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diff --git a/40974-8.txt b/40974-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 1edbff0..0000000 --- a/40974-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6355 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Blue-Stocking Hall, Vol. 1 (of 3), by -William Pitt Scargill - -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: Blue-Stocking Hall, Vol. 1 (of 3) - -Author: William Pitt Scargill - -Release Date: September 14, 2013 [EBook #40974] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BLUE-STOCKING HALL, VOL. 1 (OF 3) *** - - - - -Produced by Charlene Taylor, Mary Meehan, Heather Clark -and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images -generously made available by The Internet Archive) - - - - - -[Transcriber notes: Fred. is always treated as an abbreviation in this -book. - -Some quotation marks were left out of the printing. Preserved as -printed. - -Numerous mispellings. These were retained as printed. - -Italicized text surrounded by "_" . Small capped text converted to -all caps.] - - - - - BLUE-STOCKING HALL. - - "From woman's eyes this doctrine I derive: - They sparkle still the right Promethean fire; - They are the books, the arts, the academes, - That show, contain, and nourish all the world." - LOVE'S LABOUR LOST. - - - IN THREE VOLUMES. - - VOL. I. - - LONDON: - HENRY COLBURN, NEW BURLINGTON STREET. - 1827. - - - - - J. B. NICHOLS, 25, PARLIAMENT STREET. - - - - - PREFACE. - - - GENTLE READER, - -An Author who is only making a _début_, should be particularly -careful not to offend against established rules; otherwise you and -I might be spared the plague of a Preface; but as I am heartily -desirous to conciliate your regard, I will not forfeit any portion -of your esteem at my onset, by the slightest contempt of Court. -I will therefore say a few words in the way of introduction to -Blue-stocking Hall, though I may find it difficult to tell you more -than you will easily find out for yourself, if you take the trouble -of reading the following Letters, which sufficiently explain -their own story. They are selected from a correspondence which is -supposed to have been spread over a period of four years. - -As to my motives (for I observe that most prefaces talk of -_motives_) for publishing the letters which I have been at the -pains to collect, they are such as we may in charity suppose -to operate upon the mind of a criminal, when by the expiatory -tribute of his "last speech and dying words," he endeavours, in -a recantation of his own errors, to prevent others from falling -into similar ones. Besides, we are generally eager to make as many -proselytes as we can to any opinion which we have newly adopted; -and as my prejudices upon some subjects were very strong before I -visited Blue-stocking Hall, I am induced, through abundance of the -milk of human kindness, to wish that if my reader entertains any -prejudices against ladies stigmatized as _Bas Bleus_, as I myself -once did, he may, like me, become a convert to another and a fairer -belief respecting them. - - - - - BLUE-STOCKING HALL. - - - - - LETTER I. - - CHARLES FALKLAND TO ARTHUR HOWARD. - - - My Dear Howard, _Dover_. - -Perhaps you and I are at this moment similarly situated, and -similarly employed. I am seated at a window which opens on the -sea, waiting for a summons to the steam-packet which is to waft me -over to Calais--while you are, probably, expecting that which is -to convey you to Ireland. When I reach France I shall certainly -send you a bill of health from time to time; but as few things are -less satisfactory than letters _from the road_, I shall reserve my -share in the performance of our parting covenant till I am quietly -settled at Geneva. - -You do not require descriptions of either places or people; because -innumerable diaries, journals, and sketch-books, tell you as much -as you want to know of all the scenes which it is your intention -ere long to visit; and as to men and women, no second-hand account -can supply the place of actual acquaintance with the few of -either sex that deserve to occupy thoughts or pen. What you _do_ -desire, and what I have engaged to furnish, is a history of my own -employments, pursuits, and impressions; but leisure is necessary -for collecting and arranging; and, till I can satisfy myself by -sending you such details as I hope may _interest_, you must be -content to receive only certificates of whole bones. - -Now _you_ are to be set down quietly in less than a week at the end -of your journey; and before I set sail I shall take the liberty of -repeating the terms of our epistolary contract, by way of flapper -to your memory, and leaving you no possible excuse for violating -the treaty ratified at Cambridge on Monday evening, ere a mutual -_Vale_ dismissed us on our several adventures. - -You see that I have _first_ registered my own part in our -engagement, and generously bound myself, before I proceed to tie -you down.--Now for _your_ undertaking. Remember, that when you -reach the wilds of Kerry, you are under a heavy bond to devote a -part of every day regularly to the task which I have assigned you -of narrating, in minute detail, every circumstance connected with -the external situation, personal appearance, mind, manners, and -habits of your aunt and her family. Aye, there I see you at this -instant in a full roar of laughter: so be it.--I am case-hardened; -and have so long endured your merriment with becoming philosophy, -that I am not to be subdued by a little louder ridicule than you -are accustomed to level at my _romance_. Well, I will confess (now -that I am a few miles distant from that taunting smile), that my -notions are somewhat odd, quaint, old fashioned, or romantic if -you will; and in return for this concession, I only ask that you -will bear with me, and indulge your friend's peculiarities, as they -are at least harmlessly eccentric. The bias of my mind is to be -traced without difficulty to the circumstances of my early life, -so different from your own, that it would be very extraordinary if -much dissimilarity were not discoverable in our ways of thinking. -My boyish years were passed in the seclusion of almost perfect -solitude, with a mother, whose image lives indelibly engraven on -my heart. A child of feeble frame, I was unable in early life to -bear the "peltings of the pitiless storm," and from every wind that -would have visited my infant form too roughly, did the tenderest -of maternal affections shroud, without enervating, my childhood. -My widowed mother was every thing to me--my friend, my tutor, my -protectress, my play-fellow--my all on earth. In losing her at -sixteen, I was left a mere wreck upon the ocean of life; and, while -"Memory holds her seat," never shall I forget the sweet expression -of her elegant and feminine countenance, as it spoke the language -of love, kindness, or pity; nor shall I ever lose the recollection -of that fine understanding which sparkled through her eye, in the -brightest scintillations of intellectual energy, and acuteness. -She was my _Gamaliel_, and no wonder if her lessons, her thoughts, -her sentiments, have left traces upon my mind not easily to be -obliterated. When I entered Cambridge, I felt no affection for any -living creature. Relations I had none, that were not too remote to -fill the chasm which death had created in my heart. My guardian, -though an excellent man, only put me painfully in mind of my -bereavement, when he attempted to condole or advise; and I turned -from him, not with disrespect, but in disgust with all created -things. - -The natural elasticity of youth, and your society, gradually -reclaimed me from a state which, had it continued, must have ended -in madness, or idiotcy; and I am able now, at the termination of -our collegiate career, to think gratefully of prolonged existence, -and look back with thankfulness. - -Perhaps you have just laid down my letter to exclaim, "Poor -Falkland! surely the man is bewildered, or he would not tell me -now, as if for the first time, what I have known these six years." -Now, my good fellow, be not so hasty in declaring me _non compos_. -You know the general outline of my story, and you are acquainted -sufficiently with what you call my romance of character, to find -in it a constant fund of amusement when we are together; but you -do not know more than this! You are _not_ aware that the tree -has adopted its decided inclination from that bias which the twig -received. Nothing, I feel, can ever make me a man of fashion. -Nothing, I _hope_, will loosen the ties which, all unseen as -they are, bind me to the memory of her by whose judgment, were she -living, I should desire to be directed in all things to which -her admirable sense would permit her to apply those reasoning -powers which never dogmatized, nor lost themselves in the mazes of -imagination.--I admired my mother's taste as much as I reverenced -her virtues--I respected her talents; and since her death have not -met with any one capable of interesting me who did not resemble, in -some degree, the character which faithful memory attaches to her -much-loved image. - -Different as has been your path from mine, your affectionate -heart has been my best solace; and though you have been trained -in the school of modern luxury, which is so little conversant -with Nature, the generous impulses of your breast have not been -sacrificed, and you are not _yet_ spoiled by what is called The -World. For being what you are, you are, I firmly believe, indebted -in part to original structure; and perhaps, in some degree, to -that friendship which has united us both at school, and at the -University.--Somewhat older, and much graver than you, I have -always been permitted to take the lead, and exercise an influence -over your pleasures and pursuits, which, though frequently -counteracted, has, notwithstanding, communicated an individuality -to one and the other, that distinguishes you essentially from the -heartless specimens of human mechanism that pass for men of _ton_. - -You know what pleasant day-dreams occupy my fancy--I anticipate -nothing less than your _radical reform_, from all the follies -which sometimes obscure your good sense; and I look for this -change, not as the result of a Hohenlohe miracle, wrought upon -you through the intercession of the Irish priesthood, but as the -natural effect of living domesticated with such a family as I -conceive to be now about to welcome you at Glenalta. I know your -charming aunt and cousins only through their letters to you; but -by "these presents," I feel that I cannot be mistaken in the -attributes with which I have invested them: and, laugh as you like, -you know that my castles are all built with materials from the -county of Kerry, in Ireland; and I only say, if it be enthusiasm -to love and venerate a set of people whom I have never seen--yes, -and fully to intend, if life be spared me, to make a pilgrimage in -quest of your relations, inspired by as much zeal as ever actuated -the followers of Mahomet in their pious journeys to Mecca, why, let -me cry with Falstaff, "God help the wicked." A sort of internal -evidence quite incommunicable to any one else, assures me, that my -fate is linked with that of the Douglas family; and I can give you -no better reason for this belief, than the improbability that so -much sympathy as draws me towards Glenalta, should be thrown away. - -However baseless you may consider the fabric of my visions, you -can at least imagine that, while they possess my mind, they are -not a little interesting; and therefore I conclude, as I began, by -entreating that you will feed my Quixotism with journals containing -the most accurate and minute accounts of all that is said and -done, planned and projected, at that Ultima Thule, as you call it, -whither you are bending your steps. - -The gun is fired as a signal for sailing--I see an army of -carpet-bags and portmanteaus in full march, and must say--farewell! -God bless you, my dear Howard. - - Your affectionate - CHARLES FALKLAND. - - - - - LETTER II. - - MISS DOUGLAS TO MISS SANDFORD. - - - Dearest Julia, _Glenalta_. - -Your letter, which I received yesterday, reproaches me with -silence, and I plead guilty to the charge, though you are very -wrong in supposing that my failure in punctuality proceeds from -weariness of communion with you. I have very few correspondents, -and amongst these few I rejoice to say, that there is not one, to -whom I write from any other motive than because I love and value -every species of intercourse with those who are really dear to my -heart. I know that it is only necessary to tell you, that I have -been much engaged, to be certain of your forgiveness; but I should -not satisfy myself if I did not say how I have been occupied. - -Shut out as we are from the gay world, and living for weeks -together without any interruption to our pursuits, even _you_ may -perhaps wonder that time is not a burthen on our hands. Yet this is -not the case; but on the contrary, the day appears scarcely set in -before it has arrived at its close. Is this always the effect of -full employment, or is it peculiar to the little circle at Glenalta -to wish that the sun would stand still, and give more of his -company?--I am too little acquainted with people and places beyond -my own home to answer the question; and you are not here to do it -for me; so now I will proceed with the causes of my long silence. - -Our dear friend, and invaluable neighbour, Mr. Otway, has been ill: -thank heaven, he is quite recovered now.--This dear friend and your -aunt are, I think, the only people on earth who for the last twelve -years could have poured the balm of comfort into the desolate -spirit of my beloved mother--the latter in becoming a tender parent -to you and your sisters has had too much care connected with her -immediate duties to admit of her being often with us; but what she, -under different circumstances, _might_ have been, Mr. Otway has -been; and what can we ever do sufficiently to prove our gratitude, -as well as our affection? During his illness, which continued -for three months, we shared, not only the task of nursing him -with unremitting assiduity, but endeavoured to supply his place -by undertaking the labours which, for a series of years, he has -imposed upon himself. We took care of his schools, we visited his -sick poor, we distributed his benefactions, became his deputies -on the roads and in the fields; and resolved that, on his return -to his gardens and plantations, he should find all things meeting -him with that pleasant welcome which even the inanimate world is -enabled to testify, when the hand of diligent affection has taught -every shrub and flower to glow with its own emotions!--I know -nothing more touching than such a reception, which needs no words -to convince the object of our solicitude, how constantly the heart -has been occupied in an endeavour to please by the cultivation of -whatever might confer enjoyment; and the suppression of all that -would be productive of pain. - -Though one of the actors in the scene, I will confess to you, -that the success of our efforts was complete. There was no -arrangement--no display that appeared to solicit thanks for our -faithful stewardship; but I never shall forget the happiness of -seeing tears, _not_ of grief, stealing from my mother's eyes, while -our dear friend, leaning upon her arm on one side, and Frederick's -on the other--Charlotte, Fanny, and I, bringing up the rear--took -his first walk upon the terrace which commands that panorama of -loveliness and expanse which you admired so much in your visit at -Glenalta, to which my mind frequently recurs as the most joyful -period of my existence. In addition to all the blessings of my -daily life, I had then the enlivening influence of your presence. -The landscape was the same, but you were the sunshine: and while -you were here, all seemed "gold and green."--When will you come -again, I wonder!--Well, what a wanderer I am! continually -deviating from my path, my narrative advances but slowly,--and you -are yet to learn, that besides our extra employments at his farm, -we have been as busy as bees preparing for the accommodation of my -Cousin Arthur Howard, who is expected here to-morrow evening. - -People who live in towns, or even in what is called _civilized_ -parts of the country, have little idea how we poor pill-garlicks -labour to perform what they accomplish as if by the stroke of -a magical wand. A few words are pronounced in the shape of an -order, to one of your fashionable upholsterers, and lo! sophas, -ottomans, tables, arm-chairs, and all the elegant etceteras of -modern furniture rise up like an exhalation, and are found in their -exact places, as if a fairy had arranged them. While country folks, -like us, have to wish, and to wait, for many a long day before we -can obtain even an imperfect representation of a new luxury. I do -not complain of this; for I really believe, that we gain by every -difficulty, and enjoy our humble acquisitions, after going through -much trouble to obtain them, a thousand times more than the rich -and fashionable do their superfluities, which it is only to desire, -and to possess; but I state the fact to account for the employment -of time and pains in filling up a comfortable bed-chamber and -dressing-room for Arthur Howard, whose approach I dread, not -because I have any reason to be afraid of him, but because I -feel how entirely out of his natural (or perhaps I should rather -say _artificial_) element, he will find himself in this peaceful -retreat. - -I believe I told you in my last letter, that Arthur has been -very delicate for some months past, and apprehensions have been -entertained that if the change of air to a softer climate than -that of Buckinghamshire were not resorted to, his lungs might soon -become affected. Poor fellow! He is an only son; and as my aunt -could not make up her mind to going abroad with him herself, and -she would not consent to let him go to the Continent without her, -though in the company of his friend Mr. Falkland, matters have -been compromised by accepting mamma's invitation to the _Island -of mists_; and truly it would delight us all to cherish this young -cousin at Glenalta, if it were not for the painful feeling that he -considers it a heavy penance to come amongst his Irish relations. -The performance of duty is, however, so agreeable in itself, that -if we find our cares successful, and are enabled to return the -invalid in good health to his mother and sisters, we shall be -amply recompensed. It is but to think of the grateful love which -would warm our own hearts (were Frederick similarly circumstanced) -towards any friend who might be instrumental in his recovery, -to enter _con amore_ into the feelings of Arthur's family, and -sing a _Te Deum_ if we are permitted to excite them. Sickness, in -producing a powerful sense of our mortality, often awakens the -heart to the _realities_ of happiness, by shewing us the utter -futility of pleasures on which we had thoughtlessly relied, till -evil days came upon us, and our helpless dependence was brought -experimentally home to our conviction. - -I sometimes flatter myself with a hope that mamma's enchanting -influence, Frederick's sweet disposition, and the cheerful aid of -the three _handmaids_, may operate a change in Arthur's mind, and -reclaim a fine understanding from the blighting effects of cold and -selfish fashion. You see that I am castle-building--may it not be -in the air! - -I am desired by mamma, to say that your dear aunt shall soon hear -from her; and you shall have a letter ere long to tell you what -progress we make in acquaintance with our guest, who is a perfect -stranger amongst the juniors of our house, and only remembered as a -little boy by my mother. - -So much have I had to say of our _hospital_ concerns, that I -have not told you a word of a surprise which Frederick and I are -preparing for this precious Author of our being.--There is a little -solitary spot not far removed from this, the most sequestered, -wild, and lovely glen that Nature I believe ever formed. For years -after we came to Glenalta, my sisters and I never saw or heard of -it, mamma never having mentioned its existence; and its distance -placing it without the bounds of our allotted walks while we were -children. Frederick was the first who made me acquainted with this -tiny Paradise of beauty and seclusion, the story of which I must -reserve for my next letter. - -Our fond and united loves attend your circle from all here, and -particularly your - - Faithful and affectionate Friend, - EMILY DOUGLAS. - - - - - LETTER III. - - ARTHUR HOWARD TO CHARLES FALKLAND. - - - My Dear Falkland, _Glenalta_. - -Your letter from Dover has travelled many a mile in quest of -me; first into Buckinghamshire, then to Grosvenor-square, -"tried" Cambridge, and _non est inventus_ being the return made -at each of these places, it has followed me into the wilds of -Kerry in Ireland. Here I am actually at Glenalta, and as I mean -faithfully to perform my promise, and execute the task which you -have so solemnly _spread out_ before me, in such detail that I -am not likely to forget the engagement, I shall _begin from the -beginning_, for the following cogent reasons: first, that I may -be correct by not trusting to memory; secondly, that I may not be -overwhelmed by an inconvenient accumulation of materials, thirdly -and lastly, because to vent my spleen in a letter is next to the -relief of doing so in a _viva voce_ unburthening, disemboguing, or -whatever else you choose to call this pouring out of my vexations. - -After a journey through a horrible country, as naked as if it -was but just born, and as comfortless as if it had never been -inhabited, I reached at last my haven of rest yesterday evening at -six o'clock. You must not expect me to name places which I cannot -spell, nor jolt over such roads as I have escaped again with you. -This would indeed be "thrice to slay the slain," for I am in a -state of mummy this morning. If David had known the county of -Kerry, I should believe that it rose upon his mind, when he wrote -of the judges that were overthrown in stony places. As I approached -within a mile of my journey's end I should possibly have been put -into good humour, if my temper had not been previously so ruffled -as to counteract the influence of pleasanter impressions. Candour -obliges me to confess, that nothing in nature can exceed the -scenery of this spot when _once you are at it_; but in my present -feelings I doubt whether I would go to Heaven itself, if there -were no better road thither than that by which I have achieved my -safe landing at Glenalta. Part of my way lay through a morass, -technically called _bog_ in this country, which brought to my -recollection every frightful engulfment that I ever heard or read -of. The vast American swamps, the Indian jungles, aye, even "that -great Lerborian bog 'twixt Damietta and the sea," so finely touched -by Milton, appeared safe and smooth to my imagination in comparison -with the dark abysses that seemed to yawn upon me from either -side of my gloomy and monotonous path. No, it is not in human -nature to recover a man's equilibrium after what I have suffered -in less than a week; and therefore the features of this _cul de -sac_, which has nothing beyond it but the waves of the Atlantic, -will stand but a bad chance of being sketched in any other than -_distemper_ colouring, if I must _fix_ my first impressions. Your -orders, however, concur with my bile, and thus duty and inclination -happily coincide, which is somewhat uncommon. Well, "through mud -and mire, brake and brier," I at last beheld the termination of -my woes, and drove up in a post chaise, which I firmly believe sat -for its picture to Miss Edgeworth, and found myself in front of a -verandah, which, in any other place and any other at time, might -have seemed a bower of enchantment; but my eyes were jaundiced, -my bones were weary, and every thought was steeped in vinegar, so -cross, cold, sour, and discontented did I feel, as the lubberly -brute, called post-boy by a strange misnomer, trundled off his -jaded horse, and thumping up like a sack against the hall door, -gave a knock which might have been heard in Labrador. I expected -to have been met and smothered on the threshold by my aunt and -cousins, but a servant only made his appearance, and the step was -let down; Lewis had descended, and I was fairly on my feet, and -trying to pump up a smile upon my countenance, lest its previous -expression should stamp my character irretrievably, ere in two -minutes I found myself affectionately greeted and as affectionately -dismissed to my apartments, for I have got a _suite_ allotted to -me, and as I was preparing to obey, and retire, my aunt, with -one of the sweetest voices I ever heard, begged that I would not -hurry myself. "Frederick my love," added she, "I depend upon your -shewing dear Arthur his room, and I need not remind you that as -he is an invalid, he must not be asked to do any thing in the -least distressing, or requiring effort. Arthur, you will I hope -feel yourself _at home_, and that charming little word comprises -all that I can offer you, and so _much_, that I should weaken its -force, if I attempted by any addition to render it more impressive." - -When I was dressed, I went down stairs, and opening a door that -lay on my right hand, found myself in a snug library and alone. -Supposing this to be the room in which we were to muster before -dinner, I took up some books which lay on the table, and what -should I discover? why, positively that I have got amongst a -batch of _Blues_. Full ten minutes elapsed before my rapid survey -was interrupted; and in that short period I found the initials -of Emily and Charlotte annexed to the name of Douglas, in at -least a dozen volumes, one of which was Sallust, a second Virgil, -a third Sowerby on Minerals, a fourth some one, I forget who, -upon Botany, and so on. I absolutely felt my cheeks glow with -shame and indignation. What! set down in a nook of the county of -Kerry, in Ireland, without a creature to speak to, who I suppose -ever saw "a good man's feast," though I dare say they are not -without "bells that call to church;" and to find myself not only -shut out from the world, but screwed in a vice as it were, with -all manner of pedantry, and required to talk science all day -to a set of _precieuses ridicules_! it was too much for _my_ -constitution I assure you; and with the celerity of lightning I -resolved to construct an apology, as quickly as possible, for my -speedy departure. The _manner_ of disengaging myself from the -noose still remains to be determined, but it is quite plain that -at Blue-Stocking Hall, which is a much more appropriate name than -Glenalta, I cannot stay. - -My aunt's letters never threw light upon the accomplishments -of her daughters, and as one does not take much interest in -the occupations of the elders in a family, her own literary -propensities would not have annoyed me at all, particularly, too, -as I might probably find able assistance in Frederick whenever I -had a mind to laugh at learned ladies. But to my narrative,--the -first who entered the room was Fanny, the youngest of the family. -She is about fifteen, strikingly pretty, with almost the funniest -expression of countenance that I ever saw, and thank Heaven, of -an age to be treated as a child. _She_ will, I see, be my sheet -anchor while I am obliged to tarry on this coast. My aunt and her -_Aspasias_ followed before I had time to utter a sentence, and -Frederick brought up the rear. In the moment of his entrance, the -servant who was at his heels, announced dinner, and while we were -crossing the hall, my aunt said, "You were in the library while -we were waiting your arrival in the drawing-room, so we missed -the pleasure of your company, my dear boy, for I know not how -long. Arthur, I know how disagreeable it is to be watched with -too great anxiety, so to day you shall eat and drink as you find -that you _can_ do; and if there is any thing that you are in the -habit of taking, or any thing that you would like to try, I can -promise you the aid of three of the kindest nurses that ever took -care of an invalid. They have had great experience, and will be -delighted to be useful to you." I thanked her, secretly resolving -to give my fair cousins as little trouble as possible, and down -we sat to dinner, which was not a bit like what I supposed it -would have been, but actually _got up_ in excellent style. We had -two nice little courses of capital materials that might have done -credit to the London market; admirably dressed, served up quite -in a civilized manner, and, would you believe it, not a word of -_azure_ during the repast. Don't fancy me, however, the block-head -to cry roast-meat before I am out of the wood. Indigo itself could -scarcely have found opportunity to display its tints in the midst -of all the inquiries for mother, sisters, uncles, aunts, that -happily filled the intervals of carving and eating. In all my life -I never felt so much indebted to my relations before; and when the -ladies got up to leave the room, not a word had escaped their lips -which was not delivered in their vernacular language; and by the -bye, I will tell you what appears to me very extraordinary, that -not one of this family speaks with that horrible accent, vulgarly -called _brogue_. No, positively they all express themselves -remarkably well, and what is also strange enough, they are very -elegant, and modern in their appearance. In short, I should not be -ashamed of the _coup d'[oe]il_ of the house and its inhabitants, -were it not for this cursed _blue_ which will burst upon me in a -torrent to-morrow, and be no doubt the more impetuous in its flow, -for having been dammed up during so many hours. - -When left alone with Fred. who seems a very honest sort of fellow, -I found that he was a sportsman, I suppose in a coarse way; but -still here is a resource, and he tells me that he has excellent -greyhounds and setters; that game abounds in these mountains; -and that there is good fun to be had at small cost of labour. -_Tant mieux_ for an invalid. We sat for an hour without drinking -much wine, from which I am under orders to abstain till this -plaguy chest of mine is well, and to which my companion seemed -to have no natural propensity. We then joined the party in the -drawing-room, and there I found Emily writing music, Charlotte -tuning a harp,--yes, a very fine one too, Fanny rolling a ball for -a beautiful little spaniel, and her mother smiling at its gambols. - -There was nothing appalling here, but the evening was young; -however, here was a _new_ resource, and with grateful alacrity I -hastened to beg for a soft strain of Erin. Certainly I am lost -in astonishment. Do you know that these girls sing like syrens? -Nothing can be in finer harmony than their voices, and some of the -simple Irish airs which were sung this evening, have so completely -taken possession of my mind, that I shall dream of nothing else. -Why will women be so absurd as to mistake the true feminine -character, and, despising the sceptre which nature has placed in -their hands, relinquish a legitimate and undisputed empire, to -engage in the silly project of conquest over regions which will -never submit to their arms? - -Were it not for the farrago of Latin, Greek, botany, chemistry, -and the devil knows what, with which my ears are to be assailed, -how readily should I bear testimony to the charms which sweet -music and good manners possess; and when I consider (and I really -speak impartially), the fund upon which the Douglas girls might -fairly _trade_, I am at a loss to perceive the motive for all this -nonsense of learning. If they were ugly or old, or surrounded -by professors, there might be some reason for experimenting in -literary lore, and hoisting a blue flag; but young, pleasing, -singularly elegant, with heavenly voices, what is it that the -fools would be at? I suppose that my poor aunt, whose affliction -I fancy made her a recluse for several years, has insisted upon -making scholars of the sisterhood, because Fred's tutor, who of -course was some antiquated piece of furniture, had time to spare, -and probably knew about as much of life and manners, as Noah did -in the Ark. If this be the case, I shall soon find out all about -the matter, and my visit here may be a blessing, as I shall take -the very first opportunity that offers of opening aunty's eyes -to the impolicy of her conduct, by assuring her that men of the -_present_ day dread a _blue_ more than a scorpion, which argument, -I believe, never failed yet with a _mamma_; and as to the poor -girls, it will be easy to work upon their minds without being -ungallant. To be sure they cannot unlearn all that old domine -has crammed into their noddles, but if they are frightened into -a careful concealment, there is not much harm done; for if after -they are married, they can put their boys through the Latin grammar -and Selecta, the employment will not be disagreeable to them, the -children may benefit, and if they should settle in Ireland, I mean -in the country, no body need be the wiser for their latinity. -Fanny is young enough to snatch from contagion, and with her merry -phiz, she ought not to drudge over _Hic hæc hoc_. I could not help -thinking of Marmontel's description (is it not?) of _Agathe_ in -the _Misanthrope_, when I looked at her, "_La plus jolie espiegle -que l'Amour eut jamais formé_," and as I applied these words, I -resolved to save her if possible. - -Well, tea, coffee, and milk-cakes, as good of their kinds as you -ever tasted, succeeded by the harp and piano-forte, left me no -time for a game of chess to which Frederick had challenged me on -entering the room. At ten o'clock a tray made its appearance with -some really fine fruit, and the best milk I ever tasted; nothing -could be more easy, cheerful, and pleasant than our little party; -and so entirely were books left out of the evening's amusement, -that what I had seen before dinner was never remembered till I -reached my own room; we were as gay as larks, and even danced some -quadrille figures. Here again surprise is no word to express what -I felt at seeing my cousins acquit themselves with a grace that -would actually be quite _distingué_ at Almack's. A little _fashion_ -might be added, but nothing can be better than the flexibility and -perfect ear which accompany every movement of these mountaineers. -So far so good, but old Solon used to say "the end is not come -yet," and I felt all the prudence of suspended judgment conveyed -in his _laconicism_, when on the removal of the tray, Frederick -placed a large book before his mother, and having rung the bell, I -found myself presently engaged,--yes, actually engaged in family -prayers with no less than six domestics and an old non-descript -with grey hair, who hobbled in leaning upon a stick, and for whose -accommodation Fanny placed a cushion; all ranged along the end -of the room: it was a complete _take in_, and I never felt more -awkwardly in all my life. However there was no escaping, and I had -nothing for it but submission. My aunt, to do her justice, gave us -a short prayer, and I cannot say that there was any _cant_ in it; -but conceive the bad taste of following this part of the ceremony -by reading a chapter in the New Testament, and during the time, -sitting "hail fellows well met" in the midst of the servants, who -took to their seats as naturally as if they had been born to five -thousand a year each. - -Now my good friend, _you_ stand up for these exhibitions; but to -see the gentry of the country thus brought on a level with their -footmen; and to see a girl of Fanny's appearance fly to help -old Lawrence, whose stick slipped as he was about to retire, I -must ever think revolting to common sense, and I went to my room -determined to hasten my departure as much as possible. Of course I -conclude that my antediluvian relations go through this religious -mummery twice a day; and though you know that I am not of the -infidel school, I hate piety in such clothing as I find it dressed -in here; and as I equally dislike old fashions and _new_ lights, -I shall get rid of the one and the other as fast as I can. I must -not offend people, however, who are kindly inclined to me, and -therefore you may address one letter at least to this place. Good -night, and believe me, in a confounded cross humour, - - Truly yours - ARTHUR HOWARD. - -P.S. I mean to send you my next packet on this day week. - - - - - LETTER IV. - - MRS. DOUGLAS TO MRS. E. SANDFORD. - - - My dearly loved Friend, - -And are you really once more in your own Derbyshire, enjoying the -blessing of rest after all your wanderings? My heart flies to bid -you welcome at Checkley, where your presence, I doubt not, was -long desired and affectionately greeted, though not perhaps with -such energy as is conveyed in our Irish "Cead Millagh farthagh." -But how doubly blessed is your return, and how largely has a -merciful Providence repaid your labours, and compensated for every -privation that you have endured, by restoring the sweet Agnes to -perfect health! You are a mother, in almost every sense of that -comprehensive title, to three dear and doubly orphaned girls, who -now employ your whole attention; and though you have been spared -those anxieties, incident to the relation of parent, which belong -exclusively to the tender years of infancy, you can sympathize in -all the solicitude to which the unfoldings of youth give birth; and -thus a new bond has arisen to link our souls together. - -Now that the peril is past, that which was toil while actually -present, becomes pleasure when viewed in the distance; and thus it -is that the great Dispenser of Good rewards the patient performance -of duty. - -You longed to be at home, and you are safely lodged within its -delightful retreat; while your girls like bees have been collecting -honey from every flower to enrich their hive, and no longer -indebted to "books and swains alone," for their knowledge of the -world, can talk of Switzerland, and Italy, and France with all the -many who have visited their shores. _My_ holidays are yet to come; -but do not be frightened; I am not thinking of the Continent--I am -only running forward with my mind's eye to the happy accomplishment -of our mutual wishes in the meeting at this dear spot of which your -promise holds out the exhilarating prospect. My children seem -to feel that months are years, till August comes and brings the -Sandfords to Glenalta. - -But dearest Elizabeth, I am not answering your question: "Will you -help me with your experience in this weighty task which I have -undertaken, and give me your advice upon the important subject of -female education, as I proceed in an endeavour to fulfil the part -which I have engaged to act?" Yes surely, my friend, I will gladly -afford you every aid in my power to bestow, but you will not expect -more than I can give. You must not look to me for that which I have -never found myself, namely a plan or system by which I could work -under the guidance of another mind without exercising at every -moment whatever penetration the Almighty had conferred upon my own. -This, whatever be its measure, has been employed night and day in -scrutinizing the individual varieties that presented themselves in -the several dispositions of my children. - -You know the little history of their infant years, and that they -were ever with me. You know also of the frightful chasm in my -life, which succeeded. I dare not even now look back upon that -period, nor is it necessary; for you have nothing to do with the -first years of childhood: but till this moment I never told you of -the _heart-sting_ by which I was roused from that torpor which had -diffused a species of Upas shade over my character for some years. - -While I was buried in my cottage near Linton, in Devonshire, I -was attacked by low fever which threatened my life. It was not -contagious, and therefore I was not debarred from seeing my -children. Frederick, the eldest, was then twelve years old, and one -day when he and his little sisters came to kiss and say farewell -before they took their walk, I perceived my dear boy's cheek wet as -it touched mine, and almost in the same instant that the tiny group -hurried from my room I found a scrap of paper lying on the pillow -upon which my head was reclined. I opened and read the following -artless effusion addressed - - - "_To my beloved Mamma._ - - And wilt _thou also_ fall asleep? - And must we never cease to weep? - And can'st thou breathe a long farewell - To those whose little bosoms swell - With love, that would thy sorrows cheer, - With grief, that finds no solace here? - Oh take us to the realms of light, - Or stay awhile thy spirit's flight - Tho' angels beckon: hear our prayer, - Nor leave thy children to despair!" - -This first lisping of an almost infant muse produced an electric -effect, and seemed the proximate instrument to inspire a degree of -resolution which till then had been denied to my prayers; for God -does his work in our hearts by secondary means and not by miracles. -From that hour my mind appeared gradually to receive strength. I -began to feel that solitude was too selfish an enjoyment; that I -had _active_ duties which claimed a share of my thoughts. I prayed -earnestly, I exerted myself unceasingly, recovered health, and then -determined on the great sacrifice of re-visiting Glenalta. The -anguish, which that effort cost me, it would be as impossible for -me to express, as it would be painful to you to conceive. Enough -of this! Your request for assistance in your new character has led -me back through a labyrinth of past time, and my pen has almost -unconsciously pursued the train. - -The excellent tutor who was procured for me by my invaluable -friend Edward Otway, seemed as if formed expressly for my purpose. -I could not have borne the society of any mortal who expected -to be made a companion, nor could I have allowed my children to -associate with a person who did not deserve to be made a friend. -Mr. Oliphant, old enough to be my father, yet cheerful enough to -be the play-fellow of my children when he was not their teacher, -religious, benevolent, learned, simple in his manners, enthusiastic -both in acquiring and imparting knowledge, and never desiring -other company than that of his pupils and his books, was the man -whom I found at Lisfarne under the roof of my friend, and waiting -the arrival of my family at Glenalta. A few dreadful struggles -over, we commenced upon the "noiseless tenor of our way." I read -every volume of which I had ever heard upon education, and found -instruction in a short paper upon the subject, written by the late -Mrs. Barbauld, whose pen was called upon to direct the conduct of -a father and mother who found themselves the parents of a darling -only son, and possessed of such