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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: Paul and Virginia + +Author: Bernardin de Saint Pierre + +Release Date: March 25, 2006 [EBook #2127] +Last Updated: February 7, 2013 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PAUL AND VIRGINIA *** + + + + +Produced by Dagny; John Bickers and David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + PAUL AND VIRGINIA + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + by Bernardin de Saint Pierre + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h3> + With A Memoir Of The Author + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto"> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_PREF"> PREFACE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> MEMOIR OF BERNARDIN DE ST. PIERRE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> PAUL AND VIRGINIA </a> + </p> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_PREF" id="link2H_PREF"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + PREFACE + </h2> + <p> + In introducing to the Public the present edition of this well known and + affecting Tale,—the <i>chef d'oeuvre</i> of its gifted author, the + Publishers take occasion to say, that it affords them no little + gratification, to apprise the numerous admirers of "Paul and Virginia," + that the <i>entire</i> work of St. Pierre is now presented to them. All + the previous editions have been disfigured by interpolations, and + mutilated by numerous omissions and alterations, which have had the effect + of reducing it from the rank of a Philosophical Tale, to the level of a + mere story for children. + </p> + <p> + Of the merits of "Paul and Virginia," it is hardly necessary to utter a + word; it tells its own story eloquently and impressively, and in a + language simple, natural and true, it touches the common heart of the + world. There are but few works that have obtained a greater degree of + popularity, none are more deserving it; and the Publishers cannot + therefore refrain from expressing a hope that their efforts in thus giving + a faithful transcript of the work,—an acknowledged classic by the + European world,—may be, in some degree, instrumental in awakening + here, at home, a taste for those higher works of Fancy, which, while they + seek to elevate and strengthen the understanding, instruct and purify the + heart. It is in this character that the Tale of "Paul and Virginia" ranks + pre-eminent. [Prepared from an edition published by Porter & Coates, + Philadelphia, U.S.A.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + MEMOIR OF BERNARDIN DE ST. PIERRE + </h2> + <p> + Love of Nature, that strong feeling of enthusiasm which leads to profound + admiration of the whole works of creation, belongs, it may be presumed, to + a certain peculiarity of organization, and has, no doubt, existed in + different individuals from the beginning of the world. The old poets and + philosophers, romance writers, and troubadours, had all looked upon Nature + with observing and admiring eyes. They have most of them given + incidentally charming pictures of spring, of the setting sun, of + particular spots, and of favourite flowers. + </p> + <p> + There are few writers of note, of any country, or of any age, from whom + quotations might not be made in proof of the love with which they regarded + Nature. And this remark applies as much to religious and philosophic + writers as to poets,—equally to Plato, St. Francois de Sales, Bacon, + and Fenelon, as to Shakespeare, Racine, Calderon, or Burns; for from no + really philosophic or religious doctrine can the love of the works of + Nature be excluded. + </p> + <p> + But before the days of Jean Jacques Rousseau, Buffon, and Bernardin de St. + Pierre, this love of Nature had not been expressed in all its intensity. + Until their day, it had not been written on exclusively. The lovers of + Nature were not, till then, as they may perhaps since be considered, a + sect apart. Though perfectly sincere in all the adorations they offered, + they were less entirely, and certainly less diligently and constantly, her + adorers. + </p> + <p> + It is the great praise of Bernardin de St. Pierre, that coming immediately + after Rousseau and Buffon, and being one of the most proficient writers of + the same school, he was in no degree their imitator, but perfectly + original and new. He intuitively perceived the immensity of the subject he + intended to explore, and has told us that no day of his life passed + without his collecting some valuable materials for his writings. In the + divine works of Nature, he diligently sought to discover her laws. It was + his early intention not to begin to write until he had ceased to observe; + but he found observation endless, and that he was "like a child who with a + shell digs a hole in the sand to receive the waters of the ocean." He + elsewhere humbly says, that not only the general history of Nature, but + even that of the smallest plant, was far beyond his ability. Before, + however, speaking further of him as an author, it will be necessary to + recapitulate the chief events of his life. + </p> + <p> + HENRI-JACQUES BERNARDIN DE ST. PIERRE, was born at Havre in 1737. He + always considered himself descended from that Eustache de St. Pierre, who + is said by Froissart, (and I believe by Froissart only), to have so + generously offered himself as a victim to appease the wrath of Edward the + Third against Calais. He, with his companions in virtue, it is also said, + was saved by the intercession of Queen Philippa. In one of his smaller + works, Bernardin asserts this descent, and it was certainly one of which + he might be proud. Many anecdotes are related of his childhood, indicative + of the youthful author,—of his strong love of Nature, and his + humanity to animals. + </p> + <p> + That "the child is the father of the man," has been seldom more strongly + illustrated. There is a story of a cat, which, when related by him many + years afterwards to Rousseau, caused that philosopher to shed tears. At + eight years of age, he took the greatest pleasure in the regular culture + of his garden; and possibly then stored up some of the ideas which + afterwards appeared in the "Fraisier." His sympathy with all living things + was extreme. + </p> + <p> + In "Paul and Virginia," he praises, with evident satisfaction, their meal + of milk and eggs, which had not cost any animal its life. It has been + remarked, and possibly with truth, that every tenderly disposed heart, + deeply imbued with a love of Nature, is at times somewhat Braminical. St. + Pierre's certainly was. + </p> + <p> + When quite young, he advanced with a clenched fist towards a carter who + was ill-treating a horse. And when taken for the first time, by his + father, to Rouen, having the towers of the cathedral pointed out to him, + he exclaimed, "My God! how high they fly." Every one present naturally + laughed. Bernardin had only noticed the flight of some swallows who had + built their nests there. He thus early revealed those instincts which + afterwards became the guidance of his life: the strength of which possibly + occasioned his too great indifference to all monuments of art. The love of + study and of solitude were also characteristics of his childhood. His + temper is said to have been moody, impetuous, and intractable. Whether + this faulty temper may not have been produced or rendered worse by + mismanagement, cannot not be ascertained. It, undoubtedly became + afterwards, to St. Pierre a fruitful source of misfortune and of woe. + </p> + <p> + The reading of voyages was with him, even in childhood, almost a passion. + At twelve years of age, his whole soul was occupied by Robinson Crusoe and + his island. His romantic love of adventure seeming to his parents to + announce a predilection in favour of the sea, he was sent by them with one + of his uncles to Martinique. But St. Pierre had not sufficiently practised + the virtue of obedience to submit, as was necessary, to the discipline of + a ship. He was afterwards placed with the Jesuits at Caen, with whom he + made immense progress in his studies. But, it is to be feared, he did not + conform too well to the regulations of the college, for he conceived, from + that time, the greatest detestation for places of public education. And + this aversion he has frequently testified in his writings. While devoted + to his books of travels, he in turn anticipated being a Jesuit, a + missionary or a martyr; but his family at length succeeded in establishing + him at Rouen, where he completed his studies with brilliant success, in + 1757. He soon after obtained a commission as an engineer, with a salary of + one hundred louis. In this capacity he was sent (1760) to Dusseldorf, + under the command of Count St. Germain. This was a career in which he + might have acquired both honour and fortune; but, most unhappily for St. + Pierre, he looked upon the useful and necessary etiquettes of life as so + many unworthy prejudices. Instead of conforming to them, he sought to + trample on them. In addition, he evinced some disposition to rebel against + his commander, and was unsocial with his equals. It is not, therefore, to + be wondered at, that at this unfortunate period of his existence, he made + himself enemies; or that, notwithstanding his great talents, or the + coolness he had exhibited in moments of danger, he should have been sent + back to France. Unwelcome, under these circumstances, to his family, he + was ill received by all. + </p> + <p> + It is a lesson yet to be learned, that genius gives no charter for the + indulgence of error,—a truth yet <i>to be</i> remembered, that only + a small portion of the world will look with leniency on the failings of + the highly-gifted; and, that from themselves, the consequences of their + own actions can never be averted. It is yet, alas! <i>to be</i> added to + the convictions of the ardent in mind, that no degree of excellence in + science or literature, not even the immortality of a name can exempt its + possessor from obedience to moral discipline; or give him happiness, + unless "temper's image" be stamped on his daily words and actions. St. + Pierre's life was sadly embittered by his own conduct. The adventurous + life he led after his return from Dusseldorf, some of the circumstances of + which exhibited him in an unfavourable light to others, tended, perhaps, + to tinge his imagination with that wild and tender melancholy so prevalent + in his writings. A prize in the lottery had just doubled his very slender + means of existence, when he obtained the appointment of geographical + engineer, and was sent to Malta. The Knights of the Order were at this + time expecting to be attacked by the Turks. Having already been in the + service, it was singular that St. Pierre should have had the imprudence to + sail without his commission. He thus subjected himself to a thousand + disagreeables, for the officers would not recognize him as one of + themselves. The effects of their neglect on his mind were tremendous; his + reason for a time seemed almost disturbed by the mortifications he + suffered. After receiving an insufficient indemnity for the expenses of + his voyage, St. Pierre returned to France, there to endure fresh + misfortunes. + </p> + <p> + Not being able to obtain any assistance from the ministry or his family, + he resolved on giving lessons in the mathematics. But St. Pierre was less + adapted than most others for succeeding in the apparently easy, but really + ingenious and difficult, art of teaching. When education is better + understood, it will be more generally acknowledged, that, to impart + instruction with success, a teacher must possess deeper intelligence than + is implied by the profoundest skill in any one branch of science or of + art. All minds, even to the youngest, require, while being taught, the + utmost compliance and consideration; and these qualities can scarcely be + properly exercised without a true knowledge of the human heart, united to + much practical patience. St. Pierre, at this period of his life, certainly + did not possess them. It is probable that Rousseau, when he attempted in + his youth to give lessons in music, not knowing any thing whatever of + music, was scarcely less fitted for the task of instruction, than St. + Pierre with all his mathematical knowledge. The pressure of poverty drove + him to Holland. He was well received at Amsterdam, by a French refugee + named Mustel, who edited a popular journal there, and who procured him + employment, with handsome remuneration. St. Pierre did not, however, + remain long satisfied with this quiet mode of existence. Allured by the + encouraging reception given by Catherine II. to foreigners, he set out for + St. Petersburg. Here, until he obtained the protection of the Marechal de + Munich, and the friendship of Duval, he had again to contend with poverty. + The latter generously opened to him his purse and by the Marechal he was + introduced to Villebois, the Grand Master of Artillery, and by him + presented to the Empress. St. Pierre was so handsome, that by some of his + friends it was supposed, perhaps, too, hoped, that he would supersede + Orloff in the favor of Catherine. But more honourable illusions, though + they were but illusions, occupied his own mind. He neither sought nor + wished to captivate the Empress. His ambition was to establish a republic + on the shores of the lake Aral, of which in imitation of Plato or + Rousseau, he was to be the legislator. Pre-occupied with the reformation + of despotism, he did not sufficiently look into his own heart, or seek to + avoid a repetition of the same errors that had already changed friends + into enemies, and been such a terrible barrier to his success in life. His + mind was already morbid, and in fancying that others did not understand + him, he forgot that he did not understand others. The Empress, with the + rank of captain, bestowed on him a grant of fifteen hundred francs; but + when General Dubosquet proposed to take him with him to examine the + military position of Finland, his only anxiety seemed to be to return to + France: still he went to Finland; and his own notes of his occupations and + experiments on that expedition prove, that he gave himself up in all + diligence to considerations of attack and defence. He, who loved Nature so + intently, seems only to have seen in the extensive and majestic forests of + the north, a theatre of war. In this instance, he appears to have stifled + every emotion of admiration, and to have beheld, alike, cities and + countries in his character of military surveyor. + </p> + <p> + On his return to St. Petersburg, he found his protector Villebois, + disgraced. St. Pierre then resolved on espousing the cause of the Poles. + He went into Poland with a high reputation,—that of having refused + the favours of despotism, to aid the cause of liberty. But it was his + private life, rather than his public career, that was affected by his + residence in Poland. The Princess Mary fell in love with him, and, + forgetful of all considerations, quitted her family to reside with him. + Yielding, however, at length, to the entreaties of her mother, she + returned to her home. St. Pierre, filled with regret, resorted to Vienna; + but, unable to support the sadness which oppressed him, and imagining that + sadness to be shared by the Princess, he soon went back to Poland. His + return was still more sad than his departure; for he found himself + regarded by her who had once loved him, as an intruder. It is to this + attachment he alludes so touchingly in one of his letters. "Adieu! friends + dearer than the treasures of India! Adieu! forests of the North, that I + shall never see again!—tender friendship, and the still dearer + sentiment which surpassed it!—days of intoxication and of happiness + adeiu! adieu! We live but for a day, to die during a whole life!" + </p> + <p> + This letter appears to one of St. Pierre's most partial biographers, as if + steeped in tears; and he speaks of his romantic and unfortunate adventure + in Poland, as the ideal of a poet's love. + </p> + <p> + "To be," says M. Sainte-Beuve, "a great poet, and loved before he had + thought of glory! To exhale the first perfume of a soul of genius, + believing himself only a lover! To reveal himself, for the first time, + entirely, but in mystery!" + </p> + <p> + In his enthusiasm, M. Sainte-Beuve loses sight of the melancholy sequel, + which must have left so sad a remembrance in St. Pierre's own mind. His + suffering, from this circumstance, may perhaps have conduced to his making + Virginia so good and true, and so incapable of giving pain. + </p> + <p> + In 1766, he returned to Havre; but his relations were by this time dead or + dispersed, and after six years of exile, he found himself once more in his + own country, without employment and destitute of pecuniary resources. + </p> + <p> + The Baron de Breteuil at length obtained for him a commission as Engineer + to the Isle of France, whence he returned in 1771. In this interval, his + heart and imagination doubtless received the germs of his immortal works. + Many of the events, indeed, of the "Voyage a l'Ile de France," are to be + found modified by imagined circumstances in "Paul and Virginia." He + returned to Paris poor in purse, but rich in observation and mental + resources, and resolved to devote himself to literature. By the Baron de + Breteuil he was recommended to D'Alembert, who procured a publisher for + his "Voyage," and also introduced him to Mlle. de l'Espinasse. But no one, + in spite of his great beauty, was so ill calculated to shine or please in + society as St. Pierre. His manners were timid and embarrassed, and, unless + to those with whom he was very intimate, he scarcely appeared intelligent. + </p> + <p> + It is sad to think, that misunderstanding should prevail to such an + extent, and heart so seldom really speak to heart, in the intercourse of + the world, that the most humane may appear cruel, and the sympathizing + indifferent. Judging of Mlle. de l'Espinasse from her letters, and the + testimony of her contemporaries, it seems quite impossible that she could + have given pain to any one, more particularly to a man possessing St. + Pierre's extraordinary talent and profound sensibility. Both she and + D'Alembert were capable of appreciating him; but the society in which they + moved laughed at his timidity, and the tone of raillery in which they + often indulged was not understood by him. It is certain that he withdrew + from their circle with wounded and mortified feelings, and, in spite of an + explanatory letter from D'Alembert, did not return to it. The inflictors + of all this pain, in the meantime, were possibly as unconscious of the + meaning attached to their words, as were the birds of old of the augury + drawn from their flight. + </p> + <p> + St. Pierre, in his "Preambule de l'Arcadie," has pathetically and + eloquently described the deplorable state of his health and feelings, + after frequent humiliating disputes and disappointments had driven him + from society; or rather, when, like Rousseau, he was "self-banished" from + it. + </p> + <p> + "I was struck," he says, "with an extraordinary malady. Streams of fire, + like lightning, flashed before my eyes; every object appeared to me + double, or in motion: like OEdipus, I saw two suns. . . In the finest day + of summer, I could not cross the Seine in a boat without experiencing + intolerable anxiety. If, in a public garden, I merely passed by a piece of + water, I suffered from spasms and a feeling of horror. I could not cross a + garden in which many people were collected: if they looked at me, I + immediately imagined they were speaking ill of me." It was during this + state of suffering, that he devoted himself with ardour to collecting and + making use of materials for that work which was to give glory to his name. + </p> + <p> + It was only by perseverance, and disregarding many rough and discouraging + receptions, that he succeeded in making acquaintance with Rousseau, whom + he so much resembled. St. Pierre devoted himself to his society with + enthusiasm, visiting him frequently and constantly, till Rousseau departed + for Ermenonville. It is not unworthy of remark, that both these men, such + enthusiastic admirers of Nature and the natural in all things, should have + possessed factitious rather than practical virtue, and a wisdom wholly + unfitted for the world. St. Pierre asked Rousseau, in one of their + frequent rambles, if, in delineating St. Preux, he had not intended to + represent himself. "No," replied Rousseau, "St. Preux is not what I have + been, but what I wished to be." St. Pierre would most likely have given + the same answer, had a similar question been put to him with regard to the + Colonel in "Paul and Virginia." This at least, appears the sort of old age + he loved to contemplate, and wished to realize. + </p> + <p> + For six years, he worked at his "Etudes," and with some difficulty found a + publisher for them. M. Didot, a celebrated typographer, whose daughter St. + Pierre afterwards married, consented to print a manuscript which had been + declined by many others. He was well rewarded for the undertaking. The + success of the "Etudes de la Nature" surpassed the most sanguine + expectation, even of the author. Four years after its publication, St. + Pierre gave to the world "Paul and Virginia," which had for some time been + lying in his portfolio. He had tried its effect, in manuscript, on persons + of different characters and pursuits. They had given it no applause; but + all had shed tears at its perusal: and perhaps, few works of a decidedly + romantic character have ever been so generally read, or so much approved. + Among the great names whose admiration of it is on record, may be + mentioned Napoleon and Humboldt. + </p> + <p> + In 1789, he published "Les Veoeux d'un Solitaire," and "La Suite des + Voeux." By the <i>Moniteur</i> of the day, these works were compared to + the celebrated pamphlet of Sieyes,—"Qu'est-ce que le tiers etat?" + which then absorbed all the public favour. In 1791, "La Chaumiere + Indienne" was published: and in the following year, about thirteen days + before the celebrated 10th of August, Louis XVI. appointed St. Pierre + superintendant of the "Jardin des Plantes." Soon afterwards, the King, on + seeing him, complimented him on his writings and told him he was happy to + have found a worthy successor to Buffon. + </p> + <p> + Although deficient in the exact knowledge of the sciences, and knowing + little of the world, St. Pierre was, by his simplicity, and the retirement + in which he lived, well suited, at that epoch, to the situation. About + this time, and when in his fifty-seventh year, he married Mlle. Didot. + </p> + <p> + In 1795, he became a member of the French Academy, and, as was just, after + his acceptance of this honour, he wrote no more against literary + societies. On the suppression of his place, he retired to Essonne. It is + delightful to follow him there, and to contemplate his quiet existence. + His days flowed on peaceably, occupied in the publication of "Les + Harmonies de la Nature," the republication of his earlier works, and the + composition of some lesser pieces. He himself affectingly regrets an + interruption to these occupations. On being appointed Instructor to the + Normal School, he says, "I am obliged to hang my harp on the willows of my + river, and to accept an employment useful to my family and my country. I + am afflicted at having to suspend an occupation which has given me so much + happiness." + </p> + <p> + He enjoyed in his old age, a degree of opulence, which, as much as glory, + had perhaps been the object of his ambition. In any case, it is gratifying + to reflect, that after a life so full of chance and change, he was, in his + latter years, surrounded by much that should accompany old age. His day of + storms and tempests was closed by an evening of repose and beauty. + </p> + <p> + Amid many other blessings, the elasticity of his mind was preserved to the + last. He died at Eragny sur l'Oise, on the 21st of January, 1814. The + stirring events which then occupied France, or rather the whole world, + caused his death to be little noticed at the time. The Academy did not, + however, neglect to give him the honour due to its members. Mons. Parseval + Grand Maison pronounced a deserved eulogium on his talents, and Mons. + Aignan, also, the customary tribute, taking his seat as his successor. + </p> + <p> + Having himself contracted the habit of confiding his griefs and sorrows to + the public, the sanctuary of his private life was open alike to the + discussion of friends and enemies. The biographer, who wishes to be exact, + and yet set down nought in malice, is forced to the contemplation of his + errors. The secret of many of these, as well as of his miseries, seems + revealed by himself in this sentence: "I experience more pain from a + single thorn, than pleasure from a thousand roses." And elsewhere, "The + best society seems to me bad, if I find in it one troublesome, wicked, + slanderous, envious, or perfidious person." Now, taking into consideration + that St. Pierre sometimes imagined persons who were really good, to be + deserving of these strong and very contumacious epithets, it would have + been difficult indeed to find a society in which he could have been happy. + He was, therefore, wise, in seeking retirement, and indulging in solitude. + His mistakes,—for they were mistakes,—arose from a too quick + perception of evil, united to an exquisite and diffuse sensibility. When + he felt wounded by a thorn, he forgot the beauty and perfume of the rose + to which it belonged, and from which perhaps it could not be separated. + And he was exposed (as often happens) to the very description of trials + that were least in harmony with his defects. Few dispositions could have + run a career like his, and have remained unscathed. But one less tender + than his own would have been less soured by it. For many years, he bore + about with him the consciousness of unacknowledged talent. The world + cannot be blamed for not appreciating that which had never been revealed. + But we know not what the jostling and elbowing of that world, in the + meantime, may have been to him—how often he may have felt himself + unworthily treated—or how far that treatment may have preyed upon + and corroded his heart. Who shall say that with this consciousness there + did not mingle a quick and instinctive perception of the hidden motives of + action,—that he did not sometimes detect, where others might have + been blind, the under-shuffling of the hands, in the by-play of the world? + </p> + <p> + Through all his writings, and throughout his correspondence, there are + beautiful proofs of the tenderness of his feelings,—the most + essential quality, perhaps, in any writer. It is at least, one that if not + possessed, can never be attained. The familiarity of his imagination with + natural objects, when he was living far removed from them, is remarkable, + and often affecting. + </p> + <p> + "I have arranged," he says to Mr. Henin, his friend and patron, "very + interesting materials, but it is only with the light of Heaven over me + that I can recover my strength. Obtain for me a <i>rabbit's hole</i>, in + which I may pass the summer in the country." And again, "With the <i>first + violet</i>, I shall come to see you." It is soothing to find, in passages + like these, such pleasing and convincing evidence that + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Nature never did betray, + The heart that loved her." +</pre> + <p> + In the noise of a great city, in the midst of annoyances of many kinds + these images, impressed with quietness and beauty, came back to the mind + of St. Pierre, to cheer and animate him. + </p> + <p> + In alluding to his miseries, it is but fair to quote a passage from his + "Voyage," which reveals his fond remembrance of his native land. "I should + ever prefer my own country to every other," he says, "not because it was + more beautiful, but because I was brought up in it. Happy he, who sees + again the places where all was loved, and all was lovely!—the + meadows in which he played, and the orchard that he robbed!" + </p> + <p> + He returned to this country, so fondly loved and deeply cherished in + absence, to experience only trouble and difficulty. Away from it, he had + yearned to behold it,—to fold it, as it were, once more to his + bosom. He returned to feel as if neglected by it, and all his rapturous + emotions were changed to bitterness and gall. His hopes had proved + delusions—his expectations, mockeries. Oh! who but must look with + charity and mercy on all discontent and irritation consequent on such a + depth of disappointment: on what must have then appeared to him such + unmitigable woe. Under the influence of these saddened feelings, his + thoughts flew back to the island he had left, to place all beauty, as well + as all happiness, there! + </p> + <p> + One great proof that he did beautify the distant, may be found in the + contrast of some of the descriptions in the "Voyage a l'Ile de France," + and those in "Paul and Virginia." That spot, which when peopled by the + cherished creatures of his imagination, he described as an enchanting and + delightful Eden, he had previously spoken of as a "rugged country covered + with rocks,"—"a land of Cyclops blackened by fire." Truth, probably, + lies between the two representations; the sadness of exile having darkened + the one, and the exuberance of his imagination embellished the other. + </p> + <p> + St. Pierre's merit as an author has been too long and too universally + acknowledged, to make it needful that it should be dwelt on here. A + careful review of the circumstances of his life induces the belief, that + his writings grew (if it may be permitted so to speak) out of his life. In + his most imaginative passages, to whatever height his fancy soared, the + starting point seems ever from a fact. The past appears to have been + always spread out before him when he wrote, like a beautiful landscape, on + which his eye rested with complacency, and from which his mind transferred + and idealized some objects, without a servile imitation of any. When at + Berlin, he had had it in his power to marry Virginia Tabenheim; and in + Russia, Mlle. de la Tour, the niece of General Dubosquet, would have + accepted his hand. He was too poor to marry either. A grateful + recollection caused him to bestow the names of the two on his most beloved + creation. Paul was the name of a friar, with whom he had associated in his + childhood, and whose life he wished to imitate. How little had the owners + of these names anticipated that they were to become the baptismal + appellations of half a generation in France, and to be re-echoed through + the world to the end of time! + </p> + <p> + It was St. Pierre who first discovered the poverty of language with regard + to picturesque descriptions. In his earliest work, the often-quoted + "Voyages," he complains, that the terms for describing nature are not yet + invented. "Endeavour," he says, "to describe a mountain in such a manner + that it may be recognised. When you have spoken of its base, its sides, + its summit, you will have said all! But what variety there is to be found + in those swelling, lengthened, flattened, or cavernous forms! It is only + by periphrasis that all this can be expressed. The same difficulty exists + for plains and valleys. But if you have a palace to describe, there is no + longer any difficulty. Every moulding has its appropriate name." + </p> + <p> + It was St. Pierre's glory, in some degree, to triumph over this dearth of + expression. Few authors ever introduced more new terms into descriptive + writing: yet are his innovations ever chastened, and in good taste. His + style, in its elegant simplicity, is, indeed, perfection. It is at once + sonorous and sweet, and always in harmony with the sentiment he would + express, or the subject he would discuss. Chenier might well arm himself + with "Paul and Virginia," and the "Chaumiere Indienne," in opposition to + those writers, who, as he said, made prose unnatural, by seeking to + elevate it into verse. + </p> + <p> + The "Etudes de la Nature" embraced a thousand different subjects, and + contained some new ideas on all. It is to the honour of human nature, that + after the uptearing of so many sacred opinions, a production like this, + revealing the chain of connection through the works of Creation, and the + Creator in his works, should have been hailed, as it was, with enthusiasm. + </p> + <p> + His motto, from his favourite poet Virgil, "Taught by calamity, I pity the + unhappy," won for him, perhaps many readers. And in its touching + illusions, the unhappy may have found suspension from the realities of + life, as well as encouragement to support its trials. For, throughout, it + infuses admiration of the arrangements of Providence, and a desire for + virtue. More than one modern poet may be supposed to have drawn a portion + of his inspiration, from the "Etudes." As a work of science it contains + many errors. These, particularly his theory of the tides,(*) St. Pierre + maintained to the last, and so eloquently, that it was said at the time, + to be impossible to unite less reason with more logic. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (*) Occasioned, according to St. Pierre, by the melting of + the ice at the Poles. +</pre> + <p> + In "Paul and Virginia," he was supremely fortunate in his subject. It was + an entirely new creation, uninspired by any previous work; but which gave + birth to many others, having furnished the plot to six theatrical pieces. + It was a subject to which the author could bring all his excellences as a + writer and a man, while his deficiencies and defects were necessarily + excluded. In no manner could he incorporate politics, science, or + misapprehension of persons, while his sensibility, morals, and wonderful + talent for description, were in perfect accordance with, and ornaments to + it. Lemontey and Sainte-Beuve both consider success to be inseparable from + the happy selection of a story so entirely in harmony with the character + of the author; and that the most successful writers might envy him so + fortunate a choice. Buonaparte was in the habit of saying, whenever he saw + St. Pierre, "M. Bernardin, when do you mean to give us more Pauls and + Virginias, and Indian Cottages? You ought to give us some every six + months." + </p> + <p> + The "Indian Cottage," if not quite equal in interest to "Paul and + Virginia," is still a charming production, and does great honour to the + genius of its author. It abounds in antique and Eastern gems of thought. + Striking and excellent comparisons are scattered through its pages; and it + is delightful to reflect, that the following beautiful and solemn answer + of the Paria was, with St. Pierre, the results of his own experience:—"Misfortune + resembles the Black Mountain of Bember, situated at the extremity of the + burning kingdom of Lahore; while you are climbing it, you only see before + you barren rocks; but when you have reached its summit, you see heaven + above your head, and at your feet the kingdom of Cachemere." + </p> + <p> + When this passage was written, the rugged, and sterile rock had been + climbed by its gifted author. He had reached the summit,—his genius + had been rewarded, and he himself saw the heaven he wished to point out to + others. + </p> + <p> + SARAH JONES. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [For the facts contained in this brief Memoir, I am indebted + to St. Pierre's own works, to the "Biographie Universelle," + to the "Essai sur la Vie et les Ouvrages de Bernardin de St. + Pierre," by M. Aime Martin, and to the very excellent and + interesting "Notice Historique et Litteraire," of M. Sainte- + Beauve.] +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PAUL AND VIRGINIA + </h2> + <p> + Situated on the eastern side of the mountain which rises above Port Louis, + in the Mauritius, upon a piece of land bearing the marks of former + cultivation, are seen the ruins of two small cottages. These ruins are not + far from the centre of a valley, formed by immense rocks, and which opens + only towards the north. On the left rises the mountain called the Height + of Discovery, whence the eye marks the distant sail when it first touches + the verge of the horizon, and whence the signal is given when a vessel + approaches the island. At the foot of this mountain stands the town of + Port Louis. On the right is formed the road which stretches from Port + Louis to the Shaddock Grove, where the church bearing that name lifts its + head, surrounded by its avenues of bamboo, in the middle of a spacious + plain; and the prospect terminates in a forest extending to the furthest + bounds of the island. The front view presents the bay, denominated the Bay + of the Tomb; a little on the right is seen the Cape of Misfortune; and + beyond rolls the expanded ocean, on the surface of which appear a few + uninhabited islands; and, among others, the Point of Endeavour, which + resembles a bastion built upon the flood. + </p> + <p> + At the entrance of the valley which presents these various objects, the + echoes of the mountain incessantly repeat the hollow murmurs of the winds + that shake the neighbouring forests, and the tumultuous dashing of the + waves which break at a distance upon the cliffs; but near the ruined + cottages all is calm and still, and the only objects which there meet the + eye are rude steep rocks, that rise like a surrounding rampart. Large + clumps of trees grow at their base, on their rifted sides, and even on + their majestic tops, where the clouds seem to repose. The showers, which + their bold points attract, often paint the vivid colours of the rainbow on + their green and brown declivities, and swell the sources of the little + river which flows at their feet, called the river of Fan-Palms. Within + this inclosure reigns the most profound silence. The waters, the air, all + the elements are at peace. Scarcely does the echo repeat the whispers of + the palm-trees spreading their broad leaves, the long points of which are + gently agitated by the winds. A soft light illumines the bottom of this + deep valley, on which the sun shines only at noon. But, even at the break + of day, the rays of light are thrown on the surrounding rocks; and their + sharp peaks, rising above the shadows of the mountain, appear like tints + of gold and purple gleaming upon the azure sky. + </p> + <p> + To this scene I loved to resort, as I could here enjoy at once the + richness of an unbounded landscape, and the charm of uninterrupted + solitude. One day, when I was seated at the foot of the cottages, and + contemplating their ruins, a man, advanced in years, passed near the spot. + He was dressed in the ancient garb of the island, his feet were bare, and + he leaned upon a staff of ebony; his hair was white, and the expression of + his countenance was dignified and interesting. I bowed to him with + respect; he returned the salutation; and, after looking at me with some + earnestness, came and placed himself upon the hillock on which I was + seated. Encouraged by this mark of confidence I thus addressed him: + "Father, can you tell me to whom those cottages once belonged?"—"My + son," replied the old man, "those heaps of rubbish, and that untilled + land, were, twenty years ago, the property of two families, who then found + happiness in this solitude. Their history is affecting; but what European, + pursuing his way to the Indies, will pause one moment to interest himself + in the fate of a few obscure individuals? What European can picture + happiness to his imagination amidst poverty and neglect? The curiosity of + mankind is only attracted by the history of the great, and yet from that + knowledge little use can be derived."—"Father," I rejoined, "from + your manner and your observations, I perceive that you have acquired much + experience of human life. If you have leisure, relate to me, I beseech + you, the history of the ancient inhabitants of this desert; and be + assured, that even the men who are most perverted by the prejudices of the + world, find a soothing pleasure in contemplating that happiness which + belongs to simplicity and virtue." The old man, after a short silence, + during which he leaned his face upon his hands, as if he were trying to + recall the images of the past, thus began his narration:— + </p> + <p> + Monsieur de la Tour, a young man who was a native of Normandy, after + having in vain solicited a commission in the French army, or some support + from his own family, at length determined to seek his fortune in this + island, where he arrived in 1726. He brought hither a young woman, whom he + loved tenderly, and by whom he was no less tenderly beloved. She belonged + to a rich and ancient family of the same province: but he had married her + secretly and without fortune, and in opposition to the will of her + relations, who refused their consent because he was found guilty of being + descended from parents who had no claims to nobility. Monsieur de la Tour, + leaving his wife at Port Louis, embarked for Madagascar, in order to + purchase a few slaves, to assist him in forming a plantation on this + island. He landed at Madagascar during that unhealthy season which + commences about the middle of October; and soon after his arrival died of + the pestilential fever, which prevails in that island six months of the + year, and which will forever baffle the attempts of the European nations + to form establishments on that fatal soil. His effects were seized upon by + the rapacity of strangers, as commonly happens to persons dying in foreign + parts; and his wife, who was pregnant, found herself a widow in a country + where she had neither credit nor acquaintance, and no earthly possession, + or rather support, but one negro woman. Too delicate to solicit protection + or relief from any one else after the death of him whom alone she loved, + misfortune armed her with courage, and she resolved to cultivate, with her + slave, a little spot of ground, and procure for herself the means of + subsistence. + </p> + <p> + Desert as was the island, and the ground left to the choice of the + settler, she avoided those spots which were most fertile and most + favorable to commerce: seeking some nook of the mountain, some secret + asylum where she might live solitary and unknown, she bent her way from + the town towards these rocks, where she might conceal herself from + observation. All sensitive and suffering creatures, from a sort of common + instinct, fly for refuge amidst their pains to haunts the most wild and + desolate; as if rocks could form a rampart against misfortune—as if + the calm of Nature could hush the tumults of the soul. That Providence, + which lends its support when we ask but the supply of our necessary wants, + had a blessing in reserve for Madame de la Tour, which neither riches nor + greatness can purchase:—this blessing was a friend. + </p> + <p> + The spot to which Madame de la Tour had fled had already been inhabited + for a year by a young woman of a lively, good-natured and affectionate + disposition. Margaret (for that was her name) was born in Brittany, of a + family of peasants, by whom she was cherished and beloved, and with whom + she might have passed through life in simple rustic happiness, if, misled + by the weakness of a tender heart, she had not listened to the passion of + a gentleman in the neighbourhood, who promised her marriage. He soon + abandoned her, and adding inhumanity to seduction, refused to insure a + provision for the child of which she was pregnant. Margaret then + determined to leave forever her native village, and retire, where her + fault might be concealed, to some colony distant from that country where + she had lost the only portion of a poor peasant girl—her reputation. + With some borrowed money she purchased an old negro slave, with whom she + cultivated a little corner of this district. + </p> + <p> + Madame de la Tour, followed by her negro woman, came to this spot, where + she found Margaret engaged in suckling her child. Soothed and charmed by + the sight of a person in a situation somewhat similar to her own, Madame + de la Tour related, in a few words, her past condition and her present + wants. Margaret was deeply affected by the recital; and more anxious to + merit confidence than to create esteem, she confessed without disguise, + the errors of which she had been guilty. "As for me," said she, "I deserve + my fate: but you, madam—you! at once virtuous and unhappy"—and, + sobbing, she offered Madame de la Tour both her hut and her friendship. + That lady, affected by this tender reception, pressed her in her arms, and + exclaimed,—"Ah surely Heaven has put an end to my misfortunes, since + it inspires you, to whom I am a stranger, with more goodness towards me + than I have ever experienced from my own relations!" + </p> + <p> + I was acquainted with Margaret: and, although my habitation is a league + and a half from hence, in the woods behind that sloping mountain, I + considered myself as her neighbour. In the cities of Europe, a street, + even a simple wall, frequently prevents members of the same family from + meeting for years; but in new colonies we consider those persons as + neighbours from whom we are divided only by woods and mountains; and above + all at that period, when this island had little intercourse with the + Indies, vicinity alone gave a claim to friendship, and hospitality towards + strangers seemed less a duty than a pleasure. No sooner was I informed + that Margaret had found a companion, than I hastened to her, in the hope + of being useful to my neighbour and her guest. I found Madame de la Tour + possessed of all those melancholy graces which, by blending sympathy with + admiration give to beauty additional power. Her countenance was + interesting, expressive at once of dignity and dejection. She appeared to + be in the last stage of her pregnancy. I told the two friends that for the + future interests of their children, and to prevent the intrusion of any + other settler, they had better divide between them the property of this + wild, sequestered valley, which is nearly twenty acres in extent. They + confided that task to me, and I marked out two equal portions of land. One + included the higher part of this enclosure, from the cloudy pinnacle of + that rock, whence springs the river of Fan-Palms, to that precipitous + cleft which you see on the summit of the mountain, and which, from its + resemblance in form to the battlement of a fortress, is called the + Embrasure. It is difficult to find a path along this wild portion of the + enclosure, the soil of which is encumbered with fragments of rock, or worn + into channels formed by torrents; yet it produces noble trees, and + innumerable springs and rivulets. The other portion of land comprised the + plain extending along the banks of the river of Fan-Palms, to the opening + where we are now seated, whence the river takes its course between these + two hills, until it falls into the sea. You may still trace the vestiges + of some meadow land; and this part of the common is less rugged, but not + more valuable than the other; since in the rainy season it becomes marshy, + and in dry weather is so hard and unyielding, that it will almost resist + the stroke of the pickaxe. When I had thus divided the property, I + persuaded my neighbours to draw lots for their respective possessions. The + higher portion of land, containing the source of the river of Fan-Palms, + became the property of Madame de la Tour; the lower, comprising the plain + on the banks of the river, was allotted to Margaret; and each seemed + satisfied with her share. They entreated me to place their habitations + together, that they might at all times enjoy the soothing intercourse of + friendship, and the consolation of mutual kind offices. Margaret's cottage + was situated near the centre of the valley, and just on the boundary of + her own plantation. Close to that spot I built another cottage for the + residence of Madame de la Tour; and thus the two friends, while they + possessed all the advantages of neighbourhood lived on their own property. + I myself cut palisades from the mountain, and brought leaves of fan-palms + from the sea-shore in order to construct those two cottages, of which you + can now discern neither the entrance nor the roof. Yet, alas! there still + remains but too many traces for my remembrance! Time, which so rapidly + destroys the proud monuments of empires, seems in this desert to spare + those of friendship, as if to perpetuate my regrets to the last hour of my + existence. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the second cottage was finished, Madame de la Tour was + delivered of a girl. I had been the godfather of Margaret's child, who was + christened by the name of Paul. Madame de la Tour desired me to perform + the same office for her child also, together with her friend, who gave her + the name of Virginia. "She will be virtuous," cried Margaret, "and she + will be happy. I have only known misfortune by wandering from virtue." + </p> + <p> + About the time Madame de la Tour recovered, these two little estates had + already begun to yield some produce, perhaps in a small degree owing to + the care which I occasionally bestowed on their improvement, but far more + to the indefatigable labours of the two slaves. Margaret's slave, who was + called Domingo, was still healthy and robust, though advanced in years: he + possessed some knowledge, and a good natural understanding. He cultivated + indiscriminately, on both plantations, the spots of ground that seemed + most fertile, and sowed whatever grain he thought most congenial to each + particular soil. Where the ground was poor, he strewed maize; where it was + most fruitful, he planted wheat; and rice in such spots as were marshy. He + threw the seeds of gourds and cucumbers at the foot of the rocks, which + they loved to climb and decorate with their luxuriant foliage. In dry + spots he cultivated the sweet potatoe; the cotton-tree flourished upon the + heights, and the sugar-cane grew in the clayey soil. He reared some plants + of coffee on the hills, where the grain, although small, is excellent. His + plantain-trees, which spread their grateful shade on the banks of the + river, and encircled the cottages, yielded fruit throughout the year. And + lastly, Domingo, to soothe his cares, cultivated a few plants of tobacco. + Sometimes he was employed in cutting wood for firing from the mountain, + sometimes in hewing pieces of rock within the enclosure, in order to level + the paths. The zeal which inspired him enabled him to perform all these + labours with intelligence and activity. He was much attached to Margaret, + and not less to Madame de la Tour, whose negro woman, Mary, he had married + on the birth of Virginia; and he was passionately fond of his wife. Mary + was born at Madagascar, and had there acquired the knowledge of some + useful arts. She could weave baskets, and a sort of stuff, with long grass + that grows in the woods. She was active, cleanly, and, above all, + faithful. It was her care to prepare their meals, to rear the poultry, and + go sometimes to Port Louis, to sell the superfluous produce of these + little plantations, which was not however, very considerable. If you add + to the personages already mentioned two goats, which were brought up with + the children, and a great dog, which kept watch at night, you will have a + complete idea of the household, as well as of the productions of these two + little farms. + </p> + <p> + Madame de la Tour and her friend were constantly employed in spinning + cotton for the use of their families. Destitute of everything which their + own industry could not supply, at home they went bare-footed: shoes were a + convenience reserved for Sunday, on which day, at an early hour, they + attended mass at the church of the Shaddock Grove, which you see yonder. + That church was more distant from their homes than Port Louis; but they + seldom visited the town, lest they should be treated with contempt on + account of their dress, which consisted simply of the coarse blue linen of + Bengal, usually worn by slaves. But is there, in that external deference + which fortune commands, a compensation for domestic happiness? If these + interesting women had something to suffer from the world, their homes on + that very account became more dear to them. No sooner did Mary and + Domingo, from this elevated spot, perceive their mistresses on the road of + the Shaddock Grove, than they flew to the foot of the mountain in order to + help them to ascend. They discerned in the looks of their domestics the + joy which their return excited. They found in their retreat neatness, + independence, all the blessings which are the recompense of toil, and they + received the zealous services which spring from affection. United by the + tie of similar wants, and the sympathy of similar misfortunes, they gave + each other the tender names of companion, friend, sister. They had but one + will, one interest, one table. All their possessions were in common. And + if sometimes a passion more ardent than friendship awakened in their + hearts the pang of unavailing anguish, a pure religion, united with chaste + manners, drew their affections towards another life: as the trembling + flame rises towards heaven, when it no longer finds any ailment on earth. + </p> + <p> + The duties of maternity became a source of additional happiness to these + affectionate mothers, whose mutual friendship gained new strength at the + sight of their children, equally the offspring of an ill-fated attachment. + They delighted in washing their infants together in the same bath, in + putting them to rest in the same cradle, and in changing the maternal + bosom at which they received nourishment. "My friend," cried Madame de la + Tour, "we shall each of us have two children, and each of our children + will have two mothers." As two buds which remain on different trees of the + same kind, after the tempest has broken all their branches, produce more + delicious fruit, if each, separated from the maternal stem, be grafted on + the neighbouring tree, so these two infants, deprived of all their other + relations, when thus exchanged for nourishment by those who had given them + birth, imbibed feelings of affection still more tender than those of son + and daughter, brother and sister. While they were yet in their cradles, + their mothers talked of their marriage. They soothed their own cares by + looking forward to the future happiness of their children; but this + contemplation often drew forth their tears. The misfortunes of one mother + had arisen from having neglected marriage; those of the other from having + submitted to its laws. One had suffered by aiming to rise above her + condition, the other by descending from her rank. But they found + consolation in reflecting that their more fortunate children, far from the + cruel prejudices of Europe, would enjoy at once the pleasures of love and + the blessings of equality. + </p> + <p> + Rarely, indeed, has such an attachment been seen as that which the two + children already testified for each other. If Paul complained of anything, + his mother pointed to Virginia: at her sight he smiled, and was appeased. + If any accident befel Virginia, the cries of Paul gave notice of the + disaster; but the dear little creature would suppress her complaints if + she found that he was unhappy. When I came hither, I usually found them + quite naked, as is the custom of the country, tottering in their walk, and + holding each other by the hands and under the arms, as we see represented + in the constellation of the Twins. At night these infants often refused to + be separated, and were found lying in the same cradle, their cheeks, their + bosoms pressed close together, their hands thrown round each other's neck, + and sleeping, locked in one another's arms. + </p> + <p> + When they first began to speak, the first name they learned to give each + other were those of brother and sister, and childhood knows no softer + appellation. Their education, by directing them ever to consider each + other's wants, tended greatly to increase their affection. In a short + time, all the household economy, the care of preparing their rural + repasts, became the task of Virginia, whose labours were always crowned + with the praises and kisses of her brother. As for Paul, always in motion, + he dug the garden with Domingo, or followed him with a little hatchet into + the woods; and if, in his rambles he espied a beautiful flower, any + delicious fruit, or a nest of birds, even at the top of the tree, he would + climb up and bring the spoil to his sister. When you met one of these + children, you might be sure the other was not far off. + </p> + <p> + One day as I was coming down that mountain, I saw Virginia at the end of + the garden running towards the house with her petticoat thrown over her + head, in order to screen herself from a shower of rain. At a distance, I + thought she was alone; but as I hastened towards her in order to help her + on, I perceived she held Paul by the arm, almost entirely enveloped in the + same canopy, and both were laughing heartily at their being sheltered + together under an umbrella of their own invention. Those two charming + faces in the middle of a swelling petticoat, recalled to my mind the + children of Leda, enclosed in the same shell. + </p> + <p> + Their sole study was how they could please and assist one another; for of + all other things they were ignorant, and indeed could neither read nor + write. They were never disturbed by inquiries about past times, nor did + their curiosity extend beyond the bounds of their mountain. They believed + the world ended at the shores of their own island, and all their ideas and + all their affections were confined within its limits. Their mutual + tenderness, and that of their mothers, employed all the energies of their + minds. Their tears had never been called forth by tedious application to + useless sciences. Their minds had never been wearied by lessons of + morality, superfluous to bosoms unconscious of ill. They had never been + taught not to steal, because every thing with them was in common: or not + to be intemperate, because their simple food was left to their own + discretion; or not to lie, because they had nothing to conceal. Their + young imaginations had never been terrified by the idea that God has + punishment in store for ungrateful children, since, with them, filial + affection arose naturally from maternal tenderness. All they had been + taught of religion was to love it, and if they did not offer up long + prayers in the church, wherever they were, in the house, in the fields, in + the woods, they raised towards heaven their innocent hands, and hearts + purified by virtuous affections. + </p> + <p> + All their early childhood passed thus, like a beautiful dawn, the prelude + of a bright day. Already they assisted their mothers in the duties of the + household. As soon as the crowing of the wakeful cock announced the first + beam of the morning, Virginia arose, and hastened to draw water from a + neighbouring spring: then returning to the house she prepared the + breakfast. When the rising sun gilded the points of the rocks which + overhang the enclosure in which they lived, Margaret and her child + repaired to the dwelling of Madame de la Tour, where they offered up their + morning prayer together. This sacrifice of thanksgiving always preceded + their first repast, which they often took before the door of the cottage, + seated upon the grass, under a canopy of plantain: and while the branches + of that delicious tree afforded a grateful shade, its fruit furnished a + substantial food ready prepared for them by nature, and its long glossy + leaves, spread upon the table, supplied the place of linen. Plentiful and + wholesome nourishment gave early growth and vigour to the persons of these + children, and their countenances expressed the purity and the peace of + their souls. At twelve years of age the figure of Virginia was in some + degree formed: a profusion of light hair shaded her face, to which her + blue eyes and coral lips gave the most charming brilliancy. Her eyes + sparkled with vivacity when she spoke; but when she was silent they were + habitually turned upwards, with an expression of extreme sensibility, or + rather of tender melancholy. The figure of Paul began already to display + the graces of youthful beauty. He was taller than Virginia: his skin was + of a darker tint; his nose more aquiline; and his black eyes would have + been too piercing, if the long eye-lashes by which they were shaded, had + not imparted to them an expression of softness. He was constantly in + motion, except when his sister appeared, and then, seated by her side, he + became still. Their meals often passed without a word being spoken; and + from their silence, the simple elegance of their attitudes, and the beauty + of their naked feet, you might have fancied you beheld an antique group of + white marble, representing some of the children of Niobe, but for the + glances of their eyes, which were constantly seeking to meet, and their + mutual soft and tender smiles, which suggested rather the idea of happy + celestial spirits, whose nature is love, and who are not obliged to have + recourse to words for the expression of their feelings. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime Madame de la Tour, perceiving every day some unfolding + grace, some new beauty, in her daughter, felt her maternal anxiety + increase with her tenderness. She often said to me, "If I were to die, + what would become of Virginia without fortune?" + </p> + <p> + Madame de la Tour had an aunt in France, who was a woman of quality, rich, + old, and a complete devotee. She had behaved with so much cruelty towards + her niece upon her marriage, that Madame de la Tour had determined no + extremity of distress should ever compel her to have recourse to her + hard-hearted relation. But when she became a mother, the pride of + resentment was overcome by the stronger feelings of maternal tenderness. + She wrote to her aunt, informing her of the sudden death of her husband, + the birth of her daughter, and the difficulties in which she was involved, + burthened as she was with an infant, and without means of support. She + received no answer; but notwithstanding the high spirit natural to her + character, she no longer feared exposing herself to mortification; and, + although she knew her aunt would never pardon her for having married a man + who was not of noble birth, however estimable, she continued to write to + her, with the hope of awakening her compassion for Virginia. Many years, + however passed without receiving any token of her remembrance. + </p> + <p> + At length, in 1738, three years after the arrival of Monsieur de la + Bourdonnais in this island, Madame de la Tour was informed that the + Governor had a letter to give her from her aunt. She flew to Port Louis; + maternal joy raised her mind above all trifling considerations, and she + was careless on this occasion of appearing in her homely attire. Monsieur + de la Bourdonnais gave her a letter from her aunt, in which she informed + her, that she deserved her fate for marrying an adventurer and a + libertine: that the passions brought with them their own punishment; that + the premature death of her husband was a just visitation from Heaven; that + she had done well in going to a distant island, rather than dishonour her + family by remaining in France; and that, after all, in the colony where + she had taken refuge, none but the idle failed to grow rich. Having thus + censured her niece, she concluded by eulogizing herself. To avoid, she + said, the almost inevitable evils of marriage, she had determined to + remain single. In fact, as she was of a very ambitious disposition she had + resolved to marry none but a man of high rank; but although she was very + rich, her fortune was not found a sufficient bribe, even at court, to + counterbalance the malignant dispositions of her mind, and the + disagreeable qualities of her person. + </p> + <p> + After mature deliberations, she added, in a postscript, that she had + strongly recommended her niece to Monsieur de la Bourdonnais. This she had + indeed done, but in a manner of late too common which renders a patron + perhaps even more to be feared than a declared enemy; for, in order to + justify herself for her harshness, she had cruelly slandered her niece, + while she affected to pity her misfortunes. + </p> + <p> + Madame de la Tour, whom no unprejudiced person could have seen without + feelings of sympathy and respect, was received with the utmost coolness by + Monsieur de la Bourdonnais, biased as he was against her. When she painted + to him her own situation and that of her child, he replied in abrupt + sentences,—"We shall see what can be done—there are so many to + relieve—all in good time—why did you displease your aunt?—you + have been much to blame." + </p> + <p> + Madame de la Tour returned to her cottage, her heart torn with grief, and + filled with all the bitterness of disappointment. When she arrived, she + threw her aunt's letter on the table, and exclaimed to her friend,—"There + is the fruit of eleven years of patient expectation!" Madame de la Tour + being the only person in the little circle who could read, she again took + up the letter, and read it aloud. Scarcely had she finished, when Margaret + exclaimed, "What have we to do with your relations? Has God then forsaken + us? He only is our father! Have we not hitherto been happy? Why then this + regret? You have no courage." Seeing Madame de la Tour in tears, she threw + herself upon her neck, and pressing her in her arms,—"My dear + friend!" cried she, "my dear friend!"—but her emotion choked her + utterance. At this sight Virginia burst into tears, and pressed her + mother's and Margaret's hand alternately to her lips and heart; while + Paul, his eyes inflamed with anger, cried, clasped his hands together, and + stamped his foot, not knowing whom to blame for this scene of misery. The + noise soon brought Domingo and Mary to the spot, and the little habitation + resounded with cries of distress,—"Ah, madame!—My good + mistress!—My dear mother!—Do not weep!" These tender proofs of + affections at length dispelled the grief of Madame de la Tour. She took + Paul and Virginia in her arms, and, embracing them, said, "You are the + cause of my affliction, my children, but you are also my only source of + delight! Yes, my dear children, misfortune has reached me, but only from a + distance: here, I am surrounded with happiness." Paul and Virginia did not + understand this reflection; but, when they saw that she was calm, they + smiled, and continued to caress her. Tranquillity was thus restored in + this happy family, and all that had passed was but a storm in the midst of + fine weather, which disturbs the serenity of the atmosphere but for a + short time, and then passes away. + </p> + <p> + The amiable disposition of these children unfolded itself daily. One + Sunday, at day-break, their mothers having gone to mass at the church of + Shaddock Grove, the children perceived a negro woman beneath the plantains + which surrounded their habitation. She appeared almost wasted to a + skeleton, and had no other garment than a piece of coarse cloth thrown + around her. She threw herself at the feet of Virginia, who was preparing + the family breakfast, and said, "My good young lady, have pity on a poor + runaway slave. For a whole month I have wandered among these mountains, + half dead with hunger, and often pursued by the hunters and their dogs. I + fled from my master, a rich planter of the Black River, who has used me as + you see;" and she showed her body marked with scars from the lashes she + had received. She added, "I was going to drown myself, but hearing you + lived here, I said to myself, since there are still some good white people + in this country, I need not die yet." Virginia answered with emotion,—"Take + courage, unfortunate creature! here is something to eat;" and she gave her + the breakfast she had been preparing, which the slave in a few minutes + devoured. When her hunger was appeased, Virginia said to her,—"Poor + woman! I should like to go and ask forgiveness for you of your master. + Surely the sight of you will touch him with pity. Will you show me the + way?"