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| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 02:47:09 -0700 |
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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/29246-8.txt b/29246-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..123e818 --- /dev/null +++ b/29246-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,15615 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The International Monthly, Volume 3, No. 2, +May, 1851, by Various + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The International Monthly, Volume 3, No. 2, May, 1851 + +Author: Various + +Release Date: June 26, 2009 [EBook #29246] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK INTERNATIONAL MONTHLY, MAY 1851 *** + + + + +Produced by Joshua Hutchinson, Josephine Paolucci and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. +(This file was produced from images generously made +available by Cornell University Digital Collections.) + + + + + + + +THE INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE + +Of Literature, Art, and Science. + +Vol. III. NEW-YORK, MAY 1, 1851. No. II. + + + + +GEORGE WILKINS KENDALL. + +[Illustration] + + +We have here a capital portrait of the editor in chief of the New +Orleans _Picayune_, GEORGE W. KENDALL, who, as an editor, author, +traveller, or _bon garçon_, is world-famous, and every where entitled to +be chairman in assemblies of these several necessary classes of people. +Take him for all in all, he may be described as a new Chevalier Bayard, +baptized in the spirit of fun, and with a steel pen in lieu of a blade +of Damascus. He is a Vermonter--of the state which has sent out Orestes +Brownson, Herman Hooker, the Coltons, Hiram Powers, Hannah Gould, and a +crowd of other men and women with the sharpest intellects, and for the +most part the genialist tempers too, that can be found in all the +country. His boyhood was passed in the delightful village of Burlington, +from which, when he was of age, he came to New-York, and here he lived +until about the year 1835, when he went to New Orleans, where his +subsequent career may be found traced in the most witty and brilliant +and altogether successful journal ever published in the southern or +western states. + +Partly for the love of adventure and partly for advantage to his health, +in the spring of 1841 Mr. Kendall determined to make an excursion into +the great south-western prairies, and the contemplated trading +expedition to Santa-Fe offering escort and agreeable companions, he +procured passports from the Mexican vice-consul at New-Orleans, and +joined it, at Austin. The history of this expedition has become an +important portion of the history of the nation, and its details, +embracing an account of his own captivity and sufferings in Mexico, were +written by Mr. Kendall in one of the most spirited and graphic books of +military and wilderness adventure, vicissitude, and endurance, that has +been furnished in our times. The work was published in two volumes, by +the Harpers, in 1844. It has since passed through many editions, and for +the fidelity and felicity, the bravery and _bon hommie_, that mark all +its pages, it is likely to be one of the choicest chronicles that will +be quoted from our own in the new centuries. + +After the publication of his narrative of the Santa Fe Expedition, Mr. +Kendall resumed his more immediate services in the _Picayane_--always, +it may be said without injustice to his associates, most attractive +under his personal supervision; and in the angry and war-tending +controversies with Mexico which filled the public mind in the succeeding +years, he was one of the calmest as well as wisest of our journalists. +When at length the conflict came on, he attended the victorious Taylor +as a member of his staff along the mountains and valleys which that +great commander marked with the names of immortal victories, and had +more than satisfaction for all griefs of his own in seeing the flag of +his country planted in every scene in which his country had been +insulted in his own person. + +Upon the conclusion of the war, Mr. Kendall commenced the preparation of +the magnificent work which has lately been published in this city by the +Appletons, under the title of _The War between the United States and +Mexico, by George W. Kendall, illustrated by pictorial drawings by Carl +Nebel_. Mr. Nebel may be regarded as one of the best battle-painters +living. He accompanied Mr. Kendall during the war, and made his sketches +while on the several fields where he had witnessed the movements of the +contending armies; and in all the accessories of scenery, costume, and +general effect, he has unquestionably been as successful as the actors +in the drama admit him to have been in giving a vivid and just +impression of the distinguishing characteristics of each conflict. The +subjects of the plates are the Bombardment of Vera Cruz, the Battle of +Cerro Gordo, the Storming of Chepultepec, the Assault on Contreras, the +Battle of Cherubusco, the Attack on Molino del Rey, General Scott's +Entrance into Mexico, the Battle of Buena Vista, the Battle of Palo +Alto, and the Capture of Monterey. In some cases, there are two +representations of the same scene, taken from different points of view. +These have all been reproduced in colored lithography by the best +artists of Paris. The literary part of the work, comprising very careful +and particular accounts of these events, is excellently written--so +compactly and perspicuously, with so thorough a knowledge and so pure a +taste, as to be deserving of applause among models in military history. +Mr. Kendall passed about two years in Europe for the purpose of +superintending its publication, and its success must have amply +satisfied the most sanguine anticipations with which he entered upon its +composition. + +New England is largely represented among the leading editors of the +South and West, and it is a little remarkable that the two papers most +conspicuous as representatives of the idiosyncrasies which most obtain +in their respective states--the _Picayune_ and George D. Prentice's +_Louisville Journal_--are conducted by men from sections most +antagonistical in interest and feeling, men who have carried with them +to their new homes and who still cherish there all the reciprocated +affections by which they were connected with the North. When George W. +Kendall leaves New Orleans for his summer wandering in our more +comfortable and safe latitudes, an ovation of editors awaits him at +every town along the Mississippi, and, crossing the mountains, he is the +most popular member of the craft in Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, +New-York, or Boston--an evidence that the strifes of party may exist +without any personal ill-feeling, if the editor never forgets in his own +person to sustain the character of a gentleman. + + + + + +WASHINGTON. + + +It is a truth, illustrated in daily experience, and yet rarely noted or +acted upon, that, in all that concerns the appreciation of personal +character or ability, the instinctive impressions of a community are +quicker in their action, more profoundly appreciant, and more reliable, +than the intellectual perceptions of the ablest men in the community. +Upon all those subjects that are of moral apprehension, society seems to +possess an intelligence of its own, infinitely sensitive in its +delicacy, and almost conclusive in the certainty of its determinations; +indirect, and unconscious in its operation, yet unshunnable in sagacity, +and as strong and confident as nature itself. The highest and finest +qualities of human judgment seem to be in commission among the nation, +or the race. It is by such a process, that whenever a true hero appears +among mankind, the recognition of his character, by the general sense of +humanity, is instant and certain: the belief of the chief priests and +rulers of mind follows later, or comes not at all. The perceptions of a +public are as subtly-sighted as its passions are blind. It sees, and +feels, and knows the excellence, which it can neither understand, nor +explain, nor vindicate. These involuntary opinions of people at large +explain themselves, and are vindicated by events, and form at last the +constants of human understanding. A character of the first order of +greatness, such as seems to pass out of the limits and courses of +ordinary life, often lies above the ken of intellectual judgment; but +its merits and its infirmities never escape the sleepless perspicacity +of the common sentiment, which no novelty of form can surprise, and no +mixture of qualities can perplex. The mind--the logical +faculty--comprehends a subject, when it can trace in it the same +elements, or relations, which it is familiar with elsewhere; if it finds +but a faint analogy of form or substance, its decision is embarrassed. +But this other instinct seems to become subtler, and more rapid, and +more absolute in conviction, at the line where reason begins to falter. + +Take the case of Shakspeare. His surpassing greatness was never +acknowledged by the learned, until the nation had ascertained and +settled it as a foregone and questionless conclusion. Even now, to the +most sagacious mind of this time, the real ground and evidence of its +own assurance of Shakspeare's supremacy, is the universal, deep, +immovable conviction of it in the public feeling. There have been many +acute essays upon his minor characteristics; but intellectual criticism +has never grappled with Shaksperian ART in its entireness and grandeur, +and probably it never will. We know not now wherein his greatness +consists. We cannot demonstrate it. There is less indistinctness in the +merit of less eminent authors. Those things which are not doubts to our +consciousness, are yet mysteries to our mind. And if this is true of +literary art, which is so much within the sphere of reflection, it may +be expected to find more striking illustration in great practical and +public moral characters. + +[Illustration: THE NATIONAL MONUMENT AT WASHINGTON.] + +These considerations occur naturally to the mind in contemplating the +fame of Washington. An attentive examination of the whole subject, and +of all that can contribute to the formation of a sound opinion, results +in the belief that General Washington's _mental_ abilities illustrate +the very highest type of greatness. His _mind_, probably, was one of the +very greatest that was ever given to mortality. Yet it is impossible to +establish that position by a direct analysis of his character, or +conduct, or productions. When we look at the incidents or the results of +that great career--when we contemplate the qualities by which it is +marked, from its beginning to its end--the foresight which never was +surprised, the judgment which nothing could deceive, the wisdom whose +resources were incapable of exhaustion--combined with a spirit as +resolute in its official duties as it was moderate in its private +pretensions, as indomitable in its public temper as it was gentle in its +personal tone--we are left in wonder and reverence. But when we would +enter into the recesses of that mind--when we would discriminate upon +its construction, and reason upon its operations--when we would tell how +it was composed, and why it excelled--we are entirely at fault. The +processes of Washington's understanding are entirely hidden from us. +What came from it, in counsel or in action, was the life and glory of +his country; what went on within it, is shrouded in impenetrable +concealment. Such elevation in degree of wisdom, amounts almost to a +change of kind, in nature, and detaches his intelligence from the +sympathy of ours. We cannot see him as he was, because we are not like +him. The tones of the mighty bell were heard with the certainty of Time +itself, and with a force that vibrates still upon the air of life, and +will vibrate for ever. But the clock-work, by which they were regulated +and given forth, we can neither see nor understand. In fact, his +intellectual abilities did not exist in an analytical and separated +form; but in a combined and concrete state. They "moved altogether when +they moved at all." They were in no degree speculative, but only +practical. They could not act at all in the region of imagination, but +only upon the field of reality. The sympathies of his intelligence dwelt +exclusively in the national being and action. Its interests and energies +were absorbed in them. He was nothing out of that sphere, because he was +every thing there. The extent to which he was identified with the +country is unexampled in the relations of individual men to the +community. During the whole period of his life he was the thinking part +of the nation. He was its mind; it was his image and illustration. If we +would classify and measure him, it must be with nations and not with +individuals. + +This extraordinary nature of Washington's capacities--this impossibility +of analyzing and understanding the elements and methods of his +wisdom--have led some persons to doubt whether, intellectually, he was +of great superiority; but the public--the community--never doubted of +the transcendent eminence of Washington's abilities. From the first +moment of his appearance as the chief, the recognition of him, from one +end of the country to the other, as THE MAN--the leader, the counsellor, +the infallible in suggestion and in conduct--was immediate and +universal. From that moment to the close of the scene, the national +confidence in his capacity was as spontaneous, as enthusiastic, as +immovable, as it was in his integrity. Particular persons, affected by +the untoward course of events, sometimes questioned his sufficiency; but +the nation never questioned it, nor would allow it to be questioned. +Neither misfortune, nor disappointment, nor accidents, nor delay, nor +the protracted gloom of years, could avail to disturb the public trust +in him. It was apart from circumstances; it was beside the action of +caprice; it was beyond all visionary, and above all changeable feelings. +It was founded on nothing extraneous; not upon what he had said or done, +but upon what he was. They saw something in the man, which gave them +assurance of a nature and destiny of the highest elevation--something +inexplicable, but which inspired a complete satisfaction. We feel that +this reliance was wise and right; but why it was felt, or why it was +right, we are as much to seek as those who came under the direct +impression of his personal presence. It is not surprising, that the +world, recognizing in this man a nature and a greatness which philosophy +cannot explain, should revere him almost to religion. + +The distance and magnitude of those objects which are too far above us +to be estimated directly--such as stars--are determined by their +parallax. By some process of that kind we may form an approximate notion +of Washington's greatness. We may measure him against the great events +in which he moved; and against the great men, among whom, and above +whom, his figure stood like a tower. It is agreed that the war of +American Independence is one of the most exalted, and honorable, and +difficult achievements related in history. Its force was contributed by +many; but its grandeur was derived from Washington. His character and +wisdom gave unity, and dignity, and effect to the irregular, and often +divergent enthusiasm of others. His energy combined the parts; his +intelligence guided the whole: his perseverance, and fortitude, and +resolution, were the inspiration and support of all. In looking back +over that period, his presence seems to fill the whole scene; his +influence predominates throughout; his character is reflected from every +thing. Perhaps nothing less than his immense weight of mind could have +kept the national system, at home, in that position which it held, +immovably, for seven years; perhaps nothing but the august +respectability which his demeanor threw around the American cause +abroad, would have induced a foreign nation to enter into an equal +alliance with us, upon terms that contributed in a most important degree +to our final success, or would have caused Great Britain to feel that no +great indignity was suffered in admitting the claim to national +existence of a people who had such a representative as Washington. What +but the most eminent qualities of mind and feeling--discretion +superhuman--readiness of invention, and dexterity of means, equal to the +most desperate affairs--endurance, self-control, regulated ardor, +restrained passion, caution mingled with boldness, and all the +contrarieties of moral excellence--could have expanded the life of an +individual into a career such as this? + +If we compare him with the great men who were his contemporaries +throughout the nation; in an age of extraordinary personages, Washington +was unquestionably the first man of the time in ability. Review the +correspondence of General Washington--that sublime monument of +intelligence and integrity--scrutinize the public history and the public +men of that era, and you will find that in all the wisdom that was +accomplished was attempted, Washington was before every man in his +suggestions of the plan, and beyond every one in the extent to which he +contributed to its adoption. In the field, all the able generals +acknowledged his superiority, and looked up to him with loyalty, +reliance, and reverence; the others, who doubted his ability, or +conspired against his sovereignty, illustrated, in their own conduct, +their incapacity to be either his judges or his rivals. In the state, +Adams, Jay, Rutledge, Pinckney, Morris--these are great names; but there +is not one whose wisdom does not vail to his. His superiority was felt +by all these persons, and was felt by Washington himself, as a simple +matter of fact, as little a subject of question, or a cause of vanity, +as the eminence of his personal stature. His appointment as +commander-in-chief, was the result of no design on his part, and of no +efforts on the part of his friends; it seemed to take place +spontaneously. He moved into the position, because there was a vacuum +which no other could supply: in it, he was not sustained by government, +by a party, nor by connections; he sustained himself, and then he +sustained every thing else. He sustained Congress against the army, and +the army against the injustice of Congress. The brightest mind among his +contemporaries was Hamilton's; a character which cannot be contemplated +without frequent admiration, and constant affection. His talents took +the form of genius, which Washington's did not. But active, various, and +brilliant, as the faculties of Hamilton were, whether viewed in the +precocity of youth, or in the all-accomplished elegance of maturer +life--lightning quick as his intelligence was to see through every +subject that came before it, and vigorous as it was in constructing the +argumentation by which other minds were to be led, as upon a shapely +bridge, over the obscure depths across which his had flashed in a +moment--fertile and sound in schemes, ready in action, splendid in +display, as he was--nothing is more obvious and certain than that when +Mr. Hamilton approached Washington, he came into the presence of one who +surpassed him in the extent, in the comprehension, the elevation, the +sagacity, the force, and the ponderousness of his mind, as much as he +did in the majesty of his aspect, and the grandeur of his step. The +genius of Hamilton was a flower, which gratifies, surprises, and +enchants; the intelligence of Washington was a stately tree, which in +the rarity and true dignity of its beauty is as superior, as it is in +its dimensions. + +[Illustration: THE GRAVE OF WASHINGTON.] + + + + +WILLIAM HOGARTH. + + +The great comedian in pictorial art forms one of the subjects of Mrs. +Hall's sketches, in the _Pilgrimages to English Shrines_, and we think +her article upon visiting his tomb as interesting as any in this popular +series: + +Hogarth, the great painter-teacher of his age and country, was born in +the parish of St. Bartholomew the Great, in London, on the 10th of +November, 1697, and his trusty and sympathizing biographer, Allan +Cunningham, says, "we have the authority of his own manuscripts for +believing he was baptized on the 28th of the same month;" but the parish +registers have been examined for confirmation with "fruitless +solicitude." Cunningham gives December as the month of his birth; this +is a mistake; so also is his notice of the painter's introduction of the +Virago into his picture of the "Modern Midnight Conversation." No female +figure appears in this subject. It is in the third plate of the "Rake's +Progress" the woman alluded to is introduced. A small critic might here +find a fit subject for vituperation, and loudly condemn Cunningham as a +writer who was too idle to examine the works he was describing; pouncing +on his minute errors, and forgetting the totality of his generous +labors. Much of this spirit infests literature; and merges the kindly +exposition of error into the bitterness of personal attack. The +fallibility of human nature should teach us charity, and our own faults +lead us to "more gently scan our brother man,"--a thing too often +unthought of by those who are nothing if not critical, and as frequently +nothing when they are. The painter was descended from a Westmoreland +family. Sprung from an industrious race of self-helping yeomen, whose +hardy toil brought them health and contentment, Hogarth had an early +advantage, derived from his father's love of letters, which eventually +drew him away from field and wood to the great London mart. Like +thousands of others, he was unsuccessful. Fortunately, in this instance, +his want of success in literature stimulated the strong mind of his son +to seek occupation of more certain profit; and those who feel interest +in the whereabouts of celebrated men, may think upon the days when +William Hogarth wrought in silver, as the apprentice of Ellis Gamble, in +Cranbourne Street, and speculate upon the change of circumstances, +wrought by his own exertions, when, as a great painter, in after time, +he occupied the house, now known as the Sabloniere Hotel, in Leicester +Square. + +Hogarth's character of mind, evidenced in his works and proved by his +biography, is so perfectly honest, open, home-bred English, that we +claim him with pride--as belonging exclusively to England. His +originality is of English growth; his satire broad, bold, fair-play +English. He was no screened assassin of character, either with pen or +pencil; no journalist's hack to stab in secret--concealing his name, or +assuming a forged one; no masked caricaturist, responsible to none. His +philosophy was of the straightforward, clear-sighted English school; his +theories--stern, simple, and unadorned--thoroughly English; his +determination--proved in his love as well as in his hate--quite English; +there is a firmness of purpose, a rough dignity, a John-Bull look in his +broad intelligent face; the very fur round his cap must have been plain +English rabbit-skin! No matter what "schools" were in fashion, Hogarth +created and followed his own; no matter what was done, or said, or +written, Hogarth maintained his opinion unflinchingly; he was not to be +moved or removed from his resolve. His mind was vigorous and inflexible, +and withal, keen and acute; and though the delicacy of his taste in this +more refined age may be matter of question, there can be no doubt as to +his integrity and uprightness of purpose--in his determination to +denounce vice, and by that means cherish virtue. + +Professor Leslie, in his eloquent and valuable Lectures on Painting, +delivered in the spring of the present year to the students of the Royal +Academy, has nobly vindicated Hogarth as an artist and a man, in words +that all who heard will long remember. "Hogarth," he said, "it is true, +is often gross; but it must be remembered that he painted in a less +fastidious age than ours, and that his great object was to expose vice. +_Debauchery is always made by him detestable, never attractive._" +Charles Lamb, one of the best of his commentators, who has viewed his +labors in a kindred spirit, speaking of one of his most elaborate and +varied works, the "Election Entertainment," asks, "What is the result +left on the mind? Is it an impression of the vileness and worthlessness +of our species? Or is not the general feeling which remains after the +individual faces have ceased to act sensibly on the mind, _a kindly one +in favor of the species_?" Leslie speaks of his "high species of humor, +pregnant with moral meanings," and no happier choice of phrase could +characterize his many works. Lamb, with true discrimination, says: "All +laughter is not of a dangerous or soul-hardening tendency. There is the +petrifying sneer of a demon, which excludes and kills love, and there is +the cordial laughter of a man, which implies and cherishes it." + +Hogarth's works are before us all; and are lessons as much for to-day as +they were for yesterday. We have no intention of scrutinizing their +merits or defects; we write only of the influence of a class of art such +as he brought courageously before the English public. Every one is +acquainted with the "Rake's Progress," and can recall subject after +subject, story after story, which he illustrated. Comparatively few can +judge of him as a painter, but all can comprehend his moral +essays--brave as true! + +His fearlessness and earnestness are above all price; independent, in +their high estate, of all praise. We would send "Marriage à la Mode" +into general circulation during the London season, where the market for +wives and husbands is presided over by interest rather than affection. +The matrimonial mart was as bravely exposed by the great satirist, as +the brutal and unmanly cock-fight, which at that period was permitted to +take place at the Cock-pit _Royal_, on the south side of St. James's +Park. + +Society always needs such men as William Hogarth--true, stern men--to +grapple with and overthrow the vices which spring up--the very weeds +both of poverty and luxury,--the latter filled with the more bitter and +subtle poison. Calling to mind the period, we the more honor the great +artist's resolution; if the delicacy of our improved times is offended +by what may seem deformity upon his canvas, we must remember that we do +not shrink from _Hogarth's_ coarseness, but from the coarseness he +labored, by exposing, to expel. He painted what Smollett, and Fielding, +and Richardson wrote far more offensively; but he surpassed the +novelists both in truth and in intention. He painted without +sympathizing with his subjects, whom he lashed with unsparing bitterness +or humor. He never idealized a vice into a virtue--he never compromised +a fact, much less a principle. + +He has, indeed, written fearful sermons on his canvas; sermons which, +however exaggerated they may seem to us in some of their painful details +of human sin and human misery, are yet so real, that we never doubt that +such things _were_, and _are_. No one can suspect Hogarth to have been +tainted by the vices he exposed. In this he has the advantage of the +novelists of his period: he gives vice no loophole of escape: it is +there in its hideous aspect, each step distinctly marked, each character +telling its own tale of warning, so that "he who runs may read." + +Whoever desires to trace the life of this English artist--to note him in +his apprenticeship--when he tamed as well as his rough nature would +permit, his hand to the delicate graving so cherished by his master, +Ellis Gamble; and when freed from his apprenticeship, he sought art +through the stirring scenes of life, saying quaintly enough, that +"copying other men's works resembled pouring wine out of one vessel into +another; there was no increase of quantity, and the flavor of the +vintage was liable to evaporate;"--whoever would study the great, as +well as the small, peculiarities of the painter who converted his +thumb-nail into a palette, and while transcribing characters and events +both rapidly and faithfully, complained of his "constitutional +idleness:"--whenever, we say, our readers feel desirous of revelling in +the biography of so diligent, so observing, so faithful, so brave a +spirit, we should send them to our old friend Allan Cunningham's most +interesting history of the man. Honest Allan had much in common with our +great national artist: though of different countries, they sprung from +the same race--sturdy yeomen; they were alike lovers of independence, +fighting for the best part of life manfully and faithfully enjoying the +noble scorn of wrong, and battling for the right from the cradle to the +grave. Self-educated--that is to say, educated by Nature, which gave and +nourished his high intellect and independent soul--Allan could +comprehend and appreciate the manly bearing and stern self-reliance of +the painter, whose best resources were in himself; thus the biography of +Hogarth is among the finest examples of its class which our language +supplies. Allan's sympathies were with his subject; and his knowledge +also came to his aid: for the poet was thoroughly imbued with a love of +art. + +Allan Cunningham was a better disciplinarian, and less prone to look for +or care for enjoyment, than Hogarth; though we have many pleasant +memories how he truly relished both music and conversation. But there +was more sentiment in the Scottish poet than in the English painter; and +the deep dark eyes of the Scot had more of fervor and less of sarcasm in +their brightness. We repeat, Allan, of all writers, could thoroughly +appreciate Hogarth; and his biography is written _con amore_. He says +that "all who love the dramatic representations of actual life,--all who +have hearts to be gladdened by humor,--all who are pleased with +judicious and well-directed satire,--all who are charmed with the +ludicrous looks of popular folly, and all who can be moved with the +pathos of human suffering, are admirers of Hogarth." But to our +thinking; Hogarth had a calling even more elevated than the Scottish +poet has given him in this eloquent summing-up of his attributes; "he is +one of our greatest teachers--a TEACHER to whom is due the _highest_ +possible honor; and the more we feel the importance of the teacher, the +more we value those who teach well. In grappling with folly and in +combating with crimes, he was compelled to reveal the nature of that he +proposed to satirize; he was obliged to set up sin in its high place +before he could crown it with infamy." The times were full of internal +as well as foreign disturbance, and Hogarth's studio was no hermitage to +exclude passing events or their promoters. He lived with the living, +moving _present_,--his engravings being his pleasures; portraits, as +they are now to many a high-hearted man of talent, his means of +subsistence; heavy weights of mortality that fetter and clog the +ascending spirit. + +His controversies and encounters with the worthless Wilkes,--his defence +of his own theories,--his determined dislike to the establishment of a +Royal Academy--his various other controversies--rendered his exciting +course very different from that of the lonely artists of the present +day, who are but too fond of living in closed studios, "pouring," as +Hogarth would have said,--"pouring wine from one vessel into +another,"--pondering over tales and poems for inspiration, and +transcribing the worn-out models of many seasons into attitudes of +bounding and varied life! Is it not wonderful, as sad, that the artist +will not feel his power, will not take his own place, assume his high +standing as of old, and demand the duty of respect from the world by the +just exercise of his glorious privilege! "Entertainment and information +are not all the mind requires at the hand of an artist; we wish to be +elevated by contemplating what is noble,--to be warmed, by the presence +of the heroic,--and charmed and made happy by the light of purity and +loveliness. We desire to share in the lofty movements of fine minds--to +have communion with their image of what is godlike, and to take a part +in the rapture of their love, and in the ecstasies of all their musings. +This is the chief end of high poetry, of high painting, and high +sculpture; and the man misunderstands the true spirit of those arts who +seeks to deprive them of a portion of their divinity, and argues that +entertainment and information constitute their highest aim." We have +quoted this passage because it expresses our notions of the power of art +more happily than we are able to express it; but we must add that the +_teaching_ as well as the _poetic_ painter has much to complain of from +society; it is impossible to mingle among the "higher classes" without +being struck by their indifference to every phase of British +art,--except portraiture. "Have you been to the Exhibition? Are there +many nice miniatures? are the portraits good? Lady D.'s lace is perfect; +Mrs. A.'s velvet is inimitable." Such observations strike the ear with +painful discord, when the mind is filled with memories of those who are +brave or independent enough to "look forward" with creative genius. +There are many noble exceptions among our aristocracy; but with far too +great a number art is a mere fashion. + +[Illustration: HOGARTH'S HOUSE.] + +As a people, neither our eyes nor our ears are yet opened to its +instructive and elevating faculty. We mistake the outlay of money for an +expenditure of sympathy. + +Hogarth's portraits were almost too faithful to please his sitters: he +was too truthful to flatter, even on canvas; and the wonder is that he +achieved any popularity in this fantastic branch of his art. Allan +Cunningham has said of him, that he regarded neither the historian's +page, nor the poet's song. He was contented with the occurrences of the +passing day, with the folly or the sin of the hour; yet to the garb and +fashion of the moment, he adds story and sentiment for all time. It is +quite delicious to read the excuses Allan makes for the foibles of the +man whose virtues had touched his own generous heart; he confesses with +great _naiveté_ that he looked coldly--"too coldly, perhaps"--on foreign +art, and perhaps too fondly on his own productions; and then adds that, +"where vanity soonest misleads the judgment he thought wisely; he +contemplated his own works, not as things excellent in themselves, but +as the rudiments of future excellence, and looked forward with the hope +that some happier Hogarth would raise, on the foundation he had laid, a +perfect and lasting superstructure." + +We must humbly differ from the poet in this matter; we believe, if the +characteristic cap were removed from that sturdy brow, we should find an +admirable development of the organ of self-esteem. He thought as little +of a future and "happier Hogarth," as he did of the old masters. He was +Monarch of the Present--and he knew it! + +The age we live in talks much about renovation, but it is not a +conservative age; on the contrary, it would pull down Temple Bar, if it +dared, to widen the passage from the Strand into Fleet Street; and it +demolishes houses, shrines of _noble memories_, with a total absence of +respect for what it ought to honor. We never hear of an old house +without a feeling that it is either going to be destroyed or modernized; +and this inevitably leads to a desire to visit it immediately. Having +determined on a drive to Chiswick to make acquaintance with the dwelling +of Hogarth, and look upon his tomb--we became restless until it was +accomplished. + +We had seen, by the courtesy of Mr. Allison, the piano-forte +manufacturer in Dean Street, the residence of Sir James Thornhill, whose +daughter Hogarth married: the proprietor bestows most praiseworthy care +on the house, which was formerly one of considerable extent and +importance. Mr. Allison says there can be little doubt that the grounds +extended into Wardour Street. Once, while removing a chimney-piece in +the drawing-room, a number of cards tumbled out--slips of +playing-cards, with the names of some of the most distinguished persons +of Hogarth's time written on the backs; the residences were also given, +proving that the "gentry" then dwelt where now the poorer classes +congregate. But the most interesting part of the house is the staircase, +with its painted ceiling; the wall of the former is divided into three +compartments, each representing a sort of ball-room back-ground, with +groups of figures life-size, looking down from a balcony; they are well +preserved, and one of the ladies is thought to be a very faithful +portrait of Mrs. Hogarth. Hogarth must have spent some time in that +house:--but we were resolved, despite the repute of its being old and +ugly, to visit his dwelling-place at Chiswick; and though we made the +pilgrimage by a longer _route_ than was necessary, we did not regret +skirting the beautiful plantations of the Duke of Devonshire, nor +enjoying the fragrance of the green meadows, which never seem so green +to us, as in the vale of the Thames. The house is a tall, narrow, +abrupt-looking place, close to the roadside wall of its inclosed garden; +numbers of cottage dwellings for the poor have sprung up around it, but +in Hogarth's day it must have been very isolated: not leading to the +water, as we had imagined, but having a dull and prison-like aspect; if, +indeed, any place can have that aspect where trees grow, and grass is +checkered by their ever-varying shadows. The house was occupied from +1814 to 1832 by Cary, the translator of Dante; and it would be worth a +pilgrimage if considered only as the residence of this truly-excellent +and highly-gifted clergyman. + +[Illustration: ROOM IN HOGARTH'S HOUSE.] + +We have received from his son an interesting note relative to its +features at the period when it came into his father's possession. "The +house," he says, "stands in one corner of a high-walled garden of about +three quarters of an acre, that part of the garden which faced the house +was divided into long, narrow, formal flower-beds. Five large trees, +whose ages bespoke their acquaintance with Hogarth, showed his love of +the beautiful as well as the useful, a mulberry, walnut, apricot, +double-blossomed cherry, and a hawthorn: the last of these was a great +favorite with my father, from its beauty, and the attraction it was to +the nightingale, which never failed to visit it in the spring: the +gardeners were their mortal enemies, and alas, have at length prevailed. +A few years ago, when I went to visit the old place, only one of the +trees remained, (the mulberry seen in our sketch); in a nook at one side +of the garden was a nut-walk, with a high wall and a row of +filbert-trees that arched triumphantly over it; at one end of this walk +was a stone slab, on which Hogarth used to play at nine-pins; at the +other end were the two little tombstones to the memory of a bird and a +dog." The house is as you see it here, the rooms with low ceilings and +all sorts of odd shapes,--up and down, in and out,--yet withal pleasant +and comfortable, and rendered more so by the gentle courtesy of their +mistress and her kindly servant; the very dogs seemed to partake of the +human nature of their protector, and attended us wherever we went, with +more than ordinary civility. Hogarth might have been tempted to +immortalize one of them for its extreme ugliness, and the waggish spirit +with which it pulled at its companion's ears, who in vain attempted to +tug at the bits of stumps that stuck out at either side of its +tormentor's head. Mr. Fairholt was permitted to sketch the drawing room; +the open door leads to the chamber from whence, it is said, Miss +Thornhill eloped with Hogarth. + +Mr. Cary, in the note to which we have already alluded, says, "there can +hardly be a doubt that the house belonged to Sir James Thornhill, and +that Hogarth inherited it from him. Mrs. Hogarth lived there after her +husband's death, and left it by will to a lady from whose executor my +father bought it in the year 1814. The room from which Miss Thornhill is +said to have eloped is the inner room, on the first floor; this room was +used by my father as his study. Over the dining-room fireplace was a +spirited pencil sketch of five heads, and under them written 'five jolly +fellows,' by Hogarth--during an absence the servants of a tenant +carefully washed all out." + +We can easily imagine how the union between Hogarth and his daughter, +commenced after such a fashion, outraged not only the courtliness, but +the higher and better feelings of Sir James Thornhill. Hogarth's innate +consciousness of power may at that time have appeared to him vulgar +effrontery; and it is not to be wondered at, that, until convinced of +his talent, he refused him all assistance. There is something so false +and wrong in the concealment that precedes an elopement, and the +elopement of an only child from an aged father, that we marvel how any +one can treat lightly the outraged feelings of a confiding parent. +Earnest tender love so deeply rooted in a father's heart may pardon, but +cannot reach forgetfulness as quickly as it is the custom of +play-writers and novelists to tell us it may do. + +Sir James Thornhill was greatly the fashion; he was the successor of +Verrio, and the rival of La Guerre, in the decorations of our palaces +and public buildings. His demands for the painting of Greenwich Hall +were contested; and though La Fosse received two thousand pounds for his +works at Montague House, besides other allowances, Sir James, despite +his dignity as Member of Parliament for his native town of Weymouth, +could obtain but forty shillings a square yard for painting the cupola +of St. Paul's! Thus the patronage afforded "native talent" kept him +poor; and though it must have been necessary (one of the cruel +necessities induced by love of display in England), to have an +establishment suited to his public position in London, nothing could be +more unpretending than his _ménage_ at Chiswick. Mrs. Hogarth, advised +by her mother, skilfully managed to let her father see one of her +husband's best productions under advantageous circumstances. Sir James +acknowledged its merit at once, exclaiming, "Very well! very well! The +man who can make works like this can maintain a wife without a portion;" +and soon after became not only reconciled, but generous to the young +people. Hogarth had tasted the bitterness of labor; he had even worked +for booksellers, and painted portraits!--so that this summer brightness +must have been full of enjoyment. He appreciated it thoroughly, and was +ever the earnest admirer and the ready defender of Sir James Thornhill; +thus the old knight secured a friend in his son; and it was pleasanter +to think of the hours of reconciliation and happiness they might have +passed within the walls of that inclosed garden, beneath the crumbling +trellice, or the shadow of the old mulberry tree, than of the +fortuneless artist wooing the confiding daughter from her home and her +filial duties. + +[Illustration: HOGARTH'S PAINTING-ROOM.] + +We were invited to inspect Hogarth's painting-room--a mere loft, of most +limited dimensions, over the stable, which the imagination could easily +furnish with the necessary easel, or still less cumbrous graver's +implements. It is situated at the furthest part of the garden from the +house; a small door in the garden-wall leads into a little inclosure, +one side of which is occupied by the stable. The painting-room is over +the stable, and is reached by a stair; it has but one window which looks +towards the road. It must have been sufficiently commodious for +Hogarth's purposes; but possesses not the conveniences of modern +painting-rooms. The house at Chiswick could only have been a place for +recreation and repose, where relaxation was cared for, and where +sketches were prepared to ripen into publication. + +There are traditions about Chiswick of Hogarth having, while studying +and taking notes, frequented a little inn by the roadside, and almost +within sight of his dwelling. It has been modernized throughout--and +supplies no subject for the pencil--yet it retains some indications, not +without interest, of a remote date. The Painter must have been familiar +with every class of character; and Chiswick was then enough of a country +village to supply him amply with material. But, although a keen +satirist, it is certain that he had as much tenderness for the lower +orders of creation, as a young loving girl. In a corner of this quaint +old garden, two tiny monuments are affixed to the wall, one chiselled +perhaps by Hogarth's own hand, to the memory of his canary bird! The +_thinking_ character of the painter's mind is evidenced in this as in +every thing he did--the engraving on the tomb suggesting reflection. +Charles Lamb said of him truly, that the quantity of _thought_ which he +crowded into every picture, would alone "_unvulgarize_" every subject he +might choose; and the refined Coleridge exclaims, "Hogarth! in whom the +satirist never extinguished that love of beauty which belonged to him as +a poet." There is something inexpressibly tender and touching in this +memento of his affection for a little singing bird: the feeling must +have been entirely his own, for he had no child to suggest the tribute +to a feathered favorite. The tomb was afterwards accompanied with one to +Mrs. Hogarth's dog. They are narrow, upright pieces of white stone laid +against the brick-wall, but they are records of gentle and generous +sympathies not to be overlooked. That Hogarth was more than on friendly +terms with the canine race, the introduction of his own dog into his +portrait clearly tells, and doubtless his bird often brought with its +music visions of the country into the heat and dust of Leicester +Square--soothing away much of his impatience. Men who have to fight the +up-hill battle of life, must have energy and determination; and Hogarth +was too out-spoken and self-confident not to have made many enemies. In +after years his success (limited though it was, in a pecuniary point of +view, for he died without leaving enough to support his widow +respectably), produced its ordinary results--envy and enmity: and +insults were heaped upon him. He was not tardy of reply, but Wilkes and +Churchill were in strong health when nature was giving way with the +great painter; an advantage they did not fail to use with their +accustomed malignity. The profligate Churchill, turning the poet's +nature into gall, infested the death-bed of Hogarth with unfeeling +sarcasm, anticipating the grave, and exulting over a dying man. + +[Illustration: TOMBS OF DOG AND BIRD.] + +Hogarth, warned by the autumn winds, and suffering from the restlessness +of approaching dissolution, left Chiswick on the 25th of October, 1764, +and returned to his residence in Leicester Square. He was cheerful--in +full possession of his mental faculties, but lacked the vigor to exert +them. The very next day, having received an agreeable letter from Doctor +Franklin, he wrote a rough copy of his answer, but exhausted with the +effort, retired to bed. Seized by a sudden sickness, he arose--rung the +bell with alarming violence--and within two hours expired! + +Of all the villages in the neighborhood of London, rising from the banks +of the Thames, (and how numerous and beautiful they are!) few are so +well known as that of Chiswick. The horticultural fêtes are anticipated +with anxiety similar to that our grandmothers felt for the fêtes of +Ranelagh; the _toilettes_ of the ladies rival the flowers, and the only +foe to the fascinating fair ones is the weather; but all which the crowd +care about in Chiswick is confined to the "Duke's grounds" and the +Society's Gardens. The Duke's beautiful little villa, erected by the +last Earl of Burlington, is indeed a shrine worthy of deep homage; +within its walls both Charles James Fox and George Canning breathed +their last; and if, for a moment, we recall the times of Civil War, when +each honest English heart fought bravely and openly for what was +believed "the right," we may picture the struggle between Prince Rupert +and the Earl of Essex, terminating with doubtful success, for eight +hundred high born cavaliers were left dead on the plain that lies within +sight of the gardens so richly perfumed by flowers, and echoing not to +the searching trumpet or rolling drum, but to the gossamer music of +Strauss and Jullien. + +The Duke of Devonshire's grounds, containing about ninety acres, are +filled with mementos, pleasant to the eye and suggestive to the +imagination; but we must seek and find a more solemn scene, where the +churchyard of Chiswick incloses the ashes of some whose names are +written upon the pages of History. Though the church is, in a degree, +surrounded by houses, there is much of the repose of "a country +churchyard" about it; the Thames belts it with its silver girdle, and +when we visited its sanctuary, the setting sun cast a mellow light upon +the windows of the church, touching a headstone or an urn, while the +shadows trembled on the undulating graves. Like all church-yards it is +crowded, and however reverently we bent our footsteps, it was impossible +to avoid treading on the soft grass of the humble grave, or the gray +stone that marks the resting-place of one of "the better order." + +[Illustration: HOGARTH'S TOMB.] + +How like the world was that silent churchyard! High and low, rich and +poor, mingled together, and yet avoiding to mingle. The dust of the +imperious Duchess of Cleveland found here a grave; while here too, as if +to contrast the pure with the impure, repose the ashes of Mary, daughter +of Oliver Cromwell; Holland the actor, the friend of David Garrick, here +cast aside his "motley." Can we wonder at the actor's love of +applause?--posterity knows him not; present fame alone is his--the +lark's song leaves no record in the air!--Lord Macartney, the famous +ambassador to China, a country of which our knowledge was then almost as +dim as that we have of the moon--the ambassador rests here, while a +Chinese junk is absolutely moored in the very river that murmurs beside +his grave! Surely the old place is worthy of a pilgrimage. Loutherbourg, +the painter, found a resting-place in its churchyard. Ralph, the +historian and political writer, whose histories and politics are now as +little read as the Dunciad which held them up to ridicule, is buried +here; and confined as is the space, it is rich in epitaphs,--three are +from the pen of David Garrick, two from that of Arthur Murphy. + +Hogarth's monument has been very faithfully copied by Mr. Fairholt. + +It is remarkable among the many plainer "stones" with which the +churchyard is crowded, but is by no means distinguished for that +artistic character--which it might have received as covering the remains +of so great an artist. A small slab, in relief, takes from it, however, +the charge of insipidity; it contains a comic mask, an oak branch, +pencils and mahl-stick, a book and a scroll, and the palette, marked +with the "line of beauty." + +It has been remarked, that "while he faithfully followed nature through +all her varieties, and exposed, with inimitable skill, the infinite +follies and vices of the world, he was in himself an example of many +virtues." And the following poetical tribute by David Garrick is +inscribed on the tomb: + + "Farewell! great painter of mankind, + Who reached the noblest point of Art; + Whose pictured morals charm the mind, + And through the eye correct the heart + If Genius fire thee, reader, stay; + If Nature touch thee, drop a tear; + If neither move thee, turn away, + For Hogarth's honored dust lies here!" + +Dr. Johnson also composed an epitaph, which Cunningham considers "more +to the purpose, but still unworthy:" + + "The hand of him here torpid lies, + That drew the essential forms of grace; + Here closed in death the attentive eyes + That saw the manners in the face." + +The tributes--in poetry and prose--are just, examine the works of this +great painter-teacher as closely and suspiciously as we may, we can +discover nothing that will induce a momentary doubt of his integrity of +purpose in all he did; his shafts were aimed at Vice,--in no solitary +instance was he ever guilty of arraigning or assailing Virtue. Compare +him with the most famous of the Dutch masters, and he rises into glory; +coarseness and vulgarity in them had no point out of which could come +instruction. If they picture the issues of their own minds, they must +have been gross and sensual; they ransacked the muck of life, and the +grovelling in character, for themes that one should see only by +compulsion. But Hogarth's subjects were never without a lesson, and, +inasmuch as he resorted for them to the open volume of humanity, like +those of the most immortal of our writers, his works are "not for an age +but for all time." + +[Illustration] + + + + +NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE. + +[Illustration] + + +The author of _The House of Seven Gables_ is now about forty-five years +of age. He was born in Salem, Massachusetts, and is of a family which +for several generations has "followed the sea." Among his ancestors, I +believe, was the "bold Hawthorne," who is celebrated in a revolutionary +ballad as commander of the "Fair American." He was educated at Bowdoin +College in Maine, where he graduated in 1825. + +Probably he appeared in print before that time, but his earliest volume +was an anonymous and never avowed romance which was published in Boston +in 1832. It attracted little attention, but among those who read it with +a just appreciation of the author's genius was Mr. S. G. Goodrich, who +immediately secured the shrouded star for _The Token_, of which he was +editor, and through which many of Hawthorne's finest tales and essays +were originally given to the public. He published in 1837 the first and +in 1842 the second volume of his _Twice-Told Tales_, embracing whatever +he wished to preserve from his contributions to the magazines; in 1845 +he edited _The Journal of an African Cruiser_; in 1846 published _Mosses +from an Old Manse_, a second collection of his magazine papers; in 1850 +_The Scarlet Letter_, and in the last month the longest and in some +respects the most remarkable of his works, _The House of Seven Gables_. + +In the introductions to the _Mosses from an Old Manse_ and _The Scarlet +Letter_ we have some glimpses of his personal history. He had been +several years in the Custom-House at Boston, while Mr. Bancroft was +collector, and afterwards had joined that remarkable association, the +"Brook Farm Community," at West Roxbury, where, with others, he appears +to have been reconciled to the old ways, as quite equal to the +inventions of Fourier, St. Simon, Owen, and the rest of that ingenious +company of schemers who have been so intent upon a reconstruction of the +foundations of society. In 1843, he went to reside in the pleasant +village of Concord, in the "Old Manse," which had never been profaned by +a lay occupant until he entered it as his home. In the introduction to +_The Mosses_ he says: + + "A priest had built it; a priest had succeeded to it; other + priestly men, from time to time, had dwelt in it; and children, + born in its chambers, had grown up to assume the priestly + character. It was awful to reflect how many sermons must have + been written there. The latest inhabitant alone--he, by whose + translation to Paradise the dwelling was left vacant--had + penned nearly three thousand discourses, besides the better, if + not the greater number, that gushed living from his lips. How + often, no doubt, had he paced to and fro along the avenue, + attuning his meditations, to the sighs and gentle murmurs, and + deep and solemn peals of the wind, among the lofty tops of the + trees! In that variety of natural utterances, he could find + something accordant with every passage of his sermon, were it + of tenderness or reverential fear. The boughs over my head + seemed shadowy with solemn thoughts, as well as with rustling + leaves. I took shame to myself for having been so long a + writer of idle stories, and ventured to hope that wisdom would + descend upon me with the falling leaves of the avenue; and that + I should light upon an intellectual treasure, in the Old Manse, + well worth those hoards of long-hidden gold, which people seek + for in moss-grown houses. Profound treatises of morality--a + layman's unprofessional, and therefore unprejudiced views of + religion;--histories (such as Bancroft might have written, had + he taken up his abode here, as he once purposed), bright with + picture, gleaming over a depth of philosophic thought;--these + were the works that might fitly have flowed from such a + retirement. In the humblest event, I resolved at least to + achieve a novel, that should evolve some deep lesson, and + should possess physical substance enough to stand alone. In + furtherance of my design, and as if to leave me no pretext for + not fulfilling it, there was, in the rear of the house, the + most delightful little nook of a study that ever offered its + snug seclusion to a scholar. It was here that Emerson wrote + 'Nature;' for he was then an inhabitant of the Manse, and used + to watch the Assyrian dawn and the Paphian sunset and moonrise, + from the summit of our eastern hill. When I first saw the room, + its walls were blackened with the smoke of unnumbered years, + and made still blacker by the grim prints of puritan ministers + that hung around. These worthies looked strangely like bad + angels, or, at least, like men who had wrestled so continually + and so sternly with the devil, that somewhat of his sooty + fierceness had been imparted to their own visages. They had all + vanished now; a cheerful coat of paint, and gold tinted paper + hangings, lighted up the small apartment; while the shadow of a + willow-tree, that swept against the overhanging eaves, + attempered the cheery western sunshine. In place of the grim + prints there was the sweet and lovely head of one of Raphael's + Madonnas, and two pleasant little pictures of the Lake of Como. + The only other decorations were a purple vase of flowers, + always fresh, and a bronze one containing graceful ferns. My + books (few, and by no means choice; for they were chiefly such + waifs as chance had thrown in my way) stood in order about the + room, seldom to be disturbed." + +In his home at Concord, thus happily described, in the midst of a few +congenial friends, Hawthorne passed three years; and, "in a spot so +sheltered from the turmoil of life's ocean," he says, "three years +hasten away with a noiseless flight, as the breezy sunshine chases the +cloud-shadows across the depths of a still valley." But at length his +repose was invaded by that "spirit of improvement," which is so +constantly marring the happiness of quiet-loving people, and he was +compelled to look out for another residence. + + "Now came hints, growing more and more distinct, that the owner + of the old house was pining for his native air. Carpenters next + appeared, making a tremendous racket among the outbuildings, + strewing green grass with pine shavings and chips of chesnut + joists, and vexing the whole antiquity of the place with their + discordant renovations. Soon, moreover, they divested our abode + of the veil of woodbine which had crept over a large portion of + its southern face. All the aged mosses were cleared unsparingly + away; and there were horrible whispers about brushing up the + external walls with a coat of paint--a purpose as little to my + taste as might be that of rouging the venerable cheeks of one's + grandmother. But the hand that renovates is always more + sacrilegious than that which destroys. In fine, we gathered up + our household goods, drank a farewell cup of tea in our + pleasant little breakfast-room--delicately-fragrant tea, an + unpurchasable luxury, one of the many angel-gifts that had + fallen like dew upon us--and passed forth between the tall + stone gate-posts, as uncertain as the wandering Arabs where our + tent might next be pitched. Providence took me by the hand, + and--an oddity of dispensation which, I trust, there is no + irreverence in smiling at--has led me, as the newspapers + announce while I am writing, from the old Manse into a Custom + House! As a story-teller, I have often contrived strange + vicissitudes for my imaginary personages, but none like this. + The treasure of intellectual gold which I had hoped to find in + our secluded dwelling, had never come to light. No profound + treatise of ethics--no philosophic history--no novel, even, + that could stand unsupported on its edges--all that I had to + show, as a man of letters, were these few tales and essays, + which had blossomed out like flowers in the calm summer of my + heart and mind." + +The _Mosses from an Old Manse_ he declared the last offering of their +kind he should ever put forth; "unless I can do better," he wrote in +this Introduction, "I have done enough in this kind." He went to his +place in the Custom House, in his native city, and if President Taylor's +advisers had not been apprehensive that in his devotion to ledgers he +would neglect the more important duties of literature, perhaps we should +have heard no more of him; but those patriotic men, remembering how much +they had enjoyed the reading of the _Twice-Told Tales_ and the _Mosses_, +induced the appointment in his place of a whig, who had no capacity for +making books, and in the spring of last year we had _The Scarlet +Letter_. + +Like most of his shorter stories, The Scarlet Letter finds its scene and +time with the earlier Puritans. Its argument involves the analysis and +action of remorse in the heart of a person who, himself unsuspected, is +compelled to assist in the punishment of the partner of his guilt. This +peculiar and powerful fiction at once arrested attention, and claimed +for its author the eminence as a novelist which his previous +performances had secured for him as a writer of tales. Its whole +atmosphere and the qualities of its characters demanded for a creditable +success very unusual capacities. The frivolous costume and brisk action +of the story of fashionable life are easily depicted by the practised +sketcher, but a work like The Scarlet Letter comes slowly upon the +canvas, where passions are commingled and overlaid with the deliberate +and masterly elaboration with which the grandest effects are produced in +pictorial composition and coloring. It is a distinction of such works +that while they are acceptable to the many, they also surprise and +delight the few who appreciate the nicest arrangement and the most high +and careful finish. The Scarlet Letter will challenge consideration in +the name of Art, in the best audience which in any age receives +Cervantes, Le Sage, or Scott. + +Following this romance came new editions of _True Stories from History +and Biography_, a volume for youthful readers, and of the _Twice-Told +Tales_. In the preface to the latter, underrating much the reputation he +has acquired by them, he says: + + "The author of _Twice-Told Tales_ has a claim to one + distinction, which, as none of his literary brethren will care + about disputing it with him, he need not be afraid to mention. + He was for a good many years the obscurest man of letters in + America. These stories were published in magazines and annuals, + extending over a period of ten or twelve years, and comprising + the whole of the writer's young manhood, without making (so far + as he has ever been aware) the slightest impression on the + public. One or two among them, the _Rill from the Town Pump_, + in perhaps a greater degree than any other, had a pretty wide + newspaper circulation; as for the rest, he has no grounds for + supposing that on their first appearance they met with the good + or evil fortune to be read by any body. Throughout the time + above specified he had no incitement to literary effort in a + reasonable prospect of reputation or profit; nothing but the + pleasure itself of composition--an enjoyment not at all amiss + in its way, and perhaps essential to the merit of the work in + hand, but which, in the long run, will hardly keep the chill + out of a writer's heart, or the numbness out of his fingers. To + this total lack of sympathy, at the age when his mind would + naturally have been most effervescent, the public owe it (and + it is certainly an effect not to be regretted, on either part), + that the author can show nothing for the thought and industry + of that portion of his life, save the forty sketches, or + thereabouts, included in these volumes. Much more, indeed, he + wrote; and some very small part of it might yet be rummaged out + (but it would not be worth the trouble) among the dingy pages + of fifteen or twenty year old periodicals, or within the shabby + morocco covers of faded Souvenirs. The remainder of the works + alluded to had a very brief existence, but, on the score of + brilliancy, enjoyed a fate vastly superior to that of their + brotherhood, which succeeded in getting through the press. In a + word, the author burned them without mercy or remorse, and, + moreover, without any subsequent regret, and had more than one + occasion to marvel that such very dull stuff as he knew his + condemned manuscripts to be, should yet have possessed + inflammability enough to set the chimney on fire!... + + "As he glances over these long-forgotten pages, and considers + his way of life while composing them, the author can very + clearly discern why all this was so. After so many sober years, + he would have reason to be ashamed if he could not criticise + his own work as fairly as another man's; and, though it is + little his business and perhaps still less his interest, he can + hardly resist a temptation to achieve something of the sort. If + writers were allowed to do so, and would perform the task with + perfect sincerity and unreserve, their opinions of their own + productions would often be more valuable and instructive than + the works themselves. At all events, there can be no harm in + the author's remarking that he rather wonders how the + _Twice-Told Tales_ should have gained what vogue they did, than + that it was so little and so gradual. They have the pale tint + of flowers that blossomed in too retired a shade--the coolness + of a meditative habit, which diffuses itself through the + feeling and observation of every sketch. Instead of passion, + there is sentiment; and, even in what purport to be pictures of + actual life, we have allegory, not always so warmly dressed in + its habiliments of flesh and blood as to be taken into the + reader's mind without a shiver. Whether from lack of power or + an unconquerable reserve, the author's touches have often an + effect of tameness; the merriest man can hardly contrive to + laugh at his broadest humor, the tenderest woman, one would + suppose, will hardly shed warm tears at his deepest pathos. The + book, if you would see any thing in it, requires to be read in + the clear, brown, twilight atmosphere in which it was written; + if opened in the sunshine, it is apt to look exceedingly like a + volume of blank pages.... + + "The author would regret to be understood as speaking sourly or + querulously of the slight mark made by his earlier literary + efforts on the public at large. It is so far the contrary, that + he has been moved to write this preface, chiefly as affording + him an opportunity to express how much enjoyment he has owed to + these volumes, both before and since their publication. They + are the memorials of very tranquil, and not unhappy years. They + failed, it is true--nor could it have been otherwise--in + winning an extensive popularity. Occasionally, however, when he + deemed them entirely forgotten, a paragraph or an article, from + a native or foreign critic, would gratify his instincts of + authorship with unexpected praise,--too generous praise, + indeed, and too little alloyed with censure, which, therefore, + he learned the better to inflict upon himself. And, by-the-by, + it is a very suspicious symptom of a deficiency of the popular + element in a book, when it calls forth no harsh criticism. This + has been particularly the fortune of the _Twice-Told Tales_. + They made no enemies, and were so little known and talked + about, that those who read, and chanced to like them, were apt + to conceive the sort of kindness for the book, which a person + naturally feels for a discovery of his own. This kindly feeling + (in some cases, at least) extended to the author, who, on the + internal evidence of his sketches, came to be regarded as a + mild, shy, gentle, melancholic, exceedingly sensitive, and not + very forcible man, hiding his blushes under an assumed name, + the quaintness of which was supposed, somehow or other, to + symbolize his personal and literary traits. He is by no means + certain that some of his subsequent productions have not been + influenced and modified by a natural desire to fill up so + amiable an outline, and to act in consonance with the character + assigned to him; nor, even now, could he forfeit it without a + few tears of tender sensibility. To conclude, however,--these + volumes have opened the way to most agreeable associations, and + to the formation of imperishable friendships; and there are + many golden threads, interwoven with his present happiness, + which he can follow up more or less directly, until he finds + their commencement here; so that his pleasant pathway among + realities seems to proceed out of the Dream-Land of his youth, + and to be bordered with just enough of its shadowy foliage to + shelter him from the heat of the day. He is therefore + satisfied with what the _Twice-Told Tales_ have done for him, + and feels it to be far better than fame." + +That there should be any truth in this statement that the public was so +slow to recognize so fine a genius, is a mortifying evidence of the +worthlessness of a literary popularity. But it may be said of +Hawthorne's fame that it has grown steadily, and that while many who +have received the turbulent applause of the multitude since he began his +career are forgotten, it has widened and brightened, until his name is +among the very highest in his domain of art, to shine there with a +lustre equally serene and enduring. + +Mr. Hawthorne's last work is _The House of Seven Gables_, a romance of +the present day. It is not less original, not less striking, not less +powerful, than The Scarlet Letter. We doubt indeed whether he has +elsewhere surpassed either of the three strongly contrasted characters +of the book. An innocent and joyous child-woman, Phoebe Pyncheon, +comes from a farm-house into the grand and gloomy old mansion where her +distant relation, Hepzibah Pyncheon, an aristocratical and fearfully +ugly but kind-hearted unmarried woman of sixty, is just coming down from +her faded state to keep in one of her drawing-rooms a small shop, that +she may be able to maintain an elder brother who is every moment +expected home from a prison to which in his youth he had been condemned +unjustly, and in the silent solitude of which he has kept some +lineaments of gentleness while his hair has grown white, and a sense of +beauty while his brain has become disordered and his heart has been +crushed and all present influences of beauty have been quite shut out. +The House of Seven Gables is the purest piece of imagination in our +prose literature. + +The characteristics of Hawthorne which first arrest the attention are +imagination and reflection, and these are exhibited in remarkable power +and activity in tales and essays, of which the style is distinguished +for great simplicity, purity and tranquillity. His beautiful story of +Rappacini's Daughter was originally published in the Democratic Review, +as a translation from the French of one M. de l'Aubépine, a writer whose +very name, he remarks in a brief introduction, (in which he gives in +French the titles of some of his tales, as _Contes deux foix racontées_, +_Le Culte du Feu,_ etc.) "is unknown to many of his countrymen, as well +as to the student of foreign literature." He describes himself, under +this _nomme de plume_, as one who-- + + "Seems to occupy an unfortunate position between the + transcendentalists (who under one name or another have their + share in all the current literature of the world), and the + great body of pen-and-ink men who address the intellect and + sympathies of the multitude. If not too refined, at all events + too remote, too shadowy and unsubstantial, in his mode of + development, to suit the taste of the latter class, and yet too + popular to a satisfy the spiritual or metaphysical requisitions + of the former, he must necessarily find himself without an + audience, except here and there an individual, or possibly an + isolated clique." + +His writings, to do them justice, he says-- + + "Are not altogether destitute of fancy and originality; they + might have won him greater reputation but for an inveterate + love of allegory, which is apt to invest his plots and + characters with the aspect of scenery and people in the clouds, + and to steal away the human warmth out of his conceptions. His + fictions are sometimes historical, sometimes of the present + day, and sometimes, so far as can be discovered, have little or + no reference either to time or space. In any case, he generally + contents himself with a very slight embroidery of outward + manners,--the faintest possible counterfeit of real life,--and + endeavors to create an interest by some less obvious + peculiarity of the subject. Occasionally a breath of nature, a + rain-drop of pathos and tenderness, or a gleam of humor, will + find its way into the midst of his fantastic imagery, and make + us feel as if, after all, we were yet within the limits of our + native earth. We will only add to this cursory notice, that M. + de l'Aubépine's productions, if the reader chance to take them + in precisely the proper point of view, may amuse a leisure hour + as well as those of a brighter man; if otherwise, they can + hardly fail to look excessively like nonsense." + +Hawthorne is as accurately as he is happily described in this curious +piece of criticism, though no one who takes his works in the "proper +point of view," will by any means agree to the modest estimate which, in +the perfect sincerity of his nature, he has placed upon them. He is +original, in invention, construction, and expression, always +picturesque, and sometimes in a high degree dramatic. His favorite +scenes and traditions are those of his own country, many of which he has +made classical by the beautiful associations that he has thrown around +them. Every thing to him is suggestive, as his own pregnant pages are to +the congenial reader. All his productions are life-mysteries, +significant of profound truths. His speculations, often bold and +striking, are presented with singular force, but with such a quiet grace +and simplicity as not to startle until they enter in and occupy the +mind. The gayety with which his pensiveness is occasionally broken, +seems more than any thing else in his works to have cost some effort. +The gentle sadness, the "half-acknowledged melancholy," of his manner +and reflections, are more natural and characteristic. + +His style is studded with the most poetical imagery, and marked in every +part with the happiest graces of expression, while it is calm, chaste, +and flowing, and transparent as water. There is a habit among nearly all +the writers of imaginative literature, of adulterating the conversations +of the poor with barbarisms and grammatical blunders which have no more +fidelity than elegance. Hawthorne's integrity as well as his +exquisite--taste prevented him from falling into this error. There is +not in the world a large rural population that speaks its native +language with a purity approaching that with which the English is spoken +by the common people of New England. The vulgar words and phrases which +in other states are supposed to be peculiar to this part of the country +are unknown east of the Hudson, except to the readers of foreign +newspapers, or the listeners to low comedians who find it profitable to +convey such novelties into Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont. We +are glad to see a book that is going down to the next ages as a +representative of national manners and character in all respects +correct. + +Nathaniel Hawthorne is among the first of the first order of our +writers, and in their peculiar province his works are not excelled in +the literature of the present day or of the English language. + + + + +YEAST: A PROBLEM. + + +The Rev. Mr. KINGSLEY, author of _Alton Locke_, has collected into a +book the series of vehement and yeasty papers which have appeared from +his pen in _Fraser's Magazine_ under the above title, and a new impulse +is thus given in England to the discussion of the Problem of Society. +The declared object of the work--which is of the class of philosophical +novels--is to exhibit the miseries of the poor; the conventionalisms, +hypocrisies, and feebleness of the rich; the religious doubts of the +strong, and the miserable delusions and superstitions of the weak; the +mammon-worship of the middling and upper classes, and the angry humility +of the masses. The story is very slight, but sufficient for the +effective presentation of the author's opinions. The best characters are +an Irish parson, a fox-hunting squire and his commonplace worldly wife, +and a thoughtless and reckless but not unkind man of the world. Here is +a sketch of a commonplace old English vicar, such as has been familiar +in the pages of novels and essays time out of mind: + + "He told me, hearing me quote Schiller, to beware of the + Germans, for they were all Pantheists at heart. I asked him + whether he included Lange and Bunsen, and it appeared that he + had never read a German book in his life. He then flew + furiously at Mr. Carlyle, and I found that all he knew of him + was from a certain review in the _Quarterly_. He called Boëhmen + a theosophic Atheist. I should have burst out at that, had I + not read the very words in a High Church review, the day + before, and hoped that he was not aware of the impudent + falsehood which he was retailing. Whenever I feebly interposed + an objection to any thing he said (for, after all he talked + on), he told me to hear the Catholic Church. I asked him which + Catholic Church? He said the English. I asked him whether it + was to be the Church of the sixth century, or the thirteenth, + or the seventeenth, or the eighteenth? He told me the one and + eternal Church, which belonged as much to the nineteenth + century as to the first. I begged to know whether, then, I was + to hear the Church according to Simeon, or according to Newman, + or according to St. Paul; for they seemed to me a little at + variance? He told me, austerely enough, that the mind of the + Church was embodied in her Liturgy and Articles. To which I + answered, that the mind of the episcopal clergy might, perhaps, + be; but, then, how happened it that they were always quarreling + and calling hard names about the sense of those very documents? + And so I left him, assuring him that living in the nineteenth + century, I wanted to hear the Church of the nineteenth century, + and no other; and should be most happy to listen to her, as + soon as she had made up her mind what to say." + +English travellers in America give very minute accounts of the bad +grammar and questionable pronunciation they sometimes hear among our +common people: with what advantage they might go into the rural +neighborhoods of their own country for exhibitions in this line is shown +by the following description of a scene in a booth, which one of the +characters of Mr. Kingsley enters at night: + + "Sadder and sadder, Lancelot tried to listen to the + conversation of the men around him. To his astonishment he + hardly understood a word of it. It was half articulate, nasal, + guttural, made up almost entirely of vowels, like the speech of + savages. He had never before been struck with the significant + contrast between the sharp, clearly-defined articulation, the + vivid and varied tones of the gentleman, or even of the London + street-boy, when compared with the coarse, half-formed growls, + as of a company of seals, which he heard round him. That single + fact struck him perhaps more deeply than any; it connected + itself with many of physiological fancies; it was the parent of + many thoughts and plans of his after-life. Here and there he + could distinguish a half sentence. An old shrunken man opposite + him was drawing figures in the spilt beer with his pipestem, + and discoursing of the glorious times before the great war, + 'when there was more food than there were mouths, and more work + than there hands.' 'Poor human nature,' thought Lancelot, as he + tried to follow one of those unintelligible discussions about + the relative prices of the loaf and the bushel of flour, which + ended, as usual, in more swearing and more quarreling, and more + beer to make it up: 'poor human nature! always looking back, as + the German sage says, to some fancied golden age, never looking + forward to the real one which is coming." + +The descriptive powers of the author are illustrated in many fine +passages, of which this delineation of an English day in March will +serve as a specimen: + + "A silent, dim, distanceless, steaming, rotting day in March. + The last brown oak-leaf, which had stood out the winter's + frost, spun and quivered plump down, and then lay, as if + ashamed to have broken for a moment the ghastly stillness, like + an awkward guest at a great dumb dinner-party. A cold suck of + wind just proved its existence, by toothaches on the north side + of all faces. The spiders, having been weather-be-witched the + night before, had unanimously agreed to cover every brake and + brier with gossamer-cradles, and never a fly to be caught in + them; like Manchester cotton-spinners madly glutting the + markets in the teeth of 'no demand.' The steam crawled out of + the dank turf, and reeked off the flanks and nostrils of the + shivering horses, and clung with clammy paws to frosted hats + and dripping boughs. A soulless, skyless, catarrhal day, as if + that bustling dowager, old mother Earth--what with + match-making in spring, and _fêtes champetres_ in summer, and + dinner-giving in autumn--was fairly worn out, and put to bed + with the influenza, under wet blankets and the cold-water + cure." + +"Yeast," says the _Spectator_, "may be looked at as a series of +sketches, loosely strung together, descriptive of palpable social evils +in the mass, and of metaphysical broodings among the more thoughtful +youth; a struggle which perhaps is always taking place, and which is no +further distinctive of the present age than the form that is given by +our intellectual and religious activity. The origin of evil, its +presence in the world, what man was made for, what he struggles for, +what becomes of him, have been questions that excited the speculative of +all ages, taking various channels according to the circumstances of the +time. Considered from this point of view, as a life-like picture of the +heavings of the mass, and the mental fermentation going on among +individuals--of the _yeast_ of society--the book displays great ability, +and challenges careful attention. It is powerful, earnest, feeling, and +eloquent; the production of a man acquainted with society, who has +looked closely upon its various classes, and has the power of reading +the signs of the times. He has a truthful vigor of description, a +rhetorical rather than a dramatic power; or he sacrifices the latter to +his habit of expressing his opinions in dialogue, where the author talks +rather than the dramatis personæ. There is a genial warmth of feeling in +the book, and wide human sympathies, but with a tendency to extremes in +statement and opinion--a disposition to deepen the shadows of English +life; for go where the author would, pictures quite as bad or worse may +be drawn of the condition of mankind, from the 'noble savage,' the beau +ideal of Rousseau, to the educated 'Prussian,' who was within a little +while the model man of a certain school of philosophers." + + + + +THE LITTLENESS OF A GREAT PEOPLE. + + +The future historians of this age will have to record no more mortifying +illustration of the difficulties which in a republic prevent the success +of great ideas than that which is presented in the case of Mr. Whitney, +who early in the last month sailed for England. We transcribe with +especial approval the following paragraphs respecting him and his +labors, from the _Tribune_: + + "If we are not mistaken, it is now nearly ten years since Mr. + Whitney first devoted himself to his great project, and he has + pursued it with a force of purpose, an intelligent apprehension + of all its bearings and consequences upon the world, a nobility + of ambition, and a sustained, intellectual enthusiasm which + belongs to the rarest and most admirable characters. We do not + know in any country a man in whom great intellectual and + practical elements are more happily combined. It is not with + the warm partiality of private friendship that we thus speak of + Mr. Whitney, for, like all men of ideas, and all of nature + positive and deep enough to have a special mission in the + world, he puts others into relation with the thoughts which + engage him rather than with his own personality, and you become + intimate with them, not with him. A native, as we believe, of + Connecticut, brought up to business in this city, where he + acquired a competence, having conceived the idea of a vaster + and more inspiring enterprise than the political and industrial + world had ever attempted, he quitted the pursuits of trade, and + the certain wealth they promised him, to perfect and realize + his conception. He studied the great routes of the world, and + the causes of their adoption. In a residence in Europe and by + voyages in the East he made himself acquainted with the facts + relating to the trade and productive capacities of Asia. He + thoroughly surveyed and mastered the whole subject before + beginning its discussion. Then he proposed the scheme to his + countrymen, and for many years has sought exclusively to + commend it to their favor. He has travelled in every direction, + addressing public bodies and meetings of citizens, writing + newspaper articles and pamphlets, and sparing no occasion to + bring the idea and the facts connected with it to the knowledge + of all. Wherever he has gone he has left some sparks of his own + genial enthusiasm. The plan has found advocates in every + section; many state legislatures have formally endorsed it, and + a large party in Congress have been in its favor. Dependent + altogether on his own pecuniary resources, Mr. Whitney, without + compensation or assistance, has labored with a constancy and + fidelity which could only proceed from a great purpose. But + after this period of arduous exertion he has failed to carry + his plan through Congress, while a great part of the lands on + which he must depend for its execution, have already passed + from the control of the federal Legislature. Accordingly, + though he would greatly prefer that his own country should reap + the splendid harvest of honor and substantial power which the + building of this world's highway would assure, he has no choice + but to consider the means which may be offered him for making + it through British America. To the world at large the + consequences would be the same, though to the United States + very different. + + "The route through British America is, in some respects, even + preferable to that through our own territory. By the former, + the distance from Europe to Asia is some thousand miles shorter + than by the latter. Passing close to the northern shore of Lake + Superior, traversing the watershed which divides the streams + flowing toward the Arctic Sea from those which have their exit + southward, and crossing the Rocky Mountains at an elevation + some three thousand, feet less than at the South Pass, the road + could here be constructed with comparative cheapness, and would + open up a region abounding in valuable timber and other natural + products, and admirably suited to the growth of grain and to + grazing. Having its Atlantic seaport at Halifax, and its + Pacific Depot near Vancouver's Island, it would inevitably draw + to it the commerce of Europe, Asia, and the United States. Thus + British America, from a mere colonial dependency, would assume + a controlling rank in the world. To her other nations would be + tributary, and in vain would the United States attempt to be + her rival; for we could never dispute with her the possession + of the Asiatic commerce, or the power which that confers." + + But the matter reaches beyond the suggestions of national + interest, and has a wider scope than the mere sentiment of + patriotism. We have hoped that this republic might make the + easy effort necessary to grasp a prize so magnificent, but we + shall hail with satisfaction the actual commencement of such a + work, wherever and by whomsoever it is undertaken. + + + + +A JEW AND A CHRISTIAN. + + +A few days ago, a man of various genius and acquirement, with whose +writings people of many countries have been delighted, entered an +office, holding in his hand two black-bordered notes, inviting him to +funerals. + +So--other friends have gone! who now? + +Two persons very unlike each other. Truly I have never known more +striking contrasts. I was meditating of popular prejudices by which +their lives were more or less affected, by which their reputations were +certainly much affected: one was a Jew, and the other a Christian. + +Proceed with your morality. + +I was very poor when I came to this country. I sought occupation in the +pursuits for which I was best fitted by my education: for a time with +little success; and at length I was offered for the translation of two +wretched French novels, the meager sum of fifty dollars. I sold some of +my wife's trinkets to purchase paper and ink, and worked diligently, you +can guess how many weeks, until they were in English as readable as the +French of their author. The task accomplished, I went to my patron, +expecting of course to have the pittance counted down in current notes +or gold; but----the market for such literature was by this time over +stocked; he had supplied it too liberally; and with some insulting +excuse he refused the manuscripts. + +You have an invitation to his funeral? + +Yes--he was rich--always speculating in the sweat of brains--and we had +business relations afterward. + +The other history? + +I chanced one day to meet a gentleman, with whom I had no personal +acquaintance, though our names were known to each other, and conversing +of a subject with which I was familiar he inquired if I would write +something upon it for his journal. I replied that I would be very happy +to do so, and as we shook hands, at parting, he left in my palm two +twenty-dollar notes. He would gladly have avoided a word of explanation, +but seeing my surprise he said, "It is merely a retainer, as the lawyers +have it; consider it upon account of the articles you will write me." I +wrote the articles; it was but an evening's work; and wrote frequently +afterward for the same person, always receiving a liberal reward--always +more than I asked--though my employer was himself by no means rich. You +will think that in the first place he expected a profit for the money he +gave me, but I knew better: he cared not a fig for the papers I was to +prepare; he simply suspected that I was in need of money, and took that +delicate way to relieve me, as, in his time, he relieved hundreds of +men. + +A noble characteristic of a man perhaps in all respects deserving of +admiration: But what of the prejudice you were meditating? + +It is this--that even in this land, where many an old world superstition +has found life impossible--the community regard a _Jew_ as an +incarnation of all selfishness, meanness and dishonor. A hundred to one, +being told that the hero of one of these two histories was an Israelite, +would swear instantly that the name of him who swindled me was Moses. +But it was not: that person will to-morrow have Christian burial, and +the other--one of the most sincere and generous men of the age, was an +officer of the synagogue. You know--we both know--that the Hebrew race +are not only before the other races in all fine intelligence, but that +in defiance of prejudices and disabilities which might turn any other +people into hordes of robbers, they are of the most honorable portion of +mankind. + + + + +POLICARPA LA SALVARIETTA, + +THE HEROINE OF COLOMBIA. + + +There are not many subjects for poetry or romance in American history +more suggestive than that furnished in the following incidents, +translated from Restrepo's _Historia de la Revolucion de la Colombia_: + + "After the standard of liberty had been raised in all the + provinces, and the people had struck a successful blow for + freedom, Morillo, with an overwhelming force, re-conquered the + country for Spain. During six months this fiendish savage held + undisputed sway over Colombia. The best men of the provinces + were by him seized and shot, and each of his officers had the + power of death over the inhabitants of the districts in which + they were stationed. It was during this period that the + barbarous execution of Policarpa La Salvarietta--a heroic girl + of New Granada--roused the Patriots once more to arms, and + produced in them a determination to expel their oppressors or + die. This young lady was enthusiastically attached to the cause + of liberty, and had, by her influence, rendered essential aid + to the Patriots. The wealth of her father, and her own superior + talents and education, early excited the hostility of the + Spanish commander against her and her family. She had promised + her hand in marriage to a young officer in the Patriot service, + who had been compelled by Morillo to join the Spanish army as a + private soldier. La Salvarietta, by means that were never + disclosed, obtained, through him an exact account of the + Spanish forces, and a plan of their fortifications. The + Patriots were preparing to strike a decisive blow, and this + intelligence was important to their success. She had induced + Sabarain, her lover, and eight others, to desert. They were + discovered, and apprehended. The letters of La Salvarietta, + found on the person of her lover, betrayed her to the vengeance + of the tyrant of her country. She was seized, brought to the + Spanish camp, and tried by court martial. The highest rewards + were promised her if she would disclose the names and plans of + her associates. The inducements proving of no avail, torture + was employed to wring from her the secret, in which so many of + the best families of Colombia were interested, but even on the + rack she persisted in making no disclosure. The accomplished + young lady, hardly eighteen years of age, was condemned to be + shot. She calmly and serenely heard her sentence, and prepared + to meet her fate. She confessed to a Catholic priest, partook + of the sacrament, and with a firm step walked to the open + square, where a file of soldiers, in presence of Morillo and + his officers, were drawn up, with loaded muskets. Turning to + Morillo, she said, "I shall not die in vain, for my blood will + raise up heroes from every hill and valley of my country." She + had scarcely uttered the above, when Morillo himself gave the + signal to the soldiers to fire, and in the next moment La + Salvarietta was a mangled and bleeding corpse. The Spanish + officers and soldiers were overwhelmed with astonishment at the + firmness and patriotism of this lovely girl, but the effect + upon her own countrymen was electrical. The Patriots lost no + time in flying to arms, and their war cry, "_La Salvarietta_!" + made every heart burn to inflict vengeance upon her murderers. + In a very short time the army of Morillo was nearly cut to + pieces, and the commander himself escaped death only by flight, + and in disguise." + +In Mexico a dramatic piece, which we have seen described as possessing +considerable merit, has been founded upon this tragical history. In the +Spanish American wars there have been numerous instances of remarkable +heroism by women, which is the more noticeable for the little the sex +has had to gain by the political independence of the Spanish race on +this continent. + + + + +A REAL AMERICAN SAINT. + + +Mrs. Jameson, in her beautiful book lately published in London, _Legends +of the Monastic Orders_, has the following account of the only American +woman ever canonized: + + "Santa Rosa di Lima was born at Lima, in Peru, in 1586. This + flower of sanctity, whose fragrance has filled the whole + Christian world, is the patroness of America, the St. Theresa + of Transatlantic Spain. She was distinguished, in the first + place, by her austerities. 'Her usual food was an herb bitter + as wormwood. When compelled by her mother to wear a wreath of + roses, she so adjusted it on her brow that it became a crown of + thorns. Rejecting a host of suitors, she destroyed the lovely + complexion to which she owed her name, by an application of + pepper and quicklime. But she was also a noble example of + filial devotion, and maintained her once wealthy parents, + fallen on evil days, by the labor of her hands.' All day she + toiled in a garden, and at night she worked with her needle. + She took the habit of the third order of St. Dominic, and died + in 1617. She was canonized by Clement X. According to the + Peruvian legend, the Pope, when entreated to canonize her, + absolutely refused, exclaiming, 'India y santa! asi como + llueven rosas!' (India and saint! as much so as that it rains + roses!') Whereupon, a miraculous shower of roses began to fall + in the Vatican, and ceased not till the incredulous pontiff + acknowledged himself convinced." + +Among men saints have been more plentiful. + + + + +Authors and Books. + + +We have already briefly spoken of Dr. ANDREE'S work on America which is +now publishing at Brunswick, Germany, by the house of Westermann, a +branch of which is established in this city at the corner of Broadway +and Duane-streets. The book in question is to consist of three volumes +of some six hundred and fifty octavo pages each, devoted respectively to +North, Central, and South America. It is published in numbers of some +eighty pages each; of these numbers four are already issued, and we have +read them with great satisfaction. The broad and philosophical spirit, +the exhaustive learning, and the spirited and picturesque style of Dr. +Andree are beyond praise; among all the books on America which we have +met with this impresses us as unique, and if the remainder shall prove +equal to what is already published, we hope that some American publisher +may undertake a translation of the whole into English. + +The work opens with an introduction of some forty odd pages, in which, +first, the physical characteristics of the new world are set forth with +great clearness and beauty: its mountains, rivers, lakes, climate, +vegetable and animal kingdoms; the origin of the aboriginal inhabitants, +their languages, races, manners, customs, and civilization; the +settlements of Europeans, the Spaniards, the Spanish and Portuguese +states, the Creoles, Mexico, Brazil, &c. Amalgamation of races, the +negroes, Slavery, influence of the Latin races, the Teutonic race, the +United States, their growth and destiny, are made the subjects of a +continuous discussion, remarkable alike for an air at least of breadth +and profundity, careful and comprehensive knowledge, and for concise and +often eloquent expression. The introduction is followed by chapters on +Iceland, Greenland, and the various expeditions to the polar regions of +the north, treating those topics both historically and ethnographically, +and with a clear presentation of every interesting and important fact. +Next follows a general survey of the continent north of the fiftieth, +degree of latitude, its rivers, lakes, forests, animals, men, and +commerce, including an account of the various Indian tribes, and the +trading companies dealing with them. The trading posts of the Hudson's +Bay Company, Lord Selkirk's colony on Red River, Labrador, Newfoundland, +the British Possessions on the West coast, Russian America, are +successively treated. Next the Indians in Canada and the United States +are considered at length, in respect of their history, traditions, +languages, monuments, customs, the influence of the whites upon them, +and their probable destiny. In this connection we notice that Dr. Andree +frequently cites Gallatin, Schoolcraft, Squier, and other American +writers. The remainder of the first volume will treat of the United +States, their political history and organization, their soil, climate, +people, &c., not failing to give whatever information may be useful to +the European settler looking for a new home, as well as to the _savan_ +looking for light upon ethnographic and social problems. + +From this general outline the scope of the book may be inferred, but our +readers will permit us to refer to one or two points which are dwelt +upon in the introduction. Dr. Andree contends with the earnestness of a +determined partisan for the originality of the vegetable and animal +creations, as well as of the human race upon this continent, rejecting +entirely the theory that either was transplanted from the eastern +hemisphere. The unity of the human family, he maintains with a class of +writers distinguishable chiefly for a sleepless activity in assailing +the authority of the Christian religion, does not require the assumption +of numerical identity of origin, but rather the contrary. "It is not +necessary," he says, "to assume the arithmetical _oneness_ of mankind, +and the derivation of all from a single pair, thus arbitrarily confining +and limiting the creative power of the Highest Being;" and this position +he proceeds to advocate by a variety of arguments, at the same time +controverting the opposite opinion, and especially the notion of the +late Major Noah that the Indians of this continent were descendants of +the lost ten tribes of Israel. In this impertinence is the only +noteworthy fault we discover in the book. Discussions of such +controverted points as this belong exclusively to the audience of +scholars. A far more interesting and satisfactory part of the +introduction is that devoted to the Spanish and Portuguese in America, +and their influence on the native tribes, and _vice versa_. The contrast +which these races and the states they have founded exhibit to the +Germanic race in North America is brought out by Dr. Andree in a +striking manner. All the South American republics except Chili are in a +condition of comparative or actual disorder: no signs of expanding life +and progress are visible among them; every where the conflict of races +and castes is active or only partially suppressed; Brazil alone, by the +monarchical form of its executive, (though its institutions are +fundamentally democratic,) is spared from the anarchy which prevails +among its neighbors, and there too, alone, the black, yellow, and red +races are politically equal and in the way of complete amalgamation; but +in all these states the European element, instead of growing more +powerful and influential, tends constantly to greater weakness, and is +likely to be completely absorbed and swallowed up; since the wars of +independence the white race has diminished, not increased in number; and +instead of conferring on the native races the civilization and +refinement which was its native property, it is so far dominated by them +as to relapse toward their ignorance and rudeness; and after three +centuries all Spanish America, the West Indies included, contains not +more than fifteen millions of inhabitants, about a fifth of whom are +whites, that is to say as many as are found in the State of New-York +alone. Or, reckoning for all America south of the United States, five +millions of whites, this population still falls far short of that which +within thirty years has taken possession of the country between the +Alleghanies and the Mississippi. Such is the difference between the +Latin and the Saxon races. The latter has spread itself with astonishing +rapidity, never mixing, to any extent, with negroes or Indians, nor +allowing mixed races to get the upper hand, or even exercise any +influence. The Anglo-Saxon civilizes the other races or devotes them to +extinction. And yet South America is naturally better than North. It is +richer and more productive, and endowed with a system of rivers compared +with which that of the Mississippi seems trifling. Had it been settled +by Anglo-Saxons and Germans instead of Creoles and mixed breeds, it +would long since have worn another aspect; steamboats would have covered +the rivers up to the very foot of the Cordilleras, and the vast plains +would have been occupied by flourishing towns and cultivated fields. + +The parallel which Dr. Andree draws between the history of the United +States and Europe for the last fifty years is so strikingly put, that we +make room for a single passage by way of specimen: + + "A comparison of the history of Europe and of North America + during the time since the first French revolution is in every + respect to the advantage of the United States. The old world + has been convulsed by wars, a military emperor has had the sway + of Europe, and broken kingdoms into fragments; blood has flowed + in torrents, and thousands of millions have been wasted for + unproductive purposes and on royal vanity. Since the fall of + the Great Soldier the nations have incessantly risen against + their rulers, and more than a million of men now stand in arms + to restrain the people and serve the passions of monarchs and + their cabinets. Only sixty years ago the entire valley of the + Mississippi was still a desert, a wide wilderness, with hardly + here and there a settlement. Now we see this empire in + subjection--conquered, not by soldiers, with waving banners and + sounding trumpets, but by the toil of the farmer, the skill of + the artisan, the enterprising spirit of the merchant. They have + drained morasses, cleared up forests, opened roads, dug canals, + built ships, and founded flourishing states. Within the period + of two generations they have peopled that wilderness with ten + millions of industrious inhabitants, and opened a new home to + the arts of peace, to civil and religious liberty, to culture + and progress. In these sixty years, not so much blood has been + shed in wars against Indians in the Mississippi valley as in + one of the hundreds of battles fought by the soldiers of + European states, most of them for useless or even pernicious + ends. No blessing has followed the wars and conquests in + Europe, but in the Great West, conquered by labor and + enterprise, all is progress and unexampled prosperity." + +There are numerous other passages tempting us to translate them, but +our space is already exhausted, and we forbear. + + * * * * * + +We have already taken occasion to commend the _Tausend und ein Tag im +Orient_ (Thousand and One Days in the East) by BODENSTEDT, the +well-known author of the Wars of the Circassians. No writer gives so +just an insight into the character of that portion of the great Oriental +family which he visited--the Circassians and Georgians. The second part +of his present book (lately published at Berlin) contains some +interesting criticisms of a Tartar poet, whom Bodenstedt knew at Tiflis, +upon European poetry. Our traveller, partly by way of practice in the +Tartar language, and partly to inspire his eastern friend with greater +respect for the bards of the Occident, used to translate English and +German songs into Tartar. Mirza Shaffy, the name of the Tartar sage and +poet, proved himself no contemptible critic of these foreign +productions. Not once could he be induced to tolerate a poem whose only +merit was the beauty and melody of its language in the original, nor to +swallow the mere sentimentalism which plays so great a part in German +poetry especially. This sentimentalism, says Bodenstedt, is as unknown +as it is unintelligible to the Oriental poet. He aims always at a real +and tangible object, and in gaining it puts heaven and earth in motion. +No image is too remote, no thought too lofty for his purpose. The new +moon is a golden shoe for the hoof of his heroes' steed. The stars are +golden nails, with which the Lord has fastened the sky, lest it should +fall with admiration and desire for his fair one. The cypresses and +cedars grow only to recall the lithe and graceful form of Selma. The +weeping willow droops her green hair to the water, grieving because she +is not slender like Selma. The eyes of his beloved are suns which make +all the faithful fire-worshippers. The sun itself is but a gleaming +lyre, whose beams are golden strings, whence the dawn draws the +loveliest accords to the praise of the earth's beauty and the power of +love. + +Mirza Shaffy was a great lover of Moore and Byron, and some of their +songs which were translated needed no explanation to render them +intelligible to him. Wolfe's marvellous poem on the death of Sir John +Moore made a deep impression on him, and was a special favorite. Goëthe +and Heine he liked greatly, especially Goethe's song of Mignon, "Knowst +thou the Land," and Heine's Fisher's Song (which Schubert has set to +such delicious and befitting music) which ends-- + + "My heart is like the ocean, + Has storm, and ebb, and flow, + And many a lovely pearlet + Rests in its depths below." + +Schiller he could not so well understand, and often the attempt +adequately to translate this poet had to be given up in despair. +However, Mirza Shaffy admitted that some of his poems had substance in +them. Uhland and Geibel were not much to his mind. One day, Bodenstedt +translated into Tartar a song by the latter, which we in our turn thus +render into English: + + The silent water lily + Springs from the earth below, + The leaves all greenly glitter, + The cup is white as snow. + + The moon her golden radiance + Pours from the heavens down, + Pours all her beams of glory + This virgin flower to crown. + + And, in the azure water, + A swan of dazzling white + Floats longing round the lily, + That trances all his sight. + + Ah low he sings, ah sadly, + Fainting with sweetest pain; + O lily, snow white lily, + Hear'st thou the dying strain? + +Mirza Shaffy cast the song aside, with the words, "A foolish swan!" + +"Don't the song please you?" asked the translator. + +"The conclusion is foolish," replied the Tartar; "what does the swan +gain by fainting?--he only suffers himself, and does no good to the +rose. I would have ended-- + + "Then in his beak he takes it, + And bears it with him home." + + * * * * * + +Mr. Ross, the editor of _Allgemeine Auswanderungszeitung_ (Universal +Journal of Emigration), an excellent and useful German periodical, has +just published in Germany the _Auswanderer's Handbuch_ (Emigrant's +Manual), devoted especially to the service of those who design +emigrating to the United States. His manual is a valuable collection of +whatever a new comer into this country should know. The constitution and +political arrangements of the Union, its legislation, its means of +intercourse, the peculiarities of soil and climate proper to different +sections, the state of agriculture, and the chances of employment for +persons of different classes, professions, and degrees of education, are +all given. Mr. Ross was himself born in the United States, and +understands what he writes about. At the same time his book gives a fair +and thorough view of the difficulties with which the emigrant to this +country must contend. + + * * * * * + +At Pesth, Hungary, is about to appear a biographical work on Hungarian +statesmen and orators who were prominent before the revolutionary +period. Paul Nagy, Eugen Beöthy, Franz Déak, Stephan Bezerédy, +Bartholomaus Szemere, the two Wesselenyis, the two Dionys Pazmandys, +Stephan Szechényi, and Joseph Eötvos (the last known in the United +States by translations of his novels), are among the characters +described. + + * * * * * + +A new book on the new world is the _Europa ed America_, by Dr. ANT. +CACCIA, an Italian litterateur, who has apparently been in this country +and describes it, as he professes to do, from nature. He says that he +found the people of New-York occupied mainly in making money. + +The German authoress FANNY LEWALD, has in press a book entitled _England +und Schottland_ (England and Scotland), made up from the notes of a +journey through those countries. Its publication just at this moment is +for the benefit of the crowds of Germans who are going to the World's +Fair, and who may find in it all sorts of preparatory information. A +specimen chapter published in one of our German papers reads pleasantly. +Fanny Lewald is a phenomenon, of a class of women who know something +about every thing. Nothing is too high or too low to become an object of +consideration to these female Teufelsdröcks, petticoated professors of +"the science of things in general." The intellectual cultivation among +the middle and higher class of society in Prussia, the patronage +bestowed by the court upon learning, the arts, and sciences; the +encouragement to discuss freely every imaginable theme in politics or +religion, with the single exception of the measures of the +administration, all tended to create a taste for mental display in which +it was necessary that women should participate, if they wished to retain +their old position in the social world. In the salons of Berlin, +therefore, women have been heard taking a prominent part in +conversations in which the most abstruse questions in religion, +politics, and general science were discussed. The philosophers, male and +female, debarred by the spy system from any open investigation of +passing political events, revenged themselves by treating these events +as mere temporary phases of the great system of evolutions which forms +the _material_ of history, scarcely worthy of notice, and directed their +attention to the great principles which underlie all great social and +religious developments. A strange tone was thus given to conversation. +Listening to the talkers at a Berlin conversazione, one might have +fancied, judging from the nature of the subjects of conversation, that a +number of gods and goddesses were debating on the construction of a +world. Vulgar bricks and mortar they ignored, and were anxious only +about primary and secondary geological formations. The actual state of +any society was scarcely cared for, except in illustration of a +principle, and the great forces which must unite to form the best +possible society, were the only subjects of investigation. It may be +taken as a great proof of the wonderful facility of adaptation of the +female mind, that women joined in these conversations as readily as men, +and frequently with far more brilliancy, in spite of the range of +reading which it must require to obtain even a superficial knowledge of +the subjects of discourse. Fanny Lewald is one of these prodigies. She +has studied every thing from the Hegelian philosophy downwards. She is +as great in revolutions as in ribbons, and is as amusing when talking +sentiment over oysters and Rheinwein, in the Rathskiller at Bremen, as +when meditating upon ancient art and philosophy in Wilhelm von +Humboldt's castle of Tegel near Berlin. + + * * * * * + +We have read with great interest a series of articles which have +appeared in the recent numbers of the _Grenzboten_ upon GEORGE SAND. +Though we have often failed to agree with the view of the writer, Mr. +Julian Schmidt, one of the editors of that paper, we have rarely met +with literary criticism of more ability, and a more just and catholic +spirit. We translate the conclusion of the last article, in which Mr. +Schmidt gives the result of his careful analysis of all the works of the +author: "The novel, on account of its lax and variable form, and the +caprice which it tolerates, is in my opinion not to be reckoned among +those kinds of art, which, as classic, will endure to posterity. The +authors who have been most read in modern times have already been +checked in their popularity by the greater attraction of novelty offered +by their successors. This is the case even with Walter Scott. Besides, +in most of her writings, George Sand has dealt with problems whose +justification later times will not understand; and thus it may happen +that hereafter she will be regarded as of consequence in the history of +literature alone. But in that sphere she will have a permanent +importance. Future centuries will regard her as the most significant +image of the morbid but intense striving which marks this generation. +When it has long been agreed that the lauded works of Victor Hugo, +Eugene Sue, Lamartine, Alfred de Musset, and others, are but the barren +outgrowths of an untamed and unrestrained fancy, and a perverted +reflection; when the same verdict has been pronounced on the poems of M. +de Chateaubriand, whose value is now taken as a matter of belief and +confidence, because there are few who have read them; then the true +poetic element in the works of George Sand will, in spite of all its +vagaries, still be recognized. And more than this, since the period of +sentimentalism will be seen as more extensive, and as the works of +Richardson, Rousseau (of course only those which belong in this +category), and of Madame de Staël and others, will be included in it, +then we say that the better productions of our authoress will carry off +the prize from all the rest." + + * * * * * + +Two collections of songs, national and lyric, have made their appearance +in Germany. The one is by GEORGE SCHERER, and is called _Deutsche +Volkshelier_, the other, by WOLFGAND MENZEL, is entitled _Die Gesange +der Volker_ (The Songs of the Nations). The former is exclusively +German; the latter contains songs from every civilized tongue under +heaven, as well as from many of the uncivilized, in German versions, of +course. Both are elegantly printed, and highly commended by the knowing +in that line of literature. + + * * * * * + +HENRI MURGER has published a companion volume to his _Scènes de la +Bohéme_ in the shape of some stories called _Scènes de la Vie de +Jeunesse_. + + * * * * * + +A curious specimen of what may be done by a ready writer who is +scrupulous only about getting his pay, is afforded by a book just +published at Leipzic, called _Zahme Geschichten aus wilder Zeit_ (Tame +Stories of a Wild Time), by Frederick Ebeling. In these "tame stories" +the heroes of the late revolutionary movements are held up now in one +light, and now in another, with the most striking disregard of +consistency. Jellachich, for instance, is lauded in one place as the +most genial and charming of men, a scholar and gentleman, without equal, +and almost in the next page he is called a ferocious butcher, who never +wearies of slaughtering human beings. These discrepancies are accounted +for by the fact that Mr. Ebeling wrote for both conservative and radical +journals, and adapted his opinions to the wants of the market he was +serving. He would have done well to reconcile his articles with each +other before putting them into a book. + + * * * * * + +A valuable work on national law is entitled _Du Droits et des Devoirs +des Nations Neutres en Temps de Guerre Maritime_, by M. L. B. +Hautefeuille, a distinguished French jurist, lately published at Paris +in four octavos. It is praised by no less an authority than the eminent +advocate M. Chaix d'Est Ange, as the fruit of mature and conscientious +study: he calls it the most complete and one of the best works on modern +national law ever produced. The author in the historical part of his +treatise, criticises the monopolizing spirit and policy of the English +without mercy, and insists that the balance of power on the sea is of no +less importance than that on land. He would have established a permanent +alliance of armed neutrality, with France and the United States at its +head, to maintain the maritime rights of weaker states in time of war, +against the encroachments of British commerce and ambition. + + * * * * * + +A Vienna publishing establishment has offered GRILLPARZER, the German +dramatist, $4,000 for his writings, but he refuses, not because he +thinks the price too low, but because he will not take the trouble of +preparing and publishing a collected edition of his dramas, the last of +which was entitled _Maximilian Robespierre_, a five act tragedy. He has +also a variety of unpublished manuscripts, which it is feared will never +see the light. + + * * * * * + +Students and amateurs of music will find their account in taking the +_Rheinische Musikzeitung_ (Rhine Musical Gazette), published at Cologne, +under the editorial care of Prof. Bisehof. Its criticism is impartial, +intelligent, and free from the prejudices of the schools. German musical +criticism has no better organ. + + * * * * * + +The German poet SIMROCK has just published a new version of the two +Eddas, with the mythical narratives of the Skalda, which is spoken of as +a valuable contribution to literature. + + * * * * * + +The _Royal Society of Northern Antiquaries_ held its annual session on +the 15th February at the palace of Christianbourg, the King of Denmark +presiding. Mr. RAFN read the report of the transactions of the Society +during the year, and laid before the meeting a new number of the Annals +of the archaeology and history of the North, and the completed volume of +the Archaeological Journal, published by the Society. He also announced +that the second volume of his own work on Russian Antiquities was in +preparation, and that about half of it was already printed. To give an +idea of this work, he read from it a biographical notice on Biorucon, of +Arngeirr, an Icelander by birth, distinguished alike as a warrior and a +poet, and by his exploits in Russia where he served Vladimir the Great. +After this, other members of the Society gave interesting accounts of +the results of their various labors during the year. The King presented +a paper on excavations made under his personal direction in the ruins of +the castles of Saborg and Adserbo, in the North of Seland. These castles +date from the middle ages; the memoir was accompanied by drawings. + + * * * * * + +The _Historisches Tashcenbuch_ (Historical Pocket-Book), edited by the +learned Prussian Raumer is a publication eminently worthy of notice. The +number for the year 1851 opens with biographical sketches of three +women, Ines de Castro and Maria and Lenora Telley, who played important +parts in Spanish and Portuguese history in the XIVth Century. They are +followed by a concise history of the German marine by Bartholdy, twelve +letters by John Voigt on the manners and social life of the princes at +the German Diets, a picture from the XVIth Century, the sequel of a +memoir by Guhrauer on Elizabeth, Abbess of Herford, a friend of William +Penn, and a correspondent of Malebranche, Leibnitz and Descartes, &c., +&c. &c. + + * * * * * + +An interesting account of a most eventful period and country is the +_Bilder aus Oestreich_, just published at Leipzic, by a German +traveller. The traveller is understood to be one of the editors of the +_Grenzboten_, and the period he describes comprises the revolutionary +years 1848-9. His account of Vienna in the memorable October days of +1848, is graphic, and even thrilling. + + * * * * * + +COTTA, of Stuttgart, has just published a new collection of poems by +FRANZ DINGELSTEDT, under the title of "Night and Morning." The themes +are drawn from the revolution, its hopes and its disappointments. + + * * * * * + +FREDERIC LOUIS JAHN, the celebrated German professor, who invented the +modern system of gymnastics, is writing his personal memoirs. He is +about seventy years of age, and his long life has been full of +significant incidents. + +To those who seek a good acquaintance with the current belles-lettres +literature of Germany, we can cordially recommend the _Deutsches +Museum_, published semi-monthly at Leipsic, under the editorial care of +Professor Robert Prutz and Wilhelm Wolffson, and sold in this city by +Westermann, 290 Broadway. Each number contains eighty-five close pages, +filled by some of the leading writers of German science, art and +politics. In the number now before us, are articles by Gutzkow, Böch, +the philologist, Berthold Auerbach, Emanuel Geibel and Julius Mosen. The +entire range of politics, philosophy, antiquities, art, poetry, romances +and literary criticism is included in the scope of the _Museum_, except +that it is designed not for the learned world, but for the mass of the +people, and accordingly aims at general not technical instruction. Among +the art notices, we observe a brief criticism on the Gallery of +Illustrious Americans, in which the lithography of the pictures is +praised as well as the faces themselves. The critic is delighted with +the energy, originality and freshness of character expressed in their +features. + + * * * * * + +A valuable contribution to current political history is the +_Verfassungskampf in Kurhessen_ (Constitutional Struggle in Electoral +Hesse), by Dr. H. Gräfe, which has just made its appearance in Germany. +The conflict of the people and parliament and public officers, against +the selfish, arbitrary and foolish Elector, is the turning point of +recent German politics, and the defeat of the former after their +patience and firmness, acting always within the limits of the +constitution, had gained a decided victory, and compelled the faithless +prince to fly the country,--a defeat accomplished only by the +intervention of Austrian and Prussian troops, was the final downfall of +every form of political liberty in Germany. Dr. Gräfe has wisely +abstained from treating the events of this crisis as a philosophical +historian; they are too fresh, and his own share in them was too decided +to allow him to undertake that successfully. He accordingly does little +more than simply report the transactions in a compendious way, with all +the documents necessary to a full understanding of the subject. Whoever +wishes for a thorough apprehension of the German tragi-comedy, may +derive aid from his work. + + * * * * * + +The resources of philology have just been enriched by the publication at +Tubingen of a dictionary of six of the dialects of Eastern Africa, +namely, the Kisuaheli, Kinika, Kikamba, Kipokomo, Kihian, and Kigalla. +This is accompanied by a translation of Mark's Gospel into the Kikamba +dialect, and a short grammar of the Kisuaheli. The author of these works +is the Protestant minister Krap, who has been for fifteen years in +Ethiopia, and has collected and presented to the University at Tubingen +a considerable number of most valuable Ethiopian manuscripts. + + * * * * * + +A notable and interesting book is BEHSE'S _Geschichte des preussischen +Hofes und Adels_ (History of the Prussian Court and Nobility) of which +the two first volumes have just been published at Hamburg by Hoffman & +Campe. The whole work will contain from thirty to forty small volumes, +and will treat all the states of Germany, only some half dozen volumes +being devoted to Prussia. The two now published bring the history down +to the reign of Frederic William II. They abound in most curious +historic details. For instance, the acquisition of the title of King of +Prussia by the Elector of Brandenburgh, Frederic III., is narrated at +length. It seems that this prince, who was deformed in body, but as +politic as he was ambitious in spirit, after many fruitless efforts +obtained from the Emperor at Vienna the grant of the royal dignity, by a +bribe of two hundred thousand thalers, paid to the Jesuit Father Wolff, +as a compensation for the influence of the Society, whose members were +flattered that the most powerful of the Protestant princes of Germany +should solicit their assistance. The whole cost of the grant was six +millions of thalers, an enormous sum for these times. The Papal Court +refused to recognize the new king, and did not until Frederic the Great. + + * * * * * + +We believe a general _Biographical Dictionary of Illustrious Women_, now +in course of publication in Berlin, is to be reproduced here, with +suitable additions. We need, while discussions of the sphere and +capacities of women are so common among us, a work of real learning and +authority, in which the part which the sex has borne and is capable of +bearing in the business of civilizing, shall be carefully and honestly +exhibited. There are fifteen or twenty volumes of short biographies of +women now in print in this country, with prospects of others--all +worthless except this extensive German work, which is considerably +advanced, and for its literary merit as well as for the interest of its +materials, will command an unusual degree of attention. + + * * * * * + +Countess Ida Hahn Hahn is writing a work to be called _My Way from +Darkness to Light, from Error to Truth_. She has became a Catholic, and +this book is intended to tell why. A cheap edition of her works is +publishing at Berlin. We presume they are no longer in her control, but +belong to her publishers, as she could scarcely consent to reprint some +of them. + + * * * * * + +A new work bearing as its title the single word _Italia_, is about to be +published at Frankfort on the Main. It is a complete artistic, historic +and poetic manual for travellers in that lovely peninsula. + + * * * * * + +The Cologne Musical Society lately offered a prize for the best +symphony. Eighty-three have been offered, of which one only seems to be +a pure plagiarism. + + * * * * * + +A book just published in Germany under the title of _Berlin und die +Berliner_ contains some exceedingly interesting details concerning the +great naturalist ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT, from which the _International_ +translates the following: "When, in the years 1834-5, we young students +thronged into lecture room No. VIII., at eight o'clock on winter +mornings, to hear Böckh on Greek literature and antiquities, we used to +see in the crowd of students in the dark corridor a small, white-haired, +old, and happy-looking man, dressed in a long brown coat. This man was +the _studiosus philologiæ_, Alexander von Humboldt, who came, as he +said, to go through again what he had neglected in his youth. When we +met him in the lecture-room we respectfully made way for him; for though +we had no respect for any body, especially professors, Humboldt was an +exception, for he knew 'a hellish deal.' To his own honor, the German +student still respects this quality. During the lecture Humboldt sat on +the fourth or fifth bench near the window, where he drew a piece of +paper from a portfolio in his pocket, and took notes. In going home he +liked to accompany Böckh, so as in conversation to build some logical +bridge or other from the old world to the new, after his ingenious +fashion. There was then in the class a man who has since distinguished +himself in political literature, but whom we had nicknamed 'Mosherosh,' +that is Calves'-head, on account of his stupid appearance. As Mosherosh +generally came in late, it was the fashion to receive him with a +magnificent round of stamping. One day, Humboldt came too late, and just +at the usual time of Mosherosh, and without looking up we gave the +regular round, while Humboldt, blushing and embarrassed, made his way to +his place. In a moment the mistake was seen, and a good-natured laugh +succeeded. Humboldt also attended the evening lectures of Ritter on +universal geography, and let the weather be as bad as it might, the +gray-haired man never failed. If for a rarity he chanced not to come, we +said among ourselves in students' jargon, 'Alexander cuts the college +to-day, because he's gone to King's to tea.' Once, on occasion of +discussing an important problem of physical geography, Ritter quoted +him, and every body looked up at him. Humboldt bowed to us, with his +usual good nature, which put the youngsters into the happiest humor. We +felt ourselves elevated by the presence of this great thinker and most +laborious student. We seemed to be joined with him in the pursuit of +great scientific ends." + + * * * * * + +The rewards of Authors, we suspect, are greatest in France. In Germany, +England and the United States they are about the same. Cooper, Irving +and Prescott, in this country, have each received for copyrights more +than one hundred thousand dollars. In England, Dickens has probably +received more than any other living author--and in France Lamartine, +Victor Hugo, Dumas, Scribe, Thiers, and many others, have obtained large +fortunes by writing. In Germany Dieffenbach received for his book on +Operative Surgery some $3,500; and Perthes of Hamburg, paid to Neander +on a single work, more than $20,000, exclusive of the interest his heirs +still have in it. Poets like Uhland, Freiligrath, Geibel, have also +received as much as $6,000 or $12,000 on the sales of a single volume. +Long ago in Boston, Robert Treat Paine received $1,500 for a song. Of +our living poets, Longfellow has been most liberally paid. + + * * * * * + +George Stephens, the learned translator of the _Frithiof's Saga_ of +BISHOP TEGNER, in a letter to _The International_ states that he is now +printing at Copenhagen three Anglo-Saxon poems of the eleventh century, +namely: _The Old Testament Story, On the Sixth Day's Work_, and _The New +Testament Story_, by Aelfric, Archbishop of York, now just translated +into the metre and alliteration of the original. The three poems will +make a quarto volume of about thirty sheets, and copies may be ordered +(price three dollars), through the Hon. H. W. Ellsworth, late United +States _Charge d'Affaires_ in Sweden, at New-York, or Dr. S. H. Smith, +of Cincinnati. Of the ability and fidelity with which the work will be +executed, the readers of the Frithiof's Saga need no other assurance. + + * * * * * + +"Etherization," after all, is not a modern discovery, and Wells, +Jackson, and Morton, are alike undeserving of the praise they have +received on account of it. The Paris _Siècle_ states that a manuscript, +written by Papin, known, for his experiments connected with the motive +power of steam, has been discovered near Marburg in Electoral Hesse; +that the work bears the name of _Traité des Opérations sans Douleur_, +and that in it are examined the different means that might be employed +to deaden, or altogether nullify, sensibility when surgical operations +are being performed on the human body, Papin composed this work in 1681, +but his contemporaries treated it with ridicule, and he abandoned the +medical profession. + + * * * * * + +A new five-act play, tragic of course, has just appeared at Berlin, +founded on the history of Philip Augustus of France. It is by a lady of +the aristocratic circles of the Prussian capital, who now makes her +debut in literature. It is praised as excellent by those who are not in +the habit of being satisfied with the writings of ladies. A collection +of poems from the same pen is shortly to appear. + + * * * * * + +M. Bianchi's _Turkish and French Dictionary_, in two large octavos, has +reached a second edition at Paris. It is all that could be desired for +the use of diplomatic and consular agents, traders, navigators, and +other travellers in the Levant, but not designed for critics in the +language or its literature. + + * * * * * + +The students of geography and foreign modes of life, owe a debt to the +French General DAUMAS, for his three works on north-western Africa. The +first entitled, _Le Sahara Algerien_, is an exact and thorough and +scientific account of the desert in Algiers, given, however, with a flow +of manly, soldatesque imagination, which imparts life and charm to the +narrative, and even adorned with frequent quotations from the Arab +poets, who have sung the various localities he describes. The second of +these works is called _Le Grand Desert_: in form it is a series of +romances, the author having chosen that as the best manner of conveying +to the reader a distinct impression. The hero is a dweller in the +interior, a member of the tribe of Chambas, who came to Algiers, as he +says, because he had predestined him to make that journey. The general +interrogates him, and the Arab recounts his adventures. As he had thrice +traversed the desert to the negro country beyond, and had seen beside +all the usual events in the life of that savage region, the author +violates no probability in putting into his mouth the most strange and +characteristic stories. The whole are told with a fictitious +reproduction of the teser and somewhat monotonous, yet figurative style, +proper to all savages. _La Grande Kabylie_ recounts the personal +experiences of the author in that yet unconquered country of the Arabs, +whither he went with Marshal Bugeaud in his last expedition. Kabylia he +describes as a picturesque and productive region. There are deep, +sheltered valleys, where along the shores of winding streams, nature has +planted hedges of perpetual flowers, while the mountains on each side +stand yellow with the ripe and ripening grain. The people are braver and +more energetic, their habitations more substantial, and their fields +more valuable than those in other parts of Algeria. Gen. Daumas would +have France subjugate this country and add it to her African dominions. + + * * * * * + +M. de Conches, who is well known for his illustrations of early French +literature, is an enthusiastic admirer of La Fontaine: and he has spent +a vast sum in having printed _one copy_ only, and for himself alone, of +an edition of his works, illustrated by the first artists of the day, +accompanied by notes and prefaces of the most eminent writers, and +forming a very miracle of expensive and _recherché_ typography and +binding. Dibdin had never so good a subject for his _Bibliomania_. + + * * * * * + +Jules Sandeau, one of the most _spirituel_ and elegant of French romance +writers, announced a new novel, _Catherine_, to appear on the 15th of +April. + + * * * * * + +Another book on the _Fall of Louis Philippe_ has been published at Paris +by M. Francois de Groiseillez. It is in the Orleanist interest, and is +praised by the _Journal des Débats_. + + * * * * * + +The most profligate woman of whom we have any account in Roman history +was the empress Massalina, and nothing is more natural than that she +should be selected for a heroin by a Frenchman. In a new five act play +of which the Parisian journals give us elaborate criticisms, she is +represented as a very virtuous wife, by the ingenious contrivance of +giving a certain courtezan such a striking personal resemblance to her +that it was impossible to distinguish between the two, and making the +courtezan commit all the atrocities of the real Massalina. The play is +not without literary merit. It is called _Valeria_--the heroine's +_other_ name being considered too strong to figure on a play-bill. +Rachel plays the two characters of Massalina and the courtezan--of +course with the most perfect success. + + * * * * * + +A new Review has been established in Paris under the title of _La +Politique Nouvelle_. It comes out as the rival of the _Revue des Deux +Mondes_, and as the champion of the new republican _régime_ (as opposed +to the conservative tendencies of the older established Review), offers +battle with a promising array of names of future contributors. The +department of English criticism is confided to M. Léon de Wailly, author +of _Stella and Vanessa_ and the translator of Burns; whose name promises +a knowledge and intelligent appreciation of English literature. The +first two numbers contain contributions from the brilliant and caustic +pen of Eugene Pelletan, and a serial from Madame Charles Reybaud, author +of the _Cadet de Calubrieres, Helene, &c_. + + * * * * * + +Victor Hugo, since the appearance of the last volume of _Le Rhine_, four +or five years ago, has not printed a new book. The proprietor of his +copyrights, who had brought out two splendid editions of his complete +works, one in twenty-five volumes, and another, illustrated by the best +artists of France, in twelve, made a contract with him by which he has +been prevented from any original publications. The term is now nearly +expired, and it is announced that he will at once issue three volumes of +poetry, and twelve of romances. He is now engaged in finishing a novel +entitled _Misery_, which is spoken of by those who have seen portions of +it as a magnificent work. + + * * * * * + +M. de St. Beuve, since October, 1849, the literary critic of _Le +Constitutionnel_, a writer who has pushed himself up in the world far +ahead of his merits, has published at Paris a volume, _Causeries du +Lundi_ (Monday Gossipings), which is no great things. These gossipings +are taken from the columns of that journal, where they are regularly +published on Mondays, and where we have occasionally had the benefit of +seeing them. If they were not written by a member of the French Academy, +and an eminent _litterateur_, we should say they were rather stupid, as +far as ideas go, and not very elegant in respect of style. + + * * * * * + +We had recently the _Cooks of Paris_, in a handsome volume, with +portraits; _The Journals and Editors of Paris_, in another volume, and +now one Paul Lacroix, sometimes called _bibliophile Jacob_, has +announced a _History_, _Political_, _Civil_, _Religious_, _Military_, +_Legislative_, _Judicial_, _Moral_, _Literary_, _and Anecdotic_, _of the +Shoe and the Bootmakers of France_. He treats of the ancient +corporations, their discipline, regulations, and of the fraternities, +with their obligations and devices, sketching the whole history of _La +Chaussure_. Shoemakers have been well represented among the famous men +of all nations, and the craft may be proud of Hans Sachs, Jacob Boehme, +Gifford, Bloomfield, Drew, Holcraft, Lackington, Sherman, William Carey, +George Fox, and a hundred others, besides the heroes of Monsieur +Lacroix. + + * * * * * + +_Bibliophile Jacob_ LACROIX, we see by the Paris papers, has also +discovered a _comedie-ballet_ by Molière, written in 1654, and never +included in any edition of his works. It is entitled _Le Ballet des +incompatibies_, and appears to have been written by order of the Prince +de Conti, and acted before him by Molière himself and other persons of +the Prince's circle. That it remained so long unknown is explained by +the circumstance of a few copies only having been printed for the +favored spectators. The plot is described as ingenious, and the verses +not unworthy of the author. It is known that when the Prince de Conti +presided over the states of Languedoc in 1654, he invited thither +Molière and his company. He professed so much admiration for the actor +that he offered him the confidential situation of secretary, which was +declined; but it seems natural enough that he should have shown his +gratitude by composing one of those entertainments which cost him so +little trouble. This Prince de Conti was at one time so passionately +fond of theatricals that he made it his occupation to seek out subjects +for new plays, but at a later period he wrote a treatise in which +theatres were severely condemned on religious grounds, and Molière +himself was personally and violently attacked. + + * * * * * + +Among the new biographical works announced in Paris, is one on the Life, +Virtues and Labors of the late Right Rev. Dr. FLAGET, Roman Catholic +Bishop of Bardstown and Louisville, Kentucky. The author is a clergyman, +who accompanied the late Bishop in one of his last missions to Europe. +Bishop Flaget died at the age of eighty-seven. + + * * * * * + +M. Xavier Marmier, whose visit to the United States we noticed some +months ago, has published his _Letters on Canada, the United States, +Cuba, and Rio La Plata_, in two volumes--constituting one of the most +agreeable works ever published in Paris upon this country. We shall +soon, we believe, have occasion to review a translation of the Letters, +by a New-Yorker. + + * * * * * + +Guizot and Thiers--the most eminent living statesmen of France, as well +as her greatest living historians--were for a long time connected with +the Paris journals, and each made his first appearance as a writer in +criticisms on the Fine Arts. For several years the former published +series of articles on the exhibitions of the Louvre, which were +remarkable both for artistic knowledge and literary _verve_. The latter +also published in 1810 a pamphlet on the exhibition in the Louvre, which +excited great sensation--more, however, from its having a political +tendency than for its critical importance. + + * * * * * + +MR. MIGNET, whose condensed _History of the French Revolution_ is best +known to American readers in the cheap reprint of Bohn's Library, and +which in Paris has passed through numberless editions--will soon have +completed his History of Mary Stuart, which is destined, probably, to +supersede every other in the French language. Mignet is perpetual +Secretary of the Academy of Moral Sciences, and was for many years head +of the department of Archives in the Foreign Office. As a man of letters +and a sedulous inquirer, no French author enjoys higher reputation. + + * * * * * + +Lamartine has just published in Paris _The History of the Restoration, +from 1814 to_ 1830, in eight volumes. The work has been composed +hastily, and probably by several hands, for money. The poet has also +published _The Stone Cutter of Saint-Pont_, to which we have before +referred--a new book of sentimental memoirs: they pall after two +administrations. + + * * * * * + +The _Histoire des Races Maudites et les Classes Réprouvés_, by +Francisque Michel and Edouard Fournier, publishing at Paris, with +illustrations, has advanced to the twentieth number. The whole is to +contain a hundred numbers, forming three volumes. + + * * * * * + +M. Michelet, the well-known professor of history in the College de +France, has incurred a vote of censure from his associates on account of +his lectures to the students, which, we infer from notices of them, are +quite too republican and socialistic to be approved by the directors of +affairs. + + * * * * * + +A new work, by M. Theophile Lavallée, entitled _L'Histoire de Paris et +ses Monumens_ from ancient times to 1850, has just been published at +Paris, with illustrations by M. Champin. It is warmly commended by the +_Débats_. + + * * * * * + +MULLIE, of the University of France, has published in two large octavos, +a Biographical Dictionary of the Military Celebrities of France, from +1789 to 1850. + + * * * * * + +A second edition of the new _Life of the great Chancellor D'Auguesseau_, +by M. BOUILLE, has been published in Paris. The book continues to be +praised. + + * * * * * + +A Romance and Tales, said to have been written by NAPOLEON BONAPARTE, +when he was a youth, are announced for publication in the Paris +_Siècle_. Though the _Siècle_ is a very respectable journal, and it +engages that these compositions are perfectly authentic, and shall be +accompanied by proofs of their genuineness, we do not believe a word of +the pretence of their authorship. It is a fact, however, not unworthy of +note, in a psychological point of view, that the earliest development of +Napoleon's ambition and powers, before a fit field of action had been +opened to them, was in a literary form. At the age of fifteen, when at +the royal school at Paris, he voluntarily prepared a memoir upon the +luxury and expense attending education at that place, in which he urged +the propriety of the students adopting hardy habits and a simple fare, +and themselves to such toils and exposure as they would encounter in +war. In 1787, at the age of eighteen, at Valence, he gained, +anonymously, a prize proposed to the Academy of Lyons by the Abbé +Raynal, on the question, "What are the principles and institutions best +adapted to advance mankind in happiness?" In this essay he defined +happiness as consisting in the "perfect enjoyment of life according to +the laws of our physical and moral organization:" and the forcible +views, well adapted to the temper of the times, and the vivid style of +writing, attracted much attention. When he was emperor, he was one day +conversing with Talleyrand about this essay, and the latter, a few days +after, took occasion to present it to him, having procured it from the +archives of the academy at Lyons. The emperor took it, and after reading +a few pages, threw it into the fire, saying, "One can never observe +every thing." Talleyrand had not taken the precaution to transcribe it; +but it has been said that Louis Bonaparte had had it copied, and that it +is now in print. About the same time he began a history of Corsica, +which he dedicated to the Abbé Raynal, by whom he had been noticed and +caressed. He corresponded with Paoli in relation to it, and was in +treaty with M. Joly, a bookseller of Dole, for its publication. Raynal, +who read the manuscript, advised its completion; but some change of +purpose prevented its being finished, and it is now lost. During his +residence at Auxonne, in 1790, Napoleon wrote and printed a letter to +Buttafoco, the Corsican deputy for the nobles in the National Assembly. +It is a brilliant and powerful piece of argument and invective, strongly +on the revolutionary side. It produced a marked impression, and was +adopted and reprinted by the patriotic society at Ajaccio. While at +Marseilles, in 1793, Napoleon wrote and published a political dialogue, +called "The Supper of Beaucaire"--a judicious, sensible, and able essay, +intended to allay the agitation then existing in that city. A copy of it +was brought to him in later days, but seeing no advantage in reviving, +under the circumstances of a different time, a production written for a +temporary and local excitement, he ordered its suppression. + + * * * * * + +The Life of Calvin, by Paul Henry, has been translated from the German +by the Rev. Dr. Henry Stebbing, of London, and we have the first of the +two octavos of which it consists, from the press of Robert Carter & +Brothers. So much inexcusable ignorance, so much perverse +misrepresentation, so much insolent lying, may be found scattered +through modern literature, respecting the great Genevan, that Dr. Henry +deserves well the thanks of the christian world for exhibiting the chief +facts of his history, so plainly that every partisan knave who would +repeat the old slanders, shall be silent hereafter for very shame. John +Calvin was unquestionably subject to the infirmities of our human +nature; so was John Milton; but the inherent and indefectable greatness +of these two men was such, that they dwell apart like stars, in glory +scarcely approachable by mortal virtue or intelligence. John Calvin and +John Milton were in an extraordinary degree the authors of modern +institutions of liberty, and it would be difficult to decide which has +most merit of this praise. The late Albert Gallatin was wont to say that +when we celebrated our condition on the fourth of July, we should first +drink to the memory of John Calvin, and then to the immediate authors of +the Declaration of Independence. Mr. Gallatin did not hold to all the +dogmas of Calvin, but he could not speak of the creatures--like Dyer, +for example--who employ their pennyworth of wit to prejudice the vulgar +against him, without some signs of scorn. We can never forget his +merciless characterization of a malicious feeble-mind, who in a book +entitled _A Monograph of Moral Sense_, declared that Calvin never had +enough humanity in his nature to select even one verse by the +_Evangelists_ for pulpit illustration,--though the Reformer really +preached some folio volumes of commentaries upon the Gospels, preached +from them as much as he did from any other portion of the Bible. This +person--his name was Smith--was not more reckless of truth than it has +been the fashion for anti-Calvinists to be, when writing of that great +man and his doctrines, which they seem to have thought could be put down +by petty libels. + +Calvin is now being born into a new life, as it were; the critics and +printers of each particular language are as busy with him as the English +have been with Shakspeare. His amazing wit, and genius, and learning, +are found as attractive and powerful now as they were three hundred +years ago. And this life of him by Henry, embodying whatever of +contemporary records is most needful for the illustration of his +writings, will be likely to have a large sale with every class of +historical students, as they discover that the popular and partisan +notions of him are untrue. Certainly no one should attempt to form an +opinion of Calvin without thoroughly acquainting himself with Henry. + + * * * * * + +In Paris, M. MILLER, librarian to the Assembly, has made an important +discovery among some old Greek MSS. of a lost work by Origen. The +_Journal des Débats_ describes the original work as being in ten books; +the first of which is already known to the world under the title of +_Philosophumena_. The last seven books have just been printed at the +university press in Oxford, under the editorial direction of M. Miller, +who went to England for that purpose. They make an octavo volume of +about three hundred and fifty pages. The _Débats_ says the work is "a +refutation of heresies, in which the author endeavors to prove that the +heresiarchs have all taken their doctrines from the ancient +philosophers:"--a very curious task for Origen to perform, since he was +himself chiefly remarkable for the mixture of Zeno, Plato, and +Aristotle, which he compounded with his Christianity. But apart from its +controversial interest, the recovered manuscript will throw new light on +the opinions and practices of the Neo-Platonists, and on the manners and +customs of ancient times. Discoveries like this point out the necessity +for a larger and more combined action of learned societies in the search +for ancient manuscripts. Origen's _Stromata_ might even yet be +completed: and it is not to be supposed that all the existing fragments +of his _Hexapla_ were collected by Montfaucon. + + * * * * * + +From Constantinople we learn that very important discoveries of ancient +Greek MSS. have been made, in a cave, near the foot of Mount Athos, +bringing to light a vast quantity of celebrated works quoted by various +ancient writers, and hitherto deemed entirely lost. They furnish, +according to the accounts in the journals, an extensive list of proper +names calculated to throw great light upon many obscure periods of +history. Among these volumes, it is said, some are calculated to give a +complete interpretation of hieroglyphic writing--the discoverer having +already successfully applied them to the interpretation of the +inscriptions engraved on the obelisk of the Hippodrome at +Constantinople. This may be quite true, but such statements are to be +received with some suspicion. + + * * * * * + +A literal prose translation of Homer, by Mr. T. A. Buckley, has just +appeared in London. No prose version will cause any just notion of the +spirit of Homer. Of the half dozen metrical translations published +recently, we think that of our countryman Munford the best. Henry W. +Herbert has given us parts of the Iliad in admirable style. No one, +however, has yet equalled old Chapman--certainly not Pope nor Cowper. +The most successful translation into a modern language is unquestionably +the German one by Voss. Mure and Grote have written the ablest +dissertations in English upon the Homeric controversy, but they are not +poets, and could not if they would translate the great bard. + + * * * * * + +R. P. GILLIES, a contemporary of the great authors of the last age, has +published in three volumes _Memoirs of a Literary Veteran_. More than +half a century spent in the society of the lions of literature, could +hardly fail to furnish a store of amusing anecdotes, and a sprinkling of +interesting information. Mr. Gillies has also this advantage over many +collectors of similar reminiscences, that he was not only an author +among authors, but that his social position in early life gave him +access to the best circles. Scott, Wordsworth, Campbell, the Ettrick +Shepherd, Rogers, Galt, Maginn, Haydon, and many more names of interest, +figure frequently in his pages. Upon the whole, however, his work is +tedious, and quite too much occupied with matters that can be +entertaining only to his most intimate associates. Gillies was one of +the early contributors to "Blackwood," and figured as "Kemperhausen" in +the _Noctes Ambrosianæ_. He was also the originator and first editor of +the Foreign Quarterly Review, and was one of the first to make German +literature familiar in England. + + * * * * * + +It appears that only the Harpers' edition of Lord HOLLAND'S +_Reminiscences_ is complete. The London copies are full of asterisks, +marking the places of cancelled passages. The cancellings, it was +suggested, were occasioned by the interposition of Lord John Russel. A +correspondent of _The Times_, however, (understood to be Mr. Panizzi of +the British Museum,) came out with a denial, saying "his lordship never +saw a word of the _Reminiscences_ till after they were published, and +that no responsibility whatever could attach to him. I speak thus," he +adds, "of my own knowledge, and beg to inclose my name as a voucher for +the truth of this statement." The _Athenæum_ thinks that if Mr. Panizzi +had said "printed" instead of "published," his voucher would have been +less rashly ventured, as "Lord John _did_ see the work before it was +actually published, but not before it had been actually printed; and +here, if we be not misinformed, arises a somewhat amusing _contretemps_, +which is likely to render the cancels ineffectual. Lord John, in fact, +had not the opportunity of interfering until the work had been so far +published to the world that an 'uncancelled' copy, with all the passages +since sought to be suppressed, had been dispatched to America beyond +recall. The next American mail will, doubtless, supply us with the whole +of the suppressed passages." + + * * * * * + +The meeting of the _British Association_, at Ipswich, is to commence on +Wednesday, July the 2d, and extend over seven or eight days. The +secretaries have received the names of several hundred intending +visitors, among whom are Lucien Buonaparte, Sir R. Murchison, Sir H. de +la Beche, Sir W. Jardine, Sir Charles Lyell, Sir David Brewster; +Professors Daubeny, Silliman (of America), Owen, Ansted, and the +celebrated naturalist, M. Lorrillier, a relative of the late Baron +Cuvier. + + * * * * * + +Of the new book on _Man's Nature and Development_, by Miss Martineau and +Mr. Atkinson, the _Westminster Review_ for April says: + +"Strange and wonderful is the power of self-delusion! Here we have two +clever well-informed people, persuading themselves that they experience +extraordinary raptures mingled with the most exquisite philosophic calm, +from believing that unconscious matter is the cause of conscious +thought, that the truest human affection is nothing worthier than the +love of a spoonful of nitric acid for a copper half-penny, and that +annihilation is the most satisfactory end of human life. From such views +both the intellect and the heart of man will recoil with well-founded +disgust--his logical powers will perceive the absurdity of the argument, +and his taste and affections will lead him to exclaim with Wordsworth:-- + + ----'Great God! I'd rather be + A Pagan suckled in a creed outworn: + So might I standing on this pleasant lea + Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn; + Have sight of Proteus, rising from the sea, + Or hear old Triton blow his wreathed horn.' + +"The new lights promised by our authors turn out to be chiefly composed +of very old-fashioned rays of darkness, and, after a careful perusal, +many will come to the conclusion that the way to be a modern +philosopher, is to quote the ancients, praise Bacon, and talk 'bosh.'" + + * * * * * + +New editions of the works of Fielding and Smollett, profusely +illustrated by Cruikshank and Kenny Meadows, will soon be published by +Stringer & Townsend. These great classics will never cease to be read +with the keenest relish by all the English race. The London publishers +of the present edition of Fielding observe in their advertisement: + + "It is altogether unnecessary to enlarge upon the genius of + Henry Fielding. There is no man in the brilliant history of + English literature, with the single exception of Shakspeare, to + whose genius has been paid the homage of a more general + attestation. Calumny and misrepresentation--the offspring of + envy and malice--these, in his day, he had to endure or to + deride, and these, with their authors, have long sunk into + oblivion. The greatest of his contemporaries knew and + acknowledged his transcendent merit, and since his death, there + has not been one man of genius whose opinion of Fielding is + recorded, that has not spoken of him with veneration and + delight. Dr. Johnson, spite of a personal enmity, could not but + concede his extraordinary powers. Lady Mary Wortley Montague + reluctantly confessed that 'cousin Fielding' was the greatest + original genius of the age; the fastidious Gray was charmed + with him; and the more fastidious Gibbon has left his opinion + on record, that the illustrious house of Hapsburg, from which + Fielding was descended--its name erased, its towers + crumbled,--will be forgotten, when the romance of _Tom Jones_ + shall flourish in eternal youth. If Coleridge classed him, as + one of the true immortals, with Shakspeare, Goëthe could not, + nor was willing to contest, that he was so; if Byron could + cheer his heart and refresh his mind with his pages, so can, + and so does, Wordsworth. In a word, the matchless drawing of + his characters, which are not likenesses from life, but copies + from Nature--the one being a shallow art, the other a + profoundly creative power--his exquisite wit, his abounding + humor, his natural and manly pathos--in these no writer of + narrative fiction has ever approached him. + + "While, therefore, nothing can be less likely than that the + fame of Fielding should ever be suffered to die, or that, as + long as literature exists it can ever diminish, nothing can be + more proper than to attempt to extend his popularity--a + consummation inevitably to be effected by producing his works + at a price accessible, and in a form attractive, to all + classes. The late Rowland Hill once observed, that it was not + fitting that the arch-enemy of mankind should have all the best + tunes to himself. In a like spirit it may be remarked, that it + ought not to be permitted to inferior writers to monopolize all + the appliances and means of popularity that art can bestow. + Accordingly, the proprietors have secured the hearty and + zealous co-operation of Kenny Meadows. It would be invidious, + and from the purpose, to institute a comparison between this + gentleman and his contemporaries; but it may be asserted that + no living artist has shown an equal versatility of genius, + which points him out as the man best fitted to trace the + many-colored life of Fielding. From the illustration, almost + page by page, of Shakspeare, where is the man but would have + shrunk? but that work of our artist has secured not merely an + English, not only a European reputation, but a world-wide + celebrity. The proprietors are assured, that from the hand of + Kenny Meadows such an edition of Fielding will proceed as we + have not yet seen, and shall not hereafter see." + + * * * * * + +Of Mr. JOHN BIGELOW'S work on _Jamaica_, (published a few weeks ago by +Putnam,) the London _Examiner_ of April 5th, remarks: + + "It contains the most searching analysis of the present state + of Jamaica, and, moreover, the most sagacious prognostications + of the future prospects of the island that have ever been + published. Mr. Bigelow is an accomplished, acute, and liberal + American. As such, an eye-witness and a participator of the + greatest and most successful colonial experiment which the + world has ever seen, he is, necessarily, a better and more + impartial judge of the subject he treats of than any Englishman + of equal capacity and acquirement. Mr. Bigelow makes short and + easy work of planters, attornies, book-keepers, sophistries, + and Stanleys. In doing so, his language is invariably that of a + man of education and a gentleman. He might have crushed them + with a sledge-hammer, but he effects his purpose as effectually + with a pass or two of a sharp and polished broad-sword." + + * * * * * + +The publication of a translation in the Bohemian language of Lamartine's +_History of the Girondins_, has been recently prohibited at Prague by +the Austrian authorities. + + * * * * * + +MACREADY, in retiring from the stage, had more honors showered upon him +than ever before sweetened the leave-taking of any hero of the buskin: +among them, this dedication of George Sand's latest publication, _Le +Château des Désertes_, which is now appearing in _La Revue des Deux +Mondes_: + + "To W. C. MACREADY:--This little work, attempting to set forth + certain ideas on Dramatic Art, I place under the protection of + a great name, and of an honorable friendship. + + GEORGE SAND." + + + + * * * * * + +The first volume of _The Stones of Venice_, by Mr. RUSKIN, has been +republished by Mr. Wiley, and we trust it will have a very large sale in +this country, which was never in greater need of instructions upon any +subject than it is now upon that of architecture. In all our cities +there is remarkable activity in building; the surplus wealth of the +American people is largely applied for the increase of the magnificence +of town and country residences--for the most part so ignorantly applied, +that the Genius of Architecture might almost be frightened from our +shores by the spectacles reared here to vex and astonish the next ages. +To bring about a reform, to lead the way for rationalism, in the noblest +of the practical arts, Mr. Ruskin has approved himself worthy by his +previous works. The _Stones of Venice_ will increase the fame won by his +"Modern Painters." The _Literary Gazette_ says: + + "It is a book for which the time is ripe, and it cannot fail to + produce the most beneficial results, directly and indirectly, + on our national architecture. The low condition into which that + has fallen has been long felt. Mr. Ruskin has undertaken to + lead us back to the first principles of the art, and, in doing + so, to enable every reader who will bestow the necessary + attention to his exposition, to discover for himself the causes + of this decline, and to master the principles, by attention to + which, the significance and dignity of the art may be restored. + The subject is one of the widest interest; but it has been so + hedged about with technical difficulties as to debar from its + study all who had not more leisure, more perseverance, and more + money, than fall to the lot of the majority of even cultivated + minds. At once popular and profound, this book will be + gratefully hailed by a circle of readers even larger than Mr. + Ruskin has found for his previous works. He has so written as + to catch the ear of all kinds of persons: 'Every man,' he says + truly, 'has at some time of his life personal interest in + architecture. He has influence on the design of some public + building; or he has to buy, or build, or alter his own house. + It signifies less, whether the knowledge of other arts be + general or not; men may live without buying pictures or + statues; but in architecture all must in some way commit + themselves; they _must_ do mischief, and waste their money, if + they do not know how to turn it to account. Churches, and + shops, and warehouses, and cottages, and small row, and place, + and terrace houses, must be built and lived in, however joyless + and inconvenient. And it is assuredly intended that all of us + should have knowledge, and act upon our knowledge, in matters + in which we are daily concerned, and not be left to the caprice + of architects, or mercy of contractors." + + "Those who live in cities are peculiarly dependent for + enjoyment upon the beauty of its architectural features. Shut + out from mountain, river, lake, forest, cliff, and hedgerow, + they must either find in streets and squares food for pleasant + contemplation, or be drawn into indifference by meaningless, + ill-proportioned, or unsightly forms. 'We are forced,' says Mr. + Ruskin, 'for the sake of accumulating our power and knowledge, + to live in cities; but such advantage as we have in association + with each other, is in great part counterbalanced by our loss + of fellowship with nature. We cannot all have our gardens now, + nor our pleasant fields to meditate in at eventide. Then the + function of our architecture is, as far as may be, to replace + these; to tell us about nature; to possess us with memories of + her quietness; to be solemn and full of tenderness like her, + and rich in portraitures of her; full of delicate imagery of + the flowers we can no more gather, and of the living creatures + now far away from us in their own solitude. If ever you felt or + found this in a London street; if ever it furnished you with + one serious thought, or any ray of true and gentle pleasure; if + there is in your heart a true delight in its green railings, + and dark casements, and wasteful finery of shops, and feeble + coxcombry of club-houses, it is well; promote the building of + more like them. But if they never taught you any thing, and + never made you happier as you passed beneath them, do not think + they have any mysterious goodness of occult sublimity. Have + done with the wretched affectation, the futile barbarism, of + pretending to enjoy; for, as surely as you know that the meadow + grass, meshed with fairy rings, is better than the wood + pavement cut into hexagons; and as surely as you know the fresh + winds and sunshine of the upland are better than the choke-damp + of the vault, or the gaslight of the ball-room, you may know + that the good architecture which has life, and truth, and joy + in it, is better than the bad architecture, which has death, + dishonesty, and vexation of heart in it from the beginning to + the end of time. + + "To show what this good architecture is, how it is produced, + and to what end, is the object of the present volume. It is, + consequently, purely elementary, and introductory merely to the + illustration, to be furnished in the next volume from the + architectural riches of Venice, of the principles, to the + development of which it is devoted. Beginning from the + beginning, Mr. Ruskin carries his reader through the whole + details of construction with an admirable clearness of + exposition, and by a process which leaves him at the close in a + position to apply the principles which he has learned by the + way, and to form an intelligent and independent judgment upon + any form of architectural structure. The argument of the book + hangs too closely together to be indicated by extracts, or by + an analysis within the limits to which we are confined." + +We perceive that the work of which the first volume is here noticed, is +to be followed immediately by _Examples of the Architecture of Venice_, +selected and drawn to measurement from the edifices, by Mr. Ruskin: to +be completed in twelve parts, of folio imperial size, price one guinea +each. These will not be reproduced in this country, and as the author +probably has little advantage from the American editions of his works, +we trust that for his benefit as well as for the interests of art, the +_Examples_ will be largely imported. + + * * * * * + +The new play written by Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton, as his contribution +towards the fund raising for the new Literary Institute, is in the hands +of the literary and artistic amateurs by whom it is to be enacted, and +rehearsals are in progress. The first performance will take place +probably in June. + + * * * * * + +It was a custom when the world was younger than it is now, for +disappointed lovers, and outlaws, and portionless youths too proud to +labor and afraid to steal, to go into the wars; nobility, that would not +suffer them to become journeymen mechanics, led them to hire out as +journeymen butchers. But at length the field of military adventure is +almost every where closed. There is no region, ever so remote, where a +spirited and adventurous youth could hope ever to learn the art martial. +A few skirmishes on the Parana and the Plata, on the Fish River, or the +Keiskamma, form all the fighting that is going on upon the globe; and +that fighting offers no premium to the adventurer. There is no native +prince of great wealth and numerous followers, no mogul, or sultan, or +sikh, with whom the turbulent European might make a good bargain for his +courage. The last field for such enterprise was the country of the +Mahrattas, where French and English mercenaries--with a sprinkling of +Americans--created a colony which enabled the ignorant, bigoted and +jealous savages to keep in check the best European armies. A Frenchman +named Person was a pioneer in the business. He was succeeded by the +Savoyard, De Boigne, whose statue now adorns the principal square of +Chamberry. James Skinner, whose _Memoirs_ have just been published in +London by the novelist and traveler Mr. Bailie Fraser, began a similar +career under De Boigne. Some idea may be formed of the Mahratta army, +when the Peishwa at times brought 100,000 horse into the field. A +trusted officer, as Skinner afterwards became, might thus command a +division of twenty, thirty, or forty thousand men, equal in fact to the +largest European armies in the last century. When men played with such +tools as these, it may be easily imagined how they themselves rose and +fell; how empires crumbled, or were reared anew. When Wellesley and Loke +overthrew the Mahrattas, Skinner entered the British service, and it +appears from the book before us that he died in 1836 a knight of the +Bath. + + * * * * * + +"Hitherto," says M. de Sainte Beuve, "the real learning of women has +been found to be pretty much the property of their lovers;" and he +ridicules the notion that even Mrs. Somerville has any scholarship that +would win the least distinction for a man. It may be so. We see, +however, that a Miss FANNY CORBAUX has lately communicated to the +Syro-Egyptian Society in London a very long and ambitious paper _On the +Raphaïm and their connexion with Egyptian History_, in which she quotes +Hebrew, Arabic, Greek, &c., with astonishing liberality. + + * * * * * + +Carlyle's translation of the _Apprenticeship and Travels of Wilhelm +Meister_, has been issued in a very handsome edition, by Ticknor, Reed & +Fields, of Boston. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Macaulay has been passing the Winter and Spring in Italy. + + * * * * * + +The Late Mr. John Glanville Taylor, an Englishman, left in MS. a work +upon _The United States and Cuba_, which has just been published by +Bentley, and is announced for republication by Mr. Hart of Philadelphia. +Mr. Taylor was born in 1810, and when about twenty-one years of age he +left Liverpool for the United States, on a mining speculation. After +travelling a few months in this country, he was induced to go to Cuba to +examine a gold vein of which he thought something might be made. The +place in Cuba which was to be the scene of his operations, was the +neighborhood of Gibara, on the north-eastern side of the island, which +he reached by sailing from New-York to St. Jago de Cuba, and travelling +across the island forty-five leagues. The gold vein turned out a +wretched failure; and, after having been put to some disagreeable shifts +to maintain himself, Mr. Taylor resolved to settle as a planter in +Holguin--the district to which Gibara forms the port of entry. Returning +to the United States, he made the necessary arrangements; and in the +summer of 1843, was established on his _hacienda_, in partnership with +an American who had been long resident in that part of the island. In +this and the following year, however, the east of Cuba was visited by an +unprecedented drought; causing famine which, though it destroyed many +lives and ruined thousands of proprietors, attracted no more attention, +he says, in England, than was implied by "a paragraph of three lines in +an English newspaper." The west of Cuba was at the same time devastated +by a tremendous hurricane, accompanied by floods; and, all his Cuban +prospects being thus blasted, the author was glad to return to New-York +in September, 1845, whence, after a short stay, he returned to England. +He did not long, however, remain in his native country, but left it for +Ceylon, where he died suddenly in January, of the present year. His +_United States and Cuba: Eight Years of Change and Travel_, was left in +MS., and within a few weeks has been printed. It is a work of much less +value than Mr. Kimball's _Cuba and the Cubans_, published in New-York +last year. Of that very careful and judicious performance Mr. Taylor +appears to have made considerable use in the preparation of his own, and +his agreement with Mr. Kimball may be inferred from the fact that, +though pointedly protesting that he does not advocate the annexation of +Cuba to the United States, he holds that "worse things might +happen,"--and indeed hints that sooner or later the event is inevitable. +Of _Cuba and the Cubans_, we take this opportunity to state that a new +and very much improved edition will soon be issued by Mr. Putnam. + + * * * * * + +Lady Emmeline Stuart Wortley has in the press of Bentley her _Travels in +the United States_. She passed about two years, we believe, in this +country. She has written several books, in verse and prose, but we never +heard that any body had read one of them. + + * * * * * + +The _Nile Notes_, by Mr. CURTIS, have been republished in London by +Bentley, and the book is as much approved by English as by American +critics. The _Daily News_ says: + + "The author is evidently a man of great talent." + +Leigh Hunt, in his _Journal_, that-- + + "It is brilliant book, full of thought and feeling." + +The _Athenæum_, that-- + + "The author of _Nile Notes_, we may now add, is richly + poetical, humorous, eloquent, and glowing as the sun, whose + southern radiance seems to burn upon his page. An affluence of + fancy which never fails, a choice of language which chastens + splendor of expression by the use of simple idioms, a love for + the forms of art whether old or new, and a passionate enjoyment + of external nature such as belongs to the more poetic order of + minds--are the chief characteristics of this writer." + +The _Literary Gazette_-- + + "The genial and kindly spirit of this book, the humor and + vivacity of personal descriptions, redeemed by an exquisite + choice of expression from the least taint of the common or the + coarse; the occasional melody and music of the diction, + cadenced, as it were, by the very grace and tenderness of the + thought it clothes, or the images of beauty it evokes; the + broad, easy touches, revealing as at a glance the majestic and + tranquil features of the Eastern landscape, and the ultimate + feeling of all its accessories of form and hue; the varied + resources of learning, tradition, poetry, romance, with which + it is not encumbered but enriched, as a banquet table with + festal crowns and sparkling wines--all these, and many other + characteristics, to which our space forbids us to do justice, + render these 'Nile Notes' quite distinct from all former books + of Eastern travel, and worthy 'to occupy the intellect of the + thoughtful and the imagination of the lively.' Never did a + wanderer resign his whole being with more entire devotion to + the silence and the mystery that brood, like the shadow of the + ages, over that dead, dumb land. A veritable lotus-eater is our + American Howadji!'" + +And a dozen other London journals might be quoted to the same effect. +But critics disagree, as well as doctors, and the Boston _Puritan +Recorder_ comes down on the Howadji in the following exemplary manner: + + "This is a much-vaunted book, by a young American, but one in + which we take no pleasure. In the first place, it is written in + a most execrable style,--all affectation, and verbal wriggling + and twisting for the sake of originality. The veriest sophomore + ought to be "rusticated" for such conceited phrases as + "beautiful budburstiness of bosom,"--"her twin eyes shone forth + liquidly lustrous"--and innumerable expressions in the same + namby-pamby dialect. But dellacruscan folly is but a trifle + compared with the immoral tendency of the descriptions of the + _gahzeeyah_, or dancing girls of Egypt, and the luscious + comments on their polluted ways and manners. We thought the + Harpers had done publishing this indecent trash." + + * * * * * + +D. M. Moir, the "Delta" of _Blackwood's Magazine_, has just published in +Edinburgh, _Sketches of the Poetical Literature of the Past Half +Century_, in six Lectures, delivered at the Edinburgh Philosophical +Institution. + + * * * * * + +The Rev. Satan Montgomery, otherwise called _Robert_ Montgomery, is not +dead, as some have supposed, but is still making sermons and +verses--probably sermons and verses of equally bad quality; and we see +with some alarm that the Rivingtons advertise, as in preparation, a +complete edition of his _Poetical Works_ [we never saw any works by him +that were poetical] in one octavo volume, similar in size and appearance +to the octavo editions of Southey, Wordsworth, &c., &c., and including +the whole of the author's poems--_Satan_, _Woman_, _Hell_, and all the +rest,--in a revised form, with some original minor pieces, and a general +preface. We don't suppose he will take our counsel, yet we will venture +it, that he make use of Macaulay's reviewal of his poems, instead of any +"general preface" of his own. + + * * * * * + +Documentary History of New-York.--The forthcoming (third) volume of this +State contribution to our historical literature will well sustain the +reputation of its predecessors and of its zealous editor. Dr. +O'CALLAGHAN is an enthusiast in his zeal for lighting up "the dark ages +of our history," as Verplanck called the Dutch period; and he has done +as much as any man living to rescue the fast perishing memorials of the +founders of the Empire State. It is fortunate for the State that his +industry and patient research are secured for the proper arrangement of +the Archives--too long neglected and subject to loss and mutilation. The +new volume has come to hand too late for any elaborate notice or review +of its contents; but a glance at the list of papers and illustrations +alone warrants the opinion we have expressed. We notice particularly the +account of Champlain's explorations in Northern New-York, &c., from 1609 +to 1615--translated from the edition of 1632. The historical student +cannot fail to note the coincidence of discovery and exploration by the +Dutch and French; and the credit due to the "Founder of New France;" to +which we have alluded in the article on the Jesuit Relations. The +translations of the extracts from Wassenaar (1624, etc.), give an +interesting cotemporaneous view of the progress of the European +discoveries and settlements in America. A chapter on Medals and Coins +contains attractive matter, particularly that portion which relates to +the "Rosa Americana coins," connected as they are with the "Wood's +half-pence," immortalized by Dean Swift. The notes and biographical +sketches by the editor, scattered through the volume, add materially to +its value--as also the numerous maps and engravings. We have heard hints +that some small suggestions of disinterested economists of the public +money, or other considerations less creditable, have been brought to +bear against the continuation of this publication--but we trust that +they will end when they begin. New-York owes it to her own great history +to make its material accessible to all. + + * * * * * + +Colonel Albert J. Pickett, of Montgomery, has in the press of Walker and +James, of Charleston, _The History of Alabama, and incidentally of +Georgia and Mississippi, from the Earliest Period_. It will make two +handsome volumes, and from some passages of it which we have read, we +believe it will be a work of very unusual attraction. It will embrace an +account of the invasion of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, +by De Soto, in 1539-41; of the Aborigines of these states, their +appearance, manners and customs, games, amusements, wars, and religious +ceremonies, their ancient mounds and fortifications, and of the modern +Indians, the Creeks, Chickasaws Choctaws, Alabamas, Uchees, Cherokees, +and other tribes; the discovery and settlement of Alabama and +Mississippi by the French, and their occupation until 1763; the +occupation of Alabama and Mississippi by the British for eighteen years; +the colonization of Georgia by the English; the occupation of Alabama +and Mississippi by the Spaniards for thirty years; and the occupation of +these states by the Americans from 1800 until 1820. One whole chapter is +taken up with an interesting account of the arrest of Aaron Burr in +Alabama in 1807; and the exciting controversies between Georgia, the +Federal Government, Spain, and the Creek Indians, are treated at length. +The work will be illustrated by really valuable engravings, after +original drawings made by a French traveller in 1564. + + * * * * * + +Mrs. Farnham, author of _Prairie-Land_, (a very clever book published +three or four years ago by the Harpers), and widow of the late Mr. +Farnham who wrote a book of travels in Oregon and other parts of the +Pacific country, is now living in a sort of paradise, about seventy +miles south of San Francisco. In a published letter she gives the +following description of her farm: + + "It is very heavily timbered and watered with clear living + streams running through valleys of the most fertile soil, on + which delicious vegetables grow ten months of the year. The + region is especially famed for potatoes, which become almost a + fruit here. The farm I live on is charmingly situated about a + mile from the old Mission, and two from the beach, on which a + tremendous surf breaks and thunders day and night. From my + house I look over the coast-table and range of mountains, the + hills of Monterey, the bay, and a near landscape, exquisitely + diversified by plain and wood, hill and valley, and almost + every shade that herbage and foliage, in a country without + frost, can show. The rainy season is about a month old, and the + earth as green as it is at home in June. Another month will + pile it with clover, and less than another variegate it with an + inconceivable variety of the most exquisite flowers--for this + is the land of flowers as well as of gold. Our prairies are + quite insignificant in their floral shows, compared to it. The + country and climate are faultless--except in the lack of + showers through the dry months. Nearly every thing one can + desire may be grown upon one's own farm here." + + * * * * * + +Mr. Charles Gayarre, a gentleman distinguished in the affairs of +Louisiana, in which state he has held some important offices, has just +published in a handsome octavo, _Louisiana, its Colonial History and +Romance_, (Harper & Brothers.) It appears from the preface, that Mr. +Gayarre has had excellent opportunities for the collection of materiel +for a really good book of the sort indicated by his title; but this +performance is utterly worthless, or worse than worthless, being neither +history nor fiction, but such a commingling of the two that no one can +tell which is one or which the other. The uncertainty with which it is +read will be disagreeable in proportion to the interest that it excites; +and, knowing something of the colonial history of Louisiana, we are +inclined to think that a book quite as entertaining as this might have +been composed of authenticated facts. Indeed the _Historical Collections +of Louisiana_, by Mr. French, (published by Daniels and Smith, +Philadelphia,) must be to even the most superficial reader a far more +attractive volume. + + * * * * * + +The _Pictorial Field Book of the Revolution_, by BENSON J. LOSSING, +(Harper & Brothers,) is a work that cannot well be praised overmuch. +There have been an immense number of illustrated and pictorial histories +of this country, all or nearly all of which are worthless patchwork; but +Mr. Lossing's is a production of equal attractive interest and value. +The first volume only has been completed; one more will follow with all +convenient haste, ending the work. The letter-press is written from +original materials, the drawings of scenery are made from original +surveys, the engravings are executed, all by Mr. Lossing himself; and in +every department he evinces judgment and integrity. The Field Book will +not serve the purposes of a general history, but to the best informed +and most sagacious it will be a useful companion in historical reading, +while to those who seek only amusement in books, it may be commended, +for its pleasant style and careful art, as one of the most entertaining +works of the time. + + * * * * * + +We are glad to perceive that Mr. J. H. INGRAHAM, author of _The +Southwest, by a Yankee; Burton, or the Sieges_; and a large number of +the vilest yellow-covered novels ever printed in this country, has been +admitted to the deaconate in the Episcopal church at Natchez, and +intends shortly to remove to Aberdeen, in the same state, to found a +society in that city. + + * * * * * + +Mrs. Judson ("Fanny Forrester") left Calcutta in January for the United +States, by way of England, and she is now daily expected home, by her +old and warmly attached friends here. We see suggested a volume of her +poems--some of which have much tenderness and beauty; and hope that +measures will be taken to insure such a publication, for her exclusive +benefit, immediately. + + * * * * * + +Our contemporary, the Philadelphia _Lady's Book_, is a little out of +season in its fashions. The April number of that excellent periodical +contains the Parisian Fashions which appeared in _The International_ for +February; and for this present month of May, we see in _The Lady's Book_ +the altogether too warm and heavily made dresses given in _The +International_ for last January--mid-winter. Certainly Philadelphia +ought not to be so far behind New-York in these matters. In its literary +character the _Lady's Book_ is still sustained by the contributions of +its favorite critic Mr. Henry T. Tuckerman, with those of Mr. T. S. +Arthur, Miss Adaliza Cutter, and Mrs. Sarah J. Hale. + + * * * * * + +We regret that the terms in which we lately announced Mr. J. R. TYSON'S +forthcoming _History of the American Colonies_ were capable of any +misapprehension. We know Mr. Tyson quite too well to entertain a doubt +of his perfect integrity as a historian; but it has been a subject of +frequent observation in the middle and southern states that the +New-England writers, who have furnished most of our histories, have +exaggerated the influence of the Puritans and depreciated that of the +Quakers and Cavaliers: Mr. Tyson himself, we believe, has been of this +opinion; and we merely look for an able, fair, and liberal history, from +his point of view. + + * * * * * + +Mr. VALENTINE is preparing a new volume of his _Manual of the Common +Council of New-York_. The volumes hitherto published have been edited +with great care and judgment; they embody an extraordinary amount and +variety of interesting and important facts connected with the +advancement and condition of the city; and the series is indispensable +to any one who would write a history of New-York, or the lives of its +leading citizens. The last volume was unusually rich in maps and +statistics, and we understand that the next one will be even more +interesting and valuable. + + * * * * * + +Mr. WILLIS has just published (through Charles Scribner) a new volume +under the characteristic title of _Hurry-graphs, or Sketches of Scenery, +Celebrities and Society_, taken from life. It embraces the author's +letters to the Home Journal, from Plymouth, Montrose, the Delaware, the +Hudson, the Highlands, and other summer resorts, with personal +descriptions of Webster, Everett, Emerson, Cooper, Jenny Lind, and many +other notabilities. It will be a delightful companion for the watering +places this season. + + * * * * * + +Among the most beautiful books from the American press is _Episodes of +Insect Life_, by ACHETA DOMESTICA, just reprinted by J. S. Redfield. The +natural history and habits of insects of every class are delineated by a +close observer with remarkable minuteness, and in a style of unusual +felicity; and the peculiar illustrations of the book are more spirited +and highly finished than we have noticed in any publication of a similar +character. + + * * * * * + +The Harpers have published a new edition of the _Greek Grammar_ of +Philip Buttman, revised and enlarged by his son, Alexander Buttman, and +translated from the eighteenth German edition by Dr. EDWARD ROBINSON. It +is not to be doubted, we suppose, that this grammar, in the shape in +which it is now presented, is altogether the best that exists of the +Greek language. We are not ourselves competent to a judgment in the +case, but from all we have seen upon the subject by the best scholars, +we take this to be the general opinion. + + * * * * * + +JOHN P. KENNEDY has in the press of Putnam a new and carefully revised +edition of his _Swallow Barn, or a Sojourn in the Old Dominion_, one of +the most pleasant books illustrative of local manners and rural life +that has ever been written. It is more like Irving's Bracebridge Hall +than any other work we can think of, and is as felicitous a picture of +old Virginia as Jeffrey Crayon has given us of Merrie England. The first +edition of Swallow Barn was published twenty years ago; the new one is +to be beautifully illustrated in the style of Irving's _Sketch Book_. + + * * * * * + +Dr. FRANCIS LIEBER, the learned Professor of the South Carolina College, +has been elected a member of the National Institute of France. Dr. +Lieber is a German, but he has resided in this country many years. Among +Americans who have been thus complimented are Mr. Prescott and Mr. +Bancroft. The late Henry Wheaton was also a member of the Institute. + + * * * * * + +The entertaining book, _Ship and Shore_, by the late Rev. WALTER COLTON, +has just been published by A. S. Barnes & Co., who will as soon as +practicable complete the republication of all Mr. Colton's works, under +the editorship of the Rev. Henry T. Cheever. + + * * * * * + +The _Domestic Bible_, by the Rev. Ingram Cobbin, just published in a +very handsome quarto volume in this city by S. Hueston, we think +decidedly the best edition of the Scriptures for common use that has +ever been printed in the English language. Its chief merit consists in +this, that without embracing a syllable of debatable matter in the form +of notes, it contains every needful explanation and illustration of the +text that can be gathered from ancient art, literature and history, +expressed with great distinctness and compactness, together with such +well-executed wood engravings as unquestionable knowledge in this age +could suggest--omitting altogether the absurd fancy embellishments which +in most of the illustrated Bibles are so offensive to the taste, and so +worthless as guides to the understanding. The editor we believe is a +clergyman of the Episcopal Church in England, but he has had the good +sense to avoid, so far as we can see, everything that would vex the +sectarian feelings of any one who admits that the Bible itself is true. + + * * * * * + +The _Life, Speeches, Orations, and Diplomatic Papers of Lewis Cass_, are +in press at Baltimore, under the editorship of Mr. George H. Hickman. +_The Speeches, Forensic Arguments, and Diplomatic Papers_ of Daniel +Webster (to be comprised in six large octavo volumes), are in the press +of Little & Brown of Boston, under the care of Mr. Edward Everett. _The +Memoirs and Works of the late John C. Calhoun_ are soon to be published +in Charleston, by Mr. R. K. Craller, and we hear of collections of the +Speeches and Public Papers of Mr. Buchanan and Mr. Benton. All these are +important works in literature, affairs or history. + + * * * * * + +Professor GILLESPIE, of Union College, has just published (Harper & +Brothers) a translation of The Philosophy of Mathematics, from the +_Cours de Philosophie Positive_ of AUGUSTE COMTE. The intellect of +Europe in this century has evolved no greater work than the Philosophie +Positive, and Professor Gillespie has done a wise thing in rendering +into English that part of it which relates to the field of mathematical +science. + + * * * * * + +Professor LINCOLN'S edition of Horace (recently published by the +Appletons) is the subject of much commendatory observation from critical +scholars. For purposes of instruction it is likely to have precedence of +any other that has been printed in this country. Those having marginal +translations may be very convenient for indolent boys, but they are not +altogether the most serviceable. + + * * * * * + +A work of very great ability has appeared in Paris, under the title of +_De la Certitude_, (Upon Certainty), by A. JAVARY. It makes an octavo of +more than five hundred pages, and for originality of ideas and +illustrations, and cumulative force of logic, is almost unrivalled. The +sceptical speculation of the time is reduced by it to powder, and thrown +to the winds. + + * * * * * + +Mr. MCCONNELL, who gave us last year a brilliant volume under the title +of "Talbot and Vernon," has just published, _The Glenns, a Family +History_, by which his good reputation will be much increased. It +displays much skill in the handling, and is altogether an advance from +his previous performance. (C. Scribner.) + + * * * * * + +The wife of a shipmaster trading from Boston in the Pacific, has just +published a volume entitled _Life in Fejee, or Five Years among the +Cannibals_. It is a very entertaining book, and we are obliged to the +cannibals for not eating the author. + + * * * * * + +Noticing the appointment of Mr. S. G. GOODRICH to be consul for the +United States at Paris, the London _News_ says: "In these days of +testimonials and compliments, we should not be surprised to hear of an +address of congratulation to the admired Peter, from the 'children of +England.'" + + * * * * * + +Of recent American Novels, the best that have fallen under our notice +(except those of Hawthorne and McConnell, before noticed), are, _The +Rangers, or the Tory's Daughter_, a very interesting tale illustrative +of the revolutionary history of Vermont, by D. P. Thompson, author of +"The Green Mountain Boys," (B. B. Mussey & Co., Boston); _Mount Hope, or +Philip, King of the Wampanoags_, by C. H. Hollister, (Harper & +Brothers); _Rebels and Tories, or the Blood of the Mohawk_, by Lawrence +Labree, (Dewitt and Davenport); and _Second Love_, a pleasant domestic +story, by an anonymous writer, (G. P. Putnam.) + + * * * * * + +The Hakluyt Society, in London, has commenced its series of publications +with _Divers Voyages touching the Discovery of America and the Islands +adjacent_, collected and published by Richard Hakluyt, Prebendary of +Bristol, in the year 1582: edited, with notes and an introduction, by +John Winter Jones. The society should have many subscribers in this +country. + + * * * * * + +Dr. MAYO has published a new book of tales, not unworthy of the author +of "Kaloolah" and "The Berber," under the title of "_Romance Dust from +the Historic Placers._" We shall give it attention hereafter. (Putnam.) + + * * * * * + +MASANIELLO is suppressed at Berlin, as _Tell_ had been--not modern +imitations of those heroes, but the operas so called, by Rossini and +Auber. The Prussian Government, liberal as it was a few months ago in +professions, cannot stand the performance of operas! + + * * * * * + +Mr. THACKERAY is to commence in London, about the middle of the present +month, a course of lectures embracing biographical reminiscences of some +of the comic writers of England during the eighteenth century. + + * * * * * + +Mr. ALISON, the historian, has been chosen Rector of the University of +Glasgow, by the casting vote of Col. Mure, the historian of Greek +Literature, who occupied the same place before Macaulay. + + + + + +The Fine Arts. + + +The engravings of the several Art-Unions of this country for the coming +year will be from excellent pictures. The American Art-Union will offer +its subscribers Mr. Woodville's _Mexican News_, engraved by Alfred +Jones; the Philadelphia Art-Union, Huntington's _Christiana and Her +Children_, by Andrews; and for the same purpose, Mr. Perkins, of Boston, +has allowed the New-England Art-Union to make use of his magnificent +picture of _Saul and the Witch of Endor_, painted by Alston, and +generally considered one of the finest historical productions of that +eminent artist. Each of the Unions, we believe, will also publish some +less important works for distribution or prizes. + +The twenty-sixth exhibition of the _National Academy of Design_, has +commenced under favorable auspices. Upon the whole, the collection of +pictures is the best ever made by the society. We have not space for any +particular criticism, but must refer to Mr. Durand's admirable +landscapes; the Greek Girl and full length portrait of General Scott by +Mr. Kellogg; Mount Desert Island by Mr. Church; The Defence of +Toleration by Mr. Rothermel; The Edge of the Wood by Mr. Huntington; Mr. +Gignoux's Winter Sunset, and other pictures in the same department by +Richards, Cropsey, and Kensett; and portraits by Elliott, Osgood, Hicks +and Flagg,--are the works which strike us as deserving most praise. + + * * * * * + +The _Bulletin of the American Art-Union_ for April, describes the +opposition to the institution of which it is the organ, as directed by +"envy, malice, and uncharitableness," and intimates that it is +occasioned by the inability or unwillingness of the committee to +purchase the trashy productions of incompetent painters constantly +offered to them. We submit to the gentlemen connected with the +Art-Union, that they should not suffer the hirelings they may sometimes +employ upon the Bulletin, thus to refer to such artists and such men as +Durand, Wier, Kellogg, Elliott, and many others, who have ventured to +think that their Association does not present altogether the best means +to be devised for the promotion of the fine arts. Taste may be displayed +in writing, as well as in buying pictures. + + * * * * * + +There was recently sold at auction at Paris, for 2,700 francs, a picture +by GIRODET, which in its time caused not a little amusement to the +Parisians. It was originally a portrait of an actress of the Theatre +Français, who married a rich banker. Girodet tried to get the pay for +his picture, but the lady and her husband obstinately refused. Hereupon +he transformed her into a Danae, receiving the shower of gold, adding +other figures, such as a turkey cock representing the eagle of Jove, +which rendered the whole work as laughable as it was uncomplimentary to +its subject. It was exhibited in one of the expositions in the time of +the empire, and no picture was ever more successful with the public. + + * * * * * + +KOTZBUE, a historical painter, now residing at Munich, has nearly +completed a large picture representing the battle of Züllichau, in 1759, +where the Germans under General Wedel were defeated by the Russians +under Soltikoff. The work is highly praised, and its author even +compared with Horace Vernet for vividness of narrative, truth in detail, +and force and harmony of color. + + * * * * * + +Mr. ELLIOTT, probably the best portrait painter now living, will soon +visit Marshfield, where Mr. Webster has promised to sit to him, for a +friend of his in this city. + + * * * * * + +Two statues by the lamented SCHWANTHALER have just been set up in the +royal library at Munich. The first represents Albert V., Duke of +Bavaria, the founder of the library, and a great patron of science. Of +course, he is presented in middle-age costume; his head is bare, his +face reflective, and his right hand supports his chin,--an image of +repose, after a work is accomplished. The other statue is of King Louis +(of Lola Montes memory), in royal robes, the left hand resting on his +sword, and his right holding the plan of the edifice containing the +library, which was built by him. His whole expression is the opposite to +that of the Duke, not repose, but restless activity in search of new +objects. A critic says that these statues do not stand well on their +feet, and that the knees are bent as if one leg was lame, a fault, he +says, not peculiar to Schwanthaler. + + * * * * * + +We last month spoke of the New Museum at Berlin, one of the finest +edifices of modern times. It may be interesting to our readers to know +that the total expense of the building and interior decoration was in +round numbers $1,100,000. Of this sum the execution of the ornamental +work and works of art in the interior, including the frescoes of +Kaulbach and others, with the arrangement of objects of art and +furniture necessary for their display, cost upwards of $220,000. + + * * * * * + +The Exhibition of the Munich Art-Union took place in the beginning of +March. Among the pictures, attention was particularly drawn to a series +of sketches from Syria, Palestine, and Asia Minor, by Löfller. Baade +exhibited a Norwegian picture, representing an effect of moonlight: +Peter Hess two small humorous pieces from military life, which were +greatly admired, as was especially a series of aquarelles representing +scenes in Switzerland and Italy, by Suter, a Swiss artist. + + * * * * * + +KAULBACH only works at Berlin on his frescoes in the New Museum during +the pleasant season. The second picture, the Destruction of Jerusalem, +was nearly finished last fall when the cold came on. He left it, and it +is now covered and concealed by brown paper till he shall again set to +work on it. + + * * * * * + +M. LAMARTINE recently presented in the French Assembly a petition from +William Tell Poussin, formerly minister of the Republic in the United +States, praying the French Government to grant a block of granite, taken +from the quarries of Cherbourg, for the national monument to Washington. + + * * * * * + +WIDNMANN, the sculptor, of Munich, has recently completed in plaster a +group of the size of life, of a man defending his wife and child against +the attack of a tiger. The figures are nude, and the only figure yet +finished, that of the man, is spoken of as a model. + + + + +HAS THERE BEEN A GREAT POET IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY! + + +The _Eclectic Review_ for the last month, in an article upon the +writings of Joanna Baillie, answers this question in the manner +following: + + "We may enumerate the following names as those of real poets, + dead or alive, included in the first half of the nineteenth + century in Britain:--Bloomfield, Wordsworth, Coleridge, + Southey, Campbell, Moore, Byron, Shelley, Keats, Professor + Wilson, Hogg, Croly, Maturin, Hunt, Scott, James Montgomery, + Pollok, Tennyson, Aird, Mrs. Browning, Mrs. Hemans, Joanna + Baillie, and the author of 'Festus.' We leave this list to be + curtailed, or to be increased, at the pleasure of the reader. + But, we ask, which of those twenty-three has produced a work + uniquely and incontestably, or even, save in one or two + instances, professedly GREAT? Most of those enumerated have + displayed great powers; some of them have proved themselves fit + to begin greatest works; but none of them, whether he has + begun, or only thought of beginning, has been able to finish. + Bloomfield, the tame, emasculate Burns of England, has written + certain pleasing and genuine poems smelling of the soil, but + the 'Farmer's Boy' remained what the Scotch poet would have + called a 'haflin callant,' and never became a full-grown and + brawny man. Wordsworth was equal to the epic of the age, but + has only constructed the great porch leading up to the edifice, + and one or two beautiful cottages lying around. Coleridge could + have written a poem--whether didactic, or epic, or + dramatic--equal in fire and force to the 'Iliad,' or the + 'Hamlet,' or the 'De Rerum Natura,' and superior to any of the + three in artistic finish and metaphysical truth and religious + feeling--a work ranking immediately beside the 'Paradise Lost;' + but he has, instead, shed on us a shower of plumes, as from the + wing of a fallen angel--beautiful, ethereal, scattered, and + tantalizing. Southey's poems are large without being + great--massive, without being majestic--they have rather the + bulk of an unformed chaos than the order and beauty of a + finished creation. Campbell, in many points the Virgil of his + time, has, alas! written no Georgies; his odes and lesser poems + are, 'atoms of the rainbow;' his larger, such as 'Gertrude of + Wyoming,' may be compared to those segments of the showery arch + we see in a disordered evening sky; but he has reared no + complete 'bow of God.' Moore's 'Lalla Rookh' is an elegant and + laborious composition--not a shapely building; it is put + together by skilful art, not formed by plastic power. Byron's + poems are, for the most part, disjointed but melodious groans, + like those of Ariel from the centre of the cloven pine; 'Childe + Harold' is his soliloquy when sober--'Don Juan' his soliloquy + when half-drunk; the 'Corsair' would have made a splendid + episode in an epic--but the epic, where is it? and 'Cain,' his + most creative work, though a distinct and new world, is a + bright and terrible abortion--a comet, instead of a sun. So, + too, are the leading works of poor Shelley, which resemble + Southey in size, Byron in power of language, and himself only + in spirit and imagination, in beauties and faults. Keats, like + Shelley, was arrested by death, as he was piling up enduring + and monumental works. Professor Wilson has written '_Noctes_' + innumerable; but where is his poem on a subject worthy of his + powers, or where is his _work_ on any subject whatever? Hogg + has bound together a number of beautiful ballads, by a string + of no great value, and called it the 'Queen's Wake.' Scott + himself has left no solid poem, but instead, loose, rambling, + spirited, metrical romances--the bastards of his genius--and a + great family of legitimate chubby children of novels, bearing + the image, but not reaching the full stature, of their parent's + mind. Croly's poems, like the wing of his own 'seraph kings,' + standing beside the sleeping Jacob, has a 'lifted, mighty + plume,' and his eloquence is always as classic as it is + sounding; but it is, probably, as much the public's fault as + his, that he has never equalled his first poem, 'Paris in + 1815,' which now appears a basis without a building. Maturin + has left a powerful passage or two, which may be compared to a + feat performed by the victim of some strong disease, to imitate + which no healthy or sane person would, could, or durst attempt. + James Montgomery will live by his smaller poems--his larger are + long lyrics--and when was a long lyric any other than tedious? + Hunt has sung many a joyous carol, and many a pathetic ditty, + but produced no high or lasting poem. Pollok has aimed at a + higher object than almost any poet of his day; he has sought, + like Milton, to enshrine religion in poetic form, and to + attract to it poetic admirers: he did so in good faith, and he + expended great talents and a young life, in the execution; but, + unfortunately, he confounded Christianity with one of its + narrowest shapes, and hence the book, though eloquent in + passages, and dear to a large party, is rather a long and + powerful, though unequal and gloomy sermon, than a poem; he has + shed the sunshine of his genius upon his own peculiar notions, + far more strongly than on general truths; and the spirit of the + whole performance may be expressed in the words of Burns, + slightly altered,--'Thunder-tidings of damnation.' _His_ and + _our_ friend, Thomas Aird, has a much subtler, more original + and genial mind than Pollok's, and had he enjoyed a tithe of + the same recognition, he might have produced a Christian epic + on a far grander scale; as it is, his poems are fragmentary and + episodical, although Dante's 'Inferno' contains no pictures + more tremendously distinct, yet ideal, than his 'Devil's Dream + upon Mount Acksbeck. Tennyson is a greater Calvinist in one + sense than either of the Scotch poets we have named--he owes + more to the general faith of others in his genius than to any + special or strong works of his own; but let us be dumb, he is + now Laureate--the crowned grasshopper of a summer day! Bailey + of 'Festus' has a vast deal more power than Tennyson, who is + only his delicate, consumptive brother; but 'Festus' seems + either different from, or greater than, a _work_. We are + reminded of one stage in the history of the nebular hypothesis, + when Sir W. Herschel, seeing a central mass in the midst of a + round burr of light, was almost driven to the conclusion that + it was _something immensely greater than what we call a + star_--a kind of monster sun. So with the prodigious birth men + call 'Festus.' Our gifted young friend Yendys is more likely + than any, if he live and avoid certain tendencies to diffusion + and over-subtlety, to write a solid and undying POEM. + + "It were easy to extend the induction to our lady authors, and + to show that Mrs. Hemans, Mrs. Browning, and Joanna Baillie, + Mrs. Shelley, &c., have abounded rather in effusions or + efforts, or tentative experiments, than in calm, complete, and + perennial works." + +The critic appears never to have heard of our Bryant, Dana, Halleck, +Poe, Longfellow, or Maria Brooks, any one of whom is certainly superior +to some of the poets mentioned in the above paragraph; and his doctrine +that a great poem must necessarily be a long one--that poetry, like +butter and cheese, is to be sold by the pound--does not altogether +commend itself to our most favorable judgment. + + + + +THE REAL ADVENTURES AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF GEORGE BORROW. + + +Generally, we believe, _Lavengro_, though it has sold well everywhere, +has not been very much praised. It has been conceded that the author of +"the Bible in Spain" must be a Crichton, but his last performance looked +overmuch like trifling with the credulity of his readers. We find in +Colburn's _New Monthly Magazine_ for April a sort of vindication of +Borrow, which embraces some curious particulars of his career, and quote +the following passages, which cannot fail to interest his American +readers: + + "We have yet to learn where our author was during the years + intervening from the epoch of the dingle to the date of Spanish + travel; that he was neither in mind nor body inactive, ample + testimony may be adduced, not only in the form of writings made + public during that interval, but in the internal evidence + afforded by them of laborious research. In a work published at + St. Petersburgh in 1835, known but to few, entitled "Targum; + or, Metrical Translations from Thirty Languages and Dialects, + by George Borrow," we find indications of how those intervening + years were spent. He says, in the preface to this work, "The + following pieces, selections from a huge and undigested mass of + translation, accumulated during several years devoted to + philological pursuits, are with much diffidence offered to the + public," &c. These translations are remarkable for force and + correct emphasis, and afford demonstration of what power the + author possesses over metre. We shall cite but few examples, + however, for it is believed that not only that huge mass, but + many an additional song and ballad now is digested, and lies + side by side with the glorious "Kæmpe Viser," the "Ab Gwilym," + and other learned translations, by means of which it may be + hoped that the gifted Borrow will ere long vindicate his + lasting claim to scholarship--a claim to which it is to be + feared he is indifferent, for he is no boaster, and does + himself no justice; or, if he boasts at all, prefers, as with a + species of self-sarcasm, the mention of his lesser, on which he + dwells with zest, to that of his greater and more enduring + triumphs. The "Targum" consists of translations from the + following languages: Hebrew, Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Tartar, + Tibetian, Chinese, Mandchou, Russian, Malo-Russian, Polish, + Finnish, Anglo-Saxon, Ancient Norse, Suabian, German, Dutch, + Danish, Ancient Danish, Swedish, Ancient Irish, Irish, Gaellic, + Ancient British, Cambrian British, Greek, Modern Greek, Latin, + Provençal, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Rommany. A + few specimens from this work may be acceptable to the English + reader--a work so rare, that the authorities of a German + university not long ago sent a person to St. Petersburgh to + endeavor to discover a copy:" + + +ODE TO GOD. + +FROM THE HEBREW. + + + Reign'd the Universe's master ere were earthly things begun; + When his mandate all created, Ruler was the name he won; + And alone He'll rule tremendous when all things are past and gone; + He no equal has, nor consort, He the singular and lone + Has no end and no beginning, His the sceptre, might, and throne; + He's my God and living Saviour, rock to which in need I run; + He's my banner and my refuge, fount of weal when call'd upon; + In his hand I place my spirit, at nightfall and rise of sun, + And therewith my body also;--God's my God,--I fear no one. + + +PRAYER. + +FROM THE ARABIC. + + O Thou who dost know what the heart fain would hide; + Who ever art ready whate'er may betide; + In whom the distressed can hope in their woe, + Whose ears with the groans of the wretched are plied-- + Still bid Thy good gifts from Thy treasury flow; + All good is assembled where Thou dost abide; + To Thee, save my poverty, nought can I show, + And of Thee all my poverty's wants are supplied; + What choice have I save to Thy portal to go? + If 'tis shut, to what other my steps can I guide? + 'Fore whom as a suppliant low shall I bow, + If Thy bounty to me, Thy poor slave, is denied? + But, oh! though rebellious full often I grow, + Thy bounty and kindness are not the less wide. + + +O LORD! I NOTHING CRAVE BUT THEE. + +FROM THE TARTAR. + + O Thou from whom all love doth flow, + Whom all the world doth reverence so, + Thou constitut'st each care I know; + O Lord! I nothing crave but Thee. + + O keep me from each sinful way; + Thou breathedst life within my clay; + I'll therefore serve Thee night and day; + O Lord! I nothing crave but Thee. + + I ope my eyes, and see Thy face, + On Thee my musings all I place, + I've left my parents, friends, and race; + O Lord! I nothing crave but Thee. + + Take Thou my soul, my every thing; + My blood from out its vessels wring; + Thy slave am I, and Thou my King; + O Lord! I nothing crave but Thee. + + I speak--my tongue on Thee doth roam; + I list--the winds Thy title boom; + For in my soul has God his home; + O Lord! I nothing crave but Thee. + + The world the shallow worldling craves, + And greatness need ambitious knaves; + The lover of his maiden raves; + O Lord! I nothing crave but Thee. + + The student needs his bookish lore, + The bigot shrines to pray before, + His pulpit needs the orator; + Oh Lord! I nothing crave but thee. + + Though all the learning 'neath the skies, + And th' houries all of paradise, + The Lord should place before my eyes, + O Lord! I'd nothing crave but Thee. + + When I through paradise shall stray, + Its houries and delights survey, + Full little gust awake will they; + O Lord! I'll nothing crave but Thee. + + For Hadgee Ahmed is my name, + My heart with love of God doth flame; + Here and above I'll bide the same; + O Lord! I nothing crave but Thee. + + Nor was this the only literary labor performed by Mr. Borrow + while at St. Petersburgh: to the "Targum" he appended a + translation of "The Talisman," and other pieces from the + Russian of Alexander Pushkin. He also edited the Gospel in the + Mandchou Tartar dialect while residing in that city. In + connection with the latter undertaking there is an anecdote + told of which, like the story of his making horse-shoes, shows + his resources, and redounds to his credit. It runs thus:--"It + was known that a fountain of types in the Mandchou Tartar + character existed at a certain house in the city of St. + Petersburgh, but there was no one to be found who could set + them up. In this emergency the young editor demanded to + inspect the types; they were brought forth in a rusty state + from a cellar; on which, resolved to see his editorial labors + complete, he cleaned the types himself, and set them up with + his own hand." + +Of his journeyings in Spain Mr. Borrow has been his own biographer; but +here again his higher claims to distinction are lightly touched on, or +not named. In 1837 a book was printed at Madrid, having the following +curious title-page: + + "_Embèo e Mafaró Lucas. Brotoboro randado andré la chipe + griega, acáana chibado andré o Romanó, ó chipe es Zincales de + Sese._ + + "_El Evangelio segun S. Lucas, traducido al Romaní, ó dialecto + de los Gitanos de España. 1837._" + + And this work is no other than the remarkable antecedent of the + "Zincali,"--the translation of St. Luke's Gospel into the Gipsy + dialect of Spain.[A] Of the Bible in Spain it is unnecessary to + speak; there can be no better evidence of the estimation it is + held in than the fact of its having been translated into French + and German, while it has run through at least thirty thousand + copies at home. But it is on the "Zincali" that Borrow's + reputation will maintain its firm footing; the originality and + research involved in its production, the labors and dangers it + entailed, are duly appreciated at home and abroad. During the + past year a highly interesting account of the Gipsies and other + wandering people of Norway, written in Danish, was published at + Christiana; it is entitled "Beretning om Fante--eller + Landstrygerfolket i Norge" (Account of the Fant, or Wandering + People of Norway), by Eilert Sundt. At the twenty-third page of + this work, the Danish author, in allusion to the subject of + this notice, says: "This Borrow is a remarkable man. As agent + for the British Bible Society he has undertaken journeys into + remote lands, and acquainted from his early youth, not only + with many European languages, but likewise with the Rommani of + the English Gipsies, he sought up with zest the Gipsies every + where, and became their faithful missionary. He has made + himself so thoroughly master of their ways and customs that he + soon passed for one of their blood. He slept in their tents in + the forests of Russia and Hungary, visited them in their robber + caves in the mountainous _pass_ regions of Italy, lived with + them five entire years (towards 1840) in Spain, where he, for + his endeavors to distribute the Gospel in that Catholic land, + was imprisoned with the very worst of them for a time in the + dungeons of Madrid. He at last went over to North Africa, and + sought after his Tartars even there. It is true, no one has + taken equal pains with Borrow to introduce himself among this + rude and barbarous people, but on that account he has been + enabled better than any other to depict the many mysteries of + this race; and the frequent impressions which his book has + undergone within a short period, show with what interest the + English public have received his graphic descriptions." + +Of the extraordinary acquisitions of Mr. Borrow in languages, a pleasant +story is told by Sir William Napier, who, looking into a courtyard, from +the window of a Spanish inn, heard a man converse successively in a +dozen tongues, so fluently and so perfectly, that he was puzzled to +decide what was his country,--Germany, Holland, France, Italy, Russia, +Portugal, or Spain; and coming down he joined his circle, asked the +question of him, and was astonished by the information that he was an +English Bible agent. Between the historian of the Peninsular War and the +missionary an intimacy sprung up, which we believe has continued without +any interruption to the present time. + + + + +THE FAUN OVER HIS GOBLET. + +WRITTEN FOR THE INTERNATIONAL MONTHLY MAGAZINE. + +BY R. H. STODDARD. + + + I. + + My goblet was exceeding beautiful; + It was the jewel of my cave; I had + A corner where I hid it in the moss, + Between the jagged crevices of rock, + Where no one but myself could find it out; + But when a nymph, or wood-god passed my door, + I filled it to the brim with bravest wine, + And offered them a draught, and told them Jove + Had nothing finer, richer at his feasts, + Though Ganymede and Hebe did their best: + "His nectar is not richer than my wine," + Said I, "and for the goblet, look at it!" + But I have broken my divinest cup + And trod its fragments in the dust of Earth! + + + II. + + My goblet was exceeding beautiful. + Sometimes my brothers of the woods, the fauns, + Held gay carousals with me in my cave; + I had a skin of Chian wine therein, + Of which I made a feast; and all who drank + From out my cup, a feast within itself, + Made songs about the bright immortal shapes + Engraven on the side below their lips: + But we shall never drain it any more, + And never sing about it any more; + For I have broken my divinest cup + And trod its fragments in the dust of Earth! + + + III. + + My goblet was exceeding beautiful. + For Pan was 'graved upon it, rural Pan; + He stood in horror in a marshy place + Clasping a bending reed; he thought to clasp + Syrinx, but clasped a reed, and nothing more! + There was another picture of the god, + When he had learned to play upon the flute; + He sat at noon within a shady bower + Piping, with all his listening herd around; + (I thought at times I saw his fingers move, + And caught his music: did I dream or not?) + Hard by the Satyrs danced, and Dryads peeped + From out the mossy trunks of ancient trees; + And nice-eared Echo mocked him till he thought-- + The simple god!--he heard another Pan + Playing, and wonder shone in his large eyes! + But I have broken my divinest cup, + And trod its fragments in the dust of Earth! + + + IV. + + My goblet was exceeding beautiful. + For Jove was there transformed into the Bull + Bearing forlorn Europa through the waves, + Leaving behind a track of ruffled foam; + Powerless with fear she held him by the horns, + Her golden tresses streaming on the winds; + In curvéd shells, young Cupids sported near, + While sea gods glanced from out their weedy caves, + And on the shore were maids with waving scarfs, + And hinds a-coming to the rescue--late! + But I have broken my divinest cup, + And trod its fragments in the dust of Earth! + + + V. + + My goblet was exceeding beautiful. + For rosy Bacchus crowned its rich designs: + He sat within a vineyard full of grapes, + With Ariadne kneeling at his side; + His arm was thrown around her slender waist, + His head lay in her bosom, and she held + A cup, a little distance from his lips, + And teased him with it, for he wanted it. + A pair of spotted pards where sleeping near, + Couchant in shade, their heads upon their paws; + And revellers were dancing in the woods, + Snapping their jolly fingers evermore! + But all is vanished, lost, for ever lost, + For I have broken my divinest cup, + And trod its fragments in the dust of Earth! + +FOOTNOTES: + +[A] The writer has before him another translation of St. Luke's Gospel +in the Basque, edited by George Borrow while in Spain--(Evangeloia S. +Lucasen Guissan.--El Evangelio segun S. Lucas. Traducido al Vascuere. +Madrid. 1838). + + + + +THE JESUIT RELATIONS. + +DR. O'CALLAGHAN'S MEMOIR--NEW DISCOVERIES IN ROME, &c. + + +At the stated meeting of the New-York Historical Society, in October, +1847, Dr. E. B. O'CALLAGHAN, well known as the author of a valuable +history of New-York under the Dutch,[B] and now engaged in +superintending the publication of the Documentary History of the State, +under the act of March 13, 1849, communicated a paper, which was read at +the subsequent meeting in November, and published in the "Proceedings," +on the "_Jesuit Relations of Discoveries and other Occurrences in Canada +and the Northern and Western States of the Union, 1632-1672_."[C] This +memoir embraces notices of the authors of the Relations, a catalogue +raisonnée, and a table showing what volumes are in this country and +Canada, and where they are to be found. A French translation of this +work, with notes, corrections and additions, has been published (in +1850) at Montreal, by the Rev. Father MARTIN, Superior of the Jesuits in +Canada. As the notes and additions contain valuable information, +especially upon the discovery of new matter for the illustration of the +general subject, we shall endeavor to present an intelligible compend of +their substance. + +The French editor carries back the history to 1611, when the first +Jesuit missionaries to North America, Father Pierre Biard and Enmond +Masse, arrived in Acadia. They took part in the establishment of Port +Royal and that of St. Sauveur, in Pentagoet, now Mount Desert Island. +The former wrote a Relation of his voyage. + +Dr. O'Callaghan had spoken of the _nomadic_ race which was to be +subjected to the influences of the gospel, under the auspices of the +Jesuit missionaries, as inhabiting the country extending from the island +of Anticosti to the Mississippi. The translator qualifies this statement +by a note, in which he says that this term _nomadic_ is applicable to +the nations of Algonquin origin, but not to the Hurons nor the Iroquois, +who had fixed abodes and regularly organized villages or towns. The Five +Nations were the Agniers (Mohawks), the Oneionts (Oneidas), the +Onontagues (Onondagas), the Goiogoiens (Cayugas), and the Tsonnontouans +(Senecas). The Tuscaroras, a tribe from the south, were admitted to the +confederation, making thus Six Nations, during the last century. + +CHAMPLAIN was the first European who reached the Atlantic shores of the +state of Maine from the St. Lawrence by way of the Kennebec. This +illustrious discoverer was sent in 1629 to explore that route as far as +the coast of the Etechemins, "in which he had been before in the time of +the Sieur du Mont."[D] + +The French editor adds the following notices of two of the fathers who +filled the office of Superior in Canada, not mentioned by Dr. +O'Callaghan. + +PIERRE BIARD, according to the history of Jouvency, was born at +Grenoble, and entered the Society of Jesus while yet very young. He came +to Port Royal in 1611, and took part in the establishment of St. Sauveur +à Pentagoet, in 1613. The English came from Virginia to destroy this +settlement, scarcely yet commenced. After having suffered greatly from +the enemies of Catholicism and the Jesuits, Father Biard was sent back +to France. He taught theology at Lyons for nine years, and died at +Avignon, November 17, 1622. He was then chaplain to the King's troops. +He left a _Relation de la Nouvelle France_, and of the _Voyage of the +Jesuits_, as well as some other works. + +CHARLES LALEMANT was born at Paris in 1587, and entered the Society of +Jesus, at the age of twenty. Two of his brothers, Louis and Jerome, +shortly afterwards followed his example, and the second labored for a +long time in the Canadian mission. He first came to Canada in 1625. +Charlevoix says he accompanied the expedition from Acadia in 1613, for +the establishment of Pentagoet. He crossed the ocean four times in +behalf of his beloved mission, and was twice shipwrecked. Having been +captured by the English in one of these voyages, he was retained some +time as a prisoner. His last voyage to Canada was made in 1634. In the +following year, he took charge of the House of our Lady of Recovery, +which was then established in the lower city of Quebec, and commenced at +the same time the first schools for the French children. It was this +father who was with Champlain in his last moments. Many years afterward, +he returned to France, when he was successive chief of the Colleges of +Rouen, of La Flèche and Paris, and Superior of the Maison Professe in +the last named city. He died there, on the eighteenth of November, 1674, +aged eighty-seven years. + +Father CHARLES wrote an interesting _Relation on Canada_, inserted under +the date of August 1, in the _Mercure Français_ of 1626, and a letter on +his shipwrecks, which Champlain published in his edition of 1632. We +have also some religious works left by him. + +The _Relation_ of Father Biard was published at Lyons, 1612 and 1616, in +32mo. It gives an account of his travels and labors--the nature of the +country, its mineral and vegetable productions, &c. + +That of Father Lalemant is a long letter addressed to his brother +Jerome, and inserted in the _Mercure Français_, 1627-28: Paris, 1629. It +treats of the manners and customs of the Indians, the nature of the +country, and the fatal change which trade had undergone since it had +become a monopoly. + +Continuing the researches of Dr. O'Callaghan, Father Martin found, from +a catalogue of manuscripts on Canada, preserved among the archives of +the Jesuits at Rome, that there was a _Relation du Canada_ for 1676 and +for 1677: but it was not ascertained whether these were complete. Other +manuscripts were found in the same collection, but fragmentary, and +could only serve as the materiel of a general Relation. But a more +important acquisition was made in the recovery of valuable manuscripts +in Canada. There have been found two complete Relations, following that +of 1672, and continuing the series to 1679. One is the Relation of 1673, +and the other comprises a period of six years, from 1673 to 1679. They +fortunately escaped the pillage of the Jesuit College at Quebec, Father +Casot, the last of the old race of Jesuits, dying at Quebec in 1800, had +confided them, with other manuscripts, to the pious hands of the nuns of +the Hotel Dieu, in that city, who preserved them for a long time as a +sacred trust, and restored them, to the Jesuits, when they returned to +Canada in 1842. + +What increases the value of these historical monuments, is the fact, +that they are contemporary with the facts to which they relate. They +bear numerous corrections, notes, and even entire pages, in the +handwriting of Father Dablon, then superior of the missions in Canada, +who, without doubt, prepared them for publication. + +That of 1672-3 is anonymous, and in three parts. The first is on the +Huron mission near Quebec, the second on the Iroquois missions, and the +third on the various missions to the west of the great lakes. In the +last part, consisting of eighty-seven pages, the thirty-ninth and +fortieth are missing. + +The Relation for 1673-9 is also anonymous and without a general title, +but on the back of the last leaf is an endorsement in the handwriting of +Father Dablon, "Relation en 1679, abrégé des précédentes." On the first +page the writer announces that the relation embraces a period of six +years. It is divided into eight chapters, subdivided into paragraphs. +The second chapter is devoted to an account of the last labors and +heroic death of Father MARQUETTE, on the lonely shore of the "Lac des +Illinois," now Lake Michigan. This relation passes in review all the +missions of the west, and enters into minute details concerning the +missions to the Iroquois, the Montagnais, the Gaspésiens, those of the +Sault St. Louis, and Lorette. It extends to 147 pages, but unfortunately +one entire sheet is lost, embracing the pages 109 to 118. + +This last Relation should have included the other voyages of Father +Marquette, and especially the discovery of the Mississippi in 1673; but +another manuscript of the same epoch, and which bears the same evidence +of authenticity, explains the omission. Under the title of "Voyage and +Death of Father Marquette," it recites in sixty pages the labors which +have immortalized that celebrated missionary. This curious manuscript +furnished Thevenot with the materiel for his publication in 1687, +entitled "Voyage et Découverte de quelques Pays et Nations de l'Amerique +Septentrionale, par le P. Marquette et le Sr. Joliet."[E] What adds +great value to the manuscript is the fact that it is much more extended +than the publication of Thevenot. The causes and the preparations for +the expedition are recounted; and we can follow the missionary in his +various travels, even to his last moments in 1675. + +Two other documents, which complete this valuable historical discovery, +are noticed by Father Martin: + +1. The autograph journal of Marquette's last voyage, from the +twenty-fifth of October 1674 to the sixth of April 1679, about a month +before his death. + +2. The autograph map (by Marquette) of the Mississippi, as discovered by +him. This extends no farther than the "A Kansea" (Arkansas), where his +voyage in that direction terminated. + +The map published by Thevenot, and recently reproduced by Rich, +Bancroft, and others, is incorrect in many particulars, especially with +regard to this fact of the Arkansas being the lowest point reached by +Marquette. + +Besides the two Relations (MS.) aforesaid, and the Marquette +manuscripts, fragments of the Relations for the years 1674, 1676, 1678, +and the following years, have been found, but incomplete. + +In addition to all these, Father Martin calls attention to one of the +printed Relations, little known out of Italy, in the language of which +it was written. It was printed at Macerata in 1653. A recent letter from +Father Martin announces that he has completed translations into French +and English, which will soon be published. It is the work of Father +Francois Joseph Bressani, and is thus noticed by Charlevoix: + +"Father Bressani, a Roman by birth, was one of the most illustrious +missionaries to Canada, where he suffered a cruel captivity, and severe +tortures. He speaks little of himself in his history, which is well +written, but which relates almost entirely to the Huron mission, in +which he labored with great zeal so long as it continued. After the +almost entire destruction of that nation, and the dispersion of the +remainder, he returned to Italy, where he continued to preach until his +death, with the greater success, inasmuch as he bore in his mutilated +hands the glorious marks of his apostleship among the heathen."[F] + +The translation by Father Martin will be illustrated by maps and +engravings. + +Recent letters from Italy announce further discoveries in the library of +the Dominican Friars at Rome. We congratulate the historical student on +the recovery of these and similar memorials of the early history of the +country. Especially the labors of the Jesuit missionaries deserve to be +more generally familiar to the readers of history; and we cordially +respond to the sentiment of approbation with which the services of Dr. +O'Callaghan and Father Martin have been greeted heretofore by the press. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[B] History of New Netherland, or New-York under the Dutch. &c. 2 vols. +8vo. New-York: Appleton & Co., 1846-8. + +[C] Proceedings of the New-York Historical Society. For the year 1847, +pp. 140-158. + +[D] Voyage du Champlain. Ed. 1632. p. 209. + +[E] A copy of this very rare work was destroyed with the valuable +library in the burning of the Parliament House in Montreal, 26th April, +1849. + +[F] Charlevoix: Hist. Nouv. France. Liste des Auteurs. + + + + +THE HAT REFORM AGITATION. + + +New hats are inevitable. Genin, who appears to be as clever in writing +as in making hats, has avowed himself a conservative, and in a long +argument has vindicated the style of which he is so eminent a +manufacturer. But the "people" are for reform, and we must all bend to +the will of the people; land reform, bank reform, all kinds of reform, +now are forgotten in the cry for a reform in hats; this has rallied +around it all ranks, classes and orders: they say, "Take off your +funnels!" + +It has been responded to with enthusiasm. From the lord of one hundred +thousand acres to the hard-worker for his daily bread--from the +ultra-conservative to the ultra-destructive--from the High-Churchman to +the No-Churchman--from the Puseyite to the Presbyterian--from the +gentleman down to the veriest "gent," this new question of Reform has +drawn unanimous adhesion. In fact, the attempted revolution in our head +gear, more fortunate than the other revolutions talked about of late +years, promises to be successful. + +Says the London _News_, "The ladies are as unanimous as the gentlemen on +the subject, and give the potent assistance of their voices to the +movement, and wonder how it is that men, who have so keen a sense of the +beautiful, should have been so long blinded to the ugliness imposed upon +their lordly foreheads by the hat-makers. A few of the most conservative +of these hat-makers are the only persons who venture a word in defence +of the ancient barbarism which it is the object of the revolutionists to +remove. Now and then a hatter of all novelties, whether of hats or of +ideas, will venture to come to the aid of the hat-makers, and to ask if +any one can suggest a better head 'accoutrement' than the old familiar +hat which it is attempted to scout out of society with such hasty +ignominy. But, if hatters and the hat conservatives are closely pressed +to tell us what recommendation the article has, they are obliged to give +up the argument in despair--to intrench themselves in the old fortress +of such reasoners, and to defend what is, merely because it is. They +would stand on the old ways, were they knee-deep in slush; and they +would wear the old hat, were it not only of the shape, but of the +material and the color of a chimney-pot. + +"Every body who has worn a hat, has perceived it to be a nuisance, +although he may never have said any thing on the subject till the +present cry was raised. As soon as a man gets out of the streets of the +capital, or of his own accustomed provincial town, and sets foot in a +railway carriage or on board of a steamboat, his first care is to make +himself comfortable by disembarrassing his aching temples of his hat. +The funnel is put away, and a cap, more ornamental and a thousand times +more easy, is elevated to the place of honor, to the great satisfaction +of the wearer. Who ever wears a hat at the sea-side? One might as well +go to bed in a hat, as wear one out of the purlieus of the town. At the +sea-side, or in travelling, or sporting, or rambling over the hills, the +ordinary hat is utterly out of the question. Not only is the hat +unsightly, expensive, and incommodious;--not only does it offend those +_æsthetic_ notions which are so fashionable in our time, but it may be +safely alleged that it is hostile to all mental effort. Did any man ever +make an eloquent speech with a hat on? Could a painter paint a good +picture if he had a hat on while engaged at the easel? Could a +mathematician solve a problem? could a musician compose a melody or +arrange a harmony? could a poet write a song, or a novelist a novel, or +a journalist a leading article, with a hat on? The thing is impossible. +Would any man who respected himself, or the feelings of his family and +friends, consent to have his portrait painted with the offensive article +upon his cranium? It would be almost a proof of insanity, both in the +sitter who should insist upon, and the artist who should lend himself +to, the perpetration of such an atrocity. We have but to fancy one out +of the thousand statues of bronze or marble which it is proposed to +erect to the memory of Sir Robert Peel in our great towns and cities, +surmounted with a hat of marble or of bronze, to see, at a glance, the +absurdity of the thing, and the reasonableness of the demand for a +change. There is a very good bust of Chaucer, with a cap on, and there +is a still more excellent bust of Lorenzo de Medici, which has also a +cap; but we put the question to the most conservative of hatters, and to +the greatest stickler for the _etatus quo_ in head attire, whether he +would tolerate the marble or bronze portraiture of either of those +worthies with the modern hat upon its head? The idea is so preposterous, +that, if fairly considered, it would make converts of the most obstinate +sticklers for the hat of the nineteenth century. + +"Seriously, the suggestion for the reform of this article of costume is +entitled to the utmost respect. Already Englishmen, when they throw off +the trammels of ceremony, and wish to be at their ease, substitute for +the stiff, uncomfortable, and inelegant hat, such other article as the +taste and enterprise of the hat and cap manufacturers have provided; and +in France and Germany the hat has, for the last six or seven years, been +gradually altering its form and substance, until it bids fair to be +restored, at no distant day, to the more sensible and picturesque shape +which it had a couple of centuries ago. So much unanimity has been +expressed on the desirability of a change, so much sober truth has been +uttered under the thin veil of jest on this matter, and so keenly felt +are the inconveniences--to say nothing of the inelegance--of the tube +which has usurped and maintained a place upon our heads for so long a +period, that there can be no doubt the time is ripe for the introduction +of an article of male head-dress more worthy of an educated, civilized, +and sensible people. The Turks, under the influence of that great +reformer, Sultan Mahmoud, and his worthy successor, Abdul Medjid, have +been for some time assimilating themselves in dress to the other +inhabitants of Europe. They have adopted our coats, our trousers, our +vests, our boots. They have got steamboats and newspapers--but Sultan +Mahmoud stopped short at the hat. With all his _penchant_ for imitating +the 'Giaours,' he could not bring himself to recommend the hat to a +people whom he was desirous to civilize. Any man of taste and +enterprise, who would take advantage of the present feeling on the +subject to manufacture a hat or cap of a more picturesque form, would +confer a public benefit, and would not lack encouragement for his wares. +An article which would protect the face from the sun, which the present +'funnel' does not--which should be light, which the hat is not--which +should be elegant, and no offence to the eye of taste if painted in a +portrait or sculptured in a statue, which the hat is not--and which +should meet the requirements of health, as well as those of comfort and +appearance, which the hat is very far from doing--would, all jest and +_persiflage_ apart, be a boon to the people of this generation. It needs +but example to effect the change, for the feeling is so strong and +universal that a good substitute would meet with certain popularity. We +have no doubt that, sooner or later, this reform will be made; and that +the historian, writing fifty years hence, will note it in his book as a +remarkable circumstance, and a proof of the pertinacity with which men +cling to all which habit and custom have rendered familiar--that for +three-quarters of a century, if not longer, a piece of attire so +repugnant to the eye of taste, and so deficient in any quality which +should recommend it to sensible people, should have been not only +tolerated, but admired. In all seriousness, we hope that the days of the +tubular hat are numbered, and that in this instance philosophy in sport +will become reformation in earnest." + + + + +PROFESSIONAL DEVOTION. + + +Lord Campbell said lately in the House of Lords, that the bill for the +Registration of Assurances was drawn by Mr. Duval, and he related an +anecdote illustrative of that gentleman's entire devotion to his +professional pursuits. A gentleman one day said to him, "But do you not +find it very dull work poring from morning until night over those dusty +sheep-skins?" "Why," said Duval, "to be sure it is a little dull, but +every now and then I come across a brilliant deed, drawn by a great +master, and the beauty of that recompenses me for the weariness of all +the others." + + + + +"THE WILFULNESS OF WOMAN." + + +In an early number of _The International_ we mentioned a MS. comedy by +the late Mrs. OSGOOD, in connection with the commendations which the +dramatic pieces of that admirable woman and most charming poet had +received from Sheridan Knowles and other critics in that line. We +transcribe the opening scene of the play, which strikes us as +excellently fitted for the stage. The friends of the lamented authoress +will perceive that it is an eminently characteristic production, though +having been written at an early age it scarcely illustrates her best +style of dialogue. + + +ACT FIRST.--SCENE FIRST. + +_A room in the Chateau de Beaumont. Victorine de Vere and Rosalinde--the +former sitting._ + +ROSALINDE.--But consider, sweet lady, you have been betrothed from +childhood to my lord the Count. You say it was your father's dying wish +that you should marry him, and he has been brought up to consider you +his own. + +VICTORINE.--And for that reason wed I _not_ the Count; +I might have loved him had I not been _bid_, +For he is noble, brave, and passing kind. +But, Rosalinde, when 'mid my father's vines, +A child I roamed, I shunned the rich, ripe fruit +Within my reach, and stretched my little arm +Beyond its strength, for that which farthest hung, +Though poorest too perchance. Years past away, +The wilful child is grown a woman now, +Yet wilful still, and wayward as the child. + +(_She Sings._) + +Though you wreathe in my raven hair jewels the rarest + That ever illumined the brow of a queen, +I should think the least one that were wanting, the fairest, + And pout at their lustre in petulant spleen. +Tho' the diamond should lighten there, regal in splendor, + The topaz its sunny glow shed o'er the curl, +And the emerald's ray tremble, timid and tender-- + If the pearl were not by, I should sigh for the pearl! + +Though you fling at my feet all the loveliest flowers + That Summer is waking in forest and field, +I should pine 'mid the bloom you had brought from her bowers + For some little blossom spring only could yield. +Take the rose, with its passionate beauty and bloom, + The lily so pure, and the tulip so bright-- +Since I miss the sweet _violet's_ lowly perfume, + The violet _only_ my soul can delight! + +I prize not Henri--for a breath, a nod, +Can make him mine for ever. _One_ I prize +Whose pulse ne'er quickened at my step or voice, +Who cares no more for smile from Victorine, +Whom princes sue--than Victorine for them. +But he _shall_ love me--ay, and when he too +Lies pleading at my feet!--I make no doubt +But I shall weary of mine idle whim, +And rate him well for daring to be there! + +ROS.--Please you, my lady, who is this new victim? + +VIC.--Whom think you, Rosalinde? Eugene Legard! the brave young +captain--lover of Carille--betrothed to her--about to marry her! + +ROS.--But who's Carille, my lady? + +VIC.--(_Impatiently_.) Now know you not the youthful village belle whose +face my gallant cousin raves about? I would he'd wed the girl, and leave +Legard and me _as free_, to wed! (_Enter the Count._) What, torment! +here again! (_Exit Rosalinde._) + +COUNT HENRI.--Where should I be, sweet coz? I love the sunshine! + +VIC.--So love you not this room--for here the sun ne'er shines. + +COUNT.--The sun--_my_ sun is smiling on me now! + +VIC.--Oh, don't! I'm so tired of all that! + +COUNT.--Lady, it shall not weary you again; I've borne your light +caprice too long already. For the last time I come to ask of you, madam, +Is it your pleasure we fulfil at once your father's last injunction? + +VIC.--Ah! but this isn't the _last_ time, Henri; I'll wager you this +hand with my heart in it, you will ask me the same question a dozen +times yet ere you die. + +COUNT.--I'll not gainsay you, lady; time will show. (_A short pause._) +Yet, by my sword, if such your wager be, I will be dumb till doomsday. + +VIC.--Then book the bet! and claim my heart and hand--(_she pauses--he +waits in eager hope_)--on--doomsday morning, cousin! + +COUNT.--I claim thee now or never! + +VIC.--If they only hadn't said we _must_, Henri! + +COUNT.--Pshaw! + +VIC.--Beside, all the world _expects_ it you know; I do so hate to +fulfil people's expectations: it is so commonplace and humdrum! + +COUNT.--Depend upon it, Lady Victorine, nobody ever expected you to do +any thing reasonable or commonplace or humdrum! + + (_He Sings._) + + Archly on thy cheek, + Worth a god's imprinting, + Starry dimples speak, + Rich with rosy tinting,-- + What a pity, love, + Anger's burning flushes + E'er should rise above + Those bewitching blushes! + + Warm thy lip doth glow, + With such lovely color, + Ruby's heart would show + Hues of beauty duller,-- + What a shame, the while, + Scorn should ever curl it, + And o'ercast the smile + That should still enfurl it! + + Soft thy dark eye beams, + With the star-night's splendor, + Now with joy it gleams, + Now with tears 'tis tender,-- + Ah! what pain to feel, + Ere another minute, + Passion's fire may steal + All the softness in it! + +VIC.--There! you CAN _sing_! I'll give the----hem!--his due. I only wish +you could make love as well as you make verses. + +COUNT.--And how should I make love? + +VIC.--How? You should be at my feet all day and under my window all +night; you should call black white when _I_ call it so, and--wear a +single hair of my eyelash next your heart for ever. + +COUNT.--Hum! Any thing more, cousin? + +VIC.--Yes: you should write sonnets on the sole of my shoe, and study +every curve of my brow, as if life and death were in its rise or fall! +(_He turns away._) Henri, come here! (_He approaches._) Come! you are a +good-looking man enough, after all! Ah! why couldn't my poor father have +_forbidden_ me to marry you! He might have known I should have been +_sure_ in that case to have fallen desperately in love with you, Henri! + +COUNT.--By Heaven, I will bear this trifling no longer! I will write +instantly and propose to the peasant girl, Carille--_she_ will be proud +to be called La Contesse de Beaumont. + +VIC.--_Will_ you do so? Oh, you darling cousin! I shall love you dearly +when you are once married! And, cousin, I don't believe she'll live till +doomsday, do you? Don't forget that I'm to be your second--on doomsday +morning, cousin. (_Exit Count in a rage._) I am so happy--and Carille +will be so happy too--I am sure she will! I know if I were a village +girl I should be dying to be a lady--for now I am a lady I am dying to +be a village girl--heigh-ho. (_Exit._) + + + + +A STORY WITHOUT A NAME.[G] + +WRITTEN FOR THE INTERNATIONAL MONTHLY MAGAZINE + +BY G. P. R. JAMES, ESQ. + +_Continued from page 57._ + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +In a very gaudily furnished parlor, and in a very gaudy dress, sat a +lady of some eight or nine and thirty years of age, with many traces of +beauty still to be perceived in a face of no very intellectual +expression. Few persons perhaps would have recognized in her the fair +and faulty girl whom we have depicted weeping bitterly over the fate of +Sir Philip Hastings' elder brother, and over the terrible situation in +which he left her. Her features had much changed: the girlish +expression--the fresh bloom of youth was gone. The light graceful figure +was lost; but the mind had changed as greatly as the person, though, +like it, the heart yet retained some traces of the original. When first +she appeared before the reader's eyes, though weak and yielding, she was +by no means ill disposed. She had committed an error--a great and fatal +one; but at heart she was innocent and honest. She was, however, like +all weak people, of that plastic clay moulded easily by circumstances +into any form; and, in her, circumstances had shaped her gradually into +a much worse form than nature had originally given her. To defraud, to +cheat, to wrong, had at one time been most abhorrent to her nature. She +had taken no active part in her father's dealings with old Sir John +Hastings, and had she known all that he had said and sworn, would have +shrunk with horror from the deceit. But during her father's short life, +she had been often told by himself, and after his death had been often +assured by the old woman Danby, that she was rightly and truly the widow +of John Hastings, although because it would be difficult to prove, her +father had consented to take an annuity for himself and her son, rather +than enter into a lawsuit with a powerful man; and she had gradually +brought herself to believe that she had been her lover's wife, because +in one of his ardent letters he had called her so to stifle the voice of +remorse in her bosom. The conviction had grown upon her, till now, after +a lapse of more than twenty years, she had forgotten all her former +doubts and scruples, believed herself and her son to be injured and +deprived of their just rights, and was ready to assert her marriage +boldly, though she had at one time felt and acknowledged that there was +no marriage at all, and that the words her seducer had used were but +intended to soothe her regret and terror. There was a point however +beyond which she was not prepared to go. She still shrunk from giving +false details, from perjuring herself in regard to particular facts. The +marriage, she thought, might be good in the sight of heaven, of herself, +and of her lover; but to render it good in the eyes of the law, she had +found would require proofs that she could not give--oaths that she dared +not take. + +Another course, however, had been proposed for her; and now she sat in +that small parlor gaudily dressed, as I have said, but dressed evidently +for a journey. There were tears indeed in her eyes; and as her son stood +by her side she looked up in his face with a beseeching look as if she +would fain have said, "Pray do not drive me to this!" + +But young John Ayliffe had no remorse, and if he spoke tenderly to her +who had spoiled his youth, it was only because his object was to +persuade and cajole. + +"Indeed, mother," he said, "it is absolutely necessary or I would not +ask you to go. You know quite well that I would rather have you here: +and it will only be for a short time till the trial is over. Lawyer +Shanks told you himself that if you stayed, they would have you into +court and cross-examine you to death; and you know quite well you could +not keep in one story if they browbeat and puzzled you." + +"I would say any where that my marriage was a good one," replied his +mother, "but I could not swear all that Shanks would have had me, +John--No, I could not swear that, for Dr. Paulding had nothing to do +with it, and if he were to repeat it all over to me a thousand times, I +am sure that I should make a blunder, even if I consented to tell such a +falsehood. My father and good Mrs. Danby used always to say that the +mutual consent made a marriage, and a good one too. Now your father's +own letter shows that he consented to it, and God knows I did. But these +lawyers will not let well alone, and by trying to mend things make them +worse, I think. However, I suppose you have gone too far to go back; and +so I must go to a strange out of the way country and hide myself and +live quite lonely. Well, I am ready--I am ready to make any sacrifice +for you, my boy--though it is very hard, I must say." + +As she spoke, she rose with her eyes running over, and her son kissed +her and assured her that her absence should not be long. But just as she +was moving towards the door, he put a paper--a somewhat long one--on the +table, where a pen was already in the inkstand, saying, "just sign this +before you go, dear mother." + +"Oh, I cannot sign any thing," cried the lady, wiping her eyes; "how can +you be so cruel, John, as to ask me to sign any thing just now when I am +parting with you? What is it you want?" + +"It is only a declaration that you are truly my father's widow," said +John Ayliffe; "see here, the declaration, &c., you need not read it, but +only just sign here." + +She hesitated an instant; but his power over her was complete; and, +though she much doubted the contents, she signed the paper with a +trembling hand. Then came a parting full of real tenderness on her part, +and assumed affection and regret on his. The post-chaise, which had been +standing for an hour at the door, rolled away, and John Ayliffe walked +back into the house. + +When there, he walked up and down the room for some time, with an +impatient thoughtfulness, if I may use the term, in his looks, which had +little to do with his mother's departure. He was glad that she was +gone--still gladder that she had signed the paper; and now he seemed +waiting for something eagerly expected. + +At length there came a sound of a quick trotting horse, and John Ayliffe +took the paper from the table hastily, and put it in his pocket. But the +visitor was not the one he expected. It was but a servant with a letter; +and as the young man took it from the hand of the maid who brought it +in, and gazed at the address, his cheek flushed a little, and then +turned somewhat pale. He muttered to himself, "she has not taken long to +consider!" + +As soon as the slipshod girl had gone out of the room, he broke the seal +and read the brief answer which Emily had returned to his declaration. + +It would not be easy for an artist to paint, and it is impossible for a +writer to describe, the expression which came upon his face as he +perused the words of decided rejection which were written on that sheet; +but certainly, had poor Emily heard how he cursed her, how he vowed to +have revenge, and to humble her pride, as he called it, she would have +rejoiced rather than grieved that such a man had obtained no hold upon +her affection, no command of her fate. He was still in the midst of his +tempest of passion, when, without John Ayliffe being prepared for his +appearance, Mr. Shanks entered the room. His face wore a dark and +somewhat anxious expression which even habitual cunning could not +banish; but the state in which he found his young client, seemed to take +him quite by surprise. + +"Why what is the matter, John?" he cried, "what in the name of fortune +has happened here?" + +"What has happened!" exclaimed John Ayliffe, "look there," and he handed +Mr. Shanks the letter. The attorney took it, and with his keen weazel +eyes read it as deliberately as he would have read an ordinary law +paper. He then handed it back to his young client, saying, "The +respondent does not put in a bad answer." + +"Damn the respondent," said John Ayliffe, "but she shall smart for it." + +"Well, well, this cannot be helped," rejoined Mr. Shanks; "no need of +putting yourself in a passion. You don't care two straws about her, and +if you get the property without the girl so much the better. You can +then have the pick of all the pretty women in the country." + +John Ayliffe mused gloomily; for Mr. Shanks was not altogether right in +his conclusion as to the young man's feelings towards Emily. Perhaps +when he began the pursuit he cared little about its success, but like +other beasts of prey, he had become eager as he ran--desire had arisen +in the chase--and, though mortified vanity had the greatest share in his +actual feelings, he felt something beyond that. + +While he mused, Mr. Shanks was musing also, calculating results and +combinations; but at length he said, in a low tone, "Is she gone?--Have +you got that accomplished?" + +"Gone?--Yes.--Do you mean my mother?--Damn it, yes!--She is gone, to be +sure.--Didn't you meet her?" + +"No," said Mr. Shanks; "I came the other way. That is lucky, however. +But harkee, John--something very unpleasant has happened, and we must +take some steps about it directly; for if they work him well, that +fellow is likely to peach." + +"Who?--what the devil are you talking about?" asked John Ayliffe, with +his passion still unsubdued. + +"Why, that blackguard whom you would employ--Master Tom Cutter," +answered Mr. Shanks. You know I always set my face against it, John; and +now----" + +"Peach!" cried John Ayliffe, "Tom Cutter will no more peach than he'll +fly in the air. He's not of the peaching sort." + +"Perhaps not, where a few months' imprisonment are concerned," answered +Mr. Shanks; "but the matter here is his neck, and that makes a mighty +difference, let me tell you. Now listen to me, John, and don't interrupt +me till I've done; for be sure that we have got into a very unpleasant +mess, which we may have some difficulty in getting out of. You sent over +Tom Cutter, to see if he could not persuade young Scantling, Lord +Selby's gamekeeper, to remember something about the marriage, when he +was with his old father the sexton. Now, how he and Tom manage their +matters, I don't know; but Tom gave him a lick on the head with a stick, +which killed him on the spot. As the devil would have it, all this was +seen by two people, a laborer working in a ditch hard by, and +Scantling's son, a boy of ten years old. The end of it is, Tom was +instantly pursued, and apprehended; your good uncle, Sir John, was +called to take the depositions, and without any remand whatever, +committed our good friend for trial. Tom's only chance is to prove that +it was a case of chance-medley, or to bring it under manslaughter, as a +thing done in a passion, and if he thinks that being employed by you +will be any defence, or will show that it was a sudden burst of rage, +without premeditation, he will tell the whole story as soon as he would +eat his dinner." + +"I'd go over to him directly, and tell him to hold his tongue," cried +John Ayliffe, now fully awakened to the perils of the case. + +"Pooh, pooh! don't be a fool," said Mr. Shanks, contemptuously. "Are you +going to let the man see that you are afraid of him--that he has got you +in his power? Besides, they will not let you in. No, the way must be +this. I must go over to him as his legal adviser, and I can dress you up +as my clerk. That will please him, to find that we do not abandon him; +and we must contrive to turn his defence quite another way, whether he +hang for it or not. We must make it out that Scantling swore he had been +poaching, when he had done nothing of the kind, and that in the quarrel +that followed, he struck the blow accidentally. We can persuade him that +this is his best defence, which perhaps it is after all, for nobody can +prove that he was poaching, inasmuch as he really was not; whereas, if +he were to show that he killed a man while attempting to suborn +evidence, he would speedily find himself under a cross-beam." + +"Suborn evidence," muttered John Ayliffe to himself; for though ready to +do any act that might advance his purpose, he did not like to hear it +called by its right name. + +However that might be, he agreed to the course proposed by the attorney, +and it was determined that, waiting for the fall of night, they should +both go over to the prison together, and demand admittance to the +felon's cell. The conversation then reverted to Emily's distinct +rejection of the young man's suit, and long did the two ponder over it, +considering what might be the effect upon the plans they were pursuing. + +"It may hurry us desperately," said Mr. Shanks, at length, "unless we +can get her to hold her tongue; for depend upon it, as soon as Sir +Philip hears what we are doing, he will take his measures accordingly. +Don't you think you and Mrs. Hazleton together can manage to frighten +her into silence? If I were you, I would get upon my horse's back +directly, ride over, and see what can be done. Your fair friend there +will give you every help, depend upon it." + +John Ayliffe smiled. "I will see," he said. "Mrs. Hazleton is very kind +about it, and I dare say will help, for I am quite sure she has got some +purpose of her own to serve." + +The attorney grinned, but made no answer, and in the space of a quarter +of an hour, John Ayliffe was on the road to Mrs. Hazleton's dwelling. + +After quarter of an hour's private conversation with the lady of the +house, he was admitted to the room in which Emily sat, unconscious of +his being there. She was displeased and alarmed at seeing him, but his +words and his conduct after he entered, frightened and displeased her +still more. He demanded secrecy in a stern and peremptory tone, and +threatened with vague, but not ill-devised menaces, to be the ruin of +her father and his whole house, if she breathed one word of what had +taken place between them. He sought, moreover, to obtain from her a +promise of secrecy; but that Emily would on no account give, although he +terrified her greatly; and he left her still in doubt as to whether his +secret was safe or not. + +With Mrs. Hazleton he held another conference, but from her he received +better assurances. "Do not be afraid," she said; "I will manage it for +you. She shall not betray you--at least for a time. However, you had +better proceed as rapidly as possible, and if the means of pursuing your +claim be necessary--I mean in point of money--have no scruple in +applying to me." + +Putting on an air of queenly dignity, Mrs. Hazleton proceeded in search +of Emily, as soon as the young man was gone. She found her in tears; and +sitting down by her side, she took her hand in a kindly manner, saying, +"My dear child, I am very sorry for all this, but it is really in some +degree your own fault. Nay, you need not explain any thing. I have just +had young Ayliffe with me. He has told me all, and I have dismissed him +with a sharp rebuke. If you had confided to me last night that he had +proposed to you, and you had rejected him, I would have taken care that +he should not have admittance to you. Indeed, I am surprised that he +should presume to propose at all, without longer acquaintance. But he +seems to have agitated and terrified you much. What did he want?" + +"He endeavored to make me promise," replied Emily, "that I would not +tell my father, or any one, of what had occurred." + +"Foolish boy! he might have taken that for granted," replied Mrs. +Hazleton, forgetting for an instant what she had just said. "No woman of +any delicacy ever speaks of a matter of this kind, when once she has +taken upon herself to reject a proposal unconditionally. If she wishes +for advice," continued the lady, recollecting herself, "or thinks that +the suit may be pressed improperly, of course she's free to ask counsel +and assistance of some female friend, on whom she can depend. But the +moment the thing is decided, of course, she is silent for ever; for +nothing can be more a matter of honorable confidence than an avowal of +honorable love. I will write him a note, and tell him he is in no +danger, but warn him not to present himself here again, so long as you +are with me." + +Emily made no answer, trying to decide in her own mind whether Mrs. +Hazleton's reasoning was right; and that lady, choosing to take her +assent for granted, from her silence, hurried away, to give her no +opportunity for retracting. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[G] Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1850, by G. P. R. +James, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States +for the Southern District of New-York. + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +Before the door of a large brick building, with no windows towards the +street, and tall walls rising up till they overtopped the neighboring +houses, stood two men, about an hour after night had fallen, waiting for +admittance. The great large iron bar which formed the knocker of the +door, had descended twice with a heavy thump, but yet no one appeared in +answer to the summons. It was again in the hand of Mr. Shanks and ready +to descend, when the rattling of keys was heard inside; bolts were +withdrawn and bars cast down, and one half of the door opened, +displaying a man with a lantern, which he held up to gaze at his +visitors. His face was fat and bloated, covered with a good number of +spots, and his swollen eyelids made his little keen black eyes look +smaller than they even naturally were, while his nose, much in the shape +of a horsechestnut, blushed with the hues of the early morning. + +"How are you, Cram, how are you?" asked the attorney. "I haven't been +here for a long time, but you know me, I suppose." + +"Oh, yes, I know you, Master Shanks," replied the jailer, winking one of +his small black eyes; "who have you come to see? Betty Diaper, I'll +warrant, who prigged the gentleman's purse at the bottom of the hill. +She's as slink a diver as any on the lay; but she's got the shiners and +so must have counsel to defend her before the beak, I'll bet a gallon." + +"No, no," answered Mr. Shanks, "our old friend Tom Cutter wants to see +me on this little affair of his." + +"You'll make no hand of that, as sure as my name's Dionysius Cram," +replied the jailer. "Can't prove an _alibi_ there, Master Shanks, for I +saw him do the job; besides he can't pay. What's the use of meddling +with him? He must swing some time you know, and one day's as good as +another. But come in, Master Shanks, come in. But who's this here other +chap?" + +"That's my clerk," replied Mr. Shanks, "I may want him to take +instructions." + +The man laughed, but demurred, but a crown piece was in those days the +key to all jailers' hearts, and after a show of hesitation, Shanks and +his young companion were both admitted within the gates. They now found +themselves in a small square space, guarded on two sides by tall iron +railings, which bent overhead, and were let into the wall somewhat after +the manner of a birdcage. On the left-hand side, however, was another +brick wall, with a door and some steps leading up to it. By this +entrance Mr. Dionysius Cram led them into a small jailer's lodge, with a +table and some wooden chairs, in the side of which, opposite to the +entrance, was a strong movable grate, between the bars of which might be +seen a yawning sort of chasm leading into the heart of the prison. + +Again Mr. Cram's great keys were put in motion, and he opened the grate +to let them pass, eyeing John Ayliffe with considerable attention as he +did so. Locking the grate carefully behind him, he lighted them on with +his lantern, muttering as he went in the peculiar prison slang of those +days, various sentences not very complimentary to the tastes and habits +of young John Ayliffe, "Ay, ay," he said, "clerk be damned! One of Tom's +pals, for a pint and a boiled bone--droll I don't know him. He must be +twenty, and ought to have been in the stone pitcher often enough before +now. Dare say he's been sent to Mill Dol, for some minor. That's not in +my department, I shall have the darbies on him some day. He'd look +handsome under the tree." + +John Ayliffe had a strong inclination to knock him down, but he +restrained himself, and at length a large plated iron door admitted the +two gentlemen into the penetralia of the temple. + +A powerful smell of aqua vitæ and other kinds of strong waters now +pervaded the atmosphere, mingled with that close sickly odor which is +felt where great numbers of uncleanly human beings are closely packed +together; and from some distance was heard the sounds of riotous +merriment, ribald song, and hoarse, unfeeling laugh, with curses and +execrations not a few. It was a time when the abominations of the prison +system were at their height. + +"Here, you step in here," said Mr. Cram to the attorney and his +companion, "and I'll bring Tom to you in a minute. He's having a lush +with some of his pals; though I thought we were going to have a mill, +for Jack Perkins, who is to be hanged o' Monday, roused out his slack +jaw at him for some quarrel about a gal, and Tom don't bear such like +easily. Howsumdever, they made it up and clubbed a gallon. Stay, I'll +get you a candle end;" and leaving them in the dark, not much, if the +truth must be told, to the satisfaction of John Ayliffe, he rolled away +along the passage and remained absent several minutes. + +When he returned, a clanking step followed him, as heavy irons were +dragged slowly on by unaccustomed limbs, and the moment after, Tom +Cutter stood in the presence of his two friends. + +The jailer brought them in a piece of candle about two inches long, +which he stuck into a sort of socket attached to an iron bar projecting +straight from the wall; and having done this he left the three together, +taking care to close and lock the door behind him. + +Chair or stool in the room there was none, and the only seat, except the +floor, which the place afforded was the edge of a small wooden bedstead +or trough, as it might be called, scantily furnished with straw. + +Both Mr. Shanks and John Ayliffe shook hands with the felon, whose face, +though somewhat flushed with drinking, bore traces of deeper and sterner +feelings than he chose to show. He seemed glad to see them, however, and +said it was very kind of them to come, adding with an inquiring look at +Mr. Shanks, "I can't pay you, you know, Master lawyer; for what between +my garnish and lush, I shall have just enough to keep me till the +'sizes; I shan't need much after that I fancy." + +"Pooh, pooh," cried the attorney, "don't be downhearted, Tom, and as to +pay, never mind that. John here will pay all that's needful, and we'll +have down counsellor Twistem to work the witnesses. We can't make out an +_alibi_, for the folks saw you, but we'll get you up a character, if +money can make a reputation, and I never knew the time in England when +it could not. We have come to consult with you at once as to what's the +best defence to be made, that we may have the story all pat and right +from the beginning, and no shifting and turning afterwards." + +"I wish I hadn't killed the man," said Tom Cutter, gloomily; "I shan't +forget his face in a hurry as he fell over and cried out 'Oh, my +poor--!' but the last word choked him. He couldn't get it out; but I +fancy he was thinking of his wife--or maybe his children. But what could +I do? He gave me a sight of bad names, and swore he would peach about +what I wanted him to do. He called me a villain, and a scoundrel, and a +cheat, and a great deal more besides, till my blood got up, and having +got the stick by the small end, I hit him with the knob on the temple. I +didn't know I hit so hard; but I was in a rage." + +"That's just what I thought--just what I thought," said Mr. Shanks. "You +struck him without premeditation in a fit of passion. Now if we can make +out that he provoked you beyond bearing--" + +"That he did," said Tom Cutter. + +"That's what I say," continued Mr. Shanks, "if we can make out that he +provoked you beyond bearing while you were doing nothing unlawful and +wrong, that isn't murder, Tom." + +"Hum," said Tom Cutter, "but how will you get that up, Mr. Shanks? I've +a notion that what I went to him about was devilish unlawful." + +"Ay, but nobody knew any thing of that but you and he, and John Ayliffe +and I. We must keep that quite close, and get up a likely story about +the quarrel. You will have to tell it yourself, you know, Tom, though +we'll make counsellor Twistem let the jury see it beforehand in his +examinations." + +A gleam of hope seemed to lighten the man's face, and Mr. Shanks +continued, "We can prove, I dare say, that this fellow Scantling had a +great hatred for you." + +"No, no, he had not," said Tom Cutter, "he was more civil to me than +most, for we had been boys together." + +"That doesn't matter," said Mr. Shanks, "we must prove it; for that's +your only chance, Tom. If we can prove that you always spoke well of +him, so much the better; but we must show that he was accustomed to +abuse you, and to call you a damned ruffian and a poacher. We'll do +it--we'll do it; and then if you stick tight to your story, we'll get +you off." + +"But what's the story to be, master Shanks?" asked Tom Cutter, "I can't +learn a long one; I never was good at learning by heart." + +"Oh, no; it shall be as short and simple as possible," replied Shanks; +"you must admit having gone over to see him, and that you struck the +blow that killed him. We can't get over that, Tom; but then you must say +you're exceedingly sorry, and was so the very moment after." + +"So I was," replied Tom Cutter. + +"And your story must refer," continued Mr. Shanks, "to nothing but what +took place just before the blow was struck. You must say that you heard +he accused you of putting wires in Lord Selby's woods, and that you went +over to clear yourself; but that he abused you so violently, and +insulted you so grossly, your blood got up and you struck him, only +intending to knock him down. Do you understand me?" + +"Quite well--quite well," replied Tom Cutter, his face brightening; "I +do think that may do, 'specially if you can make out that I was +accustomed to speak well of him, and he to abuse me. It's an accident +that might happen to any man." + +"To be sure," replied Mr. Shanks; "we will take care to corroborate your +story, only you get it quite right. Now let us hear what you will say." + +Tom Cutter repeated the tale he had been taught very accurately; for it +was just suited to his comprehension, and Shanks rubbed his hands, +saying, "That will do--that will do." + +John Ayliffe, however, was still not without his anxieties, and after a +little hesitation as to how he should put the question which he +meditated, he said, "Of course, Tom, I suppose you have not told any of +the fellows here what you came over for?" + +The ruffian knew him better than he thought, and understood his object +at once. + +"No, no, John," he said, "I have'nt peached, and shall not; be you sure +of that. If I am to die, I'll die game, depend upon it; but I do think +there's a chance now, and we may as well make the best of it." + +"To be sure--to be sure," answered the more prudent Shanks; "you don't +think, Mr. Ayliffe, that he would be fool enough to go and cut his own +throat by telling any one what would be sure to hang him. That is a very +green notion." + +"Oh, no, nor would I say a word that could serve that Sir Philip +Hastings," said Tom Cutter; "he's been my enemy for the last ten years, +and I could see he would be as glad to twist my neck as I have been to +twist his hares. Perhaps I may live to pay him yet." + +"I'm not sure you might not give him a gentle rub in your defence," said +John Ayliffe; "he would not like to hear that his pretty proud daughter +Emily came down to see me, as I'm sure she did, let her say what she +will, when I was ill at the cottage by the park gates. You were in the +house, don't you recollect, getting a jug of beer, while I was sitting +at the door when she came down?" + +"I remember, I remember," replied Tom Cutter, with a malicious smile; "I +gave him one rub which he didn't like when he committed me, and I'll do +this too." + +"Take care," said Mr. Shanks, "you had better not mix up other things +with your defence." + +"Oh, I can do it quite easily," replied the other with a triumphant +look; "I could tell what happened then, and how I heard there that +people suspected me of poaching still, though I had quite given it up, +and how I determined to find out from that minute who it was accused +me." + +"That can do no harm," said Shanks, who had not the least objection to +see Sir Philip Hastings mortified; and after about half an hour's +farther conversation, having supplied Tom Cutter with a small sum of +money, the lawyer and his young companion prepared to withdraw. Shanks +whistled through the key-hole of the door, producing a shrill loud sound +as if he were blowing over the top of a key; and Dionysius Cram +understanding the signal, hastened to let them out. + +Before we proceed farther, however, with any other personage, we may as +well trace the fate of Mr. Thomas Cutter. + +The assizes were approaching near at this time, and about a fortnight +after, he was brought to trial; not all the skill of counsellor Twistem, +however, nor the excellent character which Mr. Shanks tried to procure +for him, had any effect; his reputation was too well established to be +affected by any scandalous reports of his being a peaceable and orderly +man. His violence and irregular life were too well known for the jury to +come to any other conclusion than that it would be a good thing to rid +the country of him, and whether very legally or not, I cannot say, they +brought in a verdict of wilful murder without quitting the box. His +defence, however, established for him the name of a very clever fellow, +and one portion of it certainly sent Sir Philip Hastings from the Court +thoughtful and gloomy. Nevertheless, no recommendation to mercy having +issued from the Judge, Tom Cutter was hanged in due form of law, and to +use his own words, "died game." + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +We must go back a little, for we have somewhat anticipated our tale. +Never did summons strike more joyfully on the ear of mortal than came +that of her recall home to Emily Hastings. As so often happens to all in +life, the expected pleasure had turned to ashes on the lip, and her +visit to Mrs. Hazleton offered hardly one point on which memory could +rest happily. Nay, more, without being able definitely to say why, when +she questioned her own heart, the character of her beautiful hostess had +suffered by close inspection. She was not the same in Emily's esteem as +she had been before. She could not point out what Mrs. Hazleton had said +or done to produce such an impression; but she was less amiable,--less +reverenced. It was not alone that the trappings in which a young +imagination had decked her were stripped off; but it was that a baser +metal beneath had here and there shown doubtfully through the gilding +with which she concealed her real character. + +If the summons was joyful to Emily, it was a surprise and an unpleasant +one to Mrs. Hazleton. Not that she wished to keep her young guest with +her long; for she was too keen and shrewd not to perceive that Emily +would not be worked upon so easily as she had imagined; and that under +her very youthfulness there was a strength of character which must +render one part of the plans against her certainly abortive. But Mrs. +Hazleton was taken by surprise. She could have wished to guard against +construction of some parts of her conduct which must be the more +unpleasant, because the more just. She had fancied she would have time +to give what gloss she chose to her conduct in Emily's eyes, and to +prevent dangerous explanations between the father and the daughter. +Moreover, the suddenness of the call alarmed her and raised doubts. +Whereever there is something to be concealed there is something to be +feared, and Mrs. Hazleton asked herself if Emily had found means to +communicate to Sir Philip Hastings what had occurred with John Ayliffe. + +That, however, she soon concluded was impossible. Some knowledge of the +facts, nevertheless, might have reached him from other sources, and Mrs. +Hazleton grew uneasy. Sir Philip's letter to his daughter, which Emily +at once suffered her hostess to see, threw no light upon the subject. It +was brief, unexplicit, and though perfectly kind and tender, peremptory. +It merely required her to return to the Hall, as some business rendered +her presence at home necessary. + +Little did Mrs. Hazleton divine the business to which Sir Philip +alluded. Had she known it, what might have happened who can say? There +were terribly strong passions within that fair bosom, and there were +moments when those strong passions mastered even strong worldly sense +and habitual self-control. + +There was not much time, however, for even thought, and less for +preparation. Emily departed, after having received a few words of +affectionate caution from Mrs. Hazleton, delicately and skilfully put, +in such a manner as to produce the impression that she was speaking of +subjects personally indifferent to herself--except in so much as her +young friend's own happiness was concerned. + +Shall we say the truth? Emily attended but little. Her thoughts were +full of her father's letter, and of the joy of returning to a home where +days passed peacefully in an even quiet course, very different from that +in which the stream of time had flowed at Mrs. Hazleton's. The love of +strong emotions--the brandy-drinking of the mind--is an acquired taste. +Few, very few have it from nature. Poor Emily, she little knew how many +strong emotions were preparing for her. + +Gladly she saw the carriage roll onward through scenes more and more +familiar at every step. Gladly she saw the forked gates appear, and +marked the old well-known hawthorns as they flitted by her; and the look +of joy with which she sprang into her father's arms, might have +convinced any heart that there was but one home she loved. + +"Now go and dress for dinner at once, my child," said Sir Philip, "we +have delayed two hours for you. Be not long." + +Nor was Emily long; she could not have been more rapid had she known +that Marlow was waiting eagerly for her appearance. Well pleased, +indeed, was she to see him, when she entered the drawing-room; but for +the first time since she had known him--from some cause or other--a +momentary feeling of embarrassment--of timidity, came upon her; and the +color rose slightly in her cheek. Her eyes spoke, however, more than her +lips could say, and Marlow must have been satisfied, if lovers ever +could be satisfied. + +Lady Hastings was lying languidly on a couch, not knowing how to +intimate to her daughter her disapproval of a suit yet unknown to Emily +herself. She could not venture to utter openly one word in opposition; +for Sir Philip Hastings had desired her not to do so, and she had given +a promise to forbear, but she thought it would be perfectly consistent +with that promise, and perfectly fair and right to show in other ways +than by words, that Mr. Marlow was not the man she would have chosen for +her daughter's husband, and even to insinuate objections which she dare +not state directly. + +In her manner to Marlow therefore, Lady Hastings, though perfectly +courteous and polite--for such was Sir Philip's pleasure--was as cold as +ice, always added "Sir" to her replies, and never forgot herself so far +as to call him by his name. + +Emily remarked this demeanor; but she knew--I should rather have said +she was aware; for it was a matter more of sensation than thought--a +conviction that had grown up in her mind without reflection--she was +aware that her mother was somewhat capricious in her friendships. She +had seen it in the case of servants and of some of the governesses she +had had when she was quite young. One day they would be all that was +estimable and charming in Lady Hastings' eyes, and another, from some +slight offence--some point of demeanor which she did not like--or some +moody turn of her own mind, they would be all that was detestable. It +had often been the same, too, with persons of a higher station; and +therefore it did not in the least surprise her to find that Mr. Marlow, +who had been ever received by Lady Hastings before as a familiar friend, +should now be treated almost as a stranger. + +It grieved her, nevertheless, and she thought that Marlow must feel her +mother's conduct painfully. She would fain have made up for it by any +means in her power, and thus the demeanor of Lady Hastings had an effect +the direct reverse of that which she intended. Nor did her innuendos +produce any better results, for she soon saw that they grieved and +offended her husband, while her daughter showed marvellous stupidity, as +she thought, in not comprehending them. + +Full of love, and now full of hope likewise, Marlow, it must be +confessed, thought very little of Lady Hastings at all. He was one of +those men upon whom love sits well--they are but few in the world--and +whatever agitation he might feel at heart, there was none apparent in +his manner. His attention to Emily was decided, pointed, not to be +mistaken by any one well acquainted with such matters; but he was quite +calm and quiet about it; there was no flutter about it--no forgetfulness +of proprieties; and his conversation had never seemed to Emily so +agreeable as that night, although the poor girl knew not what was the +additional charm. Delightful to her, however, it was; and in enjoying it +she forgot altogether that she had been sent for about business--nay, +even forgot to wonder what that business could be. + +Thus passed the evening; and when the usual time for retiring came, +Emily was a little surprised that there was no announcement of Mr. +Marlow's horse, or Mr. Marlow's carriage, as had ever been the case +before, but that Mr. Marlow was going to spend some days at the hall. + +When Lady Hastings rose to go to rest, and her daughter rose to go with +her, another thing struck Emily as strange. Sir Philip, as his wife +passed him, addressed to her the single word "Beware!" with a very +marked emphasis. Lady Hastings merely bowed her head, in reply; but when +she and Emily arrived at her dressing-room, where the daughter had +generally stayed to spend a few minutes with her mother alone, Lady +Hastings kissed her, and wished her good night, declaring that she felt +much fatigue, and would ring for her maid at once. + +Lady Hastings was a very good woman, and wished to obey her husband's +injunctions to the letter, but she felt afraid of herself, and would not +trust herself with Emily alone. + +Dear Emily lay awake for half an hour after she had sought her pillow, +but not more, and then she fell into a sleep as soft and calm as that of +childhood, and the next morning rose as blooming as the flower of June. +Sir Philip was up when she went down stairs, and walking on the terrace +with Marlow. Lady Hastings sent word that she would breakfast in her own +room, when she had obtained a few hours' rest, as she had not slept all +night. Thus Emily had to attend to the breakfast-table in her mother's +place; but in those days the lady's functions at the morning meal were +not so various and important as at present; and the breakfast passed +lightly and pleasantly. Still there was no mention of the business which +had caused Emily to be summoned so suddenly, and when the breakfast was +over, Sir Philip retired to his library, without asking Emily to follow, +and merely saying, "You had better not disturb your mother, my dear +child. If you take a walk I will join you ere long." + +For the first time, a doubt, a notion--for I must not call it a +suspicion--came across the mind of Emily, that the business for which +she had been sent might have something to do with Mr. Marlow. How her +little heart beat! She sat quite still for a minute or two, for she did +not know, if she rose, what would become of her. + +At length the voice of Marlow roused her from her gently-troubled +reverie, as he said, "Will you not come out to take a walk?" + +She consented at once, and went away to prepare. Nor was she long, for +in less than ten minutes, she and Marlow were crossing the park, towards +the older and thicker trees amidst which they had rambled once before. +But it was Marlow who now led her on a path which he chose himself. I +know not whether it was some memory of his walk with Mrs. Hazleton, or +whether it was that instinct which leads love to seek shady places, or +whether, like a skilful general, he had previously reconnoitred the +ground; but something or other in his own breast induced him to deviate +from the more direct track which they had followed on their previous +walk, and guide his fair companion across the short dry turf towards the +thickest part of the wood, through which there penetrated, winding in +and out amongst the trees, a small path, just wide enough for two, +bowered overhead by crossing branches, and gaining sweet woodland scenes +of light and shade at every step, as the eye dived into the deep green +stillness between the large old trunks, carefully freed from underwood, +and with their feet carpeted with moss, and flowers, and fern. It was +called the deer's track, from the fact that along it, morning and +evening, all the bucks and does which had herded on that side of the +park might be seen walking stately down to or from a bright, +clear-running trout-stream, that wandered along about a quarter of a +mile farther on; and often, in the hot weather, a person standing half +way down the walk might see a tall antlered fellow standing with his +forefeet in the water and his hind-quarters raised upon the bank, gazing +at himself in the liquid mirror below, with all his graceful beauties +displayed to the uttermost by a burst of yellow light, which towards +noon always poured upon the stream at that place. + +Marlow and Emily, however, were quite alone upon the walk. Not even a +hind or shart was there; and after the first two or three steps, Marlow +asked his fair companion to take his arm. She did so, readily; for she +needed it, not so much because the long gnarled roots of the trees +crossed the path from time to time, and offered slight impediments, for +usually her foot was light as air, but because she felt an unaccountable +languor upon her, a tremulous, agitated sort of unknown happiness unlike +any thing else she had ever before experienced. + +Marlow drew her little hand through his then, and she rested upon it, +not with the light touch of a mere acquaintance, but with a gentle +confiding pressure which was very pleasant to him, and yet the +capricious man must needs every two or three minutes, change that kindly +position as the trees and irregularities of the walk afforded an excuse. +Now he placed Emily on the one side, now on the other, and if she had +thought at all (but by this time she was far past thought,) she might +have fancied that he did so solely for the purpose of once more taking +her hand in his to draw it through his arm again. + +At the spot where the walk struck the stream, and before it proceeded +onward by the bank, there was a little irregular open space not twenty +yards broad in any direction, canopied over by the tall branches of an +oak, and beneath the shade about twelve yards from the margin of the +stream, was a pure, clear, shallow well of exceedingly cold water, which +as it quietly flowed over the brink went on to join the rivulet below. +The well was taken care of, kept clean, and basined in plain flat +stones; but there was no temple over it, Gothic or Greek. On the side +farthest from the stream was a plain wooden bench placed for the +convenience of persons who came to drink the waters which were supposed +to have some salutary influence, and there by tacit consent Marlow and +Emily seated themselves side by side. + +They gazed into the clear little well at their feet, seeing all the +round variegated pebbles at the bottom glistening like jewels as the +branches above, moved by a fresh wind that was stirring in the sky, made +the checkered light dance over the surface. There was a green leaf +broken by some chance from a bough above which floated about upon the +water as the air fanned it gently, now hither, now thither, now gilded +by the sunshine, now covered with dim shadow. After pausing in silence +for a moment or two, Marlow pointed to the leaf with a light and +seemingly careless smile, saying, "See how it floats about, Emily. That +leaf is like a young heart full of love." + +"Indeed," said Emily, looking full in his face with a look of inquiry, +for perhaps she thought that in his smile she might find an +interpretation of what was going on in her own bosom. "Indeed! How so?" + +"Do you not see," said Marlow, "how it is blown about by the softest +breath, which stirs not the less sensitive things around, how it is +carried by any passing air now into bright hopeful light, now into dim +melancholy shadow?" + +"And is that like love?" asked Emily. "I should have thought it was all +brightness." + +"Ay, happy love--love returned," replied Marlow, "but where there is +uncertainty, a doubt, there hope and fear make alternately the light and +shade of love, and the lightest breath will bear the heart from the one +extreme to the other--I know it from the experience of the last three +days, Emily; for since last we met I too have fluctuated between the +light and shade. Your father's consent has given a momentary gleam of +hope, but it is only you who can make the light permanent." + +Emily shook, and her eyes were bent down upon the water; but she +remained silent so long that Marlow became even more agitated than +herself. "I know not what I feel," she murmured at length,--"it is very +strange." + +"But hear me, Emily," said Marlow, taking her unresisting hand, "I do +not ask an immediate answer to my suit. If you regard me with any +favor--if I am not perfectly indifferent to you, let me try to improve +any kindly feelings in your heart towards me in the bright hope of +winning you at last for my own, my wife. The uncertainty may be +painful--must be painful; but--" + +"No, no, Marlow," cried Emily, raising her eyes to his face for an +instant with her cheek all glowing, "there must be no uncertainty. Do +you think I would keep you--you, in such a painful state as you have +mentioned? Heaven forbid!" + +"Then what am I to think?" asked Marlow, pressing closer to her side and +gliding his arm round her. "I am almost mad to dream of such happiness, +and yet your tone, your look, my Emily, make me so rash. Tell me +then--tell me at once, am I to hope or to despair?--Will you be mine?" + +"Of course," she answered, "can you doubt it?" + +"I can almost doubt my senses," said Marlow; but he had no occasion to +doubt them. + +They sat there for nearly half an hour; they then wandered on, with +marvellous meanderings in their course, for more than an hour and a half +more, and when they returned, Emily knew more of love than ever could be +learned from books. Marlow drew her feelings forth and gave them +definite form and consistency. He presented them to her by telling what +he himself felt in a plain and tangible shape, which required no long +reverie--none of their deep fits of thoughtfulness to investigate and +comprehend. From the rich store of his own imagination, and the treasury +of deep feeling in his breast, he poured forth illustrations that +brightened as if with sunshine every sensation which had been dark and +mysterious in her bosom before; and ere they turned their steps back +towards the house, Emily believed--nay, she felt; and that is much +more--that without knowing it, she had loved him long. + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +This must be a chapter of rapid action, comprising in its brief space +the events of many months--events which might not much interest the +reader in minute detail, but which produced important results to all the +persons concerned, and drew on the coming catastrophe. + +The news that Mr. Marlow was about to be married to Emily, the beautiful +heiress of Sir Philip Hastings, spread far and wide over the country; +and if joy and satisfaction reigned in the breasts of three persons in +Emily's dwelling, discontent and annoyance were felt more and more +strongly every hour by Lady Hastings. A Duke, she thought, would not +have been too high a match for her daughter, with all the large estates +she was to inherit; and the idea of her marrying a simple commoner was +in itself very bitter. She was not a woman to bear a disappointment +gracefully; and Emily soon had the pain of discovering that her +engagement to Marlow was much disapproved by her mother. She consoled +herself, however, by the full approval of her father, who was somewhat +more than satisfied. + +Sir Philip for his part, considering his daughter's youth, required that +the marriage should be delayed at least two years, and, in his +theoretical way, he soon built up a scheme, which was not quite so +successful as he could have wished. Marlow's character was, in most +respects, one after his own heart; but as I have shown, he had thought +from the first, that there were weak points in it,--or rather points +rendered weak by faults of education and much mingling with the world. +He wanted, in short, some of that firmness--may I not say hardness of +the old Roman, which Sir Philip so peculiarly admired; and the scheme +now was, to re-educate Marlow, if I may use the term, during the next +two years, to mould him in short after Sir Philip's own idea of +perfection. How this succeeded, or failed, we shall have occasion +hereafter to show. + +Tidings of Emily's engagement were communicated to Mrs. Hazleton, first +by rumor, and immediately after by more certain information in a letter +from Lady Hastings. I will not dwell upon the effect produced in her. I +will not lift up the curtain with which she covered her own breast, and +show all the dark and terrible war of passions within. For three days +Mrs. Hazleton was really ill, remained shut up in her room, had the +windows darkened, admitted no one but the maid and the physician; and +well for her was it, perhaps, that the bitter anguish she endured +overpowered her corporeal powers, and forced seclusion upon her. During +those three days she could not have concealed her feelings from all eyes +had she been forced to mingle with society; but in her sickness she had +time for thought--space to fight the battle in, and she came forth +triumphant. + +When she at length appeared in her own drawing-room no one could have +imagined that the illness was of the heart. She was a little paler than +before, there was a soft and pleasing languor about her carriage, but +she was, to all appearance, as calm and cheerful as ever. + +Nevertheless she thought it better to go to London for a short time. She +did not yet dare to meet Emily Hastings. She feared _herself_. + +Yet the letter of Lady Hastings was a treasure to her, for it gave her +hopes of vengeance. In it the mother showed but too strongly her dislike +of her daughter's choice, and Mrs. Hazleton resolved to cultivate the +friendship of Lady Hastings, whom she had always despised, and to use +her weakness for her own purposes. + +She was destined, moreover, to have other sources of consolation, and +that more rapidly than she expected. It was shortly before her return to +the country that the trial of Tom Cutter took place; and not long after +she came back that he was executed. Many persons at the trial had +remarked the effect which some parts of the evidence had produced on Sir +Philip Hastings. He was not skilful in concealing the emotions that he +felt, and although it was sometimes difficult, from the peculiarities of +his character, to discover what was their precise nature, they always +left some trace by which it might be seen that he was greatly moved. + +Information of the facts was given to Mrs. Hazleton by Shanks the +attorney, and young John Ayliffe, who dwelt with pleasure upon the pain +his successful artifice had inflicted; and Mrs. Hazleton was well +pleased too. + +But the wound was deeper than they thought. It was like that produced by +the bite of a snake--insignificant in itself, but carrying poison into +every vein. + +Could his child deceive him? Sir Philip Hastings asked himself. Could +Emily have long known this vulgar youth--gone secretly down to see him +at a distant cottage--conferred with him unknown to either father or +mother? It seemed monstrous to suppose such a thing; and yet what could +he believe? She had never named John Ayliffe since her return from Mrs. +Hazleton's; and yet it was certain from Marlow's own account, that she +had seen him there. Did not that show that she was desirous of +concealing the acquaintance from her parents? + +Sir Philip had asked no questions, leaving her to speak if she thought +fit. He was now sorry for it, and resolved to inquire; as the fact of +her having seen the young man, for whom he felt an inexpressible +dislike, had been openly mentioned in a court of justice. But as he rode +home he began to argue on the other side of the question. The man who +had made the assertion was a notorious liar--a convicted felon. Besides, +he knew him to be malicious; he had twice before thrown out insinuations +which Sir Philip believed to be baseless, and could only be intended to +produce uneasiness. Might not these last words of his be traced to the +same motive? He would inquire in the first place, he thought, what was +the connection between the convict and John Ayliffe, and stopping on the +way for that purpose, he soon satisfied himself that the two were boon +companions. + +When he reached his own dwelling, he found Emily seated by Marlow in one +of her brightest, happiest moods. There was frank candor, graceful +innocence, bright open-hearted truth in every look and every word. It +was impossible to doubt her; and Sir Philip cast the suspicion from him, +but, alas! not for ever. They would return from time to time to grieve +and perplex him; and he would often brood for hours over his daughter's +character, puzzling himself more and more. Yet he would not say a +word--he blamed himself for even thinking of the matter; and he would +not show a suspicion. Yet he continued to think and to doubt, while poor +unconscious Emily would have been ready, if asked, to solve the whole +mystery in a moment. She had been silent from an unwillingness to begin +a painful subject herself; and though she had yielded no assent to Mrs. +Hazleton's arguments, they had made her doubt whether she ought to +mention, unquestioned, John Ayliffe's proposal and conduct. She had made +up her mind to tell all, if her father showed the slightest desire to +know any thing regarding her late visit; but there was something in the +effects which that visit had produced on her mind, which she could not +explain to herself. + +Why did she love Mrs. Hazleton less? Why had she lost so greatly her +esteem for her? What had that lady done or said which justified so great +a change of feeling towards her? Emily could not tell. She could fix +upon no word, no act, she could entirely blame--but yet there had been a +general tone in her whole demeanor which had opened the poor girl's eyes +too much. She puzzled herself sadly with her own thoughts; and probably +would have fallen into more than one of her deep self-absorbed reveries, +had not sweet new feelings, Marlow's frequent presence, kept her awake +to a brighter, happier world of thought. + +She was indeed very happy; and, could she have seen her mother look +brighter and smile upon her, she would have been perfectly so. Her +father's occasional moodiness she did not heed; for he often seemed +gloomy merely from intense thought. Emily had got a key to such dark +reveries in her own heart, and she knew well that they were no true +indications either of discontent or grief, for very often when to the +eyes of others she seemed the most dull and melancholy, she was enjoying +intense delight in the activity of her own mind. She judged her father +from herself, and held not the slightest idea that any word, deed or +thought of hers had given him the slightest uneasiness. + +Notwithstanding the various contending feelings and passions which were +going on in the little circle on which our eyes are fixed, the course of +life had gone on with tolerable smoothness as far as Emily and Marlow +were concerned, for about two months, when, one morning, Sir Philip +Hastings received a letter in a hand which he did not know. It reached +him at the breakfast table, and evidently affected him considerably with +some sort of emotion. His daughters instantly caught the change of his +countenance, but Sir Philip did not choose that any one should know he +could be moved by any thing on earth, and he instantly repressed all +agitation, quietly folded up the letter again, concluded his breakfast, +and then retired to his own study. + +Emily was not deceived, however. There were moments in Sir Philip's life +when he was unable to conceal altogether the strong feelings of his +heart under the veil of stoicism--or as he would have termed it--to curb +and restrain them by the power of philosophy. Emily had seen such +moments, and knew, that whatever were the emotions produced by that +letter, whether of anger or grief or apprehension--her father was +greatly moved. + +In his own study, Sir Philip Hastings seated himself, spread the letter +before him, and read it over attentively. But now it did not seem to +affect him in the least. He was, in fact, ashamed of the feelings he had +experienced and partly shown. "How completely," said he to himself, +"does a false and fictitious system of society render us the mere slaves +of passion, infecting even those who tutor themselves from early years +to resist its influence. Here an insolent young man lays claim to my +name, and my inheritance, and coolly assumes not only that he has a +title to do so, but that I know it; and this instead of producing calm +contempt, makes my heart beat and my blood boil, as if I were the +veriest schoolboy." + +The letter was all that Sir Philip stated; but it was something more. It +was a very artful epistle, drawn up by the joint shrewdness of Mr. +Shanks, Mr. John Ayliffe, and Mrs. Hazleton. It concisely stated the +claims of the young man who signed it, to all the property of the late +Sir John Hastings and to the baronetcy. It made no parade of proofs, but +assumed that those in the writer's possession were indisputable, and +also that Sir Philip Hastings was well aware that John Ayliffe was his +elder brother's legitimate son. The annuity which had been bought for +himself and his mother was broadly stated to have been the +purchase-money of her silence, negotiated by her father, who had no +means to carry on a suit at law. As long as his mother lived, the writer +said, he had been silent out of deference to her wishes, but now that +she was dead in France, he did not feel himself bound to abide by an +arrangement which deprived him at once of fortune and station, and which +had been entered into without his knowledge or consent. He then went on +to call upon Sir Philip Hastings in the coolest terms to give up +possession and acknowledge his right without what the writer called "the +painful ceremony of a lawsuit;" and in two parts of the letter allusion +was made to secret information which the writer had obtained by the kind +confidence of a friend whom he would not name. + +It was probably intended to give point to this insinuation at an after +period, but if it was aimed at poor Emily, it fell harmless for the +time, as no one knew better than Sir Philip that she had never been +informed of any thing which could affect the case in question. + +Indeed, the subject of the annuity was one which he had never mentioned +to any one since the transaction had been completed many years before; +and the name of John Ayliffe had never passed his lips till Marlow +mentioned having seen that young man at Mrs. Hazleton's house. + +When he had read the letter, and as soon as he thought he had mastered +the last struggle of passion, he dipped the pen in the ink and wrote the +few following words: + +"Sir Philip Hastings has received the letter signed John Ayliffe +Hastings. He knows no person of that name, but has heard of a young man +of the name of John Ayliffe. If that person thinks he has any just claim +on Sir Philip Hastings, or his estate, he had better pursue it in the +legal and ordinary course, as Sir Philip Hastings begs to disclaim all +private communication with him." + +He addressed the letter to "Mr. John Ayliffe," and sent it to the post. +This done, he rejoined Marlow and Emily, and to all appearance was more +cheerful and conversable than he had been for many a previous day. +Perhaps it cost him an effort to be cheerful at all, and the effort went +a little beyond its mark. Emily was not altogether satisfied, but Lady +Hastings, when she came down, which, as usual, was rather late in the +day, remarked how gay her husband was. + +Sir Philip said nothing to any one at the time regarding the contents of +the letter he had received. He consulted no lawyer even, and tried to +treat the subject with contemptuous forgetfulness; but his was a +brooding and tenacious mind, and he often thought of the epistle, and +the menaces it implied, against his own will. Nor could he or any one +connected with him long remain unattentive or ignorant of the matter, +for in a few weeks the first steps were taken in a suit against him, +and, spreading from attorneys' offices in every direction, the news of +such proceedings travelled far and wide, till the great Hastings case +became the talk of the whole country round. + +In the mean time, Sir Philip's reply was very speedily shown to Mrs. +Hazleton, and that lady triumphed a good deal. Sir Philip was now in the +same position with John Ayliffe, she thought, that she had been in some +time before with Mr. Marlow; and already he began to show, in her +opinion, a disposition to treat the case very differently in his own +instance and in hers. + +There he had strongly supported private negotiation; here he rejected it +altogether; and she chose to forget that circumstances, though broadly +the same, were in detail very different. + +"We shall see," she said to herself, "we shall see whether, when the +proofs are brought forward, he will act with that rigid sense of +justice, which he assumed here." + +When the first processes had been issued, however, and common rumor +justified a knowledge of the transaction, without private information, +Mrs. Hazleton set out at once to visit "poor dear Lady Hastings," and +condole with her on the probable loss of fortune. How pleasant it is to +condole with friends on such occasions. What an accession of importance +we get in our own eyes, especially if the poor people we comfort have +been a little bit above us in the world. + +But Mrs. Hazleton had higher objects in view; she wanted no accession of +importance. She was quite satisfied with her own position in society. +She sought to see and prompt Lady Hastings--to sow dissension where she +knew there must already be trouble; and she found Sir Philip's wife just +in the fit frame of mind for her purpose. Sir Philip himself and Emily +had ridden out together; and though Mrs. Hazleton would willingly have +found an opportunity of giving Sir Philip a sly friendly kick, and of +just reminding him of his doctrines announced in the case between +herself and Mr. Marlow, she was not sorry to have Lady Hastings alone +for an hour or two. They remained long in conference, and I need not +detail all that passed. Lady Hastings poured forth all her grief and +indignation at Emily's engagement to Mr. Marlow, and Mrs. Hazleton did +nothing to diminish either. She agreed that it was a very unequal match, +that Emily with her beauty and talents, and even with her mother's +fortune alone, might well marry into the highest family of the land. +Nay, she said, could the match be broken off, she might still take her +rank among the peeresses. She did not advise, indeed, actual resistance +on the part of her friend; she feared Lady Hastings' discretion; but she +insinuated that a mother and a wife by unwavering and constant +opposition, often obtained her own way, even in very difficult +circumstances. + +From that hour Mrs. Hazleton was Lady Hastings' best friend. + + + + +NATURAL REVELATION. + +WRITTEN FOR THE INTERNATIONAL MONTHLY MAGAZINE + +BY ALFRED B. STREET. + + + Does not the heart alone a God proclaim! + Blot revelation from the mind of man! + Yea, let him not e'en Nature's features scan; + There is within him a low voice, the same + Throughout the varied scenes of being's span, + That whispers, God. And doth not conscience speak + Though sin its wildest force upon it wreak! + Born with us--never dying--ever preaching + Of right and wrong, with reference aye to Him-- + And doth not Hope, on toward the future reaching-- + The aspirations struggling from the Dim + Up toward the Bright--a ceaseless unrepose + Of something unattained--a ceaseless teaching + Of unfulfilled desire--the eternal truth disclose! + + + + +HEART-WHISPERS. + +WRITTEN FOR THE INTERNATIONAL MONTHLY MAGAZINE + +BY MARY E. HEWITT. + + + What if he loved me!--How the unwhispered thought + Comes o'er me, with a thrill of ecstacy! + And yet, when constant eve his step hath brought, + I timid shrink as he approaches me. + Last night, when greeting words were on his lips, + My ears grew deaf between my faint replies; + And when he pressed my trembling finger tips, + I felt me turn to marble 'neath his eyes. + What if he loved me! If 'twere mine to share + His thought! to be of his proud being part! + Hush! lest the tell-tale wind should idly bear + To him this wild, wild beating of my heart + For should he guess--who in my soul hath name-- + That I, unsought, love him, ah! I should die of shame. + + + + +THE SNOWDROP IN THE SNOW. + +BY SYDNEY YENDYS. + + + O full of Faith! The Earth is rock,--the Heaven + The dome of a great palace all of ice, + Russ-built. Dull light distils through frozen skies + Thickened and gross. Cold Fancy droops her wing, + And cannot range. In winding-sheets of snow + Lies every thought of any pleasant thing. + I have forgotten the green earth; my soul + Deflowered, and lost to every summer hope, + Sad sitteth on an iceberg at the Pole; + My heart assumes the landscape of mine eyes + Moveless and white, chill blanched with hoarest rime; + The Sun himself is heavy and lacks cheer + Or on the eastern hill or western slope; + The world without seems far and long ago; + To silent woods stark famished winds have driven + The last lean robin--gibbering winds of fear! + Thou only darest to believe in spring, + Thou only smilest, Lady of the Time! + + Even as the stars come up out of the sea + Thou risest from the Earth. How is it down + In the dark depths? Should I delve there, O Flower, + For beauty? Shall I find the Summer there + Met manifold, as in an ark of peace? + And Thou, a lone white Dove art thou sent forth + Upon the winter deluge? It shall cease, + But not for thee--pierced by the ruthless North + And spent with the Evangel. In what hour + The flood abates thou wilt have closed thy wings + For ever. When the happy living things + Of the old world come forth upon the new + I know my heart shall miss thee; and the dew + Of summer twilights shall shed tears for me + --Tears liker thee, ah, purest! than mine own-- + Upon thy vestal grave, O vainly fair! + + Thou shouldst have noble destiny, who, like + A Prophet, art shut out from kind and kin! + Who on the winter silence comest in + A still small voice. Pale Hermit of the Year, + Flower of the Wilderness! oh, not for thee + The jocund playmates of the maiden spring. + For when the danceth forth with cymballed feet, + Waking a-sudden with great welcoming, + Each calling each, they burst from hill to dell + In answering music. But thou art a bell. + A passing bell, snow-muffled, dim and sweet. + + As is the Poet to his fellow-men, + So mid thy drifting snows, O Snowdrop, Thou. + Gifted, in sooth, beyond them, but no less + A snowdrop. And thou shalt complete his lot + And bloom as fair as now when they are not. + Thou art the wonder of the seasons, O + First-born of Beauty. As the Angel near + Gazed on that first of living things which, when + The blast that ruled since Chaos o'er the sere + Leaves of primeval Palms did sweep the plain, + Clung to the new-made sod and would not drive, + So gaze I upon thee amid the reign + Of Winter. And because thou livest, I live. + And art thou happy in thy loneliness? + Oh couldst thou hear the shouting of the floods, + Oh couldst thou know the star among the trees + When--as the herald-voice of breeze on breeze + Proclaims the marriage pageant of the Spring + Advancing from the South--each hurries on + His wedding-garment, and the love-chimes ring + Thro' nuptial valleys! No, serene and lone, + I will not flush thy cheek with joys like these. + Songs for the rosy morning; at gray prime + To hang the head and pray. Thou doest well. + I will not tell thee of the bridal train. + No; let thy Moonlight die before their day + A Nun among the Maidens, thou and they. + Each hath some fond sweet office that doth strike + One of our trembling heartstrings musical. + Is not the hawthorn for the Queen of May? + And cuckoo-flowers for whom the cuckoo's voice + Hails, like an answering sister, to the woods? + Is not the maiden blushing in the rose? + Shall not the babe and buttercup rejoice, + Twins in one meadow? Are not violets all + By name or nature for the breast of Dames! + For them the primrose, pale as star of prime, + For them the wind-flower, trembling to a sigh, + For them the dew stands in the eyes of day + That blink in April on the daisied lea? + Like them they flourish and like them they fade + And live beloved and loving. But for thee-- + For such a bevy how art thou arrayed + Flower of the Tempests? What hast thou with them? + Thou shalt be pearl unto a diadem + Which the Heavens jewel. _They_ shall deck the brows + Of joy and wither there. But _thou_ shalt be + A Martyr's garland. Thou who, undismayed, + To thy spring dreams art true amid the snows + As he to better dreams amid the flames.