affluence as to induce them to give -a _carte blanche_ for whatever might be suggested as most likely to -succeed in making this object of their common affection all that -they fondly desired to see him. - -Her letter in reply to their solicitations for advice, was -published many years ago in a periodical work entitled "The -Inquirer," and contains more strong good sense in a few pages than -I have ever met with in the many ponderous quartos which maternal -anxiety induced me to wade through. Mrs. Barbauld tells her friends -_to be_ themselves in daily life, in all their habits of speaking -and acting, _that_ which they desire to impress upon their son. The -quantity of Greek and Latin, logic, and mathematics, which he might -attain in the progress of his studies, or the place in which such -knowledge should be acquired, she wisely leaves in a great measure -to other advisers; and resting on what is surely of far higher -consequence in the human compound, namely the principles, the -sentiments, the opinions which it is desirable should actuate the -conduct of the future man, she admirably remarks that the _moral -atmosphere_ by which youth is surrounded, is the real teacher--not -the tutor or governess who lays down precepts in the closet. - -We are told in holy writ, that "the children of this world are -wiser in their generation than the children of light," and we may -fairly draw a similar comparison between the young and the more -advanced of our fellow creatures upon earth. The whole _strength_ -of a child lies in his sagacity, which accounts for all the -acuteness employed by young people in observing looks and actions, -and in developing the secret motives of those in whose conduct -they are interested. In low minds this acuteness degenerates into -cunning, but in all children there is a quickness of intellect, -a readiness in deducing effects from causes, and marking -inconsistencies between theory and practice, which ought to -operate as a powerful incentive with those who undertake the care -of youth, to make singleness of heart and a broad bold integrity -the rule of every act in life. It is in vain that we talk of the -beauty of truth, while we employ dissimulation in our intercourse -with society; or descant on the advantages of occupation, while -our own days are passed in idleness and sloth. _Words_ go for very -little, whilst it is what we are _doing_ that secretly determines -the bias of our children either to imitate or avoid. Powerfully -impressed with this leading truth, I endeavoured to act upon my -conviction. My rules were simple, few, and determined. I avoided -as much as possible the multiplication of _decrees_, and, where it -was practicable, rather sought to shew my little flock the path in -which I wished them to walk by accompanying their steps, than to -point out by prohibition that which was to be avoided. The success -with which a merciful Providence has blessed my humble efforts -is not granted to all in the same _degree_; but all must try for -the goal, though it may not be given to reach it in every case. -The original structure of the human mind is after all the great -thing, and our best endeavours can but improve or restrain; but -will never _create_. That belongs to higher influence. You know my -feelings, and how much I prize one unselfish movement of the heart -above all the intellect that ever adorned the greatest philosopher; -and therefore it is that I have tried with such incessant care -to cultivate the affections of my children. Here again nature -must co-operate; for there are characters so phlegmatic, so cold, -so inclined to contradiction, that no kindness will warm them -into confidence and love. But though we do not make sufficient -allowance for the vast variety of constitutional temperament, and -too frequently expect equal results from different soils, which -will always disappoint our hopes; a careful study of the materials -upon which we are to act, and a judicious application of culture -according to the _grain_ and _character_ of those materials, will -seldom fail of repaying our labours by such harvest as it is -reasonable to anticipate. - -I have, you see, only attempted here to give you a loose sketch of -my ground plan. You must ask specific questions, to which you shall -have the best replies in my power to give: but if I go on tacking -my thoughts together _generally_ upon the subject of education, I -may be giving you what you do not want. Tell me, then, all your -difficulties as they arise, and as far as my experience can remove -them you may rely upon my inclination to assist your virtuous -resolution of supplying a parent's place to your poor brother's -orphans. - -The many volumes devoted to the subject of education are frequently -written by people who have, like the spider, spun out the web of -their theories from within, and then applied those tissues to -creatures of their own imagination, fitting and conforming the one -to the other as nicely as Cinderella's slipper was found to suit -the princess for whose foot it had been made. Such books remind me -of a fine contrivance which should be devised with mathematical -precision by one wholly unacquainted with practical operations. -The machine is set going, and the influence of friction alone, -upon which our philosopher had never calculated in his closet, is -sufficient to overset the entire speculation. - -I must now employ the remainder of my paper in mentioning the -arrival of my nephew Arthur Howard. His health is far from being -robust: but I flatter myself _already_ that our balmy breezes from -the sea, and fragrant gales from the heath-covered mountains, which -nearly surround this little glen, have been of use to him. Nothing -could be more delightful to my heart than his perfect recovery, -if I might hope that, with renewed health, he were to inhale -amongst us some better notions (for I cannot dignify his nonsense -with the title of _opinions_) than the silly society of his poor -mother, and those vapid votaries of fashion with whom her hours -are passed, have infused into his youthful mind. Arthur is not -more than twenty, and has so good an understanding, combined with -a remarkably open, candid nature, that I cannot bear to think of -his being misled by vanity and folly. He is very engaging, though -in the high road to be spoiled, if we cannot, by some necromancy, -contrive to make him love our peaceful pleasures at Glenalta. - -It is to me a source of great amusement as well as delight to be -a silent observer of the group by which I am encircled. I had -prepared my dear Frederick and his sisters to find their cousin -frank and amiable, but sadly led astray by the tyranny of fashion; -and it is really more interesting than I can express, to behold the -sweet assiduities of these beloved children in administering to his -wants, endeavouring to promote his amusement, and softening his -prejudices by the most endearing kindness, and gentle, judicious -opposition. So nice is the tact which singleness of heart, and -affection inspire, that I have not had once to animadvert upon -any part of their manners towards our young guest since he came -amongst us, and as all their innocent projects for his reformation, -and delicate remarks upon the progress or failure of their little -schemes are imparted with the glow of confiding sympathy to me, I -am charmed with the discoveries which I am thus enabled to make in -the dispositions of my children, through circumstances calculated -to place them in new lights to my view. - -My mind undergoes variety of emotion in considering Arthur, whose -conflicts of spirit I can clearly penetrate. Sometimes diverted -beyond measure by his rising indignation, I can scarcely preserve -my gravity when I see his choler ready to burst into furious -invective against the many pursuits in which my girls are occupied -_so new_ to him; then checked ere it has exploded by some sprightly -sally on their part, or by his own evidently growing attachment -to their pleasant society. Emily reasons with him, Charlotte -expostulates, and Fanny banters so playfully with her cousin, -that her merriment seems always with a magic touch to restore his -temper to its equipoise. Arthur you know has been bred up in the -school of _the world_, and holds all its doctrines with tenacity. -Accomplishments make up all his idea of female education. To sing, -play on the harp and piano-forte, speak French, and know enough of -Italian to quote a line from Metastasio, are the utmost extent to -which he would permit a woman's lore to extend. Any thing more -than this, every degree of literary information beyond the poems of -Lord Byron or an Album, is voted _blue_, and Arthur's eloquence is -in continual exercise upon the absurdity, inutility, and vulgarity -of _learning in a lady_. His tirades are met with such perfect good -humour, and he is so frequently indebted to those resources in -his cousins which he affects to despise for varying the pleasures -of his day, that I prophesy a change in his opinions, but it will -not be wrought all at once. We must patiently endure some more -reproach, ere our young man of fashion will declare himself a -convert, but such is the charm of _mind over matter_, that I think -we shall conquer in the end. - -My dears all unite in most affectionate loves to you and yours with -my Elizabeth's - - Attached friend, - CAROLINE DOUGLAS. - -Mr. Oliphant returns from his northern trip next week. - - - - - LETTER V. - - ARTHUR HOWARD TO CHARLES FALKLAND. - - - My dear Falkland, - -Here comes the day for sealing my promised packet, which you will -find to contain the last week's register of matters and things -as time glides on at Glenalta.--Well; shall I begin by giving -you this day's impression, or travel, like a crab, backwards, in -order to get forward? As the latter will be in the Irish style, -and also conformable to my promise, I suppose that I must give it -the preference. To return then--I made up my budget on Wednesday -night, went to bed, tossed about rather feverishly for an hour or -two, partly from this plaguy cough, which was, I conclude, excited -by my journey, and partly, no doubt, from the irritation of my -temper. Sleep, however, that "sweet restorer," as _our_ poet so -beautifully calls it, came ere long to my aid, and my eyes were -closed until they opened at once upon Lewis, and the most brilliant -sunshine I ever beheld! - -"Lewis, I will get up before the family are stirring--I want to -look about me, and see something of this place before breakfast." -"Lord, sir," replied my squire, "the people of this house I believe -live without sleep, at least if I may judge by what I have seen as -yet. I was up myself at half past six, and the young ladies were -coming then from the sea when I went down stairs. They are off upon -some other prank now, for I saw two of them on donkies, and Mr. -Frederick is, I know not where, but certainly not in his room, for -the door and windows of it are wide open." - -I jumped up, and at eight o'clock sallied forth in quest of -adventures. The Glen, in which my aunt's dwelling is situated, -is most assuredly quite lovely; and this time of the year is so -charming in itself, that it is provoking that all things here -should not be in harmony. Just conceive a set of Blue Stockings -in a scene fit for nothing but love-music and romance,--faith it -is mortifying; not that I am near so angry as I was when I last -wrote. No; they are all very prudent, I must own; but the accursed -thing is _there_, and only waiting for an opportunity to overwhelm -me;--but to my diary. - -I had not gone ten yards from the hall door, along a winding -pathway that leads through a wood to the sea, when, fascinated -by the beauty of every thing around me, I thought that I would -run back for my sketch-book, and try if I could not at least take -_notes_ of the view near the house, particularly as I shall leave -it so soon, before I joined the family party. Just as I regained my -own room, I met pretty Fan, looking like a rose-bud. "Fred. and I -have been searching every where for you, Arthur, to give you your -little _dose_ of milk warm from the cow, which I am determined -shall cure your cough, and make you as fat as my Flora." So saying, -off she skipped, desiring me to wait for her return, and in a few -seconds she came back in the character of Hebe, bearing a goblet -of high-frothed milk instead of nectar, not for Jupiter, but your -humble servant. Never having been paid such an attention in all my -life before, I felt rather at a nonplus. Not a line from Scott, -Byron, or any of our British bards!--no, not even the "Thought -upon new milk," at which you and I have laughed in the Rolliad, -came to my relief. Not intimate enough to be thus served by a -princess of the castle, without returning _some_ acknowledgment, -and nothing either chivalric or poetical starting to my _rescue_, -I was completely _at fault_, and looked, perhaps for the first -time, something like Simon Pure. Fanny, however, did not seem to -observe any thing but the main point of whether the draught were -honestly dregged to the very bottom.--"Drink it all; the conserve -of roses, I dare say, will reward the last gulp,--there, that is a -dear boy--it will do you good;" and away flitted my nymph of the -mountain, saying, as she sped along, that she would come and walk -with me in a moment. Scarcely had I lost sight of her, before she -was back again; and all animation, with youth, health, and good -humour, she ran up to me and said--"Old Lawrence does not treat me -so formally as you do; _he_ does not look surprised when I offer -him a glass of milk; but smiles kindly, with a 'bless you, missy,' -as my reward." - -"What," answered I, "have you been meting out your favors this -morning to a set of pensioners, amongst whom I have the honour -to be classed? If that be the case, _my_ gratitude might be -taken from the general tribute, and hardly missed."--"Oh, then, -I see how it is," replied my little coz, "you are offended at me -for having taken care of a helpless old man in company with a -smart and fashionable young one; but you will not be angry when -I tell you, that this dear old soul is the precious mother's -foster-father." "And pray, my amiable Fan, what is the meaning of -_foster_-father, for in my life I never happened to hear of such a -relation."--"Well, you astonish me, Arthur; I find that you have a -great deal to learn. Old Lawrence, or Lorry, as you will soon be -taught to call him, was husband to mamma's nurse. Nanny is dead, -and much did we grieve for her; but it is a great consolation -for her loss, that we are enabled to make her excellent and aged -partner so happy and comfortable as he is at Glenalta. Remember, -too, that the blessed sun does not shine less brightly upon you, -dear Arthur, because it warms our poor old man: and when you think -of this, you will never grudge him a share of Drimindhu's milk." - -"And who, may I ask, is Drimindhu?" rejoined I. "A favourite cow. -Our Kerry cows are beautiful, and not unlike those of Alderney; but -Drim is my own property, and her milk is better than any other; -at least, _I_ think so, or I would not give it to you and Lorry. -Have your sisters _pets_ of this kind at Selby?" "No, indeed, _my_ -sisters know very little of cows; and I question whether they -ever heard that it is these animals which supply us with milk. -Louisa and Adelaide live for a great part of every year in town, -and when they go down into Buckinghamshire, or to Brighton, or -elsewhere, they ride and drive, but never take any part in domestic -affairs."--"Well, then," answered Fanny, "I am sorry for it--they -lose a very great pleasure by not cultivating a love for the -country and its pursuits. The act of loving is so delightful, that -it always seems like the soul's sunshine; and I never understand -the character of the Deity so well as when I think of Him as a God -of Love." - -Though I could not refrain from smiling, I felt for the time that -Fanny's view of things was very contagious. The splendor of a May -morning, the freshness of Nature, and the concert of singing birds, -had put me into a disposition to be pleased, and the simplicity of -this dear little girl had all the stimulating effect of novelty on -my senses. - -At this moment, turning round a wooded knoll which we had been -skirting while thus engaged in a sort of conversation so unlike -what I had ever been accustomed to, a group of three donkies -appeared in view. "Here they come," exclaimed Fanny; and, darting -with the fleetness of a greyhound, she flew to meet her sisters, -who were attended by a peasant-boy, carrying a basket before -him. Nothing could be more picturesque than the scene, and it -was much heightened by the approach of these rustic equestrians. -While I was moving towards them, a fine pointer passed me by at -full speed, and a tap on my shoulder announced Frederick, who came -running across the grass to join the party. A few moments brought -us together, and, to my amazement, the brother and sisters met with -as much demonstration of gladness at sight of each other as Louisa, -Adelaide, and I could have mustered after a year's separation. -The effect was pleasant; and, if _sincere_, this affection which -the people here discover towards each other has something very -_comfortable_ in it; but it is only calculated for this sort of -place, and, like hospitality, naturally flies into these recesses -of the earth, where the objects are scarce upon which one's -practice can be exercised. Politeness is necessary to a _certain_ -degree in the world, and even _that_ may be overdone; but beyond -this how little of the heart does one see brought into play, and -indeed on a great theatre the thing would be impracticable, if it -were not such a bore as to render an attempt to love every one that -a man meets as absurd as it is impossible. But I digress.--Large -coarse straw hats shaded my pretty cousins from the sun, which -shone brightly. The eldest has a peculiar expression, made up -of the intellectual and pensive, which is singularly agreeable, -though her features are not regular enough for what requires no -periphrasis to describe, but is at once called beauty. Charlotte -is very pleasing also; her countenance is less strongly marked -than Emily's by reflection, but it is quick as lightning--and full -of sensibility; while Fanny's face exhibits a mixture of all the -varied characteristics of both her sisters', or may perhaps be more -properly denominated a mirror, in which every movement of _their_ -minds that makes it way to the surface, is shadowed with fidelity. - -All were in a hurry to get home lest my aunt should be kept -waiting a moment; and so quick were the subsequent operations, -that Frederick has assisted the two damsels from their donkies, -the riding costume was _doffed_, as if by magic; and ere it -seemed possible to have gone through half the preliminary work of -preparation for breakfast, a bell tingled, and hastily pocketing -my sketch-book, I quitted my station near the house, where I had -lingered to make a memorandum of the spot, and was met at the door -by Fred. who stopped my entrance, saying, "Arthur, my mother fears -it may not be agreeable to you to attend family prayers; and, -as you are an invalid, I am desired to say, that you are not to -consider yourself bound to our hours, or observances; therefore, my -dear fellow, as you have of course said your own prayers, do not -think it necessary to join us; but Lewis has been asked, and as it -is pleasant to be _sure_ of religious instruction for the servants, -I came to mention the circumstance, lest you should want your -_valet_." - -Now the fact was, that though you know I _do_ say my prayers -generally, and think the practice a right one, I had not knelt down -on that morning. The stimulus of a new place, the vexation of the -preceding evening, and a sort of restless curiosity to look about -me, and make my observations while I had an opportunity of being -alone; all excited me to quit my room as fast as I could, and I did -so without a syllable of devotion: behold me, then, again caught in -the trap; and having blundered out something of being "very happy, -&c. &c." Frederick led the way, and in a small room where there was -no appearance of eatables, I found Mrs. Douglas and her daughters. - -My aunt, who is about forty, is a heavenly looking being, without -being handsome in the _common_ sense of the word. Her character of -countenance, manner, dress, is entirely and exclusively _her own_, -without conveying in any thing the idea of eccentric. Her smile is -lovely, and seems to warm into life and serenity whatever it rests -upon. - - "At length her sorrows drew a line of care - Across her brow, and sketch'd her story there. - Years of internal suffering dried the stream - That lent her youthful eye its liquid beam; - A mild composure to its glance succeeds, - The gayest look still spoke of widow's weeds." - -The exquisite lines, written by I know not whom, from which I -have made this extract, seem to have been drawn for my aunt. The -portraiture is perfect; but I must not forget that we are all -_fasting_. I was received with "welcome, _my_ Arthur," which I do -not know _why_, gave me a lump in my throat--a mixed sensation -of pain and pleasure, which I have very seldom experienced. The -servants, neatly dressed, and decorously arranged, lined the room. -Fanny placed old Lawrence's cushion, and a psalm, which was read by -Frederick, was succeeded by a prayer from his mother, pronounced -with such a thrilling pathos, that I felt it "_knock_ at my heart," -as our friend Russell said one day of an Irish melody. I admire -not only my aunt's selection, but since she _must_ have family -devotion, her judgment in limiting the time which it occupies to -so short a period. Nobody seems either tired or inattentive; but -the petition is so simple, so energetic, and so reasonable in point -of duration, that really one cannot say much against the practice, -after all: custom, too, familiarizes one in a day or two to -kneeling down among the servants, so that on the whole I have no -right to complain; and as I shall not describe our _genuflections_ -again, you may fancy me performing my matins and vespers with -monastic regularity. The Roman Catholic servants here attend as -punctually as the Protestants, and of their own free will, as -my aunt dreads hypocrisy, and therefore deprecates the idea of -_compelling_ her household to a mere lip-worship; but _her_ prayers -include all who require divine assistance, of whatever kind; and -the people seem to feel that she is truth itself. - -Well, we went to breakfast, and a very nice one it was. The soil -of this country and its humid atmosphere appear favourable to -grass, and all the dairy department is much better managed than -in England, at least as to the excellence of the milk, cream, and -butter, when brought upon the table; for I do not profess to be -acquainted, as yet, with the manipulations which they undergo. - -"My children, have you been fortunate in your ramble this morning? -What plants have you brought me?" asked Mrs. Douglas. I now -expected a first dissertation upon stamens and pistils--felt myself -starching my countenance involuntarily into a most repellent -expression, and was hastening to swallow a bit of toast that I -might turn to Frederick while the Linnæan lecture continued, when -Emily quickly, but joyously answered, "Oh, I am delighted to tell -you, that we found every thing you want except the club-moss." - -Much pleased, as well as surprised, I ventured now to hint about -the botanical books which I had glanced at, adding, "I thought -that you were all learned in botany as well as the whole circle of -sciences." A hearty laugh went round the table, and Emily replied, -"We know a few plants, and it is very amusing to go in search of -them in our mountain walks."--"And pray," I asked, "have they not -all long Latin teeth-breaking names? I dare say you know some -scientific title for club-moss." "I _do_ know another name," said -Emily, "but the English is always the easiest and pleasantest, -when one does not want to be precise." "Then, Emmy, we may set -about our recipe to-day, I think," half whispered little Fan. -Growing bold, now that I had broken the ice, I proceeded to say, -"So then you are _doctors_, too. Upon my word, it is somewhat -formidable to come into the midst of an academy in this unprepared -manner. You should all put on wigs, and write treatises; and you -should inform your friends what course is necessary to be read -before they come to examination." - -What answer I should have received to this sally, I cannot tell, -for in the moment of uttering it, the door opened, and my aunt's -dear friend, Mr. Otway, made his appearance. The vivid joy with -which he was greeted was quite unlike any thing that I had ever -seen, before my acquaintance here; but it was neither noisy nor -overwhelming, and though certainly very _unfashionable_, I could -not for the life of me help feeling how very delightful it must be -to excite so much lively emotion of a pleasurable kind by one's -presence. Mr. Otway's presence was welcomed with rapture by the -whole group, though in the expression of each _bien venu_ there -was something individually characteristic. My aunt's reception of -a person for whom she feels affection, is touchingly kind; and -while the bright glow of hospitality lights up her whole manner -and appearance, the gleam is accompanied by a sort of tender -melancholy, which would evidently conceal itself were it possible, -but which, when interpreted, seems to say, "there _was_ a time when -you would have been doubly welcome, for then I was not alone." - -Her smile brings that beautiful image in Ossian to my mind, which -you and I have admired, "It was like a sun-beam on the dark side -of a wave." Fanny's exclamation, upon Mr. Otway's entrance, was, -"Oh, dearest _Phil._ can this indeed be you?" To expound this -extraordinary salutation would have been difficult when first I -heard it; but I am now enabled to say, that this gay assembly -christened him "The Philosopher," because of his extensive -knowledge, to which all the family are in the habit of appealing -as to a great bank of deposit; and it appears, that no letter of -credit drawn upon it has ever been dishonored. _Phil._ then, is -short-hand for philosopher, and my ear is now familiar with this -playful abbreviation. - -The first effervescence over, I was presented to, and met with -a cordial shake of the hand by Mr. Otway, to whom I must now -introduce you. He is about five-and-fifty, tall, and striking in -his appearance, with a fine forehead, remarkably intelligent eyes, -and splendid teeth. His manners are easy and polished: and though -the first _coup d'[oe]il_ was a little in the Robinson Crusoe -style, yet, when he put off a large and shaggy looking cloak, laid -by a prodigious staff, like that of a watchman, which he held in -his hand, and got rid of a cap, the laps of which were folded -over his cheeks when he first came in, I perceived that he was a -remarkably well-looking man; perhaps I should say _distingué_ most -decidedly, and thereby hangs a tale, for my evil genius was at -hand, and I got into a scrape on account of him ere an hour elapsed -after his introduction; but not to anticipate, it seems that a long -illness had confined him for some time, and this was the first -visit that he had made on foot, which was the reason of his being -unusually muffled, and also of the more than common happiness -expressed at sight of him. He sat only a few minutes, but promised -to dine on the following day; and immediately after his departure -my aunt, addressing herself to me, said, "Arthur, my love, we are -a home-spun set of people here, very unlike the world to which you -are accustomed, and instead of passing our mornings in amusement, -we go to our several occupations till two o'clock, at which hour -you will always find luncheon in the breakfast-parlour, and your -cousins ready to ride or walk; but as you must not be expected to -drop all at once into our old-fashioned ways, Frederick and Emily -shall be your companions to-day, Charlotte and Fanny to-morrow. In -this manner, you will be acquainted with our walks, and introduced -to our sunny bowers. When Fred.'s next examinations are over, he -will be a free man; and in the mean time you will, I know, bear -with our stupidity."--So saying, she pressed my hand, and left the -room, followed by the younger girls. - -"Shall we walk or ride to-day?" said Emily. "We are your attendant -knights," answered Frederick, "and wait your decision." "Oh, -oh!" quoth I, "Sir Charles Grandison upon our hands:" I did not, -however, say so _aloud_; I thought it better to feel my way a -little, and only replied, "Certainly."--Emily, with perfect ease, -rejoined, that she thought we might perhaps do both, and, turning -to her brother, added, "Suppose that we take him first through the -Glen, then round the coppice to Lisfarne Wood; and after luncheon, -if Arthur is not tired, we may ride up the mountain, and shew him -the bay." Matters were arranged in a moment, and forth we sallied, -Frederick presenting one arm to his sister and the other to me. -"Pooh! what a piece of ceremony you are," said I. "How so?" eagerly -asked Emily; "Fred. is so affectionate, that he _cannot_ be formal: -his heart always serves with him in the place of etiquette, by -suggesting all that the most genuine politeness could dictate: his -attentions are not confined to strangers; but, unlike those of cold -mannerists, are bestowed upon the people whom he loves best." - -This savoured of a _sting_, and I felt my colour rising; but in -a second I found that none could have been designed; indeed, how -should it, for they knew nothing of my conduct with my sisters, and -therefore could never have intended a stab in the dark. "Plague -on these _retirements_," thought I to myself, "where there is no -standard for good manners but people's own crude notions of what -is right and wrong! This ponderous machinery of morals, brought to -bear upon every trifle, is as difficult to be at ease with, as the -heavy cross-stitch, long-backed chairs of antiquity which are just -suited to such _buckram_, and it is a pity that the furniture at -Glenalta is not in _keeping_ with these straight-laced puritans who -are its inhabitants."--Thoughts are rapid, and these flew over my -mind so fleetly as not to be fashioned into any sort of utterable -form, when the gay cheerfulness of my companions dispelled the -passing cloud, and we took a delightful walk, which was enlivened -by a great deal of pleasant conversation. We talked of Killarney, -which they tell me I must visit when I cease to _bark_. We planned -some boating parties, which, by the bye, will be just the thing, -and kill two birds with one stone; for the physicians, my mother -tells me in her last letter, desire me to go upon the water, and -as I like it excessively I shall have the credit of being a very -docile patient. They tell me that there are some curious remnants -of antiquity, which I am to see; and, in short, we cut out work -enough to occupy some time, which, if I can spin out in this back -settlement of mankind, _tant mieux_. - -Well, but now for my scrape, and a _devil_ of a one I can tell you -it was. While we were jogging on as merrily as possible, Fred. -made a hop, step, and jump into the bottom of a ditch, "Emily, -what is this?" as he snapped at something growing near the bottom. -I do believe, answered she, that it is a leaf of the parnassia; -but to make _sure_, we will keep it for dear Phil. This unlucky -Phil. was my stumbling block. "By the bye," I said, "he is a very -fine looking man of his age," and totally forgetting where I was, -Old Nick put it into my head to add, "pray, is he one of aunt's -aspirants?" If I had fired a pistol at Emily, she could not have -been more amazed. For a second she stood motionless, and then -burst into tears. I begged a thousand pardons, and asked how I had -offended, while Frederick, exactly as if he had been her lover, -pressed her hand with the most affectionate solicitude, and leading -his sister towards the bank, we were all seated by a sort of tacit -consent in a moment. A silence while you could reckon ten, ensued, -and I felt foolish enough, as well as vexed, at such a _contre -tems_ in the midst of our good humour. Again I mentally cursed -botanists, philosophers, and _precieuses_, though I must own they -were not to blame upon the present occasion, when it was my own -confounded folly in forgetting what a _Ninette à la Cour_ I had to -deal with that produced this vexatious _kick up_. But while I was -biting my lip, and thinking what I should say _next_, Emily brushed -off her tears, and seizing my hand in the kindest manner, gently -implored my forgiveness, as if _she_ had been the offender, and -with as much _naïveté_ and tenderness, as if she had never read a -word of Greek or Latin in her life, said with energy, "Arthur, will -you pardon me. I know that you could never have meant the least -degree of unkindness; I was very foolish not to recollect in the -instant when you spoke, that you were only jesting; but I am so -jealous for my beloved mother, and feel such love and respect for -her valued friend, that unaccustomed to any other sentiments than -those of reverence and affection, I was quite unprepared for your -joke, which I know you will not repeat: say that you forgive me." I -felt really grateful for this good-natured address, because I had -certainly distressed her, and I therefore said very sincerely that -I was sorry for having inadvertently touched a chord that vibrated -so sensitively, adding, "but you do me only justice in believing -that nothing was further from my intentions than to wound your -feelings. I live in a world where such things are said every day -with impunity, and in fact (if you will not be angry with me for -_explaining_) I meant simply to say, that Mr. Otway and my aunt -seem well suited to each other. She is still a very attractive -woman, and he seems to feel that she is so. Now dear Emily is not -this 'the very head and front of mine offending?'" "I will try and -not again expose myself," said Emily, "by giving way to impulses -which should be under better control; it is very wrong, as well as -silly I know, to judge all things and people by the same standard; -and therefore I ought to have remembered, that the gay circle of -fashion in which you live, must of necessity be governed both in -habits and opinions by a rule as different as possible from any -that guides our simple hearts in the Kerry mountains. Now then, -here is my bargain,--I will not be angry any more, and you will -not draw conclusions, till you are better acquainted at Glenalta. -When you are, you will not be inclined to repeat the _treason_; you -will then see clearly how much you mistake the characters of the -persons who surround you: when the subject may be more interesting -than it can be while you are a mere stranger here, I will give you -a sketch of Mr. Otway's history; till then, you are to be a _calm -observer_." - -All this was said with an air that partook of playful and serious; -and while it conveyed the most cheerful pardon to me, intimated -as clearly, that the error I had committed was not a slight one. -Frederick gave an encouraging look at his sister, and merrily -turning to me, finished, by saying, "We shall all be intimate by -and by, and see each other as we really are; till then, we must -obey our little mistress." Frederick and Emily appear quite devoted -to one another. We recovered our fracas very speedily; and after -a walk through some of the most beautiful scenery I ever saw, -returned home. Just as we were leaving a coppice that joins with -the shrubbery grounds, a poor woman without shoes or stockings, and -one of the most grotesque figures I ever beheld, popped upon her -knees while we were crossing a stream; recollecting suddenly that -I was now in the island of saints, I expected to hear an _ave_ at -least from this poor disciple of St. Patrick; but with uplifted -hands, streaming eyes, and county of Kerry _whine_, she invoked the -"'blessed Virgin' to shower down her best gifts on Emily's head" -"Oh Miss, _mavourneen_, Jem is well again, and going to work; and -I made bould to come over the mountain with a bit o' fish and a -little hen for ye." "Eileen, I thank you heartily," said Emily, -"and am very glad to hear that your husband is better; but where -are your shoes and stockings?" "Honey, I left 'em at home, a fear -I'd be wearing 'em out too soon; but the flax you gave me is a'most -spun, and when I gets the price of it, I'll have another pair of -stockings, and then, plase God, I'll not come to your honor any -more bare-footed." - -How strange is this sort of thing! and yet this creature, scarcely -human, had a kind of natural grace about her which I believe to -be the offspring of enthusiasm: she was not at all abashed by my -presence, but tripped lightly along with us, as if assured that -she was welcome to Emily, who seemed her principal object, though -turning to Fred. presently, she exclaimed "Och, then Maisther -Frederick, how low my poor Jem was the last day that your honor -comed to see him! sure he called to little Tade, and tould him to -bring down the priest, and not tell me, a fear I'd be fretted; and -sure enough, Father Clancy come to us afore night fall, and said a -dail over him in gibberish like, that Jem did'nt know a word of; -why then, ever since, he's growing better every day; God bless -Father Clancy, and the physicks that I gets from Miss Emly." - -I was much amused: this was worthy a place in Miss Edgeworth's -Absentee; but we were now opening a little wicket into the -shrubbery, and Eileen stopping, told Emily that she would go -round, it not being fit for "the likes of her to come in front of -the house." Emily's answer was, "you should come this way my good -Eileen, if it was the shortest, but you shall go round by those -trees, because you will get rid of your load directly by doing so, -and I will go with you to keep Carlo from barking at you." How new -to me is all this attention to the feelings of mere peasants; and -yet my mother's family are all zealous reformists, and of course -talk much of the people. The reason no doubt of all this is to be -found in the total ignorance of the world which prevails here. We -had now come within a few paces of the verandah, when Fanny, with a -delighted face, flew up to her brother and me, "Pray do look! the -warm sunshine of this day is bringing out my _grubs_, and I shall -have butterflies before the usual time." "Aye, Fan, said Frederick, -but you will not prevail on this day's warmth to last, and your -early butterflies may be killed by frost, if you force them out -before their time." This was a new idea, and abated Fanny's joy, -who now ran off to consult her mother and Emily upon this matter of -importance. I find my obedience to your commands, will involve me -in quires of paper, so if you do not desire a stationer's bill of -large amount to be brought in to you, upon your return, you must -let me _skip_ now and then, after giving you these _peeps_ into -character. - -Imagine now a nice luncheon furnished with fine apples that have -outlived the winter, milk, honey, and sandwiches. Suppose us all -met, and an arrangement entered upon, for the mountain ride. -Charlotte, Fanny, Fred. and I, mounted, and my aunt setting out in -a little donkey cart with Emily, upon some of their inventions. We -took a charming ride, and I certainly feel this air quite a balsam -in itself. These dear little girls; think of their having prepared -Iceland moss, and made up the finest stuff you ever tasted for a -cold, which they have left in my room. At every turn I find some -mark of kind attention, and all this without fuss, or the slightest -demand upon my gratitude. - -Brother and sisters were gay and agreeable during our excursion. - -Frederick is a very fine fellow, with excellent abilities and noble -spirits; and in short, what with sunshine, soft air, fine views, -and good society, I came back to Glenalta in monstrous good humour, -notwithstanding that I was put in mind of my morning's annoyance -by the sight of _Phil._ driving up to the door in a gig just as we -reached home. The bell rang, (for I do assure you that we do things -here _secundum artem_, and dress for dinner), and we separated -after greeting Mr. Otway _en passant_. A very good repast, at which -Eileen's fish made a figure, as also some extraordinary sea-kale -which is a matter of rivalry between the houses of Glenalta and -Lisfarne, Emily trying one mode of culture and Mr. Otway another, -came to an end in due season without the least _stagnation_, such -as one so often witnesses in the country. - -Mr. Otway is decidedly a very superior man, his conversation -displays extensive information, and, what is singular enough, -though I am given to understand that Killarney is _now_ the limit -of his excursions from home, there is nothing awkward about him. -He is accounted by all, except this family, a great oddity, for he -does not mix in society with the neighbourhood, and is given to -solitary walks and musing, which people, less cultivated than he -is, do not understand. He is not an idler however, as they tell me -that his life is a continued series of active beneficence. - -When the dessert was put upon the table, and the servants gone, -we drew our chairs very snugly round a blazing billet, which the -evenings are just chilly enough still to render as comfortable as -it is a social sight; and just as we had formed a crescent about -the fire, that sly-boots, little Fan, looking over at me, with the -most innocent archness imaginable, made an appeal, for which I was -not quite prepared, and addressing herself to Mr. Otway, suddenly -asked him, "What is the meaning, dear Phil. of calling people -Blue-stockings, whose stockings are really white?" - -Mr. Otway smiled, and answered, "Blue-stockings, my Fan, is a -vulgar slang for learned ladies." - -"Why not for learned gentlemen too?" replied Fanny. - -"That is more than I can tell you, unless for the reason, that -those who have given this nickname to your sex, are of the other -themselves, and there are not many men who like ridicule, when it -is brought home." - -"Then I am to understand that the appellation Blue Stocking implies -a taunt." - -"Certainly, a learned lady is the terror of all ignorant men, and -to cover their own idleness, or incapacity, they never fail to -under-value what they do not possess, particularly if they find -knowledge and ability in those, whom, _as females_, they consider -their inferiors; but you ought to apply to your cousin, who can -give you the latest _edition_. I am an old square-toes you know, -and words change their meaning every day. Howard, _unde derivatur_, -modern Blue-stockings if you please?" - -I felt a little awkwardly, but answered, "Mr. Stillingfleet, -I believe, is the origin. At least his Blue-stockings at Mrs. -Montagu's _soirées_ are the only parentage that I have heard of for -the term, and you have defined it." - -"Well," said Fanny, "this is odd enough, for it appears that -a gentleman wore the blue-stockings, which are transferred to -the ladies; but now Phil. I want to know why learned ladies are -disliked. I always thought that people were esteemed in proportion -to their knowledge, if they made a right use of it." - -"_There_," answered Mr. Otway, "you have yourself told the whole -secret; _if they make a right use of it_. Now it has happened -that some ladies have made a _wrong_ use of their talents and -attainments, and thus have drawn reproach upon the whole sex to -which they appertain." - -"What _is_ this wrong use which which has been so heavily punished, -may I enquire," interposed Charlotte, while my aunt, Emily, and -Frederick, seemed quite delighted with this curious catechism. - -"The word _display_, includes the whole charge," said Mr. Otway. -"Some women have foolishly destroyed the ease of society by an -unseasonable introduction of their acquirements, and a pedantic -exhibition of the variety and extent of them in pompous expression, -unsuited to mixed companies, and uncalled for by the occasion." - -"But why visit the faults of a few on the whole sisterhood," -interrupted Fanny, with eagerness, "Mr. Otway?" - -"Because men are very uncandid in their judgments, and find it -easier to get rid of a vexation by annihilating the cause, than by -regulating the effects." - -Emily here begged to know "whether men were never vain-glorious, -and if they were, why they too were not nicknamed." - -"In fact," said Mr. Otway, "dunces and fools hate in men, as well -as women, whatever they cannot understand or appreciate; and the -terms Bookworm, Philosopher, Quid-nunc, &c. are frequently employed -to designate persons of superior erudition; but men are simply -avoided as _bores_; women are contemned as rivals." - -At this moment I chanced to look at Fanny, and saw a tear gliding -down her cheek. In the instant of being observed, she started -up, and throwing her affectionate arms around Mr. Otway's neck -exclaimed, "Oh never, never, will I call you Phil. again, which -is the short name with us for philosopher. Why did you not tell -me before that it was a term of derision? I love you as our dear -friend, and I thought it the most delightful thing possible, to -know so much as you do, and to be so like the Encyclopedia as you -are." - -It was not in nature to resist this sally. We all laughed heartily, -though I saw a responding tear glitter in my aunt's eye, and Mr. -Otway impressing a parental kiss on Fanny's cheek, explained in a -few words, assuring her that however he might feel undeserving of -the title which she had bestowed upon him, yet, as being her gift, -it was so valuable that he would not exchange the appellation of -_Phil._ for the most beautiful name in the English language. - -Fanny's gaiety was immediately restored, and as the conversation -hit my fancy very much, I was glad that Mr. Otway resumed it by -saying, "the reason why display of a little learning is not so -common amongst men as women, is not that they are less subject to -vanity than the latter, but because _their_ vanity is differently -directed. Learning being the business of _all_ educated men, there -is nothing on which to plume themselves in knowing a little Greek, -Latin, and mathematics. Every school-boy does the same, and it is -only pre-eminence in these studies which renders a man remarkable. -Now _real_ knowledge, extensive learning, and powerful intellect, -of the highest class, preclude boasting for two reasons, first -because I believe that it may be asserted of such minds, that they -are most sensible to the great truths of religion, which, above all -monitors with whose influence we are acquainted, inspires genuine -humility; and secondly, because it is the nature of knowledge to -render those who have made the greatest progress in its attainment -most keenly alive to the deficiencies of all human intellect. 