—"Angel of heaven!" answered the poor negro woman, "I will + follow you where you please!" Virginia called her brother, and begged him + to accompany her. The slave led the way, by winding and difficult paths, + through the woods, over mountains, which they climbed with difficulty, and + across rivers, through which they were obliged to wade. At length, about + the middle of the day, they reached the foot of a steep descent upon the + borders of the Black River. There they perceived a well-built house, + surrounded by extensive plantations, and a number of slaves employed in + their various labours. Their master was walking among them with a pipe in + his mouth, and a switch in his hand. He was a tall thin man, of a brown + complexion; his eyes were sunk in his head, and his dark eyebrows were + joined in one. Virginia, holding Paul by the hand, drew near, and with + much emotion begged him, for the love of God, to pardon his poor slave, + who stood trembling a few paces behind. The planter at first paid little + attention to the children, who, he saw, were meanly dressed. But when he + observed the elegance of Virginia's form, and the profusion of her + beautiful light tresses which had escaped from beneath her blue cap; when + he heard the soft tone of her voice, which trembled, as well as her whole + frame, while she implored his compassion; he took his pipe from his mouth, + and lifting up his stick, swore, with a terrible oath, that he pardoned + his slave, not for the love of Heaven, but of her who asked his + forgiveness. Virginia made a sign to the slave to approach her master; and + instantly sprang away followed by Paul. + </p> + <p> + They climbed up the steep they had descended; and having gained the + summit, seated themselves at the foot of a tree, overcome with fatigue, + hunger and thirst. They had left their home fasting, and walked five + leagues since sunrise. Paul said to Virginia,—"My dear sister, it is + past noon, and I am sure you are thirsty and hungry: we shall find no + dinner here; let us go down the mountain again, and ask the master of the + poor slave for some food."—"Oh, no," answered Virginia, "he + frightens me too much. Remember what mamma sometimes says, 'The bread of + the wicked is like stones in the mouth.' "—"What shall we do then," + said Paul; "these trees produce no fruit fit to eat; and I shall not be + able to find even a tamarind or a lemon to refresh you."—"God will + take care of us," replied Virginia; "he listens to the cry even of the + little birds when they ask him for food." Scarcely had she pronounced + these words when they heard the noise of water falling from a neighbouring + rock. They ran thither and having quenched their thirst at this crystal + spring, they gathered and ate a few cresses which grew on the border of + the stream. Soon afterwards while they were wandering backwards and + forwards in search of more solid nourishment, Virginia perceived in the + thickest part of the forest, a young palm-tree. The kind of cabbage which + is found at the top of the palm, enfolded within its leaves, is well + adapted for food; but, although the stock of the tree is not thicker than + a man's leg, it grows to above sixty feet in height. The wood of the tree, + indeed, is composed only of very fine filaments; but the bark is so hard + that it turns the edge of the hatchet, and Paul was not furnished even + with a knife. At length he thought of setting fire to the palm-tree; but a + new difficulty occurred: he had no steel with which to strike fire; and + although the whole island is covered with rocks, I do not believe it is + possible to find a single flint. Necessity, however, is fertile in + expedients, and the most useful inventions have arisen from men placed in + the most destitute situations. Paul determined to kindle a fire after the + manner of the negroes. With the sharp end of a stone he made a small hole + in the branch of a tree that was quite dry, and which he held between his + feet: he then, with the edge of the same stone, brought to a point another + dry branch of a different sort of wood, and, afterwards, placing the piece + of pointed wood in the small hole of the branch which he held with his + feet and turning it rapidly between his hands, in a few minutes smoke and + sparks of fire issued from the point of contact. Paul then heaped together + dried grass and branches, and set fire to the foot of the palm-tree, which + soon fell to the ground with a tremendous crash. The fire was further + useful to him in stripping off the long, thick, and pointed leaves, within + which the cabbage was inclosed. Having thus succeeded in obtaining this + fruit, they ate part of it raw, and part dressed upon the ashes, which + they found equally palatable. They made this frugal repast with delight, + from the remembrances of the benevolent action they had performed in the + morning: yet their joy was embittered by the thoughts of the uneasiness + which their long absence from home would occasion their mothers. Virginia + often recurred to this subject; but Paul, who felt his strength renewed by + their meal, assured her, that it would not be long before they reached + home, and, by the assurance of their safety, tranquillized the minds of + their parents. + </p> + <p> + After dinner they were much embarrassed by the recollection that they had + now no guide, and that they were ignorant of the way. Paul, whose spirit + was not subdued by difficulties, said to Virginia,—"The sun shines + full upon our huts at noon: we must pass, as we did this morning, over + that mountain with its three points, which you see yonder. Come, let us be + moving." This mountain was that of the Three Breasts, so called from the + form of its three peaks. They then descended the steep bank of the Black + River, on the northern side; and arrived, after an hour's walk, on the + banks of a large river, which stopped their further progress. This large + portion of the island, covered as it is with forests, is even now so + little known that many of its rivers and mountains have not yet received a + name. The stream, on the banks of which Paul and Virginia were now + standing, rolls foaming over a bed of rocks. The noise of the water + frightened Virginia, and she was afraid to wade through the current: Paul + therefore took her up in his arms, and went thus loaded over the slippery + rocks, which formed the bed of the river, careless of the tumultuous noise + of its waters. "Do not be afraid," cried he to Virginia; "I feel very + strong with you. If that planter at the Black River had refused you the + pardon of his slave, I would have fought with him."—"What!" answered + Virginia, "with that great wicked man? To what have I exposed you! + Gracious heaven! how difficult it is to do good! and yet it is so easy to + do wrong." + </p> + <p> + When Paul had crossed the river, he wished to continue the journey + carrying his sister: and he flattered himself that he could ascend in that + way the mountain of the Three Breasts, which was still at the distance of + half a league; but his strength soon failed, and he was obliged to set + down his burthen, and to rest himself by her side. Virginia then said to + him, "My dear brother, the sun is going down; you have still some strength + left, but mine has quite failed: do leave me here, and return home alone + to ease the fears of our mothers."—"Oh no," said Paul, "I will not + leave you if night overtakes us in this wood, I will light a fire, and + bring down another palm-tree: you shall eat the cabbage, and I will form a + covering of the leaves to shelter you." In the meantime, Virginia being a + little rested, she gathered from the trunk of an old tree, which overhung + the bank of the river, some long leaves of the plant called hart's tongue, + which grew near its root. Of these leaves she made a sort of buskin, with + which she covered her feet, that were bleeding from the sharpness of the + stony paths; for in her eager desire to do good, she had forgotten to put + on her shoes. Feeling her feet cooled by the freshness of the leaves, she + broke off a branch of bamboo, and continued her walk, leaning with one + hand on the staff, and with the other on Paul. + </p> + <p> + They walked on in this manner slowly through the woods; but from the + height of the trees, and the thickness of their foliage, they soon lost + sight of the mountain of the Three Breasts, by which they had hitherto + directed their course, and also of the sun, which was now setting. At + length they wandered, without perceiving it, from the beaten path in which + they had hitherto walked, and found themselves in a labyrinth of trees, + underwood, and rocks, whence there appeared to be no outlet. Paul made + Virginia sit down, while he ran backwards and forwards, half frantic, in + search of a path which might lead them out of this thick wood; but he + fatigued himself to no purpose. He then climbed to the top of a lofty + tree, whence he hoped at least to perceive the mountain of the Three + Breasts: but he could discern nothing around him but the tops of trees, + some of which were gilded with the last beams of the setting sun. Already + the shadows of the mountains were spreading over the forests in the + valleys. The wind lulled, as is usually the case at sunset. The most + profound silence reigned in those awful solitudes, which was only + interrupted by the cry of the deer, who came to their lairs in that + unfrequented spot. Paul, in the hope that some hunter would hear his + voice, called out as loud as he was able,—"Come, come to the help of + Virginia." But the echoes of the forest alone answered his call, and + repeated again and again, "Virginia—Virginia." + </p> + <p> + Paul at length descended from the tree, overcome with fatigue and + vexation. He looked around in order to make some arrangement for passing + the night in that desert; but he could find neither fountain, nor + palm-tree, nor even a branch of dry wood fit for kindling a fire. He was + then impressed, by experience, with the sense of his own weakness, and + began to weep. Virginia said to him,—"Do not weep, my dear brother, + or I shall be overwhelmed with grief. I am the cause of all your sorrow, + and of all that our mothers are suffering at this moment. I find we ought + to do nothing, not even good, without consulting our parents. Oh, I have + been very imprudent!"—and she began to shed tears. "Let us pray to + God, my dear brother," she again said, "and he will hear us." They had + scarcely finished their prayer, when they heard the barking of a dog. "It + must be the dog of some hunter," said Paul, "who comes here at night, to + lie in wait for the deer." Soon after, the dog began barking again with + increased violence. "Surely," said Virginia, "it is Fidele, our own dog: + yes,—now I know his bark. Are we then so near home?—at the + foot of our own mountain?" A moment after, Fidele was at their feet, + barking, howling, moaning, and devouring them with his caresses. Before + they could recover from their surprise, they saw Domingo running towards + them. At the sight of the good old negro, who wept for joy, they began to + weep too, but had not the power to utter a syllable. When Domingo had + recovered himself a little,—"Oh, my dear children," said he, "how + miserable have you made your mothers! How astonished they were when they + returned with me from mass, on not finding you at home. Mary, who was at + work at a little distance, could not tell us where you were gone. I ran + backwards and forwards in the plantation, not knowing where to look for + you. At last I took some of your old clothes, and showing them to Fidele, + the poor animal, as if he understood me, immediately began to scent your + path; and conducted me, wagging his tail all the while, to the Black + River. I there saw a planter, who told me you had brought back a Maroon + negro woman, his slave, and that he had pardoned her at your request. But + what a pardon! he showed her to me with her feet chained to a block of + wood, and an iron collar with three hooks fastened round her neck! After + that, Fidele, still on the scent, led me up the steep bank of the Black + River, where he again stopped, and barked with all his might. This was on + the brink of a spring, near which was a fallen palm-tree, and a fire, + still smoking. At last he led me to this very spot. We are now at the foot + of the mountain of the Three Breasts, and still a good four leagues from + home. Come, eat, and recover your strength." Domingo then presented them + with a cake, some fruit, and a large gourd, full of beverage composed of + wine, water, lemon-juice, sugar, and nutmeg, which their mothers had + prepared to invigorate and refresh them. Virginia sighed at the + recollection of the poor slave, and at the uneasiness they had given their + mothers. She repeated several times—"Oh, how difficult it is to do + good!" While she and Paul were taking refreshment, it being already night, + Domingo kindled a fire: and having found among the rocks a particular kind + of twisted wood, called bois de ronde, which burns when quite green, and + throws out a great blaze, he made a torch of it, which he lighted. But + when they prepared to continue their journey, a new difficulty occurred; + Paul and Virginia could no longer walk, their feet being violently swollen + and inflamed. Domingo knew not what to do; whether to leave them and go in + search of help, or remain and pass the night with them on that spot. + "There was a time," said he, "when I could carry you both together in my + arms! But now you are grown big, and I am grown old." When he was in this + perplexity, a troop of Maroon negroes appeared at a short distance from + them. The chief of the band, approaching Paul and Virginia, said to them,—"Good + little white people, do not be afraid. We saw you pass this morning, with + a negro woman of the Black River. You went to ask pardon for her of her + wicked master; and we, in return for this, will carry you home upon our + shoulders." He then made a sign, and four of the strongest negroes + immediately formed a sort of litter with the branches of trees and lianas, + and having seated Paul and Virginia on it, carried them upon their + shoulders. Domingo marched in front with his lighted torch, and they + proceeded amidst the rejoicings of the whole troop, who overwhelmed them + with their benedictions. Virginia, affected by this scene, said to Paul, + with emotion,—"Oh, my dear brother! God never leaves a good action + unrewarded." + </p> + <p> + It was midnight when they arrived at the foot of their mountain, on the + ridges of which several fires were lighted. As soon as they began to + ascend, they heard voices exclaiming—"Is it you, my children?" They + answered immediately, and the negroes also,—"Yes, yes, it is." A + moment after they could distinguish their mothers and Mary coming towards + them with lighted sticks in their hands. "Unhappy children," cried Madame + de la Tour, "where have you been? What agonies you have made us suffer!"—"We + have been," said Virginia, "to the Black River, where we went to ask + pardon for a poor Maroon slave, to whom I gave our breakfast this morning, + because she seemed dying of hunger; and these Maroon negroes have brought + us home." Madame de la Tour embraced her daughter, without being able to + speak; and Virginia, who felt her face wet with her mother's tears, + exclaimed, "Now I am repaid for all the hardships I have suffered." + Margaret, in a transport of delight, pressed Paul in her arms, exclaiming, + "And you also, my dear child, you have done a good action." When they + reached the cottages with their children, they entertained all the negroes + with a plentiful repast, after which the latter returned to the woods, + praying Heaven to shower down every description of blessing on those good + white people. + </p> + <p> + Every day was to these families a day of happiness and tranquillity. + Neither ambition nor envy disturbed their repose. They did not seek to + obtain a useless reputation out of doors, which may be procured by + artifice and lost by calumny; but were contented to be the sole witnesses + and judges of their own actions. In this island, where, as is the case in + most colonies, scandal forms the principal topic of conversation, their + virtues, and even their names were unknown. The passer-by on the road to + Shaddock Grove, indeed, would sometimes ask the inhabitants of the plain, + who lived in the cottages up there? and was always told, even by those who + did not know them, "They are good people." The modest violet thus, + concealed in thorny places sheds all unseen its delightful fragrance + around. + </p> + <p> + Slander, which, under an appearance of justice, naturally inclines the + heart to falsehood or to hatred, was entirely banished from their + conversation; for it is impossible not to hate men if we believe them to + be wicked, or to live with the wicked without concealing that hatred under + a false pretence of good feeling. Slander thus puts us ill at ease with + others and with ourselves. In this little circle, therefore, the conduct + of individuals was not discussed, but the best manner of doing good to + all; and although they had but little in their power, their unceasing + good-will and kindness of heart made them constantly ready to do what they + could for others. Solitude, far from having blunted these benevolent + feelings, had rendered their dispositions even more kindly. Although the + petty scandals of the day furnished no subject of conversation to them, + yet the contemplation of nature filled their minds with enthusiastic + delight. They adored the bounty of that Providence, which, by their + instrumentality, had spread abundance and beauty amid these barren rocks, + and had enabled them to enjoy those pure and simple pleasures, which are + ever grateful and ever new. + </p> + <p> + Paul, at twelve years of age, was stronger and more intelligent than most + European youths are at fifteen; and the plantations, which Domingo merely + cultivated, were embellished by him. He would go with the old negro into + the neighbouring woods, where he would root up the young plants of lemon, + orange, and tamarind trees, the round heads of which are so fresh a green, + together with date-palm trees, which produce fruit filled with a sweet + cream, possessing the fine perfume of the orange flower. These trees, + which had already attained to a considerable size, he planted round their + little enclosure. He had also sown the seed of many trees which the second + year bear flowers or fruit; such as the agathis, encircled with long + clusters of white flowers which hang from it like the crystal pendants of + a chandelier; the Persian lilac, which lifts high in air its gray + flax-coloured branches; the pappaw tree, the branchless trunk of which + forms a column studded with green melons, surmounted by a capital of broad + leaves similar to those of the fig-tree. + </p> + <p> + The seeds and kernels of the gum tree, terminalia, mango, alligator pear, + the guava, the bread-fruit tree, and the narrow-leaved rose-apple, were + also planted by him with profusion: and the greater number of these trees + already afforded their young cultivator both shade and fruit. His + industrious hands diffused the riches of nature over even the most barren + parts of the plantation. Several species of aloes, the Indian fig, adorned + with yellow flowers spotted with red, and the thorny torch thistle, grew + upon the dark summits of the rocks, and seemed to aim at reaching the long + lianas, which, laden with blue or scarlet flowers, hung scattered over the + steepest parts of the mountain. + </p> + <p> + I loved to trace the ingenuity he had exercised in the arrangement of + these trees. He had so disposed them that the whole could be seen at a + single glance. In the middle of the hollow he had planted shrubs of the + lowest growth; behind grew the more lofty sorts; then trees of the + ordinary height; and beyond and above all, the venerable and lofty groves + which border the circumference. Thus this extensive enclosure appeared, + from its centre, like a verdant amphitheatre decorated with fruits and + flowers, containing a variety of vegetables, some strips of meadow land, + and fields of rice and corn. But, in arranging these vegetable productions + to his own taste, he wandered not too far from the designs of Nature. + Guided by her suggestions, he had thrown upon the elevated spots such + seeds as the winds would scatter about, and near the borders of the + springs those which float upon the water. Every plant thus grew in its + proper soil, and every spot seemed decorated by Nature's own hand. The + streams which fell from the summits of the rocks formed in some parts of + the valley sparkling cascades, and in others were spread into broad + mirrors, in which were reflected, set in verdure, the flowering trees, the + overhanging rocks, and the azure heavens. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding the great irregularity of the ground, these plantations + were, for the most part, easy of access. We had, indeed, all given him our + advice and assistance, in order to accomplish this end. He had conducted + one path entirely round the valley, and various branches from it led from + the circumference to the centre. He had drawn some advantage from the most + rugged spots, and had blended, in harmonious union, level walks with the + inequalities of the soil, and trees which grow wild with the cultivated + varieties. With that immense quantity of large pebbles which now block up + these paths, and which are scattered over most of the ground of this + island, he formed pyramidal heaps here and there, at the base of which he + laid mould, and planted rose-bushes, the Barbadoes flower-fence, and other + shrubs which love to climb the rocks. In a short time the dark and + shapeless heaps of stones he had constructed were covered with verdure, or + with the glowing tints of the most beautiful flowers. Hollow recesses on + the borders of the streams shaded by the overhanging boughs of aged trees, + formed rural grottoes, impervious to the rays of the sun, in which you + might enjoy a refreshing coolness during the mid-day heats. One path led + to a clump of forest trees, in the centre of which sheltered from the + wind, you found a fruit-tree, laden with produce. Here was a corn-field; + there, an orchard; from one avenue you had a view of the cottages; from + another, of the inaccessible summit of the mountain. Beneath one tufted + bower of gum trees, interwoven with lianas, no object whatever could be + perceived: while the point of the adjoining rock, jutting out from the + mountain, commanded a view of the whole enclosure, and of the distant + ocean, where, occasionally, we could discern the distant sail, arriving + from Europe, or bound thither. On this rock the two families frequently + met in the evening, and enjoyed in silence the freshness of the flowers, + the gentle murmurs of the fountain, and the last blended harmonies of + light and shade. + </p> + <p> + Nothing could be more charming than the names which were bestowed upon + some of the delightful retreats of this labyrinth. The rock of which I + have been speaking, whence they could discern my approach at a + considerable distance, was called the Discovery of Friendship. Paul and + Virginia had amused themselves by planting a bamboo on that spot; and + whenever they saw me coming, they hoisted a little white handkerchief, by + way of signal of my approach, as they had seen a flag hoisted on the + neighbouring mountain on the sight of a vessel at sea. The idea struck me + of engraving an inscription on the stalk of this reed; for I never, in the + course of my travels, experienced any thing like the pleasure in seeing a + statue or other monument of ancient art, as in reading a well-written + inscription. It seems to me as if a human voice issued from the stone, + and, making itself heard after the lapse of ages, addressed man in the + midst of a desert, to tell him that he is not alone, and that other men, + on that very spot, had felt, and thought, and suffered like himself. If + the inscription belongs to an ancient nation, which no longer exists, it + leads the soul through infinite space, and strengthens the consciousness + of its immortality, by demonstrating that a thought has survived the ruins + of an empire. + </p> + <p> + I inscribed then, on the little staff of Paul and Virginia's flag, the + following lines of Horace:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Fratres Helenae, lucida sidera, + Ventorumque regat pater, + Obstrictis, aliis, praeter Iapiga. +</pre> + <p> + "May the brothers of Helen, bright stars like you, and the Father of the + winds, guide you; and may you feel only the breath of the zephyr." + </p> + <p> + There was a gum-tree, under the shade of which Paul was accustomed to sit, + to contemplate the sea when agitated by storms. On the bark of this tree, + I engraved the following lines from Virgil:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Fortunatus et ille deos qui novit agrestes! +</pre> + <p> + "Happy are thou, my son, in knowing only the pastoral divinities." + </p> + <p> + And over the door of Madame de la Tour's cottage where the families so + frequently met, I placed this line:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + At secura quies, et nescia fallere vita. +</pre> + <p> + "Here dwell a calm conscience, and a life that knows not deceit." + </p> + <p> + But Virginia did not approve of my Latin: she said, that what I had placed + at the foot of her flagstaff was too long and too learned. "I should have + liked better," added she, "to have seen inscribed, EVER AGITATED, YET + CONSTANT."—"Such a motto," I answered, "would have been still more + applicable to virtue." My reflection made her blush. + </p> + <p> + The delicacy of sentiment of these happy families was manifested in every + thing around them. They gave the tenderest names to objects in appearance + the most indifferent. A border of orange, plantain and rose-apple trees, + planted round a green sward where Virginia and Paul sometimes danced, + received the name of Concord. An old tree, beneath the shade of which + Madame de la Tour and Margaret used to recount their misfortunes, was + called the Burial-place of Tears. They bestowed the names of Brittany and + Normandy on two little plots of ground, where they had sown corn, + strawberries, and peas. Domingo and Mary, wishing, in imitation of their + mistresses, to recall to mind Angola and Foullepoint, the places of their + birth in Africa, gave those names to the little fields where the grass was + sown with which they wove their baskets, and where they had planted a + calabash-tree. Thus, by cultivating the productions of their respective + climates, these exiled families cherished the dear illusions which bind us + to our native country, and softened their regrets in a foreign land. Alas! + I have seen these trees, these fountains, these heaps of stones, which are + now so completely overthrown,—which now, like the desolated plains + of Greece, present nothing but masses of ruin and affecting remembrances, + all called into life by the many charming appellations thus bestowed upon + them! + </p> + <p> + But perhaps the most delightful spot of this enclosure was that called + Virginia's resting-place. At the foot of the rock which bore the name of + The Discovery of Friendship, is a small crevice, whence issues a fountain, + forming, near its source, a little spot of marshy soil in the middle of a + field of rich grass. At the time of Paul's birth I had made Margaret a + present of an Indian cocoa which had been given me, and which she planted + on the border of this fenny ground, in order that the tree might one day + serve to mark the epoch of her son's birth. Madame de la Tour planted + another cocoa with the same view, at the birth of Virginia. These nuts + produced two cocoa-trees, which formed the only records of the two + families; one was called Paul's tree, the other, Virginia's. Their growth + was in the same proportion as that of the two young persons, not exactly + equal: but they rose, at the end of twelve years, above the roofs of the + cottages. Already their tender stalks were interwoven, and clusters of + young cocoas hung from them over the basin of the fountain. With the + exception of these two trees, this nook of the rock was left as it had + been decorated by nature. On its embrowned and moist sides broad plants of + maiden-hair glistened with their green and dark stars; and tufts of + wave-leaved hart's tongue, suspended like long ribands of purpled green, + floated on the wind. Near this grew a chain of the Madagascar periwinkle, + the flowers of which resemble the red gilliflower; and the long-podded + capsicum, the seed-vessels of which are of the colour of blood, and more + resplendent than coral. Near them, the herb balm, with its heart-shaped + leaves, and the sweet basil, which has the odour of the clove, exhaled the + most delicious perfumes. From the precipitous side of the mountain hung + the graceful lianas, like floating draperies, forming magnificent canopies + of verdure on the face of the rocks. The sea-birds, allured by the + stillness of these retreats, resorted here to pass the night. At the hour + of sunset we could perceive the curlew and the stint skimming along the + seashore; the frigate-bird poised high in air; and the white bird of the + tropic, which abandons, with the star of day, the solitudes of the Indian + ocean. Virginia took pleasure in resting herself upon the border of this + fountain, decorated with wild and sublime magnificence. She often went + thither to wash the linen of the family beneath the shade of the two + cocoa-trees, and thither too she sometimes led her goats to graze. While + she was making cheeses of their milk, she loved to see them browse on the + maiden-hair fern which clothes the steep sides of the rock, and hung + suspended by one of its cornices, as on a pedestal. Paul, observing that + Virginia was fond of this spot, brought thither, from the neighbouring + forest, a great variety of bird's nests. The old birds following their + young, soon established themselves in this new colony. Virginia, at stated + times, distributed amongst them grains of rice, millet, and maize. As soon + as she appeared, the whistling blackbird, the amadavid bird, whose note is + so soft, the cardinal, with its flame coloured plumage, forsook their + bushes; the parroquet, green as an emerald, descended from the + neighbouring fan-palms, the partridge ran along the grass; all advanced + promiscuously towards her, like a brood of chickens: and she and Paul + found an exhaustless source of amusement in observing their sports, their + repasts, and their loves. + </p> + <p> + Amiable children! thus passed your earlier days in innocence, and in + obeying the impulses of kindness. How many times, on this very spot, have + your mothers, pressing you in their arms, blessed Heaven for the + consolation your unfolding virtues prepared for their declining years, + while they at the same time enjoyed the satisfaction of seeing you begin + life under the happiest auspices! How many times, beneath the shade of + those rocks, have I partaken with them of your rural repasts, which never + cost any animal its life! Gourds full of milk, fresh eggs, cakes of rice + served up on plantain leaves, with baskets of mangoes, oranges, dates, + pomegranates, pineapples, furnished a wholesome repast, the most agreeable + to the eye, as well as delicious to the taste, that can possibly be + imagined. + </p> + <p> + Like the repast, the conversation was mild, and free from every thing + having a tendency to do harm. Paul often talked of the labours of the day + and of the morrow. He was continually planning something for the + accommodation of their little society. Here he discovered that the paths + were rugged; there, that the seats were uncomfortable: sometimes the young + arbours did not afford sufficient shade, and Virginia might be better + pleased elsewhere. + </p> + <p> + During the rainy season the two families met together in the cottage, and + employed themselves in weaving mats of grass, and baskets of bamboo. + Rakes, spades, and hatchets, were ranged along the walls in the most + perfect order; and near these instruments of agriculture were heaped its + products,—bags of rice, sheaves of corn, and baskets of plantains. + Some degree of luxury usually accompanies abundance; and Virginia was + taught by her mother and Margaret to prepare sherbert and cordials from + the juice of the sugar-cane, the lemon and the citron. + </p> + <p> + When night came, they all supped together by the light of a lamp; after + which Madame de la Tour or Margaret related some story of travellers + benighted in those woods of Europe that are still infested by banditti; or + told a dismal tale of some shipwrecked vessel, thrown by the tempest upon + the rocks of a desert island. To these recitals the children listened with + eager attention, and earnestly hoped that Heaven would one day grant them + the joy of performing the rites of hospitality towards such unfortunate + persons. When the time for repose arrived, the two families separated and + retired for the night, eager to meet again the following morning. + Sometimes they were lulled to repose by the beating of the rains, which + fell in torrents upon the roofs of their cottages, and sometimes by the + hollow winds, which brought to their ear the distant roar of the waves + breaking upon the shore. They blessed God for their own safety, the + feeling of which was brought home more forcibly to their minds by the + sound of remote danger. + </p> + <p> + Madame de la Tour occasionally read aloud some affecting history of the + Old or New Testament. Her auditors reasoned but little upon these sacred + volumes, for their theology centred in a feeling of devotion towards the + Supreme Being, like that of nature: and their morality was an active + principle, like that of the Gospel. These families had no particular days + devoted to pleasure, and others to sadness. Every day was to them a + holyday, and all that surrounded them one holy temple, in which they ever + adored the Infinite Intelligence, the Almighty God, the Friend of human + kind. A feeling of confidence in his supreme power filled their minds with + consolation for the past, with fortitude under present trials, and with + hope in the future. Compelled by misfortune to return almost to a state of + nature, these excellent women had thus developed in their own and their + children's bosoms the feelings most natural to the human mind, and