--_Athenæum._ + + + + +THE COUNT MONTE-LEONE: OR, THE SPY IN SOCIETY.[H] + +TRANSLATED FOR THE INTERNATIONAL MONTHLY MAGAZINE FROM THE FRENCH OF H. +DE ST. GEORGES. + +_Continued from page 70._ + + +V.--THE ENTERTAINMENT. + +The name of Count Monte-Leone produced great sensation in the numerous +assemblage. The adventures of the Count and the report of his trial had +been published in all the Parisian papers, and in the eyes of some he +was a lucky criminal, and of others a victim and a martyr to his +opinions, whom God alone had preserved. The women especially were +interested in the hero of this judicial drama, on account of the +exaggerated representations of his personal attractions. Received with +general curiosity, which, however, he did not seem to notice, and +crossing the rooms with his usual dignified air, Monte-Leone approached +the Duchess of Palma and expressed his gratitude for her kindness in +including him among her guests. The Duchess recognized the Count +politely, and replied to him with a few meaningless phrases. She then +left him to meet the young Marquise de Maulear, who came in leaning on +the arm of her father, the old Prince. The Prince knew the Neapolitan +Ambassador, whom he had often seen with the Duchess. He had been one of +the first to visit the Duchess of Palma. A man of intelligence and +devotion to pleasure, he thought he did not at all derogate from his +dignity by civility to a young and beautiful woman, who bore so nobly +the name which was conferred on her by love and hymen. + +"Duchess," said the Prince, presenting Aminta, "you have often +questioned me about my daughter-in-law, and know what I told you. I am, +I confess, proud for you to be able now to judge for yourself." In the +_interim_ La Felina had taken in the whole person of Aminta at a single +glance, and the result of this rapid examination exerted a strange +influence on her. She grew pale, and her voice trembled, as she told the +Prince that the praises he had bestowed on the Marquise were far less +than the truth. + +"The Marquis de Maulear," added she, "is an old acquaintance," and +bowing kindly to him, she offered Aminta a seat and then left her, under +the influence of an emotion which, actress as she was, she could repress +with great difficulty. + +The Prince sat by his daughter-in-law, and passing in review before her +the distinguished personages of the room, described them with that +skeptical wit, that courteous irony, of which the nobles of other days +were so completely the masters. He spoke like the Duke d'Ayer of old, +that caustic wit, of whom a lady of the court said that she was amazed +that his tongue was not torn out twenty times a day, so full of pointed +needles was all he said. Aminta smiled at the pencil sketches of the +Prince, or rather at his dagger blow. Had the old man, however, been +twenty times as bitter, she would not have found fault with her +father-in-law, for she knew he was kind and she was grateful to him--one +day we shall know whence these sentiments originated in his mind. The +Marquis de Maulear had left his young wife to speak to his numerous +acquaintances: and while the Prince for Aminta's amusement flayed alive +the various personages who were led before him by their evil fate, Count +Monte-Leone, who had seen the Ambassador, sought in vain to pierce the +crowd which surrounded him. The Duke was not in the room when +Monte-Leone was announced. It was then with surprise and almost with +terror that he saw the Count approach him. + +"I have not had the honor," said he, "to approach your Excellency since +the visit paid me at the Castle _Del Uovo_. And I am doubly gratified at +being able to return it in your hotel amid so splendid a festival." + +"Count," said the Duke, seeking to conquer the emotion caused by the +unexpected presence of Monte-Leone, "I dared not hope that you would +honor me by accepting my invitation; for you cannot be ignorant that an +Ambassador represents his king. It is then, in some degree, as if we +meet to-day in the palace of his Majesty Fernando King of Naples: and I +think I may venture to tell you, in the name of my Sovereign, that if +your conduct is a token of reconciliation offered by you to his cause, +Fernando IV will acknowledge it as cheerfully as I do now." + +Count Monte-Leone appreciated the graceful perfidy of the language of +the Duke, and was ready to curse the secret motive which had led him to +the Embassy. His eyes, however, turned, almost contrary to his wishes, +to the other side of the room, and there he seemed to find something to +sustain him. He replied to the Duke as naturally as possible, that in +coming to his house, he had remembered only the urbanity of his host and +his frankness, being aware that the Duke would never convert a mere +visit of pleasure into a political question. + +The Duke bit his lips when he heard this evasive answer, and saw that he +had met his equal in diplomacy. A young man then approached and passed +his arm into that of Monte-Leone's, thus putting an end to this annoying +interview. This young man had an eloquent and _distingué_ air, and +handsome features, though they were delicate and betokened but feeble +health. + +"Do you know, my dear Duke," said the new comer to the Ambassador, "that +one must have a very perfect character, and be invited to a very +charming ball, to come as I do to your house, after the manner we parted +eighteen months ago at Naples. Listen!--one goes for health-sake to +Naples to pass the winter, to enjoy the Carnival in peace. After one or +two intrigues with beautiful women having dark eyes, not, however, +comparable with those of the Duchess of Palma, one fine night in the +middle of a Pulcinello supper, you send us in place of a dessert a +company of black-looking _sbirri_, who rush like vultures upon us, and +rust with dirty hands our Venetian daggers which they wrest from us. +Twelve to three, they then separate Taddeo, Von Apsbury and myself, and +placing us in rickety carriages, take one of us to prison, another to +the frontier, and hurry me on board a miserable little vessel, from +which they tumble me like a package of damaged goods on the _quai_ of +Marseilles. I had expected to make the tour of Italy." + +"Vicompte," said the Duke, with a smile, "the air of Italy was not +healthy for you. Very excellent physicians told me your life was unsafe +in that country, and that you should leave it as soon as possible. So +complain to the faculty, but thank me for having followed their +directions." + +"Now what mistakes," said the young man, "people make. I have always +heard that the climate of Naples was excellent for the chest." + +"True," said the Duke, "but it is bad for the head." + +"Of that I know something," said Monte-Leone, bowing to the Duke. + +"Well, then, suppose it is," continued d'Harcourt, who wished at any +price to avenge himself on the _sbirri_ of his Excellency, in the person +of the Duke himself. "It may be the climate exaggerates and sometimes +destroys the head, but it is excellent for the heart--a suffering +heart--a heart which is attacked is easily cured in Naples. True, the +remedies are sometimes priceless, but patients in desperate cases do not +hesitate on that account." + +"I hope, Count," said the Duke, who would not understand the allusion of +the young man to his marriage, "that the climate of Paris suits you +better than that of Naples. Besides, the Duc d'Harcourt, your father, +that most influential nobleman, will prevent you henceforth from +endangering an existence you held too cheaply in Italy." + +"Luckily," said D'Harcourt, with a smile, "your Excellency watched over +me, and it is no slight honor to have as a physician the minister of +police of a kingdom. Excuse me, however," added he to the Duke, "I hear +the prelude of Collinet's orchestra, and I have a family duty to fulfil: +my sister Mary has promised to dance this contradance with me, and I +must humor the whim of a spoiled child." + +The wild young man hurried to take his sister's arm, and to get into +place with her. Marie d'Harcourt, René's sister, was a charming girl, +with blonde hair and a rosy complexion, fair and lithe as a northern +elf. The blue veins were visible beneath her transparent skin, so fair +that one might often have fancied the blood was about to come gushing +through it. The Duke d'Harcourt had lost two of his sons of that +terrible pulmonary disease against which medicine, alas, is powerless. +The distress of the father was intense, for two of the scions of this +family had been cut off by death; and of the five offshoots from the +family tree, but two remained. All his love was therefore centred in +René, now his only son, and in Marie, the young girl of whom we have +just spoken. From a sentiment of tender respect, the Duke had not +permitted his last son to assume the title of those he had lost, and +René continued to be called the Vicompte d'Harcourt. There were already +apparent sad indications that René would become a prey to the monster +which had devoured his two brothers: Marie, a few years younger, gave +her father great uneasiness, on account of the excessive delicacy of her +constitution and organization. All Paris had participated in the grief +of the Duke d'Harcourt; for all Paris respected him. Rich, kind, and +benevolent, in an enlightened manner, and within the bounds of reason, +rejecting all social Utopias, popular as they might make all who +sustained them, the Duke d'Harcourt was a Christian philanthropist, that +is to say, a charitable man. Charity is the holiest and purest of +earthly virtues, and that in which this patriarch indulged shunned noise +and renown. He did not wait until misfortune came to him to soothe it, +but sought it out. When this second providence was known to those whom +he aided, the Duke imposed secrecy on them as a reward for all he had +done. He was, so to say, an impersonation of French honor, and the +arbiter of all the differences which arose between the members of the +great aristocratic families of France. His word was law, and his +decisions sovereign. + +The Prince de Maulear had determined to marry his son to the daughter of +this noble old man, and had been forced by the Marquis's marriage to +abandon the plan. The Duke still remained the friend of the Prince, +though he had not unfrequently blamed his somewhat lax principles. +Whenever he discovered the Prince in any peccadillo, he used to say, +"Well, we must be lenient to youth." Now, the Prince de Maulear was a +young man of seventy. The beauty of Aminta, her extreme paleness alone, +would have sufficed to fix attention, and created a very revolution in +the saloons of the Embassy. The Duchess of Palma did not produce her +ordinary effect. The animation she experienced in the beginning of the +evening gradually left her, and the sadness under which she had +previously suffered, but which she had thrown off during the early hours +of the entertainment, began again to take possession of her features and +person. One man alone remarked the Duchess, for he had never lost sight +of her. Leaning against the door of the boudoir, his eye followed her +wherever she went, and appeared to sympathize with all the constraint +inflicted on her as mistress of the house. When, however, the Duchess +thought she had paid sufficient personal attention, and was satisfied +that the pleasures of the evening would be sustained without her, the +man who examined her with such care, saw her come towards the boudoir +where he was. He went in without being seen by her, and yielding to one +of those promptings which a man in his cooler moments would resist, went +behind a drapery which covered a door leading into a gallery of +pictures, and waited motionless. The Duchess of Palma entered the +boudoir, and assuring herself by a glance that she was alone, fell +rather than sat on a divan, and suffered two streams of tears to flow +from her eyes. "I was strangling," said she. "I would die a thousand +deaths. My cruel experiment has succeeded. _He loves her yet_--I am sure +of it. For her sake he came to this entertainment, to which he would not +have come for mine. He would have made an excuse of his old difficulties +with the Duke, of his political position. I would have believed him, and +have sacrificed my wish to see him to propriety and his honor. He never +ceases to look at her. He thinks of her alone. He is busied with her +alone, yet he has no look, no thought for me." The Duchess began to weep +again. Steps were heard in the gallery--the drapery at the door was +agitated. "Oh, my God!" said the Duchess, "if met with here, and in this +condition, what shall I do and say!" The steps approached. Hurrying then +to one of the outlets of the boudoir, she opened it hastily, and went +into the garden. The steps the Duchess had heard were those of two +persons, who, after having been the rounds of the room, were about to go +into the picture-gallery. The two persons were René d'Harcourt and Count +Monte-Leone. + +"Ah ha!" said the Count, "what the devil is Taddeo doing there against +the drapery, there like a jealous Spaniard at a corner of Seville, +listening to a serenade given by his rival?" + +"True! true!" replied d'Harcourt, "but I think the serenade has been +given, for his features express the most malevolent expression." + +The emotion of Taddeo was so violent when he heard the words of the +Duchess, that he had not strength to leave. He, however, restrained +himself, and listened to the raillery of his friends. + +"Like yourselves," said he, with a quivering voice, "I was in search of +fresh air, for it is fearfully warm." + +"Do not get sick here," said d'Harcourt, "for Doctor Matheus is not here +to cure you." + +"Silence," said Taddeo, changing his expression at once, "how imprudent +you are to pronounce his name." + +All three of them entered the boudoir. + +"True," said d'Harcourt, "my tongue is always quicker than my mind. I +will however try and make them keep time." + +"When will there be a consultation?" asked Taddeo, trying to be calm. + +"Eight days hence!" + +"At what hour?" + +"Midnight!" + +"Are there many patients?" + +"More than ever," said the Count, "and the poor devils are anxious as +possible to be cured!" + +"Then," said d'Harcourt, "the practice of the Doctor increases." + +"Every day. He will soon be unable to turn around." + +"That does not make me uneasy," said d'Harcourt, "our Doctor is a +skilful man, a great philosopher, and fully acquainted with the new +medicine." + +"Yes, very new;--he treats the mind, rather than the body." + +"Ah, that is its very essence," replied the Vicompte, "and I know some +wonderful cures of his--so wonderful, indeed, that on the other day I +presented him to my father." + +"To the Duke?" said Monte-Leone,--"introduce Doctor Matheus to the Duke +d'Harcourt?" Then in a low voice he continued, "Why did you present him +to the Doctor?" + +"For a reason which was important and very dear to my heart. My young +sister was suffering; my father, who consulted in behalf of my brothers +the most eminent practitioners of Paris, lost all confidence in the +faculty when he lost his sons. He did not know whom to consult about his +daughter; I spoke to him of Matheus, and told him several wonderful +cures he had effected, and the Duke became very anxious to see him." + +"And did the stern Matheus consent to go to your father's house?" + +"He was anxious to do so, and as his house is not far from ours, I in a +few minutes was able to introduce him into the patient's room; and would +you believe it, a few of the simplest remedies possible exerted a great +effect. The agitation of my sister was calmed--her cough arrested--and +this evening you see her dancing and waltzing, pretty and gay as +possible." + +The conversation of the three friends was soon interrupted by the +entrance of two other of the personages of our story. The Prince de +Maulear entered with the _Marquise_ on his arm, seeking in this retired +spot some repose from the fatigues of the ball, and a less heated air +than that of the ball-rooms. Aminta leaned heavily on the arm of the +Prince when she saw Monte-Leone thus unexpectedly. She had observed him +during the evening, and in the course of the winter they had more than +once met together. The Count, however, had never referred to their +parting at Sorrento. Far from seeking her out, Monte-Leone seemed to +avoid her. Satisfied with saluting her respectfully as often as they +met, the Count used always to leave her. This reserved and proper +conduct was sufficiently explained by the old rivalry of the Marquis de +Maulear and the Count. Recollection of this rivalry, without doubt, +caused in Aminta's mind the great emotion she always felt when in the +presence of Monte-Leone. + +"What," said the Prince, when he saw the Count, "are you here, my dear +colleague? This chance delights me. My daughter," said he to the young +Marquise, "let me introduce to you the Count Monte-Leone, a great +traveller, to whom I am indebted for the best chapter of my Italian +voyages; all action, I will read it to you one of these days! Ah! but +for the Count, I would never have perfected it." + +"Monsieur," said Monte-Leone, with a low bow, "I have the honor of the +_Marquise_'s acquaintance; and Signora Rovero, her mother, deigned +sometimes to receive me at her house before the marriage of the Marquis +de Maulear and Madame--" + +The Count as he spoke felt as if his heart would burst. The Prince, +however, did not perceive it. + +"You know my daughter," said the Count, "yes, you have not called on +her, you did not seek to see me, who am so glad to see you. This is bad, +Count--you will not, however, remain away any longer, and I will not +quit you until you promise me a speedy visit." + +"I do not know if I should," said the Count, with a hesitation which was +not natural to him--and looking timidly at Aminta. + +"We shall be happy to receive the Count; but you know, Monsieur, I +receive no one without the consent of the Marquis--" + +"But the Marquis," said the Prince, "will be delighted to receive so +charming a gentleman and erudite a traveller as Count Monte-Leone." + +"But I also know M. de Maulear," said the Count. + +"Indeed! then you know every one," said the old man. "Why then be so +ceremonious? People of our rank easily understand each other. Besides, +if the invitation of my son is all you need, here he comes to speak for +himself." + +D'Harcourt and Taddeo, especially the latter, who knew how devotedly +Monte-Leone had loved Aminta, participated in the embarrassment of the +scene. Aminta trembled. "Ah! you here at last, Monsieur," said the +Prince to his son, as he appeared at the door of the boudoir. "You are a +lucky fellow to have your father as your wife's _cavalier servente_, for +you have not been near her during the whole evening." The Marquis turned +pale, and said with agitation, "Excuse me, sir, but I met some old +friends who kept possession of me all the evening." + +"Ah!" said the Prince, "_apropo_ of old friends--or old acquaintances, +if you will, here is one of yours--the Count Monte-Leone, who wants only +for a word from your mouth to renew his acquaintance and visit me." + +Henri looked at Monte-Leone, whom he had not seen before. + +Without trouble, without agitation, or any apparent effort, he said, +"Count Monte-Leone will always be welcome whenever he pleases to visit +me." + +Aminta cast a glance full of surprise, grief, and reproach on the +Marquis, and a secret voice repeated in her very heart:--"He is no +longer jealous, and therefore does not love me." + +"Very well," said the Prince to his son, and turning to Monte-Leone, and +giving him his hand, he said, "We shall meet again, my dear colleague." +He continued, "We will talk of our travels, and especially of the +chapter of Ceprano." + +Then taking the arm of Aminta, who could scarcely support herself, he +returned to the ball-room. + + +VI.--JOURNAL OF A HEART. + +The entertainment continued, and the joyous sounds of the orchestra +reached the very extremity of the garden of the Hotel, where the Duchess +of Palma had taken refuge to conceal her tears from all observers. She +heard a faint noise beneath a neighboring hedge, and looking towards it, +saw Taddeo gazing at her with an expression of great grief. + +"Taddeo," said she. + +"Yes," said the young man, "Taddeo, who pities and suffers with you +because he knows all and suffers all that unappreciated love can inflict +on the heart--" + +This was said with an expression of deep pity. + +"Who has told you," said the Duchess proudly, "that I suffered as you +say?" + +"Your tears," said Taddeo, "and the memory of the past. Better still, +yourself. The words you uttered not long ago in the boudoir, and which +by chance I heard." + +"Signor," replied the Duchess with indignation, "do not attribute to +chance what you owe to ignoble curiosity. To watch a woman--to surprise +the secrets of her heart, is infamous, and betrays the hospitality +extended to you. It shows a want of respect for me, and absence of honor +in yourself." + +"Signora, my only excuse is my ardent passion, which has lasted in spite +of time and contempt. I have no motive for my fault but my sad interest +in your suffering, the cruel progress of which I have read on your +features since the commencement of the entertainment;--that is all----" + +"But, Signor, what have I said? What words have I uttered?" said the +Duchess, every feature being instinct with terror. + +"Nothing, alas! that my heart has not long been aware of. He that you +loved, you love still, and his coldness and insensibility for your +devotion, makes you lament his ingratitude and indifference." + +The Duchess seemed, as it were, relieved of an enormous burden which +oppressed her. She breathed more freely and murmured these words with a +burst of gratitude to God who had preserved her--"He knows nothing." + +"Taddeo," said she, giving him her hand, "I pardon you, for I am myself +guilty, very guilty in still preserving my old sentiments in the face of +my new obligations, voluntarily contracted. I have, I am certain, lost +the right to reproach you with a fault, which passion induced you to +commit, while I commit one far greater. For pity's sake forget what you +have heard, and to ask me to explain it would be an offence. Pity me in +your heart. Ah! pity me, for I am most unfortunate." Then drying her +eyes, she continued, "No more of this--be a friend to me as you promised +six months ago, when we came to Paris. On this condition alone you know +that I permitted you to see me. Now give me your arm, and let us return +to the ball-room, whence, probably, our absence has been remarked." They +walked in silence down the alley which led to the ball-room. + +Two hours after, all was calm and silent where every thing had been gay +and brilliant. The lights were out, and the darkness of night replaced +the thousand lamps which a few minutes before were seen to glitter +within the palace windows. But one person in all the Hotel of the Duke +of Palma was awake. A woman sat alone, in a room of rare elegance, still +wearing her ball attire, but with her hair dishevelled and her heart +crushed. Her eyes were fixed and dry, and yet red with the tears she had +shed. She was in all the brilliancy of youth and beauty, but which was +already defaced somewhat, by the iron claws of sorrow, which by +sleepless nights and the ravages of jealousy seemed resolved yet more to +lacerate her. With her head resting on her hands, beautiful and touching +as Canova's Magdalen, she looked with sorrow over the papers which lay +strewn on a rich ebony desk before her. A lamp, the upper portion of +which was shrouded in blue tulle, cast a pale and sad light over her +brow. Her fine white hand rested on the papers which she seemed afraid +to touch. "No," said she, "it is impossible; all that these contain are +but falsehoods. No, this journal of my heart, written by myself, day by +day, cannot be a romance created by the imagination in its delirium. No! +all I wrote there was true. I felt the joys and bitternesses, yet it now +seems to me a dream. A dream! can it be a dream?" + +Taking up the papers convulsively she read as follows:--"It is he. I +have seen him again and free. I thought that he, like myself, had +contracted a life-long obligation. Is this joy or grief? The ties he was +about to form, the ties the mere thought of which caused me a terrible +anguish, were imposed on me by myself. Oh my God! what have I done? What +perfidious demon inspired me when I yielded to another than to him the +_right_ to love me? When I promised a love I knew could be given to no +other than to him? Why on the day of that fatal marriage did I see him +only when I was about to leave the church? I would have broken off had I +stood at the foot of the altar--I would have told him who was about to +give me his name--ask me not to perjure myself! do not ask me to pledge +you a faith I cannot keep! my heart, my soul, my love are his. I +thought, alas! because he was not free that I too might cease to be. I +fancied my agony to be power, my spite to be courage. When, however, I +saw him pale and sombre, leaning against the door of the temple, I felt +the coldness of death take possession of me, and I doubted long after +that sad day, if I had seen a shadow, if some hallucinations of my +senses had not evoked a phantom of my vanished love, to inspire me with +eternal regret. Yet HE it was! HE it was! and when at the risk of my +very life I would have flown towards that man, I was forced to follow +another." The poor woman paused; for a mist obscured her sight, a +distillation of burning tears. She resumed her task:--"I am a Duchess +but of what value is that vain title which I sought, as an ægis against +memory, to me? Have I found it such? For a long time, I thought so. I +should, however, never have seen him again. I should have passed no +happy days near him, and have been ignorant of the delirium and +intoxication of his presence, which I never can forget. I had been the +wife of the Duke of Palma six months, when a mission of the King of +Naples forced him to leave me at a villa on the _Lago di Como_, while he +went in a foreign country to discharge the duties his monarch had +imposed on him. I scarcely dared to confess to myself, in spite of the +kindness of the Duke, how I was delighted during his absence, for it +gave me a liberty of mind and thought which was absolutely necessary to +my heart. Resolved to discharge all my duties, I lived, or rather +vegetated, in this existence, so unoccupied and objectless as all +marriages contracted without love must be. Amid, however, the dead calm +of a marriage contracted without love, there glittered sometimes a burst +of passion repressed, but alas! not stifled. Dark passions filled my +bosom, and I felt the poison of regret. I found myself often longing for +my independence, which, however, would not have contributed to my +happiness, but would at least have permitted me to indulge in my secret +sorrow. My temporary solitude, therefore, became precious to me, for I +was about to abandon myself to sadness without annoying any one, and +without exciting a curiosity which it was impossible for me to satisfy. +When one evening I had been wandering alone on the banks of the lake, I +was terrified by a terrible scene on the water. At a great distance a +man made every effort to approach the shore--for his boat was evidently +sinking beneath him. Some opening, beyond doubt, permitted the water to +penetrate, and his danger became every moment more imminent. I was too +far from the villa to send him any assistance, and as a secret +presentiment was joined to the horror and pity caused by the spectacle, +I felt the greatest anxiety about the stranger. The night was near, and +the sky became darker every moment. By the flashes of lights here and +there, I saw the bark almost sinking, and ere long, it was entirely +gone--and the tranquil waves of the lake, calm as they are wont to be, +rolled over it. My strength deserted me, and almost in a fainting +condition, I fell on the strand. I did not absolutely lose +consciousness; for far in the distance I heard the sound of sudden blows +on the water, for which at the time I could not account. The noise +approached, and grew every moment more distinct. I then heard the sound, +as it were, of a body falling on the sand, accompanied by a painful cry. +I heard no more. Soon I saw the light of the torches of my servants, who +being uneasy, had come to look for me. They found me, and also a half +inanimate body, dripping with water. It was doubtless the person whose +boat had foundered in the water, and I ordered him to be taken to the +villa and carefully attended to. It was late, and I returned. A few +hours had passed since the event, and I was sitting alone at the piano. +Fancy bore me back to my last appearance at San-Carlo, where a mad and +infatuated public had bade me so enthusiastic an adieu. While all that +crowd had eyes, for him alone I wished to be beautiful--for him alone to +be worthy of the admiration I excited. Dreaming this, my fingers run +over the keys, and joining my voice to the instrument, I sang almost +unconsciously that touching air in which I had been so much applauded. +My song was at first low and half-whispered, but gradually increased in +power. I thought I spoke to him, and that his eyes were fixed on mine. +At last I paused, pale with surprise, joy and terror. In the glass +before me I saw Count Monte-Leone." + +The memory of this event was so distinct and exciting, that the Duchess +paused and looked around for the apparition which had caused her such +keen emotion. Then, as if she delighted to place the knife in the wound, +she took up the manuscript, and continued:-- + +"'Excuse me, Madame,' said the Count, 'for having thus introduced myself +into your house; but I am come to thank you for the cares I have +received in your name.' + +"'You--you here?' said I, yet doubting my eyes. 'Is it a dream or +vision? Speak, speak once more, that, I may be sure I do not dream.' + +"'Felina,' said he, in a tone full of melancholy, 'I know not why our +fate should thus constantly bring us together. But one might think, that +still faithful to your old oath, you continue the providence you used to +be to me. When a few months since, after the wreck of all my hopes of +happiness, after having been misconceived by those for whom I had done +so much, when sad and desperate, I cursed my egotistical and cold +career, you appeared to me in the Church of Ferentino and cast on me, in +the face of your marriage vows, one of those deep-loving looks which +cheer the heart and attach it to life. And when on the lake, exhausted +with fatigue and ready to yield under the struggle necessary to avert my +threatened fate, you again came to my relief. You see, then,' continued +he, smiling sadly, 'that in becoming the good angel of the Duke of +Palma, you do not cease to be mine.' + +"Never had the Count spoken thus to me. He had always been cold, and +seemed most unwillingly to acknowledge the services I had rendered him. +I had never received an affectionate word from his mouth before. He saw +the trouble he gave me, and taking my hand, said, with a voice full of +sensibility, 'Are you happy?' At this question, it seemed as if my heart +would break, and I burst into tears. + +"'Felina,' said he, 'why do you weep? what is the meaning of this?' + +"'Do not question me,' said I. 'Let me keep the cause of those tears a +secret, for you can neither dry up nor understand them. Tell me though +about yourself, said I. Tell me of your marriage.' + +"Monte-Leone grew pale, and said, 'I am not married, I am free.' + +"I could not repress a feeling of joy. + +"'Ah!' said he, bitterly, 'Do you enjoy my misfortune?' + +"This word restored me to my _sang-froid_. I became more calm, and +questioned him. The Count told me all. + +"For many months, he had travelled and returned to Europe to arrange +some pecuniary matters previous to his return to France, where he +purposed to remain. Passing by _la Tremezzina_, he learned, indirectly, +that certain malevolent reports had been circulated in relation to him +by the brothers of the powerful association, of which he had been the +chief. A venta was to meet on the opposite shore of Lake Como. Taking a +rude costume--he had gone thither, for the purpose of protesting against +the perfidious insinuations of his enemies. Afraid, however, of being +watched by some agent of his enemies, he resolved to cross the lake +alone and at night. Thus he became so near being lost. The Count wished +to leave me that night, for he was aware of the absence of the Duke of +Palma, and was afraid of compromising me. I, however, retained him for +several days in the villa, for the purpose of throwing off the vigilance +of his enemies. Alas! how have I regretted those days, the only happy +ones of my life. How rapidly they passed away! The Count knew the +mystery I wished to hide from him. He read it in my soul, the only +thought of which he long had been. He knew why I had married, what tears +and sorrow I had known, and what anguish it had caused me. Touched by +this vast sacrifice, understanding the extent of my love, I saw the ice +of his heart gradually begin to melt. But as his heart warmed to mine, a +secret terror took possession of me. Tasting all the joy of seeing arise +in the heart of the Count, sentiments which, when I was free I could not +have heard without pride and satisfaction, I trembled at the idea of +being able to listen to them only with crime. Soon it was I who besought +the Count to fly--to leave me--to see me no more. Strange, however, is +the human heart; the passion of Monte-Leone seemed to feed on my +opposition. He forgot the past, he could not realize it to have existed. + +"Sitting by my side during the long days, beneath the flowery bowers of +the villa, the Count, as he said, saw through the darkness in which he +had been enveloped--his eyes recovered their vision, and at last I +appeared to him, for the first time, the most charming, the most +adorable of women. Never was there a more eloquent tenderness than +his--and to me who lived for him alone--whose image was ever before me, +who had loved him in spite of his coldness and indifference, almost his +contempt, to me he used this language of entreaty.... Yet he did so to a +woman who loved him. A month passed in this cruel contest of love and +duty. The contest was not equal, and passion triumphed. The Count had +left the villa, but was concealed in the vicinity, and I saw him every +day become more tender and affectionate. One must have suffered as I +have to understand the intoxication of my happiness. To be loved by him +had never seemed possible; and to possess this life-dream, to read in +his looks a passion I alone had experienced hitherto, was a veil, thin +indeed, but this prevented me from discerning how great was my fault. If +it did become known to me, I loved it; for in my delirium I thought that +I gave to this man a heart which belonged to him, and a person of which, +in defiance of his rights, another was possessed. The other though, whom +I doubly injured by this thought, had given me truly, loyally, and +nobly, his heart, his rank, his name. So completely, however, was I led +astray, that I censured the Duke for this very generosity. Sometimes, +however, my life of love had its sorrows. The Count would be sad, and in +his moments of melancholy, forgot my presence, and spoke slightingly on +the volatility of women and of their caprices. I used to look at him +with surprise, and seek to discover his secret thoughts. One day it was +revealed to me. + +"'When women are young,' said he, 'they suffer themselves to be led away +by brilliant exterior, and by that studied gallantry of which the French +make such a display.' A few words full of venom escaped him +involuntarily in relation to a rival that she whom he _had_ loved +preferred to him. So shocked was I, that I asked him, if ill-humor at +his repulse alone had led him to my feet. Without knowing how he had +done so, the Count saw he had wounded me, and by increased care and +tenderness lulled a suspicion which ultimately was to rise in all its +power and agony. + +"One day, we were to separate. The Count was obliged to go to Naples, +where he was impatiently waited for. My despair at this intelligence was +terrible. How could I leave this sweet happiness which had grown around +me in two months! It seemed above my power and ability. Nothing seemed +to influence the Count. I knew him well, and was aware that he never +yielded. I soon ceased to contend, and he left me--not, however, without +the tenderest oaths of constancy. 'We will soon meet again,' he +remarked, 'and in Paris: in that vast city where mystery is so easy, +and where secret love finds an impenetrable shelter, we will reside--you +still as beautiful, I devoted as ever.'" + +This was the end of the manuscript. + +"Vain promises," said La Felina, crushing the papers in her hands. "I +wished to read these pages once more. I wrote them after he had gone, +and they are the history of my fleeting happiness. I wished to be +satisfied that I had been happy. I doubt it sometimes, for during the +three months the Count has been here, I see him every day resume more +and more his old coldness to me. Formerly, I could reproach myself with +nothing. I had betrayed no one; and he, in his disdain, had violated no +promise. Now, though, he has created eternal remorse and regret. He has +revived in my heart a flame which was nearly out--yet has nothing but +indifference and contempt for me. He forgets, though, how dangerous it +is to offend an Italian woman. He has forgotten what he read in my +letter to his friend: 'Had I been to the Count but an ordinary woman, +the charms of whom would have fixed him for a time, but whom he would +repudiate as he has his other conquests, _I would have killed him_.'" + + +VII.--DOCTOR MATHEUS. + +At the time we write of, there was in _la rue Babylonne_, near the +faubourg Saint-Germain, an old house, the owner of which was really to +be pitied. In consequence of a kind of fate which overhung this house, +no room had been occupied for many years, and the persons who went +thither in search of room, terrified at their sombre air, heard, +subsequently, such stories of what had happened within its walls, took +good care not to take up their abode there, even if they had given the +_denier-à-Dieu_, an important matter in Paris, and a kind of bargain +between the lodger and landlord, made in the presence of the porter, who +is the notary, witness, and depository of the contract. If, however, any +quiet family, led astray by the retirement of the house, established +themselves in it, the servants soon heard such stories from their +neighbors in No. 15, that they lived in perpetual terror--madame grew +pale, and as often as monsieur sang louder than usual, or came in +without noise, had nervous attacks. The unfortunate lodgers, menaced by +jaundice or some other bilious complaint, in consequence of the repeated +emotions to which they were subjected, were anxious always to go, even +under the penalty of indemnifying the landlord. The latter saw himself +again forced to submit to the reign of solitude in the old halls, which +were gilt and painted _à la Louis XV._, and saw the mildew and dust +again rest on the windows and cells, as soon as the fires ceased to +burn; not even the presence of a trunk, belonging to a chance sojourner +in this desert isle, relieved the landlord from apprehensions of the +recurrence of his old calamity. The Crusoe of this desert island had +declared that he had rather pay the lodging three, six, or nine-fold, +than live in such proximity with the miserable ideas which the house +suggested. True, the Crusoe was an Englishman, predisposed to the +_spleen_, and the sadness of his abode would soon have led him to +augment by a new scene the dramas which had already happened in this +house. The landlord, afraid that he would do so, hurried to conclude +matters as soon as possible with the islander. + +The following was the reason of the bad repute of No. 13: + + A man had hung himself there for love. This was a horrid story, + but it was not the whole drama. Three years after, two very old + men, who were very rich, and said to be retired merchants, were + found stifled beneath their mattress, and the criminal was + never found out. The people of the quartier, however, knew all + about it, and said who was the murderer. They maintained it was + the old suicide, the shadow of whom was ill at ease, and had a + mortal aversion to any one who disagreed with him about a + suitable and pleasant residence. + +Yet for some time No. 13 had looked like all the other houses in the +vicinity. People went in and came out, just as if it had been the +domicile of no ghost. The knocker on the door was often heard, and when +the porter opened his door, a little flower-garden was seen, with +various horticultural treasures, expanding beneath the spring sun. + +At length a lodger was found, a very godsend to No. 13, whose lofty +reason was superior to all the fables told of the house, and, by his +presence defended it from the calumny which had been circulated about +it; not by words but deeds, for he lived there, and was neither hung nor +stifled, like the old merchants, who had several very evil disposed +nephews, and who, to say the least, assisted the man that was hung in +procuring the rich inheritance for them. This house had a large +ground-floor, and many handsome rooms on the first story. The second +story was very expensive, having previously been the _studio_ of a +painter, but which had been appropriated by the new lodger to an object +which we will describe by and by. We will not attempt a description of +this new lodger, but will introduce to our readers one more competent to +do it. This person is Mlle. Celestine Crepineau, an old maid between +thirty-seven and forty-nine years of age. She was tall and thin, and had +all her life rejoiced at this, for she had a form three fingers in +diameter. True, a broomstick can be grasped between the thumb and index +finger, and yet is not very graceful. Let not any one think, though, in +spite of this infantine vanity, that Mlle. Crepineau was of those +virgins whom the Bible condemns _as foolish about their beauty_. She was +a prudent honest-minded girl, the heart of whom if it ever spoke, did so +in such low terms, that no one ever heard it. Mademoiselle Celestine's +virtue was a proverb. Mothers in all that part of the town spoke of her +as a model of prudence, and fathers pointed her out to their sons as a +warning against the passions of youth. Without father or mother, from +her very childhood Mlle. Crepeneau had no protector but her god-father, +an old lawyer, who owned No. 13 of Babylonne-street. The worthy lawyer +had provided for the youth of Mlle. Celestine, and had long intrusted +her with the control of his kitchen: discovering, however, how +little talent his god-daughter had for the art of _Cussy_ and +_Brillot-Savarin_, and wishing to provide an honorable and comfortable +home for her, he removed her from the charge of her personal to that of +his real property. We will see how fully Mlle. Celestine justified the +esteem of her god-father: with what martial courage she took possession +of this kingdom of shadows; and how, after sprinkling the whole house +with holy water and hung a bough of a blessed tree, she had declared +that this asylum, thus purified, henceforth would be unapproachable to +the man who had been hung. + +The fact is, for three years, neither the suicide nor any one else had +violated this sanctuary of virtue. But Mlle. Celestine was not only a +virtuous and sensible woman, but a woman of eloquence. Nothing could be +more attractive than the harangues she made use of to induce lodgers to +occupy her rooms. Honey flowed from her mouth, and many persons were led +away by the siren's song. But generally they soon became terrified and +fled from the terrors which besieged them. Mlle. Celestine Crepeneau +therefore could not praise her new lodger too highly. "What a charming +man," said she to her neighbors in 11 and 51, the porters of which +looked on her as an oracle. "Doctor Matheus is an angel, pure as those +of Paradise. God forgive me for saying so, for I think he is handsomer +than they, with his magnificent whiskers and moustache. I do not see why +angels do not wear them! I am sure they are very becoming. Besides, he +is so kind to other people. Only the other day he wished to set +_Tamburin's_ leg, which some Jacobin had broken." In Mlle. Crepeneau's +mind, a Jacobin was capable of any thing. "And what a magnificent room +he has! how beautiful: all full of noble skeletons, Jacobins' heads, and +books enough to fill all the Place Louis XV. He has also a fine +practice, and patients of every kind coming on horseback, in carriages, +on foot, and in wooden shoes. He refuses no one, and cures every +body--even _Tamburin_. The poor animal is very fond of him, never +barking when he passes, but wagging his tail as if he knew his +physician. I alone attend to Doctor Matheus," continued Mlle. Crepeneau, +"and I flatter myself he is well waited on. He has a great deal of +trouble, too, especially on his consultation days. One would think then +all Paris met at his house. He is a brave man, and is not afraid of +ghosts! Yet he said the other day, 'I have killed so many people that +one more would run me mad.'" + +Yet while Mlle. Crepineau was thus prodigal of her praises, in front of +No. 13, her lodger, as she called him, was in the third story of the +house, and was shut up in his room engaged in the strangest manner. The +studio had preserved nothing of its original destination but its name. +Instead of pictures, plaster casts, statuettes, and manikins, the table +was covered with manuscripts, books, pamphlets, and loose papers; on +this battle-field, where science, art and politics seemed to contend +together, stood a noble Japan vase from which arose a noble bouquet of +white camelias--above this hung the portrait of a protestant preacher. + +Doctor Matheus, as Mlle. Celestine had said, was young and handsome. He +had luxuriant fair hair, hanging in clusters around his face and falling +on his shoulders, so as to give a seraphic air to his face, very well +calculated to touch the heart of pious Celestine. In his mild blue eyes, +however, there was an expression of will, decision and daring which +strangely contrasted with the rest of his face. The Doctor was tall and +elegantly formed, and wore at home the costume yet popular at Leipsig, +Gottingen and Heidelberg, a doublet of velvet and a kind of cap +surmounted by a plume. He had suppressed the plume. This is exactly the +costume of Karl de Moor in Schiller's robber; and in 1847 we saw the +pupils of those venerable universities strolling through the streets of +the German capitals in this very theatrical costume, precisely that of +Wilhelm Meister's actors when they met Mignon on the Ingolstadt road +just after their unfortunate representation of Hamlet. The Doctor, we +have said, was strangely engaged. He leaned over a vast chart of Europe, +extended before him like a body waiting for the knife of the anatomist. +His eyes were expanded, his brow flushed, and from time to time he stuck +black pins into this chart, and whenever he did so consulted the +manuscripts which he held in his hand. When he had inserted the last +pin, he arose, and with a cry of joy looked around like a conqueror; as +great men are wont to survey their fields of triumphs. "Europe is ours," +said he, "and the world is Europe's." The vaccine of _Carbonarism_ has +taken, and courses from vein to vein, to the very noblest portion of the +social body. It has reached and taken possession of the heart. The old +man is dead and a new being is about to be born. Better still, Lazarus, +regenerated, is about to burst from the tomb. + +Afraid to yield to a false hope, trembling lest he should be deceived in +his calculations, the Doctor leaned again over his chart, and began to +compute the black pins which, like a mourning cloak, covered the map of +Europe. And indeed the terrible monster he had named was a pall thrown +over the happiness of the people of the world. The idealists and +ambitious men who sought to extend it were the murderers of all +prosperity. A Gothic clock which leaned against the wall struck eleven. +The features of the Doctor at once changed their expression, and +infinite grief replaced the enthusiasm which pervaded them. He hurried +to a low window of his cabinet, and pushing aside the curtain, looked +anxiously into a garden which was behind the house he dwelt in, and from +which he was separated only by the _parterre_ of which we have spoken +before. This garden belonged to a magnificent hotel in the street of +Verennes. A large portal decked with flower vases led to rooms on the +ground-floor. This door was just then opened and a beautiful girl +hurried past, when the Doctor went to the window of his cabinet. The +young girl walked down an alley well lighted; she seemed to seek for the +generous heat of the sun, and turned toward it like a true Heliotrope. +She seemed to take no care of her complexion, for her head was scarcely +covered by a straw-hat which could not avert the heat. A thin dress of +embroidered muslin with short sleeves displayed her arms, and a blue +sash surrounded her thin and delicate form. She gathered a few flowers, +and cut away a few bad branches of the rose-trees with an elegant +English pruning-knife. Then after having passed two or three times up +and down the alley in front of the portal, she put her hand to her brow +as if to make a visor to shield her eyes from the burning rays of the +sun. Just in front of her was the window--the curtain of which Doctor +Matheus had drawn aside, and there he stood more beautiful and radiant +than ever. The young girl blushed slightly and looked hastily away, for +the sun probably appeared too bright just then. The Doctor seemed +fascinated by what he had seen, and we cannot say how long his ecstasy +continued. At last a well-known voice exclaimed on the other side of the +door, which was closed even to Mlle. Celestine Crepineau, "Doctor--you +are wanted in the parlor. A gentleman--a patient. He has given me his +card to bring you." + +"Very well," said the Doctor, "I am coming." + +"But, sir, if you will open the door I will give you his card." + +"Keep it," said the Doctor, "as I am coming down and do not need it." + +"Yet," said the inquisitive porteress.--"Monsieur may wish to know the +name in advance." + +"I do not," said the Doctor, "and hope Mlle. Crepineau that you will go +away." + +"My God!" said Mlle. Celestine, terrified at the Doctor's manner. "What +is the matter with my new lodger? Why will he not let me enter his +cabinet? Perhaps though he is cutting up some human body, and has +respect for my sex." + +The Doctor left his room, and locked the door carefully; putting the key +in his pocket, he went down. When he entered the room he was amazed to +see who was waiting for him. + +"The Duke d'Harcourt here!" said he, bowing respectfully to his visitor. + +The Duke said, "My visit should not surprise you, for I came, after all, +only to thank you for your services to my dear Marie." + +"Duke," said Doctor Matheus, "your benevolent reception, when I had the +honor to be presented to you, has converted a duty into a pleasure. The +natural interest," added he, with profound emotion, "with which your +daughter inspires all who see her, would make me most proud of her +cure." + +"Doctor," said the Duke, looking most earnestly at the physician, "you +inspire me with a confidence I have had in none of your brethren. Your +reply, therefore, to my question, I shall look on as a sentence. Do not +fear to be frank, Doctor, for I am prepared for every misfortune; +already crushed by my sufferings, my heart looks forward to no earthly +happiness. The lives of my two surviving children are the objects of my +own life, but uncertainty is too much for me. Reply therefore, I beg +you, sincerely to me whether the life of my child is in danger." + +"Duke," said Doctor Matheus, "the hand of God is more powerful than that +of science.--HE often strikes down the strong, and preserves the weak, +so that none here can tell when to expect his blows. I can, however, +assure you on my honor, that your daughter, delicate as she is, at this +time has not even a germ of the terrible malady which has ravaged your +hearth. This germ is always in the blood of members of the same family. +Art establishes this, though it can provide no remedy.--This secret +enemy, however," said the physician, with a kind of pride, "before which +all known remedies are powerless, I can perhaps oppose and conquer." + +"Tell me, Doctor, tell me!" said the Duke, clasping the Doctor's hands, +"save my child, grant her life, and my fortune is yours." + +"Duke," said Matheus, "if I had the honor of a better acquaintance with +you, I would not listen to such language as you have used.--Gold has +little value in my eyes, and reputation no more, for I do not place my +hopes for the future in my profession. Since, however, study has +revealed to me the art of assisting those who suffer, and of saving +those who are in danger, I would esteem it a crime not to do so; and I +promise this art shall be employed in the cure of Mlle. d'Harcourt. + +"And," said the Duke, "will this be a secret to me?" + +"No, Duke; I will use it in your presence. I will also own that I have +already made use of it, though but slightly, in the case of Mlle. +d'Harcourt; what I have done, satisfies me that I may hope to see her +completely restored." + +"It is true;" said the Duke. "The interview and the simple remedies you +prescribed, have sufficed to soothe the sufferings of my daughter. Ah! +Monsieur," added he, clasping the Doctor's hand kindly, "how can I +discharge my obligations towards you?" + +"By granting me a boon, invaluable to me, and which all Paris will envy, +and of which I know you are prodigal indeed, your esteem--the respect +of the Duke d'Harcourt--the most honorable and virtuous of men. You see, +Monsieur, I place a great value on my consultations; and few persons +have received so noble a recompense from you." + +"Doctor," said the Duke d'Harcourt, with a smile, "in that case you are +already paid; for I know all that you do in Paris, and especially in +this neighborhood. I know that want meets here with a better reception +than opulence, and that you look on all sufferers as having an equal +claim on your attention. You must be aware, that knowing this I have +already given you all you ask." + +"Well, then," said the Doctor, "let me continue to have your respect, +and we shall be equal." + +Just then Mlle. Celestine Crepineau knocked at the door. + +"Come in," said Doctor Matheus. + +"Sir, there are in the reception-room an English Milord, and two +miserable creatures waiting to see you." + +"Who are the latter?" + +"One is an Auvergnat, very badly dressed, with a bandage over his eye, +who has already been here once or twice." + +Doctor Matheus seemed annoyed, and turned away lest the Duke should +observe it. + +"The other is a peasant from the environs, who has a handkerchief over +his face as if he _enjoyed a fluxion_." + +"I will go," said the Duke, "for your visitors are impatient, and sorrow +should not wait. I will give place to Milord." + +"Mademoiselle," said the Doctor, "show in the poor wretches." + +"Very well," said the Duke, "the poor before the rich, I expected that." +Bowing kindly to the Doctor, the old nobleman left. + +As he passed through the reception room, he saw the Doctor's visitors, +each of whom looked towards him. The _Milord_ rushed towards a window, +which luckily was closed. The other two were introduced to the Doctor's +room. No sooner were they there, than the one threw off his +handkerchief, and the Auvergnat his bandage. The Doctor gave them his +hand and exclaimed, "MONTE-LEONE! Taddeo." + +"And here, too, am I," said the Milord, entering the room and throwing +aside his red wig and burning whiskers. + +"D'Harcourt, too"--said the Doctor, hurrying to meet the new comer--and +then closing the curtains, "Here we all are," said he. + +"Yes, dear Von Apsbury," said the Count, embracing him. "_The Pulcinelli +of the Etruscan villa are again united._" + + * * * * * + +Dr. Franklin's father had seventeen children. He was the fifteenth. He +says in his autobiography, that his father died at the age of +eighty-nine, and his mother at the age of eighty-five, and that neither +were ever known to have any sickness except that of which they died. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[H] Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1850, by Stringer +& Townsend, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United +States for the Southern District of New-York. + + + + +From Fraser's Magazine. + +LIFE AT A WATERING PLACE. + +THE DOG OF ALCIBIADES. + +BY C. ASTOR BRISTED. + + +We left Tom Edwards mysteriously swallowed up, like a stage ghost down a +trap-door. And do you know, reader, I am very near leaving him so for +good and all, and suspending these sketches indefinitely,--yea, even to +the time of the Mississippi dividends, or any other period beyond the +Greek Calends that your imagination can conjure up. For the wise +men--and the wise women, too--of Gotham are wroth with me, and one says +that I am writing on purpose to libel this man or puff that woman, and +another charges me with sketching my own life in _Fraser_, for +self-glorification, and a third holds up the last number of _Pendennis_ +at me and says, "If you could write like _that_, there would be some +excuse for you, but you won't as long as you live." "Alas, no!" said I, +and was just going to burn my unfinished papers, and vow that I would +never again turn aside from my old craft of reviewing. But then came +reflection in the shape of a bottle of true Dutch courage--genuine +Knickerbocker Madeira--and said, "Why should you be responsible for +resemblances you never meant, if people will insist on finding them? +Consider how prone readers, and still more hearers who take their +reading at second-hand, are to suppose that the author, be he great or +small, must have represented himself in some one of his personages." +True enough, Mr. Bottle; for instance, any one of our fashionables will +tell you that "our _spirituel_ and accomplished friend" (as Slingsby +calls him), M. Le Vicomte Vincent Le Roi, is the hero of his thrilling +romance, _Le Chevalier Bazalion_--why they should, or what possible +resemblance they can find between the real man in New-York, and the +ideal one in the novel, it passeth my poor understanding to discover. +Bazalion is a stalwart six-footer, who goes about knocking people's +brains out, scaling inaccessible precipices, defending castles +single-handed against a regiment or two, and, by way of relaxation after +this hard work, victimizing all the fair dames and blooming damsels that +come in his way--breaking the hearts of all the women when he has broken +the heads of all the men. Le Roi is a nice gentlemanly man, of the +ordinary size, who sings prettily and talks well, and makes himself +generally agreeable, and not at all dangerous in society--much the more +Christian and laudable occupation, it seems to me. If ever he does bore +you, it is with his long stories, not with a long pike as Bazalion used +to do. Be the absurdity, then, on the head of him who makes it; _Qui +vult decipi decipiatur_: if any one chooses to think that I am bodied +forth under the character of Harry Benson, and am, in consequence, a +handsome young man, who can do a little of every thing instead of----but +never mind what; your actor has not yet sufficient standing to come down +before the footlights, and have his little bit of private chaff with +the audience. Only this will I say, so help me N. P. Willis, I mean to +go on with these sketches till they are finished, provided always that +_Fraser_ will take them so long and that you continue to read them, or +fall into a sweet and soothing slumber over them, as the case may be. +For if we are all to shut up shop until we can write as well as Mr. +Titmarsh, there will be too extensive a bankruptcy of literary +establishments. + +Before Ashburner could form any conjecture to account for the +evanishment of Edwards--indeed before he could altogether realize it to +himself--the little man's head reappeared above the ground, though there +were no signs of his horse; and at the same time Benson began to ride +round the scene of the catastrophe, at an easy canter, laughing +immoderately. The Englishman shook up his brute into the best gallop he +could get out of him, and a few more strides brought him near enough to +see the true state of things. There was a marsh at no great distance, +which rendered the grass in the immediate vicinity moist and sloppy, and +just in this particular spot the action of the water had caved away a +hole precisely large enough to receive a horse and rider--it could +hardly have made a more accurate grave had they been measured for +it--and so marked by a slight elevation in front, that it was ten to one +any person riding over the ground at such a rate, and unacquainted with +the position of this trap, but must fall headlong into it, as Edwards +had done. There was some reason to suspect that our friend Harry, who +was an habitual rider, and knew all the environs of Oldport pretty well, +and was fonder of short cuts and going over grass than most American +horsemen are, had not been altogether ignorant of the existence of the +pitfall; it looked very much as if he had led Edwards, who was no +particular friend of his, purposely into it: but if such was the case, +he kept his own counsel. When the fallen man and mare had scrambled out +of the hole, which they did before Benson had offered to help them, or +Ashburner had time to be of any assistance, it appeared that she had +sprained her off foreankle, and he his nigh wrist. But they were close +to the main road; by good luck a boy was found to conduct the animal +home, and by a still greater piece of good luck the Robinsons' carriage +happened to be coming along just then, so the little man, who did not +take up much room, was popped into it, and as much pitied and mourned +over by the lady occupants as was _père Guilleri_ in the French song. +And, to do him justice, even without this consolation, he had taken his +mishap very quietly from the first, as soon as he found himself not +injured in any vital, _i. e._ dancing part. + +Having finished their road at a more leisurely pace, our two horsemen +arrived at the glen after most of the company were assembled there. And +as the place was one of general resort, they noticed traces of other +parties, people of the Simpson class, hail-fellow-well-met men, who +didn't dance but took it out in drinking, and who in their intercourse +with the other sex, betrayed more vulgar familiarity and less refined +indecency than characterized the men and boys of White, Edwards, +Robinson, and Co.'s set. But of these it may be supposed that the set +took no heed. There was some really pretty scenery about the glen, but +they took no heed of that either--to be sure, most of them had seen it +at least once before. They had gone straight to the largest parlor of +the house, and led, as usual, by the indefatigable Edwards, had begun +their tricks with the chairs. Booted and spurred as he was, and with his +arm in a sling, the ever-ready youth had already arranged the German +cotillion, taking the head himself, and constituting Sumner his second +in command. Benson was left out of this dance for coming too late, one +of the ladies told him; but he did not find the punishment very severe, +as he rather preferred walking with Ashburner, and showing him the +adjacent woods. As they passed out through several specimens of the +Simpson species, who were smoking and lounging around the door, +Ashburner nearly ran over a very pretty young woman who was coming up +the steps. She was rather rustically, but not unbecomingly dressed, and +altogether so fresh and rosy that it was a treat to see her after the +fine town ladies, even the youngest of whom were beginning to look faded +and jaded from the dissipation of the season. But when she opened her +mouth in reply to Benson's affable salutation, it was like the girl in +the fairy tale dropping toads and adders, so nasal, harsh, and +inharmonious was the tone in which she spoke. + +"That's Mrs. Simpson," said Harry, as they went on, "the Bird's wife. +Pretty little woman: what a pity she has that vulgar accent! She belongs +to New England originally; one finds many such girls here, every way +charming until they begin to talk. But I suppose you saw no difference +between her and any of us. In your ears we all speak with a barbarous +accent--at least you feel bound to think so." + +"What do you think yourself? You have known a good many of my +countrymen, and heard them talk, and are able to make the comparison. Do +you, or do you not, find a difference?" + +"To say the truth, I do; it is a thing I never think seriously of +denying, for it seems to me neither singular nor to be ashamed of. You +can tell an Irishman from a Londoner by his accent; so you can a +Scotchman; or a Yorkshireman for that matter: why should you not be able +to tell an American? The error of your countrymen consists in +attributing to all our people the nasal twang, which is almost peculiar +to one section of the country. If I were asked the peculiar +characteristic of a New-Yorker's speech, I should say _monotone_. +Notice any one of our young men--you will find his conversational voice +pitched in the same key. Sumner goes on at the same uniform growl, +Edwards in an unvaried buzz. When I first landed in England, I was +struck with the much greater variety of tone one hears in ordinary +conversation. Your women, especially, seemed to me always just going to +sing. And I fancied the address of the men affected--just as, very +likely, this monotone of ours seems affected to you." + +"What I remark most is a hardness and dryness of voice, as if the +extremes of climate here had an injurious effect on the vocal organs." + +"Perhaps they do; and yet I think you will find a better average of +singers, male and female, in our society than in yours, notwithstanding +our fashionables are so engrossed by dancing. Holla! here's Harrison. +How are you, old fellow? and how are the Texas Inconvertibles?" + +It was indeed the broker, wandering moodily alone. What had he in common +with the rest of the company--the fops and flirts, the dancing men and +dancing women? The males all snubbed and despised him, from tall White +down to little Robinson; the women were hardly conscious of his +existence. He knew, too, that he could thrash any man there in a fair +stand-up fight, or buy out any three of them, ay, or talk any of them +down in the society of sensible and learned people; and this very +consciousness of superiority only served to embitter his position the +more. There were other sets, doubtless, who would have welcomed him +gladly, but either they were not sufficiently to his taste to attract +him, or he was in no mood to receive consolation from their sympathy. So +he had wandered alone, untouched by the charming scenery about him--a +man whom nobody cared for; and when Benson addressed him genially, and +in an exuberance of spirits threw his arm over the other's neck as they +walked side by side, the broker's heart seemed to expand towards the man +who had shown him even this slight profession of kindness, his +intelligent eyes lighted up, and he began to talk out cheerfully and +unassumingly all that was in him. + +Harrison's own narrative of his personal prowess, as well as the +qualified panegyric pronounced upon him by Benson, had led Ashburner to +expect to find in him a manly person with some turn for athletic sports +and good living, but no particular intellectual endowments beyond such +as his business demanded. He was, therefore, not a little astonished at +(inasmuch as he was altogether unprepared for) the variety of knowledge +and the extent of mental cultivation which the broker displayed as their +conversation went on. They talked of the hills and valleys, and ravines +and water-courses around them, and Harrison compared this place with +others in a way that showed a ready observer of the beauties of nature. +They talked of Italy, and Harrison had at his fingers' ends the +principal palaces in every city, and the best pictures in every palace. +They talked of Greece, and Harrison quoted Plato. They talked of England +and France, and Harrison displayed a familiar acquaintance, not merely +with the statistics of the two countries, but also with the habits and +characteristics of their people. Finally, they talked on the puzzling +topic of American society--puzzling in its transition state and its +singular contrasts--and, whether the broker's views were correct or not, +they were any thing but commonplace or conventional. + +"Our fashionable society has been all a mistake hitherto," said Harry +(Ashburner could not well make out whether there was a spice of irony in +his observation); "Mrs. Benson and some others are going to reform it +indifferently. The women thus far have been lost sight of after +marriage, and have left the field to the young girls. Now they are +beginning to wake up to their rights and privileges." + +"They will not remedy any of the present evils in that way," answered +Harrison, apparently addressing himself to Ashburner, but he seemed to +be talking at Benson and through him at Benson's wife, or his own, or +both of them. "Our theory and practice was that a young girl should +enjoy herself in all freedom; that her age and condition were those of +pleasure and frolic--of dissipation, if you will--that after her +marriage she, comparatively speaking, retired from the world, not +through any conventional rule or imaginary standard of propriety, but of +her own free will, and in the natural course of things; because the +cares of maternity and her household gave her sufficient employment at +home. A woman who takes a proper interest in her family gives them the +first place in her thoughts, and is always ready to talk about them. Now +these domestic details are the greatest possible bore to a mere +fashionable casual drawing-room acquaintance. Hence you see that the +French, whose chief aim is to talk well in a drawing-room or an opera +box, utterly detest and unmercifully ridicule every thing connected with +domesticity or home life. On the other hand, if a married woman never +talks of these things or lets you think of them, she does not take a +proper interest in her family. No, the fault of youth is with the other +sex. There are too few men about, and too many boys. And the more +married belles there are the more will the boys be encouraged. For your +married belles like to have men about them younger than themselves--it +makes them appear younger, or at least they think so; and besides, such +youths are more easily managed and more subservient. But, still worse, +the more these boys usurp the place of men in society, the more boyish +and retrograde will the few men become who continue to divide the honors +of society with them. When Plato enumerated among the signs of a +republic in the last stage of decadence, that the youth imitate and +rival old men, and the old men let themselves down to a level with the +youth, he anticipated exactly the state of things that has come to pass +among us. Look at that little friend of yours with the beard--I don't +mean Edwards, but an older man about his size." + +"Dicky Bleecker, I suppose you mean," growled Benson: "he's as much your +friend--or your wife's--as he is mine." + +"Well, he is my contemporary, I may say; perhaps five years at most my +junior. What perceptible sign of mature age or manliness is there about +him? In what is he superior to or distinguishable from young Snelling, +who but this season rejoices in his first white tie and first horse, and +in the fruits of his first course of dancing lessons?" + +"Well, but consider," said Benson, who was always ready to take up any +side of an argument--it was one of the first criticisms Ashburner made +on American conversation, that the men seemed to talk for victory rather +than for truth--"it stands to reason, that an intelligent married woman +must be better able than a girl to converse with a mature man, and her +conversation must have more attraction for him. As to our boys coming +out too soon, doubtless they do, but that depends not on the persons +ready to receive them, but on the general social system of the country +which pushes them into the world so early. For instance, I was left my +own master at twenty-one. So, too, with the want of proper progress and +growth in knowledge of the men. It is and must be so with the man of +fashion every where, for he is not occupied in learning things that have +a tendency to develop or improve his mind, but the contrary. I myself +have seen Frenchmen of fifty as easily amused and as eager after trifles +as boys." + +"Frenchmen?" sneered the other; "yes, but they _are_ boys all their +lives, except in innocence." + +"Very amusing and pleasant, at any rate; the best people for travelling +acquaintances that I know." + +"Exactly--very pleasant to know for a little while. I have met with a +great many Frenchmen who impressed me favorably, and I used to think as +you say, what amusing people they were, but I never had occasion to live +with one for any length of time without finding him a bore and a +nuisance. A Frenchman turns himself inside out, as it were, at once. He +shows off all that there is to show on first acquaintance. You see the +best of him immediately, and afterwards there is nothing left but +repetitions of the same things, and eternal dissertations on himself and +his own affairs. He is like a wide, shallow house, with a splendid front +externally, and scanty furniture inside." + +"Very true, and an Englishman (don't blush Ashburner) is like a suite of +college-rooms in one of his own university towns--a rusty exterior, a +dark, narrow passage along which you find your way with difficulty; and +when you do get in, jolly and comfortable apartments open suddenly upon +you; and as you come to examine them more carefully, you discover all +sorts of snug, little, out-of-the-way closets and recesses, full of old +books and old wine, and all things rich and curious. But the entrance is +uninviting to a casual acquaintance. Now, when you find an American of +the right stamp (here Benson's hands were accidentally employed in +adjusting his cravat), he hits the proper medium, and is accessible as a +Frenchman and as true as an Englishman." + +Ashburner was going to express a doubt as to the compatibility of the +two qualities, when Harrison struck in again. + +"On that account I never could see why Frenchmen should be dreaded as +dangerous in society. They fling out all their graces at once, exhaust +all their powers of fascination, and soon begin to be tiresome. How many +cases I have seen where a Frenchman fancied he was making glorious +headway in a lady's affections, and that she was just ready to fall into +his arms, when she was only ready to fall asleep in his face, and was +civil to him only from a great sacrifice of inclination to politeness!" + +"Very pleasant it must be to a lady," said Ashburner, "that a man should +be at the same time wearying her to death with his company, and +perilling her reputation out of doors by his language." + +"By Jove, it's dinner time!" exclaimed Benson, pulling out a microscopic +Geneva watch. "I thought the clock of my inner man said as much." And +back they hurried through the woods to the Glen House, but were as late +for the dinner as they had been for the dance. Harrison and Benson found +seats at the lower end of the table, where they established themselves +together and began, _à propos_ of Edwards's misadventure, to talk horse, +either because they had exhausted all other subjects, or because they +did not think the company worthy a better one. Mrs. Benson beckoned +Ashburner up to a place by her, but, somehow, he found himself opposite +Mrs. Harrison's eyes, and though he could not remember any thing she +said ten minutes after, her conversation, or looks, or both, had the +effect of transferring to her all the interest he was beginning to feel +for her husband--of whom, by the way, she took no more notice than if he +had not belonged to her. + +"Poor Harrison!" said Benson, as he and Ashburner were walking their +horses leisurely homeward that evening (they both had too much sense to +ride fast after dinner), "he is twice thrown away! He might have been a +literary gentleman and a lover of art, living quietly on a respectable +fortune; but his father would make him go into business. He might be a +model family man, and at the same time a very entertaining member of +society; but his wife has snubbed and suppressed him for her own +exaltation. If, instead of treating him thus, she would only show him a +little gratitude as the source of all her luxury and magnificence, her +dresses and her jewelry, her carriage and horses (what a pair of +iron-grays she does drive!), and all her other splendors--if she would +only be proud of him as the great broker--not to speak of his varied +knowledge, of which she might also well be proud--if she would take some +little pains to interest herself in his pleasures and to bring him +forward in society--how easily she could correct and soften his little +uncouthnesses of person and dress, if she would take the trouble! Why +should she be ashamed of him? He is older than she--how much? ten years +perhaps, or twelve at most. He is not a beauty; but in a man, I should +say, mind, comes before good looks; and how infinitely superior he is in +mind and soul to any of the frivolous little beaux, native or foreign, +whom she delights to draw about her!" + +"I fear I shall never be able to regard Mr. Harrison with as much +respect as you do. It may be ignorance, but I never could see much +difference between a speculator in stocks and a gambler." + +"When a man is in his predicament domestically there are three things, +to one, two, or all of which he is pretty sure to take--drink, gambling, +and horses. Harrison is too purely intellectual a man to be led away by +the vulgar animal temptation of liquor, though he has a good cellar, and +sometimes consoles himself with a snug bachelor dinner. Stock-jobbing +is, as you say, only another sort of gambling, and this is his vice: at +the same time you will consider that it is his business, to which he was +brought up. Then, for absolute relaxation, he has his 'fast crab.' Put +him behind his 2' 45" stepper and he is happy for an hour or two, and +forgets his miseries--that is to say, his wife." + +"But you talk as if his marriage was the cause of his speculations, +whereas you told me the other day that his speculations were the +indirect cause of his marriage." + +"You are right: I believe the beginning of that bad habit must be set +down to his father's account; but the continuance of it is still +chargeable on his wife. I have heard him say myself that he would have +retired from business long ago but for Mrs. Harrison--that is to say, he +had to go on making money to supply her extravagance." + +One fine morning there was a great bustle and flurry; moving of trunks, +and paying of bills, and preparations for departure. The fashionables +were fairly starved out, and had gone off in a body. The brilliant +equipages of Ludlow and Löwenberg, the superfine millinery of the +Robinsons, the song and story of the Vicomte, the indefatigable +revolutions of Edwards, were all henceforth to be lost to the sojourners +at Oldport. Mr. Grabster heeded not this practical protest against the +error of his ways. He had no difficulty in filling the vacant rooms, for +a crowd of people from all parts of the Union constantly thronged +Oldport, attracted by its reputation for coolness and salubrity; and he +rather preferred people from the West and South, as they knew less about +civilized life, and were more easily imposed upon. To be sure, even they +would find out in time the deficiencies of his establishment, and report +them at home; but meanwhile he hoped to fill his pockets for two or +three seasons under cover of _The Sewer's_ puffs, and then, when +business fell off, to impose on his landlord with some plausible story, +and obtain a lowering of his rent. + +Some few--a very few--of "our set" were left. Our friend Harry stayed, +because the air of the place agreed remarkably with the infant hope of +the Bensons; and a few of the beaux remained--among them Sumner, White, +and Sedley--either out of friendship for Benson, or retained by the +attractions of Mrs. Benson, or those of Mrs. Harrison; for the _lionne_ +stayed of course, it being her line to do just whatever the exclusives +did not do. But though Benson remained, he was not disposed to suffer in +silence. All this while _The Sewer_ had been filled with letters lauding +every thing about the Bath Hotel; and communications equally +disinterested, and couched in the same tone, had found their way into +some more respectable prints. Benson undertook the thankless task of +undeceiving the public. He sat down one evening and wrote off a spicy +epistle to _The Blunder and Bluster_, setting forth how things really +were at Oldport. Two days after, when the New-York mail arrived, great +was the wrath of Mr. Grabster. He called into council the old gentleman +with the melodious daughter, _The Sewer_ reporters, and some other +boarders who were in his confidence; and made magnificent, but rather +vague promises, of what he would do for the man who should discover the +daring individual who had thus bearded him in his very den; +simultaneously he wrote to _The Blunder and Bluster_, demanding the name +of the offender. With most American editors such a demand (especially if +followed up with a good dinner or skilfully-applied tip to the reporter +or correspondent) would have been perfectly successful. But he of _The +Blunder and Bluster_ was a much higher style of man. As Benson once said +of him, he had, in his capacity of the first political journalist in the +country, associated so much with gentlemen, that he had learned to be +something of a gentleman himself. Accordingly he replied to Mr. +Grabster, in a note more curt than courteous, that it was impossible to +comply with his request. So the indignant host was obliged to content +himself for the time with ordering _The Sewer_ to abuse the incognito. +Before many days, however, he obtained the desired information through +another source, in this wise. + +Oldport had its newspaper, of course. Every American village of more +than ten houses has its newspaper. Mr. Cranberry Fuster, who presided +over the destinies of _The Oldport Daily Twaddler_, added to this +honorable and amiable occupation the equally honorable and amiable one +of village attorney. Though his paper was in every sense a small one, +he felt and talked as big as if it had been _The Times_, or _The +Moniteur_, or _The Blunder and Bluster_. He held the President of the +United States as something almost beneath his notice, and was in the +habit of lecturing the Czar of Russia, the Emperor of Austria, and other +foreign powers, in true Little Pedlington style. Emboldened by the +impunity which attended these assaults, he undertook to try his hand on +matters nearer home, and boldly essayed one season to write down the +polka and redowa as indecent and immoral. But here he found, as +Alexander, Napoleon, and other great men, had done before him, that +there is a limit to all human power. He might better have tried to write +off the roof of the Bath Hotel, which was rather a fragile piece of +work, and might have been carried away by much less wind than usually +served to distend the columns of _The Twaddler_. The doughty Tom Edwards +snapped his heels, so to speak, in the face of the mighty editor, and +the exclusives continued to polk more frantically than ever in the teeth +of his direst fulminations. One practical effect, however, these home +diatribes had, which his luminous sallies on foreign affairs altogether +failed to effect--they put money into his pocket. The next thing +Americans like to hearing themselves well praised, is to hear somebody, +even if it be themselves, well abused; and accordingly, on the mornings +when Mr. Fuster let out an anti-polka article, the usually small +circulation of his small sheet was multiplied by a very large +factor--almost every stranger bought a copy, the million to see the +abuse of the fashionables, the fashionables to see the abuse of +themselves. + +Benson, in the course of his almost annual visits to Oldport Springs, +had been frequently amused by the antics of this formidable gentleman, +and had laudably contributed to make them generally known. Once, when +Mr. Fuster had politely denominated the Austrian emperor "a scoundrel," +Harry moved _The Blunder and Bluster_ to say, that it was very sorry for +that potentate, who would undoubtedly be overwhelmed with mortification +when he learned that _The Twaddler_ entertained such an opinion of him. +Whereupon Fuster, who was of a literal dulness absolutely joke-proof, +struck off a flaming article on "the aristocratic sympathies" of _The +Blunder and Bluster_, which, like a British Whig and Federal journal as +it was, always came to the rescue of tyrants and despots, &c. &c. On +another occasion--the very morning of a State election--_The Twaddler_ +had announced, with a great flourish, "that before its next sheet was +issued Mr. Brown would be invested with the highest honors that the +State could confer upon him." But even American editors are not always +infallible; Mr. Brown came out sadly in the minority, and the day after +_The Blunder and Bluster_ had a little corner paragraph to this +effect:-- + +"_We sincerely regret to see that our amusing little contemporary, THE +OLDPORT DAILY TWADDLER, has suspended publication_." + +At this Mr. Fuster flared up fearfully, and threatened to sue _The +Blunder and Bluster_ for libel. + +Now this magniloquent editor, who professed to be a great moral reformer +at home, and to regulate the destinies of nations abroad, was in truth +the mere creature and toady of Mr. Grabster, the greater part of the +revenue of his small establishment being derived from printing the bills +and advertisements of the Bath Hotel. As in duty bound, therefore, he +set to work to abuse the anonymous assailant of that atrociously-kept +house, calling him a quantity of heterogeneous names, and more than +insinuating that he was a person who had never been in good society, and +did not know what good living was, _because_ he found fault with the +living at the Bath Hotel. The leader wound up with a more than ever +exaggerated eulogy of Mr. Grabster and his "able and gentlemanly +assistants." Benson happened to get hold of this number of _The +Twaddler_ one evening when he had nothing to do, and those dangerous +implements, pen, ink, and paper, were within his reach. Beginning to +note down the absurdities and _non sequiturs_ in Mr. Fuster's article, +he found himself writing a very chaffy letter to _The Twaddler_. He had +an unfortunate talent for correspondence had Benson, like most of his +countrymen; so, giving the reins to his whim, he finished the epistle, +making it very spicy and satirical, with a garnish of similes and +classical quotations--altogether rather a neat piece of work, only it +might have been objected to as a waste of cleverness, and building a +large wheel to break a very small bug upon. Then he dropped it into the +post-office himself, never dreaming that Cranberry would publish it, but +merely anticipating the wrath of the little-great man on receiving such +a communication. It chanced, however, not long before, that Benson, in +the course of some legal proceedings, had been to sign papers, and "take +fifty cents' worth of affidavit," as he himself phrased it, before Mr. +Fuster in his legal capacity. The latter gentleman had thus the means of +identifying by comparison, the handwriting of the pseudonymous letter. +In a vast fit of indignation, not unmingled with satisfaction, he +brought out next day Harry's letter at full length, to the great peril +of the Latin quotations, and then followed it up with a rejoinder of his +own, in which he endeavored to take an attitude of sublime dignity, +backed up by classical quotations also, to show that he understood Latin +as well as Benson. But the attempt was as unsuccessful as it was +elaborate, for his anger broke through in every other sentence, making +the intended "smasher" an extraordinary compound of superfine writing +and vulgar abuse. + +When in the course of human events (he began) it becomes necessary for +men holding our lofty and responsible position to stoop to the +chastisement of pretentious ignorance and imbecility, we shall not be +found to shrink from the task. The writer of the above letter is Mr. +Henry Benson, a young man of property, and a Federal Whig. He +insinuates that we are very stupid. It's no such thing; we are not +stupid a bit, and we mean to show Mr. B. as much before we have done +with him. Mr. Benson is a pompous young aristocrat, and Mr. Grabster is +more of a gentleman than he is--and so are we too for that matter. He +says the Bath Hotel is a badly kept house. We say it isn't, and we know +a great deal better than he does. We have dined there very often, and +found the fare and attendance excellent: and so did the Honorable +Theophilus Q. Smith, of Arkansas, last summer, when he came to enjoy the +invigorating breezes of this healthful locality. That distinguished and +remarkable man expressed himself struck with the arrangements of the +Bath Hotel, which left him no cause, he said, to regret the comforts of +his western home. But this establishment cannot please the fastidious +Mr. Benson! _O tempora, O Moses!_ as Cicero said to Catiline, _quousque +tandem_? + +And so on for three columns. + +Likewise, _The Sewer_, which had begun to blackguard _The Blunder and +Bluster's_ correspondent while he remained under the shelter of his +pseudonym, now that his name was known, came out with double virulence, +and filled half a sheet with filthy abuse of Harry, including collateral +assaults on his brother, grandmother, and second cousins, and most of +the surviving members of his wife's family. But as Benson never read +_The Sewer_, this part of the attack was an utter waste of Billingsgate +so far as he was concerned. What did surprise and annoy him was to find +that _The Inexpressible_, which, though well-known to be a stupid, was +generally considered a decent paper, had taken the enemy's side, and +published some very impertinent paragraphs about him. Afterwards he +discovered that he had been the victim of a principle. _The +Inexpressible_ and _Blunder and Bluster_ had a little private quarrel of +their own, and the former felt bound to attack every thing in any way +connected with the latter. + +Nevertheless Benson was not very much distressed even at this +occurrence, for a reason which we shall now give at length, and which +will at the same time explain the propriety of the heading we have given +to this number. While every body was reading _The Sewer_ and _The +Twaddler_, and the more benevolent were pitying Harry for having started +such a nest of editorial and other blackguards about his ears, and the +more curious were wondering whether he would leave the hotel and resign +the field of battle to the enemy, our friend really cared very little +about the matter, except so far as he could use it for a blind to divert +attention from another affair which he had on hand, and which it was of +the greatest importance to keep secret, lest it should draw down the +interference of the local authorities: in short, he had a defiance to +mortal combat impending over him, which dangerous probability he had +brought upon himself in this wise. + +Among the beaux who remained after the Hegira of the fashionables was a +Mr. Storey Hunter, who had arrived at Oldport only just before that +great event, for he professed to be a traveller and travelling man, and, +to keep up the character never came to a place when other people did, +but always popped up unexpectedly in the middle, or at the end, of a +season, as if he had just dropped from the moon, or arrived from the +antipodes. He had an affectation of being foreign--not English, or +French, or German, or like any particular European nation, but foreign +in a general sort of way, something not American; and always, on +whichever side of the Atlantic he was, hailed from some locality; at one +time describing himself in hotel books as from England, at another as +from Paris, at another from Baden--from anywhere, in short, except his +own native village in Connecticut. In accordance with this principle, +moreover, he carefully eschewed the indigenous habits of dress; and +while all the other men appeared at the balls in dress coats, and black +or white cravats, he usually displayed a flaming scarlet or blue tie, a +short frock coat, and yellow or brown trousers. A man six feet high, and +nearly as many round, is a tolerably conspicuous object in most places, +even without any marked peculiarities of dress; and when to this it is +added, that Mr. Hunter exhibited on his shirt-front and watch-chain +trinkets enough to stock a jeweller's shop, and that he was always +redolent of the most fashionable perfumes, it may be supposed that he +was not likely to escape notice at Oldport. His age no one knew exactly; +some of the old stagers gave him forty years and more, but he was in a +state of wonderful preservation, had a miraculous dye for his whiskers, +and a perpetually fresh color in his cheeks. Sedley used to say he +rouged, and that you might see the marks of it inside his collar; but +this may have been only an accident in shaving. He rather preferred +French to English in conversation; and with good reason, for when he +used the former language, you might suppose (with your eyes shut) that +you were talking to a very refined gentleman, whereas, so soon as he +opened his mouth in the vernacular, the provincial Yankee stood revealed +before you. As to his other qualities and merits, he appeared to have +plenty of money, and was an excellent and indefatigable dancer. +Ashburner, when he saw him spin round morning after morning, and night +after night, till he all but melted away himself, and threatened to +drown his partner, thought he must have the laudable motive of wishing +to reduce his bulk, which, however, continued undiminished. +Notwithstanding his travels and accomplishments, which, especially the +dancing, were sufficient to give him a passport to the best society, +there were some who regarded him with very unfavorable eyes, more +particularly Sumner and Benson. Supposing this to be merely another of +the frivolous feuds that existed in the place, and among "our set," +Ashburner was not over-anxious or curious to know the cause of it. Nor, +if he had been, did the parties seem disposed to afford him much +information. Benson had, indeed, observed one day, that _that_ Storey +Hunter was the greatest blackguard in Oldport, except _The Sewer_ +reporters; but as he had already said the same thing of half-a-dozen +men, his friend was not deterred thereby from making Hunter's +acquaintance--or rather, from accepting it; the difficulty at Oldport +being, _not_ to make the acquaintance of any man in society. And he +found the fat dandy, to all appearance, an innocent and good-natured +person, rather childish for his years, and well illustrating Harrison's +assertion, that the men in fashionable life rather retrograded than +developed from twenty to forty; but in no apparent respect formidable, +save for a more than American tendency to gossip. He had some story to +the prejudice of every one, but seemed to tell all these stories just as +an _enfant terrible_ might, without fully understanding them, or at all +heeding the possible consequences of repeating them. + +The glory of the balls had departed with Edwards and the Robinsons, but +the remaining fashionables kept up their amusement with much vigor; and +the absence of the others, though detracting much from the brilliancy of +the place, was in some respects the gain of a loss. White came out in +all his glory now that most of the young men were gone. With his +graceful figure, neat dress, and ever-ready smile and compliment, he +looked the very ideal of the well-drilled man of fashion. Sumner, though +he could not have talked less if he had been an English heavy +dragoon-officer, or an Hungarian refugee, understanding no language but +his own, was very useful for a quiet way he had of arranging every thing +beforehand without fuss or delay, and, moreover, had the peculiar merit +(difficult to explain, but which we have all observed in some person at +some period of our lives) of _being good company without talking_. +Benson, with less pretence and display than he had before exhibited, +showed an energy and indefatigableness almost equal to Le Roi's; +whatever he undertook, he "kept the pot a-boiling." In short, the people +of "our set," who were left, went on among themselves much better than +before, because the men's capabilities were not limited to dancing, and +the women had less temptation to be perpetually dressing. Besides, the +removal of most of the fashionables had encouraged the other portions of +the transient population to come more forward, and exhibit various +primitive specimens of dancing, and other traits worth observing. One +evening there was a "hop" at the Bellevue. Ashburner made a point of +always looking in at these assemblies for an hour or so, and +scrutinizing the company with the coolness and complacency which an +Englishman usually assumes in such places, as if all the people there +were made merely for his amusement. Benson, who had literally polked the +heel off one of his boots, and thereby temporarily disabled himself, was +lounging about with him, making observations on men, women, and things +generally. + +"You wouldn't think that was only a girl of seventeen," said Harry, as a +languishing brunette, with large, liquid black eyes, and a voluptuous +figure, glided by them in the waltz. "How soon these Southerners +develope into women! They beat the Italians even." + +"I wonder the young lady has time to grow, she dances so much. I have +watched her two or three evenings, and she has never rested a moment +except when the music stopped.--Something must suffer, it seems to me. +Does her mind develope uniformly with her person? She is a great centre +of attraction, I observe; is it only for her beauty and dancing?" + +"I suppose a beautiful young woman, with fifty or sixty thousand a year, +may consider mental accomplishments as superfluous. She knows, perhaps, +as much as a Russian woman of five-and-twenty. How much that is, you, +who have been on the Continent, know." + +"Ah, an heiress; acres of cotton-fields, thousands of negroes, and so +on." + +"Exactly. I put the income down at half of what popular report makes it; +these southern fortunes are so uncertain: the white part of the property +(that is to say, the cotton) varies with the seasons; and the black part +takes to itself legs, and runs off occasionally. But, at any rate, there +is quite enough to make her a great prize, and an object of admiration +and attention to all the little men--not to the old hands, like White +and Sumner; they are built up in their own conceit, and wouldn't marry +Sam Weller's 'female marchioness,' unless she made love to them first, +like one of Knowles's heroines. But the juveniles are crazy about her. +Robinson went off more ostentatiously love-sick than a man of his size I +ever saw; and Sedley is always chanting her praises--the only man, +woman, or child, he was ever known to speak well of. I don't think any +of them will catch her. Edwards might dance into her heart, perhaps, if +he were a little bigger; but as it is, she will, probably, make happy +and rich some one in her own part of the world. She says the young men +there suit her better, because they are 'more gentlemanly' than we +Northerners." + +"I have heard many strangers say the same thing," said Ashburner, +prudently refraining from expressing any opinion of his own for he knew +Benson's anti-southern feelings. + +"If education has any thing to do with being a gentleman, then, whether +you take _education_ in the highest sense, as the best discipline and +expansion of the mind by classical and scientific study; or in the +utilitarian sense, as the acquisition of useful knowledge, and a +practical acquaintance with men and things; or in the fine lady sense, +as the mastery of airs, and graces, and drawing-room accomplishments; or +in the moralist's sense, as the curbing of our mischievous propensities, +and the energizing of our good ones--in every case, we are more of +gentlemen than the Southerners. If the mere possession of wealth, and +progress in the grosser and more material arts of civilization, have any +thing to do with it, then, too, we are more of gentlemen. Their claims +rest on two grounds: first, they live on the unpaid labor of others, +while we all work, more or less, for ourselves, holding idleness as +disgraceful as they do labor; secondly, they are all the time fighting +duels." + +"Are there no duels ever fought in this part of the country?" + +"Scarcely any since Burr shot Hamilton. Alexander Hamilton was one of +our greatest men, and his death excited a feeling throughout the +Northern States which put down the practice almost entirely; and I +certainly think it a step forward in real civilization." + +"Do you mean to say that it is with you as with us, where, if a man +becomes so involved in a quarrel that he is challenged, it is against +him and almost ruin to him whether he fights or does not fight? Or is +public opinion decidedly in favor of the man who does not fight, and +against the man who does? For instance, suppose you were challenged +yourself?" + +"A man can't say beforehand what he would do in an emergency of the +kind; but my impression is that I should not fight, and that the opinion +of society would bear me out." + +"But suppose a man insulted your wife or sister?" + +"It is next door to impossible that an American gentleman should do such +a thing; but if he did, I should consider that he had reduced himself to +the level of a snob, and should treat him as I would any snob in the +streets,--knock him down, if I was able; and if I wasn't, take the law +of him: and if a man had wronged me irreparably, I fancy I should do as +these uncivilized Southerners themselves do in such a case,--shoot him +down in the street, wherever I could catch him. What sense or justice is +there in a duel? It is as if a man stole your coat, and instead of +having him put into prison, you drew lots with him whether you or he +should go." + +"But suppose a man was spreading false reports about you; suppose he +said you were no gentleman, or that you had cheated somebody?" + +"Bah!" replied Benson, dexterously evading the most important part of +the question, "if I were to fight all the people that spread false +reports about me, I should have my hands full. There is a man in this +room that slandered me as grossly as he could four years ago, and was +very near breaking off my marriage. That fat man there, with all the +jewelry--Storey Hunter." + +"Indeed!" exclaimed the other, really surprised, for he had just seen +Mrs. Benson conversing with the ponderous exquisite, apparently on most +amicable terms. + +"Yes, and it was entirely gratuitous. I never gave the scamp any +provocation. By Jupiter!" Benson turned very white and then very red, +"if he isn't dancing with my wife! His impudence is too much, and----. I +believe one of our women would put up with any thing from a man here if +he can only dance well. They have no self-respect." + +Benson appeared to have very little himself at that moment, and not to +care much what he said or did. He trembled all over with rage, and his +friend expected to see an immediate outbreak; but, as if recollecting +himself, he suddenly stammered out something about the necessity of +changing his boots, and limped off accordingly for that purpose. He was +not gone more than five minutes, but in that time had contrived not only +to supply his pedal deficiency, but also to take a drink by way of +calming himself; and after the drink he took a turn with Miss Friskin, +and whirled her about the room, till he knocked over two or three +innocent bystanders, all of which tended very much to compose his +feelings. Ashburner had a presentiment that something would happen, and +stayed longer that night than his wont; indeed, till the end of the +ball, which, as there was now no German cotillion, lasted till only one +in the morning. + +But the universal panacea of the polka had its mollifying effect on +Benson, and every thing might have passed off quietly but for an unlucky +accident. Some of the young Southerners had ordered up sundry bottles of +champagne, and were drinking the same in a corner. Hunter, who was much +given to toadying Southerners (another reason for Benson's dislike of +him), mingled among them, and partook of the inspiring beverage. _In +vino veritas_ is true as gospel, if you understand it rightly as meaning +that wine develops a man's real nature. Hunter, being by nature gossipy +and mendacious, waxed more and more so with every glass of Heidseck he +took down. Ashburner chancing to pass near the group, had his attention +arrested by hearing Benson's name. He stopped, and listened: Hunter was +going on with a prolix and somewhat confused story of some horse that +Benson had sold to somebody, in which transaction Sumner was somehow +mixed up, and the horse hadn't turned out well, and the purchaser wasn't +satisfied, and so on. + +"If Benson hear this!" thought Ashburner. + +And Benson did hear it very promptly, for Sedley was within ear-shot, +and, delighted at having a piece of mischief to communicate, he tracked +Harry out at the further extremity of the room, to inform him of the +liberties Storey Hunter was taking with his name. Whereupon the +slandered one, with all his wrath reawakened, traversed the apartment in +time to hear the emphatic peroration that, "bad as Sumner was, Benson +was a thousand times worse." + +"I can't stand this," exclaimed he. "Where is Frank Sumner?" Sumner was +not visible. "Ashburner, will you stand by me if there's a row?" + +By this time the ball was breaking up, and Benson, on going back to look +for his party, found that Mrs. B., like a true watering-place _belle_, +had gone off without waiting for him. This was exactly what he wanted. +Keeping his eye on Hunter, he followed him out to the head of the +staircase, where he had just been bidding good night to some ladies. No +one was in sight but Ashburner, who happened to be standing just outside +the door-way. The fat man nodded to Harry as if they had been the best +friends in the world. + +"Curse his impudence!" exclaimed Benson, now fairly boiling over. +"Holloa, you Hunter! did you know you were an infernal scoundrel? +Because you are." + +"What for?" quoth the individual in question, half sobered and half +disconcerted by this unceremonious address. + +"And a contemptible blackguard," continued Benson, following up his +verbal attack. + +"You're another," retorted Hunter. + +Ashburner wondered if the two men were going to stand slanging each +other all night. + +"I ought to have pulled your nose three years ago, and now take that!" +and Benson, who had been working at his glove ever since the parley +began, twitched it off and slapped Hunter in the face with it. + +When an Irishman sees two people fighting, or going to fight, his +natural impulse is to urge them on. A Scotchman or an American tries to +part them. A Frenchman runs after the armed force. An Englishman does +nothing but look quietly on, unless one side meets with foul play. Thus +it was with Ashburner in the present instance. He took Benson's request +"to stand by him in case of a row," _au pied de la lettre_. He stood by +him, and that was all. + +As soon as Hunter felt the glove in his face he struck out at Benson, +who stopped the blow very neatly, and seemed about to return it with a +left-hander; then suddenly changing his style of attack, he rushed +within the other's guard, and catching him by the throat with both +hands, did his best to strangle him. Hunter, unable to call for help or +to loosen the throttling grasp of his assailant, threw himself bodily +upon him. As he was about twice Benson's size and weight, the experiment +succeeded. Harry was thrown off his feet and precipitated against the +banisters, which being of slight material, gave way like so much paper, +and both men tumbled over into the landing-place below amid a great +scattering of splinters. Lighting on their feet, they began to pummel +each other without doing more damage than a couple of children, for they +were at such close quarters and so blinded by rage that they hit wild; +but Benson had caught his man by the throat again and was just getting +him into chancery, when White, Sedley, and some of the Southerners, +attracted by the noise, ran down stairs, calling on the "gentlemen" to +"behave as such," and words proving ineffectual, endeavoring to pull +them apart; which was no easy matter, for Benson hung on like grim +death, and when his hand was removed from Hunter's collar, caught him +again by the nose, nor would he give up till Mr. Simson, who was one of +the stoutest and most active men in the place, caught him up from behind +and fairly carried him off to the hall below. Then he seemed to come to +himself all at once, and recollected that he had invited the remains of +"our set" to supper that night. And accordingly, after taking a rapid +survey of himself in a glass, and finding that his face bore no mark of +the conflict, and that his dress was not more disordered than a man's +usually is when he has been polkaing all the evening, he went off to +meet his company, and a very merry time they had of it. Ashburner was +surprised to find that the spectators of the fray were able to ignore it +so completely. If they had been old men and old soldiers, they could not +have acted with more discretion, and it was impossible to suspect from +their conversation or manner that any thing unpleasant had occurred. +"These people do know how to hold their tongues sometimes," thought he. + +Next morning while strolling about before breakfast (he was the earliest +riser of the young men in the place, as he did not dance or gamble), he +heard firing in the pistol-gallery. He thought of his conversation with +Benson and the occurrences of last night, and then recollected that he +was out of practice himself, and that there would be no harm in trying a +few shots. So he strode over to the gallery, and there, to his +astonishment, found on one side of the door the keeper, on the other +Frank Sumner (who had given a most devoted proof of friendship by +getting up two hours earlier in the morning than he had ever been known +to do before); and between them Benson, blazing away at the figure, and +swearing at himself for not making better shots. + +"Take time by the forelock, you see," said he as he recognized +Ashburner. "_Nunquam non paratus_. The fellow will send me a challenge +this morning, I suppose, and I want to be ready for him." + +"But do you know," said the Englishman, "if after this you should kill +your man, we in our country would call it something very like murder?" + +"That may be," answered Harry, as he let fly again, this time ringing +the bell; "but we only call it practice." + + * * * * * + +John Adams, in his Diary, states, that out of eight prominent members of +the Boston bar in 1763, with whom he was one evening discussing the +encroachments of England upon the colonies, only one, Adams himself, +lived through the Revolution, as an advocate of American independence. +Five adhered to Great Britain: Gridley, Auchmuty, Fitch, Kent, and +Hutchinson. Thatcher died in 1765, and Otis became incapacitated in +1771. + + + + +From Colburn's New Monthly Magazine + +THE TWIN SISTERS. + +A TRUE STORY. + +BY W. WILKIE COLLINS, AUTHOR OF "ANTONINA." + + +Among those who attended the first of the King's _levées_, during the +London season of 18--, was an unmarried gentleman of large fortune, +named Streatfield. While his carriage was proceeding slowly down St. +James's Street, he naturally sought such amusement and occupation as he +could find in looking on the brilliant scene around him. The day was +unusually fine; crowds of spectators thronged the street and the +balconies of the houses on either side, all gazing at the different +equipages with as eager a curiosity and interest, as if fine vehicles +and fine people inside them were the rarest objects of contemplation in +the whole metropolis. Proceeding at a slower and slower pace, Mr. +Streatfield's carriage had just arrived at the middle of the street, +when a longer stoppage than usual occurred. He looked carelessly up at +the nearest balcony; and there among some eight or ten ladies, all +strangers to him, he saw one face that riveted his attention +immediately. + +He had never beheld any thing so beautiful, any thing which struck him +with such strange, mingled, and sudden sensations, as this face. He +gazed and gazed on it, hardly knowing where he was, or what he was +doing, until the line of vehicles began again to move on. Then--after +first ascertaining the number of the house--he flung himself back in the +carriage, and tried to examine his own feelings, to reason himself into +self-possession; but it was all in vain. He was seized with that amiable +form of social monomania, called "love at first sight." + +He entered the palace, greeted his friends, and performed all the +necessary Court ceremonies, feeling the whole time like a man in a +trance. He spoke mechanically, and moved mechanically--the lovely face +in the balcony occupied his thoughts, to the exclusion of every thing +else. On his return home, he had engagements for the afternoon and the +evening--he forgot and broke them all; and walked back to St. James's +Street as soon as he had changed his dress. + +The balcony was empty; the sight-seers, who had filled it but a few +hours before, had departed--but obstacles of all sorts now tended only +to stimulate Mr. Streatfield; he was determined to ascertain the +parentage of the young lady, determined to look on the lovely face +again--the thermometer of his heart had risen already to Fever Heat! +Without loss of time, the shopkeeper to whom the house belonged was +bribed to loquacity by a purchase. All that he could tell, in answer to +inquiries, was that he had let his lodgings to an elderly gentleman and +his wife, from the country, who had asked some friends into their +balcony to see the carriages go to the _levée_. Nothing daunted, Mr. +Streatfield questioned and questioned again. What was the old +gentleman's name?--Dimsdale.--Could he see Mr. Dimsdale's servant?--The +obsequious shopkeeper had no doubt that he could: Mr. Dimsdale's servant +should be sent for immediately. + +In a few minutes the servant, the all-important link in the chain of +Love's evidence, made his appearance. He was a pompous, portly man, who +listened with solemn attention, with a stern judicial calmness, to Mr. +Streatfield's rapid and somewhat confused inquiries, which were +accompanied by a minute description of the young lady, and by several +explanatory statements, all very fictitious, and all very plausible. +Stupid as the servant was, and suspicious as all stupid people are, he +had nevertheless sense enough to perceive that he was addressed by a +gentleman, and gratitude enough to feel considerably mollified by the +handsome _douceur_ which was slipped into his hand. After much pondering +and doubting, he at last arrived at the conclusion that the fair object +of Mr. Streatfield's inquiries was a Miss Langley, who had joined the +party in the balcony that morning, with her sister; and who was the +daughter of Mr. Langley, of Langley Hall, in ----shire. The family were +now staying in London, at ---- Street. More information than this, the +servant stated that he could not afford--he was certain that he had made +no mistake, for the Miss Langleys were the only very young ladies in the +house that morning--however, if Mr. Streatfield wished to speak to his +master, he was ready to carry any message with which he might be +charged. + +But Mr. Streatfield had already heard enough for his purpose, and +departed at once for his club, determined to discover some means of +being introduced in due form to Miss Langley, before he slept that +night--though he should travel round the whole circle of his +acquaintance--high and low, rich and poor--in making the attempt. +Arrived at the club, he began to inquire resolutely, in all directions, +for a friend who knew Mr. Langley, of Langley Hall. He disturbed +gastronomic gentlemen at their dinner; he interrupted agricultural +gentlemen who were moaning over the prospects of the harvest; he +startled literary gentlemen who were deep in the critical mysteries of +the last Review; he invaded billiard-room, dressing-room, smoking-room; +he was more like a frantic ministerial whipper-in, hunting up stray +members for a division, than an ordinary man; and the oftener he was +defeated in his object, the more determined he was to succeed. At last, +just as he had vainly inquired of every body that he knew, just as he +was standing in the hall of the clubhouse thinking where he should go +next, a friend entered, who at once relieved him of all his +difficulties--a precious, an estimable man, who was on intimate terms +with Mr. Langley, and had been lately staying at Langley Hall. To this +friend all the lover's cares and anxieties were at once confided; and a +fitter depositary for such secrets of the heart could hardly have been +found. He made no jokes--for he was not a bachelor; he abstained from +shaking his head and recommending prudence--for he was not a seasoned +husband, or an experienced widower; what he really did was to enter +heart and soul into his friend's projects--for he was precisely in that +position, the only position, in which the male sex generally take a +proper interest in match-making: he was a newly married man. + +Two days after, Mr. Streatfield was the happiest of mortals--he was +introduced to the lady of his love--to Miss Jane Langley. He really +enjoyed the priceless privilege of looking again on the face in the +balcony, and looking on it almost as often as he wished. It was perfect +Elysium. Mr. and Mrs. Langley saw little or no company--Miss Jane was +always accessible, never monopolized--the light of her beauty shone, day +after day, for her adorer alone; and his love blossomed in it, fast as +flowers in a hot-house. Passing quickly by all the minor details of the +wooing to arrive the sooner at the grand fact of the winning, let us +simply relate that Mr. Streatfield's object in seeking an introduction +to Mr. Langley was soon explained, and was indeed visible enough long +before the explanation. He was a handsome man, an accomplished man, and +a rich man. His two first qualifications conquered the daughter, and his +third the father. In six weeks Mr. Streatfield was the accepted suitor +of Miss Jane Langley. + +The wedding-day was fixed--it was arranged that the marriage should take +place at Langley Hall, whither the family proceeded, leaving the +unwilling lover in London, a prey to all the inexorable business +formalities of the occasion. For ten days did the ruthless +lawyers--those dead weights that burden the back of Hymen--keep their +victim imprisoned in the metropolis, occupied over settlements that +never seemed likely to be settled. But even the long march of the law +has its end like other mortal things: at the expiration of the ten days +all was completed, and Mr. Streatfield found himself at liberty to start +for Langley Hall. + +A large party was assembled at the house to grace the approaching +nuptials. There were to be _tableaux_, charades, boating-trips, +riding-excursions, amusements of all sorts--the whole to conclude (in +the play-bill phrase) with the grand climax of the wedding. Mr. +Streatfield arrived late; dinner was ready: he had barely time to dress, +and then bustle into the drawing-room, just as the guests were leaving +it, to offer his arm to Miss Jane--all greetings with friends and +introductions to strangers being postponed till the party met round the +dining-table. + +Grace had been said; the covers were taken off; the loud, cheerful hum +of conversation was just beginning, when Mr. Streatfield's eyes met the +eyes of a young lady who was seated opposite, at the table. The guests +near him, observing at the same moment, that he continued standing after +every one else had been placed, glanced at him inquiringly. To their +astonishment and alarm, they observed that his face had suddenly become +deadly pale--his rigid features looked struck by paralysis. Several of +his friends spoke to him; but for the first few moments he returned no +answer. Then, still fixing his eyes upon the young lady opposite, he +abruptly exclaimed, in a voice, the altered tones of which startled +every one who heard him:--"_That_ is the face I saw in the +balcony!--_that_ woman is the only woman I can ever marry!" The next +instant, without a word more of either explanation or apology, he +hurried from the room. + +One or two of the guests mechanically started up, as if to follow him; +the rest remained at the table, looking on each other in speechless +surprise. But before any one could either act or speak, almost at the +moment when the door closed on Mr. Streatfield, the attention of all was +painfully directed to Jane Langley. She had fainted. Her mother and +sisters removed her from the room immediately, aided by the servants. As +they disappeared, a dead silence again sank down over the company--they +all looked around with one accord to the master of the house. + +Mr. Langley's face and manner sufficiently revealed the suffering and +suspense that he was secretly enduring. But he was a man of the +world--neither by word nor action did he betray what was passing within +him. He resumed his place at the table, and begged his guests to do the +same. He affected to make light of what had happened; entreated every +one to forget it, or, if they remembered it at all, to remember it only +as a mere accident which would no doubt be satisfactorily explained. +Perhaps it was only a jest on Mr. Streatfield's part--rather too serious +a one, he must own. At any rate, whatever was the cause of the +interruption to the dinner which had just happened, it was not important +enough to require every body to fast around the table of the feast. He +asked it as a favor to himself, that no further notice might be taken of +what had occurred. While Mr. Langley was speaking thus, he hastily wrote +a few lines on a piece of paper, and gave it to one of the servants. The +note was directed to Mr. Streatfield; the lines contained only these +words:--"Two hours hence, I shall expect to see you alone in the +library." + +The dinner proceeded; the places occupied by the female members of the +Langley family, and by the young lady who had attracted Mr. +Streatfield's notice in so extraordinary a manner, being left vacant. +Every one present endeavored to follow Mr. Langley's advice, and go +through the business of the dinner, as if nothing had occurred; but the +attempt failed miserably. Long, blank pauses occurred in the +conversation; general topics were started, but never pursued; it was +more like an assembly of strangers, than a meeting of friends; people +neither ate nor drank, as they were accustomed to eat and drink; they +talked in altered voices, and sat with unusual stillness, even in the +same positions. Relatives, friends, and acquaintances, all alike +perceived that some great domestic catastrophe had happened; all +foreboded that some serious, if not fatal, explanation of Mr. +Streatfield's conduct would ensue: and it was vain and hopeless--a very +mockery of self-possession--to attempt to shake off the sinister and +chilling influences that recent events had left behind them, and resume +at will the thoughtlessness and hilarity of ordinary life. + +Still, however, Mr. Langley persisted in doing the honors of his table, +in proceeding doggedly through all the festive ceremonies of the hour, +until the ladies rose and retired. Then, after looking at his watch, he +beckoned to one of his sons to take his place; and quietly left the +room. He only stopped once, as he crossed the hall, to ask news of his +daughter from one of the servants. The reply was, that she had had a +hysterical fit; that the medical attendant of the family had been sent +for; and that since his arrival she had become more composed. When the +man had spoken, Mr. Langley made no remark, but proceeded at once to the +library. He locked the door behind him, as soon as he entered the room. + +Mr. Streatfield was already waiting there--he was seated at the table, +endeavoring to maintain an appearance of composure, by mechanically +turning over the leaves of the books before him. Mr. Langley drew a +chair near him; and in low, but very firm tones, began the conversation +thus:-- + +"I have given you two hours, sir, to collect yourself, to consider your +position fully--I presume, therefore, that you are now prepared to favor +me with an explanation of your conduct at my table, to-day." + +"What explanation can I make?--what can I say, or think of this most +terrible of fatalities?" exclaimed Mr. Streatfield, speaking faintly and +confusedly; and still not looking up--"There has been an unexampled +error committed!--a fatal mistake, which I could never have anticipated, +and over which I had no control!" + +"Enough, sir, of the language of romance," interrupted Mr. Langley, +coldly; "I am neither of an age nor a disposition to appreciate it. I +come here to ask plain questions honestly, and I insist, as my right, on +receiving answers in the same spirit. _You_, Mr. Streatfield, sought an +introduction to _me_--you professed yourself attached to my daughter +Jane--your proposals were (I fear unhappily for _us_) accepted--your +wedding-day was fixed--and now, after all this, when you happen to +observe my daughter's twin-sister sitting opposite to you--" + +"Her twin-sister!" exclaimed Mr. Streatfield; and his trembling hand +crumpled the leaves of the book, which he still held while he spoke. +"Why is it, intimate as I have been with your family, that I now know +for the first time that Miss Jane Langley has a twin-sister?" + +"Do you descend, sir, to a subterfuge, when I ask you for an +explanation?" returned Mr. Langley, angrily. "You must have heard, over +and over again, that my children, Jane and Clara, were twins." + +"On my word and honor, I declare that--" + +"Spare me all appeals to your word or your honor, sir; I am beginning to +doubt both." + +"I will not make the unhappy situation in which we are all placed, still +worse, by answering your last words, as I might, at other times, feel +inclined to answer them," said Mr. Streatfield, assuming a calmer +demeanor than he had hitherto displayed. "I tell you the truth, when I +tell you that, before to-day, I never knew that any of your children +were twins. Your daughter Jane has frequently spoken to me of her absent +sister Clara, but never spoke to me of her as her twin-sister. Until +to-day, I have had no opportunity of discovering the truth; for until +to-day, I have never met Miss Clara Langley since I saw her in the +balcony of the house in St. James's street. The only one of your +children who was never present during my intercourse with your family in +London, was your daughter Clara--the daughter whom I now know, for the +first time, as the young lady who really arrested my attention on my way +to the _levée_--whose affections it was really my object to win in +seeking an introduction to you. To _me_, the resemblance between the +twin-sisters has been a fatal resemblance; the long absence of one, a +fatal absence." + +There was a momentary pause, as Mr. Streatfield sadly and calmly +pronounced the last words. Mr. Langley appeared to be absorbed in +thought. At length he proceeded, speaking to himself:-- + +"It _is_ strange! I remember that Clara left London on the day of the +_levée_, to set out on a visit to her aunt; and only returned here two +days since, to be present at her sister's marriage. Well, sir," he +continued, addressing Mr. Streatfield, "granting what you say, granting +that we all mentioned my absent daughter to you, as we are accustomed to +mention her among ourselves, simply as 'Clara,' you have still not +excused your conduct in my eyes. Remarkable as the resemblance is +between the sisters, more remarkable even, I am willing to admit, than +the resemblance usually is between twins, there is yet a difference, +which, slight, indescribable though it may be, is nevertheless +discernible to all their relations and to all their friends. How is it +that you, who represent yourself as so vividly impressed by your first +sight of my daughter Clara, did not discover the error when you were +introduced to her sister Jane, as the lady who had so much attracted +you." + +"You forget, sir," rejoined Mr. Streatfield, "that I have never beheld +the sisters together until to-day. Though both were in the balcony when +I first looked up at it, it was Miss Clara Langley alone who attracted +my attention. Had I only received the smallest hint that the absent +sister of Miss Jane Langley was her _twin-sister_, I would have seen +her, at any sacrifice, before making my proposals. For it is my duty to +confess to you, Mr. Langley (with the candor which is your undoubted +due), that when I was first introduced to your daughter Jane, I felt an +unaccountable impression that she was the same as, and yet different +from, the lady whom I had seen in the balcony. Soon, however, this +impression wore off. Under the circumstances, could I regard it as any +thing but a mere caprice, a lover's wayward fancy? I dismissed it from +my mind; it ceased to affect me, until to-day, when I first discovered +that it was a warning which I had most unhappily disregarded; that a +terrible error had been committed, for which no one of us was to blame, +but which was fraught with misery, undeserved misery, to us all!" + +"These, Mr. Streatfield, are explanations which may satisfy _you_," said +Mr. Langley, in a milder tone, "but they cannot satisfy _me_; they will +not satisfy the world. You have repudiated, in the most public and most +abrupt manner, an engagement, in the fulfilment of which the honor and +the happiness of my family are concerned. You have given me reasons for +your conduct, it is true; but will those reasons restore to my daughter +the tranquillity which she has lost, perhaps for ever? Will they stop +the whisperings of calumny? Will they carry conviction to those +strangers to me, or enemies of mine, whose pleasure it may be to +disbelieve them? You have placed both yourself and me, sir, in a +position of embarrassment--nay, a position of danger and disgrace, from +which the strongest reasons and the best excuses cannot extricate us." + +"I entreat you to believe," replied Mr. Streatfield, "that I deplore +from my heart the error--the fault, if you will--of which I have been +unconsciously guilty. I implore your pardon, both for what I said and +did at your table to-day; but I cannot do more. I cannot and I dare not +pronounce the marriage vows to your daughter, with my lips, when I know +that neither my conscience nor my heart can ratify them. The commonest +justice, and the commonest respect towards a young lady who deserves +both, and more than both, from every one who approaches her, strengthen +me to persevere in the only course which it is consistent with honor and +integrity for me to take." + +"You appear to forget," said Mr. Langley, "that it is not merely your +own honor, but the honor of others, that is to be considered in the +course of conduct which you are now to pursue." + +"I have by no means forgotten what is due to _you_," continued Mr. +Streatfield, "or what responsibilities I have incurred from the nature +of my intercourse with your family. Do I put too much trust in your +forbearance, if I now assure you, candidly and unreservedly, that I +still place all my hopes of happiness in the prospect of becoming +connected by marriage with a daughter of yours? Miss Clara Langley--" + +Here the speaker paused. His position was becoming a delicate and a +dangerous one; but he made no effort to withdraw from it. Almost +bewildered by the pressing and perilous emergency of the moment, +harassed by such a tumult of conflicting emotions within him as he had +never known before, he risked the worst, with all the blindfold +desperation of love. The angry flush was rising on Mr. Langley's cheek; +it was evidently costing him a severe struggle to retain his assumed +self-possession; but he did not speak. After an interval, Mr. +Streatfield proceeded thus:-- + +"However unfortunately I may express myself, I am sure you will do me +the justice to believe that I am now speaking from my heart on a subject +(to _me_) of the most vital importance. Place yourself in my situation, +consider all that has happened, consider that this may be, for aught I +know to the contrary, the last opportunity I may have of pleading my +cause; and then say whether it is possible for me to conceal from you +that I can only look to your forbearance and sympathy for permission to +retrieve my error, to--to--Mr. Langley! I cannot choose expressions at +such a moment as this. I can only tell you that the feeling with which I +regarded your daughter Clara, when I first saw her, still remains what +it was. I cannot analyze it; I cannot reconcile its apparent +inconsistencies and contradictions; I cannot explain how, while I may +seem to you and to every one to have varied and vacillated with insolent +caprice, I have really remained, in my own heart and to my own +conscience, true to my first sensations and my first convictions. I can +only implore you not to condemn me to a life of disappointment and +misery, by judging me with hasty irritation. Favor me, so far at least, +as to relate the conversation which has passed between us to your two +daughters. Let me hear how it affects each of them towards me. Let me +know what they are willing to think and ready to do under such +unparalleled circumstances as have now occurred. I will wait _your_ +time, and _their_ time; I will abide by _your_ decision and _their_ +decision, pronounced after the first poignant distress and irritation of +this day's events have passed over." + +Still Mr. Langley remained silent; the angry word was on his tongue; the +contemptuous rejection of what he regarded for the moment as a +proposition equally ill-timed and insolent, seemed bursting to his lips; +but once more he restrained himself. He rose from his seat, and walked +slowly backwards and forwards, deep in thought. Mr. Streatfield was too +much overcome by his own agitation to plead his cause further by another +word. There was a silence in the room now, which lasted for some time. + +We have said that Mr. Langley was a man of the world. He was strongly +attached to his children; but he had a little of the selfishness and +much of the reverence for wealth of a man of the world. As he now +endeavored to determine mentally on his proper course of action--to +disentangle the whole case from all its mysterious intricacies--to view +it, extraordinary as it was, in its proper bearings, his thoughts began +gradually to assume what is called, "a practical turn." He reflected +that he had another daughter, besides the twin-sisters, to provide for; +and that he had two sons to settle in life. He was not rich enough to +portion three daughters; and he had not interest enough to start his +sons favorably in a career of eminence. Mr. Streatfield, on the +contrary, was a man of great wealth, and of great "connections" among +people in power. Was such a son-in-law to be rejected, even after all +that had happened, without at least consulting his wife and daughters +first? He thought not. Had not Mr. Streatfield, in truth, been the +victim of a remarkable fatality, of an incredible accident, and were no +allowances, under such circumstances, to be made for him? He began to +think there were. Reflecting thus, he determined at length to proceed +with moderation and caution at all hazards; and regained composure +enough to continue the conversation in a cold, but still in a polite +tone. + +"I will commit myself, sir, to no agreement or promise whatever," he +began, "nor will I consider this interview in any respect as a +conclusive one, either on your side or mine; but if I think, on +consideration, that it is desirable that our conversation should be +repeated to my wife and daughters, I will make them acquainted with it, +and will let you know the result. In the mean time, I think you will +agree with me, that it is most fit that the next communications between +us should take place by letter alone." + +Mr. Streatfield was not slow in taking the hint conveyed by Mr. +Langley'a last words. After what had occurred, and until something was +definitely settled, he felt that the suffering and suspense which he was +already enduring would be increased tenfold if he remained longer in the +same house with the twin sisters--the betrothed of one, the lover of the +other! Murmuring a few inaudible words of acquiescence in the +arrangement which had just been proposed to him, he left the room. The +same evening he quitted Langley Hall. + +The next morning the remainder of the guests departed, their curiosity +to know all the particulars of what had happened remaining ungratified. +They were simply informed that an extraordinary and unexpected obstacle +had arisen to delay the wedding; that no blame attached to any one in +the matter; and that as soon as every thing had been finally determined, +every thing would be explained. Until then, it was not considered +necessary to enter in any way into particulars. By the middle of the day +every visitor had left the house; and a strange and melancholy spectacle +it presented when they were all gone. Rooms were now empty and silent, +which the day before had been filled with animated groups, and had +echoed with merry laughter. In one apartment, the fittings for the +series of "Tableaux" which had been proposed, remained half completed: +the dresses that were to have been worn, lay scattered on the floor; the +carpenter who had come to proceed with his work, gathered up his tools +in ominous silence, and departed as quickly as he could. Here lay books +still open at the last page read; there was an album, with the drawing +of the day before unfinished, and the color-box unclosed by its side. On +the deserted billiard-table, the positions of the "cues" and balls +showed traces of an interrupted game. Flowers were scattered on the +rustic tables in the garden, half made into nosegays, and beginning to +wither already. The very dogs wandered in a moody, unsettled way about +the house, missing the friendly hands that had fondled and fed them for +so many days past, and whining impatiently in the deserted +drawing-rooms. The social desolation of the scene was miserably complete +in all its aspects. + +Immediately after the departure of his guests, Mr. Langley had a long +interview with his wife. He repeated to her the conversation which had +taken place between Mr. Streatfield and himself, and received from her +in return such an account of the conduct of his daughter, under the +trial that had befallen her, as filled him with equal astonishment and +admiration. It was a new revelation to him of the character of his own +child. + +"As soon as the violent symptoms had subsided," said Mrs. Langley, in +answer to her husband's first inquiries, "as soon as the hysterical fit +was subdued, Jane seemed suddenly to assume a new character, to become +another person. She begged that the Doctor might be released from his +attendance, and that she might be left alone with me and with her sister +Clara. When every one else had quitted the room, she continued to sit in +the easy-chair where we had at first placed her, covering her face with +her hands. She entreated us not to speak to her for a short time, and, +except that she shuddered occasionally, sat quite still and silent. When +she at last looked up, we were shocked to see the deadly paleness of her +face, and the strange alteration that had come over her expression; but +she spoke to us so coherently, so solemnly even, that we were amazed; we +knew not what to think or what to do; it hardly seemed to be _our_ Jane +who was now speaking to us." + +"What did she say?" asked Mr. Langley, eagerly. + +"She said that the first feeling of her heart, at that moment, was +gratitude on her own account. She thanked God that the terrible +discovery had not been made too late, when her married life might have +been a life of estrangement and misery. Up to the moment when Mr. +Streatfield had uttered that one fatal exclamation, she had loved him, +she told us, fondly and fervently; _now_, no explanation, no repentance +(if either were tendered), no earthly persuasion or command (in case +Mr. Streatfield should think himself bound, as a matter of atonement, to +hold to his rash engagement), could ever induce her to become his wife." + +"Mr. Streatfield will not test her resolution," said Mr. Langley, +bitterly; "he deliberately repeated his repudiation of his engagement in +this room; nay, more, he--" + +"I have something important to say to you from Jane on this point," +interrupted Mrs. Langley. "After she had spoken the first few words +which I have already repeated to you, she told us that she had been +thinking--thinking more calmly perhaps than we could imagine--on all +that had happened; on what Mr. Streatfield had said at the dinner-table; +on the momentary glance of recognition which she had seen pass between +him and her sister Clara, whose accidental absence, during the whole +period of Mr. Streatfield's intercourse with us in London, she now +remembered and reminded me of. The cause of the fatal error, and the +manner in which it had occurred, seemed to be already known to her, as +if by intuition. We entreated her to refrain from speaking on the +subject for the present; but she answered that it was her duty to speak +on it--her duty to propose something which should alleviate the suspense +and distress we were all enduring on her account. No words can describe +to you her fortitude, her noble endurance--." Mrs. Langley's voice +faltered as she pronounced the last words. It was some minutes ere she +became sufficiently composed to proceed thus: + +"I am charged with a message to you from Jane--I should say, charged +with her entreaties, that you will not suspend our intercourse with Mr. +Streatfield, or view his conduct in any other than a merciful light--as +conduct for which accident and circumstances are alone to blame. After +she had given me this message to you, she turned to Clara, who sat +weeping by her side, completely overcome; and said that _they_ were to +blame, if any one was to be blamed in the matter, for being so much +alike as to make all who saw them apart doubt which was Clara and which +was Jane. She said this with a faint smile, and an effort to speak +playfully, which touched us to the heart. Then, in a tone and manner +which I can never forget, she asked her sister--charging her, on their +mutual affection and mutual confidence, to answer sincerely--if _she_ +had noticed Mr. Streatfield on the day of the _levée_, and had +afterwards remembered him at the dinner-table, as _he_ had noticed and +remembered _her_? It was only after Jane had repeated this appeal, still +more earnestly and affectionately, that Clara summoned courage and +composure enough to confess that she _had_ noticed Mr. Streatfield on +the day of the _levée_, had thought of him afterwards during his absence +from London, and had recognized him at our table, as he had recognized +her. + +"Is it possible! I own I had not anticipated--not thought for one moment +of that," said Mr. Langley. + +"Perhaps," continued his wife, "it is best that you should see Jane now, +and judge for yourself. For _my_ part, her noble resignation under this +great trial, has so astonished and impressed me, that I only feel +competent to advise, as she advises, to act as she thinks fit. I begin +to think that it is not _we_ who are to guide _her_, but _she_ who is to +guide _us_." + +Mr. Langley lingered irresolute for a few minutes; then quitted the +room, and proceeded along to Jane Langley's apartment. + +When he knocked at the door, it was opened by Clara. There was an +expression partly of confusion, partly of sorrow on her face; and when +her father stopped as if to speak to her, she merely pointed into the +room, and hurried away without uttering a word. + +Mr. Langley had been prepared by his wife for the change that had taken +place in his daughter since the day before; but he felt startled, almost +overwhelmed, as he now looked on her. One of the poor girl's most +prominent personal attractions, from her earliest years, had been the +beauty of her complexion; and now, the freshness and the bloom had +entirely departed from her face; it seemed absolutely colorless. Her +expression, too, appeared to Mr. Langley's eye, to have undergone a +melancholy alteration; to have lost its youthfulness suddenly; to have +assumed a strange character of firmness and thoughtfulness, which he had +never observed in it before. She was sitting by an open window, +commanding a lovely view of wide, sunny landscape; a Bible which her +mother had given her, lay open on her knees; she was reading in it as +her father entered. For the first time in his life, he paused, +speechless, as he approached to speak to one of his own children. + +"I am afraid I look very ill," she said, holding out her hand to him; +"but I am better than I look; I shall be quite well in a day or two. +Have you heard my message, father? have you been told?"-- + +"My love, we will not speak of it yet; we will wait a few days," said +Mr. Langley. + +"You have always been so kind to me," she continued, in less steady +tones, "that I am sure you will let me go on. I have very little to say, +but that little must be said now, and then we need never recur to it +again. Will you consider all that has happened, as something forgotten? +You have heard already what it is that I entreat you to do; will you let +_him_--Mr. Streatfield--" (She stopped, her voice failed for a moment, +but she recovered herself again almost immediately.) "Will you let Mr. +Streatfield remain here, or recall him if he is gone, and give him an +opportunity of explaining himself to my sister? If poor Clara should +refuse to see him for my sake, pray do not listen to her. I am sure this +is what ought to be done; I have been thinking of it very calmly, and I +feel that it is right. And there is something more I have to beg of you, +father; it is, that, while Mr. Streatfield is here, you will allow me +to go and stay with my aunt.--You know how fond she is of me. Her house +is not a day's journey from home. It is best for every body (much the +best for _me_) that I should not remain here at present; and--and--dear +father! I have always been your spoiled child; and I know you will +indulge me still. If you will do what I ask you, I shall soon get over +this heavy trial. I shall be well again if I am away at my aunt's--if--" + +She paused; and putting one trembling arm round her father's neck, hid +her face on his breast. For some minutes, Mr. Langley could not trust +himself to answer her. There was something, not deeply touching only, +but impressive and sublime, about the moral heroism of this young girl, +whose heart and mind--hitherto wholly inexperienced in the harder and +darker emergencies of life--now rose in the strength of their native +purity superior to the bitterest, cruellest trial that either could +undergo; whose patience and resignation, called forth for the first time +by a calamity which suddenly thwarted the purposes and paralyzed the +affections that had been destined to endure for a life, could thus +appear at once in the fullest maturity of virtue and beauty. As the +father thought on these things; as he vaguely and imperfectly estimated +the extent of the daughter's sacrifice; as he reflected on the nature of +the affliction that had befallen her--which combined in itself a +fatality that none could have foreseen, a fault that could neither be +repaired nor resented, a judgment against which there was no appeal--and +then remembered how this affliction had been borne, with what words and +what actions it had been met, he felt that it would be almost a +profanation to judge the touching petition just addressed to him, by the +criterion of _his_ worldly doubts and _his_ worldly wisdom. His eye fell +on the Bible, still open beneath it; he remembered the little child who +was set in the midst of the disciples, as teacher and example to all; +and when at length he spoke in answer to his daughter, it was not to +direct or to advise, but to comfort and comply. + +They delayed her removal for a few days, to see if she faltered in her +resolution, if her bodily weakness increased; but she never wavered; +nothing in her appearance changed, either for better or for worse. A +week after the startling scene at the dinner-table, she was living in +the strictest retirement in the house of her aunt. + +About the period of her departure, a letter was received from Mr. +Streatfield. It was little more than a recapitulation of what he had +already said to Mr. Langley--expressed, however, on this occasion, in +stronger and, at the same time, in more respectful terms. The letter was +answered briefly: he was informed that nothing had, as yet, been +determined on, but that the next communication would bring him a final +reply. + +Two months passed. During that time, Jane Langley was frequently visited +at her aunt's house, by her father and mother. She still remained calm +and resolved; still looked pale and thoughtful, as at first. Doctors +were consulted: they talked of a shock to the nervous system; of great +hope from time, and their patient's strength of mind; and of the +necessity of acceding to her wishes in all things. Then, the advice of +the aunt was sought. She was a woman of an eccentric, masculine +character, who had herself experienced a love-disappointment in early +life, and had never married. She gave her opinion unreservedly and +abruptly, as she always gave it. "Do as Jane tells you!" said the old +lady, severely; "that poor child has more moral courage and +determination than all the rest of you put together! I know better than +any body what a sacrifice she has had to make; but she has made it, and +made it nobly--like a heroine, as some people would say; like a good, +high-minded, courageous girl, as _I_ say! Do as she tells you! Let that +poor, selfish fool of a man have his way, and marry her sister--he has +made one mistake already about a face--see if he doesn't find out, some +day, that he has made another, about a wife! Let him!--Jane is too good +for _him_, or for any man! Leave her to me; let her stop here; she +shan't lose by what happened! You know this place is mine--I mean it is +to be hers, when I'm dead. You know I've got some money--I shall leave +it to her. I've made my will: it's all done and settled! Go back home; +send for the man, and tell Clara to marry him without any more fuss! You +wanted my opinion--There it is for you!" + +At last Mr. Langley decided. The important letter was written, which +recalled Mr. Streatfield to Langley Hall. As Jane had foreseen, Clara at +first refused to hold any communication with him; but a letter from her +sister, and the remonstrances of her father, soon changed her +resolution. There was nothing in common between the twin-sisters but +their personal resemblance. Clara had been guided all her life by the +opinions of others, and she was guided by them now. + +Once permitted the opportunity of pleading his cause, Mr. Streatfield +did not neglect his own interests. It would be little to our purpose to +describe the doubts and difficulties which delayed at first the progress +of his second courtship--pursued as it was under circumstances, not only +extraordinary, but unprecedented. It is no longer with him, or with +Clara Langley, that the interest of our story is connected. Suffice it +to say, that he ultimately overcame all the young lady's scruples; and +that, a few months afterwards, some of Mr. Langley's intimate friends +found themselves again assembled round his table as wedding-guests, and +congratulating Mr. Streatfield on his approaching union with Clara, as +they had already congratulated him, scarcely a year back, on his +approaching union with Jane! + +The social ceremonies of the wedding-day were performed soberly--almost +sadly. Some of the guests (especially the unmarried ladies) thought +that Miss Clara had allowed herself to be won too easily--others were +picturing to themselves the situation of the poor girl who was absent; +and contributed little toward the gayety of the party. On this occasion, +however, nothing occurred to interrupt the proceedings; the marriage +took place; and, immediately after it, Mr. Streatfield and his bride +started for a tour on the Continent. + +On their departure, Jane Langley returned home. She made no reference +whatever to her sister's marriage; and no one mentioned it in her +presence. Still the color did not return to her cheek, or the old gayety +to her manner. The shock that she had suffered had left its traces on +her for life. But there was no evidence that she was sinking under the +remembrances which neither time nor resolution could banish. The strong, +pure heart had undergone a change, but not a deterioration. All that had +been brilliant in her character was gone; but all that was noble in it +remained. Never had her intercourse with her family and her friends been +so affectionate and so kindly as it was now. + +When, after a long absence, Mr. Streatfield and his wife returned to +England, it was observed, at her first meeting with them, that the +momentary confusion and embarrassment were on _their_ side, not on +_hers_. During their stay at Langley Hall, she showed not the slightest +disposition to avoid them. No member of the family welcomed them more +cordially, entered into all their plans and projects more readily, or +bade them farewell with a kinder or better grace, when they departed for +their own home. + +Our tale is nearly ended: what remains of it, must comprise the history +of many years in a few words. + +Time passed on; and Death and Change told of its lapse among the family +at Langley Hall. Five years after the events above related, Mr. Langley +died; and was followed to the grave, shortly afterwards, by his wife. Of +their two sons, the eldest was rising into good practice at the bar; the +youngest had become _attaché_ to a foreign embassy. Their third daughter +was married, and living at the family seat of her husband, in Scotland. +Mr. and Mrs. Streatfield had children of their own, now, to occupy their +time and absorb their care. The career of life was over for some--the +purposes of life had altered for others--Jane Langley alone, still +remained unchanged. + +She now lived entirely with her aunt. At intervals--as their worldly +duties and avocations permitted them--the other members of her family, +or one or two intimate friends, came to the house. Offers of marriage +were made to her, but were all declined. The first, last love of her +girlish days--abandoned as a hope, and crushed as a passion; living only +as a quiet grief, as a pure remembrance--still kept its watch, as +guardian and defender, over her heart. Years passed on and worked no +change in the sad uniformity of her life, until the death of her aunt +left her mistress of the house in which she had hitherto been a guest. +Then it was observed that she made fewer and fewer efforts to vary the +tenor of her existence, to forget her old remembrances for awhile in the +society of others. Such invitations as reached her from relations and +friends were more frequently declined than accepted. She was growing old +herself now; and, with each advancing year, the busy pageant of the +outer world presented less and less that could attract her eye. + +So she began to surround herself, in her solitude, with the favorite +books that she had studied, with the favorite music that she had played, +in the days of her hopes and her happiness. Every thing that was +associated, however slightly, with that past period, now acquired a +character of inestimable value in her eyes, as aiding her mind to +seclude itself more and more strictly in the sanctuary of its early +recollections. Was it weakness in her to live thus; to abandon the world +and the world's interests, as one who had no hope, or part in either? +Had she earned the right, by the magnitude and resolution of her +sacrifice, thus to indulge in the sad luxury of fruitless remembrance? +Who shall say!--who shall presume to decide that cannot think with _her_ +thoughts, and look back with _her_ recollections! + +Thus she lived--alone, and yet not lonely; without hope, but with no +despair; separate and apart from the world around her, except when she +approached it by her charities to the poor, and her succor to the +afflicted; by her occasional interviews with the surviving members of +her family and a few old friends, when they sought her in her calm +retreat; and by the little presents which she constantly sent to +brothers' and sisters' children, who worshipped, as their invisible good +genius, "the kind lady" whom most of them had never seen. Such was her +existence throughout the closing years of her life: such did it +continue--calm and blameless--to the last. + + * * * * * + +Reader, when you are told, that what is impressive and pathetic in the +Drama of Human Life has passed with a past age of Chivalry and Romance, +remember Jane Langley, and quote in contradiction the story of the TWIN +SISTERS! + + * * * * * + +When about nine years old, Southey attended a school at Bristol, kept by +one Williams, a Welshman, the one, he says, of all his schoolmasters, +whom he remembered with the kindliest feelings. This Williams used +sometimes to infuse more passion into his discipline than was becoming, +of which Southey records a most ridiculous illustration. One of his +schoolmates--a Creole, with a shade of African color and negro +features--was remarkable for his stupidity. Williams, after flogging him +one day, made him pay a half-penny for the use of the rod, because he +required it so much oftener than any other boy in school. + + + + +From Fraser's Magazine. + +ALFIERI. + + +Vittorio Alfieri was born at Asti, a city of Piedmont, on the 17th of +January, 1749,--the year in which his great contemporary, Goëthe, first +saw the light. His father, Antonio Alfieri, was a nobleman of high rank +in his own country; his mother, whose name was Monica Maillard di +Tournon, was of Savoyard descent. At the time of Vittorio's birth his +father was sixty years of age; and as until then he had had no son, the +entrance of the future poet into the world was to him a subject of +unspeakable delight: but his happiness was of short duration, for he +overheated himself one day by going to see the child at a neighboring +village where he was at nurse, and died of the illness that ensued, his +son being at the time less than a year old. The countess, his widow, did +not long remain so, as she very shortly married again, her third husband +(she was a widow when the count married her) being the Cavalier Giacinto +Alfieri, a distant member of the same family. + +When about six years old, Alfieri was placed under the care of a priest +called Don Ivaldi, who taught him writing, arithmetic, Cornelius Nepos, +and Phædrus. He soon discovered, however, that the worthy priest was an +ignoramus, and congratulates himself on having escaped from his hands at +the age of nine, otherwise he believes that he should have been an +absolute and irreclaimable dunce. His mother and father-in-law were +constantly repeating the maxim then so popular among the Italian +nobility, that it was not necessary that a gentleman should be a doctor. +It was at this early age that he was first attacked by that melancholy +which gradually assumed entire dominion over him, and throughout life +remained a most prominent feature in his character. When only seven +years of age, he made an attempt to poison himself by eating some +noxious herbs, being impelled to this strange action by an undefined +desire to die. He was well punished for his silliness by being made very +unwell, and by being, moreover, shut up in his room for some days. No +punishment for his youthful transgressions was, however, so effectual as +being sent in a nightcap to a neighboring church. "Who knows," says he, +"whether I am not indebted to that blessed nightcap for having turned +out one of the most truthful men I ever knew?" + +In 1758, his paternal uncle and guardian, seeing what little progress he +was making, determined to send him to the Turin Academy, and accordingly +he started in the month of July. + +"I cried (he says, in his autobiography) during the whole of the first +stage. On arriving at the post-house, I got out of the carriage while +the horses were being changed, and feeling thirsty, instead of asking +for a glass, or requesting any body to fetch me some water, I marched up +to the horse-trough, dipped the corner of my cap in the water, and drank +to my heart's content. The postilions, seeing this, told my attendant, +who ran up and began rating me soundly; but I told him that travellers +ought to accustom themselves to such things, and that no good soldier +would drink in any other manner. Where I fished up these Achilles-like +ideas I know not, as my mother had always educated me with the greatest +tenderness, and with really ludicrous care for my health." + +He describes his character at this period, where he ends what he calls +the epoch of childhood, and begins that of adolescence, as having been +as follows: + +"I was taciturn and placid for the most part, but occasionally very +talkative and lively; in fact, I generally ran from one extreme to +another. I was obstinate and restive when force was exerted, most docile +under kind treatment; restrained more by fear of being scolded than by +any thing else; susceptible of shame even to excess, and inflexible when +rubbed against the grain." + +He entered the Academy on the 1st of August. It was a magnificent +quadrangular building, of which two of the sides were occupied by the +King's Theatre and the Royal Archives; another side was appropriated to +the younger students, who composed what were called the second and third +apartments, while the fourth contained the first apartment, or the older +students, who were mostly foreigners, besides the king's pages, to the +number of twenty or twenty-five. Alfieri was at first placed in the +third apartment, and the fourth class, from which he was promoted to the +third at the end of three months. The master of this class was a certain +Don Degiovanni, a priest even more ignorant than his good friend Ivaldi. +It may be supposed that under such auspices he did not make much +progress in his studies. Let us hear his own account: + +"Being thus an ass, in the midst of asses, and under an ass, I +translated Cornelius Nepos, some of Virgil's _Eclogues_, and such-like; +we wrote stupid, nonsensical themes, so that in any well-directed school +we should have been a wretched fourth class. I was never at the bottom; +emulation spurred me on until I surpassed or equalled the head boy; but +as soon as I reached the top, I fell back into a state of torpor. I was +perhaps to be excused, as nothing could equal the dryness and insipidity +of our studies. It is true that we translated Cornelius Nepos; but none +of us, probably not even the master himself, knew who the men were whose +lives we were translating, nor their countries, nor the times in which +they lived, nor the governments under which they flourished, nor even +what a government was. All our ideas were contracted, false, or +confused; the master had no object in view; his pupils took not the +slightest interest in what they learned. In short, all were as bad as +bad could be; no one looked after us, or if they did, knew what they +were about." + +In November, 1759, he was promoted to the humanity class, the master of +which was a man of some learning. His emulation was excited in this +class by his meeting a boy who could repeat 600 lines of the _Georgics_ +without a single mistake, while he could never get beyond 400. These +defeats almost suffocated him with anger, and he often burst out crying, +and occasionally abused his rival most violently. He found some +consolation, however, for his inferior memory, in always writing the +best themes. About this time he obtained possession of a copy of Ariosto +in four volumes, which he rather believes he purchased, a volume at a +time, with certain half-fowls that were given the students on Sundays, +his first Ariosto thus costing him two fowls in the space of four weeks. +He much regrets that he is not certain on the point, feeling anxious to +know whether he imbibed his first draughts of poetry at the expense of +his stomach. Notwithstanding that he was at the head of the humanity +class, and could translate the _Georgics_ into Italian prose, he found +great difficulty in understanding the easiest of Italian poets. The +master, however, soon perceived him reading the book by stealth, and +confiscated it, leaving the future poet deprived for the present of all +poetical guidance. + +During this period he was in a wretched state of health, being +constantly attacked by various extraordinary diseases. He describes +himself as not growing at all, and as resembling a very delicate and +pale wax taper. In 1760 he passed in the class of rhetoric, and +succeeded, moreover, in recovering his Ariosto, but read very little of +it, partly from the difficulty he found in understanding it, and partly +because the continued breaks in the story disgusted him. As to Tasso, he +had never even heard his name. He obtained a few of Metastasio's plays +as _libretti_ of the Opera at carnival time, and was much pleased with +them, and also with some of Goldoni's comedies that were lent to him. + +"But the dramatic genius, of which the germs perhaps existed in me, was +soon buried or extinguished for want of food, of encouragement, and +every thing else. In short, my ignorance and that of my instructors, and +the carelessness of every body in every thing exceeded all conception." + +The following year he was promoted into the class of philosophy, which +met in the adjoining university. The following is his description of the +course: + +"This school of peripatetic philosophy was held after dinner. During the +first half-hour we wrote out the lecture at the dictation of the +professor, and in the subsequent three-quarters of an hour, when he +commented upon it, Heaven knows how, in Latin, we scholars wrapped +ourselves up comfortably in our mantles, and went fast asleep; and among +the assembled philosophers, not a sound was heard except the drawling +voice of the professor himself, half asleep, and the various notes of +the snorers, who formed a most delightful concert in every possible +key." + +During his holidays this year, his uncle took him to the Opera for the +first time, where he heard the _Mercato di Malmantile_. The music +produced a most extraordinary effect upon him, and for several weeks +afterwards he remained immersed in a strange but not unpleasing +melancholy, followed by an absolute loathing of his usual studies. Music +all through life affected him most powerfully, and he states that his +tragedies were almost invariably planned by him when under its +influence. It was about this time that he composed his first sonnet, +which was made up of whole or mutilated verses of Metastasio and +Ariosto, the only two Italian poets of whom he knew any thing. It was in +praise of a certain lady to whom his uncle was paying his addresses, and +whom he himself admired. Several persons, including the lady herself, +praised it, so that he already fancied himself a poet. His uncle, +however, a military man, and no votary of the Muses, laughed at him so +much, that his poetical vein was soon dried up, and he did not renew his +attempts in the line till he was more than twenty-five years old. "How +many good or bad verses did my uncle suffocate, together with my +first-born sonnet!" + +He next studied physics and ethics--the former under the celebrated +Beccaria, but not a single definition remained in his head. These +studies, however, as well as those in civil and canon law, which he had +commenced, were interrupted by a violent illness, which rendered it +necessary for him to have his head shaved, and to wear a wig. His +companions, at first, tormented him greatly about this wig, and used to +tear it from his head; but he soon succeeded in appeasing the public +indignation, by being always the first to throw the unhappy ornament in +question up in the air, calling it by every opprobrious epithet. From +that time he remained the least persecuted wig-wearer among the two or +three who were in this predicament. + +He now took lessons on the piano, and in geography, fencing, and +dancing. He imbibed the most invincible dislike to the latter, which he +attributed to the grimaces and extraordinary contortions of the master, +a Frenchman just arrived from Paris. He dates from this period that +extreme hatred of the French nation which remained with him through +life, and which was one of the strangest features in his character. His +uncle died this year (1763), and as he was now fourteen, the age at +which, by the laws of Piedmont, minors are freed from the care of their +guardians, and are placed under curators, who leave them masters of +their income, and can only prevent the alienation of their real estates, +he found himself possessed of considerable property, which was still +farther increased by his uncle's fortune. Having obtained the degree of +master of arts, by passing a public examination in logic, physics, and +geometry, he was rewarded by being allowed to attend the riding-school, +a thing he had always ardently desired. He became an expert horseman, +and attributes to this exercise the recovery of his health, which now +rapidly improved. + +"Having buried my uncle, changed my guardian into a curator, obtained my +master's degree, got rid of my attendant Andrea, and mounted a steed, it +is incredible how proud I became. I told the authorities plainly that I +was sick of studying law, and that I would not go on with it. After a +consultation, they determined to remove me into the first apartment, +which I entered on the 8th May, 1763." + +He now led an extremely idle life, being little looked after. A crowd of +flatterers, the usual attendants upon wealth, sprung up around him, and +he indulged in amusements and dissipations of every kind. A temporary +fit of industry, which lasted for two or three months, came over him, +and he plunged deeply into the thirty-six volumes of Fleury's +_Ecclesiastical History_. Soon, however, he resumed his old course, and +conducted himself so badly that the authorities found it necessary to +place him under arrest, and he remained for some months a prisoner in +his own apartment, obstinately refusing to make any apology, and leading +the life of a wild beast, never putting on his clothes, and spending +most of his time in sleep. He was at length released, on the occasion of +his sister Giulia's marriage to the Count Giacinto di Cumiana, in May, +1764. + +On regaining his former position he bought his first horse, and soon +afterwards another, on the pretence of its being delicate. He next +purchased two carriage horses, and went on thus till in less than a year +he had eight in his possession. He also had an elegant carriage built +for him, but used it very seldom, because his friends were obliged to +walk, and he shrunk from offending them by a display of ostentation. His +horses, however, were at the service of all, and as his love for them +could not excite any feelings of envy, he took the greatest delight in +them. + +It was now that he first felt the symptoms of love, excited by a lady +who was the wife of an elder brother of some intimate friends of his, to +whom he was on a visit. His transient passion, however, soon passed +away, without leaving any trace behind it. The period had now arrived +for his leaving the academy, and in May, 1766, he was nominated ensign +in the provincial regiment of Asti, which met only twice a-year for a +few days, thus allowing ample opportunity for doing nothing; the only +thing, he says, he had made up his mind to do. But he soon got tired of +even this slight restraint. "I could not adapt myself to that chain of +graduated dependence which is called subordination, and which although +the soul of military discipline, could never be the soul of a future +tragic poet." He therefore obtained permission, though with great +difficulty, to accompany an English Catholic tutor, who was about to +visit Rome and Naples with two of his fellow-students. He chooses this +moment for commencing the epoch of youth, which he describes as +embracing ten years of travel and dissipation. + +On reaching Milan, the travellers visited the Ambrosian library. + +"Here the librarian placed in my hands a manuscript of Petrarch, but, +like a true Goth, I threw it aside, saying it was nothing to me. The +fact was, I had a certain spite against the aforesaid Petrarch; for +having met with a copy of his works some years before, when I was a +philosopher, I found on opening it at various places by chance that I +could not understand the meaning in the least; accordingly I joined with +the French and other ignorant pretenders in condemning him, and as I +considered him a dull and prosy writer, I treated his invaluable +manuscript in the manner above described." + +At this time he always spoke and wrote in French, and read nothing but +French books. + +"As I knew still less of Italian, I gathered the necessary fruit of my +birth in an amphibious country, and of the precious education I had +received." + +They proceeded afterwards to Florence, Rome, and Naples. At the latter +place he obtained permission from his own court, through the +intercession of the Sardinian minister, to leave the tutor, and travel +for the future alone. Attended only by his faithful servant Elia, who +had taken the place of the worthless Andrea, and for whom he felt a +great affection, he returned to Rome, and had the honor of kissing the +Pope's toe. The pontiff's manner pleased him so much, that he felt no +repugnance to going through the ceremony, although he had read Fleury, +and knew the real value of the aforesaid toe. + +Having obtained leave to travel for another year, he determined to visit +France, England, and Holland. He went first to Venice, and there was +assailed by that melancholy, _ennui_, and restlessness, peculiar to his +character. + +"I spent many days without leaving the house, my chief employment being +to stand at the window, and make signs, and hold brief dialogues with a +young lady opposite; the rest of the day I spent in sleeping, in +thinking of I know not what, and generally crying, I knew not why." + +All through life he was subject to these periodical fits, which came on +every spring, and materially influenced his powers of composition. + +He proceeded afterwards to France, expecting to be delighted with Paris; +but on arriving there he found it so unlike what he had anticipated, +that he burst into a violent fit of passion at having made so much +haste, undergone so much fatigue, and had his fancy excited to such a +pitch of frenzy, only to plunge into that filthy sewer, as he calls it! +His anger is quite ludicrous; but he, notwithstanding, remained there +five months, during which time he was presented to Louis XV. at +Versailles, but the cold reception he met with greatly annoyed him. + +"Although I had been told that the king did not speak to ordinary +foreigners, and although I did not care much for his notice, yet I could +not swallow the Jove-like superciliousness of the monarch, who surveyed +from head to foot the people presented to him, without appearing to +receive the slightest impression. It was as if somebody said to a giant, +'I beg to present an ant to you;' and he were either to stare or to +smile, or to say, it may be, 'Oh, what a little creature!'" + +He was as much delighted with England as he had been disgusted with +France. He falls into perfect raptures when speaking of our national +character and our national institutions, and regrets that it was not in +his power to remain here for ever. In June, 1768, he went to Holland, +and at the Hague fell violently in love with the wife of a rich +gentleman whom he knew. When the lady was obliged to go into +Switzerland, he was thrown into such a state of frenzy that he attempted +to commit suicide, by tearing off the bandages from the place where he +had had himself bled, under pretence of illness. His servant, however, +suspected his intentions, and prevented him from carrying his resolution +into effect. He gradually recovered his spirits, and determined to +return to Italy. On reaching Turin, he was seized by a desire to study. +The book in which he took most delight was Plutarch's Lives: + +"Some of these, such as Timoleon, Cæsar, Brutus, Pelopidas, and Cato, I +read four or five times over, with such transports of shouting, crying, +and fury, that any person in the next room must have thought me mad. On +reading any particular anecdotes of those great men, I used often to +spring to my feet in the greatest agitation, and quite beside myself, +shedding tears of grief and rage at seeing myself born in Piedmont, and +in an age and under a government where nothing noble could be said or +done, and where it was almost useless to think or to feel." + +His brother-in-law now strongly urged him to marry, and he consented, +although unwillingly, that negotiations should be entered into on his +behalf with the family of a young, noble, and rich heiress, whose +beautiful black eyes would, doubtless, soon have driven Plutarch out of +his head. The end, however, was that she married somebody else, to +Alfieri's internal satisfaction. "Had I been tied down by a wife and +children, the Muses would certainly have bid me good bye." + +The moment he felt himself free he determined to start again on his +travels. On reaching Vienna, the Sardinian minister offered to introduce +him to Metastasio; but he cared nothing at that time for any Italian +author, and, moreover, had taken a great dislike to the poet, from +having seen him make a servile genuflexion to the Empress Maria Theresa +in the Imperial Gardens at Schönbrunn. On entering the dominions of +Frederick the Great, he was made extremely indignant by the military +despotism that reigned there. When presented to the king he did not +appear in uniform. + +"The minister asked me the reason of this, seeing that I was in the +service of my own sovereign. I replied, 'Because there are already +enough uniforms here.' The king said to me his usual four words; I +watched him attentively, fixing my eyes respectfully on his, and thanked +Heaven that I was not born his slave." + +Denmark, Sweden, and Russia, were then successively visited by him. He +had heard so much of the latter country, that when he reached St. +Petersburgh his expectations were wrought up to a great pitch. + +"But, alas! no sooner did I set foot in this Asiatic encampment of +tents, than I called to mind Rome, Genoa, Venice, and Florence, and +began to laugh. The longer I remained in the country, the more were my +first impressions confirmed, and I left it with the precious conviction +that it was not worth seeing." + +He refused to be presented to the celebrated female autocrat, Catherine +II., whom he stigmatizes as "a philosophical Clytemnestra." + +He next visited England for the second time, arriving at the end of +1770. During his stay in London, which lasted for seven months, he +became involved in an affair which excited an extraordinary sensation at +the time, and which is even remembered by the scandal-mongers of the +present day. He formed the acquaintance of the wife of an officer of +high rank in the Guards, and this intimacy soon assumed a criminal +character. Her husband, a man of a very jealous temperament, suspected +his wife's infidelity, and had them watched. On finding his suspicions +confirmed, he challenged Alfieri, and they fought a duel with swords in +the Green Park, in which the future poet was wounded in the arm. The +husband pressed for a divorce, and Alfieri announced his intention of +marrying the lady as soon as she was free; but, to his horror, she +confessed to him one day, what was already known to the public through +the newspapers, although he was ignorant of it, that before she knew him +she had been engaged in an intrigue with a groom of her husband! Despite +this discovery, it was some time before his affection for her abated; +but at length, on her announcing her determination to enter a convent in +France, he quitted her at Rochester, and left this country himself +almost immediately afterwards. He went to Paris, and there bought a +collection of the principal Italian poets and prose-writers in +thirty-six volumes, which from that time became his inseparable +companions, although he did not make much use of them for two or three +years. However, he now learned to know at least something of the six +great luminaries, Dante, Petrarch, Ariosto, Tasso, Boccaccio, and +Machiavelli. + +He next proceeded to Spain and Portugal. At Lisbon he formed the +acquaintance of the Abate Tommaso di Caluso, younger brother of the +Sardinian minister. The society of this distinguished man produced the +most beneficial effect on him. One evening, when the Abate was reading +to him the fine _Ode to Fortune_ of Alessandro Guidi, a poet whose name +he had never even heard, some of the stanzas produced such extraordinary +transports in him, that the former told him that he was born to write +verses. This sudden impulse of Apollo, as he calls it, was however only +a momentary flush, which was soon extinguished, and remained buried for +a long time to come. + +He now bent his steps homewards, and reached Turin in May, 1772, after +an absence of three years. He took a magnificent house in the Piazza di +San Carlo, furnished it sumptuously, and commenced leading a merry life +with about a dozen friends, who formed a society, which met at his house +every week. This Society was governed by strict rules, one of which was +that all should contribute something in writing for their reciprocal +amusement; these contributions being placed in a chest, of which the +president for the time being kept the key, and read aloud by him at +their meetings. They were all written in French, and Alfieri mentions +one of his which was very successful. It described the Deity at the last +judgment demanding from every soul an account of itself, and the +characters he drew were all those of well-known individuals, both male +and female, in Turin. + +It was not long before he fell in love for the third time, the object of +his passion now being a lady some years older than himself, and of +somewhat doubtful reputation. For the space of nearly two years she +exercised unbounded dominion over him. Feeling that he could not support +the fetters of Venus and of Mars at one and the same time, he with some +little difficulty obtained permission to throw up his commission in the +army. + +While attending at his mistress's bedside, during an illness by which +she was attacked in January, 1744, the idea first struck him of writing +a dramatic sketch. He wrote it without the slightest plan, in the form +of a dialogue between three persons, called respectively, Photinus, +Lachesis, and Cleopatra. He gives a specimen of it in a note, and it is +certainly not of the very highest order of merit. On the recovery of the +lady he placed it under the cushion of her couch, where it remained +forgotten for a year, and thus were the first fruits of his tragic +genius brooded over, as it were, by the lady and all who chanced to sit +upon the couch. + +At length he threw off the chains which had so long bound him. The +exertion was, however, so great that he was actually obliged to get his +servant Elia to tie him to his chair, that he might not quit the house. +When his friends came to see him, he dropped his dressing gown over the +bandages, so that his forced imprisonment was not perceived. His first +appearance in public was at the carnival of 1775, where he dressed +himself up as Apollo, and recited at the public ball at the theatre a +masquerade he had composed on the subject of love, twanging a guitar +vigorously all the time. He was afterwards heartily ashamed of this +freak, which he wonders he could ever have been guilty of. An ardent +desire for glory now seized him, and after some months spent in constant +poetical studies, and in fingering grammars and dictionaries, he +succeeded in producing his first tragedy; which, like the sketch already +mentioned, he entitled _Cleopatra_. It was performed at Turin, on the +16th June, 1775, at the Carignan Theatre, and was followed by a comic +after-piece, also written by him, called _The Poets_, in which he +introduced himself under the name of Giusippus, and was the first to +ridicule his own tragedy; which, he says, differed from those of his +poetical rivals, inasmuch as their productions were the mature offspring +of an erudite incapacity, whilst his was the premature child of a not +unpromising ignorance. These two pieces were performed with considerable +success for two successive evenings, when he withdrew them from the +stage, ashamed at having so rashly exposed himself to the public. He +never considered this _Cleopatra_ worthy of preservation, and it is not +published with his other works. From this moment, however, he felt every +vein swollen with the most burning thirst for real theatrical laurels, +and here terminates the epoch of Youth and commences that of Manhood. + +Up to this point we have seen Alfieri's character as formed by nature, +and before it was influenced by study, or softened down by intercourse +with the world. We have seen him ardent, restless beyond all belief, +passionate, oppressed by unaccountable melancholy, acting under the +toiling impulse of the moment, whether in love or hate, and, what is of +extreme disadvantage to him as respects the career he is about to enter +upon, suffering from a deficient education. We have now to see how he +overcame all the obstacles arising from his natural character, and from +a youth wasted in idleness and dissipation; and how he gradually won his +way from victory to victory, until he at length attained the noble and +enviable eminence which is assigned to him by universal consent as the +greatest, we had almost said the only, modern Italian poet. + +He describes the capital with which he commenced his undertaking as +consisting in a resolute, indomitable, and extremely obstinate mind, and +a heart full to overflowing with every species of emotion, particularly +love, with all its furies, and a profound and ferocious hatred of +tyranny. To this was added a faint recollection of various French +tragedies. On the other hand, he was almost entirely ignorant of the +rules of tragic art, and understood his own language most imperfectly. +The whole was enveloped in a thick covering of presumption, or rather +petulance, and a violence of character so great as to render it most +difficult for him to appreciate truth. He considers these elements +better adapted for forming a bad monarch than a good author. + +He began by studying grammar vigorously; and his first attempt was to +put into Italian two tragedies, entitled _Filippo_ and _Polinice_, which +he had some time before written in French prose. At the same time he +read Tasso, Ariosto, Dante, and Petrarch, making notes as he proceeded, +and occupying a year in the task. He then commenced reading Latin with a +tutor; and shortly afterwards went to Tuscany in order to acquire a +really good Italian idiom. He returned to Turin in October, 1776, and +there composed several sonnets, having in the meantime made considerable +progress with several of his tragedies. The next year he again went to +Tuscany, and on reaching Florence in October, intending to remain there +a month, an event occurred which--to use his own words--"fixed and +enchained me there for many years; an event which, happily for me, +determined me to expatriate myself for ever, and which by fastening upon +me new, self-sought, and golden chains, enabled me to acquire that real +literary freedom, without which I should never have done any good, if so +be that I _have_ done good." + +Charles Edward, the Young Pretender, was at that time residing in +Florence, in company with his wife, the Countess of Albany, whose maiden +name was Louisa Stolberg, of the princely house of that name. The +following is Alfieri's description of her:-- + +"The sweet fire of her very dark eyes, added (a thing of rare +occurrence) to a very white skin and fair hair, gave an irresistible +brilliancy to her beauty. She was twenty-five years of age, was much +attached to literature and the fine arts, had an angelic temper, and, in +spite of her wealth, was in the most painful domestic circumstances, so +that she could not be as happy as she deserved. How many reasons for +loving her!" + +Her husband appears to have been of a most violent and ungovernable +temper, and to have always treated her in the harshest manner.--No +wonder, then, that an impassioned and susceptible nature like Alfieri's +should have been attracted by such charms! A friendship of the closest +and most enduring description ensued between them; and although a +certain air of mystery always surrounded the story of their mutual +attachment, there is no reason whatever to suppose that it partook in +the slightest degree of a dishonorable character. + +Instead of finding his passion for the Countess an obstacle to literary +glory and useful occupations, as had always been the case previously +with him, when under the influence of similar emotions, he found that it +incited and spurred him on to every good work, and accordingly he +abandoned himself, without restraint, to its indulgence. That he might +have no inducement to return to his own country, he determined to +dissolve every tie that united him to it, and with that intent made an +absolute donation for life of the whole of his estates, both in fee and +freehold, to his natural heir, his sister Giulia, wife of the Count di +Cumiana. He merely stipulated for an annual pension, and a certain sum +in ready money, the whole amounting to about one-half of the value of +his property. The negotiations were finally brought to a conclusion in +November, 1778. He also sold his furniture and plate which he had left +in Turin; and, unfortunately for himself, invested almost the whole of +the money he now found himself possessed of in French life annuities. At +one period of the negotiations he was in great fear lest he should lose +every thing, and revolved in his mind what profession he should adopt in +case he should be left penniless. + +"The art that presented itself to me as the best for gaining a living +by, was that of a horse-breaker, in which I consider myself a +proficient. It is certainly one of the least servile, and it appeared to +me to be more compatible than any other with that of a poet, for it is +much easier to write tragedies in a stable than in a court." + +He now commenced living in the simplest style, dismissed all his +servants, save one; sold or gave away all his horses, and wore the +plainest clothing. He continued his studies without intermission, and by +the beginning of 1782 had nearly finished the whole of the twelve +tragedies which he had from the first made up his mind to write, and not +to exceed. These were entitled respectively _Filippo_, _Polinice_, +_Antigone_, _Agamennone_, _Oreste_, _Don Garzia_, _Virginia_, _La +Congiura de' Pazzi_, _Maria Stuarda_, _Ottavia_, _Timoleone_ and +_Rosmunda_.--Happening, however, to read the _Merope_ of Maffei, then +considered the best Italian tragedy, he felt so indignant, that he set +to work, and very shortly produced his tragedy of that name, which was +soon followed by the _Saul_, which is incomparably the finest of his +works. + +The Countess had obtained permission at the end of 1780 to leave her +husband, in consequence of the brutal treatment she experienced at his +hands, and to retire to Rome. It was not long before Alfieri followed +her, and took up his habitation there also. At the end of 1782, his +_Antigone_ was performed by a company of amateurs--he himself being +one--before an audience consisting of all the rank and fashion of Rome. +Its success was unequivocal, and he felt so proud of his triumph, that +he determined to send four of his tragedies to press, getting his friend +Gori, at Siena, to superintend the printing; and they were accordingly +published. + +The intimacy between Alfieri and the Countess now inflamed the anger of +Charles Edward and his brother, Cardinal York, to such a pitch, that +Alfieri found it prudent to leave Rome, which he did in May, 1783, in a +state of bitter anguish. He first made pilgrimages to the tombs of +Dante, Petrarch, and Ariosto, at Ravenna, Arquà, and Ferrara; at each of +which he spent some time in dreaming, praying, and weeping, at the same +time pouring forth a perfect stream of impassioned poetry. On getting to +Siena, he superintended personally the printing of six more of his +tragedies, and for the first time felt all the cares of authorship, +being driven nearly distracted by the sad realities of censors, both +spiritual and temporal, correctors of the press, compositors, pressmen, +&c., and the worry he experienced brought on a sharp attack of gout. On +recovering, he determined to start off once more on his travels, making +as a plea his desire to purchase a stud of horses in England, his +equestrian propensities having returned with violence. He accordingly +left his tragedies, both published and unpublished, to shift for +themselves, and proceeded to England, where, in a few weeks, he bought +no less than fourteen horses. That being the exact number of the +tragedies he had written, he used to amuse himself by saying, "For each +tragedy you have got a horse," in reference to the punishment inflicted +on naughty schoolboys in Italy, where the culprit is mounted on the +shoulders of another boy, while the master lays on the cane. + +He experienced almost endless trouble and difficulty in conveying his +acquisitions safely back to Italy. The account he gives of the passage +of the Alps by Mount Cenis, from Lanslebourg to the Novalese, is really +quite romantic; and he compares himself to Hannibal on the occasion, but +says that if the passage of the latter cost him a great deal of vinegar, +it cost him (Alfieri) no small quantity of wine, as the whole party +concerned in conveying the horses over the mountain, guides, farriers, +grooms, and adjutants, drank like fishes. + +On reaching Turin, he was present at a performance of his _Virginia_ at +the same theatre where, nine years before, his early play of _Cleopatra_ +had been acted. He shortly received intelligence that the Countess had +been permitted to leave Rome and to go to Switzerland. He could not +refrain from following her, and accordingly rejoined her at Colmar, a +city of Alsace, after a separation of sixteen months. The sight of her +whom he loved so dearly again awakened his poetic genius, and gave +birth, at almost one and the same moment, to his three tragedies of +_Agide_, _Sofonisba_, and _Mirra_, despite his previous resolve to write +no more. When obliged to leave the Countess, he returned to Italy, but +the following year again visited her, remaining in Alsace when she +proceeded to Paris. She happened to mention in a letter that she had +been much pleased with seeing Voltaire's _Brutus_ performed on the +stage. This excited his emulation. "What!" he exclaimed, "_Brutuses_ +written by a Voltaire? I'll write _Brutuses_, and two at once, moreover, +time will show whether such subjects for tragedy are better adapted for +me or for a plebeian-born Frenchman, who for more than sixty years +subscribed himself _Voltaire, Gentleman in Ordinary to the King_." +Accordingly he set to work, and planned on the spot his _Bruto Primo_ +and _Bruto Secondo_; after which he once more renewed his vow to Apollo +to write no more tragedies. About this period he also sketched his +_Abel_, which he called by the whimsical title of a _Tramelogedy_. He +next went to Paris, and made arrangements with the celebrated Didot for +printing the whole of his tragedies in six volumes. On returning to +Alsace, in company with the Countess, he was joined by his old friend +the Abate di Caluso, who brought with him a letter from his mother, +containing proposals for his marriage with a rich young lady of Asti, +whose name was not mentioned. Alfieri told the Abate, smilingly, that he +must decline the proffered match, and had not even the curiosity to +inquire who the lady was. Shortly afterwards he was attacked by a +dangerous illness, which reduced him to the point of death. On +recovering, he went with his friends to Kehl, and was so much pleased +with the printing establishment of the well-known Beaumarchais, that he +resolved to have the whole of his works, with the exception of his +tragedies, which were in Didot's hands, printed there; and accordingly, +by August, 1789, all his writings, both in prose and poetry, were +printed. + +In the mean time, the Countess of Albany had heard of the death of her +husband, which took place at Rome, on the 31st January, 1788. This event +set her entirely free, and it is generally believed that she was shortly +afterwards united in marriage to Alfieri; but the fact was never known, +and to the last the poet preserved the greatest mystery on the subject. + +Paris now became their regular residence, and it was not long before the +revolutionary troubles commenced. In April, 1791, they determined to pay +a visit to England, where the Countess had never been. They remained +here some months, and on their embarking at Dover on their return, +Alfieri chanced to notice among the people collected on the beach to see +the vessel off, the very lady, his intrigue with whom twenty years +before had excited so great a sensation. He did not speak to her, but +saw that she recognized him. Accordingly, on reaching Calais, he wrote +to her to inquire into her present situation. He gives her reply at full +length in his _Memoirs_. It is in French; and we regret that its length +precludes us from giving it here, as it is a very remarkable production. +It indicates a decisive and inflexible firmness of character, very +unlike what is usually met with in her sex. + +After visiting Holland and Belgium, Alfieri and the Countess returned to +Paris. In March, 1792, he received intelligence of his mother's death. +In the mean time the war with the emperor commenced, and matters +gradually got worse and worse. Alfieri witnessed the events of the +terrible 10th of August, when the Tuileries was taken by the mob after a +bloody conflict, and Louis XVI. virtually ceased to reign. Seeing the +great danger to which they would be exposed if they remained longer in +Paris, they determined on a hasty flight; and after procuring the +necessary passports, started on the 18th of the same month. They had a +narrow escape on passing the barriers. A mob of the lowest order +insisted on their carriage being stopped, and on their being conducted +back to Paris, exclaiming that all the rich were flying away, taking +their treasures with them, and leaving the poor behind in want and +misery. The few soldiers on the spot would have been soon overpowered; +and nothing saved the travellers except Alfieri's courage. He at length +succeeded in forcing a passage; but there is little doubt that if they +had been obliged to return, they would have been thrown into prison, in +which case they would have been among the unhappy victims who were so +barbarously murdered by the populace on the 2d September. + +They reached Calais in two days and a half, having had to show their +passports more than forty times. They afterwards learned that they were +the first foreigners who had escaped from Paris and from France after +the catastrophe of the 10th August. After stopping some time at +Brussels, they proceeded to Italy, and reached Florence in November. +That city remained Alfieri's dwelling-place, nearly uninterruptedly, +from this moment to the period of his death. + +In 1795, when he was forty-six years old, a feeling of shame came over +him at his ignorance of Greek, and he determined to master that +language. He applied himself with such industry to the task, that before +very long he could read almost any Greek author. There are few instances +on record of such an effort being made at so advanced a period of life. +Yet, perhaps, a still more remarkable case than that of our poet is that +of Mehemet Ali, who did not learn to read or write till more than forty +years of age. His son, Ibrahim, never did even that. At the same time +that he was learning Greek, Alfieri amused himself by writing satires, +of which he had completed seventeen by the end of 1797. The fruit of his +Greek studies appeared in his tragedies of _Alceste Prima_ and _Alceste +Seconda_, which he composed after reading Euripides' fine play of that +name. He calls these essays his final perjuries to Apollo. We have +certainly seen him break his vow sufficiently often. The twelve +tragedies he pledged himself not to exceed had now grown to their +present number of twenty-one, besides the tramelogedy of _Abel_. + +He remained quietly and happily at Florence till the French invasion in +March, 1799, when he and the Countess retired to a villa in the country. +He marked his hatred of the French nation by writing his _Misogallo_, a +miscellaneous collection in prose and verse of the most violent and +indiscriminate abuse of France, and every thing connected with it, as +its name imports. On the evacuation of Florence by the French in July, +they returned to the city, but again left it on the second invasion in +October, 1800. The French commander-in-chief wrote to Alfieri, +requesting the honor of the acquaintance of a man who had rendered such +distinguished services to literature: but he told him in reply, that if +he wrote in his quality as Commandant of Florence, he would yield to his +superior authority; but that if it was merely as an individual curious +to see him, he must beg to be excused. + +We now find him irresistibly impelled to try his hand at comedy, and he +accordingly wrote the six which are published with his other works. They +are entitled respectively, _L'Uno_, _I Pochi_, _Il Troppo_, _Tre Velene +rimesta avrai l'Antido_, _La Finestrina_, and _Il Divorzio_. The first +four are political in their character, and written in iambics, like his +tragedies. The last is the only one that can be ranked with modern +comedies. Sismondi truly remarks, that in these dramas he exhibits the +powers of a great satirist, not of a successful dramatist. + +His health was by this time seriously impaired, and he felt it necessary +to cease entirely from his labors. On the 8th December, 1802, he put the +finishing stroke to his works, and amused himself for the short +remainder of his life in writing the conclusion of his _Memoirs_. +Feeling extremely proud at having overcome the difficulties of the Greek +language in his later years, he invented a collar, on which were +engraved the names of twenty-three ancient and modern poets, and to +which was attached a cameo representing Homer. On the back of it he +wrote the following distich: + +[Greek: + + Auton poiêsas Alphêrios hippe Homêron + Koiranikês timên êlphane zeioteran,] + +which may be thus Englished: + + "Perchance Alfieri made no great misnomer + When he dubb'd himself Knight of the Order of Homer." + +With the account of this amusing little incident, Alfieri terminates the +history of his life. The date it bears is the 14th of May, 1803, and on +the 8th October of the same year he breathed his last, in the +fifty-fifth year of his age. The particulars of his death are given in a +letter addressed by the Abate di Caluso to the Countess of Albany. An +attack of gout in the stomach was the immediate cause of it. The +delicate state of his health greatly accelerated the progress of the +disease, which was still further promoted by his insisting on proceeding +with the correction of his works almost to the very last. He was so +little aware of his impending dissolution, that he took a drive in a +carriage on the 3d October, and tried to the last moment to starve his +gout into submission. He refused to allow leeches to be applied to his +legs, as the physicians recommended, because they would have prevented +him from walking. At this period, all his studies and labors of the last +thirty years rushed through his mind; and he told the Countess, who was +attending him, that a considerable number of Greek verses from the +beginning of Hesiod, which he had only read once in his life, recurred +most distinctly to his memory. His mortal agony came on so suddenly, +that there was not time to administer to him the last consolations of +religion. He was buried in the church of Santa Croce at Florence, where +already reposed the remains of Machiavelli, of Michael Angelo, and of +Galileo. A monument to his memory, the work of the great Canova, was +raised over his ashes by direction of the Countess of Albany. + +Such then was Alfieri! And may we not draw a moral from the story of his +life as faintly and imperfectly shadowed forth in the preceding sketch? +Does it not show us how we may overcome obstacles deemed by us +insuperable, and how we may seek to become something better than what we +are? The poet's name will go down to future ages as the idol of his +countrymen; may the beneficial effect produced by a mind like his upon +the character and aspirations of the world be enduring! + + + + +From the Dublin University Magazine + +ANECDOTES OF PAGANINI. + + +Paganini was in all respects a very singular being, and an interesting +subject to study. His talents were by no means confined to his wonderful +powers as a musician. On other subjects he was well informed, acute, and +conversible, of bland and gentle manners, and in society, perfectly well +bred. All this contrasted strangely with the dark, mysterious stories +which were bruited abroad, touching some passages in his early life. But +outward semblance and external deportment are treacherous as quicksands, +when taken as guides by which to sound the real depths of human +character. Lord Byron remarks, that his pocket was once picked by the +civilest gentleman he ever conversed with, and that by far the mildest +individual of his acquaintance was the remorseless Ali Pacha of Yanina. +The expressive lineaments of Paganini told a powerful tale of passions +which had been fearfully excited, which might be roused again from +temporary slumber, or were exhausted by indulgence and premature decay, +leaving deep furrows to mark their intensity. Like the generality of his +countrymen, he looked much older than he was. With them, the elastic +vigor of youth and manhood rapidly subside into an interminable and +joyless old age, numbering as many years but with far less both of +physical and mental faculty, to render them endurable, than the more +equally poised gradations of our northern clime. It is by no means +unusual to encounter a well-developed Italian, whiskered to the +eyebrows, and "bearded like the pard," who tells you, to your utter +astonishment, that he is scarcely seventeen, when you have set him down +from his appearance as, at least, five-and-thirty. + +The following extract from Colonel Montgomery Maxwell's book of Military +Reminiscences, entitled, "My Adventures," dated Genoa, February 22nd, +1815, supplies the earliest record which has been given to the public +respecting Paganini, and affords authentic evidence that some of the +mysterious tales which heralded his coming were not without foundation. +He could scarcely have been at this time thirty years old. "Talking of +music, I have become acquainted with the most _outré_, most extravagant, +and strangest character I ever beheld, or heard, in the musical line. He +has just been emancipated from durance vile, where he has been for a +long time incarcerated on suspicion of murder. His long figure, long +neck, long face, and long forehead; his hollow and deadly pale cheek, +large black eye, hooked nose, and jet black hair, which is long, and +more than half hiding his expressive, Jewish face; all these rendered +him the most extraordinary person I ever beheld. There is something +scriptural in the _tout ensemble_ of the strange physiognomy of this +uncouth and unearthly figure. Not that, as in times of old, he plays, as +Holy Writ tells us, on a ten-stringed instrument; on the contrary, he +brings the most powerful, the most wonderful, and the most heart-rending +tones from one string. His name is Paganini; he is very improvident and +very poor. The D----s, and the Impressario of the theatre got up a +concert for him the other night, which was well attended, and on which +occasion he electrified the audience. He is a native of Genoa, and if I +were a judge of violin playing, I would pronounce him the most +surprising performer in the world!" + +That Paganini was either innocent of the charge for which he suffered +the incarceration Colonel Maxwell mentions, or that it could not be +proved against him, may be reasonably inferred from the fact that he +escaped the gallies of the executioner. In Italy, there was then, _par +excellence_ (whatever there may be now), a law for the rich, and another +for the poor. As he was without money, and unable to buy immunity, it is +charitable to suppose he was entitled to it from innocence. A nobleman, +with a few _zecchini_, was in little danger of the law, which confined +its practice entirely to the lower orders. I knew a Sicilian prince, who +most wantonly blew a vassal's brains out, merely because he put him in a +passion. The case was not even inquired into. He sent half a dollar to +the widow of the defunct (which, by the way, he borrowed from me, and +never repaid), and there the matter ended. Lord Nelson once suggested to +Ferdinand IV. of Naples, to try and check the daily increase of +assassination, by a few salutary executions. "No, no," replied old +Nasone, who was far from being as great a fool as he looked, "that is +impossible. If I once began that system, my kingdom would soon be +depopulated. One half my subjects would be continually employed in +hanging the remainder." + +Among other peculiarities, Paganini was an incarnation of avarice and +parsimony, with a most contradictory passion for gambling. He would +haggle with you for sixpence, and stake a rouleau on a single turn at +_rouge et noir_. He screwed you down in a bargain as tightly as if you +were compressed in a vice; yet he had intervals of liberality, and +sometimes did a generous action. In this he bore some resemblance to the +celebrated John Elwes, of miserly notoriety, who deprived himself of the +common necessaries of life, and lived on a potato skin, but sometimes +gave a check for £100 to a public charity, and contributed largely to +private subscriptions. I never heard that Paganini actually did this, +but once or twice he played for nothing, and sent a donation to the +Mendicity, when he was in Dublin. + +When he made his engagement with me, we mutually agreed to write no +orders, expecting the house to be quite full every night, and both being +aware that the "sons of freedom," while they add nothing to the +exchequer, seldom assist the effect of the performance. They are not +given to applaud vehemently; or, as Richelieu observes, "in the right +places." What we can get for nothing we are inclined to think much less +of than that which we must purchase. He who invests a shilling will not +do it rashly, or without feeling convinced that value received will +accrue from the risk. The man who pays is the real enthusiast; he comes +with a pre-determination to be amused, and his spirit is exalted +accordingly. Paganini's valet surprised me one morning, by walking into +my room, and with many "_eccellenzas_" and gesticulations of respect, +asking me to give him an order. I said, "Why do you come to me? Apply to +your master--won't he give you one?" "Oh, yes; but I don't like to ask +him." "Why not?" "Because he'll stop the amount out of my wages!" My +heart relented; I gave him the order, and paid Paganini the dividend. I +told him what it was, thinking, as a matter of course, he would return +it. He seemed uncertain for a moment, paused, smiled sardonically, +looked at the three and sixpence, and with a spasmodic twitch, deposited +it in his own waistcoat pocket instead of mine. Voltaire says, "no man +is a hero to his valet de chambre," meaning, thereby, as I suppose, that +being behind the scenes of every-day life, he finds out that Marshal +Saxe, or Frederick the Great, is as subject to the common infirmities of +our nature, as John Nokes or Peter Styles. Whether Paganini's squire of +the body looked on his master as a hero in the vulgar acceptation of the +word, I cannot say, but in spite of his stinginess, which he writhed +under, he regarded him with mingled reverence and terror. "A strange +person, your master," observed I. "_Signor_," replied the faithful +Sancho Panza, "_e veramente grand uomo, ma da non potersi comprendere_." +"He is truly a great man, but quite incomprehensible." It was edifying +to observe the awful importance with which Antonio bore the instrument +nightly intrusted to his charge to carry to and from the theatre. He +considered it an animated something, whether demon or angel he was +unable to determine, but this he firmly believed, that it could speak in +actual dialogue when his master pleased, or become a dumb familiar by +the same controlling volition. This especial violin was Paganini's +inseparable companion. It lay on his table before him as he sat +meditating in his solitary chamber; it was placed by his side at dinner, +and on a chair within his reach when in bed. If he woke, as he +constantly did, in the dead of night, and the sudden _estro_ of +inspiration seized him, he grasped his instrument, started up, and on +the instant perpetuated the conception which otherwise he would have +lost for ever. This marvellous Cremona, valued at four hundred guineas, +Paganini, on his death-bed, gave to De Kontski, his nephew and only +pupil, himself an eminent performer, and in his possession it now +remains. + +When Paganini was in Dublin, at the musical festival of 1830, the +Marquis of Anglesea, then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, came every night +to the concerts at the theatre, and was greatly pleased with his +performance. On the first evening, between the acts, his Excellency +desired that he might be brought round to his box, to be introduced, and +paid him many compliments. Lord Anglesea was at that time residing in +perfect privacy with his family at Sir Harcourt Lee's country house, +near Blackrock, and expressed a wish to get an evening from the great +violinist, to gratify his domestic circle. The negotiation was rather a +difficult one, as Paganini was, of all others, the man who did nothing +in the way of business without an explicit understanding, and a +clearly-defined con-si-de-ra-tion. He was alive to the advantages of +honor, but he loved money with a paramount affection. I knew that he had +received enormous terms, such as £150 and £200 for fiddling at private +parties in London, and I trembled for the vice-regal purse; but I +undertook to manage the affair, and went to work accordingly. The +aid-de-camp in waiting called with me on Paganini, was introduced in due +form, and handed him a card of invitation to dinner, which, of course, +he received and accepted with ceremonious politeness. Soon after the +officer had departed, he said suddenly, "This is a great honor, but am I +expected to bring my instrument?" "Oh, yes," I replied, "as a matter of +course--the Lord Lieutenant's family wish to hear you in private." +"_Caro amico_," rejoined he, with petrifying composure, "_Paganini con +violino e Paganini senza violino,--ecco due animali distinti_." +"Paganini with his fiddle and Paganini without it are two very different +persons." I knew perfectly what he meant, and said, "The Lord Lieutenant +is a nobleman of exalted rank and character, liberal in the extreme, but +he is not Croesus; nor do I think you could with any consistency +receive such an honor as dining at his table, and afterwards send in a +bill for playing two or three tunes in the evening." He was staggered, +and asked, "What do you advise?" I said, "Don't you think a present, in +the shape of a ring, or a snuff-box, or something of that sort, with a +short inscription, would be a more agreeable mode of settlement?" He +seemed tickled by this suggestion, and closed with it at once. I +dispatched the intelligence through the proper channel, that the violin +and the _grand maestro_ would both be in attendance. He went in his very +choicest mood, made himself extremely agreeable, played away, +unsolicited, throughout the evening, to the delight of the whole party, +and on the following morning a gold snuff-box was duly presented to him, +with a few complimentary words engraved on the lid. + +A year or two after this, when Paganini was again in England, I thought +another engagement might be productive, as his extraordinary attraction +appeared still to increase. I wrote to him on the subject, and soon +received a very courteous communication, to the effect, that although he +had not contemplated including Ireland in his tour, yet he had been so +impressed by the urbanity of the Dublin public, and had moreover +conceived such a personal esteem for my individual character, that he +might be induced to alter his plans, at some inconvenience, provided +always I could make him a more enticing proposal than the former one. I +was here completely puzzled, as on that occasion I gave him a clear +two-thirds of each receipt, with a bonus of twenty-five pounds per night +in addition, for two useless coadjutors. I replied, that having duly +deliberated on his suggestion, and considered the terms of our last +compact, I saw no possible means of placing the new one in a more +alluring shape, except by offering him the entire produce of the +engagement. After I had dispatched my letter, I repented bitterly, and +was terrified lest he should think me serious, and hold me to the +bargain; but he deigned no answer, and this time I escaped for the +fright I had given myself. When in London, I called to see him, and met +with a cordial reception; but he soon alluded to the late +correspondence, and half seriously said, "That was a curious letter you +wrote to me, and the joke with which you concluded it by no means a good +one." "Oh," said I, laughing, "it would have been much worse if you had +taken me at my word." He then laughed too, and we parted excellent +friends. I never saw him again. He returned to the Continent, and died, +having purchased the title of Baron, with a patent of nobility, from +some foreign potentate, which, with his accumulated earnings, somewhat +dilapidated by gambling, he bequeathed to his only son. Paganini was the +founder of his school, and the original inventor of those extraordinary +_tours de force_ with which all his successors and imitators are +accustomed to astonish the uninitiated. But he still stands at the head +of the list, although eminent names are included in it, and is not +likely to be pushed from his pedestal. + + * * * * * + +Julius Cornet of Hamburgh understands thirty-eight different languages, +not in the superficial manner of Elihu Burritt, but so well that he is +able to write them with correctness, and to make translations from one +into the other. He has issued a circular to the German public, offering +his services as a universal translator, and refers to some of the most +prominent publishers of Leipsic, whom he has many years served in that +capacity. + + + + +BIOGRAPHY OF FRENCH JOURNALISTS. + + +Fraser's magazine contains a reviewal of Texier's new book on the Paris +journals and editors, from which we copy the following paragraphs: + + +THE DÉBATS. + +The _Débats_ is chiefly read by wealthy landed proprietors, public +functionaries, the higher classes of the magistracy, the higher classes +of merchants and manufacturers, by the agents de change, barristers, +notaries, and what we in England would call country gentlemen. Its +circulation we should think 10,000. If it circulate 12,000 now, it +certainly must have considerably risen since 1849. + +The chief editor of the _Débats_ is Armand Bertin. He was brought up in +the school of his father, and is now about fifty years of age, or +probably a little more. M. Bertin is a man of _esprit_, and of literary +tastes, with the habits, feelings, and demeanor of a well-bred +gentleman. Of an agreeable and facile commerce, the editor of the +_Débats_ is a man of elegant and Epicurean habits; but does not allow +his luxurious tastes to interfere with the business of this nether +world. According to M. Texier, he reads with his own proprietary and +editorial eyes all the voluminous correspondence of the office on his +return from the _salon_ in which he has been spending the evening. If in +the forenoon there is any thing of importance to learn in any quarter of +Paris, M. Bertin is on the scent, and seldom fails to run down his game. +At a certain hour in the day he appears in the Rue des Prêtres, in which +the office of the _Débats_ is situate, and there assigns to his +collaborators their daily task. The compiler of the volume before us, +who, as we stated, is himself connected with the Parisian press, writing +in the _Siècle_, and who, it may therefore be supposed, has had good +opportunities for information, states that, previous to the passing of +the Tinguy law, M. Bertin never wrote in his own journal, but contented +himself with giving to the products of so many pens the necessary +homogeneity. But be this as it may, it is certain he has often written +since the law requires the _signature obligatoire_. + +Under the Monarchy of the Barricades the influence of M. Bertin was most +considerable, yet he only used this influence to obtain orders and +decorations for his contributors. As to himself, to his honor and glory +be it stated, that he never stuck the smallest bit of riband to his own +buttonhole, or, during the seventeen years of the monarchy of July, ever +once put his feet inside the Tuileries. At the Italian Opera or the +Variétés, sometimes at the Café de Paris, the Maison Dorée, or the Trois +Frères, M. Bertin may be seen enjoying the music, or his dinner and +wine, but never was he a servile courtier or trencher-follower of the +Monarch of the Barricades. It is after these enjoyments, or after his +_petit souper_, that M. Bertin proceeds for the last time for the day, +or rather the night, to the office of the paper. There shutting himself +up in his cabinet, he calls for proofs, reads them, and when he has seen +every thing, and corrected every thing, he then gives the final and +authoritative order to go to press, and towards two o'clock in the +morning turns his steps homeward. M. Bertin, says our author with some +malice, belongs to that class of corpulent men so liked by Cæsar and +Louis Phillippe. Personally, M. Bertin has no reverence for what is +called nobility, either ancient or modern. He is of the school of +Chaussée d'Antin, which would set the rich and intelligent middle +classes in the places formerly occupied by _Messieurs les Grands +Seigneurs_. + +The ablest man, connected with the _Débats_, or indeed, at this moment, +with the press of France, is M. DE SACY. De Sacy is an advocate by +profession, and pleaded in his youth some causes with considerable +success. At a very early period of his professional existence he allied +himself with the _Débats_. His articles are distinguished by ease and +flow, yet by a certain gravity and weight, which is divested, however, +of the disgusting doctoral tone. He is, in truth, a solid and serious +writer, without being in the least degree heavy. Political men of the +old school read his papers with pleasure, and most foreigners may read +them with profit and instruction. M. de Sacy is a simple, modest, and +retiring gentleman, of great learning, and a taste and tact very +uncommon for a man of so much learning. Though he has been for more than +a quarter of a century influentially connected with the _Débats_, and +has, during eighteen or twenty years of the period, had access to men in +the very highest positions--to ministers, ambassadors, to the sons of a +king, and even to the late king himself, it is much to his credit that +he has contented himself with a paltry riband and a modest place, as +Conservateur de la Bibliothèque Mazarine. M. de Sacy belongs to a +Jansenist family. _Apropos_ of this, M. Texier tells a pleasant story +concerning him. A Roman Catholic writer addressing him one day in the +small gallery reserved for the journalist at the Chamber of Deputies, +said, "You are a man, M. de Sacy, of too much cleverness, and of too +much honesty, not to be one of us, sooner or later." "Not a bit of it," +replied promptly M. de Sacy; "_je veux vivre et mourir avec un pied dans +le doute et l'autre dans la foi_." + +SAINT-MARC GIRARDIN is certainly, next to De Sacy, the most +distinguished writer connected with the _Débats_. He was originally a +_maître d'étude_ at the College of Henry IV., and sent one fine morning +an article to the _Débats_, which produced a wonderful sensation. The +article was without name or address; but old Bertin so relished and +appreciated it, that he was not to be foiled in finding out the author. +An advertisement was inserted on the following day, requesting the +writer to call at the editor's study, when M. Saint-Marc Girardin was +attached as a regular _soldat de plume_ to the establishment--a +profitable engagement, which left him at liberty to leave his miserable +_métier_ of _maître d'étude_. The articles written in 1834 against the +Emperor of Russia and the Russian system were from the pen of M. +Girardin.--The _maître d'étude_ of former days became professor at the +College of France--became deputy, and exhibited himself, able writer and +dialectician as he was and is, as a mediocre speaker, and ultimately +became academician and _un des quarante_. + +Another distinguished writer in the _Débats_ is Michel Chevalier. +Chevalier is an _élève_ of the Polytechnic School, who originally wrote +in the _Globe_. When editor and _gérant_ of the _Globe_, he was +condemned to six months' imprisonment for having developed in that +journal the principles of St. Simonianism. Before the expiration of his +sentence he was appointed by the Government to a sort of travelling +commission to America; and from that country he addressed a series of +memorable letters to the _Débats_, which produced at the time immense +effect. Since that period, Chevalier was appointed Professor of +Political Economy at the College of France, a berth from whence he was +removed by Carnot, Minister of Public Instruction, but afterwards +reinstated by subsequent ministers. Chevalier, though an able man, is +yet more of an economic writer than a political disquisitionist. His +brother Augustus is Secretary-general of the Elysée. + +Among the other contributors are PHILARETE CHASLES, an excellent +classical scholar, and a man well acquainted with English literature; +Cuvillier Fleury, unquestionably a man of taste and talent; and the +celebrated Jules Janin. The productions of the latter as a +_feuilletoniste_ are so well known that we do not stop to dwell upon +them. Janin is not without merit, and he is highly popular with a +certain class of writers: but his articles after all, apart from the +circumstances of the day, are but a _rechauffé_ of the style of +Marivaux. + + +THE CONSTITUTIONNEL. + +The history of the _Constitutionnel_ follows that of the _Débats_. The +_Débats_, says M. Texier, is ingenious, has tact without enthusiasm, +banters with taste, and scuds before the wind with a grace which only +belongs to a _fin voilier_--to a fast sailing clipper. But, on the other +hand, none of these qualities are found in the _Constitutionnel_, which, +though often hot, and not seldom vehement and vulgar, is almost +uniformly heavy. For three-and-thirty years--that is to say, from 1815 +to 1848--the _Constitutionnel_ traded in Voltairien principles, in +vehement denunciations of the _Parti Prêtre_ and of the Jesuits, and in +the intrigues of the emigrants and royalist party _quand même_. For many +years the literary giant of this Titanic warfare was Etienne, who had +been in early life secretary to Maret, duke of Bassano, himself a +mediocre journalist, though an excellent reporter and stenographer. +Etienne was a man of _esprit_ and talent, who had commenced his career +as a writer in the _Minerve Française_. In this miscellany, his letters +on Paris acquired as much vogue as his comedies. About 1818, Etienne +acquired a single share in the _Constitutionnel_, and after a year's +service became impregnated with the air of the Rue Montmartre--with the +spirit of the _genius loci_. When one has been some time writing for a +daily newspaper, this result is sure to follow. One gets habituated to +set phrases--to pet ideas--to the traditions of the locality--to the +prejudices of the readers, political or religious, as the case may be. +Independently of this, the daily toil of newspaper writing is such, and +so exhausting, that a man obliged to undergo it for any length of time +is glad occasionally to find refuge in words without ideas, which have +occasionally much significancy with the million, or in topics on which +the public love to dwell fondly. Under the reign of Louis XVIII. and +Charles X. it lost no opportunity, by indirection and innuendo, of +hinting at the "Petit Caporal," and this circumstance during the life of +the emperor, and long after his death, caused the journal to be +adored--that is really the word--by the old army, by the _vieux de +vieille_, and by the _durs à cuirs_. In these good old bygone times the +writers in the _Constitutionel_ wore a blue frock closely buttoned up to +the chin, to the end that they might pass for officers of the old army +on half-pay. In 1830 the fortunes of the _Constitutionnel_ had reached +the culminant point. It then counted 23,000 subscribers, at 80 francs a +year. At that period a single share in the property was a fortune. But +the avatar of the Citizen King spoiled in a couple of years the sale of +the citizen journal. The truth is, that the heat of the Revolution of +July had engendered and incubated a multitude of journals, great and +little, bounding with young blood and health--journals whose editors and +writers did not desire better sport than to attack the _Constitutionnel_ +at right and at left, and to tumble the dear, fat, rubicund, old +gentleman, head over heels. Among these was the _Charivari_, which +incontinently laughed at the whole system of the establishment, from the +crapulous, corpulent, and Voltairien Etienne, down to the lowest +printer's devil. The metaphors, the puffs, _canards_, the _réclames_, +&c. of the _Constitutionnel_ were treated mercilessly and as +nothing--not even Religion itself can stand the test of ridicule among +so mocking a people as the French; the result was, that the +_Constitutionnel_ diminished wonderfully in point of circulation. Yet +the old man wrote and spoke well, and had, from 1824 to 1829, as an ally +the sharp and clever Thiers, and the better read, the better informed, +and the more judicious Mignet. It was during the Vitelle administration +that the _Constitutionnel_ attained the very highest acme of its fame. +It was then said to have had 30,000 subscribers, and to have maintained +them with the cry of "Down with the Jesuits!" In 1827-28, during its +palmiest days, the _Constitutionnel_ had no _Roman feuilleton_. It +depended then on its leading articles, nor was it till its circulation +declined, in 1843, to about 3500, that the proprietors determined to +reduce the price one-half. They then, too, adopted the _Roman +feuilleton_, giving as much as 500 francs for an article of this kind to +Dumas or Sue. From 1845 or 1846 to 1848, the _Consitutionnel_ had most +able contributors of leading articles; Thiers, De Remusat, and Duvergier +d'Hauranne, having constantly written in its columns. The circulation of +the journal was then said to amount to 24,000. When the +_Constitutionnel_ entered into the hands of its present proprietor, +Docteur Louis Veron, it was said to be reduced to 3000 subscribers. How +many subscribers it has now we have no very accurate means of knowing, +but we should say, at a rough guess, it may have 9000 or 10,000. It +should be remembered, that from being an anti-sacerdotal journal it has +become a priests' paper and the organ of priests; from being an opponent +of the executive, it has become the organ and the apologist of the +executive in the person of M. L. N. Buonaparte, and the useful +instrument, it is said, of M. Achille Fould. Every body knows, says M. +Texier, with abundant malice prepense, that Dr. Veron, the chief editor +of the _Constitutionnel_, has declared that France may henceforth place +her head on the pillow and go quietly to sleep, for the doctor +confidently answers for the good faith and wisdom of the president. + +But who is DOCTOR VERON, the editor-in-chief, when one finds his +excellency _chezelle_? The ingenuous son of Esculapius tells us himself +that he has known the _coulisses_ (the phrase is a queer one) of +science, of the arts, of politics, and even of the opera. It appears, +however, that the dear doctor is the son of a stationer of the Rue du +Bac, who began his career by studying medicine. If we are to believe +himself, his career was a most remarkable one. In 1821 he was received +what is called an _interne_ of the Hôtel Dieu. After having walked the +hospitals, he enrolled himself in the Catholic and Apostolic Society of +'_bonnes lettres_,' collaborated with the writers in the _Quotidienne_, +and, thanks to Royalist patronage, was named physician-in-chief of the +Royal Museums. Whether any of the groups in the pictures of Rubens, +Salvator Rosa, Teniers, Claude, or Poussin--whether any of the Torsos of +Praxiteles, or even of a more modern school, required the assiduous care +or attention of a skilful physician, we do not pretend to state. But we +repeat that the practice of Dr. Veron, according to M. Texier, was +confined to these dumb yet not inexpressive personages. In feeling the +pulse of the Venus de Medici, or looking at the tongue of the Laocoon, +or the Apollo Belvidere, it is said the chief, if not the only practice +of Dr. Louis Veron consisted. True, the doctor invented a _pâte +pectorale_, approved by all the emperors and kings in Europe, and very +renowned, too, among the commonalty; but so did Dr. Solomon, of Gilead +House, near Liverpool, invent a balm of Gilead, and Mrs. Cockle invent +anti-bilious pills, taken by many of the judges, a majority of the +bench of bishops, and some admirals of the blue, and general officers +without number, yet we have never heard that Moses Solomon or Tabitha +Cockle were renowned in the practice of physic, notwithstanding the said +Gilead and the before-mentioned pills. Be this, however, as it may, +Veron, after having doctored the pictures and statues, and +patepectoraled the Emperor, the Pope, the Grand Turk, the Imaum of +Muscat, the Shah of Persia, and the Great Mogul himself, next +established the _Review of Paris_, which in its turn he abandoned to +become the director of the Opera. Tired of the Opera after four or five +years' service, the doctor became a candidate of the dynastic opposition +at Brest. This was the "artful dodge" before the Revolution of July +1848, if we may thus translate an untranslateable phrase of the +doctor's. At Brest the professor of the healing art failed, and the +consequence was, that instead of being a deputy he became the proprietor +of the _Constitutionnel_. Fortunate man that he is! In _Robert le +Diable_ at the Opera, which he would not at first have at any price, the +son of Esculapius found the principal source of his fortune, and by the +_Juif Errant_ of Eugène Sue, for which he gave 100,000 francs, he saved +the _Constitutionnel_ from perdition. _Apropos_ of this matter, there is +a pleasant story abroad. When Veron purchased the _Constitutionnel_, +Thiers was writing his _Histoire du Consulat_, for which the booksellers +had agreed to give 500,000 francs. Veron wished to have the credit of +publishing the book in the _Constitutionnel_, and with this view waited +on Thiers, offering to pay down, _argent comptant_, one-half the money. +Thiers, though pleased with the proposition, yet entrenched himself +behind his engagement with the booksellers. To one of the leading +booksellers Veron trotted off post-haste, and opened the business. "Oh!" +said the sensible publisher, "you have mistaken your _coup_ altogether." +"How so?" said the doctor. "Don't you see," said the Libraire Editeur, +"that the rage is Eugène Sue, and that the _Débats_ and the _Presse_ are +at fistycuffs to obtain the next novelty of the author of the _Mystères +de Paris_? Go you and offer as much again for this novel, whatever it +may be, as either the one or other of them, and the fortune of the +_Constitutionnel_ is made." The doctor took the advice, and purchased +the next novelty of Sue at 100,000 francs. This turned out to be the +_Juif Errant_, which raised the circulation of the _Constitutionnel_ to +24,000. + +Veron is a puffy-faced little man, with an overgrown body, and midriff +sustained upon an attenuated pair of legs; his visage is buried in an +immense shirt collar, stiff and starched as a Norman cap. Dr. Veron +believes himself the key-stone of the Elyséan arch, and that the weight +of the government is on his shoulders. Look at him as he enters the Café +de Paris to eat his _purée à la Condé_, and his _suprême de volaille_, +and his _filet de chevreuil piqué aux truffes_, and you would say that +he is not only the prime, but the favorite minister of Louis Napoleon, +_par la grace de Dieu et Monsieur le Docteur Président de la +République_. "_Après tout c'est un mauvais drôle, que ce pharmacien_," +to use the term applied to the doctor by General Changarnier. + +A short man of the name of Boilay washes the dirty linen of Dr. Veron, +and corrects his faults of grammar, of history, &c. Boilay is a small, +sharp, stout, little man, self-possessed, self-satisfied, with great +readiness and tact. Give him but the heads of a subject and he can make +out a very readable and plausible article. Boilay is the real working +editor of the _Constitutionnel_, and is supported by a M. Clarigny, a M. +Malitourne, and others not more known or more respected. Garnier de +Cassagnac, of the _Pouvoir_, a man of very considerable talent, though +not of very fixed principle, writes occasionally in the +_Constitutionnel_, and more ably than any of the other contributors. M. +St. Beuve is the literary critic, and he performs his task with eminent +ability. + + +THE NATIONAL. + +We now come to the _National_, founded by Carrel, Mignet, and Thiers. It +was agreed between the triad that each should take the place of +_rédacteur en chef_ for a year. Thiers, as the oldest and most +experienced, was the first installed, and conducted the paper with zest +and spirit till the Revolution of 1830 broke out. The _National_ set out +with the idea of changing the incorrigible dynasty, and instituting +Orléanism in the place of it. The refusal to pay taxes and to contribute +to a budget was a proposition of the _National_, and it is not going too +far to say, that the crisis of 1830 was hastened by this journal. It was +at the office of the _National_ that the famous protest, proclaiming the +right of resistance, was composed and signed by Thiers, De Remusat, and +Canchois Lemaire. On the following day the office of the journal was +bombarded by the police and an armed force, when the presses were +broken. Against this illegal violence the editors protested. After the +Revolution, Carrel assumed the conduct of the journal, and became the +firmest as well as the ablest organ of democracy. To the arbitrary and +arrogant Perier, he opposed a firm and uncompromising resistance. Every +one acquainted with French politics at that epoch is aware of the +strenuous and stand-up fight he made for five years for his principles. +He it was who opposed a bold front to military bullies, and who invented +the epithet _traîneurs de sabre_. This is not the place to speak of the +talent of Carrel. He was shot in a miserable quarrel in 1836, by Emile +Girardin, then, as now, the editor of the _Presse_. On the death of +Carrel, the shareholders of the paper assembled together to name a +successor. M. Trelat, subsequently minister, was fixed upon. But as he +was then a _détenu_ at Clairvaux, Bastide and Littré filled the +editorial chair during the interregnum. On the release of Trelat, it was +soon discovered that he had not the peculiar talent necessary. The +sceptre of authority passed into the hands of M. Bastide, named +Minister of Foreign Affairs in the ending of 1848, or the beginning of +1849. M. Bastide, then a _marchand de bois_, divided his editorial +empire with M. Armand Marrast, who had been a political prisoner and a +refugee in England, and who returned to France on the amnesty granted on +the marriage of the Duke of Orleans. M. Marrast, though a disagreeable, +self-sufficient, and underbred person, was unquestionably a writer of +point, brilliancy, and vigor. From 1837 to the Revolution of 1848 he was +connected with the _National_, and was the author of a series of +articles which have not been equalled since. Like all low, vulgar-bred, +and reptile-minded persons, Marrast forgot himself completely when +raised to the position of President of the Chamber of Deputies. In this +position he made irreconcileable enemies of all his old colleagues, and +of most persons who came into contact with him. The fact is, that your +schoolmaster and pedagogue can rarely become a gentleman, or any thing +like a gentleman. The writers in the _National_ at the present moment +are, M. Léopold Duras, M. Alexandre Rey, Caylus, Cochut, Forques, +Littré, Paul de Musset, Colonel Charras, and several others whose names +it is not necessary to mention here. + + +THE SIÈCLE. + +We come now to the _Siècle_, a journal which, though only established in +1836, has, we believe, a greater sale than any journal in Paris--at +least, had a greater sale previous to the Revolution of February 1848. +The _Siècle_ was the first journal that started at the low price of 40 +francs a-year, when almost every other newspaper was purchased at a cost +of 70 or 80 francs. It should also be recollected, that it was published +under the auspices of the deputies of the constitutional opposition. The +_Siècle_ was said, in 1846, to have had 42,000 subscribers. Its then +editor was M. Chambolle, who abandoned the concern in February or March +1849, not being able to agree with M. Louis Perrée, the _directeur_ of +the journal. Since Chambolle left a journal which he had conducted for +thirteen years, M. Perrée has died in the flower of his age, mourned by +those connected with the paper, and regretted by the public at large. +Previous to the Revolution of 1848, Odillon Barrot and Gustave de +Beaumont took great interest and an active part in the management of the +_Siècle_. That positive, dogmatical, self-opinioned, and indifferent +newspaper writer, Léon Faucher, was then one of the principal +contributors to this journal. The _Siècle_ of 1851 is somewhat what the +_Constitutionnel_ was in 1825, 6, and 7. It is eminently City-like and +of the _bourgeoisie_, "earth, earthy," as a good, reforming, economic +National Guard ought to be. The success of the journal is due to this +spirit, and to the eminently fair, practical, and business-like manner +in which it has been conducted. Perrée, the late editor and manager of +the journal, who died at the early age of 34, was member for the Manche. +The writers in the journal are Louis Jourdan, formerly a St. Simonian; +Pierre Bernard, who was secretary to Armand Carrel; Hippolite Lamarche, +an ex-cavalry captain; Auguste Jullien (son of Jullien de Paris, one of +the commissaries of Robespierre); and others whom it is needless to +mention. + + +THE PRESSE. + +The _Presse_ was founded in 1836, about the same time as the _Siècle_, +by Emile de Girardin, a son of General de Girardin, it is said, by an +English mother. Till that epoch of fifteen years ago, people in Paris or +in France had no idea of a journal exceeding in circulation 25,000 +copies, the circulation of the _Constitutionnel_, or of a newspaper +costing less than seventy or eighty francs per annum. Many journals had +contrived to live on respectably enough on a modest number of 4000 or +5000 _abonnés_. But the conductors of the _Presse_ and of the _Siècle_ +were born to operate a revolution in this routine and jog-trot of +newspaper life. They reduced the subscription to newspapers from eighty +to forty francs per annum, producing as good if not a better article. +This was a great advantage to the million, and it induced parties to +subscribe for, and read a newspaper, more especially in the country, who +never thought of reading a newspaper before. In constituting his new +press, M. Girardin entirely upset and rooted out all the old notions +theretofore prevailing as to the conduct of a journal. The great feature +in the new journal was not its leading articles, but its _Roman +feuilleton_, by Dumas, Sue, &c. This it was that first brought Socialism +into extreme vogue among the working classes. True the _Presse_ was not +the first to publish Socialist _feuilletons_, but the _Débats_ and the +_Constitutionnel_. But the _Presse_ was the first to make the leading +article subsidiary to the _feuilleton_. It was, even when not a +professed Socialist, a great promoter of Socialism, by the thorough +support which it lent to all the slimy, jesuitical corruptions of +Guizoism, and all the turpitudes and chicanery of Louis Philippism. When +the _Presse_ was not a year old it had 15,000 subscribers, and before it +was twelve years old the product of its advertisements amounted to +150,000 francs a-year. Indeed this journal has the rare merit of being +the first to teach the French the use, and we must add the abuse, of +advertisements. We fear the _Presse_, during these early days of the +gentle Emile and Granier Cassagnac, was neither a model of virtue, +disinterestedness, nor self-denial. Nor do we know that it is so now, +even under the best of Republics. There are strange tales abroad, even +allowing for the exaggeration of Rumor with her hundred tongues. One +thing, however, is clear; that the _Presse_ was a liberal paymaster to +its _feuilletonistes_. To Dumas, Sand, De Balzac, Théophile Gautier, and +Jules Sandeau, it four years ago paid 300 francs per day for +contributions. The _Presse_, as M. Texier says, is now less the +collective reason of a set of writers laboring to a common intent, than +the expression of the individual activity, energy, and wonderful +mobility of M. Girardin himself. The _Presse_ is Emile de Girardin, with +his boldness, his audacity, his rampant agility, his Jim Crowism, his +inexhaustible cleverness, wonderful fecundity, and indisputable talent. +The _Presse_ is bold and daring; but no man can tell the color of its +politics to-day, much less three days, or three months hence. On the +25th of July, 1848, it was as audacious, as unabashed, and as little +disconcerted as two days before. When the workmen arrived in crowds to +break its presses, the ingenious Emile threw open the doors of the +press-room, talked and reasoned with the greasy rogues, and sent them +contented away. + +The number of journals in Paris is greater--much greater, +relatively--than the number existing in London. The people of Paris love +and study a newspaper more than the people of London, and take a greater +interest in public affairs, and more especially in questions of foreign +policy. Previous to the Revolution of February 1848, it cannot, we +think, be denied that newspaper writers in France held a much higher +rank than contributors to the daily press in England, and even still +they continue to hold a higher and more influential position, though +there can be no good reason why they should have done so at either time. +For the last fifteen years there cannot be any doubt or question that +the leading articles in the four principal daily London morning papers +exhibit an amount of talent, energy, information, readiness, and +compression, which are not found in such perfect and wonderful +combination in the French press. + +For the last three years, however, the press of France has wonderfully +deteriorated. It is no longer what it was antecedent to the Revolution. +There is not the literary skill, the artistical ability, the energy, the +learning, and the eloquence which theretofore existed. The class of +writers in newspapers now are an inferior class in attainments, in +scholarship, and in general ability. There can be little doubt, we +conceive, that the press greatly increased and abused its power, for +some years previous to 1848. This led to the decline of its +influence--an influence still daily diminishing; but withal, even still +the press in France has more influence, and enjoys more social and +literary consideration, than the press in England. We believe that +newspaper writers in France are not now so generally well paid as they +were twenty or thirty years ago. Two or three eminent writers can always +command in Paris what would be called a sporting price, but the great +mass of leading-article writers receive considerably less in money than +a similar class in London, though they exercise a much greater influence +on public opinion, and enjoy from the peculiar constitution of French +society a higher place in the social scale. + +--We see by the last papers from Paris that Veron and the President have +quarreled. + + + + +From the Cincinnati Commercial Advertiser. + +PROPHECY. + +BY ALICE CAREY. + + + I think thou lovest me--yet a prophet said + To-day, Elhadra, if thou laidest dead, + From thy white forehead would he fold the shroud, + And thereon lay his sorrow, like a crown. + The drenching rain from out the chilly cloud, + In the gray ashes beats the red flame down! + And when the crimson folds the kiss away + No longer, and blank dulness fills the eyes, + Lifting its beauty from the crumbling clay, + Back to the light of earth life's angel flies. + + So, with my large faith unto gloom allied, + Sprang up a shadow sunshine could not quell, + And the voice said, Would'st haste to go outside + This continent of being, it were well: + Where finite, growing toward the Infinite, + Gathers its robe of glory out of dust, + And looking down the radiances white, + Sees all God's purposes about us, just. + Canst thou, Elhadra, reach out of the grave, + And draw the golden waters of love's well? + _His_ years are chrisms of brightness in time's wave-- + Thine are as dewdrops in the nightshade's bell! + + Then straightening in my hands the rippled length + Of all my tresses, slowly one by one, + I took the flowers out.--Dear one, in thy strength + Pray for my weakness. Thou hast seen the sun + Large in the setting, drive a column of light + Down through the darkness: so, within death's night, + O my beloved, when I shall have gone, + If it might be so, would my love burn on. + + + + +From Household Words + +THE MODERN HAROUN-AL-RASCHID. + + +In the district of Ferdj' Onah (which signifies _Fine Country_), +Algeria, lives a Scheik named Bou-Akas-ben-Achour. He is also +distinguished by the surname of _Bou-Djenoni_ (the Man of the Knife), +and may be regarded as a type of the eastern Arab. His ancestors +conquered Ferdj' Onah, but he has been forced to acknowledge the +supremacy of France, by paying a yearly tribute of 80,000 francs. His +dominion extends from Milah to Rabouah, and from the southern point of +Babour to within two leagues of Gigelli. He is forty-nine years old, and +wears the Rahyle costume; that is to say, a woollen _gandoura_, confined +by a leathern belt. He carries a pair of pistols in his girdle, by his +side the Rahyle _flissa_, and suspended from his neck a small black +knife. + +Before him walks a negro carrying his gun, and a huge greyhound bounds +along by his side. He holds despotic sway over twelve tribes; and should +any neighboring people venture to make an incursion on his territory, +Bou-Akas seldom condescends to march against them in person, but sends +his negro into the principal village. This envoy just displays the gun +of Bou-Akas, and the injury is instantly repaired. + +He keeps in pay two or three hundred Tolbas to read the Koran to the +people; every pilgrim going to Mecca, and passing through Ferdj' Onah, +receives three francs, and may remain as long as he pleases to enjoy the +hospitality of Bou-Akas. But whenever the Scheik discovers that he has +been deceived by a pretended pilgrim, he immediately dispatches +emissaries after the impostor; who, wherever he is, find him, throw him +down, and give him fifty blows on the soles of his feet. + +Bou-Akas sometimes entertains three hundred persons at dinner; but +instead of sharing their repast, he walks round the tables with a baton +in his hand, seeing that the servants attend properly to his guests. +Afterwards, if any thing is left, he eats; but not until the others have +finished. + +When the governor of Constantinople, the only man whose power he +recognizes, sends him a traveller; according to the rank of the latter, +or the nature of the recommendation Bou-Akas gives him his gun, his dog, +or his knife. If the gun, the traveller takes it on his shoulder; if the +dog, he leads it in a leash; or if the knife, he hangs it round his +neck: and with any one of these potent talismans, of which each bears +its own degree of honor, the stranger passes through the region of the +twelve tribes, not only unscathed, but as the guest of Bou-Akas, treated +with the utmost hospitality. When the traveller is about to leave Ferdj' +Onah, he consigns the knife, the dog, or the gun to the care of the +first Arab he meets. If the Arab is hunting, he leaves the chase; if +laboring in the field, he leaves his plough; and, taking the precious +deposit, hastens to restore it to the Bou-Akas. + +The black-handled knife is so well known, that it has given the surname +of "Bou-Djenoni, _the man of the knife_," to its owner. With this +implement he is accustomed to cut off heads, whenever he takes a fancy +to perform that agreeable office with his own hand. + +When first Bou-Akas assumed the government, the country was infested +with robbers, but he speedily found means to extirpate them. He +disguised himself as a poor merchant; walked out, and dropped a _douro_ +(a gold coin) on the ground, taking care not to lose sight of it. If the +person who happened to pick up the _douro_, put it into his pocket and +passed on, Bou-Akas made a sign to his _chinaux_ (who followed him, also +in disguise, and knew the Scheik's will) rushed forward immediately, and +decapitated the offender. In consequence of this summary method of +administering justice, it is a saying amongst the Arabs that a child +might traverse the regions which own Bou-Akas's sway, wearing a golden +crown on his head, without a single hand being stretched out to take it. + +The Scheik has great respect for women, and has ordered that when the +females of Ferdj' Onah go out to draw water, every man who meets them +shall turn away his head. Wishing one day to ascertain whether his +commands were attended to, he went out in disguise: and, meeting a +beautiful Arab maiden on her way to the well, approached and saluted +her. The girl looked at him with amazement, and said: "Pass on, +stranger; thou knowest not the risk them hast run." And when Bou-Akas +persisted in speaking to her, she added: "Foolish man, and reckless of +thy life; knowest thou not that we are in the country of Bou-Djenoni, +who causes all women to be held in respect?" + +Bou-Akas is very strict in his religious observances; he never omits his +prayers and ablutions, and has four wives, the number permitted by the +Koran. Having heard that the Cadi of one of his twelve tribes +administered justice in an admirable manner, and pronounced decisions in +a style worthy of King Solomon himself, Bou-Akas, like a second +Haroun-Al-Raschid, determined to judge for himself as to the truth of +the report. Accordingly, dressed like a private individual, without arms +or attendants, he set out for the Cadi's towns, mounted on a docile +Arabian steed. He arrived there, and was just entering the gate, when a +cripple seizing the border of his burnous, asked him for alms in the +name of the prophet. Bou-Akas gave him money, but the cripple still +maintained his hold. "What dost thou want?" asked the Scheik; "I have +already given thee alms." + +"Yes," replied the beggar, "but the law says, not only--'Thou shalt give +alms to thy brother,' but also, 'Thou shalt do for thy brother +whatsoever thou canst.'" + +"Well! and what can I do for thee?" + +"Thou canst save me,--poor crawling creature that I am!--from being +trodden under the feet of men, horses, mules and camels, which would +certainly happen to me in passing through the crowded square, in which a +fair is now going on." + +"And how can I save thee?" + +"By letting me ride behind you, and putting me down safely in the +market-place, where I have business." + +"Be it so," replied Bou-Akas. And stooping down, he helped the cripple +to get up behind him; a business which was not accomplished without much +difficulty. The strangely assorted riders attracted many eyes as they +passed through the crowded streets; and at length they reached the +market-place. "Is this where you wish to stop?" asked Bou-Akas. + +"Yes." + +"Then get down." + +"Get down yourself." + +"What for?" + +"To leave me the horse." + +"To leave you my horse! What mean you by that?" + +"I mean that he belongs to me. Know you not that we are now in the town +of the just Cadi, and that if we bring the case before him, he will +certainly decide in my favor?" + +"Why should he do so, when the animal belongs to me?" + +"Don't you think that when he sees us two,--you with your strong +straight limbs, which Allah has given you for the purpose of walking, +and I with my weak legs and distorted feet,--he will decree that the +horse shall belong to him who has most need of him?" + +"Should, he do so, he would not be the _just_ Cadi," said Bou-Akas. + +"Oh! as to that," replied the cripple, laughing, "although he is just, +he is not infallible." + +"So!" thought the Scheik to himself, "this will be a capital opportunity +of judging the judge." He said aloud, "I am content--we will go before +the Cadi." + +Arrived at the tribunal, where the judge, according to the eastern +custom, was publicly administering justice, they found that two trials +were about to go on, and would of course take precedence of theirs. The +first was between a _taleb_ or learned man, and a peasant. The point in +dispute was the _taleb's_ wife, whom the peasant had carried off, and +whom he asserted to be his own better half, in the face of the +philosopher who demanded her restoration. The woman, strange +circumstance! remained obstinately silent, and would not declare for +either; a feature in the case which rendered its decision excessively +difficult. The judge heard both sides attentively, reflected for a +moment, and then said, "Leave the woman here, and return to-morrow." The +_savant_ and the laborer each bowed and retired; and the next cause was +called. This was a difference between a butcher and an oil-seller. The +latter appeared covered with oil, and the former was sprinkled with +blood. + +The butcher spoke first:--"I went to buy some oil from this man, and in +order to pay him for it, I drew a handful of money from my purse. The +sight of the money tempted him. He seized me by the wrist. I cried out, +but he would not let me go; and here we are, having come before your +worship, I holding my money in my hand, and he still grasping my wrist. +Now, I swear by the Prophet, that this man is a liar, when he says that +I stole his money, for the money is truly mine own." + +Then spoke the oil-merchant:--"This man came to purchase oil from me. +When his bottle was filled, he said, 'Have you change for a piece of +gold?' I searched my pocket, and drew out my hand full of money, which I +laid on a bench in my shop. He seized it, and was walking off with my +money and my oil, when I caught him by the wrist, and cried out +'Robber!' In spite of my cries, however, he would not surrender the +money, so I brought him here, that your worship might decide the case. +Now, I swear by the Prophet that this man is a liar, when he says that I +want to steal his money, for it is truly mine own." + +The Cadi caused each plaintiff to repeat his story, but neither varied +one jot from his original statement. He reflected for a moment, and then +said, "Leave the money with me, and return to-morrow." The butcher +placed the coins, which he had never let go, on the edge of the Cadi's +mantle. After which he and his opponent bowed to the tribunal, and +departed. + +It was now the turn of Bou-Akas and the cripple. "My lord Cadi," said +the former, "I came hither from a distant country, with the intention of +purchasing merchandise. At the city gate I met this cripple, who first +asked for alms, and then prayed me to allow him to ride behind me +through the streets, lest he should be trodden down in the crowd. I +consented, but when we reached the market-place, he refused to get down, +asserting that my horse belonged to him, and that your worship would +surely adjudge it to him, who wanted it most. That, my lord Cadi, is +precisely the state of the case--I swear it by Mahomet!" + +"My lord," said the cripple, "as I was coming on business to the market, +and riding this horse, which belongs to me, I saw this man seated by the +roadside, apparently half dead from fatigue. I good naturedly offered to +take him on the crupper, and let him ride as far as the market-place, +and he eagerly thanked me. But what was my astonishment, when, on our +arrival, he refused to get down, and said that my horse was his. I +immediately required him to appear before your worship, in order that +you might decide between us. That is the true state of the case--I swear +it by Mahomet!" + +Having made each repeat his deposition, and having reflected for a +moment, the Cadi said, "Leave the horse here, and return to-morrow." + +It was done, and Bou-Akas and the cripple withdrew in different +directions. On the morrow, a number of persons besides those immediately +interested in the trials assembled to hear the judge's decisions. The +_taleb_ and the peasant were called first. + +"Take away thy wife," said the Cadi to the former, "and keep her, I +advise thee, in good order." Then turning towards his _chinaux_, he +added, pointing to the peasant, "Give this man fifty blows." He was +instantly obeyed, and the _taleb_ carried off his wife. + +Then came forward the oil-merchant and the butcher. "Here," said the +Cadi to the butcher, "is thy money; it is truly thine, and not his." +Then pointing to the oil-merchant, he said to his _chinaux_, "Give this +man fifty blows." It was done, and the butcher went away in triumph with +his money. + +The third cause was called, and Bou-Akas and the cripple came forward. +"Would'st thou recognize thy horse amongst twenty others?" said the +judge to Bou-Akas. + +"Yes, my lord." + +"And thou?" + +"Certainly, my lord," replied the cripple. + +"Follow me," said the Cadi to Bou-Akas. + +They entered a large stable, and Bou-Akas pointed out his horse amongst +twenty which were standing side by side. + +"'Tis well," said the judge. "Return now to the tribunal, and send me +thine adversary hither." + +The disguised Scheik obeyed, delivered his message, and the cripple +hastened to the stable, as quickly as his distorted limbs allowed. He +possessed quick eyes and a good memory, so that he was able, without the +slightest hesitation, to place his hand on the right animal. + +"'Tis well," said the Cadi; "return to the tribunal." + +His worship resumed his place, and when the cripple arrived, judgment +was pronounced. "The horse is thine," said the Cadi to Bou-Akas. "Go to +the stable, and take him." Then to the _chinaux_, "Give this cripple +fifty blows." It was done; and Bou-Akas went to take his horse. + +When the Cadi, after concluding the business of the day, was retiring +to his house, he found Bou-Akas waiting for him. "Art thou discontented +with my award?" asked the judge. + +"No, quite the contrary," replied the Scheik. "But I want to ask by what +inspiration thou hast rendered justice; for I doubt not that the other +two cases were decided as equitably as mine. I am not a merchant; I am +Bou-Akas, Scheik of Ferdj' Onah, and I wanted to judge for myself of thy +reputed wisdom." + +The Cadi bowed to the ground, and kissed his master's hand. + +"I am anxious," said Bou-Akas, "to know the reasons which determined +your three decisions." + +"Nothing, my lord, can be more simple. Your highness saw that I detained +for a night the three things in dispute?" + +"I did." + +"Well, early in the morning I caused the woman to be called, and I said +to her suddenly--'Put fresh ink in my inkstand.' Like a person who had +done the same thing a hundred times before, she took the bottle, removed +the cotton, washed them both, put in the cotton again, and poured in +fresh ink, doing it all with the utmost neatness and dexterity. So I +said to myself, 'A peasant's wife would known nothing about +inkstands--she must belong to the _taleb_." + +"Good," said Bou-Akas, nodding his head. "And the money?" + +"Did your highness remark that the merchant had his clothes and hands +covered with oil?" + +"Certainly, I did." + +"Well; I took the money, and placed it in a vessel filled with water. +This morning I looked at it, and not a particle of oil was to be seen on +the surface of the water. So I said to myself, 'If this money belonged +to the oil-merchant it would be greasy from the touch of his hands; as +it is not so, the butcher's story must be true.'" + +Bou-Akas nodded in token of approval. + +"Good," said he. "And my horse?" + +"Ah! that was a different business; and, until this morning, I was +greatly puzzled." + +"The cripple, I suppose, did not recognize the animal?" + +"On the contrary, he pointed him out immediately." + +"How then did you discover that he was not the owner?" + +"My object in bringing you separately to the stable, was not to see +whether you would know the horse, but whether the horse would +acknowledge you. Now, when you approached him, the creature turned +towards you, laid back his ears, and neighed with delight; but when the +cripple touched him, he kicked. Then I knew that you were truly his +master." + +Bou-Akas thought for a moment, and then said: "Allah has given thee +great wisdom. Thou oughtest to be in my place, and I in thine. And yet, +I know not; thou art certainly worthy to be Scheik, but I fear that I +should but badly fill thy place as Cadi!" + + + + +From the Manchester Examiner. + +LOVE.--A SONNET. + +BY J. C. PRINCE. + + + Love is an odor from the heavenly bowers, + Which stirs our senses tenderly, and brings + Dreams which are shadows of diviner things + Beyond this grosser atmosphere of ours. + An oasis of verdure and of flowers, + Love smiteth on the Pilgrim's weary way; + There fresher air, there sweeter waters play, + There purer solace charms the quiet hours. + This glorious passion, unalloyed, endowers + With moral beauty all who feel its fire; + Maid, wife, and offspring, brother, mother, sire, + Are names and symbols of its hallowed powers. + Love is immortal. From our head may fly + Earth's other blessings; Love can never die! + + _Ashton, 5th March._ + + + + +From the Spectator. + +THE HISTORY OF SORCERY AND MAGIC.[I] + + +The rationale of magic, when a combination of skill and fraud imposed +upon the vulgar, is easily settled. The priests of the ancient +mythology, the adepts of the middle ages, turned their knowledge of +chemistry and mechanics and their proficiency in legerdemain to account; +and before we denounce the latter as impostors, we should bear in mind +the ignorance of the times in which they lived. People would not have +believed any natural explanation, though they might have felt inclined +to persecute the man when stripped of his magical character: we should +also consider how far the general belief might influence even the man +himself; how far he could in his inmost mind draw the distinction +between what we call natural philosophy and what the age considered +magic--a lawful if a riskful power over nature and spirits, by means of +occult knowledge. An allowance is further to be made for the stories as +they have come down to us; a distinction is to be drawn between the +actual facts and the fancy of the narrator, between the reality and the +romance of magic. + +Sorcery and witchcraft (to which, notwithstanding its title, Mr. +Wright's book chiefly relates) was a more vulgar pursuit, and is a more +difficult matter to determine. The true magician was a master over both +the seen and the unseen world. His art could _compel_ spirits or demons +to obey him, however much against their will. It seems a question +whether a spell of sufficient potency could not control Satan himself. +The witch or wizard was a vulgar being, a mere slave of the Evil One, +with no original power, very limited in derived power, and, it would +appear, with no means of acting directly except upon the elements. The +facts relating to witchcraft, being often matter of legal record, are +more numerous and more correctly narrated than those relating to magic. +The difficulty of fixing the exact boundary between truth and falsehood, +guilt and innocence, in the case of witchcraft, is not so easily settled +as the sciolist in liberal philosophy imagines. Of course we all know +that men and women could not travel through the air on broomsticks, or +cause storms, or afflict cattle. Their innocence of the intention is +not always so certain: their power over a nervous or weakly person, +especially in bad health, might really, through the influence of +imagination, produce the death threatened, and the miserable patient +might pine away as his real or supposed waxen image slowly melted before +the fire. At a time when the belief in witchcraft was entertained by +society in general, as well as by the majority of educated men, it is +not likely that the persons who were generally accused of it were +skeptical on the subject. Their innocence would lie, not in their +disbelief of its power, but in their rejection of the practice. That an +accusation of witchcraft was sometimes made from political, religious, +or personal motives, is true; and numbers of innocent victims were +sacrificed in times of public mania on the subject. The question is, +whether many did not attempt unlawful arts in full belief of their +efficacy; and whether some, a compound of the self-dupe and the +impostor, did not make use of their reputed power to indulge in the +grossest license and to perpetrate abominable crimes. + +The great difficulty, however, is the confessions. In many cases, no +doubt, the victims, worn down by terror and torture, said whatever their +examiners seemed to wish them to say; in other cases, their statements +were exaggerated by the reporters. Yet enough remains, after every +deduction, to render witches' confessions a very curious mental problem. +Was it vision, or monomania, or nervous delusion, all influenced by +foregone conclusion? or was it, as the mesmerists seem to hold, an +instance of clairvoyance in a high degree? The case of Gaufridi is of +this puzzling nature. Gaufridi was a French priest of licentious +character, who succeeded by the opportunities which his priestly +influence gave him, or by some pretended supernatural arts. His crimes +were discovered through the confession of one of his victims, a nun whom +he had abused before profession. After a time, she appeared to be +possessed; and, under treatment by a celebrated exorcist, (an inferior +hand having failed,) she, or the demon in possession, among other things +accused Gaufridi. _Her_ revelations may be resolved into an imposture +instigated by revenge, or a pious fraud caused by remorse, or hysterical +fits, with utterance shaped by memory; but what can be said of +Gaufridi's, made with a full knowledge of consequences? + + "The priests who conducted this affair seem almost to have lost + sight of Louis Gaufridi, in their anxiety to collect these + important evidences of the true faith. It was not till towards + the close of winter that the reputed wizard was again thought + of. A warrant was then obtained against him, and he was taken + into custody, and confined in the prison of the conciergerie at + Marseilles. On the fifth of March he was for the first time + confronted with sister Magdalen, but without producing the + result anticipated by his persecutors. Little information is + given as to the subsequent proceedings against him; but he + appears to have been treated with great severity, and to have + persevered in asserting his innocence. Sister Magdalen, or + rather the demon within her, gave information of certain marks + on his body which had been placed there by the Evil One; and on + search they were found exactly as described. It is not to be + wondered at, if, after the intercourse which had existed + between them, sister Magdalen were able to give such + information. Still Gaufridi continued unshaken, and he made no + confession; until at length, on Easter Eve, the twenty-sixth of + March, 1611, a full avowal of his guilt was drawn from him, we + are not told through what means, by two Capuchins of the + Convent of Aix, to which place he had been transferred for his + trial. At the beginning of April, another witness, the + Demoiselle Victoire de Courbier, came forward to depose that + she had been bewitched by the renegade priest, who had obtained + her love by his charms; and he made no objection to their + adding this new incident to his confession. + + "Gaufridi acknowledged the truth of all that had been said by + sister Magdalen or by her demon. He said that an uncle, who had + died many years ago, had left him his books, and that one day, + about five or six years before his arrest on this accusation, + he was looking them over, when he found amongst them a volume + of magic, in which were some writings in French verse, + accompanied with strange characters. His curiosity was excited, + and he began to read it; when, to his great astonishment and + consternation, the demon appeared in a human form, and said to + him, 'What do you desire of me, for it is you who have called + me?' Gaufridi was young, and easily tempted; and when he had + recovered from his surprise and was reassured by the manner and + conversation of his visitor, he replied to his offer, 'If you + have power to give me what I desire, I ask for two things: + first, that I shall prevail with all the women I like; + secondly, that I shall be esteemed and honored above all the + priests of this country, and enjoy the respect of men of wealth + and honor.' We may see, perhaps, through these wishes, the + reason why Gaufridi was persecuted by the rest of the clergy. + The demon promised to grant him his desires, on condition that + he would give up to him entirely his 'body, soul, and works;' + to which Gaufridi agreed, excepting only from the latter the + administration of the holy sacrament, to which he was bound by + his vocation as a priest of the church. + + "From this time Louis Gaufridi felt an extreme pleasure in + reading the magical book, and it always had the effect of + bringing the demon to attend upon him. At the end of two or + three days the agreement was arranged and completed, and, it + having been fairly written on parchment, the priest signed it + with his blood. The tempter then told him, that whenever he + breathed on maid or woman, provided his breath reached their + nostrils, they would immediately become desperately in love + with him. He soon made a trial of the demon's gift, and used it + so copiously that, he became in a short time a general object + of attraction to the women of the district. He said that he + often amused himself with exciting their passions when he had + no intention of requiting them, and he declared that he had + already made more than a thousand victims. + + "At length he took an extraordinary fancy to the young Magdalen + de la Palude; but he found her difficult of approach, on + account of the watchfulness of her mother, and he only overcame + the difficulty by breathing on the mother before he seduced the + daughter. He thus gained his purpose; took the girl to the cave + in the manner she had already described, and became so much + attached to her that he often repeated his charm on her, to + make her more devoted in her love. Three days after their first + visit to the cave, he gave her a familiar named Esmodes. + Finding her now perfectly devoted to his will, he determined to + marry her to Beelzebub, the prince of the demons; and she + readily agreed to his proposal. He immediately called the demon + prince, who appeared in the form of a handsome gentleman; and + she then renounced her baptism and Christianity, signed the + agreement with her blood, and received the demon's mark.... + + "The priest gave an account of the Sabbaths, at which he was a + regular attendant. When he was ready to go--it was usually at + night--he either went to the open window of his chamber, or + left the chamber, locking the door, and proceeded into the open + air. There Lucifer made his appearance, and took him in an + instant to their place of meeting, where the orgies of the + witches and sorcerers lasted usually from three to four hours. + Gaufridi divided the victims of the Evil One into three + classes: the masqués, (perhaps the novices,) the sorcerers, and + the magicians. On arriving at the meeting, they all worshipped + the demon according to their several ranks; the masqués falling + flat on their faces, the sorcerers kneeling with their heads + and bodies humbly bowed down, and the magicians, who stood + highest in importance, only kneeling. After this they all went + through the formality of denying God and the Saints. Then they + had a diabolical service in burlesque of that of the church, at + which the Evil One served as priest in a violet chasuble; the + elevation of the demon host was announced by a wooden bell, and + the sacrament itself was made of unleavened bread. The scenes + which followed resembled those of other witch-meetings. + Gaufridi acknowledged that he took Magdalen thither, and that + he made her swallow magical 'characters' that were to increase + her love to him; yet he proved unfaithful to her at these + Sabbaths with a multitude of persons, and among the rest with + 'a princess of Friesland.' The unhappy sorcerer confessed, + among other things, that his demon was his constant companion, + though generally invisible to all but himself; and that he only + left him when he entered the church of the Capuchins to perform + his religious duties, and then he waited for him outside the + church door. + + "Gaufridi was tried before the Court of Parliament of Provence + at Aix. His confession, the declaration of the demons, the + marks on his body, and other circumstances, left him no hope of + mercy. Judgment was given against him on the last day of April, + and the same day it was put in execution. He was burnt alive." + +_Narratives of Sorcery and Magic_ is a skilful and popular selection of +stories or narratives relating to the subject, not a philosophic +treatise. We are carried to France, Germany, England, Ireland, Scotland, +Spain, and America, by turns. We have the most remarkable trials for +witchcraft in these countries, as well as cases in which supernatural +agency was only an incidental part,--as that of the Earl and Countess of +Somerset, for the murder of Overbury. + +By way of showing that Mr. Wright is by no means an indifferent +story-teller, we may refer to the following legend: + + "The demons whom the sorcerer served seem rarely to have given + any assistance to their victims when the latter fell into the + hands of the judicial authorities; but if they escaped + punishment by the agency of the law, they were only reserved + for a more terrible end. We have already seen the fate of the + woman of Berkeley. A writer of the thirteenth century has + preserved a story of a man who, by his compact with the Evil + One, had collected together great riches. One day, while he was + absent in the fields, a stranger of suspicious appearance came + to his house and asked for him. His wife replied that he was + not at home. The stranger said, 'Tell him when he returns, that + to-night he must pay me my debt.' The wife replied that she was + not aware that he owed any thing to him. 'Tell, him,' said the + stranger, with a ferocious look, 'that I will have my debt + to-night.' The husband returned, and when informed of what had + taken place, merely remarked that the demand was just. He then + ordered his bed to be made that night in an outhouse, where he + had never slept before, and he shut himself in it with a + lighted candle. The family were astonished, and could not + resist the impulse to gratify their curiosity by looking + through the holes in the door. They beheld the same stranger, + who had entered without opening the door, seated beside his + victim, and they appeared to be counting large sums of money. + Soon they began to quarrel about their accounts, and were + proceeding from threats to blows, when the servants, who were + looking through the door, burst it open, that they might help + their master. The light was instantly extinguished; and when + another was brought, no traces could be found of either of the + disputants, nor were they ever afterwards heard of. The + suspicious-looking stranger was the demon himself, who had + carried away his victim." + +FOOTNOTES: + +[I] Narratives of Sorcery and Magic, from the most Authentic Sources. By +Thomas Wright, Esq., M.A., F.S.A., &c., &c. In two volumes. Published by +Bentley. + + + + +From the Examiner. + +HARTLEY COLERIDGE AND HIS GENIUS. + + +Hartley Coleridge was a poet whose life was so deplorable a +contradiction to the strength and subtlety of his genius, and the +capability and range of his intellect, that perhaps no such sad example +has ever found similar record.[J] Indeed we are obliged with sincere +grief to doubt, whether, as written here, the memoir should have been +written at all. With much respect for Mr. Derwent Coleridge, who is +himself no unworthy inheritor of a great name, his white neckcloth is +somewhat too prominently seen in the matter. There are too many labored +explainings, starched apologies, and painful accountings for this and +that. The writer was probably not conscious of the effort he was making, +yet the effort is but too manifest, A simple statement of facts, a +kindly allowance for circumstances, a mindful recollection of what his +father was in physical as well as mental organization, extracts from +Hartley's own letters, recollections of those among whom his latter life +was passed--this, as it seems to us, should have sufficed. Mr. Derwent +Coleridge brings too many church-bred and town-bred notions to the grave +design of moralizing and philosophizing his brother's simple life and +wayward self-indulgences. His motives will be respected, and his real +kindness not misunderstood; but it will be felt that a quiet and +unaffected little memoir of that strange and sorry career, and of those +noble nor wholly wasted powers, remains still to be written. + +Meanwhile we gratefully accept the volumes before us, which in their +contents are quite as decisive of Hartley Coleridge's genius as of what +it might have achieved in happier circumstances. A more beautiful or +more sorrowful book has not been published in our day. + + "Cut is the branch that might have grown full straight, + And burned is Apollo's laurel-bough, + That sometime grew within this learned man." + +Hartley Coleridge was the eldest son of the poet, and with much of his +father's genius (which in him, however, took a more simple and practical +shape than consisted with the wider and more mystical expanse of his +father's mind), inherited also the defects of his organization and +temperament. What would have become of the elder Coleridge but for the +friends in whose home his later years found a refuge, no one can say. +With no such friends or home, poor Hartley became a cast-away. After a +childhood of singular genius, manifested in many modes and forms, and +described with charming effect by his brother in the best passages and +anecdotes of the memoir, he was launched without due discipline or +preparation into the University of Oxford, where the catastrophe of his +life befell. He had first fairly shown his powers when the hard doom +went forth which condemned them to waste and idleness. He obtained a +fellowship-elect at Oriel, was dismissed on the ground of intemperance +before his probationary year had passed, and wandered for the rest of +his days by the scenes with which his father most wished to surround his +childhood-- + + ("But thou, my babe, shall wander like a breeze + By lakes and sandy shores, beneath the crags + Of ancient mountains, and beneath the clouds + Which image in their bulk both lakes and shores + And mountain crags") + +--listening with hardly less than his father's delight to the sounds and +voices of nature, in homely intimacy with all homely folk, uttering now +and then piercing words of wisdom or regret, teaching little children in +village schools, and----. + +Well, it would be perhaps too much to say that he continued to justify +the rejection of the Oriel fellows. Who knows how largely that event may +itself have contributed to what it too hastily anticipated and too +finally condemned? It appears certain that the weakness had not thus +early made itself known to Hartley's general acquaintance at the +University. Mr. Dyce had nothing painful to remember of him, but +describes him as a young man possessing an intellect of the highest +order, with great simplicity of character and considerable oddity of +manner; and he hints that the college authorities had probably resented, +in the step they took, certain attacks more declamatory than serious +which Hartley had got into the habit of indulging against all +established institutions. Mr. Derwent Coleridge touches this part of the +subject very daintily. "My brother was, however, _I am afraid_, more +sincere in his invectives against establishments, as they appeared to +his eyes at Oxford, and elsewhere, _than Mr. Dyce kindly supposes_." How +poor Hartley would have laughed at that! + +One thing to the last he continued. The simplicity of character which +Mr. Dyce attributes to his youth remained with him till long after his +hair was prematurely white. As Wordsworth hoped for him in his +childhood, he kept + + "A young lamb's heart among the full-grown flock;" + +--and some delightful recollections of his ordinary existence from day +to day among the lakes and mountains, and in the service of the village +schools, are contributed to his brother's Memoir. Here is one, from one +of the scholars he taught: + + "I first saw Hartley in the beginning, I think, of 1837, when I + was at Sedbergh, and he heard us our lesson in Mr. Green's + parlor. My impression of him was what I conceived Shakespeare's + idea of a gentleman to be, something which we like to have in a + picture. He was dressed in black, his hair, just touched with + gray, fell in thick waves down his back, and he had a frilled + shirt on; and there was a sort of autumnal ripeness and + brightness about him. His shrill voice, and his quick, + authoritative 'right! right!' and the chuckle with which he + translated 'rerum repetundarum' as 'peculation, a very common + vice in governors of all ages,' after which he took a turn + round the sofa--all struck me amazingly; his readiness + astonished us all, and even himself, as he afterwards told me; + for, during the time he was at the school, he never had to use + a dictionary once, though we read Dalzell's selections from + Aristotle and Longinus, and several plays of Sophocles. He took + his idea, so he said, from what De Quincy says of one of the + Eton masters fagging the lesson, to the great amusement of the + class, and, while waiting for the lesson, he used to read a + newspaper. While acting as second master he seldom occupied the + master's desk, but sat among the boys on one of the school + benches. He very seldom came to school in a morning, never till + about eleven, and in the afternoon about an hour after we had + begun. I never knew the least liberty taken with him, though he + was kinder and more familiar than was then the fashion with + masters. His translations were remarkably vivid; of [Greek: + mogera mogerôs] 'toiling and moiling;' and of some ship or + other in the Philoctetes, which he pronounced to be 'scudding + under main-top sails,' our conceptions became intelligible. + Many of his translations were written down with his initials, + and I saw some, not a long while ago, in the Sophocles of a + late Tutor at Queen's College, Oxford, who had them from + tradition. He gave most attention to our themes; out of those + sent in he selected two or three, which he then read aloud and + criticised; and once, when they happened to agree, remarked + there was always a coincidence of thought amongst great men. + Out of school he never mixed with the boys, but was sometimes + seen, to their astonishment, running along the fields with his + arms outstretched, and talking to himself. He had no pet + scholars except one, a little fair-haired boy, who he said + ought to have been a girl. He told me that was the only boy he + ever loved, though he always loved little girls. He was + remarkably fond of the travelling shows that occasionally + visited the village. I have seen him clap his hands with + delight; indeed, in most of the simple delights of country + life, he was like a child. This is what occurs to me at present + of what he was when I first knew him; and, indeed, my after + recollections are of a similarly fragmentary kind, consisting + only of those little, numerous, noiseless, every-day acts of + kindness, the sum of which makes a Christian life. His love of + little children, his sympathy with the poor and suffering, his + hatred of oppression, the beauty and the grace of his + politeness before women, and his high manliness,--these are the + features which I shall never forget while I have any thing to + remember." + +The same writer afterwards tells us: + + "On his way to one of these parties he called on me, and I + could not help saying, 'How well you look in a white + neckcloth!' 'I wish you could see me sometimes,' he replied; + 'if I had only black-silk stockings and shoe-buckles I should + be quite a gentleman.' Those who had only seen him in the + careless dress that he chose to adopt in the lanes--his + trowsers, which were generally too long, doubled half way up + the leg, unbrushed, and often splashed; his hat brushed the + wrong way, for he never used an umbrella; and his wild, + unshaven, weather-beaten look--were amazed at his metamorphose + into such a faultless gentleman as he appeared when he was + dressed for the evening. 'I hate silver forks with fish,' he + said; 'I can't manage them.' So did Dr. Arnold, I told him. + 'That's capital; I am glad of such an authority. Do you know I + never understood the gladiator's excellence till the other day. + The way in which my brother eats fish with a silver fork made + the thing quite clear.' + + "He often referred to his boyish days, when he told me he + nearly poisoned half the house with his chemical infusions, and + spoiled the pans, with great delight. The 'Pilgrim's Progress' + was an early favorite with him. 'It was strange,' he said, 'how + it had been overlooked. Children are often misunderstood. When + I was a baby I have often been in the greatest terror, when, to + all appearance, I was quite still;--so frightened that I could + not make a noise. Crying, I believe, is oftener a sign of + happiness than the reverse. I was looked upon as a remarkable + child. My mother told me, when I was born she thought me an + ugly red thing; but my father took me up and said, 'There's no + sweeter baby any where than this.' He always thought too much + of me. I was very dull at school, and hated arithmetic; I + always had to count on my fingers. + + "He once took me to the little cottage where he lived by the + Brathey, when Charles Lloyd and he were school-companions. Mrs. + Nicholson, of Ambleside, told me of a donkey-race which they + had from the market-cross to the end of the village and back, + and how Hartley came in last, and minus his white straw hat." + +Those who remember the ordinary (and most extraordinary) dress that hung +about his small eager person, will smile at this entry in his journal of +a visit to Rydal chapel, and the reflections awakened therein: + + "17th.--Sunday.--At Rydal chapel. Alas! I have been _Parcus + Deorum cultor et infrequens_ of late. Would I could say with + assurance, _Nunc interare cursus cogor relictos_. I never saw + Axiologus (Wordsworth) look so venerable. His cape cloak has + such a gravity about it. Old gentlemen should never wear light + great coats unless they be military; and even then Uncle Toby's + Roquelaure would be more becoming than all the frogs in Styx. + On the other hand, loose trowsers should never invest the + nether limbs of led. It looks as if the Septuagenarian were + ashamed of a diminished calf. The sable silk is good and + clerical, so are the gray pearl and the partridge. I revere + gray worsted and ridge and furrow for [Greek: Omak rites] his + sake, but perhaps the bright white lamb's wool doth most set + off the leg of an elderly man. The hose should be drawn over + the knees, unless the rank and fortune require diamond buckles. + Paste or Bristol stones should never approach a gentleman of + any age. Roomy shoes, not of varnished leather. Broad + shoe-buckles, well polished. Cleanliness is an ornament to + youth, but an indispensable necessity to old age. Breeches, + velvet or velveteen, or some other solid stuff. There may be + serious objections to reviving the trunk breeches of our + ancestors. I am afraid that hoops would follow in their train. + But the flapped waistcoat, the deep cuffs, and guarded + pocket-holes, the low collar, I should hail with pleasure; that + is, for grandfathers and men of grandfatherly years. I was + about to add the point-lace ruffles, cravat, and frill, but I + pause in consideration of the miseries and degraded state of + the lace makers." + +Occasional passages in his letters are very beautiful, and very sad. +Here is one--adverting to some attack made upon him: + + "'This jargon,' said my orthodox reviewer, 'might be excused in + an alderman of London, but not in a Fellow elect of Oriel,' or + something to the same purpose, evidently designing to recall to + memory the most painful passage of a life not over happy. But + perhaps it is as well to let it alone. The writer might be some + one in whom my kindred are interested; for I am as much alone + in my revolt as Abdiel in his constancy." + +We are glad to see valuable testimony borne by Mr. James Spedding as to +his habits having left unimpaired his moral and spiritual sensibility: + + "Of his general character and way of life I might have been + able to say something to the purpose, if I had seen more of + him. But though he was a person so interesting to me in + himself, and with so many subjects of interest in common with + me, that a little intercourse went a great way; so that I feel + as if I knew him much better than many persons of whom I have + seen much more; yet I have in fact been very seldom in his + company. If I should say ten times altogether, I should not be + understating the number; and this is not enough to qualify me + for a reporter, when there must be so many competent observers + living, who really knew him well. One very strong impression, + however, with which I always came away from him, may be worth + mentioning; I mean, that his moral and spiritual sensibilities + seemed to be absolutely untouched by the life he was leading. + The error of his life sprung, I suppose, from moral incapacity + of some kind--his way of life seemed in some things destructive + of self-respect; and was certainly regarded by himself with a + feeling of shame, which in his seasons of self-communion became + passionate; and yet it did not at all degrade his mind. It + left, not his understanding only, but also his imagination and + feelings, perfectly healthy,--free, fresh, and pure. His + language might be sometimes what some people would call gross, + but that I think was not from any want of true delicacy, but + from a masculine disdain of false delicacy; and his opinions, + and judgment, and speculations, were in the highest degree + refined and elevated--full of chivalrous generosity, and + purity, and manly tenderness. Such, at least, was my invariable + impression. It always surprised me, but fresh observations + always confirmed it." + +When Wordsworth heard of his death, he was much affected, and gave the +touching direction to his brother:--"Let him lie by us: he would have +wished it." It was accordingly so arranged. + + "The day following he walked over with me to Grasmere--to the + churchyard, a plain enclosure of the olden time, surrounding + the old village church, in which lay the remains of his wife's + sister, his nephew, and his beloved daughter. Here, having + desired the sexton to measure out the ground for his own and + for Mrs. Wordsworth's grave, he bade him measure out the space + of a third grave for my brother, immediately beyond. + + "'When I lifted up my eyes from my daughter's grave,' he + exclaimed, 'he was standing there!' pointing to the spot where + my brother had stood on the sorrowful occasion to which he + alluded. Then turning to the sexton, he said, 'Keep the ground + for us,--we are old people, and it cannot be for long.'" + + "In the grave thus marked out, my brother's remains were laid + on the following Thursday, and in little more than a + twelvemonth his venerable and venerated friend was brought to + occupy his own. They lie in the south-east angle of the + churchyard, not far from a group of trees, with the little + beck, that feeds the lake with its clear waters, murmuring by + their side. Around them are the quiet mountains." + +We have often expressed a high opinion of Hartley Coleridge's poetical +genius. It was a part of the sadness of his life that he could not +concentrate his powers, in this or any other department of his +intellect, to high and continuous aims--but we were not prepared for +such rich proof of its exercise, within the limited field assigned to +it, as these volumes offer. They largely and lastingly contribute to the +rare stores of true poetry. In the sonnet Hartley Coleridge was a master +unsurpassed by the greatest. To its "narrow plot of ground" his habits, +when applied in the cultivation of the muse, most naturally led him--and +here he may claim no undeserved companionship even with Shakespeare, +Milton, and Wordsworth. We take a few--with affecting personal reference +in all of them. + + Hast thou not seen an aged rifted tower, + Meet habitation for the Ghost of Time, + Where fearful ravage makes decay sublime, + And destitution wears the face of power? + Yet is the fabric deck'd with many a flower + Of fragrance wild, and many-dappled hues, + Gold streak'd with iron-brown and nodding blue, + Making each ruinous chink a fairy bower. + E'en such a thing methinks I fain would be, + Should Heaven appoint me to a lengthen'd age; + So old in look, that Young and Old may see + The record of my closing pilgrimage: + Yet, to the last, a rugged wrinkled thing + To which young sweetness may delight to cling! + + Pains I have known, that cannot be again, + And pleasures too that never can be more: + For loss of pleasure I was never sore, + But worse, far worse is to feel no pain. + The throes and agonies of a heart explain + Its very depth of want at inmost core; + Prove that it does believe, and would adore, + And doth with ill for ever strive and strain. + I not lament for happy childish years, + For loves departed, that have had their day, + Or hopes that faded when my head was gray; + For death hath left me last of my compeers: + But for the pain I felt, the gushing tears + I used to shed when I had gone astray. + + A lonely wanderer upon the earth am I, + The waif of nature--like uprooted weed + Borne by the stream, or like a shaken reed, + A frail dependent of the fickle sky. + Far, far away, are all my natural kin; + The mother that erewhile hath hush'd my cry, + Almost hath grown a mere fond memory. + Where is my sister's smile? my brother's boisterous din? + Ah! nowhere now. A matron grave and sage, + A holy mother is that sister sweet. + And that bold brother is a pastor meet + To guide, instruct, reprove a sinful age, + Almost I fear, and yet I fain would greet; + So far astray hath been my pilgrimage. + + How shall a man fore-doom'd to lone estate, + Untimely old, irreverently gray, + Much like a patch of dusky snow in May, + Dead sleeping in a hollow--all too late-- + How shall so poor a thing congratulate + The blest completion of a patient wooing, + Or how commend a younger man for doing + What ne'er to do hath been his fault or fate? + There is a fable, that I once did read. + Of a bad angel that was someway good, + And therefore on the brink of Heaven he stood, + Looking each way, and no way could proceed; + Till at the last he purged away his sin + By loving all the joy he saw within. + +Here is another poem of very touching reference to his personal story: + + "When I received this volume small, + My years were barely seventeen; + When it was hoped I should be all + Which once, alas! I might have been. + + "And now my years are thirty-five, + And every mother hopes her lamb, + And every happy child alive, + May never be what now I am. + + "But yet should any chance to look + On the strange medley scribbled here. + I charge thee, tell them, little book, + I am not vile as I appear. + + "Oh! tell them though thy purpose lame + In fortune's race, was still behind,-- + Though earthly blots my name defiled, + They ne'er abused my better mind. + + "Of what men are, and why they are + So weak, so wofully beguiled, + Much I have learned, but better far, + I know my soul is reconciled." + +Before we shut the volumes--which will often and often be re-opened by +their readers--we may instance, in proof of the variety of his verse, +some masterly heroic couplets on the character of Dryden, which will be +seen in a series of admirable "sketches of English poets" found written +on the fly-leaves and covers of his copy of _Anderson's British Poets_. +The successors of Dryden are not less admirably handled, and there are +some sketches of Wilkie, Dodsley, Langhorne, and rhymers of that class, +inimitable for their truth and spirit. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[J] Poems by Hartley Coleridge. With a Memoir of his Life. By his +Brother. Two vols. Moxon. + + + + +From the Cincinnati Commercial Advertiser. + +LYRA.--A LAMENT. + +BY ALICE CAREY. + + + Maidens, whose tresses shine, + Crowned with daffodil and eglantine, + Or, from their stringed buds of brier-roses, + Bright as the vermeil closes + Of April twilights, after sobbing rains, + Fall down in rippled skeins + And golden tangles, low + About your bosoms, dainty as new snow; + While the warm shadows blow in softest gales + Fair hawthorn flowers and cherry blossoms white + Against your kirtles, like the froth from pails + O'er brimmed with milk at night, + When lowing heifers bury their sleek flanks + In winrows of sweet hay, or clover banks-- + Come near and hear, I pray, + My plained roundelay: + Where creeping vines o'errun the sunny leas, + Sadly, sweet souls, I watch your shining bands + Filling with stained hands + Your leafy cups with lush red strawberries; + Or deep in murmurous glooms, + In yellow mosses full of starry blooms, + Sunken at ease--each busied as she likes, + Or stripping from the grass the beaded dews, + Or picking jagged leaves from the slim spikes + Of tender pinks--with warbled interfuse + Of poesy divine, + That haply long ago + Some wretched borderer of the realm of wo + Wrought to a dulcet line: + If in your lovely years + There be a sorrow that may touch with tears + The eyelids piteously, they must be shed + FOR LYRA, DEAD. + The mantle of the May + Was blown almost within summer's reach, + And all the orchard trees, + Apple, and pear, and peach, + Were full of yellow bees, + Flown from their hives away. + The callow dove upon the dusty beam + Fluttered its little wings in streaks of light, + And the gray swallow twittered full in sight-- + Harmless the unyoked team + Browsed from the budding elms, and thrilling lays + Made musical prophecies of brighter days; + And all went jocundly; I could but say. + Ah! well-a-day! + What time spring thaws the wold, + And in the dead leaves come up sprouts of gold, + And green and ribby blue, that after hours + Encrown with flowers; + Heavily lies my heart + From all delights apart, + Even as an echo hungry for the wind, + When fail the silver-kissing waves to unbind + The music bedded in the drowsy strings + Of the sea's golden shells-- + That, sometimes, with their honeyed murmurings + Fill all its underswells: + For o'er the sunshine fell a shadow wide + When Lyra died. + When sober Autumn, with his mist-bound brows, + Sits drearily beneath the fading boughs, + And the rain, chilly cold, + Wrings from his beard of gold, + And as some comfort for his lonesome hours, + Hides in his bosom stalks of withered flowers, + I think about what leaves are drooping round + A smoothly shapen mound; + And if the wild wind cries + Where Lyra lies, + Sweet shepherds, softly blow + Ditties most sad and low-- + Piping on hollow reeds to your pent sheep-- + Calm be my Lyra's sleep. + Unvexed with dream of the rough briers that pull + From his strayed lambs the wool! + O, star, that tremblest dim + Upon the welkin's rim, + Send with thy milky shadows from above + Tidings about my love; + If that some envious wave + Made his untimely grave, + Or if, so softening half my wild regrets, + Some coverlid of bluest violets + Was softly put aside, + What time he died! + Nay, come not, piteous maids, + Out of the murmurous shades; + But keep your tresses crowned as you may + With eglantine and daffodillies gay, + And with the dews of myrtles wash your cheek, + When flamy streaks, + Uprunning the gray orient, tell of morn-- + While I, forlorn, + Pour all my heart in tears and plaints, instead, + FOR LYRA, DEAD. + + + + +From Fraser's Magazine. + +MY NOVEL: + +OR, VARIETIES IN ENGLISH LIFE. + +BY PISISTRATUS CAXTON. + +_Continued from page 126._ + + +PART VIII.--CHAPTER XIII. + +Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. +Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his +diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- + +"I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your +heart--yes--you must pardon me--it is my vocation to speak stern truths. +You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now +invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of +exercising a discretion to act as I judged best, for the child's +interests, on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding +that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing +for him when he came into manhood." + +"I say I will provide for him. I say that you may 'prentice him in any +distant town, and by-and-by we will stock a shop for him. What would you +have more, sir, from folks like us, who have kept shop ourselves? It +ain't reasonable what you ask, sir!" + +"My dear friend," said the Parson, "what I ask of you at present is but +to see him--to receive him kindly--to listen to his conversation--to +judge for yourselves. We can have but a common object--that your +grandson should succeed in life, and do you credit. Now, I doubt very +much whether we can effect this by making him a small shopkeeper." + +"And has Jane Fairfield, who married a common carpenter, brought him up +to despise small shopkeepers?" exclaimed Mrs. Avenel, angrily. + +"Heaven forbid! Some of the first men in England have been the sons of +small shopkeepers. But is it a crime in them, or their parents, if their +talents have lifted them into such rank or renown as the haughtiest duke +might envy? England were not England if a man must rest where his father +began." + +"Good!" said, or rather grunted, an approving voice, but neither Mrs. +Avenel nor the Parson heard it. + +"All very fine," said Mrs. Avenel, bluntly. "But to send a boy like that +to the university--where's the money to come from?" + +"My dear Mrs. Avenel," said the Parson, coaxingly, "the cost need not be +great at a small college at Cambridge; and if you will pay half the +expense, I will pay the other half. I have no children of my own, and +can afford it." + +"That's very handsome in you, sir," said Mrs. Avenel, somewhat touched, +yet still not graciously, "But the money is not the only point." + +"Once at Cambridge," continued Mr. Dale, speaking rapidly, "at +Cambridge, where the studies are mathematical--that is, of a nature for +which he has shown so great an aptitude--and I have no doubt he will +distinguish himself; if he does, he will obtain, on leaving, what is +called a fellowship--that is a collegiate dignity accompanied by an +income on which he could maintain himself until he made his way in life. +Come, Mrs. Avenel, you are well off; you have no relations nearer to you +in want of your aid. Your son, I hear, has been very fortunate." + +"Sir," said Mrs. Avenel, interrupting the Parson, "it is not because my +son Richard is an honor to us, and is a good son, and has made his +fortin, that we are to rob him of what we have to leave, and give it to +a boy whom we know nothing about, and who, in spite of what you say, +can't bring upon us any credit at all." + +"Why? I don't see that." + +"Why?" exclaimed Mrs. Avenel, fiercely--"why? you know why. No, I don't +want him to rise in life; I don't want folks to be speiring and asking +about him. I think it is a very wicked thing to have put fine notions in +his head, and I am sure my daughter Fairfield could not have done it +herself. And now, to ask me to rob Richard, and bring out a great +boy--who's been a gardener, or ploughman, or such like--to disgrace a +gentleman who keeps his carriage, as my son Richard does--I would have +you to know, sir, no! I won't do it, and there's an end to the matter." + +During the last two or three minutes, and just before that approving +"good" had responded to the Parson's popular sentiment, a door +communicating with an inner room had been gently opened, and stood ajar; +but this incident neither party had even noticed. But now the door was +thrown boldly open, and the traveller whom the Parson had met at the inn +walked up to Mr. Dale, and said, "No! that's not the end of the matter. +You say the boy's a cute, clever lad?" + +"Richard, have you been listening?" exclaimed Mrs. Avenel. + +"Well, I guess, yes--the last few minutes." + +"And what have you heard?" + +"Why, that this reverend gentleman thinks so highly of my sister +Fairfield's boy that he offers to pay half of his keep at college. Sir, +I'm very much obliged to you, and there's my hand, if you'll take it." + +The Parson jumped up, overjoyed, and, with a triumphant glance towards +Mrs. Avenel, shook hands heartily with Mr. Richard. + +"Now," said the latter, "just put on your hat, sir, and take a stroll +with me, and we'll discuss the thing business-like. Women don't +understand business; never talk to women on business." + +With these words, Mr. Richard drew out a cigar-case, selected a cigar, +which he applied to the candle, and walked into the hall. + +Mrs. Avenel caught hold of the Parson. "Sir, you'll be on your guard +with Richard. Remember your promise." + +"He does not know all, then?" + +"He? No! And you see he did not overhear more than what he says. I'm +sure you're a gentleman, and won't go agin your word." + +"My word was conditional; but I will promise you never to break the +silence without more reason than I think there is here for it. Indeed, +Mr. Richard Avenel seems to save all necessity for that." + +"Are you coming, sir?" cried Richard, as he opened the street door. + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +The Parson joined Mr. Richard Avenel on the road. It was a fine night, +and the moon clear and shining. + +"So, then," said Mr. Richard, thoughtfully, "poor Jane, who was always +the drudge of the family, has contrived to bring up her son well; and +the boy is really what you say, eh?--could make a figure at college?" + +"I am sure of it," said the Parson, hooking himself on to the arm which +Mr Avenel proffered. + +"I should like to see him," said Richard. "Has he any manner? Is he +genteel, or a mere country lout?" + +"Indeed, he speaks with so much propriety, and has so much modest +dignity, I might say, about him, that there's many a rich gentleman who +would be proud of such a son." + +"It is odd," observed Richard, "what difference there is in families. +There's Jane now--who can't read nor write, and was just fit to be a +workman's wife--had not a thought above her station; and when I think of +my poor sister Nora--you would not believe it, sir, but _she_ was the +most elegant creature in the world--yes, even as a child, (she was but a +child when I went off to America.) And often, as I was getting on in +life, often I used to say to myself, 'My little Nora shall be a lady +after all. Poor thing--but she died young.'" + +Richard's voice grew husky. + +The Parson kindly pressed the arm on which he leaned, and said, after a +pause-- + +"Nothing refines us like education, sir. I believe your sister Nora had +received much instruction, and had the talents to profit by it. It is +the same with your nephew." + +"I'll see him," said Richard, stamping his foot firmly on the ground, +"and if I like him, I'll be as good as a father to him. Look you, +Mr.--what's your name, sir?" + +"Dale." + +"Mr. Dale, look you, I'm a single man. Perhaps I may marry some day; +perhaps I shan't. I'm not going to throw myself away. If I can get a +lady of quality, why--but that's neither here nor there; meanwhile, I +should be glad of a nephew whom I need not be ashamed of. You see, sir, +I'm a new man, the builder of my own fortunes; and, though I have picked +up a little education--I don't well know how--as I scrambled on, still, +now I come back to the old country, I'm well aware that I am not exactly +a match for those d----d aristocrats--don't show so well in a +drawing-room as I could wish. I could be a Parliament man if I liked, +but I might make a goose of myself; so, all things considered, if I can +get a sort of junior partner to do the polite work, and show off the +goods, I think the house of Avenel & Co. might become a pretty +considerable honor to the Britishers. You understand me, sir?" + +"Oh, very well," answered Mr. Dale, smiling, though rather gravely. + +"Now," continued the New Man, "I'm not ashamed to have risen in life by +my own merits; and I don't disguise what I've been. And, when I'm in my +own grand house, I'm fond of saying, 'I landed at New-York with ten +pounds in my purse, and here I am!' But it would not do to have the old +folks with me. People take you with all your faults, if you're rich, but +they won't swallow your family into the bargain. So, if I don't have my +own father and mother, whom I love dearly, and should like to see +sitting at table, with my servants behind their chairs, I could still +less have sister Jane. I recollect her very well, and she can't have got +genteeler as she's grown older. Therefore I beg you'll not set her on +coming after me; it won't do by any manner of means. Don't say a word +about me to her. But send the boy down here to his grandfather, and I'll +see him quietly, you understand." + +"Yes, but it will be hard to separate her from the boy." + +"Stuff! all boys are separated from their parents when they go into the +world. So that's settled. Now, just tell me. I know the old folks always +snubbed Jane--that is, mother did. My poor dear father never snubbed any +of us. Perhaps mother has not behaved altogether well to Jane. But we +must not blame her for that; you see this is how it happened. There were +a good many of us, while father and mother kept shop in the High Street, +so we were all to be provided for, anyhow; and Jane, being very useful +and handy at work, got a place when she was a little girl, and had no +time for learning. Afterwards my father made a lucky hit, in getting my +Lord Lansmere's custom after an election, in which he did a great deal +for the Blues, (for he was a famous electioneerer, my poor father.) My +Lady stood godmother to Nora; and then most of my brothers and sisters +died off, and father retired from business; and when he took Jane from +service, she was so common-like that mother could not help contrasting +her with Nora. You see Jane was their child when they were poor little +shop people, with their heads scarce above water; and Nora was their +child when they were well off, and had retired from trade, and lived +genteel: so that makes a great difference. And mother did not quite look +on her as on her own child. But it was Jane's own fault; for mother +would have made it up with her if she had married the son of our +neighbor the great linen-draper, as she might have done; but she would +take Mark Fairfield, a common carpenter. Parents like best those of +their children who succeed best in life. Natural. Why, they did not care +for me until I came back the man I am. But to return to Jane: I'm afraid +they've neglected her. How is she off?" + +"She earns her livelihood, and is poor, but contented." + +"Ah, just be good enough to give her this," and Richard took a bank-note +of fifty pounds from his pocket-book. "You can say the old folks sent it +to her; or that it is a present from Dick, without telling her he had +come back from America." + +"My dear sir," said the Parson, "I am more and more thankful to have +made your acquaintance. This is a very liberal gift of yours; but your +best plan will be to send it through your mother. For, though I don't +want to betray any confidence you place in me, I should not know what to +answer if Mrs. Fairfield began to question me about her brother. I never +had but one secret to keep, and I hope I shall never have another. A +secret is very like a lie!" + +"You had a secret, then," said Richard, as he took back the bank-note. +He had learned, perhaps, in America, to be a very inquisitive man. He +added point-blank, "Pray what was it?" + +"Why, what it would not be if I told you," said the Parson, with a +forced laugh,--"a secret!" + +"Well, I guess we're in a land of liberty. Do as you like. Now, I +daresay you think me a very odd fellow to come out of my shell to you in +this off-hand way. But I liked the look of you, even when we were at the +inn together. And just now I was uncommonly pleased to find that, though +you are a parson, you don't want to keep a man's nose down to a +shop-board, if he has any thing in him. You're not one of the +aristocrats--" + +"Indeed," said the Parson with imprudent warmth, "it is not the +character of the aristocracy of this country to keep people down. They +make way amongst themselves for any man, whatever his birth, who has the +talent and energy to aspire to their level. That's the especial boast of +the British constitution, sir!" + +"Oh, you think so do you!" said Mr. Richard, looking sourly at the +Parson. "I daresay those are the opinions in which you have brought up +the lad. Just keep him yourself, and let the aristocracy provide for +him!" + +The parson's generous and patriotic warmth evaporated at once, at this +sudden inlet of cold air into the conversation. He perceived that he had +made a terrible blunder; and, as it was not his business at that moment +to vindicate the British constitution, but to serve Leonard Fairfield, +he abandoned the cause of the aristocracy with the most poltroon and +scandalous abruptness. Catching at the arm which Mr. Avenel had +withdrawn from him, he exclaimed: + +"Indeed, sir, you are mistaken; I have never attempted to influence your +nephew's political opinions. On the contrary, if, at his age, he can be +said to have formed any opinion, I am greatly afraid--that is, I think +his opinions are by no means sound--that is constitutional. I mean, I +mean--" And the poor Parson, anxious to select a word that would not +offend his listener, stopped short in lamentable confusion of idea. + +Mr. Avenel enjoyed his distress for a moment, with a saturnine smile, +and then said: + +"Well, I calculate he's a Radical. Natural enough, if he has not got a +sixpence to lose--all come right by-and-by. I'm not a Radical--at least +not a destructive--much too clever a man for that, I hope. But I wish to +see things very different from what they are. Don't fancy that I want +the common people, who've got nothing, to pretend to dictate to their +betters, because I hate to see a parcel of fellows, who are called lords +and squires, trying to rule the roast. I think, sir, that it is men like +me who ought to be at the top of the tree! and that's the long and short +of it. What do you say?" + +"I've not the least objection," said the crestfallen Parson basely. But, +to do him justice, I must add that he did not the least know what he was +saying! + + +CHAPTER XV. + +Unconscious of the change in his fate which the diplomacy of the Parson +sought to effect, Leonard Fairfield was enjoying the first virgin +sweetness of fame; for the principal town in his neighborhood had +followed the then growing fashion of the age, and set up a Mechanic's +Institute; and some worthy persons interested in the formation of that +provincial Athenæum had offered a prize for the best Essay on the +Diffusion of Knowledge,--a very trite subject, on which persons seem to +think they can never say too much, and on which there is, nevertheless, +a great deal yet to be said. This prize Leonard Fairfield had recently +won. His Essay had been publicly complimented by a full meeting of the +Institute; it had been printed at the expense of the Society, and had +been rewarded by a silver medal--delineative of Apollo crowning Merit, +(poor Merit had not a rag to his back; but Merit, left only to the care +of Apollo, never is too good a customer to the tailor!) And the County +Gazette had declared that Britain had produced another prodigy in the +person of Dr. Riccabocca's self-educated gardener. + +Attention was now directed to Leonard's mechanical contrivances. The +Squire, ever eagerly bent on improvements, had brought an engineer to +inspect the lad's system of irrigation, and the engineer had been +greatly struck by the simple means by which a very considerable +technical difficulty had been overcome. The neighboring farmers now +called Leonard "_Mr._ Fairfield," and invited him on equal terms, to +their houses. Mr. Stirn had met him on the high road, touched his hat, +and hoped that "he bore no malice." All this, I say, was the first +sweetness of fame; and if Leonard Fairfield comes to be a great man, he +will never find such sweets in the after fruit. It was this success +which had determined the Parson on the step which he had just taken, and +which he had long before anxiously meditated. For, during the last year +or so, he had renewed his old intimacy with the widow and the boy; and +he had noticed, with great hope and great fear, the rapid growth of an +intellect, which now stood out from the lowly circumstances that +surrounded it in bold and unharmonizing relief. + +It was the evening after his return home that the Parson strolled up to +the Casino. He put Leonard Fairfield's Prize Essay in his pocket. For he +felt that he could not let the young man go forth into the world without +a preparatory lecture, and he intended to scourge poor Merit with the +very laurel wreath which it had received from Apollo. But in this he +wanted Riccabocca's assistance; or rather he feared that, if he did not +get the Philosopher on his side, the Philosopher might undo all the work +of the Parson. + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +A sweet sound came through the orange boughs, and floated to the ears of +the Parson, as he wound slowly up the gentle ascent--so sweet, so +silvery, he paused in delight--unaware, wretched man! that he was +thereby conniving at Papistical errors. Soft it came, and sweet: softer +and sweeter--"Ave Maria!" Violante was chanting the evening hymn to the +Virgin Mother. The Parson at last distinguished the sense of the words, +and shook his head with the pious shake of an orthodox Protestant. He +broke from the spell resolutely, and walked on with a sturdy step. +Gaining the terrace he found the little family seated under an awning. +Mrs. Riccabocca knitting; the Signor with his arms folded on his breast: +the book he had been reading a few moments before had fallen on the +ground, and his dark eyes were soft and dreamy. Violante had finished +her hymn, and seated herself on the ground between the two, pillowing +her head on her step-mother's lap, but with her hand resting on her +father's knee, and her gaze fixed fondly on his face. + +"Good evening," said Mr. Dale. Violante stole up to him, and, pulling +him so as to bring his ear nearer to her lip, whispered,--"Talk to papa, +do--and cheerfully; he is sad." + +She escaped from him, as she said this, and appeared to busy herself +with watering the flowers arranged on stands round the awning. But she +kept her swimming lustrous eyes wistfully on her father. + +"How fares it with you, my dear friend?" said the Parson kindly, as he +rested his hand on the Italian's shoulder. "You must not let him get out +of spirits, Mrs. Riccabocca." + +"I am very ungrateful to her if I ever am so," said the poor Italian, +with all his natural gallantry. Many a good wife, who thinks it is a +reproach to her if her husband is ever 'out of spirits,' might have +turned peevishly from that speech more elegant than sincere, and so have +made bad worse. But Mrs. Riccabocca took her husband's proffered hand +affectionately, and said with great _naïveté_: + +"You see I am so stupid, Mr. Dale; I never knew I was so stupid till I +married. But I am very glad you are come. You can get on some learned +subject together, and then he will not miss so much his--" + +"His what?" asked Riccabocca, inquisitively. + +"His country. Do you think that I cannot sometimes read your thoughts?" + +"Very often. But you did not read them just then. The tongue touches +where the tooth aches, but the best dentist cannot guess at the tooth +unless one opens one's mouth. _Basta!