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diff --git a/old/19781-h.htm.2021-01-25 b/old/19781-h.htm.2021-01-25 new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c2eabc9 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/19781-h.htm.2021-01-25 @@ -0,0 +1,6209 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + Sketches, by Benjamin Disraeli + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd7; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Sketches, by Benjamin Disraeli + +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: Sketches + The Carrier Pigeon, The Consul's Daughter, Walstein--Or + A Cure For Melancholy, The Court Of Egypt, The Valley Of + Thebes, Egyptian Thebes, Shoubra Eden And Lebanon, A Syrian + Sketch, The Bosphorus, An Interview With A Great Turk, + Munich, The Spirit Of Whiggism + +Author: Benjamin Disraeli + +Release Date: November 13, 2006 [EBook #19781] +Last Updated: September 7, 2016 + + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SKETCHES *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + SKETCHES + </h1> + <h2> + By Benjamin Disraeli + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> <b>THE CARRIER PIGEON</b> </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link2H_4_0009"> <b>THE CONSUL’S DAUGHTER</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER I. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER II. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER III. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER IV. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER V. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER VI. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER VII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER VIII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER IX. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link2H_4_0019"> <b>WALSTEIN; OR A CURE FOR MELANCHOLY</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER I. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER II. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER III. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0023"> IBRAHIM PASHA </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0024"> THE COURT OF EGYPT </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0025"> THE VALLEY OF THEBES </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0026"> EGYPTIAN THEBES </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0027"> SHOUBRA </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0028"> EDEN AND LEBANON </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0029"> A SYRIAN SKETCH </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0030"> THE BOSPHORUS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0031"> AN INTERVIEW WITH A GREAT TURK </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0032"> MUNICH </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link2H_4_0033"> <b>THE SPIRIT OF WHIGGISM</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER I. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER II. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER III. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER IV. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0024"> CHAPTER V. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0025"> CHAPTER VI. </a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + THE CARRIER PIGEON + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>Charolois and Branchimont</i> +</pre> + <p> + ALTHOUGH the deepest shades of twilight had descended upon the broad bosom + of the valley, and the river might almost be recognised only by its + rushing sound, the walls and battlements of the castle of Charolois, + situate on one of the loftiest heights, still blazed in the reflected + radiance of the setting sun, and cast, as it were, a glance of triumph at + the opposing castle of Branchimont, that rose on the western side of the + valley, with its lofty turrets and its massy keep black and sharply + defined against the resplendent heaven. + </p> + <p> + Deadly was the hereditary feud between the powerful lords of these high + places—the Counts of Charolois and the Barons of Branchimont, but + the hostility which had been maintained for ages never perhaps raged with + more virulence than at this moment; since the only male heir of the house + of Charolois had been slain in a tournament by the late Baron of + Branchimont, and the distracted father had avenged his irreparable loss in + the life-blood of the involuntary murderer of his son. + </p> + <p> + Yet the pilgrim, who at this serene hour might rest upon his staff and + gaze on the surrounding scene, would hardly deem that the darkest passions + of our nature had selected this fair and silent spot for the theatre of + their havoc. + </p> + <p> + The sun set; the evening star, quivering and bright, rose over the dark + towers of Branchimont; from the opposite bank a musical bell summoned the + devout vassals of Charolois to a beautiful shrine, wherein was deposited + the heart of their late young lord, and which his father had raised on a + small and richly wooded promontory, distant about a mile from his stern + hold. + </p> + <p> + At the first chime on this lovely eve came forth a lovelier maiden from + the postern of Charolois—the Lady Imogene, the only remaining child + of the bereaved count, attended by her page, bearing her book of prayers. + She took her way along the undulating heights until she reached the + sanctuary. The altar was illumined; several groups were already kneeling,—faces + of fidelity well known to their adored lady; but as she entered, a palmer, + with his broad hat drawn over his face, and closely muffled up in his + cloak, dipped his hand at the same time with hers in the fount of holy + water placed at the entrance of of the shrine, and pressed the beautiful + fingers of the Lady Imogene. A blush, unperceived by the kneeling + votaries, rose to her cheek; but apparently such was her self-control, or + such her deep respect for the hallowed spot, that she exhibited no other + symptom of emotion, and, walking to the high altar, was soon buried in her + devotions. + </p> + <p> + The mass was celebrated—the vassals rose and retired. According to + her custom, the Lady Imogene yet remained, and knelt before the tomb of + her brother. A low whisper, occasionally sounding,-assured her that + someone was at the confessional; and soon the palmer, who was now shrived, + knelt at her side. ‘Lothair!’ muttered the lady, apparently at her + prayers, ‘beloved Lothair, thou art too bold!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, Imogene! for thee what would I not venture?’ was the hushed reply. + </p> + <p> + ‘For the sake of all our hopes, wild though they be, I counsel caution.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Fear naught. The priest, flattered by my confession, is fairly duped. Let + me employ this golden moment to urge what I have before entreated. Your + father, Imogene, can never be appeased. Fly, then, my beloved! oh, fly!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, my Lothair! it never can be. Alas! whither can we fly?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Sweet love! I pray thee listen:—to Italy. At the court of my + cousin, the Duke of Milan, we shall be safe and happy. What care I for + Branchimont, and all its fortunes? And for that, my vassals are no + traitors. If ever the bright hour arrive when we may return in joy, trust + me, sweet love, my flag will still wave on my father’s walls.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, Lothair! why did we meet? Why, meeting, did we not hate each other + like our fated race? My heart is distracted. Can this misery be love? Yet + I adore thee———’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Lady!’ said the page, advancing, ‘the priest approaches.’ + </p> + <p> + The Lady Imogene rose, and crossed herself before the altar. + </p> + <p> + ‘To-morrow, at this hour,’ whispered Lothair. + </p> + <p> + The Lady Imogene nodded assent, and, leaning on her page, quitted the + shrine. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>A Pert Page</i> +</pre> + <p> + ‘DEAREST Lady,’ said the young page, as they returned to the castle, ‘my + heart misgives me. As we quitted the shrine, I observed Rufus, the + huntsman, slink into the adjoining wood.’ ‘Hah! he is my father’s most + devoted instrument: nor is there any bidding which he would hesitate to + execute—a most ruthless knave!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And can see like a cat in the dark, too,’ observed young Theodore. + </p> + <p> + ‘I never loved that man, even in my cradle,’ said the Lady Imogene; + ‘though he can fawn, too. Did he indeed avoid us?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Indeed I thought so, madam.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! my Theodore, we have no friend but you, and you are but a little + page.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I would I were a stout knight, lady, and I would fight for you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I warrant you,’ said Imogene; ‘you have a bold heart, little Theodore, + and a kind one. O holy Virgin. I pray thee guard in all perils my + bright-eyed Lothair!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Lord Branchimont is the finest knight I ever set eyes upon,’ said + Theodore. ‘I would I were his squire.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thou shalt be his squire, too, little Theodore, if all goes well.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! glorious day, when I shall wear a sword instead of a scarf! Shall I + indeed be his squire, lady sweet?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Indeed I think thou wilt make a very proper squire.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I would I were a knight like Lord Branchimont; as tall as a lance, and as + strong as a lion; and such a fine beard too!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is indeed a beard, Theodore,’ said the Lady Imogene. ‘When wilt thou + have one like it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Another summer, perchance,’ said Theodore, passing his small palm + musingly over his smooth chin. + </p> + <p> + ‘Another summer!’ said the Lady Imogene, laughing; ‘why, I may as soon + hope to have a beard myself.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I hope you will have Lord Branchimont’s,’ said the page. + </p> + <p> + ‘Amen!’ responded the lady. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>Love’s Messenger</i> +</pre> + <p> + THE apprehensions of the little Theodore proved to be too well founded. On + the morning after the meeting of Lady Imogene with Lord Branchimont at the + shrine of Charolois, she was summoned to the presence of her father, and, + after having been loaded with every species of reproach and invective for + her clandestine meeting with their hereditary foe, she was confined to a + chamber in one of the loftiest towers of the castle, which she was never + permitted to quit, except to walk in a long gloomy gallery with an old + female servant remarkable for the acerbity of her mind and manners. Her + page escaped punishment by flight; and her only resource and amusement was + her mandolin. + </p> + <p> + The tower in which the Lady Imogene was imprisoned sprang out of a steep + so precipitous that the position was considered impregnable. She was + therefore permitted to open her lattice, which was not even barred. The + landscape before her, which was picturesque and richly wooded, consisted + of the en-closed chase of Charolois; but her jailers had taken due care + that her chamber should not command a view of the castle of Branchimont. + The valley and all its moving life were indeed entirely shut out from her. + Often the day vanished without a human being appearing in sight. Very + unhappy was the Lady Imo-gene, gazing on the silent woods, or pouring + forth her passion over her lonely lute. + </p> + <p> + A miserable week had nearly elapsed. It was noon; the Lady Imogene was + seated alone in her chamber, leaning her head upon her hand in thought, + and dreaming of her Lothair, when a fluttering noise suddenly roused her, + and, looking up, she beheld, to her astonishment, perched on the high back + of a chair, a beautiful bird-a pigeon whiter than snow, with an azure + beak, and eyes blazing with a thousand shifting tints. Not alarmed was the + beautiful bird when the Lady Imogene gently approached it; but it looked + up to her with eyes of intelligent tenderness, and flapped with some + earnestness its pure and sparkling plume. The Lady Imogene smiled with + marvelling pleasure, for the first time since her captivity; and putting + forth her hand, which was even whiter than the wing, she patted the bright + neck of the glad stranger, and gently stroked its soft plumage. + </p> + <p> + ‘Heaven hath sent me a friend,’ exclaimed the beautiful Imogene; ‘Ah! what—what + is this?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Didst thou call, Lady Imogene?’ inquired the harsh voice of acid Martha, + whom the exclamation of her mistress had summoned to the door. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nothing—nothing—I want nothing,’ quickly answered Imogene, as + she seized the bird with her hand, and, pressing it to her bosom, answered + Martha over her shoulder. ‘Did she see thee, my treasure?’ continued the + agitated Imogene, ‘Oh! did she see thee, my joy? Methinks we were not + discovered.’ So saying, and tripping along on the lightest step + imaginable, the captive secured the door; then bringing forth the bird + from its sweet shelter, she produced a letter, which she had suddenly + detected to be fastened under its left wing, and which she had perceived, + in an instant, to be written by Lord Branchimont. + </p> + <p> + Her sight was dizzy, her cheek pale, her breath seemed to have deserted + her. She looked up to heaven, she looked down upon the letter, and then + she covered it with a thousand kisses; then, making a vigorous effort to + collect herself, she read its strange and sweet contents:— + </p> + <p> + <i>‘Lothair to Imogene</i>. + </p> + <p> + ‘Soul of my existence! Mignon, in whom you may place implicit trust, has + promised me to bear you this sign of my love. Oh, I love you, Imogene! I + love you more even than this bird can the beautiful sky! Kiss the dove a + thousand times, that I may steal the kisses again from his neck, and + catch, even at this distance, your fragrant breath. My beloved, I am + planning your freedom and our happiness. Each day Mignon shall come to + tell you how we speed; each day shall he bring back some testimony of your + fidelity to your own + </p> + <p> + Lothair.’ + </p> + <p> + It was read—it was read with gushing and fast-flowing tears—tears + of wild joy. A thousand times, ay, a thousand times, Imogene embraced the + faithful Mignon; nor could she indeed have ever again parted with him, had + she not remembered that all this time her Lothair was anxiously awaiting + the return of his messenger. So she tore a leaf from her tablets and + inscribed her devotion; then, fastening it with care under the wing, she + bore Mignon to the window, and, bestowing upon him a last embrace, + permitted him to extend his beautiful wings and launch into the air. + </p> + <p> + Bright in the sun glanced the white bird as it darted into the deep-blue + sky. Imogene watched it until the sparkling form changed into a dusky + shade, and the dusky shade vanished into the blending distance. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>A Cruel Dart</i> +</pre> + <p> + IT WAS now a principal object with the fair captive of Charolois, that her + unsympathising attendant should enter her chamber as little as possible, + and only at seasons when there was no chance of a visit from Mignon. + Faithful was the beautiful bird in these daily visits of consolation; and + by his assistance, the correspondence with Lothair respecting her escape + was actively maintained. A thousand plans were formed by the sanguine + lovers-a thousand plans were canvassed, and then decided to be + impracticable. One day, Martha was to be bribed; another, young Theodore + was to re-enter the castle disguised as a girl, and become, by some + contrivance, her attendant; but reflection ever proved that these were as + wild as lovers’ plans are wont to be; and another week stole away without + anything being settled. Yet this second week was not so desolate as the + first. On the contrary, it was full of exciting hope; and each day to hear + that Lothair still adored her, and each day to be enabled to breathe back + to him her own adoration, solaced the hours of her captivity. But Fate, + that will often frown upon the fortunes of true love, decided that this + sweet source of consolation should flow on no longer. Rufus, the huntsman, + who was ever prowling about, and who at all times had a terribly quick eye + for a bird, one day observed the carrier-pigeon sallying forth from the + window of the tower. His practised sense instantly assured him that the + bird was trained, and he resolved to watch its course. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hah, hah!’ said Rufus, the huntsman, ‘is Branchimont thy dovecot? + Methinks, my little rover, thou bearest news I long to read.’ + </p> + <p> + Another and another day passed, and again and again Rufus observed the + visits of Mignon; so, taking his cross-bow one fair morning, ere the dew + had left the flowers, he wandered forth in the direction of Branchimont. + True to his mission, Mignon soon appears, skimming along the sky. + Beautiful, beautiful bird! Fond, faithful messenger of love! Who can doubt + that thou well comprehendest the kindly purpose of thy consoling visits! + Thou bringest joy to the unhappy, and hope to the despairing! She shall + kiss thee, bright Mignon! Yes! an embrace from lips sweeter than the + scented dawn in which thou revelest, shall repay thee for all thy + fidelity! And already the Lady Imogene is at her post, gazing upon the + unclouded sky, and straining her beautiful eyes, as it were, to anticipate + the slight and gladsome form, whose first presence ever makes her heart + tremble with a host of wild and conflicting emotions. + </p> + <p> + Ah! through the air an arrow from a bow that never erred—an arrow + swifter than thy swiftest flight, Mignon, whizzes with fell intent. The + snake that darts upon its unconscious prey less fleet and fatal! + </p> + <p> + It touches thy form—it transfixes thy beautiful breast! Was there no + good spirit, then, to save thee, thou hope of the hopeless? Alas, alas! + the blood gushes from thy breast, and from thine azure beak! Thy + transcendent eye grows dim—all is over! The carrier-pigeon falls to + the earth! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>Another Message</i> +</pre> + <p> + A DAY without hearing from Lothair was madness; and, indeed, when hour + after heavy hour rolled away without the appearance of Mignon, and the + Lady Imogene found herself gazing upon the vanishing twilight, she became + nearly frantic with disappointment and terror. While light remained, an + indefinite hope maintained her; but when it was indeed night, and nothing + but the outline of the surrounding hills was perceptible, she could no + longer restrain herself; and, bursting into hysteric tears, she threw + herself upon the floor of her chamber. Were they discovered? Had Lothair + forgotten her? Wearied with fruitless efforts, had he left her to her + miserable, her solitary fate? There was a slight sound—something + seemed to have dropped. She looked up. At her side she beheld a letter, + which, wrapped round a stone, had been thrown in at the window. She + started up in an ecstasy of joy. She cursed herself for doubting for an + instant the fidelity of her lover! She tore open the letter; but so great + was her emotion that some minutes elapsed before she could decipher its + contents. At length she learned that, on the ensuing eve, Lothair and + Theodore, disguised as huntsmen of Charolois, would contrive to meet in + safety beneath her window, and for the rest she must dare to descend. It + was a bold, a very perilous plan. It was the project of desperation. But + there are moments in life when desperation becomes success. Nor was the + spirit of the Lady Imogene one that would easily quail. Hers was a true + woman’s heart; and she could venture everything for love. She examined the + steep; she cast a rapid glance at the means of making the descent: her + shawls, her clothes, the hangings of her bed—here were resources—here + was hope! + </p> + <p> + Full of these thoughts, some time elapsed before she was struck at the + unusual mode in which the communication reached her. Where was Mignon? But + the handwriting was the handwriting of Lothair. That she could not + mistake. She might, however, have observed that the characters were faint—that + the paper had the appearance of being stained or washed; but this she did + not observe. She was sanguine—she was confident in the wisdom of + Lothair. She knelt before an image of the Virgin, and poured forth her + supplications for the success of their enterprise. And then, exhausted by + all the agitation of the day, the Lady Imogene sunk into a deep repose. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>Flight and Discovery</i> +</pre> + <p> + MORN came at length, but brought no Mignon. ‘He has his reasons,’ answered + the Lady Imogene: ‘Lothair is never wrong. And soon, right soon, I hope, + we shall need no messenger.’ Oh, what a long, long day was this, the last + of her captivity! Will the night never come—that night she had once + so much dreaded? Sun, wilt thou never set? There is no longer gladness in + thy beams. The shadows, indeed, grow longer, and yet thine orb is as high + in heaven as if it were an everlasting noon! The unceasing cry of the + birds, once so consoling, now only made her restless. She listened, and + she listened, until at length the rosy sky called forth their last + thrilling chant, and the star of evening summoned them to roost. + </p> + <p> + It was twilight: pacing her chamber, and praying to the Virgin, the hours + at length stole away. The chimes of the sanctuary told her that it wanted + but a quarter of an hour to midnight. Already she had formed a rope of + shawls: now she fastened it to the-lattice with all her force. The bell + struck twelve, and the Lady Imogene delivered herself to her fate. Slowly + and fearfully she descended, long suspended in the air, until her feet at + length touched a ledge of rock. Cautiously feeling her footing, she now + rested, and looked around her. She had descended about twenty feet. The + moon shone bright on the rest of the descent, which was more rugged. It + seemed not impracticable—she clambered down. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hist! hist!’ said a familiar voice, ‘all is right, lady—but why did + you not answer us?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! Theodore, where is my Lothair?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Lord Branchimont is shaded by the trees—give me thy hand, sweet + lady. Courage! all is right; but indeed you should have answered us.’ + </p> + <p> + Imogene de Charolois is in the arms of Lothair de Branchimont. + </p> + <p> + ‘We have no time for embraces,’ said Theodore; ‘the horses are ready. The + Virgin be praised, all is right. I would not go through such an + eight-and-forty hours again to be dubbed a knight on the spot. Have you + Mignon?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Mignon, indeed! he has not visited me these two days.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But my letter,’ said Lothair-’you received it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It was thrown in at my window,’ said the Lady Imogene. + </p> + <p> + ‘My heart misgives me,’ said little Theodore. ‘Away! there is no time to + lose. Hist! I hear footsteps. This way, dear friends. Hist! a shout! Fly! + fly! Lord Branchimont, we are betrayed!’ + </p> + <p> + And indeed from all quarters simultaneous sounds now rose, and torches + seemed suddenly to wave in all quarters. Imogene clung to the neck of + Lothair. + </p> + <p> + ‘We will die together!’ she exclaimed, as she hid her face in his breast. + </p> + <p> + Lord Branchimont placed himself against a tree, and drew his mighty sword. + </p> + <p> + ‘Seize him!’ shouted a voice, instantly recognised by Imogene; ‘seize the + robber!’ shouted her father. + </p> + <p> + ‘At your peril!’ answered Lothair to his surrounding foes. + </p> + <p> + They stood at bay—an awful group! The father and his murdering + minions, alike fearful of encountering Branchimont and slaying their + chieftain’s daughter; the red and streaming torches blending with the + silver moonlight that fell full upon the fixed countenance of their + entrapped victim and the distracted form of his devoted mistress. + </p> + <p> + There was a dead, still pause. It was broken by the denouncing tone of the + father, ‘Cowards! do you fear a single arm? Strike him dead! spare not the + traitress!’ + </p> + <p> + But still the vassals would not move; deep as was their feudal devotion, + they loved the Lady Imogene, and dared to disobey. + </p> + <p> + ‘Let me, then, teach you your duty!’ exclaimed the exasperated father. He + advanced, but a wild shriek arrested his extended sword; and as thus they + stood, all alike prepared for combat, yet all motionless, an arrow glanced + over the shoulder of the Count and pierced Lord Branchimont to the heart. + His sword fell from his grasp, and he died without a groan. + </p> + <p> + Yes! the same bow that had for ever arrested the airy course of Mignon, + had now, as fatally and as suddenly, terminated the career of the master + of the carrier-pigeon. Vile Rufus, the huntsman, the murderous aim was + thine! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>The Dove Returns to Imogene</i> +</pre> + <p> + THE bell of the shrine of Charolois is again sounding; but how different + its tone from the musical and inspiring chime that summoned the weary + vassals to their grateful vespers! The bell of the shrine of Charolois is + again sounding. Alas! it tolls a gloomy knell. Oh! valley of sweet waters, + still are thy skies as pure as when she wandered by thy banks and mused + over her beloved! Still sets thy glowing sun; and quivering and bright, + like the ascending soul of a hero, still Hesperus rises from thy dying + glory! But she, the maiden fairer than the fairest eve—no more shall + her light step trip among the fragrance of its flowers; no more shall her + lighter voice emulate the music of thy melodious birds. Oh, yes! she is + dead—the beautiful Imogene is dead! Three days of misery heralded + her decease. But comfort is there in all things; for the good priest who + had often administered consolation to his unhappy mistress over her + brother’s tomb, and who knelt by the side of her dying couch, assured many + a sorrowful vassal, and many a sympathising pilgrim who loved to listen to + the mournful tale, that her death was indeed a beatitude; for he did not + doubt, from the distracted expressions that occasionally caught his ear, + that the Holy Spirit, in that material form he most loves to honour, to + wit, the semblance of a pure white dove, often solaced by his presence the + last hours of Imogene de Charolois! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0009" id="link2H_4_0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE CONSUL’S DAUGHTER + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>Henrietta</i> +</pre> + <p> + AT ONE of the most beautiful ports in the Mediterranean Major Ponsonby + held the office of British Consul. The Parliamentary interest of the noble + family with which he was connected had obtained for him this office, after + serving his country, with no slight distinction, during the glorious war + of the Peninsula. Major Ponsonby was a widower, and his family consisted + of an only daughter, Henrietta, who was a child of very tender years when + he first obtained his appointment, but who had completed her eighteenth + year at the period, memorable in her life, which these pages attempt to + commemorate. A girl of singular beauty was Henrietta Ponsonby, but not + remarkable merely for her beauty. Her father, a very accomplished + gentleman, had himself superintended her education with equal care and + interest. In their beautiful solitude, for they enjoyed the advantage of + very little society save that of those passing travellers who occasionally + claimed his protection and hospitality, the chief, and certainly the most + engaging pursuit of Major Ponsonby, had been to assist the development of + the lively talents of his daughter, and to watch with delight, not + unattended with anxiety, the formation of her ardent and imaginative + character: he had himself imparted to her a skilful practice in those fine + arts in which he himself excelled, and a knowledge of those exquisite + languages which he himself not only spoke with facility, but with whose + rich and interesting literature he was intimately acquainted. He was + careful, also, that, although almost an alien from her native country, she + should not be ignorant of the progress of its mind; and no inconsiderable + portion of his income had of late years been expended in importing from + England the productions of those eminent writers of which we are justly as + proud as of the heroes under whose flag he had himself conquered in + Portugal and Spain. + </p> + <p> + The progress of the daughter amply repaid the father for his care, and + rewarded him for his solicitude: from the fond child of his affections she + had become the cherished companion of his society: her lively fancy and + agreeable conversation prevented solitude from degenerating into + loneliness: she diffused over their happy home that indefinable charm, + that spell of unceasing, yet soothing excitement, with which the constant + presence of an amiable, a lovely and accomplished woman can alone imbue + existence; without which life, indeed, under any circumstances, is very + dreary; and with which life, indeed, under any circumstances, is never + desperate. + </p> + <p> + There were moments, perhaps, when Major Ponsonby, who was not altogether + inexperienced in the great world, might sigh, that one so eminently + qualified as his daughter to shine even amid its splendour, should be + destined to a career so obscure as that which necessarily attended the + daughter of a Consul in a distant country. It sometimes cost the father’s + heart a pang that his fair and fragrant flower should blush unseen, and + waste its perfume even in their lovely wilderness; and then, with all a + father’s pride, and under all the influence of that worldly ambition from + which men are never free, he would form plans by which she might visit, + and visit with advantage, her native country. All the noble cousins were + thought over, under whose distinguished patronage she might enter that + great and distant world she was so capable of adorning; and more than once + he had endeavoured to intimate to Henrietta that it might be better for + them both that they should for a season part: but the Consul’s daughter + shrunk from these whispers as some beautiful tree from the murmurs of a + rising storm. She could not conceive existence without her father—the + father under whose breath and sight she had ever lived and flourished—the + father to whom she was indebted, not only for existence, but all the + attributes that made life so pleasant; her sire, her tutor, her constant + company, her dear, dear friend. To part from him, even though but for a + season, and to gain splendour, appeared to her pure, yet lively + imagination, the most fatal of fortunes; a terrible destiny—an awful + dispensation. They had never parted, scarcely for an hour; once, indeed, + he had been absent for three days; he had sailed with the fleet on public + business to a neighbouring port; he had been obliged to leave his + daughter, and the daughter remembered those terrible three days like a + frightful dream, the recollection of which made her shudder. + </p> + <p> + Major Ponsonby had inherited no patrimony—he possessed only the + small income derived from his office, and a slender pension, which + rewarded many wounds; but, in the pleasant place in which their lot was + cast, these moderate means obtained for them not merely the necessaries, + but all the luxuries of life. They inhabited in the town a palace worthy + of the high, though extinct nobility, whose portraits and statues lined + their lofty saloons, and filled their long corridors and graceful + galleries; and about three miles from the town, on a gentle ascent facing + the ocean, and embowered in groves of orange and olive trees, the fanciful + garden enclosed in a thick wall of Indian fig and blooming aloes, was a + most delicate casino, rented at a rate for which a garret may not be hired + in England; but, indeed, a paradise. Of this pavilion Miss Ponsonby was + the mistress; and here she lived amid fruit and flowers, surrounded by her + birds: and here she might be often seen at sunset glancing amid its + beauties, with an eye as brilliant, and a step as airy, as the bright + gazelle that ever glided or bounded at her side. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>A Fair Presentment</i> +</pre> + <p> + ONE summer day, when everybody was asleep in the little sultry city where + Major Ponsonby, even in his siesta, watched over the interests of British + commerce—for it was a city, and was blessed with the holy presence + of a bishop—a young Englishman disembarked from an imperial merchant + brig just arrived from Otranto, and, according to custom, took his way to + the Consul’s house. He was a man of an age apparently verging towards + thirty; and, although the native porter, who bore his luggage and directed + his path, proved that, as he was accompanied not even by a single servant, + he did not share the general reputation of his countrymen for wealth, his + appearance to those practised in society was not undistinguished. Tall, + slender, and calm, his air, though unaffected, was that of a man not + deficient in self-confidence; and whether it were the art of his tailor, + or the result of his own good frame, his garb, although remarkably plain, + had that indefinable style which we associate with the costume of a man of + some mark and breeding. + </p> + <p> + On arriving at the Consul’s house, he was ushered through a large, dark, + cool hall, at the end of which was a magnificent staircase leading to the + suite of saloons, into a small apartment on the ground floor fitted up in + the English style, which, although it offered the appearance of the + library of an English gentleman, was, in fact, the consular office. Dwarf + bookcases encircled the room, occasionally crowned by a marble bust, or + bronze group. The ample table was covered with papers, and a vacant + easy-chair was evidently the consular throne. A portrait of his Britannic + majesty figured on the walls of one part of the chamber; and over the + mantel was another portrait, which immediately engaged the attention of + the traveller, and, indeed, monopolised his observation. He had a very + ample opportunity of studying it, for nearly a quarter of an hour elapsed + before he was disturbed. It was the full-length portrait of a young lady. + She stood on a terrace in a garden, and by her side was a gazelle. Her + form was of wonderful symmetry; but although her dress was not English, + the expression of her countenance reminded the traveller of the beauties + of his native land. The dazzling complexion, the large deep blue eye, the + high white forehead, the clustering brown hair, were all northern, but + northern of the highest order. She held in her small hand a branch of + orange-blossom-the hand was fairer than the flower. + </p> + <p> + ‘Signor Ferrers, I believe,’ said a shrill voice. The traveller started, + and turned round. Before him stood a little, parched-up, grinning, bowing + Italian, holding in his hand the card that the traveller had sent up to + the Consul. + </p> + <p> + ‘My name is Ferrers,’ replied the traveller, slightly bowing, and speaking + in a low, sweet tone. + </p> + <p> + ‘Signor Ponsonby is at the casino,’ said the Italian: ‘I have the honour + to be the chancellor of the British Consulate.’ + </p> + <p> + It is singular that a mercantile agent should be styled a Consul, and his + chief clerk a chancellor. + </p> + <p> + ‘I have the honour to be the chancellor of the British Consulate,’ said + the Italian; ‘and I will take the earliest opportunity of informing the + Consul of your arrival. From Otranto, I believe? All well, I hope, at + Otranto?