellamy expected rather to frighten +Michael into a humble and contrite apology, than to find him ready and +eager for the battle; for he commenced his mission by a very long and +high-flown address, and assured Mr Allcraft, time after time, that +nothing but the most ample and the most public _amende_ could be +received by his friend after what had taken place. Michael listened +impatiently, and interrupted the speaker in the midst of his oration. + +"You are quite right, sir," said he. "If an apology is to be made, it +should be an ample one. But I decline to make any whatever. I am +prepared to give Mr Bellamy all the satisfaction that he asks. I will +refer you at once to my friend, and the sooner the affair is settled +the better." + +"Well, but surely, Mr Allcraft, you must regret the strong +expression"-- + +"Which I uttered to your friend? By no means. I told him that he lied. +I repeat the word to you. I would say it in his teeth again if he +stood here. What more is necessary?" + +"Nothing," said the gentleman, certainly unprepared for Michael's +resolution. "Nothing; name your friend, sir." + +Michael had already fixed upon a second, and he told his name. His +visitor went to seek him, and the poor bewildered man rubbed his hands +gleefully, as though he had just saved his life, instead of having +placed it in such fearful jeopardy. + +That day passed like a dream. The meeting was quickly arranged. Six +o'clock on the following morning was the hour fixed. The place was a +field, the first beyond the turnpike gate, and within a mile of the +city. As soon as Michael made sure of the duel, he saw his +confidential clerk. His name was Burrage. He had been a servant in the +banking-house for forty years, and had known Michael since his birth. +It was he who gave the newspaper into Allcraft's hands, on the first +arrival of the latter at the bank that morning. He was a quiet old man +of sixty, an affectionate creature, and as much a part of the +banking-house as the iron chest, the desk, the counter, or any other +solid fixture. He stepped softly into his master's room after he had +been summoned there, and he gazed at his unhappy principal as a father +might at his own child in misfortune--a beloved and favourite child. + +"You are not well this morning, sir," said Burrage most respectfully. +"You look very pale and anxious." + +"My looks belie me, Burrage. I am very well. I have not been so well +for years. I am composed and happy. I have been ill, but the time is +past. How old are you, Burrage?" + +"Turned threescore, sir; old enough to die." + +"Die--die! death is a sweet thing, old man, when it comes to the +care-worn. I have had my share of trouble." + +"Too much, sir--too much!" said Burrage, his eyes filling with water. +"You have half killed yourself here. I am sure your poor father never +expected this. Nobody could have expected it in his time, when you +were a little, fat, rosy-cheeked boy, running about without a thought, +except a thought of kindness for other people." + +Michael Allcraft burst into a flood of tears--they gushed faster and +faster into his eyes, and he sobbed as only men sob who have reached +the climax of earthly suffering and trial. + +"Do not take on so, my dear sir," said Burrage, running to him. "Pray, +be calm. I am sure you are unwell. You have been ill for some time. +You should see a doctor--although I am very much afraid that your +disease is beyond their cure--in truth I am." + +"Burrage," said Michael in a whisper, and still sighing +convulsively--"It is all over. It is finished. Prepare for the +crash--look to your own safety. Hide yourself from the gaze of men. It +will strike us all dead." + +"You frighten me, Mr Allcraft.--You are really very ill. Your brain is +overworked--you want a little repose and recreation." + +"Yes, you are right Burrage--the recreation of a jail--the repose of a +tomb. We will have one, at least--yes, one--and I have made the +selection." + +"Have you heard any bad news to-day, sir?" + +"None--excellent news to-day. No more hopes and fears--no alarms--no +lying and knavery--eternal peace now, and not eternal wretchedness." + +"Had you not better leave the bank, Mr Allcraft, and go home? Your +hands are burning hot. You are in a high fever." + +"Put up the shutters--put up the shutters," muttered Michael, more to +himself than to his clerk. "Write _bankrupt_ on the door--write it in +large letters--in staring capitals--that the children may read the +word, and know why they are taught to curse me. You hear me, Burrage?" + +"I hear what you say, sir, but I do not understand you. You want +rest--you are excited." + +"I tell you, Burrage, I am quiet--I never was so quiet--never sounder +in body and mind. Will you refuse to listen to the truth? Man," he +continued, raising his voice and looking the clerk steadily in the +face. "I am ruined--a beggar. The bank is at its last gasp. The doors +are closed to-night--never to be re-opened." + +"God forbid, sir!" + +"Why so?--Would you drive me mad? Am I to have no peace--no rest? Am I +to be devoured, eaten away by anxiety and trouble? Have you no human +blood--no pity for me? Are you as selfish as the rest?" + +"Is it possible, sir?" + +"It is the truth. But speak not of it. I will have your life if you +betray me until the event tells its own tale. We close the door +to-night, to open it no more. You hear the words. They are very simple +words. Why do you stare so, as if you couldn't guess their meaning?" + +"Oh--I have dreaded this--I have suspected it!" said Burrage, wringing +his hands; "but it has always seemed impossible. Poor Mr Allcraft!" + +"_Poor!_" exclaimed Michael. "Do you begin already? Do you throw it in +my teeth so soon? You are in the right, man--go with the stream--taunt +me--spit in my face--trample me in the dust!" + +"Do not speak unkindly to me, master," said the old clerk. "You will +break my heart at once if you do. What you have told me is hard enough +to bear in one day." + +Michael took the good fellow's hand, and answered, whilst his lips +quivered with grief, "It is--it is enough, old friend. Go your ways. +Leave me to myself. I have told you a secret--keep it whilst it +remains one. Oh, what a havoc! What devastation! Go, Burrage--go--seal +your lips--do not breathe a syllable--go to your work." + +The clerk went as he was bid, but stupified and stunned by the +information he had received. He took his accustomed seat at the desk, +and placed a large ledger before him. He was occupied with one trifling +account for half the day, and did not finish it at last. A simple sum of +compound addition puzzled the man who, an hour before, could have gone +through the whole of the arithmetic in his sleep. Oh, boasted intellect +of man! How little is it thou canst do when the delicate and feeling +heart is out of tune! How impotent thou art! How like a rudderless ship +upon a stormy sea! Poor Burrage was helpless and adrift! And Michael sat +for hours together alone, in his little room. He was literally afraid to +creep out of it. He struggled to keep his mind steadily and composedly +fixed upon the fate that awaited him--a fate which he had marked out for +himself, and resolved not to escape. He forced himself to regard the +great Enemy of Man as _his_ best friend--his only comforter and refuge. +But just when he deemed himself well armed, least vulnerable, +and most secure, the awful _reality_ of death--its horrible +accompaniments--dissolution, corruption, rottenness, decay, and its +still more awful and obscure _uncertainties_, started suddenly before +him, and sent a sickening chill through every pore of his unnerved +flesh. Then he retreated from his position--fled, as it were, for life, +and dared not look behind, so terrible was the sight of his grim +adversary. He leaped from his chair, as if unable to sit there; and, +whilst he paced the room, he drew his breath, as though he needed air +for respiration--his heart throbbed, and his brain grew tight and hot +within his skull. The fit passing away, Michael hastened to review the +last few years of his existence, and to bribe himself to quietness and +resignation, by contrasting the hateful life which he had spent with the +desirable repose offered to him in the grave; and by degrees the +agitation ceased--the alarm subsided, and the deluded man was once more +cozened into hardened and unnatural tranquillity. In this way flew the +hours--one train of feeling succeeding to another, until the worn-out +spirit of the man gave in, and would be moved no longer. At last, the +unhappy banker grew sullen and silent. He ceased to sigh, and groan, and +weep. His brain refused to think. He drew his seat to the window of the +room, which permitted him, unperceived, to observe the movements in the +bank--and, folding his arms, he looked doggedly on, and clenched his +teeth, and frowned. He saw the fortunate few who came for money and +received it--and the unfortunate many, who brought their money--left, +and lost it. He was indifferent to all. He beheld--as the spirits fair +may be supposed to look upon the earth a moment before the sweeping +pestilence that comes to thin it--life, vigorous and active, in that +house of business, whose latest hour had come--whose knell was already +sounding; but it moved him not. He heard men speak his name in tones of +kindness, whose lips on the morrow would deal out curses. He saw others, +hat in hand, begging for an audience, who would avoid him with a sneer +and a scorning when he passed them in the street. He looked upon his own +servants, who could not flatter their master too highly to-day, and +would be the first to-morrow to cry him down, and rail against his +unpardonable extravagance and recklessness; but he heeded nothing. His +mind had suspended its operations, whilst his physical eye stared upon +vacancy. + +It was very strange. He continued in this fashion for a long time, and +suddenly sensibility seemed restored to him; for an ashy paleness came +over him--his eyelid trembled, and his lips were drawn down +convulsively, as if through strong and heavy grief. He rose instantly, +rushed to the bell, and rang it violently. + +Burrage came to answer it. + +"Monster!" exclaimed his master, gazing at him spitefully, "have you +no heart--no feeling left within you? How could you do it?" + +"Do what, sir?" + +"Rob that poor old man. Plunder and kill that hoary unoffending +creature. Why did you take his miserable earnings? Why did you rob his +little ones? Why clutch the bread from his starving grandchildren? He +will die of a broken heart, and will plead against me at the +judgment-seat. Why was that old man's money taken?" + +"We must take all, or nothing, sir. You forbade me to speak a +syllable." + +"Speak--speak! Yes, but could you not have given him a look, one +merciful look, to save his life, and my soul from everlasting ruin? +You might, you could have done it, but you conspire to overthrow me. +Go--but mark me--breathe not a word, if you hope to live." + +The poor clerk held up his hands, shook them piteously, sighed, and +went his way again. + +It was six o'clock in the evening, and every soul connected with the +bank, except Michael and Burrage, had left it. They were both in the +private room, which the former had not quitted during the day. Michael +was writing a letter; the clerk was standing mournfully at his side. +When the note was finished, directed, and sealed, Allcraft turned to +his old friend and spoke-- + +"I shall not sleep at home to-night, Burrage. I have business which +must be seen to." + +"Indeed, sir, you had better go home. You are very unwell." + +"Silence, once more. I tell you, Burrage, it cannot be. This business +must not be neglected. I have written to Mrs Allcraft, explaining the +reason of my absence. You will yourself deliver the letter to her, +with your own hands, Burrage. You hear me?" + +"Yes, sir," faltered Burrage, wishing himself deaf. + +"Very well. I have no more to say. Good-by--good-night." + +"Good-night, sir," said the man, walking slowly off. + +"Stay, Burrage. You are a true old friend--my oldest. Give me your +hand. I have spoken unkindly--very harshly and cruelly to-day. Do not +think ill of me. My temper has been soured by the troubles of life. +You forgive me for my anger--do you not?" + +The old man did not answer. He could not. He held the hand of his +master tightly in his own. He drew it to his lips and kissed it; and +then, ashamed not of the act, but of his unmanly tears, he walked +slowly to the door, and quitted the room--his head bending to the +earth, whence it never again was raised. + +Two hours later Michael was many miles away. He had followed to his +humble home the aged man who had that morning paid his substance into +the bank. Much as he had to answer for, Michael could not bear to +carry about with him the knowledge that he had ruined and destroyed +the grey-haired labourer. Why and how it was that he felt so acutely +for the stranger, and selected him from the hundreds who were beggared +by his failure, it is impossible to guess. It is certain that he +restored every sixpence that had been deposited in the morning, and +could not die until he had done so. Where Allcraft passed the night +was never known. He was punctual to his appointment on the following +morning; and so was Mr Bellamy. It is due to the latter to state, +that, at the latest moment, he was willing, as far as in him lay, to +settle the difference without proceeding to extreme measures. All that +a man could offer, who did not wish to be suspected of rank cowardice, +he offered without reservation. But Allcraft was inexorable. He +repeated his insult on the field; and there was nothing to be done but +to make him accountable for his words at the point of the pistol--to +receive and give THE SATISFACTION OF A GENTLEMAN. Whatever +satisfaction the mangled corpse of a man whom he had deeply injured, +could afford the high-born Mr Bellamy, that gentleman enjoyed in a +very few minutes after his arrival; for he shot his antagonist in the +mouth, saw him spinning in the air, and afterwards lying at his +feet--an object that he could not recognize--a spectacle for devils to +rejoice in. Happy the low-born man who may not have or feel such +exquisite and noble SATISFACTION! + +Allcraft was not cold before Mr Bellamy was at sea, sailing for +France. The latter had not put his feet upon foreign soil, before his +property was seized by hungry creditors. The bank was closed. Burrage +himself pasted on the shutters the paper that notified its failure. +Augustus Theodore Brammel heard of the stoppage whilst he was at +breakfast, sipping chocolate; and greatly he rejoiced thereat. His +delight was sensibly diminished in the course of the morning, when he +received a letter informing him of his father's death, and an +intimation from a lawyer, that every farthing which he inherited would +be taken from him, as goods and chattels, for the discharge of claims +which the creditors of the bank might have against him. Later in the +day, he heard of Allcraft's death and Bellamy's escape, and then he +rushed into a chemist's shop and bought an ounce of arsenic; but after +he had purchased it, he had not heart enough to swallow it. Enraged +beyond expression--knowing not what to do, nor upon whom to vent his +rage--it suddenly occurred to him to visit Mrs Allcraft, and to worry +her with his complaints. He hurried to her house, and forced himself +into her presence. We will not follow him, for grief is sacred; and +who that had the heart of man, would desecrate the hearth hallowed by +affliction, deep and terrible as that of our poor Margaret? + + +CHAPTER VII. + +THE VICARAGE. + + +Our history began at the Vicarage; there let it end. It is a cheerful +summer's morning, and Margaret sits in the study of her friend Mr. +Middleton, who has learned to look upon his charge as upon a daughter. +She is still attired in widow's weeds, but looks more composed and +happy than when we saw her many months ago there. + +"You will not leave us, then," said the good vicar; "we have not tired +you yet?" + +"No," answered Margaret, with a sweet contented smile, "here must I +live and die. My duties will not suffer me to depart, even were I so +inclined. What would my children do?" + +"Ah, what indeed? The school would certainly go to rack and ruin." + +"And my old friends, the Harpers and the Wakefields?" + +"Why, the old ladies would very soon die of a broken heart, no doubt +of it; and then, there's our dispensary and little hospital. Why, +where should we look for a new apothecary?" + +"These are but the worst days of my life, Mr. Middleton, which I +dedicate to usefulness. How am I to make good the deficiency of +earlier years?" + +"By relying, my dear madam, upon the grace and love of Heaven, who in +mercy regards not what we have been, but what we are." + +"And is there pardon for so great a sinner?" + +"Doubt it not, dear lady. Had you not been loved, you never would have +been chastised--you would never have become an obedient and willing +child. Be sure, dear Mrs Allcraft, that having repented, you are +pardoned and reconciled to your Father. Pray, hold fast to this +conviction. You have reason to believe it; for truly _you have not +despised the chastening of the Lord, nor fainted when you were rebuked +of him_." + + * * * * * + + + + +KÍEFF. + +TRANSLATED FROM THE RUSSIAN OF IVÁN KOZLÓFF. BY T.B. SHAW. + + + O Kiéff! where religion ever seemeth + To light existence in our native land; + Where o'er Petchérskoi's dome the bright cross gleameth, + Like some fair star, that still in heaven doth stand; + Where, like a golden sheet, around thee streameth + Thy plain, and meads that far away expand; + And by thy hoary wall, with ceaseless motion, + Old Dniéper's foaming swell sweeps on to ocean. + + How oft to thee in spirit have I panted, + O holy city, country of my heart! + How oft, in vision, have I gazed enchanted + On thy fair towers--a sainted thing thou art!-- + By Lávra's walls or Dniéper's wave, nor wanted + A spell to draw me from this life apart; + In thee my country I behold, victorious, + Holy and beautiful, and great and glorious. + + The moon her soft ray on Petchérskoi poureth, + Its domes are shining in the river's wave; + The soul the spirit of the past adoreth, + Where sleeps beneath thee many a holy grave: + Vladímir's shade above thee calmly soareth, + Thy towers speak of the sainted and the brave; + Afar I gaze, and all in dreamy splendour + Breathes of the past--a spell sublime and tender. + + There fought the warriors in the field of glory, + Strong in the faith, against their country's foe; + And many a royal flower yon palace hoary, + In virgin loveliness, hath seen to blow. + And Báyan sang to them the noble story, + And secret rapture in their breast did glow; + Hark! midnight sounds--that brazen voice is dying-- + A day to meet the vanish'd days is flying. + + Where are the valiant?--the resistless lances-- + The brands that were as lightning when they waved? + Where are the beautiful--whose sunny glances + Our fathers, with such potency, enslaved? + Where is the bard, whose song no more entrances? + Ah! that deep bell hath answer'd what I craved: + And thou alone, by these grey walls, O river! + Murmurest, Dniéper, still, and flow'st for ever. + + * * * * * + + + + +MARSTON; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A STATESMAN. + +PART VII. + + + "Have I not in my time heard lions roar? + Have I not heard the sea, puft up with wind, + Rage like an angry boar chafed with sweat? + Have I not heard great ordnance in the field, + And heaven's artillery thunder in the skies? + Have I not in the pitched battle heard + Loud 'larums, neighing steeds, and trumpets clang?" + + SHAKSPEARE. + +At daybreak, the bustle of the camp awoke me. I rose hastily, mounted +my horse, and spurred to the rendezvous of the general staff. Nothing +could be more animated than the scene before me, and which spread to +the utmost reach of view. The advance of the combined forces had moved +at early dawn, and the columns were seen far away, ascending the sides +of a hilly range by different routes, sometimes penetrating through +the forest, and catching the lights of a brilliant rising sun on their +plumes and arms. The sound of their trumpets and bands was heard from +time to time, enriched by the distance, and coming on the fresh +morning breeze, with something of its freshness, to the ear and the +mind. The troops now passing under the knoll on which the +commander-in-chief and his staff had taken their stand, were the main +body, and were Austrian, fine-looking battalions, superbly uniformed, +and covered with military decorations, the fruits of the late Turkish +campaigns, and the picked troops of an empire of thirty millions of +men. Nothing could be more brilliant, novel, or picturesque, than the +display of this admirable force, as it moved in front of the rising +ground on which our _cortège_ stood. + +"You will now see," said Varnhorst, who sat curbing, with no slight +difficulty, his fiery Ukraine charger at my side, "the troops of +countries of which Europe, in general, knows no more than of the +tribes of the new world. The Austrian sceptre brings into the field +all the barbaric arms and costumes of the border land of Christendom +and the Turk." + +Varnhorst, familiar with every service of the continent, was a capital +cicerone, and I listened with strong interest as he pronounced the +names, and gave little characteristic anecdotes, of the gallant +regiments that successively wheeled at the foot of the slope--the +Archducal grenadiers--the Eugene battalion, which had won their +horse-tails at the passage of the Danube--the Lichtensteins, who had +stormed Belgrade--the Imperial Guard, a magnificent corps, who had led +the last assault on the Grand Vizier's lines, and finished the war. +The light infantry of Maria Theresa, and the Hungarian grenadiers and +cuirassiers, a mass of steel and gold, closed the march of the main +body. Nothing could be more splendid. And all this was done under the +perpetual peal of trumpets, and the thunder of drums and gongs, that +seemed absolutely to shake the air. It was completely the Miltonic +march and harmony-- + + "Sonorous metal blowing martial sounds." + +But I was now to witness a still more spirit-stirring scene. + +The trampling of a multitude of horse, and the tossing of lances and +banners in the distance, suddenly turned all eyes in their direction. + +"Now, prepare," said the Count, "for a sight, perhaps not altogether +so soldierlike, but fully as much to my taste, as the buff-belt and +grenadiers'-cap formality of the line. You shall see the Austrian +flankers--every corps equipped after its native fashion. And whatever +our martinets may say, there is nothing that gives such spirits to the +soldier, as dressing according to the style of his own country. My +early service was in Transylvania; and if I were to choose troops for +a desperate service, I say--give me either the man of the hill, or the +man of the forest, exactly in the coat of the chamois-shooter, or the +wolf-hunter." + +He had scarcely pointed my attention to the movement, when the whole +body of the rearguard was in full and rapid advance. The plain was +literally covered with those irregulars, who swept on like a surge, or +rather, from the diversity of their colours, and the vast half-circle +which they formed on the ground, a living rainbow. Part were infantry +and part cavalry, but they were so intermingled, and the motion of all +was so rapid, that it was difficult to mark the distinction. From my +recollection of the history of the Seven Years' War, I felt a double +interest in the sight of the different castes and classes of the +service, which I had hitherto known only by name. Thus passed before +me the famous Croatian companies--the Pandours, together forming the +finest outpost troops of the army--the free companies of the Tyrol, +the first marksmen of the empire, a fine athletic race, with the +eagle's feather in their broad hats, and the sinewy step of the +mountaineer--the lancers of the Bannat, first-rate videttes, an +Albanian division, which had taken service with Austria on the close +of the war; and, independently of all name and order, a cloud of wild +cavalry, Turk, Christian, and barbarian, who followed the campaign for +its chances, and galloped, sported, and charged each other like the +Arabs of the desert. + +The late triumphs of the Imperial arms in Turkey had even enhanced the +customary display, and the standards of the cavalry and colours of the +battalions, were stiff with the embroidered titles of captured +fortresses and conquered fields. Turkish instruments of music figured +among the troops, and the captive horse-tails were conspicuous in more +than one corps, which had plucked down the pride of the Moslem. The +richness and variety of this extraordinary spectacle struck me as so +perfectly Oriental, that I might have imagined myself suddenly +transferred to Asia, and looked for the pasha and his spahis; or even +for the rajah, his elephants, and his turbaned spearmen. But all this +gay splendour has long since been changed. The Croats are now +regulars, and all the rest have followed their example. + +My admiration was so loud, that it caught the ear of the duke. He +turned his quick countenance on me, and said--"Tell our friends at +home, M. Marston, what you have seen to-day. I presume you know that +Maria Theresa was a first-rate soldier; or, at least, she had the +happy art of finding them. You may see Laudohn's hand in her +battalions. As for the light troops, Europe can show nothing superior +in their kind. Trenk's Pandours, and Nadasti's hussars were worth an +army to Austria, from the first Silesian war down to the last shot +fired in Germany. But follow me, and you shall see the work of another +great master." + +We spurred across the plain to the mouth of a deep, wooded defile, +through which the Prussian grand _corps d'armée_ were advancing. The +brigades which now met our view were evidently of a different +character from the Austrian; their uniforms of the utmost simplicity; +their march utterly silent; the heads of the columns observing their +distances with such accuracy, that, on a signal, they could have been +instantly formed in order of battle; every movement of the main body +simply directed by a flag carried from hill to hill, and even the +battalion movements marked by the mere waving of a sword. Even their +military music was of a peculiarly soft and subdued character. On my +observing this to Varnhorst, his reply was--"That this was one of the +favourite points of the Great Frederick. 'I hate drums in the march,' +said the king, 'they do nothing but confuse the step. Every one knows +that the beat at the head of the column takes time to reach the rear. +Besides, the drum deafens the ear. Keep it, therefore, for the battle, +when the more noise the better.' He also placed the band in the centre +of the column. 'If they are fond of music,' said he, 'why should not +every man have his share?'" + +The steady advance, the solid force, and the sweet harmony, almost +realized the noble poetic conception-- + + "Anon they move + In perfect phalanx, to the Dorian mood + Of flutes and soft recorders, such as raised + To heights of noblest temper heroes old + Arming to battle; and instead of rage, + Deliberate valour breathed, firm and unmoved + With dread of death to flight or foul retreat." + +It is true that they wanted the picturesque splendour of ancient +warfare. The ten thousand banners, with orient colours waving, the +"forest huge of spears," the "thronging helms," and "serried shields, +in thick array of depth immeasurable." But if the bayonet, the lance, +and even the cannon offered less to the eye, the true source of the +grandeur of war was there--the power, the tremendous impulse, the +_materiel_ of those shocks which convulse nations--the marshalled +strength, fierce science, and stern will, before which the works of +man perish like chaff before the wind, and the glory of nations +vanishes like a shade. + +While the last of the troops were defiling before the duke and his +staff, a courier brought up despatches. + +"Gentlemen," said the duke, after glancing at one of the papers, "the +army of the Prince de Condé is in march to join us. They have already +reached the neighbourhood. We must now lose no time. M. Marston, you +will report to your Government what you have seen to-day. We _are_ in +march for Paris." + +Varnhorst and Guiscard were now summoned to the side of the duke; a +spot was found where we might shelter ourselves from the overpowering +blaze of the sun; the successive despatches were opened; a large map +of the routes from Champagne to the capital was laid on the ground; +and we dismounted, and, sitting together, like old comrades, we held +our little council of war. + +"I can make nothing of my French correspondents in general," said the +duke, after perusing a long letter, "but M. le Comte writes like +Cagliostro. He has evidently some prodigious secret, which he is +determined to envelope in still deeper secrecy. He tells me that La +Fayette has fled; but when, where, or for what purpose, is all equally +an enigma. In one sentence of his letter he would persuade me that all +France is disorganized, and in the next, that it is more resolved to +resist than ever. Paris is prepared to rise at the first sight of the +white flag, and Paris is sending out six thousand men every three +hours to join the republican force in the field. Paris is in despair. +Paris is in furious exultation. How am I to understand all this? Even +in his postscript he tells me, in one breath, that the whole of the +strong places in our front are filled with national guards, and that +no less than seven corps of troops of the line are prepared to fight +us in the plains of Champagne; and that we have only to push on to +take the towns--charge the troops of the line to see them +disperse--and advance within ten leagues of Paris to extinguish the +rebellion, set the royal family free, and restore the monarchy." + +The mysterious letter was handed round our circle in succession, and +seemed equally beyond comprehension to us all. We had yet to learn the +temperament of a capital, where every half-hour produced a total +change of the popular mind. The letter, fantastically expressed as it +was, conveyed the true condition of the hour. The picture was true, +but the countenance changed every moment. He might as well have given +the colours of cloud. + +I had now entered on a course of adventure the most exciting of all +others, and at the most exciting time of life. But all the world round +me was in a state of excitement. Every nation of Europe was throwing +open its armoury, and preparing its weapons for the field. The troops +invading France were palpably no more than the advanced guards of +Prussia and Austria. Even with all my inexperience, I foresaw that the +war would differ from all the past; that it would be, not a war of +tactics, but a war of opinion; that not armies, but the people +marshalled into hosts, would be ultimately the deciders of the +victory; and that on whichever side the popular feeling was more +serious, persevering, and intense, there the triumph would be gained. +I must still confess, however, in disparagement to my military +sagacity, that I was totally unprepared for the gallant resistance of +the French recruits. What can they do without officers?--ten thousand +of whom had been noblesse, and were now emigrants? What can they do +without a commissariat, what can they do without pay, and who is to +pay them in a bankrupt nation? Those were the constant topics at +headquarters. We were marching to an assured victory. France was at an +end. We should remodel the Government, and teach the _sans culottes_ +the hazard of trying the trade of politicians. + +There was but one man in the camp who did not coincide in those +glittering visions. Let me once more do justice to a prince whose +character has been affected by the caprices of fortune. The Duke of +Brunswick's language to me, as we saw the Tricolor waving on the walls +of Longwy, the first fortress which lay in our road, was--"Sir, your +court must not be deceived. We shall probably take the town, and +defeat its wavering army; but up to this moment, we have not been +joined by a single peasant. The population are against us. This is not +a German war; it is more like yours in America. I have but one hundred +and twenty thousand men against twenty-five millions." To my remark, +"that there might be large body of concealed loyalty in France, which +only waited the advance of the Allies to declare itself," his calm and +grave reply was: "That I must not suffer my Government to suppose him +capable of abandoning the royal cause, while there was hope in +military means. That it was his determination to hazard all things +rather than chill the coalition. But this let me impress upon your +Ministry," said he, with his powerful eye turned full on me; "that if +intrigue in the German cabinets, or tardiness on the part of yours, +shall be suffered to impede my progress, all is at an end. I know the +French; if we pause, they will pour on. If we do not reach Paris, we +must prepare to defend Berlin and Vienna. If the war is not ended +within a month, it may last for those twenty years." + +The commander-in-chief was true to his word. He lost no time. Before +night our batteries were in full play upon the bastions of Longwy, and +as our tents had not yet overtaken us, I lay down under a vineyard +shed in a circle of the staff, with our cloaks for our pillows, +listening to the roar of our artillery; until it mingled with my +dreams. + +We were on horse an hour before daybreak, and the cannonade still +continued heavy. It was actively returned, and the ramparts were a +circuit of fire. As a spectacle, nothing could be more vivid, +striking, and full of interest. To wait for the slow approaches of a +formal siege was out of the question. Intelligence had reached us that +the scattered French armies, having now ascertained the point at which +the burst over the frontier was to be made, had been suddenly +combined, and had taken a strong position directly in our way to the +capital. A protracted siege would raise the country in our rear, and, +thus placed between two fires, the grand army might find itself +paralysed at the first step of the campaign. The place must be +battered until a breach was made, and stormed _à la Turque_. Our +anxiety during the day was indescribable. With our telescopes +constantly in our hands, we watched the effect of every new discharge; +we galloped from hill to hill with the impatience of men in actual +combat, and every eye and tongue was busy in calculating the +distances, the power of guns, and the time which the crumbling works +would take to fill up the ditch. The reports of the engineers, towards +evening, announced that a practicable breach was made, and three +battalions of Austrian grenadiers, and as many of Prussians, were +ordered under arms for the assault. To make this gallant enterprize +more conspicuous, the whole army was formed in columns, and marched to +the heights, which commanded a view of the fortress. The fire from the +batteries now became a continued roar, and the guns of Longwy, whose +fire had slackened during the day, answered them with an equal +thunder; the space between was soon covered with smoke, and when the +battalions of grenadiers moved down the hillside, and plunged into the +valley, they looked like masses of men disappearing into the depths of +ocean. The anxiety now grew intense. I hardly breathed; and yet I had +a mingled sensation of delight, eagerness, and yet of uncertainty, to +which nothing that I had ever felt before was comparable. I longed to +follow those brave men to the assault, and probably would have made +some such extravagant blunder, but for seeing Varnhorst's broad +visage turned on me with a look of that quiet humour which, of all +things on earth, soonest brings a man to his senses. "My good friend," +said he, "however fine this affair may be, live in hope of seeing +something finer. Never be shot at Longwy, when you may have a chance +of scaling the walls of Paris. I have made a vow never to be hanged in +the beginning of a revolution, nor to be shot in the beginning of a +war. But come, the duke is beckoning to us. Let us follow him." + +We saw the general and his staff galloping from the ground where he +had remained from the beginning of the assault, to a height still more +exposed, and where the guns from the fortress were tearing up the +soil. From this spot a large body of troops were seen rushing from the +gate of the fortress, and plunging into the valley. The result of this +powerful sortie was soon heard, for every thing was invisible under +the thick cloud, which grew thicker every moment, in the volleys of +musketry, and the shouts of the troops on both sides. Varnhorst now +received an order from the chief of the staff, which produced its +effect, in the rush of a squadron of Prussian cavalry on the flank of +the enemy's column. In a few minutes it was broken, and we saw its +wrecks swept along the side of the hill. An universal shout was sent +up from the army, and our next sight was the ascent of the Austrian +and Prussian standards, gradually rising through the smoke, and making +their way towards the glacis. They had reached the foot of the breach, +when the fire of the town suddenly ceased. A white flag waved on the +rampart, and the drums of the garrison beat the _chamade_. Longwy had +surrendered! All now was triumph and congratulation. We flocked round +the duke, and hailed his first conquest as a promise of perpetual +success. He was in high spirits at an achievement which was so +important to the national impression of his talents and resources. The +sortie of the garrison had given the capture an _éclât_ which could +not have been obtained by the mere surrender of a strong place. But +the most important point of all was, the surrender before the assault. +"The sight of our troops is enough," was the universal conclusion. If +the fortified barrier of France cannot resist, what will be done by +troops as raw as peasants, and officers as raw as their troops? The +capitulation was a matter of half an hour, and by nightfall I followed +the duke and his escort into the town. It was illuminated by order of +the conquerors, and, whether _bongrè_ or _malgrè_, it looked showy; we +had gazers in abundance, as the dashing staff caracoled their way +through the streets. I observed, however, that we had no acclamations. +To have hissed us, might be a hazardous experiment, while so many +Hulans were galloping through the Grande Rue; but we got no smiles. In +the midst of the crowd, I met Varnhorst steering his charger with no +small difficulty, and carrying a packet of notes in his hand. "Go to +your quarters, and dress," said my good-humoured friend. "You will +have a busy night of it. The duke has invited the French commandant +and his officers to dine with him, and we are to have a ball and +supper afterwards for the ladies. Lose no time." He left me wondering +at the new world into which I had fallen, and strongly doubting, that +he would be able to fill up his ball-room. But I was mistaken. The +dinner was handsomely attended, and the ball more handsomely still. +"Fortune de la guerre," reconciled the gallant captains of the +garrison to the change; and they fully enjoyed the contrast between a +night on the ramparts, and the hours spent at the Prussian +generalissimo's splendidly furnished table. The ball which followed +exhibited a crowd of the _belles_ of Longwy, all as happy as dress and +dancing could make them. It was a charming episode in the sullen +history of campaigning, and before I flung myself on the embroidered +sofa of the mayor's drawing-room, where my billet had been given for +the night, I was on terms of eternal "friendship" with a whole group +of classic beauties--Aspasias, Psyches and Cleopatras. + +But neither love nor luxury, neither the smiles of that fair +_Champagnaises_, nor the delight of treading on the tesselated floors, +and feasting on the richness of municipal tables, could now detain us. +We were in our saddles by daybreak, and with horses that outstripped +the wind, with hearts light as air, and with prospects of endless +victory and orders and honours innumerable before us, we galloped +along, preceded, surrounded, and followed by the most showy squadrons +that ever wore lace and feathers. The delight of this period was +indescribable. It was to me a new birth of faculties that resembled a +new sense of being, a buoyant and elastic lightness of feelings and +frame. The pure air; the perpetual change of scene; the novelty of the +landscape; the restless and vivid variety of events, and those too of +the most powerful and comprehensive nature; the superb display of the +finest army that the Continent had sent to war for the last hundred +years; and all this excitement and enjoyment, with an unrivaled vista +of matchless conquest in the horizon, a triumphal march through the +provinces, to be consummated by the peace of Europe in Paris, filled +even my vexed and wearied spirit with new life. If I am right in my +theory, that the mind reaches stages of its growth with as much +distinctness as the frame, this was one of them. I was conscious from +this time of a more matured view of human being, of a clearer +knowledge of its impulses, of a more vigorous, firm, and enlarged +capacity for dealing with the real concerns of life. I still loved; +and, strange, hopeless, and bewildering as that passion was in the +breast of one who seemed destined to all the diversities of +fortune--it remained without relief, or relaxation through all. It was +the vein of gold, or perhaps the stream of fire, beneath the soil, +inaccessible to the power of change on the surface, but that surface +undergoing every impulse and influence of art and nature. + +The army now advanced unopposed. Still we received neither cheers nor +reinforcements from the population. Yet we had now begun to be +careless on the topic. The intelligence from Paris was favourable in +all the leading points. The king was resuming his popularity, though +still a prisoner. The Jacobins were exhibiting signs of terror, though +still masters of every thing. The recruits were running away, though +the decree for the general rising of the country was arming the +people. In short, the news was exactly of that checkered order which +was calculated to put us all in the highest spirits. The submission of +Paris, at least until we were its conquerors, would have deprived us +of a triumph on the spot, and the proclamation of a general peace +would have been received as the command for a general mourning. + +The duke was in the highest animation, and he talked to every one +round him, as we marched along, with more than condescension. He was +easy, familiar, and flushed with approaching victory. "We have now," +said he, "broken through the 'iron barrier,' the pride of Vauban, and +the boast of France for these hundred years. To-morrow Verdun will +fall. The commandant of Thionville, in desperation at the certainty of +our taking the town by assault, has shot himself, and the keys are on +their way to me. Nothing but villages now lie in our road, and once +past those heights," and he pointed to a range of woody hills on the +far horizon, "and we shall send our light troops _en promenade_ to +Paris." We all responded in our various ways of congratulation. + +"Apropos," said the duke, applying to me, "M. Marston, you have been +later on the spot than any of us. What can you tell of this M. +Dumourier, who, I see from my letters, is appointed to the forlorn +hope of France--the command of the broken armies of Lafayette and +Luckner?" + +My answer was briefly a hope that the new general would be as much +overmatched by the duke's fortunes in the field, as he had been by +party in the capital. "Still, he seemed to me a clever, and even a +remarkable man, however inexperienced as a soldier." + +"If he is the officer of that name who served in the last French war, +he is an old acquaintance of mine," observed the duke. "I remember him +perfectly. He was a mere boy, who, in a rash skirmish with some of our +hussars, was wounded severely and taken prisoner. But as I learned +that he was the son of a French _literateur_ of some eminence whom I +had met in Paris, and as I had conceived a favourable opinion of the +young soldier's gallantry, I gave him his parole and sent him back to +his family, who, I think, were Provencals. He was unquestionably +spirited and intelligent, and with experience might make either +minister or general; but as he has begun by failure in the one +capacity, it will be our business to show him that he may find success +equally difficult in another. At all events, we have nothing but this +minister-general between us and Notre-Dame. He has taken up a position +on the Argonne ridge in our front. To force it will be but an affair +of three hours. Adieu, gentlemen." He put spurs to his horse, and +galloped to one of the columns which approached with trumpets +sounding, bearing the captured banner of the church tower of Longwy. + +The world was now before us, and we enjoyed it to the full. Varnhorst +and I were inseparable, and feasted on the scene, the gaiety, the +oddity of the various characters, which campaigning developes more +than any mode of existence. The simple meal, the noon-rest under a +tree, the songs of our troopers, the dance in the villages, as soon as +the peasantry had discovered that we did not eat women and +children--even the consciousness of a life wholly without care, formed +a delicious state of being. "If this is the life of the Arab," I often +was ready to exclaim, "what folly would it be in him to leave the +wilderness! If the Esquimaux can sleep through one half of the year +and revel through the other, is he not the true philosopher in the +midst of his frost and snow?" Guiscard, who sometimes joined our +party, was now and then moved to smile at our unripe conceptions of +the nature of things. But we laughed at his gravity, and he returned +to pore over the mysteries of that diplomacy which evidently thickened +on him hour by hour. I recollect, however, one of his expressions--"My +friend, you think that all the battle is to be fought in front: I can +assure you that a much more severe battle is to be fought in the rear. +Argonne will be much more easily mastered than the King's closet and +the Aulic Council." We had good reason to remember the oracle. + +One morning as, with half a dozen hussars, I was ranging the thickets +on the flank of the advance, with the spirit of an English fox-hunter, +on reaching the summit of a rising ground, I saw, some miles off, a +party of horsemen making their way at full speed across the country. +The perfect level of the plains, particularly in Champagne, makes the +ground as open as a race-course. I called my hussars, and we galloped +forward to intercept. On seeing us, they slackened their speed, and +were evidently in consultation. At length the sight of our uniforms +reassured then, and one of their number came forward to meet us. To +our enquiry, the answer was, that "General Lafayette desired to be led +to the headquarters." I now saw this memorable man for the first time, +and was busy, in my usual style, in looking for the hero or the +revolutionist in his physiognomy. I was disappointed in both. I saw a +quiet visage, and a figure of moderate size, rather _embonpoint_, and +altogether the reverse of that fire-eyed and lean-countenanced +"Cassius" which I had pictured in my imagination. But his manners +perplexed me as much as his features. They were calm, easy, and almost +frank. It was impossible to recognize in him the Frenchman, except by +his language; and he was the last man in whom I could ever have +detected that pride of the theatre, the "French _marquis_." His +manners were English, and I had a fellow-feeling for him even in our +short ride to the camp, and congratulated myself on being thrown into +the intercourse of one who had played so conspicuous a part in the +most conspicuous scene of our day. + +But on his introduction to the duke, my ardour received a sudden +chill. I saw instantly, by the utter absence of all cordiality in his +reception, that the French fugitive had taken a dangerous step, and +that his Parisian ill fortune had deprived his retreat of all merit in +the sight of the commander-in-chief. My doubts were soon confirmed by +a message from his tent. I obeyed; and as I passed the lines, saw +Lafayette surrounded by a troop of Hulans of the Guard. I found the +duke pacing uneasily in front of the tent. + +"M. Marston," said he, with a vexed manner, "your capture of this +morning has added to our perplexities. You acted zealously, and with +the spirit that distinguishes your nation; but I heartily wish that +M. La Fayette had taken any other direction than towards us. His fall +has been contemplated for some time, and even the possibility of his +being arrested by some of our parties. I have received a communication +from the Allied cabinets on the contingency; and the question now is, +how to execute my order without public weakness or personal severity." + +I proposed to accompany him, while we were on the march, and to pledge +myself for his honour when we arrived at quarters. + +"Generously offered," was the reply. "But my duty, in the first +instance, prohibits his remaining in the camp; and in the next, my +feelings for himself would spare a man who has commanded the enemy's +troops, the sight of that actual collision which must immediately take +place. We attack the defiles of the Argonne to-morrow." + +He entered the tent, wrote a few lines, and returned to me. + +"M. Lafayette must consider himself as a prisoner; but as my wish is +to treat him with honour, I must beg of you, M. Marston, to take +charge of him for the time. Your offer has relieved me from an +embarrassment; and I shall take care to make honourable mention of +your conduct in this instance, as in all others, to both the courts of +Berlin and St James's. The marquis must be sent to Berlin, and I must +request that you will be ready to set out with him this evening." + +The sound was a thunder-stoke. "This evening!" when the decisive +action of the war was to be fought next morning. "To Berlin!" when all +my gallant friends were to be on the march to Paris. Impossible! I +retracted my offer at once. But the prince, not accustomed to be +resisted, held his purpose firmly; representing that, as the French +general was actually _my_ prisoner, and as _my_ court was equally +interested with those of the Allied powers, in preventing his return +to embroil France, "it was my duty, as her commissioner, to see that +the measure was effectively performed." But the appearance of leaving +the army, on the very eve of important service, was not to be argued, +or even commanded, away. The duke was equally inflexible, though his +sentences were perhaps shorter than mine; and I finally left his +presence, declaring, that if the request were persisted in, I should +throw up my commission at once, volunteer as a common trooper into the +first squadron which would admit me, and then, his highness, might, of +course, order me wherever he pleased." + +A stately smile was the answer to this tirade. I bowed, and retired. + +Within a hundred yards I met my two friends, Varnhorst and Guiscard, +and poured out my whole catalogue of wrongs at once. Varnhorst shared +my indignation, fiercely pulled his thick mustaches, and muttered some +phrases about oppression, martinetism, and other dangerous topics, +which fortunately were scattered on the air. Guiscard neither raged +nor smiled, but walked into the ducal tent. After a few minutes he +returned, and then his sallow countenance wore a smile. "You have +offended the duke desperately," said he. "And as a sovereign prince, I +dare say that banishment from his territories for life would be the +least reparation; but as a general, we think that we cannot have too +many good troops, and your proposal to take a Hulan's lance and pistol +in your hand, is irresistible. In short, he receives you as a +volunteer into his own hussars, and as you are henceforth at his +disposal, he orders."--My tormentor here made a malicious pause, which +threw me into a fever. I gazed on his countenance, to anticipate his +mission. It wore the same deep and moveless expression. "His highness +orders, that you shall escort, with a squadron, General Lafayette, to +the Chateau, our former headquarters, and where we first met; there +deliver over the Frenchman to an officer of the staff, who will be in +readiness to escort him further; and, in the mean time, if the very +fiery and independent M. Marston should have no objection to travel at +night, he may return, and be in time for whatever is to be done here +to-morrow." + +"Bravo, bravo!" exclaimed good-natured Varnhorst. "Guiscard, you are +the first of negotiators!" + +"No," was the quiet reply. "I pretend to nothing more than the art of +being a good listener. I merely waited until the duke had spoken his +will, and then interposed my suggestion. It was adopted at once; and +now our young friend has only to ride hard to-night, and come to shade +his brow with a share of any laurels which we may pluck in the forest +of Argonne, in the next twenty-four hours." + +I was enraptured--the communication was made in the most courteous +manner to the marquis. He had at once perceived the difficulties of +his position, and was glad to leave them behind as far as possible. +Our escort was mounted within a few minutes, and we were in full +gallop over the fruitful levels of Champagne. + +To speed of this order, time and space were of little importance; and +with the rapidity of a flock of falcons, we reached the foot of the +noble hill, on which, embosomed in the most famous vineyards of the +vine country, stood the Chateau. It was blazing with lights, and had +evidently lost nothing of its population by the change of +headquarters. We were soon brought to a stand by a challenge in +French, and found that we were no longer among the jovial Jägers of +Deutchland. We had fallen in with the advanced corps of the Emigrant +army under the command of the Prince of Condé. + +Here was a new dilemma. Our prisoner's was perhaps the most startling +name which could have been pronounced among those high-blooded and +headlong men. The army was composed almost wholly of the _noblesse_; +and Lafayette, under all his circumstances of birth, sentiments, and +services, had been the constant theme of noble indignation. The +champion of the American Republic, the leader of the Parisian +movement, the commandant of the National Guard, the chief of the rebel +army in the field--all was terribly against him. Even the knowledge of +his fall could not have appeased their resentment; and the additional +knowledge that he was within their hands, might have only produced +some unfortunate display of what the philosopher calls "wild justice." +In this difficulty, while the officer of the patrol was on his way to +the Chateau to announce our coming, I consulted the captain of my +escort. But, though a capital _sabreur_, he was evidently not made to +solve questions in diplomacy. After various grimaces of thinking, and +even taking the meersham from his mouth, I was thrown on my own +resources. My application to the captive general was equally +fruitless: it was answered with the composure of one prepared for all +consequences, but it amounted simply to--"Do just as you please." + +But no time was to be lost, and leaving the escort to wait till my +return, I rode up the hill alone, and desired an interview with the +officer in command of the division. Fortunately I found him to be one +of my gayest Parisian companions, now transformed into a fierce +chevalier, colonel des chasseurs, bronzed like an Arab, and mustached +like a tiger. But his inner man was the same as ever. I communicated +my purpose to him as briefly as possible. His open brow lowered, and +his fingers instinctively began playing with the hilt of his sabre. +And if the rencontre could have been arranged on the old terms of man +to man, my gallant friend would have undoubtedly made me the bearer of +a message on the spot. But I had come for other objects, and gradually +brought him round; he allowed that "a prisoner was something entitled +to respect." The "request of his distinguished and valued friend, M. +Marston, dear to him by so many charming recollections of Paris, &c., +was much more;" and we finally arranged that the general should be +conveyed unseen to an apartment in the Chateau, while I did him and +his "_braves camarades_" the honour of sharing their supper. I gave +the most willing consent; a ride of thirty miles had given me the +appetite of a hunter. + +I was now introduced to a new scene. The room was filled with muskets +and knapsacks piled against the walls, and three-fourths of those who +sat down were private soldiers; yet there was scarcely a man who did +not wear some knightly decoration, and I heard the noblest names of +France everywhere round me. Thus extremes meet: the Faubourg St +Germains had taken the equality of the new order of things, and the +very first attempt to retain an exclusive rank had brought all to the +same level. But it was a generous, a graceful, and a gallant level. +All was good-humour under their privations, and the fearful chances +which awaited them were evidently regarded with a feeling which had +all the force of physical courage without its roughness. I was much +struck, too, with the remarkable appearance of the military figures +round me. Contrary to our general notions of the foreign noblesse +those exhibited some of the finest-looking men whom I had ever seen. +This was perhaps, in a considerable degree, owing to the military +life. In countries where the nobility are destitute of public +employment, they naturally degenerate--become the victims of the +diseases of indolence and profligacy, transmit their decrepitude to +their descendants, and bequeath dwarfishness and deformity to their +name. But in France, the young noble was destined for soldiership from +his cradle. His education partook of the manly preparations for the +soldier's career. The discipline of the service, even in peace, taught +him some superiority to the effeminate habits of opulence; and a sense +of the actual claims of talents, integrity, and determination, gave +them all an importance which, whatever might be the follies of an +individual, from time to time, powerfully shaped the general character +of the nobles. In England, the efforts for political power, and the +distinctions of political fame, preserve our nobility from relaxing +into the slavery of indulgence. The continual ascent of accomplished +minds from the humbler ranks, at once reinforces their ability and +excites their emulation; and if England may proudly boast of men of +intellectual vigour, worthy of rising to the highest rank from the +humblest condition, she may, with not less justice, boast of her +favourites of fortune fitted to cope with her favourites of nature. + +Among these showy and high-bred soldiers, the hours passed +delightfully. Anecdotes of every court of Europe, where most of them +had been, either as tourists or envoys; the piquant tales of the court +of their unfortunate sovereign; narratives--sufficiently contemptuous +of the present possessors of power; and _chansons_--some gay, and some +touching--made us all forget the flight of time. Among their military +choruses was one which drew tears from many a bold eye. It was a +species of brief elegy to the memory of Turenne, whom the French +soldier still regarded as his tutelar genius. It was said to have been +written on the spot where that great leader fell:-- + + "Reçois, O Turenne, où tu perdis lavie, + Les transports d'un soldat, qui te plaint et t'envie. + Dans l'Elysee assis, près du cef des Césars, + Ou dans le ciel, peutêtre entre Bellone et Mars. + Fais-moi te suivre en tout, exauce ma prière; + Puis se-je ainsi remplir, et finir ma carrière." + +The application to the immediate circumstances of those brave +gentlemen was painfully direct. What to-morrow might bring was +unknown, further than that they would probably soon be engaged with +their countrymen; and whether successful or not, they must be embarked +in war against France. But my intelligence that an action was expected +on the next day awoke the soldier within them again; the wrongs of +their order, the plunders of the ruling faction, their hopeless +expatriation, if some daring effort was not made, and the triumphant +change from exiles to possessors and conquerors, stirred them all into +enthusiasm. The army of the Allies, the enemy's position, the public +feeling of Paris, and the hope of sharing in the honours of an +engagement which was to sweep the revolutionary "canaille" before the +"gentlemen of France," were the rapid and animating topics. All were +ardent, all eloquent; fortune was at their feet, the only crime was to +doubt--the only difficulty was to choose in what shape of splendid +vengeance, of matchless retribution, and of permanent glory, they +should restore the tarnished lustre of the diadem, and raise the +insulted name of France to its ancient rank among the monarchies of +the world. I never heard among men so many brilliancies of speech--so +many expressions of feeling full of the heart--so glowing a display of +what the heart of man may unconsciously retain for the time when some +great emotion rouses all its depths, and opens them to the light of +day. It was to me a new chapter in the history of man. + +The news which I had brought of the positions of the armies rendered +me an object of marked interest. I was questioned on every point; +first, and especially, of the intention of the commander-in-chief, +with the most anxious yet most polished minuteness. But, as on this +subject my lips were comparatively sealed, the state of the troops +with whom they were so soon to be brought into contact became the more +manageable topic. On mentioning that Dumourier was placed in command, +I received free and full communications on the subject of his +qualities for being the last hope of revolutionary France. One had +known him in his early career in the engineers, another had served +along with him in Corsica, a third had met him at the court of +Portugal; the concurring report being, that he was a coxcomb of the +first water, showy but superficial, and though personally brave, sure +to be bewildered when he found himself for the first time working the +wheels and springs of that puzzling machine, an army in the field. A +caustic old Provençal marquis, with his breast glittering with the +stars of a whole constellation of knighthood, yet who sat with the +cross-belts and cartouche-box of the rank and file upon him, agreeing +with all the premises, stoutly denied the conclusions. "He is a +coxcomb," said the old Marquis. "Well, he is only the fitter to +command an army of upstarts. He has seen nothing but Corsican service; +well, he is the fitter to command an army of banditti. And he has been +an _espion_ of the Government in Portugal; what better training could +he have for heading an army of traitors? Rely upon it, gentlemen, that +you have mistaken his character; if you think that he is not the very +man whom the mob of Paris ought to have chosen for their general, I +merely recommend, that when you go into action you should leave your +watches in camp, and, if you charge any of their battalions, look well +to your purses." + +The old soldier's sally restored our gaiety; but the man best +acquainted with the French commander-in-chief was my friend the +chevalier, at the head of the table. "It has singularly enough +happened to me to have met M. Dumourier in almost every scene of his +life, since his return from his first service in Germany. Our first +meeting was in the military hospital in Toulouse, where he had been +sent, like myself, to recover, in his native air, from the wounds of +our last German campaign. He was then a coxcomb, but a clever one, +full of animal spirits, and intoxicated with the honour of having +survived the German bullets, of being appointed to a company, and +wearing a _croix_. Our next meeting was in Portugal. Our Minister had +adopted some romantic idea of shaking the English influence, and +Dumourier had been sent as an engineer to reconnoitre the defences of +the country. The word _espion_ was not wholly applicable to his +mission, yet there can be no doubt that the memoir published on his +return, was _not_ a volume of travels. His services had now +recommended him to the Government, and he was sent to Corsica. There +again I met him, as my regiment formed part of the force in the +island. He was high on the staff, our intercourse was renewed, and he +was regarded as a very expert diplomatist. A few years after, I found +him in a still higher situation, a favourite of De Choiseul, and +managing the affairs of the Polish confederation. On his return to +Paris, such was the credit in which he stood, that he was placed by +the minister of war at the head of a commission to reform the military +code; thus he has been always distinguished; and has at least had +experience." + +Even this slight approach to praise was evidently not popular among +the circle, and I could hear murmurs. + +"Distinguished!--yes, more with the pen than the sword." + +"Diplomacy!--the business of a clerk. Command is another affair." + +"Mon cher Chevalier," said the old Marquis, with a laugh, "pray, after +being in so many places with him, were you with him in the Bastile?" +This was followed with a roar. + +I saw my friend's swarthy cheek burn. He started up, and was about to +make some fierce retort, when a fine old man, a general, with as many +orders as the marquis, and a still whiter head, averted the storm, by +saying, "Whether the chevalier was with M. Dumourier in that +predicament, I know not; but I can say that I was. I was sent there +for the high offence of kicking a page of the court down the grande +escalier at Versailles for impertinence, at the time when M. Dumourier +was sent there by the Duc d'Acquillon, for knowing more than the +minister. I assure you that I found him a most agreeable +personage--very gay, very witty, and very much determined to pass his +time in the pleasantest manner imaginable. But our companionship was +too brief for a perfect union of souls," said he laughing; "for I was +liberated within a week, while he was left behind for, I think, the +better part of a year." + +"But his talents?" was the question down the table. + +"Gentlemen," said the old man, "my experience in life has always made +me judge of talents by circumstances. If, for example, I find that a +man has the talent exactly fitted for his position, I give him credit +for all--he had the talent for making the Bastile endurable, and I +required no other. But there were times when graver topics varied our +pleasantry, and he exhibited very various intelligence, a practical +experience of the chief European courts, and, I am sorry to say, a +very striking contempt for their politics and their politicians alike. +He was especially indignant at the selfish perfidy with which the late +king had given him up to the ignorant jealousy of the minister, and +looked forward to the new reign with a resolute, and sometimes a +gloomy determination to be revenged. If that man is a republican, it +is the Bastile that has made him one; and if he ever shall have a fair +opportunity of displaying his genius, unless a cannonball stops his +career I should conceive him capable of producing a powerful +impression on Europe." + +The conversation might again have become stormy but for the entrance +of a patrol, for whom a vacant space at the table had been left. Forty +or fifty fine tall fellows now came rushing into the room, flinging +down shakos, knapsacks, and sabres, and fully prepared to enjoy the +good cheer provided for them. I heard the names of the first families +of France among those privates--the Montmorencies, the Lamaignons, the +Nivernois, the Rochefoucaults, the De Noailles, "familiar as household +words." All was good-humour again. They had a little adventure in +scaring away a corps of the rustic national guards who, to expedite +their escape, had flung away their arms, which were brought in as good +prize. The festivity and frolic of youth, engaged in a cause which +conferred a certain dignity even on their _tours de page_, renewed the +pleasantry of the night. We again had the _chansons_; and I recollect +one, sung with delicious taste by a handsome Italian-faced youth, a +nephew of the writer, the Duc de Nivernois. + +The duke had requested a ringlet from a beautiful woman. She answered, +that she had just found a grey hair among her locks, and could now +give then away no more. The gallant reply was-- + + "Quoi! vous parlez de cheveux blancs! + Laissez, laissez courir le temps; + Que vous importe son ravage? + Les tendres coeurs en sont exempts; + _Les Amours sont toujours enfants, + Et les Graces sont de tout age._ + Pour moi, Thémire, je le sens. + Je suis toujours dans mon printemps, + Quand je vous offre mon hommage. + Si je n'avais que dixhuit ans, + Je pourrais aimer plus longtemps, + Mais, non pas aimer davantage."[10] + + [10] + + Lovely and loved! shall one slight hair + Touch thy delicious lip with care? + A heart like thine may laugh at Time-- + The Soul is ever in its prime. + All Loves, you know, have infant faces, + A thousand years can't chill the Graces! + While thou art in my soul enshrined, + I give all sorrows to the wind. + Were I this hour but gay eighteen, + Thou couldst be but my bosom's queen; + I might for longer years adore, + But could not, could not love thee more. + +On returning to look for my distinguished prisoner, I found a packet +lying on the table of my apartment; it had arrived in my absence with +the troops in advance; and I must acknowledge that I opened it with a +trembling hand, when I saw that it came from London and Mordecai. + +It was written in evident anxiety, and the chief subject was the +illness of his daughter. She had some secret on her mind, which +utterly baffled even the Jew's paternal sagacity. No letters had +reached either of them from France, and he almost implored me to +return, or, if that were impossible, to write without delay. Mariamne +had grown more fantastic, and capricious, and wayward than ever. Her +eyes had lost their brightness, and her cheek its colour. Yet she +complained of nothing, beyond a general distaste to existence. She had +seen the Comtesse de Tourville, and they had many a long conference +together, from which, however, Mariamne always returned more +melancholy than ever. She had refused the match which he had provided +for her, and declared her determination to live, like the daughter of +Jephthah, single to her grave. + +The letter then turned to my own circumstances, and entered into them +with the singular mixture of ardour and sneering which formed this +extraordinary character. + + "I am doing your business here as indefatigably as if I were + robbing nabobs in India, or setting up republics at home. The + tardiness of the Horse-Guards is to be moved by nothing but an + invasion; and it would be almost as rational to wait the + growth of an oak, as to wait the signing of your commission; + but it shall be done in my own way. I have means which can + make the tardy quick, and open the eyes of the blind. You + _shall_ be a subaltern in the Guards, unless you are in too + much haste to be a general, and get yourself shot by some + Parisian cobbler in the purloined uniform of a rifleman. But, + let me tell you one fact, and I might indorse this piece of + intelligence, 'Secret and Confidential,' to the English + cabinet, for even our great minister has yet to learn it--_the + Allies will never reach Paris_. Rely, and _act_ upon this. + They might now enter the capital, if, instead of bayonets, + they carried only trusses of straw. The road is open before + them, but they will look only behind. The war was almost a + feint from the beginning. The invasion was the second act of + the farce--the retreat will be the third. Poland has been the + _true object_; and, to cover the substantial seizures there, + has been the trick of the French invasion. I predict that, in + one month from the date of this letter, there will not be an + Austrian or Prussian cartridge found in France. Potsdam and + Schoenbrunn know more on the subject at this moment than the + duke. I write to you as a friend, and by Mariamne's especial + order, to take care of yourself. I have seen the retreats of + continental armies in my time; they are always a scene of + horrors. Follow the army so long as it advances; then all is + well, and even the experience of service may be of use to you. + But, in this instance, the moment that you find it come to a + stop, turn your horse's head to any point of the compass but + the front, and ride to the nearest seaport. The duke is a + brave man, and his army is a brave army; but both will be + instantly covered with all the obloquy of all the libelers on + earth. If you have met him as man with man, you have doubtless + been captivated with his manners, his wit, his animation, and + his accomplishments. I have known him long and well. But + Europe, within a month, will decry him, as a fugitive, a fool, + and a dastard. Such is popular wisdom, justice, and knowledge. + A pupil of the first warrior of Prussia and of modern ages, + and wanting only experience to do honour to the lessons of + Frederick, he will be laughed at by the loose loungers of the + Palais Royal, as ignorant of the art of war, and branded by + the graver loungers of courts and councils, as ignorant of the + art of government. Once more, I say, take care of yourself. + The first step in retreat will raise all France against the + Allies. Ten victories would not cost as much as the first + week's march towards the frontier. Every thicket will have its + troop; every finger, for a hundred leagues round, will be on + the trigger. Robbery and murder, famine and fatigue; disease + and death, will be upon the troops; the retreat will become a + flight, and happy is the man who will ever see the Rhine + again. Be wise in time." + +Enclosed within this long epistle was a brief note from Mariamne. + + "You must not think me dying, because I importune you no + longer. But, _can_ you give me any tidings of Lafontaine? I + know that he is rash, and even enthusiastic; but I equally + know that he is faithful and true. _Yet_, if he _has_ + forgotten me, or is married, or is any thing that, as a preux + chevalier, he ought not to be, tell me at once, and you shall + see how grateful I can be, before I cease to be any thing. But + if he has fallen--if, in the dreadful scenes now acting in + Paris, Lafontaine is no more--_tell me not_. Write some + deluding thing to me--conceal your terrible knowledge. I + should not wish to drop down dead before my father's face. He + is looking at me while I write this, and I am trying to laugh, + with a heart as heavy as lead, and eyes that can scarcely see + the paper. No--for mercy's sake, do not tell me _that he is + dead_. Give me gentle words, give me hope, deceive me--as they + give laudanum, not to prolong life, but to lull agony. Do + this, and with my last pulse I shall be grateful--with my last + breath I shall bless you." + +Poor Mariamne! I had, at least, better hopes than those for her. But +within this billet was a third. It was but a few lines; yet at the +foot of those lines was the signature--"Clotilde de Tourville." The +light almost forsook my eyes; my head swam; if the paper had been a +talisman, and every letter written with the pen of magic, it could not +have produced a more powerful effect upon me. My hands trembled, and +my ears thrilled; and yet it contained but a few unimportant words--an +enquiry addressed to Mariamne, whether she could forward a letter to +the Chateau Montauban in Champagne, or whether her father had any +correspondent in the vicinity who could send her the picture of a +beloved relative, which, in the haste of their flight to England, they +had most reluctantly left behind. + +The note at once threw every thing else into the background. What were +invasions and armies--what were kings and kingdoms--to the slightest +wish of the being who had written this billet? All this I admit to be +the fever of the mind--a waking dream--an illusion to which mesmerism +or magic is but a frivolity. Like all fevers, it is destined to pass +away, or to kill the patient; yet for the time, what on earth is so +strange, or so powerful--so dangerous to the reason--so delicious to +the soul! + +But, after the long reverie into which I sank, with the writing of +Clotilde in my hand, I recollected that fortune had for once given me +the power of meeting the wishes of this noble and beautiful creature. +The resemblance of the picture that had so much perplexed and +attracted me, was now explained. I _was_ in the Chateau de Montauban, +and I now blessed the chance which had sent me to its honoured walls. + +To hasten to the chamber where I was again to look upon the exquisite +resemblance of features which, till then, I had thought without a +similar in the world, was a matter of instinct; and, winding my way +through the intricacies of galleries and corridors, loaded with the +baggage of the emigrant army, and strewed with many a gallant noble +who had exchanged the down bed of his ancestral mansion for the bare +floor, or the open bivouac, I at length reached the apartment to which +the captive general had been consigned. To my utter astonishment, +instead of the silence which I expected under the circumstances, I +heard the jingling of glasses and roars of laughter. Was this the +abode of solitude and misfortune? I entered, and found M. Lafayette, +indeed, conducting himself with the composure of a personage of his +rank; but the other performers exhibiting a totally different +temperament. A group of Polish officers, who had formerly borne +commissions in the royal service, and now followed the Emigrant +troops, had recognized Lafayette, and insisted on paying due honours +to the "noble comrade" with whom they had served beyond the Atlantic. +Hamlet's menace to his friend, that he would "teach him to drink deep +ere he depart," had been adopted in the amplest sense by those jovial +sons of the north, and "healths bottle-deep" were sent round the board +with rapid circulation. + +My entrance but slightly deranged the symposium, and I was soon +furnished with all the freemasonry of the feast, by being called on to +do honour to the toast of "His Majesty the King of Great Britain." My +duty was now done, my initiation was complete, and while my eyes were +fixed on the portrait which, still in its unharmed beauty, looked +beaming on the wild revel below, I heard, in the broken queries, and +interjectional panegyrics of these hyperborean heroes, more of the +history of Lafayette than I had ever expected to reach my ears. + +His life had been the strangest contrast to the calm countenance which +I saw so tranquilly listen to its own tale. It was Quixotic, and two +hundred years ago could scarcely have escaped the pen of some French +Cervantes. He had begun life as an officer in the French household +troops in absolute boyhood. At sixteen he had married! at eighteen he +had formed his political principles, and begun his military career by +crossing the Atlantic, and offering his sword to the Republic. To meet +the thousand wonderings at his conduct, he exchanged the ancient motto +of the Lafayettes for a new one of his own. The words, "Why not?" were +his answer to all, and they were sufficient. On reaching America, he +asked but two favours, to be suffered to serve, and to serve without +pay. + +In America he was more republican than the Republicans. He toiled, +traveled, and bled, with an indefatigable zeal for the independence of +the colonists; his zeal was a passion, his love of liberty a romance, +his hostility to the dominion of England an universal scorn of +established power. But if fantastic, he was bold; and if too hot for +the frigidity of America, he was but preparing to touch France with +kindred fire. He refused rank in the French army coupled with the +condition of leaving the service of the Republic; and it was only on +the French alliance in 1788 that he returned to Paris, to be received +with feigned displeasure by the King, and even put under arrest by the +minister, but to be welcomed by the praises of the true sovereign, the +Queen, feted by the court, the sovereign of that sovereign, and +huzzaed by the mob of Paris, already the sovereign of them all; from +his military prison he emerged, colonel of the King's regiment of +dragoons. + +While this narrative was going on, mingled with bumpers, and bursts of +Slavonic good-fellowship, I could not help asking myself whether +Lavater was not quack and physiognomy a folly? Could this be the +dashing Revolutionist? No plodder over the desk ever wore a more +broadcloth countenance; an occasional smile was the only indication of +his interest in what was passing around him. He evidently avoided +taking a share in the discussion of his Transatlantic career, probably +from delicacy to his English auditor. But when the conversation turned +upon France, the man came forth, and he vindicated his conduct with a +spirit and fulness that told me what he might have been when the blood +of youth was added to the glow of the imagination. He was now +evidently exhausted by toil, and dispirited by disappointment. No man +could be more thoroughly ruined; baffled in theory, undone in +practice--an exile from his country, a fugitive from his +troops--overwhelmed by the hopelessness of giving a constitution to +France, and with nothing but the dungeon before him, and the crash of +the guillotine behind. + +"What was to be done?" said Lafayette. "France was bankrupt--the +treasury was empty--the profligate reign of Louis XV. had at once +wasted the wealth, dried up the revenues, and corrupted the energies +of France. Ministers wrung their hands, the king sent for his +confessor, the queen wept--but the nation groaned. There was but one +expedient, to call on the people. In 1787 the Assembly of the Notables +was summoned. It was the first time since the reign of Henry IV. +France had been a direct and formal despotism for almost two hundred +years. She had seen England spread from an island into an empire; she +had seen America spread from a colony into an empire. What had been +the worker of the miracle?--Liberty. While all the despotisms remained +within the boundaries fixed centuries ago, like vast dungeons, never +extending, and never opening to the light and air, except through the +dilapidations of time, I saw England and America expanding like +fertile fields, open to every breath of heaven and every beam of day, +expanding from year to year by the cheerful labour of man, and every +year covered with new productiveness for the use of universal mankind. +I own that there may have been rashness in urging the great +experiment--there may have been a dangerous disregard of the actual +circumstances of the people, the time, and the world--the daring hand +of the philosopher may have drawn down the lightning too suddenly to +be safe; the patriot may have flashed the blaze of his torch too +strongly on eyes so long trained to the twilight of the dungeon. The +leader of this enterprise himself, like the first discoverer of fire, +may have brought wrath upon his own head, and be condemned to have his +vitals gnawed in loneliness and chains; but nothing shall convince +Lafayette that a great work has not been begun for the living race, +for all nations, and for all posterity." + +I could not suppress the question--"But when will the experiment be +complete? When will the tree, planted thus in storms, take hold of the +soil? When will the tremendous tillage which begins by clearing with +the conflagration, and ploughing with the earthquake, bring forth the +harvest of peace to the people?" + +"These must be the legacy to our children," was the reply, in a grave +and almost contrite tone. "The works of man are rapid only when they +are meant for decay. The American savage builds his wigwam in a week, +to last for a year. The Parthenon took half an age and the treasures +of a people, to last for ever." + +We parted for the night--and for thirty years. My impression of this +remarkable man was, that he had more heart than head; that a single +idea had engrossed his faculties, to the exclusion of all others; that +he was following a phantom, with the belief that it was a substantial +form, and that, like the idolaters of old, who offered their children +to their frowning deity, he imagined that the costlier the sacrifice, +the surer it was of propitiation. Few men have been more misunderstood +in his own day or in ours. Lifted to the skies for an hour by popular +adulation, he has been sunk into obscurity ever since by historic +contempt. Both were mistaken. He was the man made for the +time--precisely the middle term between the reign of the nobility and +the reign of the populace. Certainly not the man to "ride on the +whirlwind and direct the storm;" but as certainly altogether superior +to the indolent luxury of the class among whom he was born. Glory and +liberty, the two highest impulses of our common nature, sent him at +two and twenty from the most splendid court of Europe, to the swamps +and snows, the desperate service and dubious battles of America. Eight +years of voyages, negotiations, travels, and exposure to the chances +of the field, proved his energy, and at the age of thirty he had drawn +upon himself the eyes of the world. Here he ought to have rested, or +have died. But the Revolution swept him off his feet. It was an +untried region--a conflict of elements unknown to the calculation of +man; he was whirled along by a force which whirled the monarchy, the +church, and the nation with him, and sank only when France plunged +after him. + +I have no honour for a similar career, and no homage for a similar +memory; but it is from those mingled characters that history derives +her deepest lesson, her warnings for the weak, her cautions for the +ambitious, and her wisdom for the wise. + +On the retiring of the party for the night, my first act was to summon +the old Swiss and his wife who had been left in charge of the mansion, +and collect from them all their feeble memories could tell Clotilde. +But Madame la Maréchale was a much more important personage in their +old eyes, than the "charmante enfant" whom they had dandled on their +knees, and who was likely to remain a "charmante enfant" to them +during their lives. The chateau had been the retreat of the Maréchale +after the death of her husband; and it was in its stately solitudes, +and in the woods and wilds which surrounded it for many a league, that +Clotilde had acquired those accomplished tastes, and that +characteristic dignity and force of mind, which distinguished her from +the frivolity of her country-women, however elegant and attractive, +who had been trained in the _salons_ of the court. The green glades +and fresh air of the forest had given beauty to her cheek and grace +to her form; and scarcely conceiving how the rouged and jewelled +Maréchale could have endured such an absence from the circles of the +young queen, and the "_beaux restes_" of the wits and beauties of the +court of Louis the 15th, I thanked in soul the fortunate necessity +which had driven her from the atmosphere of the Du Barris to the +shades thus sacred to innocence and knowledge. + +But the grand business of the thing was still to be done. The picture +was taken down at last, to the great sorrow of the old servants, who +seemed to regard it as a patron saint, and who declared that its +presence, and its presence alone, could have saved the mansion, in the +first instance, from being burned by the "patriots," who generally +began their reforms of the nobility by laying their chateaux in ashes, +and in the next, from being plundered by the multitudes of whiskered +savages speaking unknown tongues, and came to leave France without +"_ni pain ni vin_" for her legitimate sons. But the will of Madame la +Maréchale was to them as the laws of the Medes and Persians, +irresistible and unchangeable; and with heavy hearts they dismounted +the portrait, and assisted in enfolding and encasing it, with much the +same feeling that might have been shown in paying the last honours to +a rightful branch of the beloved line. + +But, in the wall which the picture had covered, I found a small +recess, closed by an iron door, and evidently unknown to the Swiss and +his old wife. I might have hesitated about extending my enquiry +further, but Time, the great discoverer of all things, saved my +conscience: with a slight pressure against the lock it gave way; the +door flew open, and dropped off the hinges, a mass of rust and decay. +Within was a casket of a larger size than that generally used for +jewels; but my curiosity durst not go beyond the superscription, which +was a consignment of the casket, in the name of the Maréchale, to her +banker in London. Whatever might be the contents, it was clear that, +like the picture, it had been left behind in the hurry of flight, and +that to transmit it to England was fairly within my commission. Before +our busy work was done, day was glancing in through the coloured panes +of the fine old chamber. I hurried off the Swiss, with my precious +possessions, to the next town, in one of the baggage carts, with a +trooper in front to prevent his search by hands still more hazardous +than those of a custom-house officer; and then, mounting my horse, and +bidding a brief farewell to the brave and noble fellows who were +already mustering for the march, and envying me with all their souls, +I set off at full speed to rejoin the army. + +With all my speed, the action had begun for some hours before I came +in sight of the field. With what pangs of heart I heard the roar of +the cannon, for league on league, while I was threading my bewildered +way, and spurring my tired horse through the miry paths of a country +alternately marsh and forest; with what pantings I looked from every +successive height, to see even to what quarter the smoke of the firing +might direct me; with what eager vexation I questioned every hurrying +peasant, who either shook his moody head and refused to answer, or who +answered with the fright of one who expected to have his head swept +off his shoulders by some of my fierce-looking troop, I shall not now +venture to tell; but it was as genuine a torture as could be felt by +man. At length, exhausted by mortal fatigue, and ready to lie down and +die, I made a last effort, would listen no more to the remonstrances +of the troop, whose horses were sinking under them. I ordered them to +halt where they were, pushed on alone, and, winding my way through a +forest covering the side of a low but abrupt hill, or rather +succession of hills, I suddenly burst out into the light, and saw the +whole battle beneath, around, and before me. It was magnificent. + + * * * * * + + + + +LETTER FROM LEMUEL GULLIVER. + +TO THE EDITOR. + + +Sir--At the request of my four-footed friends, I forward to you a free +translation of the proceedings of a meeting of Houynhyms, recently +held for the protection of their interests in corn. As the language +appears more temperate, and the propositions quite as rational, as +those which are ordinarily brought forward in the other Corn-law +meetings which still continue to agitate the county, I have no +difficulty in complying with their wishes; and if you can afford space +for the insertion of the report in your valuable Magazine, you will +greatly oblige the Houynhym race, and confer a favour upon, sir, your +obedient servant, + +LEMUEL GULLIVER. + +_Stable-Yard, Nov. 10th, 1843._ + + * * * * * + + +ADVERTISEMENT. + +A meeting of delegates from the different classes of consumers of oats +was held on Friday last, at the Nag's Head in the Borough, pursuant to +public advertisement in the _Hors-Lham Gazette_. The object of the +meeting was to take into consideration the present consumption of the +article, and to devise means for its increase. The celebrated horse +Comrade, of Drury-Lane Theatre, presided on the occasion. + +The business of the meeting was opened by a young Racer of great +promise, who said it was his anxious desire to protect the interests +of the horse community, and to promote any measure which might +contribute to the increase of the consumption of oats, and improve the +condition of his fellow-quadrupeds. He was not versed in political +economy, nor, indeed, economy of any kind. He had heard much of demand +and supply, and the difficulty of regulating them properly; but, for +his own part, he found the latter always equalled the former, though +he understood such was not the case with his less fortunate brethren. +He warmly advocated the practice of sowing wild oats, and considered +that much of the decrease of consumption complained of arose from the +undue encouragement given to the growth of other grain; and that the +horse interest would be best promoted by imposing a maximum as to the +growth of wheat and barley, according to the acreage of each +particular farm. + +A HACKNEY-COACH HORSE declared himself in favour of the sliding-scale, +which he understood from Sir Peter Lawrie to mean the wooden pavement. +He admitted it was not well adapted for rainy seasons, but it was +impossible to doubt that things went much more smoothly wherever it +was established; and that he, and the working classes whom he +represented, found in it a considerable relief from the heavy duties +daily imposed upon them. He wished that some measure could be devised +for superseding the use of nosebags, which he designated as an +intolerable nuisance, especially during the summer months; but he +principally relied for an improvement in condition on the prohibition +of the mixture of chaff with oats; which latter article, he contended, +was unfit for the use of able-bodied horses, who earned their daily +food, and ought to be limited to those cattle who spent an idle +existence in straw-yards. + +A BRIGHT CHESTNUT HORSE, of great power, and well-known in the parks, +warmly replied to the last neigher. He denounced the sliding-scale as +a slippery measure, unworthy of a horse of spirit, and adding greatly +to the burdens with which horses like himself were saddled. He daily +saw steeds of the noblest blood and most undaunted action humbled to +the dust by its operation; and if Sir Peter Lawrie was to be believed, +it was more dreaded by the household troops than Napoleon's army on +the field of Waterloo. He yielded to no horse in an anxious desire to +promote the true interests of the horse community; but he could not +give his support to measures so unsafe, merely because they enabled a +small and inferior section of their community to move more smoothly. +He reprobated, in strong terms, the unfeeling allusion of the last +neigher to the unfortunate inmates of union straw-yards, whom, for his +own part, he looked upon as nowise inferior to the hackney-coach +horse himself, of whose right to be present at a meeting of consumers +of oats he entertained serious doubts. (Loud neighs of "Order! +Order!") + +A SCOTCH HORSE feared that, strictly speaking, he was included in the +same category with the hackney-coach horse, and had no right to be +heard, having no personal interest in the question; but he trusted he +might be permitted to speak as the delegate of the horses of Scotland, +who were ignorant of the Houynhym language, and not entitled to +attend. Permission being granted, to the surprise of the assembly he +descanted with much asperity upon the gross oppression to which horses +in Scotland were subject, as their rough coats and ragged appearance +plainly manifested; and stated, in conclusion, that no hope or +expectation of bettering the condition of the Scotch horse could be +entertained until their lawful food was restored to them, and +Scotchmen were compelled, by act of Parliament, to abstain from the +use of oatmeal, and live like the rest of the civilized world. + +Several worn-out horses belonging to members of the Whig +administration then endeavoured to address the meeting, with an +evident intention of converting the proceedings into a party question; +but they were informed by the president, in the midst of loud snorting +and neighing, that they had not the slightest right to be present, as +they were all undoubtedly turned out for life. This decision appeared +to give universal satisfaction. + +AN IRISH HORSE was of opinion that the great cause of the present +difficulties arose from deficiency in the quality and not the quantity +of the article, and strongly recommended the growth of Irish oats in +England. To the surprise of the English delegates, he warmly eulogized +the superiority of the Irish oat; but it afterwards appeared, upon the +production of a sample, that he had mistaken the potatoe oat for the +Irish oat. + +AN OLD ENGLISH HUNTER next addressed the meeting, and was listened to +with deep attention. He impressed upon the young delegates the good +old adage of "Look before you leap," and cautioned them against the +delusive hope that their condition would be improved by change of +measures. In the course of his long life he had experienced measures +of every description, and had invariably found that his supplies +depended, not on the measure itself; but on the hand that filled it. +He had ever given his willing support to his employers, and served +them faithfully; and if they were as well acquainted as quadrupeds +with the secrets of the stable, they would learn the fallacy of their +favourite maxim of "Measures, not men," and trust the administration +of their affairs to upright and steady grooms, rather than those +fanciful half-educated gentlemen who were perpetually changing the +rules of the stables, and altering the form of the measures, whereby +they embarrassed the regular feeding and training of the inmates, +without producing any practical good. + +A STAGE-COACH HORSE imputed their want of condition to the misconduct +of their leaders, who, he said, could never be kept in the right path, +or made to do one-half of the work which properly belonged to them. By +a strange fatality, they were generally purblind, and always shyed +most fearfully when an Opposition coach approached them. Indeed, it +was well known that the horses selected for these duties were, +generally speaking, vicious and unsound, and not taken from the most +able and powerful, but from the most showy classes. He then proceeded +to descant upon the general wrongs of horses. He congratulated the +community upon the abolition of bearing reins, those grievous burdens +upon the necks of all free-going horses; and he trusted the time would +soon arrive when the blinkers would also be taken off, every corn-binn +thrown open, and every horse his own leader. + +Several other delegates addressed the meeting, and various plans were +discussed; but it invariably turned out, upon investigation, that the +change would only benefit the class of animals by whom it was +proposed. A post-horse was of opinion, that the true remedy lay in +decreasing the amount of speed, and shortening the spaces between +milestones. A Welsh pony was for the abolition of tolls, which, he +said, exhausted the money intended for repairs; whilst some +plough-horses from Lincolnshire proposed the encouragement of pasture +land, the abolition of tillage, and the disuse of oats altogether. The +harmony of the meeting was, at one period, interrupted, by the +unfortunate use of the word "_blackguard_" by a delegate from the +collieries, which caused a magnificent charger from the Royal Horse +Guards, Blue, to rear up, and, with great indignation, demand if the +allusion was personal; but who was satisfied with the explanation of +the president, that it was applicable only in a warlike sense. A long, +lean, bay horse, with a sour head, demanded a similar explanation of +the word "_job_," and was told it was used in a _working_ sense. +Several resolutions, drawn by two dray-horses, embodying the supposed +grievances of the community, were finally agreed upon, and a petition, +under the hoof of the president, founded upon them, having been +prepared, and ordered to be presented to the House of Commons by the +members for Horsham, the meeting separated, and the delegates returned +to their respective stables. + + * * * * * + + + + +THE PROCLAMATION. + + + Bold warriors of Erin, I hereby _proclaim_, + That the world never witness'd your rivals in fame; + Bold sons of Macmurraugh, Macarthy, O'Neill, + The armies of earth at your sight would turn pale. + A flash from your eyes would light England's last pile, + And a touch give her sceptre to Erin's green isle. + + Hurrah for the vengeance of old Mullaghmast, + On the blood-bolter'd ground where your gauntlet was cast; + Hurrah for the vengeance of Tara's proud hill, + Where the bones of our monarchs are blood-sprinkled still. + Hurrah for Clontarf, though the Saxon may smile, + The last, greatest triumph of Erin's green isle! + + Let the scoffer scoff on, while I hereby _proclaim_, + That flight may be courage, and fear but a name; + That boasting is good, when 'tis good for the cause, + But, in sight of cold steel, _we should honour the laws_; + That powder and shot make men swallow their bile-- + So, hurrah for the glory of Erin's green isle! + + If they ask for your leader, the land's sword and shield, + At least none can say that _he fled from the field_. + _He_ kept a whole skin--for the service of Rome; + So he fix'd his headquarters in quiet at home. + They might just as well hunt for the head of the Nile, + While he reckon'd his beads for St Patrick's green isle. + + If beggars on horseback will ride--to Clontarf; + If tailors will caper with truncheon and scarf, + At Sunday carousels, all know, I'm in flower, + My taste for the grape don't extend to the shower. + Besides, those blue pills disagree with my chyle, + So, hurrah!--pence and peace for the grand Emerald Isle! + + If the scoffer should ask, what the deuce brought you there? + Of course, it was only to taste the fresh air; + To pick cowslips and daisies; and brush off the dew, + Or drink gin o'er the tombstone of Brian Boru. + As to flags, and all that; 'twas but doing in style, + The honours of Freedom to Erin's green isle. + + + Then, as to your "Squadrons," your "Mount for Repeal," + 'Twas merely to teach them the "Right about wheel," + By the word of command from the Saxon to run, + As your leader would fly from a bailiff or dun; + In short, since a miss is as good as a mile, + Swear the whole was a humbug for Erin's green isle. + + Besides, these are delicate moments to croak, + Since the Saxon's new plan of a word and a stroke. + My mind is made up, like a poodle or pug, + No longer to stir from my berth on the rug; + Though the bold may revile me, so let them revile-- + I'm determined to _live_ for old Erin's green isle. + + I _proclaim_--that the Saxon will tremble to meet + The heroes of Erin; but, boys, life is sweet. + I _proclaim_--that your shout frightens Europe's base thrones; + But remember, my boys, there is luck in whole bones; + So, take the advice of a friend--wait a while, + In a century or two you'll revenge the Green Isle. + + I know in my soul, at the very first shot + + That your whole monster meeting would fly at full trot; + What horrid mêlée, then, of popping and flashing! + At least I'LL not share in your holiday thrashing; + Brawl at Sugden and Smith, but beware "rank and file"-- + They're too rough for the lambkins of Erin's green isle. + + Observe, my dear boys, if you once get me hang'd, + 'Tis fifty to one if you'll e'er be harangued. + Farewell to the pleasure of paying the "Rint"-- + Farewell to all earth's vilest nonsense in print-- + Farewell to the feast of your gall and your guile-- + All's over at once with the grand Emerald Isle. + + * * * * * + + + + +THE FIREMAN'S SONG. + + + "Ho, comrade, up! awake, arise! look forth into the night: + Say, is yon gleam the morning-beam, yon broad and bloody light? + Say, does it tell--yon clanging bell--of mass or matin song? + Yon drum-roll--calls it to parade the soldier's armèd throng?" + + "No, brother, no! no morning-beam is yonder crimson glare! + Yon deep bell tolls no matin--'tis the tocsin's hurried blare! + Yon sullen drum-roll mutters out no summons to parade: + To fight the flame it summons us--the valiant Fire-Brigade!" + + Then fast the Fireman rose, and waked his mate that lay beside; + And each man gripp'd his trusty axe, and donn'd his coat of hide-- + There bounds beneath that leather coat a heart as strange to fear + As ever swell'd beneath the steel of gilded cuirassier. + + And from beneath the leather casque that guards the Fireman's brow, + A bolder, sterner glance shines out than plumy crest can show; + And oft shall ply the Fireman's axe, though rude and rough it be, + Where sabre, lance, and bayonet, right soon would turn and flee! + + Off dash the thundering engines, like goblin jäger-chase-- + The sleeper shudders as they pass, and pallid grows his face: + Away, away! though close and bright yon ruddy glow appear, + Far, far we have to gallop yet, or e'er our work we near! + + A plain of upturn'd faces--pale brows and quivering lips, + All flickering like the tropic sea in the green light of eclipse; + And the multitude waves to and fro, as in the tropic sea, + After a tempest, heaves and falls the ground-swell sleeplessly. + + Now, by my faith! goodly sight you mansion fast asleep-- + Those winking lamps beside the gate a dull watch seem to keep-- + But a gay awaking waits them, when the crash of blazing beam, + And the Fireman's stern réveille, shall mingle with their dream! + + And sound as sleeps that mansion, ye may mark in every chink + A gleam, as in the lava-cracks by the volcano's brink; + Through key-hole and through window-slit, a white and sullen glow-- + And all above is rolling smoke, and all is dark below. + + Hark! hear ye not that murmur, that hush and hollow roar, + As when to the south-wester bow the pines upon the shore; + And that low crackling intermix'd, like wither'd twig that breaks, + When in the midnight greenwood the startled squirrel wakes! + + Lo, how the fire comes roaring on, like a host in war array! + Nor lacks it gallant music to cheer it on its way, + Nor flap of flame-tongued banner, like the Oriflamme of old, + Its vanward cohorts heralding, in crimson, green, and gold. + + The engines now are ranged a-row--hark, how they sob and pant! + How gallantly the water-jets curve soaringly aslant! + Up spins the stream--it meets the flame--it bursts in fleecy rain, + Like the last spout of the dying whale, when the lance is in + his brain. + + Ha, ha! from yon high window thrill'd the wild shriek of despair, + And gibbering phantoms seem to dance within the ruddy glare; + And as a valiant captain leads his boarders to the fray, + "Up, up, my sons!" our foreman shouts--"up firemen, and away!" + + Their arms are strong and sinewy--see how the splinters fly-- + Their axes they are sharp and good--"Back, comrades! or ye die-- + Look to the walls!"--a rending crash--they topple--down they come-- + A cloud of sparks--a feeble cheer--again!--and all is dumb. + + A pause--as on that battle-day, 'twixt France and England's might, + When huge L'Orient blew up at once, in the hottest of the fight: + There was not one, they say, but wink'd, and held his breath + the while, + Though brave were they that fought that day with Nelson at the Nile. + + And by to-morrow's sunrise, amid the steaming stones, + A chain of gold half-melted, and a few small white bones, + And a few rags of roasted flesh, alone shall show where died-- + The noble and the beautiful, the baby and the bride! + + O fire, he is a noble thing!--the sot's pipe gives him birth; + Or from the livid thunder-cloud he leaps alive on earth; + Or in the western wilderness devouring silently; + Or on the lava rocking in the womb of Stromboli. + + Right well in Hamburg revell'd he--though Elbe ran rolling by-- + He could have drain'd--so fierce his thirst--the mighty river dry! + With silk, and gold, and diamond, he cramm'd his hungry maw; + And he tamed the wild republicans, who knew nor lord nor law! + + He feasted well in Moscow--in the city of the Tsar-- + When 'fore the northern streamers paled Napoleon's lurid star: + Around the hoary Kremlin, where Moscow once had stood, + He pass'd, and left a heap behind, of ashes slaked in blood! + + He feasted once in London--he feasted best of all-- + When through the close-packed city, he swept from wall to wall: + Even as of old the wrath of God came down in fiery rain, + On Sodom and Gomorrha, on the Cities of the Plain! + + * * * * * + + + + +POSITION AND PROSPECTS OF THE GOVERNMENT. + + +A recruited revenue; reviving trade and commerce; reduction in the +price of provisions; the triumphant termination of hostilities in all +parts of the world, with its great immediate prospective advantages: a +general feeling of confidence, arising from the steady administration +of public affairs, in spite of persevering and atrocious efforts to +excite dissatisfaction and alarm; nay, even the stern repose +prevailing in Ireland, preserved though it be, for a while, under +cover of artillery, and at the bayonet's point, but affording a +precious respite from agitation, and a foretaste of the blessings that +may be expected from its permanent suppression: all these +circumstances unequivocally attest the existence of a powerful +Government acting upon a comprehensive and enduring policy, which is +becoming daily better appreciated by the strong good sense which ever +distinguishes the British character, when a fair opportunity is +afforded for its exercise. + +Upwards of two years have now elapsed since the accession of the +present Government to power, at a period of universally admitted +difficulty and danger. We have been, during this critical interval, +dispassionate and independent observers of Ministers, and their +conduct of public affairs, anxious to see whether they were really +equal to the occasion, and worthy of the confidence of the Sovereign +and the country. We are ourselves satisfied, and undertake to +demonstrate to our readers, that this question must be answered in the +affirmative. We say all this advisedly, and with no disposition to +deny the existence of difficulties, which, if serious to the present, +would be absolutely insuperable to any other Government. During the +interval in question, Ministers have triumphed over more formidable +difficulties than any which they have at present to encounter. _That_, +also, we say advisedly--cheerfully, confidently--with Ireland before +our eyes, and the din of the audacious and virulent Anti-corn-law +League in our ears. + +Passing these topics for the present, let us proceed to examine +carefully the real position of Sir Robert Peel and his Government, +with a view to ascertaining its prospects of a continuance in power. +This enquiry cannot be successfully conducted, without referring for a +moment to the immense changes in principles and parties effected by +the Reform Bill in 1832--a period of quite as great a revolution as +that of 1688. The Tory party it nearly annihilated!--The first Reform +Parliament consisting of only 187 Tories to 471 Whigs and +Radicals--the former being thus in the fearful minority of 284. We +recollect sharing in the despondency, and even despair, which +paralysed our party. There was, however, one signal exception in the +person of Sir Robert Peel, whose conduct on that occasion entitles him +to the eternal gratitude of every man pretending to the character of a +Conservative, nay, of every true lover of his country and its +institutions. With surprising energy, calmness, and foresight, he +instantly addressed himself to the formation, even under those +inauspicious and disheartening circumstances, of that _great_ +CONSERVATIVE _party_ of which he is now the acknowledged head. In +1841, just _before_ the general election, he thus _reminded that +party_, and apprized the country at large of the principle on which he +had acted in 1832. We beg our readers to ponder his words, and the +period when he uttered them. + + "I then foresaw the good that might result from laying the + foundation of a great Conservative party in the state, + attached to the fundamental institutions of the country--not + opposed to any rational change in it which the lapse of years, + or the altered circumstances of society might require, but + determined to maintain, on their ancient footing and + foundation, our great institutions in church and state. In + order to form that party, however, it was necessary, in the + first instance, to widen the foundation on which it should + stand: to call into our connexion men from whom we had been + separated in consequence of differences which no longer + existed. My grand object was to build up that great party + which has been gradually acquiring strength in this + country--which has been gradually widening the foundation on + which it stands, and which has drawn, from time to time, its + support from its opponents."[11] + + [11] Speech to the Tamworth Electors on 28th June 1841, + (Painter, Strand.) + +The shortest and best evidence of the success which has attended the +unwearied exertions of Sir Robert Peel during the ensuing then years, +is afforded by the following summary of the results of the four +general elections since the passing of the Reform Bill; three of them +under the auspices and with the unscrupulously exercised patronage of +the Reform Government. Observe the ascending and descending scales:-- + + C. L. + 187 471 (1832) + 275 383 (1835) + 314 344 (1837) + 373 283 (1841) + +Who was it but its founder, that led the Conservative party through +these successive stages of triumph? Who did so much as he to effect +that gradual but decisive change in public opinion which, in 1841, +routed the Liberal Ministry in spite of their extraordinary exertions +and advantages, and placed a Conservative Government at the head of +affairs? To enable us to appreciate the importance of that great +victory, and also the decision of character evinced on that occasion +by Sir Robert Peel, let us for a moment advert to the calm +self-reliance with which, amidst the breathless apprehensions and +misgivings of his whole party, he gave battle to the enemy--proposed +the memorable vote of want of confidence, and carried it by a majority +of one.[12] A more critical move never was followed by more signal +success; every ensuing event serving to show, that so far from his +movements having been impelled by rash and desperate party +speculations, they had been based upon a profound and accurate +knowledge of his resources, and of the state of feeling and opinion in +the country. "I gave the Government every advantage," said he, "to +make their appeal to the country. They boast of the confidence of the +crown--they have every means at their disposal which official +influence can command to exert in their own behalf. An appeal has been +made by them from the House of Commons to you, and it is for the +country to decide the question at issue. They have made an appeal to +public feeling on account of cheap sugar and cheap bread. My firm +belief is, that the people of this country have not at all responded +to that cry." How well-founded was that "firm belief," was proved by +the glorious result:--the "people of this country did" _not_ "respond +to that cry"--they rejected--they repudiated it, and they would do so +again if another such appeal were made to them to-morrow. + + [12] Ayes, 312; Noes, 311--4th June 1841. + +Let us now proceed to show what pretence there is for the injurious +insinuations and assertions of Sir Robert Peel's traducers--whether +treacherous friends or open enemies--that, in order to obtain power, +he hung out false colours to the nation; that his declarations before +the general election have been disregarded and falsified by his acts +on attaining office. We will for ever demolish all such calumnies and +false pretences by going, step by step, through a document which we +made a point of procuring at the time, and preserving hitherto, and to +which we have since frequently referred, on hearing uttered the +slanderous charges to which we allude. That document is a copy of the +speech which Sir Robert Peel, on the 28th June 1841, addressed +formally to his constituents, but virtually, of course, to the whole +nation. + +One of his earliest declarations was the following:--"Gentlemen, _I +have ever professed moderate opinions on politics_. The principles I +professed, and adhered to, I shall adhere to during my public life, +whether in opposition or in power, are, I believe, in perfect +conformity with the prevailing good sense, the moderation, and the +intelligence of the great body of the people of England." This was a +sufficiently distinct notice to all men, especially to those of +extreme opinions, whether Tory, Liberal, or Radical, of the course of +action which was to be looked for from the expectant Prime Minister. + +Then, first, he proceeded to admit the existence of manufacturing +distress. + +"I admit and deplore it, but I do not despair. I have seen distress in +manufactures and in commerce before now. I think the causes of the +present distress are but temporary--that the cloud will soon blow +over--and that the great foundations of manufacturing prosperity are +not affected; and I hope I shall very shortly see the day when our +manufactures will once more revive, and when we shall again fill the +place we have always occupied--that of producers for the markets of +the world." + +Now for its _cause_. + +"Now let us consider the important question, as to how far the +distress in the manufactures and commerce of the country is fairly +attributable to the corn-laws." He proceeded to show, from Lord +Palmerston's official statement in Parliament on the 22d July 1840, +that, between the years 1830 and 1839, the _exports_ had risen from +the value of L.38,000,000 to L.53,000,000, and the _imports_ from +L.46,000,000 to L.62,000,000, "a clear proof that, notwithstanding the +local and temporary checks which our commerce had experienced, on the +whole it had gone on steadily improving, and that between the two +periods it had increased not much less than from two to three." + +He then took the _shipping_ and _navigation_ of the country for the +preceding three years; and in looking at them, I cannot help thinking +that, if there was any thing like an absolute decrease in trade and +commerce, there would also be a decrease in the shipping of the +country. "Well," said Sir Robert Peel, "What do I find?" The returns +"showed an increase, presented within the last three years, from +4,000,000 tons to 4,780,000 tons." Now mark--"during the whole of this +period the corn-laws were in operation; how then can they be fairly or +honestly assigned as the cause of the present manufacturing and +commercial distress?" + +But if the corn-laws were _not_, what _was_ the cause? + +"I see causes enough in the world, as well as in this country, why +there should be manufacturing and commercial distress at the present +moment, irrespective and totally independent of the corn-laws." + +These were-- + +1st, "_I do fear that, in the north of England, an undue stimulus has +been given to manufacturing industry by the accommodation system +pursued by the joint-stock banks. I think the connexion of the +manufacturer with the joint-stock banks gave an undue and an improper +impulse to trade in that quarter of the county; and I think that, in +consequence of this, there have been more manufactures produced within +the last two years than were necessary to supply the demand for +them._" + +2ndly, "Look to the state of some of the foreign countries, which +took, at one time, the greatest quantity of our manufactures;" South +America, its ports strictly blockaded by France; the United States of +North America, "in a state of nascent hostility," and also labouring +under "a distress similar to our own, and arising from similar causes. +The facility of accommodation afforded by certain banks there gave an +undue stimulus to industry; this produced extravagant speculations; +many persons failed in consequence, and trade necessarily then came to +a stand-still." Canada--the peninsula, France, the great Kingdoms of +the middle and north of Europe--Syria, Egypt, China, had been, and +were, in such a state, as occasioned all interruption of our trade +thither; "a stoppage in the demand for manufactured goods, and a +correspondent depression in commerce." "When you put all these things +together, all causes, mind you, affecting the market for your goods, +and then combine them with the two or three defective harvests we have +had of late, I ask you to answer me the question, Whether or not they +have been sufficient to account for the depression of manufacturing +industry." + +Then came Sir Robert Peel to the two grand and suddenly discovered +panaceas of the late Government, for recruiting the exhausted revenue, +and relieving the general distress--viz. "cheap sugar," and "cheap +bread." + +1st, As to foreign sugar:-- + +"I clearly and freely admit that those restrictions which cannot be +justified should be removed, and that the commerce of the country +should be perfectly free, whenever it can possibly be so; but I +consider the article of sugar to be wholly exempt from the principle +of free trade." * * * "The question now is this--whether, after the +sacrifices which this country has made for the suppression of the +slave trade and the abolition of slavery, and the glorious +results that have ensued, and are likely to ensue, from these +sacrifices--whether we shall run the risk of losing the benefit of +those sacrifices, and tarnishing for ever that glory, by admitting to +the British market sugar the produce of foreign slavery." * * * "If +you admit it, it will come from Brazil and Cuba. In Brazil, the +slave-trade exists in full force; in Cuba, it is unmitigated in its +extent and horrors. The sugar of Cuba is the finest in the world; but +in Cuba, slavery is unparalleled in its horrors. I do not at all +overstate the fact, when I say, that 50,000 slaves are annually landed +in Cuba. That is the yearly importation into the island; but, when you +take into consideration the vast numbers that perish before they leave +their own coasts, the still greater number that die amidst the horrors +of the middle passage, and the number that are lost at sea, you will +come to the inevitable conclusion, that the number landed in +Cuba--50,000 annually--is but a slight indication of the number +shipped in Africa, or of the miseries and destruction that have taken +place among them during their transport thither. If you open the +markets of England to the sugar of Cuba, you may depend on it that you +give a great stimulus to slavery, and the slave-trade." Sir Robert +Peel then pointed out peculiar and decisive distinctions between the +case of sugar, and that of cotton, tobacco, and coffee; that, though +all of them were the produce of slave labour--First, we cannot now +reject the _cotton_ of the United States, without endangering to the +last degree the manufacturing prosperity of the kingdom. Secondly, of +all the descriptions of slave produce, sugar is the most cruelly +destructive of human life--the proportion of deaths in a sugar +plantation being infinitely greater than on those of cotton or coffee. +Thirdly, slave grown sugar has _never_ been admitted to consumption in +this country.[13] He also assigned two great co-operating reasons for +rejecting slave-grown sugar:--"That the people of England required the +great experiment of emancipation to be fairly tried; and they would +_not_ think it fairly tried, if, at this moment, when the colonies +were struggling with such difficulties, we were to open the floodgates +of a foreign supply, and inundate the British market with sugar, the +produce of slave-labour;" adopting the very words of the Whig +Vice-President of the Board of Trade, Mr Labouchere, on the 25th June +1840. The other reason was, "that our immense possessions in the East +Indies give us the means, and afford us every facility, for acquiring +sugar, the produce of free labour, to an illimitable extent." + + [13] The following striking passage from the writings of the + celebrated Dr Channing of America, was quoted by Sir Robert + Peel in the speech under consideration. "Great Britain, loaded + with an unprecedented debt, and with a grinding taxation, + contracted a new debt of a hundred millions of dollars, to + give freedom, not to Englishmen, but to the degraded African. + I know not that history records an act so disinterested, so + sublime. In the progress of ages, England's naval triumphs + will shrink into a more and more narrow space in the records + of our race--this moral triumph will fill a broader--brighter + page." "Take care!" emphatically added Sir Robert Peel, "that + this brighter page be not sullied by the admission of slave + sugar into the consumption of this country--by our + encouragement--and, too, our unnecessary encouragement of + slavery and the slave-trade!"--Noble sentiments! + +So much for foreign sugar. Now for-- + +II. FOREIGN CORN; and we beg the special attention of all parties to +this portion of the manifesto of Sir Robert Peel:-- + +"Look at the capital invested in land and agriculture in this +country--look at the interests involved in it--look at the arrangement +that has been come to for the commutation of tithes--look at your +importation of corn diminishing for the last ten years--consider the +burdens on the land peculiar to this country[14]--take all these +circumstances into consideration, and then you will agree with Mr +McCulloch, the great advocate of a change in the Corn-law, that +'considering the vast importance of agriculture, _nearly half the +population of the empire are directly or indirectly dependent on it +for employment and the means of subsistence_; a prudent statesman +would pause before he gave his sanction to any measure however sound +in principle, or beneficial to the mercantile and manufacturing +classes, that might endanger the prosperity of agriculture, or check +the rapid spread of improvement.'"[15] + + [14] "We believe," says _Mr McCulloch_ himself in another part + of the pamphlet, (Longman & Co., 1841, p. 23--6th Edit.) from + which Sir Robert Peel is quoting, "that land is more heavily + taxed than any other species of property in the country--and + that its owners are clearly entitled to insist that a duty + should be laid on foreign corn when imported, sufficient fully + to countervail the excess of burdens laid upon the land." + + [15] Speech, pp. 9, 10. + +Now for the "_Sliding Scale_." + +"I just here repeat the opinion which I have declared here before, and +also in the House of Commons, that I cannot consent to substitute a +fixed duty of 8s. a-quarter on foreign corn, for the present ascending +and descending scale of duties. I prefer the principle of the +ascending and descending scale, to such an amount of fixed duty. And +when I look at the burdens to which the land of this country is +subject, I do not consider the fixed duty of 8s. a-quarter on corn +from Poland, and Prussia, and Russia, where no such burdens exist, a +sufficient protection for it."[16] + + [16] Do. p. 8. + +Again-- + +"If you disturb agriculture, and divert the employment of capital from +the land, you may not increase your foreign trade--for that is a thing +to dwell under existing circumstances--_but will assuredly reduce the +home trade, by reducing the means to meet the demand_, and thus +permanently injure yourselves also."[17] + + [17] Do. p. 13. + +Again-- + +"I have come to the conclusion, that the existing system of an +ascending and descending scale of duties, should not be altered: and +that, moreover, we should as much as possible make ourselves +independent of a foreign supply--and not disturb the principle of the +existing corn-laws--of these corn-laws, which, when you have an +abundance of your own, exclude altogether the foreign supply--and when +the price rises in this country, freely admits it."[18] + + [18] Speech, p. 15. + +Again--he quoted the following remarkable language of Lord Melbourne +on the 11th June 1840-- + +"_Whether the object be to have a fixed duty, or an alteration as to +the ascending and descending scale, I see clearly and distinctly, +that that object will not be carried without a most violent +struggle--without causing much ill-blood, and a deep sense of +grievance--without stirring society to its foundations, and leaving +behind every sort of bitterness and animosity. I do not think the +advantages to be gained by the change are worth the evils of the +struggle_."[19] + + [19] Do. p. 18. + +And Sir Robert Peel concluded the foregoing summary of his views, on +the great questions then proposed to the country for its decision, in +the following words:-- + +"I ask your free suffrages, with this frank and explicit declaration +of my opinions."[20] + + [20] Do. p. 18. + +On this, there occur to us three questions-- + +(1st.) Was this, or was it not, a frank and explicit declaration of +his opinions? And, (2d.) Did it, or did it not, as tested by the +result of the general election, completely satisfy the country? (3d.) +In what respect has the subsequent conduct of Sir Robert Peel been +inconsistent with these declarations? And we echo the stern enquiry +of the Duke of Wellington, for "the _when_, the _where_, and the +_how_," "of Sir Robert Peel's deceiving his supporters or the +country"--and "pause for a reply." Failing to receive any--for none +can be given, except in the negative--we shall proceed to condense the +substance of this memorable manifesto into a few words; offer some +general observations designed to assist in forming a correct judgment +upon the topics discussed in the ensuing pages; and then give as fair +an outline as we know how to present, of the "DOINGS" of Sir Robert +Peel and his Government, by way of comment upon, and illustration of +his previous and preparatory "SAYINGS." + +What, then, was the substance of Sir Robert Peel's declaration, on +presenting himself before the country as a candidate for the office +which he fills? He avowed himself a man of moderate political +opinions; recognized the existence of manufacturing and commercial +distress, but referred it to causes of only a temporary nature, +unconnected with the corn-laws; repudiated the empirical expedients +proposed by the late ministry; and pledged himself to maintain the +principle of protection to our agricultural interests; declaring his +deliberate preference of a sliding scale of duties, to a fixed duty, +upon foreign corn. + +The first of the observations to which we beg the reader's earnest +attention, is--that Sir Robert Peel has _to govern by means of a +Reformed House of Commons_. It is for want of well considering this +circumstance, that one or two respectable sections of the Conservative +party have conceived some dissatisfaction at the line of policy +adopted by Sir Robert Peel. They forget that, as we have already +stated, the _Tory_ party was nearly destroyed by the passing of the +Reform Bill; that from its ashes rose the CONSERVATIVE party, adapted +to the totally new political exigencies of the times; its grand object +being, as it were, out of the elements of democracy to arrest the +progress of democracy. The bond of its union was correctly described +by its founder, as consisting in attachment to the fundamental +institutions of the country--non-opposition to rational changes +rendered requisite by the altered circumstances of the times--but +determination to maintain, on their ancient footing and foundation, +our great institutions in Church and State. Keeping these grand +objects ever in view, the true policy to be adopted was to widen the +foundations on which should stand "that new party _which was to draw, +from time to time, its strength from its opponents_." None saw this +more clearly than Sir Robert Peel--and hence the "_moderation_," +indispensable and all-powerful, which he prescribed to himself, and +recommended to all those who chose to act with him, and the steady +acting upon which has at length conducted them to their present +splendid position of power and responsibility. Could the government of +the country be now carried on upon principles that were all-powerful +twenty--or even fewer--years ago? No more than Queen Victoria could +govern on the principles of Queen Elizabeth! We must look at things, +not as they were, or as we would wish them to be--but as they are and +are likely to be. He is unable to take a just and comprehensive view +of political affairs in this country--of the position of parties, and +the tendency of the principles respectively advocated by them, who +does not see that the great and only contest now going on, is between +_conservative_ and _destructive_. We say boldly--and we are satisfied +that we say it in conformity with the opinions of the immense majority +of persons of intelligence and property--that the forces which would +drive Sir Robert Peel's Government from office would immediately and +inevitably supply their places by a Government which must act upon +destructive principles. This will not be believed by many of those +who, moving in the circumscribed sphere of intense party feeling, can +contemplate only one object, namely--a return to power, and disregard +the intentions of the fierce auxiliaries of whose services they would +avail themselves. To the country at large, however, who breathe a +freer air, the true nature of the struggle is plain as the sun at +noonday. The number of those who only nominally belong to parties, +but have a very deep stake in the preservation of our national +institutions, and see distinctly the advantages of a Minister acting +_firmly_ on moderate principles, and who will consequently give him a +_silent_ but steady support in moments of danger, is infinitely larger +than is supposed by the opponents of the Conservative party. Such a +Minister, however, must make up his account with receiving often only +a cold and jealous support from those of his adherents who incline to +extreme opinions; while his opponents will increase their zeal and +animosity in proportion to their perception of the unobjectionableness +of his measures, the practical _working_ of his moderation, viz.--his +continuance in power, and their own exclusion from it. Such a Minister +must possess a large share of fortitude, careless of its exhibition, +and often exposing him to the charge of insensibility, as he moves +steadily on amongst disaffected supporters and desperate +opponents, mindless equally of taunts, threats, reproaches, and +misrepresentations. He must resolve to _bide his time_, while his +well-matured measures are slowly developing themselves, relying on the +conscious purity of his motives. Such a man as this the country will +prize and support, and such a man we sincerely believe that the +country possesses in the present Prime Minister. He may view, +therefore, with perfect equanimity, a degree of methodized clamour and +violence, which would overthrow a Minister of a different +stamp. Such are the inconveniences--such the consolations and +advantages--attending that course of _moderation_ which alone can be +adopted with permanent success, by a Conservative Minister governing +with a reformed House of Commons. + +Another observation we would offer, has for its object to abate the +pique and vexation under which the ablest volunteer advisers of the +Minister are apt to suffer, on his disregard of their counsels, and +sometimes to revenge themselves by bitter and indiscriminate censure +of his general policy. They should remember, that while they are +irresponsible volunteers, he acts under a tremendous responsibility; +to sustain which, however, he has advantages which none but those in +his situation can possibly possess--the co-operation of able brother +Ministers, with all those sources and means of universal information +which the constitution has placed at his disposal. The superior +knowledge of the circumstances of the country thus acquired, enable +him to see insuperable objections to schemes and suggestions, which +their proposers reasonably deem to be palpably just and feasible. We +have often thought that if Sir Robert Peel, or any other Prime +Minister, were to take one of these eager and confident advisers into +his cabinet, and calmly exhibit to him the actual impossibility--the +imminent danger--of adopting the course of procedure which that +adviser has been strenuously recommending, he would go away with +slightly increased distrust of himself, and consideration for the +Minister. Neither Sir Robert Peel, nor any other Minister, would be so +arrogantly stupid as to disregard free information and advice, +_merely_ because it came from such persons, who, if they have no right +to expect their advice to be followed, have yet a clear right to offer +it, and urge it with all their force. + +Again--The present Ministers had the disadvantage (in some respects) +of succeeding to those, who, if they could _do_ nothing, made up for +it by _promising_ every thing. Sir Robert Peel and his friends, on the +contrary, made no promises whatever, beyond what would indeed be +implied by acceptance of office--namely, honestly to endeavour to +govern the country, for the permanent good of the country. While +admitting the existence of great distress, they expressly admitted +also, that they saw no mode of sudden relief for that distress, but +would trust to the energies of the country gradually recovering +themselves, under steady and cautious management. Sir Robert Peel +frankly stated in the House of Commons, just previously to the +dissolution in 1841, that he had no hope of an immediate return of +prosperity; and that such had become the state of our domestic and +foreign embarrassments, that "we must for years expect to struggle +with difficulty." This was their language on the eve of the general +election, yet the country placed confidence in their honour and +capacity, heartily sickened of the prodigal _promises_ of their +opponents. The extravagant visionary hopes which they held forth at +the eleventh hour, in their frenzied eagerness to obtain a majority at +the last election, are still gleaming brightly before the eyes of +numbers of their deluded supporters; imposing on the present +Government the painful and ungracious duty of proving to them that +such hopes and expectations cannot be realized, even for a brief +space, without breaking up the foundations of our national existence +and greatness. + +Lastly. Can the Conservatives be expected in TWO years' time to repair +all the evils resulting from a TEN years' gross mismanagement of the +national affairs by their predecessors? "The evil that they did, +_lives after them_." But for the fortunate strength of the +Conservative party, moreover, in opposition, and the patriotism and +wisdom of the house of Lords, the late Ministers would, by the time of +their expulsion from office, have rendered the condition of the +country _utterly_ desperate--for very nearly desperate it assuredly +was. Their vacillating, inconsistent, wild, and extravagant conduct +during these ten years, had generated an universal sense of insecurity +and want of confidence among all the great interests of the country, +which locked up capital--palsied enterprise. Trade and commerce +drooped daily, and the revenue melted away rapidly every year. Great +things were justly expected from the practical skill and experience +possessed by the new Government; but _time_ is requisite for the +development of a policy which had, and still has, to contend against +such numerous and formidable obstacles. Confidence, especially +mercantile confidence, is a delicate flower, of slow growth, and very +difficult to rear. A breath may blight it. It will bloom only in a +tranquil and temperate air. If ever there was a man entitled to speak, +however, with authority upon this subject, it was Mr Baring, the late +candidate, and unquestionably the future member, for the city of +London--a man constantly engaged in vast mercantile transactions in +all parts of the globe, and whose ability equals his experience. In +the presence of a great number of gentlemen, representing two-thirds +of the wealth and intelligence of the city of London, thus spoke Mr +Baring, on the 6th October 1843:--"I rejoice that Sir Robert Peel did +not hold out to the country the fallacious hope, that, by any +particular measure, he could restore prosperity, or cure sufferings +which were beyond the reach of legislation, and that he patiently +relied upon the resources and energies of the country to set trade and +commerce right. That expectation is already beginning to be realized. +That calm reliance is already justified. I am speaking in the presence +of those who are as much as, if not more conversant with business +than, myself, and they will contradict me if I am not right when I +say, that great symptoms of improvement in the trade and industry of +the country have manifested themselves; which symptoms are of such a +nature, that they do not appear to be the result of momentary +excitement produced by some fallacious experiment, but of the +paramount re-establishment of commerce, and of a fresh era in the +prosperity of the empire. I am asked what have the Government done? +Why, they have _restored_ CONFIDENCE to the country! They have +terminated wars, they have restored confidence at home, and commanded +respect abroad." + +Now, however, for the DOINGS of the Government; and of those we shall +take no more detailed or extended notice than is requisite, in our +opinion, to exhibit the general system and _plan_ of their procedure, +and show its complete consistency with the declaration of opinions +made by Sir Robert Peel previous to the general election of 1841. + +It will be borne in mind, that the then existing distress in our +commercial and manufacturing interests he referred to three +_temporary_ causes:--the undue stimulus which had been given to +industry in the manufacturing districts--by the accommodation system +pursued in the joint-stock banks, the troubled and hostile condition +of almost all those foreign countries which used to be the best +customers for our manufactures, and the two or three preceding +defective harvests. The first of these was not of a nature to call +for, or perhaps admit of, direct and specific legislative +interference. It originated in a vicious system of contagious private +speculation, which has involved many thousands of those engaged in it +in irredeemable, shall we add _deserved_, disgrace and ruin--and which +had better, perhaps, be left to work its own cure. The last of the +three causes was one to which all mankind is every where subject, and +which is in a great measure beyond the reach of effective human +interference. Before proceeding to explain the steps taken to remedy +the second, viz., our distracted foreign relations, let us premise +briefly for the present, that the very earliest acts of Ministers +showed how profoundly sensible they were of the necessity of doing +_something_, and that promptly, to relieve the grievous distress under +which the lower orders were suffering, and at the same time afford a +safe, effective, and permanent stimulus to trade and commerce. A +comprehensive survey of the state, not only of our own but foreign +commercial countries, satisfied them, as practical men, of the serious +difficulties to be here contended with. The steps they took, after due +deliberation--viz., the proposing the new tariff and the new +corn-law--we shall presently refer to. Let us now point out _the +income-tax_ as a measure reflecting infinite credit upon those who had +the sagacity and resolution to propose it. We shall not dwell upon +this great _temporary_ measure, which in one year has poured upwards +of _five millions_ into the exhausted exchequer, further than to say, +that as soon as ever it was known among the monied classes, that the +Minister, environed as he was with financial difficulties, would risk +any amount of popular odium rather than add to the permanent burdens +of the country, or permit the ruinous continuance of an excess of +expenditure over revenue. As soon as this was evident, we say, the +great monied interests of the kingdom recognized in Sir Robert Peel an +honest minister, and gave him forthwith its complete confidence, which +has never since been for an instant withdrawn from him. And how great +are the obligations of that vast portion of the most suffering classes +of the community, whom he exempted from this extraordinary +contribution to the burdens of the state! + +But now for _foreign affairs_. May not the present Ministers look with +just pride towards every quarter of the globe, and exclaim, _Quæ regio +in terris nostri non plena laboris?_ In truth their success here has +been sufficient to set up half a dozen Ministers--as is known to no +man better than Lord Palmerston. The Duke of Wellington and Lord +Aberdeen have restored peace to the whole world, re-establishing it on +a footing of dignified security and equality. By the persevering +energy, the calm determination, and inexhaustible resources of Lord +Aberdeen, "the winter of our discontent," has been "made glorious +summer," with all the great powers of the world. Look at our glorious +but irritable neighbour--France: is there any language too strong to +express the delight which we feel at the renovated sympathy and +affection which exist between us? + +We cannot answer for France to the extent which we can for England; +but we know, that through the length and breadth of _this_ land--our +beloved Queen's familiar visit to the King of the French, their +affectionate greeting, and her Majesty's enthusiastic reception by the +people, diffused a feeling of joy and affection towards France, which +will not soon--nay, should it ever?--subside. But would that visit +have taken place, if Lord Palmerston, and not Lord Aberdeen, had +presided over the foreign councils of this country? 'Tis a +disagreeable question, and we pass on. Then as to America, thanks to +the mission of Lord Ashburton, peace has been secured between us, on +terms equally honourable to both. We are now at peace with the United +States--a peace not to be disturbed by the (to Whiggish eyes) +_promising_ (!!) aspect of the Oregon difficulties--which we tell our +aforesaid friends will end in--_nothing at all_--[It is not, by the +way, _the fault of our Government_, that this disputed matter was not +embraced by the Washington Treaty.]--While Lord Palmerston and his +doleful ally, the _Morning Chronicle_, were daily stigmatizing the +treaty of Washington, as highly dishonourable and disadvantageous to +this country, it may interest our readers to see what one of the +disaffected _American_ senators had to say on the subject. Thus spoke, +in the senate, Mr Benton, a well-known member of congress:-- + + "The concessions of Great Britain to the United States are + small. The territory granted to the United States, is of such + a nature, that it will never be of importance to hold it, + while the possessions given up by the United States are + important and valuable to them, and have the effect of + admitting a foreign power within a territory which was granted + to the United States, by the treaty of 1783. * * When I see + the Government giving up more than Great Britain demanded, I + cannot conceal my amazement and mortification!" + + +Glancing, however, from the West to the East--what do we see? +Wars in India and China, brought gloriously to an advantageous +termination.--"Wars," to adopt the language of one of the greatest +mercantile authorities living, "which have been deranging our money +transactions, and making our trade a trade of hazard and speculation, +most injurious to the commerce of the empire at large." + +While, on the one hand, we are relieved from the ruinous drain upon +our resources, occasioned by our protracted warlike operations in +India and China, on the other, a prospect is opened to us, by the +immensely important treaty into which the Emperor of China has entered +with this country, of very great and permanent commercial advantages, +which are already being realized. Let our manufacturers, however, +beware of the danger of forfeiting these advantages, by excessive +eagerness to avail themselves of these newly acquired markets. +Twelve-months ago, we earnestly warned them on this score,[21] and we +now as earnestly repeat that warning; "Notwithstanding," observed an +able French journalist, a few weeks ago, upon this subject, "the +opening of five ports to European commerce, China will for many years +preserve her internal laws, her eccentric tastes, her inveterate +habits. China is the country of routine and immovability. The treaty +with Great Britain cannot modify the nature of China in a few months. +_If the English are not prudent in their exports, if they overload the +newly opened ports with foreign produce, they will injure themselves +more than they were injured by the war just concluded._" In every word +of this we concur: but alas! what weight will such considerations have +with the agitating manufacturers in the north of England? Their fierce +but short-sighted anxiety to make rapid fortunes, will make most of +them, in a very few years, melancholy evidences of the justness of our +observations! We cannot pass from the East without noticing the sound +statesmanship which is regulating all Lord Ellenborough's leading +movements in India--a matter now universally admitted. How unspeakably +contemptible and ridiculous has the lapse of a few months rendered the +petty clamours against him, with which the ex-ministerial party +commenced their last year's campaign! Without, however, travelling +round the entire circle of our foreign connexions and +operations--there are one or two points to which we will briefly +refer, as striking instances of the vigilant and indefatigable energy, +and the powerful diplomatic influence of Lord Aberdeen, especially +with reference to the securing commercial advantages to this +country--and which has extorted the following testimony, during the +present month (December,) from another French journal, by no means +favourably disposed to this country:--"The English Government is +incontestably the best served of all Governments in the means of +obtaining new, and extending old markets, and in the rapid and +complete knowledge of the course to be adopted to ensure the sale of +the immense products of Great Britain in different parts of the +globe." Take for instance the case of Russia. We have actually +succeeded in wringing from the tenacious and inflexible Cabinet of St +Petersburg an important commercial advantage! On Lord Aberdeen's +accession to office, he found Russia in the act of aiming a fatal +blow at a very important branch of our shipping trade, by levying a +differential duty on all British vessels conveying to Russian ports +any goods which were not the produce of the British dominions. After, +however, a skilful and very arduous negotiation, our foreign secretary +has succeeded in averting that blow--and we retain the great +advantages of which we were about to be deprived. Nor has this signal +advantage been purchased by any sacrifice on the part of Great +Britain, but only by a permission, founded on most equitable +principles, for Russian vessels arriving here from Russian ports with +the produce of Russian Poland, to possess the same privileges as if +they had come direct from Russian ports: Russian Poland being able to +communicate effectively with the sea, only through the Prussian +territory. Look again at Brazil--which has also been recently the +object of persevering and energetic negotiation on the part of Lord +Aberdeen. It is true that, at present, his exertions have been +attended with no direct success; but we have doubts whether the +importance of the proposed Brazilian treaty has not, after all, been +greatly exaggerated. However this may be, Lord Aberdeen is, at this +moment, as strenuously at work with the young emperor, as could be +desired by the most eager advocate of a commercial treaty with Brazil. +But, suppose the emperor's advisers should be disposed to continue +their obstinate and unreasonable opposition, observe the gentle +pressure upon them, to be felt by and by, which Lord Aberdeen has +contrived to effect by the commercial treaty which he has concluded +with the contiguous republic of Monte Video, and other states on the +right bank of the river Plata, for the admission (on most favourable +terms) of British imports into these states. One of them is the +Uruguay republic, which borders through a great extent of country on +Brazil, the Government of which is utterly unable to prevent the +transfer of merchandise across the border; whereby the exclusion of +British goods from the Brazilian territory is rendered a matter of +physical impossibility. + + [21] Great Britain at the commencement of the 19th + Century--January 1843--No. CCC. + +It is true, that our efforts to enter into commercial treaties with + +France and Portugal have not, as yet, been successful; but, formidable +as are the obstacles at present in existence, we do not despair. Those +least wonder at the present position of affairs who are best +acquainted with the artificial and complicated positions of the +respective countries, and their relations, and consequent policy, +towards each other. Whatever can be done by man, is at this moment +being done by Lord Aberdeen; and sooner than we have at present a +right to expect, his indefatigable exertions may be crowned with +success--not only in these, but in other quarters. All foreign +Governments must be strongly influenced in such matters, by +contemplating a steady and strong Government established in this +country; and that object they see more nearly and distinctly every +day. Such (without entering into details which would be inconsistent +with either our space or our present object) is the general +result--namely, the rapidly returning tide of prosperous commercial +intercourse of the foreign policy of Conservative Government, which +has raised Great Britain, within the short space of two years, to even +a higher elevation among the nations of the world, than she had +occupied before a "Liberal Ministry undertook the government of the +country"--"a policy," to adopt the equally strong and just language of +an able writer, "replete with auspicious evidences of the efficacy of +intellect, combined with firmness, activity, and integrity, in +restoring to wholesome and honourable order a chaotic jumble of +anomalies--of humiliations and dangers--of fears, hatred, and +confusion thrice trebly confounded."[22] + + [22] Thoughts on Tenets of Ministerial Policy. By a Very Quiet + Looker-on.--P. 22. Aylott, London, 1843. + +While thus successfully active abroad, have Ministers been either idle +or unsuccessful at home? Let us look at their two main measures--the +_new tariff_ and the _new corn-law_. + +The object of the first of these great measures was twofold--to give a +healthy and speedy but permanent stimulus to trade and commerce; and, +at the same time, to effect such a reduction of price in the leading +articles of consumption as should greatly reduce the cost of living--a +boon, of course, inexpressibly precious to the poorer classes. Mark +the moment at which this bold and critical line of policy was +conceived and carried into execution--namely, a moment when the nation +was plunged into such a depth of gloom and distress as had very nearly +induced utter despair! when there was a deficiency of _five millions +sterling in_ the revenue of the two preceding years, and a certainty +of greatly augmented expenditure for the future, owing to our wars in +the East and elsewhere. We say--_mark this_, in order to appreciate a +display of the true genius of statesmanship. Foreseeing one effect of +such a measure, namely, a serious reduction in the revenue derived +from the customs, and which would commence with the bare +_announcement_ of such a measure, the Government had to consider +whether it would prove a permanent or only a temporary reduction, and +to act accordingly. After profound consideration, they satisfied +themselves (whether justly or not remains to be seen) that the +diminution of revenue would prove only temporary; and to secure the +_immediate_ benefits of the measure, they imposed a temporary +income-tax, the onerous pressure of which was to cease as soon as +matters should have come round again. That period they fixed at the +expiration of three years. After an interval of two years, do their +calculations appear to have been well or ill founded? Let us see. +Early in March 1842 they announced the proposed new tariff, (instantly +producing the effect on the customs duties which had been +anticipated;) and succeeded in bringing it into operation on the 9th +of the ensuing July. The deficiency of revenue which ensued was so +very serious that it would have alarmed the whole country, but for +their confidence in the firmness and sagacity of Ministers, +particularly as evidenced by their announced measures. We have not at +the present moment before us the earliest _quarterly_ revenue returns +of the period referred to; but it will suffice to state, that such had +been the extent of the reductions effected, that the deficiency on the +_year_ ending on the 5th October 1843, amounted to no less a sum than +L.1,136,000; the decrease on the _quarter_ ending on that day being +L.414,000. Still, however, each succeeding quarter--or at least the +latter quarters--gave more satisfactory indications of a rallying +revenue; and we are enabled to announce the highly gratifying fact +that, up to the 8th of the present month (December,) the customs +duties returns _are of the most decisively improving character_. The +receipts of duties for the port of London alone, during that period, +exceeds the receipt on the corresponding period of last year by +L.206,000; while the returns from all the outports, especially from +Liverpool, are of the same cheering character, and warrant us in +predicting that the returns to be presented on the 5th of the ensuing +month will afford a most triumphant proof of the accuracy of the +Minister's calculations and the success of his policy; for be it borne +in mind, moreover, that his income-tax realized, in the year ending on +the 5th October last, the immense sum of L.5,052,000. As far, +therefore, as concerns the direct _financial_ effects of the new +tariff and its counterbalancing income-tax, the results of Sir Robert +Peel's policy are such as may stagger and confound the boldest of his +opponents. + +Now, however, for the two great objects of the new tariff, which were +declared by Sir Robert Peel[23] to be "the revival of commerce, and +such an improvement in the manufacturing interest, as would react on +every other interest in the country; and diminishing the prices of the +articles of consumption and the cost of living." + + [23] Hansard, Vol. lxi. Col. 439. + +With respect to the first of these objects, we had prepared a copious +explanation of the highly satisfactory working of one great portion of +the machine of the new tariff, viz. _the relaxation of the taxes on +the raw materials of manufacture_; but it has occurred to us, that the +necessity of our doing so has been entirely superseded by the +following very remarkable admission, contained in a number of the +_Morning Chronicle_ newspaper, published towards the close of +September last; an invaluable admission, tending to prove, out of the +mouth of the bitterest opponent of the present Ministry, the general +success of their domestic policy:--"Notwithstanding insurrection in +Wales and agitation in Ireland, there are various circumstances in the +present aspect of our national affairs of an encouraging and cheering +nature. The first and most prominent thing which strikes an observer, +is, the undoubted general revival of trade and commerce. Every thing +seems to indicate that the morning is breaking; that the dreary night +of disaster and suffering, through which all our material interests +have been passing since 1836, is now well-nigh over. The hum of busy +industry is once more heard throughout our manufacturing districts; +our seaports begin once more to stir with business; merchants on +'Change have smiling faces; and the labouring population are once more +finding employment easier of access; and wages are gently, slowly +rising. This has not come upon us suddenly; it has been in operation +since the end of last year; but so terrible was the depression, so +gradual the improvement, that the effects of the revival could not be +perceptible till within a recent period. Our exports of cotton and +wool, during the present year, very considerably exceed those of a +similar period in the preceding; and though there might be increase of +export without increase of profit, the simple fact that the districts +of our great manufacturing staples are now more active and busy than +they have been for a very considerable period, coupled with the +apparently well-founded belief that this increased activity is +produced, not by speculative but genuine demand, are indications of +the most pleasing and gratifying kind to all who are in the least +concerned about the prosperity of the country. In addition to the +improvement manifested in our staple articles of industry, other +important interests are showing symptoms of decided improvement; even +the iron-trade has got over its 'crisis;' and though we are very far +indeed from having attained to a condition of prosperity, the steady, +though slow, revival of every branch of industry, is a proof that the +cause of the improvement must be a general one, operating +universally." May we venture to suggest, that the worthy editor of the +_Morning Chronicle_ need not go about with a lantern to discover this +_cause_?--that it is every where before his very eyes, under his very +nose, in the form of the bold, but sagacious and consistent, policy +pursued by the present Government? + +With respect to the second great object of the new tariff, viz., the +"Diminishing of the prices of the articles of consumption and the cost +of living." + +Has _this_ great object, or has it not, been attained? Why, the +reduced price of provisions is a matter of universal notoriety, and +past all question. Unable to contest the existence of this most +consolatory fact, the Opposition papers endeavoured to get up a +diversion by frightening the farmers, whom they assured, that the +admission of foreign live-stock would lead to a fearful depreciation +in the value of British agricultural produce. The graziers and +cattle-dealers were forthwith to find "their occupations gone." +British pasture farming was to be annihilated, and an immense stimulus +given to that of our continental rivals. Hereat the farmers pricked up +their ears, and began to consider for a moment whether they should not +join in the outcry against the new tariff. But the poor beasts that +have come, doubtless much to their own surprise, across the water to +us, looked heartily ashamed of themselves, on catching a glimpse of +their plump, sleek brother beasts in England--and the farmers burst +out a-laughing at sight of _the lean kine that were to eat up the fat +ones_! The practical result has been, that between the 9th of July +1842, and the present time, there have not come over foreign cattle +enough to make one week's show at Smithfield. But mark, _the power_ of +admitting foreign cattle and poultry, (on payment, however, of a +considerable duty,[24]) conferred by the new tariff, is one that must +be attended with infinite permanent benefits to the public, in its +_moderating influence upon the prices of animal food_. Its working is +in beautiful harmony with that of the newly modeled corn-laws, as we +shall presently explain. In years of abundance, when plenty of meat is +produced at home, the new tariff will be inoperative, as far as +regards the actual importations of foreign cattle; but in years of +scarcity at home, the expectation of a good price will induce the +foreigner to send us a sufficient supply; for he will then be, and +then only, able to repay himself the duty, and the heavy cost of +sea-carriage. As prices fall, the inducement to import also declines. +In short, "the inducement to importation falls with the fall, and +rises with the rise of price. The painful contingency of continued bad +seasons has thus, in some measure, been provided against. The new +tariff is so adjusted, that when prices threaten to mount to an unfair +and extravagant height, unjust to consumers, and dangerous to +producers, in such contingencies a mediating power steps in, and +brings things to an equilibrium."[25] These great and obvious +advantages of the new tariff, the opponents of Ministers, and +especially their reckless and discreditable allies called the +"Anti-corn-law League," see as plainly as we do; but their anxious aim +is to conceal these advantages as much as possible from public view; +and for this purpose they never willingly make _any allusion_ to the +tariff, or if forced to do so, underrate its value, or grossly +misrepresent its operation. But we are convinced that _this will not +do_. Proofs of their humbug and falsehood are, as it were, daily +forcing themselves into the very stomachs_ of those whom once, when +an incompetent Ministry was in power, these heartless impostors were +able to delude. "A single shove of the bayonet," said Corporal Trim to +Doctor Slop, "is worth all your fine discourses about the art of war;" +and so the English operative may reply to the hireling "Leaguers," +"This good piece of cheap beef and mutton, now smoking daintily before +me, is worth all your palaver." + + [24] Poultry £5 for every £100 value; oxen and bulls, £1 each; + cows, 15s.; calves, 10s.; horses, mares, foals, colts, and + geldings, £1 each; sheep, 3s. each; lambs, 2s. each; swine and + hogs, 5s. each--(Stat. 5 and 6 Vict. c. 47, Table A.) + + [25] Thoughts, &c., by a Quiet Looker-on, pp. 16, 17. + +Before passing from the subject of the new tariff, let us observe, +that the suddenness and vastness of its changes (some of which we +consider to be of questionable propriety) for a time unavoidably +deranged mercantile operations; and in doing so, as necessarily +produced many cases of individual dissatisfaction and distress. Some +of the persons thus situated angrily quitted the Conservative ranks +for those of the Opposition; others, for a position of mortified +neutrality: but we believe that many more, notwithstanding this sharp +trial of their constancy, remained true to their principles, faithful +to their party, and are now rewarded by seeing things coming rapidly +round again, while unvarying and complete success has attended every +other branch of the policy of Ministers. We know a good deal of the +real state of opinion among the mercantile classes of the City of +London; and believe we correctly represent it averse to further +changes in our tariff-system, and coincident with the views expressed +by Mr Baring in his address to the electors, when he deprecated "a +constant change, unsettling men's minds, baffling all combinations, +destroying all calculations, paralysing trade, and continuing the +stagnation from which we are recovering;" and declared his belief +"that the minister who applies the principles of free-trade with the +most caution, deliberation, and judgment, is the statesman who merits +the confidence of the commercial world." We now, however, quit the +subject--interesting, indeed, and all-important--of the tariff, with +the deliberate expression of our opinion, that it is, taken as a +whole, a very bold, masterly, and successful stroke of policy. Now for +the NEW CORN-LAW. + +But how shall we deal with a topic with which the public has been so +utterly sickened by the people calling themselves "The Anti-corn-law +League?" We do not, nevertheless, despair of securing the attention of +our readers to the few observations which we have to offer upon a +subject which, however hackneyed, is one of paramount importance. We +are satisfied that nine out of every ten even of newspaper readers +turn with disgust from the columns headed "Anti-corn-law League," +"Doings of the League," "Great Meeting of the Anti-corn-law League," +and so forth; and, (making every allowance for the exigencies +occasioned by the dearth of topics while Parliament is not sitting,) +we are exceedingly surprised, that the great London newspapers should +inflict upon their readers so much of the slang and drivel of the +gentry in question. In the due prosecution of our subject, we cannot +avoid the topic of the new corn-law, even were we so disposed; and we +shall at once proceed to our task, with two objects in view--to +vindicate the course pursued by Sir Robert Peel, and set forth, +briefly and distinctly, those truly admirable qualities of the +existing Corn-laws, which are either most imprudently misrepresented, +or artfully kept out of view, by those who are now making such +desperate efforts to overthrow it. "Mark how a plain tale shall set +them down!" + +Whether foreign corn should be admitted into this country on payment +of _fluctuating_ duties, or a _fixed_ duty, or free of all duties, are +obviously questions of the highest importance, involving extensive and +complicated considerations. Sir Robert Peel, Lord John Russell, and +the persons banded together under the name of "The Anti-corn-law +League," may be taken as representing the classes of opinion which +would respectively answer these three questions in the affirmative. +All of them appealed to the nation at large on the last general +election. The _form_ in which the question was proposed to the +country, it fell to the lot of the advocates of a fixed duty to +prescribe, and they shaped it thus in the Queen's speech:-- + + "It will be for you to determine whether the corn-laws do not + aggravate the natural fluctuations of supply; whether they do + not embarrass trade, derange currency, and, by their + operation, diminish the comforts and increase the privations + of the great body of the community." + +To this question the country returned a deliberate and peremptory +answer in the NEGATIVE; expressing thereby its will, that the existing +system, which admits foreign corn on payment of _fluctuating_ duties, +should continue. The country thus adopted the opinions of Sir Robert +Peel, rejected those of Lord John Russell, and utterly scouted those +of the "Anti-corn-law League," in spite of all their frantic +exertions. + +We believe that this deliberate decision of the nation, is that to +which it will come whenever again appealed to; and is supported by +reasons of cogency. The nation is thoroughly aware of the immense +importance of upholding and protecting the agriculture of the country, +and that to secure this grand object, it is necessary to admit foreign +corn into the country, only when our deficiencies absolutely require +it. That _in_ the operation of the "_sliding-scale_ of duties," and +the exact distinction between its effect and that of the proposed +_fixed_ duty, is demonstrably this: that the former would admit +foreign corn in dear years, excluding it in seasons of abundance; +while the latter would admit foreign corn in seasons of abundance, and +exclude it in dear years. Our _present_ concern, however, is with the +course taken by the present Government. Have they hitherto yielded to +the clamour with which they have been assailed, and departed from the +principle of affording efficient protection to the agriculture of the +country? Not a hair's breadth; _nor will they_. We have seen that Sir +Robert Peel, previously to the general election, declared his +determination to adhere to the existing system of corn-laws, +regulating the admission of foreign corn by the power of the +sliding-scale of duties; but both he and the leading members of his +party, had distinctly stated in Parliament, just before its +dissolution, that while resolved to adhere to the _principle_ of a +sliding-scale, they would not pledge themselves to adhere to all the +_details_ of that scale. And they said well and wisely, for there were +grave objections to some of those details. These objections they have +removed, and infinitely added to the efficiency of the sliding-scale; +but in removing the principal objections, they stirred a hornet's +nest--they rendered furious a host of sleek gamblers in grain, who +found their "occupation gone" suddenly! On the other hand, the +Government conferred a great substantial benefit upon the country, by +securing a just balance between protection to the British corn +consumer and producer; removing, at the same time, from the latter, a +long-existing source of jealousy and prejudice. A few words will +suffice to explain the general scope of those alterations. Under they +system established by statute 9 Geo. IV. c. 60, in the year 1828, the +duty on foreign corn, up to the price of 68s. per quarter, was so +high, and declined so very slowly, (L.1, 5s. 8d., L.1. 