its + best support under affliction. + </p> + <p> + But, as clouds sometimes arise, and cast a gloom over the best regulated + tempers, so whenever any member of this little society appeared to be + labouring under dejection, the rest assembled around, and endeavoured to + banish her painful thoughts by amusing the mind rather than by grave + arguments against them. Each performed this kind office in their own + appropriate manner: Margaret, by her gaiety; Madame de la Tour, by the + gentle consolations of religion; Virginia, by her tender caresses; Paul, + by his frank and engaging cordiality. Even Mary and Domingo hastened to + offer their succour, and to weep with those that wept. Thus do weak plants + interweave themselves with each other, in order to withstand the fury of + the tempest. + </p> + <p> + During the fine season, they went every Sunday to the church of the + Shaddock Grove, the steeple of which you see yonder upon the plain. Many + wealthy members of the congregation, who came to church in palanquins, + sought the acquaintance of these united families, and invited them to + parties of pleasure. But they always repelled these overtures with + respectful politeness, as they were persuaded that the rich and powerful + seek the society of persons in an inferior station only for the sake of + surrounding themselves with flatterers, and that every flatterer must + applaud alike all the actions of his patron, whether good or bad. On the + other hand, they avoided, with equal care, too intimate an acquaintance + with the lower class, who are ordinarily jealous, calumniating, and gross. + They thus acquired, with some, the character of being timid, and with + others, of pride: but their reserve was accompanied with so much obliging + politeness, above all towards the unfortunate and the unhappy, that they + insensibly acquired the respect of the rich and the confidence of the + poor. + </p> + <p> + After service, some kind office was often required at their hands by their + poor neighbours. Sometimes a person troubled in mind sought their advice; + sometimes a child begged them to its sick mother, in one of the adjoining + hamlets. They always took with them a few remedies for the ordinary + diseases of the country, which they administered in that soothing manner + which stamps a value upon the smallest favours. Above all, they met with + singular success in administrating to the disorders of the mind, so + intolerable in solitude, and under the infirmities of a weakened frame. + Madame de la Tour spoke with such sublime confidence of the Divinity, that + the sick, while listening to her, almost believed him present. Virginia + often returned home with her eyes full of tears, and her heart overflowing + with delight, at having had an opportunity of doing good; for to her + generally was confided the task of preparing and administering the + medicines,—a task which she fulfilled with angelic sweetness. After + these visits of charity, they sometimes extended their walk by the Sloping + Mountain, till they reached my dwelling, where I used to prepare dinner + for them on the banks of the little rivulet which glides near my cottage. + I procured for these occasions a few bottles of old wine, in order to + heighten the relish of our Oriental repast by the more genial productions + of Europe. At other times we met on the sea-shore, at the mouth of some + little river, or rather mere brook. We brought from home the provisions + furnished us by our gardens, to which we added those supplied us by the + sea in abundant variety. We caught on these shores the mullet, the roach, + and the sea-urchin, lobsters, shrimps, crabs, oysters, and all other kinds + of shell-fish. In this way, we often enjoyed the most tranquil pleasures + in situations the most terrific. Sometimes, seated upon a rock, under the + shade of the velvet sunflower-tree, we saw the enormous waves of the + Indian Ocean break beneath our feet with a tremendous noise. Paul, who + could swim like a fish, would advance on the reefs to meet the coming + billows; then, at their near approach, would run back to the beach, + closely pursued by the foaming breakers, which threw themselves, with a + roaring noise, far on the sands. But Virginia, at this sight, uttered + piercing cries, and said that such sports frightened her too much. + </p> + <p> + Other amusements were not wanting on these festive occasions. Our repasts + were generally followed by the songs and dances of the two young people. + Virginia sang the happiness of pastoral life, and the misery of those who + were impelled by avarice to cross the raging ocean, rather than cultivate + the earth, and enjoy its bounties in peace. Sometimes she performed a + pantomime with Paul, after the manner of the negroes. The first language + of man is pantomime: it is known to all nations, and is so natural and + expressive, that the children of the European inhabitants catch it with + facility from the negroes. Virginia, recalling, from among the histories + which her mother had read to her, those which had affected her most, + represented the principal events in them with beautiful simplicity. + Sometimes at the sound of Domingo's tantam she appeared upon the green + sward, bearing a pitcher upon her head, and advanced with a timid step + towards the source of a neighbouring fountain, to draw water. Domingo and + Mary, personating the shepherds of Midian forbade her to approach, and + repulsed her sternly. Upon this Paul flew to her succour, beat away the + shepherds, filled Virginia's pitcher, and placing it upon her heard, bound + her brows at the same time with a wreath of the red flowers of the + Madagascar periwinkle, which served to heighten the delicacy of her + complexion. Then joining in their sports, I took upon myself the part of + Raguel, and bestowed upon Paul, my daughter Zephora in marriage. + </p> + <p> + Another time Virginia would represent the unhappy Ruth, returning poor and + widowed with her mother-in-law, who, after so prolonged an absence, found + herself as unknown as in a foreign land. Domingo and Mary personated the + reapers. The supposed daughter of Naomi followed their steps, gleaning + here and there a few ears of corn. When interrogated by Paul,—a part + which he performed with the gravity of a patriarch,—she answered his + questions with a faltering voice. He then, touched with compassion, + granted an asylum to innocence, and hospitality to misfortune. He filled + her lap with plenty; and, leading her towards us as before the elders of + the city, declared his purpose to take her in marriage. At this scene, + Madame de la Tour, recalling the desolate situation in which she had been + left by her relations, her widowhood, and the kind reception she had met + with from Margaret, succeeded now by the soothing hope of a happy union + between their children, could not forbear weeping; and these mixed + recollections of good and evil caused us all to unite with her in shedding + tears of sorrow and of joy. + </p> + <p> + These dramas were performed with such an air of reality that you might + have fancied yourself transported to the plains of Syria or of Palestine. + We were not unfurnished with decorations, lights, or an orchestra, + suitable to the representation. The scene was generally placed in an open + space of the forest, the diverging paths from which formed around us + numerous arcades of foliage, under which we were sheltered from the heat + all the middle of the day; but when the sun descended towards the horizon, + its rays, broken by the trunks of the trees, darted amongst the shadows of + the forest in long lines of light, producing the most magnificent effect. + Sometimes its broad disk appeared at the end of an avenue, lighting it up + with insufferable brightness. The foliage of the trees, illuminated from + beneath by its saffron beams, glowed with the lustre of the topaz and the + emerald. Their brown and mossy trunks appeared transformed into columns of + antique bronze; and the birds, which had retired in silence to their leafy + shades to pass the night, surprised to see the radiance of a second + morning, hailed the star of day all together with innumerable carols. + </p> + <p> + Night often overtook us during these rural entertainments; but the purity + of the air and the warmth of the climate, admitted of our sleeping in the + woods, without incurring any danger by exposure to the weather, and no + less secure from the molestations of robbers. On our return the following + day to our respective habitations, we found them in exactly the same state + in which they had been left. In this island, then unsophisticated by the + pursuits of commerce, such were the honesty and primitive manners of the + population, that the doors of many houses were without a key, and even a + lock itself was an object of curiosity to not a few of the native + inhabitants. + </p> + <p> + There were, however, some days in the year celebrated by Paul and Virginia + in a more peculiar manner; these were the birth-days of their mothers. + Virginia never failed the day before to prepare some wheaten cakes, which + she distributed among a few poor white families, born in the island, who + had never eaten European bread. These unfortunate people, uncared for by + the blacks, were reduced to live on tapioca in the woods; and as they had + neither the insensibility which is the result of slavery, nor the + fortitude which springs from a liberal education, to enable them to + support their poverty, their situation was deplorable. These cakes were + all that Virginia had it in her power to give away, but she conferred the + gift in so delicate a manner as to add tenfold to its value. In the first + place, Paul was commissioned to take the cakes himself to these families, + and get their promise to come and spend the next day at Madame de la + Tour's. Accordingly, mothers of families, with two or three thin, yellow, + miserable looking daughters, so timid that they dared not look up, made + their appearance. Virginia soon put them at their ease; she waited upon + them with refreshments, the excellence of which she endeavoured to + heighten by relating some particular circumstance which in her own + estimation, vastly improved them. One beverage had been prepared by + Margaret; another, by her mother: her brother himself had climbed some + lofty tree for the very fruit she was presenting. She would then get Paul + to dance with them, nor would she leave them till she saw that they were + happy. She wished them to partake of the joy of her own family. "It is + only," she said, "by promoting the happiness of others, that we can secure + our own." When they left, she generally presented them with some little + article they seemed to fancy, enforcing their acceptance of it by some + delicate pretext, that she might not appear to know they were in want. If + she remarked that their clothes were much tattered, she obtained her + mother's permission to give them some of her own, and then sent Paul to + leave them, secretly at their cottage doors. She thus followed the divine + precept,—concealing the benefactor, and revealing only the benefit. + </p> + <p> + You Europeans, whose minds are imbued from infancy with prejudices at + variance with happiness, cannot imagine all the instruction and pleasure + to be derived from nature. Your souls, confined to a small sphere of + intelligence, soon reach the limit of its artificial enjoyments: but + nature and the heart are inexhaustible. Paul and Virginia had neither + clock, nor almanack, nor books of chronology, history or philosophy. The + periods of their lives were regulated by those of the operations of + nature, and their familiar conversation had a reference to the changes of + the seasons. They knew the time of day by the shadows of the trees; the + seasons, by the times when those trees bore flowers or fruit; and the + years, by the number of their harvests. These soothing images diffused an + inexpressible charm over their conversation. "It is time to dine," said + Virginia, "the shadows of the plantain-trees are at their roots:" or, + "Night approaches, the tamarinds are closing their leaves." "When will you + come and see us?" inquired some of her companions in the neighbourhood. + "At the time of the sugar-canes," answered Virginia. "Your visit will be + then still more delightful," resumed her young acquaintances. When she was + asked what was her own age and that of Paul,—"My brother," said she, + "is as old as the great cocoa-tree of the fountain; and I am as old as the + little one: the mangoes have bore fruit twelve times and the orange-trees + have flowered four-and-twenty times, since I came into the world." Their + lives seemed linked to that of the trees, like those of Fauns or Dryads. + They knew no other historical epochs than those of the lives of their + mothers, no other chronology than that of doing good, and resigning + themselves to the will of Heaven. + </p> + <p> + What need, indeed, had these young people of riches or learning such as + ours? Even their necessities and their ignorance increased their + happiness. No day passed in which they were not of some service to one + another, or in which they did not mutually impart some instruction. Yes, + instruction; for if errors mingled with it, they were, at least, not of a + dangerous character. A pure-minded being has none of that description to + fear. Thus grew these children of nature. No care had troubled their + peace, no intemperance had corrupted their blood, no misplaced passion had + depraved their hearts. Love, innocence, and piety, possessed their souls; + and those intellectual graces were unfolding daily in their features, + their attitudes, and their movements. Still in the morning of life, they + had all its blooming freshness: and surely such in the garden of Eden + appeared our first parents, when coming from the hands of God, they first + saw, and approached each other, and conversed together, like brother and + sister. Virginia was gentle, modest, and confiding as Eve; and Paul, like + Adam, united the stature of manhood with the simplicity of a child. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes, if alone with Virginia, he has a thousand times told me, he + used to say to her, on his return from labour,—"When I am wearied, + the sight of you refreshes me. If from the summit of the mountain I + perceive you below in the valley, you appear to me in the midst of our + orchard like a blooming rose-bud. If you go towards our mother's house, + the partridge, when it runs to meet its young, has a shape less beautiful, + and a step less light. When I lose sight of you through the trees, I have + no need to see you in order to find you again. Something of you, I know + not how, remains for me in the air through which you have passed, on the + grass where you have been seated. When I come near you, you delight all my + senses. The azure of the sky is less charming than the blue of your eyes, + and the song of the amadavid bird less soft than the sound of your voice. + If I only touch you with the tip of my finger, my whole frame trembles + with pleasure. Do you remember the day when we crossed over the great + stones of the river of the Three Breasts? I was very tired before we + reached the bank: but, as soon as I had taken you in my arms, I seemed to + have wings like a bird. Tell me by what charm you have thus enchanted me! + Is it by your wisdom?—Our mothers have more than either of us. Is it + by your caresses?—They embrace me much oftener than you. I think it + must be by your goodness. I shall never forget how you walked bare-footed + to the Black River, to ask pardon for the poor run-away slave. Here, my + beloved, take this flowering branch of a lemon-tree, which I have gathered + in the forest: you will let it remain at night near your bed. Eat this + honey-comb too, which I have taken for you from the top of a rock. But + first lean on my bosom, and I shall be refreshed." + </p> + <p> + Virginia would answer him,—"Oh, my dear brother, the rays of the sun + in the morning on the tops of the rocks give me less joy than the sight of + you. I love my mother,—I love yours; but when they call you their + son, I love them a thousand times more. When they caress you, I feel it + more sensibly than when I am caressed myself. You ask me what makes you + love me. Why, all creatures that are brought up together love one another. + Look at our birds; reared up in the same nests, they love each other as we + do; they are always together like us. Hark! how they call and answer from + one tree to another. So when the echoes bring to my ears the air which you + play on your flute on the top of the mountain, I repeat the words at the + bottom of the valley. You are dear to me more especially since the day + when you wanted to fight the master of the slave for me. Since that time + how often have I said to myself, 'Ah, my brother has a good heart; but for + him, I should have died of terror.' I pray to God every day for my mother + and for yours; for you, and for our poor servants; but when I pronounce + your name, my devotion seems to increase;—I ask so earnestly of God + that no harm may befall you! Why do you go so far, and climb so high, to + seek fruits and flowers for me? Have we not enough in our garden already? + How much you are fatigued,—you look so warm!"—and with her + little white handkerchief she would wipe the damps from his face, and then + imprint a tender kiss on his forehead. + </p> + <p> + For some time past, however, Virginia had felt her heart agitated by new + sensations. Her beautiful blue eyes lost their lustre, her cheek its + freshness, and her frame was overpowered with a universal langour. + Serenity no longer sat upon her brow, nor smiles played upon her lips. She + would become all at once gay without cause for joy, and melancholy without + any subject for grief. She fled her innocent amusements, her gentle toils, + and even the society of her beloved family; wandering about the most + unfrequented parts of the plantations, and seeking every where the rest + which she could no where find. Sometimes, at the sight of Paul, she + advanced sportively to meet him; but, when about to accost him, was + overcome by a sudden confusion; her pale cheeks were covered with blushes, + and her eyes no longer dared to meet those of her brother. Paul said to + her,—"The rocks are covered with verdure, our birds begin to sing + when you approach, everything around you is gay, and you only are + unhappy." He then endeavoured to soothe her by his embraces, but she + turned away her head, and fled, trembling towards her mother. The caresses + of her brother excited too much emotion in her agitated heart, and she + sought, in the arms of her mother, refuge from herself. Paul, unused to + the secret windings of the female heart, vexed himself in vain in + endeavouring to comprehend the meaning of these new and strange caprices. + Misfortunes seldom come alone, and a serious calamity now impended over + these families. + </p> + <p> + One of those summers, which sometimes desolate the countries situated + between the tropics, now began to spread its ravages over this island. It + was near the end of December, when the sun, in Capricorn, darts over the + Mauritius, during the space of three weeks, its vertical fires. The + southeast wind, which prevails throughout almost the whole year, no longer + blew. Vast columns of dust arose from the highways, and hung suspended in + the air; the ground was every where broken into clefts; the grass was + burnt up; hot exhalations issued from the sides of the mountains, and + their rivulets, for the most part, became dry. No refreshing cloud ever + arose from the sea: fiery vapours, only, during the day, ascended from the + plains, and appeared, at sunset, like the reflection of a vast + conflagration. Night brought no coolness to the heated atmosphere; and the + red moon rising in the misty horizon, appeared of supernatural magnitude. + The drooping cattle, on the sides of the hills, stretching out their necks + towards heaven, and panting for breath, made the valleys re-echo with + their melancholy lowings: even the Caffre by whom they were led threw + himself upon the earth, in search of some cooling moisture: but his hopes + were vain; the scorching sun had penetrated the whole soil, and the + stifling atmosphere everywhere resounded with the buzzing noise of + insects, seeking to allay their thirst with the blood of men and of + animals. + </p> + <p> + During this sultry season, Virginia's restlessness and disquietude were + much increased. One night, in particular, being unable to sleep, she arose + from her bed, sat down, and returned to rest again; but could find in no + attitude either slumber or repose. At length she bent her way, by the + light of the moon, towards her fountain, and gazed at its spring, which, + notwithstanding the drought, still trickled, in silver threads down the + brown sides of the rock. She flung herself into the basin: its coolness + reanimated her spirits, and a thousand soothing remembrances came to her + mind. She recollected that in her infancy her mother and Margaret had + amused themselves by bathing her with Paul in this very spot; that he + afterwards, reserving this bath for her sole use, had hollowed out its + bed, covered the bottom with sand, and sown aromatic herbs around its + borders. She saw in the water, upon her naked arms and bosom, the + reflection of the two cocoa trees which were planted at her own and her + brother's birth, and which interwove above her head their green branches + and young fruit. She thought of Paul's friendship, sweeter than the odour + of the blossoms, purer than the waters of the fountain, stronger than the + intertwining palm-tree, and she sighed. Reflecting on the hour of the + night, and the profound solitude, her imagination became disturbed. + Suddenly she flew, affrighted, from those dangerous shades, and those + waters which seemed to her hotter than the tropical sunbeam, and ran to + her mother for refuge. More than once, wishing to reveal her sufferings, + she pressed her mother's hand within her own; more than once she was ready + to pronounce the name of Paul: but her oppressed heart left her lips no + power of utterance, and, leaning her head on her mother's bosom, she + bathed it with her tears. + </p> + <p> + Madame de la Tour, though she easily discerned the source of her + daughter's uneasiness, did not think proper to speak to her on the + subject. "My dear child," said she, "offer up your supplications to God, + who disposes at his will of health and of life. He subjects you to trial + now, in order to recompense you hereafter. Remember that we are only + placed upon earth for the exercise of virtue." + </p> + <p> + The excessive heat in the meantime raised vast masses of vapour from the + ocean, which hung over the island like an immense parasol, and gathered + round the summits of the mountains. Long flakes of fire issued from time + to time from these mist-embosomed peaks. The most awful thunder soon after + re-echoed through the woods, the plains, and the valleys: the rains fell + from the skies in cataracts; foaming torrents rushed down the sides of + this mountain; the bottom of the valley became a sea, and the elevated + platform on which the cottages were built, a little island. The + accumulated waters, having no other outlet, rushed with violence through + the narrow gorge which leads into the valley, tossing and roaring, and + bearing along with them a mingled wreck of soil, trees, and rocks. + </p> + <p> + The trembling families meantime addressed their prayers to God all + together in the cottage of Madame de la Tour, the roof of which cracked + fearfully from the force of the winds. So incessant and vivid were the + lightnings, that although the doors and window-shutters were securely + fastened, every object without could be distinctly seen through the joints + in the wood-work! Paul, followed by Domingo, went with intrepidity from + one cottage to another, notwithstanding the fury of the tempest; here + supporting a partition with a buttress, there driving in a stake; and only + returning to the family to calm their fears, by the expression of a hope + that the storm was passing away. Accordingly, in the evening the rains + ceased, the trade-winds of the southeast pursued their ordinary course, + the tempestuous clouds were driven away to the northward, and the setting + sun appeared in the horizon. + </p> + <p> + Virginia's first wish was to visit the spot called her Resting-place. Paul + approached her with a timid air, and offered her the assistance of his + arm; she accepted it with a smile, and they left the cottage together. The + air was clear and fresh: white vapours arose from the ridges of the + mountain, which was furrowed here and there by the courses of torrents, + marked in foam, and now beginning to dry up on all sides. As for the + garden, it was completely torn to pieces by deep water-courses, the roots + of most of the fruit trees were laid bare, and vast heaps of sand covered + the borders of the meadows, and had choked up Virginia's bath. The two + cocoa trees, however, were still erect, and still retained their + freshness; but they were no longer surrounded by turf, or arbours, or + birds, except a few amadavid birds, which, upon the points of the + neighbouring rocks, were lamenting, in plaintive notes, the loss of their + young. + </p> + <p> + At the sight of this general desolation, Virginia exclaimed to Paul,—"You + brought birds hither, and the hurricane has killed them. You planted this + garden, and it is now destroyed. Every thing then upon earth perishes, and + it is only Heaven that is not subject to change."—"Why," answered + Paul, "cannot I give you something that belongs to Heaven? but I have + nothing of my own even upon the earth." Virginia with a blush replied, + "You have the picture of Saint Paul." As soon as she had uttered the + words, he flew in quest of it to his mother's cottage. This picture was a + miniature of Paul the Hermit, which Margaret, who viewed it with feelings + of great devotion, had worn at her neck while a girl, and which, after she + became a mother, she had placed round her child's. It had even happened, + that being, while pregnant, abandoned by all the world, and constantly + occupied in contemplating the image of this benevolent recluse, her + offspring had contracted some resemblance to this revered object. She + therefore bestowed upon him the name of Paul, giving him for his patron a + saint who had passed his life far from mankind by whom he had been first + deceived and then forsaken. Virginia, on receiving this little present + from the hands of Paul, said to him, with emotion, "My dear brother, I + will never part with this while I live; nor will I ever forget that you + have given me the only thing you have in the world." At this tone of + friendship,—this unhoped for return of familiarity and tenderness, + Paul attempted to embrace her; but, light as a bird, she escaped him, and + fled away, leaving him astonished, and unable to account for conduct so + extraordinary. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Margaret said to Madame de la Tour, "Why do we not unite our + children by marriage? They have a strong attachment for each other, and + though my son hardly understands the real nature of his feelings, yet + great care and watchfulness will be necessary. Under such circumstances, + it will be as well not to leave them too much together." Madame de la Tour + replied, "They are too young and too poor. What grief would it occasion us + to see Virginia bring into the world unfortunate children, whom she would + not perhaps have sufficient strength to rear! Your negro, Domingo, is + almost too old to labor; Mary is infirm. As for myself, my dear friend, at + the end of fifteen years, I find my strength greatly decreased; the + feebleness of age advances rapidly in hot climates, and, above all, under + the pressure of misfortune. Paul is our only hope: let us wait till he + comes to maturity, and his increased strength enables him to support us by + his labour: at present you well know that we have only sufficient to + supply the wants of the day: but were we to send Paul for a short time to + the Indies, he might acquire, by commerce, the means of purchasing some + slaves; and at his return we could unite him to Virginia; for I am + persuaded no one on earth would render her so happy as your son. We will + consult our neighbour on this subject." + </p> + <p> + They accordingly asked my advice, which was in accordance with Madame de + la Tour's opinion. "The Indian seas," I observed to them, "are calm, and, + in choosing a favourable time of the year, the voyage out is seldom longer + than six weeks; and the same time may be allowed for the return home. We + will furnish Paul with a little venture from my neighbourhood, where he is + much beloved. If we were only to supply him with some raw cotton, of which + we make no use for want of mills to work it, some ebony, which is here so + common that it serves us for firing, and some rosin, which is found in our + woods, he would be able to sell those articles, though useless here, to + good advantage in the Indies." + </p> + <p> + I took upon myself to obtain permission from Monsieur de la Bourdonnais to + undertake this voyage; and I determined previously to mention the affair + to Paul. But what was my surprise, when this young man said to me, with a + degree of good sense above his age, "And why do you wish me to leave my + family for this precarious pursuit of fortune? Is there any commerce in + the world more advantageous than the culture of the ground, which yields + sometimes fifty or a hundred-fold? If we wish to engage in commerce, can + we not do so by carrying our superfluities to the town without my + wandering to the Indies? Our mothers tell me, that Domingo is old and + feeble; but I am young, and gather strength every day. If any accident + should happen during my absence, above all to Virginia, who already + suffers—Oh, no, no!—I cannot resolve to leave them." + </p> + <p> + So decided an answer threw me into great perplexity, for Madame de la Tour + had not concealed from me the cause of Virginia's illness and want of + spirits, and her desire of separating these young people till they were a + few years older. I took care, however, not to drop any thing which could + lead Paul to suspect the existence of these motives. + </p> + <p> + About this period a ship from France brought Madame de la Tour a letter + from her aunt. The fear of death, without which hearts as insensible as + hers would never feel, had alarmed her into compassion. When she wrote she + was recovering from a dangerous illness, which had, however, left her + incurably languid and weak. She desired her niece to return to France: or, + if her health forbade her to undertake so long a voyage, she begged her to + send Virginia, on whom she promised to bestow a good education, to procure + for her a splendid marriage, and to leave her heiress of her whole + fortune. She concluded by enjoining strict obedience to her will, in + gratitude, she said, for her great kindness. + </p> + <p> + At the perusal of this letter general consternation spread itself through + the whole assembled party. Domingo and Mary began to weep. Paul, + motionless with surprise, appeared almost ready to burst with indignation; + while Virginia, fixing her eyes anxiously upon her mother, had not power + to utter a single word. "And can you now leave us?" cried Margaret to + Madame de la Tour. "No, my dear friend, no, my beloved children," replied + Madame de la Tour; "I will never leave you. I have lived with you, and + with you I will die. I have known no happiness but in your affection. If + my health be deranged, my past misfortunes are the cause. My heart has + been deeply wounded by the cruelty of my relations, and by the loss of my + beloved husband. But I have since found more consolation and more real + happiness with you in these humble huts, than all the wealth of my family + could now lead me to expect in my country." + </p> + <p> + At this soothing language every eye overflowed with tears of delight. + Paul, pressing Madame de la Tour in his arms, exclaimed,—"Neither + will I leave you! I will not go to the Indies. We will all labour for you, + dear mamma; and you shall never feel any want with us." But of the whole + society, the person who displayed the least transport, and who probably + felt the most, was Virginia; and during the remainder of the day, the + gentle gaiety which flowed from her heart, and proved that her peace of + mind was restored, completed the general satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + At sun-rise the next day, just as they had concluded offering up, as + usual, their morning prayer before breakfast, Domingo came to inform them + that a gentleman on horseback, followed by two slaves, was coming towards + the plantation. It was Monsieur de la Bourdonnais. He entered the cottage, + where he found the family at breakfast. Virginia had prepared, according + to the custom of the country, coffee, and rice boiled in water. To these + she had added hot yams, and fresh plantains. The leaves of the + plantain-tree, supplied the want of table-linen; and calabash shells, + split in two, served for cups. The governor exhibited, at first, some + astonishment at the homeliness of the dwelling; then, addressing himself + to Madame de la Tour, he observed, that although public affairs drew his + attention too much from the concerns of individuals, she had many claims + on his good offices. "You have an aunt at Paris, madam," he added, "a + woman of quality, and immensely rich, who expects that you will hasten to + see her, and who means to bestow upon you her whole fortune." Madame de la + Tour replied, that the state of her health would not permit her to + undertake so long a voyage. "At least," resumed Monsieur de la + Bourdonnais, "you cannot without injustice, deprive this amiable young + lady, your daughter, of so noble an inheritance. I will not conceal from + you, that your aunt has made use of her influence to secure your daughter + being sent to her; and that I have received official letters, in which I + am ordered to exert my authority, if necessary, to that effect. But as I + only wish to employ my power for the purpose of rendering the inhabitants + of this country happy, I expect from your good sense the voluntary + sacrifice of a few years, upon which your daughter's establishment in the + world, and the welfare of your whole life depends. Wherefore do we come to + these islands? Is it not to acquire a fortune? And will it not be more + agreeable to return and find it in your own country?" + </p> + <p> + He then took a large bag of piastres from one of his slaves, and placed it + upon the table. "This sum," he continued, "is allotted by your aunt to + defray the outlay necessary for the equipment of the young lady for her + voyage." Gently reproaching Madame de la Tour for not having had recourse + to him in her difficulties, he extolled at the same time her noble + fortitude. Upon this Paul said to the governor,—"My mother did apply + to you, sir, and you received her ill."