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I hope so too,’ replied the traveller; ‘and so I believe.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You will be pleased to leave your passport, sir, with me—the Consul + will be most happy to see you at the casino: about sunset he will be very + happy to see you at the casino. I am sorry that I detained you for a + moment, but I was at my siesta. I will take the earliest opportunity of + informing the Consul of your arrival; but at present all the consular + messengers are taking their siesta; the moment one is awake I shall send + him to the casino. May I take the liberty of inquiring whether you have + any letters for the Consul?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘None,’ replied the traveller. + </p> + <p> + The chancellor shrugged his shoulders a little, as if he regretted he had + been roused from his siesta for a traveller who had not even a letter of + introduction, and then turned on his heel to depart. + </p> + <p> + The traveller took up his hat, hesitated a moment, and then said, ‘Pray, + may I inquire of whom this is a portrait?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Certainly,’ replied the chancellor; ‘’tis the Signora Ponsonby.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>The Mysterious Stranger</i> +</pre> + <p> + IT WAS even upon as ignoble an animal as a Barbary ass, goaded by a dusky + little islander almost in a state of nudity, that, an hour before sunset + on the day of his arrival, the English traveller approached the casino of + the Consul’s daughter, for there a note from Major Ponsonby had invited + him to repair, to be introduced to his daughter, and to taste his oranges. + The servant who received him led Mr. Ferrers to a very fine plane-tree, + under whose spreading branches was arranged a banquet of fruit and + flowers, coffee in cups of oriental filigree, and wines of the Levant, + cooled in snow. The worthy Consul was smoking his chibouque, and his + daughter, as she rose to greet their guest, let her guitar fall upon the + turf. The original of the portrait proved that the painter had no need to + flatter; and the dignified, yet cordial manner, the radiant smile, and the + sweet and thrilling voice with which she welcomed her countryman would + have completed the spell, had, indeed, the wanderer been one prepared, or + capable of being enchanted. As it was, Mr. Ferrers, while he returned his + welcome, with becoming complaisance, exhibited the breeding of a man + accustomed to sights of strangeness and of beauty; and, while he expressed + his sense of the courtesy of his companions, admired their garden, and + extolled the loveliness of the prospect, he did not depart for a moment + from that subdued, and even sedate manner, which indicates, the individual + whom the world has little left to astonish, and less to enrapture, + although, perhaps, much to please. Yet he was fluent in conversation, + sensible and polished, and very agreeable. It appeared that he had + travelled much, though he was far from boasting of his exploits. He had + been long absent from England, had visited Egypt and Arabia, and had + sojourned at Damascus. While he refused the pipe, he proved, by his + observations on its use, that he was learned in its practice; and he + declined his host’s offer of a file of English journals, as he was not + interested in their contents. His host was too polished to originate any + inquiry which might throw light upon the connections or quality of his + guest, and his guest imitated his example. Nothing could be more perfectly + well-bred than his whole demeanour—he listened to the major with + deference, and he never paid Miss Ponsonby a single compliment: he never + even asked her to sing; but the fond father did not omit this attention. + Henrietta, in the most unaffected manner, complied with his request, + because, as she was in the habit of singing every evening to her father, + she saw no reason why he should, on this occasion, be deprived of an + amusement to which he was accustomed. As the welcome sea-breeze rose and + stirred the flowers and branches, her voice blended with its fresh and + fragrant breath. It was a beautiful voice; and the wild and plaintive air + in which she indulged, indigenous to their isle, harmonised alike with the + picturesque scene and the serene hour. Mr. Ferrers listened with + attention, and thanked her for her courtesy. Before they withdrew to the + casino he even requested the favour of her repeating the gratification, + but in so quiet a manner that most young ladies would have neglected to + comply with a wish expressed with so little fervour. + </p> + <p> + The principal chamber of the casino was adorned with drawings by the + Consul’s daughter: they depicted the surrounding scenery, and were + executed by the hand of a master. Mr. Ferrers examined them with interest—his + observations proved his knowledge, and made them more than suspect his + skill. He admitted that he had some slight practice in the fine arts, and + offered to lend his portfolio to Miss Ponsonby, if she thought it would + amuse her. Upon the subject of scenery he spoke with more animation than + on any other topic: his conversation, indeed, teemed with the observations + of a fine eye and cultivated taste. + </p> + <p> + At length he departed, leaving behind him a very favourable impression. + Henrietta and her father agreed that he was a most gentlemanlike + personage-that he was very clever and very agreeable; and they were glad + to know him. The major detailed all the families and all the persons of + the name of Ferrers Of whom he had ever heard, and with whom he had been + acquainted; and, before he slept, wondered, for the fiftieth time, what + Ferrers he was. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>Mr. Ferrers Dines with the Consul</i> +</pre> + <p> + THE next morning, Mr. Ferrers sent his portfolio to Miss Ponsonby, to the + Consuls house, in the city; and her father called upon him immediately + afterwards, to return his original visit, and to request him to dine with + them. Mr. Ferrers declined the invitation; but begged to be permitted to + pay his respects again at the casino, in the evening. The major, under the + circumstances, ventured to press his new acquaintance to comply with their + desire; but Mr. Ferrers became immediately very reserved, and the Consul + desisted. + </p> + <p> + Towards sunset, however, mounted on his Barbary ass, Mr. Ferrers again + appeared at the gate of the casino, as mild and agreeable as before. They + drank their coffee and ate their fruit, chatted and sang, and again + repaired to the pavilion. Here they examined the contents of the + portfolio:—they were very rich, for it contained drawings of all + kinds, and almost of every celebrated place in the vicinity of the + Mediterranean shores; Saracenic palaces, Egyptian temples, mosques of + Damascus, and fountains of Stamboul. Here was a Bedouin encampment, shaded + by a grove of palms; and there a Spanish Señorita, shrouded in her + mantilla, glided along the Alameda. There was one circumstance, however, + about these drawings, which struck Miss Ponsonby as at least remarkable. + It was obvious that some pencil-mark in the corner of each drawing, in all + probability containing the name and initials of the artist, had been + carefully obliterated. + </p> + <p> + Among the drawings were several sketches of a yacht, which Mr. Ferrers + passed over quickly, and without notice. The Consul, however, who was an + honorary member of the yacht club, and interested in every vessel of the + squadron that visited the Mediterranean, very naturally inquired of Mr. + Ferrers, to whom the schooner in question belonged. Mr. Ferrers seemed + rather confused; but at length he said: ‘Oh, they are stupid things: I did + not know they were here. The yacht is a yacht of a friend of mine, who was + at Cadiz.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, I see the name,’ said the major; ‘“<i>The Kraken</i>.” Why, that is + Lord Bohun’s yacht!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The same,’ said Mr. Ferrers, but perfectly composed. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! do you know Lord Bohun?’ said Miss Ponsonby. ‘We have often expected + him here. I wonder he has never paid us a visit, papa. They say he is the + most eccentric person in the world. Is he so?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I never heard much in his favour,’ said Mr. Ferrers. ‘I believe he has + made himself a great fool, as most young nobles do.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, I have heard very extraordinary things of him,’ said the Consul. + ‘He is a great traveller, at all events, which I think a circumstance in + every man’s favour.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And then he has been a guerilla chieftain,’ said Miss Ponsonby; ‘and a + Bedouin robber, and—I hardly know what else; but Colonel Garth, who + was here last summer, told us the most miraculous tales of his lordship.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Affectations!’ said Mr. Ferrers, with a sneer. ‘Bohun, however, has some + excuses for his folly: for he was an orphan, I believe, in his cradle.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is he clever?’ inquired Miss Ponsonby. + </p> + <p> + ‘Colonel Garth is a much better judge than I am,’ replied Mr. Ferrers. ‘I + confess I have no taste for guerilla chieftains, or Bedouin robbers. I am + not at all romantic.’ + </p> + <p> + And here he attracted her attention to what he called an attempt at a + bull-fight; the conversation dropped, and Lord Bohun was forgotten. + </p> + <p> + A fortnight passed away, and Mr. Ferrers was still a visitant of our + Mediterranean isle. His intimacy with the Consul and his daughter remained + on the same footing. Every evening he paid them a visit; and every + evening, when he had retired, the major and his daughter agreed that he + was a most agreeable person, though rather odd; the worthy Consul always + adding his regret that he would not dine with him, and his wonder as to + what Ferrers he was. + </p> + <p> + Now, it so happened that it was a royal birthday; and the bishop, and + several of the leading persons of the town, had agreed to partake of the + hospitality of the British Consul. The major was anxious that Mr. Ferrers + should meet them. He discussed this important point with his daughter. + </p> + <p> + ‘My darling, I don’t like to ask him: he really is such a very odd man. + The moment you ask him to dinner, he looks as if you had offered him an + insult. Shall we send him a formal invitation? I wonder what Ferrers he + is? I should be gratified if he would dine with us. Besides, he would see + something of our native society here, which is amusing. What shall we do?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will ask him,’ replied Miss Ponsonby. ‘I don’t think he could refuse + me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am sure I could not,’ replied the major, smiling. + </p> + <p> + And so Miss Ponsonby seized an opportunity of telling Mr. Ferrers that she + had a favour to ask him. He was more fortunate than he imagined, was his + courteous reply. + </p> + <p> + ‘Then you must dine with papa, to-morrow.’ + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ferrers’ brow immediately clouded. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now, do not look so suspicious,’ said Miss Ponsonby. ‘Do you think that + ours is an Italian banquet? Is there poison in the dish? Or do you live + only on fruit and flowers?’ continued Miss Ponsonby. ‘Do you know,’ she + added, with an arch smile, ‘I think you must be a ghoul.’ + </p> + <p> + A sort of smile struggled with a scowl over the haughty countenance of the + Englishman. + </p> + <p> + ‘You will come!’ said Miss Ponsonby, most winningly. + </p> + <p> + ‘I have already trespassed too much upon Major Ponsonby’s hospitality,’ + muttered Mr. Ferrers; ‘I have no claim to it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are our countryman.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Unknown.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The common consequence of being a traveller.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes—but—in short—I—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You must come,’ said Miss Ponsonby, with a glance like sunshine. + </p> + <p> + ‘You do with me what you like,’ exclaimed Mr. Ferrers, with animation. + ‘Beautiful—weather,’ he concluded. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ferrers was therefore their guest; and strange it is to say, that from + this day, from some cause, which it is now useless to ascertain, this + gentleman became an habitual guest at the Consul’s table; accepting a + general invitation without even a frown; and, what is more remarkable, + availing himself of it, scarcely with an exception. + </p> + <p> + Could it be the Consul’s daughter that effected this revolution? Time may + perhaps solve this interesting problem. Certainly, whether it were that + she was seldom seen to more advantage than when presiding over society; or + whether, elate with her triumph, she was particularly pleasing because she + was particularly pleased; certainly Henrietta Ponsonby never appeared to + greater advantage than she did upon the day of this memorable festival. + Mr. Ferrers, when he quitted the house, sauntered to the mole, and gazed + upon the moonlight sea.-A dangerous symptom. Yet the eye of Mr. Ferrers + had before this been fixed in mute abstraction on many a summer wave, when + Dian was in her bower; and this man, cold and inscrutable as he seemed, + was learned in woman, and woman’s ways. Shall a Consul’s daughter melt a + heart that boasted of being callous, and clear a brow that prided itself + upon its clouds? + </p> + <p> + But if the state of Mr. Ferrers’ heart were doubtful, I must perforce + confess that, as time drew on, Henrietta Ponsonby, if she had ventured to + inquire, could have little hesitated as to the state of her own feelings. + Her companion, her constant companion, for such Mr. Ferrers had now + insensibly become, exercised over her an influence, of the power of which + she was unconscious,—only because it was unceasing. Had for a moment + the excitement of her novel feelings ceased, she would have discovered, + with wonder, perhaps with some degree of fear, how changed she had become + since the first evening he approached their pleasant casino. And yet Mr. + Ferrers was not her lover. No act,—no word of gallantry,—no + indication of affection, to her inexperienced sense, ever escaped him. All + that he did was, that he sought her society; but, then, there was no + other. The only wonder was, that he should remain among them; but, then, + he had been everywhere. The vague love of lounging and repose, which ever + and anon falls upon men long accustomed to singular activity and strange + adventure, sufficiently accounted for his conduct. But, whatever might be + his motives, certain it is, that the English stranger dangerously + interested the feelings of the Consul’s daughter; and when she thought the + time must arrive for his departure, she drove the recollection from her + mind with a swiftness which indicated the pang which she experienced by + its occurrence. And no marvel either, that the heart of this young and + lovely maiden softened at the thought, and in the presence of her + companion: no marvel, and no shame, for nature had invested the Englishman + with soul-subduing qualities. His elegant person; his tender, yet reserved + manners; his experienced, yet ornate mind; the flashes of a brilliant, yet + mellowed imagination, which ever and anon would break forth in his + conversation: perhaps, too, the air of melancholy, and even of mystery, + which enveloped him, were all spells potent in the charm that enchants the + heart of woman. And the major, what did he think? The good Consul was + puzzled. The confirmed intimacy between his daughter and his guest alike + perplexed and pleased him. He certainly never had become acquainted with a + man whom he would sooner have preferred for a son-in-law, if he had only + known who he was. But two months, and more than two months, had elapsed, + and threw no light upon this most necessary point of knowledge. The Consul + hesitated as to his conduct. His anxiety almost mastered his good + breeding. Now he thought of speaking to Mr. Ferrers, and then to his + daughter. There were objections to each line of conduct, and his + confidence in Mr. Ferrers was very great, although he did not exactly know + who he was: he was decidedly a gentleman; and there was, throughout his + conduct and conversation, a tone of such strict propriety; there was so + much delicacy, and good feeling, and sound principle, in all he said and + did, that the Consul at length resolved, that he had no right to suspect, + and no authority to question him. He was just on the point, however, of + conferring with his daughter, when the town was suddenly enlivened, and + his attention suddenly engrossed, by the arrival of two other English + gentlemen. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>A Tender Avowal</i> +</pre> + <p> + IT MUST be confessed that Captain Ormsby and Major M’Intyre were two very + different sort of men to Mr. Ferrers. Never were two such gay, noisy, + pleasant, commonplace persons. They were ‘<i>on leave</i>’ from one of the + Mediterranean garrisons, had scampered through Italy, shot red-legged + partridges all along the Barbary coast, and even smoked a pipe with the + Dey of Algiers. They were intoxicated with all the sights they had seen, + and all the scrapes they had encountered, which they styled ‘regular + adventures’: and they insisted upon giving everyone a description of what + everybody had heard or seen. In consequence of their arrival, Mr. Ferrers + discontinued dining with his accustomed host; and resumed his old habit of + riding up to the casino, every evening, on his Barbary ass, to eat oranges + and talk to the Consul’s daughter. + </p> + <p> + ‘I suppose you know Florence, Mr. Ferrers?’ said Major M’Intyre. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ferrers bowed. + </p> + <p> + ‘St. Peter’s, of course, you have seen?’ said Captain Ormsby. + </p> + <p> + ‘But have you seen it during Holy Week?’ said the major. ‘That’s the + thing.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, I see you have been everywhere,’ said the captain: ‘Algiers, of + course?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I never was at Algiers,’ replied Mr. Ferrers, quite rejoiced at the + circumstance; and he walked away, and played with the gazelle. + </p> + <p> + ‘By Jove,’ said the major, with elevated eyes, ‘not been at Algiers! why, + Mr. Consul, I thought you said Mr. Ferrers was a very great traveller + indeed; and he has not been at Algiers! I consider Algiers more worth + seeing than any place we ever visited. Don’t you, Ormsby?’ + </p> + <p> + The Consul inquired whether he had met any compatriots at that famous + place. The military travellers answered that they had not; but that Lord + Bohun’s yacht was there; and they understood his lordship was about to + proceed to this island. The conversation for some time then dwelt upon + Lord Bohun, and his adventures, eccentricities, and wealth. But Captain + Ormsby finally pronounced ‘Bohun a devilish good fellow.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you know Lord Bohun?’ inquired Mr. Ferrers. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, no!’ confessed Captain Ormsby: ‘but he is a devilish intimate friend + of a devilish intimate friend of mine.’ + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ferrers made a sign to Miss Ponsonby; she rose, and followed him into + the garden. ‘I cannot endure the jabber of these men,’ said Mr. Ferrers. + </p> + <p> + ‘They are very good-natured,’ said Miss Ponsonby. + </p> + <p> + ‘It may be so; and I have no right to criticise them. I dare say they + think me very dull. However, it appears you will have Lord Bohun here in a + short time, and then I shall be forgotten.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is not a very kind speech. You would not be forgotten, even if + absent; and you have, I hope, no thought of quitting us.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have remained here too long. Besides, I have no wish to play a second + part to Lord Bohun.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Who thinks of Lord Bohun? and why should you play a second part to + anyone? You are a little perverse, Mr. Ferrers.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have been in this island ten weeks,’ said Mr. Ferrers, thoughtfully. + </p> + <p> + ‘When we begin to count time, we are generally weary,’ said Miss Ponsonby. + </p> + <p> + ‘You are in error. I would willingly compound that the rest of my + existence should be as happy as the last ten weeks. They have been very + happy,’ said Mr. Ferrers, musingly; ‘very happy, indeed. The only <i>happy</i> + time I ever knew. They have been so serene, and so sweet.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And why not remain, then?’ said Miss Ponsonby, in a low voice. + </p> + <p> + ‘There are many reasons,’ said Mr. Ferrers; and he offered his arm to Miss + Ponsonby, and they walked together, far away from the casino. ‘These ten + weeks have been so serene, and so sweet,’ he continued, but in a calm + voice, ‘because you have been my companion. My life has taken its colour + from your character. Now, listen to me, dearest Miss Ponsonby, and be not + alarmed. I love you!’ + </p> + <p> + Her arm trembled in his. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, I <i>love</i> you; and, believe me, I use that word with no common + feeling. It describes the entire devotion of my existence to your life; + and my complete sympathy with every attribute of your nature. Calm as may + be my speech, I love you with a burning heart.’ + </p> + <p> + She bowed her head, and covered her face with her right hand. + </p> + <p> + ‘Most beauteous lady,’ continued Mr. Ferrers, ‘pardon me if I agitate you; + for my respect is equal to my love. I stand before you a stranger, utterly + unknown; and I am so circumstanced that it is not in my power, even at <i>this</i> + moment, to offer any explanation of my equivocal position. Yet, whatever I + may be, I offer my existence, and all its accidents, good or bad, in + homage to your heart. May I indulge the delicious hope that, if not now + accepted, they are at least considered with kindliness and without + suspicion?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, yes! without <i>suspicion</i>,’ murmured Miss Ponsonby—‘without + suspicion. Nothing, nothing in the world shall ever make me believe that + you are not so good as you are———gifted.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Darling Henrietta!’ exclaimed Mr. Ferrers, in a voice of melting + tenderness; and he pressed her to his heart, and sealed his love upon her + lips. ‘This, this is confidence; this, this is the woman’s love I long + have sighed for. Doubt me not, dearest; never doubt me! Say you are mine; + once more pledge yourself to me. I leave our isle this night. Nay, start + not, sweet one. ‘Tis for our happiness; this night. I shall return to + claim my bride. Now, listen, darling! our engagement, our sweet and solemn + engagement, is secret. You will never hear from me until we meet again; + you may hear <i>of</i> me and not to my advantage. What matter? You love + me; you cannot doubt me. I leave with you my honour: an honour <i>never + sullied</i>. Mind that. Oh no, you cannot doubt me!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am yours: I care not what they say: if there be no faith and truth in + you, I will despair of them for ever.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Beautiful being! you make me mad with joy. Has fate reserved for me, + indeed, this treasure? Am I at length loved, and loved only for myself!’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>The Famous Lord Bohun</i> +</pre> + <p> + He has gone; Mr. Ferrers has departed. What an event! What a marvellous + event! A revolution has occurred in the life of Henrietta Ponsonby: she + was no longer her own mistress; she was no longer her father’s child. She + belonged to another; and that other a stranger, an unknown, and departed + being! How strange! And yet how sweet! This beautiful young lady passed + her days in pondering over her singular position. In vain she attempted to + struggle with her destiny. In vain she depicted to herself the error, + perhaps the madness, of her conduct. She was fascinated. She could not + reason; she could not communicate to her father all that had happened. A + thousand times her lips moved to reveal her secret; a thousand times an + irresistible power restrained them. She remained silent, moody, and + restless: she plucked flowers, and threw them to the wind: she gazed upon + the sea, and watched the birds in abstraction wilder than their wing: and + yet she would not doubt her betrothed. That voice so sweet and solemn, and + so sincere, still lingered in her ear: the gaze of that pure and lofty + brow was engraven on her memory: never could she forget those delicate + adieus! + </p> + <p> + This change in his daughter was not unmarked by the Consul, who, after + some reflection, could not hesitate in considering it as the result of the + departure of Mr. Ferrers. The thought made him mournful. It pained his + noble nature, that the guest whom he so respected might have trifled with + the affections of the child whom he so loved. He spoke to the maiden; but + the maiden said she was happy. And, indeed, her conduct gave evidence of + restlessness rather than misery; for her heart seemed sometimes + exuberantly gay; often did she smile, and ever did she sing. The Consul + was conscious there was a mystery he could not fathom. It is bitter for a + father at all times to feel that his child is unhappy; but doubly bitter + is the pang when he feels that the cause is secret. + </p> + <p> + Three months, three heavy months passed away, and the cloud still rested + on this once happy home. Suddenly Lord Bohun arrived, the much talked-of + Lord Bohun, in his more talked-of yacht. The bustle which the arrival of + this celebrated personage occasioned in the consular establishment was a + diversion from the reserve, or the gloom, which had so long prevailed + there. Lord Bohun was a young, agreeable, and somewhat affected + individual. He had a German chasseur and a Greek page. He was very + luxurious, and rather troublesome; but infinitely amusing, both to the + Consul and his daughter. He dined with them every day, and recounted his + extraordinary adventures with considerable self-complacency. In the course + of the week he scampered over every part of the island; and gave a + magnificent entertainment on board the <i>Kraken</i>, to the bishop and + the principal islanders, in honour of the Consul’s daughter. Indeed it was + soon very evident that his lordship entertained feelings of no ordinary + admiration for his hostess. He paid her on all occasions the most marked + attention; and the Consul, who did not for a moment believe that these + attentions indicated other than the transient feelings that became a lord, + and so adventurous a lord, began to fear that his inexperienced Henrietta + might again become the victim of the fugitive admiration of a traveller. + </p> + <p> + One evening at the casino, his lordship noticed a drawing of his own + yacht, and started. The Consul explained to him, that the drawing had been + copied by his daughter from a sketch by an English traveller, who preceded + him. His name was inquired, and given. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ferrers!’ exclaimed his lordship. ‘What, has Ferrers been here?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You know Mr. Ferrers, then?’ inquired Henrietta, with suppressed + agitation. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh yes, I know Ferrers.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A most agreeable and gentleman-like man,’ said the Consul, anxious, he + knew not why, that the conversation would cease. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh yes, Ferrers is a very agreeable man. He piques himself on being + agreeable,—Mr. Ferrers.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘From what I have observed of Mr. Ferrers,’ said Henrietta, in a firm, and + rather decided tone, ‘I should not have given him credit for any sentiment + approaching to <i>conceit</i>.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He is fortunate in having such a defender,’ said his lordship, bowing + gallantly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Our friends are scarcely worth possessing,’ said Miss Ponsonby, ‘unless + they defend us when absent. But I am not aware that Mr. Ferrers needs any + defence.’ + </p> + <p> + His lordship turned on his heel, and hummed an opera air. + </p> + <p> + ‘Mr. Ferrers paid us a long visit,’ said the Consul, who was now desirous + that the conversation should proceed. + </p> + <p> + ‘He had evidently a great inducement,’ said Lord Bohun. ‘I wonder he ever + departed.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He is a great favourite in this house,’ said Miss Ponsonby. + </p> + <p> + ‘I perceive it,’ said Lord Bohun. + </p> + <p> + ‘What Ferrers is he?’ inquired the Consul. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, he has gentle blood in his veins,’ said Lord Bohun. ‘I never heard + his breeding impeached.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And I should think, nothing else,’ said Miss Ponsonby. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, I never heard anything particular against Ferrers,’ said his + lordship; ‘except that he was a <i>roué</i>, and a little mad. That is + all.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Enough, I should think,’ said Major Ponsonby, with a clouded brow. + </p> + <p> + ‘What a <i>roué</i> may be, I can scarcely be supposed to judge,’ said + Henrietta. ‘If, however, it be a man remarkable for the delicacy of his + thoughts and conduct, Mr. Ferrers has certainly some claim to the title. + As for his madness, he was our constant companion for nearly three months: + if he be mad, it must be a very <i>little</i> indeed.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He was a great favourite of Henrietta,’ said her father, with a forced + smile. + </p> + <p> + ‘Fortunate man!’ said the lord. ‘Fortunate Ferrers!’ + </p> + <p> + Lord Bohun stepped into the garden with the Consul: Miss Ponsonby was left + alone. Firm as had been her previous demeanour, now, that she was alone, + her agitated countenance denoted the tumult of her mind. A <i>roué!</i> + Could it be so! Could it be possible! Was she, while she had pledged the + freshness of her virgin mind to this unknown man, was she, after all, only + a fresh sacrifice to his insatiable vanity! Ferrers a <i>roué!</i> That + lofty-minded man, who spoke so eloquently and so wisely, was he a <i>roué,</i> + an eccentric <i>roué</i>; one whose unprincipled conduct could only be + excused at the expense of the soundness of his intellect? She could not + credit it; she would not credit it: and yet his conduct had been so + strange, so mysterious, so unnecessarily mysterious: and then she + recollected his last dark-muttered words: ‘<i>You may hear of me, and not + to my advantage.</i>’ Oh, what a prophecy! And <i>from</i> him she had + never heard. He had, at least, kept this sad promise. Very sorrowful was + the Consul’s daughter. And then she bethought herself of his pledge, and + his honour that had been <i>never sullied</i>. She buried her face in her + hands,—she conjured up to her recollection all that had happened + since his arrival, perhaps his fatal arrival, in their island; all he had + said and done, and seemed to think. She would not doubt him. It was + madness for a moment to doubt him. No desolation seemed so complete, no + misery so full of anguish, as such suspicion: she could not doubt him; all + her happiness was hope. A gentle touch roused her. It was her gazelle; the + gazelle that he had so loved. She caressed it, she caressed it for his + sake: she arose and joined her father and Lord Bohun in the garden, if not + light-hearted, at least serene. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>More Mystery</i> +</pre> + <p> + THERE must have been something peculiarly captivating in the air of our + island; for Lord Bohun, who, according to his own account, had never + remained in any place a week in the whole course of his life, exhibited no + inclination to quit the city where Major Ponsonby presided over the + interests of our commerce. He had remained there nearly a month, made + himself very agreeable, and, on the whole, was a welcome guest, certainly + with the Consul, if not with the Consul’s daughter. As for the name of Mr. + Ferrers, it occasionally occurred in conversation. Henrietta piqued + herself upon the unsuspected inquiries which she carried on respecting her + absent friend. She, however, did not succeed in eliciting much + information. Lord Bohun was so vague, that it was impossible to annex a + precise idea to anything he ever uttered. Whether Ferrers were rich or + poor, really of good family, or, as she sometimes thought, of disgraceful + lineage; when and where Lord Bohun and himself had been fellow-travellers—all + was alike obscure and shadowy. Not that her noble guest was inattentive to + her inquiries; on the contrary, he almost annoyed her by his constant + devotion: she was almost, indeed, inclined to resent his singularly marked + expressions of admiration as an insult; when, to her utter astonishment, + one morning her father astounded her by an announcement that Lord Bohun + had done her the honour of offering her his hand and heart. The beautiful + Henrietta was in great perplexity. It was due to Lord Bohun to reject his + flattering proposal without reservation: it was difficult, almost + impossible, to convince her father of the expediency of such a proceeding. + There was in the proposal of Lord Bohun every circumstance which could + gratify Major Ponsonby. In the wildest dreams of his paternal ambition, + his hopes had never soared higher than the possession of such a + son-in-law: high born, high rank, splendid fortune, and accomplished + youth, were combined in the individual whom some favouring destiny, it + would seem, had wafted to this distant and obscure isle to offer his vows + to its accomplished mistress. That his daughter might hesitate, on so + brief an acquaintance, to unite her eternal lot in life with a comparative + stranger, was what he had in some degree, anticipated; but that she should + unhesitatingly and unreservedly decline the proposal, was conduct for + which he was totally unprepared. He was disappointed and mortified—for + the first time in his life he was angry with his child. It is strange that + Lord Bohun, who had required a deputy to make, a proposition which, of all + others, the most becomes and most requires a principal, should, when his + fate was decided, have requested a personal interview with Miss Ponsonby. + It was a favour which she could not refuse, for her father required her to + grant it. She accordingly prepared herself for a repetition of the + proposal from lips, doubtless unaccustomed to sue in vain. It was + otherwise: never had Lord Bohun conducted himself in a more kind and + unaffected manner than during this interview: it pained Miss Ponsonby to + think she had pained one who was in reality so amiable: she was glad, + however, to observe that he did not appear very much moved or annoyed. + Lord Bohun expressed his gratitude for the agreeable hours he had spent in + her society; and then most delicately ventured to inquire whether time + might, perhaps, influence Miss Ponsonby’s determination. And when he had + received her most courteous, though hopeless answer, he only expressed his + wishes for her future happiness, which he could not doubt. + </p> + <p> + ‘I feel,’ said Lord Bohun, as he was about to depart; ‘I feel,’ he said, + in a very hesitating voice, ‘I am taking a great, an unwarrantable + liberty; but believe me, dear Miss Ponsonby, the inquiry, if I could + venture to make it, is inspired by the sincerest desire for your welfare. + </p> + <p> + Speak with freedom, Lord Bohun; you will ever, I am sure, speak with + kindness.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I would not willingly despair then, unless I believed that heart were + engaged to another.’ + </p> + <p> + Miss Ponsonby bent down and plucked a flower, and, her brow covered with + blushes, with an agitated hand tore the flower to pieces. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is this a fair inquiry?’ she murmured. ‘It is for your sake I inquire,’ + answered Lord Bohun. + </p> + <p> + Now an irresistible conviction came over her mind that Lord Bohun was + thinking of Ferrers, and a desire on her part as strong to learn at length + something of her mysterious lover. + </p> + <p> + ‘What, indeed, if I be not mistress of my heart?’ She spoke without + raising her head. + </p> + <p> + ‘In that case I will believe that it belongs to one worthy of such a + treasure.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You speak of Edmund Ferrers?’ said Miss Ponsonby. + </p> + <p> + ‘The same.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You know him?’ she inquired, in a choking voice. + </p> + <p> + ‘I know and honour him. I have long believed that the world did not boast + a man more gifted; now I know that it does not possess a man more + blessed.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Shall you see him?’ she inquired in a quick tone. + </p> + <p> + ‘Probably you will see him first; I am sufficiently acquainted with his + movements to know that he will soon be here. This Greek boy whom you have + sometimes noticed is his page; I wish him to join his master again; and + methinks the readiest way will be to leave him in this isle. Here, + Spiridion, bow to your new mistress, and be dutiful for her sake, as well + as that of your lord’s. Adieu! dearest Miss Ponsonby!’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>A Welcome Message</i> +</pre> + <p> + THIS strange conversation with Lord Bohun at parting, was not without a + certain wild, but not unpleasing influence over the mind of Henrietta + Ponsonby. Much as it at first had agitated her, its result, as she often + mused over it, was far from being without solace. It was consoling, + indeed, to know that one person, at least, honoured that being in whom she + had so implicitly relied: Lord Bohun, also, had before spoken of Ferrers + in a very different tone; but she felt confidence in the unusual + seriousness of his last communication; and with satisfaction contrasted it + with the heedlessness, or the levity, of his former intimations. Here, + too, was the page of Ferrers, at her side—the beautiful and + bright-eyed Spiridion. How strange it was! how very strange! Her simple + life had suddenly become like some shifting fairy-tale; but love, indeed, + is a fairy, and full of marvels and magic—it changes all things; and + the quietest domestic hearth, when shadowed by its wing, becomes as rife + with wonders and adventure as if it were the passionate theatre of some + old romance. Yes! the bright-eyed Greek page of her mysterious and absent + lover was at her side-but then he spoke only Greek. In vain she tried to + make him comprehend how much she desired to have tidings of his master. + The graceful mute could only indulge in airy pantomime, point to the skies + and ocean, or press his hand to his heart in token of fidelity. Henrietta + amused herself in teaching Spiridion Italian, and repaid herself for all + her trouble in occasionally obtaining some slight information of her + friend. In time she learned that Ferrers was in Italy, and had seen Lord + Bohun before the departure of that nobleman. In answer to her anxious and + often-repeated inquiries whether he would soon return, Spiridion was + constant to his consoling affirmative. Never was such a sedulous mistress + of languages as Henrietta Ponsonby. She learned, also, that an Albanian + scarf, which the page wore round his waist, had been given him by his + master when Spiridion quitted him; and Henrietta instantly obtained the + scarf for a Barbary shawl of uncommon splendour. + </p> + <p> + Now, it happened one afternoon towards sunset, as the Greek page, + rambling, as was his custom, over the neighbouring heights, beheld below + the spreading fort, the neighbouring straits, and the distant sea, that a + vessel appeared in sight, and soon entered the harbour. It was an English + vessel—it was the yacht of Lord Bohun. The page started and watched + the vessel with a fixed and earnest gaze; soon he observed the British + Consul in his boat row to the side of the vessel, and also immediately + return. At that moment the yacht hoisted a signal—upon a white + ground a crimson heart—whereupon Spiridion, drawing from his breast + a letter, kissed it twice, and bounded away. + </p> + <p> + He bounded away towards the city, and scarcely slackened his pace until he + arrived at the Consul’s mansion—he rushed in, dashed up the + staircase, and entered the saloons. At the window of one, gazing on the + sunset, was Henrietta Ponsonby—her gaze was serious, but her + beautiful countenance was rather tinged by melancholy than touched by + gloom—pensive, not sorrowful. By her side lay her guitar, still + echoing, as it were, with her touch; and near it the Albanian scarf, on + which she had embroidered the name of her beloved. Of him, then, were her + gentle musings? Who can doubt it? Her gentle musings were of him whom she + had loved with such unexampled trust. Fond, beautiful, confiding maiden! + It was the strength of thy mind as much as the simplicity of thy heart + that rendered thee so faithful and so firm! Who would not envy thy unknown + adorer? Can he be false? Suspicion is for weak minds and cold-blooded + spirits. Thou never didst doubt; and thou wast just, for, behold, he is + true! + </p> + <p> + A fluttering sound roused her—she turned her head, and expected to + see her gazelle: it was Spiridion; his face was wreathed with smiles as he + held towards her a letter. She seized it—she recognised in an + instant the handwriting she had so often studied—it was his! Yes! it + was his. It was the handwriting of her beloved. Her face was pale, her + hand trembled; a cloud moved before her vision; yet at length she read, + and she read these words:— + </p> + <p> + ‘If, as I hope, and as I believe, you are faithful to those vows which + since my departure have been my only consolation, you will meet me + to-morrow, two hours before noon, in our garden. I come to claim my bride; + but until my lips have expressed to you how much I adore you, let nothing + be known to our father.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>The Mystery Revealed</i> +</pre> + <p> + MY DEAREST Henrietta,’ said the Consul as he entered, ‘who, think you, has + returned? Lord Bohun.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Indeed!’ said Henrietta. ‘Have you seen him?’ ‘No. I paid my respects to + him immediately, but he was unwell. He breakfasts with us to-morrow, at + ten.’ + </p> + <p> + The morrow came, but ten o’clock brought no Lord Bohun; and even eleven + sounded: the Consul sought his daughter to consult her—he was + surprised to learn that Miss Ponsonby had not returned from her early + ramble. At this moment a messenger arrived from the yacht to say that, + from some error, Lord Bohun had repaired to the casino, where he awaited + the Consul. The major mounted his barb, and soon reached the pavilion. As + he entered the garden, he beheld, in the distance, his daughter and—Mr. + Ferrers. He was, indeed, surprised. It appeared that Henrietta was about + to run forward to him; but her companion checked her, and she disappeared + down a neighbouring walk. Mr. Ferrers advanced, and saluted her father— + </p> + <p> + ‘You are surprised to see me, my dear sir?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am surprised, but most happy. You came, of course, with Lord Bohun?’ + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ferrers bowed. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am very desirous of having some conversation with you, my dear Major + Ponsonby,’ continued Mr. Ferrers. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am ever at your service, my dearest sir, but at the present moment I + must go and greet his lordship.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, never mind Bohun,’ said Mr. Ferrers, carelessly. ‘I have no ceremony + with him—he can wait.’ + </p> + <p> + The major was a little perplexed. + </p> + <p> + ‘You must know, my dearest sir,’ continued Mr. Ferrers, ‘that I wish to + speak to you on a subject in which my happiness is entirely concerned.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Proceed, sir,’ said the Consul, looking still more puzzled. + </p> + <p> + ‘You can scarcely be astonished, my dearest sir, that I should admire your + daughter.’ + </p> + <p> + The Consul bowed. + </p> + <p> + ‘Indeed,’ said Mr. Ferrers; ‘it seems to me impossible to know her and not + admire: I should say, adore her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You flatter a father’s feelings,’ said the Consul. + </p> + <p> + ‘I express my own,’ replied Mr. Ferrers. ‘I love her—I have long + loved her devotedly.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Hem!’ said Major Ponsonby. + </p> + <p> + ‘I feel,’ continued Mr. Ferrers, ‘that there is a great deal to apologise + for in my conduct, towards both you and herself: I feel that my conduct + may, in some degree, be considered even unpardonable: I will not say that + the end justifies the means, Major Ponsonby, but my end was, at least, a + great, and, I am sure a virtuous one.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I do not clearly comprehend you, Mr. Ferrers.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is some consolation to me,’ continued that gentleman, ‘that the + daughter has pardoned me; now let me indulge the delightful hope that I + may be as successful with the father.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will, at least, listen with patience, to you, Mr. Ferrers; but I must + own your meaning is not very evident to me: let me, at least, go and shake + hands with Lord Bohun.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will answer for Lord Bohun excusing your momentary neglect. Pray, my + dear sir, listen to me. I wish to make you acquainted, Major Ponsonby, + with the feelings which influenced me when I first landed on this island. + This knowledge is necessary for my justification.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But what is there to justify?’ inquired the major. + </p> + <p> + ‘Conceive a man born to a great fortune,’ continued Mr. Ferrers, without + noticing the interruption, ‘and to some accidents of life, which many + esteem above fortune; a station as eminent as his wealth—conceive + this man master of his destiny from his boyhood, and early experienced in + that great world with which you are not unacquainted—conceive him + with a heart, gifted, perhaps, with too dangerous a sensibility; the dupe + and the victim of all whom he encounters—conceive him, in disgust, + flying from the world that had deceived him, and divesting himself of + those accidents of existence which, however envied by others, appeared to + his morbid imagination the essential causes of his misery—conceive + this man, unknown and obscure, sighing to be valued for those qualities of + which fortune could not deprive him, and to be loved only for his own sake—a + miserable man, sir!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It would seem so,’ said the Consul. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now, then, for a moment imagine this man apparently in possession of all + for which he had so long panted; he is loved, he is loved for himself, and + loved by a being surpassing the brightest dream of his purest youth: yet + the remembrance of the past poisons, even now, his joy. He is haunted by + the suspicion that the affection, even of this being, is less the result + of his own qualities, than of her inexperience of life—he has + everything at stake—he dares to submit her devotion to the sharpest + trial—he quits her without withdrawing the dark curtain with which + he had enveloped himself—he quits her with the distinct + understanding that she shall not even hear from him until he thinks fit to + return; and entangles her pure mind, for the first time, in a secret from + the parent whom she adores. He is careful, in the meanwhile, that his name + shall be traduced in her presence—that the proudest fortune, the + loftiest rank, shall be offered for her acceptance, if she only will + renounce him, and the dim hope of his return. A terrible trial, Major + Ponsonby!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Indeed, most terrible.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But she is true—truer even than truth—and I have come back to + claim my unrivalled bride. Can you pardon me? Can you sympathise with me?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I speak, then——-’ murmured the astounded Consul— + </p> + <p> + ‘To your son, with your permission-to Lord Bohun!’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0019" id="link2H_4_0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + WALSTEIN; OR A CURE FOR MELANCHOLY + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>A Philosophical Conversation between a Physician and + His Patient.</i> +</pre> + <p> + DR. DE SCHULEMBOURG was the most eminent physician in Dresden. He was not + only a physician; he was a philosopher. He studied the idiosyncrasy of his + patients, and was aware of the fine and secret connection between medicine + and morals. One morning Dr. de Schulembourg was summoned to Walstein. The + physician looked forward to the interview with his patient with some + degree of interest. He had often heard of Walstein, but had never yet met + that gentleman, who had only recently returned from his travels, and who + had been absent from his country for several years. + </p> + <p> + When Dr. de Schulembourg arrived at the house of Walstein, he was admitted + into a circular hall containing the busts of the Caesars, and ascending a + double staircase of noble proportion, was ushered into a magnificent + gallery. Copies in marble of the most celebrated ancient statues were + ranged on each side of this gallery. Above them were suspended many + beautiful Italian and Spanish pictures, and between them were dwarf + bookcases full of tall volumes in sumptuous bindings, and crowned with + Etruscan vases and rare bronzes. Schulembourg, who was a man of taste, + looked around him with great satisfaction. And while he was gazing on a + group of diaphanous cherubim, by Murillo, an artist of whom he had heard + much and knew little, his arm was gently touched, and turning round, + Schulembourg beheld his patient, a man past the prime of youth, but of + very distinguished appearance, and with a very frank and graceful manner. + ‘I hope you will pardon me, my dear sir, for permitting you to be a moment + alone,’ said Walstein, with an ingratiating smile. + </p> + <p> + ‘Solitude, in such a scene, is not very wearisome,’ replied the physician. + ‘There are great changes in-this mansion since the time of your father, + Mr. Walstein.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘’Tis an attempt to achieve that which we are all sighing for,’ replied + Walstein, ‘the Ideal. But for myself, although I assure you not a <i>pococurante</i>, + I cannot help thinking there is no slight dash of the commonplace.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Which is a necessary ingredient of all that is excellent,’ replied + Schulembourg. + </p> + <p> + Walstein shrugged his shoulders, and then invited the physician to be + seated. ‘I wish to consult you, Dr. Schulembourg,’ he observed, somewhat + abruptly. ‘My metaphysical opinions induce me to believe that a physician + is the only philosopher. I am perplexed by my own case. I am in excellent + health, my appetite is good, my digestion perfect. My temperament I have + ever considered to be of a very sanguine character. I have nothing upon my + mind. I am in very easy circumstances. Hitherto I have only committed + blunders in life and never crimes. Nevertheless, I have, of late, become + the victim of a deep and inscrutable melancholy, which I can ascribe to no + cause, and can divert by no resource. Can you throw any light upon my dark + feelings? Can you remove them?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How long have you experienced them?’ inquired the physician. + </p> + <p> + ‘More or less ever since my return,’ replied Walstein; ‘but most + grievously during the last three months.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you in love?’ inquired Schulembourg. + </p> + <p> + ‘Certainly not,’ replied Walstein, ‘and I fear I never shall be.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You have been?’ inquired the physician. + </p> + <p> + ‘I have had some fancies, perhaps too many,’ answered the patient; ‘but + youth deludes itself. My idea of a heroine has never been realised, and, + in all probability, never will be.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Besides an idea of a heroine,’ said Schulembourg, ‘you have also, if I + mistake not, an idea of a hero?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Without doubt,’ replied Walstein. ‘I have preconceived for myself a + character which I have never achieved.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yet, if you have never met a heroine nearer your ideal than your hero, + why should you complain?’ rejoined Schulembourg. + </p> + <p> + ‘There are moments when my vanity completes my own portrait,’ said + Walstein. + </p> + <p> + ‘And there are moments when our imagination completes the portrait of our + mistress,’ rejoined Schulembourg. + </p> + <p> + ‘You reason,’ said Walstein. ‘I was myself once fond of reasoning, but the + greater my experience, the more I have become convinced that man is not a + rational animal. He is only truly good or great when he acts from + passion.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Passion is the ship, and reason is the rudder,’ observed Schulembourg. + </p> + <p> + ‘And thus we pass the ocean of life,’ said Walstein. ‘Would that I could + discover a new continent of sensation!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you mix much in society?’ said the physician. + </p> + <p> + ‘By fits and starts,’ said Walstein. ‘A great deal when I first returned: + of late little.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And your distemper has increased in proportion with your solitude?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It would superficially appear so,’ observed Walstein; ‘but I consider my + present distemper as not so much the result of solitude, as the reaction + of much converse with society. I am gloomy at present from a sense of + disappointment of the past.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are disappointed,’ observed Schulembourg. ‘What, then, did you + expect?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I do not know,’ replied Walstein; ‘that is the very thing I wish to + discover.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How do you in general pass your time?’ inquired the physician. + </p> + <p> + ‘When I reply <i>in doing nothing</i>, my dear Doctor,’ said Walstein, + ‘you will think that you have discovered the cause of my disorder. But + perhaps you will only mistake an effect for a cause.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you read?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have lost the faculty of reading: early in life I was a student, but + books become insipid when one is rich with the wisdom of a wandering + life.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you write?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have tried, but mediocrity disgusts me. In literature a second-rate + reputation is no recompense for the evils that authors are heirs to.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yet, without making your compositions public, you might relieve your own + feelings in expressing them. There is a charm in creation.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My sympathies are strong,’ replied Walstein. ‘In an evil hour I might + descend from my pedestal; I should compromise my dignity with the herd; I + should sink before the first shaft of ridicule.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You did not suffer from this melancholy when travelling?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Occasionally: but the fits were never so profound, and were very + evanescent.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Travel is action,’ replied Schulembourg. ‘Believe me, that in action you + alone can find a cure.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What is action?’ inquired Walstein. ‘Travel I have exhausted. The world + is quiet. There are no wars now, no revolutions. Where can I find a + career?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Action,’ replied Schulembourg, ‘is the exercise of our faculties. Do not + mistake restlessness for action. Murillo, who passed a long life almost + within the walls of his native city, was a man of great action. Witness + the convents and the churches that are covered with his exploits. A great + student is a great actor, and as great as a marshal or a statesman. You + must act, Mr. Walstein, you must act; you must have an object in life; + great or slight, still you must have an object. Believe me, it is better + to be a mere man of pleasure than a dreamer.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Your advice is profound,’ replied Walstein, ‘and you have struck upon a + sympathetic chord. But what am I to do? I have no object.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are a very ambitious man,’ replied the physician. + </p> + <p> + ‘How know you that?’ said Walstein, somewhat hastily, and slightly + blushing. + </p> + <p> + ‘We doctors know many strange things,’ replied Schulembourg, with a smile. + ‘Come now, would you like to be prime minister of Saxony?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Prime minister of Oberon!’ said Walstein, laughing; ‘’tis indeed a great + destiny.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! when you have lived longer among us, your views will accommodate + themselves to our limited horizon. In the meantime, I will write you a + prescription, provided you promise to comply with my directions.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do not doubt me, my dear Doctor.’ + </p> + <p> + Schulembourg seated himself at the table, and wrote a few lines, which he + handed to his patient. + </p> + <p> + Walstein smiled as he read the prescription. + </p> + <p> + ‘Dr. de Schulembourg requests the honour of the Baron de Walstein’s + company at dinner, to-morrow at two o’clock.’ + </p> + <p> + Walstein smiled and looked a little perplexed, but he remembered his + promise. ‘I shall, with pleasure, become your guest, Doctor.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>Containing Some Future Conversation</i> +</pre> + <p> + WALSTEIN did not forget his engagement with his friendly physician. The + house of Schulembourg was the most beautiful mansion in Dresden. It was + situated in a delicious garden in the midst of the park, and had been + presented to him by a grateful sovereign. It was a Palladian villa, which + recalled the Brenda to the recollection of Walstein, with flights of + marble steps, airy colonnades, pediments of harmonious proportion, all + painted with classic frescoes. Orange trees clustered in groups upon the + terrace, perfumed the summer air, rising out of magnificent vases + sculptured in high relief; and amid the trees, confined by silver chains + were rare birds of radiant plumage, rare birds with prismatic eyes and + bold ebon beaks, breasts flooded with crimson, and long tails of violet + and green. The declining sun shone brightly in the light blue sky, and + threw its lustre upon the fanciful abode, above which, slight and serene, + floated the airy crescent of the young white moon. + </p> + <p> + ‘My friend, too, I perceive, is a votary of the Ideal,’ exclaimed + Walstein. + </p> + <p> + The carriage stopped. Walstein mounted the marble steps and was ushered + through a hall, wherein was the statue of a single nymph, into an + octagonal apartment. Schulembourg himself had not arrived. Two men moved + away, as he was announced, from a lady whom they attended. The lady was + Madame de Schulembourg, and she came forward, with infinite grace, to + apologise for the absence of her husband, and to welcome her guest. + </p> + <p> + Her appearance was very remarkable. She was young and strangely beautiful. + Walstein thought that he had never beheld such lustrous locks of ebon hair + shading a countenance of such dazzling purity. Her large and deep blue + eyes gleamed through their long black lashes. The expression of her face + was singularly joyous. Two wild dimples played like meteors on her soft + round cheeks. A pink veil worn over her head was carelessly tied under her + chin, and fastened with a white rose of pearls. Her vest and train of + white satin did not conceal her sylphlike form and delicate feet. She held + forth a little white hand to Walstein, adorned only by a single enormous + ruby, and welcomed him with inspiring ease. + </p> + <p> + ‘I do not know whether you are acquainted with your companions, Mr. + Walstein,’ said Madame de Schulembourg. Walstein looked around, and + recognised the English minister, and had the pleasure of being introduced, + for the first time, to a celebrated sculptor. + </p> + <p> + ‘I have heard of your name, not only in Germany,’ said Walstein, + addressing the latter gentleman. ‘You have left your fame behind you at + Rome. If the Italians are excusably envious, their envy is at least + accompanied with admiration.’ The gratified sculptor bowed and slightly + blushed. Walstein loved art and artists. He was not one of those frigid, + petty souls who are ashamed to evince feeling in society. He felt keenly + and expressed himself without reserve. But nature had invested him with a + true nobility of manner as well as of mind. He was ever graceful, even + when enthusiastic. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is difficult to remember we are in the North,’ said Walstein to Madame + Schulembourg, ‘amid these colonnades and orange trees.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is thus that I console myself for beautiful Italy,’ replied the lady, + ‘and, indeed, to-day the sun favours the design.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You have resided long in Italy?’ inquired Walstein. + </p> + <p> + ‘I was born at Milan,’ replied Madame de Schulembourg, ‘my father + commanded a Hungarian regiment in garrison.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I thought that I did not recognise an Italian physiognomy,’ said + Walstein, looking somewhat earnestly at the lady. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yet I have a dash of the Lombard blood in me, I assure you,’ replied + Madame de Schulembourg, smiling; ‘is it not so, Mr. Revel?’ + </p> + <p> + The Englishman advanced and praised the beauty of the lady’s mother, whom + he well knew. Then he asked Walstein when he was at Milan; then they + exchanged more words respecting Milanese society; and while they were + conversing, the Doctor entered, followed by a servant: ‘I must compensate + for keeping you from dinner,’ said their host, ‘by having the pleasure of + announcing that it is prepared.’ + </p> + <p> + He welcomed Walstein with warmth. Mr. Revel led Madame to the dining-room. + The table was round, and Walstein seated himself at her side. + </p> + <p> + The repast was light and elegant, unusual characteristics of a German + dinner. Madame de Schulembourg conversed with infinite gaiety, but with an + ease that showed that to charm was with her no effort. The Englishman was + an excellent specimen of his nation, polished and intelligent, without + that haughty and graceless reserve which is so painful to a finished man + of the world. The host was himself ever animated and cheerful, but calm + and clear—and often addressed himself to the artist, who was silent, + and, like students in general, constrained. Walstein himself, indeed, was + not very talkative, but his manner indicated that he was interested, and + when he made an observation it was uttered with facility, and arrested + attention by its justness or its novelty. It was an agreeable party. + </p> + <p> + They had discussed several light topics. At length they diverged to the + supernatural. Mr. Revel, as is customary with Englishmen, who are very + sceptical, affected for the moment a belief in spirits. With the rest of + the society, however, it was no light theme. Madame de Schulembourg avowed + her profound credulity. The artist was a decided votary. Schulembourg + philosophically accounted for many appearances, but he was a magnetiser, + and his explanations were more marvellous than the portents. + </p> + <p> + ‘And you, Mr. Walstein,’ said Madame de Schulembourg, ‘what is your + opinion?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am willing to yield to any faith that distracts my thoughts from the + burthen of daily reality,’ replied Walstein. + </p> + <p> + ‘You would just suit Mr. Novalis, then,’ observed Mr. Revel, bowing to the + sculptor. + </p> + <p> + ‘Novalis is an astrologer,’ said Madame Schulembourg; ‘I think he would + just suit you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Destiny is a grand subject,’ observed Walstein, ‘and although I am not + prepared to say that I believe in fate, I should nevertheless not be + surprised to read my fortunes in the stars.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That has been the belief of great spirits,’ observed the sculptor, his + countenance brightening with more assurance. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is true,’ replied Walstein, ‘I would rather err with my great namesake + and Napoleon than share the orthodoxy of ordinary mortality.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is a dangerous speech, Baron,’ said Schulembourg. + </p> + <p> + ‘With regard to destiny,’ said Mr. Revel, who was in fact a materialist of + the old school, ‘everything depends upon a man’s nature; the ambitious + will rise, and the grovelling will crawl—those whose volition is + strong will believe in fate, and the weak-minded accounts for the + consequences of his own incongruities by execrating chance.’ + </p> + <p> + Schulembourg shook his head. ‘By a man’s nature you mean his structure,’ + said the physician, ‘much, doubtless, depends upon structure, but + structure is again influenced by structure. All is subservient to + sympathy.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is true,’ replied the sculptor; ‘and what is the influence of the + stars on human conduct but sympathy of the highest degree?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am little accustomed to metaphysical discussions,’ remarked Walstein; + ‘this is, indeed, a sorry subject to amuse a fair lady with, Madame de + Schulembourg.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘On the contrary,’ she replied, ‘the mystical ever delights me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yet,’ continued Walstein, ‘perceiving that the discontent and infelicity + of man generally increase in an exact ratio with his intelligence and his + knowledge, I am often tempted to envy the ignorant and the simple.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A man can only be content,’ replied Schulembourg, ‘when his career is in + harmony with his organisation. Man is an animal formed for great physical + activity, and this is the reason why the vast majority, in spite of great + physical suffering, are content. The sense of existence, under the + influence of the action which is necessary to their living, + counterbalances all misery. But when a man has a peculiar structure, when + he is born with a predisposition, or is, in vulgar language, a man of + genius, his content entirely depends upon the predisposition being + developed and indulged. And this is philosophical education, that sublime + art so ill-comprehended!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I agree with you,’ said Revel, who recollected the nonsense-verses of + Eton, and the logic of Christ Church; ‘all the scrapes and unhappiness of + my youth, and I assure you they were not inconsiderable, are to be + ascribed to the obstinate resolution of my family to make a priest out of + a man who wished to be a soldier.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And I was disinherited because I would be a physician,’ replied + Schulembourg; ‘but instead of a poor, insignificant baron, I am now a + noble in four kingdoms and have the orders of all Europe, and that lady + was not ashamed to marry me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I was a swineherd in the wilds of Pomerania,’ said Novalis, his eyes + flashing with enthusiasm. ‘I ran away to Italy, but I broke my poor + mother’s heart.’ + </p> + <p> + There was a dead, painful pause, in which Walstein interposed. ‘As for + myself, I suppose I have no predisposition, or I have not found it out. + Perhaps nature intended me for a swineherd, instead, of a baron. This, + however, I do know, that life is an intolerable burthen—at least it + would be,’ he added, turning with a smile to his fair hostess, ‘were it + not for occasionally meeting some one so inspiring as you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Come,’ said Madame, rising, ‘the carriages are at the door. Let us take a + drive. Mr. Walstein, you shall give me your opinion of my ponies.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>Containing a Drive in the Park with a Very Charming Lady.</i> +</pre> + <p> + MADAME DE SCHULEMBOURG’S carriage, drawn by two beautiful Hanoverian + ponies, cream in colour, with long manes and tails like floss silk, was + followed by a britzka; but despatches called away Mr. Revel, and Novalis + stole off to his studio. The doctor, as usual, was engaged. ‘Caroline,’ he + said, as he bid his guest adieu, ‘I commend Mr. Walstein to your care. + When I return in the evening, do not let me find that our friend has + escaped.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am sure that though unhappy he is not ungallant,’ replied Caroline, + with a smile; and she took his offered arm, and ascended her seat. + </p> + <p> + Swiftly the little ponies scudded along the winding roads. The Corso was + as yet but slightly attended. Caroline passed through the wide avenue + without stopping, but sometimes recognising with bow and smile a flitting + friend. They came to a wilder and woodier part of the park, the road lined + on each side with linden trees, and in the distance were vast beds of tall + fern, tinged with the first rich hues of autumn. + </p> + <p> + ‘Here, Mr. Walstein,’ said Caroline, ‘with your permission, I shall take + my afternoon walk.’ Thus speaking, she stopped the carriage, which she and + her companion quitted. Walstein offered her his arm, but she declined it, + folding herself up in her shawl. + </p> + <p> + ‘Which do you like best, Mr. Walstein, Constantinople or Dresden?’ said + Madame de Schulembourg. + </p> + <p> + ‘At this moment, decidedly Dresden,’ replied her companion. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! that is a compliment,’ said Madame de Schulembourg, after a moment’s + musing. ‘My dear Mr. Walstein,’ she continued, looking up with an arch + expression, ‘never pay me compliments.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You mistake me: it was not a compliment,’ replied Walstein. ‘It was a + sincere and becoming tribute of gratitude for three hours of endurable + existence.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You know that you are my patient,’ rejoined Madame de Schulembourg. ‘I + have orders to cure your melancholy. I am very successful in such + complaints.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have no doubt of it,’ replied Walstein, with a slight bow. + </p> + <p> + ‘If we could but find out the cause!’ continued Caroline. ‘I venture to + believe that, after all, it will turn out an affair of the heart. Come, be + frank with your physician. Tell me, have you left it captive with a fair + Greek of the Isles, or a dark-eyed maiden of the Nile? Is our heroine a + captive behind a Spanish jalousie, or in an Italian convent?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Women ever believe that all moods and tempers of man are consequences of + their influence,’ replied Walstein, ‘and in general they are right.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But in your case?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Very wrong.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am determined to find it out,’ said Madame de Schulembourg. + </p> + <p> + ‘I wish to heaven you could,’ said Baron de Walstein. + </p> + <p> + ‘I think a wandering life has spoiled you,’ said Caroline. ‘I think it + must be civilisation that you find wearisome.