4s. 8d., L.1, +3s. 8d., L.1, 2s. 8d., L.1, 1s. 8d., L.1, 0s. 8d., 18s. 8d.,) as to +amount to a virtual prohibition against importation. But when the +price mounted from 68s. to 72s. per quarter, the duty declined with +such great rapidity. (16s 8d., 13s. 8d., 10s. 8d., 6s. 8d., 2s. 8d.,) +as to occasion the alarming and frequently recurring evils of glut and +panic. Now the following was the mode in which these serious defects +in the law of 1828 were taken advantage of by the aforesaid desperate +and greedy "rogues in grain," who are utterly prostrated by the new +system; they entered into a combination, for the purpose of raising +the apparent average price of corn, and forcing it up to the point at +which they could import vast quantities of foreign corn at little or +no duty. Thus the price of corn was rising in England--the people were +starving--and turned with execration against those into whose pockets +the high prices were supposed to go, viz., the poor farmers; whereas +those high prices really were all the while flowing silently but +rapidly into the pockets of the aforesaid "rogues in grain"--the +gamblers of the Corn Exchange!--Ministers effected their salutary +alterations, by statute 5 and 6 Vict. c. 14, in the following +manner:--They substituted for the former duties of 10s. 8d. per +quarter, when the price of corn was 70s. per quarter, and 1s. when the +price was 73s.; a duty of 4s. when the price of corn is 70s. per +quarter, and made the duty fall gradually, shilling by shilling, with +the rise of price, to 3s., 2s., and 1s. Thus are at one blow destroyed +all the inducements formerly existing for corn-dealers to "hold" their +foreign corn, in the hopes of forcing up the price of corn to +starvation-point, viz., the low duty, every inducement being now given +them to _sell_, and none to speculate. Another important provision for +preventing fraudulent combinations to raise the price of corn, was +that of greatly extending the averages, and placing them under +regulations of salutary stringency. + +So far, then, from evincing a disposition to trifle with, or +surrender, the principle of the sliding-scale, the Government have, +with infinite pains and skill, applied themselves to effect such +improvements in it as will secure its permanency, and a better +appreciation of its value by the country at large, with every +additional year's experience of its admirable qualities. There is a +perfect identity of principle, both working to the same good end, +between the existing corn-law and the new tariff. Their combined +effect is to oppose every barrier that human wisdom and foresight can +devise, against dearth and famine in England: securing an abundant +supply of corn and meat from abroad, whenever our own supply is +deficient; but up to that point protecting our home producers, whose +direct interest it will henceforth be to supply us at fair and +moderate prices. It is the cunning policy of the heterogeneous +opponents of the existing corn-laws, to speak of them as "doomed" by a +sort of universal tacit consent; to familiarise the public with the +notion that the recent remodeling of the system is to be regarded as +constituting it into nothing more than a sort of transition-measure--a +stepping-stone towards a great fundamental change, by the adoption of +"a fixed duty," some say--"a total repeal," say the Anti-corn-law +League. But those who think thus, must be shallow and short-sighted +indeed, and have paid very little real attention to the subject, if +they have failed to perceive in the existing system itself all the +marks of completeness, solidity, and permanence; and, in the +successful pains that have been taken to bring it to a higher degree +of perfection than before, a determination to uphold it--a conviction +that it will long continue the law of the land, and approved of as +such by the vast majority of those who represent the wealth and +intellect of the kingdom, and have the deepest stake in its +well-being. + +As for a total repeal of the corn-laws, no thinking man believes that +there is the remotest prospect of such a thing; but many imagine that +a fixed duty would be a great change for the better, and a safe sort +of compromise between the two extreme parties. Can any thing be more +fallacious? We hesitate not to express our opinion, that the idea of +maintaining a fixed duty on corn is an utter absurdity, and that Lord +John Russell and his friends know it to be so, and are guilty of +political dishonesty in making such a proposal. They affect to be +friends of the agricultural interest, and satisfied of the necessity +for protection to that body; and yet they acknowledge that their +"_fixity_" of duty is of precisely the same nature as the "finality" +of the Reform bill, viz.--to last only till the first pressure shall +call for an order in council. Does any one in his senses believe that +any Minister could abide by a fixed duty with corn at the price of +70s., with a starving, and therefore an agitating and rebellious +population? A fixed duty, under all times and circumstances, is a +glaring impossibility; and, besides, is it not certain that the period +for the issue of an order in council will be a grand object of +speculation to the corn importer; and that he will hoard, and create +distress, merely to force out that order? And the issuing of that +order would depend entirely on the strength or the necessity of the +Minister: on his "Squeezableness"--his anxiety for popularity. Does +the experience of the last ten years justify the country in placing +confidence, on such a point, in a _Whig_ Ministry? In every point of +view, the project of a fixed duty is exposed to insuperable +objections. It is plain that on the very first instant of there being +a pressure upon the "fixed duty," it must give way, and for ever. Once +off, it is gone for ever; it can never be re-imposed. Again, what is +to govern the _amount_ at which it is to be fixed? Must it be the +additional burden on land? or the price at which foreign countries, +with their increased facilities of transport, and improved cultivation +of their soil, would be able to deliver it in the British markets? +What _data_ have we, in either case, on which to decide? Let it, +however, always be borne in mind, by those who are apt too easily to +entertain the question as to either a fixed duty, or a total repeal of +duty, that the advantages predicted by the respective advocates of +those measures are _mere assumptions_. We have no experience by which +to try the question. The doctrines of free trade are of very recent +growth; the _data_ on which its laws are founded are few, and also +uncertain. And does any one out of Bedlam imagine, that any Minister +of this country would consent to run such tremendous risks--to try +such experiments upon an article of such immense importance to its +well-being? Let us never lose sight of Lord Melbourne's memorable +words:--"Whether the object be to have a fixed duty, or an alteration +as to the ascending and descending scale, I see clearly and +distinctly, that the object will not be carried without a most violent +struggle--without causing much ill-blood, and a deep sense of +grievance--without stirring society to its foundation, and leaving +every sort of bitterness and animosity. I do not think the advantages +to be gained by the change are worth the evils of the struggle."[26] + + [26] Debates, 11th June 1840. + +To return, however. Under the joint operation of the three great +measures of the Government--the income-tax, the new tariff, and the +new corn-law, our domestic affairs exhibit, at this moment, such an +aspect of steadily returning prosperity, as not the most sanguine +person living could have imagined possible two years ago. For the +first time after a miserable interval, we behold our revenue exceeding +our expenditure; while every one feels satisfied of the fact, that our +finances are now placed upon a sound and solid basis, and daily +improving. Provisions are of unexampled cheapness, and the means of +obtaining them are--thank Almighty God!--gradually increasing among +the poorer classes. Trade and commerce are now, and have for the last +six months been steadily improving; and we perceive that a new era of +prosperity is beginning to dawn upon us. We have a strong and united +Government, evidently as firmly fixed in the confidence of the Queen +as in that of the country, and supported by a powerful majority in the +House of Commons--an annihilating one in the House of Lords. The reign +of order and tranquillity has been restored in Wales, and let us also +add, in Ireland, after an unexampled display of mingled determination +and forbearance on the part of the Government. Chartism is defunct, +notwithstanding the efforts made by its dishonoured and discomfited +leaders to revive it. When, in short, has Great Britain enjoyed a +state of more complete internal calm and repose than that which at +present exists, notwithstanding the systematic attempts made to +diffuse alarm and agitation? Do the public funds exhibit the slightest +symptoms of uneasiness or excitement? On the contrary, ever since the +accession of the present Government, there has been scarce any +variation in them, even when the disturbances in the manufacturing +districts in the north of England, and in Wales, and in Ireland, were +respectively at their height. Her Majesty moves calmly to and +fro--even quitting England--her Ministers enjoy their usual intervals +of relaxation and absence from town--all the movements of Government +go on like clockwork--no symptoms visible any where of feverish +uneasiness. But what say you, enquires a timid friend, or a bitter +opponent, to the Repeal agitation in Ireland, and the Anti-corn-law +agitation in England? Why, we say this--that we sincerely regret the +mischief which the one has done, and is doing, in Ireland, and the +other in England, among their ignorant and unthinking dupes; but with +no degree of alarm for the stability of the Government, or the +maintenance of public tranquillity and order. Ministers are perfectly +competent to deal with both the one and the other of these two +conspiracies, as the chief actors in the one have found already, and +those in the other will find, perhaps, by and by; if, indeed, they +should ever become important or successful enough to challenge the +notice and interference of the Government. A word, however, about +each, in its turn. + +The Anti-corn-law League has in view a two-fold object--the overthrow +of the present Ministry whom they abhor for their steadfast and +powerful support of the agricultural interest;--and the depression of +the wages of labour, to enable our manufacturers (of whom the league +almost exclusively consists) to compete with the manufacturers on the +Continent. Their engine for effecting their purposes, is the Repeal of +the corn-laws; and they are working it with such a desperate energy, +as satisfies any disinterested observer, that they themselves perceive +the task to be all but utterly hopeless. They were confounded by the +result of the general election, and dismayed at the accession to power +of men whom they knew to be thoroughly acquainted with their true +objects and intentions, and resolved to frustrate them, and able to +carry their resolutions into effect. The ominous words of Sir Robert +Peel--"I think that the connexion of the manufacturers in the north of +England with the joint-stock banks, gave an undue and improper impulse +to trade in that quarter of the country"--rang in their ears as a +knell; and told them that they were _found out_ by a firm and +sagacious Minister, whom, therefore, their sole object thenceforth +must be to overthrow _per fas aut nefas_. For this purpose they +adopted such an atrocious course of action, as instantly deprived them +of the countenance of all their own moderate and reasoning friends, +and earned for themselves the execration of the bulk of the +community:--they resolved to inflame the starving thousands in the +manufacturing districts into acts of outrage and rebellion. They felt +it necessary, in the language of Mr Grey, one of their own principal +men, in order "_to raise the stubborn enthusiasm of the people_," (!) +to resort to some desperate expedient--which was--immediately on Sir +Robert Peel's announcing his determination, early in 1842, to +preserve, but improve, the existing system of the corn-laws--to reduce +the wages of all their work-people to the amount of from ten to twenty +per cent. This move originated with the _Stockport_ manufacturers. We +have little doubt but it was the suggestion of Mr Cobden; and are +quite prepared for a similar move during the ensuing session of +Parliament. But was not--is not--this a species of moral arson? The +Government calmly carried their measure: the outbreak (which we firmly +believe to have been concerted by the Anti-corn-law League) in +Lancashire arrived, and was promptly and resolutely, but mercifully +repressed; and thus was extinguished the guilty hopes and expectations +of its contrivers; and Ministers were left stronger at the close of +the session than they had been at its commencement. They resolved to +open a new campaign against Ministers and the Corn-laws--greatly to +augment their numbers and pecuniary resources--to redouble their +exertions, and immensely to extend the sphere of their operations. +They _did_ augment their pecuniary resources, by large forced +contributions among the few persons most deeply interested in the +success of their schemes; namely, the Lancashire manufacturers--they +_did_ redouble their exertions--they _did_ extend the sphere of their +operations, spreading themselves over the whole length and breadth of +the land, even as did the plague of lice over Egypt. But did they +augment the number of their friends? Not a person of the least +political or personal importance could be prevailed upon to join their +discreditable ranks; it remained as before:--Cobden and Bright--Bright +and Cobden--Wilson, Bright, and Cobden--Milner Gibson, Fox, Bright and +Cobden--_ad nauseam usque_; but, like a band of travelling +incendiaries, they presented themselves with indefatigable energy in +places which had never known their presence before. And how comes it +to pass that they have not long since kindled at least the +manufacturing population into a blaze? Is it any fault of the +aforesaid incendiaries? No--but because there is too much intelligence +abroad, they could not do what they would--"_raise the stubborn +enthusiasm_" of the people. In one quarter they were suspected--in +another despised--in another hated; and it became a very general +impression that they were, in fact, a knot of double dealers, who +certainly contrived to make a great noise, and keep themselves +perpetually before the public; but as for getting the steam "up," in +the nation at large, they found it impossible. In truth, the +"Anti-corn-law League" would have long ago been dissolved amidst the +indifference or contempt of the public, but for the countenance they +received, from time to time, and on which they naturally calculated, +from the party of the late Ministers, whose miserable object was to +secure their own return to power by means of any agency that they +could press into their service. But, to return to our sketch of the +progress of the "League." Admitting that, by dint of very great and +incessant exertion, they kept their ground, they made little or no +progress among the mercantile part of the community; and they resolved +to try their fortune with the agricultural constituencies--to sow +dissension between the landlords and the tenants, the farmers and +their labourers, and combine as many of the disaffected as they could, +in support of the clamour for free trade. This was distinctly avowed +by Cobden, at a meeting of the Anti-corn-law deputies, in the +following very significant terms: "_We can never carry the measure +ourselves_: WE MUST HAVE THE AGRICULTURAL LABOURERS WITH US!!"[27] + + [27] League Circular, No. xxx. p. 3. + +They therefore proceeded to commence operations upon the agricultural +constituencies. They knew they could always reckon upon a share of +support wherever they went--it being hard to find any country without +its cluster of bitter and reckless opponents of a Conservative +government, who would willingly aid in any demonstration against it. +With such aid, and indefatigable efforts to collect a crowd of noisy +non-electors: with a judicious choice of localities, and profuse +bribery of the local Radical newspapers, in order to procure copious +accounts of their proceedings--they commenced their "grand series of +country triumphs!" Their own organs, from time to time, gave out that +in each and every county visited by the League, the _farmers_ attended +their meetings, and joined in a vote condemnatory of the corn-laws, +and pledged themselves to vote thereafter for none but the candidates +of the Anti-corn-law League! + +The following are specimens of the flattering appellations which had +till now been bestowed, by their new friends, upon these selfsame +farmers--"_Bull-frogs!"_ "_chaw-bacons!" _"_clod-poles!_" +"_hair-bucks!_" "_deluded slaves!_" "_brute drudges!_"[28] Now, +however, they and their labourers were addressed in terms of +respectful sympathy and flattery, as the victims of the rapacity of +their landlords--on whom were poured the full phials of Anti-corn-law +wrath. The following are some of the scalding drops let fall upon +their devoted heads--_"Monster of impiety!" "inhuman fiend!" +"heartless brutes!" "rapacious harpies!" "relentless demons!" +"plunderers of the people!" "merciless footpads!" "murderers!" +"swindlers!" "insatiable!" "insolent!" "flesh-mongering!" "scoundrel!" +"law-making landlords!" "a bread-taxing oligarchy!"_[29] Need we say +that the authors of these very choice and elegant expressions were +treated with utter contempt by both landlords and tenants--always +making the few allowances above referred to? Was it very likely that +the landlord or the farmer should quit their honourable and important +avocations at the bidding of such creatures as had thus intruded +themselves into their counties? should consent to be yoked to the car, +or to follow in the train of these enlightened, disinterested, and +philanthropic cotton-spinners and calico-printers? Absurd! It became, +in fact, daily more obvious to even the most unreflecting, that these +worthies were not likely to be engaged in their "labours of _love_;" +were not _exactly_ the kind of persons to desert their own businesses, +to attend out of pure benevolence that of others--to let succumb their +own interest to promote those of others; to subscribe out of the gains +which they had wrung from their unhappy factory slaves, their L.10, +L.20, L.30, L.50, L.100, out of mere public spirit and philanthropy. + + [28] League Circular, No. 10. + + [29] Ibid. Nos. 26, 29, 44, 50, 71, 83, 94, 99, 100. + +Still, we say, the whole thing was really a failure--the "steam," even +yet, could not be "got up," in spite of all their multiplied agencies +and machinery, incessantly at work--the unprecedented personal +exertions of the members of the league--the large pecuniary sacrifices +of the Lancashire subscribers to its funds. One more desperate +exertion was therefore felt necessary--and they resolved to attempt +getting up a _sensation_, by the sudden subscription of splendid sums +of money, by way of starting a vast fund, with which to operate +directly upon the entire electoral body--in what way, it is not very +difficult to guess. Accordingly, they began--but where? At the old +place--Manchester!--Manchester!--_Manchester!_ Many thousands were +subscribed at an hour's notice by a mere handful of manufacturers; the +news came up to London--and the editor of the _Times_, in a transient +fit of excitement, pronounced "the existence of the League" to be a +GREAT FACT. Upon this phrase they have lived ever since--till somewhat +roughly reminded the other day, by Mr Baring, that "great _facts_" are +very "_great follies!_" Now let us once more ask the question--would +all these desperate and long-continued exertions and sacrifices--(all +proceeding, be it ever observed, from _one_ quarter, and from the same +class of people--nay, the same individuals of that class)--be +requisite, were there any _real movement of the public mind and +feeling_ against the Corn-laws? Are they not requisite solely because +of the _absence_ of any such movement? Nay, are they not evidence that +the public feeling and opinion are against them? And that, perhaps, +they will by and by succeed in rousing the "stubborn enthusiasm of the +people" against themselves? Where has there been called one single +spontaneous public meeting of any importance, and where exhibited a +spark of enthusiasm, for the total repeal of the Corn-laws? Surely the +_topic_ is capable of being handled in a sufficiently exciting manner! +But no; wherever a "meeting," or "demonstration," is heard of--there, +also, are the eternal Cobden, Bright and Wilson, and their miserable +fellow-agitators, who alone have got up--who alone harangue the +meetings. Was it so with Catholic Emancipation?--with the abolition of +Negro Slavery?--with the Reform Bill? Right or wrong, the public +feeling was then roused, and exhibited itself unequivocally, +powerfully, and spontaneously; but _here_--bah! common sense revolts +at the absurd supposition that even hundreds of thousands of pounds +can of themselves get up a real demonstration of public feeling in +favour of the object, for which so much Manchester money has been +already subscribed. + + "'Tis not in _thousands_ to command success." + +If the public opinion of this great country--this great enlightened +nation--were _really_ roused against the Corn-laws, they would +disappear like snow under sunshine. But, as the matter _now_ stands, +if their dreary drivellers Cobden, Bright, Wilson, Acland, W.J. Fox, +were withdrawn from the public scene in which they are so anxious to +figure, and sent to enjoy the healthy exercise of the tread-mill for +one single three months, would this eternal "_brutum fulmen_" about +the repeal of the Corn-laws be heard of any more? We verily believe +not. "But look at our triumphs!"--quoth Cobden--"Look at our glorious +victories at Durham, London, and Kendal!--our virtual victory at +Salisbury!" Moonshine, gentlemen, and you know it;--and that you have +spent your money in vain. Let us see how the matter stands. + + +I. _Durham_. True, Mr Bright was returned; but to what is the House of +Commons indebted for the acquisition of that distinguished senator, +except the personal pique and caprice of that eccentric Tory peer, +Lord Londonderry? This is notorious, and admitted by all parties; and +these causes will not be in operation at another election. + + +II. _London_. And do you really call this a "great triumph?" +Undoubtedly Mr Pattison was returned; but is it a matter of +congratulation that this notorious political nonentity, who openly, we +understand, entertains and will support _Chartist_ opinions, is +returned instead of such a man as Mr Baring? What was the majority of +Mr Pattison? One hundred and sixty-five, out of twelve thousand eight +hundred and eighty-nine who actually voted. And how was even that +majority secured? By the notorious absence from London--as is always +the case at that period of the year (21st October 1843)--of vast +numbers of the stanchest Conservative electors. There is no doubt +whatever, that had the election happened one fortnight later than it +did, Mr Baring would have been returned by a large majority, in spite +of the desperate exertions of the Anti-corn-law League and Mr +Rothschild and the Jews. As it was, Mr Baring polled more (6367) than +had ever been polled by a Conservative candidate for London before; +and had an immense majority over his competitor, among the superior +classes of the constituency.[30] At another election, we can +confidently predict that Mr Baring will be returned, and by a large +majority, unless, indeed, the Charter should be the law of the land; +in which case Mr Pattison will probably enjoy another ovation. + + [30] Among the _Livery_, the numbers were--Baring, 3196; + Pattison, 2367;--majority for Baring, 889! + + Among the _Templars_--Baring, 258; Pattison, 78!!--majority + for Baring, 180! + + +III. _Kendal_. Is this, too, a victory? "Another such, and you are +undone." Why? Till Mr Bentinck presented himself before that +enlightened little constituency, no Conservative dared even to offer +himself; 'twas a snug little stronghold of the Anti-corn-law League +interest, and yet the gallant Conservative gave battle against the +whole force of the League; and after a mortal struggle of some +fourteen days, was defeated by a far smaller majority than either +friends or enemies had expected, and has pledged himself to fight the +battle again. Here, then, the League and their stanch friends have +sustained an unexpected and serious shock. + + +IV. _Salisbury_.--We have not the least desire to magnify this into a +mighty victory for the Conservative party; but the interference of +the Anti-corn-law League certainly made the struggle a very critical +and important one. We expected to succeed, but not by a large +majority; for ever since 1832, the representation had (till within the +last year) been divided between a Conservative and a Liberal. However, +the Anti-corn-law League, flushed with their "triumphs" at London and +Kendal, flung all their forces ostentatiously into the borough, and +exhibited a disgusting and alarming specimen of the sort of +interference which it seems we are to expect in all future elections, +in all counties and boroughs. It was, however, in vain; the ambitious +young gentleman who had the benefit of their services, and who is a +law-student in London, but the son of the great Earl of Radnor, lost +his election by a large majority, and the discomfited League retired +ridiculously to Manchester. When we heard of their meditated descent +upon Salisbury, we fancied we saw Cobden and his companions waddling +back, geese-like, and exclaimed-- + + "Geese! if we had you but on Sarum plain, + We'd drive you cackling back to Camelot!" + +So much for the boasted electoral triumphs of the Anti-corn-law +League--we repeat, that they are all mere moonshine, and challenge +them to disprove our assertion. + +They are now making another desperate effort to raise a further sum of +a hundred thousand pounds; and beginning, as usual, at Manchester, +have raised there alone, within a few days' time, upwards of L.20,000! +The fact (if _true_) is at once ludicrous and disgusting: ludicrous +for its transparency of humbug--disgusting for its palpable +selfishness. Will these proverbially hard-hearted men put down their +L.100, L.200, L.300, L.400, L.500, for nothing? Alas, the great sums +they have expended in this crusade against the Corn-laws, will have to +be wrung out of their wretched and exhausted factory slaves! For how +otherwise but by diminishing wages can they repay themselves for lost +time, for trouble, and for expense? + +Looked at in its proper light, the Corn-law League is nothing but _an +abominable conspiracy against labour_. Cheap _bread_ means cheap +_labour_; those who cannot see this, must be blind indeed! The +melancholy fact of the continually-decreasing price of labour in this +country, rests on undisputable authority--on, amongst others, that of +Mr Fielding. In 1825, the price of labour was 51 per cent less than in +1815; in 1830 it was 65 per cent less than in 1815, though the +consumption of cotton had increased from 80,000,000 lbs. to +240,000,000 lbs.! In 1835 it was 318,000,000 lbs., but the operative +received 70 per cent less than in 1815. In 1840 the consumption of +cotton was 415,000,000 lbs., and the unhappy operative received 75 per +cent less than in 1815! + +If proofs be required to show that in reality the deadly snake, _cheap +labour_, lurks among the flourishing grass, _cheap bread_, we will +select one or two out of very many now lying before us, and prepared +to be presented to the reader. + +"If grain be high," said Mr Ricardo, in the House of Commons,[31] "the +price of labour would necessarily be a deduction from the _profits of +stock_." "The Corn-laws raise the price of sustenance--that has +_raised the price of labour_; which, of course, diminishes the profit +in capital."[32] + + [31] Debates, May 30, 1820. + + [32] Ib. Dec. 24, 1819. + +"Until the price of food in this country," said Mr Hume, in the House +of Commons on the 12th of May last, in the presence of all the leading +free-trade members, "is placed on a level with that on the Continent, +it will be impossible for us to compete with the growing manufactures +of Belgium, Germany, France, and America!!" + +Hear a member of the League, and of the Manchester Chamber of +Commerce, Mr G. Sandars:-- + + "If three loaves instead of two could be got for 2s., in + consequence of a repeal of the Corn-laws, another consequence + would be, that the workman's 2s. would be reduced to 1s. 4d., + which would leave matters, as far as he was concerned, just + as they were!!"[33] + + [33] Authentic Discussions on the Corn-law, (Ridgway, 1839,) + p. 86. + +Hear a straightforward manufacturer--Mr Muntz, M.P.--in the debate on +the 17th May last:-- + + "If the Corn-laws were repealed, the benefit which the + manufacturer expected was, that he could produce at a lower + price; and this he could do only by reducing wages to the + continental level!!" + +If the above fail to open the eyes of the duped workmen of this +country, what will succeed in doing so? Let us conclude this portion +of our subject--disgusting enough, but necessary to expose +imposture--with the following tabular view, &c., of the gross +contradiction of the men, whom we wish to hold up to universal and +deserved contempt, on even the most vital points of the controversy in +which they are engaged; and then let our readers say whether any thing +proceeding from such a quarter is worthy of notice:-- + + * * * * * + + +The _League Oracle_ says-- + + +1. "If we have free trade, the landlords' rents will fall 100 per +cent."--(_League Circular_, No. 15. p. 3.) + +2. "Provisions will fall one-third."--(Ib. No. 34, p. 4.) + +"The Corn-laws makes the labourer pay double the price for his +food."--(Ib. No. 15.) + +3. "The Corn-law compels us to pay _three times the value for a loaf +of bread_."--(Ib. No. 13.) + +"If the Corn-laws were abolished, the working man WOULD SAVE 31/2d. UPON +EVERY LOAF OF BREAD."--(Ib. No. 75.) + +"As a consequence of the repeal of the Corn-laws, _we promise cheaper +food_, and our hand-loom weavers would get _double_ the rate of +wages!"--(Ib. No. 7.) + +"We shall have _cheap bread_, and its price will be reduced 33 per +cent."--(Ib. No. 34.) + +4. Messrs Villiers, Muntz, Hume, Roche, Thornton, Rawson, Sandars, +(all Leaguers,) say, and the oracle of the _League_ itself has said, +that "We want free trade, to enable us to _reduce wages_, that we may +compete with foreigners."--(_Post_, pp. 13-16.) + +5. The _League Oracle_ admits that "a repeal would _injure_ the +farmer, but not so much as he fears."--(_League Circular_, No. 58.) + + +Mr Cobden says-- + + +1. "If we have free trade, the landlords will have as good rents as +now."--(Speech in the House of Commons, 15th May last.) + +2. "Provisions will be no cheaper."--(Speech at Bedford, _Hertford +Reformer_, 10th June last.) + +3. "THE ARGUMENT FOR CHEAP BREAD WAS NEVER MINE."--(_Morning +Chronicle_, 30th June 1843, Speech on Penenden Heath.) + +"THE IDEA OF LOW-PRICED FOREIGN CORN IS ALL A DELUSION."--SPEECH AT +Winchester, _Salisbury Herald_, July 29, 1843, p. 3. + +4. Messrs Cobden, Bright, and Moore, now affirm--"It is a base +falsehood to say we want free trade, to enable us to reduce the rate +of wages."--(Mr Cobden on Penenden Heath. Messrs Bright and Moore at +Huntingdon.) + +5. Cobden, Moore, and Bright, say, that it is to the _interest_ of the +farmer to have a total and _immediate_ repeal.--(Uxbridge, Bedford, +Huntingdon.[34]) + + [34] Extracted from a very admirable speech by Mr Day of + Huntingdon, (Ollivier, 1843,) and which we earnestly recommend + for perusal. + + * * * * * + +The disgusting selfishness and hypocrisy of such men as Cobden and his +companions, in veiling their real objects under a pretended enmity to +"Monopoly" and "Class Legislation"--and disinterested anxiety to +procure for the poor the blessings of "cheap bread"--fills us with a +just indignation; and we never see an account of their hebdomadal +proceedings, but we exclaim, in the language of our immortal bard-- + + "Oh, Heaven! that such impostors thoud'st unfold, + And put in every honest hand a whip, + To lash the rascals naked through the land!" + +While we repeat our deliberate opinion, that the Anti-corn-law League, +as a body, is, in respect of actual present influence, infinitely less +formidable than the vanity and selfish purposes of its members would +lead them to wish the country to believe--we must add, that it is +quite another question how long it will continue so. It may soon be +converted--if indeed it has not already been secretly converted, into +an engine of tremendous mischief, for other purposes than any ever +contemplated by its originators. Suppose, in the next session of +parliament, Ministers were to offer a law-fixed duty on corn: would +that concession dissolve the League? Absurd--they have long ago +scouted the idea of so ridiculous a compromise. Suppose they effected +their avowed object of a total repeal of the Corn-laws--is any one +weak enough to imagine that they would _then_ dissolve? No--nor do +they _now_ dream of such a thing; but are at the present moment, as we +are informed, "_fraternizing_" with other political societies of a +very dangerous character, and on the eve of originating serious and +revolutionary movements. Their present organization is precisely that +of the French Jacobins; their plan of operation the same. Let any one +turn to _The League Circular_ of the 18th November, and he will see +announced a plan of action on the part of this Association, precisely +analagous, in all its leading features, to that of the French +Jacobins: and we would call the attention of the legislature to the +question, whether the Anti-corn-law League, in its most recent form of +organization and plan of action, be not clearly within the provisions +of statutes 57 Geo. III., c. 19, § 25 and 39; Geo. III., c. 79? What +steps, if any, the legislature may take, is one thing; it is quite +another, what course shall be adopted by the friends of the +Conservative cause--the supporters of the British constitution. It is +impossible to assign limits to the mischief which may be effected by +the indefatigable and systematic exertions of the League to diffuse +pernicious misrepresentations, and artful and popular fallacies, among +all classes of society. That they entertain a fearfully envenomed +hatred of the agricultural interest, is clear; and their evident +object is to render the landed proprietors of this country objects of +fierce hatred to the inferior orders of the community. "If a man tells +me his story every morning of my life, by the year's end he will be my +master," said Burke, "and I shall believe him, however untrue and +improbable his story may be;" and if, whilst the Anti-corn-law League +can display such perseverance, determination, and system, its +opponents obstinately remain supine and silent, can any one wonder if +such progress be not made by the League, in their demoralizing and +revolutionary enterprize, that it will soon be too late to attempt +even to arrest? + +If this Journal has earned, during a quarter of a century's career of +unwavering consistency and independence, any title to the respect of +the Conservative party, we desire now to rely upon that title for the +purpose of adding weight to our solemn protest against the want of +union and energy--against the apathy, from whatever cause arising--now +but too visible. In vain do we and others exert ourselves to the +uttermost to diffuse sound political principles by means of the press; +in vain do the distinguished leaders of our party fight the battles of +the constitution with consummate skill and energy in parliament--if +their exertions be not supported by corresponding energy and activity +on the part of the Conservative constituencies, and those persons of +talent and influence professing the same principles, by whom they can, +and ought to be, easily set in motion. It is true that persons of +liberal education, of a high and generous tone of feeling, of +intellectual refinement, are entitled to treat such men as Cobden, +Bright, and Acland, with profound contempt, and dislike the notion of +personal contact or collision with them, as representatives of the +foulest state of ill feeling that can be generated in the worst +manufacturing regions--of sordid avarice, selfishness, envy, and +malignity; but they are active--ever up and doing, and steadily +applying themselves, with palatable topics, to the corruption of the +hearts of the working classes. So, unless the persons to whom we +allude choose to cast aside their morbid aversions--to be "UP AND AT +them," in the language of the Duke of Waterloo--why then will be +verified the observation of Burke--that "if, when bad men combine, the +good do not associate, they will fall, one by one--an unpitied +sacrifice in a contemptible struggle." Vast as are our forces, they +can effect comparatively nothing without union, energy, and system: +_with_ these, their power is tremendous and irresistible. What we +would say, therefore, is--ORGANIZE! ORGANIZE! ORGANIZE! Let every +existing Conservative club or association be stirred up into increased +action, and _put into real working trim_ forthwith; and where none +such clubs or associations exist, let them be immediately formed, and +set into cheerful and spirited motion. Let them all be placed under +the vigilant superintendence of one or two _real men of business_--of +local knowledge, of ability, and influence. We would point out +Conservative solicitors as auxiliaries of infinite value to those +engaged in the good cause; men of high character, of business habits, +extensive acquaintance with the character and circumstances of the +electors--and capable of bringing legitimate influence to bear upon +them in a far more direct and effective manner than any other class of +persons. One such gentleman--say a young and active solicitor, with a +moderate salary, as permanent secretary in order to secure and, in +some measure, requite his services throughout the year--would be worth +fifty _dilletante_ "friends of the good cause dropping in every now +and then," but whose "friendship" evaporates in mere _talk_. Let every +local Conservative newspaper receive constant and substantial +patronage; for they are worthy of the very highest consideration, on +account of the ability with which they are generally conducted, and +their great influence upon local society. Many of them, to our own +knowledge, display a degree of talent and knowledge which would do +honour to the very highest metropolitan journals. Let them, then, be +vigorously supported, their circulation extended through the influence +of the resident nobility and gentry, and the clergy of every +particular district throughout the kingdom. Let no opportunity be +missed of exposing the true character of the vile and selfish +agitators of the Anti-corn-law league. Let not the league have all the +"publishing" to themselves; but let their impudent fallacies and +falsehoods be _instantly_ encountered and exposed on the spot, by +means of small and cheap tracts and pamphlets, which shall bring +plain, wholesome, and important truths home to the businesses and +bosoms of the very humblest in the land. Again, let the resident +gentry seek frequent opportunities of mingling with their humbler +neighbours, friends, and dependents, by way of keeping up a cordial +and hearty good understanding with them, so as to rely upon their +effective co-operation whenever occasions may arise for political +action. + +Let all this be done, and we may defy a hundred Anti-corn-law Leagues. +Let these objects be kept constantly in view, and the Anti-corn-law +League will be utterly palsied, had it a hundred times its present +funds--a thousand times its present members! + +Let us now, however, turn for a brief space to Ireland; the present +condition of which we contemplate with profound concern and anxiety, +but with neither surprise nor dismay. As far as regards the +Government, the state of affairs in Ireland bears at this moment +unquestionable testimony to the stability and strength of the +Government; and no one know this better than the gigantic impostor, to +whom so much of the misery of that afflicted portion of the empire is +owing. He perceives, with inexpressible mortification, that neither he +nor his present position awake any sympathy or excitement whatever in +the kingdom at large, where the enormity of his misconduct is fully +appreciated, and every movement of the Government against him +sanctioned by public opinion. The general feeling is one of profound +disgust towards him, sympathy and commiseration for his long-plundered +dupes and of perfect confidence that the Government will deal firmly +and wisely with both. As for a _Repeal of the Union_! Pshaw! Every +child knows that it is a notion too absurd to be seriously dealt with; +that Great Britain would rather plunge _instanter_ into the bloodiest +civil war that ever desolated a country, than submit to the +dismemberment of the empire by repealing the union between Great +Britain and Ireland. This opinion has had, from time to time, every +possible mode of authentic and solemn expression that can be given to +the national will; in speeches from the Throne; in Parliamentary +declarations by the leaders of both the Whig and Conservative +Governments; the members of both Houses of Parliament are (with not a +single exception worth noticing) unanimous upon the subject; the +press, whether quarterly, monthly, weekly, or daily, of all classes +and shades of political opinions, is unanimous upon the subject; in +society, whether high or low, the subject is never broached, except to +enquire whether any one can, for one moment, seriously believe the +Repeal of the Union to be possible. In Ireland itself, the vast +majority of the intellect, wealth, and respectability of the island, +without distinction of religion or politics, entertains the same +opinion and determination which prevail in Great Britain. Is Mr +O'Connell ignorant of all this? He knows it as certainly as he knows +that Queen Victoria occupies the throne of these realms; and yet, down +to his very last appearance in public, he has solemnly and +perseveringly asseverated that the Repeal of the Union is an +absolutely certain and inevitable event, and one that will happen +within a few months! _Is he in his senses?_ If so, he is speaking from +his knowledge of some vast and dreadful conspiracy, which he has +organized himself, which has hitherto escaped detection. The idea is +too monstrous to be entertained for a moment. What, then, can Mr +O'Connell be about? Our opinion is, that his sole object in setting on +foot the Repeal agitation, was to increase his pecuniary resources, +and at the same time overthrow Sir Robert Peel's Government, by +showing the Queen and the nation that his admitted "_chief_ +difficulty"--Ireland--was one _insuperable_; and that he must +consequently retire. We believe, moreover, that he is, to a certain +extent, acting upon a secret understanding with the party of the late +Government, who, however, never contemplated matters being carried to +their present pitch; but that the Ministry would long ago have +retired, terrified before the tremendous "demonstration" in Ireland. +We feel as certain as if it were a past event, that, had the desperate +experiment succeeded so far as to replace the present by the late +Government, Mr O'Connell's intention was to have announced his +determination to "_give England_ ONE MORE trial"--to place Repeal once +more in abeyance--in order to see whether England would really, at +length, do "_justice_ to _Ireland_;" in other words, restore the +halcyon days of Lord Normanby's nominal, and Mr O'Connell's real, rule +in Ireland, and enable him, by these means, to provide for himself, +his family, and dependents; for old age is creeping rapidly upon +him--his physical powers are no longer equal to the task of vigorous +agitation--and he is known to be in utterly desperate circumstances. +The reckless character of his proceedings during the last fifteen +months, is, in our opinion, fully accounted for, by his unexpected +discovery, that the ministry were strong enough to defy any thing that +he could do, and to continue calmly in their course of administering, +not _pseudo_, but real "justice to Ireland," supported in that course +by the manifest favour and countenance of the Crown, overwhelming +majorities in Parliament, and the decided and unequivocal expression +of public opinion. His personal position was, in truth, inexpressibly +galling and most critical, and he must have agitated, or sunk at once +into ignominious obscurity and submission to a Government whom, +individually and collectively, he loathed and abhorred. Vain were the +hopes which, doubtless, he had entertained, that, as his agitation +assumed a bolder form, it would provoke formidable demonstrations in +England against Ministers and their policy; not a meeting could be got +up to petition her Majesty for the dismissal of her Ministers! But it +is quite conceivable that Mr O'Connell, in the course he was pursuing, +forgot to consider the possibility of developing a power which might +be too great for him, which would not be wielded by him, but carry +_him_ along with _it_. The following remarkable expressions fell from +the perplexed and terrified agitator, at a great dinner at Lismore in +the county of Waterford, in the month of September last:--"Like the +heavy school-boy on the ice, _my pupils are overtaking me_. It is now +my duty to regulate the vigour and temper the energy of the people--to +compress, as it were, the exuberance of both." + +We said that Mr O'Connell revived the Repeal agitation; and the fact +was so. He first raised it in 1829--having, however, at various +previous periods of his life, professed a desire to struggle for +Repeal; but Mr Shiel, in his examination before the House of Commons +in 1825, characterized such allusions as mere "rhetorical artifices." +"What were his real motives," observes the able and impartial author +of _Ireland and its Rulers_[35], "when he announced his new agitation +in 1829, can be left only to him to determine." It is probable that +they were of so mixed a nature, that he himself could not accurately +define them.... It is, however, quite possible, that, after having so +long tasted of the luxuries of popularity, he could not consent that +the chalice should pass from his lips. Agitation had, perhaps, begun +to be necessary to his existence: a tranquil life would have been a +hell to him." It would seem that Mr O'Connell's earliest recorded +manifesto on Repeal was on the 3d June 1829, previous to the Clare +election, on which occasion he said--"We want political excitement, in +order that we may insist on our rights as Irishmen, but not as +Catholics;" and on the 20th of the same month in the same year, 1829, +he predicted--listen to this, ye his infatuated dupes!--"_that_ BEFORE +THREE YEARS THERE WOULD BE A PARLIAMENT IN DUBLIN!!!" In the general +elections of 1832, it was proclaimed by Mr O'Connell, that no member +should be returned unless he solemnly pledged himself to vote for the +Repeal of the Union; but it was at the same time hinted, that _if they +would only enter the House as professed Repealers, they would never be +required to_ VOTE _for Repeal_. On the hustings at the county of +Waterford election, one of these gentry, Sir Richard Keave, on being +closely questioned concerning the real nature of his opinion on +Repeal, let out the whole truth:--"_I will hold it as an imposing +weapon to get justice to Ireland_." This has held true ever since, and +completely exemplifies all the intervening operations of Mr O'Connell. +It has been his practice ever since "to connect every grievance with +the subject of Repeal--to convert every wrongful act of any Government +into an argument for the necessity of an Irish Legislature." Can it be +wondered at that the present Government, thoroughly aware of the true +state of the case--_knowing their man_--should regard the cry for +Repeal simply as an imposture, its utterers as impostors? They did and +do so regard it and its utterers--never allowing either the one or the +other to disturb their administration of affairs with impartiality and +firmness; but, nevertheless, keeping a most watchful eye upon all their +movements. + + [35] pp. 43, 50. + +At length, whether emboldened by a conviction that the +non-interference of the Government was occasioned solely by their +incapacity to grapple with an agitation becoming hourly more +formidable, and that thus his schemes were succeeding--or impelled +onwards by those whom he had roused into action, but could no longer +restrain--his movements became daily characterized by more astounding +audacity--more vivid the glare of sedition, and even treason, which +surrounded them: still the Government interfered not. Their apparent +inaction most wondered, very many murmured, some were alarmed, and Mr +O'Connell laughed at. Sir Robert Peel, on one occasion, when his +attention was challenged to the subject in the House of Commons, +replied, that "he was not in the least degree moved or disturbed by +what was passing in Ireland." This perfect calmness of the Government +served to check the rising of any alarm in the country; which felt a +confidence of the Ministry's being equal to any exigency that could be +contemplated. Thus stood matters till the 11th July last, when, at the +close of the debate on the state of Ireland, Sir Robert Peel delivered +a very remarkable speech. It consisted of a calm demonstration of the +falsehood of all the charges brought by the Repealers against the +imperial Parliament; of the impolicy and the impracticability of the +various schemes for the relief of Ireland proposed by the Opposition; +of the absolute impossibility of Parliament entertaining the question +of a Repeal of the Union; and a distinct answer to the question--"What +course do you intend to pursue?" That answer is worthy of being +distinctly brought under the notice of the reader. "I am prepared to +administer the law in Ireland upon principles of justice and +impartiality. I am prepared to recognise the principle established by +law--that there shall be equality in civil privileges. I am prepared +to respect the franchise, to give substantially, although not +nominally, equality. In respect to the social condition of +Ireland--_as to the relation of landlord and tenant_[36]--I am +prepared to give the most deliberate consideration to the important +matters involved in those questions. With respect to the Established +Church, I have already stated that we are not prepared to make an +alteration in the law by which that Church is maintained." + + [36] In conformity with this declaration, has been issued the + recent commission, for "enquiring into the state of the law + and practice in respect to the occupation of land in Ireland, + and in respect also to the burdens of county cess and other + charges, which fall respectively on the landlord and occupying + tenant, and for reporting as to the amendments, if any, of the + existing laws, which, having due regard to the just rights of + property, may be calculated to encourage the cultivation of + the soil, to extend a better system of agriculture, and to + improve the relation between landlord and tenant, in that part + of the United Kingdom." + +We recollect being greatly struck with the ominous calmness +perceptible in the tone of this speech. It seemed characterised by a +solemn declaration to place the agitation of Ireland for ever in the +_wrong_--to deprive them of all pretence for accusing England of +having misgoverned Ireland since the Union. It appeared to us as if +that speech had been designed to lay the basis of a contemplated +movement against the agitation of the most decisive kind. The +Government acted up to the spirit of the declaration, on that +occasion, of Sir Robert Peel, with perfect dignity and resolution, +unmoved by the taunts, the threats, the expostulations, or fears of +either enemies or friends. Mr O'Connell's tone increased in audacity; +but we greatly doubt whether in his heart he had not frequent +misgivings as to the real nature of the "_frightful silence_"--"_cette +affreuse silence_"--of a Government in whose councils the Duke of +Wellington took a decided part, and which was actually at that moment +taking complete military occupation of Ireland. On what information +they were acting, no one knew; but their preparations were _for the +worst_. During all this time nothing could exceed the tranquillity +which prevailed in England. None of these threatening appearances, +these tremendous preparations, caused the least excitement or alarm; +the funds did not vary a farthing per cent in consequence of them; and +to what could all this be ascribed but to the strength of public +confidence in the Government? At length the harvest in Ireland had +been got in; ships of war surrounded the coast; thirty thousand picked +and chosen troops, ready for instant action, were disposed in the most +masterly manner all over Ireland. With an almost insane audacity, Mr +O'Connell appointed his crowning monster meeting to take place at +Clontarf, in the immediate vicinity of the residence and presence of +the Queen's representative, and of such a military force as rendered +the bare possibility of encountering it appalling. The critical +moment, however, for the interference of Government had at length +arrived, and it spoke out in a voice of thunder, prohibiting the +monster meeting. The rest is matter of history. The monster demagogue +fell prostrate and confounded among his panic-stricken confederates; +and, in an agony of consternation, declared their implicit obedience +to the proclamation, and set about dispersing the myriad dupes, as +fast as they arrived to attend the prohibited meeting. Thus was the +Queen's peace preserved, her crown and dignity vindicated, without one +sword being drawn or one shot being fired. Mr O'Connell had repeatedly +"defied the Government to go to law with him." They _have_ gone to law +with him; and by this time we suspect that he finds himself in an +infinitely more serious position than he has ever been in, during the +whole of a long and prosperous career of agitation. Here, however, we +leave him and his fellow defendants. + +We may, however, take this opportunity of expressing our opinion, that +there is not a shadow of foundation for the charges of blundering and +incompetency which have been so liberally brought against the Irish +Attorney-General. He certainly appears, in the earlier stages of the +proceedings, to have evinced some little irritability--but, only +consider, under what unprecedented provocation! His conduct has since, +however, been characterised by calmness and dignity; and as for his +legal capabilities, all competent judges who have attended to the +case, will pronounce them to be first-rate; and we feel perfectly +confident that his future conduct of the proceedings will convince the +public of the justness of our eulogium. + +The selection by the Government of the moment for interference with Mr +O'Connell's proceedings, was unquestionably characterised by +consummate prudence. When the meetings commenced in March or April, +this year, they had nothing of outward character which could well be +noticed. They professed to be meetings to petition Parliament for +Repeal; and, undoubtedly, no lawyer could say that such a meeting +would _per se_ be illegal, any more than a meeting to complain of +Catholic relief, or to pray for its repeal--or for any other matter +which is considered a settled part of the established constitution. +The mere numbers were certainly alarming, but the meetings quietly +dispersed without any breach of the peace: and after two or three such +meetings, without any disturbance attending them, no one could with +truth swear that he expected a breach of the peace as a _direct_ +consequence of such a meeting, though many thought they saw a civil +war as a _remote_ consequence. The meetings went on: some ten, twelve, +fifteen occurred,--still no breach of the peace, no disturbance. The +language, indeed, became gradually more seditious--more daring and +ferocious: but, as an attempt to put down the first meeting by _force_ +would have been considered a wanton act of oppression, and a direct +interference with the subject's right to petition, it became a very +difficult _practical_ question, at what moment any _legal_ notice +could be taken by prosecution, or _executive_ notice by proclamation, +to put down such meetings. Notwithstanding several confident opinions +to the contrary advanced by the newspaper press at the time, a greater +mistake--indeed a grosser blunder--could not have been made, than to +have prosecuted those who attended the early meetings, or to have sent +the police or the military to put those meetings down. An acquittal in +the one case, or a conflict in the other, would have been attended +with most mischievous consequences; and, as to the latter, it is clear +that the executive never ought to interfere unless with a _force which +renders all resistance useless_. It appears perfectly clear to us, +_even now_, that a prosecution for the earlier meetings must have +failed; for there existed then none of that evidence which would prove +the object and the nature of the association: and to proclaim a +meeting, without using force to prevent or disperse it if it defied +the proclamation; and to use force without being certain that the +extent of the illegality would carry public opinion along with the use +of force; further, to begin to use force without being sure that you +have enough to use--would be acts of madness, and, at least, of great +and criminal disregard of consequences. Now, when meeting after +meeting had taken place, and the general design, and its mischief, +were unfolded, it became necessary that _some new feature should +occur_ to justify the interference of Government; and that occurred at +the Clontarf meeting. No meeting had, before that, ventured to call +itself "_Repeal infantry_;" and to Clontarf _horsemen_ also were +summoned, and were designated "_Repeal cavalry_;" and, in the orders +for their assembling, marching, and conducting themselves, _military +directions were given_; and the meeting, had it been permitted to +assemble, would have been a parade of cavalry, ready for civil war. It +would have been a sort of review--in the face of the city of Dublin, +in open defiance of all order and government. Let us add, that, just +at that time, Mr O'Connell had published his "Address to all her +Majesty's subjects, in all parts of her dominions," (a most libellous +and treasonable publication;) and the arrangements to secure the peace +were more complete, and could be brought to bear more easily, on the +Clontarf than on any of the preceding meetings. The occasion presented +itself, and as soon as possible the Irish authorities assembled at +Dublin; the proclamation appeared; the ground was pre-occupied, and a +force that was irresistible went out to keep the peace, and prevent +the meeting. The result showed the perfect success of the Government's +enterprise. + +As the foregoing topics will doubtless occupy much of the attention of +parliament during the ensuing session, we were anxious to place on +record our own opinions, as the result of much reflection, during a +period when events were transpiring which threw upon the Government an +awful responsibility, and rendered their course one of almost +unprecedented difficulty. Modern times, we are convinced, have +witnessed but few instances of such a masterly policy, combined with +signal self-reliance. + +One or two general topics connected with Ireland, we have time only to +glance at. First.--From the faint reluctant disavowal and +discouragement of Mr O'Connell and his Repeal agitation, by the +leading ex-Ministers during the last session, when emphatically +challenged by Sir Robert Peel to join him in denouncing the attempted +dismemberment of the empire, irrespective and independent of all party +consideration, we are prepared to expect that in the ensuing session, +the Opposition will, to a great extent, make common cause with Mr +O'Connell, out of mingled fear, and gratitude, and hope towards their +late friend and patron. Such a course will immensely strengthen the +hands of the Queen's Government. + +Secondly.--To any thoughtful and independent politician, the present +Sovereign state of Ireland demonstrates the utter impossibility of +governing it upon the principle of breaking down or disparaging the +Protestant interest. Such a course would tend only to bloody and +interminable anarchy. + +Thirdly.--Ireland's misery springs from social more than political +evils; and the greatest boon that Providence could give her, would be +a powerful government inflexibly resolved to _put down agitation_. + +Lastly.--Can we wonder at the exasperation of the peasantry, who have +for so many years had their money extorted from them, without ever +having had, up to this moment, the shadow of an equivalent? And how +long is this disgraceful pillage to go on? But we must conclude. The +ensuing session of parliament may, and probably will, be a stormy one, +and harassing to the Government; but they may prepare to encounter it +with cheerful confidence. Their measures, during their brief tenure of +office, have been attended with extraordinary success--and of that +both the sovereign and the country are thoroughly aware, and we +entertain high hopes concerning the future. We expect to see their +strong majority in the House of Commons rather augmented than +diminished by reason of the events which have happened during the +recess. If the Ministers remain firm in their determination--and who +doubts it?--to support the agricultural interests of the country, and +persevere in their present vigorous policy towards Ireland, the +Government is impregnable, and the surges of Repeal agitation in +Ireland, and Anti-corn-law agitation in England, will dash against it +in vain. So long as they pursue this course, they will be cheered by +augmented indications of the national good-will, and of that implicit +and affectionate confidence in their councils, which, we rejoice to +know, is vouchsafed to her Ministers by our gracious Sovereign. + + + + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. +CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. 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January-June 1844.</title> + + <style type="text/css"> + <!-- + body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + p {text-align: justify;} + blockquote {text-align: justify;} + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 {text-align: center;} + pre {font-size: 0.7em;} + + hr {text-align: center; width: 50%;} + html>body hr {margin-right: 25%; margin-left: 25%; width: 50%;} + hr.full {width: 100%;} + html>body hr.full {margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 0%; width: 100%;} + hr.short {text-align: center; width: 20%;} + html>body hr.short {margin-right: 40%; margin-left: 40%; width: 20%;} + + .note + {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: x-small;} + .center {text-align: center;} + .right {text-align: right; } + span.pagenum + {position: absolute; left: 1%; right: 91%; font-size: 10pt;} + + .poem + {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem p {margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem p.i2 {margin-left: 1em;} + .poem p.i4 {margin-left: 2em;} + .poem p.i6 {margin-left: 3em;} + .poem p.i8 {margin-left: 4em;} + .poem p.i10 {margin-left: 5em;} + + .figure, .figcenter, .figright, .figleft + {padding: 1em; margin: 0; text-align: center; font-size: 0.8em;} + .figure img, .figcenter img, .figright img, .figleft img + {border: none;} + .figure p, .figcenter p, .figright p, .figleft p + {margin: 0; text-indent: 1em;} + .figcenter {margin: auto;} + .figright {float: right;} + .figleft {float: left;} + + .footnote {font-size: x-small; margin-right: 10%; margin-left: 10%;} + + .side { float:right; + font-size: 75%; + width: 25%; + padding-left:10px; + border-left: dashed thin; + margin-left: 10px; + text-align: left; + text-indent: 0; + font-weight: bold; + font-style: italic;} + --> + </style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. +CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV., by Various + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV. + +Author: Various + +Release Date: August 27, 2004 [EBook #13306] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BLACKWOOD'S EDINBURGH *** + + + + +Produced by Jon Ingram, Victoria Woosley and PG Distributed +Proofreaders. Produced from page images provided by The Internet +Library of Early Journals. + + + + + + +</pre> + +<h1>BLACKWOOD'S</h1> + +<h1>Edinburgh</h1> + +<h1>MAGAZINE.</h1> + +<h1>VOL. LV.</h1> + +<h1>JANUARY-JUNE, 1844</h1>. + +<div class="figcenter" style="width:320;"><a href="images/title.png"><img width="320" src="images/title.png" alt="" /></a></div> + + +<h1>1844.</h1> + +<hr /> + +<h1>BLACKWOOD'S</h1> + +<h1>EDINBURGH MAGAZINE.</h1> + + +<hr /> + +<h3>No. CCCXXXIX. JANUARY, 1844. VOL. LV.</h3> + +<hr /> + + + +<h4>CONTENTS.</h4> + +<p class="note"> +STATE PROSECUTIONS, <a href="#page1"> 1</a><br /> +ADVENTURES IN TEXAS. NO. III. THE STRUGGLE, <a href="#page18"> 18</a><br /> +CLITOPHON AND LEUCIPPE, <a href="#page33"> 33</a><br /> +THE NEW ART OF PRINTING. BY A DESIGNING DEVIL, <a href="#page45"> 45</a><br /> +THE BANKING-HOUSE. PART THE LAST, <a href="#page50"> 50</a><br /> +KÍEFF, FROM THE RUSSIAN OF KOZLÓFF, <a href="#page80"> 80</a><br /> +MARSTON; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A STATESMAN. PART VII. <a href="#page81"> 81</a><br /> +LETTER FROM LEMUEL GULLIVER, <a href="#page98"> 98</a><br /> +THE PROCLAMATION, <a href="#page100"> 100</a><br /> +THE FIREMAN'S SONG, <a href="#page101"> 101</a><br /> +POSITION AND PROSPECTS OF THE GOVERNMENT, <a href="#page103"> 103</a><br /> +</p> + +<hr /> + +<div class="center">EDINBURGH:<br /> +<br /> +WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS, 45, GEORGE STREET;<br /> +AND 22, PALL-MALL, LONDON.<br /> +<br /> +To whom all Communications (post paid) must be addressed.<br /> +<br /> +SOLD BY ALL THE BOOKSELLERS THE UNITED KINGDOM.<br /> +<br /> + +<hr /> +<br /> +PRINTED BY BALLANTYNE AND HUGHES, EDINBURGH.<br /> +<br /> +<hr /> +</div> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page1" id="page1"></a>[pg 1]</span> + + + + + +<h1>BLACKWOOD'S</h1> + +<h1>EDINBURGH MAGAZINE.</h1> + +<hr /> + +<h3>No. CCCXXIX. JANUARY, 1844. VOL. LV.</h3> + +<hr /> + + + +<h2>STATE PROSECUTIONS.</h2> + + +<p>The Englishman who, however +well inclined to defer to the wisdom +"of former ages," should throw a +glance at the stern realities of the +past, as connected with the history of +his country, will be little disposed to +yield an implicit assent to the opinions +or assertions of those, who maintain +the superiority of the past, to the +disparagement and depreciation of the +present times. Maxims and sayings +of this tendency have undoubtedly +prevailed from periods of remote antiquity. +The wise monarch of the +Jewish nation even forbade his people +to ask "the cause that the former +days were better than these;" +"for," he adds, "thou dost not enquire +wisely concerning this." Far +different would be the modern precept +of a British monarch. Rather +let the English subject "enquire <i>diligently</i> +concerning this," for he cannot +fail to enquire wisely. Let him +enquire, and he will find that "the +former days" of England were days +of discord, tyranny, and oppression; +days when an Empson and a Dudley +could harass the honest and well-disposed, +through the medium of the +process of the odious star-chamber; +when the crown was possessed of almost +arbitrary power, and when the +liberty and personal independence of +individuals were in no way considered +or regarded; days when the severity +of our criminal laws drew down from +a French philosopher the sneer, that a +history of England was a history of +the executioner; when the doomed +were sent out of the world in bands of +twenty, and even thirty, at a time, +at Tyburn or at "Execution dock;" +and when, in the then unhealthy tone +of public morals, criminals famous for +their deeds of violence and rapine, +were regarded rather as the heroes +of romance, than as the pests and +scourges of society. Let him enquire, +and he will find that all these things +have now long since passed away; +that the rigours of the criminal law +have been entirely mitigated, and that +the great charters of our liberties, the +fruits of accumulated wisdom and experience, +have now been long confirmed. +These facts, if universally +known and duly pondered over, would +go far to banish discontent and disaffection, +and would tend to produce a +well-founded confidence in the inherent +power of adaptation to the necessities +of the people, possessed by the +constitution of our country. Thus, +the social wants of the outer man having +been in a great measure supplied, +the philanthropy of modern times has +been chiefly employed on the mental +and moral improvement of the species; +the wants of the inner man are now +the objects of universal attention, and +education has become the great necessity +of the age. Hitherto, the municipal +laws and institutions of this +country have been defective; inasmuch +as they have made little or no +provision for the adequate instruction +of the people. Much, no doubt, has +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page2" id="page2"></a>[pg 2]</span> +been already done, and education, +even now, diffuses her benignant light +over a large portion of the population; +among whom, the children of the ignorant +are able to instruct their parents, +and impart, to those who gave +them being, a share in the new-found +blessing of modern times. Much, +however, remains still to be done, and +the splendid examples of princely munificence +which a great minister of the +crown has recently shown the wealthier +classes of this wealthy nation, +may, in the absence of a state provision, +have the effect of stimulating +private exertion and generosity. In +spite, however, of the moral and intellectual +advancement of the present +age, the passions and evil designs of +the vicious and discontented are still +able to influence vast masses of the +people. The experience of the last +few years unfortunately teaches us, +that increased knowledge has not yet +banished disaffection, and that though, +during the last quarter of a century, +the general standard of the nation's +morality may have been elevated +above its former resting-place, that +education, in its present state of advancement, +has not as yet effectually +disarmed discontent or disaffection, +by showing the greater evil which ever +attends the endeavour to effect the +lesser good, by violent, factious, or +seditious means.</p> + +<p>Within the last thirteen years, the +government has been compelled, on +several occasions, to curb the violence +and to repress the outbreaks of men +who had yet to learn the folly of such +attempts; and the powers of the executive +have been frequently evoked +by those who, of late years, have +wielded the destinies of this country. +Several state prosecutions have taken +place during this period. They never +occur without exciting a lively interest; +the public eye is critically intent upon +the minutest detail of these proceedings; +and the public attention is concentrated +upon those to whom is +confided the vindication of the public +rights and the redressing of the public +wrongs. It has been often asked by +some of these critical observers, How +is it that, when great crimes or misdemeanours +are to be punished, when +the bold and daring offender is to be +brought to justice, when the body +politic is the offended party, when +the minister honours a supposed offender +with his notice in the shape of +criminal proceedings, and the government +condescends to prosecute—how +is it, it has been asked on such occasions, +when the first talent, science, +and practical skill, are all arranged +against the unfortunate object of a +nation's vengeance, that the course of +justice should be ever broken or impeded? +Is the machinery then set +in motion in truth defective—is there +some inherent vice in the construction +of the state engine? Is the law +weak when it should be strong? Is +its boasted majesty, after all, nothing +but the creation of a fond imagination, +or a delusion of the past? Are +the wheels of the state-machine no +longer bright, polished, and fit for use +as they once were? or are they choked +and clogged with the rust and dust +of accumulated ages? Or, if not in +the machine, does the fault, ask others +of these bold critics, rest with the +workmen who guide and superintend +its action? Are the principles of its +construction now no longer known or +understood? Are they, like those of +the engines of the Syracusan philosopher, +lost in the lapse of time? Is +the crown less efficiently served than +private individuals? and can it be +possible, it has even been demanded, +that those who are actively employed +on these occasions have been so long +removed on the practice of what is +often deemed the simpler portion of +the law, and so long employed in the +higher and more abstruse branches of +the science, that they have forgotten +the practice of their youth, and have +lost the knowledge acquired in the +commencement of their professional +career? Lesser criminals, it is said, +are every day convicted with ease +and expedition—how is it, therefore, +that the cobweb of the law holds fast +the small ephemeræ which chance to +stray across its filmy mesh, but that +the gaudy insect of larger form and +greater strength so often breaks +through, his flight perhaps arrested for +a moment, as he feels the insidious toil +fold close about him? It is, however, +only for a moment; one mighty effort +breaks his bonds—he is free—and flies +off in triumph and derision, trumpeting +forth his victory, and proclaiming +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page3" id="page3"></a>[pg 3]</span> +his escape from the snare, in which it +was hoped to encompass him. The +astute and practised gentlemen thus +suspected, strong in the consciousness +of deep legal knowledge, and ready +practical skill and science, may justly +despise the petty attacks of those who +affect to doubt their professional ability +and attainments. Some in high +places have not hesitated to hint, on +one occasion, at collusion, and to assert, +that a certain prosecution failed, +because there was no real desire to +punish.</p> + +<p>Such is the substance of the various +questions and speculations to which +the legal events of the last thirteen +years have given rise. We have now +collected and enumerated them in a +condensed form, for the purpose of +tracing their rise and progress, and in +order that we may demonstrate that, +though there may possibly exist some +reasons for these opinions, founded +often on a misapprehension of the +real circumstances of the cases quoted +in their support, that they have, in +fact, little or no substantial foundation. +With this view, therefore, we +shall briefly notice those trials, within +the period of which we speak, which +form the groundwork of these charges +against the executive, before we proceed +to state the real obstacles which +do, in fact, occasionally oppose the +smooth and <i>rapid</i> progress of a "State +Prosecution."</p> + +<p>The first of these proceedings, which +occurred during the period of the last +thirteen years, was the trial of Messrs +O'Connell, Lawless, Steel, and others. +This case perhaps originated the opinions +which have partially prevailed, +and was, in truth, not unlikely to make +a permanent impression on the public +mind. In the month of January 1831, +true bills were found against these parties +by the Grand Jury of Dublin, for +assembling and meeting together for +purposes prohibited by a proclamation +of the Lord Lieutenant; and for conspiring +to do an act forbidden by the +law. By every possible device, by +demurrers and inconsistent pleas, delays +were interposed; and though Mr +O'Connell withdrew a former plea of +not guilty, and pleaded guilty to the +counts to which he had at first demurred—though +Mr Stanley, in the +House of Commons, in reply to a +question put by the Marquis of Chandos, +emphatically declared, that it was +impossible for the Irish government, +consistently with their dignity as a +government, to enter into any negotiation +implying the remotest compromise +with the defendants—and that it +was the unalterable determination of +the law-officers of Ireland to let the +law take its course against Mr O'Connell—and +that, let him act as he pleased, +judgment would be passed against +him—still, in spite of this determination +of the government, so emphatically +announced by the Irish Secretary, +the statute on which the proceedings +were founded was actually +suffered to expire, without any previous +steps having been taken against +the state delinquents. There has ever +been that degree of mystery about this +event, which invariably rouses attention +and excites curiosity; the escape +of those parties was a great triumph +over the powers, or the expressed inclinations +of the government, which +was well calculated to set the public +mind at work to discover the latent +causes which produced such strange +and unexpected results. After an interval +of seven years, another case +occurred, which was not calculated +materially to lessen the impression +already made upon the public; for +although, in the following instance, +the prosecution was conducted to a +successful termination, yet questions +of such grave importance were raised, +and fought with such ability, vigour, +and determination, that the accomplishment +of the ends of justice, if +not prevented, was certainly long delayed.</p> + +<p>On the 17th December 1838, twelve +prisoners were brought to Liverpool, +charged in execution of a sentence of +transportation to Van Diemen's Land +for having been concerned in the +Canadian revolt. Here the offenders +had been tried, convicted, sentenced, +and actually transported. The prosecutors, +therefore, might naturally be +supposed to have got fairly <i>into</i> port, +when they saw the objects of their +tender solicitude fairly <i>out</i> of port, on +their way to the distant land to which +the offended laws of their country had +consigned them.</p> + +<p>If justice might not account her +work as done, at a time when her +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page4" id="page4"></a>[pg 4]</span> +victims had already traversed a thousand +leagues of the wide Atlantic, +when could it be expected that the +law might take its course without further +let or hindrance? On the 17th +of December, as has been observed, +the prisoners arrived at Liverpool, and +were straightway consigned to the +care and custody of Mr Batcheldor, +the governor of the borough jail of +Liverpool; by whom they were duly +immured in the stronghold of the +borough, and safely placed under lock +and key. Things, however, did not +long continue in this state. In a few +days twelve writs of <i>habeas corpus</i> +made their sudden and unexpected +appearance, by which Mr Batcheldor +was commanded forthwith to bring the +bodies of his charges, together with +the causes of detention, before the +Lord Chief Justice of England. Mr +Batcheldor obeyed the command in +both particulars; the judges of the +Court of Queen's Bench met; counsel +argued and re-argued the matter before +them, but in vain—the prisoners +were left in the governor's care, +in which they remained, as if no effort +had been made to remove then from +his custody. All, however, was not +yet over; for, as though labouring +under a strange delusion, four of the +prisoners actually made oath that they +had never been arraigned, tried, convicted, +or sentenced at all, either in +Canada or elsewhere! Upon this four +more writs of <i>habeas corpus</i> issued, +commanding the unhappy Mr Batcheldor +to bring the four deluded convicts +before the Barons of the Exchequer. +This was done; arguments, +both old and new, were heard with +exemplary patience and attention; +the play was played over again; but +the Barons were equally inexorable +with the Court of Queen's Bench, and +the four prisoners, after much consideration, +were again remanded to the custody +of the governor of the jail, and, +together with their eight fellow-prisoners, +were, in course of time, duly +conveyed to the place of their original +destination.</p> + +<p>The next of these cases, in chronological +order, is that of the Monmouthshire +riots in 1839. This case, +also, might tend to corroborate the +opinion, that the service of the state, +in legal matters, is attended with +much difficulty and embarrassment. +It will, however, be seen upon examination +of the facts of the case, that +the difficulty which then arose, proceeded +solely from the lenity and indulgence +shown to the prisoners by +the crown. On New-Year's day 1840, +John Frost and others, were brought +to trial, on a charge of high treason, +before a special commission at Monmouth. +The proceedings were interrupted +by an objection taken by the +prisoners' counsel, that the terms of a +statute, which requires that a list of +witnesses should be delivered to the +prisoners <i>at the same time</i> with a copy +of the indictment, had not been complied +with. The indictment had, in +fact, been delivered five days before +the list of witnesses. This had been +done in merciful consideration to the +prisoners, in order that they might be +put in possession of the charge, to be +brought against them, as early as it +was in the power of the crown to give +them the information, and probably before +it was <i>possible</i> that the list +of witnesses could have been made out. +The trial, however, proceeded, subject +to the decision of the fifteen judges +upon the question, thus raised upon +the supposed informality, which nothing +but the <i>anxious mercy</i> of the +crown had introduced into the proceedings; +and the parties were found +guilty of the offence laid to their +charge. In the ensuing term, all +other business was, for a time, suspended; +and the fifteen judges of the +land, with all the stately majesty of +the judicial office, were gathered together +in solemn conclave in Westminster +Hall. A goodly array, tier above +tier they sat—the heavy artillery of a +vast legal battery about to open the +fire of their learning, with that imposing +dignity which becomes the avengers +of the country's and the sovereign's +wrongs. Day after day they +met, heard, and deliberated upon arguments, +which were conspicuous +from their consummate learning and +ability. At length these learned persons +delivered their judgments, and, +amid much diversity of opinion, the +majority thought, upon the whole, that +the conviction was right, and that the +terms of the statute had been virtually +complied with. The criminals, however, +probably in consequence of the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page5" id="page5"></a>[pg 5]</span> +doubts and difficulty of the case, were +absolved on the most highly penal +consequences of their crime, and were, +by a sort of compromise, transported +for life to one of the penal settlements.</p> + +<p>The doubt which some have entertained +of the real insanity of Oxford, +and others who have recently attempted +the same crime which he so nearly +committed, has caused these cases +also to be brought forward in confirmation +of the opinions, which we contend +rest upon no real foundation. +The insanity of a prisoner is, however, +a fact, upon which it is the province +of the jury to decide, under the direction +of the presiding judge. In each +case the law was luminously laid down +by the judge for the guidance of the +jury, who were fully instructed as to +what the law required to establish the +insanity of its prisoner, and to prove +that "lesion of the will" which would +render a human being irresponsible +for his acts. These verdicts, undoubtedly, +gave rise to a grave discussion, +whether the law, as it now stands, +was sufficiently stringent to have +reached these cases; and though this +question was decided in the affirmative, +the mere entertaining of the doubt +afforded another specious confirmation +of the impression, that a singular +fatality was attendant upon a state +prosecution. This idea received another +support from the case of Lord +Cardigan, who, about this period, was +unexpectedly acquitted, on technical +grounds, from a grave and serious +charge. This, however, was no state +prosecution, and we do but notice it, +<i>en passant</i>, in corroboration of our general +argument.</p> + +<p>We now come to the case of the +Chartists in 1842. For some time +previous to the summer of 1842, great +distress, it will be remembered, prevailed +among the manufacturing population +of the northern and midland +counties. The misery of the preceding +winter had been dreadful in the +extreme; emaciated, haggard beings +might be daily seen wandering about +the country half naked, in the coldest +weather; sufferings, almost without a +parallel, were borne with patience and +resignation. Despair there might be +in the hearts of thousands, but those +thousands were mute and passive in +their misery; all was dark, all was +hopeless; the wintry wind of penury +blew untempered, keen upon them, +but still they cried not; hunger preyed +upon their very vitals, but they uttered +no complaint. Let us not, even +now, refuse a passing tribute of honour +and respect to the passive heroism +which in many an instance marked +the endurance of the hopeless misery +of those dreadful times. At length, +however, evil and designing men came +among the sufferers—remedies for the +pressing evil, and means of escape +from the wretchedness of their condition, +were darkly hinted at; redress +was whispered to be near, and they, +the hungry fathers of famished children, +lent a greedy ear to the fair +promises of men whom they deemed +wiser than themselves. The tempter's +seedtime had arrived, the ground was +ready, and the seed was sown. Day +by day, nay, hour by hour, was the +bud of disaffection fostered with the +greatest care; and, day by day, its +strength and vitality increased. When, +at length, the people were deemed +ripe for action, the mask was thrown +off, treasonable schemes and projects +were openly proclaimed by the leaders +of the coming movement, and echoed, +from a hundred hills, by vast multitudes +of their deluded followers. Large +meetings were daily held on the neighbouring +moors, where bodies of men +were openly trained and armed for active +and offensive operations. At length +the insurrection, for such in truth it was, +broke forth. Then living torrents of +excited and exasperated men poured +down those hillsides; the peaceful +and well-affected were compelled to +join the insurgent ranks, busy in +the work of destruction and intimidation; +when each evening brought the +work of havoc to a temporary close, +they laid them down to rest where +the darkness overtook them. The +roads were thus continually blockaded, +and those who, under cover of the +night, sought to obtain aid and assistance +from less disturbed districts, were +often interrupted and turned back by +bodies of these men. Authority was +at an end, and a large extensive district +was completely at the mercy of +reckless multitudes, burning to avenge +the sufferings of the past, and bent on +preventing, as they thought, a recurrence +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page6" id="page6"></a>[pg 6]</span> +of them in future. The very +towns were in their hands; "in an +evil hour" a vast body of insurgents +was "admitted" into one of the +largest mercantile towns of the kingdom, +where they pillaged and laid +waste in every direction. In another +town of the district a fearful riot was +put down by force, some of the leaders +of the mob being shot dead while heading +a charge upon the military. The +ascendancy of the law was at length +asserted; many arrests took place; +the jails were crowded with prisoners; +and the multitudes without, deserted +by those to whom they had looked +up for advice, their friends in prison, +with the unknown terrors of the law +suspended over them, probably then +felt that, miserable and lost as they +had been before, they had now fallen +even lower in the scale of human +misery. Criminal proceedings were +quickly instituted. Several commissions +were sent down to the districts +in which these disturbances had take +place, in order that the offenders +might meet with <i>speedy</i> punishment. +The law officers of the crown, with +many and able assistants, in person +conducted the proceedings. Temperate, +mild, dignified, and forbearing +was their demeanour; in no case was +the individual the object of prosecution; +it was the <i>crime</i>, through the +person of the criminal, against which +the government proceeded. No feelings +of a personal nature were there +exhibited; and a mild, but firm, as it +were, a parental correction of erring +and misguided children, seemed to be +the sole object of those who then represented +the government. Conviction +was heaped upon conviction—sentence +followed sentence—the miserable tool +was distinguished from the man who +made him what he was—the active +emissary, the secret conspirator, also +received each their proportionate +amount of punishment. True, a few +of the more cautious and crafty, all +included in one indictment, eventually +escaped the penalty due to their +crimes; but, among the multitude of +cases which were then tried, this was, +we believe, the only instance even of +partial failure. In spite of this single +miscarriage of the government, the +great object of these proceedings was +completely answered; the end of all +punishment was attained; the vengeance +which the law then took had +all the effect which the most condign +punishment of these few men could +have accomplished; the constitutional +maxim of "<i>poena ad paucos, metus ad +omnes</i>," has been amply illustrated by +these proceedings; Chartism has been +suppressed, by the temperate application +of the constitutional means which +were then resorted to for the correction +of its violence, and the prevention of +its seditious schemes.</p> + +<p>We must not omit to mention the +instances of signal and complete success +which have been, from time to time, +exhibited in other prosecutions against +Feargus O'Connor and different members +of the Chartist body, within the +period of which we speak. On none +of these occasions has the course of +justice been hindered, or even turned +aside; but the defendants have, we +believe, without exception, paid the +penalty of their crimes by enduring the +punishments awarded by the court.</p> + +<p>The recent trials of the Rebecca +rioters were also signally successful +and effective; and the prejudices of a +Welsh jury, which some feared would +prove a fatal stumblingblock, were +overcome by the dispassionate appeal +to their better judgment then made by +the officers of the crown.</p> + +<p>From a review of the cases, it therefore +appears, that the failures of a state +prosecution have been comparatively +few; and that the crown has met +with even more than the average success +which the "glorious uncertainty +of the law" in general permits to those +who tempt its waywardness, and risk +the perils of defeat. The welfare and +interest of the nation, however, lie in +the <i>general</i> results of these proceedings, +rather than the <i>particular event</i> of +an individual trial. Therefore, though +we should assume that a part only of +what was intended has been accomplished, +still if that portion produces +the same general results as were +hoped for from the successful accomplishment +of the whole, the object of +the government has been attained. +Now, it may be observed, that, with +perhaps the single exception of the +case of Mr O'Connell in 1831, the end +and object of all state prosecution has +been uniformly and completely accomplished, +by the suppression of the evil +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page7" id="page7"></a>[pg 7]</span> +which the crown in each instance was +anxious to put down. When this has +taken place, there can have been no +failure. Beyond what is necessary +for the welfare of the state, and the +general safety and security of the persons +and property of individuals, the +crown has no interest in inflicting punishment; +it never asks for more than +is required to effect <i>these objects</i>, and +it can scarcely be content with less.</p> + +<p>There are, however, difficulties almost +peculiar to the more serious offences +against the state, but which are +entirely different, in their nature, from +those imaginary difficulties which have +formed the subject of so much declamation. +A passing glance at the proceedings +now pending in Ireland, will +give the most casual observer some +idea of what is sometimes to be encountered +by those to whom is entrusted +the arduous duty of conducting +a state prosecution. Look back on +the "tempest of provocation," which +recently assailed the Irish Attorney-General, +on the vexatious delays and +frivolous objections which sprang up +at every move of the crown lawyers, +called forth by one who, though "<i>not +valiant</i>," was well known to the government +to be "most cunning offence" +ere they challenged him, but +who, "despite his cunning fence and +active practice," may perhaps find, +that this time the law has clutched +him with a grasp of iron. In ordinary +cases, criminals may, no doubt, be +easily convicted; and in the great +majority of the more common crimes +and misdemeanours, the utmost legal +ingenuity and acumen might be unable +to detect a single error in the proceedings, +from first to last. Still it +must be remembered, that even among +the more common of ordinary cases, +in which the forms are simple, the +practice certain, and in which the +law may be supposed to be already +defined beyond the possibility of doubt, +error, or misconception—even in such +cases, questions occasionally arise which +scarcely admit of any satisfactory solution—questions +in which the fifteen +judges, to whom they may be referred, +often find it impossible to agree, and +which may therefore be reasonably +supposed to be sufficiently perplexing +to the rest of the world. State offences, +such as treason and sedition, +which are of comparatively rare occurrence, +present many questions of +greater intricacy than any other class +of crimes. In treason especially, a +well-founded jealousy of the power +and prerogatives of the crown has intrenched +the subject behind a line of +outposts, in the shape of forms and +preliminary proceedings; the accused, +for his greater security against a power +which, if unwatched, might become +arbitrary and oppressive, has been +invested with rights which must be +respected and complied with, and by +the neglect of which the whole proceedings +are rendered null and void. +At this moment, in all treasons, except +attempts upon the person of the +sovereign, "the prisoner," in the language +of Lord Erskine, "is covered +all over with the armour of the +law;" and there must be twice the +amount of evidence which would be +legally competent to establish his +guilt in a criminal prosecution for any +other offence, even by the meanest +and most helpless of mankind. +Sedition is a head of crime of a somewhat +vague and indeterminate character, +and, in many cases, it may he +extremely difficult, even for an acute +and practised lawyer, to decide whether +the circumstances amount to +sedition. Mr East, in his pleas of +the crown, says, that "sedition is +understood in a more general sense +than treason, and extends to other +offences, not capital, of a like tendency, +but without any actual design +against the king in contemplation, +such as contempts of the king and his +government, riotous assemblings for +political purposes, and the like; and +in general all contemptuous, indecent, +or malicious observations upon his +person and government, whether by +writing or speaking, or by tokens, +calculated to lessen him in the esteem +of his subjects, or weaken his government, +or raise jealousies of him +amongst the people, will fall under the +notion of seditious acts." An offence +which admits of so little precision in +the terms in which it is defined, depending +often upon the meaning to be +attached to words, the real import of +which is varied by the tone or gesture +of the speaker, by the words which +precede, and by those which follow, +depending also upon the different ideas +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page8" id="page8"></a>[pg 8]</span> +which men attach to the same words, +evidently rests on very different +grounds from those cases, where actual +crimes have been perpetrated and +deeds committed, which leave numerous +traces behind, and which may be +proved by the permanent results of +which they have been the cause. +Technical difficulties without number +also exist: the most literal accuracy, +which is indispensable—the artful inuendoes, +the artistical averments, which +are necessary, correctly to shape the +charge ere it is submitted to the grand +jury, may be well conceived to involve +many niceties and refinements, on +which the case may easily be wrecked. +It must also be remembered that the +utmost legal ingenuity is called into +action, and the highest professional +talent is engaged in the defence of the +accused. The enormous pressure +upon the accused himself, who, probably +from the higher or middle classes, +with ample means at his command, +an ignominious death perhaps impending, +or, at the least, imprisonment +probably for years in threatening +prospect close before him; his friends +active, moving heaven and earth in +his behalf, no scheme left untried, no +plan or suggestion rejected, by which +it may, even in the remotest degree +be possible to avert the impending +doom; the additional rancour which +politics sometimes infuse into the proceedings, +the partisanship which has +occasioned scenes such as should never +be exhibited in the sacred arena of +the halls of justice, animosities which +give the defence the character of a +party conflict, and which cause a conviction +to be looked upon as a political +defeat, and an acquittal to be regarded +as a party triumph—all these +circumstances, in their combined and +concentrated force, must also be take +into consideration. In such a case +every step is fought with stern and +dogged resolution; even mere delay is +valuable, for when all other hope is +gone, the chapter of accidents <i>may</i> befriend +the accused; it is one chance +more; and even one chance, however +slight, is not to be thrown away. +Such is a faint picture of the defensive +operations on such occasions: how is +this untiring, bitter energy met by +those who represent the crown?</p> + +<blockquote><p> +"Look on this picture and on that." +</p></blockquote> + +<p>Here all is calm, dignified, generous, +and forbearing; every consideration +is shown, every indulgence is +granted, to the unfortunate being who +is in jeopardy. The crown has no +interest to serve beyond that which +the state possesses in the vindication +of the law, and in that cool, deliberate, +and impartial administration of +justice which has so long distinguished +this country. Nothing is unduly +pressed against the prisoner, but every +extenuating fact is fairly laid before +the jury by the crown; it is, in short, +generosity, candor, and forbearance, +on the one side, matched against craft, +cunning and the resolution <i>by any +means</i> to win, upon the other. Such +are the real difficulties which may be +often felt by those who conduct a state +prosecution. Surely it is better far +that these difficulties should, in some +instances, be even wholly insuperable, +and that the prosecution should be +defeated, than that any change should +come over the spirit in which these +trials are now conducted; or that the +crown should ever even attempt to +make the criminal process of the law +an instrument of tyranny and oppression, +as it was in the days of Scroggs +and Jefferies, and when juries, through +intimidation, returned such verdicts +as the crown desired. Our very tenacity +of our liberties may tend to render +these proceedings occasionally +abortive; and the twelve men composing +a jury of the country, though +possibly all their sympathies would +be at once enlisted in behalf of a wronged +and injured subject, may, unconsciously +to themselves, demand more +stringent proof, in cases where the sovereign +power appears before then +as the party; and more especially, +when the offence is of an impersonal +nature, and where the theory of the +constitution, rather than the person +or property of individuals, is the object +of aggression. In the olden time +such was the power of the crown, that, +whenever the arm of the state was +uplifted, the blow fell with unerring +accuracy and precision; but now, +when each object of a state prosecution +is a sort of modern Briareus, the +blow must be dealt with consummate +skill, or it will fail to strike where it was +meant to fall. On this account, perhaps, +in addition to then own intrinsic +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page9" id="page9"></a>[pg 9]</span> +paramount importance, the proceedings +now pending in Ireland, have become +the object of universal and absorbing +interest throughout the whole of the +United Kingdom. Under these circumstances +it has occurred to us, that +a popular and accurate review of the +several stages of a criminal prosecution, +by which the general reader will +be able, in some degree, to understand +the several steps of that proceeding +which is now pending, might not be +unacceptable or uninstructive at the +present moment. It must, however, +be observed, that it is scarcely possible +to divest a subject so technical in +it very nature from those terms of +art which, however familiar they may +be to many of our readers, cannot be +understood by all without some explanation, +which we shall endeavour +to supply as we proceed.</p> + +<p>The general importance of information +of this nature has been well +summed up by a great master of criminal +law. "The learning touching +these subjects," says Sir Michael Foster, +"is a matter of great and universal +concernment. For no rank, no +elevation in life, and, let me add, no +conduct, how circumspect soever, +ought to tempt a reasonable man to +conclude that these enquiries do not, +nor possibly can, concern him. A +moment's cool reflection on the utter +instability of human affairs, and the +numberless unforeseen events which +a day may bring forth, will be sufficient +to guard any man, conscious of +his own infirmities, against a delusion +of this kind."</p> + +<p>Let us suppose the minister of the +day, having before been made aware +that, in a portion of the kingdom, a +state of things existed that demanded +his utmost vigilance and attention, +to have ascertained the reality of the +apparent danger, and to have procured +accurate information as to the +real character of the proceedings, and +to find that acts apparently treasonable +or seditious, as the case may be, +had been committed. Suppose him, +charged with the safety of the state, +and responsible for the peace, order, +and well-being of the community, to +set the constitutional process of the +law in motion against the offending +individuals; his first step, under such +circumstances, must be to procure +full and satisfactory evidence of the +facts as they really exist. For this +purpose agents must he employed, +necessarily in secret, or the very end +and object of their mission would be +frustrated, to collect and gather information +from every authentic source, +and to watch, with their own eyes +the proceedings which have attracted +attention. This is a work of time, +perhaps; but suppose that it is complete, +and that the minister having +before him in evidence, true and unmistakable, +a complete case of crime +to lay before a jury, what, under these +circumstances, is the first step to be +taken by the crown? Either of two +distinct modes of procedure may be +chosen; the one mode is by an <i>ex officio</i> +information, the other is by indictment. +An indictment is the mode +by which all treasons and felonies +must be proceeded against, and +by which ordinary misdemeanours +are usually brought to punishment. +An <i>ex officio</i> information is an information +at the suit of the sovereign, +filed by the Attorney-General, as by +virtue of his office, without applying +to the court where filed for leave, and +without giving the defendant any opportunity +of showing cause why it +should not be filed. The principal +difference between this form of procedure +and that by indictment, consists +in the manner in which the proceedings +are commenced; in the latter +case, the law requires that the accusation +should be warranted by the +oath of twelve men, before he be put +to answer it—or in other words that +the grand jury must give that information +to the court, which, in the +former case, is furnished by the law +officer of the crown. The cases which +are prosecuted by <i>ex officio</i> information, +are properly such enormous misdemeanours +as peculiarly tend to disturb +and endanger the government +or to molest or affront the sovereign +in the discharge of the functions of +the royal office. The necessity for +the existence of a power of this nature +in the state, is thus set forth by +that learned and illustrious judge, Sir +William Blackstone. "For offences +so highly dangerous, in the punishment +or prevention of which a moment's +delay would be fatal, the law +has given to the crown the power of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page10" id="page10"></a>[pg 10]</span> +an immediate prosecution, without +waiting for any previous application +to any other tribunal: which power, +thus necessary, not only to the ease +and safety, but even to the very existence +of the executive magistrate, was +originally reserved in the great plan +of the English constitution, wherein +provision is wisely made for the preservation +of all its parts."</p> + +<p>The crown, therefore, in a case such +as we have imagined, must first make +choice between these two modes of +procedure. The leniency of modern +governments has of late usually resorted +to the process by indictment; +and the crown, waiving all the privileges +which appertain to the kingly +office, appears before the constituted +tribunals of the land, as the redresser +of the public wrongs, invested with +no powers, and clothed with no +authority beyond the simple rights +possessed by the meanest of its subjects. +We shall, for this reason, take +no further notice of the <i>ex officio</i> information; +and as treasons form a class +of offences governed by laws and rules +peculiar to itself, we shall also exclude +this head of crime from our consideration, +and confine ourselves solely to +the ordinary criminal process by which +offenders are brought to justice.</p> + +<p>In, general, the first step in a criminal +prosecution, is to obtain a warrant +for the apprehension of the accused +party. In ordinary cases, a warrant is +granted by any justice of the peace upon +information, on the oath of some credible +witness, of facts from which it +appears that a crime has been committed, +and that the person against +whom the warrant is sought to be obtained, +is probably the guilty party, +and is a document under the hand and +seal of the justice, directed generally +to the constable or other peace-officer, +requiring him to bring the accused, +either generally before <i>any</i> justice +of the county, or only before the justice +who granted it. This is the practice +in ordinary cases; but in extraordinary +cases, the warrant may issue +from the Lord Chief Justice, or the +Privy Council, the Secretaries of State, +or from any justice of the Court of +Queen's Bench. These latter warrants +are, we believe, all tested, or dated England, +and extend over the whole kingdom. +So far the proceedings have +been all <i>ex parte</i>, one side only has +been heard, one party only has appeared, +and all that has been done, is +to procure or compel the appearance +of the other. The warrant is delivered +to the officer, who is bound to obey +the command which it contains. It +would seem, however, that, as was +done in a recent case in Ireland, it is +sufficient if the appearance of the accused +be virtually secured, even without +the intervention of an actual arrest.</p> + +<p>When the delinquent appears, in +consequence of this process, before the +authorities, they are bound immediately +to examine into the circumstances +of the alleged crime; and they +are to take down in writing the examinations +of the witnesses offered in +support of the charge. If the evidence +is defective, and grave suspicion +should attach to the prisoner, he +may be remanded, in order that fresh +evidence may be procured; or the +magistrate, if the case be surrounded +with doubt and difficulty, may adjourn +it for a reasonable time, in order to +consider his final decision. The accused +must also be examined, but not +upon oath; and his examination also +must be taken down in writing, and +may be given in evidence against him +at the trial; for although the maxim +of the common law is "<i>nemo tenebitur +prodere seipsum</i>," the legislature, as +long ago as the year 1555, directed +that, in cases of felony, the examination +of the prisoner should be taken; +which provision has recently been extended +to misdemeanours also. Care +must be taken that his examination +should not even <i>appear</i> to have been +taken on oath; for in a very recent +case, in which <i>all</i> the examinations +were contained upon one sheet of paper, +and under one general heading—from which they all purported to have +been taken upon oath, the prisoner's +admission of his guilt contained in +that examination, was excluded on +the trial, and the rest of the evidence +being slight, he was accordingly acquitted. +Now, if upon the enquiry +thus instituted, and thus conducted, +it appears, either that no such crime +was committed, or that the suspicion +entertained against the accused is +wholly groundless, or that, however +positively accused, if the balance of +testimony be strongly in favour of his +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page11" id="page11"></a>[pg 11]</span> +innocence, it is the duty of the magistrate +to discharge him. But if, on +the other hand, the case seems to have +been entirely made out, or even if it +should appear probable, that the alleged +crime has in fact been perpetrated +by the defendant, he must either be +committed to prison, there to he kept, +in safe custody, until the sitting of the +court before which the trial is to be +heard; or, he may be allowed to give +bail—that is, to put in securities for his +appearance to answer the charge +against him. In either of these alternatives, +whether the accused be committed +or held to bail, it is the duty +of the magistrate to subscribe the +examinations, and cause them to be +delivered to the proper officer, at, or +before, the opening of the court. Bail +may be taken by two justices in cases +of felony, and by one in cases of misdemeanour. +In this stage of the proceedings, +as the commitment is only +for safe custody, whenever bail will +answer the same intention, it ought +to be taken, as in inferior crimes and +misdemeanours; but in offences of a +capital nature, such as the heinous +crimes of treason, murder, and the +like, no bail can be a security equivalent +to the actual custody of the person. +The nature of bail has been explained, +by Mr Justice Blackstone, to +be "a delivery or bailment of a person +to his sureties, upon their giving, +together with himself, sufficient security +for his appearance: he being supposed +to continue in their friendly +custody, instead of going to gaol." +To refuse, or even to delay bail to any +person bailable, is an offence against +the liberty of the subject, in any magistrate, +by the common law. And +the Court of Queen's Bench will grant +a criminal information against the +magistrate who improperly refuses +bail in a case in which it ought to have +been received. It is obviously of great +importance, in order to ensure the appearance +of the accused at the time +and place of trial, that the sureties +should be men of substance; reasonable +notice of bail, in general twenty-four +or forty-eight hours, may be ordered +to be given to the prosecutor, in order +that he may have time to examine into +their sufficiency and responsibility. +When the bail appear, evidence may +be heard on oath, and they may themselves +be examined on oath upon this +point; if they do not appear to possess +property to the amount required +by the magistrates, they may be rejected, +and others must be procured, +or the defender must go to prison. +Excessive bail must not be required; +and, on the other hand, the magistrate, +if he take insufficient bail, is liable +to be fined, if the criminal do not appear +to take his trial. When the securities +are found, the bail enter into +a recognizance, together with the accused, +by which they acknowledge +themselves bound to the Queen in the +required sums, if the accused does not +appear to take his trial, at the appointed +time and place. This recognizance +must be subscribed by the +magistrates, and delivered with the +examinations to the officer of the +court in which the trial is to take +place. With this, the preliminary proceedings +close: the accused has had +one opportunity of refuting the charge, +or of clearing himself from the suspicion +which has gathered round him; +but as yet, there is no written accusation, +no written statement of the offence +which it is alleged he has committed. +True, he has heard evidence—he has +heard a charge made orally against +him—but the law requires greater +particularity than this before a man +shall be put in peril upon a criminal +accusation. The facts disclosed in +the evidence before the magistrates +must be put in a legal form; the offence +must be clearly and accurately +defined in writing, by which the accused +may be informed what specific +charge he is to answer, and from which +he may be able to learn what liability +he incurs; whether his life is put in +peril, or whether he is in danger of +transportation or of imprisonment, or +merely of a pecuniary fine. This is +done by means of the indictment. The +indictment is a written accusation of +one or more several persons, preferred +to and presented upon oath by a grand +jury. This written accusation, before +being presented to the grand jury, is +properly termed a "bill;" and, in +ordinary cases, it is generally prepared +by the clerk of the arraigns at the +assizes, and by the clerk of the peace +at the quarter sessions; but, in cases +of difficulty, it is drawn by counsel. +It consists of a formal technical statement +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page12" id="page12"></a>[pg 12]</span> +of the offence, which is engrossed +upon parchment, upon the back +of which the names of the witnesses +for the prosecution are indorsed. In +England it is delivered to the crier of +the court, by whom the witnesses are +sworn to the truth of the evidence +they are about to give before the +grand jury. In the trial now pending +in the Court of Queen's Bench in Ireland, +a great question was raised as +to whether a recent statute, which, +on the ground of convenience, enabled +grand juries in Ireland themselves +to swear the witnesses, extended to +trials before the Queen's Bench. +This question was decided in the affirmative; +therefore, in that country, +the oath, in every case, must be administered +by the grand jury themselves; +whereas, in this country, the +witnesses are sworn <i>in court</i>, and by +the crier, as we have already mentioned. +The grand jury, ever since +the days of King Ethelred, must consist +of twelve at least, and not more +than twenty-three. In the superior +courts they are generally drawn from +the magistracy or superior classes of +the community, being, as Mr Justice +Blackstone expresses it, "usually +gentlemen of the best figure in the +county." They are duly sworn and +instructed in the articles of their enquiry +by the judge who presides upon +the bench. They then withdraw, to sit +and receive all bills which may be presented +to them. When a bill is thus +presented, the witnesses are generally +called in the order in which their names +appear upon the back of the bill. The +grand jury is, at most, to hear evidence +only on behalf of the prosecution; +"for," says the learned commentator +already quoted, "the finding of an indictment +is only in the nature of an +enquiry or accusation, which is afterwards +to be tried and determined; +and the grand jury are only to enquire +upon their oaths, whether there be +sufficient cause to call upon a party to +answer it." They ought, however, to +be fully persuaded of the truth of an +indictment as far as the evidence +goes, and not to rest satisfied with +remote probabilities; for the form of +the indictment is, that they, "<i>upon +their oath</i>, present" the party to have +committed the crime. This form, Mr +Justice Coleridge observes, is perhaps +stronger than may be wished, and we +believe that the criminal law commissioners +are now seriously considering +the propriety of abolishing it.</p> + +<p>After hearing the evidence, the +grand jury endorse upon the bill their +judgment of the truth or falsehood of +the charge. If they think the accusation +groundless, they write upon it, +"not found," or "not a true bill;" +in which case the bill is said to be +ignored: but, on the other hand, if +twelve at least are satisfied of the +truth of the accusation, the words +"true bill" are placed upon it. The +bill is then said to be found. It then +becomes an indictment, and is brought +into court by the grand jury, and publicly +delivered by the foreman to the +clerk of arraigns, or clerk of the peace, +as the case may be, who states to the +court the substance of the indictment +and of the indorsement upon it. If +the bill is ignored, and no other bill +is preferred against the party, he is +discharged, without further answer, +when the grand jury have finished +their labours, and have been themselves +discharged. To find a bill, +twelve at least of the jury must agree; +for no man, under this form of proceeding +at least, can be convicted +even of a misdemeanour, unless by +the unanimous voice of twenty-four +of his equals; that is, by twelve at +least of the grand jury assenting to +the accusation, and afterwards by the +whole petit jury of twelve more finding +him guilty upon the trial.</p> + +<p>This proceeding is wholly <i>ex parte</i>. +As the informal statement of the +crime brought the supposed criminal +to answer before the inferior tribunal, +so does the formal accusation call +upon him to answer before the superior +court. The preliminary proceedings +being now complete, and every +step having been taken which is necessary +to put the accused upon his +trial, the <i>ex parte</i> character of the +proceedings is at an end. The time approaches +when the accused must again +be brought face to face with his accusers; +and when, if he has been admitted +to bail, his sureties must deliver +him up to the proper authorities, or +their bond is forfeited; in which case, a +bench warrant for the apprehension +of the delinquent may issue; and if +he cannot still be found, he may be +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page13" id="page13"></a>[pg 13]</span> +pursued to outlawry. It may be here +mentioned, that the proceedings may +be, at any period, removed from any +inferior court into the Queen's Bench, +by what is called a writ of <i>certiorari</i>. +When the offender appears voluntarily +to an indictment, or was before in +custody, or is brought in upon criminal +process to answer it in the proper +court, he is to be immediately arraigned. +The arraignment is simply the +calling upon the accused, at the bar of +the court, to answer the matter charged +upon him in the indictment, the substantial +parts, at least, of which are +then read over to him. This is indispensable, +in order that he may fully +understand the charge. So voluminous +are the counts of the indictment +recently found against Mr O'Connell +and others, that the reading of the +charges they contained was the work +of many hours. The accused is not +always compelled immediately to answer +the indictment; for if he appear +in term-time to an indictment for a +misdemeanour in the Queen's Bench, +it is sufficient if he plead or demur +within four days; the court has a discretionary +power to enlarge the time; +but if he neither pleads nor demurs +within the time prescribed, judgment +may be entered against him as for +want of a plea. It he appear to such +an indictment, having been committed +or held to bail within twenty days +before the assizes or sessions at which +he is called upon to answer, he has +the option of <i>traversing</i>, as it is termed, +or of postponing his trial to the +next assizes or sessions. He is also +always entitled, before the trial, on +payment of a trifling charge, to have +copies of the examinations of the witnesses +on whose evidence he was committed +or held to bail; and at the +trial he has a right to inspect the originals +gratuitously. In prosecutions +for misdemeanours at the suit of the +Attorney-General, a copy of indictment +must be delivered, free of expense, +if demanded by the accused. +These seem to be all the privileges +except that of challenge, which we +shall explain hereafter, which the accused +possesses, or to which the law +gives him an absolute indefeasible +claim as a matter of right. The <i>practice</i> +of different courts may possibly +vary in some degree on points such +as those which have been recently +mooted in Ireland; for instance, as to +whether the names of the witnesses +should be furnished to the accused, +and whether their address and description +should also be supplied. In +such matters the practice might vary, +in a considerable degree, in the superior +courts of England and Ireland; +and yet each course would be strictly +legal, in the respective courts in which +it was adopted; for, as it was clearly +put by one of the Irish judges on a +recent occasion, the practice of the +court is the law of the court, and the +law of the court is the law of the +land.</p> + +<p>When the time has arrived at which +the accused must put in his answer +to the indictment, if he do not confess +the charge, or stand mute of malice, +he may either plead, 1st, to the jurisdiction, +which is a good plea when +the court before whom the indictment +is taken has no cognizance of the offence, +as when a case of treason is +prosecuted at the quarter sessions; +or, 2dly, he may demur, by which he +says, that, assuming that he has done +every thing which the indictment lays +to his charge, he has, nevertheless, +been guilty of no crime, and is in nowise +liable to punishment for the act +there charged. A demurrer has been +termed an issue in law—the question +to be determined being, what construction +the law puts upon admitted facts. +If the question of law be adjudged <i>in +favour</i> of the accused, it is attended +with the same results as an acquittal +in fact, except that he may be indicted +afresh for the same offence; but if +the question be determined <i>against</i> the +prisoner, the law, in its tenderness, +<i>will not</i> allow him, at least in cases of +felony, to be punished for his misapprehension +of the law, or for his mistake +in the conduct of his pleadings, +but will, in such case, permit him to +plead over to the indictment—that is, +to plead not guilty; the consequences +of which plea we will consider hereafter.</p> + +<p>A third alternative is a plea of +abatement, which is a plea praying +that the indictment may be quashed, +for some defect which the plea points +out. This plea, though it was recently, +made use of by the defendants in the +case now pending in Ireland, is of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page14" id="page14"></a>[pg 14]</span> +very rare occurrence in ordinary practice—a +recent statute having entirely +superseded every advantage formerly +to be derived from this plea, in cases +of a misnomer, or a wrong name, and +of a false addition or a wrong description +of the defendant's rank and +condition, which were the principal +occasions on which it was resorted to.</p> + +<p>The next alternative which the +prisoners may adopt, is a special plea +in bar. These pleas are of four kinds: +1. a former acquittal; 2. a former conviction; +3. a former attainder; 4. a +former pardon, for the same offence. +The first two of these pleas are founded +on the maxim of the law of England, +that no man is to be twice put +in jeopardy for the same offence. A +man is attainted of felony, only by +judgment of death, or by outlawry; +for by such judgment, the prisoner +being already dead in law, and having +forfeited all his property, there remains +no further punishment to be +awarded; and, therefore, any further +proceeding would be superfluous. This +plea has, however, been practically +put an end to by a recent statute. A +plea of pardon, is the converse of a +plea of attainder; for a pardon at +once destroys the end and purpose of +the indictment, by remitting that punishment +which the prosecution was +calculated to inflict.</p> + +<p>All these pleas may be answered by +the crown in two ways—issue may be +joined on the facts they respectively +set forth; or they may be demurred +to; by which step, the facts, alleged in +the plea, are denied to constitute a +good and valid defence in law. In +<i>felony</i>, if any of these pleas are, either +in fact or in law, determined against +the prisoner, he cannot be convicted +or concluded by the adverse judgment; +and for this reason. Formerly all felonies +were punishable with death, and, +in the words of Mr Justice Blackstone, +"the law allows many pleas by which +a prisoner may escape death; but only +one plea in consequence whereof it +can be inflicted, viz., the general issue, +after an impartial examination and +decision of the facts, by the unanimous +verdict of a jury." The prisoner, +therefore, although few felonies remain +still capital, is nevertheless still +allowed to plead over as before. In +misdemeanours, however, which are +never capital, and in which, therefore, +no such principle could ever have applied, +the judgment on these pleas appears +to follow the analogy of a civil +action. Thus, if, upon issue joined, a +plea of abatement be found against the +accused, the judgment, on that indictment, +is final; though a second indictment +may be preferred against him; +but if, upon demurrer, the question of +law is held to be against him, the judgment +is, that he do answer the indictment. +If a plea in bar, either on issue +joined, or on demurrer, be determined +against the defendant, the judgment is +in such case final, and he stands convicted +of the misdemeanour.</p> + +<p>The general issue, or the plea of +"not guilty," is the last and most +usual of those answers to the indictment +which we have enumerated, the +others being all of extremely rare occurrence +in the modern practice of the +criminal law. By this plea, the accused +puts himself upon his county, +which county the jury are. The sheriff +of the county must then return a panel +of jurors. In England the jurors are +taken from the "jurors' book" of the +current year. It must be observed, +that a new jurors' book comes into +operation on the first of January in +each year, having previously been +copied from the lists of those liable to +serve on juries, made out in the first +instance, between the months of July +and October, both inclusive, by the +churchwardens and overseers of each +parish, then reviewed and confirmed +by the justices of the peace in petty +sessions, and, through the high constable +of the district, delivered to the +next quarter sessions. If the proceedings +are before the Queen's Bench, +an interval is allowed by the court, in +fixing the time of trial, for the impanneling +of the jury, upon a writ issued +to the sheriff for that purpose. +The trial in a case of misdemeanour in +the Queen's Bench is had at <i>nisi prius</i>, +unless it be of such consequence as to +merit a trial at bar, which is invariably +had when the prisoner is tried +for any capital offence in that court. +But before the ordinary courts of +assize, the sheriff, by virtue of a general +precept directed to him beforehand, +returns to the court a panel of +not less than forty-eight nor more than +seventy-two persons, unless the judges +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page15" id="page15"></a>[pg 15]</span> +of assize direct a greater or smaller +number to be summoned. When the +time for the trial has arrived, and the +case is called on, jurors, to the number +of twelve, are sworn, unless challenged +as they appear; their names being +generally taken promiscuously, one +by one, out of a box containing a +number of tickets, on each of which a +juror's name is inserted. Challenges +may be made, either on the part of +the crown or on that of the accused, +and either to the whole array or to +the separate polls. The challenge to +the array, which must be made in +writing, is an exception to the whole +panel, on account of some partiality +or default in the sheriff, or his officer, +who arrayed the panel, the ground of +which is examined into before the +court. Challenges to the polls—<i>in +capita</i>—are exceptions to particular +persons, and must be made in each +instance, as the person comes to the +box to be sworn, and before he is +sworn; for when the oath is once +taken the challenge is too late.</p> + +<p>Sir Edward Coke reduces the heads +of challenge to four. 1st, <i>propter +honoris respectum</i>; as if a lord of Parliament +be impannelled. 2d, <i>propter +defectum</i>; as if a juryman be an alien +born, or be in other respects generally +objectionable. 3d, <i>propter affectum</i>; +for suspicion of bias or partiality: +and 4th, <i>propter delictum</i>; or, for +some crime that affects the juror's +credit, and renders him infamous; +In treason and felony, the prisoner +is allowed the privilege of a limited +number of <i>peremptory</i> challenges; +after which, as in misdemeanours, +there is no limit to the number of +challenges, if the party shows some +cause for each challenge to the court. +This cause is tried by persons appointed +for that purpose by the court, when +no jurymen have been sworn; but +when two jurymen have been sworn, +they are the parties who must adjudicate +upon the qualifications of those +who are afterwards challenged, who, +except when the challenge is <i>propter +delictum</i>, may be themselves examined +upon oath. The crown, also, we +have seen, can exercise this privilege, +but with this difference, that no cause +for challenge need be shown by the +crown, either in felonies or misdemeanours, +till the panel is exhausted, +and unless there cannot be a full jury +without the persons so challenged.</p> + +<p>When twelve men have been found, +they are sworn to give a true verdict +"according to the evidence," and the +jury are then ready to hear the merits +of the case. To fix their attention +the closer to the facts which they are +impannelled and sworn to try, the indictment, +in cases of importance, is +usually opened by the junior counsel +for the crown—a proceeding, by which +they are briefly informed of the charge +which is brought against the accused. +The leading counsel for the crown +then lays the <i>facts</i> of the case before +the jury, in a plain unvarnished statement; +no appeal is made to the passions +or prejudices of the twelve men, +who are to pronounce upon the guilt +or innocence of the accused; but every +topic, every observation, which might +warp their judgment, or direct their +attention from the simple facts which +are about to be proved before them, +is anxiously deprecated and avoided +by the counsel for the prosecution. The +witnesses for the crown are called one +by one, sworn, examined, and cross-examined +by the accused, or his counsel. +When the case for the crown has +been brought to a close, the defence +commences, and the counsel for the defendant +addresses the jury. It is the +duty of the advocate, on such an occasion, +to put forth all his powers in +behalf of his client; to obtain acquittal +is his object: he must sift the hostile +evidence, he must apply every possible +test to the accuracy of the testimony, +and to the credibility of the +witnesses; he may address himself to +the reason, to the prejudices, to the +sympathies, nay, even to the worst +passions of the twelve men whose opinions +he seeks to influence in favour +of his client. He may proceed to call +witnesses to disprove the facts adduced +on the other side, or to show +that the character of the accused +stands too high for even a suspicion +of the alleged clime; he has the +utmost liberty of speech and action +He may indefinitely protract the +proceedings, and there seems to be +scarcely any limit, in point of law, +beyond which the ultimate event of +the trial may not be, by these means, +deferred. Whenever the defence closes, +in those cases in which the government +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page16" id="page16"></a>[pg 16]</span> +is the real prosecutor, the representative +of the crown has the general +reply; at the close of which the presiding +judge sums up the evidence +to the jury, and informs them of the +legal bearing of the facts, on the effect +and existence of which the jury has +to decide. This having been accomplished, +it becomes the duty of the +jury to deliberate, decide, and pronounce +their verdict. If the verdict +be "Not guilty," the accused is for +ever quit and discharged of the accusation; +but if the jury pronounce him +guilty, he stands convicted of the +crime which has been thus charged +and proved against him, and awaits +the judgment of the court. In felonies +and ordinary misdemeanours, +judgment is generally pronounced immediately +upon, or soon after, the delivery +of the verdict; in other cases, +when the trial has been had before +the Queen's Bench, the judgment may, +in England, be pronounced either immediately +or during the ensuing term. +But whenever this event occurs, the +prisoner has still one chance more for +escape: he can move an arrest of +judgment, on the grounds either that +the indictment is substantially defective, +or that he has already been pardoned +or punished for the same offense. +These objections, if successful, +will, even at this late stage of the +proceedings, save the defendant from +the consequences of his crime. But +if these last resources fail, the court +must give the judgment, or pronounce +the measure of that punishment, which +the law annexes to the crime of which +the prisoner has been convicted.</p> + +<p>By the law of this country, the +<i>species</i> of punishment for every offence +is always ascertained; but, between +certain defined limits, the measure +and degree of that punishment is, with +very few exceptions, left to the discretion +of the presiding judge. Treasons +and some felonies are, indeed, +capital: but, in the mercy of modern +times, the great majority of felonies, +and all misdemeanours, are visited, +some with various terms of transportation +or imprisonment, which, in most +cases, may be with or without hard +labour, at the discretion of the court. +In these cases, the punishment is prescribed +by the statute law; but there +are some misdemeanours the punishment +of which has not been interfered +with by any statute, and to which, +therefore, the common law punishments +are still attached. The case of +Mr O'Connell, which is now in abeyance, +seems to range itself under this +head of misdemeanours. Such cases +are punishable by fine or imprisonment, +or by both; but the amount of +the one, or the duration of the other, +is each left at large to be estimated +by the court, according to the more +or less aggravated nature of the offence, +and, as it is said, also according +to the quality and condition of the +parties. That a fine should, in all +cases, be reasonable, has been declared +by Magna Charta; and the Bill of +Rights has also provided, that excessive +fine, or cruel and unusual punishments, +should not be inflicted; but +what may or may not be unreasonable +or excessive, cruel or unusual, is left +entirely to the judgment of the executive.</p> + +<p>For crimes of a dark political hue, +which, by their tendency to subvert +the government or destroy the institutions +of the country, necessarily +assume a character highly dangerous +to the safety and well-being of the +state, it might be difficult to say what +degree of punishment would be excessive +or unusual. It seems probable, +that in cases of this nature, which include +crimes, so varied in their circumstances +that there appears no limit to +the degree of guilt incurred—crimes, +the nature and character of which +could not possibly be foreseen or provided +for, in all their infinite multiplicity +of detail; it seems probable that, +in such cases, a large discretion may +have been purposely left by the framers +of our constitution, in order that the +degree of guilt, on each occasion, +should be measured by an expansive +self-adjusting scale of punishment, +applied, indeed, and administered by +the judges of the land, but regulated +and adjusted, in each succeeding age, +by the influence of public opinion, and +by the spirit and temper of the times.</p> + +<p>Even at this latest stage of criminal +prosecution, in the interval which +must necessarily elapse between the +pronouncing and the infliction of the +sentence, the convicted delinquent is +not without a remedy for any wrong +he may sustain in the act which terminates +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page17" id="page17"></a>[pg 17]</span> +the proceedings. If any judgement +not warranted by law be given +by the court, it may be reversed upon +a <i>writ of error</i>, which lies from all +inferior criminal jurisdictions to the +Queen's Bench, and from the Queen's +Bench to the House of Peers. These +writs, however, in cases of misdemeanour, +are not allowed, of course, +but on probable cause shown to the +Attorney General; and then they are +understood to be grantable of common +right, and <i>ex debito justitiæ</i>. The +crown, if every other resource has +failed the prisoner, has always the +power of exercising the most amiable +of its prerogatives. Though the sovereign +herself condemns no man, "the +great operation of her sceptre is mercy," +and the chief magistrate, in the +words of Sir William Blackstone, +"holding a court of equity in his own +breast, to soften the rigour of the general +law, in such criminal cases as +merit an exemption from punishment," +is ever at liberty to grant a free, unconditional, +and gracious pardon to +the injured or repentant convict.</p> + +<p>We have now rapidly traced the +progress of a criminal prosecution +from its commencement to its close, +and we have given a summary of the +<i>ordinary</i> proceedings on such occasions. +Although it may be possible +that the practice of the courts in Ireland +on minor points, should occasionally +differ in some degree from the +practice of the English Courts, we may, +nevertheless, have rendered the proceedings +now pending in the sister +isle, more intelligible to the general +reader, who may now, perhaps, be enabled +to see the bearing, and understand +the importance of many struggles, +which, to the unlearned, might +probably appear to be wholly beside +the real question now at issue between +the crown and Mr O'Connell. +Whatever be the result of that prosecution, +whether those indicted be +found guilty, or acquitted, of the misdemeanours +laid to their charge; we +feel assured, on the one hand, however +long and grievous may have been +the "provocation," that while there +will be "nothing extenuate," neither +will there be "set down aught in +malice;" but that the measure of the +retribution now demanded by the +state, will be so temperately and equitably +adjusted, that while the very +semblance of oppression is carefully +avoided, the majesty of the law, and +the powers of the executive, will be +amply and entirely vindicated. On +the other hand, if Mr O'Connell, and +his companions, in guilt or misfortune, +should break through the cobwebs of +the law, and hurl a <i>retrospective</i> defiance +at the Government; we feel the +utmost confidence, that the learning, +foresight, and ability, of the eminent +lawyers who represent the crown, together +with the firmness and integrity +of the Irish bench, "<i>sans peur et sans +reproche</i>," will demonstrate to the millions +who look on, that the constitutional +powers of the state still remain +uninjured and unimpaired in all their +pristine and legitimate energy and vigour; +and that neither in the machinery +now set in motion, nor with +those who conduct or superintend its +action, but with others on whom, in +the course of these proceedings, will +be thrown the execution of a grave +and all-important duty, must rest +the real blame, if blame there be, of +the failure of <i>this</i> "State Prosecution."</p> + +<hr /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page18" id="page18"></a>[pg 18]</span> + + + + +<h2>ADVENTURES IN TEXAS.</h2> + +<h3>No. III.</h3> + +<h3>THE STRUGGLE.</h3> + + +<p>I had been but three or four months +in Texas, when, in consequence of the +oppressive conduct of the Mexican +military authorities, symptoms of discontent +showed themselves, and several +skirmishes occurred between the +American settlers and the soldiery. +The two small forts of Velasco and +Nacogdoches were taken by the former, +and their garrisons and a couple +of field-officers made prisoners; soon +after which, however, the quarrel was +made up by the intervention of Colonel +Austin on the part of Texas, and +Colonel Mejia on the part of the +Mexican authorities.</p> + +<p>But in the year '33 occurred Santa +Anna's defection from the liberal party, +and the imprisonment of Stephen F. +Austin, the Texian representative in +the Mexican congress, by the vice-president, +Gomez Farias. This was +followed by Texas adopting the constitution +of 1824, and declaring itself +an independent state of the Mexican +republic. Finally, towards the close +of 1835 Texas threw off the Mexican +yoke altogether, voted itself a free and +sovereign republic, and prepared to +defend by arms its newly asserted +liberty.</p> + +<p>The first step to be taken was, to +secure our communications with the +United States by getting possession +of the sea-ports. General Cos had +occupied Galveston harbour, and built +and garrisoned a block-fort, nominally +for the purpose of enforcing the customs +laws, but in reality with a view +to cut off our communications with +New Orleans and the States. This +fort it was necessary to get possession +of, and my friend Fanning and myself +were appointed to that duty by the +Alcalde, who had taken a prominent +part in all that had occurred.</p> + +<p>Our whole force and equipment +wherewith to accomplish this enterprise, +consisted in a sealed despatch, +to be opened at the town of Columbia, +and a half-breed, named Agostino, +who acted as our guide. On reaching +Columbia, we called together the principal +inhabitants of the place, and of +the neighbouring towns of Bolivar and +Marion, unsealed the letter in their +presence, and six hours afterwards the +forces therein specified were assembled, +and we were on our march towards +Galveston. The next day the fort +was taken, and the garrison made +prisoners, without our losing a single +man.</p> + +<p>We sent off our guide to the government +at San Felipe with news of +our success. In nine days he returned, +bringing us the thanks of congress, +and fresh orders. We were to leave +a garrison in the fort, and then ascend +Trinity river, and march towards San +Antonio de Bexar. This route was +all the more agreeable to Fanning and +myself, as it would bring us into the +immediate vicinity of the <i>haciendas</i>, or +estates, of which we had some time +previously obtained a grant from the +Texian government; and we did not +doubt that we were indebted to our +friend the Alcalde for the orders which +thus conciliated our private convenience +with our public duty.</p> + +<p>As we marched along we found the +whole country in commotion, the settlers +all arming, and hastening to the +distant place of rendezvous. We arrived +at Trinity river one afternoon, +and immediately sent messengers for +forty miles in all directions to summon +the inhabitants. At the period +in question, the plantations in that +part of the country were very few and +far between, but nevertheless by the +afternoon of the next day we had got +together four-and-thirty men, mounted +on mustangs, each equipped with +rifle and bowie-knife, powder-horn +and bullet-bag, and furnished with +provisions for several days. With +these we started for San Antonio de +Bexar, a march of two hundred and +fifty miles, through trackless prairies +intersected with rivers and streams, +which, although not quite so big as +the Mississippi or Potomac, were yet +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page19" id="page19"></a>[pg 19]</span> +deep and wide enough to have offered +serious impediment to regular armies. +But to Texian farmers and backwoodsmen, +they were trifling obstacles. +Those we could not wade through we +swam over; and in due time, and without +any incident worthy of note, +reached the appointed place of rendezvous, +which was on the river Salado, +about fifteen miles from San +Antonio, the principal city of the province. +This latter place it was intended +to attack—an enterprise of +some boldness and risk, considering +that the town was protected by a +strong fort, amply provided with +heavy artillery, and had a garrison of +nearly three thousand men, commanded +by officers who had, for the +most part, distinguished themselves +in the revolutionary wars against the +Spaniards. Our whole army, which +we found encamped on the Salado, +under the command of General Austin, +did not exceed eight hundred men.</p> + +<p>The day after that on which Fanning +and myself, with our four and +thirty recruits, reached headquarters, +a council of war was held, and it was +resolved to advance as far as the mission +of Santa Espada. The advanced +guard was to push forward immediately; +the main body would follow +the next day. Fanning and myself +were appointed to the command of the +vanguard, in conjunction with Mr +Wharton, a wealthy planter, who had +brought a strong party of volunteers +with him, and whose mature age and +cool judgment, it was thought, would +counterbalance any excess of youthful +heat and impetuosity on our part. +Selecting ninety-two men out of the +eight hundred, who, to a man, volunteered +to accompany us, we set out +for the mission.</p> + +<p>These missions are a sort of picket-houses +or outposts of the Catholic +church, and are found in great numbers +in all the frontier provinces of +Spanish America, especially in Texas, +Santa Fe, and Cohahuila. They are +usually of sufficient strength to afford +their inmates security against any predatory +party of Indians or other marauders, +and are occupied by priests, +who, while using their endeavours to +spread the doctrines of the Church of +Rome, act also as spies and agents of +the Mexican government.</p> + +<p>On reaching San Espada we held a +discussion as to the propriety of remaining +there until the general came +up, or of advancing at once towards +the river. Wharton inclined to the +former plan, and it was certainly the +most prudent, for the mission was a +strong building, surrounded by a high +wall, and might have been held against +very superior numbers. Fanning and +I, however, did not like the idea of +being cooped up in a house, and at last +Wharton yielded. We left our horses +and mustangs in charge of eight men, +and with the remainder set out in the +direction of the Salado, which flows +from north to south, a third of a mile +to the westward of the mission. About +half-way between the latter and the +river, was a small group, or island, of +muskeet trees, the only object that +broke the uniformity of the prairie. +The bank of the river on our side was +tolerably steep, about eight or ten feet +high, hollowed out here and there, and +covered with a thick network of wild +vines. The Salado at this spot describes +a sort of bow-shaped curve, +with a ford at either end, by which +alone the river can be passed, for +although not very broad, it is rapid +and deep. We resolved to take up a +position within this bow, calculating +that we might manage to defend the +two fords, which were not above a +quarter of a mile apart.</p> + +<p>At the same time we did not lose +sight of the dangers of such a position, +and of the almost certainty that if the +enemy managed to cross the river, we +should be surrounded and cut off. +But our success on the few occasions +on which we had hitherto come to +blows with the Mexicans, at Velasco, +Nacogdoches, and Galveston, had inspired +us with so much confidence, +that we considered ourselves a match +for thousands of such foes, and actually +began to wish the enemy would +attack us before our main body came +up. We reconnoitred the ground, +stationed a picket of twelve men at +each ford, and an equal number in the +island of muskeet trees; and established +ourselves with the remainder +amongst the vines and in the hollows +on the river bank.</p> + +<p>The commissariat department of the +Texian army was, as may be supposed, +not yet placed upon any very +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page20" id="page20"></a>[pg 20]</span> +regular footing. In fact, every man +was, for the present, his own commissary-general. +Finding our stock of +provisions to be very small, we sent +out a party of foragers, who soon returned +with three sheep, which they +had taken from a <i>rancho</i>, within a +mile of San Antonio. An old priest, +whom they found there, had threatened +them with the anger of Heaven +and of General Cos; but they paid +little attention to his denunciations, +and, throwing down three dollars, +walked off with the sheep. The priest +became furious, got upon his mule, +and trotted away in the direction of +the City to complain to General Cos +of the misconduct of the heretics.</p> + +<p>After this we made no doubt that +we should soon have a visit from the +worthy Dons. Nevertheless the evening +and the night passed away without +incident. Day broke—still no +signs of the Mexicans. This treacherous +sort of calm, we thought, might +forbode a storm, and we did not allow +it to lull us into security. We let the +men get their breakfast, which they +had hardly finished when the picket +from the upper ford came in with news +that a strong body of cavalry was +approaching the river, and that their +vanguard was already in the hollow +way leading to the ford. We had +scarcely received this intelligence when +we heard the blare of the trumpets, +and the next moment we saw the +officers push their horses up the declivitous +bank, closely followed by their +men, whom they formed up in the +prairie. We counted six small squadrons, +about three hundred men in all. +They were the Durango dragoons—smart +troops enough to all appearance, +capitally mounted and equipped, +and armed with carbines and sabres.</p> + +<p>Although the enemy had doubtless +reconnoitred us from the opposite +shore, and ascertained our position, he +could not form any accurate idea of our +numbers, for with a view to deceive him, +we kept the men in constant motion, +sometimes showing a part of them on +the prairie, then causing them to disappear +again behind the vines and bushes. +This was all very knowing for young +soldiers such as we were; but, on the +other hand, we had committed a +grievous error, and sinned against all +established military rules, by not placing +a picket on the further side of the +river, to warn us of the approach of +the enemy, and the direction in which +he was coming. There can be little +doubt that if we had earlier notice +of their approach, thirty or forty +good marksmen—and all our people +were that—might not only have delayed +the advance of the Mexicans, +but perhaps even totally disgusted +them of their attempt to cross the Salado. +The hollow way on the other +side of the river, leading to the ford, +was narrow and tolerably steep, and +the bank was at least six times as high as +on our side. Nothing would have +been easier than to have stationed a +party, so as to pick off the cavalry as +they wound through this kind of pass, +and emerged two by two upon the +shore. Our error, however, did not +strike us till it was too late to repair +it; so we were fain to console ourselves +with the reflection that the Mexicans +would be much more likely to attribute +our negligence to an excess of +confidence in our resources, than to +the inexperience in military matters, +which was its real cause. We resolved +to do our best to merit the good +opinion which we thus supposed them +to entertain of us.</p> + +<p>When the whole of the dragoons +had crossed the water, they marched +on for a short distance in an easterly +direction: then, wheeling to the right, +proceeded southward, until within +some five hundred paces of us, where +they halted. In this position, the +line of cavalry formed the chord of the +arc described by the river, and occupied +by us.</p> + +<p>As soon as they halted, they opened +their fire, although the could not +see one of us, for we were completely +sheltered by the bank. Our Mexican +heroes, however, apparently did +not think it necessary to be within +sight or range of their opponents before +firing, for they gave us a rattling +volley at a distance which no carbine +would carry. This done, others +galloped on for about a hundred yards, +halted again, loaded, fired another +volley, and then giving another gallop, +fired again. They continued this +sort of <i>manège</i> till they found themselves +within two hundred and fifty +paces of us, and then appeared inclined +to take a little time for reflection.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page21" id="page21"></a>[pg 21]</span> + +<p>We kept ourselves perfectly still. +The dragoons evidently did not like +the aspect of matters. Our remaining +concealed, and not replying to their +fire, seemed to bother them. We saw +the officers taking a deal of pains to +encourage their men, and at last two +squadrons advanced, the others following +more slowly, a short distance +in rear. This was the moment we +had waited for. No sooner had the +dragoons got into a canter, than six +of our men who had received orders to +that effect, sprang up the bank, took +steady aim at the officers, fired, and +then jumped down again.</p> + +<p>As we had expected, the small +numbers that had shown themselves, +encouraged the Mexicans to advance. +They seemed at first taken rather +aback by the fall of four of their officers; +but nevertheless, after a moment's +hesitation, they came thundering +along full speed. They were +within sixty or seventy yards of us, +when Fanning and thirty of our riflemen +ascended the bank, and with a +coolness and precision that would have +done credit to the most veteran troops, +poured a steady fire into the ranks of +the dragoons.</p> + +<p>It requires some nerve and courage +for men who have never gone through +any regular military training, to stand +their ground singly and unprotected, +within fifty yards of an advancing line +of cavalry. Our fellows did it, however, +and fired, not all at once, or in +a hurry, but slowly and deliberately; +a running fire, every shot of which +told. Saddle after saddle was emptied; +the men, as they had been ordered, +always picking out the foremost +horsemen, and as soon as they +had fired, jumping down the bank to +reload. When the whole of the thirty +men had discharged their rifles, +Wharton and myself, with the reserve +of six and thirty more, took their +places; but the dragoons had almost +had enough already, and we had +scarcely fired ten shots when they +executed a right-about turn, with an +uniformity and rapidity which did infinite +credit to their drill, and went +off at a pace that soon carried them +out of reach of our bullets. They had +probably not expected so warm a reception. +We saw their officers doing +every thing they could to check their +flight, imploring, threatening, even +cutting at them with their sabres, but +it was no use; if they were to be +killed, it must be in their own way, +and they preferred being cut down by +their officers to encountering the +deadly precision of rifles, in the hands +of men who, being sure of hitting a +squirrel at a hundred yards, were not +likely to miss a Durango dragoon at +any point within range.</p> + +<p>Our object in ordering the men to +fire slowly was, always to have thirty +or forty rifles loaded, wherewith to +receive the enemy should he attempt +a charge <i>en masse</i>. But our first greeting +had been a sickener, and it appeared +almost doubtful whether he +would venture to attack us again, although +the officers did every thing in +their power to induce their men to +advance. For a long time, neither +threats, entreaties, nor reproaches +produced any effect. We saw the officers +gesticulating furiously, pointing +to us with their sabres, and impatiently +spurring their horses, till the +fiery animals plunged and reared, and +sprang with all four feet from the +ground. It is only just to say, that +the officers exhibited a degree of +courage far beyond any thing we had +expected from them. Of the two +squadrons that charged us, two-thirds +of the officers had fallen; but those +who remained, instead of appearing +intimidated by their comrades' fate, +redoubled their efforts to bring their +men forward.</p> + +<p>At last there appeared some probability +of their accomplishing this, after +a most curious and truly Mexican +fashion. Posting themselves in front +of their squadrons, they rode on alone +for a hundred yards or so, halted, +looked round, as much as to say—"You +see there is no danger as far +as this," and then galloping back, led +their men on. Each time that they +executed this manoeuvre, the dragoons +would advance slowly some +thirty or forty paces, and then halt as +simultaneously as if the word of command +had been given. Off went the +officers again, some distance to the +front, and then back again to their +men, and got them on a little further. +In this manner these heroes were inveigled +once more to within a hundred +and fifty yards of our position.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page22" id="page22"></a>[pg 22]</span> + +<p>Of course, at each of the numerous +halts which they made during their +advance, they favoured us with a general, +but most innocuous discharge of +their carbines; and at last, gaining +confidence, I suppose, from our passiveness, +and from the noise and +smoke they themselves had been making, +three squadrons which had not +yet been under fire, formed open column +and advanced at a trot. Without +giving them time to halt or reflect—"Forward! +Charge!" shouted +the officers, urging their own horses +to their utmost speed; and following +the impulse thus given, the three +squadrons came charging furiously +along.</p> + +<p>Up sprang thirty of our men to receive +them. Their orders were to fire +slowly, and not throw away a shot, +but the gleaming sabres and rapid approach +of the dragoons flurried some +of them, and firing a hasty volley, +they jumped down the bank again. +This precipitation had nearly been fatal +to us. Several of the dragoons +fell, and there was some confusion and +a momentary faltering amongst the +others; but they still came on. At this +critical moment, Wharton and myself, +with the reserves, showed ourselves +on the bank. "Slow and +sure-mark your men!" shouted we +both. Wharton on the right and I +on the left. The command was obeyed: +rifle after rifle cracked off, always +aimed at the foremost of the dragoons, +and at every report a saddle was emptied. +Before we had all fired, Fanning +and a dozen of his sharpest men +had again loaded, and were by our +side. For nearly a minute the Mexicans +remained, as if stupefied by our +murderous fire, and uncertain whether +to advance or retire; but as those +who attempted the former, were invariably +shot down, they at last began +a retreat, which was soon converted +into a rout. We gave them a farewell +volley, which eased a few more +horses of their riders, and then got +under cover again, to await what +might next occur.</p> + +<p>But the Mexican caballeros had no +notion of coming up to the scratch a +third time. They kept patrolling +about, some three or four hundred +yards off, and firing volleys at us, +which they were able to do with perfect +impunity, as at that distance we +did not think proper to return a shot.</p> + +<p>The skirmish had lasted nearly +three quarters of an hour. Strange +to say, we had not had a single man +wounded, although at times the bullets +had fallen about us as thick as +hail. We could not account for this. +Many of us had been hit by the balls, +but a bruise or a graze of the skin was +the worst consequence that had ensued. +We were in a fair way to deem +ourselves invulnerable.</p> + +<p>We were beginning to think that +the fight was over for the day, when +our videttes at the lower ford brought +us the somewhat unpleasant intelligence +that large masses of infantry +were approaching the river, and would +soon be in sight. The words were +hardly uttered, when the roll of the +drums, and shrill squeak of the fifes +became audible, and in a few minutes +the head of the column of infantry, +having crossed the ford, ascended +the sloping bank, and defiled in the +prairie opposite the island of muskeet +trees. As company after company +appeared, we were able to form a +pretty exact estimate of their numbers. +There were two battalions, together +about a thousand men; and +they brought a field-piece with them.</p> + +<p>These were certainly rather long odds +to be opposed to seventy-two men and +three officers' for it must be remembered +that we had left twenty of our +people at the mission, and in the island +of trees. Two battalions of infantry, +and six squadrons of dragoons—the +latter, to be sure, disheartened +and diminished by the loss of some +fifty men, but nevertheless formidable +opponents, now they were supported +by the foot soldiers. About twenty +Mexicans to each of us. It was getting +past a joke. We were all capital +shots, and most of us, besides our +rifles, had a brace of pistols in our +belts; but what were seventy-five +rifles, and five or six score of pistols +against a thousand muskets and bayonets, +two hundred and fifty dragoons, +and a field-piece loaded with canister? +If the Mexicans had a spark of +courage or soldiership about them, +our fate was sealed. But it was +exactly this courage and soldiership, +which we made sure would be wanting.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page23" id="page23"></a>[pg 23]</span> + +<p>Nevertheless we, the officers, could +not repress a feeling of anxiety and +self-reproach, when we reflected that +we had brought our comrades into +such a hazardous predicament. But +on looking around us, our apprehensions +vanished. Nothing could exceed +the perfect coolness and confidence +with which the men were cleaning +and preparing their rifles for the +approaching conflict; no bravado—no +boasting, talking, or laughing, but +a calm decision of manner, which at +once told us, that if it were possible +to overcome such odds as were brought +against us, those were the men to do +it.</p> + +<p>Our arrangements for the approaching +struggle were soon completed. +Fanning and Wharton were to make +head against the infantry and cavalry. +I was to capture the field-piece—an +eight-pounder.</p> + +<p>This gun was placed by the Mexicans +upon their extreme left, close to +the river, the shores of which it commanded +for a considerable distance. +The bank on which we were posted +was, as before mentioned, indented +by caves and hollows, and covered +with a thick tapestry of vines and +other plants, which was now very useful +in concealing us from the artillerymen. +The latter made a pretty good +guess at our position however, and at +the first discharge, the canister whizzed +past us at a very short distance. +There was not a moment to lose, for +one well-directed shot might exterminate +half of us. Followed by a +dozen men, I worked my way as well +as I could through the labyrinth of +vines and bushes, and was not more +than fifty yards from the gun, when +it was again fired. No one was hurt, +although the shot was evidently intended +for my party. The enemy +could not see us; but the notion of +the vines, as we passed through them, +had betrayed our whereabout: so, perceiving +that we were discovered, I +sprang up the bank into the prairie +followed by my men, to whom I +shouted, above all to aim at the artillerymen.</p> + +<p>I had raised my own rifle to my +shoulder, when I let it fall again in +astonishment at an apparition that +presented itself to my view. This was +a tall, lean, wild figure, with a face +overgrown by long beard that hung +down upon his breast, and dressed in +a leather cap, jacket, and mocassins. +Where this man had sprung from was +a perfect riddle. He was unknown to +any of us, although I had some vague +recollection of having seen him before, +but where or when, I could not call +to mind. He had a long rifle in his +hands, which he must have fired once +already, for one of the artillerymen +lay dead by the gun. At the moment +I first caught sight of him, he shot +down another, and then began reloading +with a rapid dexterity, that proved +him to be well used to the thing. +My men were as much astonished as I +was by this strange apparition, which +appeared to have started out of the +earth; and for a few seconds they forgot +to fire, and stood gazing at the +stranger. The latter did not seem to +approve of their inaction.</p> + +<p>"D—— yer eyes, ye starin' fools," +shouted he in a rough hoarse voice, +"don't ye see them art'lerymen? +Why don't ye knock 'em on the +head?"</p> + +<p>It certainly was not the moment to +remain idle. We fired; but our astonishment +had thrown us off our +balance, and we nearly all missed. +We sprang down the bank again to +load, just as the men serving the gun +were slewing it around, so as to bring +it to bear upon us. Before this was +accomplished, we were under cover, +and the stranger had the benefit of +the discharge, of which he took no +more notice than if he had borne a +charmed life. Again we heard the +crack of his rifle, and when, having +reloaded, we once more ascended the +bank, he was taking aim at the last +artilleryman, who fell, as his companions +had done.</p> + +<p>"D—— ye, for laggin' fellers!" +growled the stranger. "Why don't +ye take that 'ere big gun?"</p> + +<p>Our small numbers, the bad direction +of our first volley, but, above all, +the precipitation with which we had +jumped down the bank after firing it, +had so encouraged the enemy, that a +company of infantry, drawn up some +distance in rear of the field-piece, +fired a volley, and advanced at double-quick +time, part of them making a +small <i>détour</i> with the intention of cutting +us off from our friends. At this +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page24" id="page24"></a>[pg 24]</span> +moment, we saw Fanning and thirty +men coming along the river bank to +our assistance; so without minding +the Mexicans who were getting behind +us, we rushed forward to within +twenty paces of those in our front, +and taking steady aim, brought down +every man his bird. The sort of desperate +coolness with which this was +done, produced the greater effect on +our opponents, as being something +quite out of their way. They would, +perhaps, have stood firm against a +volley from five times our number, at +a rather greater distance; but they did +not like having their mustaches singed +by our powder; and after a moment's +wavering and hesitation, they +shouted out "Diabolos! Diabolos!" +and throwing away their muskets, +broke into precipitate flight.</p> + +<p>Fanning and Wharton now came up +with all the men. Under cover of +the infantry's advance, the gun had +been re-manned, but, luckily for us, +only by infantry soldiers; for had +there been artillerymen to seize the +moment when we were all standing +exposed on the prairie, they might +have diminished our numbers not a +little. The fuse was already burning, +and we had just time to get under the +bank when the gun went off. Up we +jumped again, and looked about us to +see what was next to be done.</p> + +<p>Although hitherto all the advantages +had been on our side, our situation +was still a very perilous one. +The company we had put to flight had +rejoined its battalion, which was now +beginning to advance by <i>échelon</i> of +companies. The second battalion, +which was rather further from us, was +moving forward in like manner, and +in a parallel direction. We should +probably, therefore, have to resist the +attack of a dozen companies, one after +the other; and it was to be feared +that the Mexicans would finish by +getting over their panic terror of our +rifles, and exchange their distant and +ineffectual platoon-firing for a charge +with the bayonet, in which their superior +numbers would tell. We observed, +also, that the cavalry, which +had been keeping itself at a safe distance, +was now put in motion, and +formed up close to the island of muskeet +trees, to which the right flank of +the infantry was also extending itself. +Thence they had clear ground for a +charge down upon us.