—"Have you another child, + madam?" said Monsieur de la Bourdonnais to Madame de la Tour. "No, Sir," + she replied; "this is the son of my friend; but he and Virginia are + equally dear to us, and we mutually consider them both as our own + children." "Young man," said the governor to Paul, "when you have acquired + a little more experience of the world, you will know that it is the + misfortune of people in place to be deceived, and bestow, in consequence, + upon intriguing vice, that which they would wish to give to modest merit." + </p> + <p> + Monsieur de la Bourdonnais, at the request of Madame de la Tour, placed + himself next to her at table, and breakfasted after the manner of the + Creoles, upon coffee, mixed with rice boiled in water. He was delighted + with the order and cleanliness which prevailed in the little cottage, the + harmony of the two interesting families, and the zeal of their old + servants. "Here," he exclaimed, "I discern only wooden furniture; but I + find serene countenances and hearts of gold." Paul, enchanted with the + affability of the governor, said to him,—"I wish to be your friend: + for you are a good man." Monsieur de la Bourdonnais received with pleasure + this insular compliment, and, taking Paul by the hand, assured him he + might rely upon his friendship. + </p> + <p> + After breakfast, he took Madame de la Tour aside and informed her that an + opportunity would soon offer itself of sending her daughter to France, in + a ship which was going to sail in a short time; that he would put her + under the charge of a lady, one of the passengers, who was a relation of + his own; and that she must not think of renouncing an immense fortune, on + account of the pain of being separated from her daughter for a brief + interval. "Your aunt," he added, "cannot live more than two years; of this + I am assured by her friends. Think of it seriously. Fortune does not visit + us every day. Consult your friends. I am sure that every person of good + sense will be of my opinion." She answered, "that, as she desired no other + happiness henceforth in the world than in promoting that of her daughter, + she hoped to be allowed to leave her departure for France to her own + inclination." + </p> + <p> + Madame de la Tour was not sorry to find an opportunity of separating Paul + and Virginia for a short time, and provide by this means, for their mutual + felicity at a future period. She took her daughter aside, and said to her,—"My + dear child, our servants are now old. Paul is still very young, Margaret + is advanced in years, and I am already infirm. If I should die what would + become of you, without fortune, in the midst of these deserts? You would + then be left alone, without any person who could afford you much + assistance, and would be obliged to labour without ceasing, as a hired + servant, in order to support your wretched existence. This idea overcomes + me with sorrow." Virginia answered,—"God has appointed us to labour, + and to bless him every day. Up to this time he has never forsaken us, and + he never will forsake us in time to come. His providence watches most + especially over the unfortunate. You have told me this very often, my dear + mother! I cannot resolve to leave you." Madame de la Tour replied, with + much emotion,—"I have no other aim than to render you happy, and to + marry you one day to Paul, who is not really your brother. Remember then + that his fortune depends upon you." + </p> + <p> + A young girl who is in love believes that every one else is ignorant of + her passion; she throws over her eyes the veil with which she covers the + feelings of her heart; but when it is once lifted by a friendly hand, the + hidden sorrows of her attachment escape as through a newly-opened barrier, + and the sweet outpourings of unrestrained confidence succeed to her former + mystery and reserve. Virginia, deeply affected by this new proof of her + mother's tenderness, related to her the cruel struggles she had undergone, + of which heaven alone had been witness; she saw, she said, the hand of + Providence in the assistance of an affectionate mother, who approved of + her attachment; and would guide her by her counsels; and as she was now + strengthened by such support, every consideration led her to remain with + her mother, without anxiety for the present, and without apprehension for + the future. + </p> + <p> + Madame de la Tour, perceiving that this confidential conversation had + produced an effect altogether different from that which she expected, + said,—"My dear child, I do not wish to constrain you; think over it + at leisure, but conceal your affection from Paul. It is better not to let + a man know that the heart of his mistress is gained." + </p> + <p> + Virginia and her mother were sitting together by themselves the same + evening, when a tall man, dressed in a blue cassock, entered their + cottage. He was a missionary priest and the confessor of Madame de la Tour + and her daughter, who had now been sent to them by the governor. "My + children," he exclaimed as he entered, "God be praised! you are now rich. + You can now attend to the kind suggestions of your benevolent hearts, and + do good to the poor. I know what Monsieur de la Bourdonnais has said to + you, and what you have said in reply. Your health, dear madam, obliges you + to remain here; but you, young lady, are without excuse. We must obey our + aged relations, even when they are unjust. A sacrifice is required of you; + but it is the will of God. Our Lord devoted himself for you; and you in + imitation of his example, must give up something for the welfare of your + family. Your voyage to France will end happily. You will surely consent to + go, my dear young lady." + </p> + <p> + Virginia, with downcast eyes, answered, trembling, "If it is the command + of God, I will not presume to oppose it. Let the will of God be done!" As + she uttered these words, she wept. + </p> + <p> + The priest went away, in order to inform the governor of the success of + his mission. In the meantime Madame de la Tour sent Domingo to request me + to come to her, that she might consult me respecting Virginia's departure. + I was not at all of opinion that she ought to go. I consider it as a fixed + principle of happiness, that we ought to prefer the advantages of nature + to those of fortune, and never go in search of that at a distance, which + we may find at home,—in our own bosoms. But what could be expected + from my advice, in opposition to the illusions of a splendid fortune?—or + from my simple reasoning, when in competition with the prejudices of the + world, and an authority held sacred by Madame de la Tour? This lady indeed + only consulted me out of politeness; she had ceased to deliberate since + she had heard the decision of her confessor. Margaret herself, who, + notwithstanding the advantages she expected for her son from the + possession of Virginia's fortune, had hitherto opposed her departure, made + no further objections. As for Paul, in ignorance of what had been + determined, but alarmed at the secret conversations which Virginia had + been holding with her mother, he abandoned himself to melancholy. "They + are plotting something against me," cried he, "for they conceal every + thing from me." + </p> + <p> + A report having in the meantime been spread in the island that fortune had + visited these rocks, merchants of every description were seen climbing + their steep ascent. Now, for the first time, were seen displayed in these + humble huts the richest stuffs of India; the fine dimity of Gondelore; the + handkerchiefs of Pellicate and Masulipatan; the plain, striped, and + embroidered muslins of Dacca, so beautifully transparent: the delicately + white cottons of Surat, and linens of all colours. They also brought with + them the gorgeous silks of China, satin damasks, some white, and others + grass-green and bright red; pink taffetas, with the profusion of satins + and gauze of Tonquin, both plain and decorated with flowers; soft pekins, + downy as cloth; and white and yellow nankeens, and the calicoes of + Madagascar. + </p> + <p> + Madame de la Tour wished her daughter to purchase whatever she liked; she + only examined the goods, and inquired the price, to take care that the + dealers did not cheat her. Virginia made choice of everything she thought + would be useful or agreeable to her mother, or to Margaret and her son. + "This," said she, "will be wanted for furnishing the cottage, and that + will be very useful to Mary and Domingo." In short, the bag of piastres + was almost emptied before she even began to consider her own wants; and + she was obliged to receive back for her own use a share of the presents + which she had distributed among the family circle. + </p> + <p> + Paul, overcome with sorrow at the sight of these gifts of fortune, which + he felt were a presage of Virginia's departure, came a few days after to + my dwelling. With an air of deep despondency he said to me—"My + sister is going away; she is already making preparations for her voyage. I + conjure you to come and exert your influence over her mother and mine, in + order to detain her here." I could not refuse the young man's + solicitations, although well convinced that my representations would be + unavailing. + </p> + <p> + Virginia had ever appeared to me charming when clad in the coarse cloth of + Bengal, with a red handkerchief tied round her head: you may therefore + imagine how much her beauty was increased, when she was attired in the + graceful and elegant costume worn by the ladies of this country! She had + on a white muslin dress, lined with pink taffeta. Her somewhat tall and + slender figure was shown to advantage in her new attire, and the simple + arrangement of her hair accorded admirably with the form of her head. Her + fine blue eyes were filled with an expression of melancholy; and the + struggles of passion, with which her heart was agitated, imparted a flush + to her cheek, and to her voice a tone of deep emotion. The contrast + between her pensive look and her gay habiliments rendered her more + interesting than ever, nor was it possible to see or hear her unmoved. + Paul became more and more melancholy; and at length Margaret, distressed + at the situation of her son, took him aside and said to him,—"Why, + my dear child, will you cherish vain hopes, which will only render your + disappointment more bitter? It is time for me to make known to you the + secret of your life and of mine. Mademoiselle de la Tour belongs, by her + mother's side, to a rich and noble family, while you are but the son of a + poor peasant girl; and what is worse you are illegitimate." + </p> + <p> + Paul, who had never heard this last expression before, inquired with + eagerness its meaning. His mother replied, "I was not married to your + father. When I was a girl, seduced by love, I was guilty of a weakness of + which you are the offspring. The consequence of my fault is, that you are + deprived of the protection of a father's family, and by my flight from + home you have also lost that of your mother's. Unfortunate child! you have + no relations in the world but me!"—and she shed a flood of tears. + Paul, pressing her in his arms, exclaimed, "Oh, my dear mother! since I + have no relation in the world but you, I will love you all the more. But + what a secret have you just disclosed to me! I now see the reason why + Mademoiselle de la Tour has estranged herself so much from me for the last + two months, and why she has determined to go to France. Ah! I perceive too + well that she despises me!" + </p> + <p> + The hour of supper being arrived, we gathered round the table; but the + different sensations with which we were agitated left us little + inclination to eat, and the meal, if such it may be called, passed in + silence. Virginia was the first to rise; she went out, and seated herself + on the very spot where we now are. Paul hastened after her, and sat down + by her side. Both of them, for some time, kept a profound silence. It was + one of those delicious nights which are so common between the tropics, and + to the beauty of which no pencil can do justice. The moon appeared in the + midst of the firmament, surrounded by a curtain of clouds, which was + gradually unfolded by her beams. Her light insensibly spread itself over + the mountains of the island, and their distant peaks glistened with a + silvery green. The winds were perfectly still. We heard among the woods, + at the bottom of the valleys, and on the summits of the rocks, the piping + cries and the soft notes of the birds, wantoning in their nests, and + rejoicing in the brightness of the night and the serenity of the + atmosphere. The hum of insects was heard in the grass. The stars sparkled + in the heavens, and their lurid orbs were reflected, in trembling + sparkles, from the tranquil bosom of the ocean. Virginia's eye wandered + distractedly over its vast and gloomy horizon, distinguishable from the + shore of the island only by the red fires in the fishing boats. She + perceived at the entrance of the harbour a light and a shadow; these were + the watchlight and the hull of the vessel in which she was to embark for + Europe, and which, all ready for sea, lay at anchor, waiting for a breeze. + Affected at this sight, she turned away her head, in order to hide her + tears from Paul. + </p> + <p> + Madame de la Tour, Margaret, and I, were seated at a little distance, + beneath the plantain-trees; and, owing to the stillness of the night, we + distinctly heard their conversation, which I have not forgotten. + </p> + <p> + Paul said to her,—"You are going away from us, they tell me, in + three days. You do not fear then to encounter the danger of the sea, at + the sight of which you are so much terrified?" "I must perform my duty," + answered Virginia, "by obeying my parent." "You leave us," resumed Paul, + "for a distant relation, whom you have never seen." "Alas!" cried + Virginia, "I would have remained here my whole life, but my mother would + not have it so. My confessor, too, told me it was the will of God that I + should go, and that life was a scene of trials!—and Oh! this is + indeed a severe one." + </p> + <p> + "What!" exclaimed Paul, "you could find so many reasons for going, and not + one for remaining here! Ah! there is one reason for your departure that + you have not mentioned. Riches have great attractions. You will soon find + in the new world to which you are going, another, to whom you will give + the name of brother, which you bestow on me no more. You will choose that + brother from amongst persons who are worthy of you by their birth, and by + a fortune which I have not to offer. But where can you go to be happier? + On what shore will you land, and find it dearer to you than the spot which + gave you birth?—and where will you form around you a society more + delightful to you than this, by which you are so much accustomed? What + will become of her, already advanced in years, when she no longer sees you + at her side at table, in the house, in the walks, where she used to lean + upon you? What will become of my mother, who loves you with the same + affection? What shall I say to comfort them when I see them weeping for + your absence? Cruel Virginia! I say nothing to you of myself; but what + will become of me, when in the morning I shall no more see you; when the + evening will come, and not reunite us?—when I shall gaze on these + two palm trees, planted at our birth, and so long the witnesses of our + mutual friendship? Ah! since your lot is changed,—since you seek in + a far country other possessions than the fruits of my labour, let me go + with you in the vessel in which you are about to embark. I will sustain + your spirits in the midst of those tempests which terrify you so much even + on shore. I will lay my head upon your bosom: I will warm your heart upon + my own; and in France, where you are going in search of fortune and of + grandeur, I will wait upon you as your slave. Happy only in your + happiness, you will find me, in those palaces where I shall see you + receiving the homage and adoration of all, rich and noble enough to make + you the greatest of all sacrifices, by dying at your feet." + </p> + <p> + The violence of his emotions stopped his utterance, and we then heard + Virginia, who, in a voice broken by sobs, uttered these words:—"It + is for you that I go,—for you whom I see tired to death every day by + the labour of sustaining two helpless families. If I have accepted this + opportunity of becoming rich, it is only to return a thousand-fold the + good which you have done us. Can any fortune be equal to your friendship? + Why do you talk about your birth? Ah! if it were possible for me still to + have a brother, should I make choice of any other than you? Oh, Paul, + Paul! you are far dearer to me than a brother! How much has it cost me to + repulse you from me! Help me to tear myself from what I value more than + existence, till Heaven shall bless our union. But I will stay or go,—I + will live or die,—dispose of me as you will. Unhappy that I am! I + could have repelled your caresses; but I cannot support your affliction." + </p> + <p> + At these words Paul seized her in his arms, and, holding her pressed close + to his bosom, cried, in a piercing tone, "I will go with her,—nothing + shall ever part us." We all ran towards him; and Madame de la Tour said to + him, "My son, if you go, what will become of us?" + </p> + <p> + He, trembling, repeated after her the words,—"My son!—my son! + You my mother!" cried he; "you, who would separate the brother from the + sister! We have both been nourished at your bosom; we have both been + reared upon your knees; we have learnt of you to love another; we have + said so a thousand times; and now you would separate her from me!—you + would send her to Europe, that inhospitable country which refused you an + asylum, and to relations by whom you yourself were abandoned. You will + tell me that I have no right over her, and that she is not my sister. She + is everything to me;—my riches, my birth, my family,—all that + I have! I know no other. We have had but one roof,—one cradle,—and + we will have but one grave! If she goes, I will follow her. The governor + will prevent me! Will he prevent me from flinging myself into the sea?—will + he prevent me from following her by swimming? The sea cannot be more fatal + to me than the land. Since I cannot live with her, at least I will die + before her eyes, far from you. Inhuman mother!—woman without + compassion!—may the ocean, to which you trust her, restore her to + you no more! May the waves, rolling back our bodies amid the shingles of + this beach, give you in the loss of your two children, an eternal subject + of remorse!" + </p> + <p> + At these words, I seized him in my arms, for despair had deprived him of + reason. His eyes sparkled with fire, the perspiration fell in great drops + from his face; his knees trembled, and I felt his heart beat violently + against his burning bosom. + </p> + <p> + Virginia, alarmed, said to him,—"Oh, my dear Paul, I call to witness + the pleasures of our early age, your griefs and my own, and every thing + that can for ever bind two unfortunate beings to each other, that if I + remain at home, I will live but for you; that if I go, I will one day + return to be yours. I call you all to witness;—you who have reared + me from my infancy, who dispose of my life, and who see my tears. I swear + by that Heaven which hears me, by the sea which I am going to pass, by the + air I breathe, and which I never sullied by a falsehood." + </p> + <p> + As the sun softens and precipitates an icy rock from the summit of one of + the Appenines, so the impetuous passions of the young man were subdued by + the voice of her he loved. He bent his head, and a torrent of tears fell + from his eyes. His mother, mingling her tears with his, held him in her + arms, but was unable to speak. Madame de la Tour, half distracted, said to + me, "I can bear this no longer. My heart is quite broken. This unfortunate + voyage shall not take place. Do take my son home with you. Not one of us + has had any rest the whole week." + </p> + <p> + I said to Paul, "My dear friend, your sister shall remain here. To-morrow + we will talk to the governor about it; leave your family to take some + rest, and come and pass the night with me. It is late; it is midnight; the + southern cross is just above the horizon." + </p> + <p> + He suffered himself to be led away in silence; and, after a night of great + agitation, he arose at break of day, and returned home. + </p> + <p> + But why should I continue any longer to you the recital of this history? + There is but one aspect of human pleasure. Like the globe upon which we + revolve, the fleeting course of life is but a day; and if one part of that + day be visited by light, the other is thrown into darkness. + </p> + <p> + "My father," I answered, "finish, I conjure you, the history which you + have begun in a manner so interesting. If the images of happiness are the + most pleasing, those of misfortune are the more instructive. Tell me what + became of the unhappy young man." + </p> + <p> + The first object beheld by Paul in his way home was the negro woman Mary, + who, mounted on a rock, was earnestly looking towards the sea. As soon as + he perceived her, he called to her from a distance,—"Where is + Virginia?" Mary turned her head towards her young master, and began to + weep. Paul, distracted, retracing his steps, ran to the harbour. He was + there informed, that Virginia had embarked at the break of day, and that + the vessel had immediately set sail, and was now out of sight. He + instantly returned to the plantation, which he crossed without uttering a + word. + </p> + <p> + Quite perpendicular as appears the wall of rocks behind us, those green + platforms which separate their summits are so many stages, by means of + which you may reach, through some difficult paths, that cone of sloping + and inaccessible rocks, which is called The Thumb. At the foot of that + cone is an extended slope of ground, covered with lofty trees, and so + steep and elevated that it looks like a forest in the air, surrounded by + tremendous precipices. The clouds, which are constantly attracted round + the summit of the Thumb, supply innumerable rivulets, which fall to so + great a depth in the valley situated on the other side of the mountain, + that from this elevated point the sound of their cataracts cannot be + heard. From that spot you can discern a considerable part of the island, + diversified by precipices and mountain peaks, and amongst others, + Peter-Booth, and the Three Breasts, with their valleys full of woods. You + also command an extensive view of the ocean, and can even perceive the + Isle of Bourbon, forty leagues to the westward. From the summit of that + stupendous pile of rocks Paul caught sight of the vessel which was bearing + away Virginia, and which now, ten leagues out at sea, appeared like a + black spot in the midst of the ocean. He remained a great part of the day + with his eyes fixed upon this object: when it had disappeared, he still + fancied he beheld it; and when, at length, the traces which clung to his + imagination were lost in the mists of the horizon, he seated himself on + that wild point, forever beaten by the winds, which never cease to agitate + the tops of the cabbage and gum trees, and the hoarse and moaning murmurs + of which, similar to the distant sound of organs, inspire a profound + melancholy. On this spot I found him, his head reclined on the rock, and + his eyes fixed upon the ground. I had followed him from the earliest dawn, + and, after much importunity, I prevailed on him to descend from the + heights, and return to his family. I went home with him, where the first + impulse of his mind, on seeing Madame de la Tour, was to reproach her + bitterly for having deceived him. She told us that a favourable wind + having sprung up at three o'clock in the morning, and the vessel being + ready to sail, the governor, attended by some of his staff and the + missionary, had come with a palanquin to fetch her daughter; and that, + notwithstanding Virginia's objections, her own tears and entreaties, and + the lamentations of Margaret, every body exclaiming all the time that it + was for the general welfare, they had carried her away almost dying. "At + least," cried Paul, "if I had bid her farewell, I should now be more calm. + I would have said to her,—'Virginia, if, during the time we have + lived together, one word may have escaped me which has offended you, + before you leave me forever, tell me that you forgive me.' I would have + said to her,—'Since I am destined to see you no more, farewell, my + dear Virginia, farewell! Live far from me, contented and happy!'" When he + saw that his mother and Madame de la Tour were weeping,—"You must + now," said he, "seek some other hand to wipe away your tears;" and then, + rushing out of the house, and groaning aloud, he wandered up and down the + plantation. He hovered in particular about those spots which had been most + endeared to Virginia. He said to the goats, and their little ones, which + followed him, bleating,—"What do you want of me? You will see with + me no more her who used to feed you with her own hand." He went to the + bower called Virginia's Resting-place, and, as the birds flew around him, + exclaimed, "Poor birds! you will fly no more to meet her who cherished + you!"—and observing Fidele running backwards and forwards in search + of her, he heaved a deep sigh, and cried,—"Ah! you will never find + her again." At length he went and seated himself upon a rock where he had + conversed with her the preceding evening; and at the sight of the ocean + upon which he had seen the vessel disappear which had borne her away, his + heart overflowed with anguish, and he wept bitterly. + </p> + <p> + We continually watched his movements, apprehensive of some fatal + consequence from the violent agitation of his mind. His mother and Madame + de la Tour conjured him, in the most tender manner, not to increase their + affliction by his despair. At length the latter soothed his mind by + lavishing upon him epithets calculated to awaken his hopes,—calling + him her son, her dear son, her son-in-law, whom she destined for her + daughter. She persuaded him to return home, and to take some food. He + seated himself next to the place which used to be occupied by the + companion of his childhood; and, as if she had still been present, he + spoke to her, and made as though he would offer her whatever he knew as + most agreeable to her taste: then, starting from this dream of fancy, he + began to weep. For some days he employed himself in gathering together + every thing which had belonged to Virginia, the last nosegays she had + worn, the cocoa-shell from which she used to drink; and after kissing a + thousand times these relics of his beloved, to him the most precious + treasures which the world contained, he hid them in his bosom. Amber does + not shed so sweet a perfume as the veriest trifles touched by those we + love. At length, perceiving that the indulgence of his grief increased + that of his mother and Madame de la Tour, and that the wants of the family + demanded continual labour, he began, with the assistance of Domingo, to + repair the damage done to the garden. + </p> + <p> + But, soon after, this young man, hitherto indifferent as a Creole to every + thing that was passing in the world, begged of me to teach him to read and + write, in order that he might correspond with Virginia. He afterwards + wished to obtain a knowledge of geography, that he might form some idea of + the country where she would disembark; and of history, that he might know + something of the manners of the society in which she would be placed. The + powerful sentiment of love, which directed his present studies, had + already instructed him in agriculture, and in the art of laying out + grounds with advantage and beauty. It must be admitted, that to the fond + dreams of this restless and ardent passion, mankind are indebted for most + of the arts and sciences, while its disappointments have given birth to + philosophy, which teaches us to bear up under misfortune. Love, thus, the + general link of all beings, becomes the great spring of society, by + inciting us to knowledge as well as to pleasure. + </p> + <p> + Paul found little satisfaction in the study of geography, which, instead + of describing the natural history of each country, gave only a view of its + political divisions and boundaries. History, and especially modern + history, interested him little more. He there saw only general and + periodical evils, the causes of which he could not discover; wars without + either motive or reason; uninteresting intrigues; with nations destitute + of principle, and princes void of humanity. To this branch of reading he + preferred romances, which, being chiefly occupied by the feelings and + concerns of men, sometimes represented situations similar to his own. + Thus, no book gave him so much pleasure as Telemachus, from the pictures + it draws of pastoral life, and of the passions which are most natural to + the human breast. He read aloud to his mother and Madame de la Tour, those + parts which affected him most sensibly; but sometimes, touched by the most + tender remembrances, his emotion would choke his utterance, and his eyes + be filled with tears. He fancied he had found in Virginia the dignity and + wisdom of Antiope, united to the misfortunes and the tenderness of + Eucharis. With very different sensations he perused our fashionable + novels, filled with licentious morals and maxims, and when he was informed + that these works drew a tolerably faithful picture of European society, he + trembled, and not without some appearance of reason, lest Virginia should + become corrupted by it, and forget him. + </p> + <p> + More than a year and a half, indeed, passed away before Madame de la Tour + received any tidings of her aunt or her daughter. During that period she + only accidently heard that Virginia had safely arrived in France. At + length, however, a vessel which stopped here on its way to the Indies + brought a packet to Madame de la Tour, and a letter written by Virginia's + own hand. Although this amiable and considerate girl had written in a + guarded manner that she might not wound her mother's feelings, it appeared + evident enough that she was unhappy. The letter painted so naturally her + situation and her character, that I have retained it almost word for word. + </p> + <p> + "MY DEAR AND BELOVED MOTHER, + </p> + <p> + "I have already sent you several letters, written by my own hand, but + having received no answer, I am afraid they have not reached you. I have + better hopes for this, from the means I have now gained of sending you + tidings of myself, and of hearing from you. + </p> + <p> + "I have shed many tears since our separation, I who never used to weep, + but for the misfortunes of others! My aunt was much astonished, when, + having, upon my arrival, inquired what accomplishments I possessed, I told + her that I could neither read nor write. She asked me what then I had + learnt, since I came into the world; and when I answered that I had been + taught to take care of the household affairs, and to obey your will, she + told me that I had received the education of a servant. The next day she + placed me as a boarder in a great abbey near Paris, where I have masters + of all kinds, who teach me, among other things, history, geography, + grammar, mathematics, and riding on horseback. But I have so little + capacity for all these sciences, that I fear I shall make but small + progress with my masters. I feel that I am a very poor creature, with very + little ability to learn what they teach. My aunt's kindness, however, does + not decrease. She gives me new dresses every season; and she had placed + two waiting women with me, who are dressed like fine ladies. She has made + me take the title of countess; but has obliged me to renounce the name of + LA TOUR, which is as dear to me as it is to you, from all you have told me + of the sufferings my father endured in order to marry you. She has given + me in place of your name that of your family, which is also dear to me, + because it was your name when a girl. Seeing myself in so splendid a + situation, I implored her to let me send you something to assist you. But + how shall I repeat her answer! Yet you have desired me always to tell you + the truth. She told me then that a little would be of no use to you, and + that a great deal would only encumber you in the simple life you led. As + you know I could not write, I endeavoured upon my arrival, to send you + tidings of myself by another hand; but, finding no person here in whom I + could place confidence, I applied night and day to learn to read and + write, and Heaven, who saw my motive for learning, no doubt assisted my + endeavours, for I succeeded in both in a short time. I entrusted my first + letters to some of the ladies here, who, I have reason to think, carried + them to my aunt. This time I have recourse to a boarder, who is my friend. + I send you her direction, by means of which I shall receive your answer. + My aunt has forbid me holding any correspondence whatever, with any one, + lest, she says, it should occasion an obstacle to the great views she has + for my advantage. No person is allowed to see me at the grate but herself, + and an old nobleman, one of her friends, who, she says is much pleased + with me. I am sure I am not at all so with him, nor should I, even if it + were possible for me to be pleased with any one at