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That would be very sublime,’ replied Walstein. ‘But I assure you, if + there be one thing that disgusts me more than another, it is the + anticipation of renewed travel! I have seen all that I wish, and more than + I ever expected. All that I could experience now would be exertion without + excitement, a dreadful doom. If I am not to experience pleasure, let me at + least have the refuge of repose. The magic of change of scene is with me + exhausted. If I am to live, I do not think that I could be tempted to quit + this city; sometimes I think, scarcely even my house.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I see how it is,’ exclaimed Madame de Schulembourg, shaking her head very + knowingly, ‘you must marry.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The last resource of feminine fancy!’ exclaimed Walstein, almost + laughing. ‘You would lessen my melancholy, I suppose, on the principle of + the division of gloom. I can assure you, my dear Madame de Schulembourg,’ + he continued, in a very serious tone, ‘that, with my present sensations, I + should consider it highly dishonourable to implicate any woman in my + destiny.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ha! ha! ha!’ laughed Madame; ‘I can assure you, my dear Mr. Walstein, + that I have a great many very pretty friends who will run the risk. ‘Tis + the best cure for melancholy, believe me. I was serious myself at times + before I married, but you see I have got over my gloom.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You have, indeed,’ said Walstein; ‘and perhaps, were I Doctor de + Schulembourg, I might be as gay.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Another compliment! However, I accept it, because it is founded on truth. + The fact is, I think you are too much alone.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have lived in a desert, and now I live in what is called the world,’ + replied Walstein. ‘Yet in Arabia I was fairly content, and now I am——-what + I shall not describe, because it will only procure me your ridicule.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay! not ridicule, Mr. Walstein. Do not think that I do not sympathise + with your affliction, because I wish you to be as cheerful as myself. If + you were fairly content in Arabia, I shall begin to consider it an affair + of climate.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ said Walstein, still very serious, ‘not an affair of climate—certainly + not. The truth is, travel is a preparation, and we bear with its yoke as + we do with all that is initiatory—with the solace of expectation. + But my preparation can lead to nothing, and there appear to be no + mysteries in which I am to be initiated.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then, after all, you want something to do?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No doubt.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What shall it be?’ inquired Madame de Schulembourg, with a thoughtful + air. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! what shall it be?’ echoed Walstein, in accents of despondence; ‘or, + rather, what can it be? What can be more tame, more uninteresting, more + unpromising than all around? Where is there a career?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A career!’ exclaimed Caroline. ‘What, you want to set the world in a + blaze! I thought you were a poetic dreamer, a listless, superfine + speculator of an exhausted world. And all the time you are very + ambitious!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I know not what I am,’ replied Walstein; ‘but I feel that my present lot + is an intolerable burthen.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But what can you desire? You have wealth, youth, and station, all the + accidents of fortune which nature can bestow, and all for which men + struggle. Believe me, you are born to enjoy yourself; nor do I see that + you require any other career than the duties of your position. Believe me, + my dear Mr. Walstein, life is a great business, and quite enough to employ + any man’s faculties.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My youth is fast fading, which I don’t regret,’ replied Walstein, ‘for I + am not an admirer of youth. As for station, I attribute no magic to it, + and wealth I value only because I know from experience its capacity of + producing pleasure; were I a beggar tomorrow, I should be haunted by no + uneasy sensations. Pardon me, Madame de Schulembourg; your philosophy does + not appear to be that of my friend, the Doctor. We were told this + afternoon that, to produce happiness, the nature of a being and his career + must coincide. Now, what can wealth and station produce of happiness to + me, if I have the mind of a bandit, or, perhaps, even of a mechanic?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You must settle all this with Augustus,’ replied Madame de Schulembourg; + ‘I am glad, however, to hear you abuse youth. I always tell Sidonia that + he makes his heroes too young, which enrages him beyond description. Do + you know him?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Only by fame.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He would suit you. He is melancholy too, but only by fits. Would you like + to make his acquaintance?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Authors are best known by their writings,’ replied Walstein; ‘I admire + his, because, amid much wildness, he is a great reader of the human heart, + and I find many echoes in his pages of what I dare only to think and to + utter in solitude.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I shall introduce you to him. He is exceedingly vain, and likes to make + the acquaintance of an admirer.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I entreat you not,’ replied Walstein, really alarmed. ‘It is precisely + because I admire him very much that I never wish to see him. What can the + conversation of Sidonia be compared with his writings? His appearance and + his manner will only destroy the ideal, in which it is always interesting + to indulge.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, be not alarmed! He is not now in Dresden. He has been leading a + wild life for some time in our Saxon Switzerland, in a state of despair. I + am the unhappy nymph who occasions his present desperation,’ continued + Madame de Schulembourg, with a smile. ‘Do not think me heartless; all his + passion is imagination. Change of scene ever cures him; he has written to + me every week—his letters are each time more reasonable. I have no + doubt he has by this time relieved his mind in some mad work which will + amuse us all very much, and will return again to Dresden quite cool. I + delight in Sidonia—he is my especial favourite.’ + </p> + <p> + After some little time the companions re-entered the carriage. The public + drive was now full of sparkling equipages. Madame de Schulembourg gaily + bowed, as she passed along, to many a beautiful friend. + </p> + <p> + ‘Dear girls, come home with us this eve,’ she exclaimed, as she curbed her + ponies by the side of an open carriage, and addressed two young ladies who + were seated within it with their mother. ‘Let me introduce Mr. Walstein to + you-Madame de Man-heim, the Misses de Manheim, otherwise Augusta and + Amelia. Ask any of our friends whom you pass. There is Emilius—How + do you do? Count Voyna, come home with us, and bring your Bavarian + friend.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How is Sidonia, Madame de Schulembourg?’ inquired Augusta. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, quite mad. He will not be sane this week. There is his last letter; + read it, and return it to me when we meet. Adieu, Madame de Manheim; + adieu, dear girls; do not stay long: adieu, adieu.’ So they drove away. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0023" id="link2H_4_0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + IBRAHIM PASHA + </h2> + <p> + THE eyes of all Europe have been lately directed with feverish anxiety + towards the East. With the early history of the present ruler of Egypt, + and with his projects of military reform, our readers are doubtless well + acquainted. We shall, therefore, only rapidly glance at the present + condition of Syria, as on the causes that led to the astonishing success + of a campaign that at one time threatened to construct, upon a new basis, + the political geography of the East. + </p> + <p> + In contemplating the state of degradation and impotency into which have + fallen Syria, and that vast Peninsula which extends westward of the + Euphrates, after having occupied so proud a place in the page of history, + from the earliest traditionary periods down to the time when the Turkish + Sultans abandoned Broussa for Adrianople, we naturally inquire what has + become of the intellectual inheritance which the ancient inhabitants of + these countries left behind them? Where are the successors of the skilful + workmen of Damascus, of Mossul, and of Angora; the navigators of + Phoenicia, the artists of Ionia, and the wise men of Chaldea? Several + distinct characters of civilisation have successively flourished in this + part of Asia. To the primitive ages, to the reign of the Pelasgi, + correspond the subterraneous excavations of Macri, and the Phrygian + monuments of Seïdï Gazi; to the Babylonian power, the ruins of Bagdad, and + the artificial mountains of Van; to the Hellenic period, the baths, the + amphitheatres, and the ruins which strew the coast of the Archipelago; to + the Roman empire, the military roads which traverse in every direction the + whole Peninsula; to the Greeks of the middle ages, the church of Iznik. + </p> + <p> + And now that Mussulman civilisation, which at its brightest periods + produced the beautiful mosque of the Sultan Bayazid at Amasia, is at its + last gasp; for we can, with safety, affirm that not a single grand + thought, either social, religious, or political, any longer connects + together the four millions of inhabitants which the Porte numbers in this + part of her dominions. All unity has disappeared, and the Asmoulis, who + compose the predominating race, no longer obey but some old habits and + recollections. The downfall of the Janizary system destroyed their last + connecting link. Forgetting that their destiny was conquest—that + they were only encamped in the land—that they had received a + military organisation for a permanent state of warfare—that their + headquarters was Constantinople—they have become attached to the + soil, and shut themselves up in their harems, have established a feudal + system, are divided among themselves by hereditary enmities, and their + contempt for foreigners is no longer founded on their courage and power. + </p> + <p> + Near the coasts of the Archipelago European intercourse has, in some + degree, civilised the manners of the Turks, but as the traveller advances + into the interior, civilisation sensibly decreases. On approaching the + central plateau of Asia Minor, he perceives that cultivation seldom + extends beyond the distance of half a league round a village; the + inhabitants are secreted in the mountains, and carefully avoid the + vicinity of the great roads; it is a well-known statistical phenomenon, + that the most inaccessible districts are the most populous and the + richest. This will be easily understood, when it is told that the passage + of troops through a district is a pest more dreaded than the fatal plague + itself. The once flourishing and magnificent plains of Eske-Seher have + been deserts since the Sultan Amurath traversed them, at the head of + 300,000 men, to lay siege to Bagdad. His passage was marked by all the + devastating effects of the hurricane. When a body of those horsemen called + Delhis, who are attached to the suite of every Pasha, enters a village, + the consternation is general, and followed by a system of exaction that to + the unfortunate villager is equivalent to ruin. To complain to the Pasha + would be to court instant destruction. + </p> + <p> + From this we can conceive the horror of the peasantry of Anatolia at the + passage of large bodies of troops through their country, and consequently + the obstacles a European army would encounter which should ever be masters + of the Black and Mediterranean Seas. The Turcomans, a Nornase tribe, who + sometimes pitch their tents on the shores of the Archipelago, and who pay + but a moderate tribute to the Porte, are also another cause of + devastation. But it is the Musseleins, the farmers of the Pasha, who are + the oppressors <i>par excellence</i>; they are always present to despoil + the unfortunate fellah, to leave him, to use a common expression in the + mouths of this oppressed race, ‘but eyes wherewith to weep.’ The welfare + of the people, respect for the orders of the Porte, are things to them of + the utmost indifference; to govern is to raise men and taxes; to obey, is + to fear. Thus the law of force reigns almost exclusively at forty or fifty + leagues from the capital. + </p> + <p> + But on a nearer approach to the Euphrates, the dissolution of every social + tie becomes more striking. We find ourselves amid the independent tribes—the + cruel Lendes; among the Tezdis—a people who adore the spirit of + Erib. Towards the north we fall in with the Lazzi, and all those fierce + natives who are entrenched like vultures amid the fastnesses of the + Caucasus. Again, in the South we discover the wandering Arabs, the pirates + of the desert, and the mountaineers of Lebanon, who live in a state of + perpetual discord. Over this immense line of countries centuries have + passed, and left no trace behind; all that the ancients and the crusaders + have related to us of them, is typical of their condition at this day. The + bows and arrows, the armour, exhibited as objects of curiosity in our + museums, are still in use among them. It is only by chance, or by + profiting by their intestine divisions, that the authority of the Porte is + recognised. The Pashas are mostly hereditary, and live in a state of + perpetual insurrection. Thus from the shores of the Archipelago to the + banks of the Euphrates and the Tigris, civilisation and vegetation appear + to obey the same law of decrease. + </p> + <p> + It is incontestable that Syria and the Pashalics on the confines of Upper + Asia are of no real importance to the Sultan; and that the pride of this + monarch would be the only sufferer by their loss. Desolation has reached + such a point in the Ottoman Empire, that it is almost impossible to + regenerate her, unless the branches of the tree, lopped of all those parts + so eccentric by their position, are detached from it, and organised into + independent states. Towards the North, Russia has pushed on her battalions + as far as Erzeroum, but it will be found more difficult, to govern Armenia + from St. Petersburg than from Constantinople. In politics, the calculation + of distances is an important element. In the South of Asia, Egypt lays + claim to Syria, and that part of Caramania situated between Mount Taurus + and the sea—a territory in which she will find those resources she + at present stands so much in need of, such as timber for shipbuilding, + etc., a Christian population, among whom the seeds of European + civilisation will be more easily implanted. She will thus form an empire + that will one day become powerful, if not prematurely exhausted by that + system of monopoly so rigorously put in force by her present ruler. + </p> + <p> + The history of the quarrels of the Pasha of Acre with Mehemet Ali, + justifies, in some degree, the pretensions of the latter. Abdallah Pasha + had rendered himself famous by his extortions, and in 1822 took it into + his head to seize Damascus. The neighbouring Pasha formed a league against + him, and laid siege to his capital, when Mehemet Ali negotiated his pardon + for a sum of 60,000 purses, which of course the people paid. Interest soon + prevailed over gratitude; the Pasha of Acre felt there was more to be + gained from Constantinople than from Cairo—that the authority of the + Sultan in the Pashalic would never be more than nominal, and that the + Porte, satisfied by some presents, would not be in a condition to prevent + his exactions; he therefore sought, on every occasion, to get rid of the + influence of Mehemet Ali, and to excite the jealousy of the Porte against + him. An opportunity soon offered itself. Some Egyptian fellahs had taken + refuge under the guns of Abdallah Pasha; Mehemet Ali demanded these men, + but the Governor of Acre refused to give them up, on the plea that they + were subjects of the Grand Signor, and referred the matter to the Porte, + who on this occasion was seized with a fit of humanity, and <i>bewailed</i> + the oppression of the peasantry of the Valley of the Vale—<i>Inde + Bellum</i>.’ This was at the close of 1831. + </p> + <p> + The moment was favourable for the Viceroy’s great designs. Europe was + sufficiently agitated to leave him no apprehensions of an intervention on + the part of Russia. The Albanians and the Borneans were in open revolt, + and insurrections had broken out also in several Pashalics on the side of + Upper Asia. The Sultan was considered the slave of the Russians, and his + conduct excited the contempt and hatred of the whole empire. In the + meantime, since the revolution the exactions of the government had + extended to every object of production and industry, while the + conscription decimated the most industrious portion of the population; and + if to this organised system of spoliation we farther add the ravages of + the plague and cholera, we may form some idea of the wretched state of + those provinces, and shall be no longer surprised that the Egyptians were + everywhere hailed as deliverers. + </p> + <p> + Ibrahim Pasha, the step-son of Mehemet Ali, was placed at the head of the + Egyptian army. Of a short, thick-set figure, he possesses that gigantic + strength which Homer so loved in his heroes, and which inspires such + respect among barbarous nations. To strike off the head of a bull with a + blow of his scimitar—to execute, like Peter the Great, his victims + with his own hand—to fall, dead drunk, amid the broken wrecks of + champagne bottles, are three diversions of his. But latterly his manners, + from his intercourse with Europeans, have been somewhat polished, and in + deference to them, he has displayed both clemency and dignity—in + fact, Ibrahim is excessively anxious to acquire the good opinion of + Europe. He possesses all that strong common-sense that so distinguishes + the Turks, rather than an elevated intelligence of mind. Soliman Bey, a + renegade Frenchman, formerly an officer on the staff of Marshal Grouchy, + was associated with him, and it is to him that the success of the Egyptian + army may be chiefly attributed. + </p> + <p> + Syria, with her various productions, was the first country which offered + itself to the conquest of the Egyptians. Closed entirely on the side of + Asia by Mount Amanus, which belongs to the chain of Taurus, and extends + from the Gulf of Scanderoun to the Euphrates, she is bounded on one side + by the Mediterranean, and on the other by the desert. Her length from + Aintab to Gaza is one hundred and fifty leagues, and the mean breadth + about thirty. By a single glance at the map we perceive the most important + military points for the defence of Syria are the fortress of Saint Jean + d’Acre; Tyre, which ought to be fortified; Bolbeck, as the key to several + valleys; Antakea, the passage of the Beilan; Alexandretta, situated upon a + tongue of land between the marshes and the sea; and lastly, Aentab and + Zenyma, which command the two passages on the right side of Mount Amanus. + </p> + <p> + We have entered into details in order to show how destitute of all + strategetical combinations was the whole plan of campaign in Syria. Malte + Brun estimates the population of the district of Sham at two millions, but + we are inclined to question the accuracy of this calculation, since no two + travellers are agreed as to the numbers of the Druses, some estimating + them at 120,000, others at a million. The Turks form two-fifths of the + population—they inhabit the large towns with the Greeks; the + remainder of the population is composed of Arab fellahs, of Kurds, and of + Turcomans, who wander in the valley of the Orontes; of Bedouin Arabs, who + pitch their tents on the banks of the Jordan and along the edge of the + desert of Ansarich, worshippers of the sun, the descendants of the + servants of the Old Man of the Mountain of Maronites, who profess the + Catholic ritual; of Druses, whose creed is doubtful; of all the + inhabitants of Mount Lebanon; of Mebualis, Mussulmans of the sect of Ali; + of Naplonsins and other tribes who have preserved a state of independence. + We shall not be astonished to know that amidst this prodigious diversity + of races Syria is more easy to conquer than to keep possession of. With + the exception of the Ansarich, who inhabit the north of Syria, all of them + obeyed, at the moment when the war broke out, the Emir Bechir, a Druse, + prince of the family of the celebrated Fakr el Din, who revolted against + Amurath the Fourth. The Emir Bechir, when Abdallah raised the standard of + revolt in 1822, sought the protection of Mehemet Ali, who re-established + him in his government. + </p> + <p> + Let us now follow Ibrahim in his march. At the head of 32,000 regular + troops, and four or five thousand Bedouin Arabs and Hassouras, he took the + same route as Bonaparte, and rapidly advanced against Saint Jean d’Acre. + Without firing a shot, he made himself master of Jaffa, Caipha, Jerusalem, + Naplonsia. Tabaneh and all the country between Gaza and Acre submitted at + his approach. Master of the sea, by which he expected reinforcements both + in men and material, he made haste to occupy the whole line of coast as + far as Ladikich, and set down on the 27th of November, before Saint Jean + d’Acre, with a corps of 15,000 regular infantry, two regiments of lancers, + 1,000 Bedouins, two companies of sappers, one of cannoniers, one of + bombardiers, and a train of field and siege artillery. The place is + situated on a promontory surrounded on three sides by the sea, and + defended on the fourth by a fort, crowned by a tower, which serves as a + citadel. This last fort, the bastions of which, from their retiring flanks + being too short, is the only one accessible on the land side, but it was + enfiladed from a neighbouring height. Bonaparte, at the siege of Saint + Jean d’Acre, was destitute of siege artillery, and was not master of the + sea. He had, therefore, many more obstacles to encounter than Ibrahim. + </p> + <p> + During the first ten days the cannonade of the besiegers was not very + vigorous, but on the 9th of December, five frigates having cast anchor + before the place, with some gun-boats under sail, a general attack was + made, and from eight in the morning until four in the afternoon the fleet + and the batteries on shore kept up a well-directed fire. The besieged on + their side were not inactive. The Egyptians experienced a heavy loss, and + several of their ships were much cut up. From the 9th to the 18th the + bombardment lasted night and day. On the 10th some heavy guns were placed + in battery. The operations of the siege were now pushed forward with great + ardour, but yet nothing denoted the immediate reduction of the place. The + defence of Ab-dallah Pasha was marked by the most determined energy. He + had sworn, it was reported, that he would blow up the town. It was, + however, of the utmost importance to push forward the operations with the + greatest activity. The first disposition of the population, which had been + favourable, might undergo a change should not Ibrahim succeed in striking + a great blow. The mountaineers of Lebanon and of Naplonsia had sent their + chiefs to the Egyptian camp, and were ready to furnish a contingent of + their warriors. + </p> + <p> + The news of the invasion of Syria by the army of Mehemet Ali, spread + terror at Constantinople. The Porte, with her usual craft, dissimulated, + and feigning to see in this event but a quarrel between two Pashas, she + summoned them to lay before her their respective griefs; but finding her + orders were disregarded, she made preparations for war. On the 16th of + December, 1831, Mehemet Pasha, already governor of Racca, was appointed + governor of Aleppo, and Seraskier of Syria and Arabia. Orders were sent to + the directors of the Imperial Mines, Osman Pasha, to the Musselims of + Marash, of Sevas, of Adana, and of Payas, to levy troops. Strict + injunctions were also given to the governors of Caramania, and of + Caesarea, to hold themselves in readiness; but this movement of Tartars + was insufficient to produce a numerous army; the lukewarm devotion of the + subjects of the Porte found ample means of evasion; and every day the + efforts of the Turkish government in Syria to reestablish its authority, + encountered new obstacles. + </p> + <p> + The son of the Emir Bechir assembled troops in the mountains, and held out + for Mehemet Ali. Damascus armed itself through fear, but retained as an + hostage the Pasha appointed to conduct the caravan to Mecca. Memiran Osman + Pasha had been selected by the Porte for the government of Tripoli, but it + was necessary to take possession of it by force of arms. -This port was + already occupied, in the name of Mehemet Ali, by Mustapha Agar Barbar, a + man of considerable note in the country. The Seraskier Mehemet Pasha + consented to furnish Osman with some thousand irregular horsemen, and + fourteen small field-pieces. + </p> + <p> + The latter arrived before his capital early in April. Believing the + Egyptian Commander-in-Chief still occupied with the siege of Saint Jean + d’Acre, all his dispositions of attack consisted in scattering his troops + over the surrounding hills, and in ordering his artillery to play upon the + town, which did not displace a single stone; the guns of the castle were + also so badly pointed that the Turkish horsemen galloped up to the very + houses, and were only beaten off by a brisk fire of musketry, which, + galling them severely, drove them across the heights. Night put an end to + the affair. + </p> + <p> + A few days after this skirmish, Ibrahim Pasha, having left to one of his + lieutenants the direction of the siege of Saint Jean d’Acre and wishing to + reconnoitre the country, appeared at the head of 800 men, with six + field-pieces, before Osman’s camp, who, seized with a panic, immediately + abandoned it to the enemy, and hastened to form a junction with the Pasha + of Aleppo, who was posted near Hameh. The Egyptian general immediately + pursued him, and took up a position at Horn. But, threatened upon this + point by three brigades of the Seraskier Mehemet Pasha, he retired, after + some skirmishes, to Bolbeck, where he established his camp, and was joined + by Abaz Pasha, his nephew, at the head of 800 men. But his presence was + required in other quarters. Divisions had broken out at several points, + and the slowness with which the operations of the siege of Saint Jean + d’Acre was carried on had damped the ardour of his partisans. + </p> + <p> + At Tripoli a conspiracy was discovered, in which were implicated the Cadi, + the Mufti, and the principal Turks. After receiving a considerable + reinforcement of troops from Candia, and making some defensive + dispositions to the south of Bolbeck, Ibrahim encamped before Saint Jean + d’Acre, to bring the siege to a conclusion by a decisive attack. On the + 19th of May the fire was recommenced with great vigour; the Egyptians made + the most extraordinary efforts to get into the city, and experienced a + heavy loss; but no sooner was a breach effected than it was again closed + up. Nothing was left standing in the town. The palace was destroyed, and + Abdullah Pasha obliged to retire to the caves dug by Djezzar. The garrison + was reduced to less than 2,000 men. At last, on the 27th of May, a general + assault was made. Three breaches were practicable, one on the tower of + Kapon Bourdjon, the other two at Nebieh Zaleh, and at Zavieh. Six + battalions had the horrors of the attack, which commenced at daybreak and + lasted twelve hours. + </p> + <p> + At Kapon Bourdjon the Arabs were on the point of giving ground, but + Ibrahim having with his own hand struck off the head of a captain, and + having turned a battery against them, they returned to the assault. + Unfortunately for Abdullah, his gunners ran from their pieces, and he was + obliged to capitulate. The Egyptians confessed a loss but of 1,429 + wounded, and 512 killed. Thus fell Saint Jean d’Acre, after a memorable + defence of six months. The capture of this place insured to Ibrahim the + possession of Lower Syria, and enabled him to advance in perfect security. + </p> + <p> + While the son of Mehemet Ali was thus vigorously pushing forward the war, + the Porte was still occupied with her preparations. In the month of March, + Hussein Pasha, celebrated by the destruction of Janizaries, and by the + extraordinary bravery he displayed in the Russian Campaign, but in other + respects, a soldier <i>à la Turc</i>, was appointed chief of the + expedition to Arabia. To this soldier was confided the safety of the + empire, with the title of field-marshal of Anatolia. He was solemnly + invested with the Har-vani (a short cloak) with an embroidered collar. He + received a sabre set in brilliants, and two Arabian horses, superbly + caparisoned; and, on the 17th of April, he received orders to join the + army which Horsen Pasha had organised, the headquarters of which was at + Konisk. + </p> + <p> + By the formation and rapid assembly of the new regular regiments, the army + had been raised to 60,000 men, including artillery and engineers. The mass + of their forces was composed of Beckir Pasha’s brigade of infantry, with + the 2nd regiment of cavalry and a strong brigade of irregulars, under the + orders of the governor of Silistria; of Skender Pasha’s brigade of + infantry, and the 6th cavalry; and Delaver Pasha’s brigade, with the + cavalry of the guard. Each of these corps was accompanied by its + batteries. An European organisation had been given to the different + services, such as the paymaster-general’s department, commissariat, etc. + The Sultan had written out many of the regulations with his own hand. + </p> + <p> + The young general of division, Mehemet Pasha, a manumitted slave of + Hussein, was specially charged with the direction of the regular troops, + under the orders of Hussein Pasha. He was tolerably well acquainted with + all our manoeuvres, and possessed some military talent. The European + instructors were attached to his suite. They were the captain of + artillery, Thernin, whose counsels would have saved the Turkish army had + they been listened to; the engineer officer, Reully, a brave and + experienced soldier; and the captain of the cavalry, Colosso. The two + former (Frenchmen) saw almost the whole of the war. Taken prisoners by the + Egyptians, they refused to enter their service, and were sent back. As for + Colosso, he sojourned but a short time in the camp; for, on his + endeavouring to put a stop to the frightful abuses that pervaded every + branch of the service, the generals and colonels formed a league against + him, and he retired in disgust. + </p> + <p> + On the 14th of May the field-marshal arrived at Koniah, where he displayed + the most culpable negligence and carelessness. It was in vain that the + European inspectors requested him to put in force ‘the regulation for + troops in the field,’ of the French general Prevan, which had been + translated into Turkish; they were no more listened to than were their + complaints on the bad state of the camp, and on the indolence and + negligence of the chiefs. + </p> + <p> + The generalissimo never even deemed it once requisite to review his army. + The most frightful disorder prevailed in the Turkish military + administrations, which subsequently led to all their reverses; in fact, it + was evident to every experienced eye that an army so constituted, once + overtaken by defeat, would soon be totally disorganised, and that the + Porte ought to place no reliance upon its army. But there was an arm + which, in the flourishing times of Islamism, was worth 100,000 Janizaries. + This was excommunication. The Sultan at last resolved to unsheathe this + weapon. The fatal fetva was launched against the traitor Mehemet Ali, and + his son, the indolent Ibrahim. Those who have studied the Turkish history + must have thought that the Viceroy of Egypt would find at last his master—the + executioner; but since the late victories of the Russians, all national + faith is extinguished among the Osmanlis. Excommunication is an arm as + worn out at Constantinople as at Rome. + </p> + <p> + Whilst the Porte was fulminating her bull of excommunication, she directed + a note to the corps diplomatique at Constantinople, in which she explained + the quarrel with her subjects, and in which she demanded the strictest + neutrality on the part of the great powers, and declared Egypt in a state + of blockade. The Emperor Nicholas recalled his consul from Alexandria, and + even made an offer of a fleet, and an auxiliary corps d’armee. Austria, an + enemy to all revolutions, went so far as to threaten the Viceroy. England + appeared to preserve the strictest neutrality, while France strenuously + employed all her influence to bring about an accommodation; but in vain. + </p> + <p> + The Divan refusing the demands of Mehemet Ali, the solution of the + question was referred to Field-Marshal Hussein, who proceeded with that + calculated exertion which the Ottomans take for dignity; and thus three + weeks were lost before the army advanced on Mount Taurus. It was only on + the 1st of June that Mehemet Pasha arrived with the vanguard and Beker’s + brigade at Adana. A reconnaissance, pushed forward as far as Tarsons, + brought back the news of the fall of Saint Jean d’Acre. It became, + therefore, an imperative necessity to occupy the passes of Syria, and to + march upon Antioch, in order to cover Beylau. A Tartar was despatched to + Hussein, who posted off in great haste to Adana, only to halt there for a + fortnight. At last the movement was effected, and the army reached + Antioch, where the cholera broke out in its ranks, and where eight days + were lost. Instead of profiting by Ibrahim’s delay to take up a more + advanced position, the latter descended into the valley of the Orontes, + and entered Damascus on the 15th of June, after a short engagement with + the Turkish irregulars. + </p> + <p> + But all Ibrahim’s operations were marked by a want of rapidity. After + securing Antioch, the Turkish army should have marched upon Horns, which + offered an excellent position, where they might have established a + communication with the Druses, upon whom some hopes were founded, and + whence they would have commanded the road to Damascus. But it was not till + the 6th of July that Hussein would execute this movement. Mehemet Pasha + commenced his march; but in their haste they forgot to issue rations to + the troops, who reached Horns at ten in the morning, almost dead with + hunger and fatigue. The Seraskier of Aleppo was encamped, with his + irregular troops, at the gates of the city; but without deigning even to + think of the enemy, whom they thought to be at some distance, or to issue + rations to the serving troops, they wasted their time in vain ceremonies. + </p> + <p> + The young Mehemet Pasha was carried, under a salute of artillery, into a + magnificent tent pitched upon the bank of the river. There the two viziers + made a long interchange of compliments, and smoked the hargueleh. + </p> + <p> + Midst of all this mummery, intelligence was brought in that the Egyptian + army was within two hours’ march of them. The disorder that ensued was + dreadful. The hungry soldiers dragged themselves in masses to meet the + Arabs. The latter waited for them, with their front masked by light + troops, presenting twenty-seven battalions deployed in line, the left of + which rested on the Orontes, and the right upon a hamlet at the foot of a + hill. The Egyptians, who were ignorant of the presence of the Turkish + regular infantry, had adopted this vicious disposition against their + irregular cavalry. But no one really commanded among the Turks, and thus + the opportunity of striking a decisive blow was lost. Every colonel had an + opinion of his own. One Pasha wished to retreat, while the European + instructors insisted on an immediate