_ Can we offer you some wine of our +own making, Mr. Dale?--it is pure." + +"I'd rather have some tea," quoth the Parson hastily. + +Mrs. Riccabocca, too pleased to be in her natural element of domestic +use, hurried into the house to prepare our national beverage. And the +Parson, sliding into her chair, said-- + +"But you are dejected, then? Fie! If there's a virtue in the world at +which we should always aim, it is cheerfulness." + +"I don't dispute it," said Riccabocca, with a heavy sigh. "But though it +is said by some Greek, who, I think, is quoted by your favorite Seneca, +that a wise man carries his country with him at the soles of his feet, +he can't carry also the sunshine." + +"I tell you what it is," said the Parson bluntly, "you would have a much +keener sense of happiness if you had much less esteem for philosophy." + +"_Cospetto!_" said the Doctor, rousing himself. "Just explain, will +you?" + +"Does not the search after wisdom induce desires not satisfied in this +small circle to which your life is confined? It is not so much your +country for which you yearn, as it is for space to your intellect, +employment for your thoughts, career for your aspirations." + +"You have guessed at the tooth which aches," said Riccabocca with +admiration. + +"Easy to do that," answered the Parson. "Our wisdom teeth come last, and +give us the most pain. And if you would just starve the mind a little, +and nourish the heart more, you would be less of a philosopher, and more +of a--" The Parson had the word "Christian" at the tip of his tongue: he +suppressed a word that, so spoken, would have been exceedingly +irritating, and substituted, with inelegant antithesis, "and more of a +happy man!" + +"I do all I can with my heart," quoth the Doctor. + +"Not you! For a man with such a heart as yours should never feel the +want of the sunshine. My friend, we live in an age of over mental +cultivation. We neglect too much the simple healthful outer life, in +which there is so much positive joy. In turning to the world within us, +we grow blind to this beautiful world without; in studying ourselves as +men, we almost forget to look up to heaven, and warm to the smile of +God." + +The philosopher mechanically shrugged his shoulders, as he always did +when another man moralised--especially if the moraliser were a priest; +but there was no irony in his smile, as he answered thoughtfully-- + +"There is some truth in what you say. I own that we live too much as if +we were all brain. Knowledge has its penalties and pains, as well as its +prizes." + +"That is just what I want you to say to Leonard." + +"How have you settled the object of your journey?" + +"I will tell you as we walk down to him after tea. At present, I am +rather too much occupied with you." + +"Me? The tree is formed--try only to bend the young twig!" + +"Trees are trees, and twigs twigs," said the Parson dogmatically; "but +man is always growing till he falls into the grave. I think I have heard +you say that you once had a narrow escape of a prison?" + +"Very narrow." + +"Just suppose that you were now in that prison, and that a fairy +conjured up the prospect of this quiet home in a safe land; that you saw +the orange trees in flower, felt the evening breeze on your cheek; +beheld your child gay or sad, as you smiled or knit your brow; that +within this phantom home was a woman, not, indeed, all your young +romance might have dreamed of, but faithful and true, every beat of her +heart all your own--would you not cry from the depth of the dungeon, "O +fairy! such a change were a paradise." Ungrateful man! you want +interchange for your mind, and your heart should suffice for all!" + +Riccabocca was touched and silent. + +"Come hither, my child," said Mr. Dale, turning round to Violante, who +still stood among the flowers, out of hearing, but with watchful eyes. +"Come hither," he said, opening big arms. + +Violante bounded forward, and nestled to the good man's heart. + +"Tell me, Violante, when you are alone in the fields or the garden, and +have left your father looking pleased and serene, so that you have no +care for him at your heart,--tell me, Violante, though you are all +alone, with the flowers below and the birds singing overhead, do you +feel that life itself is happiness or sorrow?" + +"Happiness!" answered Violante, half shutting her eyes, and in a +measured voice. + +"Can you explain what kind of happiness it is?" + +"Oh no, impossible! and it is never the same. Sometimes it is so +still--so still--and sometimes so joyous, that I long for wings to fly +up to God, and thank him!" + +"O friend," said the Parson, "this is the true sympathy between life and +nature, and thus we should feel ever, did we take more care to preserve +the health and innocence of a child. We are told that we must become as +children to enter into the kingdom of heaven; methinks we should also +become as children to know what delight there is in our heritage of +earth!" + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +The maid servant (for Jackeymo was in the fields) brought the table +under the awning, and, with the English luxury of tea, there were other +drinks as cheap and as grateful on summer evenings--drinks which +Jackeymo had retained and taught from the customs of the +south--unebriate liquors, pressed from cooling fruits, sweetened with +honey, and deliciously iced; ice should cost nothing in a country in +which one is frozen up half the year! And Jackeymo, too, had added to +our good, solid, heavy English bread, preparations of wheat much +lighter, and more propitious to digestion--with those crisp _grissins_, +which seem to enjoy being eaten, they make so pleasant a noise between +one's teeth. + +The Parson esteemed it a little treat to drink tea with the Riccaboccas. +There was something of elegance and grace in that homely meal, at the +poor exile's table, which pleased the eye as well as taste. And the very +utensils, plain Wedgewood though they were, had a classical simplicity, +which made Mrs. Hazeldean's old India delf, and Mrs. Dale's best +Worcester china look tawdry and barbarous in comparison. For it was a +Flaxman who gave designs to Wedgewood, and the most truly refined of all +our manufactures in porcelain (if we do not look to the mere material) +is in the reach of the most thrifty. + +The little banquet was at first rather a silent one; but Riccabocca +threw off his gloom, and became gay and animated. Then poor Mrs. +Riccabocca smiled, and pressed the _grissins_; and Violante, forgetting +all her stateliness, laughed and played tricks on the Parson, stealing +away his cup of warm tea when his head was turned, and substituting iced +cherry juice. Then the Parson got up and ran after Violante, making +angry faces, and Violante dodged beautifully, till the Parson, fairly +tired out, was too glad to cry "Peace," and come back to the cherry +juice. Thus time rolled on, till they heard afar the stroke of the +distant church clock, and Mr. Dale started up and cried, "But we shall +be too late for Leonard. Come, naughty little girl, get your father his +hat." + +"And umbrella!" said Riccabocca, looking up at the cloudless moonlit +sky. + +"Umbrella against the stars?" asked the Parson laughing. + +"The stars are no friends of mine," said Riccabocca, "and one never +knows what may happen!" + +The Philosopher and the Parson walked on amicably. + +"You have done me good," said Riccabocca, "but I hope I am not always so +unreasonably melancholic as you seem to suspect. The evenings will +sometimes appear long, and dull too, to a man whose thoughts on the past +are almost his sole companions." + +"Sole companions?--your child?" + +"She is so young." + +"Your wife?" + +"She is so--," the bland Italian appeared to check some disparaging +adjective, and mildly added, "so good, I allow; but you must own that we +cannot have much in common." + +"I own nothing of the sort. You have your house and your interests, your +happiness and your lives, in common. We men are so exacting, we expect +to find ideal nymphs and goddesses when we condescend to marry a mortal; +and if we did, our chickens would be boiled to rags, and our mutton come +up as cold as a stone." + +"Per Bacco, you are an oracle," said Riccabocca, laughing. "But I am not +so sceptical you are. I honor the fair sex too much. There are a great +many women who realize the ideal of men to be found in--the poets!" + +"There's my dear Mrs. Dale," resumed the Parson, not heeding this +sarcastic compliment to the sex, but sinking his voice into a whisper, +and looking round cautiously--"there's my dear Mrs. Dale, the best woman +in the world--an angel I would say, if the word was not profane; BUT--" + +"What's the BUT?" asked the Doctor, demurely. + +"BUT I too might say that 'we have not much in common,' if I were only +to compare mind to mind, and, when my poor Carry says something less +profound than Madame de Staël might have said, smile on her in contempt +from the elevation of logic and Latin. Yet, when I remember all the +little sorrows and joys that we have shared together, and feel how +solitary I should have been without her--oh, then I am instantly aware +that there _is_ between us in common something infinitely closer and +better than if the same course of study had given us the same equality +of ideas; and I was forced to brace myself for a combat of intellect, as +I am when I fall in with a tiresome sage like yourself. I don't pretend +to say that Mrs. Riccabocca is a Mrs. Dale," added the Parson, with +lofty candor--"there is but one Mrs. Dale in the world; but still, you +have drawn a prize in the wheel matrimonial! Think of Socrates, and yet +he was content even with his--Xantippe!" + +Dr. Riccabocca called to mind Mrs. Dale's "little tempers," and inly +rejoiced that no second Mrs. Dale had existed to fall to his own lot. +His placid Jemima gained by the contrast. Nevertheless, he had the ill +grace to reply, "Socrates was a man beyond all imitation!--Yet I believe +that even he spent very few of his evenings at home. But, _revenons à +nos moutons_, we are nearly at Mrs. Fairfield's cottage, and you have +not yet told me what you have settled as to Leonard." + +The Parson halted, took Riccabocca by the button, and informed him, in +very few words, that Leonard was to go to Lansmere to see some relations +there, who had the fortune, if they had the will, to give full career to +his abilities. + +"The great thing, in the meanwhile," said the Parson, "would be to +enlighten him a little as to what he calls--enlightenment." + +"Ah!" said Riccabocca, diverted, and rubbing his hands, "I shall listen +with interest to what you say on that subject." + +"And must aid me; for the first step in this modern march of +enlightenment is to leave the poor Parson behind; and if one calls out, +'Hold! and look at the sign-post.' the traveller hurries on the faster, +saying to himself, 'Pooh, pooh!--that is only the cry of the Parson!' +But my gentleman, when he doubts me, will listen to you--you're a +philosopher!" + +"We philosophers are of some use now and then, even to Parsons!" + +"If you were not so conceited a set of deluded poor creatures already, I +would say 'Yes,'" replied the Parson generously; and, taking hold of +Riccabocca's umbrella, he applied the brass handle thereof, by way of a +knocker, to the cottage door. + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +Certainly it is a glorious fever that desire To Know! And there are few +sights in the moral world more sublime than that which many a garret +might afford, if Asmodeus would bare the roofs to our survey--viz., a +brave, patient, earnest human being, toiling his own arduous way, +athwart the iron walls of penury, into the magnificent Infinite, which +is luminous with starry souls. + +So there sits Leonard the Self-taught in the little cottage alone; for +though scarcely past the hour in which great folks dine, it is the hour +in which small folks go to bed, and Mrs. Fairfield has retired to rest, +while Leonard has settled to his books. + +He had placed his table under the lattice, and from time to time he +looked up and enjoyed the stillness of the moon. Well for him that, in +reparation for those hours stolen from night, the hardy physical labor +commenced with dawn. Students would not be the sad dyspeptics they are +if they worked as many hours in the open air as my scholar-peasant. But +even in him you could see that the mind had begun a little to affect the +frame. They who task the intellect must pay the penalty with the body. +Ill, believe me, would this work-day world get on if all within it were +hard-reading, studious animals, playing the deuce with the ganglionic +apparatus. + +Leonard started as he heard the knock at the door; the Parson's +well-known voice reassured him. In some surprise he admitted his +visitors. + +"We are come to talk to you, Leonard," said Mr. Dale, "but I fear we +shall disturb Mrs. Fairfield." + +"Oh no, sir! the door to the staircase is shut, and she sleeps soundly." + +"Why, this is a French book--do you read French, Leonard?" asked +Riccabocca. + +"I have not found French difficult, sir. Once over the grammar, and the +language is so clear; it seems the very language for reasoning." + +"True. Voltaire said justly, 'Whatever is obscure is not French,'" +observed Riccabocca. + +"I wish I could say the same of English," muttered the Parson. + +"But what is this?--Latin too?--Virgil?" + +"Yes, sir. But I find I make little way there without a master. I fear I +must give it up," (and Leonard sighed.) + +The two gentlemen exchanged looks and seated themselves. The young +peasant remained standing modestly, and in his air and mien there was +something that touched the heart while it pleased the eye. He was no +longer the timid boy who had sunk from the frown of Mr. Stirn, nor that +rude personation of simple physical strength, roused to undisciplined +bravery, which had received its downfall on the village-green of +Hazeldean. The power of thought was on his brow--somewhat unquiet still, +but mild and earnest. The features had attained that refinement which is +often attributed to race, but comes, in truth, from elegance of idea, +whether caught from our parents or learned from books. In his rich brown +hair, thrown carelessly from his temples, and curling almost to the +shoulders--in his large blue eye, which was deepened to the hue of the +violet by the long dark lash--in that firmness of lip, which comes from +the grapple with difficulties, there was considerable beauty, but no +longer the beauty of the mere peasant. And yet there was still about the +whole countenance that expression of goodness and purity which the +painter would give to his ideal of the peasant lover--such as Tasso +would have placed in the _Aminta_, or Fletcher have admitted to the side +of the Faithful Shepherdess. + +"You must draw a chair here, and sit down between us, Leonard," said the +Parson. + +"If any one," said Riccabocca, "has a right to sit, it is the one who +is to hear the sermon; and if any one ought to stand, it is the one who +is about to preach it." + +"Don't be frightened, Leonard," said the Parson, graciously; "it is only +a criticism, not a sermon," and he pulled out Leonard's Prize Essay. + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +_Parson._--"You take for your motto this aphorism[K]--'_Knowledge is +Power._'--BACON." + +_Riccabocca._--"Bacon make such an aphorism! The last man in the world +to have said any thing so pert and so shallow." + +_Leonard_ (astonished).--"Do you mean to say, sir, that that aphorism is +not in Lord Bacon! Why, I have seen it quoted as his in almost every +newspaper, and in almost every speech in favor of popular education." + +_Riccabocca._--"Then that should be a warning to you never again to fall +into the error of the would-be scholar--viz. quote second-hand. Lord +Bacon wrote a great book to show in what knowledge is power, how that +power should be defined, in what it might be mistaken. And, pray, do you +think so sensible a man would ever have taken the trouble to write a +great book upon the subject, if he could have packed up all he had to +say into the portable dogma, 'Knowledge is power?' Pooh! no such +aphorism is to be found in Bacon from the first page of his writings to +the last." + +_Parson_ (candidly).--"Well, I supposed it was Lord Bacon's, and I am +very glad to hear that the aphorism has not the sanction of his +authority." + +_Leonard_ (recovering his surprise).--"But why so?" + +_Parson._--"Because it either says a great deal too much, or +just--nothing at all." + +_Leonard._--"At least, sir, it seems to be undeniable." + +_Parson._--"Well, grant that it is undeniable. Does it prove much in +favor of knowledge? Pray, is not ignorance power too?" + +_Riccabocca._--"And a power that has had much the best end of the +quarter-staff." + +_Parson._--"All evil is power, and does its power make it any thing the +better?" + +_Riccabocca._--"Fanaticism is power--and a power that has often swept +away knowledge like a whirlwind. The Mussulman burns the library of a +world--and forces the Koran and the sword from the schools of Byzantium +to the colleges of Hindostan." + +_Parson_ (bearing on with a new column of illustration).--"Hunger is +power. The barbarians, starved out of their energy by their own swarming +population, swept into Italy and annihilated letters. The Romans, +however degraded, had more knowledge, at least, than the Gaul and the +Visigoth." + +_Riccabocca_ (bringing up the reserve).--"And even in Greece, when Greek +met Greek, the Athenians--our masters in all knowledge--were beat by the +Spartans, who held learning in contempt." + +_Parson._--"Wherefore you see, Leonard, that though knowledge be power, +it is only _one_ of the powers of the world; that there are others as +strong, and often much stronger; and the assertion either means but a +barren truism, not worth so frequent a repetition, or it means something +that you would find it very difficult to prove." + +_Leonard._--"One nation may be beaten by another that has more physical +strength and more military discipline; which last, permit me to say, +sir, is a species of knowledge;--" + +_Riccabocca._--"Yes; but your knowledge-mongers at present call upon us +to discard military discipline, and the qualities that produce it, from +the list of the useful arts. And in your own essay, you insist upon +knowledge as the great disbander of armies, and the foe of all military +discipline." + +_Parson._--"Let the young man proceed. Nations, you say, may be beaten +by other nations less learned and civilized?" + +_Leonard._--"But knowledge elevates a class. I invite my own humble +order to knowledge, because knowledge will lift them into power." + +_Riccabocca._--"What do you say to that, Mr. Dale?" + +_Parson._--"In the first place, is it true that the class which has the +most knowledge gets the most power? I suppose philosophers, like my +friend Dr. Riccabocca, think they have the most knowledge. And pray, in +what age have philosophers governed the world? Are they not always +grumbling that nobody attends to them?" + +"Per Bacco," said Riccabocca, "if people had attended to us, it would +have been a droll sort of world by this time!" + +_Parson._--"Very likely. But, as a general rule, those have the most +knowledge who give themselves up to it the most. Let us put out of the +question philosophers (who are often but ingenious lunatics), and speak +only of erudite scholars, men of letters and practical science, +professors, tutors, and fellows of colleges. I fancy any member of +Parliament would tell us that there is no class of men which has less +actual influence on public affairs. They have more knowledge than +manufacturers and ship-owners, squires and farmers; but, do you find +that they have more power over the Government and the votes of the House +of Commons!" + +"They ought to have," said Leonard. + +"Ought they?" said the Parson: "we'll consider that later. Meanwhile, +you must not escape from your own proposition, which is that knowledge +_is_ power--not that it _ought_ to be. Now, even granting your +corollary, that the power of a class is therefore proportioned to its +knowledge--pray, do you suppose that while your order, the operatives, +are instructing themselves, all the rest of the community are to be at a +stand-still? Diffuse knowledge as you may, you will never produce +equality of knowledge. Those who have most leisure, application, and +aptitude for learning, will still know the most. Nay, by a very natural +law, the more general the appetite for knowledge, the more the increased +competition would favor those most adapted to excel by circumstances and +nature. At this day, there is a vast increase of knowledge spread over +all society, compared with that in the Middle Ages; but is there not a +still greater distinction between the highly-educated gentleman and the +intelligent mechanic, than there was then between the baron who could +not sign his name and the churl at the plough? between the accomplished +statesman, versed in all historical law, and the voter whose politics +are formed by his newspaper, than there was between the legislator who +passed laws against witches, and the burgher who defended his guild from +some feudal aggression? between the enlightened scholar and the dunce of +to-day, than there was between the monkish alchemist and the blockhead +of yesterday? Peasant, voter, and dunce of this century are no doubt +wiser than the churl, burgher, and blockhead of the twelfth. But the +gentleman, statesman, and scholar of the present age are at least quite +as favorable a contrast to the alchemist, witch-burner, and baron of +old. As the progress of enlightenment has done hitherto, so will it ever +do. Knowledge is like capital: the more there is in a country, the +greater the disparities in wealth between one man and another. +Therefore, if the working class increase in knowledge, so do the other +classes; and if the working class rise peacefully and legitimately into +power, it is not in proportion to their own knowledge alone, but rather +according as it seems to the knowledge of the other orders of the +community, that such augmentation of proportional power is just, and +safe, and wise." + +Placed between the Parson and the Philosopher, Leonard felt that his +position was not favorable to the display of his forces. Insensibly he +edged his chair somewhat away, and said mournfully: + +"Then, according to you, the reign of knowledge would be no great +advance in the aggregate freedom and welfare of man?" + +_Parson._--"Let us define. By knowledge, do you mean intellectual +cultivation?--by the reign of knowledge, the ascendency of the most +cultivated minds?" + +_Leonard_ (after a pause).--"Yes." + +_Riccabocca._--"Oh indiscreet young man, that is an unfortunate +concession of yours; for the ascendency of the most cultivated minds +would be a terrible obligarchy!" + +_Parson._--"Perfectly true; and we now reply to your exclamation, that +men who, by profession, have most learning ought to have more influence +than squires and merchants, farmers and mechanics. Observe, all the +knowledge that we mortals can acquire is not knowledge positive and +perfect, but knowledge comparative, and subject to all the errors and +passions of humanity. And suppose that you could establish, as the sole +regulators of affairs, those who had the most mental cultivation, do you +think they would not like that power well enough to take all means their +superior intelligence could devise to keep it to themselves? The +experiment was tried of old by the priests of Egypt; and in the empire +of China, at this day, the aristocracy are elected from those who have +most distinguished themselves in learned colleges. If I may call myself +a member of that body, 'the people,' I would rather be an Englishman, +however much displeased with dull Ministers and blundering Parliaments, +than I would be a Chinese under the rule of the picked sages of the +Celestial Empire. Happily, therefore, my dear Leonard, nations are +governed by many things besides what is commonly called knowledge; and +the greatest practical ministers, who, like Themistocles, have made +small states great--and the most dominant races who, like the Romans, +have stretched their rule from a village half over the universe--have +been distinguished by various qualities which a philosopher would sneer +at, and a knowledge-monger would call 'sad prejudices,' and 'lamentable +errors of reason.'" + +_Leonard_ (bitterly).--"Sir, you make use of knowledge itself to argue +against knowledge." + +_Parson._--"I make use of the little I know to prove the foolishness of +idolatry. I do not argue against knowledge; I argue against +knowledge-worship. For here, I see in your Essay, that you are not +contented with raising human knowledge into something like divine +omnipotence, you must also confound her with virtue. According to you, +we have only to diffuse the intelligence of the few among the many, and +all at which we preachers aim is accomplished. Nay more; for whereas we +humble preachers have never presumed to say, with the heathen Stoic, +that even virtue is sure of happiness below (though it be the best road +to it), you tell us plainly that this knowledge of yours gives not only +the virtue of a saint, but bestows the bliss of a God. Before the steps +of your idol the evils of life disappear. To hear you, one has but 'to +know,' in order to be exempt from the sins and sorrows of the ignorant. +Has it ever been so? Grant that you diffuse amongst the many all the +knowledge ever attained by the few. Have the wise few been so unerring +and so happy? You supposed that your motto was accurately cited from +Bacon. What was Bacon himself? The poet tells you: + + 'The wisest, brightest, _meanest_ of mankind.' + +Can you hope to bestow upon the vast mass of your order the luminous +intelligence of this 'Lord Chancellor of nature?' Grant that you do +so--and what guarantee have you for the virtue and the happiness which +you assume as the concomitants of the gift? See Bacon himself; what +black ingratitude! what miserable self-seeking! what truckling +servility! what abject and pitiful spirit! So far from intellectual +knowledge, in its highest form and type, insuring virtue and bliss, it +is by no means uncommon to find great mental cultivation combined with +great moral corruption." (Aside to Riccabocca)--"Push on, will you?" + +_Riccabocca._--"A combination remarkable in eras as in individuals. +Petronius shows us a state of morals at which a commonplace devil would +blush, in the midst of a society more intellectually cultivated than +certainly was that which produced Regulus or the Horatii. And the most +learned eras in modern Italy were precisely those which brought the +vices into the most ghastly refinement." + +_Leonard_ (rising in great agitation, and clasping his hands).--"I +cannot contend with you, who produce against information so slender and +crude as mine the stores which have been locked from my reach. But I +feel that there must be another side to this shield--a shield that you +will not even allow to be silver. And, oh, if you thus speak of +knowledge, why have you encouraged me to know?" + + +CHAPTER XX. + +"Ah! my son!" said the Parson, "if I wished to prove the value of +Religion, would you think I served it much, if I took as my motto, +'Religion is power?' Would not that be a base and sordid view of its +advantages? And would you not say he who regards religion as a power, +intends to abuse it as a priestcraft?" + +"Well put!" said Riccabocca. + +"Wait a moment--let me think. Ah--I see, sir!" said Leonard. + +_Parson._--"If the cause be holy, do not weigh it in the scales of the +market; if its objects be peaceful, do not seek to arm it with the +weapons of strife; if it is to be the cement of society, do not vaunt it +as the triumph of class against class." + +_Leonard_ (ingenuously).--"You correct me nobly, sir. Knowledge is +power, but not in the sense in which I have interpreted the saying." + +_Parson._--"Knowledge is _one_ of the powers in the moral world, but one +that, in its immediate result, is not always of the most worldly +advantage to the possessor. It is one of the slowest, because one of the +most durable, of agencies. It may take a thousand years for a thought to +come into power; and the thinker who originated it might have died in +rags or in chains." + +_Riccabocca._--"Our Italian proverb saith that 'the teacher is like the +candle, which lights others in consuming itself.'" + +_Parson._--"Therefore he who has the true ambition of knowledge should +entertain it for the power of his idea, not for the power it may bestow +on himself; it should be lodged in the conscience, and, like the +conscience, look for no certain reward on this side the grave. And since +knowledge is compatible with good and with evil, would not it be better +to say, 'Knowledge is a trust?'" + +"You are right, sir," said Leonard cheerfully; "pray proceed." + +_Parson._--"You ask me why we encourage you to KNOW. First, because (as +you say yourself in your Essay), knowledge, irrespective of gain, is in +itself a delight, and ought to be something far more. Like liberty, like +religion, it may be abused; but I have no more right to say that the +poor shall be ignorant, than I have to say that the rich only shall be +free, and that the clergy alone shall learn the truths of redemption. +You truly observe in your treatise that knowledge opens to us other +excitements than those of the senses, and another life than that of the +moment. The difference between us is this, that you forget that the same +refinement which brings us new pleasures exposes us to new pains--the +horny hand of the peasant feels not the nettles which sting the fine +skin of the scholar. You forget also, that whatever widens the sphere of +the desires, opens to them also new temptations. Vanity, the desire of +applause, pride, the sense of superiority--gnawing discontent where that +superiority is not recognized--morbid susceptibility, which comes with +all new feelings--the underrating of simple pleasures apart from the +intellectual--the chase of the imagination, often unduly stimulated, for +things unattainable below--all these are surely amongst the first +temptations that beset the entrance into knowledge." + +Leonard shaded his face with his hand. + +"Hence," continued the Parson, benignantly--"hence, so far from +considering that we do all that is needful to accomplish ourselves as +men, when we cultivate only the intellect, we should remember that we +thereby continually increase the range of our desires, and therefore of +our temptations; and we should endeavor, simultaneously, to cultivate +both those affections of the heart which prove the ignorant to be God's +children no less than the wise, and those moral qualities which have +made men great and good when reading and writing were scarcely known: to +wit, patience and fortitude under poverty and distress; humility and +beneficence amidst grandeur and wealth; and, in counteraction to that +egotism which all superiority, mental or worldly, is apt to inspire, +Justice, the father of all the more solid virtues, softened by Charity, +which is their loving mother. Thus accompanied, knowledge indeed becomes +the magnificent crown of humanity--not the imperious despot, but the +checked and tempered sovereign of the soul." + +The Parson paused, and Leonard, coming near him, timidly took his hand, +with a child's affectionate and grateful impulse. + +_Riccabacca._--"And if, Leonard, you are not satisfied with our Parson's +excellent definitions, you have only to read what Lord Bacon himself has +said upon the true ends of knowledge, to comprehend at once how angry +the poor great man, whom Mr. Dale treats so harshly, would have been +with those who have stinted his elaborate distinctions and provident +cautions into that coxcombical little aphorism, and then misconstrued +all he designed to prove in favor of the commandant, and authority of +learning. For," added the sage, looking up as a man does when he is +taxing his memory, "I think it is thus that after saying the greatest +error of all is the mistaking or misplacing the end of knowledge, and +denouncing the various objects for which it is vulgarly sought;--I think +it is thus that he proceeds.... 'Knowledge is not a shop for profit or +sale, but a rich storehouse for the glory of the Creator, and the relief +of men's estate.'"[L] + +_Parson_ (remorsefully)--"Are those Lord Bacon's words? I am very sorry +I spoke so uncharitably of his life. I must examine it again. I may find +excuses for it now that I could not when I first formed my judgment. I +was then a raw lad at Oxford. But I see, Leonard, there is still +something on your mind." + +_Leonard._--"It is true, sir. I would but ask whether it is not by +knowledge that we arrive at the qualities and virtues you so well +describe, but which you seem to consider as coming to us through +channels apart from knowledge?" + +_Parson._--"If you mean by the word knowledge something very different +from what you express in your essay, and which those contending for +mental instruction, irrespective of religion and ethics, appear also to +convey by the word ---- you are right; but, remember, we have already +agreed that by the word knowledge we mean culture purely intellectual." + +_Leonard._--"That is true--we so understood it." + +_Parson._--"Thus, when this great Lord Bacon erred, you may say that he +erred from want of knowledge--the knowledge that moralists and preachers +would convey. But Lord Bacon had read all that moralists and preachers +could say on such matters; and he certainly did not err from want of +intellectual cultivation. Let me here, my child, invite you to observe, +that He who knew most of our human hearts and our immortal destinies, +did not _insist_ on this intellectual culture as essential to the +virtues that form our well-being here, and conduce to our salvation +hereafter. Had it been essential, the Allwise One would not have +selected humble fishermen for the teachers of his doctrine, instead of +culling his disciples from Roman portico or Athenian academy. And this, +which distinguishes so remarkably the Gospel from the ethics of heathen +philosophy, wherein knowledge is declared to be necessary to virtue, is +a proof how slight was the heathen sage's insight into the nature of +mankind, when compared with the Saviour's; for hard indeed would it be +to men, whether high or low, rich or poor, if science and learning, or +contemplative philosophy, were the sole avenues to peace and redemption; +since, in this state of ordeal, requiring active duties, very few in any +age, whether they be high or low, rich or poor, ever are or can be +devoted to pursuits merely mental. Christ does not represent heaven as a +college for the learned. Therefore the rules of the Celestial Legislator +are rendered clear to the simplest understanding as to the deepest." + +_Riccabocca._--"And that which Plato and Zeno, Pythagoras and Socrates, +could not do, was done by men whose ignorance would have been a by-word +in the schools of the Greek. The gods of the vulgar were dethroned; the +face of the world was changed! This thought may make us allow, indeed, +that there are agencies more powerful than mere knowledge, and ask, +after all, what is the mission which knowledge should achieve?" + +_Parson._--"The Sacred Book tells us even that; for after establishing +the truth that, for the multitude, knowledge is not essential to +happiness and good, it accords still to knowledge its sublime part in +the revelation prepared and announced. When an instrument of more than +ordinary intelligence was required for a purpose divine--when the +Gospel, recorded by the simple, was to be explained by the acute, +enforced by the energetic, carried home to the doubts of the +Gentile--the Supreme Will joined to the zeal of the earlier apostles the +learning and genius of St. Paul--not holier than the others--calling +himself the least, yet laboring more abundantly than them all--making +himself all things unto all men, so that some might be saved. The +ignorant may be saved no less surely than the wise; but here comes the +wise man who helps to save! And how the fulness and animation of this +grand Presence, of this indomitable Energy, seem to vivify the toil, and +to speed the work! 'In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils +of robbers, in perils of mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, +in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the +sea, in perils amongst false brethren.' Behold, my son! does not Heaven +here seem to reveal the true type of knowledge--a sleepless activity, a +pervading agency, a dauntless heroism, an all-supporting faith? A +power--a power indeed--a power apart from the aggrandizement of self--a +power that brings to him who owns and transmits it but 'weariness and +painfulness; in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings +often, in cold and nakedness'--but a power distinct from the mere +circumstance of the man, rushing from him as rays from a sun--borne +through the air, and clothing it with light--piercing under earth, and +calling forth the harvest! Worship not knowledge--worship not the sun, O +my child! Let the sun but proclaim the Creator; let the knowledge but +illumine the worship!" + +The good man, overcome by his own earnestness, paused; his head drooped +on the young student's breast, and all three were long silent. + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +Whatever ridicule may be thrown upon Mr. Dale's dissertations by the wit +of the enlightened, they had a considerable, and I think a beneficial, +effect upon Leonard Fairfield--an effect which may perhaps create less +surprise, when the reader remembers that Leonard was unaccustomed to +argument, and still retained many of the prejudices natural to his +rustic breeding. Nay, he actually thought it possible that, as both +Riccabocca and Mr. Dale were more than double his age, and had had +opportunities not only of reading twice as many books, but of +contracting experience in wider ranges of life--he actually, I say, +thought it possible that they might be better acquainted with the +properties and distinctions of knowledge than himself. At all events, +the Parson's words were so far well-timed, that they produced in Leonard +very much of that state of mind which Mr. Dale desired to effect, before +communicating to him the startling intelligence that he was to visit +relations whom he had never seen, of whom he had heard but little, and +that it was at least possible that the result of that visit might be to +open to him greater facilities for instruction, and a higher degree in +life. + +Without some such preparation, I fear that Leonard would have gone forth +into the world with an exaggerated notion of his own acquirements, and +with a notion yet more exaggerated as to the kind of power that such +knowledge as he possessed would obtain for itself. As it was, when Mr. +Dale broke to him the news of the experimental journey before him, +cautioning him against being over sanguine, Leonard received the +intelligence with a serious meekness, and thoughts that were nobly +solemn. + +When the door closed on his visitors, he remained for some moments +motionless, and in deep meditation; then he unclosed the door, and stole +forth. The night was already far advanced, the heavens were luminous +with all the host of stars. "I think," said the student, referring, in +later life, to that crisis in his destiny--"I think it was then, as I +stood alone, yet surrounded by worlds so numberless, that I first felt +the distinction between _mind_ and _soul_." + +"Tell me," said Riccabocca, as he parted company with Mr. Dale, "whether +you think we should have given to Frank Hazeldean, on entering life, the +same lecture on the limits and ends of knowledge which we have bestowed +on Leonard Fairfield." + +"My friend," quoth the Parson, with a touch of human conceit, "I have +ridden on horseback, and I know that some horses should be guided by the +bridle, and some should be urged by the spur." + +"_Cospetto!_" said Riccabocca; "you contrive to put every experience of +yours to some use--even your journey on Mr. Hazeldean's pad. And I see +now why, in this little world of a village, you have picked up so +general an acquaintance with life." + +"Did you ever read White's _Natural History of Selborne_?" + +"No." + +"Do so, and you will find that you need not go far to learn the habits +of birds, and know the difference between a swallow and a swift. Learn +the difference in a village, and you know the difference wherever +swallows and swifts skim the air." + +"Swallows and swifts!--true; but men--" + +"Are with us all the year round--which is more than we can say of +swallows and swifts." + +"Mr. Dale," said Riccabocca, taking off his hat with great formality, +"if ever again I find myself in a dilemma, I will come to you instead of +to Machiavelli." + +"Ah!" cried the Parson, "if I could but have a calm hour's talk with you +on the errors of the Papal relig--" + +Riccabocca was off like a shot. + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +The next day, Mr. Dale had a long conversation with Mrs. Fairfield. At +first, he found some difficulty in getting over her pride, and inducing +her to accept overtures from parents who had so long slighted both +Leonard and herself. And it would have been in vain to have put before +the good woman the worldly advantages which such overtures implied. But +when Mr. Dale said, almost sternly, "Your parents are old, your father +infirm; their least wish should be as binding to you as their command," +the Widow bowed her head, and said,-- + +"God bless them, sir, I was very sinful--'Honor your father and mother.' +I'm no scollard, but I know the Commandments. Let Lenny go. But he'll +soon forget me, and mayhap he'll learn to be ashamed of me." + +"There I will trust him," said the Parson; and he contrived easily to +reassure and soothe her. + +It was not till all this was settled that Mr. Dale drew forth an +unsealed letter, which Mr. Richard Avenel, taking his hint, had given to +him, as from Leonard's grandparents, and said,--"This is for you, and it +contains an inclosure of some value." + +"Will you read it, sir? As I said before, I'm no scollard." + +"But Leonard is, and he will read it to you." + +When Leonard returned home that evening, Mrs. Fairfield showed him the +letter. It ran thus: + + "Dear Jane,--Mr. Dale will tell you that we wish Leonard to + come to us. We are glad to hear you are well. We forward, by + Mr. Dale, a bank-note for £50, which comes from Richard, your + brother. So no more at present from your affectionate parents, + + "JOHN AND MARGARET AVENEL." + + + +The letter was in a stiff female scrawl, and Leonard observed that two +or three mistakes in spelling had been corrected, either in another pen +or in a different hand. + +"Dear brother Dick, how good in him!" cried the widow. "When I saw there +was money, I thought it must be him. How I should like to see Dick +again. But I s'pose he's still in Amerikay. Well, well, this will buy +clothes for you." + +"No; you must keep it all, mother, and put it in the Savings' Bank." + +"I'm not quite so silly as that," cried Mrs. Fairfield, with contempt; +and she put the fifty pounds into a cracked teapot. + +"It must not stay there when I'm gone. You may be robbed, mother." + +"Dear me, dear me, that's true. What shall I do with it?--what do I want +with it, too! Dear me! I wish they hadn't sent it. I shan't sleep in +peace. You must e'en put it in your own pouch, and button it up tight, +boy." + +Lenny smiled, and took the note; but he took it to Mr. Dale, and begged +him to put it into the Savings' Bank for his mother. + +The day following he went to take leave of his master, of Jackeymo, of +the fountain, the garden. But, after he had gone through the first of +these adieus with Jackeymo,--who, poor man, indulged in all the lively +gesticulations of grief which make half the eloquence of his countrymen; +and then, absolutely blubbering, hurried away--Leonard himself was so +affected that he could not proceed at once to the house, but stood +beside the fountain, trying hard to keep back his tears. + +"You, Leonard--and you are going!" said a soft voice; and the tears fell +faster than ever, for he recognized the voice of Violante. + +"Do not cry," continued the child, with a kind of tender gravity. "You +are going, but papa says it would be selfish in us to grieve, for it is +for your good; and we should be glad. But I am selfish, Leonard, and I +do grieve. I shall miss you sadly." + +"You, young lady--you miss me!" + +"Yes. But I do not cry, Leonard, for I envy you, and I wish I were a +boy: I wish I could do as you." + +The girl clasped her hands, and reared her slight form, with a kind of +passionate dignity. + +"Do as me, and part from all those you love!" + +"But to serve those you love. One day you will come back to your +mother's cottage, and say, 'We have conquered fortune.' Oh that I could +go forth and return, as you will. But my father has no country, and his +only child is a useless girl." + +As Violante spoke, Leonard had dried his tears; her emotion distracted +him from his own. + +"Oh," continued Violante, again raising her head loftily, "what it is to +be a man! A woman sighs, 'I wish,' but man should say, 'I will.'" + +Occasionally before, Leonard had noted fitful flashes of a nature grand +and heroic, in the Italian child, especially of late--flashes the more +remarkable from their contrast to a form most exquisitely feminine, and +to a sweetness of temper which made even her pride gentle. But now it +seemed as if the child spoke with the command of a queen--almost with +the inspiration of a muse. A strange and new sense of courage entered +within him. + +"May I remember these words!" he murmured half audibly. + +The girl turned and surveyed him with eyes brighter for their moisture. +She then extended her hand to him, with a quick movement, and, as he +bent over it, with a grace taught to him by genuine emotion, she +said,--"And if you do, then, girl and child as I am, I shall think I +have aided a brave heart in the great strife for honor!" + +She lingered a moment, smiled as if to herself, and then, gliding away, +was lost amongst the trees. + +After a long pause, in which Leonard recovered slowly from the surprise +and agitation into which Violante had thrown his spirits--previously +excited as they were--he went, murmuring to himself, towards the house. +But Riccabocca was from home. Leonard turned mechanically to the +terrace, and busied himself with the flowers. But the dark eyes of +Violante shone on his thoughts, and her voice rang in his ear. + +At length Riccabocca appeared, followed up the road by a laborer, who +carried something indistinct under his arm. + +The Italian beckoned to Leonard to follow him into the parlor; and after +conversing with him kindly, and at some length, and packing up, as it +were, a considerable provision of wisdom in the portable shape of +aphorisms and proverbs, the sage left him alone for a few moments. +Riccabocca then returned with his wife, and bearing a small knapsack:-- + +"It is not much we can do for you, Leonard, and money is the worst gift +in the world for a keepsake; but my wife and I have put our heads +together to furnish you with a little outfit. Giacomo, who was in our +secret, assures us that the clothes will fit: and stole, I fancy, a coat +of yours for the purpose. Put them on when you go to your relations: it +is astonishing what a difference it makes in the ideas people form of +us, according as our coats are cut one way or another. I should not be +presentable in London thus; and nothing is more true than that a tailor +is often the making of a man." + +"The shirts, too, are very good holland," said Mrs. Riccabocca, about to +open the knapsack. + +"Never mind details, my dear," cried the wise man; "shirts are +comprehended in the general principle of clothes. And, Leonard, as a +remembrance somewhat more personal, accept this, which I have worn many +a year when time was a thing of importance to me, and nobler fates than +mine hung on a moment. We missed the moment, or abused it, and here I +am, a waif on a foreign shore. Methinks I have done with Time." + +The exile, as he thus spoke, placed in Leonard's reluctant hands a watch +that would have delighted an antiquary, and shocked a dandy. It was +exceedingly thick, having an outer case of enamel, and an inner one of +gold. The hands and the figures of the hours had originally been formed +of brilliants; but the brilliants had long since vanished. Still, even +thus bereft, the watch was much more in character with the giver than +the receiver, and was as little suited to Leonard as would have been the +red silk umbrella. + +"It is old-fashioned," said Mrs. Riccabocca, "but it goes better than +any clock in the country. I really think it will last to the end of the +world." + +"_Carissima mia!_" cried the Doctor, "I thought I had convinced you that +the world is by no means come to its last legs." + +"Oh, I did not mean any thing, Alphonso," said Mrs. Riccabocca, +coloring. + +"And that is all we do mean when we talk about that of which we can know +nothing," said the Doctor, less gallantly than usual, for he resented +that epithet of "old-fashioned," as applied to the watch. + +Leonard, we see, had been silent all this time; he could not +speak--literally and truly, he could not speak. How he got out of his +embarrassment, and how he got out of the room, he never explained to my +satisfaction. But, a few minutes afterwards, he was seen hurrying down +the road very briskly. + +Riccabocca and his wife stood at the window gazing after him. + +"There is a depth in that boy's heart," said the sage, "which might +float an Argosy." + +"Poor dear boy! I think we have put every thing into the knapsack that +he can possibly want," said good Mrs. Riccabocca musingly. + +_The Doctor_ (continuing his soliloquy).--"They are strong, but they are +not immediately apparent." + +_Mrs. Riccabocca_ (resuming hers.)--"They are at the bottom of the +knapsack." + +_The Doctor._--"They will stand long wear and tear." + +_Mrs. Riccabocca._--"A year, at least, with proper care at the wash." + +_The Doctor_ (startled).--"Care at the wash! What on earth are you +talking of, ma'am?" + +_Mrs. Riccabocca_ (mildly).--"The shirts, to be sure, my love? And you?" + +_The Doctor_ (with a heavy sigh).--"The feelings, ma'am!" Then, after a +pause, taking his wife's hand affectionately--"But you did quite right +to think of the shirts; Mr. Dale said very truly--" + +_Mrs. Riccabocca._--"What?" + +_The Doctor._--"That there was a great deal in common between us--even +when I think of feelings, and you but of--shirts." + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +Mr. and Mrs. Avenel sat within the parlor--Mr. Richard stood on the +hearth-rug, whistling Yankee Doodle. "The Parson writes word that the +lad will come to-day," said Richard suddenly--"let me see the +letter--ay, to-day. If he took the coach as far as ----, he might walk +the rest of the way in two or three hours. He should be pretty nearly +here. I have a great mind to go and meet him: it will save his asking +questions, and hearing about me. I can clear the town by the back-way, +and get out at the high road." + +"You'll not know him from any one else said Mrs. Avenel. + +"Well, that is a good one! Not know an Avenel! We've all the same cut of +the jib--have not we, father?" + +Poor John laughed heartily, till the tears rolled down his cheeks. + +"We were always a well-favored family," said John, recomposing himself. +"There was Luke, but he's gone; and Harry, but he's dead too; and Dick, +but he's in Amerikay--no, he's here; and my darling Nora, but--" + +"Hush!" interrupted Mrs. Avenel; "hush, John!" + +The old man stared at her, and then put his tremulous hand to his brow. +"And Nora's gone too!" said he, in a voice of profound woe. Both hands +then fell on his knees, and his head drooped on his breast. + +Mrs. Avenel rose, kissed her husband on the forehead, and then walked +away to the window. Richard took up his hat, and brushed the nap +carefully with his handkerchief; but his lips quivered. + +"I'm going," said he, abruptly. "Now mind, mother, not a word about +Uncle Richard yet; we must first see how we like each other, and (in a +whisper) you'll try and get that into my poor father's head?" + +"Ay, Richard," said Mrs. Avenel, quietly. Richard put on his hat, and +went out by the back way. He stole along the fields that skirted the +town, and had only once to cross the street before he got into the high +road. + +He walked on until he came to the first milestone. There he seated +himself, lighted his cigar, and awaited his nephew. It was now nearly +the hour of sunset, and the road before him lay westward. Richard from +time to time looked along the road, shading his eyes with his hand; and +at length, just as the disc of the sun had half sunk down the horizon, a +solitary figure came up the way. It emerged suddenly from the turn in +the road; the reddening beams colored all the atmosphere around it. +Solitary and silent it came as from a Land of Light. + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +"You have been walking far, young man," said Richard Avenel. + +"No, sir, not very. That is Lansmere before me, is it not?" + +"Yes, it is Lansmere; you stop there, I guess?" + +Leonard made a sign in the affirmative, and walked on a few paces; then +seeing the stranger who had accosted him still by his side, he said-- + +"If you know the town, sir, perhaps you will have the goodness to tell +me whereabouts Mr. Avenel lives?" + +"I can put you into a straight cut across the fields, that will bring +you just behind the house." + +"You are very kind, but it will take you out of your way." + +"No, it is in my way. So you are going to Mr. Avenel's?--a good old +gentleman." + +"I've always heard so; and Mrs. Avenel--" + +"A particular superior woman," said Richard. "Any one else to ask +after--I know the family well." + +"No, thank you, sir." + +"They have a son, I believe; but he's in America, is not he?" + +"I believe he is, sir." + +"I see the Parson has kept faith with me," muttered Richard. + +"If you can tell me any thing about him," said Leonard, "I should be +very glad." + +"Why so, young man?--perhaps he is hanged by this time." + +"Hanged!" + +"He was a sad dog, I am told." + +"Then you have been told very falsely," said Leonard, coloring. + +"A sad wild dog--his parents were so glad when he cut and run--went off +to the States. They say he made money; but, if so, he neglected his +relations shamefully." + +"Sir," said Leonard, "you are wholly misinformed. He has been most +generous to a relative who had little claim on him; and I never heard +his name mentioned but with love and praise." + +Richard instantly fell to whistling Yankee Doodle, and walked on several +paces without saying a word. He then made a slight apology for his +impertinence--hoped no offence--and with his usual bold but astute style +of talk, contrived to bring out something of his companion's mind. He +was evidently struck with the clearness and propriety with which Leonard +expressed himself, raised his eyebrows in surprise more than once, and +looked him full in the face with an attentive and pleased survey. +Leonard had put on the new clothes with which Riccabocca and wife had +provided him. They were those appropriate to a young country tradesman +in good circumstances; but as he did not think about the clothes, so he +had unconsciously something of the ease of the gentleman. + +They now came into the fields. Leonard paused before a slip of ground +sown with rye. + +"I should have thought grass land would have answered better, so near a +town," said he. + +"No doubt it would," answered Richard; "but they are sadly behind-hand +in these parts. You see that great park yonder, on the other side of the +road? That would answer better for rye than grass; but then what would +become of my Lord's deer? The aristocracy eat us up, young man." + +"But the aristocracy did not sow this piece with rye, I suppose?" said +Leonard, smiling. + +"And what do you conclude from that?" + +"Let every man look to his own ground," said Leonard, with a cleverness +of repartee caught from Doctor Riccabocca. + +"'Cute lad you are," said Richard; "and we'll talk more of these matters +another time." + +They now came within sight of Mr. Avenel's house. + +"You can get through the gap in the hedge, by the old pollard oak," said +Richard; "and come round by the front of the house. Why, you're not +afraid--are you?" + +"I am a stranger." + +"Shall I introduce you? I told you that I knew the old couple." + +"Oh no, sir! I would rather meet them alone." + +"Go; and--wait a bit,--harkye, young man, Mrs. Avenel is a cold-mannered +woman; but don't be abashed by that." + +Leonard thanked the good-natured stranger, crossed the field, passed the +gap, and paused a moment under the stinted shade of the old +hollow-hearted oak. The ravens were returning to their nests. At the +sight of a human form under the tree, they wheeled round, and watched +him afar. From the thick of the boughs, the young ravens sent their +hoarse low cry. + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +The young man entered the neat, prim, formal parlor. + +"You are welcome!" said Mrs. Avenel, in a firm voice. + +"The gentleman is heartily welcome," cried poor John. + +"It is your grandson, Leonard Fairfield," said Mrs. Avenel. + +But John, who had risen with knocking knees, gazed hard at Leonard, and +then fell on his breast, sobbing aloud--"Nora's eyes!--he has a blink in +his eyes like Nora's." + +Mrs. Avenel approached with a steady step, and drew away the old man +tenderly. + +"He is a poor creature," she whispered to Leonard--"you excite him. Come +away, I will show you your room." + +Leonard followed her up the stairs, and came into a room--neatly, and +even prettily furnished. The carpet and curtains were faded by the sun, +and of old-fashioned pattern, but there was a look about the room as if +it had long been disused. + +Mrs. Avenel sank down on the first chair on entering. + +Leonard drew his arm round her waist affectionately: "I fear that I have +put you out sadly--my dear grandmother." + +Mrs. Avenel glided hastily from his arm, and her countenance worked +much--every nerve in it twitching as it were; then, placing her hand on +his locks, she said with passion, "God bless you, my grandson," and left +the room. + +Leonard dropped his knapsack on the floor, and looked around him +wistfully. The room seemed as if it had once been occupied by a female. +There was a work-box on the chest of drawers, and over it hanging +shelves for books, suspended by ribbons that had once been blue, with +silk and fringe appended to each shelf, and knots and tassels here and +there--the taste of a woman, or rather of a girl, who seeks to give a +grace to the commonest things around her. With the mechanical habit of a +student, Leonard took down one or two of the volumes still left on the +shelves. He found SPENSER'S _Fairy Queen_, RACINE in French, TASSO in +Italian; and on the fly-leaf of each volume, in the exquisite +handwriting familiar to his memory, the name "Leonora." He kissed the +books, and replaced them with a feeling akin both to tenderness and awe. + +He had not been alone in his room more than a quarter of an hour, before +the maid-servant knocked at his door and summoned him to tea. + +Poor John had recovered his spirits, and his wife sate by his side +holding his hand in hers. Poor John was even gay. He asked many +questions about his daughter Jane, and did not wait for the answers. +Then he spoke about the Squire, whom he confounded with Audley Egerton, +and talked of elections and the Blue party, and hoped Leonard would +always be a good Blue; and then he fell to his tea and toast, and said +no more. + +Mrs. Avenel spoke little, but she eyed Leonard askant, as it were, from +time to time; and after each glance the nerves of the poor severe face +twitched again. + +A little after nine o'clock, Mrs. Avenel lighted a candle, and placing +it in Leonard's hand, "You must be tired--you know your own room now. +Good night." + +Leonard took the light, and, as was his wont with his mother, kissed +Mrs. Avenel on the cheek. Then he took John's hand and kissed him too. +The old man was half asleep, and murmured dreamily, "That's Nora." + +Leonard had retired to his room about half an hour, when Richard Avenel +entered the house softly, and joined his parents. + +"Well, mother?" said he. + +"Well, Richard--you have seen him?" + +"And like him. Do you know he has a great look of poor Nora?--more like +her than Jane." + +"Yes; he is handsomer than Jane ever was, but more like your father than +any one. John was so comely. You take to the boy, then?" + +"Ay, that I do. Just tell him in the morning that he is to go with a +gentleman who will be his friend, and don't say more. The chaise shall +be at the door after breakfast. Let him get into it: I shall wait for +him out of the town. What's the room you give him?" + +"The room you would not take." + +"The room in which Nora slept? Oh, no! I could not have slept a wink +there. What a charm there was in that girl!--how we all loved her! But +she was too beautiful and good for us--too good to live!" + +"None of us are too good," said Mrs. Avenel with great austerity, "and I +beg you will not talk in that way. Good night--I must get your poor +father to bed." + +When Leonard opened his eyes the next morning, they rested on the face +of Mrs. Avenel, which was bending over his pillow. But it was long +before he could recognize that countenance, so changed was its +expression--so tender, so motherlike. Nay, the face of his own mother +had never seemed to him so soft with a mother's passion. + +"Ah!" he murmured, half rising and flinging his young arms round her +neck. Mrs. Avenel, this time, and for the first, taken by surprise, +warmly returned the embrace; she clasped him to her breast, she kissed +him again and again. At length with a quick start she escaped, and +walked up and down the room, pressing her hands tightly together. When +she halted, her face had recovered its usual severity and cold +precision. + +"It is time for you to rise, Leonard," said she. "You will leave us +to-day. A gentleman has promised to take charge of you, and do for you +more than we can. A chaise will be at the door soon--make haste." + +John was absent from the breakfast-table. His wife said that he never +rose till late, and must not be disturbed. + +The meal was scarce over, before a chaise and pair came to the door. + +"You must not keep the chaise waiting--the gentleman is very punctual." + +"But he is not come." + +"No, he has walked on before, and will get in after you are out of the +town." + +"What is his name, and why should he care for me, grandmother?" + +"He will tell you himself. Now, come." + +"But you will bless me again, grandmother? I love you already." + +"I do bless you," said Mrs. Avenel firmly. "Be honest and good, and +beware of the first false step." She pressed his hand with a convulsive +grasp, and led him to the outer door. + +The postboy clanked his whip, the chaise rattled off. Leonard put his +head out of the window to catch a last glimpse of the old woman. But the +boughs of the pollard oak, and its gnarled decaying trunk, hid her from +his eye. And look as he would, till the road turned, he saw but the +melancholy tree. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[K] This aphorism has been probably assigned to Lord Bacon upon the mere +authority of the index to his works. It is the aphorism of the +index-maker, certainly not of the great master of inductive philosophy. +Bacon has, it is true, repeatedly dwelt on the power of knowledge, but +with so many explanations and distinctions, that nothing could be more +unjust to his general meaning than to attempt to cramp into a sentence +what it costs him a volume to define. Thus, if in one page he appears to +confound knowledge with power, in another he sets them in the strongest +antithesis to each other; as follows, "Adeo, signanter Deus opera +potentiæ et sapientiæ discriminavit." But it would be as unfair to Bacon +to convert into an aphorism the sentence that discriminates between +knowledge and power as it is to convert into an aphorism any sentence +that confounds them. + +[L] "But the greatest error of all the rest is the mistaking or +misplacing of the last or farthest end of knowledge:--for men have +entered into a desire of learning and knowledge, sometimes upon a +natural curiosity and inquisitive appetite: sometimes to entertain their +minds with variety and delight; sometimes for ornament and reputation; +and sometimes to enable them to victory of wit and contradiction; and +most times for lucre and profession,"--(that is, for most of those +objects which are meant by the ordinary citers of the saying, 'Knowledge +is power;') "and seldom sincerely to give a true account of these gifts +of reason to the benefit and use of men; as if there were sought in +knowledge a couch whereon to rest a searching and restless spirit; or a +terrace for a wandering and variable mind to walk up and down, with a +fair prospect; or a tower of state for a proud mind to raise itself +upon; or a fort or commanding ground for strife and contention; or a +shop for profit or sale--and not a rich storehouse for the glory of the +Creator, and the relief of men's estate."--ADVANCEMEMT OF LEARNING, Book +I. + + + + +From the new novel, "Rose Douglass." + +A FAMILY OF OLD MAIDS. + + +Such a family of old maids! The youngest mistress was forty, and the two +servants were somewhat older. They had each their pets too, except I +think the eldest, who was the clearest-headed of the family. The +servants had the same Christian name, which was rather perplexing, as +neither would consent to be called by her surname. How their mistresses +managed to distinguish them I do not recollect; but the country people +settled it easily amongst themselves by early naming them according to +their different heights, "lang Jenny," and "little Jenny." They were +characters in their way as well as their mistresses. They had served +them for upwards of twenty years, and knew every secret of the family, +being as regularly consulted as any of the members of it. They regulated +the expenses too, much as they liked, which was in a very frugal, +economical manner. The two Jennies had not much relished their removal +to the country, and still often sighed with regret for the gossipings +they once enjoyed in the Castlegate of Lanark. But they could not bear +to part from the family; so they now boomed at their wheels or mended +the household linen in the damp dull kitchen of Burnside, instead of +performing the same work in their old cosy, comfortable one in the burgh +town, and tried to indemnify themselves for their privations by +establishing a kind of patronizing familiarity with various of the +cottagers' wives. + +Miss Jess and Miss Jean were the names of the younger ladies. There was +that species of resemblance among all the sisters, both mental and +personal, which is often to be observed in members of the same family. +Menie, the eldest sister, was, however, much superior to the others in +force of character, but her mind had not been cultivated by reading. +Jess, the second, was a large coarse-looking woman, with a masculine +voice, and tastes decidedly so. An excellent wright or smith she would +have made, if unfortunately she had not been born a gentlewoman. She had +a habit of wandering about the grounds with a small hammer and nails in +her huge pocket, examining the fences, and mending them if necessary. +She could pick a lock too, when needed, with great neatness and +dispatch. I rather think she could repair one also. I have still in my +possession a small box of her making, which, for execution and +durability, I will match against the performance of any rival amateur of +the opposite sex. In spite, however, of such freaks, and as if to make +amends for them, Miss Jess possessed one of the softest and most +impressionable hearts which ever fell to the lot of a mature maiden of +forty-five. She had suffered from no less than six different attachments +during her life (she made me her confidante), and most unfortunately +they had never been to the right individual, for they were not returned. +But poor Miss Jess cherished no malice; she freely forgave them their +insensibility. Indeed, she had not the heart to kill a fly. Every beggar +imposed on her, and her sisters were obliged for her own sake to +restrain her charities. Her dress, like her pursuits, had always a +certain masculine air about it. She wore large rough boots, coarse +gloves, and a kind of man's cravat constantly twisted about her neck +when out of doors. In short, she was one of those persons one cannot +help liking, yet laughing at. Jean, the youngest sister, had been a +beauty in her time, and she still laid claim to the distinction +resulting from it. It was a pity, considering the susceptibility of her +second sister, that her charms had not been shared by her. Jean was +coquettish, and affected a somewhat youthful manner and style of dress, +which contrasted ill with her time of life. But the rest of the family, +in which of course I include the servants, evidently considered her a +young thoughtless thing for whom much allowance must be made. + + + + +_Historical Review of the Month._ + + +THE UNITED STATES. + +Since the close of the Executive Session of the Senate and the departure +of the members for their homes, Washington has relapsed into the usual +quiet of its summer season. Mr. Corwin, Secretary of the Treasury, has +been dangerously ill, but is now slowly recovering. The duties of the +office were temporarily performed by the Chief Clerk of the Department. +Señor Molina, Chargé to the United States from the Central American +State of Costa Rica, has presented his credentials to the President. M. +Bois le Comte, the French Minister Plenipotentiary, having been +superseded by the appointment of M. de Sartiges, has sold his furniture +and gone to Havana. A public dinner was given to Mr. Webster at +Annapolis, Maryland, on the 24th of March, by the Delegates of the +Maryland State Convention. It was attended by a large number of +distinguished persons. Mr. Webster then proceeded to Harrisburgh, where +he had been invited by the Legislature of Pennsylvania. A grand +reception was given him in the Hall of the House of Representatives. +Gov. Johnson introduced the distinguished guest in a brief address of +welcome, to which Mr. Webster responded in a speech of an hour's length. +He spoke of the commanding physical position of Pennsylvania, forming, +as it were, the key-stone between the North and the South, the waters of +the Atlantic and the Mississippi. Occupying, thus, a middle ground +between the two conflicting portions of the Union, he considered her +disposed to do her duty to both, regardless of the suggestions of local +prejudices. He then pronounced a most glowing and eloquent eulogium on +the Constitution, and concluded by affirming his belief that ages hence +the United States will be free and republican, still making constant +progress in general confidence, respect, and prosperity. Mr. Webster is +at present on his Marshfield estate, recovering from an indisposition +consequent on his labors during the past winter. + +The State Convention of Ohio has framed a new Constitution, which is to +be submitted to the people for acceptance. It provides for the +maintenance of religious freedom, equality of political rights, liberty +of speech and of the press, and no imprisonment for debt. The members of +each branch of the Legislature are chosen biennially. The Governor, +Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer, and Attorney +General, are to be chosen by the people for a term of two years, and the +Judges for a term of five years. The Legislature is to provide a system +of Free Education, and Institutions for the Insane, Blind, Deaf and Dumb +are to be supported by the State. The Ohio Legislature has passed +resolutions in favor of the repeal or modification of the Fugitive Slave +Law, principally on account of its denial of a trial by jury to the +fugitive. + +The Union feeling is entirely in the ascendant throughout the Southern +States. A Committee of the Virginia Legislature, to whom the resolutions +of the South Carolina Convention were referred, reported a preamble and +series of resolutions of the most patriotic character. They declare that +while Virginia deeply sympathizes with South Carolina, she cannot join +in any action calculated to impair the integrity of the Union. She +believes the Constitution sufficient for the remedy of all grievances, +and invokes all who live under it to adhere more strictly to it, and to +preserve inviolate its safeguards. Virginia also declines to send +Delegates to the proposed Southern Congress. In Georgia, a number of +Delegates have been elected to a State Convention of the Union party for +the nomination of a Candidate for Governor. The State Convention of +Missouri has adopted an address and resolutions fully sustaining Mr. +Benton in his course in opposition to the Disunionists. In Mississippi, +the Union party have taken measures for a thorough organization. +Delegates have been chosen to a State Convention for the nomination of a +ticket. The Southern party are about forming a similar organization, the +old party lines having been almost entirely abandoned. The only +counter-movement in the North, is the assembling of a State Convention +in Massachusetts, in opposition to the Fugitive Slave Law, without +distinction of party. In Tennessee, the friends of the Free School +System have called a General State Convention, to be held at Knoxville. +The New-Jersey Legislature has enacted a law prohibiting the employment +of children under ten years of age in factories, and providing that ten +hours shall be considered a legal day's labor in all manufacturing +establishments. + +The Annual Election in Rhode Island resulted in the choice of Philip +Allen, the Democratic Candidate for Governor, by 600 majority. The +Legislature stands--Senate, 14 Democrats and 13 Whigs; Assembly, 31 +Democrats and 25 Whigs. The Election in Connecticut gave the following +returns for the next Legislature: Senate, 13 Whigs and 8 Democrats; +Legislature 113 Whigs and 110 Democrats. As the election of Governor +falls upon the Legislature, the probability is that the Governor and the +United States Senator for the next six years will be chosen from the +Whig party. The Legislature of New-York paid a visit to the cities of +New-York and Brooklyn, about the end of March. They remained four days, +during which time they visited all the charitable institutions on the +island, in company with the city authorities. This is the first instance +on record of an official visit of the Legislature to the commercial +metropolis of the State. + +Boston has been the theatre of some disturbing and exciting proceedings, +growing out of the anti-slavery feeling of a portion of the community. A +fugitive slave named Sims, who had escaped from Savannah, and had been +in Boston about a month, was arrested by the Deputy United States +Marshal, at the instance of an agent of the owner. On being taken, he +drew a knife and inflicted a severe wound on one of the officers in +attendance. An abolitionist lawyer, who attempted to interfere, was +arrested and sent to the watch-house. Fletcher Webster, Esq., son of the +Secretary of State, was also seized and taken to jail, on account of +having attempted to prevent a watchman from ringing the bell of King's +Chapel, under the supposition that it was a trick of the Abolitionists +to collect a mob. The next day, this sect called a meeting on Boston +Common, which was largely attended. Rev. Theodore Parker, Wendell +Phillips, and other speakers, addressed the meeting, urging instant and +armed resistance to the operation of the law. The Police, on the other +hand, took every precaution to prevent a forcible rescue of the +prisoner. The Court-House, in which he was confined, was surrounded by +chains to keep off the crowd, and guarded by a strong force; several +military companies were also kept in readiness. The friends of the +fugitive endeavored to make use of the case for the purpose of testing +the constitutionality of the law, and a hearing was had before the +United States Commissioner, in which the question was argued at length. +In order to prevent the delivery of Sims, a complaint was instituted for +assault and battery with intent to kill the officer who arrested him. +Chief Justice Shaw, of the Supreme Court, however, decided that a writ +of habeas corpus could not be granted, and the United States +Commissioner having, from the evidence adduced, remanded Sims to the +keeping of his claimant, authority was given to take him back to +Savannah. As an assault was feared from the abolitionists and colored +people in Boston, the brig Acorn was chartered to proceed to Savannah, +and Sims taken on board, in custody of the United States Deputy Marshal +and several police officers. A large number of persons offered their +services in case any attack should be made. A large crowd collected on +the wharf as the party embarked, and a clergyman present knelt down and +pronounced a prayer for the rescue of the fugitive. No open act of +violence was committed, and after laying a day off Nantasket Beach, the +schooner proceeded on her way to Savannah. + +The Equinoctial storm, this spring, commenced on the 16th of March, and +raged for three days with unusual violence. It was severely felt along +the Atlantic coast, and did much damage to the shipping. Amin Bey, the +Turkish Envoy to the United States, sailed from Boston on the 9th of +April, on his return to Constantinople. The election of a United States +Senator by the Massachusetts Legislature has twice again been tried, +unsuccessfully. On the last ballot, Mr. Sumner lacked 12 votes of an +election. It was then further postponed to the 23d of April. The census +of Virginia has been completed, showing an aggregate population of +1,421,081, about 473,000 of whom are slaves. At the last accounts Jenny +Lind was in Cincinnati, after having given two very successful concerts +in Nashville and two in Louisville. She has also paid a visit to the +Mammoth Cave. Several large crevasses have broken out on the Mississippi +River, and another overflow of the plantations is threatened. + +The latest mails from Texas bring us little news beyond the continuance +of Indian depredations on the frontier. Several American outlaws, who +had crossed the Rio Grande for the purposes of plunder, were captured by +the Mexicans and executed. Major Bartlett, the United States Boundary +Commissioner, arrived at San Antonio from El Paso, on the 17th of March, +with a train of fifty wagons. He immediately proceeded to New Orleans +for the purpose of arranging for the transmission of supplies. Four +persons, who were concerned in the murder of Mr. Clark and others, at a +small village near El Paso, have been captured, convicted by a jury +summoned on the instant, and hung. The Boundary Commissioners have at +last agreed on the starting point of the survey, which will secure to +the United States a much larger and more valuable tract of territory +than was anticipated. The point established is the intersection of the +parallel of 32° with the Rio Grande, which is about 18 miles north of El +Paso. From this place the line runs due west till it strikes some branch +of the Gila, or if no branch is met, to the point nearest the Gila +River, whence it runs due north to the river. It is ascertained that the +only branch of the Gila which this line can strike is about one hundred +and fifty miles west of the gold and copper mines, leaving that rich +mineral region within the United States. This boundary lies to the south +of the old limits of New Mexico, and takes in a large region that has +always belonged to the State of Chihuahua. + +We have accounts from Santa Fe to the 17th of February. The winter had +been unusually mild, and the prospects of the spring trade were very +favorable. The United States Marshal had completed the census of the +Territory. The total population is 61,574, of whom only 650 are +Americans. Of the Mexicans over 21 years of age, only one in 103 is able +to read. The number of square miles in the Territory is 199,027-1/2. The +depredations of the Indians are on the increase. The tribes have become +bolder than ever, and the amount of stock driven off by them, is +enormous. Great preparations are making at Fort Laramie, on the Platte, +and all the other stations on the overland route, to accommodate the +summer emigration. A substantial bridge has been built over the North +Fork of the Platte, 100 miles above Fort Laramie. Here, also, +blacksmith's shops have been erected to accommodate those who need +repairs to their wagons. + +Two mails and about $3,000,000 in gold dust have arrived from California +during the past month. The accounts from San Francisco are to the 5th of +March. The Joint Convention of the Legislature, which assembled on the +17th of February for the purpose of choosing a United States Senator, +adjourned till the first day of January next, after one hundred and +forty-four ineffectual ballots. On the last ballot, the Hon. T. Butler +King, the Whig candidate, had twenty votes, lacking four of an election; +Col. Fremont nine, and Col. Weller eighteen. Another Legislature is to +be elected before the next session. The bonds offered by Gen. Vallejo +have been accepted, so that nothing but their fulfilment remains to +secure the seat of government for the yet unbuilt city. + +The weather still continued to be remarkably dry and mild, owing to +which cause, the miners were doing less than usual, and business was +consequently dull. In many localities, the miners, after waiting in vain +for showers enough to enable them to wash out their piles of dirt, set +themselves to work at constructing races to lead off the mountain +streams. In some places mountains have been tunneled to divert the water +into the desired channels. The yield of gold, wherever mining can be +diligently carried on, has in nowise diminished, and new placers of +remarkable richness are announced as having been discovered on the Yuba, +Feather, Scott and Klamath Rivers, and in the neighborhood of Monterey, +Los Angeles and San Diego. Veins of gold in quartz are far more abundant +and of richer character than was anticipated; several companies have +been formed for working them with machinery. Dredging-machines, attached +to steamboats, have also been introduced on the Yuba River, the bed of +which has been dug up and washed out in some places, with much success. +The excitement in relation to the Gold Bluff is over. Several vessels +have returned filled with disappointed adventurers. The black sand on +the beach contains a large quantity of gold, but in particles so fine as +to prevent its being separated by the ordinary process of washing. On +Pitt River, the principal affluent of the Upper Sacramento, a hill of +pure carbonate of magnesia, 100 feet high, has been discovered. Large +masses are easily detached, and thousands of wagons could be loaded with +very little labor. + +The Indian hostilities have not yet ceased. After the taking of the +stronghold on Fresno Creek, Major Burney and Mr. Savage returned to +Mariposa for provisions. They raised a force of 150 men, which they +divided into two parties, one of which met the Indians on San Joaquin +River, when a running fight ensued that lasted all day. The Indians were +driven off, after the loss of forty men. The Legislature has passed a +law authorizing a loan of $500,000 for the purpose of prosecuting the +war, but upon such terms that it is doubtful whether the money can be +obtained. + +The condition of society in California shows an alarming tendency among +the people to take the law into their own hands. The papers ascribe this +state of things to the imperfect and corrupt manner in which the +officers of the law have discharged their functions. Acts of violence +and crime are frequent in all parts of the country, and the mining +communities, with few exceptions, administer summary punishment wherever +the offender is captured. Sacramento City has been the scene of a case +of this kind, where the people, having no confidence in the ordinary +process of the law, took the avenging power in their own hands. A +gambler named Roe having shot an inoffensive miner, an immense crowd +assembled around the guard-house where he was kept, a jury of the +citizens was chosen, witnesses summoned, and the case formally +investigated. The jury decided that Roe was guilty of the act, and +remanded him for trial. This, however, did not satisfy the crowd, who +clamored for instant punishment, and finally succeeded in forcing the +doors of the jail and overcoming the officers. The prisoner was hurried +forth, amid the shouts and execrations of the multitude, a scaffold was +erected, and at nine o'clock the same evening he was hung, with the +ceremonies usually observed. An attempt at lynching was made in San +Francisco about the same time. Two ruffians, having attempted to rob and +murder a merchant of that city, the people assembled on the plaza and +demanded an instant trial, with the understanding that if found guilty, +the prisoners should be immediately hung. An examination was held, but +the jury could not agree, after which the accused were given into the +charge of the regular tribunal. + +An unfortunate catastrophe occurred in the Bay of San Francisco, on the +4th of March. The steamer Santa Clara, lying at Central Wharf, took +fire, which communicated to the steamer Hartford, lying near, and to the +rigging of several vessels. The latter boat was considerably damaged +before the conflagration could be extinguished; the Santa Clara was +entirely destroyed. She was the first steamboat ever built in San +Francisco, and was running on the line between that port and Stockton. +The loss by the fire was about $90,000. + +News from Oregon to the 1st of March state that the Legislature had +adjourned, having established the seat of Government at Salem, in +Maryland county, the Penitentiary at Portland, in Washington county, and +the University at Marysville, in Benton county. The Governor, however, +had refused to sign this act. The agricultural prospects, both of +California and Oregon, are very flattering. During the past winter a +great deal of land has been broken up and planted, and the fields +promise abundant harvests. + + +EUROPE. + +The ministerial crisis in ENGLAND terminated on the 3d of March by the +recall of the Russell Cabinet, entire and unchanged. In making this +announcement in the House of Commons, Lord John Russell stated that a +coalition between himself and the party of Sir James Graham and Lord +Aberdeen was impossible, on account of the refusal of the latter to +consent to the Papal Aggression Bill. In returning to power, however, +the whigs brought up this bill in a modified and milder form. The +situation of the ministry was hardly less precarious than before their +resignation. They were again defeated in the Commons, on a motion to +reform the administration of the woods and forests, 120 voting for the +reform, and 119 voting with the ministers against it. The Papal +Aggression Bill has been the cause of several exciting debates in the +House of Commons, Mr. Drummond, an ultra Protestant member, created +quite a disturbance by ridiculing the relics which have lately been +displayed in various parts of the Continent. At the latest dates the +bill had passed to a second reading by a vote of 438 to 95, the radical +members voting in the minority. The fate of the bill is still far from +being decided; the ministry are weak, and it is predicted that the +Cabinet will not last longer than the session of Parliament. Lord John +Russell has brought in a bill reforming the administration of the Court +of Chancery, but the new budget, which has been looked for with a great +deal of interest, has not yet made its appearance. During the debate on +the Papal Aggression Bill, Mr. Berkley Craven demanded legal +interference in the case of his step-daughter, the Hon. Miss Talbot, +who, being an heiress in her own right to eighty thousand pounds, had +been prevailed upon to enter a convent for the purpose of taking the +veil. As the ceremony was to be performed before she had attained her +majority, this sum would in all probability go to the funds of the +Catholic Church. The statement of this case produced a strong sensation +throughout England, and added to the violent excitement on the Catholic +Question. + +The preparations for the World's Fair are going on with great energy, +workmen being employed, day and night in finishing the building and +arranging the goods. The severest tests have been used to try the +strength of the galleries, which sustained an immense weight without the +least deflection. In rainy weather the roof leaks in places, a defect +which it has been found almost impossible to remedy. Several changes +have been made in the exhibition regulations, to which the American +delegates in London take exceptions, and they have appointed a Committee +to confer with the Commissioners on the subject. A splendid dinner was +given to Macready, the actor, on the 1st of March, on the occasion of +his retirement from the stage. Sir E. Bulwer Lytton presided, and +speeches were made by Charles Dickens, Chevalier Bunsen, Mr. Thackeray, +and others. Three hundred Hungarian exiles recently arrived at +Liverpool, from Constantinople, on their way to the United States. A +large number of them, of Polish origin, preferred remaining in England, +to wait a new revolution on the Continent. A terrible accident took +place at a coal-pit near Paisley, in Scotland. Sixty-three men and boys +were at work when an explosion took place, supposed to have been caused +by fire-damp. Of the whole number in the pit but two were rescued alive. + +The third anniversary of the Republic was celebrated in FRANCE with +imposing ceremonies. During the Carnival week, however, the people in +various localities chose to hang the President in effigy, and utter +socialist cries. For these offences arrests were made in more than fifty +towns. These facts, with the suspension of Michelet as Professor of +History in the College of France, because his lectures were considered +too democratic, denote an unquiet state of things in the Republic. As +the term of Louis Napoleon approaches its termination, the position of +parties becomes more nervous and uncertain. In the Assembly, the +proposition of M. Creton to take into consideration the abolition of the +law exiling the Orleans family, brought on the most violent debate of +the session. The adherents of the Mountain were strongly in favor of +continuing the exile. Negotiations have been carried on for some time +past between the Orleanists and the Legitimists, and early in March it +was announced that an alliance had been effected, the Orleanists to +acknowledge the right of precedence of the Count de Chambord, (Henri +V.,) who, in his turn, was to proclaim the young Count of Paris as his +successor. The Count de Chambord was at this time dangerously ill, and +his recovery was scarcely hoped for. Since then it appears that there is +much confusion between the two parties, the duchess of Orleans refusing +to set aside the claims of her son, on any consideration whatever. The +party of Louis Napoleon are intriguing to prolong the presidential term, +and it is said that in this they will be joined by the Orleanists. No +permanent ministry has yet been organized. It is rumored that Odillon +Barrot refused to accept the principal place, which was tendered to him, +unless Louis Napoleon would agree to leave his office at the end of his +term. + +A quarrel has broken out in the French Catholic Church. Some time ago +the Archbishop of Paris issued a pastoral letter, recommending the +clergy to avoid engaging in political agitations, and appearing to the +world as party men. The letter was mild but decisive in its tone, and +met with general approval. Lately, the Bishop of Chartres has published +a sort of counter-blast, in the shape of a pastoral to his own clergy, +written in the most severe and denunciatory forms. This letter he +ordered to be published in the religious journals of Paris; and the +Archbishop has referred the matter to the Provincial Council, which will +be called this year. + +GERMANY is still pursuing her ignis-fatuus of Unity, which is no nearer +than when she first set out. The Dresden Conference is still in session, +and up to the 20th of March had not adopted any plan of a Federal Diet. +It is almost impossible to conjecture what will be the basis of the +settlement. More than twenty of the smaller states protested against the +plans proposed by Austria; and Prussia, assuming the character of +protector, refused to allow their further arrangement. The King of +Prussia also refuses to accede to an agreement which his delegates had +made, allowing Austria to bring her non-German provinces to the +confederacy. In this he is sustained by Russia, who would not willingly +see the former country restored to virtual independence by the supremacy +which this plan would give her. A return to the old Diet is spoken of in +some quarters, but perhaps the most likely result will be the concession +of the presidency to Austria, on the part of Prussia. A meeting between +the ministers of the two countries is contemplated. The entire +population of Prussia, by the census taken last year, is 16,331,000. A +fire in Berlin has destroyed the building in which the Upper House of +Parliament held its meetings. + +The old order reigns in HESSE-CASSEL, Baron Haynau having issued a +proclamation to the Hessian army, in which he declares that _he_ is the +Constitution, and will crush under foot the "God-abandoned, pernicious +gang, which threatens the welfare of the State." Nevertheless, the +popular feeling remains unchanged. Lately, the citizens of Cassel were +forbidden to shout or make any demonstration, on the return of a +regiment which had been marked by the Government for its sympathy with +the popular cause. The people preserved silence, but adroitly expressed +their feelings by chalking the word "Hurrah!" in large letters on the +backs of their coats and walking in front of the regiment. The +Government of SWITZERLAND has at last yielded to the demands of Austria +and Prussia, and authorized the Cantons to refuse shelter to political +refugees. Those already there may be expelled, should the Cantons see +fit. After the insurrection in Baden, the refugees who entered the Swiss +territory, amounted to about 11,000, but they have so decreased by +emigration to England and America, that at present there are but 482 +remaining. The Government of Switzerland lately endeavored to procure +passage through Piedmont for some Austrian deserters from the army in +Lombardy, who wished to sail from Genoa for Montevideo; but the +Piedmontese Government refused to allow it. + +ITALY is fermenting with the elements of revolution. The bandits, who +have been committing such depredations in the Roman States, are not +robbers, it now appears, but revolutionary bands. Their extermination is +almost impossible, on account of the secrecy and adroitness with which +the peasants are enrolled into the service of their chief, Il Passatore. +They only meet at a general rendezvous, when some important expedition +is contemplated, and afterwards return to their own avocations. They +receive regular pay from the moment of their enlistment, and as the +links of the organization extend over a wide extent of country, the +system must require a considerable amount of money. It is conjectured +that this band is the preparative of a political revolution, instigated +by the agents of Mazzini. In Lombardy the most severe restrictions have +been issued by Radetsky. An interdict has been laid upon a hat of +particular form, and a republican song in favor of Mazzini. The +populace, however, inserted the name of Radetsky in place of the +triumvir, and now sing the song with impunity. A plot has been +discovered among the aristocratic party of Piedmont, to deliver the +country into the hands of the Absolutists. The army of the kingdom is to +be put upon a war footing. Washington's birthday was celebrated in Rome, +with interesting ceremonies. About one hundred Americans met in the +Palazzo Poli, where they partook of a splendid banquet, at which Mr. +Cass, the U. S. Chargé, presided. + +In NORWAY the Thirteenth _Storthing_, or National Assembly, has been +opened by King Oscar. In his speech, he spoke of the tranquillity which +the Scandinavian Peninsula had enjoyed, while the other nations of +Europe had been convulsed with revolutions, and warned the people +against delusive theories and ideas which lead only to discontent with +existing relations. He also recommended the construction of a railroad +from the city of Christiana to Lake Mjösen. Several serious riots have +taken place in Stockholm, and Drontheim, in Norway. On February 14th, +the students of the University of Upsala, to the number of 500, paraded +the streets of Stockholm, and were not dispersed till a collision took +place between them and the police. The same scenes were renewed next +day, when the students were joined by the people; the streets were +cleared by squadrons of cavalry, and the principal rioters arrested. + +The dispute between TURKEY and EGYPT is still far from being settled. +Abbas Pacha, however, is not at present in a condition to come to an +open rupture with the Sublime Porte, and these differences will probably +be quietly settled. The Pacha is also involved in a dispute with the +French Consul-General, in relation to the claims of certain French +officers, who were dismissed from the Egyptian service before the +expiration of their terms. Late advices from Constantinople state that a +definite arrangement has been made with regard to the Hungarian +refugees. The Emperor of Austria has granted a full amnesty to all +except eight, among whom are Kossuth and Bathyany, on condition that +they shall make no attempt to return to Hungary. The eight proscribed +persons are to remain at Kutahya until further orders. General +Dembinski had reached Constantinople, where he was well received, and +would shortly leave for Paris. + + +BRITISH AMERICA. + +An interesting election has just been held in the county of Haldimand, +Canada West, to supply a vacancy in the Canadian Parliament, occasioned +by the death of David Thompson, Esq. There were four candidates, one of +whom was the noted William Lyon Mackenzie, leader of the Rebellion of +1837. The election resulted in the choice of Mackenzie, who, after an +exile of twelve years, resumes his seat in the Legislative Assembly. The +Government had previously recognized his claim for $1,000, with +interest, for services rendered antecedent to the rebellion. The +annexation feeling is reviving in some portions of Lower Canada. At a +public meeting recently held in the county of Huntingdon, several of the +speakers expressed themselves very strongly in favor of annexation to +the United States. The Catholic clergy oppose the movement. One of the +leading Canadian politicians has drawn up a scheme of Federal Union for +the British Provinces, including the Hudson's Bay Company's Territories, +modelled on the federal system of the United States. The Canadian +Government recently had under consideration the expediency of closing +the Welland Canal against American vessels, on account of the refusal of +the United States Government to adopt reciprocity measures. This course, +which would seriously injure our commercial interests on the Lakes, has +not yet been pursued, and the Government will probably abandon the idea. + + +MEXICO. + +The administration of Gen. Arista is still a subject of much interest +and some curiosity. According to the representations of his friends, he +is about to take a firm stand in the accomplishment of his leading +measures; while, on the other hand, he is charged with weakness and +subjection to the influence of irresponsible favorites. Our latest +accounts from the Mexican capital predict that the Government will soon +be in a state of great embarrassment. The American indemnity money was +nearly spent, and there was already a deficiency of near $2,000,000 in +the Treasury. In consequence of the many robberies recently committed in +and around the city of Mexico and on the road to Vera Cruz, the most +stringent measures have been adopted for the preservation of order. +Congress is still in session, but has made no modification in the Tariff +bill, as was anticipated. It is feared that the Tehuantepec Railroad +Treaty will be rejected, notwithstanding that Arista is known to be +strongly in its favor. The exclusive privilege of a railroad from Vera +Cruz to Medellin, has been granted for one hundred years to Don José +Maria Estera. + +The revolutionary difficulties in the State of Oaxaca, have not yet been +settled. A treaty was made not long since, between Muñoz, the Governor +of the State, and the rebel, Melendez, which gave great offence to the +people. In order to reinstate himself in their favor, Muñoz pretended +that the treaty had been violated on the part of Melendez, marched +against him, and drove him and his followers into the mountains of +Chimalapa, where he has since remained concealed. The Tehuantepec +Surveying Expedition is now encamped at La Ventosa, a port on the +Pacific. The route of the Railroad across the mountains has not yet been +decided upon, the survey being a matter of difficulty on account of the +dense forests with which the country is covered. + +In YUCATAN, the war between the Spanish and Indian races is raging with +great ferocity. The Indians, who are supplied with arms and ammunition +by the English at Belize, have advanced to within thirty miles of +Merida, where a line of defence has been established by the Spaniards. +Fourteen thousand soldiers are there opposed to more than twenty +thousand Indians, and the subjugation of the latter, without help from +abroad, is impossible. The troops of Yucatan are destitute of clothing +and supplies, and as most of the wealthy citizens of the State have been +reduced to beggary by these reverses, the threatened extermination of +the Spanish race seems near at hand. A conspiracy to burn the city of +Merida, formed by some of the soldiers, in conjunction with the convicts +in the city prison, was discovered but a short time before it was to +have been carried into effect. The conspirators were condemned to death. + + +CENTRAL AMERICA. + +The hostilities between Guatemala on the one hand and the States of +Honduras and San Salvador on the other, have been temporarily suspended, +since the defeat of the latter States. The armies met at a little +village called La Arada. The battle lasted four hours, when the allied +army, commanded by Vasconcelos, President of San Salvador, was +completely routed, with a loss of 500 men. His arrival at the capital +was the occasion of a riot among the lower classes, and he did not +immediately resume his executive functions. Carrera in the mean time +advanced to Santa Anna, thirty miles from the frontier, where he made +propositions for peace. The provisional President of San Salvador +replied that no negotiations could take place until the troops were +withdrawn from the territory. This was done, but at the last accounts no +treaty had been made. The President of the National Diet of Central +America has issued a proclamation demanding the cessation of +hostilities. The blockade of the port of Amapala, in Honduras, has been +abandoned by the British fleet. Three iron steamers, intended for the +navigation of the San Juan River and Lake Nicaragua, are now building in +Wilmington, Delaware, and will be placed upon the route on the 1st of +July, at which time the line will be complete, and steamships will leave +New-York and San Francisco direct for Central America. The journey from +sea to sea will be made in about twenty-four hours. + + +THE WEST INDIES. + +The Island of CUBA is at present in an excited state on account of +rumors that another piratical expedition was being fitted out in the +United States, the vessels of which were to rendezvous at Apalachicola +Bay. This was at first looked upon as entirely groundless, but letters +from Georgia and Alabama have since partially confirmed the statement. +There is an active force of 25,000 men on the island, and any attempt at +invasion will be unsuccessful. The Captain-General, Concha, continues +his course of reform, abolishing all useless restrictions, and +establishing needful regulations, so far as his power extends. The +Venezuelan Consul at Havana has been discharged from his functions, and +ordered to leave the island in eight days, in consequence of having +furnished money to Gen. Lopez, with whom he is connected by marriage. +Mr. Clay, during his stay on the island, was honored with every +expression of respect. + +In HAYTI, the efforts of the American, English, and French Consuls have +thus far succeeded in preventing a war between the Haytiens and the +Dominicans. A commission of four persons has been appointed to confer +with the Consuls in regard to this subject. Several of the Dominican +chiefs have arrived at Port-au-Prince, where they were very kindly +received, and it was believed that peace will be speedily established. A +political conspiracy has been detected at Port-au-Prince. Among the +persons concerned in it was the late Chief Justice, M. Francisque, and +one of the three ministers of Soulouque. A large number of arrests were +made, and the prisoners tried by court-martial. Eight of them, including +the Chief Justice, were condemned and publicly shot. + +The cholera has not yet wholly disappeared from JAMAICA. The budget for +the island estimates the liabilities at £248,300, and the income at +£215,850, leaving a deficiency in the revenue of £32,450. + + +SOUTH AMERICA. + +There are now about 900 persons employed on the Panama Railroad, and the +track to Gatun, a distance of twenty-six miles, will be ready for the +locomotive by the 1st of July next. There was much excitement on the +Isthmus towards the close of March, caused by a report that the specie +train, carrying $1,000,000 in silver for the British steamer, had been +attacked by robbers. It happened, however, that only a single mule-load +was taken, which was afterwards abandoned by the robbers and recovered. +Three of the boatmen arrested for the murder of passengers on the +Chagres River have been found guilty and sentenced to be shot. A large +fire broke out on the island of Taboga, in the bay of Panama, destroying +fifty huts, and property to the amount of $50,000. Several parties have +returned to Panama from the gold region of Choco, in New Grenada. They +found the rivers of the region abounding in rich gold-washings, but were +forced to abandon the enterprise from want of supplies. + +In CHILI, the 12th of February, the anniversary of Chilian independence, +was celebrated with imposing ceremonies. The municipality of Valparaiso +are making exertions to establish a general system of primary +instruction for the children of the city. The survey of the railroad to +Santiago has been carried about fifty miles, to which distance a +favorable line has been obtained. The island of Chilöe, in the southern +part of the Republic, was suffering from a protracted drought. The +election for President was to take place in the month of March. + +In BUENOS AYRES, the opening of the Legislature and the Annual Message +of the President have been postponed by mutual agreement. The financial +affairs of the republic are in an exceedingly prosperous condition, the +available resources on hand for the present year amounting to more than +$36,000,000. By order of the government, the civil and military officers +were directed to wear the customary mourning on the 24th of January, "as +a token of grief for the death and respect for the memory of the +illustrious General Zachary Taylor, late President of the United States +of America." + +A terrible accident occurred in the harbor of Rio Janeiro on the 8th of +February. The French schooner Eliza, while at anchor near the fort, with +a large quantity of gunpowder on board, blew up with a tremendous +explosion, and soon after sank. She had 240 passengers, only a few of +whom were on board at the time. Ten were killed and twenty wounded. + + +ASIA. + +In BRITISH INDIA, a portion of the Nizam's territory has been made over +to the East India Company, as an equivalent for a debt of £60,000 due to +it. Lord Dalhousie is engaged in introducing a system of education into +the Punjaub. The Sikhs warmly second him in his endeavors. The English +authorities are also engaged in constructing 350 miles of canal in this +district. + +Late news from CHINA confirms the intelligence of the death of +Commissioner Lin. Key-ing, the former Commissioner, has been disgraced, +on account of his liberal course towards the Europeans. A system of +smuggling, on a very extensive scale, has been discovered in the +neighborhood of Shanghai. It is announced that a race of Jews has been +discovered by some agents of the London Missionary Society in the +interior of China, about 350 miles beyond Pekin. + + +AFRICA. + +A fierce and devastating war has broken out at the Cape of Good Hope, +between the British Colonists and the native tribe of the Kaffirs. The +savages arose in large bands and commenced a general attack on all the +farms along the frontier. The native servants of the settlers joined +them, and they had penetrated into the older and more thickly populated +districts on the coast, before they received any check from the +Government forces. Several battles have taken place, in which the +Kaffirs were generally routed, but they are a brave and warlike race, +and cannot be subdued without a stronger force than has yet been sent +against them. In the Beaufort and Fort Cradock districts, the country +for the distance of 150 miles was abandoned, the homesteads burnt, and +the stock driven off. At the latest dates, the Governor, Sir Harry +Smith, was raising a force of 10,000 men. + +We have news from LIBERIA to the 23d of January. At a late trial for a +capital offence in Monrovia, several native Africans sat on the jury. +Other natives hold commissions as policemen and other minor +functionaries. Bassa Cove, on the coast, had been very unhealthy for +some months. + + +POLYNESIA. + +Some difficulty has arisen at the Sandwich Islands, between the +commander of the French frigate Sérieuse and the Hawaiian Government. +The French commander demanded the payment of $25,000 as a commutation +for customs alleged to have been collected contrary to treaty +obligations. The King refused to accede to this claim, and threw himself +on the protection of Great Britain and the United States. Upon this the +French commander landed his men at Honolulu, where he has prevented +several Hawaiian vessels from proceeding to sea. + +Several different parties of exploration are now endeavoring to +penetrate into the interior of the African continent. Mr. Livingston, at +the last accounts, was proceeding northward from Lake Ngami. Dr. Beke, +in Abyssinia, and the Rev. Mr. Thompson, on the Gaboon River, have also +made some very interesting discoveries in African geography and natural +history. + + + + +_Record of Scientific Discovery._ + + +NEW MOTORS.--Sir JOHN SCOTT LILLIE, Companion of the Bath, of Paris, has +just received an English patent for improvements in the application of +motive powers. One of these improvements consists in directing currents +of air, or other gaseous fluids, through inverted troughs or channels, +for the propulsion of boats and barges in the conveyance of goods and +passengers. The troughs are placed longitudinally, one on each side of +the vessel; or one may be placed between two vessels having one deck. +Their form may be either square or oblong; and they are left open so +that the currents of air in their passage to, and escape at or near, the +stern of the vessel, may act upon the water, until they pass off into +the air. They are supplied by air through a shaft, passing vertically +through the centre of the deck. Another of the improvements consists in +suspending paddle-wheels at or near the stern of the vessel, which are +set in motion by the action of the currents as they pass off into the +air, thereby increasing the motive power; or such paddle-wheels may be +moved without the intervention of the troughs or channels, by the motion +of currents of air or other gaseous fluids, forced through tubes or +cylinders. The patent was enrolled in the early part of March. + + * * * * * + +WATER GAS.--The English patent for Paine's Light was enrolled on the +12th of December, in the name of Alfred Vincent Newton, of Chancery +Lane, Middlesex. The _London Patent Journal_ publishes the +specifications and figures, remarking that the report has been ready for +some time, but was not published at the particular request of the +assignee of the patent in England. It states that the invention is for +decomposing water by means of electricity, and producing therefrom a +gas, which, after being made to pass through spirits of turpentine or +other hydro-carbonous fluids, will, when ignited, burn with great +brilliancy. The invention is known by the name of "Paine's Light"--this +being, in fact, Mr. Paine's specification, in which he states, that +although water has been spoken of as decomposed by the electric +currents, he wishes it to be understood that this is merely to accord +with the generally received chemical doctrines and phraseology, and that +water, after all, may be a simple element; however that may be, the +patentee wishes, at present, to lay it down as certain that by +discharging electricity through water, large quantities of gases are +evolved; and that one of such gases, at least, when passed through +turpentine, in the manner described, will burn and give a highly +illuminating light. Mr. Paine's affairs in England being thus adjusted, +it is possible that more will be heard of it on this side. The benefits +of the invention are hid under a bushel. + + * * * * * + +IMPROVEMENTS IN THE STEAM-ENGINE.--An English patent has been granted to +Mr. GEORGE SMITH, of Manchester, engineer, for four improvements upon +the steam-engine. The first is an improved arrangement of apparatus by +which cold water is made to enter the exhaust passages of steam +cylinders, as near the valves as possible; by condensing a portion of +the exhausted steam it becomes hot and then passes off, while the +uncondensed steam passes either into the condenser or the atmosphere. +This improvement is applicable to marine, stationary, and locomotive +engines. The second improvement consists in an improved apparatus +applied to low-pressure boilers, by which the water in the boiler is +maintained at a regular height, and by which the danger of explosions +from deficiency of water is removed. The third, consists of hot and cold +water pumps, and is also applicable to air-pumps and lifting-pumps. The +fourth is in the construction of metallic packing of pistons for steam +cylinders, air-pumps, and other similar pistons, by which greater +strength and elasticity are obtained. + + * * * * * + +NEW APPLICATIONS OF ZINC AND ITS OXIDES.--Mr. WILLIAM EDWARD NORTON has +obtained a patent in England for improvements in obtaining, preparing +and applying zinc and other volatile metals, and their oxides, and in +the application of zinc, to the preparation of certain metals, and +alloys of metals. The improvements are six in number; consisting of an +improved furnace for the preparation of zinc and its white oxide, with +new forms of front and rear walls--a mode of dispensing with the common +retorts for the reduction of the ores of zinc into oxides, and replacing +them by one large retort, in which the ore is more advantageously +treated--the application of zinc to the alloy of iron and steel, which +are thereby rendered more malleable and less liable to oxidation--a +saving of the products of distillation and oxidation of zinc and other +volatile metals, by means of a cotton, woollen, flaxen, or other similar +fabric, in connection with a suitable exhausting apparatus,--the +application of zinc to the formation of pigments,--and, lastly, the +application of the ore called Franklinite to the reduction of iron from +its ores, and its subsequent purification, and in saving the volatile +products by means of a suitable condensing or receiving apparatus. +Franklinite, which has hitherto only been found in any quantity near the +Franklin forge, Sussex county, in the State of New Jersey, consists of +the following substances, according to Berthier and Thomson: Peroxide of +iron, 66; oxide of zinc, 17; sesqui-oxide of manganese, 16; total, 99. + + * * * * * + +A new adaptation of _Lithography_ to the process of printing in oil has +lately been invented by M. Kronheim of Paternoster-row, London. Hitherto +no strictly mechanical means have existed for successfully producing +copies of paintings, combining the colors and brilliant effects as well +as the outlines and shadings of the original. The ingenious invention of +Mr. Kronheim, while it enables him to supply copies of the great masters +wonderfully accurate in every respect, reduces the cost of such copies +to one-half the price of steel-engravings, and is a far more expeditious +process. The invention has reduced to a certainty the practice of a new +process by which the appreciation of art may be more widely extended, +and the works of great artists popularized. + + * * * * * + +THE ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY, (published in Boston by Gould and +Lincoln), is an excellent abstract of all the chief movements and +discoveries in the scientific world for the year 1850. We advise all our +readers interested in any of the sciences to procure it, and its +companion volume for the previous year. The work will be continued, and +it will be invaluable as a library of facts and suggestions. + + * * * * * + +OXYGEN FROM ATMOSPHERIC AIR.--M. BOUSSINGAULT has recently obtained some +interesting results from his investigations in relation to oxygen. The +problem upon which he has been engaged was the extraction of oxygen gas, +in a state of purity and in a considerable quantity, from the azote in +the atmosphere. For this purpose, a preference was given to baryte, +owing to its property of remaining in oxygen of a moderate temperature, +and abandoning it under the influence of a heat sufficiently intense. +Ten kilogrammes of baryte, completely oxidized, were found able to take +and afterward return 730 litres of gas. This is the number indicated by +theory; for celerity of operation, more than 600 litres can be counted +on. In that limit, and in operating on 100 kilos. of matter, 6,000 +litres of oxygen gas might be disengaged at each disoxidization; four or +five operations might be performed in 24 hours, which would thus furnish +from 24,000 to 30,000 litres of gas. + + * * * * * + +The discovery of the virtues of a _Whitened Camera for Photography_, +announced in our last issue, has excited a remarkable sensation in +England. Mr. Kilburn, photographer to the Queen, who has experimented +upon the new plan with great success, is sparring with M. Claudet. The +point in dispute is the tendency of the improved method to weaken the +image. If the statements of those who claim to have succeeded are +reliable, it is evident that the ordinary form of camera may be +abandoned, and any image be received directly from the lens upon plates +or paper exposed to a diffused light. + + * * * * * + +M. LABORDE states, in a paper on Photography read before the Paris +Society for the Encouragement of Arts, that the nitrate of zinc may be +substituted for acetic acid in the preparation of photographs on paper; +that it increases the sensitiveness of the silver coating, and even +allows an alkaline reaction to the iodide of potassium bath. + + * * * * * + +A paper was lately read by Professor ABICH, before the Geographical +Society of London, on the _Climate of the Country between the Black and +Caspian Seas_. Professor Abich noticed the outlines of the extraordinary +variety of climate in the lands between these bodies of water, and +sketched the geological and orological structure of the country, which +he has minutely examined for several years by order of the Russian +Government. The whole tract is divided by three different lines of +elevation--viz. that of S. E. to N. W.--that of W. to E., and that of S. +W. to N. E. The isothermal line of 57° and 59°, after traversing the +country between the Black and the Caspian Seas, inflects abruptly toward +the South again, reaching the Caspian. The mean temperature along the +shores of the two seas is for the year about equal; but the difference +of the temperature of the seasons is very great. Lenkoran, in the same +latitude as Palermo and Smyrna, with an annual temperature of 61° and +63°, has the summer of Montpellier 76°, and the winter of Maestricht and +Turin, 35°. In Calchis, there is the winter of the British Isles, 41° +and 42°, and the summer of Constantinople, 72° and 73°. Tiflis, with the +winter of Padua, 37°, has the summer of Madrid and Naples, 74°. The +extremes of Asiatic climate are found on the volcanic highlands of +Armenia. + + * * * * * + +The Academy of Sciences at Paris has recently heard a report on certain +explorations made in 1847-8-9 by M. Rochet d'Hericourt, a traveller in +north-eastern Africa. This traveller has, by repeated observations, +determined the latitude of Mt. Sinai to be 28° 33' 16", of Suez 29° 57' +58", of Devratabor 11° 51' 12", and of Gondar 12° 36' 1". Mt. Sinai is +1978 metres (about 6500 feet) high. Mt. Dieu 2174 metres (7200 feet), +and the highest of the Horch Mountains 2477 metres (8100 feet). The Lake +of Frana, south of Gondar, is 1750 metres (5700 feet) below the level of +the sea, and its depth in one place is 197 metres (645 feet). +Rar-Bonahite, the highest peak in Abyssinia, is 4330 metres (14,200 +feet) high, but not high enough to have snow. The traveller describes a +great variety of hot-springs, some of which contained living fish an +inch long. The geology of Abyssinia he has thoroughly investigated. In +the north, the principal rocks are granite and syenite. Among the plants +he describes is a magnificent lobelia, almost large enough to be called +a tree, which is found to the very summits of the mountains, and to a +height which would not be supposed to admit of such a growth. He also +finds the plant whose root has been found to be a specific against +hydrophobia. Of this he brought back seeds, which have been planted in +the Jardin des Plantes with success. A peculiar breed of sheep M. Rochet +d'Hericourt thought worthy of being transferred to France, but of the +pair he sent the female died on the route. This sheep has a very long +and silky fleece. On the shores of Lake Frana he also found a very large +sort of spiders, whose cocoons, he said, were converted into excellent +silk. He thinks these spiders might be brought to Europe, and employed +in producing silk, but in this he probably does not enough consider the +difficulty, or rather the impossibility, of domesticating and feeding +these insects. + + * * * * * + +Enormous fossil eggs were found a few weeks since subjects of curious +discussion in Paris, and several notices were translated for the +New-York papers. The eggs were discovered in Madagascar. M. Isodore +Geoffrey St. Hilliare, in a recent report to the _Academie des +Sciences_, furnished further details; and three eggs and some bones +belonging to a gigantic bird, which have been presented to the Museum of +Natural History in Paris, would seem to leave no room for doubt. Fairy +tales are daily thrown into shade by the authentic records of science. +This discovery appears to have been stumbled on curiously enough. The +captain of a merchant vessel trading to Madagascar noticed one day a +native who was using for domestic purposes a vase which much resembled +an enormous egg, and on questioning him was informed that many such were +to be found in the interior of the island. The largest of these eggs +would hold two gallons. The volume equals that of 135 hen's eggs. Some +doubts were at first entertained as to the nature of the animal to which +the fossil bones belonged; but M. St Hilliare--a competent judge in such +matters--has pronounced them to be those of a bird to which he has given +the name of _Epiornis_. + + * * * * * + +The sum of £1000 has been placed by the British Government at the +disposal of the _Royal Institution_, for scientific purposes. + + * * * * * + +In the PARIS ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (first meeting in March), M. Leverrier +submitted a communication from Mr. W. C. Bond, entitled Observations on +the Comet of Faye, made at the Observatory of Cambridge, Massachusetts. +Every thing is prized that comes from that quarter. M. Boussingault, the +scientific agriculturist, read an extract from his memoir on the +extraction of oxygen gas from atmospheric air. His undertaking was to +extract, in a state of purity and in considerable quantity, the oxygen +gas mixed with azote in atmospheric air, and he thinks that he has fully +succeeded, by a process not attended with much difficulty. He details +some unexpected results from his experiments. Cauchy made profound +reports (from committees) respecting the _Researches on Algebraic +Functions_ by M. Puiseux, and the studies of Crystallography by M. +Bravais. Papers on the speed of sound in iron, and on respiration in +plants, and new schemes of atmospheric railroads were submitted. +Attention was given to M. Burg's new observations concerning the +advantageous use to be made of metallic bands in various nervous +disorders in which the ordinary therapeutic expedients are found +ineffectual. M. Peligot mentioned a memoir which he was soon to put +forth as a sequel to the Researches on the nature and properties of the +different Sugars, which he published in 1838. He has succeeded in +extracting, by means of lime, the crystallizable sugar, in large +quantity, contained in molasses. He got twenty-five per cent., by the +agency of lime, carbonic acid, or sulphuric acid. Lime is cheap and +harmless. Other circumstances recommend his series of experiments. A +scientific reporter writes mysteriously of the discovery of a very +simple and easy method of extracting sugar from the beet-root; with an +apparatus which costs very little, any one may make his sugar with as +much facility as he boils his pot. + + * * * * * + +Of the EXPEDITION TO CENTRAL AFRICA, we learn from the _Athenæum_ that +letters from Dr. Barth and Dr. Overweg have been received in London by +Chevalier Bunsen, by which it appears that up to October last the +travellers were still detained in the kingdom of Aïr. A previous +communication gave an account of difficulties and dangers which they had +met with on entering that country; the inhabitants of which had shown +themselves hostile to them, so that their fate seemed entirely to depend +on the protection of the Prince En-Nur, sultan of the Kelvës. This +hoped-for protection they have been fortunate enough to secure; though +it appears not to have been sufficient to insure their safety beyond +Tin-Tellus, the residence of the Prince, in consequence of which they +have been obliged to forego the exploration of the country, and to +remain with the Prince. They have however been enabled, while thus +stationary, to collect a good deal of oral information,--especially +respecting the tract of country to the west and southwest of Ghat: +which, instead of being a monotonous desert, proves to be intersected by +many fertile wadys with plenty of water. Among these novel features, not +the least interesting is a lake, between Ghat and Tuat, infested with +crocodiles. At the date of Dr. Barth's letter (2d of October) the +travellers were on the point of setting out on an excursion to Aghades, +the capital of Aïr; the new sultan having promised them his protection, +and the valiant son-in-law of En-Nur accompanying them on their +journey. The latitude of Tin-Tellus has been found to be 18° 34' N.; the +longitude has not been finally determined. The rainy season lasts till +September, and thunder-storms occur daily in the afternoon between two +and three o'clock, accompanied by a west wind, while at other times it +blows from the east. It seems yet uncertain when the expedition will be +able to start for lake Tchad. + + * * * * * + +GEN. RADOWITZ, the late Minister of Prussian Affairs in Prussia, and +undeniably one of the most brilliant Germans now living, recently +appeared with great success in the character of a philologist before the +Academy of Useful Sciences at Erfurt. A much larger audience than usual +present, drawn thither by the oratorical reputation of the General, who +was announced to deliver an essay on the Development of the Celtic Race +in England, and especially in Wales. Great was the astonishment, when, +instead of the usual thick manuscript, the General drew forth a single +sheet containing his notes, and proceeded to speak from it for above an +hour. He dwelt with pride on the fact that a German (Dr. Meyer, the +private secretary of Prince Albert) had cast a reconciling light on the +long contest between English and Erse archæologists. He then said there +had been two Celtic immigrations, an eastern and a western. The latter +was the more ancient and important; its route was through Syria, +Northern Africa, and Spain, to England, where it appeared in three +phases, one under _Alv_, whence the name of the country Albion (_ion_, a +circle, an isolated thing, an island); another under _Edin_, whence +_Edinburgh_, in old documents _Car Edin_ (_Car_ Breton, _Ker_ burgh, as +in Carnaervon, Carmarthen, &c.); and the third under _Pryd_, whence +_Britain_ (_ain--ion_). Such etymologic analyses marked this brilliant +discourse. _Fingal_ he derived from _fin_ fair, and _gal_ a stranger, +and proved the affinity between the _Gauls_ and _Gael_, the later word +meaning vassal, while Gaul comes from _gal_. In the second part of his +essay he demonstrated that the Celts were the inventors of rhyme, and in +the discussion which followed maintained this position against several +distinguished philologists who were present. + + * * * * * + +MR. CAGNIARD LATOUR has brought to the notice of the Paris Academy of +Sciences a process for making artificial coal, by putting different +woods in a closed tube, and slowly charring them over burning charcoal. +The coal varies in character according to the age and hygrometric state +of the woods employed. The wood of young trees is converted into a +glutinous coal; the old wood, of dry fire, into a dry coal. But these +last, if soaked in water before being placed in the tube, give a +glutinous coal like the young wood, and sometimes a brown rosin, similar +to asphaltum. + + * * * * * + +A scientific Congress has been sitting in Paris. Several men of high +reputation, Mr. Walsh says, took part in its proceedings, which gave +promise of unusual interest. Charles Bonaparte, Prince of Canino, was +prominent as an orator. Recently, he could rally but two votes in the +Academy of Sciences, as a candidate for a vacant seat. The man is not so +much prized, we may believe, as the ornithologist. + + * * * * * + +M. EOELMEN, the director of the national porcelain manufactory of +Sevres, has succeeded in producing crystalized minerals, resembling very +closely those produced by nature--chiefly precious and rare stones +employed by jewelers. To obtain this result, he has dissolved in boric +acid, alum, zinc, magnesia, oxydes of iron, and chrome, and then +subjecting the solution to evaporation during three days, has obtained +crystals of a mineral substance, equaling in hardness and in beauty and +clearness of color the natural stones. With chrome, M. Eoelmen has made +most brilliant rubies, from two to three millimetres in length, and +about as thick as a grain of corn. If rubies can be artificially made, +secrets which were pursued by the alchemists of old cannot be very far +off. + + * * * * * + +At a late meeting of the _Liverpool Polytechnic Society_, Captain +PURNELL read a paper in explanation of his plan for preventing vessels +being water-logged at sea. Cisterns are to be provided on each side in +the interior of the vessel, fitted with valves opening by pressure from +within. The water would thus be kept below a certain level, and the ship +be enabled to carry sail. + + * * * * * + +PROF. HASSENSTEIN, of Gotha, recently illuminated the public square +before the Council House in that city with his new electric sun. The +effect was most brilliant, as if a bevy of full moons had risen +together, and the applause of the beholders, the newspapers assure us, +was unbounded. + + * * * * * + +THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE will this year +meet at Cincinnati, on the approaching 5th of May. + + + + +_Recent Deaths._ + + +SAMUEL FARMER JARVIS, D.D., one of the most learned men in the Episcopal +Church in the United States, died at Middletown, Connecticut, on the +26th of March. Dr. Jarvis was born in Middletown, where his father +(afterward Bishop Jarvis) was then rector of Christ's Church, on the +20th of January, 1787. His childhood and early youth (we compile from +the Hartford _Calendar_), were passed at Middletown till the Bishop +removed with him to Cheshire, where, in the Academy established by +Bishop Seabury, he completed his preparation for College. He entered at +Yale, in 1802, commenced Bachelor of Arts in 1805, and proceeded Master +in 1808. On the 18th of March, 1810, he was ordained Deacon by his +father, in New Haven; and on the fifth of April, in the year following, +in the same place, was admitted Priest. Immediately after, he became +Rector of St. Michael's and St. James' Churches, on the island of +New-York. In 1819, he was appointed Professor of Biblical Criticism, in +the General Theological Seminary, with the understanding that he was to +perform also, all the duties of instruction, except those relating to +Ecclesiastical History. For various reasons, in 1820 he resigned this +position, and removing to Boston, became the first Rector of St. Paul's +Church in that city. In 1826, he sailed with his family for Europe, in +different parts of which he remained nine years. Here he chiefly devoted +himself to studies connected with Theology and the History of the +Church. He by no means, however, omitted the proper duties of his +office. His longest and most continuous service was in Siena; on leaving +which place, the congregation presented to him a paten and chalice of +exquisite workmanship, as a testimony of respect for his character, and +of appreciation of his services. + +During his residence abroad, he was appointed Professor of Oriental +Languages and Literature in Trinity College, Hartford, and on returning +to the United States in 1835, he established himself at the College; +attending not only to various duties in connection with the College +Classes, but also instructing the students in Theology. Those who were +there under his instruction, will not soon forget the delightful +evenings in his study, when the recitation being over, conversation took +its place, and stores of the most useful and varied learning were opened +to them, with a kindness and unreservedness, which never could have been +surpassed. In 1837, he became Rector of Christ Church, Middletown, and +in this position--having with him during the last year of its +continuance only, an Assistant Minister--he remained till the spring of +1842. He then resigned the Rectorship, and devoted himself to the +especial work to which the Church had called him. Still he evinced the +same readiness as ever to perform at all times and in all places, the +duties of his sacred office; and his missionary labors during this +period, will ever attest his faithfulness to his vows as a priest of +God. + +In 1843 Dr. Jarvis went to England, with a view to certain arrangements +in connection with the publication of his Chronological Introduction, +and returned in time for the General Convention of 1844. From this +period, he was steadily engaged in the prosecution of the first volume +of his History: though his attention was frequently called off by other +demands upon his time and knowledge, among which may be particularly +mentioned the compilation of a Harmony of the Gospels, the preparation +of a work on Egypt--neither of which have yet been published--and the +drawing up a reply to Milner's End of Controversy. At the same time, he +was serving the Church as a Trustee of Trinity College, and of the +General Theological Seminary; as the Secretary of the Standing Committee +of the Diocese of Connecticut, and Secretary and Treasurer of the +Christian Knowledge Society; and as a member of Diocesan and General +Conventions. Besides all this, there was a large field of service and +usefulness--the labor and worth of which can only be estimated by one +who should see the correspondence which it entailed--which was opened to +him, by the requests continually made from all quarters, for his +opinions on matters of Doctrine, Discipline, and Worship. His life was +one of constant labor, and labor and trial wrought their work upon him. +Scarcely had his last work (the first volume of his History) been issued +from the press, when aggravated disease came upon him; and after +lingering for some time, with unmurmuring patience and resignation, he +died on the 26th of March, 1851, at the age of sixty-four. + + * * * * * + +THOMAS BURNSIDE, one of the justices of the Supreme Court of +Pennsylvania, died in Germantown on the twenty-fifth of March. He was +born in the county of Tyrone, Ireland, July 28th, 1782, and came to this +country, with his father's family, in 1792. In November, 1800, he +commenced the study of the law, with Mr. Robert Porter, in Philadelphia, +and in the early part of 1804 was admitted to the bar, and removed to +Bellefonte. In 1811 he was elected to the state Senate, and was an +active supporter of the administration of Governor Snyder in all its war +measures. In 1815 he was elected to Congress, and served during the +memorable session of 1816. In the summer of the same year he was +appointed by Governor Snyder President Judge of the Luzerne district. He +resigned this post in 1818, and resumed the practice of his profession +at Bellefonte. In 1823 he was again elected to the State Senate, of +which body he was made speaker. In 1826 he was appointed President Judge +of the Seventh Judicial District, which office he held until 1841. He +was then appointed President Judge of the Fourth Judicial District, +comprising the counties of Bucks and Montgomery. On the first of +January, 1845, he was commissioned one of the Judges of the Supreme +Court of Pennsylvania, an office which he filled at the time of his +death. Judge Burnside was a man of fine social qualities, and few +persons have had more friends. + + * * * * * + +ISAAC HILL, Governor of New Hampshire, United States senator, &c., was +born at Cambridge, the part now called Somerville, Mass., April 6th, +1788. He was a descendant of Abraham Hill of Charlestown, who was +admitted _freeman_ 1640, and died at Malden, February 13, 1670, leaving +two sons, Isaac and Abraham. From the latter of these, and fifth in +descent, was Isaac, the father of Governor Hill. His mother was Hannah +Russell, a descendant of the Cambridge family of that name, "ever +distinguished in the annals of Massachusetts."[M] His ancestors were +stanch patriots, on both sides, and served with credit in the old French +and Indian wars, and his immediate predecessors were among the earliest +and the most efficient of the "Sons of Liberty," well known for their +undaunted spirit in encouraging resistance to the arbitrary and +oppressive acts which occasioned the Revolution. + +The circumstances in which the war and other calamities had placed his +family were extremely unfavorable to the enjoyment of any educational +privileges, and he was debarred from most opportunities of acquiring +even the rudiments of that culture now common and free to all. But he +struggled manfully with these difficulties, the sharp discipline of +Necessity giving to him an early training well calculated to impress his +character with the seal of manliness and self-reliance. His intellectual +constitution was early accustomed to the keen atmosphere of wholesome +severity; and it nerved and braced him for the warfare of his subsequent +career. In it, too, we may find the origin of his peculiar traits as a +writer and a politician. He wrote in a vigorous but not polished style, +and all his productions were more forcible than elegant. But their very +bareness and sinewy proportions opened their way to the hearts of the +people whom he addressed. His prejudices were their prejudices, and in +the most earnest expression of his own strongest feeling and passion he +found the echo from the multitude of the democracy of his adopted state. + +His childhood and early youth thus formed, his next step was in the +learning his trade, or acquiring his profession: for if any occupation +in life combines more elements of professional knowledge than another, +it is that of a printer-editor. + +Though not an indented apprentice, he served his _seven years' time_ +with faithfulness, and acquired those habits of patient, persevering +industry which characterized his whole subsequent career. The +printing-office has been the college and university to many of the most +distinguished of our citizens: and that which he founded at Concord has +been the _Alma Mater_ of a series of graduates, of whom old Dartmouth +might justly be proud, could she enroll them among her Alumni. Although +the paper published by Mr. Cushing, with whom young Hill learned his +profession, was strongly federal, he retained the strong democratic +prejudices of his father's house, which he afterwards so zealously +advocated in more responsible positions. + +He went to Concord, N. H, on the 5th April 1809, the day before he +attained his majority. He bought an establishment of six months' +standing, from which had been issued the _American Patriot_, a +democratic paper, but not conducted with any great efficiency, and +therefore not considered as yet "a useful auxiliary in the cause of +republicanism." On the 18th of April, 1809, was issued the first number +of the _New Hampshire Patriot_, a paper destined to exert an immense +influence in that state from that time to the present. The press on +which it was printed was the identical old _Ramage_ press on which had +been struck off the first numbers of the old _Connecticut Courant_, +forty-five years before, that is, in 1764. The first number of the paper +is before us. It bears for its motto the following sentiment of Madison, +"Indulging no passions which trespass on the rights of others, it shall +be our true glory to cultivate peace by observing justice." Among the +selections is a portion of the famous speech of William B. Giles, in the +Senate, February 13th, 1809, in support of the resolution for a repeal +of the Embargo, and substituting non-intercourse with the aggressing +belligerents, offered by him on the 8th of the same month. In the next +number of the paper the editor expresses the opinion that "the man, who, +after reading this lucid exposition of British aggressions, can blame +his own government--can accuse the administration of a want of +forbearance, and a wish to provoke a war with England without cause, +must be wilfully blind or perversely foolish." This recalls at once the +circumstances of the time, shortly after the beginning of Madison's +administration, and during the Embargo. Democracy was odious in New +England, where the prostration of her commercial interests, the ruin of +many and serious injury of all her citizens, had rendered the +administration exceedingly unpopular. The _Patriot_, however, steadily +defended the administration and the war which followed. Probably there +will always exist a difference of opinion with respect to the necessity +or expediency of the war of 1812; but public opinion has given its +sanction to what is now known as the "Second War of Independence." Since +that time its advocates have been steadily supported by the country, and +among them the subject of this sketch, who always referred with peculiar +pride to that portion of his career--"the dark and portentous period +which preceded the war." + +Mr. Hill continued to edit the Patriot until 1829, a period of twenty +years; during which time he was twice chosen clerk of the State Senate, +once Representative from the town of Concord, and State Senator four +times. In 1828, he was the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senator, but +was not elected. In 1829, he received the appointment of Second +Comptroller of the Treasury Department from General Jackson, and +discharged the duties of that office until April, 1830, when his +nomination was rejected by the Senate of the United States. The light in +which his rejection was regarded in New Hampshire, may be inferred from +the fact that its result was his triumphant election to represent that +State in the body which had rejected him. He continued in the Senate +until 1836, when he was elected Governor of the State of New Hampshire +by a very large majority. He was twice reëlected, in 1837 and 1838. + +In 1840, he was appointed Sub Treasurer at Boston, which he held until +removed, in March, 1841, by the Harrison administration. + +About this time the policy of the radical party in New Hampshire, to +which Mr. Hill had always adhered, became tainted with an ultraism, +which he could not approve. He opposed their hostility to railroad and +other corporations, with the same vigor which had always characterized +his career. He was subjected to the proscription of the party, and +formally "read out" of the church of the New Hampshire Democracy. He +established a new paper, "Hill's New Hampshire Patriot," in which he +revived his old reputation as an editor and political writer. The +importance of the great internal improvements which he advocated, to the +prosperity of the State, brought back the party from their wanderings +into abstractions, and with this return to the old ways, came also the +acknowledgment of the political orthodoxy of Mr. Hill. The new paper was +united with the old Patriot--and one of his sons associated in the +establishment. + +During the latter years of his life, he also published and edited the +Farmer's Monthly Visiter, an agricultural paper. It was commenced +January 15, 1839, and has been continued to the present time. It was +devoted to the farming and producing interests, and its volumes contain +much valuable matter; of which Gov. Hill's own personal sketches and +reminiscences form no small portion. + +During the latter years of his life he suffered much from the disease +which finally conquered his vigorous constitution. He bore little active +part in political affairs--but took a lively interest in the success of +the compromise measures--to which he referred in his last hours, as, in +his opinion, most important in their bearing on the safety of the Union. +He made great efforts to promote their passage, and probably did some +service in the cause of the Union, to which he was ardently devoted. He +recognized the compromises of the Constitution, with unwavering fidelity +to its spirit. We regret our inability to give in this place some +extracts from a letter of Daniel Webster, addressed to one of Mr. Hill's +sons, upon the occasion of his death, which reflects equal honor upon +the writer and its subject, in its recognition of the services to which +we have referred. + +The present occasion affords no opportunity to review more particularly +the events of Mr. Hill's political career of public service. It is to be +hoped that some one may hereafter prepare the history of his life and +times--which involves an important part of the political history of New +Hampshire, and a corresponding connection with that of the whole +country. + +We quote the following concluding paragraph of the notice in the New +Hampshire Patriot of the 27th March, written by the present editor, Mr. +Butterfield: + +"We have thus hastily and imperfectly noticed the prominent events in +Governor Hill's life. Few men in this country have exerted so great an +influence over the people of their States as he has over those of New +Hampshire. He possessed great native talent, indomitable energy, +industry and perseverance. As a political editor he had few equals, and +his reputation in that field extended throughout the country. As a son, +a husband, a brother, and a father, he has left a reputation honorable +to himself, and which will cause his memory to be cherished. Although +afflicted for many years with a painful disease, exerting at times an +unfavorable influence upon his equanimity, yet we believe the "sober +second thought" of those who reflect upon his past history and services +and trials, will accord with what we have said of his estimable private +character, and his naturally kind and amiable disposition. And now that +his spirit has gone to another, and, we trust, a better world, the +unkindness engendered by political and personal differences will be +forgotten, the faults and errors of the dead will be forgiven, and our +thoughts will rest only upon his many private virtues and eminent public +services." + +The last illness of Mr. Hill was of about five weeks duration. He died +of catarrhal consumption, in the city of Washington, Saturday, the 22d +of March, 1851, at four o'clock, P. M. His remains were removed to +Concord, New Hampshire, where his funeral took place on the 27th of +March. + +[We have made free use in the preceding notice of C. P. Bradley's sketch +(1835), and various articles in newspapers of the day.] + + * * * * * + +DAVID DAGGETT, LL. D., son of Thomas Daggett, of Attleborough, +Massachusetts, was born in that town on the last day of the year 1764. +He entered Yale College at fourteen, and graduated there with +distinction in 1783. Pursuing his legal studies in New Haven, while he +held the rectorship of the Hopkins Grammar School, he was admitted to +the bar in 1785. For sixty-five years his life was identified with the +history and prosperity of New Haven and of Connecticut. Besides the +municipal offices which he held, including that of Mayor of New Haven, +he was long a Professor of Yale College, in the Law School of which he +was especially eminent. His last public station was that of Chief +Justice of the State, from the duties of which he retired at the age of +seventy, through the jealous wisdom of the constitution of Connecticut. +His connection with the law school, however, continued till within a +very few years, when his health became gradually impaired through the +advance of age, though for the last year he enjoyed an unusual exemption +from his infirmities. About the end of March his family became +apprehensive of a change for the worse, and on Saturday, April 12th, he +died, at the advanced age of eighty-six years. + + * * * * * + +MAJOR JAMES REES, born in Philadelphia in 1766, died at Geneva, +New-York, on the 24th of March. He was in his youth a confidential +cleric to Robert Morris, the financier; during the Whiskey Insurrection +in Pennsylvania, he was a Deputy Quarter-Master General under +Washington, and he held the same office under Wilkinson and under Izard, +in the war of 1812. + + * * * * * + +MORDECAI M. NOAH, who for nearly half a century had been eminent as a +politician and a journalist, and who was one of the most distinguished +Jews of the present age, died in New-York on the 2nd of March. He was +born in Philadelphia on the 19th of July, 1785, and at an early age was +apprenticed to a carver and gilder in that city; but a love of +literature and affairs induced the abandonment of that vocation for the +more congenial one to which he devoted the chief part of his life. His +editorial career commenced in Charleston, S. C., and some interesting +passages of his history there are given in the first volume of Thomas's +_Reminiscences_. In 1811 Mr. Madison appointed him consul at Riga, but +he declined the place. In 1813 he was appointed by Mr. Monroe consul to +Tunis, with a mission to Algiers. On the voyage his vessel was captured +by a British frigate and taken to Plymouth. His diplomatic position +exempted him from imprisonment, but he was detained several weeks, and +did not reach his destination until February, 1814. Having accomplished +the object of his mission, he crossed the Pyrenees, and visited Paris. +After a brief residence in that city, he proceeded to Tunis, where he +remained until recalled, in 1816. In 1819 he published a book of +_Travels_, containing the result of his observations in Europe and +Northern Africa, during a three years' residence in those countries. He +now became one of the editors and proprietors of the _National +Advocate_, in which he published the _Essays on Domestic Economy_, +signed "Howard," which were subsequently printed in a volume. The next +paper with which he was connected was the _Enquirer_, afterwards Courier +& Enquirer, in the management of which he was associated with Colonel +Webb. The several papers of which he was at various times editor or +proprietor, or both, were the _National Advocate_, _Enquirer_, _Courier +& Enquirer_, _Evening Star_, _Sun_, _Morning Star_, and _Weekly +Messenger_. His most successful journal was the _Evening Star_, but he +was eminently popular at all times as an editorial writer, and was very +fortunate when he had, as in the _Evening Star_, or the _Sunday Times_, +judicious business partners. Soon after his return from Africa occurred +his celebrated attempt to assemble all the Jews of the world on this +continent, and build a new Jerusalem at Grand Island, in the Niagara +River. + +In 1821 he was elected sheriff of the city and county of New-York. +During his term of office the yellow fever broke out, and he opened the +doors of the prisons and let go all who were confined for debt--an act +of generous humanity which cost him several thousand dollars. He was +admitted to the bar of this city in 1823, and to the bar of the Supreme +Court of the United States in 1829. In 1829 he was also appointed, by +President dent Jackson, Surveyor of the Port of New-York, which office +he shortly afterward resigned. In the political contest of 1840, he took +part against Mr. Van Buren, whom he had long regarded with distrust, and +voted for General Harrison. In 1841 he was appointed by Governor Seward, +Judge of the Court of Sessions. He was probably the only Hebrew who +occupied a judicial station in Christendom. During the same year he was +made Supreme Court Commissioner. When a change in the organization of +the Court of Sessions took place he resigned his seat on the bench, and +soon returned to his old profession. In 1843 he became one of the +editors and proprietors of the _Sunday Times_, with which he was +connected when he died. + +Major Noah was a very rapid and an industrious writer. Besides his +_Travels in England, France, Spain, and the Barbary States, in the Years +1813, 1814, and 1815_, and the _Howard Papers on Domestic Economy_, he +published several orations and addresses on political, religious and +antiquarian subjects; edited _The Book of Jasher_, and wrote numerous +successful plays, of which an account may be found in Dunlap's _History +of the Stage_. The most prominent of them were, _She would be a Soldier, +or the Plains of Chippewa_; _Ali Pacha, or the Signet Ring_; _Marion, or +the Hero of Lake George_; _Nathalie, or the Frontier Maid_; _Yusef +Caramali, or the Siege of Tripoli_; _The Castle of Sorrento_, _The Siege +of Daramatta_, _The Grecian Captive_, and _Ambition._ He for a long time +contemplated writing _Memoirs of his Times_, and he published in the +_Evening Star_ many interesting reminiscences intended to form part of +such work. + +Major Noah was a man of remarkable generosity of character, and in all +periods of his life was liberal of his means, to Christians as well as +to Jews: holding the place of President in the Hebrew Benevolent +Society, and being frequently selected as adviser in other temporary or +permanent associations for the relief of distress. As a politician he +was perhaps not the most scrupulous in the world, but there was rarely +if ever any bitterness in his controversies. In religion he was sincere +and earnest, and the Hebrews in America we believe uniformly held his +character in respect + + * * * * * + +JOHN S. SKINNER, who was for a long time editor of the _Turf Register_ +at Baltimore, and who more recently conducted the very able magazine +_The Plow, the Loom, and the Anvil_, died from an accident, in +Baltimore, on the 28th of March, aged about sixty years. He had held the +appointment of Post-Master at Baltimore for a period of twenty years, +though removed from it fifteen years ago, and he was afterward Assistant +Post-Master General. Intending to hurry out from the Baltimore +Post-Office--which he had entered for some business with his +successor--into the street, he inadvertently opened a door leading to +the basement of the building, and before he could recover himself, +plunged head foremost down the flight of steps. His skull was fractured, +and he survived in a state of insensibility for a few hours only. + + * * * * * + +BREVET-MAJOR-GENERAL GEORGE M. BROOKE, of the United States Army, died +at San Antonio, Texas, on the ninth of March. General Brooke entered the +army, from Virginia, on the third of May, 1808, as First Lieutenant in +the Fourth Infantry. He had received four brevets during his military +life, and at the time of his death he was in command of the Eighth +Military Department, (Texas,) and engaged in planning an expedition +against the Indians. + + * * * * * + +FERDINAND GOTTHELF HAND, Professor of Greek Literature at the University +of Jena, died on the 14th March, at the age of sixty-five. He is best +known for his work on the _Æsthetik der Foukunst_. He had filled his +professorship since 1817. + + * * * * * + +M. JACOBI died on the nineteenth of February at Berlin. He was well +known to the scientific world by his electro-chemical researches. + + * * * * * + +HANS CHRISTIAN OERSTED, the great Danish naturalist, died at Copenhagen +on the seventeenth of March, aged seventy-four. He was the son of an +apothecary of Rudkjobing, in the province of Larzeland. Fourteen days +before his death he gave a scientific lecture at the University of +Copenhagen, where he was Professor of Natural Science. He was nearly of +the same age with Thorwaldsen and Oehlenschlager. His last work, _Der +Geist in der Natur_, was not long since the subject of remark in these +pages. His fame as the discoverer of electro-magnetism, (which discovery +he made, after laborious researches, on the fifth of June 1821,) and as +a profound and genial thinker, will be immortal. + +At Rudkjobing he received his early education with his brother Anders +Sandöe Oersted, a distinguished senator of Denmark, and for some years +one of the ministers of state. Christian Oersted was sent to Copenhagen +to study medicine. After completing his course of pharmacy, he directed +his powers to the study of natural philosophy, and greatly distinguished +himself in that science, of which he subsequently became University +Professor. His grand discovery of electro-magnetism led to the +subsequent development of the electric telegraph. In 1807 he wrote his +work reviving the hypothesis of the identity of magnetism and +electricity, in which he arrived at the conclusion--that "in galvanism +the force is more latent than in electricity, and still more so in +magnetism than in galvanism; it is necessary, therefore, to try whether +electricity, in its latent state, will not affect the magnetic needle." +No experiment appears, however, to have been made to determine the +question until 1820, when Oersted placed a magnetic needle within the +influence of a wire connecting the extremities with a voltaic battery. +The voltaic current was now, for the first time, observed to produce a +deviation of the magnetic needle in different directions, and in +different degrees, according to the relative situation of the wire and +needle. By subsequent experiment Oersted proved that the wire became, +during the time the battery was in action, magnetic, and that it +affected a magnetic needle through glass, and every other non-conducting +body, but that it had no action on a needle similarly suspended, that +was not magnetic. To Professor Oersted is also due the important +discovery, that electro-magnetic effects do not depend upon the +intensity of the electricity, but solely on its quantity. By these +discoveries an entirely new branch of science was established, and all +the great advances which have been made in our knowledge of the laws +which regulate the magnetic forces in their action upon matter, are to +be referred to the discovery by Oersted, that by an electric current +magnetism could be induced. He promulgated a theory of light, in which +he referred luminous phenomena to electricity in motion; it has not, +however, been favorably received. + +One of the most important observations first made by him, and since then +confirmed by others, was, that a body falling from a height not only +fell a little to the east of the true perpendicular--which is, no doubt, +due to the earth's motion--but that it fell to the _south_ of that line; +the cause of this is at present unexplained. It is, no doubt, connected +with some great phenomena of gravitation which yet remain to be +discovered. At the meeting of the British Association at Southampton, +Professor Oersted communicated to the Chemical Section some curious +examples of the influence of time in determining chemical change, as +shown in the action of mercury upon glass in hermetically sealed +vessels. The character of Professor Oersted's mind was essentially +searching and minute; thus he observed results which escaped detection +in the hands of those who took more general and enlarged views of +natural phenomena. To this was due the discovery of electro-magnetism, +which will for ever connect his name with the history of inductive +science. As Director of the Polytechnic Institution of Copenhagen, of +which he was the founder, and of the Society for the Diffusion of +Natural Sciences, and as Perpetual Secretary of the Royal Academy of +Sciences since 1815, his labors were unceasing and of great benefit to +his country. He was for many years attached to the Military College of +Cadets of Copenhagen, and only resigned when he could be succeeded by +one of his own pupils. His manners and demeanor were extremely modest +and unobtrusive. The British Royal Society awarded him the Copley Medal +for his discovery in electro-magnetism, and the Academy of Sciences of +Paris presented him with their Gold Medal. Both Societies elected him a +Foreign Member. + + * * * * * + +HENRI DELATOUCHE, who died early in March at Aulnay, France, was born +February 3d, 1785. His first work was _Fragoletta_, a book treating in +an original way the revolution of Naples in 1799; it was the fruit of a +long sojourn in Italy, a genuine production of genius, in which the +chapters devoted to antique art are especially remarkable. During the +Hundred Days he was the secretary of Marshal Brune, and was made +sub-prefect of Toulon. The downfall of Napoleon deprived him of office, +and restored him to literature and general politics. During the +Restoration he gained great applause by his eloquent and successful +defence of his father, who was tried before a political court, and but +for his son would have been one of the victims of that bloody period. He +was prominent in the agitation of public questions through that time, +and through the ten first years of Louis Philippe. He was intimate with +B. Constant Chateaubriand, Madame Recamier, Gros, Gerard, Armand Carrel, +Godfrey Cavaignac, Beranger, and George Sand. He was one of the editors +of the _National_, and the chief writer of the brilliant and effective +_Figaro_. His books were _Fragoletta_, _Aymar_, _France et Marie_, +_Lettres de Clement XIV. et de Carlo Bertinazzi_, _Les Adieux_. Though +he adopted the form of romance, the purpose of his writings was +historical and didactic. In the latter part of his life he made +preparations to write a _Histoire des Conjurations pour la Liberté_, but +did not accomplish it. He was a man of noble character and remarkable +genius. His conversation was brilliant and fascinating. Since Diderot, +it is said that France has produced no talker to be compared with him. +George Sand frequently compares him to Rousseau. Like that philosopher, +toward the close of his life he manifested a passionate love of nature +and solitude. He spent his time laboring in his garden, and living in +the most frugal manner. The aged and manly poet was beloved of the +neighboring peasants, as well as by the friends he had left behind him +in the great world; and though he had often criticised his +contemporaries with extreme severity, sometimes even with injustice, he +left no enemies. + + * * * * * + +Among the persons lately deceased who are worthy of mention is Madame DE +SERMETZY, who died at her country seat, near the French city of Lyons, +at the age of eighty-one years. Had circumstances favored the +development of her genius, she would have acquired a name among the +sculptors of the time. She left behind her a number of works in terra +cotta. A Psyche of life-size is said to be full of expression and grace; +a Plato is remarkable for anatomical correctness and manly force. Both +are in the Academy at St. Pierre. She also modelled a Sappho, a Lesbia, +and some dozen busts. Of smaller works, statuettes and groups, she has +left some two hundred in terra cotta, among them a St Augustine, said to +be admirable for expression and nobleness. The churches constantly +received from her gifts of beautiful angels and madonnas. A few years +before her death she modelled a madonna of the size of life, which is +one of her best works. Want of means alone prevented her from executing +her productions in marble. She was also familiar with the literature, +not only of her own nation, but of the Latin, Spanish, Italian, and +English languages, which she spoke with fluency and correctness, a rare +accomplishment for a French woman. During the Empire and the Restoration +she was intimate with Madame Recamier and Madame de Staël, and for +penetration and readiness of mind and charm of manners was not unworthy +to be named with these remarkable women. + + * * * * * + +MARSHAL DODE DE LA BRUNIERE, one of the soldiers of Napoleon, who raised +him to the rank of Lieutenant-General, and employed him in many +important services, died at Paris on the 28th February, aged +seventy-seven. He served in the campaign of Egypt as a lieutenant of +engineers. After the siege of Saragossa he was made a colonel. He +participated in all the great battles of the empire, and was finally +made a peer of France and a marshal by Louis Philippe, after having +directed the construction of the gigantic fortifications around Paris. +He was a frank, affable, and kind-hearted man. + + * * * * * + +M. MAILLAU, one of the most productive of Paris dramatists, died in that +city March, twelfth, aged forty-five. He was born in Guadaloupe, and +began life in France as a lawyer, but soon abandoned that profession to +write for the stage. He wrote a large number of dramas, some of which +were very successful. The last one, called _La Révolution Française_, +has run a hundred and fifty nights, and is still performing. He was an +excellent fellow, and nobody's enemy but his own. + + * * * * * + +DR. HENRY DE BRESLAU, senior of the Faculty of Medicine in the +University of Munich, died lately. He was second medical officer on the +staff of Napoleon, under Larrey, and followed the French army in the +Russian campaign. He was made prisoner on the field of Waterloo. France, +Bavaria, Saxony, Greece, and Portugal, had recognized his scientific +eminence by severally enrolling his name among their orders of chivalry. + + * * * * * + +COMMISSIONER LIN, whose seizure and destruction of the opium in 1839 led +to the war with China, died suddenly on the eighteenth of November last, +while on his way to the insurrectionary district of Quan-si. + + * * * * * + +JOHN LOUIS YANOSKI was born at Lons-le-Saulnier, France, March 9, 1813, +and died at Paris early in February last. Though not known much out of +his own country, few literary men have possessed more admirable and +substantial qualities. He was feeble in bodily powers, but endowed with +indefatigable ardor in the pursuit of intellectual objects, and a mind +at once penetrating and judicious. He was educated in the College of +Versailles. In 1836 he became a tutor in history at the University at +Paris. Subsequently he was selected by Thierry to assist in the +preparation of his history of the Tiers-Etat, and spent four years in +working upon it. At the same time he labored assiduously in other +directions. In 1839 he gained two prizes from the Academy of Moral and +Political Sciences, one for a memoir on the organization of the national +forces from the twelfth century to the reign of Charles VII; the other +for an essay on the abolition of slavery in antiquity. In 1841 the +Academy selected him to prepare, under the direction of M. Mignet, a +view of the progress of the moral and political sciences, a work which +was not completed when he died. In 1840 he was made professor of history +in Stanislas College; in 1842 Michelet chose him for his substitute at +the College of France, but in that capacity he gave but a single +lecture, being seized while speaking with hemorrhage of the lungs, from +which he did not recover for several months. Notwithstanding the labors +required by all these occupations he found time to write for Didot's +_Univers Pittoresque_ a history of Carthage from the second Punic war to +the Vandal invasion, a history of the Vandal rule and the Byzantine +restoration, another of the African Church, and one of the Church of +Ancient Syria. He also furnished many important articles to the +Encyclopedic Dictionary, wrote often for the _National_ newspaper, and +for two years was chief editor of the _Nouvelle Revue Encyclopédique_. +He was a republican in sentiment, and a character of exceeding nobleness +and energy. + + * * * * * + +COLONEL COUNT D'HOZIER, a distinguished French officer, who was +compromised in the affair of Georges Cadoudal, died early in March, in +Paris, aged seventy-seven. On the occasion of the conspiracy referred +to, he was sentenced to death, but obtained his pardon through the +interference of the Empress Josephine, and as a commutation of his +punishment was imprisoned until the year 1814 in the prison of the +Chateau d'If--the scene of the confinement of Dumas' hero, the Comte de +Montechristo. + + * * * * * + +M. GEORGE BRENTANO, the oldest banker at Frankfort-on-the-Maine, died a +few weeks ago, aged eighty-eight. He was brother of two persons well +known in the world of letters, M. Clement Brentano and the Countess +Bettina d'Arnim, the correspondent of Goëthe. + + * * * * * + +FREDERIC XAVIER FERNBACH, the inventor of that mode of encaustic +painting which is called by his name, died at Munich on the 27th +February. A history of his experiments and inventions was published many +years ago. + + * * * * * + +M. JULES MARTIEN, author of a volume on _Christianity in America_, died +in Paris on the twenty-first of March. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[M] Farmer's Genealogical Register: Articles _Hill-Russell_. + + + + +"OTSEGO HALL," THE RESIDENCE OF J. FENIMORE COOPER. + +[Illustration] + + +In the delightful home which in the above engraving is reflected with +equal spirit and fidelity, our great novelist has composed the larger +portion of those admirable tales and histories that display his own +capacities, and the characteristics and tendencies of our people. + +Here also was written the beautiful work by Mr. COOPER'S daughter, +entitled "Rural Hours." Could any thing tempt to such authorship more +strongly than a residence thus quiet, and surrounded with birds, and +flowers, and trees, and all the picturesque varieties of land and water +which render Cooperstown a paradise to the lover of nature? + +In the last _International_ we sketched the career of Mr. Cooper, and +gave an account of his writings, and an estimate of their value. What we +add here shall relate to the work which entitles his daughter to share +his eminence. "Rural Hours" is one of the most charming contributions +literature has ever received from the hand of a woman. Though in the +simple form of a diary, it is scarcely less than Thomson's "Seasons" a +poem; yet while seeming continually to reflect the most poetical phases +of nature and of rural life--so delicate is the appreciation of natural +beauty, and so pure and unaffected and exquisitely graceful the style of +composition--it has throughout even a Flemish truth and particularity of +detail. If we were called upon to name a literary performance that is +more than any other American in its whole character, we cannot now think +of one that would sooner receive this praise. A record of real +observations during the daily walks of many years in a secluded town, or +of the changes which the seasons brought with their various gifts and +forces into domestic experience, it is a series of pictures which could +no more have been made in another country than so many paintings on +canvas of scenes by Otsego lake. The leaves are blown over by Otsego +airs, or if the eye grows heavy and the pages are unturned it is for +slumberous spells that attach to delineations of the sunshine and +silence of Otsego's August noons. And the views Miss Cooper gives us of +the characters and occupations of the agricultural population in that +part of the country, who wear curiously interblended the old English and +Dutch habits with here and there a sign of the French, and the +republican freedom which in three generations has taken the tone of +nature, are as distinctive as the descriptions of changes which the +maple assumes in the autumn, or of the harvest of Indian corn, or a deer +hunt in the snow. Upon a careless reading of "Rural Hours" we might +fancy that Miss Cooper was less familiar than perhaps should be for such +a task with botany and other sciences, but a closer study of the book +reveals the most minute and comprehensive knowledge, so interfused that +it is without technical forms only, and never deficient in precision. +The style is everywhere not only delightfully free, while artistically +finished, but it is remarkably pure, so that there is in the literature +of this country not a specimen of more genuine English. In this respect +the work of one of the most highly and variously educated women of our +time, to whom the languages of the politest nations were through all her +youth familiar in their courts, may be well compared with the +compositions which "literary ladies" with Phrase Books make half French +or half Italian. + + + + +GEORGE W. DEWEY. + +[Illustration] + + +Of our younger and minor poets no one has more natural grace and +tenderness than GEORGE W. DEWEY. The son of a painter, and himself the +Secretary of the Philadelphia Art Union, it may be supposed that he is +well instructed in the principles upon which effect depends; but while +native genius, as it is called, is of little value without art, no man +was ever made a poet by art alone, and it is impossible to read "Blind +Louise," "A Memory," or "A Blighted May," without perceiving that Mr. +Dewey's commission has both the sign and the countersign, in due form, +so that his right to the title of poet is in every respect +unquestionable. He has not written much, but whatever he has given to +the public is written well, and all his compositions have the signs of a +genuineness that never fails to please. There is no collection of his +poems, but from the journals to which he contributes we have selected +the following specimens: + + +A MEMORY. + + It was a bright October day-- + Ah, well do I remember! + One rose yet bore the bloom of May, + Down toward the dark December. + + One rose that near the lattice grew, + With fragrance floating round it: + Incarnardined, it blooms anew + In dreams of her who found it. + + Pale, withered rose, bereft and shorn + Of all thy primal glory, + All leafless now, thy piercing thorn + Reveals a sadder story. + + It was a dreary winter day; + Too well do I remember! + They bore her frozen form away, + And gave her to December! + + There were no perfumes on the air, + No bridal blossoms round her, + Save one pale lily in her hair + To tell how pure Death found her. + + The thistle on the summer air + Hath shed its iris glory, + And thrice the willows weeping there + Have told the seasons' story, + + Since she, who bore the blush of May, + Down towards the dark December + Pass'd like the thorn-tree's bloom away, + A pale, reluctant ember. + + +BLIND LOUISE. + + She knew that she was growing blind-- + Forsaw the dreary night + That soon would fall, without a star, + Upon her fading sight: + + Yet never did she make complaint, + But pray'd each day might bring + A beauty to her waning eyes-- + The loveliness of Spring! + + She dreaded that eclipse which might + Perpetually inclose + Sad memories of a leafless world-- + A spectral realm of snows. + + She'd rather that the verdure left + An evergreen to shine + Within her heart, as summer leaves + Its memory on the pine. + + She had her wish: for when the sun + O'erhung his eastern towers, + And shed his benediction on + A world of May-time flowers-- + + We found her seated, as of old, + In her accustom'd place, + A midnight in her sightless eyes, + And morn upon her face! + + +A BLIGHTED MAY. + + Call not this the month of roses-- + There are none to bud and bloom; + Morning light, alas! discloses + But the winter of the tomb. + All that should have deck'd a bridal + Rest upon the bier--how idle! + Dying in their own perfume. + + Every bower is now forsaken-- + There's no bird to charm the air! + From the bough of youth is shaken + Every hope that blossom'd there; + And my soul doth now inrobe her + In the leaves of sere October + Under branches swaying bare. + + When the midnight falls beside me, + Like the gloom which in me lies, + To the stars my feelings guide me, + Seeking there thy sainted eyes; + Stars whose rays seem ever bringing + Down the soothing air, the singing + Of thy soul in paradise. + + Oh, that I might stand and listen + To that music ending never, + While those tranquil stars should glisten + On my life's o'erfrozen river, + Standing thus, for ever seeming + Lost in what the world calls dreaming, + Dreaming, love, of thee, forever! + + +THE SHADY SIDE. + + I sat and gazed upon thee, ROSE, + Across the pebbled way, + And thought the very wealth of mirth + Was thine that winter day; + For while I saw the truant rays + Within thy window glide, + Remember'd beams reflected came + Upon the shady side. + + I sat and gazed upon thee, ROSE, + And thought the transient beams + Were leaving on thy braided brow + The trace of golden dreams; + Those dreams, which like the ferry-barge + On youth's beguiling tide, + Will leave us when we reach old age, + Upon the shady side. + + Ah! yes, methought while thus I gazed + Across the noisy way, + The stream of life between us flow'd + That cheerful winter day; + And that the bark whereon I cross'd + The river's rapid tide, + Had left me in the quietness + Upon the shady side. + + Then somewhat of a sorrow, ROSE, + Came crowding on my heart, + Revealing how that current sweeps + The fondest ones apart; + But while you stood to bless me there, + In beauty, like a bride, + I felt my own contentedness, + Though on the shady side. + + The crowd and noise divide us, ROSE, + But there will come a day + When you, with light and timid feet, + Must cross the busy way; + And when you sit, as I do now, + To happy thoughts allied, + May some bright angel shed her light + Upon the shady side! + + + + +_Ladies' Fashions for the Early Summer._ + +[Illustration] + + +_Costume for a Young Girl._--In the above engraving the largest figure +has boots of pale violet cachmere and morocco; trowsers of worked +cambric; and dress of a pale chocolate cachmere, trimmed with narrow +silk fringe, the double robings on each side of the front as well as the +cape, on the half-high corsage, ornamented with a double row of narrow +silk fringe, this trimming repeated round the lower part of the loose +sleeve; the chemisette of plaited cambric, headed with a broad frill of +embroidery; full under sleeves of cambric, with a row of embroidery +round the wrist; open bonnet of pink satin, a row of white lace +encircling the interior next the face. The second miss has button gaiter +boots of chocolate cachmere; trowsers and undersleeves of white +embroidered cambric; frock of plaided cachmere; _paletot_ of purple +velvet; hat of a round shape, of white satin, the low crown adorned with +a long white ostrich feather. + +_The Boy's Dress_ is made to correspond as nearly as may be with that of +the youngest girl--embroidered pantalettes, and under sleeves trimmed +with pointed lace. + +[Illustration] + +_Ladies' Morning Promenade Costume._--A high dress of black satin, the +body fitting perfectly tight; has a small jacket cut on the _biais_, +with row of black velvet laid on a little distance from the edge; the +sleeves are rather large, and have a broad cuff turned back, which is +trimmed to correspond with the jacket; the skirt is long and full; the +dress is ornamented up the front in its whole length by rich fancy silk +trimmings, graduating in size from the bottom of the skirt to the waist, +and again increasing to the throat. _Capote_ of plum-colored satin; +sometimes plain, sometimes with a bunch of hearts-ease, intermixed with +ribbon, placed low on the left side, the same flowers, but somewhat +smaller, ornamenting the interior. + +_Evening Dress_ of white _tulle_, worn over a _jape_ of rich pink satin; +the waist and point of a moderate length; the sleeves and front of the +corsage covered with fullings of _tulle_, clasped at equal distances by +narrow bands of green satin; the skirt extremely full, and looped up on +each side; the trimming, which reaches from the waist on each side the +point to the bottom of the skirt, composed of loops of green satin +ribbon edged with gold. Magnificent ribbons or beautiful flowers +accompany the light trimmings which ornament the lighter evening +dresses. A young lady is never more beautiful than when dressed in one +of those robes, so rich in their simplicity, and distinguished by their +embroideries, form, and trimmings. A robe of tarlatane, trimmed with +seven flounces, deeply scalloped and worked with straw colored silk, is +much in vogue. The same trimming, proportionably narrow, covers the +berthe and sleeves. When worked with white silk, this dress is still +more stylish. White or black lace canezous, worn with low-bodied silk +dresses, are very much admired. They are open over the chest, and more +or less worn with basques or straight trimmings round the waist, with +half long sleeves, fastened up on the front, for the arm, by a ribbon +bow. + +_Dress Hats_ are principally made of _tulle_ or gauze _lisse_--those of +the latter texture, made in white, of folds with rows of white gauze +ribbon. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The International Monthly, Volume 3, +No. 2, May, 1851, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK INTERNATIONAL MONTHLY, MAY 1851 *** + +***** This file should be named 29246-8.txt or 29246-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/9/2/4/29246/ + +Produced by Joshua Hutchinson, Josephine Paolucci and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. +(This file was produced from images generously made +available by Cornell University Digital Collections.) + + +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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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: The International Monthly, Volume 3, No. 2, May, 1851 + +Author: Various + +Release Date: June 26, 2009 [EBook #29246] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK INTERNATIONAL MONTHLY, MAY 1851 *** + + + + +Produced by Joshua Hutchinson, Josephine Paolucci and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. +(This file was produced from images generously made +available by Cornell University Digital Collections.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<h1>THE INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE</h1> + +<h2>Of Literature, Art, and Science.</h2> + +<h3>Vol. III. NEW-YORK, MAY 1, 1851. No. II.</h3> + +<p class="notes">Transcriber's note: Minor typos have been corrected and footnotes +moved to the end of the article. Table of Contents has been created for the HTML version.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>Contents</h2> +<p> +<a href="#GEORGE_WILKINS_KENDALL"><b>GEORGE WILKINS KENDALL.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#WASHINGTON"><b>WASHINGTON.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#WILLIAM_HOGARTH"><b>WILLIAM HOGARTH.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#NATHANIEL_HAWTHORNE"><b>NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#YEAST_A_PROBLEM"><b>YEAST: A PROBLEM.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#THE_LITTLENESS_OF_A_GREAT_PEOPLE"><b>THE LITTLENESS OF A GREAT PEOPLE.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#A_JEW_AND_A_CHRISTIAN"><b>A JEW AND A CHRISTIAN.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#POLICARPA_LA_SALVARIETTA"><b>POLICARPA LA SALVARIETTA,</b></a><br /> +<a href="#A_REAL_AMERICAN_SAINT"><b>A REAL AMERICAN SAINT.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#Authors_and_Books"><b>AUTHORS AND BOOKS.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#The_Fine_Arts"><b>THE FINE ARTS.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#HAS_THERE_BEEN_A_GREAT_POET_IN_THE_NINETEENTH_CENTURY"><b>HAS THERE BEEN A GREAT POET IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY!</b></a><br /> +<a href="#THE_REAL_ADVENTURES_AND_ACHIEVEMENTS_OF_GEORGE_BORROW"><b>THE REAL ADVENTURES AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF GEORGE BORROW.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#THE_FAUN_OVER_HIS_GOBLET"><b>THE FAUN OVER HIS GOBLET.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#THE_JESUIT_RELATIONS"><b>THE JESUIT RELATIONS.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#THE_HAT_REFORM_AGITATION"><b>THE HAT REFORM AGITATION.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#PROFESSIONAL_DEVOTION"><b>PROFESSIONAL DEVOTION.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#THE_WILFULNESS_OF_WOMAN"><b>"THE WILFULNESS OF WOMAN."</b></a><br /> +<a href="#A_STORY_WITHOUT_A_NAMEG"><b>A STORY WITHOUT A NAME.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#NATURAL_REVELATION"><b>NATURAL REVELATION.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#HEART-WHISPERS"><b>HEART-WHISPERS.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#THE_SNOWDROP_IN_THE_SNOW"><b>THE SNOWDROP IN THE SNOW.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#THE_COUNT_MONTE-LEONE_OR_THE_SPY_IN_SOCIETYH"><b>THE COUNT MONTE-LEONE: OR, THE SPY IN SOCIETY.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#LIFE_AT_A_WATERING_PLACE"><b>LIFE AT A WATERING PLACE.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#THE_TWIN_SISTERS"><b>THE TWIN SISTERS.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#ALFIERI"><b>ALFIERI.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#ANECDOTES_OF_PAGANINI"><b>ANECDOTES OF PAGANINI.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#BIOGRAPHY_OF_FRENCH_JOURNALISTS"><b>BIOGRAPHY OF FRENCH JOURNALISTS.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#PROPHECY"><b>PROPHECY.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#THE_MODERN_HAROUN-AL-RASCHID"><b>THE MODERN HAROUN-AL-RASCHID.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#LOVE_A_SONNET"><b>LOVE.—A SONNET.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#THE_HISTORY_OF_SORCERY_AND_MAGICI"><b>THE HISTORY OF SORCERY AND MAGIC.[I]</b></a><br /> +<a href="#HARTLEY_COLERIDGE_AND_HIS_GENIUS"><b>HARTLEY COLERIDGE AND HIS GENIUS.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#LYRA_A_LAMENT"><b>LYRA.—A LAMENT.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#MY_NOVEL"><b>MY NOVEL:</b></a><br /> +<a href="#A_FAMILY_OF_OLD_MAIDS"><b>A FAMILY OF OLD MAIDS.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#Historical_Review_of_the_Month"><b>HISTORICAL REVIEW OF THE MONTH.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#Record_of_Scientific_Discovery"><b>RECORD OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#Recent_Deaths"><b>RECENT DEATHS.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#OTSEGO_HALL_THE_RESIDENCE_OF_J_FENIMORE_COOPER"><b>"OTSEGO HALL," THE RESIDENCE OF J. FENIMORE COOPER.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#GEORGE_W_DEWEY"><b>GEORGE W. DEWEY.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#Ladies_Fashions_for_the_Early_Summer"><b>LADIES' FASHIONS FOR THE EARLY SUMMER.</b></a><br /> +</p> + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 550px;"> +<img src="images/image1.jpg" width="550" height="600" alt="" title="" /> +</div> +<h2><a name="GEORGE_WILKINS_KENDALL" id="GEORGE_WILKINS_KENDALL"></a>GEORGE WILKINS KENDALL.</h2> + + + +<p>We have here a capital portrait of the editor in chief of the New +Orleans <i>Picayune</i>, <span class="smcap">George W. Kendall</span>, who, as an editor, author, +traveller, or <i>bon garçon</i>, is world-famous, and every where entitled to +be chairman in assemblies of these several necessary classes of people. +Take him for all in all, he may be described as a new Chevalier Bayard, +baptized in the spirit of fun, and with a steel pen in lieu of a blade +of Damascus. He is a Vermonter—of the state which has sent out Orestes +Brownson, Herman Hooker, the Coltons, Hiram Powers, Hannah Gould, and a +crowd of other men and women with the sharpest intellects, and for the +most part the genialist tempers too, that can be found in all the +country. His boyhood was passed in the delightful village of Burlington, +from which, when he was of age, he came to New-York, and here he lived +until about the year 1835, when he went to New Orleans, where his +subsequent career may be found traced in the most witty and brilliant +and altogether successful journal ever published in the southern or +western states.</p> + +<p>Partly for the love of adventure and partly for advantage to his health, +in the spring of 1841 Mr. Kendall determined to make an excursion into +the great south-western prairies, and the contemplated trading +expedition to Santa-Fe offering escort and agreeable companions, he +procured passports from the Mexican vice-consul at New-Orleans, and +joined it, at Austin. The history of this expedition has become an +important portion of the history of the nation, and its details, +embracing an account of his own captivity and sufferings in Mexico, were +written by Mr. Kendall in one of the most spirited and graphic books of +military and wilderness adventure, vicissitude, and endurance, that has +been furnished in our times. The work was published in two volumes, by +the Harpers, in 1844. It has since passed through many editions, and for +the fidelity and felicity, the bravery and <i>bon hommie</i>, that mark all +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span>its pages, it is likely to be one of the choicest chronicles that will +be quoted from our own in the new centuries.</p> + +<p>After the publication of his narrative of the Santa Fe Expedition, Mr. +Kendall resumed his more immediate services in the <i>Picayane</i>—always, +it may be said without injustice to his associates, most attractive +under his personal supervision; and in the angry and war-tending +controversies with Mexico which filled the public mind in the succeeding +years, he was one of the calmest as well as wisest of our journalists. +When at length the conflict came on, he attended the victorious Taylor +as a member of his staff along the mountains and valleys which that +great commander marked with the names of immortal victories, and had +more than satisfaction for all griefs of his own in seeing the flag of +his country planted in every scene in which his country had been +insulted in his own person.</p> + +<p>Upon the conclusion of the war, Mr. Kendall commenced the preparation of +the magnificent work which has lately been published in this city by the +Appletons, under the title of <i>The War between the United States and +Mexico, by George W. Kendall, illustrated by pictorial drawings by Carl +Nebel</i>. Mr. Nebel may be regarded as one of the best battle-painters +living. He accompanied Mr. Kendall during the war, and made his sketches +while on the several fields where he had witnessed the movements of the +contending armies; and in all the accessories of scenery, costume, and +general effect, he has unquestionably been as successful as the actors +in the drama admit him to have been in giving a vivid and just +impression of the distinguishing characteristics of each conflict. The +subjects of the plates are the Bombardment of Vera Cruz, the Battle of +Cerro Gordo, the Storming of Chepultepec, the Assault on Contreras, the +Battle of Cherubusco, the Attack on Molino del Rey, General Scott's +Entrance into Mexico, the Battle of Buena Vista, the Battle of Palo +Alto, and the Capture of Monterey. In some cases, there are two +representations of the same scene, taken from different points of view. +These have all been reproduced in colored lithography by the best +artists of Paris. The literary part of the work, comprising very careful +and particular accounts of these events, is excellently written—so +compactly and perspicuously, with so thorough a knowledge and so pure a +taste, as to be deserving of applause among models in military history. +Mr. Kendall passed about two years in Europe for the purpose of +superintending its publication, and its success must have amply +satisfied the most sanguine anticipations with which he entered upon its +composition.</p> + +<p>New England is largely represented among the leading editors of the +South and West, and it is a little remarkable that the two papers most +conspicuous as representatives of the idiosyncrasies which most obtain +in their respective states—the <i>Picayune</i> and George D. Prentice's +<i>Louisville Journal</i>—are conducted by men from sections most +antagonistical in interest and feeling, men who have carried with them +to their new homes and who still cherish there all the reciprocated +affections by which they were connected with the North. When George W. +Kendall leaves New Orleans for his summer wandering in our more +comfortable and safe latitudes, an ovation of editors awaits him at +every town along the Mississippi, and, crossing the mountains, he is the +most popular member of the craft in Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, +New-York, or Boston—an evidence that the strifes of party may exist +without any personal ill-feeling, if the editor never forgets in his own +person to sustain the character of a gentleman.</p> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="WASHINGTON" id="WASHINGTON"></a>WASHINGTON.</h2> + + +<p>It is a truth, illustrated in daily experience, and yet rarely noted or +acted upon, that, in all that concerns the appreciation of personal +character or ability, the instinctive impressions of a community are +quicker in their action, more profoundly appreciant, and more reliable, +than the intellectual perceptions of the ablest men in the community. +Upon all those subjects that are of moral apprehension, society seems to +possess an intelligence of its own, infinitely sensitive in its +delicacy, and almost conclusive in the certainty of its determinations; +indirect, and unconscious in its operation, yet unshunnable in sagacity, +and as strong and confident as nature itself. The highest and finest +qualities of human judgment seem to be in commission among the nation, +or the race. It is by such a process, that whenever a true hero appears +among mankind, the recognition of his character, by the general sense of +humanity, is instant and certain: the belief of the chief priests and +rulers of mind follows later, or comes not at all. The perceptions of a +public are as subtly-sighted as its passions are blind. It sees, and +feels, and knows the excellence, which it can neither understand, nor +explain, nor vindicate. These involuntary opinions of people at large +explain themselves, and are vindicated by events, and form at last the +constants of human understanding. A character of the first order of +greatness, such as seems to pass out of the limits and courses of +ordinary life, often lies above the ken of intellectual judgment; but +its merits and its infirmities never escape the sleepless perspicacity +of the common sentiment, which no novelty of form can surprise, and no +mixture of qualities can perplex. The mind—the logical +faculty—comprehends a subject, when it can trace in it the same +elements, or relations, which it is familiar with elsewhere; if it finds +but a faint analogy of form or substance, its decision is embarrassed. +But this other instinct seems to become subtler, and more rapid, and +more absolute in conviction, at the line where reason begins to falter.</p> + +<p>Take the case of Shakspeare. His surpassing greatness was never +acknowledged by the learned, until the nation had ascertained and +settled it as a foregone and questionless conclusion. Even now, to the +most sagacious mind of this time, the real ground and evidence of its +own assurance of Shakspeare's supremacy, is the universal, deep, +immovable conviction of it in the public feeling. There have been many +acute essays upon his minor characteristics; but intellectual criticism +has never grappled with Shaksperian ART in its entireness and grandeur, +and probably it never will. We know not now wherein his greatness +consists. We cannot demonstrate it. There is less indistinctness in the +merit of less eminent authors. Those things which are not doubts to our +consciousness, are yet mysteries to our mind. And if this is true of +literary art, which is so much within the sphere of reflection, it may +be expected to find more striking illustration in great practical and +public moral characters.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/image2.jpg" width="500" height="532" alt="THE NATIONAL MONUMENT AT WASHINGTON." title="" /> +<span class="caption">THE NATIONAL MONUMENT AT WASHINGTON.</span> +</div> + +<p>These considerations occur naturally to the mind in contemplating the +fame of Washington. An attentive examination of the whole subject, and +of all that can contribute to the formation of a sound opinion, results +in the belief that General Washington's <i>mental</i> abilities illustrate +the very highest type of greatness. His <i>mind</i>, probably, was one of the +very greatest that was ever given to mortality. Yet it is impossible to +establish that position by a direct analysis of his character, or +conduct, or productions. When we look at the incidents or the results of +that great career—when we contemplate the qualities by which it is +marked, from its beginning to its end—the foresight which never was +surprised, the judgment which nothing could deceive, the wisdom whose +resources were incapable of exhaustion—combined with a spirit as +resolute in its official duties as it was moderate in its private +pretensions, as indomitable in its public temper as it was gentle in its +personal tone—we are left in wonder and reverence. But when we would +enter into the recesses of that mind—when we would discriminate upon +its construction, and reason upon its operations—when we would tell how +it was composed, and why it excelled—we are entirely at fault. The +processes of Washington's understanding are entirely hidden from us. +What came from it, in counsel or in action, was the life and glory of +his country; what went on within it, is shrouded in impenetrable +concealment. Such elevation in degree of wisdom, amounts almost to a +change of kind, in nature, and detaches his intelligence from the +sympathy of ours. We cannot see him as he was, because we are not like +him. The tones of the mighty bell were heard with the certainty of Time +itself, and with a force that vibrates still upon the air of life, and +will vibrate for ever. But the clock-work, by which they were regulated +and given forth, we can neither see nor understand. In fact, his +intellectual abilities did not exist in an analytical and separated +form; but in a combined and concrete state. They "moved altogether when +they moved at all." They were in no degree speculative, but only +practical. They could not act at all in the region of imagination, but +only upon the field of reality. The sympathies of his intelligence dwelt +exclusively in the national being and action. Its interests and energies +were absorbed in them. He was nothing out of that sphere, because he was +every thing there. The extent to which he was identified with the +country is unexampled in the relations of individual men to the +community. During the whole period of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> his life he was the thinking part +of the nation. He was its mind; it was his image and illustration. If we +would classify and measure him, it must be with nations and not with +individuals.</p> + +<p>This extraordinary nature of Washington's capacities—this impossibility +of analyzing and understanding the elements and methods of his +wisdom—have led some persons to doubt whether, intellectually, he was +of great superiority; but the public—the community—never doubted of +the transcendent eminence of Washington's abilities. From the first +moment of his appearance as the chief, the recognition of him, from one +end of the country to the other, as <span class="smcap">the man</span>—the leader, the counsellor, +the infallible in suggestion and in conduct—was immediate and +universal. From that moment to the close of the scene, the national +confidence in his capacity was as spontaneous, as enthusiastic, as +immovable, as it was in his integrity. Particular persons, affected by +the untoward course of events, sometimes questioned his sufficiency; but +the nation never questioned it, nor would allow it to be questioned. +Neither misfortune, nor disappointment, nor accidents, nor delay, nor +the protracted gloom of years, could avail to disturb the public trust +in him. It was apart from circumstances; it was beside the action of +caprice; it was beyond all visionary, and above all changeable feelings. +It was founded on nothing extraneous; not upon what he had said or done, +but upon what he was. They saw something in the man, which gave them +assurance of a nature and destiny of the highest elevation—something +inexplicable, but which inspired a complete satisfaction. We feel that +this reliance was wise and right; but why it was felt, or why it was +right, we are as much to seek as those who came under the direct +impression of his personal presence. It is not surprising, that the +world, recognizing in this man a nature and a greatness which philosophy +cannot explain, should revere him almost to religion.</p> + +<p>The distance and magnitude of those objects which are too far above us +to be estimated directly—such as stars—are determined by their +parallax. By some process of that kind we may form an approximate notion +of Washington's greatness. We may measure him against the great events +in which he moved; and against the great men, among whom, and above +whom, his figure stood like a tower. It is agreed that the war of +American Independence is one of the most exalted, and honorable, and +difficult achievements related in history. Its force was contributed by +many; but its grandeur was derived from Washington. His character and +wisdom gave unity, and dignity, and effect to the irregular, and often +divergent enthusiasm of others. His energy combined the parts; his +intelligence guided the whole: his perseverance, and fortitude, and +resolution, were the inspiration and support of all. In looking back +over that period, his presence seems to fill the whole scene; his +influence predominates throughout; his character is reflected from every +thing. Perhaps nothing less than his immense weight of mind could have +kept the national system, at home, in that position which it held, +immovably, for seven years; perhaps nothing but the august +respectability which his demeanor threw around the American cause +abroad, would have induced a foreign nation to enter into an equal +alliance with us, upon terms that contributed in a most important degree +to our final success, or would have caused Great Britain to feel that no +great indignity was suffered in admitting the claim to national +existence of a people who had such a representative as Washington. What +but the most eminent qualities of mind and feeling—discretion +superhuman—readiness of invention, and dexterity of means, equal to the +most desperate affairs—endurance, self-control, regulated ardor, +restrained passion, caution mingled with boldness, and all the +contrarieties of moral excellence—could have expanded the life of an +individual into a career such as this?</p> + +<p>If we compare him with the great men who were his contemporaries +throughout the nation; in an age of extraordinary personages, Washington +was unquestionably the first man of the time in ability. Review the +correspondence of General Washington—that sublime monument of +intelligence and integrity—scrutinize the public history and the public +men of that era, and you will find that in all the wisdom that was +accomplished was attempted, Washington was before every man in his +suggestions of the plan, and beyond every one in the extent to which he +contributed to its adoption. In the field, all the able generals +acknowledged his superiority, and looked up to him with loyalty, +reliance, and reverence; the others, who doubted his ability, or +conspired against his sovereignty, illustrated, in their own conduct, +their incapacity to be either his judges or his rivals. In the state, +Adams, Jay, Rutledge, Pinckney, Morris—these are great names; but there +is not one whose wisdom does not vail to his. His superiority was felt +by all these persons, and was felt by Washington himself, as a simple +matter of fact, as little a subject of question, or a cause of vanity, +as the eminence of his personal stature. His appointment as +commander-in-chief, was the result of no design on his part, and of no +efforts on the part of his friends; it seemed to take place +spontaneously. He moved into the position, because there was a vacuum +which no other could supply: in it, he was not sustained by government, +by a party, nor by connections; he sustained himself, and then he +sustained every thing else. He sustained Congress against the army, and +the army against the injustice of Congress. The brightest mind among his +contemporaries was Hamilton's; a character which cannot be contemplated +without frequent admiration, and constant affection. His talents took +the form of genius, which Washington's did not. But active, various, and +brilliant, as the faculties of Hamilton were, whether viewed in the +precocity of youth, or in the all-accomplished elegance of maturer +life—lightning quick as his intelligence was to see through every +subject that came before it, and vigorous as it was in constructing the +argumentation by which other minds were to be led, as upon a shapely +bridge, over the obscure depths across which his had flashed in a +moment—fertile and sound in schemes, ready in action, splendid in +display, as he was—nothing is more obvious and certain than that when +Mr. Hamilton approached Washington, he came into the presence of one who +surpassed him in the extent, in the comprehension, the elevation, the +sagacity, the force, and the ponderousness of his mind, as much as he +did in the majesty of his aspect, and the grandeur of his step. The +genius of Hamilton was a flower, which gratifies, surprises, and +enchants; the intelligence of Washington was a stately tree,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> which in +the rarity and true dignity of its beauty is as superior, as it is in +its dimensions.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<img src="images/image3.jpg" width="300" height="303" alt="THE GRAVE OF WASHINGTON." title="" /> +<span class="caption">THE GRAVE OF WASHINGTON.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="WILLIAM_HOGARTH" id="WILLIAM_HOGARTH"></a>WILLIAM HOGARTH.</h2> + + +<p>The great comedian in pictorial art forms one of the subjects of Mrs. +Hall's sketches, in the <i>Pilgrimages to English Shrines</i>, and we think +her article upon visiting his tomb as interesting as any in this popular +series:</p> + +<p>Hogarth, the great painter-teacher of his age and country, was born in +the parish of St. Bartholomew the Great, in London, on the 10th of +November, 1697, and his trusty and sympathizing biographer, Allan +Cunningham, says, "we have the authority of his own manuscripts for +believing he was baptized on the 28th of the same month;" but the parish +registers have been examined for confirmation with "fruitless +solicitude." Cunningham gives December as the month of his birth; this +is a mistake; so also is his notice of the painter's introduction of the +Virago into his picture of the "Modern Midnight Conversation." No female +figure appears in this subject. It is in the third plate of the "Rake's +Progress" the woman alluded to is introduced. A small critic might here +find a fit subject for vituperation, and loudly condemn Cunningham as a +writer who was too idle to examine the works he was describing; pouncing +on his minute errors, and forgetting the totality of his generous +labors. Much of this spirit infests literature; and merges the kindly +exposition of error into the bitterness of personal attack. The +fallibility of human nature should teach us charity, and our own faults +lead us to "more gently scan our brother man,"—a thing too often +unthought of by those who are nothing if not critical, and as frequently +nothing when they are. The painter was descended from a Westmoreland +family. Sprung from an industrious race of self-helping yeomen, whose +hardy toil brought them health and contentment, Hogarth had an early +advantage, derived from his father's love of letters, which eventually +drew him away from field and wood to the great London mart. Like +thousands of others, he was unsuccessful. Fortunately, in this instance, +his want of success in literature stimulated the strong mind of his son +to seek occupation of more certain profit; and those who feel interest +in the whereabouts of celebrated men, may think upon the days when +William Hogarth wrought in silver, as the apprentice of Ellis Gamble, in +Cranbourne Street, and speculate upon the change of circumstances, +wrought by his own exertions, when, as a great painter, in after time, +he occupied the house, now known as the Sabloniere Hotel, in Leicester +Square.</p> + +<p>Hogarth's character of mind, evidenced in his works and proved by his +biography, is so perfectly honest, open, home-bred English, that we +claim him with pride—as belonging exclusively to England. His +originality is of English growth; his satire broad, bold, fair-play +English. He was no screened assassin of character, either with pen or +pencil; no journalist's hack to stab in secret—concealing his name, or +assuming a forged one; no masked caricaturist, responsible to none. His +philosophy was of the straightforward, clear-sighted English school; his +theories—stern, simple, and unadorned—thoroughly English; his +determination—proved in his love as well as in his hate—quite English; +there is a firmness of purpose, a rough dignity, a John-Bull look in his +broad intelligent face; the very fur round his cap must have been plain +English rabbit-skin! No matter what "schools" were in fashion, Hogarth +created and followed his own; no matter what was done, or said, or +written, Hogarth maintained his opinion unflinchingly; he was not to be +moved or removed from his resolve. His mind was vigorous and inflexible, +and withal, keen and acute; and though the delicacy of his taste in this +more refined age may be matter of question, there can be no doubt as to +his integrity and uprightness of purpose—in his determination to +denounce vice, and by that means cherish virtue.</p> + +<p>Professor Leslie, in his eloquent and valuable Lectures on Painting, +delivered in the spring of the present year to the students of the Royal +Academy, has nobly vindicated Hogarth as an artist and a man, in words +that all who heard will long remember. "Hogarth," he said, "it is true, +is often gross; but it must be remembered that he painted in a less +fastidious age than ours, and that his great object was to expose vice. +<i>Debauchery is always made by him detestable, never attractive.</i>" +Charles Lamb, one of the best of his commentators, who has viewed his +labors in a kindred spirit, speaking of one of his most elaborate and +varied works, the "Election Entertainment," asks, "What is the result +left on the mind? Is it an impression of the vileness and worthlessness +of our species? Or is not the general feeling which remains after the +individual faces have ceased to act sensibly on the mind, <i>a kindly one +in favor of the species</i>?" Leslie speaks of his "high species of humor, +pregnant with moral meanings," and no happier choice of phrase could +characterize his many works. Lamb, with true discrimination, says: "All +laughter is not of a dangerous or soul-hardening tendency. There is the +petrifying sneer of a demon, which excludes and kills love, and there is +the cordial laughter of a man, which implies and cherishes it."</p> + +<p>Hogarth's works are before us all; and are lessons as much for to-day as +they were for yesterday. We have no intention of scrutinizing their +merits or defects; we write only of the influence of a class of art such +as he brought courageously before the English public. Every one is +acquainted with the "Rake's Progress," and can recall subject after +subject, story after story, which he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> illustrated. Comparatively few can +judge of him as a painter, but all can comprehend his moral +essays—brave as true!</p> + +<p>His fearlessness and earnestness are above all price; independent, in +their high estate, of all praise. We would send "Marriage à la Mode" +into general circulation during the London season, where the market for +wives and husbands is presided over by interest rather than affection. +The matrimonial mart was as bravely exposed by the great satirist, as +the brutal and unmanly cock-fight, which at that period was permitted to +take place at the Cock-pit <i>Royal</i>, on the south side of St. James's +Park.</p> + +<p>Society always needs such men as William Hogarth—true, stern men—to +grapple with and overthrow the vices which spring up—the very weeds +both of poverty and luxury,—the latter filled with the more bitter and +subtle poison. Calling to mind the period, we the more honor the great +artist's resolution; if the delicacy of our improved times is offended +by what may seem deformity upon his canvas, we must remember that we do +not shrink from <i>Hogarth's</i> coarseness, but from the coarseness he +labored, by exposing, to expel. He painted what Smollett, and Fielding, +and Richardson wrote far more offensively; but he surpassed the +novelists both in truth and in intention. He painted without +sympathizing with his subjects, whom he lashed with unsparing bitterness +or humor. He never idealized a vice into a virtue—he never compromised +a fact, much less a principle.</p> + +<p>He has, indeed, written fearful sermons on his canvas; sermons which, +however exaggerated they may seem to us in some of their painful details +of human sin and human misery, are yet so real, that we never doubt that +such things <i>were</i>, and <i>are</i>. No one can suspect Hogarth to have been +tainted by the vices he exposed. In this he has the advantage of the +novelists of his period: he gives vice no loophole of escape: it is +there in its hideous aspect, each step distinctly marked, each character +telling its own tale of warning, so that "he who runs may read."</p> + +<p>Whoever desires to trace the life of this English artist—to note him in +his apprenticeship—when he tamed as well as his rough nature would +permit, his hand to the delicate graving so cherished by his master, +Ellis Gamble; and when freed from his apprenticeship, he sought art +through the stirring scenes of life, saying quaintly enough, that +"copying other men's works resembled pouring wine out of one vessel into +another; there was no increase of quantity, and the flavor of the +vintage was liable to evaporate;"—whoever would study the great, as +well as the small, peculiarities of the painter who converted his +thumb-nail into a palette, and while transcribing characters and events +both rapidly and faithfully, complained of his "constitutional +idleness:"—whenever, we say, our readers feel desirous of revelling in +the biography of so diligent, so observing, so faithful, so brave a +spirit, we should send them to our old friend Allan Cunningham's most +interesting history of the man. Honest Allan had much in common with our +great national artist: though of different countries, they sprung from +the same race—sturdy yeomen; they were alike lovers of independence, +fighting for the best part of life manfully and faithfully enjoying the +noble scorn of wrong, and battling for the right from the cradle to the +grave. Self-educated—that is to say, educated by Nature, which gave and +nourished his high intellect and independent soul—Allan could +comprehend and appreciate the manly bearing and stern self-reliance of +the painter, whose best resources were in himself; thus the biography of +Hogarth is among the finest examples of its class which our language +supplies. Allan's sympathies were with his subject; and his knowledge +also came to his aid: for the poet was thoroughly imbued with a love of +art.</p> + +<p>Allan Cunningham was a better disciplinarian, and less prone to look for +or care for enjoyment, than Hogarth; though we have many pleasant +memories how he truly relished both music and conversation. But there +was more sentiment in the Scottish poet than in the English painter; and +the deep dark eyes of the Scot had more of fervor and less of sarcasm in +their brightness. We repeat, Allan, of all writers, could thoroughly +appreciate Hogarth; and his biography is written <i>con amore</i>. He says +that "all who love the dramatic representations of actual life,—all who +have hearts to be gladdened by humor,—all who are pleased with +judicious and well-directed satire,—all who are charmed with the +ludicrous looks of popular folly, and all who can be moved with the +pathos of human suffering, are admirers of Hogarth." But to our +thinking; Hogarth had a calling even more elevated than the Scottish +poet has given him in this eloquent summing-up of his attributes; "he is +one of our greatest teachers—a <span class="smcap">teacher</span> to whom is due the <i>highest</i> +possible honor; and the more we feel the importance of the teacher, the +more we value those who teach well. In grappling with folly and in +combating with crimes, he was compelled to reveal the nature of that he +proposed to satirize; he was obliged to set up sin in its high place +before he could crown it with infamy." The times were full of internal +as well as foreign disturbance, and Hogarth's studio was no hermitage to +exclude passing events or their promoters. He lived with the living, +moving <i>present</i>,—his engravings being his pleasures; portraits, as +they are now to many a high-hearted man of talent, his means of +subsistence; heavy weights of mortality that fetter and clog the +ascending spirit.</p> + +<p>His controversies and encounters with the worthless Wilkes,—his defence +of his own theories,—his determined dislike to the establishment of a +Royal Academy—his various other controversies—rendered his exciting +course very different from that of the lonely artists of the present +day, who are but too fond of living in closed studios, "pouring," as +Hogarth would have said,—"pouring wine from one vessel into +another,"—pondering over tales and poems for inspiration, and +transcribing the worn-out models of many seasons into attitudes of +bounding and varied life! Is it not wonderful, as sad, that the artist +will not feel his power, will not take his own place, assume his high +standing as of old, and demand the duty of respect from the world by the +just exercise of his glorious privilege! "Entertainment and information +are not all the mind requires at the hand of an artist; we wish to be +elevated by contemplating what is noble,—to be warmed, by the presence +of the heroic,—and charmed and made happy by the light of purity and +loveliness. We desire to share in the lofty movements of fine minds—to +have communion with their image of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> what is godlike, and to take a part +in the rapture of their love, and in the ecstasies of all their musings. +This is the chief end of high poetry, of high painting, and high +sculpture; and the man misunderstands the true spirit of those arts who +seeks to deprive them of a portion of their divinity, and argues that +entertainment and information constitute their highest aim." We have +quoted this passage because it expresses our notions of the power of art +more happily than we are able to express it; but we must add that the +<i>teaching</i> as well as the <i>poetic</i> painter has much to complain of from +society; it is impossible to mingle among the "higher classes" without +being struck by their indifference to every phase of British +art,—except portraiture. "Have you been to the Exhibition? Are there +many nice miniatures? are the portraits good? Lady D.'s lace is perfect; +Mrs. A.'s velvet is inimitable." Such observations strike the ear with +painful discord, when the mind is filled with memories of those who are +brave or independent enough to "look forward" with creative genius. +There are many noble exceptions among our aristocracy; but with far too +great a number art is a mere fashion.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/image4.jpg" width="500" height="354" alt="HOGARTH'S HOUSE." title="" /> +<span class="caption">HOGARTH'S HOUSE.</span> +</div> + +<p>As a people, neither our eyes nor our ears are yet opened to its +instructive and elevating faculty. We mistake the outlay of money for an +expenditure of sympathy.</p> + +<p>Hogarth's portraits were almost too faithful to please his sitters: he +was too truthful to flatter, even on canvas; and the wonder is that he +achieved any popularity in this fantastic branch of his art. Allan +Cunningham has said of him, that he regarded neither the historian's +page, nor the poet's song. He was contented with the occurrences of the +passing day, with the folly or the sin of the hour; yet to the garb and +fashion of the moment, he adds story and sentiment for all time. It is +quite delicious to read the excuses Allan makes for the foibles of the +man whose virtues had touched his own generous heart; he confesses with +great <i>naiveté</i> that he looked coldly—"too coldly, perhaps"—on foreign +art, and perhaps too fondly on his own productions; and then adds that, +"where vanity soonest misleads the judgment he thought wisely; he +contemplated his own works, not as things excellent in themselves, but +as the rudiments of future excellence, and looked forward with the hope +that some happier Hogarth would raise, on the foundation he had laid, a +perfect and lasting superstructure."</p> + +<p>We must humbly differ from the poet in this matter; we believe, if the +characteristic cap were removed from that sturdy brow, we should find an +admirable development of the organ of self-esteem. He thought as little +of a future and "happier Hogarth," as he did of the old masters. He was +Monarch of the Present—and he knew it!</p> + +<p>The age we live in talks much about renovation, but it is not a +conservative age; on the contrary, it would pull down Temple Bar, if it +dared, to widen the passage from the Strand into Fleet Street; and it +demolishes houses, shrines of <i>noble memories</i>, with a total absence of +respect for what it ought to honor. We never hear of an old house +without a feeling that it is either going to be destroyed or modernized; +and this inevitably leads to a desire to visit it immediately. Having +determined on a drive to Chiswick to make acquaintance with the dwelling +of Hogarth, and look upon his tomb—we became restless until it was +accomplished.</p> + +<p>We had seen, by the courtesy of Mr. Allison, the piano-forte +manufacturer in Dean Street, the residence of Sir James Thornhill, whose +daughter Hogarth married: the proprietor bestows most praiseworthy care +on the house, which was formerly one of considerable extent and +importance. Mr. Allison says there can be little doubt that the grounds +extended into Wardour Street. Once, while removing a chimney-piece in +the drawing-room,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> a number of cards tumbled out—slips of +playing-cards, with the names of some of the most distinguished persons +of Hogarth's time written on the backs; the residences were also given, +proving that the "gentry" then dwelt where now the poorer classes +congregate. But the most interesting part of the house is the staircase, +with its painted ceiling; the wall of the former is divided into three +compartments, each representing a sort of ball-room back-ground, with +groups of figures life-size, looking down from a balcony; they are well +preserved, and one of the ladies is thought to be a very faithful +portrait of Mrs. Hogarth. Hogarth must have spent some time in that +house:—but we were resolved, despite the repute of its being old and +ugly, to visit his dwelling-place at Chiswick; and though we made the +pilgrimage by a longer <i>route</i> than was necessary, we did not regret +skirting the beautiful plantations of the Duke of Devonshire, nor +enjoying the fragrance of the green meadows, which never seem so green +to us, as in the vale of the Thames. The house is a tall, narrow, +abrupt-looking place, close to the roadside wall of its inclosed garden; +numbers of cottage dwellings for the poor have sprung up around it, but +in Hogarth's day it must have been very isolated: not leading to the +water, as we had imagined, but having a dull and prison-like aspect; if, +indeed, any place can have that aspect where trees grow, and grass is +checkered by their ever-varying shadows. The house was occupied from +1814 to 1832 by Cary, the translator of Dante; and it would be worth a +pilgrimage if considered only as the residence of this truly-excellent +and highly-gifted clergyman.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 550px;"> +<img src="images/image5.jpg" width="550" height="404" alt="ROOM IN HOGARTH'S HOUSE." title="" /> +<span class="caption">ROOM IN HOGARTH'S HOUSE.</span> +</div> + +<p>We have received from his son an interesting note relative to its +features at the period when it came into his father's possession. "The +house," he says, "stands in one corner of a high-walled garden of about +three quarters of an acre, that part of the garden which faced the house +was divided into long, narrow, formal flower-beds. Five large trees, +whose ages bespoke their acquaintance with Hogarth, showed his love of +the beautiful as well as the useful, a mulberry, walnut, apricot, +double-blossomed cherry, and a hawthorn: the last of these was a great +favorite with my father, from its beauty, and the attraction it was to +the nightingale, which never failed to visit it in the spring: the +gardeners were their mortal enemies, and alas, have at length prevailed. +A few years ago, when I went to visit the old place, only one of the +trees remained, (the mulberry seen in our sketch); in a nook at one side +of the garden was a nut-walk, with a high wall and a row of +filbert-trees that arched triumphantly over it; at one end of this walk +was a stone slab, on which Hogarth used to play at nine-pins; at the +other end were the two little tombstones to the memory of a bird and a +dog." The house is as you see it here, the rooms with low ceilings and +all sorts of odd shapes,—up and down, in and out,—yet withal pleasant +and comfortable, and rendered more so by the gentle courtesy of their +mistress and her kindly servant; the very dogs seemed to partake of the +human nature of their protector, and attended us wherever we went, with +more than ordinary civility. Hogarth might have been tempted to +immortalize one of them for its extreme ugliness, and the waggish spirit +with which it pulled at its companion's ears, who in vain attempted to +tug at the bits of stumps that stuck out at either side of its +tormentor's head. Mr. Fairholt was permitted to sketch the drawing room; +the open door leads to the chamber from whence, it is said, Miss +Thornhill eloped with Hogarth.</p> + +<p>Mr. Cary, in the note to which we have already alluded, says, "there can +hardly be a doubt that the house belonged to Sir James Thornhill, and +that Hogarth inherited it from him. Mrs. Hogarth lived there after her +husband's death, and left it by will to a lady from whose executor my +father bought it in the year 1814. The room from which Miss Thornhill is +said to have eloped is the inner room, on the first floor; this room was +used<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> by my father as his study. Over the dining-room fireplace was a +spirited pencil sketch of five heads, and under them written 'five jolly +fellows,' by Hogarth—during an absence the servants of a tenant +carefully washed all out."</p> + +<p>We can easily imagine how the union between Hogarth and his daughter, +commenced after such a fashion, outraged not only the courtliness, but +the higher and better feelings of Sir James Thornhill. Hogarth's innate +consciousness of power may at that time have appeared to him vulgar +effrontery; and it is not to be wondered at, that, until convinced of +his talent, he refused him all assistance. There is something so false +and wrong in the concealment that precedes an elopement, and the +elopement of an only child from an aged father, that we marvel how any +one can treat lightly the outraged feelings of a confiding parent. +Earnest tender love so deeply rooted in a father's heart may pardon, but +cannot reach forgetfulness as quickly as it is the custom of +play-writers and novelists to tell us it may do.</p> + +<p>Sir James Thornhill was greatly the fashion; he was the successor of +Verrio, and the rival of La Guerre, in the decorations of our palaces +and public buildings. His demands for the painting of Greenwich Hall +were contested; and though La Fosse received two thousand pounds for his +works at Montague House, besides other allowances, Sir James, despite +his dignity as Member of Parliament for his native town of Weymouth, +could obtain but forty shillings a square yard for painting the cupola +of St. Paul's! Thus the patronage afforded "native talent" kept him +poor; and though it must have been necessary (one of the cruel +necessities induced by love of display in England), to have an +establishment suited to his public position in London, nothing could be +more unpretending than his <i>ménage</i> at Chiswick. Mrs. Hogarth, advised +by her mother, skilfully managed to let her father see one of her +husband's best productions under advantageous circumstances. Sir James +acknowledged its merit at once, exclaiming, "Very well! very well! The +man who can make works like this can maintain a wife without a portion;" +and soon after became not only reconciled, but generous to the young +people. Hogarth had tasted the bitterness of labor; he had even worked +for booksellers, and painted portraits!—so that this summer brightness +must have been full of enjoyment. He appreciated it thoroughly, and was +ever the earnest admirer and the ready defender of Sir James Thornhill; +thus the old knight secured a friend in his son; and it was pleasanter +to think of the hours of reconciliation and happiness they might have +passed within the walls of that inclosed garden, beneath the crumbling +trellice, or the shadow of the old mulberry tree, than of the +fortuneless artist wooing the confiding daughter from her home and her +filial duties.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/image6.jpg" width="500" height="365" alt="HOGARTH'S PAINTING-ROOM." title="" /> +<span class="caption">HOGARTH'S PAINTING-ROOM.</span> +</div> + +<p>We were invited to inspect Hogarth's painting-room—a mere loft, of most +limited dimensions, over the stable, which the imagination could easily +furnish with the necessary easel, or still less cumbrous graver's +implements. It is situated at the furthest part of the garden from the +house; a small door in the garden-wall leads into a little inclosure, +one side of which is occupied by the stable. The painting-room is over +the stable, and is reached by a stair; it has but one window which looks +towards the road. It must have been sufficiently commodious for +Hogarth's purposes; but possesses not the conveniences of modern +painting-rooms. The house at Chiswick could only have been a place for +recreation and repose, where relaxation was cared for, and where +sketches were prepared to ripen into publication.</p> + +<p>There are traditions about Chiswick of Hogarth having, while studying +and taking notes, frequented a little inn by the roadside, and almost +within sight of his dwelling. It has been modernized throughout—and +supplies no subject for the pencil—yet it retains some indications, not +without interest, of a remote date. The Painter must have been familiar +with every class of character; and Chiswick was then enough of a country +village to supply him amply with material. But, although a keen +satirist, it is certain that he had as much tenderness for the lower +orders of creation, as a young loving girl. In a corner of this quaint +old garden, two tiny monuments are affixed to the wall, one chiselled +perhaps by Hogarth's own hand, to the memory of his canary bird! The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> +<i>thinking</i> character of the painter's mind is evidenced in this as in +every thing he did—the engraving on the tomb suggesting reflection. +Charles Lamb said of him truly, that the quantity of <i>thought</i> which he +crowded into every picture, would alone "<i>unvulgarize</i>" every subject he +might choose; and the refined Coleridge exclaims, "Hogarth! in whom the +satirist never extinguished that love of beauty which belonged to him as +a poet." There is something inexpressibly tender and touching in this +memento of his affection for a little singing bird: the feeling must +have been entirely his own, for he had no child to suggest the tribute +to a feathered favorite. The tomb was afterwards accompanied with one to +Mrs. Hogarth's dog. They are narrow, upright pieces of white stone laid +against the brick-wall, but they are records of gentle and generous +sympathies not to be overlooked. That Hogarth was more than on friendly +terms with the canine race, the introduction of his own dog into his +portrait clearly tells, and doubtless his bird often brought with its +music visions of the country into the heat and dust of Leicester +Square—soothing away much of his impatience. Men who have to fight the +up-hill battle of life, must have energy and determination; and Hogarth +was too out-spoken and self-confident not to have made many enemies. In +after years his success (limited though it was, in a pecuniary point of +view, for he died without leaving enough to support his widow +respectably), produced its ordinary results—envy and enmity: and +insults were heaped upon him. He was not tardy of reply, but Wilkes and +Churchill were in strong health when nature was giving way with the +great painter; an advantage they did not fail to use with their +accustomed malignity. The profligate Churchill, turning the poet's +nature into gall, infested the death-bed of Hogarth with unfeeling +sarcasm, anticipating the grave, and exulting over a dying man.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/image7.jpg" width="500" height="458" alt="TOMBS OF DOG AND BIRD." title="" /> +<span class="caption">TOMBS OF DOG AND BIRD.</span> +</div> + +<p>Hogarth, warned by the autumn winds, and suffering from the restlessness +of approaching dissolution, left Chiswick on the 25th of October, 1764, +and returned to his residence in Leicester Square. He was cheerful—in +full possession of his mental faculties, but lacked the vigor to exert +them. The very next day, having received an agreeable letter from Doctor +Franklin, he wrote a rough copy of his answer, but exhausted with the +effort, retired to bed. Seized by a sudden sickness, he arose—rung the +bell with alarming violence—and within two hours expired!</p> + +<p>Of all the villages in the neighborhood of London, rising from the banks +of the Thames, (and how numerous and beautiful they are!) few are so +well known as that of Chiswick. The horticultural fêtes are anticipated +with anxiety similar to that our grandmothers felt for the fêtes of +Ranelagh; the <i>toilettes</i> of the ladies rival the flowers, and the only +foe to the fascinating fair ones is the weather; but all which the crowd +care about in Chiswick is confined to the "Duke's grounds" and the +Society's Gardens. The Duke's beautiful little villa, erected by the +last Earl of Burlington, is indeed a shrine worthy of deep homage; +within its walls both Charles James Fox and George Canning breathed +their last; and if, for a moment, we recall the times of Civil War, when +each honest English heart fought bravely and openly for what was +believed "the right," we may picture the struggle between Prince Rupert +and the Earl of Essex, terminating with doubtful success, for eight +hundred high born cavaliers were left dead on the plain that lies within +sight of the gardens so richly perfumed by flowers, and echoing not to +the searching trumpet or rolling drum, but to the gossamer music of +Strauss and Jullien.</p> + +<p>The Duke of Devonshire's grounds, containing about ninety acres, are +filled with mementos, pleasant to the eye and suggestive to the +imagination; but we must seek and find a more solemn scene, where the +churchyard of Chiswick incloses the ashes of some whose names are +written upon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> the pages of History. Though the church is, in a degree, +surrounded by houses, there is much of the repose of "a country +churchyard" about it; the Thames belts it with its silver girdle, and +when we visited its sanctuary, the setting sun cast a mellow light upon +the windows of the church, touching a headstone or an urn, while the +shadows trembled on the undulating graves. Like all church-yards it is +crowded, and however reverently we bent our footsteps, it was impossible +to avoid treading on the soft grass of the humble grave, or the gray +stone that marks the resting-place of one of "the better order."</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 371px;"> +<img src="images/image8.jpg" width="371" height="500" alt="HOGARTH'S TOMB." title="" /> +<span class="caption">HOGARTH'S TOMB.</span> +</div> + +<p>How like the world was that silent churchyard! High and low, rich and +poor, mingled together, and yet avoiding to mingle. The dust of the +imperious Duchess of Cleveland found here a grave; while here too, as if +to contrast the pure with the impure, repose the ashes of Mary, daughter +of Oliver Cromwell; Holland the actor, the friend of David Garrick, here +cast aside his "motley." Can we wonder at the actor's love of +applause?—posterity knows him not; present fame alone is his—the +lark's song leaves no record in the air!—Lord Macartney, the famous +ambassador to China, a country of which our knowledge was then almost as +dim as that we have of the moon—the ambassador rests here, while a +Chinese junk is absolutely moored in the very river that murmurs beside +his grave! Surely the old place is worthy of a pilgrimage. Loutherbourg, +the painter, found a resting-place in its churchyard. Ralph, the +historian and political writer, whose histories and politics are now as +little read as the Dunciad which held them up to ridicule, is buried +here; and confined as is the space, it is rich in epitaphs,—three are +from the pen of David Garrick, two from that of Arthur Murphy.</p> + +<p>Hogarth's monument has been very faithfully copied by Mr. Fairholt.</p> + +<p>It is remarkable among the many plainer "stones" with which the +churchyard is crowded, but is by no means distinguished for that +artistic character—which it might have received as covering the remains +of so great an artist. A small slab, in relief, takes from it, however, +the charge of insipidity; it contains a comic mask, an oak branch, +pencils and mahl-stick, a book and a scroll, and the palette, marked +with the "line of beauty."</p> + +<p>It has been remarked, that "while he faithfully followed nature through +all her varieties, and exposed, with inimitable skill, the infinite +follies and vices of the world, he was in himself an example of many +virtues." And the following poetical tribute by David Garrick is +inscribed on the tomb:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Farewell! great painter of mankind,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Who reached the noblest point of Art;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whose pictured morals charm the mind,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And through the eye correct the heart<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If Genius fire thee, reader, stay;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">If Nature touch thee, drop a tear;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If neither move thee, turn away,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">For Hogarth's honored dust lies here!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Dr. Johnson also composed an epitaph, which Cunningham considers "more +to the purpose, but still unworthy:"</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"The hand of him here torpid lies,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">That drew the essential forms of grace;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Here closed in death the attentive eyes<br /></span> +<span class="i2">That saw the manners in the face."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The tributes—in poetry and prose—are just, examine the works of this +great painter-teacher as closely and suspiciously as we may, we can +discover nothing that will induce a momentary doubt of his integrity of +purpose in all he did; his shafts were aimed at Vice,—in no solitary +instance was he ever guilty of arraigning or assailing Virtue. Compare +him with the most famous of the Dutch masters, and he rises into glory; +coarseness and vulgarity in them had no point out of which could come +instruction. If they picture the issues of their own minds, they must +have been gross and sensual; they ransacked the muck of life, and the +grovelling in character, for themes that one should see only by +compulsion. But Hogarth's subjects were never without a lesson, and, +inasmuch as he resorted for them to the open volume of humanity, like +those of the most immortal of our writers, his works are "not for an age +but for all time."</p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;"> +<img src="images/image9.jpg" width="450" height="202" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 550px;"> +<img src="images/image10.jpg" width="550" height="547" alt="" title="" /> +</div> +<h2><a name="NATHANIEL_HAWTHORNE" id="NATHANIEL_HAWTHORNE"></a>NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE.</h2> + + + + +<p>The author of <i>The House of Seven Gables</i> is now about forty-five years +of age. He was born in Salem, Massachusetts, and is of a family which +for several generations has "followed the sea." Among his ancestors, I +believe, was the "bold Hawthorne," who is celebrated in a revolutionary +ballad as commander of the "Fair American." He was educated at Bowdoin +College in Maine, where he graduated in 1825.</p> + +<p>Probably he appeared in print before that time, but his earliest volume +was an anonymous and never avowed romance which was published in Boston +in 1832. It attracted little attention, but among those who read it with +a just appreciation of the author's genius was Mr. S. G. Goodrich, who +immediately secured the shrouded star for <i>The Token</i>, of which he was +editor, and through which many of Hawthorne's finest tales and essays +were originally given to the public. He published in 1837 the first and +in 1842 the second volume of his <i>Twice-Told Tales</i>, embracing whatever +he wished to preserve from his contributions to the magazines; in 1845 +he edited <i>The Journal of an African Cruiser</i>; in 1846 published <i>Mosses +from an Old Manse</i>, a second collection of his magazine papers; in 1850 +<i>The Scarlet Letter</i>, and in the last month the longest and in some +respects the most remarkable of his works, <i>The House of Seven Gables</i>.</p> + +<p>In the introductions to the <i>Mosses from an Old Manse</i> and <i>The Scarlet +Letter</i> we have some glimpses of his personal history. He had been +several years in the Custom-House at Boston, while Mr. Bancroft was +collector, and afterwards had joined that remarkable association, the +"Brook Farm Community," at West Roxbury, where, with others, he appears +to have been reconciled to the old ways, as quite equal to the +inventions of Fourier, St. Simon, Owen, and the rest of that ingenious +company of schemers who have been so intent upon a reconstruction of the +foundations of society. In 1843, he went to reside in the pleasant +village of Concord, in the "Old Manse," which had never been profaned by +a lay occupant until he entered it as his home. In the introduction to +<i>The Mosses</i> he says:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"A priest had built it; a priest had succeeded to it; other +priestly men, from time to time, had dwelt in it; and children, +born in its chambers, had grown up to assume the priestly +character. It was awful to reflect how many sermons must have +been written there. The latest inhabitant alone—he, by whose +translation to Paradise the dwelling was left vacant—had +penned nearly three thousand discourses, besides the better, if +not the greater number, that gushed living from his lips. How +often, no doubt, had he paced to and fro along the avenue, +attuning his meditations, to the sighs and gentle murmurs, and +deep and solemn peals of the wind, among the lofty tops of the +trees! In that variety of natural utterances, he could find +something accordant with every passage of his sermon, were it +of tenderness or reverential fear. The boughs over my head +seemed shadowy with solemn thoughts, as well as with rustling +leaves. I took shame to myself for having been<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> so long a +writer of idle stories, and ventured to hope that wisdom would +descend upon me with the falling leaves of the avenue; and that +I should light upon an intellectual treasure, in the Old Manse, +well worth those hoards of long-hidden gold, which people seek +for in moss-grown houses. Profound treatises of morality—a +layman's unprofessional, and therefore unprejudiced views of +religion;—histories (such as Bancroft might have written, had +he taken up his abode here, as he once purposed), bright with +picture, gleaming over a depth of philosophic thought;—these +were the works that might fitly have flowed from such a +retirement. In the humblest event, I resolved at least to +achieve a novel, that should evolve some deep lesson, and +should possess physical substance enough to stand alone. In +furtherance of my design, and as if to leave me no pretext for +not fulfilling it, there was, in the rear of the house, the +most delightful little nook of a study that ever offered its +snug seclusion to a scholar. It was here that Emerson wrote +'Nature;' for he was then an inhabitant of the Manse, and used +to watch the Assyrian dawn and the Paphian sunset and moonrise, +from the summit of our eastern hill. When I first saw the room, +its walls were blackened with the smoke of unnumbered years, +and made still blacker by the grim prints of puritan ministers +that hung around. These worthies looked strangely like bad +angels, or, at least, like men who had wrestled so continually +and so sternly with the devil, that somewhat of his sooty +fierceness had been imparted to their own visages. They had all +vanished now; a cheerful coat of paint, and gold tinted paper +hangings, lighted up the small apartment; while the shadow of a +willow-tree, that swept against the overhanging eaves, +attempered the cheery western sunshine. In place of the grim +prints there was the sweet and lovely head of one of Raphael's +Madonnas, and two pleasant little pictures of the Lake of Como. +The only other decorations were a purple vase of flowers, +always fresh, and a bronze one containing graceful ferns. My +books (few, and by no means choice; for they were chiefly such +waifs as chance had thrown in my way) stood in order about the +room, seldom to be disturbed."</p></div> + +<p>In his home at Concord, thus happily described, in the midst of a few +congenial friends, Hawthorne passed three years; and, "in a spot so +sheltered from the turmoil of life's ocean," he says, "three years +hasten away with a noiseless flight, as the breezy sunshine chases the +cloud-shadows across the depths of a still valley." But at length his +repose was invaded by that "spirit of improvement," which is so +constantly marring the happiness of quiet-loving people, and he was +compelled to look out for another residence.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Now came hints, growing more and more distinct, that the owner +of the old house was pining for his native air. Carpenters next +appeared, making a tremendous racket among the outbuildings, +strewing green grass with pine shavings and chips of chesnut +joists, and vexing the whole antiquity of the place with their +discordant renovations. Soon, moreover, they divested our abode +of the veil of woodbine which had crept over a large portion of +its southern face. All the aged mosses were cleared unsparingly +away; and there were horrible whispers about brushing up the +external walls with a coat of paint—a purpose as little to my +taste as might be that of rouging the venerable cheeks of one's +grandmother. But the hand that renovates is always more +sacrilegious than that which destroys. In fine, we gathered up +our household goods, drank a farewell cup of tea in our +pleasant little breakfast-room—delicately-fragrant tea, an +unpurchasable luxury, one of the many angel-gifts that had +fallen like dew upon us—and passed forth between the tall +stone gate-posts, as uncertain as the wandering Arabs where our +tent might next be pitched. Providence took me by the hand, +and—an oddity of dispensation which, I trust, there is no +irreverence in smiling at—has led me, as the newspapers +announce while I am writing, from the old Manse into a Custom +House! As a story-teller, I have often contrived strange +vicissitudes for my imaginary personages, but none like this. +The treasure of intellectual gold which I had hoped to find in +our secluded dwelling, had never come to light. No profound +treatise of ethics—no philosophic history—no novel, even, +that could stand unsupported on its edges—all that I had to +show, as a man of letters, were these few tales and essays, +which had blossomed out like flowers in the calm summer of my +heart and mind."</p></div> + +<p>The <i>Mosses from an Old Manse</i> he declared the last offering of their +kind he should ever put forth; "unless I can do better," he wrote in +this Introduction, "I have done enough in this kind." He went to his +place in the Custom House, in his native city, and if President Taylor's +advisers had not been apprehensive that in his devotion to ledgers he +would neglect the more important duties of literature, perhaps we should +have heard no more of him; but those patriotic men, remembering how much +they had enjoyed the reading of the <i>Twice-Told Tales</i> and the <i>Mosses</i>, +induced the appointment in his place of a whig, who had no capacity for +making books, and in the spring of last year we had <i>The Scarlet +Letter</i>.</p> + +<p>Like most of his shorter stories, The Scarlet Letter finds its scene and +time with the earlier Puritans. Its argument involves the analysis and +action of remorse in the heart of a person who, himself unsuspected, is +compelled to assist in the punishment of the partner of his guilt. This +peculiar and powerful fiction at once arrested attention, and claimed +for its author the eminence as a novelist which his previous +performances had secured for him as a writer of tales. Its whole +atmosphere and the qualities of its characters demanded for a creditable +success very unusual capacities. The frivolous costume and brisk action +of the story of fashionable life are easily depicted by the practised +sketcher, but a work like The Scarlet Letter comes slowly upon the +canvas, where passions are commingled and overlaid with the deliberate +and masterly elaboration with which the grandest effects are produced in +pictorial composition and coloring. It is a distinction of such works +that while they are acceptable to the many, they also surprise and +delight the few who appreciate the nicest arrangement and the most high +and careful finish. The Scarlet<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> Letter will challenge consideration in +the name of Art, in the best audience which in any age receives +Cervantes, Le Sage, or Scott.</p> + +<p>Following this romance came new editions of <i>True Stories from History +and Biography</i>, a volume for youthful readers, and of the <i>Twice-Told +Tales</i>. In the preface to the latter, underrating much the reputation he +has acquired by them, he says:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The author of <i>Twice-Told Tales</i> has a claim to one +distinction, which, as none of his literary brethren will care +about disputing it with him, he need not be afraid to mention. +He was for a good many years the obscurest man of letters in +America. These stories were published in magazines and annuals, +extending over a period of ten or twelve years, and comprising +the whole of the writer's young manhood, without making (so far +as he has ever been aware) the slightest impression on the +public. One or two among them, the <i>Rill from the Town Pump</i>, +in perhaps a greater degree than any other, had a pretty wide +newspaper circulation; as for the rest, he has no grounds for +supposing that on their first appearance they met with the good +or evil fortune to be read by any body. Throughout the time +above specified he had no incitement to literary effort in a +reasonable prospect of reputation or profit; nothing but the +pleasure itself of composition—an enjoyment not at all amiss +in its way, and perhaps essential to the merit of the work in +hand, but which, in the long run, will hardly keep the chill +out of a writer's heart, or the numbness out of his fingers. To +this total lack of sympathy, at the age when his mind would +naturally have been most effervescent, the public owe it (and +it is certainly an effect not to be regretted, on either part), +that the author can show nothing for the thought and industry +of that portion of his life, save the forty sketches, or +thereabouts, included in these volumes. Much more, indeed, he +wrote; and some very small part of it might yet be rummaged out +(but it would not be worth the trouble) among the dingy pages +of fifteen or twenty year old periodicals, or within the shabby +morocco covers of faded Souvenirs. The remainder of the works +alluded to had a very brief existence, but, on the score of +brilliancy, enjoyed a fate vastly superior to that of their +brotherhood, which succeeded in getting through the press. In a +word, the author burned them without mercy or remorse, and, +moreover, without any subsequent regret, and had more than one +occasion to marvel that such very dull stuff as he knew his +condemned manuscripts to be, should yet have possessed +inflammability enough to set the chimney on fire!...</p> + +<p>"As he glances over these long-forgotten pages, and considers +his way of life while composing them, the author can very +clearly discern why all this was so. After so many sober years, +he would have reason to be ashamed if he could not criticise +his own work as fairly as another man's; and, though it is +little his business and perhaps still less his interest, he can +hardly resist a temptation to achieve something of the sort. If +writers were allowed to do so, and would perform the task with +perfect sincerity and unreserve, their opinions of their own +productions would often be more valuable and instructive than +the works themselves. At all events, there can be no harm in +the author's remarking that he rather wonders how the +<i>Twice-Told Tales</i> should have gained what vogue they did, than +that it was so little and so gradual. They have the pale tint +of flowers that blossomed in too retired a shade—the coolness +of a meditative habit, which diffuses itself through the +feeling and observation of every sketch. Instead of passion, +there is sentiment; and, even in what purport to be pictures of +actual life, we have allegory, not always so warmly dressed in +its habiliments of flesh and blood as to be taken into the +reader's mind without a shiver. Whether from lack of power or +an unconquerable reserve, the author's touches have often an +effect of tameness; the merriest man can hardly contrive to +laugh at his broadest humor, the tenderest woman, one would +suppose, will hardly shed warm tears at his deepest pathos. The +book, if you would see any thing in it, requires to be read in +the clear, brown, twilight atmosphere in which it was written; +if opened in the sunshine, it is apt to look exceedingly like a +volume of blank pages....</p> + +<p>"The author would regret to be understood as speaking sourly or +querulously of the slight mark made by his earlier literary +efforts on the public at large. It is so far the contrary, that +he has been moved to write this preface, chiefly as affording +him an opportunity to express how much enjoyment he has owed to +these volumes, both before and since their publication. They +are the memorials of very tranquil, and not unhappy years. They +failed, it is true—nor could it have been otherwise—in +winning an extensive popularity. Occasionally, however, when he +deemed them entirely forgotten, a paragraph or an article, from +a native or foreign critic, would gratify his instincts of +authorship with unexpected praise,—too generous praise, +indeed, and too little alloyed with censure, which, therefore, +he learned the better to inflict upon himself. And, by-the-by, +it is a very suspicious symptom of a deficiency of the popular +element in a book, when it calls forth no harsh criticism. This +has been particularly the fortune of the <i>Twice-Told Tales</i>. +They made no enemies, and were so little known and talked +about, that those who read, and chanced to like them, were apt +to conceive the sort of kindness for the book, which a person +naturally feels for a discovery of his own. This kindly feeling +(in some cases, at least) extended to the author, who, on the +internal evidence of his sketches, came to be regarded as a +mild, shy, gentle, melancholic, exceedingly sensitive, and not +very forcible man, hiding his blushes under an assumed name, +the quaintness of which was supposed, somehow or other, to +symbolize his personal and literary traits. He is by no means +certain that some of his subsequent productions have not been +influenced and modified by a natural desire to fill up so +amiable an outline, and to act in consonance with the character +assigned to him; nor, even now, could he forfeit it without a +few tears of tender sensibility. To conclude, however,—these +volumes have opened the way to most agreeable associations, and +to the formation of imperishable friendships; and there are +many golden threads, interwoven with his present happiness, +which he can follow up more or less directly, until he finds +their commencement here; so that his pleasant pathway among +realities seems to proceed out of the Dream-Land of his youth, +and to be bordered with just enough of its shadowy foliage to +shelter him from the heat of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> day. He is therefore +satisfied with what the <i>Twice-Told Tales</i> have done for him, +and feels it to be far better than fame."</p></div> + +<p>That there should be any truth in this statement that the public was so +slow to recognize so fine a genius, is a mortifying evidence of the +worthlessness of a literary popularity. But it may be said of +Hawthorne's fame that it has grown steadily, and that while many who +have received the turbulent applause of the multitude since he began his +career are forgotten, it has widened and brightened, until his name is +among the very highest in his domain of art, to shine there with a +lustre equally serene and enduring.</p> + +<p>Mr. Hawthorne's last work is <i>The House of Seven Gables</i>, a romance of +the present day. It is not less original, not less striking, not less +powerful, than The Scarlet Letter. We doubt indeed whether he has +elsewhere surpassed either of the three strongly contrasted characters +of the book. An innocent and joyous child-woman, Phœbe Pyncheon, +comes from a farm-house into the grand and gloomy old mansion where her +distant relation, Hepzibah Pyncheon, an aristocratical and fearfully +ugly but kind-hearted unmarried woman of sixty, is just coming down from +her faded state to keep in one of her drawing-rooms a small shop, that +she may be able to maintain an elder brother who is every moment +expected home from a prison to which in his youth he had been condemned +unjustly, and in the silent solitude of which he has kept some +lineaments of gentleness while his hair has grown white, and a sense of +beauty while his brain has become disordered and his heart has been +crushed and all present influences of beauty have been quite shut out. +The House of Seven Gables is the purest piece of imagination in our +prose literature.</p> + +<p>The characteristics of Hawthorne which first arrest the attention are +imagination and reflection, and these are exhibited in remarkable power +and activity in tales and essays, of which the style is distinguished +for great simplicity, purity and tranquillity. His beautiful story of +Rappacini's Daughter was originally published in the Democratic Review, +as a translation from the French of one M. de l'Aubépine, a writer whose +very name, he remarks in a brief introduction, (in which he gives in +French the titles of some of his tales, as <i>Contes deux foix racontées</i>, +<i>Le Culte du Feu,</i> etc.) "is unknown to many of his countrymen, as well +as to the student of foreign literature." He describes himself, under +this <i>nomme de plume</i>, as one who—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Seems to occupy an unfortunate position between the +transcendentalists (who under one name or another have their +share in all the current literature of the world), and the +great body of pen-and-ink men who address the intellect and +sympathies of the multitude. If not too refined, at all events +too remote, too shadowy and unsubstantial, in his mode of +development, to suit the taste of the latter class, and yet too +popular to a satisfy the spiritual or metaphysical requisitions +of the former, he must necessarily find himself without an +audience, except here and there an individual, or possibly an +isolated clique."</p></div> + +<p>His writings, to do them justice, he says—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Are not altogether destitute of fancy and originality; they +might have won him greater reputation but for an inveterate +love of allegory, which is apt to invest his plots and +characters with the aspect of scenery and people in the clouds, +and to steal away the human warmth out of his conceptions. His +fictions are sometimes historical, sometimes of the present +day, and sometimes, so far as can be discovered, have little or +no reference either to time or space. In any case, he generally +contents himself with a very slight embroidery of outward +manners,—the faintest possible counterfeit of real life,—and +endeavors to create an interest by some less obvious +peculiarity of the subject. Occasionally a breath of nature, a +rain-drop of pathos and tenderness, or a gleam of humor, will +find its way into the midst of his fantastic imagery, and make +us feel as if, after all, we were yet within the limits of our +native earth. We will only add to this cursory notice, that M. +de l'Aubépine's productions, if the reader chance to take them +in precisely the proper point of view, may amuse a leisure hour +as well as those of a brighter man; if otherwise, they can +hardly fail to look excessively like nonsense."</p></div> + +<p>Hawthorne is as accurately as he is happily described in this curious +piece of criticism, though no one who takes his works in the "proper +point of view," will by any means agree to the modest estimate which, in +the perfect sincerity of his nature, he has placed upon them. He is +original, in invention, construction, and expression, always +picturesque, and sometimes in a high degree dramatic. His favorite +scenes and traditions are those of his own country, many of which he has +made classical by the beautiful associations that he has thrown around +them. Every thing to him is suggestive, as his own pregnant pages are to +the congenial reader. All his productions are life-mysteries, +significant of profound truths. His speculations, often bold and +striking, are presented with singular force, but with such a quiet grace +and simplicity as not to startle until they enter in and occupy the +mind. The gayety with which his pensiveness is occasionally broken, +seems more than any thing else in his works to have cost some effort. +The gentle sadness, the "half-acknowledged melancholy," of his manner +and reflections, are more natural and characteristic.</p> + +<p>His style is studded with the most poetical imagery, and marked in every +part with the happiest graces of expression, while it is calm, chaste, +and flowing, and transparent as water. There is a habit among nearly all +the writers of imaginative literature, of adulterating the conversations +of the poor with barbarisms and grammatical blunders which have no more +fidelity than elegance. Hawthorne's integrity as well as his +exquisite—taste prevented him from falling into this error. There is +not in the world a large rural population that speaks its native +language with a purity approaching that with which the English is spoken +by the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> common people of New England. The vulgar words and phrases which +in other states are supposed to be peculiar to this part of the country +are unknown east of the Hudson, except to the readers of foreign +newspapers, or the listeners to low comedians who find it profitable to +convey such novelties into Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont. We +are glad to see a book that is going down to the next ages as a +representative of national manners and character in all respects +correct.</p> + +<p>Nathaniel Hawthorne is among the first of the first order of our +writers, and in their peculiar province his works are not excelled in +the literature of the present day or of the English language.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="YEAST_A_PROBLEM" id="YEAST_A_PROBLEM"></a>YEAST: A PROBLEM.</h2> + + +<p>The Rev. Mr. <span class="smcap">Kingsley</span>, author of <i>Alton Locke</i>, has collected into a +book the series of vehement and yeasty papers which have appeared from +his pen in <i>Fraser's Magazine</i> under the above title, and a new impulse +is thus given in England to the discussion of the Problem of Society. +The declared object of the work—which is of the class of philosophical +novels—is to exhibit the miseries of the poor; the conventionalisms, +hypocrisies, and feebleness of the rich; the religious doubts of the +strong, and the miserable delusions and superstitions of the weak; the +mammon-worship of the middling and upper classes, and the angry humility +of the masses. The story is very slight, but sufficient for the +effective presentation of the author's opinions. The best characters are +an Irish parson, a fox-hunting squire and his commonplace worldly wife, +and a thoughtless and reckless but not unkind man of the world. Here is +a sketch of a commonplace old English vicar, such as has been familiar +in the pages of novels and essays time out of mind:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"He told me, hearing me quote Schiller, to beware of the +Germans, for they were all Pantheists at heart. I asked him +whether he included Lange and Bunsen, and it appeared that he +had never read a German book in his life. He then flew +furiously at Mr. Carlyle, and I found that all he knew of him +was from a certain review in the <i>Quarterly</i>. He called Boëhmen +a theosophic Atheist. I should have burst out at that, had I +not read the very words in a High Church review, the day +before, and hoped that he was not aware of the impudent +falsehood which he was retailing. Whenever I feebly interposed +an objection to any thing he said (for, after all he talked +on), he told me to hear the Catholic Church. I asked him which +Catholic Church? He said the English. I asked him whether it +was to be the Church of the sixth century, or the thirteenth, +or the seventeenth, or the eighteenth? He told me the one and +eternal Church, which belonged as much to the nineteenth +century as to the first. I begged to know whether, then, I was +to hear the Church according to Simeon, or according to Newman, +or according to St. Paul; for they seemed to me a little at +variance? He told me, austerely enough, that the mind of the +Church was embodied in her Liturgy and Articles. To which I +answered, that the mind of the episcopal clergy might, perhaps, +be; but, then, how happened it that they were always quarreling +and calling hard names about the sense of those very documents? +And so I left him, assuring him that living in the nineteenth +century, I wanted to hear the Church of the nineteenth century, +and no other; and should be most happy to listen to her, as +soon as she had made up her mind what to say."</p></div> + +<p>English travellers in America give very minute accounts of the bad +grammar and questionable pronunciation they sometimes hear among our +common people: with what advantage they might go into the rural +neighborhoods of their own country for exhibitions in this line is shown +by the following description of a scene in a booth, which one of the +characters of Mr. Kingsley enters at night:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Sadder and sadder, Lancelot tried to listen to the +conversation of the men around him. To his astonishment he +hardly understood a word of it. It was half articulate, nasal, +guttural, made up almost entirely of vowels, like the speech of +savages. He had never before been struck with the significant +contrast between the sharp, clearly-defined articulation, the +vivid and varied tones of the gentleman, or even of the London +street-boy, when compared with the coarse, half-formed growls, +as of a company of seals, which he heard round him. That single +fact struck him perhaps more deeply than any; it connected +itself with many of physiological fancies; it was the parent of +many thoughts and plans of his after-life. Here and there he +could distinguish a half sentence. An old shrunken man opposite +him was drawing figures in the spilt beer with his pipestem, +and discoursing of the glorious times before the great war, +'when there was more food than there were mouths, and more work +than there hands.' 'Poor human nature,' thought Lancelot, as he +tried to follow one of those unintelligible discussions about +the relative prices of the loaf and the bushel of flour, which +ended, as usual, in more swearing and more quarreling, and more +beer to make it up: 'poor human nature! always looking back, as +the German sage says, to some fancied golden age, never looking +forward to the real one which is coming."</p></div> + +<p>The descriptive powers of the author are illustrated in many fine +passages, of which this delineation of an English day in March will +serve as a specimen:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"A silent, dim, distanceless, steaming, rotting day in March. +The last brown oak-leaf, which had stood out the winter's +frost, spun and quivered plump down, and then lay, as if +ashamed to have broken for a moment the ghastly stillness, like +an awkward guest at a great dumb dinner-party. A cold suck of +wind just proved its existence, by toothaches on the north side +of all faces. The spiders, having been weather-be-witched the +night before, had unanimously agreed to cover every brake and +brier with gossamer-cradles, and never a fly to be caught in +them; like Manchester cotton-spinners madly glutting the +markets in the teeth of 'no demand.' The steam crawled out of +the dank turf, and reeked off the flanks and nostrils of the +shivering horses, and clung with clammy paws to frosted hats +and dripping boughs. A soulless, skyless, catarrhal day, as if +that bustling dowager, old mother<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> Earth—what with +match-making in spring, and <i>fêtes champetres</i> in summer, and +dinner-giving in autumn—was fairly worn out, and put to bed +with the influenza, under wet blankets and the cold-water +cure."</p></div> + +<p>"Yeast," says the <i>Spectator</i>, "may be looked at as a series of +sketches, loosely strung together, descriptive of palpable social evils +in the mass, and of metaphysical broodings among the more thoughtful +youth; a struggle which perhaps is always taking place, and which is no +further distinctive of the present age than the form that is given by +our intellectual and religious activity. The origin of evil, its +presence in the world, what man was made for, what he struggles for, +what becomes of him, have been questions that excited the speculative of +all ages, taking various channels according to the circumstances of the +time. Considered from this point of view, as a life-like picture of the +heavings of the mass, and the mental fermentation going on among +individuals—of the <i>yeast</i> of society—the book displays great ability, +and challenges careful attention. It is powerful, earnest, feeling, and +eloquent; the production of a man acquainted with society, who has +looked closely upon its various classes, and has the power of reading +the signs of the times. He has a truthful vigor of description, a +rhetorical rather than a dramatic power; or he sacrifices the latter to +his habit of expressing his opinions in dialogue, where the author talks +rather than the dramatis personæ. There is a genial warmth of feeling in +the book, and wide human sympathies, but with a tendency to extremes in +statement and opinion—a disposition to deepen the shadows of English +life; for go where the author would, pictures quite as bad or worse may +be drawn of the condition of mankind, from the 'noble savage,' the beau +ideal of Rousseau, to the educated 'Prussian,' who was within a little +while the model man of a certain school of philosophers."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_LITTLENESS_OF_A_GREAT_PEOPLE" id="THE_LITTLENESS_OF_A_GREAT_PEOPLE"></a>THE LITTLENESS OF A GREAT PEOPLE.</h2> + + +<p>The future historians of this age will have to record no more mortifying +illustration of the difficulties which in a republic prevent the success +of great ideas than that which is presented in the case of Mr. Whitney, +who early in the last month sailed for England. We transcribe with +especial approval the following paragraphs respecting him and his +labors, from the <i>Tribune</i>:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"If we are not mistaken, it is now nearly ten years since Mr. +Whitney first devoted himself to his great project, and he has +pursued it with a force of purpose, an intelligent apprehension +of all its bearings and consequences upon the world, a nobility +of ambition, and a sustained, intellectual enthusiasm which +belongs to the rarest and most admirable characters. We do not +know in any country a man in whom great intellectual and +practical elements are more happily combined. It is not with +the warm partiality of private friendship that we thus speak of +Mr. Whitney, for, like all men of ideas, and all of nature +positive and deep enough to have a special mission in the +world, he puts others into relation with the thoughts which +engage him rather than with his own personality, and you become +intimate with them, not with him. A native, as we believe, of +Connecticut, brought up to business in this city, where he +acquired a competence, having conceived the idea of a vaster +and more inspiring enterprise than the political and industrial +world had ever attempted, he quitted the pursuits of trade, and +the certain wealth they promised him, to perfect and realize +his conception. He studied the great routes of the world, and +the causes of their adoption. In a residence in Europe and by +voyages in the East he made himself acquainted with the facts +relating to the trade and productive capacities of Asia. He +thoroughly surveyed and mastered the whole subject before +beginning its discussion. Then he proposed the scheme to his +countrymen, and for many years has sought exclusively to +commend it to their favor. He has travelled in every direction, +addressing public bodies and meetings of citizens, writing +newspaper articles and pamphlets, and sparing no occasion to +bring the idea and the facts connected with it to the knowledge +of all. Wherever he has gone he has left some sparks of his own +genial enthusiasm. The plan has found advocates in every +section; many state legislatures have formally endorsed it, and +a large party in Congress have been in its favor. Dependent +altogether on his own pecuniary resources, Mr. Whitney, without +compensation or assistance, has labored with a constancy and +fidelity which could only proceed from a great purpose. But +after this period of arduous exertion he has failed to carry +his plan through Congress, while a great part of the lands on +which he must depend for its execution, have already passed +from the control of the federal Legislature. Accordingly, +though he would greatly prefer that his own country should reap +the splendid harvest of honor and substantial power which the +building of this world's highway would assure, he has no choice +but to consider the means which may be offered him for making +it through British America. To the world at large the +consequences would be the same, though to the United States +very different.</p> + +<p>"The route through British America is, in some respects, even +preferable to that through our own territory. By the former, +the distance from Europe to Asia is some thousand miles shorter +than by the latter. Passing close to the northern shore of Lake +Superior, traversing the watershed which divides the streams +flowing toward the Arctic Sea from those which have their exit +southward, and crossing the Rocky Mountains at an elevation +some three thousand, feet less than at the South Pass, the road +could here be constructed with comparative cheapness, and would +open up a region abounding in valuable timber and other natural +products, and admirably suited to the growth of grain and to +grazing. Having its Atlantic seaport at Halifax, and its +Pacific Depot near Vancouver's Island, it would inevitably draw +to it the commerce of Europe, Asia, and the United States. Thus +British America, from a mere colonial dependency, would assume +a controlling rank in the world. To her other nations would be +tributary, and in vain would the United States attempt to be +her rival; for we could never dispute with her the possession +of the Asiatic commerce, or the power which that confers.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span>"</p> + +<p>But the matter reaches beyond the suggestions of national +interest, and has a wider scope than the mere sentiment of +patriotism. We have hoped that this republic might make the +easy effort necessary to grasp a prize so magnificent, but we +shall hail with satisfaction the actual commencement of such a +work, wherever and by whomsoever it is undertaken.</p></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="A_JEW_AND_A_CHRISTIAN" id="A_JEW_AND_A_CHRISTIAN"></a>A JEW AND A CHRISTIAN.</h2> + + +<p>A few days ago, a man of various genius and acquirement, with whose +writings people of many countries have been delighted, entered an +office, holding in his hand two black-bordered notes, inviting him to +funerals.</p> + +<p>So—other friends have gone! who now?</p> + +<p>Two persons very unlike each other. Truly I have never known more +striking contrasts. I was meditating of popular prejudices by which +their lives were more or less affected, by which their reputations were +certainly much affected: one was a Jew, and the other a Christian.</p> + +<p>Proceed with your morality.</p> + +<p>I was very poor when I came to this country. I sought occupation in the +pursuits for which I was best fitted by my education: for a time with +little success; and at length I was offered for the translation of two +wretched French novels, the meager sum of fifty dollars. I sold some of +my wife's trinkets to purchase paper and ink, and worked diligently, you +can guess how many weeks, until they were in English as readable as the +French of their author. The task accomplished, I went to my patron, +expecting of course to have the pittance counted down in current notes +or gold; but——the market for such literature was by this time over +stocked; he had supplied it too liberally; and with some insulting +excuse he refused the manuscripts.</p> + +<p>You have an invitation to his funeral?</p> + +<p>Yes—he was rich—always speculating in the sweat of brains—and we had +business relations afterward.</p> + +<p>The other history?</p> + +<p>I chanced one day to meet a gentleman, with whom I had no personal +acquaintance, though our names were known to each other, and conversing +of a subject with which I was familiar he inquired if I would write +something upon it for his journal. I replied that I would be very happy +to do so, and as we shook hands, at parting, he left in my palm two +twenty-dollar notes. He would gladly have avoided a word of explanation, +but seeing my surprise he said, "It is merely a retainer, as the lawyers +have it; consider it upon account of the articles you will write me." I +wrote the articles; it was but an evening's work; and wrote frequently +afterward for the same person, always receiving a liberal reward—always +more than I asked—though my employer was himself by no means rich. You +will think that in the first place he expected a profit for the money he +gave me, but I knew better: he cared not a fig for the papers I was to +prepare; he simply suspected that I was in need of money, and took that +delicate way to relieve me, as, in his time, he relieved hundreds of +men.</p> + +<p>A noble characteristic of a man perhaps in all respects deserving of +admiration: But what of the prejudice you were meditating?</p> + +<p>It is this—that even in this land, where many an old world superstition +has found life impossible—the community regard a <i>Jew</i> as an +incarnation of all selfishness, meanness and dishonor. A hundred to one, +being told that the hero of one of these two histories was an Israelite, +would swear instantly that the name of him who swindled me was Moses. +But it was not: that person will to-morrow have Christian burial, and +the other—one of the most sincere and generous men of the age, was an +officer of the synagogue. You know—we both know—that the Hebrew race +are not only before the other races in all fine intelligence, but that +in defiance of prejudices and disabilities which might turn any other +people into hordes of robbers, they are of the most honorable portion of +mankind.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="POLICARPA_LA_SALVARIETTA" id="POLICARPA_LA_SALVARIETTA"></a>POLICARPA LA SALVARIETTA,</h2> + +<h3>THE HEROINE OF COLOMBIA.</h3> + + +<p>There are not many subjects for poetry or romance in American history +more suggestive than that furnished in the following incidents, +translated from Restrepo's <i>Historia de la Revolucion de la Colombia</i>:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"After the standard of liberty had been raised in all the +provinces, and the people had struck a successful blow for +freedom, Morillo, with an overwhelming force, re-conquered the +country for Spain. During six months this fiendish savage held +undisputed sway over Colombia. The best men of the provinces +were by him seized and shot, and each of his officers had the +power of death over the inhabitants of the districts in which +they were stationed. It was during this period that the +barbarous execution of Policarpa La Salvarietta—a heroic girl +of New Granada—roused the Patriots once more to arms, and +produced in them a determination to expel their oppressors or +die. This young lady was enthusiastically attached to the cause +of liberty, and had, by her influence, rendered essential aid +to the Patriots. The wealth of her father, and her own superior +talents and education, early excited the hostility of the +Spanish commander against her and her family. She had promised +her hand in marriage to a young officer in the Patriot service, +who had been compelled by Morillo to join the Spanish army as a +private soldier. La Salvarietta, by means that were never +disclosed, obtained, through him an exact account of the +Spanish forces, and a plan of their fortifications. The +Patriots were preparing to strike a decisive blow, and this +intelligence was important to their success. She had induced +Sabarain, her lover, and eight others, to desert. They were +discovered, and apprehended. The letters of La Salvarietta, +found on the person of her lover, betrayed her to the vengeance +of the tyrant of her country. She was seized, brought to the +Spanish camp, and tried by court martial. The highest rewards +were promised her if she would disclose the names and plans of +her associates. The inducements proving of no avail, torture<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> +was employed to wring from her the secret, in which so many of +the best families of Colombia were interested, but even on the +rack she persisted in making no disclosure. The accomplished +young lady, hardly eighteen years of age, was condemned to be +shot. She calmly and serenely heard her sentence, and prepared +to meet her fate. She confessed to a Catholic priest, partook +of the sacrament, and with a firm step walked to the open +square, where a file of soldiers, in presence of Morillo and +his officers, were drawn up, with loaded muskets. Turning to +Morillo, she said, "I shall not die in vain, for my blood will +raise up heroes from every hill and valley of my country." She +had scarcely uttered the above, when Morillo himself gave the +signal to the soldiers to fire, and in the next moment La +Salvarietta was a mangled and bleeding corpse. The Spanish +officers and soldiers were overwhelmed with astonishment at the +firmness and patriotism of this lovely girl, but the effect +upon her own countrymen was electrical. The Patriots lost no +time in flying to arms, and their war cry, "<i>La Salvarietta</i>!" +made every heart burn to inflict vengeance upon her murderers. +In a very short time the army of Morillo was nearly cut to +pieces, and the commander himself escaped death only by flight, +and in disguise."</p></div> + +<p>In Mexico a dramatic piece, which we have seen described as possessing +considerable merit, has been founded upon this tragical history. In the +Spanish American wars there have been numerous instances of remarkable +heroism by women, which is the more noticeable for the little the sex +has had to gain by the political independence of the Spanish race on +this continent.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="A_REAL_AMERICAN_SAINT" id="A_REAL_AMERICAN_SAINT"></a>A REAL AMERICAN SAINT.</h2> + + +<p>Mrs. Jameson, in her beautiful book lately published in London, <i>Legends +of the Monastic Orders</i>, has the following account of the only American +woman ever canonized:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Santa Rosa di Lima was born at Lima, in Peru, in 1586. This +flower of sanctity, whose fragrance has filled the whole +Christian world, is the patroness of America, the St. Theresa +of Transatlantic Spain. She was distinguished, in the first +place, by her austerities. 'Her usual food was an herb bitter +as wormwood. When compelled by her mother to wear a wreath of +roses, she so adjusted it on her brow that it became a crown of +thorns. Rejecting a host of suitors, she destroyed the lovely +complexion to which she owed her name, by an application of +pepper and quicklime. But she was also a noble example of +filial devotion, and maintained her once wealthy parents, +fallen on evil days, by the labor of her hands.' All day she +toiled in a garden, and at night she worked with her needle. +She took the habit of the third order of St. Dominic, and died +in 1617. She was canonized by Clement X. According to the +Peruvian legend, the Pope, when entreated to canonize her, +absolutely refused, exclaiming, 'India y santa! asi como +llueven rosas!' (India and saint! as much so as that it rains +roses!') Whereupon, a miraculous shower of roses began to fall +in the Vatican, and ceased not till the incredulous pontiff +acknowledged himself convinced."</p></div> + +<p>Among men saints have been more plentiful.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Authors_and_Books" id="Authors_and_Books"></a>Authors and Books.</h2> + + +<p>We have already briefly spoken of Dr. <span class="smcap">Andree's</span> work on America which is +now publishing at Brunswick, Germany, by the house of Westermann, a +branch of which is established in this city at the corner of Broadway +and Duane-streets. The book in question is to consist of three volumes +of some six hundred and fifty octavo pages each, devoted respectively to +North, Central, and South America. It is published in numbers of some +eighty pages each; of these numbers four are already issued, and we have +read them with great satisfaction. The broad and philosophical spirit, +the exhaustive learning, and the spirited and picturesque style of Dr. +Andree are beyond praise; among all the books on America which we have +met with this impresses us as unique, and if the remainder shall prove +equal to what is already published, we hope that some American publisher +may undertake a translation of the whole into English.</p> + +<p>The work opens with an introduction of some forty odd pages, in which, +first, the physical characteristics of the new world are set forth with +great clearness and beauty: its mountains, rivers, lakes, climate, +vegetable and animal kingdoms; the origin of the aboriginal inhabitants, +their languages, races, manners, customs, and civilization; the +settlements of Europeans, the Spaniards, the Spanish and Portuguese +states, the Creoles, Mexico, Brazil, &c. Amalgamation of races, the +negroes, Slavery, influence of the Latin races, the Teutonic race, the +United States, their growth and destiny, are made the subjects of a +continuous discussion, remarkable alike for an air at least of breadth +and profundity, careful and comprehensive knowledge, and for concise and +often eloquent expression. The introduction is followed by chapters on +Iceland, Greenland, and the various expeditions to the polar regions of +the north, treating those topics both historically and ethnographically, +and with a clear presentation of every interesting and important fact. +Next follows a general survey of the continent north of the fiftieth, +degree of latitude, its rivers, lakes, forests, animals, men, and +commerce, including an account of the various Indian tribes, and the +trading companies dealing with them. The trading posts of the Hudson's +Bay Company, Lord Selkirk's colony on Red River, Labrador, Newfoundland, +the British Possessions on the West coast, Russian America, are +successively treated. Next the Indians in Canada and the United States +are considered at length, in respect of their history, traditions, +languages, monuments, customs, the influence of the whites upon them, +and their probable destiny. In this connection we notice that Dr. Andree +frequently cites Gallatin, Schoolcraft, Squier, and other American +writers. The remainder of the first volume will treat of the United +States, their political history and organization, their soil, climate, +people, &c., not failing to give whatever information may be useful to +the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> European settler looking for a new home, as well as to the <i>savan</i> +looking for light upon ethnographic and social problems.</p> + +<p>From this general outline the scope of the book may be inferred, but our +readers will permit us to refer to one or two points which are dwelt +upon in the introduction. Dr. Andree contends with the earnestness of a +determined partisan for the originality of the vegetable and animal +creations, as well as of the human race upon this continent, rejecting +entirely the theory that either was transplanted from the eastern +hemisphere. The unity of the human family, he maintains with a class of +writers distinguishable chiefly for a sleepless activity in assailing +the authority of the Christian religion, does not require the assumption +of numerical identity of origin, but rather the contrary. "It is not +necessary," he says, "to assume the arithmetical <i>oneness</i> of mankind, +and the derivation of all from a single pair, thus arbitrarily confining +and limiting the creative power of the Highest Being;" and this position +he proceeds to advocate by a variety of arguments, at the same time +controverting the opposite opinion, and especially the notion of the +late Major Noah that the Indians of this continent were descendants of +the lost ten tribes of Israel. In this impertinence is the only +noteworthy fault we discover in the book. Discussions of such +controverted points as this belong exclusively to the audience of +scholars. A far more interesting and satisfactory part of the +introduction is that devoted to the Spanish and Portuguese in America, +and their influence on the native tribes, and <i>vice versa</i>. The contrast +which these races and the states they have founded exhibit to the +Germanic race in North America is brought out by Dr. Andree in a +striking manner. All the South American republics except Chili are in a +condition of comparative or actual disorder: no signs of expanding life +and progress are visible among them; every where the conflict of races +and castes is active or only partially suppressed; Brazil alone, by the +monarchical form of its executive, (though its institutions are +fundamentally democratic,) is spared from the anarchy which prevails +among its neighbors, and there too, alone, the black, yellow, and red +races are politically equal and in the way of complete amalgamation; but +in all these states the European element, instead of growing more +powerful and influential, tends constantly to greater weakness, and is +likely to be completely absorbed and swallowed up; since the wars of +independence the white race has diminished, not increased in number; and +instead of conferring on the native races the civilization and +refinement which was its native property, it is so far dominated by them +as to relapse toward their ignorance and rudeness; and after three +centuries all Spanish America, the West Indies included, contains not +more than fifteen millions of inhabitants, about a fifth of whom are +whites, that is to say as many as are found in the State of New-York +alone. Or, reckoning for all America south of the United States, five +millions of whites, this population still falls far short of that which +within thirty years has taken possession of the country between the +Alleghanies and the Mississippi. Such is the difference between the +Latin and the Saxon races. The latter has spread itself with astonishing +rapidity, never mixing, to any extent, with negroes or Indians, nor +allowing mixed races to get the upper hand, or even exercise any +influence. The Anglo-Saxon civilizes the other races or devotes them to +extinction. And yet South America is naturally better than North. It is +richer and more productive, and endowed with a system of rivers compared +with which that of the Mississippi seems trifling. Had it been settled +by Anglo-Saxons and Germans instead of Creoles and mixed breeds, it +would long since have worn another aspect; steamboats would have covered +the rivers up to the very foot of the Cordilleras, and the vast plains +would have been occupied by flourishing towns and cultivated fields.</p> + +<p>The parallel which Dr. Andree draws between the history of the United +States and Europe for the last fifty years is so strikingly put, that we +make room for a single passage by way of specimen:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"A comparison of the history of Europe and of North America +during the time since the first French revolution is in every +respect to the advantage of the United States. The old world +has been convulsed by wars, a military emperor has had the sway +of Europe, and broken kingdoms into fragments; blood has flowed +in torrents, and thousands of millions have been wasted for +unproductive purposes and on royal vanity. Since the fall of +the Great Soldier the nations have incessantly risen against +their rulers, and more than a million of men now stand in arms +to restrain the people and serve the passions of monarchs and +their cabinets. Only sixty years ago the entire valley of the +Mississippi was still a desert, a wide wilderness, with hardly +here and there a settlement. Now we see this empire in +subjection—conquered, not by soldiers, with waving banners and +sounding trumpets, but by the toil of the farmer, the skill of +the artisan, the enterprising spirit of the merchant. They have +drained morasses, cleared up forests, opened roads, dug canals, +built ships, and founded flourishing states. Within the period +of two generations they have peopled that wilderness with ten +millions of industrious inhabitants, and opened a new home to +the arts of peace, to civil and religious liberty, to culture +and progress. In these sixty years, not so much blood has been +shed in wars against Indians in the Mississippi valley as in +one of the hundreds of battles fought by the soldiers of +European states, most of them for useless or even pernicious +ends. No blessing has followed the wars and conquests in +Europe, but in the Great West, conquered by labor and +enterprise, all is progress and unexampled prosperity."</p></div> + +<p>There are numerous other passages<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> tempting us to translate them, but +our space is already exhausted, and we forbear.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>We have already taken occasion to commend the <i>Tausend und ein Tag im +Orient</i> (Thousand and One Days in the East) by <span class="smcap">Bodenstedt</span>, the +well-known author of the Wars of the Circassians. No writer gives so +just an insight into the character of that portion of the great Oriental +family which he visited—the Circassians and Georgians. The second part +of his present book (lately published at Berlin) contains some +interesting criticisms of a Tartar poet, whom Bodenstedt knew at Tiflis, +upon European poetry. Our traveller, partly by way of practice in the +Tartar language, and partly to inspire his eastern friend with greater +respect for the bards of the Occident, used to translate English and +German songs into Tartar. Mirza Shaffy, the name of the Tartar sage and +poet, proved himself no contemptible critic of these foreign +productions. Not once could he be induced to tolerate a poem whose only +merit was the beauty and melody of its language in the original, nor to +swallow the mere sentimentalism which plays so great a part in German +poetry especially. This sentimentalism, says Bodenstedt, is as unknown +as it is unintelligible to the Oriental poet. He aims always at a real +and tangible object, and in gaining it puts heaven and earth in motion. +No image is too remote, no thought too lofty for his purpose. The new +moon is a golden shoe for the hoof of his heroes' steed. The stars are +golden nails, with which the Lord has fastened the sky, lest it should +fall with admiration and desire for his fair one. The cypresses and +cedars grow only to recall the lithe and graceful form of Selma. The +weeping willow droops her green hair to the water, grieving because she +is not slender like Selma. The eyes of his beloved are suns which make +all the faithful fire-worshippers. The sun itself is but a gleaming +lyre, whose beams are golden strings, whence the dawn draws the +loveliest accords to the praise of the earth's beauty and the power of +love.</p> + +<p>Mirza Shaffy was a great lover of Moore and Byron, and some of their +songs which were translated needed no explanation to render them +intelligible to him. Wolfe's marvellous poem on the death of Sir John +Moore made a deep impression on him, and was a special favorite. Goëthe +and Heine he liked greatly, especially Goethe's song of Mignon, "Knowst +thou the Land," and Heine's Fisher's Song (which Schubert has set to +such delicious and befitting music) which ends—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"My heart is like the ocean,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Has storm, and ebb, and flow,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And many a lovely pearlet<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Rests in its depths below."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Schiller he could not so well understand, and often the attempt +adequately to translate this poet had to be given up in despair. +However, Mirza Shaffy admitted that some of his poems had substance in +them. Uhland and Geibel were not much to his mind. One day, Bodenstedt +translated into Tartar a song by the latter, which we in our turn thus +render into English:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The silent water lily<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Springs from the earth below,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The leaves all greenly glitter,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">The cup is white as snow.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The moon her golden radiance<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Pours from the heavens down,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Pours all her beams of glory<br /></span> +<span class="i2">This virgin flower to crown.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">And, in the azure water,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">A swan of dazzling white<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Floats longing round the lily,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">That trances all his sight.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ah low he sings, ah sadly,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Fainting with sweetest pain;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">O lily, snow white lily,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Hear'st thou the dying strain?<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Mirza Shaffy cast the song aside, with the words, "A foolish swan!"</p> + +<p>"Don't the song please you?" asked the translator.</p> + +<p>"The conclusion is foolish," replied the Tartar; "what does the swan +gain by fainting?—he only suffers himself, and does no good to the +rose. I would have ended—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Then in his beak he takes it,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And bears it with him home."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Mr. Ross, the editor of <i>Allgemeine Auswanderungszeitung</i> (Universal +Journal of Emigration), an excellent and useful German periodical, has +just published in Germany the <i>Auswanderer's Handbuch</i> (Emigrant's +Manual), devoted especially to the service of those who design +emigrating to the United States. His manual is a valuable collection of +whatever a new comer into this country should know. The constitution and +political arrangements of the Union, its legislation, its means of +intercourse, the peculiarities of soil and climate proper to different +sections, the state of agriculture, and the chances of employment for +persons of different classes, professions, and degrees of education, are +all given. Mr. Ross was himself born in the United States, and +understands what he writes about. At the same time his book gives a fair +and thorough view of the difficulties with which the emigrant to this +country must contend.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>At Pesth, Hungary, is about to appear a biographical work on Hungarian +statesmen and orators who were prominent before the revolutionary +period. Paul Nagy, Eugen Beöthy, Franz Déak, Stephan Bezerédy, +Bartholomaus Szemere, the two Wesselenyis, the two Dionys Pazmandys, +Stephan Szechényi, and Joseph Eötvos (the last known in the United +States by translations of his novels), are among the characters +described.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>A new book on the new world is the <i>Europa ed America</i>, by Dr. <span class="smcap">Ant. +Caccia</span>, an Italian litterateur, who has apparently been in this country +and describes it, as he professes to do, from nature. He says that he +found the people of New-York occupied mainly in making money.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span></p> + +<p>The German authoress <span class="smcap">Fanny Lewald</span>, has in press a book entitled <i>England +und Schottland</i> (England and Scotland), made up from the notes of a +journey through those countries. Its publication just at this moment is +for the benefit of the crowds of Germans who are going to the World's +Fair, and who may find in it all sorts of preparatory information. A +specimen chapter published in one of our German papers reads pleasantly. +Fanny Lewald is a phenomenon, of a class of women who know something +about every thing. Nothing is too high or too low to become an object of +consideration to these female Teufelsdröcks, petticoated professors of +"the science of things in general." The intellectual cultivation among +the middle and higher class of society in Prussia, the patronage +bestowed by the court upon learning, the arts, and sciences; the +encouragement to discuss freely every imaginable theme in politics or +religion, with the single exception of the measures of the +administration, all tended to create a taste for mental display in which +it was necessary that women should participate, if they wished to retain +their old position in the social world. In the salons of Berlin, +therefore, women have been heard taking a prominent part in +conversations in which the most abstruse questions in religion, +politics, and general science were discussed. The philosophers, male and +female, debarred by the spy system from any open investigation of +passing political events, revenged themselves by treating these events +as mere temporary phases of the great system of evolutions which forms +the <i>material</i> of history, scarcely worthy of notice, and directed their +attention to the great principles which underlie all great social and +religious developments. A strange tone was thus given to conversation. +Listening to the talkers at a Berlin conversazione, one might have +fancied, judging from the nature of the subjects of conversation, that a +number of gods and goddesses were debating on the construction of a +world. Vulgar bricks and mortar they ignored, and were anxious only +about primary and secondary geological formations. The actual state of +any society was scarcely cared for, except in illustration of a +principle, and the great forces which must unite to form the best +possible society, were the only subjects of investigation. It may be +taken as a great proof of the wonderful facility of adaptation of the +female mind, that women joined in these conversations as readily as men, +and frequently with far more brilliancy, in spite of the range of +reading which it must require to obtain even a superficial knowledge of +the subjects of discourse. Fanny Lewald is one of these prodigies. She +has studied every thing from the Hegelian philosophy downwards. She is +as great in revolutions as in ribbons, and is as amusing when talking +sentiment over oysters and Rheinwein, in the Rathskiller at Bremen, as +when meditating upon ancient art and philosophy in Wilhelm von +Humboldt's castle of Tegel near Berlin.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>We have read with great interest a series of articles which have +appeared in the recent numbers of the <i>Grenzboten</i> upon <span class="smcap">George Sand</span>. +Though we have often failed to agree with the view of the writer, Mr. +Julian Schmidt, one of the editors of that paper, we have rarely met +with literary criticism of more ability, and a more just and catholic +spirit. We translate the conclusion of the last article, in which Mr. +Schmidt gives the result of his careful analysis of all the works of the +author: "The novel, on account of its lax and variable form, and the +caprice which it tolerates, is in my opinion not to be reckoned among +those kinds of art, which, as classic, will endure to posterity. The +authors who have been most read in modern times have already been +checked in their popularity by the greater attraction of novelty offered +by their successors. This is the case even with Walter Scott. Besides, +in most of her writings, George Sand has dealt with problems whose +justification later times will not understand; and thus it may happen +that hereafter she will be regarded as of consequence in the history of +literature alone. But in that sphere she will have a permanent +importance. Future centuries will regard her as the most significant +image of the morbid but intense striving which marks this generation. +When it has long been agreed that the lauded works of Victor Hugo, +Eugene Sue, Lamartine, Alfred de Musset, and others, are but the barren +outgrowths of an untamed and unrestrained fancy, and a perverted +reflection; when the same verdict has been pronounced on the poems of M. +de Chateaubriand, whose value is now taken as a matter of belief and +confidence, because there are few who have read them; then the true +poetic element in the works of George Sand will, in spite of all its +vagaries, still be recognized. And more than this, since the period of +sentimentalism will be seen as more extensive, and as the works of +Richardson, Rousseau (of course only those which belong in this +category), and of Madame de Staël and others, will be included in it, +then we say that the better productions of our authoress will carry off +the prize from all the rest."</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Two collections of songs, national and lyric, have made their appearance +in Germany. The one is by <span class="smcap">George Scherer</span>, and is called <i>Deutsche +Volkshelier</i>, the other, by <span class="smcap">Wolfgand Menzel</span>, is entitled <i>Die Gesange +der Volker</i> (The Songs of the Nations). The former is exclusively +German; the latter contains songs from every civilized tongue under +heaven, as well as from many of the uncivilized, in German versions, of +course. Both are elegantly printed, and highly commended by the knowing +in that line of literature.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Henri Murger</span> has published a companion volume to his <i>Scènes de la +Bohéme</i> in the shape of some stories called <i>Scènes de la Vie de +Jeunesse</i>.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span></p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>A curious specimen of what may be done by a ready writer who is +scrupulous only about getting his pay, is afforded by a book just +published at Leipzic, called <i>Zahme Geschichten aus wilder Zeit</i> (Tame +Stories of a Wild Time), by Frederick Ebeling. In these "tame stories" +the heroes of the late revolutionary movements are held up now in one +light, and now in another, with the most striking disregard of +consistency. Jellachich, for instance, is lauded in one place as the +most genial and charming of men, a scholar and gentleman, without equal, +and almost in the next page he is called a ferocious butcher, who never +wearies of slaughtering human beings. These discrepancies are accounted +for by the fact that Mr. Ebeling wrote for both conservative and radical +journals, and adapted his opinions to the wants of the market he was +serving. He would have done well to reconcile his articles with each +other before putting them into a book.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>A valuable work on national law is entitled <i>Du Droits et des Devoirs +des Nations Neutres en Temps de Guerre Maritime</i>, by M. L. B. +Hautefeuille, a distinguished French jurist, lately published at Paris +in four octavos. It is praised by no less an authority than the eminent +advocate M. Chaix d'Est Ange, as the fruit of mature and conscientious +study: he calls it the most complete and one of the best works on modern +national law ever produced. The author in the historical part of his +treatise, criticises the monopolizing spirit and policy of the English +without mercy, and insists that the balance of power on the sea is of no +less importance than that on land. He would have established a permanent +alliance of armed neutrality, with France and the United States at its +head, to maintain the maritime rights of weaker states in time of war, +against the encroachments of British commerce and ambition.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>A Vienna publishing establishment has offered <span class="smcap">Grillparzer</span>, the German +dramatist, $4,000 for his writings, but he refuses, not because he +thinks the price too low, but because he will not take the trouble of +preparing and publishing a collected edition of his dramas, the last of +which was entitled <i>Maximilian Robespierre</i>, a five act tragedy. He has +also a variety of unpublished manuscripts, which it is feared will never +see the light.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Students and amateurs of music will find their account in taking the +<i>Rheinische Musikzeitung</i> (Rhine Musical Gazette), published at Cologne, +under the editorial care of Prof. Bisehof. Its criticism is impartial, +intelligent, and free from the prejudices of the schools. German musical +criticism has no better organ.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The German poet <span class="smcap">Simrock</span> has just published a new version of the two +Eddas, with the mythical narratives of the Skalda, which is spoken of as +a valuable contribution to literature.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The <i>Royal Society of Northern Antiquaries</i> held its annual session on +the 15th February at the palace of Christianbourg, the King of Denmark +presiding. Mr. <span class="smcap">Rafn</span> read the report of the transactions of the Society +during the year, and laid before the meeting a new number of the Annals +of the archaeology and history of the North, and the completed volume of +the Archaeological Journal, published by the Society. He also announced +that the second volume of his own work on Russian Antiquities was in +preparation, and that about half of it was already printed. To give an +idea of this work, he read from it a biographical notice on Biorucon, of +Arngeirr, an Icelander by birth, distinguished alike as a warrior and a +poet, and by his exploits in Russia where he served Vladimir the Great. +After this, other members of the Society gave interesting accounts of +the results of their various labors during the year. The King presented +a paper on excavations made under his personal direction in the ruins of +the castles of Saborg and Adserbo, in the North of Seland. These castles +date from the middle ages; the memoir was accompanied by drawings.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The <i>Historisches Tashcenbuch</i> (Historical Pocket-Book), edited by the +learned Prussian Raumer is a publication eminently worthy of notice. The +number for the year 1851 opens with biographical sketches of three +women, Ines de Castro and Maria and Lenora Telley, who played important +parts in Spanish and Portuguese history in the XIVth Century. They are +followed by a concise history of the German marine by Bartholdy, twelve +letters by John Voigt on the manners and social life of the princes at +the German Diets, a picture from the XVIth Century, the sequel of a +memoir by Guhrauer on Elizabeth, Abbess of Herford, a friend of William +Penn, and a correspondent of Malebranche, Leibnitz and Descartes, &c., +&c. &c.