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, what had become of the +twelve men whom we had left in the +island? Were they still there, or had +they fallen back upon the mission in +dismay at the overwhelming force of +the Mexicans? If the latter, it was +a bad business for us, for they were +all capital shots, and well armed with +rifles and pistols. We heartily wished +we had brought them with us, as well +as the eight men at the mission. Cut +off from us as they were, what could +they do against the whole of the cavalry +and two companies of infantry +which were now approaching the +island? To add to our difficulties, +our ammunition was beginning to run +short. Many of us had only had +enough powder and ball for fifteen or +sixteen charges, which were now reduced +to six or seven. It was no use +desponding, however; and, after a +hurried consultation, it was agreed +that Fanning and Wharton should +open a fire upon the enemy's centre, +while I made a dash at the field-piece +before any more infantry had time to +come up for its protection.</p> + +<p>The infantry-men who had re-manned +the gun were by this time shot +down, and, as none had come to replace +them, it was served by an officer +alone. Just as I gave the order +to advance to the twenty men who +were to follow me, this officer fell. +Simultaneously with his fall, I heard +a sort of yell behind me, and, turning +round, saw that it proceeded +from the wild spectre-looking stranger, +whom I had lost sight of during the last +few minutes. A ball had struck him, +and he fell heavily to the ground, his +rifle, which had just been discharged, +and was still smoking from muzzle and +touchhole, clutched convulsively in +both hands; his features distorted, +his eyes rolling frightfully. There was +something in the expression of his +face at that moment which brought +back to me, in vivid colouring, one of +the earliest and most striking incidents +of my residence in Texas. Had +I not myself seen him hung, I could +have sworn that <i>Bob Rock, the murderer</i>, +now lay before me.</p> + +<p>A second look at the man gave additional +force to this idea.</p> + +<p>"Bob!" I exclaimed.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page25" id="page25"></a>[pg 25]</span> + +<p>"Bob!" repeated the wounded +man, in a broken voice, and with a +look of astonishment, almost of dismay. +"Who calls Bob?"</p> + +<p>A wild gleam shot from his eyes, +which the next instant closed. He +had become insensible.</p> + +<p>It was neither the time nor the +place to indulge in speculations on +this singular resurrection of a man +whose execution I had myself witnessed. +With twelve hundred foes +around us, we had plenty to occupy +all our thoughts and attention. My +people were already masters of the +gun, and some of them drew it forwards +and pointed it against the enemy, +while the others spread out right +and left to protect it with their rifles. +I was busy loading the piece when an +exclamation of surprise from one of +the men made me look up.</p> + +<p>There seemed to be something extraordinary +happening amongst the +Mexicans, to judge from the degree +of confusion which suddenly showed +itself in their ranks, and which, beginning +with the cavalry and right +flank of the infantry, soon became +general throughout their whole force. +It was a sort of wavering and unsteadiness +which, to us, was quite +unaccountable, for Fanning and Wharton +had not yet fired twenty shots, +and, indeed, had only just come within +range of the enemy. Not knowing +what it could portend, I called in my +men, and stationed them round the +gun, which I had double-shotted, and +stood ready to fire.</p> + +<p>The confusion in the Mexican ranks +increased. For about a minute they +waved and reeled to and fro, as if uncertain +which way to go; and, at last, +the cavalry and right of the line fairly +broke, and ran for it. This example +was followed by the centre, and presently +the whole of the two battalions +and three hundred cavalry were scattered +over the prairie, in the wildest +and most disorderly flight. I gave +them a parting salute from the eight-pounder, +which would doubtless have +accelerated their movements had it +been possible to run faster than they +were already doing.</p> + +<p>We stood staring after the fugitives +in perfect bewilderment, totally unable +to explain their apparently causeless +panic. At last the report of several +rifles from the island of trees gave us +a clue to the mystery.</p> + +<p>The infantry, whose left flank extended +to the Salado, had pushed their +right into the prairie as far as the island +of muskeet trees, in order to connect +their line with the dragoons, and then +by making a general advance, to attack +us on all sides at once, and get +the full advantage of their superior +numbers. The plan was not a bad +one. Infantry and cavalry approached +the island, quite unsuspicious of its +being occupied. The twelve riflemen +whom we had stationed there remained +perfectly quiet, concealed behind +the trees; allowed squadrons and companies +to come within twenty paces of +them, and then opened their fire, first +from their pistols, then from their +rifles.</p> + +<p>Some six and thirty shots, every +one of which told, fired suddenly from +a cover close to their rear, were enough +to startle even the best troops, much +more so our Mexican dons, who, already +sufficiently inclined to a panic, +now believed themselves fallen into +an ambuscade, and surrounded on all +sides by the incarnate <i>diabolos</i>, as they +called us. The cavalry, who had not +yet recovered the thrashing we had +given them, were ready enough for a +run, and the infantry were not slow +to follow them.</p> + +<p>Our first impulse was naturally to +pursue the flying enemy, but a discovery +made by some of the men, induced +us to abandon that idea. They +had opened the pouches of the dead +Mexicans in order to supply themselves +with ammunition, ours being +nearly expended; but the powder of +the cartridges turned out so bad as to +be useless. It was little better than +coal dust, and would not carry a ball +fifty paces to kill or wound. This +accounted for our apparent invulnerability +to the fire of the Mexicans. The +muskets also were of a very inferior +description. Both they and the cartridges +were of English make; the former +being stamped Birmingham, and +the latter having the name of an English +powder manufactory, with the significant +addition, "for exportation."</p> + +<p>Under these circumstances, we had +nothing to do but let the Mexicans +run. We sent a detachment to the +muskeet island, to unite itself with the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page26" id="page26"></a>[pg 26]</span> +twelve men who had done such good +service there, and thence advance towards +the ford. We ourselves proceeded +slowly in the latter direction. +This demonstration brought the fugitives +back again, for they had, most +of them, in the wild precipitation of +their flight, passed the only place +where they could cross the river. +They began crowding over in the +greatest confusion, foot and horse all +mixed up together; and by the time +we got within a hundred paces of the +ford, the prairie was nearly clear of +them. There were still a couple of +hundred men on our side of the water, +completely at our mercy, and Wharton, +who was a little in front with +thirty men, gave the word to fire +upon them. No one obeyed. He repeated +the command. Not a rifle was +raised. He stared at his men, astonished +and impatient at this strange +disobedience. An old weather-beaten +bear-hunter stepped forward, squirting +out his tobacco juice with all imaginable +deliberation.</p> + +<p>"I tell ye what, capting!" said he, +passing his quid over from his right +cheek to his left; "I calkilate, capting," +he continued, "we'd better +leave the poor devils of dons alone."</p> + +<p>"The poor devils of dons alone!" +repeated Wharton in a rage. "Are +you mad, man?"</p> + +<p>Fanning and I had just come +up with our detachment, and were +not less surprised and angry than +Wharton was, at this breach of discipline. +The man, however, did not +allow himself to be disconcerted.</p> + +<p>"There's a proverb, gentlemen," +said he, turning to us, "which says, +that one should build a golden bridge +for a beaten enemy; and a good proverb +it is, I calkilate—a considerable +good one."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean, man, with +your golden bridge?" cried Fanning. +"This is no time for proverbs."</p> + +<p>"Do you know that you are liable +to be punished for insubordination?" +said I. "It's your duty to fire, and +do the enemy all the harm you can; +not to be quoting proverbs."</p> + +<p>"Calkilate it is," replied the man +very coolly. "Calkilate I could shoot +'em without either danger or trouble; +but I reckon that would be like Spaniards +or Mexicans; not like Americans—not +prudent."</p> + +<p>"Not like Americans? Would you +let the enemy escape, then, when we +have him in our power?"</p> + +<p>"Calkilate I would. Calkilate we +should do ourselves more harm than +him by shooting down his people. That +was a considerable sensible commandment +of yourn, always to shoot the +foremost of the Mexicans when they +attacked. It discouraged the bold +ones, and was a sort of premium on +cowardice. Them as lagged behind +escaped, them as came bravely on +were shot. It was a good calkilation. +If we had shot 'em without discrimination, +the cowards would have got +bold, seein' that they weren't safer +in rear than in front. The cowards +are our best friends. Now them +runaways," continued he, pointing to +the Mexicans, who were crowding +over the river, "are jest the most cowardly +of 'em all, for in their fright +they quite forgot the ford, and it's +because they ran so far beyond it, that +they are last to cross the water. And +if you fire at 'em now, they'll find +that they get nothin' by bein' cowards, +and next time, I reckon, they'll +sell their hides as dear as they can."</p> + +<p>Untimely as this palaver, to use a +popular word, undoubtedly was, we +could scarcely forbear smiling at the +simple <i>naïve</i> manner in which the old +Yankee spoke his mind.</p> + +<p>"Calkilate, captings," he concluded, +"you'd better let the poor devils +run. We shall get more profit by it +than if we shot five hundred of 'em. +Next time they'll run away directly +to show their gratitude for our ginerosity."</p> + +<p>The man stepped back into the +ranks, and his comrades nodded approvingly, +and calculated and reckoned +that Zebediah had spoke a true +word; and meanwhile the enemy had +crossed the river, and was out of our +reach. We were forced to content +ourselves with sending a party across +the water to follow up the Mexicans, +and observe the direction they took. +We then returned to our old position.</p> + +<p>My first thought on arriving there +was to search for the body of Bob +Rock—for he it undoubtedly was, who +had so mysteriously appeared amongst +us. I repaired to the spot where I +had seen him fall; but could discover +no signs of him, either dead or alive. +I went over the whole scene of the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page27" id="page27"></a>[pg 27]</span> +fight, searched amongst the vines and +along the bank of the river; there were +plenty of dead Mexicans—cavalry, +infantry, and artillery, but no Bob was +to be found, nor could any one inform +me what had become of him, although +several had seen him fall.</p> + +<p>I was continuing my search, when +I met Wharton, who asked me what +I was seeking, and on learning, shook +his head gravely. He had seen the +wild prairieman, he said, but whence +he came, or whither he was gone, was +more than he could tell. It was a +long time since any thing had startled +and astonished him so much as this +man's appearance and proceedings. +He (Wharton,) had been stationed +with his party amongst the vines, +about fifty paces in rear of Fanning's +people, when just as the Mexican infantry +had crossed the ford, and were +forming up, he saw a man approaching +at a brisk trot from the north side +of the prairie. He halted about a +couple of hundred yards from Wharton, +tied his mustang to a bush, and +with his rifle on his arm, strode along +the edge of the prairie in the direction +of the Mexicans. When he passed +near Wharton, the latter called out to +him to halt, and say who he was, +whence he came, and whither going.</p> + +<p>"Who I am is no business of yourn," +replied the man: "nor where I come +from neither. You'll soon see where +I'm goin'. I'm goin' agin' the enemy."</p> + +<p>"Then you must come and join us," +cried Wharton.</p> + +<p>This the stranger testily refused to +do. He'd fight on his own hook, he +said.</p> + +<p>Wharton told him he must not do +that.</p> + +<p>He should like to see who'd hinder +him, he said, and walked on. The +next moment he shot the first artilleryman. +After that they let him take +his own way.</p> + +<p>Neither Wharton, nor any of his +men, knew what had become of him; +but at last I met with a bear-hunter, +who gave me the following information.</p> + +<p>"Calkilatin'," said he, "that the wild +prairieman's rifle was a capital good +one, as good a one as ever killed a +bear, he tho't it a pity that it should +fall into bad hands, so went to secure +it himself, although the frontispiece of +its dead owner warn't very invitin'. +But when he stooped to take the gun, +he got such a shove as knocked him +backwards, and on getting up, he saw +the prairieman openin' his jacket and +examinin' a wound on his breast, +which was neither deep nor dangerous, +although it had taken away the man's +senses for a while. The ball had +struck the breast bone, and was quite +near the skin, so that the wounded +man pushed it out with his fingers; +and then supporting himself on his +rifle, got up from the ground, and +without either a thankye, or a d——nye, +walked to where his mustang was tied +up, got on its back, and rode slowly +away in a northerly direction.</p> + +<p>This was all the information I could +obtain on the subject, and shortly +afterwards the main body of our army +came up, and I had other matters to +occupy my attention. General Austin +expressed his gratitude and approbation +to our brave fellows, after a +truly republican and democratic fashion. +He shook hands with all the +rough bear and buffalo hunters, and +drank with them. Fanning and myself +he promoted, on the spot, to the +rank of colonel.</p> + +<p>We were giving the general a detailed +account of the morning's events, +when a Mexican priest appeared with +a flag of truce and several waggons, +and craved permission to take away +the dead. This was of course granted, +and we had some talk with the padré, +who, however, was too wily a customer +to allow himself to be pumped. +What little we did get out of him, determined +us to advance the same +afternoon against San Antonio. We +thought there was some chance, that +in the present panic-struck state of +the Mexicans, we might obtain possession +of the place by a bold and +sudden assault.</p> + +<p>In this, however, we were mistaken. +We found the gates closed, and the +enemy on his guard, but too dispirited +to oppose our taking up a position +at about cannon-shot from the great +redoubt. We had soon invested all +the outlets from the city.</p> + +<p>San Antonio de Bexar lies in a fertile +and well-irrigated valley, stretching +westward from the river Salado. +In the centre of the town rises the +fort of the Alamo, which at that time +was armed with forty-eight pieces of +artillery of various calibre. The garrison +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page28" id="page28"></a>[pg 28]</span> +of the town and fortress was +nearly three thousand strong.</p> + +<p>Our artillery consisted of two batteries +of four six, and five eight-pounders; +our army of eleven hundred men, +with which we had not only to carry +on the siege, but also to make head +against the forces that would be sent +against us from Cohahuila, on the frontier +of which province General Cos was +stationed, with a strong body of troops.</p> + +<p>We were not discouraged, however, +and opened our fire upon the city. +During the first week, not a day +passed without smart skirmishes. General +Cos's dragoons were swarming +about us like so many Bedouins. But +although well-mounted, and capital +horsemen, they were no match for our +backwoodsmen. Those from the western +states especially, accustomed to +Indian warfare and cunning, laid traps +and ambuscades for the Mexicans, +and were constantly destroying their +detachments. As for the besieged, if +one of them showed his head for ten +seconds above the city wall, he was +sure of getting a rifle bullet through +it. I cannot say that our besieging +army was a perfect model of military +discipline; but any deficiencies in that +respect were made good by the intelligence +of the men, and the zeal and +unanimity with which they pursued +the accomplishment of one great object—the +capture of the city—the liberty +and independence of Texas.</p> + +<p>The badness of the gunpowder used +by the Mexicans, was again of great +service to us. Many of their cannon +balls that fell far short of us, +were collected and returned to them +with powerful effect. We kept a sharp +look-out for convoys, and captured no +less than three—one of horses, another +of provisions, and twenty thousand +dollars in money.</p> + +<p>After an eight weeks' siege, a breach +having been made, the city surrendered, +and a month later the fort followed +the example. With a powerful +park of artillery, we then advanced +upon Goliad, the strongest fortress in +Texas, which likewise capitulated in +about four weeks' time. We were now +masters of the whole country, and the +war was apparently at an end.</p> + +<p>But the Mexicans were not the people +to give up their best province so +easily. They have too much of the +old Spanish character about them—that determined obstinacy which sustained +the Spaniards during their protracted +struggle against the Moors. +The honour of their republic was compromised, +and that must be redeemed. +Thundering proclamations were issued, +denouncing the Texians as rebels, +who should be swept off the face of +the earth, and threatening the United +States for having aided us with money +and volunteers. Ten thousand of the +best troops in Mexico entered Texas +and were shortly to be followed by +ten thousand more. The President, +General Santa Anna, himself came to +take the command, attended by a numerous +and brilliant staff.</p> + +<p>The Texians laughed at the fanfarronades +of the dons, and did not attach +sufficient importance to these +formidable preparations. Their good +opinion of themselves, and contempt +of their foes, had been increased to an +unreasonable degree by their recent +and rapid successes. They forgot that +the troops to which they had hitherto +been opposed were for the most part +militia, and that those now advancing +against them were of a far better description, +and had probably better +powder. The call to arms made by +our president, Burnet, was disregarded +by many, and we could only get +together about two thousand men, of +whom nearly two-thirds had to be +left to garrison the forts of Goliad and +Alamo. In the first named place we +left seven hundred and sixty men, +under the command of Fanning; in +the latter, something more than five +hundred. With the remaining seven +or eight hundred, we took the field. +The Mexicans advanced so rapidly, +that they were upon us before we +were aware of it, and we were compelled +to retreat, leaving the garrisons +of the two forts to their fate, and a +right melancholy one it proved to be.</p> + +<p>One morning news was brought to +Goliad, that a number of country people, +principally women and children, +were on their way to the fort, closely +pursued by the Mexicans. Fanning, +losing sight of prudence in his compassion +for these poor people, immediately +ordered a battalion of five hundred +men, under the command of +Major Ward, to go and meet the fugitives +and escort them in. The +major, and several officers of the garrison, +doubted as to the propriety of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page29" id="page29"></a>[pg 29]</span> +this measure; but Fanning, full of +sympathy for his unprotected country-women, +insisted, and the battalion +moved out. They soon came in sight +of the fugitives, as they thought, but +on drawing nearer, the latter turned +out to be Mexican dragoons, who +sprang upon their horses, which were +concealed in the neighbouring islands +of trees, and a desperate fight began. +The Mexicans, far superior in numbers, +received every moment accessions +to their strength. The Louis-Potosi +and Santa Fé cavalry, fellows +who seem born on horseback, were +there. Our unfortunate countrymen +were hemmed in on all sides. The +fight lasted two days, and only two +men out of the five hundred escaped +with their lives.</p> + +<p>Before the news of this misfortune +reached us, orders had been sent to +Fanning to evacuate the fort and join +us with six pieces of artillery. He +received the order, and proceeded to +execute it. But what might have +been very practicable for eight hundred +and sixty men, was impossible +for three hundred and sixty. Nevertheless, +Fanning began his march +through the prairie. His little band +was almost immediately surrounded +by the enemy. After a gallant defence, +which lasted twelve hours, they +succeeded in reaching an island, but +scarcely had they established themselves +there, when they found that +their ammunition was expended. +There was nothing left for them, but +to accept the terms offered by the +Mexicans, who pledged themselves, +that if they laid down their arms, they +should be permitted to return to their +homes. But the rifles were no sooner +piled, than the Texians found themselves +charged by their treacherous +foes, who butchered them without +mercy. Only an advanced post of +three men succeeded in escaping.</p> + +<p>The five hundred men whom we had +left in San Antonio de Bexar, fared +no better. Not being sufficiently numerous +to hold out the town as well +as the Alamo, they retreated into the +latter. The Mexican artillery soon +laid a part of the fort in ruins. Still +its defenders held out. After eight +days' fighting, during which the loss +of the besiegers was tremendously severe, +the Alamo was taken, and not +a single Texian left alive.</p> + +<p>We thus, by these two cruel blows, +lost two-thirds of our army, and little +more than seven hundred men remained +to resist the numerous legions +of our victorious foe. The prospect +before us, was one well calculated to +daunt the stoutest heart.</p> + +<p>The Mexican general, Santa Anna, +moved his army forward in two divisions, +one stretching along the coast +towards Velasco, the other advancing +towards San Felipe de Austin. +He himself, with a small force, marched +in the centre. At Fort Bend, +twenty miles below San Felipe, he +crossed the Brazos, and shortly afterwards +established himself with about +fifteen hundred men in an entrenched +camp. Our army, under the command +of General Houston, was in front of +Harrisburg, to which place the congress +had retreated.</p> + +<p>It was on the night of the twentieth +of April, and our whole disposable +force, some seven hundred men, was +bivouacking in and about an island of +sycamores. It was a cloudy, stormy +evening: high wind was blowing, +and the branches of the trees groaned +and creaked above our heads. The +weather harmonized well enough with +our feelings, which were sad and desponding +when we thought of the desperate +state of our cause. We (the +officers) were sitting in a circle round +the general and Alcalde, both of whom +appeared uneasy and anxious. More +than once they got up, and walked +backwards and forwards, seemingly +impatient, and as if they were waiting +for or expecting something. There +was a deep silence throughout the +whole bivouac; some were sleeping, +and those who watched were in no +humour for idle chat.</p> + +<p>"Who goes there?" suddenly +shouted one of the sentries. The answer +we did not hear, but it was apparently +satisfactory, for there was no +further challenge, and a few seconds +afterwards an orderly came up, and +whispered something in the ear of the +Alcalde. The latter hurried away, +and, presently returning, spoke a few +words in a low tone to the general, +and then to us officers. In an instant +we were all upon our feet. In less +than ten minutes, the bivouac was +broken up, and our little army on the +march.</p> + +<p>All our people were well mounted, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page30" id="page30"></a>[pg 30]</span> +and armed with rifles, pistols, and +bowie-knives. We had six field-pieces, +but we only took four, harnessed wit +twice the usual number of horses. We +marched at a rapid trot the whole +night, led by a tall, gaunt figure of a +man who acted as our guide, and kept +some distance in front. I more than +once asked the Alcalde who this was. +"You will know by and by," was his +answer.</p> + +<p>Before daybreak we had ridden +five and twenty miles, but had been +compelled to abandon two more guns. +As yet, no one knew the object of this +forced march. The general commanded +a halt, and ordered the men to refresh +and strengthen themselves by +food and drink. While they were +doing this, he assembled the officers +around him, and the meaning of our +night march was explained to us. The +camp in which the Mexican president +and general-in-chief had entrenched +himself was within a mile of us; General +Parza, with two thousand men, +was twenty miles further to the rear; +General Filasola, with one thousand, +eighteen miles lower down on the +Brazos; Viesca, with fifteen hundred, +twenty-five miles higher up. One +bold and decided blow, and Texas +might yet be free. There was not a +moment to lose, nor was one lost. +The general addressed the men.</p> + +<p>"Friends! Brothers! Citizens! +General Santa Anna is within a mile +of us with fifteen hundred men. The +hour that is to decide the question of +Texian liberty is now arrived. What +say you? Do we attack?"</p> + +<p>"We do!" exclaimed the men +with one voice, cheerfully and decidedly.</p> + +<p>In the most perfect stillness, we +arrived within two hundred paces of +the enemy's camp. The <i>reveillée</i> of +the sleeping Mexicans was the discharge +of our two field-pieces loaded +with canister. Rushing on to within +twenty-five paces of the entrenchment, +we gave them a deadly volley from +our rifles, and then, throwing away +the latter, bounded up the breast-works, +a pistol in each hand. The +Mexicans, scared and stupefied by +this sudden attack, were running +about in the wildest confusion, seeking +their arms, and not knowing which +way to turn. After firing our pistols, +we threw them away as we had done +our rifles, and, drawing our bowie-knives, +fell, with a shout, upon the +masses of the terrified foe. It was +more like the boarding of a ship than +any land fight I had ever seen or imagined.</p> + +<p>My station was on the right of the +line, where the breastwork, ending in +a redoubt, was steep and high. I +made two attempts to climb up, but +both times slipped back. On the third +trial I nearly gained the summit; but +was again slipping down, when a hand +seized me by the collar, and pulled me +up on the bank. In the darkness and +confusion I did not distinguish the +face of the man who rendered me this +assistance. I only saw the glitter of +a bayonet which a Mexican thrust +into his shoulder, at the very moment +he was helping me up. He neither +flinched nor let go his hold of me till +I was fairly on my feet; then, turning +slowly round, he levelled a pistol at +the soldier, who, at that very moment, +was struck down by the Alcalde.</p> + +<p>"No thanks to ye, squire!" exclaimed +the man, in a voice which +made me start, even at that moment +of excitement and bustle. I looked +at the speaker, but could only see his +back, for he had already plunged into +the thick of the fight, and was engaged +with a party of Mexicans, who +defended themselves desperately. He +fought like a man more anxious to be +killed than to kill, striking furiously +right and left, but never guarding a +blow, though the Alcalde, who was by +his side, warded off several which +were aimed at him.</p> + +<p>By this time my men had scrambled +up after me. I looked round to +see where our help was most wanted, +and was about to lead them forward, +when I heard the voice of the Alcalde.</p> + +<p>"Are you badly hurt, Bob?" said +he in an anxious tone.</p> + +<p>I glanced at the spot whence the +voice came. There lay Bob Rock, +covered with blood, and apparently +insensible. The Alcalde was supporting +his head on his arm. Before I +had time to give a second look I was +hurried forward with the rest towards +the centre of the camp, where the fight +was at the hottest.</p> + +<p>About five hundred men, the pick +of the Mexican army, had collected +round a knot of staff-officers, and were +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page31" id="page31"></a>[pg 31]</span> +making a most gallant defence. General +Houston had attacked them with +three hundred of our people, but had +not been able to break their ranks. +His charge, however, had shaken +them a little, and, before they had +time to recover from it, I came up. +Giving a wild hurrah, my men fired +their pistols, hurled them at their enemies' +heads, and then springing over +the carcasses of the fallen, dashed like +a thunderbolt into the broken ranks +of the Mexicans.</p> + +<p>A frightful butchery ensued. Our +men, who were for the most part, and +at most times, peaceable and humane +in disposition, seemed converted into +perfect fiends. Whole ranks of the +enemy fell under their knives. Some +idea may be formed of the horrible +slaughter from the fact, that the fight, +from beginning to end, did not last +above ten minutes, and in that time +nearly eight hundred Mexicans were +shot or cut down. "No quarter!" +was the cry of the infuriated assailants: +"Remember Alamo! Remember +Goliad! Think of Fanning, Ward!" +The Mexicans threw themselves on +their knees, imploring mercy. "<i>Misericordia! +Cuartel, por el amor de +Dios!</i>" shrieked they in heart-rending +tones but their supplications were +not listened to, and every man of +them would inevitably have been butchered, +had not General Houston and +the officers dashed in between the victors +and the vanquished, and with the +greatest difficulty, and by threats of +cutting down our own men if they did +not desist, put an end to this scene +of bloodshed, and saved the Texian +character from the stain of unmanly +cruelty.</p> + +<p>When all was over, I hurried back +to the place where I had left the Alcalde +with Bob—the latter lay, bleeding +from six wounds, only a few paces +from the spot where he had helped +me up the breastwork. The bodies of +two dead Mexicans served him for a +pillow. The Alcalde was kneeling by +his side, gazing sadly and earnestly +into the face of the dying man.</p> + +<p>For Bob was dying; but it was no +longer the death of the despairing +murderer. The expression of his features +was calm and composed, and +his eyes were raised to heaven with a +look of hope and supplication.</p> + +<p>I stooped down and asked him how +he felt himself, but he made no answer, +and evidently did not recollect +me. After a minute or two,</p> + +<p>"How goes it with the fight?" he +asked in a broken voice.</p> + +<p>"We have conquered, Bob. The +enemy killed or taken. Not a man +escaped."</p> + +<p>He paused a little, and then spoke +again.</p> + +<p>"Have I done my duty? May I +hope to be forgiven?"</p> + +<p>The Alcalde answered him in an +agitated voice.</p> + +<p>"He who forgave the sinner on the +cross, will doubtless be merciful to +you, Bob. His holy book says: There +is more joy over one sinner that repenteth +than over ninety and nine just +men. Be of good hope, Bob! the +Almighty will surely be merciful to +you!"</p> + +<p>"Thank ye, squire," gasped Bob +"you're a true friend, a friend in life +and in death. Well, it's come at last," +said he, while a resigned and happy +smile stole over his features. "I've +prayed for it long enough. Thank +God, it's come at last!"</p> + +<p>He gazed up at the Alcalde with a +kindly expression of countenance. +There was a slight shuddering movement +of his whole frame—Bob was +dead.</p> + +<p>The Alcalde remained kneeling for +a short time by the side of the corpse, +his lips moving in prayer. At last he +rose to his feet.</p> + +<p>"God desireth not the death of a +sinner, but rather that he may turn +from his wickedness and live," said +he, in a low and solemn tone. "I +had those words in my thoughts four +years ago, when I cut him down from +the branch of the Patriarch."</p> + +<p>"Four years ago!" cried I. "Then +you cut him down, and were in time +to save him! Was it he who yesterday +brought us the news of the +vicinity of the foe?"</p> + +<p>"It was, and much more than that +has he done," replied the Alcalde, no +longer striving to conceal the tears +that fell from his eyes. "For four +years has he dragged on his wretched +existence, weary of the world, and +despised of all men. For four years +has he served us, lived, fought, and +spied for us, without honour, reward, +hope, or consolation—without a single +hour of tranquillity, or a wish for +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page32" id="page32"></a>[pg 32]</span> +aught except death. All this to serve +Texas and his countrymen. Who +shall say this man was not a true +patriot? God will surely be merciful +to his soul," said the Alcalde after a +pause.</p> + +<p>"I trust he will," answered I, +deeply affected.</p> + +<p>We were interrupted at this moment +by a message from General +Houston, to whom we immediately +hastened. All was uproar and confusion. +Santa Anna could not be found +amongst the prisoners.</p> + +<p>This was a terrible disappointment, +for the capture of the Mexican president +had been our principal object, +and the victory we had gained was +comparatively unimportant if he escaped. +Indeed, the hope of putting +an end to the war by his capture, had +more than any thing encouraged and +stimulated us to the unequal conflict.</p> + +<p>The moment was a very critical +one. Amongst our men were some +thirty or forty most desperate characters, +who began handling their knives, +and casting looks upon the prisoners, +the meaning of which it was impossible +to mistake. Selecting some of our +trustiest men, we stationed them as a +guard over the captives, and, having +thus assured the safety of the latter, +began questioning them as to what +had become of their general.</p> + +<p>They had none of them seen Santa +Anna since the commencement of the +fight, and it was clear that he must +have made his escape while we were +getting over the breastworks. He +could not be very far off, and we at +once took measures to find him. A +hundred men were sent off with the +prisoners to Harrisburg, and a hundred +others, capitally mounted on +horses found in the Mexican camp, +started to scour the country in search +of the fugitive chief. I accompanied +the latter detachment.</p> + +<p>We had been twelve hours in the +saddle, and had ridden over nearly a +hundred miles of ground. We began +to despair of finding the game we +were in quest of, and were thinking +of abandoning the chase, when at a +distance of about seven miles from the +camp, one of our most experienced +hunters discovered the print of a small +and delicate boot upon some soft +ground leading to a marsh. Following +this trail, it at last led us to a +man sunk up to his waist in the +swamp, and so covered with mud and +filth, as to be quite unrecognizable. +We drew him from his hiding-place, +half dead with cold and terror, and, +having washed the dirt from his face, +we found him to be a man of about +forty years of age, with blue eyes, of +a mild, but crafty expression; a narrow, +high forehead; long, thin nose, +rather fleshy at the tip; projecting upper +lip, and long chin. These features +tallied too exactly with the description +we had had of the Mexican president, +for us to doubt that our prisoner +was Santa Anna himself.</p> + +<p>The only thing that at all tended to +shake this conviction, was the extraordinary +poltroonery of our new captive. +He threw himself on his knees, +begging us, in the name of God and all +the saints, to spare his life. Our reiterated +assurances and promises were +insufficient to convince him of his +being in perfect safety, or to induce +him to adopt a demeanour more consistent +with his dignity and high +station.</p> + +<p>The events which succeeded this +fortunate capture are too well known +to require more than a very brief recapitulation. +The same evening a +truce was agreed upon between Houston +and Santa Anna, the latter sending +orders to his different generals to +retire upon San Antonio de Bexar, +and other places in the direction of +the Mexican frontier. These orders, +valueless as emanating from a prisoner, +most of the generals were weak +or cowardly enough to obey, an obedience +for which they were afterwards +brought to trial by the Mexican congress. +In a few days, two-thirds of +Texas were in our possession.</p> + +<p>The news of these successes brought +crowds of volunteers to our standard. +In three weeks, we had an army of +several thousand men, with which we +advanced against the Mexicans. There +was no more fighting, however, for +our antagonists had had enough, and +allowed themselves to be driven from +one position to another, till, in a +month's time, there was not one of +them left in the country.</p> + +<p>The Struggle was over, and Texas +was Free!</p> + +<hr /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page33" id="page33"></a>[pg 33]</span> + + + +<h2>CLITOPHON AND LEUCIPPE.</h2> + + +<p>When enumerating (in our number +for July, last year) the principal +Greek romances which succeeded the +<i>Ethiopics</i> of Heliodorus, we placed +next to the celebrated production of +the Bishop of Trica in point of merit +(as it is generally held to have been +also in order of time) the "Adventures +of Clitophon and Leucippe," by Achilles +Tatius. Though far inferior, both +in the delineation of the characters +and the contrivance of the story, to +the <i>Ethiopics</i>, (from which, indeed, +many of the incidents are obviously +borrowed,) and not altogether free +from passages offensive to delicacy, +"Clitophon and Leucippe" is well +entitled to a separate notice, not only +from the grace of its style and diction, +and the curious matter with which +the narrative is interspersed, but from +its presenting one of the few pictures, +which have come down to these times, +of the social and domestic life of the +Greeks. In the <i>Ethiopics</i>, which may +be considered as an <i>heroic</i> romance, +the scene lies throughout in palaces, +camps, and temples; kings, high-priests, +and satraps, figure in every +page; the hero himself is a prince of +his own people; and the heroine, who +at first appears of no lower rank than +a high-priestess of Delphi, proves, in +the sequel, the heiress of a mighty +kingdom. In the work of Achilles +Tatius, on the contrary, (the plot of +which is laid at a later period of time +than that of its predecessor,) the characters +are taken, without exception, +from the class of Grecian citizens, who +are represented in the ordinary routine +of polished social existence, amidst +their gardens of villas, and occupied +by their banquets and processions, +and the business of their courts of law. +There are no unexpected revelations, +no talismanic rings, no mysterious +secret affecting the fortunes of any of +the personages, who are all presented +to us at the commencement in their +proper names and characters. The +interest of the story, as in the <i>Ethiopics</i>, +turns chiefly on an elopement, +and the consequent misadventures of +the hero and heroine among various +sets of robbers and treacherous friends; +but the lovers, after being thus duly +punished for their undutiful escapade, +are restored, at the finale, to their +original position, and settle quietly in +their native home, under their own +vines and fig-trees.</p> + +<p>Of the author himself little appears +to be certainly known. Fabricius and +other writers have placed him in the +"third or fourth" century of our era; +but this date will by no means agree +with his constant imitations of Heliodorus, +who is known to have lived at +the end of the fourth and beginning of +the fifth century; and Tatius, if not +his contemporary, probably lived not +long after him. Suidas (who calls him +<i>Statius</i>) informs us that he was a native +of Alexandria; and attributes to +his pen several other works on various +subjects besides the romance now in +question, a fragment only of which—a +treatise on the sphere—has been +preserved. He adds, that he was a +pagan when he wrote "Clitophon and +Leucippe," but late in life embraced +Christianity, and even became a +bishop. This latter statement, however, +is unsupported by any other +authority, and would seem to be opposed +by the negative testimony of +the patriarch Photius, who (in his +famous <i>Bibliotheca</i>, 118, 130) passes +a severe censure on the immorality of +certain passages in the works of Tatius, +and would scarcely have omitted +to inveigh against the further scandal +of their having proceeded from the +pen of an ecclesiastic. "In style and +composition this work is of high excellence; +the periods are generally +well rounded and perspicuous, and +gratify the ear by their harmony ... +but, except in the names of the +personages, and the unpardonable +breaches of decorum of which he is +guilty, the author appears to have +closely copied Heliodorus both in the +plan and execution of his narrative." +In another passage, when treating of +the <i>Babylonica</i><a id="footnotetag1" name="footnotetag1"></a><a href="#footnote1"><sup>1</sup></a> of Iamblichus, he +repeats this condemnation:—"Of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page34" id="page34"></a>[pg 34]</span> +these three principal writers of amorous +tales. Heliodorus has treated the +subject with due gravity and decorum. +Iamblichus is not so unexceptionable +on these points; and Achilles Tatius +is still worse, in his eight books of +<i>Clitophon and Leucippe</i>, the very diction +of which is soft and effeminate, +as if intended to relax the vigour of +the reader's mind." This last denunciation +of the patriarch, however, is +somewhat too sweeping and indiscriminate, +since, though some passages +are certainly indefensible, they appear +rather as interpolations, and are in no +manner connected with the main +thread of the story, the general tendency +of which is throughout innocent +and moral; and whatever may be +said of these blemishes, it must be +allowed that the pages of Achilles +Tatius are purity itself when compared +with the depravity of Longus, +and some of his followers and imitators +among the Greek romancists.</p> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><p><a id="footnote1" name="footnote1"></a><a href="#footnotetag1">[1] </a> +This work is now lost, and we know it only by the abstract given by Photius +in the passage quoted.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The period of time at which the +adventures of <i>Clitophon and Leucippe</i> +are supposed to take place, appears to +be in the later ages of Grecian independence, +when the successors of +Alexander reigned in Syria and Egypt, +and the colonized cities in Thrace and +Asia Minor still preserved their municipal +liberties. The story is related +in the first person by the hero himself; +a mode of narration which, though +the best adapted for affording scope +to the expression of the feelings of the +principal personages, is, in this instance, +very awkwardly introduced. +A stranger, while contemplating a +famous picture of the Rape of Europa +in the Temple of Astarte at Sidon, is +accosted by a young man, who, after +a few incidental remarks, proceeds, +without further preface, to recount his +adventures at length to this casual +acquaintance. This communicative +gentleman is, of course, Clitophon; +but before we proceed to the narrative +of his loves and woes, we shall +give a specimen of the author's powers +in the line which appears to be his +forte, by quoting his description of +the painting above referred to:—"On +entering the temple, my attention was +attracted by a picture representing +the story of Europa, in which sea and +land were blended—the Phoenician +Sea and the coasts of Sidon. On the +land was seen a band of maidens in a +meadow, while in the sea a bull was +swimming, who bore on his shoulders +a beautiful virgin, and was making +his way in the direction of Crete. +The meadow was decked with a profusion +of bright flowers, to which a +grateful shelter was afforded by the +dense overhanging foliage of the shrubs +and clumps of trees, which were interspersed +at intervals throughout its +extent; while so skilfully had the +artist represented the appearance of +light and shade, that the rays of the +sun were seen to pass here and there +through the interstices of the leaves, and +cast a softened radiance on the ground +underneath. A spring was seen bubbling +up in the midst, and refreshing +the flowers and plants with its cool +waters; while a labourer with a spade +was at work opening a fresh channel +for the stream. At the extremity of +the meadow, where it bordered on the +sea, the maidens stood grouped together, +in attitudes expressive of mingled +joy and terror; their brows were +bound with chaplets, and their hair +floated in loose locks over their shoulders; +but their features were pale, +and their cheeks contracted, and they +gazed with lips apart and opened eyes +on the sea, as if on the point of uttering +a cry half-suppressed by fear. They +were standing on tiptoe on the very +verge of the shore, with their tunics +girt up to the knee, and extending +their arms towards the bull, as if meditating +to rush into the sea in pursuit +of him, and yet shrinking from the +contact of the waves. The sea was +represented of a reddish tint inshore, +but further out the colour changed to +deep azure; while in another part the +waves were seen running in with a +swell upon the rocks, and breaking +against them into clouds of foam and +white spray. In the midst of the sea the +bull was depicted, breasting the lofty +billows which surged against his sides, +with the damsel seated on his back, +not astride, but with both her feet +disposed on his right side, while with +her left hand she grasped his horn, by +which she guided his motions as a +charioteer guides a horse by the rein. +She was arrayed in a white tunic, +which did not extend much below her +waist, and an under-garment of purple, +reaching to her feet; but the outline +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page35" id="page35"></a>[pg 35]</span> +of her form, and the swell of her bosom, +were distinctly defined through her garments. +Her right hand rested on the +back of the bull, with the left she retained +her hold of his horn, while with +both she grasped her veil, which was +blown out by the wind, and expanded +in an arch over her head and shoulders, +so that the bull might be compared +to a ship, of which the damsel's +veil was the sail. Around them dolphins +were sporting in the water, and +winged loves fluttering in the air, so +admirably depicted, that the spectator +might fancy he saw them in motion. +One Cupid guided the bull, while +others hovered round bearing bows +and quivers, and brandishing nuptial +torches, regarding Jupiter with arch +and sidelong glances, as if conscious +that it was by their influence that the +god had assumed the form of an animal."</p> + +<p>To return to Clitophon and his tale. +He begins by informing his hearer, +that he is the son of Hippias, a noble +and wealthy denizen of Tyre, and that +he had been betrothed from his childhood, +as was not unusual in those +times,<a id="footnotetag2" name="footnotetag2"></a><a href="#footnote2"><sup>2</sup></a> to his own half-sister Calligone:—but +Leucippe, the daughter of +Sostratus, a brother of Hippias, resident +at Byzantium, having arrived +with her mother Panthia, to claim the +hospitality of their Tyrian relatives +during a war impending between their +native city and the Thracian tribes, +Clitophon at once becomes enamoured +of his cousin, whose charms are described +in terms of glowing panegyric:—"She +seemed to me like the representation +of Europa, which I see in +the picture before me—her eye beaming +with joy and happiness—her locks +fair,<a id="footnotetag3" name="footnotetag3"></a><a href="#footnote3"><sup>3</sup></a> and flowing in natural ringlets, +but her eyebrows and eyelashes jetty +black—her complexion fair, but with +a blush in her cheeks like that faint +crimson with which the Lydian women +stain ivory, and her lips like the +hue of a fresh-opened rose." Love is +not, however, in this case, as in that +of Theagenes and Chariclea, instantaneous +on both sides; and the expedient +adopted by Clitophon, with the +aid of his servant Satyrus, (a valet of +the <i>Scapin</i> school,) to win the good +graces of the lady, are detailed at +length, evincing much knowledge of +the human heart in the author, and +affording considerable insight into the +domestic arrangements of a Grecian +family.<a id="footnotetag4" name="footnotetag4"></a><a href="#footnote4"><sup>4</sup></a> An understanding is at last +effected between them, and Clitophon +is in sad perplexity how to defer or +evade his approaching nuptials with +his sister-bride, when Calligone is +most opportunely carried off by a band +of pirates employed by Callisthenes, +a young Byzantine, who, having fallen +in love with Leucippe from the mere +report of her beauty, and having been +refused her hand by her father, has +followed her to Tyre, and seeing Calligone +in a public procession chaperoned +by Panthia, has mistaken her +for Leucippe! The lovers are thus +left in the unrestrained enjoyment of +each other's society; but Clitophon is +erelong detected by Panthia in an attempt +to penetrate by night into her +daughter's chamber; and though the +darkness prevents the person of the +intruder from being recognised, the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page36" id="page36"></a>[pg 36]</span> +confusion which this untoward occurrence +occasions in the family is such, +that Clitophon and Leucippe, feeling +their secret no longer safe, determine +on an elopement. Accompanied by +the faithful Satyrus, and by Clinias, +a kinsman and confident of Clitophon, +who generously volunteers to share +their adventures, they accordingly set +sail for Egypt; and the two gentlemen, +having struck up an acquaintance +with a fellow passenger, a young +Alexandrian named Menelaus, beguile +the voyage by discussing with their +new friend the all-engrossing subject +of love, the remarks on which at last +take so antiplatonic a tone, that we +can only hope Leucippe was out of +hearing. These disquisitions are interrupted, +on the third day of the +voyage, by a violent tempest; and +the sailors, finding the ship on the +point of coming to pieces, betake themselves +to the boat, leaving the passengers +to their fate. But Clitophon +and Leucippe, clinging to the forecastle, +are comfortably wafted by the +winds and waves to the coast of +Egypt, and landed near Pelusium, +where they hire a vessel to carry them +to Alexandria; but their voyage +through the tortuous branches of the +Nile is intercepted by marauders of +the same class, <i>Bucoli</i> or buccaniers, +as those who figure so conspicuously +in the adventures of <i>Chariclea</i> and +<i>Theagenes</i>. The robbers are at this +juncture in expectation of an attack +from the royal troops; and, having +been ordered by their priests to propitiate +the gods by the sacrifice of a +virgin, are greatly at a loss for a victim, +when chance throws Leucippe in +their way. She is forthwith torn from +her lover, and sent off to the headquarters +of the banditti; and Clitophon +is on his way to another of their +retreats, when his captors are attacked +and cut to pieces by a detachment +of troops, whose commander, Charmides, +commiserates the misfortunes +of our hero, and hospitably entertains +him in his tent.</p> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><p><a id="footnote2" name="footnote2"></a><a href="#footnotetag2">[2]</a> + The laws of Athens permitted the marriage of a brother with his sister by the +father's side only—thus Cimon married his half sister Elpinice; and several +marriages of the same nature occur in the history of the Egyptian Ptolemies.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><p><a id="footnote3" name="footnote3"></a><a href="#footnotetag3">[3]</a> + Fair hair, probably from its rarity in southern climates, seems to have been +at all times much prized by the ancients; witness the [Greek: Xanthos Menelaos] of Homer, +and the "Cui <i>flavam</i> religas comam?" of Horace. The style of Leucippe's +beauty seems to have resembled that of Haidee—</p></blockquote> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>"Her hair, I said, was auburn; but her eyes</p> +<p>Were black as night, their lashes the same hue."</p> + </div> </div> + + +<blockquote class="footnote"><p><a id="footnote4" name="footnote4"></a><a href="#footnotetag4">[4]</a> + One incident, where Clitophon pretends to have been stung on the lip by a +bee, and to be cured by a kiss from Leucippe, has been borrowed by Tasso in the +Aminta, (Act I. Scene 2.) "Che fingendo ch'un ape avesse morso il mio labbro +di sotto," &c., whence the idea has been again copied by a host of later poetasters. +This is not Tasso's only obligation to the Greek romances, as we have already seen +that he was indebted to Heliodorus for the hint of his story of Clorinda.</p></blockquote> + +<p>A general attack on the buccanier +force is projected for the next day, but +the advance of the troops is found to +be barred by a trench so wide and deep +as to be impassable; and while preparations +are made for filling it up, +Leucippe is brought to the opposite +brink by two officiating priests, sheathed +in armor; and there, to the horror +of Clitophon, apparently ripped up +alive before the altar. After completing +the sacrifice, and depositing the +body in a sarcophagus, the robbers +disperse; the passage of the trench is +at length effected; and Clitophon is +preparing to fall on his sword at the +tomb of his murdered love, when his +hand is stayed by the appearance of +his faithful friends, Menelaus and Satyrus, +whom he had supposed lost in +the ship. The mystery is now explained. +They had reached the shore, +like Clitophon, on pieces of the wreck +and having also fallen into the power +of the robbers, (as appears to have +been the inevitable fate of every one +landing in Egypt at the time of this +narrative,) were surprised by finding +Leucippe among their fellow captives, +and learning from her the dreadful fate +which awaited her. Menelaus, however, +having recognized some former +acquaintances among the buccaniers, +was released from his bonds; and +having gained their confidence by proposing +to enrol himself in their band, +offered his services as sacrificer, which +were accepted. He now contrived to +equip Leucippe with an artfully constructed +<i>false stomach</i>, and being further +assisted in his humane stratagem +by the discovery of a knife with a +sliding blade, among some theatrical +<i>properties</i> which the robbers had acquired +in the course of casual plunder, +succeeded in appearing to perform the +sacrifice without any real injury to the victim, +who at his call rises from the sarcophagus, and throws herself into her lover's arms.</p> + +<p>It might be supposed, that after so +portentously marvellous an escape as +the one just related, the unlucky couple +might be allowed a short respite +at least from the persecutions of adverse +fortune. But perils in love succeed +without an interval to perils in +war. It is the invariable rule of all +Greek romances, as we have remarked +in a previous number, that the attractions +both of the hero and heroine, +should be perfectly irresistible by those +of the other sex; and accordingly, the +Egyptian officer Charmides no sooner +beholds Leucippe, than he falls in love +with her, and endeavours to gain over +Menelaus to further his views. Menelaus +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page37" id="page37"></a>[pg 37]</span> +feigns compliance, but privately +gives information of the designs of +Charmides to Clitophon, who is thrown +into a dreadful state of consternation +by his apprehensions of this powerful +rival. At this juncture, however, +Leucippe is suddenly seized with a fit +of extravagant frenzy, which defies all +the skill of the Egyptian camp; and +under the influence of which she violently +assaults her friends, and is guilty +of sundry vagaries not altogether seemly +in a well-bred young lady. Both her +admirers, Charmides and Clitophon, +are in despair, and equally in ignorance +of the cause of her malady; but before +any symptoms of amendment are perceptible, +Charmides receives orders<a id="footnotetag5" name="footnotetag5"></a><a href="#footnote5"><sup>5</sup></a> +to march with his whole force against +the buccaniers, by whom he is inveigled +into an ambuscade, and with most +of his men either slain or drowned by +the breaking of the dykes of the Nile. +The madness of Leucippe is still incurable, +till a stranger named Choereas +makes his appearance, and introducing +himself to Clitophon, informs him that +he has discovered from the confession +of a domestic, that Gorgias, an officer +who fell in the late action with the +<i>Bucoli</i>, captivated, like every one else, +by the resistless charms of the heroine, +had administered to her a philtre, the +undue strength of which had excited +frenzy instead of love. By the administration +of proper remedies, the +fair patient is now restored to her +senses: and the total destruction of +the robber-colony by a stronger force +sent against them having rendered the +navigation of the Nile again secure, +the lovers once more embark for Alexandria, +accompanied by Menelaus and +Choereas, and at length arrive in safety +at the city, which they find illuminated +for the great feast of Serapis. +The first sight of the glories of Alexandria, +at the supposed period of the +narrative the largest and most magnificent +city in the world, and many +ages subsequently second only to Imperial +Rome herself, excites the astonishment +and admiration of the newcomers:—and +the author takes the opportunity +to dilate, with pardonable +complacency, on the magnitude and +grandeur of the place of his birth. +"When I entered the city," (says +Clitophon,) "by the gates called those +of the sun, its wonderful beauty flashed +at once upon my sight, almost dazzling +my eyes with the excess of gratification. +A lofty colonnade of pillars, +on each side of the street,<a id="footnotetag6" name="footnotetag6"></a><a href="#footnote6"><sup>6</sup></a> runs right +from the gates of the sun on one side, +to those of the moon, (for these are +its guardian deities,) on the other; +and the distance is such, that a walk +through the city is in itself a journey. +When we had proceeded several stadia, +we arrived at the square named after +Alexander, whence other colonnades, +like those I saw extending in a right +line before me, branched off right and +left at right angles; and my eyes, +never weary of wandering from one +street to another, were unable to contemplate +separately the various objects +of attraction which presented themselves. +Some I had before my eyes, +some I was hastening to gaze upon, +when I found myself unable to pass +by others, while a fresh series of marvels +still awaited me, so that my +powers of vision were at last fairly +exhausted, and obliged to confess +themselves beaten. The vast extent +of the city, and the innumerable multitude +of the population, produced on +the mind the effect of a double paradox; +for regarding the one, the stranger +wondered where such a city, which +seemed as large as a continent, could +find inhabitants; but when his attention +was drawn to the other, he was +again perplexed how so many people, +more numerous than a nation, could +find room in any single city. Thus +the two conflicting feelings of amazement +remained in equilibrio."</p> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><p><a id="footnote5" name="footnote5"></a> +<a href="#footnotetag5">[5] </a> These orders are said to have come from the "<i>satrap</i>," the Persian title +having been retained under the Ptolemies, for the governors of the <i>nomes</i> or provinces. +The description of the stronghold of the buccaniers, in the deep recesses +of a marsh, and approachable only by a single hidden path, (like the stockades of +the North-American Indians in the swamps, as described by Cotton Mather,) if +not copied, like most of the other Egyptian scenes, from the <i>Ethiopics</i>, presents a +curious picture of a class of men of whom few details are in authentic history.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><p><a id="footnote6" name="footnote6"></a> +<a href="#footnotetag6">[6] </a> The main street, according to Diodorus, was "forty stadia in length, and a +<i>plethrum</i> (100 feet) in breadth; adorned through its whole extent by a succession +of palaces and temples of the most costly magnificence. Alexander also erected a +royal palace, which was an edifice wonderful both for its magnitude and the solidity +of its architecture, and all the kings who have succeeded him, even up to our +times, have spent great sums in further adorning and making additions to it. +On the whole, the city may be fairly reckoned as the first in the world, whether +for magnitude and beauty, for traffic, or for the greatness of its revenues."—"It comprehended," says Gibbon, speaking of it under the Roman Emperors, "a +circumference of fifteen miles, and was peopled by 300,000 free inhabitants, besides, +at least, an equal number of slaves."</p></blockquote> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page38" id="page38"></a>[pg 38]</span> + +<p>Choereas, himself a native of the +city, who had been called upon to take +service in the late expedition against +the buccaniers, does the honours of +the locale to his new friends:—but he +is not proof against the fatal charms +of Leucippe, and resorts to the old +expedient of procuring her abduction +by a crew of pirates while on an excursion +to the Pharos. The vessel of +the captors is, however, chased by a +guard-boat, and on the point of being +taken, when Leucippe is brought on +deck and decapitated by the pirates, +who throw the headless body into the +sea, and make their escape; while +Clitophon stays the pursuit, to recover +the remains of his mistress for +sepulture. Clitophon now returns to +Alexandria to mourn for his lost love, +and is still inconsolable at the end of +six months, when he is surprised by +the appearance of Clinias, whom he +had supposed to have perished when +the vessel foundered at sea. Clinias +relates that having, like the others, +floated on a piece of the wreck, he +had been picked up by a ship, which +brought him back to Sidon; and as +his absence from home had been so +short as not to have been generally +noticed, he had thought it best not to +mention it, especially as he had no +good account to give of his fellow-fugitives. +In the mean time, as Calligone +is given up for lost, Sostratus, +who has heard of his daughter's attachment +to Clitophon, but not of the +elopement, writes from Byzantium to +give his consent to their union; and +diligent enquiries are made in every +direction for the runaway couple, till +information is at length obtained that +Clitophon has been seen in Egypt. +His father, Hippias, is therefore preparing +to set sail for Alexandria to +bring back the truant, when Clinias, +thinking it would be as well to forewarn +Clitophon of what had occurred +in his absence, starts without delay, +unknown to Hippias, and reaches +Alexandria before him.</p> + +<p>The intelligence thus received throws +Clitophon into fresh agonies of grief +and remorse: he curses his own impatience +in carrying off Leucippe, +when a short delay would have crowned +his happiness; accuses himself +anew as the cause of her death; and +declares his determination not to remain +in Egypt and encounter his +father. His friends, Menelaus and +Clinias, in vain endeavour to combat +this resolve; till the over-ready Satyrus +finds an expedient for evading +the difficulty. A young "Ephesian +widow," named Melissa, fair and +susceptible, who has lately lost her +husband at sea, and become the +heiress of his immense wealth, has recently +(in obedience to the above-mentioned +invariable law of Greek +romance) fixed an eye of ardent affection +on Clitophon; and it is suggested +by his friends that, by marrying this +new inamorata, and sailing with her +forthwith on her return to Ephesus, +his departure would at once be satisfactorily +explained to his father on his +arrival, and he might return to his +friends at Tyre after their emotions at +the tragical catastrophe of Leucippe +had in some measure subsided. After +much persuasion, Clitophon accedes to +this arrangement, with the sole proviso +that nothing but the <i>fiançailles</i>, or +betrothal, shall take place in Egypt, +and that the completion of the marriage +shall be deferred till their arrival +in Ephesus—on the plea that he +cannot pledge his faith to another in +the land where his beloved Leucippe +met with her fate. This proposal, +after vehement opposition on the part +of the amorous Ephesian, is at last +agreed to; and Clitophon, with his +half-married bride, sets sail for Ephesus, +accompanied by Clinias; while +Menelaus, who remains in Egypt, undertakes +the task of explaining matters +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page39" id="page39"></a>[pg 39]</span> +to Hippias. The voyage is prosperously +accomplished; and Melissa +becomes urgent for the formal solemnization +of the nuptials; while Clitophon +continues to oppose frivolous +delays which might have roused the +anger of a lady even of a less ardent +temperament. Her affection, however, +continues undiminished; but +Clitophon, while visiting, in her company, +her country residence in the +neighbourhood of the city, is thunderstruck +by fancying that he recognizes, +in the disfigured lineaments of a female +slave, said to be a Thessalian of +the name of Lacoena, who approaches +Melissa to complain of the ill-treatment +she has received from the steward, +Sosthenes, the features of his lost +Leucippe. His suspicions are confirmed +by a billet which Leucippe +conveys to him through Satyrus; and +his situation becomes doubly perplexing, +as Melissa, more than ever at a +loss to comprehend the cause of his indifference, +applies to Leucippe, (whom +she supposes to possess the skill of the +Thessalians in magic,) for a love-charm +to compel his affections, promising +her liberty as a reward. Leucippe +is delighted by the proof which +this request affords of the constancy +of her lover; but the preparations for +his marriage with Melissa still proceed, +and evasion appears impossible; +when at the preliminary banquet, the +return of her husband, Thersander, is +announced, who had been falsely reported +to have perished by shipwreck. +A terrible scene of confusion ensues, +in which Thersander,</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>—— "proceeding at a very high rate,</p> +<p>Shows the imperial penchant of a pirate."</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>Clitophon gets a violent beating, to +which he submits with the utmost +tameness, and is thrown into fetters +by the enraged husband; and though +Melissa, on certain conditions, furnishes +him with the means of escape +from the house in the disguise of a +female, he again unluckily encounters +Thersander, and is lodged in the prison +of Ephesus. Leucippe, meanwhile, +of whose unrivalled charms +Thersander has been informed by Sosthenes, +is still detained in bondage, +and suffers cruel persecution from her +brutal master; who, at last, having +learned from an overheard soliloquy her +true parentage and history, as well as +her attachment for Clitophon, (of her +relations with whom he was not previously +aware,) forms a scheme of +ridding himself of this twofold rival, +by sending one of his emissaries into +the prison, who gives out that he has +been arrested on suspicion of being +concerned in the murder of Leucippe, +who has been dispatched by assassins +employed by the jealous Melissa. Clitophon +at once gives full credence to +this awkwardly devised tale, and determines +not to survive his mistress, +in spite of the remonstrances of Clinias, +who argues with much reason, +that one who had so often been miraculously +preserved from death, might +have escaped also on the present occasion. +But Clitophon refuses to be +comforted; and when brought before +the assembly in the forum to stand +his trial, on the charge, (apparently, +for it is not very clearly specified,) of +having married another man's wife, +he openly declares himself guilty of +Leucippe's murder, which he affirms +to have been concerted between Melissa +and himself, in order to remove +the obstacle to their amours, and now +revealed by him from remorse. He +is, of course, condemned to death +forthwith, and Thersander is triumphing +in the unexpected success of his +schemes, when the judicial proceedings +are interrupted by the appearance +of a religious procession, at the +head of which Clitophon is astonished +by recognizing his uncle Sostratus, the +father of Leucippe, who had been deputed +by the Byzantines to offer sacrifices +of thanksgiving, at the Temple +of Diana, for their victory over the +Thracians. On hearing the state of +affairs, he furiously denounces the +murderer of his daughter; but at this +moment it is announced that Leucippe, +whom Thersander had believed to be +in safe custody, has escaped, and +taken refuge in the Temple of Diana!</p> + +<p>The interest of the story is now at an +end; but much yet remains before the +conclusion. Thersander, maddened +at the prospect of being thus doubly +baulked of his prey, throws gross +aspersions on the purity of Leucippe, +and even demands that Clitophon, in +spite of his now manifest innocence, +shall be executed in pursuance of the +previous sentence! but the high-priest +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page40" id="page40"></a>[pg 40]</span> +of Diana takes the lovers under his +protection, and the cause is adjourned +to the morrow. Leucippe now relates +the circumstances of her captivity:—the +Alexandrian pirates, having deceived +their pursuers by beheading +another captive dressed in her garments, +had next fallen out with and +murdered their base employer Choereas, +and finally sold her for two +thousand drachmas to Sosthenes: +while from Sostratus, on the other +hand, Clitophon receives tidings that +his long-lost sister Calligone is on the +point of marriage to Callisthenes, +who, it will be remembered, had carried +her off from Tyre by mistake for +Leucippe, (having become enamoured +of the latter without ever having seen +her,) and on the discovery of his +error, had made her all the amends +in his power by an instant transfer of +his affections. Thus everything is on +the point of ending happily; but the +sentence passed against Clitophon still +remains unreversed, and Thersander, +in the assembly of the following day, +vehemently calls for its ratification. +But the cause of the defendant is espoused +by the high-priest, who lavishes +on the character and motives of Thersander +a torrent of abuse, couched in +language little fitting his sacred character; +while Thersander shows himself +in this respect fully a match for his +reverend antagonist, and, moreover, +reiterates with fresh violence his previous +charge against Leucippe. The +debates are protracted to an insufferably +tedious length; but the character +of Leucippe is at last vindicated by +her descent into a cavern, whence +sounds of more than human melody +are heard on the entrance of a damsel +of untainted fame. The result of this +ordeal is, of course, triumphant; and +Thersander, overwhelmed with confusion +makes his escape from the +popular indignation, and is condemned +to exile by acclamation as a suborner +of false evidence; while the lovers, +freed at length from all their troubles, +sail for Byzantium in company with +Sostratus; and after there solemnizing +their own nuptials, return to Tyre to +assist at those of Callisthenes and +Calligone.</p> + +<p>The leading defects observable in +this romance are obviously the glaring +improbability of many of the incidents, +and the want of connexion and necessary +dependence between the several +parts of the story. Of the former—the +device of the false stomach and +theatrical dagger, by means of which +Menelaus and Satyrus (after gaining, +moreover, in a moment the full confidence +of the buccaniers,) save the life +of Leucippe when doomed to sacrifice, +is the most flagrant instance; though +her second escape from supposed death, +when Clitophon imagines that he sees +her head struck off by the Alexandrian +pirates, is almost equally liable to the +same objection; while in either case +the deliverance of the heroine might +as well have been managed, without +prejudice either to the advancement +or interest of the narrative, by more +rational and probable methods. The +too frequent introduction of incidents +and personages not in any way connected +with, or conducive to the progress +of the main plot, is also objectionable, +and might almost induce the +belief that the original plan was in +some measure altered or departed from +in the course of composition. It is difficult +to conceive for what purpose the +character of Calligone, the sister and +fiancée of Clitophon, is introduced +among the dramatic personae. She appears +at the beginning only to be carried +off by Callisthenes as soon as Clitophon's +passion for Leucippe makes her +presence inconvenient, and we incidentally +hear of her as on the point of becoming +his bride at the conclusion; but she +is seen only for a moment, and never +permitted to speak, like a walking gentlewoman +on the stage, and exercises +not the smallest influence on the fortunes +of the others. Gorgias is still +worse used: he is a mere <i>nominis umbra</i>, +of whose bodily presence nothing is +made visible; nor is so much as his name +mentioned, except for the purpose of +informing us that it was through his +agency that the love-potion was administered +to Leucippe, and that he +has since been killed in the action +against the buccaniers. The whole +incident of the philtre, indeed, and the +consequent madness of the heroine, is +unnatural and revolting, and serves no +end but to introduce Choereas to effect +a cure. But even had it been indispensable +to the plot, it might have +been far more probably ascribed to the +Egyptian commander Charmides, with +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page41" id="page41"></a>[pg 41]</span> +whose passion for Leucippe we were +already acquainted, and who had, +moreover, learned from Menelaus that +he had little chance of success by ordinary +methods, from the pre-engagement +of the lady to Clitophon.</p> + +<p>Nor are these defects compensated +by any high degree of merit in the +delineation of the characters. With +the exception of Leucippe herself, they +are all almost wholly devoid of individual +or distinguishing traits, and +insipid and uninteresting to the last +degree. Menelaus and Clinias, the +confidants and trusted friends of the +hero, are the dullest of all dull mortals—a +qualification which perhaps fits +them in some measure for the part +they are to bear in the story, as affording +some security against their falling +in love with Leucippe, a fate which +they, of all the masculine personages, +alone escape. Their active intervention +is confined to the preservation +of Leucippe from the <i>bucoli</i> by Menelaus, +and a great deal of useless +declamation in behalf of Clitophon +before the assembly of Ephesus from +Clinias. Satyrus, also, from whose +knavish ingenuity in the early part of +the tale something better was to be +expected, soon subsides into a well-behaved +domestic, and hands his master +the letter in which poor Leucippe +makes herself known to him at Ephesus, +when she imagines him married to +Melissa, with all the nonchalance of +a modern footman. Clitophon himself +is hardly a shade superior to his +companions. He is throughout a mere +passive instrument, leaving to chance, +or the exertions of others, his extrication +from the various troubles in which +he becomes involved: even of the +qualities usually regarded as inseparable +from a hero of romance, spirit +and personal courage, he is so utterly +destitute as to suffer himself to be +beaten and ill treated, both by Thersander +and Sostratus, without an +attempt to defend himself; and his +lamentations, whenever he finds himself +in difficulties, or separated from +his ladye-love, are absolutely puerile. +As to the other characters, Thersander +is a mere vulgar ruffian—"a rude and +boisterous captain of the sea,"—whose +brutal violence on his first appearance, +and subsequent unprincipled machinations, +deprive him of the sympathy +which might otherwise have been +excited in behalf of one who finds his +wife and his property unceremoniously +taken possession of during his absence; +while, on the other hand, the language +used by the high-priest of Diana, in +his invectives against Thersander and +his accomplices, gives but a low idea +of the dignity or refinement of the +Ephesian hierarchy. But the female +characters, as is almost always the case +in the Greek romances, are far better +drawn, and infinitely more interesting, +than the men. Even Melissa, though +apparently intended only as a foil to +the perfections of Leucippe, wins upon +us by her amorous weakness, and the +invincible kindness of heart which +impels her, even when acquainted with +the real state of affairs, to protect the +lovers against her husband's malpractices. +Leucippe herself goes far to +make amends for the general insipidity +of the other characters. Though not +a heroine of so lofty a stamp as Chariclea, +in whom the spirit of her royal +birth is all along apparent, she is +endowed with a mingled gentleness +and firmness, which is strongly contrasted +with the weakness and pusillanimity +of her lover:—her uncomplaining +tenderness, when she finds +Clitophon at Ephesus (as she imagines) +the husband of another, and the calm +dignity with which she vindicates +herself from the injurious aspersions +of Thersander, are represented with +great truth and feeling, and attach a +degree of interest to her, which the +other personages of the narrative are +very far from inspiring.</p> + +<p>In the early part of the story, during +the scenes in Tyre and Egypt, the +action is carried on with considerable +spirit and briskness; the author having +apparently thus far kept before +him, as a model, the narrative of +Heliodorus. But towards the conclusion, +and, indeed from the time of the +arrival of Clitophon and Melissa at +Ephesus, the interest flags wofully. +The <i>dénouement</i> is inevitably foreseen +from the moment Clitophon is made +aware that Leucippe is still alive and +in his neighbourhood, and the arrival +of Thersander, almost immediately +afterwards, disposes of the obstacle of +his engagement to Melissa; but the +reader is acquainted with all these +circumstances before the end of the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page42" id="page42"></a>[pg 42]</span> +fifth book; the three remaining books +being entirely occupied by the proceedings +in the judicial assembly, the +recriminations of the high-priest, and +the absurd ordeal to which Leucippe +is subjected—all apparently introduced +for no other purpose than to show the +author's skill in declamation. The +display of his own acquirements in +various branches of art and science, +and of his rhetorical powers of language +in describing them, is indeed an +object of which Achilles Tatius never +loses sight; and continual digressions +from the thread of the story for this +purpose occur, often extremely <i>mal-à-propos</i>, +and sometimes entirely without +reference to the preceding narrative. +Thus, when Clitophon is relating the +terms of an oracle addressed to the +Byzantines, previous to their war with +the Thracians, he breaks off at once +into a dissertation on the wonderful +qualities of the element of water, the +inflammable springs of Sicily, the gold +extracted from the lakes of Africa, +&c.—all which is supposed to be introduced +into a conversation on the +oracle between Sostratus and his colleague +in command, and could only +have come to the knowledge of Clitophon +by being repeated to him <i>verbatim</i>, +after a considerable interval of +time, by Sostratus. Again, in the +midst of the hero's perplexities at his +threatened marriage with Calligone, +we are favoured with a minute enumeration +of the gems set in an ornament +which his father purchased as +part of the trousseau; and this again +leads to an account of the discovery +and application of the purple dye. +The description of objects of natural +history is at all times a favourite topic; +and the sojourn of the lovers in +Egypt affords the author an opportunity +of indulging in details relative to +the habits and appearances of the various +strange animals found in that +country—the crocodile, the hippopotamus, +and the elephant, are described +with considerable spirit and fidelity; +and even the form and colours of the +fabulous phoenix, are delineated with +all the confidence of an eyewitness.</p> + +<p>Many of these episodical sketches, +though out of place when thus awkwardly +inserted in the midst of the +narrative, are in themselves curious +and well written; but the most valuable +and interesting among them are +the frequent descriptions of paintings, +a specimen of which has already been +given. On this subject especially, the +author dwells <i>con amore</i>, and his remarks +are generally characterised by +a degree of good taste and correct feeling, +which indicates a higher degree +of appreciation of the pictorial art than +is generally ascribed to the age in +which Achilles Tatius wrote. Even +in the latter part of the first century +of our era, Pliny, when enumerating +the glorious names of the ancient +Greek painters, laments over the total +decline, in his own days, of what he +terms (<i>Nat. Hist</i>. xxxv. 11) "an aspiring +art;" but the monarchs of the +Macedonian dynasties in Asia, and, +above all, the Egyptian Ptolemies, +were both munificent patrons of the +fine arts among their own subjects, +and diligent collectors of the great +works of past ages; and many of the +<i>chefs-d'oeuvres</i> of the Grecian masters +were thus transferred from their native +country to adorn, the temples and +palaces of Egypt and Syria. We find, +from Plutarch, that when Aratus was +exerting himself to gain for the +Achæan league the powerful alliance +of Ptolemy Euergetes, he found no +means so effectual in conciliating the +good-will of the monarch, as the procuring +for him some of the master-pieces +of Pamphilus<a id="footnotetag7" name="footnotetag7"></a><a href="#footnote7"><sup>7</sup></a> and Melanthius, +the most renowned of the famous +school of Sicyon; and the knowledge +of the high estimation in which the +arts were held, under the Egyptian +kings, gives an additional value to the +accounts given by Tatius of these treasures +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page43" id="page43"></a>[pg 43]</span> +of a past age, his notices of +which are the latest, in point of time, +which have come down to us from an +eyewitness. We have already quoted +the author's vivid description of the +painting of Europa at Sidon—we shall +now subjoin, as a pendant to the former +notice, his remarks on a pair of +pictures at Pelusium:—</p> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><p><a id="footnote7" name="footnote7"></a> +<a href="#footnotetag7"> [7] </a> Pamphilus was a Macedonian by birth, and a pupil of Eupompus, the founder +of the school of Sicyon; to the presidency of which he succeeded. His pupils +paid each a talent a year for instruction; and Melanthius, and even Apelles himself, +for a time, were among the number.—Pliny, <i>Hist. Nat</i>. xxxv. 36. The great +talent of Melanthius, like that of his master Pamphilus, lay in composition and +grouping; and so highly were his pictures esteemed, that Pliny, in another passage, +says, that the wealth of a city would hardly purchase one.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p> +"In this temple (of Jupiter Casius) +were two famous works of Evanthes, +illustrative of the legends of Andromeda +and Prometheus, which the +painter had probably selected as a +pair, from the similarity of the Subjects—the +principal figure in each being +bound to a rock and exposed to +the attack of a terrific animal; in one +case a denizen of the air, in the other +a monster of the sea; and the deliverers +of both being Argives, and of +kindred blood to each other, Hercules +and Perseus—the former of whom +encountered, on foot, the savage bird +sent by Jove, while the latter mounted +on borrowed wings into the air, to +assail the monster which issued from +the sea at the command of Neptune. +In the picture of Andromeda, the virgin +was laid in a hollow of the rock, +not fashioned by art, but rough like a +natural cavity; and which, if viewed +only with regard to the beauty of that +which it contained, looked like a niche +holding an exquisite fresh from +the chisel; but the sight of her bonds, +and of the monster approaching to +devour her, gave it rather the aspect +of a sepulchre. On her features extreme +loveliness was blended with +deadly terror, which was seated on +her pallid cheeks, while beauty beamed +forth from her eyes; but, as even amid +the pallor of her cheeks a faint tinge +of colour was yet perceptible, so was +the brightness of her eyes, on the other +hand, in some measure dimmed, like +the bloom of lately blighted violets. +Her white arms were extended, and +lashed to the rock; but their whiteness +partook of a livid hue, and her fingers +were like those of a corpse. Thus lay +she, expecting death, but arrayed like +a bride, in a long white robe, which +seemed not as if woven from the fleece +of the sheep, but from the web of the +spider, or of those winged insects, the +long threads spun by which are gathered +by the Indian women from +the trees of their own country. The +monster was just rising out of the +sea opposite to the damsel, his head +alone being distinctly visible, while +the unwieldy length of his body +was still in a great measure concealed +by the waves, yet so as partially to +discover his formidable array of spines +and scales, his swollen neck, and his +long flexible tail, while the gape of +his horrible jaws extended to his +shoulder, and disclosed the abyss of +his stomach. But between the monster +and the damsel, Perseus was depicted +descending to the encounter +from the upper regions of the air—his +body bare, except a mantle floating +round his shoulders, and winged sandals +on his feet—a cap resembling the +helmet of Pluto was on his head, and +in his left hand he held before him, +like a buckler, the head of the Gorgon, +which even in the pictured representation +was terrible to look at, shaking +its snaky hair, which seemed to erect +itself and menace the beholder. His +right hand grasped a weapon, in shape +partaking of both a sickle and a sword; +for it had a single hilt, and to the middle +of the blade resembled a sword; +but there it separated into two parts, +one continuing straight and pointed, +like a sword, while the other was curved +backwards, so that with a single +stroke, it might both inflict a wound, +and fix itself in the part struck. Such +was the picture of Andromeda; the +design of the other was thus:—</p> + +<p>"Prometheus was represented bound +down to a rock, with fetters of iron, +while Hercules, armed with a bow +and arrow, was seen approaching. +The vulture, supporting himself by +fixing his talons in the thigh of Prometheus, +was tearing open the stomach +of his victim, and apparently +searching with his beak for the liver, +which it was his destiny daily to devour, +and which the painter had shown +through the aperture of the wound. +The whole frame of the sufferer was +convulsed, and his limbs contracted +with torture, so that, by raising his +thigh, he involuntarily presented his +side to the bird—while the other limb +was visibly quivering in its whole +length, with agony—his teeth were +clenched, his lips parted, and his +brows winkled. Hercules had already +fitted the arrow to the bow, and +aimed it against his tormentor: his +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page44" id="page44"></a>[pg 44]</span> +left arm was thrown forward grasping +the stock, while the elbow of the right +was bent in the attitude of drawing +the arrow to his breast; while Prometheus, +full of mingled hope and fear, +was endeavouring to fix his undivided +gaze on his deliverer, though his eyes, +in spite of himself, were partially diverted +by the anguish of his wound." +</p></blockquote> + +<p>The work of Achilles Tatius, with +all its blemishes and defects, appears +to have been highly popular among +the Greeks of the lower empire. An +epigram is still extant, attributed to +the Emperor Leo, the philosopher,<a id="footnotetag8" name="footnotetag8"></a><a href="#footnote8"><sup>8</sup></a> +in which it is landed as an example of +chaste and faithful love: and it was +esteemed as a model of romantic composition +from the elegance of its style +and diction, in which Heretius ranks +the author above Heliodorus, though +he at the same time severely criticizes +him for want of originality, accusing +him of having borrowed all the +interesting passages in his work from +the <i>Ethiopics</i>. In common with Heliodorus, +Tatius has found a host of +followers among the later Greeks, +some of whom (as the learned critic +just quoted, observes) have transcribed, +rather than imitated him. In the +"Hysminias and Hysmine" of Eumathius, +a wretched production of the +twelfth century, not only many of the +incidents, but even of the names, as +Sostratus, Sosthenes, and Anthia*, are +taken from Clitophon and Leucippe: +and to so servile an extent is this plagiarism +carried, that two books out of +the nine, of which the romance consists, +are filled with descriptions of +paintings; while the plot, not very intelligible +at the best, is still further +perplexed by the extraordinary affectation +of making nearly all the names +alike; thus, the hero and heroine are +Hysminias and Hysmine, the towns +are Aulycomis, Eurycomis, Artycomis, +&c. In all these works, the outline +is the same; the lovers undergo endless +buffetings by sea and land, imaginary +deaths, and escapes from marauders; +but not a spark of genius or +fancy enlivens these dull productions, +which, sometimes maudlin and bombastic, +often indecent, would defy the +patience of the most determined novel +reader. One of these writers, Xenophon +of Ephesus, the author of the +"Ephesiacs, or Habrocomas and Anthia," +is commended by Politian for +the classical purity of his language, in +which he considers him scarcely inferior +to his namesake the historian: +but the work has little else to recommend +it. The two principal personages +are represented as miracles of +personal beauty; and the women fall +in love with Habrocomas, as well as +the men with Anthia, literally by dozens +at a time: the plot, however +differs from that of the others in marrying +them at the commencement, and +sending them through the ordinary +routine of dangers afterwards. The +<i>Ephesiacs</i> are, however, noticeable +from its having been supposed by Mr +Douce, (<i>Illustrations of Shakspeare</i>, ii. +198,) that the catastrophe in Romeo +and Juliet was originally borrowed +from one of the adventures of Anthia, +who, when separated from her husband, +is rescued from banditti by Perilaus, +governor of Cilicia, and by him +destined for his bride. Unable to +evade his solicitations, she procures +from the "poverty, not the will" of +an aged physician named Eudoxus, +what she supposes to be a draught of +poison, but which is really an opiate. +She is laid with great pomp, loaded +with gems and costly ornaments, in a +vault; and on awakening, finds herself +in the hands of a crew of pirates, +who have broken open her sepulchre +in order to rifle the treasures which +they knew to have been deposited +there. "This work," (observes Mr +Douce,) "was certainly not published +nor translated in the time of Luigi +da Porto, the original narrator of the +story of Romeo and Juliet: but there +is no reason why he might not have +seen a copy of the original in MS. +We might enumerate several more of +these later productions of the same +school; but a separate analysis of +each would be both tedious and needless, +as none present any marked features +of distinction from those already +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page45" id="page45"></a>[pg 45]</span> +noticed. They are all, more or less, +indifferent copies either from Heliodorus +or Achilles Tatius; the outline +of the story being generally borrowed +from one or the other of these sources, +while in point of style, nearly all appear +to have taken as their model the +florid rhetorical display and artificial +polish of language which characterize +the latter. Their redeeming point is +the high position uniformly assigned +to the female characters, who are neither +immured in the Oriental seclusion +of the harem, nor degraded to household +drudges, like the Athenian ladies +in the polished age of Pericles:<a id="footnotetag9" name="footnotetag9"></a><a href="#footnote9"><sup>9</sup></a> but +mingle without restraint in society as +the friends and companions of the +other sex, and are addressed in the +language of admiration and respect. +But these pleasing traits are not sufficient +to atone for the improbability of +the incidents, relieved neither by the +brilliant fancy of the East, nor the +lofty deeds of the romances of chivalry: +and the reader, wearied by the +repetition of similar scenes and characters, +thinly disguised by change of +name and place, finds little reason to +regret that "the children of the marriage +of Theagenes and Chariclea," as +these romances are termed by a writer +quoted by d'Israeli in the "Curiosities +of Literature"—have not continued +to increase and multiply up to +our own times.</p> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><p><a id="footnote8" name="footnote8"></a> +<a href="#footnotetag8"> [8] </a> Some bibliographers have assigned it to Photius; but the opinion of Achilles +Tatius expressed by the patriarch, and quoted at the commencement of this article, +precludes the possibility of its being from his pen.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><p><a id="footnote9" name="footnote9"></a> +<a href="#footnotetag9"> [9] </a> See Mitford's <i>History of Greece</i>, ch. xiii, sect. 1.</p></blockquote> + +<hr /> + + + + +<h2>THE NEW ART OF PRINTING.</h2> + +<h3>BY A DESIGNING DEVIL.</h3> + +<h4>"Aliter non fit, avite, liber."—MARTIAL.</h4> + + +<p>It is more than probable that, at +the first discovery of that mightiest +of arts, which has so tended to facilitate +every other—the art of printing—many +old-fashioned people looked with +a jealous eye on the innovation. Accustomed +to a written character, their +eyes became wearied by the crabbedness +and formality of type. It was +like travelling on the paved and rectilinear +roads of France, after winding +among the blooming hedgerows of +England; and how dingy and graceless +must have appeared the first +printed copy of the Holy Bible, to +those accustomed to luxuriate in +emblazoned missals, amid all the +pride, pomp, and vellum of glorious +MS.!</p> + +<p>Dangerous and democratic, too, +must have appeared the new art, +which, by plebeianizing knowledge +and enlightening the mass, deprived +the law and the prophets of half their +terrors, and disrobed priestcraft and +kingcraft of their mystery. We can +imagine that, as soon as a printed book +ceased to be a great rarity, it became +an object of great abhorrence.</p> + +<p>There were many, no doubt, to +prophesy, as on occasion of every new +invention, that it was all very well for +a novelty; but that the thing would +not, and could not last! How were +the poor copyists to get their living if +their occupation was taken from them? +How were so many monasteries to be +maintained which had subsisted on +<i>manuscriptum</i>? And, then, what prince +in his right senses would allow a printing-press +to be set up in his dominions—a +source of sedition and heresy—an +implement of disaffection and schism? +The free towns, perhaps, might foster +this pernicious art, and certain evilly-disposed +potentates wink at the establishment +of type-founderies in their +states. But the great powers of Europe +knew better! They would never connive +at this second sowing of the dragon's +teeth of Cadmus.</p> + +<p>Thus, probably, they argued; becoming +reconciled, in process of time, +to the terrible novelty. Print-books +became almost as easy to read as +manuscript; soon as cheap, and at +length of a quarter the price, or even +less; till, two centuries later, benefit +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page46" id="page46"></a>[pg 46]</span> +of clergy ceased to be a benefit, books +were plenty as blackberries, and learning +a thing for the multitude. According +to Dean Swift's account, the +chaplain's time hung heavy on his +hands, for my lady had sermon books +of her own, and could read; nay, my +lady's woman had jest books of her +own, and wanted none of his nonsense! +The learned professions, or +black arts, lost at least ninety-five +per cent in importance; and so rapid +as been the increase of the evil, that, +at this time of day, it is a hard matter +to impose on any clodpole in Europe! +Instead of signing with their marks, +the kings of modern times have turned +ushers; instead of reading with difficulty, +we have a mob of noblemen +who write with ease; and, now-a-days, +it is every duke, ay, and every +duchess her own book-maker!</p> + +<p>A year or two hence, however, and +all this will have become obsolete.—<i>Nous avons changé tout cela</i>!—No +more letter-press! Books, the <i>small</i> +as well as the great, will have been +voted a great evil. There will be no +gentlemen of the press. The press itself +will have ceased to exist.</p> + +<p>For several years past it has been +frankly avowed by the trade that +books have ceased to sell; that the +best works are a drug in the market; +that their shelves groan, until themselves +are forced to follow the example.</p> + +<p>Descend to what shifts they may in +order to lower their prices, by piracy +from other booksellers, or clipping and +coining of authors—no purchasers! +Still, the hope prevailed for a time +among the lovers of letters, that a +great glut having occurred, the world +was chewing the cud of its repletion; +that the learned were shut up in the +Bodleian, and the ignorant battening +upon the circulating libraries; that +hungry times would come again!</p> + +<p>But this fond delusion has vanished. +People have not only ceased to purchase +those old-fashioned things called +books, but even to read them! Instead +of cutting new works, page by page, +people cut them altogether! To far-sighted +philosophers, indeed, this was +a state of things long foreshown. It +could not be otherwise. The reading +world was a sedentary world. The +literary public was a public lying at +anchor. When France delighted in +the twelve-volume novels of Mademoiselle +de Scudéri, it drove in coaches +and six, at the rate of four miles an +hour; when England luxuriated in +those of Richardson, in eight, it drove +in coaches and four, at the rate of five. +A journey was then esteemed a family +calamity; and people abided all the +year round in their cedar parlours, +thankful to be diverted by the arrival +of the <i>Spectator</i>, or a few pages of the +<i>Pilgrim's Progress</i>, or a new sermon. +To their unincidental lives, a book +was an event.</p> + +<p>Those were the days worth writing +for! The fate of Richardson's heroines +was made a national affair; and +people interceded with him by letter +to "spare Clarissa," as they would +not now intercede with her Majesty +to spare a new Effie Deans. The successive +volumes of <i>Pope's Iliad</i> were +looked for with what is called "breathless" +interest, while such political +sheets as the <i>Drapier's Letters</i>, or <i>Junius</i>, +set the whole kingdom in an +uproar! And now, if Pope, or Swift, +or Fielding, or Johnson, or Sterne, +were to rise from the grave, MS. in +hand, the most adventurous publisher +would pass a sleepless night before he +undertook the risk of paper and print; +would advise a small edition, and exact +a sum down in ready money, to +be laid out in puffs and advertisements! +"Even then, though we may +get rid of a few copies to the circulating +libraries," he would observe, "do +not expect, sir, to obtain readers. A +few old maids in the county towns, +and a few gouty old gentlemen at the +clubs; are the only persons of the present +day who ever open a book!"</p> + +<p>And who can wonder? <i>Who</i> has +leisure to read? <i>Who</i> cares to sit +down and spell out accounts of travels +which he can make at less cost than +the cost of the narrative? <i>Who</i> wants +to peruse fictitious adventures, when +railroads and steamboats woo him to +adventures of his own? Egypt was +once a land of mystery; now, every +lad, on leaving Eton, yachts it to the +pyramids. India was once a country +to dream of over a book. Even quartoes, +if tolerably well-seasoned with +suttees and sandalwood, went down; +now, every genteel family has its +"own correspondent," per favour of +the Red Sea; and the best printed +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page47" id="page47"></a>[pg 47]</span> +account of Cabul would fall stillborn +from the press. As to Van Dieman's +Land, it is vulgar as the Isle of Dogs; +and since people have steamed it +backwards and forwards across the +Atlantic more easily than formerly +across the Channel, every woman +chooses to be her own Trollope—every +man his own Boz!</p> + +<p>For some time after books had +ceased to find a market, the periodicals +retained their vogue; and even +till very lately, newspapers found +readers. But the period at length arrived, +when even the leisure requisite +for the perusal of these lighter pages, +is no longer forthcoming. People are +busy ballooning or driving; shooting +like stars along railroads; or migrating +like swallows or wild-geese. It +has been found, within the current +year, impossible to read even a newspaper!</p> + +<p>The march of intellect, however, +luckily keeps pace with the necessities +of the times; and no sooner was +it ascertained, that reading-made-easy +was difficult to accomplish, than a +new art was invented for the more +ready transmission of ideas. The fallacy +of the proverb, that "those who +run may read," being established, modern +science set about the adoption of +a medium, available to those sons of +the century who are always on the +run. Hence, the grand secret of ILLUSTRATION.—Hence the new art of +printing!</p> + +<p>The pictorial printing-press is now +your only wear! Every thing is communicated +by delineation. We are +not <i>told</i>, but <i>shown</i> how the world is +wagging. The magazines sketch us +a lively article, the newspapers vignette +us, step by step, a royal tour. +The beauties of Shakspeare are imprinted +on the minds of the rising +generation, in woodcuts; and the +poetry of Byron engraver in their +hearts, by means of the graver. Not +a boy in his teens has read a line of +Don Quixote or Gil Blas, though all +have their adventures by heart; while +Goldsmith's "Deserted Village" has +been committed to memory by our +daughters and wives, in a series of +exquisite illustrations. Every body +has La Fontaine by heart, thanks to +the pencil of Granville, which requires +neither grammar nor dictionary to aid +its interpretations; and even Defoe—even +the unparalleled Robinson Crusoe—is +devoured by our ingenuous +youth in cuts and come again.</p> + +<p>At present, indeed, the new art of +printing is in its infancy, but it is progressing +so rapidly, that the devils of +the old will soon have a cold birth of +it! Views of the Holy Land are superseding +even the Holy Scriptures; +and a pictorial Blackstone is teaching +the ideas of the sucking lawyers how +to shoot. Nay, Buchan's "Domestic +Medicine" has (<i>proh pudor!</i>) its illustrated +edition.</p> + +<p>The time saved to an active public +by all this, is beyond computation. +All the world is now instructed by +symbols, as formerly the deaf and +dumb; and instead of having to peruse +a tedious penny-a-line account of +the postilion of the King of the French +misdriving his Majesty, and his Majesty's +august family, over a draw-bridge +into a moat at Tréport, a single +glance at a single woodcut places the +whole disaster graphically before us; +leaving us nine minutes and a half of +the time we must otherwise have devoted +to the study of the case, to dispose +of at our own will and pleasure; +to start, for instance, for Chelsea, and +be back again by the steam-boat, before +our mother knows we are out.</p> + +<p>The application of the new art is +of daily and hourly extension. The +scandalous Sunday newspapers have +announced an intention of evading +Lord Campbell's act, by veiling their +libels in caricature. Instead of <i>writing</i> +slander and flat blasphemy, they +propose to <i>draw</i> it, and not draw it +mild. The daily prints will doubtless +follow their example. No more Jenkinsisms +in the <i>Morning Post</i>, concerning +fashionable parties. A view +of the duchess's ball-room, or of the +dining-table of the earl, will supersede +all occasion for lengthy fiddle-faddle. +The opera of the night before +will be described in a vignette—the +ballet in a tail-piece; and we shall +know at a glance whether Cerito and +Elssler performed their <i>pas</i> meritoriously, +by the number of bouquets depicted +at their feet.</p> + +<p>On the other hand, instead of column +after column of dry debates, we +shall know sufficiently who were the +speakers of the preceding night, by a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page48" id="page48"></a>[pg 48]</span> +series of portraits—each having an +annexed trophy, indicative of the +leading points of his oration. Members +of both Houses will be, of course, +daguerreotyped for the use of the +morning papers; and photographic +likenesses of the leaders of <i>ton</i> be supplied +gratis to the leaders of the press.</p> + +<p>How far more interesting a striking +sketch of a banquet, containing portraits +of undoubted authenticity, to +the matter-of-fact announcements of +the exploded letter-press—that "yesterday +his Grace the Duke of Wellington +entertained at dinner, at Apsley +House, the Earls of Aberdeen and +Liverpool, the Dukes of Richmond and +Buccleuch, the Master of the Horse, +the Lord Chancellor, Sir Robert Peel, +Sir James Graham, Sir Frederick +Trench, Colonel Gurwood, and M. +Algernon Greville!" Who has patience +for the recapitulation of a string +of names, when a group of faces may +be placed simultaneously before him?</p> + +<p>And then, accounts of races! How +admirably will they be concentrated +into a delineation of the winner passing +the post—the losers distances; +and what disgusting particulars of +boxing matches shall we avoid by a +spirited etching. Think of despatches +from India, (one of Lord Ellenborough's +XXXX,) published in a series +of groupings worthy the frescoes of +the tomb of Psammis. As to the +affairs of China, we shall henceforward +derive as much pleasure from +the projects of Sir Henry Pottinger, +cut in wood by the <i>Morning Herald</i>, +as in surveying the Mandarins sailing +on buffaloes through the air, or driving +in junks over meadows, in one of +Wedgewood's soup plates!</p> + +<p>It has long been the custom for +advertisers in the continental journals +to typify their wares. The George +Robinses of Brussels, for instance, embody +their account of some exquisite +villa in a charming perspective of the +same, or of a capital town mansion in +a grim likeness; while the <i>carossiers</i>, +who have town chariots or family +coaches to dispose of, make it known +in the most designing manner. The +consequence is, that the columns of +certain foreign papers bear a striking +likeness to a child's alphabet, such as +"A was an archer, and shot at a +frog." Among ourselves, this practice +is at present only partially adopted. +We are all familiar with the shape of +Mr Cox Savory's tea-pots, and Messrs +Dondney's <i>point-device</i> men in buckram; +while Mordan acquaints us, +with much point, how many varieties +he has invented of pencil-cases and +toothpicks. As to the London Wine +Company, the new art has long imprinted +upon our minds a mysterious +notion of a series of vaults in the style +of the Thames tunnel, frequented by +figures armed with spigots and dark +lanterns, that remind us of Guy +Fawkes, and make us tremble for +ourselves and Father Mathew! Loose +notions of the stay-making trade have +been circulated by the same medium; +and we have noticed wood-blocks of +wig-blocks, deservedly immortalizing +the pernquier.</p> + +<p>But consider what it will be when +the system is adopted on a more comprehensive +scale. The daily papers +will present a series of designs, remarkable +as those of the Glyptothek and +Pinacothek at Munich; and in all probability, +the artists of the prize cartoons +will be engaged in behalf of the +leading journals of Europe. Who cannot +foresee her Majesty's drawing-room +illustrated by Parris! Who cannot +conceive the invasion of Britain +outdone in an allegorical leading article: +"Louis Philippe (in a Snooks-like +attitude) inviting Queen Victoria +to St Cloud; and the British +lion lashing out its tail at the Coq +Gaulois!"</p> + +<p>As to the affairs of Spain, they will +be a mine of wealth to the new press—<i>L'Espagne +Pittoresque</i> will sell +thousands more copies than Spain +Constitutionalized; and let us trust +that Sir George Hayter will instantly +"walk his chalks," and secure us the +Cortes in black and white.</p> + +<p>The Greek character will now become +easy to decipher; and the evening +papers may take King Otho both +off the throne and on. The designs of +Russia have long been proverbial; +but the exercise of the new art of +printing may assign them new features. +The representations of impartial +periodicals will cut out, or out-cut +De Custine; and while contemplating +the well-favoured presentment +of Nicholas I., we shall exclaim—"Is +this a tyrant that I see before +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page49" id="page49"></a>[pg 49]</span> +me?" Nothing will be easier then to +throw the Poles into the shade of the +picture, or to occupy the foreground +with a brilliant review.</p> + +<p>As to Germany, to embody her in +the hieroglyphics of the new press, +might be a study for Retsch; and +who will care for the lumbering pages +of Von Raumer, or the wishy-washy +details of Kohl, when able, in an <i>augenblick</i>, +to bring Berlin and Vienna +before him; to study the Zollverein +in the copy of the King of Prussia's +cogitative countenance, and ascertain +the views of Metternich concerning +the elder branch of the Bourbons, by +a <i>cul de lampe</i> in the <i>Morning Chronicle</i>!</p> + +<p>We have little doubt of shortly seeing +announcements—standing like +tombstones in those literary cemeteries, +the Saturday papers—of "A new +work upon America, from the graver +of George Cruickshank;" or "A new +fashionable novel, (diamond edition,) +from the accomplished pencil of H.B." +Kenny Meadows will become the Byron +of the day, Leech the Scott, Forrester +the Marryatt, Phiz the Trollope; +Stanfield and Turner will be +epic poets, Landseer preside over +the belles-lettres, and Webster and +Stone become the epigrammatists and +madrigalists of the press.</p> + +<p>All this will, doubtless, throw a +number of deserving persons out of +employ. The writers, whose stock in +trade consists of words rather than +ideas, will find their way to Basinghall +Street, prose will be at a discount, and +long-windedness be accounted a distemper. +A great variety of small +Sapphos must turn seamstresses*, at +three-halfpence a shirt instead of a +penny a line; while the minor poets +will have to earn a livelihood by writing +invoice, instead of in verse. But +this transposition of talent, and transition +of gain, is no more than arose +from the substitution of railroads for +turnpike roads. By that innovation +thousands of hard-working post-horses +were left without rack or manger; +and by the present arrangement, +Clowes, Spottiswoode, and the authors +who have served to afford matter +for their types, will be driven from +the field.</p> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><p>* Transcriber's Note: Original "semstresses"</p></blockquote> + +<p>But the world (no longer to be called +of letters, but of emblems) will be +the gainer. It will be no longer a form +of speech to talk of having "<i>glanced</i> +at the morning papers," whose city +article will, of course, be composed by +artists skilled in drawing figures. The +biographies of contemporary or deceased +statesmen will be limned, not by +Lord Brougham or Macaulay, but by +the impartial hand of the Royal Academy; +and the catacombs at Kensal +Green, like those discovered by Belzoni +on the banks of the Nile, exhibit +their eulogistic inscriptions in hieroglyphics. +By this new species of +shorthand we might have embodied +this very article in half a dozen sprightly +etchings! But as the hapless inventor +of the first great art of printing +incurred, among his astounded contemporaries, +the opprobrium of being in +compact with the evil one, (whence, +probably, the familiar appellation of +printers' devils,) it behoves the early +practitioners of the new art to look to +their reputations! By economizing the +time of the public, they may squander +their own good repute. It is not +every printer who can afford, like +Benjamin Franklin, to be a reformer; +and pending the momentum when (the +schoolmasters being all abroad) the +grand causeway of the metropolis +shall become, as it were, a moving +diorama, inflicting knowledge upon +the million whether it will or no—let +us content ourselves with birds'-eye +views of passing events, by way of +exhibiting the first rudiments of THE +NEW ART OF PRINTING!</p> + +<hr /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page50" id="page50"></a>[pg 50]</span> + + + +<h2>THE BANKING HOUSE</h2> + +<h3>A HISTORY IN THREE PARTS. PART III</h3>. + + +<h3>CHAPTER I.</h3> + +<h4>SYMPTOMS OF ROTTENNESS.</h4> + + +<p>Michael Allcroft returned to +his duties, tuned for labour, full of +courage, and the spirit of enterprise +and action. Discharged from the +thrall which had hitherto borne hard +upon his energies, and kept them +down, he felt the blessed influence of +perfect Liberty, and the youthful elasticity +of mind and body that liberty +and conscious strength engender. Devoted +to the task that he had inflicted +upon himself, he grudged every +hour that kept him from the field of +operations. Firm in his determination +to realize, by his exertions, a +sum of money equal to his parent's +debts, and to redeem the estate from +its insolvency, he was uneasy and impatient +until he could resume his yoke, +and press resolutely forward. Rich +and independent as he was, in virtue +of the fortune of his wife, he still +spurned the idea of relying upon her +for his release—for the means of rescuing +his fathers name and house +from infamy. No; he saw—he fancied +that he saw a brighter way +marked out before him. Industry, +perseverance, and extreme attention +would steer his bark steadily through +the difficult ocean, and bring her +safely into harbour: these he could +command, for they depended upon +himself whom he might trust. He had +looked diligently into the transactions +of the house for many years past, +and the investigation was most satisfactory. +Year after year, the business +had increased—the profits had +improved. The accumulations of his +father must have been considerable +when he entered upon his ruinous +speculations. What was the fair inference +to draw from this result? Why—that +with the additional capital of +his partners—the influx and extension +of good business, and the application +of his own resolute mind, a sum +would be raised within a very few +years, sufficient to reinstate the firm, +to render it once more stable and secure. +And then—this desirable object +once effected, and the secret of +the unfortunate position of the house +never divulged—the income which +would afterwards follow for his partners +and himself, must be immense. +It was this view of the subject that +justified, to his mind, the means which +he had used—that silenced self-reproof, +when it accused him of artifice, +and called him to account for the deception +he had practised upon his colleagues. +It must be acknowledged, +that the plan which he proposed held +out fair promise of ultimate success +and that, reckoning upon the united +will and assistance of his partners, he +had good reason to look for an eventual +release from all his difficulties and +cares. Yet it was not to be. "<i>We +still have judgment here.</i>" Punishment +still comes to us from those +whom we would circumvent. It was +in vain that Michael set foot in the +Bank with an indomitable and eager +spirit; in vain that he longed to grapple +with his fate—resolute to overcome +it. The world was against him. +The battle was already decided. His +first hard struggle for deliverance was +coincident with his last hour of +earthly peace.</p> + +<p>Before one year had passed over +the respectable heads of our notable +Banking-House, Allcraft was involved +in a net of perplexity, from which +it required all the acuteness of his +apprehending mind to work out a +mode of extrication. Augustus Brammel +continued abroad, spending his +money, and drawing upon the house, +with the impudent recklessness which +we have already seen to be a prime +ingredient in his character. He did +not condescend to communicate with +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page51" id="page51"></a>[pg 51]</span> +his partners, or to give them any information +touching his whereabouts, +except such as might be gathered +from his cheques, which came, week +after week, with alarming punctuality, +for sums as startling. From this +one source of misery, where was a +promise or a chance of a final rescue? +Michael saw none. What if he refused +to cash his partner's drafts? +What if he permitted them to find +their way back, as best they might, +through the various channels by which +they had travelled on their previous +journey—dishonoured and disgraced? +Who but himself would be the loser +by the game? Such a refusal would +lead to quick enquiry—enquiry to +information—information to want of +confidence and speedy ruin. What +reliance could repose upon a house, +divided against itself—not safe from +the extravagance and pillage of its +own members? The public eye, ever +watchful and timid, waits scarcely for +the show of danger to take alarm and +withdraw its favour. Michael shrunk +from the bare conception of an act of +violence. It was more agreeable, in +an hour of self-collectedness, to devise +a remedy, which, if it did not cure the +disease, helped at least to cicatrize +the immediate wounds. He looked +from Brammel to Brammel's father +for indemnification. And the old +man was in truth a rare temptation. +Fond, pitiable father of a false and +bloodless child! doting, when others +would have hated, loving his prodigal +with a more anxious fondness as +his ingratitude grew baser—as the +claims upon a parent's heart dwindled +more and more away. The grey-haired +man was a girl in tenderness +and sensibility. He remembered the +mother of the wayward child, and the +pains she had taken to misuse and +spoil her only boy; his own conduct +returned to him in the shape of heavy +reproaches, and he could not forget, +or call to mind without remorse, the +smiles of encouragement he had given, +the flattering approbation he had bestowed +when true love, justice, duty, +mercy, all called loudly for rebuke, +restraint, wholesome correction, solemn +chastisement. Could he be conscious +of all this, and not excuse the +unsteady youth—accuse himself? It +was he who deserved punishment—not +the sufferer with his calamities +<i>imposed</i> upon him by his erring sire. +He was ready to receive his punishment. +Oh, would that at any cost—at +any expense of bodily and mental +suffering, he could secure his child +from further sorrow and from deeper +degradation! To such a heart and +mind, Michael might well carry his +complaints with some expectation of +sympathy and reimbursement. Aggrieved +as he was, he did not fail to +paint his disappointment and sense of +injury in the strongest colours; but +blacker than all—and he was capable +of such a task, he pictured the gross +deception of which he had so cruelly +been made the subject.</p> + +<p>"I could," he said to the poor father, +in whose aged eyes, turned to +the earth, tears of shame were gushing, +"I could have forgiven any thing +but that. You deceived me meanly +and deliberately. The character you +gave with him was false. You knew +it to be so, and you were well aware +that nothing but mischief and ruin +could result from a connexion with +him."</p> + +<p>"Indeed, Mr Allcraft," replied the +unhappy man, "I had great hopes of +his reformation. He had improved of +late years a little, and he gave me his +word that he would be steady. If I +had not thought so, I should certainly +not have permitted you to receive +him. What can we do, sir?"</p> + +<p>"Ah! what, Mr Brammel. It is +that I wish to know. The present +state of things cannot continue. Where +is he now?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed, I do not know. He is a +bad boy to hide himself from his father. +I do not deserve it of him. I +cannot guess."</p> + +<p>"Are you aware, sir, that he is +married?"</p> + +<p>"They have told me something of +it. I am, in truth, glad to hear it. It +will be to his wife's interest to lead +him back to duty."</p> + +<p>"You have not seen her, then?"</p> + +<p>The old man shook his head.</p> + +<p>"Well, well, sir," continued Allcraft, +"this is not to the purpose. +We must protect ourselves. His profligacy +must be checked; at all events, +we must have no connexion with it. +Hitherto we have honoured his drafts, +and kept your name and his free from +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page52" id="page52"></a>[pg 52]</span> +disgrace. I can do so no longer. We +have paid his last cheque this very +day. To-morrow I shall advertise +publicly our determination, to honour +his demands no more."</p> + +<p>"No—no, no, Mr Allcraft," interposed +old Brammel anxiously, taking +every word for granted, "that must +not be done—I cannot allow it; for +the poor boy's sake, that determination +must not be made at present. I +am sure he will reform at last. I +should not be surprised if he returned +to business in a day or two, and settled +steadily to work for the remainder +of his life. It is likely enough, +now that he is married. I have much +to answer for on account of that youth, +Mr Allcraft, and I should never forgive +myself if I suffered any thing to +be done that is likely to render him +desperate, just when a glimmering of +hope is stealing upon us. You shake +your head, sir, but I am confident he +will yet make up for all his folly."</p> + +<p>"Heaven grant it, sir, for your +sake!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and for his own, poor child—for what will become of him if he +does not! Now, as to these cheques, +Mr Allcraft, let me have them all. I +will restore every farthing that you +have paid on his account; and should +any more be presented, let them be +duly honoured. I hold myself responsible +for their discharge. I am +sure this is the wisest course to pursue. +It is quite reasonable for you +to demur, and to object to these demands. +I like you the better, Mr +Allcraft, for your scruples: you are +an honourable man, sir. I would lose +my last drop of blood to make my +poor boy like you. It is wise and +praiseworthy in you to look so carefully +to the good credit of your house; +and it is fair and right that I should +take this matter upon myself. I do +it, persuaded of the propriety of the +step, and satisfied that all will go +well with him yet. Be lenient with +the unhappy boy, sir, and have yet a +little patience."</p> + +<p>"I am afraid, sir, that he will but +presume on your generosity and good +nature."</p> + +<p>"Ah, but he is never to know it, +Mr Allcraft; I would not for the world +have him hear of what I have done. +Should you discover his abode, write +to him, I pray—tell him that I am +enraged at his proceedings—that I do +not think that I can ever be reconciled +to him again. Say that my anger +has no bounds—that my heart is +breaking—will break and kill me, if +he persists in his ingratitude and +cruelty. Implore him to come home +and save me."</p> + +<p>The old man stopped and wept. +Michael was not yet a father and +could not understand the tears: it appears +that he understood business +much better; for, taking leave of +Brammel as soon as he could after the +latter had expressed a wish to cash +the cheques, he went immediately to +the bank and procured the documents. +He presented them with his own +hand to the astounded father, from +whom, also with his own hand, he received +one good substantial draft in +fair exchange.</p> + +<p>So far, so good; but, in another +quarter, Allcraft suddenly discovered +that he had committed an egregious +blunder. He had entrusted Planner +with the secret of his critical position—had made him acquainted with the +dishonest transactions of his father, +and the consequent bankruptcy of the +firm. Not that this disclosure had +been made in any violent ebullition of +unguarded feeling—from any particular +love to Planner—from an inability +on the part of the divulger to keep +his own good counsel. Michael, when +he raised Planner from poverty to +comparative affluence, was fully sensible +of the value of his man—the dire +necessity for him. It was indispensable +that the tragic underplot of the +play should never be known to either +Bellamy or Brammel, and the only +safe way of concealing it from them, +was to communicate it unreservedly +to their common partner, and his peculiar +<i>protégé</i>. He did so with much +solemnity, and with many references +to the extraordinary liberality he had +himself displayed in admitting him to +his confidence, and to a share of his +wealth. "Maintain my secret," he +said to Planner, "and your fortune +shall be made; betray me, and you +are thrown again into a garret. You +cannot hurt me; nothing shall save +you." He repeated these words over +and over again, and he received from +his confidant assurance upon assurance +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page53" id="page53"></a>[pg 53]</span> +of secrecy and unlimited devotion. +And up to the period of Allcraft's +return from France, the gentleman +had every reason to rely upon +the probity and good faith of his associate; +nor in fact had he less reason +<i>after</i> his return. Were it not +that "the thief doth fear each bush +an officer," he had no cause whatever +to suspect or tremble: his mind, for +any actual danger, might have been +at rest. But what did he behold? +Why, Planner and Bellamy, whom he +had left as distant as stage-coach +acquaintances, as intimate and loving, +as united and inseparable, as the +tawny twins of Siam. Not a week +passed which did not find the former, +once, twice, or three times a guest at +the proud man's table. The visits +paid to the bank were rather to Mr +Planner than for any other object. +Mr Planner only could give advice as +to the alteration of the south wing +of the hall: Mr Planner's taste +must decide upon the internal +embellishments: then there were private +and mysterious conversations +in the small back room—the parlour; +nods and significant looks +when they met and separated; and +once, Michael called to see Planner +after the hours of business, and whom +should he discover in his room but +Mr Bellamy himself, sitting in conclave +with the schemer, and manifestly +intent upon some serious matter. +What was the meaning of all +this? Oh, it was too plain! The +rebel Planner had fallen from his allegiance, +and was making his terms +with the enemy. Allcraft cursed himself +a thousand times for his folly in +placing himself at the mercy of so unstable +a character, and immediately +became aware that there had never +been any cogent reason for such a +step, and that his danger would have +been infinitely smaller had he never +spoken to a human being on the subject. +But it was useless to call himself, +by turns, madman and fool, +for his pains. What could be done +now to repair the error? Absolutely +nothing; and, at the best, he had +only to prepare himself, for the remainder +of his days, to live in doubt, +fear, anxiety, and torture.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile, Planner grew +actually enamoured of the <i>Pantamorphica</i> +Association. The more he examined +it, the more striking appeared +its capabilities, the fairer seemed the +prospect of triumphant unequivocal +success. In pursuance of his generous +resolution, he communicated his designs +to Allcraft. They were received +with looks of unaffected fright. Without +an instant's hesitation, Michael +implored his partner to desist—to give +up at once, and for ever, all thoughts +of the delusion—to be faithful to his +duty, and to think well of his serious +engagement. "Your Association, sir," +he exclaimed in the anger of the moment, +"is like every other precious +scheme you have embarked in—impracticable, +ridiculous, absurd!" Planner, +in these three words, could only +read—<i>ingratitude</i>—the basest it had +ever been his lot to meet. Here was +a return for his frankness—his straightforward +conduct—his unequalled liberality. +Here was the affectionate +expression of thanks which he had so +proudly looked forward to—the acknowledgment +of superior genius +which he had a right to expect from +the man who was to profit so largely +by the labour of his brains. Very +well. Then let it be so. He would +prosecute the glorious work alone—he would himself supply the funds +needful for the undertaking, and alone +he would receive the great reward that +most assuredly awaited him. Very +delicately did Michael hint to his partner, +that his—Planner's—funds existed, +with his castles and associations, +in the unsubstantial air, and no where +else; but not so delicately as to avoid +heaping fuel on the fire which he had +already kindled in the breast of the +offended schemer. The latter bristled +at the words, lost for an instant his +self-possession, said in his anger more +than he intended—more than he might +easily unsay—enough to bruise the +already smarting soul of Allcraft. A +threat escaped his lips—a reproach—a +taunt. He spoke of his <i>power</i>, and +touched cuttingly upon the deep +schemes of <i>other</i> men, more feasible +than his own perhaps, and certainly +more honest. Allcraft winced, as every +syllable made known the speaker's +actual strength—his own dependence +and utter weakness. He made no +reply to the attack of the man whom +he had drawn from beggary; but he +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page54" id="page54"></a>[pg 54]</span> +looked him in the face steadily and +reproachfully, and shamed him into +vexation and regret.</p> + +<p>"I did not mean to speak unkindly, +Michael," he stammered with a view +to apologize. "I am sorry that I lost +my temper. You need not fear me. +Don't remember what I have said."</p> + +<p>"You have threatened me, Planner," +answered Allcraft, trembling +with irritation. "You have attempted +to frighten me into compliance +with your demands. I say, sir, you +have threatened me. It is the first +time—it shall be the last."</p> + +<p>"It shall, Michael—I promise you +it shall."</p> + +<p>"I ask no promise from you," continued +the excited and suspicious man, +writhing under a sense of his helplessness. +"You have betrayed the cloven +foot. I thank you for it. I am aware +of what is to follow—I expect it—I +shall hold myself prepared!"</p> + +<p>"Do nothing of the kind, Allcraft. +You know me better. You are safe +with me. I am ashamed of myself +for what I have spoken. Forgive +me"—</p> + +<p>"But never mind," proceeded the +unhappy Michael. "I defy you: do +your worst. Let this be your acknowledgment +of past favours—the fulfilment +of your sacred promise. Betray +me to Bellamy, and be at ease."</p> + +<p>"Michael, you do not use me well. +I spoke angrily, and without consideration. +I am sorry that I did so, and +I have asked your forgiveness. What +can I do more? You should allow +for wounded feelings. It was hard to +hear you ridiculing an affair that occupies +my serious thoughts. I was irritated—think no more about it."</p> + +<p>"Answer me this, How much does +Mr Bellamy already know?"</p> + +<p>"From me—nothing. Make your +mind happy on that score. It is not +to the interest of any one of us that +secrets should be known. You need +not fear. Shake hands."</p> + +<p>Michael took his hand.</p> + +<p>"And as to this Association," continued +Planner, "let me have my way +for once—the thing is clear, and cannot +fail. The elements of success are +there, and a splendid fortune must be +realized. I am not greedy. I don't +want to grasp every thing for myself. +I told you just now that we would +share and share alike. You are not +up to projects of this nature. I am. +Trust to me. I will engage to enter +upon no new affair if I am disappointed +in this. The truth is, I cannot quietly +let a fortune slide through my fingers, +when a little skill and energy only are +necessary to secure it. Come, Michael, +this once you must not say <i>no</i>."</p> + +<p>The hope, however faint, of making +money by this speculation, and the +fear of offending the depositary of his +great secret, compelled at length from +Allcraft a reluctant acquiescence. He +consented to the trial, receiving Planner's +solemn promise that, in the event +of failure, it should be the last. Planner +himself, overjoyed at his victory, +prepared himself for action, and contemplated +the magnificent resources of +the bank with a resolute and daring +spirit that would have gratified exceedingly +the customers of the house, +could they have but known it. Planner +conscientiously believed that he +had hitherto failed in all his schemes, +because he had never commanded cash +sufficient to carry out his views. This +great obstacle being removed, he +wisely determined to make the most +of his good fortune. And in truth +he was without the shadow of an excuse +for timidity and forbearance. +The anxiety which might have accompanied +his ventures, had the money +been his own, was mercifully spared +him; the thought of personal danger +and ruin could never come to cloud +his intellect, or oppress his energy. +As for the ruin of any other party, the +idea, by a very happy dispensation, +never once occurred to him. It took +a very few months to make Mr Planner +the largest shareholder—the principal +director—the president and first +man in the famous "<i>Joint-Stock Pantamorphica +Association.</i>"</p> + +<p>And whilst he was busy in the purchase +of lands required for the extensive +undertaking, his dear friend Mr</p> + +<p>Bellamy was agreeably occupied in +paying off, by degrees, the heavy +mortgages which, for many years, had +been weighing on his beautiful estate. +In addition to the ten thousand pounds +which he had abstracted during the +absence of Mr Allcraft, he had not +hesitated to draw large sums under +the very nose of his too easy and +unsuspecting partner. The manner of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page55" id="page55"></a>[pg 55]</span> +Mr Bellamy threw Michael off his +guard. He walked so erect—looked +upon every body so superciliously—spoke +even to Allcraft in so high a +tone, and with so patronizing an air, +that it was quite impossible to suspect +him of being any thing but real coin, +a sound man, and worthy of all trust. +It is certainly true that Mr Bellamy +had not brought into the concern as +he had engaged, some twenty, or forty +thousand pounds—it does not matter +which—but the reasons which he condescended +to give for this failure were +perfectly satisfactory, and accounted +for the delay—so well accounted for +it that Michael entreated Mr Bellamy +not to think about it, but to take +his time. And how very natural it +was for a man of Mr Bellamy's consideration +and enormous wealth to +secure the little property that adjoined +his own, and to borrow from the bank +any sum of money that he might +want to complete so desirable a purchase! +And how very natural, likewise, +on the part of Allcraft, ever +fearful of discovery, ever desirous to +keep upon the best terms with Mr +Bellamy (the great man of the country, +the observed of all observers)—to +be at all times anxious to oblige his +friend, to render him sensible of his +desire to please him, and of the obligation +under which, by these repeated +acts of kindness and indulgence, he +was insensibly brought.</p> + +<p>And so they reached the close of +the first year of partnership; and who +shall say that the situation of Michael +was an enviable one, or that the persevering +man had not good cause for +despondency and dread? He was already +deeply indebted to his wife; +not one of his three partners had +proved to be such as he expected and +required. Danger threatened from +two of them: Mr Bellamy had not +afforded the support which he had +promised. A stronger heart than +Michael's might have quailed in his +position; yet the pressure from without +animated and invigorated <i>him</i>. In +the midst of his gloom, he was not +without a gleam of hope and consolation. +As he had foreseen, the business +of the house rapidly increased: +its returns were great. Day and night +he laboured to improve them, and to +raise the reputation of the tottering concern; +for tottering it was, though looking +most secure. For himself, he did not +draw one farthing from the bank; he +resided with his wife in a small cottage, +lived economically, and sacrificed +to his engrossing occupation +every joy of the domestic hearth. The +public acknowledged with favour the +exertions of the labouring man; pronounced +him worthy of his sire; +vouchsafed him their respect and confidence. +Bravely the youth proceeded +on his way—looking ever to the future—straining to his object—prepared to +sacrifice his life rather than yield or +not attain it. Noble ambition—worthy +of a less ignoble cause—a better +fate!</p> + +<p>The second year passed on, and +then the third: at the close of this, +Michael looked again at his condition. +During the last year the business of +the house had doubled. Had not the +profits, and more than the profits, +been dragged away by Bellamy and +Planner—his ardent mind would have +been satisfied, his ceaseless toil well-paid. +But the continual drafts had +kept ever in advance of the receipts, +draining the exchequer—crippling its +faculties. Even at this melancholy +exhibition, his sanguine spirit refused +to be cast down, and to resign the +hope of ultimate recovery and success. +He built upon the promise of Mr Bellamy, +who at length had engaged to +refund his loans upon a certain day, +and to add, at the same time, his long-expected +and long-promised quota of +floating capital: he built upon the illusions +of Planner's strong imagination—Planner, +who suddenly becoming sick +of his speculation, alarmed at his responsibility, +and doubtful of success, +had been for some time vigorously +looking out for a gentleman, willing +to purchase his share and interest in +the unrivaled <i>Pantamorphica</i>, and to +relieve him of his liabilities; and had +at last persuaded himself into the belief +that he had found one. <i>He</i> likewise +fixed a period for the restoration +of a fearful sum of money, which Michael, +madman that he was, had suffered +him to expend—to fling away +like dirt. Upon such expectation, +Allcraft stood—upon such props suffered +his aching soul to rest. There +wanted but a month to the acceptable +season when claims upon the house +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page56" id="page56"></a>[pg 56]</span> +poured in which could not be put off. +Michael borrowed money once more +from his wife to meet them. He did +it without remorse or hesitation. Why +should he have compunction—why +think about it, when the hour of repayment +was so near at hand? It was +a proper question for a man who could +slumber on a mine that was ready to +burst, and shatter him to atoms.</p> + + +<h3>CHAPTER II.</h3> + +<h4>A MEETING.</h4> + + +<p>It was a constant saying of old Mr +Brammel, that if his time were to +come over again, he would adopt a +very different plan from that which he +had pursued in the education of his son. +Now, a different plan it might have +been; but one leading to a more satisfactory +result, I must take the liberty +to deny. Of what use is experience +to one who, with sixty years of life in +him, still feels and thinks, reasons +and acts, like a child? Who but a +child would have thought of paying +the wholesale demands of that dissolute, +incorrigible youth, with the +notion of effecting by such subtle +means his lasting reformation: who +but a child would have made the +concealment of his name a condition +of the act? As may be guessed, the +success of this scheme was equal to +its wisdom. Augustus Theodore, too +grateful for the facilities afforded him, +showed no disposition to abridge his +pleasures, or to hasten his return. In +the regular and faithful discharge of +his drafts, his vulgar soul rejoiced to +detect a fear of offending, and an +eagerness to conciliate, on the part of +his partner, Michael Allcraft. He +would see and acknowledge nothing +else. And the idea once fixed in his +mind, he was not likely to rest contented +with half the glory of his victory. +"No.—He would punish the +fellow.—He would make him smart; +he would teach him to come all the +way to France on purpose to bully +him. He hadn't done with the gentleman +yet. Master Allcraft should +cry loud enough before he had. He'd +sicken him." Still the hopeful youth +pursued his travels—still he transmitted +his <i>orders at sight</i>—still they were +honoured punctually—still Augustus +Theodore chuckled with stupid delight +over what he considered the pitiful +submission of his partner, who had +not courage to reject his drafts, and +dared not utter now one brief expostulatory +word. Mr Brammel, junior, +like the rest of the firm, lived in his +own delusions. The fourth year dawned, +and Mr Brammel suddenly appeared +amongst his friends. He and his +lady had travelled over Europe; they +had seen the world—the world had +seen them; they were sick of wandering—they +desired to settle. A noble +villa, with parks and paddocks, was +quickly taken and sumptuously furnished; +hunters were got from Tattersall's—nursery-maids +from France—an establishment worthy of the +name rose like magic, almost within +sight of Michael's humble dwelling, +taking the neighbourhood by surprise, +startling and affrighting Allcraft. +Again the latter visited the fond old +man—remonstrated, complained; and +once more the father entreated on behalf +of his son, begged for time and +patience, and undertook to satisfy the +prodigal's extravagance. He gave his +money as before, willingly and eagerly, +and stipulated only, with unmeaning +earnestness, for secrecy and silence. +And the fourth year closed as drearily +as it had opened. The promises of +Bellamy and Planner were as far from +fulfilment as ever; their performance +as vigorous and disastrous as at first. +The landed proprietor still redeemed, +day after day, portions of his involved +estate. The schemer, disappointed in +his expectations of a purchaser, returned +to his speculation with redoubled +ardour, and with fresh supplies of +gold. His only chance of ultimate recovery +was to push boldly forward, +and to betray no fear of failure. One +retrograde or timid step would open +the eyes of men, and bring down ruin +on the <i>Pantamorphica</i>. Planner became +conscious of all this to his dismay, +and he had nothing to do in the +very extremity of his distress, but to +proceed in his venture with the best +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page57" id="page57"></a>[pg 57]</span> +spirits he could command, and to trust +himself fairly to the swelling tide.—Allcraft looked on and trembled.</p> + +<p>It is wonderful how long a withered +leaf will sometimes cling to its branch. +It will hold tenaciously there, the last +of its race, days after the decay of +its greener and more healthy-looking +mates. "A creaking door," the proverb +has it, "hangs long upon its +hinges;" and many a wheezing, parchment-looking +gentleman, as we all +know, who ought to have died every +year of his life since he was born, +draws his difficult breath through +threescore years and ten; whilst the +young, the hardy, and the sound are +smitten in their pride, and fall in heaps +about him. It is no less strange that +a house of business like that of our +friend Mr Allcraft, should assert its +existence for years, rotten as it was, +during the whole of the time, at its +very heart's core. And yet such is +the case. Eight years elapsed, and +found it still in the land of the living: +yes, and to the eye external, as +proper and as good a house of business +as any you shall name. Its vitals were +going—were gone, before the smallest +indications of mischief appeared upon +the surface. Life must have been +well nourished to maintain itself so +long. And was it not? Answer, thou +kind physician, gentle Margaret! Answer, +thou balm and life's elixir—Margaret's +<i>gold</i>!</p> + +<p>Eight weary years have passed, and +we have reached a miserable day in +the month of November. The wind +is howling, and the rain is pelting +against the parlour windows of the +Banking-house, whose blinds are +drawn close down. The partners are +all assembled. Michael, whose hair is +as grey as his father's on the day of +his death, and whom care and misery +have made haggard and old, sits at a +table, with a heap of papers before +him, and a pen in his hand—engaged, +as it appears, in casting up accounts. +Mr Bellamy, who looks remarkably +well—very glossy and very fat—sits +at the table likewise, perusing leisurely +the county newspapers through golden +eyeglasses. He holds them with the +air of a gentleman, comfortable and at +ease in all respects, mentally and bodily. +Augustus Theodore swings on +a chair before the fire, which he keeps +at work for his own especial consolation. +His feet stretch along the fender—his +amusement is the poker. He +has grown insufferably vain, is dressed +many degrees above the highest fashionable +point, and looks a dissipated, +hopeless blackguard. Planner, very +subdued, very pale, and therefore very +unlike himself, stands behind the chair +of Allcraft; and ever and anon he casts +a rueful glance over the shoulder of +his friend, upon the papers which his +friend is busy with. No one speaks. +At intervals Mr Bellamy coughs extensively +and loudly, just to show his +dignity and independence, and to assure +the company that <i>his</i> conscience +is very tranquil on the occasion—that +his firm "withers are unwrung;" and +Mr Brammel struggles like an ill-taught +bullfinch, to produce a whistle, +and fails in the attempt. With these +exceptions, we have a silent room. A +quarter of an hour passes. Michael +finishes his work. He spends one +moment in reflection, and then he +speaks:—</p> + +<p>"Now, gentlemen," he begins with +a deep sigh, that seems to carry from +his heart a load of care—"Now, if +you please"—</p> + +<p>The paper and the poker are abandoned, +chairs are drawn towards the +baize-covered table. The partners sit +and look at one another, face to face.</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen," said Michael, at first +slowly and seriously, and in a tone +which none might hear beyond their +walls—"you do not, I am sure, require +me to advert to <i>all</i> the causes +which have rendered this meeting necessary. +I have no desire to use reproaches, +and I shall refer as little as +I may to the past. I ask you all to do +me justice. Have I not laboured like +a slave for the common good? Have +I not toiled in order to avoid the evil +hour that has come upon us? Have I +not given every thing—have I not +robbed another in order to prop up our +house and keep its name from infamy?"</p> + +<p>"Be calm, be calm," interposed Mr +Bellamy gently, remarking that Allcraft +slightly raised his voice at the +concluding words.</p> + +<p>"Calm! calm, Mr Bellamy!" exclaimed +the unhappy speaker, renouncing +without hesitation all attempts at +the <i>suaviter in modo</i>, and yet fearful of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page58" id="page58"></a>[pg 58]</span> +showing his indignation and of being +overheard—"Calm! It is well for you +to talk so. Had I been less calm, less +easy; had I done my duty—had I +been determined seven years ago, +this cruel day would never have arrived. +You are my witness that it +never would."</p> + +<p>Mr Bellamy rose with much formality +from his seat.</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen," he said, "I cannot +submit to dark and plebeian innuendoes. +I have come here to-day, at +great personal inconvenience, and I am +prepared to listen respectfully to any +thing which Mr Allcraft thinks it his +duty to bring before us. But I must have +you remember that a gentleman and a +man of honour cannot brook an insult."</p> + +<p>"I ask your pardon, sir," added +Allcraft, in a tone of bitterness—"I +meant no insult. Pray be seated. I +have the honour to present you with +a statement of our affairs. We have +claims upon us, amounting to several +thousand pounds, which must be met +within a week. A third of the sum +required will not be at our command. +How is it to be obtained? and, if obtained, +how is it to repair the inroads +which, year after year, have been +made upon the house, and how secure +it from further spoliation? It is useless +and absurd to hide from ourselves +any longer the glaring fact that we are +on the actual verge of bankruptcy."</p> + +<p>"Well! I have had nothing to do +with that. You can't say it's me," +ejaculated Mr Brammel. "You have +had the management in your own +hands, and so you have nobody but +yourself to thank for it. I thought +from the beginning how the concern +would turn out!"</p> + +<p>"<i>Your</i> share, sir, in furthering the +interests of the bank we will speak of +shortly," said Michael, turning to the +speaker with contempt. "We have +little time for recrimination now."</p> + +<p>"As for recrimination, Mr Allcraft," +interposed Mr Bellamy, "I must be +allowed to say, that you betray a very +improper spirit in this business—very—very. You are far from being temperate."</p> + +<p>"Temperate!"</p> + +<p>"Yes; I said so."</p> + +<p>"Mr Bellamy," said Allcraft, bursting +with rage, "I have been your +partner for eight years. I have not +for a moment deserted my post, or +slackened in my duty. I have given +my strength, my health, my peace of +mind, to the house. I have drawn +less than your clerk from its resources; +but I have added to them, wrongfully, +cruelly, and unpardonably, from means +not my own, which, in common honesty, +I ought never to have touched—which"—</p> + +<p>"Really, really, Mr Allcraft," said +Bellamy, interrupting him, "you have +told us every word of this before."</p> + +<p>"Wait, sir," continued the other. +"I am <i>intemperate</i>, and you shall have +my excuse for being so. <i>You</i>, Mr +Bellamy, have never devoted one moment +of your life to the interests of +the house; no, not a moment. You +have, year after year, without the +slightest hesitation or remorse, sucked +its life-blood from it. You have borrowed, +as these accounts will show, +thousands of pounds, and paid them +back with promises and words. You +engaged to produce your fair proportion +of capital; you have given nothing. +You made grand professions +of adding strength and stability to the +firm; you have been its stumbling-block +and hinderance."</p> + +<p>"Mr Allcraft," said Bellamy coolly, +"you are still a very young man."</p> + +<p>"Have I told the truth?"</p> + +<p>"Pshaw, man! Speak to the point. +Speak to the point, sir. We have +heavy payments due next week. Are +we prepared to meet them?"</p> + +<p>"No—nor shall we be."</p> + +<p>"That's unfortunate," added Mr +Bellamy, very quietly. "You are +sure of that? You cannot help us—with +another loan, for instance?"</p> + +<p>Michael answered, with determination—"No."</p> + +<p>"Very well. No violence, Mr Allcraft, +pray. Such being the case, I +shall decline, at present, giving any +answer to the unjust, inhuman observations +which you have made upon +my conduct. Painful as it is to pass +this barbarous treatment over for the +present, still my own private affairs +shall be as nothing in comparison with +the general good. This provided for, +I will protect myself from future +insult, depend upon it. You are +wrong, Mr Allcraft—very wrong. You +shall acknowledge it. You will be +sorry for the expressions which you +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page59" id="page59"></a>[pg 59]</span> +have cast upon a gentleman, your senior +in years, and [here a very loud +cough] let me add—in social station. +Now, sir, let me beg a word or two in +private."</p> + +<p>It was very unfortunate that the +whole establishment stood in unaffected +awe of the redoubted Mr Bellamy. +Allcraft, notwithstanding his knowledge +of the man, and his previous attack +upon his character, was not, at +this moment, free from the fascination; +and at the eleventh hour he found it +difficult to withdraw entirely his confidence +in Mr Bellamy's ultimate desire +and capability to deal honorably +and justly by him. Much of the Mogul's +power was unquestionably derived +from his massive <i>physique</i>; but +his chief excellence lay in that peculiar +off-hand, patronizing, take-it-for-granted +air, which he made it a point +to assume towards every individual +with whom he came in contact. He +had scarcely requested a few minutes' +private conversation with Allcraft, before +Planner and Brammel jumped +involuntarily from their seats, as if in +obedience to a word of command, and +edged towards the door.</p> + +<p>"If you please," continued Mr +Bellamy, nodding to them very graciously; +and they departed. In the +course of ten minutes they were recalled +by the autocrat himself. The +gentlemen resumed their seats, and +this time, Mr Bellamy addressed them.</p> + +<p>"You see, my dear sirs," he began +with, for him, peculiar gentleness, +"it is absolutely necessary to provide +against the immediate exigency, and +to postpone all discussion on the past, +until this is met, and satisfactorily disposed +of."</p> + +<p>"Certainly!" said Augustus Brammel, +who, for his part, never wished +to talk or think about the past again. +"Certainly. Hear, hear! I agree to +that"——</p> + +<p>"I knew you would, dear Mr +Brammel—a gentleman of your discretion +would not fail to do so."</p> + +<p>Augustus looked up at Mr Bellamy +to find if he were jeering him; but he +saw no reason to believe it.</p> + +<p>"Such being the case," continued +the worthy speaker; "it behoves us +now to look about for some assistance. +Our friend, Mr Allcraft, I am sorry +to say, does not feel disposed to help +us once more through the pressure. I +am very sorry to say so. Perhaps he +will think better of it, (Allcraft shook +his head.) Ah; just so. He desponds +a little now. He takes the dark side +of things. For my own part, I prefer +the bright. He believes, as you +have heard, that we are on the verge +of bankruptcy. Upon my honour as a +gentleman, I really can believe in no +such thing. There is a general gloom +over the mercantile world; it will break +off in time; and we, with the rest of +mankind, shall pass into the sunshine."</p> + +<p>"Hear, hear!" exclaimed Augustus +Brammel; "that's the way to look at +things!"</p> + +<p>"Taking it for granted, then—which, +positively, I an not inclined to do; +for really, Mr Allcraft, it is against +your interest not to help us in this +emergency—but, however, taking it, +I say, for granted, that our friend here +will not succour us—it appears to me, +that only one legitimate course is open +to us. If we are refused at home, let +us apply for aid as near our home as +possible. There are our London +friends"—</p> + +<p>"Ah, yes, to be sure—so there +are," cried Theodore Augustus.</p> + +<p>"We surely cannot hesitate to apply +to them. Our name stands—and +deservedly so—very high. They will +be glad to accommodate us with a +temporary loan. We will avail ourselves +of it—say for three months. +That will give us time to turn about +us, and to prepare ourselves against +similar unpleasant casualties. See +what we want, Mr Allcraft: let the +sum be raised in London without delay, +and let us look forward with the +hearts of men."</p> + +<p>"Capital, capital," continued Brammel; +"I second that motion."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir," said Mr Bellamy, +with a gracious smile. "There remains +then to consider only who shall +be the favoured individual deputed to +this important business. One of us +must certainly go to London, and I do +think it due to our youngest member, +Brammel, to concede to him the +honour of representing us in the metropolis. +No offence will, I trust, be +taken by our other friends, and I hope +that in my zeal for Mr Brammel, I +shall not be suspected of betraying +an undue preference."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page60" id="page60"></a>[pg 60]</span> + +<p>Mr Bellamy turned towards Augustus +Theodore with an almost affectionate +expression of countenance, as +he spoke these words; but perceived, +to his mortification, that the latter, instead +of being pleasantly affected by +his address, wriggled in his chair most +impatiently, and assumed the complexion +and aspect of a man with +whom something has suddenly and +violently disagreed.</p> + +<p>"No—no—no!" he bellowed out, +as soon as he could; "none of that +soft-soap, Mr Bellamy; make up your +mind at once—I sha'n't go. I can't +borrow money. I do not know how +to do it. I don't want the honour, +thank you. It's very good of you, +and I am much obliged to you—that's +a fact. But you'll look out for some +body else, if you please. I beg to say +I decline—pos"—</p> + +<p>Mr Bellamy cast upon Theodore one +of his natural and annihilating glances, +and said deliberately,</p> + +<p>"Mr Brammel, for the first time in +your life you are honoured by being +made a useful individual. You are to +go to London.—Go you shall"—</p> + +<p>"Go, I sha'n't," answered Brammel, +in his accustomed easy style and +manner.</p> + +<p>"Very well. You are aware, Mr +Brammel, that your respected parent +has yet to be made acquainted with +sundry lively doings of your own, +which you would rather, I believe, +keep from his ears at present; you likewise +are aware that if any thing happens +to the serious injury of the bank +through your imprudence—your inheritance +from that respected parent +would be dearly purchased for a shilling. +I shall be sorry to hurt your +feelings, or your pocket. I have no +wish to do it; but depend upon me, +sir, your father shall be a wiser man +to-night, if you are obstinate and disobedient."</p> + +<p>"I can't borrow money—I can't—I +don't know how to do it," said Brammel +peevishly.</p> + +<p>"And who reproaches you for your +inability, my dear sir," said Bellamy +coaxingly. "No one, I am sure. You +shall be taught. Every thing shall be +made easy and agreeable. You will +carry your credentials from the house, +and your simple task shall be beforehand +well explained to you."</p> + +<p>"I am not used to it."</p> + +<p>"And you never will be, Mr Brammel, +if you don't begin to practise. +Come, I am sure you don't wish me +to see your father to-day. I am certain +you are not anxious to part with +your patrimony. You are too sensible +a man. Pray let us have no delay, +Mr Allcraft. See what we want. Mr +Brammel will go to London to-morrow. +We must take time by the forelock. +Let us meet these heavy payments, +and then we can think, and +breathe, and talk. Till then it is idle +to wrangle, and to lose one's temper. +Very well: then there's little more, I +imagine, to be done at present."</p> + +<p>Augustus Theodore still opposed his +nomination, like an irritable child; +but a fly kicking against a stone wall, +was as likely to move it, as Brammel +to break down the resolution of such +a personage as Mr Bellamy. After an +hour's insane remonstrance, he gave +in to his own alarm, rather than to +the persuasion of his partner. He was +fearfully in debt; his only hope of +getting out of it rested in the speedy +decease of his unfortunate parent, +whom he had not seen for months, and +who, he had reason to believe, had +vowed to make him pay with his +whole fortune for any calamity that +might happen to the bank through his +misconduct or extravagance. It was +not from the lips of Mr Bellamy that +he heard this threat for the first time. +What he should do, if it were carried +out, heaven only knows. He consented +to go to London on this disgusting +mission, and he could have +bitten his tongue out for speaking his +acquiescence, so enraged was he with +himself, and all the world, at his defeat. +He did not affect to conceal his +anger; and yet, strange to say, it was +not visible to Mr Bellamy. On the +contrary, he thanked Mr Brammel for +the cheerful and excellent spirit in +which he had met his partners' wishes, +and expressed himself delighted at +the opportunity which now presented +itself for introducing their young friend +to life. Then, turning to Michael Allcraft, +he begged him to prepare their +deputation for his work immediately, +and to place no obstacle in the way of +his departure. Then he moved the +adjournment of the meeting until the +return of Mr Brammel; and then he +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page61" id="page61"></a>[pg 61]</span> +finished by inviting all his partners to +dine with him at the hall that day, +and to join him in drinking success +and happiness to their young adventurer. +The invitation was accepted; +and Mr. Bellamy's grand carriage drew +up immediately with splash and clatter +to the door.</p> + + + +<h3>CHAPTER III.</h3> + +<h4>A CHAPTER OF LOANS.</h4> + + +<p>Augustus Brammel hated his partners +with all his heart and soul. He +had never been very fond of them, but +the result of this interview gave an +activity and a form to feelings which +it required only sufficient occasion to +bring into play. Notwithstanding the +polite tone which Mr Bellamy had cunningly +adopted in placing his mission +before him, even he, the ignorant and +obtuse Brammel, could not fail to see +that he had been made the tool, the +cat's-paw in a business from which his +partners shrank. Now, had the young +man been as full of courage as he was +of vulgar conceit, he might, I verily +believe, have turned his hatred, and +his knowledge of affairs, to very good +account. Lacking the spirit of the +smallest animal that crawls, he was +content to eject his odious malice in +oaths and execrations, and to submit +to his beating after all. No sooner +was the meeting at an end, than he +left the Banking-house, and turned +his steps towards home. He had become—as +it was very natural he should—a +brute of a husband, and the terror +of his helpless household. He remembered, +all at once, that he had +been deeply aggrieved in the morning +by Mrs Brammel; that as many as +two of his shirt buttons had given way +whilst he was in the act of dressing, +and unable to contain himself after the +treatment of Mr Bellamy, he resolved +forthwith to have his vengeance out +upon his wife. But he had not walked +a hundred yards, before his rancour +and fury increased to such a height, +that he was compelled to pull up short +in the street, and to vow, with a horrible +oath, that he would see all his +partners roasting in the warmest place +that he could think of, before he'd +move one inch to save their souls from +rotting. So, instead of proceeding +homeward, he turned back again, with +a view to make this statement; but +before he could reach the Banking-house, +a wiser thought entered his +head, and induced him to retrace his +steps. "He would go," he said, "to +his father; and lay his complaint there. +He would impeach all his partners, +acknowledge his errors, and promise +once more to reform. His father, +easy old fool, would believe him, forgive +him, and do any thing else, in his +joy." It was certainly a bright idea—but, +alas! his debts were so very +extensive. Bellamy's threatening look +rose before him, and made them appear +even larger and more terrible +than they were. What if his father +insisted upon his going to London, +and doing any other dirty work which +these fellows chose to put upon him? +Bellamy, he was sure, could make the +old man do any thing. No, it wouldn't +do. He stamped his foot to the ground +in vexation, and recurred to his original +determination. It was all he +could do. He must go to London, and +take what indemnification he might in +the domestic circle previously to starting. +And the miserable man did have +his revenge, and did go to London. +He was empowered to borrow twenty +thousand pounds from the London +house, and he was furnished by Michael +Allcraft with particulars explanatory +of his commission. And he +walked into Lombard Street with the +feelings of a culprit walking up the +scaffold to his execution. His pitiful +heart deserted him at the very instant +when he most needed its support. He +passed and repassed the large door of +the establishment, which he saw opened +and shut a hundred tines in a minute, +by individuals, whose self-collectedness +and independence, he would +have given half his fortune to possess. +He tried, time after time, to summon +courage for his entry, and, as he afterwards +expressed it, a ball rose in his +throat—just as he got one foot upon +the step—large enough to choke him. +Impudent and reckless us he had been +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page62" id="page62"></a>[pg 62]</span> +all his life, he was now more timid and +nervous than an hysterical girl. Oh, +what should he do! First, he thought +of going to a neighbouring hotel, and +writing at once to Allcraft; swearing +that he was very ill, that he couldn't +move, and was utterly unable to perform +his duties. If he went to bed, +and sent for a doctor, surely Allcraft +would believe him; and in pity would +come up and do the business. He +dwelt upon this contrivance, until it +seemed too complicated for success. +Would it not be more advisable to write +to the London house itself, and explain +the object of his coming up? +But if he could write, why couldn't he +<i>call</i>? They would certainly ask that +question, and perhaps refuse the loan. +Oh, what was he to do! He could +hit upon no plan, and he couldn't +muster confidence to turn in. The +porter of the firm mercifully interposed +to rescue Mr Brammel from his +dilemma. That functionary had watched +the stranger shuffling to and fro +in great anxiety and doubt, and at +length he deemed it proper to enquire +whether the gentleman was looking +for the doorway of the house of Messrs —— and ——, or not. Augustus, +frightened, answered <i>yes</i> at random, +and in another instant found himself in what he called +"THE SWEATING ROOM of the awfullest +house of business he had ever seen in +all his life." It was a large square +apartment, very lofty and very naked-looking. +There was an iron chest, and two shelves +filled with giant books; and there was +nothing else in the room but a stillness, +and a mouldiness of smell, that hung +upon his spirits like pounds of lead, +dragging them down, and freezing +them. Yet, cold as were his spirits, +the perspiration that oozed from the +pores of his skin was profuse and +steady during the quarter of an hour +that elapsed whilst he waited for the +arrival of the worthy principal. During +those memorable fifteen minutes—the +most unpleasant of his life—Augustus, +for two seconds together, +could neither sit, stand nor walk with +comfort. He knew nothing of the +affairs of his house; he was not in a +condition to answer the most trivial +business question; he had heard that +his firm was on the eve of bankruptcy, +(and, judging from the part he had +taken in its affairs, he could easily +believe it;) he felt that his partners +had thrown the odium of the present +application upon him, not having courage +to take it upon themselves; and +he had an indistinct apprehension that +this very act of borrowing money +would lead to transportation or the +gallows, should the business go to +rack and ruin, as he could see it +shortly would. All these considerations +went far to stultify the otherwise +weak and feeble Mr Brammel; when, +in addition, he endeavoured to arrange +in his mind the terms on which he +would request the favour of a temporary +loan of only (!) twenty thousand +pounds, a sensation of nausea completely +overpowered him, and the +table, the chairs, the iron chest, swam +round him like so many ships at sea. +To recover from his sickness, and to +curse the banking-house, every member +of the same, and his own respectable +parent for linking him to it, was +one and the same exertion. To the +infinite astonishment of Augustus Theodore, +the acquisition of these twenty +thousand pounds proved the most +amusing and easiest transaction of his +life. Mr Cutbill, the managing partner +of the London house, received +him with profound respect and pleasure. +He listened most attentively to +the stammering request, and put the +deputation at his ease at once, by +expressing his readiness to comply +with Mr Allcraft's wishes, provided a +note of hand, signed by all the partners, +and payable in three months, +was given as security for the sum +required. Augustus wrote word home +to that effect; the note of hand arrived—the +twenty thousand pounds were +paid—the dreaded business was transacted +with half the trouble that it +generally cost Augustus Theodore to +effect the purchase of a pair of gloves.