'A -little learning is a dangerous thing,' and flippancy is ever the -offspring of superficial information." - -"Now unfortunately some of the female sex having just tasted of -the Pierian springs, have become stimulated to intoxication, -without proceeding to the sobering draught recommended by the poet. -Then, as a woman's education does not _usually_ comprehend either -classical or scientific literature, a very slight proficiency in -either will make a great shew, just as a solitary candle will do -in a dark place; but there are silly people to be found in every -country as of every age, and _both_ sexes." "Pray then," said -Emily, "would not the abuse of learning be remedied in a manner -_kind_ as well as efficient, by making knowledge fashionable, -rather than by condemning half the creation to ignorance? If girls -were _generally_ allowed to acquire more information than it is -customary to teach them, there would be an end of what you call -blue-stockings, and women would not boast of a little reading any -more than they do of drawing or music." - -"You are perfectly right, Emily," answered Mr. Otway, "the best -gifts may be abused, and the improper use of any good that -we possess can never be considered as a sound argument for -relinquishing it. Neither do men argue in this way when the -question relates to money, power, rank, or any of those advantages -which they _desire_ to achieve. Now, my own opinion is, that much -of the unhappiness of married life, as well as the insipidity of -mixed society, results from the present style of female education. -Accomplishments are ornamental, yet they are only the acanthus -that decorates the pillar, not the pillar itself. The most empty -mind, the worst regulated temper, may be the portion of a young -lady who plays and sings like a professor, who draws and models, -who can take casts, and sculpture marble. All these things, -however pretty, occupy neither the highest nor the best powers of -the human mind; and, generally speaking, they are pursuits which -_suppose_ exhibition. There are few who cultivate them on their -_own account_; and thousands arrive at excellence in several -branches of polite education without natural taste, merely to -attain certain ends, and when they are compassed, the scaffolding -is thrown aside altogether; the fingers are given a holyday, and -the unfurnished understanding stands confessed in all its vacuity. -If the vessel be not valuable from what it contains, it naturally -follows that the external fashion will determine its estimation; -and thus a short-lived grace comes to be the pearl of price; and -when the bloom of youth is past, there is no fund to support the -long evening of life. A sleepy animalized existence at _home_, or -a perpetual search after excitement abroad, succeeds. Both sexes -degenerate, society grows more vapid, and more vulgar, every day, -till reduced to its coarse elements of mere sensual attraction, -folly ends in vice, and things are worse and worse, till some -new impetus arises to change the entire system. If companionship -be the charm of social intercourse, why should not both sexes -cultivate those qualities and attainments which, besides being most -intrinsically excellent, promise durability?" - -"Arthur," said my Aunt, "you must represent _the world_, and reply -to Mr. Otway." "Well then, with deference to his opinion," said -I, "let it be remembered that there is no necessary connection -between the amiable qualities of heart which we admire in woman, -and book knowledge. On the contrary, I should say that reading is -a selfish pleasure; shut up in a library, surrounded by grammars -and lexicons, people are not likely to improve their tempers -half so much as in the endeavour to please by proficiency in -music, dancing, drawing, sculpture, and all the list of elegant -accomplishments which every mother in the fashionable world -procures with the utmost anxiety for her daughters. In fact, the -_establishment_ of a girl who has no fortune, absolutely depends -upon her power of attraction; and when you reflect that men seek -society to unbend their thoughts, and to get rid of the studies, as -well as the cares which oppress them in the several walks of busy -occupation, whether in the field, or the closet, the senate, or the -court, I cannot help feeling that matters are very happily adjusted -in the division of labour, which the general sense of mankind has -adopted, and that women have no business whatsoever with any thing -but the _agrémens_ of life, and should leave to us the whole toil -of reading and thinking." - -"Well I am sure," said Fanny, "the motive is so kind that the -arrangement _ought_ to be a good one. What do you think, Mamma?" -"My love," answered her Mother, "I shall lie by and be a listener. -The argument is in very good hands, and I shall keep my opinion in -reserve, for a _single combat_ with Arthur, when he is inclined 'to -fight the battle o'er again.'" - -"We will take Emily's judgment upon this question," said Mr. Otway: -"Emily, what think _you_ of the gallantry which Fanny conceives -to be deserving of such praise?" "Indeed," ingenuously answered -Emily, "a kind motive, I should say with Fan, is so sweet, that -it inclines one to find fault with great moderation; but, however -amiable the desire to save our sex all trouble, I must own that I -do not at all admire the expedient, nor think that it seems to be a -judicious one. Reading is a great pleasure to me, and if books were -denied me, I should feel a void in my life which I do not believe -it would be easy to fill; besides, the day is so long, if one rises -early that I do not see why there should not be time for many -things as well as music and drawing." - -"Come, come," said Mr. Otway, "it is not generous to profit by the -simplicity of our panegyrists. If the motive for denying, or, at -least, _grudging_ to women the advantages of a sound and a literary -education, be analyzed, I fear that it will turn out but little -creditable to our sex, and the proof that it is so, may rest on -the circumstance that the cleverest and really best informed men -are those who encourage female ambition to soar above the common -standard. _These_ men delight in superior talents, and cultivation -wherever they find them. They are not afraid of rivalry, and their -minds are too large to take pleasure in any supremacy which is -produced by exclusion. The lazy, and the tyrannical, would fence -in their privileges, and not permit to women a participation in -what they choose to call their inherent rights; the former to save -themselves the trouble of acquiring knowledge, and the latter -because they would depress and enslave the sex to which they -would allot no higher calling than that of administering to their -amusement? Is not this a _true bill_?" I could not deny that there -was some force in the statement, but urged the _general_ voice as -being considered the best criterion of what is good in itself, and -then advanced the necessity of making some difference between two -sets of beings destined to such dissimilar offices. "Men are born -to action. They live in public, they preside in the councils of -nations; they provide for the families that look up to them for -protection; they labour in the field with their hands, and in the -closet with their brains. When the toil of life is suspended, they -desire relaxation, and to be gratified by the charms of beauty, -grace, sweet music, and good manners." - -"And these are all compatible with much higher and more dignified -powers, and purposes," rejoined my antagonist. "Some writer, -whose name I forget, has said, 'tell me your amusements, and I'll -tell you what you are.' There is a great deal of wisdom in the -idea, and it holds good in forming an estimate both of nations -and individuals. The love of gain, the dread of poverty, desire -of fame; in short, a thousand motives may, and do, constrain men -to engage in pursuits which make the _business_ of life. A set -of shoemakers, or a privy council, merely _as such_, are brought -to a level with each other, the one party as tradesmen, the -other as ministers, and the only difference that we perceive in -contemplating the _body_, in either case, resides in the superior -or inferior skill of the workman or the statesman, compared with -his fellows; but when the low occupation of the one, or the high -employment of the other, is brought to its close, and the _man_ -retires from his labours to unbend in the enjoyment of the social -hour, it is _then_ that we find of what materials he is made." - -"We will suppose first of the humble artizan, that one takes the -fruit of his toil to the public-house, where it is spent in company -with the idle and the vicious; that from thence he proceeds to the -pugilistic ring, and gambles away the remainder of his earnings, -while his mind is brutalized by the nature of the sport, and his -wife and children are left to starve. _Here_ you have no hesitation -in condemning such an appropriation of time and money; nor do I -believe that you would find any greater difficulty in bestowing -your praise upon the industrious father who, gathering his children -round the evening fire, can participate with the goodly partner -of his cares in the task of rearing a young family to virtuous -principles and prudent habits as his best happiness. Trust me, my -young friend, that in the higher classes of society we may trace -as much variety of character as in the humbler walks; and vice is -both as vulgar, and unholy, when varnished over by fashion, as it -is in those situations that present its deformity to view unveiled -by the gloss of rank and fortune. Why should recreation be found -only in the inanity of sloth, or the stimulus of dissipation? Is -such recreation worthy of a rational creature? I do not mean to -say that music and merriment are not very agreeable, but are these -less pleasing because they are not the _sole_ resources? Here are -my dear little nurses, whose kindness during a long and painful -illness I shall never forget. Do you think that I dreaded poison in -my cup, because Emily can translate Lucian, and Charlotte is not -perplexed by a quotation from Virgil?" - -"Pray, pray, dear Phil." exclaimed Fanny, "say nothing about Greek -and Latin, lest Arthur, adopting the language of fashion, should -call the peaceable inhabitants of Glenalta, Blue-stockings." -"Indeed but I will," quoth Phil. "and, as I design to enlist Howard -as the champion of his cousins, I think it fair to tell him all -that he will have to defend." - -Here was a pretty loop-hole for a civil speech, such as I did not -neglect, but declared my readiness to enter the lists, provided -that I was not to be considered a Don Quixote, prepared cap-à-pé, -to fight the battles of every distressed _Blue_, who might chance -to be attacked by an uncourteous enemy. "But, my good Sir," said -I, "since we have gone so far in this discussion, let me soberly -and seriously ask what is the _use_ of learning in a woman? Is -she handsomer, more lively, more attractive, for having her head -crammed with strange languages? If I am to be a champion, I must -begin my service by what may appear perhaps rather ungallant, -though I hope that the present company will acquit me of any design -to do otherwise than afford my _best_ service, provided that you -succeed in converting me from opinions which I have been brought up -in a belief are founded in nature and good sense." - -"My dear fellow," replied Mr. Otway, "do not profane the names -of nature and good sense by identifying the one or the other -with fashion. I would appeal to your understanding, and if that -is not convinced of error, I would leave you to the prejudices -which you have imbibed. Let us then now fairly meet each other. -You ask, will women be made more beautiful, more lively, more -attractive, by being more instructed? Perhaps I may encounter a -laugh, if I answer yes; first, I always consider intelligence as -the greatest beautifier of a face, which, if handsome, is lit up -by an additional ray in every new exercise of the mental powers; -and if ugly is at least prevented from being stupid by cultivation. -But this will not satisfy you, because I assume the very thing -that you deny; so I will ask you, have men _a right_ to consider -women as objects merely of gratification to their eyes and ears? -Are not women endowed with sense and feeling; with high powers of -intellectual energy, and immortal spirits like men? Were these -gifts, think you, conferred for nothing but to be employed in the -arts of catching butterflies? No, no-- - - 'Domestic bliss, that like a harmless dove - Can centre in a little nest, - All that desire would fly for through the world,' - -is improved by all that gives variety and interest to the social -union of two souls destined to find the principal portion of their -happiness _at home_. The merely fashionable accomplishments can -last only for a season, and that very season which least requires -their aid, for youth and sprightliness are so full of elasticity -and joy, that were music, painting, &c. banished from the world, -there is a halcyon hour in the life of all, in which their -aids would not be missed, because they are not wanted; but the -summer-fly, which gaily flits in the warmth of a meridian beam, -ought not to be our model. Life, like every four and twenty hours, -has its morning and evening, then its night. Do not start, I am -not going to give you a homily; I would only call an intelligent -mind to a quiet investigation of truth, and farther ask, when time -steals the bloom from beauty's cheek, and the song, which once -charmed the ear has died away--when the fairy fingers have lost the -ease, - - 'Which marks security to please?' - -When the nymph is changed into the matron, and the sylphid form of -eighteen is transformed into the "mother of many children," pray -what becomes of companionship which had rested its sole support -on the evanescent perfections of youth, the very nature of which -is to pass away like a morning dream? Would it not be wiser first -to consider the human species as formed for a world beyond this, -in which it is appointed 'to fret our little hour,' and to make a -vital sense of our _ultimate_ destination, the _primum mobile_ in -every scheme of existence? This is the grand, the principal, the -master-link of all earthly union, because it does not end here, but -binds the faster as terrestrial things wax nearer to a close. Upon -this broad base would not rational creatures, who are expressly -fashioned for each others' society in this world, naturally be -led to cultivate in common the greatest degree of intellectual -perfection? Do you believe that the ditinguishing, the ennobling -boon of reason is granted to _both_ sexes, to be only exercised by -a very limited number of _one_ sex, and lavished in thoughtless -waste by all the rest? Never entertain such an idea of the Creator, -who has made nothing without its end, purpose, and design. I do -not expect you to become a convert in the twinkling of an eye, but -I feel as if we should one day have you added to our ranks, a -staunch partisan of better views than those which you have learned -to advocate." - -"Before you conclude," said I, "your introductory lecture upon -_Bluism_, you must hear my creed, such as I brought it to Glenalta. -Do not suppose that I think it possible for a society to be held -together without the bond of religion. Whatever errors I might have -been inclined to fall into, had I been left to myself, I have a -friend, and that a youthful one too, who has kept such a _watch_ -upon my sayings, doings, and thinkings, as to preserve me at least -from the _grosser_ mistakes to which young men are liable who have -no Mentor to guide their course. I am thoroughly convinced that -religion is necessary in every community that aims at being well -ordered, and that women ought to be considered as peculiarly its -guardians; they are the nurses of young ideas, the first shoots of -which are directed by female solicitude, and it would never do to -have our _ladies_ turn infidels." - -"Very well," said Mr. Otway, "here are some strong admissions. -You believe in the absolute necessity of religion in a well -constituted state, and you are right; for if all the restraints -which religion superadds to those arising out of mere moral fitness -and utility, be quite inadequate to render men virtuous, _a -fortiori_, they would not be better for increased latitude to do -evil." - -"You _next_ admit that the most valuable of all things here, -because that which best secures peace on earth and happiness in -heaven, it is _peculiarly_ the province of the female part of -creation to protect with care, and distribute with zeal. Here is a -high trust--here is a mighty office, and it would naturally follow -from your acquiescence in reposing such confidence in a certain set -of people, that you must admit the propriety of rendering them fit -depositories for the sacred trust by some suitable preparation. Be -assured, my young friend, that a fashionable education will not -achieve this end. But you must not mistake me. I do not mean to -assert that there is any necromancy in learning _this_ language or -the other. I would only be understood to say that during the early -years of childhood there is time enough for much more than is -usually taught to girls from five to fifteen; and while the memory -is retentive, the curiosity fresh, and all the faculties ready for -action, it is a pity that food for the mind should not be provided -of a more substantial kind than is generally supplied. In learning -the dead, we attain the principles of living languages; we become -able to trace our own mother tongue to its source; we enlarge the -field of knowledge and of comparison; we search the Scriptures -with effect, because we are enabled to search them minutely; and -why should these advantages be denied to one half of the creation? -Woman's empire is peculiarly to be found in her _Home_. Whatever -adds dignity to her dominion, and variety to her pleasures in the -scene of them, I must ever maintain to be the best safeguard of -national virtue. Barbarism and excessive refinement are extremes -of a widely-extended series, and like all other extremes come -to meet at last. The selfishness of the former, exercises the -pre-eminence of animal strength in compelling the weaker sex to -endure the fatigue of cultivating the ground, and performing -every servile occupation, in order that the stronger may enjoy, -without interruption, the coarse and sensual gratifications which -constitute their happiness; while the equally selfish, but more -elegant sons of modern luxury, exert a tyranny not less despotic, -in reducing the female mind to that dull level best suited to -their own inglorious apathy and sloth. The matter can never rest -here. Providence has formed the sexes for each other; and the -mutual attraction is too powerful to be resisted. To regulate the -nature of this attraction is all that moral improvement can effect; -and I see with grief a mighty change in progress. Our young men -are (I speak not of all) cold, careless, rude, and covetous; our -youthful females are bred up as if for the stage, and as, with -all 'the means and appliances to boot,' the opera and the theatre -will always supply more finished specimens of singing, dancing, -and acting, than can be found elsewhere. We accordingly see that -many of our present generation of men are not ashamed of seeking -the companion of their lives, the wife of their bosoms, and the -mother of their future offspring, on the boards of Drury Lane -or Covent Garden: thus destroying whatever gives sweetness to -domestic retirement. An actress _may_ possess more worth than many -of the audience who gaze upon her through their glasses from the -surrounding boxes, but the charm of modesty can _hardly_ belong to -her who lives in perpetual exhibition; nor can the woman, whose -sole profession is the study of fictitious and, generally speaking, -unamiable characters, be expected to have much time for cultivating -her own character to the profit of an immortal soul." - -"But, Sir, you speak of the theatre. Our young women of fashion -are not players; and supposing that they were, and that we must -all select our partners in the school of Thespis, would the study -of Homer and Simonides, of Virgil and Horace, be a remedy for the -evils of which you complain?" - -"No, my dear Howard. I attach no magic to these authors. On the -contrary, there may be an overweening attachment to the ancients, -and there are still a few scholars of the old school who value -_every_ thing that comes to them in Greek or Latin cloathing, -and encumber their pages with quotations which have nothing to -recommend them beyond the mere learning which they exhibit. But, -returning to our argument, I deny your premises. You assert that -our young women of fashion are not actresses: I maintain that they -are." - -"Aye, 'all the world's a stage,' now-a-days. Nature--beautiful, -refreshing Nature--is dismissed from what is technically called -'good society.' Too many of our youth of _one_ sex are become -horse-jockies, and pugilists--idle at school, dissipated at the -University, and ignorant of most things, except what contributes -to animal ease and luxury, they issue from the academic groves -in full-fledged folly, knowing little indeed of learning, either -ancient or modern, but well skilled in sauces and French wines. -They are well read in the last edition of Dr. Kitchener, they are -connoisseurs in eating and drinking, they can break their heads -in the fancy ring, and their hearts in a rowing match. But, alas! -how comparatively small the number of those who commence the -business of life well furnished with useful knowledge, learning, -taste, discretion! with all those qualities in short which ought -to distinguish man from the inferior creation! How often are we -disappointed when we cast our eyes around, in this polished age of -the world, in quest of the materials which are to supply our future -strength in every department of the State! A youth governed by -religious principle, his head stored with science and literature, -while his heart expands to _all_ the social ties of generous -affection, is the _only_ character to whom the interests of his -fellow-men may be fearlessly consigned; because he alone feels what -they truly are: and he only who has learned himself to bow with -respect to the wisdom of experience, and conform to the discipline -of moral rule may be trusted to watch over the happiness of others. -Yet such a being as this is a _rara avis in terris_, while the -degenerate race, which I before described, crowd our streets and -highways; and hope one day, through the influence of rank, to take -their seats upon our parliamentary benches, where they will vote -away our liberties, or relax them to license, just as interest -guides, or party governs. Believe me, my young friend, 'there is -something rotten in the state of Denmark;' and in turning our eyes -towards the other sex, the eye finds nothing on which to rest with -more complacency, except amongst the few who have sense enough to -perceive and courage sufficient to resist the tide of fashionable -folly. In what is called _the world_, it would seem that there is -a _guillotine_ established, to which every intellectual energy is -fitted by lopping off every germ that buds beyond the narrow limits -assigned as the modern standard. The heart is forced to undergo a -like operation; and all the young affections, timid respect, and -blushing reserve, which would seem to be the indigenous growth of -the female mind, are destroyed with as much zeal as the gardener -employs in restraining the luxuriance of his espaliers. Dressed to -a common model, both in mind and body, you pass from one automaton -to another, in a London drawing-room, without being conscious -that you change your place unless by the variety of glare in the -colours that surround you. These _effigies_ neither see, feel, -hear, nor understand, except as machines may appear to do. Likings, -dislikings, looks, words, and actions, all are artificial; and -natural disposition is only displayed when it is too late to -regulate its movements. Marriage, like the fifth act of a play, -brings matters to a conclusion, and our young ladies drive off from -the theatre to exhibit at home the materials which _really_ compose -their characters. It may be that vanity, only changing its diet, is -still fed to repletion; but should circumstances deny what habit -and education have taught to be the only good, disappointment will -have its revenge, a hecatomb of domestic victims must expiate the -crime of all who withhold the accustomed tribute that had been paid -to the attractions of youth." - -I could not restrain a sigh. The portrait was sketched with -animation, and the features of it were familiar to me. Our _Phil._ -proceeded: - -"I do not _insist_ upon any of the acquirements which excite -such general terror. I see no specific for the evils which I -have prescribed in Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Chemistry, Botany, or -Mathematics. My only object is to deprecate ridicule, and to -ask for a little portion of that liberality which even descends -to _cant_ at the present day, in favour of all women of whatever -country, who are seeking mental improvement. Let us only have -an end of nick-names, which terrify the timorous; and, with the -enlightened policy which is beginning to operate in our financial -and commercial relations, let us renounce our narrow ideas of -monopoly, and open the way to a free trade of mind, unincumbered by -the taxes which retard its progress. Let us look a little higher -than Mrs. Montagu's formal _soirées_, and the quaint cerulean hosen -of Mr. Stillingfleet. - - Fortunata la calza d'azzura e d'oro - Cosi dilett' al Febo e l'Aonio coro." - -"Apollo and the Aonian choir do not seem to have made any -exclusions here. The blue and gold which are thus eulogized in -Ariosto, may be permitted to decorate the softer sex; and we have -no right to laugh them out of a costume which the gods themselves -proclaimed as the livery in common of all their votaries. But you -have been a patient listener to my inaugural lecture, and it -is time to give you a writ of ease. You must breakfast with me -to-morrow, and we shall find plenty of matter for more chat upon -the world and its ways." - -"Oh dear Phil.," exclaimed Fanny, "how delightful it will be, if -Arthur, under your tuition, ceases to be woman-hater." - -A burst of merriment at my expense, was the consequence. When I -protested that nothing could possibly be farther from my character, -and that I had rather the credit of being a _lady's_ man; her reply -was, "well it may be so, but if you wish to continue so vile a -system as Phil. has been describing, you would sacrifice one half -of the species to indulge the whims of the other." - -Our little party now broke up; and after a very short interval we -found ourselves re-assembled in the drawing-room. It was agreed -upon that Mr. Otway's late illness rendered it imprudent for him -to risk the effects of evening air; and the whole family who -seemed actuated by one principle in renouncing _self_, immediately -declared their intention to amuse their guest and relinquish the -afternoon's ramble. We passed the evening, I cannot tell you how -pleasantly. My aunt is a charming person, and I cry _peccavi_. -Though her appearance is singularly striking, and the expression of -her face quite heavenly, dignity is the natural character of both. -Gentle as a lamb, there is no weakness about her. The mother shines -pre-eminently in all her conduct, and after one hour's observation -of her manners towards Mr. Otway, I felt as ready to contradict -my own suspicion which had wounded Emily's feelings as she could -possibly be herself. - -You and I have often argued the point of second marriages, of which -I was always the advocate; more, I confess because we see them -every day in the first circles, than from thinking much upon the -subject one way or the other; but though I hardly as yet know why, -it would grieve me, were my aunt to marry again. - -We had music, chess, and conversation, which never flagged, but -I cannot detail any more of this day's history. Phil. staid to -prayers, in which he joined with the appearance of genuine piety; -and I retired to my room, shall I own it, in a state of mind very -new, and by no means disagreeable. I felt excited without delirium, -such as succeeds the whirl of dissipation in town. My mind seemed -full, my heart glowed, and a sort of _reality_ appeared connected -with every thing around me at Glenalta, quite unlike what I have -ever experienced before. Do you know that I was inclined two -or three times this evening to turn hermit, and live in Kerry. -However, the fit will not last. The arrival of a stranger is always -met with something like a flourish of trumpets, which quickly -subsides, to say nothing of old Oliphant's return, which will tie a -log about our necks in a day or two. - -As you _will_ have exact accounts of all that we say, as well as -do, I find that I must resume my narrative in another letter. This -has swelled to an unconscionable bulk. Good night. In my next -you may expect a description of _C[oe]lebs_ and his breakfast -at Lisfarne, whither I must go alone as the cousinhood seemed -determined on giving a welcome to old Squaretoes, the tutor, _en -masse_. How primitive! Vale. - - Ever your affectionate friend, - ARTHUR HOWARD. - - - - -LETTER VI. - -THE SAME TO THE SAME. - - - My dear Falkland, - - "Early to bed and early to rise, - Is the way to be healthy and wealthy and wise." - -If this be true, as the old spelling books have it, and as I saw -confirmed to day, by the authority of a village schoolmaster, who -had a large class operating upon the above sapient apophthegm, -which served as a copy in the school, and which I have adopted -for the heading of my letter instead of an extract from some "old -play," I may come out at last a goodly example of rosy cheeks, full -pockets, and well-stored pericranium, for here I am living a life -worthy of Hygeia herself. I was up at six o'clock this morning, and -according to an arrangement with Emily, had an hour's walk with her -before I set out for Lisfarne. When we were retiring last night, -I heard her whisper to Frederick that she meant to visit "Susan" -in the morning, and on inquiry, I found that the said Susan is a -poor woman residing in the mountain, for whom some present had been -prepared. Now, it occurred to me that before I saw Mr. Otway at -his own house, and particularly as I was to encounter him _alone_, -I should like to hear the sketch of his history, which Emily had -promised me at a future day, so following her to the foot of the -stairs, I told her how entirely I repented my error, and requested -her perfect forgiveness, proposing that she should seal my pardon -by allowing me to be her mountain beau; and moreover, that she -should come to our morning's walk prepared to gratify my curiosity. -My petition was granted; a brilliant sun-rise invited us to perform -our mutual engagement, and we had not made much way in the rugged -ascent towards Susan Lambert's wild abode, followed by Paddy, the -running footman upon such occasions, who trotted after us with a -large basket, well stuffed with I knew not what, when I reminded -Emily of her task, and she gave me the narrative, which I shall try -to convey as briefly as I can of Phil's Life and Character. - -"Mr. Otway," said Emily, "was the dear friend of my father, and so -devotedly were they attached to each other, that even at school -they were always called Pylades and Orestes. At the University -they lived together; and the same day saw them both embark in the -same profession. For the character of that loved parent who was -taken from us, before his children were of an age to appreciate -his various excellences, his splendid talents, exquisite taste, -and uncommon attainments, I must refer you to his friend, who, it -is probable will one day describe your uncle, and tell you that he -was indeed 'a man whose like we ne'er shall look upon again.' I -could not hope to do justice to the portrait, and will therefore -not attempt to draw his resemblance. My father and mother, who -seemed to have been peculiarly formed for each other, met in early -life, and became mutually attached, as one might naturally suppose -that two such gifted beings would be. Pecuniary circumstances alone -prevented their union; but while their happiness was retarded, -their affection was tried in the furnace, and came out purified. -Mr. Otway was the sole guardian of their secret, and the only -support of their long deferred hopes. After years of devoted -constancy, they were rewarded at last by such domestic felicity -as I have heard from Mr. Otway falls to the lot of very few on -earth, and was too perfect for continuance in a world designed by -its Great Creator to serve only as a vestibule to more abiding -mansions. The friends were separated by the tide of events, -but never ceased to correspond. Once, and I believe but once, -imagining that he had found a resemblance of my mother, Mr. Otway's -affections were engaged, and he resigned himself to the fascination -of such an attachment as only minds of lofty pitch are capable of -feeling at once noble, disinterested, and devoted. The lady whom he -loved was rich, while, he at _that_ time, was a younger brother, -and but slenderly provided for. The dread of being suspected of -mercenary motives, sealed his lips; and a man of fortune making his -appearance, the object of his thoughts proved how little worthy she -was of such a being, by marrying this more opulent suitor after a -very short acquaintance. So dreadful was the shock which our dear -friend's sensitive nature sustained upon this unexpected event, -that his life nearly fell a sacrifice to the conflicts which he -endured. My father and mother were now his staff and solace in the -hour of trial; and their tender solicitude, aided by time, restored -to comparative peace that generous spirit which had nearly sunk -under the pressure of disappointment. He travelled, and ere the -expiration of many years, was recalled to England, by the death of -his elder brother, which event was followed at no great distance -of time by that of Mr. Stanhope, the husband of her who had so -cruelly trifled with his happiness. Mrs. Stanhope was the mother -of an only child, and the noble character of our friend overcoming -every selfish retrospect, cast off the memory of past wrongs, and -he stepped forward to offer the aid of his best services to the -widow and the orphan, without, however, I believe, even for a -moment, entertaining the remotest idea of renewing his suit. His -lot had been cast; he had retired from what is called the world, -and though so far from becoming a misanthrope that all his fine -qualities appeared to expand when he obtained the means of making -others happy; yet he never seemed to calculate upon any change -in his own situation. Though delicacy and feeling prevented him -from ever uttering a harsh sentiment, his friends were of opinion -that he had arrived at a full conviction of having misplaced his -affections in early life; and that conviction once attained, he -never sought to hazard a new experiment. - -But the care of young Stanhope became a favourite object, and no -assistance which the most efficient friendship could bestow was -withheld from the boy's mother. Lisfarne was part of the property -which devolved to this invaluable neighbour of ours by his -brother's bequest; and the retired beauty of the scenery determined -him to make this his asylum. His next object was to induce the -beloved companions of youth, who had shared the gladness of his -brightest, and dispelled the clouds of his darkest days, to come -and live in his immediate vicinity. He purchased Glenalta for my -father, and by his good taste and activity, transformed its rude -wilds into the little paradise which you see. Here resided the -happiest family which, I believe, ever existed; but I cannot talk -of home, I must proceed with the story which I promised you:--Mr. -Otway received a letter from a Solicitor in London, to say that -the interests of his young ward (not that he was _legally_ so) -required his immediate attendance in town. It was to him a most -disagreeable undertaking. A recluse through long habit, and devoted -to the society of Glenalta; active in the discharge of such -multiplied duties at Lisfarne, as could ill spare his vigilant eye -and beneficent heart, it was great pain to set out upon a journey -without understanding its object, and plunge anew into scenes which -he had abjured in idea for ever. But dear Phil. only hesitates till -he has satisfied himself concerning what is right to be done, and -there is no farther pause--he proceeds to execution. To London he -went, and never shall I forget how much we longed for his return; -and what blazing fires of heath _telegraphed_ his approach upon our -neighbouring hills. On reaching town, he only waited to refresh -himself before he set forward to the Solicitor's, from whom his -summons had issued, and the mystery was soon unravelled. Mrs. -Stanhope had married a young fortune-hunter, and was endeavouring -to prevail upon her son, then a child of fourteen, to make a -settlement on his pennyless stepfather. Relying on the influence of -her former attractions, she had prepared a _scene_, and desiring -her Attorney carefully to abstain from giving Mr. Otway the least -intimation of her new tie, she burst upon him in the moment of -his entrance at Mr. Scriven's house, dressed in fashionable -attire, which had succeeded in all the gay colouring of a London -milliner's shop, to the garb of sorrow in which he had seen her -arrayed in _one_ personal interview after her husband's death. The -only time of their meeting had been upon that occasion, when he -begged permission to consider himself as guardian to her child, -thus proving that, though he had ceased to _love_, he still felt -the kindest and most sacred interest in her fate. Disgusted now -beyond the power of controlling his feelings, he put a speedy -termination to a conference, the manner, as well as the matter -of which had excited his utmost indignation; and assuring her -that if any undue advantage was taken by her influence over the -minor, a suit should be immediately commenced against her and her -husband, he took a hasty leave. Frightened by these menaces, the -lady retired, and soon announced her departure to the Continent, -where, about two years ago, she died of a broken heart. Mr. Otway's -business completed, he quickly returned to his favourite retreat, -and loved to wander alone along the beach which surrounds a part of -his demesne. My dear father once caught him upon a rocky promontory -with pencil and paper in his hand. The question of 'what is that? -Has Otway secrets with _me_?' was answered by 'it is a worthless -scrap; take it, but Henry touch not that chord again--it jars upon -my ear, and spoils all harmony.' I will now read you the lines -which my father obtained by this surprise. It is the only poetry -which even mamma has ever seen of her friend's writing.