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>An interesting account of a most eventful period and country is the +<i>Bilder aus Oestreich</i>, just published at Leipzic, by a German +traveller. The traveller is understood to be one of the editors of the +<i>Grenzboten</i>, and the period he describes comprises the revolutionary +years 1848-9. His account of Vienna in the memorable October days of +1848, is graphic, and even thrilling.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Cotta</span>, of Stuttgart, has just published a new collection of poems by +<span class="smcap">Franz Dingelstedt</span>, under the title of "Night and Morning." The themes +are drawn from the revolution, its hopes and its disappointments.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Frederic Louis Jahn</span>, the celebrated German professor, who invented the +modern system of gymnastics, is writing his personal memoirs. He is +about seventy years of age, and his long life has been full of +significant incidents.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span></p> + +<p>To those who seek a good acquaintance with the current belles-lettres +literature of Germany, we can cordially recommend the <i>Deutsches +Museum</i>, published semi-monthly at Leipsic, under the editorial care of +Professor Robert Prutz and Wilhelm Wolffson, and sold in this city by +Westermann, 290 Broadway. Each number contains eighty-five close pages, +filled by some of the leading writers of German science, art and +politics. In the number now before us, are articles by Gutzkow, Böch, +the philologist, Berthold Auerbach, Emanuel Geibel and Julius Mosen. The +entire range of politics, philosophy, antiquities, art, poetry, romances +and literary criticism is included in the scope of the <i>Museum</i>, except +that it is designed not for the learned world, but for the mass of the +people, and accordingly aims at general not technical instruction. Among +the art notices, we observe a brief criticism on the Gallery of +Illustrious Americans, in which the lithography of the pictures is +praised as well as the faces themselves. The critic is delighted with +the energy, originality and freshness of character expressed in their +features.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>A valuable contribution to current political history is the +<i>Verfassungskampf in Kurhessen</i> (Constitutional Struggle in Electoral +Hesse), by Dr. H. Gräfe, which has just made its appearance in Germany. +The conflict of the people and parliament and public officers, against +the selfish, arbitrary and foolish Elector, is the turning point of +recent German politics, and the defeat of the former after their +patience and firmness, acting always within the limits of the +constitution, had gained a decided victory, and compelled the faithless +prince to fly the country,—a defeat accomplished only by the +intervention of Austrian and Prussian troops, was the final downfall of +every form of political liberty in Germany. Dr. Gräfe has wisely +abstained from treating the events of this crisis as a philosophical +historian; they are too fresh, and his own share in them was too decided +to allow him to undertake that successfully. He accordingly does little +more than simply report the transactions in a compendious way, with all +the documents necessary to a full understanding of the subject. Whoever +wishes for a thorough apprehension of the German tragi-comedy, may +derive aid from his work.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The resources of philology have just been enriched by the publication at +Tubingen of a dictionary of six of the dialects of Eastern Africa, +namely, the Kisuaheli, Kinika, Kikamba, Kipokomo, Kihian, and Kigalla. +This is accompanied by a translation of Mark's Gospel into the Kikamba +dialect, and a short grammar of the Kisuaheli. The author of these works +is the Protestant minister Krap, who has been for fifteen years in +Ethiopia, and has collected and presented to the University at Tubingen +a considerable number of most valuable Ethiopian manuscripts.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>A notable and interesting book is <span class="smcap">Behse's</span> <i>Geschichte des preussischen +Hofes und Adels</i> (History of the Prussian Court and Nobility) of which +the two first volumes have just been published at Hamburg by Hoffman & +Campe. The whole work will contain from thirty to forty small volumes, +and will treat all the states of Germany, only some half dozen volumes +being devoted to Prussia. The two now published bring the history down +to the reign of Frederic William II. They abound in most curious +historic details. For instance, the acquisition of the title of King of +Prussia by the Elector of Brandenburgh, Frederic III., is narrated at +length. It seems that this prince, who was deformed in body, but as +politic as he was ambitious in spirit, after many fruitless efforts +obtained from the Emperor at Vienna the grant of the royal dignity, by a +bribe of two hundred thousand thalers, paid to the Jesuit Father Wolff, +as a compensation for the influence of the Society, whose members were +flattered that the most powerful of the Protestant princes of Germany +should solicit their assistance. The whole cost of the grant was six +millions of thalers, an enormous sum for these times. The Papal Court +refused to recognize the new king, and did not until Frederic the Great.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>We believe a general <i>Biographical Dictionary of Illustrious Women</i>, now +in course of publication in Berlin, is to be reproduced here, with +suitable additions. We need, while discussions of the sphere and +capacities of women are so common among us, a work of real learning and +authority, in which the part which the sex has borne and is capable of +bearing in the business of civilizing, shall be carefully and honestly +exhibited. There are fifteen or twenty volumes of short biographies of +women now in print in this country, with prospects of others—all +worthless except this extensive German work, which is considerably +advanced, and for its literary merit as well as for the interest of its +materials, will command an unusual degree of attention.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Countess Ida Hahn Hahn is writing a work to be called <i>My Way from +Darkness to Light, from Error to Truth</i>. She has became a Catholic, and +this book is intended to tell why. A cheap edition of her works is +publishing at Berlin. We presume they are no longer in her control, but +belong to her publishers, as she could scarcely consent to reprint some +of them.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>A new work bearing as its title the single word <i>Italia</i>, is about to be +published at Frankfort on the Main. It is a complete artistic, historic +and poetic manual for travellers in that lovely peninsula.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The Cologne Musical Society lately offered a prize for the best +symphony. Eighty-three have been offered, of which one only seems to be +a pure plagiarism.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span></p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>A book just published in Germany under the title of <i>Berlin und die +Berliner</i> contains some exceedingly interesting details concerning the +great naturalist <span class="smcap">Alexander von Humboldt</span>, from which the <i>International</i> +translates the following: "When, in the years 1834-5, we young students +thronged into lecture room No. VIII., at eight o'clock on winter +mornings, to hear Böckh on Greek literature and antiquities, we used to +see in the crowd of students in the dark corridor a small, white-haired, +old, and happy-looking man, dressed in a long brown coat. This man was +the <i>studiosus philologiæ</i>, Alexander von Humboldt, who came, as he +said, to go through again what he had neglected in his youth. When we +met him in the lecture-room we respectfully made way for him; for though +we had no respect for any body, especially professors, Humboldt was an +exception, for he knew 'a hellish deal.' To his own honor, the German +student still respects this quality. During the lecture Humboldt sat on +the fourth or fifth bench near the window, where he drew a piece of +paper from a portfolio in his pocket, and took notes. In going home he +liked to accompany Böckh, so as in conversation to build some logical +bridge or other from the old world to the new, after his ingenious +fashion. There was then in the class a man who has since distinguished +himself in political literature, but whom we had nicknamed 'Mosherosh,' +that is Calves'-head, on account of his stupid appearance. As Mosherosh +generally came in late, it was the fashion to receive him with a +magnificent round of stamping. One day, Humboldt came too late, and just +at the usual time of Mosherosh, and without looking up we gave the +regular round, while Humboldt, blushing and embarrassed, made his way to +his place. In a moment the mistake was seen, and a good-natured laugh +succeeded. Humboldt also attended the evening lectures of Ritter on +universal geography, and let the weather be as bad as it might, the +gray-haired man never failed. If for a rarity he chanced not to come, we +said among ourselves in students' jargon, 'Alexander cuts the college +to-day, because he's gone to King's to tea.' Once, on occasion of +discussing an important problem of physical geography, Ritter quoted +him, and every body looked up at him. Humboldt bowed to us, with his +usual good nature, which put the youngsters into the happiest humor. We +felt ourselves elevated by the presence of this great thinker and most +laborious student. We seemed to be joined with him in the pursuit of +great scientific ends."</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The rewards of Authors, we suspect, are greatest in France. In Germany, +England and the United States they are about the same. Cooper, Irving +and Prescott, in this country, have each received for copyrights more +than one hundred thousand dollars. In England, Dickens has probably +received more than any other living author—and in France Lamartine, +Victor Hugo, Dumas, Scribe, Thiers, and many others, have obtained large +fortunes by writing. In Germany Dieffenbach received for his book on +Operative Surgery some $3,500; and Perthes of Hamburg, paid to Neander +on a single work, more than $20,000, exclusive of the interest his heirs +still have in it. Poets like Uhland, Freiligrath, Geibel, have also +received as much as $6,000 or $12,000 on the sales of a single volume. +Long ago in Boston, Robert Treat Paine received $1,500 for a song. Of +our living poets, Longfellow has been most liberally paid.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>George Stephens, the learned translator of the <i>Frithiof's Saga</i> of +<span class="smcap">Bishop Tegner</span>, in a letter to <i>The International</i> states that he is now +printing at Copenhagen three Anglo-Saxon poems of the eleventh century, +namely: <i>The Old Testament Story, On the Sixth Day's Work</i>, and <i>The New +Testament Story</i>, by Aelfric, Archbishop of York, now just translated +into the metre and alliteration of the original. The three poems will +make a quarto volume of about thirty sheets, and copies may be ordered +(price three dollars), through the Hon. H. W. Ellsworth, late United +States <i>Charge d'Affaires</i> in Sweden, at New-York, or Dr. S. H. Smith, +of Cincinnati. Of the ability and fidelity with which the work will be +executed, the readers of the Frithiof's Saga need no other assurance.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>"Etherization," after all, is not a modern discovery, and Wells, +Jackson, and Morton, are alike undeserving of the praise they have +received on account of it. The Paris <i>Siècle</i> states that a manuscript, +written by Papin, known, for his experiments connected with the motive +power of steam, has been discovered near Marburg in Electoral Hesse; +that the work bears the name of <i>Traité des Opérations sans Douleur</i>, +and that in it are examined the different means that might be employed +to deaden, or altogether nullify, sensibility when surgical operations +are being performed on the human body, Papin composed this work in 1681, +but his contemporaries treated it with ridicule, and he abandoned the +medical profession.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>A new five-act play, tragic of course, has just appeared at Berlin, +founded on the history of Philip Augustus of France. It is by a lady of +the aristocratic circles of the Prussian capital, who now makes her +debut in literature. It is praised as excellent by those who are not in +the habit of being satisfied with the writings of ladies. A collection +of poems from the same pen is shortly to appear.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>M. Bianchi's <i>Turkish and French Dictionary</i>, in two large octavos, has +reached a second edition at Paris. It is all that could be desired for +the use of diplomatic and consular agents, traders, navigators, and +other travellers in the Levant, but not designed for critics in the +language or its literature.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span></p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The students of geography and foreign modes of life, owe a debt to the +French General <span class="smcap">Daumas</span>, for his three works on north-western Africa. The +first entitled, <i>Le Sahara Algerien</i>, is an exact and thorough and +scientific account of the desert in Algiers, given, however, with a flow +of manly, soldatesque imagination, which imparts life and charm to the +narrative, and even adorned with frequent quotations from the Arab +poets, who have sung the various localities he describes. The second of +these works is called <i>Le Grand Desert</i>: in form it is a series of +romances, the author having chosen that as the best manner of conveying +to the reader a distinct impression. The hero is a dweller in the +interior, a member of the tribe of Chambas, who came to Algiers, as he +says, because he had predestined him to make that journey. The general +interrogates him, and the Arab recounts his adventures. As he had thrice +traversed the desert to the negro country beyond, and had seen beside +all the usual events in the life of that savage region, the author +violates no probability in putting into his mouth the most strange and +characteristic stories. The whole are told with a fictitious +reproduction of the teser and somewhat monotonous, yet figurative style, +proper to all savages. <i>La Grande Kabylie</i> recounts the personal +experiences of the author in that yet unconquered country of the Arabs, +whither he went with Marshal Bugeaud in his last expedition. Kabylia he +describes as a picturesque and productive region. There are deep, +sheltered valleys, where along the shores of winding streams, nature has +planted hedges of perpetual flowers, while the mountains on each side +stand yellow with the ripe and ripening grain. The people are braver and +more energetic, their habitations more substantial, and their fields +more valuable than those in other parts of Algeria. Gen. Daumas would +have France subjugate this country and add it to her African dominions.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>M. de Conches, who is well known for his illustrations of early French +literature, is an enthusiastic admirer of La Fontaine: and he has spent +a vast sum in having printed <i>one copy</i> only, and for himself alone, of +an edition of his works, illustrated by the first artists of the day, +accompanied by notes and prefaces of the most eminent writers, and +forming a very miracle of expensive and <i>recherché</i> typography and +binding. Dibdin had never so good a subject for his <i>Bibliomania</i>.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Jules Sandeau, one of the most <i>spirituel</i> and elegant of French romance +writers, announced a new novel, <i>Catherine</i>, to appear on the 15th of +April.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Another book on the <i>Fall of Louis Philippe</i> has been published at Paris +by M. Francois de Groiseillez. It is in the Orleanist interest, and is +praised by the <i>Journal des Débats</i>.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The most profligate woman of whom we have any account in Roman history +was the empress Massalina, and nothing is more natural than that she +should be selected for a heroin by a Frenchman. In a new five act play +of which the Parisian journals give us elaborate criticisms, she is +represented as a very virtuous wife, by the ingenious contrivance of +giving a certain courtezan such a striking personal resemblance to her +that it was impossible to distinguish between the two, and making the +courtezan commit all the atrocities of the real Massalina. The play is +not without literary merit. It is called <i>Valeria</i>—the heroine's +<i>other</i> name being considered too strong to figure on a play-bill. +Rachel plays the two characters of Massalina and the courtezan—of +course with the most perfect success.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>A new Review has been established in Paris under the title of <i>La +Politique Nouvelle</i>. It comes out as the rival of the <i>Revue des Deux +Mondes</i>, and as the champion of the new republican <i>régime</i> (as opposed +to the conservative tendencies of the older established Review), offers +battle with a promising array of names of future contributors. The +department of English criticism is confided to M. Léon de Wailly, author +of <i>Stella and Vanessa</i> and the translator of Burns; whose name promises +a knowledge and intelligent appreciation of English literature. The +first two numbers contain contributions from the brilliant and caustic +pen of Eugene Pelletan, and a serial from Madame Charles Reybaud, author +of the <i>Cadet de Calubrieres, Helene, &c</i>.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Victor Hugo, since the appearance of the last volume of <i>Le Rhine</i>, four +or five years ago, has not printed a new book. The proprietor of his +copyrights, who had brought out two splendid editions of his complete +works, one in twenty-five volumes, and another, illustrated by the best +artists of France, in twelve, made a contract with him by which he has +been prevented from any original publications. The term is now nearly +expired, and it is announced that he will at once issue three volumes of +poetry, and twelve of romances. He is now engaged in finishing a novel +entitled <i>Misery</i>, which is spoken of by those who have seen portions of +it as a magnificent work.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>M. de St. Beuve, since October, 1849, the literary critic of <i>Le +Constitutionnel</i>, a writer who has pushed himself up in the world far +ahead of his merits, has published at Paris a volume, <i>Causeries du +Lundi</i> (Monday Gossipings), which is no great things. These gossipings +are taken from the columns of that journal, where they are regularly +published on Mondays, and where we have occasionally had the benefit of +seeing them. If they were not written by a member of the French Academy, +and an eminent <i>litterateur</i>, we should say they were rather stupid, as +far as ideas go, and not very elegant in respect of style.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span></p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>We had recently the <i>Cooks of Paris</i>, in a handsome volume, with +portraits; <i>The Journals and Editors of Paris</i>, in another volume, and +now one Paul Lacroix, sometimes called <i>bibliophile Jacob</i>, has +announced a <i>History</i>, <i>Political</i>, <i>Civil</i>, <i>Religious</i>, <i>Military</i>, +<i>Legislative</i>, <i>Judicial</i>, <i>Moral</i>, <i>Literary</i>, <i>and Anecdotic</i>, <i>of the +Shoe and the Bootmakers of France</i>. He treats of the ancient +corporations, their discipline, regulations, and of the fraternities, +with their obligations and devices, sketching the whole history of <i>La +Chaussure</i>. Shoemakers have been well represented among the famous men +of all nations, and the craft may be proud of Hans Sachs, Jacob Boehme, +Gifford, Bloomfield, Drew, Holcraft, Lackington, Sherman, William Carey, +George Fox, and a hundred others, besides the heroes of Monsieur +Lacroix.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><i>Bibliophile Jacob</i> <span class="smcap">Lacroix</span>, we see by the Paris papers, has also +discovered a <i>comedie-ballet</i> by Molière, written in 1654, and never +included in any edition of his works. It is entitled <i>Le Ballet des +incompatibies</i>, and appears to have been written by order of the Prince +de Conti, and acted before him by Molière himself and other persons of +the Prince's circle. That it remained so long unknown is explained by +the circumstance of a few copies only having been printed for the +favored spectators. The plot is described as ingenious, and the verses +not unworthy of the author. It is known that when the Prince de Conti +presided over the states of Languedoc in 1654, he invited thither +Molière and his company. He professed so much admiration for the actor +that he offered him the confidential situation of secretary, which was +declined; but it seems natural enough that he should have shown his +gratitude by composing one of those entertainments which cost him so +little trouble. This Prince de Conti was at one time so passionately +fond of theatricals that he made it his occupation to seek out subjects +for new plays, but at a later period he wrote a treatise in which +theatres were severely condemned on religious grounds, and Molière +himself was personally and violently attacked.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Among the new biographical works announced in Paris, is one on the Life, +Virtues and Labors of the late Right Rev. Dr. <span class="smcap">Flaget</span>, Roman Catholic +Bishop of Bardstown and Louisville, Kentucky. The author is a clergyman, +who accompanied the late Bishop in one of his last missions to Europe. +Bishop Flaget died at the age of eighty-seven.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>M. Xavier Marmier, whose visit to the United States we noticed some +months ago, has published his <i>Letters on Canada, the United States, +Cuba, and Rio La Plata</i>, in two volumes—constituting one of the most +agreeable works ever published in Paris upon this country. We shall +soon, we believe, have occasion to review a translation of the Letters, +by a New-Yorker.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Guizot and Thiers—the most eminent living statesmen of France, as well +as her greatest living historians—were for a long time connected with +the Paris journals, and each made his first appearance as a writer in +criticisms on the Fine Arts. For several years the former published +series of articles on the exhibitions of the Louvre, which were +remarkable both for artistic knowledge and literary <i>verve</i>. The latter +also published in 1810 a pamphlet on the exhibition in the Louvre, which +excited great sensation—more, however, from its having a political +tendency than for its critical importance.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mr. Mignet</span>, whose condensed <i>History of the French Revolution</i> is best +known to American readers in the cheap reprint of Bohn's Library, and +which in Paris has passed through numberless editions—will soon have +completed his History of Mary Stuart, which is destined, probably, to +supersede every other in the French language. Mignet is perpetual +Secretary of the Academy of Moral Sciences, and was for many years head +of the department of Archives in the Foreign Office. As a man of letters +and a sedulous inquirer, no French author enjoys higher reputation.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Lamartine has just published in Paris <i>The History of the Restoration, +from 1814 to</i> 1830, in eight volumes. The work has been composed +hastily, and probably by several hands, for money. The poet has also +published <i>The Stone Cutter of Saint-Pont</i>, to which we have before +referred—a new book of sentimental memoirs: they pall after two +administrations.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The <i>Histoire des Races Maudites et les Classes Réprouvés</i>, by +Francisque Michel and Edouard Fournier, publishing at Paris, with +illustrations, has advanced to the twentieth number. The whole is to +contain a hundred numbers, forming three volumes.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>M. Michelet, the well-known professor of history in the College de +France, has incurred a vote of censure from his associates on account of +his lectures to the students, which, we infer from notices of them, are +quite too republican and socialistic to be approved by the directors of +affairs.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>A new work, by M. Theophile Lavallée, entitled <i>L'Histoire de Paris et +ses Monumens</i> from ancient times to 1850, has just been published at +Paris, with illustrations by M. Champin. It is warmly commended by the +<i>Débats</i>.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mullie</span>, of the University of France, has published in two large octavos, +a Biographical Dictionary of the Military Celebrities of France, from +1789 to 1850.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>A second edition of the new <i>Life of the great Chancellor D'Auguesseau</i>, +by <span class="smcap">M. Bouille</span>, has been published in Paris. The book continues to be +praised.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span></p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>A Romance and Tales, said to have been written by <span class="smcap">Napoleon Bonaparte</span>, +when he was a youth, are announced for publication in the Paris +<i>Siècle</i>. Though the <i>Siècle</i> is a very respectable journal, and it +engages that these compositions are perfectly authentic, and shall be +accompanied by proofs of their genuineness, we do not believe a word of +the pretence of their authorship. It is a fact, however, not unworthy of +note, in a psychological point of view, that the earliest development of +Napoleon's ambition and powers, before a fit field of action had been +opened to them, was in a literary form. At the age of fifteen, when at +the royal school at Paris, he voluntarily prepared a memoir upon the +luxury and expense attending education at that place, in which he urged +the propriety of the students adopting hardy habits and a simple fare, +and themselves to such toils and exposure as they would encounter in +war. In 1787, at the age of eighteen, at Valence, he gained, +anonymously, a prize proposed to the Academy of Lyons by the Abbé +Raynal, on the question, "What are the principles and institutions best +adapted to advance mankind in happiness?" In this essay he defined +happiness as consisting in the "perfect enjoyment of life according to +the laws of our physical and moral organization:" and the forcible +views, well adapted to the temper of the times, and the vivid style of +writing, attracted much attention. When he was emperor, he was one day +conversing with Talleyrand about this essay, and the latter, a few days +after, took occasion to present it to him, having procured it from the +archives of the academy at Lyons. The emperor took it, and after reading +a few pages, threw it into the fire, saying, "One can never observe +every thing." Talleyrand had not taken the precaution to transcribe it; +but it has been said that Louis Bonaparte had had it copied, and that it +is now in print. About the same time he began a history of Corsica, +which he dedicated to the Abbé Raynal, by whom he had been noticed and +caressed. He corresponded with Paoli in relation to it, and was in +treaty with M. Joly, a bookseller of Dole, for its publication. Raynal, +who read the manuscript, advised its completion; but some change of +purpose prevented its being finished, and it is now lost. During his +residence at Auxonne, in 1790, Napoleon wrote and printed a letter to +Buttafoco, the Corsican deputy for the nobles in the National Assembly. +It is a brilliant and powerful piece of argument and invective, strongly +on the revolutionary side. It produced a marked impression, and was +adopted and reprinted by the patriotic society at Ajaccio. While at +Marseilles, in 1793, Napoleon wrote and published a political dialogue, +called "The Supper of Beaucaire"—a judicious, sensible, and able essay, +intended to allay the agitation then existing in that city. A copy of it +was brought to him in later days, but seeing no advantage in reviving, +under the circumstances of a different time, a production written for a +temporary and local excitement, he ordered its suppression.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The Life of Calvin, by Paul Henry, has been translated from the German +by the Rev. Dr. Henry Stebbing, of London, and we have the first of the +two octavos of which it consists, from the press of Robert Carter & +Brothers. So much inexcusable ignorance, so much perverse +misrepresentation, so much insolent lying, may be found scattered +through modern literature, respecting the great Genevan, that Dr. Henry +deserves well the thanks of the christian world for exhibiting the chief +facts of his history, so plainly that every partisan knave who would +repeat the old slanders, shall be silent hereafter for very shame. John +Calvin was unquestionably subject to the infirmities of our human +nature; so was John Milton; but the inherent and indefectable greatness +of these two men was such, that they dwell apart like stars, in glory +scarcely approachable by mortal virtue or intelligence. John Calvin and +John Milton were in an extraordinary degree the authors of modern +institutions of liberty, and it would be difficult to decide which has +most merit of this praise. The late Albert Gallatin was wont to say that +when we celebrated our condition on the fourth of July, we should first +drink to the memory of John Calvin, and then to the immediate authors of +the Declaration of Independence. Mr. Gallatin did not hold to all the +dogmas of Calvin, but he could not speak of the creatures—like Dyer, +for example—who employ their pennyworth of wit to prejudice the vulgar +against him, without some signs of scorn. We can never forget his +merciless characterization of a malicious feeble-mind, who in a book +entitled <i>A Monograph of Moral Sense</i>, declared that Calvin never had +enough humanity in his nature to select even one verse by the +<i>Evangelists</i> for pulpit illustration,—though the Reformer really +preached some folio volumes of commentaries upon the Gospels, preached +from them as much as he did from any other portion of the Bible. This +person—his name was Smith—was not more reckless of truth than it has +been the fashion for anti-Calvinists to be, when writing of that great +man and his doctrines, which they seem to have thought could be put down +by petty libels.</p> + +<p>Calvin is now being born into a new life, as it were; the critics and +printers of each particular language are as busy with him as the English +have been with Shakspeare. His amazing wit, and genius, and learning, +are found as attractive and powerful now as they were three hundred +years ago. And this life of him by Henry, embodying whatever of +contemporary records is most needful for the illustration of his +writings, will be likely to have a large sale with every class of +historical students, as they discover that the popular and partisan +notions of him are untrue. Certainly no one should attempt to form an +opinion of Calvin without thoroughly acquainting himself with Henry.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span></p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>In Paris, <span class="smcap">M. Miller</span>, librarian to the Assembly, has made an important +discovery among some old Greek MSS. of a lost work by Origen. The +<i>Journal des Débats</i> describes the original work as being in ten books; +the first of which is already known to the world under the title of +<i>Philosophumena</i>. The last seven books have just been printed at the +university press in Oxford, under the editorial direction of M. Miller, +who went to England for that purpose. They make an octavo volume of +about three hundred and fifty pages. The <i>Débats</i> says the work is "a +refutation of heresies, in which the author endeavors to prove that the +heresiarchs have all taken their doctrines from the ancient +philosophers:"—a very curious task for Origen to perform, since he was +himself chiefly remarkable for the mixture of Zeno, Plato, and +Aristotle, which he compounded with his Christianity. But apart from its +controversial interest, the recovered manuscript will throw new light on +the opinions and practices of the Neo-Platonists, and on the manners and +customs of ancient times. Discoveries like this point out the necessity +for a larger and more combined action of learned societies in the search +for ancient manuscripts. Origen's <i>Stromata</i> might even yet be +completed: and it is not to be supposed that all the existing fragments +of his <i>Hexapla</i> were collected by Montfaucon.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>From Constantinople we learn that very important discoveries of ancient +Greek MSS. have been made, in a cave, near the foot of Mount Athos, +bringing to light a vast quantity of celebrated works quoted by various +ancient writers, and hitherto deemed entirely lost. They furnish, +according to the accounts in the journals, an extensive list of proper +names calculated to throw great light upon many obscure periods of +history. Among these volumes, it is said, some are calculated to give a +complete interpretation of hieroglyphic writing—the discoverer having +already successfully applied them to the interpretation of the +inscriptions engraved on the obelisk of the Hippodrome at +Constantinople. This may be quite true, but such statements are to be +received with some suspicion.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>A literal prose translation of Homer, by Mr. T. A. Buckley, has just +appeared in London. No prose version will cause any just notion of the +spirit of Homer. Of the half dozen metrical translations published +recently, we think that of our countryman Munford the best. Henry W. +Herbert has given us parts of the Iliad in admirable style. No one, +however, has yet equalled old Chapman—certainly not Pope nor Cowper. +The most successful translation into a modern language is unquestionably +the German one by Voss. Mure and Grote have written the ablest +dissertations in English upon the Homeric controversy, but they are not +poets, and could not if they would translate the great bard.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">R. P. Gillies</span>, a contemporary of the great authors of the last age, has +published in three volumes <i>Memoirs of a Literary Veteran</i>. More than +half a century spent in the society of the lions of literature, could +hardly fail to furnish a store of amusing anecdotes, and a sprinkling of +interesting information. Mr. Gillies has also this advantage over many +collectors of similar reminiscences, that he was not only an author +among authors, but that his social position in early life gave him +access to the best circles. Scott, Wordsworth, Campbell, the Ettrick +Shepherd, Rogers, Galt, Maginn, Haydon, and many more names of interest, +figure frequently in his pages. Upon the whole, however, his work is +tedious, and quite too much occupied with matters that can be +entertaining only to his most intimate associates. Gillies was one of +the early contributors to "Blackwood," and figured as "Kemperhausen" in +the <i>Noctes Ambrosianæ</i>. He was also the originator and first editor of +the Foreign Quarterly Review, and was one of the first to make German +literature familiar in England.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>It appears that only the Harpers' edition of Lord <span class="smcap">Holland's</span> +<i>Reminiscences</i> is complete. The London copies are full of asterisks, +marking the places of cancelled passages. The cancellings, it was +suggested, were occasioned by the interposition of Lord John Russel. A +correspondent of <i>The Times</i>, however, (understood to be Mr. Panizzi of +the British Museum,) came out with a denial, saying "his lordship never +saw a word of the <i>Reminiscences</i> till after they were published, and +that no responsibility whatever could attach to him. I speak thus," he +adds, "of my own knowledge, and beg to inclose my name as a voucher for +the truth of this statement." The <i>Athenæum</i> thinks that if Mr. Panizzi +had said "printed" instead of "published," his voucher would have been +less rashly ventured, as "Lord John <i>did</i> see the work before it was +actually published, but not before it had been actually printed; and +here, if we be not misinformed, arises a somewhat amusing <i>contretemps</i>, +which is likely to render the cancels ineffectual. Lord John, in fact, +had not the opportunity of interfering until the work had been so far +published to the world that an 'uncancelled' copy, with all the passages +since sought to be suppressed, had been dispatched to America beyond +recall. The next American mail will, doubtless, supply us with the whole +of the suppressed passages."</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The meeting of the <i>British Association</i>, at Ipswich, is to commence on +Wednesday, July the 2d, and extend over seven or eight days. The +secretaries have received the names of several hundred intending +visitors, among whom are Lucien Buonaparte, Sir R. Murchison, Sir H. de +la Beche, Sir W. Jardine, Sir Charles Lyell, Sir David Brewster; +Professors Daubeny, Silliman (of America), Owen, Ansted, and the +celebrated naturalist, M. Lorrillier, a relative of the late Baron +Cuvier.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span></p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Of the new book on <i>Man's Nature and Development</i>, by Miss Martineau and +Mr. Atkinson, the <i>Westminster Review</i> for April says:</p> + +<p>"Strange and wonderful is the power of self-delusion! Here we have two +clever well-informed people, persuading themselves that they experience +extraordinary raptures mingled with the most exquisite philosophic calm, +from believing that unconscious matter is the cause of conscious +thought, that the truest human affection is nothing worthier than the +love of a spoonful of nitric acid for a copper half-penny, and that +annihilation is the most satisfactory end of human life. From such views +both the intellect and the heart of man will recoil with well-founded +disgust—his logical powers will perceive the absurdity of the argument, +and his taste and affections will lead him to exclaim with Wordsworth:—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">——'Great God! I'd rather be<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A Pagan suckled in a creed outworn:<br /></span> +<span class="i2">So might I standing on this pleasant lea<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Have sight of Proteus, rising from the sea,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Or hear old Triton blow his wreathed horn.'<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"The new lights promised by our authors turn out to be chiefly composed +of very old-fashioned rays of darkness, and, after a careful perusal, +many will come to the conclusion that the way to be a modern +philosopher, is to quote the ancients, praise Bacon, and talk 'bosh.'"</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>New editions of the works of Fielding and Smollett, profusely +illustrated by Cruikshank and Kenny Meadows, will soon be published by +Stringer & Townsend. These great classics will never cease to be read +with the keenest relish by all the English race. The London publishers +of the present edition of Fielding observe in their advertisement:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"It is altogether unnecessary to enlarge upon the genius of +Henry Fielding. There is no man in the brilliant history of +English literature, with the single exception of Shakspeare, to +whose genius has been paid the homage of a more general +attestation. Calumny and misrepresentation—the offspring of +envy and malice—these, in his day, he had to endure or to +deride, and these, with their authors, have long sunk into +oblivion. The greatest of his contemporaries knew and +acknowledged his transcendent merit, and since his death, there +has not been one man of genius whose opinion of Fielding is +recorded, that has not spoken of him with veneration and +delight. Dr. Johnson, spite of a personal enmity, could not but +concede his extraordinary powers. Lady Mary Wortley Montague +reluctantly confessed that 'cousin Fielding' was the greatest +original genius of the age; the fastidious Gray was charmed +with him; and the more fastidious Gibbon has left his opinion +on record, that the illustrious house of Hapsburg, from which +Fielding was descended—its name erased, its towers +crumbled,—will be forgotten, when the romance of <i>Tom Jones</i> +shall flourish in eternal youth. If Coleridge classed him, as +one of the true immortals, with Shakspeare, Goëthe could not, +nor was willing to contest, that he was so; if Byron could +cheer his heart and refresh his mind with his pages, so can, +and so does, Wordsworth. In a word, the matchless drawing of +his characters, which are not likenesses from life, but copies +from Nature—the one being a shallow art, the other a +profoundly creative power—his exquisite wit, his abounding +humor, his natural and manly pathos—in these no writer of +narrative fiction has ever approached him.</p> + +<p>"While, therefore, nothing can be less likely than that the +fame of Fielding should ever be suffered to die, or that, as +long as literature exists it can ever diminish, nothing can be +more proper than to attempt to extend his popularity—a +consummation inevitably to be effected by producing his works +at a price accessible, and in a form attractive, to all +classes. The late Rowland Hill once observed, that it was not +fitting that the arch-enemy of mankind should have all the best +tunes to himself. In a like spirit it may be remarked, that it +ought not to be permitted to inferior writers to monopolize all +the appliances and means of popularity that art can bestow. +Accordingly, the proprietors have secured the hearty and +zealous co-operation of Kenny Meadows. It would be invidious, +and from the purpose, to institute a comparison between this +gentleman and his contemporaries; but it may be asserted that +no living artist has shown an equal versatility of genius, +which points him out as the man best fitted to trace the +many-colored life of Fielding. From the illustration, almost +page by page, of Shakspeare, where is the man but would have +shrunk? but that work of our artist has secured not merely an +English, not only a European reputation, but a world-wide +celebrity. The proprietors are assured, that from the hand of +Kenny Meadows such an edition of Fielding will proceed as we +have not yet seen, and shall not hereafter see."</p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Of Mr. <span class="smcap">John Bigelow's</span> work on <i>Jamaica</i>, (published a few weeks ago by +Putnam,) the London <i>Examiner</i> of April 5th, remarks:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"It contains the most searching analysis of the present state +of Jamaica, and, moreover, the most sagacious prognostications +of the future prospects of the island that have ever been +published. Mr. Bigelow is an accomplished, acute, and liberal +American. As such, an eye-witness and a participator of the +greatest and most successful colonial experiment which the +world has ever seen, he is, necessarily, a better and more +impartial judge of the subject he treats of than any Englishman +of equal capacity and acquirement. Mr. Bigelow makes short and +easy work of planters, attornies, book-keepers, sophistries, +and Stanleys. In doing so, his language is invariably that of a +man of education and a gentleman. He might have crushed them +with a sledge-hammer, but he effects his purpose as effectually +with a pass or two of a sharp and polished broad-sword."</p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The publication of a translation in the Bohemian language of Lamartine's +<i>History of the Girondins</i>, has been recently prohibited at Prague by +the Austrian authorities.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Macready</span>, in retiring from the stage, had more honors showered upon him +than ever before sweetened the leave-taking of any hero of the buskin: +among them, this dedication of George Sand's latest publication, <i>Le +Château des Désertes</i>, which is now appearing in <i>La Revue des Deux +Mondes</i>:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"To <span class="smcap">W. C. Macready</span>:—This little work, attempting to set forth +certain ideas on Dramatic Art, I place under the protection of +a great name, and of an honorable friendship.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">George Sand.</span>"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span></p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The first volume of <i>The Stones of Venice</i>, by Mr. <span class="smcap">Ruskin</span>, has been +republished by Mr. Wiley, and we trust it will have a very large sale in +this country, which was never in greater need of instructions upon any +subject than it is now upon that of architecture. In all our cities +there is remarkable activity in building; the surplus wealth of the +American people is largely applied for the increase of the magnificence +of town and country residences—for the most part so ignorantly applied, +that the Genius of Architecture might almost be frightened from our +shores by the spectacles reared here to vex and astonish the next ages. +To bring about a reform, to lead the way for rationalism, in the noblest +of the practical arts, Mr. Ruskin has approved himself worthy by his +previous works. The <i>Stones of Venice</i> will increase the fame won by his +"Modern Painters." The <i>Literary Gazette</i> says:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"It is a book for which the time is ripe, and it cannot fail to +produce the most beneficial results, directly and indirectly, +on our national architecture. The low condition into which that +has fallen has been long felt. Mr. Ruskin has undertaken to +lead us back to the first principles of the art, and, in doing +so, to enable every reader who will bestow the necessary +attention to his exposition, to discover for himself the causes +of this decline, and to master the principles, by attention to +which, the significance and dignity of the art may be restored. +The subject is one of the widest interest; but it has been so +hedged about with technical difficulties as to debar from its +study all who had not more leisure, more perseverance, and more +money, than fall to the lot of the majority of even cultivated +minds. At once popular and profound, this book will be +gratefully hailed by a circle of readers even larger than Mr. +Ruskin has found for his previous works. He has so written as +to catch the ear of all kinds of persons: 'Every man,' he says +truly, 'has at some time of his life personal interest in +architecture. He has influence on the design of some public +building; or he has to buy, or build, or alter his own house. +It signifies less, whether the knowledge of other arts be +general or not; men may live without buying pictures or +statues; but in architecture all must in some way commit +themselves; they <i>must</i> do mischief, and waste their money, if +they do not know how to turn it to account. Churches, and +shops, and warehouses, and cottages, and small row, and place, +and terrace houses, must be built and lived in, however joyless +and inconvenient. And it is assuredly intended that all of us +should have knowledge, and act upon our knowledge, in matters +in which we are daily concerned, and not be left to the caprice +of architects, or mercy of contractors."</p> + +<p>"Those who live in cities are peculiarly dependent for +enjoyment upon the beauty of its architectural features. Shut +out from mountain, river, lake, forest, cliff, and hedgerow, +they must either find in streets and squares food for pleasant +contemplation, or be drawn into indifference by meaningless, +ill-proportioned, or unsightly forms. 'We are forced,' says Mr. +Ruskin, 'for the sake of accumulating our power and knowledge, +to live in cities; but such advantage as we have in association +with each other, is in great part counterbalanced by our loss +of fellowship with nature. We cannot all have our gardens now, +nor our pleasant fields to meditate in at eventide. Then the +function of our architecture is, as far as may be, to replace +these; to tell us about nature; to possess us with memories of +her quietness; to be solemn and full of tenderness like her, +and rich in portraitures of her; full of delicate imagery of +the flowers we can no more gather, and of the living creatures +now far away from us in their own solitude. If ever you felt or +found this in a London street; if ever it furnished you with +one serious thought, or any ray of true and gentle pleasure; if +there is in your heart a true delight in its green railings, +and dark casements, and wasteful finery of shops, and feeble +coxcombry of club-houses, it is well; promote the building of +more like them. But if they never taught you any thing, and +never made you happier as you passed beneath them, do not think +they have any mysterious goodness of occult sublimity. Have +done with the wretched affectation, the futile barbarism, of +pretending to enjoy; for, as surely as you know that the meadow +grass, meshed with fairy rings, is better than the wood +pavement cut into hexagons; and as surely as you know the fresh +winds and sunshine of the upland are better than the choke-damp +of the vault, or the gaslight of the ball-room, you may know +that the good architecture which has life, and truth, and joy +in it, is better than the bad architecture, which has death, +dishonesty, and vexation of heart in it from the beginning to +the end of time.</p> + +<p>"To show what this good architecture is, how it is produced, +and to what end, is the object of the present volume. It is, +consequently, purely elementary, and introductory merely to the +illustration, to be furnished in the next volume from the +architectural riches of Venice, of the principles, to the +development of which it is devoted. Beginning from the +beginning, Mr. Ruskin carries his reader through the whole +details of construction with an admirable clearness of +exposition, and by a process which leaves him at the close in a +position to apply the principles which he has learned by the +way, and to form an intelligent and independent judgment upon +any form of architectural structure. The argument of the book +hangs too closely together to be indicated by extracts, or by +an analysis within the limits to which we are confined."</p></div> + +<p>We perceive that the work of which the first volume is here noticed, is +to be followed immediately by <i>Examples of the Architecture of Venice</i>, +selected and drawn to measurement from the edifices, by Mr. Ruskin: to +be completed in twelve parts, of folio imperial size, price one guinea +each. These will not be reproduced in this country, and as the author +probably has little advantage from the American editions of his works, +we trust that for his benefit as well as for the interests of art, the +<i>Examples</i> will be largely imported.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The new play written by Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton, as his contribution +towards the fund raising for the new Literary Institute, is in the hands +of the literary and artistic amateurs by whom it is to be enacted, and +rehearsals are in progress. The first performance will take place +probably in June.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span></p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>It was a custom when the world was younger than it is now, for +disappointed lovers, and outlaws, and portionless youths too proud to +labor and afraid to steal, to go into the wars; nobility, that would not +suffer them to become journeymen mechanics, led them to hire out as +journeymen butchers. But at length the field of military adventure is +almost every where closed. There is no region, ever so remote, where a +spirited and adventurous youth could hope ever to learn the art martial. +A few skirmishes on the Parana and the Plata, on the Fish River, or the +Keiskamma, form all the fighting that is going on upon the globe; and +that fighting offers no premium to the adventurer. There is no native +prince of great wealth and numerous followers, no mogul, or sultan, or +sikh, with whom the turbulent European might make a good bargain for his +courage. The last field for such enterprise was the country of the +Mahrattas, where French and English mercenaries—with a sprinkling of +Americans—created a colony which enabled the ignorant, bigoted and +jealous savages to keep in check the best European armies. A Frenchman +named Person was a pioneer in the business. He was succeeded by the +Savoyard, De Boigne, whose statue now adorns the principal square of +Chamberry. James Skinner, whose <i>Memoirs</i> have just been published in +London by the novelist and traveler Mr. Bailie Fraser, began a similar +career under De Boigne. Some idea may be formed of the Mahratta army, +when the Peishwa at times brought 100,000 horse into the field. A +trusted officer, as Skinner afterwards became, might thus command a +division of twenty, thirty, or forty thousand men, equal in fact to the +largest European armies in the last century. When men played with such +tools as these, it may be easily imagined how they themselves rose and +fell; how empires crumbled, or were reared anew. When Wellesley and Loke +overthrew the Mahrattas, Skinner entered the British service, and it +appears from the book before us that he died in 1836 a knight of the +Bath.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>"Hitherto," says M. de Sainte Beuve, "the real learning of women has +been found to be pretty much the property of their lovers;" and he +ridicules the notion that even Mrs. Somerville has any scholarship that +would win the least distinction for a man. It may be so. We see, +however, that a Miss <span class="smcap">Fanny Corbaux</span> has lately communicated to the +Syro-Egyptian Society in London a very long and ambitious paper <i>On the +Raphaïm and their connexion with Egyptian History</i>, in which she quotes +Hebrew, Arabic, Greek, &c., with astonishing liberality.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Carlyle's translation of the <i>Apprenticeship and Travels of Wilhelm +Meister</i>, has been issued in a very handsome edition, by Ticknor, Reed & +Fields, of Boston.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Mr. Macaulay has been passing the Winter and Spring in Italy.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The Late Mr. John Glanville Taylor, an Englishman, left in MS. a work +upon <i>The United States and Cuba</i>, which has just been published by +Bentley, and is announced for republication by Mr. Hart of Philadelphia. +Mr. Taylor was born in 1810, and when about twenty-one years of age he +left Liverpool for the United States, on a mining speculation. After +travelling a few months in this country, he was induced to go to Cuba to +examine a gold vein of which he thought something might be made. The +place in Cuba which was to be the scene of his operations, was the +neighborhood of Gibara, on the north-eastern side of the island, which +he reached by sailing from New-York to St. Jago de Cuba, and travelling +across the island forty-five leagues. The gold vein turned out a +wretched failure; and, after having been put to some disagreeable shifts +to maintain himself, Mr. Taylor resolved to settle as a planter in +Holguin—the district to which Gibara forms the port of entry. Returning +to the United States, he made the necessary arrangements; and in the +summer of 1843, was established on his <i>hacienda</i>, in partnership with +an American who had been long resident in that part of the island. In +this and the following year, however, the east of Cuba was visited by an +unprecedented drought; causing famine which, though it destroyed many +lives and ruined thousands of proprietors, attracted no more attention, +he says, in England, than was implied by "a paragraph of three lines in +an English newspaper." The west of Cuba was at the same time devastated +by a tremendous hurricane, accompanied by floods; and, all his Cuban +prospects being thus blasted, the author was glad to return to New-York +in September, 1845, whence, after a short stay, he returned to England. +He did not long, however, remain in his native country, but left it for +Ceylon, where he died suddenly in January, of the present year. His +<i>United States and Cuba: Eight Years of Change and Travel</i>, was left in +MS., and within a few weeks has been printed. It is a work of much less +value than Mr. Kimball's <i>Cuba and the Cubans</i>, published in New-York +last year. Of that very careful and judicious performance Mr. Taylor +appears to have made considerable use in the preparation of his own, and +his agreement with Mr. Kimball may be inferred from the fact that, +though pointedly protesting that he does not advocate the annexation of +Cuba to the United States, he holds that "worse things might +happen,"—and indeed hints that sooner or later the event is inevitable. +Of <i>Cuba and the Cubans</i>, we take this opportunity to state that a new +and very much improved edition will soon be issued by Mr. Putnam.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Lady Emmeline Stuart Wortley has in the press of Bentley her <i>Travels in +the United States</i>. She passed about two years, we believe, in this +country. She has written several books, in verse and prose, but we never +heard that any body had read one of them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span></p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The <i>Nile Notes</i>, by Mr. <span class="smcap">Curtis</span>, have been republished in London by +Bentley, and the book is as much approved by English as by American +critics. The <i>Daily News</i> says:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The author is evidently a man of great talent."</p></div> + +<p>Leigh Hunt, in his <i>Journal</i>, that—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"It is brilliant book, full of thought and feeling."</p></div> + +<p>The <i>Athenæum</i>, that—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The author of <i>Nile Notes</i>, we may now add, is richly +poetical, humorous, eloquent, and glowing as the sun, whose +southern radiance seems to burn upon his page. An affluence of +fancy which never fails, a choice of language which chastens +splendor of expression by the use of simple idioms, a love for +the forms of art whether old or new, and a passionate enjoyment +of external nature such as belongs to the more poetic order of +minds—are the chief characteristics of this writer."</p></div> + +<p>The <i>Literary Gazette</i>—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The genial and kindly spirit of this book, the humor and +vivacity of personal descriptions, redeemed by an exquisite +choice of expression from the least taint of the common or the +coarse; the occasional melody and music of the diction, +cadenced, as it were, by the very grace and tenderness of the +thought it clothes, or the images of beauty it evokes; the +broad, easy touches, revealing as at a glance the majestic and +tranquil features of the Eastern landscape, and the ultimate +feeling of all its accessories of form and hue; the varied +resources of learning, tradition, poetry, romance, with which +it is not encumbered but enriched, as a banquet table with +festal crowns and sparkling wines—all these, and many other +characteristics, to which our space forbids us to do justice, +render these 'Nile Notes' quite distinct from all former books +of Eastern travel, and worthy 'to occupy the intellect of the +thoughtful and the imagination of the lively.' Never did a +wanderer resign his whole being with more entire devotion to +the silence and the mystery that brood, like the shadow of the +ages, over that dead, dumb land. A veritable lotus-eater is our +American Howadji!'"</p></div> + +<p>And a dozen other London journals might be quoted to the same effect. +But critics disagree, as well as doctors, and the Boston <i>Puritan +Recorder</i> comes down on the Howadji in the following exemplary manner:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"This is a much-vaunted book, by a young American, but one in +which we take no pleasure. In the first place, it is written in +a most execrable style,—all affectation, and verbal wriggling +and twisting for the sake of originality. The veriest sophomore +ought to be "rusticated" for such conceited phrases as +"beautiful budburstiness of bosom,"—"her twin eyes shone forth +liquidly lustrous"—and innumerable expressions in the same +namby-pamby dialect. But dellacruscan folly is but a trifle +compared with the immoral tendency of the descriptions of the +<i>gahzeeyah</i>, or dancing girls of Egypt, and the luscious +comments on their polluted ways and manners. We thought the +Harpers had done publishing this indecent trash."</p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>D. M. Moir, the "Delta" of <i>Blackwood's Magazine</i>, has just published in +Edinburgh, <i>Sketches of the Poetical Literature of the Past Half +Century</i>, in six Lectures, delivered at the Edinburgh Philosophical +Institution.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The Rev. Satan Montgomery, otherwise called <i>Robert</i> Montgomery, is not +dead, as some have supposed, but is still making sermons and +verses—probably sermons and verses of equally bad quality; and we see +with some alarm that the Rivingtons advertise, as in preparation, a +complete edition of his <i>Poetical Works</i> [we never saw any works by him +that were poetical] in one octavo volume, similar in size and appearance +to the octavo editions of Southey, Wordsworth, &c., &c., and including +the whole of the author's poems—<i>Satan</i>, <i>Woman</i>, <i>Hell</i>, and all the +rest,—in a revised form, with some original minor pieces, and a general +preface. We don't suppose he will take our counsel, yet we will venture +it, that he make use of Macaulay's reviewal of his poems, instead of any +"general preface" of his own.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Documentary History of New-York.—The forthcoming (third) volume of this +State contribution to our historical literature will well sustain the +reputation of its predecessors and of its zealous editor. Dr. +<span class="smcap">O'Callaghan</span> is an enthusiast in his zeal for lighting up "the dark ages +of our history," as Verplanck called the Dutch period; and he has done +as much as any man living to rescue the fast perishing memorials of the +founders of the Empire State. It is fortunate for the State that his +industry and patient research are secured for the proper arrangement of +the Archives—too long neglected and subject to loss and mutilation. The +new volume has come to hand too late for any elaborate notice or review +of its contents; but a glance at the list of papers and illustrations +alone warrants the opinion we have expressed. We notice particularly the +account of Champlain's explorations in Northern New-York, &c., from 1609 +to 1615—translated from the edition of 1632. The historical student +cannot fail to note the coincidence of discovery and exploration by the +Dutch and French; and the credit due to the "Founder of New France;" to +which we have alluded in the article on the Jesuit Relations. The +translations of the extracts from Wassenaar (1624, etc.), give an +interesting cotemporaneous view of the progress of the European +discoveries and settlements in America. A chapter on Medals and Coins +contains attractive matter, particularly that portion which relates to +the "Rosa Americana coins," connected as they are with the "Wood's +half-pence," immortalized by Dean Swift. The notes and biographical +sketches by the editor, scattered through the volume, add materially to +its value—as also the numerous maps and engravings. We have heard hints +that some small suggestions of disinterested economists of the public +money, or other considerations less creditable, have been brought to +bear against the continuation of this publication—but we trust that +they will end when they begin. New-York owes it to her own great history +to make its material accessible to all.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span></p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Colonel Albert J. Pickett, of Montgomery, has in the press of Walker and +James, of Charleston, <i>The History of Alabama, and incidentally of +Georgia and Mississippi, from the Earliest Period</i>. It will make two +handsome volumes, and from some passages of it which we have read, we +believe it will be a work of very unusual attraction. It will embrace an +account of the invasion of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, +by De Soto, in 1539-41; of the Aborigines of these states, their +appearance, manners and customs, games, amusements, wars, and religious +ceremonies, their ancient mounds and fortifications, and of the modern +Indians, the Creeks, Chickasaws Choctaws, Alabamas, Uchees, Cherokees, +and other tribes; the discovery and settlement of Alabama and +Mississippi by the French, and their occupation until 1763; the +occupation of Alabama and Mississippi by the British for eighteen years; +the colonization of Georgia by the English; the occupation of Alabama +and Mississippi by the Spaniards for thirty years; and the occupation of +these states by the Americans from 1800 until 1820. One whole chapter is +taken up with an interesting account of the arrest of Aaron Burr in +Alabama in 1807; and the exciting controversies between Georgia, the +Federal Government, Spain, and the Creek Indians, are treated at length. +The work will be illustrated by really valuable engravings, after +original drawings made by a French traveller in 1564.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Mrs. Farnham, author of <i>Prairie-Land</i>, (a very clever book published +three or four years ago by the Harpers), and widow of the late Mr. +Farnham who wrote a book of travels in Oregon and other parts of the +Pacific country, is now living in a sort of paradise, about seventy +miles south of San Francisco. In a published letter she gives the +following description of her farm:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"It is very heavily timbered and watered with clear living +streams running through valleys of the most fertile soil, on +which delicious vegetables grow ten months of the year. The +region is especially famed for potatoes, which become almost a +fruit here. The farm I live on is charmingly situated about a +mile from the old Mission, and two from the beach, on which a +tremendous surf breaks and thunders day and night. From my +house I look over the coast-table and range of mountains, the +hills of Monterey, the bay, and a near landscape, exquisitely +diversified by plain and wood, hill and valley, and almost +every shade that herbage and foliage, in a country without +frost, can show. The rainy season is about a month old, and the +earth as green as it is at home in June. Another month will +pile it with clover, and less than another variegate it with an +inconceivable variety of the most exquisite flowers—for this +is the land of flowers as well as of gold. Our prairies are +quite insignificant in their floral shows, compared to it. The +country and climate are faultless—except in the lack of +showers through the dry months. Nearly every thing one can +desire may be grown upon one's own farm here."</p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Mr. Charles Gayarre, a gentleman distinguished in the affairs of +Louisiana, in which state he has held some important offices, has just +published in a handsome octavo, <i>Louisiana, its Colonial History and +Romance</i>, (Harper & Brothers.) It appears from the preface, that Mr. +Gayarre has had excellent opportunities for the collection of materiel +for a really good book of the sort indicated by his title; but this +performance is utterly worthless, or worse than worthless, being neither +history nor fiction, but such a commingling of the two that no one can +tell which is one or which the other. The uncertainty with which it is +read will be disagreeable in proportion to the interest that it excites; +and, knowing something of the colonial history of Louisiana, we are +inclined to think that a book quite as entertaining as this might have +been composed of authenticated facts. Indeed the <i>Historical Collections +of Louisiana</i>, by Mr. French, (published by Daniels and Smith, +Philadelphia,) must be to even the most superficial reader a far more +attractive volume.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The <i>Pictorial Field Book of the Revolution</i>, by <span class="smcap">Benson J. Lossing</span>, +(Harper & Brothers,) is a work that cannot well be praised overmuch. +There have been an immense number of illustrated and pictorial histories +of this country, all or nearly all of which are worthless patchwork; but +Mr. Lossing's is a production of equal attractive interest and value. +The first volume only has been completed; one more will follow with all +convenient haste, ending the work. The letter-press is written from +original materials, the drawings of scenery are made from original +surveys, the engravings are executed, all by Mr. Lossing himself; and in +every department he evinces judgment and integrity. The Field Book will +not serve the purposes of a general history, but to the best informed +and most sagacious it will be a useful companion in historical reading, +while to those who seek only amusement in books, it may be commended, +for its pleasant style and careful art, as one of the most entertaining +works of the time.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>We are glad to perceive that Mr. <span class="smcap">J. H. Ingraham</span>, author of <i>The +Southwest, by a Yankee; Burton, or the Sieges</i>; and a large number of +the vilest yellow-covered novels ever printed in this country, has been +admitted to the deaconate in the Episcopal church at Natchez, and +intends shortly to remove to Aberdeen, in the same state, to found a +society in that city.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Mrs. Judson ("Fanny Forrester") left Calcutta in January for the United +States, by way of England, and she is now daily expected home, by her +old and warmly attached friends here. We see suggested a volume of her +poems—some of which have much tenderness and beauty; and hope that +measures will be taken to insure such a publication, for her exclusive +benefit, immediately.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span></p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Our contemporary, the Philadelphia <i>Lady's Book</i>, is a little out of +season in its fashions. The April number of that excellent periodical +contains the Parisian Fashions which appeared in <i>The International</i> for +February; and for this present month of May, we see in <i>The Lady's Book</i> +the altogether too warm and heavily made dresses given in <i>The +International</i> for last January—mid-winter. Certainly Philadelphia +ought not to be so far behind New-York in these matters. In its literary +character the <i>Lady's Book</i> is still sustained by the contributions of +its favorite critic Mr. Henry T. Tuckerman, with those of Mr. T. S. +Arthur, Miss Adaliza Cutter, and Mrs. Sarah J. Hale.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>We regret that the terms in which we lately announced Mr. <span class="smcap">J. R. Tyson's</span> +forthcoming <i>History of the American Colonies</i> were capable of any +misapprehension. We know Mr. Tyson quite too well to entertain a doubt +of his perfect integrity as a historian; but it has been a subject of +frequent observation in the middle and southern states that the +New-England writers, who have furnished most of our histories, have +exaggerated the influence of the Puritans and depreciated that of the +Quakers and Cavaliers: Mr. Tyson himself, we believe, has been of this +opinion; and we merely look for an able, fair, and liberal history, from +his point of view.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Valentine</span> is preparing a new volume of his <i>Manual of the Common +Council of New-York</i>. The volumes hitherto published have been edited +with great care and judgment; they embody an extraordinary amount and +variety of interesting and important facts connected with the +advancement and condition of the city; and the series is indispensable +to any one who would write a history of New-York, or the lives of its +leading citizens. The last volume was unusually rich in maps and +statistics, and we understand that the next one will be even more +interesting and valuable.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Willis</span> has just published (through Charles Scribner) a new volume +under the characteristic title of <i>Hurry-graphs, or Sketches of Scenery, +Celebrities and Society</i>, taken from life. It embraces the author's +letters to the Home Journal, from Plymouth, Montrose, the Delaware, the +Hudson, the Highlands, and other summer resorts, with personal +descriptions of Webster, Everett, Emerson, Cooper, Jenny Lind, and many +other notabilities. It will be a delightful companion for the watering +places this season.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Among the most beautiful books from the American press is <i>Episodes of +Insect Life</i>, by <span class="smcap">Acheta Domestica</span>, just reprinted by J. S. Redfield. The +natural history and habits of insects of every class are delineated by a +close observer with remarkable minuteness, and in a style of unusual +felicity; and the peculiar illustrations of the book are more spirited +and highly finished than we have noticed in any publication of a similar +character.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The Harpers have published a new edition of the <i>Greek Grammar</i> of +Philip Buttman, revised and enlarged by his son, Alexander Buttman, and +translated from the eighteenth German edition by Dr. <span class="smcap">Edward Robinson</span>. It +is not to be doubted, we suppose, that this grammar, in the shape in +which it is now presented, is altogether the best that exists of the +Greek language. We are not ourselves competent to a judgment in the +case, but from all we have seen upon the subject by the best scholars, +we take this to be the general opinion.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">John P. Kennedy</span> has in the press of Putnam a new and carefully revised +edition of his <i>Swallow Barn, or a Sojourn in the Old Dominion</i>, one of +the most pleasant books illustrative of local manners and rural life +that has ever been written. It is more like Irving's Bracebridge Hall +than any other work we can think of, and is as felicitous a picture of +old Virginia as Jeffrey Crayon has given us of Merrie England. The first +edition of Swallow Barn was published twenty years ago; the new one is +to be beautifully illustrated in the style of Irving's <i>Sketch Book</i>.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Dr. <span class="smcap">Francis Lieber</span>, the learned Professor of the South Carolina College, +has been elected a member of the National Institute of France. Dr. +Lieber is a German, but he has resided in this country many years. Among +Americans who have been thus complimented are Mr. Prescott and Mr. +Bancroft. The late Henry Wheaton was also a member of the Institute.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The entertaining book, <i>Ship and Shore</i>, by the late Rev. <span class="smcap">Walter Colton</span>, +has just been published by A. S. Barnes & Co., who will as soon as +practicable complete the republication of all Mr. Colton's works, under +the editorship of the Rev. Henry T. Cheever.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The <i>Domestic Bible</i>, by the Rev. Ingram Cobbin, just published in a +very handsome quarto volume in this city by S. Hueston, we think +decidedly the best edition of the Scriptures for common use that has +ever been printed in the English language. Its chief merit consists in +this, that without embracing a syllable of debatable matter in the form +of notes, it contains every needful explanation and illustration of the +text that can be gathered from ancient art, literature and history, +expressed with great distinctness and compactness, together with such +well-executed wood engravings as unquestionable knowledge in this age +could suggest—omitting altogether the absurd fancy embellishments which +in most of the illustrated Bibles are so offensive to the taste, and so +worthless as guides to the understanding. The editor we believe is a +clergyman of the Episcopal Church in England, but he has had the good +sense to avoid, so far as we can see, everything that would vex the +sectarian feelings of any one who admits that the Bible itself is true.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span></p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The <i>Life, Speeches, Orations, and Diplomatic Papers of Lewis Cass</i>, are +in press at Baltimore, under the editorship of Mr. George H. Hickman. +<i>The Speeches, Forensic Arguments, and Diplomatic Papers</i> of Daniel +Webster (to be comprised in six large octavo volumes), are in the press +of Little & Brown of Boston, under the care of Mr. Edward Everett. <i>The +Memoirs and Works of the late John C. Calhoun</i> are soon to be published +in Charleston, by Mr. R. K. Craller, and we hear of collections of the +Speeches and Public Papers of Mr. Buchanan and Mr. Benton. All these are +important works in literature, affairs or history.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Professor <span class="smcap">Gillespie</span>, of Union College, has just published (Harper & +Brothers) a translation of The Philosophy of Mathematics, from the +<i>Cours de Philosophie Positive</i> of <span class="smcap">Auguste Comte</span>. The intellect of +Europe in this century has evolved no greater work than the Philosophie +Positive, and Professor Gillespie has done a wise thing in rendering +into English that part of it which relates to the field of mathematical +science.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Professor <span class="smcap">Lincoln's</span> edition of Horace (recently published by the +Appletons) is the subject of much commendatory observation from critical +scholars. For purposes of instruction it is likely to have precedence of +any other that has been printed in this country. Those having marginal +translations may be very convenient for indolent boys, but they are not +altogether the most serviceable.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>A work of very great ability has appeared in Paris, under the title of +<i>De la Certitude</i>, (Upon Certainty), by <span class="smcap">A. Javary</span>. It makes an octavo of +more than five hundred pages, and for originality of ideas and +illustrations, and cumulative force of logic, is almost unrivalled. The +sceptical speculation of the time is reduced by it to powder, and thrown +to the winds.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">McConnell</span>, who gave us last year a brilliant volume under the title +of "Talbot and Vernon," has just published, <i>The Glenns, a Family +History</i>, by which his good reputation will be much increased. It +displays much skill in the handling, and is altogether an advance from +his previous performance. (C. Scribner.)</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The wife of a shipmaster trading from Boston in the Pacific, has just +published a volume entitled <i>Life in Fejee, or Five Years among the +Cannibals</i>. It is a very entertaining book, and we are obliged to the +cannibals for not eating the author.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Noticing the appointment of Mr. <span class="smcap">S. G. Goodrich</span> to be consul for the +United States at Paris, the London <i>News</i> says: "In these days of +testimonials and compliments, we should not be surprised to hear of an +address of congratulation to the admired Peter, from the 'children of +England.'"</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Of recent American Novels, the best that have fallen under our notice +(except those of Hawthorne and McConnell, before noticed), are, <i>The +Rangers, or the Tory's Daughter</i>, a very interesting tale illustrative +of the revolutionary history of Vermont, by D. P. Thompson, author of +"The Green Mountain Boys," (B. B. Mussey & Co., Boston); <i>Mount Hope, or +Philip, King of the Wampanoags</i>, by C. H. Hollister, (Harper & +Brothers); <i>Rebels and Tories, or the Blood of the Mohawk</i>, by Lawrence +Labree, (Dewitt and Davenport); and <i>Second Love</i>, a pleasant domestic +story, by an anonymous writer, (G. P. Putnam.)</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The Hakluyt Society, in London, has commenced its series of publications +with <i>Divers Voyages touching the Discovery of America and the Islands +adjacent</i>, collected and published by Richard Hakluyt, Prebendary of +Bristol, in the year 1582: edited, with notes and an introduction, by +John Winter Jones. The society should have many subscribers in this +country.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Dr. <span class="smcap">Mayo</span> has published a new book of tales, not unworthy of the author +of "Kaloolah" and "The Berber," under the title of "<i>Romance Dust from +the Historic Placers.</i>" We shall give it attention hereafter. (Putnam.)</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Masaniello</span> is suppressed at Berlin, as <i>Tell</i> had been—not modern +imitations of those heroes, but the operas so called, by Rossini and +Auber. The Prussian Government, liberal as it was a few months ago in +professions, cannot stand the performance of operas!</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Thackeray</span> is to commence in London, about the middle of the present +month, a course of lectures embracing biographical reminiscences of some +of the comic writers of England during the eighteenth century.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Alison</span>, the historian, has been chosen Rector of the University of +Glasgow, by the casting vote of Col. Mure, the historian of Greek +Literature, who occupied the same place before Macaulay.</p> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="The_Fine_Arts" id="The_Fine_Arts"></a>The Fine Arts.</h2> + + +<p>The engravings of the several Art-Unions of this country for the coming +year will be from excellent pictures. The American Art-Union will offer +its subscribers Mr. Woodville's <i>Mexican News</i>, engraved by Alfred +Jones; the Philadelphia Art-Union, Huntington's <i>Christiana and Her +Children</i>, by Andrews; and for the same purpose, Mr. Perkins, of Boston, +has allowed the New-England Art-Union to make use of his magnificent +picture of <i>Saul and the Witch of Endor</i>, painted by Alston, and +generally considered one of the finest historical productions of that +eminent artist. Each of the Unions, we believe, will also publish some +less important works for distribution or prizes.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span></p> + +<p>The twenty-sixth exhibition of the <i>National Academy of Design</i>, has +commenced under favorable auspices. Upon the whole, the collection of +pictures is the best ever made by the society. We have not space for any +particular criticism, but must refer to Mr. Durand's admirable +landscapes; the Greek Girl and full length portrait of General Scott by +Mr. Kellogg; Mount Desert Island by Mr. Church; The Defence of +Toleration by Mr. Rothermel; The Edge of the Wood by Mr. Huntington; Mr. +Gignoux's Winter Sunset, and other pictures in the same department by +Richards, Cropsey, and Kensett; and portraits by Elliott, Osgood, Hicks +and Flagg,—are the works which strike us as deserving most praise.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The <i>Bulletin of the American Art-Union</i> for April, describes the +opposition to the institution of which it is the organ, as directed by +"envy, malice, and uncharitableness," and intimates that it is +occasioned by the inability or unwillingness of the committee to +purchase the trashy productions of incompetent painters constantly +offered to them. We submit to the gentlemen connected with the +Art-Union, that they should not suffer the hirelings they may sometimes +employ upon the Bulletin, thus to refer to such artists and such men as +Durand, Wier, Kellogg, Elliott, and many others, who have ventured to +think that their Association does not present altogether the best means +to be devised for the promotion of the fine arts. Taste may be displayed +in writing, as well as in buying pictures.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>There was recently sold at auction at Paris, for 2,700 francs, a picture +by <span class="smcap">Girodet</span>, which in its time caused not a little amusement to the +Parisians. It was originally a portrait of an actress of the Theatre +Français, who married a rich banker. Girodet tried to get the pay for +his picture, but the lady and her husband obstinately refused. Hereupon +he transformed her into a Danae, receiving the shower of gold, adding +other figures, such as a turkey cock representing the eagle of Jove, +which rendered the whole work as laughable as it was uncomplimentary to +its subject. It was exhibited in one of the expositions in the time of +the empire, and no picture was ever more successful with the public.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kotzbue</span>, a historical painter, now residing at Munich, has nearly +completed a large picture representing the battle of Züllichau, in 1759, +where the Germans under General Wedel were defeated by the Russians +under Soltikoff. The work is highly praised, and its author even +compared with Horace Vernet for vividness of narrative, truth in detail, +and force and harmony of color.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Elliott</span>, probably the best portrait painter now living, will soon +visit Marshfield, where Mr. Webster has promised to sit to him, for a +friend of his in this city.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Two statues by the lamented <span class="smcap">Schwanthaler</span> have just been set up in the +royal library at Munich. The first represents Albert V., Duke of +Bavaria, the founder of the library, and a great patron of science. Of +course, he is presented in middle-age costume; his head is bare, his +face reflective, and his right hand supports his chin,—an image of +repose, after a work is accomplished. The other statue is of King Louis +(of Lola Montes memory), in royal robes, the left hand resting on his +sword, and his right holding the plan of the edifice containing the +library, which was built by him. His whole expression is the opposite to +that of the Duke, not repose, but restless activity in search of new +objects. A critic says that these statues do not stand well on their +feet, and that the knees are bent as if one leg was lame, a fault, he +says, not peculiar to Schwanthaler.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>We last month spoke of the New Museum at Berlin, one of the finest +edifices of modern times. It may be interesting to our readers to know +that the total expense of the building and interior decoration was in +round numbers $1,100,000. Of this sum the execution of the ornamental +work and works of art in the interior, including the frescoes of +Kaulbach and others, with the arrangement of objects of art and +furniture necessary for their display, cost upwards of $220,000.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The Exhibition of the Munich Art-Union took place in the beginning of +March. Among the pictures, attention was particularly drawn to a series +of sketches from Syria, Palestine, and Asia Minor, by Löfller. Baade +exhibited a Norwegian picture, representing an effect of moonlight: +Peter Hess two small humorous pieces from military life, which were +greatly admired, as was especially a series of aquarelles representing +scenes in Switzerland and Italy, by Suter, a Swiss artist.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kaulbach</span> only works at Berlin on his frescoes in the New Museum during +the pleasant season. The second picture, the Destruction of Jerusalem, +was nearly finished last fall when the cold came on. He left it, and it +is now covered and concealed by brown paper till he shall again set to +work on it.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">M. Lamartine</span> recently presented in the French Assembly a petition from +William Tell Poussin, formerly minister of the Republic in the United +States, praying the French Government to grant a block of granite, taken +from the quarries of Cherbourg, for the national monument to Washington.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Widnmann</span>, the sculptor, of Munich, has recently completed in plaster a +group of the size of life, of a man defending his wife and child against +the attack of a tiger. The figures are nude, and the only figure yet +finished, that of the man, is spoken of as a model.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="HAS_THERE_BEEN_A_GREAT_POET_IN_THE_NINETEENTH_CENTURY" id="HAS_THERE_BEEN_A_GREAT_POET_IN_THE_NINETEENTH_CENTURY"></a>HAS THERE BEEN A GREAT POET IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY!</h2> + + +<p>The <i>Eclectic Review</i> for the last month, in an article upon the +writings of Joanna Baillie, answers this question in the manner +following:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"We may enumerate the following names as those of real poets, +dead or alive, included in the first half of the nineteenth +century in Britain:—Bloomfield, Wordsworth, Coleridge, +Southey, Campbell, Moore, Byron, Shelley, Keats, Professor +Wilson, Hogg, Croly, Maturin, Hunt, Scott, James Montgomery, +Pollok, Tennyson, Aird, Mrs. Browning, Mrs. Hemans, Joanna +Baillie, and the author of 'Festus.' We leave this list to be +curtailed, or to be increased, at the pleasure of the reader. +But, we ask, which of those twenty-three has produced a work +uniquely and incontestably, or even, save in one or two +instances, professedly <span class="smcap">great</span>? Most of those enumerated have +displayed great powers; some of them have proved themselves fit +to begin greatest works; but none of them, whether he has +begun, or only thought of beginning, has been able to finish. +Bloomfield, the tame, emasculate Burns of England, has written +certain pleasing and genuine poems smelling of the soil, but +the 'Farmer's Boy' remained what the Scotch poet would have +called a 'haflin callant,' and never became a full-grown and +brawny man. Wordsworth was equal to the epic of the age, but +has only constructed the great porch leading up to the edifice, +and one or two beautiful cottages lying around. Coleridge could +have written a poem—whether didactic, or epic, or +dramatic—equal in fire and force to the 'Iliad,' or the +'Hamlet,' or the 'De Rerum Natura,' and superior to any of the +three in artistic finish and metaphysical truth and religious +feeling—a work ranking immediately beside the 'Paradise Lost;' +but he has, instead, shed on us a shower of plumes, as from the +wing of a fallen angel—beautiful, ethereal, scattered, and +tantalizing. Southey's poems are large without being +great—massive, without being majestic—they have rather the +bulk of an unformed chaos than the order and beauty of a +finished creation. Campbell, in many points the Virgil of his +time, has, alas! written no Georgies; his odes and lesser poems +are, 'atoms of the rainbow;' his larger, such as 'Gertrude of +Wyoming,' may be compared to those segments of the showery arch +we see in a disordered evening sky; but he has reared no +complete 'bow of God.' Moore's 'Lalla Rookh' is an elegant and +laborious composition—not a shapely building; it is put +together by skilful art, not formed by plastic power. Byron's +poems are, for the most part, disjointed but melodious groans, +like those of Ariel from the centre of the cloven pine; 'Childe +Harold' is his soliloquy when sober—'Don Juan' his soliloquy +when half-drunk; the 'Corsair' would have made a splendid +episode in an epic—but the epic, where is it? and 'Cain,' his +most creative work, though a distinct and new world, is a +bright and terrible abortion—a comet, instead of a sun. So, +too, are the leading works of poor Shelley, which resemble +Southey in size, Byron in power of language, and himself only +in spirit and imagination, in beauties and faults. Keats, like +Shelley, was arrested by death, as he was piling up enduring +and monumental works. Professor Wilson has written '<i>Noctes</i>' +innumerable; but where is his poem on a subject worthy of his +powers, or where is his <i>work</i> on any subject whatever? Hogg +has bound together a number of beautiful ballads, by a string +of no great value, and called it the 'Queen's Wake.' Scott +himself has left no solid poem, but instead, loose, rambling, +spirited, metrical romances—the bastards of his genius—and a +great family of legitimate chubby children of novels, bearing +the image, but not reaching the full stature, of their parent's +mind. Croly's poems, like the wing of his own 'seraph kings,' +standing beside the sleeping Jacob, has a 'lifted, mighty +plume,' and his eloquence is always as classic as it is +sounding; but it is, probably, as much the public's fault as +his, that he has never equalled his first poem, 'Paris in +1815,' which now appears a basis without a building. Maturin +has left a powerful passage or two, which may be compared to a +feat performed by the victim of some strong disease, to imitate +which no healthy or sane person would, could, or durst attempt. +James Montgomery will live by his smaller poems—his larger are +long lyrics—and when was a long lyric any other than tedious? +Hunt has sung many a joyous carol, and many a pathetic ditty, +but produced no high or lasting poem. Pollok has aimed at a +higher object than almost any poet of his day; he has sought, +like Milton, to enshrine religion in poetic form, and to +attract to it poetic admirers: he did so in good faith, and he +expended great talents and a young life, in the execution; but, +unfortunately, he confounded Christianity with one of its +narrowest shapes, and hence the book, though eloquent in +passages, and dear to a large party, is rather a long and +powerful, though unequal and gloomy sermon, than a poem; he has +shed the sunshine of his genius upon his own peculiar notions, +far more strongly than on general truths; and the spirit of the +whole performance may be expressed in the words of Burns, +slightly altered,—'Thunder-tidings of damnation.' <i>His</i> and +<i>our</i> friend, Thomas Aird, has a much subtler, more original +and genial mind than Pollok's, and had he enjoyed a tithe of +the same recognition, he might have produced a Christian epic +on a far grander scale; as it is, his poems are fragmentary and +episodical, although Dante's 'Inferno' contains no pictures +more tremendously distinct, yet ideal, than his 'Devil's Dream +upon Mount Acksbeck. Tennyson is a greater Calvinist in one +sense than either of the Scotch poets we have named—he owes +more to the general faith of others in his genius than to any +special or strong works of his own; but let us be dumb, he is +now Laureate—the crowned grasshopper of a summer day! Bailey +of 'Festus' has a vast deal more power than Tennyson, who is +only his delicate, consumptive brother; but 'Festus' seems +either different from, or greater than, a <i>work</i>. We are +reminded of one stage in the history of the nebular hypothesis, +when Sir W. Herschel, seeing a central mass in the midst of a +round burr of light, was almost driven to the conclusion that +it was <i>something immensely greater than what we call a +star</i>—a kind of monster sun. So with the prodigious birth men +call 'Festus.' Our gifted young friend Yendys is more likely +than any, if he live and avoid certain tendencies to diffusion +and over-subtlety, to write a solid and undying <span class="smcap">poem</span>.</p> + +<p>"It were easy to extend the induction to our lady authors, and +to show that Mrs. Hemans, Mrs. Browning, and Joanna Baillie, +Mrs. Shelley, &c.,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> have abounded rather in effusions or +efforts, or tentative experiments, than in calm, complete, and +perennial works."</p></div> + +<p>The critic appears never to have heard of our Bryant, Dana, Halleck, +Poe, Longfellow, or Maria Brooks, any one of whom is certainly superior +to some of the poets mentioned in the above paragraph; and his doctrine +that a great poem must necessarily be a long one—that poetry, like +butter and cheese, is to be sold by the pound—does not altogether +commend itself to our most favorable judgment.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_REAL_ADVENTURES_AND_ACHIEVEMENTS_OF_GEORGE_BORROW" id="THE_REAL_ADVENTURES_AND_ACHIEVEMENTS_OF_GEORGE_BORROW"></a>THE REAL ADVENTURES AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF GEORGE BORROW.</h2> + + +<p>Generally, we believe, <i>Lavengro</i>, though it has sold well everywhere, +has not been very much praised. It has been conceded that the author of +"the Bible in Spain" must be a Crichton, but his last performance looked +overmuch like trifling with the credulity of his readers. We find in +Colburn's <i>New Monthly Magazine</i> for April a sort of vindication of +Borrow, which embraces some curious particulars of his career, and quote +the following passages, which cannot fail to interest his American +readers:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"We have yet to learn where our author was during the years +intervening from the epoch of the dingle to the date of Spanish +travel; that he was neither in mind nor body inactive, ample +testimony may be adduced, not only in the form of writings made +public during that interval, but in the internal evidence +afforded by them of laborious research. In a work published at +St. Petersburgh in 1835, known but to few, entitled "Targum; +or, Metrical Translations from Thirty Languages and Dialects, +by George Borrow," we find indications of how those intervening +years were spent. He says, in the preface to this work, "The +following pieces, selections from a huge and undigested mass of +translation, accumulated during several years devoted to +philological pursuits, are with much diffidence offered to the +public," &c. These translations are remarkable for force and +correct emphasis, and afford demonstration of what power the +author possesses over metre. We shall cite but few examples, +however, for it is believed that not only that huge mass, but +many an additional song and ballad now is digested, and lies +side by side with the glorious "Kæmpe Viser," the "Ab Gwilym," +and other learned translations, by means of which it may be +hoped that the gifted Borrow will ere long vindicate his +lasting claim to scholarship—a claim to which it is to be +feared he is indifferent, for he is no boaster, and does +himself no justice; or, if he boasts at all, prefers, as with a +species of self-sarcasm, the mention of his lesser, on which he +dwells with zest, to that of his greater and more enduring +triumphs. The "Targum" consists of translations from the +following languages: Hebrew, Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Tartar, +Tibetian, Chinese, Mandchou, Russian, Malo-Russian, Polish, +Finnish, Anglo-Saxon, Ancient Norse, Suabian, German, Dutch, +Danish, Ancient Danish, Swedish, Ancient Irish, Irish, Gaellic, +Ancient British, Cambrian British, Greek, Modern Greek, Latin, +Provençal, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Rommany. A +few specimens from this work may be acceptable to the English +reader—a work so rare, that the authorities of a German +university not long ago sent a person to St. Petersburgh to +endeavor to discover a copy:"</p></div> + + +<h3>ODE TO GOD.</h3> + +<h4>FROM THE HEBREW.</h4> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Reign'd the Universe's master ere were earthly things begun;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When his mandate all created, Ruler was the name he won;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And alone He'll rule tremendous when all things are past and gone;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He no equal has, nor consort, He the singular and lone<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Has no end and no beginning, His the sceptre, might, and throne;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He's my God and living Saviour, rock to which in need I run;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He's my banner and my refuge, fount of weal when call'd upon;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In his hand I place my spirit, at nightfall and rise of sun,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And therewith my body also;—God's my God,—I fear no one.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<h3>PRAYER.</h3> + +<h4>FROM THE ARABIC.</h4> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">O Thou who dost know what the heart fain would hide;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Who ever art ready whate'er may betide;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In whom the distressed can hope in their woe,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whose ears with the groans of the wretched are plied—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Still bid Thy good gifts from Thy treasury flow;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">All good is assembled where Thou dost abide;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To Thee, save my poverty, nought can I show,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And of Thee all my poverty's wants are supplied;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">What choice have I save to Thy portal to go?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If 'tis shut, to what other my steps can I guide?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Fore whom as a suppliant low shall I bow,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If Thy bounty to me, Thy poor slave, is denied?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But, oh! though rebellious full often I grow,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thy bounty and kindness are not the less wide.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<h3>O LORD! I NOTHING CRAVE BUT THEE.</h3> + +<h4>FROM THE TARTAR.</h4> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">O Thou from whom all love doth flow,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whom all the world doth reverence so,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thou constitut'st each care I know;<br /></span> +<span class="i4">O Lord! I nothing crave but Thee.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">O keep me from each sinful way;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thou breathedst life within my clay;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'll therefore serve Thee night and day;<br /></span> +<span class="i4">O Lord! I nothing crave but Thee.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I ope my eyes, and see Thy face,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">On Thee my musings all I place,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I've left my parents, friends, and race;<br /></span> +<span class="i4">O Lord! I nothing crave but Thee.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Take Thou my soul, my every thing;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My blood from out its vessels wring;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thy slave am I, and Thou my King;<br /></span> +<span class="i4">O Lord! I nothing crave but Thee.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I speak—my tongue on Thee doth roam;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I list—the winds Thy title boom;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For in my soul has God his home;<br /></span> +<span class="i4">O Lord! I nothing crave but Thee.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The world the shallow worldling craves,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And greatness need ambitious knaves;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The lover of his maiden raves;<br /></span> +<span class="i4">O Lord! I nothing crave but Thee.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The student needs his bookish lore,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The bigot shrines to pray before,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His pulpit needs the orator;<br /></span> +<span class="i4">Oh Lord! I nothing crave but thee.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Though all the learning 'neath the skies,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And th' houries all of paradise,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Lord should place before my eyes,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">O Lord! I'd nothing crave but Thee.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">When I through paradise shall stray,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Its houries and delights survey,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Full little gust awake will they;<br /></span> +<span class="i4">O Lord! I'll nothing crave but Thee.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">For Hadgee Ahmed is my name,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My heart with love of God doth flame;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Here and above I'll bide the same;<br /></span> +<span class="i4">O Lord! I nothing crave but Thee.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Nor was this the only literary labor performed by Mr. Borrow +while at St. Petersburgh: to the "Targum" he appended a +translation of "The Talisman," and other pieces from the +Russian of Alexander Pushkin. He also edited the Gospel in the +Mandchou Tartar dialect while residing in that city. In +connection with the latter undertaking there is an anecdote +told of which, like the story of his making horse-shoes, shows +his resources, and redounds to his credit. It runs thus:—"It +was known that a fountain of types in the Mandchou Tartar +character existed at a certain house in the city of St. +Petersburgh, but there was no one to be found who could set +them up. In this emergency the young editor demanded<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> to +inspect the types; they were brought forth in a rusty state +from a cellar; on which, resolved to see his editorial labors +complete, he cleaned the types himself, and set them up with +his own hand."</p></div> + +<p>Of his journeyings in Spain Mr. Borrow has been his own biographer; but +here again his higher claims to distinction are lightly touched on, or +not named. In 1837 a book was printed at Madrid, having the following +curious title-page:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"<i>Embèo e Mafaró Lucas. Brotoboro randado andré la chipe +griega, acáana chibado andré o Romanó, ó chipe es Zincales de +Sese.</i></p> + +<p>"<i>El Evangelio segun S. Lucas, traducido al Romaní, ó dialecto +de los Gitanos de España. 1837.</i>"</p> + +<p>And this work is no other than the remarkable antecedent of the +"Zincali,"—the translation of St. Luke's Gospel into the Gipsy +dialect of Spain.<a name="FNanchor_A_1" id="FNanchor_A_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> Of the Bible in Spain it is unnecessary to +speak; there can be no better evidence of the estimation it is +held in than the fact of its having been translated into French +and German, while it has run through at least thirty thousand +copies at home. But it is on the "Zincali" that Borrow's +reputation will maintain its firm footing; the originality and +research involved in its production, the labors and dangers it +entailed, are duly appreciated at home and abroad. During the +past year a highly interesting account of the Gipsies and other +wandering people of Norway, written in Danish, was published at +Christiana; it is entitled "Beretning om Fante—eller +Landstrygerfolket i Norge" (Account of the Fant, or Wandering +People of Norway), by Eilert Sundt. At the twenty-third page of +this work, the Danish author, in allusion to the subject of +this notice, says: "This Borrow is a remarkable man. As agent +for the British Bible Society he has undertaken journeys into +remote lands, and acquainted from his early youth, not only +with many European languages, but likewise with the Rommani of +the English Gipsies, he sought up with zest the Gipsies every +where, and became their faithful missionary. He has made +himself so thoroughly master of their ways and customs that he +soon passed for one of their blood. He slept in their tents in +the forests of Russia and Hungary, visited them in their robber +caves in the mountainous <i>pass</i> regions of Italy, lived with +them five entire years (towards 1840) in Spain, where he, for +his endeavors to distribute the Gospel in that Catholic land, +was imprisoned with the very worst of them for a time in the +dungeons of Madrid. He at last went over to North Africa, and +sought after his Tartars even there. It is true, no one has +taken equal pains with Borrow to introduce himself among this +rude and barbarous people, but on that account he has been +enabled better than any other to depict the many mysteries of +this race; and the frequent impressions which his book has +undergone within a short period, show with what interest the +English public have received his graphic descriptions."</p></div> + +<p>Of the extraordinary acquisitions of Mr. Borrow in languages, a pleasant +story is told by Sir William Napier, who, looking into a courtyard, from +the window of a Spanish inn, heard a man converse successively in a +dozen tongues, so fluently and so perfectly, that he was puzzled to +decide what was his country,—Germany, Holland, France, Italy, Russia, +Portugal, or Spain; and coming down he joined his circle, asked the +question of him, and was astonished by the information that he was an +English Bible agent. Between the historian of the Peninsular War and the +missionary an intimacy sprung up, which we believe has continued without +any interruption to the present time.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_FAUN_OVER_HIS_GOBLET" id="THE_FAUN_OVER_HIS_GOBLET"></a>THE FAUN OVER HIS GOBLET.</h2> + +<h3>WRITTEN FOR THE INTERNATIONAL MONTHLY MAGAZINE.</h3> + +<h4>BY R. H. STODDARD.</h4> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">I.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">My goblet was exceeding beautiful;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It was the jewel of my cave; I had<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A corner where I hid it in the moss,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Between the jagged crevices of rock,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Where no one but myself could find it out;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But when a nymph, or wood-god passed my door,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I filled it to the brim with bravest wine,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And offered them a draught, and told them Jove<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Had nothing finer, richer at his feasts,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Though Ganymede and Hebe did their best:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"His nectar is not richer than my wine,"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Said I, "and for the goblet, look at it!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But I have broken my divinest cup<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And trod its fragments in the dust of Earth!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">II.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">My goblet was exceeding beautiful.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sometimes my brothers of the woods, the fauns,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Held gay carousals with me in my cave;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I had a skin of Chian wine therein,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of which I made a feast; and all who drank<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From out my cup, a feast within itself,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Made songs about the bright immortal shapes<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Engraven on the side below their lips:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But we shall never drain it any more,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And never sing about it any more;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For I have broken my divinest cup<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And trod its fragments in the dust of Earth!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">III.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">My goblet was exceeding beautiful.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For Pan was 'graved upon it, rural Pan;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He stood in horror in a marshy place<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Clasping a bending reed; he thought to clasp<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Syrinx, but clasped a reed, and nothing more!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">There was another picture of the god,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When he had learned to play upon the flute;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He sat at noon within a shady bower<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Piping, with all his listening herd around;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">(I thought at times I saw his fingers move,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And caught his music: did I dream or not?)<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hard by the Satyrs danced, and Dryads peeped<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From out the mossy trunks of ancient trees;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And nice-eared Echo mocked him till he thought—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The simple god!—he heard another Pan<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Playing, and wonder shone in his large eyes!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But I have broken my divinest cup,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And trod its fragments in the dust of Earth!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">IV.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">My goblet was exceeding beautiful.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For Jove was there transformed into the Bull<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Bearing forlorn Europa through the waves,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Leaving behind a track of ruffled foam;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Powerless with fear she held him by the horns,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Her golden tresses streaming on the winds;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In curvéd shells, young Cupids sported near,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">While sea gods glanced from out their weedy caves,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And on the shore were maids with waving scarfs,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And hinds a-coming to the rescue—late!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But I have broken my divinest cup,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And trod its fragments in the dust of Earth!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">V.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">My goblet was exceeding beautiful.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For rosy Bacchus crowned its rich designs:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He sat within a vineyard full of grapes,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With Ariadne kneeling at his side;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His arm was thrown around her slender waist,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His head lay in her bosom, and she held<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A cup, a little distance from his lips,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And teased him with it, for he wanted it.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A pair of spotted pards where sleeping near,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Couchant in shade, their heads upon their paws;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And revellers were dancing in the woods,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Snapping their jolly fingers evermore!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But all is vanished, lost, for ever lost,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For I have broken my divinest cup,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And trod its fragments in the dust of Earth!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_A_1" id="Footnote_A_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_1"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> The writer has before him another translation of St. Luke's +Gospel in the Basque, edited by George Borrow while in +Spain—(Evangeloia S. Lucasen Guissan.—El Evangelio segun S. Lucas. +Traducido al Vascuere. Madrid. 1838).</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="THE_JESUIT_RELATIONS" id="THE_JESUIT_RELATIONS"></a>THE JESUIT RELATIONS.</h2> + +<h3>DR. O'CALLAGHAN'S MEMOIR—NEW DISCOVERIES IN ROME, &c.</h3> + + +<p>At the stated meeting of the New-York Historical Society, in October, +1847, Dr. <span class="smcap">E. B. O'Callaghan</span>, well known as the author of a valuable +history of New-York under the Dutch,<a name="FNanchor_B_2" id="FNanchor_B_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_2" class="fnanchor">[B]</a> and now engaged in +superintending the publication of the Documentary History of the State, +under the act of March 13, 1849, communicated a paper, which was read at +the subsequent meeting in November, and published in the "Proceedings," +on the "<i>Jesuit Relations of Discoveries and other Occurrences in Canada +and the Northern and Western States of the Union, 1632-1672</i>."<a name="FNanchor_C_3" id="FNanchor_C_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_C_3" class="fnanchor">[C]</a> This +memoir embraces notices of the authors of the Relations, a catalogue +raisonnée, and a table showing what volumes are in this country and +Canada, and where they are to be found. A French translation of this +work, with notes, corrections and additions, has been published (in +1850) at Montreal, by the Rev. Father <span class="smcap">Martin</span>, Superior of the Jesuits in +Canada. As the notes and additions contain valuable information, +especially upon the discovery of new matter for the illustration of the +general subject, we shall endeavor to present an intelligible compend of +their substance.</p> + +<p>The French editor carries back the history to 1611, when the first +Jesuit missionaries to North America, Father Pierre Biard and Enmond +Masse, arrived in Acadia. They took part in the establishment of Port +Royal and that of St. Sauveur, in Pentagoet, now Mount Desert Island. +The former wrote a Relation of his voyage.</p> + +<p>Dr. O'Callaghan had spoken of the <i>nomadic</i> race which was to be +subjected to the influences of the gospel, under the auspices of the +Jesuit missionaries, as inhabiting the country extending from the island +of Anticosti to the Mississippi. The translator qualifies this statement +by a note, in which he says that this term <i>nomadic</i> is applicable to +the nations of Algonquin origin, but not to the Hurons nor the Iroquois, +who had fixed abodes and regularly organized villages or towns. The Five +Nations were the Agniers (Mohawks), the Oneionts (Oneidas), the +Onontagues (Onondagas), the Goiogoiens (Cayugas), and the Tsonnontouans +(Senecas). The Tuscaroras, a tribe from the south, were admitted to the +confederation, making thus Six Nations, during the last century.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Champlain</span> was the first European who reached the Atlantic shores of the +state of Maine from the St. Lawrence by way of the Kennebec. This +illustrious discoverer was sent in 1629 to explore that route as far as +the coast of the Etechemins, "in which he had been before in the time of +the Sieur du Mont."<a name="FNanchor_D_4" id="FNanchor_D_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_D_4" class="fnanchor">[D]</a></p> + +<p>The French editor adds the following notices of two of the fathers who +filled the office of Superior in Canada, not mentioned by Dr. +O'Callaghan.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Pierre Biard</span>, according to the history of Jouvency, was born at +Grenoble, and entered the Society of Jesus while yet very young. He came +to Port Royal in 1611, and took part in the establishment of St. Sauveur +à Pentagoet, in 1613. The English came from Virginia to destroy this +settlement, scarcely yet commenced. After having suffered greatly from +the enemies of Catholicism and the Jesuits, Father Biard was sent back +to France. He taught theology at Lyons for nine years, and died at +Avignon, November 17, 1622. He was then chaplain to the King's troops. +He left a <i>Relation de la Nouvelle France</i>, and of the <i>Voyage of the +Jesuits</i>, as well as some other works.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Charles Lalemant</span> was born at Paris in 1587, and entered the Society of +Jesus, at the age of twenty. Two of his brothers, Louis and Jerome, +shortly afterwards followed his example, and the second labored for a +long time in the Canadian mission. He first came to Canada in 1625. +Charlevoix says he accompanied the expedition from Acadia in 1613, for +the establishment of Pentagoet. He crossed the ocean four times in +behalf of his beloved mission, and was twice shipwrecked. Having been +captured by the English in one of these voyages, he was retained some +time as a prisoner. His last voyage to Canada was made in 1634. In the +following year, he took charge of the House of our Lady of Recovery, +which was then established in the lower city of Quebec, and commenced at +the same time the first schools for the French children. It was this +father who was with Champlain in his last moments. Many years afterward, +he returned to France, when he was successive chief of the Colleges of +Rouen, of La Flèche and Paris, and Superior of the Maison Professe in +the last named city. He died there, on the eighteenth of November, 1674, +aged eighty-seven years.</p> + +<p>Father <span class="smcap">Charles</span> wrote an interesting <i>Relation on Canada</i>, inserted under +the date of August 1, in the <i>Mercure Français</i> of 1626, and a letter on +his shipwrecks, which Champlain published in his edition of 1632. We +have also some religious works left by him.</p> + +<p>The <i>Relation</i> of Father Biard was published at Lyons, 1612 and 1616, in +32mo. It gives an account of his travels and labors—the nature of the +country, its mineral and vegetable productions, &c.</p> + +<p>That of Father Lalemant is a long letter addressed to his brother +Jerome, and inserted in the <i>Mercure Français</i>, 1627-28: Paris, 1629. It +treats of the manners and customs of the Indians, the nature of the +country, and the fatal change which trade had undergone since it had +become a monopoly.</p> + +<p>Continuing the researches of Dr. O'Callaghan, Father Martin found, from +a catalogue of manuscripts on Canada, preserved among the archives of +the Jesuits at Rome, that there was a <i>Relation du Canada</i> for 1676 and +for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> 1677: but it was not ascertained whether these were complete. Other +manuscripts were found in the same collection, but fragmentary, and +could only serve as the materiel of a general Relation. But a more +important acquisition was made in the recovery of valuable manuscripts +in Canada. There have been found two complete Relations, following that +of 1672, and continuing the series to 1679. One is the Relation of 1673, +and the other comprises a period of six years, from 1673 to 1679. They +fortunately escaped the pillage of the Jesuit College at Quebec, Father +Casot, the last of the old race of Jesuits, dying at Quebec in 1800, had +confided them, with other manuscripts, to the pious hands of the nuns of +the Hotel Dieu, in that city, who preserved them for a long time as a +sacred trust, and restored them, to the Jesuits, when they returned to +Canada in 1842.</p> + +<p>What increases the value of these historical monuments, is the fact, +that they are contemporary with the facts to which they relate. They +bear numerous corrections, notes, and even entire pages, in the +handwriting of Father Dablon, then superior of the missions in Canada, +who, without doubt, prepared them for publication.</p> + +<p>That of 1672-3 is anonymous, and in three parts. The first is on the +Huron mission near Quebec, the second on the Iroquois missions, and the +third on the various missions to the west of the great lakes. In the +last part, consisting of eighty-seven pages, the thirty-ninth and +fortieth are missing.</p> + +<p>The Relation for 1673-9 is also anonymous and without a general title, +but on the back of the last leaf is an endorsement in the handwriting of +Father Dablon, "Relation en 1679, abrégé des précédentes." On the first +page the writer announces that the relation embraces a period of six +years. It is divided into eight chapters, subdivided into paragraphs. +The second chapter is devoted to an account of the last labors and +heroic death of Father <span class="smcap">Marquette</span>, on the lonely shore of the "Lac des +Illinois," now Lake Michigan. This relation passes in review all the +missions of the west, and enters into minute details concerning the +missions to the Iroquois, the Montagnais, the Gaspésiens, those of the +Sault St. Louis, and Lorette. It extends to 147 pages, but unfortunately +one entire sheet is lost, embracing the pages 109 to 118.</p> + +<p>This last Relation should have included the other voyages of Father +Marquette, and especially the discovery of the Mississippi in 1673; but +another manuscript of the same epoch, and which bears the same evidence +of authenticity, explains the omission. Under the title of "Voyage and +Death of Father Marquette," it recites in sixty pages the labors which +have immortalized that celebrated missionary. This curious manuscript +furnished Thevenot with the materiel for his publication in 1687, +entitled "Voyage et Découverte de quelques Pays et Nations de l'Amerique +Septentrionale, par le P. Marquette et le Sr. Joliet."<a name="FNanchor_E_5" id="FNanchor_E_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_E_5" class="fnanchor">[E]</a> What adds +great value to the manuscript is the fact that it is much more extended +than the publication of Thevenot. The causes and the preparations for +the expedition are recounted; and we can follow the missionary in his +various travels, even to his last moments in 1675.</p> + +<p>Two other documents, which complete this valuable historical discovery, +are noticed by Father Martin:</p> + +<p>1. The autograph journal of Marquette's last voyage, from the +twenty-fifth of October 1674 to the sixth of April 1679, about a month +before his death.</p> + +<p>2. The autograph map (by Marquette) of the Mississippi, as discovered by +him. This extends no farther than the "A Kansea" (Arkansas), where his +voyage in that direction terminated.</p> + +<p>The map published by Thevenot, and recently reproduced by Rich, +Bancroft, and others, is incorrect in many particulars, especially with +regard to this fact of the Arkansas being the lowest point reached by +Marquette.</p> + +<p>Besides the two Relations (MS.) aforesaid, and the Marquette +manuscripts, fragments of the Relations for the years 1674, 1676, 1678, +and the following years, have been found, but incomplete.</p> + +<p>In addition to all these, Father Martin calls attention to one of the +printed Relations, little known out of Italy, in the language of which +it was written. It was printed at Macerata in 1653. A recent letter from +Father Martin announces that he has completed translations into French +and English, which will soon be published. It is the work of Father +Francois Joseph Bressani, and is thus noticed by Charlevoix:</p> + +<p>"Father Bressani, a Roman by birth, was one of the most illustrious +missionaries to Canada, where he suffered a cruel captivity, and severe +tortures. He speaks little of himself in his history, which is well +written, but which relates almost entirely to the Huron mission, in +which he labored with great zeal so long as it continued. After the +almost entire destruction of that nation, and the dispersion of the +remainder, he returned to Italy, where he continued to preach until his +death, with the greater success, inasmuch as he bore in his mutilated +hands the glorious marks of his apostleship among the heathen."<a name="FNanchor_F_6" id="FNanchor_F_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_F_6" class="fnanchor">[F]</a></p> + +<p>The translation by Father Martin will be illustrated by maps and +engravings.</p> + +<p>Recent letters from Italy announce further discoveries in the library of +the Dominican Friars at Rome. We congratulate the historical student on +the recovery of these and similar memorials of the early history of the +country. Especially the labors of the Jesuit missionaries deserve to be +more generally familiar<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> to the readers of history; and we cordially +respond to the sentiment of approbation with which the services of Dr. +O'Callaghan and Father Martin have been greeted heretofore by the press.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_B_2" id="Footnote_B_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_2"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> History of New Netherland, or New-York under the Dutch. &c. +2 vols. 8vo. New-York: Appleton & Co., 1846-8.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_C_3" id="Footnote_C_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_C_3"><span class="label">[C]</span></a> Proceedings of the New-York Historical Society. For the +year 1847, pp. 140-158.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_D_4" id="Footnote_D_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_D_4"><span class="label">[D]</span></a> Voyage du Champlain. Ed. 1632. p. 209.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_E_5" id="Footnote_E_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_E_5"><span class="label">[E]</span></a> A copy of this very rare work was destroyed with the +valuable library in the burning of the Parliament House in Montreal, +26th April, 1849.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_F_6" id="Footnote_F_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_F_6"><span class="label">[F]</span></a> Charlevoix: Hist. Nouv. France. Liste des Auteurs.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_HAT_REFORM_AGITATION" id="THE_HAT_REFORM_AGITATION"></a>THE HAT REFORM AGITATION.</h2> + + +<p>New hats are inevitable. Genin, who appears to be as clever in writing +as in making hats, has avowed himself a conservative, and in a long +argument has vindicated the style of which he is so eminent a +manufacturer. But the "people" are for reform, and we must all bend to +the will of the people; land reform, bank reform, all kinds of reform, +now are forgotten in the cry for a reform in hats; this has rallied +around it all ranks, classes and orders: they say, "Take off your +funnels!"</p> + +<p>It has been responded to with enthusiasm. From the lord of one hundred +thousand acres to the hard-worker for his daily bread—from the +ultra-conservative to the ultra-destructive—from the High-Churchman to +the No-Churchman—from the Puseyite to the Presbyterian—from the +gentleman down to the veriest "gent," this new question of Reform has +drawn unanimous adhesion. In fact, the attempted revolution in our head +gear, more fortunate than the other revolutions talked about of late +years, promises to be successful.</p> + +<p>Says the London <i>News</i>, "The ladies are as unanimous as the gentlemen on +the subject, and give the potent assistance of their voices to the +movement, and wonder how it is that men, who have so keen a sense of the +beautiful, should have been so long blinded to the ugliness imposed upon +their lordly foreheads by the hat-makers. A few of the most conservative +of these hat-makers are the only persons who venture a word in defence +of the ancient barbarism which it is the object of the revolutionists to +remove. Now and then a hatter of all novelties, whether of hats or of +ideas, will venture to come to the aid of the hat-makers, and to ask if +any one can suggest a better head 'accoutrement' than the old familiar +hat which it is attempted to scout out of society with such hasty +ignominy. But, if hatters and the hat conservatives are closely pressed +to tell us what recommendation the article has, they are obliged to give +up the argument in despair—to intrench themselves in the old fortress +of such reasoners, and to defend what is, merely because it is. They +would stand on the old ways, were they knee-deep in slush; and they +would wear the old hat, were it not only of the shape, but of the +material and the color of a chimney-pot.</p> + +<p>"Every body who has worn a hat, has perceived it to be a nuisance, +although he may never have said any thing on the subject till the +present cry was raised. As soon as a man gets out of the streets of the +capital, or of his own accustomed provincial town, and sets foot in a +railway carriage or on board of a steamboat, his first care is to make +himself comfortable by disembarrassing his aching temples of his hat. +The funnel is put away, and a cap, more ornamental and a thousand times +more easy, is elevated to the place of honor, to the great satisfaction +of the wearer. Who ever wears a hat at the sea-side? One might as well +go to bed in a hat, as wear one out of the purlieus of the town. At the +sea-side, or in travelling, or sporting, or rambling over the hills, the +ordinary hat is utterly out of the question. Not only is the hat +unsightly, expensive, and incommodious;—not only does it offend those +<i>æsthetic</i> notions which are so fashionable in our time, but it may be +safely alleged that it is hostile to all mental effort. Did any man ever +make an eloquent speech with a hat on? Could a painter paint a good +picture if he had a hat on while engaged at the easel? Could a +mathematician solve a problem? could a musician compose a melody or +arrange a harmony? could a poet write a song, or a novelist a novel, or +a journalist a leading article, with a hat on? The thing is impossible. +Would any man who respected himself, or the feelings of his family and +friends, consent to have his portrait painted with the offensive article +upon his cranium? It would be almost a proof of insanity, both in the +sitter who should insist upon, and the artist who should lend himself +to, the perpetration of such an atrocity. We have but to fancy one out +of the thousand statues of bronze or marble which it is proposed to +erect to the memory of Sir Robert Peel in our great towns and cities, +surmounted with a hat of marble or of bronze, to see, at a glance, the +absurdity of the thing, and the reasonableness of the demand for a +change. There is a very good bust of Chaucer, with a cap on, and there +is a still more excellent bust of Lorenzo de Medici, which has also a +cap; but we put the question to the most conservative of hatters, and to +the greatest stickler for the <i>etatus quo</i> in head attire, whether he +would tolerate the marble or bronze portraiture of either of those +worthies with the modern hat upon its head? The idea is so preposterous, +that, if fairly considered, it would make converts of the most obstinate +sticklers for the hat of the nineteenth century.</p> + +<p>"Seriously, the suggestion for the reform of this article of costume is +entitled to the utmost respect. Already Englishmen, when they throw off +the trammels of ceremony, and wish to be at their ease, substitute for +the stiff, uncomfortable, and inelegant hat, such other article as the +taste and enterprise of the hat and cap manufacturers have provided; and +in France and Germany the hat has, for the last six or seven years, been +gradually altering its form and substance, until it bids fair to be +restored, at no distant day, to the more sensible and picturesque shape +which it had a couple of centuries ago. So much unanimity has been +expressed on the desirability of a change, so much sober truth has been +uttered under the thin veil of jest on this matter, and so keenly felt +are the inconveniences—to say<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> nothing of the inelegance—of the tube +which has usurped and maintained a place upon our heads for so long a +period, that there can be no doubt the time is ripe for the introduction +of an article of male head-dress more worthy of an educated, civilized, +and sensible people. The Turks, under the influence of that great +reformer, Sultan Mahmoud, and his worthy successor, Abdul Medjid, have +been for some time assimilating themselves in dress to the other +inhabitants of Europe. They have adopted our coats, our trousers, our +vests, our boots. They have got steamboats and newspapers—but Sultan +Mahmoud stopped short at the hat. With all his <i>penchant</i> for imitating +the 'Giaours,' he could not bring himself to recommend the hat to a +people whom he was desirous to civilize. Any man of taste and +enterprise, who would take advantage of the present feeling on the +subject to manufacture a hat or cap of a more picturesque form, would +confer a public benefit, and would not lack encouragement for his wares. +An article which would protect the face from the sun, which the present +'funnel' does not—which should be light, which the hat is not—which +should be elegant, and no offence to the eye of taste if painted in a +portrait or sculptured in a statue, which the hat is not—and which +should meet the requirements of health, as well as those of comfort and +appearance, which the hat is very far from doing—would, all jest and +<i>persiflage</i> apart, be a boon to the people of this generation. It needs +but example to effect the change, for the feeling is so strong and +universal that a good substitute would meet with certain popularity. We +have no doubt that, sooner or later, this reform will be made; and that +the historian, writing fifty years hence, will note it in his book as a +remarkable circumstance, and a proof of the pertinacity with which men +cling to all which habit and custom have rendered familiar—that for +three-quarters of a century, if not longer, a piece of attire so +repugnant to the eye of taste, and so deficient in any quality which +should recommend it to sensible people, should have been not only +tolerated, but admired. In all seriousness, we hope that the days of the +tubular hat are numbered, and that in this instance philosophy in sport +will become reformation in earnest."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="PROFESSIONAL_DEVOTION" id="PROFESSIONAL_DEVOTION"></a>PROFESSIONAL DEVOTION.</h2> + + +<p>Lord Campbell said lately in the House of Lords, that the bill for the +Registration of Assurances was drawn by Mr. Duval, and he related an +anecdote illustrative of that gentleman's entire devotion to his +professional pursuits. A gentleman one day said to him, "But do you not +find it very dull work poring from morning until night over those dusty +sheep-skins?" "Why," said Duval, "to be sure it is a little dull, but +every now and then I come across a brilliant deed, drawn by a great +master, and the beauty of that recompenses me for the weariness of all +the others."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_WILFULNESS_OF_WOMAN" id="THE_WILFULNESS_OF_WOMAN"></a>"THE WILFULNESS OF WOMAN."</h2> + + +<p>In an early number of <i>The International</i> we mentioned a MS. comedy by +the late Mrs. <span class="smcap">Osgood</span>, in connection with the commendations which the +dramatic pieces of that admirable woman and most charming poet had +received from Sheridan Knowles and other critics in that line. We +transcribe the opening scene of the play, which strikes us as +excellently fitted for the stage. The friends of the lamented authoress +will perceive that it is an eminently characteristic production, though +having been written at an early age it scarcely illustrates her best +style of dialogue.</p> + + +<h3>ACT FIRST.—SCENE FIRST.</h3> + +<h4><i>A room in the Chateau de Beaumont. Victorine de Vere and Rosalinde—the +former sitting.</i></h4> + +<p><span class="smcap">Rosalinde.</span>—But consider, sweet lady, you have been betrothed from +childhood to my lord the Count. You say it was your father's dying wish +that you should marry him, and he has been brought up to consider you +his own.</p> + +<p> +<span class="smcap">Victorine.</span>—And for that reason wed I <i>not</i> the Count;<br /> +I might have loved him had I not been <i>bid</i>,<br /> +For he is noble, brave, and passing kind.<br /> +But, Rosalinde, when 'mid my father's vines,<br /> +A child I roamed, I shunned the rich, ripe fruit<br /> +Within my reach, and stretched my little arm<br /> +Beyond its strength, for that which farthest hung,<br /> +Though poorest too perchance. Years past away,<br /> +The wilful child is grown a woman now,<br /> +Yet wilful still, and wayward as the child.<br /> +<br /> +(<i>She Sings.</i>)<br /> +<br /> +Though you wreathe in my raven hair jewels the rarest<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That ever illumined the brow of a queen,</span><br /> +I should think the least one that were wanting, the fairest,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And pout at their lustre in petulant spleen.</span><br /> +Tho' the diamond should lighten there, regal in splendor,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The topaz its sunny glow shed o'er the curl,</span><br /> +And the emerald's ray tremble, timid and tender—<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If the pearl were not by, I should sigh for the pearl!</span><br /> +<br /> +Though you fling at my feet all the loveliest flowers<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That Summer is waking in forest and field,</span><br /> +I should pine 'mid the bloom you had brought from her bowers<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For some little blossom spring only could yield.</span><br /> +Take the rose, with its passionate beauty and bloom,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The lily so pure, and the tulip so bright—</span><br /> +Since I miss the sweet <i>violet's</i> lowly perfume,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The violet <i>only</i> my soul can delight!</span><br /> +<br /> +I prize not Henri—for a breath, a nod,<br /> +Can make him mine for ever. <i>One</i> I prize<br /> +Whose pulse ne'er quickened at my step or voice,<br /> +Who cares no more for smile from Victorine,<br /> +Whom princes sue—than Victorine for them.<br /> +But he <i>shall</i> love me—ay, and when he too<br /> +Lies pleading at my feet!—I make no doubt<br /> +But I shall weary of mine idle whim,<br /> +And rate him well for daring to be there!<br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Ros.</span>—Please you, my lady, who is this new victim?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Vic.</span>—Whom think you, Rosalinde? Eugene Legard! the brave young +captain—lover of Carille—betrothed to her—about to marry her!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Ros.</span>—But who's Carille, my lady?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Vic.</span>—(<i>Impatiently</i>.) Now know you not the youthful village belle whose +face my gallant cousin raves about? I would he'd wed the girl, and leave +Legard and me <i>as free</i>, to wed! (<i>Enter the Count.</i>) What, torment! +here again! (<i>Exit Rosalinde.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Count Henri.</span>—Where should I be, sweet coz? I love the sunshine!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Vic</span>.—So love you not this room—for here the sun ne'er shines.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Count</span>.—The sun—<i>my</i> sun is smiling on me now!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Vic</span>.—Oh, don't! I'm so tired of all that!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Count</span>.—Lady, it shall not weary you again; I've borne your light +caprice too long already. For the last time I come to ask of you, madam, +Is it your pleasure we fulfil at once your father's last injunction?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Vic</span>.—Ah! but this isn't the <i>last</i> time, Henri; I'll wager you this +hand with my heart in it, you will ask me the same question a dozen +times yet ere you die.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Count</span>.—I'll not gainsay you, lady; time will show. (<i>A short pause.</i>) +Yet, by my sword, if such your wager be, I will be dumb till doomsday.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Vic</span>.—Then book the bet! and claim my heart and hand—(<i>she pauses—he +waits in eager hope</i>)—on—doomsday morning, cousin!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Count</span>.—I claim thee now or never!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Vic</span>.—If they only hadn't said we <i>must</i>, Henri!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Count</span>.—Pshaw!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Vic</span>.—Beside, all the world <i>expects</i> it you know; I do so hate to +fulfil people's expectations: it is so commonplace and humdrum!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Count</span>.—Depend upon it, Lady Victorine, nobody ever expected you to do +any thing reasonable or commonplace or humdrum!</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">(<i>He Sings.</i>)<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Archly on thy cheek,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Worth a god's imprinting,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Starry dimples speak,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Rich with rosy tinting,—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">What a pity, love,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Anger's burning flushes<br /></span> +<span class="i0">E'er should rise above<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Those bewitching blushes!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Warm thy lip doth glow,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">With such lovely color,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ruby's heart would show<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Hues of beauty duller,—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">What a shame, the while,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Scorn should ever curl it,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And o'ercast the smile<br /></span> +<span class="i2">That should still enfurl it!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Soft thy dark eye beams,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">With the star-night's splendor,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Now with joy it gleams,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Now with tears 'tis tender,—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ah! what pain to feel,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Ere another minute,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Passion's fire may steal<br /></span> +<span class="i2">All the softness in it!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Vic</span>.—There! you <span class="smcap">can</span> <i>sing</i>! I'll give the——hem!—his due. I only wish +you could make love as well as you make verses.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Count</span>.—And how should I make love?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Vic</span>.—How? You should be at my feet all day and under my window all +night; you should call black white when <i>I</i> call it so, and—wear a +single hair of my eyelash next your heart for ever.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Count</span>.—Hum! Any thing more, cousin?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Vic</span>.—Yes: you should write sonnets on the sole of my shoe, and study +every curve of my brow, as if life and death were in its rise or fall! +(<i>He turns away.</i>) Henri, come here! (<i>He approaches.</i>) Come! you are a +good-looking man enough, after all! Ah! why couldn't my poor father have +<i>forbidden</i> me to marry you! He might have known I should have been +<i>sure</i> in that case to have fallen desperately in love with you, Henri!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Count</span>.—By Heaven, I will bear this trifling no longer! I will write +instantly and propose to the peasant girl, Carille—<i>she</i> will be proud +to be called La Contesse de Beaumont.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Vic</span>.—<i>Will</i> you do so? Oh, you darling cousin! I shall love you dearly +when you are once married! And, cousin, I don't believe she'll live till +doomsday, do you? Don't forget that I'm to be your second—on doomsday +morning, cousin. (<i>Exit Count in a rage.</i>) I am so happy—and Carille +will be so happy too—I am sure she will! I know if I were a village +girl I should be dying to be a lady—for now I am a lady I am dying to +be a village girl—heigh-ho. (<i>Exit.</i>)</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="A_STORY_WITHOUT_A_NAMEG" id="A_STORY_WITHOUT_A_NAMEG"></a>A STORY WITHOUT A NAME.<a name="FNanchor_G_7" id="FNanchor_G_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_G_7" class="fnanchor">[G]</a></h2> + +<h3>WRITTEN FOR THE INTERNATIONAL MONTHLY MAGAZINE</h3> + +<h4>BY G. P. R. JAMES, ESQ.</h4> + +<h4><i>Continued from page 57.</i></h4> + + +<h4>CHAPTER XXII.</h4> + +<p>In a very gaudily furnished parlor, and in a very gaudy dress, sat a +lady of some eight or nine and thirty years of age, with many traces of +beauty still to be perceived in a face of no very intellectual +expression. Few persons perhaps would have recognized in her the fair +and faulty girl whom we have depicted weeping bitterly over the fate of +Sir Philip Hastings' elder brother, and over the terrible situation in +which he left her. Her features had much changed: the girlish +expression—the fresh bloom of youth was gone. The light graceful figure +was lost; but the mind had changed as greatly as the person, though, +like it, the heart yet retained some traces of the original. When first +she appeared before the reader's eyes, though weak and yielding, she was +by no means ill disposed. She had committed an error—a great and fatal +one; but at heart she was innocent and honest. She was, however, like +all weak people, of that plastic clay moulded easily by circumstances +into any form; and, in her, circumstances had shaped her gradually into +a much worse form than nature had originally given her. To defraud, to +cheat, to wrong, had at one time been most abhorrent to her nature. She +had taken no active part in her father's dealings with old Sir John +Hastings, and had she known all that he had said and sworn, would have +shrunk with horror from the deceit. But during her father's short life, +she had been often told by himself, and after his death had been often +assured by the old woman Danby, that she was rightly and truly the widow +of John Hastings, although because it would be difficult to prove, her +father had consented to take an annuity for himself and her son, rather +than enter into a lawsuit with a powerful man; and she had gradually +brought herself to believe that she had been her lover's wife, because +in one of his ardent letters he had called her so to stifle the voice of +remorse in her bosom. The conviction had grown upon her, till now, after +a lapse of more than twenty years, she had forgotten all her former +doubts and scruples, believed herself and her son to be injured and +deprived of their just rights, and was ready to assert her marriage +boldly, though she had at one time<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> felt and acknowledged that there was +no marriage at all, and that the words her seducer had used were but +intended to soothe her regret and terror. There was a point however +beyond which she was not prepared to go. She still shrunk from giving +false details, from perjuring herself in regard to particular facts. The +marriage, she thought, might be good in the sight of heaven, of herself, +and of her lover; but to render it good in the eyes of the law, she had +found would require proofs that she could not give—oaths that she dared +not take.</p> + +<p>Another course, however, had been proposed for her; and now she sat in +that small parlor gaudily dressed, as I have said, but dressed evidently +for a journey. There were tears indeed in her eyes; and as her son stood +by her side she looked up in his face with a beseeching look as if she +would fain have said, "Pray do not drive me to this!"</p> + +<p>But young John Ayliffe had no remorse, and if he spoke tenderly to her +who had spoiled his youth, it was only because his object was to +persuade and cajole.</p> + +<p>"Indeed, mother," he said, "it is absolutely necessary or I would not +ask you to go. You know quite well that I would rather have you here: +and it will only be for a short time till the trial is over. Lawyer +Shanks told you himself that if you stayed, they would have you into +court and cross-examine you to death; and you know quite well you could +not keep in one story if they browbeat and puzzled you."</p> + +<p>"I would say any where that my marriage was a good one," replied his +mother, "but I could not swear all that Shanks would have had me, +John—No, I could not swear that, for Dr. Paulding had nothing to do +with it, and if he were to repeat it all over to me a thousand times, I +am sure that I should make a blunder, even if I consented to tell such a +falsehood. My father and good Mrs. Danby used always to say that the +mutual consent made a marriage, and a good one too. Now your father's +own letter shows that he consented to it, and God knows I did. But these +lawyers will not let well alone, and by trying to mend things make them +worse, I think. However, I suppose you have gone too far to go back; and +so I must go to a strange out of the way country and hide myself and +live quite lonely. Well, I am ready—I am ready to make any sacrifice +for you, my boy—though it is very hard, I must say."</p> + +<p>As she spoke, she rose with her eyes running over, and her son kissed +her and assured her that her absence should not be long. But just as she +was moving towards the door, he put a paper—a somewhat long one—on the +table, where a pen was already in the inkstand, saying, "just sign this +before you go, dear mother."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I cannot sign any thing," cried the lady, wiping her eyes; "how can +you be so cruel, John, as to ask me to sign any thing just now when I am +parting with you? What is it you want?"</p> + +<p>"It is only a declaration that you are truly my father's widow," said +John Ayliffe; "see here, the declaration, &c., you need not read it, but +only just sign here."</p> + +<p>She hesitated an instant; but his power over her was complete; and, +though she much doubted the contents, she signed the paper with a +trembling hand. Then came a parting full of real tenderness on her part, +and assumed affection and regret on his. The post-chaise, which had been +standing for an hour at the door, rolled away, and John Ayliffe walked +back into the house.</p> + +<p>When there, he walked up and down the room for some time, with an +impatient thoughtfulness, if I may use the term, in his looks, which had +little to do with his mother's departure. He was glad that she was +gone—still gladder that she had signed the paper; and now he seemed +waiting for something eagerly expected.</p> + +<p>At length there came a sound of a quick trotting horse, and John Ayliffe +took the paper from the table hastily, and put it in his pocket. But the +visitor was not the one he expected. It was but a servant with a letter; +and as the young man took it from the hand of the maid who brought it +in, and gazed at the address, his cheek flushed a little, and then +turned somewhat pale. He muttered to himself, "she has not taken long to +consider!"</p> + +<p>As soon as the slipshod girl had gone out of the room, he broke the seal +and read the brief answer which Emily had returned to his declaration.</p> + +<p>It would not be easy for an artist to paint, and it is impossible for a +writer to describe, the expression which came upon his face as he +perused the words of decided rejection which were written on that sheet; +but certainly, had poor Emily heard how he cursed her, how he vowed to +have revenge, and to humble her pride, as he called it, she would have +rejoiced rather than grieved that such a man had obtained no hold upon +her affection, no command of her fate. He was still in the midst of his +tempest of passion, when, without John Ayliffe being prepared for his +appearance, Mr. Shanks entered the room. His face wore a dark and +somewhat anxious expression which even habitual cunning could not +banish; but the state in which he found his young client, seemed to take +him quite by surprise.</p> + +<p>"Why what is the matter, John?" he cried, "what in the name of fortune +has happened here?"</p> + +<p>"What has happened!" exclaimed John Ayliffe, "look there," and he handed +Mr. Shanks the letter. The attorney took it, and with his keen weazel +eyes read it as deliberately as he would have read an ordinary law +paper. He then handed it back to his young client, saying, "The +respondent does not put in a bad answer."</p> + +<p>"Damn the respondent," said John Ayliffe, "but she shall smart for it."</p> + +<p>"Well, well, this cannot be helped," rejoined<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> Mr. Shanks; "no need of +putting yourself in a passion. You don't care two straws about her, and +if you get the property without the girl so much the better. You can +then have the pick of all the pretty women in the country."</p> + +<p>John Ayliffe mused gloomily; for Mr. Shanks was not altogether right in +his conclusion as to the young man's feelings towards Emily. Perhaps +when he began the pursuit he cared little about its success, but like +other beasts of prey, he had become eager as he ran—desire had arisen +in the chase—and, though mortified vanity had the greatest share in his +actual feelings, he felt something beyond that.</p> + +<p>While he mused, Mr. Shanks was musing also, calculating results and +combinations; but at length he said, in a low tone, "Is she gone?—Have +you got that accomplished?"</p> + +<p>"Gone?—Yes.—Do you mean my mother?—Damn it, yes!—She is gone, to be +sure.—Didn't you meet her?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Mr. Shanks; "I came the other way. That is lucky, however. +But harkee, John—something very unpleasant has happened, and we must +take some steps about it directly; for if they work him well, that +fellow is likely to peach."</p> + +<p>"Who?—what the devil are you talking about?" asked John Ayliffe, with +his passion still unsubdued.</p> + +<p>"Why, that blackguard whom you would employ—Master Tom Cutter," +answered Mr. Shanks. You know I always set my face against it, John; and +now——"</p> + +<p>"Peach!" cried John Ayliffe, "Tom Cutter will no more peach than he'll +fly in the air. He's not of the peaching sort."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps not, where a few months' imprisonment are concerned," answered +Mr. Shanks; "but the matter here is his neck, and that makes a mighty +difference, let me tell you. Now listen to me, John, and don't interrupt +me till I've done; for be sure that we have got into a very unpleasant +mess, which we may have some difficulty in getting out of. You sent over +Tom Cutter, to see if he could not persuade young Scantling, Lord +Selby's gamekeeper, to remember something about the marriage, when he +was with his old father the sexton. Now, how he and Tom manage their +matters, I don't know; but Tom gave him a lick on the head with a stick, +which killed him on the spot. As the devil would have it, all this was +seen by two people, a laborer working in a ditch hard by, and +Scantling's son, a boy of ten years old. The end of it is, Tom was +instantly pursued, and apprehended; your good uncle, Sir John, was +called to take the depositions, and without any remand whatever, +committed our good friend for trial. Tom's only chance is to prove that +it was a case of chance-medley, or to bring it under manslaughter, as a +thing done in a passion, and if he thinks that being employed by you +will be any defence, or will show that it was a sudden burst of rage, +without premeditation, he will tell the whole story as soon as he would +eat his dinner."</p> + +<p>"I'd go over to him directly, and tell him to hold his tongue," cried +John Ayliffe, now fully awakened to the perils of the case.</p> + +<p>"Pooh, pooh! don't be a fool," said Mr. Shanks, contemptuously. "Are you +going to let the man see that you are afraid of him—that he has got you +in his power? Besides, they will not let you in. No, the way must be +this. I must go over to him as his legal adviser, and I can dress you up +as my clerk. That will please him, to find that we do not abandon him; +and we must contrive to turn his defence quite another way, whether he +hang for it or not. We must make it out that Scantling swore he had been +poaching, when he had done nothing of the kind, and that in the quarrel +that followed, he struck the blow accidentally. We can persuade him that +this is his best defence, which perhaps it is after all, for nobody can +prove that he was poaching, inasmuch as he really was not; whereas, if +he were to show that he killed a man while attempting to suborn +evidence, he would speedily find himself under a cross-beam."</p> + +<p>"Suborn evidence," muttered John Ayliffe to himself; for though ready to +do any act that might advance his purpose, he did not like to hear it +called by its right name.</p> + +<p>However that might be, he agreed to the course proposed by the attorney, +and it was determined that, waiting for the fall of night, they should +both go over to the prison together, and demand admittance to the +felon's cell. The conversation then reverted to Emily's distinct +rejection of the young man's suit, and long did the two ponder over it, +considering what might be the effect upon the plans they were pursuing.</p> + +<p>"It may hurry us desperately," said Mr. Shanks, at length, "unless we +can get her to hold her tongue; for depend upon it, as soon as Sir +Philip hears what we are doing, he will take his measures accordingly. +Don't you think you and Mrs. Hazleton together can manage to frighten +her into silence? If I were you, I would get upon my horse's back +directly, ride over, and see what can be done. Your fair friend there +will give you every help, depend upon it."</p> + +<p>John Ayliffe smiled. "I will see," he said. "Mrs. Hazleton is very kind +about it, and I dare say will help, for I am quite sure she has got some +purpose of her own to serve."</p> + +<p>The attorney grinned, but made no answer, and in the space of a quarter +of an hour, John Ayliffe was on the road to Mrs. Hazleton's dwelling.</p> + +<p>After quarter of an hour's private conversation with the lady of the +house, he was admitted to the room in which Emily sat, unconscious of +his being there. She was displeased and alarmed at seeing him, but his +words and his conduct after he entered, frightened and displeased her +still more. He demanded secrecy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> in a stern and peremptory tone, and +threatened with vague, but not ill-devised menaces, to be the ruin of +her father and his whole house, if she breathed one word of what had +taken place between them. He sought, moreover, to obtain from her a +promise of secrecy; but that Emily would on no account give, although he +terrified her greatly; and he left her still in doubt as to whether his +secret was safe or not.</p> + +<p>With Mrs. Hazleton he held another conference, but from her he received +better assurances. "Do not be afraid," she said; "I will manage it for +you. She shall not betray you—at least for a time. However, you had +better proceed as rapidly as possible, and if the means of pursuing your +claim be necessary—I mean in point of money—have no scruple in +applying to me."</p> + +<p>Putting on an air of queenly dignity, Mrs. Hazleton proceeded in search +of Emily, as soon as the young man was gone. She found her in tears; and +sitting down by her side, she took her hand in a kindly manner, saying, +"My dear child, I am very sorry for all this, but it is really in some +degree your own fault. Nay, you need not explain any thing. I have just +had young Ayliffe with me. He has told me all, and I have dismissed him +with a sharp rebuke. If you had confided to me last night that he had +proposed to you, and you had rejected him, I would have taken care that +he should not have admittance to you. Indeed, I am surprised that he +should presume to propose at all, without longer acquaintance. But he +seems to have agitated and terrified you much. What did he want?"</p> + +<p>"He endeavored to make me promise," replied Emily, "that I would not +tell my father, or any one, of what had occurred."</p> + +<p>"Foolish boy! he might have taken that for granted," replied Mrs. +Hazleton, forgetting for an instant what she had just said. "No woman of +any delicacy ever speaks of a matter of this kind, when once she has +taken upon herself to reject a proposal unconditionally. If she wishes +for advice," continued the lady, recollecting herself, "or thinks that +the suit may be pressed improperly, of course she's free to ask counsel +and assistance of some female friend, on whom she can depend. But the +moment the thing is decided, of course, she is silent for ever; for +nothing can be more a matter of honorable confidence than an avowal of +honorable love. I will write him a note, and tell him he is in no +danger, but warn him not to present himself here again, so long as you +are with me."</p> + +<p>Emily made no answer, trying to decide in her own mind whether Mrs. +Hazleton's reasoning was right; and that lady, choosing to take her +assent for granted, from her silence, hurried away, to give her no +opportunity for retracting.</p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER XXIII.</h4> + +<p>Before the door of a large brick building, with no windows towards the +street, and tall walls rising up till they overtopped the neighboring +houses, stood two men, about an hour after night had fallen, waiting for +admittance. The great large iron bar which formed the knocker of the +door, had descended twice with a heavy thump, but yet no one appeared in +answer to the summons. It was again in the hand of Mr. Shanks and ready +to descend, when the rattling of keys was heard inside; bolts were +withdrawn and bars cast down, and one half of the door opened, +displaying a man with a lantern, which he held up to gaze at his +visitors. His face was fat and bloated, covered with a good number of +spots, and his swollen eyelids made his little keen black eyes look +smaller than they even naturally were, while his nose, much in the shape +of a horsechestnut, blushed with the hues of the early morning.</p> + +<p>"How are you, Cram, how are you?" asked the attorney. "I haven't been +here for a long time, but you know me, I suppose."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I know you, Master Shanks," replied the jailer, winking one of +his small black eyes; "who have you come to see? Betty Diaper, I'll +warrant, who prigged the gentleman's purse at the bottom of the hill. +She's as slink a diver as any on the lay; but she's got the shiners and +so must have counsel to defend her before the beak, I'll bet a gallon."</p> + +<p>"No, no," answered Mr. Shanks, "our old friend Tom Cutter wants to see +me on this little affair of his."</p> + +<p>"You'll make no hand of that, as sure as my name's Dionysius Cram," +replied the jailer. "Can't prove an <i>alibi</i> there, Master Shanks, for I +saw him do the job; besides he can't pay. What's the use of meddling +with him? He must swing some time you know, and one day's as good as +another. But come in, Master Shanks, come in. But who's this here other +chap?"</p> + +<p>"That's my clerk," replied Mr. Shanks, "I may want him to take +instructions."</p> + +<p>The man laughed, but demurred, but a crown piece was in those days the +key to all jailers' hearts, and after a show of hesitation, Shanks and +his young companion were both admitted within the gates. They now found +themselves in a small square space, guarded on two sides by tall iron +railings, which bent overhead, and were let into the wall somewhat after +the manner of a birdcage. On the left-hand side, however, was another +brick wall, with a door and some steps leading up to it. By this +entrance Mr. Dionysius Cram led them into a small jailer's lodge, with a +table and some wooden chairs, in the side of which, opposite to the +entrance, was a strong movable grate, between the bars of which might be +seen a yawning sort of chasm leading into the heart of the prison.</p> + +<p>Again Mr. Cram's great keys were put in motion, and he opened the grate +to let them pass, eyeing John Ayliffe with considerable attention as he +did so. Locking the grate carefully behind him, he lighted them on with +his lantern, muttering as he went in the peculiar<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> prison slang of those +days, various sentences not very complimentary to the tastes and habits +of young John Ayliffe, "Ay, ay," he said, "clerk be damned! One of Tom's +pals, for a pint and a boiled bone—droll I don't know him. He must be +twenty, and ought to have been in the stone pitcher often enough before +now. Dare say he's been sent to Mill Dol, for some minor. That's not in +my department, I shall have the darbies on him some day. He'd look +handsome under the tree."</p> + +<p>John Ayliffe had a strong inclination to knock him down, but he +restrained himself, and at length a large plated iron door admitted the +two gentlemen into the penetralia of the temple.</p> + +<p>A powerful smell of aqua vitæ and other kinds of strong waters now +pervaded the atmosphere, mingled with that close sickly odor which is +felt where great numbers of uncleanly human beings are closely packed +together; and from some distance was heard the sounds of riotous +merriment, ribald song, and hoarse, unfeeling laugh, with curses and +execrations not a few. It was a time when the abominations of the prison +system were at their height.</p> + +<p>"Here, you step in here," said Mr. Cram to the attorney and his +companion, "and I'll bring Tom to you in a minute. He's having a lush +with some of his pals; though I thought we were going to have a mill, +for Jack Perkins, who is to be hanged o' Monday, roused out his slack +jaw at him for some quarrel about a gal, and Tom don't bear such like +easily. Howsumdever, they made it up and clubbed a gallon. Stay, I'll +get you a candle end;" and leaving them in the dark, not much, if the +truth must be told, to the satisfaction of John Ayliffe, he rolled away +along the passage and remained absent several minutes.</p> + +<p>When he returned, a clanking step followed him, as heavy irons were +dragged slowly on by unaccustomed limbs, and the moment after, Tom +Cutter stood in the presence of his two friends.</p> + +<p>The jailer brought them in a piece of candle about two inches long, +which he stuck into a sort of socket attached to an iron bar projecting +straight from the wall; and having done this he left the three together, +taking care to close and lock the door behind him.</p> + +<p>Chair or stool in the room there was none, and the only seat, except the +floor, which the place afforded was the edge of a small wooden bedstead +or trough, as it might be called, scantily furnished with straw.</p> + +<p>Both Mr. Shanks and John Ayliffe shook hands with the felon, whose face, +though somewhat flushed with drinking, bore traces of deeper and sterner +feelings than he chose to show. He seemed glad to see them, however, and +said it was very kind of them to come, adding with an inquiring look at +Mr. Shanks, "I can't pay you, you know, Master lawyer; for what between +my garnish and lush, I shall have just enough to keep me till the +'sizes; I shan't need much after that I fancy."</p> + +<p>"Pooh, pooh," cried the attorney, "don't be downhearted, Tom, and as to +pay, never mind that. John here will pay all that's needful, and we'll +have down counsellor Twistem to work the witnesses. We can't make out an +<i>alibi</i>, for the folks saw you, but we'll get you up a character, if +money can make a reputation, and I never knew the time in England when +it could not. We have come to consult with you at once as to what's the +best defence to be made, that we may have the story all pat and right +from the beginning, and no shifting and turning afterwards."</p> + +<p>"I wish I hadn't killed the man," said Tom Cutter, gloomily; "I shan't +forget his face in a hurry as he fell over and cried out 'Oh, my +poor—!' but the last word choked him. He couldn't get it out; but I +fancy he was thinking of his wife—or maybe his children. But what could +I do? He gave me a sight of bad names, and swore he would peach about +what I wanted him to do. He called me a villain, and a scoundrel, and a +cheat, and a great deal more besides, till my blood got up, and having +got the stick by the small end, I hit him with the knob on the temple. I +didn't know I hit so hard; but I was in a rage."</p> + +<p>"That's just what I thought—just what I thought," said Mr. Shanks. "You +struck him without premeditation in a fit of passion. Now if we can make +out that he provoked you beyond bearing—"</p> + +<p>"That he did," said Tom Cutter.</p> + +<p>"That's what I say," continued Mr. Shanks, "if we can make out that he +provoked you beyond bearing while you were doing nothing unlawful and +wrong, that isn't murder, Tom."</p> + +<p>"Hum," said Tom Cutter, "but how will you get that up, Mr. Shanks? I've +a notion that what I went to him about was devilish unlawful."</p> + +<p>"Ay, but nobody knew any thing of that but you and he, and John Ayliffe +and I. We must keep that quite close, and get up a likely story about +the quarrel. You will have to tell it yourself, you know, Tom, though +we'll make counsellor Twistem let the jury see it beforehand in his +examinations."</p> + +<p>A gleam of hope seemed to lighten the man's face, and Mr. Shanks +continued, "We can prove, I dare say, that this fellow Scantling had a +great hatred for you."</p> + +<p>"No, no, he had not," said Tom Cutter, "he was more civil to me than +most, for we had been boys together."</p> + +<p>"That doesn't matter," said Mr. Shanks, "we must prove it; for that's +your only chance, Tom. If we can prove that you always spoke well of +him, so much the better; but we must show that he was accustomed to +abuse you, and to call you a damned ruffian and a poacher. We'll do +it—we'll do it; and then if you stick tight to your story, we'll get +you off."</p> + +<p>"But what's the story to be, master Shanks?" asked Tom Cutter, "I can't +learn a long one; I never was good at learning by heart."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no; it shall be as short and simple as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> possible," replied Shanks; +"you must admit having gone over to see him, and that you struck the +blow that killed him. We can't get over that, Tom; but then you must say +you're exceedingly sorry, and was so the very moment after."</p> + +<p>"So I was," replied Tom Cutter.</p> + +<p>"And your story must refer," continued Mr. Shanks, "to nothing but what +took place just before the blow was struck. You must say that you heard +he accused you of putting wires in Lord Selby's woods, and that you went +over to clear yourself; but that he abused you so violently, and +insulted you so grossly, your blood got up and you struck him, only +intending to knock him down. Do you understand me?"</p> + +<p>"Quite well—quite well," replied Tom Cutter, his face brightening; "I +do think that may do, 'specially if you can make out that I was +accustomed to speak well of him, and he to abuse me. It's an accident +that might happen to any man."</p> + +<p>"To be sure," replied Mr. Shanks; "we will take care to corroborate your +story, only you get it quite right. Now let us hear what you will say."</p> + +<p>Tom Cutter repeated the tale he had been taught very accurately; for it +was just suited to his comprehension, and Shanks rubbed his hands, +saying, "That will do—that will do."</p> + +<p>John Ayliffe, however, was still not without his anxieties, and after a +little hesitation as to how he should put the question which he +meditated, he said, "Of course, Tom, I suppose you have not told any of +the fellows here what you came over for?"</p> + +<p>The ruffian knew him better than he thought, and understood his object +at once.</p> + +<p>"No, no, John," he said, "I have'nt peached, and shall not; be you sure +of that. If I am to die, I'll die game, depend upon it; but I do think +there's a chance now, and we may as well make the best of it."</p> + +<p>"To be sure—to be sure," answered the more prudent Shanks; "you don't +think, Mr. Ayliffe, that he would be fool enough to go and cut his own +throat by telling any one what would be sure to hang him. That is a very +green notion."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, nor would I say a word that could serve that Sir Philip +Hastings," said Tom Cutter; "he's been my enemy for the last ten years, +and I could see he would be as glad to twist my neck as I have been to +twist his hares. Perhaps I may live to pay him yet."</p> + +<p>"I'm not sure you might not give him a gentle rub in your defence," said +John Ayliffe; "he would not like to hear that his pretty proud daughter +Emily came down to see me, as I'm sure she did, let her say what she +will, when I was ill at the cottage by the park gates. You were in the +house, don't you recollect, getting a jug of beer, while I was sitting +at the door when she came down?"</p> + +<p>"I remember, I remember," replied Tom Cutter, with a malicious smile; "I +gave him one rub which he didn't like when he committed me, and I'll do +this too."</p> + +<p>"Take care," said Mr. Shanks, "you had better not mix up other things +with your defence."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I can do it quite easily," replied the other with a triumphant +look; "I could tell what happened then, and how I heard there that +people suspected me of poaching still, though I had quite given it up, +and how I determined to find out from that minute who it was accused +me."</p> + +<p>"That can do no harm," said Shanks, who had not the least objection to +see Sir Philip Hastings mortified; and after about half an hour's +farther conversation, having supplied Tom Cutter with a small sum of +money, the lawyer and his young companion prepared to withdraw. Shanks +whistled through the key-hole of the door, producing a shrill loud sound +as if he were blowing over the top of a key; and Dionysius Cram +understanding the signal, hastened to let them out.</p> + +<p>Before we proceed farther, however, with any other personage, we may as +well trace the fate of Mr. Thomas Cutter.</p> + +<p>The assizes were approaching near at this time, and about a fortnight +after, he was brought to trial; not all the skill of counsellor Twistem, +however, nor the excellent character which Mr. Shanks tried to procure +for him, had any effect; his reputation was too well established to be +affected by any scandalous reports of his being a peaceable and orderly +man. His violence and irregular life were too well known for the jury to +come to any other conclusion than that it would be a good thing to rid +the country of him, and whether very legally or not, I cannot say, they +brought in a verdict of wilful murder without quitting the box. His +defence, however, established for him the name of a very clever fellow, +and one portion of it certainly sent Sir Philip Hastings from the Court +thoughtful and gloomy. Nevertheless, no recommendation to mercy having +issued from the Judge, Tom Cutter was hanged in due form of law, and to +use his own words, "died game."</p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER XXIV.</h4> + +<p>We must go back a little, for we have somewhat anticipated our tale. +Never did summons strike more joyfully on the ear of mortal than came +that of her recall home to Emily Hastings. As so often happens to all in +life, the expected pleasure had turned to ashes on the lip, and her +visit to Mrs. Hazleton offered hardly one point on which memory could +rest happily. Nay, more, without being able definitely to say why, when +she questioned her own heart, the character of her beautiful hostess had +suffered by close inspection. She was not the same in Emily's esteem as +she had been before. She could not point out what Mrs. Hazleton had said +or done to produce such an impression; but she was less amiable,—less +reverenced. It was not alone that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> the trappings in which a young +imagination had decked her were stripped off; but it was that a baser +metal beneath had here and there shown doubtfully through the gilding +with which she concealed her real character.</p> + +<p>If the summons was joyful to Emily, it was a surprise and an unpleasant +one to Mrs. Hazleton. Not that she wished to keep her young guest with +her long; for she was too keen and shrewd not to perceive that Emily +would not be worked upon so easily as she had imagined; and that under +her very youthfulness there was a strength of character which must +render one part of the plans against her certainly abortive. But Mrs. +Hazleton was taken by surprise. She could have wished to guard against +construction of some parts of her conduct which must be the more +unpleasant, because the more just. She had fancied she would have time +to give what gloss she chose to her conduct in Emily's eyes, and to +prevent dangerous explanations between the father and the daughter. +Moreover, the suddenness of the call alarmed her and raised doubts. +Whereever there is something to be concealed there is something to be +feared, and Mrs. Hazleton asked herself if Emily had found means to +communicate to Sir Philip Hastings what had occurred with John Ayliffe.</p> + +<p>That, however, she soon concluded was impossible. Some knowledge of the +facts, nevertheless, might have reached him from other sources, and Mrs. +Hazleton grew uneasy. Sir Philip's letter to his daughter, which Emily +at once suffered her hostess to see, threw no light upon the subject. It +was brief, unexplicit, and though perfectly kind and tender, peremptory. +It merely required her to return to the Hall, as some business rendered +her presence at home necessary.</p> + +<p>Little did Mrs. Hazleton divine the business to which Sir Philip +alluded. Had she known it, what might have happened who can say? There +were terribly strong passions within that fair bosom, and there were +moments when those strong passions mastered even strong worldly sense +and habitual self-control.</p> + +<p>There was not much time, however, for even thought, and less for +preparation. Emily departed, after having received a few words of +affectionate caution from Mrs. Hazleton, delicately and skilfully put, +in such a manner as to produce the impression that she was speaking of +subjects personally indifferent to herself—except in so much as her +young friend's own happiness was concerned.</p> + +<p>Shall we say the truth? Emily attended but little. Her thoughts were +full of her father's letter, and of the joy of returning to a home where +days passed peacefully in an even quiet course, very different from that +in which the stream of time had flowed at Mrs. Hazleton's. The love of +strong emotions—the brandy-drinking of the mind—is an acquired taste. +Few, very few have it from nature. Poor Emily, she little knew how many +strong emotions were preparing for her.</p> + +<p>Gladly she saw the carriage roll onward through scenes more and more +familiar at every step. Gladly she saw the forked gates appear, and +marked the old well-known hawthorns as they flitted by her; and the look +of joy with which she sprang into her father's arms, might have +convinced any heart that there was but one home she loved.</p> + +<p>"Now go and dress for dinner at once, my child," said Sir Philip, "we +have delayed two hours for you. Be not long."</p> + +<p>Nor was Emily long; she could not have been more rapid had she known +that Marlow was waiting eagerly for her appearance. Well pleased, +indeed, was she to see him, when she entered the drawing-room; but for +the first time since she had known him—from some cause or other—a +momentary feeling of embarrassment—of timidity, came upon her; and the +color rose slightly in her cheek. Her eyes spoke, however, more than her +lips could say, and Marlow must have been satisfied, if lovers ever +could be satisfied.</p> + +<p>Lady Hastings was lying languidly on a couch, not knowing how to +intimate to her daughter her disapproval of a suit yet unknown to Emily +herself. She could not venture to utter openly one word in opposition; +for Sir Philip Hastings had desired her not to do so, and she had given +a promise to forbear, but she thought it would be perfectly consistent +with that promise, and perfectly fair and right to show in other ways +than by words, that Mr. Marlow was not the man she would have chosen for +her daughter's husband, and even to insinuate objections which she dare +not state directly.</p> + +<p>In her manner to Marlow therefore, Lady Hastings, though perfectly +courteous and polite—for such was Sir Philip's pleasure—was as cold as +ice, always added "Sir" to her replies, and never forgot herself so far +as to call him by his name.</p> + +<p>Emily remarked this demeanor; but she knew—I should rather have said +she was aware; for it was a matter more of sensation than thought—a +conviction that had grown up in her mind without reflection—she was +aware that her mother was somewhat capricious in her friendships. She +had seen it in the case of servants and of some of the governesses she +had had when she was quite young. One day they would be all that was +estimable and charming in Lady Hastings' eyes, and another, from some +slight offence—some point of demeanor which she did not like—or some +moody turn of her own mind, they would be all that was detestable. It +had often been the same, too, with persons of a higher station; and +therefore it did not in the least surprise her to find that Mr. Marlow, +who had been ever received by Lady Hastings before as a familiar friend, +should now be treated almost as a stranger.</p> + +<p>It grieved her, nevertheless, and she thought that Marlow must feel her +mother's conduct painfully. She would fain have made up for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> it by any +means in her power, and thus the demeanor of Lady Hastings had an effect +the direct reverse of that which she intended. Nor did her innuendos +produce any better results, for she soon saw that they grieved and +offended her husband, while her daughter showed marvellous stupidity, as +she thought, in not comprehending them.</p> + +<p>Full of love, and now full of hope likewise, Marlow, it must be +confessed, thought very little of Lady Hastings at all. He was one of +those men upon whom love sits well—they are but few in the world—and +whatever agitation he might feel at heart, there was none apparent in +his manner. His attention to Emily was decided, pointed, not to be +mistaken by any one well acquainted with such matters; but he was quite +calm and quiet about it; there was no flutter about it—no forgetfulness +of proprieties; and his conversation had never seemed to Emily so +agreeable as that night, although the poor girl knew not what was the +additional charm. Delightful to her, however, it was; and in enjoying it +she forgot altogether that she had been sent for about business—nay, +even forgot to wonder what that business could be.</p> + +<p>Thus passed the evening; and when the usual time for retiring came, +Emily was a little surprised that there was no announcement of Mr. +Marlow's horse, or Mr. Marlow's carriage, as had ever been the case +before, but that Mr. Marlow was going to spend some days at the hall.</p> + +<p>When Lady Hastings rose to go to rest, and her daughter rose to go with +her, another thing struck Emily as strange. Sir Philip, as his wife +passed him, addressed to her the single word "Beware!" with a very +marked emphasis. Lady Hastings merely bowed her head, in reply; but when +she and Emily arrived at her dressing-room, where the daughter had +generally stayed to spend a few minutes with her mother alone, Lady +Hastings kissed her, and wished her good night, declaring that she felt +much fatigue, and would ring for her maid at once.</p> + +<p>Lady Hastings was a very good woman, and wished to obey her husband's +injunctions to the letter, but she felt afraid of herself, and would not +trust herself with Emily alone.</p> + +<p>Dear Emily lay awake for half an hour after she had sought her pillow, +but not more, and then she fell into a sleep as soft and calm as that of +childhood, and the next morning rose as blooming as the flower of June. +Sir Philip was up when she went down stairs, and walking on the terrace +with Marlow. Lady Hastings sent word that she would breakfast in her own +room, when she had obtained a few hours' rest, as she had not slept all +night. Thus Emily had to attend to the breakfast-table in her mother's +place; but in those days the lady's functions at the morning meal were +not so various and important as at present; and the breakfast passed +lightly and pleasantly. Still there was no mention of the business which +had caused Emily to be summoned so suddenly, and when the breakfast was +over, Sir Philip retired to his library, without asking Emily to follow, +and merely saying, "You had better not disturb your mother, my dear +child. If you take a walk I will join you ere long."</p> + +<p>For the first time, a doubt, a notion—for I must not call it a +suspicion—came across the mind of Emily, that the business for which +she had been sent might have something to do with Mr. Marlow. How her +little heart beat! She sat quite still for a minute or two, for she did +not know, if she rose, what would become of her.</p> + +<p>At length the voice of Marlow roused her from her gently-troubled +reverie, as he said, "Will you not come out to take a walk?"</p> + +<p>She consented at once, and went away to prepare. Nor was she long, for +in less than ten minutes, she and Marlow were crossing the park, towards +the older and thicker trees amidst which they had rambled once before. +But it was Marlow who now led her on a path which he chose himself. I +know not whether it was some memory of his walk with Mrs. Hazleton, or +whether it was that instinct which leads love to seek shady places, or +whether, like a skilful general, he had previously reconnoitred the +ground; but something or other in his own breast induced him to deviate +from the more direct track which they had followed on their previous +walk, and guide his fair companion across the short dry turf towards the +thickest part of the wood, through which there penetrated, winding in +and out amongst the trees, a small path, just wide enough for two, +bowered overhead by crossing branches, and gaining sweet woodland scenes +of light and shade at every step, as the eye dived into the deep green +stillness between the large old trunks, carefully freed from underwood, +and with their feet carpeted with moss, and flowers, and fern. It was +called the deer's track, from the fact that along it, morning and +evening, all the bucks and does which had herded on that side of the +park might be seen walking stately down to or from a bright, +clear-running trout-stream, that wandered along about a quarter of a +mile farther on; and often, in the hot weather, a person standing half +way down the walk might see a tall antlered fellow standing with his +forefeet in the water and his hind-quarters raised upon the bank, gazing +at himself in the liquid mirror below, with all his graceful beauties +displayed to the uttermost by a burst of yellow light, which towards +noon always poured upon the stream at that place.</p> + +<p>Marlow and Emily, however, were quite alone upon the walk. Not even a +hind or shart was there; and after the first two or three steps, Marlow +asked his fair companion to take his arm. She did so, readily; for she +needed it, not so much because the long gnarled roots of the trees +crossed the path from time to time, and offered slight impediments, for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> +usually her foot was light as air, but because she felt an unaccountable +languor upon her, a tremulous, agitated sort of unknown happiness unlike +any thing else she had ever before experienced.</p> + +<p>Marlow drew her little hand through his then, and she rested upon it, +not with the light touch of a mere acquaintance, but with a gentle +confiding pressure which was very pleasant to him, and yet the +capricious man must needs every two or three minutes, change that kindly +position as the trees and irregularities of the walk afforded an excuse. +Now he placed Emily on the one side, now on the other, and if she had +thought at all (but by this time she was far past thought,) she might +have fancied that he did so solely for the purpose of once more taking +her hand in his to draw it through his arm again.</p> + +<p>At the spot where the walk struck the stream, and before it proceeded +onward by the bank, there was a little irregular open space not twenty +yards broad in any direction, canopied over by the tall branches of an +oak, and beneath the shade about twelve yards from the margin of the +stream, was a pure, clear, shallow well of exceedingly cold water, which +as it quietly flowed over the brink went on to join the rivulet below. +The well was taken care of, kept clean, and basined in plain flat +stones; but there was no temple over it, Gothic or Greek. On the side +farthest from the stream was a plain wooden bench placed for the +convenience of persons who came to drink the waters which were supposed +to have some salutary influence, and there by tacit consent Marlow and +Emily seated themselves side by side.</p> + +<p>They gazed into the clear little well at their feet, seeing all the +round variegated pebbles at the bottom glistening like jewels as the +branches above, moved by a fresh wind that was stirring in the sky, made +the checkered light dance over the surface. There was a green leaf +broken by some chance from a bough above which floated about upon the +water as the air fanned it gently, now hither, now thither, now gilded +by the sunshine, now covered with dim shadow. After pausing in silence +for a moment or two, Marlow pointed to the leaf with a light and +seemingly careless smile, saying, "See how it floats about, Emily. That +leaf is like a young heart full of love."</p> + +<p>"Indeed," said Emily, looking full in his face with a look of inquiry, +for perhaps she thought that in his smile she might find an +interpretation of what was going on in her own bosom. "Indeed! How so?"</p> + +<p>"Do you not see," said Marlow, "how it is blown about by the softest +breath, which stirs not the less sensitive things around, how it is +carried by any passing air now into bright hopeful light, now into dim +melancholy shadow?"</p> + +<p>"And is that like love?" asked Emily. "I should have thought it was all +brightness."</p> + +<p>"Ay, happy love—love returned," replied Marlow, "but where there is +uncertainty, a doubt, there hope and fear make alternately the light and +shade of love, and the lightest breath will bear the heart from the one +extreme to the other—I know it from the experience of the last three +days, Emily; for since last we met I too have fluctuated between the +light and shade. Your father's consent has given a momentary gleam of +hope, but it is only you who can make the light permanent."</p> + +<p>Emily shook, and her eyes were bent down upon the water; but she +remained silent so long that Marlow became even more agitated than +herself. "I know not what I feel," she murmured at length,—"it is very +strange."</p> + +<p>"But hear me, Emily," said Marlow, taking her unresisting hand, "I do +not ask an immediate answer to my suit. If you regard me with any +favor—if I am not perfectly indifferent to you, let me try to improve +any kindly feelings in your heart towards me in the bright hope of +winning you at last for my own, my wife. The uncertainty may be +painful—must be painful; but—"</p> + +<p>"No, no, Marlow," cried Emily, raising her eyes to his face for an +instant with her cheek all glowing, "there must be no uncertainty. Do +you think I would keep you—you, in such a painful state as you have +mentioned? Heaven forbid!"</p> + +<p>"Then what am I to think?" asked Marlow, pressing closer to her side and +gliding his arm round her. "I am almost mad to dream of such happiness, +and yet your tone, your look, my Emily, make me so rash. Tell me +then—tell me at once, am I to hope or to despair?—Will you be mine?"</p> + +<p>"Of course," she answered, "can you doubt it?"</p> + +<p>"I can almost doubt my senses," said Marlow; but he had no occasion to +doubt them.</p> + +<p>They sat there for nearly half an hour; they then wandered on, with +marvellous meanderings in their course, for more than an hour and a half +more, and when they returned, Emily knew more of love than ever could be +learned from books. Marlow drew her feelings forth and gave them +definite form and consistency. He presented them to her by telling what +he himself felt in a plain and tangible shape, which required no long +reverie—none of their deep fits of thoughtfulness to investigate and +comprehend. From the rich store of his own imagination, and the treasury +of deep feeling in his breast, he poured forth illustrations that +brightened as if with sunshine every sensation which had been dark and +mysterious in her bosom before; and ere they turned their steps back +towards the house, Emily believed—nay, she felt; and that is much +more—that without knowing it, she had loved him long.</p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER XXV.</h4> + +<p>This must be a chapter of rapid action, comprising in its brief space +the events of many months—events which might not much interest the +reader in minute detail, but which produced important results to all the +persons concerned, and drew on the coming catastrophe.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span></p> + +<p>The news that Mr. Marlow was about to be married to Emily, the beautiful +heiress of Sir Philip Hastings, spread far and wide over the country; +and if joy and satisfaction reigned in the breasts of three persons in +Emily's dwelling, discontent and annoyance were felt more and more +strongly every hour by Lady Hastings. A Duke, she thought, would not +have been too high a match for her daughter, with all the large estates +she was to inherit; and the idea of her marrying a simple commoner was +in itself very bitter. She was not a woman to bear a disappointment +gracefully; and Emily soon had the pain of discovering that her +engagement to Marlow was much disapproved by her mother. She consoled +herself, however, by the full approval of her father, who was somewhat +more than satisfied.</p> + +<p>Sir Philip for his part, considering his daughter's youth, required that +the marriage should be delayed at least two years, and, in his +theoretical way, he soon built up a scheme, which was not quite so +successful as he could have wished. Marlow's character was, in most +respects, one after his own heart; but as I have shown, he had thought +from the first, that there were weak points in it,—or rather points +rendered weak by faults of education and much mingling with the world. +He wanted, in short, some of that firmness—may I not say hardness of +the old Roman, which Sir Philip so peculiarly admired; and the scheme +now was, to re-educate Marlow, if I may use the term, during the next +two years, to mould him in short after Sir Philip's own idea of +perfection. How this succeeded, or failed, we shall have occasion +hereafter to show.</p> + +<p>Tidings of Emily's engagement were communicated to Mrs. Hazleton, first +by rumor, and immediately after by more certain information in a letter +from Lady Hastings. I will not dwell upon the effect produced in her. I +will not lift up the curtain with which she covered her own breast, and +show all the dark and terrible war of passions within. For three days +Mrs. Hazleton was really ill, remained shut up in her room, had the +windows darkened, admitted no one but the maid and the physician; and +well for her was it, perhaps, that the bitter anguish she endured +overpowered her corporeal powers, and forced seclusion upon her. During +those three days she could not have concealed her feelings from all eyes +had she been forced to mingle with society; but in her sickness she had +time for thought—space to fight the battle in, and she came forth +triumphant.</p> + +<p>When she at length appeared in her own drawing-room no one could have +imagined that the illness was of the heart. She was a little paler than +before, there was a soft and pleasing languor about her carriage, but +she was, to all appearance, as calm and cheerful as ever.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless she thought it better to go to London for a short time. She +did not yet dare to meet Emily Hastings. She feared <i>herself</i>.</p> + +<p>Yet the letter of Lady Hastings was a treasure to her, for it gave her +hopes of vengeance. In it the mother showed but too strongly her dislike +of her daughter's choice, and Mrs. Hazleton resolved to cultivate the +friendship of Lady Hastings, whom she had always despised, and to use +her weakness for her own purposes.</p> + +<p>She was destined, moreover, to have other sources of consolation, and +that more rapidly than she expected. It was shortly before her return to +the country that the trial of Tom Cutter took place; and not long after +she came back that he was executed. Many persons at the trial had +remarked the effect which some parts of the evidence had produced on Sir +Philip Hastings. He was not skilful in concealing the emotions that he +felt, and although it was sometimes difficult, from the peculiarities of +his character, to discover what was their precise nature, they always +left some trace by which it might be seen that he was greatly moved.</p> + +<p>Information of the facts was given to Mrs. Hazleton by Shanks the +attorney, and young John Ayliffe, who dwelt with pleasure upon the pain +his successful artifice had inflicted; and Mrs. Hazleton was well +pleased too.</p> + +<p>But the wound was deeper than they thought. It was like that produced by +the bite of a snake—insignificant in itself, but carrying poison into +every vein.</p> + +<p>Could his child deceive him? Sir Philip Hastings asked himself. Could +Emily have long known this vulgar youth—gone secretly down to see him +at a distant cottage—conferred with him unknown to either father or +mother? It seemed monstrous to suppose such a thing; and yet what could +he believe? She had never named John Ayliffe since her return from Mrs. +Hazleton's; and yet it was certain from Marlow's own account, that she +had seen him there. Did not that show that she was desirous of +concealing the acquaintance from her parents?</p> + +<p>Sir Philip had asked no questions, leaving her to speak if she thought +fit. He was now sorry for it, and resolved to inquire; as the fact of +her having seen the young man, for whom he felt an inexpressible +dislike, had been openly mentioned in a court of justice. But as he rode +home he began to argue on the other side of the question. The man who +had made the assertion was a notorious liar—a convicted felon. Besides, +he knew him to be malicious; he had twice before thrown out insinuations +which Sir Philip believed to be baseless, and could only be intended to +produce uneasiness. Might not these last words of his be traced to the +same motive? He would inquire in the first place, he thought, what was +the connection between the convict and John Ayliffe, and stopping on the +way for that purpose, he soon satisfied himself that the two were boon +companions.</p> + +<p>When he reached his own dwelling, he found Emily seated by Marlow in one +of her brightest,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> happiest moods. There was frank candor, graceful +innocence, bright open-hearted truth in every look and every word. It +was impossible to doubt her; and Sir Philip cast the suspicion from him, +but, alas! not for ever. They would return from time to time to grieve +and perplex him; and he would often brood for hours over his daughter's +character, puzzling himself more and more. Yet he would not say a +word—he blamed himself for even thinking of the matter; and he would +not show a suspicion. Yet he continued to think and to doubt, while poor +unconscious Emily would have been ready, if asked, to solve the whole +mystery in a moment. She had been silent from an unwillingness to begin +a painful subject herself; and though she had yielded no assent to Mrs. +Hazleton's arguments, they had made her doubt whether she ought to +mention, unquestioned, John Ayliffe's proposal and conduct. She had made +up her mind to tell all, if her father showed the slightest desire to +know any thing regarding her late visit; but there was something in the +effects which that visit had produced on her mind, which she could not +explain to herself.</p> + +<p>Why did she love Mrs. Hazleton less? Why had she lost so greatly her +esteem for her? What had that lady done or said which justified so great +a change of feeling towards her? Emily could not tell. She could fix +upon no word, no act, she could entirely blame—but yet there had been a +general tone in her whole demeanor which had opened the poor girl's eyes +too much. She puzzled herself sadly with her own thoughts; and probably +would have fallen into more than one of her deep self-absorbed reveries, +had not sweet new feelings, Marlow's frequent presence, kept her awake +to a brighter, happier world of thought.</p> + +<p>She was indeed very happy; and, could she have seen her mother look +brighter and smile upon her, she would have been perfectly so. Her +father's occasional moodiness she did not heed; for he often seemed +gloomy merely from intense thought. Emily had got a key to such dark +reveries in her own heart, and she knew well that they were no true +indications either of discontent or grief, for very often when to the +eyes of others she seemed the most dull and melancholy, she was enjoying +intense delight in the activity of her own mind. She judged her father +from herself, and held not the slightest idea that any word, deed or +thought of hers had given him the slightest uneasiness.</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding the various contending feelings and passions which were +going on in the little circle on which our eyes are fixed, the course of +life had gone on with tolerable smoothness as far as Emily and Marlow +were concerned, for about two months, when, one morning, Sir Philip +Hastings received a letter in a hand which he did not know. It reached +him at the breakfast table, and evidently affected him considerably with +some sort of emotion. His daughters instantly caught the change of his +countenance, but Sir Philip did not choose that any one should know he +could be moved by any thing on earth, and he instantly repressed all +agitation, quietly folded up the letter again, concluded his breakfast, +and then retired to his own study.</p> + +<p>Emily was not deceived, however. There were moments in Sir Philip's life +when he was unable to conceal altogether the strong feelings of his +heart under the veil of stoicism—or as he would have termed it—to curb +and restrain them by the power of philosophy. Emily had seen such +moments, and knew, that whatever were the emotions produced by that +letter, whether of anger or grief or apprehension—her father was +greatly moved.</p> + +<p>In his own study, Sir Philip Hastings seated himself, spread the letter +before him, and read it over attentively. But now it did not seem to +affect him in the least. He was, in fact, ashamed of the feelings he had +experienced and partly shown. "How completely," said he to himself, +"does a false and fictitious system of society render us the mere slaves +of passion, infecting even those who tutor themselves from early years +to resist its influence. Here an insolent young man lays claim to my +name, and my inheritance, and coolly assumes not only that he has a +title to do so, but that I know it; and this instead of producing calm +contempt, makes my heart beat and my blood boil, as if I were the +veriest schoolboy."</p> + +<p>The letter was all that Sir Philip stated; but it was something more. It +was a very artful epistle, drawn up by the joint shrewdness of Mr. +Shanks, Mr. John Ayliffe, and Mrs. Hazleton. It concisely stated the +claims of the young man who signed it, to all the property of the late +Sir John Hastings and to the baronetcy. It made no parade of proofs, but +assumed that those in the writer's possession were indisputable, and +also that Sir Philip Hastings was well aware that John Ayliffe was his +elder brother's legitimate son. The annuity which had been bought for +himself and his mother was broadly stated to have been the +purchase-money of her silence, negotiated by her father, who had no +means to carry on a suit at law. As long as his mother lived, the writer +said, he had been silent out of deference to her wishes, but now that +she was dead in France, he did not feel himself bound to abide by an +arrangement which deprived him at once of fortune and station, and which +had been entered into without his knowledge or consent. He then went on +to call upon Sir Philip Hastings in the coolest terms to give up +possession and acknowledge his right without what the writer called "the +painful ceremony of a lawsuit;" and in two parts of the letter allusion +was made to secret information which the writer had obtained by the kind +confidence of a friend whom he would not name.</p> + +<p>It was probably intended to give point to this insinuation at an after +period, but if it was aimed at poor Emily, it fell harmless for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> the +time, as no one knew better than Sir Philip that she had never been +informed of any thing which could affect the case in question.</p> + +<p>Indeed, the subject of the annuity was one which he had never mentioned +to any one since the transaction had been completed many years before; +and the name of John Ayliffe had never passed his lips till Marlow +mentioned having seen that young man at Mrs. Hazleton's house.</p> + +<p>When he had read the letter, and as soon as he thought he had mastered +the last struggle of passion, he dipped the pen in the ink and wrote the +few following words:</p> + +<p>"Sir Philip Hastings has received the letter signed John Ayliffe +Hastings. He knows no person of that name, but has heard of a young man +of the name of John Ayliffe. If that person thinks he has any just claim +on Sir Philip Hastings, or his estate, he had better pursue it in the +legal and ordinary course, as Sir Philip Hastings begs to disclaim all +private communication with him."</p> + +<p>He addressed the letter to "Mr. John Ayliffe," and sent it to the post. +This done, he rejoined Marlow and Emily, and to all appearance was more +cheerful and conversable than he had been for many a previous day. +Perhaps it cost him an effort to be cheerful at all, and the effort went +a little beyond its mark. Emily was not altogether satisfied, but Lady +Hastings, when she came down, which, as usual, was rather late in the +day, remarked how gay her husband was.</p> + +<p>Sir Philip said nothing to any one at the time regarding the contents of +the letter he had received. He consulted no lawyer even, and tried to +treat the subject with contemptuous forgetfulness; but his was a +brooding and tenacious mind, and he often thought of the epistle, and +the menaces it implied, against his own will. Nor could he or any one +connected with him long remain unattentive or ignorant of the matter, +for in a few weeks the first steps were taken in a suit against him, +and, spreading from attorneys' offices in every direction, the news of +such proceedings travelled far and wide, till the great Hastings case +became the talk of the whole country round.</p> + +<p>In the mean time, Sir Philip's reply was very speedily shown to Mrs. +Hazleton, and that lady triumphed a good deal. Sir Philip was now in the +same position with John Ayliffe, she thought, that she had been in some +time before with Mr. Marlow; and already he began to show, in her +opinion, a disposition to treat the case very differently in his own +instance and in hers.</p> + +<p>There he had strongly supported private negotiation; here he rejected it +altogether; and she chose to forget that circumstances, though broadly +the same, were in detail very different.</p> + +<p>"We shall see," she said to herself, "we shall see whether, when the +proofs are brought forward, he will act with that rigid sense of +justice, which he assumed here."</p> + +<p>When the first processes had been issued, however, and common rumor +justified a knowledge of the transaction, without private information, +Mrs. Hazleton set out at once to visit "poor dear Lady Hastings," and +condole with her on the probable loss of fortune. How pleasant it is to +condole with friends on such occasions. What an accession of importance +we get in our own eyes, especially if the poor people we comfort have +been a little bit above us in the world.</p> + +<p>But Mrs. Hazleton had higher objects in view; she wanted no accession of +importance. She was quite satisfied with her own position in society. +She sought to see and prompt Lady Hastings—to sow dissension where she +knew there must already be trouble; and she found Sir Philip's wife just +in the fit frame of mind for her purpose. Sir Philip himself and Emily +had ridden out together; and though Mrs. Hazleton would willingly have +found an opportunity of giving Sir Philip a sly friendly kick, and of +just reminding him of his doctrines announced in the case between +herself and Mr. Marlow, she was not sorry to have Lady Hastings alone +for an hour or two. They remained long in conference, and I need not +detail all that passed. Lady Hastings poured forth all her grief and +indignation at Emily's engagement to Mr. Marlow, and Mrs. Hazleton did +nothing to diminish either. She agreed that it was a very unequal match, +that Emily with her beauty and talents, and even with her mother's +fortune alone, might well marry into the highest family of the land. +Nay, she said, could the match be broken off, she might still take her +rank among the peeresses. She did not advise, indeed, actual resistance +on the part of her friend; she feared Lady Hastings' discretion; but she +insinuated that a mother and a wife by unwavering and constant +opposition, often obtained her own way, even in very difficult +circumstances.</p> + +<p>From that hour Mrs. Hazleton was Lady Hastings' best friend.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_G_7" id="Footnote_G_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_G_7"><span class="label">[G]</span></a> Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1850, by +G. P. R. James, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the +United States for the Southern District of New-York.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="NATURAL_REVELATION" id="NATURAL_REVELATION"></a>NATURAL REVELATION.</h2> + +<h3>WRITTEN FOR THE INTERNATIONAL MONTHLY MAGAZINE</h3> + +<h4>BY ALFRED B. STREET.</h4> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">Does not the heart alone a God proclaim!<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Blot revelation from the mind of man!<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Yea, let him not e'en Nature's features scan;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">There is within him a low voice, the same<br /></span> +<span class="i4">Throughout the varied scenes of being's span,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">That whispers, God. And doth not conscience speak<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Though sin its wildest force upon it wreak!<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Born with us—never dying—ever preaching<br /></span> +<span class="i4">Of right and wrong, with reference aye to Him—<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And doth not Hope, on toward the future reaching—<br /></span> +<span class="i4">The aspirations struggling from the Dim<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Up toward the Bright—a ceaseless unrepose<br /></span> +<span class="i4">Of something unattained—a ceaseless teaching<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of unfulfilled desire—the eternal truth disclose!<br /></span> +</div></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="HEART-WHISPERS" id="HEART-WHISPERS"></a>HEART-WHISPERS.</h2> + +<h3>WRITTEN FOR THE INTERNATIONAL MONTHLY MAGAZINE</h3> + +<h4>BY MARY E. HEWITT.</h4> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">What if he loved me!—How the unwhispered thought<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Comes o'er me, with a thrill of ecstacy!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And yet, when constant eve his step hath brought,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">I timid shrink as he approaches me.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Last night, when greeting words were on his lips,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">My ears grew deaf between my faint replies;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And when he pressed my trembling finger tips,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">I felt me turn to marble 'neath his eyes.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">What if he loved me! If 'twere mine to share<br /></span> +<span class="i2">His thought! to be of his proud being part!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hush! lest the tell-tale wind should idly bear<br /></span> +<span class="i2">To him this wild, wild beating of my heart<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For should he guess—who in my soul hath name—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That I, unsought, love him, ah! I should die of shame.<br /></span> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span></div></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_SNOWDROP_IN_THE_SNOW" id="THE_SNOWDROP_IN_THE_SNOW"></a>THE SNOWDROP IN THE SNOW.</h2> + +<h3>BY SYDNEY YENDYS.</h3> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">O full of Faith! The Earth is rock,—the Heaven<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The dome of a great palace all of ice,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Russ-built. Dull light distils through frozen skies<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thickened and gross. Cold Fancy droops her wing,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And cannot range. In winding-sheets of snow<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Lies every thought of any pleasant thing.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I have forgotten the green earth; my soul<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Deflowered, and lost to every summer hope,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sad sitteth on an iceberg at the Pole;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My heart assumes the landscape of mine eyes<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Moveless and white, chill blanched with hoarest rime;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Sun himself is heavy and lacks cheer<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Or on the eastern hill or western slope;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The world without seems far and long ago;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To silent woods stark famished winds have driven<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The last lean robin—gibbering winds of fear!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thou only darest to believe in spring,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thou only smilest, Lady of the Time!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">Even as the stars come up out of the sea<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thou risest from the Earth. How is it down<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In the dark depths? Should I delve there, O Flower,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For beauty? Shall I find the Summer there<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Met manifold, as in an ark of peace?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And Thou, a lone white Dove art thou sent forth<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Upon the winter deluge? It shall cease,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But not for thee—pierced by the ruthless North<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And spent with the Evangel. In what hour<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The flood abates thou wilt have closed thy wings<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For ever. When the happy living things<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of the old world come forth upon the new<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I know my heart shall miss thee; and the dew<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of summer twilights shall shed tears for me<br /></span> +<span class="i0">—Tears liker thee, ah, purest! than mine own—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Upon thy vestal grave, O vainly fair!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">Thou shouldst have noble destiny, who, like<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A Prophet, art shut out from kind and kin!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Who on the winter silence comest in<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A still small voice. Pale Hermit of the Year,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Flower of the Wilderness! oh, not for thee<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The jocund playmates of the maiden spring.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For when the danceth forth with cymballed feet,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Waking a-sudden with great welcoming,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Each calling each, they burst from hill to dell<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In answering music. But thou art a bell.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A passing bell, snow-muffled, dim and sweet.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">As is the Poet to his fellow-men,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So mid thy drifting snows, O Snowdrop, Thou.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Gifted, in sooth, beyond them, but no less<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A snowdrop. And thou shalt complete his lot<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And bloom as fair as now when they are not.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thou art the wonder of the seasons, O<br /></span> +<span class="i0">First-born of Beauty. As the Angel near<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Gazed on that first of living things which, when<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The blast that ruled since Chaos o'er the sere<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Leaves of primeval Palms did sweep the plain,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Clung to the new-made sod and would not drive,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So gaze I upon thee amid the reign<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of Winter. And because thou livest, I live.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And art thou happy in thy loneliness?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Oh couldst thou hear the shouting of the floods,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Oh couldst thou know the star among the trees<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When—as the herald-voice of breeze on breeze<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Proclaims the marriage pageant of the Spring<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Advancing from the South—each hurries on<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His wedding-garment, and the love-chimes ring<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thro' nuptial valleys! No, serene and lone,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I will not flush thy cheek with joys like these.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Songs for the rosy morning; at gray prime<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To hang the head and pray. Thou doest well.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I will not tell thee of the bridal train.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No; let thy Moonlight die before their day<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A Nun among the Maidens, thou and they.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Each hath some fond sweet office that doth strike<br /></span> +<span class="i0">One of our trembling heartstrings musical.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Is not the hawthorn for the Queen of May?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And cuckoo-flowers for whom the cuckoo's voice<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hails, like an answering sister, to the woods?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Is not the maiden blushing in the rose?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Shall not the babe and buttercup rejoice,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Twins in one meadow? Are not violets all<br /></span> +<span class="i0">By name or nature for the breast of Dames!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For them the primrose, pale as star of prime,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For them the wind-flower, trembling to a sigh,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For them the dew stands in the eyes of day<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That blink in April on the daisied lea?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Like them they flourish and like them they fade<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And live beloved and loving. But for thee—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For such a bevy how art thou arrayed<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Flower of the Tempests? What hast thou with them?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thou shalt be pearl unto a diadem<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Which the Heavens jewel. <i>They</i> shall deck the brows<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of joy and wither there. But <i>thou</i> shalt be<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A Martyr's garland. Thou who, undismayed,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To thy spring dreams art true amid the snows<br /></span> +<span class="i0">As he to better dreams amid the flames.—<i>Athenæum.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_COUNT_MONTE-LEONE_OR_THE_SPY_IN_SOCIETYH" id="THE_COUNT_MONTE-LEONE_OR_THE_SPY_IN_SOCIETYH"></a>THE COUNT MONTE-LEONE: OR, THE SPY IN SOCIETY.<a name="FNanchor_H_8" id="FNanchor_H_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_H_8" class="fnanchor">[H]</a></h2> + +<h3>TRANSLATED FOR THE INTERNATIONAL MONTHLY MAGAZINE FROM THE FRENCH OF H. +DE ST. GEORGES.</h3> + +<h4><i>Continued from page 70.</i></h4> + + +<h4>V.—THE ENTERTAINMENT.</h4> + +<p>The name of Count Monte-Leone produced great sensation in the numerous +assemblage. The adventures of the Count and the report of his trial had +been published in all the Parisian papers, and in the eyes of some he +was a lucky criminal, and of others a victim and a martyr to his +opinions, whom God alone had preserved. The women especially were +interested in the hero of this judicial drama, on account of the +exaggerated representations of his personal attractions. Received with +general curiosity, which, however, he did not seem to notice, and +crossing the rooms with his usual dignified air, Monte-Leone approached +the Duchess of Palma and expressed his gratitude for her kindness in +including him among her guests. The Duchess recognized the Count +politely, and replied to him with a few meaningless phrases. She then +left him to meet the young Marquise de Maulear, who came in leaning on +the arm of her father, the old Prince. The Prince knew the Neapolitan +Ambassador, whom he had often seen with the Duchess. He had been one of +the first to visit the Duchess of Palma. A man of intelligence and +devotion to pleasure, he thought he did not at all derogate from his +dignity by civility to a young and beautiful woman, who bore so nobly +the name which was conferred on her by love and hymen.</p> + +<p>"Duchess," said the Prince, presenting Aminta, "you have often +questioned me about my daughter-in-law, and know what I told you. I am, +I confess, proud for you to be able now to judge for yourself." In the +<i>interim</i> La Felina had taken in the whole person of Aminta at a single +glance, and the result of this rapid examination exerted a strange +influence on her. She grew pale, and her voice trembled, as she told the +Prince that the praises he had bestowed on the Marquise were far less +than the truth.</p> + +<p>"The Marquis de Maulear," added she, "is an old acquaintance," and +bowing kindly to him, she offered Aminta a seat and then left her, under +the influence of an emotion which, actress as she was, she could repress +with great difficulty.</p> + +<p>The Prince sat by his daughter-in-law, and passing in review before her +the distinguished personages of the room, described them with that +skeptical wit, that courteous irony, of which the nobles of other days +were so completely the masters. He spoke like the Duke d'Ayer of old, +that caustic wit, of whom a lady of the court said that she was amazed +that his tongue was not torn out twenty times a day, so<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> full of pointed +needles was all he said. Aminta smiled at the pencil sketches of the +Prince, or rather at his dagger blow. Had the old man, however, been +twenty times as bitter, she would not have found fault with her +father-in-law, for she knew he was kind and she was grateful to him—one +day we shall know whence these sentiments originated in his mind. The +Marquis de Maulear had left his young wife to speak to his numerous +acquaintances: and while the Prince for Aminta's amusement flayed alive +the various personages who were led before him by their evil fate, Count +Monte-Leone, who had seen the Ambassador, sought in vain to pierce the +crowd which surrounded him. The Duke was not in the room when +Monte-Leone was announced. It was then with surprise and almost with +terror that he saw the Count approach him.</p> + +<p>"I have not had the honor," said he, "to approach your Excellency since +the visit paid me at the Castle <i>Del Uovo</i>. And I am doubly gratified at +being able to return it in your hotel amid so splendid a festival."</p> + +<p>"Count," said the Duke, seeking to conquer the emotion caused by the +unexpected presence of Monte-Leone, "I dared not hope that you would +honor me by accepting my invitation; for you cannot be ignorant that an +Ambassador represents his king. It is then, in some degree, as if we +meet to-day in the palace of his Majesty Fernando King of Naples: and I +think I may venture to tell you, in the name of my Sovereign, that if +your conduct is a token of reconciliation offered by you to his cause, +Fernando IV will acknowledge it as cheerfully as I do now."</p> + +<p>Count Monte-Leone appreciated the graceful perfidy of the language of +the Duke, and was ready to curse the secret motive which had led him to +the Embassy. His eyes, however, turned, almost contrary to his wishes, +to the other side of the room, and there he seemed to find something to +sustain him. He replied to the Duke as naturally as possible, that in +coming to his house, he had remembered only the urbanity of his host and +his frankness, being aware that the Duke would never convert a mere +visit of pleasure into a political question.</p> + +<p>The Duke bit his lips when he heard this evasive answer, and saw that he +had met his equal in diplomacy. A young man then approached and passed +his arm into that of Monte-Leone's, thus putting an end to this annoying +interview. This young man had an eloquent and <i>distingué</i> air, and +handsome features, though they were delicate and betokened but feeble +health.</p> + +<p>"Do you know, my dear Duke," said the new comer to the Ambassador, "that +one must have a very perfect character, and be invited to a very +charming ball, to come as I do to your house, after the manner we parted +eighteen months ago at Naples. Listen!—one goes for health-sake to +Naples to pass the winter, to enjoy the Carnival in peace. After one or +two intrigues with beautiful women having dark eyes, not, however, +comparable with those of the Duchess of Palma, one fine night in the +middle of a Pulcinello supper, you send us in place of a dessert a +company of black-looking <i>sbirri</i>, who rush like vultures upon us, and +rust with dirty hands our Venetian daggers which they wrest from us. +Twelve to three, they then separate Taddeo, Von Apsbury and myself, and +placing us in rickety carriages, take one of us to prison, another to +the frontier, and hurry me on board a miserable little vessel, from +which they tumble me like a package of damaged goods on the <i>quai</i> of +Marseilles. I had expected to make the tour of Italy."</p> + +<p>"Vicompte," said the Duke, with a smile, "the air of Italy was not +healthy for you. Very excellent physicians told me your life was unsafe +in that country, and that you should leave it as soon as possible. So +complain to the faculty, but thank me for having followed their +directions."</p> + +<p>"Now what mistakes," said the young man, "people make. I have always +heard that the climate of Naples was excellent for the chest."</p> + +<p>"True," said the Duke, "but it is bad for the head."</p> + +<p>"Of that I know something," said Monte-Leone, bowing to the Duke.</p> + +<p>"Well, then, suppose it is," continued d'Harcourt, who wished at any +price to avenge himself on the <i>sbirri</i> of his Excellency, in the person +of the Duke himself. "It may be the climate exaggerates and sometimes +destroys the head, but it is excellent for the heart—a suffering +heart—a heart which is attacked is easily cured in Naples. True, the +remedies are sometimes priceless, but patients in desperate cases do not +hesitate on that account."</p> + +<p>"I hope, Count," said the Duke, who would not understand the allusion of +the young man to his marriage, "that the climate of Paris suits you +better than that of Naples. Besides, the Duc d'Harcourt, your father, +that most influential nobleman, will prevent you henceforth from +endangering an existence you held too cheaply in Italy."</p> + +<p>"Luckily," said D'Harcourt, with a smile, "your Excellency watched over +me, and it is no slight honor to have as a physician the minister of +police of a kingdom. Excuse me, however," added he to the Duke, "I hear +the prelude of Collinet's orchestra, and I have a family duty to fulfil: +my sister Mary has promised to dance this contradance with me, and I +must humor the whim of a spoiled child."</p> + +<p>The wild young man hurried to take his sister's arm, and to get into +place with her. Marie d'Harcourt, René's sister, was a charming girl, +with blonde hair and a rosy complexion, fair and lithe as a northern +elf. The blue veins were visible beneath her transparent skin, so fair +that one might often have fancied the blood was about to come gushing +through it. The Duke d'Harcourt had lost two of his sons of that +terrible pulmonary disease<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> against which medicine, alas, is powerless. +The distress of the father was intense, for two of the scions of this +family had been cut off by death; and of the five offshoots from the +family tree, but two remained. All his love was therefore centred in +René, now his only son, and in Marie, the young girl of whom we have +just spoken. From a sentiment of tender respect, the Duke had not +permitted his last son to assume the title of those he had lost, and +René continued to be called the Vicompte d'Harcourt. There were already +apparent sad indications that René would become a prey to the monster +which had devoured his two brothers: Marie, a few years younger, gave +her father great uneasiness, on account of the excessive delicacy of her +constitution and organization. All Paris had participated in the grief +of the Duke d'Harcourt; for all Paris respected him. Rich, kind, and +benevolent, in an enlightened manner, and within the bounds of reason, +rejecting all social Utopias, popular as they might make all who +sustained them, the Duke d'Harcourt was a Christian philanthropist, that +is to say, a charitable man. Charity is the holiest and purest of +earthly virtues, and that in which this patriarch indulged shunned noise +and renown. He did not wait until misfortune came to him to soothe it, +but sought it out. When this second providence was known to those whom +he aided, the Duke imposed secrecy on them as a reward for all he had +done. He was, so to say, an impersonation of French honor, and the +arbiter of all the differences which arose between the members of the +great aristocratic families of France. His word was law, and his +decisions sovereign.</p> + +<p>The Prince de Maulear had determined to marry his son to the daughter of +this noble old man, and had been forced by the Marquis's marriage to +abandon the plan. The Duke still remained the friend of the Prince, +though he had not unfrequently blamed his somewhat lax principles. +Whenever he discovered the Prince in any peccadillo, he used to say, +"Well, we must be lenient to youth." Now, the Prince de Maulear was a +young man of seventy. The beauty of Aminta, her extreme paleness alone, +would have sufficed to fix attention, and created a very revolution in +the saloons of the Embassy. The Duchess of Palma did not produce her +ordinary effect. The animation she experienced in the beginning of the +evening gradually left her, and the sadness under which she had +previously suffered, but which she had thrown off during the early hours +of the entertainment, began again to take possession of her features and +person. One man alone remarked the Duchess, for he had never lost sight +of her. Leaning against the door of the boudoir, his eye followed her +wherever she went, and appeared to sympathize with all the constraint +inflicted on her as mistress of the house. When, however, the Duchess +thought she had paid sufficient personal attention, and was satisfied +that the pleasures of the evening would be sustained without her, the +man who examined her with such care, saw her come towards the boudoir +where he was. He went in without being seen by her, and yielding to one +of those promptings which a man in his cooler moments would resist, went +behind a drapery which covered a door leading into a gallery of +pictures, and waited motionless. The Duchess of Palma entered the +boudoir, and assuring herself by a glance that she was alone, fell +rather than sat on a divan, and suffered two streams of tears to flow +from her eyes. "I was strangling," said she. "I would die a thousand +deaths. My cruel experiment has succeeded. <i>He loves her yet</i>—I am sure +of it. For her sake he came to this entertainment, to which he would not +have come for mine. He would have made an excuse of his old difficulties +with the Duke, of his political position. I would have believed him, and +have sacrificed my wish to see him to propriety and his honor. He never +ceases to look at her. He thinks of her alone. He is busied with her +alone, yet he has no look, no thought for me." The Duchess began to weep +again. Steps were heard in the gallery—the drapery at the door was +agitated. "Oh, my God!" said the Duchess, "if met with here, and in this +condition, what shall I do and say!" The steps approached. Hurrying then +to one of the outlets of the boudoir, she opened it hastily, and went +into the garden. The steps the Duchess had heard were those of two +persons, who, after having been the rounds of the room, were about to go +into the picture-gallery. The two persons were René d'Harcourt and Count +Monte-Leone.</p> + +<p>"Ah ha!" said the Count, "what the devil is Taddeo doing there against +the drapery, there like a jealous Spaniard at a corner of Seville, +listening to a serenade given by his rival?"</p> + +<p>"True! true!" replied d'Harcourt, "but I think the serenade has been +given, for his features express the most malevolent expression."</p> + +<p>The emotion of Taddeo was so violent when he heard the words of the +Duchess, that he had not strength to leave. He, however, restrained +himself, and listened to the raillery of his friends.</p> + +<p>"Like yourselves," said he, with a quivering voice, "I was in search of +fresh air, for it is fearfully warm."</p> + +<p>"Do not get sick here," said d'Harcourt, "for Doctor Matheus is not here +to cure you."</p> + +<p>"Silence," said Taddeo, changing his expression at once, "how imprudent +you are to pronounce his name."</p> + +<p>All three of them entered the boudoir.</p> + +<p>"True," said d'Harcourt, "my tongue is always quicker than my mind. I +will however try and make them keep time."</p> + +<p>"When will there be a consultation?" asked Taddeo, trying to be calm.</p> + +<p>"Eight days hence!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span></p> + +<p>"At what hour?"</p> + +<p>"Midnight!"</p> + +<p>"Are there many patients?"</p> + +<p>"More than ever," said the Count, "and the poor devils are anxious as +possible to be cured!"</p> + +<p>"Then," said d'Harcourt, "the practice of the Doctor increases."</p> + +<p>"Every day. He will soon be unable to turn around."</p> + +<p>"That does not make me uneasy," said d'Harcourt, "our Doctor is a +skilful man, a great philosopher, and fully acquainted with the new +medicine."</p> + +<p>"Yes, very new;—he treats the mind, rather than the body."</p> + +<p>"Ah, that is its very essence," replied the Vicompte, "and I know some +wonderful cures of his—so wonderful, indeed, that on the other day I +presented him to my father."</p> + +<p>"To the Duke?" said Monte-Leone,—"introduce Doctor Matheus to the Duke +d'Harcourt?" Then in a low voice he continued, "Why did you present him +to the Doctor?"</p> + +<p>"For a reason which was important and very dear to my heart. My young +sister was suffering; my father, who consulted in behalf of my brothers +the most eminent practitioners of Paris, lost all confidence in the +faculty when he lost his sons. He did not know whom to consult about his +daughter; I spoke to him of Matheus, and told him several wonderful +cures he had effected, and the Duke became very anxious to see him."</p> + +<p>"And did the stern Matheus consent to go to your father's house?"</p> + +<p>"He was anxious to do so, and as his house is not far from ours, I in a +few minutes was able to introduce him into the patient's room; and would +you believe it, a few of the simplest remedies possible exerted a great +effect. The agitation of my sister was calmed—her cough arrested—and +this evening you see her dancing and waltzing, pretty and gay as +possible."</p> + +<p>The conversation of the three friends was soon interrupted by the +entrance of two other of the personages of our story. The Prince de +Maulear entered with the <i>Marquise</i> on his arm, seeking in this retired +spot some repose from the fatigues of the ball, and a less heated air +than that of the ball-rooms. Aminta leaned heavily on the arm of the +Prince when she saw Monte-Leone thus unexpectedly. She had observed him +during the evening, and in the course of the winter they had more than +once met together. The Count, however, had never referred to their +parting at Sorrento. Far from seeking her out, Monte-Leone seemed to +avoid her. Satisfied with saluting her respectfully as often as they +met, the Count used always to leave her. This reserved and proper +conduct was sufficiently explained by the old rivalry of the Marquis de +Maulear and the Count. Recollection of this rivalry, without doubt, +caused in Aminta's mind the great emotion she always felt when in the +presence of Monte-Leone.</p> + +<p>"What," said the Prince, when he saw the Count, "are you here, my dear +colleague? This chance delights me. My daughter," said he to the young +Marquise, "let me introduce to you the Count Monte-Leone, a great +traveller, to whom I am indebted for the best chapter of my Italian +voyages; all action, I will read it to you one of these days! Ah! but +for the Count, I would never have perfected it."</p> + +<p>"Monsieur," said Monte-Leone, with a low bow, "I have the honor of the +<i>Marquise</i>'s acquaintance; and Signora Rovero, her mother, deigned +sometimes to receive me at her house before the marriage of the Marquis +de Maulear and Madame—"</p> + +<p>The Count as he spoke felt as if his heart would burst. The Prince, +however, did not perceive it.</p> + +<p>"You know my daughter," said the Count, "yes, you have not called on +her, you did not seek to see me, who am so glad to see you. This is bad, +Count—you will not, however, remain away any longer, and I will not +quit you until you promise me a speedy visit."</p> + +<p>"I do not know if I should," said the Count, with a hesitation which was +not natural to him—and looking timidly at Aminta.</p> + +<p>"We shall be happy to receive the Count; but you know, Monsieur, I +receive no one without the consent of the Marquis—"</p> + +<p>"But the Marquis," said the Prince, "will be delighted to receive so +charming a gentleman and erudite a traveller as Count Monte-Leone."</p> + +<p>"But I also know M. de Maulear," said the Count.</p> + +<p>"Indeed! then you know every one," said the old man. "Why then be so +ceremonious? People of our rank easily understand each other. Besides, +if the invitation of my son is all you need, here he comes to speak for +himself."</p> + +<p>D'Harcourt and Taddeo, especially the latter, who knew how devotedly +Monte-Leone had loved Aminta, participated in the embarrassment of the +scene. Aminta trembled. "Ah! you here at last, Monsieur," said the +Prince to his son, as he appeared at the door of the boudoir. "You are a +lucky fellow to have your father as your wife's <i>cavalier servente</i>, for +you have not been near her during the whole evening." The Marquis turned +pale, and said with agitation, "Excuse me, sir, but I met some old +friends who kept possession of me all the evening."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said the Prince, "<i>apropo</i> of old friends—or old acquaintances, +if you will, here is one of yours—the Count Monte-Leone, who wants only +for a word from your mouth to renew his acquaintance and visit me."</p> + +<p>Henri looked at Monte-Leone, whom he had not seen before.</p> + +<p>Without trouble, without agitation, or any apparent effort, he said, +"Count Monte-Leone will always be welcome whenever he pleases to visit +me."</p> + +<p>Aminta cast a glance full of surprise, grief,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> and reproach on the +Marquis, and a secret voice repeated in her very heart:—"He is no +longer jealous, and therefore does not love me."</p> + +<p>"Very well," said the Prince to his son, and turning to Monte-Leone, and +giving him his hand, he said, "We shall meet again, my dear colleague." +He continued, "We will talk of our travels, and especially of the +chapter of Ceprano."</p> + +<p>Then taking the arm of Aminta, who could scarcely support herself, he +returned to the ball-room.</p> + + +<h4>VI.—JOURNAL OF A HEART.</h4> + +<p>The entertainment continued, and the joyous sounds of the orchestra +reached the very extremity of the garden of the Hotel, where the Duchess +of Palma had taken refuge to conceal her tears from all observers. She +heard a faint noise beneath a neighboring hedge, and looking towards it, +saw Taddeo gazing at her with an expression of great grief.</p> + +<p>"Taddeo," said she.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said the young man, "Taddeo, who pities and suffers with you +because he knows all and suffers all that unappreciated love can inflict +on the heart—"</p> + +<p>This was said with an expression of deep pity.</p> + +<p>"Who has told you," said the Duchess proudly, "that I suffered as you +say?"</p> + +<p>"Your tears," said Taddeo, "and the memory of the past. Better still, +yourself. The words you uttered not long ago in the boudoir, and which +by chance I heard."</p> + +<p>"Signor," replied the Duchess with indignation, "do not attribute to +chance what you owe to ignoble curiosity. To watch a woman—to surprise +the secrets of her heart, is infamous, and betrays the hospitality +extended to you. It shows a want of respect for me, and absence of honor +in yourself."</p> + +<p>"Signora, my only excuse is my ardent passion, which has lasted in spite +of time and contempt. I have no motive for my fault but my sad interest +in your suffering, the cruel progress of which I have read on your +features since the commencement of the entertainment;—that is all——"</p> + +<p>"But, Signor, what have I said? What words have I uttered?" said the +Duchess, every feature being instinct with terror.</p> + +<p>"Nothing, alas! that my heart has not long been aware of. He that you +loved, you love still, and his coldness and insensibility for your +devotion, makes you lament his ingratitude and indifference."</p> + +<p>The Duchess seemed, as it were, relieved of an enormous burden which +oppressed her. She breathed more freely and murmured these words with a +burst of gratitude to God who had preserved her—"He knows nothing."</p> + +<p>"Taddeo," said she, giving him her hand, "I pardon you, for I am myself +guilty, very guilty in still preserving my old sentiments in the face of +my new obligations, voluntarily contracted. I have, I am certain, lost +the right to reproach you with a fault, which passion induced you to +commit, while I commit one far greater. For pity's sake forget what you +have heard, and to ask me to explain it would be an offence. Pity me in +your heart. Ah! pity me, for I am most unfortunate." Then drying her +eyes, she continued, "No more of this—be a friend to me as you promised +six months ago, when we came to Paris. On this condition alone you know +that I permitted you to see me. Now give me your arm, and let us return +to the ball-room, whence, probably, our absence has been remarked." They +walked in silence down the alley which led to the ball-room.</p> + +<p>Two hours after, all was calm and silent where every thing had been gay +and brilliant. The lights were out, and the darkness of night replaced +the thousand lamps which a few minutes before were seen to glitter +within the palace windows. But one person in all the Hotel of the Duke +of Palma was awake. A woman sat alone, in a room of rare elegance, still +wearing her ball attire, but with her hair dishevelled and her heart +crushed. Her eyes were fixed and dry, and yet red with the tears she had +shed. She was in all the brilliancy of youth and beauty, but which was +already defaced somewhat, by the iron claws of sorrow, which by +sleepless nights and the ravages of jealousy seemed resolved yet more to +lacerate her. With her head resting on her hands, beautiful and touching +as Canova's Magdalen, she looked with sorrow over the papers which lay +strewn on a rich ebony desk before her. A lamp, the upper portion of +which was shrouded in blue tulle, cast a pale and sad light over her +brow. Her fine white hand rested on the papers which she seemed afraid +to touch. "No," said she, "it is impossible; all that these contain are +but falsehoods. No, this journal of my heart, written by myself, day by +day, cannot be a romance created by the imagination in its delirium. No! +all I wrote there was true. I felt the joys and bitternesses, yet it now +seems to me a dream. A dream! can it be a dream?"</p> + +<p>Taking up the papers convulsively she read as follows:—"It is he. I +have seen him again and free. I thought that he, like myself, had +contracted a life-long obligation. Is this joy or grief? The ties he was +about to form, the ties the mere thought of which caused me a terrible +anguish, were imposed on me by myself. Oh my God! what have I done? What +perfidious demon inspired me when I yielded to another than to him the +<i>right</i> to love me? When I promised a love I knew could be given to no +other than to him? Why on the day of that fatal marriage did I see him +only when I was about to leave the church? I would have broken off had I +stood at the foot of the altar—I would have told him who was about to +give me his name—ask me not to perjure myself! do not ask me to pledge +you a faith I cannot keep! my heart, my soul, my love are his. I +thought, alas! because he was not free<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> that I too might cease to be. I +fancied my agony to be power, my spite to be courage. When, however, I +saw him pale and sombre, leaning against the door of the temple, I felt +the coldness of death take possession of me, and I doubted long after +that sad day, if I had seen a shadow, if some hallucinations of my +senses had not evoked a phantom of my vanished love, to inspire me with +eternal regret. Yet <span class="smcap">HE</span> it was! <span class="smcap">HE</span> it was! and when at the risk of my +very life I would have flown towards that man, I was forced to follow +another." The poor woman paused; for a mist obscured her sight, a +distillation of burning tears. She resumed her task:—"I am a Duchess +but of what value is that vain title which I sought, as an ægis against +memory, to me? Have I found it such? For a long time, I thought so. I +should, however, never have seen him again. I should have passed no +happy days near him, and have been ignorant of the delirium and +intoxication of his presence, which I never can forget. I had been the +wife of the Duke of Palma six months, when a mission of the King of +Naples forced him to leave me at a villa on the <i>Lago di Como</i>, while he +went in a foreign country to discharge the duties his monarch had +imposed on him. I scarcely dared to confess to myself, in spite of the +kindness of the Duke, how I was delighted during his absence, for it +gave me a liberty of mind and thought which was absolutely necessary to +my heart. Resolved to discharge all my duties, I lived, or rather +vegetated, in this existence, so unoccupied and objectless as all +marriages contracted without love must be. Amid, however, the dead calm +of a marriage contracted without love, there glittered sometimes a burst +of passion repressed, but alas! not stifled. Dark passions filled my +bosom, and I felt the poison of regret. I found myself often longing for +my independence, which, however, would not have contributed to my +happiness, but would at least have permitted me to indulge in my secret +sorrow. My temporary solitude, therefore, became precious to me, for I +was about to abandon myself to sadness without annoying any one, and +without exciting a curiosity which it was impossible for me to satisfy. +When one evening I had been wandering alone on the banks of the lake, I +was terrified by a terrible scene on the water. At a great distance a +man made every effort to approach the shore—for his boat was evidently +sinking beneath him. Some opening, beyond doubt, permitted the water to +penetrate, and his danger became every moment more imminent. I was too +far from the villa to send him any assistance, and as a secret +presentiment was joined to the horror and pity caused by the spectacle, +I felt the greatest anxiety about the stranger. The night was near, and +the sky became darker every moment. By the flashes of lights here and +there, I saw the bark almost sinking, and ere long, it was entirely +gone—and the tranquil waves of the lake, calm as they are wont to be, +rolled over it. My strength deserted me, and almost in a fainting +condition, I fell on the strand. I did not absolutely lose +consciousness; for far in the distance I heard the sound of sudden blows +on the water, for which at the time I could not account. The noise +approached, and grew every moment more distinct. I then heard the sound, +as it were, of a body falling on the sand, accompanied by a painful cry. +I heard no more. Soon I saw the light of the torches of my servants, who +being uneasy, had come to look for me. They found me, and also a half +inanimate body, dripping with water. It was doubtless the person whose +boat had foundered in the water, and I ordered him to be taken to the +villa and carefully attended to. It was late, and I returned. A few +hours had passed since the event, and I was sitting alone at the piano. +Fancy bore me back to my last appearance at San-Carlo, where a mad and +infatuated public had bade me so enthusiastic an adieu. While all that +crowd had eyes, for him alone I wished to be beautiful—for him alone to +be worthy of the admiration I excited. Dreaming this, my fingers run +over the keys, and joining my voice to the instrument, I sang almost +unconsciously that touching air in which I had been so much applauded. +My song was at first low and half-whispered, but gradually increased in +power. I thought I spoke to him, and that his eyes were fixed on mine. +At last I paused, pale with surprise, joy and terror. In the glass +before me I saw Count Monte-Leone."</p> + +<p>The memory of this event was so distinct and exciting, that the Duchess +paused and looked around for the apparition which had caused her such +keen emotion. Then, as if she delighted to place the knife in the wound, +she took up the manuscript, and continued:—</p> + +<p>"'Excuse me, Madame,' said the Count, 'for having thus introduced myself +into your house; but I am come to thank you for the cares I have +received in your name.'</p> + +<p>"'You—you here?' said I, yet doubting my eyes. 'Is it a dream or +vision? Speak, speak once more, that, I may be sure I do not dream.'</p> + +<p>"'Felina,' said he, in a tone full of melancholy, 'I know not why our +fate should thus constantly bring us together. But one might think, that +still faithful to your old oath, you continue the providence you used to +be to me. When a few months since, after the wreck of all my hopes of +happiness, after having been misconceived by those for whom I had done +so much, when sad and desperate, I cursed my egotistical and cold +career, you appeared to me in the Church of Ferentino and cast on me, in +the face of your marriage vows, one of those deep-loving looks which +cheer the heart and attach it to life. And when on the lake, exhausted +with fatigue and ready to yield under the struggle necessary to avert my +threatened fate, you again came to my relief. You see, then,' continued +he, smiling sadly, 'that in becoming the good angel of the Duke of +Palma, you do not cease to be mine.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Never had the Count spoken thus to me. He had always been cold, and +seemed most unwillingly to acknowledge the services I had rendered him. +I had never received an affectionate word from his mouth before. He saw +the trouble he gave me, and taking my hand, said, with a voice full of +sensibility, 'Are you happy?' At this question, it seemed as if my heart +would break, and I burst into tears.</p> + +<p>"'Felina,' said he, 'why do you weep? what is the meaning of this?'</p> + +<p>"'Do not question me,' said I. 'Let me keep the cause of those tears a +secret, for you can neither dry up nor understand them. Tell me though +about yourself, said I. Tell me of your marriage.'</p> + +<p>"Monte-Leone grew pale, and said, 'I am not married, I am free.'</p> + +<p>"I could not repress a feeling of joy.</p> + +<p>"'Ah!' said he, bitterly, 'Do you enjoy my misfortune?'</p> + +<p>"This word restored me to my <i>sang-froid</i>. I became more calm, and +questioned him. The Count told me all.</p> + +<p>"For many months, he had travelled and returned to Europe to arrange +some pecuniary matters previous to his return to France, where he +purposed to remain. Passing by <i>la Tremezzina</i>, he learned, indirectly, +that certain malevolent reports had been circulated in relation to him +by the brothers of the powerful association, of which he had been the +chief. A venta was to meet on the opposite shore of Lake Como. Taking a +rude costume—he had gone thither, for the purpose of protesting against +the perfidious insinuations of his enemies. Afraid, however, of being +watched by some agent of his enemies, he resolved to cross the lake +alone and at night. Thus he became so near being lost. The Count wished +to leave me that night, for he was aware of the absence of the Duke of +Palma, and was afraid of compromising me. I, however, retained him for +several days in the villa, for the purpose of throwing off the vigilance +of his enemies. Alas! how have I regretted those days, the only happy +ones of my life. How rapidly they passed away! The Count knew the +mystery I wished to hide from him. He read it in my soul, the only +thought of which he long had been. He knew why I had married, what tears +and sorrow I had known, and what anguish it had caused me. Touched by +this vast sacrifice, understanding the extent of my love, I saw the ice +of his heart gradually begin to melt. But as his heart warmed to mine, a +secret terror took possession of me. Tasting all the joy of seeing arise +in the heart of the Count, sentiments which, when I was free I could not +have heard without pride and satisfaction, I trembled at the idea of +being able to listen to them only with crime. Soon it was I who besought +the Count to fly—to leave me—to see me no more. Strange, however, is +the human heart; the passion of Monte-Leone seemed to feed on my +opposition. He forgot the past, he could not realize it to have existed.</p> + +<p>"Sitting by my side during the long days, beneath the flowery bowers of +the villa, the Count, as he said, saw through the darkness in which he +had been enveloped—his eyes recovered their vision, and at last I +appeared to him, for the first time, the most charming, the most +adorable of women. Never was there a more eloquent tenderness than +his—and to me who lived for him alone—whose image was ever before me, +who had loved him in spite of his coldness and indifference, almost his +contempt, to me he used this language of entreaty.... Yet he did so to a +woman who loved him. A month passed in this cruel contest of love and +duty. The contest was not equal, and passion triumphed. The Count had +left the villa, but was concealed in the vicinity, and I saw him every +day become more tender and affectionate. One must have suffered as I +have to understand the intoxication of my happiness. To be loved by him +had never seemed possible; and to possess this life-dream, to read in +his looks a passion I alone had experienced hitherto, was a veil, thin +indeed, but this prevented me from discerning how great was my fault. If +it did become known to me, I loved it; for in my delirium I thought that +I gave to this man a heart which belonged to him, and a person of which, +in defiance of his rights, another was possessed. The other though, whom +I doubly injured by this thought, had given me truly, loyally, and +nobly, his heart, his rank, his name. So completely, however, was I led +astray, that I censured the Duke for this very generosity. Sometimes, +however, my life of love had its sorrows. The Count would be sad, and in +his moments of melancholy, forgot my presence, and spoke slightingly on +the volatility of women and of their caprices. I used to look at him +with surprise, and seek to discover his secret thoughts. One day it was +revealed to me.</p> + +<p>"'When women are young,' said he, 'they suffer themselves to be led away +by brilliant exterior, and by that studied gallantry of which the French +make such a display.' A few words full of venom escaped him +involuntarily in relation to a rival that she whom he <i>had</i> loved +preferred to him. So shocked was I, that I asked him, if ill-humor at +his repulse alone had led him to my feet. Without knowing how he had +done so, the Count saw he had wounded me, and by increased care and +tenderness lulled a suspicion which ultimately was to rise in all its +power and agony.</p> + +<p>"One day, we were to separate. The Count was obliged to go to Naples, +where he was impatiently waited for. My despair at this intelligence was +terrible. How could I leave this sweet happiness which had grown around +me in two months! It seemed above my power and ability. Nothing seemed +to influence the Count. I knew him well, and was aware that he never +yielded. I soon ceased to contend, and he left me—not, however, without +the tenderest oaths of constancy. 'We will soon meet again,' he +remarked, 'and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> in Paris: in that vast city where mystery is so easy, +and where secret love finds an impenetrable shelter, we will reside—you +still as beautiful, I devoted as ever.'"</p> + +<p>This was the end of the manuscript.</p> + +<p>"Vain promises," said La Felina, crushing the papers in her hands. "I +wished to read these pages once more. I wrote them after he had gone, +and they are the history of my fleeting happiness. I wished to be +satisfied that I had been happy. I doubt it sometimes, for during the +three months the Count has been here, I see him every day resume more +and more his old coldness to me. Formerly, I could reproach myself with +nothing. I had betrayed no one; and he, in his disdain, had violated no +promise. Now, though, he has created eternal remorse and regret. He has +revived in my heart a flame which was nearly out—yet has nothing but +indifference and contempt for me. He forgets, though, how dangerous it +is to offend an Italian woman. He has forgotten what he read in my +letter to his friend: 'Had I been to the Count but an ordinary woman, +the charms of whom would have fixed him for a time, but whom he would +repudiate as he has his other conquests, <i>I would have killed him</i>.'"</p> + + +<h4>VII.—DOCTOR MATHEUS.</h4> + +<p>At the time we write of, there was in <i>la rue Babylonne</i>, near the +faubourg Saint-Germain, an old house, the owner of which was really to +be pitied. In consequence of a kind of fate which overhung this house, +no room had been occupied for many years, and the persons who went +thither in search of room, terrified at their sombre air, heard, +subsequently, such stories of what had happened within its walls, took +good care not to take up their abode there, even if they had given the +<i>denier-à-Dieu</i>, an important matter in Paris, and a kind of bargain +between the lodger and landlord, made in the presence of the porter, who +is the notary, witness, and depository of the contract. If, however, any +quiet family, led astray by the retirement of the house, established +themselves in it, the servants soon heard such stories from their +neighbors in No. 15, that they lived in perpetual terror—madame grew +pale, and as often as monsieur sang louder than usual, or came in +without noise, had nervous attacks. The unfortunate lodgers, menaced by +jaundice or some other bilious complaint, in consequence of the repeated +emotions to which they were subjected, were anxious always to go, even +under the penalty of indemnifying the landlord. The latter saw himself +again forced to submit to the reign of solitude in the old halls, which +were gilt and painted <i>à la Louis XV.</i>, and saw the mildew and dust +again rest on the windows and cells, as soon as the fires ceased to +burn; not even the presence of a trunk, belonging to a chance sojourner +in this desert isle, relieved the landlord from apprehensions of the +recurrence of his old calamity. The Crusoe of this desert island had +declared that he had rather pay the lodging three, six, or nine-fold, +than live in such proximity with the miserable ideas which the house +suggested. True, the Crusoe was an Englishman, predisposed to the +<i>spleen</i>, and the sadness of his abode would soon have led him to +augment by a new scene the dramas which had already happened in this +house. The landlord, afraid that he would do so, hurried to conclude +matters as soon as possible with the islander.</p> + +<p>The following was the reason of the bad repute of No. 13:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>A man had hung himself there for love. This was a horrid story, +but it was not the whole drama. Three years after, two very old +men, who were very rich, and said to be retired merchants, were +found stifled beneath their mattress, and the criminal was +never found out. The people of the quartier, however, knew all +about it, and said who was the murderer. They maintained it was +the old suicide, the shadow of whom was ill at ease, and had a +mortal aversion to any one who disagreed with him about a +suitable and pleasant residence.</p></div> + +<p>Yet for some time No. 13 had looked like all the other houses in the +vicinity. People went in and came out, just as if it had been the +domicile of no ghost. The knocker on the door was often heard, and when +the porter opened his door, a little flower-garden was seen, with +various horticultural treasures, expanding beneath the spring sun.</p> + +<p>At length a lodger was found, a very godsend to No. 13, whose lofty +reason was superior to all the fables told of the house, and, by his +presence defended it from the calumny which had been circulated about +it; not by words but deeds, for he lived there, and was neither hung nor +stifled, like the old merchants, who had several very evil disposed +nephews, and who, to say the least, assisted the man that was hung in +procuring the rich inheritance for them. This house had a large +ground-floor, and many handsome rooms on the first story. The second +story was very expensive, having previously been the <i>studio</i> of a +painter, but which had been appropriated by the new lodger to an object +which we will describe by and by. We will not attempt a description of +this new lodger, but will introduce to our readers one more competent to +do it. This person is Mlle. Celestine Crepineau, an old maid between +thirty-seven and forty-nine years of age. She was tall and thin, and had +all her life rejoiced at this, for she had a form three fingers in +diameter. True, a broomstick can be grasped between the thumb and index +finger, and yet is not very graceful. Let not any one think, though, in +spite of this infantine vanity, that Mlle. Crepineau was of those +virgins whom the Bible condemns <i>as foolish about their beauty</i>. She was +a prudent honest-minded girl, the heart of whom if it ever spoke, did so +in such low terms, that no one ever heard it. Mademoiselle Celestine's +virtue<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> was a proverb. Mothers in all that part of the town spoke of her +as a model of prudence, and fathers pointed her out to their sons as a +warning against the passions of youth. Without father or mother, from +her very childhood Mlle. Crepeneau had no protector but her god-father, +an old lawyer, who owned No. 13 of Babylonne-street. The worthy lawyer +had provided for the youth of Mlle. Celestine, and had long intrusted +her with the control of his kitchen: discovering, however, how little +talent his god-daughter had for the art of <i>Cussy</i> and +<i>Brillot-Savarin</i>, and wishing to provide an honorable and comfortable +home for her, he removed her from the charge of her personal to that of +his real property. We will see how fully Mlle. Celestine justified the +esteem of her god-father: with what martial courage she took possession +of this kingdom of shadows; and how, after sprinkling the whole house +with holy water and hung a bough of a blessed tree, she had declared +that this asylum, thus purified, henceforth would be unapproachable to +the man who had been hung.</p> + +<p>The fact is, for three years, neither the suicide nor any one else had +violated this sanctuary of virtue. But Mlle. Celestine was not only a +virtuous and sensible woman, but a woman of eloquence. Nothing could be +more attractive than the harangues she made use of to induce lodgers to +occupy her rooms. Honey flowed from her mouth, and many persons were led +away by the siren's song. But generally they soon became terrified and +fled from the terrors which besieged them. Mlle. Celestine Crepeneau +therefore could not praise her new lodger too highly. "What a charming +man," said she to her neighbors in 11 and 51, the porters of which +looked on her as an oracle. "Doctor Matheus is an angel, pure as those +of Paradise. God forgive me for saying so, for I think he is handsomer +than they, with his magnificent whiskers and moustache. I do not see why +angels do not wear them! I am sure they are very becoming. Besides, he +is so kind to other people. Only the other day he wished to set +<i>Tamburin's</i> leg, which some Jacobin had broken." In Mlle. Crepeneau's +mind, a Jacobin was capable of any thing. "And what a magnificent room +he has! how beautiful: all full of noble skeletons, Jacobins' heads, and +books enough to fill all the Place Louis XV. He has also a fine +practice, and patients of every kind coming on horseback, in carriages, +on foot, and in wooden shoes. He refuses no one, and cures every +body—even <i>Tamburin</i>. The poor animal is very fond of him, never +barking when he passes, but wagging his tail as if he knew his +physician. I alone attend to Doctor Matheus," continued Mlle. Crepeneau, +"and I flatter myself he is well waited on. He has a great deal of +trouble, too, especially on his consultation days. One would think then +all Paris met at his house. He is a brave man, and is not afraid of +ghosts! Yet he said the other day, 'I have killed so many people that +one more would run me mad.'"</p> + +<p>Yet while Mlle. Crepineau was thus prodigal of her praises, in front of +No. 13, her lodger, as she called him, was in the third story of the +house, and was shut up in his room engaged in the strangest manner. The +studio had preserved nothing of its original destination but its name. +Instead of pictures, plaster casts, statuettes, and manikins, the table +was covered with manuscripts, books, pamphlets, and loose papers; on +this battle-field, where science, art and politics seemed to contend +together, stood a noble Japan vase from which arose a noble bouquet of +white camelias—above this hung the portrait of a protestant preacher.</p> + +<p>Doctor Matheus, as Mlle. Celestine had said, was young and handsome. He +had luxuriant fair hair, hanging in clusters around his face and falling +on his shoulders, so as to give a seraphic air to his face, very well +calculated to touch the heart of pious Celestine. In his mild blue eyes, +however, there was an expression of will, decision and daring which +strangely contrasted with the rest of his face. The Doctor was tall and +elegantly formed, and wore at home the costume yet popular at Leipsig, +Gottingen and Heidelberg, a doublet of velvet and a kind of cap +surmounted by a plume. He had suppressed the plume. This is exactly the +costume of Karl de Moor in Schiller's robber; and in 1847 we saw the +pupils of those venerable universities strolling through the streets of +the German capitals in this very theatrical costume, precisely that of +Wilhelm Meister's actors when they met Mignon on the Ingolstadt road +just after their unfortunate representation of Hamlet. The Doctor, we +have said, was strangely engaged. He leaned over a vast chart of Europe, +extended before him like a body waiting for the knife of the anatomist. +His eyes were expanded, his brow flushed, and from time to time he stuck +black pins into this chart, and whenever he did so consulted the +manuscripts which he held in his hand. When he had inserted the last +pin, he arose, and with a cry of joy looked around like a conqueror; as +great men are wont to survey their fields of triumphs. "Europe is ours," +said he, "and the world is Europe's." The vaccine of <i>Carbonarism</i> has +taken, and courses from vein to vein, to the very noblest portion of the +social body. It has reached and taken possession of the heart. The old +man is dead and a new being is about to be born. Better still, Lazarus, +regenerated, is about to burst from the tomb.</p> + +<p>Afraid to yield to a false hope, trembling lest he should be deceived in +his calculations, the Doctor leaned again over his chart, and began to +compute the black pins which, like a mourning cloak, covered the map of +Europe. And indeed the terrible monster he had named was a pall thrown +over the happiness of the people of the world. The idealists and +ambitious men who sought to extend it were the murderers of all +prosperity. A Gothic clock which leaned against the wall struck eleven.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> +The features of the Doctor at once changed their expression, and +infinite grief replaced the enthusiasm which pervaded them. He hurried +to a low window of his cabinet, and pushing aside the curtain, looked +anxiously into a garden which was behind the house he dwelt in, and from +which he was separated only by the <i>parterre</i> of which we have spoken +before. This garden belonged to a magnificent hotel in the street of +Verennes. A large portal decked with flower vases led to rooms on the +ground-floor. This door was just then opened and a beautiful girl +hurried past, when the Doctor went to the window of his cabinet. The +young girl walked down an alley well lighted; she seemed to seek for the +generous heat of the sun, and turned toward it like a true Heliotrope. +She seemed to take no care of her complexion, for her head was scarcely +covered by a straw-hat which could not avert the heat. A thin dress of +embroidered muslin with short sleeves displayed her arms, and a blue +sash surrounded her thin and delicate form. She gathered a few flowers, +and cut away a few bad branches of the rose-trees with an elegant +English pruning-knife. Then after having passed two or three times up +and down the alley in front of the portal, she put her hand to her brow +as if to make a visor to shield her eyes from the burning rays of the +sun. Just in front of her was the window—the curtain of which Doctor +Matheus had drawn aside, and there he stood more beautiful and radiant +than ever. The young girl blushed slightly and looked hastily away, for +the sun probably appeared too bright just then. The Doctor seemed +fascinated by what he had seen, and we cannot say how long his ecstasy +continued. At last a well-known voice exclaimed on the other side of the +door, which was closed even to Mlle. Celestine Crepineau, "Doctor—you +are wanted in the parlor. A gentleman—a patient. He has given me his +card to bring you."</p> + +<p>"Very well," said the Doctor, "I am coming."</p> + +<p>"But, sir, if you will open the door I will give you his card."</p> + +<p>"Keep it," said the Doctor, "as I am coming down and do not need it."</p> + +<p>"Yet," said the inquisitive porteress.—"Monsieur may wish to know the +name in advance."</p> + +<p>"I do not," said the Doctor, "and hope Mlle. Crepineau that you will go +away."</p> + +<p>"My God!" said Mlle. Celestine, terrified at the Doctor's manner. "What +is the matter with my new lodger? Why will he not let me enter his +cabinet? Perhaps though he is cutting up some human body, and has +respect for my sex."</p> + +<p>The Doctor left his room, and locked the door carefully; putting the key +in his pocket, he went down. When he entered the room he was amazed to +see who was waiting for him.</p> + +<p>"The Duke d'Harcourt here!" said he, bowing respectfully to his visitor.</p> + +<p>The Duke said, "My visit should not surprise you, for I came, after all, +only to thank you for your services to my dear Marie."</p> + +<p>"Duke," said Doctor Matheus, "your benevolent reception, when I had the +honor to be presented to you, has converted a duty into a pleasure. The +natural interest," added he, with profound emotion, "with which your +daughter inspires all who see her, would make me most proud of her +cure."</p> + +<p>"Doctor," said the Duke, looking most earnestly at the physician, "you +inspire me with a confidence I have had in none of your brethren. Your +reply, therefore, to my question, I shall look on as a sentence. Do not +fear to be frank, Doctor, for I am prepared for every misfortune; +already crushed by my sufferings, my heart looks forward to no earthly +happiness. The lives of my two surviving children are the objects of my +own life, but uncertainty is too much for me. Reply therefore, I beg +you, sincerely to me whether the life of my child is in danger."</p> + +<p>"Duke," said Doctor Matheus, "the hand of God is more powerful than that +of science.—<span class="smcap">He</span> often strikes down the strong, and preserves the weak, +so that none here can tell when to expect his blows. I can, however, +assure you on my honor, that your daughter, delicate as she is, at this +time has not even a germ of the terrible malady which has ravaged your +hearth. This germ is always in the blood of members of the same family. +Art establishes this, though it can provide no remedy.—This secret +enemy, however," said the physician, with a kind of pride, "before which +all known remedies are powerless, I can perhaps oppose and conquer."</p> + +<p>"Tell me, Doctor, tell me!" said the Duke, clasping the Doctor's hands, +"save my child, grant her life, and my fortune is yours."</p> + +<p>"Duke," said Matheus, "if I had the honor of a better acquaintance with +you, I would not listen to such language as you have used.—Gold has +little value in my eyes, and reputation no more, for I do not place my +hopes for the future in my profession. Since, however, study has +revealed to me the art of assisting those who suffer, and of saving +those who are in danger, I would esteem it a crime not to do so; and I +promise this art shall be employed in the cure of Mlle. d'Harcourt.</p> + +<p>"And," said the Duke, "will this be a secret to me?"</p> + +<p>"No, Duke; I will use it in your presence. I will also own that I have +already made use of it, though but slightly, in the case of Mlle. +d'Harcourt; what I have done, satisfies me that I may hope to see her +completely restored."</p> + +<p>"It is true;" said the Duke. "The interview and the simple remedies you +prescribed, have sufficed to soothe the sufferings of my daughter. Ah! +Monsieur," added he, clasping the Doctor's hand kindly, "how can I +discharge my obligations towards you?"</p> + +<p>"By granting me a boon, invaluable to me, and which all Paris will envy, +and of which I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> know you are prodigal indeed, your esteem—the respect +of the Duke d'Harcourt—the most honorable and virtuous of men. You see, +Monsieur, I place a great value on my consultations; and few persons +have received so noble a recompense from you."</p> + +<p>"Doctor," said the Duke d'Harcourt, with a smile, "in that case you are +already paid; for I know all that you do in Paris, and especially in +this neighborhood. I know that want meets here with a better reception +than opulence, and that you look on all sufferers as having an equal +claim on your attention. You must be aware, that knowing this I have +already given you all you ask."</p> + +<p>"Well, then," said the Doctor, "let me continue to have your respect, +and we shall be equal."</p> + +<p>Just then Mlle. Celestine Crepineau knocked at the door.</p> + +<p>"Come in," said Doctor Matheus.</p> + +<p>"Sir, there are in the reception-room an English Milord, and two +miserable creatures waiting to see you."</p> + +<p>"Who are the latter?"</p> + +<p>"One is an Auvergnat, very badly dressed, with a bandage over his eye, +who has already been here once or twice."</p> + +<p>Doctor Matheus seemed annoyed, and turned away lest the Duke should +observe it.</p> + +<p>"The other is a peasant from the environs, who has a handkerchief over +his face as if he <i>enjoyed a fluxion</i>."</p> + +<p>"I will go," said the Duke, "for your visitors are impatient, and sorrow +should not wait. I will give place to Milord."</p> + +<p>"Mademoiselle," said the Doctor, "show in the poor wretches."</p> + +<p>"Very well," said the Duke, "the poor before the rich, I expected that." +Bowing kindly to the Doctor, the old nobleman left.</p> + +<p>As he passed through the reception room, he saw the Doctor's visitors, +each of whom looked towards him. The <i>Milord</i> rushed towards a window, +which luckily was closed. The other two were introduced to the Doctor's +room. No sooner were they there, than the one threw off his +handkerchief, and the Auvergnat his bandage. The Doctor gave them his +hand and exclaimed, "<span class="smcap">Monte-Leone</span>! Taddeo."</p> + +<p>"And here, too, am I," said the Milord, entering the room and throwing +aside his red wig and burning whiskers.</p> + +<p>"D'Harcourt, too"—said the Doctor, hurrying to meet the new comer—and +then closing the curtains, "Here we all are," said he.</p> + +<p>"Yes, dear Von Apsbury," said the Count, embracing him. "<i>The Pulcinelli +of the Etruscan villa are again united.</i>"</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Dr. Franklin's father had seventeen children. He was the fifteenth. He +says in his autobiography, that his father died at the age of +eighty-nine, and his mother at the age of eighty-five, and that neither +were ever known to have any sickness except that of which they died.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_H_8" id="Footnote_H_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_H_8"><span class="label">[H]</span></a> Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1850, by +Stringer & Townsend, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the +United States for the Southern District of New-York.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h4>From Fraser's Magazine.</h4> +<h2><a name="LIFE_AT_A_WATERING_PLACE" id="LIFE_AT_A_WATERING_PLACE"></a>LIFE AT A WATERING PLACE.</h2> + +<h3>THE DOG OF ALCIBIADES.</h3> + +<h4>BY C. ASTOR BRISTED.</h4> + + + +<p>We left Tom Edwards mysteriously swallowed up, like a stage ghost down a +trap-door. And do you know, reader, I am very near leaving him so for +good and all, and suspending these sketches indefinitely,—yea, even to +the time of the Mississippi dividends, or any other period beyond the +Greek Calends that your imagination can conjure up. For the wise +men—and the wise women, too—of Gotham are wroth with me, and one says +that I am writing on purpose to libel this man or puff that woman, and +another charges me with sketching my own life in <i>Fraser</i>, for +self-glorification, and a third holds up the last number of <i>Pendennis</i> +at me and says, "If you could write like <i>that</i>, there would be some +excuse for you, but you won't as long as you live." "Alas, no!" said I, +and was just going to burn my unfinished papers, and vow that I would +never again turn aside from my old craft of reviewing. But then came +reflection in the shape of a bottle of true Dutch courage—genuine +Knickerbocker Madeira—and said, "Why should you be responsible for +resemblances you never meant, if people will insist on finding them? +Consider how prone readers, and still more hearers who take their +reading at second-hand, are to suppose that the author, be he great or +small, must have represented himself in some one of his personages." +True enough, Mr. Bottle; for instance, any one of our fashionables will +tell you that "our <i>spirituel</i> and accomplished friend" (as Slingsby +calls him), M. Le Vicomte Vincent Le Roi, is the hero of his thrilling +romance, <i>Le Chevalier Bazalion</i>—why they should, or what possible +resemblance they can find between the real man in New-York, and the +ideal one in the novel, it passeth my poor understanding to discover. +Bazalion is a stalwart six-footer, who goes about knocking people's +brains out, scaling inaccessible precipices, defending castles +single-handed against a regiment or two, and, by way of relaxation after +this hard work, victimizing all the fair dames and blooming damsels that +come in his way—breaking the hearts of all the women when he has broken +the heads of all the men. Le Roi is a nice gentlemanly man, of the +ordinary size, who sings prettily and talks well, and makes himself +generally agreeable, and not at all dangerous in society—much the more +Christian and laudable occupation, it seems to me. If ever he does bore +you, it is with his long stories, not with a long pike as Bazalion used +to do. Be the absurdity, then, on the head of him who makes it; <i>Qui +vult decipi decipiatur</i>: if any one chooses to think that I am bodied +forth under the character of Harry Benson, and am, in consequence, a +handsome young man, who can do a little of every thing instead of——but +never mind what; your actor has not yet sufficient standing to come down +before<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> the footlights, and have his little bit of private chaff with +the audience. Only this will I say, so help me N. P. Willis, I mean to +go on with these sketches till they are finished, provided always that +<i>Fraser</i> will take them so long and that you continue to read them, or +fall into a sweet and soothing slumber over them, as the case may be. +For if we are all to shut up shop until we can write as well as Mr. +Titmarsh, there will be too extensive a bankruptcy of literary +establishments.</p> + +<p>Before Ashburner could form any conjecture to account for the +evanishment of Edwards—indeed before he could altogether realize it to +himself—the little man's head reappeared above the ground, though there +were no signs of his horse; and at the same time Benson began to ride +round the scene of the catastrophe, at an easy canter, laughing +immoderately. The Englishman shook up his brute into the best gallop he +could get out of him, and a few more strides brought him near enough to +see the true state of things. There was a marsh at no great distance, +which rendered the grass in the immediate vicinity moist and sloppy, and +just in this particular spot the action of the water had caved away a +hole precisely large enough to receive a horse and rider—it could +hardly have made a more accurate grave had they been measured for +it—and so marked by a slight elevation in front, that it was ten to one +any person riding over the ground at such a rate, and unacquainted with +the position of this trap, but must fall headlong into it, as Edwards +had done. There was some reason to suspect that our friend Harry, who +was an habitual rider, and knew all the environs of Oldport pretty well, +and was fonder of short cuts and going over grass than most American +horsemen are, had not been altogether ignorant of the existence of the +pitfall; it looked very much as if he had led Edwards, who was no +particular friend of his, purposely into it: but if such was the case, +he kept his own counsel. When the fallen man and mare had scrambled out +of the hole, which they did before Benson had offered to help them, or +Ashburner had time to be of any assistance, it appeared that she had +sprained her off foreankle, and he his nigh wrist. But they were close +to the main road; by good luck a boy was found to conduct the animal +home, and by a still greater piece of good luck the Robinsons' carriage +happened to be coming along just then, so the little man, who did not +take up much room, was popped into it, and as much pitied and mourned +over by the lady occupants as was <i>père Guilleri</i> in the French song. +And, to do him justice, even without this consolation, he had taken his +mishap very quietly from the first, as soon as he found himself not +injured in any vital, <i>i. e.</i> dancing part.</p> + +<p>Having finished their road at a more leisurely pace, our two horsemen +arrived at the glen after most of the company were assembled there. And +as the place was one of general resort, they noticed traces of other +parties, people of the Simpson class, hail-fellow-well-met men, who +didn't dance but took it out in drinking, and who in their intercourse +with the other sex, betrayed more vulgar familiarity and less refined +indecency than characterized the men and boys of White, Edwards, +Robinson, and Co.'s set. But of these it may be supposed that the set +took no heed. There was some really pretty scenery about the glen, but +they took no heed of that either—to be sure, most of them had seen it +at least once before. They had gone straight to the largest parlor of +the house, and led, as usual, by the indefatigable Edwards, had begun +their tricks with the chairs. Booted and spurred as he was, and with his +arm in a sling, the ever-ready youth had already arranged the German +cotillion, taking the head himself, and constituting Sumner his second +in command. Benson was left out of this dance for coming too late, one +of the ladies told him; but he did not find the punishment very severe, +as he rather preferred walking with Ashburner, and showing him the +adjacent woods. As they passed out through several specimens of the +Simpson species, who were smoking and lounging around the door, +Ashburner nearly ran over a very pretty young woman who was coming up +the steps. She was rather rustically, but not unbecomingly dressed, and +altogether so fresh and rosy that it was a treat to see her after the +fine town ladies, even the youngest of whom were beginning to look faded +and jaded from the dissipation of the season. But when she opened her +mouth in reply to Benson's affable salutation, it was like the girl in +the fairy tale dropping toads and adders, so nasal, harsh, and +inharmonious was the tone in which she spoke.</p> + +<p>"That's Mrs. Simpson," said Harry, as they went on, "the Bird's wife. +Pretty little woman: what a pity she has that vulgar accent! She belongs +to New England originally; one finds many such girls here, every way +charming until they begin to talk. But I suppose you saw no difference +between her and any of us. In your ears we all speak with a barbarous +accent—at least you feel bound to think so."</p> + +<p>"What do you think yourself? You have known a good many of my +countrymen, and heard them talk, and are able to make the comparison. Do +you, or do you not, find a difference?"</p> + +<p>"To say the truth, I do; it is a thing I never think seriously of +denying, for it seems to me neither singular nor to be ashamed of. You +can tell an Irishman from a Londoner by his accent; so you can a +Scotchman; or a Yorkshireman for that matter: why should you not be able +to tell an American? The error of your countrymen consists in +attributing to all our people the nasal twang, which is almost peculiar +to one section of the country. If I were asked the peculiar +characteristic of a New-Yorker's speech, I should say <i>monotone</i>.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> +Notice any one of our young men—you will find his conversational voice +pitched in the same key. Sumner goes on at the same uniform growl, +Edwards in an unvaried buzz. When I first landed in England, I was +struck with the much greater variety of tone one hears in ordinary +conversation. Your women, especially, seemed to me always just going to +sing. And I fancied the address of the men affected—just as, very +likely, this monotone of ours seems affected to you."</p> + +<p>"What I remark most is a hardness and dryness of voice, as if the +extremes of climate here had an injurious effect on the vocal organs."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they do; and yet I think you will find a better average of +singers, male and female, in our society than in yours, notwithstanding +our fashionables are so engrossed by dancing. Holla! here's Harrison. +How are you, old fellow? and how are the Texas Inconvertibles?"</p> + +<p>It was indeed the broker, wandering moodily alone. What had he in common +with the rest of the company—the fops and flirts, the dancing men and +dancing women? The males all snubbed and despised him, from tall White +down to little Robinson; the women were hardly conscious of his +existence. He knew, too, that he could thrash any man there in a fair +stand-up fight, or buy out any three of them, ay, or talk any of them +down in the society of sensible and learned people; and this very +consciousness of superiority only served to embitter his position the +more. There were other sets, doubtless, who would have welcomed him +gladly, but either they were not sufficiently to his taste to attract +him, or he was in no mood to receive consolation from their sympathy. So +he had wandered alone, untouched by the charming scenery about him—a +man whom nobody cared for; and when Benson addressed him genially, and +in an exuberance of spirits threw his arm over the other's neck as they +walked side by side, the broker's heart seemed to expand towards the man +who had shown him even this slight profession of kindness, his +intelligent eyes lighted up, and he began to talk out cheerfully and +unassumingly all that was in him.</p> + +<p>Harrison's own narrative of his personal prowess, as well as the +qualified panegyric pronounced upon him by Benson, had led Ashburner to +expect to find in him a manly person with some turn for athletic sports +and good living, but no particular intellectual endowments beyond such +as his business demanded. He was, therefore, not a little astonished at +(inasmuch as he was altogether unprepared for) the variety of knowledge +and the extent of mental cultivation which the broker displayed as their +conversation went on. They talked of the hills and valleys, and ravines +and water-courses around them, and Harrison compared this place with +others in a way that showed a ready observer of the beauties of nature. +They talked of Italy, and Harrison had at his fingers' ends the +principal palaces in every city, and the best pictures in every palace. +They talked of Greece, and Harrison quoted Plato. They talked of England +and France, and Harrison displayed a familiar acquaintance, not merely +with the statistics of the two countries, but also with the habits and +characteristics of their people. Finally, they talked on the puzzling +topic of American society—puzzling in its transition state and its +singular contrasts—and, whether the broker's views were correct or not, +they were any thing but commonplace or conventional.</p> + +<p>"Our fashionable society has been all a mistake hitherto," said Harry +(Ashburner could not well make out whether there was a spice of irony in +his observation); "Mrs. Benson and some others are going to reform it +indifferently. The women thus far have been lost sight of after +marriage, and have left the field to the young girls. Now they are +beginning to wake up to their rights and privileges."</p> + +<p>"They will not remedy any of the present evils in that way," answered +Harrison, apparently addressing himself to Ashburner, but he seemed to +be talking at Benson and through him at Benson's wife, or his own, or +both of them. "Our theory and practice was that a young girl should +enjoy herself in all freedom; that her age and condition were those of +pleasure and frolic—of dissipation, if you will—that after her +marriage she, comparatively speaking, retired from the world, not +through any conventional rule or imaginary standard of propriety, but of +her own free will, and in the natural course of things; because the +cares of maternity and her household gave her sufficient employment at +home. A woman who takes a proper interest in her family gives them the +first place in her thoughts, and is always ready to talk about them. Now +these domestic details are the greatest possible bore to a mere +fashionable casual drawing-room acquaintance. Hence you see that the +French, whose chief aim is to talk well in a drawing-room or an opera +box, utterly detest and unmercifully ridicule every thing connected with +domesticity or home life. On the other hand, if a married woman never +talks of these things or lets you think of them, she does not take a +proper interest in her family. No, the fault of youth is with the other +sex. There are too few men about, and too many boys. And the more +married belles there are the more will the boys be encouraged. For your +married belles like to have men about them younger than themselves—it +makes them appear younger, or at least they think so; and besides, such +youths are more easily managed and more subservient. But, still worse, +the more these boys usurp the place of men in society, the more boyish +and retrograde will the few men become who continue to divide the honors +of society with them. When Plato enumerated among the signs of a +republic in the last stage of decadence, that the youth imitate and +rival old men, and the old men let themselves down to a level with the +youth, he anticipated exactly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> the state of things that has come to pass +among us. Look at that little friend of yours with the beard—I don't +mean Edwards, but an older man about his size."</p> + +<p>"Dicky Bleecker, I suppose you mean," growled Benson: "he's as much your +friend—or your wife's—as he is mine."</p> + +<p>"Well, he is my contemporary, I may say; perhaps five years at most my +junior. What perceptible sign of mature age or manliness is there about +him? In what is he superior to or distinguishable from young Snelling, +who but this season rejoices in his first white tie and first horse, and +in the fruits of his first course of dancing lessons?"</p> + +<p>"Well, but consider," said Benson, who was always ready to take up any +side of an argument—it was one of the first criticisms Ashburner made +on American conversation, that the men seemed to talk for victory rather +than for truth—"it stands to reason, that an intelligent married woman +must be better able than a girl to converse with a mature man, and her +conversation must have more attraction for him. As to our boys coming +out too soon, doubtless they do, but that depends not on the persons +ready to receive them, but on the general social system of the country +which pushes them into the world so early. For instance, I was left my +own master at twenty-one. So, too, with the want of proper progress and +growth in knowledge of the men. It is and must be so with the man of +fashion every where, for he is not occupied in learning things that have +a tendency to develop or improve his mind, but the contrary. I myself +have seen Frenchmen of fifty as easily amused and as eager after trifles +as boys."</p> + +<p>"Frenchmen?" sneered the other; "yes, but they <i>are</i> boys all their +lives, except in innocence."</p> + +<p>"Very amusing and pleasant, at any rate; the best people for travelling +acquaintances that I know."</p> + +<p>"Exactly—very pleasant to know for a little while. I have met with a +great many Frenchmen who impressed me favorably, and I used to think as +you say, what amusing people they were, but I never had occasion to live +with one for any length of time without finding him a bore and a +nuisance. A Frenchman turns himself inside out, as it were, at once. He +shows off all that there is to show on first acquaintance. You see the +best of him immediately, and afterwards there is nothing left but +repetitions of the same things, and eternal dissertations on himself and +his own affairs. He is like a wide, shallow house, with a splendid front +externally, and scanty furniture inside."</p> + +<p>"Very true, and an Englishman (don't blush Ashburner) is like a suite of +college-rooms in one of his own university towns—a rusty exterior, a +dark, narrow passage along which you find your way with difficulty; and +when you do get in, jolly and comfortable apartments open suddenly upon +you; and as you come to examine them more carefully, you discover all +sorts of snug, little, out-of-the-way closets and recesses, full of old +books and old wine, and all things rich and curious. But the entrance is +uninviting to a casual acquaintance. Now, when you find an American of +the right stamp (here Benson's hands were accidentally employed in +adjusting his cravat), he hits the proper medium, and is accessible as a +Frenchman and as true as an Englishman."</p> + +<p>Ashburner was going to express a doubt as to the compatibility of the +two qualities, when Harrison struck in again.</p> + +<p>"On that account I never could see why Frenchmen should be dreaded as +dangerous in society. They fling out all their graces at once, exhaust +all their powers of fascination, and soon begin to be tiresome. How many +cases I have seen where a Frenchman fancied he was making glorious +headway in a lady's affections, and that she was just ready to fall into +his arms, when she was only ready to fall asleep in his face, and was +civil to him only from a great sacrifice of inclination to politeness!"</p> + +<p>"Very pleasant it must be to a lady," said Ashburner, "that a man should +be at the same time wearying her to death with his company, and +perilling her reputation out of doors by his language."</p> + +<p>"By Jove, it's dinner time!" exclaimed Benson, pulling out a microscopic +Geneva watch. "I thought the clock of my inner man said as much." And +back they hurried through the woods to the Glen House, but were as late +for the dinner as they had been for the dance. Harrison and Benson found +seats at the lower end of the table, where they established themselves +together and began, <i>à propos</i> of Edwards's misadventure, to talk horse, +either because they had exhausted all other subjects, or because they +did not think the company worthy a better one. Mrs. Benson beckoned +Ashburner up to a place by her, but, somehow, he found himself opposite +Mrs. Harrison's eyes, and though he could not remember any thing she +said ten minutes after, her conversation, or looks, or both, had the +effect of transferring to her all the interest he was beginning to feel +for her husband—of whom, by the way, she took no more notice than if he +had not belonged to her.</p> + +<p>"Poor Harrison!" said Benson, as he and Ashburner were walking their +horses leisurely homeward that evening (they both had too much sense to +ride fast after dinner), "he is twice thrown away! He might have been a +literary gentleman and a lover of art, living quietly on a respectable +fortune; but his father would make him go into business. He might be a +model family man, and at the same time a very entertaining member of +society; but his wife has snubbed and suppressed him for her own +exaltation. If, instead of treating him thus, she would only show him a +little gratitude as the source of all her luxury and magnificence, her +dresses and her jewelry,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> her carriage and horses (what a pair of +iron-grays she does drive!), and all her other splendors—if she would +only be proud of him as the great broker—not to speak of his varied +knowledge, of which she might also well be proud—if she would take some +little pains to interest herself in his pleasures and to bring him +forward in society—how easily she could correct and soften his little +uncouthnesses of person and dress, if she would take the trouble! Why +should she be ashamed of him? He is older than she—how much? ten years +perhaps, or twelve at most. He is not a beauty; but in a man, I should +say, mind, comes before good looks; and how infinitely superior he is in +mind and soul to any of the frivolous little beaux, native or foreign, +whom she delights to draw about her!"</p> + +<p>"I fear I shall never be able to regard Mr. Harrison with as much +respect as you do. It may be ignorance, but I never could see much +difference between a speculator in stocks and a gambler."</p> + +<p>"When a man is in his predicament domestically there are three things, +to one, two, or all of which he is pretty sure to take—drink, gambling, +and horses. Harrison is too purely intellectual a man to be led away by +the vulgar animal temptation of liquor, though he has a good cellar, and +sometimes consoles himself with a snug bachelor dinner. Stock-jobbing +is, as you say, only another sort of gambling, and this is his vice: at +the same time you will consider that it is his business, to which he was +brought up. Then, for absolute relaxation, he has his 'fast crab.' Put +him behind his 2' 45" stepper and he is happy for an hour or two, and +forgets his miseries—that is to say, his wife."</p> + +<p>"But you talk as if his marriage was the cause of his speculations, +whereas you told me the other day that his speculations were the +indirect cause of his marriage."</p> + +<p>"You are right: I believe the beginning of that bad habit must be set +down to his father's account; but the continuance of it is still +chargeable on his wife. I have heard him say myself that he would have +retired from business long ago but for Mrs. Harrison—that is to say, he +had to go on making money to supply her extravagance."</p> + +<p>One fine morning there was a great bustle and flurry; moving of trunks, +and paying of bills, and preparations for departure. The fashionables +were fairly starved out, and had gone off in a body. The brilliant +equipages of Ludlow and Löwenberg, the superfine millinery of the +Robinsons, the song and story of the Vicomte, the indefatigable +revolutions of Edwards, were all henceforth to be lost to the sojourners +at Oldport. Mr. Grabster heeded not this practical protest against the +error of his ways. He had no difficulty in filling the vacant rooms, for +a crowd of people from all parts of the Union constantly thronged +Oldport, attracted by its reputation for coolness and salubrity; and he +rather preferred people from the West and South, as they knew less about +civilized life, and were more easily imposed upon. To be sure, even they +would find out in time the deficiencies of his establishment, and report +them at home; but meanwhile he hoped to fill his pockets for two or +three seasons under cover of <i>The Sewer's</i> puffs, and then, when +business fell off, to impose on his landlord with some plausible story, +and obtain a lowering of his rent.</p> + +<p>Some few—a very few—of "our set" were left. Our friend Harry stayed, +because the air of the place agreed remarkably with the infant hope of +the Bensons; and a few of the beaux remained—among them Sumner, White, +and Sedley—either out of friendship for Benson, or retained by the +attractions of Mrs. Benson, or those of Mrs. Harrison; for the <i>lionne</i> +stayed of course, it being her line to do just whatever the exclusives +did not do. But though Benson remained, he was not disposed to suffer in +silence. All this while <i>The Sewer</i> had been filled with letters lauding +every thing about the Bath Hotel; and communications equally +disinterested, and couched in the same tone, had found their way into +some more respectable prints. Benson undertook the thankless task of +undeceiving the public. He sat down one evening and wrote off a spicy +epistle to <i>The Blunder and Bluster</i>, setting forth how things really +were at Oldport. Two days after, when the New-York mail arrived, great +was the wrath of Mr. Grabster. He called into council the old gentleman +with the melodious daughter, <i>The Sewer</i> reporters, and some other +boarders who were in his confidence; and made magnificent, but rather +vague promises, of what he would do for the man who should discover the +daring individual who had thus bearded him in his very den; +simultaneously he wrote to <i>The Blunder and Bluster</i>, demanding the name +of the offender. With most American editors such a demand (especially if +followed up with a good dinner or skilfully-applied tip to the reporter +or correspondent) would have been perfectly successful. But he of <i>The +Blunder and Bluster</i> was a much higher style of man. As Benson once said +of him, he had, in his capacity of the first political journalist in the +country, associated so much with gentlemen, that he had learned to be +something of a gentleman himself. Accordingly he replied to Mr. +Grabster, in a note more curt than courteous, that it was impossible to +comply with his request. So the indignant host was obliged to content +himself for the time with ordering <i>The Sewer</i> to abuse the incognito. +Before many days, however, he obtained the desired information through +another source, in this wise.</p> + +<p>Oldport had its newspaper, of course. Every American village of more +than ten houses has its newspaper. Mr. Cranberry Fuster, who presided +over the destinies of <i>The Oldport Daily Twaddler</i>, added to this +honorable and amiable occupation the equally honorable and amiable one +of village attorney. Though his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> paper was in every sense a small one, +he felt and talked as big as if it had been <i>The Times</i>, or <i>The +Moniteur</i>, or <i>The Blunder and Bluster</i>. He held the President of the +United States as something almost beneath his notice, and was in the +habit of lecturing the Czar of Russia, the Emperor of Austria, and other +foreign powers, in true Little Pedlington style. Emboldened by the +impunity which attended these assaults, he undertook to try his hand on +matters nearer home, and boldly essayed one season to write down the +polka and redowa as indecent and immoral. But here he found, as +Alexander, Napoleon, and other great men, had done before him, that +there is a limit to all human power. He might better have tried to write +off the roof of the Bath Hotel, which was rather a fragile piece of +work, and might have been carried away by much less wind than usually +served to distend the columns of <i>The Twaddler</i>. The doughty Tom Edwards +snapped his heels, so to speak, in the face of the mighty editor, and +the exclusives continued to polk more frantically than ever in the teeth +of his direst fulminations. One practical effect, however, these home +diatribes had, which his luminous sallies on foreign affairs altogether +failed to effect—they put money into his pocket. The next thing +Americans like to hearing themselves well praised, is to hear somebody, +even if it be themselves, well abused; and accordingly, on the mornings +when Mr. Fuster let out an anti-polka article, the usually small +circulation of his small sheet was multiplied by a very large +factor—almost every stranger bought a copy, the million to see the +abuse of the fashionables, the fashionables to see the abuse of +themselves.</p> + +<p>Benson, in the course of his almost annual visits to Oldport Springs, +had been frequently amused by the antics of this formidable gentleman, +and had laudably contributed to make them generally known. Once, when +Mr. Fuster had politely denominated the Austrian emperor "a scoundrel," +Harry moved <i>The Blunder and Bluster</i> to say, that it was very sorry for +that potentate, who would undoubtedly be overwhelmed with mortification +when he learned that <i>The Twaddler</i> entertained such an opinion of him. +Whereupon Fuster, who was of a literal dulness absolutely joke-proof, +struck off a flaming article on "the aristocratic sympathies" of <i>The +Blunder and Bluster</i>, which, like a British Whig and Federal journal as +it was, always came to the rescue of tyrants and despots, &c. &c. On +another occasion—the very morning of a State election—<i>The Twaddler</i> +had announced, with a great flourish, "that before its next sheet was +issued Mr. Brown would be invested with the highest honors that the +State could confer upon him." But even American editors are not always +infallible; Mr. Brown came out sadly in the minority, and the day after +<i>The Blunder and Bluster</i> had a little corner paragraph to this +effect:—</p> + +<p>"<i>We sincerely regret to see that our amusing little contemporary, <span class="smcap">The +Oldport Daily Twaddler</span>, has suspended publication</i>."</p> + +<p>At this Mr. Fuster flared up fearfully, and threatened to sue <i>The +Blunder and Bluster</i> for libel.</p> + +<p>Now this magniloquent editor, who professed to be a great moral reformer +at home, and to regulate the destinies of nations abroad, was in truth +the mere creature and toady of Mr. Grabster, the greater part of the +revenue of his small establishment being derived from printing the bills +and advertisements of the Bath Hotel. As in duty bound, therefore, he +set to work to abuse the anonymous assailant of that atrociously-kept +house, calling him a quantity of heterogeneous names, and more than +insinuating that he was a person who had never been in good society, and +did not know what good living was, <i>because</i> he found fault with the +living at the Bath Hotel. The leader wound up with a more than ever +exaggerated eulogy of Mr. Grabster and his "able and gentlemanly +assistants." Benson happened to get hold of this number of <i>The +Twaddler</i> one evening when he had nothing to do, and those dangerous +implements, pen, ink, and paper, were within his reach. Beginning to +note down the absurdities and <i>non sequiturs</i> in Mr. Fuster's article, +he found himself writing a very chaffy letter to <i>The Twaddler</i>. He had +an unfortunate talent for correspondence had Benson, like most of his +countrymen; so, giving the reins to his whim, he finished the epistle, +making it very spicy and satirical, with a garnish of similes and +classical quotations—altogether rather a neat piece of work, only it +might have been objected to as a waste of cleverness, and building a +large wheel to break a very small bug upon. Then he dropped it into the +post-office himself, never dreaming that Cranberry would publish it, but +merely anticipating the wrath of the little-great man on receiving such +a communication. It chanced, however, not long before, that Benson, in +the course of some legal proceedings, had been to sign papers, and "take +fifty cents' worth of affidavit," as he himself phrased it, before Mr. +Fuster in his legal capacity. The latter gentleman had thus the means of +identifying by comparison, the handwriting of the pseudonymous letter. +In a vast fit of indignation, not unmingled with satisfaction, he +brought out next day Harry's letter at full length, to the great peril +of the Latin quotations, and then followed it up with a rejoinder of his +own, in which he endeavored to take an attitude of sublime dignity, +backed up by classical quotations also, to show that he understood Latin +as well as Benson. But the attempt was as unsuccessful as it was +elaborate, for his anger broke through in every other sentence, making +the intended "smasher" an extraordinary compound of superfine writing +and vulgar abuse.</p> + +<p>When in the course of human events (he began) it becomes necessary for +men holding our lofty and responsible position to stoop to the +chastisement of pretentious ignorance and imbecility, we shall not be +found to shrink from the task. The writer of the above letter is Mr. +Henry Benson, a young man of property,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> and a Federal Whig. He +insinuates that we are very stupid. It's no such thing; we are not +stupid a bit, and we mean to show Mr. B. as much before we have done +with him. Mr. Benson is a pompous young aristocrat, and Mr. Grabster is +more of a gentleman than he is—and so are we too for that matter. He +says the Bath Hotel is a badly kept house. We say it isn't, and we know +a great deal better than he does. We have dined there very often, and +found the fare and attendance excellent: and so did the Honorable +Theophilus Q. Smith, of Arkansas, last summer, when he came to enjoy the +invigorating breezes of this healthful locality. That distinguished and +remarkable man expressed himself struck with the arrangements of the +Bath Hotel, which left him no cause, he said, to regret the comforts of +his western home. But this establishment cannot please the fastidious +Mr. Benson! <i>O tempora, O Moses!