present. + </p> + <p> + "I live in all the splendour of affluence, and have not a sous at my + disposal. They say I might make an improper use of money. Even my clothes + belong to my femmes de chambre, who quarrel about them before I have left + them off. In the midst of riches I am poorer than when I lived with you; + for I have nothing to give away. When I found that the great + accomplishments they taught me would not procure me the power of doing the + smallest good, I had recourse to my needle, of which happily you had + taught me the use. I send several pairs of stockings of my own making for + you and my mamma Margaret, a cap for Domingo, and one of my red + handkerchiefs for Mary. I also send with this packet some kernels, and + seeds of various kinds of fruits which I gathered in the abbey park during + my hours of recreation. I have also sent a few seeds of violets, daisies, + buttercups, poppies and scabious, which I picked up in the fields. There + are much more beautiful flowers in the meadows of this country than in + ours, but nobody cares for them. I am sure that you and my mamma Margaret + will be better pleased with this bag of seeds, than you were with the bag + of piastres, which was the cause of our separation and of my tears. It + will give me great delight if you should one day see apple trees growing + by the side of our plantains, and elms blending their foliage with that of + our cocoa trees. You will fancy yourself in Normandy, which you love so + much. + </p> + <p> + "You desired me to relate to you my joys and my griefs. I have no joys far + from you. As far as my griefs, I endeavour to soothe them by reflecting + that I am in the situation in which it was the will of God that you should + place me. But my greatest affliction is, that no one here speaks to me of + you, and that I cannot speak of you to any one. My femmes de chambre, or + rather those of my aunt, for they belong more to her than to me, told me + the other day, when I wished to turn the conversation upon the objects + most dear to me: 'Remember, mademoiselle, that you are a French woman, and + must forget that land of savages.' Ah! sooner will I forget myself, than + forget the spot on which I was born and where you dwell! It is this + country which is to me a land of savages, for I live alone, having no one + to whom I can impart those feelings of tenderness for you which I shall + bear with me to the grave. I am, + </p> + <p> + "My dearest and beloved mother, + </p> + <p> + "Your affectionate and dutiful daughter, + </p> + <p> + "VIRGINIE DE LA TOUR." + </p> + <p> + "I recommend to your goodness Mary and Domingo, who took so much care of + my infancy; caress Fidele for me, who found me in the wood." + </p> + <p> + Paul was astonished that Virginia had not said one word of him,—she, + who had not forgotten even the house-dog. But he was not aware that, + however long a woman's letter may be, she never fails to leave her dearest + sentiments for the end. + </p> + <p> + In a postscript, Virginia particularly recommended to Paul's attention two + kinds of seed,—those of the violet and the scabious. She gave him + some instructions upon the natural characters of these flowers, and the + spots most proper for their cultivation. "The violet," she said, "produces + a little flower of a dark purple colour, which delights to conceal itself + beneath the bushes; but it is soon discovered by its wide-spreading + perfume." She desired that these seeds might be sown by the border of the + fountain, at the foot of her cocoa-tree. "The scabious," she added, + "produces a beautiful flower of a pale blue, and a black ground spotted + with white. You might fancy it was in mourning; and for this reason it is + also called the widow's flower. It grows best in bleak spots, beaten by + the winds." She begged him to sow this upon the rock where she had spoken + to him at night for the last time, and that, in remembrance of her, he + would henceforth give it the name of the Rock of Adieus. + </p> + <p> + She had put these seeds into a little purse, the tissue of which was + exceedingly simple; but which appeared above all price to Paul, when he + saw on it a P and a V entwined together, and knew that the beautiful hair + which formed the cypher was the hair of Virginia. + </p> + <p> + The whole family listened with tears to the reading of the letter of this + amiable and virtuous girl. Her mother answered it in the name of the + little society, desiring her to remain or to return as she thought proper; + and assuring her, that happiness had left their dwelling since her + departure, and that, for herself, she was inconsolable. + </p> + <p> + Paul also sent her a very long letter, in which he assured her that he + would arrange the garden in a manner agreeable to her taste, and mingle + together in it the plants of Europe with those of Africa, as she had + blended their initials together in her work. He sent her some fruit from + the cocoa-trees of the fountain, now arrived at maturity telling her, that + he would not add any of the other productions of the island, that the + desire of seeing them again might hasten her return. He conjured her to + comply as soon as possible with the ardent wishes of her family, and above + all, with his own, since he could never hereafter taste happiness away + from her. + </p> + <p> + Paul sowed with a careful hand the European seeds, particularly the violet + and the scabious, the flowers of which seemed to bear some analogy to the + character and present situation of Virginia, by whom they had been so + especially recommended; but either they were dried up in the voyage, or + the climate of this part of the world is unfavourable to their growth, for + a very small number of them even came up, and not one arrived at full + perfection. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime, envy, which ever comes to embitter human happiness, + particularly in the French colonies, spread some reports in the island + which gave Paul much uneasiness. The passengers in the vessel which + brought Virginia's letter, asserted that she was upon the point of being + married, and named the nobleman of the court to whom she was engaged. Some + even went so far as to declare that the union had already taken place, and + that they themselves had witnessed the ceremony. Paul at first despised + the report, brought by a merchant vessel, as he knew that they often + spread erroneous intelligence in their passage; but some of the + inhabitants of the island, with malignant pity, affecting to bewail the + event, he was soon led to attach some degree of belief to this cruel + intelligence. Besides, in some of the novels he had lately read, he had + seen that perfidy was treated as a subject of pleasantry; and knowing that + these books contained pretty faithful representations of European manners, + he feared that the heart of Virginia was corrupted, and had forgotten its + former engagements. Thus his new acquirements had already only served to + render him more miserable; and his apprehensions were much increased by + the circumstance, that though several ships touched here from Europe, + within the six months immediately following the arrival of her letter, not + one of them brought any tidings of Virginia. + </p> + <p> + This unfortunate young man, with a heart torn by the most cruel agitation, + often came to visit me, in the hope of confirming or banishing his + uneasiness, by my experience of the world. + </p> + <p> + I live, as I have already told you, a league and a half from this point, + upon the banks of a little river which glides along the Sloping Mountain: + there I lead a solitary life, without wife, children, or slaves. + </p> + <p> + After having enjoyed, and lost the rare felicity of living with a + congenial mind, the state of life which appears the least wretched is + doubtless that of solitude. Every man who has much cause of complaint + against his fellow-creatures seeks to be alone. It is also remarkable that + all those nations which have been brought to wretchedness by their + opinions, their manners, or their forms of government, have produced + numerous classes of citizens altogether devoted to solitude and celibacy. + Such were the Egyptians in their decline, and the Greeks of the Lower + Empire; and such in our days are the Indians, the Chinese, the modern + Greeks, the Italians, and the greater part of the eastern and southern + nations of Europe. Solitude, by removing men from the miseries which + follow in the train of social intercourse, brings them in some degree back + to the unsophisticated enjoyment of nature. In the midst of modern + society, broken up by innumerable prejudices, the mind is in a constant + turmoil of agitation. It is incessantly revolving in itself a thousand + tumultuous and contradictory opinions, by which the members of an + ambitious and miserable circle seek to raise themselves above each other. + But in solitude the soul lays aside the morbid illusions which troubled + her, and resumes the pure consciousness of herself, of nature, and of its + Author, as the muddy water of a torrent which has ravaged the plains, + coming to rest, and diffusing itself over some low grounds out of its + course, deposits there the slime it has taken up, and, resuming its wonted + transparency, reflects, with its own shores, the verdure of the earth and + the light of heaven. Thus does solitude recruit the powers of the body as + well as those of the mind. It is among hermits that are found the men who + carry human existence to its extreme limits; such are the Bramins of + India. In brief, I consider solitude so necessary to happiness, even in + the world itself, that it appears to me impossible to derive lasting + pleasure from any pursuit whatever, or to regulate our conduct by any + pursuit whatever, or to regulate our conduct by any stable principle, if + we do not create for ourselves a mental void, whence our own views rarely + emerge, and into which the opinions of others never enter. I do not mean + to say that man ought to live absolutely alone; he is connected by his + necessities with all mankind; his labours are due to man: and he owes + something too to the rest of nature. But, as God has given to each of us + organs perfectly adapted to the elements of the globe on which we live,—feet + for the soil, lungs for the air, eyes for the light, without the power of + changing the use of any of these faculties, he has reserved for himself, + as the Author of life, that which is its chief organ,—the heart. + </p> + <p> + I thus passed my days far from mankind, whom I wished to serve, and by + whom I have been persecuted. After having travelled over many countries of + Europe, and some parts of America and Africa, I at length pitched my tent + in this thinly-peopled island, allured by its mild climate and its + solitudes. A cottage which I built in the woods, at the foot of a tree, a + little field which I cleared with my own hands, a river which glides + before my door, suffice for my wants and for my pleasures. I blend with + these enjoyments the perusal of some chosen books, which teach me to + become better. They make that world, which I have abandoned, still + contribute something to my happiness. They lay before me pictures of those + passions which render its inhabitants so miserable; and in the comparison + I am thus led to make between their lot and my own, I feel a kind of + negative enjoyment. Like a man saved from shipwreck, and thrown upon a + rock, I contemplate, from my solitude, the storms which rage through the + rest of the world; and my repose seems more profound from the distant + sound of the tempest. As men have ceased to fall in my way, I no longer + view them with aversion; I only pity them. If I sometimes fall in with an + unfortunate being, I try to help him by my counsels, as a passer-by on the + brink of a torrent extends his hand to save a wretch from drowning. But I + have hardly ever found any but the innocent attentive to my voice. Nature + calls the majority of men to her in vain. Each of them forms an image of + her for himself, and invests her with his own passions. He pursues during + the whole of his life this vain phantom, which leads him astray; and he + afterwards complains to Heaven of the misfortunes which he has thus + created for himself. Among the many children of misfortune whom I have + endeavoured to lead back to the enjoyments of nature, I have not found one + but was intoxicated with his own miseries. They have listened to me at + first with attention, in the hope that I could teach them how to acquire + glory or fortune, but when they found that I only wished to instruct them + how to dispense with these chimeras, their attention has been converted + into pity, because I did not prize their miserable happiness. They blamed + my solitary life; they alleged that they alone were useful to men, and + they endeavoured to draw me into their vortex. But if I communicate with + all, I lay myself open to none. It is often sufficient for me to serve as + a lesson to myself. In my present tranquillity, I pass in review the + agitating pursuits of my past life, to which I formerly attached so much + value,—patronage, fortune, reputation, pleasure, and the opinions + which are ever at strife over all the earth. I compare the men whom I have + seen disputing furiously over these vanities, and who are no more, to the + tiny waves of my rivulet, which break in foam against its rocky bed, and + disappear, never to return. As for me, I suffer myself to float calmly + down the stream of time to the shoreless ocean of futurity; while, in the + contemplation of the present harmony of nature, I elevate my soul towards + its supreme Author, and hope for a more happy lot in another state of + existence. + </p> + <p> + Although you cannot descry from my hermitage, situated in the midst of a + forest, that immense variety of objects which this elevated spot presents, + the grounds are disposed with peculiar beauty, at least to one who, like + me, prefers the seclusion of a home scene to great and extensive + prospects. The river which glides before my door passes in a straight line + across the woods, looking like a long canal shaded by all kinds of trees. + Among them are the gum tree, the ebony tree, and that which is here called + bois de pomme, with olive and cinnamon-wood trees; while in some parts the + cabbage-palm trees raise their naked stems more than a hundred feet high, + their summits crowned with a cluster of leaves, and towering above the + woods like one forest piled upon another. Lianas, of various foliage, + intertwining themselves among the trees, form, here, arcades of foliage, + there, long canopies of verdure. Most of these trees shed aromatic odours + so powerful, that the garments of a traveller, who has passed through the + forest, often retain for hours the most delicious fragrance. In the season + when they produce their lavish blossoms, they appear as if half-covered + with snow. Towards the end of summer, various kinds of foreign birds + hasten, impelled by some inexplicable instinct, from unknown regions on + the other side of immense oceans, to feed upon the grain and other + vegetable productions of the island; and the brilliancy of their plumage + forms a striking contrast to the more sombre tints of the foliage + embrowned by the sun. Among these are various kinds of parroquets, and the + blue pigeon, called here the pigeon of Holland. Monkeys, the domestic + inhabitants of our forests, sport upon the dark branches of the trees, + from which they are easily distinguished by their gray and greenish skin, + and their black visages. Some hang, suspended by the tail, and swing + themselves in air; others leap from branch to branch, bearing their young + in their arms. The murderous gun has never affrighted these peaceful + children of nature. You hear nothing but sounds of joy,—the + warblings and unknown notes of birds from the countries of the south, + repeated from a distance by the echoes of the forest. The river, which + pours, in foaming eddies, over a bed of rocks, through the midst of the + woods, reflects here and there upon its limpid waters their venerable + masses of verdure and of shade, along with the sports of their happy + inhabitants. About a thousand paces from thence it forms several cascades, + clear as crystal in their fall, but broken at the bottom into frothy + surges. Innumerable confused sounds issue from these watery tumults, + which, borne by the winds across the forest, now sink in distance, now all + at once swell out, booming on the ear like the bells of a cathedral. The + air, kept ever in motion by the running water, preserves upon the banks of + the river, amid all the summer heats, a freshness and verdure rarely found + in this island, even on the summits of the mountains. + </p> + <p> + At some distance from this place is a rock, placed far enough from the + cascade to prevent the ear from being deafened with the noise of its + waters, and sufficiently near for the enjoyment of seeing it, of feeling + its coolness, and hearing its gentle murmurs. Thither, amidst the heats of + summer, Madame de la Tour, Margaret, Virginia, Paul, and myself, sometimes + repaired, to dine beneath the shadow of this rock. Virginia, who always, + in her most ordinary actions, was mindful of the good of others, never ate + of any fruit in the fields without planting the seed or kernel in the + ground. "From this," said she, "trees will come, which will yield their + fruit to some traveller, or at least to some bird." One day, having eaten + of the papaw fruit at the foot of that rock, she planted the seeds on the + spot. Soon after, several papaw trees sprang up, among which was one with + female blossoms, that is to say, a fruit-bearing tree. This tree, at the + time of Virginia's departure, was scarcely as high as her knee; but, as it + is a plant of rapid growth, in the course of two years it had gained the + height of twenty feet, and the upper part of its stem was encircled by + several rows of ripe fruit. Paul, wandering accidentally to the spot, was + struck with delight at seeing this lofty tree, which had been planted by + his beloved; but the emotion was transient, and instantly gave place to a + deep melancholy, at this evidence of her long absence. The objects which + are habitually before us do not bring to our minds an adequate idea of the + rapidity of life; they decline insensibly with ourselves: but it is those + we behold again, that most powerfully impress us with a feeling of the + swiftness with which the tide of life flows on. Paul was no less + over-whelmed and affected at the sight of this great papaw tree, loaded + with fruit, than is the traveller when, after a long absence from his own + country, he finds his contemporaries no more, but their children, whom he + left at the breast, themselves now become fathers of families. Paul + sometimes thought of cutting down the tree, which recalled too sensibly + the distracting remembrance of Virginia's prolonged absence. At other + times, contemplating it as a monument of her benevolence, he kissed its + trunk, and apostrophized it in terms of the most passionate regret. + Indeed, I have myself gazed upon it with more emotion and more veneration + than upon the triumphal arches of Rome. May nature, which every day + destroys the monuments of kingly ambition, multiply in our forests those + which testify the beneficence of a poor young girl! + </p> + <p> + At the foot of this papaw tree I was always sure to meet with Paul when he + came into our neighbourhood. One day, I found him there absorbed in + melancholy and a conversation took place between us, which I will relate + to you, if I do not weary you too much by my long digressions; they are + perhaps pardonable to my age and to my last friendships. I will relate it + to you in the form of a dialogue, that you may form some idea of the + natural good sense of this young man. You will easily distinguish the + speakers, from the character of his questions and of my answers. + </p> + <p> + <i>Paul.</i>—I am very unhappy. Mademoiselle de la Tour has now been + gone two years and eight months and a half. She is rich, and I am poor; + she has forgotten me. I have a great mind to follow her. I will go to + France; I will serve the king; I will make my fortune; and then + Mademoiselle de la Tour's aunt will bestow her niece upon me when I shall + have become a great lord. + </p> + <p> + <i>The Old Man.</i>—But, my dear friend, have not you told me that + you are not of noble birth? + </p> + <p> + <i>Paul.</i>—My mother has told me so; but, as for myself, I know + not what noble birth means. I never perceived that I had less than others, + or that others had more than I. + </p> + <p> + <i>The Old Man.</i>—Obscure birth, in France, shuts every door of + access to great employments; nor can you even be received among any + distinguished body of men, if you labour under this disadvantage. + </p> + <p> + <i>Paul.</i>—You have often told me that it was one source of the + greatness of France that her humblest subject might attain the highest + honours; and you have cited to me many instances of celebrated men who, + born in a mean condition, had conferred honour upon their country. It was + your wish, then, by concealing the truth to stimulate my ardour? + </p> + <p> + <i>The Old Man.</i>—Never, my son, would I lower it. I told you the + truth with regard to the past; but now, every thing has undergone a great + change. Every thing in France is now to be obtained by interest alone; + every place and employment is now become as it were the patrimony of a + small number of families, or is divided among public bodies. The king is a + sun, and the nobles and great corporate bodies surround him like so many + clouds; it is almost impossible for any of his rays to reach you. + Formerly, under less exclusive administrations, such phenomena have been + seen. Then talents and merit showed themselves every where, as newly + cleared lands are always loaded with abundance. But great kings, who can + really form a just estimate of men, and choose them with judgment, are + rare. The ordinary race of monarchs allow themselves to be guided by the + nobles and people who surround them. + </p> + <p> + <i>Paul.</i>—But perhaps I shall find one of these nobles to protect + me. + </p> + <p> + <i>The Old Man.</i>—To gain the protection of the great you must + lend yourself to their ambition, and administer to their pleasures. You + would never succeed; for, in addition to your obscure birth, you have too + much integrity. + </p> + <p> + <i>Paul.</i>—But I will perform such courageous actions, I will be + so faithful to my word, so exact in the performance of my duties, so + zealous and so constant in my friendships, that I will render myself + worthy to be adopted by some one of them. In the ancient histories, you + have made me read, I have seen many examples of such adoptions. + </p> + <p> + <i>The Old Man.</i>—Oh, my young friend! among the Greeks and + Romans, even in their decline, the nobles had some respect for virtue; but + out of all the immense number of men, sprung from the mass of the people, + in France, who have signalized themselves in every possible manner, I do + not recollect a single instance of one being adopted by any great family. + If it were not for our kings, virtue, in our country, would be eternally + condemned as plebeian. As I said before, the monarch sometimes, when he + perceives it, renders to it due honour; but in the present day, the + distinctions which should be bestowed on merit are generally to be + obtained by money alone. + </p> + <p> + <i>Paul.</i>—If I cannot find a nobleman to adopt me, I will seek to + please some public body. I will espouse its interests and its opinions: I + will make myself beloved by it. + </p> + <p> + <i>The Old Man.</i>—You will act then like other men?—you will + renounce your conscience to obtain a fortune? + </p> + <p> + <i>Paul.</i>—Oh no! I will never lend myself to any thing but the + truth. + </p> + <p> + <i>The Old Man.</i>—Instead of making yourself beloved, you would + become an object of dislike. Besides, public bodies have never taken much + interest in the discovery of truth. All opinions are nearly alike to + ambitious men, provided only that they themselves can gain their ends. + </p> + <p> + <i>Paul.</i>—How unfortunate I am! Every thing bars my progress. I + am condemned to pass my life in ignoble toil, far from Virginia. + </p> + <p> + As he said this he sighed deeply. + </p> + <p> + <i>The Old Man.</i>—Let God be your patron, and mankind the public + body you would serve. Be constantly attached to them both. Families, + corporations, nations and kings have, all of them, their prejudices and + their passions; it is often necessary to serve them by the practice of + vice: God and mankind at large require only the exercise of the virtues. + </p> + <p> + But why do you wish to be distinguished from other men? It is hardly a + natural sentiment, for, if all men possessed it, every one would be at + constant strife with his neighbour. Be satisfied with fulfilling your duty + in the station in which Providence has placed you; be grateful for your + lot, which permits you to enjoy the blessing of a quiet conscience, and + which does not compel you, like the great, to let your happiness rest on + the opinion of the little, or, like the little, to cringe to the great, in + order to obtain the means of existence. You are now placed in a country + and a condition in which you are not reduced to deceive or flatter any + one, or debase yourself, as the greater part of those who seek their + fortune in Europe are obliged to do; in which the exercise of no virtue is + forbidden you; in which you may be, with impunity, good, sincere, + well-informed, patient, temperate, chaste, indulgent to others' faults, + pious and no shaft of ridicule be aimed at you to destroy your wisdom, as + yet only in its bud. Heaven has given you liberty, health, a good + conscience, and friends; kings themselves, whose favour you desire, are + not so happy. + </p> + <p> + <i>Paul.</i>—Ah! I only want to have Virginia with me: without her I + have nothing,—with her, I should possess all my desire. She alone is + to me birth, glory, and fortune. But, since her relations will only give + her to some one with a great name, I will study. By the aid of study and + of books, learning and celebrity are to be attained. I will become a man + of science: I will render my knowledge useful to the service of my + country, without injuring any one, or owning dependence on any one. I will + become celebrated, and my glory shall be achieved only by myself. + </p> + <p> + <i>The Old Man.</i>—My son, talents are a gift yet more rare than + either birth or riches, and undoubtedly they are a greater good than + either, since they can never be taken away from us, and that they obtain + for us every where public esteem. But they may be said to be worth all + that they cost us. They are seldom acquired but by every species of + privation, by the possession of exquisite sensibility, which often + produces inward unhappiness, and which exposes us without to the malice + and persecutions of our contemporaries. The lawyer envies not, in France, + the glory of the soldier, nor does the soldier envy that of the naval + officer; but they will all oppose you, and bar your progress to + distinction, because your assumption of superior ability will wound the + self-love of them all. You say that you will do good to men; but + recollect, that he who makes the earth produce a single ear of corn more, + renders them a greater service than he who writes a book. + </p> + <p> + <i>Paul.</i>—Oh! she, then, who planted this papaw tree, has made a + more useful and more grateful present to the inhabitants of these forests + than if she had given them a whole library. + </p> + <p> + So saying, he threw his arms around the tree, and kissed it with + transport. + </p> + <p> + <i>The Old Man.</i>—The best of books,—that which preaches + nothing but equality, brotherly love, charity, and peace,—the + Gospel, has served as a pretext, during many centuries, for Europeans to + let loose all their fury. How many tyrannies, both public and private, are + still practised in its name on the face of the earth! After this, who will + dare to flatter himself that any thing he can write will be of service to + his fellow men? Remember the fate of most of the philosophers who have + preached to them wisdom. Homer, who clothes it in such noble verse, asked + for alms all his life. Socrates, whose conversation and example gave such + admirable lessons to the Athenians, was sentenced by them to be poisoned. + His sublime disciple, Plato was delivered over to slavery by the order of + the very prince who protected him; and, before them, Pythagoras, whose + humanity extended even to animals, was burned alive by the Crotoniates. + What do I say?—many even of these illustrious names have descended + to us disfigured by some traits of satire by which they became + characterized, human ingratitude taking pleasure in thus recognising them; + and if, in the crowd, the glory of some names is come down to us without + spot or blemish, we shall find that they who have borne them have lived + far from the society of their contemporaries; like those statues which are + found entire beneath the soil in Greece and Italy, and which, by being + hidden in the bosom of the earth, have escaped uninjured, from the fury of + the barbarians. + </p> + <p> + You see, then, that to acquire the glory which a turbulent literary career + can give you, you must not only be virtuous, but ready, if necessary, to + sacrifice life itself. But, after all, do not fancy that the great in + France trouble themselves about such glory as this. Little do they care + for literary men, whose knowledge brings them neither honours, nor power, + nor even admission at court. Persecution, it is true, is rarely practised + in this age, because it is habitually indifferent to every thing except + wealth and luxury; but knowledge and virtue no longer lead to distinction, + since every thing in the state is to be purchased with money. Formerly, + men of letters were certain of reward by some place in the church, the + magistracy, or the administration; now they are considered good for + nothing but to write books. But this fruit of their minds, little valued + by the world at large, is still worthy of its celestial origin. For these + books is reserved the privilege of shedding lustre on obscure virtue, of + consoling the unhappy, of enlightening nations, and of telling the truth + even to kings. This is, unquestionably, the most august commission with + which Heaven can honour a mortal upon this earth. Where is the author who + would not be consoled for the injustice or contempt of those who are the + dispensers of the ordinary gifts of fortune, when he reflects that his + work may pass from age to age, from nation to nation, opposing a barrier + to error and to tyranny; and that, from amidst the obscurity in which he + has lived, there will shine forth a glory which will efface that of the + common herd of monarchs, the monuments of whose deeds perish in oblivion, + notwithstanding the flatterers who erect and magnify them? + </p> + <p> + <i>Paul.</i>—Ah! I am only covetous of glory to bestow it on + Virginia, and render her dear to the whole world. But can you, who know so + much, tell me whether we shall ever be married? I should like to be a very + learned man, if only for the sake of knowing what will come to pass. + </p> + <p> + <i>The Old Man.</i>—Who would live, my son, if the future were + revealed to him?—when a single anticipated misfortune gives us so + much useless uneasiness—when the foreknowledge of one certain + calamity is enough to embitter every day that precedes it! It is better + not to pry too curiously, even into the things which surround us. Heaven, + which has given us the power of reflection to foresee our necessities, + gave us also those very necessities to set limits to its exercise. + </p> + <p> + <i>Paul.</i>—You tell me that with money people in Europe acquire + dignities and honours. I will go, then, to enrich myself in Bengal, and + afterwards proceed to Paris, and marry Virginia. I will embark at once. + </p> + <p> + <i>The Old Man.</i>—What! would you leave her mother and yours? + </p> + <p> + <i>Paul.</i>—Why, you yourself have advised my going to the Indies. + </p> + <p> + <i>The Old Man.</i>—Virginia was then here; but you are now the only + means of support both of her mother and of your own. + </p> + <p> + <i>Paul.</i>—Virginia will assist them by means of her rich + relation. + </p> + <p> + <i>The Old Man.</i>—The rich care little for those, from whom no + honour is reflected upon themselves in the world. Many of them have + relations much more to be pitied than Madame de la Tour, who, for want of + their assistance, sacrifice their liberty for bread, and pass their lives + immured within the walls of a convent. + </p> + <p> + <i>Paul.</i>—Oh, what a country is Europe! Virginia must come back + here. What need has she of a rich relation? She was so happy in these + huts; she looked so beautiful and so well dressed with a red handkerchief + or a few flowers around her head! Return, Virginia! leave your sumptuous + mansions and your grandeur, and come back to these rocks,—to the + shade of these woods and of our cocoa trees. Alas! you are perhaps even + now unhappy!"—and he began to shed tears. "My father," continued he, + "hide nothing from me; if you cannot tell me whether I shall marry + Virginia, tell me at least if she loves me still, surrounded as she is by + noblemen who speak to the king, and who go to see her." + </p> + <p> + <i>The Old Man.</i>—Oh, my dear friend! I am sure, for many reasons, + that she loves you; but above all, because she is virtuous. At these words + he threw himself on my neck in a transport of joy. + </p> + <p> + <i>Paul.</i>—But do you think that the women of Europe are false, as + they are represented in the comedies and books which you have lent me? + </p> + <p> + <i>The Old Man.</i>—Women are false in those countries where men are + tyrants. Violence always engenders a disposition to deceive. + </p> + <p> + <i>Paul.</i>—In what way can men tyrannize over women? + </p> + <p> + <i>The Old Man.</i>—In giving them in marriage without consulting + their inclinations;—in uniting a young girl to an old man, or a + woman of sensibility to a frigid and indifferent husband. + </p> + <p> + <i>Paul.