--Here -Emily read to me the following stanzas:-- - - - _On first seeing Stella in a coloured dress after her second - marriage._ - - "Stella! thy beauty rested on the shade - Of sorrow's lonely night, like that fair flower,[A] - Queen of the dark, whose tender glories fade - In the gay radiance of a noon-tide hour. - - "That flower supreme in loveliness--and pure - As the pale Cynthian beam thro' which unveiled - It blooms--as if unwilling to endure - The gaze by which such beauties are assailed. - - "And in the solitude of Nature's sleep, - Unfolds such treasures to the midnight gloom, - As gem the vault of Heaven in silence deep - When widowed wanderer seeks the mouldering tomb. - - "Yes! like the velvet-soft, and snowy star, - Wrapped in thy sable garb, it erst was thine, - With unassuming lustre, spreading far, - In mild and chastened majesty to shine. - - "Each stranger footstep that approached the fane, - Eager to view, yet fearful to intrude; - Seemed to partake the dread of giving pain, - By glance unhallowed, or by finger rude. - - "And has Aurora chased the sable cloud, - And, even jealous of a twilight grey, - Dispelled with sudden touch that mourning shroud, - And with her saffron robe unfurled the day? - - "Alas! the graceful Cactus now no more, - Queen of the dark, asserts her silver reign, - Her empire nought on earth can e'er restore, - With other faded flowers she strews the plain." - -[Footnote A: The Cactus Grandiflora, or Night-blowing Cereus.] - -"These lines," continued Emily, "first taught my parents the nature -and extent of those feelings which had outlived the blights of -early hope. They appear to prove that, however shipwrecked had -been his own happiness, Mr. Otway had respected a perfect freedom -of choice, and, though Mr. Stanhope differed widely from him, -he had tutored his unselfish soul to consider this rival as the -successful candidate in an election, the honourable fairness of -which he had no right to question. It would seem that, in the -depth of his heart, Mrs. Stanhope's pardon had been sealed, and -when the death of her husband released her from her first vows, -a romantic mixture of affection, which borrowed a reflected glow -from the memory of brighter days, and that high and delicate -respect of which the most refined and exalted minds alone are -capable, spread round the consecrated image a mantle of fond -protective kindness, akin perhaps to love, as pity is said to be, -but so beautifully tempered, that it would never have passed the -sacred boundary of friendship pure as angels might have breathed. -The unseen bonds which had silently preserved connection between -our friend and a woman whom I can never believe to have been at any -time deserving such attachment as he bestowed, was rudely severed -by Mrs. Stanhope's late conduct; and, for some time, the impression -which such levity as was discovered in her second ill-assorted -marriage made upon a mind almost morbidly sensitive, threatened to -impair the benevolence of a character formed to shed on all around -an atmosphere of happiness; but a strong sense of religion, which -is the pole-star of his every action, gained its second victory; -and time gave him back, once more unshorn of his beams, to be the -life and animation of that little society who enjoy the blessing of -his presence. I must hurry you through the remaining part of my -_memoir_, not only because we are arriving at Susan's cabin, but -also because it is so interwoven with the sorrows of Glenalta, that -I fear to trust myself with a theme too fresh in recollection to -bear the light; suffice it to say, that Heaven has given us such a -friend in Mr. Otway, as no measure of gratitude can ever repay." - -Emily paused, and I expressed my warm interest in her narrative, -and thankfulness for the eloquent sketch which she had thrown off; -but as my evil genius never even _dozes_ in the county of Kerry, -what should I unfortunately add, but "Phil. indeed is a treasure, -and I rejoice for you all in such a tower of strength as his -friendship affords to my aunt and her family. Frederick too is, I -dare say, his object, and will inherit his possessions." - -Emily blushed scarlet; her eyes were instantly suffused with -tears, and she seemed ready to choke; but, recovering herself in -an instant, with a little effort she said, "Arthur, I _will_ not -attribute any thing of this sort to motives unworthy of you; I am -determined to set down to the mode of your own education whatever -may appear like want of feeling. You are mistaken in your surmises; -but, while it pleases God to continue to us the happiness which we -now enjoy, let us not embitter life by dreadful anticipations." - -We reached the hut to which we were bound, and I had no time for -reply: I could only remark, in my own mind, on the difficulty of -accommodating the ways of the world to the peculiarities of these -simple folks; yet, at the same time, no doubt it is a pleasanter -sensation to be "_Alcibiade ou le Moi_," rather than cherished for -the sake of one's money.--On entering the cabin, alias cottage, we -found a boy of about twelve years old nursing a weeping infant, -and vainly endeavouring with one hand to scrape together a few -expiring embers, while a poor woman, apparently in the extremity -of weakness, lay in a corner, upon a miserable bed. "Susan, how do -you do?" was answered faintly by, "very ill, dear miss." "Where is -Nancy?" "Gone to the fair to buy a bit of flannel for the child, -and her father is gone with her to sell our _slip_ of a pig." - -"Arthur," said Emily, throwing off shawl and bonnet in an instant, -"here is work to be done, and we must not be idle. You have taken -Frederick's place this morning, and will kindly, I am sure, perform -his duty: fly and bring me a good bundle of dry heath, or any -thing else that you can find of which we can make a fire. Paddy, -bring me a pitcher of water directly; and you, Tommy, give me -your little sister, and settle the turf in a moment." So saying, -she took the child, and soon set the poor thing at rest with some -milk, which the basket contained, while I, glad to make the _amende -honorable_ by my alacrity, went off as if quicksilver were in my -heels, to rummage up whatever combustible the mountain afforded. -I was successful, and got credit for my speed. You never saw any -thing like the magic of Emily's operations: as if she had been -a peasant born, she broke up the sticks which I had gathered, -and, blowing with her breath, for the cabin was unfurnished with -bellows, she had a blazing fire in five minutes. Then, with a -neatness and dexterity which would have done honor to a Welch -inn, she washed an old sauce-pan, and put some meal into it to -make gruel; hushed the baby to sleep, and, after laying it by the -poor mother, and giving the latter a little weak wine and water, -she desired Paddy to remain and stir the gruel till her return; -then, taking my arm, hurried down the hill, and crossing a field -which we had not come through before, tripped lightly up to a -half-ruined gate, which was fastened by a twig to an old post, and -disengaging this rustic band, lifted the frame, and we were in the -adjoining space before I perceived that my fair cousin, to avoid -interrupting our conversation, had performed the office of pioneer, -which, according to all the laws of chivalry, should have fallen -to my portion. I was going to apologize, when Emily pointed to a -path, and turning into another herself, bid me fly, or I should be -late at Lisfarne. We shook hands, and separated; and as I walked -on alone, I could not help moralizing on the novelties which daily -present themselves to my view. Lighting a fire, boiling gruel, -sweeping up a cabin-hearth, and singing lullaby to a squalid infant -in a dirty dress; and all this done and executed as if custom had -rendered the whole business perfectly familiar, by a young lady of -family and education; a scholar too, well read in Greek, Latin, -Italian, French,--skilled in botany, chemistry, and I know not how -much more; in short, a _Blue_ to all intents and purposes. It is -certainly neither more nor less than an anomaly which as yet I am -unable to account for. - -The Douglas girls are totally divested of affectation. Whatever -they say or do, is said and done without the slightest reference to -_effect_ farther than this, that the best tact seems to regulate -every word and action. The desire to impart pleasure makes them -sure to please, and the dread of giving pain must, I think, render -it impossible that they should wound one's feelings. Beyond this -limit my cousins know no art. I fancy that I see a half-suppressed -smile curling on your lip, as you exclaim, _mentally_ at least, -"What a revolution! Why here is Howard talking sense like a doctor -of the _Sorbonne_!" - -I confess to some very sober thoughts as I jogged on to Lisfarne; -but as I was alone, I had nothing else to do except to muse and -moralize; however, no triumph. I enter a caveat against any manner -of rejoicing. I have not read my recantation, having a just dread -of hasty judgments, and also of old Oliphant: he is the Mordecai -sitting in my gate, and another week at Glenalta may bring out a -very different story. - -In four-and-twenty hours Kill-joy will have arrived, and then comes -Sunday, as if at one blow to crush one's spirits to annihilation. - -These were my lucubrations _en chemin faisant_, and just as I -reached the hall-door at Lisfarne, the nine-o'clock bell ushered -me in with _eclat_, though as little _hinging_ upon my _entrée_, -as the thunder and lightning which happened to synchronise with -the poor Jew's carousal over a pork steak at Genoa. I was met -at the threshold by Mr. Otway, who smiled a delightful welcome, -and, taking me by both hands, accosted me with, "My dear Howard, -I am heartily glad to see you at Lisfarne, and not the less so, -because you are _punctual_. You should have had your breakfast -at _any_ hour; but I love to see young people recollective." I -did not think it exactly _honest_ to appropriate this compliment -of the old school to myself, as I certainly never deserved it in -all my life, and therefore expressed my happiness at not having -kept him waiting; but _handed_ over to Emily the whole merit of -Cindarillaship in this my first visit at Lisfarne. - -"Emily is a charming creature," answered mine host, "but that -is nothing wonderful at Glenalta, where such a mother presides. -Howard, you have the good fortune to reckon amongst your nearest -relations, a little group whose virtues would save the universe -from destruction, were the divine vengeance to over-take a guilty -world, as in days of yore.--How do you like your aunt and cousin?" -"Extremely, were I to judge by what I have seen; but we are new to -each other, and they are very kind in excusing all the blunders -which a man wholly unused to retirement is liable to make in a -circle where a much higher standard of moral feeling prevails than -that which governs what we call 'the world.'" - -Mr. Otway looked benignly at me, saying, "Come, we must not get -into a discussion now; you deserve your breakfast, and shall not -be interrupted." And a capital breakfast we had. - -A beautiful Newfoundland dog lay at his master's feet; a fine -tortoise-shell cat purred upon the back of his arm-chair; and the -windows were presently assailed by an army of supplicants in the -shape of the finest pea-fowls that I ever saw. - -"See what it is, Arthur, to be an old batchelor! I am obliged to -keep my affections from becoming stagnant, you find, by practising -them upon all these birds and beasts which you perceive are my -companions as well as pensioners." After feeding the numerous -host, we sallied from the breakfast-parlour, and Phil. escorted me -to his study, a most comfortable apartment, and well lined with -books. He has a beautiful collection of the classics, all the best -modern works of science, and a rich assortment of history and -_Belles Lettres_. While I was glancing over this, he pointed to -a compartment in the far end of the room, desiring me to examine -its contents. "There I keep my novels, reviews, and magazines; for -you know, that 'all work and no play would make Jack a dull boy;' -and as I suppose that you do not intend to read yourself into a -consumption while you stay at Glenalta, I give you a letter of -credit on whatever amusement these shelves can supply." In this -Poets' Corner I found Scott's works, both in prose and verse; -several other modern novels of good name; and all the early poems -of Lord Byron. "I perceive," said I, "Mr. Otway, that you have -not yet completed your set of Byron's works; you have not got Don -Juan, nor--" "Nor never shall, my young friend," answered the sage -of Lisfarne. "I cannot prevent people who have money to buy and -inclination to peruse, from reading these works; but they shall -not find them in _my_ library." "Then, sir, you are, I presume, of -opinion that one cannot separate the poison from the poetry, and -avoid imbibing the one, while we enjoy the exquisite beauty of the -other." - -"No, my dear boy; these are idle notions. Wherever vice is an -ingredient in any compound so mingled as to seize upon the -passions, or delight the imagination, the draught will always be -injurious more or less. Even those minds of finer mould than we -commonly meet with, will not escape, though they hate the contact, -they cannot shun its defilement; and that which is impure, must -sully whatever it touches." "Well, I should have supposed that good -taste would protect a man of refined education. In fact, such a -man rejects whatever is coarse, and simply vicious: he reads Lord -Byron, not _because_ of his occasional deviations from religion and -morality; but in _spite_ of them he admires the splendid genius who -of all modern writers best understands, if I may so express myself, -the metaphysics of the human heart, while every man of feeling must -lament the shipwreck of such talents. The broad-cast pollution -which is necessary to season a mess for vulgar palates, _must_ -be pernicious in the highest degree; but I confess I have never -felt in the same way of those _polished_ compositions which are -only read by people of superior attainment, and who are fortified -against evil by knowledge of the world." - -"Alas, Howard, these are nice distinctions, and lead but to -delusion. Our morals are much like a taper lit at each extremity, -they are consuming at both ends. You talk of coarse messes, -seasoned to the taste of vulgar appetite: believe me, it is a -melancholy fact, that there are cooks who undertake to cater -for nicer stomachs, and who know how to insinuate their poisons -with such skill as to secure the custom of all who are not proof -against their temptation. That number, I fear, is small; and as to -the difference between vice well and ill dressed, you will find -that it is about the same with that which distinguishes Tilburina -stark mad in white satin, from her confidante stark mad in white -linen. Amongst the mal-contents of the present day, you hear the -complaint continually repeated, that there is one law for the rich, -and another for the poor: the charge is unfounded, and, generally -speaking, _known_ to be so by the men who bring it forward. It -will neither do to have two sets of laws, nor of _morals_, in any -country. The tendency of all ranks in the community is to imitate -those who are placed above them; and this aspiring inclination is -to be traced from the lowest grade in society, till having reached -the throne, you can rise no higher. The self-same rule applies to -religion. I was glad to hear you say yesterday at Glenalta that -you felt the absolute necessity of its influence in a state for -the preservation of order and virtue; and that you considered -women as the natural guardians of its altars. This is all right; -but you are egregiously mistaken if you suppose that women will, -generally speaking, take pains to nurture and cherish what is -despised by the other sex. There are a few, and very few, such -beings as your aunt, who appear to have dropped into our planet -from some happier sphere, and who adjust their principles of action -to a model of abstract perfection, with which common-place mortals -are unacquainted. Such beings only think of how to please God; but -the mass of men and women dress themselves daily in the mirror of -each other's approbation, and act reciprocally on each others' -characters. Let one sex degenerate, it matters not which, you will -find the other follow in the downward course." - -"But, my dear sir, these authors whom you decry, do not _create_ -vice, they only _exhibit_ it; and though I do not advocate the -practice, yet after all it would seem that men need not be -much worse for _reading_, than for hearing and seeing what is -exceptionable. If infidelity and immorality were only propagated -by books, your argument against such writers as Lord Byron would -be unanswerable. But allow me to say, that the Bible itself, -in the strongest terms, insists on the depravity of the human -species, and offers the most flagrant illustrations in proof of -human delinquency. The hardness of heart, and unbelief of man, -are frequently held up to view in Holy Writ; and what does a -Rochefaucauld in prose, or a Byron in verse, do more than represent -things as they _are_?" - -"If you consider the matter for a moment," replied my opponent, -"I fancy that you will be at no loss to discover some striking -differences which will sufficiently answer your question. The -evil tendency of such writers as Rochefaucauld, and all the class -of satirists, who represent man as a debased and hypocritical -animal, does not proceed from the truth of the picture, but from -the manner of the painter. The scriptures indulge us in no 'lying -vanities;' they speak of the human race as born in sin and the -children of wrath; and Conscience, when we attend to her voice, -confirms the humiliating charge, with uncompromising fidelity. But -while the Bible, and those who preach its doctrines, point out the -disease, they likewise present the antidote. If they proclaim the -deformity of the natural man, it is to shew how the crooked may -be made straight; if they expose his weakness, it is to impart -strength; if they display his corruption, it is but to invite him -to wash in those waters which cleanse from all impurity. But such -moralists as you support, if moralists they can be called without -absurdity, would seem intent on excusing vice. The effect of their -books is, as it were to _legalize_ iniquity, by representing it as -invincible, and to destroy all sense of shame by laying bare its -concealments. Whatever produces this result by means of a pungent -and sententious brevity, is doubly injurious; for the authority -of a maxim is thus combined with the stimulus of evil: the form -is thus rendered portable and adhesive; and truths conveyed in -an epigrammatic shape at once flattering to our sagacity in an -appeal to its accuteness, and soothing to our faults by pronouncing -them to be universal, are not likely to be viewed as subjects for -serious lamentation; and the danger is, that the generality of men -will contemplate the moral sketches with feelings similar to those -commonly inspired by a spirited cariacature; namely, a desire that -the object of ridicule may continue to exist, rather than not be so -strikingly pourtrayed. As to Lord Byron, who stands pre-eminent, -like Milton's Satan, at the head of all the mischief-workers of the -present time, his poison is of another kind: slow and penetrating, -it is inhaled in the breeze, and absorbed into the circulation; its -effects are of the morbid class; it seduces, it insinuates, and, -like opium too freely used, destroys every healthful function of -the mind, and substitutes the distempered energy of an over-wrought -imagination for the wholesome exercise of reason and the sweet -charities of the heart. His beautiful poetry, and an inexhaustible -source of talents, rare as they were brilliant, operate as -cords which draw all mankind after him in bonds of submission. -Descriptions of nature or character, external to ourselves, however -happy in their delineation, interest but feebly in comparison with -what you justly call the '_metaphysics_' of sentiment. This is the -most fascinating of all possible studies; it requires no labour, -it asks no preparation; and all people, whatever their pretensions -in other respects, conceive themselves qualified for the school -of mental analysis which Byron has instituted and endowed. A -bad husband, a bad son, a bad father, has but to retire to some -'rose-leaf couch, where, nursing his dainty loves and slothful -sympathies,' he may find, in a volume of this too-attractive bard, -an apology for every sin of temper, every violation of duty; nay, -so contagious is the influence of this Byron-mania, that our young -men _cultivate_ the failings of their chief, and seem to fancy that -in becoming imitators of Childe Harold's eccentricities, they may -slide into his unrivalled genius. Selfishness and egotism are to -be found in the fallows of many a mind; but where are our youth to -learn Lord Byron's recipe for compounding them?" - -Though not convinced, I was excited, and ventured again into the -field, by asking Mr. Otway whether good does not grow out of evil? -"Surely," said I, "Truth, like a lazy corporation, would rely upon -its charter, and have nothing to do but fatten on its revenues, -were it not for opposition. - - 'Si Lyra non lyrasset, - Lutherus non Saltasset.' - -"The publication of wrong principles stirs up our slumbering -virtue; and besides, is it not useful to _see_ exactly what we -should avoid, that we may have no doubts regarding what we ought -to follow? If I had not been the advocate of Lord Byron as a poet, -I should not have had the pleasure of hearing your excellent -remarks." "No, no, young man; a specious sophistry is not sound -argument. I cannot allow you to misapply a scripture rule. Though -Providence has decreed that all things should work together for -good, it offers us no latitude to do evil that good may come of -it. _Our_ duty is defined; we must perform our part as well as we -can, and keep ourselves unspotted from the world, leaving events -in which we have no power given us of interference to the wisdom -of Him whose ways are not as our ways. We learn much better from -positive than from negative precepts: do you remember the pretty -little French song-- - - 'Jongeant à ce qu'il faut qu'on oublie, - On s'en souvient.' - -"The mind of man is easily corrupted, and clings with tenacity to -what it were better to forget. Believe me, that whatever we desire -to keep a stranger from the heart should not be familiarized to the -imagination. Vice is so alluring, that all the penalties appended -to its indulgence by the laws of God and man, are found unequal to -its suppression; but if the charms of wit and humour be employed -to palliate its criminality, and trifle with its punishment, we -may anticipate the conclusion, and expect to see the day when its -progress will be unresisted. Do not fancy that there is any class -of men exempt from the danger of infection. The stately quarto, -like a whited sepulchre, may hide its contents under a splendid -covering, but death and destruction are its inmates: rank and -wealth confer no privilege, and afford no amulet to preserve from -the contamination of immorality, alike fatal in its effects to high -and low--rich and poor; but though I would guard you from giving -yourself up to such a pilot through Parnassus as Lord Byron, I love -poetry too well myself to withhold its enjoyment from my young -friends. I am an old bachelor, but I hope that you will not find -me a severe ascetic; all things in their season--buds in spring, -blossoms in summer, and the fruit to crown our autumn board. -Youth is the natural period in which Hope and Fancy delight to -weave their golden tissues, and life is too changeful a scene to -make it necessary that we should voluntarily abridge its harmless -gratifications. We must not, however, sit here all day, while -such a brilliant sun is inviting us to walk; I have a great deal -to shew you, and we shall have many opportunities, I hope, for -conversation." - -We were soon in the fields. After seeing a great deal of well-kept -and tastefully disposed pleasure-ground immediately contiguous -to the house, excellent kitchen garden, and admirable farm-yard, -stables, &c. we visited an inclosure, called here the _paddock_, -where were at least a dozen old horses, which were turned to graze -as superannuated pensioners. "When any of these my old and faithful -servants," said Phil., "can enjoy life no longer, I have him -despatched by a friendly bullet." "But, sir, you might get money -for these; they do not seem by any means past their labour." "Not -_quite_, perhaps, but they have worked diligently, and shall now -have a holyday while they live." From the paddock we proceeded to a -line of neat cottages, furnished each with a strip of garden at the -back, and ornamented in front by a little rustic paling, thickened -into a fence impervious to pigs and dogs, by privet, sweet brier, -and roses. "Here are some of your tenants' houses, Mr. Otway, I -suppose." "Why not exactly tenants in the _usual_ sense: these are -poor people, who, like my old horses, have seen their best days in -my service, and it is fair that _they_ too should rest from their -labours." - -Showers of blessings were shed from these humble dwellings as -we passed along, which were repaid by kind greetings from their -benefactor. With one poor soul who sat in an arm-chair made of -straw at her door, and who was blind, the good Phil. shook hands, -and said aloud, "Mr. Howard, this is Kate Sullivan, the Queen of -_Pastime Row_, which is the name given by your cousin Fanny to -this line of houses." Old Kate appeared to feel as much delighted -by this distinguishing compliment, as an autocrat of the proudest -empire could be in seeing all the nations of the earth paying -homage to his supremacy. - -"God bless Miss Fanny, and all the misses of the Glynn," cried old -_Cathleen_; "they are the Lord's own children; and glory, honour, -and praise be to his holy name; he will make a wide gap for 'em -whenever they are going into heaven; and _Maaster_ Arthur, my -heart (for 'tis I that very well has a right to know that you're -he, and nobody else), if his honour would'nt be after telling you -the _maining_ of Miss Fanny's _concait_, why, sir, 'tis, that she's -a pleasant, funny craiture in herself, and she have a _double aim_ -in _wording_ the houses; for _pastime_ they say is all as one as -games, and sport-like; and it _mains_ too, that (God be praised for -all things) _we_ are going down the hill, as I may say, and past -our time for being any good-for." - -I charmed this old soul as much by laughing heartily, and entering -with spirit into Fanny's humour, as if I had presented her with -fifty pounds. She called an aged man from the next door to hobble -out and join in the merriment, which I dare say ran before it -stopped, like an electric stream through every conductor of the -whole series. As we walked on, "I perceive," said I, "that her -majesty of _pastime_, is a Protestant, by her assurance that my -cousins are all travelling the high road to heaven." "You are -mistaken my dear fellow,--Kate has an _ave_ for every bead in her -_paddreen_, which is the Hibernian version of Corona, or Coronach; -and blind as she is, is conveyed by one of my paddock horses -annually on the eve of St. John, to a holy well, not far distant -from Lisfarne. This little journey is all the work that the queen -and her cattle are able to accomplish; and the same beast, that -'roan barbary' which came up to welcome us at the gate, has drawn -Kate and her truckle for so many years, that were True-penny to -die, I believe that blind as is his mistress, she would find out -that she had lost him, and be uneasy till the priest was sent for, -to _shrive_ and anoint her, in the full persuasion that _her_ hour -was also come." - -"Well, you really do surprise me, but to confess the truth, you -deal in nothing but miracles in this county of Kerry. In less -than a week I have seen some strange things, which had any one -presumed, ere I beheld them, to say were existing realities, I -should have laughed as the king of Pegu is said to have done when -he heard of nations being governed without a monarch. I have seen -_Blue-stockings_ without pedantry, refinement that has never -been learned in the world of fashion, religion free from cant, -retirement unaccompanied by _ennui_; and now, as my list goes on -increasing like the story of the house that Jack built, here is the -Roman Catholic creed divested of bigotry; in the shape of an old -woman too, who fully expects, though a Papist herself, to meet a -Protestant family in the skies." - -"Aye, my boy, and I hope that you will soon cease to wonder at -any of these things. The poor people of this island are brim-full -of intelligence and feeling; qualities which are of _adjective_ -character, and increase the measure of good or bad exactly as they -happen to be associated. Were our peasantry fairly dealt with, the -tables would speedily be turned, and instead of that cold-hearted -sarcasm which would seem to be 'the badge and sufferance of all -their kind,' you would see their accusers glad to steal away, and -hide their diminished heads." - -"But, sir, this is peculiarly the age of reason, and you will soon -be able to bring your assertion to the proof. All the world is mad -now upon the subject of education, and I suppose the light of -modern liberality, which scorns the narrow principle of a churlish -exclusion, has with the eagle eye of truth, borne down and pierced -the shades of prejudice that may have hung upon your sea-girt Isle. -Have you not schools at Lisfarne, and Glenalta? and if you will let -me ask one question allied to the last, _may_ I venture to enquire -why you, whom I should imagine of all men, the last to countenance -ignorance and superstition, should abet them both by sending old -Kate upon her pilgrimage of folly, instead of endeavouring to -open her mind to the sun of knowledge?" Otway smiled, and taking -me by the hand, jocosely said, "why, Arthur, thou art fit for a -senator; we must have you in the House of Commons; you are an -orator:" then, resuming his usual expression of features, "you -will despise me perhaps," added he, "if I tell you that I am not -bitten with the fashionable school mania to the extent which you -deem requisite to constitute a _liberal_. I have two schools,--one -of them, and by far the most numerously attended, is for works of -industry exclusively. To the other I only admit such children -as by a previous discipline in moral conduct, and regularity -of demeanor, earn the reward of being taught to read. To this -promotion there are two conditions annexed, which form a _sine qua -non_ of admission. The first is, that the scriptures without note -or comment, should be read daily, the master selecting, according -to my instruction, such parts as are best adapted to the age and -capacity of his pupils; the second, that each child should bring -a penny per week, to create a fund for winter clothing, books, or -whatever occasion may require. In this way I endeavour to prevent -the abuse of letters, by preparing the soil for their introduction. -Respect for learning is increased, when it costs something to -obtain it; and I find a test of sincerity is established to a -certain degree by this small pecuniary condition, as people never -pay for what they do not really desire to possess. Though the money -thus collected returns whence it came, it goes back in another -form. Like the dew, it rises in imperceptible vapour, and falls in -palpable, and refreshing showers. It requires a slight degree of -self-denial, _even_ to allot a penny per week in this manner; and -there is a feeling of independence connected with every benefit -which exercises individual frugality in its acquisition, while -gratitude is still kept alive towards the fostering hands which -deal out the fund so husbanded for general good. Then again, by not -offering gratuitous teaching, I prevent many from coming, who would -not turn their learning to good account, while I may always provide -for an exception to my rule in supplying a worthy object who is too -poor to _qualify_, with means of contributing the appointed mite." - -"Then, sir, I conclude that you think education may be spread too -widely." - -"Certainly; in _this_ country we cannot interfere with the -religion of the _Mass_. If I could plant a Bible in every cottage, -I would teach all men, women, and children to read it; but the -accomplishment of reading considered, without reference to -religious instruction, is about as necessary and suitable to a poor -labouring man, as a gold snuff box would be; and it is to me quite -astonishing, that so many sober minds should give into the opposite -absurdity which prevails at present, with a _rage_ equal to that in -the medical world for white mustard seed. We never think of silk -gowns or fine cloth for the poor; we do not dream of serving up -venison and turtle for them at a charity dinner; and, when sick, we -do not order them the South of France, or prescribe hock, ice, and -all the expensive delicacies become necessary to the luxury of our -opulent higher classes. All things should _be in keeping_. A man -who works for a shilling a day, eats his potatoes, and lies down -to be refreshed by sleep for the morrow's labour, has no need of -literature. It will neither make him happier nor better, unless you -could secure the _use_ of his acquirement in increased knowledge of -the word of God. Our Irish Priests will not permit this. I do not -mean to be hard upon them; they are a needy class, usually taken -from the lowest conditions of life, and depending for subsistence -on the measure of their influence with the people. To keep the -minds of their flocks in absolute subjugation to their authority, -is essential to their very existence; and they are fearfully aware, -that free access to the Bible would quickly destroy their power, by -undermining its foundation." - -"At least," said I, "though the men cannot leave their spades, why -not teach the women? _They_ could instruct the children, and the -next generation would reap the profit." - -"Pooh, my dear Arthur, you are a young theorist, and float with -the fashionable tide. Whatever be the situation of one sex must -be shared by the other. A pair of diamond earrings would be about -as appropriate an appendage to the head of poor Susan, whom you -visited this morning, as the History of England, or a Treatise -on Political Economy would be in her hands. The thing is not -wanted--it is out of place. The sordid cares of life leave little -time for bodily rest or mental repose; and unless, as I said -before, you can be sure of planting the one thing needful, every -moment which could be stolen from household toil, and devoted to -books, would be employed on the trash which is placed through the -licentious _liberality_ of the press, within the grasp of all -who desire to quaff at the feculent stream. Music is a pleasing -resource, drawing is another, but you do not conceive these to be -requisite for the well-being of our cottagers. How are reading, -writing, arithmetic, and geometry, more allied to the happiness -of an agricultural labourer than the former? Remember _always_ -that my argument only applies when the Bible is excluded or -made subservient to the base purposes of secular advancement by -hypocrites, who employ it as a stepping-stone to the favour of -their superiors. Physicians do not read law, lawyers do not read -physic, nor either of them military tactics--and why? Because they -do not want a species of knowledge out of their department. The -same rule may be generally applied. A poor cottager has nothing -to do with letters, unless he be made better and happier by -acquaintance with them; and should his attention be directed to the -tirades of Messrs. Shiel and O'Connell, to the demoralizing details -of practical vice with which our newspapers unfortunately abound; -to the ethics of Mr. Cobbett or the religion of Mr. Carlile, -instead of to the Sacred Volume, I think that you must agree with -me in doubting the growth of virtue and contentment as the result -of such studies." - -I felt shaken, I must own, but replied, "The tide of public opinion -is so forcible, that we are often drawn along with it before we -are aware how far it will lead us. I confess that I have joined -a hue and cry in favour of universal education, without thinking -much about the matter. Experience, undoubtedly, must confirm or -contradict the utility of its unlimited extension, and I shall be -happy to hear your farther sentiments upon the subject, if you are -not tired of my questions." - -"Indeed, my dear Howard, you shall ever find me ready and willing -to discuss this and every other topic upon which I am capable of -offering an opinion; but we must not pass the day of your first -visit to Lisfarne, _at school_. We must have a little recreation -this morning, or I should despair of your coming again to see old -C[oe]lebs in his cell. I want to take you a walk along the sea -shore, and, as the day is fine, I am going, with your permission, -to send one of my young _footpads_ over to Glenalta, to say that -you will dine here; and should Oliphant arrive, as I think he -probably will by this evening's coach, you will not regret being -absent at the meeting, as you are a stranger to the good man." - -The name of Oliphant caused a sudden revulsion, and produced a -complete _bouleversement_ in all my pleasurable sensations. A -stripling mountaineer was despatched, who flew like an arrow -across the fields with Mr. Otway's message, and behold us arm in -arm skirting the wood, and, ere long, approaching a bold headland -which stood beautifully out into the bay. As we jogged on together, -I felt growing more and more at ease with mine host, and at last -ventured to give a vent to my _Oliphantphobia_, by saying, "How -I dread this tiresome piece of parchment divinity that we are -expecting! Adieu now to the cheerfulness of Glenalta. This old -bookworm is, I suppose, my aunt's domestic sense-carrier, and will -disapprove of every thing but black letter lore in the mornings, -and snuffling canticles for our evening diversion." - -"I think," said Phil. "that having found yourself deceived in so -many preconceptions respecting Glenalta, you ought not to condemn -poor Domine without benefit of clergy. Suspend your judgment. If -you do not like him, you will differ widely from your family, but -let him have fair play; I will not bespeak your favour, nor stand -sponsor to your taste." - -We walked on, stopped now and then to look at the views, and, at -length turning into a zig-zag path, arrived by a short circuit at -a little spot of exquisite beauty. It was an arch-way rather than -cavern in the rock, extending inwards no farther than to form a -bower of stone, if you will admit such a description. Lined with -ivy, which actually grows like a tissue fitted to the irregular -surface, and almost buried in arbutus, it seemed as if the very -Genius of Contemplation had selected this natural alcove for her -favourite haunt. I stood wonder-struck by the scene, innumerable -sea-birds wheeling round us, and uttering their plaintive wailings -to the wind. Rocks, ocean, solitude wherever the eye could reach, -while the sun-beams dancing on the calm surface of the "green one," -seemed to say, "you shall not indulge melancholy here." - -Mr. Otway appeared much pleased with my silent rapture, and, after -a little pause, took me to a seat covered with the same luxuriant -drapery which hung upon the rocky walls, and which, without any -apparent assistance from art, formed a bench entirely round the -cave. - -When we were seated, Mr. Otway, with a sigh which seemed to break -from his heart, told me that this rude temple, hewn by nature from -the wild mass of stone under the shelter of which we were now -conversing, was sacred to my uncle. - -"Here have I sat for hours with Henry Douglas, the friend, the -companion of my youth; and listened with unwearied delight to -the flow of mind which poured its exhaustless treasure from his -lips; sometimes expanding its stream to the amplitude of ocean, -then narrowing its pellucid waves within confines of unrivalled -fertility; and again, (if you will allow me to pursue the image,) -still farther contracting its limits to dissport occasionally amid -the enchantments of rock and bower, scattering its spray in bright -fantastic sparkles all around. You are to consider an introduction -to this hallowed spot, which I have consecrated to his memory, as -a distinguishing mark of the regard with which I wish to treat his -nephew, and an earnest of that friendship, which if you desire to -cultivate, I shall be happy to bestow on one so nearly allied to -the man who, of all others, I most loved upon earth." There was a -solemn tenderness in his manner which thrilled me; and I thanked -him heartily, expressing as well as I could, how gratefully I felt -inclined to profit by his kindness, adding, "I do not believe that -I ever saw my uncle Henry: if I did, it must have been in early -childhood, for I have no remembrance of him, but have often heard -of him as a person rarely gifted."