</i> as Cicero said to Catiline, <i>quousque +tandem</i>?</p> + +<p>And so on for three columns.</p> + +<p>Likewise, <i>The Sewer</i>, which had begun to blackguard <i>The Blunder and +Bluster's</i> correspondent while he remained under the shelter of his +pseudonym, now that his name was known, came out with double virulence, +and filled half a sheet with filthy abuse of Harry, including collateral +assaults on his brother, grandmother, and second cousins, and most of +the surviving members of his wife's family. But as Benson never read +<i>The Sewer</i>, this part of the attack was an utter waste of Billingsgate +so far as he was concerned. What did surprise and annoy him was to find +that <i>The Inexpressible</i>, which, though well-known to be a stupid, was +generally considered a decent paper, had taken the enemy's side, and +published some very impertinent paragraphs about him. Afterwards he +discovered that he had been the victim of a principle. <i>The +Inexpressible</i> and <i>Blunder and Bluster</i> had a little private quarrel of +their own, and the former felt bound to attack every thing in any way +connected with the latter.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless Benson was not very much distressed even at this +occurrence, for a reason which we shall now give at length, and which +will at the same time explain the propriety of the heading we have given +to this number. While every body was reading <i>The Sewer</i> and <i>The +Twaddler</i>, and the more benevolent were pitying Harry for having started +such a nest of editorial and other blackguards about his ears, and the +more curious were wondering whether he would leave the hotel and resign +the field of battle to the enemy, our friend really cared very little +about the matter, except so far as he could use it for a blind to divert +attention from another affair which he had on hand, and which it was of +the greatest importance to keep secret, lest it should draw down the +interference of the local authorities: in short, he had a defiance to +mortal combat impending over him, which dangerous probability he had +brought upon himself in this wise.</p> + +<p>Among the beaux who remained after the Hegira of the fashionables was a +Mr. Storey Hunter, who had arrived at Oldport only just before that +great event, for he professed to be a traveller and travelling man, and, +to keep up the character never came to a place when other people did, +but always popped up unexpectedly in the middle, or at the end, of a +season, as if he had just dropped from the moon, or arrived from the +antipodes. He had an affectation of being foreign—not English, or +French, or German, or like any particular European nation, but foreign +in a general sort of way, something not American; and always, on +whichever side of the Atlantic he was, hailed from some locality; at one +time describing himself in hotel books as from England, at another as +from Paris, at another from Baden—from anywhere, in short, except his +own native village in Connecticut. In accordance with this principle, +moreover, he carefully eschewed the indigenous habits of dress; and +while all the other men appeared at the balls in dress coats, and black +or white cravats, he usually displayed a flaming scarlet or blue tie, a +short frock coat, and yellow or brown trousers. A man six feet high, and +nearly as many round, is a tolerably conspicuous object in most places, +even without any marked peculiarities of dress; and when to this it is +added, that Mr. Hunter exhibited on his shirt-front and watch-chain +trinkets enough to stock a jeweller's shop, and that he was always +redolent of the most fashionable perfumes, it may be supposed that he +was not likely to escape notice at Oldport. His age no one knew exactly; +some of the old stagers gave him forty years and more, but he was in a +state of wonderful preservation, had a miraculous dye for his whiskers, +and a perpetually fresh color in his cheeks. Sedley used to say he +rouged, and that you might see the marks of it inside his collar; but +this may have been only an accident in shaving. He rather preferred +French to English in conversation; and with good reason, for when he +used the former language, you might suppose (with your eyes shut) that +you were talking to a very refined gentleman, whereas, so soon as he +opened his mouth in the vernacular, the provincial Yankee stood revealed +before you. As to his other qualities and merits, he appeared to have +plenty of money, and was an excellent and indefatigable dancer. +Ashburner, when he saw him spin round morning after morning, and night +after night, till he all but melted away himself, and threatened to +drown his partner, thought he must have the laudable motive of wishing +to reduce his bulk, which, however, continued undiminished. +Notwithstanding his travels and accomplishments, which, especially the +dancing, were sufficient to give him a passport to the best society, +there were some who regarded him with very unfavorable eyes, more +particularly Sumner and Benson. Supposing this to be merely another of +the frivolous feuds that existed in the place, and among "our set," +Ashburner was not over-anxious or curious to know the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> cause of it. Nor, +if he had been, did the parties seem disposed to afford him much +information. Benson had, indeed, observed one day, that <i>that</i> Storey +Hunter was the greatest blackguard in Oldport, except <i>The Sewer</i> +reporters; but as he had already said the same thing of half-a-dozen +men, his friend was not deterred thereby from making Hunter's +acquaintance—or rather, from accepting it; the difficulty at Oldport +being, <i>not</i> to make the acquaintance of any man in society. And he +found the fat dandy, to all appearance, an innocent and good-natured +person, rather childish for his years, and well illustrating Harrison's +assertion, that the men in fashionable life rather retrograded than +developed from twenty to forty; but in no apparent respect formidable, +save for a more than American tendency to gossip. He had some story to +the prejudice of every one, but seemed to tell all these stories just as +an <i>enfant terrible</i> might, without fully understanding them, or at all +heeding the possible consequences of repeating them.</p> + +<p>The glory of the balls had departed with Edwards and the Robinsons, but +the remaining fashionables kept up their amusement with much vigor; and +the absence of the others, though detracting much from the brilliancy of +the place, was in some respects the gain of a loss. White came out in +all his glory now that most of the young men were gone. With his +graceful figure, neat dress, and ever-ready smile and compliment, he +looked the very ideal of the well-drilled man of fashion. Sumner, though +he could not have talked less if he had been an English heavy +dragoon-officer, or an Hungarian refugee, understanding no language but +his own, was very useful for a quiet way he had of arranging every thing +beforehand without fuss or delay, and, moreover, had the peculiar merit +(difficult to explain, but which we have all observed in some person at +some period of our lives) of <i>being good company without talking</i>. +Benson, with less pretence and display than he had before exhibited, +showed an energy and indefatigableness almost equal to Le Roi's; +whatever he undertook, he "kept the pot a-boiling." In short, the people +of "our set," who were left, went on among themselves much better than +before, because the men's capabilities were not limited to dancing, and +the women had less temptation to be perpetually dressing. Besides, the +removal of most of the fashionables had encouraged the other portions of +the transient population to come more forward, and exhibit various +primitive specimens of dancing, and other traits worth observing. One +evening there was a "hop" at the Bellevue. Ashburner made a point of +always looking in at these assemblies for an hour or so, and +scrutinizing the company with the coolness and complacency which an +Englishman usually assumes in such places, as if all the people there +were made merely for his amusement. Benson, who had literally polked the +heel off one of his boots, and thereby temporarily disabled himself, was +lounging about with him, making observations on men, women, and things +generally.</p> + +<p>"You wouldn't think that was only a girl of seventeen," said Harry, as a +languishing brunette, with large, liquid black eyes, and a voluptuous +figure, glided by them in the waltz. "How soon these Southerners +develope into women! They beat the Italians even."</p> + +<p>"I wonder the young lady has time to grow, she dances so much. I have +watched her two or three evenings, and she has never rested a moment +except when the music stopped.—Something must suffer, it seems to me. +Does her mind develope uniformly with her person? She is a great centre +of attraction, I observe; is it only for her beauty and dancing?"</p> + +<p>"I suppose a beautiful young woman, with fifty or sixty thousand a year, +may consider mental accomplishments as superfluous. She knows, perhaps, +as much as a Russian woman of five-and-twenty. How much that is, you, +who have been on the Continent, know."</p> + +<p>"Ah, an heiress; acres of cotton-fields, thousands of negroes, and so +on."</p> + +<p>"Exactly. I put the income down at half of what popular report makes it; +these southern fortunes are so uncertain: the white part of the property +(that is to say, the cotton) varies with the seasons; and the black part +takes to itself legs, and runs off occasionally. But, at any rate, there +is quite enough to make her a great prize, and an object of admiration +and attention to all the little men—not to the old hands, like White +and Sumner; they are built up in their own conceit, and wouldn't marry +Sam Weller's 'female marchioness,' unless she made love to them first, +like one of Knowles's heroines. But the juveniles are crazy about her. +Robinson went off more ostentatiously love-sick than a man of his size I +ever saw; and Sedley is always chanting her praises—the only man, +woman, or child, he was ever known to speak well of. I don't think any +of them will catch her. Edwards might dance into her heart, perhaps, if +he were a little bigger; but as it is, she will, probably, make happy +and rich some one in her own part of the world. She says the young men +there suit her better, because they are 'more gentlemanly' than we +Northerners."</p> + +<p>"I have heard many strangers say the same thing," said Ashburner, +prudently refraining from expressing any opinion of his own for he knew +Benson's anti-southern feelings.</p> + +<p>"If education has any thing to do with being a gentleman, then, whether +you take <i>education</i> in the highest sense, as the best discipline and +expansion of the mind by classical and scientific study; or in the +utilitarian sense, as the acquisition of useful knowledge, and a +practical acquaintance with men and things; or in the fine lady sense, +as the mastery of airs, and graces, and drawing-room accomplishments; or +in the moralist's sense, as the curbing of our mischievous propensities, +and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> energizing of our good ones—in every case, we are more of +gentlemen than the Southerners. If the mere possession of wealth, and +progress in the grosser and more material arts of civilization, have any +thing to do with it, then, too, we are more of gentlemen. Their claims +rest on two grounds: first, they live on the unpaid labor of others, +while we all work, more or less, for ourselves, holding idleness as +disgraceful as they do labor; secondly, they are all the time fighting +duels."</p> + +<p>"Are there no duels ever fought in this part of the country?"</p> + +<p>"Scarcely any since Burr shot Hamilton. Alexander Hamilton was one of +our greatest men, and his death excited a feeling throughout the +Northern States which put down the practice almost entirely; and I +certainly think it a step forward in real civilization."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to say that it is with you as with us, where, if a man +becomes so involved in a quarrel that he is challenged, it is against +him and almost ruin to him whether he fights or does not fight? Or is +public opinion decidedly in favor of the man who does not fight, and +against the man who does? For instance, suppose you were challenged +yourself?"</p> + +<p>"A man can't say beforehand what he would do in an emergency of the +kind; but my impression is that I should not fight, and that the opinion +of society would bear me out."</p> + +<p>"But suppose a man insulted your wife or sister?"</p> + +<p>"It is next door to impossible that an American gentleman should do such +a thing; but if he did, I should consider that he had reduced himself to +the level of a snob, and should treat him as I would any snob in the +streets,—knock him down, if I was able; and if I wasn't, take the law +of him: and if a man had wronged me irreparably, I fancy I should do as +these uncivilized Southerners themselves do in such a case,—shoot him +down in the street, wherever I could catch him. What sense or justice is +there in a duel? It is as if a man stole your coat, and instead of +having him put into prison, you drew lots with him whether you or he +should go."</p> + +<p>"But suppose a man was spreading false reports about you; suppose he +said you were no gentleman, or that you had cheated somebody?"</p> + +<p>"Bah!" replied Benson, dexterously evading the most important part of +the question, "if I were to fight all the people that spread false +reports about me, I should have my hands full. There is a man in this +room that slandered me as grossly as he could four years ago, and was +very near breaking off my marriage. That fat man there, with all the +jewelry—Storey Hunter."</p> + +<p>"Indeed!" exclaimed the other, really surprised, for he had just seen +Mrs. Benson conversing with the ponderous exquisite, apparently on most +amicable terms.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and it was entirely gratuitous. I never gave the scamp any +provocation. By Jupiter!" Benson turned very white and then very red, +"if he isn't dancing with my wife! His impudence is too much, and——. I +believe one of our women would put up with any thing from a man here if +he can only dance well. They have no self-respect."</p> + +<p>Benson appeared to have very little himself at that moment, and not to +care much what he said or did. He trembled all over with rage, and his +friend expected to see an immediate outbreak; but, as if recollecting +himself, he suddenly stammered out something about the necessity of +changing his boots, and limped off accordingly for that purpose. He was +not gone more than five minutes, but in that time had contrived not only +to supply his pedal deficiency, but also to take a drink by way of +calming himself; and after the drink he took a turn with Miss Friskin, +and whirled her about the room, till he knocked over two or three +innocent bystanders, all of which tended very much to compose his +feelings. Ashburner had a presentiment that something would happen, and +stayed longer that night than his wont; indeed, till the end of the +ball, which, as there was now no German cotillion, lasted till only one +in the morning.</p> + +<p>But the universal panacea of the polka had its mollifying effect on +Benson, and every thing might have passed off quietly but for an unlucky +accident. Some of the young Southerners had ordered up sundry bottles of +champagne, and were drinking the same in a corner. Hunter, who was much +given to toadying Southerners (another reason for Benson's dislike of +him), mingled among them, and partook of the inspiring beverage. <i>In +vino veritas</i> is true as gospel, if you understand it rightly as meaning +that wine develops a man's real nature. Hunter, being by nature gossipy +and mendacious, waxed more and more so with every glass of Heidseck he +took down. Ashburner chancing to pass near the group, had his attention +arrested by hearing Benson's name. He stopped, and listened: Hunter was +going on with a prolix and somewhat confused story of some horse that +Benson had sold to somebody, in which transaction Sumner was somehow +mixed up, and the horse hadn't turned out well, and the purchaser wasn't +satisfied, and so on.</p> + +<p>"If Benson hear this!" thought Ashburner.</p> + +<p>And Benson did hear it very promptly, for Sedley was within ear-shot, +and, delighted at having a piece of mischief to communicate, he tracked +Harry out at the further extremity of the room, to inform him of the +liberties Storey Hunter was taking with his name. Whereupon the +slandered one, with all his wrath reawakened, traversed the apartment in +time to hear the emphatic peroration that, "bad as Sumner was, Benson +was a thousand times worse."</p> + +<p>"I can't stand this," exclaimed he. "Where is Frank Sumner?" Sumner was +not visible.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> "Ashburner, will you stand by me if there's a row?"</p> + +<p>By this time the ball was breaking up, and Benson, on going back to look +for his party, found that Mrs. B., like a true watering-place <i>belle</i>, +had gone off without waiting for him. This was exactly what he wanted. +Keeping his eye on Hunter, he followed him out to the head of the +staircase, where he had just been bidding good night to some ladies. No +one was in sight but Ashburner, who happened to be standing just outside +the door-way. The fat man nodded to Harry as if they had been the best +friends in the world.</p> + +<p>"Curse his impudence!" exclaimed Benson, now fairly boiling over. +"Holloa, you Hunter! did you know you were an infernal scoundrel? +Because you are."</p> + +<p>"What for?" quoth the individual in question, half sobered and half +disconcerted by this unceremonious address.</p> + +<p>"And a contemptible blackguard," continued Benson, following up his +verbal attack.</p> + +<p>"You're another," retorted Hunter.</p> + +<p>Ashburner wondered if the two men were going to stand slanging each +other all night.</p> + +<p>"I ought to have pulled your nose three years ago, and now take that!" +and Benson, who had been working at his glove ever since the parley +began, twitched it off and slapped Hunter in the face with it.</p> + +<p>When an Irishman sees two people fighting, or going to fight, his +natural impulse is to urge them on. A Scotchman or an American tries to +part them. A Frenchman runs after the armed force. An Englishman does +nothing but look quietly on, unless one side meets with foul play. Thus +it was with Ashburner in the present instance. He took Benson's request +"to stand by him in case of a row," <i>au pied de la lettre</i>. He stood by +him, and that was all.</p> + +<p>As soon as Hunter felt the glove in his face he struck out at Benson, +who stopped the blow very neatly, and seemed about to return it with a +left-hander; then suddenly changing his style of attack, he rushed +within the other's guard, and catching him by the throat with both +hands, did his best to strangle him. Hunter, unable to call for help or +to loosen the throttling grasp of his assailant, threw himself bodily +upon him. As he was about twice Benson's size and weight, the experiment +succeeded. Harry was thrown off his feet and precipitated against the +banisters, which being of slight material, gave way like so much paper, +and both men tumbled over into the landing-place below amid a great +scattering of splinters. Lighting on their feet, they began to pummel +each other without doing more damage than a couple of children, for they +were at such close quarters and so blinded by rage that they hit wild; +but Benson had caught his man by the throat again and was just getting +him into chancery, when White, Sedley, and some of the Southerners, +attracted by the noise, ran down stairs, calling on the "gentlemen" to +"behave as such," and words proving ineffectual, endeavoring to pull +them apart; which was no easy matter, for Benson hung on like grim +death, and when his hand was removed from Hunter's collar, caught him +again by the nose, nor would he give up till Mr. Simson, who was one of +the stoutest and most active men in the place, caught him up from behind +and fairly carried him off to the hall below. Then he seemed to come to +himself all at once, and recollected that he had invited the remains of +"our set" to supper that night. And accordingly, after taking a rapid +survey of himself in a glass, and finding that his face bore no mark of +the conflict, and that his dress was not more disordered than a man's +usually is when he has been polkaing all the evening, he went off to +meet his company, and a very merry time they had of it. Ashburner was +surprised to find that the spectators of the fray were able to ignore it +so completely. If they had been old men and old soldiers, they could not +have acted with more discretion, and it was impossible to suspect from +their conversation or manner that any thing unpleasant had occurred. +"These people do know how to hold their tongues sometimes," thought he.</p> + +<p>Next morning while strolling about before breakfast (he was the earliest +riser of the young men in the place, as he did not dance or gamble), he +heard firing in the pistol-gallery. He thought of his conversation with +Benson and the occurrences of last night, and then recollected that he +was out of practice himself, and that there would be no harm in trying a +few shots. So he strode over to the gallery, and there, to his +astonishment, found on one side of the door the keeper, on the other +Frank Sumner (who had given a most devoted proof of friendship by +getting up two hours earlier in the morning than he had ever been known +to do before); and between them Benson, blazing away at the figure, and +swearing at himself for not making better shots.</p> + +<p>"Take time by the forelock, you see," said he as he recognized +Ashburner. "<i>Nunquam non paratus</i>. The fellow will send me a challenge +this morning, I suppose, and I want to be ready for him."</p> + +<p>"But do you know," said the Englishman, "if after this you should kill +your man, we in our country would call it something very like murder?"</p> + +<p>"That may be," answered Harry, as he let fly again, this time ringing +the bell; "but we only call it practice."</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>John Adams, in his Diary, states, that out of eight prominent members of +the Boston bar in 1763, with whom he was one evening discussing the +encroachments of England upon the colonies, only one, Adams himself, +lived through the Revolution, as an advocate of American independence. +Five adhered to Great Britain: Gridley, Auchmuty, Fitch, Kent, and +Hutchinson. Thatcher died in 1765, and Otis became incapacitated in +1771.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span></p> + +<h4>From Colburn's New Monthly Magazine</h4> + +<h2><a name="THE_TWIN_SISTERS" id="THE_TWIN_SISTERS"></a>THE TWIN SISTERS.</h2> + +<h3>A TRUE STORY.</h3> + +<h4>BY W. WILKIE COLLINS, AUTHOR OF "ANTONINA."</h4> + +<p>Among those who attended the first of the King's <i>levées</i>, during the +London season of 18—, was an unmarried gentleman of large fortune, +named Streatfield. While his carriage was proceeding slowly down St. +James's Street, he naturally sought such amusement and occupation as he +could find in looking on the brilliant scene around him. The day was +unusually fine; crowds of spectators thronged the street and the +balconies of the houses on either side, all gazing at the different +equipages with as eager a curiosity and interest, as if fine vehicles +and fine people inside them were the rarest objects of contemplation in +the whole metropolis. Proceeding at a slower and slower pace, Mr. +Streatfield's carriage had just arrived at the middle of the street, +when a longer stoppage than usual occurred. He looked carelessly up at +the nearest balcony; and there among some eight or ten ladies, all +strangers to him, he saw one face that riveted his attention +immediately.</p> + +<p>He had never beheld any thing so beautiful, any thing which struck him +with such strange, mingled, and sudden sensations, as this face. He +gazed and gazed on it, hardly knowing where he was, or what he was +doing, until the line of vehicles began again to move on. Then—after +first ascertaining the number of the house—he flung himself back in the +carriage, and tried to examine his own feelings, to reason himself into +self-possession; but it was all in vain. He was seized with that amiable +form of social monomania, called "love at first sight."</p> + +<p>He entered the palace, greeted his friends, and performed all the +necessary Court ceremonies, feeling the whole time like a man in a +trance. He spoke mechanically, and moved mechanically—the lovely face +in the balcony occupied his thoughts, to the exclusion of every thing +else. On his return home, he had engagements for the afternoon and the +evening—he forgot and broke them all; and walked back to St. James's +Street as soon as he had changed his dress.</p> + +<p>The balcony was empty; the sight-seers, who had filled it but a few +hours before, had departed—but obstacles of all sorts now tended only +to stimulate Mr. Streatfield; he was determined to ascertain the +parentage of the young lady, determined to look on the lovely face +again—the thermometer of his heart had risen already to Fever Heat! +Without loss of time, the shopkeeper to whom the house belonged was +bribed to loquacity by a purchase. All that he could tell, in answer to +inquiries, was that he had let his lodgings to an elderly gentleman and +his wife, from the country, who had asked some friends into their +balcony to see the carriages go to the <i>levée</i>. Nothing daunted, Mr. +Streatfield questioned and questioned again. What was the old +gentleman's name?—Dimsdale.—Could he see Mr. Dimsdale's servant?—The +obsequious shopkeeper had no doubt that he could: Mr. Dimsdale's servant +should be sent for immediately.</p> + +<p>In a few minutes the servant, the all-important link in the chain of +Love's evidence, made his appearance. He was a pompous, portly man, who +listened with solemn attention, with a stern judicial calmness, to Mr. +Streatfield's rapid and somewhat confused inquiries, which were +accompanied by a minute description of the young lady, and by several +explanatory statements, all very fictitious, and all very plausible. +Stupid as the servant was, and suspicious as all stupid people are, he +had nevertheless sense enough to perceive that he was addressed by a +gentleman, and gratitude enough to feel considerably mollified by the +handsome <i>douceur</i> which was slipped into his hand. After much pondering +and doubting, he at last arrived at the conclusion that the fair object +of Mr. Streatfield's inquiries was a Miss Langley, who had joined the +party in the balcony that morning, with her sister; and who was the +daughter of Mr. Langley, of Langley Hall, in ——shire. The family were +now staying in London, at —— Street. More information than this, the +servant stated that he could not afford—he was certain that he had made +no mistake, for the Miss Langleys were the only very young ladies in the +house that morning—however, if Mr. Streatfield wished to speak to his +master, he was ready to carry any message with which he might be +charged.</p> + +<p>But Mr. Streatfield had already heard enough for his purpose, and +departed at once for his club, determined to discover some means of +being introduced in due form to Miss Langley, before he slept that +night—though he should travel round the whole circle of his +acquaintance—high and low, rich and poor—in making the attempt. +Arrived at the club, he began to inquire resolutely, in all directions, +for a friend who knew Mr. Langley, of Langley Hall. He disturbed +gastronomic gentlemen at their dinner; he interrupted agricultural +gentlemen who were moaning over the prospects of the harvest; he +startled literary gentlemen who were deep in the critical mysteries of +the last Review; he invaded billiard-room, dressing-room, smoking-room; +he was more like a frantic ministerial whipper-in, hunting up stray +members for a division, than an ordinary man; and the oftener he was +defeated in his object, the more determined he was to succeed. At last, +just as he had vainly inquired of every body that he knew, just as he +was standing in the hall of the clubhouse thinking where he should go +next, a friend entered, who at once relieved him of all his +difficulties—a precious, an estimable man, who was on intimate terms +with Mr. Langley, and had been lately staying at Langley Hall. To this +friend all the lover's cares and anxieties were at once confided; and a +fitter depositary for such secrets of the heart could hardly have been +found. He made no jokes—for he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> was not a bachelor; he abstained from +shaking his head and recommending prudence—for he was not a seasoned +husband, or an experienced widower; what he really did was to enter +heart and soul into his friend's projects—for he was precisely in that +position, the only position, in which the male sex generally take a +proper interest in match-making: he was a newly married man.</p> + +<p>Two days after, Mr. Streatfield was the happiest of mortals—he was +introduced to the lady of his love—to Miss Jane Langley. He really +enjoyed the priceless privilege of looking again on the face in the +balcony, and looking on it almost as often as he wished. It was perfect +Elysium. Mr. and Mrs. Langley saw little or no company—Miss Jane was +always accessible, never monopolized—the light of her beauty shone, day +after day, for her adorer alone; and his love blossomed in it, fast as +flowers in a hot-house. Passing quickly by all the minor details of the +wooing to arrive the sooner at the grand fact of the winning, let us +simply relate that Mr. Streatfield's object in seeking an introduction +to Mr. Langley was soon explained, and was indeed visible enough long +before the explanation. He was a handsome man, an accomplished man, and +a rich man. His two first qualifications conquered the daughter, and his +third the father. In six weeks Mr. Streatfield was the accepted suitor +of Miss Jane Langley.</p> + +<p>The wedding-day was fixed—it was arranged that the marriage should take +place at Langley Hall, whither the family proceeded, leaving the +unwilling lover in London, a prey to all the inexorable business +formalities of the occasion. For ten days did the ruthless +lawyers—those dead weights that burden the back of Hymen—keep their +victim imprisoned in the metropolis, occupied over settlements that +never seemed likely to be settled. But even the long march of the law +has its end like other mortal things: at the expiration of the ten days +all was completed, and Mr. Streatfield found himself at liberty to start +for Langley Hall.</p> + +<p>A large party was assembled at the house to grace the approaching +nuptials. There were to be <i>tableaux</i>, charades, boating-trips, +riding-excursions, amusements of all sorts—the whole to conclude (in +the play-bill phrase) with the grand climax of the wedding. Mr. +Streatfield arrived late; dinner was ready: he had barely time to dress, +and then bustle into the drawing-room, just as the guests were leaving +it, to offer his arm to Miss Jane—all greetings with friends and +introductions to strangers being postponed till the party met round the +dining-table.</p> + +<p>Grace had been said; the covers were taken off; the loud, cheerful hum +of conversation was just beginning, when Mr. Streatfield's eyes met the +eyes of a young lady who was seated opposite, at the table. The guests +near him, observing at the same moment, that he continued standing after +every one else had been placed, glanced at him inquiringly. To their +astonishment and alarm, they observed that his face had suddenly become +deadly pale—his rigid features looked struck by paralysis. Several of +his friends spoke to him; but for the first few moments he returned no +answer. Then, still fixing his eyes upon the young lady opposite, he +abruptly exclaimed, in a voice, the altered tones of which startled +every one who heard him:—"<i>That</i> is the face I saw in the +balcony!—<i>that</i> woman is the only woman I can ever marry!" The next +instant, without a word more of either explanation or apology, he +hurried from the room.</p> + +<p>One or two of the guests mechanically started up, as if to follow him; +the rest remained at the table, looking on each other in speechless +surprise. But before any one could either act or speak, almost at the +moment when the door closed on Mr. Streatfield, the attention of all was +painfully directed to Jane Langley. She had fainted. Her mother and +sisters removed her from the room immediately, aided by the servants. As +they disappeared, a dead silence again sank down over the company—they +all looked around with one accord to the master of the house.</p> + +<p>Mr. Langley's face and manner sufficiently revealed the suffering and +suspense that he was secretly enduring. But he was a man of the +world—neither by word nor action did he betray what was passing within +him. He resumed his place at the table, and begged his guests to do the +same. He affected to make light of what had happened; entreated every +one to forget it, or, if they remembered it at all, to remember it only +as a mere accident which would no doubt be satisfactorily explained. +Perhaps it was only a jest on Mr. Streatfield's part—rather too serious +a one, he must own. At any rate, whatever was the cause of the +interruption to the dinner which had just happened, it was not important +enough to require every body to fast around the table of the feast. He +asked it as a favor to himself, that no further notice might be taken of +what had occurred. While Mr. Langley was speaking thus, he hastily wrote +a few lines on a piece of paper, and gave it to one of the servants. The +note was directed to Mr. Streatfield; the lines contained only these +words:—"Two hours hence, I shall expect to see you alone in the +library."</p> + +<p>The dinner proceeded; the places occupied by the female members of the +Langley family, and by the young lady who had attracted Mr. +Streatfield's notice in so extraordinary a manner, being left vacant. +Every one present endeavored to follow Mr. Langley's advice, and go +through the business of the dinner, as if nothing had occurred; but the +attempt failed miserably. Long, blank pauses occurred in the +conversation; general topics were started, but never pursued; it was +more like an assembly of strangers, than a meeting of friends; people +neither ate nor drank, as they were accustomed to eat and drink; they +talked in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> altered voices, and sat with unusual stillness, even in the +same positions. Relatives, friends, and acquaintances, all alike +perceived that some great domestic catastrophe had happened; all +foreboded that some serious, if not fatal, explanation of Mr. +Streatfield's conduct would ensue: and it was vain and hopeless—a very +mockery of self-possession—to attempt to shake off the sinister and +chilling influences that recent events had left behind them, and resume +at will the thoughtlessness and hilarity of ordinary life.</p> + +<p>Still, however, Mr. Langley persisted in doing the honors of his table, +in proceeding doggedly through all the festive ceremonies of the hour, +until the ladies rose and retired. Then, after looking at his watch, he +beckoned to one of his sons to take his place; and quietly left the +room. He only stopped once, as he crossed the hall, to ask news of his +daughter from one of the servants. The reply was, that she had had a +hysterical fit; that the medical attendant of the family had been sent +for; and that since his arrival she had become more composed. When the +man had spoken, Mr. Langley made no remark, but proceeded at once to the +library. He locked the door behind him, as soon as he entered the room.</p> + +<p>Mr. Streatfield was already waiting there—he was seated at the table, +endeavoring to maintain an appearance of composure, by mechanically +turning over the leaves of the books before him. Mr. Langley drew a +chair near him; and in low, but very firm tones, began the conversation +thus:—</p> + +<p>"I have given you two hours, sir, to collect yourself, to consider your +position fully—I presume, therefore, that you are now prepared to favor +me with an explanation of your conduct at my table, to-day."</p> + +<p>"What explanation can I make?—what can I say, or think of this most +terrible of fatalities?" exclaimed Mr. Streatfield, speaking faintly and +confusedly; and still not looking up—"There has been an unexampled +error committed!—a fatal mistake, which I could never have anticipated, +and over which I had no control!"</p> + +<p>"Enough, sir, of the language of romance," interrupted Mr. Langley, +coldly; "I am neither of an age nor a disposition to appreciate it. I +come here to ask plain questions honestly, and I insist, as my right, on +receiving answers in the same spirit. <i>You</i>, Mr. Streatfield, sought an +introduction to <i>me</i>—you professed yourself attached to my daughter +Jane—your proposals were (I fear unhappily for <i>us</i>) accepted—your +wedding-day was fixed—and now, after all this, when you happen to +observe my daughter's twin-sister sitting opposite to you—"</p> + +<p>"Her twin-sister!" exclaimed Mr. Streatfield; and his trembling hand +crumpled the leaves of the book, which he still held while he spoke. +"Why is it, intimate as I have been with your family, that I now know +for the first time that Miss Jane Langley has a twin-sister?"</p> + +<p>"Do you descend, sir, to a subterfuge, when I ask you for an +explanation?" returned Mr. Langley, angrily. "You must have heard, over +and over again, that my children, Jane and Clara, were twins."</p> + +<p>"On my word and honor, I declare that—"</p> + +<p>"Spare me all appeals to your word or your honor, sir; I am beginning to +doubt both."</p> + +<p>"I will not make the unhappy situation in which we are all placed, still +worse, by answering your last words, as I might, at other times, feel +inclined to answer them," said Mr. Streatfield, assuming a calmer +demeanor than he had hitherto displayed. "I tell you the truth, when I +tell you that, before to-day, I never knew that any of your children +were twins. Your daughter Jane has frequently spoken to me of her absent +sister Clara, but never spoke to me of her as her twin-sister. Until +to-day, I have had no opportunity of discovering the truth; for until +to-day, I have never met Miss Clara Langley since I saw her in the +balcony of the house in St. James's street. The only one of your +children who was never present during my intercourse with your family in +London, was your daughter Clara—the daughter whom I now know, for the +first time, as the young lady who really arrested my attention on my way +to the <i>levée</i>—whose affections it was really my object to win in +seeking an introduction to you. To <i>me</i>, the resemblance between the +twin-sisters has been a fatal resemblance; the long absence of one, a +fatal absence."</p> + +<p>There was a momentary pause, as Mr. Streatfield sadly and calmly +pronounced the last words. Mr. Langley appeared to be absorbed in +thought. At length he proceeded, speaking to himself:—</p> + +<p>"It <i>is</i> strange! I remember that Clara left London on the day of the +<i>levée</i>, to set out on a visit to her aunt; and only returned here two +days since, to be present at her sister's marriage. Well, sir," he +continued, addressing Mr. Streatfield, "granting what you say, granting +that we all mentioned my absent daughter to you, as we are accustomed to +mention her among ourselves, simply as 'Clara,' you have still not +excused your conduct in my eyes. Remarkable as the resemblance is +between the sisters, more remarkable even, I am willing to admit, than +the resemblance usually is between twins, there is yet a difference, +which, slight, indescribable though it may be, is nevertheless +discernible to all their relations and to all their friends. How is it +that you, who represent yourself as so vividly impressed by your first +sight of my daughter Clara, did not discover the error when you were +introduced to her sister Jane, as the lady who had so much attracted +you."</p> + +<p>"You forget, sir," rejoined Mr. Streatfield, "that I have never beheld +the sisters together until to-day. Though both were in the balcony when +I first looked up at it, it was Miss Clara Langley alone who attracted +my attention. Had I only received the smallest hint that the absent +sister of Miss Jane Langley<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> was her <i>twin-sister</i>, I would have seen +her, at any sacrifice, before making my proposals. For it is my duty to +confess to you, Mr. Langley (with the candor which is your undoubted +due), that when I was first introduced to your daughter Jane, I felt an +unaccountable impression that she was the same as, and yet different +from, the lady whom I had seen in the balcony. Soon, however, this +impression wore off. Under the circumstances, could I regard it as any +thing but a mere caprice, a lover's wayward fancy? I dismissed it from +my mind; it ceased to affect me, until to-day, when I first discovered +that it was a warning which I had most unhappily disregarded; that a +terrible error had been committed, for which no one of us was to blame, +but which was fraught with misery, undeserved misery, to us all!"</p> + +<p>"These, Mr. Streatfield, are explanations which may satisfy <i>you</i>," said +Mr. Langley, in a milder tone, "but they cannot satisfy <i>me</i>; they will +not satisfy the world. You have repudiated, in the most public and most +abrupt manner, an engagement, in the fulfilment of which the honor and +the happiness of my family are concerned. You have given me reasons for +your conduct, it is true; but will those reasons restore to my daughter +the tranquillity which she has lost, perhaps for ever? Will they stop +the whisperings of calumny? Will they carry conviction to those +strangers to me, or enemies of mine, whose pleasure it may be to +disbelieve them? You have placed both yourself and me, sir, in a +position of embarrassment—nay, a position of danger and disgrace, from +which the strongest reasons and the best excuses cannot extricate us."</p> + +<p>"I entreat you to believe," replied Mr. Streatfield, "that I deplore +from my heart the error—the fault, if you will—of which I have been +unconsciously guilty. I implore your pardon, both for what I said and +did at your table to-day; but I cannot do more. I cannot and I dare not +pronounce the marriage vows to your daughter, with my lips, when I know +that neither my conscience nor my heart can ratify them. The commonest +justice, and the commonest respect towards a young lady who deserves +both, and more than both, from every one who approaches her, strengthen +me to persevere in the only course which it is consistent with honor and +integrity for me to take."</p> + +<p>"You appear to forget," said Mr. Langley, "that it is not merely your +own honor, but the honor of others, that is to be considered in the +course of conduct which you are now to pursue."</p> + +<p>"I have by no means forgotten what is due to <i>you</i>," continued Mr. +Streatfield, "or what responsibilities I have incurred from the nature +of my intercourse with your family. Do I put too much trust in your +forbearance, if I now assure you, candidly and unreservedly, that I +still place all my hopes of happiness in the prospect of becoming +connected by marriage with a daughter of yours? Miss Clara Langley—"</p> + +<p>Here the speaker paused. His position was becoming a delicate and a +dangerous one; but he made no effort to withdraw from it. Almost +bewildered by the pressing and perilous emergency of the moment, +harassed by such a tumult of conflicting emotions within him as he had +never known before, he risked the worst, with all the blindfold +desperation of love. The angry flush was rising on Mr. Langley's cheek; +it was evidently costing him a severe struggle to retain his assumed +self-possession; but he did not speak. After an interval, Mr. +Streatfield proceeded thus:—</p> + +<p>"However unfortunately I may express myself, I am sure you will do me +the justice to believe that I am now speaking from my heart on a subject +(to <i>me</i>) of the most vital importance. Place yourself in my situation, +consider all that has happened, consider that this may be, for aught I +know to the contrary, the last opportunity I may have of pleading my +cause; and then say whether it is possible for me to conceal from you +that I can only look to your forbearance and sympathy for permission to +retrieve my error, to—to—Mr. Langley! I cannot choose expressions at +such a moment as this. I can only tell you that the feeling with which I +regarded your daughter Clara, when I first saw her, still remains what +it was. I cannot analyze it; I cannot reconcile its apparent +inconsistencies and contradictions; I cannot explain how, while I may +seem to you and to every one to have varied and vacillated with insolent +caprice, I have really remained, in my own heart and to my own +conscience, true to my first sensations and my first convictions. I can +only implore you not to condemn me to a life of disappointment and +misery, by judging me with hasty irritation. Favor me, so far at least, +as to relate the conversation which has passed between us to your two +daughters. Let me hear how it affects each of them towards me. Let me +know what they are willing to think and ready to do under such +unparalleled circumstances as have now occurred. I will wait <i>your</i> +time, and <i>their</i> time; I will abide by <i>your</i> decision and <i>their</i> +decision, pronounced after the first poignant distress and irritation of +this day's events have passed over."</p> + +<p>Still Mr. Langley remained silent; the angry word was on his tongue; the +contemptuous rejection of what he regarded for the moment as a +proposition equally ill-timed and insolent, seemed bursting to his lips; +but once more he restrained himself. He rose from his seat, and walked +slowly backwards and forwards, deep in thought. Mr. Streatfield was too +much overcome by his own agitation to plead his cause further by another +word. There was a silence in the room now, which lasted for some time.</p> + +<p>We have said that Mr. Langley was a man of the world. He was strongly +attached to his children; but he had a little of the selfishness and +much of the reverence for wealth of a man of the world. As he now +endeavored<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> to determine mentally on his proper course of action—to +disentangle the whole case from all its mysterious intricacies—to view +it, extraordinary as it was, in its proper bearings, his thoughts began +gradually to assume what is called, "a practical turn." He reflected +that he had another daughter, besides the twin-sisters, to provide for; +and that he had two sons to settle in life. He was not rich enough to +portion three daughters; and he had not interest enough to start his +sons favorably in a career of eminence. Mr. Streatfield, on the +contrary, was a man of great wealth, and of great "connections" among +people in power. Was such a son-in-law to be rejected, even after all +that had happened, without at least consulting his wife and daughters +first? He thought not. Had not Mr. Streatfield, in truth, been the +victim of a remarkable fatality, of an incredible accident, and were no +allowances, under such circumstances, to be made for him? He began to +think there were. Reflecting thus, he determined at length to proceed +with moderation and caution at all hazards; and regained composure +enough to continue the conversation in a cold, but still in a polite +tone.</p> + +<p>"I will commit myself, sir, to no agreement or promise whatever," he +began, "nor will I consider this interview in any respect as a +conclusive one, either on your side or mine; but if I think, on +consideration, that it is desirable that our conversation should be +repeated to my wife and daughters, I will make them acquainted with it, +and will let you know the result. In the mean time, I think you will +agree with me, that it is most fit that the next communications between +us should take place by letter alone."</p> + +<p>Mr. Streatfield was not slow in taking the hint conveyed by Mr. +Langley'a last words. After what had occurred, and until something was +definitely settled, he felt that the suffering and suspense which he was +already enduring would be increased tenfold if he remained longer in the +same house with the twin sisters—the betrothed of one, the lover of the +other! Murmuring a few inaudible words of acquiescence in the +arrangement which had just been proposed to him, he left the room. The +same evening he quitted Langley Hall.</p> + +<p>The next morning the remainder of the guests departed, their curiosity +to know all the particulars of what had happened remaining ungratified. +They were simply informed that an extraordinary and unexpected obstacle +had arisen to delay the wedding; that no blame attached to any one in +the matter; and that as soon as every thing had been finally determined, +every thing would be explained. Until then, it was not considered +necessary to enter in any way into particulars. By the middle of the day +every visitor had left the house; and a strange and melancholy spectacle +it presented when they were all gone. Rooms were now empty and silent, +which the day before had been filled with animated groups, and had +echoed with merry laughter. In one apartment, the fittings for the +series of "Tableaux" which had been proposed, remained half completed: +the dresses that were to have been worn, lay scattered on the floor; the +carpenter who had come to proceed with his work, gathered up his tools +in ominous silence, and departed as quickly as he could. Here lay books +still open at the last page read; there was an album, with the drawing +of the day before unfinished, and the color-box unclosed by its side. On +the deserted billiard-table, the positions of the "cues" and balls +showed traces of an interrupted game. Flowers were scattered on the +rustic tables in the garden, half made into nosegays, and beginning to +wither already. The very dogs wandered in a moody, unsettled way about +the house, missing the friendly hands that had fondled and fed them for +so many days past, and whining impatiently in the deserted +drawing-rooms. The social desolation of the scene was miserably complete +in all its aspects.</p> + +<p>Immediately after the departure of his guests, Mr. Langley had a long +interview with his wife. He repeated to her the conversation which had +taken place between Mr. Streatfield and himself, and received from her +in return such an account of the conduct of his daughter, under the +trial that had befallen her, as filled him with equal astonishment and +admiration. It was a new revelation to him of the character of his own +child.</p> + +<p>"As soon as the violent symptoms had subsided," said Mrs. Langley, in +answer to her husband's first inquiries, "as soon as the hysterical fit +was subdued, Jane seemed suddenly to assume a new character, to become +another person. She begged that the Doctor might be released from his +attendance, and that she might be left alone with me and with her sister +Clara. When every one else had quitted the room, she continued to sit in +the easy-chair where we had at first placed her, covering her face with +her hands. She entreated us not to speak to her for a short time, and, +except that she shuddered occasionally, sat quite still and silent. When +she at last looked up, we were shocked to see the deadly paleness of her +face, and the strange alteration that had come over her expression; but +she spoke to us so coherently, so solemnly even, that we were amazed; we +knew not what to think or what to do; it hardly seemed to be <i>our</i> Jane +who was now speaking to us."</p> + +<p>"What did she say?" asked Mr. Langley, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"She said that the first feeling of her heart, at that moment, was +gratitude on her own account. She thanked God that the terrible +discovery had not been made too late, when her married life might have +been a life of estrangement and misery. Up to the moment when Mr. +Streatfield had uttered that one fatal exclamation, she had loved him, +she told us, fondly and fervently; <i>now</i>, no explanation, no repentance +(if either were tendered), no<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> earthly persuasion or command (in case +Mr. Streatfield should think himself bound, as a matter of atonement, to +hold to his rash engagement), could ever induce her to become his wife."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Streatfield will not test her resolution," said Mr. Langley, +bitterly; "he deliberately repeated his repudiation of his engagement in +this room; nay, more, he—"</p> + +<p>"I have something important to say to you from Jane on this point," +interrupted Mrs. Langley. "After she had spoken the first few words +which I have already repeated to you, she told us that she had been +thinking—thinking more calmly perhaps than we could imagine—on all +that had happened; on what Mr. Streatfield had said at the dinner-table; +on the momentary glance of recognition which she had seen pass between +him and her sister Clara, whose accidental absence, during the whole +period of Mr. Streatfield's intercourse with us in London, she now +remembered and reminded me of. The cause of the fatal error, and the +manner in which it had occurred, seemed to be already known to her, as +if by intuition. We entreated her to refrain from speaking on the +subject for the present; but she answered that it was her duty to speak +on it—her duty to propose something which should alleviate the suspense +and distress we were all enduring on her account. No words can describe +to you her fortitude, her noble endurance—." Mrs. Langley's voice +faltered as she pronounced the last words. It was some minutes ere she +became sufficiently composed to proceed thus:</p> + +<p>"I am charged with a message to you from Jane—I should say, charged +with her entreaties, that you will not suspend our intercourse with Mr. +Streatfield, or view his conduct in any other than a merciful light—as +conduct for which accident and circumstances are alone to blame. After +she had given me this message to you, she turned to Clara, who sat +weeping by her side, completely overcome; and said that <i>they</i> were to +blame, if any one was to be blamed in the matter, for being so much +alike as to make all who saw them apart doubt which was Clara and which +was Jane. She said this with a faint smile, and an effort to speak +playfully, which touched us to the heart. Then, in a tone and manner +which I can never forget, she asked her sister—charging her, on their +mutual affection and mutual confidence, to answer sincerely—if <i>she</i> +had noticed Mr. Streatfield on the day of the <i>levée</i>, and had +afterwards remembered him at the dinner-table, as <i>he</i> had noticed and +remembered <i>her</i>? It was only after Jane had repeated this appeal, still +more earnestly and affectionately, that Clara summoned courage and +composure enough to confess that she <i>had</i> noticed Mr. Streatfield on +the day of the <i>levée</i>, had thought of him afterwards during his absence +from London, and had recognized him at our table, as he had recognized +her.</p> + +<p>"Is it possible! I own I had not anticipated—not thought for one moment +of that," said Mr. Langley.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps," continued his wife, "it is best that you should see Jane now, +and judge for yourself. For <i>my</i> part, her noble resignation under this +great trial, has so astonished and impressed me, that I only feel +competent to advise, as she advises, to act as she thinks fit. I begin +to think that it is not <i>we</i> who are to guide <i>her</i>, but <i>she</i> who is to +guide <i>us</i>."</p> + +<p>Mr. Langley lingered irresolute for a few minutes; then quitted the +room, and proceeded along to Jane Langley's apartment.</p> + +<p>When he knocked at the door, it was opened by Clara. There was an +expression partly of confusion, partly of sorrow on her face; and when +her father stopped as if to speak to her, she merely pointed into the +room, and hurried away without uttering a word.</p> + +<p>Mr. Langley had been prepared by his wife for the change that had taken +place in his daughter since the day before; but he felt startled, almost +overwhelmed, as he now looked on her. One of the poor girl's most +prominent personal attractions, from her earliest years, had been the +beauty of her complexion; and now, the freshness and the bloom had +entirely departed from her face; it seemed absolutely colorless. Her +expression, too, appeared to Mr. Langley's eye, to have undergone a +melancholy alteration; to have lost its youthfulness suddenly; to have +assumed a strange character of firmness and thoughtfulness, which he had +never observed in it before. She was sitting by an open window, +commanding a lovely view of wide, sunny landscape; a Bible which her +mother had given her, lay open on her knees; she was reading in it as +her father entered. For the first time in his life, he paused, +speechless, as he approached to speak to one of his own children.</p> + +<p>"I am afraid I look very ill," she said, holding out her hand to him; +"but I am better than I look; I shall be quite well in a day or two. +Have you heard my message, father? have you been told?"—</p> + +<p>"My love, we will not speak of it yet; we will wait a few days," said +Mr. Langley.</p> + +<p>"You have always been so kind to me," she continued, in less steady +tones, "that I am sure you will let me go on. I have very little to say, +but that little must be said now, and then we need never recur to it +again. Will you consider all that has happened, as something forgotten? +You have heard already what it is that I entreat you to do; will you let +<i>him</i>—Mr. Streatfield—" (She stopped, her voice failed for a moment, +but she recovered herself again almost immediately.) "Will you let Mr. +Streatfield remain here, or recall him if he is gone, and give him an +opportunity of explaining himself to my sister? If poor Clara should +refuse to see him for my sake, pray do not listen to her. I am sure this +is what ought to be done; I have been thinking of it very calmly, and I +feel that it is right. And there is something more I have to beg of you, +father; it is, that, while Mr. Streatfield is here, you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> will allow me +to go and stay with my aunt.—You know how fond she is of me. Her house +is not a day's journey from home. It is best for every body (much the +best for <i>me</i>) that I should not remain here at present; and—and—dear +father! I have always been your spoiled child; and I know you will +indulge me still. If you will do what I ask you, I shall soon get over +this heavy trial. I shall be well again if I am away at my aunt's—if—"</p> + +<p>She paused; and putting one trembling arm round her father's neck, hid +her face on his breast. For some minutes, Mr. Langley could not trust +himself to answer her. There was something, not deeply touching only, +but impressive and sublime, about the moral heroism of this young girl, +whose heart and mind—hitherto wholly inexperienced in the harder and +darker emergencies of life—now rose in the strength of their native +purity superior to the bitterest, cruellest trial that either could +undergo; whose patience and resignation, called forth for the first time +by a calamity which suddenly thwarted the purposes and paralyzed the +affections that had been destined to endure for a life, could thus +appear at once in the fullest maturity of virtue and beauty. As the +father thought on these things; as he vaguely and imperfectly estimated +the extent of the daughter's sacrifice; as he reflected on the nature of +the affliction that had befallen her—which combined in itself a +fatality that none could have foreseen, a fault that could neither be +repaired nor resented, a judgment against which there was no appeal—and +then remembered how this affliction had been borne, with what words and +what actions it had been met, he felt that it would be almost a +profanation to judge the touching petition just addressed to him, by the +criterion of <i>his</i> worldly doubts and <i>his</i> worldly wisdom. His eye fell +on the Bible, still open beneath it; he remembered the little child who +was set in the midst of the disciples, as teacher and example to all; +and when at length he spoke in answer to his daughter, it was not to +direct or to advise, but to comfort and comply.</p> + +<p>They delayed her removal for a few days, to see if she faltered in her +resolution, if her bodily weakness increased; but she never wavered; +nothing in her appearance changed, either for better or for worse. A +week after the startling scene at the dinner-table, she was living in +the strictest retirement in the house of her aunt.</p> + +<p>About the period of her departure, a letter was received from Mr. +Streatfield. It was little more than a recapitulation of what he had +already said to Mr. Langley—expressed, however, on this occasion, in +stronger and, at the same time, in more respectful terms. The letter was +answered briefly: he was informed that nothing had, as yet, been +determined on, but that the next communication would bring him a final +reply.</p> + +<p>Two months passed. During that time, Jane Langley was frequently visited +at her aunt's house, by her father and mother. She still remained calm +and resolved; still looked pale and thoughtful, as at first. Doctors +were consulted: they talked of a shock to the nervous system; of great +hope from time, and their patient's strength of mind; and of the +necessity of acceding to her wishes in all things. Then, the advice of +the aunt was sought. She was a woman of an eccentric, masculine +character, who had herself experienced a love-disappointment in early +life, and had never married. She gave her opinion unreservedly and +abruptly, as she always gave it. "Do as Jane tells you!" said the old +lady, severely; "that poor child has more moral courage and +determination than all the rest of you put together! I know better than +any body what a sacrifice she has had to make; but she has made it, and +made it nobly—like a heroine, as some people would say; like a good, +high-minded, courageous girl, as <i>I</i> say! Do as she tells you! Let that +poor, selfish fool of a man have his way, and marry her sister—he has +made one mistake already about a face—see if he doesn't find out, some +day, that he has made another, about a wife! Let him!—Jane is too good +for <i>him</i>, or for any man! Leave her to me; let her stop here; she +shan't lose by what happened! You know this place is mine—I mean it is +to be hers, when I'm dead. You know I've got some money—I shall leave +it to her. I've made my will: it's all done and settled! Go back home; +send for the man, and tell Clara to marry him without any more fuss! You +wanted my opinion—There it is for you!"</p> + +<p>At last Mr. Langley decided. The important letter was written, which +recalled Mr. Streatfield to Langley Hall. As Jane had foreseen, Clara at +first refused to hold any communication with him; but a letter from her +sister, and the remonstrances of her father, soon changed her +resolution. There was nothing in common between the twin-sisters but +their personal resemblance. Clara had been guided all her life by the +opinions of others, and she was guided by them now.</p> + +<p>Once permitted the opportunity of pleading his cause, Mr. Streatfield +did not neglect his own interests. It would be little to our purpose to +describe the doubts and difficulties which delayed at first the progress +of his second courtship—pursued as it was under circumstances, not only +extraordinary, but unprecedented. It is no longer with him, or with +Clara Langley, that the interest of our story is connected. Suffice it +to say, that he ultimately overcame all the young lady's scruples; and +that, a few months afterwards, some of Mr. Langley's intimate friends +found themselves again assembled round his table as wedding-guests, and +congratulating Mr. Streatfield on his approaching union with Clara, as +they had already congratulated him, scarcely a year back, on his +approaching union with Jane!</p> + +<p>The social ceremonies of the wedding-day were performed soberly—almost +sadly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> Some of the guests (especially the unmarried ladies) thought +that Miss Clara had allowed herself to be won too easily—others were +picturing to themselves the situation of the poor girl who was absent; +and contributed little toward the gayety of the party. On this occasion, +however, nothing occurred to interrupt the proceedings; the marriage +took place; and, immediately after it, Mr. Streatfield and his bride +started for a tour on the Continent.</p> + +<p>On their departure, Jane Langley returned home. She made no reference +whatever to her sister's marriage; and no one mentioned it in her +presence. Still the color did not return to her cheek, or the old gayety +to her manner. The shock that she had suffered had left its traces on +her for life. But there was no evidence that she was sinking under the +remembrances which neither time nor resolution could banish. The strong, +pure heart had undergone a change, but not a deterioration. All that had +been brilliant in her character was gone; but all that was noble in it +remained. Never had her intercourse with her family and her friends been +so affectionate and so kindly as it was now.</p> + +<p>When, after a long absence, Mr. Streatfield and his wife returned to +England, it was observed, at her first meeting with them, that the +momentary confusion and embarrassment were on <i>their</i> side, not on +<i>hers</i>. During their stay at Langley Hall, she showed not the slightest +disposition to avoid them. No member of the family welcomed them more +cordially, entered into all their plans and projects more readily, or +bade them farewell with a kinder or better grace, when they departed for +their own home.</p> + +<p>Our tale is nearly ended: what remains of it, must comprise the history +of many years in a few words.</p> + +<p>Time passed on; and Death and Change told of its lapse among the family +at Langley Hall. Five years after the events above related, Mr. Langley +died; and was followed to the grave, shortly afterwards, by his wife. Of +their two sons, the eldest was rising into good practice at the bar; the +youngest had become <i>attaché</i> to a foreign embassy. Their third daughter +was married, and living at the family seat of her husband, in Scotland. +Mr. and Mrs. Streatfield had children of their own, now, to occupy their +time and absorb their care. The career of life was over for some—the +purposes of life had altered for others—Jane Langley alone, still +remained unchanged.</p> + +<p>She now lived entirely with her aunt. At intervals—as their worldly +duties and avocations permitted them—the other members of her family, +or one or two intimate friends, came to the house. Offers of marriage +were made to her, but were all declined. The first, last love of her +girlish days—abandoned as a hope, and crushed as a passion; living only +as a quiet grief, as a pure remembrance—still kept its watch, as +guardian and defender, over her heart. Years passed on and worked no +change in the sad uniformity of her life, until the death of her aunt +left her mistress of the house in which she had hitherto been a guest. +Then it was observed that she made fewer and fewer efforts to vary the +tenor of her existence, to forget her old remembrances for awhile in the +society of others. Such invitations as reached her from relations and +friends were more frequently declined than accepted. She was growing old +herself now; and, with each advancing year, the busy pageant of the +outer world presented less and less that could attract her eye.</p> + +<p>So she began to surround herself, in her solitude, with the favorite +books that she had studied, with the favorite music that she had played, +in the days of her hopes and her happiness. Every thing that was +associated, however slightly, with that past period, now acquired a +character of inestimable value in her eyes, as aiding her mind to +seclude itself more and more strictly in the sanctuary of its early +recollections. Was it weakness in her to live thus; to abandon the world +and the world's interests, as one who had no hope, or part in either? +Had she earned the right, by the magnitude and resolution of her +sacrifice, thus to indulge in the sad luxury of fruitless remembrance? +Who shall say!—who shall presume to decide that cannot think with <i>her</i> +thoughts, and look back with <i>her</i> recollections!</p> + +<p>Thus she lived—alone, and yet not lonely; without hope, but with no +despair; separate and apart from the world around her, except when she +approached it by her charities to the poor, and her succor to the +afflicted; by her occasional interviews with the surviving members of +her family and a few old friends, when they sought her in her calm +retreat; and by the little presents which she constantly sent to +brothers' and sisters' children, who worshipped, as their invisible good +genius, "the kind lady" whom most of them had never seen. Such was her +existence throughout the closing years of her life: such did it +continue—calm and blameless—to the last.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Reader, when you are told, that what is impressive and pathetic in the +Drama of Human Life has passed with a past age of Chivalry and Romance, +remember Jane Langley, and quote in contradiction the story of the <span class="smcap">Twin +Sisters</span>!</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>When about nine years old, Southey attended a school at Bristol, kept by +one Williams, a Welshman, the one, he says, of all his schoolmasters, +whom he remembered with the kindliest feelings. This Williams used +sometimes to infuse more passion into his discipline than was becoming, +of which Southey records a most ridiculous illustration. One of his +schoolmates—a Creole, with a shade of African color and negro +features—was remarkable for his stupidity. Williams, after flogging him +one day, made him pay a half-penny for the use of the rod, because he +required it so much oftener than any other boy in school.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span></p> + +<h4>From Fraser's Magazine.</h4> + +<h2><a name="ALFIERI" id="ALFIERI"></a>ALFIERI.</h2> + + + +<p>Vittorio Alfieri was born at Asti, a city of Piedmont, on the 17th of +January, 1749,—the year in which his great contemporary, Goëthe, first +saw the light. His father, Antonio Alfieri, was a nobleman of high rank +in his own country; his mother, whose name was Monica Maillard di +Tournon, was of Savoyard descent. At the time of Vittorio's birth his +father was sixty years of age; and as until then he had had no son, the +entrance of the future poet into the world was to him a subject of +unspeakable delight: but his happiness was of short duration, for he +overheated himself one day by going to see the child at a neighboring +village where he was at nurse, and died of the illness that ensued, his +son being at the time less than a year old. The countess, his widow, did +not long remain so, as she very shortly married again, her third husband +(she was a widow when the count married her) being the Cavalier Giacinto +Alfieri, a distant member of the same family.</p> + +<p>When about six years old, Alfieri was placed under the care of a priest +called Don Ivaldi, who taught him writing, arithmetic, Cornelius Nepos, +and Phædrus. He soon discovered, however, that the worthy priest was an +ignoramus, and congratulates himself on having escaped from his hands at +the age of nine, otherwise he believes that he should have been an +absolute and irreclaimable dunce. His mother and father-in-law were +constantly repeating the maxim then so popular among the Italian +nobility, that it was not necessary that a gentleman should be a doctor. +It was at this early age that he was first attacked by that melancholy +which gradually assumed entire dominion over him, and throughout life +remained a most prominent feature in his character. When only seven +years of age, he made an attempt to poison himself by eating some +noxious herbs, being impelled to this strange action by an undefined +desire to die. He was well punished for his silliness by being made very +unwell, and by being, moreover, shut up in his room for some days. No +punishment for his youthful transgressions was, however, so effectual as +being sent in a nightcap to a neighboring church. "Who knows," says he, +"whether I am not indebted to that blessed nightcap for having turned +out one of the most truthful men I ever knew?"</p> + +<p>In 1758, his paternal uncle and guardian, seeing what little progress he +was making, determined to send him to the Turin Academy, and accordingly +he started in the month of July.</p> + +<p>"I cried (he says, in his autobiography) during the whole of the first +stage. On arriving at the post-house, I got out of the carriage while +the horses were being changed, and feeling thirsty, instead of asking +for a glass, or requesting any body to fetch me some water, I marched up +to the horse-trough, dipped the corner of my cap in the water, and drank +to my heart's content. The postilions, seeing this, told my attendant, +who ran up and began rating me soundly; but I told him that travellers +ought to accustom themselves to such things, and that no good soldier +would drink in any other manner. Where I fished up these Achilles-like +ideas I know not, as my mother had always educated me with the greatest +tenderness, and with really ludicrous care for my health."</p> + +<p>He describes his character at this period, where he ends what he calls +the epoch of childhood, and begins that of adolescence, as having been +as follows:</p> + +<p>"I was taciturn and placid for the most part, but occasionally very +talkative and lively; in fact, I generally ran from one extreme to +another. I was obstinate and restive when force was exerted, most docile +under kind treatment; restrained more by fear of being scolded than by +any thing else; susceptible of shame even to excess, and inflexible when +rubbed against the grain."</p> + +<p>He entered the Academy on the 1st of August. It was a magnificent +quadrangular building, of which two of the sides were occupied by the +King's Theatre and the Royal Archives; another side was appropriated to +the younger students, who composed what were called the second and third +apartments, while the fourth contained the first apartment, or the older +students, who were mostly foreigners, besides the king's pages, to the +number of twenty or twenty-five. Alfieri was at first placed in the +third apartment, and the fourth class, from which he was promoted to the +third at the end of three months. The master of this class was a certain +Don Degiovanni, a priest even more ignorant than his good friend Ivaldi. +It may be supposed that under such auspices he did not make much +progress in his studies. Let us hear his own account:</p> + +<p>"Being thus an ass, in the midst of asses, and under an ass, I +translated Cornelius Nepos, some of Virgil's <i>Eclogues</i>, and such-like; +we wrote stupid, nonsensical themes, so that in any well-directed school +we should have been a wretched fourth class. I was never at the bottom; +emulation spurred me on until I surpassed or equalled the head boy; but +as soon as I reached the top, I fell back into a state of torpor. I was +perhaps to be excused, as nothing could equal the dryness and insipidity +of our studies. It is true that we translated Cornelius Nepos; but none +of us, probably not even the master himself, knew who the men were whose +lives we were translating, nor their countries, nor the times in which +they lived, nor the governments under which they flourished, nor even +what a government was. All our ideas were contracted, false, or +confused; the master had no object in view; his pupils took not the +slightest interest in what they learned. In short, all were as bad as +bad could be; no one looked after us, or if they did, knew what they +were about."</p> + +<p>In November, 1759, he was promoted to the humanity class, the master of +which was a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> man of some learning. His emulation was excited in this +class by his meeting a boy who could repeat 600 lines of the <i>Georgics</i> +without a single mistake, while he could never get beyond 400. These +defeats almost suffocated him with anger, and he often burst out crying, +and occasionally abused his rival most violently. He found some +consolation, however, for his inferior memory, in always writing the +best themes. About this time he obtained possession of a copy of Ariosto +in four volumes, which he rather believes he purchased, a volume at a +time, with certain half-fowls that were given the students on Sundays, +his first Ariosto thus costing him two fowls in the space of four weeks. +He much regrets that he is not certain on the point, feeling anxious to +know whether he imbibed his first draughts of poetry at the expense of +his stomach. Notwithstanding that he was at the head of the humanity +class, and could translate the <i>Georgics</i> into Italian prose, he found +great difficulty in understanding the easiest of Italian poets. The +master, however, soon perceived him reading the book by stealth, and +confiscated it, leaving the future poet deprived for the present of all +poetical guidance.</p> + +<p>During this period he was in a wretched state of health, being +constantly attacked by various extraordinary diseases. He describes +himself as not growing at all, and as resembling a very delicate and +pale wax taper. In 1760 he passed in the class of rhetoric, and +succeeded, moreover, in recovering his Ariosto, but read very little of +it, partly from the difficulty he found in understanding it, and partly +because the continued breaks in the story disgusted him. As to Tasso, he +had never even heard his name. He obtained a few of Metastasio's plays +as <i>libretti</i> of the Opera at carnival time, and was much pleased with +them, and also with some of Goldoni's comedies that were lent to him.</p> + +<p>"But the dramatic genius, of which the germs perhaps existed in me, was +soon buried or extinguished for want of food, of encouragement, and +every thing else. In short, my ignorance and that of my instructors, and +the carelessness of every body in every thing exceeded all conception."</p> + +<p>The following year he was promoted into the class of philosophy, which +met in the adjoining university. The following is his description of the +course:</p> + +<p>"This school of peripatetic philosophy was held after dinner. During the +first half-hour we wrote out the lecture at the dictation of the +professor, and in the subsequent three-quarters of an hour, when he +commented upon it, Heaven knows how, in Latin, we scholars wrapped +ourselves up comfortably in our mantles, and went fast asleep; and among +the assembled philosophers, not a sound was heard except the drawling +voice of the professor himself, half asleep, and the various notes of +the snorers, who formed a most delightful concert in every possible +key."</p> + +<p>During his holidays this year, his uncle took him to the Opera for the +first time, where he heard the <i>Mercato di Malmantile</i>. The music +produced a most extraordinary effect upon him, and for several weeks +afterwards he remained immersed in a strange but not unpleasing +melancholy, followed by an absolute loathing of his usual studies. Music +all through life affected him most powerfully, and he states that his +tragedies were almost invariably planned by him when under its +influence. It was about this time that he composed his first sonnet, +which was made up of whole or mutilated verses of Metastasio and +Ariosto, the only two Italian poets of whom he knew any thing. It was in +praise of a certain lady to whom his uncle was paying his addresses, and +whom he himself admired. Several persons, including the lady herself, +praised it, so that he already fancied himself a poet. His uncle, +however, a military man, and no votary of the Muses, laughed at him so +much, that his poetical vein was soon dried up, and he did not renew his +attempts in the line till he was more than twenty-five years old. "How +many good or bad verses did my uncle suffocate, together with my +first-born sonnet!"</p> + +<p>He next studied physics and ethics—the former under the celebrated +Beccaria, but not a single definition remained in his head. These +studies, however, as well as those in civil and canon law, which he had +commenced, were interrupted by a violent illness, which rendered it +necessary for him to have his head shaved, and to wear a wig. His +companions, at first, tormented him greatly about this wig, and used to +tear it from his head; but he soon succeeded in appeasing the public +indignation, by being always the first to throw the unhappy ornament in +question up in the air, calling it by every opprobrious epithet. From +that time he remained the least persecuted wig-wearer among the two or +three who were in this predicament.</p> + +<p>He now took lessons on the piano, and in geography, fencing, and +dancing. He imbibed the most invincible dislike to the latter, which he +attributed to the grimaces and extraordinary contortions of the master, +a Frenchman just arrived from Paris. He dates from this period that +extreme hatred of the French nation which remained with him through +life, and which was one of the strangest features in his character. His +uncle died this year (1763), and as he was now fourteen, the age at +which, by the laws of Piedmont, minors are freed from the care of their +guardians, and are placed under curators, who leave them masters of +their income, and can only prevent the alienation of their real estates, +he found himself possessed of considerable property, which was still +farther increased by his uncle's fortune. Having obtained the degree of +master of arts, by passing a public examination in logic, physics, and +geometry, he was rewarded by being allowed to attend the riding-school, +a thing he had always ardently desired. He<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> became an expert horseman, +and attributes to this exercise the recovery of his health, which now +rapidly improved.</p> + +<p>"Having buried my uncle, changed my guardian into a curator, obtained my +master's degree, got rid of my attendant Andrea, and mounted a steed, it +is incredible how proud I became. I told the authorities plainly that I +was sick of studying law, and that I would not go on with it. After a +consultation, they determined to remove me into the first apartment, +which I entered on the 8th May, 1763."</p> + +<p>He now led an extremely idle life, being little looked after. A crowd of +flatterers, the usual attendants upon wealth, sprung up around him, and +he indulged in amusements and dissipations of every kind. A temporary +fit of industry, which lasted for two or three months, came over him, +and he plunged deeply into the thirty-six volumes of Fleury's +<i>Ecclesiastical History</i>. Soon, however, he resumed his old course, and +conducted himself so badly that the authorities found it necessary to +place him under arrest, and he remained for some months a prisoner in +his own apartment, obstinately refusing to make any apology, and leading +the life of a wild beast, never putting on his clothes, and spending +most of his time in sleep. He was at length released, on the occasion of +his sister Giulia's marriage to the Count Giacinto di Cumiana, in May, +1764.</p> + +<p>On regaining his former position he bought his first horse, and soon +afterwards another, on the pretence of its being delicate. He next +purchased two carriage horses, and went on thus till in less than a year +he had eight in his possession. He also had an elegant carriage built +for him, but used it very seldom, because his friends were obliged to +walk, and he shrunk from offending them by a display of ostentation. His +horses, however, were at the service of all, and as his love for them +could not excite any feelings of envy, he took the greatest delight in +them.</p> + +<p>It was now that he first felt the symptoms of love, excited by a lady +who was the wife of an elder brother of some intimate friends of his, to +whom he was on a visit. His transient passion, however, soon passed +away, without leaving any trace behind it. The period had now arrived +for his leaving the academy, and in May, 1766, he was nominated ensign +in the provincial regiment of Asti, which met only twice a-year for a +few days, thus allowing ample opportunity for doing nothing; the only +thing, he says, he had made up his mind to do. But he soon got tired of +even this slight restraint. "I could not adapt myself to that chain of +graduated dependence which is called subordination, and which although +the soul of military discipline, could never be the soul of a future +tragic poet." He therefore obtained permission, though with great +difficulty, to accompany an English Catholic tutor, who was about to +visit Rome and Naples with two of his fellow-students. He chooses this +moment for commencing the epoch of youth, which he describes as +embracing ten years of travel and dissipation.</p> + +<p>On reaching Milan, the travellers visited the Ambrosian library.</p> + +<p>"Here the librarian placed in my hands a manuscript of Petrarch, but, +like a true Goth, I threw it aside, saying it was nothing to me. The +fact was, I had a certain spite against the aforesaid Petrarch; for +having met with a copy of his works some years before, when I was a +philosopher, I found on opening it at various places by chance that I +could not understand the meaning in the least; accordingly I joined with +the French and other ignorant pretenders in condemning him, and as I +considered him a dull and prosy writer, I treated his invaluable +manuscript in the manner above described."</p> + +<p>At this time he always spoke and wrote in French, and read nothing but +French books.</p> + +<p>"As I knew still less of Italian, I gathered the necessary fruit of my +birth in an amphibious country, and of the precious education I had +received."</p> + +<p>They proceeded afterwards to Florence, Rome, and Naples. At the latter +place he obtained permission from his own court, through the +intercession of the Sardinian minister, to leave the tutor, and travel +for the future alone. Attended only by his faithful servant Elia, who +had taken the place of the worthless Andrea, and for whom he felt a +great affection, he returned to Rome, and had the honor of kissing the +Pope's toe. The pontiff's manner pleased him so much, that he felt no +repugnance to going through the ceremony, although he had read Fleury, +and knew the real value of the aforesaid toe.</p> + +<p>Having obtained leave to travel for another year, he determined to visit +France, England, and Holland. He went first to Venice, and there was +assailed by that melancholy, <i>ennui</i>, and restlessness, peculiar to his +character.</p> + +<p>"I spent many days without leaving the house, my chief employment being +to stand at the window, and make signs, and hold brief dialogues with a +young lady opposite; the rest of the day I spent in sleeping, in +thinking of I know not what, and generally crying, I knew not why."</p> + +<p>All through life he was subject to these periodical fits, which came on +every spring, and materially influenced his powers of composition.</p> + +<p>He proceeded afterwards to France, expecting to be delighted with Paris; +but on arriving there he found it so unlike what he had anticipated, +that he burst into a violent fit of passion at having made so much +haste, undergone so much fatigue, and had his fancy excited to such a +pitch of frenzy, only to plunge into that filthy sewer, as he calls it! +His anger is quite ludicrous; but he, notwithstanding, remained there +five months, during which time he was presented to Louis XV. at +Versailles, but the cold reception he met with greatly annoyed him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Although I had been told that the king did not speak to ordinary +foreigners, and although I did not care much for his notice, yet I could +not swallow the Jove-like superciliousness of the monarch, who surveyed +from head to foot the people presented to him, without appearing to +receive the slightest impression. It was as if somebody said to a giant, +'I beg to present an ant to you;' and he were either to stare or to +smile, or to say, it may be, 'Oh, what a little creature!'"</p> + +<p>He was as much delighted with England as he had been disgusted with +France. He falls into perfect raptures when speaking of our national +character and our national institutions, and regrets that it was not in +his power to remain here for ever. In June, 1768, he went to Holland, +and at the Hague fell violently in love with the wife of a rich +gentleman whom he knew. When the lady was obliged to go into +Switzerland, he was thrown into such a state of frenzy that he attempted +to commit suicide, by tearing off the bandages from the place where he +had had himself bled, under pretence of illness. His servant, however, +suspected his intentions, and prevented him from carrying his resolution +into effect. He gradually recovered his spirits, and determined to +return to Italy. On reaching Turin, he was seized by a desire to study. +The book in which he took most delight was Plutarch's Lives:</p> + +<p>"Some of these, such as Timoleon, Cæsar, Brutus, Pelopidas, and Cato, I +read four or five times over, with such transports of shouting, crying, +and fury, that any person in the next room must have thought me mad. On +reading any particular anecdotes of those great men, I used often to +spring to my feet in the greatest agitation, and quite beside myself, +shedding tears of grief and rage at seeing myself born in Piedmont, and +in an age and under a government where nothing noble could be said or +done, and where it was almost useless to think or to feel."</p> + +<p>His brother-in-law now strongly urged him to marry, and he consented, +although unwillingly, that negotiations should be entered into on his +behalf with the family of a young, noble, and rich heiress, whose +beautiful black eyes would, doubtless, soon have driven Plutarch out of +his head. The end, however, was that she married somebody else, to +Alfieri's internal satisfaction. "Had I been tied down by a wife and +children, the Muses would certainly have bid me good bye."</p> + +<p>The moment he felt himself free he determined to start again on his +travels. On reaching Vienna, the Sardinian minister offered to introduce +him to Metastasio; but he cared nothing at that time for any Italian +author, and, moreover, had taken a great dislike to the poet, from +having seen him make a servile genuflexion to the Empress Maria Theresa +in the Imperial Gardens at Schönbrunn. On entering the dominions of +Frederick the Great, he was made extremely indignant by the military +despotism that reigned there. When presented to the king he did not +appear in uniform.</p> + +<p>"The minister asked me the reason of this, seeing that I was in the +service of my own sovereign. I replied, 'Because there are already +enough uniforms here.' The king said to me his usual four words; I +watched him attentively, fixing my eyes respectfully on his, and thanked +Heaven that I was not born his slave."</p> + +<p>Denmark, Sweden, and Russia, were then successively visited by him. He +had heard so much of the latter country, that when he reached St. +Petersburgh his expectations were wrought up to a great pitch.</p> + +<p>"But, alas! no sooner did I set foot in this Asiatic encampment of +tents, than I called to mind Rome, Genoa, Venice, and Florence, and +began to laugh. The longer I remained in the country, the more were my +first impressions confirmed, and I left it with the precious conviction +that it was not worth seeing."</p> + +<p>He refused to be presented to the celebrated female autocrat, Catherine +II., whom he stigmatizes as "a philosophical Clytemnestra."</p> + +<p>He next visited England for the second time, arriving at the end of +1770. During his stay in London, which lasted for seven months, he +became involved in an affair which excited an extraordinary sensation at +the time, and which is even remembered by the scandal-mongers of the +present day. He formed the acquaintance of the wife of an officer of +high rank in the Guards, and this intimacy soon assumed a criminal +character. Her husband, a man of a very jealous temperament, suspected +his wife's infidelity, and had them watched. On finding his suspicions +confirmed, he challenged Alfieri, and they fought a duel with swords in +the Green Park, in which the future poet was wounded in the arm. The +husband pressed for a divorce, and Alfieri announced his intention of +marrying the lady as soon as she was free; but, to his horror, she +confessed to him one day, what was already known to the public through +the newspapers, although he was ignorant of it, that before she knew him +she had been engaged in an intrigue with a groom of her husband! Despite +this discovery, it was some time before his affection for her abated; +but at length, on her announcing her determination to enter a convent in +France, he quitted her at Rochester, and left this country himself +almost immediately afterwards. He went to Paris, and there bought a +collection of the principal Italian poets and prose-writers in +thirty-six volumes, which from that time became his inseparable +companions, although he did not make much use of them for two or three +years. However, he now learned to know at least something of the six +great luminaries, Dante, Petrarch, Ariosto, Tasso, Boccaccio, and +Machiavelli.</p> + +<p>He next proceeded to Spain and Portugal. At Lisbon he formed the +acquaintance of the Abate Tommaso di Caluso, younger brother of the +Sardinian minister. The society of this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> distinguished man produced the +most beneficial effect on him. One evening, when the Abate was reading +to him the fine <i>Ode to Fortune</i> of Alessandro Guidi, a poet whose name +he had never even heard, some of the stanzas produced such extraordinary +transports in him, that the former told him that he was born to write +verses. This sudden impulse of Apollo, as he calls it, was however only +a momentary flush, which was soon extinguished, and remained buried for +a long time to come.</p> + +<p>He now bent his steps homewards, and reached Turin in May, 1772, after +an absence of three years. He took a magnificent house in the Piazza di +San Carlo, furnished it sumptuously, and commenced leading a merry life +with about a dozen friends, who formed a society, which met at his house +every week. This Society was governed by strict rules, one of which was +that all should contribute something in writing for their reciprocal +amusement; these contributions being placed in a chest, of which the +president for the time being kept the key, and read aloud by him at +their meetings. They were all written in French, and Alfieri mentions +one of his which was very successful. It described the Deity at the last +judgment demanding from every soul an account of itself, and the +characters he drew were all those of well-known individuals, both male +and female, in Turin.</p> + +<p>It was not long before he fell in love for the third time, the object of +his passion now being a lady some years older than himself, and of +somewhat doubtful reputation. For the space of nearly two years she +exercised unbounded dominion over him. Feeling that he could not support +the fetters of Venus and of Mars at one and the same time, he with some +little difficulty obtained permission to throw up his commission in the +army.</p> + +<p>While attending at his mistress's bedside, during an illness by which +she was attacked in January, 1744, the idea first struck him of writing +a dramatic sketch. He wrote it without the slightest plan, in the form +of a dialogue between three persons, called respectively, Photinus, +Lachesis, and Cleopatra. He gives a specimen of it in a note, and it is +certainly not of the very highest order of merit. On the recovery of the +lady he placed it under the cushion of her couch, where it remained +forgotten for a year, and thus were the first fruits of his tragic +genius brooded over, as it were, by the lady and all who chanced to sit +upon the couch.</p> + +<p>At length he threw off the chains which had so long bound him. The +exertion was, however, so great that he was actually obliged to get his +servant Elia to tie him to his chair, that he might not quit the house. +When his friends came to see him, he dropped his dressing gown over the +bandages, so that his forced imprisonment was not perceived. His first +appearance in public was at the carnival of 1775, where he dressed +himself up as Apollo, and recited at the public ball at the theatre a +masquerade he had composed on the subject of love, twanging a guitar +vigorously all the time. He was afterwards heartily ashamed of this +freak, which he wonders he could ever have been guilty of. An ardent +desire for glory now seized him, and after some months spent in constant +poetical studies, and in fingering grammars and dictionaries, he +succeeded in producing his first tragedy; which, like the sketch already +mentioned, he entitled <i>Cleopatra</i>. It was performed at Turin, on the +16th June, 1775, at the Carignan Theatre, and was followed by a comic +after-piece, also written by him, called <i>The Poets</i>, in which he +introduced himself under the name of Giusippus, and was the first to +ridicule his own tragedy; which, he says, differed from those of his +poetical rivals, inasmuch as their productions were the mature offspring +of an erudite incapacity, whilst his was the premature child of a not +unpromising ignorance. These two pieces were performed with considerable +success for two successive evenings, when he withdrew them from the +stage, ashamed at having so rashly exposed himself to the public. He +never considered this <i>Cleopatra</i> worthy of preservation, and it is not +published with his other works. From this moment, however, he felt every +vein swollen with the most burning thirst for real theatrical laurels, +and here terminates the epoch of Youth and commences that of Manhood.</p> + +<p>Up to this point we have seen Alfieri's character as formed by nature, +and before it was influenced by study, or softened down by intercourse +with the world. We have seen him ardent, restless beyond all belief, +passionate, oppressed by unaccountable melancholy, acting under the +toiling impulse of the moment, whether in love or hate, and, what is of +extreme disadvantage to him as respects the career he is about to enter +upon, suffering from a deficient education. We have now to see how he +overcame all the obstacles arising from his natural character, and from +a youth wasted in idleness and dissipation; and how he gradually won his +way from victory to victory, until he at length attained the noble and +enviable eminence which is assigned to him by universal consent as the +greatest, we had almost said the only, modern Italian poet.</p> + +<p>He describes the capital with which he commenced his undertaking as +consisting in a resolute, indomitable, and extremely obstinate mind, and +a heart full to overflowing with every species of emotion, particularly +love, with all its furies, and a profound and ferocious hatred of +tyranny. To this was added a faint recollection of various French +tragedies. On the other hand, he was almost entirely ignorant of the +rules of tragic art, and understood his own language most imperfectly. +The whole was enveloped in a thick covering of presumption, or rather +petulance, and a violence of character so great as to render it most +difficult for him to appreciate truth. He considers these elements +better adapted for forming a bad monarch than a good author.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span></p> + +<p>He began by studying grammar vigorously; and his first attempt was to +put into Italian two tragedies, entitled <i>Filippo</i> and <i>Polinice</i>, which +he had some time before written in French prose. At the same time he +read Tasso, Ariosto, Dante, and Petrarch, making notes as he proceeded, +and occupying a year in the task. He then commenced reading Latin with a +tutor; and shortly afterwards went to Tuscany in order to acquire a +really good Italian idiom. He returned to Turin in October, 1776, and +there composed several sonnets, having in the meantime made considerable +progress with several of his tragedies. The next year he again went to +Tuscany, and on reaching Florence in October, intending to remain there +a month, an event occurred which—to use his own words—"fixed and +enchained me there for many years; an event which, happily for me, +determined me to expatriate myself for ever, and which by fastening upon +me new, self-sought, and golden chains, enabled me to acquire that real +literary freedom, without which I should never have done any good, if so +be that I <i>have</i> done good."</p> + +<p>Charles Edward, the Young Pretender, was at that time residing in +Florence, in company with his wife, the Countess of Albany, whose maiden +name was Louisa Stolberg, of the princely house of that name. The +following is Alfieri's description of her:—</p> + +<p>"The sweet fire of her very dark eyes, added (a thing of rare +occurrence) to a very white skin and fair hair, gave an irresistible +brilliancy to her beauty. She was twenty-five years of age, was much +attached to literature and the fine arts, had an angelic temper, and, in +spite of her wealth, was in the most painful domestic circumstances, so +that she could not be as happy as she deserved. How many reasons for +loving her!"</p> + +<p>Her husband appears to have been of a most violent and ungovernable +temper, and to have always treated her in the harshest manner.—No +wonder, then, that an impassioned and susceptible nature like Alfieri's +should have been attracted by such charms! A friendship of the closest +and most enduring description ensued between them; and although a +certain air of mystery always surrounded the story of their mutual +attachment, there is no reason whatever to suppose that it partook in +the slightest degree of a dishonorable character.</p> + +<p>Instead of finding his passion for the Countess an obstacle to literary +glory and useful occupations, as had always been the case previously +with him, when under the influence of similar emotions, he found that it +incited and spurred him on to every good work, and accordingly he +abandoned himself, without restraint, to its indulgence. That he might +have no inducement to return to his own country, he determined to +dissolve every tie that united him to it, and with that intent made an +absolute donation for life of the whole of his estates, both in fee and +freehold, to his natural heir, his sister Giulia, wife of the Count di +Cumiana. He merely stipulated for an annual pension, and a certain sum +in ready money, the whole amounting to about one-half of the value of +his property. The negotiations were finally brought to a conclusion in +November, 1778. He also sold his furniture and plate which he had left +in Turin; and, unfortunately for himself, invested almost the whole of +the money he now found himself possessed of in French life annuities. At +one period of the negotiations he was in great fear lest he should lose +every thing, and revolved in his mind what profession he should adopt in +case he should be left penniless.</p> + +<p>"The art that presented itself to me as the best for gaining a living +by, was that of a horse-breaker, in which I consider myself a +proficient. It is certainly one of the least servile, and it appeared to +me to be more compatible than any other with that of a poet, for it is +much easier to write tragedies in a stable than in a court."</p> + +<p>He now commenced living in the simplest style, dismissed all his +servants, save one; sold or gave away all his horses, and wore the +plainest clothing. He continued his studies without intermission, and by +the beginning of 1782 had nearly finished the whole of the twelve +tragedies which he had from the first made up his mind to write, and not +to exceed. These were entitled respectively <i>Filippo</i>, <i>Polinice</i>, +<i>Antigone</i>, <i>Agamennone</i>, <i>Oreste</i>, <i>Don Garzia</i>, <i>Virginia</i>, <i>La +Congiura de' Pazzi</i>, <i>Maria Stuarda</i>, <i>Ottavia</i>, <i>Timoleone</i> and +<i>Rosmunda</i>.—Happening, however, to read the <i>Merope</i> of Maffei, then +considered the best Italian tragedy, he felt so indignant, that he set +to work, and very shortly produced his tragedy of that name, which was +soon followed by the <i>Saul</i>, which is incomparably the finest of his +works.</p> + +<p>The Countess had obtained permission at the end of 1780 to leave her +husband, in consequence of the brutal treatment she experienced at his +hands, and to retire to Rome. It was not long before Alfieri followed +her, and took up his habitation there also. At the end of 1782, his +<i>Antigone</i> was performed by a company of amateurs—he himself being +one—before an audience consisting of all the rank and fashion of Rome. +Its success was unequivocal, and he felt so proud of his triumph, that +he determined to send four of his tragedies to press, getting his friend +Gori, at Siena, to superintend the printing; and they were accordingly +published.</p> + +<p>The intimacy between Alfieri and the Countess now inflamed the anger of +Charles Edward and his brother, Cardinal York, to such a pitch, that +Alfieri found it prudent to leave Rome, which he did in May, 1783, in a +state of bitter anguish. He first made pilgrimages to the tombs of +Dante, Petrarch, and Ariosto, at Ravenna, Arquà, and Ferrara; at each of +which he spent some time in dreaming, praying, and weeping, at the same +time pouring forth a perfect stream of impassioned poetry. On getting to +Siena, he superintended personally the printing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> of six more of his +tragedies, and for the first time felt all the cares of authorship, +being driven nearly distracted by the sad realities of censors, both +spiritual and temporal, correctors of the press, compositors, pressmen, +&c., and the worry he experienced brought on a sharp attack of gout. On +recovering, he determined to start off once more on his travels, making +as a plea his desire to purchase a stud of horses in England, his +equestrian propensities having returned with violence. He accordingly +left his tragedies, both published and unpublished, to shift for +themselves, and proceeded to England, where, in a few weeks, he bought +no less than fourteen horses. That being the exact number of the +tragedies he had written, he used to amuse himself by saying, "For each +tragedy you have got a horse," in reference to the punishment inflicted +on naughty schoolboys in Italy, where the culprit is mounted on the +shoulders of another boy, while the master lays on the cane.</p> + +<p>He experienced almost endless trouble and difficulty in conveying his +acquisitions safely back to Italy. The account he gives of the passage +of the Alps by Mount Cenis, from Lanslebourg to the Novalese, is really +quite romantic; and he compares himself to Hannibal on the occasion, but +says that if the passage of the latter cost him a great deal of vinegar, +it cost him (Alfieri) no small quantity of wine, as the whole party +concerned in conveying the horses over the mountain, guides, farriers, +grooms, and adjutants, drank like fishes.</p> + +<p>On reaching Turin, he was present at a performance of his <i>Virginia</i> at +the same theatre where, nine years before, his early play of <i>Cleopatra</i> +had been acted. He shortly received intelligence that the Countess had +been permitted to leave Rome and to go to Switzerland. He could not +refrain from following her, and accordingly rejoined her at Colmar, a +city of Alsace, after a separation of sixteen months. The sight of her +whom he loved so dearly again awakened his poetic genius, and gave +birth, at almost one and the same moment, to his three tragedies of +<i>Agide</i>, <i>Sofonisba</i>, and <i>Mirra</i>, despite his previous resolve to write +no more. When obliged to leave the Countess, he returned to Italy, but +the following year again visited her, remaining in Alsace when she +proceeded to Paris. She happened to mention in a letter that she had +been much pleased with seeing Voltaire's <i>Brutus</i> performed on the +stage. This excited his emulation. "What!" he exclaimed, "<i>Brutuses</i> +written by a Voltaire? I'll write <i>Brutuses</i>, and two at once, moreover, +time will show whether such subjects for tragedy are better adapted for +me or for a plebeian-born Frenchman, who for more than sixty years +subscribed himself <i>Voltaire, Gentleman in Ordinary to the King</i>." +Accordingly he set to work, and planned on the spot his <i>Bruto Primo</i> +and <i>Bruto Secondo</i>; after which he once more renewed his vow to Apollo +to write no more tragedies. About this period he also sketched his +<i>Abel</i>, which he called by the whimsical title of a <i>Tramelogedy</i>. He +next went to Paris, and made arrangements with the celebrated Didot for +printing the whole of his tragedies in six volumes. On returning to +Alsace, in company with the Countess, he was joined by his old friend +the Abate di Caluso, who brought with him a letter from his mother, +containing proposals for his marriage with a rich young lady of Asti, +whose name was not mentioned. Alfieri told the Abate, smilingly, that he +must decline the proffered match, and had not even the curiosity to +inquire who the lady was. Shortly afterwards he was attacked by a +dangerous illness, which reduced him to the point of death. On +recovering, he went with his friends to Kehl, and was so much pleased +with the printing establishment of the well-known Beaumarchais, that he +resolved to have the whole of his works, with the exception of his +tragedies, which were in Didot's hands, printed there; and accordingly, +by August, 1789, all his writings, both in prose and poetry, were +printed.</p> + +<p>In the mean time, the Countess of Albany had heard of the death of her +husband, which took place at Rome, on the 31st January, 1788. This event +set her entirely free, and it is generally believed that she was shortly +afterwards united in marriage to Alfieri; but the fact was never known, +and to the last the poet preserved the greatest mystery on the subject.</p> + +<p>Paris now became their regular residence, and it was not long before the +revolutionary troubles commenced. In April, 1791, they determined to pay +a visit to England, where the Countess had never been. They remained +here some months, and on their embarking at Dover on their return, +Alfieri chanced to notice among the people collected on the beach to see +the vessel off, the very lady, his intrigue with whom twenty years +before had excited so great a sensation. He did not speak to her, but +saw that she recognized him. Accordingly, on reaching Calais, he wrote +to her to inquire into her present situation. He gives her reply at full +length in his <i>Memoirs</i>. It is in French; and we regret that its length +precludes us from giving it here, as it is a very remarkable production. +It indicates a decisive and inflexible firmness of character, very +unlike what is usually met with in her sex.</p> + +<p>After visiting Holland and Belgium, Alfieri and the Countess returned to +Paris. In March, 1792, he received intelligence of his mother's death. +In the mean time the war with the emperor commenced, and matters +gradually got worse and worse. Alfieri witnessed the events of the +terrible 10th of August, when the Tuileries was taken by the mob after a +bloody conflict, and Louis XVI. virtually ceased to reign. Seeing the +great danger to which they would be exposed if they remained longer in +Paris, they determined on a hasty flight; and after procuring the +necessary passports, started on the 18th of the same month. They had a +narrow escape on passing the barriers. A mob of the lowest order +insisted on their carriage<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> being stopped, and on their being conducted +back to Paris, exclaiming that all the rich were flying away, taking +their treasures with them, and leaving the poor behind in want and +misery. The few soldiers on the spot would have been soon overpowered; +and nothing saved the travellers except Alfieri's courage. He at length +succeeded in forcing a passage; but there is little doubt that if they +had been obliged to return, they would have been thrown into prison, in +which case they would have been among the unhappy victims who were so +barbarously murdered by the populace on the 2d September.</p> + +<p>They reached Calais in two days and a half, having had to show their +passports more than forty times. They afterwards learned that they were +the first foreigners who had escaped from Paris and from France after +the catastrophe of the 10th August. After stopping some time at +Brussels, they proceeded to Italy, and reached Florence in November. +That city remained Alfieri's dwelling-place, nearly uninterruptedly, +from this moment to the period of his death.</p> + +<p>In 1795, when he was forty-six years old, a feeling of shame came over +him at his ignorance of Greek, and he determined to master that +language. He applied himself with such industry to the task, that before +very long he could read almost any Greek author. There are few instances +on record of such an effort being made at so advanced a period of life. +Yet, perhaps, a still more remarkable case than that of our poet is that +of Mehemet Ali, who did not learn to read or write till more than forty +years of age. His son, Ibrahim, never did even that. At the same time +that he was learning Greek, Alfieri amused himself by writing satires, +of which he had completed seventeen by the end of 1797. The fruit of his +Greek studies appeared in his tragedies of <i>Alceste Prima</i> and <i>Alceste +Seconda</i>, which he composed after reading Euripides' fine play of that +name. He calls these essays his final perjuries to Apollo. We have +certainly seen him break his vow sufficiently often. The twelve +tragedies he pledged himself not to exceed had now grown to their +present number of twenty-one, besides the tramelogedy of <i>Abel</i>.</p> + +<p>He remained quietly and happily at Florence till the French invasion in +March, 1799, when he and the Countess retired to a villa in the country. +He marked his hatred of the French nation by writing his <i>Misogallo</i>, a +miscellaneous collection in prose and verse of the most violent and +indiscriminate abuse of France, and every thing connected with it, as +its name imports. On the evacuation of Florence by the French in July, +they returned to the city, but again left it on the second invasion in +October, 1800. The French commander-in-chief wrote to Alfieri, +requesting the honor of the acquaintance of a man who had rendered such +distinguished services to literature: but he told him in reply, that if +he wrote in his quality as Commandant of Florence, he would yield to his +superior authority; but that if it was merely as an individual curious +to see him, he must beg to be excused.</p> + +<p>We now find him irresistibly impelled to try his hand at comedy, and he +accordingly wrote the six which are published with his other works. They +are entitled respectively, <i>L'Uno</i>, <i>I Pochi</i>, <i>Il Troppo</i>, <i>Tre Velene +rimesta avrai l'Antido</i>, <i>La Finestrina</i>, and <i>Il Divorzio</i>. The first +four are political in their character, and written in iambics, like his +tragedies. The last is the only one that can be ranked with modern +comedies. Sismondi truly remarks, that in these dramas he exhibits the +powers of a great satirist, not of a successful dramatist.</p> + +<p>His health was by this time seriously impaired, and he felt it necessary +to cease entirely from his labors. On the 8th December, 1802, he put the +finishing stroke to his works, and amused himself for the short +remainder of his life in writing the conclusion of his <i>Memoirs</i>. +Feeling extremely proud at having overcome the difficulties of the Greek +language in his later years, he invented a collar, on which were +engraved the names of twenty-three ancient and modern poets, and to +which was attached a cameo representing Homer. On the back of it he +wrote the following distich:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Αυτον ποιησας 'Αλφηριος ιππε 'Ομηρου<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Κοιρανικης τιμην ηλφανε ζειοτεραν,<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>which may be thus Englished:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Perchance Alfieri made no great misnomer<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When he dubb'd himself Knight of the Order of Homer."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>With the account of this amusing little incident, Alfieri terminates the +history of his life. The date it bears is the 14th of May, 1803, and on +the 8th October of the same year he breathed his last, in the +fifty-fifth year of his age. The particulars of his death are given in a +letter addressed by the Abate di Caluso to the Countess of Albany. An +attack of gout in the stomach was the immediate cause of it. The +delicate state of his health greatly accelerated the progress of the +disease, which was still further promoted by his insisting on proceeding +with the correction of his works almost to the very last. He was so +little aware of his impending dissolution, that he took a drive in a +carriage on the 3d October, and tried to the last moment to starve his +gout into submission. He refused to allow leeches to be applied to his +legs, as the physicians recommended, because they would have prevented +him from walking. At this period, all his studies and labors of the last +thirty years rushed through his mind; and he told the Countess, who was +attending him, that a considerable number of Greek verses from the +beginning of Hesiod, which he had only read once in his life, recurred +most distinctly to his memory. His mortal agony came on so suddenly, +that there was not time to administer to him the last consolations of +religion. He was buried in the church of Santa Croce at Florence, where +already reposed the remains of Machiavelli, of Michael Angelo, and of +Galileo. A monument to his memory, the work<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> of the great Canova, was +raised over his ashes by direction of the Countess of Albany.</p> + +<p>Such then was Alfieri! And may we not draw a moral from the story of his +life as faintly and imperfectly shadowed forth in the preceding sketch? +Does it not show us how we may overcome obstacles deemed by us +insuperable, and how we may seek to become something better than what we +are? The poet's name will go down to future ages as the idol of his +countrymen; may the beneficial effect produced by a mind like his upon +the character and aspirations of the world be enduring!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h4>From the Dublin University Magazine</h4> +<h2><a name="ANECDOTES_OF_PAGANINI" id="ANECDOTES_OF_PAGANINI"></a>ANECDOTES OF PAGANINI.</h2> + + +<p>Paganini was in all respects a very singular being, and an interesting +subject to study. His talents were by no means confined to his wonderful +powers as a musician. On other subjects he was well informed, acute, and +conversible, of bland and gentle manners, and in society, perfectly well +bred. All this contrasted strangely with the dark, mysterious stories +which were bruited abroad, touching some passages in his early life. But +outward semblance and external deportment are treacherous as quicksands, +when taken as guides by which to sound the real depths of human +character. Lord Byron remarks, that his pocket was once picked by the +civilest gentleman he ever conversed with, and that by far the mildest +individual of his acquaintance was the remorseless Ali Pacha of Yanina. +The expressive lineaments of Paganini told a powerful tale of passions +which had been fearfully excited, which might be roused again from +temporary slumber, or were exhausted by indulgence and premature decay, +leaving deep furrows to mark their intensity. Like the generality of his +countrymen, he looked much older than he was. With them, the elastic +vigor of youth and manhood rapidly subside into an interminable and +joyless old age, numbering as many years but with far less both of +physical and mental faculty, to render them endurable, than the more +equally poised gradations of our northern clime. It is by no means +unusual to encounter a well-developed Italian, whiskered to the +eyebrows, and "bearded like the pard," who tells you, to your utter +astonishment, that he is scarcely seventeen, when you have set him down +from his appearance as, at least, five-and-thirty.</p> + +<p>The following extract from Colonel Montgomery Maxwell's book of Military +Reminiscences, entitled, "My Adventures," dated Genoa, February 22nd, +1815, supplies the earliest record which has been given to the public +respecting Paganini, and affords authentic evidence that some of the +mysterious tales which heralded his coming were not without foundation. +He could scarcely have been at this time thirty years old. "Talking of +music, I have become acquainted with the most <i>outré</i>, most extravagant, +and strangest character I ever beheld, or heard, in the musical line. He +has just been emancipated from durance vile, where he has been for a +long time incarcerated on suspicion of murder. His long figure, long +neck, long face, and long forehead; his hollow and deadly pale cheek, +large black eye, hooked nose, and jet black hair, which is long, and +more than half hiding his expressive, Jewish face; all these rendered +him the most extraordinary person I ever beheld. There is something +scriptural in the <i>tout ensemble</i> of the strange physiognomy of this +uncouth and unearthly figure. Not that, as in times of old, he plays, as +Holy Writ tells us, on a ten-stringed instrument; on the contrary, he +brings the most powerful, the most wonderful, and the most heart-rending +tones from one string. His name is Paganini; he is very improvident and +very poor. The D——s, and the Impressario of the theatre got up a +concert for him the other night, which was well attended, and on which +occasion he electrified the audience. He is a native of Genoa, and if I +were a judge of violin playing, I would pronounce him the most +surprising performer in the world!"</p> + +<p>That Paganini was either innocent of the charge for which he suffered +the incarceration Colonel Maxwell mentions, or that it could not be +proved against him, may be reasonably inferred from the fact that he +escaped the gallies of the executioner. In Italy, there was then, <i>par +excellence</i> (whatever there may be now), a law for the rich, and another +for the poor. As he was without money, and unable to buy immunity, it is +charitable to suppose he was entitled to it from innocence. A nobleman, +with a few <i>zecchini</i>, was in little danger of the law, which confined +its practice entirely to the lower orders. I knew a Sicilian prince, who +most wantonly blew a vassal's brains out, merely because he put him in a +passion. The case was not even inquired into. He sent half a dollar to +the widow of the defunct (which, by the way, he borrowed from me, and +never repaid), and there the matter ended. Lord Nelson once suggested to +Ferdinand IV. of Naples, to try and check the daily increase of +assassination, by a few salutary executions. "No, no," replied old +Nasone, who was far from being as great a fool as he looked, "that is +impossible. If I once began that system, my kingdom would soon be +depopulated. One half my subjects would be continually employed in +hanging the remainder."</p> + +<p>Among other peculiarities, Paganini was an incarnation of avarice and +parsimony, with a most contradictory passion for gambling. He would +haggle with you for sixpence, and stake a rouleau on a single turn at +<i>rouge et noir</i>. He screwed you down in a bargain as tightly as if you +were compressed in a vice; yet he had intervals of liberality, and +sometimes did a generous action. In this he bore some resemblance to the +celebrated John Elwes, of miserly notoriety, who deprived himself of the +common necessaries of life, and lived on a potato skin, but sometimes +gave a check for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> £100 to a public charity, and contributed largely to +private subscriptions. I never heard that Paganini actually did this, +but once or twice he played for nothing, and sent a donation to the +Mendicity, when he was in Dublin.</p> + +<p>When he made his engagement with me, we mutually agreed to write no +orders, expecting the house to be quite full every night, and both being +aware that the "sons of freedom," while they add nothing to the +exchequer, seldom assist the effect of the performance. They are not +given to applaud vehemently; or, as Richelieu observes, "in the right +places." What we can get for nothing we are inclined to think much less +of than that which we must purchase. He who invests a shilling will not +do it rashly, or without feeling convinced that value received will +accrue from the risk. The man who pays is the real enthusiast; he comes +with a pre-determination to be amused, and his spirit is exalted +accordingly. Paganini's valet surprised me one morning, by walking into +my room, and with many "<i>eccellenzas</i>" and gesticulations of respect, +asking me to give him an order. I said, "Why do you come to me? Apply to +your master—won't he give you one?" "Oh, yes; but I don't like to ask +him." "Why not?" "Because he'll stop the amount out of my wages!" My +heart relented; I gave him the order, and paid Paganini the dividend. I +told him what it was, thinking, as a matter of course, he would return +it. He seemed uncertain for a moment, paused, smiled sardonically, +looked at the three and sixpence, and with a spasmodic twitch, deposited +it in his own waistcoat pocket instead of mine. Voltaire says, "no man +is a hero to his valet de chambre," meaning, thereby, as I suppose, that +being behind the scenes of every-day life, he finds out that Marshal +Saxe, or Frederick the Great, is as subject to the common infirmities of +our nature, as John Nokes or Peter Styles. Whether Paganini's squire of +the body looked on his master as a hero in the vulgar acceptation of the +word, I cannot say, but in spite of his stinginess, which he writhed +under, he regarded him with mingled reverence and terror. "A strange +person, your master," observed I. "<i>Signor</i>," replied the faithful +Sancho Panza, "<i>e veramente grand uomo, ma da non potersi comprendere</i>." +"He is truly a great man, but quite incomprehensible." It was edifying +to observe the awful importance with which Antonio bore the instrument +nightly intrusted to his charge to carry to and from the theatre. He +considered it an animated something, whether demon or angel he was +unable to determine, but this he firmly believed, that it could speak in +actual dialogue when his master pleased, or become a dumb familiar by +the same controlling volition. This especial violin was Paganini's +inseparable companion. It lay on his table before him as he sat +meditating in his solitary chamber; it was placed by his side at dinner, +and on a chair within his reach when in bed. If he woke, as he +constantly did, in the dead of night, and the sudden <i>estro</i> of +inspiration seized him, he grasped his instrument, started up, and on +the instant perpetuated the conception which otherwise he would have +lost for ever. This marvellous Cremona, valued at four hundred guineas, +Paganini, on his death-bed, gave to De Kontski, his nephew and only +pupil, himself an eminent performer, and in his possession it now +remains.</p> + +<p>When Paganini was in Dublin, at the musical festival of 1830, the +Marquis of Anglesea, then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, came every night +to the concerts at the theatre, and was greatly pleased with his +performance. On the first evening, between the acts, his Excellency +desired that he might be brought round to his box, to be introduced, and +paid him many compliments. Lord Anglesea was at that time residing in +perfect privacy with his family at Sir Harcourt Lee's country house, +near Blackrock, and expressed a wish to get an evening from the great +violinist, to gratify his domestic circle. The negotiation was rather a +difficult one, as Paganini was, of all others, the man who did nothing +in the way of business without an explicit understanding, and a +clearly-defined con-si-de-ra-tion. He was alive to the advantages of +honor, but he loved money with a paramount affection. I knew that he had +received enormous terms, such as £150 and £200 for fiddling at private +parties in London, and I trembled for the vice-regal purse; but I +undertook to manage the affair, and went to work accordingly. The +aid-de-camp in waiting called with me on Paganini, was introduced in due +form, and handed him a card of invitation to dinner, which, of course, +he received and accepted with ceremonious politeness. Soon after the +officer had departed, he said suddenly, "This is a great honor, but am I +expected to bring my instrument?" "Oh, yes," I replied, "as a matter of +course—the Lord Lieutenant's family wish to hear you in private." +"<i>Caro amico</i>," rejoined he, with petrifying composure, "<i>Paganini con +violino e Paganini senza violino,—ecco due animali distinti</i>." +"Paganini with his fiddle and Paganini without it are two very different +persons." I knew perfectly what he meant, and said, "The Lord Lieutenant +is a nobleman of exalted rank and character, liberal in the extreme, but +he is not Crœsus; nor do I think you could with any consistency +receive such an honor as dining at his table, and afterwards send in a +bill for playing two or three tunes in the evening." He was staggered, +and asked, "What do you advise?" I said, "Don't you think a present, in +the shape of a ring, or a snuff-box, or something of that sort, with a +short inscription, would be a more agreeable mode of settlement?" He +seemed tickled by this suggestion, and closed with it at once. I +dispatched the intelligence through the proper channel, that the violin +and the <i>grand maestro</i> would both be in attendance. He went in his very +choicest mood, made himself extremely agreeable,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> played away, +unsolicited, throughout the evening, to the delight of the whole party, +and on the following morning a gold snuff-box was duly presented to him, +with a few complimentary words engraved on the lid.</p> + +<p>A year or two after this, when Paganini was again in England, I thought +another engagement might be productive, as his extraordinary attraction +appeared still to increase. I wrote to him on the subject, and soon +received a very courteous communication, to the effect, that although he +had not contemplated including Ireland in his tour, yet he had been so +impressed by the urbanity of the Dublin public, and had moreover +conceived such a personal esteem for my individual character, that he +might be induced to alter his plans, at some inconvenience, provided +always I could make him a more enticing proposal than the former one. I +was here completely puzzled, as on that occasion I gave him a clear +two-thirds of each receipt, with a bonus of twenty-five pounds per night +in addition, for two useless coadjutors. I replied, that having duly +deliberated on his suggestion, and considered the terms of our last +compact, I saw no possible means of placing the new one in a more +alluring shape, except by offering him the entire produce of the +engagement. After I had dispatched my letter, I repented bitterly, and +was terrified lest he should think me serious, and hold me to the +bargain; but he deigned no answer, and this time I escaped for the +fright I had given myself. When in London, I called to see him, and met +with a cordial reception; but he soon alluded to the late +correspondence, and half seriously said, "That was a curious letter you +wrote to me, and the joke with which you concluded it by no means a good +one." "Oh," said I, laughing, "it would have been much worse if you had +taken me at my word." He then laughed too, and we parted excellent +friends. I never saw him again. He returned to the Continent, and died, +having purchased the title of Baron, with a patent of nobility, from +some foreign potentate, which, with his accumulated earnings, somewhat +dilapidated by gambling, he bequeathed to his only son. Paganini was the +founder of his school, and the original inventor of those extraordinary +<i>tours de force</i> with which all his successors and imitators are +accustomed to astonish the uninitiated. But he still stands at the head +of the list, although eminent names are included in it, and is not +likely to be pushed from his pedestal.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Julius Cornet of Hamburgh understands thirty-eight different languages, +not in the superficial manner of Elihu Burritt, but so well that he is +able to write them with correctness, and to make translations from one +into the other. He has issued a circular to the German public, offering +his services as a universal translator, and refers to some of the most +prominent publishers of Leipsic, whom he has many years served in that +capacity.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="BIOGRAPHY_OF_FRENCH_JOURNALISTS" id="BIOGRAPHY_OF_FRENCH_JOURNALISTS"></a>BIOGRAPHY OF FRENCH JOURNALISTS.</h2> + + +<p>Fraser's magazine contains a reviewal of Texier's new book on the Paris +journals and editors, from which we copy the following paragraphs:</p> + + +<h3>THE DÉBATS.</h3> + +<p>The <i>Débats</i> is chiefly read by wealthy landed proprietors, public +functionaries, the higher classes of the magistracy, the higher classes +of merchants and manufacturers, by the agents de change, barristers, +notaries, and what we in England would call country gentlemen. Its +circulation we should think 10,000. If it circulate 12,000 now, it +certainly must have considerably risen since 1849.</p> + +<p>The chief editor of the <i>Débats</i> is Armand Bertin. He was brought up in +the school of his father, and is now about fifty years of age, or +probably a little more. M. Bertin is a man of <i>esprit</i>, and of literary +tastes, with the habits, feelings, and demeanor of a well-bred +gentleman. Of an agreeable and facile commerce, the editor of the +<i>Débats</i> is a man of elegant and Epicurean habits; but does not allow +his luxurious tastes to interfere with the business of this nether +world. According to M. Texier, he reads with his own proprietary and +editorial eyes all the voluminous correspondence of the office on his +return from the <i>salon</i> in which he has been spending the evening. If in +the forenoon there is any thing of importance to learn in any quarter of +Paris, M. Bertin is on the scent, and seldom fails to run down his game. +At a certain hour in the day he appears in the Rue des Prêtres, in which +the office of the <i>Débats</i> is situate, and there assigns to his +collaborators their daily task. The compiler of the volume before us, +who, as we stated, is himself connected with the Parisian press, writing +in the <i>Siècle</i>, and who, it may therefore be supposed, has had good +opportunities for information, states that, previous to the passing of +the Tinguy law, M. Bertin never wrote in his own journal, but contented +himself with giving to the products of so many pens the necessary +homogeneity. But be this as it may, it is certain he has often written +since the law requires the <i>signature obligatoire</i>.</p> + +<p>Under the Monarchy of the Barricades the influence of M. Bertin was most +considerable, yet he only used this influence to obtain orders and +decorations for his contributors. As to himself, to his honor and glory +be it stated, that he never stuck the smallest bit of riband to his own +buttonhole, or, during the seventeen years of the monarchy of July, ever +once put his feet inside the Tuileries. At the Italian Opera or the +Variétés, sometimes at the Café de Paris, the Maison Dorée, or the Trois +Frères, M. Bertin may be seen enjoying the music, or his dinner and +wine, but never was he a servile courtier or trencher-follower of the +Monarch of the Barricades. It is after these enjoyments, or after his +<i>petit souper</i>, that M. Bertin proceeds for the last time for the day, +or rather the night, to the office of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> paper. There shutting himself +up in his cabinet, he calls for proofs, reads them, and when he has seen +every thing, and corrected every thing, he then gives the final and +authoritative order to go to press, and towards two o'clock in the +morning turns his steps homeward. M. Bertin, says our author with some +malice, belongs to that class of corpulent men so liked by Cæsar and +Louis Phillippe. Personally, M. Bertin has no reverence for what is +called nobility, either ancient or modern. He is of the school of +Chaussée d'Antin, which would set the rich and intelligent middle +classes in the places formerly occupied by <i>Messieurs les Grands +Seigneurs</i>.</p> + +<p>The ablest man, connected with the <i>Débats</i>, or indeed, at this moment, +with the press of France, is <span class="smcap">M. de Sacy</span>. De Sacy is an advocate by +profession, and pleaded in his youth some causes with considerable +success. At a very early period of his professional existence he allied +himself with the <i>Débats</i>. His articles are distinguished by ease and +flow, yet by a certain gravity and weight, which is divested, however, +of the disgusting doctoral tone. He is, in truth, a solid and serious +writer, without being in the least degree heavy. Political men of the +old school read his papers with pleasure, and most foreigners may read +them with profit and instruction. M. de Sacy is a simple, modest, and +retiring gentleman, of great learning, and a taste and tact very +uncommon for a man of so much learning. Though he has been for more than +a quarter of a century influentially connected with the <i>Débats</i>, and +has, during eighteen or twenty years of the period, had access to men in +the very highest positions—to ministers, ambassadors, to the sons of a +king, and even to the late king himself, it is much to his credit that +he has contented himself with a paltry riband and a modest place, as +Conservateur de la Bibliothèque Mazarine. M. de Sacy belongs to a +Jansenist family. <i>Apropos</i> of this, M. Texier tells a pleasant story +concerning him. A Roman Catholic writer addressing him one day in the +small gallery reserved for the journalist at the Chamber of Deputies, +said, "You are a man, M. de Sacy, of too much cleverness, and of too +much honesty, not to be one of us, sooner or later." "Not a bit of it," +replied promptly M. de Sacy; "<i>je veux vivre et mourir avec un pied dans +le doute et l'autre dans la foi</i>."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Saint-marc Girardin</span> is certainly, next to De Sacy, the most +distinguished writer connected with the <i>Débats</i>. He was originally a +<i>maître d'étude</i> at the College of Henry IV., and sent one fine morning +an article to the <i>Débats</i>, which produced a wonderful sensation. The +article was without name or address; but old Bertin so relished and +appreciated it, that he was not to be foiled in finding out the author. +An advertisement was inserted on the following day, requesting the +writer to call at the editor's study, when M. Saint-Marc Girardin was +attached as a regular <i>soldat de plume</i> to the establishment—a +profitable engagement, which left him at liberty to leave his miserable +<i>métier</i> of <i>maître d'étude</i>. The articles written in 1834 against the +Emperor of Russia and the Russian system were from the pen of M. +Girardin.—The <i>maître d'étude</i> of former days became professor at the +College of France—became deputy, and exhibited himself, able writer and +dialectician as he was and is, as a mediocre speaker, and ultimately +became academician and <i>un des quarante</i>.</p> + +<p>Another distinguished writer in the <i>Débats</i> is Michel Chevalier. +Chevalier is an <i>élève</i> of the Polytechnic School, who originally wrote +in the <i>Globe</i>. When editor and <i>gérant</i> of the <i>Globe</i>, he was +condemned to six months' imprisonment for having developed in that +journal the principles of St. Simonianism. Before the expiration of his +sentence he was appointed by the Government to a sort of travelling +commission to America; and from that country he addressed a series of +memorable letters to the <i>Débats</i>, which produced at the time immense +effect. Since that period, Chevalier was appointed Professor of +Political Economy at the College of France, a berth from whence he was +removed by Carnot, Minister of Public Instruction, but afterwards +reinstated by subsequent ministers. Chevalier, though an able man, is +yet more of an economic writer than a political disquisitionist. His +brother Augustus is Secretary-general of the Elysée.</p> + +<p>Among the other contributors are <span class="smcap">Philarete Chasles</span>, an excellent +classical scholar, and a man well acquainted with English literature; +Cuvillier Fleury, unquestionably a man of taste and talent; and the +celebrated Jules Janin. The productions of the latter as a +<i>feuilletoniste</i> are so well known that we do not stop to dwell upon +them. Janin is not without merit, and he is highly popular with a +certain class of writers: but his articles after all, apart from the +circumstances of the day, are but a <i>rechauffé</i> of the style of +Marivaux.</p> + + +<h3>THE CONSTITUTIONNEL.</h3> + +<p>The history of the <i>Constitutionnel</i> follows that of the <i>Débats</i>. The +<i>Débats</i>, says M. Texier, is ingenious, has tact without enthusiasm, +banters with taste, and scuds before the wind with a grace which only +belongs to a <i>fin voilier</i>—to a fast sailing clipper. But, on the other +hand, none of these qualities are found in the <i>Constitutionnel</i>, which, +though often hot, and not seldom vehement and vulgar, is almost +uniformly heavy. For three-and-thirty years—that is to say, from 1815 +to 1848—the <i>Constitutionnel</i> traded in Voltairien principles, in +vehement denunciations of the <i>Parti Prêtre</i> and of the Jesuits, and in +the intrigues of the emigrants and royalist party <i>quand même</i>. For many +years the literary giant of this Titanic warfare was Etienne, who had +been in early life secretary to Maret, duke of Bassano, himself a +mediocre journalist, though an excellent reporter and stenographer. +Etienne was a man of <i>esprit</i> and talent, who had commenced his career +as a writer in the <i>Minerve Française</i>. In this miscellany, his letters +on Paris acquired<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> as much vogue as his comedies. About 1818, Etienne +acquired a single share in the <i>Constitutionnel</i>, and after a year's +service became impregnated with the air of the Rue Montmartre—with the +spirit of the <i>genius loci</i>. When one has been some time writing for a +daily newspaper, this result is sure to follow. One gets habituated to +set phrases—to pet ideas—to the traditions of the locality—to the +prejudices of the readers, political or religious, as the case may be. +Independently of this, the daily toil of newspaper writing is such, and +so exhausting, that a man obliged to undergo it for any length of time +is glad occasionally to find refuge in words without ideas, which have +occasionally much significancy with the million, or in topics on which +the public love to dwell fondly. Under the reign of Louis XVIII. and +Charles X. it lost no opportunity, by indirection and innuendo, of +hinting at the "Petit Caporal," and this circumstance during the life of +the emperor, and long after his death, caused the journal to be +adored—that is really the word—by the old army, by the <i>vieux de +vieille</i>, and by the <i>durs à cuirs</i>. In these good old bygone times the +writers in the <i>Constitutionel</i> wore a blue frock closely buttoned up to +the chin, to the end that they might pass for officers of the old army +on half-pay. In 1830 the fortunes of the <i>Constitutionnel</i> had reached +the culminant point. It then counted 23,000 subscribers, at 80 francs a +year. At that period a single share in the property was a fortune. But +the avatar of the Citizen King spoiled in a couple of years the sale of +the citizen journal. The truth is, that the heat of the Revolution of +July had engendered and incubated a multitude of journals, great and +little, bounding with young blood and health—journals whose editors and +writers did not desire better sport than to attack the <i>Constitutionnel</i> +at right and at left, and to tumble the dear, fat, rubicund, old +gentleman, head over heels. Among these was the <i>Charivari</i>, which +incontinently laughed at the whole system of the establishment, from the +crapulous, corpulent, and Voltairien Etienne, down to the lowest +printer's devil. The metaphors, the puffs, <i>canards</i>, the <i>réclames</i>, +&c. of the <i>Constitutionnel</i> were treated mercilessly and as +nothing—not even Religion itself can stand the test of ridicule among +so mocking a people as the French; the result was, that the +<i>Constitutionnel</i> diminished wonderfully in point of circulation. Yet +the old man wrote and spoke well, and had, from 1824 to 1829, as an ally +the sharp and clever Thiers, and the better read, the better informed, +and the more judicious Mignet. It was during the Vitelle administration +that the <i>Constitutionnel</i> attained the very highest acme of its fame. +It was then said to have had 30,000 subscribers, and to have maintained +them with the cry of "Down with the Jesuits!" In 1827-28, during its +palmiest days, the <i>Constitutionnel</i> had no <i>Roman feuilleton</i>. It +depended then on its leading articles, nor was it till its circulation +declined, in 1843, to about 3500, that the proprietors determined to +reduce the price one-half. They then, too, adopted the <i>Roman +feuilleton</i>, giving as much as 500 francs for an article of this kind to +Dumas or Sue. From 1845 or 1846 to 1848, the <i>Consitutionnel</i> had most +able contributors of leading articles; Thiers, De Remusat, and Duvergier +d'Hauranne, having constantly written in its columns. The circulation of +the journal was then said to amount to 24,000. When the +<i>Constitutionnel</i> entered into the hands of its present proprietor, +Docteur Louis Veron, it was said to be reduced to 3000 subscribers. How +many subscribers it has now we have no very accurate means of knowing, +but we should say, at a rough guess, it may have 9000 or 10,000. It +should be remembered, that from being an anti-sacerdotal journal it has +become a priests' paper and the organ of priests; from being an opponent +of the executive, it has become the organ and the apologist of the +executive in the person of M. L. N. Buonaparte, and the useful +instrument, it is said, of M. Achille Fould. Every body knows, says M. +Texier, with abundant malice prepense, that Dr. Veron, the chief editor +of the <i>Constitutionnel</i>, has declared that France may henceforth place +her head on the pillow and go quietly to sleep, for the doctor +confidently answers for the good faith and wisdom of the president.</p> + +<p>But who is <span class="smcap">Doctor Veron</span>, the editor-in-chief, when one finds his +excellency <i>chezelle</i>? The ingenuous son of Esculapius tells us himself +that he has known the <i>coulisses</i> (the phrase is a queer one) of +science, of the arts, of politics, and even of the opera. It appears, +however, that the dear doctor is the son of a stationer of the Rue du +Bac, who began his career by studying medicine. If we are to believe +himself, his career was a most remarkable one. In 1821 he was received +what is called an <i>interne</i> of the Hôtel Dieu. After having walked the +hospitals, he enrolled himself in the Catholic and Apostolic Society of +'<i>bonnes lettres</i>,' collaborated with the writers in the <i>Quotidienne</i>, +and, thanks to Royalist patronage, was named physician-in-chief of the +Royal Museums. Whether any of the groups in the pictures of Rubens, +Salvator Rosa, Teniers, Claude, or Poussin—whether any of the Torsos of +Praxiteles, or even of a more modern school, required the assiduous care +or attention of a skilful physician, we do not pretend to state. But we +repeat that the practice of Dr. Veron, according to M. Texier, was +confined to these dumb yet not inexpressive personages. In feeling the +pulse of the Venus de Medici, or looking at the tongue of the Laocoon, +or the Apollo Belvidere, it is said the chief, if not the only practice +of Dr. Louis Veron consisted. True, the doctor invented a <i>pâte +pectorale</i>, approved by all the emperors and kings in Europe, and very +renowned, too, among the commonalty; but so did Dr. Solomon, of Gilead +House, near Liverpool, invent a balm of Gilead, and Mrs. Cockle invent +anti-bilious pills, taken by many of the judges, a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> majority of the +bench of bishops, and some admirals of the blue, and general officers +without number, yet we have never heard that Moses Solomon or Tabitha +Cockle were renowned in the practice of physic, notwithstanding the said +Gilead and the before-mentioned pills. Be this, however, as it may, +Veron, after having doctored the pictures and statues, and +patepectoraled the Emperor, the Pope, the Grand Turk, the Imaum of +Muscat, the Shah of Persia, and the Great Mogul himself, next +established the <i>Review of Paris</i>, which in its turn he abandoned to +become the director of the Opera. Tired of the Opera after four or five +years' service, the doctor became a candidate of the dynastic opposition +at Brest. This was the "artful dodge" before the Revolution of July +1848, if we may thus translate an untranslateable phrase of the +doctor's. At Brest the professor of the healing art failed, and the +consequence was, that instead of being a deputy he became the proprietor +of the <i>Constitutionnel</i>. Fortunate man that he is! In <i>Robert le +Diable</i> at the Opera, which he would not at first have at any price, the +son of Esculapius found the principal source of his fortune, and by the +<i>Juif Errant</i> of Eugène Sue, for which he gave 100,000 francs, he saved +the <i>Constitutionnel</i> from perdition. <i>Apropos</i> of this matter, there is +a pleasant story abroad. When Veron purchased the <i>Constitutionnel</i>, +Thiers was writing his <i>Histoire du Consulat</i>, for which the booksellers +had agreed to give 500,000 francs. Veron wished to have the credit of +publishing the book in the <i>Constitutionnel</i>, and with this view waited +on Thiers, offering to pay down, <i>argent comptant</i>, one-half the money. +Thiers, though pleased with the proposition, yet entrenched himself +behind his engagement with the booksellers. To one of the leading +booksellers Veron trotted off post-haste, and opened the business. "Oh!" +said the sensible publisher, "you have mistaken your <i>coup</i> altogether." +"How so?" said the doctor. "Don't you see," said the Libraire Editeur, +"that the rage is Eugène Sue, and that the <i>Débats</i> and the <i>Presse</i> are +at fistycuffs to obtain the next novelty of the author of the <i>Mystères +de Paris</i>? Go you and offer as much again for this novel, whatever it +may be, as either the one or other of them, and the fortune of the +<i>Constitutionnel</i> is made." The doctor took the advice, and purchased +the next novelty of Sue at 100,000 francs. This turned out to be the +<i>Juif Errant</i>, which raised the circulation of the <i>Constitutionnel</i> to +24,000.</p> + +<p>Veron is a puffy-faced little man, with an overgrown body, and midriff +sustained upon an attenuated pair of legs; his visage is buried in an +immense shirt collar, stiff and starched as a Norman cap. Dr. Veron +believes himself the key-stone of the Elyséan arch, and that the weight +of the government is on his shoulders. Look at him as he enters the Café +de Paris to eat his <i>purée à la Condé</i>, and his <i>suprême de volaille</i>, +and his <i>filet de chevreuil piqué aux truffes</i>, and you would say that +he is not only the prime, but the favorite minister of Louis Napoleon, +<i>par la grace de Dieu et Monsieur le Docteur Président de la +République</i>. "<i>Après tout c'est un mauvais drôle, que ce pharmacien</i>," +to use the term applied to the doctor by General Changarnier.</p> + +<p>A short man of the name of Boilay washes the dirty linen of Dr. Veron, +and corrects his faults of grammar, of history, &c. Boilay is a small, +sharp, stout, little man, self-possessed, self-satisfied, with great +readiness and tact. Give him but the heads of a subject and he can make +out a very readable and plausible article. Boilay is the real working +editor of the <i>Constitutionnel</i>, and is supported by a M. Clarigny, a M. +Malitourne, and others not more known or more respected. Garnier de +Cassagnac, of the <i>Pouvoir</i>, a man of very considerable talent, though +not of very fixed principle, writes occasionally in the +<i>Constitutionnel</i>, and more ably than any of the other contributors. M. +St. Beuve is the literary critic, and he performs his task with eminent +ability.</p> + + +<h3>THE NATIONAL.</h3> + +<p>We now come to the <i>National</i>, founded by Carrel, Mignet, and Thiers. It +was agreed between the triad that each should take the place of +<i>rédacteur en chef</i> for a year. Thiers, as the oldest and most +experienced, was the first installed, and conducted the paper with zest +and spirit till the Revolution of 1830 broke out. The <i>National</i> set out +with the idea of changing the incorrigible dynasty, and instituting +Orléanism in the place of it. The refusal to pay taxes and to contribute +to a budget was a proposition of the <i>National</i>, and it is not going too +far to say, that the crisis of 1830 was hastened by this journal. It was +at the office of the <i>National</i> that the famous protest, proclaiming the +right of resistance, was composed and signed by Thiers, De Remusat, and +Canchois Lemaire. On the following day the office of the journal was +bombarded by the police and an armed force, when the presses were +broken. Against this illegal violence the editors protested. After the +Revolution, Carrel assumed the conduct of the journal, and became the +firmest as well as the ablest organ of democracy. To the arbitrary and +arrogant Perier, he opposed a firm and uncompromising resistance. Every +one acquainted with French politics at that epoch is aware of the +strenuous and stand-up fight he made for five years for his principles. +He it was who opposed a bold front to military bullies, and who invented +the epithet <i>traîneurs de sabre</i>. This is not the place to speak of the +talent of Carrel. He was shot in a miserable quarrel in 1836, by Emile +Girardin, then, as now, the editor of the <i>Presse</i>. On the death of +Carrel, the shareholders of the paper assembled together to name a +successor. M. Trelat, subsequently minister, was fixed upon. But as he +was then a <i>détenu</i> at Clairvaux, Bastide and Littré filled the +editorial chair during the interregnum. On the release of Trelat, it was +soon discovered that he had not the peculiar talent necessary. The +sceptre of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> authority passed into the hands of M. Bastide, named +Minister of Foreign Affairs in the ending of 1848, or the beginning of +1849. M. Bastide, then a <i>marchand de bois</i>, divided his editorial +empire with M. Armand Marrast, who had been a political prisoner and a +refugee in England, and who returned to France on the amnesty granted on +the marriage of the Duke of Orleans. M. Marrast, though a disagreeable, +self-sufficient, and underbred person, was unquestionably a writer of +point, brilliancy, and vigor. From 1837 to the Revolution of 1848 he was +connected with the <i>National</i>, and was the author of a series of +articles which have not been equalled since. Like all low, vulgar-bred, +and reptile-minded persons, Marrast forgot himself completely when +raised to the position of President of the Chamber of Deputies. In this +position he made irreconcileable enemies of all his old colleagues, and +of most persons who came into contact with him. The fact is, that your +schoolmaster and pedagogue can rarely become a gentleman, or any thing +like a gentleman. The writers in the <i>National</i> at the present moment +are, M. Léopold Duras, M. Alexandre Rey, Caylus, Cochut, Forques, +Littré, Paul de Musset, Colonel Charras, and several others whose names +it is not necessary to mention here.</p> + + +<h3>THE SIÈCLE.</h3> + +<p>We come now to the <i>Siècle</i>, a journal which, though only established in +1836, has, we believe, a greater sale than any journal in Paris—at +least, had a greater sale previous to the Revolution of February 1848. +The <i>Siècle</i> was the first journal that started at the low price of 40 +francs a-year, when almost every other newspaper was purchased at a cost +of 70 or 80 francs. It should also be recollected, that it was published +under the auspices of the deputies of the constitutional opposition. The +<i>Siècle</i> was said, in 1846, to have had 42,000 subscribers. Its then +editor was M. Chambolle, who abandoned the concern in February or March +1849, not being able to agree with M. Louis Perrée, the <i>directeur</i> of +the journal. Since Chambolle left a journal which he had conducted for +thirteen years, M. Perrée has died in the flower of his age, mourned by +those connected with the paper, and regretted by the public at large. +Previous to the Revolution of 1848, Odillon Barrot and Gustave de +Beaumont took great interest and an active part in the management of the +<i>Siècle</i>. That positive, dogmatical, self-opinioned, and indifferent +newspaper writer, Léon Faucher, was then one of the principal +contributors to this journal. The <i>Siècle</i> of 1851 is somewhat what the +<i>Constitutionnel</i> was in 1825, 6, and 7. It is eminently City-like and +of the <i>bourgeoisie</i>, "earth, earthy," as a good, reforming, economic +National Guard ought to be. The success of the journal is due to this +spirit, and to the eminently fair, practical, and business-like manner +in which it has been conducted. Perrée, the late editor and manager of +the journal, who died at the early age of 34, was member for the Manche. +The writers in the journal are Louis Jourdan, formerly a St. Simonian; +Pierre Bernard, who was secretary to Armand Carrel; Hippolite Lamarche, +an ex-cavalry captain; Auguste Jullien (son of Jullien de Paris, one of +the commissaries of Robespierre); and others whom it is needless to +mention.</p> + + +<h3>THE PRESSE.</h3> + +<p>The <i>Presse</i> was founded in 1836, about the same time as the <i>Siècle</i>, +by Emile de Girardin, a son of General de Girardin, it is said, by an +English mother. Till that epoch of fifteen years ago, people in Paris or +in France had no idea of a journal exceeding in circulation 25,000 +copies, the circulation of the <i>Constitutionnel</i>, or of a newspaper +costing less than seventy or eighty francs per annum. Many journals had +contrived to live on respectably enough on a modest number of 4000 or +5000 <i>abonnés</i>. But the conductors of the <i>Presse</i> and of the <i>Siècle</i> +were born to operate a revolution in this routine and jog-trot of +newspaper life. They reduced the subscription to newspapers from eighty +to forty francs per annum, producing as good if not a better article. +This was a great advantage to the million, and it induced parties to +subscribe for, and read a newspaper, more especially in the country, who +never thought of reading a newspaper before. In constituting his new +press, M. Girardin entirely upset and rooted out all the old notions +theretofore prevailing as to the conduct of a journal. The great feature +in the new journal was not its leading articles, but its <i>Roman +feuilleton</i>, by Dumas, Sue, &c. This it was that first brought Socialism +into extreme vogue among the working classes. True the <i>Presse</i> was not +the first to publish Socialist <i>feuilletons</i>, but the <i>Débats</i> and the +<i>Constitutionnel</i>. But the <i>Presse</i> was the first to make the leading +article subsidiary to the <i>feuilleton</i>. It was, even when not a +professed Socialist, a great promoter of Socialism, by the thorough +support which it lent to all the slimy, jesuitical corruptions of +Guizoism, and all the turpitudes and chicanery of Louis Philippism. When +the <i>Presse</i> was not a year old it had 15,000 subscribers, and before it +was twelve years old the product of its advertisements amounted to +150,000 francs a-year. Indeed this journal has the rare merit of being +the first to teach the French the use, and we must add the abuse, of +advertisements. We fear the <i>Presse</i>, during these early days of the +gentle Emile and Granier Cassagnac, was neither a model of virtue, +disinterestedness, nor self-denial. Nor do we know that it is so now, +even under the best of Republics. There are strange tales abroad, even +allowing for the exaggeration of Rumor with her hundred tongues. One +thing, however, is clear; that the <i>Presse</i> was a liberal paymaster to +its <i>feuilletonistes</i>. To Dumas, Sand, De Balzac, Théophile Gautier, and +Jules Sandeau, it four years ago paid 300 francs per day for +contributions. The <i>Presse</i>, as M. Texier says, is now less the +collective reason of a set of writers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> laboring to a common intent, than +the expression of the individual activity, energy, and wonderful +mobility of M. Girardin himself. The <i>Presse</i> is Emile de Girardin, with +his boldness, his audacity, his rampant agility, his Jim Crowism, his +inexhaustible cleverness, wonderful fecundity, and indisputable talent. +The <i>Presse</i> is bold and daring; but no man can tell the color of its +politics to-day, much less three days, or three months hence. On the +25th of July, 1848, it was as audacious, as unabashed, and as little +disconcerted as two days before. When the workmen arrived in crowds to +break its presses, the ingenious Emile threw open the doors of the +press-room, talked and reasoned with the greasy rogues, and sent them +contented away.</p> + +<p>The number of journals in Paris is greater—much greater, +relatively—than the number existing in London. The people of Paris love +and study a newspaper more than the people of London, and take a greater +interest in public affairs, and more especially in questions of foreign +policy. Previous to the Revolution of February 1848, it cannot, we +think, be denied that newspaper writers in France held a much higher +rank than contributors to the daily press in England, and even still +they continue to hold a higher and more influential position, though +there can be no good reason why they should have done so at either time. +For the last fifteen years there cannot be any doubt or question that +the leading articles in the four principal daily London morning papers +exhibit an amount of talent, energy, information, readiness, and +compression, which are not found in such perfect and wonderful +combination in the French press.</p> + +<p>For the last three years, however, the press of France has wonderfully +deteriorated. It is no longer what it was antecedent to the Revolution. +There is not the literary skill, the artistical ability, the energy, the +learning, and the eloquence which theretofore existed. The class of +writers in newspapers now are an inferior class in attainments, in +scholarship, and in general ability. There can be little doubt, we +conceive, that the press greatly increased and abused its power, for +some years previous to 1848. This led to the decline of its +influence—an influence still daily diminishing; but withal, even still +the press in France has more influence, and enjoys more social and +literary consideration, than the press in England. We believe that +newspaper writers in France are not now so generally well paid as they +were twenty or thirty years ago. Two or three eminent writers can always +command in Paris what would be called a sporting price, but the great +mass of leading-article writers receive considerably less in money than +a similar class in London, though they exercise a much greater influence +on public opinion, and enjoy from the peculiar constitution of French +society a higher place in the social scale.</p> + +<p>—We see by the last papers from Paris that Veron and the President have +quarreled.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h4>From the Cincinnati Commercial Advertiser.</h4> +<h2><a name="PROPHECY" id="PROPHECY"></a>PROPHECY.</h2> + +<h3>BY ALICE CAREY.</h3> + + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I think thou lovest me—yet a prophet said<br /></span> +<span class="i2">To-day, Elhadra, if thou laidest dead,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From thy white forehead would he fold the shroud,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And thereon lay his sorrow, like a crown.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The drenching rain from out the chilly cloud,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">In the gray ashes beats the red flame down!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And when the crimson folds the kiss away<br /></span> +<span class="i2">No longer, and blank dulness fills the eyes,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Lifting its beauty from the crumbling clay,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Back to the light of earth life's angel flies.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">So, with my large faith unto gloom allied,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Sprang up a shadow sunshine could not quell,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And the voice said, Would'st haste to go outside<br /></span> +<span class="i2">This continent of being, it were well:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Where finite, growing toward the Infinite,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Gathers its robe of glory out of dust,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And looking down the radiances white,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Sees all God's purposes about us, just.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Canst thou, Elhadra, reach out of the grave,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And draw the golden waters of love's well?<br /></span> +<span class="i0"><i>His</i> years are chrisms of brightness in time's wave—<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Thine are as dewdrops in the nightshade's bell!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Then straightening in my hands the rippled length<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Of all my tresses, slowly one by one,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I took the flowers out.—Dear one, in thy strength<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Pray for my weakness. Thou hast seen the sun<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Large in the setting, drive a column of light<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Down through the darkness: so, within death's night,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">O my beloved, when I shall have gone,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If it might be so, would my love burn on.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h4>From Household Words</h4> + +<h2><a name="THE_MODERN_HAROUN-AL-RASCHID" id="THE_MODERN_HAROUN-AL-RASCHID"></a>THE MODERN HAROUN-AL-RASCHID.</h2> + +<p>In the district of Ferdj' Onah (which signifies <i>Fine Country</i>), +Algeria, lives a Scheik named Bou-Akas-ben-Achour. He is also +distinguished by the surname of <i>Bou-Djenoni</i> (the Man of the Knife), +and may be regarded as a type of the eastern Arab. His ancestors +conquered Ferdj' Onah, but he has been forced to acknowledge the +supremacy of France, by paying a yearly tribute of 80,000 francs. His +dominion extends from Milah to Rabouah, and from the southern point of +Babour to within two leagues of Gigelli. He is forty-nine years old, and +wears the Rahyle costume; that is to say, a woollen <i>gandoura</i>, confined +by a leathern belt. He carries a pair of pistols in his girdle, by his +side the Rahyle <i>flissa</i>, and suspended from his neck a small black +knife.</p> + +<p>Before him walks a negro carrying his gun, and a huge greyhound bounds +along by his side. He holds despotic sway over twelve tribes; and should +any neighboring people venture to make an incursion on his territory, +Bou-Akas seldom condescends to march against them in person, but sends +his negro into the principal village. This envoy just displays the gun +of Bou-Akas, and the injury is instantly repaired.</p> + +<p>He keeps in pay two or three hundred Tolbas to read the Koran to the +people; every pilgrim going to Mecca, and passing through Ferdj' Onah, +receives three francs, and may remain as long as he pleases to enjoy the +hospitality of Bou-Akas. But whenever the Scheik discovers that he has +been deceived by a pretended pilgrim, he immediately dispatches +emissaries after the impostor; who, wherever he is, find him, throw him +down, and give him fifty blows on the soles of his feet.</p> + +<p>Bou-Akas sometimes entertains three hundred persons at dinner; but +instead of sharing their repast, he walks round the tables with a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> baton +in his hand, seeing that the servants attend properly to his guests. +Afterwards, if any thing is left, he eats; but not until the others have +finished.</p> + +<p>When the governor of Constantinople, the only man whose power he +recognizes, sends him a traveller; according to the rank of the latter, +or the nature of the recommendation Bou-Akas gives him his gun, his dog, +or his knife. If the gun, the traveller takes it on his shoulder; if the +dog, he leads it in a leash; or if the knife, he hangs it round his +neck: and with any one of these potent talismans, of which each bears +its own degree of honor, the stranger passes through the region of the +twelve tribes, not only unscathed, but as the guest of Bou-Akas, treated +with the utmost hospitality. When the traveller is about to leave Ferdj' +Onah, he consigns the knife, the dog, or the gun to the care of the +first Arab he meets. If the Arab is hunting, he leaves the chase; if +laboring in the field, he leaves his plough; and, taking the precious +deposit, hastens to restore it to the Bou-Akas.</p> + +<p>The black-handled knife is so well known, that it has given the surname +of "Bou-Djenoni, <i>the man of the knife</i>," to its owner. With this +implement he is accustomed to cut off heads, whenever he takes a fancy +to perform that agreeable office with his own hand.</p> + +<p>When first Bou-Akas assumed the government, the country was infested +with robbers, but he speedily found means to extirpate them. He +disguised himself as a poor merchant; walked out, and dropped a <i>douro</i> +(a gold coin) on the ground, taking care not to lose sight of it. If the +person who happened to pick up the <i>douro</i>, put it into his pocket and +passed on, Bou-Akas made a sign to his <i>chinaux</i> (who followed him, also +in disguise, and knew the Scheik's will) rushed forward immediately, and +decapitated the offender. In consequence of this summary method of +administering justice, it is a saying amongst the Arabs that a child +might traverse the regions which own Bou-Akas's sway, wearing a golden +crown on his head, without a single hand being stretched out to take it.</p> + +<p>The Scheik has great respect for women, and has ordered that when the +females of Ferdj' Onah go out to draw water, every man who meets them +shall turn away his head. Wishing one day to ascertain whether his +commands were attended to, he went out in disguise: and, meeting a +beautiful Arab maiden on her way to the well, approached and saluted +her. The girl looked at him with amazement, and said: "Pass on, +stranger; thou knowest not the risk them hast run." And when Bou-Akas +persisted in speaking to her, she added: "Foolish man, and reckless of +thy life; knowest thou not that we are in the country of Bou-Djenoni, +who causes all women to be held in respect?"</p> + +<p>Bou-Akas is very strict in his religious observances; he never omits his +prayers and ablutions, and has four wives, the number permitted by the +Koran. Having heard that the Cadi of one of his twelve tribes +administered justice in an admirable manner, and pronounced decisions in +a style worthy of King Solomon himself, Bou-Akas, like a second +Haroun-Al-Raschid, determined to judge for himself as to the truth of +the report. Accordingly, dressed like a private individual, without arms +or attendants, he set out for the Cadi's towns, mounted on a docile +Arabian steed. He arrived there, and was just entering the gate, when a +cripple seizing the border of his burnous, asked him for alms in the +name of the prophet. Bou-Akas gave him money, but the cripple still +maintained his hold. "What dost thou want?" asked the Scheik; "I have +already given thee alms."</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied the beggar, "but the law says, not only—'Thou shalt give +alms to thy brother,' but also, 'Thou shalt do for thy brother +whatsoever thou canst.'"</p> + +<p>"Well! and what can I do for thee?"</p> + +<p>"Thou canst save me,—poor crawling creature that I am!—from being +trodden under the feet of men, horses, mules and camels, which would +certainly happen to me in passing through the crowded square, in which a +fair is now going on."</p> + +<p>"And how can I save thee?"</p> + +<p>"By letting me ride behind you, and putting me down safely in the +market-place, where I have business."</p> + +<p>"Be it so," replied Bou-Akas. And stooping down, he helped the cripple +to get up behind him; a business which was not accomplished without much +difficulty. The strangely assorted riders attracted many eyes as they +passed through the crowded streets; and at length they reached the +market-place. "Is this where you wish to stop?" asked Bou-Akas.</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Then get down."</p> + +<p>"Get down yourself."</p> + +<p>"What for?"</p> + +<p>"To leave me the horse."</p> + +<p>"To leave you my horse! What mean you by that?"</p> + +<p>"I mean that he belongs to me. Know you not that we are now in the town +of the just Cadi, and that if we bring the case before him, he will +certainly decide in my favor?"</p> + +<p>"Why should he do so, when the animal belongs to me?"</p> + +<p>"Don't you think that when he sees us two,—you with your strong +straight limbs, which Allah has given you for the purpose of walking, +and I with my weak legs and distorted feet,—he will decree that the +horse shall belong to him who has most need of him?"</p> + +<p>"Should, he do so, he would not be the <i>just</i> Cadi," said Bou-Akas.</p> + +<p>"Oh! as to that," replied the cripple, laughing, "although he is just, +he is not infallible."</p> + +<p>"So!" thought the Scheik to himself, "this will be a capital opportunity +of judging the judge." He said aloud, "I am content—we will go before +the Cadi."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span></p> + +<p>Arrived at the tribunal, where the judge, according to the eastern +custom, was publicly administering justice, they found that two trials +were about to go on, and would of course take precedence of theirs. The +first was between a <i>taleb</i> or learned man, and a peasant. The point in +dispute was the <i>taleb's</i> wife, whom the peasant had carried off, and +whom he asserted to be his own better half, in the face of the +philosopher who demanded her restoration. The woman, strange +circumstance! remained obstinately silent, and would not declare for +either; a feature in the case which rendered its decision excessively +difficult. The judge heard both sides attentively, reflected for a +moment, and then said, "Leave the woman here, and return to-morrow." The +<i>savant</i> and the laborer each bowed and retired; and the next cause was +called. This was a difference between a butcher and an oil-seller. The +latter appeared covered with oil, and the former was sprinkled with +blood.</p> + +<p>The butcher spoke first:—"I went to buy some oil from this man, and in +order to pay him for it, I drew a handful of money from my purse. The +sight of the money tempted him. He seized me by the wrist. I cried out, +but he would not let me go; and here we are, having come before your +worship, I holding my money in my hand, and he still grasping my wrist. +Now, I swear by the Prophet, that this man is a liar, when he says that +I stole his money, for the money is truly mine own."</p> + +<p>Then spoke the oil-merchant:—"This man came to purchase oil from me. +When his bottle was filled, he said, 'Have you change for a piece of +gold?' I searched my pocket, and drew out my hand full of money, which I +laid on a bench in my shop. He seized it, and was walking off with my +money and my oil, when I caught him by the wrist, and cried out +'Robber!' In spite of my cries, however, he would not surrender the +money, so I brought him here, that your worship might decide the case. +Now, I swear by the Prophet that this man is a liar, when he says that I +want to steal his money, for it is truly mine own."</p> + +<p>The Cadi caused each plaintiff to repeat his story, but neither varied +one jot from his original statement. He reflected for a moment, and then +said, "Leave the money with me, and return to-morrow." The butcher +placed the coins, which he had never let go, on the edge of the Cadi's +mantle. After which he and his opponent bowed to the tribunal, and +departed.</p> + +<p>It was now the turn of Bou-Akas and the cripple. "My lord Cadi," said +the former, "I came hither from a distant country, with the intention of +purchasing merchandise. At the city gate I met this cripple, who first +asked for alms, and then prayed me to allow him to ride behind me +through the streets, lest he should be trodden down in the crowd. I +consented, but when we reached the market-place, he refused to get down, +asserting that my horse belonged to him, and that your worship would +surely adjudge it to him, who wanted it most. That, my lord Cadi, is +precisely the state of the case—I swear it by Mahomet!"</p> + +<p>"My lord," said the cripple, "as I was coming on business to the market, +and riding this horse, which belongs to me, I saw this man seated by the +roadside, apparently half dead from fatigue. I good naturedly offered to +take him on the crupper, and let him ride as far as the market-place, +and he eagerly thanked me. But what was my astonishment, when, on our +arrival, he refused to get down, and said that my horse was his. I +immediately required him to appear before your worship, in order that +you might decide between us. That is the true state of the case—I swear +it by Mahomet!"</p> + +<p>Having made each repeat his deposition, and having reflected for a +moment, the Cadi said, "Leave the horse here, and return to-morrow."</p> + +<p>It was done, and Bou-Akas and the cripple withdrew in different +directions. On the morrow, a number of persons besides those immediately +interested in the trials assembled to hear the judge's decisions. The +<i>taleb</i> and the peasant were called first.</p> + +<p>"Take away thy wife," said the Cadi to the former, "and keep her, I +advise thee, in good order." Then turning towards his <i>chinaux</i>, he +added, pointing to the peasant, "Give this man fifty blows." He was +instantly obeyed, and the <i>taleb</i> carried off his wife.</p> + +<p>Then came forward the oil-merchant and the butcher. "Here," said the +Cadi to the butcher, "is thy money; it is truly thine, and not his." +Then pointing to the oil-merchant, he said to his <i>chinaux</i>, "Give this +man fifty blows." It was done, and the butcher went away in triumph with +his money.</p> + +<p>The third cause was called, and Bou-Akas and the cripple came forward. +"Would'st thou recognize thy horse amongst twenty others?" said the +judge to Bou-Akas.</p> + +<p>"Yes, my lord."</p> + +<p>"And thou?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly, my lord," replied the cripple.</p> + +<p>"Follow me," said the Cadi to Bou-Akas.</p> + +<p>They entered a large stable, and Bou-Akas pointed out his horse amongst +twenty which were standing side by side.</p> + +<p>"'Tis well," said the judge. "Return now to the tribunal, and send me +thine adversary hither."</p> + +<p>The disguised Scheik obeyed, delivered his message, and the cripple +hastened to the stable, as quickly as his distorted limbs allowed. He +possessed quick eyes and a good memory, so that he was able, without the +slightest hesitation, to place his hand on the right animal.</p> + +<p>"'Tis well," said the Cadi; "return to the tribunal."</p> + +<p>His worship resumed his place, and when the cripple arrived, judgment +was pronounced. "The horse is thine," said the Cadi to Bou-Akas. "Go to +the stable, and take him." Then to the <i>chinaux</i>, "Give this cripple +fifty blows." It was done; and Bou-Akas went to take his horse.</p> + +<p>When the Cadi, after concluding the business<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> of the day, was retiring +to his house, he found Bou-Akas waiting for him. "Art thou discontented +with my award?" asked the judge.</p> + +<p>"No, quite the contrary," replied the Scheik. "But I want to ask by what +inspiration thou hast rendered justice; for I doubt not that the other +two cases were decided as equitably as mine. I am not a merchant; I am +Bou-Akas, Scheik of Ferdj' Onah, and I wanted to judge for myself of thy +reputed wisdom."</p> + +<p>The Cadi bowed to the ground, and kissed his master's hand.</p> + +<p>"I am anxious," said Bou-Akas, "to know the reasons which determined +your three decisions."</p> + +<p>"Nothing, my lord, can be more simple. Your highness saw that I detained +for a night the three things in dispute?"</p> + +<p>"I did."</p> + +<p>"Well, early in the morning I caused the woman to be called, and I said +to her suddenly—'Put fresh ink in my inkstand.' Like a person who had +done the same thing a hundred times before, she took the bottle, removed +the cotton, washed them both, put in the cotton again, and poured in +fresh ink, doing it all with the utmost neatness and dexterity. So I +said to myself, 'A peasant's wife would known nothing about +inkstands—she must belong to the <i>taleb</i>."</p> + +<p>"Good," said Bou-Akas, nodding his head. "And the money?"</p> + +<p>"Did your highness remark that the merchant had his clothes and hands +covered with oil?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly, I did."</p> + +<p>"Well; I took the money, and placed it in a vessel filled with water. +This morning I looked at it, and not a particle of oil was to be seen on +the surface of the water. So I said to myself, 'If this money belonged +to the oil-merchant it would be greasy from the touch of his hands; as +it is not so, the butcher's story must be true.'"</p> + +<p>Bou-Akas nodded in token of approval.</p> + +<p>"Good," said he. "And my horse?"</p> + +<p>"Ah! that was a different business; and, until this morning, I was +greatly puzzled."</p> + +<p>"The cripple, I suppose, did not recognize the animal?"</p> + +<p>"On the contrary, he pointed him out immediately."</p> + +<p>"How then did you discover that he was not the owner?"</p> + +<p>"My object in bringing you separately to the stable, was not to see +whether you would know the horse, but whether the horse would +acknowledge you. Now, when you approached him, the creature turned +towards you, laid back his ears, and neighed with delight; but when the +cripple touched him, he kicked. Then I knew that you were truly his +master."</p> + +<p>Bou-Akas thought for a moment, and then said: "Allah has given thee +great wisdom. Thou oughtest to be in my place, and I in thine. And yet, +I know not; thou art certainly worthy to be Scheik, but I fear that I +should but badly fill thy place as Cadi!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h4>From the Manchester Examiner.</h4> + +<h2><a name="LOVE_A_SONNET" id="LOVE_A_SONNET"></a>LOVE.—A SONNET.</h2> + +<h3>BY J. C. PRINCE.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Love is an odor from the heavenly bowers,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Which stirs our senses tenderly, and brings<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Dreams which are shadows of diviner things<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Beyond this grosser atmosphere of ours.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An oasis of verdure and of flowers,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Love smiteth on the Pilgrim's weary way;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">There fresher air, there sweeter waters play,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">There purer solace charms the quiet hours.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">This glorious passion, unalloyed, endowers<br /></span> +<span class="i2">With moral beauty all who feel its fire;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Maid, wife, and offspring, brother, mother, sire,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Are names and symbols of its hallowed powers.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Love is immortal. From our head may fly<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Earth's other blessings; Love can never die!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6"><i>Ashton, 5th March.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h4>From the Spectator.</h4> +<h2><a name="THE_HISTORY_OF_SORCERY_AND_MAGICI" id="THE_HISTORY_OF_SORCERY_AND_MAGICI"></a>THE HISTORY OF SORCERY AND MAGIC.<a name="FNanchor_I_9" id="FNanchor_I_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_I_9" class="fnanchor">[I]</a></h2> + + + +<p>The rationale of magic, when a combination of skill and fraud imposed +upon the vulgar, is easily settled. The priests of the ancient +mythology, the adepts of the middle ages, turned their knowledge of +chemistry and mechanics and their proficiency in legerdemain to account; +and before we denounce the latter as impostors, we should bear in mind +the ignorance of the times in which they lived. People would not have +believed any natural explanation, though they might have felt inclined +to persecute the man when stripped of his magical character: we should +also consider how far the general belief might influence even the man +himself; how far he could in his inmost mind draw the distinction +between what we call natural philosophy and what the age considered +magic—a lawful if a riskful power over nature and spirits, by means of +occult knowledge. An allowance is further to be made for the stories as +they have come down to us; a distinction is to be drawn between the +actual facts and the fancy of the narrator, between the reality and the +romance of magic.</p> + +<p>Sorcery and witchcraft (to which, notwithstanding its title, Mr. +Wright's book chiefly relates) was a more vulgar pursuit, and is a more +difficult matter to determine. The true magician was a master over both +the seen and the unseen world. His art could <i>compel</i> spirits or demons +to obey him, however much against their will. It seems a question +whether a spell of sufficient potency could not control Satan himself. +The witch or wizard was a vulgar being, a mere slave of the Evil One, +with no original power, very limited in derived power, and, it would +appear, with no means of acting directly except upon the elements. The +facts relating to witchcraft, being often matter of legal record, are +more numerous and more correctly narrated than those relating to magic. +The difficulty of fixing the exact boundary between truth and falsehood, +guilt and innocence, in the case of witchcraft, is not so easily settled +as the sciolist in liberal philosophy imagines. Of course we all know +that men and women could not travel through the air on broomsticks, or +cause storms, or afflict<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> cattle. Their innocence of the intention is +not always so certain: their power over a nervous or weakly person, +especially in bad health, might really, through the influence of +imagination, produce the death threatened, and the miserable patient +might pine away as his real or supposed waxen image slowly melted before +the fire. At a time when the belief in witchcraft was entertained by +society in general, as well as by the majority of educated men, it is +not likely that the persons who were generally accused of it were +skeptical on the subject. Their innocence would lie, not in their +disbelief of its power, but in their rejection of the practice. That an +accusation of witchcraft was sometimes made from political, religious, +or personal motives, is true; and numbers of innocent victims were +sacrificed in times of public mania on the subject. The question is, +whether many did not attempt unlawful arts in full belief of their +efficacy; and whether some, a compound of the self-dupe and the +impostor, did not make use of their reputed power to indulge in the +grossest license and to perpetrate abominable crimes.</p> + +<p>The great difficulty, however, is the confessions. In many cases, no +doubt, the victims, worn down by terror and torture, said whatever their +examiners seemed to wish them to say; in other cases, their statements +were exaggerated by the reporters. Yet enough remains, after every +deduction, to render witches' confessions a very curious mental problem. +Was it vision, or monomania, or nervous delusion, all influenced by +foregone conclusion? or was it, as the mesmerists seem to hold, an +instance of clairvoyance in a high degree? The case of Gaufridi is of +this puzzling nature. Gaufridi was a French priest of licentious +character, who succeeded by the opportunities which his priestly +influence gave him, or by some pretended supernatural arts. His crimes +were discovered through the confession of one of his victims, a nun whom +he had abused before profession. After a time, she appeared to be +possessed; and, under treatment by a celebrated exorcist, (an inferior +hand having failed,) she, or the demon in possession, among other things +accused Gaufridi. <i>Her</i> revelations may be resolved into an imposture +instigated by revenge, or a pious fraud caused by remorse, or hysterical +fits, with utterance shaped by memory; but what can be said of +Gaufridi's, made with a full knowledge of consequences?</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The priests who conducted this affair seem almost to have lost +sight of Louis Gaufridi, in their anxiety to collect these +important evidences of the true faith. It was not till towards +the close of winter that the reputed wizard was again thought +of. A warrant was then obtained against him, and he was taken +into custody, and confined in the prison of the conciergerie at +Marseilles. On the fifth of March he was for the first time +confronted with sister Magdalen, but without producing the +result anticipated by his persecutors. Little information is +given as to the subsequent proceedings against him; but he +appears to have been treated with great severity, and to have +persevered in asserting his innocence. Sister Magdalen, or +rather the demon within her, gave information of certain marks +on his body which had been placed there by the Evil One; and on +search they were found exactly as described. It is not to be +wondered at, if, after the intercourse which had existed +between them, sister Magdalen were able to give such +information. Still Gaufridi continued unshaken, and he made no +confession; until at length, on Easter Eve, the twenty-sixth of +March, 1611, a full avowal of his guilt was drawn from him, we +are not told through what means, by two Capuchins of the +Convent of Aix, to which place he had been transferred for his +trial. At the beginning of April, another witness, the +Demoiselle Victoire de Courbier, came forward to depose that +she had been bewitched by the renegade priest, who had obtained +her love by his charms; and he made no objection to their +adding this new incident to his confession.</p> + +<p>"Gaufridi acknowledged the truth of all that had been said by +sister Magdalen or by her demon. He said that an uncle, who had +died many years ago, had left him his books, and that one day, +about five or six years before his arrest on this accusation, +he was looking them over, when he found amongst them a volume +of magic, in which were some writings in French verse, +accompanied with strange characters. His curiosity was excited, +and he began to read it; when, to his great astonishment and +consternation, the demon appeared in a human form, and said to +him, 'What do you desire of me, for it is you who have called +me?' Gaufridi was young, and easily tempted; and when he had +recovered from his surprise and was reassured by the manner and +conversation of his visitor, he replied to his offer, 'If you +have power to give me what I desire, I ask for two things: +first, that I shall prevail with all the women I like; +secondly, that I shall be esteemed and honored above all the +priests of this country, and enjoy the respect of men of wealth +and honor.' We may see, perhaps, through these wishes, the +reason why Gaufridi was persecuted by the rest of the clergy. +The demon promised to grant him his desires, on condition that +he would give up to him entirely his 'body, soul, and works;' +to which Gaufridi agreed, excepting only from the latter the +administration of the holy sacrament, to which he was bound by +his vocation as a priest of the church.</p> + +<p>"From this time Louis Gaufridi felt an extreme pleasure in +reading the magical book, and it always had the effect of +bringing the demon to attend upon him. At the end of two or +three days the agreement was arranged and completed, and, it +having been fairly written on parchment, the priest signed it +with his blood. The tempter then told him, that whenever he +breathed on maid or woman, provided his breath reached their +nostrils, they would immediately become desperately in love +with him. He soon made a trial of the demon's gift, and used it +so copiously that, he became in a short time a general object +of attraction to the women of the district. He said that he +often amused himself with exciting their passions when he had +no intention of requiting them, and he declared that he had +already made more than a thousand victims.</p> + +<p>"At length he took an extraordinary fancy to the young Magdalen +de la Palude; but he found<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> her difficult of approach, on +account of the watchfulness of her mother, and he only overcame +the difficulty by breathing on the mother before he seduced the +daughter. He thus gained his purpose; took the girl to the cave +in the manner she had already described, and became so much +attached to her that he often repeated his charm on her, to +make her more devoted in her love. Three days after their first +visit to the cave, he gave her a familiar named Esmodes. +Finding her now perfectly devoted to his will, he determined to +marry her to Beelzebub, the prince of the demons; and she +readily agreed to his proposal. He immediately called the demon +prince, who appeared in the form of a handsome gentleman; and +she then renounced her baptism and Christianity, signed the +agreement with her blood, and received the demon's mark....</p> + +<p>"The priest gave an account of the Sabbaths, at which he was a +regular attendant. When he was ready to go—it was usually at +night—he either went to the open window of his chamber, or +left the chamber, locking the door, and proceeded into the open +air. There Lucifer made his appearance, and took him in an +instant to their place of meeting, where the orgies of the +witches and sorcerers lasted usually from three to four hours. +Gaufridi divided the victims of the Evil One into three +classes: the masqués, (perhaps the novices,) the sorcerers, and +the magicians. On arriving at the meeting, they all worshipped +the demon according to their several ranks; the masqués falling +flat on their faces, the sorcerers kneeling with their heads +and bodies humbly bowed down, and the magicians, who stood +highest in importance, only kneeling. After this they all went +through the formality of denying God and the Saints. Then they +had a diabolical service in burlesque of that of the church, at +which the Evil One served as priest in a violet chasuble; the +elevation of the demon host was announced by a wooden bell, and +the sacrament itself was made of unleavened bread. The scenes +which followed resembled those of other witch-meetings. +Gaufridi acknowledged that he took Magdalen thither, and that +he made her swallow magical 'characters' that were to increase +her love to him; yet he proved unfaithful to her at these +Sabbaths with a multitude of persons, and among the rest with +'a princess of Friesland.' The unhappy sorcerer confessed, +among other things, that his demon was his constant companion, +though generally invisible to all but himself; and that he only +left him when he entered the church of the Capuchins to perform +his religious duties, and then he waited for him outside the +church door.</p> + +<p>"Gaufridi was tried before the Court of Parliament of Provence +at Aix. His confession, the declaration of the demons, the +marks on his body, and other circumstances, left him no hope of +mercy. Judgment was given against him on the last day of April, +and the same day it was put in execution. He was burnt alive."</p></div> + +<p><i>Narratives of Sorcery and Magic</i> is a skilful and popular selection of +stories or narratives relating to the subject, not a philosophic +treatise. We are carried to France, Germany, England, Ireland, Scotland, +Spain, and America, by turns. We have the most remarkable trials for +witchcraft in these countries, as well as cases in which supernatural +agency was only an incidental part,—as that of the Earl and Countess of +Somerset, for the murder of Overbury.</p> + +<p>By way of showing that Mr. Wright is by no means an indifferent +story-teller, we may refer to the following legend:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The demons whom the sorcerer served seem rarely to have given +any assistance to their victims when the latter fell into the +hands of the judicial authorities; but if they escaped +punishment by the agency of the law, they were only reserved +for a more terrible end. We have already seen the fate of the +woman of Berkeley. A writer of the thirteenth century has +preserved a story of a man who, by his compact with the Evil +One, had collected together great riches. One day, while he was +absent in the fields, a stranger of suspicious appearance came +to his house and asked for him. His wife replied that he was +not at home. The stranger said, 'Tell him when he returns, that +to-night he must pay me my debt.' The wife replied that she was +not aware that he owed any thing to him. 'Tell, him,' said the +stranger, with a ferocious look, 'that I will have my debt +to-night.' The husband returned, and when informed of what had +taken place, merely remarked that the demand was just. He then +ordered his bed to be made that night in an outhouse, where he +had never slept before, and he shut himself in it with a +lighted candle. The family were astonished, and could not +resist the impulse to gratify their curiosity by looking +through the holes in the door. They beheld the same stranger, +who had entered without opening the door, seated beside his +victim, and they appeared to be counting large sums of money. +Soon they began to quarrel about their accounts, and were +proceeding from threats to blows, when the servants, who were +looking through the door, burst it open, that they might help +their master. The light was instantly extinguished; and when +another was brought, no traces could be found of either of the +disputants, nor were they ever afterwards heard of. The +suspicious-looking stranger was the demon himself, who had +carried away his victim."</p></div> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_I_9" id="Footnote_I_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_I_9"><span class="label">[I]</span></a> Narratives of Sorcery and Magic, from the most Authentic +Sources. By Thomas Wright, Esq., M.A., F.S.A., &c., &c. In two volumes. +Published by Bentley.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h4>From the Examiner.</h4> + +<h2><a name="HARTLEY_COLERIDGE_AND_HIS_GENIUS" id="HARTLEY_COLERIDGE_AND_HIS_GENIUS"></a>HARTLEY COLERIDGE AND HIS GENIUS.</h2> + +<p>Hartley Coleridge was a poet whose life was so deplorable a +contradiction to the strength and subtlety of his genius, and the +capability and range of his intellect, that perhaps no such sad example +has ever found similar record.<a name="FNanchor_J_10" id="FNanchor_J_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_J_10" class="fnanchor">[J]</a> Indeed we are obliged with sincere +grief to doubt, whether, as written here, the memoir should have been +written at all. With much respect for Mr. Derwent Coleridge, who is +himself no unworthy inheritor of a great name, his white neckcloth is +somewhat too prominently seen in the matter. There are too many labored +explainings, starched apologies, and painful accountings for this and +that. The writer was probably not conscious of the effort he was making, +yet the effort is but too manifest, A simple statement of facts, a +kindly allowance for circumstances,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> a mindful recollection of what his +father was in physical as well as mental organization, extracts from +Hartley's own letters, recollections of those among whom his latter life +was passed—this, as it seems to us, should have sufficed. Mr. Derwent +Coleridge brings too many church-bred and town-bred notions to the grave +design of moralizing and philosophizing his brother's simple life and +wayward self-indulgences. His motives will be respected, and his real +kindness not misunderstood; but it will be felt that a quiet and +unaffected little memoir of that strange and sorry career, and of those +noble nor wholly wasted powers, remains still to be written.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile we gratefully accept the volumes before us, which in their +contents are quite as decisive of Hartley Coleridge's genius as of what +it might have achieved in happier circumstances. A more beautiful or +more sorrowful book has not been published in our day.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Cut is the branch that might have grown full straight,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And burned is Apollo's laurel-bough,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That sometime grew within this learned man."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Hartley Coleridge was the eldest son of the poet, and with much of his +father's genius (which in him, however, took a more simple and practical +shape than consisted with the wider and more mystical expanse of his +father's mind), inherited also the defects of his organization and +temperament. What would have become of the elder Coleridge but for the +friends in whose home his later years found a refuge, no one can say. +With no such friends or home, poor Hartley became a cast-away. After a +childhood of singular genius, manifested in many modes and forms, and +described with charming effect by his brother in the best passages and +anecdotes of the memoir, he was launched without due discipline or +preparation into the University of Oxford, where the catastrophe of his +life befell. He had first fairly shown his powers when the hard doom +went forth which condemned them to waste and idleness. He obtained a +fellowship-elect at Oriel, was dismissed on the ground of intemperance +before his probationary year had passed, and wandered for the rest of +his days by the scenes with which his father most wished to surround his +childhood—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">("But thou, my babe, shall wander like a breeze<br /></span> +<span class="i0">By lakes and sandy shores, beneath the crags<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of ancient mountains, and beneath the clouds<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Which image in their bulk both lakes and shores<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And mountain crags")<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>—listening with hardly less than his father's delight to the sounds and +voices of nature, in homely intimacy with all homely folk, uttering now +and then piercing words of wisdom or regret, teaching little children in +village schools, and——.</p> + +<p>Well, it would be perhaps too much to say that he continued to justify +the rejection of the Oriel fellows. Who knows how largely that event may +itself have contributed to what it too hastily anticipated and too +finally condemned? It appears certain that the weakness had not thus +early made itself known to Hartley's general acquaintance at the +University. Mr. Dyce had nothing painful to remember of him, but +describes him as a young man possessing an intellect of the highest +order, with great simplicity of character and considerable oddity of +manner; and he hints that the college authorities had probably resented, +in the step they took, certain attacks more declamatory than serious +which Hartley had got into the habit of indulging against all +established institutions. Mr. Derwent Coleridge touches this part of the +subject very daintily. "My brother was, however, <i>I am afraid</i>, more +sincere in his invectives against establishments, as they appeared to +his eyes at Oxford, and elsewhere, <i>than Mr. Dyce kindly supposes</i>." How +poor Hartley would have laughed at that!</p> + +<p>One thing to the last he continued. The simplicity of character which +Mr. Dyce attributes to his youth remained with him till long after his +hair was prematurely white. As Wordsworth hoped for him in his +childhood, he kept</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"A young lamb's heart among the full-grown flock;"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>—and some delightful recollections of his ordinary existence from day +to day among the lakes and mountains, and in the service of the village +schools, are contributed to his brother's Memoir. Here is one, from one +of the scholars he taught:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"I first saw Hartley in the beginning, I think, of 1837, when I +was at Sedbergh, and he heard us our lesson in Mr. Green's +parlor. My impression of him was what I conceived Shakespeare's +idea of a gentleman to be, something which we like to have in a +picture. He was dressed in black, his hair, just touched with +gray, fell in thick waves down his back, and he had a frilled +shirt on; and there was a sort of autumnal ripeness and +brightness about him. His shrill voice, and his quick, +authoritative 'right! right!' and the chuckle with which he +translated 'rerum repetundarum' as 'peculation, a very common +vice in governors of all ages,' after which he took a turn +round the sofa—all struck me amazingly; his readiness +astonished us all, and even himself, as he afterwards told me; +for, during the time he was at the school, he never had to use +a dictionary once, though we read Dalzell's selections from +Aristotle and Longinus, and several plays of Sophocles. He took +his idea, so he said, from what De Quincy says of one of the +Eton masters fagging the lesson, to the great amusement of the +class, and, while waiting for the lesson, he used to read a +newspaper. While acting as second master he seldom occupied the +master's desk, but sat among the boys on one of the school +benches. He very seldom came to school in a morning, never till +about eleven, and in the afternoon about an hour after we had +begun. I never knew the least liberty taken with him, though he +was kinder and more familiar than was then the fashion with +masters. His translations were remarkably vivid; of [Greek: +mogera mogerôs] 'toiling and moiling;' and of some ship or +other in the Philoctetes, which he pronounced to be 'scudding +under main-top sails,' our conceptions became intelligible. +Many of his translations were written down with his initials, +and I saw some, not a long while ago, in the Sophocles<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> of a +late Tutor at Queen's College, Oxford, who had them from +tradition. He gave most attention to our themes; out of those +sent in he selected two or three, which he then read aloud and +criticised; and once, when they happened to agree, remarked +there was always a coincidence of thought amongst great men. +Out of school he never mixed with the boys, but was sometimes +seen, to their astonishment, running along the fields with his +arms outstretched, and talking to himself. He had no pet +scholars except one, a little fair-haired boy, who he said +ought to have been a girl. He told me that was the only boy he +ever loved, though he always loved little girls. He was +remarkably fond of the travelling shows that occasionally +visited the village. I have seen him clap his hands with +delight; indeed, in most of the simple delights of country +life, he was like a child. This is what occurs to me at present +of what he was when I first knew him; and, indeed, my after +recollections are of a similarly fragmentary kind, consisting +only of those little, numerous, noiseless, every-day acts of +kindness, the sum of which makes a Christian life. His love of +little children, his sympathy with the poor and suffering, his +hatred of oppression, the beauty and the grace of his +politeness before women, and his high manliness,—these are the +features which I shall never forget while I have any thing to +remember."</p></div> + +<p>The same writer afterwards tells us:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"On his way to one of these parties he called on me, and I +could not help saying, 'How well you look in a white +neckcloth!' 'I wish you could see me sometimes,' he replied; +'if I had only black-silk stockings and shoe-buckles I should +be quite a gentleman.' Those who had only seen him in the +careless dress that he chose to adopt in the lanes—his +trowsers, which were generally too long, doubled half way up +the leg, unbrushed, and often splashed; his hat brushed the +wrong way, for he never used an umbrella; and his wild, +unshaven, weather-beaten look—were amazed at his metamorphose +into such a faultless gentleman as he appeared when he was +dressed for the evening. 'I hate silver forks with fish,' he +said; 'I can't manage them.' So did Dr. Arnold, I told him. +'That's capital; I am glad of such an authority. Do you know I +never understood the gladiator's excellence till the other day. +The way in which my brother eats fish with a silver fork made +the thing quite clear.'</p> + +<p>"He often referred to his boyish days, when he told me he +nearly poisoned half the house with his chemical infusions, and +spoiled the pans, with great delight. The 'Pilgrim's Progress' +was an early favorite with him. 'It was strange,' he said, 'how +it had been overlooked. Children are often misunderstood. When +I was a baby I have often been in the greatest terror, when, to +all appearance, I was quite still;—so frightened that I could +not make a noise. Crying, I believe, is oftener a sign of +happiness than the reverse. I was looked upon as a remarkable +child. My mother told me, when I was born she thought me an +ugly red thing; but my father took me up and said, 'There's no +sweeter baby any where than this.' He always thought too much +of me. I was very dull at school, and hated arithmetic; I +always had to count on my fingers.</p> + +<p>"He once took me to the little cottage where he lived by the +Brathey, when Charles Lloyd and he were school-companions. Mrs. +Nicholson, of Ambleside, told me of a donkey-race which they +had from the market-cross to the end of the village and back, +and how Hartley came in last, and minus his white straw hat."</p></div> + +<p>Those who remember the ordinary (and most extraordinary) dress that hung +about his small eager person, will smile at this entry in his journal of +a visit to Rydal chapel, and the reflections awakened therein:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"17th.—Sunday.—At Rydal chapel. Alas! I have been <i>Parcus +Deorum cultor et infrequens</i> of late. Would I could say with +assurance, <i>Nunc interare cursus cogor relictos</i>. I never saw +Axiologus (Wordsworth) look so venerable. His cape cloak has +such a gravity about it. Old gentlemen should never wear light +great coats unless they be military; and even then Uncle Toby's +Roquelaure would be more becoming than all the frogs in Styx. +On the other hand, loose trowsers should never invest the +nether limbs of led. It looks as if the Septuagenarian were +ashamed of a diminished calf. The sable silk is good and +clerical, so are the gray pearl and the partridge. I revere +gray worsted and ridge and furrow for [Greek: Omak rites] his +sake, but perhaps the bright white lamb's wool doth most set +off the leg of an elderly man. The hose should be drawn over +the knees, unless the rank and fortune require diamond buckles. +Paste or Bristol stones should never approach a gentleman of +any age. Roomy shoes, not of varnished leather. Broad +shoe-buckles, well polished. Cleanliness is an ornament to +youth, but an indispensable necessity to old age. Breeches, +velvet or velveteen, or some other solid stuff. There may be +serious objections to reviving the trunk breeches of our +ancestors. I am afraid that hoops would follow in their train. +But the flapped waistcoat, the deep cuffs, and guarded +pocket-holes, the low collar, I should hail with pleasure; that +is, for grandfathers and men of grandfatherly years. I was +about to add the point-lace ruffles, cravat, and frill, but I +pause in consideration of the miseries and degraded state of +the lace makers."</p></div> + +<p>Occasional passages in his letters are very beautiful, and very sad. +Here is one—adverting to some attack made upon him:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"'This jargon,' said my orthodox reviewer, 'might be excused in +an alderman of London, but not in a Fellow elect of Oriel,' or +something to the same purpose, evidently designing to recall to +memory the most painful passage of a life not over happy. But +perhaps it is as well to let it alone. The writer might be some +one in whom my kindred are interested; for I am as much alone +in my revolt as Abdiel in his constancy."</p></div> + +<p>We are glad to see valuable testimony borne by Mr. James Spedding as to +his habits having left unimpaired his moral and spiritual sensibility:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Of his general character and way of life I might have been +able to say something to the purpose, if I had seen more of +him. But though he was a person so interesting to me in +himself, and with so many subjects of interest in common with +me, that a little intercourse went a great way; so that I feel +as if I knew him much better than many persons of whom I have +seen much more; yet I have in fact been very seldom in his +company. If I should say ten times altogether, I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> should not be +understating the number; and this is not enough to qualify me +for a reporter, when there must be so many competent observers +living, who really knew him well. One very strong impression, +however, with which I always came away from him, may be worth +mentioning; I mean, that his moral and spiritual sensibilities +seemed to be absolutely untouched by the life he was leading. +The error of his life sprung, I suppose, from moral incapacity +of some kind—his way of life seemed in some things destructive +of self-respect; and was certainly regarded by himself with a +feeling of shame, which in his seasons of self-communion became +passionate; and yet it did not at all degrade his mind. It +left, not his understanding only, but also his imagination and +feelings, perfectly healthy,—free, fresh, and pure. His +language might be sometimes what some people would call gross, +but that I think was not from any want of true delicacy, but +from a masculine disdain of false delicacy; and his opinions, +and judgment, and speculations, were in the highest degree +refined and elevated—full of chivalrous generosity, and +purity, and manly tenderness. Such, at least, was my invariable +impression. It always surprised me, but fresh observations +always confirmed it."</p></div> + +<p>When Wordsworth heard of his death, he was much affected, and gave the +touching direction to his brother:—"Let him lie by us: he would have +wished it." It was accordingly so arranged.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The day following he walked over with me to Grasmere—to the +churchyard, a plain enclosure of the olden time, surrounding +the old village church, in which lay the remains of his wife's +sister, his nephew, and his beloved daughter. Here, having +desired the sexton to measure out the ground for his own and +for Mrs. Wordsworth's grave, he bade him measure out the space +of a third grave for my brother, immediately beyond.</p> + +<p>"'When I lifted up my eyes from my daughter's grave,' he +exclaimed, 'he was standing there!' pointing to the spot where +my brother had stood on the sorrowful occasion to which he +alluded. Then turning to the sexton, he said, 'Keep the ground +for us,—we are old people, and it cannot be for long.'"</p> + +<p>"In the grave thus marked out, my brother's remains were laid +on the following Thursday, and in little more than a +twelvemonth his venerable and venerated friend was brought to +occupy his own. They lie in the south-east angle of the +churchyard, not far from a group of trees, with the little +beck, that feeds the lake with its clear waters, murmuring by +their side. Around them are the quiet mountains."</p></div> + +<p>We have often expressed a high opinion of Hartley Coleridge's poetical +genius. It was a part of the sadness of his life that he could not +concentrate his powers, in this or any other department of his +intellect, to high and continuous aims—but we were not prepared for +such rich proof of its exercise, within the limited field assigned to +it, as these volumes offer. They largely and lastingly contribute to the +rare stores of true poetry. In the sonnet Hartley Coleridge was a master +unsurpassed by the greatest. To its "narrow plot of ground" his habits, +when applied in the cultivation of the muse, most naturally led him—and +here he may claim no undeserved companionship even with Shakespeare, +Milton, and Wordsworth. We take a few—with affecting personal reference +in all of them.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Hast thou not seen an aged rifted tower,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Meet habitation for the Ghost of Time,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Where fearful ravage makes decay sublime,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And destitution wears the face of power?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Yet is the fabric deck'd with many a flower<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of fragrance wild, and many-dappled hues,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Gold streak'd with iron-brown and nodding blue,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Making each ruinous chink a fairy bower.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">E'en such a thing methinks I fain would be,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Should Heaven appoint me to a lengthen'd age;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So old in look, that Young and Old may see<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The record of my closing pilgrimage:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Yet, to the last, a rugged wrinkled thing<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To which young sweetness may delight to cling!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Pains I have known, that cannot be again,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And pleasures too that never can be more:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For loss of pleasure I was never sore,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But worse, far worse is to feel no pain.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The throes and agonies of a heart explain<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Its very depth of want at inmost core;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Prove that it does believe, and would adore,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And doth with ill for ever strive and strain.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I not lament for happy childish years,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For loves departed, that have had their day,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Or hopes that faded when my head was gray;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For death hath left me last of my compeers:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But for the pain I felt, the gushing tears<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I used to shed when I had gone astray.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">A lonely wanderer upon the earth am I,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The waif of nature—like uprooted weed<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Borne by the stream, or like a shaken reed,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A frail dependent of the fickle sky.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Far, far away, are all my natural kin;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The mother that erewhile hath hush'd my cry,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Almost hath grown a mere fond memory.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Where is my sister's smile? my brother's boisterous din?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ah! nowhere now. A matron grave and sage,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A holy mother is that sister sweet.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And that bold brother is a pastor meet<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To guide, instruct, reprove a sinful age,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Almost I fear, and yet I fain would greet;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So far astray hath been my pilgrimage.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">How shall a man fore-doom'd to lone estate,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Untimely old, irreverently gray,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Much like a patch of dusky snow in May,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dead sleeping in a hollow—all too late—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">How shall so poor a thing congratulate<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The blest completion of a patient wooing,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Or how commend a younger man for doing<br /></span> +<span class="i0">What ne'er to do hath been his fault or fate?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">There is a fable, that I once did read.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of a bad angel that was someway good,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And therefore on the brink of Heaven he stood,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Looking each way, and no way could proceed;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Till at the last he purged away his sin<br /></span> +<span class="i0">By loving all the joy he saw within.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Here is another poem of very touching reference to his personal story:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"When I received this volume small,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">My years were barely seventeen;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When it was hoped I should be all<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Which once, alas! I might have been.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"And now my years are thirty-five,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And every mother hopes her lamb,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And every happy child alive,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">May never be what now I am.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"But yet should any chance to look<br /></span> +<span class="i2">On the strange medley scribbled here.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I charge thee, tell them, little book,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">I am not vile as I appear.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Oh! tell them though thy purpose lame<br /></span> +<span class="i2">In fortune's race, was still behind,—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Though earthly blots my name defiled,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">They ne'er abused my better mind.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Of what men are, and why they are<br /></span> +<span class="i2">So weak, so wofully beguiled,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Much I have learned, but better far,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">I know my soul is reconciled."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Before we shut the volumes—which will often and often be re-opened by +their readers—we may instance, in proof of the variety of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> his verse, +some masterly heroic couplets on the character of Dryden, which will be +seen in a series of admirable "sketches of English poets" found written +on the fly-leaves and covers of his copy of <i>Anderson's British Poets</i>. +The successors of Dryden are not less admirably handled, and there are +some sketches of Wilkie, Dodsley, Langhorne, and rhymers of that class, +inimitable for their truth and spirit.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_J_10" id="Footnote_J_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_J_10"><span class="label">[J]</span></a> Poems by Hartley Coleridge. With a Memoir of his Life. By +his Brother. Two vols. Moxon.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h4>From the Cincinnati Commercial Advertiser.</h4> + +<h2><a name="LYRA_A_LAMENT" id="LYRA_A_LAMENT"></a>LYRA.—A LAMENT.</h2> + +<h3>BY ALICE CAREY.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Maidens, whose tresses shine,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Crowned with daffodil and eglantine,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Or, from their stringed buds of brier-roses,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Bright as the vermeil closes<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of April twilights, after sobbing rains,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fall down in rippled skeins<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And golden tangles, low<br /></span> +<span class="i0">About your bosoms, dainty as new snow;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">While the warm shadows blow in softest gales<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Fair hawthorn flowers and cherry blossoms white<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Against your kirtles, like the froth from pails<br /></span> +<span class="i2">O'er brimmed with milk at night,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When lowing heifers bury their sleek flanks<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In winrows of sweet hay, or clover banks—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Come near and hear, I pray,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My plained roundelay:<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Where creeping vines o'errun the sunny leas,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sadly, sweet souls, I watch your shining bands<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Filling with stained hands<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Your leafy cups with lush red strawberries;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Or deep in murmurous glooms,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In yellow mosses full of starry blooms,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sunken at ease—each busied as she likes,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Or stripping from the grass the beaded dews,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Or picking jagged leaves from the slim spikes<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Of tender pinks—with warbled interfuse<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of poesy divine,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">That haply long ago<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Some wretched borderer of the realm of wo<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wrought to a dulcet line:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If in your lovely years<br /></span> +<span class="i0">There be a sorrow that may touch with tears<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The eyelids piteously, they must be shed<br /></span> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">For Lyra, dead</span>.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The mantle of the May<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Was blown almost within summer's reach,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And all the orchard trees,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Apple, and pear, and peach,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Were full of yellow bees,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Flown from their hives away.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The callow dove upon the dusty beam<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Fluttered its little wings in streaks of light,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And the gray swallow twittered full in sight—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Harmless the unyoked team<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Browsed from the budding elms, and thrilling lays<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Made musical prophecies of brighter days;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And all went jocundly; I could but say.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ah! well-a-day!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">What time spring thaws the wold,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And in the dead leaves come up sprouts of gold,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And green and ribby blue, that after hours<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Encrown with flowers;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Heavily lies my heart<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From all delights apart,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Even as an echo hungry for the wind,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When fail the silver-kissing waves to unbind<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The music bedded in the drowsy strings<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Of the sea's golden shells—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That, sometimes, with their honeyed murmurings<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Fill all its underswells:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For o'er the sunshine fell a shadow wide<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When Lyra died.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When sober Autumn, with his mist-bound brows,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sits drearily beneath the fading boughs,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And the rain, chilly cold,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wrings from his beard of gold,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And as some comfort for his lonesome hours,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hides in his bosom stalks of withered flowers,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I think about what leaves are drooping round<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A smoothly shapen mound;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And if the wild wind cries<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Where Lyra lies,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sweet shepherds, softly blow<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ditties most sad and low—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Piping on hollow reeds to your pent sheep—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Calm be my Lyra's sleep.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Unvexed with dream of the rough briers that pull<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From his strayed lambs the wool!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">O, star, that tremblest dim<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Upon the welkin's rim,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Send with thy milky shadows from above<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Tidings about my love;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If that some envious wave<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Made his untimely grave,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Or if, so softening half my wild regrets,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Some coverlid of bluest violets<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Was softly put aside,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">What time he died!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nay, come not, piteous maids,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Out of the murmurous shades;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But keep your tresses crowned as you may<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With eglantine and daffodillies gay,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And with the dews of myrtles wash your cheek,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When flamy streaks,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Uprunning the gray orient, tell of morn—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">While I, forlorn,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Pour all my heart in tears and plaints, instead,<br /></span> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">For Lyra, dead</span>.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h4>From Fraser's Magazine.</h4> + +<h2><a name="MY_NOVEL" id="MY_NOVEL"></a>MY NOVEL:</h2> + +<h3>OR, VARIETIES IN ENGLISH LIFE.</h3> + +<h4>BY PISISTRATUS CAXTON.</h4> + +<h4><i>Continued from page 126.</i></h4> + +<h4>PART VIII.—CHAPTER XIII.</h4> + +<p>Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. +Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his +diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,—</p> + +<p>"I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your +heart—yes—you must pardon me—it is my vocation to speak stern truths. +You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now +invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of +exercising a discretion to act as I judged best, for the child's +interests, on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding +that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing +for him when he came into manhood."</p> + +<p>"I say I will provide for him. I say that you may 'prentice him in any +distant town, and by-and-by we will stock a shop for him. What would you +have more, sir, from folks like us, who have kept shop ourselves? It +ain't reasonable what you ask, sir!"</p> + +<p>"My dear friend," said the Parson, "what I ask of you at present is but +to see him—to receive him kindly—to listen to his conversation—to +judge for yourselves. We can have but a common object—that your +grandson should succeed in life, and do you credit. Now, I doubt very +much whether we can effect this by making him a small shopkeeper."</p> + +<p>"And has Jane Fairfield, who married a common carpenter, brought him up +to despise small shopkeepers?" exclaimed Mrs. Avenel, angrily.</p> + +<p>"Heaven forbid! Some of the first men in England have been the sons of +small shopkeepers. But is it a crime in them, or their parents, if their +talents have lifted them into such rank or renown as the haughtiest duke +might envy? England were not England if a man must rest where his father +began."</p> + +<p>"Good!" said, or rather grunted, an approving voice, but neither Mrs. +Avenel nor the Parson heard it.</p> + +<p>"All very fine," said Mrs. Avenel, bluntly. "But to send a boy like that +to the university—where's the money to come from?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span></p> + +<p>"My dear Mrs. Avenel," said the Parson, coaxingly, "the cost need not be +great at a small college at Cambridge; and if you will pay half the +expense, I will pay the other half. I have no children of my own, and +can afford it."</p> + +<p>"That's very handsome in you, sir," said Mrs. Avenel, somewhat touched, +yet still not graciously, "But the money is not the only point."</p> + +<p>"Once at Cambridge," continued Mr. Dale, speaking rapidly, "at +Cambridge, where the studies are mathematical—that is, of a nature for +which he has shown so great an aptitude—and I have no doubt he will +distinguish himself; if he does, he will obtain, on leaving, what is +called a fellowship—that is a collegiate dignity accompanied by an +income on which he could maintain himself until he made his way in life. +Come, Mrs. Avenel, you are well off; you have no relations nearer to you +in want of your aid. Your son, I hear, has been very fortunate."</p> + +<p>"Sir," said Mrs. Avenel, interrupting the Parson, "it is not because my +son Richard is an honor to us, and is a good son, and has made his +fortin, that we are to rob him of what we have to leave, and give it to +a boy whom we know nothing about, and who, in spite of what you say, +can't bring upon us any credit at all."</p> + +<p>"Why? I don't see that."</p> + +<p>"Why?" exclaimed Mrs. Avenel, fiercely—"why? you know why. No, I don't +want him to rise in life; I don't want folks to be speiring and asking +about him. I think it is a very wicked thing to have put fine notions in +his head, and I am sure my daughter Fairfield could not have done it +herself. And now, to ask me to rob Richard, and bring out a great +boy—who's been a gardener, or ploughman, or such like—to disgrace a +gentleman who keeps his carriage, as my son Richard does—I would have +you to know, sir, no! I won't do it, and there's an end to the matter."</p> + +<p>During the last two or three minutes, and just before that approving +"good" had responded to the Parson's popular sentiment, a door +communicating with an inner room had been gently opened, and stood ajar; +but this incident neither party had even noticed. But now the door was +thrown boldly open, and the traveller whom the Parson had met at the inn +walked up to Mr. Dale, and said, "No! that's not the end of the matter. +You say the boy's a cute, clever lad?"</p> + +<p>"Richard, have you been listening?" exclaimed Mrs. Avenel.</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess, yes—the last few minutes."</p> + +<p>"And what have you heard?"</p> + +<p>"Why, that this reverend gentleman thinks so highly of my sister +Fairfield's boy that he offers to pay half of his keep at college. Sir, +I'm very much obliged to you, and there's my hand, if you'll take it."</p> + +<p>The Parson jumped up, overjoyed, and, with a triumphant glance towards +Mrs. Avenel, shook hands heartily with Mr. Richard.</p> + +<p>"Now," said the latter, "just put on your hat, sir, and take a stroll +with me, and we'll discuss the thing business-like. Women don't +understand business; never talk to women on business."</p> + +<p>With these words, Mr. Richard drew out a cigar-case, selected a cigar, +which he applied to the candle, and walked into the hall.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Avenel caught hold of the Parson. "Sir, you'll be on your guard +with Richard. Remember your promise."</p> + +<p>"He does not know all, then?"</p> + +<p>"He? No! And you see he did not overhear more than what he says. I'm +sure you're a gentleman, and won't go agin your word."</p> + +<p>"My word was conditional; but I will promise you never to break the +silence without more reason than I think there is here for it. Indeed, +Mr. Richard Avenel seems to save all necessity for that."</p> + +<p>"Are you coming, sir?" cried Richard, as he opened the street door.</p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER XIV.</h4> + +<p>The Parson joined Mr. Richard Avenel on the road. It was a fine night, +and the moon clear and shining.</p> + +<p>"So, then," said Mr. Richard, thoughtfully, "poor Jane, who was always +the drudge of the family, has contrived to bring up her son well; and +the boy is really what you say, eh?—could make a figure at college?"</p> + +<p>"I am sure of it," said the Parson, hooking himself on to the arm which +Mr Avenel proffered.</p> + +<p>"I should like to see him," said Richard. "Has he any manner? Is he +genteel, or a mere country lout?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed, he speaks with so much propriety, and has so much modest +dignity, I might say, about him, that there's many a rich gentleman who +would be proud of such a son."</p> + +<p>"It is odd," observed Richard, "what difference there is in families. +There's Jane now—who can't read nor write, and was just fit to be a +workman's wife—had not a thought above her station; and when I think of +my poor sister Nora—you would not believe it, sir, but <i>she</i> was the +most elegant creature in the world—yes, even as a child, (she was but a +child when I went off to America.) And often, as I was getting on in +life, often I used to say to myself, 'My little Nora shall be a lady +after all. Poor thing—but she died young.'"</p> + +<p>Richard's voice grew husky.</p> + +<p>The Parson kindly pressed the arm on which he leaned, and said, after a +pause—</p> + +<p>"Nothing refines us like education, sir. I believe your sister Nora had +received much instruction, and had the talents to profit by it. It is +the same with your nephew."</p> + +<p>"I'll see him," said Richard, stamping his foot firmly on the ground, +"and if I like him, I'll be as good as a father to him. Look you, +Mr.—what's your name, sir?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Dale."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Dale, look you, I'm a single man. Perhaps I may marry some day; +perhaps I shan't. I'm not going to throw myself away. If I can get a +lady of quality, why—but that's neither here nor there; meanwhile, I +should be glad of a nephew whom I need not be ashamed of. You see, sir, +I'm a new man, the builder of my own fortunes; and, though I have picked +up a little education—I don't well know how—as I scrambled on, still, +now I come back to the old country, I'm well aware that I am not exactly +a match for those d——d aristocrats—don't show so well in a +drawing-room as I could wish. I could be a Parliament man if I liked, +but I might make a goose of myself; so, all things considered, if I can +get a sort of junior partner to do the polite work, and show off the +goods, I think the house of Avenel & Co. might become a pretty +considerable honor to the Britishers. You understand me, sir?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, very well," answered Mr. Dale, smiling, though rather gravely.</p> + +<p>"Now," continued the New Man, "I'm not ashamed to have risen in life by +my own merits; and I don't disguise what I've been. And, when I'm in my +own grand house, I'm fond of saying, 'I landed at New-York with ten +pounds in my purse, and here I am!' But it would not do to have the old +folks with me. People take you with all your faults, if you're rich, but +they won't swallow your family into the bargain. So, if I don't have my +own father and mother, whom I love dearly, and should like to see +sitting at table, with my servants behind their chairs, I could still +less have sister Jane. I recollect her very well, and she can't have got +genteeler as she's grown older. Therefore I beg you'll not set her on +coming after me; it won't do by any manner of means. Don't say a word +about me to her. But send the boy down here to his grandfather, and I'll +see him quietly, you understand."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but it will be hard to separate her from the boy."</p> + +<p>"Stuff! all boys are separated from their parents when they go into the +world. So that's settled. Now, just tell me. I know the old folks always +snubbed Jane—that is, mother did. My poor dear father never snubbed any +of us. Perhaps mother has not behaved altogether well to Jane. But we +must not blame her for that; you see this is how it happened. There were +a good many of us, while father and mother kept shop in the High Street, +so we were all to be provided for, anyhow; and Jane, being very useful +and handy at work, got a place when she was a little girl, and had no +time for learning. Afterwards my father made a lucky hit, in getting my +Lord Lansmere's custom after an election, in which he did a great deal +for the Blues, (for he was a famous electioneerer, my poor father.) My +Lady stood godmother to Nora; and then most of my brothers and sisters +died off, and father retired from business; and when he took Jane from +service, she was so common-like that mother could not help contrasting +her with Nora. You see Jane was their child when they were poor little +shop people, with their heads scarce above water; and Nora was their +child when they were well off, and had retired from trade, and lived +genteel: so that makes a great difference. And mother did not quite look +on her as on her own child. But it was Jane's own fault; for mother +would have made it up with her if she had married the son of our +neighbor the great linen-draper, as she might have done; but she would +take Mark Fairfield, a common carpenter. Parents like best those of +their children who succeed best in life. Natural. Why, they did not care +for me until I came back the man I am. But to return to Jane: I'm afraid +they've neglected her. How is she off?"</p> + +<p>"She earns her livelihood, and is poor, but contented."</p> + +<p>"Ah, just be good enough to give her this," and Richard took a bank-note +of fifty pounds from his pocket-book. "You can say the old folks sent it +to her; or that it is a present from Dick, without telling her he had +come back from America."</p> + +<p>"My dear sir," said the Parson, "I am more and more thankful to have +made your acquaintance. This is a very liberal gift of yours; but your +best plan will be to send it through your mother. For, though I don't +want to betray any confidence you place in me, I should not know what to +answer if Mrs. Fairfield began to question me about her brother. I never +had but one secret to keep, and I hope I shall never have another. A +secret is very like a lie!"</p> + +<p>"You had a secret, then," said Richard, as he took back the bank-note. +He had learned, perhaps, in America, to be a very inquisitive man. He +added point-blank, "Pray what was it?"</p> + +<p>"Why, what it would not be if I told you," said the Parson, with a +forced laugh,—"a secret!"</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess we're in a land of liberty. Do as you like. Now, I +daresay you think me a very odd fellow to come out of my shell to you in +this off-hand way. But I liked the look of you, even when we were at the +inn together. And just now I was uncommonly pleased to find that, though +you are a parson, you don't want to keep a man's nose down to a +shop-board, if he has any thing in him. You're not one of the +aristocrats—"</p> + +<p>"Indeed," said the Parson with imprudent warmth, "it is not the +character of the aristocracy of this country to keep people down. They +make way amongst themselves for any man, whatever his birth, who has the +talent and energy to aspire to their level. That's the especial boast of +the British constitution, sir!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, you think so do you!" said Mr. Richard,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> looking sourly at the +Parson. "I daresay those are the opinions in which you have brought up +the lad. Just keep him yourself, and let the aristocracy provide for +him!"</p> + +<p>The parson's generous and patriotic warmth evaporated at once, at this +sudden inlet of cold air into the conversation. He perceived that he had +made a terrible blunder; and, as it was not his business at that moment +to vindicate the British constitution, but to serve Leonard Fairfield, +he abandoned the cause of the aristocracy with the most poltroon and +scandalous abruptness. Catching at the arm which Mr. Avenel had +withdrawn from him, he exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Indeed, sir, you are mistaken; I have never attempted to influence your +nephew's political opinions. On the contrary, if, at his age, he can be +said to have formed any opinion, I am greatly afraid—that is, I think +his opinions are by no means sound—that is constitutional. I mean, I +mean—" And the poor Parson, anxious to select a word that would not +offend his listener, stopped short in lamentable confusion of idea.</p> + +<p>Mr. Avenel enjoyed his distress for a moment, with a saturnine smile, +and then said:</p> + +<p>"Well, I calculate he's a Radical. Natural enough, if he has not got a +sixpence to lose—all come right by-and-by. I'm not a Radical—at least +not a destructive—much too clever a man for that, I hope. But I wish to +see things very different from what they are. Don't fancy that I want +the common people, who've got nothing, to pretend to dictate to their +betters, because I hate to see a parcel of fellows, who are called lords +and squires, trying to rule the roast. I think, sir, that it is men like +me who ought to be at the top of the tree! and that's the long and short +of it. What do you say?"</p> + +<p>"I've not the least objection," said the crestfallen Parson basely. But, +to do him justice, I must add that he did not the least know what he was +saying!</p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER XV.</h4> + +<p>Unconscious of the change in his fate which the diplomacy of the Parson +sought to effect, Leonard Fairfield was enjoying the first virgin +sweetness of fame; for the principal town in his neighborhood had +followed the then growing fashion of the age, and set up a Mechanic's +Institute; and some worthy persons interested in the formation of that +provincial Athenæum had offered a prize for the best Essay on the +Diffusion of Knowledge,—a very trite subject, on which persons seem to +think they can never say too much, and on which there is, nevertheless, +a great deal yet to be said. This prize Leonard Fairfield had recently +won. His Essay had been publicly complimented by a full meeting of the +Institute; it had been printed at the expense of the Society, and had +been rewarded by a silver medal—delineative of Apollo crowning Merit, +(poor Merit had not a rag to his back; but Merit, left only to the care +of Apollo, never is too good a customer to the tailor!) And the County +Gazette had declared that Britain had produced another prodigy in the +person of Dr. Riccabocca's self-educated gardener.</p> + +<p>Attention was now directed to Leonard's mechanical contrivances. The +Squire, ever eagerly bent on improvements, had brought an engineer to +inspect the lad's system of irrigation, and the engineer had been +greatly struck by the simple means by which a very considerable +technical difficulty had been overcome. The neighboring farmers now +called Leonard "<i>Mr.</i> Fairfield," and invited him on equal terms, to +their houses. Mr. Stirn had met him on the high road, touched his hat, +and hoped that "he bore no malice." All this, I say, was the first +sweetness of fame; and if Leonard Fairfield comes to be a great man, he +will never find such sweets in the after fruit. It was this success +which had determined the Parson on the step which he had just taken, and +which he had long before anxiously meditated. For, during the last year +or so, he had renewed his old intimacy with the widow and the boy; and +he had noticed, with great hope and great fear, the rapid growth of an +intellect, which now stood out from the lowly circumstances that +surrounded it in bold and unharmonizing relief.</p> + +<p>It was the evening after his return home that the Parson strolled up to +the Casino. He put Leonard Fairfield's Prize Essay in his pocket. For he +felt that he could not let the young man go forth into the world without +a preparatory lecture, and he intended to scourge poor Merit with the +very laurel wreath which it had received from Apollo. But in this he +wanted Riccabocca's assistance; or rather he feared that, if he did not +get the Philosopher on his side, the Philosopher might undo all the work +of the Parson.</p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER XVI.</h4> + +<p>A sweet sound came through the orange boughs, and floated to the ears of +the Parson, as he wound slowly up the gentle ascent—so sweet, so +silvery, he paused in delight—unaware, wretched man! that he was +thereby conniving at Papistical errors. Soft it came, and sweet: softer +and sweeter—"Ave Maria!" Violante was chanting the evening hymn to the +Virgin Mother. The Parson at last distinguished the sense of the words, +and shook his head with the pious shake of an orthodox Protestant. He +broke from the spell resolutely, and walked on with a sturdy step. +Gaining the terrace he found the little family seated under an awning. +Mrs. Riccabocca knitting; the Signor with his arms folded on his breast: +the book he had been reading a few moments before had fallen on the +ground, and his dark eyes were soft and dreamy. Violante had finished +her hymn, and seated herself on the ground between the two, pillowing +her head on her step-mother's lap, but with her hand resting on her +father's knee, and her gaze fixed fondly on his face.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Good evening," said Mr. Dale. Violante stole up to him, and, pulling +him so as to bring his ear nearer to her lip, whispered,—"Talk to papa, +do—and cheerfully; he is sad."</p> + +<p>She escaped from him, as she said this, and appeared to busy herself +with watering the flowers arranged on stands round the awning. But she +kept her swimming lustrous eyes wistfully on her father.</p> + +<p>"How fares it with you, my dear friend?" said the Parson kindly, as he +rested his hand on the Italian's shoulder. "You must not let him get out +of spirits, Mrs. Riccabocca."</p> + +<p>"I am very ungrateful to her if I ever am so," said the poor Italian, +with all his natural gallantry. Many a good wife, who thinks it is a +reproach to her if her husband is ever 'out of spirits,' might have +turned peevishly from that speech more elegant than sincere, and so have +made bad worse. But Mrs. Riccabocca took her husband's proffered hand +affectionately, and said with great <i>naïveté</i>:</p> + +<p>"You see I am so stupid, Mr. Dale; I never knew I was so stupid till I +married. But I am very glad you are come. You can get on some learned +subject together, and then he will not miss so much his—"</p> + +<p>"His what?" asked Riccabocca, inquisitively.</p> + +<p>"His country. Do you think that I cannot sometimes read your thoughts?"</p> + +<p>"Very often. But you did not read them just then. The tongue touches +where the tooth aches, but the best dentist cannot guess at the tooth +unless one opens one's mouth. <i>Basta!</i> Can we offer you some wine of our +own making, Mr. Dale?—it is pure."</p> + +<p>"I'd rather have some tea," quoth the Parson hastily.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Riccabocca, too pleased to be in her natural element of domestic +use, hurried into the house to prepare our national beverage. And the +Parson, sliding into her chair, said—</p> + +<p>"But you are dejected, then? Fie! If there's a virtue in the world at +which we should always aim, it is cheerfulness."</p> + +<p>"I don't dispute it," said Riccabocca, with a heavy sigh. "But though it +is said by some Greek, who, I think, is quoted by your favorite Seneca, +that a wise man carries his country with him at the soles of his feet, +he can't carry also the sunshine."</p> + +<p>"I tell you what it is," said the Parson bluntly, "you would have a much +keener sense of happiness if you had much less esteem for philosophy."</p> + +<p>"<i>Cospetto!</i>" said the Doctor, rousing himself. "Just explain, will +you?"</p> + +<p>"Does not the search after wisdom induce desires not satisfied in this +small circle to which your life is confined? It is not so much your +country for which you yearn, as it is for space to your intellect, +employment for your thoughts, career for your aspirations."</p> + +<p>"You have guessed at the tooth which aches," said Riccabocca with +admiration.</p> + +<p>"Easy to do that," answered the Parson. "Our wisdom teeth come last, and +give us the most pain. And if you would just starve the mind a little, +and nourish the heart more, you would be less of a philosopher, and more +of a—" The Parson had the word "Christian" at the tip of his tongue: he +suppressed a word that, so spoken, would have been exceedingly +irritating, and substituted, with inelegant antithesis, "and more of a +happy man!"</p> + +<p>"I do all I can with my heart," quoth the Doctor.</p> + +<p>"Not you! For a man with such a heart as yours should never feel the +want of the sunshine. My friend, we live in an age of over mental +cultivation. We neglect too much the simple healthful outer life, in +which there is so much positive joy. In turning to the world within us, +we grow blind to this beautiful world without; in studying ourselves as +men, we almost forget to look up to heaven, and warm to the smile of +God."</p> + +<p>The philosopher mechanically shrugged his shoulders, as he always did +when another man moralised—especially if the moraliser were a priest; +but there was no irony in his smile, as he answered thoughtfully—</p> + +<p>"There is some truth in what you say. I own that we live too much as if +we were all brain. Knowledge has its penalties and pains, as well as its +prizes."</p> + +<p>"That is just what I want you to say to Leonard."</p> + +<p>"How have you settled the object of your journey?"</p> + +<p>"I will tell you as we walk down to him after tea. At present, I am +rather too much occupied with you."</p> + +<p>"Me? The tree is formed—try only to bend the young twig!"</p> + +<p>"Trees are trees, and twigs twigs," said the Parson dogmatically; "but +man is always growing till he falls into the grave. I think I have heard +you say that you once had a narrow escape of a prison?"</p> + +<p>"Very narrow."</p> + +<p>"Just suppose that you were now in that prison, and that a fairy +conjured up the prospect of this quiet home in a safe land; that you saw +the orange trees in flower, felt the evening breeze on your cheek; +beheld your child gay or sad, as you smiled or knit your brow; that +within this phantom home was a woman, not, indeed, all your young +romance might have dreamed of, but faithful and true, every beat of her +heart all your own—would you not cry from the depth of the dungeon, "O +fairy! such a change were a paradise." Ungrateful man! you want +interchange for your mind, and your heart should suffice for all!"</p> + +<p>Riccabocca was touched and silent.</p> + +<p>"Come hither, my child," said Mr. Dale, turning round to Violante, who +still stood among the flowers, out of hearing, but with watchful eyes. +"Come hither," he said, opening big arms.</p> + +<p>Violante bounded forward, and nestled to the good man's heart.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Tell me, Violante, when you are alone in the fields or the garden, and +have left your father looking pleased and serene, so that you have no +care for him at your heart,—tell me, Violante, though you are all +alone, with the flowers below and the birds singing overhead, do you +feel that life itself is happiness or sorrow?"</p> + +<p>"Happiness!" answered Violante, half shutting her eyes, and in a +measured voice.</p> + +<p>"Can you explain what kind of happiness it is?"</p> + +<p>"Oh no, impossible! and it is never the same. Sometimes it is so +still—so still—and sometimes so joyous, that I long for wings to fly +up to God, and thank him!"</p> + +<p>"O friend," said the Parson, "this is the true sympathy between life and +nature, and thus we should feel ever, did we take more care to preserve +the health and innocence of a child. We are told that we must become as +children to enter into the kingdom of heaven; methinks we should also +become as children to know what delight there is in our heritage of +earth!"</p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER XVII.</h4> + +<p>The maid servant (for Jackeymo was in the fields) brought the table +under the awning, and, with the English luxury of tea, there were other +drinks as cheap and as grateful on summer evenings—drinks which +Jackeymo had retained and taught from the customs of the +south—unebriate liquors, pressed from cooling fruits, sweetened with +honey, and deliciously iced; ice should cost nothing in a country in +which one is frozen up half the year! And Jackeymo, too, had added to +our good, solid, heavy English bread, preparations of wheat much +lighter, and more propitious to digestion—with those crisp <i>grissins</i>, +which seem to enjoy being eaten, they make so pleasant a noise between +one's teeth.</p> + +<p>The Parson esteemed it a little treat to drink tea with the Riccaboccas. +There was something of elegance and grace in that homely meal, at the +poor exile's table, which pleased the eye as well as taste. And the very +utensils, plain Wedgewood though they were, had a classical simplicity, +which made Mrs. Hazeldean's old India delf, and Mrs. Dale's best +Worcester china look tawdry and barbarous in comparison. For it was a +Flaxman who gave designs to Wedgewood, and the most truly refined of all +our manufactures in porcelain (if we do not look to the mere material) +is in the reach of the most thrifty.</p> + +<p>The little banquet was at first rather a silent one; but Riccabocca +threw off his gloom, and became gay and animated. Then poor Mrs. +Riccabocca smiled, and pressed the <i>grissins</i>; and Violante, forgetting +all her stateliness, laughed and played tricks on the Parson, stealing +away his cup of warm tea when his head was turned, and substituting iced +cherry juice. Then the Parson got up and ran after Violante, making +angry faces, and Violante dodged beautifully, till the Parson, fairly +tired out, was too glad to cry "Peace," and come back to the cherry +juice. Thus time rolled on, till they heard afar the stroke of the +distant church clock, and Mr. Dale started up and cried, "But we shall +be too late for Leonard. Come, naughty little girl, get your father his +hat."</p> + +<p>"And umbrella!" said Riccabocca, looking up at the cloudless moonlit +sky.</p> + +<p>"Umbrella against the stars?" asked the Parson laughing.</p> + +<p>"The stars are no friends of mine," said Riccabocca, "and one never +knows what may happen!"</p> + +<p>The Philosopher and the Parson walked on amicably.</p> + +<p>"You have done me good," said Riccabocca, "but I hope I am not always so +unreasonably melancholic as you seem to suspect. The evenings will +sometimes appear long, and dull too, to a man whose thoughts on the past +are almost his sole companions."</p> + +<p>"Sole companions?—your child?"</p> + +<p>"She is so young."</p> + +<p>"Your wife?"</p> + +<p>"She is so—," the bland Italian appeared to check some disparaging +adjective, and mildly added, "so good, I allow; but you must own that we +cannot have much in common."</p> + +<p>"I own nothing of the sort. You have your house and your interests, your +happiness and your lives, in common. We men are so exacting, we expect +to find ideal nymphs and goddesses when we condescend to marry a mortal; +and if we did, our chickens would be boiled to rags, and our mutton come +up as cold as a stone."</p> + +<p>"Per Bacco, you are an oracle," said Riccabocca, laughing. "But I am not +so sceptical you are. I honor the fair sex too much. There are a great +many women who realize the ideal of men to be found in—the poets!"</p> + +<p>"There's my dear Mrs. Dale," resumed the Parson, not heeding this +sarcastic compliment to the sex, but sinking his voice into a whisper, +and looking round cautiously—"there's my dear Mrs. Dale, the best woman +in the world—an angel I would say, if the word was not profane; <span class="smcap">BUT</span>—"</p> + +<p>"What's the <span class="smcap">BUT</span>?" asked the Doctor, demurely.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">But</span> I too might say that 'we have not much in common,' if I were only +to compare mind to mind, and, when my poor Carry says something less +profound than Madame de Staël might have said, smile on her in contempt +from the elevation of logic and Latin. Yet, when I remember all the +little sorrows and joys that we have shared together, and feel how +solitary I should have been without her—oh, then I am instantly aware +that there <i>is</i> between us in common something infinitely closer and +better than if the same course of study had given us the same equality +of ideas; and I was forced to brace myself for a combat of intellect, as +I am when I fall in with a tiresome<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> sage like yourself. I don't pretend +to say that Mrs. Riccabocca is a Mrs. Dale," added the Parson, with +lofty candor—"there is but one Mrs. Dale in the world; but still, you +have drawn a prize in the wheel matrimonial! Think of Socrates, and yet +he was content even with his—Xantippe!"</p> + +<p>Dr. Riccabocca called to mind Mrs. Dale's "little tempers," and inly +rejoiced that no second Mrs. Dale had existed to fall to his own lot. +His placid Jemima gained by the contrast. Nevertheless, he had the ill +grace to reply, "Socrates was a man beyond all imitation!—Yet I believe +that even he spent very few of his evenings at home. But, <i>revenons à +nos moutons</i>, we are nearly at Mrs. Fairfield's cottage, and you have +not yet told me what you have settled as to Leonard."</p> + +<p>The Parson halted, took Riccabocca by the button, and informed him, in +very few words, that Leonard was to go to Lansmere to see some relations +there, who had the fortune, if they had the will, to give full career to +his abilities.</p> + +<p>"The great thing, in the meanwhile," said the Parson, "would be to +enlighten him a little as to what he calls—enlightenment."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said Riccabocca, diverted, and rubbing his hands, "I shall listen +with interest to what you say on that subject."</p> + +<p>"And must aid me; for the first step in this modern march of +enlightenment is to leave the poor Parson behind; and if one calls out, +'Hold! and look at the sign-post.' the traveller hurries on the faster, +saying to himself, 'Pooh, pooh!—that is only the cry of the Parson!' +But my gentleman, when he doubts me, will listen to you—you're a +philosopher!"</p> + +<p>"We philosophers are of some use now and then, even to Parsons!"</p> + +<p>"If you were not so conceited a set of deluded poor creatures already, I +would say 'Yes,'" replied the Parson generously; and, taking hold of +Riccabocca's umbrella, he applied the brass handle thereof, by way of a +knocker, to the cottage door.</p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER XVIII.</h4> + +<p>Certainly it is a glorious fever that desire To Know! And there are few +sights in the moral world more sublime than that which many a garret +might afford, if Asmodeus would bare the roofs to our survey—viz., a +brave, patient, earnest human being, toiling his own arduous way, +athwart the iron walls of penury, into the magnificent Infinite, which +is luminous with starry souls.</p> + +<p>So there sits Leonard the Self-taught in the little cottage alone; for +though scarcely past the hour in which great folks dine, it is the hour +in which small folks go to bed, and Mrs. Fairfield has retired to rest, +while Leonard has settled to his books.</p> + +<p>He had placed his table under the lattice, and from time to time he +looked up and enjoyed the stillness of the moon. Well for him that, in +reparation for those hours stolen from night, the hardy physical labor +commenced with dawn. Students would not be the sad dyspeptics they are +if they worked as many hours in the open air as my scholar-peasant. But +even in him you could see that the mind had begun a little to affect the +frame. They who task the intellect must pay the penalty with the body. +Ill, believe me, would this work-day world get on if all within it were +hard-reading, studious animals, playing the deuce with the ganglionic +apparatus.</p> + +<p>Leonard started as he heard the knock at the door; the Parson's +well-known voice reassured him. In some surprise he admitted his +visitors.</p> + +<p>"We are come to talk to you, Leonard," said Mr. Dale, "but I fear we +shall disturb Mrs. Fairfield."</p> + +<p>"Oh no, sir! the door to the staircase is shut, and she sleeps soundly."</p> + +<p>"Why, this is a French book—do you read French, Leonard?" asked +Riccabocca.</p> + +<p>"I have not found French difficult, sir. Once over the grammar, and the +language is so clear; it seems the very language for reasoning."</p> + +<p>"True. Voltaire said justly, 'Whatever is obscure is not French,'" +observed Riccabocca.</p> + +<p>"I wish I could say the same of English," muttered the Parson.</p> + +<p>"But what is this?—Latin too?—Virgil?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir. But I find I make little way there without a master. I fear I +must give it up," (and Leonard sighed.)</p> + +<p>The two gentlemen exchanged looks and seated themselves. The young +peasant remained standing modestly, and in his air and mien there was +something that touched the heart while it pleased the eye. He was no +longer the timid boy who had sunk from the frown of Mr. Stirn, nor that +rude personation of simple physical strength, roused to undisciplined +bravery, which had received its downfall on the village-green of +Hazeldean. The power of thought was on his brow—somewhat unquiet still, +but mild and earnest. The features had attained that refinement which is +often attributed to race, but comes, in truth, from elegance of idea, +whether caught from our parents or learned from books. In his rich brown +hair, thrown carelessly from his temples, and curling almost to the +shoulders—in his large blue eye, which was deepened to the hue of the +violet by the long dark lash—in that firmness of lip, which comes from +the grapple with difficulties, there was considerable beauty, but no +longer the beauty of the mere peasant. And yet there was still about the +whole countenance that expression of goodness and purity which the +painter would give to his ideal of the peasant lover—such as Tasso +would have placed in the <i>Aminta</i>, or Fletcher have admitted to the side +of the Faithful Shepherdess.</p> + +<p>"You must draw a chair here, and sit down between us, Leonard," said the +Parson.</p> + +<p>"If any one," said Riccabocca, "has a right<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span> to sit, it is the one who +is to hear the sermon; and if any one ought to stand, it is the one who +is about to preach it."</p> + +<p>"Don't be frightened, Leonard," said the Parson, graciously; "it is only +a criticism, not a sermon," and he pulled out Leonard's Prize Essay.</p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER XIX.</h4> + +<p><i>Parson.</i>—"You take for your motto this aphorism<a name="FNanchor_K_11" id="FNanchor_K_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_K_11" class="fnanchor">[K]</a>—'<i>Knowledge is +Power.</i>'—<span class="smcap">Bacon</span>."</p> + +<p><i>Riccabocca.</i>—"Bacon make such an aphorism! The last man in the world +to have said any thing so pert and so shallow."</p> + +<p><i>Leonard</i> (astonished).—"Do you mean to say, sir, that that aphorism is +not in Lord Bacon! Why, I have seen it quoted as his in almost every +newspaper, and in almost every speech in favor of popular education."</p> + +<p><i>Riccabocca.</i>—"Then that should be a warning to you never again to fall +into the error of the would-be scholar—viz. quote second-hand. Lord +Bacon wrote a great book to show in what knowledge is power, how that +power should be defined, in what it might be mistaken. And, pray, do you +think so sensible a man would ever have taken the trouble to write a +great book upon the subject, if he could have packed up all he had to +say into the portable dogma, 'Knowledge is power?' Pooh! no such +aphorism is to be found in Bacon from the first page of his writings to +the last."</p> + +<p><i>Parson</i> (candidly).—"Well, I supposed it was Lord Bacon's, and I am +very glad to hear that the aphorism has not the sanction of his +authority."</p> + +<p><i>Leonard</i> (recovering his surprise).—"But why so?"</p> + +<p><i>Parson.</i>—"Because it either says a great deal too much, or +just—nothing at all."</p> + +<p><i>Leonard.</i>—"At least, sir, it seems to be undeniable."</p> + +<p><i>Parson.</i>—"Well, grant that it is undeniable. Does it prove much in +favor of knowledge? Pray, is not ignorance power too?"</p> + +<p><i>Riccabocca.</i>—"And a power that has had much the best end of the +quarter-staff."</p> + +<p><i>Parson.</i>—"All evil is power, and does its power make it any thing the +better?"</p> + +<p><i>Riccabocca.</i>—"Fanaticism is power—and a power that has often swept +away knowledge like a whirlwind. The Mussulman burns the library of a +world—and forces the Koran and the sword from the schools of Byzantium +to the colleges of Hindostan."</p> + +<p><i>Parson</i> (bearing on with a new column of illustration).—"Hunger is +power. The barbarians, starved out of their energy by their own swarming +population, swept into Italy and annihilated letters. The Romans, +however degraded, had more knowledge, at least, than the Gaul and the +Visigoth."</p> + +<p><i>Riccabocca</i> (bringing up the reserve).—"And even in Greece, when Greek +met Greek, the Athenians—our masters in all knowledge—were beat by the +Spartans, who held learning in contempt."</p> + +<p><i>Parson.</i>—"Wherefore you see, Leonard, that though knowledge be power, +it is only <i>one</i> of the powers of the world; that there are others as +strong, and often much stronger; and the assertion either means but a +barren truism, not worth so frequent a repetition, or it means something +that you would find it very difficult to prove."</p> + +<p><i>Leonard.</i>—"One nation may be beaten by another that has more physical +strength and more military discipline; which last, permit me to say, +sir, is a species of knowledge;—"</p> + +<p><i>Riccabocca.</i>—"Yes; but your knowledge-mongers at present call upon us +to discard military discipline, and the qualities that produce it, from +the list of the useful arts. And in your own essay, you insist upon +knowledge as the great disbander of armies, and the foe of all military +discipline."</p> + +<p><i>Parson.</i>—"Let the young man proceed. Nations, you say, may be beaten +by other nations less learned and civilized?"</p> + +<p><i>Leonard.</i>—"But knowledge elevates a class. I invite my own humble +order to knowledge, because knowledge will lift them into power."</p> + +<p><i>Riccabocca.</i>—"What do you say to that, Mr. Dale?"</p> + +<p><i>Parson.</i>—"In the first place, is it true that the class which has the +most knowledge gets the most power? I suppose philosophers, like my +friend Dr. Riccabocca, think they have the most knowledge. And pray, in +what age have philosophers governed the world? Are they not always +grumbling that nobody attends to them?"</p> + +<p>"Per Bacco," said Riccabocca, "if people had attended to us, it would +have been a droll sort of world by this time!"</p> + +<p><i>Parson.</i>—"Very likely. But, as a general rule, those have the most +knowledge who give themselves up to it the most. Let us put out of the +question philosophers (who are often but ingenious lunatics), and speak +only of erudite scholars, men of letters and practical science, +professors, tutors, and fellows of colleges. I fancy any member of +Parliament would tell us that there is no class of men which has less +actual influence on public affairs. They have more knowledge than +manufacturers and ship-owners, squires and farmers; but, do you find +that they have more power over the Government and the votes of the House +of Commons!"</p> + +<p>"They ought to have," said Leonard.</p> + +<p>"Ought they?" said the Parson: "we'll<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> consider that later. Meanwhile, +you must not escape from your own proposition, which is that knowledge +<i>is</i> power—not that it <i>ought</i> to be. Now, even granting your +corollary, that the power of a class is therefore proportioned to its +knowledge—pray, do you suppose that while your order, the operatives, +are instructing themselves, all the rest of the community are to be at a +stand-still? Diffuse knowledge as you may, you will never produce +equality of knowledge. Those who have most leisure, application, and +aptitude for learning, will still know the most. Nay, by a very natural +law, the more general the appetite for knowledge, the more the increased +competition would favor those most adapted to excel by circumstances and +nature. At this day, there is a vast increase of knowledge spread over +all society, compared with that in the Middle Ages; but is there not a +still greater distinction between the highly-educated gentleman and the +intelligent mechanic, than there was then between the baron who could +not sign his name and the churl at the plough? between the accomplished +statesman, versed in all historical law, and the voter whose politics +are formed by his newspaper, than there was between the legislator who +passed laws against witches, and the burgher who defended his guild from +some feudal aggression? between the enlightened scholar and the dunce of +to-day, than there was between the monkish alchemist and the blockhead +of yesterday? Peasant, voter, and dunce of this century are no doubt +wiser than the churl, burgher, and blockhead of the twelfth. But the +gentleman, statesman, and scholar of the present age are at least quite +as favorable a contrast to the alchemist, witch-burner, and baron of +old. As the progress of enlightenment has done hitherto, so will it ever +do. Knowledge is like capital: the more there is in a country, the +greater the disparities in wealth between one man and another. +Therefore, if the working class increase in knowledge, so do the other +classes; and if the working class rise peacefully and legitimately into +power, it is not in proportion to their own knowledge alone, but rather +according as it seems to the knowledge of the other orders of the +community, that such augmentation of proportional power is just, and +safe, and wise."</p> + +<p>Placed between the Parson and the Philosopher, Leonard felt that his +position was not favorable to the display of his forces. Insensibly he +edged his chair somewhat away, and said mournfully:</p> + +<p>"Then, according to you, the reign of knowledge would be no great +advance in the aggregate freedom and welfare of man?"</p> + +<p><i>Parson.</i>—"Let us define. By knowledge, do you mean intellectual +cultivation?—by the reign of knowledge, the ascendency of the most +cultivated minds?"</p> + +<p><i>Leonard</i> (after a pause).—"Yes."</p> + +<p><i>Riccabocca.</i>—"Oh indiscreet young man, that is an unfortunate +concession of yours; for the ascendency of the most cultivated minds +would be a terrible obligarchy!"</p> + +<p><i>Parson.</i>—"Perfectly true; and we now reply to your exclamation, that +men who, by profession, have most learning ought to have more influence +than squires and merchants, farmers and mechanics. Observe, all the +knowledge that we mortals can acquire is not knowledge positive and +perfect, but knowledge comparative, and subject to all the errors and +passions of humanity. And suppose that you could establish, as the sole +regulators of affairs, those who had the most mental cultivation, do you +think they would not like that power well enough to take all means their +superior intelligence could devise to keep it to themselves? The +experiment was tried of old by the priests of Egypt; and in the empire +of China, at this day, the aristocracy are elected from those who have +most distinguished themselves in learned colleges. If I may call myself +a member of that body, 'the people,' I would rather be an Englishman, +however much displeased with dull Ministers and blundering Parliaments, +than I would be a Chinese under the rule of the picked sages of the +Celestial Empire. Happily, therefore, my dear Leonard, nations are +governed by many things besides what is commonly called knowledge; and +the greatest practical ministers, who, like Themistocles, have made +small states great—and the most dominant races who, like the Romans, +have stretched their rule from a village half over the universe—have +been distinguished by various qualities which a philosopher would sneer +at, and a knowledge-monger would call 'sad prejudices,' and 'lamentable +errors of reason.'"</p> + +<p><i>Leonard</i> (bitterly).—"Sir, you make use of knowledge itself to argue +against knowledge."</p> + +<p><i>Parson.</i>—"I make use of the little I know to prove the foolishness of +idolatry. I do not argue against knowledge; I argue against +knowledge-worship. For here, I see in your Essay, that you are not +contented with raising human knowledge into something like divine +omnipotence, you must also confound her with virtue. According to you, +we have only to diffuse the intelligence of the few among the many, and +all at which we preachers aim is accomplished. Nay more; for whereas we +humble preachers have never presumed to say, with the heathen Stoic, +that even virtue is sure of happiness below (though it be the best road +to it), you tell us plainly that this knowledge of yours gives not only +the virtue of a saint, but bestows the bliss of a God. Before the steps +of your idol the evils of life disappear. To hear you, one has but 'to +know,' in order to be exempt from the sins and sorrows of the ignorant. +Has it ever been so? Grant that you diffuse amongst the many all the +knowledge ever attained by the few. Have the wise few been so unerring +and so happy? You supposed that your motto was accurately cited from +Bacon. What was Bacon himself? The poet tells you:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">'The wisest, brightest, <i>meanest</i> of mankind.'<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Can you hope to bestow upon the vast mass of your order the luminous +intelligence of this 'Lord Chancellor of nature?' Grant that you do +so—and what guarantee have you for the virtue and the happiness which +you assume as the concomitants of the gift? See Bacon himself; what +black ingratitude! what miserable self-seeking! what truckling +servility! what abject and pitiful spirit! So far from intellectual +knowledge, in its highest form and type, insuring virtue and bliss, it +is by no means uncommon to find great mental cultivation combined with +great moral corruption." (Aside to Riccabocca)—"Push on, will you?"</p> + +<p><i>Riccabocca.</i>—"A combination remarkable in eras as in individuals. +Petronius shows us a state of morals at which a commonplace devil would +blush, in the midst of a society more intellectually cultivated than +certainly was that which produced Regulus or the Horatii. And the most +learned eras in modern Italy were precisely those which brought the +vices into the most ghastly refinement."</p> + +<p><i>Leonard</i> (rising in great agitation, and clasping his hands).—"I +cannot contend with you, who produce against information so slender and +crude as mine the stores which have been locked from my reach. But I +feel that there must be another side to this shield—a shield that you +will not even allow to be silver. And, oh, if you thus speak of +knowledge, why have you encouraged me to know?"</p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER XX.</h4> + +<p>"Ah! my son!" said the Parson, "if I wished to prove the value of +Religion, would you think I served it much, if I took as my motto, +'Religion is power?' Would not that be a base and sordid view of its +advantages? And would you not say he who regards religion as a power, +intends to abuse it as a priestcraft?"</p> + +<p>"Well put!" said Riccabocca.</p> + +<p>"Wait a moment—let me think. Ah—I see, sir!" said Leonard.</p> + +<p><i>Parson.</i>—"If the cause be holy, do not weigh it in the scales of the +market; if its objects be peaceful, do not seek to arm it with the +weapons of strife; if it is to be the cement of society, do not vaunt it +as the triumph of class against class."</p> + +<p><i>Leonard</i> (ingenuously).—"You correct me nobly, sir. Knowledge is +power, but not in the sense in which I have interpreted the saying."</p> + +<p><i>Parson.</i>—"Knowledge is <i>one</i> of the powers in the moral world, but one +that, in its immediate result, is not always of the most worldly +advantage to the possessor. It is one of the slowest, because one of the +most durable, of agencies. It may take a thousand years for a thought to +come into power; and the thinker who originated it might have died in +rags or in chains."</p> + +<p><i>Riccabocca.</i>—"Our Italian proverb saith that 'the teacher is like the +candle, which lights others in consuming itself.'"</p> + +<p><i>Parson.</i>—"Therefore he who has the true ambition of knowledge should +entertain it for the power of his idea, not for the power it may bestow +on himself; it should be lodged in the conscience, and, like the +conscience, look for no certain reward on this side the grave. And since +knowledge is compatible with good and with evil, would not it be better +to say, 'Knowledge is a trust?'"</p> + +<p>"You are right, sir," said Leonard cheerfully; "pray proceed."</p> + +<p><i>Parson.</i>—"You ask me why we encourage you to <span class="smcap">know</span>. First, because (as +you say yourself in your Essay), knowledge, irrespective of gain, is in +itself a delight, and ought to be something far more. Like liberty, like +religion, it may be abused; but I have no more right to say that the +poor shall be ignorant, than I have to say that the rich only shall be +free, and that the clergy alone shall learn the truths of redemption. +You truly observe in your treatise that knowledge opens to us other +excitements than those of the senses, and another life than that of the +moment. The difference between us is this, that you forget that the same +refinement which brings us new pleasures exposes us to new pains—the +horny hand of the peasant feels not the nettles which sting the fine +skin of the scholar. You forget also, that whatever widens the sphere of +the desires, opens to them also new temptations. Vanity, the desire of +applause, pride, the sense of superiority—gnawing discontent where that +superiority is not recognized—morbid susceptibility, which comes with +all new feelings—the underrating of simple pleasures apart from the +intellectual—the chase of the imagination, often unduly stimulated, for +things unattainable below—all these are surely amongst the first +temptations that beset the entrance into knowledge."</p> + +<p>Leonard shaded his face with his hand.</p> + +<p>"Hence," continued the Parson, benignantly—"hence, so far from +considering that we do all that is needful to accomplish ourselves as +men, when we cultivate only the intellect, we should remember that we +thereby continually increase the range of our desires, and therefore of +our temptations; and we should endeavor, simultaneously, to cultivate +both those affections of the heart which prove the ignorant to be God's +children no less than the wise, and those moral qualities which have +made men great and good when reading and writing were scarcely known: to +wit, patience and fortitude under poverty and distress; humility and +beneficence amidst grandeur and wealth; and, in counteraction to that +egotism which all superiority, mental or worldly, is apt to inspire, +Justice, the father of all the more solid virtues, softened by Charity, +which is their loving mother. Thus accompanied, knowledge indeed becomes +the magnificent crown of humanity—not the imperious despot, but the +checked and tempered sovereign of the soul."</p> + +<p>The Parson paused, and Leonard, coming near him, timidly took his hand, +with a child's affectionate and grateful impulse.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span></p> + +<p><i>Riccabacca.</i>—"And if, Leonard, you are not satisfied with our Parson's +excellent definitions, you have only to read what Lord Bacon himself has +said upon the true ends of knowledge, to comprehend at once how angry +the poor great man, whom Mr. Dale treats so harshly, would have been +with those who have stinted his elaborate distinctions and provident +cautions into that coxcombical little aphorism, and then misconstrued +all he designed to prove in favor of the commandant, and authority of +learning. For," added the sage, looking up as a man does when he is +taxing his memory, "I think it is thus that after saying the greatest +error of all is the mistaking or misplacing the end of knowledge, and +denouncing the various objects for which it is vulgarly sought;—I think +it is thus that he proceeds.... 'Knowledge is not a shop for profit or +sale, but a rich storehouse for the glory of the Creator, and the relief +of men's estate.'"<a name="FNanchor_L_12" id="FNanchor_L_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_L_12" class="fnanchor">[L]</a></p> + +<p><i>Parson</i> (remorsefully)—"Are those Lord Bacon's words? I am very sorry +I spoke so uncharitably of his life. I must examine it again. I may find +excuses for it now that I could not when I first formed my judgment. I +was then a raw lad at Oxford. But I see, Leonard, there is still +something on your mind."</p> + +<p><i>Leonard.</i>—"It is true, sir. I would but ask whether it is not by +knowledge that we arrive at the qualities and virtues you so well +describe, but which you seem to consider as coming to us through +channels apart from knowledge?"</p> + +<p><i>Parson.</i>—"If you mean by the word knowledge something very different +from what you express in your essay, and which those contending for +mental instruction, irrespective of religion and ethics, appear also to +convey by the word —— you are right; but, remember, we have already +agreed that by the word knowledge we mean culture purely intellectual."</p> + +<p><i>Leonard.</i>—"That is true—we so understood it."</p> + +<p><i>Parson.</i>—"Thus, when this great Lord Bacon erred, you may say that he +erred from want of knowledge—the knowledge that moralists and preachers +would convey. But Lord Bacon had read all that moralists and preachers +could say on such matters; and he certainly did not err from want of +intellectual cultivation. Let me here, my child, invite you to observe, +that He who knew most of our human hearts and our immortal destinies, +did not <i>insist</i> on this intellectual culture as essential to the +virtues that form our well-being here, and conduce to our salvation +hereafter. Had it been essential, the Allwise One would not have +selected humble fishermen for the teachers of his doctrine, instead of +culling his disciples from Roman portico or Athenian academy. And this, +which distinguishes so remarkably the Gospel from the ethics of heathen +philosophy, wherein knowledge is declared to be necessary to virtue, is +a proof how slight was the heathen sage's insight into the nature of +mankind, when compared with the Saviour's; for hard indeed would it be +to men, whether high or low, rich or poor, if science and learning, or +contemplative philosophy, were the sole avenues to peace and redemption; +since, in this state of ordeal, requiring active duties, very few in any +age, whether they be high or low, rich or poor, ever are or can be +devoted to pursuits merely mental. Christ does not represent heaven as a +college for the learned. Therefore the rules of the Celestial Legislator +are rendered clear to the simplest understanding as to the deepest."</p> + +<p><i>Riccabocca.</i>—"And that which Plato and Zeno, Pythagoras and Socrates, +could not do, was done by men whose ignorance would have been a by-word +in the schools of the Greek. The gods of the vulgar were dethroned; the +face of the world was changed! This thought may make us allow, indeed, +that there are agencies more powerful than mere knowledge, and ask, +after all, what is the mission which knowledge should achieve?"</p> + +<p><i>Parson.</i>—"The Sacred Book tells us even that; for after establishing +the truth that, for the multitude, knowledge is not essential to +happiness and good, it accords still to knowledge its sublime part in +the revelation prepared and announced. When an instrument of more than +ordinary intelligence was required for a purpose divine—when the +Gospel, recorded by the simple, was to be explained by the acute, +enforced by the energetic, carried home to the doubts of the +Gentile—the Supreme Will joined to the zeal of the earlier apostles the +learning and genius of St. Paul—not holier than the others—calling +himself the least, yet laboring more abundantly than them all—making +himself all things unto all men, so that some might be saved. The +ignorant may be saved no less surely than the wise; but here comes the +wise man who helps to save! And how the fulness and animation of this +grand Presence, of this indomitable Energy, seem to vivify the toil, and +to speed the work! 'In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils +of robbers, in perils of mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, +in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the +sea, in perils amongst false brethren.' Behold, my son! does not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> Heaven +here seem to reveal the true type of knowledge—a sleepless activity, a +pervading agency, a dauntless heroism, an all-supporting faith? A +power—a power indeed—a power apart from the aggrandizement of self—a +power that brings to him who owns and transmits it but 'weariness and +painfulness; in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings +often, in cold and nakedness'—but a power distinct from the mere +circumstance of the man, rushing from him as rays from a sun—borne +through the air, and clothing it with light—piercing under earth, and +calling forth the harvest! Worship not knowledge—worship not the sun, O +my child! Let the sun but proclaim the Creator; let the knowledge but +illumine the worship!"</p> + +<p>The good man, overcome by his own earnestness, paused; his head drooped +on the young student's breast, and all three were long silent.</p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER XXI.</h4> + +<p>Whatever ridicule may be thrown upon Mr. Dale's dissertations by the wit +of the enlightened, they had a considerable, and I think a beneficial, +effect upon Leonard Fairfield—an effect which may perhaps create less +surprise, when the reader remembers that Leonard was unaccustomed to +argument, and still retained many of the prejudices natural to his +rustic breeding. Nay, he actually thought it possible that, as both +Riccabocca and Mr. Dale were more than double his age, and had had +opportunities not only of reading twice as many books, but of +contracting experience in wider ranges of life—he actually, I say, +thought it possible that they might be better acquainted with the +properties and distinctions of knowledge than himself. At all events, +the Parson's words were so far well-timed, that they produced in Leonard +very much of that state of mind which Mr. Dale desired to effect, before +communicating to him the startling intelligence that he was to visit +relations whom he had never seen, of whom he had heard but little, and +that it was at least possible that the result of that visit might be to +open to him greater facilities for instruction, and a higher degree in +life.</p> + +<p>Without some such preparation, I fear that Leonard would have gone forth +into the world with an exaggerated notion of his own acquirements, and +with a notion yet more exaggerated as to the kind of power that such +knowledge as he possessed would obtain for itself. As it was, when Mr. +Dale broke to him the news of the experimental journey before him, +cautioning him against being over sanguine, Leonard received the +intelligence with a serious meekness, and thoughts that were nobly +solemn.</p> + +<p>When the door closed on his visitors, he remained for some moments +motionless, and in deep meditation; then he unclosed the door, and stole +forth. The night was already far advanced, the heavens were luminous +with all the host of stars. "I think," said the student, referring, in +later life, to that crisis in his destiny—"I think it was then, as I +stood alone, yet surrounded by worlds so numberless, that I first felt +the distinction between <i>mind</i> and <i>soul</i>."</p> + +<p>"Tell me," said Riccabocca, as he parted company with Mr. Dale, "whether +you think we should have given to Frank Hazeldean, on entering life, the +same lecture on the limits and ends of knowledge which we have bestowed +on Leonard Fairfield."</p> + +<p>"My friend," quoth the Parson, with a touch of human conceit, "I have +ridden on horseback, and I know that some horses should be guided by the +bridle, and some should be urged by the spur."</p> + +<p>"<i>Cospetto!</i>" said Riccabocca; "you contrive to put every experience of +yours to some use—even your journey on Mr. Hazeldean's pad. And I see +now why, in this little world of a village, you have picked up so +general an acquaintance with life."</p> + +<p>"Did you ever read White's <i>Natural History of Selborne</i>?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"Do so, and you will find that you need not go far to learn the habits +of birds, and know the difference between a swallow and a swift. Learn +the difference in a village, and you know the difference wherever +swallows and swifts skim the air."</p> + +<p>"Swallows and swifts!—true; but men—"</p> + +<p>"Are with us all the year round—which is more than we can say of +swallows and swifts."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Dale," said Riccabocca, taking off his hat with great formality, +"if ever again I find myself in a dilemma, I will come to you instead of +to Machiavelli."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" cried the Parson, "if I could but have a calm hour's talk with you +on the errors of the Papal relig—"</p> + +<p>Riccabocca was off like a shot.</p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER XXII.</h4> + +<p>The next day, Mr. Dale had a long conversation with Mrs. Fairfield. At +first, he found some difficulty in getting over her pride, and inducing +her to accept overtures from parents who had so long slighted both +Leonard and herself. And it would have been in vain to have put before +the good woman the worldly advantages which such overtures implied. But +when Mr. Dale said, almost sternly, "Your parents are old, your father +infirm; their least wish should be as binding to you as their command," +the Widow bowed her head, and said,—</p> + +<p>"God bless them, sir, I was very sinful—'Honor your father and mother.' +I'm no scollard, but I know the Commandments. Let Lenny go. But he'll +soon forget me, and mayhap he'll learn to be ashamed of me."</p> + +<p>"There I will trust him," said the Parson; and he contrived easily to +reassure and soothe her.</p> + +<p>It was not till all this was settled that Mr.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span> Dale drew forth an +unsealed letter, which Mr. Richard Avenel, taking his hint, had given to +him, as from Leonard's grandparents, and said,—"This is for you, and it +contains an inclosure of some value."</p> + +<p>"Will you read it, sir? As I said before, I'm no scollard."</p> + +<p>"But Leonard is, and he will read it to you."</p> + +<p>When Leonard returned home that evening, Mrs. Fairfield showed him the +letter. It ran thus:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Dear Jane,—Mr. Dale will tell you that we wish Leonard to +come to us. We are glad to hear you are well. We forward, by +Mr. Dale, a bank-note for £50, which comes from Richard, your +brother. So no more at present from your affectionate parents,</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4">"<span class="smcap">John and Margaret Avenel</span>."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +</div> + +<p>The letter was in a stiff female scrawl, and Leonard observed that two +or three mistakes in spelling had been corrected, either in another pen +or in a different hand.</p> + +<p>"Dear brother Dick, how good in him!" cried the widow. "When I saw there +was money, I thought it must be him. How I should like to see Dick +again. But I s'pose he's still in Amerikay. Well, well, this will buy +clothes for you."</p> + +<p>"No; you must keep it all, mother, and put it in the Savings' Bank."</p> + +<p>"I'm not quite so silly as that," cried Mrs. Fairfield, with contempt; +and she put the fifty pounds into a cracked teapot.</p> + +<p>"It must not stay there when I'm gone. You may be robbed, mother."</p> + +<p>"Dear me, dear me, that's true. What shall I do with it?—what do I want +with it, too! Dear me! I wish they hadn't sent it. I shan't sleep in +peace. You must e'en put it in your own pouch, and button it up tight, +boy."</p> + +<p>Lenny smiled, and took the note; but he took it to Mr. Dale, and begged +him to put it into the Savings' Bank for his mother.</p> + +<p>The day following he went to take leave of his master, of Jackeymo, of +the fountain, the garden. But, after he had gone through the first of +these adieus with Jackeymo,—who, poor man, indulged in all the lively +gesticulations of grief which make half the eloquence of his countrymen; +and then, absolutely blubbering, hurried away—Leonard himself was so +affected that he could not proceed at once to the house, but stood +beside the fountain, trying hard to keep back his tears.</p> + +<p>"You, Leonard—and you are going!" said a soft voice; and the tears fell +faster than ever, for he recognized the voice of Violante.</p> + +<p>"Do not cry," continued the child, with a kind of tender gravity. "You +are going, but papa says it would be selfish in us to grieve, for it is +for your good; and we should be glad. But I am selfish, Leonard, and I +do grieve. I shall miss you sadly."</p> + +<p>"You, young lady—you miss me!"</p> + +<p>"Yes. But I do not cry, Leonard, for I envy you, and I wish I were a +boy: I wish I could do as you."</p> + +<p>The girl clasped her hands, and reared her slight form, with a kind of +passionate dignity.</p> + +<p>"Do as me, and part from all those you love!"</p> + +<p>"But to serve those you love. One day you will come back to your +mother's cottage, and say, 'We have conquered fortune.' Oh that I could +go forth and return, as you will. But my father has no country, and his +only child is a useless girl."</p> + +<p>As Violante spoke, Leonard had dried his tears; her emotion distracted +him from his own.</p> + +<p>"Oh," continued Violante, again raising her head loftily, "what it is to +be a man! A woman sighs, 'I wish,' but man should say, 'I will.'"</p> + +<p>Occasionally before, Leonard had noted fitful flashes of a nature grand +and heroic, in the Italian child, especially of late—flashes the more +remarkable from their contrast to a form most exquisitely feminine, and +to a sweetness of temper which made even her pride gentle. But now it +seemed as if the child spoke with the command of a queen—almost with +the inspiration of a muse. A strange and new sense of courage entered +within him.</p> + +<p>"May I remember these words!" he murmured half audibly.</p> + +<p>The girl turned and surveyed him with eyes brighter for their moisture. +She then extended her hand to him, with a quick movement, and, as he +bent over it, with a grace taught to him by genuine emotion, she +said,—"And if you do, then, girl and child as I am, I shall think I +have aided a brave heart in the great strife for honor!"</p> + +<p>She lingered a moment, smiled as if to herself, and then, gliding away, +was lost amongst the trees.</p> + +<p>After a long pause, in which Leonard recovered slowly from the surprise +and agitation into which Violante had thrown his spirits—previously +excited as they were—he went, murmuring to himself, towards the house. +But Riccabocca was from home. Leonard turned mechanically to the +terrace, and busied himself with the flowers. But the dark eyes of +Violante shone on his thoughts, and her voice rang in his ear.</p> + +<p>At length Riccabocca appeared, followed up the road by a laborer, who +carried something indistinct under his arm.</p> + +<p>The Italian beckoned to Leonard to follow him into the parlor; and after +conversing with him kindly, and at some length, and packing up, as it +were, a considerable provision of wisdom in the portable shape of +aphorisms and proverbs, the sage left him alone for a few moments. +Riccabocca then returned with his wife, and bearing a small knapsack:—</p> + +<p>"It is not much we can do for you, Leonard, and money is the worst gift +in the world for a keepsake; but my wife and I have put our heads +together to furnish you with a little outfit.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> Giacomo, who was in our +secret, assures us that the clothes will fit: and stole, I fancy, a coat +of yours for the purpose. Put them on when you go to your relations: it +is astonishing what a difference it makes in the ideas people form of +us, according as our coats are cut one way or another. I should not be +presentable in London thus; and nothing is more true than that a tailor +is often the making of a man."</p> + +<p>"The shirts, too, are very good holland," said Mrs. Riccabocca, about to +open the knapsack.</p> + +<p>"Never mind details, my dear," cried the wise man; "shirts are +comprehended in the general principle of clothes. And, Leonard, as a +remembrance somewhat more personal, accept this, which I have worn many +a year when time was a thing of importance to me, and nobler fates than +mine hung on a moment. We missed the moment, or abused it, and here I +am, a waif on a foreign shore. Methinks I have done with Time."</p> + +<p>The exile, as he thus spoke, placed in Leonard's reluctant hands a watch +that would have delighted an antiquary, and shocked a dandy. It was +exceedingly thick, having an outer case of enamel, and an inner one of +gold. The hands and the figures of the hours had originally been formed +of brilliants; but the brilliants had long since vanished. Still, even +thus bereft, the watch was much more in character with the giver than +the receiver, and was as little suited to Leonard as would have been the +red silk umbrella.</p> + +<p>"It is old-fashioned," said Mrs. Riccabocca, "but it goes better than +any clock in the country. I really think it will last to the end of the +world."</p> + +<p>"<i>Carissima mia!</i>" cried the Doctor, "I thought I had convinced you that +the world is by no means come to its last legs."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I did not mean any thing, Alphonso," said Mrs. Riccabocca, +coloring.</p> + +<p>"And that is all we do mean when we talk about that of which we can know +nothing," said the Doctor, less gallantly than usual, for he resented +that epithet of "old-fashioned," as applied to the watch.</p> + +<p>Leonard, we see, had been silent all this time; he could not +speak—literally and truly, he could not speak. How he got out of his +embarrassment, and how he got out of the room, he never explained to my +satisfaction. But, a few minutes afterwards, he was seen hurrying down +the road very briskly.</p> + +<p>Riccabocca and his wife stood at the window gazing after him.</p> + +<p>"There is a depth in that boy's heart," said the sage, "which might +float an Argosy."</p> + +<p>"Poor dear boy! I think we have put every thing into the knapsack that +he can possibly want," said good Mrs. Riccabocca musingly.</p> + +<p><i>The Doctor</i> (continuing his soliloquy).—"They are strong, but they are +not immediately apparent."</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Riccabocca</i> (resuming hers.)—"They are at the bottom of the +knapsack."</p> + +<p><i>The Doctor.</i>—"They will stand long wear and tear."</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Riccabocca.</i>—"A year, at least, with proper care at the wash."</p> + +<p><i>The Doctor</i> (startled).—"Care at the wash! What on earth are you +talking of, ma'am?"</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Riccabocca</i> (mildly).—"The shirts, to be sure, my love? And you?"</p> + +<p><i>The Doctor</i> (with a heavy sigh).—"The feelings, ma'am!" Then, after a +pause, taking his wife's hand affectionately—"But you did quite right +to think of the shirts; Mr. Dale said very truly—"</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Riccabocca.</i>—"What?"</p> + +<p><i>The Doctor.</i>—"That there was a great deal in common between us—even +when I think of feelings, and you but of—shirts."</p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER XXIII.</h4> + +<p>Mr. and Mrs. Avenel sat within the parlor—Mr. Richard stood on the +hearth-rug, whistling Yankee Doodle. "The Parson writes word that the +lad will come to-day," said Richard suddenly—"let me see the +letter—ay, to-day. If he took the coach as far as ——, he might walk +the rest of the way in two or three hours. He should be pretty nearly +here. I have a great mind to go and meet him: it will save his asking +questions, and hearing about me. I can clear the town by the back-way, +and get out at the high road."</p> + +<p>"You'll not know him from any one else said Mrs. Avenel.</p> + +<p>"Well, that is a good one! Not know an Avenel! We've all the same cut of +the jib—have not we, father?"</p> + +<p>Poor John laughed heartily, till the tears rolled down his cheeks.</p> + +<p>"We were always a well-favored family," said John, recomposing himself. +"There was Luke, but he's gone; and Harry, but he's dead too; and Dick, +but he's in Amerikay—no, he's here; and my darling Nora, but—"</p> + +<p>"Hush!" interrupted Mrs. Avenel; "hush, John!"</p> + +<p>The old man stared at her, and then put his tremulous hand to his brow. +"And Nora's gone too!" said he, in a voice of profound woe. Both hands +then fell on his knees, and his head drooped on his breast.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Avenel rose, kissed her husband on the forehead, and then walked +away to the window. Richard took up his hat, and brushed the nap +carefully with his handkerchief; but his lips quivered.</p> + +<p>"I'm going," said he, abruptly. "Now mind, mother, not a word about +Uncle Richard yet; we must first see how we like each other, and (in a +whisper) you'll try and get that into my poor father's head?"</p> + +<p>"Ay, Richard," said Mrs. Avenel, quietly. Richard put on his hat, and +went out by the back way. He stole along the fields that skirted the +town, and had only once to cross the street before he got into the high +road.</p> + +<p>He walked on until he came to the first milestone. There he seated +himself, lighted his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span> cigar, and awaited his nephew. It was now nearly +the hour of sunset, and the road before him lay westward. Richard from +time to time looked along the road, shading his eyes with his hand; and +at length, just as the disc of the sun had half sunk down the horizon, a +solitary figure came up the way. It emerged suddenly from the turn in +the road; the reddening beams colored all the atmosphere around it. +Solitary and silent it came as from a Land of Light.</p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER XXIV.</h4> + +<p>"You have been walking far, young man," said Richard Avenel.</p> + +<p>"No, sir, not very. That is Lansmere before me, is it not?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is Lansmere; you stop there, I guess?"</p> + +<p>Leonard made a sign in the affirmative, and walked on a few paces; then +seeing the stranger who had accosted him still by his side, he said—</p> + +<p>"If you know the town, sir, perhaps you will have the goodness to tell +me whereabouts Mr. Avenel lives?"</p> + +<p>"I can put you into a straight cut across the fields, that will bring +you just behind the house."</p> + +<p>"You are very kind, but it will take you out of your way."</p> + +<p>"No, it is in my way. So you are going to Mr. Avenel's?—a good old +gentleman."</p> + +<p>"I've always heard so; and Mrs. Avenel—"</p> + +<p>"A particular superior woman," said Richard. "Any one else to ask +after—I know the family well."</p> + +<p>"No, thank you, sir."</p> + +<p>"They have a son, I believe; but he's in America, is not he?"</p> + +<p>"I believe he is, sir."</p> + +<p>"I see the Parson has kept faith with me," muttered Richard.</p> + +<p>"If you can tell me any thing about him," said Leonard, "I should be +very glad."</p> + +<p>"Why so, young man?—perhaps he is hanged by this time."</p> + +<p>"Hanged!"</p> + +<p>"He was a sad dog, I am told."</p> + +<p>"Then you have been told very falsely," said Leonard, coloring.</p> + +<p>"A sad wild dog—his parents were so glad when he cut and run—went off +to the States. They say he made money; but, if so, he neglected his +relations shamefully."</p> + +<p>"Sir," said Leonard, "you are wholly misinformed. He has been most +generous to a relative who had little claim on him; and I never heard +his name mentioned but with love and praise."</p> + +<p>Richard instantly fell to whistling Yankee Doodle, and walked on several +paces without saying a word. He then made a slight apology for his +impertinence—hoped no offence—and with his usual bold but astute style +of talk, contrived to bring out something of his companion's mind. He +was evidently struck with the clearness and propriety with which Leonard +expressed himself, raised his eyebrows in surprise more than once, and +looked him full in the face with an attentive and pleased survey. +Leonard had put on the new clothes with which Riccabocca and wife had +provided him. They were those appropriate to a young country tradesman +in good circumstances; but as he did not think about the clothes, so he +had unconsciously something of the ease of the gentleman.</p> + +<p>They now came into the fields. Leonard paused before a slip of ground +sown with rye.</p> + +<p>"I should have thought grass land would have answered better, so near a +town," said he.</p> + +<p>"No doubt it would," answered Richard; "but they are sadly behind-hand +in these parts. You see that great park yonder, on the other side of the +road? That would answer better for rye than grass; but then what would +become of my Lord's deer? The aristocracy eat us up, young man."</p> + +<p>"But the aristocracy did not sow this piece with rye, I suppose?" said +Leonard, smiling.</p> + +<p>"And what do you conclude from that?"</p> + +<p>"Let every man look to his own ground," said Leonard, with a cleverness +of repartee caught from Doctor Riccabocca.</p> + +<p>"'Cute lad you are," said Richard; "and we'll talk more of these matters +another time."</p> + +<p>They now came within sight of Mr. Avenel's house.</p> + +<p>"You can get through the gap in the hedge, by the old pollard oak," said +Richard; "and come round by the front of the house. Why, you're not +afraid—are you?"</p> + +<p>"I am a stranger."</p> + +<p>"Shall I introduce you? I told you that I knew the old couple."</p> + +<p>"Oh no, sir! I would rather meet them alone."</p> + +<p>"Go; and—wait a bit,—harkye, young man, Mrs. Avenel is a cold-mannered +woman; but don't be abashed by that."</p> + +<p>Leonard thanked the good-natured stranger, crossed the field, passed the +gap, and paused a moment under the stinted shade of the old +hollow-hearted oak. The ravens were returning to their nests. At the +sight of a human form under the tree, they wheeled round, and watched +him afar. From the thick of the boughs, the young ravens sent their +hoarse low cry.</p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER XXV.</h4> + +<p>The young man entered the neat, prim, formal parlor.</p> + +<p>"You are welcome!" said Mrs. Avenel, in a firm voice.</p> + +<p>"The gentleman is heartily welcome," cried poor John.</p> + +<p>"It is your grandson, Leonard Fairfield," said Mrs. Avenel.</p> + +<p>But John, who had risen with knocking knees, gazed hard at Leonard, and +then fell on his breast, sobbing aloud—"Nora's eyes!—he has a blink in +his eyes like Nora's."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mrs. Avenel approached with a steady step, and drew away the old man +tenderly.</p> + +<p>"He is a poor creature," she whispered to Leonard—"you excite him. Come +away, I will show you your room."</p> + +<p>Leonard followed her up the stairs, and came into a room—neatly, and +even prettily furnished. The carpet and curtains were faded by the sun, +and of old-fashioned pattern, but there was a look about the room as if +it had long been disused.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Avenel sank down on the first chair on entering.</p> + +<p>Leonard drew his arm round her waist affectionately: "I fear that I have +put you out sadly—my dear grandmother."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Avenel glided hastily from his arm, and her countenance worked +much—every nerve in it twitching as it were; then, placing her hand on +his locks, she said with passion, "God bless you, my grandson," and left +the room.</p> + +<p>Leonard dropped his knapsack on the floor, and looked around him +wistfully. The room seemed as if it had once been occupied by a female. +There was a work-box on the chest of drawers, and over it hanging +shelves for books, suspended by ribbons that had once been blue, with +silk and fringe appended to each shelf, and knots and tassels here and +there—the taste of a woman, or rather of a girl, who seeks to give a +grace to the commonest things around her. With the mechanical habit of a +student, Leonard took down one or two of the volumes still left on the +shelves. He found <span class="smcap">Spenser's</span> <i>Fairy Queen</i>, <span class="smcap">Racine</span> in French, <span class="smcap">Tasso</span> in +Italian; and on the fly-leaf of each volume, in the exquisite +handwriting familiar to his memory, the name "Leonora." He kissed the +books, and replaced them with a feeling akin both to tenderness and awe.</p> + +<p>He had not been alone in his room more than a quarter of an hour, before +the maid-servant knocked at his door and summoned him to tea.</p> + +<p>Poor John had recovered his spirits, and his wife sate by his side +holding his hand in hers. Poor John was even gay. He asked many +questions about his daughter Jane, and did not wait for the answers. +Then he spoke about the Squire, whom he confounded with Audley Egerton, +and talked of elections and the Blue party, and hoped Leonard would +always be a good Blue; and then he fell to his tea and toast, and said +no more.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Avenel spoke little, but she eyed Leonard askant, as it were, from +time to time; and after each glance the nerves of the poor severe face +twitched again.</p> + +<p>A little after nine o'clock, Mrs. Avenel lighted a candle, and placing +it in Leonard's hand, "You must be tired—you know your own room now. +Good night."</p> + +<p>Leonard took the light, and, as was his wont with his mother, kissed +Mrs. Avenel on the cheek. Then he took John's hand and kissed him too. +The old man was half asleep, and murmured dreamily, "That's Nora."</p> + +<p>Leonard had retired to his room about half an hour, when Richard Avenel +entered the house softly, and joined his parents.</p> + +<p>"Well, mother?" said he.</p> + +<p>"Well, Richard—you have seen him?"</p> + +<p>"And like him. Do you know he has a great look of poor Nora?—more like +her than Jane."</p> + +<p>"Yes; he is handsomer than Jane ever was, but more like your father than +any one. John was so comely. You take to the boy, then?"</p> + +<p>"Ay, that I do. Just tell him in the morning that he is to go with a +gentleman who will be his friend, and don't say more. The chaise shall +be at the door after breakfast. Let him get into it: I shall wait for +him out of the town. What's the room you give him?"</p> + +<p>"The room you would not take."</p> + +<p>"The room in which Nora slept? Oh, no! I could not have slept a wink +there. What a charm there was in that girl!—how we all loved her! But +she was too beautiful and good for us—too good to live!"</p> + +<p>"None of us are too good," said Mrs. Avenel with great austerity, "and I +beg you will not talk in that way. Good night—I must get your poor +father to bed."</p> + +<p>When Leonard opened his eyes the next morning, they rested on the face +of Mrs. Avenel, which was bending over his pillow. But it was long +before he could recognize that countenance, so changed was its +expression—so tender, so motherlike. Nay, the face of his own mother +had never seemed to him so soft with a mother's passion.