</p> + +<p>Mr Bellamy remained at the hall +just one week after the receipt of the +cash, and then was carried to the +north by pressing business. Before +he started he complimented Allcraft +upon their success, trusted that they +should now go smoothly on, promised +to return at the very earliest moment, +and gave directions on his route by +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page63" id="page63"></a>[pg 63]</span> +which all letters of importance might +safely reach him. And Allcraft, relieved +for a brief season, indefatigable +as ever, strained every nerve and +muscle to sustain his credit and increase +his gains. As heretofore, he +denied himself all diversion and +amusement. The first at the bank, +the last to leave it, he had his eye for +ever on its doings. Visible at all +times to the world, and most conspicuous +there where the world was +pleased to find him, he maintained his +reputation as a thorough man of business, +and held, with hooks of steel, a +confidence as necessary to existence +as the vital air around him. To lose +a breath of the public approbation in +his present state, were to give up +fatally the only stay on which he +rested. Wonderful that, as the prospects +of the man grew darker, his +courage strengthened, his spirit roused, +his industry increased! And a bitter +reflection was it, that reward still came +to him—still a fair return for time and +strength expended. He could not +complain of the neglect of mankind, +or of the ingratitude of those he served. +In the legitimate transactions of the +house, he was a prosperous and a prospering +man. Such, to the outer world, +did he appear in all respects, and such +he would have been but for the hidden +and internal sores already past cure or +reparation. Who had brought them +there? Michael did not ask the question—yet. +Never did three months +pass away so rapidly as those which +came between the day of borrowing +and the day of paying back those +twenty thousand pounds. The moment +the money had arrived, Michael's +previous anxieties fled from his bosom, +and left him as happy as a boy without +a care. It came like a respite +from death. Sanguine to the last, he +congratulated himself upon the overthrow +of his temporary difficulties, and +relied upon the upturning of some +means of payment, on the arrival of +the distant day. But distant as it +looked at first, it crept nearer and +nearer, until at the end of two months, +when—as he saw no possibility of relieving +himself from the engagement—it +appeared close upon him, haunting +him morning, noon, and night, wheresoever +he might be, and sickening him +with its terrible and desperate aspect. +When there wanted only a week to +the fatal day, Michael's hope of meeting +the note of hand was slighter than +ever. He became irritable, distressed, +and anxious—struggled hard to get +the needful sum together, struggled +and strove; but failed. Hours and +minutes were now of vital consequence; +and, in a rash and unprotected +moment, he permitted himself +to write a letter to the London house, +begging them, as a particular favour, +just for one week to retire the bill they +held against him. The London house +civilly complied with the request, and +five days of that last and dreary week +swept by, leaving poor Allcraft as ill +prepared for payment as they had +found him. What could he do? At +length the gulf had opened—was +yawning—to receive him. How should +he escape it?</p> + +<p>Heaven, in its infinite mercy, has +vouchsafed to men <i>angels</i> to guide +and cheer them on their difficult and +thorny paths. Could Michael suffer, +and Margaret not sympathize? Could +he have a sorrow which she might +chase away, and, having the power, +lack the heart to do it? Impossible! +Oh! hear her in her impassioned supplications; +hear her at midnight, in +their disturbed and sleepless bedchamber, +whilst the doomed man sits at her +side in agony, clasps his face, and +buries it within his hand for shame +and disappointment.</p> + +<p>"Michael, do not break my heart. +Take, dearest, all that I possess; but, +I entreat you, let me see you cheerful. +Do not take this thing to heart. Whatever +may be your trouble, confide it, +love, to me. I will try to kill it!"</p> + +<p>"No, no, no," answered Allcraft +wildly; "it must not be—it shall not +be, dear Margaret. You shall be imposed +upon no longer. You shall not +be robbed. I am a villain!"</p> + +<p>"Do not say so, Michael. You are +kind and good; but this cruel business +has worn you out. Leave it, I implore +you, if you can, and let us live +in peace."</p> + +<p>"Margaret, it is impossible. Do +not flatter yourself or me with the +vain hope of extrication. Release will +never come. I am bound to it for +my life; it will take longer than a life +to effect deliverance. You know not +my calamities."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page64" id="page64"></a>[pg 64]</span> + +<p>"But I <i>will</i> know them, Michael, +and share them with you, if they must +be borne. I am your wife, and have +a right to this. Trust me, Michael, +and do not kill me with suspense. +What is this new affliction? Whatsoever +it may be, it is fitting that I +should know it—yes, will know it, +dearest, or I am not worthy to lie beside +you there. Tell me, love, how is +it that for these many days you have +looked so sad, and sighed, and frowned +upon me. I am conscious of no +fault. Have I done amiss? Say so, +and I will speedily repair the fault?"</p> + +<p>Michael pressed his Margaret to his +heart, and kissed her fondly.</p> + +<p>"Why, oh why, my Margaret, did +you link your fate with mine?"</p> + +<p>"Why, having done so, Michael, +do you not love and trust me?"</p> + +<p>"Love?"</p> + +<p>"Yes—<i>love</i>! Say what you will, +you do not love me, if you hide your +griefs from me. We are one. Let us +be truly so. One in our joys and in +our sufferings."</p> + +<p>"Dearest Margaret, why should I +distress you? Why should I call upon +you for assistance? Why drag your +substance from you?—why prey upon +you until you have parted with your +all? I have taken too much already."</p> + +<p>"Answer me one simple question, +Michael. Can money buy away this +present sorrow? Can it bring to you +contentment and repose? Can it restore +to me the smile which is my +own? Oh, if it can, be merciful and +kind; take freely what is needful, and +let me purchase back my blessings!"</p> + +<p>"Margaret, you deserve a better +fate!"</p> + +<p>"Name the sum, dear. Is it my +fortune? Not more? Then never +were peace of mind and woman's happiness +so cheaply bought. Take it, +Michael, and let us thank Heaven that +it is enough. My fortune never gave +me so much joy as now. I do not +remember, Michael, that you have +ever refused my smallest wish. It +is not in your nature to be unkind. +Come, dearest, smile a little. We +have made the bargain—be generous, +and pay me in advance."</p> + +<p>He smiled and wept in gratitude.</p> + +<p>Now Michael retired to rest, determined +not to take advantage of the +generous impulses of his confiding +wife; yet, although he did so, it could +not but be very satisfactory to his +marital feelings to discover, and to be +assured of the existence of, such devotedness +and disregard of self and +fortune as she displayed. Indeed, +he was very much tranquillized and +comforted; so much so, in fact, that +he was enabled, towards morning, to +wake up in a condition to review his +affairs with great serenity of mind, +and (notwithstanding his determination) +to contrive some mode of turning +the virtuous magnanimity of his +wife to good account, without inflicting +any injury upon herself. Surely +if he could do this, he was bound to +act. To save himself by her help, and, +at the same time, without injuring her +at all, was a very defensible step, to +say the least of it. Who should say +it wasn't his absolute duty to adopt +it? Whatever repugnance he might +have felt in asking a further loan from +one who had already helped him beyond +his expectations, it was certainly +very much diminished since she had +offered to yield to him, without reserve, +every farthing that she possessed. +Not that he would ever suffer +her to do any thing so wild and inexcusable; +still, after such an expression +of her wishes, he was at liberty +to ask her aid, provided always that +he could secure her from any loss or +risk. When Michael got thus far in +his proposition, it was not very difficult +to work it to the end. Once +satisfied that it was just and honourable, +and it was comparatively child's +work to arrange the <i>modus operandi</i>. +A common trick occurred to him. In +former transactions with his wife, he +had pledged his word of honour to +repay her. It had become a stale +pledge, and very worthless, as Michael +felt. What if he put his <i>life</i> in pawn! +Ah, capital idea! This would secure +to her every farthing of her debt. +Dear me, how very easy! He had +but to insure his life for the amount +he wanted, and let what would happen, +she was safe. His spirit rejoiced. +Oh, it was joy to think that she could +save him from perdition, and yet not +suffer a farthing's loss. Loss! So +far from this, his ready mind already +calculated how she might be a gainer +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page65" id="page65"></a>[pg 65]</span> +by the arrangement. He was yet +young. Let him insure his life at present +for twenty thousand pounds, and +how much more would it be worth—say +that he lived for twenty years to +come? He explained it to his lady—to +his own perfect satisfaction. The +willing Margaret required no more. +He could not ask as freely as the +woman's boundless love could grant. +He, with all his reasoning, could not +persuade his conscience to pronounce +the dealing just. She, with her beating +heart for her sole argument and +guide, looked for no motive save her +strong affection—no end but her beloved's +happiness and peace. Woe is +me, the twenty thousand pounds were +griped—the precious life of Mr Allcraft +was insured—the London house was +satisfied. A very few weeks flew over +the head of the needy man, before he +was reduced to the same pitiable +straits. Money was again required +to carry the reeling firm through unexpected +difficulties. Brammel was +again dispatched to London. The +commissioner, grown bolder by his +first success, was ill prepared for hesitation +and reproof, and awkward references +to "that last affair." Ten +thousand pounds were the most they +could advance, and all transactions of +the kind must close with this, if there +should be any deviation from the +strictest punctuality. Brammel attempted +to apologise, and failed in the +attempt, of course. He came home +disgusted, shortening his journey by +swearing over half the distance, and +promising his partners his cordial forgiveness, +if ever they persuaded him +again to go to London on a begging +expedition!</p> + +<p>Oh, Margaret! Margaret! Oh, +spirit of the mild and gentle Mildred! +Must I add, that your good money +paid this second loan—and yet a third—a +fourth—a fifth? When shall fond +woman cease to give—when shall +mean and sordid man be satisfied with +something less than all she has to +grant?</p> + + + +<h3>CHAPTER IV.</h3> + +<h4>A DISSOLUTION OF PARTNERSHIP.</h4> + + +<p>The most remarkable circumstance +in that meeting of the partners, which +ended in Brammel's first visit to London, +was the behaviour of our very +dear friend and ally—the volatile +Planner—volatile, alas! no longer. +His best friend would not have recognized +him on that deeply interesting +occasion. He was a subdued, a shaken +man. Every drop of his brave spirit +had been squeezed out of him, and he +stood the mere pulp and rind of his +former self. He who, for years, had +been accustomed to look at men, not +only in the face, but very impertinently +over their heads, could not drag +his shambling vision now higher than +men's shoe-strings. His eye, his +heart, his soul was on the ground. +He was disappointed, crushed. Not +a syllable did he utter; not a single +word of remonstrance and advice did +he presume to offer in the presence of +his associates. He had a sense of +guilt, and men so situated are sometimes +tongue-tied. He had, in truth, +a great deal to answer for, and enough +to make a livelier man than he dissatisfied and +wretched. Every farthing +which had passed from the bank +to the <i>Pantamorphica</i> Association was +irrecoverably gone. The Association +itself was in the same condition—gone +irrecoverably likewise. Nothing remained +of that once beautiful and promising +vision, but some hundred acres +of valueless land, a half-finished and +straggling brick wall, falling rapidly +to decay, the foundations of a theatre, +and the rudiments of a temple dedicated +to Apollo. Planner had gazed +upon the scene once, when dismal rain +was pouring down upon the ruins, and +he burst into bitter tears, and sobbed +like a child at the annihilation of his +hopes. He had not courage to look a +second time upon that desolation, and +yet he found courage to turn away +from it, and to do a thing more +desperate. Ashamed to be beaten, afraid +to meet the just rebuke of Allcraft, he +flung himself recklessly into the hands +of a small band of needy speculators, +and secretly engaged in schemes that +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page66" id="page66"></a>[pg 66]</span> +promised restitution of the wealth he +had expended, or make his ruin perfect +and complete. One adventure +after another failed, cutting the thread +of his career shorter every instant, +and rendering him more hot-brained +and impatient. He doubled and trebled +his risks, and did the like, as +may be guessed, to his anxieties and +failures. He lived in a perpetual fear +and danger of discovery; and discovery +now was but another name, for +poison—prison—death. Here was +enough, and more than enough, to extinguish +every spark of joy in the +bosom of Mr Planner, and to account +for his despondency and settled gloom. +And yet Planner, in this, his darkest +hour, was nearer to deliverance and +perfect peace, than at any previous +period of his history. Planner was +essentially "a lucky dog." Had he +fallen from a house-top, he would +have reached <i>terra firma</i> on his feet. +Had he been conducted to the gallows, +according to his desserts, the noose +would have slipped, and his life would +certainly have been spared.</p> + +<p>It happened, that whilst Michael +was immersed in the management of +his loans, a hint was forwarded to +him of the pranks of his partner; a +letter, written by an anonymous hand, +revealed his losses in one transaction, +amounting to many hundred pounds. +The news came like a thunderbolt to +Allcraft. It was a death-blow. Iniquitous, +unpardonable as were the +acts of his colleague—serious as was +the actual sum of money gone; yet +these were as nothing compared with +the distressing fact, that intelligence +of the evil work had already gone +abroad, was in circulation, and might +at any moment put a violent end to +his own unsteady course. He carried +the note to Planner—he thrust it into +his face, and called him to account for +his baseness and ingratitude. He +could have struck his friend and partner +to the earth, and trod him there +to death, as he confronted and upbraided +him.</p> + +<p>"Now, sir," roared Allcraft in his +fury—"What excuse—what lie have +you at your tongue's end to palliate +this? What can justify this? Will +you never be satisfied until you have +rendered me the same hopeless, helpless +creature that I found you, when +I dragged you from your beggaring.§ +Answer me!"—</p> + +<p>There is nothing like a plaintive +retort when your case is utterly indefensible. +Planner looked at the letter, +read it—then turned his eyes +mildly and reproachfully upon his +accuser.</p> + +<p>"Michael Allcraft," he said affectingly, +"you treat me cruelly."</p> + +<p>"I!" answered the other astounded. +"I treat <i>you</i>! Planner, I intrusted +you years ago with a secret. I paid +you well for keeping it. Could I +dream that nothing would satisfy your +rapacity but my destruction? Could +I suppose it? I have fed your ravenous +desires. I have submitted to +your encroachments. Do you ask my +soul as well as body? Let me know +what it is you ask—what I have to +pay—let me hear the worst, and—prepare +for all my punishment."</p> + +<p>"I have listened to all you have +said," continued Planner, "and I +consider myself an ill-used man."</p> + +<p>Michael stared.</p> + +<p>"Yes—I mean it. I have worked +like a negro for you Allcraft, and this +is the return you make me. I get +your drift; do not attempt to disguise +it—it is cruel—most, most cruel!</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"Have I not always promised to +share my gains with you?"</p> + +<p>"Pshaw—<i>your</i> gains—where are +they?"</p> + +<p>"That's nothing to the point. Did +I not promise?"</p> + +<p>"Well—well."</p> + +<p>"And now, after all my labour and +struggling, because I have <i>failed</i>, you +wish to turn me off, and throw me to +the world. Now, speak the truth, +man—is it not so?"</p> + +<p>Oh! Planner was a cunning creature, +and so was Michael Allcraft. +Mark them both! This idea, which +Planner deemed too good to be seriously +entertained by his colleague, +had never once occurred to Michael; +but it seemed so promising, and so +likely, if followed up, to relieve him +effectually of his greatest plague, and +of any floating ill report, that he found +no hesitation in adopting it at once. +He did not answer, but he tried to +look as if his partner had exactly +guessed his actual intention. Such §* +gentlemen both!</p> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><p>* Transcriber's Note: Original cut off between §s—Section completed with best guess of correct wording.</p></blockquote> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page67" id="page67"></a>[pg 67]</span> + +<p>"I thought so," continued the injured +Planner. "Michael, you do +not know me. You do not understand +my character. I am a child to +persuade, but a rock if you attempt to +force me. I shall <i>not</i> desert the bank, +whilst there is a chance of paying back +all that we have drawn."</p> + +<p>"<i>We</i>, sir?"</p> + +<p>"Yes—we. You and I together +for our schemes, and you alone for +private purposes. You recollect your +father's debts"—</p> + +<p>"Planner, do not think to threaten +me into further compromise. You +can frighten me no longer—be sure +of that. Your transactions are the +common talk of the city—the bank +is stigmatized by its connexion with +you."</p> + +<p>"Curse the bank!" said Planner +fretfully. "Would to Heaven I had +never heard of it!"</p> + +<p>"Leave it then, and rid yourself of +the annoyance. You are free to do +it!"</p> + +<p>"What! and leave behind me every +chance of realizing a competency for +my old age! Oh, Michael, Michael—shame, shame!"</p> + +<p>"Competency! Are you serious? +Are you sane? Competency! Why, +the labour of your life will not make +good a tithe of what you have squandered."</p> + +<p>"Come, come, Michael, you know +better. You know well enough that +one lucky turn would set us up at last. +Speak like a man. Say that you want +to grasp all—that you are tired of me—that +you are sick of the old face, +and wish to see my back. Put the +thing in its proper light, and you shall +not find me hard to deal with."</p> + +<p>"Planner, you are deceived. Your +mind is full of fancy and delusion, +and that has been your curse and +mine."</p> + +<p>"Very well. Have your way; +but look you, Michael, you are anxious +to get rid of me—there's no denying +that. There is no reason why we +should quarrel on that account. I +would sacrifice my prospects, were +they double what they are, rather +than beg you to retain me. I did not +ask for a share in your bank. You +sought me, and I came at your request. +Blot out the past. Release +me from the debt that stands against +my name, and I am gone. As I came +at your bidding, so, at your bidding, +I am ready to depart."</p> + +<p>"Agreed," said Allcraft, almost before +the wily Planner finished. "It +is done. I consent to your proposal. +A dissolution shall be drawn up without +delay, and shall be published in +the next gazette."</p> + +<p>"And publish with it," said Planner, +like a martyr as he was, "the +fate of him who gave up all to his own +high sense of honour, and his friend's +ingratitude."</p> + +<p>So Planner spake, scarcely crediting +his good fortune, and almost mad +with joy at his deliverance. He had +no rest until the seals were fixed to +parchment, and the warrant of his release +appeared in public print. Within +a week, the fettered man was free. +Within another week, his bounding +spirits came like a spring-tide back to +him, and in less than eight-and-twenty +days of freedom and repose, he recovered +quite as many years of sweet +and precious life. He made quick use +of his wings. At first, like a wild and +liberated bird, he sported and tumbled +in the air, and fixed upon no particular +aim; a thousand captivating objects +soon caught his eagle eye, and +then he mounted, dazzled by them +all, and soon eluded mortal sight and +reach. But, glad as was the schemer, +his delight and sense of freedom were +much inferior to those of his misguided +and unlucky partner. Michael +breathed as a man relieved from nightmare. +The encumbrance which had +for years prevented him from rising, +that had so lately threatened his existence, +was gone, could no longer hang +upon him, haunt and oppress him. +What a deliverance!—Yet, what a +price had he paid for it! True, but +was not the money already sacrificed? +Would it have been restored, had the +luckless speculator himself remained? +Never! Well, fearful then as was the +sum, let it go, taking the incubus +along with it. Allcraft took care to +obtain the consent of Bellamy to his +arrangement. He wrote to him, explaining +the reasons for parting with +their partner; and an answer came +from the landed proprietor, acquiescing +in the plan, but slightly doubting +the propriety of the movement. As +for Brammel, he consented, as he was +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page68" id="page68"></a>[pg 68]</span> +ready to agree to any thing but a personal +visit to the great metropolis. +And then, what was Michael's next +step? A proper one—to put out effectually +the few sparks of scandal +which might, possibly, be still flying +about after the discovery of Planner's +scheme. He worked fiercer than ever—harder +than the day-labourer—at his +place of business. It was wise in him +to do so, and thus to draw men's +thoughts from Planner's faults to his +own unquestioned merits. And here +he might have stopped with safety; +but his roused, suspicious, sensitive +nature, would not suffer him. He began +to read, then to doubt and fear +men's looks; to draw conclusions from +their innocent words; to find grounds +of uneasiness and torture in their silence. +A vulgar fellow treated him +with rudeness, and for days he treasured +up the man's words, and repeated +them to himself. What could they +mean? Did people smell a rat? Were +they on the watch? Did they suspect +that he was poor? Ah, that was +it! He saw it—he believed he did—that +was equivalent to sight, and +enough for him. Men did not understand +him. He would not die so +easily—they must be undeceived. Miserable +Allcraft! He speedily removed +from his small cottage—took a +mansion, furnished it magnificently, +and made it a palace in costliness and +hospitality. Ah! <i>was</i> he poor? The +trick answered. The world was not +surprised, but satisfied. There was +but one opinion. He deserved it all, +and more. The only wonder was, that +he had hitherto lived so quietly, rich +as he was, in virtue of his wife's inheritance, +and from his own hard-earned +gains. His increasing business +still enlarged. Customers brought +guests, and, in their turn, the guests +became good customers. It was a +splendid mansion, with its countless +rooms and gorgeous appointments. +What pleasure-grounds—gardens—parks—preserves! +Noble establishment, +with its butler, under-butler, +upper-servant, and my lady's (so the +working people called poor Margaret) +footman! In truth, a palace; but, +alas! although it took a prince's revenue +to maintain it, and although the +lady's purse was draining fast to keep +it and the bank upon its legs, yet was +there not a corner, a nook, a hole in +the building, in which master or mistress +could find an hour's comfort, or +a night's unmingled sleep. As for +the devoted woman, it made very +little difference to her whether she +dwelt in a castle or a hovel, provided +she could see her husband +cheerful, and know that he was happy. +This was all she looked for—cared for—lived +for. <i>He</i> was her life. What +was her money—the dross which mankind +yearned after—but for its use to +him, but for the power it might exercise +amongst men to elevate and ennoble +<i>him</i>? What was her palace but +a dungeon if it rendered her beloved +more miserable than ever, if it added +daily to the troubles he had brought +there—to the cares which had accumulated +on his head from the very hour +she had become his mate? +Michael Allcraft! you never deserved +this woman for your wife; you told +her so many times, and perhaps you +meant what was wrung from your +heart in its anguish. It was the truth. +Why, if not in rank cowardice and +pitiful ambition, entangle yourself in +the perplexities of such a household +with all that heap of woe already on +your soul? Why, when your London +agents refused, in consequence of your +irregularity and neglect, to advance +your further loans—why take a base +advantage of that heroic generosity +that placed its all, unquestioning, at +your command? Why, when you +pretended with so much ceremony and +regard, to effect an insurance on your +worthless life, did you fail to pay up +the policy even for a second year, and +so resign all claim and right to such +assurance, making it null and void? +Let it stand here recorded to your +disgrace, that, in the prosecution of +your views, in the working out of your +insane ambition, no one single thought +of her, who gave her wealth as freely +as ever fount poured forth its liberal +stream, deterred you in your progress +for an instant; that no one glow or +gush of feeling towards the fond and +faithful wife interposed to save her +from the consequences of your selfishness, +and to humble you with shame +for inhumanity as vile as it was undeserved. +It is not surprising, that +after the taking of the great house +the demands upon the property of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page69" id="page69"></a>[pg 69]</span> +Margaret were made without apology +or explanation. He asked, and he +obtained. The refusal of aid, on the +part of the London house, terrified +him when it came, and caused him to +rush, with a natural instinct, to the +quarter whence he had no fear of denial +and complaint. He drew largely +from her resources. The money was +sucked into the whirlpool; there was +a speedy cry for more; and more +was got and sacrificed. It would +have been a miracle had Allcraft, in +the midst of his crushing cares, retained +his early vigour of mind and +body, and passed through ten years of +such an existence without suffering +the penalties usually inflicted upon +the man prodigal of the blessings and +good gifts of Providence. In his appearance, +and in his temperament, he +had undergone a woful change. His +hair—all that remained of it, for the +greater part had fallen away—was +grey; and, thin, weak, and straggling, +dropped upon his wrinkled forehead—wrinkled +with a frown that had taken +root there. His face was sickly, and +never free from the traces of acute +anxiety that was eating at his heart. +His body was emaciated, and, at +times, his hand shook like a drunkard's. +It was even worse with the +spiritual man. He had become irritable, +peevish, and ill-natured; he +had lost, by degrees, every generous +sentiment. As a young man he had +been remarkable for his liberality in +pecuniary matters. He had been +wont to part freely with his money. +Inconsistent as it may seem, notwithstanding +his heavy losses through his +partners, and his fearful expenditure, +he was as greedy of gain as though +he were stinting himself of every farthing, +and secretly hoarding up his +chests of gold. He would haggle in +a bargain for a shilling, and economize +in things beneath a wise man's +notice or consideration. For a few +years, as it has been seen, Allcraft +had denied himself the customary recreations +of a man of business, and +had devoted himself entirely to his +occupation. It was by no means a +favourable indication of his state of +mind, that he derived no satisfaction +at the grand mansion, either alone or +in the mere society of his wife. He +quitted the bank daily at a late hour, +and reached his home just in time for +dinner. That over, he could not sit +or rest—he must be moving. He +could not live in quiet. "Quietness"—it +was his own expression—"stunned +him." He rushed to the theatre, +to balls, concerts, wherever there was +noise, talk, excitement, crowds of people; +wherever there was release from +his own pricking conscience and miserable +thoughts. And then to parties; +of course there was no lack of them, +for their society was in great request, +and every one was eager for an invitation +in return to <i>Eden</i>—such being +the strange misnomer of their magnificent +prison-house. And, oh, rare +entertainments were they which the +suffering pair provided for the cold-hearted +crew that flocked to partake +of their substance! How the poor +creature smiled upon her guests as +they arrived, whilst her wounded +heart bled on! How she sang—exquisitely +always—for their amusement +and nauseous approbation, until her +sweet voice almost failed to crush the +rising tears! How gracefully she led +off the merry dance whilst clogs were +on her spirits, weighing upon every +movement. Extravagant joyousness! +Dearly purchased pleasure! Yes, +dearly purchased, if only with that +half hour of dreadful silence and remorse +that intervened between the +banquet and the chamber—not of +sweet slumber and benevolent repose +but of restlessness and horrid dreams!</p> + + + +<h3>CHAPTER V.</h3> + +<h4>THE CRISIS.</h4> + + +<p>Michael was half mad in the midst of +his troubles; and, in truth, they +gathered so thickly and rapidly about +him, that he is to be admired for the +little check which he contrived to keep +over his reason, saving him from absolute +insanity and a lunatic asylum. +Mr Bellamy, although away, made free +with the capital of the bank, and applied +it to his own private uses. Mr +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page70" id="page70"></a>[pg 70]</span> +Brammel, senior, after having, for +many years, made good to Allcraft +the losses the latter had sustained +through his son's extravagance, at +length grew tired of the work, and +left the neighbourhood, in disgust, as +Michael thought, but, in sad truth, +with a bruised and broken heart. At +last he had dismissed the long-cherished +hope of the prodigal's reformation, +and with his latest hope departed +every wish to look upon his +hastening decay and fall. He crawled +from the scene—the country; no one +knew his course; not a soul was cognizant +of his intentions, or could guess +his resting-place. Augustus Theodore +did not, in consequence of his father's +absence, draw less furiously upon the +bank! He had never heard of that +father's generosity—how should he +know of it now? And, if he knew it, +was he very likely to profit by the +information? Michael honoured his +drafts for many reasons; two may be +mentioned, founded on hope and fear—the +hope of frightening the unfortunate +Brammel senior into payment +when he met with him again, the +fear of making Brammel junior desperate +by his refusal, and of his divulging +all he knew. Could a man, +not crazy, carry more care upon his +brain? Yes, for demands on account +of Planner poured in, the very instant +that fortunate speculator had taken +his lucky leave of the establishment—demands +for which Michael had rendered +himself liable in law, by the undertaking +which he had drawn up and +signed in his alarm and haste. Oh, why +had he overwhelmed himself with partners—why +had he married—why had +he taken upon himself the responsibility +of his parent's debts—why had he +not explained every thing when he +might have done it with honour and +advantage—why had he not relied +upon his own integrity—and why had +he attempted, with cunning and duplicity, +to overreach his neighbours? +Why, oh why, had he done all this? +When Michael was fairly hemmed in +by his difficulties, and, as it is vulgarly +said, had not a leg to stand +upon, or a hole to creep through, then, +and not till then, did he put these +various questions to himself; and +since it is somewhat singular that so +shrewd a man should have waited +until the last moment to put queries +of such vast importance to himself, I +shall dwell here for one brief moment +on the fact, be it only to remind and +to warn others, equally shrewd and +equally clever, of the mischief they +are doing when they postpone the +consideration of their motives and +acts until motives and acts both have +brought them into a distress, out of +which all their consideration will not +move them an inch. "Why have I +<i>done</i>?" was, is, and ever will be, the +whining interrogative of stricken <i>inability</i>; +"Why am I about <i>to do</i>?" the +provident question of thoughtful, far-seeing +<i>success</i>. Remember that.</p> + +<p>I am really afraid to say how much +of poor Margaret's fortune was dragged +from her—how little of it still remained. +It must have been a trifle, +indeed, when Michael, with a solemn +oath, swore that he would not touch +one farthing more, let the consequences +be what they might. Could it be +possible that the whole of her splendid +inheritance had shrunk to so paltry a +sum, that the grasping man had ceased +to think it worth his while to touch +it? or did the dread of beholding the +confiding woman, beggar'd at last, induce +him to leave at her disposal +enough to purchase for her—necessary +bread? Whatever was his motive, he +persisted in his resolution, and to the +end was faithful to his oath. Not +another sixpence did he take from +her. And how much the better was +he for all that he had taken already? +Poor Michael had not time to enquire +and answer the question. He could +not employ his precious moments in +retrospection. He lived from hand to +mouth; struggled every hour to meet +the exigencies of the hour that followed. +He was absorbed in the agitated +present, and dared not look an +inch away from it. Now, thanks to +the efforts of her people, England is a +Christian country; and whenever fortune +goes very hard with a man who +has received all the assistance that +his immediate connexions can afford +him, there is a benevolent brotherhood +at hand, eager to relieve the sufferer's +wants, and to put an end to his anxiety. +This charitable band is known +by the name of <i>Money-lenders—Jewish</i> +money-lenders; so called, no doubt, +in profound humility and self-denial, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page71" id="page71"></a>[pg 71]</span> +displayed in the Christian's wish to +give the <i>honour</i> of the work elsewhere, +reserving to himself the labour and—the +profit. When Michael needed +fresh supplies, he was not long in +gathering a gang of harpies about him. +They kept their victim for a while +well afloat. They permitted their +principal to accumulate in his hands, +whilst they received full half of their +advances back in the form of interest. +So he went on; and how long this +game would have lasted, it is impossible +to say, because it was cut short +in its heighth by a circumstance that +brought the toppling house down, as +it were, with a blow and a run.</p> + +<p>When Allcraft, one morning at his +usual hour, presented himself at the +bank, his confidential clerk approached +him with a very serious face, and +placed a newspaper in his hand. Michael +had grown very timid and excitable; +and when the clerk put his +finger on the particular spot to which +he desired to call his superior's attention, +the heart of the nervous man +leapt into his throat, and the blood +rushed from his cheek, as if it were its +duty to go and look after it. He literally +wanted the courage to read the +words. He attempted to smile indifferently, +and to thank his servant as +courteously as if he had given him a +pleasant pinch of snuff; but at the +same time, he pressed his thumb upon +the paragraph, and made his way +straight to his snug and private room. +He was ready to drop when he reached +it, and his heart beat like a hammer +against his ribs. He placed the paper +on the table, and, ere he read a syllable, +he laboured to compose himself. +What could it be? Was the thing +exploded? Was he already the common +talk and laugh of men? Was he +ruined and disgraced? He read at +length—<i>The property and estates of +Walter Bellamy, Esq., were announced +for sale by auction.</i> His first sensation +on perusing the advertisement +was one of overpowering sickness. +Here, then, was his destruction sealed! +Here was the declaration of poverty +trumpeted to the world. Here +was the alarum sounded—here was +his doom proclaimed. Let there be a +run upon the bank—and who could +stop it now?—let it last for four-and-twenty +hours, and he is himself a +bankrupt, an outcast, and a beggar. +The tale was told—the disastrous history +was closed. He had spun his +web—had been his own destiny. God +help and pardon him for his transgressions! +There he sat, unhappy +creature, weeping, and weeping like a +heart-broken boy, sobbing aloud from +the very depths of his soul, frantic +with distress. For a full half hour he +sat there, now clenching his fists in +silent agony, now accusing himself of +crime, now permitting horrible visions +to take possession of his brain, and to +madden it with their terrible and truth-like +glare. He saw himself—whilst +his closed eyes were pressed upon his +paralysed hands—saw himself as palpably +as though he stood <i>before</i> himself, +crawling through the public streets, +an object for men's pity, scorn, and +curses. Now men laughed at him, +pointed to him with their fingers, and +made their children mock and hoot the +penniless insolvent. Labouring +men, with whose small savings he +had played the thief, prayed for maledictions +on his head; and mothers +taught their little ones to hate the +very name he bore, and frightened +them by making use of it. Miserable +pictures, one upon the other, rose before +him—dark judgments, which he +had never dreamed of or anticipated; +and he stood like a stricken coward, +and he yearned for the silence and +concealment of the <i>grave</i>. Ay—the +grave! Delightful haven to pigeon-hearted +malefactors—inconsistent criminals, +who fear the puny look of mortal man, and, unabashed, stalk +beneath the eternal and the killing +frown of God. Michael fixed upon +his remedy, and the delusive opiate +gave him temporary ease; but, in an another +instant, he derived even hope +and consolation from another and altogether +opposite view of things. A +thought suddenly occurred to him, as +thoughts will occur to the tossed and +working mind—how, why, or whence +we know not; and the drowning man, +catching sight of the straw, did not +fail to clutch it. What if, after all, +Mr. Bellamy proposed to sell his property +<i>in favour of the bank</i>!! Very +likely, certainly; and yet Allcraft, +sinking, could believe it possible—yes +possible, and (by a course of happy +reasoning and self-persuasion) not only +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page72" id="page72"></a>[pg 72]</span> +so—but <i>true</i>. And if this were Mr. +Bellamy's motive and design, how +cruel had been his own suspicions—how vain and wicked his previous disturbance +and complaints! And why +should it not be? Had he not engaged +to restore the money which he +had borrowed; and had he not given +his word of honour to pay in a large +amount of capital? At the memorable +meeting, had he not promised to +satisfy Allcraft of the justice of his +own proceedings, and the impropriety +of Michael's attack upon his character? +And had not the time arrived +for the redemption of his word, and +the payment of every farthing that +was due from him? Yes; it had arrived—it +had come—it was here. Mr +Bellamy was about to assert his integrity, +and the banking-house was +saved. Michael rose from his chair—wiped +the heavy sweat-drops from his +brow—dried his tears, and gave one +long and grateful sigh for his deliverance +from that state of horror, by +which, for one sad, sickening moment, +he had been bewildered and betrayed. +But, satisfied as he was, and rejoiced +as he pretended to be, it could hardly +be expected that a gentleman possessed +of so lively a temperament as +that enjoyed by Mr. Allcraft would +rest quietly upon his convictions, and +take no steps to strengthen and establish +them. Michael for many days +past had had no direct communication +with his absent partner, and, at the +present moment, he was ignorant of +his movements. He resolved to make +his way at once to the Hall, and to +get what intelligence he could of its +lord and master, from the servants left +in charge of that most noble and encumbered +property. Accordingly he +quitted his apartment, threw a ghastly +smile into his countenance, and +then came quickly upon his clerks, +humming a few cheerful notes, with +about as much spirit and energy as a +man might have if forced to sing a +comic song just before his execution. +Thoroughly persuaded that the officials +had not obtained an inkling of what +had transpired in his <i>sanctum</i>, and +that he left them without a suspicion +of evil upon their minds, he started +upon his errand, and waited not for +breath until he reached his destination. +He arrived at the lodge—he arrived at +the Hall. He rang the loud bell, and +a minute afterwards he learned that +Mr Bellamy was within—had made +his appearance at home late on the +evening before, and, at the present +moment, was enjoying his breakfast. +Michael, for sudden joy and excitement, +was wellnigh thrown from his +equilibrium. Here was confirmation +stronger than ever! Would he have +returned to the estate upon the very +eve of disposing of it, if he had not +intended to deal well and honestly +in the transaction? Would he not +have been ashamed to do it? Would +he have subjected himself to the just +reproaches and upbraidings of his +partner, when, by his absence, he +might so easily have avoided them? +Certainly not. Michael Allcraft, for +a few brief seconds, was a happier +man than he had been for years. His +eyes were hardly free of the tears +which he had shed in the extremity of +his distress, and he was now ready to +weep again in the very exuberance +and wildness of his delight. He presented +his card to the corpulent and +powdered footman; he was announced; +he was ushered in. Walter Bellamy, +Esquire, sitting in state, received +his friend and partner with many +smiles and much urbanity. He was +still at breakfast, and advancing slowly +in the meal, like a gentleman whose +breakfast was his greatest care in life. +Nothing could be more striking than +the air of stately repose visible in the +proprietor himself, and in the specious +and solemn serving-man, who stood +behind him—less a <i>serving</i>-man than +a sublime dumb waiter. Michael was +affected by it, and he approached his +colleague with a rising sentiment of +awe—partly, perhaps, the effect of the +scene—partly the result of natural +apprehension.</p> + +<p>"Most glad to see you, my very +good friend," began the master—"most +glad—most happy—pray, be +seated. A lovely morning this! A +plate for Mr. Allcraft."</p> + +<p>"Thank you—I have breakfasted," said +Michael, declining the kind offer. +"I had no thought of finding you at +home."</p> + +<p>"Ay—a mutual and unexpected +pleasure. Just so. I had no thought +of coming home until I started, and I +arrived here only late last night. Business +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page73" id="page73"></a>[pg 73]</span> +seldom suites itself to one's convenience."</p> + +<p>"Seldom, indeed—very seldom," +answered Michael, with a friendly +smile, and a look of meaning, which +showed that he had taken hope from +Mr Bellamy's expression—"and," he +continued, "having returned, I presume +you spend some time amongst us."</p> + +<p>"Not a day, my friend. To-morrow +I am on the wing again. I have +left a dozen men behind me, who'll +hunt me over the country, if I don't +rejoin them without delay. No. I +am off again to-morrow." (Michael +moved uneasily in his chair.) "But, +how are you, Mr Allcraft? How are +all our friends? Nothing new, I'll +venture to say. This world is a stale +affair at the best. Life is seen and +known at twenty. Live to sixty, and +it is like reading a dull book three +times over. You had better take a +cup of coffee, Mr Allcraft!"</p> + +<p>"Thank you—no. You surprise +me by your determination."</p> + +<p>"Don't be surprised at any thing, +Mr Allcraft. Take things as they +come, if you wish to be happy."</p> + +<p>Michael, very uneasy indeed, wished +to make a remark, but he looked +at the man in crimson plush, and held his +tongue. Mr Bellamy observed him.</p> + +<p>"You have something to say? Can +I give you any advice, my friend? +Pray, command me, and speak without +reserve. As much as you please, +and as quickly as you please, for I +assure you time is precious. In half +an hour I have twenty men to see, +and twice as many things to do."</p> + +<p>Again Michael glanced at the stout +footman, who was pretending to throw +his mind into the coming week, and +to appear oblivious of every thing +about him.</p> + +<p>"I have a question to ask," proceeded +Michael hesitatingly; "but it +can be answered in a moment, and at +another opportunity—in a little while, +when you are <i>quite</i> at leisure."</p> + +<p>"As you please; only remember +I have no end of engagements, and if +I am called away I cannot return to +you."</p> + +<p>Poor Michael! His expectations +were again at a fearful discount. The +language and demeanor of Mr Bellamy +seemed decisive of his intentions. +What could he do? What—but fasten +on his man, and not suffer him to +leave his sight without an explanation, +which he dreaded to receive. +Mr Bellamy continued to be very polite +and very talkative, and to prosecute +his repast with unyielding equanimity. +At the close of the meal the +servant removed the cloth, and departed. +At the same instant the +landed proprietor rose from his chair, +and was about to depart likewise. +Michael, alarmed at the movement, +touched Mr Bellamy gently on the +sleeve, and then, less gently, detained +him by the wrist.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean, sir?" asked +Bellamy, turning sharply upon his +partner: "What do you mean? What +is your object?"</p> + +<p>"Mr Bellamy," said Allcraft, pale +as death, and much excited; "you +must not go until you have satisfied +me on a point of life and death to both +of us. Your conduct is a mystery. +I cannot explain it. I know not what +are the motives which actuate you. +These are known to yourself. Let +them be so. But I have a question +to ask, and you must and shall answer it."</p> + +<p>"<i>Must</i> and <i>shall</i>, Mr Allcraft! Take +care—pray, take care of your expressions. +You will commit yourself. +When will you cease to be a very +young man? I will answer voluntarily +any questions put to me by any +gentleman. <i>Must</i> and <i>shall</i> never +forced a syllable from my lips yet. +Now, sir—ask what you please."</p> + +<p>"Mr Bellamy," continued Allcraft, +"your property is announced for public +sale."</p> + +<p>"It is," said Bellamy.</p> + +<p>"And the announcement has your sanction?"</p> + +<p>"It has."</p> + +<p>"And with the sum realized by +that sale, you propose to"—</p> + +<p>Michael stopped, as though he wished +his partner to fill up the sentence.</p> + +<p>"Go on, sir," said the proprietor.</p> + +<p>"With the sum thus realized, I +say, you propose to make good the +losses which the bank has suffered by +your improvidence?"</p> + +<p>"Not exactly. Is there any thing +else?"</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page74" id="page74"></a>[pg 74]</span> + +<p>"Oh, Mr Bellamy, you cannot +mean what you say? I am sure you +cannot. You are aware of our condition. +You know that there needs +only a breath to destroy us in one +moment for ever. At this very time +your purpose is known to the world; +and, before we can prevent it, the +bank may be run upon and annihilated. +What will be said of your +proceedings? How can you reconcile +the answer which you have just now +given to me, with your vaunted high +sense of honour, or even with your +own most worldly interests?"</p> + +<p>"Have you finished, sir?" said +Bellamy, in a quiet voice.</p> + +<p>"No!" exclaimed Michael, in as +angry a tone of indignation: "no! I +have not finished. I call upon you, +Mr Bellamy, to mark my words; to +mark and heed them—for, so Heaven +help me, I bid you listen to the truth. +Quiet and easy as you profess to be, +I will be cozened by you no longer. +If you carry out your work, your doings +shall be told to every human +soul within a hundred miles of where +you stand. You shall be exhibited as +you are. If every farthing got from +the sale of this estate be not given up +to defray your past extravagance, you +shall be branded as you deserve. Mr +Bellamy, you have deceived me for +many years. Do not deceive yourself +now."</p> + +<p>"Have you finished, sir?" repeated +Mr Bellamy.</p> + +<p>"Yes—with a sentence. If you +are mad—I will be resolute. Persist +in your determination, and the bank +shall stop this very night."</p> + +<p>"And let it stop," said Bellamy; +"by all means let it stop. If it be a +necessary, inevitable arrangement, I +would not interfere with it for the +world. Act, Mr Allcraft, precisely as +you think proper. It is all I ask on +my own account. I have unfortunately +private debts to a very large +amount. What is still more unfortunate, +they must be paid. I have no +means of paying them except by selling +my estate, and therefore it must +go. I hope you are satisfied?"</p> + +<p>Michael threw himself into a chair, +and moved about in it, groaning. Mr +Bellamy closed the door, and approached +him.</p> + +<p>"This is a very unnecessary display +of feeling, Mr Allcraft," said the +imperturbable Bellamy; "very—and +can answer no good end. The thing, +as I have told you, is inevitable."</p> + +<p>"No—no—no," cried Allcraft, imploringly; +"Not so, Mr Bellamy. +Think again—ponder well our dreadful +situation. Reflect that, before another +day is gone, we may be ruined, +beggared, and that this very property +may be wrested from you by our +angry creditors. What will become +of us? For Heaven's sake, my dear, +good sir, do not rush blindly upon +destruction. Do not suffer us to be +hooted, trampled upon, despised, cursed +by every man that meets us. You +can save us if you will—do it then—be +generous—be just."</p> + +<p>"As for being <i>just</i>, Mr Allcraft," +replied Bellamy composedly, "the +less we speak about that matter the +better. Had <i>justice</i> been ever taken +into account, you and I would, in all +probability, not have met on the present +business. I cannot help saying, +that, when you are ready to justify to +me your conduct in respect of your +late father's liabilities, I shall be more +disposed to listen to any thing you +may have to urge in reason touching +the produce of this estate. Until that +time, I am an unmoved man. You +conceive me?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Michael, changing +colour, "I see—I perceive your drift—I +am aware—Mr Bellamy," +continued the unhappy speaker, +stammering until he almost burst +with rage. "You are a villain! +You have heard of my misfortunes, +and you take a mean advantage of +your knowledge to crush and kill +me. You are a villain and I defy +you!"</p> + +<p>Mr Bellamy moved leisurely to the +fire-place, and rang the bell. The +stout gentleman in plush walked in, +and the landed proprietor pointed to +the door.</p> + +<p>"For Mr Allcraft, William," said +the squire.</p> + +<p>"Very well!" said Michael, white +with agitation; "Very well! As sure +as you are a living man, your ruin +shall be coincident with mine. Not a +step shall I fall, down which you shall +not follow and be dragged yourself. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page75" id="page75"></a>[pg 75]</span> +You shall not be spared one pang. I +warn you of your fate, and it shall +come sooner than you look for it."</p> + +<p>"Pooh, pooh; you have been drinking, +Mr. Allcraft."</p> + +<p>"You lie, sir, as you have lied for +months and years—lived upon lies, +and"—</p> + +<p>"You need not say another word. +You shall finish your sentence, sir, +elsewhere. Begone! William, show +Mr. Allcraft to the door."</p> + +<p>William pretended to look very +absent again, and bowed. Michael +stared at him for a second or two, as +if confounded, and then, like a madman, +rushed from the room and house.</p> + + + +<h3>CHAPTER VI.</h3> + +<h4>THE CRASH.</h4> + + +<p>The plans and objects of Mr Walter +Bellamy were best known to himself. +Whatever they might be, he diverged +from them for a few hours in order to +give his miserable partner the opportunity +he had promised him, of completing +that very inauspicious sentence—the +last which he had uttered in Mr. +Bellamy's house previously to his abrupt +departure. Michael had not been +in the banking-house an hour after +his return from the Hall before he was +visited by a business-like gentleman, +who introduced himself as the particular +friend of Mr. Bellamy, on whose +particular business he professed to +come. Allcraft, with his brain on fire, +received the visit of this man with +secret glee. All the way home he had +prayed that Bellamy might prove as +good as his word, and not fail to +demand immediate satisfaction. He +longed for death with a full and yearning +desire, and he could kiss the hand +that would be merciful and give the +fatal blow. A suicide at heart, it was +something to escape the guilt and +punishment of self-murder. Bellamy +was reputed a first-rate shot. Michael +was aware of the fact, and hugged the +consciousness to his soul. He would +not detract from his reputation; the +duellist should add another laurel to +his chaplet of <i>honour</i>, and purchase it +with his blood. He had resolved to +fight and fall. It was very evident +that the friend of Mr Bellamy expected +rather to frighten Michael into a +humble and contrite apology, than to +find him ready and eager for the +battle; for he commenced his mission +by a very long and high-flown address, +and assured Mr Allcraft, time +after time, that nothing but the most +ample and the most public <i>amende</i> +could be received by his friend after +what had taken place. Michael listened +impatiently, and interrupted +the speaker in the midst of his oration.</p> + +<p>"You are quite right, sir," said he. +"If an apology is to be made, it +should be an ample one. But I decline +to make any whatever. I am +prepared to give Mr Bellamy all the +satisfaction that he asks. I will refer +you at once to my friend, and the +sooner the affair is settled the better."</p> + +<p>"Well, but surely, Mr Allcraft, +you must regret the strong expression"—</p> + +<p>"Which I uttered to your friend? +By no means. I told him that he lied. +I repeat the word to you. I would +say it in his teeth again if he stood +here. What more is necessary?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing," said the gentleman, +certainly unprepared for Michael's +resolution. "Nothing; name your +friend, sir."</p> + +<p>Michael had already fixed upon a +second, and he told his name. His +visitor went to seek him, and the poor +bewildered man rubbed his hands +gleefully, as though he had just saved +his life, instead of having placed it in +such fearful jeopardy.</p> + +<p>That day passed like a dream. The +meeting was quickly arranged. Six +o'clock on the following morning was +the hour fixed. The place was a field, +the first beyond the turnpike gate, +and within a mile of the city. As soon +as Michael made sure of the duel, he +saw his confidential clerk. His name +was Burrage. He had been a servant +in the banking-house for forty years, +and had known Michael since his +birth. It was he who gave the newspaper +into Allcraft's hands, on the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page76" id="page76"></a>[pg 76]</span> +first arrival of the latter at the bank +that morning. He was a quiet old +man of sixty, an affectionate creature, +and as much a part of the banking-house +as the iron chest, the desk, the +counter, or any other solid fixture. +He stepped softly into his master's +room after he had been summoned +there, and he gazed at his unhappy +principal as a father might at his own +child in misfortune—a beloved and +favourite child.</p> + +<p>"You are not well this morning, +sir," said Burrage most respectfully. +"You look very pale and anxious."</p> + +<p>"My looks belie me, Burrage. I +am very well. I have not been so +well for years. I am composed and +happy. I have been ill, but the time +is past. How old are you, Burrage?"</p> + +<p>"Turned threescore, sir; old +enough to die."</p> + +<p>"Die—die! death is a sweet thing, +old man, when it comes to the care-worn. +I have had my share of trouble."</p> + +<p>"Too much, sir—too much!" said +Burrage, his eyes filling with water. +"You have half killed yourself here. +I am sure your poor father never expected +this. Nobody could have expected +it in his time, when you were +a little, fat, rosy-cheeked boy, running +about without a thought, except +a thought of kindness for other people."</p> + +<p>Michael Allcraft burst into a flood +of tears—they gushed faster and faster +into his eyes, and he sobbed as only +men sob who have reached the climax +of earthly suffering and trial.</p> + +<p>"Do not take on so, my dear sir," +said Burrage, running to him. "Pray, +be calm. I am sure you are unwell. +You have been ill for some time. You +should see a doctor—although I am +very much afraid that your disease is +beyond their cure—in truth I am."</p> + +<p>"Burrage," said Michael in a +whisper, and still sighing convulsively—"It +is all over. It is finished. Prepare +for the crash—look to your own +safety. Hide yourself from the gaze +of men. It will strike us all dead."</p> + +<p>"You frighten me, Mr Allcraft.—You +are really very ill. Your brain +is overworked—you want a little repose +and recreation."</p> + +<p>"Yes, you are right Burrage—the +recreation of a jail—the repose of a +tomb. We will have one, at least—yes, +one—and I have made the selection."</p> + +<p>"Have you heard any bad news to-day, sir?"</p> + +<p>"None—excellent news to-day. +No more hopes and fears—no alarms—no +lying and knavery—eternal +peace now, and not eternal wretchedness."</p> + +<p>"Had you not better leave the +bank, Mr Allcraft, and go home? Your +hands are burning hot. You are in a +high fever."</p> + +<p>"Put up the shutters—put up the +shutters," muttered Michael, more to +himself than to his clerk. "Write +<i>bankrupt</i> on the door—write it in large +letters—in staring capitals—that the +children may read the word, and know +why they are taught to curse me. +You hear me, Burrage?"</p> + +<p>"I hear what you say, sir, but I +do not understand you. You want +rest—you are excited."</p> + +<p>"I tell you, Burrage, I am quiet—I +never was so quiet—never sounder +in body and mind. Will you refuse +to listen to the truth? Man," he continued, +raising his voice and looking +the clerk steadily in the face. "I am +ruined—a beggar. The bank is at its +last gasp. The doors are closed to-night—never +to be re-opened."</p> + +<p>"God forbid, sir!"</p> + +<p>"Why so?—Would you drive me +mad? Am I to have no peace—no +rest? Am I to be devoured, eaten +away by anxiety and trouble? Have +you no human blood—no pity for me? +Are you as selfish as the rest?"</p> + +<p>"Is it possible, sir?"</p> + +<p>"It is the truth. But speak not of +it. I will have your life if you betray +me until the event tells its own tale. +We close the door to-night, to open +it no more. You hear the words. +They are very simple words. Why +do you stare so, as if you couldn't +guess their meaning?"</p> + +<p>"Oh—I have dreaded this—I have +suspected it!" said Burrage, wringing +his hands; "but it has always seemed +impossible. Poor Mr Allcraft!"</p> + +<p>"<i>Poor!</i>" exclaimed Michael. "Do +you begin already? Do you throw it +in my teeth so soon? You are in the +right, man—go with the stream—taunt +me—spit in my face—trample +me in the dust!"</p> + +<p>"Do not speak unkindly to me, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page77" id="page77"></a>[pg 77]</span> +master," said the old clerk. "You +will break my heart at once if you do. +What you have told me is hard enough +to bear in one day."</p> + +<p>Michael took the good fellow's hand, +and answered, whilst his lips quivered +with grief, "It is—it is enough, old +friend. Go your ways. Leave me to +myself. I have told you a secret—keep +it whilst it remains one. Oh, +what a havoc! What devastation! +Go, Burrage—go—seal your lips—do +not breathe a syllable—go to your work."</p> + +<p>The clerk went as he was bid, but +stupified and stunned by the information +he had received. He took his +accustomed seat at the desk, and +placed a large ledger before him. He +was occupied with one trifling account +for half the day, and did not finish it +at last. A simple sum of compound +addition puzzled the man who, an +hour before, could have gone through +the whole of the arithmetic in his +sleep. Oh, boasted intellect of man! +How little is it thou canst do when +the delicate and feeling heart is out of +tune! How impotent thou art! How +like a rudderless ship upon a stormy +sea! Poor Burrage was helpless and +adrift! And Michael sat for hours +together alone, in his little room. He +was literally afraid to creep out of it. +He struggled to keep his mind steadily +and composedly fixed upon the fate +that awaited him—a fate which he +had marked out for himself, and resolved +not to escape. He forced himself to +regard the great Enemy of Man +as <i>his</i> best friend—his only comforter +and refuge. But just when he deemed +himself well armed, least vulnerable, +and most secure, the awful <i>reality</i> of +death—its horrible accompaniments—dissolution, +corruption, rottenness, decay, +and its still more awful and obscure +<i>uncertainties</i>, started suddenly before +him, and sent a sickening chill through +every pore of his unnerved flesh. Then +he retreated from his position—fled, +as it were, for life, and dared not +look behind, so terrible was the +sight of his grim adversary. He +leaped from his chair, as if unable +to sit there; and, whilst he paced the +room, he drew his breath, as though +he needed air for respiration—his heart +throbbed, and his brain grew tight and +hot within his skull. The fit passing +away, Michael hastened to review the +last few years of his existence, and to +bribe himself to quietness and resignation, +by contrasting the hateful life +which he had spent with the desirable +repose offered to him in the grave; +and by degrees the agitation ceased—the +alarm subsided, and the deluded +man was once more cozened into hardened +and unnatural tranquillity. In +this way flew the hours—one train of +feeling succeeding to another, until +the worn-out spirit of the man gave +in, and would be moved no longer. +At last, the unhappy banker grew sullen +and silent. He ceased to sigh, +and groan, and weep. His brain refused +to think. He drew his seat to +the window of the room, which permitted +him, unperceived, to observe +the movements in the bank—and, folding +his arms, he looked doggedly on, +and clenched his teeth, and frowned. +He saw the fortunate few who came +for money and received it—and the +unfortunate many, who brought their +money—left, and lost it. He was +indifferent to all. He beheld—as the +spirits fair may be supposed to look +upon the earth a moment before the +sweeping pestilence that comes to thin +it—life, vigorous and active, in that +house of business, whose latest hour +had come—whose knell was already +sounding; but it moved him not. He +heard men speak his name in tones of +kindness, whose lips on the morrow +would deal out curses. He saw others, +hat in hand, begging for an audience, +who would avoid him with a sneer and +a scorning when he passed them in +the street. He looked upon his own +servants, who could not flatter their +master too highly to-day, and would +be the first to-morrow to cry him +down, and rail against his unpardonable +extravagance and recklessness; +but he heeded nothing. His mind had +suspended its operations, whilst his +physical eye stared upon vacancy.</p> + +<p>It was very strange. He continued +in this fashion for a long time, and +suddenly sensibility seemed restored +to him; for an ashy paleness came +over him—his eyelid trembled, and +his lips were drawn down convulsively, +as if through strong and heavy grief. +He rose instantly, rushed to the bell, +and rang it violently.</p> + +<p>Burrage came to answer it.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page78" id="page78"></a>[pg 78]</span> + +<p>"Monster!" exclaimed his master, +gazing at him spitefully, "have you +no heart—no feeling left within you? +How could you do it?"</p> + +<p>"Do what, sir?"</p> + +<p>"Rob that poor old man. Plunder +and kill that hoary unoffending creature. +Why did you take his miserable +earnings? Why did you rob his little +ones? Why clutch the bread from +his starving grandchildren? He will +die of a broken heart, and will plead +against me at the judgment-seat. +Why was that old man's money +taken?"</p> + +<p>"We must take all, or nothing, sir. +You forbade me to speak a syllable."</p> + +<p>"Speak—speak! Yes, but could +you not have given him a look, one +merciful look, to save his life, and my +soul from everlasting ruin? You might, +you could have done it, but you conspire +to overthrow me. Go—but +mark me—breathe not a word, if you +hope to live."</p> + +<p>The poor clerk held up his hands, +shook them piteously, sighed, and went +his way again.</p> + +<p>It was six o'clock in the evening, +and every soul connected with the +bank, except Michael and Burrage, +had left it. They were both in the +private room, which the former had +not quitted during the day. Michael +was writing a letter; the clerk was +standing mournfully at his side. When +the note was finished, directed, and +sealed, Allcraft turned to his old friend +and spoke—</p> + +<p>"I shall not sleep at home to-night, +Burrage. I have business which must +be seen to."</p> + +<p>"Indeed, sir, you had better go +home. You are very unwell."</p> + +<p>"Silence, once more. I tell you, +Burrage, it cannot be. This business +must not be neglected. I have written +to Mrs Allcraft, explaining the +reason of my absence. You will yourself +deliver the letter to her, with your +own hands, Burrage. You hear me?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," faltered Burrage, wishing +himself deaf.</p> + +<p>"Very well. I have no more to +say. Good-by—good-night."</p> + +<p>"Good-night, sir," said the man, +walking slowly off.</p> + +<p>"Stay, Burrage. You are a true +old friend—my oldest. Give me your +hand. I have spoken unkindly—very +harshly and cruelly to-day. Do not +think ill of me. My temper has been +soured by the troubles of life. You forgive +me for my anger—do you not?"</p> + +<p>The old man did not answer. He +could not. He held the hand of his +master tightly in his own. He drew +it to his lips and kissed it; and then, +ashamed not of the act, but of his +unmanly tears, he walked slowly to +the door, and quitted the room—his +head bending to the earth, whence it +never again was raised.</p> + +<p>Two hours later Michael was many +miles away. He had followed to his +humble home the aged man who had +that morning paid his substance into +the bank. Much as he had to answer +for, Michael could not bear to carry +about with him the knowledge that +he had ruined and destroyed the grey-haired +labourer. Why and how it +was that he felt so acutely for the +stranger, and selected him from the +hundreds who were beggared by his +failure, it is impossible to guess. It +is certain that he restored every sixpence +that had been deposited in the +morning, and could not die until he +had done so. Where Allcraft passed +the night was never known. He was +punctual to his appointment on the +following morning; and so was Mr +Bellamy. It is due to the latter to +state, that, at the latest moment, he +was willing, as far as in him lay, to +settle the difference without proceeding +to extreme measures. All that a +man could offer, who did not wish to +be suspected of rank cowardice, he offered +without reservation. But Allcraft +was inexorable. He repeated +his insult on the field; and there was +nothing to be done but to make him +accountable for his words at the point +of the pistol—to receive and give +THE SATISFACTION OF A GENTLEMAN. +Whatever satisfaction the mangled +corpse of a man whom he had deeply +injured, could afford the high-born Mr +Bellamy, that gentleman enjoyed in a +very few minutes after his arrival; for +he shot his antagonist in the mouth, +saw him spinning in the air, and afterwards +lying at his feet—an object that +he could not recognize—a spectacle +for devils to rejoice in. Happy the +low-born man who may not have or +feel such exquisite and noble SATISFACTION!</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page79" id="page79"></a>[pg 79]</span> + +<p>Allcraft was not cold before Mr +Bellamy was at sea, sailing for France. +The latter had not put his feet upon +foreign soil, before his property was +seized by hungry creditors. The bank +was closed. Burrage himself pasted +on the shutters the paper that notified +its failure. Augustus Theodore Brammel +heard of the stoppage whilst he +was at breakfast, sipping chocolate; +and greatly he rejoiced thereat. His +delight was sensibly diminished in the +course of the morning, when he received +a letter informing him of his +father's death, and an intimation from +a lawyer, that every farthing which +he inherited would be taken from him, +as goods and chattels, for the discharge +of claims which the creditors +of the bank might have against him. +Later in the day, he heard of Allcraft's +death and Bellamy's escape, and then +he rushed into a chemist's shop and +bought an ounce of arsenic; but after +he had purchased it, he had not heart +enough to swallow it. Enraged beyond +expression—knowing not what +to do, nor upon whom to vent his rage—it +suddenly occurred to him to visit +Mrs Allcraft, and to worry her with +his complaints. He hurried to her +house, and forced himself into her presence. +We will not follow him, for +grief is sacred; and who that had the +heart of man, would desecrate the +hearth hallowed by affliction, deep +and terrible as that of our poor Margaret?</p> + + + +<h3>CHAPTER VII.</h3> + +<h4>THE VICARAGE.</h4> + + +<p>Our history began at the Vicarage; +there let it end. It is a cheerful summer's +morning, and Margaret sits in +the study of her friend Mr. Middleton, +who has learned to look upon his +charge as upon a daughter. She is +still attired in widow's weeds, but +looks more composed and happy than +when we saw her many months ago +there.</p> + +<p>"You will not leave us, then," said +the good vicar; "we have not tired +you yet?"</p> + +<p>"No," answered Margaret, with a +sweet contented smile, "here must I +live and die. My duties will not suffer +me to depart, even were I so inclined. +What would my children do?"</p> + +<p>"Ah, what indeed? The school +would certainly go to rack and ruin."</p> + +<p>"And my old friends, the Harpers +and the Wakefields?"</p> + +<p>"Why, the old ladies would very +soon die of a broken heart, no doubt +of it; and then, there's our dispensary +and little hospital. Why, where should +we look for a new apothecary?"</p> + +<p>"These are but the worst days of +my life, Mr. Middleton, which I dedicate +to usefulness. How am I to make +good the deficiency of earlier years?"</p> + +<p>"By relying, my dear madam, +upon the grace and love of Heaven, +who in mercy regards not what we +have been, but what we are."</p> + +<p>"And is there pardon for so great +a sinner?"</p> + +<p>"Doubt it not, dear lady. Had +you not been loved, you never would +have been chastised—you would never +have become an obedient and willing +child. Be sure, dear Mrs Allcraft, +that having repented, you are pardoned +and reconciled to your Father. Pray, +hold fast to this conviction. You have +reason to believe it; for truly <i>you have +not despised the chastening of the Lord, +nor fainted when you were rebuked of him</i>."</p> + +<hr /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page80" id="page80"></a>[pg 80]</span> + + + +<h2>KÍEFF.</h2> + +<h3>TRANSLATED FROM THE RUSSIAN OF IVÁN KOZLÓFF. <br/>BY T.B. SHAW.</h3> + + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>O Kiéff! where religion ever seemeth</p> +<p>To light existence in our native land;</p> +<p>Where o'er Petchérskoi's dome the bright cross gleameth,</p> +<p>Like some fair star, that still in heaven doth stand;</p> +<p>Where, like a golden sheet, around thee streameth</p> +<p>Thy plain, and meads that far away expand;</p> +<p>And by thy hoary wall, with ceaseless motion,</p> +<p>Old Dniéper's foaming swell sweeps on to ocean.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>How oft to thee in spirit have I panted,</p> +<p>O holy city, country of my heart!</p> +<p>How oft, in vision, have I gazed enchanted</p> +<p>On thy fair towers—a sainted thing thou art!—</p> +<p>By Lávra's walls or Dniéper's wave, nor wanted</p> +<p>A spell to draw me from this life apart;</p> +<p>In thee my country I behold, victorious,</p> +<p>Holy and beautiful, and great and glorious.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>The moon her soft ray on Petchérskoi poureth,</p> +<p>Its domes are shining in the river's wave;</p> +<p>The soul the spirit of the past adoreth,</p> +<p>Where sleeps beneath thee many a holy grave:</p> +<p>Vladímir's shade above thee calmly soareth,</p> +<p>Thy towers speak of the sainted and the brave;</p> +<p>Afar I gaze, and all in dreamy splendour</p> +<p>Breathes of the past—a spell sublime and tender.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>There fought the warriors in the field of glory,</p> +<p>Strong in the faith, against their country's foe;</p> +<p>And many a royal flower yon palace hoary,</p> +<p>In virgin loveliness, hath seen to blow.</p> +<p>And Báyan sang to them the noble story,</p> +<p>And secret rapture in their breast did glow;</p> +<p>Hark! midnight sounds—that brazen voice is dying—</p> +<p>A day to meet the vanish'd days is flying.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>Where are the valiant?—the resistless lances—</p> +<p>The brands that were as lightning when they waved?</p> +<p>Where are the beautiful—whose sunny glances</p> +<p>Our fathers, with such potency, enslaved?</p> +<p>Where is the bard, whose song no more entrances?</p> +<p>Ah! that deep bell hath answer'd what I craved:</p> +<p>And thou alone, by these grey walls, O river!</p> +<p>Murmurest, Dniéper, still, and flow'st for ever.</p> + </div> </div> +<hr /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page81" id="page81"></a>[pg 81]</span> + + + +<h2>MARSTON; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A STATESMAN.</h2> + + +<h3>PART VII.</h3> + + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Have I not in my time heard lions roar?</p> +<p>Have I not heard the sea, puft up with wind,</p> +<p>Rage like an angry boar chafed with sweat?</p> +<p>Have I not heard great ordnance in the field,</p> +<p>And heaven's artillery thunder in the skies?</p> +<p>Have I not in the pitched battle heard</p> +<p>Loud 'larums, neighing steeds, and trumpets clang?"</p> + </div></div> +<p class="right"> SHAKSPEARE.</p> + + +<p>At daybreak, the bustle of the +camp awoke me. I rose hastily, +mounted my horse, and spurred to the +rendezvous of the general staff. Nothing +could be more animated than +the scene before me, and which spread +to the utmost reach of view. The +advance of the combined forces had +moved at early dawn, and the columns +were seen far away, ascending the +sides of a hilly range by different +routes, sometimes penetrating through +the forest, and catching the lights of +a brilliant rising sun on their plumes +and arms. The sound of their trumpets +and bands was heard from time +to time, enriched by the distance, and +coming on the fresh morning breeze, +with something of its freshness, to the +ear and the mind. The troops now +passing under the knoll on which the +commander-in-chief and his staff had +taken their stand, were the main +body, and were Austrian, fine-looking +battalions, superbly uniformed, and +covered with military decorations, the +fruits of the late Turkish campaigns, +and the picked troops of an empire of +thirty millions of men. Nothing could +be more brilliant, novel, or picturesque, +than the display of this admirable +force, as it moved in front of the rising +ground on which our <i>cortège</i> stood.</p> + +<p>"You will now see," said Varnhorst, +who sat curbing, with no slight +difficulty, his fiery Ukraine charger at +my side, "the troops of countries of +which Europe, in general, knows no +more than of the tribes of the new +world. The Austrian sceptre brings +into the field all the barbaric arms +and costumes of the border land of +Christendom and the Turk."</p> + +<p>Varnhorst, familiar with every service +of the continent, was a capital +cicerone, and I listened with strong +interest as he pronounced the names, +and gave little characteristic anecdotes, +of the gallant regiments that successively +wheeled at the foot of the slope—the +Archducal grenadiers—the +Eugene battalion, which had won +their horse-tails at the passage of the +Danube—the Lichtensteins, who +had stormed Belgrade—the Imperial +Guard, a magnificent corps, who had +led the last assault on the Grand +Vizier's lines, and finished the war. +The light infantry of Maria Theresa, +and the Hungarian grenadiers and +cuirassiers, a mass of steel and gold, +closed the march of the main body. +Nothing could be more splendid. And +all this was done under the perpetual +peal of trumpets, and the thunder of +drums and gongs, that seemed absolutely +to shake the air. It was completely +the Miltonic march and harmony—</p> + +<blockquote><p> +"Sonorous metal blowing martial sounds." +</p></blockquote> + +<p>But I was now to witness a still more +spirit-stirring scene.</p> + +<p>The trampling of a multitude of +horse, and the tossing of lances and +banners in the distance, suddenly +turned all eyes in their direction.</p> + +<p>"Now, prepare," said the Count, +"for a sight, perhaps not altogether +so soldierlike, but fully as much to my +taste, as the buff-belt and grenadiers'-cap +formality of the line. You shall +see the Austrian flankers—every corps +equipped after its native fashion. And +whatever our martinets may say, +there is nothing that gives such spirits +to the soldier, as dressing according +to the style of his own country. My +early service was in Transylvania; +and if I were to choose troops for a +desperate service, I say—give me either +the man of the hill, or the man of the +forest, exactly in the coat of the chamois-shooter, +or the wolf-hunter."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page82" id="page82"></a>[pg 82]</span> + +<p>He had scarcely pointed my attention +to the movement, when the whole +body of the rearguard was in full and +rapid advance. The plain was literally +covered with those irregulars, who +swept on like a surge, or rather, from +the diversity of their colours, and the +vast half-circle which they formed on +the ground, a living rainbow. Part +were infantry and part cavalry, but +they were so intermingled, and the +motion of all was so rapid, that it was +difficult to mark the distinction. From +my recollection of the history of the +Seven Years' War, I felt a double +interest in the sight of the different +castes and classes of the service, which +I had hitherto known only by name. +Thus passed before me the famous +Croatian companies—the Pandours, +together forming the finest outpost +troops of the army—the free companies +of the Tyrol, the first marksmen +of the empire, a fine athletic race, with +the eagle's feather in their broad hats, +and the sinewy step of the mountaineer—the +lancers of the Bannat, first-rate +videttes, an Albanian division, which +had taken service with Austria on the +close of the war; and, independently +of all name and order, a cloud of +wild cavalry, Turk, Christian, and +barbarian, who followed the campaign +for its chances, and galloped, sported, +and charged each other like the Arabs +of the desert.</p> + +<p>The late triumphs of the Imperial +arms in Turkey had even enhanced +the customary display, and the standards +of the cavalry and colours of the +battalions, were stiff with the embroidered +titles of captured fortresses and +conquered fields. Turkish instruments +of music figured among the troops, +and the captive horse-tails were conspicuous +in more than one corps, +which had plucked down the pride of +the Moslem. The richness and variety +of this extraordinary spectacle struck +me as so perfectly Oriental, that I +might have imagined myself suddenly +transferred to Asia, and looked for the +pasha and his spahis; or even for the +rajah, his elephants, and his turbaned +spearmen. But all this gay splendour +has long since been changed. The +Croats are now regulars, and all the +rest have followed their example.</p> + +<p>My admiration was so loud, that it +caught the ear of the duke. He turned +his quick countenance on me, and +said—"Tell our friends at home, M. +Marston, what you have seen to-day. +I presume you know that Maria Theresa +was a first-rate soldier; or, at +least, she had the happy art of finding +them. You may see Laudohn's hand +in her battalions. As for the light troops, +Europe can show nothing superior +in their kind. Trenk's Pandours, and +Nadasti's hussars were worth an army +to Austria, from the first Silesian war +down to the last shot fired in Germany. +But follow me, and you shall +see the work of another great master."</p> + +<p>We spurred across the plain to the +mouth of a deep, wooded defile, +through which the Prussian grand +<i>corps d'armée</i> were advancing. The +brigades which now met our view +were evidently of a different character +from the Austrian; their uniforms +of the utmost simplicity; their +march utterly silent; the heads of the +columns observing their distances with +such accuracy, that, on a signal, they +could have been instantly formed in +order of battle; every movement of +the main body simply directed by a +flag carried from hill to hill, and even +the battalion movements marked by +the mere waving of a sword. Even +their military music was of a peculiarly +soft and subdued character. On +my observing this to Varnhorst, his +reply was—"That this was one of +the favourite points of the Great Frederick. +'I hate drums in the march,' +said the king, 'they do nothing but +confuse the step. Every one knows +that the beat at the head of the column +takes time to reach the rear. +Besides, the drum deafens the ear. +Keep it, therefore, for the battle, when +the more noise the better.' He also +placed the band in the centre of the +column. 'If they are fond of music,' +said he, 'why should not every man +have his share?'"</p> + +<p>The steady advance, the solid +force, and the sweet harmony, almost +realized the noble poetic conception—</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p class="i6">"Anon they move</p> +<p>In perfect phalanx, to the Dorian mood</p> +<p>Of flutes and soft recorders, such as raised</p> +<p>To heights of noblest temper heroes old</p> +<p>Arming to battle; and instead of rage,</p> +<p>Deliberate valour breathed, firm and unmoved</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page83" id="page83"></a>[pg 83]</span> +<p>With dread of death to flight or foul retreat."</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>It is true that they wanted the +picturesque splendour of ancient +warfare. The ten thousand banners, +with orient colours waving, the +"forest huge of spears," the "thronging +helms," and "serried shields, in +thick array of depth immeasurable." +But if the bayonet, the lance, and even +the cannon offered less to the eye, +the true source of the grandeur of war +was there—the power, the tremendous +impulse, the <i>materiel</i> of those +shocks which convulse nations—the +marshalled strength, fierce science, +and stern will, before which the works +of man perish like chaff before the +wind, and the glory of nations vanishes +like a shade.</p> + +<p>While the last of the troops were +defiling before the duke and his staff, +a courier brought up despatches.</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen," said the duke, after +glancing at one of the papers, "the +army of the Prince de Condé is in +march to join us. They have already +reached the neighbourhood. We must +now lose no time. M. Marston, you +will report to your Government what +you have seen to-day. We <i>are</i> in +march for Paris."</p> + +<p>Varnhorst and Guiscard were now +summoned to the side of the duke; a +spot was found where we might shelter +ourselves from the overpowering blaze +of the sun; the successive despatches +were opened; a large map of the +routes from Champagne to the capital +was laid on the ground; and we +dismounted, and, sitting together, like +old comrades, we held our little council +of war.</p> + +<p>"I can make nothing of my French +correspondents in general," said the +duke, after perusing a long letter, "but +M. le Comte writes like Cagliostro. +He has evidently some prodigious +secret, which he is determined to envelope +in still deeper secrecy. He +tells me that La Fayette has fled; +but when, where, or for what purpose, +is all equally an enigma. In one +sentence of his letter he would persuade +me that all France is disorganized, +and in the next, that it is more +resolved to resist than ever. Paris +is prepared to rise at the first sight of +the white flag, and Paris is sending +out six thousand men every three +hours to join the republican force in +the field. Paris is in despair. Paris +is in furious exultation. How am I +to understand all this? Even in his +postscript he tells me, in one breath, +that the whole of the strong places in +our front are filled with national guards, +and that no less than seven corps of +troops of the line are prepared to fight +us in the plains of Champagne; and +that we have only to push on to take +the towns—charge the troops of the +line to see them disperse—and advance +within ten leagues of Paris to extinguish +the rebellion, set the royal family +free, and restore the monarchy."</p> + +<p>The mysterious letter was handed +round our circle in succession, and +seemed equally beyond comprehension +to us all. We had yet to learn the temperament +of a capital, where every half-hour +produced a total change of the +popular mind. The letter, fantastically +expressed as it was, conveyed +the true condition of the hour. The +picture was true, but the countenance +changed every moment. He might +as well have given the colours of +cloud.</p> + +<p>I had now entered on a course of +adventure the most exciting of all +others, and at the most exciting time +of life. But all the world round me +was in a state of excitement. Every +nation of Europe was throwing open +its armoury, and preparing its weapons +for the field. The troops invading +France were palpably no more +than the advanced guards of Prussia +and Austria. Even with all my inexperience, +I foresaw that the war would +differ from all the past; that it would +be, not a war of tactics, but a war of +opinion; that not armies, but the people +marshalled into hosts, would be +ultimately the deciders of the victory; +and that on whichever side the popular +feeling was more serious, persevering, +and intense, there the triumph would +be gained. I must still confess, however, +in disparagement to my military +sagacity, that I was totally unprepared +for the gallant resistance of the +French recruits. What can they do +without officers?—ten thousand of +whom had been noblesse, and were +now emigrants? What can they do +without a commissariat, what can +they do without pay, and who is to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page84" id="page84"></a>[pg 84]</span> +pay them in a bankrupt nation? Those +were the constant topics at headquarters. +We were marching to an assured +victory. France was at an end. +We should remodel the Government, +and teach the <i>sans culottes</i> the hazard +of trying the trade of politicians.</p> + +<p>There was but one man in the camp +who did not coincide in those glittering +visions. Let me once more do +justice to a prince whose character +has been affected by the caprices of +fortune. The Duke of Brunswick's +language to me, as we saw the Tricolor +waving on the walls of Longwy, +the first fortress which lay in our road, +was—"Sir, your court must not be +deceived. We shall probably take the +town, and defeat its wavering army; +but up to this moment, we have not +been joined by a single peasant. The +population are against us. This is not +a German war; it is more like yours +in America. I have but one hundred +and twenty thousand men against +twenty-five millions." To my remark, +"that there might be large body of +concealed loyalty in France, which +only waited the advance of the Allies +to declare itself," his calm and +grave reply was: "That I must not +suffer my Government to suppose +him capable of abandoning the royal +cause, while there was hope in military +means. That it was his determination +to hazard all things rather +than chill the coalition. But this let +me impress upon your Ministry," said +he, with his powerful eye turned full +on me; "that if intrigue in the German +cabinets, or tardiness on the part +of yours, shall be suffered to impede +my progress, all is at an end. I know +the French; if we pause, they will +pour on. If we do not reach Paris, +we must prepare to defend Berlin and +Vienna. If the war is not ended +within a month, it may last for those +twenty years."</p> + +<p>The commander-in-chief was true +to his word. He lost no time. Before +night our batteries were in full +play upon the bastions of Longwy, +and as our tents had not yet overtaken +us, I lay down under a vineyard shed +in a circle of the staff, with our cloaks +for our pillows, listening to the roar +of our artillery; until it mingled with +my dreams.</p> + +<p>We were on horse an hour before +daybreak, and the cannonade still continued +heavy. It was actively returned, +and the ramparts were a circuit of +fire. As a spectacle, nothing could be +more vivid, striking, and full of interest. +To wait for the slow approaches +of a formal siege was out of the question. +Intelligence had reached us that +the scattered French armies, having +now ascertained the point at which +the burst over the frontier was to be +made, had been suddenly combined, +and had taken a strong position directly +in our way to the capital. A +protracted siege would raise the country +in our rear, and, thus placed between +two fires, the grand army might +find itself paralysed at the first step +of the campaign. The place must be +battered until a breach was made, and +stormed <i>à la Turque</i>. Our anxiety during +the day was indescribable. With +our telescopes constantly in our hands, +we watched the effect of every new +discharge; we galloped from hill to +hill with the impatience of men in actual +combat, and every eye and tongue +was busy in calculating the distances, +the power of guns, and the time which +the crumbling works would take to fill +up the ditch. The reports of the engineers, +towards evening, announced +that a practicable breach was made, +and three battalions of Austrian grenadiers, +and as many of Prussians, +were ordered under arms for the assault. +To make this gallant enterprize +more conspicuous, the whole +army was formed in columns, and +marched to the heights, which commanded +a view of the fortress. The +fire from the batteries now became a +continued roar, and the guns of Longwy, +whose fire had slackened during +the day, answered them with an equal +thunder; the space between was soon +covered with smoke, and when the +battalions of grenadiers moved down +the hillside, and plunged into the valley, +they looked like masses of men +disappearing into the depths of ocean. +The anxiety now grew intense. I +hardly breathed; and yet I had a +mingled sensation of delight, eagerness, +and yet of uncertainty, to which +nothing that I had ever felt before +was comparable. I longed to follow +those brave men to the assault, and +probably would have made some such +extravagant blunder, but for seeing +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page85" id="page85"></a>[pg 85]</span> +Varnhorst's broad visage turned on +me with a look of that quiet humour +which, of all things on earth, soonest +brings a man to his senses. "My +good friend," said he, "however fine +this affair may be, live in hope of +seeing something finer. Never be +shot at Longwy, when you may have +a chance of scaling the walls of Paris. +I have made a vow never to be hanged +in the beginning of a revolution, +nor to be shot in the beginning of a +war. But come, the duke is beckoning +to us. Let us follow him."</p> + +<p>We saw the general and his staff +galloping from the ground where he +had remained from the beginning of +the assault, to a height still more exposed, +and where the guns from the +fortress were tearing up the soil. From +this spot a large body of troops were +seen rushing from the gate of the fortress, +and plunging into the valley. +The result of this powerful sortie was +soon heard, for every thing was invisible +under the thick cloud, which +grew thicker every moment, in the +volleys of musketry, and the shouts +of the troops on both sides. Varnhorst +now received an order from +the chief of the staff, which produced +its effect, in the rush of a squadron of +Prussian cavalry on the flank of the +enemy's column. In a few minutes +it was broken, and we saw its wrecks +swept along the side of the hill. An +universal shout was sent up from the +army, and our next sight was the +ascent of the Austrian and Prussian +standards, gradually rising through the +smoke, and making their way towards +the glacis. They had reached the foot +of the breach, when the fire of the +town suddenly ceased. A white flag +waved on the rampart, and the drums +of the garrison beat the <i>chamade</i>. +Longwy had surrendered! All now +was triumph and congratulation. We +flocked round the duke, and hailed his +first conquest as a promise of perpetual +success. He was in high spirits at an +achievement which was so important +to the national impression of his talents +and resources. The sortie of the +garrison had given the capture an <i>éclât</i> +which could not have been obtained +by the mere surrender of a strong +place. But the most important point +of all was, the surrender before the +assault. "The sight of our troops is +enough," was the universal conclusion. +If the fortified barrier of France cannot +resist, what will be done by troops +as raw as peasants, and officers as raw +as their troops? The capitulation was +a matter of half an hour, and by nightfall +I followed the duke and his escort +into the town. It was illuminated by +order of the conquerors, and, whether +<i>bongrè</i> or <i>malgrè</i>, it looked showy; +we had gazers in abundance, as the +dashing staff caracoled their way +through the streets. I observed, however, +that we had no acclamations. +To have hissed us, might be a hazardous +experiment, while so many Hulans +were galloping through the Grande +Rue; but we got no smiles. In the +midst of the crowd, I met Varnhorst +steering his charger with no small +difficulty, and carrying a packet of +notes in his hand. "Go to your quarters, +and dress," said my good-humoured +friend. "You will have a busy +night of it. The duke has invited the +French commandant and his officers +to dine with him, and we are to have +a ball and supper afterwards for the +ladies. Lose no time." He left me +wondering at the new world into +which I had fallen, and strongly +doubting, that he would be able to fill +up his ball-room. But I was mistaken. +The dinner was handsomely +attended, and the ball more handsomely +still. "Fortune de la guerre," +reconciled the gallant captains of the +garrison to the change; and they +fully enjoyed the contrast between a +night on the ramparts, and the hours +spent at the Prussian generalissimo's +splendidly furnished table. The ball +which followed exhibited a crowd of +the <i>belles</i> of Longwy, all as happy as +dress and dancing could make them. +It was a charming episode in the sullen +history of campaigning, and before +I flung myself on the embroidered +sofa of the mayor's drawing-room, +where my billet had been given for the +night, I was on terms of eternal +"friendship" with a whole group of +classic beauties—Aspasias, Psyches +and Cleopatras.</p> + +<p>But neither love nor luxury, neither +the smiles of that fair <i>Champagnaises</i>, +nor the delight of treading on the +tesselated floors, and feasting on the +richness of municipal tables, could +now detain us. We were in our saddles +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page86" id="page86"></a>[pg 86]</span> +by daybreak, and with horses +that outstripped the wind, with hearts +light as air, and with prospects of +endless victory and orders and honours +innumerable before us, we galloped +along, preceded, surrounded, and +followed by the most showy squadrons +that ever wore lace and feathers. +The delight of this period was indescribable. +It was to me a new birth +of faculties that resembled a new sense +of being, a buoyant and elastic lightness +of feelings and frame. The pure +air; the perpetual change of scene; the +novelty of the landscape; the restless +and vivid variety of events, and those +too of the most powerful and comprehensive +nature; the superb display of +the finest army that the Continent had +sent to war for the last hundred +years; and all this excitement and +enjoyment, with an unrivaled vista of +matchless conquest in the horizon, a +triumphal march through the provinces, +to be consummated by the peace +of Europe in Paris, filled even my vexed +and wearied spirit with new life. +If I am right in my theory, that the +mind reaches stages of its growth with +as much distinctness as the frame, +this was one of them. I was conscious +from this time of a more matured +view of human being, of a clearer +knowledge of its impulses, of a more +vigorous, firm, and enlarged capacity +for dealing with the real concerns of +life. I still loved; and, strange, hopeless, +and bewildering as that passion +was in the breast of one who seemed +destined to all the diversities of fortune—it remained without relief, or +relaxation through all. It was the +vein of gold, or perhaps the stream of +fire, beneath the soil, inaccessible to +the power of change on the surface, +but that surface undergoing every impulse +and influence of art and nature.</p> + +<p>The army now advanced unopposed. +Still we received neither cheers +nor reinforcements from the population. +Yet we had now begun to be +careless on the topic. The intelligence +from Paris was favourable in +all the leading points. The king was +resuming his popularity, though still +a prisoner. The Jacobins were exhibiting +signs of terror, though still +masters of every thing. The recruits +were running away, though the decree +for the general rising of the country +was arming the people. In short, the +news was exactly of that checkered +order which was calculated to put us +all in the highest spirits. The submission +of Paris, at least until we +were its conquerors, would have deprived +us of a triumph on the spot, +and the proclamation of a general +peace would have been received as +the command for a general mourning.</p> + +<p>The duke was in the highest animation, +and he talked to every one round +him, as we marched along, with more +than condescension. He was easy, +familiar, and flushed with approaching +victory. "We have now," said he, +"broken through the 'iron barrier,' +the pride of Vauban, and the boast of +France for these hundred years. To-morrow +Verdun will fall. The commandant +of Thionville, in desperation +at the certainty of our taking the town +by assault, has shot himself, and the +keys are on their way to me. Nothing +but villages now lie in our road, and +once past those heights," and he +pointed to a range of woody hills on +the far horizon, "and we shall send +our light troops <i>en promenade</i> to Paris." +We all responded in our various ways +of congratulation.</p> + +<p>"Apropos," said the duke, applying +to me, "M. Marston, you have been +later on the spot than any of us. What +can you tell of this M. Dumourier, +who, I see from my letters, is appointed +to the forlorn hope of France—the command of the broken armies +of Lafayette and Luckner?"</p> + +<p>My answer was briefly a hope that +the new general would be as much +overmatched by the duke's fortunes in +the field, as he had been by party in +the capital. "Still, he seemed to me +a clever, and even a remarkable man, +however inexperienced as a soldier."</p> + +<p>"If he is the officer of that name +who served in the last French war, he is +an old acquaintance of mine," observed +the duke. "I remember him perfectly. +He was a mere boy, who, in a rash +skirmish with some of our hussars, was +wounded severely and taken prisoner. +But as I learned that he was the son +of a French <i>literateur</i> of some eminence +whom I had met in Paris, and as +I had conceived a favourable opinion +of the young soldier's gallantry, I gave +him his parole and sent him back to +his family, who, I think, were Provencals. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page87" id="page87"></a>[pg 87]</span> +He was unquestionably spirited +and intelligent, and with experience +might make either minister or general; +but as he has begun by failure in the one +capacity, it will be our business to show +him that he may find success equally +difficult in another. At all events, we +have nothing but this minister-general +between us and Notre-Dame. He +has taken up a position on the Argonne +ridge in our front. To force it +will be but an affair of three hours. +Adieu, gentlemen." He put spurs to +his horse, and galloped to one of the +columns which approached with trumpets +sounding, bearing the captured +banner of the church tower of Longwy.</p> + +<p>The world was now before us, and +we enjoyed it to the full. Varnhorst +and I were inseparable, and feasted +on the scene, the gaiety, the oddity +of the various characters, which campaigning +developes more than any +mode of existence. The simple meal, +the noon-rest under a tree, the songs +of our troopers, the dance in the villages, +as soon as the peasantry had +discovered that we did not eat women +and children—even the consciousness +of a life wholly without care, formed +a delicious state of being. "If this is +the life of the Arab," I often was ready +to exclaim, "what folly would it be +in him to leave the wilderness! If +the Esquimaux can sleep through one +half of the year and revel through the +other, is he not the true philosopher +in the midst of his frost and snow?" +Guiscard, who sometimes joined our +party, was now and then moved to +smile at our unripe conceptions of the +nature of things. But we laughed at +his gravity, and he returned to pore +over the mysteries of that diplomacy +which evidently thickened on him +hour by hour. I recollect, however, +one of his expressions—"My friend, +you think that all the battle is to be +fought in front: I can assure you that +a much more severe battle is to be +fought in the rear. Argonne will be +much more easily mastered than the +King's closet and the Aulic Council." +We had good reason to remember the +oracle.</p> + +<p>One morning as, with half a dozen +hussars, I was ranging the thickets +on the flank of the advance, with the +spirit of an English fox-hunter, on +reaching the summit of a rising ground, +I saw, some miles off, a party of horsemen +making their way at full speed +across the country. The perfect level of +the plains, particularly in Champagne, +makes the ground as open as a race-course. +I called my hussars, and we +galloped forward to intercept. On +seeing us, they slackened their speed, +and were evidently in consultation. +At length the sight of our uniforms +reassured then, and one of their number +came forward to meet us. To our +enquiry, the answer was, that "General +Lafayette desired to be led to +the headquarters." I now saw this +memorable man for the first time, and +was busy, in my usual style, in looking +for the hero or the revolutionist +in his physiognomy. I was disappointed +in both. I saw a quiet visage, +and a figure of moderate size, rather +<i>embonpoint</i>, and altogether the reverse +of that fire-eyed and lean-countenanced +"Cassius" which I had pictured +in my imagination. But his +manners perplexed me as much as his +features. They were calm, easy, and +almost frank. It was impossible to +recognize in him the Frenchman, except +by his language; and he was the +last man in whom I could ever have +detected that pride of the theatre, the +"French <i>marquis</i>." His manners were +English, and I had a fellow-feeling +for him even in our short ride to the +camp, and congratulated myself on +being thrown into the intercourse of +one who had played so conspicuous a +part in the most conspicuous scene of +our day.</p> + +<p>But on his introduction to the +duke, my ardour received a sudden +chill. I saw instantly, by the utter +absence of all cordiality in his reception, +that the French fugitive had taken +a dangerous step, and that his Parisian +ill fortune had deprived his retreat +of all merit in the sight of the +commander-in-chief. My doubts were +soon confirmed by a message from his +tent. I obeyed; and as I passed the +lines, saw Lafayette surrounded by +a troop of Hulans of the Guard. I +found the duke pacing uneasily in front +of the tent.</p> + +<p>"M. Marston," said he, with a +vexed manner, "your capture of this +morning has added to our perplexities. +You acted zealously, and with the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page88" id="page88"></a>[pg 88]</span> +spirit that distinguishes your nation; +but I heartily wish that M. La Fayette +had taken any other direction than +towards us. His fall has been contemplated +for some time, and even +the possibility of his being arrested by +some of our parties. I have received +a communication from the Allied cabinets +on the contingency; and the +question now is, how to execute my +order without public weakness or +personal severity."</p> + +<p>I proposed to accompany him, while +we were on the march, and to pledge +myself for his honour when we arrived +at quarters.</p> + +<p>"Generously offered," was the reply. +"But my duty, in the first instance, +prohibits his remaining in the +camp; and in the next, my feelings +for himself would spare a man who +has commanded the enemy's troops, +the sight of that actual collision which +must immediately take place. We +attack the defiles of the Argonne to-morrow."</p> + +<p>He entered the tent, wrote a few +lines, and returned to me.</p> + +<p>"M. Lafayette must consider himself +as a prisoner; but as my wish is +to treat him with honour, I must beg +of you, M. Marston, to take charge of +him for the time. Your offer has relieved +me from an embarrassment; +and I shall take care to make honourable +mention of your conduct in this +instance, as in all others, to both the +courts of Berlin and St James's. The +marquis must be sent to Berlin, and +I must request that you will be ready +to set out with him this evening."</p> + +<p>The sound was a thunder-stoke. +"This evening!" when the decisive +action of the war was to be fought +next morning. "To Berlin!" when +all my gallant friends were to be on +the march to Paris. Impossible! I +retracted my offer at once. But the +prince, not accustomed to be resisted, +held his purpose firmly; representing +that, as the French general was actually +<i>my</i> prisoner, and as <i>my</i> court +was equally interested with those of +the Allied powers, in preventing his +return to embroil France, "it was +my duty, as her commissioner, to see +that the measure was effectively performed." +But the appearance of leaving +the army, on the very eve of +important service, was not to be argued, +or even commanded, away. The duke +was equally inflexible, though his sentences +were perhaps shorter than +mine; and I finally left his presence, +declaring, that if the request were +persisted in, I should throw up my +commission at once, volunteer as a +common trooper into the first squadron +which would admit me, and then, +his highness, might, of course, order +me wherever he pleased."</p> + +<p>A stately smile was the answer +to this tirade. I bowed, and retired.</p> + +<p>Within a hundred yards I met my +two friends, Varnhorst and Guiscard, +and poured out my whole catalogue +of wrongs at once. Varnhorst shared +my indignation, fiercely pulled his +thick mustaches, and muttered some +phrases about oppression, martinetism, +and other dangerous topics, +which fortunately were scattered on +the air. Guiscard neither raged nor +smiled, but walked into the ducal tent. +After a few minutes he returned, and +then his sallow countenance wore a +smile. "You have offended the duke +desperately," said he. "And as a sovereign +prince, I dare say that banishment +from his territories for life +would be the least reparation; but as +a general, we think that we cannot have +too many good troops, and your proposal +to take a Hulan's lance and pistol +in your hand, is irresistible. In short, +he receives you as a volunteer into +his own hussars, and as you are henceforth +at his disposal, he orders."—My tormentor here made a malicious +pause, which threw me into a fever. +I gazed on his countenance, to anticipate +his mission. It wore the same +deep and moveless expression. "His +highness orders, that you shall escort, +with a squadron, General Lafayette, +to the Chateau, our former headquarters, +and where we first met; there +deliver over the Frenchman to an officer +of the staff, who will be in readiness +to escort him further; and, in the +mean time, if the very fiery and independent +M. Marston should have no +objection to travel at night, he may +return, and be in time for whatever is +to be done here to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Bravo, bravo!" exclaimed good-natured +Varnhorst. "Guiscard, you +are the first of negotiators!"</p> + +<p>"No," was the quiet reply. "I pretend +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page89" id="page89"></a>[pg 89]</span> +to nothing more than the art of +being a good listener. I merely waited +until the duke had spoken his will, +and then interposed my suggestion. +It was adopted at once; and now our +young friend has only to ride hard to-night, +and come to shade his brow +with a share of any laurels which we +may pluck in the forest of Argonne, +in the next twenty-four hours."</p> + +<p>I was enraptured—the communication +was made in the most courteous +manner to the marquis. He had at +once perceived the difficulties of his +position, and was glad to leave them +behind as far as possible. Our escort +was mounted within a few minutes, +and we were in full gallop over the +fruitful levels of Champagne.</p> + +<p>To speed of this order, time and +space were of little importance; and +with the rapidity of a flock of falcons, +we reached the foot of the noble hill, +on which, embosomed in the most famous +vineyards of the vine country, +stood the Chateau. It was blazing +with lights, and had evidently lost nothing +of its population by the change +of headquarters. We were soon +brought to a stand by a challenge in +French, and found that we were no +longer among the jovial Jägers of +Deutchland. We had fallen in with +the advanced corps of the Emigrant +army under the command of the +Prince of Condé.</p> + +<p>Here was a new dilemma. Our +prisoner's was perhaps the most startling +name which could have been +pronounced among those high-blooded +and headlong men. The army was +composed almost wholly of the <i>noblesse</i>; +and Lafayette, under all his +circumstances of birth, sentiments, +and services, had been the constant +theme of noble indignation. The +champion of the American Republic, +the leader of the Parisian movement, +the commandant of the National +Guard, the chief of the rebel army in +the field—all was terribly against +him. Even the knowledge of his fall +could not have appeased their resentment; +and the additional knowledge +that he was within their hands, might +have only produced some unfortunate +display of what the philosopher calls +"wild justice." In this difficulty, +while the officer of the patrol was on +his way to the Chateau to announce +our coming, I consulted the captain +of my escort. But, though a capital +<i>sabreur</i>, he was evidently not made +to solve questions in diplomacy. After +various grimaces of thinking, and even +taking the meersham from his mouth, +I was thrown on my own resources. +My application to the captive general +was equally fruitless: it was answered +with the composure of one prepared +for all consequences, but it amounted +simply to—"Do just as you please."</p> + +<p>But no time was to be lost, and +leaving the escort to wait till my +return, I rode up the hill alone, and +desired an interview with the officer +in command of the division. Fortunately +I found him to be one of my +gayest Parisian companions, now +transformed into a fierce chevalier, +colonel des chasseurs, bronzed like an +Arab, and mustached like a tiger. +But his inner man was the same as +ever. I communicated my purpose to +him as briefly as possible. His open +brow lowered, and his fingers instinctively +began playing with the hilt of +his sabre. And if the rencontre could +have been arranged on the old terms +of man to man, my gallant friend +would have undoubtedly made me the +bearer of a message on the spot. But +I had come for other objects, and +gradually brought him round; he allowed +that "a prisoner was something +entitled to respect." The "request +of his distinguished and valued +friend, M. Marston, dear to him by so +many charming recollections of Paris, +&c., was much more;" and we finally +arranged that the general should be +conveyed unseen to an apartment in +the Chateau, while I did him and +his "<i>braves camarades</i>" the honour +of sharing their supper. I gave the +most willing consent; a ride of thirty +miles had given me the appetite of a +hunter.</p> + +<p>I was now introduced to a new +scene. The room was filled with muskets +and knapsacks piled against the +walls, and three-fourths of those who +sat down were private soldiers; yet +there was scarcely a man who did not +wear some knightly decoration, and I +heard the noblest names of France +everywhere round me. Thus extremes +meet: the Faubourg St Germains had +taken the equality of the new order of +things, and the very first attempt to +retain an exclusive rank had brought +all to the same level. But it was a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page90" id="page90"></a>[pg 90]</span> +generous, a graceful, and a gallant +level. All was good-humour under +their privations, and the fearful chances +which awaited them were evidently +regarded with a feeling which had all +the force of physical courage without +its roughness. I was much struck, +too, with the remarkable appearance +of the military figures round me. +Contrary to our general notions of the +foreign noblesse those exhibited some +of the finest-looking men whom I had +ever seen. This was perhaps, in a +considerable degree, owing to the +military life. In countries where the +nobility are destitute of public employment, +they naturally degenerate—become the victims of the diseases of +indolence and profligacy, transmit their +decrepitude to their descendants, and +bequeath dwarfishness and deformity +to their name. But in France, the +young noble was destined for soldiership +from his cradle. His education +partook of the manly preparations for +the soldier's career. The discipline of +the service, even in peace, taught him +some superiority to the effeminate +habits of opulence; and a sense of +the actual claims of talents, integrity, +and determination, gave them all an +importance which, whatever might be +the follies of an individual, from time +to time, powerfully shaped the general +character of the nobles. In England, +the efforts for political power, and the +distinctions of political fame, preserve +our nobility from relaxing into the +slavery of indulgence. The continual +ascent of accomplished minds from +the humbler ranks, at once reinforces +their ability and excites their emulation; +and if England may proudly +boast of men of intellectual vigour, +worthy of rising to the highest rank +from the humblest condition, she may, +with not less justice, boast of her favourites +of fortune fitted to cope with +her favourites of nature.</p> + +<p>Among these showy and high-bred +soldiers, the hours passed delightfully. +Anecdotes of every court of Europe, +where most of them had been, either +as tourists or envoys; the piquant +tales of the court of their unfortunate +sovereign; narratives—sufficiently +contemptuous of the present possessors +of power; and <i>chansons</i>—some +gay, and some touching—made us all +forget the flight of time. Among their +military choruses was one which +drew tears from many a bold eye. It +was a species of brief elegy to the +memory of Turenne, whom the French +soldier still regarded as his tutelar +genius. It was said to have been +written on the spot where that great +leader fell:—</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Reçois, O Turenne, où tu perdis lavie,</p> +<p>Les transports d'un soldat, qui te plaint et t'envie.</p> +<p>Dans l'Elysee assis, près du cef des Césars,</p> +<p>Ou dans le ciel, peutêtre entre Bellone et Mars.</p> +<p>Fais-moi te suivre en tout, exauce ma prière;</p> +<p>Puis se-je ainsi remplir, et finir ma carrière."</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>The application to the immediate circumstances +of those brave gentlemen +was painfully direct. What to-morrow +might bring was unknown, further +than that they would probably soon be +engaged with their countrymen; and +whether successful or not, they must +be embarked in war against France. +But my intelligence that an action +was expected on the next day awoke +the soldier within them again; the +wrongs of their order, the plunders of +the ruling faction, their hopeless expatriation, +if some daring effort was +not made, and the triumphant change +from exiles to possessors and conquerors, +stirred them all into enthusiasm. +The army of the Allies, the enemy's +position, the public feeling of Paris, +and the hope of sharing in the honours +of an engagement which was to sweep +the revolutionary "canaille" before +the "gentlemen of France," were the +rapid and animating topics. All were +ardent, all eloquent; fortune was at +their feet, the only crime was to +doubt—the only difficulty was to +choose in what shape of splendid vengeance, +of matchless retribution, and +of permanent glory, they should restore +the tarnished lustre of the diadem, +and raise the insulted name of +France to its ancient rank among the +monarchies of the world. I never +heard among men so many brilliancies +of speech—so many expressions of +feeling full of the heart—so glowing a +display of what the heart of man may +unconsciously retain for the time +when some great emotion rouses all +its depths, and opens them to the light +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page91" id="page91"></a>[pg 91]</span> +of day. It was to me a new chapter +in the history of man.</p> + +<p>The news which I had brought of +the positions of the armies rendered +me an object of marked interest. I was +questioned on every point; first, and +especially, of the intention of the commander-in-chief, +with the most anxious +yet most polished minuteness. But, +as on this subject my lips were comparatively sealed, +the state of the troops +with whom they were so soon to be +brought into contact became the more +manageable topic. On mentioning +that Dumourier was placed in command, +I received free and full communications +on the subject of his qualities +for being the last hope of revolutionary +France. One had known him +in his early career in the engineers, +another had served along with him in +Corsica, a third had met him at the +court of Portugal; the concurring report +being, that he was a coxcomb of +the first water, showy but superficial, +and though personally brave, sure to +be bewildered when he found himself +for the first time working the wheels +and springs of that puzzling machine, +an army in the field. A caustic old +Provençal marquis, with his breast +glittering with the stars of a whole +constellation of knighthood, yet who +sat with the cross-belts and cartouche-box +of the rank and file upon him, +agreeing with all the premises, +stoutly denied the conclusions. "He +is a coxcomb," said the old Marquis. +"Well, he is only the fitter to command +an army of upstarts. He has +seen nothing but Corsican service; +well, he is the fitter to command an +army of banditti. And he has been +an <i>espion</i> of the Government in Portugal; +what better training could he +have for heading an army of traitors? +Rely upon it, gentlemen, that you have +mistaken his character; if you think +that he is not the very man whom the +mob of Paris ought to have chosen +for their general, I merely recommend, +that when you go into action +you should leave your watches +in camp, and, if you charge any +of their battalions, look well to your +purses."</p> + +<p>The old soldier's sally restored our +gaiety; but the man best acquainted +with the French commander-in-chief +was my friend the chevalier, at the +head of the table. "It has singularly +enough happened to me to have met M. +Dumourier in almost every scene of his +life, since his return from his first service +in Germany. Our first meeting was +in the military hospital in Toulouse, +where he had been sent, like myself, +to recover, in his native air, from the +wounds of our last German campaign. +He was then a coxcomb, but a clever +one, full of animal spirits, and intoxicated +with the honour of having survived +the German bullets, of being +appointed to a company, and wearing +a <i>croix</i>. Our next meeting was in +Portugal. Our Minister had adopted +some romantic idea of shaking the +English influence, and Dumourier had +been sent as an engineer to reconnoitre +the defences of the country. The +word <i>espion</i> was not wholly applicable +to his mission, yet there can be no +doubt that the memoir published on +his return, was <i>not</i> a volume of travels. +His services had now recommended +him to the Government, and +he was sent to Corsica. There again +I met him, as my regiment formed +part of the force in the island. He +was high on the staff, our intercourse +was renewed, and he was regarded as +a very expert diplomatist. A few +years after, I found him in a still +higher situation, a favourite of De +Choiseul, and managing the affairs of +the Polish confederation. On his return +to Paris, such was the credit in +which he stood, that he was placed by +the minister of war at the head of a +commission to reform the military +code; thus he has been always distinguished; +and has at least had experience."</p> + +<p>Even this slight approach to praise +was evidently not popular among +the circle, and I could hear murmurs.</p> + +<p>"Distinguished!—yes, more with +the pen than the sword."</p> + +<p>"Diplomacy!—the business of a +clerk. Command is another affair."</p> + +<p>"Mon cher Chevalier," said the old +Marquis, with a laugh, "pray, after +being in so many places with him, +were you with him in the Bastile?" +This was followed with a roar.</p> + +<p>I saw my friend's swarthy cheek +burn. He started up, and was about +to make some fierce retort, when a +fine old man, a general, with as many +orders as the marquis, and a still +whiter head, averted the storm, by +saying, "Whether the chevalier was +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page92" id="page92"></a>[pg 92]</span> +with M. Dumourier in that predicament, +I know not; but I can say +that I was. I was sent there for the +high offence of kicking a page of the +court down the grande escalier at +Versailles for impertinence, at the +time when M. Dumourier was sent +there by the Duc d'Acquillon, for +knowing more than the minister. I +assure you that I found him a most +agreeable personage—very gay, very +witty, and very much determined to +pass his time in the pleasantest manner +imaginable. But our companionship +was too brief for a perfect union +of souls," said he laughing; "for I +was liberated within a week, while he +was left behind for, I think, the better +part of a year."</p> + +<p>"But his talents?" was the question +down the table.</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen," said the old man, +"my experience in life has always +made me judge of talents by circumstances. +If, for example, I find that +a man has the talent exactly fitted for +his position, I give him credit for all—he had the talent for making the +Bastile endurable, and I required no +other. But there were times when +graver topics varied our pleasantry, +and he exhibited very various intelligence, +a practical experience of the +chief European courts, and, I am sorry +to say, a very striking contempt for +their politics and their politicians +alike. He was especially indignant +at the selfish perfidy with which the +late king had given him up to the +ignorant jealousy of the minister, and +looked forward to the new reign with +a resolute, and sometimes a gloomy +determination to be revenged. If that +man is a republican, it is the Bastile +that has made him one; and if he ever +shall have a fair opportunity of displaying +his genius, unless a cannonball +stops his career I should conceive +him capable of producing a powerful +impression on Europe."</p> + +<p>The conversation might again have +become stormy but for the entrance +of a patrol, for whom a vacant space +at the table had been left. Forty or +fifty fine tall fellows now came rushing +into the room, flinging down +shakos, knapsacks, and sabres, and +fully prepared to enjoy the good cheer +provided for them. I heard the names +of the first families of France among +those privates—the Montmorencies, +the Lamaignons, the Nivernois, the +Rochefoucaults, the De Noailles, "familiar +as household words." All was +good-humour again. They had a +little adventure in scaring away a +corps of the rustic national guards +who, to expedite their escape, had +flung away their arms, which were +brought in as good prize. The festivity +and frolic of youth, engaged in a +cause which conferred a certain dignity +even on their <i>tours de page</i>, +renewed the pleasantry of the night. +We again had the <i>chansons</i>; and I recollect +one, sung with delicious taste +by a handsome Italian-faced youth, a +nephew of the writer, the Duc de Nivernois.</p> + +<p>The duke had requested a ringlet +from a beautiful woman. She answered, +that she had just found a grey hair +among her locks, and could now give +then away no more. The gallant reply +was—</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Quoi! vous parlez de cheveux blancs!</p> +<p>Laissez, laissez courir le temps;</p> +<p>Que vous importe son ravage?</p> +<p>Les tendres coeurs en sont exempts;</p> +<p><i>Les Amours sont toujours enfants,</i></p> +<p><i>Et les Graces sont de tout age.</i></p> +<p>Pour moi, Thémire, je le sens.</p> +<p>Je suis toujours dans mon printemps,</p> +<p>Quand je vous offre mon hommage.</p> +<p>Si je n'avais que dixhuit ans,</p> +<p>Je pourrais aimer plus longtemps,</p> +<p>Mais, non pas aimer davantage.<a id="footnotetag10" name="footnotetag10"></a><a href="#footnote10"><sup>10</sup></a></p> + </div> </div> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote10" name="footnote10"></a><a href="#footnotetag10"> [10] </a> +<div class="poem"> +Lovely and loved! shall one slight hair<br /> +Touch thy delicious lip with care?<br /> +A heart like thine may laugh at Time—<br /> +The Soul is ever in its prime.<br /> +All Loves, you know, have infant faces,<br /> +A thousand years can't chill the Graces!<br /> +While thou art in my soul enshrined,<br /> +I give all sorrows to the wind.<br /> +Were I this hour but gay eighteen,<br /> +Thou couldst be but my bosom's queen;<br /> +I might for longer years adore,<br /> +But could not, could not love thee more.<br /> + </div> </blockquote> + + +<p>On returning to look for my distinguished +prisoner, I found a packet +lying on the table of my apartment; +it had arrived in my absence with the +troops in advance; and I must acknowledge +that I opened it with a +trembling hand, when I saw that it +came from London and Mordecai.</p> + +<p>It was written in evident anxiety, +and the chief subject was the illness of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page93" id="page93"></a>[pg 93]</span> +his daughter. She had some secret on +her mind, which utterly baffled even +the Jew's paternal sagacity. No letters +had reached either of them from +France, and he almost implored me to +return, or, if that were impossible, to +write without delay. Mariamne had +grown more fantastic, and capricious, +and wayward than ever. Her eyes +had lost their brightness, and her +cheek its colour. Yet she complained +of nothing, beyond a general distaste +to existence. She had seen the Comtesse +de Tourville, and they had many +a long conference together, from which, +however, Mariamne always returned +more melancholy than ever. She had +refused the match which he had provided +for her, and declared her determination +to live, like the daughter of +Jephthah, single to her grave.</p> + +<p>The letter then turned to my own +circumstances, and entered into them +with the singular mixture of ardour +and sneering which formed this extraordinary +character.</p> + +<blockquote><p> +"I am doing your business here as +indefatigably as if I were robbing nabobs +in India, or setting up republics +at home. The tardiness of the Horse-Guards +is to be moved by nothing but +an invasion; and it would be almost +as rational to wait the growth of an +oak, as to wait the signing of your +commission; but it shall be done in +my own way. I have means which +can make the tardy quick, and open +the eyes of the blind. You <i>shall</i> be a +subaltern in the Guards, unless you +are in too much haste to be a general, +and get yourself shot by some Parisian +cobbler in the purloined uniform of a +rifleman. But, let me tell you one +fact, and I might indorse this piece of +intelligence, 'Secret and Confidential,' +to the English cabinet, for even +our great minister has yet to learn it—<i>the +Allies will never reach Paris</i>. +Rely, and <i>act</i> upon this. They might +now enter the capital, if, instead of +bayonets, they carried only trusses of +straw. The road is open before them, +but they will look only behind. The +war was almost a feint from the beginning. +The invasion was the second +act of the farce—the retreat will be +the third. Poland has been the <i>true +object</i>; and, to cover the substantial +seizures there, has been the trick of +the French invasion. I predict that, +in one month from the date of this letter, +there will not be an Austrian or +Prussian cartridge found in France. +Potsdam and Schoenbrunn know more +on the subject at this moment than +the duke. I write to you as a friend, +and by Mariamne's especial order, to +take care of yourself. I have seen the +retreats of continental armies in my +time; they are always a scene of horrors. +Follow the army so long as it +advances; then all is well, and even +the experience of service may be of +use to you. But, in this instance, the +moment that you find it come to a +stop, turn your horse's head to any point +of the compass but the front, and +ride to the nearest seaport. The duke +is a brave man, and his army is a +brave army; but both will be instantly +covered with all the obloquy of all the +libelers on earth. If you have met +him as man with man, you have +doubtless been captivated with his +manners, his wit, his animation, and +his accomplishments. I have known +him long and well. But Europe, within +a month, will decry him, as a fugitive, +a fool, and a dastard. Such is +popular wisdom, justice, and knowledge. +A pupil of the first warrior of +Prussia and of modern ages, and wanting +only experience to do honour to +the lessons of Frederick, he will be +laughed at by the loose loungers of +the Palais Royal, as ignorant of the +art of war, and branded by the graver +loungers of courts and councils, as +ignorant of the art of government. +Once more, I say, take care of yourself. +The first step in retreat will +raise all France against the Allies. +Ten victories would not cost as much +as the first week's march towards the +frontier. Every thicket will have its +troop; every finger, for a hundred +leagues round, will be on the trigger. +Robbery and murder, famine and fatigue; +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page94" id="page94"></a>[pg 94]</span> +disease and death, will be upon the +troops; the retreat will become a flight, +and happy is the man who will ever +see the Rhine again. Be wise in time." +</p></blockquote> + +<p>Enclosed within this long epistle +was a brief note from Mariamne.</p> + +<blockquote><p> +"You must not think me dying, +because I importune you no longer. +But, <i>can</i> you give me any tidings of +Lafontaine? I know that he is rash, +and even enthusiastic; but I equally +know that he is faithful and true. +<i>Yet</i>, if he <i>has</i> forgotten me, or is married, +or is any thing that, as a preux +chevalier, he ought not to be, tell me +at once, and you shall see how grateful +I can be, before I cease to be any +thing. But if he has fallen—if, in the +dreadful scenes now acting in Paris, +Lafontaine is no more—<i>tell me not</i>. +Write some deluding thing to me—conceal +your terrible knowledge. I +should not wish to drop down dead +before my father's face. He is looking +at me while I write this, and +I am trying to laugh, with a heart +as heavy as lead, and eyes that can +scarcely see the paper. No—for mercy's +sake, do not tell me <i>that he is dead</i>. +Give me gentle words, give me hope, +deceive me—as they give laudanum, +not to prolong life, but to lull agony. +Do this, and with my last pulse I +shall be grateful—with my last breath +I shall bless you." +</p></blockquote> + +<p>Poor Mariamne! I had, at least, +better hopes than those for her. But +within this billet was a third. It was +but a few lines; yet at the foot of those +lines was the signature—"Clotilde de +Tourville." The light almost forsook +my eyes; my head swam; if the paper +had been a talisman, and every letter +written with the pen of magic, it could +not have produced a more powerful +effect upon me. My hands trembled, +and my ears thrilled; and yet it contained +but a few unimportant words—an +enquiry addressed to Mariamne, +whether she could forward a letter to +the Chateau Montauban in Champagne, +or whether her father had any +correspondent in the vicinity who +could send her the picture of a beloved +relative, which, in the haste of their +flight to England, they had most reluctantly +left behind.</p> + +<p>The note at once threw every thing +else into the background. What were +invasions and armies—what were +kings and kingdoms—to the slightest +wish of the being who had written +this billet? All this I admit to be +the fever of the mind—a waking dream—an +illusion to which mesmerism or +magic is but a frivolity. Like all +fevers, it is destined to pass away, or +to kill the patient; yet for the time, +what on earth is so strange, or so +powerful—so dangerous to the reason—so +delicious to the soul!</p> + +<p>But, after the long reverie into +which I sank, with the writing of +Clotilde in my hand, I recollected +that fortune had for once given me +the power of meeting the wishes of +this noble and beautiful creature. The +resemblance of the picture that had +so much perplexed and attracted me, +was now explained. I <i>was</i> in the +Chateau de Montauban, and I now +blessed the chance which had sent me +to its honoured walls.</p> + +<p>To hasten to the chamber where I +was again to look upon the exquisite +resemblance of features which, till +then, I had thought without a similar +in the world, was a matter of instinct; +and, winding my way through the +intricacies of galleries and corridors, +loaded with the baggage of the emigrant +army, and strewed with many +a gallant noble who had exchanged +the down bed of his ancestral mansion +for the bare floor, or the open +bivouac, I at length reached the apartment +to which the captive general had +been consigned. To my utter astonishment, +instead of the silence which I +expected under the circumstances, I +heard the jingling of glasses and roars +of laughter. Was this the abode of +solitude and misfortune? I entered, +and found M. Lafayette, indeed, +conducting himself with the composure +of a personage of his rank; but +the other performers exhibiting a +totally different temperament. A +group of Polish officers, who had formerly +borne commissions in the royal +service, and now followed the Emigrant +troops, had recognized Lafayette, +and insisted on paying due +honours to the "noble comrade" with +whom they had served beyond the +Atlantic. Hamlet's menace to his +friend, that he would "teach him to +drink deep ere he depart," had been +adopted in the amplest sense by those +jovial sons of the north, and "healths +bottle-deep" were sent round the +board with rapid circulation.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page95" id="page95"></a>[pg 95]</span> + +<p>My entrance but slightly deranged +the symposium, and I was soon furnished +with all the freemasonry of the +feast, by being called on to do honour +to the toast of "His Majesty the King +of Great Britain." My duty was now +done, my initiation was complete, and +while my eyes were fixed on the portrait +which, still in its unharmed +beauty, looked beaming on the wild +revel below, I heard, in the broken +queries, and interjectional panegyrics +of these hyperborean heroes, more of +the history of Lafayette than I had +ever expected to reach my ears.</p> + +<p>His life had been the strangest contrast +to the calm countenance which +I saw so tranquilly listen to its own +tale. It was Quixotic, and two hundred +years ago could scarcely have escaped +the pen of some French Cervantes. +He had begun life as an officer +in the French household troops in +absolute boyhood. At sixteen he had +married! at eighteen he had formed +his political principles, and begun his +military career by crossing the Atlantic, +and offering his sword to the Republic. +To meet the thousand wonderings +at his conduct, he exchanged +the ancient motto of the Lafayettes +for a new one of his own. The words, +"Why not?" were his answer to all, +and they were sufficient. On reaching +America, he asked but two favours, +to be suffered to serve, and to serve +without pay.</p> + +<p>In America he was more republican +than the Republicans. He toiled, traveled, +and bled, with an indefatigable +zeal for the independence of the colonists; +his zeal was a passion, his love +of liberty a romance, his hostility to +the dominion of England an universal +scorn of established power. But if +fantastic, he was bold; and if too hot +for the frigidity of America, he was +but preparing to touch France with +kindred fire. He refused rank in the +French army coupled with the condition +of leaving the service of the Republic; +and it was only on the French +alliance in 1788 that he returned to +Paris, to be received with feigned displeasure +by the King, and even put +under arrest by the minister, but to be +welcomed by the praises of the true +sovereign, the Queen, feted by the +court, the sovereign of that sovereign, +and huzzaed by the mob of Paris, already +the sovereign of them all; from +his military prison he emerged, colonel +of the King's regiment of dragoons.</p> + +<p>While this narrative was going on, +mingled with bumpers, and bursts of +Slavonic good-fellowship, I could not +help asking myself whether Lavater +was not quack and physiognomy a +folly? Could this be the dashing Revolutionist? +No plodder over the desk +ever wore a more broadcloth countenance; +an occasional smile was the +only indication of his interest in what +was passing around him. He evidently +avoided taking a share in the +discussion of his Transatlantic career, +probably from delicacy to his English +auditor. But when the conversation +turned upon France, the man +came forth, and he vindicated his +conduct with a spirit and fulness that +told me what he might have been +when the blood of youth was added to +the glow of the imagination. He was +now evidently exhausted by toil, and +dispirited by disappointment. No man +could be more thoroughly ruined; baffled +in theory, undone in practice—an +exile from his country, a fugitive from +his troops—overwhelmed by the hopelessness +of giving a constitution to +France, and with nothing but the dungeon +before him, and the crash of the +guillotine behind.</p> + +<p>"What was to be done?" said Lafayette. +"France was bankrupt—the +treasury was empty—the profligate +reign of Louis XV. had at once wasted +the wealth, dried up the revenues, and +corrupted the energies of France. +Ministers wrung their hands, the king +sent for his confessor, the queen wept—but the nation groaned. There was +but one expedient, to call on the +people. In 1787 the Assembly of the +Notables was summoned. It was the +first time since the reign of Henry IV. +France had been a direct and formal despotism +for almost two hundred years. +She had seen England spread from an +island into an empire; she had seen +America spread from a colony into an +empire. What had been the worker +of the miracle?—Liberty. While all +the despotisms remained within the +boundaries fixed centuries ago, like +vast dungeons, never extending, and +never opening to the light and air, +except through the dilapidations of +time, I saw England and America +expanding like fertile fields, open to +every breath of heaven and every +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page96" id="page96"></a>[pg 96]</span> +beam of day, expanding from year to +year by the cheerful labour of man, +and every year covered with new productiveness +for the use of universal +mankind. I own that there may have +been rashness in urging the great experiment—there +may have been a dangerous +disregard of the actual circumstances +of the people, the time, and +the world—the daring hand of the +philosopher may have drawn down +the lightning too suddenly to be safe; +the patriot may have flashed the blaze +of his torch too strongly on eyes so +long trained to the twilight of the dungeon. +The leader of this enterprise +himself, like the first discoverer of fire, +may have brought wrath upon his own +head, and be condemned to have his +vitals gnawed in loneliness and chains; +but nothing shall convince Lafayette +that a great work has not been begun +for the living race, for all nations, and +for all posterity."</p> + +<p>I could not suppress the question—"But +when will the experiment be +complete? When will the tree, planted +thus in storms, take hold of the +soil? When will the tremendous tillage +which begins by clearing with +the conflagration, and ploughing with +the earthquake, bring forth the harvest +of peace to the people?"</p> + +<p>"These must be the legacy to +our children," was the reply, in a +grave and almost contrite tone. +"The works of man are rapid only +when they are meant for decay. The +American savage builds his wigwam +in a week, to last for a year. The +Parthenon took half an age and the +treasures of a people, to last for ever."</p> + +<p>We parted for the night—and for +thirty years. My impression of this +remarkable man was, that he had +more heart than head; that a single +idea had engrossed his faculties, to +the exclusion of all others; that he +was following a phantom, with the +belief that it was a substantial form, +and that, like the idolaters of old, +who offered their children to their +frowning deity, he imagined that the +costlier the sacrifice, the surer it was +of propitiation. Few men have been +more misunderstood in his own day or +in ours. Lifted to the skies for an +hour by popular adulation, he has +been sunk into obscurity ever since by +historic contempt. Both were mistaken. +He was the man made for the +time—precisely the middle term between +the reign of the nobility and +the reign of the populace. Certainly +not the man to "ride on the whirlwind +and direct the storm;" but as certainly +altogether superior to the indolent +luxury of the class among whom he +was born. Glory and liberty, the two +highest impulses of our common nature, +sent him at two and twenty +from the most splendid court of Europe, +to the swamps and snows, the +desperate service and dubious battles +of America. Eight years of voyages, +negotiations, travels, and exposure to +the chances of the field, proved his +energy, and at the age of thirty he +had drawn upon himself the eyes of +the world. Here he ought to have +rested, or have died. But the Revolution +swept him off his feet. It was +an untried region—a conflict of elements +unknown to the calculation of +man; he was whirled along by a +force which whirled the monarchy, +the church, and the nation with him, +and sank only when France plunged +after him.</p> + +<p>I have no honour for a similar +career, and no homage for a similar +memory; but it is from those mingled +characters that history derives her +deepest lesson, her warnings for the +weak, her cautions for the ambitious, +and her wisdom for the wise.</p> + +<p>On the retiring of the party for the +night, my first act was to summon the +old Swiss and his wife who had been left +in charge of the mansion, and collect +from them all their feeble memories +could tell Clotilde. But Madame +la Maréchale was a much more important +personage in their old eyes, +than the "charmante enfant" whom +they had dandled on their knees, and +who was likely to remain a "charmante +enfant" to them during their +lives. The chateau had been the retreat +of the Maréchale after the death +of her husband; and it was in its +stately solitudes, and in the woods +and wilds which surrounded it for +many a league, that Clotilde had acquired +those accomplished tastes, and +that characteristic dignity and force of +mind, which distinguished her from +the frivolity of her country-women, +however elegant and attractive, who +had been trained in the <i>salons</i> of the +court. The green glades and fresh +air of the forest had given beauty to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page97" id="page97"></a>[pg 97]</span> +her cheek and grace to her form; and +scarcely conceiving how the rouged +and jewelled Maréchale could have +endured such an absence from the circles +of the young queen, and the +"<i>beaux restes</i>" of the wits and beauties +of the court of Louis the 15th, +I thanked in soul the fortunate necessity +which had driven her from the +atmosphere of the Du Barris to the +shades thus sacred to innocence and +knowledge.</p> + +<p>But the grand business of the thing +was still to be done. The picture was +taken down at last, to the great sorrow +of the old servants, who seemed +to regard it as a patron saint, and +who declared that its presence, and +its presence alone, could have saved +the mansion, in the first instance, +from being burned by the "patriots," +who generally began their reforms of +the nobility by laying their chateaux +in ashes, and in the next, from +being plundered by the multitudes of +whiskered savages speaking unknown +tongues, and came to leave France +without "<i>ni pain ni vin</i>" for her legitimate +sons. But the will of Madame +la Maréchale was to them as the laws +of the Medes and Persians, irresistible +and unchangeable; and with heavy +hearts they dismounted the portrait, +and assisted in enfolding and encasing +it, with much the same feeling that +might have been shown in paying +the last honours to a rightful branch +of the beloved line.</p> + +<p>But, in the wall which the picture +had covered, I found a small recess, +closed by an iron door, and evidently +unknown to the Swiss and his old +wife. I might have hesitated about +extending my enquiry further, but +Time, the great discoverer of all things, +saved my conscience: with a slight +pressure against the lock it gave way; +the door flew open, and dropped off +the hinges, a mass of rust and decay. +Within was a casket of a larger size +than that generally used for jewels; +but my curiosity durst not go beyond +the superscription, which was a consignment +of the casket, in the name of +the Maréchale, to her banker in London. +Whatever might be the contents, +it was clear that, like the picture, it +had been left behind in the hurry of +flight, and that to transmit it to England +was fairly within my commission. +Before our busy work was done, day +was glancing in through the coloured +panes of the fine old chamber. I +hurried off the Swiss, with my precious +possessions, to the next town, in one +of the baggage carts, with a trooper +in front to prevent his search by hands +still more hazardous than those of a +custom-house officer; and then, mounting +my horse, and bidding a brief +farewell to the brave and noble fellows +who were already mustering for the +march, and envying me with all their +souls, I set off at full speed to rejoin +the army.</p> + +<p>With all my speed, the action had +begun for some hours before I came +in sight of the field. With what pangs +of heart I heard the roar of the cannon, +for league on league, while I was +threading my bewildered way, and +spurring my tired horse through the +miry paths of a country alternately +marsh and forest; with what pantings +I looked from every successive height, +to see even to what quarter the smoke +of the firing might direct me; with +what eager vexation I questioned +every hurrying peasant, who either +shook his moody head and refused to +answer, or who answered with the +fright of one who expected to have +his head swept off his shoulders by +some of my fierce-looking troop, I +shall not now venture to tell; but it +was as genuine a torture as could be +felt by man. At length, exhausted by +mortal fatigue, and ready to lie down +and die, I made a last effort, would +listen no more to the remonstrances +of the troop, whose horses were sinking +under them. I ordered them to +halt where they were, pushed on alone, +and, winding my way through a forest +covering the side of a low but abrupt +hill, or rather succession of hills, I +suddenly burst out into the light, and +saw the whole battle beneath, around, +and before me. It was magnificent.</p> + +<hr /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page98" id="page98"></a>[pg 98]</span> + + + +<h2>LETTER FROM LEMUEL GULLIVER.</h2> + +<h3>TO THE EDITOR.</h3> + + +<p>Sir—At the request of my four-footed friends, I forward to you a free translation +of the proceedings of a meeting of Houynhyms, recently held for the +protection of their interests in corn. As the language appears more temperate, +and the propositions quite as rational, as those which are ordinarily brought +forward in the other Corn-law meetings which still continue to agitate the +county, I have no difficulty in complying with their wishes; and if you can +afford space for the insertion of the report in your valuable Magazine, you will +greatly oblige the Houynhym race, and confer a favour upon, sir, your obedient +servant,</p> + +<p class="right">LEMUEL GULLIVER.<br /> + +<i>Stable-Yard, Nov. 10th, 1843.</i></p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<h2>ADVERTISEMENT.</h2> + +<p>A meeting of delegates from the +different classes of consumers of oats +was held on Friday last, at the Nag's +Head in the Borough, pursuant to +public advertisement in the <i>Hors-Lham +Gazette</i>. The object of the +meeting was to take into consideration +the present consumption of the +article, and to devise means for its +increase. The celebrated horse Comrade, +of Drury-Lane Theatre, presided +on the occasion.</p> + +<p>The business of the meeting was +opened by a young Racer of great +promise, who said it was his anxious +desire to protect the interests of the +horse community, and to promote any +measure which might contribute to +the increase of the consumption of +oats, and improve the condition of his +fellow-quadrupeds. He was not versed +in political economy, nor, indeed, economy +of any kind. He had heard +much of demand and supply, and the +difficulty of regulating them properly; +but, for his own part, he found the +latter always equalled the former, +though he understood such was not +the case with his less fortunate brethren. +He warmly advocated the practice +of sowing wild oats, and considered +that much of the decrease of consumption +complained of arose from +the undue encouragement given to the +growth of other grain; and that the +horse interest would be best promoted +by imposing a maximum as to the +growth of wheat and barley, according +to the acreage of each particular +farm.</p> + +<p>A HACKNEY-COACH HORSE declared +himself in favour of the sliding-scale, +which he understood from Sir Peter +Lawrie to mean the wooden pavement. +He admitted it was not well adapted +for rainy seasons, but it was impossible +to doubt that things went much +more smoothly wherever it was established; +and that he, and the working +classes whom he represented, +found in it a considerable relief from +the heavy duties daily imposed upon +them. He wished that some measure +could be devised for superseding the +use of nosebags, which he designated +as an intolerable nuisance, especially +during the summer months; but he +principally relied for an improvement +in condition on the prohibition of the +mixture of chaff with oats; which latter +article, he contended, was unfit for +the use of able-bodied horses, who +earned their daily food, and ought to +be limited to those cattle who spent +an idle existence in straw-yards.</p> + +<p>A BRIGHT CHESTNUT HORSE, of great +power, and well-known in the parks, +warmly replied to the last neigher. +He denounced the sliding-scale as a +slippery measure, unworthy of a horse +of spirit, and adding greatly to the +burdens with which horses like himself +were saddled. He daily saw +steeds of the noblest blood and most +undaunted action humbled to the dust +by its operation; and if Sir Peter +Lawrie was to be believed, it was +more dreaded by the household troops +than Napoleon's army on the field of +Waterloo. He yielded to no horse +in an anxious desire to promote the +true interests of the horse community; +but he could not give his support to +measures so unsafe, merely because +they enabled a small and inferior section +of their community to move more +smoothly. He reprobated, in strong +terms, the unfeeling allusion of the +last neigher to the unfortunate inmates +of union straw-yards, whom, for his +own part, he looked upon as nowise +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page99" id="page99"></a>[pg 99]</span> +inferior to the hackney-coach horse +himself, of whose right to be present +at a meeting of consumers of oats he +entertained serious doubts. (Loud +neighs of "Order! Order!")</p> + +<p>A SCOTCH HORSE feared that, strictly +speaking, he was included in the +same category with the hackney-coach +horse, and had no right to be heard, +having no personal interest in the +question; but he trusted he might be +permitted to speak as the delegate of +the horses of Scotland, who were ignorant +of the Houynhym language, and +not entitled to attend. Permission +being granted, to the surprise of the +assembly he descanted with much +asperity upon the gross oppression to +which horses in Scotland were subject, +as their rough coats and ragged appearance +plainly manifested; and +stated, in conclusion, that no hope or +expectation of bettering the condition +of the Scotch horse could be entertained +until their lawful food was restored +to them, and Scotchmen were +compelled, by act of Parliament, to +abstain from the use of oatmeal, and +live like the rest of the civilized +world.</p> + +<p>Several worn-out horses belonging +to members of the Whig administration +then endeavoured to address the +meeting, with an evident intention of +converting the proceedings into a +party question; but they were informed +by the president, in the midst +of loud snorting and neighing, that +they had not the slightest right to be +present, as they were all undoubtedly +turned out for life. This decision +appeared to give universal satisfaction.</p> + +<p>AN IRISH HORSE was of opinion +that the great cause of the present +difficulties arose from deficiency in the +quality and not the quantity of the +article, and strongly recommended the +growth of Irish oats in England. To +the surprise of the English delegates, +he warmly eulogized the superiority +of the Irish oat; but it afterwards appeared, +upon the production of a sample, +that he had mistaken the potatoe +oat for the Irish oat.</p> + +<p>AN OLD ENGLISH HUNTER next addressed +the meeting, and was listened +to with deep attention. He impressed +upon the young delegates the good +old adage of "Look before you leap," +and cautioned them against the delusive +hope that their condition would +be improved by change of measures. +In the course of his long life he had +experienced measures of every description, +and had invariably found +that his supplies depended, not on the +measure itself; but on the hand that +filled it. He had ever given his willing +support to his employers, and +served them faithfully; and if they +were as well acquainted as quadrupeds +with the secrets of the stable, +they would learn the fallacy of their +favourite maxim of "Measures, not +men," and trust the administration of +their affairs to upright and steady +grooms, rather than those fanciful +half-educated gentlemen who were +perpetually changing the rules of the +stables, and altering the form of the +measures, whereby they embarrassed +the regular feeding and training of +the inmates, without producing any +practical good.</p> + +<p>A STAGE-COACH HORSE imputed +their want of condition to the misconduct +of their leaders, who, he said, +could never be kept in the right path, +or made to do one-half of the work +which properly belonged to them. By +a strange fatality, they were generally +purblind, and always shyed most +fearfully when an Opposition coach +approached them. Indeed, it was well +known that the horses selected for +these duties were, generally speaking, +vicious and unsound, and not taken +from the most able and powerful, but +from the most showy classes. He then +proceeded to descant upon the general +wrongs of horses. He congratulated +the community upon the abolition of +bearing reins, those grievous burdens +upon the necks of all free-going horses; +and he trusted the time would soon +arrive when the blinkers would also be +taken off, every corn-binn thrown +open, and every horse his own leader.</p> + +<p>Several other delegates addressed +the meeting, and various plans were +discussed; but it invariably turned out, +upon investigation, that the change +would only benefit the class of animals +by whom it was proposed. A post-horse +was of opinion, that the true +remedy lay in decreasing the amount +of speed, and shortening the spaces +between milestones. A Welsh pony +was for the abolition of tolls, which, +he said, exhausted the money intended +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page100" id="page100"></a>[pg 100]</span> +for repairs; whilst some plough-horses +from Lincolnshire proposed the +encouragement of pasture land, the +abolition of tillage, and the disuse of +oats altogether. The harmony of the +meeting was, at one period, interrupted, +by the unfortunate use of the word +"<i>blackguard</i>" by a delegate from the +collieries, which caused a magnificent +charger from the Royal Horse Guards, +Blue, to rear up, and, with great indignation, +demand if the allusion was +personal; but who was satisfied with +the explanation of the president, that +it was applicable only in a warlike +sense. A long, lean, bay horse, with +a sour head, demanded a similar explanation +of the word "<i>job</i>," and +was told it was used in a <i>working</i> +sense. Several resolutions, drawn by +two dray-horses, embodying the supposed +grievances of the community, +were finally agreed upon, and a petition, +under the hoof of the president, +founded upon them, having been prepared, +and ordered to be presented to +the House of Commons by the members +for Horsham, the meeting separated, +and the delegates returned to +their respective stables.</p> + +<hr /> + + + + +<h2>THE PROCLAMATION.</h2> + + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Bold warriors of Erin, I hereby <i>proclaim</i>,</p> +<p>That the world never witness'd your rivals in fame;</p> +<p>Bold sons of Macmurraugh, Macarthy, O'Neill,</p> +<p>The armies of earth at your sight would turn pale.</p> +<p>A flash from your eyes would light England's last pile,</p> +<p>And a touch give her sceptre to Erin's green isle.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>Hurrah for the vengeance of old Mullaghmast,</p> +<p>On the blood-bolter'd ground where your gauntlet was cast;</p> +<p>Hurrah for the vengeance of Tara's proud hill,</p> +<p>Where the bones of our monarchs are blood-sprinkled still.</p> +<p>Hurrah for Clontarf, though the Saxon may smile,</p> +<p>The last, greatest triumph of Erin's green isle!</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>Let the scoffer scoff on, while I hereby <i>proclaim</i>,</p> +<p>That flight may be courage, and fear but a name;</p> +<p>That boasting is good, when 'tis good for the cause,</p> +<p>But, in sight of cold steel, <i>we should honour the laws</i>;</p> +<p>That powder and shot make men swallow their bile—</p> +<p>So, hurrah for the glory of Erin's green isle!</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>If they ask for your leader, the land's sword and shield,</p> +<p>At least none can say that <i>he fled from the field</i>.</p> +<p><i>He</i> kept a whole skin—for the service of Rome;</p> +<p>So he fix'd his headquarters in quiet at home.</p> +<p>They might just as well hunt for the head of the Nile,</p> +<p>While he reckon'd his beads for St Patrick's green isle.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>If beggars on horseback will ride—to Clontarf;</p> +<p>If tailors will caper with truncheon and scarf,</p> +<p>At Sunday carousels, all know, I'm in flower,</p> +<p>My taste for the grape don't extend to the shower.</p> +<p>Besides, those blue pills disagree with my chyle,</p> +<p>So, hurrah!—pence and peace for the grand Emerald Isle!</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>If the scoffer should ask, what the deuce brought you there?</p> +<p>Of course, it was only to taste the fresh air;</p> +<p>To pick cowslips and daisies; and brush off the dew,</p> +<p>Or drink gin o'er the tombstone of Brian Boru.</p> +<p>As to flags, and all that; 'twas but doing in style,</p> +<p>The honours of Freedom to Erin's green isle.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>Then, as to your "Squadrons," your "Mount for Repeal,"</p> +<p>'Twas merely to teach them the "Right about wheel,"</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page101" id="page101"></a>[pg 101]</span> +<p>By the word of command from the Saxon to run,</p> +<p>As your leader would fly from a bailiff or dun;</p> +<p>In short, since a miss is as good as a mile,</p> +<p>Swear the whole was a humbug for Erin's green isle.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>Besides, these are delicate moments to croak,</p> +<p>Since the Saxon's new plan of a word and a stroke.</p> +<p>My mind is made up, like a poodle or pug,</p> +<p>No longer to stir from my berth on the rug;</p> +<p>Though the bold may revile me, so let them revile—</p> +<p>I'm determined to <i>live</i> for old Erin's green isle.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>I <i>proclaim</i>—that the Saxon will tremble to meet</p> +<p>The heroes of Erin; but, boys, life is sweet.</p> +<p>I <i>proclaim</i>—that your shout frightens Europe's base thrones;</p> +<p>But remember, my boys, there is luck in whole bones;</p> +<p>So, take the advice of a friend—wait a while,</p> +<p>In a century or two you'll revenge the Green Isle.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>I know in my soul, at the very first shot</p> +<p>That your whole monster meeting would fly at full trot;</p> +<p>What horrid mêlée, then, of popping and flashing!</p> +<p>At least I'LL not share in your holiday thrashing;</p> +<p>Brawl at Sugden and Smith, but beware "rank and file"—</p> +<p>They're too rough for the lambkins of Erin's green isle.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>Observe, my dear boys, if you once get me hang'd,</p> +<p>'Tis fifty to one if you'll e'er be harangued.</p> +<p>Farewell to the pleasure of paying the "Rint"—</p> +<p>Farewell to all earth's vilest nonsense in print—</p> +<p>Farewell to the feast of your gall and your guile—</p> +<p>All's over at once with the grand Emerald Isle.</p> + </div> </div> +<hr /> + + +<h2>THE FIREMAN'S SONG.</h2> + + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>"Ho, comrade, up! awake, arise! look forth into the night:</p> +<p>Say, is yon gleam the morning-beam, yon broad and bloody light?</p> +<p>Say, does it tell—yon clanging bell—of mass or matin song?</p> +<p>Yon drum-roll—calls it to parade the soldier's armèd throng?"</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>"No, brother, no! no morning-beam is yonder crimson glare!</p> +<p>Yon deep bell tolls no matin—'tis the tocsin's hurried blare!</p> +<p>Yon sullen drum-roll mutters out no summons to parade:</p> +<p>To fight the flame it summons us—the valiant Fire-Brigade!"</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>Then fast the Fireman rose, and waked his mate that lay beside;</p> +<p>And each man gripp'd his trusty axe, and donn'd his coat of hide—</p> +<p>There bounds beneath that leather coat a heart as strange to fear</p> +<p>As ever swell'd beneath the steel of gilded cuirassier.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>And from beneath the leather casque that guards the Fireman's brow,</p> +<p>A bolder, sterner glance shines out than plumy crest can show;</p> +<p>And oft shall ply the Fireman's axe, though rude and rough it be,</p> +<p>Where sabre, lance, and bayonet, right soon would turn and flee!</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>Off dash the thundering engines, like goblin jäger-chase—</p> +<p>The sleeper shudders as they pass, and pallid grows his face:</p> +<p>Away, away! though close and bright yon ruddy glow appear,</p> +<p>Far, far we have to gallop yet, or e'er our work we near!</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>A plain of upturn'd faces—pale brows and quivering lips,</p> +<p>All flickering like the tropic sea in the green light of eclipse;</p> +<p>And the multitude waves to and fro, as in the tropic sea,</p> +<p>After a tempest, heaves and falls the ground-swell sleeplessly.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page102" id="page102"></a>[pg 102]</span> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>Now, by my faith! goodly sight you mansion fast asleep—</p> +<p>Those winking lamps beside the gate a dull watch seem to keep—</p> +<p>But a gay awaking waits them, when the crash of blazing beam,</p> +<p>And the Fireman's stern réveille, shall mingle with their dream!</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>And sound as sleeps that mansion, ye may mark in every chink</p> +<p>A gleam, as in the lava-cracks by the volcano's brink;</p> +<p>Through key-hole and through window-slit, a white and sullen glow—</p> +<p>And all above is rolling smoke, and all is dark below.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>Hark! hear ye not that murmur, that hush and hollow roar,</p> +<p>As when to the south-wester bow the pines upon the shore;</p> +<p>And that low crackling intermix'd, like wither'd twig that breaks,</p> +<p>When in the midnight greenwood the startled squirrel wakes!</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>Lo, how the fire comes roaring on, like a host in war array!</p> +<p>Nor lacks it gallant music to cheer it on its way,</p> +<p>Nor flap of flame-tongued banner, like the Oriflamme of old,</p> +<p>Its vanward cohorts heralding, in crimson, green, and gold.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>The engines now are ranged a-row—hark, how they sob and pant!</p> +<p>How gallantly the water-jets curve soaringly aslant!</p> +<p>Up spins the stream—it meets the flame—it bursts in fleecy rain,</p> +<p>Like the last spout of the dying whale, when the lance is in his brain.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>Ha, ha! from yon high window thrill'd the wild shriek of despair,</p> +<p>And gibbering phantoms seem to dance within the ruddy glare;</p> +<p>And as a valiant captain leads his boarders to the fray,</p> +<p>"Up, up, my sons!" our foreman shouts—"up firemen, and away!"</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>Their arms are strong and sinewy—see how the splinters fly—</p> +<p>Their axes they are sharp and good—"Back, comrades! or ye die—</p> +<p>Look to the walls!"—a rending crash—they topple—down they come—</p> +<p>A cloud of sparks—a feeble cheer—again!—and all is dumb.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>A pause—as on that battle-day, 'twixt France and England's might,</p> +<p>When huge L'Orient blew up at once, in the hottest of the fight:</p> +<p>There was not one, they say, but wink'd, and held his breath the while,</p> +<p>Though brave were they that fought that day with Nelson at the Nile.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>And by to-morrow's sunrise, amid the steaming stones,</p> +<p>A chain of gold half-melted, and a few small white bones,</p> +<p>And a few rags of roasted flesh, alone shall show where died—</p> +<p>The noble and the beautiful, the baby and the bride!</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>O fire, he is a noble thing!—the sot's pipe gives him birth;</p> +<p>Or from the livid thunder-cloud he leaps alive on earth;</p> +<p>Or in the western wilderness devouring silently;</p> +<p>Or on the lava rocking in the womb of Stromboli.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>Right well in Hamburg revell'd he—though Elbe ran rolling by—</p> +<p>He could have drain'd—so fierce his thirst—the mighty river dry!</p> +<p>With silk, and gold, and diamond, he cramm'd his hungry maw;</p> +<p>And he tamed the wild republicans, who knew nor lord nor law!</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>He feasted well in Moscow—in the city of the Tsar—</p> +<p>When 'fore the northern streamers paled Napoleon's lurid star:</p> +<p>Around the hoary Kremlin, where Moscow once had stood,</p> +<p>He pass'd, and left a heap behind, of ashes slaked in blood!</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>He feasted once in London—he feasted best of all—</p> +<p>When through the close-packed city, he swept from wall to wall:</p> +<p>Even as of old the wrath of God came down in fiery rain,</p> +<p>On Sodom and Gomorrha, on the Cities of the Plain!</p> + </div> </div> + +<hr /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page103" id="page103"></a>[pg 103]</span> + + + +<h2>POSITION AND PROSPECTS OF THE GOVERNMENT.</h2> + + +<p>A recruited revenue; reviving trade +and commerce; reduction in the price +of provisions; the triumphant termination +of hostilities in all parts of the +world, with its great immediate prospective +advantages: a general feeling +of confidence, arising from the +steady administration of public affairs, +in spite of persevering and atrocious +efforts to excite dissatisfaction and +alarm; nay, even the stern repose +prevailing in Ireland, preserved though +it be, for a while, under cover of artillery, +and at the bayonet's point, but +affording a precious respite from agitation, +and a foretaste of the blessings +that may be expected from its permanent +suppression: all these circumstances +unequivocally attest the existence +of a powerful Government acting +upon a comprehensive and enduring +policy, which is becoming daily better +appreciated by the strong good sense +which ever distinguishes the British +character, when a fair opportunity is +afforded for its exercise.</p> + +<p>Upwards of two years have now +elapsed since the accession of the present +Government to power, at a period +of universally admitted difficulty and +danger. We have been, during this +critical interval, dispassionate and independent +observers of Ministers, and +their conduct of public affairs, anxious +to see whether they were really equal +to the occasion, and worthy of the confidence +of the Sovereign and the country. +We are ourselves satisfied, and +undertake to demonstrate to our readers, +that this question must be answered +in the affirmative. We say all this +advisedly, and with no disposition to +deny the existence of difficulties, which, +if serious to the present, would be absolutely +insuperable to any other Government. +During the interval in question, +Ministers have triumphed over +more formidable difficulties than any +which they have at present to encounter. +<i>That</i>, also, we say advisedly—cheerfully, +confidently—with Ireland +before our eyes, and the din of the +audacious and virulent Anti-corn-law +League in our ears.