</i>—Why not join together those who are suited to each + other,—the young to the young, and lovers to those they love? + </p> + <p> + <i>The Old Man.</i>—Because few young men in France have property + enough to support them when they are married, and cannot acquire it till + the greater part of their life is passed. While young, they seduce the + wives of others, and when they are old, they cannot secure the affections + of their own. At first, they themselves are deceivers: and afterwards, + they are deceived in their turn. This is one of the reactions of that + eternal justice, by which the world is governed; an excess on one side is + sure to be balanced by one on the other. Thus, the greater part of + Europeans pass their lives in this twofold irregularity, which increases + everywhere in the same proportion that wealth is accumulated in the hands + of a few individuals. Society is like a garden, where shrubs cannot grow + if they are overshadowed by lofty trees; but there is this wide difference + between them,—that the beauty of a garden may result from the + admixture of a small number of forest trees, while the prosperity of a + state depends on the multitude and equality of its citizens, and not on a + small number of very rich men. + </p> + <p> + <i>Paul.</i>—But where is the necessity of being rich in order to + marry? + </p> + <p> + <i>The Old Man.</i>—In order to pass through life in abundance, + without being obliged to work. + </p> + <p> + <i>Paul.</i>—But why not work? I am sure I work hard enough. + </p> + <p> + <i>The Old Man.</i>—In Europe, working with your hands is considered + a degradation; it is compared to the labour performed by a machine. The + occupation of cultivating the earth is the most despised of all. Even an + artisan is held in more estimation than a peasant. + </p> + <p> + <i>Paul.</i>—What! do you mean to say that the art which furnishes + food for mankind is despised in Europe? I hardly understand you. + </p> + <p> + <i>The Old Man.</i>—Oh! it is impossible for a person educated + according to nature to form an idea of the depraved state of society. It + is easy to form a precise notion of order, but not of disorder. Beauty, + virtue, happiness, have all their defined proportions; deformity, vice, + and misery have none. + </p> + <p> + <i>Paul.</i>—The rich then are always very happy! They meet with no + obstacles to the fulfilment of their wishes, and they can lavish happiness + on those whom they love. + </p> + <p> + <i>The Old Man.</i>—Far from it, my son! They are, for the most part + satiated with pleasure, for this very reason,—that it costs them no + trouble. Have you never yourself experienced how much the pleasure of + repose is increased by fatigue; that of eating, by hunger; or that of + drinking, by thirst? The pleasure also of loving and being loved is only + to be acquired by innumerable privations and sacrifices. Wealth, by + anticipating all their necessities, deprives its possessors of all these + pleasures. To this ennui, consequent upon satiety, may also be added the + pride which springs from their opulence, and which is wounded by the most + trifling privation, when the greatest enjoyments have ceased to charm. The + perfume of a thousand roses gives pleasure but for a moment; but the pain + occasioned by a single thorn endures long after the infliction of the + wound. A single evil in the midst of their pleasures is to the rich like a + thorn among flowers; to the poor, on the contrary, one pleasure amidst all + their troubles is a flower among a wilderness of thorns; they have a most + lively enjoyment of it. The effect of every thing is increased by + contrast; nature has balanced all things. Which condition, after all, do + you consider preferable,—to have scarcely any thing to hope, and + every thing to fear, or to have every thing to hope and nothing to fear? + The former condition is that of the rich, the latter, that of the poor. + But either of these extremes is with difficulty supported by man, whose + happiness consists in a middle station of life, in union with virtue. + </p> + <p> + <i>Paul.</i>—What do you understand by virtue? + </p> + <p> + <i>The Old Man.</i>—To you, my son, who support your family by your + labour, it need hardly be defined. Virtue consists in endeavouring to do + all the good we can to others, with an ultimate intention of pleasing God + alone. + </p> + <p> + <i>Paul.</i>—Oh! how virtuous, then, is Virginia! Virtue led her to + seek for riches, that she might practise benevolence. Virtue induced her + to quit this island, and virtue will bring her back to it. + </p> + <p> + The idea of her speedy return firing the imagination of this young man, + all his anxieties suddenly vanished. Virginia, he was persuaded, had not + written, because she would soon arrive. It took so little time to come + from Europe with a fair wind! Then he enumerated the vessels which had + made this passage of four thousand five hundred leagues in less than three + months; and perhaps the vessel in which Virginia had embarked might not be + more than two. Ship-builders were now so ingenious, and sailors were so + expert! He then talked to me of the arrangements he intended to make for + her reception, of the new house he would build for her, and of the + pleasures and surprises which he would contrive for her every day, when + she was his wife. His wife! The idea filled him with ecstasy. "At least, + my dear father," said he, "you shall then do no more work than you please. + As Virginia will be rich, we shall have plenty of negroes, and they shall + work for you. You shall always live with us, and have no other care than + to amuse yourself and be happy;"—and, his heart throbbing with joy, + he flew to communicate these exquisite anticipations to his family. + </p> + <p> + In a short time, however, these enchanting hopes were succeeded by the + most cruel apprehensions. It is always the effect of violent passions to + throw the soul into opposite extremes. Paul returned the next day to my + dwelling, overwhelmed with melancholy, and said to me,—"I hear + nothing from Virginia. Had she left Europe she would have written me word + of her departure. Ah! the reports which I have heard concerning her are + but too well founded. Her aunt has married her to some great lord. She, + like others, has been undone by the love of riches. In those books which + paint women so well, virtue is treated but as a subject of romance. If + Virginia had been virtuous, she would never have forsaken her mother and + me. I do nothing but think of her, and she has forgotten me. I am + wretched, and she is diverting herself. The thought distracts me; I cannot + bear myself! Would to Heaven that war were declared in India! I would go + there and die." + </p> + <p> + "My son," I answered, "that courage which prompts us to court death is but + the courage of a moment, and is often excited by the vain applause of men, + or by the hopes of posthumous renown. There is another description of + courage, rarer and more necessary, which enables us to support, without + witness and without applause, the vexations of life; this virtue is + patience. Relying for support, not upon the opinions of others, or the + impulse of the passions, but upon the will of God, patience is the courage + of virtue." + </p> + <p> + "Ah!" cried he, "I am then without virtue! Every thing overwhelms me and + drives me to despair."—"Equal, constant, and invariable virtue," I + replied, "belongs not to man. In the midst of the many passions which + agitate us, our reason is disordered and obscured: but there is an + everburning lamp, at which we can rekindle its flame; and that is, + literature. + </p> + <p> + "Literature, my dear son, is the gift of Heaven, a ray of that wisdom by + which the universe is governed, and which man, inspired by a celestial + intelligence, has drawn down to earth. Like the rays of the sun, it + enlightens us, it rejoices us, it warms us with a heavenly flame, and + seems, in some sort, like the element of fire, to bend all nature to our + use. By its means we are enabled to bring around us all things, all + places, all men, and all times. It assists us to regulate our manners and + our life. By its aid, too, our passions are calmed, vice is suppressed, + and virtue encouraged by the memorable examples of great and good men + which it has handed down to us, and whose time-honoured images it ever + brings before our eyes. Literature is a daughter of Heaven who has + descended upon earth to soften and to charm away all the evils of the + human race. The greatest writers have ever appeared in the worst times,—in + times in which society can hardly be held together,—the times of + barbarism and every species of depravity. My son, literature has consoled + an infinite number of men more unhappy than yourself: Xenophon, banished + from his country after having saved to her ten thousand of her sons; + Scipio Africanus, wearied to death by the calumnies of the Romans; + Lucullus, tormented by their cabals; and Catinat, by the ingratitude of a + court. The Greeks, with their never-failing ingenuity, assigned to each of + the Muses a portion of the great circle of human intelligence for her + especial superintendence; we ought in the same manner, to give up to them + the regulation of our passions, to bring them under proper restraint. + Literature in this imaginative guise, would thus fulfil, in relation to + the powers of the soul, the same functions as the Hours, who yoked and + conducted the chariot of the Sun. + </p> + <p> + "Have recourse to your books, then, my son. The wise who have written + before our days are travellers who have preceded us in the paths of + misfortune, and who stretch out a friendly hand towards us, and invite us + to join in their society, when we are abandoned by every thing else. A + good book is a good friend." + </p> + <p> + "Ah!" cried Paul, "I stood in no need of books when Virginia was here, and + she had studied as little as myself; but when she looked at me, and called + me her friend, I could not feel unhappy." + </p> + <p> + "Undoubtedly," said I, "there is no friend so agreeable as a mistress by + whom we are beloved. There is, moreover, in woman a liveliness and gaiety, + which powerfully tend to dissipate the melancholy feelings of a man; her + presence drives away the dark phantoms of imagination produced by + over-reflection. Upon her countenance sit soft attraction and tender + confidence. What joy is not heightened when it is shared by her? What brow + is not unbent by her smiles? What anger can resist her tears? Virginia + will return with more philosophy than you, and will be quite surprised to + find the garden so unfinished;—she who could think of its + embellishments in spite of all the persecutions of her aunt, and when far + from her mother and from you." + </p> + <p> + The idea of Virginia's speedy return reanimated the drooping spirits of + her lover, and he resumed his rural occupations, happy amidst his toils, + in the reflection that they would soon find a termination so dear to the + wishes of his heart. + </p> + <p> + One morning, at break of day, (it was the 24th of December, 1744,) Paul, + when he arose, perceived a white flag hoisted upon the Mountain of + Discovery. This flag he knew to be the signal of a vessel descried at sea. + He instantly flew to the town to learn if this vessel brought any tidings + of Virginia, and waited there till the return of the pilot, who was gone, + according to custom, to board the ship. The pilot did not return till the + evening, when he brought the governor information that the signalled + vessel was the Saint-Geran, of seven hundred tons burthen, and commanded + by a captain of the name of Aubin; that she was now four leagues out at + sea, but would probably anchor at Port Louis the following afternoon, if + the wind became fair: at present there was a calm. The pilot then handed + to the governor a number of letters which the Saint-Geran had brought from + France, among which was one addressed to Madame de la Tour, in the + hand-writing of Virginia. Paul seized upon the letter, kissed it with + transport, and placing it in his bosom, flew to the plantation. No sooner + did he perceive from a distance the family, who were awaiting his return + upon the rock of Adieus than he waved the letter aloft in the air, without + being able to utter a word. No sooner was the seal broken, than they all + crowded round Madame de la Tour, to hear the letter read. Virginia + informed her mother that she had experienced much ill-usage from her aunt, + who, after having in vain urged her to a marriage against her inclination, + had disinherited her, and had sent her back at a time when she would + probably reach the Mauritius during the hurricane season. In vain, she + added, had she endeavoured to soften her aunt, by representing what she + owed to her mother, and to her early habits; she was treated as a romantic + girl, whose head had been turned by novels. She could now only think of + the joy of again seeing and embracing her beloved family, and would have + gratified her ardent desire at once, by landing in the pilot's boat, if + the captain had allowed her: but that he had objected, on account of the + distance, and of a heavy swell, which, notwithstanding the calm, reigned + in the open sea. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the letter was finished, the whole of the family, transported + with joy, repeatedly exclaimed, "Virginia is arrived!" and mistresses and + servants embraced each other. Madame de la Tour said to Paul,—"My + son, go and inform our neighbour of Virginia's arrival." Domingo + immediately lighted a torch of bois de ronde, and he and Paul bent their + way towards my dwelling. + </p> + <p> + It was about ten o'clock at night, and I was just going to extinguish my + lamp, and retire to rest, when I perceived, through the palisades round my + cottage, a light in the woods. Soon after, I heard the voice of Paul + calling me. I instantly arose, and had hardly dressed myself, when Paul, + almost beside himself, and panting for breath, sprang on my neck, crying,—"Come + along, come along. Virginia is arrived. Let us go to the port; the vessel + will anchor at break of day." + </p> + <p> + Scarcely had he uttered the words, when we set off. As we were passing + through the woods of the Sloping Mountain, and were already on the road + which leads from the Shaddock Grove to the port, I heard some one walking + behind us. It proved to be a negro, and he was advancing with hasty steps. + When he had reached us, I asked him whence he came, and whither he was + going with such expedition. He answered, "I come from that part of the + island called Golden Dust; and am sent to the port, to inform the governor + that a ship from France has anchored under the Isle of Amber. She is + firing guns of distress, for the sea is very rough." Having said this, the + man left us, and pursued his journey without any further delay. + </p> + <p> + I then said to Paul,—"Let us go towards the quarter of the Golden + Dust, and meet Virginia there. It is not more than three leagues from + hence." We accordingly bent our course towards the northern part of the + island. The heat was suffocating. The moon had risen, and was surrounded + by three large black circles. A frightful darkness shrouded the sky; but + the frequent flashes of lightning discovered to us long rows of thick and + gloomy clouds, hanging very low, and heaped together over the centre of + the island, being driven in with great rapidity from the ocean, although + not a breath of air was perceptible upon the land. As we walked along, we + thought we heard peals of thunder; but, on listening more attentively, we + perceived that it was the sound of cannon at a distance, repeated by the + echoes. These ominous sounds, joined to the tempestuous aspect of the + heavens, made me shudder. I had little doubt of their being signals of + distress from a ship in danger. In about half an hour the firing ceased, + and I found the silence still more appalling than the dismal sounds which + had preceded it. + </p> + <p> + We hastened on without uttering a word, or daring to communicate to each + other our mutual apprehensions. At midnight, by great exertion, we arrived + at the sea shore, in that part of the island called Golden Dust. The + billows were breaking against the bench with a horrible noise, covering + the rocks and the strand with foam of a dazzling whiteness, blended with + sparks of fire. By these phosphoric gleams we distinguished, + notwithstanding the darkness, a number of fishing canoes, drawn up high + upon the beach. + </p> + <p> + At the entrance of a wood, a short distance from us, we saw a fire, round + which a party of the inhabitants were assembled. We repaired thither, in + order to rest ourselves till the morning. While we were seated near the + fire, one of the standers-by related, that late in the afternoon he had + seen a vessel in the open sea, driven towards the island by the currents; + that the night had hidden it from his view; and that two hours after + sunset he had heard the firing of signal guns of distress, but that the + surf was so high, that it was impossible to launch a boat to go off to + her; that a short time after, he thought he perceived the glimmering of + the watch-lights on board the vessel, which, he feared, by its having + approached so near the coast, had steered between the main land and the + little island of Amber, mistaking the latter for the Point of Endeavour, + near which vessels pass in order to gain Port Louis; and that, if this + were the case, which, however, he would not take upon himself to be + certain of, the ship, he thought, was in very great danger. Another + islander informed us, that he had frequently crossed the channel which + separates the isle of Amber from the coast, and had sounded it, that the + anchorage was very good, and that the ship would there lie as safely as in + the best harbour. "I would stake all I am worth upon it," said he, "and if + I were on board, I should sleep as sound as on shore." A third bystander + declared that it was impossible for the ship to enter that channel, which + was scarcely navigable for a boat. He was certain, he said, that he had + seen the vessel at anchor beyond the isle of Amber; so that, if the wind + rose in the morning, she would either put to sea, or gain the harbour. + Other inhabitants gave different opinions upon this subject, which they + continued to discuss in the usual desultory manner of the indolent + Creoles. Paul and I observed a profound silence. We remained on this spot + till break of day, but the weather was too hazy to admit of our + distinguishing any object at sea, every thing being covered with fog. All + we could descry to seaward was a dark cloud, which they told us was the + isle of Amber, at the distance of a quarter of a league from the coast. On + this gloomy day we could only discern the point of land on which we were + standing, and the peaks of some inland mountains, which started out + occasionally from the midst of the clouds that hung around them. + </p> + <p> + At about seven in the morning we heard the sound of drums in the woods: it + announced the approach of the governor, Monsieur de la Bourdonnais, who + soon after arrived on horseback, at the head of a detachment of soldiers + armed with muskets, and a crowd of islanders and negroes. He drew up his + soldiers upon the beach, and ordered them to make a general discharge. + This was no sooner done, than we perceived a glimmering light upon the + water which was instantly followed by the report of a cannon. We judged + that the ship was at no great distance and all ran towards that part + whence the light and sound proceeded. We now discerned through the fog the + hull and yards of a large vessel. We were so near to her, that + notwithstanding the tumult of the waves, we could distinctly hear the + whistle of the boatswain, and the shouts of the sailors, who cried out + three times, VIVE LE ROI! this being the cry of the French in extreme + danger, as well as in exuberant joy;—as though they wished to call + their princes to their aid, or to testify to him that they are prepared to + lay down their lives in his service. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the Saint-Geran perceived that we were near enough to render + her assistance, she continued to fire guns regularly at intervals of three + minutes. Monsieur de la Bourdonnais caused great fires to be lighted at + certain distances upon the strand, and sent to all the inhabitants of the + neighbourhood, in search of provisions, planks, cables, and empty barrels. + A number of people soon arrived, accompanied by their negroes loaded with + provisions and cordage, which they had brought from the plantations of + Golden Dust, from the district of La Flaque, and from the river of the Ram + part. One of the most aged of these planters, approaching the governor, + said to him,—"We have heard all night hollow noises in the mountain; + in the woods, the leaves of the trees are shaken, although there is no + wind; the sea-birds seek refuge upon the land: it is certain that all + these signs announce a hurricane." "Well, my friends," answered the + governor, "we are prepared for it, and no doubt the vessel is also." + </p> + <p> + Every thing, indeed, presaged the near approach of the hurricane. The + centre of the clouds in the zenith was of a dismal black, while their + skirts were tinged with a copper-coloured hue. The air resounded with the + cries of the tropic-birds, petrels, frigate-birds, and innumerable other + sea-fowl, which notwithstanding the obscurity of the atmosphere, were seen + coming from every point of the horizon, to seek for shelter in the island. + </p> + <p> + Towards nine in the morning we heard in the direction of the ocean the + most terrific noise, like the sound of thunder mingled with that of + torrents rushing down the steeps of lofty mountains. A general cry was + heard of, "There is the hurricane!" and the next moment a frightful gust + of wind dispelled the fog which covered the isle of Amber and its channel. + The Saint-Geran then presented herself to our view, her deck crowded with + people, her yards and topmasts lowered down, and her flag half-mast high, + moored by four cables at her bow and one at her stern. She had anchored + between the isle of Amber and the main land, inside the chain of reefs + which encircles the island, and which she had passed through in a place + where no vessel had ever passed before. She presented her head to the + waves that rolled in from the open sea, and as each billow rushed into the + narrow strait where she lay, her bow lifted to such a degree as to show + her keel; and at the same moment her stern, plunging into the water, + disappeared altogether from our sight, as if it were swallowed up by the + surges. In this position, driven by the winds and waves towards the shore, + it was equally impossible for her to return by the passage through which + she had made her way; or, by cutting her cables, to strand herself upon + the beach, from which she was separated by sandbanks and reefs of rocks. + Every billow which broke upon the coast advanced roaring to the bottom of + the bay, throwing up heaps of shingle to the distance of fifty feet upon + the land; then, rushing back, laid bare its sandy bed, from which it + rolled immense stones, with a hoarse and dismal noise. The sea, swelled by + the violence of the wind, rose higher every moment; and the whole channel + between this island and the isle of Amber was soon one vast sheet of white + foam, full of yawning pits of black and deep billows. Heaps of this foam, + more than six feet high, were piled up at the bottom of the bay; and the + winds which swept its surface carried masses of it over the steep + sea-bank, scattering it upon the land to the distance of half a league. + These innumerable white flakes, driven horizontally even to the very foot + of the mountains, looked like snow issuing from the bosom of the ocean. + The appearance of the horizon portended a lasting tempest; the sky and the + water seemed blended together. Thick masses of clouds, of a frightful + form, swept across the zenith with the swiftness of birds, while others + appeared motionless as rocks. Not a single spot of blue sky could be + discerned in the whole firmament; and a pale yellow gleam only lightened + up all the objects of the earth, the sea, and the skies. + </p> + <p> + From the violent rolling of the ship, what we all dreaded happened at + last. The cables which held her bow were torn away: she then swung to a + single hawser, and was instantly dashed upon the rocks, at the distance of + half a cable's length from the shore. A general cry of horror issued from + the spectators. Paul rushed forward to throw himself into the sea, when, + seizing him by the arm, "My son," I exclaimed, "would you perish?"—"Let + me go to save her," he cried, "or let me die!" Seeing that despair had + deprived him of reason, Domingo and I, in order to preserve him, fastened + a long cord around his waist, and held it fast by the end. Paul then + precipitated himself towards the Saint-Geran, now swimming, and now + walking upon the rocks. Sometimes he had hopes of reaching the vessel, + which the sea, by the reflux of its waves, had left almost dry, so that + you could have walked round it on foot; but suddenly the billows, + returning with fresh fury, shrouded it beneath mountains of water, which + then lifted it upright upon its keel. The breakers at the same moment + threw the unfortunate Paul far upon the beach, his legs bathed in blood, + his bosom wounded, and himself half dead. The moment he had recovered the + use of his senses, he arose, and returned with new ardour towards the + vessel, the parts of which now yawned asunder from the violent strokes of + the billows. The crew then, despairing of their safety, threw themselves + in crowds into the sea, upon yards, planks, hen-coops, tables, and + barrels. At this moment we beheld an object which wrung our hearts with + grief and pity; a young lady appeared in the stern-gallery of the + Saint-Geran, stretching out her arms towards him who was making so many + efforts to join her. It was Virginia. She had discovered her lover by his + intrepidity. The sight of this amiable girl, exposed to such horrible + danger, filled us with unutterable despair. As for Virginia, with a firm + and dignified mien, she waved her hand, as if bidding us an eternal + farewell. All the sailors had flung themselves into the sea, except one, + who still remained upon the deck, and who was naked, and strong as + Hercules. This man approached Virginia with respect, and, kneeling at her + feet, attempted to force her to throw off her clothes; but she repulsed + him with modesty, and turned away her head. Then were heard redoubled + cries from the spectators, "Save her!—save her!—do not leave + her!" But at that moment a mountain billow, of enormous magnitude, + ingulfed itself between the isle of Amber and the coast, and menaced the + shattered vessel, towards which it rolled bellowing, with its black sides + and foaming head. At this terrible sight the sailor flung himself into the + sea; and Virginia, seeing death inevitable, crossed her hands upon her + breast, and raising upwards her serene and beauteous eyes, seemed an angel + prepared to take her flight to Heaven. + </p> + <p> + Oh, day of horror! Alas! every thing was swallowed up by the relentless + billows. The surge threw some of the spectators, whom an impulse of + humanity had prompted to advance towards Virginia, far upon the beach, and + also the sailor who had endeavoured to save her life. This man, who had + escaped from almost certain death, kneeling on the sand, exclaimed,—"Oh, + my God! thou hast saved my life, but I would have given it willingly for + that excellent young lady, who had persevered in not undressing herself as + I had done." Domingo and I drew the unfortunate Paul to the ashore. He was + senseless, and blood was flowing from his mouth and ears. The governor + ordered him to be put into the hands of a surgeon, while we, on our part, + wandered along the beach, in hopes that the sea would throw up the corpse + of Virginia. But the wind having suddenly changed, as it frequently + happens during hurricanes, our search was in vain; and we had the grief of + thinking that we should not be able to bestow on this sweet and + unfortunate girl the last sad duties. We retired from the spot overwhelmed + with dismay, and our minds wholly occupied by one cruel loss, although + numbers had perished in the wreck. Some of the spectators seemed tempted, + from the fatal destiny of this virtuous girl, to doubt the existence of + Providence: for there are in life such terrible, such unmerited evils, + that even the hope of the wise is sometimes shaken. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime Paul, who began to recover his senses, was taken to a + house in the neighbourhood, till he was in a fit state to be removed to + his own home. Thither I bent my way with Domingo, to discharge the + melancholy duty of preparing Virginia's mother and her friend for the + disastrous event which had happened. When we had reached the entrance of + the valley of the river of Fan-Palms, some negroes informed us that the + sea had thrown up many pieces of the wreck in the opposite bay. We + descended towards it and one of the first objects that struck my sight + upon the beach was the corpse of Virginia. The body was half covered with + sand, and preserved the attitude in which we had seen her perish. Her + features were not sensibly changed, her eyes were closed, and her + countenance was still serene; but the pale purple hues of death were + blended on her cheek with the blush of virgin modesty. One of her hands + was placed upon her clothes: and the other, which she held on her heart, + was fast closed, and so stiffened, that it was with difficulty that I took + from its grasp a small box. How great was my emotion when I saw that it + contained the picture of Paul, which she had promised him never to part + with while she lived! As for Domingo, he beat his breast, and pierced the + air with his shrieks. With heavy hearts we then carried the body of + Virginia to a fisherman's hut, and gave it in charge of some poor Malabar + women, who carefully washed away the sand. + </p> + <p> + While they were employed in this melancholy office, we ascended the hill + with trembling steps to the plantation. We found Madame de la Tour and + Margaret at prayer; hourly expecting to have tidings from the ship. As + soon as Madame de la Tour saw me coming, she eagerly cried,—"Where + is my daughter—my dear daughter—my child?" My silence and my + tears apprised her of her misfortune. She was instantly seized with a + convulsive stopping of the breath and agonizing pains, and her voice was + only heard in sighs and groans. Margaret cried, "Where is my son? I do not + see my son!" and fainted. We ran to her assistance. In a short time she + recovered, and being assured that Paul was safe, and under the care of the + governor, she thought of nothing but of succouring her friend, who + recovered from one fainting fit only to fall into another. Madame de la + Tour passed the whole night in these cruel sufferings, and I became + convinced that there was no sorrow like that of a mother. When she + recovered her senses, she cast a fixed, unconscious look towards heaven. + In vain her friend and myself pressed her hands in ours: in vain we called + upon her by the most tender names; she appeared wholly insensible to these + testimonials of our affection, and no sound issued from her oppressed + bosom, but deep and hollow moans. + </p> + <p> + During the morning Paul was carried home in a palanquin. He had now + recovered the use of his reason, but was unable to utter a word. His + interview with his mother and Madame de la Tour, which I had dreaded, + produced a better effect than all my cares. A ray of consolation gleamed + on the countenances of the two unfortunate mothers. They pressed close to + him, clasped him in their arms, and kissed him: their tears, which excess + of anguish had till now dried up at the source, began to flow. Paul mixed + his tears with theirs; and nature having thus found relief, a long stupor + succeeded the convulsive pangs they had suffered, and afforded them a + lethargic repose, which was in truth, like that of death. + </p> + <p> + Monsieur de la Bourdonnais sent to apprise me secretly that the corpse of + Virginia had been borne to the town by his order, from whence it was to be + transferred to the church of the Shaddock Grove. I immediately went down + to Port Louis, where I found a multitude assembled from all parts of the + island, in order to be present at the funeral solemnity, as if the isle + had lost that which was nearest and dearest to it. The vessels in the + harbour had their yards crossed, their flags half-mast, and fired guns at + long intervals. A body of grenadiers led the funeral procession, with + their muskets reversed, their muffled drums sending forth slow and dismal + sounds. Dejection was depicted in the countenance of these warriors, who + had so often braved death in battle without changing colour. Eight young + ladies of considerable families of the island, dressed in white, and + bearing palm-branches in their hands, carried the corpse of their amiable + companion, which was covered with flowers. They were followed by a chorus + of children, chanting hymns, and by the governor, his field officers, all + the principal inhabitants of the island, and an immense crowd of people. + </p> + <p> + This imposing funeral solemnity had been ordered by the administration of + the country, which was desirous of doing honour to the virtues of + Virginia. But when the mournful procession arrived at the foot of this + mountain, within sight of those cottages of which she had been so long an + inmate and an ornament, diffusing happiness all around them, and which her + loss had now filled with despair, the funeral pomp was interrupted, the + hymns and anthems ceased, and the whole plain resounded with sighs and + lamentations. Numbers of young girls ran from the neighbouring + plantations, to touch the coffin of Virginia with their handkerchiefs, and + with chaplets and crowns of flowers, invoking her as a saint. Mothers + asked of heaven a child like Virginia; lovers, a