attack. In short, the artillery even + refused to advance to the front. However, Ibrahim Pasha did not remain + inactive; he pressed the Turks closely, doubled his line from right to + left, and pushed forward some battalions on the side of the Orontes, but + they were checked by part of Beker’s brigade and two pieces of cannon. + Then the whole Egyptian line halted and opened their fire. In the course + of twenty minutes the left of the Turks suffered considerably. + </p> + <p> + Mehemet Pasha resolved to charge the enemy with the bayonet; but instead + of remaining with the second line in order to direct the movement, he put + himself at the head of his soldiers to attack the Arabs, who immediately + formed in column. Before he reached them, he was abandoned by his + artillery, while his cavalry, which should have turned the enemy, fell + back in disorder before a battery which they might have carried. The + second line of infantry did not support the movement with vigour; and on + the Egyptian columns deploying into line, preparatory to a decisive + charge, the whole Turkish army went to the right-about in the most + disgraceful manner, pursued by the enemy’s cavalry. It was a general <i>sauve + qui peut</i>. The approach of night alone saved the Turkish army from + total destruction. The loss of the Sultan’s forces in this affair amounted + to 2,000 killed and 2,500 prisoners. + </p> + <p> + The wrecks of the Turkish corps retired pell-mell upon Antioch. Instead of + rallying them, Ned-geb Pasha’s brigade, which was encamped at two hours’ + march from the field of battle, fled with them. + </p> + <p> + The field-marshal, on learning this disaster, took post at the <i>tête du + pont</i> on Djezzer, on the Orontes. He received the fugitives at the + point of the bayonet, and cut off the heads of the first mutineers who + endeavoured to cross. It was in such moments that Hussein showed himself + to be above the ordinary stamp of mankind. His energy was admirably + calculated for quelling a revolt; but, on the other hand, though he was + able to master the confusion of a retreat, he knew not how to avoid it. + Such was his military incapacity that he was incapable of foreseeing + anything. In a short time he expended all the money in the military chest, + impoverishing all the districts through which he passed, paying nowhere + and holding up the name of his master to universal execration. At the + action of Horns, the mass of his forces were not engaged, so that there + yet remained 40,000 regular troops; but the field-marshal allowed an army + to perish, to which Horsen Pasha had given a tolerable organisation. + Instead of taking any measures of defence, he set out for Antioch, with + the view of effecting a junction with some troops in the neighbourhood of + Aleppo; but finding no provisions in those districts, he returned by + forced marches to Alexandretta, after fatiguing his troops by a march of + eight hundred leagues. + </p> + <p> + However, Ibrahim was advancing, having recalled all his garrisons, and + made new levies in the mountains. As he advanced, the whole country + declared in his favour, and the castle of Aleppo was delivered up to him. + His conduct was marked by great skill and generosity. Under his protection + the numerous Christians began to raise their heads. There now only + remained, to complete the entire occupation of Syria, to seize Antioch and + Alexandretta; but his operations were pushed forward with extreme + slowness, because he always expected from Constantinople a decision + favourable to the pretensions of his father-in-law. The Turkish + field-marshal had thus plenty of time to stop his passage into Carmania. + </p> + <p> + Antioch offered a position for an entrenched camp; but this he + disregarded, and made his advanced posts fall back upon the defile of + Beylau. This defile, formed by a deep valley, is so narrow in some places + that a camel can scarcely pass. Nevertheless, this is the grand route of + the Mecca caravan. Nothing was more easy than to defend it; yet on the 5th + of August the Egyptians made themselves masters of it, after an action of + two hours. The passage of the Beylau delivered to the conqueror + Alexandretta, its immense magazines, and one hundred pieces of cannon. The + Turks, instead of rallying in the rear, in the favourable positions which + the ground afforded, fled in the direction of Adana. Ibrahim pursued them + with his cavalry, which passed the Djihun at a ford, Hussein Pasha having + blown up the superb bridge of nine arches that crossed that river at + Missis. + </p> + <p> + The Ottoman troops continued their retreat across the plain of Adana, but + they had scarcely reached that city before they were dislodged by the + enemy, who were on the point of capturing the field-marshal. The whole + district of Adana declared for Ibrahim, who had at length reached the new + line of frontiers which Mehemet Ali wished to make the boundaries of his + empire. There was now nothing to prevent the march of the Egyptians upon + Constantinople itself, for the demoralised soldiers of Hussein Pasha + deserved not the name of an army. The Kurds and the Anatolian peasantry + murdered the Turkish regulars wherever they could find them, which was not + difficult, for, deserted by platoons, the provinces of Upper Asia were in + such a state of insurrection that a single officer of Ibrahim’s would have + been sufficient to make the most considerable town capitulate. + </p> + <p> + The Viceroy, at one moment, had the insane idea of himself attacking the + Turkish capital by sea, while Ibrahim should threaten it from Scutari. But + his prudence doubtless prevented the execution of the enterprise, for + however popular the cause of Mehemet Ali may have been, he would have + appeared in Constantinople only as a subject, and certainly could not have + prevented the intervention of Russia. And lastly, had he succeeded in + these projects of unbounded ambition, what would have been the result? + Instead of a compact state bounded by Mount Taurus, he would have found + himself embarrassed with a great empire, tottering to its base, which no + human power can regenerate. + </p> + <p> + Mehemet Ali listened, therefore, to the sagacious counsel of France, and + endeavoured to obtain the recognition of his independence. But the Porte, + listening to the perfidious suggestions, and governed by the blind + obstinacy that led to the battle of Navarino and the victories of the + Russians, would make no terms, and reduced Ibrahim, after an armistice of + five months, to conquer her again. Hussein Pasha was succeeded by the + Grand Vizier, Redchid Pasha, the same who had distinguished himself in + Greece, and quelled the revolt of Scodro Pasha. Brave and accustomed to + the camp, a sound politician, Redchid was superior to his predecessor, but + even he was only a Turkish general. He had been selected principally on + account of his great influence in Turkey in Europe. He therefore received + orders to repair to Constantinople, with considerable levies of Bosnians + and Albanians, of which they knew he could dispose, and with the six + regiments of infantry and cavalry that belonged to them. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime the indefatigable Hussein Pasha had succeeded in + re-organising an army with about 40,000 regulars of the reserve; it was + echeloned between the capital and Koniah, reinforced by the troops brought + by the Grand Vizier; it was sufficiently numerous to have prevented + Ibrahim’s further advance; but there was neither skill in the general nor + ardour among the troops; the councils of the European instructors were, as + usual, disregarded, while the Egyptian army, on the contrary, was almost + exclusively under the direction of European officers. A single piece of + artillery would have sufficed to defend the passage of the Taurus, and yet + when Ibrahim appeared on its northern declivity he had to encounter but a + few irregulars, of whom he soon gave a good account. He then fixed his + camp on the plain of Erekli, at one hundred and sixty days’ march of a + camel from Constantinople, and then advanced upon Koniah. + </p> + <p> + Reuff Pasha, who had provisionally assumed the command of the Turkish army + until the arrival of Red-chid Pasha, prudently fell back upon Acken at the + approach of the Egyptians. But forgetting the disastrous day of + Koulaktche, the Grand Vizier merely assumed the offensive instead of + taking up a position in the mountains; and, allowing the unusual rigour of + the season to thin the ranks of the enemy, he precipitately advanced. The + cold was so excessive, the weather so dreadful, and the roads rendered so + impassable by the snow, that only a small portion of the artillery and + ammunition could follow the movement, so that they found themselves, as at + Horns, without provisions in the presence of the enemy. + </p> + <p> + Some distance from Koniah, Redchid Pasha sent forward his selector at the + head of a body of irregulars, with orders to advance across the mountains + up the village of Lilé, which was occupied by a strong detachment of + Arabs, while the Grand Vizier on his side with the grand army, was to + pursue the route of the plain. The attack was to have been simultaneous, + but unfortunately the selector arrived too soon on the scene of action, + and was totally defeated. Undaunted by this check, the Grand Vizier + continued his advance, and did not halt till he was in presence of the + enemy, whom he found strongly entrenched, and prepared to give him a warm + reception. It was the 29th of the Redgeb (21st of December), and from the + advanced hour of the day there was no alternative but to attack, otherwise + he must have passed a night upon the field, without bread, exposed to the + action of an intense cold that would have paralysed the ardour of the + troops. + </p> + <p> + Redchid Pasha made therefore no dispositions for attack, but his order of + battle was best: he drew up his army in four lines, thus rendering useless + a great part of his troops, and when he at length resolved to alter his + dispositions for a more extended order of battle, he did not reconnoitre + the ground to ascertain if it would permit such an extension of front. His + left wing therefore was unable to deploy, and remained formed in columns + of attack, while the enemy’s artillery committed dreadful havoc on their + profound masses. He committed also another fault, that of placing his + artillery between the interval of the lines, so that it did not reach the + Egyptians, while theirs on the contrary, posted in their front, did great + execution. + </p> + <p> + Mehemet Redchid’s main plan of battle was to attack with the mass of his + forces, composed chiefly of Albanians, the centre of the enemy’s army, + whilst the cavalry should make a demonstration upon the wings. But + Ibrahim, who had foreseen this manoeuvre, leaving only on the point + attacked a sufficient force to make ahead for a short time, turned his + adversary to the gorges of the mountains. On gaining the flanks of the + Ottoman party, he impetuously attacked and routed their cavalry, and + afterwards advanced against the principal Turkish corps, which thus found + itself attacked on both sides. The Albanians, in spite of all the efforts + of the Grand Vizier, broke and fled. + </p> + <p> + Redchid Pasha then put himself at the head of his guard for a last effort, + but after performing prodigies of valour, he was again repulsed, and fell, + severely wounded, into the hands of the Egyptians. The loss of the Turks + was immense; one regiment alone, the first infantry of the line, left + 3,000 men upon the field of battle. + </p> + <p> + The battle was decisive. The second army of the Grand Seigneur was + annihilated, and the road to Constantinople again open to Ibrahim; and the + tottering empire of Mahmoud was saved by the intervention of the Russian + Autocrat, who felt that it was his own property that was at stake rather + than that of the unfortunate Sultan. Mehemet Ali is now on independent + sovereign, and it is to the military genius of Europe that he owes this + glory; while the once formidable empire of Mahomet is rapidly sinking + under an accumulation of evils, the operation of which European diplomacy + will in vain attempt to arrest. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0024" id="link2H_4_0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE COURT OF EGYPT + </h2> + <p> + TWO or three miles from Cairo, approached by an avenue of sycamores, is + Shoubra, a favourite residence of the Pasha of Egypt. The palace, on the + banks of the Nile, is not remarkable for its size or splendour, but the + gardens are extensive and beautiful, and adorned by a kiosk, which is one + of the most elegant and fanciful creations I can remember. + </p> + <p> + Emerging from fragant bowers of orange trees, you suddenly perceive before + you tall and glittering gates rising from a noble range of marble steps. + These you ascend, and entering, find yourself in a large quadrangular + colonnade of white marble. It surrounds a small lake, studded by three or + four gaudy barques, fastened to the land by silken cords. The colonnade + terminates towards the water by a very noble marble balustrade, the top of + which is covered with groups of various kinds of fish in high relief. At + each angle of the colonnade the balustrade gives way to a flight of steps + which are guarded by crocodiles of immense size, admirably sculptured in + white marble. On the farther side the colonnade opens into a great number + of very brilliant banqueting-rooms, which you enter by withdrawing + curtains of scarlet cloth, a colour vividly contrasting with the white + shining marble of which the whole kiosk is formed. It is a frequent + diversion of the Pasha himself to row some favourite Circassians in one of + the barques and to overset his precious freight in the midst of the lake. + As his Highness piques himself upon wearing a caftan of calico, and a juba + or exterior robe of coarse cloth, a ducking has not for him the same + terrors it would offer to a less eccentric Osmanli. The fair Circassians + shrieking, with their streaming hair and dripping finery, the Nubian + eunuchs rushing to their aid, plunging into the water from the balustrade, + or dashing down the t marble steps,—all this forms an agreeable + relaxation after the labours of the Divan. + </p> + <p> + All the splendour of the Arabian Nights is realised in the Court of Egypt. + The guard of Nubian eunuchs with their black, glossy countenances, clothed + in scarlet and gold, waving their glittering Damascus sabres, and gently + bounding on their snow-white steeds, is, perhaps, the most picturesque + corps in the world. The numerous harem, the crowds of civil functionaries + and military and naval officers in their embroidered Nizam uniforms, the + vast number of pages and pipe-bearers, and other inferior but richly + attired attendants, the splendid military music, for which Mehemet Ali has + an absolute passion, the beautiful Arabian horses and high-bred + dromedaries, altogether form a blending of splendour and luxury which + easily recall the golden days of Bagdad and its romantic Caliph. + </p> + <p> + Yet this Court is never seen to greater advantage than in the delicious + summer palace in the gardens of Shoubra. During the festival of the Bairam + the Pasha usually holds his state in this enchanted spot, nor is it easy + to forget that strange and brilliant scene. The banqueting-rooms were all + open and illuminated, the colonnade was full of guests in gorgeous groups, + some standing and conversing, some seated on small Persian carpets smoking + pipes beyond all price, and some young grandees lounging, in their crimson + shawls and scarlet vests, over the white balustrade, and flinging their + glowing shadows over the moonlit water: from every quarter came bursts of + melody, and each moment the river breeze brought gusts of perfume on its + odorous wings. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0025" id="link2H_4_0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE VALLEY OF THEBES + </h2> + <p> + UPPER EGYPT is a river flowing through a desert; the banks on each side + affording a narrow margin of extreme fertility. Rocks of granite and hills + of sand form, at slight intervals, through a course of sev-earl hundred + miles, a chain of valleys, reaching from the rapids of the Nile to the + vicinity of Cairo. In one of these valleys, the broadest and the most + picturesque, about half-way between the cataracts and the modern capital, + we find the most ancient, the most considerable, and the most celebrated + of architectural remains. For indeed no Greek, or Sicilian, or Latin city—Athens, + or Agrigentum, or Rome; nor the platforms of Persepolis, nor the columns + of Palmyra, can vie for a moment in extent, variety, and sublime + dimensions, with the ruins of ancient Thebes. + </p> + <p> + These remains may be classed, generally, in four considerable divisions: + two of these great quarters of ruins being situated on each side of the + river Nile—Karnak and Luxor towards the Red Sea; the Memnonion and + Medcenet Habu towards the great Libyan Desert. On this side, also, are the + cemeteries of the great city—the mummy-caves of Gornou, two miles in + extent; above them, excavated in the mountains, are the tombs of the + queens; and in the adjacent valley of Beban-el-Maluk, the famous tombs of + the kings. + </p> + <p> + The population of the city of a hundred gates now consists of a few Arab + families, who form four villages of mud huts, clustered round those + gigantic columns and those mighty obelisks, a single one of which is + sought for by the greatest sovereigns of Europe for their palaces and + museums. Often, indeed, have I seen a whole Arab village rising from the + roof of a single Egyptian temple. Dendera is an instance. The population + of Gornou, numbering between three and four hundred, resides solely in the + tombs. + </p> + <p> + I think that Luxor, from its situation, usually first attracts the notice + of the traveller. It is close on the river, and is built on a lofty + platform. Its enormous columns are the first specimens of that colossal + genius of the Pharaohs, which the Ptolemies never attempted to rival. The + entrance to this temple is through a magnificent propylon;-that is, a + portal flanked by massy pyramidal moles. It is two hundred feet in + breadth, and rises nearly sixty feet above the soil. This gate is entirely + covered with sculpture, commemorating the triumph of a conquering monarch. + </p> + <p> + On each side of the portal are two colossal statues of red granite, buried + in the sand up to their shoulders, but measuring thence, to the top of + their crowns, upwards of twenty feet. On each side of them, a little in + advance, at the time of my visit, were the two most perfect obelisks + remaining. One of them is now at Paris;—that famous obelisk of + Luxor, of which we have heard so much. From the propylon, you pass into a + peristyle court,—about two hundred and thirty feet long, by one + hundred and seventy—the roof of which was once supported by double + rows of columns, many of which now remain: and so on through other + pyramidal gates, and courts, and porticoes, and chambers, which are, in + all probability, of a more ancient date than those first described. + </p> + <p> + From Luxor you proceed to Karnak, the other great division on this side of + the river, through an avenue of sphinxes, considerably above a mile in + extent, though much broken. All the marvels of the world sink before the + first entrance into Karnak. It is the Alps-the Andes—of + architecture. The obelisks of Luxor may be unrivalled; the sculptures of + Medoenet Habu more exquisite; the colossus of the Memnonion more gigantic; + the paintings of the royal tombs more curious and instructive: but + criticism ceases before the multifarious wonders of the halls and courts + of Karnak, and the mind is open only to one general impression of colossal + variety. + </p> + <p> + I well remember the morning when I stood before the propylon, or chief + entrance of Karnak. The silver stars were still shining in the cold blue + heaven, that afforded a beautiful relief to the mighty structure, built of + a light yellow stone, and quite unstained by the winds of three thousand + years. The front of this colossal entrance is very much broader than the + front of our cathedral of St. Paul, and its height exceeds that of the + Trajan column. It is entirely without sculpture—a rare omission, and + doubtless intended that the unity of effect should not be broken. The + great door in the centre is sixty-four feet in height. + </p> + <p> + Through this you pass into colonnaded courts, which in any other place + would command undivided attention, until you at length arrive in front of + a second propylon. Ascending a flight of steps, you enter the great hall + of Karnak. The area of this hall is nearly fifty-eight thousand square + feet, and it has recently been calculated that four such churches as our + St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields might stand side by side in this unrivalled + chamber without occupying the whole space. The roof, formed of single + stones—compared with which the masses at Stonehenge would appear + almost bricks—has fallen in; but the one hundred and thirty-four + colossal columns which supported it, and which are considerably above + thirty feet in circumference, still remain, and with the walls and propyla + are completely covered with sculptured forms. + </p> + <p> + I shall not attempt to describe any other part of Karnak;-the memory aches + with the effort. There are many buildings attached to it, larger than most + temples; and infinite number of gates and obelisks, and colossi; but the + imagination cannot refrain from calling up some sacred or heroic + procession, moving from Luxor to Karnak, in melodious pomp, through the + great avenue of sphinxes, and ranging themselves in groups around the + gigantic columns of this sublime structure. What feudal splendour, and + what Gothic ceremonies; what tilts and tournaments, and what + ecclesiastical festivals, could rival the vast, the beautiful, and the + solemn magnificence of the old Egyptians? + </p> + <p> + Crossing the river to Western Thebes, we arrive at two seated colossi, one + of which is the famous musical statue of Memnon. It is fine to see him + still seated on his throne, dignified and serene, on the plain of Thebes. + This colossus is fifty feet in height; and its base is covered with + inscriptions of Greek and Roman travellers, vouching that they had + listened to the wild sunrise melody. This statue and its remaining + companion, though now isolated in their situation, were once part of an + enormous temple, the ruins of which yet remain, and the plan of which may + yet be traced. + </p> + <p> + The Memnonion itself is now near at hand. In the colossal Caryatides we + recognise the vast genius that excavated the rocks of Ipsambul, and + supported a cavern temple upon the heads of giants. From the Memnonion + came the statue that is now in the British Museum. But this figure, though + a fine specimen of Egyptian sculpture, sinks, so far as magnitude is + concerned, into insignificance, when compared with the statue of the + supposed Sesostris, which, broken off at the waist, now lies prostrate in + the precincts of the sanctuary. This is, probably, the most huge colossus + that the Egyptians ever constructed. The fragment is of red granite, and + of admirable workmanship. Unfortunately, the face is entirely obliterated. + It lies upon its back, and in its fall has destroyed all the temple within + reach. It measures more than sixty feet round the shoulders, the breadth + of the instep is nearly seven feet, and the hieroglyphical figures + engraven on the arm are large enough for a man to walk in. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps the most interesting group of ruins at Thebes is the quarter of + Medoenet Habu, for here, among other vast remains, is that of a palace; + and it is curious, among other domestic subjects, that we find represented + on the walls, in a very admirable style, a Pharaoh playing chess with his + queen. It is these domestic details that render also the sepulchres of + Thebes so interesting. The arts of the Egyptians must be studied in their + tombs; and to learn how this remarkable people lived, we must frequent + their burial-places. A curious instance of this is, that, in a tomb near + Beni-hassan, we learn by what process the Egyptians procured from the + distant quarries of Nubia those masses of granite with which they raised + the columns of Karnak and the obelisks of Luxor. + </p> + <p> + If I were called upon to describe in a word the principal and primary + characteristic of Egyptian architecture, I should at once say Imagination, + as Grace is the characteristic of the architecture of the Greeks. Thus, + when the Ptolemies assumed the sceptre of the Pharaohs, they blended the + delicate taste of Ionia t with the rich invention of the Nile, and + produced Philoe, Dendera, and Edfou. It is from the Pharaohs, however, + that you must seek for the vast and the gigantic: the pyramid, the + propylon, the colossus, the catacomb, the obelisk, and the sphinx. + </p> + <p> + It was in the early part of the year of the invasion of Syria by the + Egyptians, some eight years gone, that I first visited Thebes. My barque + was stowed against the bank of the river, near the Memnonion; the last + beam of the sun, before it sunk behind the Libyan hills, quivered on the + columns of Luxor; the Nubian crew, after their long and laborious voyage, + were dispersed on shore; and I was myself reposing in the shade, almost + unattended, when a Turk, well mounted, and followed by his pipe-bearer, + and the retinue that accompanies an Oriental of condition, descended from + the hills which contain the tombs of the queens, and approached the boat. + I was surprised, on advancing to welcome him, to be hailed in my native + tongue; and pleased, at such a moment and in such a place, to find a + countryman. While we smoked the pipe of salutation, he told me that he had + lived at Thebes for nearly ten years, studying the antiquities, the + history, and the manners of its ancient inhabitants. I availed myself of + his invitation to his residence, and, accompanying him, I found that I was + a visitor in a tomb, and yet by no means a gloomy dwelling-place. A + platform, carved in the mountain, was surrounded by a mud wall and tower, + to protect it from hostile Arabs. A couple of gazelles played in this + front court, while we, reposing on a divan, arranged round the first + chamber of the tomb, were favoured with a most commanding view of the + valley outspread beneath. There were several inner chambers, separated + from each other by hangings of scarlet cloth. Many apartments in the + Albany have I seen not half as pleasant and convenient. I found a library, + and instruments of art and science; a companion full of knowledge, + profound in Oriental manners, and thoroughly master of the subject which + naturally then most interested me. Our repast was strictly Eastern, but + the unusual convenience of forks was not wanting, and my host told me that + they were the very ones that he had used at Exeter College. I shall never + forget that first day at Thebes, and this my first interview with one then + unknown to fame, but whom the world has since recognised—the + learned, the ingenious, and amiable Mr. Wilkinson. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0026" id="link2H_4_0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + EGYPTIAN THEBES + </h2> + <p> + THE characteristic of Egyptian architecture is Imagination; of Grecian + architecture, Grace. When the Ptolemies assumed the sceptre of the + Pharaohs, they blended the delicate taste of Ionia with the rich invention + of the Nile; and they produced the most splendid creations of + architectural power that can now be witnessed. Such is the refined Philoe—such + the magnificent Dendera—such the sumptuous Edfou! + </p> + <p> + All the architectural remains of the most famous nations and the greatest + empires,—the amphitheatres, and arches, and columns of the Romans; + the fanes of the Greeks; the temples of the Syrians and Sicilians; the + Colosseum, the Parthenon, the courts of Baalbec, the pillars of Palmyra + and Girgenti,—sink into insignificance when compared with the + structures that line the banks of an African river. The mind makes a leap + amid their vastness, their variety, and their number. New combinations + rise upon our limited invention and contract the taste,—the pyramid, + the propylon, the colossus, the catacomb, the obelisk, the sphinx. + </p> + <p> + Take the map; trace the windings of the mysterious stream, whose source + baffles even this age of enterprise, and which remains unknown even when + the Niger is discovered. It flows through a wilderness. On one side are + the interminable wastes of Libya; on the other, a rocky desert, leading to + the ocean: yet its banks are fertile as a garden; and within 150 miles of + the sea it divides into two branches, which wind through an immense plain, + once the granary of the world. + </p> + <p> + A Nubian passed me in a state of nudity, armed with a poisoned spear, and + guarded by the skin of a hippopotamus, formed into a shield. In this + country, the animal called man is fine, although his wants are few,—some + rice, a calabash of palm wine, and the fish he himself spears. Are his + ancestors the creators of the adjoining temple, covered with beautiful + sculptures, and supported by colossal figures fifty feet in height? It is + well to ponder, by the roar of the cataracts of the Nile, over the + perfectibility of man. + </p> + <p> + A light has at length broken into the darkness of Egyptian ages; and + although we cannot discover the source of the Nile, we can at least + decipher its hieroglyphics. Those who are ignorant of the study are + incredulous as to its fruits; they disbelieve in the sun, because they are + dazzled by its beams. A popular miscellany is not the place to enter into + a history, or a vindication, of the phonetic system. I am desirous here + only of conveying to the general reader, in an intelligible manner, some + idea of the discoveries that are now unfolding themselves to the Egyptian + antiquarian, and of wandering with him for a moment amid the marvellous + creations of the Pharaohs and the Ptolemies, with a talisman which shall + unfold for his instruction and amusement their mystical and romantic + history. + </p> + <p> + I approach this mighty temple. A goose and globe, encircled in an oval, at + once inform me that it was constructed by a ‘Son of the Sun,’ or a + ‘Phrah,’ or ‘Pharaoh.’ It is remarkable that the Greeks never once mention + this memorable title, simply because they have always translated it by + their celebrated personification, ‘Sol,’ or ‘Apollo.’ In the obelisk of + Hermapion, given by Ammianus Marcellinus, we should therefore read, in the + third column, instead of ‘the powerful Apollo,’ ‘the powerful Phrah, the + all-splendid Son of the Sun.’ Proceeding with the inscription, I also + discover that the temple was constructed by Rameses the Second, a monarch + of whom we have more to hear, and who also raised some of the most + wonderful monuments of Thebes. + </p> + <p> + The first step of the Egyptian student should be to eradicate from his + mind all recollection of ancient authors. When he has arrived at his own + results, he may open Herodotus with interest, read Diodorus with + suspicion; but, above all, he will then learn to estimate the value of the + hitherto reviled Manetho, undoubtedly the fragments of the work of a + genuine Egyptian writer. The history and theology of ancient Egypt must be + studied on the sculptured walls of its palaces and temples, breathing with + sacred mysteries and heroic warfare; its manners and customs in its + catacombs and sepulchres, where the painter has celebrated the minutest + traits of the social life and the domestic economy of the most ancient of + nations. + </p> + <p> + Even in the time of Strabo, Egyptian Thebes was a city of enormous ruins, + the origin of which no antiquary could penetrate. We now know by the + inscriptions we decipher that these mighty monuments chiefly celebrate the + achievements of a great conqueror,—Rameses the Second, or the Great, + whom the most rigid critic would be rash to place later than fifteen + hundred years before Christ. These great creations, therefore, demonstrate + the mature civilisation of Egypt far beyond three thousand years back. + Rameses and his illustrious predecessors, the Thothmes and the Amunophs, + are described as monarchs of the eighteenth dynasty. Thothmes the Fourth, + one of these ancestors, cut the great Sphinx of the Pyramids; as for the + Pyramids themselves, it is now undeniable that they were not raised at the + comparatively late period ascribed to them by Herodotus and Diodorus. No + monuments in Egypt can be compared in antiquity with these buildings; and + the names of the predecessors of Rameses the Great are found in their + vicinity, evidently sculptured at a much later epoch. ‘The Pyramids are at + least ten thousand years old,’ said Champollion to a friend of mine in + Egypt, rubbing his hands, with eyes sparkling with all the enthusiasm of + triumphant research. + </p> + <p> + It is highly probable that Rameses the Great was the Sesostris of + Herodotus. This name is entirely a Greek invention, and is found on no + Egyptian monuments. The splendid tomb, first opened by Belzoni, in the + Valley of the Kings, is of the grandfather of this monarch—Rameses + the First. It is evident from the Theban sculptures and inscriptions, that + Rameses and his predecessors were engaged in a long war with a most + powerful enemy,’ and that that enemy was an Oriental people, a nation with + fair countenances and flowing robes, dwelling in a hilly and well-wooded + country. It is probable that this nation was the Assyrians, who, according + to ancient writers, invaded Egypt under Ninus and Semiramis. Thothmes the + Third and Fourth, Amunoph, and Rameses the First, carried on this war with + uncertain success. The successor of Rameses the First, whose phonetic name + is doubtful, was not unworthy of the son whom the gods accorded to him as + a reward for his valour and magnificence. This anonymous sovereign led the + war in person, and probably against degenerate princes. On the walls of + Karnak—a sculptured scroll, more durable than those of his poets and + historians—we find him in his triumphal chariot, leading a host of + infantry and chariots, attacking fortified places, defended by lofty walls + and surrounded by water. The enemy is seen clearing their country in + advance, driving away their cattle, and felling forests to impede the + progress of the invader’s chariots; but at length the victorious Pharaoh + returns to his Nile with crowds of prisoners, bearing every variety of + rich and fantastic tribute. + </p> + <p> + The son of this chieftain was Rameses the Second, or the Great. Following + the example of his illustrious predecessor, he soon led a numerous and + chosen army to extend the Oriental conquests of the Egyptians. He passed + along the sea-coast of a country, which is, without doubt, Syria, since + the name of Rameses the Second is still found on that shore, near the + ancient Berytus and modern Beirut. He continued his march into the + interior, where we at length find him opposed by a powerful force on the + banks of a great river, probably the Euphrates. On the opposite bank of + the river is a vast and strongly-fortified city. The battle is fought and + won. The Orientals are defeated, and sue for peace. The city is not + represented as taken, yet sieges are often sculptured on these walls, and + the Egyptian army is always supplied with scaling-ladders and the testudo. + And what was this city? Was it Babylon? Was it Nineveh? How wonderful is + it at this remote period, to read for the first time, the Gazettes of the + Pharaohs! It does not appear to have been the object of the Egyptians to + make a permanent settlement in these conquered countries. They laid waste + the land, they accumulated plunder, they secured peace by the dread of + their arms, and, returning home with the same rapidity that they advanced, + they enjoyed and commemorated their victories in the embellishment of + their majestic cities. The remainder of the long reign of Rameses the + Great was passed in the cultivation of the arts. A greater number of + monuments, statues, and temples bear the name of this king than of any + other who ruled in Egypt, and there are few remains of any city in that + country where it is not met with. To him we are indebted alike for the + rock temples of Nubia, and the inimitable obelisks of Luxor. He raised + that splendid structure on the western side of Thebes, supported by + colossal statues, which is foolishly styled the Memnonion; he made great + additions to Karnak; he built the temple of Osiris at Abydus; he adorned + the great temple of Memphis with colossal statues, for which he evidently + had a passion; and, finally, amid a vast number of other temples, + especially in Nubia, which it would be tedious to recount, and other + remains, he cut the famous Monticoelian obelisk now at Rome. Whatever may + have been the actions recorded of Sesostris, one thing is certain, that no + Egyptian king ever surpassed or equalled the second Rameses. Let us then + allow that history has painted in too glowing colours the actions of the + former-too great for the limited power of Europe—and remain + persuaded, that, so far from aiming at the conquest of the world, the + utmost extent of his march was confined to the countries bordering on + Assyria, Arabia, and part of Æthiopia, from which country he is + represented as receiving tribute. The conquests of Rameses the Second + secured a long peace to Egypt. The reigns of his two successors, however, + are celebrated for the creation of the great avenue of sphinxes at Thebes, + leading from Luxor to Karnak, a mile and a quarter in extent, a sumptuous + evidence of the prosperity of Egypt and of the genius of the Pharaohs. + War, however, broke out again under Rameses the Third, but certainly + against another power, and it would appear a naval power. Returning + victorious, the third Rameses added a temple to Karnak, and raised the + temple and the palace of Medcenet Habu. Here closes the most interesting + period of Egyptian history. A long succession of princes, many of whom + bore the name of Rameses, followed, but, so far as we can observe, they + were distinguished neither in architecture nor war. There are reasons + which may induce us to believe that the Trojan war happened during the + reign of the third Rameses. The poetical Memnon is not found in Egyptian + records. The name is not Egyptian, although it may be a corruption. It is + useless to criticise this invention of the lying Greeks, to whose blinded + conceit and carelessness we are indebted for the almost total darkness in + which the records of antiquity are enveloped. The famous musical statue of + Memnon is still seated on its throne, dignified and serene, on the plain + of Thebes. It is a colossus, fifty feet in height, and the base of the + figure is covered with inscriptions of the Greek and Roman travellers, + vouching that they had listened to the wild sunrise melody. The learned + and ingenious Mr. Wilkinson, who has resided at Thebes upwards of ten + years, studying the monuments of Egypt, appears to me to have solved the + mystery of this music. He informed me that having ascended the statue, he + discovered that some metallic substance had been inserted in its breast, + which, when struck, emitted a very melodious sound. From the attitude of + the statue, a priest might easily have ascended in the night, and remained + completely concealed behind the mighty arms while he struck the breast; + or, which is not improbable, there was probably some secret way to ascend, + now blocked up; for this statue, with its remaining companion, although + now isolated in their situation, were once part of an enormous temple, the + ruins of which yet remain, and the plan of which may yet be traced. Thanks + to the phonetic system, we now know that this musical statue is one of + Amunoph the Second, who lived many centuries before the Trojan war. The + truth is, the Greeks, who have exercised almost as fatal an influence over + modern knowledge as they have a beneficial one over modern taste, had no + conception of anything more ancient than the Trojan war, except Chaos. + Chaos is a poetic legend, and the Trojan war was the squabble of a few + marauding clans. + </p> + <p> + ‘Where are the records of the great Assyrian monarchy? Where are the books + of the Medes and Persians? Where the learned annals of Pharaohs? + </p> + <p> + ‘Fortunate Jordan! Fortunate Ilissus! I have waded through the sacred + waters; with difficulty I traced the scanty windings of the classic + stream. Alas! for the exuberant Tigris; alas! for the mighty Euphrates; + alas! for the mysterious Nile!’ + </p> + <p> + It is curious that no allusion whatever to the Jews has yet turned up on + any Egyptian monuments. But upon the walls of Medoenet Habu I observed, + more than once repeated, the Ark borne in triumph. This is not a fanciful + resemblance. It responds in every particular. + </p> + <p> + I have noticed the history of Ancient Egypt, because some knowledge of it + is necessary to illustrate Thebes. I quit a subject which, however + curious, is probably of too confined an interest for the general reader, + and I enter in his company the City of the Hundred Gates. + </p> + <p> + The Nile winds through the valley of Thebes—a valley formed by + ranges of mountains, which on one side defend it from the great Lybian + desert, and on the other from the rocky wilderness that leads to the Red + Sea. On each side of the stream are two great quarters of ruins. On the + side of the Red Sea are Luxor and Karnak, on the opposite bank the great + temple called the Memnonion, and the various piles which, under the + general title of Medoenet Habu, in all probability among other structures + comprise the principal palace of the more ancient Pharaohs. On the Lybian + side, also, are the cemeteries of the great city-the mummy caves of + Gornou, two miles in extent; above them, excavated in the mountains, the + tombs of the Queens, and in the adjacent valley of Beban-el-Maluk the + famous tombs of the Kings. The population of the City of the Hundred Gates + now consists of a few Arab families, who form four villages of mud huts + clustered round those gigantic columns and mighty obelisks, a single one + of which is sought for by the greatest sovereigns of Europe for their + palaces and museums as the rarest of curious treasures. Often, indeed, + have I seen a whole Arab village rising from the roof of a single Egyptian + temple. Dendera is an instance. The population of Gornou, in number + between three and four hundred, reside solely in the tombs. + </p> + <p> + I think that Luxor, from its situation, first attracts the notice of the + traveller. It is close on the river, and is built on a lofty platform. Its + enormous columns are the first specimen of that colossal genius of the + Pharaohs which the Ptolemies never attempted to rival. The entrance to + this temple is through a magnificent propylon, that is, a portal flanked + by massy pyramidal moles. It is two hundred feet in breadth, and rises + nearly sixty feet above the soil. This gate is entirely covered with + sculpture, commemorating the triumph of Rameses the Great over the + supposed Assyrians. On each side of the portal are two colossal statues of + red granite, buried in the sand up to their shoulders, but measuring + thence, to the top of their crowns, upwards of twenty feet. On each side + of them, a little in advance, rise the two most perfect obelisks that + remain, also of red granite, and each about eighty feet high. From the + propylon you pass into a peristyle court, about two hundred and thirty + feet long by one hundred and seventy, the roof of which was once supported + by double rows of columns, many of which now remain; and so on through + other pyramidal gates and courts and porticoes and chambers which are, in + all probability, of a more ancient date than the gates and obelisks and + colossi first described, which last were perhaps added by Rameses, who + commemorated his triumph by rendering a celebrated building still more + famous. + </p> + <p> + From Luxor you proceed to Karnak, the other great division on this side of + the river, through an avenue of sphinxes considerably above a mile in + extent; and here I should observe that Egyptian sphinxes are either <i>andro</i> + or <i>crio</i> sphinxes, the one formed by the union of the lion with the + man, and the other of the lion with the ram. Their mystery is at length + penetrated. They are male and never female. They are male and they are + monarchs. This great avenue, extending from Luxor to Karnak, was raised by + the two immediate successors of the great Rameses, and represents their + long line of ancestry. + </p> + <p> + All the marvels of the world sink before the first entrance into Karnak. + It may vie with the Alps and the Andes. The obelisks of Luxor may be + unrivalled, the sculptures of Medcenet Habu more exquisite, the colossus + of Memnonion more gigantic, the paintings of the royal tombs more curious + and instructive, but criticism ceases before the multifarious wonders of + the halls and courts of Karnak and the mind is open only to one general + impression of colossal variety. + </p> + <p> + I well remember the morning I stood before the propylon, or chief entrance + of Karnak. The silver stars were still shining in the cold blue heaven, + that afforded a beautiful relief to the mighty structure, built of a light + yellow stone, and quite unstained by the winds of three thousand years. + The front of this colossal entrance is very much broader than the front of + our cathedral of St. Paul’s, and its height exceeds that of the Trajan + column. It is entirely without sculptures, a rare omission, and doubtless + intended, that the unity of the effect should not be broken. The great + door in the centre is sixty-four feet in height. + </p> + <p> + Through this you pass into columned courts, which, in any other place, + would command undivided attention, until you at length arrive in front of + a second propylon. Ascending a flight of steps, you enter the great hall + of Karnak. The area of this hall is nearly fifty-eight thousand square + feet, and it has recently been calculated that four such churches as our + St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields might stand side by side in this unrivalled + chamber without occupying the whole space. The roof, formed of single + stones, compared with which the masses at Stonehenge would appear almost + bricks, has fallen in; but the one hundred and thirty-four colossal + columns which supported it, and which are considerably above thirty feet + in circumference, still remain, and, with the walls and propyla, are + completely covered with sculptured forms. I shall not attempt to describe + any other part of Karnak. The memory aches with the effort; there are many + buildings attached to it, larger than most temples; there are an infinite + number of gates, and obelisks, and colossi; but the imagination cannot + refrain from calling up some sacred or heroic procession, moving from + Luxor to Karnak, in melodious pomp, through the great avenue of sphinxes, + and ranging themselves in glorious groups around the gigantic columns of + this sublime structure. What feudal splendour, and what Gothic ceremonies, + what tilts and tournaments, and what ecclesiastic festivals, could rival + the vast, the beautiful, and solemn magnificence of the old Egyptians? + </p> + <p> + Crossing the river to Western Thebes, we arrive at the two seated colossi, + one of which I have already noticed as the musical Memnon. These doubtless + once guarded the entrance of some temple more ancient than any remaining, + for they were raised by Amunoph the Second, a predecessor, by some + generations, of the great Rameses. They were, doubtless, once seated on + each side of a propylon, as at Luxor, and in all probability were flanked + by obelisks. Whether the temple were destroyed for materials, for more + recent structures, or whether it has sunk under the accumulations of the + slimy soil, may be decided by the future excavator. + </p> + <p> + We arrive at the Memnonion. This temple was raised by Rameses the Great. + In the colossal Caryatides we recognise the same genius that excavated the + rocks of Ipsambul, and supported a cavern temple upon the heads of giants. + From the Memnonion came the statue that is now in the British Museum. But + this figure, though a fine specimen of Egyptian sculpture, sinks, so far + as magnitude is concerned, into insignificance when compared with the + statue of Rameses himself, which, broken off at the waist, now lies + prostrate in the precincts of the sanctuary. This is probably the most + huge colossus that the Egyptians ever constructed. The fragment is of red + granite, and of admirable workmanship. Unfortunately the face is entirely + obliterated. The statue lies upon its back, and in its fall has destroyed + all the temple within reach. It measures more than sixty feet round the + shoulders, the breadth of the instep is nearly seven feet, and the + hieroglyphical figures engraven on the arm are large enough for a man to + walk in. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps the most interesting group of ruins at Thebes is the quarter of + Medcenet Habu. Most of the buildings are of the time of Rameses the Third. + </p> + <p> + The sculptured walls of the great temples, covered with battles, chariots, + captives, and slaves, have been worthily described by the vivid pen of Mr. + Hamilton. They celebrate the victorious campaigns of the monarch. Here + also the Third Rameses raised his palace. And it is curious, among other + domestic subjects, that we find represented on the walls, in a very + admirable style, Rameses playing chess with his Queen. Chess is, probably, + a most ancient Oriental game. Rameses the Third lived before the Trojan + war, to which the Greeks, as usual, ascribe the invention of chess. + </p> + <p> + The sepulchres of Thebes still remain to be described, a theme more + fertile in interest and instruction than even its palaces and temples. The + arts of the Egyptians must be studied in their tombs, and to learn how + this remarkable people lived, we must even go where they were buried. To + cite no other instances in a sketch which is already too long, it is from + a painting in a tomb near Beni-hassan that we learn how the Egyptians + procured from the distant quarries of Nubia those masses of stone and + granite with which they raised the columns of Karnak and the obelisks of + Luxor. + </p> + <p> + But we must conclude. We have touched a virgin subject rich with + delightful knowledge, and if our readers be not wearied with wandering on + the banks of the Nile, we may perhaps again introduce them to the company + of the Pharaohs. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0027" id="link2H_4_0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + SHOUBRA + </h2> + <p> + ORIENTAL palaces, except perhaps in the great Indian peninsula, do not + realise the dreams and glittering visions of the Arabian Nights, or indeed + the authentic histories written in the flush and fullness of the success + of the children of the desert, the Tartar and the Saracen. Commerce once + followed in the train of the conquerors of Asia, and the vast buildings + which they hastily threw up of slight and perishing materials, were + filled, not only with the plunder of the East, but furnished with all the + productions of art and curious luxury, which the adventurous spirit of man + brought from every quarter of the globe to Samarcand and Bagdad. The site + of these mighty capitals is almost erased from the map of the modern + traveller; but tribute and traffic have also ceased to sustain even the + dilapidated serail of the once omnipotent Stamboul, and, until very + recently, all that remained of the splendour of the Caliphs of Egypt was + the vast Necropolis, which still contains their palatial sepulchres. + </p> + <p> + How the bold Roumelian peasant who in our days has placed himself on the + ancient throne of the Pharaohs and the Ptolemies, as Napoleon on the seat + of the Merovingian kings, usurping political power by military prowess, + lodged and contented himself in the valley of the Nile, was not altogether + an uninteresting speculation; and it was with no common curiosity that + some fifteen years ago, before he had conquered Syria and scared + Constantinople, I made one morning a visit to Shoubra, the palace of + Mehemet Ali. + </p> + <p> + Nothing can be conceived more animated and picturesque than Cairo during + the early morning or at night. It seems the most bustling and populous + city in the world. The narrow streets, abounding with bazaars, present the + appearance of a mob, through which troops of richly dressed cavaliers + force with difficulty their prancing way, arrested often in their course + by the procession of a harem returning from the bath, the women enveloped + in inscrutable black garments, and veils and masks of white linen, and + borne along by the prettiest donkeys in the world. The attendant eunuchs + beat back the multitude; even the swaggering horsemen, with their golden + and scarlet jackets, rich shawls and scarfs, and shining arms, trampling + on those around, succeed in drawing aside; but all efforts are vain, for + at the turning of the street appears the first still solemn visage of a + long string of tall camels bearing provisions to the citadel, a Nubian + astride on the neck of the leader, and beating a wild drum, to apprise the + people of his approach. The streets, too, in which these scenes occur are + in themselves full of variety and architectural beauty. The houses are + lofty and latticed, abounding in balconies; fountains are frequent and + vast and as richly adorned as Gothic shrines; sometimes the fortified + palace of one of the old Mamlouks, now inhabited by a pasha, still oftener + the exquisite shape of an Arabian mosque. The temples of Stamboul cannot + vie with the fanes of Cairo. Their delicate domes and airy cupolas, their + lofty minarets covered with tracery, and the flowing fancy of their + arabesques recalled to me the glories of the Alhambra, the fantastic grace + of the Alcazars and the shrines of Seville and Cordova. + </p> + <p> + At night the illuminated coffee-houses, the streaming population, each + person carrying a lantern, in an atmosphere warmer and softer than our + conservatories, and all the innocent amusements of an out-door life—the + Nubian song, the Arabian tale, the Syrian magic—afford a different, + but not less delightful scene. + </p> + <p> + It was many hours before noon, however, that I made my first visit to + Shoubra, beneath a sky as cloudless as it remained during the whole six + months I was in Egypt, during which time I have no recollection that we + were favoured by a single drop of rain; and yet the ever-living breeze on + the great river, and the excellent irrigation of the earth, produce a + freshness in the sky and soil, which are missed in other Levantine + regions, where there is more variety of the seasons. + </p> + <p> + Shoubra is about four or five miles from the metropolis. It rises on the + banks of the Nile, and the road to it from Cairo is a broad but shady + avenue, formed of sycamores, of noble growth and colour; on one side + delightful glimpses of the river, with its palmy banks and sparkling + villages, and on the other, after a certain tract of vivid vegetation, the + golden sands of the desert, and the shifting hillocks which it forms; or, + perhaps, the grey peaks of some chain of pyramids. + </p> + <p> + The palace of Shoubra is a pile of long low buildings looking to the river—moderate + in its character, and modest in its appointments; but clean, orderly, and + in a state of complete repair; and, if we may use such an epithet with + reference to oriental life, comfortable. It possesses all the refined + conveniences of European manners, of which the pasha at the time I am + referring to was extremely proud. Most of these had been the recent gift + of the French government, and his highness occasionally amused his guests—some + sheikh from Arabia, or some emir from the Lebanon—by the exhibition + of some scientific means of domestic accommodation with which use has made + us familiar, but which I was assured had sensibly impressed the magnates + of the desert and the mountain with the progress of modern civilisation. + </p> + <p> + The gardens of Shoubra, however, are vast, fanciful, and kept in admirable + order. They appeared to me in their character also entirely oriental. You + enter them by long, low, winding walks of impenetrable shade; you emerge + upon an open ground sparkling with roses, arranged in beds of artificial + forms, and leading to gilded pavilions and painted kiosks. Arched walks of + orange trees, with the fruit and the flowers hanging over your head, lead + again to fountains, or to some other garden-court, where myrtles border + beds of tulips, and you wander on mosaic walks of polished pebbles. A vase + flashes amid a group of dark cypresses, and you are invited to repose + under a Syrian walnut tree by a couch or a summer-house. + </p> + <p> + The most striking picture, however, of this charming retreat is a lake + surrounded by light cloisters of white marble, and in its centre a + fountain of crocodiles, carved in the same material. That material as well + as the art, however, are European. It was Carrara that gave the pure and + glittering blocks, and the Tuscan chisel called them into life. It is a + pity that the honourable board of directors, in their recent offering of + the silver fountain to the pasha, had not been aware of the precedent thus + afforded by his highness’s own creation for the introduction of living + forms into Moslem sculpture and carving. They might have varied their huge + present with advantage. Indeed, with the crocodile and the palm-tree, + surely something more beautiful and not less characteristic than their + metallic mausoleum might easily have been devised. + </p> + <p> + This marble pavilion at Shoubra, indeed, with its graceful, terraced + peristyles, its chambers and divans, the bright waters beneath, with their + painted boats, wherein the ladies of the harem chase the gleaming shoals + of gold and silver fish, is a scene worthy of a sultan; but my attendant, + a Greek employed in the garden, told me I ought to view it on some high + festival, crowded by the court in their rich costumes, to appreciate all + its impressive beauty. This was a scene not reserved for me, yet my first + visit to Shoubra closed with an incident not immemorable. + </p> + <p> + I had quitted the marble pavilion and was about to visit the wilderness + where roam, in apparent liberty, many rare animals, when I came, somewhat + suddenly, on a small circular plot into which several walks emptied, cut + through a thick hedge of myrtle. By a sun-dial stood a little man, robust, + though aged, rather stout, and of a very cheerful countenance; his attire + plain and simple, a pelisse of dark silk, and a turban white as his snowy + beard; he was in merry conversation with his companion, who turned out to + be his jester. In the background, against the myrtle wall, stood three or + four courtiers in rich dresses—courtiers, for the little old man was + their princely master—the great Pasha of Egypt. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0028" id="link2H_4_0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + EDEN AND LEBANON + </h2> + <p> + I FOUND myself high among the mountains, and yet amid a series of green + slopes. All around me sparkled with cultivation—vineyards, gardens, + groves of young mulberry trees, clustering groups of the sycamore and the + walnut. Falling around, the cascades glittered in the sun, until, reaching + the bottom of the winding valley, they mingled with the waters of a + rivulet that glided through a glade of singular vividness. + </p> + <p> + On the broad bosom of a sunny hill, behind which rose a pyramid of bare + rock, was a most beautiful village—flat cottages with terraced + roofs, shaded by spreading trees, and surrounded by fruit and flowers. A + cerulean sky above; the breath of an infinite variety of fragrant herbs + around; and a land of silk and wine; everywhere the hum of bees and the + murmur of falling streams; while, on the undulating down, a band of + beauteous children were frolicking with the kids. + </p> + <p> + The name of this village, the fairest spot in the region of Lebanon, is <i>Eden</i>, + which, rendered from the Arabic into the English tongue, means a ‘Dwelling + of Delight.’ + </p> + <p> + I ascended the peak that overhung this village. I beheld ridges of + mountains succeeding each other in proportionate pre-eminence, until the + range of the eternal glaciers, with their lustrous cones, flashed in the + Syrian sun. I descended into the deep and solemn valleys, skirted the + edges of rocky precipices, and toiled over the savage monotony of the + dreary table-land. At length, on the brow of a mountain, I observed the + fragments of a gloomy forest—cedar, and pine, and cypress. The wind + moaning through its ancient avenues and the hoarse roar of a cataract were + the only sounds that greeted me. + </p> + <p> + In the front was a scanty group of gigantic trees, that seemed the relics + of some pre-Adamite grove. Their grey and massive trunks, each of which + must have been more than twelve yards in girth, were as if quite dead; + while, about twenty feet from the ground, they divided into five or six + huge limbs, each equal to a single tree, but all, as it were, lifeless + amid their apparent power. + </p> + <p> + Bare of all foliage, save on their ancient crests—black, blasted, + riven, and surrounded by deep snows—behold the trees that built the + palaces of Solomon! + </p> + <p> + When I recall the scene from which I had recently parted, and contrasted + it with the spectacle before me, it seemed that I had quitted the + innocence and infancy of Nature to gaze on its old age—of exhausted + passions and desolate neglect. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0029" id="link2H_4_0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + A SYRIAN SKETCH + </h2> + <p> + THE sun was quivering above the horizon, when I strolled forth from Jaffa + to enjoy the coming breeze amid the beautiful gardens that environ that + agreeable town. Riding along the previous day, my attention had been + attracted by a marble gate, the fragment of some old temple, that now + served as the entrance to one of these enclosures, their secure boundary + otherwise formed by a picturesque and impenetrable hedge of Indian fig. + </p> + <p> + It is not a hundred yards from the town; behind it stretches the plain of + Ramie—the ancient Arimathea-broad and fertile, and, at this moment, + green; for it was just after the latter rains, when Syria is most + charming. The caravan track winding through it led to Jerusalem. + </p> + <p> + The air was exquisitely soft and warm, and sweet with the perfume of the + orange bowers. I passed through the marble portal, adorned with some + florid yet skilful sculptures, and found myself in a verdant wilderness of + fruit-trees, rising in rich confusion from the turf, through which not a + single path seemed to wander. There were vast groups of orange and + lemon-trees, varied occasionally with the huge offspring of the + citron-tree, and the glowing produce of the pomegranate; while, ever and + anon, the tall banana raised its head aloft with its green or golden + clusters, and sometimes the graceful and languid crest of the date-bearing + palm. + </p> + <p> + While I was in doubt as to the direction I should bend my steps, my ear + was caught by the wild notes of Turkish music; and, following the sounds, + I emerged upon a plot of turf, clear from trees, in the middle of which + was a fountain, and, by its margin, seated on a delicate Persian carpet, a + venerable Turk. Some slaves were near him, one of whom, at a little + distance, was playing on a rude lyre; in the master’s left hand was a + volume of Arabian poetry, and he held in his right the serpentine tube of + his narghileh, or Syrian pipe. When he beheld me, he saluted me with all + the dignity of the Orient, pressing his hand to his heart, but not rising. + I apologised for my intrusion; but he welcomed me with serene cordiality, + and invited me to share his carpet and touch his pipe. + </p> + <p> + Some time elapsed in answering those questions respecting European horses + and European arms, wherein the Easterns delight. At length, the solemn and + sonorous voice of the muezzin, from the minarets of Jaffa, came floating + on the air. The sun had set; and, immediately, my host and his companions + performed their ablutions in the fountain; and kneeling towards Mecca, + repeated their accustomed prayers. Then rising, the Turkish aga, for such + was his rank, invited me to enjoy the evening breeze, and accompany him in + a walk round his garden. + </p> + <p> + As we proceeded, my companion plucked an orange, and taking a knife from + his girdle, and cutting the fruit in half, offered me one moiety, and + threw the other away. More than once he repeated this ceremony, which + somewhat excited my surprise. At length he inquired my opinion of his + fruit. I enlarged, and with sincerity, on its admirable quality, the racy + sweetness of its flavour, which I esteemed unequalled; but I could not + refrain from expressing my surprise, that of fruit so exquisite he should + studiously waste so considerable a portion. + </p> + <p> + ‘Effendi,’ said the Turk, with a grave though gracious smile, ‘to friends + we give only the sunny side.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0030" id="link2H_4_0030"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE BOSPHORUS + </h2> + <p> + THE stranger whose felicity it has been to float between the shores of the + Bosphorus will often glance back with mingled feelings of regret and + satisfaction to the memory of those magical waters. This splendid strait, + stretching from the harbour of Constantinople to the mouth of the Euxine, + may be about twenty miles in length, and its ordinary breadth seldom + exceeds one mile. The old Greek story tells that one might hear the birds + sing on the opposite shore. And thus two great continents are divided by + an ocean stream narrower than many rivers that are the mere boundaries of + kingdoms. Yet it is strange that the character of these two famous + divisions of our earth is nowhere more marked than on the shores of the + Bosphorus. The traveller turns without disappointment from the gay and + glittering shores of Europe to the sublimer beauty and the dusky grandeur + of Asia. + </p> + <p> + The European side, until you advance within four or five miles of the + Black Sea, is almost uninterruptedly studded with fanciful and ornamental + buildings: beautiful villages, and brilliant summer palaces, and bright + kiosks, painted in arabesque, and often gilt. The green background to the + scene is a sparkling screen of terraced gardens, rising up a chain of + hills whose graceful undulations are crowned with groves of cypress and of + chestnut, occasionally breaking into fair and delicate valleys, richly + wooded, and crossed by a grey and antique aqueduct. + </p> + <p> + But in Asia the hills rise into mountains, and the groves swell into + forests. Everything denotes a vast, rich and prolific land, but there is + something classical, antique, and even mysterious in its general + appearance. An air of stillness and deep repose pervades its less + cultivated and less frequented shores; and the very eagles, as they linger + over the lofty peak of ‘the Giant’s grave,’ seem conscious that they are + haunting some heroic burial-place. + </p> + <p> + I remember that one of the most strange, and even sublime, spectacles that + I ever beheld occurred to me one balmy autumnal eve as I returned home in + my caique from Terapia, a beautiful village on the Bosphorus, where I had + been passing the day, to Pera. I encountered an army of dolphins, who were + making their way from the Ægean and the Sea of Marmora through the Strait + to the Euxine. They stretched right across the water, and I should + calculate that they covered, with very little interval, a space of three + or four miles. It is very difficult to form an estimate of their number, + but there must, of course, have been many thousands. They advanced in + grand style, and produced an immense agitation: the snorting, spouting, + and splashing, and the wild panting rush, I shall never forget. As it was + late, no other caique was in sight, and my boatmen, apprehensive of being + run down, stopped to defend themselves with their oars. I had my pistols + with me, and found great sport, as, although the dolphins made every + effort to avoid us, there were really crowds always in shot. Whenever one + was hit, general confusion ran through the whole line. They all flounced + about with increased energy, ducked their round heads under water, and + turned up their arrowy tails. We remained thus stationary for nearly + three-quarters of an hour, and very diverting I found the delay. At length + the mighty troop of strangers passed us, and, I suppose, must have arrived + at the Symplegades about the same time that I sought the elegant + hospitality of the British Palace at Pera. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0031" id="link2H_4_0031"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + AN INTERVIEW WITH A GREAT TURK + </h2> + <p> + WHEN I was in Egypt the great subject of political speculation was the + invasion of Syria; not that the object of the formation of the camp at + Alexandria was generally known; on the contrary, it was a secret,-but a + secret shared by many ears. Forty thousand well-disciplined troops were + assembled at Cairo; and it was whispered at Court that Abdallah Pasha of + Acre might look to himself, a young and valiant chief, by-the-bye, whom I + well know, but indulging in dissipation, extraordinary even in the Levant. + I was exceedingly anxious of becoming in some manner attached to this + expedition; and as I was not without influence in the proper quarters, + there appeared little probability of my wish not being gratified. With + these views I remained in Egypt longer than I had intended, but it would + seem that the invaders were not quite as ardent as their intended + volunteer, for affairs at Alexandria progressed but indifferently. Orders + and counter-orders, marches and counter-marches, boats pressed on the Nile + for the passage of troops from the capital, which were all liberated the + next day, many divans and much smoking; but still the troops remained + within pistol-shot of the citadel, and months glided away apparently + without any material advancement. + </p> + <p> + I had often observed that although there was in most subjects an excellent + understanding between the two Pashas, Mehemet Ali and Ibrahim, a degree of + petty jealousy existed between them on the point of their mutual + communications with foreigners; so that if I happened one morning to + attend the divan of the Grand Pasha, as the Franks styled the father, I + was sure, on some excuse or other, of being summoned the next day to the + levee of the son; I was therefore not surprised when, one day, on my + return from paying my respects to the divan at the citadel of Cairo, I + found a Nubian eunuch in attendance at my quarters, telling me that + Ibrahim Pasha was anxious to see me. + </p> + <p> + I accordingly repaired without loss of time to the sumptuous palace of + that chieftain: and being ushered into his presence, I found the future + conqueror of Syria attended only by his dragoman, his secretary; and an + aide-de-camp. + </p> + <p> + A pipe was immediately brought me, but Ibrahim himself did not smoke. + After the usual compliments, ‘Effendi,’ said Ibrahim, ‘do you think the + English horses would live in Egypt?’ + </p> + <p> + I was too practised an observer of the Turkish character to suppose that + English horses were really the occasion of my summons. The Turks are very + diplomatic, and are a long time coming to the point. I answered, however, + that, with English grooms, I was of opinion that English horses would + flourish in any climate. A curt, dry, uninteresting conversation about + English horses was succeeded by some queries, which I had answered fifty + times before, about English pistols: and then came a sly joke or two about + English women. At length the point of the interview began to poke its + horns out of this shell of tittle-tattle. + </p> + <p> + ‘If you want to go with the army,’ said his Highness, ‘’tis I who am the + person to speak to. They know nothing about those things up there’ + (meaning the citadel). + </p> + <p> + I answered his Highness that I had attended the divan merely as a matter + of ceremony, and that I had not interchanged a word with the Grand Pasha + on the subject of the expedition. + </p> + <p> + ‘I suppose you talked with Boghaz?’ said Ibrahim. + </p> + <p> + Boghaz was the favourite of Mehemet Ali. + </p> + <p> + ‘Neither with Boghaz nor any one else. Your Highness having once + graciously promised me that I should attend you, I should have thought it + both impertinent and unnecessary to apply to any other person whatever.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Tahib!’ exclaimed his Highness, which meant that he was satisfied. ‘After + all, I do not know whether the army will march at all. You have been in + Syria?’ + </p> + <p> + I answered, in the affirmative, a question which had often been addressed + to me. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you think I could march as far as Gaza?’ inquired Ibrahim, with a + smile. + </p> + <p> + This was a question of mockery. It was like asking whether the Life Guards + could take Windsor. I therefore only returned the smile, and said that I + did not doubt the enemy would agree to settle affairs upon that condition. + </p> + <p> + ‘Tahib! Well I think I can march as far as they speak Arabic!’ This was a + favourite phrase of his Highness. + </p> + <p> + I answered that I hoped, if I had the honour of attending his Highness, + the army would march till we could see another ocean. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is all talk up there,’ replied Ibrahim; ‘but my life is a life of + deeds.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Words are very good things sometimes,’ I replied; ‘that is, if we keep + marching at the same time.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘God is great!’ exclaimed Ibrahim; and looking round to his officers, ‘the + Effendi speaks truth; and thus it was that Redchid beat the beys.’ + </p> + <p> + Ibrahim alluded to the Albanian campaign of the preceding year, when the + energy of the grand vizier crushed the rebellious beys of the ancient + Epirus. + </p> + <p> + ‘What do you think of Redchid?’ he inquired. + </p> + <p> + ‘I think he is worthy of being your Highness’s rival.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He has always been victorious,’ said Ibrahim; ‘but I think his sabre is + made of gold. That will not do with me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It’s a pity,’ I observed, ‘that if your Highness find time to march into + Syria, you had not acted simultaneously with the Albanians, or with the + Pasha of Scutari.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘May I kill my mother but it is true; but up there, they will watch, and + watch, and watch, till they fall asleep.’ + </p> + <p> + The truth is, the Orientals have no idea of military diversions; and even + if they combine, each strives to be the latest in the field, in order that + he may take advantage of the other’s success or discomfiture. Mehemet Ali, + at an immense expenditure, had excited two terrible revolts in European + Turkey, and then waited to invade Syria until the armies of the Porte were + unemployed. The result with some will justify his policy; but in the + conquest of Syria, the truth is, Ibrahim himself used a golden sabre, and + the year, before, the contingents of the pashas, whom he was obliged to + bribe, were all busied in Europe. + </p> + <p> + The night previous to this conversation the style of the military oath of + the Egyptian army had been altered; and the troops, instead of swearing + allegiance to the Sultan, had pledged themselves to Mehemet Ali. The Grand + Pasha was so nervous about this change, that the order for it was + countermanded twice in four hours; however, what with gratuities to the + troops, and the discreet distribution of promotion among the officers, + everything went off very quietly. There was also a rumour that Mehemet Ali + intended immediately to assume the title of <i>Caliph</i>. + </p> + <p> + This piece of information is necessary to explain the following striking + observation of Ibrahim Pasha. + </p> + <p> + ‘Effendi, do you think that a man can conquer Syria, who is not called a + caliph? Will it make 40,000 men 80,000?’ + </p> + <p> + I replied, that I thought the assumption of the title would have a + beneficial effect at foreign courts. + </p> + <p> + ‘Bah! before the Yahoos hear of it, I shall be at Damascus. Up there, they + are always busying themselves with forms. The eagle in his flight does not + think of his shadow on the earth!’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0032" id="link2H_4_0032"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + MUNICH + </h2> + <p> + THE destiny of nations appears to have decreed that a society should + periodically, though rarely, flourish, characterised by its love of the + Fine Arts, and its capacity of ideal creation. These occasional and + brilliant ebullitions of human invention elevate the race of man; they + purify and chasten the taste of succeeding generations; and posterity + accepts them as the standard of what is choice, and the model of what is + excellent. + </p> + <p> + Classic Greece and Christian Italy stand out in our universal annals as + the epochs of the Arts. During the last two centuries, while manners have + undergone a rapid transition, while physical civilisation has advanced in + an unprecedented degree, and the application of science to social life has + diverted the minds of men from other pursuits, the Fine Arts have decayed + and vanished. + </p> + <p> + I wish to call the attention of my countrymen to another great movement in + the creative mind of Europe; one yet young and little recognised, but not + inferior, in my opinion, either to that of Athens or of Florence. + </p> + <p> + It was on a cloudless day of the autumn of last year, that I found myself + in a city that seemed almost visibly rising beneath my eye. The street in + which I stood was of noble dimensions, and lined on each side with palaces + or buildings evidently devoted to public purposes. Few were completely + finished: the sculptor was working at the statues that adorned their + fronts; the painter was still touching the external frescoes; and the + scaffold of the architect was not in every instance withdrawn. Everywhere + was the hum of art and artists. The Byzantine style of many of these + buildings was novel to me in its modern adaptation, yet very effective. + The delicate detail of ornament contrasted admirably with the broad fronts + and noble façades which they adorned. A church with two very lofty towers + of white marble, with their fretted cones relieved with cerulean blue, + gleamed in the sun; and near it was a pile not dissimilar to the ducal + palace at Venice, but of nobler and more beautiful proportions, with its + portal approached by a lofty flight of steps, and guarded by the colossal + statues of poets and philosophers—suitably guarded, for it was the + National Library. + </p> + <p> + As I advanced, I found myself in squares and circuses, in every instance + adorned by an obelisk of bronze or the equestrian statue of some royal + hero: I observed a theatre with a lofty Corinthian portico, and a pediment + brilliantly painted in fresco with designs appropriate to its purpose; an + Ionic museum of sculpture, worthy to enshrine the works of a Phidias or a + Praxiteles; and a palace for the painter, of which I was told the first + stone had been rightly laid on the birthday of Raffaelle. But what struck + me most in this city, more than its galleries, temples, and palaces, its + magnificent buildings, splendid paintings, and consummate statues, was the + all-pervading presence and all-inspiring influence of living and breathing + Art. In every street, a school: the atelier of the sculptor open, the + studio of the painter crowded: devoted pupils, aspiring rivals: + enthusiasm, emulation, excellence. Here the long-lost feudal-art of + colouring glass re-discovered; there fresco-painting entirely revived, and + on the grandest scale; while the ardent researches of another man of + genius successfully analyses the encaustic tenting of Herculaneum, and + secures the secret process for the triumph of modern Art. I beheld a city + such as I had mused over amid the crumbling fanes of Pericles, or, aided + alike by memory and fancy, had conjured up in the palaces and gardens of + the Medici. + </p> + <p> + Such is Munich, a city which, half a century ago, was the gross and + corrupt capital of a barbarous and brutal people. Baron Reisbech, who + visited Bavaria in 1780, describes the Court of Munich as one not at all + more advanced than those of Lisbon and Madrid. A good-natured prince, fond + only of show and thinking only of the chase; an idle, dissolute, and + useless nobility; the nomination to offices depending on women and + priests; the aristocracy devoted to play, and the remainder of the + inhabitants immersed in scandalous debauch. + </p> + <p> + With these recollections of the past, let us enter the palace of the + present sovereign. With habits of extreme simplicity, and a personal + expenditure rigidly economical, the residence of the King of Bavaria, when + completed, will be the most extensive and the most sumptuous palace in the + world. But, then, it is not merely the palace of a king: it is a temple + dedicated to the genius of a nation. The apartments of state, painted in + fresco on the grandest scale, bold in design, splendid in colour, breathe + the very Teutonic soul. The subjects are taken from the ‘Nibelungenlied,’ + the Gothic epic, and commemorate all the achievements of the heroic + Siegfried, and all the adventures of the beautiful Chrimhilde. The heart + of a German beats as he gazes on the forms and scenes of the Teutonic + Iliad; as he beholds Haghen the fierce, and Dankwart the swift; Volker, + the minstrel knight, and the beautiful and haughty Brunhilda. But in point + of harmonious dimension and august beauty, no chamber is perhaps more + imposing than the Kaiser Saal, or Hall of the Sovereigns. It is, I should + think, considerably above one hundred feet in length, broad and lofty in + exact proportion. Its roof is supported on either side by columns of white + marble; the inter-columniations are filled by colossal statues, of gilded + brass, of the electors and kings of the country. Seated on his throne, at + the end of this imperial chamber, Louis of Bavaria is surrounded by the + solemn majesty of his ancestors. These statues are by Schwanthaler, a + sculptor who to the severe and classic taste and profound sentiment of his + master, Thorwaldsen, unites an exuberance of invention which has filled + Munich with the greatest works since Phidias. Cornelius, Julius Schnorr, + and Hess are the principal painters who have covered the galleries, + churches, and palaces of Munich with admirable frescoes. The celebrated + Klenze is known throughout Europe as the first of living architects, and + the favourite of his sovereign when that sovereign did not wear a crown; + but we must not forget the name of Gartner, the architect who has revived + the Byzantine style of building with such admirable effect. + </p> + <p> + But it was in the private apartments of the king that I was peculiarly + impressed with the supreme genius of Schwanthaler. These chambers, eight + in number, are painted in encaustic, with subjects from the Greek poets, + of which Schwanthaler supplied the designs. The ante-chambers are devoted + to Orpheus and Hesiod, and the ornaments are in the oldest Greek style; + severely simple; archaic, but not rude; the figures of the friezes in + outline, and without relief. The saloon of reception, on the contrary, is + Homeric; and in its colouring, design, and decoration, as brilliant, as + free, and as flowing as the genius of the great Mæonian. The chamber of + the throne is entirely adorned with white bas-reliefs, raised on a ground + of dead gold; the subjects Pindaric; not inferior in many instances to the + Attic remains, and characterised, at the same time, by a singular + combination of vigour and grace. Another saloon is devoted to Æschylus, + and the library to Sophocles. The gay, wild muse of Aristophanes laughs + and sings in his Majesty’s dressing-room; while the king is lulled to + slumber by the Sicilian melodies and the soothing landscapes of + Theocritus. + </p> + <p> + Of these chambers, I should say that they were a perfect creation of Art. + The rooms themselves are beautifully proportioned; the subjects of their + decorations are the most interesting in every respect that could be + selected; and the purity, grace, and invention of the designs, are + equalled only by their colouring, at the same time the most brilliant and + harmonious that can be conceived; and the rich fancy of the arabesques and + other appropriate decorations, which blend with all around, and heighten + the effect of the whole. Yet they find no mean rivals in the private + chambers of the queen, decorated in an analogous style, but entirely + devoted to the poets of her own land. The Minnesingers occupy her first + apartments, but the brilliant saloon is worthy of Wieland, whose Oberon + forms it frieze; while the bedchamber gleams with the beautiful forms and + pensive incidents of Goethe’s esoteric pen. Schiller has filled the study + with his stirring characters and his vigorous incidents. Groups from + ‘Wallenstein’ and ‘Wilhelm Tell’ form the rich and unrivalled ceiling: + while the fight of the dragon and the founding of the bell, the innocent + Fridolin, the inspired maiden of Orleans, breathe in the compartments of + the walls. + </p> + <p> + When I beheld these refined creations, and recalled the scenes and sights + of beauty that had moved before me in my morning’s wanderings, I asked + myself, how Munich, recently so Boeotian, had become the capital of modern + Art; and why a country of limited resources, in a brief space, and with + such facility and completeness, should have achieved those results which + had so long and utterly eluded the desires of the richest and most + powerful community in the world? + </p> + <p> + It is the fashion of the present age to underrate the influence of + individual character. For myself, I have ever rejected this consolation of + mediocrity. I believe that everything that is great has been accomplished + by great men. It is not what witnessed at Munich, or know of its + sovereign, that should make me doubt the truth of my conviction. Munich is + the creation of its king, and Louis of Bavaria is not only a king but a + poet. A poet on a throne has realised his dreams. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0033" id="link2H_4_0033"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE SPIRIT OF WHIGGISM + </h2> + <p> + <i>[In the following pages Lord Beaconsfield expounds that theory of the + English Constitution which he had previously set forth in his pamphlet ‘A + Vindication of the English Constitution in a Letter to a Noble and Learned + Lord.’ The same theory is expounded in another way in the three great + novels, ‘Coningsby,’ ‘Sybil,’ and ‘Tancred.’ His contemporaries never seem + to have understood it, while his assailants of a later date appear to have + written and spoken concerning him in absolute ignorance of his real + political creed. The concluding paragraph of the tract ought, in the minds + of all candid men, to disperse at once and forever the innumerable + calumnies levelled at Lord Beaconsfield during and since the Reform + struggle of 1859-1867.]</i> + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>Object of the Whigs</i> +</pre> + <p> + ENGLAND has become great by her institutions. Her hereditary Crown has in + a great degree insured us from the distracting evils of a contested + succession; her Peerage, interested, from the vast property and the + national honours of its members, in the good government of the country, + has offered a compact bulwark against the temporary violence of popular + passion; her House of Commons, representing the conflicting sentiments of + an estate of the realm not less privileged than that of the Peers, though + far more numerous, has enlisted the great mass of the lesser proprietors + of the country in favour of a political system which offers them a + constitutional means of defence and a legitimate method of redress; her + Ecclesiastical Establishment, preserved by its munificent endowment from + the fatal necessity of pandering to the erratic fancies of its + communicants, has maintained the sacred cause of learning and religion, + and preserved orthodoxy while it secured toleration; her law of + primogeniture has supplied the country with a band of natural and + independent leaders, trustees of those legal institutions which pervade + the land, and which are the origin of our political constitution. That + great body corporate, styled a nation-a vast assemblage of human beings + knit together by laws and arts and customs, by the necessities of the + present and the memory of the past—offers in this country, through + these its vigorous and enduring members, a more substantial and healthy + framework than falls to the lot of other nations. Our stout-built + constitution throws off with more facility and safety those crude and + dangerous humours which must at times arise in all human communities. The + march of revolution must here at least be orderly. We are preserved from + those reckless and tempestuous sallies that in other countries, like a + whirlwind, topple down in an instant an ancient crown, or sweep away an + illustrious aristocracy. This constitution, which has secured order, has + consequently promoted civilisation; and the almost unbroken tide of + progressive amelioration has made us the freest, the wealthiest, and the + most refined society of modern ages. Our commerce is unrivalled, our + manufacturers supply the world, our agriculture is the most skilful in + Christendom. So national are our institutions, so completely have they + arisen from the temper and adapted themselves to the character of the + people, that when for a season they were apparently annihilated, the + people of England voluntarily returned to them, and established them with + renewed strength and renovated vigour. + </p> + <p> + The constitution of England is again threatened, and at a moment when the + nation is more prosperous, more free, and more famous than at any period + of its momentous and memorable career. Why is this? What has occasioned + these distempered times, which make the loyal tremble and the traitor + smile? Why has this dark cloud suddenly gathered in a sky so serene and so + splendid? Is there any analogy between this age and that of the first + Charles? Are the same causes at work, or is the apparent similarity + produced only by designing men, who make use of the perverted past as a + passport to present mischief? These are great questions, which it may be + profitable to discuss and wise to study. + </p> + <p> + Rapin, a foreigner who wrote our history, in the course of his frigid yet + accurate pages, indulged in one philosophical observation. Struck at the + same time by our greatness and by the fury of our factions, the Huguenot + exclaimed: ‘It appears to me that this great society can only be dissolved + by the violence of its political parties.’ What are these parties? Why are + they violent? Why should they exist? In resolving these questions, we may + obtain an accurate idea of our present political position, and by + pondering over the past we may make that past not a prophecy, as the + disaffected intend, but a salutary lesson by which the loyal may profit. + </p> + <p> + The two great parties into which England has during the last century and a + half been divided originated in the ancient struggle between the Crown and + the aristocracy. As long as the Crown possessed or aspired to despotic + power, the feeling of the nation supported the aristocracy in their + struggles to establish a free government. The aristocracy of England + formed the constitution of the Plantagenets; the Wars of the Roses + destroyed that aristocracy, and the despotism of the Tudors succeeded. + Renovated by more than a century of peace and the spoils of the Papacy, + the aristocracy of England attacked the first Stuarts, who succeeded to a + despotism which they did not create. When Charles the First, after a + series of great concessions which ultimately obtained for him the support + of the most illustrious of his early opponents, raised the royal standard, + the constitution of the Plantagenets, and more than the constitution of + the Plantagenets, had been restored and secured. But a portion of the able + party which had succeeded in effecting such a vast and beneficial + revolution was not content to part with the extraordinary powers which + they had obtained in this memorable struggle. This section of the + aristocracy were the origin of the English Whigs, though that title was + not invented until the next reign. The primitive Whigs-’Parliament-men,’ + as they liked to call themselves, ‘Roundheads,’ as they were in time + dubbed—aspired to an oligarchy. For a moment they obtained one; but + unable to maintain themselves in power against the returning sense and + rising spirit of a generous and indignant people, they called to their aid + that domestic revolutionary party which exists in all countries, and an + anti-national enemy in addition. These were the English Radicals, or + Root-and-Branch men, and the Scotch Covenanters. To conciliate the first + they sacrificed the Crown; to secure the second they abolished the Church. + The constitution of England in Church and State was destroyed, and the + Whig oligarchy, in spite of their machinations, were soon merged in the + common ruin. + </p> + <p> + The ignoble tyranny to which this great nation was consequently subject + produced that reaction which is in the nature of human affairs. The + ancient constitution was in time restored, and the Church and the Crown + were invested with greater powers than they had enjoyed previously to + their overthrow. So hateful had been the consequences of Whig rule, that + the people were inclined rather to trust the talons of arbitrary power + than to take refuge under the wing of these pretended advocates of popular + rights. A worthless monarch and a corrupted court availed themselves of + the offered opportunity; and when James the Second ascended the throne, + the nation was again prepared to second the aristocracy in a struggle for + their liberties. But the Whigs had profited by their previous experiment: + they resolved upon a revolution, but they determined that that revolution + should be brought about by as slight an appeal to popular sympathies as + possible. They studiously confined that appeal to the religious feelings + of the nation. They hired a foreign prince and enlisted a foreign army in + their service. They dethroned James, they established themselves in power + without the aid of the mass; and had William the Third been a man of + ordinary capacity, the constitution of Venice would have been established + in England in 1688. William the Third told the Whigs that he would never + consent to be a Doge. Resembling Louis Philippe in his character as well + as in his position, that extraordinary prince baffled the Whigs by his + skilful balance of parties; and had Providence accorded him an heir, it is + probable that the oligarchical faction would never have revived in + England. The Whigs have ever been opposed to the national institutions + because they are adverse to the establishment of an oligarchy. Local + institutions, supported by a landed gentry, check them; hence their love + of centralisation and their hatred of unpaid magistrates. + </p> + <p> + An independent hierarchy checks them; hence their affected advocacy of + toleration and their patronage of the Dissenters. The power of the Crown + checks them; therefore they always labour to reduce the sovereign to a + nonentity, and by the establishment of the Cabinet they have virtually + banished the King from his own councils. But, above all, the Parliament of + England checks them, and therefore it may be observed that the Whigs at + all times are quarrelling with some portion of those august estates. They + despair of destroying the Parliament; by it, and by it alone, can they + succeed in their objects. Corruption for one part, force for the other, + then, is their motto. In 1640 they attempted to govern the country by the + House of Commons, because the aristocracy was then more powerful in the + House of Commons than in the House of Lords, where a Peerage, exhausted by + civil wars, had been too liberally recruited from the courtiers of the + Tudors and the Stuarts. At the next revolution which the Whigs occasioned, + they attempted to govern the country by the House of Lords, in which they + were predominant; and, in order to guarantee their power for ever, they + introduced a Bill to deprive the King of his prerogative of making further + Peers. The revolution of 1640 led to the abolition of the House of Lords + because the Lords opposed the oligarchy. Having a majority in the House of + Lords, the Whigs introduced the Peerage Bill, by which the House of Lords + would have been rendered independent of the sovereign; unpopular with the + country, the Whigs attacked the influence of popular election, and the + moment that, by the aid of the most infamous corruption, they had obtained + a temporary majority in the Lower House, they passed the Septennial Act. + </p> + <p> + The Whigs of the eighteenth century ‘swamped’ the House of Commons; the + Whigs of the nineteenth would ‘swamp’ the House of Lords. The Whigs of the + eighteenth century would have rendered the House of Lords unchangeable; + the Whigs of the nineteenth remodel the House of Commons. + </p> + <p> + I conclude here the first chapter of the ‘Spirit of Whiggism’-a little + book which I hope may be easily read and easily remembered. The Whig party + have always adopted popular cries. In one age it is Liberty, in another + reform; at one period they sound the tocsin against popery, in another + they ally themselves with papists. They have many cries, and various modes + of conduct; but they have only one object—the establishment of an + oligarchy in this free and equal land. I do not wish this country to be + governed by a small knot of great families, and therefore I oppose the + Whigs. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>Parliamentary Reform</i> +</pre> + <p> + WHEN the Whigs and their public organs favour us with their mysterious + hints that the constitution has provided the sovereign with a means to + re-establish at all times a legislative sympathy between the two Houses of + Parliament, it may be as well to remind them that we are not indebted for + this salutary prerogative to the forbearance of their party. Suppose their + Peerage Bill had passed into an Act, how would they have carried the + Reform Bill of 1832? The Whigs may reply, that if the Peerage Bill had + become a law, the Reform Bill would never have been introduced; and I + believe them. In that case, the British House of Lords would have been + transformed into a Venetian Senate, and the old walls of St. James’s might + have witnessed scenes of as degrading mortification as the famous ducal + palace of the Adriatic. + </p> + <p> + George III. routed the Whigs, consolidated by half a century of power; but + an ordinary monarch would have sunk beneath the Coalition and the India + Bill. This scheme was the last desperate effort of the oligarchical + faction previous to 1830. Not that they were inactive during the great + interval that elapsed between the advent of Mr. Pitt and the resurrection + of Lord Grey: but, ever on the watch for a cry to carry them into power, + they mistook the yell of Jacobinism for the chorus of an emancipated + people, and fancied, in order to take the throne by storm, that nothing + was wanting but to hoist the tricolour and to cover their haughty brows + with a red cap. This fatal blunder clipped the wings of Whiggism; nor is + it possible to conceive a party that had effected so many revolutions and + governed a great country for so long a period, more broken, sunk, and + shattered, more desolate and disheartened, than these same Whigs at the + Peace of Paris. From that period till 1830, the tactics of the Whigs + consisted in gently and gradually extricating themselves from their false + position as the disciples of Jacobinism, and assuming their ancient post + as the hereditary guardians of an hereditary monarchy. To make the + transition less difficult than it threatened, they invented Liberalism, a + bridge by which they were to regain the lost mainland, and daintily + recross on tiptoe the chasm over which they had originally sprung with so + much precipitation. A dozen years of ‘liberal principles’ broke up the + national party of England, cemented by half a century of prosperity and + glory, compared with which all the annals of the realm are dim and + lack-lustre. Yet so weak intrinsically was the oligarchical faction, that + their chief, despairing to obtain a monopoly of power for his party, + elaborately announced himself as the champion of his patrician order, and + attempted to coalesce with the liberalised leader of the Tories. Had that + negotiation led to the result which was originally intended by those + interested, the Riots of Paris would not have occasioned the Reform of + London. + </p> + <p> + It is a great delusion to believe that revolutions are ever effected by a + nation. It is a faction, and generally a small one, that overthrows a + dynasty or remodels a constitution. A small party, stung by a long exile + from power, and desperate of success except by desperate means, invariably + has recourse to a <i>coup-d‘état</i>. An oligarchical party is necessarily + not numerous. Its members in general attempt, by noble lineage or vast + possessions, to compensate for their poverty of numbers. The Whigs, in + 1830, found themselves by accident in place, but under very peculiar + circumstances. They were in place but not in power. In each estate of the + realm a majority was arrayed against them. An appeal to the Commons of + England, that constituency which, in its elements, had undergone no + alteration since the time of Elizabeth, either by the influence of the + legislature or the action of time—that constituency which had + elected Pym, and Selden, and Hampden, as well as Somers, Walpole, and + Pulteney—an appeal to this constituency, it was generally + acknowledged, would be fatal to the Whigs, and therefore they determined + to reconstruct it. This is the origin of the recent parliamentary reform: + the Whigs, in place without being in power, resolved as usual upon a + coup-d‘état, and looked about for a stalking-horse. In general the + difficult task had devolved upon them of having to accomplish their + concealed purpose while apparently achieving some public object. Thus they + had carried the Septennial Act on the plea of preserving England from + popery, though their real object was to prolong the existence of the first + House of Commons in which they could command a majority. + </p> + <p> + But in the present instance they became sincerely parliamentary reformers, + for by parliamentary reform they could alone subsist; and all their art + was dedicated so to contrive, that in this reformation their own interest + should secure an irresistible predominance. + </p> + <p> + But how was an oligarchical party to predominate in popular elections? + Here was the difficulty. The Whigs had no resources from their own limited + ranks to feed the muster of the popular levies. They were obliged to look + about for allies wherewith to form their new popular estate. Any estate of + the Commons modelled on any equitable principle, either of property or + population, must have been fatal to the Whigs; they, therefore, very + dexterously adopted a small minority of the nation, consisting of the + sectarians, and inaugurating them as the people with a vast and + bewildering train of hocus-pocus ceremonies, invested the Dissenters with + political power. By this <i>coup-d‘état</i> they managed the House of + Commons, and having at length obtained a position, they have from that + moment laid siege to the House of Lords, with the intention of reducing + that great institution and making it surrender at discretion. This is the + exact state of English politics during the last five years. The Whigs have + been at war with the English constitution. First of all they captured the + King; then they vanquished the House of Commons; now they have laid siege + to the House of Lords. But here the fallacy of their grand scheme of + political mystification begins to develop itself. Had, indeed, their new + constituency, as they have long impudently pretended, really been ‘the + people,’ a struggle between such a body and the House of Lords would have + been brief but final. The absurdity of supposing that a chamber of two or + three hundred individuals could set up their absolute will and pleasure + against the decrees of a legislative assembly chosen by the whole nation + is so glaring that the Whigs and their scribes might reasonably suspect + that in making such allegations they were assuredly proving too much. But + as ‘the people’ of the Whigs is in fact a number of Englishmen not + exceeding in amount the population of a third-rate city, the English + nation is not of opinion that this arrogant and vaunting moiety of a class + privileged for the common good, swollen though it may be by some jobbing + Scots and rebel Irish, shall pass off their petty and selfish schemes of + personal aggrandisement as the will of a great people, as mindful of its + duty to its posterity as it is grateful for the labours of its ancestors. + The English nation, therefore, rallies for rescue from the degrading plots + of a profligate oligarchy, a barbarising sectarianism, and a + boroughmongering Papacy round their hereditary leaders—the Peers. + The House of Lords, therefore, at this moment represents everything in the + realm except the Whig oligarchs, their tools—the Dissenters, and + their masters—the Irish priests. In the meantime the Whigs bawl + aloud that there is a ‘collision’! It is true there is a collision; but it + is not a collision between the Lords and the people, but between the + Ministers and the Constitution. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>The Menace to England</i> +</pre> + <p> + IT MAY be as well to remind the English nation that a revolutionary party + is not necessarily a liberal one, and that a republic is not indispensably + a democracy. Such is the disposition of property in England that, were a + republic to be established here to-morrow, it would partake rather of the + oligarchical than of the aristocratic character. We should be surprised to + find in how few families the power of the State was concentrated. And + although the framers of the new commonwealth would be too crafty to base + it on any avowed and ostensible principle of exclusion, but on the + contrary would in all probability ostentatiously inaugurate the novel + constitution by virtue of some abstract plea about as definite and as + prodigal of practical effects as the rights of man or the sovereignty of + the people, nevertheless I should be astonished were we not to find that + the great mass of the nation, as far as any share in the conduct of public + affairs was concerned, was as completely shut out from the fruition and + exercise of power as under that Venetian polity which has ever been the + secret object of Whig envy and Whig admiration. The Church, under such + circumstances, would probably have again been plundered, and therefore the + discharge of ecclesiastical duties might be spared to the nation; but the + people would assuredly be practically excluded from its services, which + would swarm with the relations and connections of the senatorial class; + for, whether this country be governed only by the House of Commons, or + only by the House of Lords, the elements of the single chamber will not + materially differ; and although in the event of the triumph of the + Commons, the ceremony of periodical election may be retained (and we + should not forget that the Long Parliament soon spared us that unnecessary + form), the selected members will form a Senate as irresponsible as any + House of Parliament whose anomalous constitution may now be the object of + Whig sneers or Radical anathemas. + </p> + <p> + The rights and liberties of a nation can only be preserved by + institutions. It is not the spread of knowledge or the march of intellect + that will be found a sufficient surety for the public welfare in the + crisis of a country’s freedom. Our interest taints our intelligence, our + passions paralyse our reason. Knowledge and capacity are too often the + willing tools of a powerful faction or a dexterous adventurer. Life, is + short, man is imaginative; our means are limited, our passions high. + </p> + <p> + In seasons of great popular excitement, gold and glory offer strong + temptations to needy ability. The demagogues throughout a country, the + orators of town-councils and vestries, and the lecturers of mechanics’ + institutes present, doubtless in most cases unconsciously, the ready and + fit machinery for the party or the individual that aspires to establish a + tyranny. Duly graduating in corruption, the leaders of the mob become the + oppressors of the people. Cultivation of intellect and diffusion of + knowledge may make the English nation more sensible of the benefits of + their social system, and better qualified to discharge the duties with + which their institutions have invested them, but they will never render + them competent to preserve their liberties without the aid of these + institutions. Let us for a moment endeavour to fancy Whiggism in a state + of rampant predominance; let us try to contemplate England enjoying all + those advantages which our present rulers have not yet granted us, and + some of which they have as yet only ventured to promise by innuendo. Let + us suppose our ancient monarchy abolished, our independent hierarchy + reduced to a stipendiary sect, the gentlemen of England deprived of their + magisterial functions, and metropolitan prefects and sub-prefects + established in the counties and principal towns, commanding a vigorous and + vigilant police, and backed by an army under the immediate orders of a + single House of Parliament. Why, these are threatened changes—aye, + and not one of them that may not be brought about to-morrow, under the + plea of the ‘spirit of the age’ or ‘county reform’ or ‘cheap government.’ + But where then will be the liberties of England? Who will dare disobey + London?—the enlightened and reformed metropolis! And can we think, + if any bold squire, in whom some of the old blood might still chance to + linger, were to dare to murmur against this grinding tyranny, or appeal to + the spirit of those neighbours whose predecessors his ancestors had + protected, can we flatter ourselves that there would not be judges in + Westminster Hall prepared and prompt to inflict on him all the pains and + penalties, the dungeon, the fine, the sequestration, which such a + troublesome Anti-Reformer would clearly deserve? Can we flatter ourselves + that a Parliamentary Star Chamber and a Parliamentary High Commission + Court would not be in the background to supply all the deficiencies of the + laws of England? When these merry times arrive—the times of + extraordinary tribunals and extraordinary taxes—and, if we proceed + in our present course, they are much nearer than we imagine-the phrase + ‘Anti-Reformer’ will serve as well as that of ‘Malignant,’ and be as valid + a plea as the former title for harassing and plundering all those who + venture to wince under the crowning mercies of centralisation. + </p> + <p> + Behold the Republic of the Whigs! Behold the only Republic that can be + established in England except by force! And who can doubt the swift and + stern termination of institutions introduced by so unnatural and + irrational a process. I would address myself to the English Radicals. I do + not mean those fine gentlemen or those vulgar adventurers who, in this age + of quackery, may sail into Parliament by hoisting for the nonce the false + colours of the movement; but I mean that honest and considerable party, + too considerable, I fear, for their happiness and the safety of the + State-who have a definite object which they distinctly avow—I mean + those thoughtful and enthusiastic men who study their unstamped press, and + ponder over a millennium of operative amelioration. Not merely that which + is just, but that which is also practicable, should be the aim of a + sagacious politician. Let the Radicals well consider whether, in + attempting to achieve their avowed object, they are not, in fact, only + assisting the secret views of a party whose scheme is infinitely more + adverse to their own than the existing system, whose genius I believe they + entirely misapprehend. The monarchy of the Tories is more democratic than + the Republic of the Whigs. It appeals with a keener sympathy to the + passions of the millions; it studies their interest with a more + comprehensive solicitude. Admitting for a moment that I have mistaken the + genius of the English constitution, what chance, if our institutions be + overthrown, is there of substituting in their stead a more popular polity? + This hazard, both for their own happiness and the honour of their country, + the English Radicals are bound to calculate nicely. If they do not, they + will find themselves, too late, the tools of a selfish faction or the + slaves of a stern usurper. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>The English Constitution</i> +</pre> + <p> + A CHAPTER on the English constitution is a natural episode on the spirit + of Whiggism. There is this connection between the subjects—that the + spirit of Whiggism is hostile to the English constitution. No political + institutions ever yet flourished which have been more the topic of + discussion among writers of all countries and all parties than our famous + establishment of ‘King, Lords, and Commons;’ and no institutions ever yet + flourished, of which the character has been more misrepresented and more + misconceived. One fact alone will illustrate the profound ignorance and + the perplexed ideas. The present Whig leader of the House of Commons, a + member of a family who pique themselves on their constitutional + reputation, an author who has even written an elaborate treatise on our + polity, in one of his speeches, delivered only so late as the last session + of Parliament, declared his desire and determination to uphold the present + settlement of the ‘three estates of the realm, viz.—King, Lords, and + Commons.’ Now, his Gracious Majesty is no more an estate of the realm than + Lord John Russell himself. The three estates of the realm are the estate + of the Lords Spiritual, the estate of the Lords Temporal, and the estate + of the Commons. An estate is a popular class established into a political + order. It is a section of the nation invested for the public and common + good with certain powers and privileges. Lord John Russell first writes + upon the English constitution, and then reforms it, and yet, even at this + moment, is absolutely ignorant of what it consists. A political estate is + a complete and independent body. Now, all power that is independent is + necessarily irresponsible. The sovereign is responsible because he is not + an estate; he is responsible through his Ministers; he is responsible to + the estates and to them alone. + </p> + <p> + When the Whigs obtained power in 1830, they found the three estates of the + realm opposed to them, and the Government, therefore, could not proceed. + They resolved, therefore, to remodel them. They declared that the House of + Commons was the House of the people, and that the people were not properly + represented. They consequently enlarged the estate of the Commons; they + increased the number of that privileged order who appear by their + representatives in the Lower House of Parliament. They rendered the estate + of the Commons more powerful by this proceeding, because they rendered + them more numerous; but they did not render their representatives one jot + more the representatives of the people. Throwing the Commons of Ireland + out of the question, for we cannot speculate upon a political order so + unsettled that it has been thrice remodelled during the present century, + some 300,000 individuals sent up, at the last general election, their + representatives to Westminster. + </p> + <p> + Well, are these 300,000 persons the people of England? Grant that they + are; grant that these members are divided into two equal portions. Well, + then, the people of England consist of 150,000 persons. I know that there + are well-disposed persons that tremble at this reasoning, because, + although they admit its justice, they allege it leads to universal + suffrage. We must not show, they assert, that the House of the people is + not elected by the people. I admit it; we must not show that the House of + the people is not elected by the people, but we must show that the House + of Commons is not the House of the people, that it never was intended to + be the House of the people, and that, if it be admitted to be so by + courtesy, or become so in fact, it is all over with the English + constitution. + </p> + <p> + It is quite impossible that a whole people can be a branch of a + legislature. If a whole people have the power of making laws, it is folly + to suppose that they will allow an assembly of 300 or 400 individuals, or + a solitary being on a throne, to thwart their sovereign will and pleasure. + But I deny that a people can govern itself. Self-government is a + contradiction in terms. Whatever form a government may assume, power must + be exercised by a minority of numbers. I shall, perhaps, be reminded of + the ancient republics. I answer, that the ancient republics were as + aristocratic communities as any that flourished in the middle ages. The + Demos of Athens was an oligarchy living upon slaves. There is a great + slave population even in the United States, if a society of yesterday is + to illustrate an argument on our ancient civilisation. + </p> + <p> + But it is useless to argue the question abstractedly. + </p> + <p> + The phrase ‘the people’ is sheer nonsense. It is not a political term. It + is a phrase of natural history. A people is a species; a civilised + community is a nation. Now, a nation is a work of art and a work of time. + A nation is gradually created by a variety of influences—the + influence of original organisation, of climate, soil, religion, laws, + customs, manners, extraordinary accidents and incidents in their history, + and the individual character of their illustrious citizens. These + influences create the nation—these form the national mind, and + produce in the course of centuries a high degree of civilisation. If you + destroy the political institutions which these influences have called into + force, and which are the machinery by which they constantly act, you + destroy the nation. The nation, in a state of anarchy and dissolution, + then becomes a people; and after experiencing all the consequent misery, + like a company of bees spoiled of their queen and rifled of their hive, + they set to again and establish themselves into a society. + </p> + <p> + Although all society is artificial, the most artificial society in the + world is unquestionably the English nation. Our insular situation and our + foreign empire, our immense accumulated wealth and our industrious + character, our peculiar religious state, which secures alike orthodoxy and + toleration, our church and our sects, our agriculture and our + manufactures, our military services, our statute law, and supplementary + equity, our adventurous commerce, landed tenure, and unprecedented system + of credit, form, among many others, such a variety of interests, and + apparently so conflicting, that I do not think even the Abbe Sieyès + himself could devise a scheme by which this nation could be absolutely and + definitely represented. + </p> + <p> + The framers of the English constitution were fortunately not of the school + of Abbe Sieyès. Their first object was to make us free; their next to keep + us so. While, therefore, they selected equality as the basis of their + social order, they took care to blend every man’s ambition with the + perpetuity of the State. Unlike the levelling equality of modern days, the + ancient equality of England elevates and creates. Learned in human nature, + the English constitution holds out privilege to every subject as the + inducement to do his duty. As it has secured freedom, justice, and even + property to the humblest of the commonwealth, so, pursuing the same system + of privileges, it has confided the legislature of the realm to two orders + of the subjects—orders, however, in which every English citizen may + be constitutionally enrolled—the Lords and the Commons. The two + estates of the Peers are personally summoned to meet in their chamber: the + more extensive and single estate of the Commons meets by its + representatives. Both are political orders, complete in their character, + independent in their authority, legally irresponsible for the exercise of + their power. But they are the trustees of the nation, not its masters; and + there is a High Court of Chancery in the public opinion of the nation at + large, which exercises a vigilant control over these privileged classes of + the community, and to which they are equitably and morally amenable. + Estimating, therefore, the moral responsibility of our political estates, + it may fairly be maintained that, instead of being irresponsible, the + responsibility of the Lords exceeds that of the Commons. The House of + Commons itself not being an estate of the realm, but only the + representatives of an estate, owes to the nation a responsibility neither + legal nor moral. The House of Commons is responsible only to that + privileged order who are its constituents. Between the Lords and the + Commons themselves there is this prime difference—that the Lords are + known, and seen, and marked; the Commons are unknown, invisible, and + unobserved. The Lords meet in a particular spot; the Commons are scattered + over the kingdom. The eye of the nation rests upon the Lords, few in + number, and notable in position; the eye of the nation wanders in vain for + the Commons, far more numerous, but far less remarkable. As a substitute + the nation appeals to the House of Commons, but sometimes appeals in vain; + for if the majority of the Commons choose to support their representatives + in a course of conduct adverse to the opinion of the nation, the House of + Commons will set the nation at defiance. They have done so once; may they + never repeat that destructive career! Such are our two Houses of + Parliament—the most illustrious assemblies since the Roman Senate + and Grecian Areopagus; neither of them is the ‘House of the People,’ but + both alike represent the ‘Nation.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>A True Democracy</i> +</pre> + <p> + THERE are two propositions, which, however at the first glance they may + appear to contradict the popular opinions of the day, are nevertheless, as + I believe, just and true. And they are these:—First. That there is + no probability of ever establishing a more democratic form of government + than the present English constitution. + </p> + <p> + Second. That the recent political changes of the Whigs are, in fact, a + departure from the democratic spirit of that constitution. + </p> + <p> + Whatever form a government may assume, its spirit must be determined by + the laws which regulate the property of the country. You may have a Senate + and Consuls, you may have no hereditary titles, and you may dub each + householder or inhabitant a citizen; but if the spirit of your laws + preserves masses of property in a particular class, the government of the + country will follow the disposition of the property. So also you may have + an apparent despotism without any formal popular control, and with no + aristocracy, either natural or artificial, and the spirit of the + government may nevertheless be republican. Thus the ancient polity of + Rome, in its best days, was an aristocracy, and the government of + Constantinople is the nearest approach to a democracy on a great scale, + and maintained during a great period, that history offers. The + constitution of France during the last half century has been fast + approaching that of the Turks. The barbarous Jacobins blended modern + equality with the refined civilisation of ancient France; the barbarous + Ottomans blended their equality with the refined civilisation of ancient + Rome. Paris secured to the Jacobins those luxuries that their system never + could have produced: Byzantium served the same purpose to the Turks. Both + the French and their turbaned prototypes commenced their system with + popular enthusiasm, and terminated it with general subjection. Napoleon + and Louis Philippe are playing the same part as the Suleimans and the + Mahmouds. The Chambers are but a second-rate Divan, the Prefects but + inferior Pachas: a solitary being rules alike in the Seraglio and the + Tuileries, and the whole nation bows to his despotism on condition that + they have no other master save himself. + </p> + <p> + The disposition of property in England throws the government of the + country into the hands of its natural aristocracy. I do not believe that + any scheme of the suffrage, or any method of election, could divert that + power into other quarters. It is the necessary consequence of our present + social state. I believe, the wider the popular suffrage, the more powerful + would be the natural aristocracy. This seems to me an inevitable + consequence; but I admit this proposition on the clear understanding that + such an extension should be established on a fair, and not a factious, + basis. + </p> + <p> + Here, then, arises the question of the ballot, into the merits of which. I + shall take another opportunity of entering, recording only now my opinion, + that in the present arrangement of the constituencies, even the ballot + would favour the power of the natural aristocracy, and that, if the ballot + were simultaneously introduced with a fair and not a factious extension of + the suffrage, it would produce no difference whatever in the ultimate + result. + </p> + <p> + Quitting, then, these considerations, let us arrive at the important + point. Is there any probability of a different disposition of property in + England—a disposition of property which, by producing a very general + similarity of condition, would throw the government of the country into + the hands of any individuals whom popular esteem or fancy might select? + </p> + <p> + It appears to me that this question can only be decided by ascertaining + the genius of the English nation. What is the prime characteristic of the + English mind? I apprehend I may safely decide upon its being industry. + Taking a general but not a superficial survey of the English character + since the Reformation, a thousand circumstances convince me that the + salient point in our national psychology is the passion for accumulating + wealth, of which industry is the chief instrument. We value our freedom + principally because it leaves us unrestricted in our pursuits; and that + reverence for law and for all that is established, which also eminently + distinguishes the English nation, is occasioned by the conviction that, + next to liberty, order is the most efficacious assistant of industry. + </p> + <p> + And thus we see that those great revolutions which must occur in the + history of all nations when they happen here produce no permanent effects + upon our social state. Our revolutions are brought about by the passions + of creative minds taking advantage, for their own aggrandisement, of + peculiar circumstances in our national progress. They are never called for + by the great body of the nation. Churches are plundered, long rebellions + maintained, dynasties changed, parliaments abolished; but when the storm + is passed, the features of the social landscape remain unimpaired; there + are no traces of the hurricane, the earthquake, or the volcano; it has + been but a tumult of the atmosphere, that has neither toppled down our old + spires and palaces nor swallowed up our cities and seats of learning, nor + blasted our ancient woods, nor swept away our ports and harbours. The + English nation ever recurs to its ancient institutions—the + institutions that have alike secured freedom and order; and after all + their ebullitions, we find them, when the sky is clear, again at work, and + toiling on at their eternal task of accumulation. + </p> + <p> + There is this difference between the revolutions of England and the + revolutions of the Continent—the European revolution is a struggle + against privilege; an English revolution is a struggle for it. If a new + class rises in the State, it becomes uneasy to take its place in the + natural aristocracy of the land: a desperate faction or a wily leader + takes advantage of this desire, and a revolution is the consequence. Thus + the Whigs in the present day have risen to power on the shoulders of the + manufacturing interest. To secure themselves in their posts, the Whigs + have given the new interest an undue preponderance; but the new interest, + having obtained its object, is content. The manufacturer, like every other + Englishman, is as aristocratic as the landlord. The manufacturer begins to + lack in movement. Under Walpole the Whigs played the same game with the + commercial interests; a century has passed, and the commercial interests + are all as devoted to the constitution as the manufacturers soon will be. + Having no genuine party, the Whigs seek for succour from the Irish + papists; Lord John Russell, however, is only imitating Pym under the same + circumstances. In 1640, when the English movement was satisfied, and the + constitutional party, headed by such men as Falkland and Hyde, were about + to attain power, Pym and his friends, in despair at their declining + influence and the close divisions in their once unanimous Parliament, fled + to the Scotch Covenanters, and entered into a ‘close compact’ for the + destruction of the Church of England as the price of their assistance. So + events repeat themselves; but if the study of history is really to profit + us, the nation at the present day will take care that the same results do + not always occur from the same events. + </p> + <p> + When passions have a little subsided, the industrious ten-pounder, who has + struggled into the privileged order of the Commons, proud of having + obtained the first step of aristocracy, will be the last man to assist in + destroying the other gradations of the scale which he or his posterity may + yet ascend; while the new member of a manufacturing district has his eye + already upon a neighbouring park, avails himself of his political position + to become a county magistrate, meditates upon a baronetcy, and dreams of a + coroneted descendant. + </p> + <p> + The nation that esteems wealth as the great object of existence will + submit to no laws that do not secure the enjoyment of wealth. Now, we + deprive wealth of its greatest source of enjoyment, as well as of its best + security, if we deprive it of power. The English nation, therefore, + insists that property shall be the qualification for power, and the whole + scope of its laws and customs is to promote and favour the accumulation of + wealth and the perpetuation of property. We cannot alter, therefore, the + disposition of property in this country without we change the national + character. Far from the present age being hostile to the supremacy of + property, there has been no period of our history where property has been + more esteemed, because there has been no period when the nation has been + so industrious. + </p> + <p> + Believing, therefore, that no change will occur in the disposition of + property in this country, I cannot comprehend how our government can + become more democratic. The consequence of our wealth is an aristocratic + constitution; the consequence of our love of liberty is an aristocratic + constitution founded on an equality of civil rights. And who can deny that + an aristocratic constitution resting on such a basis, where the + legislative, and even the executive office may be obtained by every + subject of the realm, is, in fact, a noble democracy? The English + constitution, faithful to the national character, secures to all the + enjoyment of property and the delights of freedom. Its honours are a + perpetual reward of industry; every Englishman is toiling to obtain them; + and this is the constitution to which every Englishman will always be + devoted, except he is a Whig. + </p> + <p> + In the next Chapter I shall discuss the second proposition. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>Results of Whiggism</i> +</pre> + <p> + THE Tories assert that the whole property of the country is on their side; + and the Whigs, wringing their hands over lost elections and bellowing + about ‘intimidation,’ seem to confess the soft impeachment. Their prime + organ also assures us that every man with 500L. per annum is opposed to + them. Yet the Whig-Radical writers have recently published, by way of + consolation to their penniless proselytes, a list of some twenty Dukes and + Marquises, who, they assure us, are devoted to ‘Liberal’ principles, and + whose revenues, in a paroxysm of economical rhodomontade, they assert, + could buy up the whole income of the rest of the hereditary Peerage. The + Whig-Radical writers seem puzzled to reconcile this anomalous circumstance + with the indisputably forlorn finances of their faction in general. Now, + this little tract on the ‘Spirit of Whiggism’ may perhaps throw some light + upon this perplexing state of affairs. For myself, I see in it only a + fresh illustration of the principles which I have demonstrated, from the + whole current of our history, to form the basis of Whig policy. This union + of oligarchical wealth and mob poverty is the very essence of the ‘Spirit + of Whiggism.’ + </p> + <p> + The English constitution, which, from the tithing-man to the Peer of + Parliament, has thrown the whole government of the country into the hands + of those who are qualified by property to perform the duties of their + respective offices, has secured that diffused and general freedom, without + which the national industry would neither have its fair play nor its just + reward, by a variety of institutions, which, while they prevent those who + have no property from invading the social commonwealth, in whose classes + every industrious citizen has a right to register himself, offer also an + equally powerful check to the ambitious fancies of those great families, + over whose liberal principles and huge incomes the Whig-Radical writers + gloat with the self-complacency of lackeys at the equipages of their + masters. There is ever an union in a perverted sense between those who are + beneath power and those who wish to be above it; and oligarchies and + despotisms are usually established by the agency of a deluded multitude. + The Crown, with its constitutional influence over the military services, a + Parliament of two houses watching each other’s proceedings with + constitutional jealousy, an independent hierarchy and, not least, an + independent magistracy, are serious obstacles in the progressive + establishment of that scheme of government which a small knot of great + families—these dukes and marquises, whose revenues according to the + Government organ, could buy up the income of the whole peerage-naturally + wish to introduce. We find, therefore, throughout the whole period of our + more modern history, a powerful section of the great nobles ever at war + with the national institutions, checking the Crown, attacking the + independence of that House of Parliament in which they happen to be in a + minority—no matter which, patronising sects to reduce the influence + of the Church, and playing town against country to overcome the authority + of the gentry. + </p> + <p> + It is evident that these aspiring oligarchs, as a party, can have little + essential strength; they can count upon nothing but their retainers. To + secure the triumph of their cause, therefore, they are forced to manoeuvre + with a pretext, and while they aim at oligarchical rule, they apparently + advocate popular rights. They hold out, consequently, an inducement to all + the uneasy portion of the nation to enlist under their standard; they play + their discontented minority against the prosperous majority, and, dubbing + their partisans ‘the people,’ they flatter themselves that their projects + are irresistible. The attack is unexpected, brisk, and dashing, well + matured, dexterously mystified. Before the nation is roused to its danger, + the oligarchical object is often obtained; and then the oligarchy, + entrenched in power, count upon the nation to defend them from their + original and revolutionary allies. If they succeed, a dynasty is changed, + or a Parliament reformed, and the movement is stopped; if the Tories or + the Conservatives cannot arrest the fatal career which the Whigs have + originally impelled, then away go the national institutions; the crown + falls from the King’s brow; the crosier is snapped in twain; one House of + Parliament is sure to disappear, and the gentlemen of England, dexterously + dubbed Malignants, or Anti-Reformers, or any other phrase in fashion, the + dregs of the nation sequester their estates and install themselves in + their halls; and ‘liberal principles’ having thus gloriously triumphed, + after a due course of plunder, bloodshed, imprisonment, and ignoble + tyranny, the people of England, sighing once more to be the English + nation, secure order by submitting to a despot, and in time, when they + have got rid of their despot, combine their ancient freedom with their + newly-regained security by re-establishing the English constitution. + </p> + <p> + The Whigs of the present day have made their assault upon the nation with + their usual spirit. They have already succeeded in controlling the + sovereign and in remodelling the House of Commons. They have menaced the + House of Lords, violently assailed the Church, and reconstructed the + Corporations. I shall take the two most comprehensive measures which they + have succeeded in carrying, and which were at the time certainly very + popular, and apparently of a very democratic character,-their reform of + the House of Commons, and their reconstruction of the municipal + corporations. Let us see whether these great measures have, in fact, + increased the democratic character of our constitution or not—whether + they veil an oligarchical project, or are, in fact, popular concessions + inevitably offered by the Whigs in their oligarchical career. + </p> + <p> + The result of the Whig remodelling of the order of the Commons has been + this—that it has placed the nomination of the Government in the + hands of the popish priesthood. Is that a great advance of public + intelligence and popular liberty? Are the parliamentary nominees of M’Hale + and Kehoe more germane to the feelings of the English nation, more adapted + to represent their interests, than the parliamentary nominees of a Howard + or a Percy? This papist majority, again, is the superstructure of a basis + formed by some Scotch Presbyterians and some English Dissenters, in + general returned by the small constituencies of small towns—classes + whose number and influence, intelligence and wealth, have been grossly + exaggerated for factious purposes, but classes avowedly opposed to the + maintenance of the English constitution. I do not see that the cause of + popular power has much risen, even with the addition of this leaven. If + the suffrages of the Commons of England were polled together, the + hustings-books of the last general election will prove that a very + considerable majority of their numbers is opposed to the present + Government, and that therefore, under this new democratic scheme, this + great body of the nation are, by some hocus-pocus tactics or other, + obliged to submit to the minority. The truth is, that the new constituency + has been so arranged that an unnatural preponderance has been given to a + small class, and one hostile to the interests of the great body. Is this + more democratic? The apparent majority in the House of Commons is produced + by a minority of the Commons themselves; so that a small and favoured + class command a majority in the House of Commons, and the sway of the + administration, as far as that House is concerned, is regulated by a + smaller number of individuals than those who governed it previous to its + reform. + </p> + <p> + But this is not the whole evil: this new class, with its unnatural + preponderance, is a class hostile to the institutions of the country, + hostile to the union of Church and State, hostile to the House of Lords, + to the constitutional power of the Crown, to the existing system of + provincial judicature. It is, therefore, a class fit and willing to + support the Whigs in their favourite scheme of centralisation, without + which the Whigs can never long maintain themselves in power. Now, + centralisation is the death-blow of public freedom; it is the citadel of + the oligarchs, from which, if once erected, it will be impossible to + dislodge them. But can that party be aiming at centralised government + which has reformed the municipal corporations? We will see. The reform of + the municipal corporations of England is a covert attack on the authority + of the English gentry,-that great body which perhaps forms the most + substantial existing obstacle to the perpetuation of Whiggism in power. By + this democratic Act the county magistrate is driven from the towns where + he before exercised a just influence, while an elective magistrate from + the towns jostles him on the bench at quarter sessions, and presents in + his peculiar position an anomaly in the constitution of the bench, + flattering to the passions, however fatal to the interests, of the giddy + million. Here is a lever to raise the question of county reform whenever + an obstinate shire may venture to elect a representative in Parliament + hostile to the liberal oligarchs. Let us admit, for the moment, that the + Whigs ultimately succeed in subverting the ancient and hereditary power of + the English gentry. Will the municipal corporations substitute themselves + as an equivalent check on a centralising Government? Whence springs their + influence? From property? Not half a dozen have estates. Their influence + springs from the factitious power with which the reforming Government has + invested them, and of which the same Government will deprive them in a + session, the moment they cease to be corresponding committees of the + reforming majority in the House of Commons. They will either be swept away + altogether, or their functions will be limited to raising the local taxes + which will discharge their expenses of the detachment of the metropolitan + police, or the local judge or governor, whom Downing Street may send down + to preside over their constituents. With one or two exceptions, the + English corporations do not possess more substantial and durable elements + of power than the municipalities of France. What check are they on Paris? + These corporations have neither prescription in their favour, nor + property. Their influence is maintained neither by tradition nor + substance. They have no indirect authority over the minds of their + townsmen; they have only their modish charters to appeal to, and the newly + engrossed letter of the law. They have no great endowments of whose public + benefits they are the official distributers; they do not stand on the + vantage-ground on which we recognise the trustees of the public interests; + they neither administer to the soul nor the body; they neither feed the + poor nor educate the young; they have no hold on the national mind; they + have not sprung from the national character; they were born by faction, + and they will live by faction. Such bodies must speedily become corrupt; + they will ultimately be found dangerous instruments in the hands of a + faction. The members of the country corporations will play the game of a + London party, to secure their factitious local importance and obtain the + consequent results of their opportune services. + </p> + <p> + I think I have now established the two propositions with which I commenced + my last chapter: and will close this concluding one of the ‘Spirit of + Whiggism’ with their recapitulation, and the inferences which I draw from + them. If there be a slight probability of ever establishing in this + country a more democratic government than the English constitution, it + will be as well, I conceive, for those who love their rights, to maintain + that constitution; and if the more recent measures of the Whigs, however + plausible their first aspect, have, in fact, been a departure from the + democratic character of that constitution, it will be as well for the + English nation to oppose, with all their heart, and all their soul, and + all their strength, the machinations of the Whigs and the ‘Spirit of + Whiggism.’ + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Sketches, by Benjamin Disraeli + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SKETCHES *** + +***** This file should be named 19781-h.htm or 19781-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/9/7/8/19781/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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