</p> + +<p>Passing these topics for the present, +let us proceed to examine carefully the +real position of Sir Robert Peel and his +Government, with a view to ascertaining +its prospects of a continuance in +power. This enquiry cannot be successfully +conducted, without referring for a +moment to the immense changes in +principles and parties effected by the +Reform Bill in 1832—a period of quite +as great a revolution as that of 1688. +The Tory party it nearly annihilated!—The +first Reform Parliament consisting +of only 187 Tories to 471 Whigs +and Radicals—the former being thus +in the fearful minority of 284. We +recollect sharing in the despondency, +and even despair, which paralysed our +party. There was, however, one signal +exception in the person of Sir +Robert Peel, whose conduct on that +occasion entitles him to the eternal +gratitude of every man pretending to +the character of a Conservative, nay, +of every true lover of his country +and its institutions. With surprising +energy, calmness, and foresight, he +instantly addressed himself to the formation, +even under those inauspicious +and disheartening circumstances, of +that <i>great</i> CONSERVATIVE <i>party</i> of +which he is now the acknowledged +head. In 1841, just <i>before</i> the general +election, he thus <i>reminded that +party</i>, and apprized the country at +large of the principle on which he had +acted in 1832. We beg our readers +to ponder his words, and the period +when he uttered them.</p> + +<blockquote><p> +"I then foresaw the good that might +result from laying the foundation of a +great Conservative party in the state, +attached to the fundamental institutions +of the country—not opposed to +any rational change in it which the +lapse of years, or the altered circumstances +of society might require, but +determined to maintain, on their ancient +footing and foundation, our great +institutions in church and state. In +order to form that party, however, it +was necessary, in the first instance, to +widen the foundation on which it +should stand: to call into our connexion +men from whom we had been +separated in consequence of differences +which no longer existed. My grand +object was to build up that great party +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page104" id="page104"></a>[pg 104]</span> +which has been gradually acquiring +strength in this country—which has +been gradually widening the foundation +on which it stands, and which +has drawn, from time to time, its support +from its opponents."<a id="footnotetag11" name="footnotetag11"></a><a href="#footnote11"><sup>11</sup></a> +</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><p><a id="footnote11" name="footnote11"></a> +<a href="#footnotetag11"> [11] </a> Speech to the Tamworth Electors on 28th June 1841, (Painter, Strand.)</p></blockquote> + +<p>The shortest and best evidence of +the success which has attended the +unwearied exertions of Sir Robert +Peel during the ensuing then years, +is afforded by the following summary +of the results of the four general elections +since the passing of the Reform +Bill; three of them under the auspices +and with the unscrupulously exercised +patronage of the Reform Government. +Observe the ascending and descending +scales:—</p> + +<table summary="Seats in Parliament" align="center" cellspacing="5"> +<thead> +<tr><th> C. </th><th> L.</th></tr> +</thead> +<tbody> +<tr><td>187 </td><td> 471 </td><td> (1832)</td></tr> +<tr><td>275 </td><td> 383 </td><td> (1835)</td></tr> +<tr><td>314 </td><td> 344 </td><td> (1837)</td></tr> +<tr><td>373 </td><td> 283 </td><td> (1841)</td></tr> +</tbody> +</table> + +<p>Who was it but its founder, that led +the Conservative party through these +successive stages of triumph? Who +did so much as he to effect that gradual +but decisive change in public +opinion which, in 1841, routed the Liberal +Ministry in spite of their extraordinary +exertions and advantages, +and placed a Conservative Government +at the head of affairs? To enable us +to appreciate the importance of that +great victory, and also the decision of +character evinced on that occasion by +Sir Robert Peel, let us for a moment +advert to the calm self-reliance with +which, amidst the breathless apprehensions +and misgivings of his whole +party, he gave battle to the enemy—proposed +the memorable vote of want +of confidence, and carried it by a majority +of one.<a id="footnotetag12" name="footnotetag12"></a><a href="#footnote12"><sup>12</sup></a> A more critical move +never was followed by more signal +success; every ensuing event serving +to show, that so far from his movements +having been impelled by rash +and desperate party speculations, they +had been based upon a profound and +accurate knowledge of his resources, +and of the state of feeling and opinion +in the country. "I gave the Government +every advantage," said he, "to +make their appeal to the country. +They boast of the confidence of the +crown—they have every means at +their disposal which official influence +can command to exert in their own +behalf. An appeal has been made by +them from the House of Commons to +you, and it is for the country to decide +the question at issue. They +have made an appeal to public feeling +on account of cheap sugar and cheap +bread. My firm belief is, that the +people of this country have not at all +responded to that cry." How well-founded +was that "firm belief," was +proved by the glorious result:—the +"people of this country did" <i>not</i> "respond +to that cry"—they rejected—they +repudiated it, and they would do +so again if another such appeal were +made to them to-morrow.</p> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><p><a id="footnote12" name="footnote12"></a> +<a href="#footnotetag12"> [12] </a> Ayes, 312; Noes, 311—4th June 1841.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Let us now proceed to show what +pretence there is for the injurious insinuations +and assertions of Sir Robert +Peel's traducers—whether treacherous +friends or open enemies—that, +in order to obtain power, he hung out +false colours to the nation; that his +declarations before the general election +have been disregarded and falsified +by his acts on attaining office. +We will for ever demolish all such calumnies +and false pretences by going, +step by step, through a document +which we made a point of procuring +at the time, and preserving hitherto, +and to which we have since frequently +referred, on hearing uttered the slanderous +charges to which we allude. +That document is a copy of the speech +which Sir Robert Peel, on the 28th +June 1841, addressed formally to his +constituents, but virtually, of course, +to the whole nation.</p> + +<p>One of his earliest declarations was +the following:—"Gentlemen, <i>I have ever +professed moderate opinions on politics</i>. +The principles I professed, and adhered +to, I shall adhere to during my public +life, whether in opposition or in power, +are, I believe, in perfect conformity +with the prevailing good sense, the +moderation, and the intelligence of the +great body of the people of England." +This was a sufficiently distinct notice +to all men, especially to those of extreme +opinions, whether Tory, Liberal, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page105" id="page105"></a>[pg 105]</span> +or Radical, of the course of action +which was to be looked for from +the expectant Prime Minister.</p> + +<p>Then, first, he proceeded to admit +the existence of manufacturing distress.</p> + +<p>"I admit and deplore it, but I do +not despair. I have seen distress in +manufactures and in commerce before +now. I think the causes of the present +distress are but temporary—that +the cloud will soon blow over—and +that the great foundations of manufacturing +prosperity are not affected; +and I hope I shall very shortly see the +day when our manufactures will once +more revive, and when we shall again +fill the place we have always occupied—that +of producers for the markets +of the world."</p> + +<p>Now for its <i>cause</i>.</p> + +<p>"Now let us consider the important +question, as to how far the distress +in the manufactures and commerce of +the country is fairly attributable to the +corn-laws." He proceeded to show, +from Lord Palmerston's official statement +in Parliament on the 22d July +1840, that, between the years 1830 +and 1839, the <i>exports</i> had risen from the +value of L.38,000,000 to L.53,000,000, +and the <i>imports</i> from L.46,000,000 to +L.62,000,000, "a clear proof that, +notwithstanding the local and temporary +checks which our commerce had +experienced, on the whole it had gone +on steadily improving, and that between +the two periods it had increased +not much less than from two to three."</p> + +<p>He then took the <i>shipping</i> and <i>navigation</i> +of the country for the preceding +three years; and in looking at +them, I cannot help thinking that, if +there was any thing like an absolute +decrease in trade and commerce, there +would also be a decrease in the shipping +of the country. "Well," said +Sir Robert Peel, "What do I find?" +The returns "showed an increase, +presented within the last three years, +from 4,000,000 tons to 4,780,000 +tons." Now mark—"during the +whole of this period the corn-laws +were in operation; how then can +they be fairly or honestly assigned as +the cause of the present manufacturing +and commercial distress?"</p> + +<p>But if the corn-laws were <i>not</i>, +what <i>was</i> the cause?</p> + +<p>"I see causes enough in the world, +as well as in this country, why there +should be manufacturing and commercial +distress at the present moment, +irrespective and totally independent +of the corn-laws."</p> + +<p>These were—</p> + +<p>1st, "<i>I do fear that, in the north of +England, an undue stimulus has been +given to manufacturing industry by the +accommodation system pursued by the +joint-stock banks. I think the connexion +of the manufacturer with the joint-stock +banks gave an undue and an improper +impulse to trade in that quarter of the +county; and I think that, in consequence +of this, there have been more +manufactures produced within the last +two years than were necessary to supply +the demand for them.</i>"</p> + +<p>2ndly, "Look to the state of some +of the foreign countries, which took, +at one time, the greatest quantity of +our manufactures;" South America, +its ports strictly blockaded by France; +the United States of North America, +"in a state of nascent hostility," and +also labouring under "a distress similar +to our own, and arising from similar +causes. The facility of accommodation +afforded by certain banks there +gave an undue stimulus to industry; +this produced extravagant speculations; +many persons failed in consequence, +and trade necessarily then +came to a stand-still." Canada—the +peninsula, France, the great Kingdoms +of the middle and north of Europe—Syria, +Egypt, China, had been, +and were, in such a state, as occasioned +all interruption of our trade +thither; "a stoppage in the demand +for manufactured goods, and a correspondent +depression in commerce." +"When you put all these things together, +all causes, mind you, affecting +the market for your goods, and then +combine them with the two or three +defective harvests we have had of late, +I ask you to answer me the question, +Whether or not they have been sufficient +to account for the depression +of manufacturing industry."</p> + +<p>Then came Sir Robert Peel to the +two grand and suddenly discovered +panaceas of the late Government, for +recruiting the exhausted revenue, and +relieving the general distress—viz. +"cheap sugar," and "cheap bread."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page106" id="page106"></a>[pg 106]</span> + +<p>1st, As to foreign sugar:—</p> + +<p>"I clearly and freely admit that +those restrictions which cannot be +justified should be removed, and that +the commerce of the country should +be perfectly free, whenever it can possibly +be so; but I consider the article +of sugar to be wholly exempt from the +principle of free trade." * * * "The +question now is this—whether, after +the sacrifices which this country has +made for the suppression of the slave +trade and the abolition of slavery, and +the glorious results that have ensued, +and are likely to ensue, from these +sacrifices—whether we shall run the +risk of losing the benefit of those sacrifices, +and tarnishing for ever that +glory, by admitting to the British +market sugar the produce of foreign +slavery." * * * "If you admit it, it +will come from Brazil and Cuba. In +Brazil, the slave-trade exists in full +force; in Cuba, it is unmitigated in its +extent and horrors. The sugar of +Cuba is the finest in the world; but +in Cuba, slavery is unparalleled in its +horrors. I do not at all overstate the +fact, when I say, that 50,000 slaves +are annually landed in Cuba. That +is the yearly importation into the +island; but, when you take into consideration +the vast numbers that perish +before they leave their own coasts, +the still greater number that die +amidst the horrors of the middle passage, +and the number that are lost at +sea, you will come to the inevitable +conclusion, that the number landed in +Cuba—50,000 annually—is but a +slight indication of the number shipped +in Africa, or of the miseries and destruction +that have taken place among +them during their transport thither. +If you open the markets of England +to the sugar of Cuba, you may depend +on it that you give a great stimulus to +slavery, and the slave-trade." Sir +Robert Peel then pointed out peculiar +and decisive distinctions between the +case of sugar, and that of cotton, tobacco, +and coffee; that, though all of +them were the produce of slave labour—First, +we cannot now reject the <i>cotton</i> +of the United States, without endangering +to the last degree the +manufacturing prosperity of the kingdom. +Secondly, of all the descriptions +of slave produce, sugar is the most +cruelly destructive of human life—the +proportion of deaths in a sugar plantation +being infinitely greater than on +those of cotton or coffee. Thirdly, +slave grown sugar has <i>never</i> been admitted +to consumption in this country.<a id="footnotetag13" name="footnotetag13"></a><a href="#footnote13"><sup>13</sup></a> +He also assigned two great co-operating +reasons for rejecting slave-grown +sugar:—"That the people of +England required the great experiment +of emancipation to be fairly +tried; and they would <i>not</i> think it +fairly tried, if, at this moment, when +the colonies were struggling with such +difficulties, we were to open the floodgates +of a foreign supply, and inundate the British market with sugar, +the produce of slave-labour;" adopting +the very words of the Whig Vice-President +of the Board of Trade, Mr Labouchere, +on the 25th June 1840. +The other reason was, "that our immense +possessions in the East Indies +give us the means, and afford us +every facility, for acquiring sugar, the +produce of free labour, to an illimitable +extent."</p> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><p><a id="footnote13" name="footnote13"></a><a href="#footnotetag13"> [13] </a> The following striking passage from the writings of the celebrated Dr Channing +of America, was quoted by Sir Robert Peel in the speech under consideration. +"Great Britain, loaded with an unprecedented debt, and with a grinding taxation, +contracted a new debt of a hundred millions of dollars, to give freedom, not to +Englishmen, but to the degraded African. I know not that history records an act +so disinterested, so sublime. In the progress of ages, England's naval triumphs will +shrink into a more and more narrow space in the records of our race—this moral +triumph will fill a broader—brighter page." "Take care!" emphatically added Sir +Robert Peel, "that this brighter page be not sullied by the admission of slave sugar +into the consumption of this country—by our encouragement—and, too, our unnecessary +encouragement of slavery and the slave-trade!"—Noble sentiments!</p></blockquote> + +<p>So much for foreign sugar. Now +for—</p> + +<p>II. FOREIGN CORN; and we beg +the special attention of all parties to +this portion of the manifesto of Sir +Robert Peel:—</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page107" id="page107"></a>[pg 107]</span> + +<p>"Look at the capital invested in +land and agriculture in this country—look +at the interests involved in it—look +at the arrangement that has been +come to for the commutation of tithes—look +at your importation of corn +diminishing for the last ten years—consider +the burdens on the land +peculiar to this country<a id="footnotetag14" name="footnotetag14"></a><a href="#footnote14"><sup>14</sup></a>—take all +these circumstances into consideration, +and then you will agree with Mr +McCulloch, the great advocate of a +change in the Corn-law, that 'considering +the vast importance of agriculture, +<i>nearly half the population of +the empire are directly or indirectly dependent +on it for employment and the +means of subsistence</i>; a prudent statesman +would pause before he gave his +sanction to any measure however sound +in principle, or beneficial to the +mercantile and manufacturing classes, +that might endanger the prosperity of +agriculture, or check the rapid spread +of improvement.'"<a id="footnotetag15" name="footnotetag15"></a><a href="#footnote15"><sup>15</sup></a></p> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><p><a id="footnote14" name="footnote14"></a><a href="#footnotetag14"> [14] </a> "We believe," says <i>Mr McCulloch</i> himself in another part of the pamphlet, +(Longman & Co., 1841, p. 23—6th Edit.) from which Sir Robert Peel is quoting, +"that land is more heavily taxed than any other species of property in the country—and +that its owners are clearly entitled to insist that a duty should be laid on +foreign corn when imported, sufficient fully to countervail the excess of burdens +laid upon the land."</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><p><a id="footnote15" name="footnote15"></a><a href="#footnotetag15"> [15] </a> Speech, pp. 9, 10.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Now for the "<i>Sliding Scale</i>."</p> + +<p>"I just here repeat the opinion +which I have declared here before, and +also in the House of Commons, that I +cannot consent to substitute a fixed +duty of 8s. a-quarter on foreign corn, +for the present ascending and descending +scale of duties. I prefer the principle +of the ascending and descending +scale, to such an amount of fixed +duty. And when I look at the burdens +to which the land of this country +is subject, I do not consider the +fixed duty of 8s. a-quarter on corn +from Poland, and Prussia, and Russia, +where no such burdens exist, a +sufficient protection for it."<a id="footnotetag16" name="footnotetag16"></a><a href="#footnote16"><sup>16</sup></a></p> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><p><a id="footnote16" name="footnote16"></a><a href="#footnotetag16"> [16] </a> Do. p. 8.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Again—</p> + +<p>"If you disturb agriculture, and +divert the employment of capital from +the land, you may not increase your +foreign trade—for that is a thing to +dwell under existing circumstances—<i>but +will assuredly reduce the home +trade, by reducing the means to meet +the demand</i>, and thus permanently injure +yourselves also."<a id="footnotetag17" name="footnotetag17"></a><a href="#footnote17"><sup>17</sup></a></p> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><p><a id="footnote17" name="footnote17"></a><a href="#footnotetag17"> [17] </a> Do. p. 13.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Again—</p> + +<p>"I have come to the conclusion, +that the existing system of an ascending +and descending scale of duties, +should not be altered: and that, moreover, +we should as much as possible +make ourselves independent of a foreign +supply—and not disturb the +principle of the existing corn-laws—of +these corn-laws, which, when you +have an abundance of your own, exclude +altogether the foreign supply—and +when the price rises in this +country, freely admits it."<a id="footnotetag18" name="footnotetag18"></a><a href="#footnote18"><sup>18</sup></a></p> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><p><a id="footnote18" name="footnote18"></a><a href="#footnotetag18"> [18] </a> Speech, p. 15.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Again—he quoted the following +remarkable language of Lord Melbourne +on the 11th June 1840—</p> + +<p>"<i>Whether the object be to have a +fixed duty, or an alteration as to the +ascending and descending scale, I see +clearly and distinctly, that that object +will not be carried without a most violent +struggle—without causing much ill-blood, +and a deep sense of grievance—without +stirring society to its foundations, +and leaving behind every sort of +bitterness and animosity. I do not +think the advantages to be gained by +the change are worth the evils of the +struggle</i>."<a id="footnotetag19" name="footnotetag19"></a><a href="#footnote19"><sup>19</sup></a></p> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><p><a id="footnote19" name="footnote19"></a><a href="#footnotetag19"> [19] </a> Do. p. 18.</p></blockquote> + +<p>And Sir Robert Peel concluded the +foregoing summary of his views, on +the great questions then proposed to +the country for its decision, in the following +words:—</p> + +<p>"I ask your free suffrages, with +this frank and explicit declaration of +my opinions."<a id="footnotetag20" name="footnotetag20"></a><a href="#footnote20"><sup>20</sup></a></p> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><p><a id="footnote20" name="footnote20"></a><a href="#footnotetag20"> [20] </a> Do. p. 18.</p></blockquote> + +<p>On this, there occur to us three +questions—</p> + +<p>(1st.) Was this, or was it not, a +frank and explicit declaration of his +opinions? And, (2d.) Did it, or did +it not, as tested by the result of the +general election, completely satisfy +the country? (3d.) In what respect +has the subsequent conduct of Sir +Robert Peel been inconsistent with +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page108" id="page108"></a>[pg 108]</span> +these declarations? And we echo the +stern enquiry of the Duke of Wellington, +for "the <i>when</i>, the <i>where</i>, and the +<i>how</i>," "of Sir Robert Peel's deceiving +his supporters or the country"—and +"pause for a reply." Failing to +receive any—for none can be given, +except in the negative—we shall proceed +to condense the substance of this +memorable manifesto into a few +words; offer some general observations +designed to assist in forming a +correct judgment upon the topics discussed +in the ensuing pages; and then +give as fair an outline as we know +how to present, of the "DOINGS" of +Sir Robert Peel and his Government, +by way of comment upon, and illustration +of his previous and preparatory +"SAYINGS."</p> + +<p>What, then, was the substance of +Sir Robert Peel's declaration, on presenting +himself before the country as +a candidate for the office which he +fills? He avowed himself a man of +moderate political opinions; recognized +the existence of manufacturing +and commercial distress, but referred +it to causes of only a temporary nature, +unconnected with the corn-laws; +repudiated the empirical expedients +proposed by the late ministry; +and pledged himself to maintain the +principle of protection to our agricultural +interests; declaring his deliberate +preference of a sliding scale of +duties, to a fixed duty, upon foreign +corn.</p> + +<p>The first of the observations to which +we beg the reader's earnest attention, +is—that Sir Robert Peel has <i>to govern +by means of a Reformed House of +Commons</i>. It is for want of well considering +this circumstance, that one +or two respectable sections of the +Conservative party have conceived +some dissatisfaction at the line of +policy adopted by Sir Robert Peel. +They forget that, as we have already +stated, the <i>Tory</i> party was nearly +destroyed by the passing of the Reform +Bill; that from its ashes rose +the CONSERVATIVE party, adapted to +the totally new political exigencies of +the times; its grand object being, as +it were, out of the elements of democracy +to arrest the progress of democracy. +The bond of its union was +correctly described by its founder, as +consisting in attachment to the fundamental +institutions of the country—non-opposition +to rational changes +rendered requisite by the altered circumstances +of the times—but determination +to maintain, on their ancient +footing and foundation, our great institutions +in Church and State. Keeping +these grand objects ever in view, +the true policy to be adopted was to +widen the foundations on which should +stand "that new party <i>which was to +draw, from time to time, its strength from +its opponents</i>." None saw this more +clearly than Sir Robert Peel—and +hence the "<i>moderation</i>," indispensable +and all-powerful, which he prescribed +to himself, and recommended +to all those who chose to act with +him, and the steady acting upon which +has at length conducted them to their +present splendid position of power +and responsibility. Could the government +of the country be now carried +on upon principles that were all-powerful +twenty—or even fewer—years +ago? No more than Queen +Victoria could govern on the principles +of Queen Elizabeth! We must look +at things, not as they were, or as we +would wish them to be—but as they +are and are likely to be. He is unable +to take a just and comprehensive +view of political affairs in this country—of +the position of parties, and the +tendency of the principles respectively +advocated by them, who does not see +that the great and only contest now +going on, is between <i>conservative</i> and +<i>destructive</i>. We say boldly—and we +are satisfied that we say it in conformity +with the opinions of the +immense majority of persons of intelligence +and property—that the forces +which would drive Sir Robert +Peel's Government from office would +immediately and inevitably supply +their places by a Government which +must act upon destructive principles. +This will not be believed by many of +those who, moving in the circumscribed +sphere of intense party feeling, +can contemplate only one object, +namely—a return to power, and disregard +the intentions of the fierce +auxiliaries of whose services they +would avail themselves. To the country +at large, however, who breathe a +freer air, the true nature of the struggle +is plain as the sun at noonday. +The number of those who only nominally +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page109" id="page109"></a>[pg 109]</span> +belong to parties, but have a very +deep stake in the preservation of our +national institutions, and see distinctly +the advantages of a Minister acting +<i>firmly</i> on moderate principles, and +who will consequently give him a <i>silent</i> +but steady support in moments of +danger, is infinitely larger than is supposed +by the opponents of the Conservative +party. Such a Minister, +however, must make up his account +with receiving often only a cold and +jealous support from those of his adherents +who incline to extreme opinions; +while his opponents will increase +their zeal and animosity in proportion +to their perception of the unobjectionableness +of his measures, the practical +<i>working</i> of his moderation, viz.—his +continuance in power, and their +own exclusion from it. Such a Minister +must possess a large share of +fortitude, careless of its exhibition, +and often exposing him to the charge +of insensibility, as he moves steadily +on amongst disaffected supporters and +desperate opponents, mindless equally +of taunts, threats, reproaches, and +misrepresentations. He must resolve +to <i>bide his time</i>, while his well-matured +measures are slowly developing themselves, +relying on the conscious purity +of his motives. Such a man as this +the country will prize and support, +and such a man we sincerely believe +that the country possesses in the present +Prime Minister. He may view, +therefore, with perfect equanimity, a +degree of methodized clamour and +violence, which would overthrow a +Minister of a different stamp. Such +are the inconveniences—such the consolations +and advantages—attending +that course of <i>moderation</i> which alone +can be adopted with permanent success, +by a Conservative Minister +governing with a reformed House of +Commons.</p> + +<p>Another observation we would offer, +has for its object to abate the pique +and vexation under which the ablest +volunteer advisers of the Minister are +apt to suffer, on his disregard of their +counsels, and sometimes to revenge +themselves by bitter and indiscriminate +censure of his general policy. +They should remember, that while +they are irresponsible volunteers, he +acts under a tremendous responsibility; +to sustain which, however, he has +advantages which none but those in +his situation can possibly possess—the +co-operation of able brother Ministers, +with all those sources and means of +universal information which the constitution +has placed at his disposal. +The superior knowledge of the circumstances +of the country thus acquired, +enable him to see insuperable objections +to schemes and suggestions, +which their proposers reasonably deem +to be palpably just and feasible. We +have often thought that if Sir Robert +Peel, or any other Prime Minister, were +to take one of these eager and confident +advisers into his cabinet, and calmly +exhibit to him the actual impossibility—the +imminent danger—of adopting +the course of procedure which that adviser +has been strenuously recommending, +he would go away with slightly +increased distrust of himself, and consideration +for the Minister. Neither +Sir Robert Peel, nor any other Minister, +would be so arrogantly stupid as +to disregard free information and advice, +<i>merely</i> because it came from such +persons, who, if they have no right to +expect their advice to be followed, +have yet a clear right to offer it, and +urge it with all their force.</p> + +<p>Again—The present Ministers had +the disadvantage (in some respects) +of succeeding to those, who, if they +could <i>do</i> nothing, made up for it by +<i>promising</i> every thing. Sir Robert +Peel and his friends, on the contrary, +made no promises whatever, beyond +what would indeed be implied by acceptance +of office—namely, honestly +to endeavour to govern the country, +for the permanent good of the country. +While admitting the existence +of great distress, they expressly admitted +also, that they saw no mode of +sudden relief for that distress, but +would trust to the energies of the +country gradually recovering themselves, +under steady and cautious +management. Sir Robert Peel frankly +stated in the House of Commons, just +previously to the dissolution in 1841, +that he had no hope of an immediate +return of prosperity; and that such +had become the state of our domestic +and foreign embarrassments, that "we +must for years expect to struggle with +difficulty." This was their language on +the eve of the general election, yet the +country placed confidence in their honour +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page110" id="page110"></a>[pg 110]</span> +and capacity, heartily sickened of +the prodigal <i>promises</i> of their opponents. +The extravagant visionary hopes which +they held forth at the eleventh hour, +in their frenzied eagerness to obtain a +majority at the last election, are still +gleaming brightly before the eyes of +numbers of their deluded supporters; +imposing on the present Government +the painful and ungracious duty of +proving to them that such hopes and +expectations cannot be realized, even +for a brief space, without breaking up +the foundations of our national existence +and greatness.</p> + +<p>Lastly. Can the Conservatives be +expected in TWO years' time to repair +all the evils resulting from a TEN years' +gross mismanagement of the national +affairs by their predecessors? "The +evil that they did, <i>lives after them</i>." But +for the fortunate strength of the Conservative +party, moreover, in opposition, +and the patriotism and wisdom +of the house of Lords, the late Ministers +would, by the time of their expulsion +from office, have rendered the +condition of the country <i>utterly</i> desperate—for +very nearly desperate it +assuredly was. Their vacillating, inconsistent, +wild, and extravagant conduct +during these ten years, had generated +an universal sense of insecurity +and want of confidence among all the +great interests of the country, which +locked up capital—palsied enterprise. +Trade and commerce drooped daily, +and the revenue melted away rapidly +every year. Great things were justly +expected from the practical skill and +experience possessed by the new Government; +but <i>time</i> is requisite for the +development of a policy which had, +and still has, to contend against such +numerous and formidable obstacles. +Confidence, especially mercantile confidence, +is a delicate flower, of slow +growth, and very difficult to rear. A +breath may blight it. It will bloom +only in a tranquil and temperate air. +If ever there was a man entitled to +speak, however, with authority upon +this subject, it was Mr Baring, the late +candidate, and unquestionably the future +member, for the city of London—a +man constantly engaged in vast mercantile +transactions in all parts of the +globe, and whose ability equals his +experience. In the presence of a great +number of gentlemen, representing +two-thirds of the wealth and intelligence +of the city of London, thus +spoke Mr Baring, on the 6th October +1843:—"I rejoice that Sir Robert +Peel did not hold out to the country +the fallacious hope, that, by any particular +measure, he could restore prosperity, +or cure sufferings which were +beyond the reach of legislation, and +that he patiently relied upon the resources +and energies of the country to +set trade and commerce right. That +expectation is already beginning to +be realized. That calm reliance is +already justified. I am speaking in +the presence of those who are as much +as, if not more conversant with business +than, myself, and they will contradict +me if I am not right when I +say, that great symptoms of improvement +in the trade and industry of the +country have manifested themselves; +which symptoms are of such a nature, +that they do not appear to be the result +of momentary excitement produced +by some fallacious experiment, +but of the paramount re-establishment +of commerce, and of a fresh era in the +prosperity of the empire. I am asked +what have the Government done? +Why, they have <i>restored</i> CONFIDENCE +to the country! They have terminated +wars, they have restored confidence +at home, and commanded respect +abroad."</p> + +<p>Now, however, for the DOINGS of +the Government; and of those we +shall take no more detailed or extended +notice than is requisite, in our +opinion, to exhibit the general system +and <i>plan</i> of their procedure, and show +its complete consistency with the declaration +of opinions made by Sir Robert +Peel previous to the general election +of 1841.</p> + +<p>It will be borne in mind, that the +then existing distress in our commercial +and manufacturing interests he +referred to three <i>temporary</i> causes:—the +undue stimulus which had been +given to industry in the manufacturing +districts—by the accommodation system +pursued in the joint-stock banks, +the troubled and hostile condition of +almost all those foreign countries +which used to be the best customers for +our manufactures, and the two or three +preceding defective harvests. The +first of these was not of a nature to call +for, or perhaps admit of, direct and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page111" id="page111"></a>[pg 111]</span> +specific legislative interference. It +originated in a vicious system of contagious +private speculation, which has +involved many thousands of those engaged +in it in irredeemable, shall we +add <i>deserved</i>, disgrace and ruin—and +which had better, perhaps, be left to +work its own cure. The last of the +three causes was one to which all +mankind is every where subject, and +which is in a great measure beyond +the reach of effective human interference. +Before proceeding to explain +the steps taken to remedy the second, +viz., our distracted foreign relations, +let us premise briefly for the present, +that the very earliest acts of Ministers +showed how profoundly sensible they +were of the necessity of doing <i>something</i>, +and that promptly, to relieve the +grievous distress under which the +lower orders were suffering, and at the +same time afford a safe, effective, and +permanent stimulus to trade and commerce. +A comprehensive survey of +the state, not only of our own but +foreign commercial countries, satisfied +them, as practical men, of the serious +difficulties to be here contended with. +The steps they took, after due deliberation—viz., +the proposing the new +tariff and the new corn-law—we shall +presently refer to. Let us now point +out <i>the income-tax</i> as a measure reflecting +infinite credit upon those who +had the sagacity and resolution to propose +it. We shall not dwell upon this +great <i>temporary</i> measure, which in +one year has poured upwards of <i>five +millions</i> into the exhausted exchequer, +further than to say, that as soon as +ever it was known among the monied +classes, that the Minister, environed +as he was with financial difficulties, +would risk any amount of popular +odium rather than add to the permanent +burdens of the country, or permit +the ruinous continuance of an excess +of expenditure over revenue. As soon +as this was evident, we say, the great +monied interests of the kingdom recognized +in Sir Robert Peel an honest +minister, and gave him forthwith its +complete confidence, which has never +since been for an instant withdrawn +from him. And how great are the obligations +of that vast portion of the +most suffering classes of the community, +whom he exempted from this +extraordinary contribution to the burdens +of the state!</p> + +<p>But now for <i>foreign affairs</i>. May +not the present Ministers look with +just pride towards every quarter +of the globe, and exclaim, <i>Quæ regio +in terris nostri non plena laboris?</i> In +truth their success here has been sufficient +to set up half a dozen Ministers—as +is known to no man better +than Lord Palmerston. The Duke of +Wellington and Lord Aberdeen have +restored peace to the whole world, +re-establishing it on a footing of dignified +security and equality. By the +persevering energy, the calm determination, +and inexhaustible resources +of Lord Aberdeen, "the winter of +our discontent," has been "made glorious +summer," with all the great +powers of the world. Look at our +glorious but irritable neighbour—France: +is there any language too +strong to express the delight which +we feel at the renovated sympathy +and affection which exist between us?</p> + +<p>We cannot answer for France to the +extent which we can for England; +but we know, that through the length +and breadth of <i>this</i> land—our beloved +Queen's familiar visit to the King of +the French, their affectionate greeting, +and her Majesty's enthusiastic reception +by the people, diffused a feeling +of joy and affection towards France, +which will not soon—nay, should it +ever?—subside. But would that visit +have taken place, if Lord Palmerston, +and not Lord Aberdeen, had presided +over the foreign councils of this country? +'Tis a disagreeable question, +and we pass on. Then as to America, +thanks to the mission of Lord +Ashburton, peace has been secured +between us, on terms equally honourable +to both. We are now at peace +with the United States—a peace not +to be disturbed by the (to Whiggish +eyes) <i>promising</i> (!!) aspect of the +Oregon difficulties—which we tell our +aforesaid friends will end in—<i>nothing +at all</i>—[It is not, by the way, <i>the +fault of our Government</i>, that this disputed +matter was not embraced by +the Washington Treaty.]—While Lord +Palmerston and his doleful ally, the +<i>Morning Chronicle</i>, were daily stigmatizing +the treaty of Washington, as +highly dishonourable and disadvantageous +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page112" id="page112"></a>[pg 112]</span> +to this country, it may interest +our readers to see what one of +the disaffected <i>American</i> senators had +to say on the subject. Thus spoke, +in the senate, Mr Benton, a well-known +member of congress:—</p> + +<blockquote><p> +"The concessions of Great Britain +to the United States are small. The +territory granted to the United States, +is of such a nature, that it will never +be of importance to hold it, while the +possessions given up by the United +States are important and valuable to +them, and have the effect of admitting +a foreign power within a territory +which was granted to the United +States, by the treaty of 1783. * * +When I see the Government giving up +more than Great Britain demanded, +I cannot conceal my amazement and +mortification!" +</p></blockquote> + +<p>Glancing, however, from the West +to the East—what do we see? Wars +in India and China, brought gloriously +to an advantageous termination.—"Wars," +to adopt the language of +one of the greatest mercantile authorities +living, "which have been deranging +our money transactions, and +making our trade a trade of hazard +and speculation, most injurious to the +commerce of the empire at large."</p> + +<p>While, on the one hand, we are relieved +from the ruinous drain upon +our resources, occasioned by our protracted +warlike operations in India +and China, on the other, a prospect is +opened to us, by the immensely important +treaty into which the Emperor of +China has entered with this country, +of very great and permanent commercial +advantages, which are already +being realized. Let our manufacturers, +however, beware of the danger of forfeiting +these advantages, by excessive +eagerness to avail themselves of these +newly acquired markets. Twelve-months +ago, we earnestly warned them +on this score,<a id="footnotetag21" name="footnotetag21"></a><a href="#footnote21"><sup>21</sup></a> and we now as earnestly +repeat that warning; "Notwithstanding," +observed an able French +journalist, a few weeks ago, upon this +subject, "the opening of five ports to +European commerce, China will for +many years preserve her internal laws, +her eccentric tastes, her inveterate +habits. China is the country of routine +and immovability. The treaty +with Great Britain cannot modify the +nature of China in a few months. <i>If +the English are not prudent in their exports, +if they overload the newly opened +ports with foreign produce, they will +injure themselves more than they were +injured by the war just concluded.</i>" In +every word of this we concur: but +alas! what weight will such considerations +have with the agitating manufacturers +in the north of England? +Their fierce but short-sighted anxiety +to make rapid fortunes, will make most +of them, in a very few years, melancholy +evidences of the justness of our +observations! We cannot pass from +the East without noticing the sound +statesmanship which is regulating all +Lord Ellenborough's leading movements +in India—a matter now universally +admitted. How unspeakably +contemptible and ridiculous has the +lapse of a few months rendered the +petty clamours against him, with which +the ex-ministerial party commenced +their last year's campaign! Without, +however, travelling round the entire +circle of our foreign connexions and +operations—there are one or two points +to which we will briefly refer, as striking +instances of the vigilant and indefatigable +energy, and the powerful +diplomatic influence of Lord Aberdeen, +especially with reference to the securing +commercial advantages to this +country—and which has extorted the +following testimony, during the present +month (December,) from another +French journal, by no means favourably +disposed to this country:—"The +English Government is incontestably +the best served of all Governments in +the means of obtaining new, and extending +old markets, and in the rapid +and complete knowledge of the course +to be adopted to ensure the sale of the +immense products of Great Britain in +different parts of the globe." Take +for instance the case of Russia. We +have actually succeeded in wringing +from the tenacious and inflexible Cabinet +of St Petersburg an important +commercial advantage! On Lord +Aberdeen's accession to office, he found +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page113" id="page113"></a>[pg 113]</span> +Russia in the act of aiming a fatal +blow at a very important branch of +our shipping trade, by levying a differential +duty on all British vessels +conveying to Russian ports any goods +which were not the produce of the +British dominions. After, however, +a skilful and very arduous negotiation, +our foreign secretary has succeeded +in averting that blow—and we retain +the great advantages of which +we were about to be deprived. Nor +has this signal advantage been purchased +by any sacrifice on the part of +Great Britain, but only by a permission, +founded on most equitable principles, +for Russian vessels arriving here +from Russian ports with the produce +of Russian Poland, to possess the +same privileges as if they had come +direct from Russian ports: Russian +Poland being able to communicate effectively +with the sea, only through +the Prussian territory. Look again +at Brazil—which has also been recently +the object of persevering and +energetic negotiation on the part of +Lord Aberdeen. It is true that, at +present, his exertions have been attended +with no direct success; but we +have doubts whether the importance +of the proposed Brazilian treaty has +not, after all, been greatly exaggerated. +However this may be, Lord +Aberdeen is, at this moment, as strenuously +at work with the young emperor, +as could be desired by the most +eager advocate of a commercial treaty +with Brazil. But, suppose the emperor's +advisers should be disposed to +continue their obstinate and unreasonable +opposition, observe the gentle +pressure upon them, to be felt by and +by, which Lord Aberdeen has contrived +to effect by the commercial +treaty which he has concluded with +the contiguous republic of Monte Video, +and other states on the right bank +of the river Plata, for the admission +(on most favourable terms) of British +imports into these states. One of +them is the Uruguay republic, which +borders through a great extent of +country on Brazil, the Government of +which is utterly unable to prevent the +transfer of merchandise across the +border; whereby the exclusion of British +goods from the Brazilian territory +is rendered a matter of physical +impossibility.</p> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><p><a id="footnote21" name="footnote21"></a><a href="#footnotetag21"> [21] </a> Great Britain at the commencement of the 19th Century—January 1843—No. CCC.</p></blockquote> + +<p>It is true, that our efforts to enter +into commercial treaties with France +and Portugal have not, as yet, been +successful; but, formidable as are the +obstacles at present in existence, we +do not despair. Those least wonder +at the present position of affairs who +are best acquainted with the artificial +and complicated positions of the respective +countries, and their relations, +and consequent policy, towards each +other. Whatever can be done by man, +is at this moment being done by +Lord Aberdeen; and sooner than we +have at present a right to expect, his +indefatigable exertions may be crowned +with success—not only in these, +but in other quarters. All foreign +Governments must be strongly influenced +in such matters, by contemplating +a steady and strong Government +established in this country; and +that object they see more nearly and +distinctly every day. Such (without +entering into details which would be +inconsistent with either our space or +our present object) is the general result—namely, the rapidly returning +tide of prosperous commercial intercourse +of the foreign policy of Conservative +Government, which has +raised Great Britain, within the short +space of two years, to even a higher +elevation among the nations of the +world, than she had occupied before a +"Liberal Ministry undertook the government +of the country"—"a policy," +to adopt the equally strong and +just language of an able writer, "replete +with auspicious evidences of the +efficacy of intellect, combined with +firmness, activity, and integrity, in +restoring to wholesome and honourable +order a chaotic jumble of anomalies—of +humiliations and dangers—of +fears, hatred, and confusion thrice trebly +confounded."<a id="footnotetag22" name="footnotetag22"></a><a href="#footnote22"><sup>22</sup></a></p> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><p><a id="footnote22" name="footnote22"></a><a href="#footnotetag22"> [22] </a> Thoughts on Tenets of Ministerial Policy. By a Very Quiet Looker-on.—P. 22. Aylott, London, 1843.</p></blockquote> + +<p>While thus successfully active +abroad, have Ministers been either idle +or unsuccessful at home? Let us look +at their two main measures—the <i>new +tariff</i> and the <i>new corn-law</i>.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page114" id="page114"></a>[pg 114]</span> + +<p>The object of the first of these great +measures was twofold—to give a +healthy and speedy but permanent +stimulus to trade and commerce; and, +at the same time, to effect such a reduction +of price in the leading articles +of consumption as should greatly reduce +the cost of living—a boon, of +course, inexpressibly precious to the +poorer classes. Mark the moment +at which this bold and critical line +of policy was conceived and carried +into execution—namely, a moment +when the nation was plunged into +such a depth of gloom and distress as +had very nearly induced utter despair! +when there was a deficiency +of <i>five millions sterling in</i> the revenue +of the two preceding years, +and a certainty of greatly augmented +expenditure for the future, owing to +our wars in the East and elsewhere. +We say—<i>mark this</i>, in order to appreciate +a display of the true genius of +statesmanship. Foreseeing one effect +of such a measure, namely, a serious +reduction in the revenue derived from +the customs, and which would commence +with the bare <i>announcement</i> of +such a measure, the Government had +to consider whether it would prove +a permanent or only a temporary reduction, +and to act accordingly. After +profound consideration, they satisfied +themselves (whether justly or not remains +to be seen) that the diminution +of revenue would prove only temporary; +and to secure the <i>immediate</i> benefits +of the measure, they imposed a +temporary income-tax, the onerous +pressure of which was to cease as soon +as matters should have come round +again. That period they fixed at the +expiration of three years. After an +interval of two years, do their calculations +appear to have been well or ill +founded? Let us see. Early in +March 1842 they announced the proposed +new tariff, (instantly producing +the effect on the customs duties which +had been anticipated;) and succeeded +in bringing it into operation on the 9th +of the ensuing July. The deficiency +of revenue which ensued was so very +serious that it would have alarmed the +whole country, but for their confidence +in the firmness and sagacity of Ministers, +particularly as evidenced by their +announced measures. We have not at +the present moment before us the earliest +<i>quarterly</i> revenue returns of the +period referred to; but it will suffice +to state, that such had been the extent +of the reductions effected, that the deficiency +on the <i>year</i> ending on the 5th +October 1843, amounted to no less a +sum than L.1,136,000; the decrease +on the <i>quarter</i> ending on that day being +L.414,000. Still, however, each +succeeding quarter—or at least the +latter quarters—gave more satisfactory +indications of a rallying revenue; +and we are enabled to announce the +highly gratifying fact that, up to the +8th of the present month (December,) +the customs duties returns <i>are +of the most decisively improving character</i>. +The receipts of duties for the +port of London alone, during that period, +exceeds the receipt on the corresponding +period of last year by +L.206,000; while the returns from all +the outports, especially from Liverpool, +are of the same cheering character, +and warrant us in predicting that +the returns to be presented on the +5th of the ensuing month will afford a +most triumphant proof of the accuracy +of the Minister's calculations and +the success of his policy; for be it +borne in mind, moreover, that his income-tax +realized, in the year ending +on the 5th October last, the immense +sum of L.5,052,000. As far, therefore, +as concerns the direct <i>financial</i> +effects of the new tariff and its counterbalancing +income-tax, the results +of Sir Robert Peel's policy are such as +may stagger and confound the boldest +of his opponents.</p> + +<p>Now, however, for the two great objects +of the new tariff, which were declared +by Sir Robert Peel<a id="footnotetag23" name="footnotetag23"></a><a href="#footnote23"><sup>23</sup></a> to be "the +revival of commerce, and such an improvement +in the manufacturing interest, +as would react on every other +interest in the country; and diminishing +the prices of the articles of consumption +and the cost of living."</p> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><p><a id="footnote23" name="footnote23"></a><a href="#footnotetag23"> [23] </a> Hansard, Vol. lxi. Col. 439.</p></blockquote> + +<p>With respect to the first of these +objects, we had prepared a copious +explanation of the highly satisfactory +working of one great portion of the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page115" id="page115"></a>[pg 115]</span> +machine of the new tariff, viz. <i>the +relaxation of the taxes on the raw materials +of manufacture</i>; but it has occurred +to us, that the necessity of our +doing so has been entirely superseded +by the following very remarkable admission, +contained in a number of the +<i>Morning Chronicle</i> newspaper, published +towards the close of September +last; an invaluable admission, tending +to prove, out of the mouth of the bitterest +opponent of the present Ministry, +the general success of their domestic +policy:—"Notwithstanding +insurrection in Wales and agitation +in Ireland, there are various circumstances +in the present aspect of our +national affairs of an encouraging and +cheering nature. The first and most +prominent thing which strikes an observer, +is, the undoubted general revival +of trade and commerce. Every +thing seems to indicate that the morning +is breaking; that the dreary night +of disaster and suffering, through +which all our material interests have +been passing since 1836, is now well-nigh +over. The hum of busy industry +is once more heard throughout our +manufacturing districts; our seaports +begin once more to stir with business; +merchants on 'Change have smiling +faces; and the labouring population +are once more finding employment +easier of access; and wages are gently, +slowly rising. This has not come +upon us suddenly; it has been in operation +since the end of last year; but +so terrible was the depression, so gradual +the improvement, that the effects +of the revival could not be perceptible +till within a recent period. Our exports +of cotton and wool, during the +present year, very considerably exceed +those of a similar period in the preceding; +and though there might be +increase of export without increase of +profit, the simple fact that the districts +of our great manufacturing staples +are now more active and busy than +they have been for a very considerable +period, coupled with the apparently +well-founded belief that this increased +activity is produced, not by speculative +but genuine demand, are indications +of the most pleasing and gratifying +kind to all who are in the least +concerned about the prosperity of the +country. In addition to the improvement +manifested in our staple articles +of industry, other important interests +are showing symptoms of decided improvement; +even the iron-trade has +got over its 'crisis;' and though we +are very far indeed from having attained +to a condition of prosperity, +the steady, though slow, revival of +every branch of industry, is a proof +that the cause of the improvement +must be a general one, operating universally." +May we venture to suggest, +that the worthy editor of the +<i>Morning Chronicle</i> need not go about +with a lantern to discover this <i>cause</i>?—that it is every where before his very +eyes, under his very nose, in the form +of the bold, but sagacious and consistent, +policy pursued by the present +Government?</p> + +<p>With respect to the second great +object of the new tariff, viz., the +"Diminishing of the prices of the articles +of consumption and the cost of +living."</p> + +<p>Has <i>this</i> great object, or has it not, +been attained? Why, the reduced +price of provisions is a matter of universal +notoriety, and past all question. +Unable to contest the existence of +this most consolatory fact, the Opposition +papers endeavoured to get up a +diversion by frightening the farmers, +whom they assured, that the admission +of foreign live-stock would lead +to a fearful depreciation in the value +of British agricultural produce. The +graziers and cattle-dealers were forthwith +to find "their occupations gone." +British pasture farming was to be annihilated, +and an immense stimulus +given to that of our continental rivals. +Hereat the farmers pricked up +their ears, and began to consider for +a moment whether they should not join +in the outcry against the new tariff. +But the poor beasts that have come, +doubtless much to their own surprise, +across the water to us, looked +heartily ashamed of themselves, on +catching a glimpse of their plump, +sleek brother beasts in England—and +the farmers burst out a-laughing at +sight of <i>the lean kine that were to eat +up the fat ones</i>! The practical result +has been, that between the 9th of +July 1842, and the present time, +there have not come over foreign cattle +enough to make one week's show at +Smithfield. But mark, <i>the power</i> of +admitting foreign cattle and poultry, +(on payment, however, of a considerable +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page116" id="page116"></a>[pg 116]</span> +duty,<a id="footnotetag24" name="footnotetag24"></a><a href="#footnote24"><sup>24</sup></a>) conferred by the new +tariff, is one that must be attended +with infinite permanent benefits to the +public, in its <i>moderating influence upon +the prices of animal food</i>. Its working +is in beautiful harmony with that +of the newly modeled corn-laws, as +we shall presently explain. In years +of abundance, when plenty of meat is +produced at home, the new tariff will +be inoperative, as far as regards the +actual importations of foreign cattle; +but in years of scarcity at home, the +expectation of a good price will induce +the foreigner to send us a sufficient +supply; for he will then be, and +then only, able to repay himself the +duty, and the heavy cost of sea-carriage. +As prices fall, the inducement +to import also declines. In short, +"the inducement to importation falls +with the fall, and rises with the rise +of price. The painful contingency of +continued bad seasons has thus, in +some measure, been provided against. +The new tariff is so adjusted, that +when prices threaten to mount to an +unfair and extravagant height, unjust +to consumers, and dangerous to producers, +in such contingencies a mediating +power steps in, and brings things +to an equilibrium."<a id="footnotetag25" name="footnotetag25"></a><a href="#footnote25"><sup>25</sup></a> These great +and obvious advantages of the new +tariff, the opponents of Ministers, +and especially their reckless and discreditable +allies called the "Anti-corn-law +League," see as plainly as +we do; but their anxious aim is to +conceal these advantages as much as +possible from public view; and for this +purpose they never willingly make +<i>any allusion</i> to the tariff, or if forced +to do so, underrate its value, or +grossly misrepresent its operation. +But we are convinced that <i>this will not +do</i>. Proofs of their humbug and falsehood +are, as it were, daily <i>forcing +themselves into the very stomachs</i> of +those whom once, when an incompetent +Ministry was in power, these +heartless impostors were able to delude. +"A single shove of the bayonet," +said Corporal Trim to Doctor +Slop, "is worth all your fine discourses +about the art of war;" and so the +English operative may reply to the +hireling "Leaguers," "This good piece +of cheap beef and mutton, now smoking +daintily before me, is worth all +your palaver."</p> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><p><a id="footnote24" name="footnote24"></a><a href="#footnotetag24"> [24] </a> Poultry £5 for every £100 value; oxen and bulls, £1 each; cows, 15s.; +calves, 10s.; horses, mares, foals, colts, and geldings, £1 each; sheep, 3s. each; +lambs, 2s. each; swine and hogs, 5s. each—(Stat. 5 and 6 Vict. c. 47, Table A.)</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><p><a id="footnote25" name="footnote25"></a><a href="#footnotetag25"> [25] </a> Thoughts, &c., by a Quiet Looker-on, pp. 16, 17.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Before passing from the subject of +the new tariff, let us observe, that the +suddenness and vastness of its changes +(some of which we consider to be of +questionable propriety) for a time +unavoidably deranged mercantile operations; +and in doing so, as necessarily +produced many cases of individual +dissatisfaction and distress. Some of +the persons thus situated angrily quitted +the Conservative ranks for those +of the Opposition; others, for a position +of mortified neutrality: but we +believe that many more, notwithstanding +this sharp trial of their constancy, +remained true to their principles, +faithful to their party, and are +now rewarded by seeing things coming +rapidly round again, while unvarying +and complete success has attended +every other branch of the policy of Ministers. +We know a good deal of the +real state of opinion among the mercantile +classes of the City of London; +and believe we correctly represent it +averse to further changes in our tariff-system, +and coincident with the views +expressed by Mr Baring in his address +to the electors, when he deprecated +"a constant change, unsettling +men's minds, baffling all combinations, +destroying all calculations, paralysing +trade, and continuing the stagnation +from which we are recovering;" +and declared his belief "that the minister +who applies the principles of +free-trade with the most caution, deliberation, +and judgment, is the statesman +who merits the confidence of the +commercial world." We now, however, +quit the subject—interesting, indeed, +and all-important—of the tariff, +with the deliberate expression of our +opinion, that it is, taken as a whole, +a very bold, masterly, and successful +stroke of policy. Now for the NEW +CORN-LAW.</p> + +<p>But how shall we deal with a topic +with which the public has been +so utterly sickened by the people +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page117" id="page117"></a>[pg 117]</span> +calling themselves "The Anti-corn-law +League?" We do not, nevertheless, +despair of securing the attention +of our readers to the few +observations which we have to offer +upon a subject which, however hackneyed, +is one of paramount importance. +We are satisfied that nine out of every +ten even of newspaper readers turn with +disgust from the columns headed "Anti-corn-law +League," "Doings of the +League," "Great Meeting of the Anti-corn-law +League," and so forth; and, +(making every allowance for the exigencies +occasioned by the dearth of +topics while Parliament is not sitting,) +we are exceedingly surprised, that the +great London newspapers should inflict +upon their readers so much of the +slang and drivel of the gentry in question. +In the due prosecution of our +subject, we cannot avoid the topic of +the new corn-law, even were we so +disposed; and we shall at once proceed +to our task, with two objects in +view—to vindicate the course pursued +by Sir Robert Peel, and set forth, +briefly and distinctly, those truly admirable +qualities of the existing Corn-laws, +which are either most imprudently +misrepresented, or artfully kept +out of view, by those who are now +making such desperate efforts to overthrow +it. "Mark how a plain tale +shall set them down!"</p> + +<p>Whether foreign corn should be +admitted into this country on payment +of <i>fluctuating</i> duties, or a <i>fixed</i> +duty, or free of all duties, are obviously +questions of the highest importance, +involving extensive and complicated +considerations. Sir Robert +Peel, Lord John Russell, and the persons +banded together under the name +of "The Anti-corn-law League," may +be taken as representing the classes +of opinion which would respectively +answer these three questions in the +affirmative. All of them appealed to +the nation at large on the last general +election. The <i>form</i> in which the question +was proposed to the country, it +fell to the lot of the advocates of a +fixed duty to prescribe, and they +shaped it thus in the Queen's +speech:—</p> + +<blockquote><p> +"It will be for you to determine +whether the corn-laws do not aggravate +the natural fluctuations of supply; +whether they do not embarrass +trade, derange currency, and, by their +operation, diminish the comforts and +increase the privations of the great +body of the community." +</p></blockquote> + +<p>To this question the country returned +a deliberate and peremptory +answer in the NEGATIVE; expressing +thereby its will, that the existing system, +which admits foreign corn on +payment of <i>fluctuating</i> duties, should +continue. The country thus adopted +the opinions of Sir Robert Peel, rejected +those of Lord John Russell, +and utterly scouted those of the +"Anti-corn-law League," in spite of +all their frantic exertions.</p> + +<p>We believe that this deliberate decision +of the nation, is that to which +it will come whenever again appealed +to; and is supported by reasons of +cogency. The nation is thoroughly +aware of the immense importance of +upholding and protecting the agriculture +of the country, and that to secure +this grand object, it is necessary +to admit foreign corn into the country, +only when our deficiencies absolutely +require it. That <i>in</i> the operation of +the "<i>sliding-scale</i> of duties," and the +exact distinction between its effect +and that of the proposed <i>fixed</i> duty, +is demonstrably this: that the former +would admit foreign corn in dear +years, excluding it in seasons of abundance; +while the latter would admit +foreign corn in seasons of abundance, +and exclude it in dear years. Our +<i>present</i> concern, however, is with the +course taken by the present Government. +Have they hitherto yielded to +the clamour with which they have +been assailed, and departed from the +principle of affording efficient protection +to the agriculture of the country? +Not a hair's breadth; <i>nor will they</i>. +We have seen that Sir Robert Peel, +previously to the general election, declared +his determination to adhere to +the existing system of corn-laws, regulating +the admission of foreign corn +by the power of the sliding-scale of +duties; but both he and the leading +members of his party, had distinctly +stated in Parliament, just before its +dissolution, that while resolved to adhere +to the <i>principle</i> of a sliding-scale, +they would not pledge themselves +to adhere to all the <i>details</i> of +that scale. And they said well and +wisely, for there were grave objections +to some of those details. These objections +they have removed, and infinitely +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page118" id="page118"></a>[pg 118]</span> +added to the efficiency of the +sliding-scale; but in removing the +principal objections, they stirred a +hornet's nest—they rendered furious +a host of sleek gamblers in grain, +who found their "occupation gone" +suddenly! On the other hand, the +Government conferred a great substantial +benefit upon the country, +by securing a just balance between +protection to the British corn consumer +and producer; removing, at the +same time, from the latter, a long-existing +source of jealousy and prejudice. +A few words will suffice to explain +the general scope of those alterations. +Under they system established by +statute 9 Geo. IV. c. 60, in the year +1828, the duty on foreign corn, up to +the price of 68s. per quarter, was so +high, and declined so very slowly, +(L.1, 5s. 8d., L.1. 4s. 8d., L.1, 3s. 8d., +L.1, 2s. 8d., L.1, 1s. 8d., L.1, 0s. 8d., +18s. 8d.,) as to amount to a virtual +prohibition against importation. But +when the price mounted from 68s. to +72s. per quarter, the duty declined +with such great rapidity. (16s 8d., +13s. 8d., 10s. 8d., 6s. 8d., 2s. 8d.,) +as to occasion the alarming and frequently +recurring evils of glut and +panic. Now the following was the +mode in which these serious defects in +the law of 1828 were taken advantage +of by the aforesaid desperate and +greedy "rogues in grain," who are +utterly prostrated by the new system; +they entered into a combination, +for the purpose of raising the +apparent average price of corn, and +forcing it up to the point at which +they could import vast quantities of +foreign corn at little or no duty. Thus +the price of corn was rising in England—the +people were starving—and +turned with execration against those +into whose pockets the high prices +were supposed to go, viz., the poor +farmers; whereas those high prices +really were all the while flowing silently +but rapidly into the pockets of +the aforesaid "rogues in grain"—the +gamblers of the Corn Exchange!—Ministers +effected their salutary alterations, +by statute 5 and 6 Vict. c. 14, +in the following manner:—They substituted +for the former duties of 10s. +8d. per quarter, when the price of +corn was 70s. per quarter, and 1s. +when the price was 73s.; a duty of +4s. when the price of corn is 70s. per +quarter, and made the duty fall gradually, +shilling by shilling, with the +rise of price, to 3s., 2s., and 1s. Thus +are at one blow destroyed all the inducements +formerly existing for corn-dealers +to "hold" their foreign corn, +in the hopes of forcing up the price of +corn to starvation-point, viz., the low +duty, every inducement being now given +them to <i>sell</i>, and none to speculate. +Another important provision for preventing +fraudulent combinations to +raise the price of corn, was that of +greatly extending the averages, and +placing them under regulations of salutary +stringency.</p> + +<p>So far, then, from evincing a disposition +to trifle with, or surrender, the +principle of the sliding-scale, the Government +have, with infinite pains and +skill, applied themselves to effect such +improvements in it as will secure its +permanency, and a better appreciation +of its value by the country at large, +with every additional year's experience +of its admirable qualities. There is a +perfect identity of principle, both working +to the same good end, between the +existing corn-law and the new tariff. +Their combined effect is to oppose +every barrier that human wisdom and +foresight can devise, against dearth +and famine in England: securing an +abundant supply of corn and meat from +abroad, whenever our own supply is +deficient; but up to that point protecting +our home producers, whose direct +interest it will henceforth be to +supply us at fair and moderate prices. +It is the cunning policy of the heterogeneous +opponents of the existing corn-laws, +to speak of them as "doomed" by +a sort of universal tacit consent; to +familiarise the public with the notion +that the recent remodeling of the system +is to be regarded as constituting +it into nothing more than a sort of +transition-measure—a stepping-stone +towards a great fundamental change, +by the adoption of "a fixed duty," +some say—"a total repeal," say the +Anti-corn-law League. But those +who think thus, must be shallow and +short-sighted indeed, and have paid +very little real attention to the subject, +if they have failed to perceive in +the existing system itself all the marks +of completeness, solidity, and permanence; +and, in the successful pains that +have been taken to bring it to a higher +degree of perfection than before, a determination +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page119" id="page119"></a>[pg 119]</span> +to uphold it—a conviction +that it will long continue the law of +the land, and approved of as such by +the vast majority of those who represent +the wealth and intellect of the +kingdom, and have the deepest stake +in its well-being.</p> + +<p>As for a total repeal of the corn-laws, +no thinking man believes that +there is the remotest prospect of such +a thing; but many imagine that a fixed +duty would be a great change for the +better, and a safe sort of compromise +between the two extreme parties. Can +any thing be more fallacious? We hesitate +not to express our opinion, that +the idea of maintaining a fixed duty +on corn is an utter absurdity, and that +Lord John Russell and his friends +know it to be so, and are guilty of +political dishonesty in making such a +proposal. They affect to be friends +of the agricultural interest, and satisfied +of the necessity for protection to +that body; and yet they acknowledge +that their "<i>fixity</i>" of duty is of precisely +the same nature as the "finality" +of the Reform bill, viz.—to last only +till the first pressure shall call for an +order in council. Does any one in his +senses believe that any Minister could +abide by a fixed duty with corn at +the price of 70s., with a starving, +and therefore an agitating and rebellious +population? A fixed duty, under +all times and circumstances, is a glaring +impossibility; and, besides, is it not +certain that the period for the issue of +an order in council will be a grand +object of speculation to the corn importer; +and that he will hoard, and +create distress, merely to force out +that order? And the issuing of that +order would depend entirely on the +strength or the necessity of the Minister: +on his "Squeezableness"—his +anxiety for popularity. Does the experience +of the last ten years justify +the country in placing confidence, on +such a point, in a <i>Whig</i> Ministry? In +every point of view, the project of a +fixed duty is exposed to insuperable +objections. It is plain that on the very +first instant of there being a pressure +upon the "fixed duty," it must give +way, and for ever. Once off, it is gone +for ever; it can never be re-imposed. +Again, what is to govern the <i>amount</i> +at which it is to be fixed? Must it be +the additional burden on land? or the +price at which foreign countries, with +their increased facilities of transport, +and improved cultivation of their soil, +would be able to deliver it in the +British markets? What <i>data</i> have +we, in either case, on which to decide? +Let it, however, always be borne in +mind, by those who are apt too easily +to entertain the question as to either +a fixed duty, or a total repeal of duty, +that the advantages predicted by the +respective advocates of those measures +are <i>mere assumptions</i>. We +have no experience by which to try +the question. The doctrines of free +trade are of very recent growth; the +<i>data</i> on which its laws are founded +are few, and also uncertain. And +does any one out of Bedlam imagine, +that any Minister of this country would +consent to run such tremendous risks—to +try such experiments upon an +article of such immense importance +to its well-being? Let us never lose +sight of Lord Melbourne's memorable +words:—"Whether the object +be to have a fixed duty, or an alteration +as to the ascending and descending +scale, I see clearly and distinctly, +that the object will not be carried +without a most violent struggle—without +causing much ill-blood, and a +deep sense of grievance—without stirring +society to its foundation, and +leaving every sort of bitterness and +animosity. I do not think the advantages +to be gained by the +change are worth the evils of the +struggle."<a id="footnotetag26" name="footnotetag26"></a><a href="#footnote26"><sup>26</sup></a></p> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><p><a id="footnote26" name="footnote26"></a><a href="#footnotetag26"> [26] </a> Debates, 11th June 1840.</p></blockquote> + +<p>To return, however. Under the +joint operation of the three great +measures of the Government—the +income-tax, the new tariff, and the +new corn-law, our domestic affairs +exhibit, at this moment, such an +aspect of steadily returning prosperity, +as not the most sanguine +person living could have imagined +possible two years ago. For the +first time after a miserable interval, +we behold our revenue exceeding our +expenditure; while every one feels +satisfied of the fact, that our finances +are now placed upon a sound and solid +basis, and daily improving. Provisions +are of unexampled cheapness, +and the means of obtaining them are—thank +Almighty God!—gradually increasing +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page120" id="page120"></a>[pg 120]</span> +among the poorer classes. +Trade and commerce are now, and +have for the last six months been +steadily improving; and we perceive +that a new era of prosperity is beginning +to dawn upon us. We have a +strong and united Government, evidently +as firmly fixed in the confidence +of the Queen as in that of the +country, and supported by a powerful +majority in the House of Commons—an +annihilating one in the House of +Lords. The reign of order and tranquillity +has been restored in Wales, +and let us also add, in Ireland, after +an unexampled display of mingled determination +and forbearance on the +part of the Government. Chartism is +defunct, notwithstanding the efforts +made by its dishonoured and discomfited +leaders to revive it. When, in +short, has Great Britain enjoyed a +state of more complete internal calm +and repose than that which at present +exists, notwithstanding the systematic +attempts made to diffuse alarm and +agitation? Do the public funds exhibit +the slightest symptoms of uneasiness +or excitement? On the contrary, +ever since the accession of the present +Government, there has been scarce +any variation in them, even when the +disturbances in the manufacturing districts +in the north of England, and in +Wales, and in Ireland, were respectively +at their height. Her Majesty +moves calmly to and fro—even quitting +England—her Ministers enjoy +their usual intervals of relaxation and +absence from town—all the movements +of Government go on like clockwork—no +symptoms visible any where +of feverish uneasiness. But what say +you, enquires a timid friend, or a bitter +opponent, to the Repeal agitation +in Ireland, and the Anti-corn-law +agitation in England? Why, we say +this—that we sincerely regret the mischief +which the one has done, and is +doing, in Ireland, and the other in +England, among their ignorant and +unthinking dupes; but with no degree +of alarm for the stability of the Government, +or the maintenance of public +tranquillity and order. Ministers are +perfectly competent to deal with both +the one and the other of these two +conspiracies, as the chief actors in the +one have found already, and those in +the other will find, perhaps, by and +by; if, indeed, they should ever become +important or successful enough +to challenge the notice and interference +of the Government. A word, +however, about each, in its turn.</p> + +<p>The Anti-corn-law League has in +view a two-fold object—the overthrow +of the present Ministry whom they +abhor for their steadfast and powerful +support of the agricultural interest;—and +the depression of the wages of +labour, to enable our manufacturers +(of whom the league almost exclusively +consists) to compete with the +manufacturers on the Continent. +Their engine for effecting their purposes, +is the Repeal of the corn-laws; +and they are working it with +such a desperate energy, as satisfies +any disinterested observer, that they +themselves perceive the task to be all +but utterly hopeless. They were confounded +by the result of the general +election, and dismayed at the accession +to power of men whom they +knew to be thoroughly acquainted +with their true objects and intentions, +and resolved to frustrate them, and +able to carry their resolutions into +effect. The ominous words of Sir +Robert Peel—"I think that the connexion +of the manufacturers in the +north of England with the joint-stock +banks, gave an undue and improper +impulse to trade in that quarter of the +country"—rang in their ears as a +knell; and told them that they were +<i>found out</i> by a firm and sagacious +Minister, whom, therefore, their sole +object thenceforth must be to overthrow +<i>per fas aut nefas</i>. For this +purpose they adopted such an atrocious +course of action, as instantly +deprived them of the countenance of +all their own moderate and reasoning +friends, and earned for themselves the +execration of the bulk of the community:—they +resolved to inflame the +starving thousands in the manufacturing +districts into acts of outrage +and rebellion. They felt it necessary, +in the language of Mr Grey, one of +their own principal men, in order "<i>to +raise the stubborn enthusiasm of the +people</i>," (!) to resort to some desperate +expedient—which was—immediately +on Sir Robert Peel's announcing his +determination, early in 1842, to preserve, +but improve, the existing system +of the corn-laws—to reduce the +wages of all their work-people to the +amount of from ten to twenty per +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page121" id="page121"></a>[pg 121]</span> +cent. This move originated with the +<i>Stockport</i> manufacturers. We have +little doubt but it was the suggestion +of Mr Cobden; and are quite prepared +for a similar move during the +ensuing session of Parliament. But +was not—is not—this a species of moral +arson? The Government calmly +carried their measure: the outbreak +(which we firmly believe to have been +concerted by the Anti-corn-law +League) in Lancashire arrived, and +was promptly and resolutely, but +mercifully repressed; and thus was +extinguished the guilty hopes and expectations +of its contrivers; and Ministers +were left stronger at the close +of the session than they had been at +its commencement. They resolved +to open a new campaign against Ministers +and the Corn-laws—greatly +to augment their numbers and pecuniary +resources—to redouble their exertions, +and immensely to extend the +sphere of their operations. They <i>did</i> +augment their pecuniary resources, +by large forced contributions among +the few persons most deeply interested +in the success of their schemes; +namely, the Lancashire manufacturers—they +<i>did</i> redouble their exertions—they +<i>did</i> extend the sphere +of their operations, spreading themselves +over the whole length and +breadth of the land, even as did +the plague of lice over Egypt. But +did they augment the number of their +friends? Not a person of the least +political or personal importance could +be prevailed upon to join their discreditable +ranks; it remained as before:—Cobden +and Bright—Bright and Cobden—Wilson, +Bright, and Cobden—Milner +Gibson, Fox, Bright +and Cobden—<i>ad nauseam usque</i>; but, +like a band of travelling incendiaries, +they presented themselves with indefatigable +energy in places which had +never known their presence before. +And how comes it to pass that they +have not long since kindled at least +the manufacturing population into a +blaze? Is it any fault of the aforesaid +incendiaries? No—but because +there is too much intelligence abroad, +they could not do what they would—"<i>raise +the stubborn enthusiasm</i>" of the +people. In one quarter they were +suspected—in another despised—in +another hated; and it became a very +general impression that they were, in +fact, a knot of double dealers, who +certainly contrived to make a great +noise, and keep themselves perpetually +before the public; but as for getting +the steam "up," in the nation at +large, they found it impossible. In +truth, the "Anti-corn-law League" +would have long ago been dissolved +amidst the indifference or contempt of +the public, but for the countenance +they received, from time to time, and +on which they naturally calculated, +from the party of the late Ministers, +whose miserable object was to secure +their own return to power by means +of any agency that they could press +into their service. But, to return to our +sketch of the progress of the "League." +Admitting that, by dint of very great +and incessant exertion, they kept their +ground, they made little or no progress +among the mercantile part of the +community; and they resolved to try +their fortune with the agricultural constituencies—to +sow dissension between +the landlords and the tenants, the farmers +and their labourers, and combine +as many of the disaffected as they +could, in support of the clamour for free +trade. This was distinctly avowed by +Cobden, at a meeting of the Anti-corn-law +deputies, in the following +very significant terms: "<i>We can +never carry the measure ourselves</i>: WE +MUST HAVE THE AGRICULTURAL LABOURERS +WITH US!!"<a id="footnotetag27" name="footnotetag27"></a><a href="#footnote27"><sup>27</sup></a></p> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><p><a id="footnote27" name="footnote27"></a><a href="#footnotetag27"> [27] </a> League Circular, No. xxx. p. 3.</p></blockquote> + +<p>They therefore proceeded to commence +operations upon the agricultural +constituencies. They knew they +could always reckon upon a share of +support wherever they went—it being +hard to find any country without its +cluster of bitter and reckless opponents +of a Conservative government, who +would willingly aid in any demonstration +against it. With such aid, and +indefatigable efforts to collect a crowd +of noisy non-electors: with a judicious +choice of localities, and profuse +bribery of the local Radical newspapers, +in order to procure copious +accounts of their proceedings—they +commenced their "grand series of +country triumphs!" Their own organs, +from time to time, gave out that +in each and every county visited by +the League, the <i>farmers</i> attended their +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page122" id="page122"></a>[pg 122]</span> +meetings, and joined in a vote condemnatory +of the corn-laws, and +pledged themselves to vote thereafter +for none but the candidates of the +Anti-corn-law League!</p> + +<p>The following are specimens of the +flattering appellations which had till +now been bestowed, by their new +friends, upon these selfsame farmers—"<i>Bull-frogs!"</i> +"<i>chaw-bacons!" </i>"<i>clod-poles!</i>" +"<i>hair-bucks!</i>" "<i>deluded +slaves!</i>" "<i>brute drudges!</i>"<a id="footnotetag28" name="footnotetag28"></a><a href="#footnote28"><sup>28</sup></a> Now, +however, they and their labourers were +addressed in terms of respectful sympathy +and flattery, as the victims of +the rapacity of their landlords—on +whom were poured the full phials of +Anti-corn-law wrath. The following +are some of the scalding drops let fall +upon their devoted heads—<i>"Monster +of impiety!" "inhuman fiend!" +"heartless brutes!" "rapacious harpies!" +"relentless demons!" "plunderers +of the people!" "merciless footpads!" +"murderers!" "swindlers!" +"insatiable!" "insolent!" "flesh-mongering!" +"scoundrel!" "law-making +landlords!" "a bread-taxing oligarchy!"</i><a id="footnotetag29" name="footnotetag29"></a><a href="#footnote29"><sup>29</sup></a> +Need we say that the authors +of these very choice and elegant expressions +were treated with utter contempt +by both landlords and tenants—always +making the few allowances +above referred to? Was it very likely +that the landlord or the farmer should +quit their honourable and important +avocations at the bidding of such creatures +as had thus intruded themselves +into their counties? should consent +to be yoked to the car, or to follow in +the train of these enlightened, disinterested, +and philanthropic cotton-spinners +and calico-printers? Absurd! +It became, in fact, daily more +obvious to even the most unreflecting, +that these worthies were not +likely to be engaged in their "labours +of <i>love</i>;" were not <i>exactly</i> the kind of +persons to desert their own businesses, +to attend out of pure benevolence that +of others—to let succumb their own +interest to promote those of others; +to subscribe out of the gains which +they had wrung from their unhappy +factory slaves, their L.10, L.20, L.30, +L.50, L.100, out of mere public spirit +and philanthropy.</p> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><p><a id="footnote28" name="footnote28"></a><a href="#footnotetag28"> [28] </a> League Circular, No. 10.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><p><a id="footnote29" name="footnote29"></a><a href="#footnotetag29"> [29] </a> Ibid. Nos. 26, 29, 44, 50, 71, 83, 94, 99, 100.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Still, we say, the whole thing was +really a failure—the "steam," even +yet, could not be "got up," in spite of +all their multiplied agencies and machinery, +incessantly at work—the unprecedented +personal exertions of the +members of the league—the large +pecuniary sacrifices of the Lancashire +subscribers to its funds. One more +desperate exertion was therefore felt +necessary—and they resolved to attempt +getting up a <i>sensation</i>, by the +sudden subscription of splendid +sums of money, by way of starting +a vast fund, with which to operate +directly upon the entire electoral +body—in what way, it is not +very difficult to guess. Accordingly, +they began—but where? At the old +place—Manchester!—Manchester!—<i>Manchester!</i> +Many thousands were +subscribed at an hour's notice by a +mere handful of manufacturers; the +news came up to London—and the +editor of the <i>Times</i>, in a transient +fit of excitement, pronounced "the +existence of the League" to be a +GREAT FACT. Upon this phrase +they have lived ever since—till somewhat +roughly reminded the other +day, by Mr Baring, that "great +<i>facts</i>" are very "<i>great follies!</i>" +Now let us once more ask the question—would +all these desperate and +long-continued exertions and sacrifices—(all +proceeding, be it ever observed, +from <i>one</i> quarter, and from the same +class of people—nay, the same individuals +of that class)—be requisite, +were there any <i>real movement of the +public mind and feeling</i> against the +Corn-laws? Are they not requisite +solely because of the <i>absence</i> of any +such movement? Nay, are they not +evidence that the public feeling and +opinion are against them? And that, +perhaps, they will by and by succeed +in rousing the "stubborn enthusiasm +of the people" against themselves? +Where has there been called one single +spontaneous public meeting of any +importance, and where exhibited a +spark of enthusiasm, for the total repeal +of the Corn-laws? Surely the +<i>topic</i> is capable of being handled in a +sufficiently exciting manner! But no; +wherever a "meeting," or "demonstration," +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page123" id="page123"></a>[pg 123]</span> +is heard of—there, also, are +the eternal Cobden, Bright and Wilson, +and their miserable fellow-agitators, +who alone have got up—who +alone harangue the meetings. Was +it so with Catholic Emancipation?—with +the abolition of Negro Slavery?—with +the Reform Bill? Right or +wrong, the public feeling was then +roused, and exhibited itself unequivocally, +powerfully, and spontaneously; +but <i>here</i>—bah! common sense revolts +at the absurd supposition that even +hundreds of thousands of pounds can +of themselves get up a real demonstration +of public feeling in favour of the +object, for which so much Manchester +money has been already subscribed.</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>"'Tis not in <i>thousands</i> to command success."</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>If the public opinion of this great +country—this great enlightened nation—were +<i>really</i> roused against the Corn-laws, +they would disappear like snow +under sunshine. But, as the matter +<i>now</i> stands, if their dreary drivellers +Cobden, Bright, Wilson, Acland, W.J. +Fox, were withdrawn from the +public scene in which they are so +anxious to figure, and sent to enjoy +the healthy exercise of the tread-mill +for one single three months, would +this eternal "<i>brutum fulmen</i>" about the +repeal of the Corn-laws be heard of +any more? We verily believe not. +"But look at our triumphs!"—quoth +Cobden—"Look at our glorious victories +at Durham, London, and Kendal!—our +virtual victory at Salisbury!" +Moonshine, gentlemen, and you know +it;—and that you have spent your +money in vain. Let us see how the +matter stands.</p> + +<p>I. <i>Durham</i>. True, Mr Bright was +returned; but to what is the House +of Commons indebted for the acquisition +of that distinguished senator, except +the personal pique and caprice of +that eccentric Tory peer, Lord Londonderry? +This is notorious, and admitted +by all parties; and these causes +will not be in operation at another +election.</p> + +<p>II. <i>London</i>. And do you really +call this a "great triumph?" Undoubtedly +Mr Pattison was returned; +but is it a matter of congratulation that +this notorious political nonentity, who +openly, we understand, entertains and +will support <i>Chartist</i> opinions, is returned +instead of such a man as Mr Baring? +What was the majority of Mr Pattison? +One hundred and sixty-five, +out of twelve thousand eight hundred +and eighty-nine who actually voted. +And how was even that majority secured? +By the notorious absence from +London—as is always the case at that +period of the year (21st October 1843)—of +vast numbers of the stanchest +Conservative electors. There is no +doubt whatever, that had the election +happened one fortnight later than it +did, Mr Baring would have been returned +by a large majority, in spite of +the desperate exertions of the Anti-corn-law +League and Mr Rothschild +and the Jews. As it was, Mr Baring +polled more (6367) than had ever been +polled by a Conservative candidate for +London before; and had an immense +majority over his competitor, among +the superior classes of the constituency.<a id="footnotetag30" name="footnotetag30"></a><a href="#footnote30"><sup>30</sup></a> +At another election, we can +confidently predict that Mr Baring +will be returned, and by a large majority, +unless, indeed, the Charter +should be the law of the land; in +which case Mr Pattison will probably +enjoy another ovation.</p> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><p><a id="footnote30" name="footnote30"></a><a href="#footnotetag30"> [30] </a> Among the <i>Livery</i>, the numbers were—Baring, 3196; Pattison, 2367;—majority +for Baring, 889!</p> + +<p>Among the <i>Templars</i>—Baring, 258; Pattison, 78!!—majority for Baring, 180!</p></blockquote> + +<p>III. <i>Kendal</i>. Is this, too, a victory? +"Another such, and you are undone." +Why? Till Mr Bentinck presented +himself before that enlightened little +constituency, no Conservative dared +even to offer himself; 'twas a snug +little stronghold of the Anti-corn-law +League interest, and yet the gallant +Conservative gave battle against +the whole force of the League; and +after a mortal struggle of some fourteen +days, was defeated by a far +smaller majority than either friends +or enemies had expected, and has +pledged himself to fight the battle +again. Here, then, the League and +their stanch friends have sustained +an unexpected and serious shock.</p> + +<p>IV. <i>Salisbury</i>.—We have not the +least desire to magnify this into a +mighty victory for the Conservative +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page124" id="page124"></a>[pg 124]</span> +party; but the interference of the +Anti-corn-law League certainly made +the struggle a very critical and important +one. We expected to succeed, +but not by a large majority; for ever +since 1832, the representation had +(till within the last year) been divided +between a Conservative and a Liberal. +However, the Anti-corn-law League, +flushed with their "triumphs" at +London and Kendal, flung all their +forces ostentatiously into the borough, +and exhibited a disgusting and alarming +specimen of the sort of interference +which it seems we are to expect +in all future elections, in all counties +and boroughs. It was, however, in +vain; the ambitious young gentleman +who had the benefit of their services, +and who is a law-student in London, +but the son of the great Earl of Radnor, +lost his election by a large majority, +and the discomfited League +retired ridiculously to Manchester. +When we heard of their meditated +descent upon Salisbury, we fancied +we saw Cobden and his companions +waddling back, geese-like, and exclaimed—</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>"Geese! if we had you but on Sarum plain,</p> +<p>We'd drive you cackling back to Camelot!"</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>So much for the boasted electoral +triumphs of the Anti-corn-law League—we +repeat, that they are all mere +moonshine, and challenge them to +disprove our assertion.</p> + +<p>They are now making another desperate +effort to raise a further sum of +a hundred thousand pounds; and beginning, +as usual, at Manchester, have +raised there alone, within a few days' +time, upwards of L.20,000! The fact +(if <i>true</i>) is at once ludicrous and disgusting: +ludicrous for its transparency +of humbug—disgusting for its palpable +selfishness. Will these proverbially +hard-hearted men put down their +L.100, L.200, L.300, L.400, L.500, +for nothing? Alas, the great sums +they have expended in this crusade +against the Corn-laws, will have to +be wrung out of their wretched and +exhausted factory slaves! For how +otherwise but by diminishing wages can +they repay themselves for lost time, +for trouble, and for expense?</p> + +<p>Looked at in its proper light, the +Corn-law League is nothing but <i>an +abominable conspiracy against labour</i>. +Cheap <i>bread</i> means cheap <i>labour</i>; +those who cannot see this, must be +blind indeed! The melancholy fact +of the continually-decreasing price of +labour in this country, rests on undisputable +authority—on, amongst others, +that of Mr Fielding. In 1825, the +price of labour was 51 per cent less +than in 1815; in 1830 it was 65 per +cent less than in 1815, though the consumption +of cotton had increased from +80,000,000 lbs. to 240,000,000 lbs.! +In 1835 it was 318,000,000 lbs., but +the operative received 70 per cent less +than in 1815. In 1840 the consumption +of cotton was 415,000,000 lbs., +and the unhappy operative received +75 per cent less than in 1815!</p> + +<p>If proofs be required to show that in +reality the deadly snake, <i>cheap labour</i>, +lurks among the flourishing grass, <i>cheap +bread</i>, we will select one or two out of +very many now lying before us, and +prepared to be presented to the +reader.</p> + +<p>"If grain be high," said Mr Ricardo, +in the House of Commons,<a id="footnotetag31" name="footnotetag31"></a><a href="#footnote31"><sup>31</sup></a> +"the price of labour would necessarily +be a deduction from the <i>profits of +stock</i>." "The Corn-laws raise the +price of sustenance—that has <i>raised +the price of labour</i>; which, of course, +diminishes the profit in capital."<a id="footnotetag32" name="footnotetag32"></a><a href="#footnote32"><sup>32</sup></a></p> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><p><a id="footnote31" name="footnote31"></a><a href="#footnotetag31"> [31] </a> Debates, May 30, 1820.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><p><a id="footnote32" name="footnote32"></a><a href="#footnotetag32"> [32] </a> Ib. Dec. 24, 1819.</p></blockquote> + +<p>"Until the price of food in this +country," said Mr Hume, in the House +of Commons on the 12th of May +last, in the presence of all the leading +free-trade members, "is placed +on a level with that on the Continent, +it will be impossible for us to +compete with the growing manufactures +of Belgium, Germany, France, +and America!!"</p> + +<p>Hear a member of the League, and +of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, +Mr G. Sandars:—</p> + +<blockquote><p> +"If three loaves instead of two +could be got for 2s., in consequence +of a repeal of the Corn-laws, another +consequence would be, that the workman's +2s. would be reduced to 1s. 4d., +which would leave matters, as far +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page125" id="page125"></a>[pg 125]</span> +as he was concerned, just as they +were!!"<a id="footnotetag33" name="footnotetag33"></a><a href="#footnote33"><sup>33</sup></a> +</p></blockquote> + + +<blockquote class="footnote"><p><a id="footnote33" name="footnote33"></a><a href="#footnotetag33"> [33] </a> Authentic Discussions on the Corn-law, (Ridgway, 1839,) p. 86.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Hear a straightforward manufacturer—Mr +Muntz, M.P.—in the debate +on the 17th May last:—</p> + +<blockquote><p> +"If the Corn-laws were repealed, +the benefit which the manufacturer +expected was, that he could produce +at a lower price; and this he could +do only by reducing wages to the continental +level!!" +</p></blockquote> + +<p>If the above fail to open the eyes of +the duped workmen of this country, +what will succeed in doing so? Let +us conclude this portion of our subject—disgusting +enough, but necessary to +expose imposture—with the following +tabular view, &c., of the gross contradiction +of the men, whom we wish to +hold up to universal and deserved +contempt, on even the most vital +points of the controversy in which they +are engaged; and then let our readers +say whether any thing proceeding from +such a quarter is worthy of notice:—</p> + +<hr /> + + +<p>The <i>League Oracle</i> says—</p> +<br/> + +<p>1. "If we have free trade, the landlords' +rents will fall 100 per cent."—(<i>League +Circular</i>, No. 15. p. 3.)</p> + +<p>2. "Provisions will fall one-third."—(Ib. +No. 34, p. 4.)</p> + +<p>"The Corn-laws makes the labourer +pay double the price for his food."—(Ib. +No. 15.)</p> + +<p>3. "The Corn-law compels us to pay +<i>three times the value for a loaf of bread</i>."—(Ib. +No. 13.)</p> + +<p>"If the Corn-laws were abolished, the +working man WOULD SAVE 31/2d. UPON +EVERY LOAF OF BREAD."—(Ib. No. 75.)</p> + +<p>"As a consequence of the repeal of +the Corn-laws, <i>we promise cheaper food</i>, +and our hand-loom weavers would get +<i>double</i> the rate of wages!"—(Ib. No. 7.)</p> + +<p>"We shall have <i>cheap bread</i>, and its +price will be reduced 33 per cent."—(Ib. +No. 34.)</p> + +<p>4. Messrs Villiers, Muntz, Hume, +Roche, Thornton, Rawson, Sandars, (all +Leaguers,) say, and the oracle of the +<i>League</i> itself has said, that "We want +free trade, to enable us to <i>reduce wages</i>, +that we may compete with foreigners."—(<i>Post</i>, +pp. 13-16.)</p> + +<p>5. The <i>League Oracle</i> admits that "a +repeal would <i>injure</i> the farmer, but not +so much as he fears."—(<i>League Circular</i>, +No. 58.)</p> + +<br/> +<p>Mr Cobden says—</p> +<br/> + +<p>1. "If we have free trade, the landlords +will have as good rents as now."—(Speech +in the House of Commons, 15th +May last.)</p> + +<p>2. "Provisions will be no cheaper."—(Speech +at Bedford, <i>Hertford Reformer</i>, +10th June last.)</p> + +<p>3. "THE ARGUMENT FOR CHEAP +BREAD WAS NEVER MINE."—(<i>Morning +Chronicle</i>, 30th June 1843, Speech on +Penenden Heath.)</p> + +<p>"THE IDEA OF LOW-PRICED FOREIGN +CORN IS ALL A DELUSION."—SPEECH AT +Winchester, <i>Salisbury Herald</i>, July 29, +1843, p. 3.</p> + +<p>4. Messrs Cobden, Bright, and Moore, +now affirm—"It is a base falsehood to +say we want free trade, to enable us to +reduce the rate of wages."—(Mr Cobden +on Penenden Heath. Messrs +Bright and Moore at Huntingdon.)</p> + +<p>5. Cobden, Moore, and Bright, say, +that it is to the <i>interest</i> of the farmer to +have a total and <i>immediate</i> repeal.—(Uxbridge, +Bedford, Huntingdon.<a id="footnotetag34" name="footnotetag34"></a><a href="#footnote34"><sup>34</sup></a></p> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><p><a id="footnote34" name="footnote34"></a><a href="#footnotetag34"> [34] </a> Extracted from a very admirable speech by Mr Day of Huntingdon, (Ollivier, +1843,) and which we earnestly recommend for perusal.</p></blockquote> + +<hr /> + +<p>The disgusting selfishness and hypocrisy +of such men as Cobden and +his companions, in veiling their real +objects under a pretended enmity to +"Monopoly" and "Class Legislation"—and +disinterested anxiety to +procure for the poor the blessings of +"cheap bread"—fills us with a just +indignation; and we never see an account +of their hebdomadal proceedings, +but we exclaim, in the language +of our immortal bard—</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>"Oh, Heaven! that such impostors thoud'st unfold,</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page126" id="page126"></a>[pg 126]</span> +<p>And put in every honest hand a whip,</p> +<p>To lash the rascals naked through the land!"</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>While we repeat our deliberate opinion, +that the Anti-corn-law League, +as a body, is, in respect of actual present +influence, infinitely less formidable +than the vanity and selfish purposes +of its members would lead them +to wish the country to believe—we +must add, that it is quite another +question how long it will continue so. +It may soon be converted—if indeed +it has not already been secretly converted, +into an engine of tremendous +mischief, for other purposes than any +ever contemplated by its originators. +Suppose, in the next session of parliament, +Ministers were to offer a law-fixed +duty on corn: would that concession +dissolve the League? Absurd—they +have long ago scouted the idea of so +ridiculous a compromise. Suppose +they effected their avowed object of a +total repeal of the Corn-laws—is any +one weak enough to imagine that they +would <i>then</i> dissolve? No—nor do they +<i>now</i> dream of such a thing; but are +at the present moment, as we are informed, +"<i>fraternizing</i>" with other political +societies of a very dangerous +character, and on the eve of originating +serious and revolutionary movements. +Their present organization is +precisely that of the French Jacobins; +their plan of operation the same. Let +any one turn to <i>The League Circular</i> +of the 18th November, and he will see +announced a plan of action on the part +of this Association, precisely analagous, +in all its leading features, to +that of the French Jacobins: and +we would call the attention of the +legislature to the question, whether +the Anti-corn-law League, in its most +recent form of organization and plan +of action, be not clearly within the +provisions of statutes 57 Geo. III., c. +19, § 25 and 39; Geo. III., c. 79? +What steps, if any, the legislature +may take, is one thing; it is quite +another, what course shall be adopted +by the friends of the Conservative +cause—the supporters of the British +constitution. It is impossible to assign +limits to the mischief which may +be effected by the indefatigable and +systematic exertions of the League to +diffuse pernicious misrepresentations, +and artful and popular fallacies, among +all classes of society. That they entertain +a fearfully envenomed hatred +of the agricultural interest, is clear; +and their evident object is to render +the landed proprietors of this country +objects of fierce hatred to the inferior +orders of the community. "If a man +tells me his story every morning of my +life, by the year's end he will be my +master," said Burke, "and I shall believe +him, however untrue and improbable +his story may be;" and if, whilst +the Anti-corn-law League can display +such perseverance, determination, +and system, its opponents obstinately +remain supine and silent, +can any one wonder if such progress +be not made by the League, in their +demoralizing and revolutionary enterprize, +that it will soon be too late to +attempt even to arrest?</p> + +<p>If this Journal has earned, during +a quarter of a century's career of unwavering +consistency and independence, +any title to the respect of the +Conservative party, we desire now to +rely upon that title for the purpose of +adding weight to our solemn protest +against the want of union and energy—against +the apathy, from whatever +cause arising—now but too visible. In +vain do we and others exert ourselves +to the uttermost to diffuse sound political +principles by means of the press; +in vain do the distinguished leaders of +our party fight the battles of the constitution +with consummate skill and +energy in parliament—if their exertions +be not supported by corresponding +energy and activity on the part of +the Conservative constituencies, and +those persons of talent and influence +professing the same principles, by +whom they can, and ought to be, +easily set in motion. It is true that +persons of liberal education, of a high +and generous tone of feeling, of intellectual +refinement, are entitled to +treat such men as Cobden, Bright, and +Acland, with profound contempt, and +dislike the notion of personal contact +or collision with them, as representatives +of the foulest state of ill +feeling that can be generated in the +worst manufacturing regions—of sordid +avarice, selfishness, envy, and malignity; +but they are active—ever up +and doing, and steadily applying themselves, +with palatable topics, to the +corruption of the hearts of the working +classes. So, unless the persons +to whom we allude choose to cast +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page127" id="page127"></a>[pg 127]</span> +aside their morbid aversions—to be +"UP AND AT them," in the language +of the Duke of Waterloo—why then +will be verified the observation of +Burke—that "if, when bad men combine, +the good do not associate, they +will fall, one by one—an unpitied sacrifice +in a contemptible struggle." +Vast as are our forces, they can effect +comparatively nothing without union, +energy, and system: <i>with</i> these, their +power is tremendous and irresistible. +What we would say, therefore, is—ORGANIZE! +ORGANIZE! ORGANIZE! +Let every existing Conservative club +or association be stirred up into increased +action, and <i>put into real working +trim</i> forthwith; and where none +such clubs or associations exist, let +them be immediately formed, and set +into cheerful and spirited motion. +Let them all be placed under the vigilant +superintendence of one or two +<i>real men of business</i>—of local knowledge, +of ability, and influence. We +would point out Conservative solicitors +as auxiliaries of infinite value +to those engaged in the good cause; +men of high character, of business +habits, extensive acquaintance with +the character and circumstances of +the electors—and capable of bringing +legitimate influence to bear upon +them in a far more direct and effective +manner than any other class +of persons. One such gentleman—say +a young and active solicitor, with +a moderate salary, as permanent secretary +in order to secure and, in +some measure, requite his services +throughout the year—would be worth +fifty <i>dilletante</i> "friends of the good +cause dropping in every now and +then," but whose "friendship" evaporates +in mere <i>talk</i>. Let every local +Conservative newspaper receive constant +and substantial patronage; for +they are worthy of the very highest +consideration, on account of the ability +with which they are generally +conducted, and their great influence +upon local society. Many of them, to +our own knowledge, display a degree +of talent and knowledge which would +do honour to the very highest metropolitan +journals. Let them, then, be +vigorously supported, their circulation +extended through the influence of the +resident nobility and gentry, and the +clergy of every particular district +throughout the kingdom. Let no +opportunity be missed of exposing the +true character of the vile and selfish +agitators of the Anti-corn-law league. +Let not the league have all the "publishing" +to themselves; but let their +impudent fallacies and falsehoods be +<i>instantly</i> encountered and exposed on +the spot, by means of small and cheap +tracts and pamphlets, which shall +bring plain, wholesome, and important +truths home to the businesses and +bosoms of the very humblest in the +land. Again, let the resident gentry +seek frequent opportunities of mingling +with their humbler neighbours, +friends, and dependents, by way of +keeping up a cordial and hearty good +understanding with them, so as to +rely upon their effective co-operation +whenever occasions may arise for political +action.</p> + +<p>Let all this be done, and we +may defy a hundred Anti-corn-law +Leagues. Let these objects be kept +constantly in view, and the Anti-corn-law +League will be utterly palsied, +had it a hundred times its present +funds—a thousand times its present +members!</p> + +<p>Let us now, however, turn for a +brief space to Ireland; the present +condition of which we contemplate +with profound concern and anxiety, +but with neither surprise nor dismay. +As far as regards the Government, +the state of affairs in Ireland bears at +this moment unquestionable testimony +to the stability and strength of the +Government; and no one know this +better than the gigantic impostor, to +whom so much of the misery of that +afflicted portion of the empire is owing. +He perceives, with inexpressible +mortification, that neither he nor his +present position awake any sympathy +or excitement whatever in the kingdom +at large, where the enormity of +his misconduct is fully appreciated, +and every movement of the Government +against him sanctioned by public +opinion. The general feeling is +one of profound disgust towards him, +sympathy and commiseration for his +long-plundered dupes and of perfect +confidence that the Government will +deal firmly and wisely with both. As +for a <i>Repeal of the Union</i>! Pshaw! +Every child knows that it is a notion +too absurd to be seriously dealt with; +that Great Britain would rather plunge +<i>instanter</i> into the bloodiest civil war that +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page128" id="page128"></a>[pg 128]</span> +ever desolated a country, than submit +to the dismemberment of the empire +by repealing the union between Great +Britain and Ireland. This opinion has +had, from time to time, every possible +mode of authentic and solemn expression +that can be given to the national +will; in speeches from the Throne; +in Parliamentary declarations by the +leaders of both the Whig and Conservative +Governments; the members +of both Houses of Parliament are +(with not a single exception worth +noticing) unanimous upon the subject; +the press, whether quarterly, monthly, +weekly, or daily, of all classes and +shades of political opinions, is unanimous +upon the subject; in society, +whether high or low, the subject is +never broached, except to enquire +whether any one can, for one moment, +seriously believe the Repeal of the +Union to be possible. In Ireland itself, +the vast majority of the intellect, +wealth, and respectability of the island, +without distinction of religion or politics, +entertains the same opinion and +determination which prevail in Great +Britain. Is Mr O'Connell ignorant of +all this? He knows it as certainly as +he knows that Queen Victoria occupies +the throne of these realms; and +yet, down to his very last appearance +in public, he has solemnly and perseveringly +asseverated that the Repeal +of the Union is an absolutely certain +and inevitable event, and one that will +happen within a few months! <i>Is he +in his senses?</i> If so, he is speaking +from his knowledge of some vast and +dreadful conspiracy, which he has organized +himself, which has hitherto +escaped detection. The idea is too +monstrous to be entertained for a moment. +What, then, can Mr O'Connell +be about? Our opinion is, that his +sole object in setting on foot the Repeal +agitation, was to increase his +pecuniary resources, and at the same +time overthrow Sir Robert Peel's Government, +by showing the Queen and +the nation that his admitted "<i>chief</i> +difficulty"—Ireland—was one <i>insuperable</i>; +and that he must consequently +retire. We believe, moreover, that +he is, to a certain extent, acting upon +a secret understanding with the party +of the late Government, who, however, +never contemplated matters being +carried to their present pitch; but +that the Ministry would long ago have +retired, terrified before the tremendous +"demonstration" in Ireland. +We feel as certain as if it were a past +event, that, had the desperate experiment +succeeded so far as to replace +the present by the late Government, +Mr O'Connell's intention was to have +announced his determination to "<i>give +England</i> ONE MORE trial"—to place +Repeal once more in abeyance—in +order to see whether England would +really, at length, do "<i>justice</i> to <i>Ireland</i>;" +in other words, restore the +halcyon days of Lord Normanby's +nominal, and Mr O'Connell's real, +rule in Ireland, and enable him, by +these means, to provide for himself, +his family, and dependents; for old +age is creeping rapidly upon him—his +physical powers are no longer equal +to the task of vigorous agitation—and +he is known to be in utterly +desperate circumstances. The reckless +character of his proceedings during +the last fifteen months, is, in our +opinion, fully accounted for, by his +unexpected discovery, that the ministry +were strong enough to defy any +thing that he could do, and to continue +calmly in their course of administering, +not <i>pseudo</i>, but real "justice +to Ireland," supported in that course +by the manifest favour and countenance +of the Crown, overwhelming +majorities in Parliament, and the decided +and unequivocal expression of +public opinion. His personal position +was, in truth, inexpressibly galling +and most critical, and he must have +agitated, or sunk at once into ignominious +obscurity and submission to a +Government whom, individually and +collectively, he loathed and abhorred. +Vain were the hopes which, doubtless, +he had entertained, that, as his agitation +assumed a bolder form, it would +provoke formidable demonstrations in +England against Ministers and their +policy; not a meeting could be got up +to petition her Majesty for the dismissal +of her Ministers! But it is quite +conceivable that Mr O'Connell, in the +course he was pursuing, forgot to consider +the possibility of developing a +power which might be too great for +him, which would not be wielded by +him, but carry <i>him</i> along with <i>it</i>. The +following remarkable expressions fell +from the perplexed and terrified agitator, +at a great dinner at Lismore in +the county of Waterford, in the month +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page129" id="page129"></a>[pg 129]</span> +of September last:—"Like the heavy +school-boy on the ice, <i>my pupils are +overtaking me</i>. It is now my duty to +regulate the vigour and temper the +energy of the people—to compress, as +it were, the exuberance of both."</p> + +<p>We said that Mr O'Connell revived +the Repeal agitation; and the fact was +so. He first raised it in 1829—having, +however, at various previous +periods of his life, professed a desire +to struggle for Repeal; but Mr Shiel, +in his examination before the House +of Commons in 1825, characterized +such allusions as mere "rhetorical +artifices." "What were his real motives," +observes the able and impartial +author of <i>Ireland and its Rulers</i><a id="footnotetag35" name="footnotetag35"></a><a href="#footnote35"><sup>35</sup></a>, +"when he announced his new agitation +in 1829, can be left only to him +to determine." It is probable that +they were of so mixed a nature, that +he himself could not accurately define +them.... It is, however, quite +possible, that, after having so long +tasted of the luxuries of popularity, +he could not consent that the chalice +should pass from his lips. Agitation +had, perhaps, begun to be necessary +to his existence: a tranquil life would +have been a hell to him." It would +seem that Mr O'Connell's earliest recorded +manifesto on Repeal was on +the 3d June 1829, previous to the +Clare election, on which occasion he +said—"We want political excitement, +in order that we may insist on our +rights as Irishmen, but not as Catholics;" +and on the 20th of the same +month in the same year, 1829, he predicted—listen +to this, ye his infatuated +dupes!—"<i>that</i> BEFORE THREE YEARS +THERE WOULD BE A PARLIAMENT IN +DUBLIN!!!" In the general elections +of 1832, it was proclaimed by Mr +O'Connell, that no member should be +returned unless he solemnly pledged +himself to vote for the Repeal of the +Union; but it was at the same time +hinted, that <i>if they would only enter +the House as professed Repealers, they +would never be required to</i> VOTE <i>for +Repeal</i>. On the hustings at the county +of Waterford election, one of these +gentry, Sir Richard Keave, on being +closely questioned concerning the real +nature of his opinion on Repeal, let +out the whole truth:—"<i>I will hold it +as an imposing weapon to get justice to +Ireland</i>." This has held true ever +since, and completely exemplifies all +the intervening operations of Mr +O'Connell. It has been his practice +ever since "to connect every grievance +with the subject of Repeal—to convert +every wrongful act of any Government +into an argument for the necessity +of an Irish Legislature." Can +it be wondered at that the present +Government, thoroughly aware of +the true state of the case—<i>knowing +their man</i>—should regard the cry +for Repeal simply as an imposture, +its utterers as impostors? They did +and do so regard it and its utterers—never +allowing either the one or the +other to disturb their administration +of affairs with impartiality and firmness; +but, nevertheless, keeping a +most watchful eye upon all their +movements.</p> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><p><a id="footnote35" name="footnote35"></a><a href="#footnotetag35"> [35] </a> pp. 43, 50.</p></blockquote> + +<p>At length, whether emboldened by +a conviction that the non-interference +of the Government was occasioned +solely by their incapacity to grapple +with an agitation becoming hourly +more formidable, and that thus his +schemes were succeeding—or impelled +onwards by those whom he had roused +into action, but could no longer +restrain—his movements became daily +characterized by more astounding +audacity—more vivid the glare of +sedition, and even treason, which +surrounded them: still the Government +interfered not. Their apparent +inaction most wondered, very many +murmured, some were alarmed, and +Mr O'Connell laughed at. Sir Robert +Peel, on one occasion, when his attention +was challenged to the subject in +the House of Commons, replied, that +"he was not in the least degree +moved or disturbed by what was passing +in Ireland." This perfect calmness +of the Government served to +check the rising of any alarm in the +country; which felt a confidence of +the Ministry's being equal to any exigency +that could be contemplated. +Thus stood matters till the 11th July +last, when, at the close of the debate +on the state of Ireland, Sir Robert +Peel delivered a very remarkable +speech. It consisted of a calm demonstration +of the falsehood of all the +charges brought by the Repealers +against the imperial Parliament; of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page130" id="page130"></a>[pg 130]</span> +the impolicy and the impracticability +of the various schemes for the relief +of Ireland proposed by the Opposition; +of the absolute impossibility of +Parliament entertaining the question +of a Repeal of the Union; and a distinct +answer to the question—"What +course do you intend to pursue?" +That answer is worthy of being distinctly +brought under the notice of +the reader. "I am prepared to administer +the law in Ireland upon principles +of justice and impartiality. I +am prepared to recognise the principle +established by law—that there +shall be equality in civil privileges. +I am prepared to respect the franchise, +to give substantially, although +not nominally, equality. In respect to +the social condition of Ireland—<i>as to +the relation of landlord and tenant</i><a id="footnotetag36" name="footnotetag36"></a><a href="#footnote36"><sup>36</sup></a>—I +am prepared to give the most deliberate +consideration to the important +matters involved in those questions. +With respect to the Established +Church, I have already stated that we +are not prepared to make an alteration +in the law by which that Church +is maintained."</p> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><p><a id="footnote36" name="footnote36"></a><a href="#footnotetag36"> [36] </a> In conformity with this declaration, has been issued the recent commission, +for "enquiring into the state of the law and practice in respect to the occupation +of land in Ireland, and in respect also to the burdens of county cess and other +charges, which fall respectively on the landlord and occupying tenant, and for +reporting as to the amendments, if any, of the existing laws, which, having due +regard to the just rights of property, may be calculated to encourage the cultivation +of the soil, to extend a better system of agriculture, and to improve the relation +between landlord and tenant, in that part of the United Kingdom."</p></blockquote> + +<p>We recollect being greatly struck with +the ominous calmness perceptible in +the tone of this speech. It seemed +characterised by a solemn declaration +to place the agitation of Ireland for +ever in the <i>wrong</i>—to deprive them of +all pretence for accusing England of +having misgoverned Ireland since the +Union. It appeared to us as if that +speech had been designed to lay the +basis of a contemplated movement +against the agitation of the most decisive +kind. The Government acted +up to the spirit of the declaration, on +that occasion, of Sir Robert Peel, with +perfect dignity and resolution, unmoved +by the taunts, the threats, the +expostulations, or fears of either enemies +or friends. Mr O'Connell's tone +increased in audacity; but we greatly +doubt whether in his heart he had not +frequent misgivings as to the real nature +of the "<i>frightful silence</i>"—"<i>cette +affreuse silence</i>"—of a Government in +whose councils the Duke of Wellington +took a decided part, and which was +actually at that moment taking complete +military occupation of Ireland. +On what information they were acting, +no one knew; but their preparations +were <i>for the worst</i>. During all this +time nothing could exceed the tranquillity +which prevailed in England. +None of these threatening appearances, +these tremendous preparations, caused +the least excitement or alarm; the +funds did not vary a farthing per cent +in consequence of them; and to what +could all this be ascribed but to the +strength of public confidence in the +Government? At length the harvest +in Ireland had been got in; ships of +war surrounded the coast; thirty +thousand picked and chosen troops, +ready for instant action, were disposed +in the most masterly manner all over +Ireland. With an almost insane +audacity, Mr O'Connell appointed +his crowning monster meeting to +take place at Clontarf, in the immediate +vicinity of the residence +and presence of the Queen's representative, +and of such a military +force as rendered the bare possibility +of encountering it appalling. The critical +moment, however, for the interference +of Government had at length +arrived, and it spoke out in a voice of +thunder, prohibiting the monster meeting. +The rest is matter of history. +The monster demagogue fell prostrate +and confounded among his panic-stricken +confederates; and, in an agony +of consternation, declared their implicit +obedience to the proclamation, and +set about dispersing the myriad dupes, +as fast as they arrived to attend the +prohibited meeting. Thus was the +Queen's peace preserved, her crown +and dignity vindicated, without one +sword being drawn or one shot being +fired. Mr O'Connell had repeatedly +"defied the Government to go to law +with him." They <i>have</i> gone to law +with him; and by this time we suspect +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page131" id="page131"></a>[pg 131]</span> +that he finds himself in an infinitely +more serious position than he +has ever been in, during the whole of +a long and prosperous career of agitation. +Here, however, we leave him +and his fellow defendants.</p> + +<p>We may, however, take this opportunity +of expressing our opinion, that +there is not a shadow of foundation for +the charges of blundering and incompetency +which have been so liberally +brought against the Irish Attorney-General. +He certainly appears, in +the earlier stages of the proceedings, +to have evinced some little irritability—but, +only consider, under what unprecedented +provocation! His conduct +has since, however, been characterised +by calmness and dignity; and +as for his legal capabilities, all competent +judges who have attended to +the case, will pronounce them to be +first-rate; and we feel perfectly confident +that his future conduct of the +proceedings will convince the public +of the justness of our eulogium.</p> + +<p>The selection by the Government of +the moment for interference with Mr +O'Connell's proceedings, was unquestionably +characterised by consummate +prudence. When the meetings commenced +in March or April, this year, +they had nothing of outward character +which could well be noticed. They +professed to be meetings to petition +Parliament for Repeal; and, undoubtedly, +no lawyer could say that such a +meeting would <i>per se</i> be illegal, any +more than a meeting to complain of +Catholic relief, or to pray for its repeal—or +for any other matter which +is considered a settled part of the established +constitution. The mere numbers +were certainly alarming, but the +meetings quietly dispersed without any +breach of the peace: and after two or +three such meetings, without any disturbance +attending them, no one could +with truth swear that he expected a +breach of the peace as a <i>direct</i> consequence +of such a meeting, though many +thought they saw a civil war as a <i>remote</i> +consequence. The meetings went +on: some ten, twelve, fifteen occurred,—still +no breach of the peace, no disturbance. +The language, indeed, became +gradually more seditious—more +daring and ferocious: but, as an attempt +to put down the first meeting by +<i>force</i> would have been considered a +wanton act of oppression, and a direct +interference with the subject's right to +petition, it became a very difficult <i>practical</i> +question, at what moment any +<i>legal</i> notice could be taken by prosecution, +or <i>executive</i> notice by proclamation, +to put down such meetings. +Notwithstanding several confident opinions +to the contrary advanced by the +newspaper press at the time, a greater +mistake—indeed a grosser blunder—could +not have been made, than to +have prosecuted those who attended +the early meetings, or to have sent the +police or the military to put those +meetings down. An acquittal in the +one case, or a conflict in the other, +would have been attended with most +mischievous consequences; and, as to +the latter, it is clear that the executive +never ought to interfere unless with a +<i>force which renders all resistance useless</i>. +It appears perfectly clear to us, <i>even +now</i>, that a prosecution for the earlier +meetings must have failed; for there +existed then none of that evidence +which would prove the object and the +nature of the association: and to proclaim +a meeting, without using force +to prevent or disperse it if it defied +the proclamation; and to use force +without being certain that the extent +of the illegality would carry public +opinion along with the use of force; +further, to begin to use force without +being sure that you have enough to +use—would be acts of madness, and, +at least, of great and criminal disregard +of consequences. Now, when +meeting after meeting had taken place, +and the general design, and its mischief, +were unfolded, it became necessary +that <i>some new feature should occur</i> +to justify the interference of Government; +and that occurred at the Clontarf +meeting. No meeting had, before +that, ventured to call itself "<i>Repeal +infantry</i>;" and to Clontarf <i>horsemen</i> +also were summoned, and were designated +"<i>Repeal cavalry</i>;" and, in the +orders for their assembling, marching, +and conducting themselves, <i>military +directions were given</i>; and the meeting, +had it been permitted to assemble, +would have been a parade of cavalry, +ready for civil war. It would have +been a sort of review—in the face of +the city of Dublin, in open defiance of +all order and government. Let us add, +that, just at that time, Mr O'Connell +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page132" id="page132"></a>[pg 132]</span> +had published his "Address to all her +Majesty's subjects, in all parts of her +dominions," (a most libellous and treasonable +publication;) and the arrangements +to secure the peace were more +complete, and could be brought to +bear more easily, on the Clontarf +than on any of the preceding meetings. +The occasion presented itself, +and as soon as possible the Irish authorities +assembled at Dublin; the +proclamation appeared; the ground +was pre-occupied, and a force that +was irresistible went out to keep the +peace, and prevent the meeting. The +result showed the perfect success of +the Government's enterprise.</p> + +<p>As the foregoing topics will doubtless +occupy much of the attention of parliament +during the ensuing session, we +were anxious to place on record our own +opinions, as the result of much reflection, +during a period when events +were transpiring which threw upon +the Government an awful responsibility, +and rendered their course one of +almost unprecedented difficulty. Modern +times, we are convinced, have +witnessed but few instances of such a +masterly policy, combined with signal +self-reliance.</p> + +<p>One or two general topics connected +with Ireland, we have time only to +glance at. First.—From the faint reluctant +disavowal and discouragement +of Mr O'Connell and his Repeal agitation, +by the leading ex-Ministers during +the last session, when emphatically challenged +by Sir Robert Peel to join him in +denouncing the attempted dismemberment +of the empire, irrespective and +independent of all party consideration, +we are prepared to expect that in the +ensuing session, the Opposition will, to +a great extent, make common cause +with Mr O'Connell, out of mingled +fear, and gratitude, and hope towards +their late friend and patron. Such a +course will immensely strengthen the +hands of the Queen's Government.</p> + +<p>Secondly.—To any thoughtful and +independent politician, the present Sovereign +state of Ireland demonstrates the utter +impossibility of governing it upon the +principle of breaking down or disparaging +the Protestant interest. Such +a course would tend only to bloody +and interminable anarchy.</p> + +<p>Thirdly.—Ireland's misery springs +from social more than political evils; +and the greatest boon that Providence +could give her, would be a powerful +government inflexibly resolved to <i>put +down agitation</i>.</p> + +<p>Lastly.—Can we wonder at the +exasperation of the peasantry, who +have for so many years had their money +extorted from them, without ever having +had, up to this moment, the shadow +of an equivalent? And how long is +this disgraceful pillage to go on? +But we must conclude. The ensuing +session of parliament may, and +probably will, be a stormy one, and +harassing to the Government; but they +may prepare to encounter it with +cheerful confidence. Their measures, +during their brief tenure of office, have +been attended with extraordinary +success—and of that both the sovereign +and the country are thoroughly +aware, and we entertain high hopes concerning +the future. We expect to see +their strong majority in the House of +Commons rather augmented than diminished +by reason of the events which +have happened during the recess. If +the Ministers remain firm in their determination—and +who doubts it?—to +support the agricultural interests of +the country, and persevere in their +present vigorous policy towards Ireland, +the Government is impregnable, +and the surges of Repeal agitation in +Ireland, and Anti-corn-law agitation +in England, will dash against it in +vain. So long as they pursue this +course, they will be cheered by augmented +indications of the national +good-will, and of that implicit and affectionate +confidence in their councils, +which, we rejoice to know, is vouchsafed +to her Ministers by our gracious +Sovereign.</p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. +CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. 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Vol. LV., by Various + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV. + +Author: Various + +Release Date: August 27, 2004 [EBook #13306] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BLACKWOOD'S EDINBURGH *** + + + + +Produced by Jon Ingram, Victoria Woosley and PG Distributed +Proofreaders. Produced from page images provided by The Internet +Library of Early Journals. + + + + + + + BLACKWOOD'S + + Edinburgh + + MAGAZINE. + + + + VOL. LV. + + JANUARY-JUNE, 1844. + + [Illustration] + + + 1844. + + + * * * * * + + + BLACKWOOD'S + + EDINBURGH MAGAZINE. + + + * * * * * + + No. CCCXXXIX. JANUARY, 1844. VOL. LV. + + * * * * * + + + + CONTENTS. + + + STATE PROSECUTIONS, 1 + ADVENTURES IN TEXAS. NO. III. THE STRUGGLE, 18 + CLITOPHON AND LEUCIPPE, 33 + THE NEW ART OF PRINTING. BY A DESIGNING DEVIL, 45 + THE BANKING-HOUSE. PART THE LAST, 50 + KIEFF, FROM THE RUSSIAN OF KOZLOFF, 80 + MARSTON; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A STATESMAN. PART VII. 81 + LETTER FROM LEMUEL GULLIVER, 98 + THE PROCLAMATION, 100 + THE FIREMAN'S SONG, 101 + POSITION AND PROSPECTS OF THE GOVERNMENT, 103 + + + * * * * * + + EDINBURGH: + + WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS, 45, GEORGE STREET; + AND 22, PALL-MALL, LONDON. + + To whom all Communications (post paid) must be addressed. + + SOLD BY ALL THE BOOKSELLERS THE UNITED KINGDOM. + + * * * * * + + PRINTED BY BALLANTYNE AND HUGHES, EDINBURGH. + + + * * * * * + + + +STATE PROSECUTIONS. + + +The Englishman who, however well inclined to defer to the wisdom "of +former ages," should throw a glance at the stern realities of the +past, as connected with the history of his country, will be little +disposed to yield an implicit assent to the opinions or assertions of +those, who maintain the superiority of the past, to the disparagement +and depreciation of the present times. Maxims and sayings of this +tendency have undoubtedly prevailed from periods of remote antiquity. +The wise monarch of the Jewish nation even forbade his people to ask +"the cause that the former days were better than these;" "for," he +adds, "thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this." Far different +would be the modern precept of a British monarch. Rather let the +English subject "enquire _diligently_ concerning this," for he cannot +fail to enquire wisely. Let him enquire, and he will find that "the +former days" of England were days of discord, tyranny, and oppression; +days when an Empson and a Dudley could harass the honest and +well-disposed, through the medium of the process of the odious +star-chamber; when the crown was possessed of almost arbitrary power, +and when the liberty and personal independence of individuals were in +no way considered or regarded; days when the severity of our criminal +laws drew down from a French philosopher the sneer, that a history of +England was a history of the executioner; when the doomed were sent +out of the world in bands of twenty, and even thirty, at a time, at +Tyburn or at "Execution dock;" and when, in the then unhealthy tone of +public morals, criminals famous for their deeds of violence and +rapine, were regarded rather as the heroes of romance, than as the +pests and scourges of society. Let him enquire, and he will find that +all these things have now long since passed away; that the rigours of +the criminal law have been entirely mitigated, and that the great +charters of our liberties, the fruits of accumulated wisdom and +experience, have now been long confirmed. These facts, if universally +known and duly pondered over, would go far to banish discontent and +disaffection, and would tend to produce a well-founded confidence in +the inherent power of adaptation to the necessities of the people, +possessed by the constitution of our country. Thus, the social wants +of the outer man having been in a great measure supplied, the +philanthropy of modern times has been chiefly employed on the mental +and moral improvement of the species; the wants of the inner man are +now the objects of universal attention, and education has become the +great necessity of the age. Hitherto, the municipal laws and +institutions of this country have been defective; inasmuch as they +have made little or no provision for the adequate instruction of the +people. Much, no doubt, has been already done, and education, even +now, diffuses her benignant light over a large portion of the +population; among whom, the children of the ignorant are able to +instruct their parents, and impart, to those who gave them being, a +share in the new-found blessing of modern times. Much, however, +remains still to be done, and the splendid examples of princely +munificence which a great minister of the crown has recently shown the +wealthier classes of this wealthy nation, may, in the absence of a +state provision, have the effect of stimulating private exertion and +generosity. In spite, however, of the moral and intellectual +advancement of the present age, the passions and evil designs of the +vicious and discontented are still able to influence vast masses of +the people. The experience of the last few years unfortunately teaches +us, that increased knowledge has not yet banished disaffection, and +that though, during the last quarter of a century, the general +standard of the nation's morality may have been elevated above its +former resting-place, that education, in its present state of +advancement, has not as yet effectually disarmed discontent or +disaffection, by showing the greater evil which ever attends the +endeavour to effect the lesser good, by violent, factious, or +seditious means. + +Within the last thirteen years, the government has been compelled, on +several occasions, to curb the violence and to repress the outbreaks +of men who had yet to learn the folly of such attempts; and the powers +of the executive have been frequently evoked by those who, of late +years, have wielded the destinies of this country. Several state +prosecutions have taken place during this period. They never occur +without exciting a lively interest; the public eye is critically +intent upon the minutest detail of these proceedings; and the public +attention is concentrated upon those to whom is confided the +vindication of the public rights and the redressing of the public +wrongs. It has been often asked by some of these critical observers, +How is it that, when great crimes or misdemeanours are to be punished, +when the bold and daring offender is to be brought to justice, when +the body politic is the offended party, when the minister honours a +supposed offender with his notice in the shape of criminal +proceedings, and the government condescends to prosecute--how is it, +it has been asked on such occasions, when the first talent, science, +and practical skill, are all arranged against the unfortunate object +of a nation's vengeance, that the course of justice should be ever +broken or impeded? Is the machinery then set in motion in truth +defective--is there some inherent vice in the construction of the +state engine? Is the law weak when it should be strong? Is its boasted +majesty, after all, nothing but the creation of a fond imagination, or +a delusion of the past? Are the wheels of the state-machine no longer +bright, polished, and fit for use as they once were? or are they +choked and clogged with the rust and dust of accumulated ages? Or, if +not in the machine, does the fault, ask others of these bold critics, +rest with the workmen who guide and superintend its action? Are the +principles of its construction now no longer known or understood? Are +they, like those of the engines of the Syracusan philosopher, lost in +the lapse of time? Is the crown less efficiently served than private +individuals? and can it be possible, it has even been demanded, that +those who are actively employed on these occasions have been so long +removed on the practice of what is often deemed the simpler portion of +the law, and so long employed in the higher and more abstruse branches +of the science, that they have forgotten the practice of their youth, +and have lost the knowledge acquired in the commencement of their +professional career? Lesser criminals, it is said, are every day +convicted with ease and expedition--how is it, therefore, that the +cobweb of the law holds fast the small ephemerae which chance to stray +across its filmy mesh, but that the gaudy insect of larger form and +greater strength so often breaks through, his flight perhaps arrested +for a moment, as he feels the insidious toil fold close about him? It +is, however, only for a moment; one mighty effort breaks his bonds--he +is free--and flies off in triumph and derision, trumpeting forth his +victory, and proclaiming his escape from the snare, in which it was +hoped to encompass him. The astute and practised gentlemen thus +suspected, strong in the consciousness of deep legal knowledge, and +ready practical skill and science, may justly despise the petty +attacks of those who affect to doubt their professional ability and +attainments. Some in high places have not hesitated to hint, on one +occasion, at collusion, and to assert, that a certain prosecution +failed, because there was no real desire to punish. + +Such is the substance of the various questions and speculations to +which the legal events of the last thirteen years have given rise. We +have now collected and enumerated them in a condensed form, for the +purpose of tracing their rise and progress, and in order that we may +demonstrate that, though there may possibly exist some reasons for +these opinions, founded often on a misapprehension of the real +circumstances of the cases quoted in their support, that they have, in +fact, little or no substantial foundation. With this view, therefore, +we shall briefly notice those trials, within the period of which we +speak, which form the groundwork of these charges against the +executive, before we proceed to state the real obstacles which do, in +fact, occasionally oppose the smooth and _rapid_ progress of a "State +Prosecution." + +The first of these proceedings, which occurred during the period of +the last thirteen years, was the trial of Messrs O'Connell, Lawless, +Steel, and others. This case perhaps originated the opinions which +have partially prevailed, and was, in truth, not unlikely to make a +permanent impression on the public mind. In the month of January 1831, +true bills were found against these parties by the Grand Jury of +Dublin, for assembling and meeting together for purposes prohibited by +a proclamation of the Lord Lieutenant; and for conspiring to do an act +forbidden by the law. By every possible device, by demurrers and +inconsistent pleas, delays were interposed; and though Mr O'Connell +withdrew a former plea of not guilty, and pleaded guilty to the counts +to which he had at first demurred--though Mr Stanley, in the House of +Commons, in reply to a question put by the Marquis of Chandos, +emphatically declared, that it was impossible for the Irish +government, consistently with their dignity as a government, to enter +into any negotiation implying the remotest compromise with the +defendants--and that it was the unalterable determination of the +law-officers of Ireland to let the law take its course against Mr +O'Connell--and that, let him act as he pleased, judgment would be +passed against him--still, in spite of this determination of the +government, so emphatically announced by the Irish Secretary, the +statute on which the proceedings were founded was actually suffered to +expire, without any previous steps having been taken against the state +delinquents. There has ever been that degree of mystery about this +event, which invariably rouses attention and excites curiosity; the +escape of those parties was a great triumph over the powers, or the +expressed inclinations of the government, which was well calculated to +set the public mind at work to discover the latent causes which +produced such strange and unexpected results. After an interval of +seven years, another case occurred, which was not calculated +materially to lessen the impression already made upon the public; for +although, in the following instance, the prosecution was conducted to +a successful termination, yet questions of such grave importance were +raised, and fought with such ability, vigour, and determination, that +the accomplishment of the ends of justice, if not prevented, was +certainly long delayed. + +On the 17th December 1838, twelve prisoners were brought to Liverpool, +charged in execution of a sentence of transportation to Van Diemen's +Land for having been concerned in the Canadian revolt. Here the +offenders had been tried, convicted, sentenced, and actually +transported. The prosecutors, therefore, might naturally be supposed +to have got fairly _into_ port, when they saw the objects of their +tender solicitude fairly _out_ of port, on their way to the distant +land to which the offended laws of their country had consigned them. + +If justice might not account her work as done, at a time when her +victims had already traversed a thousand leagues of the wide +Atlantic, when could it be expected that the law might take its course +without further let or hindrance? On the 17th of December, as has been +observed, the prisoners arrived at Liverpool, and were straightway +consigned to the care and custody of Mr Batcheldor, the governor of +the borough jail of Liverpool; by whom they were duly immured in the +stronghold of the borough, and safely placed under lock and key. +Things, however, did not long continue in this state. In a few days +twelve writs of _habeas corpus_ made their sudden and unexpected +appearance, by which Mr Batcheldor was commanded forthwith to bring +the bodies of his charges, together with the causes of detention, +before the Lord Chief Justice of England. Mr Batcheldor obeyed the +command in both particulars; the judges of the Court of Queen's Bench +met; counsel argued and re-argued the matter before them, but in +vain--the prisoners were left in the governor's care, in which they +remained, as if no effort had been made to remove then from his +custody. All, however, was not yet over; for, as though labouring +under a strange delusion, four of the prisoners actually made oath +that they had never been arraigned, tried, convicted, or sentenced at +all, either in Canada or elsewhere! Upon this four more writs of +_habeas corpus_ issued, commanding the unhappy Mr Batcheldor to bring +the four deluded convicts before the Barons of the Exchequer. This was +done; arguments, both old and new, were heard with exemplary patience +and attention; the play was played over again; but the Barons were +equally inexorable with the Court of Queen's Bench, and the four +prisoners, after much consideration, were again remanded to the +custody of the governor of the jail, and, together with their eight +fellow-prisoners, were, in course of time, duly conveyed to the place +of their original destination. + +The next of these cases, in chronological order, is that of the +Monmouthshire riots in 1839. This case, also, might tend to +corroborate the opinion, that the service of the state, in legal +matters, is attended with much difficulty and embarrassment. It will, +however, be seen upon examination of the facts of the case, that the +difficulty which then arose, proceeded solely from the lenity and +indulgence shown to the prisoners by the crown. On New-Year's day +1840, John Frost and others, were brought to trial, on a charge of +high treason, before a special commission at Monmouth. The proceedings +were interrupted by an objection taken by the prisoners' counsel, that +the terms of a statute, which requires that a list of witnesses should +be delivered to the prisoners _at the same time_ with a copy of the +indictment, had not been complied with. The indictment had, in fact, +been delivered five days before the list of witnesses. This had been +done in merciful consideration to the prisoners, in order that they +might be put in possession of the charge, to be brought against them, +as early as it was in the power of the crown to give them the +information, and probably before it was _possible_ that the list of +witnesses could have been made out. The trial, however, proceeded, +subject to the decision of the fifteen judges upon the question, thus +raised upon the supposed informality, which nothing but the _anxious +mercy_ of the crown had introduced into the proceedings; and the +parties were found guilty of the offence laid to their charge. In the +ensuing term, all other business was, for a time, suspended; and the +fifteen judges of the land, with all the stately majesty of the +judicial office, were gathered together in solemn conclave in +Westminster Hall. A goodly array, tier above tier they sat--the heavy +artillery of a vast legal battery about to open the fire of their +learning, with that imposing dignity which becomes the avengers of the +country's and the sovereign's wrongs. Day after day they met, heard, +and deliberated upon arguments, which were conspicuous from their +consummate learning and ability. At length these learned persons +delivered their judgments, and, amid much diversity of opinion, the +majority thought, upon the whole, that the conviction was right, and +that the terms of the statute had been virtually complied with. The +criminals, however, probably in consequence of the doubts and +difficulty of the case, were absolved on the most highly penal +consequences of their crime, and were, by a sort of compromise, +transported for life to one of the penal settlements. + +The doubt which some have entertained of the real insanity of Oxford, +and others who have recently attempted the same crime which he so nearly +committed, has caused these cases also to be brought forward in +confirmation of the opinions, which we contend rest upon no real +foundation. The insanity of a prisoner is, however, a fact, upon which +it is the province of the jury to decide, under the direction of the +presiding judge. In each case the law was luminously laid down by the +judge for the guidance of the jury, who were fully instructed as to what +the law required to establish the insanity of its prisoner, and to prove +that "lesion of the will" which would render a human being irresponsible +for his acts. These verdicts, undoubtedly, gave rise to a grave +discussion, whether the law, as it now stands, was sufficiently +stringent to have reached these cases; and though this question was +decided in the affirmative, the mere entertaining of the doubt afforded +another specious confirmation of the impression, that a singular +fatality was attendant upon a state prosecution. This idea received +another support from the case of Lord Cardigan, who, about this period, +was unexpectedly acquitted, on technical grounds, from a grave and +serious charge. This, however, was no state prosecution, and we do but +notice it, _en passant_, in corroboration of our general argument. + +We now come to the case of the Chartists in 1842. For some time +previous to the summer of 1842, great distress, it will be remembered, +prevailed among the manufacturing population of the northern and +midland counties. The misery of the preceding winter had been dreadful +in the extreme; emaciated, haggard beings might be daily seen +wandering about the country half naked, in the coldest weather; +sufferings, almost without a parallel, were borne with patience and +resignation. Despair there might be in the hearts of thousands, but +those thousands were mute and passive in their misery; all was dark, +all was hopeless; the wintry wind of penury blew untempered, keen upon +them, but still they cried not; hunger preyed upon their very vitals, +but they uttered no complaint. Let us not, even now, refuse a passing +tribute of honour and respect to the passive heroism which in many an +instance marked the endurance of the hopeless misery of those dreadful +times. At length, however, evil and designing men came among the +sufferers--remedies for the pressing evil, and means of escape from +the wretchedness of their condition, were darkly hinted at; redress +was whispered to be near, and they, the hungry fathers of famished +children, lent a greedy ear to the fair promises of men whom they +deemed wiser than themselves. The tempter's seedtime had arrived, the +ground was ready, and the seed was sown. Day by day, nay, hour by +hour, was the bud of disaffection fostered with the greatest care; +and, day by day, its strength and vitality increased. When, at length, +the people were deemed ripe for action, the mask was thrown off, +treasonable schemes and projects were openly proclaimed by the leaders +of the coming movement, and echoed, from a hundred hills, by vast +multitudes of their deluded followers. Large meetings were daily held +on the neighbouring moors, where bodies of men were openly trained and +armed for active and offensive operations. At length the insurrection, +for such in truth it was, broke forth. Then living torrents of excited +and exasperated men poured down those hillsides; the peaceful and +well-affected were compelled to join the insurgent ranks, busy in the +work of destruction and intimidation; when each evening brought the +work of havoc to a temporary close, they laid them down to rest where +the darkness overtook them. The roads were thus continually blockaded, +and those who, under cover of the night, sought to obtain aid and +assistance from less disturbed districts, were often interrupted and +turned back by bodies of these men. Authority was at an end, and a +large extensive district was completely at the mercy of reckless +multitudes, burning to avenge the sufferings of the past, and bent on +preventing, as they thought, a recurrence of them in future. The very +towns were in their hands; "in an evil hour" a vast body of insurgents +was "admitted" into one of the largest mercantile towns of the +kingdom, where they pillaged and laid waste in every direction. In +another town of the district a fearful riot was put down by force, +some of the leaders of the mob being shot dead while heading a charge +upon the military. The ascendancy of the law was at length asserted; +many arrests took place; the jails were crowded with prisoners; and +the multitudes without, deserted by those to whom they had looked up +for advice, their friends in prison, with the unknown terrors of the +law suspended over them, probably then felt that, miserable and lost +as they had been before, they had now fallen even lower in the scale +of human misery. Criminal proceedings were quickly instituted. Several +commissions were sent down to the districts in which these +disturbances had take place, in order that the offenders might meet +with _speedy_ punishment. The law officers of the crown, with many and +able assistants, in person conducted the proceedings. Temperate, mild, +dignified, and forbearing was their demeanour; in no case was the +individual the object of prosecution; it was the _crime_, through the +person of the criminal, against which the government proceeded. No +feelings of a personal nature were there exhibited; and a mild, but +firm, as it were, a parental correction of erring and misguided +children, seemed to be the sole object of those who then represented +the government. Conviction was heaped upon conviction--sentence +followed sentence--the miserable tool was distinguished from the man +who made him what he was--the active emissary, the secret conspirator, +also received each their proportionate amount of punishment. True, a +few of the more cautious and crafty, all included in one indictment, +eventually escaped the penalty due to their crimes; but, among the +multitude of cases which were then tried, this was, we believe, the +only instance even of partial failure. In spite of this single +miscarriage of the government, the great object of these proceedings +was completely answered; the end of all punishment was attained; the +vengeance which the law then took had all the effect which the most +condign punishment of these few men could have accomplished; the +constitutional maxim of "_poena ad paucos, metus ad omnes_," has been +amply illustrated by these proceedings; Chartism has been suppressed, +by the temperate application of the constitutional means which were +then resorted to for the correction of its violence, and the +prevention of its seditious schemes. + +We must not omit to mention the instances of signal and complete +success which have been, from time to time, exhibited in other +prosecutions against Feargus O'Connor and different members of the +Chartist body, within the period of which we speak. On none of these +occasions has the course of justice been hindered, or even turned +aside; but the defendants have, we believe, without exception, paid +the penalty of their crimes by enduring the punishments awarded by the +court. + +The recent trials of the Rebecca rioters were also signally successful +and effective; and the prejudices of a Welsh jury, which some feared +would prove a fatal stumblingblock, were overcome by the dispassionate +appeal to their better judgment then made by the officers of the +crown. + +From a review of the cases, it therefore appears, that the failures of +a state prosecution have been comparatively few; and that the crown +has met with even more than the average success which the "glorious +uncertainty of the law" in general permits to those who tempt its +waywardness, and risk the perils of defeat. The welfare and interest +of the nation, however, lie in the _general_ results of these +proceedings, rather than the _particular event_ of an individual +trial. Therefore, though we should assume that a part only of what was +intended has been accomplished, still if that portion produces the +same general results as were hoped for from the successful +accomplishment of the whole, the object of the government has been +attained. Now, it may be observed, that, with perhaps the single +exception of the case of Mr O'Connell in 1831, the end and object of +all state prosecution has been uniformly and completely accomplished, +by the suppression of the evil which the crown in each instance was +anxious to put down. When this has taken place, there can have been no +failure. Beyond what is necessary for the welfare of the state, and +the general safety and security of the persons and property of +individuals, the crown has no interest in inflicting punishment; it +never asks for more than is required to effect _these objects_, and it +can scarcely be content with less. + +There are, however, difficulties almost peculiar to the more serious +offences against the state, but which are entirely different, in their +nature, from those imaginary difficulties which have formed the +subject of so much declamation. A passing glance at the proceedings +now pending in Ireland, will give the most casual observer some idea +of what is sometimes to be encountered by those to whom is entrusted +the arduous duty of conducting a state prosecution. Look back on the +"tempest of provocation," which recently assailed the Irish +Attorney-General, on the vexatious delays and frivolous objections +which sprang up at every move of the crown lawyers, called forth by +one who, though "_not valiant_," was well known to the government to +be "most cunning offence" ere they challenged him, but who, "despite +his cunning fence and active practice," may perhaps find, that this +time the law has clutched him with a grasp of iron. In ordinary cases, +criminals may, no doubt, be easily convicted; and in the great +majority of the more common crimes and misdemeanours, the utmost legal +ingenuity and acumen might be unable to detect a single error in the +proceedings, from first to last. Still it must be remembered, that +even among the more common of ordinary cases, in which the forms are +simple, the practice certain, and in which the law may be supposed to +be already defined beyond the possibility of doubt, error, or +misconception--even in such cases, questions occasionally arise which +scarcely admit of any satisfactory solution--questions in which the +fifteen judges, to whom they may be referred, often find it impossible +to agree, and which may therefore be reasonably supposed to be +sufficiently perplexing to the rest of the world. State offences, such +as treason and sedition, which are of comparatively rare occurrence, +present many questions of greater intricacy than any other class of +crimes. In treason especially, a well-founded jealousy of the power +and prerogatives of the crown has intrenched the subject behind a line +of outposts, in the shape of forms and preliminary proceedings; the +accused, for his greater security against a power which, if unwatched, +might become arbitrary and oppressive, has been invested with rights +which must be respected and complied with, and by the neglect of which +the whole proceedings are rendered null and void. At this moment, in +all treasons, except attempts upon the person of the sovereign, "the +prisoner," in the language of Lord Erskine, "is covered all over with +the armour of the law;" and there must be twice the amount of evidence +which would be legally competent to establish his guilt in a criminal +prosecution for any other offence, even by the meanest and most +helpless of mankind. Sedition is a head of crime of a somewhat vague +and indeterminate character, and, in many cases, it may he extremely +difficult, even for an acute and practised lawyer, to decide whether +the circumstances amount to sedition. Mr East, in his pleas of the +crown, says, that "sedition is understood in a more general sense than +treason, and extends to other offences, not capital, of a like +tendency, but without any actual design against the king in +contemplation, such as contempts of the king and his government, +riotous assemblings for political purposes, and the like; and in +general all contemptuous, indecent, or malicious observations upon his +person and government, whether by writing or speaking, or by tokens, +calculated to lessen him in the esteem of his subjects, or weaken his +government, or raise jealousies of him amongst the people, will fall +under the notion of seditious acts." An offence which admits of so +little precision in the terms in which it is defined, depending often +upon the meaning to be attached to words, the real import of which is +varied by the tone or gesture of the speaker, by the words which +precede, and by those which follow, depending also upon the different +ideas which men attach to the same words, evidently rests on very +different grounds from those cases, where actual crimes have been +perpetrated and deeds committed, which leave numerous traces behind, +and which may be proved by the permanent results of which they have +been the cause. Technical difficulties without number also exist: the +most literal accuracy, which is indispensable--the artful inuendoes, +the artistical averments, which are necessary, correctly to shape the +charge ere it is submitted to the grand jury, may be well conceived to +involve many niceties and refinements, on which the case may easily be +wrecked. It must also be remembered that the utmost legal ingenuity is +called into action, and the highest professional talent is engaged in +the defence of the accused. The enormous pressure upon the accused +himself, who, probably from the higher or middle classes, with ample +means at his command, an ignominious death perhaps impending, or, at +the least, imprisonment probably for years in threatening prospect +close before him; his friends active, moving heaven and earth in his +behalf, no scheme left untried, no plan or suggestion rejected, by +which it may, even in the remotest degree be possible to avert the +impending doom; the additional rancour which politics sometimes infuse +into the proceedings, the partisanship which has occasioned scenes +such as should never be exhibited in the sacred arena of the halls of +justice, animosities which give the defence the character of a party +conflict, and which cause a conviction to be looked upon as a +political defeat, and an acquittal to be regarded as a party +triumph--all these circumstances, in their combined and concentrated +force, must also be take into consideration. In such a case every step +is fought with stern and dogged resolution; even mere delay is +valuable, for when all other hope is gone, the chapter of accidents +_may_ befriend the accused; it is one chance more; and even one +chance, however slight, is not to be thrown away. Such is a faint +picture of the defensive operations on such occasions: how is this +untiring, bitter energy met by those who represent the crown? + + "Look on this picture and on that." + +Here all is calm, dignified, generous, and forbearing; every +consideration is shown, every indulgence is granted, to the +unfortunate being who is in jeopardy. The crown has no interest to +serve beyond that which the state possesses in the vindication of the +law, and in that cool, deliberate, and impartial administration of +justice which has so long distinguished this country. Nothing is +unduly pressed against the prisoner, but every extenuating fact is +fairly laid before the jury by the crown; it is, in short, generosity, +candor, and forbearance, on the one side, matched against craft, +cunning and the resolution _by any means_ to win, upon the other. Such +are the real difficulties which may be often felt by those who conduct +a state prosecution. Surely it is better far that these difficulties +should, in some instances, be even wholly insuperable, and that the +prosecution should be defeated, than that any change should come over +the spirit in which these trials are now conducted; or that the crown +should ever even attempt to make the criminal process of the law an +instrument of tyranny and oppression, as it was in the days of Scroggs +and Jefferies, and when juries, through intimidation, returned such +verdicts as the crown desired. Our very tenacity of our liberties may +tend