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" he murmured, half rising and flinging his young arms round her +neck. Mrs. Avenel, this time, and for the first, taken by surprise, +warmly returned the embrace; she clasped him to her breast, she kissed +him again and again. At length with a quick start she escaped, and +walked up and down the room, pressing her hands tightly together. When +she halted, her face had recovered its usual severity and cold +precision.</p> + +<p>"It is time for you to rise, Leonard," said she. "You will leave us +to-day. A gentleman has promised to take charge of you, and do for you +more than we can. A chaise will be at the door soon—make haste."</p> + +<p>John was absent from the breakfast-table. His wife said that he never +rose till late, and must not be disturbed.</p> + +<p>The meal was scarce over, before a chaise and pair came to the door.</p> + +<p>"You must not keep the chaise waiting—the gentleman is very punctual."</p> + +<p>"But he is not come."</p> + +<p>"No, he has walked on before, and will get in after you are out of the +town."</p> + +<p>"What is his name, and why should he care for me, grandmother?"</p> + +<p>"He will tell you himself. Now, come."</p> + +<p>"But you will bless me again, grandmother? I love you already."</p> + +<p>"I do bless you," said Mrs. Avenel firmly. "Be honest and good, and +beware of the first<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span> false step." She pressed his hand with a convulsive +grasp, and led him to the outer door.</p> + +<p>The postboy clanked his whip, the chaise rattled off. Leonard put his +head out of the window to catch a last glimpse of the old woman. But the +boughs of the pollard oak, and its gnarled decaying trunk, hid her from +his eye. And look as he would, till the road turned, he saw but the +melancholy tree.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_K_11" id="Footnote_K_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_K_11"><span class="label">[K]</span></a> This aphorism has been probably assigned to Lord Bacon upon +the mere authority of the index to his works. It is the aphorism of the +index-maker, certainly not of the great master of inductive philosophy. +Bacon has, it is true, repeatedly dwelt on the power of knowledge, but +with so many explanations and distinctions, that nothing could be more +unjust to his general meaning than to attempt to cramp into a sentence +what it costs him a volume to define. Thus, if in one page he appears to +confound knowledge with power, in another he sets them in the strongest +antithesis to each other; as follows, "Adeo, signanter Deus opera +potentiæ et sapientiæ discriminavit." But it would be as unfair to Bacon +to convert into an aphorism the sentence that discriminates between +knowledge and power as it is to convert into an aphorism any sentence +that confounds them.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_L_12" id="Footnote_L_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_L_12"><span class="label">[L]</span></a> "But the greatest error of all the rest is the mistaking or +misplacing of the last or farthest end of knowledge:—for men have +entered into a desire of learning and knowledge, sometimes upon a +natural curiosity and inquisitive appetite: sometimes to entertain their +minds with variety and delight; sometimes for ornament and reputation; +and sometimes to enable them to victory of wit and contradiction; and +most times for lucre and profession,"—(that is, for most of those +objects which are meant by the ordinary citers of the saying, 'Knowledge +is power;') "and seldom sincerely to give a true account of these gifts +of reason to the benefit and use of men; as if there were sought in +knowledge a couch whereon to rest a searching and restless spirit; or a +terrace for a wandering and variable mind to walk up and down, with a +fair prospect; or a tower of state for a proud mind to raise itself +upon; or a fort or commanding ground for strife and contention; or a +shop for profit or sale—and not a rich storehouse for the glory of the +Creator, and the relief of men's estate."—<span class="smcap">Advancememt of Learning</span>, Book +I.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h4>From the new novel, "Rose Douglass."</h4> + +<h2><a name="A_FAMILY_OF_OLD_MAIDS" id="A_FAMILY_OF_OLD_MAIDS"></a>A FAMILY OF OLD MAIDS.</h2> + +<p>Such a family of old maids! The youngest mistress was forty, and the two +servants were somewhat older. They had each their pets too, except I +think the eldest, who was the clearest-headed of the family. The +servants had the same Christian name, which was rather perplexing, as +neither would consent to be called by her surname. How their mistresses +managed to distinguish them I do not recollect; but the country people +settled it easily amongst themselves by early naming them according to +their different heights, "lang Jenny," and "little Jenny." They were +characters in their way as well as their mistresses. They had served +them for upwards of twenty years, and knew every secret of the family, +being as regularly consulted as any of the members of it. They regulated +the expenses too, much as they liked, which was in a very frugal, +economical manner. The two Jennies had not much relished their removal +to the country, and still often sighed with regret for the gossipings +they once enjoyed in the Castlegate of Lanark. But they could not bear +to part from the family; so they now boomed at their wheels or mended +the household linen in the damp dull kitchen of Burnside, instead of +performing the same work in their old cosy, comfortable one in the burgh +town, and tried to indemnify themselves for their privations by +establishing a kind of patronizing familiarity with various of the +cottagers' wives.</p> + +<p>Miss Jess and Miss Jean were the names of the younger ladies. There was +that species of resemblance among all the sisters, both mental and +personal, which is often to be observed in members of the same family. +Menie, the eldest sister, was, however, much superior to the others in +force of character, but her mind had not been cultivated by reading. +Jess, the second, was a large coarse-looking woman, with a masculine +voice, and tastes decidedly so. An excellent wright or smith she would +have made, if unfortunately she had not been born a gentlewoman. She had +a habit of wandering about the grounds with a small hammer and nails in +her huge pocket, examining the fences, and mending them if necessary. +She could pick a lock too, when needed, with great neatness and +dispatch. I rather think she could repair one also. I have still in my +possession a small box of her making, which, for execution and +durability, I will match against the performance of any rival amateur of +the opposite sex. In spite, however, of such freaks, and as if to make +amends for them, Miss Jess possessed one of the softest and most +impressionable hearts which ever fell to the lot of a mature maiden of +forty-five. She had suffered from no less than six different attachments +during her life (she made me her confidante), and most unfortunately +they had never been to the right individual, for they were not returned. +But poor Miss Jess cherished no malice; she freely forgave them their +insensibility. Indeed, she had not the heart to kill a fly. Every beggar +imposed on her, and her sisters were obliged for her own sake to +restrain her charities. Her dress, like her pursuits, had always a +certain masculine air about it. She wore large rough boots, coarse +gloves, and a kind of man's cravat constantly twisted about her neck +when out of doors. In short, she was one of those persons one cannot +help liking, yet laughing at. Jean, the youngest sister, had been a +beauty in her time, and she still laid claim to the distinction +resulting from it. It was a pity, considering the susceptibility of her +second sister, that her charms had not been shared by her. Jean was +coquettish, and affected a somewhat youthful manner and style of dress, +which contrasted ill with her time of life. But the rest of the family, +in which of course I include the servants, evidently considered her a +young thoughtless thing for whom much allowance must be made.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Historical_Review_of_the_Month" id="Historical_Review_of_the_Month"></a><i>Historical Review of the Month.</i></h2> + + +<h3>THE UNITED STATES.</h3> + +<p>Since the close of the Executive Session of the Senate and the departure +of the members for their homes, Washington has relapsed into the usual +quiet of its summer season. Mr. Corwin, Secretary of the Treasury, has +been dangerously ill, but is now slowly recovering. The duties of the +office were temporarily performed by the Chief Clerk of the Department. +Señor Molina, Chargé to the United States from the Central American +State of Costa Rica, has presented his credentials to the President. M. +Bois le Comte, the French Minister Plenipotentiary, having been +superseded by the appointment of M. de Sartiges, has sold his furniture +and gone to Havana. A public dinner was given to Mr. Webster at +Annapolis, Maryland, on the 24th of March, by the Delegates of the +Maryland State Convention. It was attended by a large number of +distinguished persons. Mr. Webster then proceeded to Harrisburgh, where +he had been invited by the Legislature of Pennsylvania. A grand +reception was given him in the Hall of the House of Representatives. +Gov. Johnson introduced the distinguished guest in a brief address of +welcome, to which Mr. Webster responded in a speech of an hour's length. +He spoke of the commanding physical position of Pennsylvania, forming, +as it were, the key-stone between the North and the South, the waters of +the Atlantic and the Mississippi. Occupying, thus, a middle ground +between the two conflicting portions of the Union, he considered her +disposed to do her duty to both, regardless of the suggestions of local +prejudices. He then pronounced a most glowing and eloquent eulogium on +the Constitution,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> and concluded by affirming his belief that ages hence +the United States will be free and republican, still making constant +progress in general confidence, respect, and prosperity. Mr. Webster is +at present on his Marshfield estate, recovering from an indisposition +consequent on his labors during the past winter.</p> + +<p>The State Convention of Ohio has framed a new Constitution, which is to +be submitted to the people for acceptance. It provides for the +maintenance of religious freedom, equality of political rights, liberty +of speech and of the press, and no imprisonment for debt. The members of +each branch of the Legislature are chosen biennially. The Governor, +Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer, and Attorney +General, are to be chosen by the people for a term of two years, and the +Judges for a term of five years. The Legislature is to provide a system +of Free Education, and Institutions for the Insane, Blind, Deaf and Dumb +are to be supported by the State. The Ohio Legislature has passed +resolutions in favor of the repeal or modification of the Fugitive Slave +Law, principally on account of its denial of a trial by jury to the +fugitive.</p> + +<p>The Union feeling is entirely in the ascendant throughout the Southern +States. A Committee of the Virginia Legislature, to whom the resolutions +of the South Carolina Convention were referred, reported a preamble and +series of resolutions of the most patriotic character. They declare that +while Virginia deeply sympathizes with South Carolina, she cannot join +in any action calculated to impair the integrity of the Union. She +believes the Constitution sufficient for the remedy of all grievances, +and invokes all who live under it to adhere more strictly to it, and to +preserve inviolate its safeguards. Virginia also declines to send +Delegates to the proposed Southern Congress. In Georgia, a number of +Delegates have been elected to a State Convention of the Union party for +the nomination of a Candidate for Governor. The State Convention of +Missouri has adopted an address and resolutions fully sustaining Mr. +Benton in his course in opposition to the Disunionists. In Mississippi, +the Union party have taken measures for a thorough organization. +Delegates have been chosen to a State Convention for the nomination of a +ticket. The Southern party are about forming a similar organization, the +old party lines having been almost entirely abandoned. The only +counter-movement in the North, is the assembling of a State Convention +in Massachusetts, in opposition to the Fugitive Slave Law, without +distinction of party. In Tennessee, the friends of the Free School +System have called a General State Convention, to be held at Knoxville. +The New-Jersey Legislature has enacted a law prohibiting the employment +of children under ten years of age in factories, and providing that ten +hours shall be considered a legal day's labor in all manufacturing +establishments.</p> + +<p>The Annual Election in Rhode Island resulted in the choice of Philip +Allen, the Democratic Candidate for Governor, by 600 majority. The +Legislature stands—Senate, 14 Democrats and 13 Whigs; Assembly, 31 +Democrats and 25 Whigs. The Election in Connecticut gave the following +returns for the next Legislature: Senate, 13 Whigs and 8 Democrats; +Legislature 113 Whigs and 110 Democrats. As the election of Governor +falls upon the Legislature, the probability is that the Governor and the +United States Senator for the next six years will be chosen from the +Whig party. The Legislature of New-York paid a visit to the cities of +New-York and Brooklyn, about the end of March. They remained four days, +during which time they visited all the charitable institutions on the +island, in company with the city authorities. This is the first instance +on record of an official visit of the Legislature to the commercial +metropolis of the State.</p> + +<p>Boston has been the theatre of some disturbing and exciting proceedings, +growing out of the anti-slavery feeling of a portion of the community. A +fugitive slave named Sims, who had escaped from Savannah, and had been +in Boston about a month, was arrested by the Deputy United States +Marshal, at the instance of an agent of the owner. On being taken, he +drew a knife and inflicted a severe wound on one of the officers in +attendance. An abolitionist lawyer, who attempted to interfere, was +arrested and sent to the watch-house. Fletcher Webster, Esq., son of the +Secretary of State, was also seized and taken to jail, on account of +having attempted to prevent a watchman from ringing the bell of King's +Chapel, under the supposition that it was a trick of the Abolitionists +to collect a mob. The next day, this sect called a meeting on Boston +Common, which was largely attended. Rev. Theodore Parker, Wendell +Phillips, and other speakers, addressed the meeting, urging instant and +armed resistance to the operation of the law. The Police, on the other +hand, took every precaution to prevent a forcible rescue of the +prisoner. The Court-House, in which he was confined, was surrounded by +chains to keep off the crowd, and guarded by a strong force; several +military companies were also kept in readiness. The friends of the +fugitive endeavored to make use of the case for the purpose of testing +the constitutionality of the law, and a hearing was had before the +United States Commissioner, in which the question was argued at length. +In order to prevent the delivery of Sims, a complaint was instituted for +assault and battery with intent to kill the officer who arrested him. +Chief Justice Shaw, of the Supreme Court, however, decided that a writ +of habeas corpus could not be granted, and the United States +Commissioner having, from the evidence adduced, remanded Sims to the +keeping of his claimant, authority was given to take him back to +Savannah. As an assault was feared from the abolitionists and colored +people in Boston, the brig Acorn was chartered to proceed to Savannah, +and Sims taken on board, in custody of the United States Deputy Marshal +and several police officers. A large number of persons offered their +services in case any attack should be made. A large crowd collected on +the wharf as the party embarked, and a clergyman present knelt down and +pronounced a prayer for the rescue of the fugitive. No open act of +violence was committed, and after laying a day off Nantasket Beach, the +schooner proceeded on her way to Savannah.</p> + +<p>The Equinoctial storm, this spring, commenced on the 16th of March, and +raged for three days with unusual violence. It was severely felt along +the Atlantic coast, and did much damage to the shipping. Amin Bey, the +Turkish Envoy to the United States, sailed from Boston on the 9th of +April, on his return to Constantinople. The election of a United States +Senator by the Massachusetts Legislature has twice again been tried, +unsuccessfully.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span> On the last ballot, Mr. Sumner lacked 12 votes of an +election. It was then further postponed to the 23d of April. The census +of Virginia has been completed, showing an aggregate population of +1,421,081, about 473,000 of whom are slaves. At the last accounts Jenny +Lind was in Cincinnati, after having given two very successful concerts +in Nashville and two in Louisville. She has also paid a visit to the +Mammoth Cave. Several large crevasses have broken out on the Mississippi +River, and another overflow of the plantations is threatened.</p> + +<p>The latest mails from Texas bring us little news beyond the continuance +of Indian depredations on the frontier. Several American outlaws, who +had crossed the Rio Grande for the purposes of plunder, were captured by +the Mexicans and executed. Major Bartlett, the United States Boundary +Commissioner, arrived at San Antonio from El Paso, on the 17th of March, +with a train of fifty wagons. He immediately proceeded to New Orleans +for the purpose of arranging for the transmission of supplies. Four +persons, who were concerned in the murder of Mr. Clark and others, at a +small village near El Paso, have been captured, convicted by a jury +summoned on the instant, and hung. The Boundary Commissioners have at +last agreed on the starting point of the survey, which will secure to +the United States a much larger and more valuable tract of territory +than was anticipated. The point established is the intersection of the +parallel of 32° with the Rio Grande, which is about 18 miles north of El +Paso. From this place the line runs due west till it strikes some branch +of the Gila, or if no branch is met, to the point nearest the Gila +River, whence it runs due north to the river. It is ascertained that the +only branch of the Gila which this line can strike is about one hundred +and fifty miles west of the gold and copper mines, leaving that rich +mineral region within the United States. This boundary lies to the south +of the old limits of New Mexico, and takes in a large region that has +always belonged to the State of Chihuahua.</p> + +<p>We have accounts from Santa Fe to the 17th of February. The winter had +been unusually mild, and the prospects of the spring trade were very +favorable. The United States Marshal had completed the census of the +Territory. The total population is 61,574, of whom only 650 are +Americans. Of the Mexicans over 21 years of age, only one in 103 is able +to read. The number of square miles in the Territory is 199,027-1/2. The +depredations of the Indians are on the increase. The tribes have become +bolder than ever, and the amount of stock driven off by them, is +enormous. Great preparations are making at Fort Laramie, on the Platte, +and all the other stations on the overland route, to accommodate the +summer emigration. A substantial bridge has been built over the North +Fork of the Platte, 100 miles above Fort Laramie. Here, also, +blacksmith's shops have been erected to accommodate those who need +repairs to their wagons.</p> + +<p>Two mails and about $3,000,000 in gold dust have arrived from California +during the past month. The accounts from San Francisco are to the 5th of +March. The Joint Convention of the Legislature, which assembled on the +17th of February for the purpose of choosing a United States Senator, +adjourned till the first day of January next, after one hundred and +forty-four ineffectual ballots. On the last ballot, the Hon. T. Butler +King, the Whig candidate, had twenty votes, lacking four of an election; +Col. Fremont nine, and Col. Weller eighteen. Another Legislature is to +be elected before the next session. The bonds offered by Gen. Vallejo +have been accepted, so that nothing but their fulfilment remains to +secure the seat of government for the yet unbuilt city.</p> + +<p>The weather still continued to be remarkably dry and mild, owing to +which cause, the miners were doing less than usual, and business was +consequently dull. In many localities, the miners, after waiting in vain +for showers enough to enable them to wash out their piles of dirt, set +themselves to work at constructing races to lead off the mountain +streams. In some places mountains have been tunneled to divert the water +into the desired channels. The yield of gold, wherever mining can be +diligently carried on, has in nowise diminished, and new placers of +remarkable richness are announced as having been discovered on the Yuba, +Feather, Scott and Klamath Rivers, and in the neighborhood of Monterey, +Los Angeles and San Diego. Veins of gold in quartz are far more abundant +and of richer character than was anticipated; several companies have +been formed for working them with machinery. Dredging-machines, attached +to steamboats, have also been introduced on the Yuba River, the bed of +which has been dug up and washed out in some places, with much success. +The excitement in relation to the Gold Bluff is over. Several vessels +have returned filled with disappointed adventurers. The black sand on +the beach contains a large quantity of gold, but in particles so fine as +to prevent its being separated by the ordinary process of washing. On +Pitt River, the principal affluent of the Upper Sacramento, a hill of +pure carbonate of magnesia, 100 feet high, has been discovered. Large +masses are easily detached, and thousands of wagons could be loaded with +very little labor.</p> + +<p>The Indian hostilities have not yet ceased. After the taking of the +stronghold on Fresno Creek, Major Burney and Mr. Savage returned to +Mariposa for provisions. They raised a force of 150 men, which they +divided into two parties, one of which met the Indians on San Joaquin +River, when a running fight ensued that lasted all day. The Indians were +driven off, after the loss of forty men. The Legislature has passed a +law authorizing a loan of $500,000 for the purpose of prosecuting the +war, but upon such terms that it is doubtful whether the money can be +obtained.</p> + +<p>The condition of society in California shows an alarming tendency among +the people to take the law into their own hands. The papers ascribe this +state of things to the imperfect and corrupt manner in which the +officers of the law have discharged their functions. Acts of violence +and crime are frequent in all parts of the country, and the mining +communities, with few exceptions, administer summary punishment wherever +the offender is captured. Sacramento City has been the scene of a case +of this kind, where the people, having no confidence in the ordinary +process of the law, took the avenging power in their own hands. A +gambler named Roe having shot an inoffensive miner, an immense crowd +assembled around the guard-house where he was kept, a jury of the +citizens was chosen, witnesses summoned, and the case formally +investigated. The jury decided that Roe was guilty of the act, and +remanded him for trial.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> This, however, did not satisfy the crowd, who +clamored for instant punishment, and finally succeeded in forcing the +doors of the jail and overcoming the officers. The prisoner was hurried +forth, amid the shouts and execrations of the multitude, a scaffold was +erected, and at nine o'clock the same evening he was hung, with the +ceremonies usually observed. An attempt at lynching was made in San +Francisco about the same time. Two ruffians, having attempted to rob and +murder a merchant of that city, the people assembled on the plaza and +demanded an instant trial, with the understanding that if found guilty, +the prisoners should be immediately hung. An examination was held, but +the jury could not agree, after which the accused were given into the +charge of the regular tribunal.</p> + +<p>An unfortunate catastrophe occurred in the Bay of San Francisco, on the +4th of March. The steamer Santa Clara, lying at Central Wharf, took +fire, which communicated to the steamer Hartford, lying near, and to the +rigging of several vessels. The latter boat was considerably damaged +before the conflagration could be extinguished; the Santa Clara was +entirely destroyed. She was the first steamboat ever built in San +Francisco, and was running on the line between that port and Stockton. +The loss by the fire was about $90,000.</p> + +<p>News from Oregon to the 1st of March state that the Legislature had +adjourned, having established the seat of Government at Salem, in +Maryland county, the Penitentiary at Portland, in Washington county, and +the University at Marysville, in Benton county. The Governor, however, +had refused to sign this act. The agricultural prospects, both of +California and Oregon, are very flattering. During the past winter a +great deal of land has been broken up and planted, and the fields +promise abundant harvests.</p> + + +<h3>EUROPE.</h3> + +<p>The ministerial crisis in <span class="smcap">England</span> terminated on the 3d of March by the +recall of the Russell Cabinet, entire and unchanged. In making this +announcement in the House of Commons, Lord John Russell stated that a +coalition between himself and the party of Sir James Graham and Lord +Aberdeen was impossible, on account of the refusal of the latter to +consent to the Papal Aggression Bill. In returning to power, however, +the whigs brought up this bill in a modified and milder form. The +situation of the ministry was hardly less precarious than before their +resignation. They were again defeated in the Commons, on a motion to +reform the administration of the woods and forests, 120 voting for the +reform, and 119 voting with the ministers against it. The Papal +Aggression Bill has been the cause of several exciting debates in the +House of Commons, Mr. Drummond, an ultra Protestant member, created +quite a disturbance by ridiculing the relics which have lately been +displayed in various parts of the Continent. At the latest dates the +bill had passed to a second reading by a vote of 438 to 95, the radical +members voting in the minority. The fate of the bill is still far from +being decided; the ministry are weak, and it is predicted that the +Cabinet will not last longer than the session of Parliament. Lord John +Russell has brought in a bill reforming the administration of the Court +of Chancery, but the new budget, which has been looked for with a great +deal of interest, has not yet made its appearance. During the debate on +the Papal Aggression Bill, Mr. Berkley Craven demanded legal +interference in the case of his step-daughter, the Hon. Miss Talbot, +who, being an heiress in her own right to eighty thousand pounds, had +been prevailed upon to enter a convent for the purpose of taking the +veil. As the ceremony was to be performed before she had attained her +majority, this sum would in all probability go to the funds of the +Catholic Church. The statement of this case produced a strong sensation +throughout England, and added to the violent excitement on the Catholic +Question.</p> + +<p>The preparations for the World's Fair are going on with great energy, +workmen being employed, day and night in finishing the building and +arranging the goods. The severest tests have been used to try the +strength of the galleries, which sustained an immense weight without the +least deflection. In rainy weather the roof leaks in places, a defect +which it has been found almost impossible to remedy. Several changes +have been made in the exhibition regulations, to which the American +delegates in London take exceptions, and they have appointed a Committee +to confer with the Commissioners on the subject. A splendid dinner was +given to Macready, the actor, on the 1st of March, on the occasion of +his retirement from the stage. Sir E. Bulwer Lytton presided, and +speeches were made by Charles Dickens, Chevalier Bunsen, Mr. Thackeray, +and others. Three hundred Hungarian exiles recently arrived at +Liverpool, from Constantinople, on their way to the United States. A +large number of them, of Polish origin, preferred remaining in England, +to wait a new revolution on the Continent. A terrible accident took +place at a coal-pit near Paisley, in Scotland. Sixty-three men and boys +were at work when an explosion took place, supposed to have been caused +by fire-damp. Of the whole number in the pit but two were rescued alive.</p> + +<p>The third anniversary of the Republic was celebrated in <span class="smcap">France</span> with +imposing ceremonies. During the Carnival week, however, the people in +various localities chose to hang the President in effigy, and utter +socialist cries. For these offences arrests were made in more than fifty +towns. These facts, with the suspension of Michelet as Professor of +History in the College of France, because his lectures were considered +too democratic, denote an unquiet state of things in the Republic. As +the term of Louis Napoleon approaches its termination, the position of +parties becomes more nervous and uncertain. In the Assembly, the +proposition of M. Creton to take into consideration the abolition of the +law exiling the Orleans family, brought on the most violent debate of +the session. The adherents of the Mountain were strongly in favor of +continuing the exile. Negotiations have been carried on for some time +past between the Orleanists and the Legitimists, and early in March it +was announced that an alliance had been effected, the Orleanists to +acknowledge the right of precedence of the Count de Chambord, (Henri +V.,) who, in his turn, was to proclaim the young Count of Paris as his +successor. The Count de Chambord was at this time dangerously ill, and +his recovery was scarcely hoped for. Since then it appears that there is +much confusion between the two parties, the duchess of Orleans refusing +to set aside the claims of her son, on any consideration whatever.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> The +party of Louis Napoleon are intriguing to prolong the presidential term, +and it is said that in this they will be joined by the Orleanists. No +permanent ministry has yet been organized. It is rumored that Odillon +Barrot refused to accept the principal place, which was tendered to him, +unless Louis Napoleon would agree to leave his office at the end of his +term.</p> + +<p>A quarrel has broken out in the French Catholic Church. Some time ago +the Archbishop of Paris issued a pastoral letter, recommending the +clergy to avoid engaging in political agitations, and appearing to the +world as party men. The letter was mild but decisive in its tone, and +met with general approval. Lately, the Bishop of Chartres has published +a sort of counter-blast, in the shape of a pastoral to his own clergy, +written in the most severe and denunciatory forms. This letter he +ordered to be published in the religious journals of Paris; and the +Archbishop has referred the matter to the Provincial Council, which will +be called this year.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Germany</span> is still pursuing her ignis-fatuus of Unity, which is no nearer +than when she first set out. The Dresden Conference is still in session, +and up to the 20th of March had not adopted any plan of a Federal Diet. +It is almost impossible to conjecture what will be the basis of the +settlement. More than twenty of the smaller states protested against the +plans proposed by Austria; and Prussia, assuming the character of +protector, refused to allow their further arrangement. The King of +Prussia also refuses to accede to an agreement which his delegates had +made, allowing Austria to bring her non-German provinces to the +confederacy. In this he is sustained by Russia, who would not willingly +see the former country restored to virtual independence by the supremacy +which this plan would give her. A return to the old Diet is spoken of in +some quarters, but perhaps the most likely result will be the concession +of the presidency to Austria, on the part of Prussia. A meeting between +the ministers of the two countries is contemplated. The entire +population of Prussia, by the census taken last year, is 16,331,000. A +fire in Berlin has destroyed the building in which the Upper House of +Parliament held its meetings.</p> + +<p>The old order reigns in <span class="smcap">Hesse-cassel</span>, Baron Haynau having issued a +proclamation to the Hessian army, in which he declares that <i>he</i> is the +Constitution, and will crush under foot the "God-abandoned, pernicious +gang, which threatens the welfare of the State." Nevertheless, the +popular feeling remains unchanged. Lately, the citizens of Cassel were +forbidden to shout or make any demonstration, on the return of a +regiment which had been marked by the Government for its sympathy with +the popular cause. The people preserved silence, but adroitly expressed +their feelings by chalking the word "Hurrah!" in large letters on the +backs of their coats and walking in front of the regiment. The +Government of <span class="smcap">Switzerland</span> has at last yielded to the demands of Austria +and Prussia, and authorized the Cantons to refuse shelter to political +refugees. Those already there may be expelled, should the Cantons see +fit. After the insurrection in Baden, the refugees who entered the Swiss +territory, amounted to about 11,000, but they have so decreased by +emigration to England and America, that at present there are but 482 +remaining. The Government of Switzerland lately endeavored to procure +passage through Piedmont for some Austrian deserters from the army in +Lombardy, who wished to sail from Genoa for Montevideo; but the +Piedmontese Government refused to allow it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Italy</span> is fermenting with the elements of revolution. The bandits, who +have been committing such depredations in the Roman States, are not +robbers, it now appears, but revolutionary bands. Their extermination is +almost impossible, on account of the secrecy and adroitness with which +the peasants are enrolled into the service of their chief, Il Passatore. +They only meet at a general rendezvous, when some important expedition +is contemplated, and afterwards return to their own avocations. They +receive regular pay from the moment of their enlistment, and as the +links of the organization extend over a wide extent of country, the +system must require a considerable amount of money. It is conjectured +that this band is the preparative of a political revolution, instigated +by the agents of Mazzini. In Lombardy the most severe restrictions have +been issued by Radetsky. An interdict has been laid upon a hat of +particular form, and a republican song in favor of Mazzini. The +populace, however, inserted the name of Radetsky in place of the +triumvir, and now sing the song with impunity. A plot has been +discovered among the aristocratic party of Piedmont, to deliver the +country into the hands of the Absolutists. The army of the kingdom is to +be put upon a war footing. Washington's birthday was celebrated in Rome, +with interesting ceremonies. About one hundred Americans met in the +Palazzo Poli, where they partook of a splendid banquet, at which Mr. +Cass, the U. S. Chargé, presided.</p> + +<p>In <span class="smcap">Norway</span> the Thirteenth <i>Storthing</i>, or National Assembly, has been +opened by King Oscar. In his speech, he spoke of the tranquillity which +the Scandinavian Peninsula had enjoyed, while the other nations of +Europe had been convulsed with revolutions, and warned the people +against delusive theories and ideas which lead only to discontent with +existing relations. He also recommended the construction of a railroad +from the city of Christiana to Lake Mjösen. Several serious riots have +taken place in Stockholm, and Drontheim, in Norway. On February 14th, +the students of the University of Upsala, to the number of 500, paraded +the streets of Stockholm, and were not dispersed till a collision took +place between them and the police. The same scenes were renewed next +day, when the students were joined by the people; the streets were +cleared by squadrons of cavalry, and the principal rioters arrested.</p> + +<p>The dispute between <span class="smcap">Turkey</span> and <span class="smcap">Egypt</span> is still far from being settled. +Abbas Pacha, however, is not at present in a condition to come to an +open rupture with the Sublime Porte, and these differences will probably +be quietly settled. The Pacha is also involved in a dispute with the +French Consul-General, in relation to the claims of certain French +officers, who were dismissed from the Egyptian service before the +expiration of their terms. Late advices from Constantinople state that a +definite arrangement has been made with regard to the Hungarian +refugees. The Emperor of Austria has granted a full amnesty to all +except eight, among whom are Kossuth and Bathyany, on condition that +they shall make no attempt to return to Hungary. The eight proscribed +persons are to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span> remain at Kutahya until further orders. General +Dembinski had reached Constantinople, where he was well received, and +would shortly leave for Paris.</p> + + +<h3>BRITISH AMERICA.</h3> + +<p>An interesting election has just been held in the county of Haldimand, +Canada West, to supply a vacancy in the Canadian Parliament, occasioned +by the death of David Thompson, Esq. There were four candidates, one of +whom was the noted William Lyon Mackenzie, leader of the Rebellion of +1837. The election resulted in the choice of Mackenzie, who, after an +exile of twelve years, resumes his seat in the Legislative Assembly. The +Government had previously recognized his claim for $1,000, with +interest, for services rendered antecedent to the rebellion. The +annexation feeling is reviving in some portions of Lower Canada. At a +public meeting recently held in the county of Huntingdon, several of the +speakers expressed themselves very strongly in favor of annexation to +the United States. The Catholic clergy oppose the movement. One of the +leading Canadian politicians has drawn up a scheme of Federal Union for +the British Provinces, including the Hudson's Bay Company's Territories, +modelled on the federal system of the United States. The Canadian +Government recently had under consideration the expediency of closing +the Welland Canal against American vessels, on account of the refusal of +the United States Government to adopt reciprocity measures. This course, +which would seriously injure our commercial interests on the Lakes, has +not yet been pursued, and the Government will probably abandon the idea.</p> + + +<h3>MEXICO.</h3> + +<p>The administration of Gen. Arista is still a subject of much interest +and some curiosity. According to the representations of his friends, he +is about to take a firm stand in the accomplishment of his leading +measures; while, on the other hand, he is charged with weakness and +subjection to the influence of irresponsible favorites. Our latest +accounts from the Mexican capital predict that the Government will soon +be in a state of great embarrassment. The American indemnity money was +nearly spent, and there was already a deficiency of near $2,000,000 in +the Treasury. In consequence of the many robberies recently committed in +and around the city of Mexico and on the road to Vera Cruz, the most +stringent measures have been adopted for the preservation of order. +Congress is still in session, but has made no modification in the Tariff +bill, as was anticipated. It is feared that the Tehuantepec Railroad +Treaty will be rejected, notwithstanding that Arista is known to be +strongly in its favor. The exclusive privilege of a railroad from Vera +Cruz to Medellin, has been granted for one hundred years to Don José +Maria Estera.</p> + +<p>The revolutionary difficulties in the State of Oaxaca, have not yet been +settled. A treaty was made not long since, between Muñoz, the Governor +of the State, and the rebel, Melendez, which gave great offence to the +people. In order to reinstate himself in their favor, Muñoz pretended +that the treaty had been violated on the part of Melendez, marched +against him, and drove him and his followers into the mountains of +Chimalapa, where he has since remained concealed. The Tehuantepec +Surveying Expedition is now encamped at La Ventosa, a port on the +Pacific. The route of the Railroad across the mountains has not yet been +decided upon, the survey being a matter of difficulty on account of the +dense forests with which the country is covered.</p> + +<p>In <span class="smcap">Yucatan</span>, the war between the Spanish and Indian races is raging with +great ferocity. The Indians, who are supplied with arms and ammunition +by the English at Belize, have advanced to within thirty miles of +Merida, where a line of defence has been established by the Spaniards. +Fourteen thousand soldiers are there opposed to more than twenty +thousand Indians, and the subjugation of the latter, without help from +abroad, is impossible. The troops of Yucatan are destitute of clothing +and supplies, and as most of the wealthy citizens of the State have been +reduced to beggary by these reverses, the threatened extermination of +the Spanish race seems near at hand. A conspiracy to burn the city of +Merida, formed by some of the soldiers, in conjunction with the convicts +in the city prison, was discovered but a short time before it was to +have been carried into effect. The conspirators were condemned to death.</p> + + +<h3>CENTRAL AMERICA.</h3> + +<p>The hostilities between Guatemala on the one hand and the States of +Honduras and San Salvador on the other, have been temporarily suspended, +since the defeat of the latter States. The armies met at a little +village called La Arada. The battle lasted four hours, when the allied +army, commanded by Vasconcelos, President of San Salvador, was +completely routed, with a loss of 500 men. His arrival at the capital +was the occasion of a riot among the lower classes, and he did not +immediately resume his executive functions. Carrera in the mean time +advanced to Santa Anna, thirty miles from the frontier, where he made +propositions for peace. The provisional President of San Salvador +replied that no negotiations could take place until the troops were +withdrawn from the territory. This was done, but at the last accounts no +treaty had been made. The President of the National Diet of Central +America has issued a proclamation demanding the cessation of +hostilities. The blockade of the port of Amapala, in Honduras, has been +abandoned by the British fleet. Three iron steamers, intended for the +navigation of the San Juan River and Lake Nicaragua, are now building in +Wilmington, Delaware, and will be placed upon the route on the 1st of +July, at which time the line will be complete, and steamships will leave +New-York and San Francisco direct for Central America. The journey from +sea to sea will be made in about twenty-four hours.</p> + + +<h3>THE WEST INDIES.</h3> + +<p>The Island of <span class="smcap">Cuba</span> is at present in an excited state on account of +rumors that another piratical expedition was being fitted out in the +United States, the vessels of which were to rendezvous at Apalachicola +Bay. This was at first looked upon as entirely groundless, but letters +from Georgia and Alabama have since partially confirmed the statement. +There is an active force of 25,000 men on the island, and any attempt at +invasion will be unsuccessful. The Captain-General, Concha, continues +his course of reform, abolishing all useless restrictions, and +establishing needful regulations, so far as his power extends. The +Venezuelan Consul at Havana has been discharged from his functions, and +ordered to leave the island in eight days, in consequence of having +furnished money to Gen. Lopez, with whom he is connected<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> by marriage. +Mr. Clay, during his stay on the island, was honored with every +expression of respect.</p> + +<p>In <span class="smcap">Hayti</span>, the efforts of the American, English, and French Consuls have +thus far succeeded in preventing a war between the Haytiens and the +Dominicans. A commission of four persons has been appointed to confer +with the Consuls in regard to this subject. Several of the Dominican +chiefs have arrived at Port-au-Prince, where they were very kindly +received, and it was believed that peace will be speedily established. A +political conspiracy has been detected at Port-au-Prince. Among the +persons concerned in it was the late Chief Justice, M. Francisque, and +one of the three ministers of Soulouque. A large number of arrests were +made, and the prisoners tried by court-martial. Eight of them, including +the Chief Justice, were condemned and publicly shot.</p> + +<p>The cholera has not yet wholly disappeared from <span class="smcap">Jamaica</span>. The budget for +the island estimates the liabilities at £248,300, and the income at +£215,850, leaving a deficiency in the revenue of £32,450.</p> + + +<h3>SOUTH AMERICA.</h3> + +<p>There are now about 900 persons employed on the Panama Railroad, and the +track to Gatun, a distance of twenty-six miles, will be ready for the +locomotive by the 1st of July next. There was much excitement on the +Isthmus towards the close of March, caused by a report that the specie +train, carrying $1,000,000 in silver for the British steamer, had been +attacked by robbers. It happened, however, that only a single mule-load +was taken, which was afterwards abandoned by the robbers and recovered. +Three of the boatmen arrested for the murder of passengers on the +Chagres River have been found guilty and sentenced to be shot. A large +fire broke out on the island of Taboga, in the bay of Panama, destroying +fifty huts, and property to the amount of $50,000. Several parties have +returned to Panama from the gold region of Choco, in New Grenada. They +found the rivers of the region abounding in rich gold-washings, but were +forced to abandon the enterprise from want of supplies.</p> + +<p>In <span class="smcap">Chili</span>, the 12th of February, the anniversary of Chilian independence, +was celebrated with imposing ceremonies. The municipality of Valparaiso +are making exertions to establish a general system of primary +instruction for the children of the city. The survey of the railroad to +Santiago has been carried about fifty miles, to which distance a +favorable line has been obtained. The island of Chilöe, in the southern +part of the Republic, was suffering from a protracted drought. The +election for President was to take place in the month of March.</p> + +<p>In <span class="smcap">Buenos Ayres</span>, the opening of the Legislature and the Annual Message +of the President have been postponed by mutual agreement. The financial +affairs of the republic are in an exceedingly prosperous condition, the +available resources on hand for the present year amounting to more than +$36,000,000. By order of the government, the civil and military officers +were directed to wear the customary mourning on the 24th of January, "as +a token of grief for the death and respect for the memory of the +illustrious General Zachary Taylor, late President of the United States +of America."</p> + +<p>A terrible accident occurred in the harbor of Rio Janeiro on the 8th of +February. The French schooner Eliza, while at anchor near the fort, with +a large quantity of gunpowder on board, blew up with a tremendous +explosion, and soon after sank. She had 240 passengers, only a few of +whom were on board at the time. Ten were killed and twenty wounded.</p> + + +<h3>ASIA.</h3> + +<p>In <span class="smcap">British India</span>, a portion of the Nizam's territory has been made over +to the East India Company, as an equivalent for a debt of £60,000 due to +it. Lord Dalhousie is engaged in introducing a system of education into +the Punjaub. The Sikhs warmly second him in his endeavors. The English +authorities are also engaged in constructing 350 miles of canal in this +district.</p> + +<p>Late news from <span class="smcap">China</span> confirms the intelligence of the death of +Commissioner Lin. Key-ing, the former Commissioner, has been disgraced, +on account of his liberal course towards the Europeans. A system of +smuggling, on a very extensive scale, has been discovered in the +neighborhood of Shanghai. It is announced that a race of Jews has been +discovered by some agents of the London Missionary Society in the +interior of China, about 350 miles beyond Pekin.</p> + + +<h3>AFRICA.</h3> + +<p>A fierce and devastating war has broken out at the Cape of Good Hope, +between the British Colonists and the native tribe of the Kaffirs. The +savages arose in large bands and commenced a general attack on all the +farms along the frontier. The native servants of the settlers joined +them, and they had penetrated into the older and more thickly populated +districts on the coast, before they received any check from the +Government forces. Several battles have taken place, in which the +Kaffirs were generally routed, but they are a brave and warlike race, +and cannot be subdued without a stronger force than has yet been sent +against them. In the Beaufort and Fort Cradock districts, the country +for the distance of 150 miles was abandoned, the homesteads burnt, and +the stock driven off. At the latest dates, the Governor, Sir Harry +Smith, was raising a force of 10,000 men.</p> + +<p>We have news from <span class="smcap">Liberia</span> to the 23d of January. At a late trial for a +capital offence in Monrovia, several native Africans sat on the jury. +Other natives hold commissions as policemen and other minor +functionaries. Bassa Cove, on the coast, had been very unhealthy for +some months.</p> + + +<h3>POLYNESIA.</h3> + +<p>Some difficulty has arisen at the Sandwich Islands, between the +commander of the French frigate Sérieuse and the Hawaiian Government. +The French commander demanded the payment of $25,000 as a commutation +for customs alleged to have been collected contrary to treaty +obligations. The King refused to accede to this claim, and threw himself +on the protection of Great Britain and the United States. Upon this the +French commander landed his men at Honolulu, where he has prevented +several Hawaiian vessels from proceeding to sea.</p> + +<p>Several different parties of exploration are now endeavoring to +penetrate into the interior of the African continent. Mr. Livingston, at +the last accounts, was proceeding northward from Lake Ngami. Dr. Beke, +in Abyssinia, and the Rev. Mr. Thompson, on the Gaboon River, have also +made some very interesting discoveries in African geography and natural +history.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Record_of_Scientific_Discovery" id="Record_of_Scientific_Discovery"></a><i>Record of Scientific Discovery.</i></h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">New Motors</span>.—Sir <span class="smcap">John Scott Lillie</span>, Companion of the Bath, of Paris, has +just received an English patent for improvements in the application of +motive powers. One of these improvements consists in directing currents +of air, or other gaseous fluids, through inverted troughs or channels, +for the propulsion of boats and barges in the conveyance of goods and +passengers. The troughs are placed longitudinally, one on each side of +the vessel; or one may be placed between two vessels having one deck. +Their form may be either square or oblong; and they are left open so +that the currents of air in their passage to, and escape at or near, the +stern of the vessel, may act upon the water, until they pass off into +the air. They are supplied by air through a shaft, passing vertically +through the centre of the deck. Another of the improvements consists in +suspending paddle-wheels at or near the stern of the vessel, which are +set in motion by the action of the currents as they pass off into the +air, thereby increasing the motive power; or such paddle-wheels may be +moved without the intervention of the troughs or channels, by the motion +of currents of air or other gaseous fluids, forced through tubes or +cylinders. The patent was enrolled in the early part of March.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Water Gas</span>.—The English patent for Paine's Light was enrolled on the +12th of December, in the name of Alfred Vincent Newton, of Chancery +Lane, Middlesex. The <i>London Patent Journal</i> publishes the +specifications and figures, remarking that the report has been ready for +some time, but was not published at the particular request of the +assignee of the patent in England. It states that the invention is for +decomposing water by means of electricity, and producing therefrom a +gas, which, after being made to pass through spirits of turpentine or +other hydro-carbonous fluids, will, when ignited, burn with great +brilliancy. The invention is known by the name of "Paine's Light"—this +being, in fact, Mr. Paine's specification, in which he states, that +although water has been spoken of as decomposed by the electric +currents, he wishes it to be understood that this is merely to accord +with the generally received chemical doctrines and phraseology, and that +water, after all, may be a simple element; however that may be, the +patentee wishes, at present, to lay it down as certain that by +discharging electricity through water, large quantities of gases are +evolved; and that one of such gases, at least, when passed through +turpentine, in the manner described, will burn and give a highly +illuminating light. Mr. Paine's affairs in England being thus adjusted, +it is possible that more will be heard of it on this side. The benefits +of the invention are hid under a bushel.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Improvements in the Steam-Engine</span>.—An English patent has been granted to +Mr. <span class="smcap">George Smith</span>, of Manchester, engineer, for four improvements upon +the steam-engine. The first is an improved arrangement of apparatus by +which cold water is made to enter the exhaust passages of steam +cylinders, as near the valves as possible; by condensing a portion of +the exhausted steam it becomes hot and then passes off, while the +uncondensed steam passes either into the condenser or the atmosphere. +This improvement is applicable to marine, stationary, and locomotive +engines. The second improvement consists in an improved apparatus +applied to low-pressure boilers, by which the water in the boiler is +maintained at a regular height, and by which the danger of explosions +from deficiency of water is removed. The third, consists of hot and cold +water pumps, and is also applicable to air-pumps and lifting-pumps. The +fourth is in the construction of metallic packing of pistons for steam +cylinders, air-pumps, and other similar pistons, by which greater +strength and elasticity are obtained.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">New Applications of Zinc and its Oxides</span>.—Mr. <span class="smcap">William Edward Norton</span> has +obtained a patent in England for improvements in obtaining, preparing +and applying zinc and other volatile metals, and their oxides, and in +the application of zinc, to the preparation of certain metals, and +alloys of metals. The improvements are six in number; consisting of an +improved furnace for the preparation of zinc and its white oxide, with +new forms of front and rear walls—a mode of dispensing with the common +retorts for the reduction of the ores of zinc into oxides, and replacing +them by one large retort, in which the ore is more advantageously +treated—the application of zinc to the alloy of iron and steel, which +are thereby rendered more malleable and less liable to oxidation—a +saving of the products of distillation and oxidation of zinc and other +volatile metals, by means of a cotton, woollen, flaxen, or other similar +fabric, in connection with a suitable exhausting apparatus,—the +application of zinc to the formation of pigments,—and, lastly, the +application of the ore called Franklinite to the reduction of iron from +its ores, and its subsequent purification, and in saving the volatile +products by means of a suitable condensing or receiving apparatus. +Franklinite, which has hitherto only been found in any quantity near the +Franklin forge, Sussex county, in the State of New Jersey, consists of +the following substances, according to Berthier and Thomson: Peroxide of +iron, 66; oxide of zinc, 17; sesqui-oxide of manganese, 16; total, 99.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>A new adaptation of <i>Lithography</i> to the process of printing in oil has +lately been invented by M. Kronheim of Paternoster-row, London. Hitherto +no strictly mechanical means have existed for successfully producing +copies of paintings, combining the colors and brilliant effects as well +as the outlines and shadings of the original. The ingenious invention of +Mr. Kronheim, while it enables him to supply copies of the great masters +wonderfully accurate in every respect, reduces the cost of such copies +to one-half the price of steel-engravings, and is a far more expeditious +process. The invention has reduced to a certainty the practice of a new +process by which the appreciation of art may be more widely extended, +and the works of great artists popularized.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Annual of Scientific Discovery</span>, (published in Boston by Gould and +Lincoln), is an excellent abstract of all the chief movements and +discoveries in the scientific world for the year 1850. We advise all our +readers interested in any of the sciences to procure it, and its +companion volume for the previous year. The work will be continued, and +it will be invaluable as a library of facts and suggestions.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span></p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Oxygen from Atmospheric Air</span>.—<span class="smcap">M. Boussingault</span> has recently obtained some +interesting results from his investigations in relation to oxygen. The +problem upon which he has been engaged was the extraction of oxygen gas, +in a state of purity and in a considerable quantity, from the azote in +the atmosphere. For this purpose, a preference was given to baryte, +owing to its property of remaining in oxygen of a moderate temperature, +and abandoning it under the influence of a heat sufficiently intense. +Ten kilogrammes of baryte, completely oxidized, were found able to take +and afterward return 730 litres of gas. This is the number indicated by +theory; for celerity of operation, more than 600 litres can be counted +on. In that limit, and in operating on 100 kilos. of matter, 6,000 +litres of oxygen gas might be disengaged at each disoxidization; four or +five operations might be performed in 24 hours, which would thus furnish +from 24,000 to 30,000 litres of gas.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The discovery of the virtues of a <i>Whitened Camera for Photography</i>, +announced in our last issue, has excited a remarkable sensation in +England. Mr. Kilburn, photographer to the Queen, who has experimented +upon the new plan with great success, is sparring with M. Claudet. The +point in dispute is the tendency of the improved method to weaken the +image. If the statements of those who claim to have succeeded are +reliable, it is evident that the ordinary form of camera may be +abandoned, and any image be received directly from the lens upon plates +or paper exposed to a diffused light.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">M. Laborde</span> states, in a paper on Photography read before the Paris +Society for the Encouragement of Arts, that the nitrate of zinc may be +substituted for acetic acid in the preparation of photographs on paper; +that it increases the sensitiveness of the silver coating, and even +allows an alkaline reaction to the iodide of potassium bath.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>A paper was lately read by Professor <span class="smcap">Abich</span>, before the Geographical +Society of London, on the <i>Climate of the Country between the Black and +Caspian Seas</i>. Professor Abich noticed the outlines of the extraordinary +variety of climate in the lands between these bodies of water, and +sketched the geological and orological structure of the country, which +he has minutely examined for several years by order of the Russian +Government. The whole tract is divided by three different lines of +elevation—viz. that of S. E. to N. W.—that of W. to E., and that of S. +W. to N. E. The isothermal line of 57° and 59°, after traversing the +country between the Black and the Caspian Seas, inflects abruptly toward +the South again, reaching the Caspian. The mean temperature along the +shores of the two seas is for the year about equal; but the difference +of the temperature of the seasons is very great. Lenkoran, in the same +latitude as Palermo and Smyrna, with an annual temperature of 61° and +63°, has the summer of Montpellier 76°, and the winter of Maestricht and +Turin, 35°. In Calchis, there is the winter of the British Isles, 41° +and 42°, and the summer of Constantinople, 72° and 73°. Tiflis, with the +winter of Padua, 37°, has the summer of Madrid and Naples, 74°. The +extremes of Asiatic climate are found on the volcanic highlands of +Armenia.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The Academy of Sciences at Paris has recently heard a report on certain +explorations made in 1847-8-9 by M. Rochet d'Hericourt, a traveller in +north-eastern Africa. This traveller has, by repeated observations, +determined the latitude of Mt. Sinai to be 28° 33' 16", of Suez 29° 57' +58", of Devratabor 11° 51' 12", and of Gondar 12° 36' 1". Mt. Sinai is +1978 metres (about 6500 feet) high. Mt. Dieu 2174 metres (7200 feet), +and the highest of the Horch Mountains 2477 metres (8100 feet). The Lake +of Frana, south of Gondar, is 1750 metres (5700 feet) below the level of +the sea, and its depth in one place is 197 metres (645 feet). +Rar-Bonahite, the highest peak in Abyssinia, is 4330 metres (14,200 +feet) high, but not high enough to have snow. The traveller describes a +great variety of hot-springs, some of which contained living fish an +inch long. The geology of Abyssinia he has thoroughly investigated. In +the north, the principal rocks are granite and syenite. Among the plants +he describes is a magnificent lobelia, almost large enough to be called +a tree, which is found to the very summits of the mountains, and to a +height which would not be supposed to admit of such a growth. He also +finds the plant whose root has been found to be a specific against +hydrophobia. Of this he brought back seeds, which have been planted in +the Jardin des Plantes with success. A peculiar breed of sheep M. Rochet +d'Hericourt thought worthy of being transferred to France, but of the +pair he sent the female died on the route. This sheep has a very long +and silky fleece. On the shores of Lake Frana he also found a very large +sort of spiders, whose cocoons, he said, were converted into excellent +silk. He thinks these spiders might be brought to Europe, and employed +in producing silk, but in this he probably does not enough consider the +difficulty, or rather the impossibility, of domesticating and feeding +these insects.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Enormous fossil eggs were found a few weeks since subjects of curious +discussion in Paris, and several notices were translated for the +New-York papers. The eggs were discovered in Madagascar. M. Isodore +Geoffrey St. Hilliare, in a recent report to the <i>Academie des +Sciences</i>, furnished further details; and three eggs and some bones +belonging to a gigantic bird, which have been presented to the Museum of +Natural History in Paris, would seem to leave no room for doubt. Fairy +tales are daily thrown into shade by the authentic records of science. +This discovery appears to have been stumbled on curiously enough. The +captain of a merchant vessel trading to Madagascar noticed one day a +native who was using for domestic purposes a vase which much resembled +an enormous egg, and on questioning him was informed that many such were +to be found in the interior of the island. The largest of these eggs +would hold two gallons. The volume equals that of 135 hen's eggs. Some +doubts were at first entertained as to the nature of the animal to which +the fossil bones belonged; but M. St Hilliare—a competent judge in such +matters—has pronounced them to be those of a bird to which he has given +the name of <i>Epiornis</i>.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The sum of £1000 has been placed by the British Government at the +disposal of the <i>Royal Institution</i>, for scientific purposes.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span></p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>In the <span class="smcap">Paris Academy of Sciences</span> (first meeting in March), M. Leverrier +submitted a communication from Mr. W. C. Bond, entitled Observations on +the Comet of Faye, made at the Observatory of Cambridge, Massachusetts. +Every thing is prized that comes from that quarter. M. Boussingault, the +scientific agriculturist, read an extract from his memoir on the +extraction of oxygen gas from atmospheric air. His undertaking was to +extract, in a state of purity and in considerable quantity, the oxygen +gas mixed with azote in atmospheric air, and he thinks that he has fully +succeeded, by a process not attended with much difficulty. He details +some unexpected results from his experiments. Cauchy made profound +reports (from committees) respecting the <i>Researches on Algebraic +Functions</i> by M. Puiseux, and the studies of Crystallography by M. +Bravais. Papers on the speed of sound in iron, and on respiration in +plants, and new schemes of atmospheric railroads were submitted. +Attention was given to M. Burg's new observations concerning the +advantageous use to be made of metallic bands in various nervous +disorders in which the ordinary therapeutic expedients are found +ineffectual. M. Peligot mentioned a memoir which he was soon to put +forth as a sequel to the Researches on the nature and properties of the +different Sugars, which he published in 1838. He has succeeded in +extracting, by means of lime, the crystallizable sugar, in large +quantity, contained in molasses. He got twenty-five per cent., by the +agency of lime, carbonic acid, or sulphuric acid. Lime is cheap and +harmless. Other circumstances recommend his series of experiments. A +scientific reporter writes mysteriously of the discovery of a very +simple and easy method of extracting sugar from the beet-root; with an +apparatus which costs very little, any one may make his sugar with as +much facility as he boils his pot.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Of the <span class="smcap">Expedition To Central Africa</span>, we learn from the <i>Athenæum</i> that +letters from Dr. Barth and Dr. Overweg have been received in London by +Chevalier Bunsen, by which it appears that up to October last the +travellers were still detained in the kingdom of Aïr. A previous +communication gave an account of difficulties and dangers which they had +met with on entering that country; the inhabitants of which had shown +themselves hostile to them, so that their fate seemed entirely to depend +on the protection of the Prince En-Nūr, sultan of the Kelvës. This +hoped-for protection they have been fortunate enough to secure; though +it appears not to have been sufficient to insure their safety beyond +Tin-Tellus, the residence of the Prince, in consequence of which they +have been obliged to forego the exploration of the country, and to +remain with the Prince. They have however been enabled, while thus +stationary, to collect a good deal of oral information,—especially +respecting the tract of country to the west and southwest of Ghat: +which, instead of being a monotonous desert, proves to be intersected by +many fertile wadys with plenty of water. Among these novel features, not +the least interesting is a lake, between Ghat and Tuat, infested with +crocodiles. At the date of Dr. Barth's letter (2d of October) the +travellers were on the point of setting out on an excursion to Aghades, +the capital of Aïr; the new sultan having promised them his protection, +and the valiant son-in-law of En-Nūr accompanying them on their +journey. The latitude of Tin-Tellus has been found to be 18° 34' N.; the +longitude has not been finally determined. The rainy season lasts till +September, and thunder-storms occur daily in the afternoon between two +and three o'clock, accompanied by a west wind, while at other times it +blows from the east. It seems yet uncertain when the expedition will be +able to start for lake Tchad.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Gen. Radowitz</span>, the late Minister of Prussian Affairs in Prussia, and +undeniably one of the most brilliant Germans now living, recently +appeared with great success in the character of a philologist before the +Academy of Useful Sciences at Erfurt. A much larger audience than usual +present, drawn thither by the oratorical reputation of the General, who +was announced to deliver an essay on the Development of the Celtic Race +in England, and especially in Wales. Great was the astonishment, when, +instead of the usual thick manuscript, the General drew forth a single +sheet containing his notes, and proceeded to speak from it for above an +hour. He dwelt with pride on the fact that a German (Dr. Meyer, the +private secretary of Prince Albert) had cast a reconciling light on the +long contest between English and Erse archæologists. He then said there +had been two Celtic immigrations, an eastern and a western. The latter +was the more ancient and important; its route was through Syria, +Northern Africa, and Spain, to England, where it appeared in three +phases, one under <i>Alv</i>, whence the name of the country Albion (<i>ion</i>, a +circle, an isolated thing, an island); another under <i>Edin</i>, whence +<i>Edinburgh</i>, in old documents <i>Car Edin</i> (<i>Car</i> Breton, <i>Ker</i> burgh, as +in Carnaervon, Carmarthen, &c.); and the third under <i>Pryd</i>, whence +<i>Britain</i> (<i>ain—ion</i>). Such etymologic analyses marked this brilliant +discourse. <i>Fingal</i> he derived from <i>fin</i> fair, and <i>gal</i> a stranger, +and proved the affinity between the <i>Gauls</i> and <i>Gael</i>, the later word +meaning vassal, while Gaul comes from <i>gal</i>. In the second part of his +essay he demonstrated that the Celts were the inventors of rhyme, and in +the discussion which followed maintained this position against several +distinguished philologists who were present.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mr. Cagniard Latour</span> has brought to the notice of the Paris Academy of +Sciences a process for making artificial coal, by putting different +woods in a closed tube, and slowly charring them over burning charcoal. +The coal varies in character according to the age and hygrometric state +of the woods employed. The wood of young trees is converted into a +glutinous coal; the old wood, of dry fire, into a dry coal. But these +last, if soaked in water before being placed in the tube, give a +glutinous coal like the young wood, and sometimes a brown rosin, similar +to asphaltum.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>A scientific Congress has been sitting in Paris. Several men of high +reputation, Mr. Walsh says, took part in its proceedings, which gave +promise of unusual interest. Charles Bonaparte, Prince of Canino, was +prominent as an orator. Recently, he could rally but two votes in the +Academy of Sciences, as a candidate for a vacant seat. The man is not so +much prized, we may believe, as the ornithologist.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span></p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">M. Eoelmen</span>, the director of the national porcelain manufactory of +Sevres, has succeeded in producing crystalized minerals, resembling very +closely those produced by nature—chiefly precious and rare stones +employed by jewelers. To obtain this result, he has dissolved in boric +acid, alum, zinc, magnesia, oxydes of iron, and chrome, and then +subjecting the solution to evaporation during three days, has obtained +crystals of a mineral substance, equaling in hardness and in beauty and +clearness of color the natural stones. With chrome, M. Eoelmen has made +most brilliant rubies, from two to three millimetres in length, and +about as thick as a grain of corn. If rubies can be artificially made, +secrets which were pursued by the alchemists of old cannot be very far +off.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>At a late meeting of the <i>Liverpool Polytechnic Society</i>, Captain +<span class="smcap">Purnell</span> read a paper in explanation of his plan for preventing vessels +being water-logged at sea. Cisterns are to be provided on each side in +the interior of the vessel, fitted with valves opening by pressure from +within. The water would thus be kept below a certain level, and the ship +be enabled to carry sail.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Prof. Hassenstein</span>, of Gotha, recently illuminated the public square +before the Council House in that city with his new electric sun. The +effect was most brilliant, as if a bevy of full moons had risen +together, and the applause of the beholders, the newspapers assure us, +was unbounded.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">The American Association for the Advancement of Science</span> will this year +meet at Cincinnati, on the approaching 5th of May.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Recent_Deaths" id="Recent_Deaths"></a><i>Recent Deaths.</i></h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Samuel Farmer Jarvis, D.D.</span>, one of the most learned men in the Episcopal +Church in the United States, died at Middletown, Connecticut, on the +26th of March. Dr. Jarvis was born in Middletown, where his father +(afterward Bishop Jarvis) was then rector of Christ's Church, on the +20th of January, 1787. His childhood and early youth (we compile from +the Hartford <i>Calendar</i>), were passed at Middletown till the Bishop +removed with him to Cheshire, where, in the Academy established by +Bishop Seabury, he completed his preparation for College. He entered at +Yale, in 1802, commenced Bachelor of Arts in 1805, and proceeded Master +in 1808. On the 18th of March, 1810, he was ordained Deacon by his +father, in New Haven; and on the fifth of April, in the year following, +in the same place, was admitted Priest. Immediately after, he became +Rector of St. Michael's and St. James' Churches, on the island of +New-York. In 1819, he was appointed Professor of Biblical Criticism, in +the General Theological Seminary, with the understanding that he was to +perform also, all the duties of instruction, except those relating to +Ecclesiastical History. For various reasons, in 1820 he resigned this +position, and removing to Boston, became the first Rector of St. Paul's +Church in that city. In 1826, he sailed with his family for Europe, in +different parts of which he remained nine years. Here he chiefly devoted +himself to studies connected with Theology and the History of the +Church. He by no means, however, omitted the proper duties of his +office. His longest and most continuous service was in Siena; on leaving +which place, the congregation presented to him a paten and chalice of +exquisite workmanship, as a testimony of respect for his character, and +of appreciation of his services.</p> + +<p>During his residence abroad, he was appointed Professor of Oriental +Languages and Literature in Trinity College, Hartford, and on returning +to the United States in 1835, he established himself at the College; +attending not only to various duties in connection with the College +Classes, but also instructing the students in Theology. Those who were +there under his instruction, will not soon forget the delightful +evenings in his study, when the recitation being over, conversation took +its place, and stores of the most useful and varied learning were opened +to them, with a kindness and unreservedness, which never could have been +surpassed. In 1837, he became Rector of Christ Church, Middletown, and +in this position—having with him during the last year of its +continuance only, an Assistant Minister—he remained till the spring of +1842. He then resigned the Rectorship, and devoted himself to the +especial work to which the Church had called him. Still he evinced the +same readiness as ever to perform at all times and in all places, the +duties of his sacred office; and his missionary labors during this +period, will ever attest his faithfulness to his vows as a priest of +God.</p> + +<p>In 1843 Dr. Jarvis went to England, with a view to certain arrangements +in connection with the publication of his Chronological Introduction, +and returned in time for the General Convention of 1844. From this +period, he was steadily engaged in the prosecution of the first volume +of his History: though his attention was frequently called off by other +demands upon his time and knowledge, among which may be particularly +mentioned the compilation of a Harmony of the Gospels, the preparation +of a work on Egypt—neither of which have yet been published—and the +drawing up a reply to Milner's End of Controversy. At the same time, he +was serving the Church as a Trustee of Trinity College, and of the +General Theological Seminary; as the Secretary of the Standing Committee +of the Diocese of Connecticut, and Secretary and Treasurer of the +Christian Knowledge Society; and as a member of Diocesan and General +Conventions. Besides all this, there was a large field of service and +usefulness—the labor and worth of which can only be estimated by one +who should see the correspondence which it entailed—which was opened to +him, by the requests continually made from all quarters, for his +opinions on matters of Doctrine, Discipline, and Worship. His life was +one of constant labor, and labor and trial wrought their work upon him. +Scarcely had his last work (the first volume of his History) been issued +from the press, when aggravated disease came upon him; and after +lingering for some time, with unmurmuring patience and resignation, he +died on the 26th of March, 1851, at the age of sixty-four.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Thomas Burnside</span>, one of the justices of the Supreme Court of +Pennsylvania, died in Germantown on the twenty-fifth of March. He was +born in the county of Tyrone, Ireland, July 28th, 1782, and came to this +country, with his father's family, in 1792. In November, 1800, he +commenced the study of the law, with Mr. Robert Porter, in Philadelphia, +and in the early part of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> 1804 was admitted to the bar, and removed to +Bellefonte. In 1811 he was elected to the state Senate, and was an +active supporter of the administration of Governor Snyder in all its war +measures. In 1815 he was elected to Congress, and served during the +memorable session of 1816. In the summer of the same year he was +appointed by Governor Snyder President Judge of the Luzerne district. He +resigned this post in 1818, and resumed the practice of his profession +at Bellefonte. In 1823 he was again elected to the State Senate, of +which body he was made speaker. In 1826 he was appointed President Judge +of the Seventh Judicial District, which office he held until 1841. He +was then appointed President Judge of the Fourth Judicial District, +comprising the counties of Bucks and Montgomery. On the first of +January, 1845, he was commissioned one of the Judges of the Supreme +Court of Pennsylvania, an office which he filled at the time of his +death. Judge Burnside was a man of fine social qualities, and few +persons have had more friends.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Isaac Hill</span>, Governor of New Hampshire, United States senator, &c., was +born at Cambridge, the part now called Somerville, Mass., April 6th, +1788. He was a descendant of Abraham Hill of Charlestown, who was +admitted <i>freeman</i> 1640, and died at Malden, February 13, 1670, leaving +two sons, Isaac and Abraham. From the latter of these, and fifth in +descent, was Isaac, the father of Governor Hill. His mother was Hannah +Russell, a descendant of the Cambridge family of that name, "ever +distinguished in the annals of Massachusetts."<a name="FNanchor_M_13" id="FNanchor_M_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_M_13" class="fnanchor">[M]</a> His ancestors were +stanch patriots, on both sides, and served with credit in the old French +and Indian wars, and his immediate predecessors were among the earliest +and the most efficient of the "Sons of Liberty," well known for their +undaunted spirit in encouraging resistance to the arbitrary and +oppressive acts which occasioned the Revolution.</p> + +<p>The circumstances in which the war and other calamities had placed his +family were extremely unfavorable to the enjoyment of any educational +privileges, and he was debarred from most opportunities of acquiring +even the rudiments of that culture now common and free to all. But he +struggled manfully with these difficulties, the sharp discipline of +Necessity giving to him an early training well calculated to impress his +character with the seal of manliness and self-reliance. His intellectual +constitution was early accustomed to the keen atmosphere of wholesome +severity; and it nerved and braced him for the warfare of his subsequent +career. In it, too, we may find the origin of his peculiar traits as a +writer and a politician. He wrote in a vigorous but not polished style, +and all his productions were more forcible than elegant. But their very +bareness and sinewy proportions opened their way to the hearts of the +people whom he addressed. His prejudices were their prejudices, and in +the most earnest expression of his own strongest feeling and passion he +found the echo from the multitude of the democracy of his adopted state.</p> + +<p>His childhood and early youth thus formed, his next step was in the +learning his trade, or acquiring his profession: for if any occupation +in life combines more elements of professional knowledge than another, +it is that of a printer-editor.</p> + +<p>Though not an indented apprentice, he served his <i>seven years' time</i> +with faithfulness, and acquired those habits of patient, persevering +industry which characterized his whole subsequent career. The +printing-office has been the college and university to many of the most +distinguished of our citizens: and that which he founded at Concord has +been the <i>Alma Mater</i> of a series of graduates, of whom old Dartmouth +might justly be proud, could she enroll them among her Alumni. Although +the paper published by Mr. Cushing, with whom young Hill learned his +profession, was strongly federal, he retained the strong democratic +prejudices of his father's house, which he afterwards so zealously +advocated in more responsible positions.</p> + +<p>He went to Concord, N. H, on the 5th April 1809, the day before he +attained his majority. He bought an establishment of six months' +standing, from which had been issued the <i>American Patriot</i>, a +democratic paper, but not conducted with any great efficiency, and +therefore not considered as yet "a useful auxiliary in the cause of +republicanism." On the 18th of April, 1809, was issued the first number +of the <i>New Hampshire Patriot</i>, a paper destined to exert an immense +influence in that state from that time to the present. The press on +which it was printed was the identical old <i>Ramage</i> press on which had +been struck off the first numbers of the old <i>Connecticut Courant</i>, +forty-five years before, that is, in 1764. The first number of the paper +is before us. It bears for its motto the following sentiment of Madison, +"Indulging no passions which trespass on the rights of others, it shall +be our true glory to cultivate peace by observing justice." Among the +selections is a portion of the famous speech of William B. Giles, in the +Senate, February 13th, 1809, in support of the resolution for a repeal +of the Embargo, and substituting non-intercourse with the aggressing +belligerents, offered by him on the 8th of the same month. In the next +number of the paper the editor expresses the opinion that "the man, who, +after reading this lucid exposition of British aggressions, can blame +his own government—can accuse the administration of a want of +forbearance, and a wish to provoke a war with England without cause, +must be wilfully blind or perversely foolish." This recalls at once the +circumstances of the time, shortly after the beginning of Madison's +administration, and during the Embargo. Democracy was odious in New +England, where the prostration of her commercial interests, the ruin of +many and serious injury of all her citizens, had rendered the +administration exceedingly unpopular. The <i>Patriot</i>, however, steadily +defended the administration and the war which followed. Probably there +will always exist a difference of opinion with respect to the necessity +or expediency of the war of 1812; but public opinion has given its +sanction to what is now known as the "Second War of Independence." Since +that time its advocates have been steadily supported by the country, and +among them the subject of this sketch, who always referred with peculiar +pride to that portion of his career—"the dark and portentous period +which preceded the war."</p> + +<p>Mr. Hill continued to edit the Patriot until 1829, a period of twenty +years; during which time he was twice chosen clerk of the State Senate, +once Representative from the town of Concord, and State Senator four +times. In 1828, he was the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span> Democratic candidate for U.S. Senator, but +was not elected. In 1829, he received the appointment of Second +Comptroller of the Treasury Department from General Jackson, and +discharged the duties of that office until April, 1830, when his +nomination was rejected by the Senate of the United States. The light in +which his rejection was regarded in New Hampshire, may be inferred from +the fact that its result was his triumphant election to represent that +State in the body which had rejected him. He continued in the Senate +until 1836, when he was elected Governor of the State of New Hampshire +by a very large majority. He was twice reëlected, in 1837 and 1838.</p> + +<p>In 1840, he was appointed Sub Treasurer at Boston, which he held until +removed, in March, 1841, by the Harrison administration.</p> + +<p>About this time the policy of the radical party in New Hampshire, to +which Mr. Hill had always adhered, became tainted with an ultraism, +which he could not approve. He opposed their hostility to railroad and +other corporations, with the same vigor which had always characterized +his career. He was subjected to the proscription of the party, and +formally "read out" of the church of the New Hampshire Democracy. He +established a new paper, "Hill's New Hampshire Patriot," in which he +revived his old reputation as an editor and political writer. The +importance of the great internal improvements which he advocated, to the +prosperity of the State, brought back the party from their wanderings +into abstractions, and with this return to the old ways, came also the +acknowledgment of the political orthodoxy of Mr. Hill. The new paper was +united with the old Patriot—and one of his sons associated in the +establishment.</p> + +<p>During the latter years of his life, he also published and edited the +Farmer's Monthly Visiter, an agricultural paper. It was commenced +January 15, 1839, and has been continued to the present time. It was +devoted to the farming and producing interests, and its volumes contain +much valuable matter; of which Gov. Hill's own personal sketches and +reminiscences form no small portion.</p> + +<p>During the latter years of his life he suffered much from the disease +which finally conquered his vigorous constitution. He bore little active +part in political affairs—but took a lively interest in the success of +the compromise measures—to which he referred in his last hours, as, in +his opinion, most important in their bearing on the safety of the Union. +He made great efforts to promote their passage, and probably did some +service in the cause of the Union, to which he was ardently devoted. He +recognized the compromises of the Constitution, with unwavering fidelity +to its spirit. We regret our inability to give in this place some +extracts from a letter of Daniel Webster, addressed to one of Mr. Hill's +sons, upon the occasion of his death, which reflects equal honor upon +the writer and its subject, in its recognition of the services to which +we have referred.</p> + +<p>The present occasion affords no opportunity to review more particularly +the events of Mr. Hill's political career of public service. It is to be +hoped that some one may hereafter prepare the history of his life and +times—which involves an important part of the political history of New +Hampshire, and a corresponding connection with that of the whole +country.</p> + +<p>We quote the following concluding paragraph of the notice in the New +Hampshire Patriot of the 27th March, written by the present editor, Mr. +Butterfield:</p> + +<p>"We have thus hastily and imperfectly noticed the prominent events in +Governor Hill's life. Few men in this country have exerted so great an +influence over the people of their States as he has over those of New +Hampshire. He possessed great native talent, indomitable energy, +industry and perseverance. As a political editor he had few equals, and +his reputation in that field extended throughout the country. As a son, +a husband, a brother, and a father, he has left a reputation honorable +to himself, and which will cause his memory to be cherished. Although +afflicted for many years with a painful disease, exerting at times an +unfavorable influence upon his equanimity, yet we believe the "sober +second thought" of those who reflect upon his past history and services +and trials, will accord with what we have said of his estimable private +character, and his naturally kind and amiable disposition. And now that +his spirit has gone to another, and, we trust, a better world, the +unkindness engendered by political and personal differences will be +forgotten, the faults and errors of the dead will be forgiven, and our +thoughts will rest only upon his many private virtues and eminent public +services."</p> + +<p>The last illness of Mr. Hill was of about five weeks duration. He died +of catarrhal consumption, in the city of Washington, Saturday, the 22d +of March, 1851, at four o'clock, P. M. His remains were removed to +Concord, New Hampshire, where his funeral took place on the 27th of +March.</p> + +<p>[We have made free use in the preceding notice of C. P. Bradley's sketch +(1835), and various articles in newspapers of the day.]</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">David Daggett, LL. D.</span>, son of Thomas Daggett, of Attleborough, +Massachusetts, was born in that town on the last day of the year 1764. +He entered Yale College at fourteen, and graduated there with +distinction in 1783. Pursuing his legal studies in New Haven, while he +held the rectorship of the Hopkins Grammar School, he was admitted to +the bar in 1785. For sixty-five years his life was identified with the +history and prosperity of New Haven and of Connecticut. Besides the +municipal offices which he held, including that of Mayor of New Haven, +he was long a Professor of Yale College, in the Law School of which he +was especially eminent. His last public station was that of Chief +Justice of the State, from the duties of which he retired at the age of +seventy, through the jealous wisdom of the constitution of Connecticut. +His connection with the law school, however, continued till within a +very few years, when his health became gradually impaired through the +advance of age, though for the last year he enjoyed an unusual exemption +from his infirmities. About the end of March his family became +apprehensive of a change for the worse, and on Saturday, April 12th, he +died, at the advanced age of eighty-six years.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Major James Rees</span>, born in Philadelphia in 1766, died at Geneva, +New-York, on the 24th of March. He was in his youth a confidential +cleric to Robert Morris, the financier; during the Whiskey Insurrection +in Pennsylvania, he was a Deputy Quarter-Master General under +Washington, and he held the same office under Wilkinson and under Izard, +in the war of 1812.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span></p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mordecai M. Noah</span>, who for nearly half a century had been eminent as a +politician and a journalist, and who was one of the most distinguished +Jews of the present age, died in New-York on the 2nd of March. He was +born in Philadelphia on the 19th of July, 1785, and at an early age was +apprenticed to a carver and gilder in that city; but a love of +literature and affairs induced the abandonment of that vocation for the +more congenial one to which he devoted the chief part of his life. His +editorial career commenced in Charleston, S. C., and some interesting +passages of his history there are given in the first volume of Thomas's +<i>Reminiscences</i>. In 1811 Mr. Madison appointed him consul at Riga, but +he declined the place. In 1813 he was appointed by Mr. Monroe consul to +Tunis, with a mission to Algiers. On the voyage his vessel was captured +by a British frigate and taken to Plymouth. His diplomatic position +exempted him from imprisonment, but he was detained several weeks, and +did not reach his destination until February, 1814. Having accomplished +the object of his mission, he crossed the Pyrenees, and visited Paris. +After a brief residence in that city, he proceeded to Tunis, where he +remained until recalled, in 1816. In 1819 he published a book of +<i>Travels</i>, containing the result of his observations in Europe and +Northern Africa, during a three years' residence in those countries. He +now became one of the editors and proprietors of the <i>National +Advocate</i>, in which he published the <i>Essays on Domestic Economy</i>, +signed "Howard," which were subsequently printed in a volume. The next +paper with which he was connected was the <i>Enquirer</i>, afterwards Courier +& Enquirer, in the management of which he was associated with Colonel +Webb. The several papers of which he was at various times editor or +proprietor, or both, were the <i>National Advocate</i>, <i>Enquirer</i>, <i>Courier +& Enquirer</i>, <i>Evening Star</i>, <i>Sun</i>, <i>Morning Star</i>, and <i>Weekly +Messenger</i>. His most successful journal was the <i>Evening Star</i>, but he +was eminently popular at all times as an editorial writer, and was very +fortunate when he had, as in the <i>Evening Star</i>, or the <i>Sunday Times</i>, +judicious business partners. Soon after his return from Africa occurred +his celebrated attempt to assemble all the Jews of the world on this +continent, and build a new Jerusalem at Grand Island, in the Niagara +River.</p> + +<p>In 1821 he was elected sheriff of the city and county of New-York. +During his term of office the yellow fever broke out, and he opened the +doors of the prisons and let go all who were confined for debt—an act +of generous humanity which cost him several thousand dollars. He was +admitted to the bar of this city in 1823, and to the bar of the Supreme +Court of the United States in 1829. In 1829 he was also appointed, by +President dent Jackson, Surveyor of the Port of New-York, which office +he shortly afterward resigned. In the political contest of 1840, he took +part against Mr. Van Buren, whom he had long regarded with distrust, and +voted for General Harrison. In 1841 he was appointed by Governor Seward, +Judge of the Court of Sessions. He was probably the only Hebrew who +occupied a judicial station in Christendom. During the same year he was +made Supreme Court Commissioner. When a change in the organization of +the Court of Sessions took place he resigned his seat on the bench, and +soon returned to his old profession. In 1843 he became one of the +editors and proprietors of the <i>Sunday Times</i>, with which he was +connected when he died.</p> + +<p>Major Noah was a very rapid and an industrious writer. Besides his +<i>Travels in England, France, Spain, and the Barbary States, in the Years +1813, 1814, and 1815</i>, and the <i>Howard Papers on Domestic Economy</i>, he +published several orations and addresses on political, religious and +antiquarian subjects; edited <i>The Book of Jasher</i>, and wrote numerous +successful plays, of which an account may be found in Dunlap's <i>History +of the Stage</i>. The most prominent of them were, <i>She would be a Soldier, +or the Plains of Chippewa</i>; <i>Ali Pacha, or the Signet Ring</i>; <i>Marion, or +the Hero of Lake George</i>; <i>Nathalie, or the Frontier Maid</i>; <i>Yusef +Caramali, or the Siege of Tripoli</i>; <i>The Castle of Sorrento</i>, <i>The Siege +of Daramatta</i>, <i>The Grecian Captive</i>, and <i>Ambition.</i> He for a long time +contemplated writing <i>Memoirs of his Times</i>, and he published in the +<i>Evening Star</i> many interesting reminiscences intended to form part of +such work.</p> + +<p>Major Noah was a man of remarkable generosity of character, and in all +periods of his life was liberal of his means, to Christians as well as +to Jews: holding the place of President in the Hebrew Benevolent +Society, and being frequently selected as adviser in other temporary or +permanent associations for the relief of distress. As a politician he +was perhaps not the most scrupulous in the world, but there was rarely +if ever any bitterness in his controversies. In religion he was sincere +and earnest, and the Hebrews in America we believe uniformly held his +character in respect</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">John S. Skinner</span>, who was for a long time editor of the <i>Turf Register</i> +at Baltimore, and who more recently conducted the very able magazine +<i>The Plow, the Loom, and the Anvil</i>, died from an accident, in +Baltimore, on the 28th of March, aged about sixty years. He had held the +appointment of Post-Master at Baltimore for a period of twenty years, +though removed from it fifteen years ago, and he was afterward Assistant +Post-Master General. Intending to hurry out from the Baltimore +Post-Office—which he had entered for some business with his +successor—into the street, he inadvertently opened a door leading to +the basement of the building, and before he could recover himself, +plunged head foremost down the flight of steps. His skull was fractured, +and he survived in a state of insensibility for a few hours only.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brevet-Major-General George M. Brooke</span>, of the United States Army, died +at San Antonio, Texas, on the ninth of March. General Brooke entered the +army, from Virginia, on the third of May, 1808, as First Lieutenant in +the Fourth Infantry. He had received four brevets during his military +life, and at the time of his death he was in command of the Eighth +Military Department, (Texas,) and engaged in planning an expedition +against the Indians.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Ferdinand Gotthelf Hand</span>, Professor of Greek Literature at the University +of Jena, died on the 14th March, at the age of sixty-five. He is best +known for his work on the <i>Æsthetik der Foukunst</i>. He had filled his +professorship since 1817.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">M. Jacobi</span> died on the nineteenth of February at Berlin. He was well +known to the scientific world by his electro-chemical researches.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span></p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Hans Christian Oersted</span>, the great Danish naturalist, died at Copenhagen +on the seventeenth of March, aged seventy-four. He was the son of an +apothecary of Rudkjobing, in the province of Larzeland. Fourteen days +before his death he gave a scientific lecture at the University of +Copenhagen, where he was Professor of Natural Science. He was nearly of +the same age with Thorwaldsen and Oehlenschlager. His last work, <i>Der +Geist in der Natur</i>, was not long since the subject of remark in these +pages. His fame as the discoverer of electro-magnetism, (which discovery +he made, after laborious researches, on the fifth of June 1821,) and as +a profound and genial thinker, will be immortal.</p> + +<p>At Rudkjobing he received his early education with his brother Anders +Sandöe Oersted, a distinguished senator of Denmark, and for some years +one of the ministers of state. Christian Oersted was sent to Copenhagen +to study medicine. After completing his course of pharmacy, he directed +his powers to the study of natural philosophy, and greatly distinguished +himself in that science, of which he subsequently became University +Professor. His grand discovery of electro-magnetism led to the +subsequent development of the electric telegraph. In 1807 he wrote his +work reviving the hypothesis of the identity of magnetism and +electricity, in which he arrived at the conclusion—that "in galvanism +the force is more latent than in electricity, and still more so in +magnetism than in galvanism; it is necessary, therefore, to try whether +electricity, in its latent state, will not affect the magnetic needle." +No experiment appears, however, to have been made to determine the +question until 1820, when Oersted placed a magnetic needle within the +influence of a wire connecting the extremities with a voltaic battery. +The voltaic current was now, for the first time, observed to produce a +deviation of the magnetic needle in different directions, and in +different degrees, according to the relative situation of the wire and +needle. By subsequent experiment Oersted proved that the wire became, +during the time the battery was in action, magnetic, and that it +affected a magnetic needle through glass, and every other non-conducting +body, but that it had no action on a needle similarly suspended, that +was not magnetic. To Professor Oersted is also due the important +discovery, that electro-magnetic effects do not depend upon the +intensity of the electricity, but solely on its quantity. By these +discoveries an entirely new branch of science was established, and all +the great advances which have been made in our knowledge of the laws +which regulate the magnetic forces in their action upon matter, are to +be referred to the discovery by Oersted, that by an electric current +magnetism could be induced. He promulgated a theory of light, in which +he referred luminous phenomena to electricity in motion; it has not, +however, been favorably received.</p> + +<p>One of the most important observations first made by him, and since then +confirmed by others, was, that a body falling from a height not only +fell a little to the east of the true perpendicular—which is, no doubt, +due to the earth's motion—but that it fell to the <i>south</i> of that line; +the cause of this is at present unexplained. It is, no doubt, connected +with some great phenomena of gravitation which yet remain to be +discovered. At the meeting of the British Association at Southampton, +Professor Oersted communicated to the Chemical Section some curious +examples of the influence of time in determining chemical change, as +shown in the action of mercury upon glass in hermetically sealed +vessels. The character of Professor Oersted's mind was essentially +searching and minute; thus he observed results which escaped detection +in the hands of those who took more general and enlarged views of +natural phenomena. To this was due the discovery of electro-magnetism, +which will for ever connect his name with the history of inductive +science. As Director of the Polytechnic Institution of Copenhagen, of +which he was the founder, and of the Society for the Diffusion of +Natural Sciences, and as Perpetual Secretary of the Royal Academy of +Sciences since 1815, his labors were unceasing and of great benefit to +his country. He was for many years attached to the Military College of +Cadets of Copenhagen, and only resigned when he could be succeeded by +one of his own pupils. His manners and demeanor were extremely modest +and unobtrusive. The British Royal Society awarded him the Copley Medal +for his discovery in electro-magnetism, and the Academy of Sciences of +Paris presented him with their Gold Medal. Both Societies elected him a +Foreign Member.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Henri Delatouche</span>, who died early in March at Aulnay, France, was born +February 3d, 1785. His first work was <i>Fragoletta</i>, a book treating in +an original way the revolution of Naples in 1799; it was the fruit of a +long sojourn in Italy, a genuine production of genius, in which the +chapters devoted to antique art are especially remarkable. During the +Hundred Days he was the secretary of Marshal Brune, and was made +sub-prefect of Toulon. The downfall of Napoleon deprived him of office, +and restored him to literature and general politics. During the +Restoration he gained great applause by his eloquent and successful +defence of his father, who was tried before a political court, and but +for his son would have been one of the victims of that bloody period. He +was prominent in the agitation of public questions through that time, +and through the ten first years of Louis Philippe. He was intimate with +B. Constant Chateaubriand, Madame Recamier, Gros, Gerard, Armand Carrel, +Godfrey Cavaignac, Beranger, and George Sand. He was one of the editors +of the <i>National</i>, and the chief writer of the brilliant and effective +<i>Figaro</i>. His books were <i>Fragoletta</i>, <i>Aymar</i>, <i>France et Marie</i>, +<i>Lettres de Clement XIV. et de Carlo Bertinazzi</i>, <i>Les Adieux</i>. Though +he adopted the form of romance, the purpose of his writings was +historical and didactic. In the latter part of his life he made +preparations to write a <i>Histoire des Conjurations pour la Liberté</i>, but +did not accomplish it. He was a man of noble character and remarkable +genius. His conversation was brilliant and fascinating. Since Diderot, +it is said that France has produced no talker to be compared with him. +George Sand frequently compares him to Rousseau. Like that philosopher, +toward the close of his life he manifested a passionate love of nature +and solitude. He spent his time laboring in his garden, and living in +the most frugal manner. The aged and manly poet was beloved of the +neighboring peasants, as well as by the friends he had left behind him +in the great world; and though he had often criticised his +contemporaries with extreme severity, sometimes even with injustice, he +left no enemies.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span></p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Among the persons lately deceased who are worthy of mention is Madame <span class="smcap">de +Sermetzy</span>, who died at her country seat, near the French city of Lyons, +at the age of eighty-one years. Had circumstances favored the +development of her genius, she would have acquired a name among the +sculptors of the time. She left behind her a number of works in terra +cotta. A Psyche of life-size is said to be full of expression and grace; +a Plato is remarkable for anatomical correctness and manly force. Both +are in the Academy at St. Pierre. She also modelled a Sappho, a Lesbia, +and some dozen busts. Of smaller works, statuettes and groups, she has +left some two hundred in terra cotta, among them a St Augustine, said to +be admirable for expression and nobleness. The churches constantly +received from her gifts of beautiful angels and madonnas. A few years +before her death she modelled a madonna of the size of life, which is +one of her best works. Want of means alone prevented her from executing +her productions in marble. She was also familiar with the literature, +not only of her own nation, but of the Latin, Spanish, Italian, and +English languages, which she spoke with fluency and correctness, a rare +accomplishment for a French woman. During the Empire and the Restoration +she was intimate with Madame Recamier and Madame de Staël, and for +penetration and readiness of mind and charm of manners was not unworthy +to be named with these remarkable women.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Marshal Dode de la Bruniere</span>, one of the soldiers of Napoleon, who raised +him to the rank of Lieutenant-General, and employed him in many +important services, died at Paris on the 28th February, aged +seventy-seven. He served in the campaign of Egypt as a lieutenant of +engineers. After the siege of Saragossa he was made a colonel. He +participated in all the great battles of the empire, and was finally +made a peer of France and a marshal by Louis Philippe, after having +directed the construction of the gigantic fortifications around Paris. +He was a frank, affable, and kind-hearted man.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">M. Maillau</span>, one of the most productive of Paris dramatists, died in that +city March, twelfth, aged forty-five. He was born in Guadaloupe, and +began life in France as a lawyer, but soon abandoned that profession to +write for the stage. He wrote a large number of dramas, some of which +were very successful. The last one, called <i>La Révolution Française</i>, +has run a hundred and fifty nights, and is still performing. He was an +excellent fellow, and nobody's enemy but his own.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dr. Henry de Breslau</span>, senior of the Faculty of Medicine in the +University of Munich, died lately. He was second medical officer on the +staff of Napoleon, under Larrey, and followed the French army in the +Russian campaign. He was made prisoner on the field of Waterloo. France, +Bavaria, Saxony, Greece, and Portugal, had recognized his scientific +eminence by severally enrolling his name among their orders of chivalry.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Commissioner Lin</span>, whose seizure and destruction of the opium in 1839 led +to the war with China, died suddenly on the eighteenth of November last, +while on his way to the insurrectionary district of Quan-si.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">John Louis Yanoski</span> was born at Lons-le-Saulnier, France, March 9, 1813, +and died at Paris early in February last. Though not known much out of +his own country, few literary men have possessed more admirable and +substantial qualities. He was feeble in bodily powers, but endowed with +indefatigable ardor in the pursuit of intellectual objects, and a mind +at once penetrating and judicious. He was educated in the College of +Versailles. In 1836 he became a tutor in history at the University at +Paris. Subsequently he was selected by Thierry to assist in the +preparation of his history of the Tiers-Etat, and spent four years in +working upon it. At the same time he labored assiduously in other +directions. In 1839 he gained two prizes from the Academy of Moral and +Political Sciences, one for a memoir on the organization of the national +forces from the twelfth century to the reign of Charles VII; the other +for an essay on the abolition of slavery in antiquity. In 1841 the +Academy selected him to prepare, under the direction of M. Mignet, a +view of the progress of the moral and political sciences, a work which +was not completed when he died. In 1840 he was made professor of history +in Stanislas College; in 1842 Michelet chose him for his substitute at +the College of France, but in that capacity he gave but a single +lecture, being seized while speaking with hemorrhage of the lungs, from +which he did not recover for several months. Notwithstanding the labors +required by all these occupations he found time to write for Didot's +<i>Univers Pittoresque</i> a history of Carthage from the second Punic war to +the Vandal invasion, a history of the Vandal rule and the Byzantine +restoration, another of the African Church, and one of the Church of +Ancient Syria. He also furnished many important articles to the +Encyclopedic Dictionary, wrote often for the <i>National</i> newspaper, and +for two years was chief editor of the <i>Nouvelle Revue Encyclopédique</i>. +He was a republican in sentiment, and a character of exceeding nobleness +and energy.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Colonel Count d'Hozier</span>, a distinguished French officer, who was +compromised in the affair of Georges Cadoudal, died early in March, in +Paris, aged seventy-seven. On the occasion of the conspiracy referred +to, he was sentenced to death, but obtained his pardon through the +interference of the Empress Josephine, and as a commutation of his +punishment was imprisoned until the year 1814 in the prison of the +Chateau d'If—the scene of the confinement of Dumas' hero, the Comte de +Montechristo.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">M. George Brentano</span>, the oldest banker at Frankfort-on-the-Maine, died a +few weeks ago, aged eighty-eight. He was brother of two persons well +known in the world of letters, M. Clement Brentano and the Countess +Bettina d'Arnim, the correspondent of Goëthe.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Frederic Xavier Fernbach</span>, the inventor of that mode of encaustic +painting which is called by his name, died at Munich on the 27th +February. A history of his experiments and inventions was published many +years ago.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class="smcap">M. Jules Martien</span>, author of a volume on <i>Christianity in America</i>, died +in Paris on the twenty-first of March.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_M_13" id="Footnote_M_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_M_13"><span class="label">[M]</span></a> Farmer's Genealogical Register: Articles <i>Hill-Russell</i>.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 550px;"> +<img src="images/image11.jpg" width="550" height="616" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2><a name="OTSEGO_HALL_THE_RESIDENCE_OF_J_FENIMORE_COOPER" id="OTSEGO_HALL_THE_RESIDENCE_OF_J_FENIMORE_COOPER"></a>"OTSEGO HALL," THE RESIDENCE OF J. FENIMORE COOPER.</h2> + + + +<p>In the delightful home which in the above engraving is reflected with +equal spirit and fidelity, our great novelist has composed the larger +portion of those admirable tales and histories that display his own +capacities, and the characteristics and tendencies of our people.</p> + +<p>Here also was written the beautiful work by Mr. <span class="smcap">Cooper's</span> daughter, +entitled "Rural Hours." Could any thing tempt to such authorship more +strongly than a residence thus quiet, and surrounded with birds, and +flowers, and trees, and all the picturesque varieties of land and water +which render Cooperstown a paradise to the lover of nature?</p> + +<p>In the last <i>International</i> we sketched the career of Mr. Cooper, and +gave an account of his writings, and an estimate of their value. What we +add here shall relate to the work which entitles his daughter to share +his eminence. "Rural Hours" is one of the most charming contributions +literature has ever received from the hand of a woman. Though in the +simple form of a diary, it is scarcely less than Thomson's "Seasons" a +poem; yet while seeming continually to reflect the most poetical phases +of nature and of rural life—so delicate is the appreciation of natural +beauty, and so pure and unaffected and exquisitely graceful the style of +composition—it has throughout even a Flemish truth and particularity of +detail. If we were called upon to name a literary performance that is +more than any other American in its whole character, we cannot now think +of one that would sooner receive this praise. A record of real +observations during the daily walks of many years in a secluded town, or +of the changes which the seasons brought with their various gifts and +forces into domestic experience, it is a series of pictures which could +no more have been made in another country than so many paintings on +canvas of scenes by Otsego lake. The leaves are blown over by Otsego +airs, or if the eye grows heavy and the pages are unturned it is for +slumberous spells that attach to delineations of the sunshine and +silence of Otsego's August noons. And the views Miss Cooper gives us of +the characters and occupations of the agricultural population in that +part of the country, who wear curiously interblended the old English and +Dutch habits with here and there a sign of the French, and the +republican freedom which in three generations has taken the tone of +nature, are as distinctive as the descriptions of changes which the +maple assumes in the autumn, or of the harvest of Indian corn, or a deer +hunt in the snow. Upon a careless reading of "Rural Hours" we might +fancy that Miss Cooper was less familiar than perhaps should be for such +a task with botany and other sciences, but a closer study of the book +reveals the most minute and comprehensive knowledge, so interfused that +it is without technical forms only, and never deficient in precision. +The style is everywhere not only delightfully free, while artistically +finished, but it is remarkably pure, so that there is in the literature +of this country not a specimen of more genuine English. In this respect +the work of one of the most highly and variously educated women of our +time, to whom the languages of the politest nations were through all her +youth familiar in their courts, may be well compared with the +compositions which "literary ladies" with Phrase Books make half French +or half Italian.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 550px;"> +<img src="images/image12.jpg" width="550" height="547" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2><a name="GEORGE_W_DEWEY" id="GEORGE_W_DEWEY"></a>GEORGE W. DEWEY.</h2> + +<p>Of our younger and minor poets no one has more natural grace and +tenderness than <span class="smcap">George W. Dewey</span>. The son of a painter, and himself the +Secretary of the Philadelphia Art Union, it may be supposed that he is +well instructed in the principles upon which effect depends; but while +native genius, as it is called, is of little value without art, no man +was ever made a poet by art alone, and it is impossible to read "Blind +Louise," "A Memory," or "A Blighted May," without perceiving that Mr. +Dewey's commission has both the sign and the countersign, in due form, +so that his right to the title of poet is in every respect +unquestionable. He has not written much, but whatever he has given to +the public is written well, and all his compositions have the signs of a +genuineness that never fails to please. There is no collection of his +poems, but from the journals to which he contributes we have selected +the following specimens:</p> + + +<h3>A MEMORY.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">It was a bright October day—<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Ah, well do I remember!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">One rose yet bore the bloom of May,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Down toward the dark December.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">One rose that near the lattice grew,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">With fragrance floating round it:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Incarnardined, it blooms anew<br /></span> +<span class="i2">In dreams of her who found it.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Pale, withered rose, bereft and shorn<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Of all thy primal glory,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">All leafless now, thy piercing thorn<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Reveals a sadder story.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">It was a dreary winter day;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Too well do I remember!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">They bore her frozen form away,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And gave her to December!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">There were no perfumes on the air,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">No bridal blossoms round her,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Save one pale lily in her hair<br /></span> +<span class="i2">To tell how pure Death found her.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The thistle on the summer air<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Hath shed its iris glory,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And thrice the willows weeping there<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Have told the seasons' story,<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Since she, who bore the blush of May,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Down towards the dark December<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Pass'd like the thorn-tree's bloom away,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">A pale, reluctant ember.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<h3>BLIND LOUISE.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">She knew that she was growing blind—<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Forsaw the dreary night<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That soon would fall, without a star,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Upon her fading sight:<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Yet never did she make complaint,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">But pray'd each day might bring<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A beauty to her waning eyes—<br /></span> +<span class="i2">The loveliness of Spring!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">She dreaded that eclipse which might<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Perpetually inclose<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sad memories of a leafless world—<br /></span> +<span class="i2">A spectral realm of snows.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">She'd rather that the verdure left<br /></span> +<span class="i2">An evergreen to shine<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Within her heart, as summer leaves<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Its memory on the pine.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">She had her wish: for when the sun<br /></span> +<span class="i2">O'erhung his eastern towers,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And shed his benediction on<br /></span> +<span class="i2">A world of May-time flowers—<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">We found her seated, as of old,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">In her accustom'd place,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A midnight in her sightless eyes,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And morn upon her face!<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<h3>A BLIGHTED MAY.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Call not this the month of roses—<br /></span> +<span class="i2">There are none to bud and bloom;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Morning light, alas! discloses<br /></span> +<span class="i2">But the winter of the tomb.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">All that should have deck'd a bridal<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Rest upon the bier—how idle!<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Dying in their own perfume.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Every bower is now forsaken—<br /></span> +<span class="i2">There's no bird to charm the air!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From the bough of youth is shaken<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Every hope that blossom'd there;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And my soul doth now inrobe her<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In the leaves of sere October<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Under branches swaying bare.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">When the midnight falls beside me,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Like the gloom which in me lies,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To the stars my feelings guide me,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Seeking there thy sainted eyes;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Stars whose rays seem ever bringing<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Down the soothing air, the singing<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Of thy soul in paradise.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Oh, that I might stand and listen<br /></span> +<span class="i2">To that music ending never,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">While those tranquil stars should glisten<br /></span> +<span class="i2">On my life's o'erfrozen river,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Standing thus, for ever seeming<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Lost in what the world calls dreaming,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Dreaming, love, of thee, forever!<br /></span> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span></div></div> + + +<h3>THE SHADY SIDE.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I sat and gazed upon thee, <span class="smcap">Rose</span>,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Across the pebbled way,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And thought the very wealth of mirth<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Was thine that winter day;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For while I saw the truant rays<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Within thy window glide,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Remember'd beams reflected came<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Upon the shady side.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I sat and gazed upon thee, <span class="smcap">Rose</span>,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And thought the transient beams<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Were leaving on thy braided brow<br /></span> +<span class="i2">The trace of golden dreams;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Those dreams, which like the ferry-barge<br /></span> +<span class="i2">On youth's beguiling tide,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Will leave us when we reach old age,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Upon the shady side.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ah! yes, methought while thus I gazed<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Across the noisy way,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The stream of life between us flow'd<br /></span> +<span class="i2">That cheerful winter day;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And that the bark whereon I cross'd<br /></span> +<span class="i2">The river's rapid tide,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Had left me in the quietness<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Upon the shady side.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Then somewhat of a sorrow, <span class="smcap">Rose</span>,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Came crowding on my heart,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Revealing how that current sweeps<br /></span> +<span class="i2">The fondest ones apart;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But while you stood to bless me there,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">In beauty, like a bride,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I felt my own contentedness,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Though on the shady side.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The crowd and noise divide us, <span class="smcap">Rose</span>,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">But there will come a day<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When you, with light and timid feet,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Must cross the busy way;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And when you sit, as I do now,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">To happy thoughts allied,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">May some bright angel shed her light<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Upon the shady side!<br /></span> +</div></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 550px;"> +<img src="images/image13.jpg" width="550" height="533" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2><a name="Ladies_Fashions_for_the_Early_Summer" id="Ladies_Fashions_for_the_Early_Summer"></a><i>Ladies' Fashions for the Early Summer.</i></h2> + + +<p><i>Costume for a Young Girl.</i>—In the above engraving the largest figure +has boots of pale violet cachmere and morocco; trowsers of worked +cambric; and dress of a pale chocolate cachmere, trimmed with narrow +silk fringe, the double robings on each side of the front as well as the +cape, on the half-high corsage, ornamented with a double row of narrow +silk fringe, this trimming repeated round the lower part of the loose +sleeve; the chemisette of plaited cambric, headed with a broad frill of +embroidery; full under sleeves of cambric, with a row of embroidery +round the wrist; open bonnet of pink satin, a row of white lace +encircling the interior next the face. The second miss has button gaiter +boots of chocolate cachmere; trowsers and undersleeves of white +embroidered cambric; frock of plaided cachmere; <i>paletot</i> of purple +velvet; hat of a round shape, of white satin, the low crown adorned with +a long white ostrich feather.</p> + +<p><i>The Boy's Dress</i> is made to correspond as nearly as may be with that of +the youngest girl—embroidered pantalettes, and under sleeves trimmed +with pointed lace.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 479px;"> +<img src="images/image14.jpg" width="479" height="550" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p><i>Ladies' Morning Promenade Costume.</i>—A high dress of black satin, the +body fitting perfectly tight; has a small jacket cut on the <i>biais</i>, +with row of black velvet laid on a little distance from the edge; the +sleeves are rather large, and have a broad cuff turned back, which is +trimmed to correspond with the jacket; the skirt is long and full; the +dress is ornamented up the front in its whole length by rich fancy silk +trimmings, graduating in size from the bottom of the skirt to the waist, +and again increasing to the throat. <i>Capote</i> of plum-colored satin; +sometimes plain, sometimes with a bunch of hearts-ease, intermixed with +ribbon, placed low on the left side, the same flowers, but somewhat +smaller, ornamenting the interior.</p> + +<p><i>Evening Dress</i> of white <i>tulle</i>, worn over a <i>jape</i> of rich pink satin; +the waist and point of a moderate length; the sleeves and front of the +corsage covered with fullings of <i>tulle</i>, clasped at equal distances by +narrow bands of green satin; the skirt extremely full, and looped up on +each side; the trimming, which reaches from the waist on each side the +point to the bottom of the skirt, composed of loops of green satin +ribbon edged with gold. Magnificent ribbons or beautiful flowers +accompany the light trimmings which ornament the lighter evening +dresses. A young lady is never more beautiful than when dressed in one +of those robes, so rich in their simplicity, and distinguished by their +embroideries, form, and trimmings. A robe of tarlatane, trimmed with +seven flounces, deeply scalloped and worked with straw colored silk, is +much in vogue. The same trimming, proportionably narrow, covers the +berthe and sleeves. When worked with white silk, this dress is still +more stylish. White or black lace canezous, worn with low-bodied silk +dresses, are very much admired. They are open over the chest, and more +or less worn with basques or straight trimmings round the waist, with +half long sleeves, fastened up on the front, for the arm, by a ribbon +bow.</p> + +<p><i>Dress Hats</i> are principally made of <i>tulle</i> or gauze <i>lisse</i>—those of +the latter texture, made in white, of folds with rows of white gauze +ribbon.</p> + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The International Monthly, Volume 3, +No. 2, May, 1851, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK INTERNATIONAL MONTHLY, MAY 1851 *** + +***** This file should be named 29246-h.htm or 29246-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/9/2/4/29246/ + +Produced by Joshua Hutchinson, Josephine Paolucci and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. +(This file was produced from images generously made +available by Cornell University Digital Collections.) + + +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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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: The International Monthly, Volume 3, No. 2, May, 1851 + +Author: Various + +Release Date: June 26, 2009 [EBook #29246] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK INTERNATIONAL MONTHLY, MAY 1851 *** + + + + +Produced by Joshua Hutchinson, Josephine Paolucci and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. +(This file was produced from images generously made +available by Cornell University Digital Collections.) + + + + + + + +THE INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE + +Of Literature, Art, and Science. + +Vol. III. NEW-YORK, MAY 1, 1851. No. II. + + + + +GEORGE WILKINS KENDALL. + +[Illustration] + + +We have here a capital portrait of the editor in chief of the New +Orleans _Picayune_, GEORGE W. KENDALL, who, as an editor, author, +traveller, or _bon garcon_, is world-famous, and every where entitled to +be chairman in assemblies of these several necessary classes of people. +Take him for all in all, he may be described as a new Chevalier Bayard, +baptized in the spirit of fun, and with a steel pen in lieu of a blade +of Damascus. He is a Vermonter--of the state which has sent out Orestes +Brownson, Herman Hooker, the Coltons, Hiram Powers, Hannah Gould, and a +crowd of other men and women with the sharpest intellects, and for the +most part the genialist tempers too, that can be found in all the +country. His boyhood was passed in the delightful village of Burlington, +from which, when he was of age, he came to New-York, and here he lived +until about the year 1835, when he went to New Orleans, where his +subsequent career may be found traced in the most witty and brilliant +and altogether successful journal ever published in the southern or +western states. + +Partly for the love of adventure and partly for advantage to his health, +in the spring of 1841 Mr. Kendall determined to make an excursion into +the great south-western prairies, and the contemplated trading +expedition to Santa-Fe offering escort and agreeable companions, he +procured passports from the Mexican vice-consul at New-Orleans, and +joined it, at Austin. The history of this expedition has become an +important portion of the history of the nation, and its details, +embracing an account of his own captivity and sufferings in Mexico, were +written by Mr. Kendall in one of the most spirited and graphic books of +military and wilderness adventure, vicissitude, and endurance, that has +been furnished in our times. The work was published in two volumes, by +the Harpers, in 1844. It has since passed through many editions, and for +the fidelity and felicity, the bravery and _bon hommie_, that mark all +its pages, it is likely to be one of the choicest chronicles that will +be quoted from our own in the new centuries. + +After the publication of his narrative of the Santa Fe Expedition, Mr. +Kendall resumed his more immediate services in the _Picayane_--always, +it may be said without injustice to his associates, most attractive +under his personal supervision; and in the angry and war-tending +controversies with Mexico which filled the public mind in the succeeding +years, he was one of the calmest as well as wisest of our journalists. +When at length the conflict came on, he attended the victorious Taylor +as a member of his staff along the mountains and valleys which that +great commander marked with the names of immortal victories, and had +more than satisfaction for all griefs of his own in seeing the flag of +his country planted in every scene in which his country had been +insulted in his own person. + +Upon the conclusion of the war, Mr. Kendall commenced the preparation of +the magnificent work which has lately been published in this city by the +Appletons, under the title of _The War between the United States and +Mexico, by George W. Kendall, illustrated by pictorial drawings by Carl +Nebel_. Mr. Nebel may be regarded as one of the best battle-painters +living. He accompanied Mr. Kendall during the war, and made his sketches +while on the several fields where he had witnessed the movements of the +contending armies; and in all the accessories of scenery, costume, and +general effect, he has unquestionably been as successful as the actors +in the drama admit him to have been in giving a vivid and just +impression of the distinguishing characteristics of each conflict. The +subjects of the plates are the Bombardment of Vera Cruz, the Battle of +Cerro Gordo, the Storming of Chepultepec, the Assault on Contreras, the +Battle of Cherubusco, the Attack on Molino del Rey, General Scott's +Entrance into Mexico, the Battle of Buena Vista, the Battle of Palo +Alto, and the Capture of Monterey. In some cases, there are two +representations of the same scene, taken from different points of view. +These have all been reproduced in colored lithography by the best +artists of Paris. The literary part of the work, comprising very careful +and particular accounts of these events, is excellently written--so +compactly and perspicuously, with so thorough a knowledge and so pure a +taste, as to be deserving of applause among models in military history. +Mr. Kendall passed about two years in Europe for the purpose of +superintending its publication, and its success must have amply +satisfied the most sanguine anticipations with which he entered upon its +composition. + +New England is largely represented among the leading editors of the +South and West, and it is a little remarkable that the two papers most +conspicuous as representatives of the idiosyncrasies which most obtain +in their respective states--the _Picayune_ and George D. Prentice's +_Louisville Journal_--are conducted by men from sections most +antagonistical in interest and feeling, men who have carried with them +to their new homes and who still cherish there all the reciprocated +affections by which they were connected with the North. When George W. +Kendall leaves New Orleans for his summer wandering in our more +comfortable and safe latitudes, an ovation of editors awaits him at +every town along the Mississippi, and, crossing the mountains, he is the +most popular member of the craft in Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, +New-York, or Boston--an evidence that the strifes of party may exist +without any personal ill-feeling, if the editor never forgets in his own +person to sustain the character of a gentleman. + + + + + +WASHINGTON. + + +It is a truth, illustrated in daily experience, and yet rarely noted or +acted upon, that, in all that concerns the appreciation of personal +character or ability, the instinctive impressions of a community are +quicker in their action, more profoundly appreciant, and more reliable, +than the intellectual perceptions of the ablest men in the community. +Upon all those subjects that are of moral apprehension, society seems to +possess an intelligence of its own, infinitely sensitive in its +delicacy, and almost conclusive in the certainty of its determinations; +indirect, and unconscious in its operation, yet unshunnable in sagacity, +and as strong and confident as nature itself. The highest and finest +qualities of human judgment seem to be in commission among the nation, +or the race. It is by such a process, that whenever a true hero appears +among mankind, the recognition of his character, by the general sense of +humanity, is instant and certain: the belief of the chief priests and +rulers of mind follows later, or comes not at all. The perceptions of a +public are as subtly-sighted as its passions are blind. It sees, and +feels, and knows the excellence, which it can neither understand, nor +explain, nor vindicate. These involuntary opinions of people at large +explain themselves, and are vindicated by events, and form at last the +constants of human understanding. A character of the first order of +greatness, such as seems to pass out of the limits and courses of +ordinary life, often lies above the ken of intellectual judgment; but +its merits and its infirmities never escape the sleepless perspicacity +of the common sentiment, which no novelty of form can surprise, and no +mixture of qualities can perplex. The mind--the logical +faculty--comprehends a subject, when it can trace in it the same +elements, or relations, which it is familiar with elsewhere; if it finds +but a faint analogy of form or substance, its decision is embarrassed. +But this other instinct seems to become subtler, and more rapid, and +more absolute in conviction, at the line where reason begins to falter. + +Take the case of Shakspeare. His surpassing greatness was never +acknowledged by the learned, until the nation had ascertained and +settled it as a foregone and questionless conclusion. Even now, to the +most sagacious mind of this time, the real ground and evidence of its +own assurance of Shakspeare's supremacy, is the universal, deep, +immovable conviction of it in the public feeling. There have been many +acute essays upon his minor characteristics; but intellectual criticism +has never grappled with Shaksperian ART in its entireness and grandeur, +and probably it never will. We know not now wherein his greatness +consists. We cannot demonstrate it. There is less indistinctness in the +merit of less eminent authors. Those things which are not doubts to our +consciousness, are yet mysteries to our mind. And if this is true of +literary art, which is so much within the sphere of reflection, it may +be expected to find more striking illustration in great practical and +public moral characters. + +[Illustration: THE NATIONAL MONUMENT AT WASHINGTON.] + +These considerations occur naturally to the mind in contemplating the +fame of Washington. An attentive examination of the whole subject, and +of all that can contribute to the formation of a sound opinion, results +in the belief that General Washington's _mental_ abilities illustrate +the very highest type of greatness. His _mind_, probably, was one of the +very greatest that was ever given to mortality. Yet it is impossible to +establish that position by a direct analysis of his character, or +conduct, or productions. When we look at the incidents or the results of +that great career--when we contemplate the qualities by which it is +marked, from its beginning to its end--the foresight which never was +surprised, the judgment which nothing could deceive, the wisdom whose +resources were incapable of exhaustion--combined with a spirit as +resolute in its official duties as it was moderate in its private +pretensions, as indomitable in its public temper as it was gentle in its +personal tone--we are left in wonder and reverence. But when we would +enter into the recesses of that mind--when we would discriminate upon +its construction, and reason upon its operations--when we would tell how +it was composed, and why it excelled--we are entirely at fault. The +processes of Washington's understanding are entirely hidden from us. +What came from it, in counsel or in action, was the life and glory of +his country; what went on within it, is shrouded in impenetrable +concealment. Such elevation in degree of wisdom, amounts almost to a +change of kind, in nature, and detaches his intelligence from the +sympathy of ours. We cannot see him as he was, because we are not like +him. The tones of the mighty bell were heard with the certainty of Time +itself, and with a force that vibrates still upon the air of life, and +will vibrate for ever. But the clock-work, by which they were regulated +and given forth, we can neither see nor understand. In fact, his +intellectual abilities did not exist in an analytical and separated +form; but in a combined and concrete state. They "moved altogether when +they moved at all." They were in no degree speculative, but only +practical. They could not act at all in the region of imagination, but +only upon the field of reality. The sympathies of his intelligence dwelt +exclusively in the national being and action. Its interests and energies +were absorbed in them. He was nothing out of that sphere, because he was +every thing there. The extent to which he was identified with the +country is unexampled in the relations of individual men to the +community. During the whole period of his life he was the thinking part +of the nation. He was its mind; it was his image and illustration. If we +would classify and measure him, it must be with nations and not with +individuals. + +This extraordinary nature of Washington's capacities--this impossibility +of analyzing and understanding the elements and methods of his +wisdom--have led some persons to doubt whether, intellectually, he was +of great superiority; but the public--the community--never doubted of +the transcendent eminence of Washington's abilities. From the first +moment of his appearance as the chief, the recognition of him, from one +end of the country to the other, as THE MAN--the leader, the counsellor, +the infallible in suggestion and in conduct--was immediate and +universal. From that moment to the close of the scene, the national +confidence in his capacity was as spontaneous, as enthusiastic, as +immovable, as it was in his integrity. Particular persons, affected by +the untoward course of events, sometimes questioned his sufficiency; but +the nation never questioned it, nor would allow it to be questioned. +Neither misfortune, nor disappointment, nor accidents, nor delay, nor +the protracted gloom of years, could avail to disturb the public trust +in him. It was apart from circumstances; it was beside the action of +caprice; it was beyond all visionary, and above all changeable feelings. +It was founded on nothing extraneous; not upon what he had said or done, +but upon what he was. They saw something in the man, which gave them +assurance of a nature and destiny of the highest elevation--something +inexplicable, but which inspired a complete satisfaction. We feel that +this reliance was wise and right; but why it was felt, or why it was +right, we are as much to seek as those who came under the direct +impression of his personal presence. It is not surprising, that the +world, recognizing in this man a nature and a greatness which philosophy +cannot explain, should revere him almost to religion. + +The distance and magnitude of those objects which are too far above us +to be estimated directly--such as stars--are determined by their +parallax. By some process of that kind we may form an approximate notion +of Washington's greatness. We may measure him against the great events +in which he moved; and against the great men, among whom, and above +whom, his figure stood like a tower. It is agreed that the war of +American Independence is one of the most exalted, and honorable, and +difficult achievements related in history. Its force was contributed by +many; but its grandeur was derived from Washington. His character and +wisdom gave unity, and dignity, and effect to the irregular, and often +divergent enthusiasm of others. His energy combined the parts; his +intelligence guided the whole: his perseverance, and fortitude, and +resolution, were the inspiration and support of all. In looking back +over that period, his presence seems to fill the whole scene; his +influence predominates throughout; his character is reflected from every +thing. Perhaps nothing less than his immense weight of mind could have +kept the national system, at home, in that position which it held, +immovably, for seven years; perhaps nothing but the august +respectability which his demeanor threw around the American cause +abroad, would have induced a foreign nation to enter into an equal +alliance with us, upon terms that contributed in a most important degree +to our final success, or would have caused Great Britain to feel that no +great indignity was suffered in admitting the claim to national +existence of a people who had such a representative as Washington. What +but the most eminent qualities of mind and feeling--discretion +superhuman--readiness of invention, and dexterity of means, equal to the +most desperate affairs--endurance, self-control, regulated ardor, +restrained passion, caution mingled with boldness, and all the +contrarieties of moral excellence--could have expanded the life of an +individual into a career such as this? + +If we compare him with the great men who were his contemporaries +throughout the nation; in an age of extraordinary personages, Washington +was unquestionably the first man of the time in ability. Review the +correspondence of General Washington--that sublime monument of +intelligence and integrity--scrutinize the public history and the public +men of that era, and you will find that in all the wisdom that was +accomplished was attempted, Washington was before every man in his +suggestions of the plan, and beyond every one in the extent to which he +contributed to its adoption. In the field, all the able generals +acknowledged his superiority, and looked up to him with loyalty, +reliance, and reverence; the others, who doubted his ability, or +conspired against his sovereignty, illustrated, in their own conduct, +their incapacity to be either his judges or his rivals. In the state, +Adams, Jay, Rutledge, Pinckney, Morris--these are great names; but there +is not one whose wisdom does not vail to his. His superiority was felt +by all these persons, and was felt by Washington himself, as a simple +matter of fact, as little a subject of question, or a cause of vanity, +as the eminence of his personal stature. His appointment as +commander-in-chief, was the result of no design on his part, and of no +efforts on the part of his friends; it seemed to take place +spontaneously. He moved into the position, because there was a vacuum +which no other could supply: in it, he was not sustained by government, +by a party, nor by connections; he sustained himself, and then he +sustained every thing else. He sustained Congress against the army, and +the army against the injustice of Congress. The brightest mind among his +contemporaries was Hamilton's; a character which cannot be contemplated +without frequent admiration, and constant affection. His talents took +the form of genius, which Washington's did not. But active, various, and +brilliant, as the faculties of Hamilton were, whether viewed in the +precocity of youth, or in the all-accomplished elegance of maturer +life--lightning quick as his intelligence was to see through every +subject that came before it, and vigorous as it was in constructing the +argumentation by which other minds were to be led, as upon a shapely +bridge, over the obscure depths across which his had flashed in a +moment--fertile and sound in schemes, ready in action, splendid in +display, as he was--nothing is more obvious and certain than that when +Mr. Hamilton approached Washington, he came into the presence of one who +surpassed him in the extent, in the comprehension, the elevation, the +sagacity, the force, and the ponderousness of his mind, as much as he +did in the majesty of his aspect, and the grandeur of his step. The +genius of Hamilton was a flower, which gratifies, surprises, and +enchants; the intelligence of Washington was a stately tree, which in +the rarity and true dignity of its beauty is as superior, as it is in +its dimensions. + +[Illustration: THE GRAVE OF WASHINGTON.] + + + + +WILLIAM HOGARTH. + + +The great comedian in pictorial art forms one of the subjects of Mrs. +Hall's sketches, in the _Pilgrimages to English Shrines_, and we think +her article upon visiting his tomb as interesting as any in this popular +series: + +Hogarth, the great painter-teacher of his age and country, was born in +the parish of St. Bartholomew the Great, in London, on the 10th of +November, 1697, and his trusty and sympathizing biographer, Allan +Cunningham, says, "we have the authority of his own manuscripts for +believing he was baptized on the 28th of the same month;" but the parish +registers have been examined for confirmation with "fruitless +solicitude." Cunningham gives December as the month of his birth; this +is a mistake; so also is his notice of the painter's introduction of the +Virago into his picture of the "Modern Midnight Conversation." No female +figure appears in this subject. It is in the third plate of the "Rake's +Progress" the woman alluded to is introduced. A small critic might here +find a fit subject for vituperation, and loudly condemn Cunningham as a +writer who was too idle to examine the works he was describing; pouncing +on his minute errors, and forgetting the totality of his generous +labors. Much of this spirit infests literature; and merges the kindly +exposition of error into the bitterness of personal attack. The +fallibility of human nature should teach us charity, and our own faults +lead us to "more gently scan our brother man,"--a thing too often +unthought of by those who are nothing if not critical, and as frequently +nothing when they are. The painter was descended from a Westmoreland +family. Sprung from an industrious race of self-helping yeomen, whose +hardy toil brought them health and contentment, Hogarth had an early +advantage, derived from his father's love of letters, which eventually +drew him away from field and wood to the great London mart. Like +thousands of others, he was unsuccessful. Fortunately, in this instance, +his want of success in literature stimulated the strong mind of his son +to seek occupation of more certain profit; and those who feel interest +in the whereabouts of celebrated men, may think upon the days when +William Hogarth wrought in silver, as the apprentice of Ellis Gamble, in +Cranbourne Street, and speculate upon the change of circumstances, +wrought by his own exertions, when, as a great painter, in after time, +he occupied the house, now known as the Sabloniere Hotel, in Leicester +Square. + +Hogarth's character of mind, evidenced in his works and proved by his +biography, is so perfectly honest, open, home-bred English, that we +claim him with pride--as belonging exclusively to England. His +originality is of English growth; his satire broad, bold, fair-play +English. He was no screened assassin of character, either with pen or +pencil; no journalist's hack to stab in secret--concealing his name, or +assuming a forged one; no masked caricaturist, responsible to none. His +philosophy was of the straightforward, clear-sighted English school; his +theories--stern, simple, and unadorned--thoroughly English; his +determination--proved in his love as well as in his hate--quite English; +there is a firmness of purpose, a rough dignity, a John-Bull look in his +broad intelligent face; the very fur round his cap must have been plain +English rabbit-skin! No matter what "schools" were in fashion, Hogarth +created and followed his own; no matter what was done, or said, or +written, Hogarth maintained his opinion unflinchingly; he was not to be +moved or removed from his resolve. His mind was vigorous and inflexible, +and withal, keen and acute; and though the delicacy of his taste in this +more refined age may be matter of question, there can be no doubt as to +his integrity and uprightness of purpose--in his determination to +denounce vice, and by that means cherish virtue. + +Professor Leslie, in his eloquent and valuable Lectures on Painting, +delivered in the spring of the present year to the students of the Royal +Academy, has nobly vindicated Hogarth as an artist and a man, in words +that all who heard will long remember. "Hogarth," he said, "it is true, +is often gross; but it must be remembered that he painted in a less +fastidious age than ours, and that his great object was to expose vice. +_Debauchery is always made by him detestable, never attractive._" +Charles Lamb, one of the best of his commentators, who has viewed his +labors in a kindred spirit, speaking of one of his most elaborate and +varied works, the "Election Entertainment," asks, "What is the result +left on the mind? Is it an impression of the vileness and worthlessness +of our species? Or is not the general feeling which remains after the +individual faces have ceased to act sensibly on the mind, _a kindly one +in favor of the species_?" Leslie speaks of his "high species of humor, +pregnant with moral meanings," and no happier choice of phrase could +characterize his many works. Lamb, with true discrimination, says: "All +laughter is not of a dangerous or soul-hardening tendency. There is the +petrifying sneer of a demon, which excludes and kills love, and there is +the cordial laughter of a man, which implies and cherishes it." + +Hogarth's works are before us all; and are lessons as much for to-day as +they were for yesterday. We have no intention of scrutinizing their +merits or defects; we write only of the influence of a class of art such +as he brought courageously before the English public. Every one is +acquainted with the "Rake's Progress," and can recall subject after +subject, story after story, which he illustrated. Comparatively few can +judge of him as a painter, but all can comprehend his moral +essays--brave as true! + +His fearlessness and earnestness are above all price; independent, in +their high estate, of all praise. We would send "Marriage a la Mode" +into general circulation during the London season, where the market for +wives and husbands is presided over by interest rather than affection. +The matrimonial mart was as bravely exposed by the great satirist, as +the brutal and unmanly cock-fight, which at that period was permitted to +take place at the Cock-pit _Royal_, on the south side of St. James's +Park. + +Society always needs such men as William Hogarth--true, stern men--to +grapple with and overthrow the vices which spring up--the very weeds +both of poverty and luxury,--the latter filled with the more bitter and +subtle poison. Calling to mind the period, we the more honor the great +artist's resolution; if the delicacy of our improved times is offended +by what may seem deformity upon his canvas, we must remember that we do +not shrink from _Hogarth's_ coarseness, but from the coarseness he +labored, by exposing, to expel. He painted what Smollett, and Fielding, +and Richardson wrote far more offensively; but he surpassed the +novelists both in truth and in intention. He painted without +sympathizing with his subjects, whom he lashed with unsparing bitterness +or humor. He never idealized a vice into a virtue--he never compromised +a fact, much less a principle. + +He has, indeed, written fearful sermons on his canvas; sermons which, +however exaggerated they may seem to us in some of their painful details +of human sin and human misery, are yet so real, that we never doubt that +such things _were_, and _are_. No one can suspect Hogarth to have been +tainted by the vices he exposed. In this he has the advantage of the +novelists of his period: he gives vice no loophole of escape: it is +there in its hideous aspect, each step distinctly marked, each character +telling its own tale of warning, so that "he who runs may read." + +Whoever desires to trace the life of this English artist--to note him in +his apprenticeship--when he tamed as well as his rough nature would +permit, his hand to the delicate graving so cherished by his master, +Ellis Gamble; and when freed from his apprenticeship, he sought art +through the stirring scenes of life, saying quaintly enough, that +"copying other men's works resembled pouring wine out of one vessel into +another; there was no increase of quantity, and the flavor of the +vintage was liable to evaporate;"--whoever would study the great, as +well as the small, peculiarities of the painter who converted his +thumb-nail into a palette, and while transcribing characters and events +both rapidly and faithfully, complained of his "constitutional +idleness:"--whenever, we say, our readers feel desirous of revelling in +the biography of so diligent, so observing, so faithful, so brave a +spirit, we should send them to our old friend Allan Cunningham's most +interesting history of the man. Honest Allan had much in common with our +great national artist: though of different countries, they sprung from +the same race--sturdy yeomen; they were alike lovers of independence, +fighting for the best part of life manfully and faithfully enjoying the +noble scorn of wrong, and battling for the right from the cradle to the +grave. Self-educated--that is to say, educated by Nature, which gave and +nourished his high intellect and independent soul--Allan could +comprehend and appreciate the manly bearing and stern self-reliance of +the painter, whose best resources were in himself; thus the biography of +Hogarth is among the finest examples of its class which our language +supplies. Allan's sympathies were with his subject; and his knowledge +also came to his aid: for the poet was thoroughly imbued with a love of +art. + +Allan Cunningham was a better disciplinarian, and less prone to look for +or care for enjoyment, than Hogarth; though we have many pleasant +memories how he truly relished both music and conversation. But there +was more sentiment in the Scottish poet than in the English painter; and +the deep dark eyes of the Scot had more of fervor and less of sarcasm in +their brightness. We repeat, Allan, of all writers, could thoroughly +appreciate Hogarth; and his biography is written _con amore_. He says +that "all who love the dramatic representations of actual life,--all who +have hearts to be gladdened by humor,--all who are pleased with +judicious and well-directed satire,--all who are charmed with the +ludicrous looks of popular folly, and all who can be moved with the +pathos of human suffering, are admirers of Hogarth." But to our +thinking; Hogarth had a calling even more elevated than the Scottish +poet has given him in this eloquent summing-up of his attributes; "he is +one of our greatest teachers--a TEACHER to whom is due the _highest_ +possible honor; and the more we feel the importance of the teacher, the +more we value those who teach well. In grappling with folly and in +combating with crimes, he was compelled to reveal the nature of that he +proposed to satirize; he was obliged to set up sin in its high place +before he could crown it with infamy." The times were full of internal +as well as foreign disturbance, and Hogarth's studio was no hermitage to +exclude passing events or their promoters. He lived with the living, +moving _present_,--his engravings being his pleasures; portraits, as +they are now to many a high-hearted man of talent, his means of +subsistence; heavy weights of mortality that fetter and clog the +ascending spirit. + +His controversies and encounters with the worthless Wilkes,--his defence +of his own theories,--his determined dislike to the establishment of a +Royal Academy--his various other controversies--rendered his exciting +course very different from that of the lonely artists of the present +day, who are but too fond of living in closed studios, "pouring," as +Hogarth would have said,--"pouring wine from one vessel into +another,"--pondering over tales and poems for inspiration, and +transcribing the worn-out models of many seasons into attitudes of +bounding and varied life! Is it not wonderful, as sad, that the artist +will not feel his power, will not take his own place, assume his high +standing as of old, and demand the duty of respect from the world by the +just exercise of his glorious privilege! "Entertainment and information +are not all the mind requires at the hand of an artist; we wish to be +elevated by contemplating what is noble,--to be warmed, by the presence +of the heroic,--and charmed and made happy by the light of purity and +loveliness. We desire to share in the lofty movements of fine minds--to +have communion with their image of what is godlike, and to take a part +in the rapture of their love, and in the ecstasies of all their musings. +This is the chief end of high poetry, of high painting, and high +sculpture; and the man misunderstands the true spirit of those arts who +seeks to deprive them of a portion of their divinity, and argues that +entertainment and information constitute their highest aim." We have +quoted this passage because it expresses our notions of the power of art +more happily than we are able to express it; but we must add that the +_teaching_ as well as the _poetic_ painter has much to complain of from +society; it is impossible to mingle among the "higher classes" without +being struck by their indifference to every phase of British +art,--except portraiture. "Have you been to the Exhibition? Are there +many nice miniatures? are the portraits good? Lady D.'s lace is perfect; +Mrs. A.'s velvet is inimitable." Such observations strike the ear with +painful discord, when the mind is filled with memories of those who are +brave or independent enough to "look forward" with creative genius. +There are many noble exceptions among our aristocracy; but with far too +great a number art is a mere fashion. + +[Illustration: HOGARTH'S HOUSE.] + +As a people, neither our eyes nor our ears are yet opened to its +instructive and elevating faculty. We mistake the outlay of money for an +expenditure of sympathy. + +Hogarth's portraits were almost too faithful to please his sitters: he +was too truthful to flatter, even on canvas; and the wonder is that he +achieved any popularity in this fantastic branch of his art. Allan +Cunningham has said of him, that he regarded neither the historian's +page, nor the poet's song. He was contented with the occurrences of the +passing day, with the folly or the sin of the hour; yet to the garb and +fashion of the moment, he adds story and sentiment for all time. It is +quite delicious to read the excuses Allan makes for the foibles of the +man whose virtues had touched his own generous heart; he confesses with +great _naivete_ that he looked coldly--"too coldly, perhaps"--on foreign +art, and perhaps too fondly on his own productions; and then adds that, +"where vanity soonest misleads the judgment he thought wisely; he +contemplated his own works, not as things excellent in themselves, but +as the rudiments of future excellence, and looked forward with the hope +that some happier Hogarth would raise, on the foundation he had laid, a +perfect and lasting superstructure." + +We must humbly differ from the poet in this matter; we believe, if the +characteristic cap were removed from that sturdy brow, we should find an +admirable development of the organ of self-esteem. He thought as little +of a future and "happier Hogarth," as he did of the old masters. He was +Monarch of the Present--and he knew it! + +The age we live in talks much about renovation, but it is not a +conservative age; on the contrary, it would pull down Temple Bar, if it +dared, to widen the passage from the Strand into Fleet Street; and it +demolishes houses, shrines of _noble memories_, with a total absence of +respect for what it ought to honor. We never hear of an old house +without a feeling that it is either going to be destroyed or modernized; +and this inevitably leads to a desire to visit it immediately. Having +determined on a drive to Chiswick to make acquaintance with the dwelling +of Hogarth, and look upon his tomb--we became restless until it was +accomplished. + +We had seen, by the courtesy of Mr. Allison, the piano-forte +manufacturer in Dean Street, the residence of Sir James Thornhill, whose +daughter Hogarth married: the proprietor bestows most praiseworthy care +on the house, which was formerly one of considerable extent and +importance. Mr. Allison says there can be little doubt that the grounds +extended into Wardour Street. Once, while removing a chimney-piece in +the drawing-room, a number of cards tumbled out--slips of +playing-cards, with the names of some of the most distinguished persons +of Hogarth's time written on the backs; the residences were also given, +proving that the "gentry" then dwelt where now the poorer classes +congregate. But the most interesting part of the house is the staircase, +with its painted ceiling; the wall of the former is divided into three +compartments, each representing a sort of ball-room back-ground, with +groups of figures life-size, looking down from a balcony; they are well +preserved, and one of the ladies is thought to be a very faithful +portrait of Mrs. Hogarth. Hogarth must have spent some time in that +house:--but we were resolved, despite the repute of its being old and +ugly, to visit his dwelling-place at Chiswick; and though we made the +pilgrimage by a longer _route_ than was necessary, we did not regret +skirting the beautiful plantations of the Duke of Devonshire, nor +enjoying the fragrance of the green meadows, which never seem so green +to us, as in the vale of the Thames. The house is a tall, narrow, +abrupt-looking place, close to the roadside wall of its inclosed garden; +numbers of cottage dwellings for the poor have sprung up around it, but +in Hogarth's day it must have been very isolated: not leading to the +water, as we had imagined, but having a dull and prison-like aspect; if, +indeed, any place can have that aspect where trees grow, and grass is +checkered by their ever-varying shadows. The house was occupied from +1814 to 1832 by Cary, the translator of Dante; and it would be worth a +pilgrimage if considered only as the residence of this truly-excellent +and highly-gifted clergyman. + +[Illustration: ROOM IN HOGARTH'S HOUSE.] + +We have received from his son an interesting note relative to its +features at the period when it came into his father's possession. "The +house," he says, "stands in one corner of a high-walled garden of about +three quarters of an acre, that part of the garden which faced the house +was divided into long, narrow, formal flower-beds. Five large trees, +whose ages bespoke their acquaintance with Hogarth, showed his love of +the beautiful as well as the useful, a mulberry, walnut, apricot, +double-blossomed cherry, and a hawthorn: the last of these was a great +favorite with my father, from its beauty, and the attraction it was to +the nightingale, which never failed to visit it in the spring: the +gardeners were their mortal enemies, and alas, have at length prevailed. +A few years ago, when I went to visit the old place, only one of the +trees remained, (the mulberry seen in our sketch); in a nook at one side +of the garden was a nut-walk, with a high wall and a row of +filbert-trees that arched triumphantly over it; at one end of this walk +was a stone slab, on which Hogarth used to play at nine-pins; at the +other end were the two little tombstones to the memory of a bird and a +dog." The house is as you see it here, the rooms with low ceilings and +all sorts of odd shapes,--up and down, in and out,--yet withal pleasant +and comfortable, and rendered more so by the gentle courtesy of their +mistress and her kindly servant; the very dogs seemed to partake of the +human nature of their protector, and attended us wherever we went, with +more than ordinary civility. Hogarth might have been tempted to +immortalize one of them for its extreme ugliness, and the waggish spirit +with which it pulled at its companion's ears, who in vain attempted to +tug at the bits of stumps that stuck out at either side of its +tormentor's head. Mr. Fairholt was permitted to sketch the drawing room; +the open door leads to the chamber from whence, it is said, Miss +Thornhill eloped with Hogarth. + +Mr. Cary, in the note to which we have already alluded, says, "there can +hardly be a doubt that the house belonged to Sir James Thornhill, and +that Hogarth inherited it from him. Mrs. Hogarth lived there after her +husband's death, and left it by will to a lady from whose executor my +father bought it in the year 1814. The room from which Miss Thornhill is +said to have eloped is the inner room, on the first floor; this room was +used by my father as his study. Over the dining-room fireplace was a +spirited pencil sketch of five heads, and under them written 'five jolly +fellows,' by Hogarth--during an absence the servants of a tenant +carefully washed all out." + +We can easily imagine how the union between Hogarth and his daughter, +commenced after such a fashion, outraged not only the courtliness, but +the higher and better feelings of Sir James Thornhill. Hogarth's innate +consciousness of power may at that time have appeared to him vulgar +effrontery; and it is not to be wondered at, that, until convinced of +his talent, he refused him all assistance. There is something so false +and wrong in the concealment that precedes an elopement, and the +elopement of an only child from an aged father, that we marvel how any +one can treat lightly the outraged feelings of a confiding parent. +Earnest tender love so deeply rooted in a father's heart may pardon, but +cannot reach forgetfulness as quickly as it is the custom of +play-writers and novelists to tell us it may do. + +Sir James Thornhill was greatly the fashion; he was the successor of +Verrio, and the rival of La Guerre, in the decorations of our palaces +and public buildings. His demands for the painting of Greenwich Hall +were contested; and though La Fosse received two thousand pounds for his +works at Montague House, besides other allowances, Sir James, despite +his dignity as Member of Parliament for his native town of Weymouth, +could obtain but forty shillings a square yard for painting the cupola +of St. Paul's! Thus the patronage afforded "native talent" kept him +poor; and though it must have been necessary (one of the cruel +necessities induced by love of display in England), to have an +establishment suited to his public position in London, nothing could be +more unpretending than his _menage_ at Chiswick. Mrs. Hogarth, advised +by her mother, skilfully managed to let her father see one of her +husband's best productions under advantageous circumstances. Sir James +acknowledged its merit at once, exclaiming, "Very well! very well! The +man who can make works like this can maintain a wife without a portion;" +and soon after became not only reconciled, but generous to the young +people. Hogarth had tasted the bitterness of labor; he had even worked +for booksellers, and painted portraits!--so that this summer brightness +must have been full of enjoyment. He appreciated it thoroughly, and was +ever the earnest admirer and the ready defender of Sir James Thornhill; +thus the old knight secured a friend in his son; and it was pleasanter +to think of the hours of reconciliation and happiness they might have +passed within the walls of that inclosed garden, beneath the crumbling +trellice, or the shadow of the old mulberry tree, than of the +fortuneless artist wooing the confiding daughter from her home and her +filial duties. + +[Illustration: HOGARTH'S PAINTING-ROOM.] + +We were invited to inspect Hogarth's painting-room--a mere loft, of most +limited dimensions, over the stable, which the imagination could easily +furnish with the necessary easel, or still less cumbrous graver's +implements. It is situated at the furthest part of the garden from the +house; a small door in the garden-wall leads into a little inclosure, +one side of which is occupied by the stable. The painting-room is over +the stable, and is reached by a stair; it has but one window which looks +towards the road. It must have been sufficiently commodious for +Hogarth's purposes; but possesses not the conveniences of modern +painting-rooms. The house at Chiswick could only have been a place for +recreation and repose, where relaxation was cared for, and where +sketches were prepared to ripen into publication. + +There are traditions about Chiswick of Hogarth having, while studying +and taking notes, frequented a little inn by the roadside, and almost +within sight of his dwelling. It has been modernized throughout--and +supplies no subject for the pencil--yet it retains some indications, not +without interest, of a remote date. The Painter must have been familiar +with every class of character; and Chiswick was then enough of a country +village to supply him amply with material. But, although a keen +satirist, it is certain that he had as much tenderness for the lower +orders of creation, as a young loving girl. In a corner of this quaint +old garden, two tiny monuments are affixed to the wall, one chiselled +perhaps by Hogarth's own hand, to the memory of his canary bird! The +_thinking_ character of the painter's mind is evidenced in this as in +every thing he did--the engraving on the tomb suggesting reflection. +Charles Lamb said of him truly, that the quantity of _thought_ which he +crowded into every picture, would alone "_unvulgarize_" every subject he +might choose; and the refined Coleridge exclaims, "Hogarth! in whom the +satirist never extinguished that love of beauty which belonged to him as +a poet." There is something inexpressibly tender and touching in this +memento of his affection for a little singing bird: the feeling must +have been entirely his own, for he had no child to suggest the tribute +to a feathered favorite. The tomb was afterwards accompanied with one to +Mrs. Hogarth's dog. They are narrow, upright pieces of white stone laid +against the brick-wall, but they are records of gentle and generous +sympathies not to be overlooked. That Hogarth was more than on friendly +terms with the canine race, the introduction of his own dog into his +portrait clearly tells, and doubtless his bird often brought with its +music visions of the country into the heat and dust of Leicester +Square--soothing away much of his impatience. Men who have to fight the +up-hill battle of life, must have energy and determination; and Hogarth +was too out-spoken and self-confident not to have made many enemies. In +after years his success (limited though it was, in a pecuniary point of +view, for he died without leaving enough to support his widow +respectably), produced its ordinary results--envy and enmity: and +insults were heaped upon him. He was not tardy of reply, but Wilkes and +Churchill were in strong health when nature was giving way with the +great painter; an advantage they did not fail to use with their +accustomed malignity. The profligate Churchill, turning the poet's +nature into gall, infested the death-bed of Hogarth with unfeeling +sarcasm, anticipating the grave, and exulting over a dying man. + +[Illustration: TOMBS OF DOG AND BIRD.] + +Hogarth, warned by the autumn winds, and suffering from the restlessness +of approaching dissolution, left Chiswick on the 25th of October, 1764, +and returned to his residence in Leicester Square. He was cheerful--in +full possession of his mental faculties, but lacked the vigor to exert +them. The very next day, having received an agreeable letter from Doctor +Franklin, he wrote a rough copy of his answer, but exhausted with the +effort, retired to bed. Seized by a sudden sickness, he arose--rung the +bell with alarming violence--and within two hours expired! + +Of all the villages in the neighborhood of London, rising from the banks +of the Thames, (and how numerous and beautiful they are!) few are so +well known as that of Chiswick. The horticultural fetes are anticipated +with anxiety similar to that our grandmothers felt for the fetes of +Ranelagh; the _toilettes_ of the ladies rival the flowers, and the only +foe to the fascinating fair ones is the weather; but all which the crowd +care about in Chiswick is confined to the "Duke's grounds" and the +Society's Gardens. The Duke's beautiful little villa, erected by the +last Earl of Burlington, is indeed a shrine worthy of deep homage; +within its walls both Charles James Fox and George Canning breathed +their last; and if, for a moment, we recall the times of Civil War, when +each honest English heart fought bravely and openly for what was +believed "the right," we may picture the struggle between Prince Rupert +and the Earl of Essex, terminating with doubtful success, for eight +hundred high born cavaliers were left dead on the plain that lies within +sight of the gardens so richly perfumed by flowers, and echoing not to +the searching trumpet or rolling drum, but to the gossamer music of +Strauss and Jullien. + +The Duke of Devonshire's grounds, containing about ninety acres, are +filled with mementos, pleasant to the eye and suggestive to the +imagination; but we must seek and find a more solemn scene, where the +churchyard of Chiswick incloses the ashes of some whose names are +written upon the pages of History. Though the church is, in a degree, +surrounded by houses, there is much of the repose of "a country +churchyard" about it; the Thames belts it with its silver girdle, and +when we visited its sanctuary, the setting sun cast a mellow light upon +the windows of the church, touching a headstone or an urn, while the +shadows trembled on the undulating graves. Like all church-yards it is +crowded, and however reverently we bent our footsteps, it was impossible +to avoid treading on the soft grass of the humble grave, or the gray +stone that marks the resting-place of one of "the better order." + +[Illustration: HOGARTH'S TOMB.] + +How like the world was that silent churchyard! High and low, rich and +poor, mingled together, and yet avoiding to mingle. The dust of the +imperious Duchess of Cleveland found here a grave; while here too, as if +to contrast the pure with the impure, repose the ashes of Mary, daughter +of Oliver Cromwell; Holland the actor, the friend of David Garrick, here +cast aside his "motley." Can we wonder at the actor's love of +applause?--posterity knows him not; present fame alone is his--the +lark's song leaves no record in the air!--Lord Macartney, the famous +ambassador to China, a country of which our knowledge was then almost as +dim as that we have of the moon--the ambassador rests here, while a +Chinese junk is absolutely moored in the very river that murmurs beside +his grave! Surely the old place is worthy of a pilgrimage. Loutherbourg, +the painter, found a resting-place in its churchyard. Ralph, the +historian and political writer, whose histories and politics are now as +little read as the Dunciad which held them up to ridicule, is buried +here; and confined as is the space, it is rich in epitaphs,--three are +from the pen of David Garrick, two from that of Arthur Murphy. + +Hogarth's monument has been very faithfully copied by Mr. Fairholt. + +It is remarkable among the many plainer "stones" with which the +churchyard is crowded, but is by no means distinguished for that +artistic character--which it might have received as covering the remains +of so great an artist. A small slab, in relief, takes from it, however, +the charge of insipidity; it contains a comic mask, an oak branch, +pencils and mahl-stick, a book and a scroll, and the palette, marked +with the "line of beauty." + +It has been remarked, that "while he faithfully followed nature through +all her varieties, and exposed, with inimitable skill, the infinite +follies and vices of the world, he was in himself an example of many +virtues." And the following poetical tribute by David Garrick is +inscribed on the tomb: + + "Farewell! great painter of mankind, + Who reached the noblest point of Art; + Whose pictured morals charm the mind, + And through the eye correct the heart + If Genius fire thee, reader, stay; + If Nature touch thee, drop a tear; + If neither move thee, turn away, + For Hogarth's honored dust lies here!" + +Dr. Johnson also composed an epitaph, which Cunningham considers "more +to the purpose, but still unworthy:" + + "The hand of him here torpid lies, + That drew the essential forms of grace; + Here closed in death the attentive eyes + That saw the manners in the face." + +The tributes--in poetry and prose--are just, examine the works of this +great painter-teacher as closely and suspiciously as we may, we can +discover nothing that will induce a momentary doubt of his integrity of +purpose in all he did; his shafts were aimed at Vice,--in no solitary +instance was he ever guilty of arraigning or assailing Virtue. Compare +him with the most famous of the Dutch masters, and he rises into glory; +coarseness and vulgarity in them had no point out of which could come +instruction. If they picture the issues of their own minds, they must +have been gross and sensual; they ransacked the muck of life, and the +grovelling in character, for themes that one should see only by +compulsion. But Hogarth's subjects were never without a lesson, and, +inasmuch as he resorted for them to the open volume of humanity, like +those of the most immortal of our writers, his works are "not for an age +but for all time." + +[Illustration] + + + + +NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE. + +[Illustration] + + +The author of _The House of Seven Gables_ is now about forty-five years +of age. He was born in Salem, Massachusetts, and is of a family which +for several generations has "followed the sea." Among his ancestors, I +believe, was the "bold Hawthorne," who is celebrated in a revolutionary +ballad as commander of the "Fair American." He was educated at Bowdoin +College in Maine, where he graduated in 1825. + +Probably he appeared in print before that time, but his earliest volume +was an anonymous and never avowed romance which was published in Boston +in 1832. It attracted little attention, but among those who read it with +a just appreciation of the author's genius was Mr. S. G. Goodrich, who +immediately secured the shrouded star for _The Token_, of which he was +editor, and through which many of Hawthorne's finest tales and essays +were originally given to the public. He published in 1837 the first and +in 1842 the second volume of his _Twice-Told Tales_, embracing whatever +he wished to preserve from his contributions to the magazines; in 1845 +he edited _The Journal of an African Cruiser_; in 1846 published _Mosses +from an Old Manse_, a second collection of his magazine papers; in 1850 +_The Scarlet Letter_, and in the last month the longest and in some +respects the most remarkable of his works, _The House of Seven Gables_. + +In the introductions to the _Mosses from an Old Manse_ and _The Scarlet +Letter_ we have some glimpses of his personal history. He had been +several years in the Custom-House at Boston, while Mr. Bancroft was +collector, and afterwards had joined that remarkable association, the +"Brook Farm Community," at West Roxbury, where, with others, he appears +to have been reconciled to the old ways, as quite equal to the +inventions of Fourier, St. Simon, Owen, and the rest of that ingenious +company of schemers who have been so intent upon a reconstruction of the +foundations of society. In 1843, he went to reside in the pleasant +village of Concord, in the "Old Manse," which had never been profaned by +a lay occupant until he entered it as his home. In the introduction to +_The Mosses_ he says: + + "A priest had built it; a priest had succeeded to it; other + priestly men, from time to time, had dwelt in it; and children, + born in its chambers, had grown up to assume the priestly + character. It was awful to reflect how many sermons must have + been written there. The latest inhabitant alone--he, by whose + translation to Paradise the dwelling was left vacant--had + penned nearly three thousand discourses, besides the better, if + not the greater number, that gushed living from his lips. How + often, no doubt, had he paced to and fro along the avenue, + attuning his meditations, to the sighs and gentle murmurs, and + deep and solemn peals of the wind, among the lofty tops of the + trees! In that variety of natural utterances, he could find + something accordant with every passage of his sermon, were it + of tenderness or reverential fear. The boughs over my head + seemed shadowy with solemn thoughts, as well as with rustling + leaves. I took shame to myself for having been so long a + writer of idle stories, and ventured to hope that wisdom would + descend upon me with the falling leaves of the avenue; and that + I should light upon an intellectual treasure, in the Old Manse, + well worth those hoards of long-hidden gold, which people seek + for in moss-grown houses. Profound treatises of morality--a + layman's unprofessional, and therefore unprejudiced views of + religion;--histories (such as Bancroft might have written, had + he taken up his abode here, as he once purposed), bright with + picture, gleaming over a depth of philosophic thought;--these + were the works that might fitly have flowed from such a + retirement. In the humblest event, I resolved at least to + achieve a novel, that should evolve some deep lesson, and + should possess physical substance enough to stand alone. In + furtherance of my design, and as if to leave me no pretext for + not fulfilling it, there was, in the rear of the house, the + most delightful little nook of a study that ever offered its + snug seclusion to a scholar. It was here that Emerson wrote + 'Nature;' for he was then an inhabitant of the Manse, and used + to watch the Assyrian dawn and the Paphian sunset and moonrise, + from the summit of our eastern hill. When I first saw the room, + its walls were blackened with the smoke of unnumbered years, + and made still blacker by the grim prints of puritan ministers + that hung around. These worthies looked strangely like bad + angels, or, at least, like men who had wrestled so continually + and so sternly with the devil, that somewhat of his sooty + fierceness had been imparted to their own visages. They had all + vanished now; a cheerful coat of paint, and gold tinted paper + hangings, lighted up the small apartment; while the shadow of a + willow-tree, that swept against the overhanging eaves, + attempered the cheery western sunshine. In place of the grim + prints there was the sweet and lovely head of one of Raphael's + Madonnas, and two pleasant little pictures of the Lake of Como. + The only other decorations were a purple vase of flowers, + always fresh, and a bronze one containing graceful ferns. My + books (few, and by no means choice; for they were chiefly such + waifs as chance had thrown in my way) stood in order about the + room, seldom to be disturbed." + +In his home at Concord, thus happily described, in the midst of a few +congenial friends, Hawthorne passed three years; and, "in a spot so +sheltered from the turmoil of life's ocean," he says, "three years +hasten away with a noiseless flight, as the breezy sunshine chases the +cloud-shadows across the depths of a still valley." But at length his +repose was invaded by that "spirit of improvement," which is so +constantly marring the happiness of quiet-loving people, and he was +compelled to look out for another residence. + + "Now came hints, growing more and more distinct, that the owner + of the old house was pining for his native air. Carpenters next + appeared, making a tremendous racket among the outbuildings, + strewing green grass with pine shavings and chips of chesnut + joists, and vexing the whole antiquity of the place with their + discordant renovations. Soon, moreover, they divested our abode + of the veil of woodbine which had crept over a large portion of + its southern face. All the aged mosses were cleared unsparingly + away; and there were horrible whispers about brushing up the + external walls with a coat of paint--a purpose as little to my + taste as might be that of rouging the venerable cheeks of one's + grandmother. But the hand that renovates is always more + sacrilegious than that which destroys. In fine, we gathered up + our household goods, drank a farewell cup of tea in our + pleasant little breakfast-room--delicately-fragrant tea, an + unpurchasable luxury, one of the many angel-gifts that had + fallen like dew upon us--and passed forth between the tall + stone gate-posts, as uncertain as the wandering Arabs where our + tent might next be pitched. Providence took me by the hand, + and--an oddity of dispensation which, I trust, there is no + irreverence in smiling at--has led me, as the newspapers + announce while I am writing, from the old Manse into a Custom + House! As a story-teller, I have often contrived strange + vicissitudes for my imaginary personages, but none like this. + The treasure of intellectual gold which I had hoped to find in + our secluded dwelling, had never come to light. No profound + treatise of ethics--no philosophic history--no novel, even, + that could stand unsupported on its edges--all that I had to + show, as a man of letters, were these few tales and essays, + which had blossomed out like flowers in the calm summer of my + heart and mind." + +The _Mosses from an Old Manse_ he declared the last offering of their +kind he should ever put forth; "unless I can do better," he wrote in +this Introduction, "I have done enough in this kind." He went to his +place in the Custom House, in his native city, and if President Taylor's +advisers had not been apprehensive that in his devotion to ledgers he +would neglect the more important duties of literature, perhaps we should +have heard no more of him; but those patriotic men, remembering how much +they had enjoyed the reading of the _Twice-Told Tales_ and the _Mosses_, +induced the appointment in his place of a whig, who had no capacity for +making books, and in the spring of last year we had _The Scarlet +Letter_. + +Like most of his shorter stories, The Scarlet Letter finds its scene and +time with the earlier Puritans. Its argument involves the analysis and +action of remorse in the heart of a person who, himself unsuspected, is +compelled to assist in the punishment of the partner of his guilt. This +peculiar and powerful fiction at once arrested attention, and claimed +for its author the eminence as a novelist which his previous +performances had secured for him as a writer of tales. Its whole +atmosphere and the qualities of its characters demanded for a creditable +success very unusual capacities. The frivolous costume and brisk action +of the story of fashionable life are easily depicted by the practised +sketcher, but a work like The Scarlet Letter comes slowly upon the +canvas, where passions are commingled and overlaid with the deliberate +and masterly elaboration with which the grandest effects are produced in +pictorial composition and coloring. It is a distinction of such works +that while they are acceptable to the many, they also surprise and +delight the few who appreciate the nicest arrangement and the most high +and careful finish. The Scarlet Letter will challenge consideration in +the name of Art, in the best audience which in any age receives +Cervantes, Le Sage, or Scott. + +Following this romance came new editions of _True Stories from History +and Biography_, a volume for youthful readers, and of the _Twice-Told +Tales_. In the preface to the latter, underrating much the reputation he +has acquired by them, he says: + + "The author of _Twice-Told Tales_ has a claim to one + distinction, which, as none of his literary brethren will care + about disputing it with him, he need not be afraid to mention. + He was for a good many years the obscurest man of letters in + America. These stories were published in magazines and annuals, + extending over a period of ten or twelve years, and comprising + the whole of the writer's young manhood, without making (so far + as he has ever been aware) the slightest impression on the + public. One or two among them, the _Rill from the Town Pump_, + in perhaps a greater degree than any other, had a pretty wide + newspaper circulation; as for the rest, he has no grounds for + supposing that on their first appearance they met with the good + or evil fortune to be read by any body. Throughout the time + above specified he had no incitement to literary effort in a + reasonable prospect of reputation or profit; nothing but the + pleasure itself of composition--an enjoyment not at all amiss + in its way, and perhaps essential to the merit of the work in + hand, but which, in the long run, will hardly keep the chill + out of a writer's heart, or the numbness out of his fingers. To + this total lack of sympathy, at the age when his mind would + naturally have been most effervescent, the public owe it (and + it is certainly an effect not to be regretted, on either part), + that the author can show nothing for the thought and industry + of that portion of his life, save the forty sketches, or + thereabouts, included in these volumes. Much more, indeed, he + wrote; and some very small part of it might yet be rummaged out + (but it would not be worth the trouble) among the dingy pages + of fifteen or twenty year old periodicals, or within the shabby + morocco covers of faded Souvenirs. The remainder of the works + alluded to had a very brief existence, but, on the score of + brilliancy, enjoyed a fate vastly superior to that of their + brotherhood, which succeeded in getting through the press. In a + word, the author burned them without mercy or remorse, and, + moreover, without any subsequent regret, and had more than one + occasion to marvel that such very dull stuff as he knew his + condemned manuscripts to be, should yet have possessed + inflammability enough to set the chimney on fire!... + + "As he glances over these long-forgotten pages, and considers + his way of life while composing them, the author can very + clearly discern why all this was so. After so many sober years, + he would have reason to be ashamed if he could not criticise + his own work as fairly as another man's; and, though it is + little his business and perhaps still less his interest, he can + hardly resist a temptation to achieve something of the sort. If + writers were allowed to do so, and would perform the task with + perfect sincerity and unreserve, their opinions of their own + productions would often be more valuable and instructive than + the works themselves. At all events, there can be no harm in + the author's remarking that he rather wonders how the + _Twice-Told Tales_ should have gained what vogue they did, than + that it was so little and so gradual. They have the pale tint + of flowers that blossomed in too retired a shade--the coolness + of a meditative habit, which diffuses itself through the + feeling and observation of every sketch. Instead of passion, + there is sentiment; and, even in what purport to be pictures of + actual life, we have allegory, not always so warmly dressed in + its habiliments of flesh and blood as to be taken into the + reader's mind without a shiver. Whether from lack of power or + an unconquerable reserve, the author's touches have often an + effect of tameness; the merriest man can hardly contrive to + laugh at his broadest humor, the tenderest woman, one would + suppose, will hardly shed warm tears at his deepest pathos. The + book, if you would see any thing in it, requires to be read in + the clear, brown, twilight atmosphere in which it was written; + if opened in the sunshine, it is apt to look exceedingly like a + volume of blank pages.... + + "The author would regret to be understood as speaking sourly or + querulously of the slight mark made by his earlier literary + efforts on the public at large. It is so far the contrary, that + he has been moved to write this preface, chiefly as affording + him an opportunity to express how much enjoyment he has owed to + these volumes, both before and since their publication. They + are the memorials of very tranquil, and not unhappy years. They + failed, it is true--nor could it have been otherwise--in + winning an extensive popularity. Occasionally, however, when he + deemed them entirely forgotten, a paragraph or an article, from + a native or foreign critic, would gratify his instincts of + authorship with unexpected praise,--too generous praise, + indeed, and too little alloyed with censure, which, therefore, + he learned the better to inflict upon himself. And, by-the-by, + it is a very suspicious symptom of a deficiency of the popular + element in a book, when it calls forth no harsh criticism. This + has been particularly the fortune of the _Twice-Told Tales_. + They made no enemies, and were so little known and talked + about, that those who read, and chanced to like them, were apt + to conceive the sort of kindness for the book, which a person + naturally feels for a discovery of his own. This kindly feeling + (in some cases, at least) extended to the author, who, on the + internal evidence of his sketches, came to be regarded as a + mild, shy, gentle, melancholic, exceedingly sensitive, and not + very forcible man, hiding his blushes under an assumed name, + the quaintness of which was supposed, somehow or other, to + symbolize his personal and literary traits. He is by no means + certain that some of his subsequent productions have not been + influenced and modified by a natural desire to fill up so + amiable an outline, and to act in consonance with the character + assigned to him; nor, even now, could he forfeit it without a + few tears of tender sensibility. To conclude, however,--these + volumes have opened the way to most agreeable associations, and + to the formation of imperishable friendships; and there are + many golden threads, interwoven with his present happiness, + which he can follow up more or less directly, until he finds + their commencement here; so that his pleasant pathway among + realities seems to proceed out of the Dream-Land of his youth, + and to be bordered with just enough of its shadowy foliage to + shelter him from the heat of the day. He is therefore + satisfied with what the _Twice-Told Tales_ have done for him, + and feels it to be far better than fame." + +That there should be any truth in this statement that the public was so +slow to recognize so fine a genius, is a mortifying evidence of the +worthlessness of a literary popularity. But it may be said of +Hawthorne's fame that it has grown steadily, and that while many who +have received the turbulent applause of the multitude since he began his +career are forgotten, it has widened and brightened, until his name is +among the very highest in his domain of art, to shine there with a +lustre equally serene and enduring. + +Mr. Hawthorne's last work is _The House of Seven Gables_, a romance of +the present day. It is not less original, not less striking, not less +powerful, than The Scarlet Letter. We doubt indeed whether he has +elsewhere surpassed either of the three strongly contrasted characters +of the book. An innocent and joyous child-woman, Phoebe Pyncheon, +comes from a farm-house into the grand and gloomy old mansion where her +distant relation, Hepzibah Pyncheon, an aristocratical and fearfully +ugly but kind-hearted unmarried woman of sixty, is just coming down from +her faded state to keep in one of her drawing-rooms a small shop, that +she may be able to maintain an elder brother who is every moment +expected home from a prison to which in his youth he had been condemned +unjustly, and in the silent solitude of which he has kept some +lineaments of gentleness while his hair has grown white, and a sense of +beauty while his brain has become disordered and his heart has been +crushed and all present influences of beauty have been quite shut out. +The House of Seven Gables is the purest piece of imagination in our +prose literature. + +The characteristics of Hawthorne which first arrest the attention are +imagination and reflection, and these are exhibited in remarkable power +and activity in tales and essays, of which the style is distinguished +for great simplicity, purity and tranquillity. His beautiful story of +Rappacini's Daughter was originally published in the Democratic Review, +as a translation from the French of one M. de l'Aubepine, a writer whose +very name, he remarks in a brief introduction, (in which he gives in +French the titles of some of his tales, as _Contes deux foix racontees_, +_Le Culte du Feu,_ etc.) "is unknown to many of his countrymen, as well +as to the student of foreign literature." He describes himself, under +this _nomme de plume_, as one who-- + + "Seems to occupy an unfortunate position between the + transcendentalists (who under one name or another have their + share in all the current literature of the world), and the + great body of pen-and-ink men who address the intellect and + sympathies of the multitude. If not too refined, at all events + too remote, too shadowy and unsubstantial, in his mode of + development, to suit the taste of the latter class, and yet too + popular to a satisfy the spiritual or metaphysical requisitions + of the former, he must necessarily find himself without an + audience, except here and there an individual, or possibly an + isolated clique." + +His writings, to do them justice, he says-- + + "Are not altogether destitute of fancy and originality; they + might have won him greater reputation but for an inveterate + love of allegory, which is apt to invest his plots and + characters with the aspect of scenery and people in the clouds, + and to steal away the human warmth out of his conceptions. His + fictions are sometimes historical, sometimes of the present + day, and sometimes, so far as can be discovered, have little or + no reference either to time or space. In any case, he generally + contents himself with a very slight embroidery of outward + manners,--the faintest possible counterfeit of real life,--and + endeavors to create an interest by some less obvious + peculiarity of the subject. Occasionally a breath of nature, a + rain-drop of pathos and tenderness, or a gleam of humor, will + find its way into the midst of his fantastic imagery, and make + us feel as if, after all, we were yet within the limits of our + native earth. We will only add to this cursory notice, that M. + de l'Aubepine's productions, if the reader chance to take them + in precisely the proper point of view, may amuse a leisure hour + as well as those of a brighter man; if otherwise, they can + hardly fail to look excessively like nonsense." + +Hawthorne is as accurately as he is happily described in this curious +piece of criticism, though no one who takes his works in the "proper +point of view," will by any means agree to the modest estimate which, in +the perfect sincerity of his nature, he has placed upon them. He is +original, in invention, construction, and expression, always +picturesque, and sometimes in a high degree dramatic. His favorite +scenes and traditions are those of his own country, many of which he has +made classical by the beautiful associations that he has thrown around +them. Every thing to him is suggestive, as his own pregnant pages are to +the congenial reader. All his productions are life-mysteries, +significant of profound truths. His speculations, often bold and +striking, are presented with singular force, but with such a quiet grace +and simplicity as not to startle until they enter in and occupy the +mind. The gayety with which his pensiveness is occasionally broken, +seems more than any thing else in his works to have cost some effort. +The gentle sadness, the "half-acknowledged melancholy," of his manner +and reflections, are more natural and characteristic. + +His style is studded with the most poetical imagery, and marked in every +part with the happiest graces of expression, while it is calm, chaste, +and flowing, and transparent as water. There is a habit among nearly all +the writers of imaginative literature, of adulterating the conversations +of the poor with barbarisms and grammatical blunders which have no more +fidelity than elegance. Hawthorne's integrity as well as his +exquisite--taste prevented him from falling into this error. There is +not in the world a large rural population that speaks its native +language with a purity approaching that with which the English is spoken +by the common people of New England. The vulgar words and phrases which +in other states are supposed to be peculiar to this part of the country +are unknown east of the Hudson, except to the readers of foreign +newspapers, or the listeners to low comedians who find it profitable to +convey such novelties into Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont. We +are glad to see a book that is going down to the next ages as a +representative of national manners and character in all respects +correct. + +Nathaniel Hawthorne is among the first of the first order of our +writers, and in their peculiar province his works are not excelled in +the literature of the present day or of the English language. + + + + +YEAST: A PROBLEM. + + +The Rev. Mr. KINGSLEY, author of _Alton Locke_, has collected into a +book the series of vehement and yeasty papers which have appeared from +his pen in _Fraser's Magazine_ under the above title, and a new impulse +is thus given in England to the discussion of the Problem of Society. +The declared object of the work--which is of the class of philosophical +novels--is to exhibit the miseries of the poor; the conventionalisms, +hypocrisies, and feebleness of the rich; the religious doubts of the +strong, and the miserable delusions and superstitions of the weak; the +mammon-worship of the middling and upper classes, and the angry humility +of the masses. The story is very slight, but sufficient for the +effective presentation of the author's opinions. The best characters are +an Irish parson, a fox-hunting squire and his commonplace worldly wife, +and a thoughtless and reckless but not unkind man of the world. Here is +a sketch of a commonplace old English vicar, such as has been familiar +in the pages of novels and essays time out of mind: + + "He told me, hearing me quote Schiller, to beware of the + Germans, for they were all Pantheists at heart. I asked him + whether he included Lange and Bunsen, and it appeared that he + had never read a German book in his life. He then flew + furiously at Mr. Carlyle, and I found that all he knew of him + was from a certain review in the _Quarterly_. He called Boehmen + a theosophic Atheist. I should have burst out at that, had I + not read the very words in a High Church review, the day + before, and hoped that he was not aware of the impudent + falsehood which he was retailing. Whenever I feebly interposed + an objection to any thing he said (for, after all he talked + on), he told me to hear the Catholic Church. I asked him which + Catholic Church? He said the English. I asked him whether it + was to be the Church of the sixth century, or the thirteenth, + or the seventeenth, or the eighteenth? He told me the one and + eternal Church, which belonged as much to the nineteenth + century as to the first. I begged to know whether, then, I was + to hear the Church according to Simeon, or according to Newman, + or according to St. Paul; for they seemed to me a little at + variance? He told me, austerely enough, that the mind of the + Church was embodied in her Liturgy and Articles. To which I + answered, that the mind of the episcopal clergy might, perhaps, + be; but, then, how happened it that they were always quarreling + and calling hard names about the sense of those very documents? + And so I left him, assuring him that living in the nineteenth + century, I wanted to hear the Church of the nineteenth century, + and no other; and should be most happy to listen to her, as + soon as she had made up her mind what to say." + +English travellers in America give very minute accounts of the bad +grammar and questionable pronunciation they sometimes hear among our +common people: with what advantage they might go into the rural +neighborhoods of their own country for exhibitions in this line is shown +by the following description of a scene in a booth, which one of the +characters of Mr. Kingsley enters at night: + + "Sadder and sadder, Lancelot tried to listen to the + conversation of the men around him. To his astonishment he + hardly understood a word of it. It was half articulate, nasal, + guttural, made up almost entirely of vowels, like the speech of + savages. He had never before been struck with the significant + contrast between the sharp, clearly-defined articulation, the + vivid and varied tones of the gentleman, or even of the London + street-boy, when compared with the coarse, half-formed growls, + as of a company of seals, which he heard round him. That single + fact struck him perhaps more deeply than any; it connected + itself with many of physiological fancies; it was the parent of + many thoughts and plans of his after-life. Here and there he + could distinguish a half sentence. An old shrunken man opposite + him was drawing figures in the spilt beer with his pipestem, + and discoursing of the glorious times before the great war, + 'when there was more food than there were mouths, and more work + than there hands.' 'Poor human nature,' thought Lancelot, as he + tried to follow one of those unintelligible discussions about + the relative prices of the loaf and the bushel of flour, which + ended, as usual, in more swearing and more quarreling, and more + beer to make it up: 'poor human nature! always looking back, as + the German sage says, to some fancied golden age, never looking + forward to the real one which is coming." + +The descriptive powers of the author are illustrated in many fine +passages, of which this delineation of an English day in March will +serve as a specimen: + + "A silent, dim, distanceless, steaming, rotting day in March. + The last brown oak-leaf, which had stood out the winter's + frost, spun and quivered plump down, and then lay, as if + ashamed to have broken for a moment the ghastly stillness, like + an awkward guest at a great dumb dinner-party. A cold suck of + wind just proved its existence, by toothaches on the north side + of all faces. The spiders, having been weather-be-witched the + night before, had unanimously agreed to cover every brake and + brier with gossamer-cradles, and never a fly to be caught in + them; like Manchester cotton-spinners madly glutting the + markets in the teeth of 'no demand.' The steam crawled out of + the dank turf, and reeked off the flanks and nostrils of the + shivering horses, and clung with clammy paws to frosted hats + and dripping boughs. A soulless, skyless, catarrhal day, as if + that bustling dowager, old mother Earth--what with + match-making in spring, and _fetes champetres_ in summer, and + dinner-giving in autumn--was fairly worn out, and put to bed + with the influenza, under wet blankets and the cold-water + cure." + +"Yeast," says the _Spectator_, "may be looked at as a series of +sketches, loosely strung together, descriptive of palpable social evils +in the mass, and of metaphysical broodings among the more thoughtful +youth; a struggle which perhaps is always taking place, and which is no +further distinctive of the present age than the form that is given by +our intellectual and religious activity. The origin of evil, its +presence in the world, what man was made for, what he struggles for, +what becomes of him, have been questions that excited the speculative of +all ages, taking various channels according to the circumstances of the +time. Considered from this point of view, as a life-like picture of the +heavings of the mass, and the mental fermentation going on among +individuals--of the _yeast_ of society--the book displays great ability, +and challenges careful attention. It is powerful, earnest, feeling, and +eloquent; the production of a man acquainted with society, who has +looked closely upon its various classes, and has the power of reading +the signs of the times. He has a truthful vigor of description, a +rhetorical rather than a dramatic power; or he sacrifices the latter to +his habit of expressing his opinions in dialogue, where the author talks +rather than the dramatis personae. There is a genial warmth of feeling in +the book, and wide human sympathies, but with a tendency to extremes in +statement and opinion--a disposition to deepen the shadows of English +life; for go where the author would, pictures quite as bad or worse may +be drawn of the condition of mankind, from the 'noble savage,' the beau +ideal of Rousseau, to the educated 'Prussian,' who was within a little +while the model man of a certain school of philosophers." + + + + +THE LITTLENESS OF A GREAT PEOPLE. + + +The future historians of this age will have to record no more mortifying +illustration of the difficulties which in a republic prevent the success +of great ideas than that which is presented in the case of Mr. Whitney, +who early in the last month sailed for England. We transcribe with +especial approval the following paragraphs respecting him and his +labors, from the _Tribune_: + + "If we are not mistaken, it is now nearly ten years since Mr. + Whitney first devoted himself to his great project, and he has + pursued it with a force of purpose, an intelligent apprehension + of all its bearings and consequences upon the world, a nobility + of ambition, and a sustained, intellectual enthusiasm which + belongs to the rarest and most admirable characters. We do not + know in any country a man in whom great intellectual and + practical elements are more happily combined. It is not with + the warm partiality of private friendship that we thus speak of + Mr. Whitney, for, like all men of ideas, and all of nature + positive and deep enough to have a special mission in the + world, he puts others into relation with the thoughts which + engage him rather than with his own personality, and you become + intimate with them, not with him. A native, as we believe, of + Connecticut, brought up to business in this city, where he + acquired a competence, having conceived the idea of a vaster + and more inspiring enterprise than the political and industrial + world had ever attempted, he quitted the pursuits of trade, and + the certain wealth they promised him, to perfect and realize + his conception. He studied the great routes of the world, and + the causes of their adoption. In a residence in Europe and by + voyages in the East he made himself acquainted with the facts + relating to the trade and productive capacities of Asia. He + thoroughly surveyed and mastered the whole subject before + beginning its discussion. Then he proposed the scheme to his + countrymen, and for many years has sought exclusively to + commend it to their favor. He has travelled in every direction, + addressing public bodies and meetings of citizens, writing + newspaper articles and pamphlets, and sparing no occasion to + bring the idea and the facts connected with it to the knowledge + of all. Wherever he has gone he has left some sparks of his own + genial enthusiasm. The plan has found advocates in every + section; many state legislatures have formally endorsed it, and + a large party in Congress have been in its favor. Dependent + altogether on his own pecuniary resources, Mr. Whitney, without + compensation or assistance, has labored with a constancy and + fidelity which could only proceed from a great purpose. But + after this period of arduous exertion he has failed to carry + his plan through Congress, while a great part of the lands on + which he must depend for its execution, have already passed + from the control of the federal Legislature. Accordingly, + though he would greatly prefer that his own country should reap + the splendid harvest of honor and substantial power which the + building of this world's highway would assure, he has no choice + but to consider the means which may be offered him for making + it through British America. To the world at large the + consequences would be the same, though to the United States + very different. + + "The route through British America is, in some respects, even + preferable to that through our own territory. By the former, + the distance from Europe to Asia is some thousand miles shorter + than by the latter. Passing close to the northern shore of Lake + Superior, traversing the watershed which divides the streams + flowing toward the Arctic Sea from those which have their exit + southward, and crossing the Rocky Mountains at an elevation + some three thousand, feet less than at the South Pass, the road + could here be constructed with comparative cheapness, and would + open up a region abounding in valuable timber and other natural + products, and admirably suited to the growth of grain and to + grazing. Having its Atlantic seaport at Halifax, and its + Pacific Depot near Vancouver's Island, it would inevitably draw + to it the commerce of Europe, Asia, and the United States. Thus + British America, from a mere colonial dependency, would assume + a controlling rank in the world. To her other nations would be + tributary, and in vain would the United States attempt to be + her rival; for we could never dispute with her the possession + of the Asiatic commerce, or the power which that confers." + + But the matter reaches beyond the suggestions of national + interest, and has a wider scope than the mere sentiment of + patriotism. We have hoped that this republic might make the + easy effort necessary to grasp a prize so magnificent, but we + shall hail with satisfaction the actual commencement of such a + work, wherever and by whomsoever it is undertaken. + + + + +A JEW AND A CHRISTIAN. + + +A few days ago, a man of various genius and acquirement, with whose +writings people of many countries have been delighted, entered an +office, holding in his hand two black-bordered notes, inviting him to +funerals. + +So--other friends have gone! who now? + +Two persons very unlike each other. Truly I have never known more +striking contrasts. I was meditating of popular prejudices by which +their lives were more or less affected, by which their reputations were +certainly much affected: one was a Jew, and the other a Christian. + +Proceed with your morality. + +I was very poor when I came to this country. I sought occupation in the +pursuits for which I was best fitted by my education: for a time with +little success; and at length I was offered for the translation of two +wretched French novels, the meager sum of fifty dollars. I sold some of +my wife's trinkets to purchase paper and ink, and worked diligently, you +can guess how many weeks, until they were in English as readable as the +French of their author. The task accomplished, I went to my patron, +expecting of course to have the pittance counted down in current notes +or gold; but----the market for such literature was by this time over +stocked; he had supplied it too liberally; and with some insulting +excuse he refused the manuscripts. + +You have an invitation to his funeral? + +Yes--he was rich--always speculating in the sweat of brains--and we had +business relations afterward. + +The other history? + +I chanced one day to meet a gentleman, with whom I had no personal +acquaintance, though our names were known to each other, and conversing +of a subject with which I was familiar he inquired if I would write +something upon it for his journal. I replied that I would be very happy +to do so, and as we shook hands, at parting, he left in my palm two +twenty-dollar notes. He would gladly have avoided a word of explanation, +but seeing my surprise he said, "It is merely a retainer, as the lawyers +have it; consider it upon account of the articles you will write me." I +wrote the articles; it was but an evening's work; and wrote frequently +afterward for the same person, always receiving a liberal reward--always +more than I asked--though my employer was himself by no means rich. You +will think that in the first place he expected a profit for the money he +gave me, but I knew better: he cared not a fig for the papers I was to +prepare; he simply suspected that I was in need of money, and took that +delicate way to relieve me, as, in his time, he relieved hundreds of +men. + +A noble characteristic of a man perhaps in all respects deserving of +admiration: But what of the prejudice you were meditating? + +It is this--that even in this land, where many an old world superstition +has found life impossible--the community regard a _Jew_ as an +incarnation of all selfishness, meanness and dishonor. A hundred to one, +being told that the hero of one of these two histories was an Israelite, +would swear instantly that the name of him who swindled me was Moses. +But it was not: that person will to-morrow have Christian burial, and +the other--one of the most sincere and generous men of the age, was an +officer of the synagogue. You know--we both know--that the Hebrew race +are not only before the other races in all fine intelligence, but that +in defiance of prejudices and disabilities which might turn any other +people into hordes of robbers, they are of the most honorable portion of +mankind. + + + + +POLICARPA LA SALVARIETTA, + +THE HEROINE OF COLOMBIA. + + +There are not many subjects for poetry or romance in American history +more suggestive than that furnished in the following incidents, +translated from Restrepo's _Historia de la Revolucion de la Colombia_: + + "After the standard of liberty had been raised in all the + provinces, and the people had struck a successful blow for + freedom, Morillo, with an overwhelming force, re-conquered the + country for Spain. During six months this fiendish savage held + undisputed sway over Colombia. The best men of the provinces + were by him seized and shot, and each of his officers had the + power of death over the inhabitants of the districts in which + they were stationed. It was during this period that the + barbarous execution of Policarpa La Salvarietta--a heroic girl + of New Granada--roused the Patriots once more to arms, and + produced in them a determination to expel their oppressors or + die. This young lady was enthusiastically attached to the cause + of liberty, and had, by her influence, rendered essential aid + to the Patriots. The wealth of her father, and her own superior + talents and education, early excited the hostility of the + Spanish commander against her and her family. She had promised + her hand in marriage to a young officer in the Patriot service, + who had been compelled by Morillo to join the Spanish army as a + private soldier. La Salvarietta, by means that were never + disclosed, obtained, through him an exact account of the + Spanish forces, and a plan of their fortifications. The + Patriots were preparing to strike a decisive blow, and this + intelligence was important to their success. She had induced + Sabarain, her lover, and eight others, to desert. They were + discovered, and apprehended. The letters of La Salvarietta, + found on the person of her lover, betrayed her to the vengeance + of the tyrant of her country. She was seized, brought to the + Spanish camp, and tried by court martial. The highest rewards + were promised her if she would disclose the names and plans of + her associates. The inducements proving of no avail, torture + was employed to wring from her the secret, in which so many of + the best families of Colombia were interested, but even on the + rack she persisted in making no disclosure. The accomplished + young lady, hardly eighteen years of age, was condemned to be + shot. She calmly and serenely heard her sentence, and prepared + to meet her fate. She confessed to a Catholic priest, partook + of the sacrament, and with a firm step walked to the open + square, where a file of soldiers, in presence of Morillo and + his officers, were drawn up, with loaded muskets. Turning to + Morillo, she said, "I shall not die in vain, for my blood will + raise up heroes from every hill and valley of my country." She + had scarcely uttered the above, when Morillo himself gave the + signal to the soldiers to fire, and in the next moment La + Salvarietta was a mangled and bleeding corpse. The Spanish + officers and soldiers were overwhelmed with astonishment at the + firmness and patriotism of this lovely girl, but the effect + upon her own countrymen was electrical. The Patriots lost no + time in flying to arms, and their war cry, "_La Salvarietta_!" + made every heart burn to inflict vengeance upon her murderers. + In a very short time the army of Morillo was nearly cut to + pieces, and the commander himself escaped death only by flight, + and in disguise." + +In Mexico a dramatic piece, which we have seen described as possessing +considerable merit, has been founded upon this tragical history. In the +Spanish American wars there have been numerous instances of remarkable +heroism by women, which is the more noticeable for the little the sex +has had to gain by the political independence of the Spanish race on +this continent. + + + + +A REAL AMERICAN SAINT. + + +Mrs. Jameson, in her beautiful book lately published in London, _Legends +of the Monastic Orders_, has the following account of the only American +woman ever canonized: + + "Santa Rosa di Lima was born at Lima, in Peru, in 1586. This + flower of sanctity, whose fragrance has filled the whole + Christian world, is the patroness of America, the St. Theresa + of Transatlantic Spain. She was distinguished, in the first + place, by her austerities. 'Her usual food was an herb bitter + as wormwood. When compelled by her mother to wear a wreath of + roses, she so adjusted it on her brow that it became a crown of + thorns. Rejecting a host of suitors, she destroyed the lovely + complexion to which she owed her name, by an application of + pepper and quicklime. But she was also a noble example of + filial devotion, and maintained her once wealthy parents, + fallen on evil days, by the labor of her hands.' All day she + toiled in a garden, and at night she worked with her needle. + She took the habit of the third order of St. Dominic, and died + in 1617. She was canonized by Clement X. According to the + Peruvian legend, the Pope, when entreated to canonize her, + absolutely refused, exclaiming, 'India y santa! asi como + llueven rosas!' (India and saint! as much so as that it rains + roses!') Whereupon, a miraculous shower of roses began to fall + in the Vatican, and ceased not till the incredulous pontiff + acknowledged himself convinced." + +Among men saints have been more plentiful. + + + + +Authors and Books. + + +We have already briefly spoken of Dr. ANDREE'S work on America which is +now publishing at Brunswick, Germany, by the house of Westermann, a +branch of which is established in this city at the corner of Broadway +and Duane-streets. The book in question is to consist of three volumes +of some six hundred and fifty octavo pages each, devoted respectively to +North, Central, and South America. It is published in numbers of some +eighty pages each; of these numbers four are already issued, and we have +read them with great satisfaction. The broad and philosophical spirit, +the exhaustive learning, and the spirited and picturesque style of Dr. +Andree are beyond praise; among all the books on America which we have +met with this impresses us as unique, and if the remainder shall prove +equal to what is already published, we hope that some American publisher +may undertake a translation of the whole into English. + +The work opens with an introduction of some forty odd pages, in which, +first, the physical characteristics of the new world are set forth with +great clearness and beauty: its mountains, rivers, lakes, climate, +vegetable and animal kingdoms; the origin of the aboriginal inhabitants, +their languages, races, manners, customs, and civilization; the +settlements of Europeans, the Spaniards, the Spanish and Portuguese +states, the Creoles, Mexico, Brazil, &c. Amalgamation of races, the +negroes, Slavery, influence of the Latin races, the Teutonic race, the +United States, their growth and destiny, are made the subjects of a +continuous discussion, remarkable alike for an air at least of breadth +and profundity, careful and comprehensive knowledge, and for concise and +often eloquent expression. The introduction is followed by chapters on +Iceland, Greenland, and the various expeditions to the polar regions of +the north, treating those topics both historically and ethnographically, +and with a clear presentation of every interesting and important fact. +Next follows a general survey of the continent north of the fiftieth, +degree of latitude, its rivers, lakes, forests, animals, men, and +commerce, including an account of the various Indian tribes, and the +trading companies dealing with them. The trading posts of the Hudson's +Bay Company, Lord Selkirk's colony on Red River, Labrador, Newfoundland, +the British Possessions on the West coast, Russian America, are +successively treated. Next the Indians in Canada and the United States +are considered at length, in respect of their history, traditions, +languages, monuments, customs, the influence of the whites upon them, +and their probable destiny. In this connection we notice that Dr. Andree +frequently cites Gallatin, Schoolcraft, Squier, and other American +writers. The remainder of the first volume will treat of the United +States, their political history and organization, their soil, climate, +people, &c., not failing to give whatever information may be useful to +the European settler looking for a new home, as well as to the _savan_ +looking for light upon ethnographic and social problems. + +From this general outline the scope of the book may be inferred, but our +readers will permit us to refer to one or two points which are dwelt +upon in the introduction. Dr. Andree contends with the earnestness of a +determined partisan for the originality of the vegetable and animal +creations, as well as of the human race upon this continent, rejecting +entirely the theory that either was transplanted from the eastern +hemisphere. The unity of the human family, he maintains with a class of +writers distinguishable chiefly for a sleepless activity in assailing +the authority of the Christian religion, does not require the assumption +of numerical identity of origin, but rather the contrary. "It is not +necessary," he says, "to assume the arithmetical _oneness_ of mankind, +and the derivation of all from a single pair, thus arbitrarily confining +and limiting the creative power of the Highest Being;" and this position +he proceeds to advocate by a variety of arguments, at the same time +controverting the opposite opinion, and especially the notion of the +late Major Noah that the Indians of this continent were descendants of +the lost ten tribes of Israel. In this impertinence is the only +noteworthy fault we discover in the book. Discussions of such +controverted points as this belong exclusively to the audience of +scholars. A far more interesting and satisfactory part of the +introduction is that devoted to the Spanish and Portuguese in America, +and their influence on the native tribes, and _vice versa_. The contrast +which these races and the states they have founded exhibit to the +Germanic race in North America is brought out by Dr. Andree in a +striking manner. All the South American republics except Chili are in a +condition of comparative or actual disorder: no signs of expanding life +and progress are visible among them; every where the conflict of races +and castes is active or only partially suppressed; Brazil alone, by the +monarchical form of its executive, (though its institutions are +fundamentally democratic,) is spared from the anarchy which prevails +among its neighbors, and there too, alone, the black, yellow, and red +races are politically equal and in the way of complete amalgamation; but +in all these states the European element, instead of growing more +powerful and influential, tends constantly to greater weakness, and is +likely to be completely absorbed and swallowed up; since the wars of +independence the white race has diminished, not increased in number; and +instead of conferring on the native races the civilization and +refinement which was its native property, it is so far dominated by them +as to relapse toward their ignorance and rudeness; and after three +centuries all Spanish America, the West Indies included, contains not +more than fifteen millions of inhabitants, about a fifth of whom are +whites, that is to say as many as are found in the State of New-York +alone. Or, reckoning for all America south of the United States, five +millions of whites, this population still falls far short of that which +within thirty years has taken possession of the country between the +Alleghanies and the Mississippi. Such is the difference between the +Latin and the Saxon races. The latter has spread itself with astonishing +rapidity, never mixing, to any extent, with negroes or Indians, nor +allowing mixed races to get the upper hand, or even exercise any +influence. The Anglo-Saxon civilizes the other races or devotes them to +extinction. And yet South America is naturally better than North. It is +richer and more productive, and endowed with a system of rivers compared +with which that of the Mississippi seems trifling. Had it been settled +by Anglo-Saxons and Germans instead of Creoles and mixed breeds, it +would long since have worn another aspect; steamboats would have covered +the rivers up to the very foot of the Cordilleras, and the vast plains +would have been occupied by flourishing towns and cultivated fields. + +The parallel which Dr. Andree draws between the history of the United +States and Europe for the last fifty years is so strikingly put, that we +make room for a single passage by way of specimen: + + "A comparison of the history of Europe and of North America + during the time since the first French revolution is in every + respect to the advantage of the United States. The old world + has been convulsed by wars, a military emperor has had the sway + of Europe, and broken kingdoms into fragments; blood has flowed + in torrents, and thousands of millions have been wasted for + unproductive purposes and on royal vanity. Since the fall of + the Great Soldier the nations have incessantly risen against + their rulers, and more than a million of men now stand in arms + to restrain the people and serve the passions of monarchs and + their cabinets. Only sixty years ago the entire valley of the + Mississippi was still a desert, a wide wilderness, with hardly + here and there a settlement. Now we see this empire in + subjection--conquered, not by soldiers, with waving banners and + sounding trumpets, but by the toil of the farmer, the skill of + the artisan, the enterprising spirit of the merchant. They have + drained morasses, cleared up forests, opened roads, dug canals, + built ships, and founded flourishing states. Within the period + of two generations they have peopled that wilderness with ten + millions of industrious inhabitants, and opened a new home to + the arts of peace, to civil and religious liberty, to culture + and progress. In these sixty years, not so much blood has been + shed in wars against Indians in the Mississippi valley as in + one of the hundreds of battles fought by the soldiers of + European states, most of them for useless or even pernicious + ends. No blessing has followed the wars and conquests in + Europe, but in the Great West, conquered by labor and + enterprise, all is progress and unexampled prosperity." + +There are numerous other passages tempting us to translate them, but +our space is already exhausted, and we forbear. + + * * * * * + +We have already taken occasion to commend the _Tausend und ein Tag im +Orient_ (Thousand and One Days in the East) by BODENSTEDT, the +well-known author of the Wars of the Circassians. No writer gives so +just an insight into the character of that portion of the great Oriental +family which he visited--the Circassians and Georgians. The second part +of his present book (lately published at Berlin) contains some +interesting criticisms of a Tartar poet, whom Bodenstedt knew at Tiflis, +upon European poetry. Our traveller, partly by way of practice in the +Tartar language, and partly to inspire his eastern friend with greater +respect for the bards of the Occident, used to translate English and +German songs into Tartar. Mirza Shaffy, the name of the Tartar sage and +poet, proved himself no contemptible critic of these foreign +productions. Not once could he be induced to tolerate a poem whose only +merit was the beauty and melody of its language in the original, nor to +swallow the mere sentimentalism which plays so great a part in German +poetry especially. This sentimentalism, says Bodenstedt, is as unknown +as it is unintelligible to the Oriental poet. He aims always at a real +and tangible object, and in gaining it puts heaven and earth in motion. +No image is too remote, no thought too lofty for his purpose. The new +moon is a golden shoe for the hoof of his heroes' steed. The stars are +golden nails, with which the Lord has fastened the sky, lest it should +fall with admiration and desire for his fair one. The cypresses and +cedars grow only to recall the lithe and graceful form of Selma. The +weeping willow droops her green hair to the water, grieving because she +is not slender like Selma. The eyes of his beloved are suns which make +all the faithful fire-worshippers. The sun itself is but a gleaming +lyre, whose beams are golden strings, whence the dawn draws the +loveliest accords to the praise of the earth's beauty and the power of +love. + +Mirza Shaffy was a great lover of Moore and Byron, and some of their +songs which were translated needed no explanation to render them +intelligible to him. Wolfe's marvellous poem on the death of Sir John +Moore made a deep impression on him, and was a special favorite. Goethe +and Heine he liked greatly, especially Goethe's song of Mignon, "Knowst +thou the Land," and Heine's Fisher's Song (which Schubert has set to +such delicious and befitting music) which ends-- + + "My heart is like the ocean, + Has storm, and ebb, and flow, + And many a lovely pearlet + Rests in its depths below." + +Schiller he could not so well understand, and often the attempt +adequately to translate this poet had to be given up in despair. +However, Mirza Shaffy admitted that some of his poems had substance in +them. Uhland and Geibel were not much to his mind. One day, Bodenstedt +translated into Tartar a song by the latter, which we in our turn thus +render into English: + + The silent water lily + Springs from the earth below, + The leaves all greenly glitter, + The cup is white as snow. + + The moon her golden radiance + Pours from the heavens down, + Pours all her beams of glory + This virgin flower to crown. + + And, in the azure water, + A swan of dazzling white + Floats longing round the lily, + That trances all his sight. + + Ah low he sings, ah sadly, + Fainting with sweetest pain; + O lily, snow white lily, + Hear'st thou the dying strain? + +Mirza Shaffy cast the song aside, with the words, "A foolish swan!" + +"Don't the song please you?" asked the translator. + +"The conclusion is foolish," replied the Tartar; "what does the swan +gain by fainting?--he only suffers himself, and does no good to the +rose. I would have ended-- + + "Then in his beak he takes it, + And bears it with him home." + + * * * * * + +Mr. Ross, the editor of _Allgemeine Auswanderungszeitung_ (Universal +Journal of Emigration), an excellent and useful German periodical, has +just published in Germany the _Auswanderer's Handbuch_ (Emigrant's +Manual), devoted especially to the service of those who design +emigrating to the United States. His manual is a valuable collection of +whatever a new comer into this country should know. The constitution and +political arrangements of the Union, its legislation, its means of +intercourse, the peculiarities of soil and climate proper to different +sections, the state of agriculture, and the chances of employment for +persons of different classes, professions, and degrees of education, are +all given. Mr. Ross was himself born in the United States, and +understands what he writes about. At the same time his book gives a fair +and thorough view of the difficulties with which the emigrant to this +country must contend. + + * * * * * + +At Pesth, Hungary, is about to appear a biographical work on Hungarian +statesmen and orators who were prominent before the revolutionary +period. Paul Nagy, Eugen Beoethy, Franz Deak, Stephan Bezeredy, +Bartholomaus Szemere, the two Wesselenyis, the two Dionys Pazmandys, +Stephan Szechenyi, and Joseph Eoetvos (the last known in the United +States by translations of his novels), are among the characters +described. + + * * * * * + +A new book on the new world is the _Europa ed America_, by Dr. ANT. +CACCIA, an Italian litterateur, who has apparently been in this country +and describes it, as he professes to do, from nature. He says that he +found the people of New-York occupied mainly in making money. + +The German authoress FANNY LEWALD, has in press a book entitled _England +und Schottland_ (England and Scotland), made up from the notes of a +journey through those countries. Its publication just at this moment is +for the benefit of the crowds of Germans who are going to the World's +Fair, and who may find in it all sorts of preparatory information. A +specimen chapter published in one of our German papers reads pleasantly. +Fanny Lewald is a phenomenon, of a class of women who know something +about every thing. Nothing is too high or too low to become an object of +consideration to these female Teufelsdroecks, petticoated professors of +"the science of things in general." The intellectual cultivation among +the middle and higher class of society in Prussia, the patronage +bestowed by the court upon learning, the arts, and sciences; the +encouragement to discuss freely every imaginable theme in politics or +religion, with the single exception of the measures of the +administration, all tended to create a taste for mental display in which +it was necessary that women should participate, if they wished to retain +their old position in the social world. In the salons of Berlin, +therefore, women have been heard taking a prominent part in +conversations in which the most abstruse questions in religion, +politics, and general science were discussed. The philosophers, male and +female, debarred by the spy system from any open investigation of +passing political events, revenged themselves by treating these events +as mere temporary phases of the great system of evolutions which forms +the _material_ of history, scarcely worthy of notice, and directed their +attention to the great principles which underlie all great social and +religious developments. A strange tone was thus given to conversation. +Listening to the talkers at a Berlin conversazione, one might have +fancied, judging from the nature of the subjects of conversation, that a +number of gods and goddesses were debating on the construction of a +world. Vulgar bricks and mortar they ignored, and were anxious only +about primary and secondary geological formations. The actual state of +any society was scarcely cared for, except in illustration of a +principle, and the great forces which must unite to form the best +possible society, were the only subjects of investigation. It may be +taken as a great proof of the wonderful facility of adaptation of the +female mind, that women joined in these conversations as readily as men, +and frequently with far more brilliancy, in spite of the range of +reading which it must require to obtain even a superficial knowledge of +the subjects of discourse. Fanny Lewald is one of these prodigies. She +has studied every thing from the Hegelian philosophy downwards. She is +as great in revolutions as in ribbons, and is as amusing when talking +sentiment over oysters and Rheinwein, in the Rathskiller at Bremen, as +when meditating upon ancient art and philosophy in Wilhelm von +Humboldt's castle of Tegel near Berlin. + + * * * * * + +We have read with great interest a series of articles which have +appeared in the recent numbers of the _Grenzboten_ upon GEORGE SAND. +Though we have often failed to agree with the view of the writer, Mr. +Julian Schmidt, one of the editors of that paper, we have rarely met +with literary criticism of more ability, and a more just and catholic +spirit. We translate the conclusion of the last article, in which Mr. +Schmidt gives the result of his careful analysis of all the works of the +author: "The novel, on account of its lax and variable form, and the +caprice which it tolerates, is in my opinion not to be reckoned among +those kinds of art, which, as classic, will endure to posterity. The +authors who have been most read in modern times have already been +checked in their popularity by the greater attraction of novelty offered +by their successors. This is the case even with Walter Scott. Besides, +in most of her writings, George Sand has dealt with problems whose +justification later times will not understand; and thus it may happen +that hereafter she will be regarded as of consequence in the history of +literature alone. But in that sphere she will have a permanent +importance. Future centuries will regard her as the most significant +image of the morbid but intense striving which marks this generation. +When it has long been agreed that the lauded works of Victor Hugo, +Eugene Sue, Lamartine, Alfred de Musset, and others, are but the barren +outgrowths of an untamed and unrestrained fancy, and a perverted +reflection; when the same verdict has been pronounced on the poems of M. +de Chateaubriand, whose value is now taken as a matter of belief and +confidence, because there are few who have read them; then the true +poetic element in the works of George Sand will, in spite of all its +vagaries, still be recognized. And more than this, since the period of +sentimentalism will be seen as more extensive, and as the works of +Richardson, Rousseau (of course only those which belong in this +category), and of Madame de Stael and others, will be included in it, +then we say that the better productions of our authoress will carry off +the prize from all the rest." + + * * * * * + +Two collections of songs, national and lyric, have made their appearance +in Germany. The one is by GEORGE SCHERER, and is called _Deutsche +Volkshelier_, the other, by WOLFGAND MENZEL, is entitled _Die Gesange +der Volker_ (The Songs of the Nations). The former is exclusively +German; the latter contains songs from every civilized tongue under +heaven, as well as from many of the uncivilized, in German versions, of +course. Both are elegantly printed, and highly commended by the knowing +in that line of literature. + + * * * * * + +HENRI MURGER has published a companion volume to his _Scenes de la +Boheme_ in the shape of some stories called _Scenes de la Vie de +Jeunesse_. + + * * * * * + +A curious specimen of what may be done by a ready writer who is +scrupulous only about getting his pay, is afforded by a book just +published at Leipzic, called _Zahme Geschichten aus wilder Zeit_ (Tame +Stories of a Wild Time), by Frederick Ebeling. In these "tame stories" +the heroes of the late revolutionary movements are held up now in one +light, and now in another, with the most striking disregard of +consistency. Jellachich, for instance, is lauded in one place as the +most genial and charming of men, a scholar and gentleman, without equal, +and almost in the next page he is called a ferocious butcher, who never +wearies of slaughtering human beings. These discrepancies are accounted +for by the fact that Mr. Ebeling wrote for both conservative and radical +journals, and adapted his opinions to the wants of the market he was +serving. He would have done well to reconcile his articles with each +other before putting them into a book. + + * * * * * + +A valuable work on national law is entitled _Du Droits et des Devoirs +des Nations Neutres en Temps de Guerre Maritime_, by M. L. B. +Hautefeuille, a distinguished French jurist, lately published at Paris +in four octavos. It is praised by no less an authority than the eminent +advocate M. Chaix d'Est Ange, as the fruit of mature and conscientious +study: he calls it the most complete and one of the best works on modern +national law ever produced. The author in the historical part of his +treatise, criticises the monopolizing spirit and policy of the English +without mercy, and insists that the balance of power on the sea is of no +less importance than that on land. He would have established a permanent +alliance of armed neutrality, with France and the United States at its +head, to maintain the maritime rights of weaker states in time of war, +against the encroachments of British commerce and ambition. + + * * * * * + +A Vienna publishing establishment has offered GRILLPARZER, the German +dramatist, $4,000 for his writings, but he refuses, not because he +thinks the price too low, but because he will not take the trouble of +preparing and publishing a collected edition of his dramas, the last of +which was entitled _Maximilian Robespierre_, a five act tragedy. He has +also a variety of unpublished manuscripts, which it is feared will never +see the light. + + * * * * * + +Students and amateurs of music will find their account in taking the +_Rheinische Musikzeitung_ (Rhine Musical Gazette), published at Cologne, +under the editorial care of Prof. Bisehof. Its criticism is impartial, +intelligent, and free from the prejudices of the schools. German musical +criticism has no better organ. + + * * * * * + +The German poet SIMROCK has just published a new version of the two +Eddas, with the mythical narratives of the Skalda, which is spoken of as +a valuable contribution to literature. + + * * * * * + +The _Royal Society of Northern Antiquaries_ held its annual session on +the 15th February at the palace of Christianbourg, the King of Denmark +presiding. Mr. RAFN read the report of the transactions of the Society +during the year, and laid before the meeting a new number of the Annals +of the archaeology and history of the North, and the completed volume of +the Archaeological Journal, published by the Society. He also announced +that the second volume of his own work on Russian Antiquities was in +preparation, and that about half of it was already printed. To give an +idea of this work, he read from it a biographical notice on Biorucon, of +Arngeirr, an Icelander by birth, distinguished alike as a warrior and a +poet, and by his exploits in Russia where he served Vladimir the Great. +After this, other members of the Society gave interesting accounts of +the results of their various labors during the year. The King presented +a paper on excavations made under his personal direction in the ruins of +the castles of Saborg and Adserbo, in the North of Seland. These castles +date from the middle ages; the memoir was accompanied by drawings. + + * * * * * + +The _Historisches Tashcenbuch_ (Historical Pocket-Book), edited by the +learned Prussian Raumer is a publication eminently worthy of notice. The +number for the year 1851 opens with biographical sketches of three +women, Ines de Castro and Maria and Lenora Telley, who played important +parts in Spanish and Portuguese history in the XIVth Century. They are +followed by a concise history of the German marine by Bartholdy, twelve +letters by John Voigt on the manners and social life of the princes at +the German Diets, a picture from the XVIth Century, the sequel of a +memoir by Guhrauer on Elizabeth, Abbess of Herford, a friend of William +Penn, and a correspondent of Malebranche, Leibnitz and Descartes, &c., +&c. &c. + + * * * * * + +An interesting account of a most eventful period and country is the +_Bilder aus Oestreich_, just published at Leipzic, by a German +traveller. The traveller is understood to be one of the editors of the +_Grenzboten_, and the period he describes comprises the revolutionary +years 1848-9. His account of Vienna in the memorable October days of +1848, is graphic, and even thrilling. + + * * * * * + +COTTA, of Stuttgart, has just published a new collection of poems by +FRANZ DINGELSTEDT, under the title of "Night and Morning." The themes +are drawn from the revolution, its hopes and its disappointments. + + * * * * * + +FREDERIC LOUIS JAHN, the celebrated German professor, who invented the +modern system of gymnastics, is writing his personal memoirs. He is +about seventy years of age, and his long life has been full of +significant incidents. + +To those who seek a good acquaintance with the current belles-lettres +literature of Germany, we can cordially recommend the _Deutsches +Museum_, published semi-monthly at Leipsic, under the editorial care of +Professor Robert Prutz and Wilhelm Wolffson, and sold in this city by +Westermann, 290 Broadway. Each number contains eighty-five close pages, +filled by some of the leading writers of German science, art and +politics. In the number now before us, are articles by Gutzkow, Boech, +the philologist, Berthold Auerbach, Emanuel Geibel and Julius Mosen. The +entire range of politics, philosophy, antiquities, art, poetry, romances +and literary criticism is included in the scope of the _Museum_, except +that it is designed not for the learned world, but for the mass of the +people, and accordingly aims at general not technical instruction. Among +the art notices, we observe a brief criticism on the Gallery of +Illustrious Americans, in which the lithography of the pictures is +praised as well as the faces themselves. The critic is delighted with +the energy, originality and freshness of character expressed in their +features. + + * * * * * + +A valuable contribution to current political history is the +_Verfassungskampf in Kurhessen_ (Constitutional Struggle in Electoral +Hesse), by Dr. H. Graefe, which has just made its appearance in Germany. +The conflict of the people and parliament and public officers, against +the selfish, arbitrary and foolish Elector, is the turning point of +recent German politics, and the defeat of the former after their +patience and firmness, acting always within the limits of the +constitution, had gained a decided victory, and compelled the faithless +prince to fly the country,--a defeat accomplished only by the +intervention of Austrian and Prussian troops, was the final downfall of +every form of political liberty in Germany. Dr. Graefe has wisely +abstained from treating the events of this crisis as a philosophical +historian; they are too fresh, and his own share in them was too decided +to allow him to undertake that successfully. He accordingly does little +more than simply report the transactions in a compendious way, with all +the documents necessary to a full understanding of the subject. Whoever +wishes for a thorough apprehension of the German tragi-comedy, may +derive aid from his work. + + * * * * * + +The resources of philology have just been enriched by the publication at +Tubingen of a dictionary of six of the dialects of Eastern Africa, +namely, the Kisuaheli, Kinika, Kikamba, Kipokomo, Kihian, and Kigalla. +This is accompanied by a translation of Mark's Gospel into the Kikamba +dialect, and a short grammar of the Kisuaheli. The author of these works +is the Protestant minister Krap, who has been for fifteen years in +Ethiopia, and has collected and presented to the University at Tubingen +a considerable number of most valuable Ethiopian manuscripts. + + * * * * * + +A notable and interesting book is BEHSE'S _Geschichte des preussischen +Hofes und Adels_ (History of the Prussian Court and Nobility) of which +the two first volumes have just been published at Hamburg by Hoffman & +Campe. The whole work will contain from thirty to forty small volumes, +and will treat all the states of Germany, only some half dozen volumes +being devoted to Prussia. The two now published bring the history down +to the reign of Frederic William II. They abound in most curious +historic details. For instance, the acquisition of the title of King of +Prussia by the Elector of Brandenburgh, Frederic III., is narrated at +length. It seems that this prince, who was deformed in body, but as +politic as he was ambitious in spirit, after many fruitless efforts +obtained from the Emperor at Vienna the grant of the royal dignity, by a +bribe of two hundred thousand thalers, paid to the Jesuit Father Wolff, +as a compensation for the influence of the Society, whose members were +flattered that the most powerful of the Protestant princes of Germany +should solicit their assistance. The whole cost of the grant was six +millions of thalers, an enormous sum for these times. The Papal Court +refused to recognize the new king, and did not until Frederic the Great. + + * * * * * + +We believe a general _Biographical Dictionary of Illustrious Women_, now +in course of publication in Berlin, is to be reproduced here, with +suitable additions. We need, while discussions of the sphere and +capacities of women are so common among us, a work of real learning and +authority, in which the part which the sex has borne and is capable of +bearing in the business of civilizing, shall be carefully and honestly +exhibited. There are fifteen or twenty volumes of short biographies of +women now in print in this country, with prospects of others--all +worthless except this extensive German work, which is considerably +advanced, and for its literary merit as well as for the interest of its +materials, will command an unusual degree of attention. + + * * * * * + +Countess Ida Hahn Hahn is writing a work to be called _My Way from +Darkness to Light, from Error to Truth_. She has became a Catholic, and +this book is intended to tell why. A cheap edition of her works is +publishing at Berlin. We presume they are no longer in her control, but +belong to her publishers, as she could scarcely consent to reprint some +of them. + + * * * * * + +A new work bearing as its title the single word _Italia_, is about to be +published at Frankfort on the Main. It is a complete artistic, historic +and poetic manual for travellers in that lovely peninsula. + + * * * * * + +The Cologne Musical Society lately offered a prize for the best +symphony. Eighty-three have been offered, of which one only seems to be +a pure plagiarism. + + * * * * * + +A book just published in Germany under the title of _Berlin und die +Berliner_ contains some exceedingly interesting details concerning the +great naturalist ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT, from which the _International_ +translates the following: "When, in the years 1834-5, we young students +thronged into lecture room No. VIII., at eight o'clock on winter +mornings, to hear Boeckh on Greek literature and antiquities, we used to +see in the crowd of students in the dark corridor a small, white-haired, +old, and happy-looking man, dressed in a long brown coat. This man was +the _studiosus philologiae_, Alexander von Humboldt, who came, as he +said, to go through again what he had neglected in his youth. When we +met him in the lecture-room we respectfully made way for him; for though +we had no respect for any body, especially professors, Humboldt was an +exception, for he knew 'a hellish deal.' To his own honor, the German +student still respects this quality. During the lecture Humboldt sat on +the fourth or fifth bench near the window, where he drew a piece of +paper from a portfolio in his pocket, and took notes. In going home he +liked to accompany Boeckh, so as in conversation to build some logical +bridge or other from the old world to the new, after his ingenious +fashion. There was then in the class a man who has since distinguished +himself in political literature, but whom we had nicknamed 'Mosherosh,' +that is Calves'-head, on account of his stupid appearance. As Mosherosh +generally came in late, it was the fashion to receive him with a +magnificent round of stamping. One day, Humboldt came too late, and just +at the usual time of Mosherosh, and without looking up we gave the +regular round, while Humboldt, blushing and embarrassed, made his way to +his place. In a moment the mistake was seen, and a good-natured laugh +succeeded. Humboldt also attended the evening lectures of Ritter on +universal geography, and let the weather be as bad as it might, the +gray-haired man never failed. If for a rarity he chanced not to come, we +said among ourselves in students' jargon, 'Alexander cuts the college +to-day, because he's gone to King's to tea.' Once, on occasion of +discussing an important problem of physical geography, Ritter quoted +him, and every body looked up at him. Humboldt bowed to us, with his +usual good nature, which put the youngsters into the happiest humor. We +felt ourselves elevated by the presence of this great thinker and most +laborious student. We seemed to be joined with him in the pursuit of +great scientific ends." + + * * * * * + +The rewards of Authors, we suspect, are greatest in France. In Germany, +England and the United States they are about the same. Cooper, Irving +and Prescott, in this country, have each received for copyrights more +than one hundred thousand dollars. In England, Dickens has probably +received more than any other living author--and in France Lamartine, +Victor Hugo, Dumas, Scribe, Thiers, and many others, have obtained large +fortunes by writing. In Germany Dieffenbach received for his book on +Operative Surgery some $3,500; and Perthes of Hamburg, paid to Neander +on a single work, more than $20,000, exclusive of the interest his heirs +still have in it. Poets like Uhland, Freiligrath, Geibel, have also +received as much as $6,000 or $12,000 on the sales of a single volume. +Long ago in Boston, Robert Treat Paine received $1,500 for a song. Of +our living poets, Longfellow has been most liberally paid. + + * * * * * + +George Stephens, the learned translator of the _Frithiof's Saga_ of +BISHOP TEGNER, in a letter to _The International_ states that he is now +printing at Copenhagen three Anglo-Saxon poems of the eleventh century, +namely: _The Old Testament Story, On the Sixth Day's Work_, and _The New +Testament Story_, by Aelfric, Archbishop of York, now just translated +into the metre and alliteration of the original. The three poems will +make a quarto volume of about thirty sheets, and copies may be ordered +(price three dollars), through the Hon. H. W. Ellsworth, late United +States _Charge d'Affaires_ in Sweden, at New-York, or Dr. S. H. Smith, +of Cincinnati. Of the ability and fidelity with which the work will be +executed, the readers of the Frithiof's Saga need no other assurance. + + * * * * * + +"Etherization," after all, is not a modern discovery, and Wells, +Jackson, and Morton, are alike undeserving of the praise they have +received on account of it. The Paris _Siecle_ states that a manuscript, +written by Papin, known, for his experiments connected with the motive +power of steam, has been discovered near Marburg in Electoral Hesse; +that the work bears the name of _Traite des Operations sans Douleur_, +and that in it are examined the different means that might be employed +to deaden, or altogether nullify, sensibility when surgical operations +are being performed on the human body, Papin composed this work in 1681, +but his contemporaries treated it with ridicule, and he abandoned the +medical profession. + + * * * * * + +A new five-act play, tragic of course, has just appeared at Berlin, +founded on the history of Philip Augustus of France. It is by a lady of +the aristocratic circles of the Prussian capital, who now makes her +debut in literature. It is praised as excellent by those who are not in +the habit of being satisfied with the writings of ladies. A collection +of poems from the same pen is shortly to appear. + + * * * * * + +M. Bianchi's _Turkish and French Dictionary_, in two large octavos, has +reached a second edition at Paris. It is all that could be desired for +the use of diplomatic and consular agents, traders, navigators, and +other travellers in the Levant, but not designed for critics in the +language or its literature. + + * * * * * + +The students of geography and foreign modes of life, owe a debt to the +French General DAUMAS, for his three works on north-western Africa. The +first entitled, _Le Sahara Algerien_, is an exact and thorough and +scientific account of the desert in Algiers, given, however, with a flow +of manly, soldatesque imagination, which imparts life and charm to the +narrative, and even adorned with frequent quotations from the Arab +poets, who have sung the various localities he describes. The second of +these works is called _Le Grand Desert_: in form it is a series of +romances, the author having chosen that as the best manner of conveying +to the reader a distinct impression. The hero is a dweller in the +interior, a member of the tribe of Chambas, who came to Algiers, as he +says, because he had predestined him to make that journey. The general +interrogates him, and the Arab recounts his adventures. As he had thrice +traversed the desert to the negro country beyond, and had seen beside +all the usual events in the life of that savage region, the author +violates no probability in putting into his mouth the most strange and +characteristic stories. The whole are told with a fictitious +reproduction of the teser and somewhat monotonous, yet figurative style, +proper to all savages. _La Grande Kabylie_ recounts the personal +experiences of the author in that yet unconquered country of the Arabs, +whither he went with Marshal Bugeaud in his last expedition. Kabylia he +describes as a picturesque and productive region. There are deep, +sheltered valleys, where along the shores of winding streams, nature has +planted hedges of perpetual flowers, while the mountains on each side +stand yellow with the ripe and ripening grain. The people are braver and +more energetic, their habitations more substantial, and their fields +more valuable than those in other parts of Algeria. Gen. Daumas would +have France subjugate this country and add it to her African dominions. + + * * * * * + +M. de Conches, who is well known for his illustrations of early French +literature, is an enthusiastic admirer of La Fontaine: and he has spent +a vast sum in having printed _one copy_ only, and for himself alone, of +an edition of his works, illustrated by the first artists of the day, +accompanied by notes and prefaces of the most eminent writers, and +forming a very miracle of expensive and _recherche_ typography and +binding. Dibdin had never so good a subject for his _Bibliomania_. + + * * * * * + +Jules Sandeau, one of the most _spirituel_ and elegant of French romance +writers, announced a new novel, _Catherine_, to appear on the 15th of +April. + + * * * * * + +Another book on the _Fall of Louis Philippe_ has been published at Paris +by M. Francois de Groiseillez. It is in the Orleanist interest, and is +praised by the _Journal des Debats_. + + * * * * * + +The most profligate woman of whom we have any account in Roman history +was the empress Massalina, and nothing is more natural than that she +should be selected for a heroin by a Frenchman. In a new five act play +of which the Parisian journals give us elaborate criticisms, she is +represented as a very virtuous wife, by the ingenious contrivance of +giving a certain courtezan such a striking personal resemblance to her +that it was impossible to distinguish between the two, and making the +courtezan commit all the atrocities of the real Massalina. The play is +not without literary merit. It is called _Valeria_--the heroine's +_other_ name being considered too strong to figure on a play-bill. +Rachel plays the two characters of Massalina and the courtezan--of +course with the most perfect success. + + * * * * * + +A new Review has been established in Paris under the title of _La +Politique Nouvelle_. It comes out as the rival of the _Revue des Deux +Mondes_, and as the champion of the new republican _regime_ (as opposed +to the conservative tendencies of the older established Review), offers +battle with a promising array of names of future contributors. The +department of English criticism is confided to M. Leon de Wailly, author +of _Stella and Vanessa_ and the translator of Burns; whose name promises +a knowledge and intelligent appreciation of English literature. The +first two numbers contain contributions from the brilliant and caustic +pen of Eugene Pelletan, and a serial from Madame Charles Reybaud, author +of the _Cadet de Calubrieres, Helene, &c_. + + * * * * * + +Victor Hugo, since the appearance of the last volume of _Le Rhine_, four +or five years ago, has not printed a new book. The proprietor of his +copyrights, who had brought out two splendid editions of his complete +works, one in twenty-five volumes, and another, illustrated by the best +artists of France, in twelve, made a contract with him by which he has +been prevented from any original publications. The term is now nearly +expired, and it is announced that he will at once issue three volumes of +poetry, and twelve of romances. He is now engaged in finishing a novel +entitled _Misery_, which is spoken of by those who have seen portions of +it as a magnificent work. + + * * * * * + +M. de St. Beuve, since October, 1849, the literary critic of _Le +Constitutionnel_, a writer who has pushed himself up in the world far +ahead of his merits, has published at Paris a volume, _Causeries du +Lundi_ (Monday Gossipings), which is no great things. These gossipings +are taken from the columns of that journal, where they are regularly +published on Mondays, and where we have occasionally had the benefit of +seeing them. If they were not written by a member of the French Academy, +and an eminent _litterateur_, we should say they were rather stupid, as +far as ideas go, and not very elegant in respect of style. + + * * * * * + +We had recently the _Cooks of Paris_, in a handsome volume, with +portraits; _The Journals and Editors of Paris_, in another volume, and +now one Paul Lacroix, sometimes called _bibliophile Jacob_, has +announced a _History_, _Political_, _Civil_, _Religious_, _Military_, +_Legislative_, _Judicial_, _Moral_, _Literary_, _and Anecdotic_, _of the +Shoe and the Bootmakers of France_. He treats of the ancient +corporations, their discipline, regulations, and of the fraternities, +with their obligations and devices, sketching the whole history of _La +Chaussure_. Shoemakers have been well represented among the famous men +of all nations, and the craft may be proud of Hans Sachs, Jacob Boehme, +Gifford, Bloomfield, Drew, Holcraft, Lackington, Sherman, William Carey, +George Fox, and a hundred others, besides the heroes of Monsieur +Lacroix. + + * * * * * + +_Bibliophile Jacob_ LACROIX, we see by the Paris papers, has also +discovered a _comedie-ballet_ by Moliere, written in 1654, and never +included in any edition of his works. It is entitled _Le Ballet des +incompatibies_, and appears to have been written by order of the Prince +de Conti, and acted before him by Moliere himself and other persons of +the Prince's circle. That it remained so long unknown is explained by +the circumstance of a few copies only having been printed for the +favored spectators. The plot is described as ingenious, and the verses +not unworthy of the author. It is known that when the Prince de Conti +presided over the states of Languedoc in 1654, he invited thither +Moliere and his company. He professed so much admiration for the actor +that he offered him the confidential situation of secretary, which was +declined; but it seems natural enough that he should have shown his +gratitude by composing one of those entertainments which cost him so +little trouble. This Prince de Conti was at one time so passionately +fond of theatricals that he made it his occupation to seek out subjects +for new plays, but at a later period he wrote a treatise in which +theatres were severely condemned on religious grounds, and Moliere +himself was personally and violently attacked. + + * * * * * + +Among the new biographical works announced in Paris, is one on the Life, +Virtues and Labors of the late Right Rev. Dr. FLAGET, Roman Catholic +Bishop of Bardstown and Louisville, Kentucky. The author is a clergyman, +who accompanied the late Bishop in one of his last missions to Europe. +Bishop Flaget died at the age of eighty-seven. + + * * * * * + +M. Xavier Marmier, whose visit to the United States we noticed some +months ago, has published his _Letters on Canada, the United States, +Cuba, and Rio La Plata_, in two volumes--constituting one of the most +agreeable works ever published in Paris upon this country. We shall +soon, we believe, have occasion to review a translation of the Letters, +by a New-Yorker. + + * * * * * + +Guizot and Thiers--the most eminent living statesmen of France, as well +as her greatest living historians--were for a long time connected with +the Paris journals, and each made his first appearance as a writer in +criticisms on the Fine Arts. For several years the former published +series of articles on the exhibitions of the Louvre, which were +remarkable both for artistic knowledge and literary _verve_. The latter +also published in 1810 a pamphlet on the exhibition in the Louvre, which +excited great sensation--more, however, from its having a political +tendency than for its critical importance. + + * * * * * + +MR. MIGNET, whose condensed _History of the French Revolution_ is best +known to American readers in the cheap reprint of Bohn's Library, and +which in Paris has passed through numberless editions--will soon have +completed his History of Mary Stuart, which is destined, probably, to +supersede every other in the French language. Mignet is perpetual +Secretary of the Academy of Moral Sciences, and was for many years head +of the department of Archives in the Foreign Office. As a man of letters +and a sedulous inquirer, no French author enjoys higher reputation. + + * * * * * + +Lamartine has just published in Paris _The History of the Restoration, +from 1814 to_ 1830, in eight volumes. The work has been composed +hastily, and probably by several hands, for money. The poet has also +published _The Stone Cutter of Saint-Pont_, to which we have before +referred--a new book of sentimental memoirs: they pall after two +administrations. + + * * * * * + +The _Histoire des Races Maudites et les Classes Reprouves_, by +Francisque Michel and Edouard Fournier, publishing at Paris, with +illustrations, has advanced to the twentieth number. The whole is to +contain a hundred numbers, forming three volumes. + + * * * * * + +M. Michelet, the well-known professor of history in the College de +France, has incurred a vote of censure from his associates on account of +his lectures to the students, which, we infer from notices of them, are +quite too republican and socialistic to be approved by the directors of +affairs. + + * * * * * + +A new work, by M. Theophile Lavallee, entitled _L'Histoire de Paris et +ses Monumens_ from ancient times to 1850, has just been published at +Paris, with illustrations by M. Champin. It is warmly commended by the +_Debats_. + + * * * * * + +MULLIE, of the University of France, has published in two large octavos, +a Biographical Dictionary of the Military Celebrities of France, from +1789 to 1850. + + * * * * * + +A second edition of the new _Life of the great Chancellor D'Auguesseau_, +by M. BOUILLE, has been published in Paris. The book continues to be +praised. + + * * * * * + +A Romance and Tales, said to have been written by NAPOLEON BONAPARTE, +when he was a youth, are announced for publication in the Paris +_Siecle_. Though the _Siecle_ is a very respectable journal, and it +engages that these compositions are perfectly authentic, and shall be +accompanied by proofs of their genuineness, we do not believe a word of +the pretence of their authorship. It is a fact, however, not unworthy of +note, in a psychological point of view, that the earliest development of +Napoleon's ambition and powers, before a fit field of action had been +opened to them, was in a literary form. At the age of fifteen, when at +the royal school at Paris, he voluntarily prepared a memoir upon the +luxury and expense attending education at that place, in which he urged +the propriety of the students adopting hardy habits and a simple fare, +and themselves to such toils and exposure as they would encounter in +war. In 1787, at the age of eighteen, at Valence, he gained, +anonymously, a prize proposed to the Academy of Lyons by the Abbe +Raynal, on the question, "What are the principles and institutions best +adapted to advance mankind in happiness?" In this essay he defined +happiness as consisting in the "perfect enjoyment of life according to +the laws of our physical and moral organization:" and the forcible +views, well adapted to the temper of the times, and the vivid style of +writing, attracted much attention. When he was emperor, he was one day +conversing with Talleyrand about this essay, and the latter, a few days +after, took occasion to present it to him, having procured it from the +archives of the academy at Lyons. The emperor took it, and after reading +a few pages, threw it into the fire, saying, "One can never observe +every thing." Talleyrand had not taken the precaution to transcribe it; +but it has been said that Louis Bonaparte had had it copied, and that it +is now in print. About the same time he began a history of Corsica, +which he dedicated to the Abbe Raynal, by whom he had been noticed and +caressed. He corresponded with Paoli in relation to it, and was in +treaty with M. Joly, a bookseller of Dole, for its publication. Raynal, +who read the manuscript, advised its completion; but some change of +purpose prevented its being finished, and it is now lost. During his +residence at Auxonne, in 1790, Napoleon wrote and printed a letter to +Buttafoco, the Corsican deputy for the nobles in the National Assembly. +It is a brilliant and powerful piece of argument and invective, strongly +on the revolutionary side. It produced a marked impression, and was +adopted and reprinted by the patriotic society at Ajaccio. While at +Marseilles, in 1793, Napoleon wrote and published a political dialogue, +called "The Supper of Beaucaire"--a judicious, sensible, and able essay, +intended to allay the agitation then existing in that city. A copy of it +was brought to him in later days, but seeing no advantage in reviving, +under the circumstances of a different time, a production written for a +temporary and local excitement, he ordered its suppression. + + * * * * * + +The Life of Calvin, by Paul Henry, has been translated from the German +by the Rev. Dr. Henry Stebbing, of London, and we have the first of the +two octavos of which it consists, from the press of Robert Carter & +Brothers. So much inexcusable ignorance, so much perverse +misrepresentation, so much insolent lying, may be found scattered +through modern literature, respecting the great Genevan, that Dr. Henry +deserves well the thanks of the christian world for exhibiting the chief +facts of his history, so plainly that every partisan knave who would +repeat the old slanders, shall be silent hereafter for very shame. John +Calvin was unquestionably subject to the infirmities of our human +nature; so was John Milton; but the inherent and indefectable greatness +of these two men was such, that they dwell apart like stars, in glory +scarcely approachable by mortal virtue or intelligence. John Calvin and +John Milton were in an extraordinary degree the authors of modern +institutions of liberty, and it would be difficult to decide which has +most merit of this praise. The late Albert Gallatin was wont to say that +when we celebrated our condition on the fourth of July, we should first +drink to the memory of John Calvin, and then to the immediate authors of +the Declaration of Independence. Mr. Gallatin did not hold to all the +dogmas of Calvin, but he could not speak of the creatures--like Dyer, +for example--who employ their pennyworth of wit to prejudice the vulgar +against him, without some signs of scorn. We can never forget his +merciless characterization of a malicious feeble-mind, who in a book +entitled _A Monograph of Moral Sense_, declared that Calvin never had +enough humanity in his nature to select even one verse by the +_Evangelists_ for pulpit illustration,--though the Reformer really +preached some folio volumes of commentaries upon the Gospels, preached +from them as much as he did from any other portion of the Bible. This +person--his name was Smith--was not more reckless of truth than it has +been the fashion for anti-Calvinists to be, when writing of that great +man and his doctrines, which they seem to have thought could be put down +by petty libels. + +Calvin is now being born into a new life, as it were; the critics and +printers of each particular language are as busy with him as the English +have been with Shakspeare. His amazing wit, and genius, and learning, +are found as attractive and powerful now as they were three hundred +years ago. And this life of him by Henry, embodying whatever of +contemporary records is most needful for the illustration of his +writings, will be likely to have a large sale with every class of +historical students, as they discover that the popular and partisan +notions of him are untrue. Certainly no one should attempt to form an +opinion of Calvin without thoroughly acquainting himself with Henry. + + * * * * * + +In Paris, M. MILLER, librarian to the Assembly, has made an important +discovery among some old Greek MSS. of a lost work by Origen. The +_Journal des Debats_ describes the original work as being in ten books; +the first of which is already known to the world under the title of +_Philosophumena_. The last seven books have just been printed at the +university press in Oxford, under the editorial direction of M. Miller, +who went to England for that purpose. They make an octavo volume of +about three hundred and fifty pages. The _Debats_ says the work is "a +refutation of heresies, in which the author endeavors to prove that the +heresiarchs have all taken their doctrines from the ancient +philosophers:"--a very curious task for Origen to perform, since he was +himself chiefly remarkable for the mixture of Zeno, Plato, and +Aristotle, which he compounded with his Christianity. But apart from its +controversial interest, the recovered manuscript will throw new light on +the opinions and practices of the Neo-Platonists, and on the manners and +customs of ancient times. Discoveries like this point out the necessity +for a larger and more combined action of learned societies in the search +for ancient manuscripts. Origen's _Stromata_ might even yet be +completed: and it is not to be supposed that all the existing fragments +of his _Hexapla_ were collected by Montfaucon. + + * * * * * + +From Constantinople we learn that very important discoveries of ancient +Greek MSS. have been made, in a cave, near the foot of Mount Athos, +bringing to light a vast quantity of celebrated works quoted by various +ancient writers, and hitherto deemed entirely lost. They furnish, +according to the accounts in the journals, an extensive list of proper +names calculated to throw great light upon many obscure periods of +history. Among these volumes, it is said, some are calculated to give a +complete interpretation of hieroglyphic writing--the discoverer having +already successfully applied them to the interpretation of the +inscriptions engraved on the obelisk of the Hippodrome at +Constantinople. This may be quite true, but such statements are to be +received with some suspicion. + + * * * * * + +A literal prose translation of Homer, by Mr. T. A. Buckley, has just +appeared in London. No prose version will cause any just notion of the +spirit of Homer. Of the half dozen metrical translations published +recently, we think that of our countryman Munford the best. Henry W. +Herbert has given us parts of the Iliad in admirable style. No one, +however, has yet equalled old Chapman--certainly not Pope nor Cowper. +The most successful translation into a modern language is unquestionably +the German one by Voss. Mure and Grote have written the ablest +dissertations in English upon the Homeric controversy, but they are not +poets, and could not if they would translate the great bard. + + * * * * * + +R. P. GILLIES, a contemporary of the great authors of the last age, has +published in three volumes _Memoirs of a Literary Veteran_. More than +half a century spent in the society of the lions of literature, could +hardly fail to furnish a store of amusing anecdotes, and a sprinkling of +interesting information. Mr. Gillies has also this advantage over many +collectors of similar reminiscences, that he was not only an author +among authors, but that his social position in early life gave him +access to the best circles. Scott, Wordsworth, Campbell, the Ettrick +Shepherd, Rogers, Galt, Maginn, Haydon, and many more names of interest, +figure frequently in his pages. Upon the whole, however, his work is +tedious, and quite too much occupied with matters that can be +entertaining only to his most intimate associates. Gillies was one of +the early contributors to "Blackwood," and figured as "Kemperhausen" in +the _Noctes Ambrosianae_. He was also the originator and first editor of +the Foreign Quarterly Review, and was one of the first to make German +literature familiar in England. + + * * * * * + +It appears that only the Harpers' edition of Lord HOLLAND'S +_Reminiscences_ is complete. The London copies are full of asterisks, +marking the places of cancelled passages. The cancellings, it was +suggested, were occasioned by the interposition of Lord John Russel. A +correspondent of _The Times_, however, (understood to be Mr. Panizzi of +the British Museum,) came out with a denial, saying "his lordship never +saw a word of the _Reminiscences_ till after they were published, and +that no responsibility whatever could attach to him. I speak thus," he +adds, "of my own knowledge, and beg to inclose my name as a voucher for +the truth of this statement." The _Athenaeum_ thinks that if Mr. Panizzi +had said "printed" instead of "published," his voucher would have been +less rashly ventured, as "Lord John _did_ see the work before it was +actually published, but not before it had been actually printed; and +here, if we be not misinformed, arises a somewhat amusing _contretemps_, +which is likely to render the cancels ineffectual. Lord John, in fact, +had not the opportunity of interfering until the work had been so far +published to the world that an 'uncancelled' copy, with all the passages +since sought to be suppressed, had been dispatched to America beyond +recall. The next American mail will, doubtless, supply us with the whole +of the suppressed passages." + + * * * * * + +The meeting of the _British Association_, at Ipswich, is to commence on +Wednesday, July the 2d, and extend over seven or eight days. The +secretaries have received the names of several hundred intending +visitors, among whom are Lucien Buonaparte, Sir R. Murchison, Sir H. de +la Beche, Sir W. Jardine, Sir Charles Lyell, Sir David Brewster; +Professors Daubeny, Silliman (of America), Owen, Ansted, and the +celebrated naturalist, M. Lorrillier, a relative of the late Baron +Cuvier. + + * * * * * + +Of the new book on _Man's Nature and Development_, by Miss Martineau and +Mr. Atkinson, the _Westminster Review_ for April says: + +"Strange and wonderful is the power of self-delusion! Here we have two +clever well-informed people, persuading themselves that they experience +extraordinary raptures mingled with the most exquisite philosophic calm, +from believing that unconscious matter is the cause of conscious +thought, that the truest human affection is nothing worthier than the +love of a spoonful of nitric acid for a copper half-penny, and that +annihilation is the most satisfactory end of human life. From such views +both the intellect and the heart of man will recoil with well-founded +disgust--his logical powers will perceive the absurdity of the argument, +and his taste and affections will lead him to exclaim with Wordsworth:-- + + ----'Great God! I'd rather be + A Pagan suckled in a creed outworn: + So might I standing on this pleasant lea + Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn; + Have sight of Proteus, rising from the sea, + Or hear old Triton blow his wreathed horn.' + +"The new lights promised by our authors turn out to be chiefly composed +of very old-fashioned rays of darkness, and, after a careful perusal, +many will come to the conclusion that the way to be a modern +philosopher, is to quote the ancients, praise Bacon, and talk 'bosh.'" + + * * * * * + +New editions of the works of Fielding and Smollett, profusely +illustrated by Cruikshank and Kenny Meadows, will soon be published by +Stringer & Townsend. These great classics will never cease to be read +with the keenest relish by all the English race. The London publishers +of the present edition of Fielding observe in their advertisement: + + "It is altogether unnecessary to enlarge upon the genius of + Henry Fielding. There is no man in the brilliant history of + English literature, with the single exception of Shakspeare, to + whose genius has been paid the homage of a more general + attestation. Calumny and misrepresentation--the offspring of + envy and malice--these, in his day, he had to endure or to + deride, and these, with their authors, have long sunk into + oblivion. The greatest of his contemporaries knew and + acknowledged his transcendent merit, and since his death, there + has not been one man of genius whose opinion of Fielding is + recorded, that has not spoken of him with veneration and + delight. Dr. Johnson, spite of a personal enmity, could not but + concede his extraordinary powers. Lady Mary Wortley Montague + reluctantly confessed that 'cousin Fielding' was the greatest + original genius of the age; the fastidious Gray was charmed + with him; and the more fastidious Gibbon has left his opinion + on record, that the illustrious house of Hapsburg, from which + Fielding was descended--its name erased, its towers + crumbled,--will be forgotten, when the romance of _Tom Jones_ + shall flourish in eternal youth. If Coleridge classed him, as + one of the true immortals, with Shakspeare, Goethe could not, + nor was willing to contest, that he was so; if Byron could + cheer his heart and refresh his mind with his pages, so can, + and so does, Wordsworth. In a word, the matchless drawing of + his characters, which are not likenesses from life, but copies + from Nature--the one being a shallow art, the other a + profoundly creative power--his exquisite wit, his abounding + humor, his natural and manly pathos--in these no writer of + narrative fiction has ever approached him. + + "While, therefore, nothing can be less likely than that the + fame of Fielding should ever be suffered to die, or that, as + long as literature exists it can ever diminish, nothing can be + more proper than to attempt to extend his popularity--a + consummation inevitably to be effected by producing his works + at a price accessible, and in a form attractive, to all + classes. The late Rowland Hill once observed, that it was not + fitting that the arch-enemy of mankind should have all the best + tunes to himself. In a like spirit it may be remarked, that it + ought not to be permitted to inferior writers to monopolize all + the appliances and means of popularity that art can bestow. + Accordingly, the proprietors have secured the hearty and + zealous co-operation of Kenny Meadows. It would be invidious, + and from the purpose, to institute a comparison between this + gentleman and his contemporaries; but it may be asserted that + no living artist has shown an equal versatility of genius, + which points him out as the man best fitted to trace the + many-colored life of Fielding. From the illustration, almost + page by page, of Shakspeare, where is the man but would have + shrunk? but that work of our artist has secured not merely an + English, not only a European reputation, but a world-wide + celebrity. The proprietors are assured, that from the hand of + Kenny Meadows such an edition of Fielding will proceed as we + have not yet seen, and shall not hereafter see." + + * * * * * + +Of Mr. JOHN BIGELOW'S work on _Jamaica_, (published a few weeks ago by +Putnam,) the London _Examiner_ of April 5th, remarks: + + "It contains the most searching analysis of the present state + of Jamaica, and, moreover, the most sagacious prognostications + of the future prospects of the island that have ever been + published. Mr. Bigelow is an accomplished, acute, and liberal + American. As such, an eye-witness and a participator of the + greatest and most successful colonial experiment which the + world has ever seen, he is, necessarily, a better and more + impartial judge of the subject he treats of than any Englishman + of equal capacity and acquirement. Mr. Bigelow makes short and + easy work of planters, attornies, book-keepers, sophistries, + and Stanleys. In doing so, his language is invariably that of a + man of education and a gentleman. He might have crushed them + with a sledge-hammer, but he effects his purpose as effectually + with a pass or two of a sharp and polished broad-sword." + + * * * * * + +The publication of a translation in the Bohemian language of Lamartine's +_History of the Girondins_, has been recently prohibited at Prague by +the Austrian authorities. + + * * * * * + +MACREADY, in retiring from the stage, had more honors showered upon him +than ever before sweetened the leave-taking of any hero of the buskin: +among them, this dedication of George Sand's latest publication, _Le +Chateau des Desertes_, which is now appearing in _La Revue des Deux +Mondes_: + + "To W. C. MACREADY:--This little work, attempting to set forth + certain ideas on Dramatic Art, I place under the protection of + a great name, and of an honorable friendship. + + GEORGE SAND." + + + + * * * * * + +The first volume of _The Stones of Venice_, by Mr. RUSKIN, has been +republished by Mr. Wiley, and we trust it will have a very large sale in +this country, which was never in greater need of instructions upon any +subject than it is now upon that of architecture. In all our cities +there is remarkable activity in building; the surplus wealth of the +American people is largely applied for the increase of the magnificence +of town and country residences--for the most part so ignorantly applied, +that the Genius of Architecture might almost be frightened from our +shores by the spectacles reared here to vex and astonish the next ages. +To bring about a reform, to lead the way for rationalism, in the noblest +of the practical arts, Mr. Ruskin has approved himself worthy by his +previous works. The _Stones of Venice_ will increase the fame won by his +"Modern Painters." The _Literary Gazette_ says: + + "It is a book for which the time is ripe, and it cannot fail to + produce the most beneficial results, directly and indirectly, + on our national architecture. The low condition into which that + has fallen has been long felt. Mr. Ruskin has undertaken to + lead us back to the first principles of the art, and, in doing + so, to enable every reader who will bestow the necessary + attention to his exposition, to discover for himself the causes + of this decline, and to master the principles, by attention to + which, the significance and dignity of the art may be restored. + The subject is one of the widest interest; but it has been so + hedged about with technical difficulties as to debar from its + study all who had not more leisure, more perseverance, and more + money, than fall to the lot of the majority of even cultivated + minds. At once popular and profound, this book will be + gratefully hailed by a circle of readers even larger than Mr. + Ruskin has found for his previous works. He has so written as + to catch the ear of all kinds of persons: 'Every man,' he says + truly, 'has at some time of his life personal interest in + architecture. He has influence on the design of some public + building; or he has to buy, or build, or alter his own house. + It signifies less, whether the knowledge of other arts be + general or not; men may live without buying pictures or + statues; but in architecture all must in some way commit + themselves; they _must_ do mischief, and waste their money, if + they do not know how to turn it to account. Churches, and + shops, and warehouses, and cottages, and small row, and place, + and terrace houses, must be built and lived in, however joyless + and inconvenient. And it is assuredly intended that all of us + should have knowledge, and act upon our knowledge, in matters + in which we are daily concerned, and not be left to the caprice + of architects, or mercy of contractors." + + "Those who live in cities are peculiarly dependent for + enjoyment upon the beauty of its architectural features. Shut + out from mountain, river, lake, forest, cliff, and hedgerow, + they must either find in streets and squares food for pleasant + contemplation, or be drawn into indifference by meaningless, + ill-proportioned, or unsightly forms. 'We are forced,' says Mr. + Ruskin, 'for the sake of accumulating our power and knowledge, + to live in cities; but such advantage as we have in association + with each other, is in great part counterbalanced by our loss + of fellowship with nature. We cannot all have our gardens now, + nor our pleasant fields to meditate in at eventide. Then the + function of our architecture is, as far as may be, to replace + these; to tell us about nature; to possess us with memories of + her quietness; to be solemn and full of tenderness like her, + and rich in portraitures of her; full of delicate imagery of + the flowers we can no more gather, and of the living creatures + now far away from us in their own solitude. If ever you felt or + found this in a London street; if ever it furnished you with + one serious thought, or any ray of true and gentle pleasure; if + there is in your heart a true delight in its green railings, + and dark casements, and wasteful finery of shops, and feeble + coxcombry of club-houses, it is well; promote the building of + more like them. But if they never taught you any thing, and + never made you happier as you passed beneath them, do not think + they have any mysterious goodness of occult sublimity. Have + done with the wretched affectation, the futile barbarism, of + pretending to enjoy; for, as surely as you know that the meadow + grass, meshed with fairy rings, is better than the wood + pavement cut into hexagons; and as surely as you know the fresh + winds and sunshine of the upland are better than the choke-damp + of the vault, or the gaslight of the ball-room, you may know + that the good architecture which has life, and truth, and joy + in it, is better than the bad architecture, which has death, + dishonesty, and vexation of heart in it from the beginning to + the end of time. + + "To show what this good architecture is, how it is produced, + and to what end, is the object of the present volume. It is, + consequently, purely elementary, and introductory merely to the + illustration, to be furnished in the next volume from the + architectural riches of Venice, of the principles, to the + development of which it is devoted. Beginning from the + beginning, Mr. Ruskin carries his reader through the whole + details of construction with an admirable clearness of + exposition, and by a process which leaves him at the close in a + position to apply the principles which he has learned by the + way, and to form an intelligent and independent judgment upon + any form of architectural structure. The argument of the book + hangs too closely together to be indicated by extracts, or by + an analysis within the limits to which we are confined." + +We perceive that the work of which the first volume is here noticed, is +to be followed immediately by _Examples of the Architecture of Venice_, +selected and drawn to measurement from the edifices, by Mr. Ruskin: to +be completed in twelve parts, of folio imperial size, price one guinea +each. These will not be reproduced in this country, and as the author +probably has little advantage from the American editions of his works, +we trust that for his benefit as well as for the interests of art, the +_Examples_ will be largely imported. + + * * * * * + +The new play written by Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton, as his contribution +towards the fund raising for the new Literary Institute, is in the hands +of the literary and artistic amateurs by whom it is to be enacted, and +rehearsals are in progress. The first performance will take place +probably in June. + + * * * * * + +It was a custom when the world was younger than it is now, for +disappointed lovers, and outlaws, and portionless youths too proud to +labor and afraid to steal, to go into the wars; nobility, that would not +suffer them to become journeymen mechanics, led them to hire out as +journeymen butchers. But at length the field of military adventure is +almost every where closed. There is no region, ever so remote, where a +spirited and adventurous youth could hope ever to learn the art martial. +A few skirmishes on the Parana and the Plata, on the Fish River, or the +Keiskamma, form all the fighting that is going on upon the globe; and +that fighting offers no premium to the adventurer. There is no native +prince of great wealth and numerous followers, no mogul, or sultan, or +sikh, with whom the turbulent European might make a good bargain for his +courage. The last field for such enterprise was the country of the +Mahrattas, where French and English mercenaries--with a sprinkling of +Americans--created a colony which enabled the ignorant, bigoted and +jealous savages to keep in check the best European armies. A Frenchman +named Person was a pioneer in the business. He was succeeded by the +Savoyard, De Boigne, whose statue now adorns the principal square of +Chamberry. James Skinner, whose _Memoirs_ have just been published in +London by the novelist and traveler Mr. Bailie Fraser, began a similar +career under De Boigne. Some idea may be formed of the Mahratta army, +when the Peishwa at times brought 100,000 horse into the field. A +trusted officer, as Skinner afterwards became, might thus command a +division of twenty, thirty, or forty thousand men, equal in fact to the +largest European armies in the last century. When men played with such +tools as these, it may be easily imagined how they themselves rose and +fell; how empires crumbled, or were reared anew. When Wellesley and Loke +overthrew the Mahrattas, Skinner entered the British service, and it +appears from the book before us that he died in 1836 a knight of the +Bath. + + * * * * * + +"Hitherto," says M. de Sainte Beuve, "the real learning of women has +been found to be pretty much the property of their lovers;" and he +ridicules the notion that even Mrs. Somerville has any scholarship that +would win the least distinction for a man. It may be so. We see, +however, that a Miss FANNY CORBAUX has lately communicated to the +Syro-Egyptian Society in London a very long and ambitious paper _On the +Raphaim and their connexion with Egyptian History_, in which she quotes +Hebrew, Arabic, Greek, &c., with astonishing liberality. + + * * * * * + +Carlyle's translation of the _Apprenticeship and Travels of Wilhelm +Meister_, has been issued in a very handsome edition, by Ticknor, Reed & +Fields, of Boston. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Macaulay has been passing the Winter and Spring in Italy. + + * * * * * + +The Late Mr. John Glanville Taylor, an Englishman, left in MS. a work +upon _The United States and Cuba_, which has just been published by +Bentley, and is announced for republication by Mr. Hart of Philadelphia. +Mr. Taylor was born in 1810, and when about twenty-one years of age he +left Liverpool for the United States, on a mining speculation. After +travelling a few months in this country, he was induced to go to Cuba to +examine a gold vein of which he thought something might be made. The +place in Cuba which was to be the scene of his operations, was the +neighborhood of Gibara, on the north-eastern side of the island, which +he reached by sailing from New-York to St. Jago de Cuba, and travelling +across the island forty-five leagues. The gold vein turned out a +wretched failure; and, after having been put to some disagreeable shifts +to maintain himself, Mr. Taylor resolved to settle as a planter in +Holguin--the district to which Gibara forms the port of entry. Returning +to the United States, he made the necessary arrangements; and in the +summer of 1843, was established on his _hacienda_, in partnership with +an American who had been long resident in that part of the island. In +this and the following year, however, the east of Cuba was visited by an +unprecedented drought; causing famine which, though it destroyed many +lives and ruined thousands of proprietors, attracted no more attention, +he says, in England, than was implied by "a paragraph of three lines in +an English newspaper." The west of Cuba was at the same time devastated +by a tremendous hurricane, accompanied by floods; and, all his Cuban +prospects being thus blasted, the author was glad to return to New-York +in September, 1845, whence, after a short stay, he returned to England. +He did not long, however, remain in his native country, but left it for +Ceylon, where he died suddenly in January, of the present year. His +_United States and Cuba: Eight Years of Change and Travel_, was left in +MS., and within a few weeks has been printed. It is a work of much less +value than Mr. Kimball's _Cuba and the Cubans_, published in New-York +last year. Of that very careful and judicious performance Mr. Taylor +appears to have made considerable use in the preparation of his own, and +his agreement with Mr. Kimball may be inferred from the fact that, +though pointedly protesting that he does not advocate the annexation of +Cuba to the United States, he holds that "worse things might +happen,"--and indeed hints that sooner or later the event is inevitable. +Of _Cuba and the Cubans_, we take this opportunity to state that a new +and very much improved edition will soon be issued by Mr. Putnam. + + * * * * * + +Lady Emmeline Stuart Wortley has in the press of Bentley her _Travels in +the United States_. She passed about two years, we believe, in this +country. She has written several books, in verse and prose, but we never +heard that any body had read one of them. + + * * * * * + +The _Nile Notes_, by Mr. CURTIS, have been republished in London by +Bentley, and the book is as much approved by English as by American +critics. The _Daily News_ says: + + "The author is evidently a man of great talent." + +Leigh Hunt, in his _Journal_, that-- + + "It is brilliant book, full of thought and feeling." + +The _Athenaeum_, that-- + + "The author of _Nile Notes_, we may now add, is richly + poetical, humorous, eloquent, and glowing as the sun, whose + southern radiance seems to burn upon his page. An affluence of + fancy which never fails, a choice of language which chastens + splendor of expression by the use of simple idioms, a love for + the forms of art whether old or new, and a passionate enjoyment + of external nature such as belongs to the more poetic order of + minds--are the chief characteristics of this writer." + +The _Literary Gazette_-- + + "The genial and kindly spirit of this book, the humor and + vivacity of personal descriptions, redeemed by an exquisite + choice of expression from the least taint of the common or the + coarse; the occasional melody and music of the diction, + cadenced, as it were, by the very grace and tenderness of the + thought it clothes, or the images of beauty it evokes; the + broad, easy touches, revealing as at a glance the majestic and + tranquil features of the Eastern landscape, and the ultimate + feeling of all its accessories of form and hue; the varied + resources of learning, tradition, poetry, romance, with which + it is not encumbered but enriched, as a banquet table with + festal crowns and sparkling wines--all these, and many other + characteristics, to which our space forbids us to do justice, + render these 'Nile Notes' quite distinct from all former books + of Eastern travel, and worthy 'to occupy the intellect of the + thoughtful and the imagination of the lively.' Never did a + wanderer resign his whole being with more entire devotion to + the silence and the mystery that brood, like the shadow of the + ages, over that dead, dumb land. A veritable lotus-eater is our + American Howadji!'" + +And a dozen other London journals might be quoted to the same effect. +But critics disagree, as well as doctors, and the Boston _Puritan +Recorder_ comes down on the Howadji in the following exemplary manner: + + "This is a much-vaunted book, by a young American, but one in + which we take no pleasure. In the first place, it is written in + a most execrable style,--all affectation, and verbal wriggling + and twisting for the sake of originality. The veriest sophomore + ought to be "rusticated" for such conceited phrases as + "beautiful budburstiness of bosom,"--"her twin eyes shone forth + liquidly lustrous"--and innumerable expressions in the same + namby-pamby dialect. But dellacruscan folly is but a trifle + compared with the immoral tendency of the descriptions of the + _gahzeeyah_, or dancing girls of Egypt, and the luscious + comments on their polluted ways and manners. We thought the + Harpers had done publishing this indecent trash." + + * * * * * + +D. M. Moir, the "Delta" of _Blackwood's Magazine_, has just published in +Edinburgh, _Sketches of the Poetical Literature of the Past Half +Century_, in six Lectures, delivered at the Edinburgh Philosophical +Institution. + + * * * * * + +The Rev. Satan Montgomery, otherwise called _Robert_ Montgomery, is not +dead, as some have supposed, but is still making sermons and +verses--probably sermons and verses of equally bad quality; and we see +with some alarm that the Rivingtons advertise, as in preparation, a +complete edition of his _Poetical Works_ [we never saw any works by him +that were poetical] in one octavo volume, similar in size and appearance +to the octavo editions of Southey, Wordsworth, &c., &c., and including +the whole of the author's poems--_Satan_, _Woman_, _Hell_, and all the +rest,--in a revised form, with some original minor pieces, and a general +preface. We don't suppose he will take our counsel, yet we will venture +it, that he make use of Macaulay's reviewal of his poems, instead of any +"general preface" of his own. + + * * * * * + +Documentary History of New-York.