--"Yes,--had you ever seen him, -he could never have been forgotten! there was an illumination in -his very countenance which irresistibly seized upon the attention. -The play of intelligence upon his features was like the summer -lightning, 'as bright and harmless too;' and, in him were combined -'the wisdom of the serpent, with the innocence of the dove.' My -dear departed Douglas possessed the most brilliant talents. Imagine -these rising majestically from a solid plinth of boldest structure -in religion and morals, while Fancy in her most tasteful mood -had wreathed the light acanthus round his brow, and you may form -some idea of the man who, in our youthful days, was always called -the 'Corinthian pillar' of that little band in whose society he -passed his hours of recreation. He was at once the most profound -reasoner, the acutest critic, the soundest arbiter, and the -kindest friend. The peculiar sensitiveness of his character never -impaired its strength; and a remarkable accuracy of observation -with which heaven had endowed him, acting in concert with an -uncompromising integrity, imparted the influence of truth itself, -to the decisions of his judgment. He saw whatever subject was -presented to his understanding, in all its different bearings, with -quickness bordering on intuition; and was enabled by the variety -of his knowledge, to enter into the minutest details, without -diminishing the force of outline in any question that offered -itself for discussion. As might be easily supposed, this assemblage -of qualities, at once the most solid and attractive that I ever -knew, was little comprehended by the generality of mankind. That -noble independence which disdains the tricking arts of popularity, -and _dares_ to walk alone, was miscalled pride. The elegant -retirement of a mind replete with resources, and too refined to -consider as society what was not congenial companionship, was, -with equal departure from just discrimination, styled misanthropy, -while sensibility, which with magic touch can raise aërial hosts -of imagery; and straying over the sacred expanse of time gone by, -and yet to come, sighs to the memory of the past, or o'er the -uncertainty of the future: this was _selfishness_, according to -vulgar interpretation. But vice and folly are compelled to pay the -reluctant homage of an involuntary respect at the shrine of virtue, -and collective excellence is always sure to receive its tribute, -however incapable the mass of mankind may prove to appreciate the -individual beauties of a character which they do not understand. -_Such_ tribute was paid in large proportion to my friend; and while -kindred merit sought his acquaintance with enthusiasm, the _little -world_ were forced to gaze at him with reverence, and look up with -veneration. He is gone! and I never visit this spot, associated -peculiarly with his image, unaccompanied by the recollection of -that epitaph at the Leasowes, the only beautiful testimony of -surviving affection which I remember to have seen, and which seems -as if written for Douglas, and for him alone. - - Heu quanto minus est - Cum reliquis versari, - Quàm tui meminisse!" - -Mr. Otway paused, and I felt deeply affected by the impressive -manner in which these eloquent lines were repeated. After a short -silence, I told him how greatly I felt indebted for the animated -sketch which he had just given me of a relation whom I had never -till then heard so particularly described. "At Glenalta," said I, -"there is no allusion ever made to my uncle, and I think, that I -have already discovered, even at this distance of time from his -death, that even the name of Henry cannot be pronounced without -causing an inward convulsion of feeling in my aunt. At first I -thought it impossible, but on reading a paragraph to her in the -newspaper yesterday, I perceived a recurrence of such an expression -in her countenance, as determined me to avoid producing it again, -at least by a repetition of the same sound which gave rise to her -present agitation." - -"This, my young friend," answered the admirable Otway, "is true -to nature. In those horrible and overwhelming moments of recent -disseverment, when the grave has just closed upon all that lived -in our fondest affections,--when the affrighted spirit glances -round upon the desert wilderness, and the tremendous solitude -is only interrupted by images of despair,--then, _names_ arrest -not the attention. The throbbing heart is wrapped in present -anguish, and the dull ear is dead to sounds; even the shade of the -beloved might float upon the mourner's vision, and not surprise; -but when the first agony of bereavement has settled into the -waking consciousness of our loss, when the astonishment of death -has subsided, when the phantoms of an amazed and distempered -imagination no longer haunt the brain and people our dreams, then -it is that the lonely heart sits in silent abandonment, and even -'the willow that waves in the wind,' terrifies like a ghost of -other times; associations rise, names startle, and in proportion -as distance from the event diminishes the natural _right_ to -sympathy which great misfortunes claim in the first moments of -their visitation, the delicate mind shrinks within itself fearful -of repulse, and would hide its feelings even from the eye of day, -lest it might seem to solicit a participation in those thoughts, -which are too sacred to be shared. Caroline Douglas is not to be -judged of by common-place criteria. When she and the partner of -her affections took up their abode at Glenalta, they presented a -picture of human felicity of which while 'memory holds her seat,' -I shall never lose the most lively impression. Young, and united -by the most perfect attachment, grounded upon an intimate and -mutual acquaintance with disposition, character, sentiments, and -opinions, the highest eulogium which it was possible to pass on -either, might be comprised in one short sentence; they were formed -for each other. Never did I behold two people knit together in -bonds of love so tender, and friendship so rational. Every thought -appeared to be held in common; and when they were conversing, it -seemed as if the lips of one only gave utterance to that which in -the same instant had started into life within the breast of the -other. So perfect was the harmony of their souls, that every idea -which arose in either mind, was caught by the other at a glance, -improved and beautified ere it was reflected back again. In short, -it was impossible that any one whose lot was not already cast, -should enjoy the privilege of their intimacy, without becoming -enamoured of a state capable of producing such celestial happiness -as they were permitted to taste; while in proportion as the mind -was disposed to offer a tribute of _abstract_ homage at the altar -of hymen, the dread of risking individual experiment would -as naturally arise, lest mistaking an exception for the rule, -disappointment should ensue as the fruit of imitation. But there -are very few who marry upon the principles which governed their -union; and to expect similar results from discordant motives, is to -look for grapes on thorns, and figs on thistles. My friends were -mutually attracted by esteem, as well as affection. They did not -join their destinies upon the ground of external vanity, or the -sordid views of worldly aggrandisement. Their's was not a marriage -of two estates; they knew what to desire: they were aware of what -they wanted, and were contented with what they possessed. How often -have I heard them talk of riches and poverty, in this place where -you and I are now sitting! how often heard them agree that a larger -share of fortune's favour might render them less dependent perhaps, -upon each other for happiness, and consequently, diminish the sum -of it; thus would they render privation a subject for gratitude, -through the love that they bore to each other." - -"What a picture of earthly bliss," said I, "have you drawn, and -what a separation was that of two beings so united!" - -"Aye, it was indeed a picture worth going any distance to gaze -upon! It was a lesson never to be forgotten. Minds like those -which I have been attempting to describe, possess the art of -harmonizing every thing with which they come in contact in unison -with themselves. True refinement inheres _within_, and no more -derives its character from outward trappings, than heaven's gift -of symmetry owes its fair proportions to the fringes with which -fashion encumbers its beauty. In a cottage where luxury never -visited, inborn elegance fixed her abode. A favorite author of -mine says, that if death were considered stripped of the dreadful -paraphernalia which generally attends its mournful presence, half -its horrors would be annihilated. Of poverty, we may say the same. -Vulgar people bring the machinery of life in all its ugliness -and indelicacy before you. It is not whether your tables are of -mahogany or deal; your dishes of china or delft which distinguishes -_refinement_ from its opposite. It is the soul that presides at -the banquet. All this was so instinctively understood, by these -pattern specimens of human nature, that dignity and ease, polish -and simplicity, were the never-failing companions of their humble -home. It is a theme which makes me forgetful of time. We will now -bend our steps towards Lisfarne." - -As we rose, he continued:-- - -"Over the misery which succeeded, I must, like Timanthes of -old, draw a veil, for it was too painful to contemplate, even -in painting. Douglas was snatched in the prime of life from the -beloved of his bosom, from whom to part was the only anguish -which religion had not yet taught him to endure with heavenly -resignation. Even this bitter draught he learned at length to drink -with Christian fortitude. No language could describe the scene of -sorrow that I witnessed afterwards; but years have rolled away; -the dear survivor lives to be a blessing still; and while with -cheerfulness she can now mingle in the innocent gaieties of her -children, her heart is set on heaven where she hopes for re-union -with the only loved of earth." - -Here ended a recital which I felt deeply interesting, partly -perhaps because the actors in this sad tale were my nearest -relations, and partly too on account of the noble characters which -it pourtrayed. Falkland, I am growing serious in this place, and -shall lose my spirits if I stay much longer here. - -As we turned from the _sacred_ promontory, Mr. Otway playfully -shook my elbow, and, by a sudden change in the modulation of his -voice, made me feel that we were not to dwell any longer on the -topic which had occupied the preceeding hour. At his request I gave -him a history of my _life and adventures_. We talked of you, and -I so completely _fired_ him by my subject, that he has taken your -address, and means immediately to write to young Stanhope who, with -his tutor, (a nephew, by the bye of Oliphant's) is to be at Pisa -about the time of your arrival there, to make your acquaintance -with all suitable activity. Mr. Otway gives a good character of his -ward, so that probably you may find him worth knowing; but if not -for his own sake, you will I am assured _fly to the meeting_ for -the sake of your romance; and consider the youth as a link in that -mysterious _concatenation_, by which your fate _or_ your fancy is -bound to Glenalta. - -Before we re-entered the house, Mr. Otway desired me to follow him -down a winding-path, at the end of which I found myself within a -nice little enclosure, sheltered by a hawthorn hedge which was -bursting into a sheet of fragrant blossoms. "This is my botanic -garden," said my companion, "and I must not forget to send Fanny -some plants which I promised her. Here, Howard, help me to take -these to the gardener, and he shall send them over to my little -pupil." - -"I will take them myself in the evening," said I, "and shall have -the benefit of appearing very learned, if you will tell me their -names. Emily has extracted a promise from me in our walk from the -mountain this morning, to put myself under her tuition while I -remain in these flowery regions, so the sooner I begin my task the -better." - -"You are very right," replied 'mine host;' "knowledge is never a -burthen; and when the news of London is once told, and the stimulus -of novelty wears off, we shall then feel the full value of such -pursuits as at once sustain social communion, exercise common -curiosity, and employ the powers of the understanding." - -"You told me this morning, Mr. Otway, that you think the mania -for education is outrunning its natural progress; and that it is -the fashion at present to overleap the barrier of prudence in a -premature and forced extension of learning. May I not urge your -zeal in favour of female cultivation as somewhat inconsistent -with this theory? Setting all jocularity aside, and banishing -_nicknames_, as you call them, from our inquiry, will you tell me -if utility be the measure by which you ascertain and determine -the question of what possible use is education, beyond the polite -limits of fashionable acquirement amongst the higher orders, and -the necessary qualifications for a housewife in the lower classes? -Can women keep schools for our youth? Can women occupy professors' -chairs? Are women called upon to write works of science? In short, -do women ever _want_ all this lore? and if not, might not their -time be more valuably employed in cultivating the delightful arts -of pleasing? I confess to you," added I, "that I have a little -scheme of trying to save Fanny, who is as yet a child, and a very -engaging one too, from going through the ordeal which her sisters -have passed. They are sweet girls, and certainly have contributed -to soften my prejudices exceedingly against learned ladies. Still, -however, it is a pity not to spare Fanny the trouble as well as the -hazard of becoming one. _You_ are so looked up to at Glenalta, that -if you are on the opposition benches I may despair of a majority, -so pray answer me seriously." - -"I will, indeed," answered Phil, "though I cannot help laughing at -your pity and intended kindness, for which, however the _motive_ -may secure your pardon, my little Fan would certainly not thank -you as gratefully as you expect. To answer your question will in -no wise perplex me. Utility is a test by which I am very well -satisfied to abide; and, if we try the matter at present in debate -by that rule, I think I shall be able to convince you, that unless -in _our_ sex education is to lower its tone, or be neglected, there -can be no doubt of the advantage which would be gained by the solid -instruction of the female world. You grant that it is to women we -ought to look for all that is most valuable in first impressions. -Boys rarely quit their homes before ten years of age, and girls, -not generally speaking, till they marry. It seems then to require -no argument to prove, that upon a mother's being fond of her home, -and satisfied with the pleasures of her domestic fire-side, must -depend an _inclination_ to give up society abroad for the good -of her family; at least you will grant, without difficulty that, -though a sense of duty may do much with the truly conscientious, -the union of duty and inclination will work double tides--so far we -must be agreed. Now the question which remains is, _how_ the love -of home may be produced, and here I should have no hesitation in -saying, by a marriage, in which the greatest portion of sympathy -can be found, and, consequently, the greatest number of common -pursuits. The amusements of young men at the present day--I mean -the majority are such as no female can join in--hunting, shooting, -horse-racing, pugilism, rowing matches, are diversions exclusively -appertaining to the mass of our male population of the gentry -class. Now we will, if you please, suppose two families:--the first -shall be composed of a Gentleman, who has been bred at one of the -great schools without making a figure in scholarship of any kind, -and who, having passed through the University in a manner equally -undistinguished, and vapoured at balls, concerts, and parties, lost -his money at play, and gone the rounds of fashionable dissipation, -marries at length to repair his fortune and improve his interest; -and a young Lady who plays on the harp and piano forte, draws a -little, dances and dresses according to the last French receipt. -This happy pair set up an establishment. If rich, they live in a -whirl of company, sometimes at home, but more frequently abroad. -When children come, they are committed to the care of servants and -the nursery governess, till a time arrives for sending the boys to -school, and exchanging the humble services of the infant teacher -for the _Ma'amoiselle_, who, more like a dancing dog than a human -being, takes charge of the girls, and becomes the guardian of -their religion, morals, and manners! Perhaps you interrupt me, ere -my conclusion be drawn, to observe that this representation only -applies to what are called the higher circles. Very well--be it -so; you shall have the advantage of a second statement upon _your_ -side before I contrast it with _my_ view of the subject. Let us -suppose a Gentleman of a thousand a year, or a Professional man, -the former may, or may not, have profited more by his school and -collegiate course than the man of fashion. The latter is obliged -to plod his weary way through law or physic for his daily bread. -These Gentlemen marry, and, according to the present modes of -female education, are not likely to be much happier than our former -Benedick; for a young Lady, now-a-days, whose fortune is no more -than a thousand pounds, learns exactly the same things which are -taught to the daughters of a Duke; and it depends upon original -genius whether her accomplishments be more or less shining than -those of her more splendid models. But music and drawing, however -well performed, can enter but a little way into the happiness of a -fire-side in the country, or that of a Barrister or Physician in -town, when compared with the comforts which _might_ result from a -different order of things. Take a peep now into a _menage_, such as -I wish were not too often to be found only in an air-built castle." - -"Imagine a well-educated man, who, not stopping at the animal -qualifications of eating, drinking, boxing, and fox-hunting, has -cultivated his mind, and acquired a taste for literature, will -not such a man be likely to enjoy more happiness at home, if he -has a companion capable of participating in his most rational -gratifications? Will a sensible man admire an amiable woman -less, because in addition to whatever personal qualities may -have endeared her to his affections, she is possessed of solidly -useful knowledge which she is capable of imparting to her -offspring? Surely not; to maintain the contrary, would be to pass -the severest censure on our sex. A woman is neither less pretty, -less elegant, less kind, nor less accomplished of _necessity_, -because she has read and loves reading; and, considering her _own_ -happiness, can there be any question respecting the advantage of -books as a source of amusement as well as usefulness, above all -the lighter acquirements above enumerated? The former pass away -with the careless gaiety of youth. The rising generation steps -close upon the heels of that which has immediately preceded it; -and as novelty is the very essence of fashion, the singing which -has been heard, and the dancing which has been seen for a few -successive winters cease to charm, and newer attractions occupy -the stage. How much would the respect of children towards their -mothers be increased, were women, generally speaking, capable of -taking part in the instruction of a family, attending to their -interests, exercising a sound judgment on their progress, and -accompanying their pursuits! Reflect upon the numbers who are left -widows to guide sons, as well as daughters, through the thorny -paths of life? Is it of no importance that a woman, whom it has -pleased God to make the solitary guardian of a youthful progeny, -should place her affections on higher objects than dress, cards, -theatres? Is it of no use that she should be able to direct the -eternal interests of her children, and watch, as a careful nurse, -over their temporal welfare? And will she be less the object of -veneration and love, because every hour of the day presents some -variety of cheerful companionship, where utility and pleasure go -hand in hand, and knowledge is delightful, because associated with -maternal tenderness? Believe not such untruths, my dear Howard, and -if you ever marry, beware of those idle butterflies who, having -skimmed through a summer's day, flutter their fading wings and are -forgotten. Such women are, indeed, but children of a larger growth, -and totally unfit for the responsibility which devolves upon them. -But do not suppose that by a sweeping clause, as false as it would -be uncharitable, I mean to include the _entire_ world of fashion -in the denunciation which I have pronounced against modern modes -and manners. There are some beautiful exceptions, which not only -have escaped contagion, but which illustrate my position by being -themselves amongst its brightest examples. It is the _general_ -evil of which I complain, and unless women will stand their _own_ -friends, and resist the tyranny of opinion which, if it proceed -much farther in its present course, bids fair to deprive them of -those faculties which Heaven has bountifully bestowed, they may -rest assured that their power will daily decline; both sexes will -degenerate, and the rude supremacy of physical strength will be at -last resorted to, to complete female subjugation, and bring the -civilized world again to a state of barbarism from which it will -slowly emerge." - -Just as I was going to reply, a servant announced Mr. Bentley. -A young man entered the room, and we were ere long summoned to -dinner. Nothing could be more agreeable than the trio. You see that -I include myself in the compliment to our good humour, ease, and -festivity. Phil. is an extraordinary man, and I am much _taken_ -with him. He is a perfect Encyclopedia, as little Fanny called him, -and literally seems to know every thing; but so absolutely is he -divested of the pomps and ceremony of literature, that it is only -by the fulness of your own mind, and the number of new ideas that -you find in your brain, that you discover the superiority of him -from whom you have derived such accession to your thoughts. We ate, -drank, and were merry. - -Bentley is a very sensible young man, and a near neigbour of Mr. -Otway's. - -I suppose that I must tell you what we talked of. Well, I am -patiently going through my task of _minute_ narrative in the -beginning; but by the time that you are acquainted with the -characters around me, through these my _masterly_ sketches you -must prepare to take your leave of such reports. I shall write -regularly, and mention whatever incidents may occur; but to hold -on in this method, of repeating every word that is uttered, would -be more than flesh and blood are equal to. Besides, should money -fall short, you may take advantage of me, and make a book out of -these my voluminous materials. Thus forestalling, for all you can -possibly tell, my intentions of giving so many sapient observations -as I have committed to paper, one day myself to the world. - -Well, but you want to know who Bentley is, and what we talked -about. As to who a young man, living in the county of Kerry in -Ireland, may be, I am not quite ready to answer though _faute -d'autres sujets_, I shall inquire more concerning him; perhaps -somewhat more determined in my design so to do, from having -remarked a scarlet blush pass over his cheek at dinner when -Charlotte's name was mentioned. - -In these back settlements there is nothing to do, but exercise the -skill of a calm observer; and I expect to be quite _au fait_ as a -critic in every thing appertaining to countenance, by the time that -I return to the world. As to conversation we had a great deal of -one sort or other. Some politics, some anecdote, some I know not -what, pleasant enough, but nothing striking. I remember only two -remarks that I shall take the trouble of exporting to Pisa. We -were speaking of Scott's Novels (for I take the liberty of calling -them his, notwithstanding all the denials which are cited to prove -the contrary[A]) and I instanced these and some other works of -fiction which are justly celebrated, and of recent publication, to -support my opinion, that the present genius of literature stands -upon a lofty pedestal in comparison with former times, adding -"what can be a stronger argument in favour of modern wisdom than -that _such_ books are the recreation of our contemporaries?" A -stranger just set down in England might naturally say, if this be -_amusement_, what are the _serious_ studies in this country? And -if, as some writer has said, "tell me your diversions, and I'll -tell you what you are," carry any weight, we may fairly claim to -high pre-eminence." - -[Footnote A: The authorship of the Novels has been avowed by Sir -Walter Scott since this letter was written.] - -"And deserve it too," answered Phil., "if we do not push the -argument too far. The present day furnishes us some admirable -samples in the department of fiction; but I question much if you -will not find, that novels, with a large portion of existing men, -and women, make the _business_, as well as the relaxation of their -reading hours. The novels of our time are like letters of marque. -They are _armés en flute_ for war or merchandize, _alias_ for -instruction or entertainment; and if people will not read any thing -more serious we must be happy that there _is_ a method of riveting -attention by cloathing good sense in the light drapery of fiction. -Thousands are led on to better things than they are promised by -a pleasant tale; and I rejoice to perceive a growing sense of -accountableness in the writers who supply the present rage for -new publications. I see a consciousness arising amongst novelists -and the editors of reviews and magazines that the morbid diseases -induced by _mental_ opium eating (if you will allow me the image) -threaten paralysis and, would inevitably lead to dissolution of all -intellectual energy, if not arrested in their progress. Several -are usefully employed in applying alterations, and endeavouring to -bring about a more healthful action of the rational powers. Let -us earnestly desire a blessing on every effort of this nature, -and give our best individual support even to story, when, like -the useful wedge, it is successful in sliding in, what would not -find its way into the hands of half mankind unaided by such an -instrument." The remark struck me as valid, and I had the grace to -say so. Led on from one topic to another, in which this excellent -man discovered so much knowledge of life as perfectly to amaze me, -I turned to young Bentley, and said, "I have often heard people -obtain credit for extraordinary acquaintance with the world, and -wherever this has been the case, such skill has been attributed to -travelling, and a widely spreading communion with various classes -of men; but it sometimes strikes me as matter of surprise to find -the acutest sense of all that is doing on the great theatre, in -a retired corner of the earth, apparently shut out from all the -bustle, vice, and folly, that pervade the world." - -Bentley replied, "I know not to whom you may apply for information -on _this_ head, more appropriately than to my good friend of -Lisfarne, who contrives to know mankind so well without going -amongst them. Let us ask him how he manages to find them out?" - -"Were it really the case," answered Phil. "that I am better -informed than my neighbours in the science which you ascribe to me; -a point which I utterly dissent from, I should be apt perhaps to -take credit for my skill as resulting from the very reason that, -according to your view, might excuse its deficiency, namely, to -those retired habits which lead me to study a few, rather than -glance my eye over a multitude. It is with men as with books. You -may skim over too great a number to read any with profit. With some -few exceptions, the characters of which mankind is made up, are -easily classified; and if you master a score of distinct specimens -from each tribe with care and accuracy, you will find the sum of -your knowledge considerably to exceed that which has been gleaned -from a larger surface, where less attention has been brought to -the task of investigation. A certain impatience of decision leads -people frequently to pronounce upon as anomalies, what a severer -scrutiny would prove to be well understood, and belonging to -accredited divisions of human character." - -"I seldom meet with a _real_ non-descript, though appearances may -puzzle me for a time, and though I have not been in a crowd for -many years, I meet in succession with individuals of all sorts, and -perhaps am enabled to form a more discriminating judgment of each -single figure as it passes before me than I could do were my mind -distracted by many objects together. The whole being made up of -parts, one may give a shrewd guess at the collective effect from -acquaintance with the separate atoms." - -"From what you say," said I, "a man ought to live _out_ of the -world, to judge rightly of those men who compose it."--"No, my -young friend, not quite so _terse_. There is no more _necessary_ -connection between knowledge of the world and retirement, than -between naval tactics and an old gentleman sitting by his fireside -in Hampshire; yet it so happened, that the present system of -breaking the line, which was of such astonishing importance to -us in the last war, was the invention of a man unconnected with -naval affairs, and who, marshalling a parcel of cherry-stones -after dinner upon his table, proved to a practical understanding -how the object could be achieved, and what a Clarke projected, was -accomplished by a Rodney." - -"_In_ the world or _out_ of the world sagacity may find materials -upon which to work, and it will depend on the acuteness of that -sagacity to arrive at eminence in the knowledge of man.--Where this -is furnished, I should believe retirement, I do not mean solitude, -to be more favorable to sound discrimination than a busy scene, -because more likely to secure against precipitancy of judgment. -On the whole, we may see, and hear, a great deal too much with -our _outward_ senses. The principal defect of the present day is -want of reflection. The provision, the apparatus for conveying -instruction to the mind is superb, but exactly in proportion to -these "tricking facilities" is the deficiency of original thinking. -When books were few, and purchased with difficulty, they were -intensely studied. The mind was forced to be in some sort its -own library. The treasures of learning were committed to memory, -and the intellect traded upon its internal resources; the capital -was frequently turned, and mental riches crowned exertion; but -the multiplication of _means_ often retards the _end_, and the -understanding is encumbered with help." - -"But pray, sir, if we gain more in expansion than we lose in depth, -is not the balance on our side? Now that the press is teeming -with instruction brought down to the level of _all_ capacities, -are we not advancing by rapid strides to a full developement of -the reasoning faculty, and approaching that happy termination of -ignorance so devoutly to be wished for?" - -"I do not agree with you, Howard. If you desire my opinion, it must -be given in the negative. I am an old-fashioned fellow, and many of -my notions are desperately heretical in these days of display. I -cannot help prefering substance to shadows, and depth to surface. -I love real improvements, not mere changes. In some instances -we _are_ improving. The exact sciences are making progress, and -so are those arts which depend upon the application of their -principles. Chemistry, mechanics, &c. advance, and there is a -disposition to reward the talent that is exhibited in forwarding -them to perfection; but I maintain that the system of school and -collegiate education for our youth requires reform. The best part -of life, as regards some of our mental powers, is frittered away -in learning badly two dead languages, to the neglect of better -things at school; and at the Universities much might be done to -effect a better order of things than prevails in any of them. Then, -with respect to the prevailing taste in literature, it is too -much devoted to _stimulus_. We have too many new books, and too -many young authors. Some expatiating in the labyrinths of moral -paradox--others in the wild regions of uncontrolled imagination; -and so on. Whatever is _new_, is devoured with avidity, and so -great is the quantity, so pulp-like the quality, of this literary -pabulum, that the digestive organs are destroyed, and the mind is -seldom exercised for itself." - -As Phil. finished the last sentence, his old servant opened the -door, and in ran Frederick, followed by the redoubtable Domine. A -general commotion ensued. Much shaking of hands, inquiries after -health, friends, and all the etceteras which are hurried over in -the first ten minutes after meeting succeeded, I was presented; -and while Mr. Otway was engaged with Oliphant, and Fred. was -interchanging civilities with Mr. Bentley, I sat examining the -object of my fearful anticipations. Imprimis, he has no wig, but -a fine expansive front with a clean bald pate. His hair "a sable -silvered," scantily _set_, but curling naturally in a _fringe_ -round the back of his head, and a countenance full of benevolence, -and sparkling with affection. - -Yes, it is a true bill. Here are more fruits of Prophecy and -Prejudice, quoth you!--I will give up _anticipating_.--It will save -me a great deal of plague in future, not to think of people till -they cross my path, and are actually before my eyes. - -Before we set out on the return to Glenalta, I was as easy as -an old shoe with Oliphant; but all his quaint practice and -methodistical habits are hanging over _in terrorem_. - -On the following day, which was Saturday, we met as usual at -breakfast, and immediately afterwards, I was called by the girls -and Frederick to come and see the treasures of which their tutor -had been the escort. On entering the Library, I saw a valuable -addition to the book-shelves; Clarke's Bible, handsomely, but -unshewily bound, for my aunt; the Flora and Pomona Londinensis for -Emily; a capital Biographical Dictionary for Charlotte; a fine -Herodotus for Fred; and Withering's Botany for Fan. Besides these -were writing-desks, drawing-books, pencils, port-folios, and a -parcel containing the Pirates, Kenilworth, Quentin Durward, and the -Inheritance, as food for the "Evening hour." In short, Domine must -have been literally built up in the _stack_ which brought him, as -tightly as poor Rose de Beverley in the dungeon wall; and to have -seen the good man _deterré_ from such a mass of matter must have -been diverting enough. - -These various objects of acquisition were all gifts of Mr. Otway, -who had made his own remarks upon the wants and wishes of his -neighbours, and written to Oliphant accordingly, to come laden -with whatever he thought most likely to gratify the family group. -It is impossible to form an idea of the advantages in _one_ respect -which people living in these outposts of mankind possess over the -civilized world. If my mother and sisters require a packet of -books, or any thing else, from town, Gibson is ordered to write, -the things come per next mail. Turner, my mother's maid, opens -the store, and the contents are spread upon tables, where perhaps -they lie for days before they are observed, and when looked at, -are either to be returned, or if retained, it is ten to one if -they produce the slightest degree of animation. Here the minds -of the little party are so alive and fresh, that one catches the -contagion; and I found myself bustling through wrapping papers and -twine with an eagerness which I certainly never experienced upon -the arrival of a similar importation at Selby. - -"We have been so long _wishing_ for these," said Emily, "that they -are quite a mine of happiness." - -"Yes," answered Charlotte, "and how magical are our dear Phil.'s -guesses, for he always discovers what one _wants_ most." "And I," -added Fanny, "am just expiring to be off to Lisfarne, with a budget -of thanks to our necromancer." - -We all dispersed after this library scene; the young people to shew -Mr. Oliphant puppies, kittens, young pheasants, and sundry other -live stock, which had either grown or been acquired during his -absence, and I, after promising to walk with my aunt in an hour -or two, filed off to my room to fold up this enormous volume. On -looking over my journal before doing so, I perceived an omission: -you desired me to tell you more of the _tastes_ of my fair friends -in dress, furniture, _etcetera_, I thought that I had given you a -_coup d'[oe]il_ which might have sufficed; but if you must have -more, learn now, and for ever after hold your peace, that you may -walk from top to bottom of this house without hitching your skirts -in any of the fopperies of a modern _boudoir_. There is no danger -of being entangled amongst a nest of spider-tables covered with -china, or of overturning a chiffoniere burthened with flower-pots. -There are no scraps of japan, nor _odds_ and _ends_ of any sort to -molest a visitor, and interrupt conversation. Glenalta is furnished -with simplicity and convenience: the general _character_, is that -of chaste uniformity, without any thing of the _drab_ of quakerism. -A few good pictures ornament the walls both of drawing-room and -parlour. Some handsome busts in bronze give a finish to the -bookcases of the library; and the hall, which is light and airy, -has a very good appearance as you enter the house. The furniture is -solid, and there is every real comfort of polished life to be found -in its place without any exhibition of finery or _nick-knackery_, -if I may coin a word for the occasion.--Altogether the best idea -I can convey of my aunt's dwelling, is by telling you what it -is _not_: it is _not_ a _shew_-house--it is _not_ a fashionable -house, neither has it the cold, raw, uninhabited look of an English -provincial residence; but it is strictly clean, bright, _easy_ -looking, and has an air of unpretending elegance. - -Now, as to dress, hang me if I know the names of any manufacture; -but I told you before, that the cousins have very pretty figures, -beautiful hair, and are always perfectly _presentable_. They do -not wear the gaudy colouring of the French school, nor are they -squeezed as if in a vice, to look like wasps, without any visible -connecting link to unite the upper and lower parts of the body. -There is a natural grace and gentility in every movement; and the -_effect_ is pleasing to the eye from the _repose_ which it meets -with, equally remote from _excitement_ on the one hand, and torpor -on the other. - -What can I tell you more particular? And had I not better say Adieu -at once, than add to this mighty mass of paper by further general -description? - - Your affectionate friend, - ARTHUR HOWARD. - - - - - LETTER VII. - - FROM THE SAME TO THE SAME. - - - My dear Falkland, - -My last despatch, you will remember, was sealed just after it had -been arranged that I should accompany my aunt in a walk. At the -appointed hour I tapped at her door, to put her in mind of our -assignation; and was not sorry to have a _tête à tête_ in prospect, -thinking that I might take advantage of this opportunity to edge -in a little word of counsel, that might be of use, at _least_ in -Fanny's, though Emily and Charlotte might be beyond my reach in -effecting a change in _their_ destiny. - -My sweet aunt (for she is really quite delightful) was speedily -equipped, and we set out upon our rambles. As soon as we had -cleared the house, and were not in danger of being overheard, I -expressed my gratitude for her kindness in asking me to Glenalta; -spoke of the pleasure which I already felt in its society, and my -admiration, as well as surprise, at finding my cousins every thing -that could be wished. My aunt smiled. "Then," said she, "you had -heard, I suppose, but an unflattering account of us, and expected -to see a very _outrè_ sort of a family." "I expected," answered -I, "to find, as I _have_ found, very superior attainments; but -you know, dearest lady, the prejudice which universally subsists -against _Blue-Stockings_; and though you have succeeded so -admirably in the result of your system, and may therefore triumph, -as 'those who win may laugh,' yet you must allow the experiment -to have been a bold one." "And why so, my dear Arthur? I should -not have felt at all inclined to make bold experiments, and am not -conscious how I have done so. You must explain yourself." "Well -then, I will; and hope that I may venture to do so without running -any risk of offending you." "Certainly, I cannot be offended, -having requested you to tell me what you mean; and I, on my part, -shall not only thank you for your observations, but shall be -ready, with the most perfect candour, to satisfy you as far as I -can, respecting my conduct." - -"Dear aunt, then," said I, "the great object to which a girl's -prospects should tend from infancy to maturity is marriage; and -every prudent mother, I need not say to you, is perpetually intent -upon this termination of all her cares and anxiety. To marry a -daughter _well_ is no easy matter now-a-days, and often requires a -vast deal of address to bring about the event. Beauty, though very -captivating, will not do without money, and young men have learned -to be philosophers; they can see and admire, but, like the Baron -of Moubray, they must know how 'to love and to ride away,' unless -they would entail ruin on their posterity. Almost every man's -circumstances are dipped more or less, either by his own folly or -that of his predecessors; and most men look to a fortunate marriage -some time or other in their lives, for the purpose of paying off -charges on their property, and clearing a load of debt. Now, girls -of large fortune, may certainly take some liberties; for even -were they old, ugly, or _Blue_, thousands _will_ tell, and they -may generally command a choice amongst the other sex; but young -women, even of such personal attraction as my cousins ought 'to be -with caution bold.' I do assure you, that were you at this moment -suddenly removed to London, I would not, for any consideration -that I can name, that Emily and Charlotte were discovered to know -a syllable of Greek, Latin, botany, chemistry, or any of the arts -and sciences: it is unheard of in town, except to be laughed at, or -avoided; and as your girls have pretensions that might secure their -being courted in the best society, it would mortify any one who -loves them to witness a complete failure in their _debut_, through -a want of that circumspection which mothers, _so_ inferior to you, -know how to exercise. Dear little Fan is young and volatile; there -is more danger of her betraying herself than of her sisters' being -giddy. Much might be done still with your elder girls, who are so -reasonable and so docile, that they would probably take a hint -immediately; but it is quite a _sin_ not to snatch Fanny from -perdition, by allowing what _azure_ she has already contracted, to -fade away as quickly as possible. Elegant and accomplished, pretty -and pleasing, my cousins are formed for the world, and would shine -in it: but Greek, Latin, chemistry, _etcetera_, are like forgery, -never to be forgiven." - -Here I paused, and my aunt calmly replied, "I fear, my dear boy, -that I shall make matters worse rather than better by my answer to -your advice; but, notwithstanding, I must run the risk, and boldly -hazard the loss of your esteem, by detailing some opinions of -mine, which do not harmonize at all with your's. First, then, you -will stare at me perhaps when I tell you, that I am very far from -thinking marriage necessary to the happiness of my children, though -should I live to see them find such partners as I think worthy of -them, I should rejoice, inasmuch as, under _certain_ circumstances, -I look upon marriage as the happiest lot of life in this chequered -scene; but, Arthur, rank and fortune are only _accidents_, and -make no part of the _essence_ in my creed of such requisites as -constitute felicity in domestic union. My dear girls will not be -rich, but they will have enough to make them independent. If they -marry, I think I may venture to say, that it will not be through -worldly motives of aggrandizement; and should they remain single, -they will, I trust in the Almighty, be both useful and contented." - -I certainly _did_ stare. What! a mother, and disregard the -establishment of daughters! My aunt continued: "According to your -ideas, a woman is merely an appendage, and, I dare say, frequently -considered a very troublesome one to her fortune, the acquisition -of which seems to be, even under favourable circumstances of youth -and beauty thrown into the scale, the _principal_ object, and where -these may be wanting, the _sole_ incentive which leads a man of -fashion to permit a young lady the honour of bearing his name. -Now in a country where the blessing of freedom has never been -known, where parents possess absolute power over their children, -and masters over their slaves, I can perceive a reason for such -an order of things; but I confess myself so ignorant as not to -comprehend why liberty and affluence _here_ should be sacrificed -without any valuable consideration. It would be better to subscribe -a part of one's property to the necessities of a needy gentleman -than be obliged to give up the whole, and tie oneself to him for -ever. May I ask you how women are compensated in your scheme for -the relinquishment of independence?" "Bless me, dear aunt, the -question is so extraordinary, that really I feel at a loss to -believe that you can ask it: _compensated_?