to render these proceedings occasionally abortive; and the twelve +men composing a jury of the country, though possibly all their +sympathies would be at once enlisted in behalf of a wronged and +injured subject, may, unconsciously to themselves, demand more +stringent proof, in cases where the sovereign power appears before +then as the party; and more especially, when the offence is of an +impersonal nature, and where the theory of the constitution, rather +than the person or property of individuals, is the object of +aggression. In the olden time such was the power of the crown, that, +whenever the arm of the state was uplifted, the blow fell with +unerring accuracy and precision; but now, when each object of a state +prosecution is a sort of modern Briareus, the blow must be dealt with +consummate skill, or it will fail to strike where it was meant to +fall. On this account, perhaps, in addition to then own intrinsic +paramount importance, the proceedings now pending in Ireland, have +become the object of universal and absorbing interest throughout the +whole of the United Kingdom. Under these circumstances it has occurred +to us, that a popular and accurate review of the several stages of a +criminal prosecution, by which the general reader will be able, in +some degree, to understand the several steps of that proceeding which +is now pending, might not be unacceptable or uninstructive at the +present moment. It must, however, be observed, that it is scarcely +possible to divest a subject so technical in it very nature from those +terms of art which, however familiar they may be to many of our +readers, cannot be understood by all without some explanation, which +we shall endeavour to supply as we proceed. + +The general importance of information of this nature has been well +summed up by a great master of criminal law. "The learning touching +these subjects," says Sir Michael Foster, "is a matter of great and +universal concernment. For no rank, no elevation in life, and, let me +add, no conduct, how circumspect soever, ought to tempt a reasonable +man to conclude that these enquiries do not, nor possibly can, concern +him. A moment's cool reflection on the utter instability of human +affairs, and the numberless unforeseen events which a day may bring +forth, will be sufficient to guard any man, conscious of his own +infirmities, against a delusion of this kind." + +Let us suppose the minister of the day, having before been made aware +that, in a portion of the kingdom, a state of things existed that +demanded his utmost vigilance and attention, to have ascertained the +reality of the apparent danger, and to have procured accurate +information as to the real character of the proceedings, and to find +that acts apparently treasonable or seditious, as the case may be, had +been committed. Suppose him, charged with the safety of the state, and +responsible for the peace, order, and well-being of the community, to +set the constitutional process of the law in motion against the +offending individuals; his first step, under such circumstances, must +be to procure full and satisfactory evidence of the facts as they +really exist. For this purpose agents must he employed, necessarily in +secret, or the very end and object of their mission would be +frustrated, to collect and gather information from every authentic +source, and to watch, with their own eyes the proceedings which have +attracted attention. This is a work of time, perhaps; but suppose that +it is complete, and that the minister having before him in evidence, +true and unmistakable, a complete case of crime to lay before a jury, +what, under these circumstances, is the first step to be taken by the +crown? Either of two distinct modes of procedure may be chosen; the +one mode is by an _ex officio_ information, the other is by +indictment. An indictment is the mode by which all treasons and +felonies must be proceeded against, and by which ordinary +misdemeanours are usually brought to punishment. An _ex officio_ +information is an information at the suit of the sovereign, filed by +the Attorney-General, as by virtue of his office, without applying to +the court where filed for leave, and without giving the defendant any +opportunity of showing cause why it should not be filed. The principal +difference between this form of procedure and that by indictment, +consists in the manner in which the proceedings are commenced; in the +latter case, the law requires that the accusation should be warranted +by the oath of twelve men, before he be put to answer it--or in other +words that the grand jury must give that information to the court, +which, in the former case, is furnished by the law officer of the +crown. The cases which are prosecuted by _ex officio_ information, are +properly such enormous misdemeanours as peculiarly tend to disturb and +endanger the government or to molest or affront the sovereign in the +discharge of the functions of the royal office. The necessity for the +existence of a power of this nature in the state, is thus set forth by +that learned and illustrious judge, Sir William Blackstone. "For +offences so highly dangerous, in the punishment or prevention of which +a moment's delay would be fatal, the law has given to the crown the +power of an immediate prosecution, without waiting for any previous +application to any other tribunal: which power, thus necessary, not +only to the ease and safety, but even to the very existence of the +executive magistrate, was originally reserved in the great plan of the +English constitution, wherein provision is wisely made for the +preservation of all its parts." + +The crown, therefore, in a case such as we have imagined, must first +make choice between these two modes of procedure. The leniency of +modern governments has of late usually resorted to the process by +indictment; and the crown, waiving all the privileges which appertain +to the kingly office, appears before the constituted tribunals of the +land, as the redresser of the public wrongs, invested with no powers, +and clothed with no authority beyond the simple rights possessed by +the meanest of its subjects. We shall, for this reason, take no +further notice of the _ex officio_ information; and as treasons form a +class of offences governed by laws and rules peculiar to itself, we +shall also exclude this head of crime from our consideration, and +confine ourselves solely to the ordinary criminal process by which +offenders are brought to justice. + +In, general, the first step in a criminal prosecution, is to obtain a +warrant for the apprehension of the accused party. In ordinary cases, +a warrant is granted by any justice of the peace upon information, on +the oath of some credible witness, of facts from which it appears that +a crime has been committed, and that the person against whom the +warrant is sought to be obtained, is probably the guilty party, and is +a document under the hand and seal of the justice, directed generally +to the constable or other peace-officer, requiring him to bring the +accused, either generally before _any_ justice of the county, or only +before the justice who granted it. This is the practice in ordinary +cases; but in extraordinary cases, the warrant may issue from the Lord +Chief Justice, or the Privy Council, the Secretaries of State, or from +any justice of the Court of Queen's Bench. These latter warrants are, +we believe, all tested, or dated England, and extend over the whole +kingdom. So far the proceedings have been all _ex parte_, one side +only has been heard, one party only has appeared, and all that has +been done, is to procure or compel the appearance of the other. The +warrant is delivered to the officer, who is bound to obey the command +which it contains. It would seem, however, that, as was done in a +recent case in Ireland, it is sufficient if the appearance of the +accused be virtually secured, even without the intervention of an +actual arrest. + +When the delinquent appears, in consequence of this process, before +the authorities, they are bound immediately to examine into the +circumstances of the alleged crime; and they are to take down in +writing the examinations of the witnesses offered in support of the +charge. If the evidence is defective, and grave suspicion should +attach to the prisoner, he may be remanded, in order that fresh +evidence may be procured; or the magistrate, if the case be surrounded +with doubt and difficulty, may adjourn it for a reasonable time, in +order to consider his final decision. The accused must also be +examined, but not upon oath; and his examination also must be taken +down in writing, and may be given in evidence against him at the +trial; for although the maxim of the common law is "_nemo tenebitur +prodere seipsum_," the legislature, as long ago as the year 1555, +directed that, in cases of felony, the examination of the prisoner +should be taken; which provision has recently been extended to +misdemeanours also. Care must be taken that his examination should not +even _appear_ to have been taken on oath; for in a very recent case, +in which _all_ the examinations were contained upon one sheet of +paper, and under one general heading--from which they all purported to +have been taken upon oath, the prisoner's admission of his guilt +contained in that examination, was excluded on the trial, and the rest +of the evidence being slight, he was accordingly acquitted. Now, if +upon the enquiry thus instituted, and thus conducted, it appears, +either that no such crime was committed, or that the suspicion +entertained against the accused is wholly groundless, or that, however +positively accused, if the balance of testimony be strongly in favour +of his innocence, it is the duty of the magistrate to discharge him. +But if, on the other hand, the case seems to have been entirely made +out, or even if it should appear probable, that the alleged crime has +in fact been perpetrated by the defendant, he must either be committed +to prison, there to be kept, in safe custody, until the sitting of the +court before which the trial is to be heard; or, he may be allowed to +give bail--that is, to put in securities for his appearance to answer +the charge against him. In either of these alternatives, whether the +accused be committed or held to bail, it is the duty of the magistrate +to subscribe the examinations, and cause them to be delivered to the +proper officer, at, or before, the opening of the court. Bail may be +taken by two justices in cases of felony, and by one in cases of +misdemeanour. In this stage of the proceedings, as the commitment is +only for safe custody, whenever bail will answer the same intention, +it ought to be taken, as in inferior crimes and misdemeanours; but in +offences of a capital nature, such as the heinous crimes of treason, +murder, and the like, no bail can be a security equivalent to the +actual custody of the person. The nature of bail has been explained, +by Mr Justice Blackstone, to be "a delivery or bailment of a person to +his sureties, upon their giving, together with himself, sufficient +security for his appearance: he being supposed to continue in their +friendly custody, instead of going to gaol." To refuse, or even to +delay bail to any person bailable, is an offence against the liberty +of the subject, in any magistrate, by the common law. And the Court of +Queen's Bench will grant a criminal information against the magistrate +who improperly refuses bail in a case in which it ought to have been +received. It is obviously of great importance, in order to ensure the +appearance of the accused at the time and place of trial, that the +sureties should be men of substance; reasonable notice of bail, in +general twenty-four or forty-eight hours, may be ordered to be given +to the prosecutor, in order that he may have time to examine into +their sufficiency and responsibility. When the bail appear, evidence +may be heard on oath, and they may themselves be examined on oath upon +this point; if they do not appear to possess property to the amount +required by the magistrates, they may be rejected, and others must be +procured, or the defender must go to prison. Excessive bail must not +be required; and, on the other hand, the magistrate, if he take +insufficient bail, is liable to be fined, if the criminal do not +appear to take his trial. When the securities are found, the bail +enter into a recognizance, together with the accused, by which they +acknowledge themselves bound to the Queen in the required sums, if the +accused does not appear to take his trial, at the appointed time and +place. This recognizance must be subscribed by the magistrates, and +delivered with the examinations to the officer of the court in which +the trial is to take place. With this, the preliminary proceedings +close: the accused has had one opportunity of refuting the charge, or +of clearing himself from the suspicion which has gathered round him; +but as yet, there is no written accusation, no written statement of +the offence which it is alleged he has committed. True, he has heard +evidence--he has heard a charge made orally against him--but the law +requires greater particularity than this before a man shall be put in +peril upon a criminal accusation. The facts disclosed in the evidence +before the magistrates must be put in a legal form; the offence must +be clearly and accurately defined in writing, by which the accused may +be informed what specific charge he is to answer, and from which he +may be able to learn what liability he incurs; whether his life is put +in peril, or whether he is in danger of transportation or of +imprisonment, or merely of a pecuniary fine. This is done by means of +the indictment. The indictment is a written accusation of one or more +several persons, preferred to and presented upon oath by a grand jury. +This written accusation, before being presented to the grand jury, is +properly termed a "bill;" and, in ordinary cases, it is generally +prepared by the clerk of the arraigns at the assizes, and by the clerk +of the peace at the quarter sessions; but, in cases of difficulty, it +is drawn by counsel. It consists of a formal technical statement of +the offence, which is engrossed upon parchment, upon the back of which +the names of the witnesses for the prosecution are indorsed. In +England it is delivered to the crier of the court, by whom the +witnesses are sworn to the truth of the evidence they are about to +give before the grand jury. In the trial now pending in the Court of +Queen's Bench in Ireland, a great question was raised as to whether a +recent statute, which, on the ground of convenience, enabled grand +juries in Ireland themselves to swear the witnesses, extended to +trials before the Queen's Bench. This question was decided in the +affirmative; therefore, in that country, the oath, in every case, must +be administered by the grand jury themselves; whereas, in this +country, the witnesses are sworn _in court_, and by the crier, as we +have already mentioned. The grand jury, ever since the days of King +Ethelred, must consist of twelve at least, and not more than +twenty-three. In the superior courts they are generally drawn from the +magistracy or superior classes of the community, being, as Mr Justice +Blackstone expresses it, "usually gentlemen of the best figure in the +county." They are duly sworn and instructed in the articles of their +enquiry by the judge who presides upon the bench. They then withdraw, +to sit and receive all bills which may be presented to them. When a +bill is thus presented, the witnesses are generally called in the +order in which their names appear upon the back of the bill. The grand +jury is, at most, to hear evidence only on behalf of the prosecution; +"for," says the learned commentator already quoted, "the finding of an +indictment is only in the nature of an enquiry or accusation, which is +afterwards to be tried and determined; and the grand jury are only to +enquire upon their oaths, whether there be sufficient cause to call +upon a party to answer it." They ought, however, to be fully persuaded +of the truth of an indictment as far as the evidence goes, and not to +rest satisfied with remote probabilities; for the form of the +indictment is, that they, "_upon their oath_, present" the party to +have committed the crime. This form, Mr Justice Coleridge observes, is +perhaps stronger than may be wished, and we believe that the criminal +law commissioners are now seriously considering the propriety of +abolishing it. + +After hearing the evidence, the grand jury endorse upon the bill their +judgment of the truth or falsehood of the charge. If they think the +accusation groundless, they write upon it, "not found," or "not a true +bill;" in which case the bill is said to be ignored: but, on the other +hand, if twelve at least are satisfied of the truth of the accusation, +the words "true bill" are placed upon it. The bill is then said to be +found. It then becomes an indictment, and is brought into court by the +grand jury, and publicly delivered by the foreman to the clerk of +arraigns, or clerk of the peace, as the case may be, who states to the +court the substance of the indictment and of the indorsement upon it. +If the bill is ignored, and no other bill is preferred against the +party, he is discharged, without further answer, when the grand jury +have finished their labours, and have been themselves discharged. To +find a bill, twelve at least of the jury must agree; for no man, under +this form of proceeding at least, can be convicted even of a +misdemeanour, unless by the unanimous voice of twenty-four of his +equals; that is, by twelve at least of the grand jury assenting to the +accusation, and afterwards by the whole petit jury of twelve more +finding him guilty upon the trial. + +This proceeding is wholly _ex parte_. As the informal statement of the +crime brought the supposed criminal to answer before the inferior +tribunal, so does the formal accusation call upon him to answer before +the superior court. The preliminary proceedings being now complete, +and every step having been taken which is necessary to put the accused +upon his trial, the _ex parte_ character of the proceedings is at an +end. The time approaches when the accused must again be brought face +to face with his accusers; and when, if he has been admitted to bail, +his sureties must deliver him up to the proper authorities, or their +bond is forfeited; in which case, a bench warrant for the apprehension +of the delinquent may issue; and if he cannot still be found, he may +be pursued to outlawry. It may be here mentioned, that the +proceedings may be, at any period, removed from any inferior court +into the Queen's Bench, by what is called a writ of _certiorari_. When +the offender appears voluntarily to an indictment, or was before in +custody, or is brought in upon criminal process to answer it in the +proper court, he is to be immediately arraigned. The arraignment is +simply the calling upon the accused, at the bar of the court, to +answer the matter charged upon him in the indictment, the substantial +parts, at least, of which are then read over to him. This is +indispensable, in order that he may fully understand the charge. So +voluminous are the counts of the indictment recently found against Mr +O'Connell and others, that the reading of the charges they contained +was the work of many hours. The accused is not always compelled +immediately to answer the indictment; for if he appear in term-time to +an indictment for a misdemeanour in the Queen's Bench, it is +sufficient if he plead or demur within four days; the court has a +discretionary power to enlarge the time; but if he neither pleads nor +demurs within the time prescribed, judgment may be entered against him +as for want of a plea. It he appear to such an indictment, having been +committed or held to bail within twenty days before the assizes or +sessions at which he is called upon to answer, he has the option of +_traversing_, as it is termed, or of postponing his trial to the next +assizes or sessions. He is also always entitled, before the trial, on +payment of a trifling charge, to have copies of the examinations of +the witnesses on whose evidence he was committed or held to bail; and +at the trial he has a right to inspect the originals gratuitously. In +prosecutions for misdemeanours at the suit of the Attorney-General, a +copy of indictment must be delivered, free of expense, if demanded by +the accused. These seem to be all the privileges except that of +challenge, which we shall explain hereafter, which the accused +possesses, or to which the law gives him an absolute indefeasible +claim as a matter of right. The _practice_ of different courts may +possibly vary in some degree on points such as those which have been +recently mooted in Ireland; for instance, as to whether the names of +the witnesses should be furnished to the accused, and whether their +address and description should also be supplied. In such matters the +practice might vary, in a considerable degree, in the superior courts +of England and Ireland; and yet each course would be strictly legal, +in the respective courts in which it was adopted; for, as it was +clearly put by one of the Irish judges on a recent occasion, the +practice of the court is the law of the court, and the law of the +court is the law of the land. + +When the time has arrived at which the accused must put in his answer +to the indictment, if he do not confess the charge, or stand mute of +malice, he may either plead, 1st, to the jurisdiction, which is a good +plea when the court before whom the indictment is taken has no +cognizance of the offence, as when a case of treason is prosecuted at +the quarter sessions; or, 2dly, he may demur, by which he says, that, +assuming that he has done every thing which the indictment lays to his +charge, he has, nevertheless, been guilty of no crime, and is in +nowise liable to punishment for the act there charged. A demurrer has +been termed an issue in law--the question to be determined being, what +construction the law puts upon admitted facts. If the question of law +be adjudged _in favour_ of the accused, it is attended with the same +results as an acquittal in fact, except that he may be indicted afresh +for the same offence; but if the question be determined _against_ the +prisoner, the law, in its tenderness, _will not_ allow him, at least +in cases of felony, to be punished for his misapprehension of the law, +or for his mistake in the conduct of his pleadings, but will, in such +case, permit him to plead over to the indictment--that is, to plead +not guilty; the consequences of which plea we will consider hereafter. + +A third alternative is a plea of abatement, which is a plea praying +that the indictment may be quashed, for some defect which the plea +points out. This plea, though it was recently, made use of by the +defendants in the case now pending in Ireland, is of very rare +occurrence in ordinary practice--a recent statute having entirely +superseded every advantage formerly to be derived from this plea, in +cases of a misnomer, or a wrong name, and of a false addition or a +wrong description of the defendant's rank and condition, which were +the principal occasions on which it was resorted to. + +The next alternative which the prisoners may adopt, is a special plea +in bar. These pleas are of four kinds: 1. a former acquittal; 2. a +former conviction; 3. a former attainder; 4. a former pardon, for the +same offence. The first two of these pleas are founded on the maxim of +the law of England, that no man is to be twice put in jeopardy for the +same offence. A man is attainted of felony, only by judgment of death, +or by outlawry; for by such judgment, the prisoner being already dead +in law, and having forfeited all his property, there remains no +further punishment to be awarded; and, therefore, any further +proceeding would be superfluous. This plea has, however, been +practically put an end to by a recent statute. A plea of pardon, is +the converse of a plea of attainder; for a pardon at once destroys the +end and purpose of the indictment, by remitting that punishment which +the prosecution was calculated to inflict. + +All these pleas may be answered by the crown in two ways--issue may be +joined on the facts they respectively set forth; or they may be +demurred to; by which step, the facts, alleged in the plea, are denied +to constitute a good and valid defence in law. In _felony_, if any of +these pleas are, either in fact or in law, determined against the +prisoner, he cannot be convicted or concluded by the adverse judgment; +and for this reason. Formerly all felonies were punishable with death, +and, in the words of Mr Justice Blackstone, "the law allows many pleas +by which a prisoner may escape death; but only one plea in consequence +whereof it can be inflicted, viz., the general issue, after an +impartial examination and decision of the facts, by the unanimous +verdict of a jury." The prisoner, therefore, although few felonies +remain still capital, is nevertheless still allowed to plead over as +before. In misdemeanours, however, which are never capital, and in +which, therefore, no such principle could ever have applied, the +judgment on these pleas appears to follow the analogy of a civil +action. Thus, if, upon issue joined, a plea of abatement be found +against the accused, the judgment, on that indictment, is final; +though a second indictment may be preferred against him; but if, upon +demurrer, the question of law is held to be against him, the judgment +is, that he do answer the indictment. If a plea in bar, either on +issue joined, or on demurrer, be determined against the defendant, the +judgment is in such case final, and he stands convicted of the +misdemeanour. + +The general issue, or the plea of "not guilty," is the last and most +usual of those answers to the indictment which we have enumerated, the +others being all of extremely rare occurrence in the modern practice +of the criminal law. By this plea, the accused puts himself upon his +county, which county the jury are. The sheriff of the county must then +return a panel of jurors. In England the jurors are taken from the +"jurors' book" of the current year. It must be observed, that a new +jurors' book comes into operation on the first of January in each +year, having previously been copied from the lists of those liable to +serve on juries, made out in the first instance, between the months of +July and October, both inclusive, by the churchwardens and overseers +of each parish, then reviewed and confirmed by the justices of the +peace in petty sessions, and, through the high constable of the +district, delivered to the next quarter sessions. If the proceedings +are before the Queen's Bench, an interval is allowed by the court, in +fixing the time of trial, for the impanneling of the jury, upon a writ +issued to the sheriff for that purpose. The trial in a case of +misdemeanour in the Queen's Bench is had at _nisi prius_, unless it be +of such consequence as to merit a trial at bar, which is invariably +had when the prisoner is tried for any capital offence in that court. +But before the ordinary courts of assize, the sheriff, by virtue of a +general precept directed to him beforehand, returns to the court a +panel of not less than forty-eight nor more than seventy-two persons, +unless the judges of assize direct a greater or smaller number to be +summoned. When the time for the trial has arrived, and the case is +called on, jurors, to the number of twelve, are sworn, unless +challenged as they appear; their names being generally taken +promiscuously, one by one, out of a box containing a number of +tickets, on each of which a juror's name is inserted. Challenges may +be made, either on the part of the crown or on that of the accused, +and either to the whole array or to the separate polls. The challenge +to the array, which must be made in writing, is an exception to the +whole panel, on account of some partiality or default in the sheriff, +or his officer, who arrayed the panel, the ground of which is examined +into before the court. Challenges to the polls--_in capita_--are +exceptions to particular persons, and must be made in each instance, +as the person comes to the box to be sworn, and before he is sworn; +for when the oath is once taken the challenge is too late. + +Sir Edward Coke reduces the heads of challenge to four. 1st, _propter +honoris respectum_; as if a lord of Parliament be impannelled. 2d, +_propter defectum_; as if a juryman be an alien born, or be in other +respects generally objectionable. 3d, _propter affectum_; for +suspicion of bias or partiality: and 4th, _propter delictum_; or, for +some crime that affects the juror's credit, and renders him infamous; +In treason and felony, the prisoner is allowed the privilege of a +limited number of _peremptory_ challenges; after which, as in +misdemeanours, there is no limit to the number of challenges, if the +party shows some cause for each challenge to the court. This cause is +tried by persons appointed for that purpose by the court, when no +jurymen have been sworn; but when two jurymen have been sworn, they +are the parties who must adjudicate upon the qualifications of those +who are afterwards challenged, who, except when the challenge is +_propter delictum_, may be themselves examined upon oath. The crown, +also, we have seen, can exercise this privilege, but with this +difference, that no cause for challenge need be shown by the crown, +either in felonies or misdemeanours, till the panel is exhausted, and +unless there cannot be a full jury without the persons so challenged. + +When twelve men have been found, they are sworn to give a true verdict +"according to the evidence," and the jury are then ready to hear the +merits of the case. To fix their attention the closer to the facts +which they are impannelled and sworn to try, the indictment, in cases +of importance, is usually opened by the junior counsel for the +crown--a proceeding, by which they are briefly informed of the charge +which is brought against the accused. The leading counsel for the +crown then lays the _facts_ of the case before the jury, in a plain +unvarnished statement; no appeal is made to the passions or prejudices +of the twelve men, who are to pronounce upon the guilt or innocence of +the accused; but every topic, every observation, which might warp +their judgment, or direct their attention from the simple facts which +are about to be proved before them, is anxiously deprecated and +avoided by the counsel for the prosecution. The witnesses for the +crown are called one by one, sworn, examined, and cross-examined by +the accused, or his counsel. When the case for the crown has been +brought to a close, the defence commences, and the counsel for the +defendant addresses the jury. It is the duty of the advocate, on such +an occasion, to put forth all his powers in behalf of his client; to +obtain acquittal is his object: he must sift the hostile evidence, he +must apply every possible test to the accuracy of the testimony, and +to the credibility of the witnesses; he may address himself to the +reason, to the prejudices, to the sympathies, nay, even to the worst +passions of the twelve men whose opinions he seeks to influence in +favour of his client. He may proceed to call witnesses to disprove the +facts adduced on the other side, or to show that the character of the +accused stands too high for even a suspicion of the alleged clime; he +has the utmost liberty of speech and action He may indefinitely +protract the proceedings, and there seems to be scarcely any limit, in +point of law, beyond which the ultimate event of the trial may not be, +by these means, deferred. Whenever the defence closes, in those cases +in which the government is the real prosecutor, the representative of +the crown has the general reply; at the close of which the presiding +judge sums up the evidence to the jury, and informs them of the legal +bearing of the facts, on the effect and existence of which the jury +has to decide. This having been accomplished, it becomes the duty of +the jury to deliberate, decide, and pronounce their verdict. If the +verdict be "Not guilty," the accused is for ever quit and discharged +of the accusation; but if the jury pronounce him guilty, he stands +convicted of the crime which has been thus charged and proved against +him, and awaits the judgment of the court. In felonies and ordinary +misdemeanours, judgment is generally pronounced immediately upon, or +soon after, the delivery of the verdict; in other cases, when the +trial has been had before the Queen's Bench, the judgment may, in +England, be pronounced either immediately or during the ensuing term. +But whenever this event occurs, the prisoner has still one chance more +for escape: he can move an arrest of judgment, on the grounds either +that the indictment is substantially defective, or that he has already +been pardoned or punished for the same offense. These objections, if +successful, will, even at this late stage of the proceedings, save the +defendant from the consequences of his crime. But if these last +resources fail, the court must give the judgment, or pronounce the +measure of that punishment, which the law annexes to the crime of +which the prisoner has been convicted. + +By the law of this country, the _species_ of punishment for every +offence is always ascertained; but, between certain defined limits, +the measure and degree of that punishment is, with very few +exceptions, left to the discretion of the presiding judge. Treasons +and some felonies are, indeed, capital: but, in the mercy of modern +times, the great majority of felonies, and all misdemeanours, are +visited, some with various terms of transportation or imprisonment, +which, in most cases, may be with or without hard labour, at the +discretion of the court. In these cases, the punishment is prescribed +by the statute law; but there are some misdemeanours the punishment of +which has not been interfered with by any statute, and to which, +therefore, the common law punishments are still attached. The case of +Mr O'Connell, which is now in abeyance, seems to range itself under +this head of misdemeanours. Such cases are punishable by fine or +imprisonment, or by both; but the amount of the one, or the duration +of the other, is each left at large to be estimated by the court, +according to the more or less aggravated nature of the offence, and, +as it is said, also according to the quality and condition of the +parties. That a fine should, in all cases, be reasonable, has been +declared by Magna Charta; and the Bill of Rights has also provided, +that excessive fine, or cruel and unusual punishments, should not be +inflicted; but what may or may not be unreasonable or excessive, cruel +or unusual, is left entirely to the judgment of the executive. + +For crimes of a dark political hue, which, by their tendency to +subvert the government or destroy the institutions of the country, +necessarily assume a character highly dangerous to the safety and +well-being of the state, it might be difficult to say what degree of +punishment would be excessive or unusual. It seems probable, that in +cases of this nature, which include crimes, so varied in their +circumstances that there appears no limit to the degree of guilt +incurred--crimes, the nature and character of which could not possibly +be foreseen or provided for, in all their infinite multiplicity of +detail; it seems probable that, in such cases, a large discretion may +have been purposely left by the framers of our constitution, in order +that the degree of guilt, on each occasion, should be measured by an +expansive self-adjusting scale of punishment, applied, indeed, and +administered by the judges of the land, but regulated and adjusted, in +each succeeding age, by the influence of public opinion, and by the +spirit and temper of the times. + +Even at this latest stage of criminal prosecution, in the interval +which must necessarily elapse between the pronouncing and the +infliction of the sentence, the convicted delinquent is not without a +remedy for any wrong he may sustain in the act which terminates the +proceedings. If any judgement not warranted by law be given by the +court, it may be reversed upon a _writ of error_, which lies from all +inferior criminal jurisdictions to the Queen's Bench, and from the +Queen's Bench to the House of Peers. These writs, however, in cases of +misdemeanour, are not allowed, of course, but on probable cause shown +to the Attorney General; and then they are understood to be grantable +of common right, and _ex debito justitiae_. The crown, if every other +resource has failed the prisoner, has always the power of exercising +the most amiable of its prerogatives. Though the sovereign herself +condemns no man, "the great operation of her sceptre is mercy," and +the chief magistrate, in the words of Sir William Blackstone, "holding +a court of equity in his own breast, to soften the rigour of the +general law, in such criminal cases as merit an exemption from +punishment," is ever at liberty to grant a free, unconditional, and +gracious pardon to the injured or repentant convict. + +We have now rapidly traced the progress of a criminal prosecution from +its commencement to its close, and we have given a summary of the +_ordinary_ proceedings on such occasions. Although it may be possible +that the practice of the courts in Ireland on minor points, should +occasionally differ in some degree from the practice of the English +Courts, we may, nevertheless, have rendered the proceedings now +pending in the sister isle, more intelligible to the general reader, +who may now, perhaps, be enabled to see the bearing, and understand +the importance of many struggles, which, to the unlearned, might +probably appear to be wholly beside the real question now at issue +between the crown and Mr O'Connell. Whatever be the result of that +prosecution, whether those indicted be found guilty, or acquitted, of +the misdemeanours laid to their charge; we feel assured, on the one +hand, however long and grievous may have been the "provocation," that +while there will be "nothing extenuate," neither will there be "set +down aught in malice;" but that the measure of the retribution now +demanded by the state, will be so temperately and equitably adjusted, +that while the very semblance of oppression is carefully avoided, the +majesty of the law, and the powers of the executive, will be amply and +entirely vindicated. On the other hand, if Mr O'Connell, and his +companions, in guilt or misfortune, should break through the cobwebs +of the law, and hurl a _retrospective_ defiance at the Government; we +feel the utmost confidence, that the learning, foresight, and ability, +of the eminent lawyers who represent the crown, together with the +firmness and integrity of the Irish bench, "_sans peur et sans +reproche_," will demonstrate to the millions who look on, that the +constitutional powers of the state still remain uninjured and +unimpaired in all their pristine and legitimate energy and vigour; and +that neither in the machinery now set in motion, nor with those who +conduct or superintend its action, but with others on whom, in the +course of these proceedings, will be thrown the execution of a grave +and all-important duty, must rest the real blame, if blame there be, +of the failure of _this_ "State Prosecution." + + * * * * * + + + + +ADVENTURES IN TEXAS. + +No. III. + +THE STRUGGLE. + + +I had been but three or four months in Texas, when, in consequence of +the oppressive conduct of the Mexican military authorities, symptoms +of discontent showed themselves, and several skirmishes occurred +between the American settlers and the soldiery. The two small forts of +Velasco and Nacogdoches were taken by the former, and their garrisons +and a couple of field-officers made prisoners; soon after which, +however, the quarrel was made up by the intervention of Colonel Austin +on the part of Texas, and Colonel Mejia on the part of the Mexican +authorities. + +But in the year '33 occurred Santa Anna's defection from the liberal +party, and the imprisonment of Stephen F. Austin, the Texian +representative in the Mexican congress, by the vice-president, Gomez +Farias. This was followed by Texas adopting the constitution of 1824, +and declaring itself an independent state of the Mexican republic. +Finally, towards the close of 1835 Texas threw off the Mexican yoke +altogether, voted itself a free and sovereign republic, and prepared +to defend by arms its newly asserted liberty. + +The first step to be taken was, to secure our communications with the +United States by getting possession of the sea-ports. General Cos had +occupied Galveston harbour, and built and garrisoned a block-fort, +nominally for the purpose of enforcing the customs laws, but in +reality with a view to cut off our communications with New Orleans and +the States. This fort it was necessary to get possession of, and my +friend Fanning and myself were appointed to that duty by the Alcalde, +who had taken a prominent part in all that had occurred. + +Our whole force and equipment wherewith to accomplish this enterprise, +consisted in a sealed despatch, to be opened at the town of Columbia, +and a half-breed, named Agostino, who acted as our guide. On reaching +Columbia, we called together the principal inhabitants of the place, +and of the neighbouring towns of Bolivar and Marion, unsealed the +letter in their presence, and six hours afterwards the forces therein +specified were assembled, and we were on our march towards Galveston. +The next day the fort was taken, and the garrison made prisoners, +without our losing a single man. + + +We sent off our guide to the government at San Felipe with news of our +success. In nine days he returned, bringing us the thanks of congress, +and fresh orders. We were to leave a garrison in the fort, and then +ascend Trinity river, and march towards San Antonio de Bexar. This +route was all the more agreeable to Fanning and myself, as it would +bring us into the immediate vicinity of the _haciendas_, or estates, +of which we had some time previously obtained a grant from the Texian +government; and we did not doubt that we were indebted to our friend +the Alcalde for the orders which thus conciliated our private +convenience with our public duty. + +As we marched along we found the whole country in commotion, the +settlers all arming, and hastening to the distant place of rendezvous. +We arrived at Trinity river one afternoon, and immediately sent +messengers for forty miles in all directions to summon the +inhabitants. At the period in question, the plantations in that part +of the country were very few and far between, but nevertheless by the +afternoon of the next day we had got together four-and-thirty men, +mounted on mustangs, each equipped with rifle and bowie-knife, +powder-horn and bullet-bag, and furnished with provisions for several +days. With these we started for San Antonio de Bexar, a march of two +hundred and fifty miles, through trackless prairies intersected with +rivers and streams, which, although not quite so big as the +Mississippi or Potomac, were yet deep and wide enough to have offered +serious impediment to regular armies. But to Texian farmers and +backwoodsmen, they were trifling obstacles. Those we could not wade +through we swam over; and in due time, and without any incident worthy +of note, reached the appointed place of rendezvous, which was on the +river Salado, about fifteen miles from San Antonio, the principal city +of the province. This latter place it was intended to attack--an +enterprise of some boldness and risk, considering that the town was +protected by a strong fort, amply provided with heavy artillery, and +had a garrison of nearly three thousand men, commanded by officers who +had, for the most part, distinguished themselves in the revolutionary +wars against the Spaniards. Our whole army, which we found encamped on +the Salado, under the command of General Austin, did not exceed eight +hundred men. + +The day after that on which Fanning and myself, with our four and +thirty recruits, reached headquarters, a council of war was held, and +it was resolved to advance as far as the mission of Santa Espada. The +advanced guard was to push forward immediately; the main body would +follow the next day. Fanning and myself were appointed to the command +of the vanguard, in conjunction with Mr Wharton, a wealthy planter, +who had brought a strong party of volunteers with him, and whose +mature age and cool judgment, it was thought, would counterbalance any +excess of youthful heat and impetuosity on our part. Selecting +ninety-two men out of the eight hundred, who, to a man, volunteered to +accompany us, we set out for the mission. + +These missions are a sort of picket-houses or outposts of the Catholic +church, and are found in great numbers in all the frontier provinces +of Spanish America, especially in Texas, Santa Fe, and Cohahuila. They +are usually of sufficient strength to afford their inmates security +against any predatory party of Indians or other marauders, and are +occupied by priests, who, while using their endeavours to spread the +doctrines of the Church of Rome, act also as spies and agents of the +Mexican government. + +On reaching San Espada we held a discussion as to the propriety of +remaining there until the general came up, or of advancing at once +towards the river. Wharton inclined to the former plan, and it was +certainly the most prudent, for the mission was a strong building, +surrounded by a high wall, and might have been held against very +superior numbers. Fanning and I, however, did not like the idea of +being cooped up in a house, and at last Wharton yielded. We left our +horses and mustangs in charge of eight men, and with the remainder set +out in the direction of the Salado, which flows from north to south, a +third of a mile to the westward of the mission. About half-way between +the latter and the river, was a small group, or island, of muskeet +trees, the only object that broke the uniformity of the prairie. The +bank of the river on our side was tolerably steep, about eight or ten +feet high, hollowed out here and there, and covered with a thick +network of wild vines. The Salado at this spot describes a sort of +bow-shaped curve, with a ford at either end, by which alone the river +can be passed, for although not very broad, it is rapid and deep. We +resolved to take up a position within this bow, calculating that we +might manage to defend the two fords, which were not above a quarter +of a mile apart. + +At the same time we did not lose sight of the dangers of such a +position, and of the almost certainty that if the enemy managed to +cross the river, we should be surrounded and cut off. But our success +on the few occasions on which we had hitherto come to blows with the +Mexicans, at Velasco, Nacogdoches, and Galveston, had inspired us with +so much confidence, that we considered ourselves a match for thousands +of such foes, and actually began to wish the enemy would attack us +before our main body came up. We reconnoitred the ground, stationed a +picket of twelve men at each ford, and an equal number in the island +of muskeet trees; and established ourselves with the remainder amongst +the vines and in the hollows on the river bank. + +The commissariat department of the Texian army was, as may be +supposed, not yet placed upon any very regular footing. In fact, +every man was, for the present, his own commissary-general. Finding +our stock of provisions to be very small, we sent out a party of +foragers, who soon returned with three sheep, which they had taken +from a _rancho_, within a mile of San Antonio. An old priest, whom +they found there, had threatened them with the anger of Heaven and of +General Cos; but they paid little attention to his denunciations, and, +throwing down three dollars, walked off with the sheep. The priest +became furious, got upon his mule, and trotted away in the direction +of the City to complain to General Cos of the misconduct of the +heretics. + +After this we made no doubt that we should soon have a visit from the +worthy Dons. Nevertheless the evening and the night passed away +without incident. Day broke--still no signs of the Mexicans. This +treacherous sort of calm, we thought, might forbode a storm, and we +did not allow it to lull us into security. We let the men get their +breakfast, which they had hardly finished when the picket from the +upper ford came in with news that a strong body of cavalry was +approaching the river, and that their vanguard was already in the +hollow way leading to the ford. We had scarcely received this +intelligence when we heard the blare of the trumpets, and the next +moment we saw the officers push their horses up the declivitous bank, +closely followed by their men, whom they formed up in the prairie. We +counted six small squadrons, about three hundred men in all. They were +the Durango dragoons--smart troops enough to all appearance, capitally +mounted and equipped, and armed with carbines and sabres. + +Although the enemy had doubtless reconnoitred us from the opposite +shore, and ascertained our position, he could not form any accurate +idea of our numbers, for with a view to deceive him, we kept the men +in constant motion, sometimes showing a part of them on the prairie, +then causing them to disappear again behind the vines and bushes. This +was all very knowing for young soldiers such as we were; but, on the +other hand, we had committed a grievous error, and sinned against all +established military rules, by not placing a picket on the further +side of the river, to warn us of the approach of the enemy, and the +direction in which he was coming. There can be little doubt that if we +had earlier notice of their approach, thirty or forty good +marksmen--and all our people were that--might not only have delayed +the advance of the Mexicans, but perhaps even totally disgusted them +of their attempt to cross the Salado. The hollow way on the other side +of the river, leading to the ford, was narrow and tolerably steep, and +the bank was at least six times as high as on our side. Nothing would +have been easier than to have stationed a party, so as to pick off the +cavalry as they wound through this kind of pass, and emerged two by +two upon the shore. Our error, however, did not strike us till it was +too late to repair it; so we were fain to console ourselves with the +reflection that the Mexicans would be much more likely to attribute +our negligence to an excess of confidence in our resources, than to +the inexperience in military matters, which was its real cause. We +resolved to do our best to merit the good opinion which we thus +supposed them to entertain of us. + +When the whole of the dragoons had crossed the water, they marched on +for a short distance in an easterly direction: then, wheeling to the +right, proceeded southward, until within some five hundred paces of +us, where they halted. In this position, the line of cavalry formed +the chord of the arc described by the river, and occupied by us. + +As soon as they halted, they opened their fire, although the could not +see one of us, for we were completely sheltered by the bank. Our +Mexican heroes, however, apparently did not think it necessary to be +within sight or range of their opponents before firing, for they gave +us a rattling volley at a distance which no carbine would carry. This +done, others galloped on for about a hundred yards, halted again, +loaded, fired another volley, and then giving another gallop, fired +again. They continued this sort of _manege_ till they found themselves +within two hundred and fifty paces of us, and then appeared inclined +to take a little time for reflection. + +We kept ourselves perfectly still. The dragoons evidently did not +like the aspect of matters. Our remaining concealed, and not replying +to their fire, seemed to bother them. We saw the officers taking a +deal of pains to encourage their men, and at last two squadrons +advanced, the others following more slowly, a short distance in rear. +This was the moment we had waited for. No sooner had the dragoons got +into a canter, than six of our men who had received orders to that +effect, sprang up the bank, took steady aim at the officers, fired, +and then jumped down again. + +As we had expected, the small numbers that had shown themselves, +encouraged the Mexicans to advance. They seemed at first taken rather +aback by the fall of four of their officers; but nevertheless, after a +moment's hesitation, they came thundering along full speed. They were +within sixty or seventy yards of us, when Fanning and thirty of our +riflemen ascended the bank, and with a coolness and precision that +would have done credit to the most veteran troops, poured a steady +fire into the ranks of the dragoons. + +It requires some nerve and courage for men who have never gone through +any regular military training, to stand their ground singly and +unprotected, within fifty yards of an advancing line of cavalry. Our +fellows did it, however, and fired, not all at once, or in a hurry, +but slowly and deliberately; a running fire, every shot of which told. +Saddle after saddle was emptied; the men, as they had been ordered, +always picking out the foremost horsemen, and as soon as they had +fired, jumping down the bank to reload. When the whole of the thirty +men had discharged their rifles, Wharton and myself, with the reserve +of six and thirty more, took their places; but the dragoons had almost +had enough already, and we had scarcely fired ten shots when they +executed a right-about turn, with an uniformity and rapidity which did +infinite credit to their drill, and went off at a pace that soon +carried them out of reach of our bullets. They had probably not +expected so warm a reception. We saw their officers doing every thing +they could to check their flight, imploring, threatening, even cutting +at them with their sabres, but it was no use; if they were to be +killed, it must be in their own way, and they preferred being cut down +by their officers to encountering the deadly precision of rifles, in +the hands of men who, being sure of hitting a squirrel at a hundred +yards, were not likely to miss a Durango dragoon at any point within +range. + +Our object in ordering the men to fire slowly was, always to have +thirty or forty rifles loaded, wherewith to receive the enemy should +he attempt a charge _en masse_. But our first greeting had been a +sickener, and it appeared almost doubtful whether he would venture to +attack us again, although the officers did every thing in their power +to induce their men to advance. For a long time, neither threats, +entreaties, nor reproaches produced any effect. We saw the officers +gesticulating furiously, pointing to us with their sabres, and +impatiently spurring their horses, till the fiery animals plunged and +reared, and sprang with all four feet from the ground. It is only just +to say, that the officers exhibited a degree of courage far beyond any +thing we had expected from them. Of the two squadrons that charged us, +two-thirds of the officers had fallen; but those who remained, instead +of appearing intimidated by their comrades' fate, redoubled their +efforts to bring their men forward. + +At last there appeared some probability of their accomplishing this, +after a most curious and truly Mexican fashion. Posting themselves in +front of their squadrons, they rode on alone for a hundred yards or +so, halted, looked round, as much as to say--"You see there is no +danger as far as this," and then galloping back, led their men on. +Each time that they executed this manoeuvre, the dragoons would +advance slowly some thirty or forty paces, and then halt as +simultaneously as if the word of command had been given. Off went the +officers again, some distance to the front, and then back again to +their men, and got them on a little further. In this manner these +heroes were inveigled once more to within a hundred and fifty yards of +our position. + +Of course, at each of the numerous halts which they made during their +advance, they favoured us with a general, but most innocuous discharge +of their carbines; and at last, gaining confidence, I suppose, from +our passiveness, and from the noise and smoke they themselves had been +making, three squadrons which had not yet been under fire, formed open +column and advanced at a trot. Without giving them time to halt or +reflect--"Forward! Charge!" shouted the officers, urging their own +horses to their utmost speed; and following the impulse thus given, +the three squadrons came charging furiously along. + +Up sprang thirty of our men to receive them. Their orders were to fire +slowly, and not throw away a shot, but the gleaming sabres and rapid +approach of the dragoons flurried some of them, and firing a hasty +volley, they jumped down the bank again. This precipitation had nearly +been fatal to us. Several of the dragoons fell, and there was some +confusion and a momentary faltering amongst the others; but they still +came on. At this critical moment, Wharton and myself, with the +reserves, showed ourselves on the bank. "Slow and sure-mark your men!" +shouted we both. Wharton on the right and I on the left. The command +was obeyed: rifle after rifle cracked off, always aimed at the +foremost of the dragoons, and at every report a saddle was emptied. +Before we had all fired, Fanning and a dozen of his sharpest men had +again loaded, and were by our side. For nearly a minute the Mexicans +remained, as if stupefied by our murderous fire, and uncertain whether +to advance or retire; but as those who attempted the former, were +invariably shot down, they at last began a retreat, which was soon +converted into a rout. We gave them a farewell volley, which eased a +few more horses of their riders, and then got under cover again, to +await what might next occur. + +But the Mexican caballeros had no notion of coming up to the scratch a +third time. They kept patrolling about, some three or four hundred +yards off, and firing volleys at us, which they were able to do with +perfect impunity, as at that distance we did not think proper to +return a shot. + +The skirmish had lasted nearly three quarters of an hour. Strange to +say, we had not had a single man wounded, although at times the +bullets had fallen about us as thick as hail. We could not account for +this. Many of us had been hit by the balls, but a bruise or a graze of +the skin was the worst consequence that had ensued. We were in a fair +way to deem ourselves invulnerable. + +We were beginning to think that the fight was over for the day, when +our videttes at the lower ford brought us the somewhat unpleasant +intelligence that large masses of infantry were approaching the river, +and would soon be in sight. The words were hardly uttered, when the +roll of the drums, and shrill squeak of the fifes became audible, and +in a few minutes the head of the column of infantry, having crossed +the ford, ascended the sloping bank, and defiled in the prairie +opposite the island of muskeet trees. As company after company +appeared, we were able to form a pretty exact estimate of their +numbers. There were two battalions, together about a thousand men; and +they brought a field-piece with them. + +These were certainly rather long odds to be opposed to seventy-two men +and three officers' for it must be remembered that we had left twenty +of our people at the mission, and in the island of trees. Two +battalions of infantry, and six squadrons of dragoons--the latter, to +be sure, disheartened and diminished by the loss of some fifty men, +but nevertheless formidable opponents, now they were supported by the +foot soldiers. About twenty Mexicans to each of us. It was getting +past a joke. We were all capital shots, and most of us, besides our +rifles, had a brace of pistols in our belts; but what were +seventy-five rifles, and five or six score of pistols against a +thousand muskets and bayonets, two hundred and fifty dragoons, and a +field-piece loaded with canister? If the Mexicans had a spark of +courage or soldiership about them, our fate was sealed. But it was +exactly this courage and soldiership, which we made sure would be +wanting. + +Nevertheless we, the officers, could not repress a feeling of anxiety +and self-reproach, when we reflected that we had brought our comrades +into such a hazardous predicament. But on looking around us, our +apprehensions vanished. Nothing could exceed the perfect coolness and +confidence with which the men were cleaning and preparing their rifles +for the approaching conflict; no bravado--no boasting, talking, or +laughing, but a calm decision of manner, which at once told us, that +if it were possible to overcome such odds as were brought against us, +those were the men to do it. + +Our arrangements for the approaching struggle were soon completed. +Fanning and Wharton were to make head against the infantry and +cavalry. I was to capture the field-piece--an eight-pounder. + +This gun was placed by the Mexicans upon their extreme left, close to +the river, the shores of which it commanded for a considerable +distance. The bank on which we were posted was, as before mentioned, +indented by caves and hollows, and covered with a thick tapestry of +vines and other plants, which was now very useful in concealing us +from the artillerymen. The latter made a pretty good guess at our +position however, and at the first discharge, the canister whizzed +past us at a very short distance. There was not a moment to lose, for +one well-directed shot might exterminate half of us. Followed by a +dozen men, I worked my way as well as I could through the labyrinth of +vines and bushes, and was not more than fifty yards from the gun, when +it was again fired. No one was hurt, although the shot was evidently +intended for my party. The enemy could not see us; but the notion of +the vines, as we passed through them, had betrayed our whereabout: so, +perceiving that we were discovered, I sprang up the bank into the +prairie followed by my men, to whom I shouted, above all to aim at the +artillerymen. + +I had raised my own rifle to my shoulder, when I let it fall again in +astonishment at an apparition that presented itself to my view. This +was a tall, lean, wild figure, with a face overgrown by long beard +that hung down upon his breast, and dressed in a leather cap, jacket, +and mocassins. Where this man had sprung from was a perfect riddle. He +was unknown to any of us, although I had some vague recollection of +having seen him before, but where or when, I could not call to mind. +He had a long rifle in his hands, which he must have fired once +already, for one of the artillerymen lay dead by the gun. At the +moment I first caught sight of him, he shot down another, and then +began reloading with a rapid dexterity, that proved him to be well +used to the thing. My men were as much astonished as I was by this +strange apparition, which appeared to have started out of the earth; +and for a few seconds they forgot to fire, and stood gazing at the +stranger. The latter did not seem to approve of their inaction. + +"D---- yer eyes, ye starin' fools," shouted he in a rough hoarse +voice, "don't ye see them art'lerymen? Why don't ye knock 'em on the +head?" + +It certainly was not the moment to remain idle. We fired; but our +astonishment had thrown us off our balance, and we nearly all missed. +We sprang down the bank again to load, just as the men serving the gun +were slewing it around, so as to bring it to bear upon us. Before this +was accomplished, we were under cover, and the stranger had the +benefit of the discharge, of which he took no more notice than if he +had borne a charmed life. Again we heard the crack of his rifle, and +when, having reloaded, we once more ascended the bank, he was taking +aim at the last artilleryman, who fell, as his companions had done. + +"D---- ye, for laggin' fellers!" growled the stranger. "Why don't ye +take that 'ere big gun?" + +Our small numbers, the bad direction of our first volley, but, above +all, the precipitation with which we had jumped down the bank after +firing it, had so encouraged the enemy, that a company of infantry, +drawn up some distance in rear of the field-piece, fired a volley, and +advanced at double-quick time, part of them making a small _detour_ +with the intention of cutting us off from our friends. At this +moment, we saw Fanning and thirty men coming along the river bank to +our assistance; so without minding the Mexicans who were getting +behind us, we rushed forward to within twenty paces of those in our +front, and taking steady aim, brought down every man his bird. The +sort of desperate coolness with which this was done, produced the +greater effect on our opponents, as being something quite out of their +way. They would, perhaps, have stood firm against a volley from five +times our number, at a rather greater distance; but they did not like +having their mustaches singed by our powder; and after a moment's +wavering and hesitation, they shouted out "Diabolos! Diabolos!" and +throwing away their muskets, broke into precipitate flight. + +Fanning and Wharton now came up with all the men. Under cover of the +infantry's advance, the gun had been re-manned, but, luckily for us, +only by infantry soldiers; for had there been artillerymen to seize +the moment when we were all standing exposed on the prairie, they +might have diminished our numbers not a little. The fuse was already +burning, and we had just time to get under the bank when the gun went +off. Up we jumped again, and looked about us to see what was next to +be done. + +Although hitherto all the advantages had been on our side, our +situation was still a very perilous one. The company we had put to +flight had rejoined its battalion, which was now beginning to advance +by _echelon_ of companies. The second battalion, which was rather +further from us, was moving forward in like manner, and in a parallel +direction. We should probably, therefore, have to resist the attack of +a dozen companies, one after the other; and it was to be feared that +the Mexicans would finish by getting over their panic terror of our +rifles, and exchange their distant and ineffectual platoon-firing for +a charge with the bayonet, in which their superior numbers would tell. +We observed, also, that the cavalry, which had been keeping itself at +a safe distance, was now put in motion, and formed up close to the +island of muskeet trees, to which the right flank of the infantry was +also extending itself. Thence they had clear ground for a charge down +upon us. + +Meanwhile, what had become of the twelve men whom we had left in the +island? Were they still there, or had they fallen back upon the +mission in dismay at the overwhelming force of the Mexicans? If the +latter, it was a bad business for us, for they were all capital shots, +and well armed with rifles and pistols. We heartily wished we had +brought them with us, as well as the eight men at the mission. Cut off +from us as they were, what could they do against the whole of the +cavalry and two companies of infantry which were now approaching the +island? To add to our difficulties, our ammunition was beginning to +run short. Many of us had only had enough powder and ball for fifteen +or sixteen charges, which were now reduced to six or seven. It was no +use desponding, however; and, after a hurried consultation, it was +agreed that Fanning and Wharton should open a fire upon the enemy's +centre, while I made a dash at the field-piece before any more +infantry had time to come up for its protection. + +The infantry-men who had re-manned the gun were by this time shot +down, and, as none had come to replace them, it was served by an +officer alone. Just as I gave the order to advance to the twenty men +who were to follow me, this officer fell. Simultaneously with his +fall, I heard a sort of yell behind me, and, turning round, saw that +it proceeded from the wild spectre-looking stranger, whom I had lost +sight of during the last few minutes. A ball had struck him, and he +fell heavily to the ground, his rifle, which had just been discharged, +and was still smoking from muzzle and touchhole, clutched convulsively +in both hands; his features distorted, his eyes rolling frightfully. +There was something in the expression of his face at that moment which +brought back to me, in vivid colouring, one of the earliest and most +striking incidents of my residence in Texas. Had I not myself seen him +hung, I could have sworn that _Bob Rock, the murderer_, now lay before +me. + +A second look at the man gave additional force to this idea. + +"Bob!" I exclaimed. + +"Bob!" repeated the wounded man, in a broken voice, and with a look +of astonishment, almost of dismay. "Who calls Bob?" + +A wild gleam shot from his eyes, which the next instant closed. He had +become insensible. + +It was neither the time nor the place to indulge in speculations on +this singular resurrection of a man whose execution I had myself +witnessed. With twelve hundred foes around us, we had plenty to occupy +all our thoughts and attention. My people were already masters of the +gun, and some of them drew it forwards and pointed it against the +enemy, while the others spread out right and left to protect it with +their rifles. I was busy loading the piece when an exclamation of +surprise from one of the men made me look up. + +There seemed to be something extraordinary happening amongst the +Mexicans, to judge from the degree of confusion which suddenly showed +itself in their ranks, and which, beginning with the cavalry and right +flank of the infantry, soon became general throughout their whole +force. It was a sort of wavering and unsteadiness which, to us, was +quite unaccountable, for Fanning and Wharton had not yet fired twenty +shots, and, indeed, had only just come within range of the enemy. Not +knowing what it could portend, I called in my men, and stationed them +round the gun, which I had double-shotted, and stood ready to fire. + +The confusion in the Mexican ranks increased. For about a minute they +waved and reeled to and fro, as if uncertain which way to go; and, at +last, the cavalry and right of the line fairly broke, and ran for it. +This example was followed by the centre, and presently the whole of +the two battalions and three hundred cavalry were scattered over the +prairie, in the wildest and most disorderly flight. I gave them a +parting salute from the eight-pounder, which would doubtless have +accelerated their movements had it been possible to run faster than +they were already doing. + +We stood staring after the fugitives in perfect bewilderment, totally +unable to explain their apparently causeless panic. At last the report +of several rifles from the island of trees gave us a clue to the +mystery. + +The infantry, whose left flank extended to the Salado, had pushed +their right into the prairie as far as the island of muskeet trees, in +order to connect their line with the dragoons, and then by making a +general advance, to attack us on all sides at once, and get the full +advantage of their superior numbers. The plan was not a bad one. +Infantry and cavalry approached the island, quite unsuspicious of its +being occupied. The twelve riflemen whom we had stationed there +remained perfectly quiet, concealed behind the trees; allowed +squadrons and companies to come within twenty paces of them, and then +opened their fire, first from their pistols, then from their rifles. + +Some six and thirty shots, every one of which told, fired suddenly +from a cover close to their rear, were enough to startle even the best +troops, much more so our Mexican dons, who, already sufficiently +inclined to a panic, now believed themselves fallen into an ambuscade, +and surrounded on all sides by the incarnate _diabolos_, as they +called us. The cavalry, who had not yet recovered the thrashing we had +given them, were ready enough for a run, and the infantry were not +slow to follow them. + +Our first impulse was naturally to pursue the flying enemy, but a +discovery made by some of the men, induced us to abandon that idea. +They had opened the pouches of the dead Mexicans in order to supply +themselves with ammunition, ours being nearly expended; but the powder +of the cartridges turned out so bad as to be useless. It was little +better than coal dust, and would not carry a ball fifty paces to kill +or wound. This accounted for our apparent invulnerability to the fire +of the Mexicans. The muskets also were of a very inferior description. +Both they and the cartridges were of English make; the former being +stamped Birmingham, and the latter having the name of an English +powder manufactory, with the significant addition, "for exportation." + +Under these circumstances, we had nothing to do but let the Mexicans +run. We sent a detachment to the muskeet island, to unite itself with +the twelve men who had done such good service there, and thence +advance towards the ford. We ourselves proceeded slowly in the latter +direction. This demonstration brought the fugitives back again, for +they had, most of them, in the wild precipitation of their flight, +passed the only place where they could cross the river. They began +crowding over in the greatest confusion, foot and horse all mixed up +together; and by the time we got within a hundred paces of the ford, +the prairie was nearly clear of them. There were still a couple of +hundred men on our side of the water, completely at our mercy, and +Wharton, who was a little in front with thirty men, gave the word to +fire upon them. No one obeyed. He repeated the command. Not a rifle +was raised. He stared at his men, astonished and impatient at this +strange disobedience. An old weather-beaten bear-hunter stepped +forward, squirting out his tobacco juice with all imaginable +deliberation. + +"I tell ye what, capting!" said he, passing his quid over from his +right cheek to his left; "I calkilate, capting," he continued, "we'd +better leave the poor devils of dons alone." + +"The poor devils of dons alone!" repeated Wharton in a rage. "Are you +mad, man?" + +Fanning and I had just come up with our detachment, and were not less +surprised and angry than Wharton was, at this breach of discipline. +The man, however, did not allow himself to be disconcerted. + +"There's a proverb, gentlemen," said he, turning to us, "which says, +that one should build a golden bridge for a beaten enemy; and a good +proverb it is, I calkilate--a considerable good one." + +"What do you mean, man, with your golden bridge?" cried Fanning. "This +is no time for proverbs." + +"Do you know that you are liable to be punished for insubordination?" +said I. "It's your duty to fire, and do the enemy all the harm you +can; not to be quoting proverbs." + +"Calkilate it is," replied the man very coolly. "Calkilate I could +shoot 'em without either danger or trouble; but I reckon that would be +like Spaniards or Mexicans; not like Americans--not prudent." + +"Not like Americans? Would you let the enemy escape, then, when we +have him in our power?" + +"Calkilate I would. Calkilate we should do ourselves more harm than +him by shooting down his people. That was a considerable sensible +commandment of yourn, always to shoot the foremost of the Mexicans +when they attacked. It discouraged the bold ones, and was a sort of +premium on cowardice. Them as lagged behind escaped, them as came +bravely on were shot. It was a good calkilation. If we had shot 'em +without discrimination, the cowards would have got bold, seein' that +they weren't safer in rear than in front. The cowards are our best +friends. Now them runaways," continued he, pointing to the Mexicans, +who were crowding over the river, "are jest the most cowardly of 'em +all, for in their fright they quite forgot the ford, and it's because +they ran so far beyond it, that they are last to cross the water. And +if you fire at 'em now, they'll find that they get nothin' by bein' +cowards, and next time, I reckon, they'll sell their hides as dear as +they can." + +Untimely as this palaver, to use a popular word, undoubtedly was, we +could scarcely forbear smiling at the simple _naive_ manner in which +the old Yankee spoke his mind. + +"Calkilate, captings," he concluded, "you'd better let the poor devils +run. We shall get more profit by it than if we shot five hundred of +'em. Next time they'll run away directly to show their gratitude for +our ginerosity." + +The man stepped back into the ranks, and his comrades nodded +approvingly, and calculated and reckoned that Zebediah had spoke a +true word; and meanwhile the enemy had crossed the river, and was out +of our reach. We were forced to content ourselves with sending a party +across the water to follow up the Mexicans, and observe the direction +they took. We then returned to our old position. + +My first thought on arriving there was to search for the body of Bob +Rock--for he it undoubtedly was, who had so mysteriously appeared +amongst us. I repaired to the spot where I had seen him fall; but +could discover no signs of him, either dead or alive. I went over the +whole scene of the fight, searched amongst the vines and along the +bank of the river; there were plenty of dead Mexicans--cavalry, +infantry, and artillery, but no Bob was to be found, nor could any one +inform me what had become of him, although several had seen him fall. + +I was continuing my search, when I met Wharton, who asked me what I +was seeking, and on learning, shook his head gravely. He had seen the +wild prairieman, he said, but whence he came, or whither he was gone, +was more than he could tell. It was a long time since any thing had +startled and astonished him so much as this man's appearance and +proceedings. He (Wharton,) had been stationed with his party amongst +the vines, about fifty paces in rear of Fanning's people, when just as +the Mexican infantry had crossed the ford, and were forming up, he saw +a man approaching at a brisk trot from the north side of the prairie. +He halted about a couple of hundred yards from Wharton, tied his +mustang to a bush, and with his rifle on his arm, strode along the +edge of the prairie in the direction of the Mexicans. When he passed +near Wharton, the latter called out to him to halt, and say who he +was, whence he came, and whither going. + +"Who I am is no business of yourn," replied the man: "nor where I come +from neither. You'll soon see where I'm goin'. I'm goin' agin' the +enemy." + +"Then you must come and join us," cried Wharton. + +This the stranger testily refused to do. He'd fight on his own hook, +he said. + +Wharton told him he must not do that. + +He should like to see who'd hinder him, he said, and walked on. The +next moment he shot the first artilleryman. After that they let him +take his own way. + +Neither Wharton, nor any of his men, knew what had become of him; but +at last I met with a bear-hunter, who gave me the following +information. + +"Calkilatin'," said he, "that the wild prairieman's rifle was a +capital good one, as good a one as ever killed a bear, he tho't it a +pity that it should fall into bad hands, so went to secure it himself, +although the frontispiece of its dead owner warn't very invitin'. But +when he stooped to take the gun, he got such a shove as knocked him +backwards, and on getting up, he saw the prairieman openin' his jacket +and examinin' a wound on his breast, which was neither deep nor +dangerous, although it had taken away the man's senses for a while. +The ball had struck the breast bone, and was quite near the skin, so +that the wounded man pushed it out with his fingers; and then +supporting himself on his rifle, got up from the ground, and without +either a thankye, or a d---nye, walked to where his mustang was tied +up, got on its back, and rode slowly away in a northerly direction." + +This was all the information I could obtain on the subject, and +shortly afterwards the main body of our army came up, and I had other +matters to occupy my attention. General Austin expressed his gratitude +and approbation to our brave fellows, after a truly republican and +democratic fashion. He shook hands with all the rough bear and buffalo +hunters, and drank with them. Fanning and myself he promoted, on the +spot, to the rank of colonel. + +We were giving the general a detailed account of the morning's events, +when a Mexican priest appeared with a flag of truce and several +waggons, and craved permission to take away the dead. This was of +course granted, and we had some talk with the padre, who, however, was +too wily a customer to allow himself to be pumped. What little we did +get out of him, determined us to advance the same afternoon against +San Antonio. We thought there was some chance, that in the present +panic-struck state of the Mexicans, we might obtain possession of the +place by a bold and sudden assault. + +In this, however, we were mistaken. We found the gates closed, and the +enemy on his guard, but too dispirited to oppose our taking up a +position at about cannon-shot from the great redoubt. We had soon +invested all the outlets from the city. + +San Antonio de Bexar lies in a fertile and well-irrigated valley, +stretching westward from the river Salado. In the centre of the town +rises the fort of the Alamo, which at that time was armed with +forty-eight pieces of artillery of various calibre. The garrison of +the town and fortress was nearly three thousand strong. + +Our artillery consisted of two batteries of four six, and five +eight-pounders; our army of eleven hundred men, with which we had not +only to carry on the siege, but also to make head against the forces +that would be sent against us from Cohahuila, on the frontier of which +province General Cos was stationed, with a strong body of troops. + +We were not discouraged, however, and opened our fire upon the city. +During the first week, not a day passed without smart skirmishes. +General Cos's dragoons were swarming about us like so many Bedouins. +But although well-mounted, and capital horsemen, they were no match +for our backwoodsmen. Those from the western states especially, +accustomed to Indian warfare and cunning, laid traps and ambuscades +for the Mexicans, and were constantly destroying their detachments. As +for the besieged, if one of them showed his head for ten seconds above +the city wall, he was sure of getting a rifle bullet through it. I +cannot say that our besieging army was a perfect model of military +discipline; but any deficiencies in that respect were made good by the +intelligence of the men, and the zeal and unanimity with which they +pursued the accomplishment of one great object--the capture of the +city--the liberty and independence of Texas. + +The badness of the gunpowder used by the Mexicans, was again of great +service to us. Many of their cannon balls that fell far short of us, +were collected and returned to them with powerful effect. We kept a +sharp look-out for convoys, and captured no less than three--one of +horses, another of provisions, and twenty thousand dollars in money. + +After an eight weeks' siege, a breach having been made, the city +surrendered, and a month later the fort followed the example. With a +powerful park of artillery, we then advanced upon Goliad, the +strongest fortress in Texas, which likewise capitulated in about four +weeks' time. We were now masters of the whole country, and the war was +apparently at an end. + +But the Mexicans were not the people to give up their best province so +easily. They have too much of the old Spanish character about +them--that determined obstinacy which sustained the Spaniards during +their protracted struggle against the Moors. The honour of their +republic was compromised, and that must be redeemed. Thundering +proclamations were issued, denouncing the Texians as rebels, who +should be swept off the face of the earth, and threatening the United +States for having aided us with money and volunteers. Ten thousand of +the best troops in Mexico entered Texas and were shortly to be +followed by ten thousand more. The President, General Santa Anna, +himself came to take the command, attended by a numerous and brilliant +staff. + +The Texians laughed at the fanfarronades of the dons, and did not +attach sufficient importance to these formidable preparations. Their +good opinion of themselves, and contempt of their foes, had been +increased to an unreasonable degree by their recent and rapid +successes. They forgot that the troops to which they had hitherto been +opposed were for the most part militia, and that those now advancing +against them were of a far better description, and had probably better +powder. The call to arms made by our president, Burnet, was +disregarded by many, and we could only get together about two thousand +men, of whom nearly two-thirds had to be left to garrison the forts of +Goliad and Alamo. In the first named place we left seven hundred and +sixty men, under the command of Fanning; in the latter, something more +than five hundred. With the remaining seven or eight hundred, we took +the field. The Mexicans advanced so rapidly, that they were upon us +before we were aware of it, and we were compelled to retreat, leaving +the garrisons of the two forts to their fate, and a right melancholy +one it proved to be. + +One morning news was brought to Goliad, that a number of country +people, principally women and children, were on their way to the fort, +closely pursued by the Mexicans. Fanning, losing sight of prudence in +his compassion for these poor people, immediately ordered a battalion +of five hundred men, under the command of Major Ward, to go and meet +the fugitives and escort them in. The major, and several officers of +the garrison, doubted as to the propriety of this measure; but +Fanning, full of sympathy for his unprotected country-women, insisted, +and the battalion moved out. They soon came in sight of the fugitives, +as they thought, but on drawing nearer, the latter turned out to be +Mexican dragoons, who sprang upon their horses, which were concealed +in the neighbouring islands of trees, and a desperate fight began. The +Mexicans, far superior in numbers, received every moment accessions to +their strength. The Louis-Potosi and Santa Fe cavalry, fellows who +seem born on horseback, were there. Our unfortunate countrymen were +hemmed in on all sides. The fight lasted two days, and only two men +out of the five hundred escaped with their lives. + +Before the news of this misfortune reached us, orders had been sent to +Fanning to evacuate the fort and join us with six pieces of artillery. +He received the order, and proceeded to execute it. But what might +have been very practicable for eight hundred and sixty men, was +impossible for three hundred and sixty. Nevertheless, Fanning began +his march through the prairie. His little band was almost immediately +surrounded by the enemy. After a gallant defence, which lasted twelve +hours, they succeeded in reaching an island, but scarcely had they +established themselves there, when they found that their ammunition +was expended. There was nothing left for them, but to accept the terms +offered by the Mexicans, who pledged themselves, that if they laid +down their arms, they should be permitted to return to their homes. +But the rifles were no sooner piled, than the Texians found themselves +charged by their treacherous foes, who butchered them without mercy. +Only an advanced post of three men succeeded in escaping. + +The five hundred men whom we had left in San Antonio de Bexar, fared +no better. Not being sufficiently numerous to hold out the town as +well as the Alamo, they retreated into the latter. The Mexican +artillery soon laid a part of the fort in ruins. Still its defenders +held out. After eight days' fighting, during which the loss of the +besiegers was tremendously severe, the Alamo was taken, and not a +single Texian left alive. + +We thus, by these two cruel blows, lost two-thirds of our army, and +little more than seven hundred men remained to resist the numerous +legions of our victorious foe. The prospect before us, was one well +calculated to daunt the stoutest heart. + +The Mexican general, Santa Anna, moved his army forward in two +divisions, one stretching along the coast towards Velasco, the other +advancing towards San Felipe de Austin. He himself, with a small +force, marched in the centre. At Fort Bend, twenty miles below San +Felipe, he crossed the Brazos, and shortly afterwards established +himself with about fifteen hundred men in an entrenched camp. Our +army, under the command of General Houston, was in front of +Harrisburg, to which place the congress had retreated. + +It was on the night of the twentieth of April, and our whole +disposable force, some seven hundred men, was bivouacking in and about +an island of sycamores. It was a cloudy, stormy evening: high wind was +blowing, and the branches of the trees groaned and creaked above our +heads. The weather harmonized well enough with our feelings, which +were sad and desponding when we thought of the desperate state of our +cause. We (the officers) were sitting in a circle round the general +and Alcalde, both of whom appeared uneasy and anxious. More than once +they got up, and walked backwards and forwards, seemingly impatient, +and as if they were waiting for or expecting something. There was a +deep silence throughout the whole bivouac; some were sleeping, and +those who watched were in no humour for idle chat. + +"Who goes there?" suddenly shouted one of the sentries. The answer we +did not hear, but it was apparently satisfactory, for there was no +further challenge, and a few seconds afterwards an orderly came up, +and whispered something in the ear of the Alcalde. The latter hurried +away, and, presently returning, spoke a few words in a low tone to the +general, and then to us officers. In an instant we were all upon our +feet. In less than ten minutes, the bivouac was broken up, and our +little army on the march. + +All our people were well mounted, and armed with rifles, pistols, and +bowie-knives. We had six field-pieces, but we only took four, +harnessed wit twice the usual number of horses. We marched at a rapid +trot the whole night, led by a tall, gaunt figure of a man who acted +as our guide, and kept some distance in front. I more than once asked +the Alcalde who this was. "You will know by and by," was his answer. + +Before daybreak we had ridden five and twenty miles, but had been +compelled to abandon two more guns. As yet, no one knew the object of +this forced march. The general commanded a halt, and ordered the men +to refresh and strengthen themselves by food and drink. While they +were doing this, he assembled the officers around him, and the meaning +of our night march was explained to us. The camp in which the Mexican +president and general-in-chief had entrenched himself was within a +mile of us; General Parza, with two thousand men, was twenty miles +further to the rear; General Filasola, with one thousand, eighteen +miles lower down on the Brazos; Viesca, with fifteen hundred, +twenty-five miles higher up. One bold and decided blow, and Texas +might yet be free. There was not a moment to lose, nor was one lost. +The general addressed the men. + +"Friends! Brothers! Citizens! General Santa Anna is within a mile of +us with fifteen hundred men. The hour that is to decide the question +of Texian liberty is now arrived. What say you? Do we attack?" + +"We do!" exclaimed the men with one voice, cheerfully and decidedly. + +In the most perfect stillness, we arrived within two hundred paces of +the enemy's camp. The _reveillee_ of the sleeping Mexicans was the +discharge of our two field-pieces loaded with canister. Rushing on to +within twenty-five paces of the entrenchment, we gave them a deadly +volley from our rifles, and then, throwing away the latter, bounded up +the breastworks, a pistol in each hand. The Mexicans, scared and +stupefied by this sudden attack, were running about in the wildest +confusion, seeking their arms, and not knowing which way to turn. +After firing our pistols, we threw them away as we had done our +rifles, and, drawing our bowie-knives, fell, with a shout, upon the +masses of the terrified foe. It was more like the boarding of a ship +than any land fight I had ever seen or imagined. + +My station was on the right of the line, where the breastwork, ending +in a redoubt, was steep and high. I made two attempts to climb up, but +both times slipped back. On the third trial I nearly gained the +summit; but was again slipping down, when a hand seized me by the +collar, and pulled me up on the bank. In the darkness and confusion I +did not distinguish the face of the man who rendered me this +assistance. I only saw the glitter of a bayonet which a Mexican thrust +into his shoulder, at the very moment he was helping me up. He neither +flinched nor let go his hold of me till I was fairly on my feet; then, +turning slowly round, he levelled a pistol at the soldier, who, at +that very moment, was struck down by the Alcalde. + +"No thanks to ye, squire!" exclaimed the man, in a voice which made me +start, even at that moment of excitement and bustle. I looked at the +speaker, but could only see his back, for he had already plunged into +the thick of the fight, and was engaged with a party of Mexicans, who +defended themselves desperately. He fought like a man more anxious to +be killed than to kill, striking furiously right and left, but never +guarding a blow, though the Alcalde, who was by his side, warded off +several which were aimed at him. + +By this time my men had scrambled up after me. I looked round to see +where our help was most wanted, and was about to lead them forward, +when I heard the voice of the Alcalde. + +"Are you badly hurt, Bob?" said he in an anxious tone. + +I glanced at the spot whence the voice came. There lay Bob Rock, +covered with blood, and apparently insensible. The Alcalde was +supporting his head on his arm. Before I had time to give a second +look I was hurried forward with the rest towards the centre of the +camp, where the fight was at the hottest. + +About five hundred men, the pick of the Mexican army, had collected +round a knot of staff-officers, and were making a most gallant +defence. General Houston had attacked them with three hundred of our +people, but had not been able to break their ranks. His charge, +however, had shaken them a little, and, before they had time to +recover from it, I came up. Giving a wild hurrah, my men fired their +pistols, hurled them at their enemies' heads, and then springing over +the carcasses of the fallen, dashed like a thunderbolt into the broken +ranks of the Mexicans. + +A frightful butchery ensued. Our men, who were for the most part, and +at most times, peaceable and humane in disposition, seemed converted +into perfect fiends. Whole ranks of the enemy fell under their knives. +Some idea may be formed of the horrible slaughter from the fact, that +the fight, from beginning to end, did not last above ten minutes, and +in that time nearly eight hundred Mexicans were shot or cut down. "No +quarter!" was the cry of the infuriated assailants: "Remember Alamo! +Remember Goliad! Think of Fanning, Ward!" The Mexicans threw +themselves on their knees, imploring mercy. "_Misericordia! Cuartel, +por el amor de Dios!_" shrieked they in heart-rending tones but their +supplications were not listened to, and every man of them would +inevitably have been butchered, had not General Houston and the +officers dashed in between the victors and the vanquished, and with +the greatest difficulty, and by threats of cutting down our own men if +they did not desist, put an end to this scene of bloodshed, and saved +the Texian character from the stain of unmanly cruelty. + +When all was over, I hurried back to the place where I had left the +Alcalde with Bob--the latter lay, bleeding from six wounds, only a few +paces from the spot where he had helped me up the breastwork. The +bodies of two dead Mexicans served him for a pillow. The Alcalde was +kneeling by his side, gazing sadly and earnestly into the face of the +dying man. + +For Bob was dying; but it was no longer the death of the despairing +murderer. The expression of his features was calm and composed, and +his eyes were raised to heaven with a look of hope and supplication. + +I stooped down and asked him how he felt himself, but he made no +answer, and evidently did not recollect me. After a minute or two, + +"How goes it with the fight?" he asked in a broken voice. + +"We have conquered, Bob. The enemy killed or taken. Not a man +escaped." + +He paused a little, and then spoke again. + +"Have I done my duty? May I hope to be forgiven?" + +The Alcalde answered him in an agitated voice. + +"He who forgave the sinner on the cross, will doubtless be merciful to +you, Bob. His holy book says: There is more joy over one sinner that +repenteth than over ninety and nine just men. Be of good hope, Bob! +the Almighty will surely be merciful to you!" + +"Thank ye, squire," gasped Bob "you're a true friend, a friend in life +and in death. Well, it's come at last," said he, while a resigned and +happy smile stole over his features. "I've prayed for it long enough. +Thank God, it's come at last!" + +He gazed up at the Alcalde with a kindly expression of countenance. +There was a slight shuddering movement of his whole frame--Bob was +dead. + +The Alcalde remained kneeling for a short time by the side of the +corpse, his lips moving in prayer. At last he rose to his feet. + +"God desireth not the death of a sinner, but rather that he may turn +from his wickedness and live," said he, in a low and solemn tone. "I +had those words in my thoughts four years ago, when I cut him down +from the branch of the Patriarch." + +"Four years ago!" cried I. "Then you cut him down, and were in time to +save him! Was it he who yesterday brought us the news of the vicinity +of the foe?" + +"It was, and much more than that has he done," replied the Alcalde, no +longer striving to conceal the tears that fell from his eyes. "For +four years has he dragged on his wretched existence, weary of the +world, and despised of all men. For four years has he served us, +lived, fought, and spied for us, without honour, reward, hope, or +consolation--without a single hour of tranquillity, or a wish for +aught except death. All this to serve Texas and his countrymen. Who +shall say this man was not a true patriot? God will surely be merciful +to his soul," said the Alcalde after a pause. + +"I trust he will," answered I, deeply affected. + +We were interrupted at this moment by a message from General Houston, +to whom we immediately hastened. All was uproar and confusion. Santa +Anna could not be found amongst the prisoners. + +This was a terrible disappointment, for the capture of the Mexican +president had been our principal object, and the victory we had gained +was comparatively unimportant if he escaped. Indeed, the hope of +putting an end to the war by his capture, had more than any thing +encouraged and stimulated us to the unequal conflict. + +The moment was a very critical one. Amongst our men were some thirty +or forty most desperate characters, who began handling their knives, +and casting looks upon the prisoners, the meaning of which it was +impossible to mistake. Selecting some of our trustiest men, we +stationed them as a guard over the captives, and, having thus assured +the safety of the latter, began questioning them as to what had become +of their general. + +They had none of them seen Santa Anna since the commencement of the +fight, and it was clear that he must have made his escape while we +were getting over the breastworks. He could not be very far off, and +we at once took measures to find him. A hundred men were sent off with +the prisoners to Harrisburg, and a hundred others, capitally mounted +on horses found in the Mexican camp, started to scour the country in +search of the fugitive chief. I accompanied the latter detachment. + +We had been twelve hours in the saddle, and had ridden over nearly a +hundred miles of ground. We began to despair of finding the game we +were in quest of, and were thinking of abandoning the chase, when at a +distance of about seven miles from the camp, one of our most +experienced hunters discovered the print of a small and delicate boot +upon some soft ground leading to a marsh. Following this trail, it at +last led us to a man sunk up to his waist in the swamp, and so covered +with mud and filth, as to be quite unrecognizable. We drew him from his +hiding-place, half dead with cold and terror, and, having washed the +dirt from his face, we found him to be a man of about forty years of +age, with blue eyes, of a mild, but crafty expression; a narrow, high +forehead; long, thin nose, rather fleshy at the tip; projecting upper +lip, and long chin. These features tallied too exactly with the +description we had had of the Mexican president, for us to doubt that +our prisoner was Santa Anna himself. + +The only thing that at all tended to shake this conviction, was the +extraordinary poltroonery of our new captive. He threw himself on his +knees, begging us, in the name of God and all the saints, to spare his +life. Our reiterated assurances and promises were insufficient to +convince him of his being in perfect safety, or to induce him to adopt +a demeanour more consistent with his dignity and high station. + +The events which succeeded this fortunate capture are too well known +to require more than a very brief recapitulation. The same evening a +truce was agreed upon between Houston and Santa Anna, the latter +sending orders to his different generals to retire upon San Antonio de +Bexar, and other places in the direction of the Mexican frontier. +These orders, valueless as emanating from a prisoner, most of the +generals were weak or cowardly enough to obey, an obedience for which +they were afterwards brought to trial by the Mexican congress. In a +few days, two-thirds of Texas were in our possession. + +The news of these successes brought crowds of volunteers to our +standard. In three weeks, we had an army of several thousand men, with +which we advanced against the Mexicans. There was no more fighting, +however, for our antagonists had had enough, and allowed themselves to +be driven from one position to another, till, in a month's time, there +was not one of them left in the country. + +The Struggle was over, and Texas was Free! + + * * * * * + + + + +CLITOPHON AND LEUCIPPE. + + +When enumerating (in our number for July, last year) the principal +Greek romances which succeeded the _Ethiopics_ of Heliodorus, we +placed next to the celebrated production of the Bishop of Trica in +point of merit (as it is generally held to have been also in order of +time) the "Adventures of Clitophon and Leucippe," by Achilles Tatius. +Though far inferior, both in the delineation of the characters and the +contrivance of the story, to the _Ethiopics_, (from which, indeed, +many of the incidents are obviously borrowed,) and not altogether free +from passages offensive to delicacy, "Clitophon and Leucippe" is well +entitled to a separate notice, not only from the grace of its style +and diction, and the curious matter with which the narrative is +interspersed, but from its presenting one of the few pictures, which +have come down to these times, of the social and domestic life of the +Greeks. In the _Ethiopics_, which may be considered as an _heroic_ +romance, the scene lies throughout in palaces, camps, and temples; +kings, high-priests, and satraps, figure in every page; the hero +himself is a prince of his own people; and the heroine, who at first +appears of no lower rank than a high-priestess of Delphi, proves, in +the sequel, the heiress of a mighty kingdom. In the work of Achilles +Tatius, on the contrary, (the plot of which is laid at a later period +of time than that of its predecessor,) the characters are taken, +without exception, from the class of Grecian citizens, who are +represented in the ordinary routine of polished social existence, +amidst their gardens of villas, and occupied by their banquets and +processions, and the business of their courts of law. There are no +unexpected revelations, no talismanic rings, no mysterious secret +affecting the fortunes of any of the personages, who are all presented +to us at the commencement in their proper names and characters. The +interest of the story, as in the _Ethiopics_, turns chiefly on an +elopement, and the consequent misadventures of the hero and heroine +among various sets of robbers and treacherous friends; but the lovers, +after being thus duly punished for their undutiful escapade, are +restored, at the finale, to their original position, and settle +quietly in their native home, under their own vines and fig-trees. + +Of the author himself little appears to be certainly known. Fabricius +and other writers have placed him in the "third or fourth" century of +our era; but this date will by no means agree with his constant +imitations of Heliodorus, who is known to have lived at the end of the +fourth and beginning of the fifth century; and Tatius, if not his +contemporary, probably lived not long after him. Suidas (who calls him +_Statius_) informs us that he was a native of Alexandria; and +attributes to his pen several other works on various subjects besides +the romance now in question, a fragment only of which--a treatise on +the sphere--has been preserved. He adds, that he was a pagan when he +wrote "Clitophon and Leucippe," but late in life embraced +Christianity, and even became a bishop. This latter statement, +however, is unsupported by any other authority, and would seem to be +opposed by the negative testimony of the patriarch Photius, who (in +his famous _Bibliotheca_, 118, 130) passes a severe censure on the +immorality of certain passages in the works of Tatius, and would +scarcely have omitted to inveigh against the further scandal of their +having proceeded from the pen of an ecclesiastic. "In style and +composition this work is of high excellence; the periods are generally +well rounded and perspicuous, and gratify the ear by their harmony ... +but, except in the names of the personages, and the unpardonable +breaches of decorum of which he is guilty, the author appears to have +closely copied Heliodorus both in the plan and execution of his +narrative." In another passage, when treating of the _Babylonica_[1] +of Iamblichus, he repeats this condemnation:--"Of these three +principal writers of amorous tales. Heliodorus has treated the subject +with due gravity and decorum. Iamblichus is not so unexceptionable on +these points; and Achilles Tatius is still worse, in his eight books +of _Clitophon and Leucippe_, the very diction of which is soft and +effeminate, as if intended to relax the vigour of the reader's mind." +This last denunciation of the patriarch, however, is somewhat too +sweeping and indiscriminate, since, though some passages are certainly +indefensible, they appear rather as interpolations, and are in no +manner connected with the main thread of the story, the general +tendency of which is throughout innocent and moral; and whatever may +be said of these blemishes, it must be allowed that the pages of +Achilles Tatius are purity itself when compared with the depravity of +Longus, and some of his followers and imitators among the Greek +romancists. + + [1] This work is now lost, and we know it only by the abstract + given by Photius in the passage quoted. + +The period of time at which the adventures of _Clitophon and Leucippe_ +are supposed to take place, appears to be in the later ages of Grecian +independence, when the successors of Alexander reigned in Syria and +Egypt, and the colonized cities in Thrace and Asia Minor still +preserved their municipal liberties. The story is related in the first +person by the hero himself; a mode of narration which, though the best +adapted for affording scope to the expression of the feelings of the +principal personages, is, in this instance, very awkwardly introduced. +A stranger, while contemplating a famous picture of the Rape of Europa +in the Temple of Astarte at Sidon, is accosted by a young man, who, +after a few incidental remarks, proceeds, without further preface, to +recount his adventures at length to this casual acquaintance. This +communicative gentleman is, of course, Clitophon; but before we +proceed to the narrative of his loves and woes, we shall give a +specimen of the author's powers in the line which appears to be his +forte, by quoting his description of the painting above referred +to:--"On entering the temple, my attention was attracted by a picture +representing the story of Europa, in which sea and land were +blended--the Phoenician Sea and the coasts of Sidon. On the land was +seen a band of maidens in a meadow, while in the sea a bull was +swimming, who bore on his shoulders a beautiful virgin, and was making +his way in the direction of Crete. The meadow was decked with a +profusion of bright flowers, to which a grateful shelter was afforded +by the dense overhanging foliage of the shrubs and clumps of trees, +which were interspersed at intervals throughout its extent; while so +skilfully had the artist represented the appearance of light and +shade, that the rays of the sun were seen to pass here and there +through the interstices of the leaves, and cast a softened radiance on +the ground underneath. A spring was seen bubbling up in the midst, and +refreshing the flowers and plants with its cool waters; while a +labourer with a spade was at work opening a fresh channel for the +stream. At the extremity of the meadow, where it bordered on the sea, +the maidens stood grouped together, in attitudes expressive of mingled +joy and terror; their brows were bound with chaplets, and their hair +floated in loose locks over their shoulders; but their features were +pale, and their cheeks contracted, and they gazed with lips apart and +opened eyes on the sea, as if on the point of uttering a cry +half-suppressed by fear. They were standing on tiptoe on the very +verge of the shore, with their tunics girt up to the knee, and +extending their arms towards the bull, as if meditating to rush into +the sea in pursuit of him, and yet shrinking from the contact of the +waves. The sea was represented of a reddish tint inshore, but further +out the colour changed to deep azure; while in another part the waves +were seen running in with a swell upon the rocks, and breaking against +them into clouds of foam and white spray. In the midst of the sea the +bull was depicted, breasting the lofty billows which surged against +his sides, with the damsel seated on his back, not astride, but with +both her feet disposed on his right side, while with her left hand she +grasped his horn, by which she guided his motions as a charioteer +guides a horse by the rein. She was arrayed in a white tunic, which +did not extend much below her waist, and an under-garment of purple, +reaching to her feet; but the outline of her form, and the swell of +her bosom, were distinctly defined through her garments. Her right +hand rested on the back of the bull, with the left she retained her +hold of his horn, while with both she grasped her veil, which was +blown out by the wind, and expanded in an arch over her head and +shoulders, so that the bull might be compared to a ship, of which the +damsel's veil was the sail. Around them dolphins were sporting in the +water, and winged loves fluttering in the air, so admirably depicted, +that the spectator might fancy he saw them in motion. One Cupid guided +the bull, while others hovered round bearing bows and quivers, and +brandishing nuptial torches, regarding Jupiter with arch and sidelong +glances, as if conscious that it was by their influence that the god +had assumed the form of an animal." + +To return to Clitophon and his tale. He begins by informing his +hearer, that he is the son of Hippias, a noble and wealthy denizen of +Tyre, and that he had been betrothed from his childhood, as was not +unusual in those times,[2] to his own half-sister Calligone:--but +Leucippe, the daughter of Sostratus, a brother of Hippias, resident at +Byzantium, having arrived with her mother Panthia, to claim the +hospitality of their Tyrian relatives during a war impending between +their native city and the Thracian tribes, Clitophon at once becomes +enamoured of his cousin, whose charms are described in terms of +glowing panegyric:--"She seemed to me like the representation of +Europa, which I see in the picture before me--her eye beaming with joy +and happiness--her locks fair,[3] and flowing in natural ringlets, but +her eyebrows and eyelashes jetty black--her complexion fair, but with +a blush in her cheeks like that faint crimson with which the Lydian +women stain ivory, and her lips like the hue of a fresh-opened rose." +Love is not, however, in this case, as in that of Theagenes and +Chariclea, instantaneous on both sides; and the expedient adopted by +Clitophon, with the aid of his servant Satyrus, (a valet of the +_Scapin_ school,) to win the good graces of the lady, are detailed at +length, evincing much knowledge of the human heart in the author, and +affording considerable insight into the domestic arrangements of a +Grecian family.[4] An understanding is at last effected between them, +and Clitophon is in sad perplexity how to defer or evade his +approaching nuptials with his sister-bride, when Calligone is most +opportunely carried off by a band of pirates employed by Callisthenes, +a young Byzantine, who, having fallen in love with Leucippe from the +mere report of her beauty, and having been refused her hand by her +father, has followed her to Tyre, and seeing Calligone in a public +procession chaperoned by Panthia, has mistaken her for Leucippe! The +lovers are thus left in the unrestrained enjoyment of each other's +society; but Clitophon is erelong detected by Panthia in an attempt to +penetrate by night into her daughter's chamber; and though the +darkness prevents the person of the intruder from being recognised, +the confusion which this untoward occurrence occasions in the family +is such, that Clitophon and Leucippe, feeling their secret no longer +safe, determine on an elopement. Accompanied by the faithful Satyrus, +and by Clinias, a kinsman and confident of Clitophon, who generously +volunteers to share their adventures, they accordingly set sail for +Egypt; and the two gentlemen, having struck up an acquaintance with a +fellow passenger, a young Alexandrian named Menelaus, beguile the +voyage by discussing with their new friend the all-engrossing subject +of love, the remarks on which at last take so antiplatonic a tone, +that we can only hope Leucippe was out of hearing. These disquisitions +are interrupted, on the third day of the voyage, by a violent tempest; +and the sailors, finding the ship on the point of coming to pieces, +betake themselves to the boat, leaving the passengers to their fate. +But Clitophon and Leucippe, clinging to the forecastle, are +comfortably wafted by the winds and waves to the coast of Egypt, and +landed near Pelusium, where they hire a vessel to carry them to +Alexandria; but their voyage through the tortuous branches of the Nile +is intercepted by marauders of the same class, _Bucoli_ or buccaniers, +as those who figure so conspicuously in the adventures of _Chariclea_ +and _Theagenes_. The robbers are at this juncture in expectation of an +attack from the royal troops; and, having been ordered by their +priests to propitiate the gods by the sacrifice of a virgin, are +greatly at a loss for a victim, when chance throws Leucippe in their +way. She is forthwith torn from her lover, and sent off to the +headquarters of the banditti; and Clitophon is on his way to another +of their retreats, when his captors are attacked and cut to pieces by +a detachment of troops, whose commander, Charmides, commiserates the +misfortunes of our hero, and hospitably entertains him in his tent. + + [2] The laws of Athens permitted the marriage of a brother + with his sister by the father's side only--thus Cimon married + his half sister Elpinice; and several marriages of the same + nature occur in the history of the Egyptian Ptolemies. + + [3] Fair hair, probably from its rarity in southern climates, + seems to have been at all times much prized by the ancients; + witness the [Greek: Xanthos Menelaos] of Homer, and the "Cui + _flavam_ religas comam?" of Horace. The style of Leucippe's + beauty seems to have resembled that of Haidee-- + + "Her hair, I said, was auburn; but her eyes + Were black as night, their lashes the same hue." + + [4] One incident, where Clitophon pretends to have been stung + on the lip by a bee, and to be cured by a kiss from Leucippe, + has been borrowed by Tasso in the Aminta, (Act I. Scene 2.) + "Che fingendo ch'un ape avesse morso il mio labbro di sotto," + &c., whence the idea has been again copied by a host of later + poetasters. This is not Tasso's only obligation to the Greek + romances, as we have already seen that he was indebted to + Heliodorus for the hint of his story of Clorinda. + + + +A general attack on the buccanier force is projected for the next day, +but the advance of the troops is found to be barred by a trench so +wide and deep as to be impassable; and while preparations are made for +filling it up, Leucippe is brought to the opposite brink by two +officiating priests, sheathed in armor; and there, to the horror of +Clitophon, apparently ripped up alive before the altar. After +completing the sacrifice, and depositing the body in a sarcophagus, +the robbers disperse; the passage of the trench is at length effected; +and Clitophon is preparing to fall on his sword at the tomb of his +murdered love, when his hand is stayed by the appearance of his +faithful friends, Menelaus and Satyrus, whom he had supposed lost in +the ship. The mystery is now explained. They had reached the shore, +like Clitophon, on pieces of the wreck and having also fallen into the +power of the robbers, (as appears to have been the inevitable fate of +every one landing in Egypt at the time of this narrative,) were +surprised by finding Leucippe among their fellow captives, and +learning from her the dreadful fate which awaited her. Menelaus, +however, having recognized some former acquaintances among the +buccaniers, was released from his bonds; and having gained their +confidence by proposing to enrol himself in their band, offered his +services as sacrificer, which were accepted. He now contrived to equip +Leucippe with an artfully constructed _false stomach_, and being +further assisted in his humane stratagem by the discovery of a knife +with a sliding blade, among some theatrical _properties_ which the +robbers had acquired in the course of casual plunder, succeeded in +appearing to perform the sacrifice without any real injury to the +victim, who at his call rises from the sarcophagus, and throws herself +into her lover's arms. + +It might be supposed, that after so portentously marvellous an escape +as the one just related, the unlucky couple might be allowed a short +respite at least from the persecutions of adverse fortune. But perils +in love succeed without an interval to perils in war. It is the +invariable rule of all Greek romances, as we have remarked in a +previous number, that the attractions both of the hero and heroine, +should be perfectly irresistible by those of the other sex; and +accordingly, the Egyptian officer Charmides no sooner beholds +Leucippe, than he falls in love with her, and endeavours to gain over +Menelaus to further his views. Menelaus feigns compliance, but +privately gives information of the designs of Charmides to Clitophon, +who is thrown into a dreadful state of consternation by his +apprehensions of this powerful rival. At this juncture, however, +Leucippe is suddenly seized with a fit of extravagant frenzy, which +defies all the skill of the Egyptian camp; and under the influence of +which she violently assaults her friends, and is guilty of sundry +vagaries not altogether seemly in a well-bred young lady. Both her +admirers, Charmides and Clitophon, are in despair, and equally in +ignorance of the cause of her malady; but before any symptoms of +amendment are perceptible, Charmides receives orders[5] to march with +his whole force against the buccaniers, by whom he is inveigled into +an ambuscade, and with most of his men either slain or drowned by the +breaking of the dykes of the Nile. The madness of Leucippe is still +incurable, till a stranger named Choereas makes his appearance, and +introducing himself to Clitophon, informs him that he has discovered +from the confession of a domestic, that Gorgias, an officer who fell +in the late action with the _Bucoli_, captivated, like every one else, +by the resistless charms of the heroine, had administered to her a +philtre, the undue strength of which had excited frenzy instead of +love. By the administration of proper remedies, the fair patient is +now restored to her senses: and the total destruction of the +robber-colony by a stronger force sent against them having rendered +the navigation of the Nile again secure, the lovers once more embark +for Alexandria, accompanied by Menelaus and Choereas, and at length +arrive in safety at the city, which they find illuminated for the +great feast of Serapis. The first sight of the glories of Alexandria, +at the supposed period of the narrative the largest and most +magnificent city in the world, and many ages subsequently second only +to Imperial Rome herself, excites the astonishment and admiration of +the newcomers:--and the author takes the opportunity to dilate, with +pardonable complacency, on the magnitude and grandeur of the place of +his birth. "When I entered the city," (says Clitophon,) "by the gates +called those of the sun, its wonderful beauty flashed at once upon my +sight, almost dazzling my eyes with the excess of gratification. A +lofty colonnade of pillars, on each side of the street,[6] runs right +from the gates of the sun on one side, to those of the moon, (for +these are its guardian deities,) on the other; and the distance is +such, that a walk through the city is in itself a journey. When we had +proceeded several stadia, we arrived at the square named after +Alexander, whence other colonnades, like those I saw extending in a +right line before me, branched off right and left at right angles; and +my eyes, never weary of wandering from one street to another, were +unable to contemplate separately the various objects of attraction +which presented themselves. Some I had before my eyes, some I was +hastening to gaze upon, when I found myself unable to pass by others, +while a fresh series of marvels still awaited me, so that my powers of +vision were at last fairly exhausted, and obliged to confess +themselves beaten. The vast extent of the city, and the innumerable +multitude of the population, produced on the mind the effect of a +double paradox; for regarding the one, the stranger wondered where +such a city, which seemed as large as a continent, could find +inhabitants; but when his attention was drawn to the other, he was +again perplexed how so many people, more numerous than a nation, could +find room in any single city. Thus the two conflicting feelings of +amazement remained in equilibrio." + + [5] These orders are said to have come from the "_satrap_," + the Persian title having been retained under the Ptolemies, + for the governors of the _nomes_ or provinces. The description + of the stronghold of the buccaniers, in the deep recesses of a + marsh, and approachable only by a single hidden path, (like + the stockades of the North-American Indians in the swamps, as + described by Cotton Mather,) if not copied, like most of the + other Egyptian scenes, from the _Ethiopics_, presents a + curious picture of a class of men of whom few details are in + authentic history. + + [6] The main street, according to Diodorus, was "forty stadia + in length, and a _plethrum_ (100 feet) in breadth; adorned + through its whole extent by a succession of palaces and + temples of the most costly magnificence. Alexander also + erected a royal palace, which was an edifice wonderful both + for its magnitude and the solidity of its architecture, and + all the kings who have succeeded him, even up to our times, + have spent great sums in further adorning and making additions + to it. On the whole, the city may be fairly reckoned as the + first in the world, whether for magnitude and beauty, for + traffic, or for the greatness of its revenues."--"It + comprehended," says Gibbon, speaking of it under the Roman + Emperors, "a circumference of fifteen miles, and was peopled + by 300,000 free inhabitants, besides, at least, an equal + number of slaves." + +Choereas, himself a native of the city, who had been called upon to +take service in the late expedition against the buccaniers, does the +honours of the locale to his new friends:--but he is not proof against +the fatal charms of Leucippe, and resorts to the old expedient of +procuring her abduction by a crew of pirates while on an excursion to +the Pharos. The vessel of the captors is, however, chased by a +guard-boat, and on the point of being taken, when Leucippe is brought +on deck and decapitated by the pirates, who throw the headless body +into the sea, and make their escape; while Clitophon stays the +pursuit, to recover the remains of his mistress for sepulture. +Clitophon now returns to Alexandria to mourn for his lost love, and is +still inconsolable at the end of six months, when he is surprised by +the appearance of Clinias, whom he had supposed to have perished when +the vessel foundered at sea. Clinias relates that having, like the +others, floated on a piece of the wreck, he had been picked up by a +ship, which brought him back to Sidon; and as his absence from home +had been so short as not to have been generally noticed, he had +thought it best not to mention it, especially as he had no good +account to give of his fellow-fugitives. In the mean time, as +Calligone is given up for lost, Sostratus, who has heard of his +daughter's attachment to Clitophon, but not of the elopement, writes +from Byzantium to give his consent to their union; and diligent +enquiries are made in every direction for the runaway couple, till +information is at length obtained that Clitophon has been seen in +Egypt. His father, Hippias, is therefore preparing to set sail for +Alexandria to bring back the truant, when Clinias, thinking it would +be as well to forewarn Clitophon of what had occurred in his absence, +starts without delay, unknown to Hippias, and reaches Alexandria +before him. + +The intelligence thus received throws Clitophon into fresh agonies of +grief and remorse: he curses his own impatience in carrying off +Leucippe, when a short delay would have crowned his happiness; accuses +himself anew as the cause of her death; and declares his determination +not to remain in Egypt and encounter his father. His friends, Menelaus +and Clinias, in vain endeavour to combat this resolve; till the +over-ready Satyrus finds an expedient for evading the difficulty. A +young "Ephesian widow," named Melissa, fair and susceptible, who has +lately lost her husband at sea, and become the heiress of his immense +wealth, has recently (in obedience to the above-mentioned invariable +law of Greek romance) fixed an eye of ardent affection on Clitophon; +and it is suggested by his friends that, by marrying this new +inamorata, and sailing with her forthwith on her return to Ephesus, +his departure would at once be satisfactorily explained to his father +on his arrival, and he might return to his friends at Tyre after their +emotions at the tragical catastrophe of Leucippe had in some measure +subsided. After much persuasion, Clitophon accedes to this +arrangement, with the sole proviso that nothing but the _fiancailles_, +or betrothal, shall take place in Egypt, and that the completion of +the marriage shall be deferred till their arrival in Ephesus--on the +plea that he cannot pledge his faith to another in the land where his +beloved Leucippe met with her fate. This proposal, after vehement +opposition on the part of the amorous Ephesian, is at last agreed to; +and Clitophon, with his half-married bride, sets sail for Ephesus, +accompanied by Clinias; while Menelaus, who remains in Egypt, +undertakes the task of explaining matters to Hippias. The voyage is +prosperously accomplished; and Melissa becomes urgent for the formal +solemnization of the nuptials; while Clitophon continues to oppose +frivolous delays which might have roused the anger of a lady even of a +less ardent temperament. Her affection, however, continues +undiminished; but Clitophon, while visiting, in her company, her +country residence in the neighbourhood of the city, is thunderstruck +by fancying that he recognizes, in the disfigured lineaments of a +female slave, said to be a Thessalian of the name of Lacoena, who +approaches Melissa to complain of the ill-treatment she has received +from the steward, Sosthenes, the features of his lost Leucippe. His +suspicions are confirmed by a billet which Leucippe conveys to him +through Satyrus; and his situation becomes doubly perplexing, as +Melissa, more than ever at a loss to comprehend the cause of his +indifference, applies to Leucippe, (whom she supposes to possess the +skill of the Thessalians in magic,) for a love-charm to compel his +affections, promising her liberty as a reward. Leucippe is delighted +by the proof which this request affords of the constancy of her lover; +but the preparations for his marriage with Melissa still proceed, and +evasion appears impossible; when at the preliminary banquet, the +return of her husband, Thersander, is announced, who had been falsely +reported to have perished by shipwreck. A terrible scene of confusion +ensues, in which Thersander, + + --"proceeding at a very high rate, + Shows the imperial penchant of a pirate." + +Clitophon gets a violent beating, to which he submits with the utmost +tameness, and is thrown into fetters by the enraged husband; and +though Melissa, on certain conditions, furnishes him with the means of +escape from the house in the disguise of a female, he again unluckily +encounters Thersander, and is lodged in the prison of Ephesus. +Leucippe, meanwhile, of whose unrivalled charms Thersander has been +informed by Sosthenes, is still detained in bondage, and suffers cruel +persecution from her brutal master; who, at last, having learned from +an overheard soliloquy her true parentage and history, as well as her +attachment for Clitophon, (of her relations with whom he was not +previously aware,) forms a scheme of ridding himself of this twofold +rival, by sending one of his emissaries into the prison, who gives out +that he has been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the +murder of Leucippe, who has been dispatched by assassins employed by +the jealous Melissa. Clitophon at once gives full credence to this +awkwardly devised tale, and determines not to survive his mistress, in +spite of the remonstrances of Clinias, who argues with much reason, +that one who had so often been miraculously preserved from death, +might have escaped also on the present occasion. But Clitophon refuses +to be comforted; and when brought before the assembly in the forum to +stand his trial, on the charge, (apparently, for it is not very +clearly specified,) of having married another man's wife, he openly +declares himself guilty of Leucippe's murder, which he affirms to have +been concerted between Melissa and himself, in order to remove the +obstacle to their amours, and now revealed by him from remorse. He is, +of course, condemned to death forthwith, and Thersander is triumphing +in the unexpected success of his schemes, when the judicial +proceedings are interrupted by the appearance of a religious +procession, at the head of which Clitophon is astonished by +recognizing his uncle Sostratus, the father of Leucippe, who had been +deputed by the Byzantines to offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, at the +Temple of Diana, for their victory over the Thracians. On hearing the +state of affairs, he furiously denounces the murderer of his daughter; +but at this moment it is announced that Leucippe, whom Thersander had +believed to be in safe custody, has escaped, and taken refuge in the +Temple of Diana! + +The interest of the story is now at an end; but much yet remains +before the conclusion. Thersander, maddened at the prospect of being +thus doubly baulked of his prey, throws gross aspersions on the purity +of Leucippe, and even demands that Clitophon, in spite of his now +manifest innocence, shall be executed in pursuance of the previous +sentence! but the high-priest of Diana takes the lovers under his +protection, and the cause is adjourned to the morrow. Leucippe now +relates the circumstances of her captivity:--the Alexandrian pirates, +having deceived their pursuers by beheading another captive dressed in +her garments, had next fallen out with and murdered their base +employer Choereas, and finally sold her for two thousand drachmas to +Sosthenes: while from Sostratus, on the other hand, Clitophon receives +tidings that his long-lost sister Calligone is on the point of +marriage to Callisthenes, who, it will be remembered, had carried her +off from Tyre by mistake for Leucippe, (having become enamoured of the +latter without ever having seen her,) and on the discovery of his +error, had made her all the amends in his power by an instant transfer +of his affections. Thus everything is on the point of ending happily; +but the sentence passed against Clitophon still remains unreversed, +and Thersander, in the assembly of the following day, vehemently calls +for its ratification. But the cause of the defendant is espoused by +the high-priest, who lavishes on the character and motives of +Thersander a torrent of abuse, couched in language little fitting his +sacred character; while Thersander shows himself in this respect fully +a match for his reverend antagonist, and, moreover, reiterates with +fresh violence his previous charge against Leucippe. The debates are +protracted to an insufferably tedious length; but the character of +Leucippe is at last vindicated by her descent into a cavern, whence +sounds of more than human melody are heard on the entrance of a damsel +of untainted fame. The result of this ordeal is, of course, +triumphant; and Thersander, overwhelmed with confusion makes his +escape from the popular indignation, and is condemned to exile by +acclamation as a suborner of false evidence; while the lovers, freed +at length from all their troubles, sail for Byzantium in company with +Sostratus; and after there solemnizing their own nuptials, return to +Tyre to assist at those of Callisthenes and Calligone. + +The leading defects observable in this romance are obviously the +glaring improbability of many of the incidents, and the want of +connexion and necessary dependence between the several parts of the +story. Of the former--the device of the false stomach and theatrical +dagger, by means of which Menelaus and Satyrus (after gaining, +moreover, in a moment the full confidence of the buccaniers,) save the +life of Leucippe when doomed to sacrifice, is the most flagrant +instance; though her second escape from supposed death, when Clitophon +imagines that he sees her head struck off by the Alexandrian pirates, +is almost equally liable to the same objection; while in either case +the deliverance of the heroine might as well have been managed, +without prejudice either to the advancement or interest of the +narrative, by more rational and probable methods. The too frequent +introduction of incidents and personages not in any way connected +with, or conducive to the progress of the main plot, is also +objectionable, and might almost induce the belief that the original +plan was in some measure altered or departed from in the course of +composition. It is difficult to conceive for what purpose the +character of Calligone, the sister and fiancee of Clitophon, is +introduced among the dramatic personae. She appears at the beginning +only to be carried off by Callisthenes as soon as Clitophon's passion +for Leucippe makes her presence inconvenient, and we incidentally hear +of her as on the point of becoming his bride at the conclusion; but +she is seen only for a moment, and never permitted to speak, like a +walking gentlewoman on the stage, and exercises not the smallest +influence on the fortunes of the others. Gorgias is still worse used: +he is a mere _nominis umbra_, of whose bodily presence nothing is made +visible; nor is so much as his name mentioned, except for the purpose +of informing us that it was through his agency that the love-potion +was administered to Leucippe, and that he has since been killed in the +action against the buccaniers. The whole incident of the philtre, +indeed, and the consequent madness of the heroine, is unnatural and +revolting, and serves no end but to introduce Choereas to effect a +cure. But even had it been indispensable to the plot, it might have +been far more probably ascribed to the Egyptian commander Charmides, +with whose passion for Leucippe we were already acquainted, and who +had, moreover, learned from Menelaus that he had little chance of +success by ordinary methods, from the pre-engagement of the lady to +Clitophon. + +Nor are these defects compensated by any high degree of merit in the +delineation of the characters. With the exception of Leucippe herself, +they are all almost wholly devoid of individual or distinguishing +traits, and insipid and uninteresting to the last degree. Menelaus and +Clinias, the confidants and trusted friends of the hero, are the +dullest of all dull mortals--a qualification which perhaps fits them +in some measure for the part they are to bear in the story, as +affording some security against their falling in love with Leucippe, a +fate which they, of all the masculine personages, alone escape. Their +active intervention is confined to the preservation of Leucippe from +the _bucoli_ by Menelaus, and a great deal of useless declamation in +behalf of Clitophon before the assembly of Ephesus from Clinias. +Satyrus, also, from whose knavish ingenuity in the early part of the +tale something better was to be expected, soon subsides into a +well-behaved domestic, and hands his master the letter in which poor +Leucippe makes herself known to him at Ephesus, when she imagines him +married to Melissa, with all the nonchalance of a modern footman. +Clitophon himself is hardly a shade superior to his companions. He is +throughout a mere passive instrument, leaving to chance, or the +exertions of others, his extrication from the various troubles in +which he becomes involved: even of the qualities usually regarded as +inseparable from a hero of romance, spirit and personal courage, he is +so utterly destitute as to suffer himself to be beaten and ill +treated, both by Thersander and Sostratus, without an attempt to +defend himself; and his lamentations, whenever he finds himself in +difficulties, or separated from his ladye-love, are absolutely +puerile. As to the other characters, Thersander is a mere vulgar +ruffian--"a rude and boisterous captain of the sea,"--whose brutal +violence on his first appearance, and subsequent unprincipled +machinations, deprive him of the sympathy which might otherwise have +been excited in behalf of one who finds his wife and his property +unceremoniously taken possession of during his absence; while, on the +other hand, the language used by the high-priest of Diana, in his +invectives against Thersander and his accomplices, gives but a low +idea of the dignity or refinement of the Ephesian hierarchy. But the +female characters, as is almost always the case in the Greek romances, +are far better drawn, and infinitely more interesting, than the men. +Even Melissa, though apparently intended only as a foil to the +perfections of Leucippe, wins upon us by her amorous weakness, and the +invincible kindness of heart which impels her, even when acquainted +with the real state of affairs, to protect the lovers against her +husband's malpractices. Leucippe herself goes far to make amends for +the general insipidity of the other characters. Though not a heroine +of so lofty a stamp as Chariclea, in whom the spirit of her royal +birth is all along apparent, she is endowed with a mingled gentleness +and firmness, which is strongly contrasted with the weakness and +pusillanimity of her lover:--her uncomplaining tenderness, when she +finds Clitophon at Ephesus (as she imagines) the husband of another, +and the calm dignity with which she vindicates herself from the +injurious aspersions of Thersander, are represented with great truth +and feeling, and attach a degree of interest to her, which the other +personages of the narrative are very far from inspiring. + +In the early part of the story, during the scenes in Tyre and Egypt, +the action is carried on with considerable spirit and briskness; the +author having apparently thus far kept before him, as a model, the +narrative of Heliodorus. But towards the conclusion, and, indeed from +the time of the arrival of Clitophon and Melissa at Ephesus, the +interest flags wofully. The _denouement_ is inevitably foreseen from +the moment Clitophon is made aware that Leucippe is still alive and in +his neighbourhood, and the arrival of Thersander, almost immediately +afterwards, disposes of the obstacle of his engagement to Melissa; but +the reader is acquainted with all these circumstances before the end +of the fifth book; the three remaining books being entirely occupied +by the proceedings in the judicial assembly, the recriminations of the +high-priest, and the absurd ordeal to which Leucippe is subjected--all +apparently introduced for no other purpose than to show the author's +skill in declamation. The display of his own acquirements in various +branches of art and science, and of his rhetorical powers of language +in describing them, is indeed an object of which Achilles Tatius never +loses sight; and continual digressions from the thread of the story +for this purpose occur, often extremely _mal-a-propos_, and sometimes +entirely without reference to the preceding narrative. Thus, when +Clitophon is relating the terms of an oracle addressed to the +Byzantines, previous to their war with the Thracians, he breaks off at +once into a dissertation on the wonderful qualities of the element of +water, the inflammable springs of Sicily, the gold extracted from the +lakes of Africa, &c.--all which is supposed to be introduced into a +conversation on the oracle between Sostratus and his colleague in +command, and could only have come to the knowledge of Clitophon by +being repeated to him _verbatim_, after a considerable interval of +time, by Sostratus. Again, in the midst of the hero's perplexities at +his threatened marriage with Calligone, we are favoured with a minute +enumeration of the gems set in an ornament which his father purchased +as part of the trousseau; and this again leads to an account of the +discovery and application of the purple dye. The description of +objects of natural history is at all times a favourite topic; and the +sojourn of the lovers in Egypt affords the author an opportunity of +indulging in details relative to the habits and appearances of the +various strange animals found in that country--the crocodile, the +hippopotamus, and the elephant, are described with considerable spirit +and fidelity; and even the form and colours of the fabulous phoenix, +are delineated with all the confidence of an eyewitness. + +Many of these episodical sketches, though out of place when thus +awkwardly inserted in the midst of the narrative, are in themselves +curious and well written; but the most valuable and interesting among +them are the frequent descriptions of paintings, a specimen of which +has already been given. On this subject especially, the author dwells +_con amore_, and his remarks are generally characterised by a degree +of good taste and correct feeling, which indicates a higher degree of +appreciation of the pictorial art than is generally ascribed to the +age in which Achilles Tatius wrote. Even in the latter part of the +first century of our era, Pliny, when enumerating the glorious names +of the ancient Greek painters, laments over the total decline, in his +own days, of what he terms (_Nat. Hist_. xxxv. 11) "an aspiring art;" +but the monarchs of the Macedonian dynasties in Asia, and, above all, +the Egyptian Ptolemies, were both munificent patrons of the fine arts +among their own subjects, and diligent collectors of the great works +of past ages; and many of the _chefs-d'oeuvres_ of the Grecian masters +were thus transferred from their native country to adorn, the temples +and palaces of Egypt and Syria. We find, from Plutarch, that when +Aratus was exerting himself to gain for the Achaean league the powerful +alliance of Ptolemy Euergetes, he found no means so effectual in +conciliating the good-will of the monarch, as the procuring for him +some of the master-pieces of Pamphilus[7] and Melanthius, the most +renowned of the famous school of Sicyon; and the knowledge of the high +estimation in which the arts were held, under the Egyptian kings, +gives an additional value to the accounts given by Tatius of these +treasures of a past age, his notices of which are the latest, in +point of time, which have come down to us from an eyewitness. We have +already quoted the author's vivid description of the painting of +Europa at Sidon--we shall now subjoin, as a pendant to the former +notice, his remarks on a pair of pictures at Pelusium:-- + + [7] Pamphilus was a Macedonian by birth, and a pupil of + Eupompus, the founder of the school of Sicyon; to the + presidency of which he succeeded. His pupils paid each a + talent a year for instruction; and Melanthius, and even + Apelles himself, for a time, were among the number.--Pliny, + _Hist. Nat_. xxxv. 36. The great talent of Melanthius, like + that of his master Pamphilus, lay in composition and grouping; + and so highly were his pictures esteemed, that Pliny, in + another passage, says, that the wealth of a city would hardly + purchase one. + + + "In this temple (of Jupiter Casius) were two famous works of + Evanthes, illustrative of the legends of Andromeda and + Prometheus, which the painter had probably selected as a pair, + from the similarity of the Subjects--the principal figure in + each being bound to a rock and exposed to the attack of a + terrific animal; in one case a denizen of the air, in the + other a monster of the sea; and the deliverers of both being + Argives, and of kindred blood to each other, Hercules and + Perseus--the former of whom encountered, on foot, the savage + bird sent by Jove, while the latter mounted on borrowed wings + into the air, to assail the monster which issued from the sea + at the command of Neptune. In the picture of Andromeda, the + virgin was laid in a hollow of the rock, not fashioned by art, + but rough like a natural cavity; and which, if viewed only + with regard to the beauty of that which it contained, looked + like a niche holding an exquisite fresh from the chisel; but + the sight of her bonds, and of the monster approaching to + devour her, gave it rather the aspect of a sepulchre. On her + features extreme loveliness was blended with deadly terror, + which was seated on her pallid cheeks, while beauty beamed + forth from her eyes; but, as even amid the pallor of her + cheeks a faint tinge of colour was yet perceptible, so was the + brightness of her eyes, on the other hand, in some measure + dimmed, like the bloom of lately blighted violets. Her white + arms were extended, and lashed to the rock; but their + whiteness partook of a livid hue, and her fingers were like + those of a corpse. Thus lay she, expecting death, but arrayed + like a bride, in a long white robe, which seemed not as if + woven from the fleece of the sheep, but from the web of the + spider, or of those winged insects, the long threads spun by + which are gathered by the Indian women from the trees of their + own country. The monster was just rising out of the sea + opposite to the damsel, his head alone being distinctly + visible, while the unwieldy length of his body was still in a + great measure concealed by the waves, yet so as partially to + discover his formidable array of spines and scales, his + swollen neck, and his long flexible tail, while the gape of + his horrible jaws extended to his shoulder, and disclosed the + abyss of his stomach. But between the monster and the damsel, + Perseus was depicted descending to the encounter from the + upper regions of the air--his body bare, except a mantle + floating round his shoulders, and winged sandals on his + feet--a cap resembling the helmet of Pluto was on his head, + and in his left hand he held before him, like a buckler, the + head of the Gorgon, which even in the pictured representation + was terrible to look at, shaking its snaky hair, which seemed + to erect itself and menace the beholder. His right hand + grasped a weapon, in shape partaking of both a sickle and a + sword; for it had a single hilt, and to the middle of the + blade resembled a sword; but there it separated into two + parts, one continuing straight and pointed, like a sword, + while the other was curved backwards, so that with a single + stroke, it might both inflict a wound, and fix itself in the + part struck. Such was the picture of Andromeda; the design of + the other was thus:-- + + "Prometheus was represented bound down to a rock, with fetters + of iron, while Hercules, armed with a bow and arrow, was seen + approaching. The vulture, supporting himself by fixing his + talons in the thigh of Prometheus, was tearing open the + stomach of his victim, and apparently searching with his beak + for the liver, which it was his destiny daily to devour, and + which the painter had shown through the aperture of the wound. + The whole frame of the sufferer was convulsed, and his limbs + contracted with torture, so that, by raising his thigh, he + involuntarily presented his side to the bird--while the other + limb was visibly quivering in its whole length, with + agony--his teeth were clenched, his lips parted, and his brows + wrinkled. Hercules had already fitted the arrow to the bow, and + aimed it against his tormentor: his left arm was thrown + forward grasping the stock, while the elbow of the right was + bent in the attitude of drawing the arrow to his breast; while + Prometheus, full of mingled hope and fear, was endeavouring to + fix his undivided gaze on his deliverer, though his eyes, in + spite of himself, were partially diverted by the anguish of + his wound." + +The work of Achilles Tatius, with all its blemishes and defects, +appears to have been highly popular among the Greeks of the lower +empire. An epigram is still extant, attributed to the Emperor Leo, the +philosopher,[8] in which it is landed as an example of chaste and +faithful love: and it was esteemed as a model of romantic composition +from the elegance of its style and diction, in which Heretius ranks +the author above Heliodorus, though he at the same time severely +criticizes him for want of originality, accusing him of having +borrowed all the interesting passages in his work from the +_Ethiopics_. In common with Heliodorus, Tatius has found a host of +followers among the later Greeks, some of whom (as the learned critic +just quoted, observes) have transcribed, rather than imitated him. In +the "Hysminias and Hysmine" of Eumathius, a wretched production of the +twelfth century, not only many of the incidents, but even of the +names, as Sostratus, Sosthenes, and Anthia, are taken from Clitophon +and Leucippe: and to so servile an extent is this plagiarism carried, +that two books out of the nine, of which the romance consists, are +filled with descriptions of paintings; while the plot, not very +intelligible at the best, is still further perplexed by the +extraordinary affectation of making nearly all the names alike; thus, +the hero and heroine are Hysminias and Hysmine, the towns are +Aulycomis, Eurycomis, Artycomis, &c. In all these works, the outline +is the same; the lovers undergo endless buffetings by sea and land, +imaginary deaths, and escapes from marauders; but not a spark of +genius or fancy enlivens these dull productions, which, sometimes +maudlin and bombastic, often indecent, would defy the patience of the +most determined novel reader. One of these writers, Xenophon of +Ephesus, the author of the "Ephesiacs, or Habrocomas and Anthia," is +commended by Politian for the classical purity of his language, in +which he considers him scarcely inferior to his namesake the +historian: but the work has little else to recommend it. The two +principal personages are represented as miracles of personal beauty; +and the women fall in love with Habrocomas, as well as the men with +Anthia, literally by dozens at a time: the plot, however differs from +that of the others in marrying them at the commencement, and sending +them through the ordinary routine of dangers afterwards. The +_Ephesiacs_ are, however, noticeable from its having been supposed by +Mr Douce, (_Illustrations of Shakspeare_, ii. 198,) that the +catastrophe in Romeo and Juliet was originally borrowed from one of +the adventures of Anthia, who, when separated from her husband, is +rescued from banditti by Perilaus, governor of Cilicia, and by him +destined for his bride. Unable to evade his solicitations, she +procures from the "poverty, not the will" of an aged physician named +Eudoxus, what she supposes to be a draught of poison, but which is +really an opiate. She is laid with great pomp, loaded with gems and +costly ornaments, in a vault; and on awakening, finds herself in the +hands of a crew of pirates, who have broken open her sepulchre in +order to rifle the treasures which they knew to have been deposited +there. "This work," (observes Mr Douce,) "was certainly not published +nor translated in the time of Luigi da Porto, the original narrator of +the story of Romeo and Juliet: but there is no reason why he might not +have seen a copy of the original in MS. We might enumerate several +more of these later productions of the same school; but a separate +analysis of each would be both tedious and needless, as none present +any marked features of distinction from those already noticed. They +are all, more or less, indifferent copies either from Heliodorus or +Achilles Tatius; the outline of the story being generally borrowed +from one or the other of these sources, while in point of style, +nearly all appear to have taken as their model the florid rhetorical +display and artificial polish of language which characterize the +latter. Their redeeming point is the high position uniformly assigned +to the female characters, who are neither immured in the Oriental +seclusion of the harem, nor degraded to household drudges, like the +Athenian ladies in the polished age of Pericles:[9] but mingle without +restraint in society as the friends and companions of the other sex, +and are addressed in the language of admiration and respect. But these +pleasing traits are not sufficient to atone for the improbability of +the incidents, relieved neither by the brilliant fancy of the East, +nor the lofty deeds of the romances of chivalry: and the reader, +wearied by the repetition of similar scenes and characters, thinly +disguised by change of name and place, finds little reason to regret +that "the children of the marriage of Theagenes and Chariclea," as +these romances are termed by a writer quoted by d'Israeli in the +"Curiosities of Literature"--have not continued to increase and +multiply up to our own times. + + [8] Some bibliographers have assigned it to Photius; but the + opinion of Achilles Tatius expressed by the patriarch, and + quoted at the commencement of this article, precludes the + possibility of its being from his pen. + + [9] See Mitford's _History of Greece_, ch. xiii, sect. 1. + + * * * * * + + + + +THE NEW ART OF PRINTING. + +BY A DESIGNING DEVIL. + + "Aliter non fit, avite, liber."--MARTIAL. + + +It is more than probable that, at the first discovery of that +mightiest of arts, which has so tended to facilitate every other--the +art of printing--many old-fashioned people looked with a jealous eye +on the innovation. Accustomed to a written character, their eyes +became wearied by the crabbedness and formality of type. It was like +travelling on the paved and rectilinear roads of France, after winding +among the blooming hedgerows of England; and how dingy and graceless +must have appeared the first printed copy of the Holy Bible, to those +accustomed to luxuriate in emblazoned missals, amid all the pride, +pomp, and vellum of glorious MS.! + +Dangerous and democratic, too, must have appeared the new art, which, +by plebeianizing knowledge and enlightening the mass, deprived the law +and the prophets of half their terrors, and disrobed priestcraft and +kingcraft of their mystery. We can imagine that, as soon as a printed +book ceased to be a great rarity, it became an object of great +abhorrence. + +There were many, no doubt, to prophesy, as on occasion of every new +invention, that it was all very well for a novelty; but that the thing +would not, and could not last! How were the poor copyists to get their +living if their occupation was taken from them? How were so many +monasteries to be maintained which had subsisted on _manuscriptum_? +And, then, what prince in his right senses would allow a +printing-press to be set up in his dominions--a source of sedition and +heresy--an implement of disaffection and schism? The free towns, +perhaps, might foster this pernicious art, and certain evilly-disposed +potentates wink at the establishment of type-founderies in their +states. But the great powers of Europe knew better! They would never +connive at this second sowing of the dragon's teeth of Cadmus. + +Thus, probably, they argued; becoming reconciled, in process of time, +to the terrible novelty. Print-books became almost as easy to read as +manuscript; soon as cheap, and at length of a quarter the price, or +even less; till, two centuries later, benefit of clergy ceased to be +a benefit, books were plenty as blackberries, and learning a thing for +the multitude. According to Dean Swift's account, the chaplain's time +hung heavy on his hands, for my lady had sermon books of her own, and +could read; nay, my lady's woman had jest books of her own, and wanted +none of his nonsense! The learned professions, or black arts, lost at +least ninety-five per cent in importance; and so rapid as been the +increase of the evil, that, at this time of day, it is a hard matter +to impose on any clodpole in Europe! Instead of signing with their +marks, the kings of modern times have turned ushers; instead of +reading with difficulty, we have a mob of noblemen who write with +ease; and, now-a-days, it is every duke, ay, and every duchess her own +book-maker! + +A year or two hence, however, and all this will have become +obsolete.--_Nous avons change tout cela!_--No more letter-press! +Books, the _small_ as well as the great, will have been voted a great +evil. There will be no gentlemen of the press. The press itself will +have ceased to exist. + +For several years past it has been frankly avowed by the trade that +books have ceased to sell; that the best works are a drug in the +market; that their shelves groan, until themselves are forced to +follow the example. + +Descend to what shifts they may in order to lower their prices, by +piracy from other booksellers, or clipping and coining of authors--no +purchasers! Still, the hope prevailed for a time among the lovers of +letters, that a great glut having occurred, the world was chewing the +cud of its repletion; that the learned were shut up in the Bodleian, +and the ignorant battening upon the circulating libraries; that hungry +times would come again! + +But this fond delusion has vanished. People have not only ceased to +purchase those old-fashioned things called books, but even to read +them! Instead of cutting new works, page by page, people cut them +altogether! To far-sighted philosophers, indeed, this was a state of +things long foreshown. It could not be otherwise. The reading world +was a sedentary world. The literary public was a public lying at +anchor. When France delighted in the twelve-volume novels of +Mademoiselle de Scuderi, it drove in coaches and six, at the rate of +four miles an hour; when England luxuriated in those of Richardson, in +eight, it drove in coaches and four, at the rate of five. A journey +was then esteemed a family calamity; and people abided all the year +round in their cedar parlours, thankful to be diverted by the arrival +of the _Spectator_, or a few pages of the _Pilgrim's Progress_, or a +new sermon. To their unincidental lives, a book was an event. + +Those were the days worth writing for! The fate of Richardson's +heroines was made a national affair; and people interceded with him by +letter to "spare Clarissa," as they would not now intercede with her +Majesty to spare a new Effie Deans. The successive volumes of _Pope's +Iliad_ were looked for with what is called "breathless" interest, +while such political sheets as the _Drapier's Letters_, or _Junius_, +set the whole kingdom in an uproar! And now, if Pope, or Swift, or +Fielding, or Johnson, or Sterne, were to rise from the grave, MS. in +hand, the most adventurous publisher would pass a sleepless night +before he undertook the risk of paper and print; would advise a small +edition, and exact a sum down in ready money, to be laid out in puffs +and advertisements! "Even then, though we may get rid of a few copies +to the circulating libraries," he would observe, "do not expect, sir, +to obtain readers. A few old maids in the county towns, and a few +gouty old gentlemen at the clubs; are the only persons of the present +day who ever open a book!" + +And who can wonder? _Who_ has leisure to read? _Who_ cares to sit down +and spell out accounts of travels which he can make at less cost than +the cost of the narrative? _Who_ wants to peruse fictitious +adventures, when railroads and steamboats woo him to adventures of his +own? Egypt was once a land of mystery; now, every lad, on leaving +Eton, yachts it to the pyramids. India was once a country to dream of +over a book. Even quartoes, if tolerably well-seasoned with suttees +and sandalwood, went down; now, every genteel family has its "own +correspondent," per favour of the Red Sea; and the best printed +account of Cabul would fall stillborn from the press. As to Van +Dieman's Land, it is vulgar as the Isle of Dogs; and since people have +steamed it backwards and forwards across the Atlantic more easily than +formerly across the Channel, every woman chooses to be her own +Trollope--every man his own Boz! + +For some time after books had ceased to find a market, the periodicals +retained their vogue; and even till very lately, newspapers found +readers. But the period at length arrived, when even the leisure +requisite for the perusal of these lighter pages, is no longer +forthcoming. People are busy ballooning or driving; shooting like +stars along railroads; or migrating like swallows or wild-geese. It +has been found, within the current year, impossible to read even a +newspaper! + +The march of intellect, however, luckily keeps pace with the +necessities of the times; and no sooner was it ascertained, that +reading-made-easy was difficult to accomplish, than a new art was +invented for the more ready transmission of ideas. The fallacy of the +proverb, that "those who run may read," being established, modern +science set about the adoption of a medium, available to those sons of +the century who are always on the run. Hence, the grand secret of +ILLUSTRATION.