--The forthcoming (third) volume of this +State contribution to our historical literature will well sustain the +reputation of its predecessors and of its zealous editor. Dr. +O'CALLAGHAN is an enthusiast in his zeal for lighting up "the dark ages +of our history," as Verplanck called the Dutch period; and he has done +as much as any man living to rescue the fast perishing memorials of the +founders of the Empire State. It is fortunate for the State that his +industry and patient research are secured for the proper arrangement of +the Archives--too long neglected and subject to loss and mutilation. The +new volume has come to hand too late for any elaborate notice or review +of its contents; but a glance at the list of papers and illustrations +alone warrants the opinion we have expressed. We notice particularly the +account of Champlain's explorations in Northern New-York, &c., from 1609 +to 1615--translated from the edition of 1632. The historical student +cannot fail to note the coincidence of discovery and exploration by the +Dutch and French; and the credit due to the "Founder of New France;" to +which we have alluded in the article on the Jesuit Relations. The +translations of the extracts from Wassenaar (1624, etc.), give an +interesting cotemporaneous view of the progress of the European +discoveries and settlements in America. A chapter on Medals and Coins +contains attractive matter, particularly that portion which relates to +the "Rosa Americana coins," connected as they are with the "Wood's +half-pence," immortalized by Dean Swift. The notes and biographical +sketches by the editor, scattered through the volume, add materially to +its value--as also the numerous maps and engravings. We have heard hints +that some small suggestions of disinterested economists of the public +money, or other considerations less creditable, have been brought to +bear against the continuation of this publication--but we trust that +they will end when they begin. New-York owes it to her own great history +to make its material accessible to all. + + * * * * * + +Colonel Albert J. Pickett, of Montgomery, has in the press of Walker and +James, of Charleston, _The History of Alabama, and incidentally of +Georgia and Mississippi, from the Earliest Period_. It will make two +handsome volumes, and from some passages of it which we have read, we +believe it will be a work of very unusual attraction. It will embrace an +account of the invasion of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, +by De Soto, in 1539-41; of the Aborigines of these states, their +appearance, manners and customs, games, amusements, wars, and religious +ceremonies, their ancient mounds and fortifications, and of the modern +Indians, the Creeks, Chickasaws Choctaws, Alabamas, Uchees, Cherokees, +and other tribes; the discovery and settlement of Alabama and +Mississippi by the French, and their occupation until 1763; the +occupation of Alabama and Mississippi by the British for eighteen years; +the colonization of Georgia by the English; the occupation of Alabama +and Mississippi by the Spaniards for thirty years; and the occupation of +these states by the Americans from 1800 until 1820. One whole chapter is +taken up with an interesting account of the arrest of Aaron Burr in +Alabama in 1807; and the exciting controversies between Georgia, the +Federal Government, Spain, and the Creek Indians, are treated at length. +The work will be illustrated by really valuable engravings, after +original drawings made by a French traveller in 1564. + + * * * * * + +Mrs. Farnham, author of _Prairie-Land_, (a very clever book published +three or four years ago by the Harpers), and widow of the late Mr. +Farnham who wrote a book of travels in Oregon and other parts of the +Pacific country, is now living in a sort of paradise, about seventy +miles south of San Francisco. In a published letter she gives the +following description of her farm: + + "It is very heavily timbered and watered with clear living + streams running through valleys of the most fertile soil, on + which delicious vegetables grow ten months of the year. The + region is especially famed for potatoes, which become almost a + fruit here. The farm I live on is charmingly situated about a + mile from the old Mission, and two from the beach, on which a + tremendous surf breaks and thunders day and night. From my + house I look over the coast-table and range of mountains, the + hills of Monterey, the bay, and a near landscape, exquisitely + diversified by plain and wood, hill and valley, and almost + every shade that herbage and foliage, in a country without + frost, can show. The rainy season is about a month old, and the + earth as green as it is at home in June. Another month will + pile it with clover, and less than another variegate it with an + inconceivable variety of the most exquisite flowers--for this + is the land of flowers as well as of gold. Our prairies are + quite insignificant in their floral shows, compared to it. The + country and climate are faultless--except in the lack of + showers through the dry months. Nearly every thing one can + desire may be grown upon one's own farm here." + + * * * * * + +Mr. Charles Gayarre, a gentleman distinguished in the affairs of +Louisiana, in which state he has held some important offices, has just +published in a handsome octavo, _Louisiana, its Colonial History and +Romance_, (Harper & Brothers.) It appears from the preface, that Mr. +Gayarre has had excellent opportunities for the collection of materiel +for a really good book of the sort indicated by his title; but this +performance is utterly worthless, or worse than worthless, being neither +history nor fiction, but such a commingling of the two that no one can +tell which is one or which the other. The uncertainty with which it is +read will be disagreeable in proportion to the interest that it excites; +and, knowing something of the colonial history of Louisiana, we are +inclined to think that a book quite as entertaining as this might have +been composed of authenticated facts. Indeed the _Historical Collections +of Louisiana_, by Mr. French, (published by Daniels and Smith, +Philadelphia,) must be to even the most superficial reader a far more +attractive volume. + + * * * * * + +The _Pictorial Field Book of the Revolution_, by BENSON J. LOSSING, +(Harper & Brothers,) is a work that cannot well be praised overmuch. +There have been an immense number of illustrated and pictorial histories +of this country, all or nearly all of which are worthless patchwork; but +Mr. Lossing's is a production of equal attractive interest and value. +The first volume only has been completed; one more will follow with all +convenient haste, ending the work. The letter-press is written from +original materials, the drawings of scenery are made from original +surveys, the engravings are executed, all by Mr. Lossing himself; and in +every department he evinces judgment and integrity. The Field Book will +not serve the purposes of a general history, but to the best informed +and most sagacious it will be a useful companion in historical reading, +while to those who seek only amusement in books, it may be commended, +for its pleasant style and careful art, as one of the most entertaining +works of the time. + + * * * * * + +We are glad to perceive that Mr. J. H. INGRAHAM, author of _The +Southwest, by a Yankee; Burton, or the Sieges_; and a large number of +the vilest yellow-covered novels ever printed in this country, has been +admitted to the deaconate in the Episcopal church at Natchez, and +intends shortly to remove to Aberdeen, in the same state, to found a +society in that city. + + * * * * * + +Mrs. Judson ("Fanny Forrester") left Calcutta in January for the United +States, by way of England, and she is now daily expected home, by her +old and warmly attached friends here. We see suggested a volume of her +poems--some of which have much tenderness and beauty; and hope that +measures will be taken to insure such a publication, for her exclusive +benefit, immediately. + + * * * * * + +Our contemporary, the Philadelphia _Lady's Book_, is a little out of +season in its fashions. The April number of that excellent periodical +contains the Parisian Fashions which appeared in _The International_ for +February; and for this present month of May, we see in _The Lady's Book_ +the altogether too warm and heavily made dresses given in _The +International_ for last January--mid-winter. Certainly Philadelphia +ought not to be so far behind New-York in these matters. In its literary +character the _Lady's Book_ is still sustained by the contributions of +its favorite critic Mr. Henry T. Tuckerman, with those of Mr. T. S. +Arthur, Miss Adaliza Cutter, and Mrs. Sarah J. Hale. + + * * * * * + +We regret that the terms in which we lately announced Mr. J. R. TYSON'S +forthcoming _History of the American Colonies_ were capable of any +misapprehension. We know Mr. Tyson quite too well to entertain a doubt +of his perfect integrity as a historian; but it has been a subject of +frequent observation in the middle and southern states that the +New-England writers, who have furnished most of our histories, have +exaggerated the influence of the Puritans and depreciated that of the +Quakers and Cavaliers: Mr. Tyson himself, we believe, has been of this +opinion; and we merely look for an able, fair, and liberal history, from +his point of view. + + * * * * * + +Mr. VALENTINE is preparing a new volume of his _Manual of the Common +Council of New-York_. The volumes hitherto published have been edited +with great care and judgment; they embody an extraordinary amount and +variety of interesting and important facts connected with the +advancement and condition of the city; and the series is indispensable +to any one who would write a history of New-York, or the lives of its +leading citizens. The last volume was unusually rich in maps and +statistics, and we understand that the next one will be even more +interesting and valuable. + + * * * * * + +Mr. WILLIS has just published (through Charles Scribner) a new volume +under the characteristic title of _Hurry-graphs, or Sketches of Scenery, +Celebrities and Society_, taken from life. It embraces the author's +letters to the Home Journal, from Plymouth, Montrose, the Delaware, the +Hudson, the Highlands, and other summer resorts, with personal +descriptions of Webster, Everett, Emerson, Cooper, Jenny Lind, and many +other notabilities. It will be a delightful companion for the watering +places this season. + + * * * * * + +Among the most beautiful books from the American press is _Episodes of +Insect Life_, by ACHETA DOMESTICA, just reprinted by J. S. Redfield. The +natural history and habits of insects of every class are delineated by a +close observer with remarkable minuteness, and in a style of unusual +felicity; and the peculiar illustrations of the book are more spirited +and highly finished than we have noticed in any publication of a similar +character. + + * * * * * + +The Harpers have published a new edition of the _Greek Grammar_ of +Philip Buttman, revised and enlarged by his son, Alexander Buttman, and +translated from the eighteenth German edition by Dr. EDWARD ROBINSON. It +is not to be doubted, we suppose, that this grammar, in the shape in +which it is now presented, is altogether the best that exists of the +Greek language. We are not ourselves competent to a judgment in the +case, but from all we have seen upon the subject by the best scholars, +we take this to be the general opinion. + + * * * * * + +JOHN P. KENNEDY has in the press of Putnam a new and carefully revised +edition of his _Swallow Barn, or a Sojourn in the Old Dominion_, one of +the most pleasant books illustrative of local manners and rural life +that has ever been written. It is more like Irving's Bracebridge Hall +than any other work we can think of, and is as felicitous a picture of +old Virginia as Jeffrey Crayon has given us of Merrie England. The first +edition of Swallow Barn was published twenty years ago; the new one is +to be beautifully illustrated in the style of Irving's _Sketch Book_. + + * * * * * + +Dr. FRANCIS LIEBER, the learned Professor of the South Carolina College, +has been elected a member of the National Institute of France. Dr. +Lieber is a German, but he has resided in this country many years. Among +Americans who have been thus complimented are Mr. Prescott and Mr. +Bancroft. The late Henry Wheaton was also a member of the Institute. + + * * * * * + +The entertaining book, _Ship and Shore_, by the late Rev. WALTER COLTON, +has just been published by A. S. Barnes & Co., who will as soon as +practicable complete the republication of all Mr. Colton's works, under +the editorship of the Rev. Henry T. Cheever. + + * * * * * + +The _Domestic Bible_, by the Rev. Ingram Cobbin, just published in a +very handsome quarto volume in this city by S. Hueston, we think +decidedly the best edition of the Scriptures for common use that has +ever been printed in the English language. Its chief merit consists in +this, that without embracing a syllable of debatable matter in the form +of notes, it contains every needful explanation and illustration of the +text that can be gathered from ancient art, literature and history, +expressed with great distinctness and compactness, together with such +well-executed wood engravings as unquestionable knowledge in this age +could suggest--omitting altogether the absurd fancy embellishments which +in most of the illustrated Bibles are so offensive to the taste, and so +worthless as guides to the understanding. The editor we believe is a +clergyman of the Episcopal Church in England, but he has had the good +sense to avoid, so far as we can see, everything that would vex the +sectarian feelings of any one who admits that the Bible itself is true. + + * * * * * + +The _Life, Speeches, Orations, and Diplomatic Papers of Lewis Cass_, are +in press at Baltimore, under the editorship of Mr. George H. Hickman. +_The Speeches, Forensic Arguments, and Diplomatic Papers_ of Daniel +Webster (to be comprised in six large octavo volumes), are in the press +of Little & Brown of Boston, under the care of Mr. Edward Everett. _The +Memoirs and Works of the late John C. Calhoun_ are soon to be published +in Charleston, by Mr. R. K. Craller, and we hear of collections of the +Speeches and Public Papers of Mr. Buchanan and Mr. Benton. All these are +important works in literature, affairs or history. + + * * * * * + +Professor GILLESPIE, of Union College, has just published (Harper & +Brothers) a translation of The Philosophy of Mathematics, from the +_Cours de Philosophie Positive_ of AUGUSTE COMTE. The intellect of +Europe in this century has evolved no greater work than the Philosophie +Positive, and Professor Gillespie has done a wise thing in rendering +into English that part of it which relates to the field of mathematical +science. + + * * * * * + +Professor LINCOLN'S edition of Horace (recently published by the +Appletons) is the subject of much commendatory observation from critical +scholars. For purposes of instruction it is likely to have precedence of +any other that has been printed in this country. Those having marginal +translations may be very convenient for indolent boys, but they are not +altogether the most serviceable. + + * * * * * + +A work of very great ability has appeared in Paris, under the title of +_De la Certitude_, (Upon Certainty), by A. JAVARY. It makes an octavo of +more than five hundred pages, and for originality of ideas and +illustrations, and cumulative force of logic, is almost unrivalled. The +sceptical speculation of the time is reduced by it to powder, and thrown +to the winds. + + * * * * * + +Mr. MCCONNELL, who gave us last year a brilliant volume under the title +of "Talbot and Vernon," has just published, _The Glenns, a Family +History_, by which his good reputation will be much increased. It +displays much skill in the handling, and is altogether an advance from +his previous performance. (C. Scribner.) + + * * * * * + +The wife of a shipmaster trading from Boston in the Pacific, has just +published a volume entitled _Life in Fejee, or Five Years among the +Cannibals_. It is a very entertaining book, and we are obliged to the +cannibals for not eating the author. + + * * * * * + +Noticing the appointment of Mr. S. G. GOODRICH to be consul for the +United States at Paris, the London _News_ says: "In these days of +testimonials and compliments, we should not be surprised to hear of an +address of congratulation to the admired Peter, from the 'children of +England.'" + + * * * * * + +Of recent American Novels, the best that have fallen under our notice +(except those of Hawthorne and McConnell, before noticed), are, _The +Rangers, or the Tory's Daughter_, a very interesting tale illustrative +of the revolutionary history of Vermont, by D. P. Thompson, author of +"The Green Mountain Boys," (B. B. Mussey & Co., Boston); _Mount Hope, or +Philip, King of the Wampanoags_, by C. H. Hollister, (Harper & +Brothers); _Rebels and Tories, or the Blood of the Mohawk_, by Lawrence +Labree, (Dewitt and Davenport); and _Second Love_, a pleasant domestic +story, by an anonymous writer, (G. P. Putnam.) + + * * * * * + +The Hakluyt Society, in London, has commenced its series of publications +with _Divers Voyages touching the Discovery of America and the Islands +adjacent_, collected and published by Richard Hakluyt, Prebendary of +Bristol, in the year 1582: edited, with notes and an introduction, by +John Winter Jones. The society should have many subscribers in this +country. + + * * * * * + +Dr. MAYO has published a new book of tales, not unworthy of the author +of "Kaloolah" and "The Berber," under the title of "_Romance Dust from +the Historic Placers._" We shall give it attention hereafter. (Putnam.) + + * * * * * + +MASANIELLO is suppressed at Berlin, as _Tell_ had been--not modern +imitations of those heroes, but the operas so called, by Rossini and +Auber. The Prussian Government, liberal as it was a few months ago in +professions, cannot stand the performance of operas! + + * * * * * + +Mr. THACKERAY is to commence in London, about the middle of the present +month, a course of lectures embracing biographical reminiscences of some +of the comic writers of England during the eighteenth century. + + * * * * * + +Mr. ALISON, the historian, has been chosen Rector of the University of +Glasgow, by the casting vote of Col. Mure, the historian of Greek +Literature, who occupied the same place before Macaulay. + + + + + +The Fine Arts. + + +The engravings of the several Art-Unions of this country for the coming +year will be from excellent pictures. The American Art-Union will offer +its subscribers Mr. Woodville's _Mexican News_, engraved by Alfred +Jones; the Philadelphia Art-Union, Huntington's _Christiana and Her +Children_, by Andrews; and for the same purpose, Mr. Perkins, of Boston, +has allowed the New-England Art-Union to make use of his magnificent +picture of _Saul and the Witch of Endor_, painted by Alston, and +generally considered one of the finest historical productions of that +eminent artist. Each of the Unions, we believe, will also publish some +less important works for distribution or prizes. + +The twenty-sixth exhibition of the _National Academy of Design_, has +commenced under favorable auspices. Upon the whole, the collection of +pictures is the best ever made by the society. We have not space for any +particular criticism, but must refer to Mr. Durand's admirable +landscapes; the Greek Girl and full length portrait of General Scott by +Mr. Kellogg; Mount Desert Island by Mr. Church; The Defence of +Toleration by Mr. Rothermel; The Edge of the Wood by Mr. Huntington; Mr. +Gignoux's Winter Sunset, and other pictures in the same department by +Richards, Cropsey, and Kensett; and portraits by Elliott, Osgood, Hicks +and Flagg,--are the works which strike us as deserving most praise. + + * * * * * + +The _Bulletin of the American Art-Union_ for April, describes the +opposition to the institution of which it is the organ, as directed by +"envy, malice, and uncharitableness," and intimates that it is +occasioned by the inability or unwillingness of the committee to +purchase the trashy productions of incompetent painters constantly +offered to them. We submit to the gentlemen connected with the +Art-Union, that they should not suffer the hirelings they may sometimes +employ upon the Bulletin, thus to refer to such artists and such men as +Durand, Wier, Kellogg, Elliott, and many others, who have ventured to +think that their Association does not present altogether the best means +to be devised for the promotion of the fine arts. Taste may be displayed +in writing, as well as in buying pictures. + + * * * * * + +There was recently sold at auction at Paris, for 2,700 francs, a picture +by GIRODET, which in its time caused not a little amusement to the +Parisians. It was originally a portrait of an actress of the Theatre +Francais, who married a rich banker. Girodet tried to get the pay for +his picture, but the lady and her husband obstinately refused. Hereupon +he transformed her into a Danae, receiving the shower of gold, adding +other figures, such as a turkey cock representing the eagle of Jove, +which rendered the whole work as laughable as it was uncomplimentary to +its subject. It was exhibited in one of the expositions in the time of +the empire, and no picture was ever more successful with the public. + + * * * * * + +KOTZBUE, a historical painter, now residing at Munich, has nearly +completed a large picture representing the battle of Zuellichau, in 1759, +where the Germans under General Wedel were defeated by the Russians +under Soltikoff. The work is highly praised, and its author even +compared with Horace Vernet for vividness of narrative, truth in detail, +and force and harmony of color. + + * * * * * + +Mr. ELLIOTT, probably the best portrait painter now living, will soon +visit Marshfield, where Mr. Webster has promised to sit to him, for a +friend of his in this city. + + * * * * * + +Two statues by the lamented SCHWANTHALER have just been set up in the +royal library at Munich. The first represents Albert V., Duke of +Bavaria, the founder of the library, and a great patron of science. Of +course, he is presented in middle-age costume; his head is bare, his +face reflective, and his right hand supports his chin,--an image of +repose, after a work is accomplished. The other statue is of King Louis +(of Lola Montes memory), in royal robes, the left hand resting on his +sword, and his right holding the plan of the edifice containing the +library, which was built by him. His whole expression is the opposite to +that of the Duke, not repose, but restless activity in search of new +objects. A critic says that these statues do not stand well on their +feet, and that the knees are bent as if one leg was lame, a fault, he +says, not peculiar to Schwanthaler. + + * * * * * + +We last month spoke of the New Museum at Berlin, one of the finest +edifices of modern times. It may be interesting to our readers to know +that the total expense of the building and interior decoration was in +round numbers $1,100,000. Of this sum the execution of the ornamental +work and works of art in the interior, including the frescoes of +Kaulbach and others, with the arrangement of objects of art and +furniture necessary for their display, cost upwards of $220,000. + + * * * * * + +The Exhibition of the Munich Art-Union took place in the beginning of +March. Among the pictures, attention was particularly drawn to a series +of sketches from Syria, Palestine, and Asia Minor, by Loefller. Baade +exhibited a Norwegian picture, representing an effect of moonlight: +Peter Hess two small humorous pieces from military life, which were +greatly admired, as was especially a series of aquarelles representing +scenes in Switzerland and Italy, by Suter, a Swiss artist. + + * * * * * + +KAULBACH only works at Berlin on his frescoes in the New Museum during +the pleasant season. The second picture, the Destruction of Jerusalem, +was nearly finished last fall when the cold came on. He left it, and it +is now covered and concealed by brown paper till he shall again set to +work on it. + + * * * * * + +M. LAMARTINE recently presented in the French Assembly a petition from +William Tell Poussin, formerly minister of the Republic in the United +States, praying the French Government to grant a block of granite, taken +from the quarries of Cherbourg, for the national monument to Washington. + + * * * * * + +WIDNMANN, the sculptor, of Munich, has recently completed in plaster a +group of the size of life, of a man defending his wife and child against +the attack of a tiger. The figures are nude, and the only figure yet +finished, that of the man, is spoken of as a model. + + + + +HAS THERE BEEN A GREAT POET IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY! + + +The _Eclectic Review_ for the last month, in an article upon the +writings of Joanna Baillie, answers this question in the manner +following: + + "We may enumerate the following names as those of real poets, + dead or alive, included in the first half of the nineteenth + century in Britain:--Bloomfield, Wordsworth, Coleridge, + Southey, Campbell, Moore, Byron, Shelley, Keats, Professor + Wilson, Hogg, Croly, Maturin, Hunt, Scott, James Montgomery, + Pollok, Tennyson, Aird, Mrs. Browning, Mrs. Hemans, Joanna + Baillie, and the author of 'Festus.' We leave this list to be + curtailed, or to be increased, at the pleasure of the reader. + But, we ask, which of those twenty-three has produced a work + uniquely and incontestably, or even, save in one or two + instances, professedly GREAT? Most of those enumerated have + displayed great powers; some of them have proved themselves fit + to begin greatest works; but none of them, whether he has + begun, or only thought of beginning, has been able to finish. + Bloomfield, the tame, emasculate Burns of England, has written + certain pleasing and genuine poems smelling of the soil, but + the 'Farmer's Boy' remained what the Scotch poet would have + called a 'haflin callant,' and never became a full-grown and + brawny man. Wordsworth was equal to the epic of the age, but + has only constructed the great porch leading up to the edifice, + and one or two beautiful cottages lying around. Coleridge could + have written a poem--whether didactic, or epic, or + dramatic--equal in fire and force to the 'Iliad,' or the + 'Hamlet,' or the 'De Rerum Natura,' and superior to any of the + three in artistic finish and metaphysical truth and religious + feeling--a work ranking immediately beside the 'Paradise Lost;' + but he has, instead, shed on us a shower of plumes, as from the + wing of a fallen angel--beautiful, ethereal, scattered, and + tantalizing. Southey's poems are large without being + great--massive, without being majestic--they have rather the + bulk of an unformed chaos than the order and beauty of a + finished creation. Campbell, in many points the Virgil of his + time, has, alas! written no Georgies; his odes and lesser poems + are, 'atoms of the rainbow;' his larger, such as 'Gertrude of + Wyoming,' may be compared to those segments of the showery arch + we see in a disordered evening sky; but he has reared no + complete 'bow of God.' Moore's 'Lalla Rookh' is an elegant and + laborious composition--not a shapely building; it is put + together by skilful art, not formed by plastic power. Byron's + poems are, for the most part, disjointed but melodious groans, + like those of Ariel from the centre of the cloven pine; 'Childe + Harold' is his soliloquy when sober--'Don Juan' his soliloquy + when half-drunk; the 'Corsair' would have made a splendid + episode in an epic--but the epic, where is it? and 'Cain,' his + most creative work, though a distinct and new world, is a + bright and terrible abortion--a comet, instead of a sun. So, + too, are the leading works of poor Shelley, which resemble + Southey in size, Byron in power of language, and himself only + in spirit and imagination, in beauties and faults. Keats, like + Shelley, was arrested by death, as he was piling up enduring + and monumental works. Professor Wilson has written '_Noctes_' + innumerable; but where is his poem on a subject worthy of his + powers, or where is his _work_ on any subject whatever? Hogg + has bound together a number of beautiful ballads, by a string + of no great value, and called it the 'Queen's Wake.' Scott + himself has left no solid poem, but instead, loose, rambling, + spirited, metrical romances--the bastards of his genius--and a + great family of legitimate chubby children of novels, bearing + the image, but not reaching the full stature, of their parent's + mind. Croly's poems, like the wing of his own 'seraph kings,' + standing beside the sleeping Jacob, has a 'lifted, mighty + plume,' and his eloquence is always as classic as it is + sounding; but it is, probably, as much the public's fault as + his, that he has never equalled his first poem, 'Paris in + 1815,' which now appears a basis without a building. Maturin + has left a powerful passage or two, which may be compared to a + feat performed by the victim of some strong disease, to imitate + which no healthy or sane person would, could, or durst attempt. + James Montgomery will live by his smaller poems--his larger are + long lyrics--and when was a long lyric any other than tedious? + Hunt has sung many a joyous carol, and many a pathetic ditty, + but produced no high or lasting poem. Pollok has aimed at a + higher object than almost any poet of his day; he has sought, + like Milton, to enshrine religion in poetic form, and to + attract to it poetic admirers: he did so in good faith, and he + expended great talents and a young life, in the execution; but, + unfortunately, he confounded Christianity with one of its + narrowest shapes, and hence the book, though eloquent in + passages, and dear to a large party, is rather a long and + powerful, though unequal and gloomy sermon, than a poem; he has + shed the sunshine of his genius upon his own peculiar notions, + far more strongly than on general truths; and the spirit of the + whole performance may be expressed in the words of Burns, + slightly altered,--'Thunder-tidings of damnation.' _His_ and + _our_ friend, Thomas Aird, has a much subtler, more original + and genial mind than Pollok's, and had he enjoyed a tithe of + the same recognition, he might have produced a Christian epic + on a far grander scale; as it is, his poems are fragmentary and + episodical, although Dante's 'Inferno' contains no pictures + more tremendously distinct, yet ideal, than his 'Devil's Dream + upon Mount Acksbeck. Tennyson is a greater Calvinist in one + sense than either of the Scotch poets we have named--he owes + more to the general faith of others in his genius than to any + special or strong works of his own; but let us be dumb, he is + now Laureate--the crowned grasshopper of a summer day! Bailey + of 'Festus' has a vast deal more power than Tennyson, who is + only his delicate, consumptive brother; but 'Festus' seems + either different from, or greater than, a _work_. We are + reminded of one stage in the history of the nebular hypothesis, + when Sir W. Herschel, seeing a central mass in the midst of a + round burr of light, was almost driven to the conclusion that + it was _something immensely greater than what we call a + star_--a kind of monster sun. So with the prodigious birth men + call 'Festus.' Our gifted young friend Yendys is more likely + than any, if he live and avoid certain tendencies to diffusion + and over-subtlety, to write a solid and undying POEM. + + "It were easy to extend the induction to our lady authors, and + to show that Mrs. Hemans, Mrs. Browning, and Joanna Baillie, + Mrs. Shelley, &c., have abounded rather in effusions or + efforts, or tentative experiments, than in calm, complete, and + perennial works." + +The critic appears never to have heard of our Bryant, Dana, Halleck, +Poe, Longfellow, or Maria Brooks, any one of whom is certainly superior +to some of the poets mentioned in the above paragraph; and his doctrine +that a great poem must necessarily be a long one--that poetry, like +butter and cheese, is to be sold by the pound--does not altogether +commend itself to our most favorable judgment. + + + + +THE REAL ADVENTURES AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF GEORGE BORROW. + + +Generally, we believe, _Lavengro_, though it has sold well everywhere, +has not been very much praised. It has been conceded that the author of +"the Bible in Spain" must be a Crichton, but his last performance looked +overmuch like trifling with the credulity of his readers. We find in +Colburn's _New Monthly Magazine_ for April a sort of vindication of +Borrow, which embraces some curious particulars of his career, and quote +the following passages, which cannot fail to interest his American +readers: + + "We have yet to learn where our author was during the years + intervening from the epoch of the dingle to the date of Spanish + travel; that he was neither in mind nor body inactive, ample + testimony may be adduced, not only in the form of writings made + public during that interval, but in the internal evidence + afforded by them of laborious research. In a work published at + St. Petersburgh in 1835, known but to few, entitled "Targum; + or, Metrical Translations from Thirty Languages and Dialects, + by George Borrow," we find indications of how those intervening + years were spent. He says, in the preface to this work, "The + following pieces, selections from a huge and undigested mass of + translation, accumulated during several years devoted to + philological pursuits, are with much diffidence offered to the + public," &c. These translations are remarkable for force and + correct emphasis, and afford demonstration of what power the + author possesses over metre. We shall cite but few examples, + however, for it is believed that not only that huge mass, but + many an additional song and ballad now is digested, and lies + side by side with the glorious "Kaempe Viser," the "Ab Gwilym," + and other learned translations, by means of which it may be + hoped that the gifted Borrow will ere long vindicate his + lasting claim to scholarship--a claim to which it is to be + feared he is indifferent, for he is no boaster, and does + himself no justice; or, if he boasts at all, prefers, as with a + species of self-sarcasm, the mention of his lesser, on which he + dwells with zest, to that of his greater and more enduring + triumphs. The "Targum" consists of translations from the + following languages: Hebrew, Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Tartar, + Tibetian, Chinese, Mandchou, Russian, Malo-Russian, Polish, + Finnish, Anglo-Saxon, Ancient Norse, Suabian, German, Dutch, + Danish, Ancient Danish, Swedish, Ancient Irish, Irish, Gaellic, + Ancient British, Cambrian British, Greek, Modern Greek, Latin, + Provencal, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Rommany. A + few specimens from this work may be acceptable to the English + reader--a work so rare, that the authorities of a German + university not long ago sent a person to St. Petersburgh to + endeavor to discover a copy:" + + +ODE TO GOD. + +FROM THE HEBREW. + + + Reign'd the Universe's master ere were earthly things begun; + When his mandate all created, Ruler was the name he won; + And alone He'll rule tremendous when all things are past and gone; + He no equal has, nor consort, He the singular and lone + Has no end and no beginning, His the sceptre, might, and throne; + He's my God and living Saviour, rock to which in need I run; + He's my banner and my refuge, fount of weal when call'd upon; + In his hand I place my spirit, at nightfall and rise of sun, + And therewith my body also;--God's my God,--I fear no one. + + +PRAYER. + +FROM THE ARABIC. + + O Thou who dost know what the heart fain would hide; + Who ever art ready whate'er may betide; + In whom the distressed can hope in their woe, + Whose ears with the groans of the wretched are plied-- + Still bid Thy good gifts from Thy treasury flow; + All good is assembled where Thou dost abide; + To Thee, save my poverty, nought can I show, + And of Thee all my poverty's wants are supplied; + What choice have I save to Thy portal to go? + If 'tis shut, to what other my steps can I guide? + 'Fore whom as a suppliant low shall I bow, + If Thy bounty to me, Thy poor slave, is denied? + But, oh! though rebellious full often I grow, + Thy bounty and kindness are not the less wide. + + +O LORD! I NOTHING CRAVE BUT THEE. + +FROM THE TARTAR. + + O Thou from whom all love doth flow, + Whom all the world doth reverence so, + Thou constitut'st each care I know; + O Lord! I nothing crave but Thee. + + O keep me from each sinful way; + Thou breathedst life within my clay; + I'll therefore serve Thee night and day; + O Lord! I nothing crave but Thee. + + I ope my eyes, and see Thy face, + On Thee my musings all I place, + I've left my parents, friends, and race; + O Lord! I nothing crave but Thee. + + Take Thou my soul, my every thing; + My blood from out its vessels wring; + Thy slave am I, and Thou my King; + O Lord! I nothing crave but Thee. + + I speak--my tongue on Thee doth roam; + I list--the winds Thy title boom; + For in my soul has God his home; + O Lord! I nothing crave but Thee. + + The world the shallow worldling craves, + And greatness need ambitious knaves; + The lover of his maiden raves; + O Lord! I nothing crave but Thee. + + The student needs his bookish lore, + The bigot shrines to pray before, + His pulpit needs the orator; + Oh Lord! I nothing crave but thee. + + Though all the learning 'neath the skies, + And th' houries all of paradise, + The Lord should place before my eyes, + O Lord! I'd nothing crave but Thee. + + When I through paradise shall stray, + Its houries and delights survey, + Full little gust awake will they; + O Lord! I'll nothing crave but Thee. + + For Hadgee Ahmed is my name, + My heart with love of God doth flame; + Here and above I'll bide the same; + O Lord! I nothing crave but Thee. + + Nor was this the only literary labor performed by Mr. Borrow + while at St. Petersburgh: to the "Targum" he appended a + translation of "The Talisman," and other pieces from the + Russian of Alexander Pushkin. He also edited the Gospel in the + Mandchou Tartar dialect while residing in that city. In + connection with the latter undertaking there is an anecdote + told of which, like the story of his making horse-shoes, shows + his resources, and redounds to his credit. It runs thus:--"It + was known that a fountain of types in the Mandchou Tartar + character existed at a certain house in the city of St. + Petersburgh, but there was no one to be found who could set + them up. In this emergency the young editor demanded to + inspect the types; they were brought forth in a rusty state + from a cellar; on which, resolved to see his editorial labors + complete, he cleaned the types himself, and set them up with + his own hand." + +Of his journeyings in Spain Mr. Borrow has been his own biographer; but +here again his higher claims to distinction are lightly touched on, or +not named. In 1837 a book was printed at Madrid, having the following +curious title-page: + + "_Embeo e Mafaro Lucas. Brotoboro randado andre la chipe + griega, acaana chibado andre o Romano, o chipe es Zincales de + Sese._ + + "_El Evangelio segun S. Lucas, traducido al Romani, o dialecto + de los Gitanos de Espana. 1837._" + + And this work is no other than the remarkable antecedent of the + "Zincali,"--the translation of St. Luke's Gospel into the Gipsy + dialect of Spain.[A] Of the Bible in Spain it is unnecessary to + speak; there can be no better evidence of the estimation it is + held in than the fact of its having been translated into French + and German, while it has run through at least thirty thousand + copies at home. But it is on the "Zincali" that Borrow's + reputation will maintain its firm footing; the originality and + research involved in its production, the labors and dangers it + entailed, are duly appreciated at home and abroad. During the + past year a highly interesting account of the Gipsies and other + wandering people of Norway, written in Danish, was published at + Christiana; it is entitled "Beretning om Fante--eller + Landstrygerfolket i Norge" (Account of the Fant, or Wandering + People of Norway), by Eilert Sundt. At the twenty-third page of + this work, the Danish author, in allusion to the subject of + this notice, says: "This Borrow is a remarkable man. As agent + for the British Bible Society he has undertaken journeys into + remote lands, and acquainted from his early youth, not only + with many European languages, but likewise with the Rommani of + the English Gipsies, he sought up with zest the Gipsies every + where, and became their faithful missionary. He has made + himself so thoroughly master of their ways and customs that he + soon passed for one of their blood. He slept in their tents in + the forests of Russia and Hungary, visited them in their robber + caves in the mountainous _pass_ regions of Italy, lived with + them five entire years (towards 1840) in Spain, where he, for + his endeavors to distribute the Gospel in that Catholic land, + was imprisoned with the very worst of them for a time in the + dungeons of Madrid. He at last went over to North Africa, and + sought after his Tartars even there. It is true, no one has + taken equal pains with Borrow to introduce himself among this + rude and barbarous people, but on that account he has been + enabled better than any other to depict the many mysteries of + this race; and the frequent impressions which his book has + undergone within a short period, show with what interest the + English public have received his graphic descriptions." + +Of the extraordinary acquisitions of Mr. Borrow in languages, a pleasant +story is told by Sir William Napier, who, looking into a courtyard, from +the window of a Spanish inn, heard a man converse successively in a +dozen tongues, so fluently and so perfectly, that he was puzzled to +decide what was his country,--Germany, Holland, France, Italy, Russia, +Portugal, or Spain; and coming down he joined his circle, asked the +question of him, and was astonished by the information that he was an +English Bible agent. Between the historian of the Peninsular War and the +missionary an intimacy sprung up, which we believe has continued without +any interruption to the present time. + + + + +THE FAUN OVER HIS GOBLET. + +WRITTEN FOR THE INTERNATIONAL MONTHLY MAGAZINE. + +BY R. H. STODDARD. + + + I. + + My goblet was exceeding beautiful; + It was the jewel of my cave; I had + A corner where I hid it in the moss, + Between the jagged crevices of rock, + Where no one but myself could find it out; + But when a nymph, or wood-god passed my door, + I filled it to the brim with bravest wine, + And offered them a draught, and told them Jove + Had nothing finer, richer at his feasts, + Though Ganymede and Hebe did their best: + "His nectar is not richer than my wine," + Said I, "and for the goblet, look at it!" + But I have broken my divinest cup + And trod its fragments in the dust of Earth! + + + II. + + My goblet was exceeding beautiful. + Sometimes my brothers of the woods, the fauns, + Held gay carousals with me in my cave; + I had a skin of Chian wine therein, + Of which I made a feast; and all who drank + From out my cup, a feast within itself, + Made songs about the bright immortal shapes + Engraven on the side below their lips: + But we shall never drain it any more, + And never sing about it any more; + For I have broken my divinest cup + And trod its fragments in the dust of Earth! + + + III. + + My goblet was exceeding beautiful. + For Pan was 'graved upon it, rural Pan; + He stood in horror in a marshy place + Clasping a bending reed; he thought to clasp + Syrinx, but clasped a reed, and nothing more! + There was another picture of the god, + When he had learned to play upon the flute; + He sat at noon within a shady bower + Piping, with all his listening herd around; + (I thought at times I saw his fingers move, + And caught his music: did I dream or not?) + Hard by the Satyrs danced, and Dryads peeped + From out the mossy trunks of ancient trees; + And nice-eared Echo mocked him till he thought-- + The simple god!--he heard another Pan + Playing, and wonder shone in his large eyes! + But I have broken my divinest cup, + And trod its fragments in the dust of Earth! + + + IV. + + My goblet was exceeding beautiful. + For Jove was there transformed into the Bull + Bearing forlorn Europa through the waves, + Leaving behind a track of ruffled foam; + Powerless with fear she held him by the horns, + Her golden tresses streaming on the winds; + In curved shells, young Cupids sported near, + While sea gods glanced from out their weedy caves, + And on the shore were maids with waving scarfs, + And hinds a-coming to the rescue--late! + But I have broken my divinest cup, + And trod its fragments in the dust of Earth! + + + V. + + My goblet was exceeding beautiful. + For rosy Bacchus crowned its rich designs: + He sat within a vineyard full of grapes, + With Ariadne kneeling at his side; + His arm was thrown around her slender waist, + His head lay in her bosom, and she held + A cup, a little distance from his lips, + And teased him with it, for he wanted it. + A pair of spotted pards where sleeping near, + Couchant in shade, their heads upon their paws; + And revellers were dancing in the woods, + Snapping their jolly fingers evermore! + But all is vanished, lost, for ever lost, + For I have broken my divinest cup, + And trod its fragments in the dust of Earth! + +FOOTNOTES: + +[A] The writer has before him another translation of St. Luke's Gospel +in the Basque, edited by George Borrow while in Spain--(Evangeloia S. +Lucasen Guissan.--El Evangelio segun S. Lucas. Traducido al Vascuere. +Madrid. 1838). + + + + +THE JESUIT RELATIONS. + +DR. O'CALLAGHAN'S MEMOIR--NEW DISCOVERIES IN ROME, &c. + + +At the stated meeting of the New-York Historical Society, in October, +1847, Dr. E. B. O'CALLAGHAN, well known as the author of a valuable +history of New-York under the Dutch,[B] and now engaged in +superintending the publication of the Documentary History of the State, +under the act of March 13, 1849, communicated a paper, which was read at +the subsequent meeting in November, and published in the "Proceedings," +on the "_Jesuit Relations of Discoveries and other Occurrences in Canada +and the Northern and Western States of the Union, 1632-1672_."[C] This +memoir embraces notices of the authors of the Relations, a catalogue +raisonnee, and a table showing what volumes are in this country and +Canada, and where they are to be found. A French translation of this +work, with notes, corrections and additions, has been published (in +1850) at Montreal, by the Rev. Father MARTIN, Superior of the Jesuits in +Canada. As the notes and additions contain valuable information, +especially upon the discovery of new matter for the illustration of the +general subject, we shall endeavor to present an intelligible compend of +their substance. + +The French editor carries back the history to 1611, when the first +Jesuit missionaries to North America, Father Pierre Biard and Enmond +Masse, arrived in Acadia. They took part in the establishment of Port +Royal and that of St. Sauveur, in Pentagoet, now Mount Desert Island. +The former wrote a Relation of his voyage. + +Dr. O'Callaghan had spoken of the _nomadic_ race which was to be +subjected to the influences of the gospel, under the auspices of the +Jesuit missionaries, as inhabiting the country extending from the island +of Anticosti to the Mississippi. The translator qualifies this statement +by a note, in which he says that this term _nomadic_ is applicable to +the nations of Algonquin origin, but not to the Hurons nor the Iroquois, +who had fixed abodes and regularly organized villages or towns. The Five +Nations were the Agniers (Mohawks), the Oneionts (Oneidas), the +Onontagues (Onondagas), the Goiogoiens (Cayugas), and the Tsonnontouans +(Senecas). The Tuscaroras, a tribe from the south, were admitted to the +confederation, making thus Six Nations, during the last century. + +CHAMPLAIN was the first European who reached the Atlantic shores of the +state of Maine from the St. Lawrence by way of the Kennebec. This +illustrious discoverer was sent in 1629 to explore that route as far as +the coast of the Etechemins, "in which he had been before in the time of +the Sieur du Mont."[D] + +The French editor adds the following notices of two of the fathers who +filled the office of Superior in Canada, not mentioned by Dr. +O'Callaghan. + +PIERRE BIARD, according to the history of Jouvency, was born at +Grenoble, and entered the Society of Jesus while yet very young. He came +to Port Royal in 1611, and took part in the establishment of St. Sauveur +a Pentagoet, in 1613. The English came from Virginia to destroy this +settlement, scarcely yet commenced. After having suffered greatly from +the enemies of Catholicism and the Jesuits, Father Biard was sent back +to France. He taught theology at Lyons for nine years, and died at +Avignon, November 17, 1622. He was then chaplain to the King's troops. +He left a _Relation de la Nouvelle France_, and of the _Voyage of the +Jesuits_, as well as some other works. + +CHARLES LALEMANT was born at Paris in 1587, and entered the Society of +Jesus, at the age of twenty. Two of his brothers, Louis and Jerome, +shortly afterwards followed his example, and the second labored for a +long time in the Canadian mission. He first came to Canada in 1625. +Charlevoix says he accompanied the expedition from Acadia in 1613, for +the establishment of Pentagoet. He crossed the ocean four times in +behalf of his beloved mission, and was twice shipwrecked. Having been +captured by the English in one of these voyages, he was retained some +time as a prisoner. His last voyage to Canada was made in 1634. In the +following year, he took charge of the House of our Lady of Recovery, +which was then established in the lower city of Quebec, and commenced at +the same time the first schools for the French children. It was this +father who was with Champlain in his last moments. Many years afterward, +he returned to France, when he was successive chief of the Colleges of +Rouen, of La Fleche and Paris, and Superior of the Maison Professe in +the last named city. He died there, on the eighteenth of November, 1674, +aged eighty-seven years. + +Father CHARLES wrote an interesting _Relation on Canada_, inserted under +the date of August 1, in the _Mercure Francais_ of 1626, and a letter on +his shipwrecks, which Champlain published in his edition of 1632. We +have also some religious works left by him. + +The _Relation_ of Father Biard was published at Lyons, 1612 and 1616, in +32mo. It gives an account of his travels and labors--the nature of the +country, its mineral and vegetable productions, &c. + +That of Father Lalemant is a long letter addressed to his brother +Jerome, and inserted in the _Mercure Francais_, 1627-28: Paris, 1629. It +treats of the manners and customs of the Indians, the nature of the +country, and the fatal change which trade had undergone since it had +become a monopoly. + +Continuing the researches of Dr. O'Callaghan, Father Martin found, from +a catalogue of manuscripts on Canada, preserved among the archives of +the Jesuits at Rome, that there was a _Relation du Canada_ for 1676 and +for 1677: but it was not ascertained whether these were complete. Other +manuscripts were found in the same collection, but fragmentary, and +could only serve as the materiel of a general Relation. But a more +important acquisition was made in the recovery of valuable manuscripts +in Canada. There have been found two complete Relations, following that +of 1672, and continuing the series to 1679. One is the Relation of 1673, +and the other comprises a period of six years, from 1673 to 1679. They +fortunately escaped the pillage of the Jesuit College at Quebec, Father +Casot, the last of the old race of Jesuits, dying at Quebec in 1800, had +confided them, with other manuscripts, to the pious hands of the nuns of +the Hotel Dieu, in that city, who preserved them for a long time as a +sacred trust, and restored them, to the Jesuits, when they returned to +Canada in 1842. + +What increases the value of these historical monuments, is the fact, +that they are contemporary with the facts to which they relate. They +bear numerous corrections, notes, and even entire pages, in the +handwriting of Father Dablon, then superior of the missions in Canada, +who, without doubt, prepared them for publication. + +That of 1672-3 is anonymous, and in three parts. The first is on the +Huron mission near Quebec, the second on the Iroquois missions, and the +third on the various missions to the west of the great lakes. In the +last part, consisting of eighty-seven pages, the thirty-ninth and +fortieth are missing. + +The Relation for 1673-9 is also anonymous and without a general title, +but on the back of the last leaf is an endorsement in the handwriting of +Father Dablon, "Relation en 1679, abrege des precedentes." On the first +page the writer announces that the relation embraces a period of six +years. It is divided into eight chapters, subdivided into paragraphs. +The second chapter is devoted to an account of the last labors and +heroic death of Father MARQUETTE, on the lonely shore of the "Lac des +Illinois," now Lake Michigan. This relation passes in review all the +missions of the west, and enters into minute details concerning the +missions to the Iroquois, the Montagnais, the Gaspesiens, those of the +Sault St. Louis, and Lorette. It extends to 147 pages, but unfortunately +one entire sheet is lost, embracing the pages 109 to 118. + +This last Relation should have included the other voyages of Father +Marquette, and especially the discovery of the Mississippi in 1673; but +another manuscript of the same epoch, and which bears the same evidence +of authenticity, explains the omission. Under the title of "Voyage and +Death of Father Marquette," it recites in sixty pages the labors which +have immortalized that celebrated missionary. This curious manuscript +furnished Thevenot with the materiel for his publication in 1687, +entitled "Voyage et Decouverte de quelques Pays et Nations de l'Amerique +Septentrionale, par le P. Marquette et le Sr. Joliet."[E] What adds +great value to the manuscript is the fact that it is much more extended +than the publication of Thevenot. The causes and the preparations for +the expedition are recounted; and we can follow the missionary in his +various travels, even to his last moments in 1675. + +Two other documents, which complete this valuable historical discovery, +are noticed by Father Martin: + +1. The autograph journal of Marquette's last voyage, from the +twenty-fifth of October 1674 to the sixth of April 1679, about a month +before his death. + +2. The autograph map (by Marquette) of the Mississippi, as discovered by +him. This extends no farther than the "A Kansea" (Arkansas), where his +voyage in that direction terminated. + +The map published by Thevenot, and recently reproduced by Rich, +Bancroft, and others, is incorrect in many particulars, especially with +regard to this fact of the Arkansas being the lowest point reached by +Marquette. + +Besides the two Relations (MS.) aforesaid, and the Marquette +manuscripts, fragments of the Relations for the years 1674, 1676, 1678, +and the following years, have been found, but incomplete. + +In addition to all these, Father Martin calls attention to one of the +printed Relations, little known out of Italy, in the language of which +it was written. It was printed at Macerata in 1653. A recent letter from +Father Martin announces that he has completed translations into French +and English, which will soon be published. It is the work of Father +Francois Joseph Bressani, and is thus noticed by Charlevoix: + +"Father Bressani, a Roman by birth, was one of the most illustrious +missionaries to Canada, where he suffered a cruel captivity, and severe +tortures. He speaks little of himself in his history, which is well +written, but which relates almost entirely to the Huron mission, in +which he labored with great zeal so long as it continued. After the +almost entire destruction of that nation, and the dispersion of the +remainder, he returned to Italy, where he continued to preach until his +death, with the greater success, inasmuch as he bore in his mutilated +hands the glorious marks of his apostleship among the heathen."[F] + +The translation by Father Martin will be illustrated by maps and +engravings. + +Recent letters from Italy announce further discoveries in the library of +the Dominican Friars at Rome. We congratulate the historical student on +the recovery of these and similar memorials of the early history of the +country. Especially the labors of the Jesuit missionaries deserve to be +more generally familiar to the readers of history; and we cordially +respond to the sentiment of approbation with which the services of Dr. +O'Callaghan and Father Martin have been greeted heretofore by the press. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[B] History of New Netherland, or New-York under the Dutch. &c. 2 vols. +8vo. New-York: Appleton & Co., 1846-8. + +[C] Proceedings of the New-York Historical Society. For the year 1847, +pp. 140-158. + +[D] Voyage du Champlain. Ed. 1632. p. 209. + +[E] A copy of this very rare work was destroyed with the valuable +library in the burning of the Parliament House in Montreal, 26th April, +1849. + +[F] Charlevoix: Hist. Nouv. France. Liste des Auteurs. + + + + +THE HAT REFORM AGITATION. + + +New hats are inevitable. Genin, who appears to be as clever in writing +as in making hats, has avowed himself a conservative, and in a long +argument has vindicated the style of which he is so eminent a +manufacturer. But the "people" are for reform, and we must all bend to +the will of the people; land reform, bank reform, all kinds of reform, +now are forgotten in the cry for a reform in hats; this has rallied +around it all ranks, classes and orders: they say, "Take off your +funnels!" + +It has been responded to with enthusiasm. From the lord of one hundred +thousand acres to the hard-worker for his daily bread--from the +ultra-conservative to the ultra-destructive--from the High-Churchman to +the No-Churchman--from the Puseyite to the Presbyterian--from the +gentleman down to the veriest "gent," this new question of Reform has +drawn unanimous adhesion. In fact, the attempted revolution in our head +gear, more fortunate than the other revolutions talked about of late +years, promises to be successful. + +Says the London _News_, "The ladies are as unanimous as the gentlemen on +the subject, and give the potent assistance of their voices to the +movement, and wonder how it is that men, who have so keen a sense of the +beautiful, should have been so long blinded to the ugliness imposed upon +their lordly foreheads by the hat-makers. A few of the most conservative +of these hat-makers are the only persons who venture a word in defence +of the ancient barbarism which it is the object of the revolutionists to +remove. Now and then a hatter of all novelties, whether of hats or of +ideas, will venture to come to the aid of the hat-makers, and to ask if +any one can suggest a better head 'accoutrement' than the old familiar +hat which it is attempted to scout out of society with such hasty +ignominy. But, if hatters and the hat conservatives are closely pressed +to tell us what recommendation the article has, they are obliged to give +up the argument in despair--to intrench themselves in the old fortress +of such reasoners, and to defend what is, merely because it is. They +would stand on the old ways, were they knee-deep in slush; and they +would wear the old hat, were it not only of the shape, but of the +material and the color of a chimney-pot. + +"Every body who has worn a hat, has perceived it to be a nuisance, +although he may never have said any thing on the subject till the +present cry was raised. As soon as a man gets out of the streets of the +capital, or of his own accustomed provincial town, and sets foot in a +railway carriage or on board of a steamboat, his first care is to make +himself comfortable by disembarrassing his aching temples of his hat. +The funnel is put away, and a cap, more ornamental and a thousand times +more easy, is elevated to the place of honor, to the great satisfaction +of the wearer. Who ever wears a hat at the sea-side? One might as well +go to bed in a hat, as wear one out of the purlieus of the town. At the +sea-side, or in travelling, or sporting, or rambling over the hills, the +ordinary hat is utterly out of the question. Not only is the hat +unsightly, expensive, and incommodious;--not only does it offend those +_aesthetic_ notions which are so fashionable in our time, but it may be +safely alleged that it is hostile to all mental effort. Did any man ever +make an eloquent speech with a hat on? Could a painter paint a good +picture if he had a hat on while engaged at the easel? Could a +mathematician solve a problem? could a musician compose a melody or +arrange a harmony? could a poet write a song, or a novelist a novel, or +a journalist a leading article, with a hat on? The thing is impossible. +Would any man who respected himself, or the feelings of his family and +friends, consent to have his portrait painted with the offensive article +upon his cranium? It would be almost a proof of insanity, both in the +sitter who should insist upon, and the artist who should lend himself +to, the perpetration of such an atrocity. We have but to fancy one out +of the thousand statues of bronze or marble which it is proposed to +erect to the memory of Sir Robert Peel in our great towns and cities, +surmounted with a hat of marble or of bronze, to see, at a glance, the +absurdity of the thing, and the reasonableness of the demand for a +change. There is a very good bust of Chaucer, with a cap on, and there +is a still more excellent bust of Lorenzo de Medici, which has also a +cap; but we put the question to the most conservative of hatters, and to +the greatest stickler for the _etatus quo_ in head attire, whether he +would tolerate the marble or bronze portraiture of either of those +worthies with the modern hat upon its head? The idea is so preposterous, +that, if fairly considered, it would make converts of the most obstinate +sticklers for the hat of the nineteenth century. + +"Seriously, the suggestion for the reform of this article of costume is +entitled to the utmost respect. Already Englishmen, when they throw off +the trammels of ceremony, and wish to be at their ease, substitute for +the stiff, uncomfortable, and inelegant hat, such other article as the +taste and enterprise of the hat and cap manufacturers have provided; and +in France and Germany the hat has, for the last six or seven years, been +gradually altering its form and substance, until it bids fair to be +restored, at no distant day, to the more sensible and picturesque shape +which it had a couple of centuries ago. So much unanimity has been +expressed on the desirability of a change, so much sober truth has been +uttered under the thin veil of jest on this matter, and so keenly felt +are the inconveniences--to say nothing of the inelegance--of the tube +which has usurped and maintained a place upon our heads for so long a +period, that there can be no doubt the time is ripe for the introduction +of an article of male head-dress more worthy of an educated, civilized, +and sensible people. The Turks, under the influence of that great +reformer, Sultan Mahmoud, and his worthy successor, Abdul Medjid, have +been for some time assimilating themselves in dress to the other +inhabitants of Europe. They have adopted our coats, our trousers, our +vests, our boots. They have got steamboats and newspapers--but Sultan +Mahmoud stopped short at the hat. With all his _penchant_ for imitating +the 'Giaours,' he could not bring himself to recommend the hat to a +people whom he was desirous to civilize. Any man of taste and +enterprise, who would take advantage of the present feeling on the +subject to manufacture a hat or cap of a more picturesque form, would +confer a public benefit, and would not lack encouragement for his wares. +An article which would protect the face from the sun, which the present +'funnel' does not--which should be light, which the hat is not--which +should be elegant, and no offence to the eye of taste if painted in a +portrait or sculptured in a statue, which the hat is not--and which +should meet the requirements of health, as well as those of comfort and +appearance, which the hat is very far from doing--would, all jest and +_persiflage_ apart, be a boon to the people of this generation. It needs +but example to effect the change, for the feeling is so strong and +universal that a good substitute would meet with certain popularity. We +have no doubt that, sooner or later, this reform will be made; and that +the historian, writing fifty years hence, will note it in his book as a +remarkable circumstance, and a proof of the pertinacity with which men +cling to all which habit and custom have rendered familiar--that for +three-quarters of a century, if not longer, a piece of attire so +repugnant to the eye of taste, and so deficient in any quality which +should recommend it to sensible people, should have been not only +tolerated, but admired. In all seriousness, we hope that the days of the +tubular hat are numbered, and that in this instance philosophy in sport +will become reformation in earnest." + + + + +PROFESSIONAL DEVOTION. + + +Lord Campbell said lately in the House of Lords, that the bill for the +Registration of Assurances was drawn by Mr. Duval, and he related an +anecdote illustrative of that gentleman's entire devotion to his +professional pursuits. A gentleman one day said to him, "But do you not +find it very dull work poring from morning until night over those dusty +sheep-skins?" "Why," said Duval, "to be sure it is a little dull, but +every now and then I come across a brilliant deed, drawn by a great +master, and the beauty of that recompenses me for the weariness of all +the others." + + + + +"THE WILFULNESS OF WOMAN." + + +In an early number of _The International_ we mentioned a MS. comedy by +the late Mrs. OSGOOD, in connection with the commendations which the +dramatic pieces of that admirable woman and most charming poet had +received from Sheridan Knowles and other critics in that line. We +transcribe the opening scene of the play, which strikes us as +excellently fitted for the stage. The friends of the lamented authoress +will perceive that it is an eminently characteristic production, though +having been written at an early age it scarcely illustrates her best +style of dialogue. + + +ACT FIRST.--SCENE FIRST. + +_A room in the Chateau de Beaumont. Victorine de Vere and Rosalinde--the +former sitting._ + +ROSALINDE.--But consider, sweet lady, you have been betrothed from +childhood to my lord the Count. You say it was your father's dying wish +that you should marry him, and he has been brought up to consider you +his own. + +VICTORINE.--And for that reason wed I _not_ the Count; +I might have loved him had I not been _bid_, +For he is noble, brave, and passing kind. +But, Rosalinde, when 'mid my father's vines, +A child I roamed, I shunned the rich, ripe fruit +Within my reach, and stretched my little arm +Beyond its strength, for that which farthest hung, +Though poorest too perchance. Years past away, +The wilful child is grown a woman now, +Yet wilful still, and wayward as the child. + +(_She Sings._) + +Though you wreathe in my raven hair jewels the rarest + That ever illumined the brow of a queen, +I should think the least one that were wanting, the fairest, + And pout at their lustre in petulant spleen. +Tho' the diamond should lighten there, regal in splendor, + The topaz its sunny glow shed o'er the curl, +And the emerald's ray tremble, timid and tender-- + If the pearl were not by, I should sigh for the pearl! + +Though you fling at my feet all the loveliest flowers + That Summer is waking in forest and field, +I should pine 'mid the bloom you had brought from her bowers + For some little blossom spring only could yield. +Take the rose, with its passionate beauty and bloom, + The lily so pure, and the tulip so bright-- +Since I miss the sweet _violet's_ lowly perfume, + The violet _only_ my soul can delight! + +I prize not Henri--for a breath, a nod, +Can make him mine for ever. _One_ I prize +Whose pulse ne'er quickened at my step or voice, +Who cares no more for smile from Victorine, +Whom princes sue--than Victorine for them. +But he _shall_ love me--ay, and when he too +Lies pleading at my feet!--I make no doubt +But I shall weary of mine idle whim, +And rate him well for daring to be there! + +ROS.--Please you, my lady, who is this new victim? + +VIC.--Whom think you, Rosalinde? Eugene Legard! the brave young +captain--lover of Carille--betrothed to her--about to marry her! + +ROS.--But who's Carille, my lady? + +VIC.--(_Impatiently_.) Now know you not the youthful village belle whose +face my gallant cousin raves about? I would he'd wed the girl, and leave +Legard and me _as free_, to wed! (_Enter the Count._) What, torment! +here again! (_Exit Rosalinde._) + +COUNT HENRI.--Where should I be, sweet coz? I love the sunshine! + +VIC.--So love you not this room--for here the sun ne'er shines. + +COUNT.--The sun--_my_ sun is smiling on me now! + +VIC.--Oh, don't! I'm so tired of all that! + +COUNT.--Lady, it shall not weary you again; I've borne your light +caprice too long already. For the last time I come to ask of you, madam, +Is it your pleasure we fulfil at once your father's last injunction? + +VIC.--Ah! but this isn't the _last_ time, Henri; I'll wager you this +hand with my heart in it, you will ask me the same question a dozen +times yet ere you die. + +COUNT.--I'll not gainsay you, lady; time will show. (_A short pause._) +Yet, by my sword, if such your wager be, I will be dumb till doomsday. + +VIC.--Then book the bet! and claim my heart and hand--(_she pauses--he +waits in eager hope_)--on--doomsday morning, cousin! + +COUNT.--I claim thee now or never! + +VIC.--If they only hadn't said we _must_, Henri! + +COUNT.--Pshaw! + +VIC.--Beside, all the world _expects_ it you know; I do so hate to +fulfil people's expectations: it is so commonplace and humdrum! + +COUNT.--Depend upon it, Lady Victorine, nobody ever expected you to do +any thing reasonable or commonplace or humdrum! + + (_He Sings._) + + Archly on thy cheek, + Worth a god's imprinting, + Starry dimples speak, + Rich with rosy tinting,-- + What a pity, love, + Anger's burning flushes + E'er should rise above + Those bewitching blushes! + + Warm thy lip doth glow, + With such lovely color, + Ruby's heart would show + Hues of beauty duller,-- + What a shame, the while, + Scorn should ever curl it, + And o'ercast the smile + That should still enfurl it! + + Soft thy dark eye beams, + With the star-night's splendor, + Now with joy it gleams, + Now with tears 'tis tender,-- + Ah! what pain to feel, + Ere another minute, + Passion's fire may steal + All the softness in it! + +VIC.--There! you CAN _sing_! I'll give the----hem!--his due. I only wish +you could make love as well as you make verses. + +COUNT.--And how should I make love? + +VIC.--How? You should be at my feet all day and under my window all +night; you should call black white when _I_ call it so, and--wear a +single hair of my eyelash next your heart for ever. + +COUNT.--Hum! Any thing more, cousin? + +VIC.--Yes: you should write sonnets on the sole of my shoe, and study +every curve of my brow, as if life and death were in its rise or fall! +(_He turns away._) Henri, come here! (_He approaches._) Come! you are a +good-looking man enough, after all! Ah! why couldn't my poor father have +_forbidden_ me to marry you! He might have known I should have been +_sure_ in that case to have fallen desperately in love with you, Henri! + +COUNT.--By Heaven, I will bear this trifling no longer! I will write +instantly and propose to the peasant girl, Carille--_she_ will be proud +to be called La Contesse de Beaumont. + +VIC.--_Will_ you do so? Oh, you darling cousin! I shall love you dearly +when you are once married! And, cousin, I don't believe she'll live till +doomsday, do you? Don't forget that I'm to be your second--on doomsday +morning, cousin. (_Exit Count in a rage._) I am so happy--and Carille +will be so happy too--I am sure she will! I know if I were a village +girl I should be dying to be a lady--for now I am a lady I am dying to +be a village girl--heigh-ho. (_Exit._) + + + + +A STORY WITHOUT A NAME.[G] + +WRITTEN FOR THE INTERNATIONAL MONTHLY MAGAZINE + +BY G. P. R. JAMES, ESQ. + +_Continued from page 57._ + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +In a very gaudily furnished parlor, and in a very gaudy dress, sat a +lady of some eight or nine and thirty years of age, with many traces of +beauty still to be perceived in a face of no very intellectual +expression. Few persons perhaps would have recognized in her the fair +and faulty girl whom we have depicted weeping bitterly over the fate of +Sir Philip Hastings' elder brother, and over the terrible situation in +which he left her. Her features had much changed: the girlish +expression--the fresh bloom of youth was gone. The light graceful figure +was lost; but the mind had changed as greatly as the person, though, +like it, the heart yet retained some traces of the original. When first +she appeared before the reader's eyes, though weak and yielding, she was +by no means ill disposed. She had committed an error--a great and fatal +one; but at heart she was innocent and honest. She was, however, like +all weak people, of that plastic clay moulded easily by circumstances +into any form; and, in her, circumstances had shaped her gradually into +a much worse form than nature had originally given her. To defraud, to +cheat, to wrong, had at one time been most abhorrent to her nature. She +had taken no active part in her father's dealings with old Sir John +Hastings, and had she known all that he had said and sworn, would have +shrunk with horror from the deceit. But during her father's short life, +she had been often told by himself, and after his death had been often +assured by the old woman Danby, that she was rightly and truly the widow +of John Hastings, although because it would be difficult to prove, her +father had consented to take an annuity for himself and her son, rather +than enter into a lawsuit with a powerful man; and she had gradually +brought herself to believe that she had been her lover's wife, because +in one of his ardent letters he had called her so to stifle the voice of +remorse in her bosom. The conviction had grown upon her, till now, after +a lapse of more than twenty years, she had forgotten all her former +doubts and scruples, believed herself and her son to be injured and +deprived of their just rights, and was ready to assert her marriage +boldly, though she had at one time felt and acknowledged that there was +no marriage at all, and that the words her seducer had used were but +intended to soothe her regret and terror. There was a point however +beyond which she was not prepared to go. She still shrunk from giving +false details, from perjuring herself in regard to particular facts. The +marriage, she thought, might be good in the sight of heaven, of herself, +and of her lover; but to render it good in the eyes of the law, she had +found would require proofs that she could not give--oaths that she dared +not take. + +Another course, however, had been proposed for her; and now she sat in +that small parlor gaudily dressed, as I have said, but dressed evidently +for a journey. There were tears indeed in her eyes; and as her son stood +by her side she looked up in his face with a beseeching look as if she +would fain have said, "Pray do not drive me to this!" + +But young John Ayliffe had no remorse, and if he spoke tenderly to her +who had spoiled his youth, it was only because his object was to +persuade and cajole. + +"Indeed, mother," he said, "it is absolutely necessary or I would not +ask you to go. You know quite well that I would rather have you here: +and it will only be for a short time till the trial is over. Lawyer +Shanks told you himself that if you stayed, they would have you into +court and cross-examine you to death; and you know quite well you could +not keep in one story if they browbeat and puzzled you." + +"I would say any where that my marriage was a good one," replied his +mother, "but I could not swear all that Shanks would have had me, +John--No, I could not swear that, for Dr. Paulding had nothing to do +with it, and if he were to repeat it all over to me a thousand times, I +am sure that I should make a blunder, even if I consented to tell such a +falsehood. My father and good Mrs. Danby used always to say that the +mutual consent made a marriage, and a good one too. Now your father's +own letter shows that he consented to it, and God knows I did. But these +lawyers will not let well alone, and by trying to mend things make them +worse, I think. However, I suppose you have gone too far to go back; and +so I must go to a strange out of the way country and hide myself and +live quite lonely. Well, I am ready--I am ready to make any sacrifice +for you, my boy--though it is very hard, I must say." + +As she spoke, she rose with her eyes running over, and her son kissed +her and assured her that her absence should not be long. But just as she +was moving towards the door, he put a paper--a somewhat long one--on the +table, where a pen was already in the inkstand, saying, "just sign this +before you go, dear mother." + +"Oh, I cannot sign any thing," cried the lady, wiping her eyes; "how can +you be so cruel, John, as to ask me to sign any thing just now when I am +parting with you? What is it you want?" + +"It is only a declaration that you are truly my father's widow," said +John Ayliffe; "see here, the declaration, &c., you need not read it, but +only just sign here." + +She hesitated an instant; but his power over her was complete; and, +though she much doubted the contents, she signed the paper with a +trembling hand. Then came a parting full of real tenderness on her part, +and assumed affection and regret on his. The post-chaise, which had been +standing for an hour at the door, rolled away, and John Ayliffe walked +back into the house. + +When there, he walked up and down the room for some time, with an +impatient thoughtfulness, if I may use the term, in his looks, which had +little to do with his mother's departure. He was glad that she was +gone--still gladder that she had signed the paper; and now he seemed +waiting for something eagerly expected. + +At length there came a sound of a quick trotting horse, and John Ayliffe +took the paper from the table hastily, and put it in his pocket. But the +visitor was not the one he expected. It was but a servant with a letter; +and as the young man took it from the hand of the maid who brought it +in, and gazed at the address, his cheek flushed a little, and then +turned somewhat pale. He muttered to himself, "she has not taken long to +consider!" + +As soon as the slipshod girl had gone out of the room, he broke the seal +and read the brief answer which Emily had returned to his declaration. + +It would not be easy for an artist to paint, and it is impossible for a +writer to describe, the expression which came upon his face as he +perused the words of decided rejection which were written on that sheet; +but certainly, had poor Emily heard how he cursed her, how he vowed to +have revenge, and to humble her pride, as he called it, she would have +rejoiced rather than grieved that such a man had obtained no hold upon +her affection, no command of her fate. He was still in the midst of his +tempest of passion, when, without John Ayliffe being prepared for his +appearance, Mr. Shanks entered the room. His face wore a dark and +somewhat anxious expression which even habitual cunning could not +banish; but the state in which he found his young client, seemed to take +him quite by surprise. + +"Why what is the matter, John?" he cried, "what in the name of fortune +has happened here?" + +"What has happened!" exclaimed John Ayliffe, "look there," and he handed +Mr. Shanks the letter. The attorney took it, and with his keen weazel +eyes read it as deliberately as he would have read an ordinary law +paper. He then handed it back to his young client, saying, "The +respondent does not put in a bad answer." + +"Damn the respondent," said John Ayliffe, "but she shall smart for it." + +"Well, well, this cannot be helped," rejoined Mr. Shanks; "no need of +putting yourself in a passion. You don't care two straws about her, and +if you get the property without the girl so much the better. You can +then have the pick of all the pretty women in the country." + +John Ayliffe mused gloomily; for Mr. Shanks was not altogether right in +his conclusion as to the young man's feelings towards Emily. Perhaps +when he began the pursuit he cared little about its success, but like +other beasts of prey, he had become eager as he ran--desire had arisen +in the chase--and, though mortified vanity had the greatest share in his +actual feelings, he felt something beyond that. + +While he mused, Mr. Shanks was musing also, calculating results and +combinations; but at length he said, in a low tone, "Is she gone?--Have +you got that accomplished?" + +"Gone?--Yes.--Do you mean my mother?--Damn it, yes!--She is gone, to be +sure.--Didn't you meet her?" + +"No," said Mr. Shanks; "I came the other way. That is lucky, however. +But harkee, John--something very unpleasant has happened, and we must +take some steps about it directly; for if they work him well, that +fellow is likely to peach." + +"Who?--what the devil are you talking about?" asked John Ayliffe, with +his passion still unsubdued. + +"Why, that blackguard whom you would employ--Master Tom Cutter," +answered Mr. Shanks. You know I always set my face against it, John; and +now----" + +"Peach!" cried John Ayliffe, "Tom Cutter will no more peach than he'll +fly in the air. He's not of the peaching sort." + +"Perhaps not, where a few months' imprisonment are concerned," answered +Mr. Shanks; "but the matter here is his neck, and that makes a mighty +difference, let me tell you. Now listen to me, John, and don't interrupt +me till I've done; for be sure that we have got into a very unpleasant +mess, which we may have some difficulty in getting out of. You sent over +Tom Cutter, to see if he could not persuade young Scantling, Lord +Selby's gamekeeper, to remember something about the marriage, when he +was with his old father the sexton. Now, how he and Tom manage their +matters, I don't know; but Tom gave him a lick on the head with a stick, +which killed him on the spot. As the devil would have it, all this was +seen by two people, a laborer working in a ditch hard by, and +Scantling's son, a boy of ten years old. The end of it is, Tom was +instantly pursued, and apprehended; your good uncle, Sir John, was +called to take the depositions, and without any remand whatever, +committed our good friend for trial. Tom's only chance is to prove that +it was a case of chance-medley, or to bring it under manslaughter, as a +thing done in a passion, and if he thinks that being employed by you +will be any defence, or will show that it was a sudden burst of rage, +without premeditation, he will tell the whole story as soon as he would +eat his dinner." + +"I'd go over to him directly, and tell him to hold his tongue," cried +John Ayliffe, now fully awakened to the perils of the case. + +"Pooh, pooh! don't be a fool," said Mr. Shanks, contemptuously. "Are you +going to let the man see that you are afraid of him--that he has got you +in his power? Besides, they will not let you in. No, the way must be +this. I must go over to him as his legal adviser, and I can dress you up +as my clerk. That will please him, to find that we do not abandon him; +and we must contrive to turn his defence quite another way, whether he +hang for it or not. We must make it out that Scantling swore he had been +poaching, when he had done nothing of the kind, and that in the quarrel +that followed, he struck the blow accidentally. We can persuade him that +this is his best defence, which perhaps it is after all, for nobody can +prove that he was poaching, inasmuch as he really was not; whereas, if +he were to show that he killed a man while attempting to suborn +evidence, he would speedily find himself under a cross-beam." + +"Suborn evidence," muttered John Ayliffe to himself; for though ready to +do any act that might advance his purpose, he did not like to hear it +called by its right name. + +However that might be, he agreed to the course proposed by the attorney, +and it was determined that, waiting for the fall of night, they should +both go over to the prison together, and demand admittance to the +felon's cell. The conversation then reverted to Emily's distinct +rejection of the young man's suit, and long did the two ponder over it, +considering what might be the effect upon the plans they were pursuing. + +"It may hurry us desperately," said Mr. Shanks, at length, "unless we +can get her to hold her tongue; for depend upon it, as soon as Sir +Philip hears what we are doing, he will take his measures accordingly. +Don't you think you and Mrs. Hazleton together can manage to frighten +her into silence? If I were you, I would get upon my horse's back +directly, ride over, and see what can be done. Your fair friend there +will give you every help, depend upon it." + +John Ayliffe smiled. "I will see," he said. "Mrs. Hazleton is very kind +about it, and I dare say will help, for I am quite sure she has got some +purpose of her own to serve." + +The attorney grinned, but made no answer, and in the space of a quarter +of an hour, John Ayliffe was on the road to Mrs. Hazleton's dwelling. + +After quarter of an hour's private conversation with the lady of the +house, he was admitted to the room in which Emily sat, unconscious of +his being there. She was displeased and alarmed at seeing him, but his +words and his conduct after he entered, frightened and displeased her +still more. He demanded secrecy in a stern and peremptory tone, and +threatened with vague, but not ill-devised menaces, to be the ruin of +her father and his whole house, if she breathed one word of what had +taken place between them. He sought, moreover, to obtain from her a +promise of secrecy; but that Emily would on no account give, although he +terrified her greatly; and he left her still in doubt as to whether his +secret was safe or not. + +With Mrs. Hazleton he held another conference, but from her he received +better assurances. "Do not be afraid," she said; "I will manage it for +you. She shall not betray you--at least for a time. However, you had +better proceed as rapidly as possible, and if the means of pursuing your +claim be necessary--I mean in point of money--have no scruple in +applying to me." + +Putting on an air of queenly dignity, Mrs. Hazleton proceeded in search +of Emily, as soon as the young man was gone. She found her in tears; and +sitting down by her side, she took her hand in a kindly manner, saying, +"My dear child, I am very sorry for all this, but it is really in some +degree your own fault. Nay, you need not explain any thing. I have just +had young Ayliffe with me. He has told me all, and I have dismissed him +with a sharp rebuke. If you had confided to me last night that he had +proposed to you, and you had rejected him, I would have taken care that +he should not have admittance to you. Indeed, I am surprised that he +should presume to propose at all, without longer acquaintance. But he +seems to have agitated and terrified you much. What did he want?" + +"He endeavored to make me promise," replied Emily, "that I would not +tell my father, or any one, of what had occurred." + +"Foolish boy! he might have taken that for granted," replied Mrs. +Hazleton, forgetting for an instant what she had just said. "No woman of +any delicacy ever speaks of a matter of this kind, when once she has +taken upon herself to reject a proposal unconditionally. If she wishes +for advice," continued the lady, recollecting herself, "or thinks that +the suit may be pressed improperly, of course she's free to ask counsel +and assistance of some female friend, on whom she can depend. But the +moment the thing is decided, of course, she is silent for ever; for +nothing can be more a matter of honorable confidence than an avowal of +honorable love. I will write him a note, and tell him he is in no +danger, but warn him not to present himself here again, so long as you +are with me." + +Emily made no answer, trying to decide in her own mind whether Mrs. +Hazleton's reasoning was right; and that lady, choosing to take her +assent for granted, from her silence, hurried away, to give her no +opportunity for retracting. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[G] Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1850, by G. P. R. +James, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States +for the Southern District of New-York. + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +Before the door of a large brick building, with no windows towards the +street, and tall walls rising up till they overtopped the neighboring +houses, stood two men, about an hour after night had fallen, waiting for +admittance. The great large iron bar which formed the knocker of the +door, had descended twice with a heavy thump, but yet no one appeared in +answer to the summons. It was again in the hand of Mr. Shanks and ready +to descend, when the rattling of keys was heard inside; bolts were +withdrawn and bars cast down, and one half of the door opened, +displaying a man with a lantern, which he held up to gaze at his +visitors. His face was fat and bloated, covered with a good number of +spots, and his swollen eyelids made his little keen black eyes look +smaller than they even naturally were, while his nose, much in the shape +of a horsechestnut, blushed with the hues of the early morning. + +"How are you, Cram, how are you?" asked the attorney. "I haven't been +here for a long time, but you know me, I suppose." + +"Oh, yes, I know you, Master Shanks," replied the jailer, winking one of +his small black eyes; "who have you come to see? Betty Diaper, I'll +warrant, who prigged the gentleman's purse at the bottom of the hill. +She's as slink a diver as any on the lay; but she's got the shiners and +so must have counsel to defend her before the beak, I'll bet a gallon." + +"No, no," answered Mr. Shanks, "our old friend Tom Cutter wants to see +me on this little affair of his." + +"You'll make no hand of that, as sure as my name's Dionysius Cram," +replied the jailer. "Can't prove an _alibi_ there, Master Shanks, for I +saw him do the job; besides he can't pay. What's the use of meddling +with him? He must swing some time you know, and one day's as good as +another. But come in, Master Shanks, come in. But who's this here other +chap?" + +"That's my clerk," replied Mr. Shanks, "I may want him to take +instructions." + +The man laughed, but demurred, but a crown piece was in those days the +key to all jailers' hearts, and after a show of hesitation, Shanks and +his young companion were both admitted within the gates. They now found +themselves in a small square space, guarded on two sides by tall iron +railings, which bent overhead, and were let into the wall somewhat after +the manner of a birdcage. On the left-hand side, however, was another +brick wall, with a door and some steps leading up to it. By this +entrance Mr. Dionysius Cram led them into a small jailer's lodge, with a +table and some wooden chairs, in the side of which, opposite to the +entrance, was a strong movable grate, between the bars of which might be +seen a yawning sort of chasm leading into the heart of the prison. + +Again Mr. Cram's great keys were put in motion, and he opened the grate +to let them pass, eyeing John Ayliffe with considerable attention as he +did so. Locking the grate carefully behind him, he lighted them on with +his lantern, muttering as he went in the peculiar prison slang of those +days, various sentences not very complimentary to the tastes and habits +of young John Ayliffe, "Ay, ay," he said, "clerk be damned! One of Tom's +pals, for a pint and a boiled bone--droll I don't know him. He must be +twenty, and ought to have been in the stone pitcher often enough before +now. Dare say he's been sent to Mill Dol, for some minor. That's not in +my department, I shall have the darbies on him some day. He'd look +handsome under the tree." + +John Ayliffe had a strong inclination to knock him down, but he +restrained himself, and at length a large plated iron door admitted the +two gentlemen into the penetralia of the temple. + +A powerful smell of aqua vitae and other kinds of strong waters now +pervaded the atmosphere, mingled with that close sickly odor which is +felt where great numbers of uncleanly human beings are closely packed +together; and from some distance was heard the sounds of riotous +merriment, ribald song, and hoarse, unfeeling laugh, with curses and +execrations not a few. It was a time when the abominations of the prison +system were at their height. + +"Here, you step in here," said Mr. Cram to the attorney and his +companion, "and I'll bring Tom to you in a minute. He's having a lush +with some of his pals; though I thought we were going to have a mill, +for Jack Perkins, who is to be hanged o' Monday, roused out his slack +jaw at him for some quarrel about a gal, and Tom don't bear such like +easily. Howsumdever, they made it up and clubbed a gallon. Stay, I'll +get you a candle end;" and leaving them in the dark, not much, if the +truth must be told, to the satisfaction of John Ayliffe, he rolled away +along the passage and remained absent several minutes. + +When he returned, a clanking step followed him, as heavy irons were +dragged slowly on by unaccustomed limbs, and the moment after, Tom +Cutter stood in the presence of his two friends. + +The jailer brought them in a piece of candle about two inches long, +which he stuck into a sort of socket attached to an iron bar projecting +straight from the wall; and having done this he left the three together, +taking care to close and lock the door behind him. + +Chair or stool in the room there was none, and the only seat, except the +floor, which the place afforded was the edge of a small wooden bedstead +or trough, as it might be called, scantily furnished with straw. + +Both Mr. Shanks and John Ayliffe shook hands with the felon, whose face, +though somewhat flushed with drinking, bore traces of deeper and sterner +feelings than he chose to show. He seemed glad to see them, however, and +said it was very kind of them to come, adding with an inquiring look at +Mr. Shanks, "I can't pay you, you know, Master lawyer; for what between +my garnish and lush, I shall have just enough to keep me till the +'sizes; I shan't need much after that I fancy." + +"Pooh, pooh," cried the attorney, "don't be downhearted, Tom, and as to +pay, never mind that. John here will pay all that's needful, and we'll +have down counsellor Twistem to work the witnesses. We can't make out an +_alibi_, for the folks saw you, but we'll get you up a character, if +money can make a reputation, and I never knew the time in England when +it could not. We have come to consult with you at once as to what's the +best defence to be made, that we may have the story all pat and right +from the beginning, and no shifting and turning afterwards." + +"I wish I hadn't killed the man," said Tom Cutter, gloomily; "I shan't +forget his face in a hurry as he fell over and cried out 'Oh, my +poor--!' but the last word choked him. He couldn't get it out; but I +fancy he was thinking of his wife--or maybe his children. But what could +I do? He gave me a sight of bad names, and swore he would peach about +what I wanted him to do. He called me a villain, and a scoundrel, and a +cheat, and a great deal more besides, till my blood got up, and having +got the stick by the small end, I hit him with the knob on the temple. I +didn't know I hit so hard; but I was in a rage." + +"That's just what I thought--just what I thought," said Mr. Shanks. "You +struck him without premeditation in a fit of passion. Now if we can make +out that he provoked you beyond bearing--" + +"That he did," said Tom Cutter. + +"That's what I say," continued Mr. Shanks, "if we can make out that he +provoked you beyond bearing while you were doing nothing unlawful and +wrong, that isn't murder, Tom." + +"Hum," said Tom Cutter, "but how will you get that up, Mr. Shanks? I've +a notion that what I went to him about was devilish unlawful." + +"Ay, but nobody knew any thing of that but you and he, and John Ayliffe +and I. We must keep that quite close, and get up a likely story about +the quarrel. You will have to tell it yourself, you know, Tom, though +we'll make counsellor Twistem let the jury see it beforehand in his +examinations." + +A gleam of hope seemed to lighten the man's face, and Mr. Shanks +continued, "We can prove, I dare say, that this fellow Scantling had a +great hatred for you." + +"No, no, he had not," said Tom Cutter, "he was more civil to me than +most, for we had been boys together." + +"That doesn't matter," said Mr. Shanks, "we must prove it; for that's +your only chance, Tom. If we can prove that you always spoke well of +him, so much the better; but we must show that he was accustomed to +abuse you, and to call you a damned ruffian and a poacher. We'll do +it--we'll do it; and then if you stick tight to your story, we'll get +you off." + +"But what's the story to be, master Shanks?" asked Tom Cutter, "I can't +learn a long one; I never was good at learning by heart." + +"Oh, no; it shall be as short and simple as possible," replied Shanks; +"you must admit having gone over to see him, and that you struck the +blow that killed him. We can't get over that, Tom; but then you must say +you're exceedingly sorry, and was so the very moment after." + +"So I was," replied Tom Cutter. + +"And your story must refer," continued Mr. Shanks, "to nothing but what +took place just before the blow was struck. You must say that you heard +he accused you of putting wires in Lord Selby's woods, and that you went +over to clear yourself; but that he abused you so violently, and +insulted you so grossly, your blood got up and you struck him, only +intending to knock him down. Do you understand me?" + +"Quite well--quite well," replied Tom Cutter, his face brightening; "I +do think that may do, 'specially if you can make out that I was +accustomed to speak well of him, and he to abuse me. It's an accident +that might happen to any man." + +"To be sure," replied Mr. Shanks; "we will take care to corroborate your +story, only you get it quite right. Now let us hear what you will say." + +Tom Cutter repeated the tale he had been taught very accurately; for it +was just suited to his comprehension, and Shanks rubbed his hands, +saying, "That will do--that will do." + +John Ayliffe, however, was still not without his anxieties, and after a +little hesitation as to how he should put the question which he +meditated, he said, "Of course, Tom, I suppose you have not told any of +the fellows here what you came over for?" + +The ruffian knew him better than he thought, and understood his object +at once. + +"No, no, John," he said, "I have'nt peached, and shall not; be you sure +of that. If I am to die, I'll die game, depend upon it; but I do think +there's a chance now, and we may as well make the best of it." + +"To be sure--to be sure," answered the more prudent Shanks; "you don't +think, Mr. Ayliffe, that he would be fool enough to go and cut his own +throat by telling any one what would be sure to hang him. That is a very +green notion." + +"Oh, no, nor would I say a word that could serve that Sir Philip +Hastings," said Tom Cutter; "he's been my enemy for the last ten years, +and I could see he would be as glad to twist my neck as I have been to +twist his hares. Perhaps I may live to pay him yet." + +"I'm not sure you might not give him a gentle rub in your defence," said +John Ayliffe; "he would not like to hear that his pretty proud daughter +Emily came down to see me, as I'm sure she did, let her say what she +will, when I was ill at the cottage by the park gates. You were in the +house, don't you recollect, getting a jug of beer, while I was sitting +at the door when she came down?" + +"I remember, I remember," replied Tom Cutter, with a malicious smile; "I +gave him one rub which he didn't like when he committed me, and I'll do +this too." + +"Take care," said Mr. Shanks, "you had better not mix up other things +with your defence." + +"Oh, I can do it quite easily," replied the other with a triumphant +look; "I could tell what happened then, and how I heard there that +people suspected me of poaching still, though I had quite given it up, +and how I determined to find out from that minute who it was accused +me." + +"That can do no harm," said Shanks, who had not the least objection to +see Sir Philip Hastings mortified; and after about half an hour's +farther conversation, having supplied Tom Cutter with a small sum of +money, the lawyer and his young companion prepared to withdraw. Shanks +whistled through the key-hole of the door, producing a shrill loud sound +as if he were blowing over the top of a key; and Dionysius Cram +understanding the signal, hastened to let them out. + +Before we proceed farther, however, with any other personage, we may as +well trace the fate of Mr. Thomas Cutter. + +The assizes were approaching near at this time, and about a fortnight +after, he was brought to trial; not all the skill of counsellor Twistem, +however, nor the excellent character which Mr. Shanks tried to procure +for him, had any effect; his reputation was too well established to be +affected by any scandalous reports of his being a peaceable and orderly +man. His violence and irregular life were too well known for the jury to +come to any other conclusion than that it would be a good thing to rid +the country of him, and whether very legally or not, I cannot say, they +brought in a verdict of wilful murder without quitting the box. His +defence, however, established for him the name of a very clever fellow, +and one portion of it certainly sent Sir Philip Hastings from the Court +thoughtful and gloomy. Nevertheless, no recommendation to mercy having +issued from the Judge, Tom Cutter was hanged in due form of law, and to +use his own words, "died game." + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +We must go back a little, for we have somewhat anticipated our tale. +Never did summons strike more joyfully on the ear of mortal than came +that of her recall home to Emily Hastings. As so often happens to all in +life, the expected pleasure had turned to ashes on the lip, and her +visit to Mrs. Hazleton offered hardly one point on which memory could +rest happily. Nay, more, without being able definitely to say why, when +she questioned her own heart, the character of her beautiful hostess had +suffered by close inspection. She was not the same in Emily's esteem as +she had been before. She could not point out what Mrs. Hazleton had said +or done to produce such an impression; but she was less amiable,--less +reverenced. It was not alone that the trappings in which a young +imagination had decked her were stripped off; but it was that a baser +metal beneath had here and there shown doubtfully through the gilding +with which she concealed her real character. + +If the summons was joyful to Emily, it was a surprise and an unpleasant +one to Mrs. Hazleton. Not that she wished to keep her young guest with +her long; for she was too keen and shrewd not to perceive that Emily +would not be worked upon so easily as she had imagined; and that under +her very youthfulness there was a strength of character which must +render one part of the plans against her certainly abortive. But Mrs. +Hazleton was taken by surprise. She could have wished to guard against +construction of some parts of her conduct which must be the more +unpleasant, because the more just. She had fancied she would have time +to give what gloss she chose to her conduct in Emily's eyes, and to +prevent dangerous explanations between the father and the daughter. +Moreover, the suddenness of the call alarmed her and raised doubts. +Whereever there is something to be concealed there is something to be +feared, and Mrs. Hazleton asked herself if Emily had found means to +communicate to Sir Philip Hastings what had occurred with John Ayliffe. + +That, however, she soon concluded was impossible. Some knowledge of the +facts, nevertheless, might have reached him from other sources, and Mrs. +Hazleton grew uneasy. Sir Philip's letter to his daughter, which Emily +at once suffered her hostess to see, threw no light upon the subject. It +was brief, unexplicit, and though perfectly kind and tender, peremptory. +It merely required her to return to the Hall, as some business rendered +her presence at home necessary. + +Little did Mrs. Hazleton divine the business to which Sir Philip +alluded. Had she known it, what might have happened who can say? There +were terribly strong passions within that fair bosom, and there were +moments when those strong passions mastered even strong worldly sense +and habitual self-control. + +There was not much time, however, for even thought, and less for +preparation. Emily departed, after having received a few words of +affectionate caution from Mrs. Hazleton, delicately and skilfully put, +in such a manner as to produce the impression that she was speaking of +subjects personally indifferent to herself--except in so much as her +young friend's own happiness was concerned. + +Shall we say the truth? Emily attended but little. Her thoughts were +full of her father's letter, and of the joy of returning to a home where +days passed peacefully in an even quiet course, very different from that +in which the stream of time had flowed at Mrs. Hazleton's. The love of +strong emotions--the brandy-drinking of the mind--is an acquired taste. +Few, very few have it from nature. Poor Emily, she little knew how many +strong emotions were preparing for her. + +Gladly she saw the carriage roll onward through scenes more and more +familiar at every step. Gladly she saw the forked gates appear, and +marked the old well-known hawthorns as they flitted by her; and the look +of joy with which she sprang into her father's arms, might have +convinced any heart that there was but one home she loved. + +"Now go and dress for dinner at once, my child," said Sir Philip, "we +have delayed two hours for you. Be not long." + +Nor was Emily long; she could not have been more rapid had she known +that Marlow was waiting eagerly for her appearance. Well pleased, +indeed, was she to see him, when she entered the drawing-room; but for +the first time since she had known him--from some cause or other--a +momentary feeling of embarrassment--of timidity, came upon her; and the +color rose slightly in her cheek. Her eyes spoke, however, more than her +lips could say, and Marlow must have been satisfied, if lovers ever +could be satisfied. + +Lady Hastings was lying languidly on a couch, not knowing how to +intimate to her daughter her disapproval of a suit yet unknown to Emily +herself. She could not venture to utter openly one word in opposition; +for Sir Philip Hastings had desired her not to do so, and she had given +a promise to forbear, but she thought it would be perfectly consistent +with that promise, and perfectly fair and right to show in other ways +than by words, that Mr. Marlow was not the man she would have chosen for +her daughter's husband, and even to insinuate objections which she dare +not state directly. + +In her manner to Marlow therefore, Lady Hastings, though perfectly +courteous and polite--for such was Sir Philip's pleasure--was as cold as +ice, always added "Sir" to her replies, and never forgot herself so far +as to call him by his name. + +Emily remarked this demeanor; but she knew--I should rather have said +she was aware; for it was a matter more of sensation than thought--a +conviction that had grown up in her mind without reflection--she was +aware that her mother was somewhat capricious in her friendships. She +had seen it in the case of servants and of some of the governesses she +had had when she was quite young. One day they would be all that was +estimable and charming in Lady Hastings' eyes, and another, from some +slight offence--some point of demeanor which she did not like--or some +moody turn of her own mind, they would be all that was detestable. It +had often been the same, too, with persons of a higher station; and +therefore it did not in the least surprise her to find that Mr. Marlow, +who had been ever received by Lady Hastings before as a familiar friend, +should now be treated almost as a stranger. + +It grieved her, nevertheless, and she thought that Marlow must feel her +mother's conduct painfully. She would fain have made up for it by any +means in her power, and thus the demeanor of Lady Hastings had an effect +the direct reverse of that which she intended. Nor did her innuendos +produce any better results, for she soon saw that they grieved and +offended her husband, while her daughter showed marvellous stupidity, as +she thought, in not comprehending them. + +Full of love, and now full of hope likewise, Marlow, it must be +confessed, thought very little of Lady Hastings at all. He was one of +those men upon whom love sits well--they are but few in the world--and +whatever agitation he might feel at heart, there was none apparent in +his manner. His attention to Emily was decided, pointed, not to be +mistaken by any one well acquainted with such matters; but he was quite +calm and quiet about it; there was no flutter about it--no forgetfulness +of proprieties; and his conversation had never seemed to Emily so +agreeable as that night, although the poor girl knew not what was the +additional charm. Delightful to her, however, it was; and in enjoying it +she forgot altogether that she had been sent for about business--nay, +even forgot to wonder what that business could be. + +Thus passed the evening; and when the usual time for retiring came, +Emily was a little surprised that there was no announcement of Mr. +Marlow's horse, or Mr. Marlow's carriage, as had ever been the case +before, but that Mr. Marlow was going to spend some days at the hall. + +When Lady Hastings rose to go to rest, and her daughter rose to go with +her, another thing struck Emily as strange. Sir Philip, as his wife +passed him, addressed to her the single word "Beware!" with a very +marked emphasis. Lady Hastings merely bowed her head, in reply; but when +she and Emily arrived at her dressing-room, where the daughter had +generally stayed to spend a few minutes with her mother alone, Lady +Hastings kissed her, and wished her good night, declaring that she felt +much fatigue, and would ring for her maid at once. + +Lady Hastings was a very good woman, and wished to obey her husband's +injunctions to the letter, but she felt afraid of herself, and would not +trust herself with Emily alone. + +Dear Emily lay awake for half an hour after she had sought her pillow, +but not more, and then she fell into a sleep as soft and calm as that of +childhood, and the next morning rose as blooming as the flower of June. +Sir Philip was up when she went down stairs, and walking on the terrace +with Marlow. Lady Hastings sent word that she would breakfast in her own +room, when she had obtained a few hours' rest, as she had not slept all +night. Thus Emily had to attend to the breakfast-table in her mother's +place; but in those days the lady's functions at the morning meal were +not so various and important as at present; and the breakfast passed +lightly and pleasantly. Still there was no mention of the business which +had caused Emily to be summoned so suddenly, and when the breakfast was +over, Sir Philip retired to his library, without asking Emily to follow, +and merely saying, "You had better not disturb your mother, my dear +child. If you take a walk I will join you ere long." + +For the first time, a doubt, a notion--for I must not call it a +suspicion--came across the mind of Emily, that the business for which +she had been sent might have something to do with Mr. Marlow. How her +little heart beat! She sat quite still for a minute or two, for she did +not know, if she rose, what would become of her. + +At length the voice of Marlow roused her from her gently-troubled +reverie, as he said, "Will you not come out to take a walk?" + +She consented at once, and went away to prepare. Nor was she long, for +in less than ten minutes, she and Marlow were crossing the park, towards +the older and thicker trees amidst which they had rambled once before. +But it was Marlow who now led her on a path which he chose himself. I +know not whether it was some memory of his walk with Mrs. Hazleton, or +whether it was that instinct which leads love to seek shady places, or +whether, like a skilful general, he had previously reconnoitred the +ground; but something or other in his own breast induced him to deviate +from the more direct track which they had followed on their previous +walk, and guide his fair companion across the short dry turf towards the +thickest part of the wood, through which there penetrated, winding in +and out amongst the trees, a small path, just wide enough for two, +bowered overhead by crossing branches, and gaining sweet woodland scenes +of light and shade at every step, as the eye dived into the deep green +stillness between the large old trunks, carefully freed from underwood, +and with their feet carpeted with moss, and flowers, and fern. It was +called the deer's track, from the fact that along it, morning and +evening, all the bucks and does which had herded on that side of the +park might be seen walking stately down to or from a bright, +clear-running trout-stream, that wandered along about a quarter of a +mile farther on; and often, in the hot weather, a person standing half +way down the walk might see a tall antlered fellow standing with his +forefeet in the water and his hind-quarters raised upon the bank, gazing +at himself in the liquid mirror below, with all his graceful beauties +displayed to the uttermost by a burst of yellow light, which towards +noon always poured upon the stream at that place. + +Marlow and Emily, however, were quite alone upon the walk. Not even a +hind or shart was there; and after the first two or three steps, Marlow +asked his fair companion to take his arm. She did so, readily; for she +needed it, not so much because the long gnarled roots of the trees +crossed the path from time to time, and offered slight impediments, for +usually her foot was light as air, but because she felt an unaccountable +languor upon her, a tremulous, agitated sort of unknown happiness unlike +any thing else she had ever before experienced. + +Marlow drew her little hand through his then, and she rested upon it, +not with the light touch of a mere acquaintance, but with a gentle +confiding pressure which was very pleasant to him, and yet the +capricious man must needs every two or three minutes, change that kindly +position as the trees and irregularities of the walk afforded an excuse. +Now he placed Emily on the one side, now on the other, and if she had +thought at all (but by this time she was far past thought,) she might +have fancied that he did so solely for the purpose of once more taking +her hand in his to draw it through his arm again. + +At the spot where the walk struck the stream, and before it proceeded +onward by the bank, there was a little irregular open space not twenty +yards broad in any direction, canopied over by the tall branches of an +oak, and beneath the shade about twelve yards from the margin of the +stream, was a pure, clear, shallow well of exceedingly cold water, which +as it quietly flowed over the brink went on to join the rivulet below. +The well was taken care of, kept clean, and basined in plain flat +stones; but there was no temple over it, Gothic or Greek. On the side +farthest from the stream was a plain wooden bench placed for the +convenience of persons who came to drink the waters which were supposed +to have some salutary influence, and there by tacit consent Marlow and +Emily seated themselves side by side. + +They gazed into the clear little well at their feet, seeing all the +round variegated pebbles at the bottom glistening like jewels as the +branches above, moved by a fresh wind that was stirring in the sky, made +the checkered light dance over the surface. There was a green leaf +broken by some chance from a bough above which floated about upon the +water as the air fanned it gently, now hither, now thither, now gilded +by the sunshine, now covered with dim shadow. After pausing in silence +for a moment or two, Marlow pointed to the leaf with a light and +seemingly careless smile, saying, "See how it floats about, Emily. That +leaf is like a young heart full of love." + +"Indeed," said Emily, looking full in his face with a look of inquiry, +for perhaps she thought that in his smile she might find an +interpretation of what was going on in her own bosom. "Indeed! How so?" + +"Do you not see," said Marlow, "how it is blown about by the softest +breath, which stirs not the less sensitive things around, how it is +carried by any passing air now into bright hopeful light, now into dim +melancholy shadow?" + +"And is that like love?" asked Emily. "I should have thought it was all +brightness." + +"Ay, happy love--love returned," replied Marlow, "but where there is +uncertainty, a doubt, there hope and fear make alternately the light and +shade of love, and the lightest breath will bear the heart from the one +extreme to the other--I know it from the experience of the last three +days, Emily; for since last we met I too have fluctuated between the +light and shade. Your father's consent has given a momentary gleam of +hope, but it is only you who can make the light permanent." + +Emily shook, and her eyes were bent down upon the water; but she +remained silent so long that Marlow became even more agitated than +herself. "I know not what I feel," she murmured at length,--"it is very +strange." + +"But hear me, Emily," said Marlow, taking her unresisting hand, "I do +not ask an immediate answer to my suit. If you regard me with any +favor--if I am not perfectly indifferent to you, let me try to improve +any kindly feelings in your heart towards me in the bright hope of +winning you at last for my own, my wife. The uncertainty may be +painful--must be painful; but--" + +"No, no, Marlow," cried Emily, raising her eyes to his face for an +instant with her cheek all glowing, "there must be no uncertainty. Do +you think I would keep you--you, in such a painful state as you have +mentioned? Heaven forbid!" + +"Then what am I to think?" asked Marlow, pressing closer to her side and +gliding his arm round her. "I am almost mad to dream of such happiness, +and yet your tone, your look, my Emily, make me so rash. Tell me +then--tell me at once, am I to hope or to despair?--Will you be mine?" + +"Of course," she answered, "can you doubt it?" + +"I can almost doubt my senses," said Marlow; but he had no occasion to +doubt them. + +They sat there for nearly half an hour; they then wandered on, with +marvellous meanderings in their course, for more than an hour and a half +more, and when they returned, Emily knew more of love than ever could be +learned from books. Marlow drew her feelings forth and gave them +definite form and consistency. He presented them to her by telling what +he himself felt in a plain and tangible shape, which required no long +reverie--none of their deep fits of thoughtfulness to investigate and +comprehend. From the rich store of his own imagination, and the treasury +of deep feeling in his breast, he poured forth illustrations that +brightened as if with sunshine every sensation which had been dark and +mysterious in her bosom before; and ere they turned their steps back +towards the house, Emily believed--nay, she felt; and that is much +more--that without knowing it, she had loved him long. + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +This must be a chapter of rapid action, comprising in its brief space +the events of many months--events which might not much interest the +reader in minute detail, but which produced important results to all the +persons concerned, and drew on the coming catastrophe. + +The news that Mr. Marlow was about to be married to Emily, the beautiful +heiress of Sir Philip Hastings, spread far and wide over the country; +and if joy and satisfaction reigned in the breasts of three persons in +Emily's dwelling, discontent and annoyance were felt more and more +strongly every hour by Lady Hastings. A Duke, she thought, would not +have been too high a match for her daughter, with all the large estates +she was to inherit; and the idea of her marrying a simple commoner was +in itself very bitter. She was not a woman to bear a disappointment +gracefully; and Emily soon had the pain of discovering that her +engagement to Marlow was much disapproved by her mother. She consoled +herself, however, by the full approval of her father, who was somewhat +more than satisfied. + +Sir Philip for his part, considering his daughter's youth, required that +the marriage should be delayed at least two years, and, in his +theoretical way, he soon built up a scheme, which was not quite so +successful as he could have wished. Marlow's character was, in most +respects, one after his own heart; but as I have shown, he had thought +from the first, that there were weak points in it,--or rather points +rendered weak by faults of education and much mingling with the world. +He wanted, in short, some of that firmness--may I not say hardness of +the old Roman, which Sir Philip so peculiarly admired; and the scheme +now was, to re-educate Marlow, if I may use the term, during the next +two years, to mould him in short after Sir Philip's own idea of +perfection. How this succeeded, or failed, we shall have occasion +hereafter to show. + +Tidings of Emily's engagement were communicated to Mrs. Hazleton, first +by rumor, and immediately after by more certain information in a letter +from Lady Hastings. I will not dwell upon the effect produced in her. I +will not lift up the curtain with which she covered her own breast, and +show all the dark and terrible war of passions within. For three days +Mrs. Hazleton was really ill, remained shut up in her room, had the +windows darkened, admitted no one but the maid and the physician; and +well for her was it, perhaps, that the bitter anguish she endured +overpowered her corporeal powers, and forced seclusion upon her. During +those three days she could not have concealed her feelings from all eyes +had she been forced to mingle with society; but in her sickness she had +time for thought--space to fight the battle in, and she came forth +triumphant. + +When she at length appeared in her own drawing-room no one could have +imagined that the illness was of the heart. She was a little paler than +before, there was a soft and pleasing languor about her carriage, but +she was, to all appearance, as calm and cheerful as ever. + +Nevertheless she thought it better to go to London for a short time. She +did not yet dare to meet Emily Hastings. She feared _herself_. + +Yet the letter of Lady Hastings was a treasure to her, for it gave her +hopes of vengeance. In it the mother showed but too strongly her dislike +of her daughter's choice, and Mrs. Hazleton resolved to cultivate the +friendship of Lady Hastings, whom she had always despised, and to use +her weakness for her own purposes. + +She was destined, moreover, to have other sources of consolation, and +that more rapidly than she expected. It was shortly before her return to +the country that the trial of Tom Cutter took place; and not long after +she came back that he was executed. Many persons at the trial had +remarked the effect which some parts of the evidence had produced on Sir +Philip Hastings. He was not skilful in concealing the emotions that he +felt, and although it was sometimes difficult, from the peculiarities of +his character, to discover what was their precise nature, they always +left some trace by which it might be seen that he was greatly moved. + +Information of the facts was given to Mrs. Hazleton by Shanks the +attorney, and young John Ayliffe, who dwelt with pleasure upon the pain +his successful artifice had inflicted; and Mrs. Hazleton was well +pleased too. + +But the wound was deeper than they thought. It was like that produced by +the bite of a snake--insignificant in itself, but carrying poison into +every vein. + +Could his child deceive him? Sir Philip Hastings asked himself. Could +Emily have long known this vulgar youth--gone secretly down to see him +at a distant cottage--conferred with him unknown to either father or +mother? It seemed monstrous to suppose such a thing; and yet what could +he believe? She had never named John Ayliffe since her return from Mrs. +Hazleton's; and yet it was certain from Marlow's own account, that she +had seen him there. Did not that show that she was desirous of +concealing the acquaintance from her parents? + +Sir Philip had asked no questions, leaving her to speak if she thought +fit. He was now sorry for it, and resolved to inquire; as the fact of +her having seen the young man, for whom he felt an inexpressible +dislike, had been openly mentioned in a court of justice. But as he rode +home he began to argue on the other side of the question. The man who +had made the assertion was a notorious liar--a convicted felon. Besides, +he knew him to be malicious; he had twice before thrown out insinuations +which Sir Philip believed to be baseless, and could only be intended to +produce uneasiness. Might not these last words of his be traced to the +same motive? He would inquire in the first place, he thought, what was +the connection between the convict and John Ayliffe, and stopping on the +way for that purpose, he soon satisfied himself that the two were boon +companions. + +When he reached his own dwelling, he found Emily seated by Marlow in one +of her brightest, happiest moods. There was frank candor, graceful +innocence, bright open-hearted truth in every look and every word. It +was impossible to doubt her; and Sir Philip cast the suspicion from him, +but, alas! not for ever. They would return from time to time to grieve +and perplex him; and he would often brood for hours over his daughter's +character, puzzling himself more and more. Yet he would not say a +word--he blamed himself for even thinking of the matter; and he would +not show a suspicion. Yet he continued to think and to doubt, while poor +unconscious Emily would have been ready, if asked, to solve the whole +mystery in a moment. She had been silent from an unwillingness to begin +a painful subject herself; and though she had yielded no assent to Mrs. +Hazleton's arguments, they had made her doubt whether she ought to +mention, unquestioned, John Ayliffe's proposal and conduct. She had made +up her mind to tell all, if her father showed the slightest desire to +know any thing regarding her late visit; but there was something in the +effects which that visit had produced on her mind, which she could not +explain to herself. + +Why did she love Mrs. Hazleton less? Why had she lost so greatly her +esteem for her? What had that lady done or said which justified so great +a change of feeling towards her? Emily could not tell. She could fix +upon no word, no act, she could entirely blame--but yet there had been a +general tone in her whole demeanor which had opened the poor girl's eyes +too much. She puzzled herself sadly with her own thoughts; and probably +would have fallen into more than one of her deep self-absorbed reveries, +had not sweet new feelings, Marlow's frequent presence, kept her awake +to a brighter, happier world of thought. + +She was indeed very happy; and, could she have seen her mother look +brighter and smile upon her, she would have been perfectly so. Her +father's occasional moodiness she did not heed; for he often seemed +gloomy merely from intense thought. Emily had got a key to such dark +reveries in her own heart, and she knew well that they were no true +indications either of discontent or grief, for very often when to the +eyes of others she seemed the most dull and melancholy, she was enjoying +intense delight in the activity of her own mind. She judged her father +from herself, and held not the slightest idea that any word, deed or +thought of hers had given him the slightest uneasiness. + +Notwithstanding the various contending feelings and passions which were +going on in the little circle on which our eyes are fixed, the course of +life had gone on with tolerable smoothness as far as Emily and Marlow +were concerned, for about two months, when, one morning, Sir Philip +Hastings received a letter in a hand which he did not know. It reached +him at the breakfast table, and evidently affected him considerably with +some sort of emotion. His daughters instantly caught the change of his +countenance, but Sir Philip did not choose that any one should know he +could be moved by any thing on earth, and he instantly repressed all +agitation, quietly folded up the letter again, concluded his breakfast, +and then retired to his own study. + +Emily was not deceived, however. There were moments in Sir Philip's life +when he was unable to conceal altogether the strong feelings of his +heart under the veil of stoicism--or as he would have termed it--to curb +and restrain them by the power of philosophy. Emily had seen such +moments, and knew, that whatever were the emotions produced by that +letter, whether of anger or grief or apprehension--her father was +greatly moved. + +In his own study, Sir Philip Hastings seated himself, spread the letter +before him, and read it over attentively. But now it did not seem to +affect him in the least. He was, in fact, ashamed of the feelings he had +experienced and partly shown. "How completely," said he to himself, +"does a false and fictitious system of society render us the mere slaves +of passion, infecting even those who tutor themselves from early years +to resist its influence. Here an insolent young man lays claim to my +name, and my inheritance, and coolly assumes not only that he has a +title to do so, but that I know it; and this instead of producing calm +contempt, makes my heart beat and my blood boil, as if I were the +veriest schoolboy." + +The letter was all that Sir Philip stated; but it was something more. It +was a very artful epistle, drawn up by the joint shrewdness of Mr. +Shanks, Mr. John Ayliffe, and Mrs. Hazleton. It concisely stated the +claims of the young man who signed it, to all the property of the late +Sir John Hastings and to the baronetcy. It made no parade of proofs, but +assumed that those in the writer's possession were indisputable, and +also that Sir Philip Hastings was well aware that John Ayliffe was his +elder brother's legitimate son. The annuity which had been bought for +himself and his mother was broadly stated to have been the +purchase-money of her silence, negotiated by her father, who had no +means to carry on a suit at law. As long as his mother lived, the writer +said, he had been silent out of deference to her wishes, but now that +she was dead in France, he did not feel himself bound to abide by an +arrangement which deprived him at once of fortune and station, and which +had been entered into without his knowledge or consent. He then went on +to call upon Sir Philip Hastings in the coolest terms to give up +possession and acknowledge his right without what the writer called "the +painful ceremony of a lawsuit;" and in two parts of the letter allusion +was made to secret information which the writer had obtained by the kind +confidence of a friend whom he would not name. + +It was probably intended to give point to this insinuation at an after +period, but if it was aimed at poor Emily, it fell harmless for the +time, as no one knew better than Sir Philip that she had never been +informed of any thing which could affect the case in question. + +Indeed, the subject of the annuity was one which he had never mentioned +to any one since the transaction had been completed many years before; +and the name of John Ayliffe had never passed his lips till Marlow +mentioned having seen that young man at Mrs. Hazleton's house. + +When he had read the letter, and as soon as he thought he had mastered +the last struggle of passion, he dipped the pen in the ink and wrote the +few following words: + +"Sir Philip Hastings has received the letter signed John Ayliffe +Hastings. He knows no person of that name, but has heard of a young man +of the name of John Ayliffe. If that person thinks he has any just claim +on Sir Philip Hastings, or his estate, he had better pursue it in the +legal and ordinary course, as Sir Philip Hastings begs to disclaim all +private communication with him." + +He addressed the letter to "Mr. John Ayliffe," and sent it to the post. +This done, he rejoined Marlow and Emily, and to all appearance was more +cheerful and conversable than he had been for many a previous day. +Perhaps it cost him an effort to be cheerful at all, and the effort went +a little beyond its mark. Emily was not altogether satisfied, but Lady +Hastings, when she came down, which, as usual, was rather late in the +day, remarked how gay her husband was. + +Sir Philip said nothing to any one at the time regarding the contents of +the letter he had received. He consulted no lawyer even, and tried to +treat the subject with contemptuous forgetfulness; but his was a +brooding and tenacious mind, and he often thought of the epistle, and +the menaces it implied, against his own will. Nor could he or any one +connected with him long remain unattentive or ignorant of the matter, +for in a few weeks the first steps were taken in a suit against him, +and, spreading from attorneys' offices in every direction, the news of +such proceedings travelled far and wide, till the great Hastings case +became the talk of the whole country round. + +In the mean time, Sir Philip's reply was very speedily shown to Mrs. +Hazleton, and that lady triumphed a good deal. Sir Philip was now in the +same position with John Ayliffe, she thought, that she had been in some +time before with Mr. Marlow; and already he began to show, in her +opinion, a disposition to treat the case very differently in his own +instance and in hers. + +There he had strongly supported private negotiation; here he rejected it +altogether; and she chose to forget that circumstances, though broadly +the same, were in detail very different. + +"We shall see," she said to herself, "we shall see whether, when the +proofs are brought forward, he will act with that rigid sense of +justice, which he assumed here." + +When the first processes had been issued, however, and common rumor +justified a knowledge of the transaction, without private information, +Mrs. Hazleton set out at once to visit "poor dear Lady Hastings," and +condole with her on the probable loss of fortune. How pleasant it is to +condole with friends on such occasions. What an accession of importance +we get in our own eyes, especially if the poor people we comfort have +been a little bit above us in the world. + +But Mrs. Hazleton had higher objects in view; she wanted no accession of +importance. She was quite satisfied with her own position in society. +She sought to see and prompt Lady Hastings--to sow dissension where she +knew there must already be trouble; and she found Sir Philip's wife just +in the fit frame of mind for her purpose. Sir Philip himself and Emily +had ridden out together; and though Mrs. Hazleton would willingly have +found an opportunity of giving Sir Philip a sly friendly kick, and of +just reminding him of his doctrines announced in the case between +herself and Mr. Marlow, she was not sorry to have Lady Hastings alone +for an hour or two. They remained long in conference, and I need not +detail all that passed. Lady Hastings poured forth all her grief and +indignation at Emily's engagement to Mr. Marlow, and Mrs. Hazleton did +nothing to diminish either. She agreed that it was a very unequal match, +that Emily with her beauty and talents, and even with her mother's +fortune alone, might well marry into the highest family of the land. +Nay, she said, could the match be broken off, she might still take her +rank among the peeresses. She did not advise, indeed, actual resistance +on the part of her friend; she feared Lady Hastings' discretion; but she +insinuated that a mother and a wife by unwavering and constant +opposition, often obtained her own way, even in very difficult +circumstances. + +From that hour Mrs. Hazleton was Lady Hastings' best friend. + + + + +NATURAL REVELATION. + +WRITTEN FOR THE INTERNATIONAL MONTHLY MAGAZINE + +BY ALFRED B. STREET. + + + Does not the heart alone a God proclaim! + Blot revelation from the mind of man! + Yea, let him not e'en Nature's features scan; + There is within him a low voice, the same + Throughout the varied scenes of being's span, + That whispers, God. And doth not conscience speak + Though sin its wildest force upon it wreak! + Born with us--never dying--ever preaching + Of right and wrong, with reference aye to Him-- + And doth not Hope, on toward the future reaching-- + The aspirations struggling from the Dim + Up toward the Bright--a ceaseless unrepose + Of something unattained--a ceaseless teaching + Of unfulfilled desire--the eternal truth disclose! + + + + +HEART-WHISPERS. + +WRITTEN FOR THE INTERNATIONAL MONTHLY MAGAZINE + +BY MARY E. HEWITT. + + + What if he loved me!--How the unwhispered thought + Comes o'er me, with a thrill of ecstacy! + And yet, when constant eve his step hath brought, + I timid shrink as he approaches me. + Last night, when greeting words were on his lips, + My ears grew deaf between my faint replies; + And when he pressed my trembling finger tips, + I felt me turn to marble 'neath his eyes. + What if he loved me! If 'twere mine to share + His thought! to be of his proud being part! + Hush! lest the tell-tale wind should idly bear + To him this wild, wild beating of my heart + For should he guess--who in my soul hath name-- + That I, unsought, love him, ah! I should die of shame. + + + + +THE SNOWDROP IN THE SNOW. + +BY SYDNEY YENDYS. + + + O full of Faith! The Earth is rock,--the Heaven + The dome of a great palace all of ice, + Russ-built. Dull light distils through frozen skies + Thickened and gross. Cold Fancy droops her wing, + And cannot range. In winding-sheets of snow + Lies every thought of any pleasant thing. + I have forgotten the green earth; my soul + Deflowered, and lost to every summer hope, + Sad sitteth on an iceberg at the Pole; + My heart assumes the landscape of mine eyes + Moveless and white, chill blanched with hoarest rime; + The Sun himself is heavy and lacks cheer + Or on the eastern hill or western slope; + The world without seems far and long ago; + To silent woods stark famished winds have driven + The last lean robin--gibbering winds of fear! + Thou only darest to believe in spring, + Thou only smilest, Lady of the Time! + + Even as the stars come up out of the sea + Thou risest from the Earth. How is it down + In the dark depths? Should I delve there, O Flower, + For beauty? Shall I find the Summer there + Met manifold, as in an ark of peace? + And Thou, a lone white Dove art thou sent forth + Upon the winter deluge? It shall cease, + But not for thee--pierced by the ruthless North + And spent with the Evangel. In what hour + The flood abates thou wilt have closed thy wings + For ever. When the happy living things + Of the old world come forth upon the new + I know my heart shall miss thee; and the dew + Of summer twilights shall shed tears for me + --Tears liker thee, ah, purest! than mine own-- + Upon thy vestal grave, O vainly fair! + + Thou shouldst have noble destiny, who, like + A Prophet, art shut out from kind and kin! + Who on the winter silence comest in + A still small voice. Pale Hermit of the Year, + Flower of the Wilderness! oh, not for thee + The jocund playmates of the maiden spring. + For when the danceth forth with cymballed feet, + Waking a-sudden with great welcoming, + Each calling each, they burst from hill to dell + In answering music. But thou art a bell. + A passing bell, snow-muffled, dim and sweet. + + As is the Poet to his fellow-men, + So mid thy drifting snows, O Snowdrop, Thou. + Gifted, in sooth, beyond them, but no less + A snowdrop. And thou shalt complete his lot + And bloom as fair as now when they are not. + Thou art the wonder of the seasons, O + First-born of Beauty. As the Angel near + Gazed on that first of living things which, when + The blast that ruled since Chaos o'er the sere + Leaves of primeval Palms did sweep the plain, + Clung to the new-made sod and would not drive, + So gaze I upon thee amid the reign + Of Winter. And because thou livest, I live. + And art thou happy in thy loneliness? + Oh couldst thou hear the shouting of the floods, + Oh couldst thou know the star among the trees + When--as the herald-voice of breeze on breeze + Proclaims the marriage pageant of the Spring + Advancing from the South--each hurries on + His wedding-garment, and the love-chimes ring + Thro' nuptial valleys! No, serene and lone, + I will not flush thy cheek with joys like these. + Songs for the rosy morning; at gray prime + To hang the head and pray. Thou doest well. + I will not tell thee of the bridal train. + No; let thy Moonlight die before their day + A Nun among the Maidens, thou and they. + Each hath some fond sweet office that doth strike + One of our trembling heartstrings musical. + Is not the hawthorn for the Queen of May? + And cuckoo-flowers for whom the cuckoo's voice + Hails, like an answering sister, to the woods? + Is not the maiden blushing in the rose? + Shall not the babe and buttercup rejoice, + Twins in one meadow? Are not violets all + By name or nature for the breast of Dames! + For them the primrose, pale as star of prime, + For them the wind-flower, trembling to a sigh, + For them the dew stands in the eyes of day + That blink in April on the daisied lea? + Like them they flourish and like them they fade + And live beloved and loving. But for thee-- + For such a bevy how art thou arrayed + Flower of the Tempests? What hast thou with them? + Thou shalt be pearl unto a diadem + Which the Heavens jewel. _They_ shall deck the brows + Of joy and wither there. But _thou_ shalt be + A Martyr's garland. Thou who, undismayed, + To thy spring dreams art true amid the snows + As he to better dreams amid the flames.--_Athenaeum._ + + + + +THE COUNT MONTE-LEONE: OR, THE SPY IN SOCIETY.[H] + +TRANSLATED FOR THE INTERNATIONAL MONTHLY MAGAZINE FROM THE FRENCH OF H. +DE ST. GEORGES. + +_Continued from page 70._ + + +V.--THE ENTERTAINMENT. + +The name of Count Monte-Leone produced great sensation in the numerous +assemblage. The adventures of the Count and the report of his trial had +been published in all the Parisian papers, and in the eyes of some he +was a lucky criminal, and of others a victim and a martyr to his +opinions, whom God alone had preserved. The women especially were +interested in the hero of this judicial drama, on account of the +exaggerated representations of his personal attractions. Received with +general curiosity, which, however, he did not seem to notice, and +crossing the rooms with his usual dignified air, Monte-Leone approached +the Duchess of Palma and expressed his gratitude for her kindness in +including him among her guests. The Duchess recognized the Count +politely, and replied to him with a few meaningless phrases. She then +left him to meet the young Marquise de Maulear, who came in leaning on +the arm of her father, the old Prince. The Prince knew the Neapolitan +Ambassador, whom he had often seen with the Duchess. He had been one of +the first to visit the Duchess of Palma. A man of intelligence and +devotion to pleasure, he thought he did not at all derogate from his +dignity by civility to a young and beautiful woman, who bore so nobly +the name which was conferred on her by love and hymen. + +"Duchess," said the Prince, presenting Aminta, "you have often +questioned me about my daughter-in-law, and know what I told you. I am, +I confess, proud for you to be able now to judge for yourself." In the +_interim_ La Felina had taken in the whole person of Aminta at a single +glance, and the result of this rapid examination exerted a strange +influence on her. She grew pale, and her voice trembled, as she told the +Prince that the praises he had bestowed on the Marquise were far less +than the truth. + +"The Marquis de Maulear," added she, "is an old acquaintance," and +bowing kindly to him, she offered Aminta a seat and then left her, under +the influence of an emotion which, actress as she was, she could repress +with great difficulty. + +The Prince sat by his daughter-in-law, and passing in review before her +the distinguished personages of the room, described them with that +skeptical wit, that courteous irony, of which the nobles of other days +were so completely the masters. He spoke like the Duke d'Ayer of old, +that caustic wit, of whom a lady of the court said that she was amazed +that his tongue was not torn out twenty times a day, so full of pointed +needles was all he said. Aminta smiled at the pencil sketches of the +Prince, or rather at his dagger blow. Had the old man, however, been +twenty times as bitter, she would not have found fault with her +father-in-law, for she knew he was kind and she was grateful to him--one +day we shall know whence these sentiments originated in his mind. The +Marquis de Maulear had left his young wife to speak to his numerous +acquaintances: and while the Prince for Aminta's amusement flayed alive +the various personages who were led before him by their evil fate, Count +Monte-Leone, who had seen the Ambassador, sought in vain to pierce the +crowd which surrounded him. The Duke was not in the room when +Monte-Leone was announced. It was then with surprise and almost with +terror that he saw the Count approach him. + +"I have not had the honor," said he, "to approach your Excellency since +the visit paid me at the Castle _Del Uovo_. And I am doubly gratified at +being able to return it in your hotel amid so splendid a festival." + +"Count," said the Duke, seeking to conquer the emotion caused by the +unexpected presence of Monte-Leone, "I dared not hope that you would +honor me by accepting my invitation; for you cannot be ignorant that an +Ambassador represents his king. It is then, in some degree, as if we +meet to-day in the palace of his Majesty Fernando King of Naples: and I +think I may venture to tell you, in the name of my Sovereign, that if +your conduct is a token of reconciliation offered by you to his cause, +Fernando IV will acknowledge it as cheerfully as I do now." + +Count Monte-Leone appreciated the graceful perfidy of the language of +the Duke, and was ready to curse the secret motive which had led him to +the Embassy. His eyes, however, turned, almost contrary to his wishes, +to the other side of the room, and there he seemed to find something to +sustain him. He replied to the Duke as naturally as possible, that in +coming to his house, he had remembered only the urbanity of his host and +his frankness, being aware that the Duke would never convert a mere +visit of pleasure into a political question. + +The Duke bit his lips when he heard this evasive answer, and saw that he +had met his equal in diplomacy. A young man then approached and passed +his arm into that of Monte-Leone's, thus putting an end to this annoying +interview. This young man had an eloquent and _distingue_ air, and +handsome features, though they were delicate and betokened but feeble +health. + +"Do you know, my dear Duke," said the new comer to the Ambassador, "that +one must have a very perfect character, and be invited to a very +charming ball, to come as I do to your house, after the manner we parted +eighteen months ago at Naples. Listen!--one goes for health-sake to +Naples to pass the winter, to enjoy the Carnival in peace. After one or +two intrigues with beautiful women having dark eyes, not, however, +comparable with those of the Duchess of Palma, one fine night in the +middle of a Pulcinello supper, you send us in place of a dessert a +company of black-looking _sbirri_, who rush like vultures upon us, and +rust with dirty hands our Venetian daggers which they wrest from us. +Twelve to three, they then separate Taddeo, Von Apsbury and myself, and +placing us in rickety carriages, take one of us to prison, another to +the frontier, and hurry me on board a miserable little vessel, from +which they tumble me like a package of damaged goods on the _quai_ of +Marseilles. I had expected to make the tour of Italy." + +"Vicompte," said the Duke, with a smile, "the air of Italy was not +healthy for you. Very excellent physicians told me your life was unsafe +in that country, and that you should leave it as soon as possible. So +complain to the faculty, but thank me for having followed their +directions." + +"Now what mistakes," said the young man, "people make. I have always +heard that the climate of Naples was excellent for the chest." + +"True," said the Duke, "but it is bad for the head." + +"Of that I know something," said Monte-Leone, bowing to the Duke. + +"Well, then, suppose it is," continued d'Harcourt, who wished at any +price to avenge himself on the _sbirri_ of his Excellency, in the person +of the Duke himself. "It may be the climate exaggerates and sometimes +destroys the head, but it is excellent for the heart--a suffering +heart--a heart which is attacked is easily cured in Naples. True, the +remedies are sometimes priceless, but patients in desperate cases do not +hesitate on that account." + +"I hope, Count," said the Duke, who would not understand the allusion of +the young man to his marriage, "that the climate of Paris suits you +better than that of Naples. Besides, the Duc d'Harcourt, your father, +that most influential nobleman, will prevent you henceforth from +endangering an existence you held too cheaply in Italy." + +"Luckily," said D'Harcourt, with a smile, "your Excellency watched over +me, and it is no slight honor to have as a physician the minister of +police of a kingdom. Excuse me, however," added he to the Duke, "I hear +the prelude of Collinet's orchestra, and I have a family duty to fulfil: +my sister Mary has promised to dance this contradance with me, and I +must humor the whim of a spoiled child." + +The wild young man hurried to take his sister's arm, and to get into +place with her. Marie d'Harcourt, Rene's sister, was a charming girl, +with blonde hair and a rosy complexion, fair and lithe as a northern +elf. The blue veins were visible beneath her transparent skin, so fair +that one might often have fancied the blood was about to come gushing +through it. The Duke d'Harcourt had lost two of his sons of that +terrible pulmonary disease against which medicine, alas, is powerless. +The distress of the father was intense, for two of the scions of this +family had been cut off by death; and of the five offshoots from the +family tree, but two remained. All his love was therefore centred in +Rene, now his only son, and in Marie, the young girl of whom we have +just spoken. From a sentiment of tender respect, the Duke had not +permitted his last son to assume the title of those he had lost, and +Rene continued to be called the Vicompte d'Harcourt. There were already +apparent sad indications that Rene would become a prey to the monster +which had devoured his two brothers: Marie, a few years younger, gave +her father great uneasiness, on account of the excessive delicacy of her +constitution and organization. All Paris had participated in the grief +of the Duke d'Harcourt; for all Paris respected him. Rich, kind, and +benevolent, in an enlightened manner, and within the bounds of reason, +rejecting all social Utopias, popular as they might make all who +sustained them, the Duke d'Harcourt was a Christian philanthropist, that +is to say, a charitable man. Charity is the holiest and purest of +earthly virtues, and that in which this patriarch indulged shunned noise +and renown. He did not wait until misfortune came to him to soothe it, +but sought it out. When this second providence was known to those whom +he aided, the Duke imposed secrecy on them as a reward for all he had +done. He was, so to say, an impersonation of French honor, and the +arbiter of all the differences which arose between the members of the +great aristocratic families of France. His word was law, and his +decisions sovereign. + +The Prince de Maulear had determined to marry his son to the daughter of +this noble old man, and had been forced by the Marquis's marriage to +abandon the plan. The Duke still remained the friend of the Prince, +though he had not unfrequently blamed his somewhat lax principles. +Whenever he discovered the Prince in any peccadillo, he used to say, +"Well, we must be lenient to youth." Now, the Prince de Maulear was a +young man of seventy. The beauty of Aminta, her extreme paleness alone, +would have sufficed to fix attention, and created a very revolution in +the saloons of the Embassy. The Duchess of Palma did not produce her +ordinary effect. The animation she experienced in the beginning of the +evening gradually left her, and the sadness under which she had +previously suffered, but which she had thrown off during the early hours +of the entertainment, began again to take possession of her features and +person. One man alone remarked the Duchess, for he had never lost sight +of her. Leaning against the door of the boudoir, his eye followed her +wherever she went, and appeared to sympathize with all the constraint +inflicted on her as mistress of the house. When, however, the Duchess +thought she had paid sufficient personal attention, and was satisfied +that the pleasures of the evening would be sustained without her, the +man who examined her with such care, saw her come towards the boudoir +where he was. He went in without being seen by her, and yielding to one +of those promptings which a man in his cooler moments would resist, went +behind a drapery which covered a door leading into a gallery of +pictures, and waited motionless. The Duchess of Palma entered the +boudoir, and assuring herself by a glance that she was alone, fell +rather than sat on a divan, and suffered two streams of tears to flow +from her eyes. "I was strangling," said she. "I would die a thousand +deaths. My cruel experiment has succeeded. _He loves her yet_--I am sure +of it. For her sake he came to this entertainment, to which he would not +have come for mine. He would have made an excuse of his old difficulties +with the Duke, of his political position. I would have believed him, and +have sacrificed my wish to see him to propriety and his honor. He never +ceases to look at her. He thinks of her alone. He is busied with her +alone, yet he has no look, no thought for me." The Duchess began to weep +again. Steps were heard in the gallery--the drapery at the door was +agitated. "Oh, my God!" said the Duchess, "if met with here, and in this +condition, what shall I do and say!" The steps approached. Hurrying then +to one of the outlets of the boudoir, she opened it hastily, and went +into the garden. The steps the Duchess had heard were those of two +persons, who, after having been the rounds of the room, were about to go +into the picture-gallery. The two persons were Rene d'Harcourt and Count +Monte-Leone. + +"Ah ha!" said the Count, "what the devil is Taddeo doing there against +the drapery, there like a jealous Spaniard at a corner of Seville, +listening to a serenade given by his rival?" + +"True! true!" replied d'Harcourt, "but I think the serenade has been +given, for his features express the most malevolent expression." + +The emotion of Taddeo was so violent when he heard the words of the +Duchess, that he had not strength to leave. He, however, restrained +himself, and listened to the raillery of his friends. + +"Like yourselves," said he, with a quivering voice, "I was in search of +fresh air, for it is fearfully warm." + +"Do not get sick here," said d'Harcourt, "for Doctor Matheus is not here +to cure you." + +"Silence," said Taddeo, changing his expression at once, "how imprudent +you are to pronounce his name." + +All three of them entered the boudoir. + +"True," said d'Harcourt, "my tongue is always quicker than my mind. I +will however try and make them keep time." + +"When will there be a consultation?" asked Taddeo, trying to be calm. + +"Eight days hence!" + +"At what hour?" + +"Midnight!" + +"Are there many patients?" + +"More than ever," said the Count, "and the poor devils are anxious as +possible to be cured!" + +"Then," said d'Harcourt, "the practice of the Doctor increases." + +"Every day. He will soon be unable to turn around." + +"That does not make me uneasy," said d'Harcourt, "our Doctor is a +skilful man, a great philosopher, and fully acquainted with the new +medicine." + +"Yes, very new;--he treats the mind, rather than the body." + +"Ah, that is its very essence," replied the Vicompte, "and I know some +wonderful cures of his--so wonderful, indeed, that on the other day I +presented him to my father." + +"To the Duke?" said Monte-Leone,--"introduce Doctor Matheus to the Duke +d'Harcourt?" Then in a low voice he continued, "Why did you present him +to the Doctor?" + +"For a reason which was important and very dear to my heart. My young +sister was suffering; my father, who consulted in behalf of my brothers +the most eminent practitioners of Paris, lost all confidence in the +faculty when he lost his sons. He did not know whom to consult about his +daughter; I spoke to him of Matheus, and told him several wonderful +cures he had effected, and the Duke became very anxious to see him." + +"And did the stern Matheus consent to go to your father's house?" + +"He was anxious to do so, and as his house is not far from ours, I in a +few minutes was able to introduce him into the patient's room; and would +you believe it, a few of the simplest remedies possible exerted a great +effect. The agitation of my sister was calmed--her cough arrested--and +this evening you see her dancing and waltzing, pretty and gay as +possible." + +The conversation of the three friends was soon interrupted by the +entrance of two other of the personages of our story. The Prince de +Maulear entered with the _Marquise_ on his arm, seeking in this retired +spot some repose from the fatigues of the ball, and a less heated air +than that of the ball-rooms. Aminta leaned heavily on the arm of the +Prince when she saw Monte-Leone thus unexpectedly. She had observed him +during the evening, and in the course of the winter they had more than +once met together. The Count, however, had never referred to their +parting at Sorrento. Far from seeking her out, Monte-Leone seemed to +avoid her. Satisfied with saluting her respectfully as often as they +met, the Count used always to leave her. This reserved and proper +conduct was sufficiently explained by the old rivalry of the Marquis de +Maulear and the Count. Recollection of this rivalry, without doubt, +caused in Aminta's mind the great emotion she always felt when in the +presence of Monte-Leone. + +"What," said the Prince, when he saw the Count, "are you here, my dear +colleague? This chance delights me. My daughter," said he to the young +Marquise, "let me introduce to you the Count Monte-Leone, a great +traveller, to whom I am indebted for the best chapter of my Italian +voyages; all action, I will read it to you one of these days! Ah! but +for the Count, I would never have perfected it." + +"Monsieur," said Monte-Leone, with a low bow, "I have the honor of the +_Marquise_'s acquaintance; and Signora Rovero, her mother, deigned +sometimes to receive me at her house before the marriage of the Marquis +de Maulear and Madame--" + +The Count as he spoke felt as if his heart would burst. The Prince, +however, did not perceive it. + +"You know my daughter," said the Count, "yes, you have not called on +her, you did not seek to see me, who am so glad to see you. This is bad, +Count--you will not, however, remain away any longer, and I will not +quit you until you promise me a speedy visit." + +"I do not know if I should," said the Count, with a hesitation which was +not natural to him--and looking timidly at Aminta. + +"We shall be happy to receive the Count; but you know, Monsieur, I +receive no one without the consent of the Marquis--" + +"But the Marquis," said the Prince, "will be delighted to receive so +charming a gentleman and erudite a traveller as Count Monte-Leone." + +"But I also know M. de Maulear," said the Count. + +"Indeed! then you know every one," said the old man. "Why then be so +ceremonious? People of our rank easily understand each other. Besides, +if the invitation of my son is all you need, here he comes to speak for +himself." + +D'Harcourt and Taddeo, especially the latter, who knew how devotedly +Monte-Leone had loved Aminta, participated in the embarrassment of the +scene. Aminta trembled. "Ah! you here at last, Monsieur," said the +Prince to his son, as he appeared at the door of the boudoir. "You are a +lucky fellow to have your father as your wife's _cavalier servente_, for +you have not been near her during the whole evening." The Marquis turned +pale, and said with agitation, "Excuse me, sir, but I met some old +friends who kept possession of me all the evening." + +"Ah!" said the Prince, "_apropo_ of old friends--or old acquaintances, +if you will, here is one of yours--the Count Monte-Leone, who wants only +for a word from your mouth to renew his acquaintance and visit me." + +Henri looked at Monte-Leone, whom he had not seen before. + +Without trouble, without agitation, or any apparent effort, he said, +"Count Monte-Leone will always be welcome whenever he pleases to visit +me." + +Aminta cast a glance full of surprise, grief, and reproach on the +Marquis, and a secret voice repeated in her very heart:--"He is no +longer jealous, and therefore does not love me." + +"Very well," said the Prince to his son, and turning to Monte-Leone, and +giving him his hand, he said, "We shall meet again, my dear colleague." +He continued, "We will talk of our travels, and especially of the +chapter of Ceprano." + +Then taking the arm of Aminta, who could scarcely support herself, he +returned to the ball-room. + + +VI.--JOURNAL OF A HEART. + +The entertainment continued, and the joyous sounds of the orchestra +reached the very extremity of the garden of the Hotel, where the Duchess +of Palma had taken refuge to conceal her tears from all observers. She +heard a faint noise beneath a neighboring hedge, and looking towards it, +saw Taddeo gazing at her with an expression of great grief. + +"Taddeo," said she. + +"Yes," said the young man, "Taddeo, who pities and suffers with you +because he knows all and suffers all that unappreciated love can inflict +on the heart--" + +This was said with an expression of deep pity. + +"Who has told you," said the Duchess proudly, "that I suffered as you +say?" + +"Your tears," said Taddeo, "and the memory of the past. Better still, +yourself. The words you uttered not long ago in the boudoir, and which +by chance I heard." + +"Signor," replied the Duchess with indignation, "do not attribute to +chance what you owe to ignoble curiosity. To watch a woman--to surprise +the secrets of her heart, is infamous, and betrays the hospitality +extended to you. It shows a want of respect for me, and absence of honor +in yourself." + +"Signora, my only excuse is my ardent passion, which has lasted in spite +of time and contempt. I have no motive for my fault but my sad interest +in your suffering, the cruel progress of which I have read on your +features since the commencement of the entertainment;--that is all----" + +"But, Signor, what have I said? What words have I uttered?" said the +Duchess, every feature being instinct with terror. + +"Nothing, alas! that my heart has not long been aware of. He that you +loved, you love still, and his coldness and insensibility for your +devotion, makes you lament his ingratitude and indifference." + +The Duchess seemed, as it were, relieved of an enormous burden which +oppressed her. She breathed more freely and murmured these words with a +burst of gratitude to God who had preserved her--"He knows nothing." + +"Taddeo," said she, giving him her hand, "I pardon you, for I am myself +guilty, very guilty in still preserving my old sentiments in the face of +my new obligations, voluntarily contracted. I have, I am certain, lost +the right to reproach you with a fault, which passion induced you to +commit, while I commit one far greater. For pity's sake forget what you +have heard, and to ask me to explain it would be an offence. Pity me in +your heart. Ah! pity me, for I am most unfortunate." Then drying her +eyes, she continued, "No more of this--be a friend to me as you promised +six months ago, when we came to Paris. On this condition alone you know +that I permitted you to see me. Now give me your arm, and let us return +to the ball-room, whence, probably, our absence has been remarked." They +walked in silence down the alley which led to the ball-room. + +Two hours after, all was calm and silent where every thing had been gay +and brilliant. The lights were out, and the darkness of night replaced +the thousand lamps which a few minutes before were seen to glitter +within the palace windows. But one person in all the Hotel of the Duke +of Palma was awake. A woman sat alone, in a room of rare elegance, still +wearing her ball attire, but with her hair dishevelled and her heart +crushed. Her eyes were fixed and dry, and yet red with the tears she had +shed. She was in all the brilliancy of youth and beauty, but which was +already defaced somewhat, by the iron claws of sorrow, which by +sleepless nights and the ravages of jealousy seemed resolved yet more to +lacerate her. With her head resting on her hands, beautiful and touching +as Canova's Magdalen, she looked with sorrow over the papers which lay +strewn on a rich ebony desk before her. A lamp, the upper portion of +which was shrouded in blue tulle, cast a pale and sad light over her +brow. Her fine white hand rested on the papers which she seemed afraid +to touch. "No," said she, "it is impossible; all that these contain are +but falsehoods. No, this journal of my heart, written by myself, day by +day, cannot be a romance created by the imagination in its delirium. No! +all I wrote there was true. I felt the joys and bitternesses, yet it now +seems to me a dream. A dream! can it be a dream?" + +Taking up the papers convulsively she read as follows:--"It is he. I +have seen him again and free. I thought that he, like myself, had +contracted a life-long obligation. Is this joy or grief? The ties he was +about to form, the ties the mere thought of which caused me a terrible +anguish, were imposed on me by myself. Oh my God! what have I done? What +perfidious demon inspired me when I yielded to another than to him the +_right_ to love me? When I promised a love I knew could be given to no +other than to him? Why on the day of that fatal marriage did I see him +only when I was about to leave the church? I would have broken off had I +stood at the foot of the altar--I would have told him who was about to +give me his name--ask me not to perjure myself! do not ask me to pledge +you a faith I cannot keep! my heart, my soul, my love are his. I +thought, alas! because he was not free that I too might cease to be. I +fancied my agony to be power, my spite to be courage. When, however, I +saw him pale and sombre, leaning against the door of the temple, I felt +the coldness of death take possession of me, and I doubted long after +that sad day, if I had seen a shadow, if some hallucinations of my +senses had not evoked a phantom of my vanished love, to inspire me with +eternal regret. Yet HE it was! HE it was! and when at the risk of my +very life I would have flown towards that man, I was forced to follow +another." The poor woman paused; for a mist obscured her sight, a +distillation of burning tears. She resumed her task:--"I am a Duchess +but of what value is that vain title which I sought, as an aegis against +memory, to me? Have I found it such? For a long time, I thought so. I +should, however, never have seen him again. I should have passed no +happy days near him, and have been ignorant of the delirium and +intoxication of his presence, which I never can forget. I had been the +wife of the Duke of Palma six months, when a mission of the King of +Naples forced him to leave me at a villa on the _Lago di Como_, while he +went in a foreign country to discharge the duties his monarch had +imposed on him. I scarcely dared to confess to myself, in spite of the +kindness of the Duke, how I was delighted during his absence, for it +gave me a liberty of mind and thought which was absolutely necessary to +my heart. Resolved to discharge all my duties, I lived, or rather +vegetated, in this existence, so unoccupied and objectless as all +marriages contracted without love must be. Amid, however, the dead calm +of a marriage contracted without love, there glittered sometimes a burst +of passion repressed, but alas! not stifled. Dark passions filled my +bosom, and I felt the poison of regret. I found myself often longing for +my independence, which, however, would not have contributed to my +happiness, but would at least have permitted me to indulge in my secret +sorrow. My temporary solitude, therefore, became precious to me, for I +was about to abandon myself to sadness without annoying any one, and +without exciting a curiosity which it was impossible for me to satisfy. +When one evening I had been wandering alone on the banks of the lake, I +was terrified by a terrible scene on the water. At a great distance a +man made every effort to approach the shore--for his boat was evidently +sinking beneath him. Some opening, beyond doubt, permitted the water to +penetrate, and his danger became every moment more imminent. I was too +far from the villa to send him any assistance, and as a secret +presentiment was joined to the horror and pity caused by the spectacle, +I felt the greatest anxiety about the stranger. The night was near, and +the sky became darker every moment. By the flashes of lights here and +there, I saw the bark almost sinking, and ere long, it was entirely +gone--and the tranquil waves of the lake, calm as they are wont to be, +rolled over it. My strength deserted me, and almost in a fainting +condition, I fell on the strand. I did not absolutely lose +consciousness; for far in the distance I heard the sound of sudden blows +on the water, for which at the time I could not account. The noise +approached, and grew every moment more distinct. I then heard the sound, +as it were, of a body falling on the sand, accompanied by a painful cry. +I heard no more. Soon I saw the light of the torches of my servants, who +being uneasy, had come to look for me. They found me, and also a half +inanimate body, dripping with water. It was doubtless the person whose +boat had foundered in the water, and I ordered him to be taken to the +villa and carefully attended to. It was late, and I returned. A few +hours had passed since the event, and I was sitting alone at the piano. +Fancy bore me back to my last appearance at San-Carlo, where a mad and +infatuated public had bade me so enthusiastic an adieu. While all that +crowd had eyes, for him alone I wished to be beautiful--for him alone to +be worthy of the admiration I excited. Dreaming this, my fingers run +over the keys, and joining my voice to the instrument, I sang almost +unconsciously that touching air in which I had been so much applauded. +My song was at first low and half-whispered, but gradually increased in +power. I thought I spoke to him, and that his eyes were fixed on mine. +At last I paused, pale with surprise, joy and terror. In the glass +before me I saw Count Monte-Leone." + +The memory of this event was so distinct and exciting, that the Duchess +paused and looked around for the apparition which had caused her such +keen emotion. Then, as if she delighted to place the knife in the wound, +she took up the manuscript, and continued:-- + +"'Excuse me, Madame,' said the Count, 'for having thus introduced myself +into your house; but I am come to thank you for the cares I have +received in your name.' + +"'You--you here?' said I, yet doubting my eyes. 'Is it a dream or +vision? Speak, speak once more, that, I may be sure I do not dream.' + +"'Felina,' said he, in a tone full of melancholy, 'I know not why our +fate should thus constantly bring us together. But one might think, that +still faithful to your old oath, you continue the providence you used to +be to me. When a few months since, after the wreck of all my hopes of +happiness, after having been misconceived by those for whom I had done +so much, when sad and desperate, I cursed my egotistical and cold +career, you appeared to me in the Church of Ferentino and cast on me, in +the face of your marriage vows, one of those deep-loving looks which +cheer the heart and attach it to life. And when on the lake, exhausted +with fatigue and ready to yield under the struggle necessary to avert my +threatened fate, you again came to my relief. You see, then,' continued +he, smiling sadly, 'that in becoming the good angel of the Duke of +Palma, you do not cease to be mine.' + +"Never had the Count spoken thus to me. He had always been cold, and +seemed most unwillingly to acknowledge the services I had rendered him. +I had never received an affectionate word from his mouth before. He saw +the trouble he gave me, and taking my hand, said, with a voice full of +sensibility, 'Are you happy?' At this question, it seemed as if my heart +would break, and I burst into tears. + +"'Felina,' said he, 'why do you weep? what is the meaning of this?' + +"'Do not question me,' said I. 'Let me keep the cause of those tears a +secret, for you can neither dry up nor understand them. Tell me though +about yourself, said I. Tell me of your marriage.' + +"Monte-Leone grew pale, and said, 'I am not married, I am free.' + +"I could not repress a feeling of joy. + +"'Ah!' said he, bitterly, 'Do you enjoy my misfortune?' + +"This word restored me to my _sang-froid_. I became more calm, and +questioned him. The Count told me all. + +"For many months, he had travelled and returned to Europe to arrange +some pecuniary matters previous to his return to France, where he +purposed to remain. Passing by _la Tremezzina_, he learned, indirectly, +that certain malevolent reports had been circulated in relation to him +by the brothers of the powerful association, of which he had been the +chief. A venta was to meet on the opposite shore of Lake Como. Taking a +rude costume--he had gone thither, for the purpose of protesting against +the perfidious insinuations of his enemies. Afraid, however, of being +watched by some agent of his enemies, he resolved to cross the lake +alone and at night. Thus he became so near being lost. The Count wished +to leave me that night, for he was aware of the absence of the Duke of +Palma, and was afraid of compromising me. I, however, retained him for +several days in the villa, for the purpose of throwing off the vigilance +of his enemies. Alas! how have I regretted those days, the only happy +ones of my life. How rapidly they passed away! The Count knew the +mystery I wished to hide from him. He read it in my soul, the only +thought of which he long had been. He knew why I had married, what tears +and sorrow I had known, and what anguish it had caused me. Touched by +this vast sacrifice, understanding the extent of my love, I saw the ice +of his heart gradually begin to melt. But as his heart warmed to mine, a +secret terror took possession of me. Tasting all the joy of seeing arise +in the heart of the Count, sentiments which, when I was free I could not +have heard without pride and satisfaction, I trembled at the idea of +being able to listen to them only with crime. Soon it was I who besought +the Count to fly--to leave me--to see me no more. Strange, however, is +the human heart; the passion of Monte-Leone seemed to feed on my +opposition. He forgot the past, he could not realize it to have existed. + +"Sitting by my side during the long days, beneath the flowery bowers of +the villa, the Count, as he said, saw through the darkness in which he +had been enveloped--his eyes recovered their vision, and at last I +appeared to him, for the first time, the most charming, the most +adorable of women. Never was there a more eloquent tenderness than +his--and to me who lived for him alone--whose image was ever before me, +who had loved him in spite of his coldness and indifference, almost his +contempt, to me he used this language of entreaty.... Yet he did so to a +woman who loved him. A month passed in this cruel contest of love and +duty. The contest was not equal, and passion triumphed. The Count had +left the villa, but was concealed in the vicinity, and I saw him every +day become more tender and affectionate. One must have suffered as I +have to understand the intoxication of my happiness. To be loved by him +had never seemed possible; and to possess this life-dream, to read in +his looks a passion I alone had experienced hitherto, was a veil, thin +indeed, but this prevented me from discerning how great was my fault. If +it did become known to me, I loved it; for in my delirium I thought that +I gave to this man a heart which belonged to him, and a person of which, +in defiance of his rights, another was possessed. The other though, whom +I doubly injured by this thought, had given me truly, loyally, and +nobly, his heart, his rank, his name. So completely, however, was I led +astray, that I censured the Duke for this very generosity. Sometimes, +however, my life of love had its sorrows. The Count would be sad, and in +his moments of melancholy, forgot my presence, and spoke slightingly on +the volatility of women and of their caprices. I used to look at him +with surprise, and seek to discover his secret thoughts. One day it was +revealed to me. + +"'When women are young,' said he, 'they suffer themselves to be led away +by brilliant exterior, and by that studied gallantry of which the French +make such a display.' A few words full of venom escaped him +involuntarily in relation to a rival that she whom he _had_ loved +preferred to him. So shocked was I, that I asked him, if ill-humor at +his repulse alone had led him to my feet. Without knowing how he had +done so, the Count saw he had wounded me, and by increased care and +tenderness lulled a suspicion which ultimately was to rise in all its +power and agony. + +"One day, we were to separate. The Count was obliged to go to Naples, +where he was impatiently waited for. My despair at this intelligence was +terrible. How could I leave this sweet happiness which had grown around +me in two months! It seemed above my power and ability. Nothing seemed +to influence the Count. I knew him well, and was aware that he never +yielded. I soon ceased to contend, and he left me--not, however, without +the tenderest oaths of constancy. 'We will soon meet again,' he +remarked, 'and in Paris: in that vast city where mystery is so easy, +and where secret love finds an impenetrable shelter, we will reside--you +still as beautiful, I devoted as ever.'" + +This was the end of the manuscript. + +"Vain promises," said La Felina, crushing the papers in her hands. "I +wished to read these pages once more. I wrote them after he had gone, +and they are the history of my fleeting happiness. I wished to be +satisfied that I had been happy. I doubt it sometimes, for during the +three months the Count has been here, I see him every day resume more +and more his old coldness to me. Formerly, I could reproach myself with +nothing. I had betrayed no one; and he, in his disdain, had violated no +promise. Now, though, he has created eternal remorse and regret. He has +revived in my heart a flame which was nearly out--yet has nothing but +indifference and contempt for me. He forgets, though, how dangerous it +is to offend an Italian woman. He has forgotten what he read in my +letter to his friend: 'Had I been to the Count but an ordinary woman, +the charms of whom would have fixed him for a time, but whom he would +repudiate as he has his other conquests, _I would have killed him_.'" + + +VII.--DOCTOR MATHEUS. + +At the time we write of, there was in _la rue Babylonne_, near the +faubourg Saint-Germain, an old house, the owner of which was really to +be pitied. In consequence of a kind of fate which overhung this house, +no room had been occupied for many years, and the persons who went +thither in search of room, terrified at their sombre air, heard, +subsequently, such stories of what had happened within its walls, took +good care not to take up their abode there, even if they had given the +_denier-a-Dieu_, an important matter in Paris, and a kind of bargain +between the lodger and landlord, made in the presence of the porter, who +is the notary, witness, and depository of the contract. If, however, any +quiet family, led astray by the retirement of the house, established +themselves in it, the servants soon heard such stories from their +neighbors in No. 15, that they lived in perpetual terror--madame grew +pale, and as often as monsieur sang louder than usual, or came in +without noise, had nervous attacks. The unfortunate lodgers, menaced by +jaundice or some other bilious complaint, in consequence of the repeated +emotions to which they were subjected, were anxious always to go, even +under the penalty of indemnifying the landlord. The latter saw himself +again forced to submit to the reign of solitude in the old halls, which +were gilt and painted _a la Louis XV._, and saw the mildew and dust +again rest on the windows and cells, as soon as the fires ceased to +burn; not even the presence of a trunk, belonging to a chance sojourner +in this desert isle, relieved the landlord from apprehensions of the +recurrence of his old calamity. The Crusoe of this desert island had +declared that he had rather pay the lodging three, six, or nine-fold, +than live in such proximity with the miserable ideas which the house +suggested. True, the Crusoe was an Englishman, predisposed to the +_spleen_, and the sadness of his abode would soon have led him to +augment by a new scene the dramas which had already happened in this +house. The landlord, afraid that he would do so, hurried to conclude +matters as soon as possible with the islander. + +The following was the reason of the bad repute of No. 13: + + A man had hung himself there for love. This was a horrid story, + but it was not the whole drama. Three years after, two very old + men, who were very rich, and said to be retired merchants, were + found stifled beneath their mattress, and the criminal was + never found out. The people of the quartier, however, knew all + about it, and said who was the murderer. They maintained it was + the old suicide, the shadow of whom was ill at ease, and had a + mortal aversion to any one who disagreed with him about a + suitable and pleasant residence. + +Yet for some time No. 13 had looked like all the other houses in the +vicinity. People went in and came out, just as if it had been the +domicile of no ghost. The knocker on the door was often heard, and when +the porter opened his door, a little flower-garden was seen, with +various horticultural treasures, expanding beneath the spring sun. + +At length a lodger was found, a very godsend to No. 13, whose lofty +reason was superior to all the fables told of the house, and, by his +presence defended it from the calumny which had been circulated about +it; not by words but deeds, for he lived there, and was neither hung nor +stifled, like the old merchants, who had several very evil disposed +nephews, and who, to say the least, assisted the man that was hung in +procuring the rich inheritance for them. This house had a large +ground-floor, and many handsome rooms on the first story. The second +story was very expensive, having previously been the _studio_ of a +painter, but which had been appropriated by the new lodger to an object +which we will describe by and by. We will not attempt a description of +this new lodger, but will introduce to our readers one more competent to +do it. This person is Mlle. Celestine Crepineau, an old maid between +thirty-seven and forty-nine years of age. She was tall and thin, and had +all her life rejoiced at this, for she had a form three fingers in +diameter. True, a broomstick can be grasped between the thumb and index +finger, and yet is not very graceful. Let not any one think, though, in +spite of this infantine vanity, that Mlle. Crepineau was of those +virgins whom the Bible condemns _as foolish about their beauty_. She was +a prudent honest-minded girl, the heart of whom if it ever spoke, did so +in such low terms, that no one ever heard it. Mademoiselle Celestine's +virtue was a proverb. Mothers in all that part of the town spoke of her +as a model of prudence, and fathers pointed her out to their sons as a +warning against the passions of youth. Without father or mother, from +her very childhood Mlle. Crepeneau had no protector but her god-father, +an old lawyer, who owned No. 13 of Babylonne-street. The worthy lawyer +had provided for the youth of Mlle. Celestine, and had long intrusted +her with the control of his kitchen: discovering, however, how +little talent his god-daughter had for the art of _Cussy_ and +_Brillot-Savarin_, and wishing to provide an honorable and comfortable +home for her, he removed her from the charge of her personal to that of +his real property. We will see how fully Mlle. Celestine justified the +esteem of her god-father: with what martial courage she took possession +of this kingdom of shadows; and how, after sprinkling the whole house +with holy water and hung a bough of a blessed tree, she had declared +that this asylum, thus purified, henceforth would be unapproachable to +the man who had been hung. + +The fact is, for three years, neither the suicide nor any one else had +violated this sanctuary of virtue. But Mlle. Celestine was not only a +virtuous and sensible woman, but a woman of eloquence. Nothing could be +more attractive than the harangues she made use of to induce lodgers to +occupy her rooms. Honey flowed from her mouth, and many persons were led +away by the siren's song. But generally they soon became terrified and +fled from the terrors which besieged them. Mlle. Celestine Crepeneau +therefore could not praise her new lodger too highly. "What a charming +man," said she to her neighbors in 11 and 51, the porters of which +looked on her as an oracle. "Doctor Matheus is an angel, pure as those +of Paradise. God forgive me for saying so, for I think he is handsomer +than they, with his magnificent whiskers and moustache. I do not see why +angels do not wear them! I am sure they are very becoming. Besides, he +is so kind to other people. Only the other day he wished to set +_Tamburin's_ leg, which some Jacobin had broken." In Mlle. Crepeneau's +mind, a Jacobin was capable of any thing. "And what a magnificent room +he has! how beautiful: all full of noble skeletons, Jacobins' heads, and +books enough to fill all the Place Louis XV. He has also a fine +practice, and patients of every kind coming on horseback, in carriages, +on foot, and in wooden shoes. He refuses no one, and cures every +body--even _Tamburin_. The poor animal is very fond of him, never +barking when he passes, but wagging his tail as if he knew his +physician. I alone attend to Doctor Matheus," continued Mlle. Crepeneau, +"and I flatter myself he is well waited on. He has a great deal of +trouble, too, especially on his consultation days. One would think then +all Paris met at his house. He is a brave man, and is not afraid of +ghosts! Yet he said the other day, 'I have killed so many people that +one more would run me mad.'" + +Yet while Mlle. Crepineau was thus prodigal of her praises, in front of +No. 13, her lodger, as she called him, was in the third story of the +house, and was shut up in his room engaged in the strangest manner. The +studio had preserved nothing of its original destination but its name. +Instead of pictures, plaster casts, statuettes, and manikins, the table +was covered with manuscripts, books, pamphlets, and loose papers; on +this battle-field, where science, art and politics seemed to contend +together, stood a noble Japan vase from which arose a noble bouquet of +white camelias--above this hung the portrait of a protestant preacher. + +Doctor Matheus, as Mlle. Celestine had said, was young and handsome. He +had luxuriant fair hair, hanging in clusters around his face and falling +on his shoulders, so as to give a seraphic air to his face, very well +calculated to touch the heart of pious Celestine. In his mild blue eyes, +however, there was an expression of will, decision and daring which +strangely contrasted with the rest of his face. The Doctor was tall and +elegantly formed, and wore at home the costume yet popular at Leipsig, +Gottingen and Heidelberg, a doublet of velvet and a kind of cap +surmounted by a plume. He had suppressed the plume. This is exactly the +costume of Karl de Moor in Schiller's robber; and in 1847 we saw the +pupils of those venerable universities strolling through the streets of +the German capitals in this very theatrical costume, precisely that of +Wilhelm Meister's actors when they met Mignon on the Ingolstadt road +just after their unfortunate representation of Hamlet. The Doctor, we +have said, was strangely engaged. He leaned over a vast chart of Europe, +extended before him like a body waiting for the knife of the anatomist. +His eyes were expanded, his brow flushed, and from time to time he stuck +black pins into this chart, and whenever he did so consulted the +manuscripts which he held in his hand. When he had inserted the last +pin, he arose, and with a cry of joy looked around like a conqueror; as +great men are wont to survey their fields of triumphs. "Europe is ours," +said he, "and the world is Europe's." The vaccine of _Carbonarism_ has +taken, and courses from vein to vein, to the very noblest portion of the +social body. It has reached and taken possession of the heart. The old +man is dead and a new being is about to be born. Better still, Lazarus, +regenerated, is about to burst from the tomb. + +Afraid to yield to a false hope, trembling lest he should be deceived in +his calculations, the Doctor leaned again over his chart, and began to +compute the black pins which, like a mourning cloak, covered the map of +Europe. And indeed the terrible monster he had named was a pall thrown +over the happiness of the people of the world. The idealists and +ambitious men who sought to extend it were the murderers of all +prosperity. A Gothic clock which leaned against the wall struck eleven. +The features of the Doctor at once changed their expression, and +infinite grief replaced the enthusiasm which pervaded them. He hurried +to a low window of his cabinet, and pushing aside the curtain, looked +anxiously into a garden which was behind the house he dwelt in, and from +which he was separated only by the _parterre_ of which we have spoken +before. This garden belonged to a magnificent hotel in the street of +Verennes. A large portal decked with flower vases led to rooms on the +ground-floor. This door was just then opened and a beautiful girl +hurried past, when the Doctor went to the window of his cabinet. The +young girl walked down an alley well lighted; she seemed to seek for the +generous heat of the sun, and turned toward it like a true Heliotrope. +She seemed to take no care of her complexion, for her head was scarcely +covered by a straw-hat which could not avert the heat. A thin dress of +embroidered muslin with short sleeves displayed her arms, and a blue +sash surrounded her thin and delicate form. She gathered a few flowers, +and cut away a few bad branches of the rose-trees with an elegant +English pruning-knife. Then after having passed two or three times up +and down the alley in front of the portal, she put her hand to her brow +as if to make a visor to shield her eyes from the burning rays of the +sun. Just in front of her was the window--the curtain of which Doctor +Matheus had drawn aside, and there he stood more beautiful and radiant +than ever. The young girl blushed slightly and looked hastily away, for +the sun probably appeared too bright just then. The Doctor seemed +fascinated by what he had seen, and we cannot say how long his ecstasy +continued. At last a well-known voice exclaimed on the other side of the +door, which was closed even to Mlle. Celestine Crepineau, "Doctor--you +are wanted in the parlor. A gentleman--a patient. He has given me his +card to bring you." + +"Very well," said the Doctor, "I am coming." + +"But, sir, if you will open the door I will give you his card." + +"Keep it," said the Doctor, "as I am coming down and do not need it." + +"Yet," said the inquisitive porteress.--"Monsieur may wish to know the +name in advance." + +"I do not," said the Doctor, "and hope Mlle. Crepineau that you will go +away." + +"My God!" said Mlle. Celestine, terrified at the Doctor's manner. "What +is the matter with my new lodger? Why will he not let me enter his +cabinet? Perhaps though he is cutting up some human body, and has +respect for my sex." + +The Doctor left his room, and locked the door carefully; putting the key +in his pocket, he went down. When he entered the room he was amazed to +see who was waiting for him. + +"The Duke d'Harcourt here!" said he, bowing respectfully to his visitor. + +The Duke said, "My visit should not surprise you, for I came, after all, +only to thank you for your services to my dear Marie." + +"Duke," said Doctor Matheus, "your benevolent reception, when I had the +honor to be presented to you, has converted a duty into a pleasure. The +natural interest," added he, with profound emotion, "with which your +daughter inspires all who see her, would make me most proud of her +cure." + +"Doctor," said the Duke, looking most earnestly at the physician, "you +inspire me with a confidence I have had in none of your brethren. Your +reply, therefore, to my question, I shall look on as a sentence. Do not +fear to be frank, Doctor, for I am prepared for every misfortune; +already crushed by my sufferings, my heart looks forward to no earthly +happiness. The lives of my two surviving children are the objects of my +own life, but uncertainty is too much for me. Reply therefore, I beg +you, sincerely to me whether the life of my child is in danger." + +"Duke," said Doctor Matheus, "the hand of God is more powerful than that +of science.--HE often strikes down the strong, and preserves the weak, +so that none here can tell when to expect his blows. I can, however, +assure you on my honor, that your daughter, delicate as she is, at this +time has not even a germ of the terrible malady which has ravaged your +hearth. This germ is always in the blood of members of the same family. +Art establishes this, though it can provide no remedy.--This secret +enemy, however," said the physician, with a kind of pride, "before which +all known remedies are powerless, I can perhaps oppose and conquer." + +"Tell me, Doctor, tell me!" said the Duke, clasping the Doctor's hands, +"save my child, grant her life, and my fortune is yours." + +"Duke," said Matheus, "if I had the honor of a better acquaintance with +you, I would not listen to such language as you have used.--Gold has +little value in my eyes, and reputation no more, for I do not place my +hopes for the future in my profession. Since, however, study has +revealed to me the art of assisting those who suffer, and of saving +those who are in danger, I would esteem it a crime not to do so; and I +promise this art shall be employed in the cure of Mlle. d'Harcourt. + +"And," said the Duke, "will this be a secret to me?" + +"No, Duke; I will use it in your presence. I will also own that I have +already made use of it, though but slightly, in the case of Mlle. +d'Harcourt; what I have done, satisfies me that I may hope to see her +completely restored." + +"It is true;" said the Duke. "The interview and the simple remedies you +prescribed, have sufficed to soothe the sufferings of my daughter. Ah! +Monsieur," added he, clasping the Doctor's hand kindly, "how can I +discharge my obligations towards you?" + +"By granting me a boon, invaluable to me, and which all Paris will envy, +and of which I know you are prodigal indeed, your esteem--the respect +of the Duke d'Harcourt--the most honorable and virtuous of men. You see, +Monsieur, I place a great value on my consultations; and few persons +have received so noble a recompense from you." + +"Doctor," said the Duke d'Harcourt, with a smile, "in that case you are +already paid; for I know all that you do in Paris, and especially in +this neighborhood. I know that want meets here with a better reception +than opulence, and that you look on all sufferers as having an equal +claim on your attention. You must be aware, that knowing this I have +already given you all you ask." + +"Well, then," said the Doctor, "let me continue to have your respect, +and we shall be equal." + +Just then Mlle. Celestine Crepineau knocked at the door. + +"Come in," said Doctor Matheus. + +"Sir, there are in the reception-room an English Milord, and two +miserable creatures waiting to see you." + +"Who are the latter?" + +"One is an Auvergnat, very badly dressed, with a bandage over his eye, +who has already been here once or twice." + +Doctor Matheus seemed annoyed, and turned away lest the Duke should +observe it. + +"The other is a peasant from the environs, who has a handkerchief over +his face as if he _enjoyed a fluxion_." + +"I will go," said the Duke, "for your visitors are impatient, and sorrow +should not wait. I will give place to Milord." + +"Mademoiselle," said the Doctor, "show in the poor wretches." + +"Very well," said the Duke, "the poor before the rich, I expected that." +Bowing kindly to the Doctor, the old nobleman left. + +As he passed through the reception room, he saw the Doctor's visitors, +each of whom looked towards him. The _Milord_ rushed towards a window, +which luckily was closed. The other two were introduced to the Doctor's +room. No sooner were they there, than the one threw off his +handkerchief, and the Auvergnat his bandage. The Doctor gave them his +hand and exclaimed, "MONTE-LEONE! Taddeo." + +"And here, too, am I," said the Milord, entering the room and throwing +aside his red wig and burning whiskers. + +"D'Harcourt, too"--said the Doctor, hurrying to meet the new comer--and +then closing the curtains, "Here we all are," said he. + +"Yes, dear Von Apsbury," said the Count, embracing him. "_The Pulcinelli +of the Etruscan villa are again united._" + + * * * * * + +Dr. Franklin's father had seventeen children. He was the fifteenth. He +says in his autobiography, that his father died at the age of +eighty-nine, and his mother at the age of eighty-five, and that neither +were ever known to have any sickness except that of which they died. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[H] Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1850, by Stringer +& Townsend, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United +States for the Southern District of New-York. + + + + +From Fraser's Magazine. + +LIFE AT A WATERING PLACE. + +THE DOG OF ALCIBIADES. + +BY C. ASTOR BRISTED. + + +We left Tom Edwards mysteriously swallowed up, like a stage ghost down a +trap-door. And do you know, reader, I am very near leaving him so for +good and all, and suspending these sketches indefinitely,--yea, even to +the time of the Mississippi dividends, or any other period beyond the +Greek Calends that your imagination can conjure up. For the wise +men--and the wise women, too--of Gotham are wroth with me, and one says +that I am writing on purpose to libel this man or puff that woman, and +another charges me with sketching my own life in _Fraser_, for +self-glorification, and a third holds up the last number of _Pendennis_ +at me and says, "If you could write like _that_, there would be some +excuse for you, but you won't as long as you live." "Alas, no!" said I, +and was just going to burn my unfinished papers, and vow that I would +never again turn aside from my old craft of reviewing. But then came +reflection in the shape of a bottle of true Dutch courage--genuine +Knickerbocker Madeira--and said, "Why should you be responsible for +resemblances you never meant, if people will insist on finding them? +Consider how prone readers, and still more hearers who take their +reading at second-hand, are to suppose that the author, be he great or +small, must have represented himself in some one of his personages." +True enough, Mr. Bottle; for instance, any one of our fashionables will +tell you that "our _spirituel_ and accomplished friend" (as Slingsby +calls him), M. Le Vicomte Vincent Le Roi, is the hero of his thrilling +romance, _Le Chevalier Bazalion_--why they should, or what possible +resemblance they can find between the real man in New-York, and the +ideal one in the novel, it passeth my poor understanding to discover. +Bazalion is a stalwart six-footer, who goes about knocking people's +brains out, scaling inaccessible precipices, defending castles +single-handed against a regiment or two, and, by way of relaxation after +this hard work, victimizing all the fair dames and blooming damsels that +come in his way--breaking the hearts of all the women when he has broken +the heads of all the men. Le Roi is a nice gentlemanly man, of the +ordinary size, who sings prettily and talks well, and makes himself +generally agreeable, and not at all dangerous in society--much the more +Christian and laudable occupation, it seems to me. If ever he does bore +you, it is with his long stories, not with a long pike as Bazalion used +to do. Be the absurdity, then, on the head of him who makes it; _Qui +vult decipi decipiatur_: if any one chooses to think that I am bodied +forth under the character of Harry Benson, and am, in consequence, a +handsome young man, who can do a little of every thing instead of----but +never mind what; your actor has not yet sufficient standing to come down +before the footlights, and have his little bit of private chaff with +the audience. Only this will I say, so help me N. P. Willis, I mean to +go on with these sketches till they are finished, provided always that +_Fraser_ will take them so long and that you continue to read them, or +fall into a sweet and soothing slumber over them, as the case may be. +For if we are all to shut up shop until we can write as well as Mr. +Titmarsh, there will be too extensive a bankruptcy of literary +establishments. + +Before Ashburner could form any conjecture to account for the +evanishment of Edwards--indeed before he could altogether realize it to +himself--the little man's head reappeared above the ground, though there +were no signs of his horse; and at the same time Benson began to ride +round the scene of the catastrophe, at an easy canter, laughing +immoderately. The Englishman shook up his brute into the best gallop he +could get out of him, and a few more strides brought him near enough to +see the true state of things. There was a marsh at no great distance, +which rendered the grass in the immediate vicinity moist and sloppy, and +just in this particular spot the action of the water had caved away a +hole precisely large enough to receive a horse and rider--it could +hardly have made a more accurate grave had they been measured for +it--and so marked by a slight elevation in front, that it was ten to one +any person riding over the ground at such a rate, and unacquainted with +the position of this trap, but must fall headlong into it, as Edwards +had done. There was some reason to suspect that our friend Harry, who +was an habitual rider, and knew all the environs of Oldport pretty well, +and was fonder of short cuts and going over grass than most American +horsemen are, had not been altogether ignorant of the existence of the +pitfall; it looked very much as if he had led Edwards, who was no +particular friend of his, purposely into it: but if such was the case, +he kept his own counsel. When the fallen man and mare had scrambled out +of the hole, which they did before Benson had offered to help them, or +Ashburner had time to be of any assistance, it appeared that she had +sprained her off foreankle, and he his nigh wrist. But they were close +to the main road; by good luck a boy was found to conduct the animal +home, and by a still greater piece of good luck the Robinsons' carriage +happened to be coming along just then, so the little man, who did not +take up much room, was popped into it, and as much pitied and mourned +over by the lady occupants as was _pere Guilleri_ in the French song. +And, to do him justice, even without this consolation, he had taken his +mishap very quietly from the first, as soon as he found himself not +injured in any vital, _i. e._ dancing part. + +Having finished their road at a more leisurely pace, our two horsemen +arrived at the glen after most of the company were assembled there. And +as the place was one of general resort, they noticed traces of other +parties, people of the Simpson class, hail-fellow-well-met men, who +didn't dance but took it out in drinking, and who in their intercourse +with the other sex, betrayed more vulgar familiarity and less refined +indecency than characterized the men and boys of White, Edwards, +Robinson, and Co.'s set. But of these it may be supposed that the set +took no heed. There was some really pretty scenery about the glen, but +they took no heed of that either--to be sure, most of them had seen it +at least once before. They had gone straight to the largest parlor of +the house, and led, as usual, by the indefatigable Edwards, had begun +their tricks with the chairs. Booted and spurred as he was, and with his +arm in a sling, the ever-ready youth had already arranged the German +cotillion, taking the head himself, and constituting Sumner his second +in command. Benson was left out of this dance for coming too late, one +of the ladies told him; but he did not find the punishment very severe, +as he rather preferred walking with Ashburner, and showing him the +adjacent woods. As they passed out through several specimens of the +Simpson species, who were smoking and lounging around the door, +Ashburner nearly ran over a very pretty young woman who was coming up +the steps. She was rather rustically, but not unbecomingly dressed, and +altogether so fresh and rosy that it was a treat to see her after the +fine town ladies, even the youngest of whom were beginning to look faded +and jaded from the dissipation of the season. But when she opened her +mouth in reply to Benson's affable salutation, it was like the girl in +the fairy tale dropping toads and adders, so nasal, harsh, and +inharmonious was the tone in which she spoke. + +"That's Mrs. Simpson," said Harry, as they went on, "the Bird's wife. +Pretty little woman: what a pity she has that vulgar accent! She belongs +to New England originally; one finds many such girls here, every way +charming until they begin to talk. But I suppose you saw no difference +between her and any of us. In your ears we all speak with a barbarous +accent--at least you feel bound to think so." + +"What do you think yourself? You have known a good many of my +countrymen, and heard them talk, and are able to make the comparison. Do +you, or do you not, find a difference?" + +"To say the truth, I do; it is a thing I never think seriously of +denying, for it seems to me neither singular nor to be ashamed of. You +can tell an Irishman from a Londoner by his accent; so you can a +Scotchman; or a Yorkshireman for that matter: why should you not be able +to tell an American? The error of your countrymen consists in +attributing to all our people the nasal twang, which is almost peculiar +to one section of the country. If I were asked the peculiar +characteristic of a New-Yorker's speech, I should say _monotone_. +Notice any one of our young men--you will find his conversational voice +pitched in the same key. Sumner goes on at the same uniform growl, +Edwards in an unvaried buzz. When I first landed in England, I was +struck with the much greater variety of tone one hears in ordinary +conversation. Your women, especially, seemed to me always just going to +sing. And I fancied the address of the men affected--just as, very +likely, this monotone of ours seems affected to you." + +"What I remark most is a hardness and dryness of voice, as if the +extremes of climate here had an injurious effect on the vocal organs." + +"Perhaps they do; and yet I think you will find a better average of +singers, male and female, in our society than in yours, notwithstanding +our fashionables are so engrossed by dancing. Holla! here's Harrison. +How are you, old fellow? and how are the Texas Inconvertibles?" + +It was indeed the broker, wandering moodily alone. What had he in common +with the rest of the company--the fops and flirts, the dancing men and +dancing women? The males all snubbed and despised him, from tall White +down to little Robinson; the women were hardly conscious of his +existence. He knew, too, that he could thrash any man there in a fair +stand-up fight, or buy out any three of them, ay, or talk any of them +down in the society of sensible and learned people; and this very +consciousness of superiority only served to embitter his position the +more. There were other sets, doubtless, who would have welcomed him +gladly, but either they were not sufficiently to his taste to attract +him, or he was in no mood to receive consolation from their sympathy. So +he had wandered alone, untouched by the charming scenery about him--a +man whom nobody cared for; and when Benson addressed him genially, and +in an exuberance of spirits threw his arm over the other's neck as they +walked side by side, the broker's heart seemed to expand towards the man +who had shown him even this slight profession of kindness, his +intelligent eyes lighted up, and he began to talk out cheerfully and +unassumingly all that was in him. + +Harrison's own narrative of his personal prowess, as well as the +qualified panegyric pronounced upon him by Benson, had led Ashburner to +expect to find in him a manly person with some turn for athletic sports +and good living, but no particular intellectual endowments beyond such +as his business demanded. He was, therefore, not a little astonished at +(inasmuch as he was altogether unprepared for) the variety of knowledge +and the extent of mental cultivation which the broker displayed as their +conversation went on. They talked of the hills and valleys, and ravines +and water-courses around them, and Harrison compared this place with +others in a way that showed a ready observer of the beauties of nature. +They talked of Italy, and Harrison had at his fingers' ends the +principal palaces in every city, and the best pictures in every palace. +They talked of Greece, and Harrison quoted Plato. They talked of England +and France, and Harrison displayed a familiar acquaintance, not merely +with the statistics of the two countries, but also with the habits and +characteristics of their people. Finally, they talked on the puzzling +topic of American society--puzzling in its transition state and its +singular contrasts--and, whether the broker's views were correct or not, +they were any thing but commonplace or conventional. + +"Our fashionable society has been all a mistake hitherto," said Harry +(Ashburner could not well make out whether there was a spice of irony in +his observation); "Mrs. Benson and some others are going to reform it +indifferently. The women thus far have been lost sight of after +marriage, and have left the field to the young girls. Now they are +beginning to wake up to their rights and privileges." + +"They will not remedy any of the present evils in that way," answered +Harrison, apparently addressing himself to Ashburner, but he seemed to +be talking at Benson and through him at Benson's wife, or his own, or +both of them. "Our theory and practice was that a young girl should +enjoy herself in all freedom; that her age and condition were those of +pleasure and frolic--of dissipation, if you will--that after her +marriage she, comparatively speaking, retired from the world, not +through any conventional rule or imaginary standard of propriety, but of +her own free will, and in the natural course of things; because the +cares of maternity and her household gave her sufficient employment at +home. A woman who takes a proper interest in her family gives them the +first place in her thoughts, and is always ready to talk about them. Now +these domestic details are the greatest possible bore to a mere +fashionable casual drawing-room acquaintance. Hence you see that the +French, whose chief aim is to talk well in a drawing-room or an opera +box, utterly detest and unmercifully ridicule every thing connected with +domesticity or home life. On the other hand, if a married woman never +talks of these things or lets you think of them, she does not take a +proper interest in her family. No, the fault of youth is with the other +sex. There are too few men about, and too many boys. And the more +married belles there are the more will the boys be encouraged. For your +married belles like to have men about them younger than themselves--it +makes them appear younger, or at least they think so; and besides, such +youths are more easily managed and more subservient. But, still worse, +the more these boys usurp the place of men in society, the more boyish +and retrograde will the few men become who continue to divide the honors +of society with them. When Plato enumerated among the signs of a +republic in the last stage of decadence, that the youth imitate and +rival old men, and the old men let themselves down to a level with the +youth, he anticipated exactly the state of things that has come to pass +among us. Look at that little friend of yours with the beard--I don't +mean Edwards, but an older man about his size." + +"Dicky Bleecker, I suppose you mean," growled Benson: "he's as much your +friend--or your wife's--as he is mine." + +"Well, he is my contemporary, I may say; perhaps five years at most my +junior. What perceptible sign of mature age or manliness is there about +him? In what is he superior to or distinguishable from young Snelling, +who but this season rejoices in his first white tie and first horse, and +in the fruits of his first course of dancing lessons?" + +"Well, but consider," said Benson, who was always ready to take up any +side of an argument--it was one of the first criticisms Ashburner made +on American conversation, that the men seemed to talk for victory rather +than for truth--"it stands to reason, that an intelligent married woman +must be better able than a girl to converse with a mature man, and her +conversation must have more attraction for him. As to our boys coming +out too soon, doubtless they do, but that depends not on the persons +ready to receive them, but on the general social system of the country +which pushes them into the world so early. For instance, I was left my +own master at twenty-one. So, too, with the want of proper progress and +growth in knowledge of the men. It is and must be so with the man of +fashion every where, for he is not occupied in learning things that have +a tendency to develop or improve his mind, but the contrary. I myself +have seen Frenchmen of fifty as easily amused and as eager after trifles +as boys." + +"Frenchmen?" sneered the other; "yes, but they _are_ boys all their +lives, except in innocence." + +"Very amusing and pleasant, at any rate; the best people for travelling +acquaintances that I know." + +"Exactly--very pleasant to know for a little while. I have met with a +great many Frenchmen who impressed me favorably, and I used to think as +you say, what amusing people they were, but I never had occasion to live +with one for any length of time without finding him a bore and a +nuisance. A Frenchman turns himself inside out, as it were, at once. He +shows off all that there is to show on first acquaintance. You see the +best of him immediately, and afterwards there is nothing left but +repetitions of the same things, and eternal dissertations on himself and +his own affairs. He is like a wide, shallow house, with a splendid front +externally, and scanty furniture inside." + +"Very true, and an Englishman (don't blush Ashburner) is like a suite of +college-rooms in one of his own university towns--a rusty exterior, a +dark, narrow passage along which you find your way with difficulty; and +when you do get in, jolly and comfortable apartments open suddenly upon +you; and as you come to examine them more carefully, you discover all +sorts of snug, little, out-of-the-way closets and recesses, full of old +books and old wine, and all things rich and curious. But the entrance is +uninviting to a casual acquaintance. Now, when you find an American of +the right stamp (here Benson's hands were accidentally employed in +adjusting his cravat), he hits the proper medium, and is accessible as a +Frenchman and as true as an Englishman." + +Ashburner was going to express a doubt as to the compatibility of the +two qualities, when Harrison struck in again. + +"On that account I never could see why Frenchmen should be dreaded as +dangerous in society. They fling out all their graces at once, exhaust +all their powers of fascination, and soon begin to be tiresome. How many +cases I have seen where a Frenchman fancied he was making glorious +headway in a lady's affections, and that she was just ready to fall into +his arms, when she was only ready to fall asleep in his face, and was +civil to him only from a great sacrifice of inclination to politeness!" + +"Very pleasant it must be to a lady," said Ashburner, "that a man should +be at the same time wearying her to death with his company, and +perilling her reputation out of doors by his language." + +"By Jove, it's dinner time!" exclaimed Benson, pulling out a microscopic +Geneva watch. "I thought the clock of my inner man said as much." And +back they hurried through the woods to the Glen House, but were as late +for the dinner as they had been for the dance. Harrison and Benson found +seats at the lower end of the table, where they established themselves +together and began, _a propos_ of Edwards's misadventure, to talk horse, +either because they had exhausted all other subjects, or because they +did not think the company worthy a better one. Mrs. Benson beckoned +Ashburner up to a place by her, but, somehow, he found himself opposite +Mrs. Harrison's eyes, and though he could not remember any thing she +said ten minutes after, her conversation, or looks, or both, had the +effect of transferring to her all the interest he was beginning to feel +for her husband--of whom, by the way, she took no more notice than if he +had not belonged to her. + +"Poor Harrison!" said Benson, as he and Ashburner were walking their +horses leisurely homeward that evening (they both had too much sense to +ride fast after dinner), "he is twice thrown away! He might have been a +literary gentleman and a lover of art, living quietly on a respectable +fortune; but his father would make him go into business. He might be a +model family man, and at the same time a very entertaining member of +society; but his wife has snubbed and suppressed him for her own +exaltation. If, instead of treating him thus, she would only show him a +little gratitude as the source of all her luxury and magnificence, her +dresses and her jewelry, her carriage and horses (what a pair of +iron-grays she does drive!), and all her other splendors--if she would +only be proud of him as the great broker--not to speak of his varied +knowledge, of which she might also well be proud--if she would take some +little pains to interest herself in his pleasures and to bring him +forward in society--how easily she could correct and soften his little +uncouthnesses of person and dress, if she would take the trouble! Why +should she be ashamed of him? He is older than she--how much? ten years +perhaps, or twelve at most. He is not a beauty; but in a man, I should +say, mind, comes before good looks; and how infinitely superior he is in +mind and soul to any of the frivolous little beaux, native or foreign, +whom she delights to draw about her!" + +"I fear I shall never be able to regard Mr. Harrison with as much +respect as you do. It may be ignorance, but I never could see much +difference between a speculator in stocks and a gambler." + +"When a man is in his predicament domestically there are three things, +to one, two, or all of which he is pretty sure to take--drink, gambling, +and horses. Harrison is too purely intellectual a man to be led away by +the vulgar animal temptation of liquor, though he has a good cellar, and +sometimes consoles himself with a snug bachelor dinner. Stock-jobbing +is, as you say, only another sort of gambling, and this is his vice: at +the same time you will consider that it is his business, to which he was +brought up. Then, for absolute relaxation, he has his 'fast crab.' Put +him behind his 2' 45" stepper and he is happy for an hour or two, and +forgets his miseries--that is to say, his wife." + +"But you talk as if his marriage was the cause of his speculations, +whereas you told me the other day that his speculations were the +indirect cause of his marriage." + +"You are right: I believe the beginning of that bad habit must be set +down to his father's account; but the continuance of it is still +chargeable on his wife. I have heard him say myself that he would have +retired from business long ago but for Mrs. Harrison--that is to say, he +had to go on making money to supply her extravagance." + +One fine morning there was a great bustle and flurry; moving of trunks, +and paying of bills, and preparations for departure. The fashionables +were fairly starved out, and had gone off in a body. The brilliant +equipages of Ludlow and Loewenberg, the superfine millinery of the +Robinsons, the song and story of the Vicomte, the indefatigable +revolutions of Edwards, were all henceforth to be lost to the sojourners +at Oldport. Mr. Grabster heeded not this practical protest against the +error of his ways. He had no difficulty in filling the vacant rooms, for +a crowd of people from all parts of the Union constantly thronged +Oldport, attracted by its reputation for coolness and salubrity; and he +rather preferred people from the West and South, as they knew less about +civilized life, and were more easily imposed upon. To be sure, even they +would find out in time the deficiencies of his establishment, and report +them at home; but meanwhile he hoped to fill his pockets for two or +three seasons under cover of _The Sewer's_ puffs, and then, when +business fell off, to impose on his landlord with some plausible story, +and obtain a lowering of his rent. + +Some few--a very few--of "our set" were left. Our friend Harry stayed, +because the air of the place agreed remarkably with the infant hope of +the Bensons; and a few of the beaux remained--among them Sumner, White, +and Sedley--either out of friendship for Benson, or retained by the +attractions of Mrs. Benson, or those of Mrs. Harrison; for the _lionne_ +stayed of course, it being her line to do just whatever the exclusives +did not do. But though Benson remained, he was not disposed to suffer in +silence. All this while _The Sewer_ had been filled with letters lauding +every thing about the Bath Hotel; and communications equally +disinterested, and couched in the same tone, had found their way into +some more respectable prints. Benson undertook the thankless task of +undeceiving the public. He sat down one evening and wrote off a spicy +epistle to _The Blunder and Bluster_, setting forth how things really +were at Oldport. Two days after, when the New-York mail arrived, great +was the wrath of Mr. Grabster. He called into council the old gentleman +with the melodious daughter, _The Sewer_ reporters, and some other +boarders who were in his confidence; and made magnificent, but rather +vague promises, of what he would do for the man who should discover the +daring individual who had thus bearded him in his very den; +simultaneously he wrote to _The Blunder and Bluster_, demanding the name +of the offender. With most American editors such a demand (especially if +followed up with a good dinner or skilfully-applied tip to the reporter +or correspondent) would have been perfectly successful. But he of _The +Blunder and Bluster_ was a much higher style of man. As Benson once said +of him, he had, in his capacity of the first political journalist in the +country, associated so much with gentlemen, that he had learned to be +something of a gentleman himself. Accordingly he replied to Mr. +Grabster, in a note more curt than courteous, that it was impossible to +comply with his request. So the indignant host was obliged to content +himself for the time with ordering _The Sewer_ to abuse the incognito. +Before many days, however, he obtained the desired information through +another source, in this wise. + +Oldport had its newspaper, of course. Every American village of more +than ten houses has its newspaper. Mr. Cranberry Fuster, who presided +over the destinies of _The Oldport Daily Twaddler_, added to this +honorable and amiable occupation the equally honorable and amiable one +of village attorney. Though his paper was in every sense a small one, +he felt and talked as big as if it had been _The Times_, or _The +Moniteur_, or _The Blunder and Bluster_. He held the President of the +United States as something almost beneath his notice, and was in the +habit of lecturing the Czar of Russia, the Emperor of Austria, and other +foreign powers, in true Little Pedlington style. Emboldened by the +impunity which attended these assaults, he undertook to try his hand on +matters nearer home, and boldly essayed one season to write down the +polka and redowa as indecent and immoral. But here he found, as +Alexander, Napoleon, and other great men, had done before him, that +there is a limit to all human power. He might better have tried to write +off the roof of the Bath Hotel, which was rather a fragile piece of +work, and might have been carried away by much less wind than usually +served to distend the columns of _The Twaddler_. The doughty Tom Edwards +snapped his heels, so to speak, in the face of the mighty editor, and +the exclusives continued to polk more frantically than ever in the teeth +of his direst fulminations. One practical effect, however, these home +diatribes had, which his luminous sallies on foreign affairs altogether +failed to effect--they put money into his pocket. The next thing +Americans like to hearing themselves well praised, is to hear somebody, +even if it be themselves, well abused; and accordingly, on the mornings +when Mr. Fuster let out an anti-polka article, the usually small +circulation of his small sheet was multiplied by a very large +factor--almost every stranger bought a copy, the million to see the +abuse of the fashionables, the fashionables to see the abuse of +themselves. + +Benson, in the course of his almost annual visits to Oldport Springs, +had been frequently amused by the antics of this formidable gentleman, +and had laudably contributed to make them generally known. Once, when +Mr. Fuster had politely denominated the Austrian emperor "a scoundrel," +Harry moved _The Blunder and Bluster_ to say, that it was very sorry for +that potentate, who would undoubtedly be overwhelmed with mortification +when he learned that _The Twaddler_ entertained such an opinion of him. +Whereupon Fuster, who was of a literal dulness absolutely joke-proof, +struck off a flaming article on "the aristocratic sympathies" of _The +Blunder and Bluster_, which, like a British Whig and Federal journal as +it was, always came to the rescue of tyrants and despots, &c. &c. On +another occasion--the very morning of a State election--_The Twaddler_ +had announced, with a great flourish, "that before its next sheet was +issued Mr. Brown would be invested with the highest honors that the +State could confer upon him." But even American editors are not always +infallible; Mr. Brown came out sadly in the minority, and the day after +_The Blunder and Bluster_ had a little corner paragraph to this +effect:-- + +"_We sincerely regret to see that our amusing little contemporary, THE +OLDPORT DAILY TWADDLER, has suspended publication_." + +At this Mr. Fuster flared up fearfully, and threatened to sue _The +Blunder and Bluster_ for libel. + +Now this magniloquent editor, who professed to be a great moral reformer +at home, and to regulate the destinies of nations abroad, was in truth +the mere creature and toady of Mr. Grabster, the greater part of the +revenue of his small establishment being derived from printing the bills +and advertisements of the Bath Hotel. As in duty bound, therefore, he +set to work to abuse the anonymous assailant of that atrociously-kept +house, calling him a quantity of heterogeneous names, and more than +insinuating that he was a person who had never been in good society, and +did not know what good living was, _because_ he found fault with the +living at the Bath Hotel. The leader wound up with a more than ever +exaggerated eulogy of Mr. Grabster and his "able and gentlemanly +assistants." Benson happened to get hold of this number of _The +Twaddler_ one evening when he had nothing to do, and those dangerous +implements, pen, ink, and paper, were within his reach. Beginning to +note down the absurdities and _non sequiturs_ in Mr. Fuster's article, +he found himself writing a very chaffy letter to _The Twaddler_. He had +an unfortunate talent for correspondence had Benson, like most of his +countrymen; so, giving the reins to his whim, he finished the epistle, +making it very spicy and satirical, with a garnish of similes and +classical quotations--altogether rather a neat piece of work, only it +might have been objected to as a waste of cleverness, and building a +large wheel to break a very small bug upon. Then he dropped it into the +post-office himself, never dreaming that Cranberry would publish it, but +merely anticipating the wrath of the little-great man on receiving such +a communication. It chanced, however, not long before, that Benson, in +the course of some legal proceedings, had been to sign papers, and "take +fifty cents' worth of affidavit," as he himself phrased it, before Mr. +Fuster in his legal capacity. The latter gentleman had thus the means of +identifying by comparison, the handwriting of the pseudonymous letter. +In a vast fit of indignation, not unmingled with satisfaction, he +brought out next day Harry's letter at full length, to the great peril +of the Latin quotations, and then followed it up with a rejoinder of his +own, in which he endeavored to take an attitude of sublime dignity, +backed up by classical quotations also, to show that he understood Latin +as well as Benson. But the attempt was as unsuccessful as it was +elaborate, for his anger broke through in every other sentence, making +the intended "smasher" an extraordinary compound of superfine writing +and vulgar abuse. + +When in the course of human events (he began) it becomes necessary for +men holding our lofty and responsible position to stoop to the +chastisement of pretentious ignorance and imbecility, we shall not be +found to shrink from the task. The writer of the above letter is Mr. +Henry Benson, a young man of property, and a Federal Whig. He +insinuates that we are very stupid. It's no such thing; we are not +stupid a bit, and we mean to show Mr. B. as much before we have done +with him. Mr. Benson is a pompous young aristocrat, and Mr. Grabster is +more of a gentleman than he is--and so are we too for that matter. He +says the Bath Hotel is a badly kept house. We say it isn't, and we know +a great deal better than he does. We have dined there very often, and +found the fare and attendance excellent: and so did the Honorable +Theophilus Q. Smith, of Arkansas, last summer, when he came to enjoy the +invigorating breezes of this healthful locality. That distinguished and +remarkable man expressed himself struck with the arrangements of the +Bath Hotel, which left him no cause, he said, to regret the comforts of +his western home. But this establishment cannot please the fastidious +Mr. Benson! _O tempora, O Moses!_ as Cicero said to Catiline, _quousque +tandem_? + +And so on for three columns. + +Likewise, _The Sewer_, which had begun to blackguard _The Blunder and +Bluster's_ correspondent while he remained under the shelter of his +pseudonym, now that his name was known, came out with double virulence, +and filled half a sheet with filthy abuse of Harry, including collateral +assaults on his brother, grandmother, and second cousins, and most of +the surviving members of his wife's family. But as Benson never read +_The Sewer_, this part of the attack was an utter waste of Billingsgate +so far as he was concerned. What did surprise and annoy him was to find +that _The Inexpressible_, which, though well-known to be a stupid, was +generally considered a decent paper, had taken the enemy's side, and +published some very impertinent paragraphs about him. Afterwards he +discovered that he had been the victim of a principle. _The +Inexpressible_ and _Blunder and Bluster_ had a little private quarrel of +their own, and the former felt bound to attack every thing in any way +connected with the latter. + +Nevertheless Benson was not very much distressed even at this +occurrence, for a reason which we shall now give at length, and which +will at the same time explain the propriety of the heading we have given +to this number. While every body was reading _The Sewer_ and _The +Twaddler_, and the more benevolent were pitying Harry for having started +such a nest of editorial and other blackguards about his ears, and the +more curious were wondering whether he would leave the hotel and resign +the field of battle to the enemy, our friend really cared very little +about the matter, except so far as he could use it for a blind to divert +attention from another affair which he had on hand, and which it was of +the greatest importance to keep secret, lest it should draw down the +interference of the local authorities: in short, he had a defiance to +mortal combat impending over him, which dangerous probability he had +brought upon himself in this wise. + +Among the beaux who remained after the Hegira of the fashionables was a +Mr. Storey Hunter, who had arrived at Oldport only just before that +great event, for he professed to be a traveller and travelling man, and, +to keep up the character never came to a place when other people did, +but always popped up unexpectedly in the middle, or at the end, of a +season, as if he had just dropped from the moon, or arrived from the +antipodes. He had an affectation of being foreign--not English, or +French, or German, or like any particular European nation, but foreign +in a general sort of way, something not American; and always, on +whichever side of the Atlantic he was, hailed from some locality; at one +time describing himself in hotel books as from England, at another as +from Paris, at another from Baden--from anywhere, in short, except his +own native village in Connecticut. In accordance with this principle, +moreover, he carefully eschewed the indigenous habits of dress; and +while all the other men appeared at the balls in dress coats, and black +or white cravats, he usually displayed a flaming scarlet or blue tie, a +short frock coat, and yellow or brown trousers. A man six feet high, and +nearly as many round, is a tolerably conspicuous object in most places, +even without any marked peculiarities of dress; and when to this it is +added, that Mr. Hunter exhibited on his shirt-front and watch-chain +trinkets enough to stock a jeweller's shop, and that he was always +redolent of the most fashionable perfumes, it may be supposed that he +was not likely to escape notice at Oldport. His age no one knew exactly; +some of the old stagers gave him forty years and more, but he was in a +state of wonderful preservation, had a miraculous dye for his whiskers, +and a perpetually fresh color in his cheeks. Sedley used to say he +rouged, and that you might see the marks of it inside his collar; but +this may have been only an accident in shaving. He rather preferred +French to English in conversation; and with good reason, for when he +used the former language, you might suppose (with your eyes shut) that +you were talking to a very refined gentleman, whereas, so soon as he +opened his mouth in the vernacular, the provincial Yankee stood revealed +before you. As to his other qualities and merits, he appeared to have +plenty of money, and was an excellent and indefatigable dancer. +Ashburner, when he saw him spin round morning after morning, and night +after night, till he all but melted away himself, and threatened to +drown his partner, thought he must have the laudable motive of wishing +to reduce his bulk, which, however, continued undiminished. +Notwithstanding his travels and accomplishments, which, especially the +dancing, were sufficient to give him a passport to the best society, +there were some who regarded him with very unfavorable eyes, more +particularly Sumner and Benson. Supposing this to be merely another of +the frivolous feuds that existed in the place, and among "our set," +Ashburner was not over-anxious or curious to know the cause of it. Nor, +if he had been, did the parties seem disposed to afford him much +information. Benson had, indeed, observed one day, that _that_ Storey +Hunter was the greatest blackguard in Oldport, except _The Sewer_ +reporters; but as he had already said the same thing of half-a-dozen +men, his friend was not deterred thereby from making Hunter's +acquaintance--or rather, from accepting it; the difficulty at Oldport +being, _not_ to make the acquaintance of any man in society. And he +found the fat dandy, to all appearance, an innocent and good-natured +person, rather childish for his years, and well illustrating Harrison's +assertion, that the men in fashionable life rather retrograded than +developed from twenty to forty; but in no apparent respect formidable, +save for a more than American tendency to gossip. He had some story to +the prejudice of every one, but seemed to tell all these stories just as +an _enfant terrible_ might, without fully understanding them, or at all +heeding the possible consequences of repeating them. + +The glory of the balls had departed with Edwards and the Robinsons, but +the remaining fashionables kept up their amusement with much vigor; and +the absence of the others, though detracting much from the brilliancy of +the place, was in some respects the gain of a loss. White came out in +all his glory now that most of the young men were gone. With his +graceful figure, neat dress, and ever-ready smile and compliment, he +looked the very ideal of the well-drilled man of fashion. Sumner, though +he could not have talked less if he had been an English heavy +dragoon-officer, or an Hungarian refugee, understanding no language but +his own, was very useful for a quiet way he had of arranging every thing +beforehand without fuss or delay, and, moreover, had the peculiar merit +(difficult to explain, but which we have all observed in some person at +some period of our lives) of _being good company without talking_. +Benson, with less pretence and display than he had before exhibited, +showed an energy and indefatigableness almost equal to Le Roi's; +whatever he undertook, he "kept the pot a-boiling." In short, the people +of "our set," who were left, went on among themselves much better than +before, because the men's capabilities were not limited to dancing, and +the women had less temptation to be perpetually dressing. Besides, the +removal of most of the fashionables had encouraged the other portions of +the transient population to come more forward, and exhibit various +primitive specimens of dancing, and other traits worth observing. One +evening there was a "hop" at the Bellevue. Ashburner made a point of +always looking in at these assemblies for an hour or so, and +scrutinizing the company with the coolness and complacency which an +Englishman usually assumes in such places, as if all the people there +were made merely for his amusement. Benson, who had literally polked the +heel off one of his boots, and thereby temporarily disabled himself, was +lounging about with him, making observations on men, women, and things +generally. + +"You wouldn't think that was only a girl of seventeen," said Harry, as a +languishing brunette, with large, liquid black eyes, and a voluptuous +figure, glided by them in the waltz. "How soon these Southerners +develope into women! They beat the Italians even." + +"I wonder the young lady has time to grow, she dances so much. I have +watched her two or three evenings, and she has never rested a moment +except when the music stopped.--Something must suffer, it seems to me. +Does her mind develope uniformly with her person? She is a great centre +of attraction, I observe; is it only for her beauty and dancing?" + +"I suppose a beautiful young woman, with fifty or sixty thousand a year, +may consider mental accomplishments as superfluous. She knows, perhaps, +as much as a Russian woman of five-and-twenty. How much that is, you, +who have been on the Continent, know." + +"Ah, an heiress; acres of cotton-fields, thousands of negroes, and so +on." + +"Exactly. I put the income down at half of what popular report makes it; +these southern fortunes are so uncertain: the white part of the property +(that is to say, the cotton) varies with the seasons; and the black part +takes to itself legs, and runs off occasionally. But, at any rate, there +is quite enough to make her a great prize, and an object of admiration +and attention to all the little men--not to the old hands, like White +and Sumner; they are built up in their own conceit, and wouldn't marry +Sam Weller's 'female marchioness,' unless she made love to them first, +like one of Knowles's heroines. But the juveniles are crazy about her. +Robinson went off more ostentatiously love-sick than a man of his size I +ever saw; and Sedley is always chanting her praises--the only man, +woman, or child, he was ever known to speak well of. I don't think any +of them will catch her. Edwards might dance into her heart, perhaps, if +he were a little bigger; but as it is, she will, probably, make happy +and rich some one in her own part of the world. She says the young men +there suit her better, because they are 'more gentlemanly' than we +Northerners." + +"I have heard many strangers say the same thing," said Ashburner, +prudently refraining from expressing any opinion of his own for he knew +Benson's anti-southern feelings. + +"If education has any thing to do with being a gentleman, then, whether +you take _education_ in the highest sense, as the best discipline and +expansion of the mind by classical and scientific study; or in the +utilitarian sense, as the acquisition of useful knowledge, and a +practical acquaintance with men and things; or in the fine lady sense, +as the mastery of airs, and graces, and drawing-room accomplishments; or +in the moralist's sense, as the curbing of our mischievous propensities, +and the energizing of our good ones--in every case, we are more of +gentlemen than the Southerners. If the mere possession of wealth, and +progress in the grosser and more material arts of civilization, have any +thing to do with it, then, too, we are more of gentlemen. Their claims +rest on two grounds: first, they live on the unpaid labor of others, +while we all work, more or less, for ourselves, holding idleness as +disgraceful as they do labor; secondly, they are all the time fighting +duels." + +"Are there no duels ever fought in this part of the country?" + +"Scarcely any since Burr shot Hamilton. Alexander Hamilton was one of +our greatest men, and his death excited a feeling throughout the +Northern States which put down the practice almost entirely; and I +certainly think it a step forward in real civilization." + +"Do you mean to say that it is with you as with us, where, if a man +becomes so involved in a quarrel that he is challenged, it is against +him and almost ruin to him whether he fights or does not fight? Or is +public opinion decidedly in favor of the man who does not fight, and +against the man who does? For instance, suppose you were challenged +yourself?" + +"A man can't say beforehand what he would do in an emergency of the +kind; but my impression is that I should not fight, and that the opinion +of society would bear me out." + +"But suppose a man insulted your wife or sister?" + +"It is next door to impossible that an American gentleman should do such +a thing; but if he did, I should consider that he had reduced himself to +the level of a snob, and should treat him as I would any snob in the +streets,--knock him down, if I was able; and if I wasn't, take the law +of him: and if a man had wronged me irreparably, I fancy I should do as +these uncivilized Southerners themselves do in such a case,--shoot him +down in the street, wherever I could catch him. What sense or justice is +there in a duel? It is as if a man stole your coat, and instead of +having him put into prison, you drew lots with him whether you or he +should go." + +"But suppose a man was spreading false reports about you; suppose he +said you were no gentleman, or that you had cheated somebody?" + +"Bah!" replied Benson, dexterously evading the most important part of +the question, "if I were to fight all the people that spread false +reports about me, I should have my hands full. There is a man in this +room that slandered me as grossly as he could four years ago, and was +very near breaking off my marriage. That fat man there, with all the +jewelry--Storey Hunter." + +"Indeed!" exclaimed the other, really surprised, for he had just seen +Mrs. Benson conversing with the ponderous exquisite, apparently on most +amicable terms. + +"Yes, and it was entirely gratuitous. I never gave the scamp any +provocation. By Jupiter!" Benson turned very white and then very red, +"if he isn't dancing with my wife! His impudence is too much, and----. I +believe one of our women would put up with any thing from a man here if +he can only dance well. They have no self-respect." + +Benson appeared to have very little himself at that moment, and not to +care much what he said or did. He trembled all over with rage, and his +friend expected to see an immediate outbreak; but, as if recollecting +himself, he suddenly stammered out something about the necessity of +changing his boots, and limped off accordingly for that purpose. He was +not gone more than five minutes, but in that time had contrived not only +to supply his pedal deficiency, but also to take a drink by way of +calming himself; and after the drink he took a turn with Miss Friskin, +and whirled her about the room, till he knocked over two or three +innocent bystanders, all of which tended very much to compose his +feelings. Ashburner had a presentiment that something would happen, and +stayed longer that night than his wont; indeed, till the end of the +ball, which, as there was now no German cotillion, lasted till only one +in the morning. + +But the universal panacea of the polka had its mollifying effect on +Benson, and every thing might have passed off quietly but for an unlucky +accident. Some of the young Southerners had ordered up sundry bottles of +champagne, and were drinking the same in a corner. Hunter, who was much +given to toadying Southerners (another reason for Benson's dislike of +him), mingled among them, and partook of the inspiring beverage. _In +vino veritas_ is true as gospel, if you understand it rightly as meaning +that wine develops a man's real nature. Hunter, being by nature gossipy +and mendacious, waxed more and more so with every glass of Heidseck he +took down. Ashburner chancing to pass near the group, had his attention +arrested by hearing Benson's name. He stopped, and listened: Hunter was +going on with a prolix and somewhat confused story of some horse that +Benson had sold to somebody, in which transaction Sumner was somehow +mixed up, and the horse hadn't turned out well, and the purchaser wasn't +satisfied, and so on. + +"If Benson hear this!" thought Ashburner. + +And Benson did hear it very promptly, for Sedley was within ear-shot, +and, delighted at having a piece of mischief to communicate, he tracked +Harry out at the further extremity of the room, to inform him of the +liberties Storey Hunter was taking with his name. Whereupon the +slandered one, with all his wrath reawakened, traversed the apartment in +time to hear the emphatic peroration that, "bad as Sumner was, Benson +was a thousand times worse." + +"I can't stand this," exclaimed he. "Where is Frank Sumner?" Sumner was +not visible. "Ashburner, will you stand by me if there's a row?" + +By this time the ball was breaking up, and Benson, on going back to look +for his party, found that Mrs. B., like a true watering-place _belle_, +had gone off without waiting for him. This was exactly what he wanted. +Keeping his eye on Hunter, he followed him out to the head of the +staircase, where he had just been bidding good night to some ladies. No +one was in sight but Ashburner, who happened to be standing just outside +the door-way. The fat man nodded to Harry as if they had been the best +friends in the world. + +"Curse his impudence!" exclaimed Benson, now fairly boiling over. +"Holloa, you Hunter! did you know you were an infernal scoundrel? +Because you are." + +"What for?" quoth the individual in question, half sobered and half +disconcerted by this unceremonious address. + +"And a contemptible blackguard," continued Benson, following up his +verbal attack. + +"You're another," retorted Hunter. + +Ashburner wondered if the two men were going to stand slanging each +other all night. + +"I ought to have pulled your nose three years ago, and now take that!" +and Benson, who had been working at his glove ever since the parley +began, twitched it off and slapped Hunter in the face with it. + +When an Irishman sees two people fighting, or going to fight, his +natural impulse is to urge them on. A Scotchman or an American tries to +part them. A Frenchman runs after the armed force. An Englishman does +nothing but look quietly on, unless one side meets with foul play. Thus +it was with Ashburner in the present instance. He took Benson's request +"to stand by him in case of a row," _au pied de la lettre_. He stood by +him, and that was all. + +As soon as Hunter felt the glove in his face he struck out at Benson, +who stopped the blow very neatly, and seemed about to return it with a +left-hander; then suddenly changing his style of attack, he rushed +within the other's guard, and catching him by the throat with both +hands, did his best to strangle him. Hunter, unable to call for help or +to loosen the throttling grasp of his assailant, threw himself bodily +upon him. As he was about twice Benson's size and weight, the experiment +succeeded. Harry was thrown off his feet and precipitated against the +banisters, which being of slight material, gave way like so much paper, +and both men tumbled over into the landing-place below amid a great +scattering of splinters. Lighting on their feet, they began to pummel +each other without doing more damage than a couple of children, for they +were at such close quarters and so blinded by rage that they hit wild; +but Benson had caught his man by the throat again and was just getting +him into chancery, when White, Sedley, and some of the Southerners, +attracted by the noise, ran down stairs, calling on the "gentlemen" to +"behave as such," and words proving ineffectual, endeavoring to pull +them apart; which was no easy matter, for Benson hung on like grim +death, and when his hand was removed from Hunter's collar, caught him +again by the nose, nor would he give up till Mr. Simson, who was one of +the stoutest and most active men in the place, caught him up from behind +and fairly carried him off to the hall below. Then he seemed to come to +himself all at once, and recollected that he had invited the remains of +"our set" to supper that night. And accordingly, after taking a rapid +survey of himself in a glass, and finding that his face bore no mark of +the conflict, and that his dress was not more disordered than a man's +usually is when he has been polkaing all the evening, he went off to +meet his company, and a very merry time they had of it. Ashburner was +surprised to find that the spectators of the fray were able to ignore it +so completely. If they had been old men and old soldiers, they could not +have acted with more discretion, and it was impossible to suspect from +their conversation or manner that any thing unpleasant had occurred. +"These people do know how to hold their tongues sometimes," thought he. + +Next morning while strolling about before breakfast (he was the earliest +riser of the young men in the place, as he did not dance or gamble), he +heard firing in the pistol-gallery. He thought of his conversation with +Benson and the occurrences of last night, and then recollected that he +was out of practice himself, and that there would be no harm in trying a +few shots. So he strode over to the gallery, and there, to his +astonishment, found on one side of the door the keeper, on the other +Frank Sumner (who had given a most devoted proof of friendship by +getting up two hours earlier in the morning than he had ever been known +to do before); and between them Benson, blazing away at the figure, and +swearing at himself for not making better shots. + +"Take time by the forelock, you see," said he as he recognized +Ashburner. "_Nunquam non paratus_. The fellow will send me a challenge +this morning, I suppose, and I want to be ready for him." + +"But do you know," said the Englishman, "if after this you should kill +your man, we in our country would call it something very like murder?" + +"That may be," answered Harry, as he let fly again, this time ringing +the bell; "but we only call it practice." + + * * * * * + +John Adams, in his Diary, states, that out of eight prominent members of +the Boston bar in 1763, with whom he was one evening discussing the +encroachments of England upon the colonies, only one, Adams himself, +lived through the Revolution, as an advocate of American independence. +Five adhered to Great Britain: Gridley, Auchmuty, Fitch, Kent, and +Hutchinson. Thatcher died in 1765, and Otis became incapacitated in +1771. + + + + +From Colburn's New Monthly Magazine + +THE TWIN SISTERS. + +A TRUE STORY. + +BY W. WILKIE COLLINS, AUTHOR OF "ANTONINA." + + +Among those who attended the first of the King's _levees_, during the +London season of 18--, was an unmarried gentleman of large fortune, +named Streatfield. While his carriage was proceeding slowly down St. +James's Street, he naturally sought such amusement and occupation as he +could find in looking on the brilliant scene around him. The day was +unusually fine; crowds of spectators thronged the street and the +balconies of the houses on either side, all gazing at the different +equipages with as eager a curiosity and interest, as if fine vehicles +and fine people inside them were the rarest objects of contemplation in +the whole metropolis. Proceeding at a slower and slower pace, Mr. +Streatfield's carriage had just arrived at the middle of the street, +when a longer stoppage than usual occurred. He looked carelessly up at +the nearest balcony; and there among some eight or ten ladies, all +strangers to him, he saw one face that riveted his attention +immediately. + +He had never beheld any thing so beautiful, any thing which struck him +with such strange, mingled, and sudden sensations, as this face. He +gazed and gazed on it, hardly knowing where he was, or what he was +doing, until the line of vehicles began again to move on. Then--after +first ascertaining the number of the house--he flung himself back in the +carriage, and tried to examine his own feelings, to reason himself into +self-possession; but it was all in vain. He was seized with that amiable +form of social monomania, called "love at first sight." + +He entered the palace, greeted his friends, and performed all the +necessary Court ceremonies, feeling the whole time like a man in a +trance. He spoke mechanically, and moved mechanically--the lovely face +in the balcony occupied his thoughts, to the exclusion of every thing +else. On his return home, he had engagements for the afternoon and the +evening--he forgot and broke them all; and walked back to St. James's +Street as soon as he had changed his dress. + +The balcony was empty; the sight-seers, who had filled it but a few +hours before, had departed--but obstacles of all sorts now tended only +to stimulate Mr. Streatfield; he was determined to ascertain the +parentage of the young lady, determined to look on the lovely face +again--the thermometer of his heart had risen already to Fever Heat! +Without loss of time, the shopkeeper to whom the house belonged was +bribed to loquacity by a purchase. All that he could tell, in answer to +inquiries, was that he had let his lodgings to an elderly gentleman and +his wife, from the country, who had asked some friends into their +balcony to see the carriages go to the _levee_. Nothing daunted, Mr. +Streatfield questioned and questioned again. What was the old +gentleman's name?--Dimsdale.--Could he see Mr. Dimsdale's servant?--The +obsequious shopkeeper had no doubt that he could: Mr. Dimsdale's servant +should be sent for immediately. + +In a few minutes the servant, the all-important link in the chain of +Love's evidence, made his appearance. He was a pompous, portly man, who +listened with solemn attention, with a stern judicial calmness, to Mr. +Streatfield's rapid and somewhat confused inquiries, which were +accompanied by a minute description of the young lady, and by several +explanatory statements, all very fictitious, and all very plausible. +Stupid as the servant was, and suspicious as all stupid people are, he +had nevertheless sense enough to perceive that he was addressed by a +gentleman, and gratitude enough to feel considerably mollified by the +handsome _douceur_ which was slipped into his hand. After much pondering +and doubting, he at last arrived at the conclusion that the fair object +of Mr. Streatfield's inquiries was a Miss Langley, who had joined the +party in the balcony that morning, with her sister; and who was the +daughter of Mr. Langley, of Langley Hall, in ----shire. The family were +now staying in London, at ---- Street. More information than this, the +servant stated that he could not afford--he was certain that he had made +no mistake, for the Miss Langleys were the only very young ladies in the +house that morning--however, if Mr. Streatfield wished to speak to his +master, he was ready to carry any message with which he might be +charged. + +But Mr. Streatfield had already heard enough for his purpose, and +departed at once for his club, determined to discover some means of +being introduced in due form to Miss Langley, before he slept that +night--though he should travel round the whole circle of his +acquaintance--high and low, rich and poor--in making the attempt. +Arrived at the club, he began to inquire resolutely, in all directions, +for a friend who knew Mr. Langley, of Langley Hall. He disturbed +gastronomic gentlemen at their dinner; he interrupted agricultural +gentlemen who were moaning over the prospects of the harvest; he +startled literary gentlemen who were deep in the critical mysteries of +the last Review; he invaded billiard-room, dressing-room, smoking-room; +he was more like a frantic ministerial whipper-in, hunting up stray +members for a division, than an ordinary man; and the oftener he was +defeated in his object, the more determined he was to succeed. At last, +just as he had vainly inquired of every body that he knew, just as he +was standing in the hall of the clubhouse thinking where he should go +next, a friend entered, who at once relieved him of all his +difficulties--a precious, an estimable man, who was on intimate terms +with Mr. Langley, and had been lately staying at Langley Hall. To this +friend all the lover's cares and anxieties were at once confided; and a +fitter depositary for such secrets of the heart could hardly have been +found. He made no jokes--for he was not a bachelor; he abstained from +shaking his head and recommending prudence--for he was not a seasoned +husband, or an experienced widower; what he really did was to enter +heart and soul into his friend's projects--for he was precisely in that +position, the only position, in which the male sex generally take a +proper interest in match-making: he was a newly married man. + +Two days after, Mr. Streatfield was the happiest of mortals--he was +introduced to the lady of his love--to Miss Jane Langley. He really +enjoyed the priceless privilege of looking again on the face in the +balcony, and looking on it almost as often as he wished. It was perfect +Elysium. Mr. and Mrs. Langley saw little or no company--Miss Jane was +always accessible, never monopolized--the light of her beauty shone, day +after day, for her adorer alone; and his love blossomed in it, fast as +flowers in a hot-house. Passing quickly by all the minor details of the +wooing to arrive the sooner at the grand fact of the winning, let us +simply relate that Mr. Streatfield's object in seeking an introduction +to Mr. Langley was soon explained, and was indeed visible enough long +before the explanation. He was a handsome man, an accomplished man, and +a rich man. His two first qualifications conquered the daughter, and his +third the father. In six weeks Mr. Streatfield was the accepted suitor +of Miss Jane Langley. + +The wedding-day was fixed--it was arranged that the marriage should take +place at Langley Hall, whither the family proceeded, leaving the +unwilling lover in London, a prey to all the inexorable business +formalities of the occasion. For ten days did the ruthless +lawyers--those dead weights that burden the back of Hymen--keep their +victim imprisoned in the metropolis, occupied over settlements that +never seemed likely to be settled. But even the long march of the law +has its end like other mortal things: at the expiration of the ten days +all was completed, and Mr. Streatfield found himself at liberty to start +for Langley Hall. + +A large party was assembled at the house to grace the approaching +nuptials. There were to be _tableaux_, charades, boating-trips, +riding-excursions, amusements of all sorts--the whole to conclude (in +the play-bill phrase) with the grand climax of the wedding. Mr. +Streatfield arrived late; dinner was ready: he had barely time to dress, +and then bustle into the drawing-room, just as the guests were leaving +it, to offer his arm to Miss Jane--all greetings with friends and +introductions to strangers being postponed till the party met round the +dining-table. + +Grace had been said; the covers were taken off; the loud, cheerful hum +of conversation was just beginning, when Mr. Streatfield's eyes met the +eyes of a young lady who was seated opposite, at the table. The guests +near him, observing at the same moment, that he continued standing after +every one else had been placed, glanced at him inquiringly. To their +astonishment and alarm, they observed that his face had suddenly become +deadly pale--his rigid features looked struck by paralysis. Several of +his friends spoke to him; but for the first few moments he returned no +answer. Then, still fixing his eyes upon the young lady opposite, he +abruptly exclaimed, in a voice, the altered tones of which startled +every one who heard him:--"_That_ is the face I saw in the +balcony!--_that_ woman is the only woman I can ever marry!" The next +instant, without a word more of either explanation or apology, he +hurried from the room. + +One or two of the guests mechanically started up, as if to follow him; +the rest remained at the table, looking on each other in speechless +surprise. But before any one could either act or speak, almost at the +moment when the door closed on Mr. Streatfield, the attention of all was +painfully directed to Jane Langley. She had fainted. Her mother and +sisters removed her from the room immediately, aided by the servants. As +they disappeared, a dead silence again sank down over the company--they +all looked around with one accord to the master of the house. + +Mr. Langley's face and manner sufficiently revealed the suffering and +suspense that he was secretly enduring. But he was a man of the +world--neither by word nor action did he betray what was passing within +him. He resumed his place at the table, and begged his guests to do the +same. He affected to make light of what had happened; entreated every +one to forget it, or, if they remembered it at all, to remember it only +as a mere accident which would no doubt be satisfactorily explained. +Perhaps it was only a jest on Mr. Streatfield's part--rather too serious +a one, he must own. At any rate, whatever was the cause of the +interruption to the dinner which had just happened, it was not important +enough to require every body to fast around the table of the feast. He +asked it as a favor to himself, that no further notice might be taken of +what had occurred. While Mr. Langley was speaking thus, he hastily wrote +a few lines on a piece of paper, and gave it to one of the servants. The +note was directed to Mr. Streatfield; the lines contained only these +words:--"Two hours hence, I shall expect to see you alone in the +library." + +The dinner proceeded; the places occupied by the female members of the +Langley family, and by the young lady who had attracted Mr. +Streatfield's notice in so extraordinary a manner, being left vacant. +Every one present endeavored to follow Mr. Langley's advice, and go +through the business of the dinner, as if nothing had occurred; but the +attempt failed miserably. Long, blank pauses occurred in the +conversation; general topics were started, but never pursued; it was +more like an assembly of strangers, than a meeting of friends; people +neither ate nor drank, as they were accustomed to eat and drink; they +talked in altered voices, and sat with unusual stillness, even in the +same positions. Relatives, friends, and acquaintances, all alike +perceived that some great domestic catastrophe had happened; all +foreboded that some serious, if not fatal, explanation of Mr. +Streatfield's conduct would ensue: and it was vain and hopeless--a very +mockery of self-possession--to attempt to shake off the sinister and +chilling influences that recent events had left behind them, and resume +at will the thoughtlessness and hilarity of ordinary life. + +Still, however, Mr. Langley persisted in doing the honors of his table, +in proceeding doggedly through all the festive ceremonies of the hour, +until the ladies rose and retired. Then, after looking at his watch, he +beckoned to one of his sons to take his place; and quietly left the +room. He only stopped once, as he crossed the hall, to ask news of his +daughter from one of the servants. The reply was, that she had had a +hysterical fit; that the medical attendant of the family had been sent +for; and that since his arrival she had become more composed. When the +man had spoken, Mr. Langley made no remark, but proceeded at once to the +library. He locked the door behind him, as soon as he entered the room. + +Mr. Streatfield was already waiting there--he was seated at the table, +endeavoring to maintain an appearance of composure, by mechanically +turning over the leaves of the books before him. Mr. Langley drew a +chair near him; and in low, but very firm tones, began the conversation +thus:-- + +"I have given you two hours, sir, to collect yourself, to consider your +position fully--I presume, therefore, that you are now prepared to favor +me with an explanation of your conduct at my table, to-day." + +"What explanation can I make?--what can I say, or think of this most +terrible of fatalities?" exclaimed Mr. Streatfield, speaking faintly and +confusedly; and still not looking up--"There has been an unexampled +error committed!--a fatal mistake, which I could never have anticipated, +and over which I had no control!" + +"Enough, sir, of the language of romance," interrupted Mr. Langley, +coldly; "I am neither of an age nor a disposition to appreciate it. I +come here to ask plain questions honestly, and I insist, as my right, on +receiving answers in the same spirit. _You_, Mr. Streatfield, sought an +introduction to _me_--you professed yourself attached to my daughter +Jane--your proposals were (I fear unhappily for _us_) accepted--your +wedding-day was fixed--and now, after all this, when you happen to +observe my daughter's twin-sister sitting opposite to you--" + +"Her twin-sister!" exclaimed Mr. Streatfield; and his trembling hand +crumpled the leaves of the book, which he still held while he spoke. +"Why is it, intimate as I have been with your family, that I now know +for the first time that Miss Jane Langley has a twin-sister?" + +"Do you descend, sir, to a subterfuge, when I ask you for an +explanation?" returned Mr. Langley, angrily. "You must have heard, over +and over again, that my children, Jane and Clara, were twins." + +"On my word and honor, I declare that--" + +"Spare me all appeals to your word or your honor, sir; I am beginning to +doubt both." + +"I will not make the unhappy situation in which we are all placed, still +worse, by answering your last words, as I might, at other times, feel +inclined to answer them," said Mr. Streatfield, assuming a calmer +demeanor than he had hitherto displayed. "I tell you the truth, when I +tell you that, before to-day, I never knew that any of your children +were twins. Your daughter Jane has frequently spoken to me of her absent +sister Clara, but never spoke to me of her as her twin-sister. Until +to-day, I have had no opportunity of discovering the truth; for until +to-day, I have never met Miss Clara Langley since I saw her in the +balcony of the house in St. James's street. The only one of your +children who was never present during my intercourse with your family in +London, was your daughter Clara--the daughter whom I now know, for the +first time, as the young lady who really arrested my attention on my way +to the _levee_--whose affections it was really my object to win in +seeking an introduction to you. To _me_, the resemblance between the +twin-sisters has been a fatal resemblance; the long absence of one, a +fatal absence." + +There was a momentary pause, as Mr. Streatfield sadly and calmly +pronounced the last words. Mr. Langley appeared to be absorbed in +thought. At length he proceeded, speaking to himself:-- + +"It _is_ strange! I remember that Clara left London on the day of the +_levee_, to set out on a visit to her aunt; and only returned here two +days since, to be present at her sister's marriage. Well, sir," he +continued, addressing Mr. Streatfield, "granting what you say, granting +that we all mentioned my absent daughter to you, as we are accustomed to +mention her among ourselves, simply as 'Clara,' you have still not +excused your conduct in my eyes. Remarkable as the resemblance is +between the sisters, more remarkable even, I am willing to admit, than +the resemblance usually is between twins, there is yet a difference, +which, slight, indescribable though it may be, is nevertheless +discernible to all their relations and to all their friends. How is it +that you, who represent yourself as so vividly impressed by your first +sight of my daughter Clara, did not discover the error when you were +introduced to her sister Jane, as the lady who had so much attracted +you." + +"You forget, sir," rejoined Mr. Streatfield, "that I have never beheld +the sisters together until to-day. Though both were in the balcony when +I first looked up at it, it was Miss Clara Langley alone who attracted +my attention. Had I only received the smallest hint that the absent +sister of Miss Jane Langley was her _twin-sister_, I would have seen +her, at any sacrifice, before making my proposals. For it is my duty to +confess to you, Mr. Langley (with the candor which is your undoubted +due), that when I was first introduced to your daughter Jane, I felt an +unaccountable impression that she was the same as, and yet different +from, the lady whom I had seen in the balcony. Soon, however, this +impression wore off. Under the circumstances, could I regard it as any +thing but a mere caprice, a lover's wayward fancy? I dismissed it from +my mind; it ceased to affect me, until to-day, when I first discovered +that it was a warning which I had most unhappily disregarded; that a +terrible error had been committed, for which no one of us was to blame, +but which was fraught with misery, undeserved misery, to us all!" + +"These, Mr. Streatfield, are explanations which may satisfy _you_," said +Mr. Langley, in a milder tone, "but they cannot satisfy _me_; they will +not satisfy the world. You have repudiated, in the most public and most +abrupt manner, an engagement, in the fulfilment of which the honor and +the happiness of my family are concerned. You have given me reasons for +your conduct, it is true; but will those reasons restore to my daughter +the tranquillity which she has lost, perhaps for ever? Will they stop +the whisperings of calumny? Will they carry conviction to those +strangers to me, or enemies of mine, whose pleasure it may be to +disbelieve them? You have placed both yourself and me, sir, in a +position of embarrassment--nay, a position of danger and disgrace, from +which the strongest reasons and the best excuses cannot extricate us." + +"I entreat you to believe," replied Mr. Streatfield, "that I deplore +from my heart the error--the fault, if you will--of which I have been +unconsciously guilty. I implore your pardon, both for what I said and +did at your table to-day; but I cannot do more. I cannot and I dare not +pronounce the marriage vows to your daughter, with my lips, when I know +that neither my conscience nor my heart can ratify them. The commonest +justice, and the commonest respect towards a young lady who deserves +both, and more than both, from every one who approaches her, strengthen +me to persevere in the only course which it is consistent with honor and +integrity for me to take." + +"You appear to forget," said Mr. Langley, "that it is not merely your +own honor, but the honor of others, that is to be considered in the +course of conduct which you are now to pursue." + +"I have by no means forgotten what is due to _you_," continued Mr. +Streatfield, "or what responsibilities I have incurred from the nature +of my intercourse with your family. Do I put too much trust in your +forbearance, if I now assure you, candidly and unreservedly, that I +still place all my hopes of happiness in the prospect of becoming +connected by marriage with a daughter of yours? Miss Clara Langley--" + +Here the speaker paused. His position was becoming a delicate and a +dangerous one; but he made no effort to withdraw from it. Almost +bewildered by the pressing and perilous emergency of the moment, +harassed by such a tumult of conflicting emotions within him as he had +never known before, he risked the worst, with all the blindfold +desperation of love. The angry flush was rising on Mr. Langley's cheek; +it was evidently costing him a severe struggle to retain his assumed +self-possession; but he did not speak. After an interval, Mr. +Streatfield proceeded thus:-- + +"However unfortunately I may express myself, I am sure you will do me +the justice to believe that I am now speaking from my heart on a subject +(to _me_) of the most vital importance. Place yourself in my situation, +consider all that has happened, consider that this may be, for aught I +know to the contrary, the last opportunity I may have of pleading my +cause; and then say whether it is possible for me to conceal from you +that I can only look to your forbearance and sympathy for permission to +retrieve my error, to--to--Mr. Langley! I cannot choose expressions at +such a moment as this. I can only tell you that the feeling with which I +regarded your daughter Clara, when I first saw her, still remains what +it was. I cannot analyze it; I cannot reconcile its apparent +inconsistencies and contradictions; I cannot explain how, while I may +seem to you and to every one to have varied and vacillated with insolent +caprice, I have really remained, in my own heart and to my own +conscience, true to my first sensations and my first convictions. I can +only implore you not to condemn me to a life of disappointment and +misery, by judging me with hasty irritation. Favor me, so far at least, +as to relate the conversation which has passed between us to your two +daughters. Let me hear how it affects each of them towards me. Let me +know what they are willing to think and ready to do under such +unparalleled circumstances as have now occurred. I will wait _your_ +time, and _their_ time; I will abide by _your_ decision and _their_ +decision, pronounced after the first poignant distress and irritation of +this day's events have passed over." + +Still Mr. Langley remained silent; the angry word was on his tongue; the +contemptuous rejection of what he regarded for the moment as a +proposition equally ill-timed and insolent, seemed bursting to his lips; +but once more he restrained himself. He rose from his seat, and walked +slowly backwards and forwards, deep in thought. Mr. Streatfield was too +much overcome by his own agitation to plead his cause further by another +word. There was a silence in the room now, which lasted for some time. + +We have said that Mr. Langley was a man of the world. He was strongly +attached to his children; but he had a little of the selfishness and +much of the reverence for wealth of a man of the world. As he now +endeavored to determine mentally on his proper course of action--to +disentangle the whole case from all its mysterious intricacies--to view +it, extraordinary as it was, in its proper bearings, his thoughts began +gradually to assume what is called, "a practical turn." He reflected +that he had another daughter, besides the twin-sisters, to provide for; +and that he had two sons to settle in life. He was not rich enough to +portion three daughters; and he had not interest enough to start his +sons favorably in a career of eminence. Mr. Streatfield, on the +contrary, was a man of great wealth, and of great "connections" among +people in power. Was such a son-in-law to be rejected, even after all +that had happened, without at least consulting his wife and daughters +first? He thought not. Had not Mr. Streatfield, in truth, been the +victim of a remarkable fatality, of an incredible accident, and were no +allowances, under such circumstances, to be made for him? He began to +think there were. Reflecting thus, he determined at length to proceed +with moderation and caution at all hazards; and regained composure +enough to continue the conversation in a cold, but still in a polite +tone. + +"I will commit myself, sir, to no agreement or promise whatever," he +began, "nor will I consider this interview in any respect as a +conclusive one, either on your side or mine; but if I think, on +consideration, that it is desirable that our conversation should be +repeated to my wife and daughters, I will make them acquainted with it, +and will let you know the result. In the mean time, I think you will +agree with me, that it is most fit that the next communications between +us should take place by letter alone." + +Mr. Streatfield was not slow in taking the hint conveyed by Mr. +Langley'a last words. After what had occurred, and until something was +definitely settled, he felt that the suffering and suspense which he was +already enduring would be increased tenfold if he remained longer in the +same house with the twin sisters--the betrothed of one, the lover of the +other! Murmuring a few inaudible words of acquiescence in the +arrangement which had just been proposed to him, he left the room. The +same evening he quitted Langley Hall. + +The next morning the remainder of the guests departed, their curiosity +to know all the particulars of what had happened remaining ungratified. +They were simply informed that an extraordinary and unexpected obstacle +had arisen to delay the wedding; that no blame attached to any one in +the matter; and that as soon as every thing had been finally determined, +every thing would be explained. Until then, it was not considered +necessary to enter in any way into particulars. By the middle of the day +every visitor had left the house; and a strange and melancholy spectacle +it presented when they were all gone. Rooms were now empty and silent, +which the day before had been filled with animated groups, and had +echoed with merry laughter. In one apartment, the fittings for the +series of "Tableaux" which had been proposed, remained half completed: +the dresses that were to have been worn, lay scattered on the floor; the +carpenter who had come to proceed with his work, gathered up his tools +in ominous silence, and departed as quickly as he could. Here lay books +still open at the last page read; there was an album, with the drawing +of the day before unfinished, and the color-box unclosed by its side. On +the deserted billiard-table, the positions of the "cues" and balls +showed traces of an interrupted game. Flowers were scattered on the +rustic tables in the garden, half made into nosegays, and beginning to +wither already. The very dogs wandered in a moody, unsettled way about +the house, missing the friendly hands that had fondled and fed them for +so many days past, and whining impatiently in the deserted +drawing-rooms. The social desolation of the scene was miserably complete +in all its aspects. + +Immediately after the departure of his guests, Mr. Langley had a long +interview with his wife. He repeated to her the conversation which had +taken place between Mr. Streatfield and himself, and received from her +in return such an account of the conduct of his daughter, under the +trial that had befallen her, as filled him with equal astonishment and +admiration. It was a new revelation to him of the character of his own +child. + +"As soon as the violent symptoms had subsided," said Mrs. Langley, in +answer to her husband's first inquiries, "as soon as the hysterical fit +was subdued, Jane seemed suddenly to assume a new character, to become +another person. She begged that the Doctor might be released from his +attendance, and that she might be left alone with me and with her sister +Clara. When every one else had quitted the room, she continued to sit in +the easy-chair where we had at first placed her, covering her face with +her hands. She entreated us not to speak to her for a short time, and, +except that she shuddered occasionally, sat quite still and silent. When +she at last looked up, we were shocked to see the deadly paleness of her +face, and the strange alteration that had come over her expression; but +she spoke to us so coherently, so solemnly even, that we were amazed; we +knew not what to think or what to do; it hardly seemed to be _our_ Jane +who was now speaking to us." + +"What did she say?" asked Mr. Langley, eagerly. + +"She said that the first feeling of her heart, at that moment, was +gratitude on her own account. She thanked God that the terrible +discovery had not been made too late, when her married life might have +been a life of estrangement and misery. Up to the moment when Mr. +Streatfield had uttered that one fatal exclamation, she had loved him, +she told us, fondly and fervently; _now_, no explanation, no repentance +(if either were tendered), no earthly persuasion or command (in case +Mr. Streatfield should think himself bound, as a matter of atonement, to +hold to his rash engagement), could ever induce her to become his wife." + +"Mr. Streatfield will not test her resolution," said Mr. Langley, +bitterly; "he deliberately repeated his repudiation of his engagement in +this room; nay, more, he--" + +"I have something important to say to you from Jane on this point," +interrupted Mrs. Langley. "After she had spoken the first few words +which I have already repeated to you, she told us that she had been +thinking--thinking more calmly perhaps than we could imagine--on all +that had happened; on what Mr. Streatfield had said at the dinner-table; +on the momentary glance of recognition which she had seen pass between +him and her sister Clara, whose accidental absence, during the whole +period of Mr. Streatfield's intercourse with us in London, she now +remembered and reminded me of. The cause of the fatal error, and the +manner in which it had occurred, seemed to be already known to her, as +if by intuition. We entreated her to refrain from speaking on the +subject for the present; but she answered that it was her duty to speak +on it--her duty to propose something which should alleviate the suspense +and distress we were all enduring on her account. No words can describe +to you her fortitude, her noble endurance--." Mrs. Langley's voice +faltered as she pronounced the last words. It was some minutes ere she +became sufficiently composed to proceed thus: + +"I am charged with a message to you from Jane--I should say, charged +with her entreaties, that you will not suspend our intercourse with Mr. +Streatfield, or view his conduct in any other than a merciful light--as +conduct for which accident and circumstances are alone to blame. After +she had given me this message to you, she turned to Clara, who sat +weeping by her side, completely overcome; and said that _they_ were to +blame, if any one was to be blamed in the matter, for being so much +alike as to make all who saw them apart doubt which was Clara and which +was Jane. She said this with a faint smile, and an effort to speak +playfully, which touched us to the heart. Then, in a tone and manner +which I can never forget, she asked her sister--charging her, on their +mutual affection and mutual confidence, to answer sincerely--if _she_ +had noticed Mr. Streatfield on the day of the _levee_, and had +afterwards remembered him at the dinner-table, as _he_ had noticed and +remembered _her_? It was only after Jane had repeated this appeal, still +more earnestly and affectionately, that Clara summoned courage and +composure enough to confess that she _had_ noticed Mr. Streatfield on +the day of the _levee_, had thought of him afterwards during his absence +from London, and had recognized him at our table, as he had recognized +her. + +"Is it possible! I own I had not anticipated--not thought for one moment +of that," said Mr. Langley. + +"Perhaps," continued his wife, "it is best that you should see Jane now, +and judge for yourself. For _my_ part, her noble resignation under this +great trial, has so astonished and impressed me, that I only feel +competent to advise, as she advises, to act as she thinks fit. I begin +to think that it is not _we_ who are to guide _her_, but _she_ who is to +guide _us_." + +Mr. Langley lingered irresolute for a few minutes; then quitted the +room, and proceeded along to Jane Langley's apartment. + +When he knocked at the door, it was opened by Clara. There was an +expression partly of confusion, partly of sorrow on her face; and when +her father stopped as if to speak to her, she merely pointed into the +room, and hurried away without uttering a word. + +Mr. Langley had been prepared by his wife for the change that had taken +place in his daughter since the day before; but he felt startled, almost +overwhelmed, as he now looked on her. One of the poor girl's most +prominent personal attractions, from her earliest years, had been the +beauty of her complexion; and now, the freshness and the bloom had +entirely departed from her face; it seemed absolutely colorless. Her +expression, too, appeared to Mr. Langley's eye, to have undergone a +melancholy alteration; to have lost its youthfulness suddenly; to have +assumed a strange character of firmness and thoughtfulness, which he had +never observed in it before. She was sitting by an open window, +commanding a lovely view of wide, sunny landscape; a Bible which her +mother had given her, lay open on her knees; she was reading in it as +her father entered. For the first time in his life, he paused, +speechless, as he approached to speak to one of his own children. + +"I am afraid I look very ill," she said, holding out her hand to him; +"but I am better than I look; I shall be quite well in a day or two. +Have you heard my message, father? have you been told?"-- + +"My love, we will not speak of it yet; we will wait a few days," said +Mr. Langley. + +"You have always been so kind to me," she continued, in less steady +tones, "that I am sure you will let me go on. I have very little to say, +but that little must be said now, and then we need never recur to it +again. Will you consider all that has happened, as something forgotten? +You have heard already what it is that I entreat you to do; will you let +_him_--Mr. Streatfield--" (She stopped, her voice failed for a moment, +but she recovered herself again almost immediately.) "Will you let Mr. +Streatfield remain here, or recall him if he is gone, and give him an +opportunity of explaining himself to my sister? If poor Clara should +refuse to see him for my sake, pray do not listen to her. I am sure this +is what ought to be done; I have been thinking of it very calmly, and I +feel that it is right. And there is something more I have to beg of you, +father; it is, that, while Mr. Streatfield is here, you will allow me +to go and stay with my aunt.--You know how fond she is of me. Her house +is not a day's journey from home. It is best for every body (much the +best for _me_) that I should not remain here at present; and--and--dear +father! I have always been your spoiled child; and I know you will +indulge me still. If you will do what I ask you, I shall soon get over +this heavy trial. I shall be well again if I am away at my aunt's--if--" + +She paused; and putting one trembling arm round her father's neck, hid +her face on his breast. For some minutes, Mr. Langley could not trust +himself to answer her. There was something, not deeply touching only, +but impressive and sublime, about the moral heroism of this young girl, +whose heart and mind--hitherto wholly inexperienced in the harder and +darker emergencies of life--now rose in the strength of their native +purity superior to the bitterest, cruellest trial that either could +undergo; whose patience and resignation, called forth for the first time +by a calamity which suddenly thwarted the purposes and paralyzed the +affections that had been destined to endure for a life, could thus +appear at once in the fullest maturity of virtue and beauty. As the +father thought on these things; as he vaguely and imperfectly estimated +the extent of the daughter's sacrifice; as he reflected on the nature of +the affliction that had befallen her--which combined in itself a +fatality that none could have foreseen, a fault that could neither be +repaired nor resented, a judgment against which there was no appeal--and +then remembered how this affliction had been borne, with what words and +what actions it had been met, he felt that it would be almost a +profanation to judge the touching petition just addressed to him, by the +criterion of _his_ worldly doubts and _his_ worldly wisdom. His eye fell +on the Bible, still open beneath it; he remembered the little child who +was set in the midst of the disciples, as teacher and example to all; +and when at length he spoke in answer to his daughter, it was not to +direct or to advise, but to comfort and comply. + +They delayed her removal for a few days, to see if she faltered in her +resolution, if her bodily weakness increased; but she never wavered; +nothing in her appearance changed, either for better or for worse. A +week after the startling scene at the dinner-table, she was living in +the strictest retirement in the house of her aunt. + +About the period of her departure, a letter was received from Mr. +Streatfield. It was little more than a recapitulation of what he had +already said to Mr. Langley--expressed, however, on this occasion, in +stronger and, at the same time, in more respectful terms. The letter was +answered briefly: he was informed that nothing had, as yet, been +determined on, but that the next communication would bring him a final +reply. + +Two months passed. During that time, Jane Langley was frequently visited +at her aunt's house, by her father and mother. She still remained calm +and resolved; still looked pale and thoughtful, as at first. Doctors +were consulted: they talked of a shock to the nervous system; of great +hope from time, and their patient's strength of mind; and of the +necessity of acceding to her wishes in all things. Then, the advice of +the aunt was sought. She was a woman of an eccentric, masculine +character, who had herself experienced a love-disappointment in early +life, and had never married. She gave her opinion unreservedly and +abruptly, as she always gave it. "Do as Jane tells you!" said the old +lady, severely; "that poor child has more moral courage and +determination than all the rest of you put together! I know better than +any body what a sacrifice she has had to make; but she has made it, and +made it nobly--like a heroine, as some people would say; like a good, +high-minded, courageous girl, as _I_ say! Do as she tells you! Let that +poor, selfish fool of a man have his way, and marry her sister--he has +made one mistake already about a face--see if he doesn't find out, some +day, that he has made another, about a wife! Let him!--Jane is too good +for _him_, or for any man! Leave her to me; let her stop here; she +shan't lose by what happened! You know this place is mine--I mean it is +to be hers, when I'm dead. You know I've got some money--I shall leave +it to her. I've made my will: it's all done and settled! Go back home; +send for the man, and tell Clara to marry him without any more fuss! You +wanted my opinion--There it is for you!" + +At last Mr. Langley decided. The important letter was written, which +recalled Mr. Streatfield to Langley Hall. As Jane had foreseen, Clara at +first refused to hold any communication with him; but a letter from her +sister, and the remonstrances of her father, soon changed her +resolution. There was nothing in common between the twin-sisters but +their personal resemblance. Clara had been guided all her life by the +opinions of others, and she was guided by them now. + +Once permitted the opportunity of pleading his cause, Mr. Streatfield +did not neglect his own interests. It would be little to our purpose to +describe the doubts and difficulties which delayed at first the progress +of his second courtship--pursued as it was under circumstances, not only +extraordinary, but unprecedented. It is no longer with him, or with +Clara Langley, that the interest of our story is connected. Suffice it +to say, that he ultimately overcame all the young lady's scruples; and +that, a few months afterwards, some of Mr. Langley's intimate friends +found themselves again assembled round his table as wedding-guests, and +congratulating Mr. Streatfield on his approaching union with Clara, as +they had already congratulated him, scarcely a year back, on his +approaching union with Jane! + +The social ceremonies of the wedding-day were performed soberly--almost +sadly. Some of the guests (especially the unmarried ladies) thought +that Miss Clara had allowed herself to be won too easily--others were +picturing to themselves the situation of the poor girl who was absent; +and contributed little toward the gayety of the party. On this occasion, +however, nothing occurred to interrupt the proceedings; the marriage +took place; and, immediately after it, Mr. Streatfield and his bride +started for a tour on the Continent. + +On their departure, Jane Langley returned home. She made no reference +whatever to her sister's marriage; and no one mentioned it in her +presence. Still the color did not return to her cheek, or the old gayety +to her manner. The shock that she had suffered had left its traces on +her for life. But there was no evidence that she was sinking under the +remembrances which neither time nor resolution could banish. The strong, +pure heart had undergone a change, but not a deterioration. All that had +been brilliant in her character was gone; but all that was noble in it +remained. Never had her intercourse with her family and her friends been +so affectionate and so kindly as it was now. + +When, after a long absence, Mr. Streatfield and his wife returned to +England, it was observed, at her first meeting with them, that the +momentary confusion and embarrassment were on _their_ side, not on +_hers_. During their stay at Langley Hall, she showed not the slightest +disposition to avoid them. No member of the family welcomed them more +cordially, entered into all their plans and projects more readily, or +bade them farewell with a kinder or better grace, when they departed for +their own home. + +Our tale is nearly ended: what remains of it, must comprise the history +of many years in a few words. + +Time passed on; and Death and Change told of its lapse among the family +at Langley Hall. Five years after the events above related, Mr. Langley +died; and was followed to the grave, shortly afterwards, by his wife. Of +their two sons, the eldest was rising into good practice at the bar; the +youngest had become _attache_ to a foreign embassy. Their third daughter +was married, and living at the family seat of her husband, in Scotland. +Mr. and Mrs. Streatfield had children of their own, now, to occupy their +time and absorb their care. The career of life was over for some--the +purposes of life had altered for others--Jane Langley alone, still +remained unchanged. + +She now lived entirely with her aunt. At intervals--as their worldly +duties and avocations permitted them--the other members of her family, +or one or two intimate friends, came to the house. Offers of marriage +were made to her, but were all declined. The first, last love of her +girlish days--abandoned as a hope, and crushed as a passion; living only +as a quiet grief, as a pure remembrance--still kept its watch, as +guardian and defender, over her heart. Years passed on and worked no +change in the sad uniformity of her life, until the death of her aunt +left her mistress of the house in which she had hitherto been a guest. +Then it was observed that she made fewer and fewer efforts to vary the +tenor of her existence, to forget her old remembrances for awhile in the +society of others. Such invitations as reached her from relations and +friends were more frequently declined than accepted. She was growing old +herself now; and, with each advancing year, the busy pageant of the +outer world presented less and less that could attract her eye. + +So she began to surround herself, in her solitude, with the favorite +books that she had studied, with the favorite music that she had played, +in the days of her hopes and her happiness. Every thing that was +associated, however slightly, with that past period, now acquired a +character of inestimable value in her eyes, as aiding her mind to +seclude itself more and more strictly in the sanctuary of its early +recollections. Was it weakness in her to live thus; to abandon the world +and the world's interests, as one who had no hope, or part in either? +Had she earned the right, by the magnitude and resolution of her +sacrifice, thus to indulge in the sad luxury of fruitless remembrance? +Who shall say!--who shall presume to decide that cannot think with _her_ +thoughts, and look back with _her_ recollections! + +Thus she lived--alone, and yet not lonely; without hope, but with no +despair; separate and apart from the world around her, except when she +approached it by her charities to the poor, and her succor to the +afflicted; by her occasional interviews with the surviving members of +her family and a few old friends, when they sought her in her calm +retreat; and by the little presents which she constantly sent to +brothers' and sisters' children, who worshipped, as their invisible good +genius, "the kind lady" whom most of them had never seen. Such was her +existence throughout the closing years of her life: such did it +continue--calm and blameless--to the last. + + * * * * * + +Reader, when you are told, that what is impressive and pathetic in the +Drama of Human Life has passed with a past age of Chivalry and Romance, +remember Jane Langley, and quote in contradiction the story of the TWIN +SISTERS! + + * * * * * + +When about nine years old, Southey attended a school at Bristol, kept by +one Williams, a Welshman, the one, he says, of all his schoolmasters, +whom he remembered with the kindliest feelings. This Williams used +sometimes to infuse more passion into his discipline than was becoming, +of which Southey records a most ridiculous illustration. One of his +schoolmates--a Creole, with a shade of African color and negro +features--was remarkable for his stupidity. Williams, after flogging him +one day, made him pay a half-penny for the use of the rod, because he +required it so much oftener than any other boy in school. + + + + +From Fraser's Magazine. + +ALFIERI. + + +Vittorio Alfieri was born at Asti, a city of Piedmont, on the 17th of +January, 1749,--the year in which his great contemporary, Goethe, first +saw the light. His father, Antonio Alfieri, was a nobleman of high rank +in his own country; his mother, whose name was Monica Maillard di +Tournon, was of Savoyard descent. At the time of Vittorio's birth his +father was sixty years of age; and as until then he had had no son, the +entrance of the future poet into the world was to him a subject of +unspeakable delight: but his happiness was of short duration, for he +overheated himself one day by going to see the child at a neighboring +village where he was at nurse, and died of the illness that ensued, his +son being at the time less than a year old. The countess, his widow, did +not long remain so, as she very shortly married again, her third husband +(she was a widow when the count married her) being the Cavalier Giacinto +Alfieri, a distant member of the same family. + +When about six years old, Alfieri was placed under the care of a priest +called Don Ivaldi, who taught him writing, arithmetic, Cornelius Nepos, +and Phaedrus. He soon discovered, however, that the worthy priest was an +ignoramus, and congratulates himself on having escaped from his hands at +the age of nine, otherwise he believes that he should have been an +absolute and irreclaimable dunce. His mother and father-in-law were +constantly repeating the maxim then so popular among the Italian +nobility, that it was not necessary that a gentleman should be a doctor. +It was at this early age that he was first attacked by that melancholy +which gradually assumed entire dominion over him, and throughout life +remained a most prominent feature in his character. When only seven +years of age, he made an attempt to poison himself by eating some +noxious herbs, being impelled to this strange action by an undefined +desire to die. He was well punished for his silliness by being made very +unwell, and by being, moreover, shut up in his room for some days. No +punishment for his youthful transgressions was, however, so effectual as +being sent in a nightcap to a neighboring church. "Who knows," says he, +"whether I am not indebted to that blessed nightcap for having turned +out one of the most truthful men I ever knew?" + +In 1758, his paternal uncle and guardian, seeing what little progress he +was making, determined to send him to the Turin Academy, and accordingly +he started in the month of July. + +"I cried (he says, in his autobiography) during the whole of the first +stage. On arriving at the post-house, I got out of the carriage while +the horses were being changed, and feeling thirsty, instead of asking +for a glass, or requesting any body to fetch me some water, I marched up +to the horse-trough, dipped the corner of my cap in the water, and drank +to my heart's content. The postilions, seeing this, told my attendant, +who ran up and began rating me soundly; but I told him that travellers +ought to accustom themselves to such things, and that no good soldier +would drink in any other manner. Where I fished up these Achilles-like +ideas I know not, as my mother had always educated me with the greatest +tenderness, and with really ludicrous care for my health." + +He describes his character at this period, where he ends what he calls +the epoch of childhood, and begins that of adolescence, as having been +as follows: + +"I was taciturn and placid for the most part, but occasionally very +talkative and lively; in fact, I generally ran from one extreme to +another. I was obstinate and restive when force was exerted, most docile +under kind treatment; restrained more by fear of being scolded than by +any thing else; susceptible of shame even to excess, and inflexible when +rubbed against the grain." + +He entered the Academy on the 1st of August. It was a magnificent +quadrangular building, of which two of the sides were occupied by the +King's Theatre and the Royal Archives; another side was appropriated to +the younger students, who composed what were called the second and third +apartments, while the fourth contained the first apartment, or the older +students, who were mostly foreigners, besides the king's pages, to the +number of twenty or twenty-five. Alfieri was at first placed in the +third apartment, and the fourth class, from which he was promoted to the +third at the end of three months. The master of this class was a certain +Don Degiovanni, a priest even more ignorant than his good friend Ivaldi. +It may be supposed that under such auspices he did not make much +progress in his studies. Let us hear his own account: + +"Being thus an ass, in the midst of asses, and under an ass, I +translated Cornelius Nepos, some of Virgil's _Eclogues_, and such-like; +we wrote stupid, nonsensical themes, so that in any well-directed school +we should have been a wretched fourth class. I was never at the bottom; +emulation spurred me on until I surpassed or equalled the head boy; but +as soon as I reached the top, I fell back into a state of torpor. I was +perhaps to be excused, as nothing could equal the dryness and insipidity +of our studies. It is true that we translated Cornelius Nepos; but none +of us, probably not even the master himself, knew who the men were whose +lives we were translating, nor their countries, nor the times in which +they lived, nor the governments under which they flourished, nor even +what a government was. All our ideas were contracted, false, or +confused; the master had no object in view; his pupils took not the +slightest interest in what they learned. In short, all were as bad as +bad could be; no one looked after us, or if they did, knew what they +were about." + +In November, 1759, he was promoted to the humanity class, the master of +which was a man of some learning. His emulation was excited in this +class by his meeting a boy who could repeat 600 lines of the _Georgics_ +without a single mistake, while he could never get beyond 400. These +defeats almost suffocated him with anger, and he often burst out crying, +and occasionally abused his rival most violently. He found some +consolation, however, for his inferior memory, in always writing the +best themes. About this time he obtained possession of a copy of Ariosto +in four volumes, which he rather believes he purchased, a volume at a +time, with certain half-fowls that were given the students on Sundays, +his first Ariosto thus costing him two fowls in the space of four weeks. +He much regrets that he is not certain on the point, feeling anxious to +know whether he imbibed his first draughts of poetry at the expense of +his stomach. Notwithstanding that he was at the head of the humanity +class, and could translate the _Georgics_ into Italian prose, he found +great difficulty in understanding the easiest of Italian poets. The +master, however, soon perceived him reading the book by stealth, and +confiscated it, leaving the future poet deprived for the present of all +poetical guidance. + +During this period he was in a wretched state of health, being +constantly attacked by various extraordinary diseases. He describes +himself as not growing at all, and as resembling a very delicate and +pale wax taper. In 1760 he passed in the class of rhetoric, and +succeeded, moreover, in recovering his Ariosto, but read very little of +it, partly from the difficulty he found in understanding it, and partly +because the continued breaks in the story disgusted him. As to Tasso, he +had never even heard his name. He obtained a few of Metastasio's plays +as _libretti_ of the Opera at carnival time, and was much pleased with +them, and also with some of Goldoni's comedies that were lent to him. + +"But the dramatic genius, of which the germs perhaps existed in me, was +soon buried or extinguished for want of food, of encouragement, and +every thing else. In short, my ignorance and that of my instructors, and +the carelessness of every body in every thing exceeded all conception." + +The following year he was promoted into the class of philosophy, which +met in the adjoining university. The following is his description of the +course: + +"This school of peripatetic philosophy was held after dinner. During the +first half-hour we wrote out the lecture at the dictation of the +professor, and in the subsequent three-quarters of an hour, when he +commented upon it, Heaven knows how, in Latin, we scholars wrapped +ourselves up comfortably in our mantles, and went fast asleep; and among +the assembled philosophers, not a sound was heard except the drawling +voice of the professor himself, half asleep, and the various notes of +the snorers, who formed a most delightful concert in every possible +key." + +During his holidays this year, his uncle took him to the Opera for the +first time, where he heard the _Mercato di Malmantile_. The music +produced a most extraordinary effect upon him, and for several weeks +afterwards he remained immersed in a strange but not unpleasing +melancholy, followed by an absolute loathing of his usual studies. Music +all through life affected him most powerfully, and he states that his +tragedies were almost invariably planned by him when under its +influence. It was about this time that he composed his first sonnet, +which was made up of whole or mutilated verses of Metastasio and +Ariosto, the only two Italian poets of whom he knew any thing. It was in +praise of a certain lady to whom his uncle was paying his addresses, and +whom he himself admired. Several persons, including the lady herself, +praised it, so that he already fancied himself a poet. His uncle, +however, a military man, and no votary of the Muses, laughed at him so +much, that his poetical vein was soon dried up, and he did not renew his +attempts in the line till he was more than twenty-five years old. "How +many good or bad verses did my uncle suffocate, together with my +first-born sonnet!" + +He next studied physics and ethics--the former under the celebrated +Beccaria, but not a single definition remained in his head. These +studies, however, as well as those in civil and canon law, which he had +commenced, were interrupted by a violent illness, which rendered it +necessary for him to have his head shaved, and to wear a wig. His +companions, at first, tormented him greatly about this wig, and used to +tear it from his head; but he soon succeeded in appeasing the public +indignation, by being always the first to throw the unhappy ornament in +question up in the air, calling it by every opprobrious epithet. From +that time he remained the least persecuted wig-wearer among the two or +three who were in this predicament. + +He now took lessons on the piano, and in geography, fencing, and +dancing. He imbibed the most invincible dislike to the latter, which he +attributed to the grimaces and extraordinary contortions of the master, +a Frenchman just arrived from Paris. He dates from this period that +extreme hatred of the French nation which remained with him through +life, and which was one of the strangest features in his character. His +uncle died this year (1763), and as he was now fourteen, the age at +which, by the laws of Piedmont, minors are freed from the care of their +guardians, and are placed under curators, who leave them masters of +their income, and can only prevent the alienation of their real estates, +he found himself possessed of considerable property, which was still +farther increased by his uncle's fortune. Having obtained the degree of +master of arts, by passing a public examination in logic, physics, and +geometry, he was rewarded by being allowed to attend the riding-school, +a thing he had always ardently desired. He became an expert horseman, +and attributes to this exercise the recovery of his health, which now +rapidly improved. + +"Having buried my uncle, changed my guardian into a curator, obtained my +master's degree, got rid of my attendant Andrea, and mounted a steed, it +is incredible how proud I became. I told the authorities plainly that I +was sick of studying law, and that I would not go on with it. After a +consultation, they determined to remove me into the first apartment, +which I entered on the 8th May, 1763." + +He now led an extremely idle life, being little looked after. A crowd of +flatterers, the usual attendants upon wealth, sprung up around him, and +he indulged in amusements and dissipations of every kind. A temporary +fit of industry, which lasted for two or three months, came over him, +and he plunged deeply into the thirty-six volumes of Fleury's +_Ecclesiastical History_. Soon, however, he resumed his old course, and +conducted himself so badly that the authorities found it necessary to +place him under arrest, and he remained for some months a prisoner in +his own apartment, obstinately refusing to make any apology, and leading +the life of a wild beast, never putting on his clothes, and spending +most of his time in sleep. He was at length released, on the occasion of +his sister Giulia's marriage to the Count Giacinto di Cumiana, in May, +1764. + +On regaining his former position he bought his first horse, and soon +afterwards another, on the pretence of its being delicate. He next +purchased two carriage horses, and went on thus till in less than a year +he had eight in his possession. He also had an elegant carriage built +for him, but used it very seldom, because his friends were obliged to +walk, and he shrunk from offending them by a display of ostentation. His +horses, however, were at the service of all, and as his love for them +could not excite any feelings of envy, he took the greatest delight in +them. + +It was now that he first felt the symptoms of love, excited by a lady +who was the wife of an elder brother of some intimate friends of his, to +whom he was on a visit. His transient passion, however, soon passed +away, without leaving any trace behind it. The period had now arrived +for his leaving the academy, and in May, 1766, he was nominated ensign +in the provincial regiment of Asti, which met only twice a-year for a +few days, thus allowing ample opportunity for doing nothing; the only +thing, he says, he had made up his mind to do. But he soon got tired of +even this slight restraint. "I could not adapt myself to that chain of +graduated dependence which is called subordination, and which although +the soul of military discipline, could never be the soul of a future +tragic poet." He therefore obtained permission, though with great +difficulty, to accompany an English Catholic tutor, who was about to +visit Rome and Naples with two of his fellow-students. He chooses this +moment for commencing the epoch of youth, which he describes as +embracing ten years of travel and dissipation. + +On reaching Milan, the travellers visited the Ambrosian library. + +"Here the librarian placed in my hands a manuscript of Petrarch, but, +like a true Goth, I threw it aside, saying it was nothing to me. The +fact was, I had a certain spite against the aforesaid Petrarch; for +having met with a copy of his works some years before, when I was a +philosopher, I found on opening it at various places by chance that I +could not understand the meaning in the least; accordingly I joined with +the French and other ignorant pretenders in condemning him, and as I +considered him a dull and prosy writer, I treated his invaluable +manuscript in the manner above described." + +At this time he always spoke and wrote in French, and read nothing but +French books. + +"As I knew still less of Italian, I gathered the necessary fruit of my +birth in an amphibious country, and of the precious education I had +received." + +They proceeded afterwards to Florence, Rome, and Naples. At the latter +place he obtained permission from his own court, through the +intercession of the Sardinian minister, to leave the tutor, and travel +for the future alone. Attended only by his faithful servant Elia, who +had taken the place of the worthless Andrea, and for whom he felt a +great affection, he returned to Rome, and had the honor of kissing the +Pope's toe. The pontiff's manner pleased him so much, that he felt no +repugnance to going through the ceremony, although he had read Fleury, +and knew the real value of the aforesaid toe. + +Having obtained leave to travel for another year, he determined to visit +France, England, and Holland. He went first to Venice, and there was +assailed by that melancholy, _ennui_, and restlessness, peculiar to his +character. + +"I spent many days without leaving the house, my chief employment being +to stand at the window, and make signs, and hold brief dialogues with a +young lady opposite; the rest of the day I spent in sleeping, in +thinking of I know not what, and generally crying, I knew not why." + +All through life he was subject to these periodical fits, which came on +every spring, and materially influenced his powers of composition. + +He proceeded afterwards to France, expecting to be delighted with Paris; +but on arriving there he found it so unlike what he had anticipated, +that he burst into a violent fit of passion at having made so much +haste, undergone so much fatigue, and had his fancy excited to such a +pitch of frenzy, only to plunge into that filthy sewer, as he calls it! +His anger is quite ludicrous; but he, notwithstanding, remained there +five months, during which time he was presented to Louis XV. at +Versailles, but the cold reception he met with greatly annoyed him. + +"Although I had been told that the king did not speak to ordinary +foreigners, and although I did not care much for his notice, yet I could +not swallow the Jove-like superciliousness of the monarch, who surveyed +from head to foot the people presented to him, without appearing to +receive the slightest impression. It was as if somebody said to a giant, +'I beg to present an ant to you;' and he were either to stare or to +smile, or to say, it may be, 'Oh, what a little creature!'" + +He was as much delighted with England as he had been disgusted with +France. He falls into perfect raptures when speaking of our national +character and our national institutions, and regrets that it was not in +his power to remain here for ever. In June, 1768, he went to Holland, +and at the Hague fell violently in love with the wife of a rich +gentleman whom he knew. When the lady was obliged to go into +Switzerland, he was thrown into such a state of frenzy that he attempted +to commit suicide, by tearing off the bandages from the place where he +had had himself bled, under pretence of illness. His servant, however, +suspected his intentions, and prevented him from carrying his resolution +into effect. He gradually recovered his spirits, and determined to +return to Italy. On reaching Turin, he was seized by a desire to study. +The book in which he took most delight was Plutarch's Lives: + +"Some of these, such as Timoleon, Caesar, Brutus, Pelopidas, and Cato, I +read four or five times over, with such transports of shouting, crying, +and fury, that any person in the next room must have thought me mad. On +reading any particular anecdotes of those great men, I used often to +spring to my feet in the greatest agitation, and quite beside myself, +shedding tears of grief and rage at seeing myself born in Piedmont, and +in an age and under a government where nothing noble could be said or +done, and where it was almost useless to think or to feel." + +His brother-in-law now strongly urged him to marry, and he consented, +although unwillingly, that negotiations should be entered into on his +behalf with the family of a young, noble, and rich heiress, whose +beautiful black eyes would, doubtless, soon have driven Plutarch out of +his head. The end, however, was that she married somebody else, to +Alfieri's internal satisfaction. "Had I been tied down by a wife and +children, the Muses would certainly have bid me good bye." + +The moment he felt himself free he determined to start again on his +travels. On reaching Vienna, the Sardinian minister offered to introduce +him to Metastasio; but he cared nothing at that time for any Italian +author, and, moreover, had taken a great dislike to the poet, from +having seen him make a servile genuflexion to the Empress Maria Theresa +in the Imperial Gardens at Schoenbrunn. On entering the dominions of +Frederick the Great, he was made extremely indignant by the military +despotism that reigned there. When presented to the king he did not +appear in uniform. + +"The minister asked me the reason of this, seeing that I was in the +service of my own sovereign. I replied, 'Because there are already +enough uniforms here.' The king said to me his usual four words; I +watched him attentively, fixing my eyes respectfully on his, and thanked +Heaven that I was not born his slave." + +Denmark, Sweden, and Russia, were then successively visited by him. He +had heard so much of the latter country, that when he reached St. +Petersburgh his expectations were wrought up to a great pitch. + +"But, alas! no sooner did I set foot in this Asiatic encampment of +tents, than I called to mind Rome, Genoa, Venice, and Florence, and +began to laugh. The longer I remained in the country, the more were my +first impressions confirmed, and I left it with the precious conviction +that it was not worth seeing." + +He refused to be presented to the celebrated female autocrat, Catherine +II., whom he stigmatizes as "a philosophical Clytemnestra." + +He next visited England for the second time, arriving at the end of +1770. During his stay in London, which lasted for seven months, he +became involved in an affair which excited an extraordinary sensation at +the time, and which is even remembered by the scandal-mongers of the +present day. He formed the acquaintance of the wife of an officer of +high rank in the Guards, and this intimacy soon assumed a criminal +character. Her husband, a man of a very jealous temperament, suspected +his wife's infidelity, and had them watched. On finding his suspicions +confirmed, he challenged Alfieri, and they fought a duel with swords in +the Green Park, in which the future poet was wounded in the arm. The +husband pressed for a divorce, and Alfieri announced his intention of +marrying the lady as soon as she was free; but, to his horror, she +confessed to him one day, what was already known to the public through +the newspapers, although he was ignorant of it, that before she knew him +she had been engaged in an intrigue with a groom of her husband! Despite +this discovery, it was some time before his affection for her abated; +but at length, on her announcing her determination to enter a convent in +France, he quitted her at Rochester, and left this country himself +almost immediately afterwards. He went to Paris, and there bought a +collection of the principal Italian poets and prose-writers in +thirty-six volumes, which from that time became his inseparable +companions, although he did not make much use of them for two or three +years. However, he now learned to know at least something of the six +great luminaries, Dante, Petrarch, Ariosto, Tasso, Boccaccio, and +Machiavelli. + +He next proceeded to Spain and Portugal. At Lisbon he formed the +acquaintance of the Abate Tommaso di Caluso, younger brother of the +Sardinian minister. The society of this distinguished man produced the +most beneficial effect on him. One evening, when the Abate was reading +to him the fine _Ode to Fortune_ of Alessandro Guidi, a poet whose name +he had never even heard, some of the stanzas produced such extraordinary +transports in him, that the former told him that he was born to write +verses. This sudden impulse of Apollo, as he calls it, was however only +a momentary flush, which was soon extinguished, and remained buried for +a long time to come. + +He now bent his steps homewards, and reached Turin in May, 1772, after +an absence of three years. He took a magnificent house in the Piazza di +San Carlo, furnished it sumptuously, and commenced leading a merry life +with about a dozen friends, who formed a society, which met at his house +every week. This Society was governed by strict rules, one of which was +that all should contribute something in writing for their reciprocal +amusement; these contributions being placed in a chest, of which the +president for the time being kept the key, and read aloud by him at +their meetings. They were all written in French, and Alfieri mentions +one of his which was very successful. It described the Deity at the last +judgment demanding from every soul an account of itself, and the +characters he drew were all those of well-known individuals, both male +and female, in Turin. + +It was not long before he fell in love for the third time, the object of +his passion now being a lady some years older than himself, and of +somewhat doubtful reputation. For the space of nearly two years she +exercised unbounded dominion over him. Feeling that he could not support +the fetters of Venus and of Mars at one and the same time, he with some +little difficulty obtained permission to throw up his commission in the +army. + +While attending at his mistress's bedside, during an illness by which +she was attacked in January, 1744, the idea first struck him of writing +a dramatic sketch. He wrote it without the slightest plan, in the form +of a dialogue between three persons, called respectively, Photinus, +Lachesis, and Cleopatra. He gives a specimen of it in a note, and it is +certainly not of the very highest order of merit. On the recovery of the +lady he placed it under the cushion of her couch, where it remained +forgotten for a year, and thus were the first fruits of his tragic +genius brooded over, as it were, by the lady and all who chanced to sit +upon the couch. + +At length he threw off the chains which had so long bound him. The +exertion was, however, so great that he was actually obliged to get his +servant Elia to tie him to his chair, that he might not quit the house. +When his friends came to see him, he dropped his dressing gown over the +bandages, so that his forced imprisonment was not perceived. His first +appearance in public was at the carnival of 1775, where he dressed +himself up as Apollo, and recited at the public ball at the theatre a +masquerade he had composed on the subject of love, twanging a guitar +vigorously all the time. He was afterwards heartily ashamed of this +freak, which he wonders he could ever have been guilty of. An ardent +desire for glory now seized him, and after some months spent in constant +poetical studies, and in fingering grammars and dictionaries, he +succeeded in producing his first tragedy; which, like the sketch already +mentioned, he entitled _Cleopatra_. It was performed at Turin, on the +16th June, 1775, at the Carignan Theatre, and was followed by a comic +after-piece, also written by him, called _The Poets_, in which he +introduced himself under the name of Giusippus, and was the first to +ridicule his own tragedy; which, he says, differed from those of his +poetical rivals, inasmuch as their productions were the mature offspring +of an erudite incapacity, whilst his was the premature child of a not +unpromising ignorance. These two pieces were performed with considerable +success for two successive evenings, when he withdrew them from the +stage, ashamed at having so rashly exposed himself to the public. He +never considered this _Cleopatra_ worthy of preservation, and it is not +published with his other works. From this moment, however, he felt every +vein swollen with the most burning thirst for real theatrical laurels, +and here terminates the epoch of Youth and commences that of Manhood. + +Up to this point we have seen Alfieri's character as formed by nature, +and before it was influenced by study, or softened down by intercourse +with the world. We have seen him ardent, restless beyond all belief, +passionate, oppressed by unaccountable melancholy, acting under the +toiling impulse of the moment, whether in love or hate, and, what is of +extreme disadvantage to him as respects the career he is about to enter +upon, suffering from a deficient education. We have now to see how he +overcame all the obstacles arising from his natural character, and from +a youth wasted in idleness and dissipation; and how he gradually won his +way from victory to victory, until he at length attained the noble and +enviable eminence which is assigned to him by universal consent as the +greatest, we had almost said the only, modern Italian poet. + +He describes the capital with which he commenced his undertaking as +consisting in a resolute, indomitable, and extremely obstinate mind, and +a heart full to overflowing with every species of emotion, particularly +love, with all its furies, and a profound and ferocious hatred of +tyranny. To this was added a faint recollection of various French +tragedies. On the other hand, he was almost entirely ignorant of the +rules of tragic art, and understood his own language most imperfectly. +The whole was enveloped in a thick covering of presumption, or rather +petulance, and a violence of character so great as to render it most +difficult for him to appreciate truth. He considers these elements +better adapted for forming a bad monarch than a good author. + +He began by studying grammar vigorously; and his first attempt was to +put into Italian two tragedies, entitled _Filippo_ and _Polinice_, which +he had some time before written in French prose. At the same time he +read Tasso, Ariosto, Dante, and Petrarch, making notes as he proceeded, +and occupying a year in the task. He then commenced reading Latin with a +tutor; and shortly afterwards went to Tuscany in order to acquire a +really good Italian idiom. He returned to Turin in October, 1776, and +there composed several sonnets, having in the meantime made considerable +progress with several of his tragedies. The next year he again went to +Tuscany, and on reaching Florence in October, intending to remain there +a month, an event occurred which--to use his own words--"fixed and +enchained me there for many years; an event which, happily for me, +determined me to expatriate myself for ever, and which by fastening upon +me new, self-sought, and golden chains, enabled me to acquire that real +literary freedom, without which I should never have done any good, if so +be that I _have_ done good." + +Charles Edward, the Young Pretender, was at that time residing in +Florence, in company with his wife, the Countess of Albany, whose maiden +name was Louisa Stolberg, of the princely house of that name. The +following is Alfieri's description of her:-- + +"The sweet fire of her very dark eyes, added (a thing of rare +occurrence) to a very white skin and fair hair, gave an irresistible +brilliancy to her beauty. She was twenty-five years of age, was much +attached to literature and the fine arts, had an angelic temper, and, in +spite of her wealth, was in the most painful domestic circumstances, so +that she could not be as happy as she deserved. How many reasons for +loving her!" + +Her husband appears to have been of a most violent and ungovernable +temper, and to have always treated her in the harshest manner.