--Why, by being married; -by being promoted to a state in society of more consideration than -they previously occupied; by being provided for, established, and, -finally, as the acme of all female hope and ambition, taken out of -the never-ending defile of recruits through which a man has to make -his way at every ball, concert, or theatre in town." - -"Well," said Mrs. Douglas, "I am not a little amazed that these -_recruits_, as you call them, should be ready to place themselves -under the control of officers so little disposed to regard them -with tenderness; but, as this is a serious subject in which the -happiness of mankind at large is concerned, we will treat it -gravely. Providence has so ordered the affairs of earth, that -marriage will always be a primary object of concern with _both_ -sexes; for remember, that the idea of _wife_, involves that of -_husband_; and to supply each _aspirant_ of either sex, you must -find a disengaged individual of the other. Now if it appear that -the mass of human beings are intended by their Creator for the -state of matrimony, and that their own wishes generally coincide -with the original purpose of creation, would it not seem a -reasonable consequence that a condition which almost all men and -women anticipate, should be rendered as desirable, as suitable, as -happy, and as wise as a reflecting choice can make it?" "Surely," -said I, "and _there_ lies the difference between an improvident -silly mother, or one who is governed by a prudent knowledge of -the world, and clear views of her childrens' advantage. Women -are, you will confess, great fools when they allow their girls -to flirt with younger sons who have nothing; military men, whose -fortunes are on their backs, and all the idle host who furnish -a drawing-room and excel in a quadrille. Maternal solicitude -ought unquestionably to be directed to a good settlement, liberal -pin-money--if _possible_ a distinguished connection; and in short, -all the circumstances which constitute what every one admits to be -a _good match_. How painful must it be to read a paragraph in the -public papers announcing that on such a day Mr. Such-an-one, whom -nobody knows, was married by some clergyman whose name was never -heard of, in a parish church not to be found in any map, to Miss -Douglas of Glenalta! If I am doomed to suffer such disgrace, I -shall set out directly for Greece, or some other distant quarter to -which my countrymen do not flock in the crowds that one is certain -to meet in France and Italy, _there_ to remain till the event is -forgotten, and the unfortunate actors in it, are consigned to -well-merited oblivion. Forgive me if I am warm; I do not mean to -be disrespectful, but my energies rise in proportion to the hourly -increase of love and admiration which I feel towards relations so -near and so deserving." - -"Arthur, I am not angry," rejoined my aunt, "but I must oppose, -though I may fail to convince you; I can never desire to see my -dear girls, who have been loved, valued, and considered as rational -creatures in their own home, become a part of the _retinue_ of a -man of fashion; and therefore I neither intend to introduce them -upon a theatre where success is failure according to my notion of -things, nor attempt to infuse a new class of doctrines upon the -nature of happiness into their guiltless hearts. Let us go on in -our accustomed routine, and if there ever was a case to which we -may apply the maxim 'If ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise,' -you will admit its force upon that in question, for _so_ happy are -my dear children at Glenalta, that visionary dreams of joy seem -not to pass beyond its well-known boundary. When the mind is full -of resource, it is wonderfully independent, and suffers none of -that _ennui_ which is the disease of vacancy. From the birth of -my children to the present time, they have never heard that there -was an _effect_ to be produced by any thing they learned except -the natural consequences that grow out of virtue and occupation. -Marriage may, or may not, be their portion; should it be so, the -characters of their husbands may probably differ, as their own do, -from each other; and thus far I meet your views, that I should -be sorry to see any child of mine marry so imprudently as to -plunge into the sordid cares of life without consideration. Should -misfortune bring poverty, and the Almighty try his creatures by -affliction, how beautiful is it _then_ to behold the exertions -which the finest minds are capable of making when sustained by -religious submission, and encouraged by fond affection; but to -_place_ ourselves _willingly_ in situations which our strength may -not prove sufficient to admit of our filling conscientiously, is -to presume upon our own powers, and is therefore dangerous. You -see then, my dear boy, that as far as my opinion may have weight, -you are not to expect any accession to your worldly pride from -the Douglas family, who are very unambitious people; and, though -I trust that they will never 'disgrace you,' I fear that you must -be contented to love them for their _own_ sakes, and not for any -flattering unction to be derived through their future destiny. -No, I hardly think it likely that Emily, Charlotte, or Fanny, -will ever contribute their aid to a high-sounding paragraph in -the newspapers; but I shall indeed be disappointed if they are -satisfied with less than sense and affection, if they marry." - -"My dear aunt, you mistake me: as much sense as you like; and you -cannot imagine that I could be such a barbarian as to fancy that -any man who married one of my cousins should be so deficient in -good taste as not to love her as well as men generally love their -wives. Remember, that the happiest home of infancy must, in the -course of nature, dissolve; and then what becomes of a luckless -sisterhood of old maids, who, having suffered the spring and summer -to pass by unheeded, in vain deplore their idle improvidence, and -fret away the gloomy remnant of their days on earth in sourness and -solitude?" "A dismal picture, indeed," replied my aunt, "I must -try if I cannot draw one less dispiriting. In the first place you -acknowledge that, according to _your_ scheme, sense and affection, -though not _principals_, are useful _accessories_, and are to be -taken as make-weights into the scale of happiness. Now my idea is, -that this is to expect too much, and more than experience will -realize, unless in some instance perhaps of extraordinary exception -upon which we have no right to calculate. If you marry for rank, -you _obtain_ it, and should be satisfied with your bargain; if for -fortune, you have gained your object, and must not complain: the -contract is fair, though you receive only that for which you make -your agreement; and it is quite unjust to suppose that perfections -which you never sought, and qualities of which you never went in -search, will be added to heap up your measure." - -"The happiest home of early life must in nature's course dissolve, -you say: agreed; but, the affrighting scene of unavailing misery -which you have painted, is not the necessary consequence of such -an event. _I_ can imagine three sisters who may not have been -tempted to quit the paternal roof by meeting such congeniality of -character as they deemed essential to happiness, living together as -kindly in the decline, as in the meridian of life. I can imagine -them to look abroad without envy, and at home without disgust. -If excluded from some enjoyments which belong to another mode of -existence, they are spared also many of the evils which attach to -it, and with this advantage, that while the former are precarious, -the latter are inevitable. The brightest anticipations founded on -the most apparently stable foundation, may _possibly_ deceive, but -the physical suffering, and the anxious care which are inseparable -from the maternal relation, are penalties from which there is no -exemption. No bill of indemnity can set aside a mother's pangs; -and be assured, that were women endowed with the gift of oracular -foresight, and like the ancient Sybils capable of peeping into -the cup of futurity, very few would have courage to taste the -bitter draught which marriage too frequently mingles to allure by -promises, and poison by disappointment. The fondest affection, the -kindest support, and all the inestimable charms of sympathetic -companionship, may indeed render the conjugal union an antepast -of heaven; but such contracts of folly and avarice, as are but too -often sealed in what you call the world, represent as truly a state -of severest punishment; and between these extremes, a single lot -is far to be preferred to the compromise which matrimony in its -average of calculation _usually_ exhibits. The great purposes of -life are, however, fulfilled at the expense of individual ease, -and many a spirit learns in the school of adversity, those blessed -lessons of humility and dependence upon a Heavenly Father, that pay -with such peace 'as the world can neither give nor take away' for -the infliction of an earthly husband." - -"Well, my ears," said I, "are unaccustomed to such language. I -confess it is no less new than surprising; yet that I may know the -full extent of your deviation from modern creeds, perhaps you will -describe the sort of helpmate to whose guardianship _you_ would -entrust a daughter?" - -"Most willingly, Arthur. The peculiar temperament of each -individual stamps an impress of its own upon the mind, and, -according to the variety of taste, will be our selection of -such qualities in a friend, as harmonize with its distinctive -character. Marriage has been eloquently described as 'the queen -of friendships,' and yet the monarch fares less well than any of -her subjects; and while the choice of a companion who is only to -travel in our society for a few short miles upon the continent, is -governed by kindred feeling and pursuits, the journey which is to -end but with life, is undertaken upon the most flimsy ground of -temporary whim or expediency. Is this rational, is it consistent -conduct?" - -"Then may I ask, my dear aunt, do you conceive it really necessary -that two people must have learned the same arts, have studied -the same sciences, and read the same books; spoken in the same -languages, thought the same thoughts, and been in fact, like Helen -and Hermia, 'a double cherry seeming parted, but yet a union in -partition;' to make a reasonably happy, suitable jog-trot couple in -the holy bands of wedlock?" - -"Not entirely, though perhaps the more of such similarity the -better; but Arthur, you asked for a description, and you shall -have one. After the great leading bond of sympathy upon religion -and moral conduct, the _grain_ of character is most essential to -happiness in married life. There is a fineness of texture in some -minds which cannot endure contact with what is coarse, any more -than cambrick will bear being united to sail-cloth. The unequal -tissue will give way, and the more delicate fabric will be torn to -atoms. The mere matters of acquirement may differ without injury -to affection, an interchange may take place, which shall borrow -sweetness from its source; and even that which possessed no charms -to invite its acquisition, may become delightful, if taught by, or -studied for the sake of a being whom we love. I knew a lady whose -husband was a barrister; they adored each other, but they were -poor, and professional industry could not be dispensed with. Their -mornings were necessarily passed in the performance of separate -duties; but when the business of the day was over, and the evening -hearth burned brightly as they sat together, a doubt would arise -whether the most enchanting of all gratifications, each others' -society, was not a luxury too great for _them_. The doubt ended -in certainty, that law reading ought to supersede the charms of -conversation, and what was the result? that affection was too -powerful to be selfish, or rather _self_ was extended to a second -and a dearer object. The wife determined to convert a solitary and -painful duty, into a social delight; she insisted on joining in -her husband's study, and several of the driest and most difficult -books were read aloud to each other in succession. The experiment -answered to admiration. They were engaged _together_, and this was -enough to make them happy. What was distasteful to one, and at -first unintelligible to the other, became amusement; and in the -morning's walk, were often discussed the cases which had occupied -the previous afternoon. Memory was improved by this exercise: a -little time enabled the lady still farther to share the fatigues -of a beloved partner in noting his briefs, and assisting in other -professional cares, rewarded by the delight of knowing that her -presence was necessary to the happiness of him who formed her own. -Arthur, such is what _I_ call affection, and such is my idea of -companionship in wedded love." - -My heart glowed, and I could not speak; I gazed on my aunt: her -cheek was slightly flushed, and her eyes had acquired the deep -and clear expression which brought to my mind that exquisite -description in the Prisoner of Chillon. - - "The eye of most transparent light - That almost made the dungeon bright." - -We both paused: when, recovering from a momentry lapse of thought, -she continued: "I knew another wife whose husband was employed for -several years in various diplomatic trusts of high importance. He -was an invalid, and frequently incapaciated from taking part in -public affairs; but the faithful friend of his bosom who was a most -admirable linguist, wrote his letters in five different tongues, -and was supposed to be a native in them all. Can you match these -instances of connubial tenderness and confidence in the frigid -annals of fashion? Turn, my Arthur, from the heartless trammels, -and dare to be free." - -"Such women," said I, "as you have represented, would soon -revolutionize the world, and bring about a mighty change in the -motives that influence marriage; but instances like these occur at -intervals, just to shew us of what your sex is _capable_, and that -is all." - -"Alas, Arthur," replied my aunt, "women rarely discover objects -amongst men worthy of exciting powerful affection, and none but -slaves will bestow the semblance where the reality does not -exist. Men and women act and re-act reciprocally on each other's -characters, and though exceptions may appear, you will find it -easy in general to decide upon one sex, by the merits or demerits -of the other, allowing for those differences between them which -distinguishes each from its opposite." - -"How then," said I, "is a new order of things to be effected? _One_ -swallow does not make a summer. - -"The change would be achieved with-out any difficulty, my child, -would each individual only throw off the artificial shackles which -are imposed by opinion upon the heart and understanding. Nature -is so lovely, truth so captivating, that one would _imagine_ it no -hard matter to disengage the mind from the bondage of a factitious -yoke, and I return to their gentle empire. Yet this is all that we -are called upon to do, and that only with _ourselves_. If our early -years were passed in laying up store for futurity in practising the -affections within the circle of those whom God has given to be our -nearest and dearest ties, in cultivating intellect, and acquiring -useful knowledge, we should need no farther security against the -mistakes of after life. Religion, virtue, wisdom, and good taste, -would be our guides as well as our protectors." - -"Aunt, 'almost thou persuadest me;' but you named religion, and -before we conclude I must say a word upon that part of the subject." - -At this instant who should appear at the entrance of a moss-house, -in which my aunt and I had been seated for the last half hour, but -Oliphant, Charlotte, and Fanny? They had taken a round of the wood, -and were returning when this _contre tems_ took place. I blushed -immoderately. It was such a topic to be caught in the act of -discussing; but my confusion did not last long. - -What a blessing is _tact_! That monosyllable contains a volume. My -aunt saw, I suppose, exactly all that was passing across my mind-- - -"_Caciata del core fuge nel volto_,"--and, instantly seizing on -Charlotte's hand, she said, "My love, I want you and Fanny to run -home and send the little car to me. I am a wee bit tired; I will -keep Mr. Oliphant and Arthur here, till Paddy and poney arrive." - -Like lightning, the nymph disappeared, and, quietly turning to me -as if our dialogue had suffered no interruption, "I am so glad that -just as we wanted Mr. Oliphant, he has come to our aid," said my -aunt. "He will be quite at home in answering your last question." - -She then in a moment playfully informed Domine of our single -combat, "which," added she "was fairly fought, and rather -favourably to my side at the close, till Arthur rallying his -forces, to make a powerful stand, entrenched himself under an -authority to which, were it against me, I should implicitly submit; -but I will now place _you_ in my stead; and, as I am sure that -Arthur was _going_ to say (no _young_ ladies being present) that -female inferiority is supported by that volume, from which there is -no appeal at Glenalta, I am not without hope that you will drive my -nephew from this last fastness." - -"I accept the challenge," said Oliphant, "and thank you for the -post which you allot to me, as the laurel of victory already -circles round my brow; but I must hear my adversary state his case." - -Thus forced into a tilting match with the tutor, I laughed, -and assured him that I had never presumed upon encountering so -formidable an enemy; but as it would be a tacit confession that -my cause was weak, were I to remain silent, "I must own," said I, -"that Mrs. Douglas precisely hit upon what I was going to urge, -namely, that however modern manners, to which my aunt discovers -so little gratitude, have _raised_ women to the pedestal on which -they stand, the Bible tells a different tale; and were it even -true that female pride had got a fall through fashion's fiat, would -not such depreciation be exact conformity with holy writ?" - -"Were it so," answered the _giant_ of learning, "Mrs. Douglas -would neither lament nor contend against her fate, but the Bible -is peculiarly her sanctuary of refuge, from which, when driven to -its sacred shelter by the taunts of the world, she might proudly -exclaim, 'it was not thus, when we came from the hands of God.'" - -"No, my dear sir, man was created in God's own image; 'male and -female created he them.' Eve (the meaning of which word is life) -was formed after, and _out of_ man. She was not given to him as -property, but given 'to be with him,' as a companion, because he -would have been a cheerless, as also a useless animal without -her. The original Hebrew implies no superiority, nor inferiority. -Adam and Eve were the counterparts of each other. Eve was bone -of bone, flesh of flesh, to her husband, _both_ endowed with -immortality, _both_ invested with rule over all creatures of the -earth. The word woman is from the Hebrew _Ish_, signifying man, -which, when simply altered by two letters to _Ishau_, literally -means she-man. _Andris_ is the female form of _Aner_, man, in the -Greek; and in Arabic we have _Imrat_, she-man, from _Imree_, man. -Every man should consider woman as a part of himself; and when, -as a punishment for her disobedience, the heavy denunciation was -issued that Eve should be subject to her _husband_, it was not -required by their Maker that she should resign any part of that -understanding, any prerogative of heart or intellect, which had -originally been bestowed, when she was formed his equal in power. -Both man and woman were deprived of immortality. Death came into -the world with sin, and with _these_, woman's legal bondage to -her _husband_; but beyond this limit you cannot proceed. On the -contrary, though the brutal habits of eastern tyranny debased the -sex, to which inferior bodily strength had been from the first -communicated, yet was it exalted in the moment of depression by Him -who called it into being, and inflicted the curse. The woman was to -bruise the serpent's head. She was the first destroyer, and was -permitted to be the first in the chain of restoration, by being the -appointed medium, the _sole_ earthly parent of the Saviour. When -Abraham was entitled Father of the faithful, Sarah received like -honour, and was named their Mother; and when our blessed Lord came -upon earth, from one end to the other of his ministry, there is -not a syllable to be found derogatory of the female sex. He loved -Mary as a sister; and upon various occasions distinguished certain -women by particular expressions of affectionate approbation. There -is no authority in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation for the -opinion that you hold; and with respect to punishment inflicted by -Deity for transgression, a generous feeling would naturally suggest -the desire of lightening rather than aggravating its infliction, -especially when we reflect that the only difference between the -culprits lay in the measure of delinquency. Adam and his sons have -no cause of triumph; and I never read the story of the fall without -considering with humiliation the first proof afforded of a lowered -nature in our common progenitor, when to save himself from the -principal condemnation, he selfishly consigned his partner to the -wrath of offended divinity. When our Saviour arose from the dead, -it was to his faithful female followers that he first revealed -himself; and, as a concluding remark, permit me to observe, that -if, as we are assured unequivocally, women are equal inheritors of -the skies, it ill befits us to refuse them their rights on earth. -No, sir, depend upon it, when men cannot support themselves, except -by asserting that power which the laws have conferred upon them, -they are _hard run_, and the edifice is tottering when it requires -a buttress. The nobler animals are all _quiescent_. The lion -reposes in his strength, and knowing how much he can command, is -slow at making exhibition of his force; but "man, proud man!" - - "Dressed in a little brief authority, - Plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven, - As make the angels weep." - -"I remember, sir," said I, "to have seen once, in the library of a -gentleman, who, by the bye, was a most complete domestic despot, an -odd sort of a book, entitled "Rights of Women." - -"Are you acquainted with, and an approver of that work?"--"No, -young gentleman, that is a book which has long ago found its -resting-place amid dust and cobwebs. When new, it was a wretched -thing, and is now forgotten; but you found it, as the mineralogists -express themselves, _in situ_, when you discovered a stray copy on -the shelves of a tyrant. The brawlers about liberty are generally -fond of keeping it all to themselves. The French revolution, which -was before your time, set many heads distracted, and loosened -the whole frame-work of our morals; but we are sobered, and have -consigned to oblivion the grosser absurbities of that disjointed -period. - -"Women have real and substantial rights, natural as well as civil, -which no one attempts to dispute; and they are fools when they part -with them, unless to secure a greater good than they relinquish; -but marriage is the rock upon which multitudes make shipwreck, -because from the present constitution of things, that solemn act -of life is performed with less consideration than people commonly -employ in the purchase of a field. Men, after a career of folly, -begin to look about them, and think it wise to _settle_, before -time has thinned their locks and scattered silver over the flowing -honours of youth. Women sigh for what are called establishments; -and happiness slides out of a scheme in which no provision has been -made for its entertainment. Take an old man's advice, Mr. Howard, -be as deliberate in your selection as you please, and I hope that -you will not marry till you know your own mind; but when you _do_ -become a Benedick, let your Beatrice be the friend of your bosom, -the companion of your life, and a partner in all your pains, -pleasures, and pursuits." - -I was not prepared to contradict, for the truth is, that Domine -told me more in half a dozen sentences than I ever heard before. -However, not to appear as if I had suddenly lost _my speech_, I -gently hinted, "that Solomon was usually thought a wise man, upon -the authority of the Scriptures; and he declares that, in his -search after wisdom, he had never found _one_ woman to reward his -pains." - -"Truly, that is not very wonderful," said Oliphant. "When the men, -who possessed all the advantages that superior power bestowed, -made so little use of it towards the cultivation of knowledge -and virtue, that Solomon complains of not finding a man of worth -in _a thousand_, no wonder that amongst the weaker sex, who were -kept in the lowest state of slavery and degradation, he should -not discover any who, deprived of the benefit of education, and -shut out from the light of truth, had broken her bonds, and soared -above the horrible debasement to which females were condemned by -their rulers. The Christian Religion, of which that Bible that -you lately quoted as authority for the servitude of women, is the -sacred repository, is in fact the charter of female liberty; and -in proportion as the Sun of Righteousness shines with more or less -refulgence in any land, in such proportion is woman respected." - -"Pray then, Mr. Oliphant, how comes it that the sense of mankind -has always been taking a contrary course? A boy is hardly out of -his nurse's arms, before he hears of his superiority over his -sisters. When he goes to school, the first grammar that his lisping -tongue is turned to repeat, tells him that his sex is most worthy. -In the _world_, one hears women only estimated by their beauty, -or their wealth; and in families we see them nothing better than -the wrecks of a former day, little loved by their husbands, or -respected by their children." - -"_Hinc illæ lachrymæ_," answered my opponent, "in _one_ sense -the male sex is decidedly superior--I mean in strength; and were -this employed in supporting the weak, instead of oppressing them, -the female world would not be disposed to grudge men a supremacy -of which they would themselves enjoy the happy fruits. But as to -your nursery nonsense, an elder son is always told that he is as -much above his younger brothers, as his sisters; and so he is, -by the laws of primogeniture, which give him the estate. Yet I -suppose that there are few such blockheads as to believe, that -because a man happens to come into the world before his brethren, -he is therefore invested with a patent of superior intellectual -endowment. On the contrary, it often happens, that elder sons, -satisfied with the gifts of fortune, take little trouble with their -minds, and are, in point of cultivation, at the _tail_ instead -of the _head_ of their Houses. Grammar rules prove nothing. They -were made by _men_, and according to vulgar estimates of physical -force; and as _to the world_, the most convincing proof in my eyes -of its degeneracy in our day, is to be found in the impertinent -neglect of women, so frequently observable in the _soi-disant_ men -of fashion. To sum up the argument: the sexes differ from each -other, but _difference_ implies nothing of better or worse, taller -or shorter, wiser or less wise. They are _different_, and each -beautifully adapted by the eternal Creator to fulfil the purposes -for which it was designed. The man stronger, more active--made to -encounter danger, and endure fatigue. The woman more delicate, -more refined, formed to sooth by her tenderness, to watch over the -helpless, comfort the unfortunate, and be the balm of human kind. -In mental capacity Nature has dealt with impartial bounty, and the -most splendid talents are to be found in that sex, which I grieve -to add, too rarely exercise their powers. Rely upon it, that men -are not less manly for sharing their privileges, nor women less -feminine for profiting by the boon. The age of Chivalry is gone, -and it would be well to restore it. - -"Look, my dear young gentleman, around you at Glenalta. Is -Frederick less likely to attain the gold medal at his University, -or is he less ardent in pursuit of game in the fields, because he -loves his mother and sisters, and would be unwilling to enjoy any -gratification in which they were not partakers? Turn your eyes -upon the dear gentle trio of your fair cousins, and tell me are -they less pleasing, less modest, less artless, and happy, because, -with minds well stored, they can always find resources at home, -for which others are vainly seeking abroad? Are they less elegant -because they are independent, or less delicate because they neither -shriek at a wasp, nor faint at the sight of a spider?"-- - -I was going to say something, I hardly know what, when a party -appeared in sight, that at a little distance might have passed -for a group of gipsies; Paddy and the poney car, led the van. -Frederick, the three girls, Phil., and young Bentley brought up -the rear. We were together in the next moment, and in the midst -of salutations, I could not help remarking the anxiety of all -the young people about my aunt, whose expression of fatigue had -brought them back to offer aid, and satisfy themselves that she -was not ill. Frederick settled the cushions, and dispatched Paddy, -saying, that he must himself drive the little car, lest it should -go too fast. Fanny had brought a small basket, in which was a phial -of hartshorn, and a glass having been also produced, away ran -Charlotte to the stream which tumbles through this rocky glen, to -procure water,--all without _fuss_, or effort. - -Yes, there is no question of it--what Oliphant says is true enough. -These people are not at all the worse for any thing that they have -said, done, learned, or acquired. My aunt was unusually gay, to -convince her children that nothing ailed her; and we all returned -home, laughing and talking as merrily as possible. Bentley was -asked to stay and dine, which Phil. had promised also to do, and so -sped Saturday away as smoothly as if it _rolled_ on _casters_. - -In the evening we walked. I took my first lesson in botany from -Emily. We planned a trip to Killarney, for July, if my aunt makes -no objection, and finished the _revels_ with music. - -What would you think, if I tell you, that Domine took the bass in -several glees, and has a remarkably fine sonorous voice. Our guests -departed. The bell rang. Servants were assembled, and the usual -prayer was read, with no other circumstance of change, than the -substitution of Mr. Oliphant, in quality of domestic chaplain, for -my aunt. - -Just as we were about to separate, Fanny called me, and whispered, -"Don't go yet to your room. We are going to hold a conference for -a few minutes in the study, and you must assist at our council." I -accordingly lagged behind, and after Mr. Oliphant and my aunt had -severally retired, _we_ five mustered in the Library. Emily opened -the proceedings, by saying, "Arthur, my brother, sisters and I, -have set our hearts upon accomplishing a project which Frederick -and I devised in our walk this evening. It is to prevail with our -beloved mother to accompany us to Killarney. It is _many_ years -since she has been there, and I know that she will not revisit -that heavenly spot without the deepest emotion. Yet we cannot -help flattering ourselves with its being of such a nature as not -to amount to pain; and it will be counteracted by the pleasure of -beholding our rapture at seeing her make one in our excursion. -Phil. is in our secret, and _now_ so are you. We are going to -write a petition. She shall not have it to-night, because it might -agitate her; and it shall only be signed by her children, because -if such happiness as her compliance would impart, should be in -store for us, it is of that sacred character which we could not -bear to owe even to the dearest friends; and if, on the other hand, -as I am afraid may prove the case, we are asking too much, we -will not involve any one else in the pain of a refusal. Now good -night--wish us success, and meet us in the moss-house at eight in -the morning to learn our fate." - -I went to my room quite unable to speak--I was suffocating, and, -_shall_ I confess to Falkland (but proclaim it not in Gath) tears, -such as I never shed before in all my life, coursed each other down -my "innocent nose." It is too much. Unmanned at a short turn, and -by what? a set of children laying schemes to have their mother's -company in a party of pleasure! Well, I know not what is to come -next, but this place will be the ruin of me, if this is the way -in which I go on resigning my understanding. Positively I shall -be absolutely unfit for society, and look when I go back to town -precisely as if I had been spending a couple of months with Noah in -the ark, and had just stepped out on Mount Ararat. I took myself to -task; shook myself; scolded myself; chewed the cud of the last ball -at Almack's; ditto at Lady Arabella Huntley's; placed myself in the -midst of that group with whom I passed my last London evening at -Lady Murray's after the Opera; but it would not do. - -When the mind gets one of these _wrenches_, it is in vain to -attempt setting matters to rights again in a hurry. I found, after -toiling to give a new bent to my reflections, that they would -still return with elastic force to the place whence they set out; -and I therefore gave vent to them in the new course which they -had channelled for themselves. While in this mood, I could not -help thinking, that if we measure life by the exercise of our -faculties, and the warmth of our feelings, instead of by such -evidences of existence as might apply to stocks and stones as well -as to sentient beings, I have only _lived_ in your society, and -since I came to Glenalta. A mournful chill stole over my heart as -I involuntarily asked myself, "Is my mother like _this_ mother, -or are my sisters like my cousins?" These questions led me to one -still more immediately painful--"Do I resemble Frederick?" The -inquiry was accompanied by a feeling of such bitterness, that I -fear it must have been answered in the negative, to each of my -self-addressed queries. Alas! thought I, of what light materials -are we formed! tossed about by every wind, and seizing on the -contagion of every new situation! Well, one week has worked a -strange _jumble_ of my tastes and opinions, but all will be -_stratified_ in regular order, according to received notions, by a -corresponding term, when I revisit Selby or Grosvenor Square. This -consolation seemed a _quietus_, for I fell asleep, and undisturbed -by farther moralizing, rose refreshed and full of spring, in due -season to keep my engagement. - -What a vein of lovely weather! and what an influence does it exert -over our souls. The morning appeared as if determined to cheat me -into good humour with all the wearisome business of Sunday in "a -pious family" (oh that quaint expression) in the country. Nature -looked as if she had just stepped, in the luxuriance of youth and -beauty, that moment from her bath. A dew-drop glistened on every -blade of grass, and fragrance breathed around from every flower. I -set out with that invigorating sensation of hilarity which I have -always found an early walk on a fine day to produce. I believe, -that besides the animal gratification arising from sunshine, -perfumes, and the bracing quality of fresh air, we are insensibly -pleased with ourselves, when we have started from the enervating -effects of drowsy slumbers, and snatched a portion of time from -Lethe's wave. - -I was in the humour to analyze, and I think that I was more -complacent in my feelings towards _myself_ than usual. If so, it -is not hard to account for the _balminess_ of charity towards -all things else--the key-note is ever to be found within our own -breasts, and it regulates the whole strain. - -Half-musing, half-poetizing, I reached the moss-house, and was -ruminating on the sparkling stream that dashes over the rock, -amongst its tangled brush-wood, when with light feet, my nymphs and -their brother hastened round the wood, and appeared at the seat of -Congress. - -After a joyous "good morrow," they told me that "mamma" had not -been awake when they left the house to attend the Sunday School, -and therefore they had no good news to impart to me; and only came -to the place of appointment, lest I should wait and accuse them of -a failure in punctuality. - -The words "Sunday School," acted as a "killing frost" to all the -tender leaves and buds with which Fanny had wreathed my morning -walk, and looking I dare say like an icicle, I said, "And are you -_really_ enlisted amongst those troops of godly women dressed in -grey, and looking like flocks of Solon geese, who paddle from -house to house on the Sabbath, and make that which was given us for -an anniversary of repose, the most tiresome and laborious day of -all the weekly seven?" My companions laughed, and Frederick bade me -not be alarmed, assuring me that there were no Solon geese in the -poultry-yard of Glenalta. - -"We do not belong," said Emily, "to a _train-band_ of any -description; and a very short portion of Sunday is sufficient -for our little task. But few children assemble at our school, as -Protestants are thinly scattered in Kerry; and, as it is a rule -here, never to teach to read where the Bible is not received, the -number of our scholars is very limited. This would be subject of -grief to mamma, were it not her fixed opinion, supported by the -experience and strong sense of our friend Mr. Otway, and the worthy -tutor, that in _this_ country matters are not ripe for the quantity -of education forced upon the people, and that a more gradual -process is for the advantage of every part of the community; but -were it otherwise, our individual labours would still be light. -Charlotte, Fanny, and I, go before breakfast to hear the children -read a chapter, repeat a collect, and answer a few questions, more -as _pioneers_ to Mr. Oliphant, than as teachers. This occupies -only one hour, and we do no more. Domine, as you call him, and the -Curate of our parish, who is a very good clergy-man, examine after -church, and this finishes the school-work of the day." - -"Bless me!" said I, "I am very glad to hear these things, but must -own that your account is most unexpected. The ladies whom I have -heard called 'pious,' at our post town in Buckinghamshire, sit up, -I imagine, all Saturday night, and starve all Sunday. They defile -along in troops, looking sour enough to curdle milk into whey by -their presence, and are always to be seen loaded with tracts, and -carrying bags which are filled with other implements of the trade. -These saintly damsels are, I firmly believe, a set of whale-boned -exclusionists, who deny salvation to all who are not within their -pale, and able to answer their _qui va là?_ by the signs and -countersigns of their free masonry." - -"Arthur," replied Emily, "though your anger diverts, I must -scold you for being too severe. Why should you judge so hardly -upon hearsay testimony of people whom it is your boast not to be -acquainted with? Surely starving, without food or rest by day, -and sleep at night, cannot be matter of _amusement_; and if your -picture be not greatly exaggerated, we may at least hope that the -motives are pure, which dictate so much self-denial." - -"Not a bit of it, I assure you," answered I. "I promise you that -these folks are self-sufficient, as they are generally weak; and -have as much pride, vanity, and dogmatism, in their own _plain_ -way, as their neighbours. They set up to be teachers, when they -would be much better employed in learning; and both men and women -of the new light get into the cant, and are sworn in to the -confederacies to serve very secular purposes. See how they nestle -into the houses of the great, marry the best fortunes, and while -they preach a religious republic, always take care if they can, to -secure the dictatorship." - -"We know nothing here of these abuses," said Emily; "I have -heard of noble characters who devote all their time, money, and -influence, to the high purposes of reclaiming the vicious, and -teaching the Word of God to the ignorant. But if we lived in a -less refined spot than this, we should not even then be likely to -join any of the societies to which you allude, composed of such -as are technically, and most improperly called, when with design -to convey a _taunt_, 'good people.' Mamma dislikes _liveries_, -whether of dress or manners. She disapproves of bazaars, working -parties, and all religious exhibitions and excitements: in short, -of all demonstrations of what she calls a _gregarious_ spirit of -piety; though she makes it a point never to express an opinion in -the presence of any one who could wrest it to the unworthy purpose -of throwing either ridicule or reproach on numbers of excellent -persons of both sexes who differ from her in theory as well as -practice." - -"I perceive," said I, with delight, "that my aunt does not consider -dancing a sin."