--Hence the new art of printing! + +The pictorial printing-press is now your only wear! Every thing is +communicated by delineation. We are not _told_, but _shown_ how the +world is wagging. The magazines sketch us a lively article, the +newspapers vignette us, step by step, a royal tour. The beauties of +Shakspeare are imprinted on the minds of the rising generation, in +woodcuts; and the poetry of Byron engraver in their hearts, by means +of the graver. Not a boy in his teens has read a line of Don Quixote +or Gil Blas, though all have their adventures by heart; while +Goldsmith's "Deserted Village" has been committed to memory by our +daughters and wives, in a series of exquisite illustrations. Every +body has La Fontaine by heart, thanks to the pencil of Granville, +which requires neither grammar nor dictionary to aid its +interpretations; and even Defoe--even the unparalleled Robinson +Crusoe--is devoured by our ingenuous youth in cuts and come again. + +At present, indeed, the new art of printing is in its infancy, but it +is progressing so rapidly, that the devils of the old will soon have a +cold birth of it! Views of the Holy Land are superseding even the Holy +Scriptures; and a pictorial Blackstone is teaching the ideas of the +sucking lawyers how to shoot. Nay, Buchan's "Domestic Medicine" has +(proh pudor!) its illustrated edition. + +The time saved to an active public by all this, is beyond computation. +All the world is now instructed by symbols, as formerly the deaf and +dumb; and instead of having to peruse a tedious penny-a-line account +of the postilion of the King of the French misdriving his Majesty, and +his Majesty's august family, over a draw-bridge into a moat at +Treport, a single glance at a single woodcut places the whole disaster +graphically before us; leaving us nine minutes and a half of the time +we must otherwise have devoted to the study of the case, to dispose of +at our own will and pleasure; to start, for instance, for Chelsea, and +be back again by the steam-boat, before our mother knows we are out. + +The application of the new art is of daily and hourly extension. The +scandalous Sunday newspapers have announced an intention of evading +Lord Campbell's act, by veiling their libels in caricature. Instead of +_writing_ slander and flat blasphemy, they propose to _draw_ it, and +not draw it mild. The daily prints will doubtless follow their +example. No more Jenkinsisms in the _Morning Post_, concerning +fashionable parties. A view of the duchess's ball-room, or of the +dining-table of the earl, will supersede all occasion for lengthy +fiddle-faddle. The opera of the night before will be described in a +vignette--the ballet in a tail-piece; and we shall know at a glance +whether Cerito and Elssler performed their _pas_ meritoriously, by the +number of bouquets depicted at their feet. + +On the other hand, instead of column after column of dry debates, we +shall know sufficiently who were the speakers of the preceding night, +by a series of portraits--each having an annexed trophy, indicative +of the leading points of his oration. Members of both Houses will be, +of course, daguerreotyped for the use of the morning papers; and +photographic likenesses of the leaders of _ton_ be supplied gratis to +the leaders of the press. + +How far more interesting a striking sketch of a banquet, containing +portraits of undoubted authenticity, to the matter-of-fact +announcements of the exploded letter-press--that "yesterday his Grace +the Duke of Wellington entertained at dinner, at Apsley House, the +Earls of Aberdeen and Liverpool, the Dukes of Richmond and Buccleuch, +the Master of the Horse, the Lord Chancellor, Sir Robert Peel, Sir +James Graham, Sir Frederick Trench, Colonel Gurwood, and M. Algernon +Greville!" Who has patience for the recapitulation of a string of +names, when a group of faces may be placed simultaneously before him? + +And then, accounts of races! How admirably will they be concentrated +into a delineation of the winner passing the post--the losers +distances; and what disgusting particulars of boxing matches shall we +avoid by a spirited etching. Think of despatches from India, (one of +Lord Ellenborough's XXXX,) published in a series of groupings worthy +the frescoes of the tomb of Psammis. As to the affairs of China, we +shall henceforward derive as much pleasure from the projects of Sir +Henry Pottinger, cut in wood by the _Morning Herald_, as in surveying +the Mandarins sailing on buffaloes through the air, or driving in +junks over meadows, in one of Wedgewood's soup plates! + +It has long been the custom for advertisers in the continental +journals to typify their wares. The George Robinses of Brussels, for +instance, embody their account of some exquisite villa in a charming +perspective of the same, or of a capital town mansion in a grim +likeness; while the _carossiers_, who have town chariots or family +coaches to dispose of, make it known in the most designing manner. The +consequence is, that the columns of certain foreign papers bear a +striking likeness to a child's alphabet, such as "A was an archer, and +shot at a frog." Among ourselves, this practice is at present only +partially adopted. We are all familiar with the shape of Mr Cox +Savory's tea-pots, and Messrs Dondney's _point-device_ men in buckram; +while Mordan acquaints us, with much point, how many varieties he has +invented of pencil-cases and toothpicks. As to the London Wine +Company, the new art has long imprinted upon our minds a mysterious +notion of a series of vaults in the style of the Thames tunnel, +frequented by figures armed with spigots and dark lanterns, that +remind us of Guy Fawkes, and make us tremble for ourselves and Father +Mathew! Loose notions of the stay-making trade have been circulated by +the same medium; and we have noticed wood-blocks of wig-blocks, +deservedly immortalizing the pernquier. + +But consider what it will be when the system is adopted on a more +comprehensive scale. The daily papers will present a series of +designs, remarkable as those of the Glyptothek and Pinacothek at +Munich; and in all probability, the artists of the prize cartoons will +be engaged in behalf of the leading journals of Europe. Who cannot +foresee her Majesty's drawing-room illustrated by Parris! Who cannot +conceive the invasion of Britain outdone in an allegorical leading +article: "Louis Philippe (in a Snooks-like attitude) inviting Queen +Victoria to St Cloud; and the British lion lashing out its tail at the +Coq Gaulois!" + +As to the affairs of Spain, they will be a mine of wealth to the new +press--_L'Espagne Pittoresque_ will sell thousands more copies than +Spain Constitutionalized; and let us trust that Sir George Hayter will +instantly "walk his chalks," and secure us the Cortes in black and +white. + +The Greek character will now become easy to decipher; and the evening +papers may take King Otho both off the throne and on. The designs of +Russia have long been proverbial; but the exercise of the new art of +printing may assign them new features. The representations of +impartial periodicals will cut out, or out-cut De Custine; and while +contemplating the well-favoured presentment of Nicholas I., we shall +exclaim--"Is this a tyrant that I see before me?" Nothing will be +easier then to throw the Poles into the shade of the picture, or to +occupy the foreground with a brilliant review. + +As to Germany, to embody her in the hieroglyphics of the new press, +might be a study for Retsch; and who will care for the lumbering pages +of Von Raumer, or the wishy-washy details of Kohl, when able, in an +_augenblick_, to bring Berlin and Vienna before him; to study the +Zollverein in the copy of the King of Prussia's cogitative +countenance, and ascertain the views of Metternich concerning the +elder branch of the Bourbons, by a _cul de lampe_ in the _Morning +Chronicle_! + +We have little doubt of shortly seeing announcements--standing like +tombstones in those literary cemeteries, the Saturday papers--of "A +new work upon America, from the graver of George Cruickshank;" or "A +new fashionable novel, (diamond edition,) from the accomplished pencil +of H.B." Kenny Meadows will become the Byron of the day, Leech the +Scott, Forrester the Marryatt, Phiz the Trollope; Stanfield and Turner +will be epic poets, Landseer preside over the belles-lettres, and +Webster and Stone become the epigrammatists and madrigalists of the +press. + +All this will, doubtless, throw a number of deserving persons out of +employ. The writers, whose stock in trade consists of words rather +than ideas, will find their way to Basinghall Street, prose will be at +a discount, and long-windedness be accounted a distemper. A great +variety of small Sapphos must turn seamstresses*, at three-halfpence +a shirt instead of a penny a line; while the minor poets will have to +earn a livelihood by writing invoice, instead of in verse. But this +transposition of talent, and transition of gain, is no more than arose +from the substitution of railroads for turnpike roads. By that +innovation thousands of hard-working post-horses were left without +rack or manger; and by the present arrangement, Clowes, Spottiswoode, +and the authors who have served to afford matter for their types, will +be driven from the field. + + *Transcriber's Note: Original "semstresses" + +But the world (no longer to be called of letters, but of emblems) will +be the gainer. It will be no longer a form of speech to talk of having +"_glanced_ at the morning papers," whose city article will, of course, +be composed by artists skilled in drawing figures. The biographies of +contemporary or deceased statesmen will be limned, not by Lord +Brougham or Macaulay, but by the impartial hand of the Royal Academy; +and the catacombs at Kensal Green, like those discovered by Belzoni on +the banks of the Nile, exhibit their eulogistic inscriptions in +hieroglyphics. By this new species of shorthand we might have embodied +this very article in half a dozen sprightly etchings! But as the +hapless inventor of the first great art of printing incurred, among +his astounded contemporaries, the opprobrium of being in compact with +the evil one, (whence, probably, the familiar appellation of printers' +devils,) it behoves the early practitioners of the new art to look to +their reputations! By economizing the time of the public, they may +squander their own good repute. It is not every printer who can +afford, like Benjamin Franklin, to be a reformer; and pending the +momentum when (the schoolmasters being all abroad) the grand causeway +of the metropolis shall become, as it were, a moving diorama, +inflicting knowledge upon the million whether it will or no--let us +content ourselves with birds'-eye views of passing events, by way of +exhibiting the first rudiments of THE NEW ART OF PRINTING! + + * * * * * + + + + +THE BANKING HOUSE + +A HISTORY IN THREE PARTS. PART III. + + +CHAPTER I. + +SYMPTOMS OF ROTTENNESS. + + +Michael Allcroft returned to his duties, tuned for labour, full of +courage, and the spirit of enterprise and action. Discharged from the +thrall which had hitherto borne hard upon his energies, and kept them +down, he felt the blessed influence of perfect Liberty, and the +youthful elasticity of mind and body that liberty and conscious +strength engender. Devoted to the task that he had inflicted upon +himself, he grudged every hour that kept him from the field of +operations. Firm in his determination to realize, by his exertions, a +sum of money equal to his parent's debts, and to redeem the estate +from its insolvency, he was uneasy and impatient until he could resume +his yoke, and press resolutely forward. Rich and independent as he +was, in virtue of the fortune of his wife, he still spurned the idea +of relying upon her for his release--for the means of rescuing his +fathers name and house from infamy. No; he saw--he fancied that he saw +a brighter way marked out before him. Industry, perseverance, and +extreme attention would steer his bark steadily through the difficult +ocean, and bring her safely into harbour: these he could command, for +they depended upon himself whom he might trust. He had looked +diligently into the transactions of the house for many years past, and +the investigation was most satisfactory. Year after year, the business +had increased--the profits had improved. The accumulations of his +father must have been considerable when he entered upon his ruinous +speculations. What was the fair inference to draw from this result? +Why--that with the additional capital of his partners--the influx and +extension of good business, and the application of his own resolute +mind, a sum would be raised within a very few years, sufficient to +reinstate the firm, to render it once more stable and secure. And +then--this desirable object once effected, and the secret of the +unfortunate position of the house never divulged--the income which +would afterwards follow for his partners and himself, must be immense. +It was this view of the subject that justified, to his mind, the means +which he had used--that silenced self-reproof, when it accused him of +artifice, and called him to account for the deception he had practised +upon his colleagues. It must be acknowledged, that the plan which he +proposed held out fair promise of ultimate success and that, reckoning +upon the united will and assistance of his partners, he had good +reason to look for an eventual release from all his difficulties and +cares. Yet it was not to be. "_We still have judgment here._" +Punishment still comes to us from those whom we would circumvent. It +was in vain that Michael set foot in the Bank with an indomitable and +eager spirit; in vain that he longed to grapple with his +fate--resolute to overcome it. The world was against him. The battle +was already decided. His first hard struggle for deliverance was +coincident with his last hour of earthly peace. + +Before one year had passed over the respectable heads of our notable +Banking-House, Allcraft was involved in a net of perplexity, from +which it required all the acuteness of his apprehending mind to work +out a mode of extrication. Augustus Brammel continued abroad, spending +his money, and drawing upon the house, with the impudent recklessness +which we have already seen to be a prime ingredient in his character. +He did not condescend to communicate with his partners, or to give +them any information touching his whereabouts, except such as might be +gathered from his cheques, which came, week after week, with alarming +punctuality, for sums as startling. From this one source of misery, +where was a promise or a chance of a final rescue? Michael saw none. +What if he refused to cash his partner's drafts? What if he permitted +them to find their way back, as best they might, through the +various channels by which they had travelled on their previous +journey--dishonoured and disgraced? Who but himself would be the loser +by the game? Such a refusal would lead to quick enquiry--enquiry to +information--information to want of confidence and speedy ruin. What +reliance could repose upon a house, divided against itself--not safe +from the extravagance and pillage of its own members? The public eye, +ever watchful and timid, waits scarcely for the show of danger to take +alarm and withdraw its favour. Michael shrunk from the bare conception +of an act of violence. It was more agreeable, in an hour of +self-collectedness, to devise a remedy, which, if it did not cure the +disease, helped at least to cicatrize the immediate wounds. He looked +from Brammel to Brammel's father for indemnification. And the old man +was in truth a rare temptation. Fond, pitiable father of a false and +bloodless child! doting, when others would have hated, loving his +prodigal with a more anxious fondness as his ingratitude grew +baser--as the claims upon a parent's heart dwindled more and more +away. The grey-haired man was a girl in tenderness and sensibility. He +remembered the mother of the wayward child, and the pains she had +taken to misuse and spoil her only boy; his own conduct returned to +him in the shape of heavy reproaches, and he could not forget, or call +to mind without remorse, the smiles of encouragement he had given, the +flattering approbation he had bestowed when true love, justice, duty, +mercy, all called loudly for rebuke, restraint, wholesome correction, +solemn chastisement. Could he be conscious of all this, and not excuse +the unsteady youth--accuse himself? It was he who deserved +punishment--not the sufferer with his calamities _imposed_ upon him by +his erring sire. He was ready to receive his punishment. Oh, would +that at any cost--at any expense of bodily and mental suffering, he +could secure his child from further sorrow and from deeper +degradation! To such a heart and mind, Michael might well carry his +complaints with some expectation of sympathy and reimbursement. +Aggrieved as he was, he did not fail to paint his disappointment and +sense of injury in the strongest colours; but blacker than all--and he +was capable of such a task, he pictured the gross deception of which +he had so cruelly been made the subject. + +"I could," he said to the poor father, in whose aged eyes, turned to +the earth, tears of shame were gushing, "I could have forgiven any +thing but that. You deceived me meanly and deliberately. The character +you gave with him was false. You knew it to be so, and you were well +aware that nothing but mischief and ruin could result from a connexion +with him." + +"Indeed, Mr Allcraft," replied the unhappy man, "I had great hopes of +his reformation. He had improved of late years a little, and he gave +me his word that he would be steady. If I had not thought so, I should +certainly not have permitted you to receive him. What can we do, sir?" + +"Ah! what, Mr Brammel. It is that I wish to know. The present state of +things cannot continue. Where is he now?" + +"Indeed, I do not know. He is a bad boy to hide himself from his +father. I do not deserve it of him. I cannot guess." + +"Are you aware, sir, that he is married?" + +"They have told me something of it. I am, in truth, glad to hear it. +It will be to his wife's interest to lead him back to duty." + +"You have not seen her, then?" + +The old man shook his head. + +"Well, well, sir," continued Allcraft, "this is not to the purpose. We +must protect ourselves. His profligacy must be checked; at all events, +we must have no connexion with it. Hitherto we have honoured his +drafts, and kept your name and his free from disgrace. I can do so no +longer. We have paid his last cheque this very day. To-morrow I shall +advertise publicly our determination, to honour his demands no more." + +"No--no, no, Mr Allcraft," interposed old Brammel anxiously, taking +every word for granted, "that must not be done--I cannot allow it; for +the poor boy's sake, that determination must not be made at present. I +am sure he will reform at last. I should not be surprised if he +returned to business in a day or two, and settled steadily to work for +the remainder of his life. It is likely enough, now that he is +married. I have much to answer for on account of that youth, Mr +Allcraft, and I should never forgive myself if I suffered any thing to +be done that is likely to render him desperate, just when a glimmering +of hope is stealing upon us. You shake your head, sir, but I am +confident he will yet make up for all his folly." + +"Heaven grant it, sir, for your sake!" + +"Yes, and for his own, poor child--for what will become of him if he +does not! Now, as to these cheques, Mr Allcraft, let me have them all. +I will restore every farthing that you have paid on his account; and +should any more be presented, let them be duly honoured. I hold myself +responsible for their discharge. I am sure this is the wisest course +to pursue. It is quite reasonable for you to demur, and to object to +these demands. I like you the better, Mr Allcraft, for your scruples: +you are an honourable man, sir. I would lose my last drop of blood to +make my poor boy like you. It is wise and praiseworthy in you to look +so carefully to the good credit of your house; and it is fair and +right that I should take this matter upon myself. I do it, persuaded +of the propriety of the step, and satisfied that all will go well with +him yet. Be lenient with the unhappy boy, sir, and have yet a little +patience." + +"I am afraid, sir, that he will but presume on your generosity and +good nature." + +"Ah, but he is never to know it, Mr Allcraft; I would not for the +world have him hear of what I have done. Should you discover his +abode, write to him, I pray--tell him that I am enraged at his +proceedings--that I do not think that I can ever be reconciled to him +again. Say that my anger has no bounds--that my heart is +breaking--will break and kill me, if he persists in his ingratitude +and cruelty. Implore him to come home and save me." + +The old man stopped and wept. Michael was not yet a father and could +not understand the tears: it appears that he understood business much +better; for, taking leave of Brammel as soon as he could after the +latter had expressed a wish to cash the cheques, he went immediately +to the bank and procured the documents. He presented them with his own +hand to the astounded father, from whom, also with his own hand, he +received one good substantial draft in fair exchange. + +So far, so good; but, in another quarter, Allcraft suddenly discovered +that he had committed an egregious blunder. He had entrusted Planner +with the secret of his critical position--had made him acquainted with +the dishonest transactions of his father, and the consequent +bankruptcy of the firm. Not that this disclosure had been made in any +violent ebullition of unguarded feeling--from any particular love to +Planner--from an inability on the part of the divulger to keep his own +good counsel. Michael, when he raised Planner from poverty to +comparative affluence, was fully sensible of the value of his man--the +dire necessity for him. It was indispensable that the tragic underplot +of the play should never be known to either Bellamy or Brammel, and +the only safe way of concealing it from them, was to communicate it +unreservedly to their common partner, and his peculiar _protege_. He +did so with much solemnity, and with many references to the +extraordinary liberality he had himself displayed in admitting him to +his confidence, and to a share of his wealth. "Maintain my secret," he +said to Planner, "and your fortune shall be made; betray me, and you +are thrown again into a garret. You cannot hurt me; nothing shall save +you." He repeated these words over and over again, and he received +from his confidant assurance upon assurance of secrecy and unlimited +devotion. And up to the period of Allcraft's return from France, the +gentleman had every reason to rely upon the probity and good faith of +his associate; nor in fact had he less reason _after_ his return. Were +it not that "the thief doth fear each bush an officer," he had no +cause whatever to suspect or tremble: his mind, for any actual danger, +might have been at rest. But what did he behold? Why, Planner and +Bellamy, whom he had left as distant as stage-coach acquaintances, as +intimate and loving, as united and inseparable, as the tawny twins of +Siam. Not a week passed which did not find the former, once, twice, or +three times a guest at the proud man's table. The visits paid to the +bank were rather to Mr Planner than for any other object. Mr Planner +only could give advice as to the alteration of the south wing of the +hall: Mr Planner's taste must decide upon the internal embellishments: +then there were private and mysterious conversations in the small back +room--the parlour; nods and significant looks when they met and +separated; and once, Michael called to see Planner after the hours of +business, and whom should he discover in his room but Mr Bellamy +himself, sitting in conclave with the schemer, and manifestly intent +upon some serious matter. What was the meaning of all this? Oh, it was +too plain! The rebel Planner had fallen from his allegiance, and was +making his terms with the enemy. Allcraft cursed himself a thousand +times for his folly in placing himself at the mercy of so unstable a +character, and immediately became aware that there had never been any +cogent reason for such a step, and that his danger would have been +infinitely smaller had he never spoken to a human being on the +subject. But it was useless to call himself, by turns, madman and +fool, for his pains. What could be done now to repair the error? +Absolutely nothing; and, at the best, he had only to prepare himself, +for the remainder of his days, to live in doubt, fear, anxiety, and +torture. + +In the meanwhile, Planner grew actually enamoured of the +_Pantamorphica_ Association. The more he examined it, the more +striking appeared its capabilities, the fairer seemed the prospect of +triumphant unequivocal success. In pursuance of his generous +resolution, he communicated his designs to Allcraft. They were +received with looks of unaffected fright. Without an instant's +hesitation, Michael implored his partner to desist--to give up at +once, and for ever, all thoughts of the delusion--to be faithful to +his duty, and to think well of his serious engagement. "Your +Association, sir," he exclaimed in the anger of the moment, "is like +every other precious scheme you have embarked in--impracticable, +ridiculous, absurd!" Planner, in these three words, could only +read--_ingratitude_--the basest it had ever been his lot to meet. Here +was a return for his frankness--his straightforward conduct--his +unequalled liberality. Here was the affectionate expression of thanks +which he had so proudly looked forward to--the acknowledgment of +superior genius which he had a right to expect from the man who was to +profit so largely by the labour of his brains. Very well. Then let it +be so. He would prosecute the glorious work alone--he would himself +supply the funds needful for the undertaking, and alone he would +receive the great reward that most assuredly awaited him. Very +delicately did Michael hint to his partner, that his--Planner's--funds +existed, with his castles and associations, in the unsubstantial air, +and no where else; but not so delicately as to avoid heaping fuel on +the fire which he had already kindled in the breast of the offended +schemer. The latter bristled at the words, lost for an instant his +self-possession, said in his anger more than he intended--more than he +might easily unsay--enough to bruise the already smarting soul of +Allcraft. A threat escaped his lips--a reproach--a taunt. He spoke of +his _power_, and touched cuttingly upon the deep schemes of _other_ +men, more feasible than his own perhaps, and certainly more honest. +Allcraft winced, as every syllable made known the speaker's actual +strength--his own dependence and utter weakness. He made no reply to +the attack of the man whom he had drawn from beggary; but he looked +him in the face steadily and reproachfully, and shamed him into +vexation and regret. + +"I did not mean to speak unkindly, Michael," he stammered with a view +to apologize. "I am sorry that I lost my temper. You need not fear me. +Don't remember what I have said." + +"You have threatened me, Planner," answered Allcraft, trembling with +irritation. "You have attempted to frighten me into compliance with +your demands. I say, sir, you have threatened me. It is the first +time--it shall be the last." + +"It shall, Michael--I promise you it shall." + +"I ask no promise from you," continued the excited and suspicious man, +writhing under a sense of his helplessness. "You have betrayed the +cloven foot. I thank you for it. I am aware of what is to follow--I +expect it--I shall hold myself prepared!" + +"Do nothing of the kind, Allcraft. You know me better. You are safe +with me. I am ashamed of myself for what I have spoken. Forgive me"-- + +"But never mind," proceeded the unhappy Michael. "I defy you: do your +worst. Let this be your acknowledgment of past favours--the fulfilment +of your sacred promise. Betray me to Bellamy, and be at ease." + +"Michael, you do not use me well. I spoke angrily, and without +consideration. I am sorry that I did so, and I have asked your +forgiveness. What can I do more? You should allow for wounded +feelings. It was hard to hear you ridiculing an affair that occupies +my serious thoughts. I was irritated--think no more about it." + +"Answer me this, How much does Mr Bellamy already know?" + +"From me--nothing. Make your mind happy on that score. It is not to +the interest of any one of us that secrets should be known. You need +not fear. Shake hands." + +Michael took his hand. + +"And as to this Association," continued Planner, "let me have my way +for once--the thing is clear, and cannot fail. The elements of success +are there, and a splendid fortune must be realized. I am not greedy. I +don't want to grasp every thing for myself. I told you just now that +we would share and share alike. You are not up to projects of this +nature. I am. Trust to me. I will engage to enter upon no new affair +if I am disappointed in this. The truth is, I cannot quietly let a +fortune slide through my fingers, when a little skill and energy only +are necessary to secure it. Come, Michael, this once you must not say +_no_." + +The hope, however faint, of making money by this speculation, and the +fear of offending the depositary of his great secret, compelled at +length from Allcraft a reluctant acquiescence. He consented to the +trial, receiving Planner's solemn promise that, in the event of +failure, it should be the last. Planner himself, overjoyed at his +victory, prepared himself for action, and contemplated the magnificent +resources of the bank with a resolute and daring spirit that would +have gratified exceedingly the customers of the house, could they have +but known it. Planner conscientiously believed that he had hitherto +failed in all his schemes, because he had never commanded cash +sufficient to carry out his views. This great obstacle being removed, +he wisely determined to make the most of his good fortune. And in +truth he was without the shadow of an excuse for timidity and +forbearance. The anxiety which might have accompanied his ventures, +had the money been his own, was mercifully spared him; the thought of +personal danger and ruin could never come to cloud his intellect, or +oppress his energy. As for the ruin of any other party, the idea, by a +very happy dispensation, never once occurred to him. It took a very +few months to make Mr Planner the largest shareholder--the principal +director--the president and first man in the famous "_Joint-Stock +Pantamorphica Association._" + +And whilst he was busy in the purchase of lands required for the +extensive undertaking, his dear friend Mr Bellamy was agreeably +occupied in paying off, by degrees, the heavy mortgages which, for +many years, had been weighing on his beautiful estate. In addition to +the ten thousand pounds which he had abstracted during the absence of +Mr Allcraft, he had not hesitated to draw large sums under the very +nose of his too easy and unsuspecting partner. The manner of Mr +Bellamy threw Michael off his guard. He walked so erect--looked upon +every body so superciliously--spoke even to Allcraft in so high a +tone, and with so patronizing an air, that it was quite impossible to +suspect him of being any thing but real coin, a sound man, and worthy +of all trust. It is certainly true that Mr Bellamy had not brought +into the concern as he had engaged, some twenty, or forty thousand +pounds--it does not matter which--but the reasons which he +condescended to give for this failure were perfectly satisfactory, and +accounted for the delay--so well accounted for it that Michael +entreated Mr Bellamy not to think about it, but to take his time. And +how very natural it was for a man of Mr Bellamy's consideration and +enormous wealth to secure the little property that adjoined his own, +and to borrow from the bank any sum of money that he might want to +complete so desirable a purchase! And how very natural, likewise, on +the part of Allcraft, ever fearful of discovery, ever desirous to keep +upon the best terms with Mr Bellamy (the great man of the country, the +observed of all observers)--to be at all times anxious to oblige his +friend, to render him sensible of his desire to please him, and of the +obligation under which, by these repeated acts of kindness and +indulgence, he was insensibly brought. + +And so they reached the close of the first year of partnership; and +who shall say that the situation of Michael was an enviable one, or +that the persevering man had not good cause for despondency and dread? +He was already deeply indebted to his wife; not one of his three +partners had proved to be such as he expected and required. Danger +threatened from two of them: Mr Bellamy had not afforded the support +which he had promised. A stronger heart than Michael's might have +quailed in his position; yet the pressure from without animated and +invigorated _him_. In the midst of his gloom, he was not without a +gleam of hope and consolation. As he had foreseen, the business of the +house rapidly increased: its returns were great. Day and night he +laboured to improve them, and to raise the reputation of the tottering +concern; for tottering it was, though looking most secure. For +himself, he did not draw one farthing from the bank; he resided with +his wife in a small cottage, lived economically, and sacrificed to his +engrossing occupation every joy of the domestic hearth. The public +acknowledged with favour the exertions of the labouring man; +pronounced him worthy of his sire; vouchsafed him their respect and +confidence. Bravely the youth proceeded on his way--looking ever to +the future--straining to his object--prepared to sacrifice his life +rather than yield or not attain it. Noble ambition--worthy of a less +ignoble cause--a better fate! + +The second year passed on, and then the third: at the close of this, +Michael looked again at his condition. During the last year the +business of the house had doubled. Had not the profits, and more than +the profits, been dragged away by Bellamy and Planner--his ardent mind +would have been satisfied, his ceaseless toil well-paid. But the +continual drafts had kept ever in advance of the receipts, draining +the exchequer--crippling its faculties. Even at this melancholy +exhibition, his sanguine spirit refused to be cast down, and to resign +the hope of ultimate recovery and success. He built upon the promise +of Mr Bellamy, who at length had engaged to refund his loans upon a +certain day, and to add, at the same time, his long-expected and +long-promised quota of floating capital: he built upon the illusions +of Planner's strong imagination--Planner, who suddenly becoming sick +of his speculation, alarmed at his responsibility, and doubtful of +success, had been for some time vigorously looking out for a +gentleman, willing to purchase his share and interest in the unrivaled +_Pantamorphica_, and to relieve him of his liabilities; and had at +last persuaded himself into the belief that he had found one. _He_ +likewise fixed a period for the restoration of a fearful sum of money, +which Michael, madman that he was, had suffered him to expend--to +fling away like dirt. Upon such expectation, Allcraft stood--upon such +props suffered his aching soul to rest. There wanted but a month to +the acceptable season when claims upon the house poured in which +could not be put off. Michael borrowed money once more from his wife +to meet them. He did it without remorse or hesitation. Why should he +have compunction--why think about it, when the hour of repayment was +so near at hand? It was a proper question for a man who could slumber +on a mine that was ready to burst, and shatter him to atoms. + + +CHAPTER II. + +A MEETING. + + +It was a constant saying of old Mr Brammel, that if his time were to +come over again, he would adopt a very different plan from that which +he had pursued in the education of his son. Now, a different plan it +might have been; but one leading to a more satisfactory result, I must +take the liberty to deny. Of what use is experience to one who, with +sixty years of life in him, still feels and thinks, reasons and acts, +like a child? Who but a child would have thought of paying the +wholesale demands of that dissolute, incorrigible youth, with the +notion of effecting by such subtle means his lasting reformation: who +but a child would have made the concealment of his name a condition of +the act? As may be guessed, the success of this scheme was equal to +its wisdom. Augustus Theodore, too grateful for the facilities +afforded him, showed no disposition to abridge his pleasures, or to +hasten his return. In the regular and faithful discharge of his +drafts, his vulgar soul rejoiced to detect a fear of offending, and an +eagerness to conciliate, on the part of his partner, Michael Allcraft. +He would see and acknowledge nothing else. And the idea once fixed in +his mind, he was not likely to rest contented with half the glory of +his victory. "No.--He would punish the fellow.--He would make him +smart; he would teach him to come all the way to France on purpose to +bully him. He hadn't done with the gentleman yet. Master Allcraft +should cry loud enough before he had. He'd sicken him." Still the +hopeful youth pursued his travels--still he transmitted his _orders at +sight_--still they were honoured punctually--still Augustus Theodore +chuckled with stupid delight over what he considered the pitiful +submission of his partner, who had not courage to reject his drafts, +and dared not utter now one brief expostulatory word. Mr Brammel, +junior, like the rest of the firm, lived in his own delusions. The +fourth year dawned, and Mr Brammel suddenly appeared amongst his +friends. He and his lady had travelled over Europe; they had seen the +world--the world had seen them; they were sick of wandering--they +desired to settle. A noble villa, with parks and paddocks, was +quickly taken and sumptuously furnished; hunters were got from +Tattersall's--nursery-maids from France--an establishment worthy of +the name rose like magic, almost within sight of Michael's humble +dwelling, taking the neighbourhood by surprise, startling and +affrighting Allcraft. Again the latter visited the fond old +man--remonstrated, complained; and once more the father entreated on +behalf of his son, begged for time and patience, and undertook to +satisfy the prodigal's extravagance. He gave his money as before, +willingly and eagerly, and stipulated only, with unmeaning +earnestness, for secrecy and silence. And the fourth year closed as +drearily as it had opened. The promises of Bellamy and Planner were as +far from fulfilment as ever; their performance as vigorous and +disastrous as at first. The landed proprietor still redeemed, day +after day, portions of his involved estate. The schemer, disappointed +in his expectations of a purchaser, returned to his speculation with +redoubled ardour, and with fresh supplies of gold. His only chance of +ultimate recovery was to push boldly forward, and to betray no fear of +failure. One retrograde or timid step would open the eyes of men, and +bring down ruin on the _Pantamorphica_. Planner became conscious of +all this to his dismay, and he had nothing to do in the very extremity +of his distress, but to proceed in his venture with the best spirits +he could command, and to trust himself fairly to the swelling +tide.--Allcraft looked on and trembled. + +It is wonderful how long a withered leaf will sometimes cling to its +branch. It will hold tenaciously there, the last of its race, days +after the decay of its greener and more healthy-looking mates. "A +creaking door," the proverb has it, "hangs long upon its hinges;" and +many a wheezing, parchment-looking gentleman, as we all know, who +ought to have died every year of his life since he was born, draws his +difficult breath through threescore years and ten; whilst the young, +the hardy, and the sound are smitten in their pride, and fall in heaps +about him. It is no less strange that a house of business like that of +our friend Mr Allcraft, should assert its existence for years, rotten +as it was, during the whole of the time, at its very heart's core. And +yet such is the case. Eight years elapsed, and found it still in the +land of the living: yes, and to the eye external, as proper and as +good a house of business as any you shall name. Its vitals were +going--were gone, before the smallest indications of mischief appeared +upon the surface. Life must have been well nourished to maintain +itself so long. And was it not? Answer, thou kind physician, gentle +Margaret! Answer, thou balm and life's elixir--Margaret's _gold_! + +Eight weary years have passed, and we have reached a miserable day in +the month of November. The wind is howling, and the rain is pelting +against the parlour windows of the Banking-house, whose blinds are +drawn close down. The partners are all assembled. Michael, whose hair +is as grey as his father's on the day of his death, and whom care and +misery have made haggard and old, sits at a table, with a heap of +papers before him, and a pen in his hand--engaged, as it appears, in +casting up accounts. Mr Bellamy, who looks remarkably well--very +glossy and very fat--sits at the table likewise, perusing leisurely +the county newspapers through golden eyeglasses. He holds them with +the air of a gentleman, comfortable and at ease in all respects, +mentally and bodily. Augustus Theodore swings on a chair before the +fire, which he keeps at work for his own especial consolation. His +feet stretch along the fender--his amusement is the poker. He has +grown insufferably vain, is dressed many degrees above the highest +fashionable point, and looks a dissipated, hopeless blackguard. +Planner, very subdued, very pale, and therefore very unlike himself, +stands behind the chair of Allcraft; and ever and anon he casts a +rueful glance over the shoulder of his friend, upon the papers which +his friend is busy with. No one speaks. At intervals Mr Bellamy coughs +extensively and loudly, just to show his dignity and independence, and +to assure the company that _his_ conscience is very tranquil on the +occasion--that his firm "withers are unwrung;" and Mr Brammel +struggles like an ill-taught bullfinch, to produce a whistle, and +fails in the attempt. With these exceptions, we have a silent room. A +quarter of an hour passes. Michael finishes his work. He spends one +moment in reflection, and then he speaks:-- + +"Now, gentlemen," he begins with a deep sigh, that seems to carry from +his heart a load of care--"Now, if you please"-- + +The paper and the poker are abandoned, chairs are drawn towards the +baize-covered table. The partners sit and look at one another, face to +face. + +"Gentlemen," said Michael, at first slowly and seriously, and in a +tone which none might hear beyond their walls--"you do not, I am sure, +require me to advert to _all_ the causes which have rendered this +meeting necessary. I have no desire to use reproaches, and I shall +refer as little as I may to the past. I ask you all to do me justice. +Have I not laboured like a slave for the common good? Have I not +toiled in order to avoid the evil hour that has come upon us? Have I +not given every thing--have I not robbed another in order to prop up +our house and keep its name from infamy?" + +"Be calm, be calm," interposed Mr Bellamy gently, remarking that +Allcraft slightly raised his voice at the concluding words. + +"Calm! calm, Mr Bellamy!" exclaimed the unhappy speaker, renouncing +without hesitation all attempts at the _suaviter in modo_, and yet +fearful of showing his indignation and of being overheard--"Calm! It +is well for you to talk so. Had I been less calm, less easy; had I +done my duty--had I been determined seven years ago, this cruel day +would never have arrived. You are my witness that it never would." + +Mr Bellamy rose with much formality from his seat. + +"Gentlemen," he said, "I cannot submit to dark and plebeian +innuendoes. I have come here to-day, at great personal inconvenience, +and I am prepared to listen respectfully to any thing which Mr +Allcraft thinks it his duty to bring before us. But I must have you +remember that a gentleman and a man of honour cannot brook an insult." + +"I ask your pardon, sir," added Allcraft, in a tone of bitterness--"I +meant no insult. Pray be seated. I have the honour to present you with +a statement of our affairs. We have claims upon us, amounting to +several thousand pounds, which must be met within a week. A third of +the sum required will not be at our command. How is it to be obtained? +and, if obtained, how is it to repair the inroads which, year after +year, have been made upon the house, and how secure it from further +spoliation? It is useless and absurd to hide from ourselves any longer +the glaring fact that we are on the actual verge of bankruptcy." + +"Well! I have had nothing to do with that. You can't say it's me," +ejaculated Mr Brammel. "You have had the management in your own hands, +and so you have nobody but yourself to thank for it. I thought from +the beginning how the concern would turn out!" + +"_Your_ share, sir, in furthering the interests of the bank we will +speak of shortly," said Michael, turning to the speaker with contempt. +"We have little time for recrimination now." + +"As for recrimination, Mr Allcraft," interposed Mr Bellamy, "I must be +allowed to say, that you betray a very improper spirit in this +business--very--very. You are far from being temperate." + +"Temperate!" + +"Yes; I said so." + +"Mr Bellamy," said Allcraft, bursting with rage, "I have been your +partner for eight years. I have not for a moment deserted my post, or +slackened in my duty. I have given my strength, my health, my peace of +mind, to the house. I have drawn less than your clerk from its +resources; but I have added to them, wrongfully, cruelly, and +unpardonably, from means not my own, which, in common honesty, I ought +never to have touched--which"-- + +"Really, really, Mr Allcraft," said Bellamy, interrupting him, "you +have told us every word of this before." + +"Wait, sir," continued the other. "I am _intemperate_, and you shall +have my excuse for being so. _You_, Mr Bellamy, have never devoted one +moment of your life to the interests of the house; no, not a moment. +You have, year after year, without the slightest hesitation or +remorse, sucked its life-blood from it. You have borrowed, as these +accounts will show, thousands of pounds, and paid them back with +promises and words. You engaged to produce your fair proportion of +capital; you have given nothing. You made grand professions of adding +strength and stability to the firm; you have been its stumblingblock +and hinderance." + +"Mr Allcraft," said Bellamy coolly, "you are still a very young man." + +"Have I told the truth?" + +"Pshaw, man! Speak to the point. Speak to the point, sir. We have +heavy payments due next week. Are we prepared to meet them?" + +"No--nor shall we be." + +"That's unfortunate," added Mr Bellamy, very quietly. "You are sure of +that? You cannot help us--with another loan, for instance?" + +Michael answered, with determination--"No." + +"Very well. No violence, Mr Allcraft, pray. Such being the case, I +shall decline, at present, giving any answer to the unjust, inhuman +observations which you have made upon my conduct. Painful as it is to +pass this barbarous treatment over for the present, still my own +private affairs shall be as nothing in comparison with the general +good. This provided for, I will protect myself from future insult, +depend upon it. You are wrong, Mr Allcraft--very wrong. You shall +acknowledge it. You will be sorry for the expressions which you have +cast upon a gentleman, your senior in years, and [here a very loud +cough] let me add--in social station. Now, sir, let me beg a word or +two in private." + +It was very unfortunate that the whole establishment stood in +unaffected awe of the redoubted Mr Bellamy. Allcraft, notwithstanding +his knowledge of the man, and his previous attack upon his character, +was not, at this moment, free from the fascination; and at the +eleventh hour he found it difficult to withdraw entirely his +confidence in Mr Bellamy's ultimate desire and capability to deal +honorably and justly by him. Much of the Mogul's power was +unquestionably derived from his massive _physique_; but his +chief excellence lay in that peculiar off-hand, patronizing, +take-it-for-granted air, which he made it a point to assume towards +every individual with whom he came in contact. He had scarcely +requested a few minutes' private conversation with Allcraft, before +Planner and Brammel jumped involuntarily from their seats, as if in +obedience to a word of command, and edged towards the door. + +"If you please," continued Mr Bellamy, nodding to them very +graciously; and they departed. In the course of ten minutes they were +recalled by the autocrat himself. The gentlemen resumed their seats, +and this time, Mr Bellamy addressed them. + +"You see, my dear sirs," he began with, for him, peculiar gentleness, +"it is absolutely necessary to provide against the immediate exigency, +and to postpone all discussion on the past, until this is met, and +satisfactorily disposed of." + +"Certainly!" said Augustus Brammel, who, for his part, never wished to +talk or think about the past again. "Certainly. Hear, hear! I agree to +that"-- + +"I knew you would, dear Mr Brammel--a gentleman of your discretion +would not fail to do so." + +Augustus looked up at Mr Bellamy to find if he were jeering him; but +he saw no reason to believe it. + +"Such being the case," continued the worthy speaker; "it behoves us +now to look about for some assistance. Our friend, Mr Allcraft, I am +sorry to say, does not feel disposed to help us once more through the +pressure. I am very sorry to say so. Perhaps he will think better of +it, (Allcraft shook his head.) Ah; just so. He desponds a little now. +He takes the dark side of things. For my own part, I prefer the +bright. He believes, as you have heard, that we are on the verge of +bankruptcy. Upon my honour as a gentleman, I really can believe in no +such thing. There is a general gloom over the mercantile world; it +will break off in time; and we, with the rest of mankind, shall pass +into the sunshine." + +"Hear, hear!" exclaimed Augustus Brammel; "that's the way to look at +things!" + +"Taking it for granted, then--which, positively, I an not inclined to +do; for really, Mr Allcraft, it is against your interest not to help +us in this emergency--but, however, taking it, I say, for granted, +that our friend here will not succour us--it appears to me, that only +one legitimate course is open to us. If we are refused at home, let us +apply for aid as near our home as possible. There are our London +friends"-- + +"Ah, yes, to be sure--so there are," cried Theodore Augustus. + +"We surely cannot hesitate to apply to them. Our name stands--and +deservedly so--very high. They will be glad to accommodate us with a +temporary loan. We will avail ourselves of it--say for three months. +That will give us time to turn about us, and to prepare ourselves +against similar unpleasant casualties. See what we want, Mr Allcraft: +let the sum be raised in London without delay, and let us look forward +with the hearts of men." + +"Capital, capital," continued Brammel; "I second that motion." + +"Thank you, sir," said Mr Bellamy, with a gracious smile. "There +remains then to consider only who shall be the favoured individual +deputed to this important business. One of us must certainly go to +London, and I do think it due to our youngest member, Brammel, to +concede to him the honour of representing us in the metropolis. No +offence will, I trust, be taken by our other friends, and I hope that +in my zeal for Mr Brammel, I shall not be suspected of betraying an +undue preference." + +Mr Bellamy turned towards Augustus Theodore with an almost +affectionate expression of countenance, as he spoke these words; but +perceived, to his mortification, that the latter, instead of being +pleasantly affected by his address, wriggled in his chair most +impatiently, and assumed the complexion and aspect of a man with whom +something has suddenly and violently disagreed. + +"No--no--no!" he bellowed out, as soon as he could; "none of that +soft-soap, Mr Bellamy; make up your mind at once--I sha'n't go. I +can't borrow money. I do not know how to do it. I don't want the +honour, thank you. It's very good of you, and I am much obliged to +you--that's a fact. But you'll look out for some body else, if you +please. I beg to say I decline--pos"-- + +Mr Bellamy cast upon Theodore one of his natural and annihilating +glances, and said deliberately, + +"Mr Brammel, for the first time in your life you are honoured by being +made a useful individual. You are to go to London.--Go you shall"-- + +"Go, I sha'n't," answered Brammel, in his accustomed easy style and +manner. + +"Very well. You are aware, Mr Brammel, that your respected parent has +yet to be made acquainted with sundry lively doings of your own, which +you would rather, I believe, keep from his ears at present; you +likewise are aware that if any thing happens to the serious injury of +the bank through your imprudence--your inheritance from that respected +parent would be dearly purchased for a shilling. I shall be sorry to +hurt your feelings, or your pocket. I have no wish to do it; but +depend upon me, sir, your father shall be a wiser man to-night, if you +are obstinate and disobedient." + +"I can't borrow money--I can't--I don't know how to do it," said +Brammel peevishly. + +"And who reproaches you for your inability, my dear sir," said Bellamy +coaxingly. "No one, I am sure. You shall be taught. Every thing shall +be made easy and agreeable. You will carry your credentials from the +house, and your simple task shall be beforehand well explained to +you." + +"I am not used to it." + +"And you never will be, Mr Brammel, if you don't begin to practise. +Come, I am sure you don't wish me to see your father to-day. I am +certain you are not anxious to part with your patrimony. You are too +sensible a man. Pray let us have no delay, Mr Allcraft. See what we +want. Mr Brammel will go to London to-morrow. We must take time by the +forelock. Let us meet these heavy payments, and then we can think, and +breathe, and talk. Till then it is idle to wrangle, and to lose one's +temper. Very well: then there's little more, I imagine, to be done at +present." + +Augustus Theodore still opposed his nomination, like an irritable +child; but a fly kicking against a stone wall, was as likely to move +it, as Brammel to break down the resolution of such a personage as Mr +Bellamy. After an hour's insane remonstrance, he gave in to his own +alarm, rather than to the persuasion of his partner. He was fearfully +in debt; his only hope of getting out of it rested in the speedy +decease of his unfortunate parent, whom he had not seen for months, +and who, he had reason to believe, had vowed to make him pay with his +whole fortune for any calamity that might happen to the bank through +his misconduct or extravagance. It was not from the lips of Mr Bellamy +that he heard this threat for the first time. What he should do, if it +were carried out, heaven only knows. He consented to go to London on +this disgusting mission, and he could have bitten his tongue out for +speaking his acquiescence, so enraged was he with himself, and all the +world, at his defeat. He did not affect to conceal his anger; and yet, +strange to say, it was not visible to Mr Bellamy. On the contrary, he +thanked Mr Brammel for the cheerful and excellent spirit in which he +had met his partners' wishes, and expressed himself delighted at the +opportunity which now presented itself for introducing their young +friend to life. Then, turning to Michael Allcraft, he begged him to +prepare their deputation for his work immediately, and to place no +obstacle in the way of his departure. Then he moved the adjournment of +the meeting until the return of Mr Brammel; and then he finished by +inviting all his partners to dine with him at the hall that day, and +to join him in drinking success and happiness to their young +adventurer. The invitation was accepted; and Mr. Bellamy's grand +carriage drew up immediately with splash and clatter to the door. + + +CHAPTER III. + +A CHAPTER OF LOANS. + + +Augustus Brammel hated his partners with all his heart and soul. He +had never been very fond of them, but the result of this interview +gave an activity and a form to feelings which it required only +sufficient occasion to bring into play. Notwithstanding the polite +tone which Mr Bellamy had cunningly adopted in placing his mission +before him, even he, the ignorant and obtuse Brammel, could not fail +to see that he had been made the tool, the cat's-paw in a business +from which his partners shrank. Now, had the young man been as full of +courage as he was of vulgar conceit, he might, I verily believe, have +turned his hatred, and his knowledge of affairs, to very good account. +Lacking the spirit of the smallest animal that crawls, he was content +to eject his odious malice in oaths and execrations, and to submit to +his beating after all. No sooner was the meeting at an end, than he +left the Banking-house, and turned his steps towards home. He had +become--as it was very natural he should--a brute of a husband, and +the terror of his helpless household. He remembered, all at once, that +he had been deeply aggrieved in the morning by Mrs Brammel; that as +many as two of his shirt buttons had given way whilst he was in the +act of dressing, and unable to contain himself after the treatment of +Mr Bellamy, he resolved forthwith to have his vengeance out upon his +wife. But he had not walked a hundred yards, before his rancour and +fury increased to such a height, that he was compelled to pull up +short in the street, and to vow, with a horrible oath, that he would +see all his partners roasting in the warmest place that he could think +of, before he'd move one inch to save their souls from rotting. So, +instead of proceeding homeward, he turned back again, with a view to +make this statement; but before he could reach the Banking-house, a +wiser thought entered his head, and induced him to retrace his steps. +"He would go," he said, "to his father; and lay his complaint there. +He would impeach all his partners, acknowledge his errors, and promise +once more to reform. His father, easy old fool, would believe him, +forgive him, and do any thing else, in his joy." It was certainly a +bright idea--but, alas! his debts were so very extensive. Bellamy's +threatening look rose before him, and made them appear even larger and +more terrible than they were. What if his father insisted upon his +going to London, and doing any other dirty work which these fellows +chose to put upon him? Bellamy, he was sure, could make the old man do +any thing. No, it wouldn't do. He stamped his foot to the ground in +vexation, and recurred to his original determination. It was all he +could do. He must go to London, and take what indemnification he might +in the domestic circle previously to starting. And the miserable man +did have his revenge, and did go to London. He was empowered to borrow +twenty thousand pounds from the London house, and he was furnished by +Michael Allcraft with particulars explanatory of his commission. And +he walked into Lombard Street with the feelings of a culprit walking +up the scaffold to his execution. His pitiful heart deserted him at +the very instant when he most needed its support. He passed and +repassed the large door of the establishment, which he saw opened and +shut a hundred tines in a minute, by individuals, whose +self-collectedness and independence, he would have given half his +fortune to possess. He tried, time after time, to summon courage for +his entry, and, as he afterwards expressed it, a ball rose in his +throat--just as he got one foot upon the step--large enough to choke +him. Impudent and reckless us he had been all his life, he was now +more timid and nervous than an hysterical girl. Oh, what should he do! +First, he thought of going to a neighbouring hotel, and writing at +once to Allcraft; swearing that he was very ill, that he couldn't +move, and was utterly unable to perform his duties. If he went to bed, +and sent for a doctor, surely Allcraft would believe him; and in pity +would come up and do the business. He dwelt upon this contrivance, +until it seemed too complicated for success. Would it not be more +advisable to write to the London house itself, and explain the object +of his coming up? But if he could write, why couldn't he _call_? They +would certainly ask that question, and perhaps refuse the loan. Oh, +what was he to do! He could hit upon no plan, and he couldn't muster +confidence to turn in. The porter of the firm mercifully interposed to +rescue Mr Brammel from his dilemma. That functionary had watched the +stranger shuffling to and fro in great anxiety and doubt, and at +length he deemed it proper to enquire whether the gentleman was +looking for the doorway of the house of Messrs ---- and ----, or not. +Augustus, frightened, answered _yes_ at random, and in another instant +found himself in what he called "THE SWEATING ROOM of the awfullest +house of business he had ever seen in all his life." It was a large +square apartment, very lofty and very naked-looking. There was an iron +chest, and two shelves filled with giant books; and there was nothing +else in the room but a stillness, and a mouldiness of smell, that hung +upon his spirits like pounds of lead, dragging them down, and freezing +them. Yet, cold as were his spirits, the perspiration that oozed from +the pores of his skin was profuse and steady during the quarter of an +hour that elapsed whilst he waited for the arrival of the worthy +principal. During those memorable fifteen minutes--the most unpleasant +of his life--Augustus, for two seconds together, could neither sit, +stand nor walk with comfort. He knew nothing of the affairs of his +house; he was not in a condition to answer the most trivial business +question; he had heard that his firm was on the eve of bankruptcy, +(and, judging from the part he had taken in its affairs, he could +easily believe it;) he felt that his partners had thrown the odium of +the present application upon him, not having courage to take it upon +themselves; and he had an indistinct apprehension that this very act +of borrowing money would lead to transportation or the gallows, should +the business go to rack and ruin, as he could see it shortly would. +All these considerations went far to stultify the otherwise weak and +feeble Mr Brammel; when, in addition, he endeavoured to arrange in his +mind the terms on which he would request the favour of a temporary +loan of only (!) twenty thousand pounds, a sensation of nausea +completely overpowered him, and the table, the chairs, the iron chest, +swam round him like so many ships at sea. To recover from his +sickness, and to curse the banking-house, every member of the same, +and his own respectable parent for linking him to it, was one and the +same exertion. To the infinite astonishment of Augustus Theodore, the +acquisition of these twenty thousand pounds proved the most amusing +and easiest transaction of his life. Mr Cutbill, the managing partner +of the London house, received him with profound respect and pleasure. +He listened most attentively to the stammering request, and put the +deputation at his ease at once, by expressing his readiness to comply +with Mr Allcraft's wishes, provided a note of hand, signed by all the +partners, and payable in three months, was given as security for the +sum required. Augustus wrote word home to that effect; the note of +hand arrived--the twenty thousand pounds were paid--the dreaded +business was transacted with half the trouble that it generally cost +Augustus Theodore to effect the purchase of a pair of gloves. + +Mr Bellamy remained at the hall just one week after the receipt of the +cash, and then was carried to the north by pressing business. Before +he started he complimented Allcraft upon their success, trusted that +they should now go smoothly on, promised to return at the very +earliest moment, and gave directions on his route by which all +letters of importance might safely reach him. And Allcraft, relieved +for a brief season, indefatigable as ever, strained every nerve and +muscle to sustain his credit and increase his gains. As heretofore, he +denied himself all diversion and amusement. The first at the bank, the +last to leave it, he had his eye for ever on its doings. Visible at +all times to the world, and most conspicuous there where the world was +pleased to find him, he maintained his reputation as a thorough man of +business, and held, with hooks of steel, a confidence as necessary to +existence as the vital air around him. To lose a breath of the public +approbation in his present state, were to give up fatally the only +stay on which he rested. Wonderful that, as the prospects of the man +grew darker, his courage strengthened, his spirit roused, his industry +increased! And a bitter reflection was it, that reward still came to +him--still a fair return for time and strength expended. He could not +complain of the neglect of mankind, or of the ingratitude of those he +served. In the legitimate transactions of the house, he was a +prosperous and a prospering man. Such, to the outer world, did he +appear in all respects, and such he would have been but for the hidden +and internal sores already past cure or reparation. Who had brought +them there? Michael did not ask the question--yet. Never did three +months pass away so rapidly as those which came between the day of +borrowing and the day of paying back those twenty thousand pounds. The +moment the money had arrived, Michael's previous anxieties fled from +his bosom, and left him as happy as a boy without a care. It came like +a respite from death. Sanguine to the last, he congratulated himself +upon the overthrow of his temporary difficulties, and relied upon the +upturning of some means of payment, on the arrival of the distant day. +But distant as it looked at first, it crept nearer and nearer, until +at the end of two months, when--as he saw no possibility of relieving +himself from the engagement--it appeared close upon him, haunting him +morning, noon, and night, wheresoever he might be, and sickening him +with its terrible and desperate aspect. When there wanted only a week +to the fatal day, Michael's hope of meeting the note of hand was +slighter than ever. He became irritable, distressed, and +anxious--struggled hard to get the needful sum together, struggled and +strove; but failed. Hours and minutes were now of vital consequence; +and, in a rash and unprotected moment, he permitted himself to write a +letter to the London house, begging them, as a particular favour, just +for one week to retire the bill they held against him. The London +house civilly complied with the request, and five days of that last +and dreary week swept by, leaving poor Allcraft as ill prepared for +payment as they had found him. What could he do? At length the gulf +had opened--was yawning--to receive him. How should he escape it? + +Heaven, in its infinite mercy, has vouchsafed to men _angels_ to guide +and cheer them on their difficult and thorny paths. Could Michael +suffer, and Margaret not sympathize? Could he have a sorrow which she +might chase away, and, having the power, lack the heart to do it? +Impossible! Oh! hear her in her impassioned supplications; hear her at +midnight, in their disturbed and sleepless bedchamber, whilst the +doomed man sits at her side in agony, clasps his face, and buries it +within his hand for shame and disappointment. + +"Michael, do not break my heart. Take, dearest, all that I possess; +but, I entreat you, let me see you cheerful. Do not take this thing to +heart. Whatever may be your trouble, confide it, love, to me. I will +try to kill it!" + +"No, no, no," answered Allcraft wildly; "it must not be--it shall not +be, dear Margaret. You shall be imposed upon no longer. You shall not +be robbed. I am a villain!" + +"Do not say so, Michael. You are kind and good; but this cruel +business has worn you out. Leave it, I implore you, if you can, and +let us live in peace." + +"Margaret, it is impossible. Do not flatter yourself or me with the +vain hope of extrication. Release will never come. I am bound to it +for my life; it will take longer than a life to effect deliverance. +You know not my calamities." + +"But I _will_ know them, Michael, and share them with you, if they +must be borne. I am your wife, and have a right to this. Trust me, +Michael, and do not kill me with suspense. What is this new +affliction? Whatsoever it may be, it is fitting that I should know +it--yes, will know it, dearest, or I am not worthy to lie beside you +there. Tell me, love, how is it that for these many days you have +looked so sad, and sighed, and frowned upon me. I am conscious of no +fault. Have I done amiss? Say so, and I will speedily repair the +fault?" + +Michael pressed his Margaret to his heart, and kissed her fondly. + +"Why, oh why, my Margaret, did you link your fate with mine?" + +"Why, having done so, Michael, do you not love and trust me?" + +"Love?" + +"Yes--_love_! Say what you will, you do not love me, if you hide your +griefs from me. We are one. Let us be truly so. One in our joys and in +our sufferings." + +"Dearest Margaret, why should I distress you? Why should I call upon +you for assistance? Why drag your substance from you?--why prey upon +you until you have parted with your all? I have taken too much +already." + +"Answer me one simple question, Michael. Can money buy away this +present sorrow? Can it bring to you contentment and repose? Can it +restore to me the smile which is my own? Oh, if it can, be merciful +and kind; take freely what is needful, and let me purchase back my +blessings!" + +"Margaret, you deserve a better fate!" + +"Name the sum, dear. Is it my fortune? Not more? Then never were peace +of mind and woman's happiness so cheaply bought. Take it, Michael, and +let us thank Heaven that it is enough. My fortune never gave me so +much joy as now. I do not remember, Michael, that you have ever +refused my smallest wish. It is not in your nature to be unkind. Come, +dearest, smile a little. We have made the bargain--be generous, and +pay me in advance." + +He smiled and wept in gratitude. + +Now Michael retired to rest, determined not to take advantage of the +generous impulses of his confiding wife; yet, although he did so, it +could not but be very satisfactory to his marital feelings to +discover, and to be assured of the existence of, such devotedness and +disregard of self and fortune as she displayed. Indeed, he was very +much tranquillized and comforted; so much so, in fact, that he was +enabled, towards morning, to wake up in a condition to review his +affairs with great serenity of mind, and (notwithstanding his +determination) to contrive some mode of turning the virtuous +magnanimity of his wife to good account, without inflicting any injury +upon herself. Surely if he could do this, he was bound to act. To save +himself by her help, and, at the same time, without injuring her at +all, was a very defensible step, to say the least of it. Who should +say it wasn't his absolute duty to adopt it? Whatever repugnance he +might have felt in asking a further loan from one who had already +helped him beyond his expectations, it was certainly very much +diminished since she had offered to yield to him, without reserve, +every farthing that she possessed. Not that he would ever suffer her +to do any thing so wild and inexcusable; still, after such an +expression of her wishes, he was at liberty to ask her aid, provided +always that he could secure her from any loss or risk. When Michael +got thus far in his proposition, it was not very difficult to work it +to the end. Once satisfied that it was just and honourable, and it was +comparatively child's work to arrange the _modus operandi_. A common +trick occurred to him. In former transactions with his wife, he had +pledged his word of honour to repay her. It had become a stale pledge, +and very worthless, as Michael felt. What if he put his _life_ in +pawn! Ah, capital idea! This would secure to her every farthing of her +debt. Dear me, how very easy! He had but to insure his life for the +amount he wanted, and let what would happen, she was safe. His spirit +rejoiced. Oh, it was joy to think that she could save him from +perdition, and yet not suffer a farthing's loss. Loss! So far from +this, his ready mind already calculated how she might be a gainer by +the arrangement. He was yet young. Let him insure his life at present +for twenty thousand pounds, and how much more would it be worth--say +that he lived for twenty years to come? He explained it to his +lady--to his own perfect satisfaction. The willing Margaret required +no more. He could not ask as freely as the woman's boundless love +could grant. He, with all his reasoning, could not persuade his +conscience to pronounce the dealing just. She, with her beating heart +for her sole argument and guide, looked for no motive save her strong +affection--no end but her beloved's happiness and peace. Woe is me, +the twenty thousand pounds were griped--the precious life of Mr +Allcraft was insured--the London house was satisfied. A very few weeks +flew over the head of the needy man, before he was reduced to the same +pitiable straits. Money was again required to carry the reeling firm +through unexpected difficulties. Brammel was again dispatched to +London. The commissioner, grown bolder by his first success, was ill +prepared for hesitation and reproof, and awkward references to "that +last affair." Ten thousand pounds were the most they could advance, +and all transactions of the kind must close with this, if there should +be any deviation from the strictest punctuality. Brammel attempted to +apologise, and failed in the attempt, of course. He came home +disgusted, shortening his journey by swearing over half the distance, +and promising his partners his cordial forgiveness, if ever they +persuaded him again to go to London on a begging expedition! + +Oh, Margaret! Margaret! Oh, spirit of the mild and gentle Mildred! +Must I add, that your good money paid this second loan--and yet a +third--a fourth--a fifth? When shall fond woman cease to give--when +shall mean and sordid man be satisfied with something less than all +she has to grant? + + +CHAPTER IV. + +A DISSOLUTION OF PARTNERSHIP. + + +The most remarkable circumstance in that meeting of the partners, +which ended in Brammel's first visit to London, was the behaviour of +our very dear friend and ally--the volatile Planner--volatile, alas! +no longer. His best friend would not have recognized him on that +deeply interesting occasion. He was a subdued, a shaken man. Every +drop of his brave spirit had been squeezed out of him, and he stood +the mere pulp and rind of his former self. He who, for years, had been +accustomed to look at men, not only in the face, but very +impertinently over their heads, could not drag his shambling vision +now higher than men's shoe-strings. His eye, his heart, his soul was +on the ground. He was disappointed, crushed. Not a syllable did he +utter; not a single word of remonstrance and advice did he presume to +offer in the presence of his associates. He had a sense of guilt, and +men so situated are sometimes tongue-tied. He had, in truth, a great +deal to answer for, and enough to make a livelier man than he +dissatisfied and wretched. Every farthing which had passed from the +bank to the _Pantamorphica_ Association was irrecoverably gone. The +Association itself was in the same condition--gone irrecoverably +likewise. Nothing remained of that once beautiful and promising +vision, but some hundred acres of valueless land, a half-finished and +straggling brick wall, falling rapidly to decay, the foundations of a +theatre, and the rudiments of a temple dedicated to Apollo. Planner +had gazed upon the scene once, when dismal rain was pouring down upon +the ruins, and he burst into bitter tears, and sobbed like a child at +the annihilation of his hopes. He had not courage to look a second +time upon that desolation, and yet he found courage to turn away from +it, and to do a thing more desperate. Ashamed to be beaten, afraid to +meet the just rebuke of Allcraft, he flung himself recklessly into the +hands of a small band of needy speculators, and secretly engaged in +schemes that promised restitution of the wealth he had expended, or +make his ruin perfect and complete. One adventure after another +failed, cutting the thread of his career shorter every instant, and +rendering him more hot-brained and impatient. He doubled and trebled +his risks, and did the like, as may be guessed, to his anxieties and +failures. He lived in a perpetual fear and danger of discovery; and +discovery now was but another name, for poison--prison--death. Here +was enough, and more than enough, to extinguish every spark of joy in +the bosom of Mr Planner, and to account for his despondency and +settled gloom. And yet Planner, in this, his darkest hour, was nearer +to deliverance and perfect peace, than at any previous period of his +history. Planner was essentially "a lucky dog." Had he fallen from a +house-top, he would have reached _terra firma_ on his feet. Had he +been conducted to the gallows, according to his desserts, the noose +would have slipped, and his life would certainly have been spared. + +It happened, that whilst Michael was immersed in the management of his +loans, a hint was forwarded to him of the pranks of his partner; a +letter, written by an anonymous hand, revealed his losses in one +transaction, amounting to many hundred pounds. The news came like a +thunderbolt to Allcraft. It was a death-blow. Iniquitous, unpardonable +as were the acts of his colleague--serious as was the actual sum of +money gone; yet these were as nothing compared with the distressing +fact, that intelligence of the evil work had already gone abroad, was +in circulation, and might at any moment put a violent end to his own +unsteady course. He carried the note to Planner--he thrust it into his +face, and called him to account for his baseness and ingratitude. He +could have struck his friend and partner to the earth, and trod him +there to death, as he confronted and upbraided him. + +"Now, sir," roared Allcraft in his fury--"What excuse--what lie have +you at your tongue's end to palliate this? What can justify this? Will +you never be satisfied until you have rendered me the same hopeless, +helpless creature that I found you, when I dragged you from your [Sec.] +beggaring. Answer me!"-- + +There is nothing like a plaintive retort when your case is utterly +indefensible. Planner looked at the letter, read it--then turned his +eyes mildly and reproachfully upon his accuser. + +"Michael Allcraft," he said affectingly, "you treat me cruelly." + +"I!" answered the other astounded. "I treat _you_! Planner, I +intrusted you years ago with a secret. I paid you well for keeping it. +Could I dream that nothing would satisfy your rapacity but my +destruction? Could I suppose it? I have fed your ravenous desires. I +have submitted to your encroachments. Do you ask my soul as well as +body? Let me know what it is you ask--what I have to pay--let me hear +the worst, and--prepare for all my punishment." + +"I have listened to all you have said," continued Planner, "and I +consider myself an ill-used man." + +Michael stared. + +"Yes--I mean it. I have worked like a negro for you Allcraft, and this +is the return you make me. I get your drift; do not attempt to +disguise it--it is cruel--most, most cruel! + +"What do you mean?" + +"Have I not always promised to share my gains with you?" + +"Pshaw--_your_ gains--where are they?" + +"That's nothing to the point. Did I not promise?" + +"Well--well." + +"And now, after all my labour and struggling, because I have _failed_, +you wish to turn me off, and throw me to the world. Now, speak the +truth, man--is it not so?" + +Oh! Planner was a cunning creature, and so was Michael Allcraft. Mark +them both! This idea, which Planner deemed too good to be seriously +entertained by his colleague, had never once occurred to Michael; but +it seemed so promising, and so likely, if followed up, to relieve him +effectually of his greatest plague, and of any floating ill report, +that he found no hesitation in adopting it at once. He did not answer, +but he tried to look as if his partner had exactly guessed his actual +intention. Such [Sec.]* gentlemen both! + + *Transcriber's Note: Original cut off between [Sec.]s--Section + completed with best guess of correct wording. + +"I thought so," continued the injured Planner. "Michael, you do not +know me. You do not understand my character. I am a child to persuade, +but a rock if you attempt to force me. I shall _not_ desert the bank, +whilst there is a chance of paying back all that we have drawn." + +"_We_, sir?" + +"Yes--we. You and I together for our schemes, and you alone for +private purposes. You recollect your father's debts"-- + +"Planner, do not think to threaten me into further compromise. You can +frighten me no longer--be sure of that. Your transactions are the +common talk of the city--the bank is stigmatized by its connexion with +you." + +"Curse the bank!" said Planner fretfully. "Would to Heaven I had never +heard of it!" + +"Leave it then, and rid yourself of the annoyance. You are free to do +it!" + +"What! and leave behind me every chance of realizing a competency for +my old age! Oh, Michael, Michael--shame, shame!" + +"Competency! Are you serious? Are you sane? Competency! Why, the +labour of your life will not make good a tithe of what you have +squandered." + +"Come, come, Michael, you know better. You know well enough that one +lucky turn would set us up at last. Speak like a man. Say that you +want to grasp all--that you are tired of me--that you are sick of the +old face, and wish to see my back. Put the thing in its proper light, +and you shall not find me hard to deal with." + +"Planner, you are deceived. Your mind is full of fancy and delusion, +and that has been your curse and mine." + +"Very well. Have your way; but look you, Michael, you are anxious to +get rid of me--there's no denying that. There is no reason why we +should quarrel on that account. I would sacrifice my prospects, were +they double what they are, rather than beg you to retain me. I did not +ask for a share in your bank. You sought me, and I came at your +request. Blot out the past. Release me from the debt that stands +against my name, and I am gone. As I came at your bidding, so, at your +bidding, I am ready to depart." + +"Agreed," said Allcraft, almost before the wily Planner finished. "It +is done. I consent to your proposal. A dissolution shall be drawn up +without delay, and shall be published in the next gazette." + +"And publish with it," said Planner, like a martyr as he was, "the +fate of him who gave up all to his own high sense of honour, and his +friend's ingratitude." + +So Planner spake, scarcely crediting his good fortune, and almost mad +with joy at his deliverance. He had no rest until the seals were fixed +to parchment, and the warrant of his release appeared in public print. +Within a week, the fettered man was free. Within another week, his +bounding spirits came like a spring-tide back to him, and in less than +eight-and-twenty days of freedom and repose, he recovered quite as +many years of sweet and precious life. He made quick use of his wings. +At first, like a wild and liberated bird, he sported and tumbled in +the air, and fixed upon no particular aim; a thousand captivating +objects soon caught his eagle eye, and then he mounted, dazzled by +them all, and soon eluded mortal sight and reach. But, glad as was the +schemer, his delight and sense of freedom were much inferior to those +of his misguided and unlucky partner. Michael breathed as a man +relieved from nightmare. The encumbrance which had for years prevented +him from rising, that had so lately threatened his existence, was +gone, could no longer hang upon him, haunt and oppress him. What a +deliverance!--Yet, what a price had he paid for it! True, but was not +the money already sacrificed? Would it have been restored, had the +luckless speculator himself remained? Never! Well, fearful then as was +the sum, let it go, taking the incubus along with it. Allcraft took +care to obtain the consent of Bellamy to his arrangement. He wrote to +him, explaining the reasons for parting with their partner; and an +answer came from the landed proprietor, acquiescing in the plan, but +slightly doubting the propriety of the movement. As for Brammel, he +consented, as he was ready to agree to any thing but a personal visit +to the great metropolis. And then, what was Michael's next step? A +proper one--to put out effectually the few sparks of scandal which +might, possibly, be still flying about after the discovery of +Planner's scheme. He worked fiercer than ever--harder than the +day-labourer--at his place of business. It was wise in him to do so, +and thus to draw men's thoughts from Planner's faults to his own +unquestioned merits. And here he might have stopped with safety; but +his roused, suspicious, sensitive nature, would not suffer him. He +began to read, then to doubt and fear men's looks; to draw conclusions +from their innocent words; to find grounds of uneasiness and torture +in their silence. A vulgar fellow treated him with rudeness, and for +days he treasured up the man's words, and repeated them to himself. +What could they mean? Did people smell a rat? Were they on the watch? +Did they suspect that he was poor? Ah, that was it! He saw it--he +believed he did--that was equivalent to sight, and enough for him. Men +did not understand him. He would not die so easily--they must be +undeceived. Miserable Allcraft! He speedily removed from his small +cottage--took a mansion, furnished it magnificently, and made it a +palace in costliness and hospitality. Ah! _was_ he poor? The trick +answered. The world was not surprised, but satisfied. There was but +one opinion. He deserved it all, and more. The only wonder was, that +he had hitherto lived so quietly, rich as he was, in virtue of his +wife's inheritance, and from his own hard-earned gains. His increasing +business still enlarged. Customers brought guests, and, in their turn, +the guests became good customers. It was a splendid mansion, +with its countless rooms and gorgeous appointments. What +pleasure-grounds--gardens--parks--preserves! Noble establishment, with +its butler, under-butler, upper-servant, and my lady's (so the working +people called poor Margaret) footman! In truth, a palace; but, alas! +although it took a prince's revenue to maintain it, and although the +lady's purse was draining fast to keep it and the bank upon its legs, +yet was there not a corner, a nook, a hole in the building, in which +master or mistress could find an hour's comfort, or a night's +unmingled sleep. As for the devoted woman, it made very little +difference to her whether she dwelt in a castle or a hovel, provided +she could see her husband cheerful, and know that he was happy. This +was all she looked for--cared for--lived for. _He_ was her life. What +was her money--the dross which mankind yearned after--but for its use +to him, but for the power it might exercise amongst men to elevate and +ennoble _him_? What was her palace but a dungeon if it rendered her +beloved more miserable than ever, if it added daily to the troubles he +had brought there--to the cares which had accumulated on his head from +the very hour she had become his mate? Michael Allcraft! you never +deserved this woman for your wife; you told her so many times, and +perhaps you meant what was wrung from your heart in its anguish. It +was the truth. Why, if not in rank cowardice and pitiful ambition, +entangle yourself in the perplexities of such a household with all +that heap of woe already on your soul? Why, when your London agents +refused, in consequence of your irregularity and neglect, to advance +your further loans--why take a base advantage of that heroic +generosity that placed its all, unquestioning, at your command? Why, +when you pretended with so much ceremony and regard, to effect an +insurance on your worthless life, did you fail to pay up the policy +even for a second year, and so resign all claim and right to such +assurance, making it null and void? Let it stand here recorded to your +disgrace, that, in the prosecution of your views, in the working out +of your insane ambition, no one single thought of her, who gave her +wealth as freely as ever fount poured forth its liberal stream, +deterred you in your progress for an instant; that no one glow or gush +of feeling towards the fond and faithful wife interposed to save her +from the consequences of your selfishness, and to humble you with +shame for inhumanity as vile as it was undeserved. It is not +surprising, that after the taking of the great house the demands upon +the property of Margaret were made without apology or explanation. He +asked, and he obtained. The refusal of aid, on the part of the London +house, terrified him when it came, and caused him to rush, with a +natural instinct, to the quarter whence he had no fear of denial and +complaint. He drew largely from her resources. The money was sucked +into the whirlpool; there was a speedy cry for more; and more was got +and sacrificed. It would have been a miracle had Allcraft, in the +midst of his crushing cares, retained his early vigour of mind and +body, and passed through ten years of such an existence without +suffering the penalties usually inflicted upon the man prodigal of the +blessings and good gifts of Providence. In his appearance, and in his +temperament, he had undergone a woful change. His hair--all that +remained of it, for the greater part had fallen away--was grey; +and, thin, weak, and straggling, dropped upon his wrinkled +forehead--wrinkled with a frown that had taken root there. His face +was sickly, and never free from the traces of acute anxiety that was +eating at his heart. His body was emaciated, and, at times, his hand +shook like a drunkard's. It was even worse with the spiritual man. He +had become irritable, peevish, and ill-natured; he had lost, by +degrees, every generous sentiment. As a young man he had been +remarkable for his liberality in pecuniary matters. He had been wont +to part freely with his money. Inconsistent as it may seem, +notwithstanding his heavy losses through his partners, and his fearful +expenditure, he was as greedy of gain as though he were stinting +himself of every farthing, and secretly hoarding up his chests of +gold. He would haggle in a bargain for a shilling, and economize in +things beneath a wise man's notice or consideration. For a few years, +as it has been seen, Allcraft had denied himself the customary +recreations of a man of business, and had devoted himself entirely to +his occupation. It was by no means a favourable indication of his +state of mind, that he derived no satisfaction at the grand mansion, +either alone or in the mere society of his wife. He quitted the bank +daily at a late hour, and reached his home just in time for dinner. +That over, he could not sit or rest--he must be moving. He could not +live in quiet. "Quietness"--it was his own expression--"stunned him." +He rushed to the theatre, to balls, concerts, wherever there was +noise, talk, excitement, crowds of people; wherever there was release +from his own pricking conscience and miserable thoughts. And then to +parties; of course there was no lack of them, for their society was in +great request, and every one was eager for an invitation in return to +_Eden_--such being the strange misnomer of their magnificent +prison-house. And, oh, rare entertainments were they which the +suffering pair provided for the cold-hearted crew that flocked to +partake of their substance! How the poor creature smiled upon her +guests as they arrived, whilst her wounded heart bled on! How she +sang--exquisitely always--for their amusement and nauseous +approbation, until her sweet voice almost failed to crush the rising +tears! How gracefully she led off the merry dance whilst clogs were on +her spirits, weighing upon every movement. Extravagant joyousness! +Dearly purchased pleasure! Yes, dearly purchased, if only with that +half hour of dreadful silence and remorse that intervened between the +banquet and the chamber--not of sweet slumber and benevolent repose +but of restlessness and horrid dreams! + + +CHAPTER V. + +THE CRISIS. + + +Michael was half mad in the midst of his troubles; and, in truth, they +gathered so thickly and rapidly about him, that he is to be admired +for the little check which he contrived to keep over his reason, +saving him from absolute insanity and a lunatic asylum. Mr Bellamy, +although away, made free with the capital of the bank, and applied it +to his own private uses. Mr Brammel, senior, after having, for many +years, made good to Allcraft the losses the latter had sustained +through his son's extravagance, at length grew tired of the work, and +left the neighbourhood, in disgust, as Michael thought, but, in sad +truth, with a bruised and broken heart. At last he had dismissed the +long-cherished hope of the prodigal's reformation, and with his latest +hope departed every wish to look upon his hastening decay and fall. He +crawled from the scene--the country; no one knew his course; not a +soul was cognizant of his intentions, or could guess his +resting-place. Augustus Theodore did not, in consequence of his +father's absence, draw less furiously upon the bank! He had never +heard of that father's generosity--how should he know of it now? And, +if he knew it, was he very likely to profit by the information? +Michael honoured his drafts for many reasons; two may be mentioned, +founded on hope and fear--the hope of frightening the unfortunate +Brammel senior into payment when he met with him again, the fear of +making Brammel junior desperate by his refusal, and of his divulging +all he knew. Could a man, not crazy, carry more care upon his brain? +Yes, for demands on account of Planner poured in, the very instant +that fortunate speculator had taken his lucky leave of the +establishment--demands for which Michael had rendered himself liable +in law, by the undertaking which he had drawn up and signed in his +alarm and haste. Oh, why had he overwhelmed himself with partners--why +had he married--why had he taken upon himself the responsibility of +his parent's debts--why had he not explained every thing when he might +have done it with honour and advantage--why had he not relied upon his +own integrity--and why had he attempted, with cunning and duplicity, +to overreach his neighbours? Why, oh why, had he done all this? When +Michael was fairly hemmed in by his difficulties, and, as it is +vulgarly said, had not a leg to stand upon, or a hole to creep +through, then, and not till then, did he put these various questions +to himself; and since it is somewhat singular that so shrewd a man +should have waited until the last moment to put queries of such vast +importance to himself, I shall dwell here for one brief moment on the +fact, be it only to remind and to warn others, equally shrewd and +equally clever, of the mischief they are doing when they postpone the +consideration of their motives and acts until motives and acts both +have brought them into a distress, out of which all their +consideration will not move them an inch. "Why have I _done_?" was, +is, and ever will be, the whining interrogative of stricken +_inability_; "Why am I about _to do_?" the provident question of +thoughtful, far-seeing _success_. Remember that. + +I am really afraid to say how much of poor Margaret's fortune was +dragged from her--how little of it still remained. It must have been a +trifle, indeed, when Michael, with a solemn oath, swore that he would +not touch one farthing more, let the consequences be what they might. +Could it be possible that the whole of her splendid inheritance had +shrunk to so paltry a sum, that the grasping man had ceased to think +it worth his while to touch it? or did the dread of beholding the +confiding woman, beggar'd at last, induce him to leave at her disposal +enough to purchase for her--necessary bread? Whatever was his motive, +he persisted in his resolution, and to the end was faithful to his +oath. Not another sixpence did he take from her. And how much the +better was he for all that he had taken already? Poor Michael had not +time to enquire and answer the question. He could not employ his +precious moments in retrospection. He lived from hand to mouth; +struggled every hour to meet the exigencies of the hour that followed. +He was absorbed in the agitated present, and dared not look an inch +away from it. Now, thanks to the efforts of her people, England is a +Christian country; and whenever fortune goes very hard with a man who +has received all the assistance that his immediate connexions can +afford him, there is a benevolent brotherhood at hand, eager to +relieve the sufferer's wants, and to put an end to his anxiety. This +charitable band is known by the name of _Money-lenders--Jewish_ +money-lenders; so called, no doubt, in profound humility and +self-denial, displayed in the Christian's wish to give the _honour_ +of the work elsewhere, reserving to himself the labour and--the +profit. When Michael needed fresh supplies, he was not long in +gathering a gang of harpies about him. They kept their victim for a +while well afloat. They permitted their principal to accumulate in his +hands, whilst they received full half of their advances back in the +form of interest. So he went on; and how long this game would have +lasted, it is impossible to say, because it was cut short in its +heighth by a circumstance that brought the toppling house down, as it +were, with a blow and a run. + +When Allcraft, one morning at his usual hour, presented himself at the +bank, his confidential clerk approached him with a very serious face, +and placed a newspaper in his hand. Michael had grown very timid and +excitable; and when the clerk put his finger on the particular spot to +which he desired to call his superior's attention, the heart of the +nervous man leapt into his throat, and the blood rushed from his +cheek, as if it were its duty to go and look after it. He literally +wanted the courage to read the words. He attempted to smile +indifferently, and to thank his servant as courteously as if he had +given him a pleasant pinch of snuff; but at the same time, he pressed +his thumb upon the paragraph, and made his way straight to his snug +and private room. He was ready to drop when he reached it, and his +heart beat like a hammer against his ribs. He placed the paper on the +table, and, ere he read a syllable, he laboured to compose himself. +What could it be? Was the thing exploded? Was he already the common +talk and laugh of men? Was he ruined and disgraced? He read at +length--_The property and estates of Walter Bellamy, Esq., were +announced for sale by auction._ His first sensation on perusing the +advertisement was one of overpowering sickness. Here, then, was his +destruction sealed! Here was the declaration of poverty trumpeted to +the world. Here was the alarum sounded--here was his doom proclaimed. +Let there be a run upon the bank--and who could stop it now?--let it +last for four-and-twenty hours, and he is himself a bankrupt, an +outcast, and a beggar. The tale was told--the disastrous history was +closed. He had spun his web--had been his own destiny. God help and +pardon him for his transgressions! There he sat, unhappy creature, +weeping, and weeping like a heart-broken boy, sobbing aloud from the +very depths of his soul, frantic with distress. For a full half hour +he sat there, now clenching his fists in silent agony, now accusing +himself of crime, now permitting horrible visions to take possession +of his brain, and to madden it with their terrible and truth-like +glare. He saw himself--whilst his closed eyes were pressed upon his +paralysed hands--saw himself as palpably as though he stood _before_ +himself, crawling through the public streets, an object for men's +pity, scorn, and curses. Now men laughed at him, pointed to him with +their fingers, and made their children mock and hoot the penniless +insolvent. Labouring men, with whose small savings he had played the +thief, prayed for maledictions on his head; and mothers taught their +little ones to hate the very name he bore, and frightened them by +making use of it. Miserable pictures, one upon the other, rose before +him--dark judgments, which he had never dreamed of or anticipated; and +he stood like a stricken coward, and he yearned for the silence and +concealment of the _grave_. Ay--the grave! Delightful haven to +pigeon-hearted malefactors--inconsistent criminals, who fear the puny +look of mortal man, and, unabashed, stalk beneath the eternal and the +killing frown of God. Michael fixed upon his remedy, and the delusive +opiate gave him temporary ease; but, in an another instant, he derived +even hope and consolation from another and altogether opposite view of +things. A thought suddenly occurred to him, as thoughts will occur to +the tossed and working mind--how, why, or whence we know not; and the +drowning man, catching sight of the straw, did not fail to clutch it. +What if, after all, Mr. Bellamy proposed to sell his property _in +favour of the bank_!! Very likely, certainly; and yet Allcraft, +sinking, could believe it possible--yes possible, and (by a course of +happy reasoning and self-persuasion) not only so--but _true_. And if +this were Mr. Bellamy's motive and design, how cruel had been his own +suspicions--how vain and wicked his previous disturbance and +complaints! And why should it not be? Had he not engaged to restore +the money which he had borrowed; and had he not given his word of +honour to pay in a large amount of capital? At the memorable meeting, +had he not promised to satisfy Allcraft of the justice of his own +proceedings, and the impropriety of Michael's attack upon his +character? And had not the time arrived for the redemption of his +word, and the payment of every farthing that was due from him? Yes; it +had arrived--it had come--it was here. Mr Bellamy was about to assert +his integrity, and the banking-house was saved. Michael rose from his +chair--wiped the heavy sweat-drops from his brow--dried his tears, and +gave one long and grateful sigh for his deliverance from that state of +horror, by which, for one sad, sickening moment, he had been +bewildered and betrayed. But, satisfied as he was, and rejoiced as he +pretended to be, it could hardly be expected that a gentleman +possessed of so lively a temperament as that enjoyed by Mr. Allcraft +would rest quietly upon his convictions, and take no steps to +strengthen and establish them. Michael for many days past had had no +direct communication with his absent partner, and, at the present +moment, he was ignorant of his movements. He resolved to make his way +at once to the Hall, and to get what intelligence he could of its lord +and master, from the servants left in charge of that most noble and +encumbered property. Accordingly he quitted his apartment, threw a +ghastly smile into his countenance, and then came quickly upon his +clerks, humming a few cheerful notes, with about as much spirit and +energy as a man might have if forced to sing a comic song just before +his execution. Thoroughly persuaded that the officials had not +obtained an inkling of what had transpired in his _sanctum_, and that +he left them without a suspicion of evil upon their minds, he started +upon his errand, and waited not for breath until he reached his +destination. He arrived at the lodge--he arrived at the Hall. He rang +the loud bell, and a minute afterwards he learned that Mr Bellamy was +within--had made his appearance at home late on the evening before, +and, at the present moment, was enjoying his breakfast. Michael, for +sudden joy and excitement, was wellnigh thrown from his equilibrium. +Here was confirmation stronger than ever! Would he have returned to +the estate upon the very eve of disposing of it, if he had not +intended to deal well and honestly in the transaction? Would he not +have been ashamed to do it? Would he have subjected himself to the +just reproaches and upbraidings of his partner, when, by his absence, +he might so easily have avoided them? Certainly not. Michael Allcraft, +for a few brief seconds, was a happier man than he had been for years. +His eyes were hardly free of the tears which he had shed in the +extremity of his distress, and he was now ready to weep again in the +very exuberance and wildness of his delight. He presented his card to +the corpulent and powdered footman; he was announced; he was ushered +in. Walter Bellamy, Esquire, sitting in state, received his friend and +partner with many smiles and much urbanity. He was still at breakfast, +and advancing slowly in the meal, like a gentleman whose breakfast was +his greatest care in life. Nothing could be more striking than the air +of stately repose visible in the proprietor himself, and in the +specious and solemn serving-man, who stood behind him--less a +_serving_-man than a sublime dumb waiter. Michael was affected by it, +and he approached his colleague with a rising sentiment of +awe--partly, perhaps, the effect of the scene--partly the result of +natural apprehension. + +"Most glad to see you, my very good friend," began the master--"most +glad--most happy--pray, be seated. A lovely morning this! A plate for +Mr. Allcraft." + +"Thank you--I have breakfasted," said Michael, declining the kind +offer. "I had no thought of finding you at home." + +"Ay--a mutual and unexpected pleasure. Just so. I had no thought of +coming home until I started, and I arrived here only late last night. +Business seldom suites itself to one's convenience." + +"Seldom, indeed--very seldom," answered Michael, with a friendly +smile, and a look of meaning, which showed that he had taken hope from +Mr Bellamy's expression--"and," he continued, "having returned, I +presume you spend some time amongst us." + +"Not a day, my friend. To-morrow I am on the wing again. I have left a +dozen men behind me, who'll hunt me over the country, if I don't +rejoin them without delay. No. I am off again to-morrow." (Michael +moved uneasily in his chair.) "But, how are you, Mr Allcraft? How are +all our friends? Nothing new, I'll venture to say. This world is a +stale affair at the best. Life is seen and known at twenty. Live to +sixty, and it is like reading a dull book three times over. You had +better take a cup of coffee, Mr Allcraft!" + +"Thank you--no. You surprise me by your determination." + +"Don't be surprised at any thing, Mr Allcraft. Take things as they +come, if you wish to be happy." + +Michael, very uneasy indeed, wished to make a remark, but he looked at +the man in crimson plush, and held his tongue. Mr Bellamy observed +him. + +"You have something to say? Can I give you any advice, my friend? +Pray, command me, and speak without reserve. As much as you please, +and as quickly as you please, for I assure you time is precious. In +half an hour I have twenty men to see, and twice as many things to +do." + +Again Michael glanced at the stout footman, who was pretending to +throw his mind into the coming week, and to appear oblivious of every +thing about him. + +"I have a question to ask," proceeded Michael hesitatingly; "but it +can be answered in a moment, and at another opportunity--in a little +while, when you are _quite_ at leisure." + +"As you please; only remember I have no end of engagements, and if I +am called away I cannot return to you." + +Poor Michael! His expectations were again at a fearful discount. The +language and demeanor of Mr Bellamy seemed decisive of his intentions. +What could he do? What--but fasten on his man, and not suffer him to +leave his sight without an explanation, which he dreaded to receive. +Mr Bellamy continued to be very polite and very talkative, and to +prosecute his repast with unyielding equanimity. At the close of the +meal the servant removed the cloth, and departed. At the same instant +the landed proprietor rose from his chair, and was about to depart +likewise. Michael, alarmed at the movement, touched Mr Bellamy gently +on the sleeve, and then, less gently, detained him by the wrist. + +"What do you mean, sir?" asked Bellamy, turning sharply upon his +partner: "What do you mean? What is your object?" + +"Mr Bellamy," said Allcraft, pale as death, and much excited; "you +must not go until you have satisfied me on a point of life and death +to both of us. Your conduct is a mystery. I cannot explain it. I know +not what are the motives which actuate you. These are known to +yourself. Let them be so. But I have a question to ask, and you must +and shall answer it." + +"_Must_ and _shall_, Mr Allcraft! Take care--pray, take care of your +expressions. You will commit yourself. When will you cease to be a +very young man? I will answer voluntarily any questions put to me by +any gentleman. _Must_ and _shall_ never forced a syllable from my lips +yet. Now, sir--ask what you please." + +"Mr Bellamy," continued Allcraft, "your property is announced for +public sale." + +"It is," said Bellamy. + +"And the announcement has your sanction?" + +"It has." + +"And with the sum realized by that sale, you propose to"-- + +Michael stopped, as though he wished his partner to fill up the +sentence. + +"Go on, sir," said the proprietor. + +"With the sum thus realized, I say, you propose to make good the +losses which the bank has suffered by your improvidence?" + +"Not exactly. Is there any thing else?" + +"Oh, Mr Bellamy, you cannot mean what you say? I am sure you cannot. +You are aware of our condition. You know that there needs only a +breath to destroy us in one moment for ever. At this very time your +purpose is known to the world; and, before we can prevent it, the bank +may be run upon and annihilated. What will be said of your +proceedings? How can you reconcile the answer which you have just now +given to me, with your vaunted high sense of honour, or even with your +own most worldly interests?" + +"Have you finished, sir?" said Bellamy, in a quiet voice. + +"No!" exclaimed Michael, in as angry a tone of indignation: "no! I +have not finished. I call upon you, Mr Bellamy, to mark my words; to +mark and heed them--for, so Heaven help me, I bid you listen to the +truth. Quiet and easy as you profess to be, I will be cozened by you +no longer. If you carry out your work, your doings shall be told to +every human soul within a hundred miles of where you stand. You shall +be exhibited as you are. If every farthing got from the sale of this +estate be not given up to defray your past extravagance, you shall be +branded as you deserve. Mr Bellamy, you have deceived me for many +years. Do not deceive yourself now." + +"Have you finished, sir?" repeated Mr Bellamy. + +"Yes--with a sentence. If you are mad--I will be resolute. Persist in +your determination, and the bank shall stop this very night." + +"And let it stop," said Bellamy; "by all means let it stop. If it be a +necessary, inevitable arrangement, I would not interfere with it for +the world. Act, Mr Allcraft, precisely as you think proper. It is all +I ask on my own account. I have unfortunately private debts to a very +large amount. What is still more unfortunate, they must be paid. I +have no means of paying them except by selling my estate, and +therefore it must go. I hope you are satisfied?" + +Michael threw himself into a chair, and moved about in it, groaning. +Mr Bellamy closed the door, and approached him. + +"This is a very unnecessary display of feeling, Mr Allcraft," said the +imperturbable Bellamy; "very--and can answer no good end. The thing, +as I have told you, is inevitable." + +"No--no--no," cried Allcraft, imploringly; "Not so, Mr Bellamy. Think +again--ponder well our dreadful situation. Reflect that, before +another day is gone, we may be ruined, beggared, and that this very +property may be wrested from you by our angry creditors. What will +become of us? For Heaven's sake, my dear, good sir, do not rush +blindly upon destruction. Do not suffer us to be hooted, trampled +upon, despised, cursed by every man that meets us. You can save us if +you will--do it then--be generous--be just." + +"As for being _just_, Mr Allcraft," replied Bellamy composedly, "the +less we speak about that matter the better. Had _justice_ been ever +taken into account, you and I would, in all probability, not have met +on the present business. I cannot help saying, that, when you are +ready to justify to me your conduct in respect of your late father's +liabilities, I shall be more disposed to listen to any thing you may +have to urge in reason touching the produce of this estate. Until that +time, I am an unmoved man. You conceive me?" + +"Yes," said Michael, changing colour, "I see--I perceive your drift--I +am aware--Mr Bellamy," continued the unhappy speaker, stammering until +he almost burst with rage. "You are a villain! You have heard of my +misfortunes, and you take a mean advantage of your knowledge to crush +and kill me. You are a villain and I defy you!" + +Mr Bellamy moved leisurely to the fire-place, and rang the bell. The +stout gentleman in plush walked in, and the landed proprietor pointed +to the door. + +"For Mr Allcraft, William," said the squire. + +"Very well!" said Michael, white with agitation; "Very well! As sure +as you are a living man, your ruin shall be coincident with mine. Not +a step shall I fall, down which you shall not follow and be dragged +yourself. You shall not be spared one pang. I warn you of your fate, +and it shall come sooner than you look for it." + +"Pooh, pooh; you have been drinking, Mr. Allcraft." + +"You lie, sir, as you have lied for months and years--lived upon lies, +and"-- + +"You need not say another word. You shall finish your sentence, sir, +elsewhere. Begone! William, show Mr. Allcraft to the door." + +William pretended to look very absent again, and bowed. Michael stared +at him for a second or two, as if confounded, and then, like a madman, +rushed from the room and house. + + +CHAPTER VI. + +THE CRASH. + + +The plans and objects of Mr Walter Bellamy were best known to himself. +Whatever they might be, he diverged from them for a few hours in order +to give his miserable partner the opportunity he had promised him, of +completing that very inauspicious sentence--the last which he had +uttered in Mr. Bellamy's house previously to his abrupt departure. +Michael had not been in the banking-house an hour after his return +from the Hall before he was visited by a business-like gentleman, who +introduced himself as the particular friend of Mr. Bellamy, on whose +particular business he professed to come. Allcraft, with his brain on +fire, received the visit of this man with secret glee. All the way +home he had prayed that Bellamy might prove as good as his word, and +not fail to demand immediate satisfaction. He longed for death with a +full and yearning desire, and he could kiss the hand that would be +merciful and give the fatal blow. A suicide at heart, it was something +to escape the guilt and punishment of self-murder. Bellamy was reputed +a first-rate shot. Michael was aware of the fact, and hugged the +consciousness to his soul. He would not detract from his reputation; +the duellist should add another laurel to his chaplet of _honour_, and +purchase it with his blood. He had resolved to fight and fall. It was +very evident that the friend of Mr Bellamy expected rather to frighten +Michael into a humble and contrite apology, than to find him ready and +eager for the battle; for he commenced his mission by a very long and +high-flown address, and assured Mr Allcraft, time after time, that +nothing but the most ample and the most public _amende_ could be +received by his friend after what had taken place. Michael listened +impatiently, and interrupted the speaker in the midst of his oration. + +"You are quite right, sir," said he. "If an apology is to be made, it +should be an ample one. But I decline to make any whatever. I am +prepared to give Mr Bellamy all the satisfaction that he asks. I will +refer you at once to my friend, and the sooner the affair is settled +the better." + +"Well, but surely, Mr Allcraft, you must regret the strong +expression"-- + +"Which I uttered to your friend? By no means. I told him that he lied. +I repeat the word to you. I would say it in his teeth again if he +stood here. What more is necessary?" + +"Nothing," said the gentleman, certainly unprepared for Michael's +resolution. "Nothing; name your friend, sir." + +Michael had already fixed upon a second, and he told his name. His +visitor went to seek him, and the poor bewildered man rubbed his hands +gleefully, as though he had just saved his life, instead of having +placed it in such fearful jeopardy. + +That day passed like a dream. The meeting was quickly arranged. Six +o'clock on the following morning was the hour fixed. The place was a +field, the first beyond the turnpike gate, and within a mile of the +city. As soon as Michael made sure of the duel, he saw his +confidential clerk. His name was Burrage. He had been a servant in the +banking-house for forty years, and had known Michael since his birth. +It was he who gave the newspaper into Allcraft's hands, on the first +arrival of the latter at the bank that morning. He was a quiet old man +of sixty, an affectionate creature, and as much a part of the +banking-house as the iron chest, the desk, the counter, or any other +solid fixture. He stepped softly into his master's room after he had +been summoned there, and he gazed at his unhappy principal as a father +might at his own child in misfortune--a beloved and favourite child. + +"You are not well this morning, sir," said Burrage most respectfully. +"You look very pale and anxious." + +"My looks belie me, Burrage. I am very well. I have not been so well +for years. I am composed and happy. I have been ill, but the time is +past. How old are you, Burrage?" + +"Turned threescore, sir; old enough to die." + +"Die--die! death is a sweet thing, old man, when it comes to the +care-worn. I have had my share of trouble." + +"Too much, sir--too much!" said Burrage, his eyes filling with water. +"You have half killed yourself here. I am sure your poor father never +expected this. Nobody could have expected it in his time, when you +were a little, fat, rosy-cheeked boy, running about without a thought, +except a thought of kindness for other people." + +Michael Allcraft burst into a flood of tears--they gushed faster and +faster into his eyes, and he sobbed as only men sob who have reached +the climax of earthly suffering and trial. + +"Do not take on so, my dear sir," said Burrage, running to him. "Pray, +be calm. I am sure you are unwell. You have been ill for some time. +You should see a doctor--although I am very much afraid that your +disease is beyond their cure--in truth I am." + +"Burrage," said Michael in a whisper, and still sighing +convulsively--"It is all over. It is finished. Prepare for the +crash--look to your own safety. Hide yourself from the gaze of men. It +will strike us all dead." + +"You frighten me, Mr Allcraft.--You are really very ill. Your brain is +overworked--you want a little repose and recreation." + +"Yes, you are right Burrage--the recreation of a jail--the repose of a +tomb. We will have one, at least--yes, one--and I have made the +selection." + +"Have you heard any bad news to-day, sir?" + +"None--excellent news to-day. No more hopes and fears--no alarms--no +lying and knavery--eternal peace now, and not eternal wretchedness." + +"Had you not better leave the bank, Mr Allcraft, and go home? Your +hands are burning hot. You are in a high fever." + +"Put up the shutters--put up the shutters," muttered Michael, more to +himself than to his clerk. "Write _bankrupt_ on the door--write it in +large letters--in staring capitals--that the children may read the +word, and know why they are taught to curse me. You hear me, Burrage?" + +"I hear what you say, sir, but I do not understand you. You want +rest--you are excited." + +"I tell you, Burrage, I am quiet--I never was so quiet--never sounder +in body and mind. Will you refuse to listen to the truth? Man," he +continued, raising his voice and looking the clerk steadily in the +face. "I am ruined--a beggar. The bank is at its last gasp. The doors +are closed to-night--never to be re-opened." + +"God forbid, sir!" + +"Why so?--Would you drive me mad? Am I to have no peace--no rest? Am I +to be devoured, eaten away by anxiety and trouble? Have you no human +blood--no pity for me? Are you as selfish as the rest?" + +"Is it possible, sir?" + +"It is the truth. But speak not of it. I will have your life if you +betray me until the event tells its own tale. We close the door +to-night, to open it no more. You hear the words. They are very simple +words. Why do you stare so, as if you couldn't guess their meaning?" + +"Oh--I have dreaded this--I have suspected it!" said Burrage, wringing +his hands; "but it has always seemed impossible. Poor Mr Allcraft!" + +"_Poor!_" exclaimed Michael. "Do you begin already? Do you throw it in +my teeth so soon? You are in the right, man--go with the stream--taunt +me--spit in my face--trample me in the dust!" + +"Do not speak unkindly to me, master," said the old clerk. "You will +break my heart at once if you do. What you have told me is hard enough +to bear in one day." + +Michael took the good fellow's hand, and answered, whilst his lips +quivered with grief, "It is--it is enough, old friend. Go your ways. +Leave me to myself. I have told you a secret--keep it whilst it +remains one. Oh, what a havoc! What devastation! Go, Burrage--go--seal +your lips--do not breathe a syllable--go to your work." + +The clerk went as he was bid, but stupified and stunned by the +information he had received. He took his accustomed seat at the desk, +and placed a large ledger before him. He was occupied with one trifling +account for half the day, and did not finish it at last. A simple sum of +compound addition puzzled the man who, an hour before, could have gone +through the whole of the arithmetic in his sleep. Oh, boasted intellect +of man! How little is it thou canst do when the delicate and feeling +heart is out of tune! How impotent thou art! How like a rudderless ship +upon a stormy sea! Poor Burrage was helpless and adrift! And Michael sat +for hours together alone, in his little room. He was literally afraid to +creep out of it. He struggled to keep his mind steadily and composedly +fixed upon the fate that awaited him--a fate which he had marked out for +himself, and resolved not to escape. He forced himself to regard the +great Enemy of Man as _his_ best friend--his only comforter and refuge. +But just when he deemed himself well armed, least vulnerable, +and most secure, the awful _reality_ of death--its horrible +accompaniments--dissolution, corruption, rottenness, decay, and its +still more awful and obscure _uncertainties_, started suddenly before +him, and sent a sickening chill through every pore of his unnerved +flesh. Then he retreated from his position--fled, as it were, for life, +and dared not look behind, so terrible was the sight of his grim +adversary. He leaped from his chair, as if unable to sit there; and, +whilst he paced the room, he drew his breath, as though he needed air +for respiration--his heart throbbed, and his brain grew tight and hot +within his skull. The fit passing away, Michael hastened to review the +last few years of his existence, and to bribe himself to quietness and +resignation, by contrasting the hateful life which he had spent with the +desirable repose offered to him in the grave; and by degrees the +agitation ceased--the alarm subsided, and the deluded man was once more +cozened into hardened and unnatural tranquillity. In this way flew the +hours--one train of feeling succeeding to another, until the worn-out +spirit of the man gave in, and would be moved no longer. At last, the +unhappy banker grew sullen and silent. He ceased to sigh, and groan, and +weep. His brain refused to think. He drew his seat to the window of the +room, which permitted him, unperceived, to observe the movements in the +bank--and, folding his arms, he looked doggedly on, and clenched his +teeth, and frowned. He saw the fortunate few who came for money and +received it--and the unfortunate many, who brought their money--left, +and lost it. He was indifferent to all. He beheld--as the spirits fair +may be supposed to look upon the earth a moment before the sweeping +pestilence that comes to thin it--life, vigorous and active, in that +house of business, whose latest hour had come--whose knell was already +sounding; but it moved him not. He heard men speak his name in tones of +kindness, whose lips on the morrow would deal out curses. He saw others, +hat in hand, begging for an audience, who would avoid him with a sneer +and a scorning when he passed them in the street. He looked upon his own +servants, who could not flatter their master too highly to-day, and +would be the first to-morrow to cry him down, and rail against his +unpardonable extravagance and recklessness; but he heeded nothing. His +mind had suspended its operations, whilst his physical eye stared upon +vacancy. + +It was very strange. He continued in this fashion for a long time, and +suddenly sensibility seemed restored to him; for an ashy paleness came +over him--his eyelid trembled, and his lips were drawn down +convulsively, as if through strong and heavy grief. He rose instantly, +rushed to the bell, and rang it violently. + +Burrage came to answer it. + +"Monster!" exclaimed his master, gazing at him spitefully, "have you +no heart--no feeling left within you? How could you do it?" + +"Do what, sir?" + +"Rob that poor old man. Plunder and kill that hoary unoffending +creature. Why did you take his miserable earnings? Why did you rob his +little ones? Why clutch the bread from his starving grandchildren? He +will die of a broken heart, and will plead against me at the +judgment-seat. Why was that old man's money taken?" + +"We must take all, or nothing, sir. You forbade me to speak a +syllable." + +"Speak--speak! Yes, but could you not have given him a look, one +merciful look, to save his life, and my soul from everlasting ruin? +You might, you could have done it, but you conspire to overthrow me. +Go--but mark me--breathe not a word, if you hope to live." + +The poor clerk held up his hands, shook them piteously, sighed, and +went his way again. + +It was six o'clock in the evening, and every soul connected with the +bank, except Michael and Burrage, had left it. They were both in the +private room, which the former had not quitted during the day. Michael +was writing a letter; the clerk was standing mournfully at his side. +When the note was finished, directed, and sealed, Allcraft turned to +his old friend and spoke-- + +"I shall not sleep at home to-night, Burrage. I have business which +must be seen to." + +"Indeed, sir, you had better go home. You are very unwell." + +"Silence, once more. I tell you, Burrage, it cannot be. This business +must not be neglected. I have written to Mrs Allcraft, explaining the +reason of my absence. You will yourself deliver the letter to her, +with your own hands, Burrage. You hear me?" + +"Yes, sir," faltered Burrage, wishing himself deaf. + +"Very well. I have no more to say. Good-by--good-night." + +"Good-night, sir," said the man, walking slowly off. + +"Stay, Burrage. You are a true old friend--my oldest. Give me your +hand. I have spoken unkindly--very harshly and cruelly to-day. Do not +think ill of me. My temper has been soured by the troubles of life. +You forgive me for my anger--do you not?" + +The old man did not answer. He could not. He held the hand of his +master tightly in his own. He drew it to his lips and kissed it; and +then, ashamed not of the act, but of his unmanly tears, he walked +slowly to the door, and quitted the room--his head bending to the +earth, whence it never again was raised. + +Two hours later Michael was many miles away. He had followed to his +humble home the aged man who had that morning paid his substance into +the bank. Much as he had to answer for, Michael could not bear to +carry about with him the knowledge that he had ruined and destroyed +the grey-haired labourer. Why and how it was that he felt so acutely +for the stranger, and selected him from the hundreds who were beggared +by his failure, it is impossible to guess. It is certain that he +restored every sixpence that had been deposited in the morning, and +could not die until he had done so. Where Allcraft passed the night +was never known. He was punctual to his appointment on the following +morning; and so was Mr Bellamy. It is due to the latter to state, +that, at the latest moment, he was willing, as far as in him lay, to +settle the difference without proceeding to extreme measures. All that +a man could offer, who did not wish to be suspected of rank cowardice, +he offered without reservation. But Allcraft was inexorable. He +repeated his insult on the field; and there was nothing to be done but +to make him accountable for his words at the point of the pistol--to +receive and give THE SATISFACTION OF A GENTLEMAN. Whatever +satisfaction the mangled corpse of a man whom he had deeply injured, +could afford the high-born Mr Bellamy, that gentleman enjoyed in a +very few minutes after his arrival; for he shot his antagonist in the +mouth, saw him spinning in the air, and afterwards lying at his +feet--an object that he could not recognize--a spectacle for devils to +rejoice in. Happy the low-born man who may not have or feel such +exquisite and noble SATISFACTION! + +Allcraft was not cold before Mr Bellamy was at sea, sailing for +France. The latter had not put his feet upon foreign soil, before his +property was seized by hungry creditors. The bank was closed. Burrage +himself pasted on the shutters the paper that notified its failure. +Augustus Theodore Brammel heard of the stoppage whilst he was at +breakfast, sipping chocolate; and greatly he rejoiced thereat. His +delight was sensibly diminished in the course of the morning, when he +received a letter informing him of his father's death, and an +intimation from a lawyer, that every farthing which he inherited would +be taken from him, as goods and chattels, for the discharge of claims +which the creditors of the bank might have against him. Later in the +day, he heard of Allcraft's death and Bellamy's escape, and then he +rushed into a chemist's shop and bought an ounce of arsenic; but after +he had purchased it, he had not heart enough to swallow it. Enraged +beyond expression--knowing not what to do, nor upon whom to vent his +rage--it suddenly occurred to him to visit Mrs Allcraft, and to worry +her with his complaints. He hurried to her house, and forced himself +into her presence. We will not follow him, for grief is sacred; and +who that had the heart of man, would desecrate the hearth hallowed by +affliction, deep and terrible as that of our poor Margaret? + + +CHAPTER VII. + +THE VICARAGE. + + +Our history began at the Vicarage; there let it end. It is a cheerful +summer's morning, and Margaret sits in the study of her friend Mr. +Middleton, who has learned to look upon his charge as upon a daughter. +She is still attired in widow's weeds, but looks more composed and +happy than when we saw her many months ago there. + +"You will not leave us, then," said the good vicar; "we have not tired +you yet?" + +"No," answered Margaret, with a sweet contented smile, "here must I +live and die. My duties will not suffer me to depart, even were I so +inclined. What would my children do?" + +"Ah, what indeed? The school would certainly go to rack and ruin." + +"And my old friends, the Harpers and the Wakefields?" + +"Why, the old ladies would very soon die of a broken heart, no doubt +of it; and then, there's our dispensary and little hospital. Why, +where should we look for a new apothecary?" + +"These are but the worst days of my life, Mr. Middleton, which I +dedicate to usefulness. How am I to make good the deficiency of +earlier years?" + +"By relying, my dear madam, upon the grace and love of Heaven, who in +mercy regards not what we have been, but what we are." + +"And is there pardon for so great a sinner?" + +"Doubt it not, dear lady. Had you not been loved, you never would have +been chastised--you would never have become an obedient and willing +child. Be sure, dear Mrs Allcraft, that having repented, you are +pardoned and reconciled to your Father. Pray, hold fast to this +conviction. You have reason to believe it; for truly _you have not +despised the chastening of the Lord, nor fainted when you were rebuked +of him_." + + * * * * * + + + + +KIEFF. + +TRANSLATED FROM THE RUSSIAN OF IVAN KOZLOFF. BY T.B. SHAW. + + + O Kieff! where religion ever seemeth + To light existence in our native land; + Where o'er Petcherskoi's dome the bright cross gleameth, + Like some fair star, that still in heaven doth stand; + Where, like a golden sheet, around thee streameth + Thy plain, and meads that far away expand; + And by thy hoary wall, with ceaseless motion, + Old Dnieper's foaming swell sweeps on to ocean. + + How oft to thee in spirit have I panted, + O holy city, country of my heart! + How oft, in vision, have I gazed enchanted + On thy fair towers--a sainted thing thou art!-- + By Lavra's walls or Dnieper's wave, nor wanted + A spell to draw me from this life apart; + In thee my country I behold, victorious, + Holy and beautiful, and great and glorious. + + The moon her soft ray on Petcherskoi poureth, + Its domes are shining in the river's wave; + The soul the spirit of the past adoreth, + Where sleeps beneath thee many a holy grave: + Vladimir's shade above thee calmly soareth, + Thy towers speak of the sainted and the brave; + Afar I gaze, and all in dreamy splendour + Breathes of the past--a spell sublime and tender. + + There fought the warriors in the field of glory, + Strong in the faith, against their country's foe; + And many a royal flower yon palace hoary, + In virgin loveliness, hath seen to blow. + And Bayan sang to them the noble story, + And secret rapture in their breast did glow; + Hark! midnight sounds--that brazen voice is dying-- + A day to meet the vanish'd days is flying. + + Where are the valiant?--the resistless lances-- + The brands that were as lightning when they waved? + Where are the beautiful--whose sunny glances + Our fathers, with such potency, enslaved? + Where is the bard, whose song no more entrances? + Ah! that deep bell hath answer'd what I craved: + And thou alone, by these grey walls, O river! + Murmurest, Dnieper, still, and flow'st for ever. + + * * * * * + + + + +MARSTON; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A STATESMAN. + +PART VII. + + + "Have I not in my time heard lions roar? + Have I not heard the sea, puft up with wind, + Rage like an angry boar chafed with sweat? + Have I not heard great ordnance in the field, + And heaven's artillery thunder in the skies? + Have I not in the pitched battle heard + Loud 'larums, neighing steeds, and trumpets clang?" + + SHAKSPEARE. + +At daybreak, the bustle of the camp awoke me. I rose hastily, mounted +my horse, and spurred to the rendezvous of the general staff. Nothing +could be more animated than the scene before me, and which spread to +the utmost reach of view. The advance of the combined forces had moved +at early dawn, and the columns were seen far away, ascending the sides +of a hilly range by different routes, sometimes penetrating through +the forest, and catching the lights of a brilliant rising sun on their +plumes and arms. The sound of their trumpets and bands was heard from +time to time, enriched by the distance, and coming on the fresh +morning breeze, with something of its freshness, to the ear and the +mind. The troops now passing under the knoll on which the +commander-in-chief and his staff had taken their stand, were the main +body, and were Austrian, fine-looking battalions, superbly uniformed, +and covered with military decorations, the fruits of the late Turkish +campaigns, and the picked troops of an empire of thirty millions of +men. Nothing could be more brilliant, novel, or picturesque, than the +display of this admirable force, as it moved in front of the rising +ground on which our _cortege_ stood. + +"You will now see," said Varnhorst, who sat curbing, with no slight +difficulty, his fiery Ukraine charger at my side, "the troops of +countries of which Europe, in general, knows no more than of the +tribes of the new world. The Austrian sceptre brings into the field +all the barbaric arms and costumes of the border land of Christendom +and the Turk." + +Varnhorst, familiar with every service of the continent, was a capital +cicerone, and I listened with strong interest as he pronounced the +names, and gave little characteristic anecdotes, of the gallant +regiments that successively wheeled at the foot of the slope--the +Archducal grenadiers--the Eugene battalion, which had won their +horse-tails at the passage of the Danube--the Lichtensteins, who had +stormed Belgrade--the Imperial Guard, a magnificent corps, who had led +the last assault on the Grand Vizier's lines, and finished the war. +The light infantry of Maria Theresa, and the Hungarian grenadiers and +cuirassiers, a mass of steel and gold, closed the march of the main +body. Nothing could be more splendid. And all this was done under the +perpetual peal of trumpets, and the thunder of drums and gongs, that +seemed absolutely to shake the air. It was completely the Miltonic +march and harmony-- + + "Sonorous metal blowing martial sounds." + +But I was now to witness a still more spirit-stirring scene. + +The trampling of a multitude of horse, and the tossing of lances and +banners in the distance, suddenly turned all eyes in their direction. + +"Now, prepare," said the Count, "for a sight, perhaps not altogether +so soldierlike, but fully as much to my taste, as the buff-belt and +grenadiers'-cap formality of the line. You shall see the Austrian +flankers--every corps equipped after its native fashion. And whatever +our martinets may say, there is nothing that gives such spirits to the +soldier, as dressing according to the style of his own country. My +early service was in Transylvania; and if I were to choose troops for +a desperate service, I say--give me either the man of the hill, or the +man of the forest, exactly in the coat of the chamois-shooter, or the +wolf-hunter." + +He had scarcely pointed my attention to the movement, when the whole +body of the rearguard was in full and rapid advance. The plain was +literally covered with those irregulars, who swept on like a surge, or +rather, from the diversity of their colours, and the vast half-circle +which they formed on the ground, a living rainbow. Part were infantry +and part cavalry, but they were so intermingled, and the motion of all +was so rapid, that it was difficult to mark the distinction. From my +recollection of the history of the Seven Years' War, I felt a double +interest in the sight of the different castes and classes of the +service, which I had hitherto known only by name. Thus passed before +me the famous Croatian companies--the Pandours, together forming the +finest outpost troops of the army--the free companies of the Tyrol, +the first marksmen of the empire, a fine athletic race, with the +eagle's feather in their broad hats, and the sinewy step of the +mountaineer--the lancers of the Bannat, first-rate videttes, an +Albanian division, which had taken service with Austria on the close +of the war; and, independently of all name and order, a cloud of wild +cavalry, Turk, Christian, and barbarian, who followed the campaign for +its chances, and galloped, sported, and charged each other like the +Arabs of the desert. + +The late triumphs of the Imperial arms in Turkey had even enhanced the +customary display, and the standards of the cavalry and colours of the +battalions, were stiff with the embroidered titles of captured +fortresses and conquered fields. Turkish instruments of music figured +among the troops, and the captive horse-tails were conspicuous in more +than one corps, which had plucked down the pride of the Moslem. The +richness and variety of this extraordinary spectacle struck me as so +perfectly Oriental, that I might have imagined myself suddenly +transferred to Asia, and looked for the pasha and his spahis; or even +for the rajah, his elephants, and his turbaned spearmen. But all this +gay splendour has long since been changed. The Croats are now +regulars, and all the rest have followed their example. + +My admiration was so loud, that it caught the ear of the duke. He +turned his quick countenance on me, and said--"Tell our friends at +home, M. Marston, what you have seen to-day. I presume you know that +Maria Theresa was a first-rate soldier; or, at least, she had the +happy art of finding them. You may see Laudohn's hand in her +battalions. As for the light troops, Europe can show nothing superior +in their kind. Trenk's Pandours, and Nadasti's hussars were worth an +army to Austria, from the first Silesian war down to the last shot +fired in Germany. But follow me, and you shall see the work of another +great master." + +We spurred across the plain to the mouth of a deep, wooded defile, +through which the Prussian grand _corps d'armee_ were advancing. The +brigades which now met our view were evidently of a different +character from the Austrian; their uniforms of the utmost simplicity; +their march utterly silent; the heads of the columns observing their +distances with such accuracy, that, on a signal, they could have been +instantly formed in order of battle; every movement of the main body +simply directed by a flag carried from hill to hill, and even the +battalion movements marked by the mere waving of a sword. Even their +military music was of a peculiarly soft and subdued character. On my +observing this to Varnhorst, his reply was--"That this was one of the +favourite points of the Great Frederick. 'I hate drums in the march,' +said the king, 'they do nothing but confuse the step. Every one knows +that the beat at the head of the column takes time to reach the rear. +Besides, the drum deafens the ear. Keep it, therefore, for the battle, +when the more noise the better.' He also placed the band in the centre +of the column. 'If they are fond of music,' said he, 'why should not +every man have his share?'" + +The steady advance, the solid force, and the sweet harmony, almost +realized the noble poetic conception-- + + "Anon they move + In perfect phalanx, to the Dorian mood + Of flutes and soft recorders, such as raised + To heights of noblest temper heroes old + Arming to battle; and instead of rage, + Deliberate valour breathed, firm and unmoved + With dread of death to flight or foul retreat." + +It is true that they wanted the picturesque splendour of ancient +warfare. The ten thousand banners, with orient colours waving, the +"forest huge of spears," the "thronging helms," and "serried shields, +in thick array of depth immeasurable." But if the bayonet, the lance, +and even the cannon offered less to the eye, the true source of the +grandeur of war was there--the power, the tremendous impulse, the +_materiel_ of those shocks which convulse nations--the marshalled +strength, fierce science, and stern will, before which the works of +man perish like chaff before the wind, and the glory of nations +vanishes like a shade. + +While the last of the troops were defiling before the duke and his +staff, a courier brought up despatches. + +"Gentlemen," said the duke, after glancing at one of the papers, "the +army of the Prince de Conde is in march to join us. They have already +reached the neighbourhood. We must now lose no time. M. Marston, you +will report to your Government what you have seen to-day. We _are_ in +march for Paris." + +Varnhorst and Guiscard were now summoned to the side of the duke; a +spot was found where we might shelter ourselves from the overpowering +blaze of the sun; the successive despatches were opened; a large map +of the routes from Champagne to the capital was laid on the ground; +and we dismounted, and, sitting together, like old comrades, we held +our little council of war. + +"I can make nothing of my French correspondents in general," said the +duke, after perusing a long letter, "but M. le Comte writes like +Cagliostro. He has evidently some prodigious secret, which he is +determined to envelope in still deeper secrecy. He tells me that La +Fayette has fled; but when, where, or for what purpose, is all equally +an enigma. In one sentence of his letter he would persuade me that all +France is disorganized, and in the next, that it is more resolved to +resist than ever. Paris is prepared to rise at the first sight of the +white flag, and Paris is sending out six thousand men every three +hours to join the republican force in the field. Paris is in despair. +Paris is in furious exultation. How am I to understand all this? Even +in his postscript he tells me, in one breath, that the whole of the +strong places in our front are filled with national guards, and that +no less than seven corps of troops of the line are prepared to fight +us in the plains of Champagne; and that we have only to push on to +take the towns--charge the troops of the line to see them +disperse--and advance within ten leagues of Paris to extinguish the +rebellion, set the royal family free, and restore the monarchy." + +The mysterious letter was handed round our circle in succession, and +seemed equally beyond comprehension to us all. We had yet to learn the +temperament of a capital, where every half-hour produced a total +change of the popular mind. The letter, fantastically expressed as it +was, conveyed the true condition of the hour. The picture was true, +but the countenance changed every moment. He might as well have given +the colours of cloud. + +I had now entered on a course of adventure the most exciting of all +others, and at the most exciting time of life. But all the world round +me was in a state of excitement. Every nation of Europe was throwing +open its armoury, and preparing its weapons for the field. The troops +invading France were palpably no more than the advanced guards of +Prussia and Austria. Even with all my inexperience, I foresaw that the +war would differ from all the past; that it would be, not a war of +tactics, but a war of opinion; that not armies, but the people +marshalled into hosts, would be ultimately the deciders of the +victory; and that on whichever side the popular feeling was more +serious, persevering, and intense, there the triumph would be gained. +I must still confess, however, in disparagement to my military +sagacity, that I was totally unprepared for the gallant resistance of +the French recruits. What can they do without officers?--ten thousand +of whom had been noblesse, and were now emigrants? What can they do +without a commissariat, what can they do without pay, and who is to +pay them in a bankrupt nation? Those were the constant topics at +headquarters. We were marching to an assured victory. France was at an +end. We should remodel the Government, and teach the _sans culottes_ +the hazard of trying the trade of politicians. + +There was but one man in the camp who did not coincide in those +glittering visions. Let me once more do justice to a prince whose +character has been affected by the caprices of fortune. The Duke of +Brunswick's language to me, as we saw the Tricolor waving on the walls +of Longwy, the first fortress which lay in our road, was--"Sir, your +court must not be deceived. We shall probably take the town, and +defeat its wavering army; but up to this moment, we have not been +joined by a single peasant. The population are against us. This is not +a German war; it is more like yours in America. I have but one hundred +and twenty thousand men against twenty-five millions." To my remark, +"that there might be large body of concealed loyalty in France, which +only waited the advance of the Allies to declare itself," his calm and +grave reply was: "That I must not suffer my Government to suppose him +capable of abandoning the royal cause, while there was hope in +military means. That it was his determination to hazard all things +rather than chill the coalition. But this let me impress upon your +Ministry," said he, with his powerful eye turned full on me; "that if +intrigue in the German cabinets, or tardiness on the part of yours, +shall be suffered to impede my progress, all is at an end. I know the +French; if we pause, they will pour on. If we do not reach Paris, we +must prepare to defend Berlin and Vienna. If the war is not ended +within a month, it may last for those twenty years." + +The commander-in-chief was true to his word. He lost no time. Before +night our batteries were in full play upon the bastions of Longwy, and +as our tents had not yet overtaken us, I lay down under a vineyard +shed in a circle of the staff, with our cloaks for our pillows, +listening to the roar of our artillery; until it mingled with my +dreams. + +We were on horse an hour before daybreak, and the cannonade still +continued heavy. It was actively returned, and the ramparts were a +circuit of fire. As a spectacle, nothing could be more vivid, +striking, and full of interest. To wait for the slow approaches of a +formal siege was out of the question. Intelligence had reached us that +the scattered French armies, having now ascertained the point at which +the burst over the frontier was to be made, had been suddenly +combined, and had taken a strong position directly in our way to the +capital. A protracted siege would raise the country in our rear, and, +thus placed between two fires, the grand army might find itself +paralysed at the first step of the campaign. The place must be +battered until a breach was made, and stormed _a la Turque_. Our +anxiety during the day was indescribable. With our telescopes +constantly in our hands, we watched the effect of every new discharge; +we galloped from hill to hill with the impatience of men in actual +combat, and every eye and tongue was busy in calculating the +distances, the power of guns, and the time which the crumbling works +would take to fill up the ditch. The reports of the engineers, towards +evening, announced that a practicable breach was made, and three +battalions of Austrian grenadiers, and as many of Prussians, were +ordered under arms for the assault. To make this gallant enterprize +more conspicuous, the whole army was formed in columns, and marched to +the heights, which commanded a view of the fortress. The fire from the +batteries now became a continued roar, and the guns of Longwy, whose +fire had slackened during the day, answered them with an equal +thunder; the space between was soon covered with smoke, and when the +battalions of grenadiers moved down the hillside, and plunged into the +valley, they looked like masses of men disappearing into the depths of +ocean. The anxiety now grew intense. I hardly breathed; and yet I had +a mingled sensation of delight, eagerness, and yet of uncertainty, to +which nothing that I had ever felt before was comparable. I longed to +follow those brave men to the assault, and probably would have made +some such extravagant blunder, but for seeing Varnhorst's broad +visage turned on me with a look of that quiet humour which, of all +things on earth, soonest brings a man to his senses. "My good friend," +said he, "however fine this affair may be, live in hope of seeing +something finer. Never be shot at Longwy, when you may have a chance +of scaling the walls of Paris. I have made a vow never to be hanged in +the beginning of a revolution, nor to be shot in the beginning of a +war. But come, the duke is beckoning to us. Let us follow him." + +We saw the general and his staff galloping from the ground where he +had remained from the beginning of the assault, to a height still more +exposed, and where the guns from the fortress were tearing up the +soil. From this spot a large body of troops were seen rushing from the +gate of the fortress, and plunging into the valley. The result of this +powerful sortie was soon heard, for every thing was invisible under +the thick cloud, which grew thicker every moment, in the volleys of +musketry, and the shouts of the troops on both sides. Varnhorst now +received an order from the chief of the staff, which produced its +effect, in the rush of a squadron of Prussian cavalry on the flank of +the enemy's column. In a few minutes it was broken, and we saw its +wrecks swept along the side of the hill. An universal shout was sent +up from the army, and our next sight was the ascent of the Austrian +and Prussian standards, gradually rising through the smoke, and making +their way towards the glacis. They had reached the foot of the breach, +when the fire of the town suddenly ceased. A white flag waved on the +rampart, and the drums of the garrison beat the _chamade_. Longwy had +surrendered! All now was triumph and congratulation. We flocked round +the duke, and hailed his first conquest as a promise of perpetual +success. He was in high spirits at an achievement which was so +important to the national impression of his talents and resources. The +sortie of the garrison had given the capture an _eclat_ which could +not have been obtained by the mere surrender of a strong place. But +the most important point of all was, the surrender before the assault. +"The sight of our troops is enough," was the universal conclusion. If +the fortified barrier of France cannot resist, what will be done by +troops as raw as peasants, and officers as raw as their troops? The +capitulation was a matter of half an hour, and by nightfall I followed +the duke and his escort into the town. It was illuminated by order of +the conquerors, and, whether _bongre_ or _malgre_, it looked showy; we +had gazers in abundance, as the dashing staff caracoled their way +through the streets. I observed, however, that we had no acclamations. +To have hissed us, might be a hazardous experiment, while so many +Hulans were galloping through the Grande Rue; but we got no smiles. In +the midst of the crowd, I met Varnhorst steering his charger with no +small difficulty, and carrying a packet of notes in his hand. "Go to +your quarters, and dress," said my good-humoured friend. "You will +have a busy night of it. The duke has invited the French commandant +and his officers to dine with him, and we are to have a ball and +supper afterwards for the ladies. Lose no time." He left me wondering +at the new world into which I had fallen, and strongly doubting, that +he would be able to fill up his ball-room. But I was mistaken. The +dinner was handsomely attended, and the ball more handsomely still. +"Fortune de la guerre," reconciled the gallant captains of the +garrison to the change; and they fully enjoyed the contrast between a +night on the ramparts, and the hours spent at the Prussian +generalissimo's splendidly furnished table. The ball which followed +exhibited a crowd of the _belles_ of Longwy, all as happy as dress and +dancing could make them. It was a charming episode in the sullen +history of campaigning, and before I flung myself on the embroidered +sofa of the mayor's drawing-room, where my billet had been given for +the night, I was on terms of eternal "friendship" with a whole group +of classic beauties--Aspasias, Psyches and Cleopatras. + +But neither love nor luxury, neither the smiles of that fair +_Champagnaises_, nor the delight of treading on the tesselated floors, +and feasting on the richness of municipal tables, could now detain us. +We were in our saddles by daybreak, and with horses that outstripped +the wind, with hearts light as air, and with prospects of endless +victory and orders and honours innumerable before us, we galloped +along, preceded, surrounded, and followed by the most showy squadrons +that ever wore lace and feathers. The delight of this period was +indescribable. It was to me a new birth of faculties that resembled a +new sense of being, a buoyant and elastic lightness of feelings and +frame. The pure air; the perpetual change of scene; the novelty of the +landscape; the restless and vivid variety of events, and those too of +the most powerful and comprehensive nature; the superb display of the +finest army that the Continent had sent to war for the last hundred +years; and all this excitement and enjoyment, with an unrivaled vista +of matchless conquest in the horizon, a triumphal march through the +provinces, to be consummated by the peace of Europe in Paris, filled +even my vexed and wearied spirit with new life. If I am right in my +theory, that the mind reaches stages of its growth with as much +distinctness as the frame, this was one of them. I was conscious from +this time of a more matured view of human being, of a clearer +knowledge of its impulses, of a more vigorous, firm, and enlarged +capacity for dealing with the real concerns of life. I still loved; +and, strange, hopeless, and bewildering as that passion was in the +breast of one who seemed destined to all the diversities of +fortune--it remained without relief, or relaxation through all. It was +the vein of gold, or perhaps the stream of fire, beneath the soil, +inaccessible to the power of change on the surface, but that surface +undergoing every impulse and influence of art and nature. + +The army now advanced unopposed. Still we received neither cheers nor +reinforcements from the population. Yet we had now begun to be +careless on the topic. The intelligence from Paris was favourable in +all the leading points. The king was resuming his popularity, though +still a prisoner. The Jacobins were exhibiting signs of terror, though +still masters of every thing. The recruits were running away, though +the decree for the general rising of the country was arming the +people. In short, the news was exactly of that checkered order which +was calculated to put us all in the highest spirits. The submission of +Paris, at least until we were its conquerors, would have deprived us +of a triumph on the spot, and the proclamation of a general peace +would have been received as the command for a general mourning. + +The duke was in the highest animation, and he talked to every one +round him, as we marched along, with more than condescension. He was +easy, familiar, and flushed with approaching victory. "We have now," +said he, "broken through the 'iron barrier,' the pride of Vauban, and +the boast of France for these hundred years. To-morrow Verdun will +fall. The commandant of Thionville, in desperation at the certainty of +our taking the town by assault, has shot himself, and the keys are on +their way to me. Nothing but villages now lie in our road, and once +past those heights," and he pointed to a range of woody hills on the +far horizon, "and we shall send our light troops _en promenade_ to +Paris." We all responded in our various ways of congratulation. + +"Apropos," said the duke, applying to me, "M. Marston, you have been +later on the spot than any of us. What can you tell of this M. +Dumourier, who, I see from my letters, is appointed to the forlorn +hope of France--the command of the broken armies of Lafayette and +Luckner?" + +My answer was briefly a hope that the new general would be as much +overmatched by the duke's fortunes in the field, as he had been by +party in the capital. "Still, he seemed to me a clever, and even a +remarkable man, however inexperienced as a soldier." + +"If he is the officer of that name who served in the last French war, +he is an old acquaintance of mine," observed the duke. "I remember him +perfectly. He was a mere boy, who, in a rash skirmish with some of our +hussars, was wounded severely and taken prisoner. But as I learned +that he was the son of a French _literateur_ of some eminence whom I +had met in Paris, and as I had conceived a favourable opinion of the +young soldier's gallantry, I gave him his parole and sent him back to +his family, who, I think, were Provencals. He was unquestionably +spirited and intelligent, and with experience might make either +minister or general; but as he has begun by failure in the one +capacity, it will be our business to show him that he may find success +equally difficult in another. At all events, we have nothing but this +minister-general between us and Notre-Dame. He has taken up a position +on the Argonne ridge in our front. To force it will be but an affair +of three hours. Adieu, gentlemen." He put spurs to his horse, and +galloped to one of the columns which approached with trumpets +sounding, bearing the captured banner of the church tower of Longwy. + +The world was now before us, and we enjoyed it to the full. Varnhorst +and I were inseparable, and feasted on the scene, the gaiety, the +oddity of the various characters, which campaigning developes more +than any mode of existence. The simple meal, the noon-rest under a +tree, the songs of our troopers, the dance in the villages, as soon as +the peasantry had discovered that we did not eat women and +children--even the consciousness of a life wholly without care, formed +a delicious state of being. "If this is the life of the Arab," I often +was ready to exclaim, "what folly would it be in him to leave the +wilderness! If the Esquimaux can sleep through one half of the year +and revel through the other, is he not the true philosopher in the +midst of his frost and snow?" Guiscard, who sometimes joined our +party, was now and then moved to smile at our unripe conceptions of +the nature of things. But we laughed at his gravity, and he returned +to pore over the mysteries of that diplomacy which evidently thickened +on him hour by hour. I recollect, however, one of his expressions--"My +friend, you think that all the battle is to be fought in front: I can +assure you that a much more severe battle is to be fought in the rear. +Argonne will be much more easily mastered than the King's closet and +the Aulic Council." We had good reason to remember the oracle. + +One morning as, with half a dozen hussars, I was ranging the thickets +on the flank of the advance, with the spirit of an English fox-hunter, +on reaching the summit of a rising ground, I saw, some miles off, a +party of horsemen making their way at full speed across the country. +The perfect level of the plains, particularly in Champagne, makes the +ground as open as a race-course. I called my hussars, and we galloped +forward to intercept. On seeing us, they slackened their speed, and +were evidently in consultation. At length the sight of our uniforms +reassured then, and one of their number came forward to meet us. To +our enquiry, the answer was, that "General Lafayette desired to be led +to the headquarters." I now saw this memorable man for the first time, +and was busy, in my usual style, in looking for the hero or the +revolutionist in his physiognomy. I was disappointed in both. I saw a +quiet visage, and a figure of moderate size, rather _embonpoint_, and +altogether the reverse of that fire-eyed and lean-countenanced +"Cassius" which I had pictured in my imagination. But his manners +perplexed me as much as his features. They were calm, easy, and almost +frank. It was impossible to recognize in him the Frenchman, except by +his language; and he was the last man in whom I could ever have +detected that pride of the theatre, the "French _marquis_." His +manners were English, and I had a fellow-feeling for him even in our +short ride to the camp, and congratulated myself on being thrown into +the intercourse of one who had played so conspicuous a part in the +most conspicuous scene of our day. + +But on his introduction to the duke, my ardour received a sudden +chill. I saw instantly, by the utter absence of all cordiality in his +reception, that the French fugitive had taken a dangerous step, and +that his Parisian ill fortune had deprived his retreat of all merit in +the sight of the commander-in-chief. My doubts were soon confirmed by +a message from his tent. I obeyed; and as I passed the lines, saw +Lafayette surrounded by a troop of Hulans of the Guard. I found the +duke pacing uneasily in front of the tent. + +"M. Marston," said he, with a vexed manner, "your capture of this +morning has added to our perplexities. You acted zealously, and with +the spirit that distinguishes your nation; but I heartily wish that +M. La Fayette had taken any other direction than towards us. His fall +has been contemplated for some time, and even the possibility of his +being arrested by some of our parties. I have received a communication +from the Allied cabinets on the contingency; and the question now is, +how to execute my order without public weakness or personal severity." + +I proposed to accompany him, while we were on the march, and to pledge +myself for his honour when we arrived at quarters. + +"Generously offered," was the reply. "But my duty, in the first +instance, prohibits his remaining in the camp; and in the next, my +feelings for himself would spare a man who has commanded the enemy's +troops, the sight of that actual collision which must immediately take +place. We attack the defiles of the Argonne to-morrow." + +He entered the tent, wrote a few lines, and returned to me. + +"M. Lafayette must consider himself as a prisoner; but as my wish is +to treat him with honour, I must beg of you, M. Marston, to take +charge of him for the time. Your offer has relieved me from an +embarrassment; and I shall take care to make honourable mention of +your conduct in this instance, as in all others, to both the courts of +Berlin and St James's. The marquis must be sent to Berlin, and I must +request that you will be ready to set out with him this evening." + +The sound was a thunder-stoke. "This evening!" when the decisive +action of the war was to be fought next morning. "To Berlin!" when all +my gallant friends were to be on the march to Paris. Impossible! I +retracted my offer at once. But the prince, not accustomed to be +resisted, held his purpose firmly; representing that, as the French +general was actually _my_ prisoner, and as _my_ court was equally +interested with those of the Allied powers, in preventing his return +to embroil France, "it was my duty, as her commissioner, to see that +the measure was effectively performed." But the appearance of leaving +the army, on the very eve of important service, was not to be argued, +or even commanded, away. The duke was equally inflexible, though his +sentences were perhaps shorter than mine; and I finally left his +presence, declaring, that if the request were persisted in, I should +throw up my commission at once, volunteer as a common trooper into the +first squadron which would admit me, and then, his highness, might, of +course, order me wherever he pleased." + +A stately smile was the answer to this tirade. I bowed, and retired. + +Within a hundred yards I met my two friends, Varnhorst and Guiscard, +and poured out my whole catalogue of wrongs at once. Varnhorst shared +my indignation, fiercely pulled his thick mustaches, and muttered some +phrases about oppression, martinetism, and other dangerous topics, +which fortunately were scattered on the air. Guiscard neither raged +nor smiled, but walked into the ducal tent. After a few minutes he +returned, and then his sallow countenance wore a smile. "You have +offended the duke desperately," said he. "And as a sovereign prince, I +dare say that banishment from his territories for life would be the +least reparation; but as a general, we think that we cannot have too +many good troops, and your proposal to take a Hulan's lance and pistol +in your hand, is irresistible. In short, he receives you as a +volunteer into his own hussars, and as you are henceforth at his +disposal, he orders."--My tormentor here made a malicious pause, which +threw me into a fever. I gazed on his countenance, to anticipate his +mission. It wore the same deep and moveless expression. "His highness +orders, that you shall escort, with a squadron, General Lafayette, to +the Chateau, our former headquarters, and where we first met; there +deliver over the Frenchman to an officer of the staff, who will be in +readiness to escort him further; and, in the mean time, if the very +fiery and independent M. Marston should have no objection to travel at +night, he may return, and be in time for whatever is to be done here +to-morrow." + +"Bravo, bravo!" exclaimed good-natured Varnhorst. "Guiscard, you are +the first of negotiators!" + +"No," was the quiet reply. "I pretend to nothing more than the art of +being a good listener. I merely waited until the duke had spoken his +will, and then interposed my suggestion. It was adopted at once; and +now our young friend has only to ride hard to-night, and come to shade +his brow with a share of any laurels which we may pluck in the forest +of Argonne, in the next twenty-four hours." + +I was enraptured--the communication was made in the most courteous +manner to the marquis. He had at once perceived the difficulties of +his position, and was glad to leave them behind as far as possible. +Our escort was mounted within a few minutes, and we were in full +gallop over the fruitful levels of Champagne. + +To speed of this order, time and space were of little importance; and +with the rapidity of a flock of falcons, we reached the foot of the +noble hill, on which, embosomed in the most famous vineyards of the +vine country, stood the Chateau. It was blazing with lights, and had +evidently lost nothing of its population by the change of +headquarters. We were soon brought to a stand by a challenge in +French, and found that we were no longer among the jovial Jaegers of +Deutchland. We had fallen in with the advanced corps of the Emigrant +army under the command of the Prince of Conde. + +Here was a new dilemma. Our prisoner's was perhaps the most startling +name which could have been pronounced among those high-blooded and +headlong men. The army was composed almost wholly of the _noblesse_; +and Lafayette, under all his circumstances of birth, sentiments, and +services, had been the constant theme of noble indignation. The +champion of the American Republic, the leader of the Parisian +movement, the commandant of the National Guard, the chief of the rebel +army in the field--all was terribly against him. Even the knowledge of +his fall could not have appeased their resentment; and the additional +knowledge that he was within their hands, might have only produced +some unfortunate display of what the philosopher calls "wild justice." +In this difficulty, while the officer of the patrol was on his way to +the Chateau to announce our coming, I consulted the captain of my +escort. But, though a capital _sabreur_, he was evidently not made to +solve questions in diplomacy. After various grimaces of thinking, and +even taking the meersham from his mouth, I was thrown on my own +resources. My application to the captive general was equally +fruitless: it was answered with the composure of one prepared for all +consequences, but it amounted simply to--"Do just as you please." + +But no time was to be lost, and leaving the escort to wait till my +return, I rode up the hill alone, and desired an interview with the +officer in command of the division. Fortunately I found him to be one +of my gayest Parisian companions, now transformed into a fierce +chevalier, colonel des chasseurs, bronzed like an Arab, and mustached +like a tiger. But his inner man was the same as ever. I communicated +my purpose to him as briefly as possible. His open brow lowered, and +his fingers instinctively began playing with the hilt of his sabre. +And if the rencontre could have been arranged on the old terms of man +to man, my gallant friend would have undoubtedly made me the bearer of +a message on the spot. But I had come for other objects, and gradually +brought him round; he allowed that "a prisoner was something entitled +to respect." The "request of his distinguished and valued friend, M. +Marston, dear to him by so many charming recollections of Paris, &c., +was much more;" and we finally arranged that the general should be +conveyed unseen to an apartment in the Chateau, while I did him and +his "_braves camarades_" the honour of sharing their supper. I gave +the most willing consent; a ride of thirty miles had given me the +appetite of a hunter. + +I was now introduced to a new scene. The room was filled with muskets +and knapsacks piled against the walls, and three-fourths of those who +sat down were private soldiers; yet there was scarcely a man who did +not wear some knightly decoration, and I heard the noblest names of +France everywhere round me. Thus extremes meet: the Faubourg St +Germains had taken the equality of the new order of things, and the +very first attempt to retain an exclusive rank had brought all to the +same level. But it was a generous, a graceful, and a gallant level. +All was good-humour under their privations, and the fearful chances +which awaited them were evidently regarded with a feeling which had +all the force of physical courage without its roughness. I was much +struck, too, with the remarkable appearance of the military figures +round me. Contrary to our general notions of the foreign noblesse +those exhibited some of the finest-looking men whom I had ever seen. +This was perhaps, in a considerable degree, owing to the military +life. In countries where the nobility are destitute of public +employment, they naturally degenerate--become the victims of the +diseases of indolence and profligacy, transmit their decrepitude to +their descendants, and bequeath dwarfishness and deformity to their +name. But in France, the young noble was destined for soldiership from +his cradle. His education partook of the manly preparations for the +soldier's career. The discipline of the service, even in peace, taught +him some superiority to the effeminate habits of opulence; and a sense +of the actual claims of talents, integrity, and determination, gave +them all an importance which, whatever might be the follies of an +individual, from time to time, powerfully shaped the general character +of the nobles. In England, the efforts for political power, and the +distinctions of political fame, preserve our nobility from relaxing +into the slavery of indulgence. The continual ascent of accomplished +minds from the humbler ranks, at once reinforces their ability and +excites their emulation; and if England may proudly boast of men of +intellectual vigour, worthy of rising to the highest rank from the +humblest condition, she may, with not less justice, boast of her +favourites of fortune fitted to cope with her favourites of nature. + +Among these showy and high-bred soldiers, the hours passed +delightfully. Anecdotes of every court of Europe, where most of them +had been, either as tourists or envoys; the piquant tales of the court +of their unfortunate sovereign; narratives--sufficiently contemptuous +of the present possessors of power; and _chansons_--some gay, and some +touching--made us all forget the flight of time. Among their military +choruses was one which drew tears from many a bold eye. It was a +species of brief elegy to the memory of Turenne, whom the French +soldier still regarded as his tutelar genius. It was said to have been +written on the spot where that great leader fell:-- + + "Recois, O Turenne, ou tu perdis lavie, + Les transports d'un soldat, qui te plaint et t'envie. + Dans l'Elysee assis, pres du cef des Cesars, + Ou dans le ciel, peutetre entre Bellone et Mars. + Fais-moi te suivre en tout, exauce ma priere; + Puis se-je ainsi remplir, et finir ma carriere." + +The application to the immediate circumstances of those brave +gentlemen was painfully direct. What to-morrow might bring was +unknown, further than that they would probably soon be engaged with +their countrymen; and whether successful or not, they must be embarked +in war against France. But my intelligence that an action was expected +on the next day awoke the soldier within them again; the wrongs of +their order, the plunders of the ruling faction, their hopeless +expatriation, if some daring effort was not made, and the triumphant +change from exiles to possessors and conquerors, stirred them all into +enthusiasm. The army of the Allies, the enemy's position, the public +feeling of Paris, and the hope of sharing in the honours of an +engagement which was to sweep the revolutionary "canaille" before the +"gentlemen of France," were the rapid and animating topics. All were +ardent, all eloquent; fortune was at their feet, the only crime was to +doubt--the only difficulty was to choose in what shape of splendid +vengeance, of matchless retribution, and of permanent glory, they +should restore the tarnished lustre of the diadem, and raise the +insulted name of France to its ancient rank among the monarchies of +the world. I never heard among men so many brilliancies of speech--so +many expressions of feeling full of the heart--so glowing a display of +what the heart of man may unconsciously retain for the time when some +great emotion rouses all its depths, and opens them to the light of +day. It was to me a new chapter in the history of man. + +The news which I had brought of the positions of the armies rendered +me an object of marked interest. I was questioned on every point; +first, and especially, of the intention of the commander-in-chief, +with the most anxious yet most polished minuteness. But, as on this +subject my lips were comparatively sealed, the state of the troops +with whom they were so soon to be brought into contact became the more +manageable topic. On mentioning that Dumourier was placed in command, +I received free and full communications on the subject of his +qualities for being the last hope of revolutionary France. One had +known him in his early career in the engineers, another had served +along with him in Corsica, a third had met him at the court of +Portugal; the concurring report being, that he was a coxcomb of the +first water, showy but superficial, and though personally brave, sure +to be bewildered when he found himself for the first time working the +wheels and springs of that puzzling machine, an army in the field. A +caustic old Provencal marquis, with his breast glittering with the +stars of a whole constellation of knighthood, yet who sat with the +cross-belts and cartouche-box of the rank and file upon him, agreeing +with all the premises, stoutly denied the conclusions. "He is a +coxcomb," said the old Marquis. "Well, he is only the fitter to +command an army of upstarts. He has seen nothing but Corsican service; +well, he is the fitter to command an army of banditti. And he has been +an _espion_ of the Government in Portugal; what better training could +he have for heading an army of traitors? Rely upon it, gentlemen, that +you have mistaken his character; if you think that he is not the very +man whom the mob of Paris ought to have chosen for their general, I +merely recommend, that when you go into action you should leave your +watches in camp, and, if you charge any of their battalions, look well +to your purses." + +The old soldier's sally restored our gaiety; but the man best +acquainted with the French commander-in-chief was my friend the +chevalier, at the head of the table. "It has singularly enough +happened to me to have met M. Dumourier in almost every scene of his +life, since his return from his first service in Germany. Our first +meeting was in the military hospital in Toulouse, where he had been +sent, like myself, to recover, in his native air, from the wounds of +our last German campaign. He was then a coxcomb, but a clever one, +full of animal spirits, and intoxicated with the honour of having +survived the German bullets, of being appointed to a company, and +wearing a _croix_. Our next meeting was in Portugal. Our Minister had +adopted some romantic idea of shaking the English influence, and +Dumourier had been sent as an engineer to reconnoitre the defences of +the country. The word _espion_ was not wholly applicable to his +mission, yet there can be no doubt that the memoir published on his +return, was _not_ a volume of travels. His services had now +recommended him to the Government, and he was sent to Corsica. There +again I met him, as my regiment formed part of the force in the +island. He was high on the staff, our intercourse was renewed, and he +was regarded as a very expert diplomatist. A few years after, I found +him in a still higher situation, a favourite of De Choiseul, and +managing the affairs of the Polish confederation. On his return to +Paris, such was the credit in which he stood, that he was placed by +the minister of war at the head of a commission to reform the military +code; thus he has been always distinguished; and has at least had +experience." + +Even this slight approach to praise was evidently not popular among +the circle, and I could hear murmurs. + +"Distinguished!