heart as faithful; the + poor, as tender a friend; and the slaves as kind a mistress. + </p> + <p> + When the procession had reached the place of interment, some negresses of + Madagascar and Caffres of Mozambique placed a number of baskets of fruit + around the corpse, and hung pieces of stuff upon the adjoining trees, + according to the custom of their several countries. Some Indian women from + Bengal also, and from the coast of Malabar, brought cages full of small + birds, which they set at liberty upon her coffin. Thus deeply did the loss + of this amiable being affect the natives of different countries, and thus + was the ritual of various religions performed over the tomb of unfortunate + virtue. + </p> + <p> + It became necessary to place guards round her grave, and to employ gentle + force in removing some of the daughters of the neighbouring villagers, who + endeavoured to throw themselves into it, saying that they had no longer + any consolation to hope for in this world, and that nothing remained for + them but to die with their benefactress. + </p> + <p> + On the western side of the church of the Shaddock Grove is a small copse + of bamboos, where, in returning from mass with her mother and Margaret, + Virginia loved to rest herself, seated by the side of him whom she then + called her brother. This was the spot selected for her interment. + </p> + <p> + At his return from the funeral solemnity, Monsieur de la Bourdonnais came + up here, followed by part of his numerous retinue. He offered Madame de la + Tour and her friend all the assistance it was in his power to bestow. + After briefly expressing his indignation at the conduct of her unnatural + aunt, he advanced to Paul, and said every thing which he thought most + likely to soothe and console him. "Heaven is my witness," said he, "that I + wished to insure your happiness, and that of your family. My dear friend, + you must go to France; I will obtain a commission for you, and during your + absence I will take the same care of your mother as if she were my own." + He then offered him his hand; but Paul drew away and turned his head + aside, unable to bear his sight. + </p> + <p> + I remained for some time at the plantation of my unfortunate friends, that + I might render to them and Paul those offices of friendship that were in + my power, and which might alleviate, though they could not heal the wounds + of calamity. At the end of three weeks Paul was able to walk; but his mind + seemed to droop in proportion as his body gathered strength. He was + insensible to every thing; his look was vacant; and when asked a question, + he made no reply. Madame de la Tour, who was dying said to him often,—"My + son, while I look at you, I think I see my dear Virginia." At the name of + Virginia he shuddered, and hastened away from her, notwithstanding the + entreaties of his mother, who begged him to come back to her friend. He + used to go alone into the garden, and seat himself at the foot of + Virginia's cocoa-tree, with his eyes fixed upon the fountain. The + governor's surgeon, who had shown the most humane attention to Paul and + the whole family, told us that in order to cure the deep melancholy which + had taken possession of his mind, we must allow him to do whatever he + pleased, without contradiction: this, he said, afforded the only chance of + overcoming the silence in which he persevered. + </p> + <p> + I resolved to follow this advice. The first use which Paul made of his + returning strength was to absent himself from the plantation. Being + determined not to lose sight of him I set out immediately, and desired + Domingo to take some provisions and accompany us. The young man's strength + and spirits seemed renewed as he descended the mountain. He first took the + road to the Shaddock Grove, and when he was near the church, in the Alley + of Bamboos, he walked directly to the spot where he saw some earth fresh + turned up; kneeling down there, and raising his eyes to heaven, he offered + up a long prayer. This appeared to me a favourable symptom of the return + of his reason; since this mark of confidence in the Supreme Being showed + that his mind was beginning to resume its natural functions. Domingo and + I, following his example, fell upon our knees, and mingled our prayers + with his. When he arose, he bent his way, paying little attention to us, + towards the northern part of the island. As I knew that he was not only + ignorant of the spot where the body of Virginia had been deposited, but + even of the fact that it had been recovered from the waves, I asked him + why he had offered up his prayer at the foot of those bamboos. He + answered,—"We have been there so often." + </p> + <p> + He continued his course until we reached the borders of the forest, when + night came on. I set him the example of taking some nourishment, and + prevailed on him to do the same; and we slept upon the grass, at the foot + of a tree. The next day I thought he seemed disposed to retrace his steps; + for, after having gazed a considerable time from the plain upon the church + of the Shaddock Grove, with its long avenues of bamboos, he made a + movement as if to return home; but suddenly plunging into the forest, he + directed his course towards the north. I guessed what was his design, and + I endeavoured, but in vain, to dissuade him from it. About noon we arrived + at the quarter of Golden Dust. He rushed down to the sea-shore, opposite + to the spot where the Saint-Geran had been wrecked. At the sight of the + isle of Amber, and its channel, when smooth as a mirror, he exclaimed,—"Virginia! + oh my dear Virginia!" and fell senseless. Domingo and I carried him into + the woods, where we had some difficulty in recovering him. As soon as he + regained his senses, he wished to return to the sea-shore; but we conjured + him not to renew his own anguish and ours by such cruel remembrances, and + he took another direction. During a whole week he sought every spot where + he had once wandered with the companion of his childhood. He traced the + path by which she had gone to intercede for the slave of the Black River. + He gazed again upon the banks of the river of the Three Breasts, where she + had rested herself when unable to walk further, and upon that part of the + wood where they had lost their way. All the haunts, which recalled to his + memory the anxieties, the sports, the repasts, the benevolence of her he + loved,—the river of the Sloping Mountain, my house, the neighbouring + cascade, the papaw tree she had planted, the grassy fields in which she + loved to run, the openings of the forest where she used to sing, all in + succession called forth his tears; and those very echoes which had so + often resounded with their mutual shouts of joy, now repeated only these + accents of despair,—"Virginia! oh, my dear Virginia!" + </p> + <p> + During this savage and wandering life, his eyes became sunk and hollow, + his skin assumed a yellow tint, and his health rapidly declined. Convinced + that our present sufferings are rendered more acute by the bitter + recollection of bygone pleasures, and that the passions gather strength in + solitude, I resolved to remove my unfortunate friend from those scenes + which recalled the remembrance of his loss, and to lead him to a more busy + part of the island. With this view, I conducted him to the inhabited part + of the elevated quarter of Williams, which he had never visited, and where + the busy pursuits of agriculture and commerce ever occasioned much bustle + and variety. Numbers of carpenters were employed in hewing down and + squaring trees, while others were sawing them into planks; carriages were + continually passing and repassing on the roads; numerous herds of oxen and + troops of horses were feeding on those wide-spread meadows, and the whole + country was dotted with the dwellings of man. On some spots the elevation + of the soil permitted the culture of many of the plants of Europe: the + yellow ears of ripe corn waved upon the plains; strawberry plants grew in + the openings of the woods, and the roads were bordered by hedges of + rose-trees. The freshness of the air, too, giving tension to the nerves, + was favourable to the health of Europeans. From those heights, situated + near the middle of the island, and surrounded by extensive forests, + neither the sea, nor Port Louis, nor the church of the Shaddock Grove, nor + any other object associated with the remembrance of Virginia could de + discerned. Even the mountains, which present various shapes on the side of + Port Louis, appear from hence like a long promontory, in a straight and + perpendicular line, from which arise lofty pyramids of rock, whose summits + are enveloped in the clouds. + </p> + <p> + Conducting Paul to these scenes, I kept him continually in action, walking + with him in rain and sunshine, by day and by night. I sometimes wandered + with him into the depths of the forests, or led him over untilled grounds, + hoping that change of scene and fatigue might divert his mind from its + gloomy meditations. But the soul of a lover finds everywhere the traces of + the beloved object. Night and day, the calm of solitude and the tumult of + crowds, are to him the same; time itself, which casts the shade of + oblivion over so many other remembrances, in vain would tear that tender + and sacred recollection from the heart. The needle, when touched by the + loadstone, however it may have been moved from its position, is no sooner + left to repose, than it returns to the pole of its attraction. So, when I + inquired of Paul, as we wandered amidst the plains of Williams,—"Where + shall we now go?" he pointed to the north, and said, "Yonder are our + mountains; let us return home." + </p> + <p> + I now saw that all the means I took to divert him from his melancholy were + fruitless, and that no resource was left but an attempt to combat his + passion by the arguments which reason suggested I answered him,—"Yes, + there are the mountains where once dwelt your beloved Virginia; and here + is the picture you gave her, and which she held, when dying, to her heart—that + heart, which even in its last moments only beat for you." I then presented + to Paul the little portrait which he had given to Virginia on the borders + of the cocoa-tree fountain. At this sight a gloomy joy overspread his + countenance. He eagerly seized the picture with his feeble hands, and held + it to his lips. His oppressed bosom seemed ready to burst with emotion, + and his eyes were filled with tears which had no power to flow. + </p> + <p> + "My son," said I, "listen to one who is your friend, who was the friend of + Virginia, and who, in the bloom of your hopes, has often endeavoured to + fortify your mind against the unforeseen accidents of life. What do you + deplore with so much bitterness? Is it your own misfortunes, or those of + Virginia, which affect you so deeply? + </p> + <p> + "Your own misfortunes are indeed severe. You have lost the most amiable of + girls, who would have grown up to womanhood a pattern to her sex, one who + sacrificed her own interests to yours: who preferred you to all that + fortune could bestow, and considered you as the only recompense worthy of + her virtues. + </p> + <p> + "But might not this very object, from whom you expected the purest + happiness, have proved to you a source of the most cruel distress? She had + returned poor and disinherited; all you could henceforth have partaken + with her was your labour. Rendered more delicate by her education, and + more courageous by her misfortunes, you might have beheld her every day + sinking beneath her efforts to share and lighten your fatigues. Had she + brought you children, they would only have served to increase her + anxieties and your own, from the difficulty of sustaining at once your + aged parents and your infant family. + </p> + <p> + "Very likely you will tell me that the governor would have helped you; but + how do you know that in a colony where governors are so frequently + changed, you would have had others like Monsieur de la Bourdonnais?—that + one might not have been sent destitute of good feeling and of morality?—that + your young wife, in order, to procure some miserable pittance, might not + have been obliged to seek his favour? Had she been weak you would have + been to be pitied; and if she had remained virtuous, you would have + continued poor: forced even to consider yourself fortunate if, on account + of the beauty and virtue of your wife, you had not to endure persecution + from those who had promised you protection. + </p> + <p> + "It would have remained to you, you may say, to have enjoyed a pleasure + independent of fortune,—that of protecting a loved being, who, in + proportion to her own helplessness, had more attached herself to you. You + may fancy that your pains and sufferings would have served to endear you + to each other, and that your passion would have gathered strength from + your mutual misfortunes. Undoubtedly virtuous love does find consolation + even in such melancholy retrospects. But Virginia is no more; yet those + persons still live, whom, next to yourself, she held most dear; her + mother, and your own: your inconsolable affliction is bringing them both + to the grave. Place your happiness, as she did hers, in affording them + succour. My son, beneficence is the happiness of the virtuous: there is no + greater or more certain enjoyment on the earth. Schemes of pleasure, + repose, luxuries, wealth, and glory are not suited to man, weak, + wandering, and transitory as he is. See how rapidly one step towards the + acquisition of fortune has precipitated us all to the lowest abyss of + misery! You were opposed to it, it is true; but who would not have thought + that Virginia's voyage would terminate in her happiness and your own? an + invitation from a rich and aged relation, the advice of a wise governor, + the approbation of the whole colony, and the well-advised authority of her + confessor, decided the lot of Virginia. Thus do we run to our ruin, + deceived even by the prudence of those who watch over us: it would be + better, no doubt, not to believe them, nor even to listen to the voice or + lean on the hopes of a deceitful world. But all men,—those you see + occupied in these plains, those who go abroad to seek their fortunes, and + those in Europe who enjoy repose from the labours of others, are liable to + reverses! not one is secure from losing, at some period, all that he most + values,—greatness, wealth, wife, children, and friends. Most of + these would have their sorrow increased by the remembrance of their own + imprudence. But you have nothing with which you can reproach yourself. You + have been faithful in your love. In the bloom of youth, by not departing + from the dictates of nature, you evinced the wisdom of a sage. Your views + were just, because they were pure, simple, and disinterested. You had, + besides, on Virginia, sacred claims which nothing could countervail. You + have lost her: but it is neither your own imprudence, nor your avarice, + nor your false wisdom which has occasioned this misfortune, but the will + of God, who had employed the passions of others to snatch from you the + object of your love; God, from whom you derive everything, who knows what + is most fitting for you, and whose wisdom has not left you any cause for + the repentance and despair which succeed the calamities that are brought + upon us by ourselves. + </p> + <p> + "Vainly, in your misfortunes, do you say to yourself, 'I have not deserved + them.' Is it then the calamity of Virginia—her death and her present + condition that you deplore? She has undergone the fate allotted to all,—to + high birth, to beauty, and even to empires themselves. The life of man, + with all his projects, may be compared to a tower, at whose summit is + death. When your Virginia was born, she was condemned to die; happily for + herself, she is released from life before losing her mother, or yours, or + you; saved, thus from undergoing pangs worse than those of death itself. + </p> + <p> + "Learn then, my son, that death is a benefit to all men: it is the night + of that restless day we call by the name of life. The diseases, the + griefs, the vexations, and the fears, which perpetually embitter our life + as long as we possess it, molest us no more in the sleep of death. If you + inquire into the history of those men who appear to have been the + happiest, you will find that they have bought their apparent felicity very + dear; public consideration, perhaps, by domestic evils; fortune, by the + loss of health; the rare happiness of being loved, by continual + sacrifices; and often, at the expiration of a life devoted to the good of + others, they see themselves surrounded only by false friends, and + ungrateful relations. But Virginia was happy to her very last moment. When + with us, she was happy in partaking of the gifts of nature; when far from + us, she found enjoyment in the practice of virtue; and even at the + terrible moment in which we saw her perish, she still had cause for + self-gratulation. For, whether she cast her eyes on the assembled colony, + made miserable by her expected loss, or on you, my son, who, with so much + intrepidity, were endeavouring to save her, she must have seen how dear + she was to all. Her mind was fortified against the future by the + remembrance of her innocent life; and at that moment she received the + reward which Heaven reserves for virtue,—a courage superior to + danger. She met death with a serene countenance. + </p> + <p> + "My son! God gives all the trials of life to virtue, in order to show that + virtue alone can support them, and even find in them happiness and glory. + When he designs for it an illustrious reputation, he exhibits it on a wide + theatre, and contending with death. Then does the courage of virtue shine + forth as an example, and the misfortunes to which it has been exposed + receive for ever, from posterity, the tribute of their tears. This is the + immortal monument reserved for virtue in a world where every thing else + passes away, and where the names, even of the greater number of kings + themselves, are soon buried in eternal oblivion. + </p> + <p> + "Meanwhile Virginia still exists. My son, you see that every thing changes + on this earth, but that nothing is ever lost. No art of man can annihilate + the smallest particle of matter; can, then, that which has possessed + reason, sensibility, affection, virtue, and religion be supposed capable + of destruction, when the very elements with which it is clothed are + imperishable? Ah! however happy Virginia may have been with us, she is now + much more so. There is a God, my son; it is unnecessary for me to prove it + to you, for the voice of all nature loudly proclaims it. The wickedness of + mankind leads them to deny the existence of a Being, whose justice they + fear. But your mind is fully convinced of his existence, while his works + are ever before your eyes. Do you then believe that he would leave + Virginia without recompense? Do you think that the same Power which + inclosed her noble soul in a form so beautiful,—so like an emanation + from itself, could not have saved her from the waves?—that he who + has ordained the happiness of man here, by laws unknown to you, cannot + prepare a still higher degree of felicity for Virginia by other laws, of + which you are equally ignorant? Before we were born into this world, could + we, do you imagine, even if we were capable of thinking at all, have + formed any idea of our existence here? And now that we are in the middle + of this gloomy and transitory life, can we foresee what is beyond the + tomb, or in what manner we shall be emancipated from it? Does God, like + man, need this little globe, the earth, as a theatre for the display of + his intelligence and his goodness?—and can he only dispose of human + life in the territory of death? There is not, in the entire ocean, a + single drop of water which is not peopled with living beings appertaining + to man: and does there exist nothing for him in the heavens above his + head? What! is there no supreme intelligence, no divine goodness, except + on this little spot where we are placed? In those innumerable glowing + fires,—in those infinite fields of light which surround them, and + which neither storms nor darkness can extinguish, is there nothing but + empty space and an eternal void? If we, weak and ignorant as we are, might + dare to assign limits to that Power from whom we have received every + thing, we might possibly imagine that we were placed on the very confines + of his empire, where life is perpetually struggling with death, and + innocence for ever in danger from the power of tyranny! + </p> + <p> + "Somewhere, then, without doubt, there is another world, where virtue will + receive its reward. Virginia is now happy. Ah! if from the abode of angels + she could hold communication with you, she would tell you, as she did when + she bade you her last adieus,—'O, Paul! life is but a scene of + trial. I have been obedient to the laws of nature, love, and virtue. I + crossed the seas to obey the will of my relations; I sacrificed wealth in + order to keep my faith; and I preferred the loss of life to disobeying the + dictates of modesty. Heaven found that I had fulfilled my duties, and has + snatched me for ever from all the miseries I might have endured myself, + and all I might have felt for the miseries of others. I am placed far + above the reach of all human evils, and you pity me! I am become pure and + unchangeable as a particle of light, and you would recall me to the + darkness of human life! O, Paul! O, my beloved friend! recollect those + days of happiness, when in the morning we felt the delightful sensations + excited by the unfolding beauties of nature; when we seemed to rise with + the sun to the peaks of those rocks, and then to spread with his rays over + the bosom of the forests. We experienced a delight, the cause of which we + could not comprehend. In the innocence of our desires, we wished to be all + sight, to enjoy the rich colours of the early dawn; all smell, to taste a + thousand perfumes at once; all hearing, to listen to the singing of our + birds; and all heart, to be capable of gratitude for those mingled + blessings. Now, at the source of the beauty whence flows all that is + delightful upon earth, my soul intuitively sees, hears, touches, what + before she could only be made sensible of through the medium of our weak + organs. Ah! what language can describe these shores of eternal bliss, + which I inhabit for ever! All that infinite power and heavenly goodness + could create to console the unhappy: all that the friendship of numberless + beings, exulting in the same felicity can impart, we enjoy in unmixed + perfection. Support, then, the trial which is now allotted to you, that + you may heighten the happiness of your Virginia by love which will know no + termination,—by a union which will be eternal. There I will calm + your regrets, I will wipe away your tears. Oh, my beloved friend! my + youthful husband! raise your thoughts towards the infinite, to enable you + to support the evils of a moment.'" + </p> + <p> + My own emotion choked my utterance. Paul, looking at me steadfastly, + cried,—"She is no more! she is no more!" and a long fainting fit + succeeded these words of woe. When restored to himself, he said, "Since + death is good, and since Virginia is happy, I will die too, and be united + to Virginia." Thus the motives of consolation I had offered, only served + to nourish his despair. I was in the situation of a man who attempts to + save a friend sinking in the midst of a flood, and who obstinately refuses + to swim. Sorrow had completely overwhelmed his soul. Alas! the trials of + early years prepare man for the afflictions of after-life; but Paul had + never experienced any. + </p> + <p> + I took him back to his own dwelling, where I found his mother and Madame + de la Tour in a state of increased languor and exhaustion, but Margaret + seemed to droop the most. Lively characters, upon whom petty troubles have + but little effect, sink the soonest under great calamities. + </p> + <p> + "O my good friend," said Margaret, "I thought last night I saw Virginia, + dressed in white, in the midst of groves and delicious gardens. She said + to me, 'I enjoy the most perfect happiness:' and then approaching Paul + with a smiling air, she bore him away with her. While I was struggling to + retain my son, I felt that I myself too was quitting the earth, and that I + followed with inexpressible delight. I then wished to bid my friend + farewell, when I saw that she was hastening after me, accompanied by Mary + and Domingo. But the strangest circumstance remains yet to be told; Madame + de la Tour has this very night had a dream exactly like mine in every + possible respect." + </p> + <p> + "My dear friend," I replied, "nothing, I firmly believe, happens in this + world without the permission of God. Future events, too, are sometimes + revealed in dreams." + </p> + <p> + Madame de la Tour then related to me her dream which was exactly the same + as Margaret's in every particular; and as I had never observed in either + of these ladies any propensity to superstition, I was struck with the + singular coincidence of their dreams, and I felt convinced that they would + soon be realized. The belief that future events are sometimes revealed to + us during sleep, is one that is widely diffused among the nations of the + earth. The greatest men of antiquity have had faith in it; among whom may + be mentioned Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, the Scipios, the two + Catos, and Brutus, none of whom were weak-minded persons. Both the Old and + the New Testament furnish us with numerous instances of dreams that came + to pass. As for myself, I need only, on this subject, appeal to my + experience, as I have more than once had good reason to believe that + superior intelligences, who interest themselves in our welfare, + communicate with us in these visions of the night. Things which surpass + the light of human reason cannot be proved by arguments derived from that + reason; but still, if the mind of man is an image of that of God, since + man can make known his will to the ends of the earth by secret missives, + may not the Supreme Intelligence which governs the universe employ similar + means to attain a like end? One friend consoles another by a letter, + which, after passing through many kingdoms, and being in the hands of + various individuals at enmity with each other, brings at last joy and hope + to the breast of a single human being. May not in like manner the + Sovereign Protector of innocence come in some secret way, to the help of a + virtuous soul, which puts its trust in Him alone? Has He occasion to + employ visible means to effect His purpose in this, whose ways are hidden + in all His ordinary works? + </p> + <p> + Why should we doubt the evidence of dreams? for what is our life, occupied + as it is with vain and fleeting imaginations, other than a prolonged + vision of the night? + </p> + <p> + Whatever may be thought of this in general, on the present occasion the + dreams of my friends were soon realized. Paul expired two months after the + death of his Virginia, whose name dwelt on his lips in his expiring + moments. About a week after the death of her son, Margaret saw her last + hour approach with that serenity which virtue only can feel. She bade + Madame de la Tour a most tender farewell, "in the certain hope," she said, + "of a delightful and eternal re-union. Death is the greatest of blessings + to us," added she, "and we ought to desire it. If life be a punishment, we + should wish for its termination; if it be a trial, we should be thankful + that it is short." + </p> + <p> + The governor took care of Domingo and Mary, who were no longer able to + labour, and who survived their mistresses but a short time. As for poor + Fidele, he pined to death, soon after he had lost his master. + </p> + <p> + I afforded an asylum in my dwelling to Madame de la Tour, who bore up + under her calamities with incredible elevation of mind. She had + endeavoured to console Paul and Margaret till their last moments, as if + she herself had no misfortunes of her own to bear. When they were not + more, she used to talk to me every day of them as of beloved friends, who + were still living near her. She survived them however, but one month. Far + from reproaching her aunt for the afflictions she had caused, her benign + spirit prayed to God to pardon her, and to appease that remorse which we + heard began to torment her, as soon as she had sent Virginia away with so + much inhumanity. + </p> + <p> + Conscience, that certain punishment of the guilty, visited with all its + terrors the mind of this unnatural relation. So great was her torment, + that life and death became equally insupportable to her. Sometimes she + reproached herself with the untimely fate of her lovely niece, and with + the death of her mother, which had immediately followed it. At other times + she congratulated herself for having repulsed far from her two wretched + creatures, who, she said, had both dishonoured their family by their + grovelling inclinations. Sometimes, at the sight of the many miserable + objects with which Paris abounds, she would fly into a rage, and exclaim,—"Why + are not these idle people sent off to the colonies?" As for the notions of + humanity, virtue and religion, adopted by all nations, she said, they were + only the inventions of their rulers, to serve political purposes. Then, + flying all at once to the other extreme, she abandoned herself to + superstitious terrors, which filled her with mortal fears. She would then + give abundant alms to the wealthy ecclesiastics who governed her, + beseeching them to appease the wrath of God by the sacrifice of her + fortune,—as if the offering to Him of the wealth she had withheld + from the miserable could please her Heavenly Father! In her imagination + she often beheld fields of fire, with burning mountains, wherein hideous + spectres wandered about, loudly calling on her by name. She threw herself + at her confessor's feet, imagining every description of agony and torture; + for Heaven—just Heaven, always sends to the cruel the most frightful + views of religion and a future state. + </p> + <p> + Atheist, thus, and fanatic in turn, holding both life and death in equal + horror, she lived on for several years. But what completed the torments of + her miserable existence, was that very object to which she had sacrificed + every natural affection. She was deeply annoyed at perceiving that her + fortune must go, at her death, to relations whom she hated, and she + determined to alienate as much of it as she could. They, however, taking + advantage of her frequent attacks of low spirits, caused her to be + secluded as a lunatic, and her affairs to be put into the hands of + trustees. Her wealth, thus completed her ruin; and, as the possession of + it had hardened her own heart, so did its anticipation corrupt the hearts + of those who coveted it from her. At length she died; and, to crown her + misery, she retained enough reason at last to be sensible that she was + plundered and despised by the very persons whose opinions had been her + rule of conduct during her whole life. + </p> + <p> + On the same spot, and at the foot of the same shrubs as his Virginia, was + deposited the body of Paul; and round about them lie the remains of their + tender mothers and their faithful servants. No marble marks the spot of + their humble graves, no inscription records their virtues; but their + memory is engraven upon the hearts of those whom they have befriended, in + indelible characters. Their spirits have no need of the pomp, which they + shunned during their life; but if they still take an interest in what + passes upon earth, they no doubt love to wander beneath the roofs of these + humble dwellings, inhabited by industrious virtue, to console poverty + discontented with its lot, to cherish in the hearts of lovers the sacred + flame of fidelity, and to inspire a taste for the blessings of nature, a + love of honest labour, and a dread of the allurements of riches. + </p> + <p> + The voice of the people, which is often silent with regard to the + monuments raised to kings, has given to some parts of this island names + which will immortalize the loss of Virginia. Near the isle of Amber, in + the midst of sandbanks, is a spot called The Pass of the Saint-Geran, from + the name of the vessel which was there lost. The extremity of that point + of land which you see yonder, three leagues off, half covered with water, + and which the Saint-Geran could not double the night before the hurricane, + is called the Cape of Misfortune; and before us, at the end of the valley, + is the Bay of the Tomb, where Virginia was found buried in the sand; as if + the waves had sought to restore her corpse to her family, that they might + render it the last sad duties on those shores where so many years of her + innocent life had been passed. + </p> + <p> + Joined thus in death, ye faithful lovers, who were so tenderly united! + unfortunate mothers! beloved family! these woods which sheltered you with + their foliage,—these fountains which flowed for you,—these + hill-sides upon which you reposed, still deplore your loss! No one has + since presumed to cultivate that desolate spot of land, or to rebuild + those humble cottages. Your goats are become wild: your orchards are + destroyed; your birds are all fled, and nothing is heard but the cry of + the sparrow-hawk, as it skims in quest of prey around this rocky basin. As + for myself, since I have ceased to behold you, I have felt friendless and + alone, like a father bereft of his children, or a traveller who wanders by + himself over the face of the earth. + </p> + <p> + Ending with these words, the good old man retired, bathed in tears; and my + own, too, had flowed more than once during this melancholy recital. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Paul and Virginia, by Bernardin de Saint Pierre + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PAUL AND VIRGINIA *** + +***** This file should be named 2127-h.htm or 2127-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/1/2/2127/ + +Produced by Dagny; John Bickers and 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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