--"No, so far from it," answered Frederick, "that -when the Sandfords were with us, we were very gay, and I hope -shall be so again when they return in the autumn. My mother loves -that piety should rear her altar in the heart, and does not -rest so much as some well meaning people are inclined to do, on -petty observances of a merely external kind. She cannot endure -_mannerism_, and her feelings are very strong upon the injury which -true religion sustains through want of judgment in her votaries. -The tithe of mint, anise, and cummin, occupies many, perhaps not -to the entire _exclusion_ of weightier matters; but _little_ -things can be understood, and grasped by minds totally incapable -of enlarged views; and unfortunately these are often mistaken for -vital principles, when they are no more than sign-posts. For this -reason, the peculiar language which has become so common, is never -used here; and though Sunday at Glenalta is a very sacred day, I -hope that you will not find it more dull than other days." - -As Fred. ceased to speak, who should enter our council chamber but -my aunt. "What! all my dears assembled in committee?" "Yes, dearest -mother," said Frederick, springing forward to meet her, "and with -Arthur in the chair, we have passed a resolution, that you will -make us the happiest group in Christendom, if you will grant the -boon implored in this petition." So saying, he slipped a paper into -her hand, and taking two of his sisters, leaving Fanny to grace -my arm, he added, "we must not take our sovereign by surprise. -She must have time to _dwell_ upon the prayer of her subjects. So -we will make a tour of St. Colman's rock, and be back like true -liegemen, to assist her in returning home." Off he hurried us, and -this was done to spare his mother that emotion which is always -felt when we know that what passes within the heart is seen and -comprehended by others. It is astonishing! These young people study -every look, and can follow the windings, however sinuous, of every -thought, when affection is the lamp to guide their way. - -We took the round of St. Colman, a great white rock, about which, -there is a legend, that perhaps I may tell you at some other time, -and found my aunt seated where we left her: probably pondering -upon past happiness, and present gratitude, for blessings still -continued. Her _own_ sweet smile rested on her countenance, but -a tear had recently fallen on her cheek. She did not wait to be -addressed, but extending a hand to Fred. and his eldest sister, -told them by a beaming, but silent look, that she complied with -their entreaty. Fred. seized her in his arms in extacy, and having -given one emphatic kiss, which bore a world of thanks upon its -impress, he dashed out of the moss-house, unable to control the -feeling of his manly heart. He is a fine creature. Emily and -Charlotte glided away without uttering a word, and Fanny sobbed -aloud. Her mother kissed her, and taking my arm, with a tremulous -voice that seemed to struggle against display of those inward -conflicts which caused it to falter, said to me, "dear Arthur, you -are unused to scenes like this in fashionable life, yet they are -very sweet. Like Cornelia, I have my jewels, and they are precious -gems; but we shall be late, and Mr. Oliphant will wonder what has -become of his congregation." I felt again the plaguy _choke_, which -is an endemic, I suppose of these bogs, for I have scarcely ever -experienced a fit of the disease till I came here. I could not help -giving a gentle _squeeze_ to the hand that leaned upon my arm. "You -are the happiest set I ever saw," said I. A suppressed sigh met -my ear, and Fanny, jumping into the middle of the walk, to arrest -our progress, broke a chain which would have led to sorrow. "Oh! -mamma, stop: Arthur, don't put down your right foot for your life. -There, now he's safe poor thing," and in an instant, a frightful -frog, which had been hurt by some unlucky foot that had come down -too weightily on the reptile's leg, was gently deposited, first on -her hand, and then laid quietly on the grass under the shade of a -Lauristinus. "I will return after breakfast," muttered Fan. "and if -I find that you are not likely to recover, poor little wretch, you -shall be put out of your pain by old Lorry." How my sisters would -stare in wild amaze, were I to tell them of such an act! "Pray," -said I, "Fanny, do you cherish in this manner, all the vile vermin -that chance brings into your path?" "To be sure; every creature can -live its short hour in pleasure or in pain; and the less pretty -and likely to excite sympathy, the more I feel to be its friend: -it is so pleasant to be kind to any thing that is unfortunate. -These little traits let you into whole regions of character, and -therefore it is that I relate them. You are very near the end of -my _sketches_, and must then be contented with letters that sum -up events; but I will not relax the labours of my _pencil_, to -commence upon those of my _pen_, till you have Sunday sent down the -stream of time, with the years before the flood." - -Oliphant, who had not any _starch_ whatever in his features, met -us at the verandah, without his hat, and looking as benign as the -sky that he seemed to have stood admiring, before we reached the -door. He helped my aunt to take off her shawl, and then presenting -his arm, led the way towards the little room which serves as -a chapel, where the only addition to the usual orisons, was a -short and emphatic prayer for a blessing upon the employments and -instruction, whether public or private, of this day. Breakfast -ended, we soon set out to church, which is full a mile distant; -but the fineness of the weather tempted most of the party to walk. -My aunt and Emily accompanied Mr. Otway in his carriage; and young -Bentley, who is on a visit at Lisfarne, joined _us_. - -Arrived at the parish church, upon the side of a bleak and barren -hill, I looked with amazement at the poverty of all around, not -that there was an absence of decency, or even comfort; but the -bare white-washed walls, the simple uncarved pulpit, unfringed -cushions, with the absence of monumental decoration, music, and -all the paraphernalia of church worship on our civilized side of -the channel, struck me most unfavourably as I entered the family -pew; but these things were soon forgotten, and the service was -admirably performed. It so happened, that a gentleman who was on -his way to some other part of the country, and whose talents as -as a preacher stand deservedly high, had halted the day before at -our parson's house, and was prevailed upon to take the pulpit. -Mr. Oliphant, whose voice is well modulated, and whose devotion -communicates a kindred feeling to his auditors, read the lessons, -and prepared the mind, by the simple energy of his manner, for the -powerful impression which awaited it. The sermon was upon prayer, -and described the efficacy of supplication for divine mercy and -assistance. The preacher, who perhaps I may never see again, has -left an indelible impression upon my mind. He was tall, thin, and -pale, with a wonderful benevolence of aspect. A holy calm sat -upon all his features, which the serene but clear light of his -eye distinguished completely from the dulness of vanity. There -was nothing monotonous in the repose of his appearance; and when -he opened his lips, the effect was of music spoken. To the finest -voice I ever heard, he added the perfection of its adaptation to -every variety of meaning which his matter was designed to convey, -and while every inflection seemed to be suited to the words which -it uttered with such correspondence of expression, that had _they_ -been removed echo would still have given back all they could -have imparted; _study_ was the last idea that suggested itself -in listening to this eloquent being. All his tones, each look, -each emphasis, appeared to be the spontaneous drapery in which a -bright understanding clothed the feelings of his heart. I never -was so transfixed in my life, and the apostolic sacredness of his -figure harmonized so entirely with the simplicity of that lowly -building divested of even the common-place decoration usual in -English country churches, that for some time I was untrue to our -beloved _Gothic_, and actually began to fancy that I had never till -yesterday been amongst the faithful worshippers of God in His own -Temple. - -When the sermon was finished, the preacher remained in his pulpit, -apparently desirous of allowing the congregation to disperse before -his departure; and we saw no more of him. - -The family of Glenalta had heard frequently of his extraordinary -powers, but till now had never had an opportunity of judging for -themselves. As we walked home, our talk by the wayside naturally -enough took its hue from the scene which we had just quitted, and -I asked Mr. Oliphant whether Mr. Leighton, whose performance had -excited such general admiration, held the opinions distinctively -denominated Calvinistic? "No, I should imagine not; but cannot -speak positively, as I am not personally acquainted with him." -Young Bentley, who was a little behind us, stepped up, and said, "I -believe that I may answer with _certainty_; for an uncle of mine, -who lives in the north, is very intimate with Mr. Leighton, and -once asked him the question, from having heard some reports which -were circulated touching the doctrines that he inculcated; and he -entered upon that occasion into a full statement of his sentiments, -which, to sum up briefly, may I fancy be comprised in two words, -Gospel truth. He professed the most perfect charity for those who -sincerely differ from him; and likewise the deepest admiration -for holiness both of life and character, in some of those writers -who held the peculiar tenets that mark Calvin's creed: but he -unequivocally declared that he did not adopt the Genevan opinions, -while he as unhesitatingly asserted his belief in evangelical -piety as the only vital religion." "Pray," said I, "tell me what -you mean; for with _us_ evangelical preachers are synonymous -with Calvinists." "Aye," said Mr. Oliphant, "and probably with -Methodists too: there is nothing so easy as a _name_ by which -people are in the habit of representing things not understood -or inquired into? I once knew a young man who, being met in the -street by another who had known him at the university, was suddenly -asked, 'Why, Dick, when did you turn Calvinist?' My young friend -stared, and the other flippantly added, 'I heard that you never -dance now, and therefore suppose you to be one of the new light.' -In this way, idleness and folly make sad confusion; but to answer -_your_ question, as to differences between certain opinions, I -will put a volume into your hands, whenever you please, which will -give you in detail the points upon which Calvin dissented from the -Lutheran doctrines, and formed a sect now known by his name. Very -many individuals are called Calvinists in the unthinking manner -which I have described, without being in reality such; and many who -incontrovertibly held Calvin's opinions, and others who do hold -them at the present day, have been, and are, men whose virtues -ought to excite our deepest veneration, and inspire an earnest -desire of imitation; however we may consider them mistaken in their -explanation of those parts of the Bible which _appear_ to sanction -their doctrines. A pure evangelical faith embraces all that seems -necessary to salvation, namely, the most perfect self-abasement -before God, together with a lively sense of human unworthiness, -full implicit confidence in the free gift of atoning mercy as the -only way to everlasting glory, and an earnest desire, by increasing -holiness and obedience, to prove ourselves the children of God. -These principles, with the addition of a clear sense that we must -_adopt_ them, and become, through the divine spirit infused into -our souls, awakened from the delusive securities of natural pride, -and humbled by an abiding consciousness of our sins and infirmity, -constitute a summary of the Christian system, and comprise all that -is essentially evangelical." - -"I observed nothing," said I, "of peculiar phraseology in Mr. -Leighton's discourse, and certainly never heard any language more -entirely free than is his from that _twang_ which I have hitherto -considered as a characteristic of the ultras in religion." "Now, my -young friend," replied Domine, "are you not falling yourself into -the error which you reprobate? Why use those words, which designate -a sect of fashionable fault-finders, who rail against a religion -which they do not take the trouble to investigate, just as plainly -as the terms that you are desirous to abolish, mark what you call -the new light fraternity?" - -I told him that I stood corrected, and he shook my hand, saying, "I -thank you for so kindly excusing me in thus abruptly calling you -to order;" and then continued--"Mr. Leighton is a person of such -character, that my conclusion respecting his not being a Calvinist -was drawn entirely from the absence of those expressions generally -belonging to the school." "But, sir," said Mr. Bentley, "I have -heard several sermons preached by men whose principles I discovered -at a _short turn_ now and then to be really Calvinistic, though -they were free from every peculiarity of phrase, and so guarded -as to doctrine, that for a long time I have resisted the idea of -their being any other than evangelical ministers of the gospel, -such as you described it to be." "Aye," answered Oliphant, "that -is the very point to which I would draw your attention. It is, in -my opinion, not right to consider any tenet of a particular creed -essential to salvation, and yet _suppress_ it. Either the _decretum -horribile_ is, or is not, a vital article: If not, there is no -Calvinism, and if it be, no man who believes in its importance -as a pillar of faith is justified by motives of _expediency_ in -leaving out subjects so essential in _their_ view of the Christian -system. A practical evil which I have known to proceed from what is -commonly called a _judicious_ style of preaching is, that many are -taken in to become members of a congregation before they are aware -of the tenets of their instructor. Much confusion of mind sometimes -results. Weak understandings are perplexed, and the effect is, -that people who are not capable of drawing nice distinctions, at -last slide gradually, without any exercise of their own will or -understanding, into the opinions very different from those of -which they _imagine_ themselves to be the advocates. But, my dear -Mr. Howard, we should each in his own sphere, be it narrow or -extended, rejoice in all the good that exists, though it may vary -in its livery; and, so far from cultivating a spirit of ridicule, -endeavour to draw the bonds of charity together, so as to include -all the _sincere_ and pains-taking of the Christian community, -within its ample scope." - -We were now arrived at the house, and separated into little -parties. My aunt and her daughters disappeared, Mr. Oliphant and -young Bentley went off to the school, and Fred. and I took a -long and delightful walk _tête-à-tête_ by the sea side. We had a -great deal of conversation that informed me of many particulars -respecting my family, with which I had never till then been made -acquainted. On returning home, as we passed a cabin door, I saw -Fanny busily distributing bread and money, the former from a large -basket held by the same boy who attends the donkies, and the -latter from a small leather bag which she carried slung upon her -arm. "What are you doing here?" was answered by "nothing but our -Sunday-work;" which, being interpreted, meant a weekly donation -presented by these amiable girls to a few old people who cannot -work, and who esteem the gift tenfold for being communicated by -the hands of their young mistresses. This is a _striking_ feature -in the poor of this island. In England, a shilling is a shilling -provided it come legitimately from the mint, no matter who is the -donor; but here sentiment, which with us is confined to the higher -classes, is to be found in the most miserable habitations. - -Charlotte, who was within the hut, joined our party, and told us -that a poor man had just been expressing to her feelings which -certainly are not common in any rank of life. She had said, -"_Tim._, why are you not walking to-day; it is too fine weather -to stay in the house?" and his answer was, "The finer the day, my -dear miss, the more I'd covet not to be looking at it; ever since -I buried _her_, I'd rather be to myself, and Sunday brings all the -people out." What an artless expression of faithful affection! This -man's wife, who is the "_her_" to be comprehended, he supposes, by -every one, because there is no other to confound with the image in -his own breast, has been dead for six years; and yet Memory is true -to her trust. There is something very endearing in this tenderness, -and we feel in good humour with our species, when an instance -like what I have mentioned occurs, to prove that some of our best -movements can spring from an uncultivated soil. - -At dinner, after dinner, and all the evening, I am compelled in -honesty to say, that not a moment passed heavily. We laughed and -talked as usual. The interval between dinner and tea was spent in -walking; that between tea and nine o'clock in listening to some of -Handel's finest songs, very sweetly performed; and e'er "the close -of the silent eve," the family group were once more assembled; and -after prayers, and a short but impressive sermon, sent to their -rest with an emphatic blessing. - -You have now the panorama of Glenalta, and you are placed upon -a platform in the midst, from which, turning yourself round the -scene, you can form a just idea of every object which it includes -within the circuit. - -Thus have I brought (I believe with fidelity) the first part of my -epistolary labours to a conclusion. From this time forth you will -know all the _ground-plan_, and be enabled to allot its own place -to each occurrence as it may chance to arise. As to the general -impression made upon my mind, I own to you that I never was so -happy anywhere as since I came to this lone and lovely spot; and -I am powerfully struck with the truth of a remark which you once -made to me, and which at that time though I had a vague idea of -your being right, I had no actual experience that permitted me to -confirm; namely, that _society_ in its true sense consists not in -the number of those _persons_ with whom one converses, but in the -number of ideas excited in one's own mind. Glenalta completely -illustrates this observation. A family of five individuals, with -the addition of two intimate friends, have furnished such variety -and excitement in the flow of my thoughts, that I appear to have -lived in a crowd; and through a long duration of time I was -thinking of this circumstance before I got up this morning as a -contradiction to the common notion, that when we are most happy -time seems the fleetest; but I see how it is--both remarks are -strictly true. - -Stimulus of an agreeable diversified nature certainly prevents our -taking note of time while _present_, and therefore it may be said -to glide away rapidly; but when _remembered_, every circumstance -which produced a change of pleasure, serves to distinguish one -portion from another, and thus to afford a sense of progress, -which the dullness of monotony is incapable of producing, just as -a single acre of ground, animated by trees, houses, and living -creatures, fills a much greater extent in imagination, when we -_recollect_ the landscape, than is occupied by a wide expanse of -ocean, though the latter, when _looked_ upon, appeared a boundless -prospect; _still_, however, in the midst of this sunshine of the -heart, I always bear in mind that its _locality_ is the secret of -its charm. _You_ would not agree with me, but I am assured that the -sort of thing that delights where one feels no _responsibility_, -would cease to fascinate in the moment that the surrounding world -came to call one to account for one's country cousins: and these -dear souls, perhaps, might make one blush at the _west end_. I -ought not to say so from any thing that I have seen here; but -the whole course of our thoughts and feelings is _so_ subject to -join the tide of opinion, that I hardly dare to assert how far my -present impressions, vivid as they are, would stand the test of a -Bond-street jury. - -As Mrs. Malaprop says, however, "let us not have any retrospections -as to the future" _Viva, viva_. I am so much better, that I hardly -remember how I came here in the high road to Charon's ferry. - -I am longing to hear from you. Don't forget to let me know about -Stanhope, as Mr. Otway will be anxious to learn whether you and he -_cement_. - -Adieu, dear Falkland. Am I not the very pine-apple, and -quintessence of letter-writers? Huzza! - - Yours, ever affectionately, - ARTHUR HOWARD. - - - - - LETTER VIII. - - MISS DOUGLAS TO MISS SANDFORD. - - - My dearest Julia, _Glenalta_. - -Unfortunately for me, I promised to write again without entering -into any covenant with you; and were I prevented from performing -my vow for half a year to come, I suppose that you would be a -little female Shylock and insist upon your bond, before you put -pen to paper. I do not know whether I shall do more wisely in -refraining from all apology for my silence, or in attempting to -account for it. If you have been able to settle into a regular -track of daily employment since your return to Checkley, you will -be able to comprehend how the day should often find us defaulters -at its close, in at least half the amount of what we had to do -at its commencement; but if the _whirl_ of travelling be still -in operation, you may wonder how people, who are stationary, -should not have too much time, rather than too little, on hand. I -will therefore keep on the safe side, and make no excuse, lest it -should not be considered a valid one, till I know how far you can -understand our habits of life; but as I am very certain of your -heart, I will proceed to tell you, as I promised in my last letter, -of the surprise which Frederick and I have prepared lately for our -dearest mother. - -On Wednesday next Arthur is to take a long ride with Mr. George -Bentley, and Frederick, and I mean to take advantage of our -cousin's absence to introduce mamma to the _retreat_, for so we -have named the spot which is consecrated by our rural labours to -this idol of our daily worship. Surely such worship cannot be -idolatry, for through the finest mortal, as the most beautiful -natural, object, we may pay homage to the God that created it. But -_do_ we really offer this tribute, or does not too much love--does -not too large a share of adoration rest in the channel without -reaching the source, like the worship of our poor Roman Catholic, -which is certainly given to the pictures and images, that adorn -their altars rather than to the Divinity which they represent? -This is a question which my conscience so often asks itself, that -I believe the true answer would come against me; and yet with -the half convicted sense of being a sinner, the sin of loving my -mother beyond due bounds, borrows so much of her character from its -object, that it _appears_ like virtue, and so deludes. - -Fred. and I talked the matter over yesterday evening, as we stole -away to our hallowed bower. - -When you were at Glenalta, I never told you of the discovery which -my brother and I had made, because to have mentioned, without -shewing you, a gem so worthy of your admiration, as I shall -presently describe, would hardly have been kind. Your curiosity -and feeling would have been awakened, and I should have feared to -gratify them lest we might have disturbed the solitary genius of -the place, who was at that time, a daily visitant at its rustic -shrine. When first we came here, as I told you in my last letter, -Nanny and Mr. Oliphant were alternately our walking companions. -Mamma was weak both in body and spirits; and though she made -exertion to be gay when we were with her, it is only long since -that period that I have been fully sensible how much we owed her -for efforts that were beyond her strength. As the mind requires to -unbend after intense meditation, so her spirit asked repose after -over excitement, and she used to glide along the shrubbery, meet -her donkey at its wicket gate, and, following the winding pathway -of our glen, ascend, as we imagined the mountain that lies beyond -St. Colman's rock, to breathe the "unchartered air of heaven," in -full security of not being interrupted; but, as she never went -accompanied by any one, we still only conjectured whither she -directed her daily ride: and her sorrow was too sensitive, even to -our young eyes, to permit of our asking many questions. We had been -at Glenalta for three years, before Frederick and I, who were then -allowed to visit our poor people at a distance, and explore our -glens alone, found ourselves one day about three miles from home, -and along the course of the same rivulet which sports so gracefully -near our moss-house, at the most enchanting spot that I ever -beheld. It is a tiny dell, shut out, or rather shut in, from all -the world besides. A Liliputian lawn of the softest green, and not -more than a few yards in circumference, serves as a pedestal to one -single tree, the only one of its kind in the whole scene. This tree -is a beach of surpassing beauty, which casts its delicate branches -in a sweeping curve round the little area which it occupies, -forming an umbrella of shade, except in one part, where a natural -opening invites underneath its lovely archway. - -The stream, which near Glenalta is comparatively tame, though -sweetly fanciful, assumes a bolder aspect at the retreat, and -dashes over fragments of broken rock, which are richly clothed with -fern and ivy, and start from masses of holly, and other brushwood, -that grow luxuriantly down at each side, to the verge of our -mountain brook, which makes a circuit round the beech, so as to -render the _velvet cushion_ on which it stands almost a little -island. As the bleak heath-covered hill rises in every direction, -you could fancy yourself to have reached a fertile oasis in the -midst of a desert. Nothing of animated life appeared in view -except two young goats that had ventured down the precipice, and -the silence was only broken by the rush of waters. Frederick and I -stood quite transfixed; but when our first exclamations of wonder -and delight had subsided, we determined on exploring farther, and -passing round the tree we scrambled to the other side, and found a -rude seat of stone, over which a tuft of alders and mountain-ash -had formed a roof impenetrable to the sun. A variety of the -beautiful orchis, cowslip, and primrose tribes intermixed with wild -violets of the most brillant purple, enameled the ground, and the -softest moss lined every part of this sylvan niche with refreshing -verdure. We sat down in a perfect ecstacy, then pulled bundles of -flowers, drank at the stream, and were indulging in all the luxury -of our good fortune, when something white struck my eye, clung -into the root of an old hazle which stood a little below us. I -pointed it out to Frederick, who immediately jumped down the rock, -and found a bit of paper rolled round a pencil. It was torn, and -had been injured by wet, having evidently lain for a long time in -its concealment. The holly which grows so abundantly all over the -rocks, had furnished its evergreen protection so as to save the -paper from melting away, and the weight of the pencil, round which -it was tightly wrapped, had contributed with the tangled roots, to -prevent its being carried away by the wind. We eagerly unfolded -our mysterious prize, and with some difficulty decyphered, at last -completely, and in mamma's hand-writing, the following lines: - - Inscribed upon thy polished rind, - That name was once engraved, - Which, traced upon my heart I find, - The wreck that grief has saved. - - Nor ruthless time, nor cankering care, - Hath swept that sacred line; - The perfect record lingers there, - Carved on the faithful shrine. - - Yes, and within thy beechen breast, - Sweet sympathy conceals - The characters that once confessed, - Thy bark no more reveals. - - Thy glossy fane now furrowed o'er, - Protects from wandering gaze - That name adored, which never more - Thy jealous love betrays. - - Thy roughened form,--my time-worn cheek, - Alike refuse to tell - The signs that idlers vainly seek - Within this leafy dell. - - But when the axe hath laid thee low, - And bowed thy graceful head; - And _me_, life's latest mortal foe, - Shall number with the dead; - - Then in our bosoms' inmost seat, - The self same image found, - Reveals to view its deep retreat, - Fast in the heart-strings bound. - -We gazed on each other, and the truth flashed upon our hearts in -the same instant. Frederick and I, by a movement imparted from -within, darted towards the tree together, and on examination -found a part of the once varnished surface, raised into irregular -carbuncles, where the bark had closed with time over some letters -no longer legible. With much pains, we satisfied ourselves that the -initials H. A. C. D. had been interwoven, and cut in the bark from -the external face of which, these letters had been carried inward -by the process of annual growth. It immediately occurred to us, -that our beloved parents had made this a favourite haunt in happier -days; and that the undying memory of some faithful mourner had -sought again these now almost obliterated characters. Such mourner -could have been no other than the dear surviving guardian of our -youth; and our tears flowed without restraint, as we read again and -again, the stanzas of which we had become accidentally possessed. -The first movement of our minds was, as you may suppose, to restore -them directly to their author; and it was not without considerable -reasoning between ourselves, that either could convince the other -of its being better to suppress the verses, and say nothing of the -_retreat_. From mamma's never having communicated any hint relative -to this little hermit-cell, it was obvious that she did not wish -us to discover its situation; then, the pencilled lines had been -lost for some time. She had made no inquiry about them; her memory -was able in all probability, to supply them again; and in giving -up what manifestly appeared to be mamma's own composition, such -explanation might have ensued as would have opened all her wounds -afresh, and destroyed ever afterwards the pleasure which she -appeared to feel in visiting the sequestered spot which we had -discovered. Upon mature deliberation then we agreed to hush up our -little adventure, and keep the tender effusion that we had found, -till some natural opportunity might occur of giving it back again -to its owner. - -Time has rolled on, and the gradual influence of its healing power -is happily illustrated in the improved condition of our precious -_charge_, (for I consider her as a blessing conferred upon her -children, henceforward placed peculiarly in their care); and a -moment having arrived in which Frederick agreed with me that we -might venture to commence our little scheme, we set to work in -the beginning of November, just at the time when the change of -weather, and the death of faithful Dapple, that sole companion of -our _pilgrim's progress_, conspired to prevent the discovery of -our plan. Poor Tom Collins and his son, who live not far from the -scene of our operations, were necessarily let into the secret, for -they were manual contributors to the execution of our project; and -had this _not_ been the case, I should have still rewarded the -former by a confidence, the _distinguishing_ nature of which he -knows how to appreciate, in return for a trait of feeling so unlike -one's abstract notion of a _peasant_, and so delicate, that I must -tell the anecdote of him, before I proceed with our works at the -retreat. One day preparatory to our design, Frederick and I watched -an opportunity when mamma was obliged to drive on business to a -little town in our neighbourhood, and paid a visit to our favourite -spot. We were sitting talking over past, present, and future, -when a slight rustling amongst the leaves, announced the approach -of some one; and presently poor Tom Collins, on tip-toe, and his -finger, in sign of caution, placed upon his lip, stood before us. -"Och, then," said he, "its I that am after running to stop your -honours from coming down at all, at all, into my misthess's nook. -I does be keeping the childer always from this place till the sun -does be setting, and then I knows there 'ont be any danger in life -of seeing her honour, for becaase she only comes of a morning." - -"And Tom," answered I, "why are you so uneasy from the fear of -seeing mamma?" - -"Och, then, miss, my heart, I'll tell ye, and I never tould it -afore, nor wouldn't now, only becaase I never seed any one of -quality like, here, only her honour's self; and now if I don't -tell, why may be she'd be fretted to think that you and Masther -Fred. would find her out in her nook; and I knows very well, that -she wouldn't like it, for when it plased God to take my poor boy -Darby away from me, I'd covet to be all day moping if I could, down -in that very bottom. Why, then, sure enough, it was there I was one -Midsummer day, lying down flat on the ground beyont the big holly -stump, and thinking heavy enough of Darby, becaase of all days in -the year, 'twas his own birth day, when I heard a whispering like, -under the baach-tree, so I gets up fair and softly, without making -as much stir as a baatle among the laaves; why then _mavourneen_, -what would I see but my misthess on her two knees, upon the could -ground, looking up and praying like. Well, there I stood, and I -seed her crying like droppings from the ivy beyant; and I heerd the -words axing the Lord to make yees good childer, and mark yees to -Glory. And then she'd ax Him to make her a good mother, and to keep -and to help her all the days of her life; and sure, be the same -token, God listened to her prayer, for she's the best of ladies. -After that she'd get up, and talk to the tree all as one as if it -was a Christian, about my maasther, for I heerd her say, _Hinnery_, -and so I knew well enough who she'd be spaiking of, being that I'd -be often that way talking myself to the air, as I may say, about -Darby. Well, my heart grew so big, that I thought it would fairly -jump out o'me; so with that, I slinged away; and seeing poor Dapple -another day fastened behind the rock above, I says to myself, to be -sure says I, she's moping there like myself, and so I never would -come again till night fall; but when I have time, I does be above, -not far off, only she can't see me, be raison I'd like, if any -thing would be for going down the clift, to stop 'em till she'd be -clear and clane out o' the place for the day. So that's all about -it; and she don't be coming so often now, tho' in the main-time -'tis constant at her prayers or writing on a bit of a paper, or -reading out of a little book that she does be, whenever she'll come -to the lag below." - -The eloquence of Demosthenes could not have worked upon our hearts -like this simple story. I seized instinctively upon the rough hand -of honest Tom, and Frederick did so likewise. We were too full to -utter a word, but we each of us resolved that this trait should -have its recording angel, and that, however tears might bedew -the remembrance of it, they should never blot out the registry. -Of this we _said_ nothing, for it would have been a species of -sacrilege to sully the purity of such genuine feeling, by making -it an apparent cause of any temporal benefit. Oh what a withering -breath is praise, and how sickly do the motives of action become, -when flattery, that _simoon_ of the heart, has passed over them! -We now communicated our embryo purpose to Tom, and told him that -we intended proceeding to work on the following day, as it was not -likely, that during the winter season, my mother would visit her -seat again. Pride and joy took possession of his countenance, as we -developed our plan; and had we presented him with a purse of gold, -I do not think that the expression of his face could have indicated -such happiness as the feeling of being thus distinguished by our -confidence, inspired. - -I must now describe what we have done: Mr. Oliphant has been let -into our councils, and his excellent taste has assisted us not -a little; but dear Phil., Charlotte, Fanny, and Arthur are as -ignorant as mamma, of our necromancy. A beautiful rustic temple -has taken place of the stone seat. It is lined with reeds, -interleaved in a sort of basket-matting, which fits close to -the inside; and the front is supported by pillars of twisted -elm, which are surmounted by capitals of remarkably fine cones -from the stone-pine. These supporters are covered with clematis, -honeysuckle, and roses. A circular seat, equal in softness to any -Ottoman divan, is raised to a convenient height, and covered with -the same reed-matting which I have mentioned. The paving is of -snow-white pebbles, which Collins' little girls have collected for -me on the strand, and the whole Glen has been decorated by every -thing either fragrant or beautiful, which was not out of character -with its wildness. I have trained a number of Alpine plants over -the rocks, and taught the lovely water-lily to unfold its flowers -upon a tiny basin, which Frederick has scooped out, lower down the -stream. We have secured this bower from trespassers, and made a -serpentine path through the tangled brush-wood, to permit the dear -sovereign of these sylvan dominions to descend the hill without -fatigue, and admit of her being brought by Dapple the _second_, up -to the door of her rural palace. When this was completed, we set -to work at Tom Collins' abode, which is now raised and enlarged -into a thoroughly comfortable habitation. A nice cabbage-garden -is inclosed at the back, and the front is thickly planted with -a double hedge of quicks and privet, separating a little space -from the moor, which is filled with sweet, but common flowers. The -family have been set to spin, and are already clothed in their own -manufacture. Frederick has given poor Tom a cow, to which I have -added half a dozen sheep; and such a scene of contentment above, -and of beauty below, it would be difficult to equal: at least so -_we_ think; and when we contemplate the entire as a creation of -our own, Frederick and I certainly do confess to some degree of -self-complacency. But as far as I have hitherto narrated, only -relates to the _body_ of our exertions. I must now describe the -_soul_ of them. In the back part of our rustic temple, is a door -so completely concealed by the matting of reeds, as not to be -discernible to ordinary observers. This door, upon being opened, -discovers a little cell of just sufficient size to admit of one -person's sitting in it without inconvenience. Its furniture -consists of a small pedestal of delicate workmanship in white -marble, upon which Frederick has placed the exquisite urn that -you may remember, of alabaster, found at Pompeïa. It belonged to -my father, and has been kept in a closet, hidden from every eye -since the time of his death. Upon the front of the pedestal which -supports it, we have had engraved the following lines:-- - - Bless'd refuge of a sad and broken heart, - Soft soothing solitude, thy balm impart; - Come with thy gentle train, thy peaceful rest, - Thy tender stillness to this grief-worn breast. - With thee, how sweet to climb the craggy way, - And o'er these rocky cliffs in silence stray, - In Nature's temple to expand the soul, - While tears distil refreshing as they roll, - What fond deceit the present to beguile, - And bid the shades of past delight to smile. - Call back the dreams of youth, and hope, and love, - And 'mid the dear aërial phantoms rove. - But hush! too sharp that pang, my heart gives o'er, - Invoke the memory of thy bliss no more! - Raise up to heaven thy soul, quit earth, and fly, - Go seek thy refuge in yon azure sky; - Ask mercy's aid to shed celestial light - Upon the dismal gloom of sorrow's night, - And God's own spirits of the mountain air, - Shall waft on high the deep unuttered prayer, - While filial love shall consecrate the scene, - That gave a mother's tears for hope serene. - -Immediately behind the urn, which with its pedestal is let into a -niche, is a pretty little arched window of stained glass; and at -the opposite extremity of our Anchorite's cell stands a slab of -Kerry marble, which rests upon a simple cabinet of the beautiful -black oak of the bog which our island furnishes from its _ebony_ -stores. When opened, a flat box of polished beech-wood presents -itself, and this serves as a solid portfolio, preserving from damp -an exquisite drawing in pencil, by Frederick, of the large tree -to which you have been already introduced. Underneath the tree, -mamma's lines which we found, are neatly transcribed; and the old -pencil, with its original paper wrapped round it, as when first -discovered in its hiding place, and a pocket Bible, in the first -page of which, after the name of Caroline Douglas, are written -these words; "The prayer of the righteous availeth much," complete -the furniture of this rustic sanctuary. - -When Frederick and I went this morning at early dawn, to see that -all was finished according to our design, we found Tom Collins -already there, leaning against one of the pillars, in an attitude -of contemplation. He started from his reverie as we approached, and -twirling his old hat in his hands, resting first upon one foot, -then upon the other, he said, after the usual salutation, "Miss, -dear, I was thinking that you would'nt refuse me, if you plase, -just to let me be standing overright there beyant the big baach, -when my mistress will be coming--I'll engage I'll not let her see a -bit o'me, any more than if I was a sperret, nor I'ont brathe a word -good, or bad, only to set my two looking eyes upon her, when she'll -see the place you done for her." Could such a request fail of being -granted? - -This romantic mountaineer is full of the finest sensibilities, -and not perverted, as so much of acute feeling often is, to the -purposes of discontent and ingratitude. Tom is a good husband, -a good son, and a good father. Yet he knows not a letter in the -alphabet. - -"What shameful ignorance," I hear you exclaim! Ignorance of -letters it surely is, but not shameful. You, in England, can be -sure of giving your poor a religious education. We cannot! but -some of our peasants _act_ the Bible, which their priests will not -allow them to read; and what benefit would these derive from the -pennyworth of sedition or impurity which they might be permitted to -purchase, and instructed to peruse? With what fresh delight have I -sometimes returned to this dear desert, after having visited some -of the districts _said_ to be civilized when compared with our -neighbourhood!