--yes, more with the pen than the sword." + +"Diplomacy!--the business of a clerk. Command is another affair." + +"Mon cher Chevalier," said the old Marquis, with a laugh, "pray, after +being in so many places with him, were you with him in the Bastile?" +This was followed with a roar. + +I saw my friend's swarthy cheek burn. He started up, and was about to +make some fierce retort, when a fine old man, a general, with as many +orders as the marquis, and a still whiter head, averted the storm, by +saying, "Whether the chevalier was with M. Dumourier in that +predicament, I know not; but I can say that I was. I was sent there +for the high offence of kicking a page of the court down the grande +escalier at Versailles for impertinence, at the time when M. Dumourier +was sent there by the Duc d'Acquillon, for knowing more than the +minister. I assure you that I found him a most agreeable +personage--very gay, very witty, and very much determined to pass his +time in the pleasantest manner imaginable. But our companionship was +too brief for a perfect union of souls," said he laughing; "for I was +liberated within a week, while he was left behind for, I think, the +better part of a year." + +"But his talents?" was the question down the table. + +"Gentlemen," said the old man, "my experience in life has always made +me judge of talents by circumstances. If, for example, I find that a +man has the talent exactly fitted for his position, I give him credit +for all--he had the talent for making the Bastile endurable, and I +required no other. But there were times when graver topics varied our +pleasantry, and he exhibited very various intelligence, a practical +experience of the chief European courts, and, I am sorry to say, a +very striking contempt for their politics and their politicians alike. +He was especially indignant at the selfish perfidy with which the late +king had given him up to the ignorant jealousy of the minister, and +looked forward to the new reign with a resolute, and sometimes a +gloomy determination to be revenged. If that man is a republican, it +is the Bastile that has made him one; and if he ever shall have a fair +opportunity of displaying his genius, unless a cannonball stops his +career I should conceive him capable of producing a powerful +impression on Europe." + +The conversation might again have become stormy but for the entrance +of a patrol, for whom a vacant space at the table had been left. Forty +or fifty fine tall fellows now came rushing into the room, flinging +down shakos, knapsacks, and sabres, and fully prepared to enjoy the +good cheer provided for them. I heard the names of the first families +of France among those privates--the Montmorencies, the Lamaignons, the +Nivernois, the Rochefoucaults, the De Noailles, "familiar as household +words." All was good-humour again. They had a little adventure in +scaring away a corps of the rustic national guards who, to expedite +their escape, had flung away their arms, which were brought in as good +prize. The festivity and frolic of youth, engaged in a cause which +conferred a certain dignity even on their _tours de page_, renewed the +pleasantry of the night. We again had the _chansons_; and I recollect +one, sung with delicious taste by a handsome Italian-faced youth, a +nephew of the writer, the Duc de Nivernois. + +The duke had requested a ringlet from a beautiful woman. She answered, +that she had just found a grey hair among her locks, and could now +give then away no more. The gallant reply was-- + + "Quoi! vous parlez de cheveux blancs! + Laissez, laissez courir le temps; + Que vous importe son ravage? + Les tendres coeurs en sont exempts; + _Les Amours sont toujours enfants, + Et les Graces sont de tout age._ + Pour moi, Themire, je le sens. + Je suis toujours dans mon printemps, + Quand je vous offre mon hommage. + Si je n'avais que dixhuit ans, + Je pourrais aimer plus longtemps, + Mais, non pas aimer davantage."[10] + + [10] + + Lovely and loved! shall one slight hair + Touch thy delicious lip with care? + A heart like thine may laugh at Time-- + The Soul is ever in its prime. + All Loves, you know, have infant faces, + A thousand years can't chill the Graces! + While thou art in my soul enshrined, + I give all sorrows to the wind. + Were I this hour but gay eighteen, + Thou couldst be but my bosom's queen; + I might for longer years adore, + But could not, could not love thee more. + +On returning to look for my distinguished prisoner, I found a packet +lying on the table of my apartment; it had arrived in my absence with +the troops in advance; and I must acknowledge that I opened it with a +trembling hand, when I saw that it came from London and Mordecai. + +It was written in evident anxiety, and the chief subject was the +illness of his daughter. She had some secret on her mind, which +utterly baffled even the Jew's paternal sagacity. No letters had +reached either of them from France, and he almost implored me to +return, or, if that were impossible, to write without delay. Mariamne +had grown more fantastic, and capricious, and wayward than ever. Her +eyes had lost their brightness, and her cheek its colour. Yet she +complained of nothing, beyond a general distaste to existence. She had +seen the Comtesse de Tourville, and they had many a long conference +together, from which, however, Mariamne always returned more +melancholy than ever. She had refused the match which he had provided +for her, and declared her determination to live, like the daughter of +Jephthah, single to her grave. + +The letter then turned to my own circumstances, and entered into them +with the singular mixture of ardour and sneering which formed this +extraordinary character. + + "I am doing your business here as indefatigably as if I were + robbing nabobs in India, or setting up republics at home. The + tardiness of the Horse-Guards is to be moved by nothing but an + invasion; and it would be almost as rational to wait the + growth of an oak, as to wait the signing of your commission; + but it shall be done in my own way. I have means which can + make the tardy quick, and open the eyes of the blind. You + _shall_ be a subaltern in the Guards, unless you are in too + much haste to be a general, and get yourself shot by some + Parisian cobbler in the purloined uniform of a rifleman. But, + let me tell you one fact, and I might indorse this piece of + intelligence, 'Secret and Confidential,' to the English + cabinet, for even our great minister has yet to learn it--_the + Allies will never reach Paris_. Rely, and _act_ upon this. + They might now enter the capital, if, instead of bayonets, + they carried only trusses of straw. The road is open before + them, but they will look only behind. The war was almost a + feint from the beginning. The invasion was the second act of + the farce--the retreat will be the third. Poland has been the + _true object_; and, to cover the substantial seizures there, + has been the trick of the French invasion. I predict that, in + one month from the date of this letter, there will not be an + Austrian or Prussian cartridge found in France. Potsdam and + Schoenbrunn know more on the subject at this moment than the + duke. I write to you as a friend, and by Mariamne's especial + order, to take care of yourself. I have seen the retreats of + continental armies in my time; they are always a scene of + horrors. Follow the army so long as it advances; then all is + well, and even the experience of service may be of use to you. + But, in this instance, the moment that you find it come to a + stop, turn your horse's head to any point of the compass but + the front, and ride to the nearest seaport. The duke is a + brave man, and his army is a brave army; but both will be + instantly covered with all the obloquy of all the libelers on + earth. If you have met him as man with man, you have doubtless + been captivated with his manners, his wit, his animation, and + his accomplishments. I have known him long and well. But + Europe, within a month, will decry him, as a fugitive, a fool, + and a dastard. Such is popular wisdom, justice, and knowledge. + A pupil of the first warrior of Prussia and of modern ages, + and wanting only experience to do honour to the lessons of + Frederick, he will be laughed at by the loose loungers of the + Palais Royal, as ignorant of the art of war, and branded by + the graver loungers of courts and councils, as ignorant of the + art of government. Once more, I say, take care of yourself. + The first step in retreat will raise all France against the + Allies. Ten victories would not cost as much as the first + week's march towards the frontier. Every thicket will have its + troop; every finger, for a hundred leagues round, will be on + the trigger. Robbery and murder, famine and fatigue; disease + and death, will be upon the troops; the retreat will become a + flight, and happy is the man who will ever see the Rhine + again. Be wise in time." + +Enclosed within this long epistle was a brief note from Mariamne. + + "You must not think me dying, because I importune you no + longer. But, _can_ you give me any tidings of Lafontaine? I + know that he is rash, and even enthusiastic; but I equally + know that he is faithful and true. _Yet_, if he _has_ + forgotten me, or is married, or is any thing that, as a preux + chevalier, he ought not to be, tell me at once, and you shall + see how grateful I can be, before I cease to be any thing. But + if he has fallen--if, in the dreadful scenes now acting in + Paris, Lafontaine is no more--_tell me not_. Write some + deluding thing to me--conceal your terrible knowledge. I + should not wish to drop down dead before my father's face. He + is looking at me while I write this, and I am trying to laugh, + with a heart as heavy as lead, and eyes that can scarcely see + the paper. No--for mercy's sake, do not tell me _that he is + dead_. Give me gentle words, give me hope, deceive me--as they + give laudanum, not to prolong life, but to lull agony. Do + this, and with my last pulse I shall be grateful--with my last + breath I shall bless you." + +Poor Mariamne! I had, at least, better hopes than those for her. But +within this billet was a third. It was but a few lines; yet at the +foot of those lines was the signature--"Clotilde de Tourville." The +light almost forsook my eyes; my head swam; if the paper had been a +talisman, and every letter written with the pen of magic, it could not +have produced a more powerful effect upon me. My hands trembled, and +my ears thrilled; and yet it contained but a few unimportant words--an +enquiry addressed to Mariamne, whether she could forward a letter to +the Chateau Montauban in Champagne, or whether her father had any +correspondent in the vicinity who could send her the picture of a +beloved relative, which, in the haste of their flight to England, they +had most reluctantly left behind. + +The note at once threw every thing else into the background. What were +invasions and armies--what were kings and kingdoms--to the slightest +wish of the being who had written this billet? All this I admit to be +the fever of the mind--a waking dream--an illusion to which mesmerism +or magic is but a frivolity. Like all fevers, it is destined to pass +away, or to kill the patient; yet for the time, what on earth is so +strange, or so powerful--so dangerous to the reason--so delicious to +the soul! + +But, after the long reverie into which I sank, with the writing of +Clotilde in my hand, I recollected that fortune had for once given me +the power of meeting the wishes of this noble and beautiful creature. +The resemblance of the picture that had so much perplexed and +attracted me, was now explained. I _was_ in the Chateau de Montauban, +and I now blessed the chance which had sent me to its honoured walls. + +To hasten to the chamber where I was again to look upon the exquisite +resemblance of features which, till then, I had thought without a +similar in the world, was a matter of instinct; and, winding my way +through the intricacies of galleries and corridors, loaded with the +baggage of the emigrant army, and strewed with many a gallant noble +who had exchanged the down bed of his ancestral mansion for the bare +floor, or the open bivouac, I at length reached the apartment to which +the captive general had been consigned. To my utter astonishment, +instead of the silence which I expected under the circumstances, I +heard the jingling of glasses and roars of laughter. Was this the +abode of solitude and misfortune? I entered, and found M. Lafayette, +indeed, conducting himself with the composure of a personage of his +rank; but the other performers exhibiting a totally different +temperament. A group of Polish officers, who had formerly borne +commissions in the royal service, and now followed the Emigrant +troops, had recognized Lafayette, and insisted on paying due honours +to the "noble comrade" with whom they had served beyond the Atlantic. +Hamlet's menace to his friend, that he would "teach him to drink deep +ere he depart," had been adopted in the amplest sense by those jovial +sons of the north, and "healths bottle-deep" were sent round the board +with rapid circulation. + +My entrance but slightly deranged the symposium, and I was soon +furnished with all the freemasonry of the feast, by being called on to +do honour to the toast of "His Majesty the King of Great Britain." My +duty was now done, my initiation was complete, and while my eyes were +fixed on the portrait which, still in its unharmed beauty, looked +beaming on the wild revel below, I heard, in the broken queries, and +interjectional panegyrics of these hyperborean heroes, more of the +history of Lafayette than I had ever expected to reach my ears. + +His life had been the strangest contrast to the calm countenance which +I saw so tranquilly listen to its own tale. It was Quixotic, and two +hundred years ago could scarcely have escaped the pen of some French +Cervantes. He had begun life as an officer in the French household +troops in absolute boyhood. At sixteen he had married! at eighteen he +had formed his political principles, and begun his military career by +crossing the Atlantic, and offering his sword to the Republic. To meet +the thousand wonderings at his conduct, he exchanged the ancient motto +of the Lafayettes for a new one of his own. The words, "Why not?" were +his answer to all, and they were sufficient. On reaching America, he +asked but two favours, to be suffered to serve, and to serve without +pay. + +In America he was more republican than the Republicans. He toiled, +traveled, and bled, with an indefatigable zeal for the independence of +the colonists; his zeal was a passion, his love of liberty a romance, +his hostility to the dominion of England an universal scorn of +established power. But if fantastic, he was bold; and if too hot for +the frigidity of America, he was but preparing to touch France with +kindred fire. He refused rank in the French army coupled with the +condition of leaving the service of the Republic; and it was only on +the French alliance in 1788 that he returned to Paris, to be received +with feigned displeasure by the King, and even put under arrest by the +minister, but to be welcomed by the praises of the true sovereign, the +Queen, feted by the court, the sovereign of that sovereign, and +huzzaed by the mob of Paris, already the sovereign of them all; from +his military prison he emerged, colonel of the King's regiment of +dragoons. + +While this narrative was going on, mingled with bumpers, and bursts of +Slavonic good-fellowship, I could not help asking myself whether +Lavater was not quack and physiognomy a folly? Could this be the +dashing Revolutionist? No plodder over the desk ever wore a more +broadcloth countenance; an occasional smile was the only indication of +his interest in what was passing around him. He evidently avoided +taking a share in the discussion of his Transatlantic career, probably +from delicacy to his English auditor. But when the conversation turned +upon France, the man came forth, and he vindicated his conduct with a +spirit and fulness that told me what he might have been when the blood +of youth was added to the glow of the imagination. He was now +evidently exhausted by toil, and dispirited by disappointment. No man +could be more thoroughly ruined; baffled in theory, undone in +practice--an exile from his country, a fugitive from his +troops--overwhelmed by the hopelessness of giving a constitution to +France, and with nothing but the dungeon before him, and the crash of +the guillotine behind. + +"What was to be done?" said Lafayette. "France was bankrupt--the +treasury was empty--the profligate reign of Louis XV. had at once +wasted the wealth, dried up the revenues, and corrupted the energies +of France. Ministers wrung their hands, the king sent for his +confessor, the queen wept--but the nation groaned. There was but one +expedient, to call on the people. In 1787 the Assembly of the Notables +was summoned. It was the first time since the reign of Henry IV. +France had been a direct and formal despotism for almost two hundred +years. She had seen England spread from an island into an empire; she +had seen America spread from a colony into an empire. What had been +the worker of the miracle?--Liberty. While all the despotisms remained +within the boundaries fixed centuries ago, like vast dungeons, never +extending, and never opening to the light and air, except through the +dilapidations of time, I saw England and America expanding like +fertile fields, open to every breath of heaven and every beam of day, +expanding from year to year by the cheerful labour of man, and every +year covered with new productiveness for the use of universal mankind. +I own that there may have been rashness in urging the great +experiment--there may have been a dangerous disregard of the actual +circumstances of the people, the time, and the world--the daring hand +of the philosopher may have drawn down the lightning too suddenly to +be safe; the patriot may have flashed the blaze of his torch too +strongly on eyes so long trained to the twilight of the dungeon. The +leader of this enterprise himself, like the first discoverer of fire, +may have brought wrath upon his own head, and be condemned to have his +vitals gnawed in loneliness and chains; but nothing shall convince +Lafayette that a great work has not been begun for the living race, +for all nations, and for all posterity." + +I could not suppress the question--"But when will the experiment be +complete? When will the tree, planted thus in storms, take hold of the +soil? When will the tremendous tillage which begins by clearing with +the conflagration, and ploughing with the earthquake, bring forth the +harvest of peace to the people?" + +"These must be the legacy to our children," was the reply, in a grave +and almost contrite tone. "The works of man are rapid only when they +are meant for decay. The American savage builds his wigwam in a week, +to last for a year. The Parthenon took half an age and the treasures +of a people, to last for ever." + +We parted for the night--and for thirty years. My impression of this +remarkable man was, that he had more heart than head; that a single +idea had engrossed his faculties, to the exclusion of all others; that +he was following a phantom, with the belief that it was a substantial +form, and that, like the idolaters of old, who offered their children +to their frowning deity, he imagined that the costlier the sacrifice, +the surer it was of propitiation. Few men have been more misunderstood +in his own day or in ours. Lifted to the skies for an hour by popular +adulation, he has been sunk into obscurity ever since by historic +contempt. Both were mistaken. He was the man made for the +time--precisely the middle term between the reign of the nobility and +the reign of the populace. Certainly not the man to "ride on the +whirlwind and direct the storm;" but as certainly altogether superior +to the indolent luxury of the class among whom he was born. Glory and +liberty, the two highest impulses of our common nature, sent him at +two and twenty from the most splendid court of Europe, to the swamps +and snows, the desperate service and dubious battles of America. Eight +years of voyages, negotiations, travels, and exposure to the chances +of the field, proved his energy, and at the age of thirty he had drawn +upon himself the eyes of the world. Here he ought to have rested, or +have died. But the Revolution swept him off his feet. It was an +untried region--a conflict of elements unknown to the calculation of +man; he was whirled along by a force which whirled the monarchy, the +church, and the nation with him, and sank only when France plunged +after him. + +I have no honour for a similar career, and no homage for a similar +memory; but it is from those mingled characters that history derives +her deepest lesson, her warnings for the weak, her cautions for the +ambitious, and her wisdom for the wise. + +On the retiring of the party for the night, my first act was to summon +the old Swiss and his wife who had been left in charge of the mansion, +and collect from them all their feeble memories could tell Clotilde. +But Madame la Marechale was a much more important personage in their +old eyes, than the "charmante enfant" whom they had dandled on their +knees, and who was likely to remain a "charmante enfant" to them +during their lives. The chateau had been the retreat of the Marechale +after the death of her husband; and it was in its stately solitudes, +and in the woods and wilds which surrounded it for many a league, that +Clotilde had acquired those accomplished tastes, and that +characteristic dignity and force of mind, which distinguished her from +the frivolity of her country-women, however elegant and attractive, +who had been trained in the _salons_ of the court. The green glades +and fresh air of the forest had given beauty to her cheek and grace +to her form; and scarcely conceiving how the rouged and jewelled +Marechale could have endured such an absence from the circles of the +young queen, and the "_beaux restes_" of the wits and beauties of the +court of Louis the 15th, I thanked in soul the fortunate necessity +which had driven her from the atmosphere of the Du Barris to the +shades thus sacred to innocence and knowledge. + +But the grand business of the thing was still to be done. The picture +was taken down at last, to the great sorrow of the old servants, who +seemed to regard it as a patron saint, and who declared that its +presence, and its presence alone, could have saved the mansion, in the +first instance, from being burned by the "patriots," who generally +began their reforms of the nobility by laying their chateaux in ashes, +and in the next, from being plundered by the multitudes of whiskered +savages speaking unknown tongues, and came to leave France without +"_ni pain ni vin_" for her legitimate sons. But the will of Madame la +Marechale was to them as the laws of the Medes and Persians, +irresistible and unchangeable; and with heavy hearts they dismounted +the portrait, and assisted in enfolding and encasing it, with much the +same feeling that might have been shown in paying the last honours to +a rightful branch of the beloved line. + +But, in the wall which the picture had covered, I found a small +recess, closed by an iron door, and evidently unknown to the Swiss and +his old wife. I might have hesitated about extending my enquiry +further, but Time, the great discoverer of all things, saved my +conscience: with a slight pressure against the lock it gave way; the +door flew open, and dropped off the hinges, a mass of rust and decay. +Within was a casket of a larger size than that generally used for +jewels; but my curiosity durst not go beyond the superscription, which +was a consignment of the casket, in the name of the Marechale, to her +banker in London. Whatever might be the contents, it was clear that, +like the picture, it had been left behind in the hurry of flight, and +that to transmit it to England was fairly within my commission. Before +our busy work was done, day was glancing in through the coloured panes +of the fine old chamber. I hurried off the Swiss, with my precious +possessions, to the next town, in one of the baggage carts, with a +trooper in front to prevent his search by hands still more hazardous +than those of a custom-house officer; and then, mounting my horse, and +bidding a brief farewell to the brave and noble fellows who were +already mustering for the march, and envying me with all their souls, +I set off at full speed to rejoin the army. + +With all my speed, the action had begun for some hours before I came +in sight of the field. With what pangs of heart I heard the roar of +the cannon, for league on league, while I was threading my bewildered +way, and spurring my tired horse through the miry paths of a country +alternately marsh and forest; with what pantings I looked from every +successive height, to see even to what quarter the smoke of the firing +might direct me; with what eager vexation I questioned every hurrying +peasant, who either shook his moody head and refused to answer, or who +answered with the fright of one who expected to have his head swept +off his shoulders by some of my fierce-looking troop, I shall not now +venture to tell; but it was as genuine a torture as could be felt by +man. At length, exhausted by mortal fatigue, and ready to lie down and +die, I made a last effort, would listen no more to the remonstrances +of the troop, whose horses were sinking under them. I ordered them to +halt where they were, pushed on alone, and, winding my way through a +forest covering the side of a low but abrupt hill, or rather +succession of hills, I suddenly burst out into the light, and saw the +whole battle beneath, around, and before me. It was magnificent. + + * * * * * + + + + +LETTER FROM LEMUEL GULLIVER. + +TO THE EDITOR. + + +Sir--At the request of my four-footed friends, I forward to you a free +translation of the proceedings of a meeting of Houynhyms, recently +held for the protection of their interests in corn. As the language +appears more temperate, and the propositions quite as rational, as +those which are ordinarily brought forward in the other Corn-law +meetings which still continue to agitate the county, I have no +difficulty in complying with their wishes; and if you can afford space +for the insertion of the report in your valuable Magazine, you will +greatly oblige the Houynhym race, and confer a favour upon, sir, your +obedient servant, + +LEMUEL GULLIVER. + +_Stable-Yard, Nov. 10th, 1843._ + + * * * * * + + +ADVERTISEMENT. + +A meeting of delegates from the different classes of consumers of oats +was held on Friday last, at the Nag's Head in the Borough, pursuant to +public advertisement in the _Hors-Lham Gazette_. The object of the +meeting was to take into consideration the present consumption of the +article, and to devise means for its increase. The celebrated horse +Comrade, of Drury-Lane Theatre, presided on the occasion. + +The business of the meeting was opened by a young Racer of great +promise, who said it was his anxious desire to protect the interests +of the horse community, and to promote any measure which might +contribute to the increase of the consumption of oats, and improve the +condition of his fellow-quadrupeds. He was not versed in political +economy, nor, indeed, economy of any kind. He had heard much of demand +and supply, and the difficulty of regulating them properly; but, for +his own part, he found the latter always equalled the former, though +he understood such was not the case with his less fortunate brethren. +He warmly advocated the practice of sowing wild oats, and considered +that much of the decrease of consumption complained of arose from the +undue encouragement given to the growth of other grain; and that the +horse interest would be best promoted by imposing a maximum as to the +growth of wheat and barley, according to the acreage of each +particular farm. + +A HACKNEY-COACH HORSE declared himself in favour of the sliding-scale, +which he understood from Sir Peter Lawrie to mean the wooden pavement. +He admitted it was not well adapted for rainy seasons, but it was +impossible to doubt that things went much more smoothly wherever it +was established; and that he, and the working classes whom he +represented, found in it a considerable relief from the heavy duties +daily imposed upon them. He wished that some measure could be devised +for superseding the use of nosebags, which he designated as an +intolerable nuisance, especially during the summer months; but he +principally relied for an improvement in condition on the prohibition +of the mixture of chaff with oats; which latter article, he contended, +was unfit for the use of able-bodied horses, who earned their daily +food, and ought to be limited to those cattle who spent an idle +existence in straw-yards. + +A BRIGHT CHESTNUT HORSE, of great power, and well-known in the parks, +warmly replied to the last neigher. He denounced the sliding-scale as +a slippery measure, unworthy of a horse of spirit, and adding greatly +to the burdens with which horses like himself were saddled. He daily +saw steeds of the noblest blood and most undaunted action humbled to +the dust by its operation; and if Sir Peter Lawrie was to be believed, +it was more dreaded by the household troops than Napoleon's army on +the field of Waterloo. He yielded to no horse in an anxious desire to +promote the true interests of the horse community; but he could not +give his support to measures so unsafe, merely because they enabled a +small and inferior section of their community to move more smoothly. +He reprobated, in strong terms, the unfeeling allusion of the last +neigher to the unfortunate inmates of union straw-yards, whom, for his +own part, he looked upon as nowise inferior to the hackney-coach +horse himself, of whose right to be present at a meeting of consumers +of oats he entertained serious doubts. (Loud neighs of "Order! +Order!") + +A SCOTCH HORSE feared that, strictly speaking, he was included in the +same category with the hackney-coach horse, and had no right to be +heard, having no personal interest in the question; but he trusted he +might be permitted to speak as the delegate of the horses of Scotland, +who were ignorant of the Houynhym language, and not entitled to +attend. Permission being granted, to the surprise of the assembly he +descanted with much asperity upon the gross oppression to which horses +in Scotland were subject, as their rough coats and ragged appearance +plainly manifested; and stated, in conclusion, that no hope or +expectation of bettering the condition of the Scotch horse could be +entertained until their lawful food was restored to them, and +Scotchmen were compelled, by act of Parliament, to abstain from the +use of oatmeal, and live like the rest of the civilized world. + +Several worn-out horses belonging to members of the Whig +administration then endeavoured to address the meeting, with an +evident intention of converting the proceedings into a party question; +but they were informed by the president, in the midst of loud snorting +and neighing, that they had not the slightest right to be present, as +they were all undoubtedly turned out for life. This decision appeared +to give universal satisfaction. + +AN IRISH HORSE was of opinion that the great cause of the present +difficulties arose from deficiency in the quality and not the quantity +of the article, and strongly recommended the growth of Irish oats in +England. To the surprise of the English delegates, he warmly eulogized +the superiority of the Irish oat; but it afterwards appeared, upon the +production of a sample, that he had mistaken the potatoe oat for the +Irish oat. + +AN OLD ENGLISH HUNTER next addressed the meeting, and was listened to +with deep attention. He impressed upon the young delegates the good +old adage of "Look before you leap," and cautioned them against the +delusive hope that their condition would be improved by change of +measures. In the course of his long life he had experienced measures +of every description, and had invariably found that his supplies +depended, not on the measure itself; but on the hand that filled it. +He had ever given his willing support to his employers, and served +them faithfully; and if they were as well acquainted as quadrupeds +with the secrets of the stable, they would learn the fallacy of their +favourite maxim of "Measures, not men," and trust the administration +of their affairs to upright and steady grooms, rather than those +fanciful half-educated gentlemen who were perpetually changing the +rules of the stables, and altering the form of the measures, whereby +they embarrassed the regular feeding and training of the inmates, +without producing any practical good. + +A STAGE-COACH HORSE imputed their want of condition to the misconduct +of their leaders, who, he said, could never be kept in the right path, +or made to do one-half of the work which properly belonged to them. By +a strange fatality, they were generally purblind, and always shyed +most fearfully when an Opposition coach approached them. Indeed, it +was well known that the horses selected for these duties were, +generally speaking, vicious and unsound, and not taken from the most +able and powerful, but from the most showy classes. He then proceeded +to descant upon the general wrongs of horses. He congratulated the +community upon the abolition of bearing reins, those grievous burdens +upon the necks of all free-going horses; and he trusted the time would +soon arrive when the blinkers would also be taken off, every corn-binn +thrown open, and every horse his own leader. + +Several other delegates addressed the meeting, and various plans were +discussed; but it invariably turned out, upon investigation, that the +change would only benefit the class of animals by whom it was +proposed. A post-horse was of opinion, that the true remedy lay in +decreasing the amount of speed, and shortening the spaces between +milestones. A Welsh pony was for the abolition of tolls, which, he +said, exhausted the money intended for repairs; whilst some +plough-horses from Lincolnshire proposed the encouragement of pasture +land, the abolition of tillage, and the disuse of oats altogether. The +harmony of the meeting was, at one period, interrupted, by the +unfortunate use of the word "_blackguard_" by a delegate from the +collieries, which caused a magnificent charger from the Royal Horse +Guards, Blue, to rear up, and, with great indignation, demand if the +allusion was personal; but who was satisfied with the explanation of +the president, that it was applicable only in a warlike sense. A long, +lean, bay horse, with a sour head, demanded a similar explanation of +the word "_job_," and was told it was used in a _working_ sense. +Several resolutions, drawn by two dray-horses, embodying the supposed +grievances of the community, were finally agreed upon, and a petition, +under the hoof of the president, founded upon them, having been +prepared, and ordered to be presented to the House of Commons by the +members for Horsham, the meeting separated, and the delegates returned +to their respective stables. + + * * * * * + + + + +THE PROCLAMATION. + + + Bold warriors of Erin, I hereby _proclaim_, + That the world never witness'd your rivals in fame; + Bold sons of Macmurraugh, Macarthy, O'Neill, + The armies of earth at your sight would turn pale. + A flash from your eyes would light England's last pile, + And a touch give her sceptre to Erin's green isle. + + Hurrah for the vengeance of old Mullaghmast, + On the blood-bolter'd ground where your gauntlet was cast; + Hurrah for the vengeance of Tara's proud hill, + Where the bones of our monarchs are blood-sprinkled still. + Hurrah for Clontarf, though the Saxon may smile, + The last, greatest triumph of Erin's green isle! + + Let the scoffer scoff on, while I hereby _proclaim_, + That flight may be courage, and fear but a name; + That boasting is good, when 'tis good for the cause, + But, in sight of cold steel, _we should honour the laws_; + That powder and shot make men swallow their bile-- + So, hurrah for the glory of Erin's green isle! + + If they ask for your leader, the land's sword and shield, + At least none can say that _he fled from the field_. + _He_ kept a whole skin--for the service of Rome; + So he fix'd his headquarters in quiet at home. + They might just as well hunt for the head of the Nile, + While he reckon'd his beads for St Patrick's green isle. + + If beggars on horseback will ride--to Clontarf; + If tailors will caper with truncheon and scarf, + At Sunday carousels, all know, I'm in flower, + My taste for the grape don't extend to the shower. + Besides, those blue pills disagree with my chyle, + So, hurrah!--pence and peace for the grand Emerald Isle! + + If the scoffer should ask, what the deuce brought you there? + Of course, it was only to taste the fresh air; + To pick cowslips and daisies; and brush off the dew, + Or drink gin o'er the tombstone of Brian Boru. + As to flags, and all that; 'twas but doing in style, + The honours of Freedom to Erin's green isle. + + + Then, as to your "Squadrons," your "Mount for Repeal," + 'Twas merely to teach them the "Right about wheel," + By the word of command from the Saxon to run, + As your leader would fly from a bailiff or dun; + In short, since a miss is as good as a mile, + Swear the whole was a humbug for Erin's green isle. + + Besides, these are delicate moments to croak, + Since the Saxon's new plan of a word and a stroke. + My mind is made up, like a poodle or pug, + No longer to stir from my berth on the rug; + Though the bold may revile me, so let them revile-- + I'm determined to _live_ for old Erin's green isle. + + I _proclaim_--that the Saxon will tremble to meet + The heroes of Erin; but, boys, life is sweet. + I _proclaim_--that your shout frightens Europe's base thrones; + But remember, my boys, there is luck in whole bones; + So, take the advice of a friend--wait a while, + In a century or two you'll revenge the Green Isle. + + I know in my soul, at the very first shot + + That your whole monster meeting would fly at full trot; + What horrid melee, then, of popping and flashing! + At least I'LL not share in your holiday thrashing; + Brawl at Sugden and Smith, but beware "rank and file"-- + They're too rough for the lambkins of Erin's green isle. + + Observe, my dear boys, if you once get me hang'd, + 'Tis fifty to one if you'll e'er be harangued. + Farewell to the pleasure of paying the "Rint"-- + Farewell to all earth's vilest nonsense in print-- + Farewell to the feast of your gall and your guile-- + All's over at once with the grand Emerald Isle. + + * * * * * + + + + +THE FIREMAN'S SONG. + + + "Ho, comrade, up! awake, arise! look forth into the night: + Say, is yon gleam the morning-beam, yon broad and bloody light? + Say, does it tell--yon clanging bell--of mass or matin song? + Yon drum-roll--calls it to parade the soldier's armed throng?" + + "No, brother, no! no morning-beam is yonder crimson glare! + Yon deep bell tolls no matin--'tis the tocsin's hurried blare! + Yon sullen drum-roll mutters out no summons to parade: + To fight the flame it summons us--the valiant Fire-Brigade!" + + Then fast the Fireman rose, and waked his mate that lay beside; + And each man gripp'd his trusty axe, and donn'd his coat of hide-- + There bounds beneath that leather coat a heart as strange to fear + As ever swell'd beneath the steel of gilded cuirassier. + + And from beneath the leather casque that guards the Fireman's brow, + A bolder, sterner glance shines out than plumy crest can show; + And oft shall ply the Fireman's axe, though rude and rough it be, + Where sabre, lance, and bayonet, right soon would turn and flee! + + Off dash the thundering engines, like goblin jaeger-chase-- + The sleeper shudders as they pass, and pallid grows his face: + Away, away! though close and bright yon ruddy glow appear, + Far, far we have to gallop yet, or e'er our work we near! + + A plain of upturn'd faces--pale brows and quivering lips, + All flickering like the tropic sea in the green light of eclipse; + And the multitude waves to and fro, as in the tropic sea, + After a tempest, heaves and falls the ground-swell sleeplessly. + + Now, by my faith! goodly sight you mansion fast asleep-- + Those winking lamps beside the gate a dull watch seem to keep-- + But a gay awaking waits them, when the crash of blazing beam, + And the Fireman's stern reveille, shall mingle with their dream! + + And sound as sleeps that mansion, ye may mark in every chink + A gleam, as in the lava-cracks by the volcano's brink; + Through key-hole and through window-slit, a white and sullen glow-- + And all above is rolling smoke, and all is dark below. + + Hark! hear ye not that murmur, that hush and hollow roar, + As when to the south-wester bow the pines upon the shore; + And that low crackling intermix'd, like wither'd twig that breaks, + When in the midnight greenwood the startled squirrel wakes! + + Lo, how the fire comes roaring on, like a host in war array! + Nor lacks it gallant music to cheer it on its way, + Nor flap of flame-tongued banner, like the Oriflamme of old, + Its vanward cohorts heralding, in crimson, green, and gold. + + The engines now are ranged a-row--hark, how they sob and pant! + How gallantly the water-jets curve soaringly aslant! + Up spins the stream--it meets the flame--it bursts in fleecy rain, + Like the last spout of the dying whale, when the lance is in + his brain. + + Ha, ha! from yon high window thrill'd the wild shriek of despair, + And gibbering phantoms seem to dance within the ruddy glare; + And as a valiant captain leads his boarders to the fray, + "Up, up, my sons!" our foreman shouts--"up firemen, and away!" + + Their arms are strong and sinewy--see how the splinters fly-- + Their axes they are sharp and good--"Back, comrades! or ye die-- + Look to the walls!"--a rending crash--they topple--down they come-- + A cloud of sparks--a feeble cheer--again!--and all is dumb. + + A pause--as on that battle-day, 'twixt France and England's might, + When huge L'Orient blew up at once, in the hottest of the fight: + There was not one, they say, but wink'd, and held his breath + the while, + Though brave were they that fought that day with Nelson at the Nile. + + And by to-morrow's sunrise, amid the steaming stones, + A chain of gold half-melted, and a few small white bones, + And a few rags of roasted flesh, alone shall show where died-- + The noble and the beautiful, the baby and the bride! + + O fire, he is a noble thing!--the sot's pipe gives him birth; + Or from the livid thunder-cloud he leaps alive on earth; + Or in the western wilderness devouring silently; + Or on the lava rocking in the womb of Stromboli. + + Right well in Hamburg revell'd he--though Elbe ran rolling by-- + He could have drain'd--so fierce his thirst--the mighty river dry! + With silk, and gold, and diamond, he cramm'd his hungry maw; + And he tamed the wild republicans, who knew nor lord nor law! + + He feasted well in Moscow--in the city of the Tsar-- + When 'fore the northern streamers paled Napoleon's lurid star: + Around the hoary Kremlin, where Moscow once had stood, + He pass'd, and left a heap behind, of ashes slaked in blood! + + He feasted once in London--he feasted best of all-- + When through the close-packed city, he swept from wall to wall: + Even as of old the wrath of God came down in fiery rain, + On Sodom and Gomorrha, on the Cities of the Plain! + + * * * * * + + + + +POSITION AND PROSPECTS OF THE GOVERNMENT. + + +A recruited revenue; reviving trade and commerce; reduction in the +price of provisions; the triumphant termination of hostilities in all +parts of the world, with its great immediate prospective advantages: a +general feeling of confidence, arising from the steady administration +of public affairs, in spite of persevering and atrocious efforts to +excite dissatisfaction and alarm; nay, even the stern repose +prevailing in Ireland, preserved though it be, for a while, under +cover of artillery, and at the bayonet's point, but affording a +precious respite from agitation, and a foretaste of the blessings that +may be expected from its permanent suppression: all these +circumstances unequivocally attest the existence of a powerful +Government acting upon a comprehensive and enduring policy, which is +becoming daily better appreciated by the strong good sense which ever +distinguishes the British character, when a fair opportunity is +afforded for its exercise. + +Upwards of two years have now elapsed since the accession of the +present Government to power, at a period of universally admitted +difficulty and danger. We have been, during this critical interval, +dispassionate and independent observers of Ministers, and their +conduct of public affairs, anxious to see whether they were really +equal to the occasion, and worthy of the confidence of the Sovereign +and the country. We are ourselves satisfied, and undertake to +demonstrate to our readers, that this question must be answered in the +affirmative. We say all this advisedly, and with no disposition to +deny the existence of difficulties, which, if serious to the present, +would be absolutely insuperable to any other Government. During the +interval in question, Ministers have triumphed over more formidable +difficulties than any which they have at present to encounter. _That_, +also, we say advisedly--cheerfully, confidently--with Ireland before +our eyes, and the din of the audacious and virulent Anti-corn-law +League in our ears. + +Passing these topics for the present, let us proceed to examine +carefully the real position of Sir Robert Peel and his Government, +with a view to ascertaining its prospects of a continuance in power. +This enquiry cannot be successfully conducted, without referring for a +moment to the immense changes in principles and parties effected by +the Reform Bill in 1832--a period of quite as great a revolution as +that of 1688. The Tory party it nearly annihilated!--The first Reform +Parliament consisting of only 187 Tories to 471 Whigs and +Radicals--the former being thus in the fearful minority of 284. We +recollect sharing in the despondency, and even despair, which +paralysed our party. There was, however, one signal exception in the +person of Sir Robert Peel, whose conduct on that occasion entitles him +to the eternal gratitude of every man pretending to the character of a +Conservative, nay, of every true lover of his country and its +institutions. With surprising energy, calmness, and foresight, he +instantly addressed himself to the formation, even under those +inauspicious and disheartening circumstances, of that _great_ +CONSERVATIVE _party_ of which he is now the acknowledged head. In +1841, just _before_ the general election, he thus _reminded that +party_, and apprized the country at large of the principle on which he +had acted in 1832. We beg our readers to ponder his words, and the +period when he uttered them. + + "I then foresaw the good that might result from laying the + foundation of a great Conservative party in the state, + attached to the fundamental institutions of the country--not + opposed to any rational change in it which the lapse of years, + or the altered circumstances of society might require, but + determined to maintain, on their ancient footing and + foundation, our great institutions in church and state. In + order to form that party, however, it was necessary, in the + first instance, to widen the foundation on which it should + stand: to call into our connexion men from whom we had been + separated in consequence of differences which no longer + existed. My grand object was to build up that great party + which has been gradually acquiring strength in this + country--which has been gradually widening the foundation on + which it stands, and which has drawn, from time to time, its + support from its opponents."[11] + + [11] Speech to the Tamworth Electors on 28th June 1841, + (Painter, Strand.) + +The shortest and best evidence of the success which has attended the +unwearied exertions of Sir Robert Peel during the ensuing then years, +is afforded by the following summary of the results of the four +general elections since the passing of the Reform Bill; three of them +under the auspices and with the unscrupulously exercised patronage of +the Reform Government. Observe the ascending and descending scales:-- + + C. L. + 187 471 (1832) + 275 383 (1835) + 314 344 (1837) + 373 283 (1841) + +Who was it but its founder, that led the Conservative party through +these successive stages of triumph? Who did so much as he to effect +that gradual but decisive change in public opinion which, in 1841, +routed the Liberal Ministry in spite of their extraordinary exertions +and advantages, and placed a Conservative Government at the head of +affairs? To enable us to appreciate the importance of that great +victory, and also the decision of character evinced on that occasion +by Sir Robert Peel, let us for a moment advert to the calm +self-reliance with which, amidst the breathless apprehensions and +misgivings of his whole party, he gave battle to the enemy--proposed +the memorable vote of want of confidence, and carried it by a majority +of one.[12] A more critical move never was followed by more signal +success; every ensuing event serving to show, that so far from his +movements having been impelled by rash and desperate party +speculations, they had been based upon a profound and accurate +knowledge of his resources, and of the state of feeling and opinion in +the country. "I gave the Government every advantage," said he, "to +make their appeal to the country. They boast of the confidence of the +crown--they have every means at their disposal which official +influence can command to exert in their own behalf. An appeal has been +made by them from the House of Commons to you, and it is for the +country to decide the question at issue. They have made an appeal to +public feeling on account of cheap sugar and cheap bread. My firm +belief is, that the people of this country have not at all responded +to that cry." How well-founded was that "firm belief," was proved by +the glorious result:--the "people of this country did" _not_ "respond +to that cry"--they rejected--they repudiated it, and they would do so +again if another such appeal were made to them to-morrow. + + [12] Ayes, 312; Noes, 311--4th June 1841. + +Let us now proceed to show what pretence there is for the injurious +insinuations and assertions of Sir Robert Peel's traducers--whether +treacherous friends or open enemies--that, in order to obtain power, +he hung out false colours to the nation; that his declarations before +the general election have been disregarded and falsified by his acts +on attaining office. We will for ever demolish all such calumnies and +false pretences by going, step by step, through a document which we +made a point of procuring at the time, and preserving hitherto, and to +which we have since frequently referred, on hearing uttered the +slanderous charges to which we allude. That document is a copy of the +speech which Sir Robert Peel, on the 28th June 1841, addressed +formally to his constituents, but virtually, of course, to the whole +nation. + +One of his earliest declarations was the following:--"Gentlemen, _I +have ever professed moderate opinions on politics_. The principles I +professed, and adhered to, I shall adhere to during my public life, +whether in opposition or in power, are, I believe, in perfect +conformity with the prevailing good sense, the moderation, and the +intelligence of the great body of the people of England." This was a +sufficiently distinct notice to all men, especially to those of +extreme opinions, whether Tory, Liberal, or Radical, of the course of +action which was to be looked for from the expectant Prime Minister. + +Then, first, he proceeded to admit the existence of manufacturing +distress. + +"I admit and deplore it, but I do not despair. I have seen distress in +manufactures and in commerce before now. I think the causes of the +present distress are but temporary--that the cloud will soon blow +over--and that the great foundations of manufacturing prosperity are +not affected; and I hope I shall very shortly see the day when our +manufactures will once more revive, and when we shall again fill the +place we have always occupied--that of producers for the markets of +the world." + +Now for its _cause_. + +"Now let us consider the important question, as to how far the +distress in the manufactures and commerce of the country is fairly +attributable to the corn-laws." He proceeded to show, from Lord +Palmerston's official statement in Parliament on the 22d July 1840, +that, between the years 1830 and 1839, the _exports_ had risen from +the value of L.38,000,000 to L.53,000,000, and the _imports_ from +L.46,000,000 to L.62,000,000, "a clear proof that, notwithstanding the +local and temporary checks which our commerce had experienced, on the +whole it had gone on steadily improving, and that between the two +periods it had increased not much less than from two to three." + +He then took the _shipping_ and _navigation_ of the country for the +preceding three years; and in looking at them, I cannot help thinking +that, if there was any thing like an absolute decrease in trade and +commerce, there would also be a decrease in the shipping of the +country. "Well," said Sir Robert Peel, "What do I find?" The returns +"showed an increase, presented within the last three years, from +4,000,000 tons to 4,780,000 tons." Now mark--"during the whole of this +period the corn-laws were in operation; how then can they be fairly or +honestly assigned as the cause of the present manufacturing and +commercial distress?" + +But if the corn-laws were _not_, what _was_ the cause? + +"I see causes enough in the world, as well as in this country, why +there should be manufacturing and commercial distress at the present +moment, irrespective and totally independent of the corn-laws." + +These were-- + +1st, "_I do fear that, in the north of England, an undue stimulus has +been given to manufacturing industry by the accommodation system +pursued by the joint-stock banks. I think the connexion of the +manufacturer with the joint-stock banks gave an undue and an improper +impulse to trade in that quarter of the county; and I think that, in +consequence of this, there have been more manufactures produced within +the last two years than were necessary to supply the demand for +them._" + +2ndly, "Look to the state of some of the foreign countries, which +took, at one time, the greatest quantity of our manufactures;" South +America, its ports strictly blockaded by France; the United States of +North America, "in a state of nascent hostility," and also labouring +under "a distress similar to our own, and arising from similar causes. +The facility of accommodation afforded by certain banks there gave an +undue stimulus to industry; this produced extravagant speculations; +many persons failed in consequence, and trade necessarily then came to +a stand-still." Canada--the peninsula, France, the great Kingdoms of +the middle and north of Europe--Syria, Egypt, China, had been, and +were, in such a state, as occasioned all interruption of our trade +thither; "a stoppage in the demand for manufactured goods, and a +correspondent depression in commerce." "When you put all these things +together, all causes, mind you, affecting the market for your goods, +and then combine them with the two or three defective harvests we have +had of late, I ask you to answer me the question, Whether or not they +have been sufficient to account for the depression of manufacturing +industry." + +Then came Sir Robert Peel to the two grand and suddenly discovered +panaceas of the late Government, for recruiting the exhausted revenue, +and relieving the general distress--viz. "cheap sugar," and "cheap +bread." + +1st, As to foreign sugar:-- + +"I clearly and freely admit that those restrictions which cannot be +justified should be removed, and that the commerce of the country +should be perfectly free, whenever it can possibly be so; but I +consider the article of sugar to be wholly exempt from the principle +of free trade." * * * "The question now is this--whether, after the +sacrifices which this country has made for the suppression of the +slave trade and the abolition of slavery, and the glorious +results that have ensued, and are likely to ensue, from these +sacrifices--whether we shall run the risk of losing the benefit of +those sacrifices, and tarnishing for ever that glory, by admitting to +the British market sugar the produce of foreign slavery." * * * "If +you admit it, it will come from Brazil and Cuba. In Brazil, the +slave-trade exists in full force; in Cuba, it is unmitigated in its +extent and horrors. The sugar of Cuba is the finest in the world; but +in Cuba, slavery is unparalleled in its horrors. I do not at all +overstate the fact, when I say, that 50,000 slaves are annually landed +in Cuba. That is the yearly importation into the island; but, when you +take into consideration the vast numbers that perish before they leave +their own coasts, the still greater number that die amidst the horrors +of the middle passage, and the number that are lost at sea, you will +come to the inevitable conclusion, that the number landed in +Cuba--50,000 annually--is but a slight indication of the number +shipped in Africa, or of the miseries and destruction that have taken +place among them during their transport thither. If you open the +markets of England to the sugar of Cuba, you may depend on it that you +give a great stimulus to slavery, and the slave-trade." Sir Robert +Peel then pointed out peculiar and decisive distinctions between the +case of sugar, and that of cotton, tobacco, and coffee; that, though +all of them were the produce of slave labour--First, we cannot now +reject the _cotton_ of the United States, without endangering to the +last degree the manufacturing prosperity of the kingdom. Secondly, of +all the descriptions of slave produce, sugar is the most cruelly +destructive of human life--the proportion of deaths in a sugar +plantation being infinitely greater than on those of cotton or coffee. +Thirdly, slave grown sugar has _never_ been admitted to consumption in +this country.[13] He also assigned two great co-operating reasons for +rejecting slave-grown sugar:--"That the people of England required the +great experiment of emancipation to be fairly tried; and they would +_not_ think it fairly tried, if, at this moment, when the colonies +were struggling with such difficulties, we were to open the floodgates +of a foreign supply, and inundate the British market with sugar, the +produce of slave-labour;" adopting the very words of the Whig +Vice-President of the Board of Trade, Mr Labouchere, on the 25th June +1840. The other reason was, "that our immense possessions in the East +Indies give us the means, and afford us every facility, for acquiring +sugar, the produce of free labour, to an illimitable extent." + + [13] The following striking passage from the writings of the + celebrated Dr Channing of America, was quoted by Sir Robert + Peel in the speech under consideration. "Great Britain, loaded + with an unprecedented debt, and with a grinding taxation, + contracted a new debt of a hundred millions of dollars, to + give freedom, not to Englishmen, but to the degraded African. + I know not that history records an act so disinterested, so + sublime. In the progress of ages, England's naval triumphs + will shrink into a more and more narrow space in the records + of our race--this moral triumph will fill a broader--brighter + page." "Take care!" emphatically added Sir Robert Peel, "that + this brighter page be not sullied by the admission of slave + sugar into the consumption of this country--by our + encouragement--and, too, our unnecessary encouragement of + slavery and the slave-trade!"--Noble sentiments! + +So much for foreign sugar. Now for-- + +II. FOREIGN CORN; and we beg the special attention of all parties to +this portion of the manifesto of Sir Robert Peel:-- + +"Look at the capital invested in land and agriculture in this +country--look at the interests involved in it--look at the arrangement +that has been come to for the commutation of tithes--look at your +importation of corn diminishing for the last ten years--consider the +burdens on the land peculiar to this country[14]--take all these +circumstances into consideration, and then you will agree with Mr +McCulloch, the great advocate of a change in the Corn-law, that +'considering the vast importance of agriculture, _nearly half the +population of the empire are directly or indirectly dependent on it +for employment and the means of subsistence_; a prudent statesman +would pause before he gave his sanction to any measure however sound +in principle, or beneficial to the mercantile and manufacturing +classes, that might endanger the prosperity of agriculture, or check +the rapid spread of improvement.'"[15] + + [14] "We believe," says _Mr McCulloch_ himself in another part + of the pamphlet, (Longman & Co., 1841, p. 23--6th Edit.) from + which Sir Robert Peel is quoting, "that land is more heavily + taxed than any other species of property in the country--and + that its owners are clearly entitled to insist that a duty + should be laid on foreign corn when imported, sufficient fully + to countervail the excess of burdens laid upon the land." + + [15] Speech, pp. 9, 10. + +Now for the "_Sliding Scale_." + +"I just here repeat the opinion which I have declared here before, and +also in the House of Commons, that I cannot consent to substitute a +fixed duty of 8s. a-quarter on foreign corn, for the present ascending +and descending scale of duties. I prefer the principle of the +ascending and descending scale, to such an amount of fixed duty. And +when I look at the burdens to which the land of this country is +subject, I do not consider the fixed duty of 8s. a-quarter on corn +from Poland, and Prussia, and Russia, where no such burdens exist, a +sufficient protection for it."[16] + + [16] Do. p. 8. + +Again-- + +"If you disturb agriculture, and divert the employment of capital from +the land, you may not increase your foreign trade--for that is a thing +to dwell under existing circumstances--_but will assuredly reduce the +home trade, by reducing the means to meet the demand_, and thus +permanently injure yourselves also."[17] + + [17] Do. p. 13. + +Again-- + +"I have come to the conclusion, that the existing system of an +ascending and descending scale of duties, should not be altered: and +that, moreover, we should as much as possible make ourselves +independent of a foreign supply--and not disturb the principle of the +existing corn-laws--of these corn-laws, which, when you have an +abundance of your own, exclude altogether the foreign supply--and when +the price rises in this country, freely admits it."[18] + + [18] Speech, p. 15. + +Again--he quoted the following remarkable language of Lord Melbourne +on the 11th June 1840-- + +"_Whether the object be to have a fixed duty, or an alteration as to +the ascending and descending scale, I see clearly and distinctly, +that that object will not be carried without a most violent +struggle--without causing much ill-blood, and a deep sense of +grievance--without stirring society to its foundations, and leaving +behind every sort of bitterness and animosity. I do not think the +advantages to be gained by the change are worth the evils of the +struggle_."[19] + + [19] Do. p. 18. + +And Sir Robert Peel concluded the foregoing summary of his views, on +the great questions then proposed to the country for its decision, in +the following words:-- + +"I ask your free suffrages, with this frank and explicit declaration +of my opinions."[20] + + [20] Do. p. 18. + +On this, there occur to us three questions-- + +(1st.) Was this, or was it not, a frank and explicit declaration of +his opinions? And, (2d.) Did it, or did it not, as tested by the +result of the general election, completely satisfy the country? (3d.) +In what respect has the subsequent conduct of Sir Robert Peel been +inconsistent with these declarations? And we echo the stern enquiry +of the Duke of Wellington, for "the _when_, the _where_, and the +_how_," "of Sir Robert Peel's deceiving his supporters or the +country"--and "pause for a reply." Failing to receive any--for none +can be given, except in the negative--we shall proceed to condense the +substance of this memorable manifesto into a few words; offer some +general observations designed to assist in forming a correct judgment +upon the topics discussed in the ensuing pages; and then give as fair +an outline as we know how to present, of the "DOINGS" of Sir Robert +Peel and his Government, by way of comment upon, and illustration of +his previous and preparatory "SAYINGS." + +What, then, was the substance of Sir Robert Peel's declaration, on +presenting himself before the country as a candidate for the office +which he fills? He avowed himself a man of moderate political +opinions; recognized the existence of manufacturing and commercial +distress, but referred it to causes of only a temporary nature, +unconnected with the corn-laws; repudiated the empirical expedients +proposed by the late ministry; and pledged himself to maintain the +principle of protection to our agricultural interests; declaring his +deliberate preference of a sliding scale of duties, to a fixed duty, +upon foreign corn. + +The first of the observations to which we beg the reader's earnest +attention, is--that Sir Robert Peel has _to govern by means of a +Reformed House of Commons_. It is for want of well considering this +circumstance, that one or two respectable sections of the Conservative +party have conceived some dissatisfaction at the line of policy +adopted by Sir Robert Peel. They forget that, as we have already +stated, the _Tory_ party was nearly destroyed by the passing of the +Reform Bill; that from its ashes rose the CONSERVATIVE party, adapted +to the totally new political exigencies of the times; its grand object +being, as it were, out of the elements of democracy to arrest the +progress of democracy. The bond of its union was correctly described +by its founder, as consisting in attachment to the fundamental +institutions of the country--non-opposition to rational changes +rendered requisite by the altered circumstances of the times--but +determination to maintain, on their ancient footing and foundation, +our great institutions in Church and State. Keeping these grand +objects ever in view, the true policy to be adopted was to widen the +foundations on which should stand "that new party _which was to draw, +from time to time, its strength from its opponents_." None saw this +more clearly than Sir Robert Peel--and hence the "_moderation_," +indispensable and all-powerful, which he prescribed to himself, and +recommended to all those who chose to act with him, and the steady +acting upon which has at length conducted them to their present +splendid position of power and responsibility. Could the government of +the country be now carried on upon principles that were all-powerful +twenty--or even fewer--years ago? No more than Queen Victoria could +govern on the principles of Queen Elizabeth! We must look at things, +not as they were, or as we would wish them to be--but as they are and +are likely to be. He is unable to take a just and comprehensive view +of political affairs in this country--of the position of parties, and +the tendency of the principles respectively advocated by them, who +does not see that the great and only contest now going on, is between +_conservative_ and _destructive_. We say boldly--and we are satisfied +that we say it in conformity with the opinions of the immense majority +of persons of intelligence and property--that the forces which would +drive Sir Robert Peel's Government from office would immediately and +inevitably supply their places by a Government which must act upon +destructive principles. This will not be believed by many of those +who, moving in the circumscribed sphere of intense party feeling, can +contemplate only one object, namely--a return to power, and disregard +the intentions of the fierce auxiliaries of whose services they would +avail themselves. To the country at large, however, who breathe a +freer air, the true nature of the struggle is plain as the sun at +noonday. The number of those who only nominally belong to parties, +but have a very deep stake in the preservation of our national +institutions, and see distinctly the advantages of a Minister acting +_firmly_ on moderate principles, and who will consequently give him a +_silent_ but steady support in moments of danger, is infinitely larger +than is supposed by the opponents of the Conservative party. Such a +Minister, however, must make up his account with receiving often only +a cold and jealous support from those of his adherents who incline to +extreme opinions; while his opponents will increase their zeal and +animosity in proportion to their perception of the unobjectionableness +of his measures, the practical _working_ of his moderation, viz.--his +continuance in power, and their own exclusion from it. Such a Minister +must possess a large share of fortitude, careless of its exhibition, +and often exposing him to the charge of insensibility, as he moves +steadily on amongst disaffected supporters and desperate +opponents, mindless equally of taunts, threats, reproaches, and +misrepresentations. He must resolve to _bide his time_, while his +well-matured measures are slowly developing themselves, relying on the +conscious purity of his motives. Such a man as this the country will +prize and support, and such a man we sincerely believe that the +country possesses in the present Prime Minister. He may view, +therefore, with perfect equanimity, a degree of methodized clamour and +violence, which would overthrow a Minister of a different +stamp. Such are the inconveniences--such the consolations and +advantages--attending that course of _moderation_ which alone can be +adopted with permanent success, by a Conservative Minister governing +with a reformed House of Commons. + +Another observation we would offer, has for its object to abate the +pique and vexation under which the ablest volunteer advisers of the +Minister are apt to suffer, on his disregard of their counsels, and +sometimes to revenge themselves by bitter and indiscriminate censure +of his general policy. They should remember, that while they are +irresponsible volunteers, he acts under a tremendous responsibility; +to sustain which, however, he has advantages which none but those in +his situation can possibly possess--the co-operation of able brother +Ministers, with all those sources and means of universal information +which the constitution has placed at his disposal. The superior +knowledge of the circumstances of the country thus acquired, enable +him to see insuperable objections to schemes and suggestions, which +their proposers reasonably deem to be palpably just and feasible. We +have often thought that if Sir Robert Peel, or any other Prime +Minister, were to take one of these eager and confident advisers into +his cabinet, and calmly exhibit to him the actual impossibility--the +imminent danger--of adopting the course of procedure which that +adviser has been strenuously recommending, he would go away with +slightly increased distrust of himself, and consideration for the +Minister. Neither Sir Robert Peel, nor any other Minister, would be so +arrogantly stupid as to disregard free information and advice, +_merely_ because it came from such persons, who, if they have no right +to expect their advice to be followed, have yet a clear right to offer +it, and urge it with all their force. + +Again--The present Ministers had the disadvantage (in some respects) +of succeeding to those, who, if they could _do_ nothing, made up for +it by _promising_ every thing. Sir Robert Peel and his friends, on the +contrary, made no promises whatever, beyond what would indeed be +implied by acceptance of office--namely, honestly to endeavour to +govern the country, for the permanent good of the country. While +admitting the existence of great distress, they expressly admitted +also, that they saw no mode of sudden relief for that distress, but +would trust to the energies of the country gradually recovering +themselves, under steady and cautious management. Sir Robert Peel +frankly stated in the House of Commons, just previously to the +dissolution in 1841, that he had no hope of an immediate return of +prosperity; and that such had become the state of our domestic and +foreign embarrassments, that "we must for years expect to struggle +with difficulty." This was their language on the eve of the general +election, yet the country placed confidence in their honour and +capacity, heartily sickened of the prodigal _promises_ of their +opponents. The extravagant visionary hopes which they held forth at +the eleventh hour, in their frenzied eagerness to obtain a majority at +the last election, are still gleaming brightly before the eyes of +numbers of their deluded supporters; imposing on the present +Government the painful and ungracious duty of proving to them that +such hopes and expectations cannot be realized, even for a brief +space, without breaking up the foundations of our national existence +and greatness. + +Lastly. Can the Conservatives be expected in TWO years' time to repair +all the evils resulting from a TEN years' gross mismanagement of the +national affairs by their predecessors? "The evil that they did, +_lives after them_." But for the fortunate strength of the +Conservative party, moreover, in opposition, and the patriotism and +wisdom of the house of Lords, the late Ministers would, by the time of +their expulsion from office, have rendered the condition of the +country _utterly_ desperate--for very nearly desperate it assuredly +was. Their vacillating, inconsistent, wild, and extravagant conduct +during these ten years, had generated an universal sense of insecurity +and want of confidence among all the great interests of the country, +which locked up capital--palsied enterprise. Trade and commerce +drooped daily, and the revenue melted away rapidly every year. Great +things were justly expected from the practical skill and experience +possessed by the new Government; but _time_ is requisite for the +development of a policy which had, and still has, to contend against +such numerous and formidable obstacles. Confidence, especially +mercantile confidence, is a delicate flower, of slow growth, and very +difficult to rear. A breath may blight it. It will bloom only in a +tranquil and temperate air. If ever there was a man entitled to speak, +however, with authority upon this subject, it was Mr Baring, the late +candidate, and unquestionably the future member, for the city of +London--a man constantly engaged in vast mercantile transactions in +all parts of the globe, and whose ability equals his experience. In +the presence of a great number of gentlemen, representing two-thirds +of the wealth and intelligence of the city of London, thus spoke Mr +Baring, on the 6th October 1843:--"I rejoice that Sir Robert Peel did +not hold out to the country the fallacious hope, that, by any +particular measure, he could restore prosperity, or cure sufferings +which were beyond the reach of legislation, and that he patiently +relied upon the resources and energies of the country to set trade and +commerce right. That expectation is already beginning to be realized. +That calm reliance is already justified. I am speaking in the presence +of those who are as much as, if not more conversant with business +than, myself, and they will contradict me if I am not right when I +say, that great symptoms of improvement in the trade and industry of +the country have manifested themselves; which symptoms are of such a +nature, that they do not appear to be the result of momentary +excitement produced by some fallacious experiment, but of the +paramount re-establishment of commerce, and of a fresh era in the +prosperity of the empire. I am asked what have the Government done? +Why, they have _restored_ CONFIDENCE to the country! They have +terminated wars, they have restored confidence at home, and commanded +respect abroad." + +Now, however, for the DOINGS of the Government; and of those we shall +take no more detailed or extended notice than is requisite, in our +opinion, to exhibit the general system and _plan_ of their procedure, +and show its complete consistency with the declaration of opinions +made by Sir Robert Peel previous to the general election of 1841. + +It will be borne in mind, that the then existing distress in our +commercial and manufacturing interests he referred to three +_temporary_ causes:--the undue stimulus which had been given to +industry in the manufacturing districts--by the accommodation system +pursued in the joint-stock banks, the troubled and hostile condition +of almost all those foreign countries which used to be the best +customers for our manufactures, and the two or three preceding +defective harvests. The first of these was not of a nature to call +for, or perhaps admit of, direct and specific legislative +interference. It originated in a vicious system of contagious private +speculation, which has involved many thousands of those engaged in it +in irredeemable, shall we add _deserved_, disgrace and ruin--and which +had better, perhaps, be left to work its own cure. The last of the +three causes was one to which all mankind is every where subject, and +which is in a great measure beyond the reach of effective human +interference. Before proceeding to explain the steps taken to remedy +the second, viz., our distracted foreign relations, let us premise +briefly for the present, that the very earliest acts of Ministers +showed how profoundly sensible they were of the necessity of doing +_something_, and that promptly, to relieve the grievous distress under +which the lower orders were suffering, and at the same time afford a +safe, effective, and permanent stimulus to trade and commerce. A +comprehensive survey of the state, not only of our own but foreign +commercial countries, satisfied them, as practical men, of the serious +difficulties to be here contended with. The steps they took, after due +deliberation--viz., the proposing the new tariff and the new +corn-law--we shall presently refer to. Let us now point out _the +income-tax_ as a measure reflecting infinite credit upon those who had +the sagacity and resolution to propose it. We shall not dwell upon +this great _temporary_ measure, which in one year has poured upwards +of _five millions_ into the exhausted exchequer, further than to say, +that as soon as ever it was known among the monied classes, that the +Minister, environed as he was with financial difficulties, would risk +any amount of popular odium rather than add to the permanent burdens +of the country, or permit the ruinous continuance of an excess of +expenditure over revenue. As soon as this was evident, we say, the +great monied interests of the kingdom recognized in Sir Robert Peel an +honest minister, and gave him forthwith its complete confidence, which +has never since been for an instant withdrawn from him. And how great +are the obligations of that vast portion of the most suffering classes +of the community, whom he exempted from this extraordinary +contribution to the burdens of the state! + +But now for _foreign affairs_. May not the present Ministers look with +just pride towards every quarter of the globe, and exclaim, _Quae regio +in terris nostri non plena laboris?_ In truth their success here has +been sufficient to set up half a dozen Ministers--as is known to no +man better than Lord Palmerston. The Duke of Wellington and Lord +Aberdeen have restored peace to the whole world, re-establishing it on +a footing of dignified security and equality. By the persevering +energy, the calm determination, and inexhaustible resources of Lord +Aberdeen, "the winter of our discontent," has been "made glorious +summer," with all the great powers of the world. Look at our glorious +but irritable neighbour--France: is there any language too strong to +express the delight which we feel at the renovated sympathy and +affection which exist between us? + +We cannot answer for France to the extent which we can for England; +but we know, that through the length and breadth of _this_ land--our +beloved Queen's familiar visit to the King of the French, their +affectionate greeting, and her Majesty's enthusiastic reception by the +people, diffused a feeling of joy and affection towards France, which +will not soon--nay, should it ever?--subside. But would that visit +have taken place, if Lord Palmerston, and not Lord Aberdeen, had +presided over the foreign councils of this country? 'Tis a +disagreeable question, and we pass on. Then as to America, thanks to +the mission of Lord Ashburton, peace has been secured between us, on +terms equally honourable to both. We are now at peace with the United +States--a peace not to be disturbed by the (to Whiggish eyes) +_promising_ (!!) aspect of the Oregon difficulties--which we tell our +aforesaid friends will end in--_nothing at all_--[It is not, by the +way, _the fault of our Government_, that this disputed matter was not +embraced by the Washington Treaty.]--While Lord Palmerston and his +doleful ally, the _Morning Chronicle_, were daily stigmatizing the +treaty of Washington, as highly dishonourable and disadvantageous to +this country, it may interest our readers to see what one of the +disaffected _American_ senators had to say on the subject. Thus spoke, +in the senate, Mr Benton, a well-known member of congress:-- + + "The concessions of Great Britain to the United States are + small. The territory granted to the United States, is of such + a nature, that it will never be of importance to hold it, + while the possessions given up by the United States are + important and valuable to them, and have the effect of + admitting a foreign power within a territory which was granted + to the United States, by the treaty of 1783. * * When I see + the Government giving up more than Great Britain demanded, I + cannot conceal my amazement and mortification!" + + +Glancing, however, from the West to the East--what do we see? +Wars in India and China, brought gloriously to an advantageous +termination.--"Wars," to adopt the language of one of the greatest +mercantile authorities living, "which have been deranging our money +transactions, and making our trade a trade of hazard and speculation, +most injurious to the commerce of the empire at large." + +While, on the one hand, we are relieved from the ruinous drain upon +our resources, occasioned by our protracted warlike operations in +India and China, on the other, a prospect is opened to us, by the +immensely important treaty into which the Emperor of China has entered +with this country, of very great and permanent commercial advantages, +which are already being realized. Let our manufacturers, however, +beware of the danger of forfeiting these advantages, by excessive +eagerness to avail themselves of these newly acquired markets. +Twelve-months ago, we earnestly warned them on this score,[21] and we +now as earnestly repeat that warning; "Notwithstanding," observed an +able French journalist, a few weeks ago, upon this subject, "the +opening of five ports to European commerce, China will for many years +preserve her internal laws, her eccentric tastes, her inveterate +habits. China is the country of routine and immovability. The treaty +with Great Britain cannot modify the nature of China in a few months. +_If the English are not prudent in their exports, if they overload the +newly opened ports with foreign produce, they will injure themselves +more than they were injured by the war just concluded._" In every word +of this we concur: but alas! what weight will such considerations have +with the agitating manufacturers in the north of England? Their fierce +but short-sighted anxiety to make rapid fortunes, will make most of +them, in a very few years, melancholy evidences of the justness of our +observations! We cannot pass from the East without noticing the sound +statesmanship which is regulating all Lord Ellenborough's leading +movements in India--a matter now universally admitted. How unspeakably +contemptible and ridiculous has the lapse of a few months rendered the +petty clamours against him, with which the ex-ministerial party +commenced their last year's campaign! Without, however, travelling +round the entire circle of our foreign connexions and +operations--there are one or two points to which we will briefly +refer, as striking instances of the vigilant and indefatigable energy, +and the powerful diplomatic influence of Lord Aberdeen, especially +with reference to the securing commercial advantages to this +country--and which has extorted the following testimony, during the +present month (December,) from another French journal, by no means +favourably disposed to this country:--"The English Government is +incontestably the best served of all Governments in the means of +obtaining new, and extending old markets, and in the rapid and +complete knowledge of the course to be adopted to ensure the sale of +the immense products of Great Britain in different parts of the +globe." Take for instance the case of Russia. We have actually +succeeded in wringing from the tenacious and inflexible Cabinet of St +Petersburg an important commercial advantage! On Lord Aberdeen's +accession to office, he found Russia in the act of aiming a fatal +blow at a very important branch of our shipping trade, by levying a +differential duty on all British vessels conveying to Russian ports +any goods which were not the produce of the British dominions. After, +however, a skilful and very arduous negotiation, our foreign secretary +has succeeded in averting that blow--and we retain the great +advantages of which we were about to be deprived. Nor has this signal +advantage been purchased by any sacrifice on the part of Great +Britain, but only by a permission, founded on most equitable +principles, for Russian vessels arriving here from Russian ports with +the produce of Russian Poland, to possess the same privileges as if +they had come direct from Russian ports: Russian Poland being able to +communicate effectively with the sea, only through the Prussian +territory. Look again at Brazil--which has also been recently the +object of persevering and energetic negotiation on the part of Lord +Aberdeen. It is true that, at present, his exertions have been +attended with no direct success; but we have doubts whether the +importance of the proposed Brazilian treaty has not, after all, been +greatly exaggerated. However this may be, Lord Aberdeen is, at this +moment, as strenuously at work with the young emperor, as could be +desired by the most eager advocate of a commercial treaty with Brazil. +But, suppose the emperor's advisers should be disposed to continue +their obstinate and unreasonable opposition, observe the gentle +pressure upon them, to be felt by and by, which Lord Aberdeen has +contrived to effect by the commercial treaty which he has concluded +with the contiguous republic of Monte Video, and other states on the +right bank of the river Plata, for the admission (on most favourable +terms) of British imports into these states. One of them is the +Uruguay republic, which borders through a great extent of country on +Brazil, the Government of which is utterly unable to prevent the +transfer of merchandise across the border; whereby the exclusion of +British goods from the Brazilian territory is rendered a matter of +physical impossibility. + + [21] Great Britain at the commencement of the 19th + Century--January 1843--No. CCC. + +It is true, that our efforts to enter into commercial treaties with + +France and Portugal have not, as yet, been successful; but, formidable +as are the obstacles at present in existence, we do not despair. Those +least wonder at the present position of affairs who are best +acquainted with the artificial and complicated positions of the +respective countries, and their relations, and consequent policy, +towards each other. Whatever can be done by man, is at this moment +being done by Lord Aberdeen; and sooner than we have at present a +right to expect, his indefatigable exertions may be crowned with +success--not only in these, but in other quarters. All foreign +Governments must be strongly influenced in such matters, by +contemplating a steady and strong Government established in this +country; and that object they see more nearly and distinctly every +day. Such (without entering into details which would be inconsistent +with either our space or our present object) is the general +result--namely, the rapidly returning tide of prosperous commercial +intercourse of the foreign policy of Conservative Government, which +has raised Great Britain, within the short space of two years, to even +a higher elevation among the nations of the world, than she had +occupied before a "Liberal Ministry undertook the government of the +country"--"a policy," to adopt the equally strong and just language of +an able writer, "replete with auspicious evidences of the efficacy of +intellect, combined with firmness, activity, and integrity, in +restoring to wholesome and honourable order a chaotic jumble of +anomalies--of humiliations and dangers--of fears, hatred, and +confusion thrice trebly confounded."[22] + + [22] Thoughts on Tenets of Ministerial Policy. By a Very Quiet + Looker-on.--P. 22. Aylott, London, 1843. + +While thus successfully active abroad, have Ministers been either idle +or unsuccessful at home? Let us look at their two main measures--the +_new tariff_ and the _new corn-law_. + +The object of the first of these great measures was twofold--to give a +healthy and speedy but permanent stimulus to trade and commerce; and, +at the same time, to effect such a reduction of price in the leading +articles of consumption as should greatly reduce the cost of living--a +boon, of course, inexpressibly precious to the poorer classes. Mark +the moment at which this bold and critical line of policy was +conceived and carried into execution--namely, a moment when the nation +was plunged into such a depth of gloom and distress as had very nearly +induced utter despair! when there was a deficiency of _five millions +sterling in_ the revenue of the two preceding years, and a certainty +of greatly augmented expenditure for the future, owing to our wars in +the East and elsewhere. We say--_mark this_, in order to appreciate a +display of the true genius of statesmanship. Foreseeing one effect of +such a measure, namely, a serious reduction in the revenue derived +from the customs, and which would commence with the bare +_announcement_ of such a measure, the Government had to consider +whether it would prove a permanent or only a temporary reduction, and +to act accordingly. After profound consideration, they satisfied +themselves (whether justly or not remains to be seen) that the +diminution of revenue would prove only temporary; and to secure the +_immediate_ benefits of the measure, they imposed a temporary +income-tax, the onerous pressure of which was to cease as soon as +matters should have come round again. That period they fixed at the +expiration of three years. After an interval of two years, do their +calculations appear to have been well or ill founded? Let us see. +Early in March 1842 they announced the proposed new tariff, (instantly +producing the effect on the customs duties which had been +anticipated;) and succeeded in bringing it into operation on the 9th +of the ensuing July. The deficiency of revenue which ensued was so +very serious that it would have alarmed the whole country, but for +their confidence in the firmness and sagacity of Ministers, +particularly as evidenced by their announced measures. We have not at +the present moment before us the earliest _quarterly_ revenue returns +of the period referred to; but it will suffice to state, that such had +been the extent of the reductions effected, that the deficiency on the +_year_ ending on the 5th October 1843, amounted to no less a sum than +L.1,136,000; the decrease on the _quarter_ ending on that day being +L.414,000. Still, however, each succeeding quarter--or at least the +latter quarters--gave more satisfactory indications of a rallying +revenue; and we are enabled to announce the highly gratifying fact +that, up to the 8th of the present month (December,) the customs +duties returns _are of the most decisively improving character_. The +receipts of duties for the port of London alone, during that period, +exceeds the receipt on the corresponding period of last year by +L.206,000; while the returns from all the outports, especially from +Liverpool, are of the same cheering character, and warrant us in +predicting that the returns to be presented on the 5th of the ensuing +month will afford a most triumphant proof of the accuracy of the +Minister's calculations and the success of his policy; for be it borne +in mind, moreover, that his income-tax realized, in the year ending on +the 5th October last, the immense sum of L.5,052,000. As far, +therefore, as concerns the direct _financial_ effects of the new +tariff and its counterbalancing income-tax, the results of Sir Robert +Peel's policy are such as may stagger and confound the boldest of his +opponents. + +Now, however, for the two great objects of the new tariff, which were +declared by Sir Robert Peel[23] to be "the revival of commerce, and +such an improvement in the manufacturing interest, as would react on +every other interest in the country; and diminishing the prices of the +articles of consumption and the cost of living." + + [23] Hansard, Vol. lxi. Col. 439. + +With respect to the first of these objects, we had prepared a copious +explanation of the highly satisfactory working of one great portion of +the machine of the new tariff, viz. _the relaxation of the taxes on +the raw materials of manufacture_; but it has occurred to us, that the +necessity of our doing so has been entirely superseded by the +following very remarkable admission, contained in a number of the +_Morning Chronicle_ newspaper, published towards the close of +September last; an invaluable admission, tending to prove, out of the +mouth of the bitterest opponent of the present Ministry, the general +success of their domestic policy:--"Notwithstanding insurrection in +Wales and agitation in Ireland, there are various circumstances in the +present aspect of our national affairs of an encouraging and cheering +nature. The first and most prominent thing which strikes an observer, +is, the undoubted general revival of trade and commerce. Every thing +seems to indicate that the morning is breaking; that the dreary night +of disaster and suffering, through which all our material interests +have been passing since 1836, is now well-nigh over. The hum of busy +industry is once more heard throughout our manufacturing districts; +our seaports begin once more to stir with business; merchants on +'Change have smiling faces; and the labouring population are once more +finding employment easier of access; and wages are gently, slowly +rising. This has not come upon us suddenly; it has been in operation +since the end of last year; but so terrible was the depression, so +gradual the improvement, that the effects of the revival could not be +perceptible till within a recent period. Our exports of cotton and +wool, during the present year, very considerably exceed those of a +similar period in the preceding; and though there might be increase of +export without increase of profit, the simple fact that the districts +of our great manufacturing staples are now more active and busy than +they have been for a very considerable period, coupled with the +apparently well-founded belief that this increased activity is +produced, not by speculative but genuine demand, are indications of +the most pleasing and gratifying kind to all who are in the least +concerned about the prosperity of the country. In addition to the +improvement manifested in our staple articles of industry, other +important interests are showing symptoms of decided improvement; even +the iron-trade has got over its 'crisis;' and though we are very far +indeed from having attained to a condition of prosperity, the steady, +though slow, revival of every branch of industry, is a proof that the +cause of the improvement must be a general one, operating +universally." May we venture to suggest, that the worthy editor of the +_Morning Chronicle_ need not go about with a lantern to discover this +_cause_?--that it is every where before his very eyes, under his very +nose, in the form of the bold, but sagacious and consistent, policy +pursued by the present Government? + +With respect to the second great object of the new tariff, viz., the +"Diminishing of the prices of the articles of consumption and the cost +of living." + +Has _this_ great object, or has it not, been attained? Why, the +reduced price of provisions is a matter of universal notoriety, and +past all question. Unable to contest the existence of this most +consolatory fact, the Opposition papers endeavoured to get up a +diversion by frightening the farmers, whom they assured, that the +admission of foreign live-stock would lead to a fearful depreciation +in the value of British agricultural produce. The graziers and +cattle-dealers were forthwith to find "their occupations gone." +British pasture farming was to be annihilated, and an immense stimulus +given to that of our continental rivals. Hereat the farmers pricked up +their ears, and began to consider for a moment whether they should not +join in the outcry against the new tariff. But the poor beasts that +have come, doubtless much to their own surprise, across the water to +us, looked heartily ashamed of themselves, on catching a glimpse of +their plump, sleek brother beasts in England--and the farmers burst +out a-laughing at sight of _the lean kine that were to eat up the fat +ones_! The practical result has been, that between the 9th of July +1842, and the present time, there have not come over foreign cattle +enough to make one week's show at Smithfield. But mark, _the power_ of +admitting foreign cattle and poultry, (on payment, however, of a +considerable duty,[24]) conferred by the new tariff, is one that must +be attended with infinite permanent benefits to the public, in its +_moderating influence upon the prices of animal food_. Its working is +in beautiful harmony with that of the newly modeled corn-laws, as we +shall presently explain. In years of abundance, when plenty of meat is +produced at home, the new tariff will be inoperative, as far as +regards the actual importations of foreign cattle; but in years of +scarcity at home, the expectation of a good price will induce the +foreigner to send us a sufficient supply; for he will then be, and +then only, able to repay himself the duty, and the heavy cost of +sea-carriage. As prices fall, the inducement to import also declines. +In short, "the inducement to importation falls with the fall, and +rises with the rise of price. The painful contingency of continued bad +seasons has thus, in some measure, been provided against. The new +tariff is so adjusted, that when prices threaten to mount to an unfair +and extravagant height, unjust to consumers, and dangerous to +producers, in such contingencies a mediating power steps in, and +brings things to an equilibrium."[25] These great and obvious +advantages of the new tariff, the opponents of Ministers, and +especially their reckless and discreditable allies called the +"Anti-corn-law League," see as plainly as we do; but their anxious aim +is to conceal these advantages as much as possible from public view; +and for this purpose they never willingly make _any allusion_ to the +tariff, or if forced to do so, underrate its value, or grossly +misrepresent its operation. But we are convinced that _this will not +do_. Proofs of their humbug and falsehood are, as it were, daily +forcing themselves into the very stomachs_ of those whom once, when +an incompetent Ministry was in power, these heartless impostors were +able to delude. "A single shove of the bayonet," said Corporal Trim to +Doctor Slop, "is worth all your fine discourses about the art of war;" +and so the English operative may reply to the hireling "Leaguers," +"This good piece of cheap beef and mutton, now smoking daintily before +me, is worth all your palaver." + + [24] Poultry L5 for every L100 value; oxen and bulls, L1 each; + cows, 15s.; calves, 10s.; horses, mares, foals, colts, and + geldings, L1 each; sheep, 3s. each; lambs, 2s. each; swine and + hogs, 5s. each--(Stat. 5 and 6 Vict. c. 47, Table A.) + + [25] Thoughts, &c., by a Quiet Looker-on, pp. 16, 17. + +Before passing from the subject of the new tariff, let us observe, +that the suddenness and vastness of its changes (some of which we +consider to be of questionable propriety) for a time unavoidably +deranged mercantile operations; and in doing so, as necessarily +produced many cases of individual dissatisfaction and distress. Some +of the persons thus situated angrily quitted the Conservative ranks +for those of the Opposition; others, for a position of mortified +neutrality: but we believe that many more, notwithstanding this sharp +trial of their constancy, remained true to their principles, faithful +to their party, and are now rewarded by seeing things coming rapidly +round again, while unvarying and complete success has attended every +other branch of the policy of Ministers. We know a good deal of the +real state of opinion among the mercantile classes of the City of +London; and believe we correctly represent it averse to further +changes in our tariff-system, and coincident with the views expressed +by Mr Baring in his address to the electors, when he deprecated "a +constant change, unsettling men's minds, baffling all combinations, +destroying all calculations, paralysing trade, and continuing the +stagnation from which we are recovering;" and declared his belief +"that the minister who applies the principles of free-trade with the +most caution, deliberation, and judgment, is the statesman who merits +the confidence of the commercial world." We now, however, quit the +subject--interesting, indeed, and all-important--of the tariff, with +the deliberate expression of our opinion, that it is, taken as a +whole, a very bold, masterly, and successful stroke of policy. Now for +the NEW CORN-LAW. + +But how shall we deal with a topic with which the public has been so +utterly sickened by the people calling themselves "The Anti-corn-law +League?" We do not, nevertheless, despair of securing the attention of +our readers to the few observations which we have to offer upon a +subject which, however hackneyed, is one of paramount importance. We +are satisfied that nine out of every ten even of newspaper readers +turn with disgust from the columns headed "Anti-corn-law League," +"Doings of the League," "Great Meeting of the Anti-corn-law League," +and so forth; and, (making every allowance for the exigencies +occasioned by the dearth of topics while Parliament is not sitting,) +we are exceedingly surprised, that the great London newspapers should +inflict upon their readers so much of the slang and drivel of the +gentry in question. In the due prosecution of our subject, we cannot +avoid the topic of the new corn-law, even were we so disposed; and we +shall at once proceed to our task, with two objects in view--to +vindicate the course pursued by Sir Robert Peel, and set forth, +briefly and distinctly, those truly admirable qualities of the +existing Corn-laws, which are either most imprudently misrepresented, +or artfully kept out of view, by those who are now making such +desperate efforts to overthrow it. "Mark how a plain tale shall set +them down!" + +Whether foreign corn should be admitted into this country on payment +of _fluctuating_ duties, or a _fixed_ duty, or free of all duties, are +obviously questions of the highest importance, involving extensive and +complicated considerations. Sir Robert Peel, Lord John Russell, and +the persons banded together under the name of "The Anti-corn-law +League," may be taken as representing the classes of opinion which +would respectively answer these three questions in the affirmative. +All of them appealed to the nation at large on the last general +election. The _form_ in which the question was proposed to the +country, it fell to the lot of the advocates of a fixed duty to +prescribe, and they shaped it thus in the Queen's speech:-- + + "It will be for you to determine whether the corn-laws do not + aggravate the natural fluctuations of supply; whether they do + not embarrass trade, derange currency, and, by their + operation, diminish the comforts and increase the privations + of the great body of the community." + +To this question the country returned a deliberate and peremptory +answer in the NEGATIVE; expressing thereby its will, that the existing +system, which admits foreign corn on payment of _fluctuating_ duties, +should continue. The country thus adopted the opinions of Sir Robert +Peel, rejected those of Lord John Russell, and utterly scouted those +of the "Anti-corn-law League," in spite of all their frantic +exertions. + +We believe that this deliberate decision of the nation, is that to +which it will come whenever again appealed to; and is supported by +reasons of cogency. The nation is thoroughly aware of the immense +importance of upholding and protecting the agriculture of the country, +and that to secure this grand object, it is necessary to admit foreign +corn into the country, only when our deficiencies absolutely require +it. That _in_ the operation of the "_sliding-scale_ of duties," and +the exact distinction between its effect and that of the proposed +_fixed_ duty, is demonstrably this: that the former would admit +foreign corn in dear years, excluding it in seasons of abundance; +while the latter would admit foreign corn in seasons of abundance, and +exclude it in dear years. Our _present_ concern, however, is with the +course taken by the present Government. Have they hitherto yielded to +the clamour with which they have been assailed, and departed from the +principle of affording efficient protection to the agriculture of the +country? Not a hair's breadth; _nor will they_. We have seen that Sir +Robert Peel, previously to the general election, declared his +determination to adhere to the existing system of corn-laws, +regulating the admission of foreign corn by the power of the +sliding-scale of duties; but both he and the leading members of his +party, had distinctly stated in Parliament, just before its +dissolution, that while resolved to adhere to the _principle_ of a +sliding-scale, they would not pledge themselves to adhere to all the +_details_ of that scale. And they said well and wisely, for there were +grave objections to some of those details. These objections they have +removed, and infinitely added to the efficiency of the sliding-scale; +but in removing the principal objections, they stirred a hornet's +nest--they rendered furious a host of sleek gamblers in grain, who +found their "occupation gone" suddenly! On the other hand, the +Government conferred a great substantial benefit upon the country, by +securing a just balance between protection to the British corn +consumer and producer; removing, at the same time, from the latter, a +long-existing source of jealousy and prejudice. A few words will +suffice to explain the general scope of those alterations. Under they +system established by statute 9 Geo. IV. c. 60, in the year 1828, the +duty on foreign corn, up to the price of 68s. per quarter, was so +high, and declined so very slowly, (L.1, 5s. 8d., L.1. 4s. 8d., L.1, +3s. 8d., L.1, 2s. 8d., L.1, 1s. 8d., L.1, 0s. 8d., 18s. 8d.,) as to +amount to a virtual prohibition against importation. But when the +price mounted from 68s. to 72s. per quarter, the duty declined with +such great rapidity. (16s 8d., 13s. 8d., 10s. 8d., 6s. 8d., 2s. 8d.,) +as to occasion the alarming and frequently recurring evils of glut and +panic. Now the following was the mode in which these serious defects +in the law of 1828 were taken advantage of by the aforesaid desperate +and greedy "rogues in grain," who are utterly prostrated by the new +system; they entered into a combination, for the purpose of raising +the apparent average price of corn, and forcing it up to the point at +which they could import vast quantities of foreign corn at little or +no duty. Thus the price of corn was rising in England--the people were +starving--and turned with execration against those into whose pockets +the high prices were supposed to go, viz., the poor farmers; whereas +those high prices really were all the while flowing silently but +rapidly into the pockets of the aforesaid "rogues in grain"--the +gamblers of the Corn Exchange!--Ministers effected their salutary +alterations, by statute 5 and 6 Vict. c. 14, in the following +manner:--They substituted for the former duties of 10s. 8d. per +quarter, when the price of corn was 70s. per quarter, and 1s. when the +price was 73s.; a duty of 4s. when the price of corn is 70s. per +quarter, and made the duty fall gradually, shilling by shilling, with +the rise of price, to 3s., 2s., and 1s. Thus are at one blow destroyed +all the inducements formerly existing for corn-dealers to "hold" their +foreign corn, in the hopes of forcing up the price of corn to +starvation-point, viz., the low duty, every inducement being now given +them to _sell_, and none to speculate. Another important provision for +preventing fraudulent combinations to raise the price of corn, was +that of greatly extending the averages, and placing them under +regulations of salutary stringency. + +So far, then, from evincing a disposition to trifle with, or +surrender, the principle of the sliding-scale, the Government have, +with infinite pains and skill, applied themselves to effect such +improvements in it as will secure its permanency, and a better +appreciation of its value by the country at large, with every +additional year's experience of its admirable qualities. There is a +perfect identity of principle, both working to the same good end, +between the existing corn-law and the new tariff. Their combined +effect is to oppose every barrier that human wisdom and foresight can +devise, against dearth and famine in England: securing an abundant +supply of corn and meat from abroad, whenever our own supply is +deficient; but up to that point protecting our home producers, whose +direct interest it will henceforth be to supply us at fair and +moderate prices. It is the cunning policy of the heterogeneous +opponents of the existing corn-laws, to speak of them as "doomed" by a +sort of universal tacit consent; to familiarise the public with the +notion that the recent remodeling of the system is to be regarded as +constituting it into nothing more than a sort of transition-measure--a +stepping-stone towards a great fundamental change, by the adoption of +"a fixed duty," some say--"a total repeal," say the Anti-corn-law +League. But those who think thus, must be shallow and short-sighted +indeed, and have paid very little real attention to the subject, if +they have failed to perceive in the existing system itself all the +marks of completeness, solidity, and permanence; and, in the +successful pains that have been taken to bring it to a higher degree +of perfection than before, a determination to uphold it--a conviction +that it will long continue the law of the land, and approved of as +such by the vast majority of those who represent the wealth and +intellect of the kingdom, and have the deepest stake in its +well-being. + +As for a total repeal of the corn-laws, no thinking man believes that +there is the remotest prospect of such a thing; but many imagine that +a fixed duty would be a great change for the better, and a safe sort +of compromise between the two extreme parties. Can any thing be more +fallacious? We hesitate not to express our opinion, that the idea of +maintaining a fixed duty on corn is an utter absurdity, and that Lord +John Russell and his friends know it to be so, and are guilty of +political dishonesty in making such a proposal. They affect to be +friends of the agricultural interest, and satisfied of the necessity +for protection to that body; and yet they acknowledge that their +"_fixity_" of duty is of precisely the same nature as the "finality" +of the Reform bill, viz.--to last only till the first pressure shall +call for an order in council. Does any one in his senses believe that +any Minister could abide by a fixed duty with corn at the price of +70s., with a starving, and therefore an agitating and rebellious +population? A fixed duty, under all times and circumstances, is a +glaring impossibility; and, besides, is it not certain that the period +for the issue of an order in council will be a grand object of +speculation to the corn importer; and that he will hoard, and create +distress, merely to force out that order? And the issuing of that +order would depend entirely on the strength or the necessity of the +Minister: on his "Squeezableness"--his anxiety for popularity. Does +the experience of the last ten years justify the country in placing +confidence, on such a point, in a _Whig_ Ministry? In every point of +view, the project of a fixed duty is exposed to insuperable +objections. It is plain that on the very first instant of there being +a pressure upon the "fixed duty," it must give way, and for ever. Once +off, it is gone for ever; it can never be re-imposed. Again, what is +to govern the _amount_ at which it is to be fixed? Must it be the +additional burden on land? or the price at which foreign countries, +with their increased facilities of transport, and improved cultivation +of their soil, would be able to deliver it in the British markets? +What _data_ have we, in either case, on which to decide? Let it, +however, always be borne in mind, by those who are apt too easily to +entertain the question as to either a fixed duty, or a total repeal of +duty, that the advantages predicted by the respective advocates of +those measures are _mere assumptions_. We have no experience by which +to try the question. The doctrines of free trade are of very recent +growth; the _data_ on which its laws are founded are few, and also +uncertain. And does any one out of Bedlam imagine, that any Minister +of this country would consent to run such tremendous risks--to try +such experiments upon an article of such immense importance to its +well-being? Let us never lose sight of Lord Melbourne's memorable +words:--"Whether the object be to have a fixed duty, or an alteration +as to the ascending and descending scale, I see clearly and +distinctly, that the object will not be carried without a most violent +struggle--without causing much ill-blood, and a deep sense of +grievance--without stirring society to its foundation, and leaving +every sort of bitterness and animosity. I do not think the advantages +to be gained by the change are worth the evils of the struggle."[26] + + [26] Debates, 11th June 1840. + +To return, however. Under the joint operation of the three great +measures of the Government--the income-tax, the new tariff, and the +new corn-law, our domestic affairs exhibit, at this moment, such an +aspect of steadily returning prosperity, as not the most sanguine +person living could have imagined possible two years ago. For the +first time after a miserable interval, we behold our revenue exceeding +our expenditure; while every one feels satisfied of the fact, that our +finances are now placed upon a sound and solid basis, and daily +improving. Provisions are of unexampled cheapness, and the means of +obtaining them are--thank Almighty God!--gradually increasing among +the poorer classes. Trade and commerce are now, and have for the last +six months been steadily improving; and we perceive that a new era of +prosperity is beginning to dawn upon us. We have a strong and united +Government, evidently as firmly fixed in the confidence of the Queen +as in that of the country, and supported by a powerful majority in the +House of Commons--an annihilating one in the House of Lords. The reign +of order and tranquillity has been restored in Wales, and let us also +add, in Ireland, after an unexampled display of mingled determination +and forbearance on the part of the Government. Chartism is defunct, +notwithstanding the efforts made by its dishonoured and discomfited +leaders to revive it. When, in short, has Great Britain enjoyed a +state of more complete internal calm and repose than that which at +present exists, notwithstanding the systematic attempts made to +diffuse alarm and agitation? Do the public funds exhibit the slightest +symptoms of uneasiness or excitement? On the contrary, ever since the +accession of the present Government, there has been scarce any +variation in them, even when the disturbances in the manufacturing +districts in the north of England, and in Wales, and in Ireland, were +respectively at their height. Her Majesty moves calmly to and +fro--even quitting England--her Ministers enjoy their usual intervals +of relaxation and absence from town--all the movements of Government +go on like clockwork--no symptoms visible any where of feverish +uneasiness. But what say you, enquires a timid friend, or a bitter +opponent, to the Repeal agitation in Ireland, and the Anti-corn-law +agitation in England? Why, we say this--that we sincerely regret the +mischief which the one has done, and is doing, in Ireland, and the +other in England, among their ignorant and unthinking dupes; but with +no degree of alarm for the stability of the Government, or the +maintenance of public tranquillity and order. Ministers are perfectly +competent to deal with both the one and the other of these two +conspiracies, as the chief actors in the one have found already, and +those in the other will find, perhaps, by and by; if, indeed, they +should ever become important or successful enough to challenge the +notice and interference of the Government. A word, however, about +each, in its turn. + +The Anti-corn-law League has in view a two-fold object--the overthrow +of the present Ministry whom they abhor for their steadfast and +powerful support of the agricultural interest;--and the depression of +the wages of labour, to enable our manufacturers (of whom the league +almost exclusively consists) to compete with the manufacturers on the +Continent. Their engine for effecting their purposes, is the Repeal of +the corn-laws; and they are working it with such a desperate energy, +as satisfies any disinterested observer, that they themselves perceive +the task to be all but utterly hopeless. They were confounded by the +result of the general election, and dismayed at the accession to power +of men whom they knew to be thoroughly acquainted with their true +objects and intentions, and resolved to frustrate them, and able to +carry their resolutions into effect. The ominous words of Sir Robert +Peel--"I think that the connexion of the manufacturers in the north of +England with the joint-stock banks, gave an undue and improper impulse +to trade in that quarter of the country"--rang in their ears as a +knell; and told them that they were _found out_ by a firm and +sagacious Minister, whom, therefore, their sole object thenceforth +must be to overthrow _per fas aut nefas_. For this purpose they +adopted such an atrocious course of action, as instantly deprived them +of the countenance of all their own moderate and reasoning friends, +and earned for themselves the execration of the bulk of the +community:--they resolved to inflame the starving thousands in the +manufacturing districts into acts of outrage and rebellion. They felt +it necessary, in the language of Mr Grey, one of their own principal +men, in order "_to raise the stubborn enthusiasm of the people_," (!) +to resort to some desperate expedient--which was--immediately on Sir +Robert Peel's announcing his determination, early in 1842, to +preserve, but improve, the existing system of the corn-laws--to reduce +the wages of all their work-people to the amount of from ten to twenty +per cent. This move originated with the _Stockport_ manufacturers. We +have little doubt but it was the suggestion of Mr Cobden; and are +quite prepared for a similar move during the ensuing session of +Parliament. But was not--is not--this a species of moral arson? The +Government calmly carried their measure: the outbreak (which we firmly +believe to have been concerted by the Anti-corn-law League) in +Lancashire arrived, and was promptly and resolutely, but mercifully +repressed; and thus was extinguished the guilty hopes and expectations +of its contrivers; and Ministers were left stronger at the close of +the session than they had been at its commencement. They resolved to +open a new campaign against Ministers and the Corn-laws--greatly to +augment their numbers and pecuniary resources--to redouble their +exertions, and immensely to extend the sphere of their operations. +They _did_ augment their pecuniary resources, by large forced +contributions among the few persons most deeply interested in the +success of their schemes; namely, the Lancashire manufacturers--they +_did_ redouble their exertions--they _did_ extend the sphere of their +operations, spreading themselves over the whole length and breadth of +the land, even as did the plague of lice over Egypt. But did they +augment the number of their friends? Not a person of the least +political or personal importance could be prevailed upon to join their +discreditable ranks; it remained as before:--Cobden and Bright--Bright +and Cobden--Wilson, Bright, and Cobden--Milner Gibson, Fox, Bright and +Cobden--_ad nauseam usque_; but, like a band of travelling +incendiaries, they presented themselves with indefatigable energy in +places which had never known their presence before. And how comes it +to pass that they have not long since kindled at least the +manufacturing population into a blaze? Is it any fault of the +aforesaid incendiaries? No--but because there is too much intelligence +abroad, they could not do what they would--"_raise the stubborn +enthusiasm_" of the people. In one quarter they were suspected--in +another despised--in another hated; and it became a very general +impression that they were, in fact, a knot of double dealers, who +certainly contrived to make a great noise, and keep themselves +perpetually before the public; but as for getting the steam "up," in +the nation at large, they found it impossible. In truth, the +"Anti-corn-law League" would have long ago been dissolved amidst the +indifference or contempt of the public, but for the countenance they +received, from time to time, and on which they naturally calculated, +from the party of the late Ministers, whose miserable object was to +secure their own return to power by means of any agency that they +could press into their service. But, to return to our sketch of the +progress of the "League." Admitting that, by dint of very great and +incessant exertion, they kept their ground, they made little or no +progress among the mercantile part of the community; and they resolved +to try their fortune with the agricultural constituencies--to sow +dissension between the landlords and the tenants, the farmers and +their labourers, and combine as many of the disaffected as they could, +in support of the clamour for free trade. This was distinctly avowed +by Cobden, at a meeting of the Anti-corn-law deputies, in the +following very significant terms: "_We can never carry the measure +ourselves_: WE MUST HAVE THE AGRICULTURAL LABOURERS WITH US!!"[27] + + [27] League Circular, No. xxx. p. 3. + +They therefore proceeded to commence operations upon the agricultural +constituencies. They knew they could always reckon upon a share of +support wherever they went--it being hard to find any country without +its cluster of bitter and reckless opponents of a Conservative +government, who would willingly aid in any demonstration against it. +With such aid, and indefatigable efforts to collect a crowd of noisy +non-electors: with a judicious choice of localities, and profuse +bribery of the local Radical newspapers, in order to procure copious +accounts of their proceedings--they commenced their "grand series of +country triumphs!" Their own organs, from time to time, gave out that +in each and every county visited by the League, the _farmers_ attended +their meetings, and joined in a vote condemnatory of the corn-laws, +and pledged themselves to vote thereafter for none but the candidates +of the Anti-corn-law League! + +The following are specimens of the flattering appellations which had +till now been bestowed, by their new friends, upon these selfsame +farmers--"_Bull-frogs!"_ "_chaw-bacons!" _"_clod-poles!_" +"_hair-bucks!_" "_deluded slaves!_" "_brute drudges!_"[28] Now, +however, they and their labourers were addressed in terms of +respectful sympathy and flattery, as the victims of the rapacity of +their landlords--on whom were poured the full phials of Anti-corn-law +wrath. The following are some of the scalding drops let fall upon +their devoted heads--_"Monster of impiety!" "inhuman fiend!" +"heartless brutes!" "rapacious harpies!" "relentless demons!" +"plunderers of the people!" "merciless footpads!" "murderers!" +"swindlers!" "insatiable!" "insolent!" "flesh-mongering!" "scoundrel!" +"law-making landlords!" "a bread-taxing oligarchy!"_[29] Need we say +that the authors of these very choice and elegant expressions were +treated with utter contempt by both landlords and tenants--always +making the few allowances above referred to? Was it very likely that +the landlord or the farmer should quit their honourable and important +avocations at the bidding of such creatures as had thus intruded +themselves into their counties? should consent to be yoked to the car, +or to follow in the train of these enlightened, disinterested, and +philanthropic cotton-spinners and calico-printers? Absurd! It became, +in fact, daily more obvious to even the most unreflecting, that these +worthies were not likely to be engaged in their "labours of _love_;" +were not _exactly_ the kind of persons to desert their own businesses, +to attend out of pure benevolence that of others--to let succumb their +own interest to promote those of others; to subscribe out of the gains +which they had wrung from their unhappy factory slaves, their L.10, +L.20, L.30, L.50, L.100, out of mere public spirit and philanthropy. + + [28] League Circular, No. 10. + + [29] Ibid. Nos. 26, 29, 44, 50, 71, 83, 94, 99, 100. + +Still, we say, the whole thing was really a failure--the "steam," even +yet, could not be "got up," in spite of all their multiplied agencies +and machinery, incessantly at work--the unprecedented personal +exertions of the members of the league--the large pecuniary sacrifices +of the Lancashire subscribers to its funds. One more desperate +exertion was therefore felt necessary--and they resolved to attempt +getting up a _sensation_, by the sudden subscription of splendid sums +of money, by way of starting a vast fund, with which to operate +directly upon the entire electoral body--in what way, it is not very +difficult to guess. Accordingly, they began--but where? At the old +place--Manchester!--Manchester!--_Manchester!_ Many thousands were +subscribed at an hour's notice by a mere handful of manufacturers; the +news came up to London--and the editor of the _Times_, in a transient +fit of excitement, pronounced "the existence of the League" to be a +GREAT FACT. Upon this phrase they have lived ever since--till somewhat +roughly reminded the other day, by Mr Baring, that "great _facts_" are +very "_great follies!_" Now let us once more ask the question--would +all these desperate and long-continued exertions and sacrifices--(all +proceeding, be it ever observed, from _one_ quarter, and from the same +class of people--nay, the same individuals of that class)--be +requisite, were there any _real movement of the public mind and +feeling_ against the Corn-laws? Are they not requisite solely because +of the _absence_ of any such movement? Nay, are they not evidence that +the public feeling and opinion are against them? And that, perhaps, +they will by and by succeed in rousing the "stubborn enthusiasm of the +people" against themselves? Where has there been called one single +spontaneous public meeting of any importance, and where exhibited a +spark of enthusiasm, for the total repeal of the Corn-laws? Surely the +_topic_ is capable of being handled in a sufficiently exciting manner! +But no; wherever a "meeting," or "demonstration," is heard of--there, +also, are the eternal Cobden, Bright and Wilson, and their miserable +fellow-agitators, who alone have got up--who alone harangue the +meetings. Was it so with Catholic Emancipation?--with the abolition of +Negro Slavery?--with the Reform Bill? Right or wrong, the public +feeling was then roused, and exhibited itself unequivocally, +powerfully, and spontaneously; but _here_--bah! common sense revolts +at the absurd supposition that even hundreds of thousands of pounds +can of themselves get up a real demonstration of public feeling in +favour of the object, for which so much Manchester money has been +already subscribed. + + "'Tis not in _thousands_ to command success." + +If the public opinion of this great country--this great enlightened +nation--were _really_ roused against the Corn-laws, they would +disappear like snow under sunshine. But, as the matter _now_ stands, +if their dreary drivellers Cobden, Bright, Wilson, Acland, W.J. Fox, +were withdrawn from the public scene in which they are so anxious to +figure, and sent to enjoy the healthy exercise of the tread-mill for +one single three months, would this eternal "_brutum fulmen_" about +the repeal of the Corn-laws be heard of any more? We verily believe +not. "But look at our triumphs!"--quoth Cobden--"Look at our glorious +victories at Durham, London, and Kendal!--our virtual victory at +Salisbury!" Moonshine, gentlemen, and you know it;--and that you have +spent your money in vain. Let us see how the matter stands. + + +I. _Durham_. True, Mr Bright was returned; but to what is the House of +Commons indebted for the acquisition of that distinguished senator, +except the personal pique and caprice of that eccentric Tory peer, +Lord Londonderry? This is notorious, and admitted by all parties; and +these causes will not be in operation at another election. + + +II. _London_. And do you really call this a "great triumph?" +Undoubtedly Mr Pattison was returned; but is it a matter of +congratulation that this notorious political nonentity, who openly, we +understand, entertains and will support _Chartist_ opinions, is +returned instead of such a man as Mr Baring? What was the majority of +Mr Pattison? One hundred and sixty-five, out of twelve thousand eight +hundred and eighty-nine who actually voted. And how was even that +majority secured? By the notorious absence from London--as is always +the case at that period of the year (21st October 1843)--of vast +numbers of the stanchest Conservative electors. There is no doubt +whatever, that had the election happened one fortnight later than it +did, Mr Baring would have been returned by a large majority, in spite +of the desperate exertions of the Anti-corn-law League and Mr +Rothschild and the Jews. As it was, Mr Baring polled more (6367) than +had ever been polled by a Conservative candidate for London before; +and had an immense majority over his competitor, among the superior +classes of the constituency.[30] At another election, we can +confidently predict that Mr Baring will be returned, and by a large +majority, unless, indeed, the Charter should be the law of the land; +in which case Mr Pattison will probably enjoy another ovation. + + [30] Among the _Livery_, the numbers were--Baring, 3196; + Pattison, 2367;--majority for Baring, 889! + + Among the _Templars_--Baring, 258; Pattison, 78!!--majority + for Baring, 180! + + +III. _Kendal_. Is this, too, a victory? "Another such, and you are +undone." Why? Till Mr Bentinck presented himself before that +enlightened little constituency, no Conservative dared even to offer +himself; 'twas a snug little stronghold of the Anti-corn-law League +interest, and yet the gallant Conservative gave battle against the +whole force of the League; and after a mortal struggle of some +fourteen days, was defeated by a far smaller majority than either +friends or enemies had expected, and has pledged himself to fight the +battle again. Here, then, the League and their stanch friends have +sustained an unexpected and serious shock. + + +IV. _Salisbury_.--We have not the least desire to magnify this into a +mighty victory for the Conservative party; but the interference of +the Anti-corn-law League certainly made the struggle a very critical +and important one. We expected to succeed, but not by a large +majority; for ever since 1832, the representation had (till within the +last year) been divided between a Conservative and a Liberal. However, +the Anti-corn-law League, flushed with their "triumphs" at London and +Kendal, flung all their forces ostentatiously into the borough, and +exhibited a disgusting and alarming specimen of the sort of +interference which it seems we are to expect in all future elections, +in all counties and boroughs. It was, however, in vain; the ambitious +young gentleman who had the benefit of their services, and who is a +law-student in London, but the son of the great Earl of Radnor, lost +his election by a large majority, and the discomfited League retired +ridiculously to Manchester. When we heard of their meditated descent +upon Salisbury, we fancied we saw Cobden and his companions waddling +back, geese-like, and exclaimed-- + + "Geese! if we had you but on Sarum plain, + We'd drive you cackling back to Camelot!" + +So much for the boasted electoral triumphs of the Anti-corn-law +League--we repeat, that they are all mere moonshine, and challenge +them to disprove our assertion. + +They are now making another desperate effort to raise a further sum of +a hundred thousand pounds; and beginning, as usual, at Manchester, +have raised there alone, within a few days' time, upwards of L.20,000! +The fact (if _true_) is at once ludicrous and disgusting: ludicrous +for its transparency of humbug--disgusting for its palpable +selfishness. Will these proverbially hard-hearted men put down their +L.100, L.200, L.300, L.400, L.500, for nothing? Alas, the great sums +they have expended in this crusade against the Corn-laws, will have to +be wrung out of their wretched and exhausted factory slaves! For how +otherwise but by diminishing wages can they repay themselves for lost +time, for trouble, and for expense? + +Looked at in its proper light, the Corn-law League is nothing but _an +abominable conspiracy against labour_. Cheap _bread_ means cheap +_labour_; those who cannot see this, must be blind indeed! The +melancholy fact of the continually-decreasing price of labour in this +country, rests on undisputable authority--on, amongst others, that of +Mr Fielding. In 1825, the price of labour was 51 per cent less than in +1815; in 1830 it was 65 per cent less than in 1815, though the +consumption of cotton had increased from 80,000,000 lbs. to +240,000,000 lbs.! In 1835 it was 318,000,000 lbs., but the operative +received 70 per cent less than in 1815. In 1840 the consumption of +cotton was 415,000,000 lbs., and the unhappy operative received 75 per +cent less than in 1815! + +If proofs be required to show that in reality the deadly snake, _cheap +labour_, lurks among the flourishing grass, _cheap bread_, we will +select one or two out of very many now lying before us, and prepared +to be presented to the reader. + +"If grain be high," said Mr Ricardo, in the House of Commons,[31] "the +price of labour would necessarily be a deduction from the _profits of +stock_." "The Corn-laws raise the price of sustenance--that has +_raised the price of labour_; which, of course, diminishes the profit +in capital."[32] + + [31] Debates, May 30, 1820. + + [32] Ib. Dec. 24, 1819. + +"Until the price of food in this country," said Mr Hume, in the House +of Commons on the 12th of May last, in the presence of all the leading +free-trade members, "is placed on a level with that on the Continent, +it will be impossible for us to compete with the growing manufactures +of Belgium, Germany, France, and America!!" + +Hear a member of the League, and of the Manchester Chamber of +Commerce, Mr G. Sandars:-- + + "If three loaves instead of two could be got for 2s., in + consequence of a repeal of the Corn-laws, another consequence + would be, that the workman's 2s. would be reduced to 1s. 4d., + which would leave matters, as far as he was concerned, just + as they were!!"[33] + + [33] Authentic Discussions on the Corn-law, (Ridgway, 1839,) + p. 86. + +Hear a straightforward manufacturer--Mr Muntz, M.P.--in the debate on +the 17th May last:-- + + "If the Corn-laws were repealed, the benefit which the + manufacturer expected was, that he could produce at a lower + price; and this he could do only by reducing wages to the + continental level!!" + +If the above fail to open the eyes of the duped workmen of this +country, what will succeed in doing so? Let us conclude this portion +of our subject--disgusting enough, but necessary to expose +imposture--with the following tabular view, &c., of the gross +contradiction of the men, whom we wish to hold up to universal and +deserved contempt, on even the most vital points of the controversy in +which they are engaged; and then let our readers say whether any thing +proceeding from such a quarter is worthy of notice:-- + + * * * * * + + +The _League Oracle_ says-- + + +1. "If we have free trade, the landlords' rents will fall 100 per +cent."--(_League Circular_, No. 15. p. 3.) + +2. "Provisions will fall one-third."--(Ib. No. 34, p. 4.) + +"The Corn-laws makes the labourer pay double the price for his +food."--(Ib. No. 15.) + +3. "The Corn-law compels us to pay _three times the value for a loaf +of bread_."--(Ib. No. 13.) + +"If the Corn-laws were abolished, the working man WOULD SAVE 31/2d. UPON +EVERY LOAF OF BREAD."--(Ib. No. 75.) + +"As a consequence of the repeal of the Corn-laws, _we promise cheaper +food_, and our hand-loom weavers would get _double_ the rate of +wages!"--(Ib. No. 7.) + +"We shall have _cheap bread_, and its price will be reduced 33 per +cent."--(Ib. No. 34.) + +4. Messrs Villiers, Muntz, Hume, Roche, Thornton, Rawson, Sandars, +(all Leaguers,) say, and the oracle of the _League_ itself has said, +that "We want free trade, to enable us to _reduce wages_, that we may +compete with foreigners."--(_Post_, pp. 13-16.) + +5. The _League Oracle_ admits that "a repeal would _injure_ the +farmer, but not so much as he fears."--(_League Circular_, No. 58.) + + +Mr Cobden says-- + + +1. "If we have free trade, the landlords will have as good rents as +now."--(Speech in the House of Commons, 15th May last.) + +2. "Provisions will be no cheaper."--(Speech at Bedford, _Hertford +Reformer_, 10th June last.) + +3. "THE ARGUMENT FOR CHEAP BREAD WAS NEVER MINE."--(_Morning +Chronicle_, 30th June 1843, Speech on Penenden Heath.) + +"THE IDEA OF LOW-PRICED FOREIGN CORN IS ALL A DELUSION."--SPEECH AT +Winchester, _Salisbury Herald_, July 29, 1843, p. 3. + +4. Messrs Cobden, Bright, and Moore, now affirm--"It is a base +falsehood to say we want free trade, to enable us to reduce the rate +of wages."--(Mr Cobden on Penenden Heath. Messrs Bright and Moore at +Huntingdon.) + +5. Cobden, Moore, and Bright, say, that it is to the _interest_ of the +farmer to have a total and _immediate_ repeal.--(Uxbridge, Bedford, +Huntingdon.[34]) + + [34] Extracted from a very admirable speech by Mr Day of + Huntingdon, (Ollivier, 1843,) and which we earnestly recommend + for perusal. + + * * * * * + +The disgusting selfishness and hypocrisy of such men as Cobden and his +companions, in veiling their real objects under a pretended enmity to +"Monopoly" and "Class Legislation"--and disinterested anxiety to +procure for the poor the blessings of "cheap bread"--fills us with a +just indignation; and we never see an account of their hebdomadal +proceedings, but we exclaim, in the language of our immortal bard-- + + "Oh, Heaven! that such impostors thoud'st unfold, + And put in every honest hand a whip, + To lash the rascals naked through the land!" + +While we repeat our deliberate opinion, that the Anti-corn-law League, +as a body, is, in respect of actual present influence, infinitely less +formidable than the vanity and selfish purposes of its members would +lead them to wish the country to believe--we must add, that it is +quite another question how long it will continue so. It may soon be +converted--if indeed it has not already been secretly converted, into +an engine of tremendous mischief, for other purposes than any ever +contemplated by its originators. Suppose, in the next session of +parliament, Ministers were to offer a law-fixed duty on corn: would +that concession dissolve the League? Absurd--they have long ago +scouted the idea of so ridiculous a compromise. Suppose they effected +their avowed object of a total repeal of the Corn-laws--is any one +weak enough to imagine that they would _then_ dissolve? No--nor do +they _now_ dream of such a thing; but are at the present moment, as we +are informed, "_fraternizing_" with other political societies of a +very dangerous character, and on the eve of originating serious and +revolutionary movements. Their present organization is precisely that +of the French Jacobins; their plan of operation the same. Let any one +turn to _The League Circular_ of the 18th November, and he will see +announced a plan of action on the part of this Association, precisely +analagous, in all its leading features, to that of the French +Jacobins: and we would call the attention of the legislature to the +question, whether the Anti-corn-law League, in its most recent form of +organization and plan of action, be not clearly within the provisions +of statutes 57 Geo. III., c. 19, Sec. 25 and 39; Geo. III., c. 79? What +steps, if any, the legislature may take, is one thing; it is quite +another, what course shall be adopted by the friends of the +Conservative cause--the supporters of the British constitution. It is +impossible to assign limits to the mischief which may be effected by +the indefatigable and systematic exertions of the League to diffuse +pernicious misrepresentations, and artful and popular fallacies, among +all classes of society. That they entertain a fearfully envenomed +hatred of the agricultural interest, is clear; and their evident +object is to render the landed proprietors of this country objects of +fierce hatred to the inferior orders of the community. "If a man tells +me his story every morning of my life, by the year's end he will be my +master," said Burke, "and I shall believe him, however untrue and +improbable his story may be;" and if, whilst the Anti-corn-law League +can display such perseverance, determination, and system, its +opponents obstinately remain supine and silent, can any one wonder if +such progress be not made by the League, in their demoralizing and +revolutionary enterprize, that it will soon be too late to attempt +even to arrest? + +If this Journal has earned, during a quarter of a century's career of +unwavering consistency and independence, any title to the respect of +the Conservative party, we desire now to rely upon that title for the +purpose of adding weight to our solemn protest against the want of +union and energy--against the apathy, from whatever cause arising--now +but too visible. In vain do we and others exert ourselves to the +uttermost to diffuse sound political principles by means of the press; +in vain do the distinguished leaders of our party fight the battles of +the constitution with consummate skill and energy in parliament--if +their exertions be not supported by corresponding energy and activity +on the part of the Conservative constituencies, and those persons of +talent and influence professing the same principles, by whom they can, +and ought to be, easily set in motion. It is true that persons of +liberal education, of a high and generous tone of feeling, of +intellectual refinement, are entitled to treat such men as Cobden, +Bright, and Acland, with profound contempt, and dislike the notion of +personal contact or collision with them, as representatives of the +foulest state of ill feeling that can be generated in the worst +manufacturing regions--of sordid avarice, selfishness, envy, and +malignity; but they are active--ever up and doing, and steadily +applying themselves, with palatable topics, to the corruption of the +hearts of the working classes. So, unless the persons to whom we +allude choose to cast aside their morbid aversions--to be "UP AND AT +them," in the language of the Duke of Waterloo--why then will be +verified the observation of Burke--that "if, when bad men combine, the +good do not associate, they will fall, one by one--an unpitied +sacrifice in a contemptible struggle." Vast as are our forces, they +can effect comparatively nothing without union, energy, and system: +_with_ these, their power is tremendous and irresistible. What we +would say, therefore, is--ORGANIZE! ORGANIZE! ORGANIZE! Let every +existing Conservative club or association be stirred up into increased +action, and _put into real working trim_ forthwith; and where none +such clubs or associations exist, let them be immediately formed, and +set into cheerful and spirited motion. Let them all be placed under +the vigilant superintendence of one or two _real men of business_--of +local knowledge, of ability, and influence. We would point out +Conservative solicitors as auxiliaries of infinite value to those +engaged in the good cause; men of high character, of business habits, +extensive acquaintance with the character and circumstances of the +electors--and capable of bringing legitimate influence to bear upon +them in a far more direct and effective manner than any other class of +persons. One such gentleman--say a young and active solicitor, with a +moderate salary, as permanent secretary in order to secure and, in +some measure, requite his services throughout the year--would be worth +fifty _dilletante_ "friends of the good cause dropping in every now +and then," but whose "friendship" evaporates in mere _talk_. Let every +local Conservative newspaper receive constant and substantial +patronage; for they are worthy of the very highest consideration, on +account of the ability with which they are generally conducted, and +their great influence upon local society. Many of them, to our own +knowledge, display a degree of talent and knowledge which would do +honour to the very highest metropolitan journals. Let them, then, be +vigorously supported, their circulation extended through the influence +of the resident nobility and gentry, and the clergy of every +particular district throughout the kingdom. Let no opportunity be +missed of exposing the true character of the vile and selfish +agitators of the Anti-corn-law league. Let not the league have all the +"publishing" to themselves; but let their impudent fallacies and +falsehoods be _instantly_ encountered and exposed on the spot, by +means of small and cheap tracts and pamphlets, which shall bring +plain, wholesome, and important truths home to the businesses and +bosoms of the very humblest in the land. Again, let the resident +gentry seek frequent opportunities of mingling with their humbler +neighbours, friends, and dependents, by way of keeping up a cordial +and hearty good understanding with them, so as to rely upon their +effective co-operation whenever occasions may arise for political +action. + +Let all this be done, and we may defy a hundred Anti-corn-law Leagues. +Let these objects be kept constantly in view, and the Anti-corn-law +League will be utterly palsied, had it a hundred times its present +funds--a thousand times its present members! + +Let us now, however, turn for a brief space to Ireland; the present +condition of which we contemplate with profound concern and anxiety, +but with neither surprise nor dismay. As far as regards the +Government, the state of affairs in Ireland bears at this moment +unquestionable testimony to the stability and strength of the +Government; and no one know this better than the gigantic impostor, to +whom so much of the misery of that afflicted portion of the empire is +owing. He perceives, with inexpressible mortification, that neither he +nor his present position awake any sympathy or excitement whatever in +the kingdom at large, where the enormity of his misconduct is fully +appreciated, and every movement of the Government against him +sanctioned by public opinion. The general feeling is one of profound +disgust towards him, sympathy and commiseration for his long-plundered +dupes and of perfect confidence that the Government will deal firmly +and wisely with both. As for a _Repeal of the Union_! Pshaw! Every +child knows that it is a notion too absurd to be seriously dealt with; +that Great Britain would rather plunge _instanter_ into the bloodiest +civil war that ever desolated a country, than submit to the +dismemberment of the empire by repealing the union between Great +Britain and Ireland. This opinion has had, from time to time, every +possible mode of authentic and solemn expression that can be given to +the national will; in speeches from the Throne; in Parliamentary +declarations by the leaders of both the Whig and Conservative +Governments; the members of both Houses of Parliament are (with not a +single exception worth noticing) unanimous upon the subject; the +press, whether quarterly, monthly, weekly, or daily, of all classes +and shades of political opinions, is unanimous upon the subject; in +society, whether high or low, the subject is never broached, except to +enquire whether any one can, for one moment, seriously believe the +Repeal of the Union to be possible. In Ireland itself, the vast +majority of the intellect, wealth, and respectability of the island, +without distinction of religion or politics, entertains the same +opinion and determination which prevail in Great Britain. Is Mr +O'Connell ignorant of all this? He knows it as certainly as he knows +that Queen Victoria occupies the throne of these realms; and yet, down +to his very last appearance in public, he has solemnly and +perseveringly asseverated that the Repeal of the Union is an +absolutely certain and inevitable event, and one that will happen +within a few months! _Is he in his senses?_ If so, he is speaking from +his knowledge of some vast and dreadful conspiracy, which he has +organized himself, which has hitherto escaped detection. The idea is +too monstrous to be entertained for a moment. What, then, can Mr +O'Connell be about? Our opinion is, that his sole object in setting on +foot the Repeal agitation, was to increase his pecuniary resources, +and at the same time overthrow Sir Robert Peel's Government, by +showing the Queen and the nation that his admitted "_chief_ +difficulty"--Ireland--was one _insuperable_; and that he must +consequently retire. We believe, moreover, that he is, to a certain +extent, acting upon a secret understanding with the party of the late +Government, who, however, never contemplated matters being carried to +their present pitch; but that the Ministry would long ago have +retired, terrified before the tremendous "demonstration" in Ireland. +We feel as certain as if it were a past event, that, had the desperate +experiment succeeded so far as to replace the present by the late +Government, Mr O'Connell's intention was to have announced his +determination to "_give England_ ONE MORE trial"--to place Repeal once +more in abeyance--in order to see whether England would really, at +length, do "_justice_ to _Ireland_;" in other words, restore the +halcyon days of Lord Normanby's nominal, and Mr O'Connell's real, rule +in Ireland, and enable him, by these means, to provide for himself, +his family, and dependents; for old age is creeping rapidly upon +him--his physical powers are no longer equal to the task of vigorous +agitation--and he is known to be in utterly desperate circumstances. +The reckless character of his proceedings during the last fifteen +months, is, in our opinion, fully accounted for, by his unexpected +discovery, that the ministry were strong enough to defy any thing that +he could do, and to continue calmly in their course of administering, +not _pseudo_, but real "justice to Ireland," supported in that course +by the manifest favour and countenance of the Crown, overwhelming +majorities in Parliament, and the decided and unequivocal expression +of public opinion. His personal position was, in truth, inexpressibly +galling and most critical, and he must have agitated, or sunk at once +into ignominious obscurity and submission to a Government whom, +individually and collectively, he loathed and abhorred. Vain were the +hopes which, doubtless, he had entertained, that, as his agitation +assumed a bolder form, it would provoke formidable demonstrations in +England against Ministers and their policy; not a meeting could be got +up to petition her Majesty for the dismissal of her Ministers! But it +is quite conceivable that Mr O'Connell, in the course he was pursuing, +forgot to consider the possibility of developing a power which might +be too great for him, which would not be wielded by him, but carry +_him_ along with _it_. The following remarkable expressions fell from +the perplexed and terrified agitator, at a great dinner at Lismore in +the county of Waterford, in the month of September last:--"Like the +heavy school-boy on the ice, _my pupils are overtaking me_. It is now +my duty to regulate the vigour and temper the energy of the people--to +compress, as it were, the exuberance of both." + +We said that Mr O'Connell revived the Repeal agitation; and the fact +was so. He first raised it in 1829--having, however, at various +previous periods of his life, professed a desire to struggle for +Repeal; but Mr Shiel, in his examination before the House of Commons +in 1825, characterized such allusions as mere "rhetorical artifices." +"What were his real motives," observes the able and impartial author +of _Ireland and its Rulers_[35], "when he announced his new agitation +in 1829, can be left only to him to determine." It is probable that +they were of so mixed a nature, that he himself could not accurately +define them.... It is, however, quite possible, that, after having so +long tasted of the luxuries of popularity, he could not consent that +the chalice should pass from his lips. Agitation had, perhaps, begun +to be necessary to his existence: a tranquil life would have been a +hell to him." It would seem that Mr O'Connell's earliest recorded +manifesto on Repeal was on the 3d June 1829, previous to the Clare +election, on which occasion he said--"We want political excitement, in +order that we may insist on our rights as Irishmen, but not as +Catholics;" and on the 20th of the same month in the same year, 1829, +he predicted--listen to this, ye his infatuated dupes!--"_that_ BEFORE +THREE YEARS THERE WOULD BE A PARLIAMENT IN DUBLIN!!!" In the general +elections of 1832, it was proclaimed by Mr O'Connell, that no member +should be returned unless he solemnly pledged himself to vote for the +Repeal of the Union; but it was at the same time hinted, that _if they +would only enter the House as professed Repealers, they would never be +required to_ VOTE _for Repeal_. On the hustings at the county of +Waterford election, one of these gentry, Sir Richard Keave, on being +closely questioned concerning the real nature of his opinion on +Repeal, let out the whole truth:--"_I will hold it as an imposing +weapon to get justice to Ireland_." This has held true ever since, and +completely exemplifies all the intervening operations of Mr O'Connell. +It has been his practice ever since "to connect every grievance with +the subject of Repeal--to convert every wrongful act of any Government +into an argument for the necessity of an Irish Legislature." Can it be +wondered at that the present Government, thoroughly aware of the true +state of the case--_knowing their man_--should regard the cry for +Repeal simply as an imposture, its utterers as impostors? They did and +do so regard it and its utterers--never allowing either the one or the +other to disturb their administration of affairs with impartiality and +firmness; but, nevertheless, keeping a most watchful eye upon all their +movements. + + [35] pp. 43, 50. + +At length, whether emboldened by a conviction that the +non-interference of the Government was occasioned solely by their +incapacity to grapple with an agitation becoming hourly more +formidable, and that thus his schemes were succeeding--or impelled +onwards by those whom he had roused into action, but could no longer +restrain--his movements became daily characterized by more astounding +audacity--more vivid the glare of sedition, and even treason, which +surrounded them: still the Government interfered not. Their apparent +inaction most wondered, very many murmured, some were alarmed, and Mr +O'Connell laughed at. Sir Robert Peel, on one occasion, when his +attention was challenged to the subject in the House of Commons, +replied, that "he was not in the least degree moved or disturbed by +what was passing in Ireland." This perfect calmness of the Government +served to check the rising of any alarm in the country; which felt a +confidence of the Ministry's being equal to any exigency that could be +contemplated. Thus stood matters till the 11th July last, when, at the +close of the debate on the state of Ireland, Sir Robert Peel delivered +a very remarkable speech. It consisted of a calm demonstration of the +falsehood of all the charges brought by the Repealers against the +imperial Parliament; of the impolicy and the impracticability of the +various schemes for the relief of Ireland proposed by the Opposition; +of the absolute impossibility of Parliament entertaining the question +of a Repeal of the Union; and a distinct answer to the question--"What +course do you intend to pursue?" That answer is worthy of being +distinctly brought under the notice of the reader. "I am prepared to +administer the law in Ireland upon principles of justice and +impartiality. I am prepared to recognise the principle established by +law--that there shall be equality in civil privileges. I am prepared +to respect the franchise, to give substantially, although not +nominally, equality. In respect to the social condition of +Ireland--_as to the relation of landlord and tenant_[36]--I am +prepared to give the most deliberate consideration to the important +matters involved in those questions. With respect to the Established +Church, I have already stated that we are not prepared to make an +alteration in the law by which that Church is maintained." + + [36] In conformity with this declaration, has been issued the + recent commission, for "enquiring into the state of the law + and practice in respect to the occupation of land in Ireland, + and in respect also to the burdens of county cess and other + charges, which fall respectively on the landlord and occupying + tenant, and for reporting as to the amendments, if any, of the + existing laws, which, having due regard to the just rights of + property, may be calculated to encourage the cultivation of + the soil, to extend a better system of agriculture, and to + improve the relation between landlord and tenant, in that part + of the United Kingdom." + +We recollect being greatly struck with the ominous calmness +perceptible in the tone of this speech. It seemed characterised by a +solemn declaration to place the agitation of Ireland for ever in the +_wrong_--to deprive them of all pretence for accusing England of +having misgoverned Ireland since the Union. It appeared to us as if +that speech had been designed to lay the basis of a contemplated +movement against the agitation of the most decisive kind. The +Government acted up to the spirit of the declaration, on that +occasion, of Sir Robert Peel, with perfect dignity and resolution, +unmoved by the taunts, the threats, the expostulations, or fears of +either enemies or friends. Mr O'Connell's tone increased in audacity; +but we greatly doubt whether in his heart he had not frequent +misgivings as to the real nature of the "_frightful silence_"--"_cette +affreuse silence_"--of a Government in whose councils the Duke of +Wellington took a decided part, and which was actually at that moment +taking complete military occupation of Ireland. On what information +they were acting, no one knew; but their preparations were _for the +worst_. During all this time nothing could exceed the tranquillity +which prevailed in England. None of these threatening appearances, +these tremendous preparations, caused the least excitement or alarm; +the funds did not vary a farthing per cent in consequence of them; and +to what could all this be ascribed but to the strength of public +confidence in the Government? At length the harvest in Ireland had +been got in; ships of war surrounded the coast; thirty thousand picked +and chosen troops, ready for instant action, were disposed in the most +masterly manner all over Ireland. With an almost insane audacity, Mr +O'Connell appointed his crowning monster meeting to take place at +Clontarf, in the immediate vicinity of the residence and presence of +the Queen's representative, and of such a military force as rendered +the bare possibility of encountering it appalling. The critical +moment, however, for the interference of Government had at length +arrived, and it spoke out in a voice of thunder, prohibiting the +monster meeting. The rest is matter of history. The monster demagogue +fell prostrate and confounded among his panic-stricken confederates; +and, in an agony of consternation, declared their implicit obedience +to the proclamation, and set about dispersing the myriad dupes, as +fast as they arrived to attend the prohibited meeting. Thus was the +Queen's peace preserved, her crown and dignity vindicated, without one +sword being drawn or one shot being fired. Mr O'Connell had repeatedly +"defied the Government to go to law with him." They _have_ gone to law +with him; and by this time we suspect that he finds himself in an +infinitely more serious position than he has ever been in, during the +whole of a long and prosperous career of agitation. Here, however, we +leave him and his fellow defendants. + +We may, however, take this opportunity of expressing our opinion, that +there is not a shadow of foundation for the charges of blundering and +incompetency which have been so liberally brought against the Irish +Attorney-General. He certainly appears, in the earlier stages of the +proceedings, to have evinced some little irritability--but, only +consider, under what unprecedented provocation! His conduct has since, +however, been characterised by calmness and dignity; and as for his +legal capabilities, all competent judges who have attended to the +case, will pronounce them to be first-rate; and we feel perfectly +confident that his future conduct of the proceedings will convince the +public of the justness of our eulogium. + +The selection by the Government of the moment for interference with Mr +O'Connell's proceedings, was unquestionably characterised by +consummate prudence. When the meetings commenced in March or April, +this year, they had nothing of outward character which could well be +noticed. They professed to be meetings to petition Parliament for +Repeal; and, undoubtedly, no lawyer could say that such a meeting +would _per se_ be illegal, any more than a meeting to complain of +Catholic relief, or to pray for its repeal--or for any other matter +which is considered a settled part of the established constitution. +The mere numbers were certainly alarming, but the meetings quietly +dispersed without any breach of the peace: and after two or three such +meetings, without any disturbance attending them, no one could with +truth swear that he expected a breach of the peace as a _direct_ +consequence of such a meeting, though many thought they saw a civil +war as a _remote_ consequence. The meetings went on: some ten, twelve, +fifteen occurred,--still no breach of the peace, no disturbance. The +language, indeed, became gradually more seditious--more daring and +ferocious: but, as an attempt to put down the first meeting by _force_ +would have been considered a wanton act of oppression, and a direct +interference with the subject's right to petition, it became a very +difficult _practical_ question, at what moment any _legal_ notice +could be taken by prosecution, or _executive_ notice by proclamation, +to put down such meetings. Notwithstanding several confident opinions +to the contrary advanced by the newspaper press at the time, a greater +mistake--indeed a grosser blunder--could not have been made, than to +have prosecuted those who attended the early meetings, or to have sent +the police or the military to put those meetings down. An acquittal in +the one case, or a conflict in the other, would have been attended +with most mischievous consequences; and, as to the latter, it is clear +that the executive never ought to interfere unless with a _force which +renders all resistance useless_. It appears perfectly clear to us, +_even now_, that a prosecution for the earlier meetings must have +failed; for there existed then none of that evidence which would prove +the object and the nature of the association: and to proclaim a +meeting, without using force to prevent or disperse it if it defied +the proclamation; and to use force without being certain that the +extent of the illegality would carry public opinion along with the use +of force; further, to begin to use force without being sure that you +have enough to use--would be acts of madness, and, at least, of great +and criminal disregard of consequences. Now, when meeting after +meeting had taken place, and the general design, and its mischief, +were unfolded, it became necessary that _some new feature should +occur_ to justify the interference of Government; and that occurred at +the Clontarf meeting. No meeting had, before that, ventured to call +itself "_Repeal infantry_;" and to Clontarf _horsemen_ also were +summoned, and were designated "_Repeal cavalry_;" and, in the orders +for their assembling, marching, and conducting themselves, _military +directions were given_; and the meeting, had it been permitted to +assemble, would have been a parade of cavalry, ready for civil war. It +would have been a sort of review--in the face of the city of Dublin, +in open defiance of all order and government. Let us add, that, just +at that time, Mr O'Connell had published his "Address to all her +Majesty's subjects, in all parts of her dominions," (a most libellous +and treasonable publication;) and the arrangements to secure the peace +were more complete, and could be brought to bear more easily, on the +Clontarf than on any of the preceding meetings. The occasion presented +itself, and as soon as possible the Irish authorities assembled at +Dublin; the proclamation appeared; the ground was pre-occupied, and a +force that was irresistible went out to keep the peace, and prevent +the meeting. The result showed the perfect success of the Government's +enterprise. + +As the foregoing topics will doubtless occupy much of the attention of +parliament during the ensuing session, we were anxious to place on +record our own opinions, as the result of much reflection, during a +period when events were transpiring which threw upon the Government an +awful responsibility, and rendered their course one of almost +unprecedented difficulty. Modern times, we are convinced, have +witnessed but few instances of such a masterly policy, combined with +signal self-reliance. + +One or two general topics connected with Ireland, we have time only to +glance at. First.--From the faint reluctant disavowal and +discouragement of Mr O'Connell and his Repeal agitation, by the +leading ex-Ministers during the last session, when emphatically +challenged by Sir Robert Peel to join him in denouncing the attempted +dismemberment of the empire, irrespective and independent of all party +consideration, we are prepared to expect that in the ensuing session, +the Opposition will, to a great extent, make common cause with Mr +O'Connell, out of mingled fear, and gratitude, and hope towards their +late friend and patron. Such a course will immensely strengthen the +hands of the Queen's Government. + +Secondly.--To any thoughtful and independent politician, the present +Sovereign state of Ireland demonstrates the utter impossibility of +governing it upon the principle of breaking down or disparaging the +Protestant interest. Such a course would tend only to bloody and +interminable anarchy. + +Thirdly.--Ireland's misery springs from social more than political +evils; and the greatest boon that Providence could give her, would be +a powerful government inflexibly resolved to _put down agitation_. + +Lastly.--Can we wonder at the exasperation of the peasantry, who have +for so many years had their money extorted from them, without ever +having had, up to this moment, the shadow of an equivalent? And how +long is this disgraceful pillage to go on? But we must conclude. The +ensuing session of parliament may, and probably will, be a stormy one, +and harassing to the Government; but they may prepare to encounter it +with cheerful confidence. Their measures, during their brief tenure of +office, have been attended with extraordinary success--and of that +both the sovereign and the country are thoroughly aware, and we +entertain high hopes concerning the future. We expect to see their +strong majority in the House of Commons rather augmented than +diminished by reason of the events which have happened during the +recess. If the Ministers remain firm in their determination--and who +doubts it?--to support the agricultural interests of the country, and +persevere in their present vigorous policy towards Ireland, the +Government is impregnable, and the surges of Repeal agitation in +Ireland, and Anti-corn-law agitation in England, will dash against it +in vain. So long as they pursue this course, they will be cheered by +augmented indications of the national good-will, and of that implicit +and affectionate confidence in their councils, which, we rejoice to +know, is vouchsafed to her Ministers by our gracious Sovereign. + + + + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. +CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. 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