--No +wonder, then, that an impassioned and susceptible nature like Alfieri's +should have been attracted by such charms! A friendship of the closest +and most enduring description ensued between them; and although a +certain air of mystery always surrounded the story of their mutual +attachment, there is no reason whatever to suppose that it partook in +the slightest degree of a dishonorable character. + +Instead of finding his passion for the Countess an obstacle to literary +glory and useful occupations, as had always been the case previously +with him, when under the influence of similar emotions, he found that it +incited and spurred him on to every good work, and accordingly he +abandoned himself, without restraint, to its indulgence. That he might +have no inducement to return to his own country, he determined to +dissolve every tie that united him to it, and with that intent made an +absolute donation for life of the whole of his estates, both in fee and +freehold, to his natural heir, his sister Giulia, wife of the Count di +Cumiana. He merely stipulated for an annual pension, and a certain sum +in ready money, the whole amounting to about one-half of the value of +his property. The negotiations were finally brought to a conclusion in +November, 1778. He also sold his furniture and plate which he had left +in Turin; and, unfortunately for himself, invested almost the whole of +the money he now found himself possessed of in French life annuities. At +one period of the negotiations he was in great fear lest he should lose +every thing, and revolved in his mind what profession he should adopt in +case he should be left penniless. + +"The art that presented itself to me as the best for gaining a living +by, was that of a horse-breaker, in which I consider myself a +proficient. It is certainly one of the least servile, and it appeared to +me to be more compatible than any other with that of a poet, for it is +much easier to write tragedies in a stable than in a court." + +He now commenced living in the simplest style, dismissed all his +servants, save one; sold or gave away all his horses, and wore the +plainest clothing. He continued his studies without intermission, and by +the beginning of 1782 had nearly finished the whole of the twelve +tragedies which he had from the first made up his mind to write, and not +to exceed. These were entitled respectively _Filippo_, _Polinice_, +_Antigone_, _Agamennone_, _Oreste_, _Don Garzia_, _Virginia_, _La +Congiura de' Pazzi_, _Maria Stuarda_, _Ottavia_, _Timoleone_ and +_Rosmunda_.--Happening, however, to read the _Merope_ of Maffei, then +considered the best Italian tragedy, he felt so indignant, that he set +to work, and very shortly produced his tragedy of that name, which was +soon followed by the _Saul_, which is incomparably the finest of his +works. + +The Countess had obtained permission at the end of 1780 to leave her +husband, in consequence of the brutal treatment she experienced at his +hands, and to retire to Rome. It was not long before Alfieri followed +her, and took up his habitation there also. At the end of 1782, his +_Antigone_ was performed by a company of amateurs--he himself being +one--before an audience consisting of all the rank and fashion of Rome. +Its success was unequivocal, and he felt so proud of his triumph, that +he determined to send four of his tragedies to press, getting his friend +Gori, at Siena, to superintend the printing; and they were accordingly +published. + +The intimacy between Alfieri and the Countess now inflamed the anger of +Charles Edward and his brother, Cardinal York, to such a pitch, that +Alfieri found it prudent to leave Rome, which he did in May, 1783, in a +state of bitter anguish. He first made pilgrimages to the tombs of +Dante, Petrarch, and Ariosto, at Ravenna, Arqua, and Ferrara; at each of +which he spent some time in dreaming, praying, and weeping, at the same +time pouring forth a perfect stream of impassioned poetry. On getting to +Siena, he superintended personally the printing of six more of his +tragedies, and for the first time felt all the cares of authorship, +being driven nearly distracted by the sad realities of censors, both +spiritual and temporal, correctors of the press, compositors, pressmen, +&c., and the worry he experienced brought on a sharp attack of gout. On +recovering, he determined to start off once more on his travels, making +as a plea his desire to purchase a stud of horses in England, his +equestrian propensities having returned with violence. He accordingly +left his tragedies, both published and unpublished, to shift for +themselves, and proceeded to England, where, in a few weeks, he bought +no less than fourteen horses. That being the exact number of the +tragedies he had written, he used to amuse himself by saying, "For each +tragedy you have got a horse," in reference to the punishment inflicted +on naughty schoolboys in Italy, where the culprit is mounted on the +shoulders of another boy, while the master lays on the cane. + +He experienced almost endless trouble and difficulty in conveying his +acquisitions safely back to Italy. The account he gives of the passage +of the Alps by Mount Cenis, from Lanslebourg to the Novalese, is really +quite romantic; and he compares himself to Hannibal on the occasion, but +says that if the passage of the latter cost him a great deal of vinegar, +it cost him (Alfieri) no small quantity of wine, as the whole party +concerned in conveying the horses over the mountain, guides, farriers, +grooms, and adjutants, drank like fishes. + +On reaching Turin, he was present at a performance of his _Virginia_ at +the same theatre where, nine years before, his early play of _Cleopatra_ +had been acted. He shortly received intelligence that the Countess had +been permitted to leave Rome and to go to Switzerland. He could not +refrain from following her, and accordingly rejoined her at Colmar, a +city of Alsace, after a separation of sixteen months. The sight of her +whom he loved so dearly again awakened his poetic genius, and gave +birth, at almost one and the same moment, to his three tragedies of +_Agide_, _Sofonisba_, and _Mirra_, despite his previous resolve to write +no more. When obliged to leave the Countess, he returned to Italy, but +the following year again visited her, remaining in Alsace when she +proceeded to Paris. She happened to mention in a letter that she had +been much pleased with seeing Voltaire's _Brutus_ performed on the +stage. This excited his emulation. "What!" he exclaimed, "_Brutuses_ +written by a Voltaire? I'll write _Brutuses_, and two at once, moreover, +time will show whether such subjects for tragedy are better adapted for +me or for a plebeian-born Frenchman, who for more than sixty years +subscribed himself _Voltaire, Gentleman in Ordinary to the King_." +Accordingly he set to work, and planned on the spot his _Bruto Primo_ +and _Bruto Secondo_; after which he once more renewed his vow to Apollo +to write no more tragedies. About this period he also sketched his +_Abel_, which he called by the whimsical title of a _Tramelogedy_. He +next went to Paris, and made arrangements with the celebrated Didot for +printing the whole of his tragedies in six volumes. On returning to +Alsace, in company with the Countess, he was joined by his old friend +the Abate di Caluso, who brought with him a letter from his mother, +containing proposals for his marriage with a rich young lady of Asti, +whose name was not mentioned. Alfieri told the Abate, smilingly, that he +must decline the proffered match, and had not even the curiosity to +inquire who the lady was. Shortly afterwards he was attacked by a +dangerous illness, which reduced him to the point of death. On +recovering, he went with his friends to Kehl, and was so much pleased +with the printing establishment of the well-known Beaumarchais, that he +resolved to have the whole of his works, with the exception of his +tragedies, which were in Didot's hands, printed there; and accordingly, +by August, 1789, all his writings, both in prose and poetry, were +printed. + +In the mean time, the Countess of Albany had heard of the death of her +husband, which took place at Rome, on the 31st January, 1788. This event +set her entirely free, and it is generally believed that she was shortly +afterwards united in marriage to Alfieri; but the fact was never known, +and to the last the poet preserved the greatest mystery on the subject. + +Paris now became their regular residence, and it was not long before the +revolutionary troubles commenced. In April, 1791, they determined to pay +a visit to England, where the Countess had never been. They remained +here some months, and on their embarking at Dover on their return, +Alfieri chanced to notice among the people collected on the beach to see +the vessel off, the very lady, his intrigue with whom twenty years +before had excited so great a sensation. He did not speak to her, but +saw that she recognized him. Accordingly, on reaching Calais, he wrote +to her to inquire into her present situation. He gives her reply at full +length in his _Memoirs_. It is in French; and we regret that its length +precludes us from giving it here, as it is a very remarkable production. +It indicates a decisive and inflexible firmness of character, very +unlike what is usually met with in her sex. + +After visiting Holland and Belgium, Alfieri and the Countess returned to +Paris. In March, 1792, he received intelligence of his mother's death. +In the mean time the war with the emperor commenced, and matters +gradually got worse and worse. Alfieri witnessed the events of the +terrible 10th of August, when the Tuileries was taken by the mob after a +bloody conflict, and Louis XVI. virtually ceased to reign. Seeing the +great danger to which they would be exposed if they remained longer in +Paris, they determined on a hasty flight; and after procuring the +necessary passports, started on the 18th of the same month. They had a +narrow escape on passing the barriers. A mob of the lowest order +insisted on their carriage being stopped, and on their being conducted +back to Paris, exclaiming that all the rich were flying away, taking +their treasures with them, and leaving the poor behind in want and +misery. The few soldiers on the spot would have been soon overpowered; +and nothing saved the travellers except Alfieri's courage. He at length +succeeded in forcing a passage; but there is little doubt that if they +had been obliged to return, they would have been thrown into prison, in +which case they would have been among the unhappy victims who were so +barbarously murdered by the populace on the 2d September. + +They reached Calais in two days and a half, having had to show their +passports more than forty times. They afterwards learned that they were +the first foreigners who had escaped from Paris and from France after +the catastrophe of the 10th August. After stopping some time at +Brussels, they proceeded to Italy, and reached Florence in November. +That city remained Alfieri's dwelling-place, nearly uninterruptedly, +from this moment to the period of his death. + +In 1795, when he was forty-six years old, a feeling of shame came over +him at his ignorance of Greek, and he determined to master that +language. He applied himself with such industry to the task, that before +very long he could read almost any Greek author. There are few instances +on record of such an effort being made at so advanced a period of life. +Yet, perhaps, a still more remarkable case than that of our poet is that +of Mehemet Ali, who did not learn to read or write till more than forty +years of age. His son, Ibrahim, never did even that. At the same time +that he was learning Greek, Alfieri amused himself by writing satires, +of which he had completed seventeen by the end of 1797. The fruit of his +Greek studies appeared in his tragedies of _Alceste Prima_ and _Alceste +Seconda_, which he composed after reading Euripides' fine play of that +name. He calls these essays his final perjuries to Apollo. We have +certainly seen him break his vow sufficiently often. The twelve +tragedies he pledged himself not to exceed had now grown to their +present number of twenty-one, besides the tramelogedy of _Abel_. + +He remained quietly and happily at Florence till the French invasion in +March, 1799, when he and the Countess retired to a villa in the country. +He marked his hatred of the French nation by writing his _Misogallo_, a +miscellaneous collection in prose and verse of the most violent and +indiscriminate abuse of France, and every thing connected with it, as +its name imports. On the evacuation of Florence by the French in July, +they returned to the city, but again left it on the second invasion in +October, 1800. The French commander-in-chief wrote to Alfieri, +requesting the honor of the acquaintance of a man who had rendered such +distinguished services to literature: but he told him in reply, that if +he wrote in his quality as Commandant of Florence, he would yield to his +superior authority; but that if it was merely as an individual curious +to see him, he must beg to be excused. + +We now find him irresistibly impelled to try his hand at comedy, and he +accordingly wrote the six which are published with his other works. They +are entitled respectively, _L'Uno_, _I Pochi_, _Il Troppo_, _Tre Velene +rimesta avrai l'Antido_, _La Finestrina_, and _Il Divorzio_. The first +four are political in their character, and written in iambics, like his +tragedies. The last is the only one that can be ranked with modern +comedies. Sismondi truly remarks, that in these dramas he exhibits the +powers of a great satirist, not of a successful dramatist. + +His health was by this time seriously impaired, and he felt it necessary +to cease entirely from his labors. On the 8th December, 1802, he put the +finishing stroke to his works, and amused himself for the short +remainder of his life in writing the conclusion of his _Memoirs_. +Feeling extremely proud at having overcome the difficulties of the Greek +language in his later years, he invented a collar, on which were +engraved the names of twenty-three ancient and modern poets, and to +which was attached a cameo representing Homer. On the back of it he +wrote the following distich: + +[Greek: + + Auton poiesas Alpherios hippe Homeron + Koiranikes timen elphane zeioteran,] + +which may be thus Englished: + + "Perchance Alfieri made no great misnomer + When he dubb'd himself Knight of the Order of Homer." + +With the account of this amusing little incident, Alfieri terminates the +history of his life. The date it bears is the 14th of May, 1803, and on +the 8th October of the same year he breathed his last, in the +fifty-fifth year of his age. The particulars of his death are given in a +letter addressed by the Abate di Caluso to the Countess of Albany. An +attack of gout in the stomach was the immediate cause of it. The +delicate state of his health greatly accelerated the progress of the +disease, which was still further promoted by his insisting on proceeding +with the correction of his works almost to the very last. He was so +little aware of his impending dissolution, that he took a drive in a +carriage on the 3d October, and tried to the last moment to starve his +gout into submission. He refused to allow leeches to be applied to his +legs, as the physicians recommended, because they would have prevented +him from walking. At this period, all his studies and labors of the last +thirty years rushed through his mind; and he told the Countess, who was +attending him, that a considerable number of Greek verses from the +beginning of Hesiod, which he had only read once in his life, recurred +most distinctly to his memory. His mortal agony came on so suddenly, +that there was not time to administer to him the last consolations of +religion. He was buried in the church of Santa Croce at Florence, where +already reposed the remains of Machiavelli, of Michael Angelo, and of +Galileo. A monument to his memory, the work of the great Canova, was +raised over his ashes by direction of the Countess of Albany. + +Such then was Alfieri! And may we not draw a moral from the story of his +life as faintly and imperfectly shadowed forth in the preceding sketch? +Does it not show us how we may overcome obstacles deemed by us +insuperable, and how we may seek to become something better than what we +are? The poet's name will go down to future ages as the idol of his +countrymen; may the beneficial effect produced by a mind like his upon +the character and aspirations of the world be enduring! + + + + +From the Dublin University Magazine + +ANECDOTES OF PAGANINI. + + +Paganini was in all respects a very singular being, and an interesting +subject to study. His talents were by no means confined to his wonderful +powers as a musician. On other subjects he was well informed, acute, and +conversible, of bland and gentle manners, and in society, perfectly well +bred. All this contrasted strangely with the dark, mysterious stories +which were bruited abroad, touching some passages in his early life. But +outward semblance and external deportment are treacherous as quicksands, +when taken as guides by which to sound the real depths of human +character. Lord Byron remarks, that his pocket was once picked by the +civilest gentleman he ever conversed with, and that by far the mildest +individual of his acquaintance was the remorseless Ali Pacha of Yanina. +The expressive lineaments of Paganini told a powerful tale of passions +which had been fearfully excited, which might be roused again from +temporary slumber, or were exhausted by indulgence and premature decay, +leaving deep furrows to mark their intensity. Like the generality of his +countrymen, he looked much older than he was. With them, the elastic +vigor of youth and manhood rapidly subside into an interminable and +joyless old age, numbering as many years but with far less both of +physical and mental faculty, to render them endurable, than the more +equally poised gradations of our northern clime. It is by no means +unusual to encounter a well-developed Italian, whiskered to the +eyebrows, and "bearded like the pard," who tells you, to your utter +astonishment, that he is scarcely seventeen, when you have set him down +from his appearance as, at least, five-and-thirty. + +The following extract from Colonel Montgomery Maxwell's book of Military +Reminiscences, entitled, "My Adventures," dated Genoa, February 22nd, +1815, supplies the earliest record which has been given to the public +respecting Paganini, and affords authentic evidence that some of the +mysterious tales which heralded his coming were not without foundation. +He could scarcely have been at this time thirty years old. "Talking of +music, I have become acquainted with the most _outre_, most extravagant, +and strangest character I ever beheld, or heard, in the musical line. He +has just been emancipated from durance vile, where he has been for a +long time incarcerated on suspicion of murder. His long figure, long +neck, long face, and long forehead; his hollow and deadly pale cheek, +large black eye, hooked nose, and jet black hair, which is long, and +more than half hiding his expressive, Jewish face; all these rendered +him the most extraordinary person I ever beheld. There is something +scriptural in the _tout ensemble_ of the strange physiognomy of this +uncouth and unearthly figure. Not that, as in times of old, he plays, as +Holy Writ tells us, on a ten-stringed instrument; on the contrary, he +brings the most powerful, the most wonderful, and the most heart-rending +tones from one string. His name is Paganini; he is very improvident and +very poor. The D----s, and the Impressario of the theatre got up a +concert for him the other night, which was well attended, and on which +occasion he electrified the audience. He is a native of Genoa, and if I +were a judge of violin playing, I would pronounce him the most +surprising performer in the world!" + +That Paganini was either innocent of the charge for which he suffered +the incarceration Colonel Maxwell mentions, or that it could not be +proved against him, may be reasonably inferred from the fact that he +escaped the gallies of the executioner. In Italy, there was then, _par +excellence_ (whatever there may be now), a law for the rich, and another +for the poor. As he was without money, and unable to buy immunity, it is +charitable to suppose he was entitled to it from innocence. A nobleman, +with a few _zecchini_, was in little danger of the law, which confined +its practice entirely to the lower orders. I knew a Sicilian prince, who +most wantonly blew a vassal's brains out, merely because he put him in a +passion. The case was not even inquired into. He sent half a dollar to +the widow of the defunct (which, by the way, he borrowed from me, and +never repaid), and there the matter ended. Lord Nelson once suggested to +Ferdinand IV. of Naples, to try and check the daily increase of +assassination, by a few salutary executions. "No, no," replied old +Nasone, who was far from being as great a fool as he looked, "that is +impossible. If I once began that system, my kingdom would soon be +depopulated. One half my subjects would be continually employed in +hanging the remainder." + +Among other peculiarities, Paganini was an incarnation of avarice and +parsimony, with a most contradictory passion for gambling. He would +haggle with you for sixpence, and stake a rouleau on a single turn at +_rouge et noir_. He screwed you down in a bargain as tightly as if you +were compressed in a vice; yet he had intervals of liberality, and +sometimes did a generous action. In this he bore some resemblance to the +celebrated John Elwes, of miserly notoriety, who deprived himself of the +common necessaries of life, and lived on a potato skin, but sometimes +gave a check for L100 to a public charity, and contributed largely to +private subscriptions. I never heard that Paganini actually did this, +but once or twice he played for nothing, and sent a donation to the +Mendicity, when he was in Dublin. + +When he made his engagement with me, we mutually agreed to write no +orders, expecting the house to be quite full every night, and both being +aware that the "sons of freedom," while they add nothing to the +exchequer, seldom assist the effect of the performance. They are not +given to applaud vehemently; or, as Richelieu observes, "in the right +places." What we can get for nothing we are inclined to think much less +of than that which we must purchase. He who invests a shilling will not +do it rashly, or without feeling convinced that value received will +accrue from the risk. The man who pays is the real enthusiast; he comes +with a pre-determination to be amused, and his spirit is exalted +accordingly. Paganini's valet surprised me one morning, by walking into +my room, and with many "_eccellenzas_" and gesticulations of respect, +asking me to give him an order. I said, "Why do you come to me? Apply to +your master--won't he give you one?" "Oh, yes; but I don't like to ask +him." "Why not?" "Because he'll stop the amount out of my wages!" My +heart relented; I gave him the order, and paid Paganini the dividend. I +told him what it was, thinking, as a matter of course, he would return +it. He seemed uncertain for a moment, paused, smiled sardonically, +looked at the three and sixpence, and with a spasmodic twitch, deposited +it in his own waistcoat pocket instead of mine. Voltaire says, "no man +is a hero to his valet de chambre," meaning, thereby, as I suppose, that +being behind the scenes of every-day life, he finds out that Marshal +Saxe, or Frederick the Great, is as subject to the common infirmities of +our nature, as John Nokes or Peter Styles. Whether Paganini's squire of +the body looked on his master as a hero in the vulgar acceptation of the +word, I cannot say, but in spite of his stinginess, which he writhed +under, he regarded him with mingled reverence and terror. "A strange +person, your master," observed I. "_Signor_," replied the faithful +Sancho Panza, "_e veramente grand uomo, ma da non potersi comprendere_." +"He is truly a great man, but quite incomprehensible." It was edifying +to observe the awful importance with which Antonio bore the instrument +nightly intrusted to his charge to carry to and from the theatre. He +considered it an animated something, whether demon or angel he was +unable to determine, but this he firmly believed, that it could speak in +actual dialogue when his master pleased, or become a dumb familiar by +the same controlling volition. This especial violin was Paganini's +inseparable companion. It lay on his table before him as he sat +meditating in his solitary chamber; it was placed by his side at dinner, +and on a chair within his reach when in bed. If he woke, as he +constantly did, in the dead of night, and the sudden _estro_ of +inspiration seized him, he grasped his instrument, started up, and on +the instant perpetuated the conception which otherwise he would have +lost for ever. This marvellous Cremona, valued at four hundred guineas, +Paganini, on his death-bed, gave to De Kontski, his nephew and only +pupil, himself an eminent performer, and in his possession it now +remains. + +When Paganini was in Dublin, at the musical festival of 1830, the +Marquis of Anglesea, then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, came every night +to the concerts at the theatre, and was greatly pleased with his +performance. On the first evening, between the acts, his Excellency +desired that he might be brought round to his box, to be introduced, and +paid him many compliments. Lord Anglesea was at that time residing in +perfect privacy with his family at Sir Harcourt Lee's country house, +near Blackrock, and expressed a wish to get an evening from the great +violinist, to gratify his domestic circle. The negotiation was rather a +difficult one, as Paganini was, of all others, the man who did nothing +in the way of business without an explicit understanding, and a +clearly-defined con-si-de-ra-tion. He was alive to the advantages of +honor, but he loved money with a paramount affection. I knew that he had +received enormous terms, such as L150 and L200 for fiddling at private +parties in London, and I trembled for the vice-regal purse; but I +undertook to manage the affair, and went to work accordingly. The +aid-de-camp in waiting called with me on Paganini, was introduced in due +form, and handed him a card of invitation to dinner, which, of course, +he received and accepted with ceremonious politeness. Soon after the +officer had departed, he said suddenly, "This is a great honor, but am I +expected to bring my instrument?" "Oh, yes," I replied, "as a matter of +course--the Lord Lieutenant's family wish to hear you in private." +"_Caro amico_," rejoined he, with petrifying composure, "_Paganini con +violino e Paganini senza violino,--ecco due animali distinti_." +"Paganini with his fiddle and Paganini without it are two very different +persons." I knew perfectly what he meant, and said, "The Lord Lieutenant +is a nobleman of exalted rank and character, liberal in the extreme, but +he is not Croesus; nor do I think you could with any consistency +receive such an honor as dining at his table, and afterwards send in a +bill for playing two or three tunes in the evening." He was staggered, +and asked, "What do you advise?" I said, "Don't you think a present, in +the shape of a ring, or a snuff-box, or something of that sort, with a +short inscription, would be a more agreeable mode of settlement?" He +seemed tickled by this suggestion, and closed with it at once. I +dispatched the intelligence through the proper channel, that the violin +and the _grand maestro_ would both be in attendance. He went in his very +choicest mood, made himself extremely agreeable, played away, +unsolicited, throughout the evening, to the delight of the whole party, +and on the following morning a gold snuff-box was duly presented to him, +with a few complimentary words engraved on the lid. + +A year or two after this, when Paganini was again in England, I thought +another engagement might be productive, as his extraordinary attraction +appeared still to increase. I wrote to him on the subject, and soon +received a very courteous communication, to the effect, that although he +had not contemplated including Ireland in his tour, yet he had been so +impressed by the urbanity of the Dublin public, and had moreover +conceived such a personal esteem for my individual character, that he +might be induced to alter his plans, at some inconvenience, provided +always I could make him a more enticing proposal than the former one. I +was here completely puzzled, as on that occasion I gave him a clear +two-thirds of each receipt, with a bonus of twenty-five pounds per night +in addition, for two useless coadjutors. I replied, that having duly +deliberated on his suggestion, and considered the terms of our last +compact, I saw no possible means of placing the new one in a more +alluring shape, except by offering him the entire produce of the +engagement. After I had dispatched my letter, I repented bitterly, and +was terrified lest he should think me serious, and hold me to the +bargain; but he deigned no answer, and this time I escaped for the +fright I had given myself. When in London, I called to see him, and met +with a cordial reception; but he soon alluded to the late +correspondence, and half seriously said, "That was a curious letter you +wrote to me, and the joke with which you concluded it by no means a good +one." "Oh," said I, laughing, "it would have been much worse if you had +taken me at my word." He then laughed too, and we parted excellent +friends. I never saw him again. He returned to the Continent, and died, +having purchased the title of Baron, with a patent of nobility, from +some foreign potentate, which, with his accumulated earnings, somewhat +dilapidated by gambling, he bequeathed to his only son. Paganini was the +founder of his school, and the original inventor of those extraordinary +_tours de force_ with which all his successors and imitators are +accustomed to astonish the uninitiated. But he still stands at the head +of the list, although eminent names are included in it, and is not +likely to be pushed from his pedestal. + + * * * * * + +Julius Cornet of Hamburgh understands thirty-eight different languages, +not in the superficial manner of Elihu Burritt, but so well that he is +able to write them with correctness, and to make translations from one +into the other. He has issued a circular to the German public, offering +his services as a universal translator, and refers to some of the most +prominent publishers of Leipsic, whom he has many years served in that +capacity. + + + + +BIOGRAPHY OF FRENCH JOURNALISTS. + + +Fraser's magazine contains a reviewal of Texier's new book on the Paris +journals and editors, from which we copy the following paragraphs: + + +THE DEBATS. + +The _Debats_ is chiefly read by wealthy landed proprietors, public +functionaries, the higher classes of the magistracy, the higher classes +of merchants and manufacturers, by the agents de change, barristers, +notaries, and what we in England would call country gentlemen. Its +circulation we should think 10,000. If it circulate 12,000 now, it +certainly must have considerably risen since 1849. + +The chief editor of the _Debats_ is Armand Bertin. He was brought up in +the school of his father, and is now about fifty years of age, or +probably a little more. M. Bertin is a man of _esprit_, and of literary +tastes, with the habits, feelings, and demeanor of a well-bred +gentleman. Of an agreeable and facile commerce, the editor of the +_Debats_ is a man of elegant and Epicurean habits; but does not allow +his luxurious tastes to interfere with the business of this nether +world. According to M. Texier, he reads with his own proprietary and +editorial eyes all the voluminous correspondence of the office on his +return from the _salon_ in which he has been spending the evening. If in +the forenoon there is any thing of importance to learn in any quarter of +Paris, M. Bertin is on the scent, and seldom fails to run down his game. +At a certain hour in the day he appears in the Rue des Pretres, in which +the office of the _Debats_ is situate, and there assigns to his +collaborators their daily task. The compiler of the volume before us, +who, as we stated, is himself connected with the Parisian press, writing +in the _Siecle_, and who, it may therefore be supposed, has had good +opportunities for information, states that, previous to the passing of +the Tinguy law, M. Bertin never wrote in his own journal, but contented +himself with giving to the products of so many pens the necessary +homogeneity. But be this as it may, it is certain he has often written +since the law requires the _signature obligatoire_. + +Under the Monarchy of the Barricades the influence of M. Bertin was most +considerable, yet he only used this influence to obtain orders and +decorations for his contributors. As to himself, to his honor and glory +be it stated, that he never stuck the smallest bit of riband to his own +buttonhole, or, during the seventeen years of the monarchy of July, ever +once put his feet inside the Tuileries. At the Italian Opera or the +Varietes, sometimes at the Cafe de Paris, the Maison Doree, or the Trois +Freres, M. Bertin may be seen enjoying the music, or his dinner and +wine, but never was he a servile courtier or trencher-follower of the +Monarch of the Barricades. It is after these enjoyments, or after his +_petit souper_, that M. Bertin proceeds for the last time for the day, +or rather the night, to the office of the paper. There shutting himself +up in his cabinet, he calls for proofs, reads them, and when he has seen +every thing, and corrected every thing, he then gives the final and +authoritative order to go to press, and towards two o'clock in the +morning turns his steps homeward. M. Bertin, says our author with some +malice, belongs to that class of corpulent men so liked by Caesar and +Louis Phillippe. Personally, M. Bertin has no reverence for what is +called nobility, either ancient or modern. He is of the school of +Chaussee d'Antin, which would set the rich and intelligent middle +classes in the places formerly occupied by _Messieurs les Grands +Seigneurs_. + +The ablest man, connected with the _Debats_, or indeed, at this moment, +with the press of France, is M. DE SACY. De Sacy is an advocate by +profession, and pleaded in his youth some causes with considerable +success. At a very early period of his professional existence he allied +himself with the _Debats_. His articles are distinguished by ease and +flow, yet by a certain gravity and weight, which is divested, however, +of the disgusting doctoral tone. He is, in truth, a solid and serious +writer, without being in the least degree heavy. Political men of the +old school read his papers with pleasure, and most foreigners may read +them with profit and instruction. M. de Sacy is a simple, modest, and +retiring gentleman, of great learning, and a taste and tact very +uncommon for a man of so much learning. Though he has been for more than +a quarter of a century influentially connected with the _Debats_, and +has, during eighteen or twenty years of the period, had access to men in +the very highest positions--to ministers, ambassadors, to the sons of a +king, and even to the late king himself, it is much to his credit that +he has contented himself with a paltry riband and a modest place, as +Conservateur de la Bibliotheque Mazarine. M. de Sacy belongs to a +Jansenist family. _Apropos_ of this, M. Texier tells a pleasant story +concerning him. A Roman Catholic writer addressing him one day in the +small gallery reserved for the journalist at the Chamber of Deputies, +said, "You are a man, M. de Sacy, of too much cleverness, and of too +much honesty, not to be one of us, sooner or later." "Not a bit of it," +replied promptly M. de Sacy; "_je veux vivre et mourir avec un pied dans +le doute et l'autre dans la foi_." + +SAINT-MARC GIRARDIN is certainly, next to De Sacy, the most +distinguished writer connected with the _Debats_. He was originally a +_maitre d'etude_ at the College of Henry IV., and sent one fine morning +an article to the _Debats_, which produced a wonderful sensation. The +article was without name or address; but old Bertin so relished and +appreciated it, that he was not to be foiled in finding out the author. +An advertisement was inserted on the following day, requesting the +writer to call at the editor's study, when M. Saint-Marc Girardin was +attached as a regular _soldat de plume_ to the establishment--a +profitable engagement, which left him at liberty to leave his miserable +_metier_ of _maitre d'etude_. The articles written in 1834 against the +Emperor of Russia and the Russian system were from the pen of M. +Girardin.--The _maitre d'etude_ of former days became professor at the +College of France--became deputy, and exhibited himself, able writer and +dialectician as he was and is, as a mediocre speaker, and ultimately +became academician and _un des quarante_. + +Another distinguished writer in the _Debats_ is Michel Chevalier. +Chevalier is an _eleve_ of the Polytechnic School, who originally wrote +in the _Globe_. When editor and _gerant_ of the _Globe_, he was +condemned to six months' imprisonment for having developed in that +journal the principles of St. Simonianism. Before the expiration of his +sentence he was appointed by the Government to a sort of travelling +commission to America; and from that country he addressed a series of +memorable letters to the _Debats_, which produced at the time immense +effect. Since that period, Chevalier was appointed Professor of +Political Economy at the College of France, a berth from whence he was +removed by Carnot, Minister of Public Instruction, but afterwards +reinstated by subsequent ministers. Chevalier, though an able man, is +yet more of an economic writer than a political disquisitionist. His +brother Augustus is Secretary-general of the Elysee. + +Among the other contributors are PHILARETE CHASLES, an excellent +classical scholar, and a man well acquainted with English literature; +Cuvillier Fleury, unquestionably a man of taste and talent; and the +celebrated Jules Janin. The productions of the latter as a +_feuilletoniste_ are so well known that we do not stop to dwell upon +them. Janin is not without merit, and he is highly popular with a +certain class of writers: but his articles after all, apart from the +circumstances of the day, are but a _rechauffe_ of the style of +Marivaux. + + +THE CONSTITUTIONNEL. + +The history of the _Constitutionnel_ follows that of the _Debats_. The +_Debats_, says M. Texier, is ingenious, has tact without enthusiasm, +banters with taste, and scuds before the wind with a grace which only +belongs to a _fin voilier_--to a fast sailing clipper. But, on the other +hand, none of these qualities are found in the _Constitutionnel_, which, +though often hot, and not seldom vehement and vulgar, is almost +uniformly heavy. For three-and-thirty years--that is to say, from 1815 +to 1848--the _Constitutionnel_ traded in Voltairien principles, in +vehement denunciations of the _Parti Pretre_ and of the Jesuits, and in +the intrigues of the emigrants and royalist party _quand meme_. For many +years the literary giant of this Titanic warfare was Etienne, who had +been in early life secretary to Maret, duke of Bassano, himself a +mediocre journalist, though an excellent reporter and stenographer. +Etienne was a man of _esprit_ and talent, who had commenced his career +as a writer in the _Minerve Francaise_. In this miscellany, his letters +on Paris acquired as much vogue as his comedies. About 1818, Etienne +acquired a single share in the _Constitutionnel_, and after a year's +service became impregnated with the air of the Rue Montmartre--with the +spirit of the _genius loci_. When one has been some time writing for a +daily newspaper, this result is sure to follow. One gets habituated to +set phrases--to pet ideas--to the traditions of the locality--to the +prejudices of the readers, political or religious, as the case may be. +Independently of this, the daily toil of newspaper writing is such, and +so exhausting, that a man obliged to undergo it for any length of time +is glad occasionally to find refuge in words without ideas, which have +occasionally much significancy with the million, or in topics on which +the public love to dwell fondly. Under the reign of Louis XVIII. and +Charles X. it lost no opportunity, by indirection and innuendo, of +hinting at the "Petit Caporal," and this circumstance during the life of +the emperor, and long after his death, caused the journal to be +adored--that is really the word--by the old army, by the _vieux de +vieille_, and by the _durs a cuirs_. In these good old bygone times the +writers in the _Constitutionel_ wore a blue frock closely buttoned up to +the chin, to the end that they might pass for officers of the old army +on half-pay. In 1830 the fortunes of the _Constitutionnel_ had reached +the culminant point. It then counted 23,000 subscribers, at 80 francs a +year. At that period a single share in the property was a fortune. But +the avatar of the Citizen King spoiled in a couple of years the sale of +the citizen journal. The truth is, that the heat of the Revolution of +July had engendered and incubated a multitude of journals, great and +little, bounding with young blood and health--journals whose editors and +writers did not desire better sport than to attack the _Constitutionnel_ +at right and at left, and to tumble the dear, fat, rubicund, old +gentleman, head over heels. Among these was the _Charivari_, which +incontinently laughed at the whole system of the establishment, from the +crapulous, corpulent, and Voltairien Etienne, down to the lowest +printer's devil. The metaphors, the puffs, _canards_, the _reclames_, +&c. of the _Constitutionnel_ were treated mercilessly and as +nothing--not even Religion itself can stand the test of ridicule among +so mocking a people as the French; the result was, that the +_Constitutionnel_ diminished wonderfully in point of circulation. Yet +the old man wrote and spoke well, and had, from 1824 to 1829, as an ally +the sharp and clever Thiers, and the better read, the better informed, +and the more judicious Mignet. It was during the Vitelle administration +that the _Constitutionnel_ attained the very highest acme of its fame. +It was then said to have had 30,000 subscribers, and to have maintained +them with the cry of "Down with the Jesuits!" In 1827-28, during its +palmiest days, the _Constitutionnel_ had no _Roman feuilleton_. It +depended then on its leading articles, nor was it till its circulation +declined, in 1843, to about 3500, that the proprietors determined to +reduce the price one-half. They then, too, adopted the _Roman +feuilleton_, giving as much as 500 francs for an article of this kind to +Dumas or Sue. From 1845 or 1846 to 1848, the _Consitutionnel_ had most +able contributors of leading articles; Thiers, De Remusat, and Duvergier +d'Hauranne, having constantly written in its columns. The circulation of +the journal was then said to amount to 24,000. When the +_Constitutionnel_ entered into the hands of its present proprietor, +Docteur Louis Veron, it was said to be reduced to 3000 subscribers. How +many subscribers it has now we have no very accurate means of knowing, +but we should say, at a rough guess, it may have 9000 or 10,000. It +should be remembered, that from being an anti-sacerdotal journal it has +become a priests' paper and the organ of priests; from being an opponent +of the executive, it has become the organ and the apologist of the +executive in the person of M. L. N. Buonaparte, and the useful +instrument, it is said, of M. Achille Fould. Every body knows, says M. +Texier, with abundant malice prepense, that Dr. Veron, the chief editor +of the _Constitutionnel_, has declared that France may henceforth place +her head on the pillow and go quietly to sleep, for the doctor +confidently answers for the good faith and wisdom of the president. + +But who is DOCTOR VERON, the editor-in-chief, when one finds his +excellency _chezelle_? The ingenuous son of Esculapius tells us himself +that he has known the _coulisses_ (the phrase is a queer one) of +science, of the arts, of politics, and even of the opera. It appears, +however, that the dear doctor is the son of a stationer of the Rue du +Bac, who began his career by studying medicine. If we are to believe +himself, his career was a most remarkable one. In 1821 he was received +what is called an _interne_ of the Hotel Dieu. After having walked the +hospitals, he enrolled himself in the Catholic and Apostolic Society of +'_bonnes lettres_,' collaborated with the writers in the _Quotidienne_, +and, thanks to Royalist patronage, was named physician-in-chief of the +Royal Museums. Whether any of the groups in the pictures of Rubens, +Salvator Rosa, Teniers, Claude, or Poussin--whether any of the Torsos of +Praxiteles, or even of a more modern school, required the assiduous care +or attention of a skilful physician, we do not pretend to state. But we +repeat that the practice of Dr. Veron, according to M. Texier, was +confined to these dumb yet not inexpressive personages. In feeling the +pulse of the Venus de Medici, or looking at the tongue of the Laocoon, +or the Apollo Belvidere, it is said the chief, if not the only practice +of Dr. Louis Veron consisted. True, the doctor invented a _pate +pectorale_, approved by all the emperors and kings in Europe, and very +renowned, too, among the commonalty; but so did Dr. Solomon, of Gilead +House, near Liverpool, invent a balm of Gilead, and Mrs. Cockle invent +anti-bilious pills, taken by many of the judges, a majority of the +bench of bishops, and some admirals of the blue, and general officers +without number, yet we have never heard that Moses Solomon or Tabitha +Cockle were renowned in the practice of physic, notwithstanding the said +Gilead and the before-mentioned pills. Be this, however, as it may, +Veron, after having doctored the pictures and statues, and +patepectoraled the Emperor, the Pope, the Grand Turk, the Imaum of +Muscat, the Shah of Persia, and the Great Mogul himself, next +established the _Review of Paris_, which in its turn he abandoned to +become the director of the Opera. Tired of the Opera after four or five +years' service, the doctor became a candidate of the dynastic opposition +at Brest. This was the "artful dodge" before the Revolution of July +1848, if we may thus translate an untranslateable phrase of the +doctor's. At Brest the professor of the healing art failed, and the +consequence was, that instead of being a deputy he became the proprietor +of the _Constitutionnel_. Fortunate man that he is! In _Robert le +Diable_ at the Opera, which he would not at first have at any price, the +son of Esculapius found the principal source of his fortune, and by the +_Juif Errant_ of Eugene Sue, for which he gave 100,000 francs, he saved +the _Constitutionnel_ from perdition. _Apropos_ of this matter, there is +a pleasant story abroad. When Veron purchased the _Constitutionnel_, +Thiers was writing his _Histoire du Consulat_, for which the booksellers +had agreed to give 500,000 francs. Veron wished to have the credit of +publishing the book in the _Constitutionnel_, and with this view waited +on Thiers, offering to pay down, _argent comptant_, one-half the money. +Thiers, though pleased with the proposition, yet entrenched himself +behind his engagement with the booksellers. To one of the leading +booksellers Veron trotted off post-haste, and opened the business. "Oh!" +said the sensible publisher, "you have mistaken your _coup_ altogether." +"How so?" said the doctor. "Don't you see," said the Libraire Editeur, +"that the rage is Eugene Sue, and that the _Debats_ and the _Presse_ are +at fistycuffs to obtain the next novelty of the author of the _Mysteres +de Paris_? Go you and offer as much again for this novel, whatever it +may be, as either the one or other of them, and the fortune of the +_Constitutionnel_ is made." The doctor took the advice, and purchased +the next novelty of Sue at 100,000 francs. This turned out to be the +_Juif Errant_, which raised the circulation of the _Constitutionnel_ to +24,000. + +Veron is a puffy-faced little man, with an overgrown body, and midriff +sustained upon an attenuated pair of legs; his visage is buried in an +immense shirt collar, stiff and starched as a Norman cap. Dr. Veron +believes himself the key-stone of the Elysean arch, and that the weight +of the government is on his shoulders. Look at him as he enters the Cafe +de Paris to eat his _puree a la Conde_, and his _supreme de volaille_, +and his _filet de chevreuil pique aux truffes_, and you would say that +he is not only the prime, but the favorite minister of Louis Napoleon, +_par la grace de Dieu et Monsieur le Docteur President de la +Republique_. "_Apres tout c'est un mauvais drole, que ce pharmacien_," +to use the term applied to the doctor by General Changarnier. + +A short man of the name of Boilay washes the dirty linen of Dr. Veron, +and corrects his faults of grammar, of history, &c. Boilay is a small, +sharp, stout, little man, self-possessed, self-satisfied, with great +readiness and tact. Give him but the heads of a subject and he can make +out a very readable and plausible article. Boilay is the real working +editor of the _Constitutionnel_, and is supported by a M. Clarigny, a M. +Malitourne, and others not more known or more respected. Garnier de +Cassagnac, of the _Pouvoir_, a man of very considerable talent, though +not of very fixed principle, writes occasionally in the +_Constitutionnel_, and more ably than any of the other contributors. M. +St. Beuve is the literary critic, and he performs his task with eminent +ability. + + +THE NATIONAL. + +We now come to the _National_, founded by Carrel, Mignet, and Thiers. It +was agreed between the triad that each should take the place of +_redacteur en chef_ for a year. Thiers, as the oldest and most +experienced, was the first installed, and conducted the paper with zest +and spirit till the Revolution of 1830 broke out. The _National_ set out +with the idea of changing the incorrigible dynasty, and instituting +Orleanism in the place of it. The refusal to pay taxes and to contribute +to a budget was a proposition of the _National_, and it is not going too +far to say, that the crisis of 1830 was hastened by this journal. It was +at the office of the _National_ that the famous protest, proclaiming the +right of resistance, was composed and signed by Thiers, De Remusat, and +Canchois Lemaire. On the following day the office of the journal was +bombarded by the police and an armed force, when the presses were +broken. Against this illegal violence the editors protested. After the +Revolution, Carrel assumed the conduct of the journal, and became the +firmest as well as the ablest organ of democracy. To the arbitrary and +arrogant Perier, he opposed a firm and uncompromising resistance. Every +one acquainted with French politics at that epoch is aware of the +strenuous and stand-up fight he made for five years for his principles. +He it was who opposed a bold front to military bullies, and who invented +the epithet _traineurs de sabre_. This is not the place to speak of the +talent of Carrel. He was shot in a miserable quarrel in 1836, by Emile +Girardin, then, as now, the editor of the _Presse_. On the death of +Carrel, the shareholders of the paper assembled together to name a +successor. M. Trelat, subsequently minister, was fixed upon. But as he +was then a _detenu_ at Clairvaux, Bastide and Littre filled the +editorial chair during the interregnum. On the release of Trelat, it was +soon discovered that he had not the peculiar talent necessary. The +sceptre of authority passed into the hands of M. Bastide, named +Minister of Foreign Affairs in the ending of 1848, or the beginning of +1849. M. Bastide, then a _marchand de bois_, divided his editorial +empire with M. Armand Marrast, who had been a political prisoner and a +refugee in England, and who returned to France on the amnesty granted on +the marriage of the Duke of Orleans. M. Marrast, though a disagreeable, +self-sufficient, and underbred person, was unquestionably a writer of +point, brilliancy, and vigor. From 1837 to the Revolution of 1848 he was +connected with the _National_, and was the author of a series of +articles which have not been equalled since. Like all low, vulgar-bred, +and reptile-minded persons, Marrast forgot himself completely when +raised to the position of President of the Chamber of Deputies. In this +position he made irreconcileable enemies of all his old colleagues, and +of most persons who came into contact with him. The fact is, that your +schoolmaster and pedagogue can rarely become a gentleman, or any thing +like a gentleman. The writers in the _National_ at the present moment +are, M. Leopold Duras, M. Alexandre Rey, Caylus, Cochut, Forques, +Littre, Paul de Musset, Colonel Charras, and several others whose names +it is not necessary to mention here. + + +THE SIECLE. + +We come now to the _Siecle_, a journal which, though only established in +1836, has, we believe, a greater sale than any journal in Paris--at +least, had a greater sale previous to the Revolution of February 1848. +The _Siecle_ was the first journal that started at the low price of 40 +francs a-year, when almost every other newspaper was purchased at a cost +of 70 or 80 francs. It should also be recollected, that it was published +under the auspices of the deputies of the constitutional opposition. The +_Siecle_ was said, in 1846, to have had 42,000 subscribers. Its then +editor was M. Chambolle, who abandoned the concern in February or March +1849, not being able to agree with M. Louis Perree, the _directeur_ of +the journal. Since Chambolle left a journal which he had conducted for +thirteen years, M. Perree has died in the flower of his age, mourned by +those connected with the paper, and regretted by the public at large. +Previous to the Revolution of 1848, Odillon Barrot and Gustave de +Beaumont took great interest and an active part in the management of the +_Siecle_. That positive, dogmatical, self-opinioned, and indifferent +newspaper writer, Leon Faucher, was then one of the principal +contributors to this journal. The _Siecle_ of 1851 is somewhat what the +_Constitutionnel_ was in 1825, 6, and 7. It is eminently City-like and +of the _bourgeoisie_, "earth, earthy," as a good, reforming, economic +National Guard ought to be. The success of the journal is due to this +spirit, and to the eminently fair, practical, and business-like manner +in which it has been conducted. Perree, the late editor and manager of +the journal, who died at the early age of 34, was member for the Manche. +The writers in the journal are Louis Jourdan, formerly a St. Simonian; +Pierre Bernard, who was secretary to Armand Carrel; Hippolite Lamarche, +an ex-cavalry captain; Auguste Jullien (son of Jullien de Paris, one of +the commissaries of Robespierre); and others whom it is needless to +mention. + + +THE PRESSE. + +The _Presse_ was founded in 1836, about the same time as the _Siecle_, +by Emile de Girardin, a son of General de Girardin, it is said, by an +English mother. Till that epoch of fifteen years ago, people in Paris or +in France had no idea of a journal exceeding in circulation 25,000 +copies, the circulation of the _Constitutionnel_, or of a newspaper +costing less than seventy or eighty francs per annum. Many journals had +contrived to live on respectably enough on a modest number of 4000 or +5000 _abonnes_. But the conductors of the _Presse_ and of the _Siecle_ +were born to operate a revolution in this routine and jog-trot of +newspaper life. They reduced the subscription to newspapers from eighty +to forty francs per annum, producing as good if not a better article. +This was a great advantage to the million, and it induced parties to +subscribe for, and read a newspaper, more especially in the country, who +never thought of reading a newspaper before. In constituting his new +press, M. Girardin entirely upset and rooted out all the old notions +theretofore prevailing as to the conduct of a journal. The great feature +in the new journal was not its leading articles, but its _Roman +feuilleton_, by Dumas, Sue, &c. This it was that first brought Socialism +into extreme vogue among the working classes. True the _Presse_ was not +the first to publish Socialist _feuilletons_, but the _Debats_ and the +_Constitutionnel_. But the _Presse_ was the first to make the leading +article subsidiary to the _feuilleton_. It was, even when not a +professed Socialist, a great promoter of Socialism, by the thorough +support which it lent to all the slimy, jesuitical corruptions of +Guizoism, and all the turpitudes and chicanery of Louis Philippism. When +the _Presse_ was not a year old it had 15,000 subscribers, and before it +was twelve years old the product of its advertisements amounted to +150,000 francs a-year. Indeed this journal has the rare merit of being +the first to teach the French the use, and we must add the abuse, of +advertisements. We fear the _Presse_, during these early days of the +gentle Emile and Granier Cassagnac, was neither a model of virtue, +disinterestedness, nor self-denial. Nor do we know that it is so now, +even under the best of Republics. There are strange tales abroad, even +allowing for the exaggeration of Rumor with her hundred tongues. One +thing, however, is clear; that the _Presse_ was a liberal paymaster to +its _feuilletonistes_. To Dumas, Sand, De Balzac, Theophile Gautier, and +Jules Sandeau, it four years ago paid 300 francs per day for +contributions. The _Presse_, as M. Texier says, is now less the +collective reason of a set of writers laboring to a common intent, than +the expression of the individual activity, energy, and wonderful +mobility of M. Girardin himself. The _Presse_ is Emile de Girardin, with +his boldness, his audacity, his rampant agility, his Jim Crowism, his +inexhaustible cleverness, wonderful fecundity, and indisputable talent. +The _Presse_ is bold and daring; but no man can tell the color of its +politics to-day, much less three days, or three months hence. On the +25th of July, 1848, it was as audacious, as unabashed, and as little +disconcerted as two days before. When the workmen arrived in crowds to +break its presses, the ingenious Emile threw open the doors of the +press-room, talked and reasoned with the greasy rogues, and sent them +contented away. + +The number of journals in Paris is greater--much greater, +relatively--than the number existing in London. The people of Paris love +and study a newspaper more than the people of London, and take a greater +interest in public affairs, and more especially in questions of foreign +policy. Previous to the Revolution of February 1848, it cannot, we +think, be denied that newspaper writers in France held a much higher +rank than contributors to the daily press in England, and even still +they continue to hold a higher and more influential position, though +there can be no good reason why they should have done so at either time. +For the last fifteen years there cannot be any doubt or question that +the leading articles in the four principal daily London morning papers +exhibit an amount of talent, energy, information, readiness, and +compression, which are not found in such perfect and wonderful +combination in the French press. + +For the last three years, however, the press of France has wonderfully +deteriorated. It is no longer what it was antecedent to the Revolution. +There is not the literary skill, the artistical ability, the energy, the +learning, and the eloquence which theretofore existed. The class of +writers in newspapers now are an inferior class in attainments, in +scholarship, and in general ability. There can be little doubt, we +conceive, that the press greatly increased and abused its power, for +some years previous to 1848. This led to the decline of its +influence--an influence still daily diminishing; but withal, even still +the press in France has more influence, and enjoys more social and +literary consideration, than the press in England. We believe that +newspaper writers in France are not now so generally well paid as they +were twenty or thirty years ago. Two or three eminent writers can always +command in Paris what would be called a sporting price, but the great +mass of leading-article writers receive considerably less in money than +a similar class in London, though they exercise a much greater influence +on public opinion, and enjoy from the peculiar constitution of French +society a higher place in the social scale. + +--We see by the last papers from Paris that Veron and the President have +quarreled. + + + + +From the Cincinnati Commercial Advertiser. + +PROPHECY. + +BY ALICE CAREY. + + + I think thou lovest me--yet a prophet said + To-day, Elhadra, if thou laidest dead, + From thy white forehead would he fold the shroud, + And thereon lay his sorrow, like a crown. + The drenching rain from out the chilly cloud, + In the gray ashes beats the red flame down! + And when the crimson folds the kiss away + No longer, and blank dulness fills the eyes, + Lifting its beauty from the crumbling clay, + Back to the light of earth life's angel flies. + + So, with my large faith unto gloom allied, + Sprang up a shadow sunshine could not quell, + And the voice said, Would'st haste to go outside + This continent of being, it were well: + Where finite, growing toward the Infinite, + Gathers its robe of glory out of dust, + And looking down the radiances white, + Sees all God's purposes about us, just. + Canst thou, Elhadra, reach out of the grave, + And draw the golden waters of love's well? + _His_ years are chrisms of brightness in time's wave-- + Thine are as dewdrops in the nightshade's bell! + + Then straightening in my hands the rippled length + Of all my tresses, slowly one by one, + I took the flowers out.--Dear one, in thy strength + Pray for my weakness. Thou hast seen the sun + Large in the setting, drive a column of light + Down through the darkness: so, within death's night, + O my beloved, when I shall have gone, + If it might be so, would my love burn on. + + + + +From Household Words + +THE MODERN HAROUN-AL-RASCHID. + + +In the district of Ferdj' Onah (which signifies _Fine Country_), +Algeria, lives a Scheik named Bou-Akas-ben-Achour. He is also +distinguished by the surname of _Bou-Djenoni_ (the Man of the Knife), +and may be regarded as a type of the eastern Arab. His ancestors +conquered Ferdj' Onah, but he has been forced to acknowledge the +supremacy of France, by paying a yearly tribute of 80,000 francs. His +dominion extends from Milah to Rabouah, and from the southern point of +Babour to within two leagues of Gigelli. He is forty-nine years old, and +wears the Rahyle costume; that is to say, a woollen _gandoura_, confined +by a leathern belt. He carries a pair of pistols in his girdle, by his +side the Rahyle _flissa_, and suspended from his neck a small black +knife. + +Before him walks a negro carrying his gun, and a huge greyhound bounds +along by his side. He holds despotic sway over twelve tribes; and should +any neighboring people venture to make an incursion on his territory, +Bou-Akas seldom condescends to march against them in person, but sends +his negro into the principal village. This envoy just displays the gun +of Bou-Akas, and the injury is instantly repaired. + +He keeps in pay two or three hundred Tolbas to read the Koran to the +people; every pilgrim going to Mecca, and passing through Ferdj' Onah, +receives three francs, and may remain as long as he pleases to enjoy the +hospitality of Bou-Akas. But whenever the Scheik discovers that he has +been deceived by a pretended pilgrim, he immediately dispatches +emissaries after the impostor; who, wherever he is, find him, throw him +down, and give him fifty blows on the soles of his feet. + +Bou-Akas sometimes entertains three hundred persons at dinner; but +instead of sharing their repast, he walks round the tables with a baton +in his hand, seeing that the servants attend properly to his guests. +Afterwards, if any thing is left, he eats; but not until the others have +finished. + +When the governor of Constantinople, the only man whose power he +recognizes, sends him a traveller; according to the rank of the latter, +or the nature of the recommendation Bou-Akas gives him his gun, his dog, +or his knife. If the gun, the traveller takes it on his shoulder; if the +dog, he leads it in a leash; or if the knife, he hangs it round his +neck: and with any one of these potent talismans, of which each bears +its own degree of honor, the stranger passes through the region of the +twelve tribes, not only unscathed, but as the guest of Bou-Akas, treated +with the utmost hospitality. When the traveller is about to leave Ferdj' +Onah, he consigns the knife, the dog, or the gun to the care of the +first Arab he meets. If the Arab is hunting, he leaves the chase; if +laboring in the field, he leaves his plough; and, taking the precious +deposit, hastens to restore it to the Bou-Akas. + +The black-handled knife is so well known, that it has given the surname +of "Bou-Djenoni, _the man of the knife_," to its owner. With this +implement he is accustomed to cut off heads, whenever he takes a fancy +to perform that agreeable office with his own hand. + +When first Bou-Akas assumed the government, the country was infested +with robbers, but he speedily found means to extirpate them. He +disguised himself as a poor merchant; walked out, and dropped a _douro_ +(a gold coin) on the ground, taking care not to lose sight of it. If the +person who happened to pick up the _douro_, put it into his pocket and +passed on, Bou-Akas made a sign to his _chinaux_ (who followed him, also +in disguise, and knew the Scheik's will) rushed forward immediately, and +decapitated the offender. In consequence of this summary method of +administering justice, it is a saying amongst the Arabs that a child +might traverse the regions which own Bou-Akas's sway, wearing a golden +crown on his head, without a single hand being stretched out to take it. + +The Scheik has great respect for women, and has ordered that when the +females of Ferdj' Onah go out to draw water, every man who meets them +shall turn away his head. Wishing one day to ascertain whether his +commands were attended to, he went out in disguise: and, meeting a +beautiful Arab maiden on her way to the well, approached and saluted +her. The girl looked at him with amazement, and said: "Pass on, +stranger; thou knowest not the risk them hast run." And when Bou-Akas +persisted in speaking to her, she added: "Foolish man, and reckless of +thy life; knowest thou not that we are in the country of Bou-Djenoni, +who causes all women to be held in respect?" + +Bou-Akas is very strict in his religious observances; he never omits his +prayers and ablutions, and has four wives, the number permitted by the +Koran. Having heard that the Cadi of one of his twelve tribes +administered justice in an admirable manner, and pronounced decisions in +a style worthy of King Solomon himself, Bou-Akas, like a second +Haroun-Al-Raschid, determined to judge for himself as to the truth of +the report. Accordingly, dressed like a private individual, without arms +or attendants, he set out for the Cadi's towns, mounted on a docile +Arabian steed. He arrived there, and was just entering the gate, when a +cripple seizing the border of his burnous, asked him for alms in the +name of the prophet. Bou-Akas gave him money, but the cripple still +maintained his hold. "What dost thou want?" asked the Scheik; "I have +already given thee alms." + +"Yes," replied the beggar, "but the law says, not only--'Thou shalt give +alms to thy brother,' but also, 'Thou shalt do for thy brother +whatsoever thou canst.'" + +"Well! and what can I do for thee?" + +"Thou canst save me,--poor crawling creature that I am!--from being +trodden under the feet of men, horses, mules and camels, which would +certainly happen to me in passing through the crowded square, in which a +fair is now going on." + +"And how can I save thee?" + +"By letting me ride behind you, and putting me down safely in the +market-place, where I have business." + +"Be it so," replied Bou-Akas. And stooping down, he helped the cripple +to get up behind him; a business which was not accomplished without much +difficulty. The strangely assorted riders attracted many eyes as they +passed through the crowded streets; and at length they reached the +market-place. "Is this where you wish to stop?" asked Bou-Akas. + +"Yes." + +"Then get down." + +"Get down yourself." + +"What for?" + +"To leave me the horse." + +"To leave you my horse! What mean you by that?" + +"I mean that he belongs to me. Know you not that we are now in the town +of the just Cadi, and that if we bring the case before him, he will +certainly decide in my favor?" + +"Why should he do so, when the animal belongs to me?" + +"Don't you think that when he sees us two,--you with your strong +straight limbs, which Allah has given you for the purpose of walking, +and I with my weak legs and distorted feet,--he will decree that the +horse shall belong to him who has most need of him?" + +"Should, he do so, he would not be the _just_ Cadi," said Bou-Akas. + +"Oh! as to that," replied the cripple, laughing, "although he is just, +he is not infallible." + +"So!" thought the Scheik to himself, "this will be a capital opportunity +of judging the judge." He said aloud, "I am content--we will go before +the Cadi." + +Arrived at the tribunal, where the judge, according to the eastern +custom, was publicly administering justice, they found that two trials +were about to go on, and would of course take precedence of theirs. The +first was between a _taleb_ or learned man, and a peasant. The point in +dispute was the _taleb's_ wife, whom the peasant had carried off, and +whom he asserted to be his own better half, in the face of the +philosopher who demanded her restoration. The woman, strange +circumstance! remained obstinately silent, and would not declare for +either; a feature in the case which rendered its decision excessively +difficult. The judge heard both sides attentively, reflected for a +moment, and then said, "Leave the woman here, and return to-morrow." The +_savant_ and the laborer each bowed and retired; and the next cause was +called. This was a difference between a butcher and an oil-seller. The +latter appeared covered with oil, and the former was sprinkled with +blood. + +The butcher spoke first:--"I went to buy some oil from this man, and in +order to pay him for it, I drew a handful of money from my purse. The +sight of the money tempted him. He seized me by the wrist. I cried out, +but he would not let me go; and here we are, having come before your +worship, I holding my money in my hand, and he still grasping my wrist. +Now, I swear by the Prophet, that this man is a liar, when he says that +I stole his money, for the money is truly mine own." + +Then spoke the oil-merchant:--"This man came to purchase oil from me. +When his bottle was filled, he said, 'Have you change for a piece of +gold?' I searched my pocket, and drew out my hand full of money, which I +laid on a bench in my shop. He seized it, and was walking off with my +money and my oil, when I caught him by the wrist, and cried out +'Robber!' In spite of my cries, however, he would not surrender the +money, so I brought him here, that your worship might decide the case. +Now, I swear by the Prophet that this man is a liar, when he says that I +want to steal his money, for it is truly mine own." + +The Cadi caused each plaintiff to repeat his story, but neither varied +one jot from his original statement. He reflected for a moment, and then +said, "Leave the money with me, and return to-morrow." The butcher +placed the coins, which he had never let go, on the edge of the Cadi's +mantle. After which he and his opponent bowed to the tribunal, and +departed. + +It was now the turn of Bou-Akas and the cripple. "My lord Cadi," said +the former, "I came hither from a distant country, with the intention of +purchasing merchandise. At the city gate I met this cripple, who first +asked for alms, and then prayed me to allow him to ride behind me +through the streets, lest he should be trodden down in the crowd. I +consented, but when we reached the market-place, he refused to get down, +asserting that my horse belonged to him, and that your worship would +surely adjudge it to him, who wanted it most. That, my lord Cadi, is +precisely the state of the case--I swear it by Mahomet!" + +"My lord," said the cripple, "as I was coming on business to the market, +and riding this horse, which belongs to me, I saw this man seated by the +roadside, apparently half dead from fatigue. I good naturedly offered to +take him on the crupper, and let him ride as far as the market-place, +and he eagerly thanked me. But what was my astonishment, when, on our +arrival, he refused to get down, and said that my horse was his. I +immediately required him to appear before your worship, in order that +you might decide between us. That is the true state of the case--I swear +it by Mahomet!" + +Having made each repeat his deposition, and having reflected for a +moment, the Cadi said, "Leave the horse here, and return to-morrow." + +It was done, and Bou-Akas and the cripple withdrew in different +directions. On the morrow, a number of persons besides those immediately +interested in the trials assembled to hear the judge's decisions. The +_taleb_ and the peasant were called first. + +"Take away thy wife," said the Cadi to the former, "and keep her, I +advise thee, in good order." Then turning towards his _chinaux_, he +added, pointing to the peasant, "Give this man fifty blows." He was +instantly obeyed, and the _taleb_ carried off his wife. + +Then came forward the oil-merchant and the butcher. "Here," said the +Cadi to the butcher, "is thy money; it is truly thine, and not his." +Then pointing to the oil-merchant, he said to his _chinaux_, "Give this +man fifty blows." It was done, and the butcher went away in triumph with +his money. + +The third cause was called, and Bou-Akas and the cripple came forward. +"Would'st thou recognize thy horse amongst twenty others?" said the +judge to Bou-Akas. + +"Yes, my lord." + +"And thou?" + +"Certainly, my lord," replied the cripple. + +"Follow me," said the Cadi to Bou-Akas. + +They entered a large stable, and Bou-Akas pointed out his horse amongst +twenty which were standing side by side. + +"'Tis well," said the judge. "Return now to the tribunal, and send me +thine adversary hither." + +The disguised Scheik obeyed, delivered his message, and the cripple +hastened to the stable, as quickly as his distorted limbs allowed. He +possessed quick eyes and a good memory, so that he was able, without the +slightest hesitation, to place his hand on the right animal. + +"'Tis well," said the Cadi; "return to the tribunal." + +His worship resumed his place, and when the cripple arrived, judgment +was pronounced. "The horse is thine," said the Cadi to Bou-Akas. "Go to +the stable, and take him." Then to the _chinaux_, "Give this cripple +fifty blows." It was done; and Bou-Akas went to take his horse. + +When the Cadi, after concluding the business of the day, was retiring +to his house, he found Bou-Akas waiting for him. "Art thou discontented +with my award?" asked the judge. + +"No, quite the contrary," replied the Scheik. "But I want to ask by what +inspiration thou hast rendered justice; for I doubt not that the other +two cases were decided as equitably as mine. I am not a merchant; I am +Bou-Akas, Scheik of Ferdj' Onah, and I wanted to judge for myself of thy +reputed wisdom." + +The Cadi bowed to the ground, and kissed his master's hand. + +"I am anxious," said Bou-Akas, "to know the reasons which determined +your three decisions." + +"Nothing, my lord, can be more simple. Your highness saw that I detained +for a night the three things in dispute?" + +"I did." + +"Well, early in the morning I caused the woman to be called, and I said +to her suddenly--'Put fresh ink in my inkstand.' Like a person who had +done the same thing a hundred times before, she took the bottle, removed +the cotton, washed them both, put in the cotton again, and poured in +fresh ink, doing it all with the utmost neatness and dexterity. So I +said to myself, 'A peasant's wife would known nothing about +inkstands--she must belong to the _taleb_." + +"Good," said Bou-Akas, nodding his head. "And the money?" + +"Did your highness remark that the merchant had his clothes and hands +covered with oil?" + +"Certainly, I did." + +"Well; I took the money, and placed it in a vessel filled with water. +This morning I looked at it, and not a particle of oil was to be seen on +the surface of the water. So I said to myself, 'If this money belonged +to the oil-merchant it would be greasy from the touch of his hands; as +it is not so, the butcher's story must be true.'" + +Bou-Akas nodded in token of approval. + +"Good," said he. "And my horse?" + +"Ah! that was a different business; and, until this morning, I was +greatly puzzled." + +"The cripple, I suppose, did not recognize the animal?" + +"On the contrary, he pointed him out immediately." + +"How then did you discover that he was not the owner?" + +"My object in bringing you separately to the stable, was not to see +whether you would know the horse, but whether the horse would +acknowledge you. Now, when you approached him, the creature turned +towards you, laid back his ears, and neighed with delight; but when the +cripple touched him, he kicked. Then I knew that you were truly his +master." + +Bou-Akas thought for a moment, and then said: "Allah has given thee +great wisdom. Thou oughtest to be in my place, and I in thine. And yet, +I know not; thou art certainly worthy to be Scheik, but I fear that I +should but badly fill thy place as Cadi!" + + + + +From the Manchester Examiner. + +LOVE.--A SONNET. + +BY J. C. PRINCE. + + + Love is an odor from the heavenly bowers, + Which stirs our senses tenderly, and brings + Dreams which are shadows of diviner things + Beyond this grosser atmosphere of ours. + An oasis of verdure and of flowers, + Love smiteth on the Pilgrim's weary way; + There fresher air, there sweeter waters play, + There purer solace charms the quiet hours. + This glorious passion, unalloyed, endowers + With moral beauty all who feel its fire; + Maid, wife, and offspring, brother, mother, sire, + Are names and symbols of its hallowed powers. + Love is immortal. From our head may fly + Earth's other blessings; Love can never die! + + _Ashton, 5th March._ + + + + +From the Spectator. + +THE HISTORY OF SORCERY AND MAGIC.[I] + + +The rationale of magic, when a combination of skill and fraud imposed +upon the vulgar, is easily settled. The priests of the ancient +mythology, the adepts of the middle ages, turned their knowledge of +chemistry and mechanics and their proficiency in legerdemain to account; +and before we denounce the latter as impostors, we should bear in mind +the ignorance of the times in which they lived. People would not have +believed any natural explanation, though they might have felt inclined +to persecute the man when stripped of his magical character: we should +also consider how far the general belief might influence even the man +himself; how far he could in his inmost mind draw the distinction +between what we call natural philosophy and what the age considered +magic--a lawful if a riskful power over nature and spirits, by means of +occult knowledge. An allowance is further to be made for the stories as +they have come down to us; a distinction is to be drawn between the +actual facts and the fancy of the narrator, between the reality and the +romance of magic. + +Sorcery and witchcraft (to which, notwithstanding its title, Mr. +Wright's book chiefly relates) was a more vulgar pursuit, and is a more +difficult matter to determine. The true magician was a master over both +the seen and the unseen world. His art could _compel_ spirits or demons +to obey him, however much against their will. It seems a question +whether a spell of sufficient potency could not control Satan himself. +The witch or wizard was a vulgar being, a mere slave of the Evil One, +with no original power, very limited in derived power, and, it would +appear, with no means of acting directly except upon the elements. The +facts relating to witchcraft, being often matter of legal record, are +more numerous and more correctly narrated than those relating to magic. +The difficulty of fixing the exact boundary between truth and falsehood, +guilt and innocence, in the case of witchcraft, is not so easily settled +as the sciolist in liberal philosophy imagines. Of course we all know +that men and women could not travel through the air on broomsticks, or +cause storms, or afflict cattle. Their innocence of the intention is +not always so certain: their power over a nervous or weakly person, +especially in bad health, might really, through the influence of +imagination, produce the death threatened, and the miserable patient +might pine away as his real or supposed waxen image slowly melted before +the fire. At a time when the belief in witchcraft was entertained by +society in general, as well as by the majority of educated men, it is +not likely that the persons who were generally accused of it were +skeptical on the subject. Their innocence would lie, not in their +disbelief of its power, but in their rejection of the practice. That an +accusation of witchcraft was sometimes made from political, religious, +or personal motives, is true; and numbers of innocent victims were +sacrificed in times of public mania on the subject. The question is, +whether many did not attempt unlawful arts in full belief of their +efficacy; and whether some, a compound of the self-dupe and the +impostor, did not make use of their reputed power to indulge in the +grossest license and to perpetrate abominable crimes. + +The great difficulty, however, is the confessions. In many cases, no +doubt, the victims, worn down by terror and torture, said whatever their +examiners seemed to wish them to say; in other cases, their statements +were exaggerated by the reporters. Yet enough remains, after every +deduction, to render witches' confessions a very curious mental problem. +Was it vision, or monomania, or nervous delusion, all influenced by +foregone conclusion? or was it, as the mesmerists seem to hold, an +instance of clairvoyance in a high degree? The case of Gaufridi is of +this puzzling nature. Gaufridi was a French priest of licentious +character, who succeeded by the opportunities which his priestly +influence gave him, or by some pretended supernatural arts. His crimes +were discovered through the confession of one of his victims, a nun whom +he had abused before profession. After a time, she appeared to be +possessed; and, under treatment by a celebrated exorcist, (an inferior +hand having failed,) she, or the demon in possession, among other things +accused Gaufridi. _Her_ revelations may be resolved into an imposture +instigated by revenge, or a pious fraud caused by remorse, or hysterical +fits, with utterance shaped by memory; but what can be said of +Gaufridi's, made with a full knowledge of consequences? + + "The priests who conducted this affair seem almost to have lost + sight of Louis Gaufridi, in their anxiety to collect these + important evidences of the true faith. It was not till towards + the close of winter that the reputed wizard was again thought + of. A warrant was then obtained against him, and he was taken + into custody, and confined in the prison of the conciergerie at + Marseilles. On the fifth of March he was for the first time + confronted with sister Magdalen, but without producing the + result anticipated by his persecutors. Little information is + given as to the subsequent proceedings against him; but he + appears to have been treated with great severity, and to have + persevered in asserting his innocence. Sister Magdalen, or + rather the demon within her, gave information of certain marks + on his body which had been placed there by the Evil One; and on + search they were found exactly as described. It is not to be + wondered at, if, after the intercourse which had existed + between them, sister Magdalen were able to give such + information. Still Gaufridi continued unshaken, and he made no + confession; until at length, on Easter Eve, the twenty-sixth of + March, 1611, a full avowal of his guilt was drawn from him, we + are not told through what means, by two Capuchins of the + Convent of Aix, to which place he had been transferred for his + trial. At the beginning of April, another witness, the + Demoiselle Victoire de Courbier, came forward to depose that + she had been bewitched by the renegade priest, who had obtained + her love by his charms; and he made no objection to their + adding this new incident to his confession. + + "Gaufridi acknowledged the truth of all that had been said by + sister Magdalen or by her demon. He said that an uncle, who had + died many years ago, had left him his books, and that one day, + about five or six years before his arrest on this accusation, + he was looking them over, when he found amongst them a volume + of magic, in which were some writings in French verse, + accompanied with strange characters. His curiosity was excited, + and he began to read it; when, to his great astonishment and + consternation, the demon appeared in a human form, and said to + him, 'What do you desire of me, for it is you who have called + me?' Gaufridi was young, and easily tempted; and when he had + recovered from his surprise and was reassured by the manner and + conversation of his visitor, he replied to his offer, 'If you + have power to give me what I desire, I ask for two things: + first, that I shall prevail with all the women I like; + secondly, that I shall be esteemed and honored above all the + priests of this country, and enjoy the respect of men of wealth + and honor.' We may see, perhaps, through these wishes, the + reason why Gaufridi was persecuted by the rest of the clergy. + The demon promised to grant him his desires, on condition that + he would give up to him entirely his 'body, soul, and works;' + to which Gaufridi agreed, excepting only from the latter the + administration of the holy sacrament, to which he was bound by + his vocation as a priest of the church. + + "From this time Louis Gaufridi felt an extreme pleasure in + reading the magical book, and it always had the effect of + bringing the demon to attend upon him. At the end of two or + three days the agreement was arranged and completed, and, it + having been fairly written on parchment, the priest signed it + with his blood. The tempter then told him, that whenever he + breathed on maid or woman, provided his breath reached their + nostrils, they would immediately become desperately in love + with him. He soon made a trial of the demon's gift, and used it + so copiously that, he became in a short time a general object + of attraction to the women of the district. He said that he + often amused himself with exciting their passions when he had + no intention of requiting them, and he declared that he had + already made more than a thousand victims. + + "At length he took an extraordinary fancy to the young Magdalen + de la Palude; but he found her difficult of approach, on + account of the watchfulness of her mother, and he only overcame + the difficulty by breathing on the mother before he seduced the + daughter. He thus gained his purpose; took the girl to the cave + in the manner she had already described, and became so much + attached to her that he often repeated his charm on her, to + make her more devoted in her love. Three days after their first + visit to the cave, he gave her a familiar named Esmodes. + Finding her now perfectly devoted to his will, he determined to + marry her to Beelzebub, the prince of the demons; and she + readily agreed to his proposal. He immediately called the demon + prince, who appeared in the form of a handsome gentleman; and + she then renounced her baptism and Christianity, signed the + agreement with her blood, and received the demon's mark.... + + "The priest gave an account of the Sabbaths, at which he was a + regular attendant. When he was ready to go--it was usually at + night--he either went to the open window of his chamber, or + left the chamber, locking the door, and proceeded into the open + air. There Lucifer made his appearance, and took him in an + instant to their place of meeting, where the orgies of the + witches and sorcerers lasted usually from three to four hours. + Gaufridi divided the victims of the Evil One into three + classes: the masques, (perhaps the novices,) the sorcerers, and + the magicians. On arriving at the meeting, they all worshipped + the demon according to their several ranks; the masques falling + flat on their faces, the sorcerers kneeling with their heads + and bodies humbly bowed down, and the magicians, who stood + highest in importance, only kneeling. After this they all went + through the formality of denying God and the Saints. Then they + had a diabolical service in burlesque of that of the church, at + which the Evil One served as priest in a violet chasuble; the + elevation of the demon host was announced by a wooden bell, and + the sacrament itself was made of unleavened bread. The scenes + which followed resembled those of other witch-meetings. + Gaufridi acknowledged that he took Magdalen thither, and that + he made her swallow magical 'characters' that were to increase + her love to him; yet he proved unfaithful to her at these + Sabbaths with a multitude of persons, and among the rest with + 'a princess of Friesland.' The unhappy sorcerer confessed, + among other things, that his demon was his constant companion, + though generally invisible to all but himself; and that he only + left him when he entered the church of the Capuchins to perform + his religious duties, and then he waited for him outside the + church door. + + "Gaufridi was tried before the Court of Parliament of Provence + at Aix. His confession, the declaration of the demons, the + marks on his body, and other circumstances, left him no hope of + mercy. Judgment was given against him on the last day of April, + and the same day it was put in execution. He was burnt alive." + +_Narratives of Sorcery and Magic_ is a skilful and popular selection of +stories or narratives relating to the subject, not a philosophic +treatise. We are carried to France, Germany, England, Ireland, Scotland, +Spain, and America, by turns. We have the most remarkable trials for +witchcraft in these countries, as well as cases in which supernatural +agency was only an incidental part,--as that of the Earl and Countess of +Somerset, for the murder of Overbury. + +By way of showing that Mr. Wright is by no means an indifferent +story-teller, we may refer to the following legend: + + "The demons whom the sorcerer served seem rarely to have given + any assistance to their victims when the latter fell into the + hands of the judicial authorities; but if they escaped + punishment by the agency of the law, they were only reserved + for a more terrible end. We have already seen the fate of the + woman of Berkeley. A writer of the thirteenth century has + preserved a story of a man who, by his compact with the Evil + One, had collected together great riches. One day, while he was + absent in the fields, a stranger of suspicious appearance came + to his house and asked for him. His wife replied that he was + not at home. The stranger said, 'Tell him when he returns, that + to-night he must pay me my debt.' The wife replied that she was + not aware that he owed any thing to him. 'Tell, him,' said the + stranger, with a ferocious look, 'that I will have my debt + to-night.' The husband returned, and when informed of what had + taken place, merely remarked that the demand was just. He then + ordered his bed to be made that night in an outhouse, where he + had never slept before, and he shut himself in it with a + lighted candle. The family were astonished, and could not + resist the impulse to gratify their curiosity by looking + through the holes in the door. They beheld the same stranger, + who had entered without opening the door, seated beside his + victim, and they appeared to be counting large sums of money. + Soon they began to quarrel about their accounts, and were + proceeding from threats to blows, when the servants, who were + looking through the door, burst it open, that they might help + their master. The light was instantly extinguished; and when + another was brought, no traces could be found of either of the + disputants, nor were they ever afterwards heard of. The + suspicious-looking stranger was the demon himself, who had + carried away his victim." + +FOOTNOTES: + +[I] Narratives of Sorcery and Magic, from the most Authentic Sources. By +Thomas Wright, Esq., M.A., F.S.A., &c., &c. In two volumes. Published by +Bentley. + + + + +From the Examiner. + +HARTLEY COLERIDGE AND HIS GENIUS. + + +Hartley Coleridge was a poet whose life was so deplorable a +contradiction to the strength and subtlety of his genius, and the +capability and range of his intellect, that perhaps no such sad example +has ever found similar record.[J] Indeed we are obliged with sincere +grief to doubt, whether, as written here, the memoir should have been +written at all. With much respect for Mr. Derwent Coleridge, who is +himself no unworthy inheritor of a great name, his white neckcloth is +somewhat too prominently seen in the matter. There are too many labored +explainings, starched apologies, and painful accountings for this and +that. The writer was probably not conscious of the effort he was making, +yet the effort is but too manifest, A simple statement of facts, a +kindly allowance for circumstances, a mindful recollection of what his +father was in physical as well as mental organization, extracts from +Hartley's own letters, recollections of those among whom his latter life +was passed--this, as it seems to us, should have sufficed. Mr. Derwent +Coleridge brings too many church-bred and town-bred notions to the grave +design of moralizing and philosophizing his brother's simple life and +wayward self-indulgences. His motives will be respected, and his real +kindness not misunderstood; but it will be felt that a quiet and +unaffected little memoir of that strange and sorry career, and of those +noble nor wholly wasted powers, remains still to be written. + +Meanwhile we gratefully accept the volumes before us, which in their +contents are quite as decisive of Hartley Coleridge's genius as of what +it might have achieved in happier circumstances. A more beautiful or +more sorrowful book has not been published in our day. + + "Cut is the branch that might have grown full straight, + And burned is Apollo's laurel-bough, + That sometime grew within this learned man." + +Hartley Coleridge was the eldest son of the poet, and with much of his +father's genius (which in him, however, took a more simple and practical +shape than consisted with the wider and more mystical expanse of his +father's mind), inherited also the defects of his organization and +temperament. What would have become of the elder Coleridge but for the +friends in whose home his later years found a refuge, no one can say. +With no such friends or home, poor Hartley became a cast-away. After a +childhood of singular genius, manifested in many modes and forms, and +described with charming effect by his brother in the best passages and +anecdotes of the memoir, he was launched without due discipline or +preparation into the University of Oxford, where the catastrophe of his +life befell. He had first fairly shown his powers when the hard doom +went forth which condemned them to waste and idleness. He obtained a +fellowship-elect at Oriel, was dismissed on the ground of intemperance +before his probationary year had passed, and wandered for the rest of +his days by the scenes with which his father most wished to surround his +childhood-- + + ("But thou, my babe, shall wander like a breeze + By lakes and sandy shores, beneath the crags + Of ancient mountains, and beneath the clouds + Which image in their bulk both lakes and shores + And mountain crags") + +--listening with hardly less than his father's delight to the sounds and +voices of nature, in homely intimacy with all homely folk, uttering now +and then piercing words of wisdom or regret, teaching little children in +village schools, and----. + +Well, it would be perhaps too much to say that he continued to justify +the rejection of the Oriel fellows. Who knows how largely that event may +itself have contributed to what it too hastily anticipated and too +finally condemned? It appears certain that the weakness had not thus +early made itself known to Hartley's general acquaintance at the +University. Mr. Dyce had nothing painful to remember of him, but +describes him as a young man possessing an intellect of the highest +order, with great simplicity of character and considerable oddity of +manner; and he hints that the college authorities had probably resented, +in the step they took, certain attacks more declamatory than serious +which Hartley had got into the habit of indulging against all +established institutions. Mr. Derwent Coleridge touches this part of the +subject very daintily. "My brother was, however, _I am afraid_, more +sincere in his invectives against establishments, as they appeared to +his eyes at Oxford, and elsewhere, _than Mr. Dyce kindly supposes_." How +poor Hartley would have laughed at that! + +One thing to the last he continued. The simplicity of character which +Mr. Dyce attributes to his youth remained with him till long after his +hair was prematurely white. As Wordsworth hoped for him in his +childhood, he kept + + "A young lamb's heart among the full-grown flock;" + +--and some delightful recollections of his ordinary existence from day +to day among the lakes and mountains, and in the service of the village +schools, are contributed to his brother's Memoir. Here is one, from one +of the scholars he taught: + + "I first saw Hartley in the beginning, I think, of 1837, when I + was at Sedbergh, and he heard us our lesson in Mr. Green's + parlor. My impression of him was what I conceived Shakespeare's + idea of a gentleman to be, something which we like to have in a + picture. He was dressed in black, his hair, just touched with + gray, fell in thick waves down his back, and he had a frilled + shirt on; and there was a sort of autumnal ripeness and + brightness about him. His shrill voice, and his quick, + authoritative 'right! right!' and the chuckle with which he + translated 'rerum repetundarum' as 'peculation, a very common + vice in governors of all ages,' after which he took a turn + round the sofa--all struck me amazingly; his readiness + astonished us all, and even himself, as he afterwards told me; + for, during the time he was at the school, he never had to use + a dictionary once, though we read Dalzell's selections from + Aristotle and Longinus, and several plays of Sophocles. He took + his idea, so he said, from what De Quincy says of one of the + Eton masters fagging the lesson, to the great amusement of the + class, and, while waiting for the lesson, he used to read a + newspaper. While acting as second master he seldom occupied the + master's desk, but sat among the boys on one of the school + benches. He very seldom came to school in a morning, never till + about eleven, and in the afternoon about an hour after we had + begun. I never knew the least liberty taken with him, though he + was kinder and more familiar than was then the fashion with + masters. His translations were remarkably vivid; of [Greek: + mogera mogeros] 'toiling and moiling;' and of some ship or + other in the Philoctetes, which he pronounced to be 'scudding + under main-top sails,' our conceptions became intelligible. + Many of his translations were written down with his initials, + and I saw some, not a long while ago, in the Sophocles of a + late Tutor at Queen's College, Oxford, who had them from + tradition. He gave most attention to our themes; out of those + sent in he selected two or three, which he then read aloud and + criticised; and once, when they happened to agree, remarked + there was always a coincidence of thought amongst great men. + Out of school he never mixed with the boys, but was sometimes + seen, to their astonishment, running along the fields with his + arms outstretched, and talking to himself. He had no pet + scholars except one, a little fair-haired boy, who he said + ought to have been a girl. He told me that was the only boy he + ever loved, though he always loved little girls. He was + remarkably fond of the travelling shows that occasionally + visited the village. I have seen him clap his hands with + delight; indeed, in most of the simple delights of country + life, he was like a child. This is what occurs to me at present + of what he was when I first knew him; and, indeed, my after + recollections are of a similarly fragmentary kind, consisting + only of those little, numerous, noiseless, every-day acts of + kindness, the sum of which makes a Christian life. His love of + little children, his sympathy with the poor and suffering, his + hatred of oppression, the beauty and the grace of his + politeness before women, and his high manliness,--these are the + features which I shall never forget while I have any thing to + remember." + +The same writer afterwards tells us: + + "On his way to one of these parties he called on me, and I + could not help saying, 'How well you look in a white + neckcloth!' 'I wish you could see me sometimes,' he replied; + 'if I had only black-silk stockings and shoe-buckles I should + be quite a gentleman.' Those who had only seen him in the + careless dress that he chose to adopt in the lanes--his + trowsers, which were generally too long, doubled half way up + the leg, unbrushed, and often splashed; his hat brushed the + wrong way, for he never used an umbrella; and his wild, + unshaven, weather-beaten look--were amazed at his metamorphose + into such a faultless gentleman as he appeared when he was + dressed for the evening. 'I hate silver forks with fish,' he + said; 'I can't manage them.' So did Dr. Arnold, I told him. + 'That's capital; I am glad of such an authority. Do you know I + never understood the gladiator's excellence till the other day. + The way in which my brother eats fish with a silver fork made + the thing quite clear.' + + "He often referred to his boyish days, when he told me he + nearly poisoned half the house with his chemical infusions, and + spoiled the pans, with great delight. The 'Pilgrim's Progress' + was an early favorite with him. 'It was strange,' he said, 'how + it had been overlooked. Children are often misunderstood. When + I was a baby I have often been in the greatest terror, when, to + all appearance, I was quite still;--so frightened that I could + not make a noise. Crying, I believe, is oftener a sign of + happiness than the reverse. I was looked upon as a remarkable + child. My mother told me, when I was born she thought me an + ugly red thing; but my father took me up and said, 'There's no + sweeter baby any where than this.' He always thought too much + of me. I was very dull at school, and hated arithmetic; I + always had to count on my fingers. + + "He once took me to the little cottage where he lived by the + Brathey, when Charles Lloyd and he were school-companions. Mrs. + Nicholson, of Ambleside, told me of a donkey-race which they + had from the market-cross to the end of the village and back, + and how Hartley came in last, and minus his white straw hat." + +Those who remember the ordinary (and most extraordinary) dress that hung +about his small eager person, will smile at this entry in his journal of +a visit to Rydal chapel, and the reflections awakened therein: + + "17th.--Sunday.--At Rydal chapel. Alas! I have been _Parcus + Deorum cultor et infrequens_ of late. Would I could say with + assurance, _Nunc interare cursus cogor relictos_. I never saw + Axiologus (Wordsworth) look so venerable. His cape cloak has + such a gravity about it. Old gentlemen should never wear light + great coats unless they be military; and even then Uncle Toby's + Roquelaure would be more becoming than all the frogs in Styx. + On the other hand, loose trowsers should never invest the + nether limbs of led. It looks as if the Septuagenarian were + ashamed of a diminished calf. The sable silk is good and + clerical, so are the gray pearl and the partridge. I revere + gray worsted and ridge and furrow for [Greek: Omak rites] his + sake, but perhaps the bright white lamb's wool doth most set + off the leg of an elderly man. The hose should be drawn over + the knees, unless the rank and fortune require diamond buckles. + Paste or Bristol stones should never approach a gentleman of + any age. Roomy shoes, not of varnished leather. Broad + shoe-buckles, well polished. Cleanliness is an ornament to + youth, but an indispensable necessity to old age. Breeches, + velvet or velveteen, or some other solid stuff. There may be + serious objections to reviving the trunk breeches of our + ancestors. I am afraid that hoops would follow in their train. + But the flapped waistcoat, the deep cuffs, and guarded + pocket-holes, the low collar, I should hail with pleasure; that + is, for grandfathers and men of grandfatherly years. I was + about to add the point-lace ruffles, cravat, and frill, but I + pause in consideration of the miseries and degraded state of + the lace makers." + +Occasional passages in his letters are very beautiful, and very sad. +Here is one--adverting to some attack made upon him: + + "'This jargon,' said my orthodox reviewer, 'might be excused in + an alderman of London, but not in a Fellow elect of Oriel,' or + something to the same purpose, evidently designing to recall to + memory the most painful passage of a life not over happy. But + perhaps it is as well to let it alone. The writer might be some + one in whom my kindred are interested; for I am as much alone + in my revolt as Abdiel in his constancy." + +We are glad to see valuable testimony borne by Mr. James Spedding as to +his habits having left unimpaired his moral and spiritual sensibility: + + "Of his general character and way of life I might have been + able to say something to the purpose, if I had seen more of + him. But though he was a person so interesting to me in + himself, and with so many subjects of interest in common with + me, that a little intercourse went a great way; so that I feel + as if I knew him much better than many persons of whom I have + seen much more; yet I have in fact been very seldom in his + company. If I should say ten times altogether, I should not be + understating the number; and this is not enough to qualify me + for a reporter, when there must be so many competent observers + living, who really knew him well. One very strong impression, + however, with which I always came away from him, may be worth + mentioning; I mean, that his moral and spiritual sensibilities + seemed to be absolutely untouched by the life he was leading. + The error of his life sprung, I suppose, from moral incapacity + of some kind--his way of life seemed in some things destructive + of self-respect; and was certainly regarded by himself with a + feeling of shame, which in his seasons of self-communion became + passionate; and yet it did not at all degrade his mind. It + left, not his understanding only, but also his imagination and + feelings, perfectly healthy,--free, fresh, and pure. His + language might be sometimes what some people would call gross, + but that I think was not from any want of true delicacy, but + from a masculine disdain of false delicacy; and his opinions, + and judgment, and speculations, were in the highest degree + refined and elevated--full of chivalrous generosity, and + purity, and manly tenderness. Such, at least, was my invariable + impression. It always surprised me, but fresh observations + always confirmed it." + +When Wordsworth heard of his death, he was much affected, and gave the +touching direction to his brother:--"Let him lie by us: he would have +wished it." It was accordingly so arranged. + + "The day following he walked over with me to Grasmere--to the + churchyard, a plain enclosure of the olden time, surrounding + the old village church, in which lay the remains of his wife's + sister, his nephew, and his beloved daughter. Here, having + desired the sexton to measure out the ground for his own and + for Mrs. Wordsworth's grave, he bade him measure out the space + of a third grave for my brother, immediately beyond. + + "'When I lifted up my eyes from my daughter's grave,' he + exclaimed, 'he was standing there!' pointing to the spot where + my brother had stood on the sorrowful occasion to which he + alluded. Then turning to the sexton, he said, 'Keep the ground + for us,--we are old people, and it cannot be for long.'" + + "In the grave thus marked out, my brother's remains were laid + on the following Thursday, and in little more than a + twelvemonth his venerable and venerated friend was brought to + occupy his own. They lie in the south-east angle of the + churchyard, not far from a group of trees, with the little + beck, that feeds the lake with its clear waters, murmuring by + their side. Around them are the quiet mountains." + +We have often expressed a high opinion of Hartley Coleridge's poetical +genius. It was a part of the sadness of his life that he could not +concentrate his powers, in this or any other department of his +intellect, to high and continuous aims--but we were not prepared for +such rich proof of its exercise, within the limited field assigned to +it, as these volumes offer. They largely and lastingly contribute to the +rare stores of true poetry. In the sonnet Hartley Coleridge was a master +unsurpassed by the greatest. To its "narrow plot of ground" his habits, +when applied in the cultivation of the muse, most naturally led him--and +here he may claim no undeserved companionship even with Shakespeare, +Milton, and Wordsworth. We take a few--with affecting personal reference +in all of them. + + Hast thou not seen an aged rifted tower, + Meet habitation for the Ghost of Time, + Where fearful ravage makes decay sublime, + And destitution wears the face of power? + Yet is the fabric deck'd with many a flower + Of fragrance wild, and many-dappled hues, + Gold streak'd with iron-brown and nodding blue, + Making each ruinous chink a fairy bower. + E'en such a thing methinks I fain would be, + Should Heaven appoint me to a lengthen'd age; + So old in look, that Young and Old may see + The record of my closing pilgrimage: + Yet, to the last, a rugged wrinkled thing + To which young sweetness may delight to cling! + + Pains I have known, that cannot be again, + And pleasures too that never can be more: + For loss of pleasure I was never sore, + But worse, far worse is to feel no pain. + The throes and agonies of a heart explain + Its very depth of want at inmost core; + Prove that it does believe, and would adore, + And doth with ill for ever strive and strain. + I not lament for happy childish years, + For loves departed, that have had their day, + Or hopes that faded when my head was gray; + For death hath left me last of my compeers: + But for the pain I felt, the gushing tears + I used to shed when I had gone astray. + + A lonely wanderer upon the earth am I, + The waif of nature--like uprooted weed + Borne by the stream, or like a shaken reed, + A frail dependent of the fickle sky. + Far, far away, are all my natural kin; + The mother that erewhile hath hush'd my cry, + Almost hath grown a mere fond memory. + Where is my sister's smile? my brother's boisterous din? + Ah! nowhere now. A matron grave and sage, + A holy mother is that sister sweet. + And that bold brother is a pastor meet + To guide, instruct, reprove a sinful age, + Almost I fear, and yet I fain would greet; + So far astray hath been my pilgrimage. + + How shall a man fore-doom'd to lone estate, + Untimely old, irreverently gray, + Much like a patch of dusky snow in May, + Dead sleeping in a hollow--all too late-- + How shall so poor a thing congratulate + The blest completion of a patient wooing, + Or how commend a younger man for doing + What ne'er to do hath been his fault or fate? + There is a fable, that I once did read. + Of a bad angel that was someway good, + And therefore on the brink of Heaven he stood, + Looking each way, and no way could proceed; + Till at the last he purged away his sin + By loving all the joy he saw within. + +Here is another poem of very touching reference to his personal story: + + "When I received this volume small, + My years were barely seventeen; + When it was hoped I should be all + Which once, alas! I might have been. + + "And now my years are thirty-five, + And every mother hopes her lamb, + And every happy child alive, + May never be what now I am. + + "But yet should any chance to look + On the strange medley scribbled here. + I charge thee, tell them, little book, + I am not vile as I appear. + + "Oh! tell them though thy purpose lame + In fortune's race, was still behind,-- + Though earthly blots my name defiled, + They ne'er abused my better mind. + + "Of what men are, and why they are + So weak, so wofully beguiled, + Much I have learned, but better far, + I know my soul is reconciled." + +Before we shut the volumes--which will often and often be re-opened by +their readers--we may instance, in proof of the variety of his verse, +some masterly heroic couplets on the character of Dryden, which will be +seen in a series of admirable "sketches of English poets" found written +on the fly-leaves and covers of his copy of _Anderson's British Poets_. +The successors of Dryden are not less admirably handled, and there are +some sketches of Wilkie, Dodsley, Langhorne, and rhymers of that class, +inimitable for their truth and spirit. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[J] Poems by Hartley Coleridge. With a Memoir of his Life. By his +Brother. Two vols. Moxon. + + + + +From the Cincinnati Commercial Advertiser. + +LYRA.--A LAMENT. + +BY ALICE CAREY. + + + Maidens, whose tresses shine, + Crowned with daffodil and eglantine, + Or, from their stringed buds of brier-roses, + Bright as the vermeil closes + Of April twilights, after sobbing rains, + Fall down in rippled skeins + And golden tangles, low + About your bosoms, dainty as new snow; + While the warm shadows blow in softest gales + Fair hawthorn flowers and cherry blossoms white + Against your kirtles, like the froth from pails + O'er brimmed with milk at night, + When lowing heifers bury their sleek flanks + In winrows of sweet hay, or clover banks-- + Come near and hear, I pray, + My plained roundelay: + Where creeping vines o'errun the sunny leas, + Sadly, sweet souls, I watch your shining bands + Filling with stained hands + Your leafy cups with lush red strawberries; + Or deep in murmurous glooms, + In yellow mosses full of starry blooms, + Sunken at ease--each busied as she likes, + Or stripping from the grass the beaded dews, + Or picking jagged leaves from the slim spikes + Of tender pinks--with warbled interfuse + Of poesy divine, + That haply long ago + Some wretched borderer of the realm of wo + Wrought to a dulcet line: + If in your lovely years + There be a sorrow that may touch with tears + The eyelids piteously, they must be shed + FOR LYRA, DEAD. + The mantle of the May + Was blown almost within summer's reach, + And all the orchard trees, + Apple, and pear, and peach, + Were full of yellow bees, + Flown from their hives away. + The callow dove upon the dusty beam + Fluttered its little wings in streaks of light, + And the gray swallow twittered full in sight-- + Harmless the unyoked team + Browsed from the budding elms, and thrilling lays + Made musical prophecies of brighter days; + And all went jocundly; I could but say. + Ah! well-a-day! + What time spring thaws the wold, + And in the dead leaves come up sprouts of gold, + And green and ribby blue, that after hours + Encrown with flowers; + Heavily lies my heart + From all delights apart, + Even as an echo hungry for the wind, + When fail the silver-kissing waves to unbind + The music bedded in the drowsy strings + Of the sea's golden shells-- + That, sometimes, with their honeyed murmurings + Fill all its underswells: + For o'er the sunshine fell a shadow wide + When Lyra died. + When sober Autumn, with his mist-bound brows, + Sits drearily beneath the fading boughs, + And the rain, chilly cold, + Wrings from his beard of gold, + And as some comfort for his lonesome hours, + Hides in his bosom stalks of withered flowers, + I think about what leaves are drooping round + A smoothly shapen mound; + And if the wild wind cries + Where Lyra lies, + Sweet shepherds, softly blow + Ditties most sad and low-- + Piping on hollow reeds to your pent sheep-- + Calm be my Lyra's sleep. + Unvexed with dream of the rough briers that pull + From his strayed lambs the wool! + O, star, that tremblest dim + Upon the welkin's rim, + Send with thy milky shadows from above + Tidings about my love; + If that some envious wave + Made his untimely grave, + Or if, so softening half my wild regrets, + Some coverlid of bluest violets + Was softly put aside, + What time he died! + Nay, come not, piteous maids, + Out of the murmurous shades; + But keep your tresses crowned as you may + With eglantine and daffodillies gay, + And with the dews of myrtles wash your cheek, + When flamy streaks, + Uprunning the gray orient, tell of morn-- + While I, forlorn, + Pour all my heart in tears and plaints, instead, + FOR LYRA, DEAD. + + + + +From Fraser's Magazine. + +MY NOVEL: + +OR, VARIETIES IN ENGLISH LIFE. + +BY PISISTRATUS CAXTON. + +_Continued from page 126._ + + +PART VIII.--CHAPTER XIII. + +Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. +Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his +diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- + +"I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your +heart--yes--you must pardon me--it is my vocation to speak stern truths. +You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now +invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of +exercising a discretion to act as I judged best, for the child's +interests, on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding +that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing +for him when he came into manhood." + +"I say I will provide for him. I say that you may 'prentice him in any +distant town, and by-and-by we will stock a shop for him. What would you +have more, sir, from folks like us, who have kept shop ourselves? It +ain't reasonable what you ask, sir!" + +"My dear friend," said the Parson, "what I ask of you at present is but +to see him--to receive him kindly--to listen to his conversation--to +judge for yourselves. We can have but a common object--that your +grandson should succeed in life, and do you credit. Now, I doubt very +much whether we can effect this by making him a small shopkeeper." + +"And has Jane Fairfield, who married a common carpenter, brought him up +to despise small shopkeepers?" exclaimed Mrs. Avenel, angrily. + +"Heaven forbid! Some of the first men in England have been the sons of +small shopkeepers. But is it a crime in them, or their parents, if their +talents have lifted them into such rank or renown as the haughtiest duke +might envy? England were not England if a man must rest where his father +began." + +"Good!" said, or rather grunted, an approving voice, but neither Mrs. +Avenel nor the Parson heard it. + +"All very fine," said Mrs. Avenel, bluntly. "But to send a boy like that +to the university--where's the money to come from?" + +"My dear Mrs. Avenel," said the Parson, coaxingly, "the cost need not be +great at a small college at Cambridge; and if you will pay half the +expense, I will pay the other half. I have no children of my own, and +can afford it." + +"That's very handsome in you, sir," said Mrs. Avenel, somewhat touched, +yet still not graciously, "But the money is not the only point." + +"Once at Cambridge," continued Mr. Dale, speaking rapidly, "at +Cambridge, where the studies are mathematical--that is, of a nature for +which he has shown so great an aptitude--and I have no doubt he will +distinguish himself; if he does, he will obtain, on leaving, what is +called a fellowship--that is a collegiate dignity accompanied by an +income on which he could maintain himself until he made his way in life. +Come, Mrs. Avenel, you are well off; you have no relations nearer to you +in want of your aid. Your son, I hear, has been very fortunate." + +"Sir," said Mrs. Avenel, interrupting the Parson, "it is not because my +son Richard is an honor to us, and is a good son, and has made his +fortin, that we are to rob him of what we have to leave, and give it to +a boy whom we know nothing about, and who, in spite of what you say, +can't bring upon us any credit at all." + +"Why? I don't see that." + +"Why?" exclaimed Mrs. Avenel, fiercely--"why? you know why. No, I don't +want him to rise in life; I don't want folks to be speiring and asking +about him. I think it is a very wicked thing to have put fine notions in +his head, and I am sure my daughter Fairfield could not have done it +herself. And now, to ask me to rob Richard, and bring out a great +boy--who's been a gardener, or ploughman, or such like--to disgrace a +gentleman who keeps his carriage, as my son Richard does--I would have +you to know, sir, no! I won't do it, and there's an end to the matter." + +During the last two or three minutes, and just before that approving +"good" had responded to the Parson's popular sentiment, a door +communicating with an inner room had been gently opened, and stood ajar; +but this incident neither party had even noticed. But now the door was +thrown boldly open, and the traveller whom the Parson had met at the inn +walked up to Mr. Dale, and said, "No! that's not the end of the matter. +You say the boy's a cute, clever lad?" + +"Richard, have you been listening?" exclaimed Mrs. Avenel. + +"Well, I guess, yes--the last few minutes." + +"And what have you heard?" + +"Why, that this reverend gentleman thinks so highly of my sister +Fairfield's boy that he offers to pay half of his keep at college. Sir, +I'm very much obliged to you, and there's my hand, if you'll take it." + +The Parson jumped up, overjoyed, and, with a triumphant glance towards +Mrs. Avenel, shook hands heartily with Mr. Richard. + +"Now," said the latter, "just put on your hat, sir, and take a stroll +with me, and we'll discuss the thing business-like. Women don't +understand business; never talk to women on business." + +With these words, Mr. Richard drew out a cigar-case, selected a cigar, +which he applied to the candle, and walked into the hall. + +Mrs. Avenel caught hold of the Parson. "Sir, you'll be on your guard +with Richard. Remember your promise." + +"He does not know all, then?" + +"He? No! And you see he did not overhear more than what he says. I'm +sure you're a gentleman, and won't go agin your word." + +"My word was conditional; but I will promise you never to break the +silence without more reason than I think there is here for it. Indeed, +Mr. Richard Avenel seems to save all necessity for that." + +"Are you coming, sir?" cried Richard, as he opened the street door. + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +The Parson joined Mr. Richard Avenel on the road. It was a fine night, +and the moon clear and shining. + +"So, then," said Mr. Richard, thoughtfully, "poor Jane, who was always +the drudge of the family, has contrived to bring up her son well; and +the boy is really what you say, eh?--could make a figure at college?" + +"I am sure of it," said the Parson, hooking himself on to the arm which +Mr Avenel proffered. + +"I should like to see him," said Richard. "Has he any manner? Is he +genteel, or a mere country lout?" + +"Indeed, he speaks with so much propriety, and has so much modest +dignity, I might say, about him, that there's many a rich gentleman who +would be proud of such a son." + +"It is odd," observed Richard, "what difference there is in families. +There's Jane now--who can't read nor write, and was just fit to be a +workman's wife--had not a thought above her station; and when I think of +my poor sister Nora--you would not believe it, sir, but _she_ was the +most elegant creature in the world--yes, even as a child, (she was but a +child when I went off to America.) And often, as I was getting on in +life, often I used to say to myself, 'My little Nora shall be a lady +after all. Poor thing--but she died young.'" + +Richard's voice grew husky. + +The Parson kindly pressed the arm on which he leaned, and said, after a +pause-- + +"Nothing refines us like education, sir. I believe your sister Nora had +received much instruction, and had the talents to profit by it. It is +the same with your nephew." + +"I'll see him," said Richard, stamping his foot firmly on the ground, +"and if I like him, I'll be as good as a father to him. Look you, +Mr.--what's your name, sir?" + +"Dale." + +"Mr. Dale, look you, I'm a single man. Perhaps I may marry some day; +perhaps I shan't. I'm not going to throw myself away. If I can get a +lady of quality, why--but that's neither here nor there; meanwhile, I +should be glad of a nephew whom I need not be ashamed of. You see, sir, +I'm a new man, the builder of my own fortunes; and, though I have picked +up a little education--I don't well know how--as I scrambled on, still, +now I come back to the old country, I'm well aware that I am not exactly +a match for those d----d aristocrats--don't show so well in a +drawing-room as I could wish. I could be a Parliament man if I liked, +but I might make a goose of myself; so, all things considered, if I can +get a sort of junior partner to do the polite work, and show off the +goods, I think the house of Avenel & Co. might become a pretty +considerable honor to the Britishers. You understand me, sir?" + +"Oh, very well," answered Mr. Dale, smiling, though rather gravely. + +"Now," continued the New Man, "I'm not ashamed to have risen in life by +my own merits; and I don't disguise what I've been. And, when I'm in my +own grand house, I'm fond of saying, 'I landed at New-York with ten +pounds in my purse, and here I am!' But it would not do to have the old +folks with me. People take you with all your faults, if you're rich, but +they won't swallow your family into the bargain. So, if I don't have my +own father and mother, whom I love dearly, and should like to see +sitting at table, with my servants behind their chairs, I could still +less have sister Jane. I recollect her very well, and she can't have got +genteeler as she's grown older. Therefore I beg you'll not set her on +coming after me; it won't do by any manner of means. Don't say a word +about me to her. But send the boy down here to his grandfather, and I'll +see him quietly, you understand." + +"Yes, but it will be hard to separate her from the boy." + +"Stuff! all boys are separated from their parents when they go into the +world. So that's settled. Now, just tell me. I know the old folks always +snubbed Jane--that is, mother did. My poor dear father never snubbed any +of us. Perhaps mother has not behaved altogether well to Jane. But we +must not blame her for that; you see this is how it happened. There were +a good many of us, while father and mother kept shop in the High Street, +so we were all to be provided for, anyhow; and Jane, being very useful +and handy at work, got a place when she was a little girl, and had no +time for learning. Afterwards my father made a lucky hit, in getting my +Lord Lansmere's custom after an election, in which he did a great deal +for the Blues, (for he was a famous electioneerer, my poor father.) My +Lady stood godmother to Nora; and then most of my brothers and sisters +died off, and father retired from business; and when he took Jane from +service, she was so common-like that mother could not help contrasting +her with Nora. You see Jane was their child when they were poor little +shop people, with their heads scarce above water; and Nora was their +child when they were well off, and had retired from trade, and lived +genteel: so that makes a great difference. And mother did not quite look +on her as on her own child. But it was Jane's own fault; for mother +would have made it up with her if she had married the son of our +neighbor the great linen-draper, as she might have done; but she would +take Mark Fairfield, a common carpenter. Parents like best those of +their children who succeed best in life. Natural. Why, they did not care +for me until I came back the man I am. But to return to Jane: I'm afraid +they've neglected her. How is she off?" + +"She earns her livelihood, and is poor, but contented." + +"Ah, just be good enough to give her this," and Richard took a bank-note +of fifty pounds from his pocket-book. "You can say the old folks sent it +to her; or that it is a present from Dick, without telling her he had +come back from America." + +"My dear sir," said the Parson, "I am more and more thankful to have +made your acquaintance. This is a very liberal gift of yours; but your +best plan will be to send it through your mother. For, though I don't +want to betray any confidence you place in me, I should not know what to +answer if Mrs. Fairfield began to question me about her brother. I never +had but one secret to keep, and I hope I shall never have another. A +secret is very like a lie!" + +"You had a secret, then," said Richard, as he took back the bank-note. +He had learned, perhaps, in America, to be a very inquisitive man. He +added point-blank, "Pray what was it?" + +"Why, what it would not be if I told you," said the Parson, with a +forced laugh,--"a secret!" + +"Well, I guess we're in a land of liberty. Do as you like. Now, I +daresay you think me a very odd fellow to come out of my shell to you in +this off-hand way. But I liked the look of you, even when we were at the +inn together. And just now I was uncommonly pleased to find that, though +you are a parson, you don't want to keep a man's nose down to a +shop-board, if he has any thing in him. You're not one of the +aristocrats--" + +"Indeed," said the Parson with imprudent warmth, "it is not the +character of the aristocracy of this country to keep people down. They +make way amongst themselves for any man, whatever his birth, who has the +talent and energy to aspire to their level. That's the especial boast of +the British constitution, sir!" + +"Oh, you think so do you!" said Mr. Richard, looking sourly at the +Parson. "I daresay those are the opinions in which you have brought up +the lad. Just keep him yourself, and let the aristocracy provide for +him!" + +The parson's generous and patriotic warmth evaporated at once, at this +sudden inlet of cold air into the conversation. He perceived that he had +made a terrible blunder; and, as it was not his business at that moment +to vindicate the British constitution, but to serve Leonard Fairfield, +he abandoned the cause of the aristocracy with the most poltroon and +scandalous abruptness. Catching at the arm which Mr. Avenel had +withdrawn from him, he exclaimed: + +"Indeed, sir, you are mistaken; I have never attempted to influence your +nephew's political opinions. On the contrary, if, at his age, he can be +said to have formed any opinion, I am greatly afraid--that is, I think +his opinions are by no means sound--that is constitutional. I mean, I +mean--" And the poor Parson, anxious to select a word that would not +offend his listener, stopped short in lamentable confusion of idea. + +Mr. Avenel enjoyed his distress for a moment, with a saturnine smile, +and then said: + +"Well, I calculate he's a Radical. Natural enough, if he has not got a +sixpence to lose--all come right by-and-by. I'm not a Radical--at least +not a destructive--much too clever a man for that, I hope. But I wish to +see things very different from what they are. Don't fancy that I want +the common people, who've got nothing, to pretend to dictate to their +betters, because I hate to see a parcel of fellows, who are called lords +and squires, trying to rule the roast. I think, sir, that it is men like +me who ought to be at the top of the tree! and that's the long and short +of it. What do you say?" + +"I've not the least objection," said the crestfallen Parson basely. But, +to do him justice, I must add that he did not the least know what he was +saying! + + +CHAPTER XV. + +Unconscious of the change in his fate which the diplomacy of the Parson +sought to effect, Leonard Fairfield was enjoying the first virgin +sweetness of fame; for the principal town in his neighborhood had +followed the then growing fashion of the age, and set up a Mechanic's +Institute; and some worthy persons interested in the formation of that +provincial Athenaeum had offered a prize for the best Essay on the +Diffusion of Knowledge,--a very trite subject, on which persons seem to +think they can never say too much, and on which there is, nevertheless, +a great deal yet to be said. This prize Leonard Fairfield had recently +won. His Essay had been publicly complimented by a full meeting of the +Institute; it had been printed at the expense of the Society, and had +been rewarded by a silver medal--delineative of Apollo crowning Merit, +(poor Merit had not a rag to his back; but Merit, left only to the care +of Apollo, never is too good a customer to the tailor!) And the County +Gazette had declared that Britain had produced another prodigy in the +person of Dr. Riccabocca's self-educated gardener. + +Attention was now directed to Leonard's mechanical contrivances. The +Squire, ever eagerly bent on improvements, had brought an engineer to +inspect the lad's system of irrigation, and the engineer had been +greatly struck by the simple means by which a very considerable +technical difficulty had been overcome. The neighboring farmers now +called Leonard "_Mr._ Fairfield," and invited him on equal terms, to +their houses. Mr. Stirn had met him on the high road, touched his hat, +and hoped that "he bore no malice." All this, I say, was the first +sweetness of fame; and if Leonard Fairfield comes to be a great man, he +will never find such sweets in the after fruit. It was this success +which had determined the Parson on the step which he had just taken, and +which he had long before anxiously meditated. For, during the last year +or so, he had renewed his old intimacy with the widow and the boy; and +he had noticed, with great hope and great fear, the rapid growth of an +intellect, which now stood out from the lowly circumstances that +surrounded it in bold and unharmonizing relief. + +It was the evening after his return home that the Parson strolled up to +the Casino. He put Leonard Fairfield's Prize Essay in his pocket. For he +felt that he could not let the young man go forth into the world without +a preparatory lecture, and he intended to scourge poor Merit with the +very laurel wreath which it had received from Apollo. But in this he +wanted Riccabocca's assistance; or rather he feared that, if he did not +get the Philosopher on his side, the Philosopher might undo all the work +of the Parson. + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +A sweet sound came through the orange boughs, and floated to the ears of +the Parson, as he wound slowly up the gentle ascent--so sweet, so +silvery, he paused in delight--unaware, wretched man! that he was +thereby conniving at Papistical errors. Soft it came, and sweet: softer +and sweeter--"Ave Maria!" Violante was chanting the evening hymn to the +Virgin Mother. The Parson at last distinguished the sense of the words, +and shook his head with the pious shake of an orthodox Protestant. He +broke from the spell resolutely, and walked on with a sturdy step. +Gaining the terrace he found the little family seated under an awning. +Mrs. Riccabocca knitting; the Signor with his arms folded on his breast: +the book he had been reading a few moments before had fallen on the +ground, and his dark eyes were soft and dreamy. Violante had finished +her hymn, and seated herself on the ground between the two, pillowing +her head on her step-mother's lap, but with her hand resting on her +father's knee, and her gaze fixed fondly on his face. + +"Good evening," said Mr. Dale. Violante stole up to him, and, pulling +him so as to bring his ear nearer to her lip, whispered,--"Talk to papa, +do--and cheerfully; he is sad." + +She escaped from him, as she said this, and appeared to busy herself +with watering the flowers arranged on stands round the awning. But she +kept her swimming lustrous eyes wistfully on her father. + +"How fares it with you, my dear friend?" said the Parson kindly, as he +rested his hand on the Italian's shoulder. "You must not let him get out +of spirits, Mrs. Riccabocca." + +"I am very ungrateful to her if I ever am so," said the poor Italian, +with all his natural gallantry. Many a good wife, who thinks it is a +reproach to her if her husband is ever 'out of spirits,' might have +turned peevishly from that speech more elegant than sincere, and so have +made bad worse. But Mrs. Riccabocca took her husband's proffered hand +affectionately, and said with great _naivete_: + +"You see I am so stupid, Mr. Dale; I never knew I was so stupid till I +married. But I am very glad you are come. You can get on some learned +subject together, and then he will not miss so much his--" + +"His what?" asked Riccabocca, inquisitively. + +"His country. Do you think that I cannot sometimes read your thoughts?" + +"Very often. But you did not read them just then. The tongue touches +where the tooth aches, but the best dentist cannot guess at the tooth +unless one opens one's mouth. _Basta!_ Can we offer you some wine of our +own making, Mr. Dale?--it is pure." + +"I'd rather have some tea," quoth the Parson hastily. + +Mrs. Riccabocca, too pleased to be in her natural element of domestic +use, hurried into the house to prepare our national beverage. And the +Parson, sliding into her chair, said-- + +"But you are dejected, then? Fie! If there's a virtue in the world at +which we should always aim, it is cheerfulness." + +"I don't dispute it," said Riccabocca, with a heavy sigh. "But though it +is said by some Greek, who, I think, is quoted by your favorite Seneca, +that a wise man carries his country with him at the soles of his feet, +he can't carry also the sunshine." + +"I tell you what it is," said the Parson bluntly, "you would have a much +keener sense of happiness if you had much less esteem for philosophy." + +"_Cospetto!_" said the Doctor, rousing himself. "Just explain, will +you?" + +"Does not the search after wisdom induce desires not satisfied in this +small circle to which your life is confined? It is not so much your +country for which you yearn, as it is for space to your intellect, +employment for your thoughts, career for your aspirations." + +"You have guessed at the tooth which aches," said Riccabocca with +admiration. + +"Easy to do that," answered the Parson. "Our wisdom teeth come last, and +give us the most pain. And if you would just starve the mind a little, +and nourish the heart more, you would be less of a philosopher, and more +of a--" The Parson had the word "Christian" at the tip of his tongue: he +suppressed a word that, so spoken, would have been exceedingly +irritating, and substituted, with inelegant antithesis, "and more of a +happy man!" + +"I do all I can with my heart," quoth the Doctor. + +"Not you! For a man with such a heart as yours should never feel the +want of the sunshine. My friend, we live in an age of over mental +cultivation. We neglect too much the simple healthful outer life, in +which there is so much positive joy. In turning to the world within us, +we grow blind to this beautiful world without; in studying ourselves as +men, we almost forget to look up to heaven, and warm to the smile of +God." + +The philosopher mechanically shrugged his shoulders, as he always did +when another man moralised--especially if the moraliser were a priest; +but there was no irony in his smile, as he answered thoughtfully-- + +"There is some truth in what you say. I own that we live too much as if +we were all brain. Knowledge has its penalties and pains, as well as its +prizes." + +"That is just what I want you to say to Leonard." + +"How have you settled the object of your journey?" + +"I will tell you as we walk down to him after tea. At present, I am +rather too much occupied with you." + +"Me? The tree is formed--try only to bend the young twig!" + +"Trees are trees, and twigs twigs," said the Parson dogmatically; "but +man is always growing till he falls into the grave. I think I have heard +you say that you once had a narrow escape of a prison?" + +"Very narrow." + +"Just suppose that you were now in that prison, and that a fairy +conjured up the prospect of this quiet home in a safe land; that you saw +the orange trees in flower, felt the evening breeze on your cheek; +beheld your child gay or sad, as you smiled or knit your brow; that +within this phantom home was a woman, not, indeed, all your young +romance might have dreamed of, but faithful and true, every beat of her +heart all your own--would you not cry from the depth of the dungeon, "O +fairy! such a change were a paradise." Ungrateful man! you want +interchange for your mind, and your heart should suffice for all!" + +Riccabocca was touched and silent. + +"Come hither, my child," said Mr. Dale, turning round to Violante, who +still stood among the flowers, out of hearing, but with watchful eyes. +"Come hither," he said, opening big arms. + +Violante bounded forward, and nestled to the good man's heart. + +"Tell me, Violante, when you are alone in the fields or the garden, and +have left your father looking pleased and serene, so that you have no +care for him at your heart,--tell me, Violante, though you are all +alone, with the flowers below and the birds singing overhead, do you +feel that life itself is happiness or sorrow?" + +"Happiness!" answered Violante, half shutting her eyes, and in a +measured voice. + +"Can you explain what kind of happiness it is?" + +"Oh no, impossible! and it is never the same. Sometimes it is so +still--so still--and sometimes so joyous, that I long for wings to fly +up to God, and thank him!" + +"O friend," said the Parson, "this is the true sympathy between life and +nature, and thus we should feel ever, did we take more care to preserve +the health and innocence of a child. We are told that we must become as +children to enter into the kingdom of heaven; methinks we should also +become as children to know what delight there is in our heritage of +earth!" + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +The maid servant (for Jackeymo was in the fields) brought the table +under the awning, and, with the English luxury of tea, there were other +drinks as cheap and as grateful on summer evenings--drinks which +Jackeymo had retained and taught from the customs of the +south--unebriate liquors, pressed from cooling fruits, sweetened with +honey, and deliciously iced; ice should cost nothing in a country in +which one is frozen up half the year! And Jackeymo, too, had added to +our good, solid, heavy English bread, preparations of wheat much +lighter, and more propitious to digestion--with those crisp _grissins_, +which seem to enjoy being eaten, they make so pleasant a noise between +one's teeth. + +The Parson esteemed it a little treat to drink tea with the Riccaboccas. +There was something of elegance and grace in that homely meal, at the +poor exile's table, which pleased the eye as well as taste. And the very +utensils, plain Wedgewood though they were, had a classical simplicity, +which made Mrs. Hazeldean's old India delf, and Mrs. Dale's best +Worcester china look tawdry and barbarous in comparison. For it was a +Flaxman who gave designs to Wedgewood, and the most truly refined of all +our manufactures in porcelain (if we do not look to the mere material) +is in the reach of the most thrifty. + +The little banquet was at first rather a silent one; but Riccabocca +threw off his gloom, and became gay and animated. Then poor Mrs. +Riccabocca smiled, and pressed the _grissins_; and Violante, forgetting +all her stateliness, laughed and played tricks on the Parson, stealing +away his cup of warm tea when his head was turned, and substituting iced +cherry juice. Then the Parson got up and ran after Violante, making +angry faces, and Violante dodged beautifully, till the Parson, fairly +tired out, was too glad to cry "Peace," and come back to the cherry +juice. Thus time rolled on, till they heard afar the stroke of the +distant church clock, and Mr. Dale started up and cried, "But we shall +be too late for Leonard. Come, naughty little girl, get your father his +hat." + +"And umbrella!" said Riccabocca, looking up at the cloudless moonlit +sky. + +"Umbrella against the stars?" asked the Parson laughing. + +"The stars are no friends of mine," said Riccabocca, "and one never +knows what may happen!" + +The Philosopher and the Parson walked on amicably. + +"You have done me good," said Riccabocca, "but I hope I am not always so +unreasonably melancholic as you seem to suspect. The evenings will +sometimes appear long, and dull too, to a man whose thoughts on the past +are almost his sole companions." + +"Sole companions?--your child?" + +"She is so young." + +"Your wife?" + +"She is so--," the bland Italian appeared to check some disparaging +adjective, and mildly added, "so good, I allow; but you must own that we +cannot have much in common." + +"I own nothing of the sort. You have your house and your interests, your +happiness and your lives, in common. We men are so exacting, we expect +to find ideal nymphs and goddesses when we condescend to marry a mortal; +and if we did, our chickens would be boiled to rags, and our mutton come +up as cold as a stone." + +"Per Bacco, you are an oracle," said Riccabocca, laughing. "But I am not +so sceptical you are. I honor the fair sex too much. There are a great +many women who realize the ideal of men to be found in--the poets!" + +"There's my dear Mrs. Dale," resumed the Parson, not heeding this +sarcastic compliment to the sex, but sinking his voice into a whisper, +and looking round cautiously--"there's my dear Mrs. Dale, the best woman +in the world--an angel I would say, if the word was not profane; BUT--" + +"What's the BUT?" asked the Doctor, demurely. + +"BUT I too might say that 'we have not much in common,' if I were only +to compare mind to mind, and, when my poor Carry says something less +profound than Madame de Stael might have said, smile on her in contempt +from the elevation of logic and Latin. Yet, when I remember all the +little sorrows and joys that we have shared together, and feel how +solitary I should have been without her--oh, then I am instantly aware +that there _is_ between us in common something infinitely closer and +better than if the same course of study had given us the same equality +of ideas; and I was forced to brace myself for a combat of intellect, as +I am when I fall in with a tiresome sage like yourself. I don't pretend +to say that Mrs. Riccabocca is a Mrs. Dale," added the Parson, with +lofty candor--"there is but one Mrs. Dale in the world; but still, you +have drawn a prize in the wheel matrimonial! Think of Socrates, and yet +he was content even with his--Xantippe!" + +Dr. Riccabocca called to mind Mrs. Dale's "little tempers," and inly +rejoiced that no second Mrs. Dale had existed to fall to his own lot. +His placid Jemima gained by the contrast. Nevertheless, he had the ill +grace to reply, "Socrates was a man beyond all imitation!--Yet I believe +that even he spent very few of his evenings at home. But, _revenons a +nos moutons_, we are nearly at Mrs. Fairfield's cottage, and you have +not yet told me what you have settled as to Leonard." + +The Parson halted, took Riccabocca by the button, and informed him, in +very few words, that Leonard was to go to Lansmere to see some relations +there, who had the fortune, if they had the will, to give full career to +his abilities. + +"The great thing, in the meanwhile," said the Parson, "would be to +enlighten him a little as to what he calls--enlightenment." + +"Ah!" said Riccabocca, diverted, and rubbing his hands, "I shall listen +with interest to what you say on that subject." + +"And must aid me; for the first step in this modern march of +enlightenment is to leave the poor Parson behind; and if one calls out, +'Hold! and look at the sign-post.' the traveller hurries on the faster, +saying to himself, 'Pooh, pooh!--that is only the cry of the Parson!' +But my gentleman, when he doubts me, will listen to you--you're a +philosopher!" + +"We philosophers are of some use now and then, even to Parsons!" + +"If you were not so conceited a set of deluded poor creatures already, I +would say 'Yes,'" replied the Parson generously; and, taking hold of +Riccabocca's umbrella, he applied the brass handle thereof, by way of a +knocker, to the cottage door. + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +Certainly it is a glorious fever that desire To Know! And there are few +sights in the moral world more sublime than that which many a garret +might afford, if Asmodeus would bare the roofs to our survey--viz., a +brave, patient, earnest human being, toiling his own arduous way, +athwart the iron walls of penury, into the magnificent Infinite, which +is luminous with starry souls. + +So there sits Leonard the Self-taught in the little cottage alone; for +though scarcely past the hour in which great folks dine, it is the hour +in which small folks go to bed, and Mrs. Fairfield has retired to rest, +while Leonard has settled to his books. + +He had placed his table under the lattice, and from time to time he +looked up and enjoyed the stillness of the moon. Well for him that, in +reparation for those hours stolen from night, the hardy physical labor +commenced with dawn. Students would not be the sad dyspeptics they are +if they worked as many hours in the open air as my scholar-peasant. But +even in him you could see that the mind had begun a little to affect the +frame. They who task the intellect must pay the penalty with the body. +Ill, believe me, would this work-day world get on if all within it were +hard-reading, studious animals, playing the deuce with the ganglionic +apparatus. + +Leonard started as he heard the knock at the door; the Parson's +well-known voice reassured him. In some surprise he admitted his +visitors. + +"We are come to talk to you, Leonard," said Mr. Dale, "but I fear we +shall disturb Mrs. Fairfield." + +"Oh no, sir! the door to the staircase is shut, and she sleeps soundly." + +"Why, this is a French book--do you read French, Leonard?" asked +Riccabocca. + +"I have not found French difficult, sir. Once over the grammar, and the +language is so clear; it seems the very language for reasoning." + +"True. Voltaire said justly, 'Whatever is obscure is not French,'" +observed Riccabocca. + +"I wish I could say the same of English," muttered the Parson. + +"But what is this?--Latin too?--Virgil?" + +"Yes, sir. But I find I make little way there without a master. I fear I +must give it up," (and Leonard sighed.) + +The two gentlemen exchanged looks and seated themselves. The young +peasant remained standing modestly, and in his air and mien there was +something that touched the heart while it pleased the eye. He was no +longer the timid boy who had sunk from the frown of Mr. Stirn, nor that +rude personation of simple physical strength, roused to undisciplined +bravery, which had received its downfall on the village-green of +Hazeldean. The power of thought was on his brow--somewhat unquiet still, +but mild and earnest. The features had attained that refinement which is +often attributed to race, but comes, in truth, from elegance of idea, +whether caught from our parents or learned from books. In his rich brown +hair, thrown carelessly from his temples, and curling almost to the +shoulders--in his large blue eye, which was deepened to the hue of the +violet by the long dark lash--in that firmness of lip, which comes from +the grapple with difficulties, there was considerable beauty, but no +longer the beauty of the mere peasant. And yet there was still about the +whole countenance that expression of goodness and purity which the +painter would give to his ideal of the peasant lover--such as Tasso +would have placed in the _Aminta_, or Fletcher have admitted to the side +of the Faithful Shepherdess. + +"You must draw a chair here, and sit down between us, Leonard," said the +Parson. + +"If any one," said Riccabocca, "has a right to sit, it is the one who +is to hear the sermon; and if any one ought to stand, it is the one who +is about to preach it." + +"Don't be frightened, Leonard," said the Parson, graciously; "it is only +a criticism, not a sermon," and he pulled out Leonard's Prize Essay. + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +_Parson._--"You take for your motto this aphorism[K]--'_Knowledge is +Power._'--BACON." + +_Riccabocca._--"Bacon make such an aphorism! The last man in the world +to have said any thing so pert and so shallow." + +_Leonard_ (astonished).--"Do you mean to say, sir, that that aphorism is +not in Lord Bacon! Why, I have seen it quoted as his in almost every +newspaper, and in almost every speech in favor of popular education." + +_Riccabocca._--"Then that should be a warning to you never again to fall +into the error of the would-be scholar--viz. quote second-hand. Lord +Bacon wrote a great book to show in what knowledge is power, how that +power should be defined, in what it might be mistaken. And, pray, do you +think so sensible a man would ever have taken the trouble to write a +great book upon the subject, if he could have packed up all he had to +say into the portable dogma, 'Knowledge is power?' Pooh! no such +aphorism is to be found in Bacon from the first page of his writings to +the last." + +_Parson_ (candidly).--"Well, I supposed it was Lord Bacon's, and I am +very glad to hear that the aphorism has not the sanction of his +authority." + +_Leonard_ (recovering his surprise).--"But why so?" + +_Parson._--"Because it either says a great deal too much, or +just--nothing at all." + +_Leonard._--"At least, sir, it seems to be undeniable." + +_Parson._--"Well, grant that it is undeniable. Does it prove much in +favor of knowledge? Pray, is not ignorance power too?" + +_Riccabocca._--"And a power that has had much the best end of the +quarter-staff." + +_Parson._--"All evil is power, and does its power make it any thing the +better?" + +_Riccabocca._--"Fanaticism is power--and a power that has often swept +away knowledge like a whirlwind. The Mussulman burns the library of a +world--and forces the Koran and the sword from the schools of Byzantium +to the colleges of Hindostan." + +_Parson_ (bearing on with a new column of illustration).--"Hunger is +power. The barbarians, starved out of their energy by their own swarming +population, swept into Italy and annihilated letters. The Romans, +however degraded, had more knowledge, at least, than the Gaul and the +Visigoth." + +_Riccabocca_ (bringing up the reserve).--"And even in Greece, when Greek +met Greek, the Athenians--our masters in all knowledge--were beat by the +Spartans, who held learning in contempt." + +_Parson._--"Wherefore you see, Leonard, that though knowledge be power, +it is only _one_ of the powers of the world; that there are others as +strong, and often much stronger; and the assertion either means but a +barren truism, not worth so frequent a repetition, or it means something +that you would find it very difficult to prove." + +_Leonard._--"One nation may be beaten by another that has more physical +strength and more military discipline; which last, permit me to say, +sir, is a species of knowledge;--" + +_Riccabocca._--"Yes; but your knowledge-mongers at present call upon us +to discard military discipline, and the qualities that produce it, from +the list of the useful arts. And in your own essay, you insist upon +knowledge as the great disbander of armies, and the foe of all military +discipline." + +_Parson._--"Let the young man proceed. Nations, you say, may be beaten +by other nations less learned and civilized?" + +_Leonard._--"But knowledge elevates a class. I invite my own humble +order to knowledge, because knowledge will lift them into power." + +_Riccabocca._--"What do you say to that, Mr. Dale?" + +_Parson._--"In the first place, is it true that the class which has the +most knowledge gets the most power? I suppose philosophers, like my +friend Dr. Riccabocca, think they have the most knowledge. And pray, in +what age have philosophers governed the world? Are they not always +grumbling that nobody attends to them?" + +"Per Bacco," said Riccabocca, "if people had attended to us, it would +have been a droll sort of world by this time!" + +_Parson._--"Very likely. But, as a general rule, those have the most +knowledge who give themselves up to it the most. Let us put out of the +question philosophers (who are often but ingenious lunatics), and speak +only of erudite scholars, men of letters and practical science, +professors, tutors, and fellows of colleges. I fancy any member of +Parliament would tell us that there is no class of men which has less +actual influence on public affairs. They have more knowledge than +manufacturers and ship-owners, squires and farmers; but, do you find +that they have more power over the Government and the votes of the House +of Commons!" + +"They ought to have," said Leonard. + +"Ought they?" said the Parson: "we'll consider that later. Meanwhile, +you must not escape from your own proposition, which is that knowledge +_is_ power--not that it _ought_ to be. Now, even granting your +corollary, that the power of a class is therefore proportioned to its +knowledge--pray, do you suppose that while your order, the operatives, +are instructing themselves, all the rest of the community are to be at a +stand-still? Diffuse knowledge as you may, you will never produce +equality of knowledge. Those who have most leisure, application, and +aptitude for learning, will still know the most. Nay, by a very natural +law, the more general the appetite for knowledge, the more the increased +competition would favor those most adapted to excel by circumstances and +nature. At this day, there is a vast increase of knowledge spread over +all society, compared with that in the Middle Ages; but is there not a +still greater distinction between the highly-educated gentleman and the +intelligent mechanic, than there was then between the baron who could +not sign his name and the churl at the plough? between the accomplished +statesman, versed in all historical law, and the voter whose politics +are formed by his newspaper, than there was between the legislator who +passed laws against witches, and the burgher who defended his guild from +some feudal aggression? between the enlightened scholar and the dunce of +to-day, than there was between the monkish alchemist and the blockhead +of yesterday? Peasant, voter, and dunce of this century are no doubt +wiser than the churl, burgher, and blockhead of the twelfth. But the +gentleman, statesman, and scholar of the present age are at least quite +as favorable a contrast to the alchemist, witch-burner, and baron of +old. As the progress of enlightenment has done hitherto, so will it ever +do. Knowledge is like capital: the more there is in a country, the +greater the disparities in wealth between one man and another. +Therefore, if the working class increase in knowledge, so do the other +classes; and if the working class rise peacefully and legitimately into +power, it is not in proportion to their own knowledge alone, but rather +according as it seems to the knowledge of the other orders of the +community, that such augmentation of proportional power is just, and +safe, and wise." + +Placed between the Parson and the Philosopher, Leonard felt that his +position was not favorable to the display of his forces. Insensibly he +edged his chair somewhat away, and said mournfully: + +"Then, according to you, the reign of knowledge would be no great +advance in the aggregate freedom and welfare of man?" + +_Parson._--"Let us define. By knowledge, do you mean intellectual +cultivation?--by the reign of knowledge, the ascendency of the most +cultivated minds?" + +_Leonard_ (after a pause).--"Yes." + +_Riccabocca._--"Oh indiscreet young man, that is an unfortunate +concession of yours; for the ascendency of the most cultivated minds +would be a terrible obligarchy!" + +_Parson._--"Perfectly true; and we now reply to your exclamation, that +men who, by profession, have most learning ought to have more influence +than squires and merchants, farmers and mechanics. Observe, all the +knowledge that we mortals can acquire is not knowledge positive and +perfect, but knowledge comparative, and subject to all the errors and +passions of humanity. And suppose that you could establish, as the sole +regulators of affairs, those who had the most mental cultivation, do you +think they would not like that power well enough to take all means their +superior intelligence could devise to keep it to themselves? The +experiment was tried of old by the priests of Egypt; and in the empire +of China, at this day, the aristocracy are elected from those who have +most distinguished themselves in learned colleges. If I may call myself +a member of that body, 'the people,' I would rather be an Englishman, +however much displeased with dull Ministers and blundering Parliaments, +than I would be a Chinese under the rule of the picked sages of the +Celestial Empire. Happily, therefore, my dear Leonard, nations are +governed by many things besides what is commonly called knowledge; and +the greatest practical ministers, who, like Themistocles, have made +small states great--and the most dominant races who, like the Romans, +have stretched their rule from a village half over the universe--have +been distinguished by various qualities which a philosopher would sneer +at, and a knowledge-monger would call 'sad prejudices,' and 'lamentable +errors of reason.'" + +_Leonard_ (bitterly).--"Sir, you make use of knowledge itself to argue +against knowledge." + +_Parson._--"I make use of the little I know to prove the foolishness of +idolatry. I do not argue against knowledge; I argue against +knowledge-worship. For here, I see in your Essay, that you are not +contented with raising human knowledge into something like divine +omnipotence, you must also confound her with virtue. According to you, +we have only to diffuse the intelligence of the few among the many, and +all at which we preachers aim is accomplished. Nay more; for whereas we +humble preachers have never presumed to say, with the heathen Stoic, +that even virtue is sure of happiness below (though it be the best road +to it), you tell us plainly that this knowledge of yours gives not only +the virtue of a saint, but bestows the bliss of a God. Before the steps +of your idol the evils of life disappear. To hear you, one has but 'to +know,' in order to be exempt from the sins and sorrows of the ignorant. +Has it ever been so? Grant that you diffuse amongst the many all the +knowledge ever attained by the few. Have the wise few been so unerring +and so happy? You supposed that your motto was accurately cited from +Bacon. What was Bacon himself? The poet tells you: + + 'The wisest, brightest, _meanest_ of mankind.' + +Can you hope to bestow upon the vast mass of your order the luminous +intelligence of this 'Lord Chancellor of nature?' Grant that you do +so--and what guarantee have you for the virtue and the happiness which +you assume as the concomitants of the gift? See Bacon himself; what +black ingratitude! what miserable self-seeking! what truckling +servility! what abject and pitiful spirit! So far from intellectual +knowledge, in its highest form and type, insuring virtue and bliss, it +is by no means uncommon to find great mental cultivation combined with +great moral corruption." (Aside to Riccabocca)--"Push on, will you?" + +_Riccabocca._--"A combination remarkable in eras as in individuals. +Petronius shows us a state of morals at which a commonplace devil would +blush, in the midst of a society more intellectually cultivated than +certainly was that which produced Regulus or the Horatii. And the most +learned eras in modern Italy were precisely those which brought the +vices into the most ghastly refinement." + +_Leonard_ (rising in great agitation, and clasping his hands).--"I +cannot contend with you, who produce against information so slender and +crude as mine the stores which have been locked from my reach. But I +feel that there must be another side to this shield--a shield that you +will not even allow to be silver. And, oh, if you thus speak of +knowledge, why have you encouraged me to know?" + + +CHAPTER XX. + +"Ah! my son!" said the Parson, "if I wished to prove the value of +Religion, would you think I served it much, if I took as my motto, +'Religion is power?' Would not that be a base and sordid view of its +advantages? And would you not say he who regards religion as a power, +intends to abuse it as a priestcraft?" + +"Well put!" said Riccabocca. + +"Wait a moment--let me think. Ah--I see, sir!" said Leonard. + +_Parson._--"If the cause be holy, do not weigh it in the scales of the +market; if its objects be peaceful, do not seek to arm it with the +weapons of strife; if it is to be the cement of society, do not vaunt it +as the triumph of class against class." + +_Leonard_ (ingenuously).--"You correct me nobly, sir. Knowledge is +power, but not in the sense in which I have interpreted the saying." + +_Parson._--"Knowledge is _one_ of the powers in the moral world, but one +that, in its immediate result, is not always of the most worldly +advantage to the possessor. It is one of the slowest, because one of the +most durable, of agencies. It may take a thousand years for a thought to +come into power; and the thinker who originated it might have died in +rags or in chains." + +_Riccabocca._--"Our Italian proverb saith that 'the teacher is like the +candle, which lights others in consuming itself.'" + +_Parson._--"Therefore he who has the true ambition of knowledge should +entertain it for the power of his idea, not for the power it may bestow +on himself; it should be lodged in the conscience, and, like the +conscience, look for no certain reward on this side the grave. And since +knowledge is compatible with good and with evil, would not it be better +to say, 'Knowledge is a trust?'" + +"You are right, sir," said Leonard cheerfully; "pray proceed." + +_Parson._--"You ask me why we encourage you to KNOW. First, because (as +you say yourself in your Essay), knowledge, irrespective of gain, is in +itself a delight, and ought to be something far more. Like liberty, like +religion, it may be abused; but I have no more right to say that the +poor shall be ignorant, than I have to say that the rich only shall be +free, and that the clergy alone shall learn the truths of redemption. +You truly observe in your treatise that knowledge opens to us other +excitements than those of the senses, and another life than that of the +moment. The difference between us is this, that you forget that the same +refinement which brings us new pleasures exposes us to new pains--the +horny hand of the peasant feels not the nettles which sting the fine +skin of the scholar. You forget also, that whatever widens the sphere of +the desires, opens to them also new temptations. Vanity, the desire of +applause, pride, the sense of superiority--gnawing discontent where that +superiority is not recognized--morbid susceptibility, which comes with +all new feelings--the underrating of simple pleasures apart from the +intellectual--the chase of the imagination, often unduly stimulated, for +things unattainable below--all these are surely amongst the first +temptations that beset the entrance into knowledge." + +Leonard shaded his face with his hand. + +"Hence," continued the Parson, benignantly--"hence, so far from +considering that we do all that is needful to accomplish ourselves as +men, when we cultivate only the intellect, we should remember that we +thereby continually increase the range of our desires, and therefore of +our temptations; and we should endeavor, simultaneously, to cultivate +both those affections of the heart which prove the ignorant to be God's +children no less than the wise, and those moral qualities which have +made men great and good when reading and writing were scarcely known: to +wit, patience and fortitude under poverty and distress; humility and +beneficence amidst grandeur and wealth; and, in counteraction to that +egotism which all superiority, mental or worldly, is apt to inspire, +Justice, the father of all the more solid virtues, softened by Charity, +which is their loving mother. Thus accompanied, knowledge indeed becomes +the magnificent crown of humanity--not the imperious despot, but the +checked and tempered sovereign of the soul." + +The Parson paused, and Leonard, coming near him, timidly took his hand, +with a child's affectionate and grateful impulse. + +_Riccabacca._--"And if, Leonard, you are not satisfied with our Parson's +excellent definitions, you have only to read what Lord Bacon himself has +said upon the true ends of knowledge, to comprehend at once how angry +the poor great man, whom Mr. Dale treats so harshly, would have been +with those who have stinted his elaborate distinctions and provident +cautions into that coxcombical little aphorism, and then misconstrued +all he designed to prove in favor of the commandant, and authority of +learning. For," added the sage, looking up as a man does when he is +taxing his memory, "I think it is thus that after saying the greatest +error of all is the mistaking or misplacing the end of knowledge, and +denouncing the various objects for which it is vulgarly sought;--I think +it is thus that he proceeds.... 'Knowledge is not a shop for profit or +sale, but a rich storehouse for the glory of the Creator, and the relief +of men's estate.'"[L] + +_Parson_ (remorsefully)--"Are those Lord Bacon's words? I am very sorry +I spoke so uncharitably of his life. I must examine it again. I may find +excuses for it now that I could not when I first formed my judgment. I +was then a raw lad at Oxford. But I see, Leonard, there is still +something on your mind." + +_Leonard._--"It is true, sir. I would but ask whether it is not by +knowledge that we arrive at the qualities and virtues you so well +describe, but which you seem to consider as coming to us through +channels apart from knowledge?" + +_Parson._--"If you mean by the word knowledge something very different +from what you express in your essay, and which those contending for +mental instruction, irrespective of religion and ethics, appear also to +convey by the word ---- you are right; but, remember, we have already +agreed that by the word knowledge we mean culture purely intellectual." + +_Leonard._--"That is true--we so understood it." + +_Parson._--"Thus, when this great Lord Bacon erred, you may say that he +erred from want of knowledge--the knowledge that moralists and preachers +would convey. But Lord Bacon had read all that moralists and preachers +could say on such matters; and he certainly did not err from want of +intellectual cultivation. Let me here, my child, invite you to observe, +that He who knew most of our human hearts and our immortal destinies, +did not _insist_ on this intellectual culture as essential to the +virtues that form our well-being here, and conduce to our salvation +hereafter. Had it been essential, the Allwise One would not have +selected humble fishermen for the teachers of his doctrine, instead of +culling his disciples from Roman portico or Athenian academy. And this, +which distinguishes so remarkably the Gospel from the ethics of heathen +philosophy, wherein knowledge is declared to be necessary to virtue, is +a proof how slight was the heathen sage's insight into the nature of +mankind, when compared with the Saviour's; for hard indeed would it be +to men, whether high or low, rich or poor, if science and learning, or +contemplative philosophy, were the sole avenues to peace and redemption; +since, in this state of ordeal, requiring active duties, very few in any +age, whether they be high or low, rich or poor, ever are or can be +devoted to pursuits merely mental. Christ does not represent heaven as a +college for the learned. Therefore the rules of the Celestial Legislator +are rendered clear to the simplest understanding as to the deepest." + +_Riccabocca._--"And that which Plato and Zeno, Pythagoras and Socrates, +could not do, was done by men whose ignorance would have been a by-word +in the schools of the Greek. The gods of the vulgar were dethroned; the +face of the world was changed! This thought may make us allow, indeed, +that there are agencies more powerful than mere knowledge, and ask, +after all, what is the mission which knowledge should achieve?" + +_Parson._--"The Sacred Book tells us even that; for after establishing +the truth that, for the multitude, knowledge is not essential to +happiness and good, it accords still to knowledge its sublime part in +the revelation prepared and announced. When an instrument of more than +ordinary intelligence was required for a purpose divine--when the +Gospel, recorded by the simple, was to be explained by the acute, +enforced by the energetic, carried home to the doubts of the +Gentile--the Supreme Will joined to the zeal of the earlier apostles the +learning and genius of St. Paul--not holier than the others--calling +himself the least, yet laboring more abundantly than them all--making +himself all things unto all men, so that some might be saved. The +ignorant may be saved no less surely than the wise; but here comes the +wise man who helps to save! And how the fulness and animation of this +grand Presence, of this indomitable Energy, seem to vivify the toil, and +to speed the work! 'In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils +of robbers, in perils of mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, +in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the +sea, in perils amongst false brethren.' Behold, my son! does not Heaven +here seem to reveal the true type of knowledge--a sleepless activity, a +pervading agency, a dauntless heroism, an all-supporting faith? A +power--a power indeed--a power apart from the aggrandizement of self--a +power that brings to him who owns and transmits it but 'weariness and +painfulness; in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings +often, in cold and nakedness'--but a power distinct from the mere +circumstance of the man, rushing from him as rays from a sun--borne +through the air, and clothing it with light--piercing under earth, and +calling forth the harvest! Worship not knowledge--worship not the sun, O +my child! Let the sun but proclaim the Creator; let the knowledge but +illumine the worship!" + +The good man, overcome by his own earnestness, paused; his head drooped +on the young student's breast, and all three were long silent. + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +Whatever ridicule may be thrown upon Mr. Dale's dissertations by the wit +of the enlightened, they had a considerable, and I think a beneficial, +effect upon Leonard Fairfield--an effect which may perhaps create less +surprise, when the reader remembers that Leonard was unaccustomed to +argument, and still retained many of the prejudices natural to his +rustic breeding. Nay, he actually thought it possible that, as both +Riccabocca and Mr. Dale were more than double his age, and had had +opportunities not only of reading twice as many books, but of +contracting experience in wider ranges of life--he actually, I say, +thought it possible that they might be better acquainted with the +properties and distinctions of knowledge than himself. At all events, +the Parson's words were so far well-timed, that they produced in Leonard +very much of that state of mind which Mr. Dale desired to effect, before +communicating to him the startling intelligence that he was to visit +relations whom he had never seen, of whom he had heard but little, and +that it was at least possible that the result of that visit might be to +open to him greater facilities for instruction, and a higher degree in +life. + +Without some such preparation, I fear that Leonard would have gone forth +into the world with an exaggerated notion of his own acquirements, and +with a notion yet more exaggerated as to the kind of power that such +knowledge as he possessed would obtain for itself. As it was, when Mr. +Dale broke to him the news of the experimental journey before him, +cautioning him against being over sanguine, Leonard received the +intelligence with a serious meekness, and thoughts that were nobly +solemn. + +When the door closed on his visitors, he remained for some moments +motionless, and in deep meditation; then he unclosed the door, and stole +forth. The night was already far advanced, the heavens were luminous +with all the host of stars. "I think," said the student, referring, in +later life, to that crisis in his destiny--"I think it was then, as I +stood alone, yet surrounded by worlds so numberless, that I first felt +the distinction between _mind_ and _soul_." + +"Tell me," said Riccabocca, as he parted company with Mr. Dale, "whether +you think we should have given to Frank Hazeldean, on entering life, the +same lecture on the limits and ends of knowledge which we have bestowed +on Leonard Fairfield." + +"My friend," quoth the Parson, with a touch of human conceit, "I have +ridden on horseback, and I know that some horses should be guided by the +bridle, and some should be urged by the spur." + +"_Cospetto!_" said Riccabocca; "you contrive to put every experience of +yours to some use--even your journey on Mr. Hazeldean's pad. And I see +now why, in this little world of a village, you have picked up so +general an acquaintance with life." + +"Did you ever read White's _Natural History of Selborne_?" + +"No." + +"Do so, and you will find that you need not go far to learn the habits +of birds, and know the difference between a swallow and a swift. Learn +the difference in a village, and you know the difference wherever +swallows and swifts skim the air." + +"Swallows and swifts!--true; but men--" + +"Are with us all the year round--which is more than we can say of +swallows and swifts." + +"Mr. Dale," said Riccabocca, taking off his hat with great formality, +"if ever again I find myself in a dilemma, I will come to you instead of +to Machiavelli." + +"Ah!" cried the Parson, "if I could but have a calm hour's talk with you +on the errors of the Papal relig--" + +Riccabocca was off like a shot. + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +The next day, Mr. Dale had a long conversation with Mrs. Fairfield. At +first, he found some difficulty in getting over her pride, and inducing +her to accept overtures from parents who had so long slighted both +Leonard and herself. And it would have been in vain to have put before +the good woman the worldly advantages which such overtures implied. But +when Mr. Dale said, almost sternly, "Your parents are old, your father +infirm; their least wish should be as binding to you as their command," +the Widow bowed her head, and said,-- + +"God bless them, sir, I was very sinful--'Honor your father and mother.' +I'm no scollard, but I know the Commandments. Let Lenny go. But he'll +soon forget me, and mayhap he'll learn to be ashamed of me." + +"There I will trust him," said the Parson; and he contrived easily to +reassure and soothe her. + +It was not till all this was settled that Mr. Dale drew forth an +unsealed letter, which Mr. Richard Avenel, taking his hint, had given to +him, as from Leonard's grandparents, and said,--"This is for you, and it +contains an inclosure of some value." + +"Will you read it, sir? As I said before, I'm no scollard." + +"But Leonard is, and he will read it to you." + +When Leonard returned home that evening, Mrs. Fairfield showed him the +letter. It ran thus: + + "Dear Jane,--Mr. Dale will tell you that we wish Leonard to + come to us. We are glad to hear you are well. We forward, by + Mr. Dale, a bank-note for L50, which comes from Richard, your + brother. So no more at present from your affectionate parents, + + "JOHN AND MARGARET AVENEL." + + + +The letter was in a stiff female scrawl, and Leonard observed that two +or three mistakes in spelling had been corrected, either in another pen +or in a different hand. + +"Dear brother Dick, how good in him!" cried the widow. "When I saw there +was money, I thought it must be him. How I should like to see Dick +again. But I s'pose he's still in Amerikay. Well, well, this will buy +clothes for you." + +"No; you must keep it all, mother, and put it in the Savings' Bank." + +"I'm not quite so silly as that," cried Mrs. Fairfield, with contempt; +and she put the fifty pounds into a cracked teapot. + +"It must not stay there when I'm gone. You may be robbed, mother." + +"Dear me, dear me, that's true. What shall I do with it?--what do I want +with it, too! Dear me! I wish they hadn't sent it. I shan't sleep in +peace. You must e'en put it in your own pouch, and button it up tight, +boy." + +Lenny smiled, and took the note; but he took it to Mr. Dale, and begged +him to put it into the Savings' Bank for his mother. + +The day following he went to take leave of his master, of Jackeymo, of +the fountain, the garden. But, after he had gone through the first of +these adieus with Jackeymo,--who, poor man, indulged in all the lively +gesticulations of grief which make half the eloquence of his countrymen; +and then, absolutely blubbering, hurried away--Leonard himself was so +affected that he could not proceed at once to the house, but stood +beside the fountain, trying hard to keep back his tears. + +"You, Leonard--and you are going!" said a soft voice; and the tears fell +faster than ever, for he recognized the voice of Violante. + +"Do not cry," continued the child, with a kind of tender gravity. "You +are going, but papa says it would be selfish in us to grieve, for it is +for your good; and we should be glad. But I am selfish, Leonard, and I +do grieve. I shall miss you sadly." + +"You, young lady--you miss me!" + +"Yes. But I do not cry, Leonard, for I envy you, and I wish I were a +boy: I wish I could do as you." + +The girl clasped her hands, and reared her slight form, with a kind of +passionate dignity. + +"Do as me, and part from all those you love!" + +"But to serve those you love. One day you will come back to your +mother's cottage, and say, 'We have conquered fortune.' Oh that I could +go forth and return, as you will. But my father has no country, and his +only child is a useless girl." + +As Violante spoke, Leonard had dried his tears; her emotion distracted +him from his own. + +"Oh," continued Violante, again raising her head loftily, "what it is to +be a man! A woman sighs, 'I wish,' but man should say, 'I will.'" + +Occasionally before, Leonard had noted fitful flashes of a nature grand +and heroic, in the Italian child, especially of late--flashes the more +remarkable from their contrast to a form most exquisitely feminine, and +to a sweetness of temper which made even her pride gentle. But now it +seemed as if the child spoke with the command of a queen--almost with +the inspiration of a muse. A strange and new sense of courage entered +within him. + +"May I remember these words!" he murmured half audibly. + +The girl turned and surveyed him with eyes brighter for their moisture. +She then extended her hand to him, with a quick movement, and, as he +bent over it, with a grace taught to him by genuine emotion, she +said,--"And if you do, then, girl and child as I am, I shall think I +have aided a brave heart in the great strife for honor!" + +She lingered a moment, smiled as if to herself, and then, gliding away, +was lost amongst the trees. + +After a long pause, in which Leonard recovered slowly from the surprise +and agitation into which Violante had thrown his spirits--previously +excited as they were--he went, murmuring to himself, towards the house. +But Riccabocca was from home. Leonard turned mechanically to the +terrace, and busied himself with the flowers. But the dark eyes of +Violante shone on his thoughts, and her voice rang in his ear. + +At length Riccabocca appeared, followed up the road by a laborer, who +carried something indistinct under his arm. + +The Italian beckoned to Leonard to follow him into the parlor; and after +conversing with him kindly, and at some length, and packing up, as it +were, a considerable provision of wisdom in the portable shape of +aphorisms and proverbs, the sage left him alone for a few moments. +Riccabocca then returned with his wife, and bearing a small knapsack:-- + +"It is not much we can do for you, Leonard, and money is the worst gift +in the world for a keepsake; but my wife and I have put our heads +together to furnish you with a little outfit. Giacomo, who was in our +secret, assures us that the clothes will fit: and stole, I fancy, a coat +of yours for the purpose. Put them on when you go to your relations: it +is astonishing what a difference it makes in the ideas people form of +us, according as our coats are cut one way or another. I should not be +presentable in London thus; and nothing is more true than that a tailor +is often the making of a man." + +"The shirts, too, are very good holland," said Mrs. Riccabocca, about to +open the knapsack. + +"Never mind details, my dear," cried the wise man; "shirts are +comprehended in the general principle of clothes. And, Leonard, as a +remembrance somewhat more personal, accept this, which I have worn many +a year when time was a thing of importance to me, and nobler fates than +mine hung on a moment. We missed the moment, or abused it, and here I +am, a waif on a foreign shore. Methinks I have done with Time." + +The exile, as he thus spoke, placed in Leonard's reluctant hands a watch +that would have delighted an antiquary, and shocked a dandy. It was +exceedingly thick, having an outer case of enamel, and an inner one of +gold. The hands and the figures of the hours had originally been formed +of brilliants; but the brilliants had long since vanished. Still, even +thus bereft, the watch was much more in character with the giver than +the receiver, and was as little suited to Leonard as would have been the +red silk umbrella. + +"It is old-fashioned," said Mrs. Riccabocca, "but it goes better than +any clock in the country. I really think it will last to the end of the +world." + +"_Carissima mia!_" cried the Doctor, "I thought I had convinced you that +the world is by no means come to its last legs." + +"Oh, I did not mean any thing, Alphonso," said Mrs. Riccabocca, +coloring. + +"And that is all we do mean when we talk about that of which we can know +nothing," said the Doctor, less gallantly than usual, for he resented +that epithet of "old-fashioned," as applied to the watch. + +Leonard, we see, had been silent all this time; he could not +speak--literally and truly, he could not speak. How he got out of his +embarrassment, and how he got out of the room, he never explained to my +satisfaction. But, a few minutes afterwards, he was seen hurrying down +the road very briskly. + +Riccabocca and his wife stood at the window gazing after him. + +"There is a depth in that boy's heart," said the sage, "which might +float an Argosy." + +"Poor dear boy! I think we have put every thing into the knapsack that +he can possibly want," said good Mrs. Riccabocca musingly. + +_The Doctor_ (continuing his soliloquy).--"They are strong, but they are +not immediately apparent." + +_Mrs. Riccabocca_ (resuming hers.)--"They are at the bottom of the +knapsack." + +_The Doctor._--"They will stand long wear and tear." + +_Mrs. Riccabocca._--"A year, at least, with proper care at the wash." + +_The Doctor_ (startled).--"Care at the wash! What on earth are you +talking of, ma'am?" + +_Mrs. Riccabocca_ (mildly).--"The shirts, to be sure, my love? And you?" + +_The Doctor_ (with a heavy sigh).--"The feelings, ma'am!" Then, after a +pause, taking his wife's hand affectionately--"But you did quite right +to think of the shirts; Mr. Dale said very truly--" + +_Mrs. Riccabocca._--"What?" + +_The Doctor._--"That there was a great deal in common between us--even +when I think of feelings, and you but of--shirts." + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +Mr. and Mrs. Avenel sat within the parlor--Mr. Richard stood on the +hearth-rug, whistling Yankee Doodle. "The Parson writes word that the +lad will come to-day," said Richard suddenly--"let me see the +letter--ay, to-day. If he took the coach as far as ----, he might walk +the rest of the way in two or three hours. He should be pretty nearly +here. I have a great mind to go and meet him: it will save his asking +questions, and hearing about me. I can clear the town by the back-way, +and get out at the high road." + +"You'll not know him from any one else said Mrs. Avenel. + +"Well, that is a good one! Not know an Avenel! We've all the same cut of +the jib--have not we, father?" + +Poor John laughed heartily, till the tears rolled down his cheeks. + +"We were always a well-favored family," said John, recomposing himself. +"There was Luke, but he's gone; and Harry, but he's dead too; and Dick, +but he's in Amerikay--no, he's here; and my darling Nora, but--" + +"Hush!" interrupted Mrs. Avenel; "hush, John!" + +The old man stared at her, and then put his tremulous hand to his brow. +"And Nora's gone too!" said he, in a voice of profound woe. Both hands +then fell on his knees, and his head drooped on his breast. + +Mrs. Avenel rose, kissed her husband on the forehead, and then walked +away to the window. Richard took up his hat, and brushed the nap +carefully with his handkerchief; but his lips quivered. + +"I'm going," said he, abruptly. "Now mind, mother, not a word about +Uncle Richard yet; we must first see how we like each other, and (in a +whisper) you'll try and get that into my poor father's head?" + +"Ay, Richard," said Mrs. Avenel, quietly. Richard put on his hat, and +went out by the back way. He stole along the fields that skirted the +town, and had only once to cross the street before he got into the high +road. + +He walked on until he came to the first milestone. There he seated +himself, lighted his cigar, and awaited his nephew. It was now nearly +the hour of sunset, and the road before him lay westward. Richard from +time to time looked along the road, shading his eyes with his hand; and +at length, just as the disc of the sun had half sunk down the horizon, a +solitary figure came up the way. It emerged suddenly from the turn in +the road; the reddening beams colored all the atmosphere around it. +Solitary and silent it came as from a Land of Light. + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +"You have been walking far, young man," said Richard Avenel. + +"No, sir, not very. That is Lansmere before me, is it not?" + +"Yes, it is Lansmere; you stop there, I guess?" + +Leonard made a sign in the affirmative, and walked on a few paces; then +seeing the stranger who had accosted him still by his side, he said-- + +"If you know the town, sir, perhaps you will have the goodness to tell +me whereabouts Mr. Avenel lives?" + +"I can put you into a straight cut across the fields, that will bring +you just behind the house." + +"You are very kind, but it will take you out of your way." + +"No, it is in my way. So you are going to Mr. Avenel's?--a good old +gentleman." + +"I've always heard so; and Mrs. Avenel--" + +"A particular superior woman," said Richard. "Any one else to ask +after--I know the family well." + +"No, thank you, sir." + +"They have a son, I believe; but he's in America, is not he?" + +"I believe he is, sir." + +"I see the Parson has kept faith with me," muttered Richard. + +"If you can tell me any thing about him," said Leonard, "I should be +very glad." + +"Why so, young man?--perhaps he is hanged by this time." + +"Hanged!" + +"He was a sad dog, I am told." + +"Then you have been told very falsely," said Leonard, coloring. + +"A sad wild dog--his parents were so glad when he cut and run--went off +to the States. They say he made money; but, if so, he neglected his +relations shamefully." + +"Sir," said Leonard, "you are wholly misinformed. He has been most +generous to a relative who had little claim on him; and I never heard +his name mentioned but with love and praise." + +Richard instantly fell to whistling Yankee Doodle, and walked on several +paces without saying a word. He then made a slight apology for his +impertinence--hoped no offence--and with his usual bold but astute style +of talk, contrived to bring out something of his companion's mind. He +was evidently struck with the clearness and propriety with which Leonard +expressed himself, raised his eyebrows in surprise more than once, and +looked him full in the face with an attentive and pleased survey. +Leonard had put on the new clothes with which Riccabocca and wife had +provided him. They were those appropriate to a young country tradesman +in good circumstances; but as he did not think about the clothes, so he +had unconsciously something of the ease of the gentleman. + +They now came into the fields. Leonard paused before a slip of ground +sown with rye. + +"I should have thought grass land would have answered better, so near a +town," said he. + +"No doubt it would," answered Richard; "but they are sadly behind-hand +in these parts. You see that great park yonder, on the other side of the +road? That would answer better for rye than grass; but then what would +become of my Lord's deer? The aristocracy eat us up, young man." + +"But the aristocracy did not sow this piece with rye, I suppose?" said +Leonard, smiling. + +"And what do you conclude from that?" + +"Let every man look to his own ground," said Leonard, with a cleverness +of repartee caught from Doctor Riccabocca. + +"'Cute lad you are," said Richard; "and we'll talk more of these matters +another time." + +They now came within sight of Mr. Avenel's house. + +"You can get through the gap in the hedge, by the old pollard oak," said +Richard; "and come round by the front of the house. Why, you're not +afraid--are you?" + +"I am a stranger." + +"Shall I introduce you? I told you that I knew the old couple." + +"Oh no, sir! I would rather meet them alone." + +"Go; and--wait a bit,--harkye, young man, Mrs. Avenel is a cold-mannered +woman; but don't be abashed by that." + +Leonard thanked the good-natured stranger, crossed the field, passed the +gap, and paused a moment under the stinted shade of the old +hollow-hearted oak. The ravens were returning to their nests. At the +sight of a human form under the tree, they wheeled round, and watched +him afar. From the thick of the boughs, the young ravens sent their +hoarse low cry. + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +The young man entered the neat, prim, formal parlor. + +"You are welcome!" said Mrs. Avenel, in a firm voice. + +"The gentleman is heartily welcome," cried poor John. + +"It is your grandson, Leonard Fairfield," said Mrs. Avenel. + +But John, who had risen with knocking knees, gazed hard at Leonard, and +then fell on his breast, sobbing aloud--"Nora's eyes!--he has a blink in +his eyes like Nora's." + +Mrs. Avenel approached with a steady step, and drew away the old man +tenderly. + +"He is a poor creature," she whispered to Leonard--"you excite him. Come +away, I will show you your room." + +Leonard followed her up the stairs, and came into a room--neatly, and +even prettily furnished. The carpet and curtains were faded by the sun, +and of old-fashioned pattern, but there was a look about the room as if +it had long been disused. + +Mrs. Avenel sank down on the first chair on entering. + +Leonard drew his arm round her waist affectionately: "I fear that I have +put you out sadly--my dear grandmother." + +Mrs. Avenel glided hastily from his arm, and her countenance worked +much--every nerve in it twitching as it were; then, placing her hand on +his locks, she said with passion, "God bless you, my grandson," and left +the room. + +Leonard dropped his knapsack on the floor, and looked around him +wistfully. The room seemed as if it had once been occupied by a female. +There was a work-box on the chest of drawers, and over it hanging +shelves for books, suspended by ribbons that had once been blue, with +silk and fringe appended to each shelf, and knots and tassels here and +there--the taste of a woman, or rather of a girl, who seeks to give a +grace to the commonest things around her. With the mechanical habit of a +student, Leonard took down one or two of the volumes still left on the +shelves. He found SPENSER'S _Fairy Queen_, RACINE in French, TASSO in +Italian; and on the fly-leaf of each volume, in the exquisite +handwriting familiar to his memory, the name "Leonora." He kissed the +books, and replaced them with a feeling akin both to tenderness and awe. + +He had not been alone in his room more than a quarter of an hour, before +the maid-servant knocked at his door and summoned him to tea. + +Poor John had recovered his spirits, and his wife sate by his side +holding his hand in hers. Poor John was even gay. He asked many +questions about his daughter Jane, and did not wait for the answers. +Then he spoke about the Squire, whom he confounded with Audley Egerton, +and talked of elections and the Blue party, and hoped Leonard would +always be a good Blue; and then he fell to his tea and toast, and said +no more. + +Mrs. Avenel spoke little, but she eyed Leonard askant, as it were, from +time to time; and after each glance the nerves of the poor severe face +twitched again. + +A little after nine o'clock, Mrs. Avenel lighted a candle, and placing +it in Leonard's hand, "You must be tired--you know your own room now. +Good night." + +Leonard took the light, and, as was his wont with his mother, kissed +Mrs. Avenel on the cheek. Then he took John's hand and kissed him too. +The old man was half asleep, and murmured dreamily, "That's Nora." + +Leonard had retired to his room about half an hour, when Richard Avenel +entered the house softly, and joined his parents. + +"Well, mother?" said he. + +"Well, Richard--you have seen him?" + +"And like him. Do you know he has a great look of poor Nora?--more like +her than Jane." + +"Yes; he is handsomer than Jane ever was, but more like your father than +any one. John was so comely. You take to the boy, then?" + +"Ay, that I do. Just tell him in the morning that he is to go with a +gentleman who will be his friend, and don't say more. The chaise shall +be at the door after breakfast. Let him get into it: I shall wait for +him out of the town. What's the room you give him?" + +"The room you would not take." + +"The room in which Nora slept? Oh, no! I could not have slept a wink +there. What a charm there was in that girl!--how we all loved her! But +she was too beautiful and good for us--too good to live!" + +"None of us are too good," said Mrs. Avenel with great austerity, "and I +beg you will not talk in that way. Good night--I must get your poor +father to bed." + +When Leonard opened his eyes the next morning, they rested on the face +of Mrs. Avenel, which was bending over his pillow. But it was long +before he could recognize that countenance, so changed was its +expression--so tender, so motherlike. Nay, the face of his own mother +had never seemed to him so soft with a mother's passion. + +"Ah!" he murmured, half rising and flinging his young arms round her +neck. Mrs. Avenel, this time, and for the first, taken by surprise, +warmly returned the embrace; she clasped him to her breast, she kissed +him again and again. At length with a quick start she escaped, and +walked up and down the room, pressing her hands tightly together. When +she halted, her face had recovered its usual severity and cold +precision. + +"It is time for you to rise, Leonard," said she. "You will leave us +to-day. A gentleman has promised to take charge of you, and do for you +more than we can. A chaise will be at the door soon--make haste." + +John was absent from the breakfast-table. His wife said that he never +rose till late, and must not be disturbed. + +The meal was scarce over, before a chaise and pair came to the door. + +"You must not keep the chaise waiting--the gentleman is very punctual." + +"But he is not come." + +"No, he has walked on before, and will get in after you are out of the +town." + +"What is his name, and why should he care for me, grandmother?" + +"He will tell you himself. Now, come." + +"But you will bless me again, grandmother? I love you already." + +"I do bless you," said Mrs. Avenel firmly. "Be honest and good, and +beware of the first false step." She pressed his hand with a convulsive +grasp, and led him to the outer door. + +The postboy clanked his whip, the chaise rattled off. Leonard put his +head out of the window to catch a last glimpse of the old woman. But the +boughs of the pollard oak, and its gnarled decaying trunk, hid her from +his eye. And look as he would, till the road turned, he saw but the +melancholy tree. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[K] This aphorism has been probably assigned to Lord Bacon upon the mere +authority of the index to his works. It is the aphorism of the +index-maker, certainly not of the great master of inductive philosophy. +Bacon has, it is true, repeatedly dwelt on the power of knowledge, but +with so many explanations and distinctions, that nothing could be more +unjust to his general meaning than to attempt to cramp into a sentence +what it costs him a volume to define. Thus, if in one page he appears to +confound knowledge with power, in another he sets them in the strongest +antithesis to each other; as follows, "Adeo, signanter Deus opera +potentiae et sapientiae discriminavit." But it would be as unfair to Bacon +to convert into an aphorism the sentence that discriminates between +knowledge and power as it is to convert into an aphorism any sentence +that confounds them. + +[L] "But the greatest error of all the rest is the mistaking or +misplacing of the last or farthest end of knowledge:--for men have +entered into a desire of learning and knowledge, sometimes upon a +natural curiosity and inquisitive appetite: sometimes to entertain their +minds with variety and delight; sometimes for ornament and reputation; +and sometimes to enable them to victory of wit and contradiction; and +most times for lucre and profession,"--(that is, for most of those +objects which are meant by the ordinary citers of the saying, 'Knowledge +is power;') "and seldom sincerely to give a true account of these gifts +of reason to the benefit and use of men; as if there were sought in +knowledge a couch whereon to rest a searching and restless spirit; or a +terrace for a wandering and variable mind to walk up and down, with a +fair prospect; or a tower of state for a proud mind to raise itself +upon; or a fort or commanding ground for strife and contention; or a +shop for profit or sale--and not a rich storehouse for the glory of the +Creator, and the relief of men's estate."--ADVANCEMEMT OF LEARNING, Book +I. + + + + +From the new novel, "Rose Douglass." + +A FAMILY OF OLD MAIDS. + + +Such a family of old maids! The youngest mistress was forty, and the two +servants were somewhat older. They had each their pets too, except I +think the eldest, who was the clearest-headed of the family. The +servants had the same Christian name, which was rather perplexing, as +neither would consent to be called by her surname. How their mistresses +managed to distinguish them I do not recollect; but the country people +settled it easily amongst themselves by early naming them according to +their different heights, "lang Jenny," and "little Jenny." They were +characters in their way as well as their mistresses. They had served +them for upwards of twenty years, and knew every secret of the family, +being as regularly consulted as any of the members of it. They regulated +the expenses too, much as they liked, which was in a very frugal, +economical manner. The two Jennies had not much relished their removal +to the country, and still often sighed with regret for the gossipings +they once enjoyed in the Castlegate of Lanark. But they could not bear +to part from the family; so they now boomed at their wheels or mended +the household linen in the damp dull kitchen of Burnside, instead of +performing the same work in their old cosy, comfortable one in the burgh +town, and tried to indemnify themselves for their privations by +establishing a kind of patronizing familiarity with various of the +cottagers' wives. + +Miss Jess and Miss Jean were the names of the younger ladies. There was +that species of resemblance among all the sisters, both mental and +personal, which is often to be observed in members of the same family. +Menie, the eldest sister, was, however, much superior to the others in +force of character, but her mind had not been cultivated by reading. +Jess, the second, was a large coarse-looking woman, with a masculine +voice, and tastes decidedly so. An excellent wright or smith she would +have made, if unfortunately she had not been born a gentlewoman. She had +a habit of wandering about the grounds with a small hammer and nails in +her huge pocket, examining the fences, and mending them if necessary. +She could pick a lock too, when needed, with great neatness and +dispatch. I rather think she could repair one also. I have still in my +possession a small box of her making, which, for execution and +durability, I will match against the performance of any rival amateur of +the opposite sex. In spite, however, of such freaks, and as if to make +amends for them, Miss Jess possessed one of the softest and most +impressionable hearts which ever fell to the lot of a mature maiden of +forty-five. She had suffered from no less than six different attachments +during her life (she made me her confidante), and most unfortunately +they had never been to the right individual, for they were not returned. +But poor Miss Jess cherished no malice; she freely forgave them their +insensibility. Indeed, she had not the heart to kill a fly. Every beggar +imposed on her, and her sisters were obliged for her own sake to +restrain her charities. Her dress, like her pursuits, had always a +certain masculine air about it. She wore large rough boots, coarse +gloves, and a kind of man's cravat constantly twisted about her neck +when out of doors. In short, she was one of those persons one cannot +help liking, yet laughing at. Jean, the youngest sister, had been a +beauty in her time, and she still laid claim to the distinction +resulting from it. It was a pity, considering the susceptibility of her +second sister, that her charms had not been shared by her. Jean was +coquettish, and affected a somewhat youthful manner and style of dress, +which contrasted ill with her time of life. But the rest of the family, +in which of course I include the servants, evidently considered her a +young thoughtless thing for whom much allowance must be made. + + + + +_Historical Review of the Month._ + + +THE UNITED STATES. + +Since the close of the Executive Session of the Senate and the departure +of the members for their homes, Washington has relapsed into the usual +quiet of its summer season. Mr. Corwin, Secretary of the Treasury, has +been dangerously ill, but is now slowly recovering. The duties of the +office were temporarily performed by the Chief Clerk of the Department. +Senor Molina, Charge to the United States from the Central American +State of Costa Rica, has presented his credentials to the President. M. +Bois le Comte, the French Minister Plenipotentiary, having been +superseded by the appointment of M. de Sartiges, has sold his furniture +and gone to Havana. A public dinner was given to Mr. Webster at +Annapolis, Maryland, on the 24th of March, by the Delegates of the +Maryland State Convention. It was attended by a large number of +distinguished persons. Mr. Webster then proceeded to Harrisburgh, where +he had been invited by the Legislature of Pennsylvania. A grand +reception was given him in the Hall of the House of Representatives. +Gov. Johnson introduced the distinguished guest in a brief address of +welcome, to which Mr. Webster responded in a speech of an hour's length. +He spoke of the commanding physical position of Pennsylvania, forming, +as it were, the key-stone between the North and the South, the waters of +the Atlantic and the Mississippi. Occupying, thus, a middle ground +between the two conflicting portions of the Union, he considered her +disposed to do her duty to both, regardless of the suggestions of local +prejudices. He then pronounced a most glowing and eloquent eulogium on +the Constitution, and concluded by affirming his belief that ages hence +the United States will be free and republican, still making constant +progress in general confidence, respect, and prosperity. Mr. Webster is +at present on his Marshfield estate, recovering from an indisposition +consequent on his labors during the past winter. + +The State Convention of Ohio has framed a new Constitution, which is to +be submitted to the people for acceptance. It provides for the +maintenance of religious freedom, equality of political rights, liberty +of speech and of the press, and no imprisonment for debt. The members of +each branch of the Legislature are chosen biennially. The Governor, +Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer, and Attorney +General, are to be chosen by the people for a term of two years, and the +Judges for a term of five years. The Legislature is to provide a system +of Free Education, and Institutions for the Insane, Blind, Deaf and Dumb +are to be supported by the State. The Ohio Legislature has passed +resolutions in favor of the repeal or modification of the Fugitive Slave +Law, principally on account of its denial of a trial by jury to the +fugitive. + +The Union feeling is entirely in the ascendant throughout the Southern +States. A Committee of the Virginia Legislature, to whom the resolutions +of the South Carolina Convention were referred, reported a preamble and +series of resolutions of the most patriotic character. They declare that +while Virginia deeply sympathizes with South Carolina, she cannot join +in any action calculated to impair the integrity of the Union. She +believes the Constitution sufficient for the remedy of all grievances, +and invokes all who live under it to adhere more strictly to it, and to +preserve inviolate its safeguards. Virginia also declines to send +Delegates to the proposed Southern Congress. In Georgia, a number of +Delegates have been elected to a State Convention of the Union party for +the nomination of a Candidate for Governor. The State Convention of +Missouri has adopted an address and resolutions fully sustaining Mr. +Benton in his course in opposition to the Disunionists. In Mississippi, +the Union party have taken measures for a thorough organization. +Delegates have been chosen to a State Convention for the nomination of a +ticket. The Southern party are about forming a similar organization, the +old party lines having been almost entirely abandoned. The only +counter-movement in the North, is the assembling of a State Convention +in Massachusetts, in opposition to the Fugitive Slave Law, without +distinction of party. In Tennessee, the friends of the Free School +System have called a General State Convention, to be held at Knoxville. +The New-Jersey Legislature has enacted a law prohibiting the employment +of children under ten years of age in factories, and providing that ten +hours shall be considered a legal day's labor in all manufacturing +establishments. + +The Annual Election in Rhode Island resulted in the choice of Philip +Allen, the Democratic Candidate for Governor, by 600 majority. The +Legislature stands--Senate, 14 Democrats and 13 Whigs; Assembly, 31 +Democrats and 25 Whigs. The Election in Connecticut gave the following +returns for the next Legislature: Senate, 13 Whigs and 8 Democrats; +Legislature 113 Whigs and 110 Democrats. As the election of Governor +falls upon the Legislature, the probability is that the Governor and the +United States Senator for the next six years will be chosen from the +Whig party. The Legislature of New-York paid a visit to the cities of +New-York and Brooklyn, about the end of March. They remained four days, +during which time they visited all the charitable institutions on the +island, in company with the city authorities. This is the first instance +on record of an official visit of the Legislature to the commercial +metropolis of the State. + +Boston has been the theatre of some disturbing and exciting proceedings, +growing out of the anti-slavery feeling of a portion of the community. A +fugitive slave named Sims, who had escaped from Savannah, and had been +in Boston about a month, was arrested by the Deputy United States +Marshal, at the instance of an agent of the owner. On being taken, he +drew a knife and inflicted a severe wound on one of the officers in +attendance. An abolitionist lawyer, who attempted to interfere, was +arrested and sent to the watch-house. Fletcher Webster, Esq., son of the +Secretary of State, was also seized and taken to jail, on account of +having attempted to prevent a watchman from ringing the bell of King's +Chapel, under the supposition that it was a trick of the Abolitionists +to collect a mob. The next day, this sect called a meeting on Boston +Common, which was largely attended. Rev. Theodore Parker, Wendell +Phillips, and other speakers, addressed the meeting, urging instant and +armed resistance to the operation of the law. The Police, on the other +hand, took every precaution to prevent a forcible rescue of the +prisoner. The Court-House, in which he was confined, was surrounded by +chains to keep off the crowd, and guarded by a strong force; several +military companies were also kept in readiness. The friends of the +fugitive endeavored to make use of the case for the purpose of testing +the constitutionality of the law, and a hearing was had before the +United States Commissioner, in which the question was argued at length. +In order to prevent the delivery of Sims, a complaint was instituted for +assault and battery with intent to kill the officer who arrested him. +Chief Justice Shaw, of the Supreme Court, however, decided that a writ +of habeas corpus could not be granted, and the United States +Commissioner having, from the evidence adduced, remanded Sims to the +keeping of his claimant, authority was given to take him back to +Savannah. As an assault was feared from the abolitionists and colored +people in Boston, the brig Acorn was chartered to proceed to Savannah, +and Sims taken on board, in custody of the United States Deputy Marshal +and several police officers. A large number of persons offered their +services in case any attack should be made. A large crowd collected on +the wharf as the party embarked, and a clergyman present knelt down and +pronounced a prayer for the rescue of the fugitive. No open act of +violence was committed, and after laying a day off Nantasket Beach, the +schooner proceeded on her way to Savannah. + +The Equinoctial storm, this spring, commenced on the 16th of March, and +raged for three days with unusual violence. It was severely felt along +the Atlantic coast, and did much damage to the shipping. Amin Bey, the +Turkish Envoy to the United States, sailed from Boston on the 9th of +April, on his return to Constantinople. The election of a United States +Senator by the Massachusetts Legislature has twice again been tried, +unsuccessfully. On the last ballot, Mr. Sumner lacked 12 votes of an +election. It was then further postponed to the 23d of April. The census +of Virginia has been completed, showing an aggregate population of +1,421,081, about 473,000 of whom are slaves. At the last accounts Jenny +Lind was in Cincinnati, after having given two very successful concerts +in Nashville and two in Louisville. She has also paid a visit to the +Mammoth Cave. Several large crevasses have broken out on the Mississippi +River, and another overflow of the plantations is threatened. + +The latest mails from Texas bring us little news beyond the continuance +of Indian depredations on the frontier. Several American outlaws, who +had crossed the Rio Grande for the purposes of plunder, were captured by +the Mexicans and executed. Major Bartlett, the United States Boundary +Commissioner, arrived at San Antonio from El Paso, on the 17th of March, +with a train of fifty wagons. He immediately proceeded to New Orleans +for the purpose of arranging for the transmission of supplies. Four +persons, who were concerned in the murder of Mr. Clark and others, at a +small village near El Paso, have been captured, convicted by a jury +summoned on the instant, and hung. The Boundary Commissioners have at +last agreed on the starting point of the survey, which will secure to +the United States a much larger and more valuable tract of territory +than was anticipated. The point established is the intersection of the +parallel of 32 deg. with the Rio Grande, which is about 18 miles north of +El Paso. From this place the line runs due west till it strikes some +branch of the Gila, or if no branch is met, to the point nearest the Gila +River, whence it runs due north to the river. It is ascertained that the +only branch of the Gila which this line can strike is about one hundred +and fifty miles west of the gold and copper mines, leaving that rich +mineral region within the United States. This boundary lies to the south +of the old limits of New Mexico, and takes in a large region that has +always belonged to the State of Chihuahua. + +We have accounts from Santa Fe to the 17th of February. The winter had +been unusually mild, and the prospects of the spring trade were very +favorable. The United States Marshal had completed the census of the +Territory. The total population is 61,574, of whom only 650 are +Americans. Of the Mexicans over 21 years of age, only one in 103 is able +to read. The number of square miles in the Territory is 199,027-1/2. The +depredations of the Indians are on the increase. The tribes have become +bolder than ever, and the amount of stock driven off by them, is +enormous. Great preparations are making at Fort Laramie, on the Platte, +and all the other stations on the overland route, to accommodate the +summer emigration. A substantial bridge has been built over the North +Fork of the Platte, 100 miles above Fort Laramie. Here, also, +blacksmith's shops have been erected to accommodate those who need +repairs to their wagons. + +Two mails and about $3,000,000 in gold dust have arrived from California +during the past month. The accounts from San Francisco are to the 5th of +March. The Joint Convention of the Legislature, which assembled on the +17th of February for the purpose of choosing a United States Senator, +adjourned till the first day of January next, after one hundred and +forty-four ineffectual ballots. On the last ballot, the Hon. T. Butler +King, the Whig candidate, had twenty votes, lacking four of an election; +Col. Fremont nine, and Col. Weller eighteen. Another Legislature is to +be elected before the next session. The bonds offered by Gen. Vallejo +have been accepted, so that nothing but their fulfilment remains to +secure the seat of government for the yet unbuilt city. + +The weather still continued to be remarkably dry and mild, owing to +which cause, the miners were doing less than usual, and business was +consequently dull. In many localities, the miners, after waiting in vain +for showers enough to enable them to wash out their piles of dirt, set +themselves to work at constructing races to lead off the mountain +streams. In some places mountains have been tunneled to divert the water +into the desired channels. The yield of gold, wherever mining can be +diligently carried on, has in nowise diminished, and new placers of +remarkable richness are announced as having been discovered on the Yuba, +Feather, Scott and Klamath Rivers, and in the neighborhood of Monterey, +Los Angeles and San Diego. Veins of gold in quartz are far more abundant +and of richer character than was anticipated; several companies have +been formed for working them with machinery. Dredging-machines, attached +to steamboats, have also been introduced on the Yuba River, the bed of +which has been dug up and washed out in some places, with much success. +The excitement in relation to the Gold Bluff is over. Several vessels +have returned filled with disappointed adventurers. The black sand on +the beach contains a large quantity of gold, but in particles so fine as +to prevent its being separated by the ordinary process of washing. On +Pitt River, the principal affluent of the Upper Sacramento, a hill of +pure carbonate of magnesia, 100 feet high, has been discovered. Large +masses are easily detached, and thousands of wagons could be loaded with +very little labor. + +The Indian hostilities have not yet ceased. After the taking of the +stronghold on Fresno Creek, Major Burney and Mr. Savage returned to +Mariposa for provisions. They raised a force of 150 men, which they +divided into two parties, one of which met the Indians on San Joaquin +River, when a running fight ensued that lasted all day. The Indians were +driven off, after the loss of forty men. The Legislature has passed a +law authorizing a loan of $500,000 for the purpose of prosecuting the +war, but upon such terms that it is doubtful whether the money can be +obtained. + +The condition of society in California shows an alarming tendency among +the people to take the law into their own hands. The papers ascribe this +state of things to the imperfect and corrupt manner in which the +officers of the law have discharged their functions. Acts of violence +and crime are frequent in all parts of the country, and the mining +communities, with few exceptions, administer summary punishment wherever +the offender is captured. Sacramento City has been the scene of a case +of this kind, where the people, having no confidence in the ordinary +process of the law, took the avenging power in their own hands. A +gambler named Roe having shot an inoffensive miner, an immense crowd +assembled around the guard-house where he was kept, a jury of the +citizens was chosen, witnesses summoned, and the case formally +investigated. The jury decided that Roe was guilty of the act, and +remanded him for trial. This, however, did not satisfy the crowd, who +clamored for instant punishment, and finally succeeded in forcing the +doors of the jail and overcoming the officers. The prisoner was hurried +forth, amid the shouts and execrations of the multitude, a scaffold was +erected, and at nine o'clock the same evening he was hung, with the +ceremonies usually observed. An attempt at lynching was made in San +Francisco about the same time. Two ruffians, having attempted to rob and +murder a merchant of that city, the people assembled on the plaza and +demanded an instant trial, with the understanding that if found guilty, +the prisoners should be immediately hung. An examination was held, but +the jury could not agree, after which the accused were given into the +charge of the regular tribunal. + +An unfortunate catastrophe occurred in the Bay of San Francisco, on the +4th of March. The steamer Santa Clara, lying at Central Wharf, took +fire, which communicated to the steamer Hartford, lying near, and to the +rigging of several vessels. The latter boat was considerably damaged +before the conflagration could be extinguished; the Santa Clara was +entirely destroyed. She was the first steamboat ever built in San +Francisco, and was running on the line between that port and Stockton. +The loss by the fire was about $90,000. + +News from Oregon to the 1st of March state that the Legislature had +adjourned, having established the seat of Government at Salem, in +Maryland county, the Penitentiary at Portland, in Washington county, and +the University at Marysville, in Benton county. The Governor, however, +had refused to sign this act. The agricultural prospects, both of +California and Oregon, are very flattering. During the past winter a +great deal of land has been broken up and planted, and the fields +promise abundant harvests. + + +EUROPE. + +The ministerial crisis in ENGLAND terminated on the 3d of March by the +recall of the Russell Cabinet, entire and unchanged. In making this +announcement in the House of Commons, Lord John Russell stated that a +coalition between himself and the party of Sir James Graham and Lord +Aberdeen was impossible, on account of the refusal of the latter to +consent to the Papal Aggression Bill. In returning to power, however, +the whigs brought up this bill in a modified and milder form. The +situation of the ministry was hardly less precarious than before their +resignation. They were again defeated in the Commons, on a motion to +reform the administration of the woods and forests, 120 voting for the +reform, and 119 voting with the ministers against it. The Papal +Aggression Bill has been the cause of several exciting debates in the +House of Commons, Mr. Drummond, an ultra Protestant member, created +quite a disturbance by ridiculing the relics which have lately been +displayed in various parts of the Continent. At the latest dates the +bill had passed to a second reading by a vote of 438 to 95, the radical +members voting in the minority. The fate of the bill is still far from +being decided; the ministry are weak, and it is predicted that the +Cabinet will not last longer than the session of Parliament. Lord John +Russell has brought in a bill reforming the administration of the Court +of Chancery, but the new budget, which has been looked for with a great +deal of interest, has not yet made its appearance. During the debate on +the Papal Aggression Bill, Mr. Berkley Craven demanded legal +interference in the case of his step-daughter, the Hon. Miss Talbot, +who, being an heiress in her own right to eighty thousand pounds, had +been prevailed upon to enter a convent for the purpose of taking the +veil. As the ceremony was to be performed before she had attained her +majority, this sum would in all probability go to the funds of the +Catholic Church. The statement of this case produced a strong sensation +throughout England, and added to the violent excitement on the Catholic +Question. + +The preparations for the World's Fair are going on with great energy, +workmen being employed, day and night in finishing the building and +arranging the goods. The severest tests have been used to try the +strength of the galleries, which sustained an immense weight without the +least deflection. In rainy weather the roof leaks in places, a defect +which it has been found almost impossible to remedy. Several changes +have been made in the exhibition regulations, to which the American +delegates in London take exceptions, and they have appointed a Committee +to confer with the Commissioners on the subject. A splendid dinner was +given to Macready, the actor, on the 1st of March, on the occasion of +his retirement from the stage. Sir E. Bulwer Lytton presided, and +speeches were made by Charles Dickens, Chevalier Bunsen, Mr. Thackeray, +and others. Three hundred Hungarian exiles recently arrived at +Liverpool, from Constantinople, on their way to the United States. A +large number of them, of Polish origin, preferred remaining in England, +to wait a new revolution on the Continent. A terrible accident took +place at a coal-pit near Paisley, in Scotland. Sixty-three men and boys +were at work when an explosion took place, supposed to have been caused +by fire-damp. Of the whole number in the pit but two were rescued alive. + +The third anniversary of the Republic was celebrated in FRANCE with +imposing ceremonies. During the Carnival week, however, the people in +various localities chose to hang the President in effigy, and utter +socialist cries. For these offences arrests were made in more than fifty +towns. These facts, with the suspension of Michelet as Professor of +History in the College of France, because his lectures were considered +too democratic, denote an unquiet state of things in the Republic. As +the term of Louis Napoleon approaches its termination, the position of +parties becomes more nervous and uncertain. In the Assembly, the +proposition of M. Creton to take into consideration the abolition of the +law exiling the Orleans family, brought on the most violent debate of +the session. The adherents of the Mountain were strongly in favor of +continuing the exile. Negotiations have been carried on for some time +past between the Orleanists and the Legitimists, and early in March it +was announced that an alliance had been effected, the Orleanists to +acknowledge the right of precedence of the Count de Chambord, (Henri +V.,) who, in his turn, was to proclaim the young Count of Paris as his +successor. The Count de Chambord was at this time dangerously ill, and +his recovery was scarcely hoped for. Since then it appears that there is +much confusion between the two parties, the duchess of Orleans refusing +to set aside the claims of her son, on any consideration whatever. The +party of Louis Napoleon are intriguing to prolong the presidential term, +and it is said that in this they will be joined by the Orleanists. No +permanent ministry has yet been organized. It is rumored that Odillon +Barrot refused to accept the principal place, which was tendered to him, +unless Louis Napoleon would agree to leave his office at the end of his +term. + +A quarrel has broken out in the French Catholic Church. Some time ago +the Archbishop of Paris issued a pastoral letter, recommending the +clergy to avoid engaging in political agitations, and appearing to the +world as party men. The letter was mild but decisive in its tone, and +met with general approval. Lately, the Bishop of Chartres has published +a sort of counter-blast, in the shape of a pastoral to his own clergy, +written in the most severe and denunciatory forms. This letter he +ordered to be published in the religious journals of Paris; and the +Archbishop has referred the matter to the Provincial Council, which will +be called this year. + +GERMANY is still pursuing her ignis-fatuus of Unity, which is no nearer +than when she first set out. The Dresden Conference is still in session, +and up to the 20th of March had not adopted any plan of a Federal Diet. +It is almost impossible to conjecture what will be the basis of the +settlement. More than twenty of the smaller states protested against the +plans proposed by Austria; and Prussia, assuming the character of +protector, refused to allow their further arrangement. The King of +Prussia also refuses to accede to an agreement which his delegates had +made, allowing Austria to bring her non-German provinces to the +confederacy. In this he is sustained by Russia, who would not willingly +see the former country restored to virtual independence by the supremacy +which this plan would give her. A return to the old Diet is spoken of in +some quarters, but perhaps the most likely result will be the concession +of the presidency to Austria, on the part of Prussia. A meeting between +the ministers of the two countries is contemplated. The entire +population of Prussia, by the census taken last year, is 16,331,000. A +fire in Berlin has destroyed the building in which the Upper House of +Parliament held its meetings. + +The old order reigns in HESSE-CASSEL, Baron Haynau having issued a +proclamation to the Hessian army, in which he declares that _he_ is the +Constitution, and will crush under foot the "God-abandoned, pernicious +gang, which threatens the welfare of the State." Nevertheless, the +popular feeling remains unchanged. Lately, the citizens of Cassel were +forbidden to shout or make any demonstration, on the return of a +regiment which had been marked by the Government for its sympathy with +the popular cause. The people preserved silence, but adroitly expressed +their feelings by chalking the word "Hurrah!" in large letters on the +backs of their coats and walking in front of the regiment. The +Government of SWITZERLAND has at last yielded to the demands of Austria +and Prussia, and authorized the Cantons to refuse shelter to political +refugees. Those already there may be expelled, should the Cantons see +fit. After the insurrection in Baden, the refugees who entered the Swiss +territory, amounted to about 11,000, but they have so decreased by +emigration to England and America, that at present there are but 482 +remaining. The Government of Switzerland lately endeavored to procure +passage through Piedmont for some Austrian deserters from the army in +Lombardy, who wished to sail from Genoa for Montevideo; but the +Piedmontese Government refused to allow it. + +ITALY is fermenting with the elements of revolution. The bandits, who +have been committing such depredations in the Roman States, are not +robbers, it now appears, but revolutionary bands. Their extermination is +almost impossible, on account of the secrecy and adroitness with which +the peasants are enrolled into the service of their chief, Il Passatore. +They only meet at a general rendezvous, when some important expedition +is contemplated, and afterwards return to their own avocations. They +receive regular pay from the moment of their enlistment, and as the +links of the organization extend over a wide extent of country, the +system must require a considerable amount of money. It is conjectured +that this band is the preparative of a political revolution, instigated +by the agents of Mazzini. In Lombardy the most severe restrictions have +been issued by Radetsky. An interdict has been laid upon a hat of +particular form, and a republican song in favor of Mazzini. The +populace, however, inserted the name of Radetsky in place of the +triumvir, and now sing the song with impunity. A plot has been +discovered among the aristocratic party of Piedmont, to deliver the +country into the hands of the Absolutists. The army of the kingdom is to +be put upon a war footing. Washington's birthday was celebrated in Rome, +with interesting ceremonies. About one hundred Americans met in the +Palazzo Poli, where they partook of a splendid banquet, at which Mr. +Cass, the U. S. Charge, presided. + +In NORWAY the Thirteenth _Storthing_, or National Assembly, has been +opened by King Oscar. In his speech, he spoke of the tranquillity which +the Scandinavian Peninsula had enjoyed, while the other nations of +Europe had been convulsed with revolutions, and warned the people +against delusive theories and ideas which lead only to discontent with +existing relations. He also recommended the construction of a railroad +from the city of Christiana to Lake Mjoesen. Several serious riots have +taken place in Stockholm, and Drontheim, in Norway. On February 14th, +the students of the University of Upsala, to the number of 500, paraded +the streets of Stockholm, and were not dispersed till a collision took +place between them and the police. The same scenes were renewed next +day, when the students were joined by the people; the streets were +cleared by squadrons of cavalry, and the principal rioters arrested. + +The dispute between TURKEY and EGYPT is still far from being settled. +Abbas Pacha, however, is not at present in a condition to come to an +open rupture with the Sublime Porte, and these differences will probably +be quietly settled. The Pacha is also involved in a dispute with the +French Consul-General, in relation to the claims of certain French +officers, who were dismissed from the Egyptian service before the +expiration of their terms. Late advices from Constantinople state that a +definite arrangement has been made with regard to the Hungarian +refugees. The Emperor of Austria has granted a full amnesty to all +except eight, among whom are Kossuth and Bathyany, on condition that +they shall make no attempt to return to Hungary. The eight proscribed +persons are to remain at Kutahya until further orders. General +Dembinski had reached Constantinople, where he was well received, and +would shortly leave for Paris. + + +BRITISH AMERICA. + +An interesting election has just been held in the county of Haldimand, +Canada West, to supply a vacancy in the Canadian Parliament, occasioned +by the death of David Thompson, Esq. There were four candidates, one of +whom was the noted William Lyon Mackenzie, leader of the Rebellion of +1837. The election resulted in the choice of Mackenzie, who, after an +exile of twelve years, resumes his seat in the Legislative Assembly. The +Government had previously recognized his claim for $1,000, with +interest, for services rendered antecedent to the rebellion. The +annexation feeling is reviving in some portions of Lower Canada. At a +public meeting recently held in the county of Huntingdon, several of the +speakers expressed themselves very strongly in favor of annexation to +the United States. The Catholic clergy oppose the movement. One of the +leading Canadian politicians has drawn up a scheme of Federal Union for +the British Provinces, including the Hudson's Bay Company's Territories, +modelled on the federal system of the United States. The Canadian +Government recently had under consideration the expediency of closing +the Welland Canal against American vessels, on account of the refusal of +the United States Government to adopt reciprocity measures. This course, +which would seriously injure our commercial interests on the Lakes, has +not yet been pursued, and the Government will probably abandon the idea. + + +MEXICO. + +The administration of Gen. Arista is still a subject of much interest +and some curiosity. According to the representations of his friends, he +is about to take a firm stand in the accomplishment of his leading +measures; while, on the other hand, he is charged with weakness and +subjection to the influence of irresponsible favorites. Our latest +accounts from the Mexican capital predict that the Government will soon +be in a state of great embarrassment. The American indemnity money was +nearly spent, and there was already a deficiency of near $2,000,000 in +the Treasury. In consequence of the many robberies recently committed in +and around the city of Mexico and on the road to Vera Cruz, the most +stringent measures have been adopted for the preservation of order. +Congress is still in session, but has made no modification in the Tariff +bill, as was anticipated. It is feared that the Tehuantepec Railroad +Treaty will be rejected, notwithstanding that Arista is known to be +strongly in its favor. The exclusive privilege of a railroad from Vera +Cruz to Medellin, has been granted for one hundred years to Don Jose +Maria Estera. + +The revolutionary difficulties in the State of Oaxaca, have not yet been +settled. A treaty was made not long since, between Munoz, the Governor +of the State, and the rebel, Melendez, which gave great offence to the +people. In order to reinstate himself in their favor, Munoz pretended +that the treaty had been violated on the part of Melendez, marched +against him, and drove him and his followers into the mountains of +Chimalapa, where he has since remained concealed. The Tehuantepec +Surveying Expedition is now encamped at La Ventosa, a port on the +Pacific. The route of the Railroad across the mountains has not yet been +decided upon, the survey being a matter of difficulty on account of the +dense forests with which the country is covered. + +In YUCATAN, the war between the Spanish and Indian races is raging with +great ferocity. The Indians, who are supplied with arms and ammunition +by the English at Belize, have advanced to within thirty miles of +Merida, where a line of defence has been established by the Spaniards. +Fourteen thousand soldiers are there opposed to more than twenty +thousand Indians, and the subjugation of the latter, without help from +abroad, is impossible. The troops of Yucatan are destitute of clothing +and supplies, and as most of the wealthy citizens of the State have been +reduced to beggary by these reverses, the threatened extermination of +the Spanish race seems near at hand. A conspiracy to burn the city of +Merida, formed by some of the soldiers, in conjunction with the convicts +in the city prison, was discovered but a short time before it was to +have been carried into effect. The conspirators were condemned to death. + + +CENTRAL AMERICA. + +The hostilities between Guatemala on the one hand and the States of +Honduras and San Salvador on the other, have been temporarily suspended, +since the defeat of the latter States. The armies met at a little +village called La Arada. The battle lasted four hours, when the allied +army, commanded by Vasconcelos, President of San Salvador, was +completely routed, with a loss of 500 men. His arrival at the capital +was the occasion of a riot among the lower classes, and he did not +immediately resume his executive functions. Carrera in the mean time +advanced to Santa Anna, thirty miles from the frontier, where he made +propositions for peace. The provisional President of San Salvador +replied that no negotiations could take place until the troops were +withdrawn from the territory. This was done, but at the last accounts no +treaty had been made. The President of the National Diet of Central +America has issued a proclamation demanding the cessation of +hostilities. The blockade of the port of Amapala, in Honduras, has been +abandoned by the British fleet. Three iron steamers, intended for the +navigation of the San Juan River and Lake Nicaragua, are now building in +Wilmington, Delaware, and will be placed upon the route on the 1st of +July, at which time the line will be complete, and steamships will leave +New-York and San Francisco direct for Central America. The journey from +sea to sea will be made in about twenty-four hours. + + +THE WEST INDIES. + +The Island of CUBA is at present in an excited state on account of +rumors that another piratical expedition was being fitted out in the +United States, the vessels of which were to rendezvous at Apalachicola +Bay. This was at first looked upon as entirely groundless, but letters +from Georgia and Alabama have since partially confirmed the statement. +There is an active force of 25,000 men on the island, and any attempt at +invasion will be unsuccessful. The Captain-General, Concha, continues +his course of reform, abolishing all useless restrictions, and +establishing needful regulations, so far as his power extends. The +Venezuelan Consul at Havana has been discharged from his functions, and +ordered to leave the island in eight days, in consequence of having +furnished money to Gen. Lopez, with whom he is connected by marriage. +Mr. Clay, during his stay on the island, was honored with every +expression of respect. + +In HAYTI, the efforts of the American, English, and French Consuls have +thus far succeeded in preventing a war between the Haytiens and the +Dominicans. A commission of four persons has been appointed to confer +with the Consuls in regard to this subject. Several of the Dominican +chiefs have arrived at Port-au-Prince, where they were very kindly +received, and it was believed that peace will be speedily established. A +political conspiracy has been detected at Port-au-Prince. Among the +persons concerned in it was the late Chief Justice, M. Francisque, and +one of the three ministers of Soulouque. A large number of arrests were +made, and the prisoners tried by court-martial. Eight of them, including +the Chief Justice, were condemned and publicly shot. + +The cholera has not yet wholly disappeared from JAMAICA. The budget for +the island estimates the liabilities at L248,300, and the income at +L215,850, leaving a deficiency in the revenue of L32,450. + + +SOUTH AMERICA. + +There are now about 900 persons employed on the Panama Railroad, and the +track to Gatun, a distance of twenty-six miles, will be ready for the +locomotive by the 1st of July next. There was much excitement on the +Isthmus towards the close of March, caused by a report that the specie +train, carrying $1,000,000 in silver for the British steamer, had been +attacked by robbers. It happened, however, that only a single mule-load +was taken, which was afterwards abandoned by the robbers and recovered. +Three of the boatmen arrested for the murder of passengers on the +Chagres River have been found guilty and sentenced to be shot. A large +fire broke out on the island of Taboga, in the bay of Panama, destroying +fifty huts, and property to the amount of $50,000. Several parties have +returned to Panama from the gold region of Choco, in New Grenada. They +found the rivers of the region abounding in rich gold-washings, but were +forced to abandon the enterprise from want of supplies. + +In CHILI, the 12th of February, the anniversary of Chilian independence, +was celebrated with imposing ceremonies. The municipality of Valparaiso +are making exertions to establish a general system of primary +instruction for the children of the city. The survey of the railroad to +Santiago has been carried about fifty miles, to which distance a +favorable line has been obtained. The island of Chiloee, in the southern +part of the Republic, was suffering from a protracted drought. The +election for President was to take place in the month of March. + +In BUENOS AYRES, the opening of the Legislature and the Annual Message +of the President have been postponed by mutual agreement. The financial +affairs of the republic are in an exceedingly prosperous condition, the +available resources on hand for the present year amounting to more than +$36,000,000. By order of the government, the civil and military officers +were directed to wear the customary mourning on the 24th of January, "as +a token of grief for the death and respect for the memory of the +illustrious General Zachary Taylor, late President of the United States +of America." + +A terrible accident occurred in the harbor of Rio Janeiro on the 8th of +February. The French schooner Eliza, while at anchor near the fort, with +a large quantity of gunpowder on board, blew up with a tremendous +explosion, and soon after sank. She had 240 passengers, only a few of +whom were on board at the time. Ten were killed and twenty wounded. + + +ASIA. + +In BRITISH INDIA, a portion of the Nizam's territory has been made over +to the East India Company, as an equivalent for a debt of L60,000 due to +it. Lord Dalhousie is engaged in introducing a system of education into +the Punjaub. The Sikhs warmly second him in his endeavors. The English +authorities are also engaged in constructing 350 miles of canal in this +district. + +Late news from CHINA confirms the intelligence of the death of +Commissioner Lin. Key-ing, the former Commissioner, has been disgraced, +on account of his liberal course towards the Europeans. A system of +smuggling, on a very extensive scale, has been discovered in the +neighborhood of Shanghai. It is announced that a race of Jews has been +discovered by some agents of the London Missionary Society in the +interior of China, about 350 miles beyond Pekin. + + +AFRICA. + +A fierce and devastating war has broken out at the Cape of Good Hope, +between the British Colonists and the native tribe of the Kaffirs. The +savages arose in large bands and commenced a general attack on all the +farms along the frontier. The native servants of the settlers joined +them, and they had penetrated into the older and more thickly populated +districts on the coast, before they received any check from the +Government forces. Several battles have taken place, in which the +Kaffirs were generally routed, but they are a brave and warlike race, +and cannot be subdued without a stronger force than has yet been sent +against them. In the Beaufort and Fort Cradock districts, the country +for the distance of 150 miles was abandoned, the homesteads burnt, and +the stock driven off. At the latest dates, the Governor, Sir Harry +Smith, was raising a force of 10,000 men. + +We have news from LIBERIA to the 23d of January. At a late trial for a +capital offence in Monrovia, several native Africans sat on the jury. +Other natives hold commissions as policemen and other minor +functionaries. Bassa Cove, on the coast, had been very unhealthy for +some months. + + +POLYNESIA. + +Some difficulty has arisen at the Sandwich Islands, between the +commander of the French frigate Serieuse and the Hawaiian Government. +The French commander demanded the payment of $25,000 as a commutation +for customs alleged to have been collected contrary to treaty +obligations. The King refused to accede to this claim, and threw himself +on the protection of Great Britain and the United States. Upon this the +French commander landed his men at Honolulu, where he has prevented +several Hawaiian vessels from proceeding to sea. + +Several different parties of exploration are now endeavoring to +penetrate into the interior of the African continent. Mr. Livingston, at +the last accounts, was proceeding northward from Lake Ngami. Dr. Beke, +in Abyssinia, and the Rev. Mr. Thompson, on the Gaboon River, have also +made some very interesting discoveries in African geography and natural +history. + + + + +_Record of Scientific Discovery._ + + +NEW MOTORS.--Sir JOHN SCOTT LILLIE, Companion of the Bath, of Paris, has +just received an English patent for improvements in the application of +motive powers. One of these improvements consists in directing currents +of air, or other gaseous fluids, through inverted troughs or channels, +for the propulsion of boats and barges in the conveyance of goods and +passengers. The troughs are placed longitudinally, one on each side of +the vessel; or one may be placed between two vessels having one deck. +Their form may be either square or oblong; and they are left open so +that the currents of air in their passage to, and escape at or near, the +stern of the vessel, may act upon the water, until they pass off into +the air. They are supplied by air through a shaft, passing vertically +through the centre of the deck. Another of the improvements consists in +suspending paddle-wheels at or near the stern of the vessel, which are +set in motion by the action of the currents as they pass off into the +air, thereby increasing the motive power; or such paddle-wheels may be +moved without the intervention of the troughs or channels, by the motion +of currents of air or other gaseous fluids, forced through tubes or +cylinders. The patent was enrolled in the early part of March. + + * * * * * + +WATER GAS.--The English patent for Paine's Light was enrolled on the +12th of December, in the name of Alfred Vincent Newton, of Chancery +Lane, Middlesex. The _London Patent Journal_ publishes the +specifications and figures, remarking that the report has been ready for +some time, but was not published at the particular request of the +assignee of the patent in England. It states that the invention is for +decomposing water by means of electricity, and producing therefrom a +gas, which, after being made to pass through spirits of turpentine or +other hydro-carbonous fluids, will, when ignited, burn with great +brilliancy. The invention is known by the name of "Paine's Light"--this +being, in fact, Mr. Paine's specification, in which he states, that +although water has been spoken of as decomposed by the electric +currents, he wishes it to be understood that this is merely to accord +with the generally received chemical doctrines and phraseology, and that +water, after all, may be a simple element; however that may be, the +patentee wishes, at present, to lay it down as certain that by +discharging electricity through water, large quantities of gases are +evolved; and that one of such gases, at least, when passed through +turpentine, in the manner described, will burn and give a highly +illuminating light. Mr. Paine's affairs in England being thus adjusted, +it is possible that more will be heard of it on this side. The benefits +of the invention are hid under a bushel. + + * * * * * + +IMPROVEMENTS IN THE STEAM-ENGINE.--An English patent has been granted to +Mr. GEORGE SMITH, of Manchester, engineer, for four improvements upon +the steam-engine. The first is an improved arrangement of apparatus by +which cold water is made to enter the exhaust passages of steam +cylinders, as near the valves as possible; by condensing a portion of +the exhausted steam it becomes hot and then passes off, while the +uncondensed steam passes either into the condenser or the atmosphere. +This improvement is applicable to marine, stationary, and locomotive +engines. The second improvement consists in an improved apparatus +applied to low-pressure boilers, by which the water in the boiler is +maintained at a regular height, and by which the danger of explosions +from deficiency of water is removed. The third, consists of hot and cold +water pumps, and is also applicable to air-pumps and lifting-pumps. The +fourth is in the construction of metallic packing of pistons for steam +cylinders, air-pumps, and other similar pistons, by which greater +strength and elasticity are obtained. + + * * * * * + +NEW APPLICATIONS OF ZINC AND ITS OXIDES.--Mr. WILLIAM EDWARD NORTON has +obtained a patent in England for improvements in obtaining, preparing +and applying zinc and other volatile metals, and their oxides, and in +the application of zinc, to the preparation of certain metals, and +alloys of metals. The improvements are six in number; consisting of an +improved furnace for the preparation of zinc and its white oxide, with +new forms of front and rear walls--a mode of dispensing with the common +retorts for the reduction of the ores of zinc into oxides, and replacing +them by one large retort, in which the ore is more advantageously +treated--the application of zinc to the alloy of iron and steel, which +are thereby rendered more malleable and less liable to oxidation--a +saving of the products of distillation and oxidation of zinc and other +volatile metals, by means of a cotton, woollen, flaxen, or other similar +fabric, in connection with a suitable exhausting apparatus,--the +application of zinc to the formation of pigments,--and, lastly, the +application of the ore called Franklinite to the reduction of iron from +its ores, and its subsequent purification, and in saving the volatile +products by means of a suitable condensing or receiving apparatus. +Franklinite, which has hitherto only been found in any quantity near the +Franklin forge, Sussex county, in the State of New Jersey, consists of +the following substances, according to Berthier and Thomson: Peroxide of +iron, 66; oxide of zinc, 17; sesqui-oxide of manganese, 16; total, 99. + + * * * * * + +A new adaptation of _Lithography_ to the process of printing in oil has +lately been invented by M. Kronheim of Paternoster-row, London. Hitherto +no strictly mechanical means have existed for successfully producing +copies of paintings, combining the colors and brilliant effects as well +as the outlines and shadings of the original. The ingenious invention of +Mr. Kronheim, while it enables him to supply copies of the great masters +wonderfully accurate in every respect, reduces the cost of such copies +to one-half the price of steel-engravings, and is a far more expeditious +process. The invention has reduced to a certainty the practice of a new +process by which the appreciation of art may be more widely extended, +and the works of great artists popularized. + + * * * * * + +THE ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY, (published in Boston by Gould and +Lincoln), is an excellent abstract of all the chief movements and +discoveries in the scientific world for the year 1850. We advise all our +readers interested in any of the sciences to procure it, and its +companion volume for the previous year. The work will be continued, and +it will be invaluable as a library of facts and suggestions. + + * * * * * + +OXYGEN FROM ATMOSPHERIC AIR.--M. BOUSSINGAULT has recently obtained some +interesting results from his investigations in relation to oxygen. The +problem upon which he has been engaged was the extraction of oxygen gas, +in a state of purity and in a considerable quantity, from the azote in +the atmosphere. For this purpose, a preference was given to baryte, +owing to its property of remaining in oxygen of a moderate temperature, +and abandoning it under the influence of a heat sufficiently intense. +Ten kilogrammes of baryte, completely oxidized, were found able to take +and afterward return 730 litres of gas. This is the number indicated by +theory; for celerity of operation, more than 600 litres can be counted +on. In that limit, and in operating on 100 kilos. of matter, 6,000 +litres of oxygen gas might be disengaged at each disoxidization; four or +five operations might be performed in 24 hours, which would thus furnish +from 24,000 to 30,000 litres of gas. + + * * * * * + +The discovery of the virtues of a _Whitened Camera for Photography_, +announced in our last issue, has excited a remarkable sensation in +England. Mr. Kilburn, photographer to the Queen, who has experimented +upon the new plan with great success, is sparring with M. Claudet. The +point in dispute is the tendency of the improved method to weaken the +image. If the statements of those who claim to have succeeded are +reliable, it is evident that the ordinary form of camera may be +abandoned, and any image be received directly from the lens upon plates +or paper exposed to a diffused light. + + * * * * * + +M. LABORDE states, in a paper on Photography read before the Paris +Society for the Encouragement of Arts, that the nitrate of zinc may be +substituted for acetic acid in the preparation of photographs on paper; +that it increases the sensitiveness of the silver coating, and even +allows an alkaline reaction to the iodide of potassium bath. + + * * * * * + +A paper was lately read by Professor ABICH, before the Geographical +Society of London, on the _Climate of the Country between the Black and +Caspian Seas_. Professor Abich noticed the outlines of the extraordinary +variety of climate in the lands between these bodies of water, and +sketched the geological and orological structure of the country, which +he has minutely examined for several years by order of the Russian +Government. The whole tract is divided by three different lines of +elevation--viz. that of S. E. to N. W.--that of W. to E., and that of S. +W. to N. E. The isothermal line of 57 deg. and 59 deg., after traversing +the country between the Black and the Caspian Seas, inflects abruptly +toward the South again, reaching the Caspian. The mean temperature along +the shores of the two seas is for the year about equal; but the difference +of the temperature of the seasons is very great. Lenkoran, in the same +latitude as Palermo and Smyrna, with an annual temperature of 61 deg. and +63 deg., has the summer of Montpellier 76 deg., and the winter of +Maestricht and Turin, 35 deg. In Calchis, there is the winter of the +British Isles, 41 deg. and 42 deg., and the summer of Constantinople, +72 deg. and 73 deg. Tiflis, with the winter of Padua, 37 deg., has the +summer of Madrid and Naples, 74 deg. The extremes of Asiatic climate are +found on the volcanic highlands of Armenia. + + * * * * * + +The Academy of Sciences at Paris has recently heard a report on certain +explorations made in 1847-8-9 by M. Rochet d'Hericourt, a traveller in +north-eastern Africa. This traveller has, by repeated observations, +determined the latitude of Mt. Sinai to be 28 deg. 33' 16", of Suez 29 +deg. 57' 58", of Devratabor 11 deg. 51' 12", and of Gondar 12 deg. 36' +1". Mt. Sinai is 1978 metres (about 6500 feet) high. Mt. Dieu 2174 metres +(7200 feet), and the highest of the Horch Mountains 2477 metres (8100 +feet). The Lake of Frana, south of Gondar, is 1750 metres (5700 feet) +below the level of the sea, and its depth in one place is 197 metres +(645 feet). Rar-Bonahite, the highest peak in Abyssinia, is 4330 metres +(14,200 feet) high, but not high enough to have snow. The traveller +describes a great variety of hot-springs, some of which contained living +fish an inch long. The geology of Abyssinia he has thoroughly +investigated. In the north, the principal rocks are granite and syenite. +Among the plants he describes is a magnificent lobelia, almost large +enough to be called a tree, which is found to the very summits of the +mountains, and to a height which would not be supposed to admit of such +a growth. He also finds the plant whose root has been found to be a +specific against hydrophobia. Of this he brought back seeds, which have +been planted in the Jardin des Plantes with success. A peculiar breed +of sheep M. Rochet d'Hericourt thought worthy of being transferred to +France, but of the pair he sent the female died on the route. This +sheep has a very long and silky fleece. On the shores of Lake Frana he +also found a very large sort of spiders, whose cocoons, he said, were +converted into excellent silk. He thinks these spiders might be brought +to Europe, and employed in producing silk, but in this he probably does +not enough consider the difficulty, or rather the impossibility, of +domesticating and feeding these insects. + + * * * * * + +Enormous fossil eggs were found a few weeks since subjects of curious +discussion in Paris, and several notices were translated for the +New-York papers. The eggs were discovered in Madagascar. M. Isodore +Geoffrey St. Hilliare, in a recent report to the _Academie des +Sciences_, furnished further details; and three eggs and some bones +belonging to a gigantic bird, which have been presented to the Museum of +Natural History in Paris, would seem to leave no room for doubt. Fairy +tales are daily thrown into shade by the authentic records of science. +This discovery appears to have been stumbled on curiously enough. The +captain of a merchant vessel trading to Madagascar noticed one day a +native who was using for domestic purposes a vase which much resembled +an enormous egg, and on questioning him was informed that many such were +to be found in the interior of the island. The largest of these eggs +would hold two gallons. The volume equals that of 135 hen's eggs. Some +doubts were at first entertained as to the nature of the animal to which +the fossil bones belonged; but M. St Hilliare--a competent judge in such +matters--has pronounced them to be those of a bird to which he has given +the name of _Epiornis_. + + * * * * * + +The sum of L1000 has been placed by the British Government at the +disposal of the _Royal Institution_, for scientific purposes. + + * * * * * + +In the PARIS ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (first meeting in March), M. Leverrier +submitted a communication from Mr. W. C. Bond, entitled Observations on +the Comet of Faye, made at the Observatory of Cambridge, Massachusetts. +Every thing is prized that comes from that quarter. M. Boussingault, the +scientific agriculturist, read an extract from his memoir on the +extraction of oxygen gas from atmospheric air. His undertaking was to +extract, in a state of purity and in considerable quantity, the oxygen +gas mixed with azote in atmospheric air, and he thinks that he has fully +succeeded, by a process not attended with much difficulty. He details +some unexpected results from his experiments. Cauchy made profound +reports (from committees) respecting the _Researches on Algebraic +Functions_ by M. Puiseux, and the studies of Crystallography by M. +Bravais. Papers on the speed of sound in iron, and on respiration in +plants, and new schemes of atmospheric railroads were submitted. +Attention was given to M. Burg's new observations concerning the +advantageous use to be made of metallic bands in various nervous +disorders in which the ordinary therapeutic expedients are found +ineffectual. M. Peligot mentioned a memoir which he was soon to put +forth as a sequel to the Researches on the nature and properties of the +different Sugars, which he published in 1838. He has succeeded in +extracting, by means of lime, the crystallizable sugar, in large +quantity, contained in molasses. He got twenty-five per cent., by the +agency of lime, carbonic acid, or sulphuric acid. Lime is cheap and +harmless. Other circumstances recommend his series of experiments. A +scientific reporter writes mysteriously of the discovery of a very +simple and easy method of extracting sugar from the beet-root; with an +apparatus which costs very little, any one may make his sugar with as +much facility as he boils his pot. + + * * * * * + +Of the EXPEDITION TO CENTRAL AFRICA, we learn from the _Athenaeum_ that +letters from Dr. Barth and Dr. Overweg have been received in London by +Chevalier Bunsen, by which it appears that up to October last the +travellers were still detained in the kingdom of Air. A previous +communication gave an account of difficulties and dangers which they had +met with on entering that country; the inhabitants of which had shown +themselves hostile to them, so that their fate seemed entirely to depend +on the protection of the Prince En-Nur, sultan of the Kelves. This +hoped-for protection they have been fortunate enough to secure; though +it appears not to have been sufficient to insure their safety beyond +Tin-Tellus, the residence of the Prince, in consequence of which they +have been obliged to forego the exploration of the country, and to +remain with the Prince. They have however been enabled, while thus +stationary, to collect a good deal of oral information,--especially +respecting the tract of country to the west and southwest of Ghat: +which, instead of being a monotonous desert, proves to be intersected by +many fertile wadys with plenty of water. Among these novel features, not +the least interesting is a lake, between Ghat and Tuat, infested with +crocodiles. At the date of Dr. Barth's letter (2d of October) the +travellers were on the point of setting out on an excursion to Aghades, +the capital of Air; the new sultan having promised them his protection, +and the valiant son-in-law of En-Nur accompanying them on their +journey. The latitude of Tin-Tellus has been found to be 18 deg. 34' N.; +the longitude has not been finally determined. The rainy season lasts +till September, and thunder-storms occur daily in the afternoon between +two and three o'clock, accompanied by a west wind, while at other times +it blows from the east. It seems yet uncertain when the expedition will +be able to start for lake Tchad. + + * * * * * + +GEN. RADOWITZ, the late Minister of Prussian Affairs in Prussia, and +undeniably one of the most brilliant Germans now living, recently +appeared with great success in the character of a philologist before the +Academy of Useful Sciences at Erfurt. A much larger audience than usual +present, drawn thither by the oratorical reputation of the General, who +was announced to deliver an essay on the Development of the Celtic Race +in England, and especially in Wales. Great was the astonishment, when, +instead of the usual thick manuscript, the General drew forth a single +sheet containing his notes, and proceeded to speak from it for above an +hour. He dwelt with pride on the fact that a German (Dr. Meyer, the +private secretary of Prince Albert) had cast a reconciling light on the +long contest between English and Erse archaeologists. He then said there +had been two Celtic immigrations, an eastern and a western. The latter +was the more ancient and important; its route was through Syria, +Northern Africa, and Spain, to England, where it appeared in three +phases, one under _Alv_, whence the name of the country Albion (_ion_, a +circle, an isolated thing, an island); another under _Edin_, whence +_Edinburgh_, in old documents _Car Edin_ (_Car_ Breton, _Ker_ burgh, as +in Carnaervon, Carmarthen, &c.); and the third under _Pryd_, whence +_Britain_ (_ain--ion_). Such etymologic analyses marked this brilliant +discourse. _Fingal_ he derived from _fin_ fair, and _gal_ a stranger, +and proved the affinity between the _Gauls_ and _Gael_, the later word +meaning vassal, while Gaul comes from _gal_. In the second part of his +essay he demonstrated that the Celts were the inventors of rhyme, and in +the discussion which followed maintained this position against several +distinguished philologists who were present. + + * * * * * + +MR. CAGNIARD LATOUR has brought to the notice of the Paris Academy of +Sciences a process for making artificial coal, by putting different +woods in a closed tube, and slowly charring them over burning charcoal. +The coal varies in character according to the age and hygrometric state +of the woods employed. The wood of young trees is converted into a +glutinous coal; the old wood, of dry fire, into a dry coal. But these +last, if soaked in water before being placed in the tube, give a +glutinous coal like the young wood, and sometimes a brown rosin, similar +to asphaltum. + + * * * * * + +A scientific Congress has been sitting in Paris. Several men of high +reputation, Mr. Walsh says, took part in its proceedings, which gave +promise of unusual interest. Charles Bonaparte, Prince of Canino, was +prominent as an orator. Recently, he could rally but two votes in the +Academy of Sciences, as a candidate for a vacant seat. The man is not so +much prized, we may believe, as the ornithologist. + + * * * * * + +M. EOELMEN, the director of the national porcelain manufactory of +Sevres, has succeeded in producing crystalized minerals, resembling very +closely those produced by nature--chiefly precious and rare stones +employed by jewelers. To obtain this result, he has dissolved in boric +acid, alum, zinc, magnesia, oxydes of iron, and chrome, and then +subjecting the solution to evaporation during three days, has obtained +crystals of a mineral substance, equaling in hardness and in beauty and +clearness of color the natural stones. With chrome, M. Eoelmen has made +most brilliant rubies, from two to three millimetres in length, and +about as thick as a grain of corn. If rubies can be artificially made, +secrets which were pursued by the alchemists of old cannot be very far +off. + + * * * * * + +At a late meeting of the _Liverpool Polytechnic Society_, Captain +PURNELL read a paper in explanation of his plan for preventing vessels +being water-logged at sea. Cisterns are to be provided on each side in +the interior of the vessel, fitted with valves opening by pressure from +within. The water would thus be kept below a certain level, and the ship +be enabled to carry sail. + + * * * * * + +PROF. HASSENSTEIN, of Gotha, recently illuminated the public square +before the Council House in that city with his new electric sun. The +effect was most brilliant, as if a bevy of full moons had risen +together, and the applause of the beholders, the newspapers assure us, +was unbounded. + + * * * * * + +THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE will this year +meet at Cincinnati, on the approaching 5th of May. + + + + +_Recent Deaths._ + + +SAMUEL FARMER JARVIS, D.D., one of the most learned men in the Episcopal +Church in the United States, died at Middletown, Connecticut, on the +26th of March. Dr. Jarvis was born in Middletown, where his father +(afterward Bishop Jarvis) was then rector of Christ's Church, on the +20th of January, 1787. His childhood and early youth (we compile from +the Hartford _Calendar_), were passed at Middletown till the Bishop +removed with him to Cheshire, where, in the Academy established by +Bishop Seabury, he completed his preparation for College. He entered at +Yale, in 1802, commenced Bachelor of Arts in 1805, and proceeded Master +in 1808. On the 18th of March, 1810, he was ordained Deacon by his +father, in New Haven; and on the fifth of April, in the year following, +in the same place, was admitted Priest. Immediately after, he became +Rector of St. Michael's and St. James' Churches, on the island of +New-York. In 1819, he was appointed Professor of Biblical Criticism, in +the General Theological Seminary, with the understanding that he was to +perform also, all the duties of instruction, except those relating to +Ecclesiastical History. For various reasons, in 1820 he resigned this +position, and removing to Boston, became the first Rector of St. Paul's +Church in that city. In 1826, he sailed with his family for Europe, in +different parts of which he remained nine years. Here he chiefly devoted +himself to studies connected with Theology and the History of the +Church. He by no means, however, omitted the proper duties of his +office. His longest and most continuous service was in Siena; on leaving +which place, the congregation presented to him a paten and chalice of +exquisite workmanship, as a testimony of respect for his character, and +of appreciation of his services. + +During his residence abroad, he was appointed Professor of Oriental +Languages and Literature in Trinity College, Hartford, and on returning +to the United States in 1835, he established himself at the College; +attending not only to various duties in connection with the College +Classes, but also instructing the students in Theology. Those who were +there under his instruction, will not soon forget the delightful +evenings in his study, when the recitation being over, conversation took +its place, and stores of the most useful and varied learning were opened +to them, with a kindness and unreservedness, which never could have been +surpassed. In 1837, he became Rector of Christ Church, Middletown, and +in this position--having with him during the last year of its +continuance only, an Assistant Minister--he remained till the spring of +1842. He then resigned the Rectorship, and devoted himself to the +especial work to which the Church had called him. Still he evinced the +same readiness as ever to perform at all times and in all places, the +duties of his sacred office; and his missionary labors during this +period, will ever attest his faithfulness to his vows as a priest of +God. + +In 1843 Dr. Jarvis went to England, with a view to certain arrangements +in connection with the publication of his Chronological Introduction, +and returned in time for the General Convention of 1844. From this +period, he was steadily engaged in the prosecution of the first volume +of his History: though his attention was frequently called off by other +demands upon his time and knowledge, among which may be particularly +mentioned the compilation of a Harmony of the Gospels, the preparation +of a work on Egypt--neither of which have yet been published--and the +drawing up a reply to Milner's End of Controversy. At the same time, he +was serving the Church as a Trustee of Trinity College, and of the +General Theological Seminary; as the Secretary of the Standing Committee +of the Diocese of Connecticut, and Secretary and Treasurer of the +Christian Knowledge Society; and as a member of Diocesan and General +Conventions. Besides all this, there was a large field of service and +usefulness--the labor and worth of which can only be estimated by one +who should see the correspondence which it entailed--which was opened to +him, by the requests continually made from all quarters, for his +opinions on matters of Doctrine, Discipline, and Worship. His life was +one of constant labor, and labor and trial wrought their work upon him. +Scarcely had his last work (the first volume of his History) been issued +from the press, when aggravated disease came upon him; and after +lingering for some time, with unmurmuring patience and resignation, he +died on the 26th of March, 1851, at the age of sixty-four. + + * * * * * + +THOMAS BURNSIDE, one of the justices of the Supreme Court of +Pennsylvania, died in Germantown on the twenty-fifth of March. He was +born in the county of Tyrone, Ireland, July 28th, 1782, and came to this +country, with his father's family, in 1792. In November, 1800, he +commenced the study of the law, with Mr. Robert Porter, in Philadelphia, +and in the early part of 1804 was admitted to the bar, and removed to +Bellefonte. In 1811 he was elected to the state Senate, and was an +active supporter of the administration of Governor Snyder in all its war +measures. In 1815 he was elected to Congress, and served during the +memorable session of 1816. In the summer of the same year he was +appointed by Governor Snyder President Judge of the Luzerne district. He +resigned this post in 1818, and resumed the practice of his profession +at Bellefonte. In 1823 he was again elected to the State Senate, of +which body he was made speaker. In 1826 he was appointed President Judge +of the Seventh Judicial District, which office he held until 1841. He +was then appointed President Judge of the Fourth Judicial District, +comprising the counties of Bucks and Montgomery. On the first of +January, 1845, he was commissioned one of the Judges of the Supreme +Court of Pennsylvania, an office which he filled at the time of his +death. Judge Burnside was a man of fine social qualities, and few +persons have had more friends. + + * * * * * + +ISAAC HILL, Governor of New Hampshire, United States senator, &c., was +born at Cambridge, the part now called Somerville, Mass., April 6th, +1788. He was a descendant of Abraham Hill of Charlestown, who was +admitted _freeman_ 1640, and died at Malden, February 13, 1670, leaving +two sons, Isaac and Abraham. From the latter of these, and fifth in +descent, was Isaac, the father of Governor Hill. His mother was Hannah +Russell, a descendant of the Cambridge family of that name, "ever +distinguished in the annals of Massachusetts."[M] His ancestors were +stanch patriots, on both sides, and served with credit in the old French +and Indian wars, and his immediate predecessors were among the earliest +and the most efficient of the "Sons of Liberty," well known for their +undaunted spirit in encouraging resistance to the arbitrary and +oppressive acts which occasioned the Revolution. + +The circumstances in which the war and other calamities had placed his +family were extremely unfavorable to the enjoyment of any educational +privileges, and he was debarred from most opportunities of acquiring +even the rudiments of that culture now common and free to all. But he +struggled manfully with these difficulties, the sharp discipline of +Necessity giving to him an early training well calculated to impress his +character with the seal of manliness and self-reliance. His intellectual +constitution was early accustomed to the keen atmosphere of wholesome +severity; and it nerved and braced him for the warfare of his subsequent +career. In it, too, we may find the origin of his peculiar traits as a +writer and a politician. He wrote in a vigorous but not polished style, +and all his productions were more forcible than elegant. But their very +bareness and sinewy proportions opened their way to the hearts of the +people whom he addressed. His prejudices were their prejudices, and in +the most earnest expression of his own strongest feeling and passion he +found the echo from the multitude of the democracy of his adopted state. + +His childhood and early youth thus formed, his next step was in the +learning his trade, or acquiring his profession: for if any occupation +in life combines more elements of professional knowledge than another, +it is that of a printer-editor. + +Though not an indented apprentice, he served his _seven years' time_ +with faithfulness, and acquired those habits of patient, persevering +industry which characterized his whole subsequent career. The +printing-office has been the college and university to many of the most +distinguished of our citizens: and that which he founded at Concord has +been the _Alma Mater_ of a series of graduates, of whom old Dartmouth +might justly be proud, could she enroll them among her Alumni. Although +the paper published by Mr. Cushing, with whom young Hill learned his +profession, was strongly federal, he retained the strong democratic +prejudices of his father's house, which he afterwards so zealously +advocated in more responsible positions. + +He went to Concord, N. H, on the 5th April 1809, the day before he +attained his majority. He bought an establishment of six months' +standing, from which had been issued the _American Patriot_, a +democratic paper, but not conducted with any great efficiency, and +therefore not considered as yet "a useful auxiliary in the cause of +republicanism." On the 18th of April, 1809, was issued the first number +of the _New Hampshire Patriot_, a paper destined to exert an immense +influence in that state from that time to the present. The press on +which it was printed was the identical old _Ramage_ press on which had +been struck off the first numbers of the old _Connecticut Courant_, +forty-five years before, that is, in 1764. The first number of the paper +is before us. It bears for its motto the following sentiment of Madison, +"Indulging no passions which trespass on the rights of others, it shall +be our true glory to cultivate peace by observing justice." Among the +selections is a portion of the famous speech of William B. Giles, in the +Senate, February 13th, 1809, in support of the resolution for a repeal +of the Embargo, and substituting non-intercourse with the aggressing +belligerents, offered by him on the 8th of the same month. In the next +number of the paper the editor expresses the opinion that "the man, who, +after reading this lucid exposition of British aggressions, can blame +his own government--can accuse the administration of a want of +forbearance, and a wish to provoke a war with England without cause, +must be wilfully blind or perversely foolish." This recalls at once the +circumstances of the time, shortly after the beginning of Madison's +administration, and during the Embargo. Democracy was odious in New +England, where the prostration of her commercial interests, the ruin of +many and serious injury of all her citizens, had rendered the +administration exceedingly unpopular. The _Patriot_, however, steadily +defended the administration and the war which followed. Probably there +will always exist a difference of opinion with respect to the necessity +or expediency of the war of 1812; but public opinion has given its +sanction to what is now known as the "Second War of Independence." Since +that time its advocates have been steadily supported by the country, and +among them the subject of this sketch, who always referred with peculiar +pride to that portion of his career--"the dark and portentous period +which preceded the war." + +Mr. Hill continued to edit the Patriot until 1829, a period of twenty +years; during which time he was twice chosen clerk of the State Senate, +once Representative from the town of Concord, and State Senator four +times. In 1828, he was the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senator, but +was not elected. In 1829, he received the appointment of Second +Comptroller of the Treasury Department from General Jackson, and +discharged the duties of that office until April, 1830, when his +nomination was rejected by the Senate of the United States. The light in +which his rejection was regarded in New Hampshire, may be inferred from +the fact that its result was his triumphant election to represent that +State in the body which had rejected him. He continued in the Senate +until 1836, when he was elected Governor of the State of New Hampshire +by a very large majority. He was twice reelected, in 1837 and 1838. + +In 1840, he was appointed Sub Treasurer at Boston, which he held until +removed, in March, 1841, by the Harrison administration. + +About this time the policy of the radical party in New Hampshire, to +which Mr. Hill had always adhered, became tainted with an ultraism, +which he could not approve. He opposed their hostility to railroad and +other corporations, with the same vigor which had always characterized +his career. He was subjected to the proscription of the party, and +formally "read out" of the church of the New Hampshire Democracy. He +established a new paper, "Hill's New Hampshire Patriot," in which he +revived his old reputation as an editor and political writer. The +importance of the great internal improvements which he advocated, to the +prosperity of the State, brought back the party from their wanderings +into abstractions, and with this return to the old ways, came also the +acknowledgment of the political orthodoxy of Mr. Hill. The new paper was +united with the old Patriot--and one of his sons associated in the +establishment. + +During the latter years of his life, he also published and edited the +Farmer's Monthly Visiter, an agricultural paper. It was commenced +January 15, 1839, and has been continued to the present time. It was +devoted to the farming and producing interests, and its volumes contain +much valuable matter; of which Gov. Hill's own personal sketches and +reminiscences form no small portion. + +During the latter years of his life he suffered much from the disease +which finally conquered his vigorous constitution. He bore little active +part in political affairs--but took a lively interest in the success of +the compromise measures--to which he referred in his last hours, as, in +his opinion, most important in their bearing on the safety of the Union. +He made great efforts to promote their passage, and probably did some +service in the cause of the Union, to which he was ardently devoted. He +recognized the compromises of the Constitution, with unwavering fidelity +to its spirit. We regret our inability to give in this place some +extracts from a letter of Daniel Webster, addressed to one of Mr. Hill's +sons, upon the occasion of his death, which reflects equal honor upon +the writer and its subject, in its recognition of the services to which +we have referred. + +The present occasion affords no opportunity to review more particularly +the events of Mr. Hill's political career of public service. It is to be +hoped that some one may hereafter prepare the history of his life and +times--which involves an important part of the political history of New +Hampshire, and a corresponding connection with that of the whole +country. + +We quote the following concluding paragraph of the notice in the New +Hampshire Patriot of the 27th March, written by the present editor, Mr. +Butterfield: + +"We have thus hastily and imperfectly noticed the prominent events in +Governor Hill's life. Few men in this country have exerted so great an +influence over the people of their States as he has over those of New +Hampshire. He possessed great native talent, indomitable energy, +industry and perseverance. As a political editor he had few equals, and +his reputation in that field extended throughout the country. As a son, +a husband, a brother, and a father, he has left a reputation honorable +to himself, and which will cause his memory to be cherished. Although +afflicted for many years with a painful disease, exerting at times an +unfavorable influence upon his equanimity, yet we believe the "sober +second thought" of those who reflect upon his past history and services +and trials, will accord with what we have said of his estimable private +character, and his naturally kind and amiable disposition. And now that +his spirit has gone to another, and, we trust, a better world, the +unkindness engendered by political and personal differences will be +forgotten, the faults and errors of the dead will be forgiven, and our +thoughts will rest only upon his many private virtues and eminent public +services." + +The last illness of Mr. Hill was of about five weeks duration. He died +of catarrhal consumption, in the city of Washington, Saturday, the 22d +of March, 1851, at four o'clock, P. M. His remains were removed to +Concord, New Hampshire, where his funeral took place on the 27th of +March. + +[We have made free use in the preceding notice of C. P. Bradley's sketch +(1835), and various articles in newspapers of the day.] + + * * * * * + +DAVID DAGGETT, LL. D., son of Thomas Daggett, of Attleborough, +Massachusetts, was born in that town on the last day of the year 1764. +He entered Yale College at fourteen, and graduated there with +distinction in 1783. Pursuing his legal studies in New Haven, while he +held the rectorship of the Hopkins Grammar School, he was admitted to +the bar in 1785. For sixty-five years his life was identified with the +history and prosperity of New Haven and of Connecticut. Besides the +municipal offices which he held, including that of Mayor of New Haven, +he was long a Professor of Yale College, in the Law School of which he +was especially eminent. His last public station was that of Chief +Justice of the State, from the duties of which he retired at the age of +seventy, through the jealous wisdom of the constitution of Connecticut. +His connection with the law school, however, continued till within a +very few years, when his health became gradually impaired through the +advance of age, though for the last year he enjoyed an unusual exemption +from his infirmities. About the end of March his family became +apprehensive of a change for the worse, and on Saturday, April 12th, he +died, at the advanced age of eighty-six years. + + * * * * * + +MAJOR JAMES REES, born in Philadelphia in 1766, died at Geneva, +New-York, on the 24th of March. He was in his youth a confidential +cleric to Robert Morris, the financier; during the Whiskey Insurrection +in Pennsylvania, he was a Deputy Quarter-Master General under +Washington, and he held the same office under Wilkinson and under Izard, +in the war of 1812. + + * * * * * + +MORDECAI M. NOAH, who for nearly half a century had been eminent as a +politician and a journalist, and who was one of the most distinguished +Jews of the present age, died in New-York on the 2nd of March. He was +born in Philadelphia on the 19th of July, 1785, and at an early age was +apprenticed to a carver and gilder in that city; but a love of +literature and affairs induced the abandonment of that vocation for the +more congenial one to which he devoted the chief part of his life. His +editorial career commenced in Charleston, S. C., and some interesting +passages of his history there are given in the first volume of Thomas's +_Reminiscences_. In 1811 Mr. Madison appointed him consul at Riga, but +he declined the place. In 1813 he was appointed by Mr. Monroe consul to +Tunis, with a mission to Algiers. On the voyage his vessel was captured +by a British frigate and taken to Plymouth. His diplomatic position +exempted him from imprisonment, but he was detained several weeks, and +did not reach his destination until February, 1814. Having accomplished +the object of his mission, he crossed the Pyrenees, and visited Paris. +After a brief residence in that city, he proceeded to Tunis, where he +remained until recalled, in 1816. In 1819 he published a book of +_Travels_, containing the result of his observations in Europe and +Northern Africa, during a three years' residence in those countries. He +now became one of the editors and proprietors of the _National +Advocate_, in which he published the _Essays on Domestic Economy_, +signed "Howard," which were subsequently printed in a volume. The next +paper with which he was connected was the _Enquirer_, afterwards Courier +& Enquirer, in the management of which he was associated with Colonel +Webb. The several papers of which he was at various times editor or +proprietor, or both, were the _National Advocate_, _Enquirer_, _Courier +& Enquirer_, _Evening Star_, _Sun_, _Morning Star_, and _Weekly +Messenger_. His most successful journal was the _Evening Star_, but he +was eminently popular at all times as an editorial writer, and was very +fortunate when he had, as in the _Evening Star_, or the _Sunday Times_, +judicious business partners. Soon after his return from Africa occurred +his celebrated attempt to assemble all the Jews of the world on this +continent, and build a new Jerusalem at Grand Island, in the Niagara +River. + +In 1821 he was elected sheriff of the city and county of New-York. +During his term of office the yellow fever broke out, and he opened the +doors of the prisons and let go all who were confined for debt--an act +of generous humanity which cost him several thousand dollars. He was +admitted to the bar of this city in 1823, and to the bar of the Supreme +Court of the United States in 1829. In 1829 he was also appointed, by +President dent Jackson, Surveyor of the Port of New-York, which office +he shortly afterward resigned. In the political contest of 1840, he took +part against Mr. Van Buren, whom he had long regarded with distrust, and +voted for General Harrison. In 1841 he was appointed by Governor Seward, +Judge of the Court of Sessions. He was probably the only Hebrew who +occupied a judicial station in Christendom. During the same year he was +made Supreme Court Commissioner. When a change in the organization of +the Court of Sessions took place he resigned his seat on the bench, and +soon returned to his old profession. In 1843 he became one of the +editors and proprietors of the _Sunday Times_, with which he was +connected when he died. + +Major Noah was a very rapid and an industrious writer. Besides his +_Travels in England, France, Spain, and the Barbary States, in the Years +1813, 1814, and 1815_, and the _Howard Papers on Domestic Economy_, he +published several orations and addresses on political, religious and +antiquarian subjects; edited _The Book of Jasher_, and wrote numerous +successful plays, of which an account may be found in Dunlap's _History +of the Stage_. The most prominent of them were, _She would be a Soldier, +or the Plains of Chippewa_; _Ali Pacha, or the Signet Ring_; _Marion, or +the Hero of Lake George_; _Nathalie, or the Frontier Maid_; _Yusef +Caramali, or the Siege of Tripoli_; _The Castle of Sorrento_, _The Siege +of Daramatta_, _The Grecian Captive_, and _Ambition._ He for a long time +contemplated writing _Memoirs of his Times_, and he published in the +_Evening Star_ many interesting reminiscences intended to form part of +such work. + +Major Noah was a man of remarkable generosity of character, and in all +periods of his life was liberal of his means, to Christians as well as +to Jews: holding the place of President in the Hebrew Benevolent +Society, and being frequently selected as adviser in other temporary or +permanent associations for the relief of distress. As a politician he +was perhaps not the most scrupulous in the world, but there was rarely +if ever any bitterness in his controversies. In religion he was sincere +and earnest, and the Hebrews in America we believe uniformly held his +character in respect + + * * * * * + +JOHN S. SKINNER, who was for a long time editor of the _Turf Register_ +at Baltimore, and who more recently conducted the very able magazine +_The Plow, the Loom, and the Anvil_, died from an accident, in +Baltimore, on the 28th of March, aged about sixty years. He had held the +appointment of Post-Master at Baltimore for a period of twenty years, +though removed from it fifteen years ago, and he was afterward Assistant +Post-Master General. Intending to hurry out from the Baltimore +Post-Office--which he had entered for some business with his +successor--into the street, he inadvertently opened a door leading to +the basement of the building, and before he could recover himself, +plunged head foremost down the flight of steps. His skull was fractured, +and he survived in a state of insensibility for a few hours only. + + * * * * * + +BREVET-MAJOR-GENERAL GEORGE M. BROOKE, of the United States Army, died +at San Antonio, Texas, on the ninth of March. General Brooke entered the +army, from Virginia, on the third of May, 1808, as First Lieutenant in +the Fourth Infantry. He had received four brevets during his military +life, and at the time of his death he was in command of the Eighth +Military Department, (Texas,) and engaged in planning an expedition +against the Indians. + + * * * * * + +FERDINAND GOTTHELF HAND, Professor of Greek Literature at the University +of Jena, died on the 14th March, at the age of sixty-five. He is best +known for his work on the _AEsthetik der Foukunst_. He had filled his +professorship since 1817. + + * * * * * + +M. JACOBI died on the nineteenth of February at Berlin. He was well +known to the scientific world by his electro-chemical researches. + + * * * * * + +HANS CHRISTIAN OERSTED, the great Danish naturalist, died at Copenhagen +on the seventeenth of March, aged seventy-four. He was the son of an +apothecary of Rudkjobing, in the province of Larzeland. Fourteen days +before his death he gave a scientific lecture at the University of +Copenhagen, where he was Professor of Natural Science. He was nearly of +the same age with Thorwaldsen and Oehlenschlager. His last work, _Der +Geist in der Natur_, was not long since the subject of remark in these +pages. His fame as the discoverer of electro-magnetism, (which discovery +he made, after laborious researches, on the fifth of June 1821,) and as +a profound and genial thinker, will be immortal. + +At Rudkjobing he received his early education with his brother Anders +Sandoee Oersted, a distinguished senator of Denmark, and for some years +one of the ministers of state. Christian Oersted was sent to Copenhagen +to study medicine. After completing his course of pharmacy, he directed +his powers to the study of natural philosophy, and greatly distinguished +himself in that science, of which he subsequently became University +Professor. His grand discovery of electro-magnetism led to the +subsequent development of the electric telegraph. In 1807 he wrote his +work reviving the hypothesis of the identity of magnetism and +electricity, in which he arrived at the conclusion--that "in galvanism +the force is more latent than in electricity, and still more so in +magnetism than in galvanism; it is necessary, therefore, to try whether +electricity, in its latent state, will not affect the magnetic needle." +No experiment appears, however, to have been made to determine the +question until 1820, when Oersted placed a magnetic needle within the +influence of a wire connecting the extremities with a voltaic battery. +The voltaic current was now, for the first time, observed to produce a +deviation of the magnetic needle in different directions, and in +different degrees, according to the relative situation of the wire and +needle. By subsequent experiment Oersted proved that the wire became, +during the time the battery was in action, magnetic, and that it +affected a magnetic needle through glass, and every other non-conducting +body, but that it had no action on a needle similarly suspended, that +was not magnetic. To Professor Oersted is also due the important +discovery, that electro-magnetic effects do not depend upon the +intensity of the electricity, but solely on its quantity. By these +discoveries an entirely new branch of science was established, and all +the great advances which have been made in our knowledge of the laws +which regulate the magnetic forces in their action upon matter, are to +be referred to the discovery by Oersted, that by an electric current +magnetism could be induced. He promulgated a theory of light, in which +he referred luminous phenomena to electricity in motion; it has not, +however, been favorably received. + +One of the most important observations first made by him, and since then +confirmed by others, was, that a body falling from a height not only +fell a little to the east of the true perpendicular--which is, no doubt, +due to the earth's motion--but that it fell to the _south_ of that line; +the cause of this is at present unexplained. It is, no doubt, connected +with some great phenomena of gravitation which yet remain to be +discovered. At the meeting of the British Association at Southampton, +Professor Oersted communicated to the Chemical Section some curious +examples of the influence of time in determining chemical change, as +shown in the action of mercury upon glass in hermetically sealed +vessels. The character of Professor Oersted's mind was essentially +searching and minute; thus he observed results which escaped detection +in the hands of those who took more general and enlarged views of +natural phenomena. To this was due the discovery of electro-magnetism, +which will for ever connect his name with the history of inductive +science. As Director of the Polytechnic Institution of Copenhagen, of +which he was the founder, and of the Society for the Diffusion of +Natural Sciences, and as Perpetual Secretary of the Royal Academy of +Sciences since 1815, his labors were unceasing and of great benefit to +his country. He was for many years attached to the Military College of +Cadets of Copenhagen, and only resigned when he could be succeeded by +one of his own pupils. His manners and demeanor were extremely modest +and unobtrusive. The British Royal Society awarded him the Copley Medal +for his discovery in electro-magnetism, and the Academy of Sciences of +Paris presented him with their Gold Medal. Both Societies elected him a +Foreign Member. + + * * * * * + +HENRI DELATOUCHE, who died early in March at Aulnay, France, was born +February 3d, 1785. His first work was _Fragoletta_, a book treating in +an original way the revolution of Naples in 1799; it was the fruit of a +long sojourn in Italy, a genuine production of genius, in which the +chapters devoted to antique art are especially remarkable. During the +Hundred Days he was the secretary of Marshal Brune, and was made +sub-prefect of Toulon. The downfall of Napoleon deprived him of office, +and restored him to literature and general politics. During the +Restoration he gained great applause by his eloquent and successful +defence of his father, who was tried before a political court, and but +for his son would have been one of the victims of that bloody period. He +was prominent in the agitation of public questions through that time, +and through the ten first years of Louis Philippe. He was intimate with +B. Constant Chateaubriand, Madame Recamier, Gros, Gerard, Armand Carrel, +Godfrey Cavaignac, Beranger, and George Sand. He was one of the editors +of the _National_, and the chief writer of the brilliant and effective +_Figaro_. His books were _Fragoletta_, _Aymar_, _France et Marie_, +_Lettres de Clement XIV. et de Carlo Bertinazzi_, _Les Adieux_. Though +he adopted the form of romance, the purpose of his writings was +historical and didactic. In the latter part of his life he made +preparations to write a _Histoire des Conjurations pour la Liberte_, but +did not accomplish it. He was a man of noble character and remarkable +genius. His conversation was brilliant and fascinating. Since Diderot, +it is said that France has produced no talker to be compared with him. +George Sand frequently compares him to Rousseau. Like that philosopher, +toward the close of his life he manifested a passionate love of nature +and solitude. He spent his time laboring in his garden, and living in +the most frugal manner. The aged and manly poet was beloved of the +neighboring peasants, as well as by the friends he had left behind him +in the great world; and though he had often criticised his +contemporaries with extreme severity, sometimes even with injustice, he +left no enemies. + + * * * * * + +Among the persons lately deceased who are worthy of mention is Madame DE +SERMETZY, who died at her country seat, near the French city of Lyons, +at the age of eighty-one years. Had circumstances favored the +development of her genius, she would have acquired a name among the +sculptors of the time. She left behind her a number of works in terra +cotta. A Psyche of life-size is said to be full of expression and grace; +a Plato is remarkable for anatomical correctness and manly force. Both +are in the Academy at St. Pierre. She also modelled a Sappho, a Lesbia, +and some dozen busts. Of smaller works, statuettes and groups, she has +left some two hundred in terra cotta, among them a St Augustine, said to +be admirable for expression and nobleness. The churches constantly +received from her gifts of beautiful angels and madonnas. A few years +before her death she modelled a madonna of the size of life, which is +one of her best works. Want of means alone prevented her from executing +her productions in marble. She was also familiar with the literature, +not only of her own nation, but of the Latin, Spanish, Italian, and +English languages, which she spoke with fluency and correctness, a rare +accomplishment for a French woman. During the Empire and the Restoration +she was intimate with Madame Recamier and Madame de Stael, and for +penetration and readiness of mind and charm of manners was not unworthy +to be named with these remarkable women. + + * * * * * + +MARSHAL DODE DE LA BRUNIERE, one of the soldiers of Napoleon, who raised +him to the rank of Lieutenant-General, and employed him in many +important services, died at Paris on the 28th February, aged +seventy-seven. He served in the campaign of Egypt as a lieutenant of +engineers. After the siege of Saragossa he was made a colonel. He +participated in all the great battles of the empire, and was finally +made a peer of France and a marshal by Louis Philippe, after having +directed the construction of the gigantic fortifications around Paris. +He was a frank, affable, and kind-hearted man. + + * * * * * + +M. MAILLAU, one of the most productive of Paris dramatists, died in that +city March, twelfth, aged forty-five. He was born in Guadaloupe, and +began life in France as a lawyer, but soon abandoned that profession to +write for the stage. He wrote a large number of dramas, some of which +were very successful. The last one, called _La Revolution Francaise_, +has run a hundred and fifty nights, and is still performing. He was an +excellent fellow, and nobody's enemy but his own. + + * * * * * + +DR. HENRY DE BRESLAU, senior of the Faculty of Medicine in the +University of Munich, died lately. He was second medical officer on the +staff of Napoleon, under Larrey, and followed the French army in the +Russian campaign. He was made prisoner on the field of Waterloo. France, +Bavaria, Saxony, Greece, and Portugal, had recognized his scientific +eminence by severally enrolling his name among their orders of chivalry. + + * * * * * + +COMMISSIONER LIN, whose seizure and destruction of the opium in 1839 led +to the war with China, died suddenly on the eighteenth of November last, +while on his way to the insurrectionary district of Quan-si. + + * * * * * + +JOHN LOUIS YANOSKI was born at Lons-le-Saulnier, France, March 9, 1813, +and died at Paris early in February last. Though not known much out of +his own country, few literary men have possessed more admirable and +substantial qualities. He was feeble in bodily powers, but endowed with +indefatigable ardor in the pursuit of intellectual objects, and a mind +at once penetrating and judicious. He was educated in the College of +Versailles. In 1836 he became a tutor in history at the University at +Paris. Subsequently he was selected by Thierry to assist in the +preparation of his history of the Tiers-Etat, and spent four years in +working upon it. At the same time he labored assiduously in other +directions. In 1839 he gained two prizes from the Academy of Moral and +Political Sciences, one for a memoir on the organization of the national +forces from the twelfth century to the reign of Charles VII; the other +for an essay on the abolition of slavery in antiquity. In 1841 the +Academy selected him to prepare, under the direction of M. Mignet, a +view of the progress of the moral and political sciences, a work which +was not completed when he died. In 1840 he was made professor of history +in Stanislas College; in 1842 Michelet chose him for his substitute at +the College of France, but in that capacity he gave but a single +lecture, being seized while speaking with hemorrhage of the lungs, from +which he did not recover for several months. Notwithstanding the labors +required by all these occupations he found time to write for Didot's +_Univers Pittoresque_ a history of Carthage from the second Punic war to +the Vandal invasion, a history of the Vandal rule and the Byzantine +restoration, another of the African Church, and one of the Church of +Ancient Syria. He also furnished many important articles to the +Encyclopedic Dictionary, wrote often for the _National_ newspaper, and +for two years was chief editor of the _Nouvelle Revue Encyclopedique_. +He was a republican in sentiment, and a character of exceeding nobleness +and energy. + + * * * * * + +COLONEL COUNT D'HOZIER, a distinguished French officer, who was +compromised in the affair of Georges Cadoudal, died early in March, in +Paris, aged seventy-seven. On the occasion of the conspiracy referred +to, he was sentenced to death, but obtained his pardon through the +interference of the Empress Josephine, and as a commutation of his +punishment was imprisoned until the year 1814 in the prison of the +Chateau d'If--the scene of the confinement of Dumas' hero, the Comte de +Montechristo. + + * * * * * + +M. GEORGE BRENTANO, the oldest banker at Frankfort-on-the-Maine, died a +few weeks ago, aged eighty-eight. He was brother of two persons well +known in the world of letters, M. Clement Brentano and the Countess +Bettina d'Arnim, the correspondent of Goethe. + + * * * * * + +FREDERIC XAVIER FERNBACH, the inventor of that mode of encaustic +painting which is called by his name, died at Munich on the 27th +February. A history of his experiments and inventions was published many +years ago. + + * * * * * + +M. JULES MARTIEN, author of a volume on _Christianity in America_, died +in Paris on the twenty-first of March. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[M] Farmer's Genealogical Register: Articles _Hill-Russell_. + + + + +"OTSEGO HALL," THE RESIDENCE OF J. FENIMORE COOPER. + +[Illustration] + + +In the delightful home which in the above engraving is reflected with +equal spirit and fidelity, our great novelist has composed the larger +portion of those admirable tales and histories that display his own +capacities, and the characteristics and tendencies of our people. + +Here also was written the beautiful work by Mr. COOPER'S daughter, +entitled "Rural Hours." Could any thing tempt to such authorship more +strongly than a residence thus quiet, and surrounded with birds, and +flowers, and trees, and all the picturesque varieties of land and water +which render Cooperstown a paradise to the lover of nature? + +In the last _International_ we sketched the career of Mr. Cooper, and +gave an account of his writings, and an estimate of their value. What we +add here shall relate to the work which entitles his daughter to share +his eminence. "Rural Hours" is one of the most charming contributions +literature has ever received from the hand of a woman. Though in the +simple form of a diary, it is scarcely less than Thomson's "Seasons" a +poem; yet while seeming continually to reflect the most poetical phases +of nature and of rural life--so delicate is the appreciation of natural +beauty, and so pure and unaffected and exquisitely graceful the style of +composition--it has throughout even a Flemish truth and particularity of +detail. If we were called upon to name a literary performance that is +more than any other American in its whole character, we cannot now think +of one that would sooner receive this praise. A record of real +observations during the daily walks of many years in a secluded town, or +of the changes which the seasons brought with their various gifts and +forces into domestic experience, it is a series of pictures which could +no more have been made in another country than so many paintings on +canvas of scenes by Otsego lake. The leaves are blown over by Otsego +airs, or if the eye grows heavy and the pages are unturned it is for +slumberous spells that attach to delineations of the sunshine and +silence of Otsego's August noons. And the views Miss Cooper gives us of +the characters and occupations of the agricultural population in that +part of the country, who wear curiously interblended the old English and +Dutch habits with here and there a sign of the French, and the +republican freedom which in three generations has taken the tone of +nature, are as distinctive as the descriptions of changes which the +maple assumes in the autumn, or of the harvest of Indian corn, or a deer +hunt in the snow. Upon a careless reading of "Rural Hours" we might +fancy that Miss Cooper was less familiar than perhaps should be for such +a task with botany and other sciences, but a closer study of the book +reveals the most minute and comprehensive knowledge, so interfused that +it is without technical forms only, and never deficient in precision. +The style is everywhere not only delightfully free, while artistically +finished, but it is remarkably pure, so that there is in the literature +of this country not a specimen of more genuine English. In this respect +the work of one of the most highly and variously educated women of our +time, to whom the languages of the politest nations were through all her +youth familiar in their courts, may be well compared with the +compositions which "literary ladies" with Phrase Books make half French +or half Italian. + + + + +GEORGE W. DEWEY. + +[Illustration] + + +Of our younger and minor poets no one has more natural grace and +tenderness than GEORGE W. DEWEY. The son of a painter, and himself the +Secretary of the Philadelphia Art Union, it may be supposed that he is +well instructed in the principles upon which effect depends; but while +native genius, as it is called, is of little value without art, no man +was ever made a poet by art alone, and it is impossible to read "Blind +Louise," "A Memory," or "A Blighted May," without perceiving that Mr. +Dewey's commission has both the sign and the countersign, in due form, +so that his right to the title of poet is in every respect +unquestionable. He has not written much, but whatever he has given to +the public is written well, and all his compositions have the signs of a +genuineness that never fails to please. There is no collection of his +poems, but from the journals to which he contributes we have selected +the following specimens: + + +A MEMORY. + + It was a bright October day-- + Ah, well do I remember! + One rose yet bore the bloom of May, + Down toward the dark December. + + One rose that near the lattice grew, + With fragrance floating round it: + Incarnardined, it blooms anew + In dreams of her who found it. + + Pale, withered rose, bereft and shorn + Of all thy primal glory, + All leafless now, thy piercing thorn + Reveals a sadder story. + + It was a dreary winter day; + Too well do I remember! + They bore her frozen form away, + And gave her to December! + + There were no perfumes on the air, + No bridal blossoms round her, + Save one pale lily in her hair + To tell how pure Death found her. + + The thistle on the summer air + Hath shed its iris glory, + And thrice the willows weeping there + Have told the seasons' story, + + Since she, who bore the blush of May, + Down towards the dark December + Pass'd like the thorn-tree's bloom away, + A pale, reluctant ember. + + +BLIND LOUISE. + + She knew that she was growing blind-- + Forsaw the dreary night + That soon would fall, without a star, + Upon her fading sight: + + Yet never did she make complaint, + But pray'd each day might bring + A beauty to her waning eyes-- + The loveliness of Spring! + + She dreaded that eclipse which might + Perpetually inclose + Sad memories of a leafless world-- + A spectral realm of snows. + + She'd rather that the verdure left + An evergreen to shine + Within her heart, as summer leaves + Its memory on the pine. + + She had her wish: for when the sun + O'erhung his eastern towers, + And shed his benediction on + A world of May-time flowers-- + + We found her seated, as of old, + In her accustom'd place, + A midnight in her sightless eyes, + And morn upon her face! + + +A BLIGHTED MAY. + + Call not this the month of roses-- + There are none to bud and bloom; + Morning light, alas! discloses + But the winter of the tomb. + All that should have deck'd a bridal + Rest upon the bier--how idle! + Dying in their own perfume. + + Every bower is now forsaken-- + There's no bird to charm the air! + From the bough of youth is shaken + Every hope that blossom'd there; + And my soul doth now inrobe her + In the leaves of sere October + Under branches swaying bare. + + When the midnight falls beside me, + Like the gloom which in me lies, + To the stars my feelings guide me, + Seeking there thy sainted eyes; + Stars whose rays seem ever bringing + Down the soothing air, the singing + Of thy soul in paradise. + + Oh, that I might stand and listen + To that music ending never, + While those tranquil stars should glisten + On my life's o'erfrozen river, + Standing thus, for ever seeming + Lost in what the world calls dreaming, + Dreaming, love, of thee, forever! + + +THE SHADY SIDE. + + I sat and gazed upon thee, ROSE, + Across the pebbled way, + And thought the very wealth of mirth + Was thine that winter day; + For while I saw the truant rays + Within thy window glide, + Remember'd beams reflected came + Upon the shady side. + + I sat and gazed upon thee, ROSE, + And thought the transient beams + Were leaving on thy braided brow + The trace of golden dreams; + Those dreams, which like the ferry-barge + On youth's beguiling tide, + Will leave us when we reach old age, + Upon the shady side. + + Ah! yes, methought while thus I gazed + Across the noisy way, + The stream of life between us flow'd + That cheerful winter day; + And that the bark whereon I cross'd + The river's rapid tide, + Had left me in the quietness + Upon the shady side. + + Then somewhat of a sorrow, ROSE, + Came crowding on my heart, + Revealing how that current sweeps + The fondest ones apart; + But while you stood to bless me there, + In beauty, like a bride, + I felt my own contentedness, + Though on the shady side. + + The crowd and noise divide us, ROSE, + But there will come a day + When you, with light and timid feet, + Must cross the busy way; + And when you sit, as I do now, + To happy thoughts allied, + May some bright angel shed her light + Upon the shady side! + + + + +_Ladies' Fashions for the Early Summer._ + +[Illustration] + + +_Costume for a Young Girl._--In the above engraving the largest figure +has boots of pale violet cachmere and morocco; trowsers of worked +cambric; and dress of a pale chocolate cachmere, trimmed with narrow +silk fringe, the double robings on each side of the front as well as the +cape, on the half-high corsage, ornamented with a double row of narrow +silk fringe, this trimming repeated round the lower part of the loose +sleeve; the chemisette of plaited cambric, headed with a broad frill of +embroidery; full under sleeves of cambric, with a row of embroidery +round the wrist; open bonnet of pink satin, a row of white lace +encircling the interior next the face. The second miss has button gaiter +boots of chocolate cachmere; trowsers and undersleeves of white +embroidered cambric; frock of plaided cachmere; _paletot_ of purple +velvet; hat of a round shape, of white satin, the low crown adorned with +a long white ostrich feather. + +_The Boy's Dress_ is made to correspond as nearly as may be with that of +the youngest girl--embroidered pantalettes, and under sleeves trimmed +with pointed lace. + +[Illustration] + +_Ladies' Morning Promenade Costume._--A high dress of black satin, the +body fitting perfectly tight; has a small jacket cut on the _biais_, +with row of black velvet laid on a little distance from the edge; the +sleeves are rather large, and have a broad cuff turned back, which is +trimmed to correspond with the jacket; the skirt is long and full; the +dress is ornamented up the front in its whole length by rich fancy silk +trimmings, graduating in size from the bottom of the skirt to the waist, +and again increasing to the throat. _Capote_ of plum-colored satin; +sometimes plain, sometimes with a bunch of hearts-ease, intermixed with +ribbon, placed low on the left side, the same flowers, but somewhat +smaller, ornamenting the interior. + +_Evening Dress_ of white _tulle_, worn over a _jape_ of rich pink satin; +the waist and point of a moderate length; the sleeves and front of the +corsage covered with fullings of _tulle_, clasped at equal distances by +narrow bands of green satin; the skirt extremely full, and looped up on +each side; the trimming, which reaches from the waist on each side the +point to the bottom of the skirt, composed of loops of green satin +ribbon edged with gold. Magnificent ribbons or beautiful flowers +accompany the light trimmings which ornament the lighter evening +dresses. A young lady is never more beautiful than when dressed in one +of those robes, so rich in their simplicity, and distinguished by their +embroideries, form, and trimmings. A robe of tarlatane, trimmed with +seven flounces, deeply scalloped and worked with straw colored silk, is +much in vogue. The same trimming, proportionably narrow, covers the +berthe and sleeves. When worked with white silk, this dress is still +more stylish. White or black lace canezous, worn with low-bodied silk +dresses, are very much admired. They are open over the chest, and more +or less worn with basques or straight trimmings round the waist, with +half long sleeves, fastened up on the front, for the arm, by a ribbon +bow. + +_Dress Hats_ are principally made of _tulle_ or gauze _lisse_--those of +the latter texture, made in white, of folds with rows of white gauze +ribbon. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The International Monthly, Volume 3, +No. 2, May, 1851, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK INTERNATIONAL MONTHLY, MAY 1851 *** + +***** This file should be named 29246.txt or 29246.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/9/2/4/29246/ + +Produced by Joshua Hutchinson, Josephine Paolucci and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. +(This file was produced from images generously made +available by Cornell University Digital Collections.) + + +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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