--Oh it is a great mistake to imagine that _reading_ -is a cure for every evil, unless the Bible be allowed to offer its -blessed promises, and hold forth its bright meed of reward for -patience in adversity, and resignation under privations, which all -other learning is calculated to reveal in the strongest light, -without affording any means to remedy. The will of God has made -inequality the very essence of every social scheme. No spread of -knowledge can improve the lot of him who must till the ground in -the sweat of his brow, if that knowledge be not of a nature to -make him _better_, and therefore happier; and I never pass by our -smith's forge, which is the parish coffee-house, without hearing -expressions, and seeing looks that mark a murmuring spirit. - -The other day I asked an aged peasant, who lives on the lands of -Lisfarne, about fairies; "Did you ever see the _Luracawn_," said -I, "of which people say, that it is a sort of fairy that lives -always by the sea-side, and carries a purse such as we often find -on the strand with strings to it?" - -"No, miss, I never did _myself_; but in ould times they used to be -seen plenty enough." - -"Then," answered I, "perhaps the truth may be, that the people now -are grown too wise to believe the stories which were swallowed in -old times." - -The old man replied, "Miss, there's a great dael o' larning that -is'nt knowledge, and there's more of it than is good, I can assure -you. The people now gets hould o'books, and cares very little about -their parents, who were better folk than many o'_them_ that are -going now a' days." - -"Then you don't approve of learning Andrew."--"Why, miss, you might -as well say I don't approve o'my fellow craitures. There's two -kinds o'one as of the other.--Good men and good books, bad men and -bad books. I likes the two first, and I don't like the two last, -and when people gets hould o'larning, the're vastly fonder o'the -bad than the good." - -Really these people astonish me by the clearness of their views -and the acuteness of their observations. But before I close -this long letter, I must say a word of Arthur Howard, who is a -great favourite already at Glenalta. Had he been born under a -happier star than that which presided at his birth, he would be a -charming young man, and great improvements may yet be effected, -for he is young and full of generous feeling as of quick tact. -The contrarieties which nature and art sometimes display in -their contest for pre-eminence in his actions, would divert us -excessively, if there were not so much to love and regard in the -compound, that vexation must ever be a predominating sentiment -when he obeys an unworthy impulse. Selfishness is, I believe, the -leading vice of fashionable people; and it must be very difficult -to throw off the habits in which education has taught us that -comfort (that _aldermanic_ little word, as many use it) consists. - -The first thought in what is called the world, appears to be, -"is such or such a thing for _my_ pleasure, _my_ interest, _my_ -convenience;" and the _last_ is, "whether the matter in question -be useful, or agreeable to other people?" I am now speaking of the -school, not the scholar, for though Arthur has necessarily adopted -_some_ of the folly in the midst of which he has lived, moved, and -had his being, it is astonishing how little the natural tendencies -of his heart are obscured. He came here, as I told you, with very -strong prejudices, but I perceive with delight that they are fading -away; and, I believe, that he thinks less hardly than he did when -he first came amongst us, of female improvement. How could he bask -in the sunshine of mamma's sweet smile, and enjoy the constant -variety of her unrivalled powers in conversation, without feeling -how compatible are the charms of high cultivation with all that -is excellent in private life--all that is fascinating in female -softness? - -As I listened eagerly to a dialogue the other day, in which she -was engaged, shedding light and animation upon every subject which -came before her, I could not help thinking, that were amusement -the only object and end of existence, cultivation of mind would -appear, in my opinion, to be an indispensable requisite in the art -of attaining it. The gay world, I suppose has its charms, and may -attract for a season. Change of place, and change of faces, may -please perhaps for a time, but this cannot last for ever, and when -the period arrives in which people _must_ rely upon the resources -of _home_, what an immeasurable distance must there be between the -full mind and the empty one! The very playfulness of a superior -person is so exhilarating that I never grow weary of it; but of all -the tiresome companionships on earth, it is that of animal spirits -in perennial flow, that bear no treasure on the tide. How well Pope -has expressed what I mean! "For lively Dulness ever loves a joke." - -I must reserve space for a concluding word after our visit at the -Retreat. Till then adieu. - -Well, dear Julia, I feel the repose of my own room most welcome -after the excitement of this day. The sun shone in full splendor -on our project. Last night Frederick and I spoke to mamma of some -trifling alterations that we had been making for the comfort of Tom -Collins and his family, whose little dwelling had suffered much -from the winter storms. - -"Yes, my loves," said she, "I am rejoiced that your activity has -anticipated me. Since the death of my poor Dapple, I have not -gone so far as Tom's house, and have been _intending_ a visit to -the mountain, till you have made me ashamed by this lesson on -procrastination. The truth is, that my present _steed_ is so unlike -his predecessor in gait and humour, that he and I are not such -friends as to make me quite at home in his company; and I hate -to have Paddy running after me. My morning rambles were always -solitary, and I should not be at ease now in going alone, till I -am more accustomed to my _new Neddy_, or his temper becomes more -amiable; but all this is no excuse for not having employed other -eyes to see that the Collins' were not unroofed. I wonder why Tom -did not come." - -"We happened to see him," said Frederick, "which probably prevented -his applying to you, as Emily and I did the needful; but if -to-morrow should be a fine day, suppose that I drive you and Em. -in the pony car, before breakfast, and we will shew you how we have -patched up these poor people for the present." - -Mamma consented, and this morning early we sat out; but my tears -suffocate me at the bare remembrance of my mother's emotion. -She was amazed and delighted with our improvements. The garden, -the hedge, the clean house, and clean people, all appeared the -effect of enchantment. Tom, his wife, and children, grinned with -broad uncontrolled rapture, and overwhelmed the little party with -blessings. When we had praised, and been praised (_such_ praise -warms the heart without enervating its powers), Frederick took -mamma's arm, and said, "You must come, dearest mother, to look at -a dell which Emily and I discovered some time ago, the sweetest -spot that you ever beheld." A faint blush overspread her cheek, and -I perceived a thrill run through her frame. She hesitated, then -hinted that the banks were steep, and that we should be late for -breakfast; but _we_ coaxed, and she evidently not desiring to say -how well she was acquainted with the scene which she was about to -visit, suffered herself to be led forward, I walking behind with a -palpitating heart, down the narrow descent, and poor Tom following -at a discreet distance. As we proceeded, I observed mamma gaze to -the right and the left with amazement; but when our rustic temple -burst upon her eye, the expression of her countenance became -painfully inquisitive. The mysterious door was opened, Frederick -pushed her gently in, closed the wicker-work, and waited with me in -the outer inclosure. We heard her sob aloud, and in a few moments -she was in our arms. - -Here I pause. The sweetness of the feeling reciprocally called -forth, would baffle my little powers of language to describe. Is it -not Cora, in the play of Pizarro, who talks of three bright moments -in her life? No moment in any one's life ever surpassed this -expansion of hearts linked by a tie so pure end so affectionate as -binds our's to each other. We sat till breakfast was forgotten. -We looked, and looked again, and when the first swell of painful -pleasure had given way to more tranquil sensations, _we_ -architects became garrulous, and in the vanity of success, hurrying -our beloved mother from flower to flower, shrub to shrub, rock -to rivulet, that we might not lose one _atom_, or one _item_ of -applause; and at length so completely communicated the contagion of -_gladness_ to her who had inspired the emotion in ourselves, that -she entered zealously into the idea of surprising the rest of our -party, adding, "I will first come here alone with our dear friend -of Lisfarne, after which we will revisit this beloved retreat in a -body, and enjoy in common the pleasures which you have created." We -were now turning our steps towards Glenalta, when the sight of poor -Tom wiping his eyes in the sleeve of his coat, as he leaned against -the beech-tree, arrested mamma's attention. She went up, shook him -warmly by the hand, and without a word uttered on either side, we -separated. - -I am promised a conveyance of this _pamphlet_ rather than letter -by that excellent creature George Bentley, and I am particularly -pleased with the power of sending you so voluminous a packet -by private hand at present, because I may not be able to write -for some time again. We are all going to Killarney. Arthur is an -enthusiast about our Glen scenery, and I enjoy exceedingly the -delight of shewing him that gem of purest water. Some anxiety, -however, is always wisely mingled in our cup, which mamma's promise -to accompany us, would have rendered too intoxicating, and this -anxiety is relating to dearest Fred. whose College examinations -must precede our excursion. He and Mr. Oliphant leave us on -Thursday next, and will only be absent during five or six days. I -cannot sleep from feverish solicitude, though I believe that my -Fred. is very well prepared; but we have so managed this charming -trip to Killarney, that it will either crown our victory, should -such happiness be in store, or divert our melancholy, should the -dear fellow be doomed to suffer a disappointment. Phil. and Mr. -Bentley are to be of our party. Do you know that Arthur is quite -a surprising botanist already; and as I am his _Linnæa_, I am as -proud as a peacock of my pupil. He can now walk without _leading -strings_, and is grown so expert that our rambles are become trials -of rival skill. Well, I must bid my dear friends adieu. With many -loves from Charlotte and Fanny to Bertha and Agnes; and _all_ -our loves to your _dearly_ loved aunt, believe me, Julia's most -affectionate, - - EMILY DOUGLAS. - - - - - LETTER IX. - - CHARLES FALKLAND TO ARTHUR HOWARD. - - - My dear Howard, _Rome_. - -You are, indeed, a _prince_ of letter writers, and the delight -which you have afforded me is inexpressible. Two of your admirable -journals reached me at Pisa, and the last treasure I have -received since I came here in company with--whom do you think? -Why, actually, Mr. Richard Oliphant, young Stanhope, and I are -dwelling under the same roof, and enthusiastically employed in -exploring the wonders both within and without this enchanting city. -Stanhope has given Mr. Otway a detailed account of our meeting, -in consequence of a letter from Lisfarne, after your arrival at -Glenalta; and I will therefore not take up your time, nor my own, -in repetition, but proceed to say how greatly pleased I am with my -new acquaintances. Their grand object was Rome, and I determined -to quit Pisa much sooner than was my original design, that I might -enjoy such excellent society. Here then we are together, and, -should no unforeseen circumstances prevent the completion of our -arrangements, I think it likely that we shall not separate hastily, -but visit Florence, and Naples, see Pæstum, go to Venice, and pass -the winter at Paris in company with each other. If _you_ join us -there what a coterie shall we form. I feel now as if I were in -the midst of the Douglas group. I can see the very countenances, -and already make my selections, _even_ in that society where all -are so much to my taste, that it seems at first view difficult to -_prefer_, without doing injustice. From Stanhope I receive the -most satisfactory answers to every question which your _volume_ -suggests; and, oh! what happiness it is to know that in any -favoured spot of earth such purity and peace are to be found as -bless that little valley of Glenalta with their presence. In any -situation the contemplation of such a family would possess charms -for me beyond the power of any other pleasure to excite; but if it -required to be heightened through contrast, surely that contrast -is to be met with on the Continent! Yes, to a sober mind, there is -something horrible in the metamorphosis produced in the minds of -some with whom you and I are acquainted. Letters are so frequently -opened at the foreign post-offices, and so often lost, that I shall -be prudent, and not send names out to the winds; however, you will -have no difficulty in recognizing F---- and L---- by their initials; -and, though you are _still_ a wild sort of being yourself, you -will be sorry to hear that they are immersed in every thing at -Paris which they used to withstand so vigorously at Cambridge. We -ranked them there amongst the _élite_, for genius, good taste, and -polished habits. Alas! how are the mighty fallen? The facilitie -afforded in Paris to the commission of every vice, are, perhaps -hardly greater than those which London offers to tempt unwary -youth; but there is all the difference in the world between the -_manner_ of doing the thing in the two capitals. Notwithstanding -the daily intercourse between England and France, there is _still_ -such a body of national virtue and good feeling unshaken in the -former country, that the most profligate can hardly sin with -absolute impunity, and vice is scarcely bold enough to throw off -the veil which, however flimsy, still protects some purer eyes from -beholding corruption in all its deformity. Have you ever felt, when -you lingered at a ball till day-light, and the bright beams of a -newly risen sun shone with open freshness on the expiring lamps, -the pale faces, and the tinsel finery of the last night's pageant; -a sort of undefined sensation of shame at being thus caught by -the truth-telling hour of waking seriousness, in the midst of a -scene so unsuited to the time? If you have, I may avail myself of -the similitude to describe the difference which I feel between -England and the Continent. I say Continent at large, for the great -towns are alike in this; ours is a daylight dance, while here -is the nightly revel. With us the clear sunshine of opinion, if -it cannot prevent excess, at least exhibits its faded form and -haggard countenance, pronouncing on their ugliness, and inducing -their concealment. Cross the channel, and a new order of things -presents itself. _Decorum_ is busy indeed, but it is to deceive, -and while the fascination of gaiety and ease presents an opiate to -circumspection, the good taste which borrows an external clothing -of propriety in which to dress the votaries of pleasure, finishes -the delusion, and many young men are not aware of the counterfeit -till they are fast bound in the spell like Telemachus in the island -of Calypso. The French language too, now so universal, is a potent -ingredient in the intoxicating cup. It acts as a _mask_, and since -I left England, I have met with numbers of my countrymen, aye, and -countrywomen also, who say things at Paris in the idiom of another -tongue, which could never find utterance in their own, though no -infringement of decency in _conduct_ would be tolerated publicly -in good society abroad. All this renders foreign travelling a very -insidious poison, and happy are those who can enjoy the benefits -derivable from extensive acquaintance with men and manners, without -risk of confounding the boundaries which separate vice from virtue. -In short, no man is _safe_, upon whom the grand tour produces -other effect than to send him back with increased thankfulness to -the British Isles, as (waving adieu to the shores he has quitted) -he borrows the words of the poet to say, "these are my visits;" -and, turning to the white cliffs of Albion, finishes the line with -"but thou art my home." It would be stupid, however, as well as -ungrateful to deny the witchery, by way of securing either one's -self, or one's friends against its allurements. This device, which -my worthy guardian, I believe, in the honesty of his heart employed -as a bastion of strength to fortify my weakness, will never, in -any case, survive the first shot that experience levels against -it. It is in vain to call the Syren's song discord, to say that -nectar is but extract of wormwood, and Ambrosia but a mess of -Spartan pottage. The first sound, and the first taste, disabuse -the ignorant, adding the stimulus of surprise to what was but too -attractive without it. No, let us fairly acknowledge the magic, and -then try our best to repel its influence. You know that I shall -keep all my _scenery_, whether moral or physical, for fireside -talk, _perhaps_ at Glenalta, and not so much as a moon-beam on the -Coliseum will you have in the way of description, already exhausted -by abler limners than I am; but I cannot avoid adding my testimony -to the charms of foreign society. It is not that it is wiser or -better; it is not that you have better cheer, or one half so good -accommodation as at home. No, the whole necromancy exits in one -monosyllable--ease. In England ease is _practised_; in France it -springs naturally from every one with whom you converse. In England -people are _remembering_ to forget themselves; in France they do -_really_ forget themselves, and in this simple circumstance resides -the whole secret of being _at ease_. In England people _run_ to -shew you how freely they can _walk_, never considering that _ease_, -that grand desideratum, is as much banished by over exertion to -be gay, as by the torpor of _mauvaise honte_. In France there -is neither a _jerking_ activity, nor a leaden stupor, but people -convey the idea, while you are in their company, of being pleased, -interested, and animated, by the subject of conversation. There is -no _acted_ egotism, no effort at making display; and the effect of -an evening passed in a Parisian society is that of gaiety without -fatigue. You have, perhaps, not heard a single sentence that you -desire to treasure; but there has been no _strain_ upon your -animal spirits. You have spoken naturally what really presented -itself to be said, instead of _fishing_ for a theme, and having to -recollect at every turn whether you were going to speak to a man -or a woman. In fine, conversation, however trifling, flows on the -Continent, while with us it resembles _pints_ of water, _chucked_ -one after another into a pump. You work the handle, and up comes -your pint, but there is no more till you make a new deposit, and a -fresh exertion. It is unnecessary to add that I speak of _mixed_ -society, and of its _average_ state in the two countries. Come to -the sincere intercourse of mind and heart, when the affectations -of fashion are in _abeyance_, or I should more justly say where -they have never existed, and who would go to any climate of the -earth from that in which our happy stars have placed us, to enjoy -"the feast of reason and the flow of soul!" Ireland and Scotland, -remember, are always included in this preference. But we do not -understand _society_, even imitating the French, as we prove, -alas, that we can do continually, in their _faults_, while we -cannot throw off our whalebone and buckram. In France there is -much less of _gossip_ than in England; the King, the Court, the -national prosperity, or distress, the political relations of -Europe, philosophy, sentiment, all find their way broken down to -a convenient circulable medium into company. You hear many false -positions in each several department, but you have likewise a great -deal of good sense and discrimination; and at all events you have -_common property_ in the subjects which are treated in a French -circle, as if they really _interested_ the assembly. Perhaps at -the moment of reading this passage of my letter, you recollect -what _pops_ into my memory in the moment of writing it; I mean -a paragraph upon which you and I commented together, in one of -the letters of Madame du Deffand, where she describes to Horace -Walpole the "_grand succes_" of a _soirée_ at her house, from the -introduction of some paltry New-year or Easter gifts. There is no -inconsistency here. Whether it be the army, the navy, the funds, -Cuvier's last work, La Place's talents, the Jardin des Plantes, -the fashionable actor or musician; the last song, epigram, bon-mot -cap, bonnet or pin-cushion; the thing is talked of with animation, -and apparent _interest_; and it is the want of this that renders -common place society in England so insufferably dull, as often to -suggest the idea that the several members who compose it prepare -for meeting, by committing to memory a set of vapidly disjointed -questions, and answers; a very catechism of inanity upon the least -amusing topics which it is possible to select, and invariably such -as no stranger can participate in from the strict _confinement_ -of their locality. Here, men, women, old, young, handsome or -ugly; all who can speak the language, take a part according to -their several measures of ability in the general conversation. -All look happy, and, from being at perfect ease themselves, -possess the power of imparting this indispensable charm, this -_essential essence_ of society, to every one with whom they hold -companionship. Why cannot we seize upon this talent, and convert it -to our own use, grateful as we must ever feel for its enlivening -influence? Our deficiencies in colloquial power have long been -matter of observation; and it is a trite remark, that the English -cannot converse; but as it is admitted that every ingredient -requisite for conversation of the most brilliant kind is to be -found in our island, it would seem that we only want the method of -_combining_, in which our neighbours excel. Your charming circle in -Ireland have caught the happy art, and vainly should we look around -for many such specimens as Glenalta exhibits of its perfection; but -why cannot we all go into company determined to trade freely upon -our capitals, be they large or small, avoiding on the one hand that -_broad-cast_ sincerity which I am afraid I must call selfishness, -that refuses to take interest in any concern which does not come -home to the narrow enclosure of individual loss and gain, pain, or -pleasure; and on the other, that conventional adoption of trifles -incapable of amusing in any community, except a paradise of fools, -with which we are in the habit of performing the _mechanism_ of -society, fatiguing our friends, and doing penance ourselves? - -Stanhope is a very fine young man, full of fire and enterprize, -yet gentle and rational. He has a great deal of taste, and is very -fond of the classics. We are going presently, armed with a pocket -Horace, to visit Soracte, accompanied by Oliphant, who is exactly -the sort of man to whose care Mr. Otway may fearlessly confide -his charge. He has very good manners, plain, and unassuming, and -possesses that fortunate mixture of sobriety and cheerfulness, -which peculiarity befits the character of a tutor, securing at once -the double tribute of respect and affection. - -How I long for your next letter, which will tell me of your -expedition to Killarney, and, oh that I could transport myself into -the midst of you! - -Before I close my letter, I must express the joy of a _true_ -friend, at finding that you are so happy with your relations. Dear -Arthur, I _knew_ that your mind would undergo a revolution. It is -only in _progress_ at present, but I anticipate more decision in -all your views of people and things. You have too much sense, and -your feelings are too fine, to admit of your being hood-winked. -You must not drop into the crowd and suffer yourself to be borne -upon its tide, without the slightest sympathy in the folly, and, -shall I add, the _vulgarity_ that surround you. Yes, do not start, -and suppose that I have lost my senses. I repeat the word; there -is infinite _vulgarity_ in mere fashion. Something very poor and -mean, in never daring to think for oneself, and in sacrificing -every inclination and faculty to the tyranny of arbitrary control; -but you will speedily rise into the consequence of a rational -creature. You will take your station amongst intellectual beings, -and, giving reins to the _real_ bent of your character, find -that fulness of mind, which absolutely excludes _ennui_. I cannot -express how much I am interested by the conversations which you -have given me. A volume of description would not have conveyed a -_tithe_ of what you have imparted in the way of information, by -bringing me thus into the midst of the circle. I see the whole -mental _map_ before me, and though it would be unreasonable to -think that you can have time for such details in future, I cannot -set you entirely free; but would fain hope that, coupled with the -"incidents" which are all that you _promise_, henceforward I may -still find a few of those graphic touches which make me present in -that unrivalled group with whom your good fortune has _bound you -up_. - -To Mr. Otway I feel that I may desire to be presented with -gratitude for the pleasure of which he has thought me worthy, in -an introduction to my agreeable _colleagues_; but how shall I -contrive to make my bow at Glenalta? If you _can_ find a happy -moment in which to say with a good grace, "_Charles Falkland, Mrs. -Douglas_," you will be more than ever the cherished friend of, - - Your affectionate, - C. F----. - -P. S. Whenever you visit the city of the Seven Hills, be sure and -come hither provided with "Rome in the nineteenth Century." It is a -tribute which I for one, most willingly pay, to declare this work -of a female pen to be by a thousand degrees the best _vade mecum_ -with which you can furnish yourself. - - - - - LETTER X. - - MISS HOWARD TO ARTHUR HOWARD, ESQ. - - - Dear Arthur, _London_. - -I am so completely _obsedée_ with all that I have to accomplish, -that really you must be very thankful for a letter on any terms at -present. The fact is that _la Madre_ is put into a _flutterment_ -by news which we have just had from that old quiz, Mr. Ingoldsby, -of the India House, who says poz, that our ancient uncle is coming -home as rich as Cr[oe]sus. What is bringing him, we know not. No -matter for the cause, the effect is that _Ingot_ (as I always call -him) came here last week _express_ with the intelligence, since -when I could not command five minutes, or you should have had the -_on dit_ on the wings of the wind. At first I felt transformed into -a _begum_, and transported with joy. Shawls, gems, and jewels, -dazzled my senses. I dreamt of lacs of rupees, snuffed otto in -every breeze, and read envy, malice, and all uncharitableness, in -every female face throughout the metropolitan world. - -Such was the bright vision of half an hour, when, on the _per -contra_ side of the question a grisly band rose upon my disordered -imagination, and I terrified myself with the bare idea, that -_vielle-cour_ is becoming religious, to such a degree that I had -hardly spirits left for Lady Anne Legrave's "At Home," to which -I was obliged to go in the evening. I told my fears to mamma and -Adelaide. The former said that she would hope the best; but, if the -worst comes to the worst, we must, she says, of course indulge the -whim as long as it lasts. _Ingot_ does not expect him for several -months, so that we may take time by the forelock. Then it may be -only a rumour, and he may be snug at Calcutta; but to make _sure_, -we shall take a few _good books_ down to Selby, and, _per_ favour -of the Morleys and Arundels, and a few more of the "Praise God -Barebones" community, we shall get up a nice vocabulary, and with -the help of a fawn-coloured bonnet, which I shall certainly borrow -from Deborah Prim the grocer, that "demurest of the tabby kind," -who is of the society called _Friends_, I do not despair of acting -my part _à merveille_. - -Mamma is rather _cross_ upon the matter, I think, and _foresees_ -trouble; but she is always a bit of a Cassandra; and besides, she -lost horribly the other night at _ecarté_; but for heavens sake -don't say that I told you so. - -Adelaide, some how or other too, does not enter into the thing -_con amore_, and is not as much alive as one might expect upon a -point of such magnitude, for though we have at present nothing to -go upon but Ingot's testimony, and our own surmises, the return of -the old lad is a serious sort of concern. If he is in good humour, -and neither sick, nor pious, we are _Nabobs_ and _Nabobesses_ at -once. _C'est tout dit._ If, on the other hand, he has _got the -liver_ (as the Indians say so vulgarly), or has any crotchet in -his head, connected with new-light fantasies, I do assure you that -we may have much vexation in prospect; and unless you just put -yourself in training, and help me out, I do not promise myself any -effective assistance. Our poor mother is, as I said before, in an -acid vein, and will require Cheltenham certainly, when we leave -town; and as to Adelaide, she has other fish to fry, and till the -cookery is performed or the finny race, sent swimming _again from -the net_ (_vous comprenez_); I shall not be able to enlist her in -my pantomime. _Apropos_, Lord George was with us last night, and -protests that his mother shall give a masquerade at which he will -perform the part of our old Rajah, and I shall _rehearse_ my new -character, dressed as a quaker, carrying a basket of _tracts_ on my -arm, and, followed by half a dozen of his sister, Lady Somerville's -children, who are perfect cherubs, and are to enact _my school_. -You can't fancy any thing more _spirituel_. It was quite a -_scene_, and we were decidedly the attraction of the evening. I -was evidently _prima donna_, and felt so _couleur de rose_ with -every thing, and every body, that, forgetful of a quarrel which -I had with _Ady_. in the morning, I caught Lord Crayton by the -arm, and, under pretence of asking his advice how to prepare for -uncle's arrival, gave him such a _teeth-watering_ account of the -old boy's investments in the 3 _per cent. Consols_, that milord -stuck, for the rest of the evening, like bird-lime to my pensive -sister, and almost overturned poor Sir Leonard Twig to _beau_ mamma -down stairs; since when, he has never missed a day in visiting, -riding with our coterie in the park; and in short I shall not be -surprized if, before your return from the _land of darkness_, you -see a paragraph in the Morning Post: but what should bring the -Morning Post into the wilderness? I give myself immense credit for -remembering ever since I performed the Druidical priestess at Lady -Penguin's, and learned my evening's task for the occasion, that -Annan is the Druid's name for your island of saints, and that it -was held to be the dominions of night. It is _so à propos_! - -Well, but I was talking of Crayton and Adelaide. If indeed a -London newspaper should meet your eyes while you are suffering -_ostracism_, (I got _such_ credit for that stroke last night) I -verily think it not improbable, that you will stumble ere long, -upon, "It is rumoured in the higher circles, that Viscount Crayton -is shortly to lead to the Hymeneal altar the lovely Miss A. -Howard." What more you may see here-after, I cannot give you a hint -of till you come. - -Poor Lionel Strangeways bores me to death with his _petits soins_. -Sir Stephen (that odious name always sets me sneezing) haunts -Grosvenor-square; and Annesley with whom you used to be so _lié_, -and who, begging your pardon, is neither more nor less than _bête_, -worries me to dance wherever I meet him. - -Adelaide, Crayton, Lord George, and I, made a _parti quarré_, in -the park yesterday, when we met him quite _en polisson_. He had no -servant, looked _bourgeois_; and though I am not ill-natured as you -_know_, I was obliged to sham blindness, and to pass by without -even a nod. This may cure _him_, and release _me_ from a _blister_. -If he were not nephew to the Duke of Elsbury, there would be no -bearing him; but every one knows the relationship, and therefore -one is _safe_ in acknowledging him, though he is so horribly -disagreeable. Directly after I gave him _the go by_, I recollected -that perhaps he had heard from you since your letter to us of the -5th, and I might have asked how your cough is, but I did not think -of it in time. - -The match between Lady J. Marston and Mr. Harrop, ditto between -Miss Percy and Lord Anfield are off, positively off _faute -d'argent_. The old Countess held out for £2,000 a-year settlement, -and Harrop was tied up by his former marriage. It is whispered -that a Scotch coronet _hove in sight_ just before poor H. got his -_congé_; but I don't pledge myself for the truth of this _codicil_ -to the story.--I was interrupted here by Lord George and Mr. -Cambray, and have been laughing till I am weary at the best thing -in the world. I told you in a former part of this letter, that I -was in particularly good spirits last night, and made a sally, -in speaking of your banishment. Lord George's "_bravissimo_" -was the signal of applause, but poor Sir Hargrove Miles did not -know the meaning of _ostracism_, and asked some one (I believe -young Felton), who, in a funny mood, told him that I was talking -of oysters. There was a laugh, and some ridiculous things were -said which I did not hear, but Sir Hargrove looked _cloudy_, and -your Marplot friend, Annesley, dreading a meeting in the morning, -_explained_ like a goose, and put him into good humour by allowing -him to turn the joke against me. Poor Sir H. has accordingly been -representing me to-day up and down the whole length of Bond-street -as a _Blue_, and were it not that Lord George is my _chevalier_, -and that _nuncle_ is coming home with a heavy purse, it would not -be so pleasant. As things _are_, I can _afford_ a blue banner, -or, as Lord George says, "We may hoist the _blue Peter_ now if we -like." He is very witty, and I assure you that _our_ society is -considered quite _haut ton_--quite _French_. - -I did not intend to have written six lines, and you see how I have -run on. Do, my dear, return to us as quickly as possible: you ought -to be at your _post_ when the old fellow lands on English ground. -_You_ will of course be his principal _look out_, and ought -certainly to _toad_ him a little, especially as he will probably -be very bilious after the voyage. Mamma thinks it likely that the -new light and the bile will be extinguished together, and proposes -being ready at an hour's notice to _whisk_ him off to Leamington; -but should we find that there is any thing so fixed in his -religious derangement as not to give way immediately to the waters, -she says that the worst which can happen is our leaving him for a -time, and going to the continent. He will probably come home after -so long an absence with his heart in his hand, and be as generous -as a prince. If so, we shall get plenty of money to take us abroad, -and thus fare the better for any little _twist_ that he may have -got from received opinions, I do not say from _fashionable_ ways -of thinking; for I observe, that East Indians are never people of -_ton_: they are expensive and luxurious, but want the _je ne sais -quoi_, that inexplicable _odeur de la bonne société_ which marks -the select few in a London circle. - -My uncle, in all likelihood, will purchase a magnificent seat, -have a splendid establishment; and as a little time will remove -any quaint prejudices which he may have contracted, he may keep -a first-rate table, and see the best company if he is properly -managed. The _great_ bore will be to watch him so vigilantly as to -prevent his marrying. I am _sure_ that I know at least six regular -sieges that will be commenced against the citadel of his purse, -besides whatever masked batteries may be prepared to take him by -surprise. It must be our care to be his _videttes_, and keep a -strict guard upon the motions of the enemy, giving him notice upon -every approach of danger. - -Well, I must go and dress: I hate the Opera, but we are forced to -join a party of Lady Mildmay's, and Lord Clayton will not let us -be off. _Adio mio Caro._ Say something civil to the goodies of the -Glen. What sickly stuff is pastoral life! I yawn as I write the -word. Heaven defend me from your Arcadias! I absolutely shudder -at the notion of a golden age, cool grots, and mountain nymphs. -That milk diet, too, is a sleepy, corpulent sort of thing. You -will loose your _air de noblesse_, and we shall have to put you in -training, and fine you down like a jockey before you are fit to be -seen. - -Come quickly. _Bon repos._ _You_ are retiring to your slumbers, no -doubt. - -Your mother and Ady said something, I suppose--loves, and so forth, -but I'm not sure. - - Yours, ever, - L. HOWARD. - - - - - LETTER XI. - - GENERAL DOUGLAS TO MR. OTWAY. - - - My dear old Friend, _Calcutta_. - -Were I less acquainted than I am with what was once Edward Otway, I -could not dare to address a line with any hope of being remembered -after the lapse which has occurred since last I wrote to you. I -almost dread to look back and mark the time; I fear too that I -should not advance a very satisfactory apology in declaring that I -have been equally silent to all the European world. I am in this -dilemma. I will therefore make no effort at defence or explanation, -but proceed to tell you my present object in applying to you. A -short time ago I wrote to my old friend Ingoldsby, one of the -East India Directors to the like effect; but it may be prudent -to provide against casualties, and therefore be it known to you, -that with a constitution much shattered through vicissitudes of -climate, and a mind _somewhat_ jaundiced by disappointment, I am -turning my face towards England, which I hope to reach in about -six months after you receive this announcement of my design. Though -I speak of disappointment I am not _poor_; on the contrary I have -amassed more money than enough to secure all the luxuries, as well -as comforts of life, for my remaining term; but I have lived in -banishment from all that ought to have been dear to me; I have lost -my health, seen little but wickedness in my early intercourse with -mankind, and, now arrived at a premature old age, I look on the -past without pleasure, and to the future divested of hope. I have -for some time been determined to return, but found my pecuniary -circumstances in much need of winding up; and having learned, -through sad experience, to distrust the people in whose rectitude -I had principally confided, I resolved on an arduous undertaking, -which was no other than to go myself first to Delhi, and thence -across the country to Bombay, hoping not only to settle my affairs -in the best manner, but to retrieve my health by change of air -and scene. The first object I have in a great measure achieved, -but my liver is deranged, my digestive powers are so impaired -that I almost despair of cure, and my spirits are _gone_. Here -is a sorry picture; but to business. If this should find you in -England, I wish your own taste to be employed, and if you are in -Ireland, that of any friend on whose judgment you can rely, in -the purchase of a snug demesne, well wooded, well watered, and -having a handsome, commodious house, in an airy situation, into -which I may step as soon as possible after landing. As well as I -recollect my own impressions, I liked Hampshire, Staffordshire, -and Warwickshire, better than any other parts of the country, -and I have no objection to go as far as forty or fifty thousand -pounds; it must be fee simple property, and in a rich, cultivated -district. Order whatever furniture you think suitable, and let me -find a travelling carriage, five or six good horses, and a few -servants to begin with.--Dear Otway forgive me if I am giving -you a great deal of trouble; but Ingoldsby is a fixture in town, -and I know so little of my relations, that I am hardly aware to -whom I could give these commissions. The Howards, I conclude, are -flourishing, for I believe that when my poor brother took the -name he got a pretty estate. Of the Douglas family I have lost -sight, and as I have long enjoyed the privilege (no small one I -promise you) of being considered an oddity, I mean to preserve the -character, and choose for myself amongst the people I may meet -with. I _hate_ consanguinity. It is a cursed plague to have a set -of needy folks continually pressing about one, whose claims are -supported by relationship, and whose cares are generally directed -by self-interest. I have lived too long, and seen too much to be -bamboozled, though I do not mean to be uncivil. Poor Henry might -have made a fortune had he taken my advice, and come out to India -according to my suggestion; he was my favourite brother, and I -should have found both pride and pleasure in providing handsomely -for him; but so absurd a marriage as his naturally alienates a -prudent man. Poor fellow! I never answered his letters, and looked -on him as my son; for he was several years my junior, and _felt_ -his resistance to my advice. I never saw his wife, nor any of -his children, who have all been born since I came from Europe, -and though I _do_ feel sorry that he died without any act of -reconciliation on my part; though I intend also to settle something -on his family if they are in want; yet I certainly cannot blame -myself for having shewn a well merited resentment at conduct so -highly injurious to himself, and _obstinate_ towards me. It is -all over now, and I may perhaps follow him ere long; yet, while -we _are_ here, it is human nature to deplore _that_ folly which -blights the happiest anticipations in the bud. No man knows the -value of money so well as he who has made it for himself. If you -know where poor Mrs. H. Douglas and her family are, I shall thank -you to let me hear of their retreat, and believe me, my dear Otway, -with best wishes for a happy meeting, - - Your very sincere old friend, - FRED. AUBREY DOUGLAS. - - - - - END OF VOL. I - - PRINTED BY J. B. 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