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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Wolfert’s Roost and Miscellanies + +Author: Washington Irving + +Posting Date: October 8, 2012 [EBook #8571] +Release Date: July, 2005 +First Posted: July 24, 2003 +Last Updated: June 1, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WOLFERT’S ROOST AND MISCELLANIES *** + + + + +Etext produced by Charles Aldarondo, Tiffany Vergon, David Widger +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + +HTML file produced by David Widger + + + +</pre> + <div style="height: 8em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + WOLFERT’S ROOST AND MISCELLANIES + </h1> + <h2> + By Washington Irving + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + <b>CONTENTS</b> + </p> + + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> A CHRONICLE OF WOLFERT’S ROOST. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> TO THE EDITOR OF THE KNICKERBOCKER. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> A CHRONICLE OF WOLFERT’S ROOST. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> SLEEPY HOLLOW. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> THE BIRDS OF SPRING. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0006"> RECOLLECTIONS OF THE ALHAMBRA. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0007"> THE ABENCERRAGE. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0008"> THE ENCHANTED ISLAND. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0009"> <i>THE ADELANTADO OF THE SEVEN CITIES</i>. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0010"> NATIONAL NOMENCLATURE. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0011"> DESULTORY THOUGHTS ON CRITICISM. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0012"> SPANISH ROMANCE. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0013"> LEGEND OF DON MUNIO SANCHO DE HINOJOSA. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0014"> COMMUNIPAW. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0015"> CONSPIRACY OF THE COCKED HATS. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0016"> A LEGEND OF COMMUNIPAW. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0017"> <i>GUESTS FROM GIBBET-ISLAND</i>. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0018"> THE BERMUDAS. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0019"> <i>THE THREE KINGS OF BERMUDA</i>. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0020"> PELAYO AND THE MERCHANT’S DAUGHTER. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0021"> THE KNIGHT OF MALTA. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0022"> <i>THE GRAND PRIOR OF MINORCA,</i> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0023"> LEGEND OF THE ENGULPHED CONVENT. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0024"> THE COUNT VAN HORN. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + A CHRONICLE OF WOLFERT’S ROOST. + </h2> + <h3> + TO THE EDITOR OF THE KNICKERBOCKER. + </h3> + <p> + Sir: I have observed that as a man advances in life, he is subject to a + kind of plethora of the mind, doubtless occasioned by the vast + accumulation of wisdom and experience upon the brain. Hence he is apt to + become narrative and admonitory, that is to say, fond of telling long + stories, and of doling out advice, to the small profit and great annoyance + of his friends. As I have a great horror of becoming the oracle, or, more + technically speaking, the “bore,” of the domestic circle, and + would much rather bestow my wisdom and tediousness upon the world at + large, I have always sought to ease off this surcharge of the intellect by + means of my pen, and hence have inflicted divers gossiping volumes upon + the patience of the public. I am tired, however, of writing volumes; they + do not afford exactly the relief I require; there is too much preparation, + arrangement, and parade, in this set form of coming before the public. I + am growing too indolent and unambitious for any thing that requires labor + or display. I have thought, therefore, of securing to myself a snug corner + in some periodical work where I might, as it were, loll at my ease in my + elbow-chair, and chat sociably with the public, as with an old friend, on + any chance subject that might pop into my brain. + </p> + <p> + In looking around, for this purpose, upon the various excellent + periodicals with which our country abounds, my eye was struck by the title + of your work—“THE KNICKERBOCKER.” My heart leaped at the + sight. DIEDRICH KNICKERBOCKER, Sir, was one of my earliest and most valued + friends, and the recollection of him is associated with some of the + pleasantest scenes of my youthful days. To explain this, and to show how I + came into possession of sundry of his posthumous works, which I have from + time to time given to the world, permit me to relate a few particulars of + our early intercourse. I give them with the more confidence, as I know the + interest you take in that departed worthy, whose name and effigy are + stamped upon your title-page, and as they will be found important to the + better understanding and relishing divers communications I may have to + make to you. + </p> + <p> + My first acquaintance with that great and good man, for such I may venture + to call him, now that the lapse of some thirty years has shrouded his name + with venerable antiquity, and the popular voice has elevated him to the + rank of the classic historians of yore, my first acquaintance with him was + formed on the banks of the Hudson, not far from the wizard region of + Sleepy Hollow. He had come there in the course of his researches among the + Dutch neighborhoods for materials for his immortal history. For this + purpose, he was ransacking the archives of one of the most ancient and + historical mansions in the country. It was a lowly edifice, built in the + time of the Dutch dynasty, and stood on a green bank, overshadowed by + trees, from which it peeped forth upon the Great Tappan Zee, so famous + among early Dutch navigators. A bright pure spring welled up at the foot + of the green bank; a wild brook came babbling down a neighboring ravine, + and threw itself into a little woody cove, in front of the mansion. It was + indeed as quiet and sheltered a nook as the heart of man could require, in + which to take refuge from the cares and troubles of the world; and as + such, it had been chosen in old times, by Wolfert Acker, one of the privy + councillors of the renowned Peter Stuyvesant. + </p> + <p> + This worthy but ill-starred man had led a weary and worried life, + throughout the stormy reign of the chivalric Peter, being one of those + unlucky wights with whom the world is ever at variance, and who are kept + in a continual fume and fret, by the wickedness of mankind. At the time of + the subjugation of the province by the English, he retired hither in high + dudgeon; with the bitter determination to bury himself from the world, and + live here in peace and quietness for the remainder of his days. In token + of this fixed resolution, he inscribed over his door the favorite Dutch + motto, “Lust in Rust,” (pleasure in repose.) The mansion was + thence called “Wolfert’s Rust”—Wolfert’s + Rest; but in process of time, the name was vitiated into Wolfert’s + Roost, probably from its quaint cock-loft look, or from its having a + weather-cock perched on every gable. This name it continued to bear, long + after the unlucky Wolfert was driven forth once more upon a wrangling + world, by the tongue of a termagant wife; for it passed into a proverb + through the neighborhood, and has been handed down by tradition, that the + cock of the Roost was the most hen-pecked bird in the country. + </p> + <p> + This primitive and historical mansion has since passed through many + changes and trials, which it may be my lot hereafter to notice. At the + time of the sojourn of Diedrich Knickerbocker it was in possession of the + gallant family of the Van Tassels, who have figured so conspicuously in + his writings. What appears to have given it peculiar value, in his eyes, + was the rich treasury of historical facts here secretly hoarded up, like + buried gold; for it is said that Wolfert Acker, when he retreated from New + Amsterdam, carried off with him many of the records and journals of the + province, pertaining to the Dutch dynasty; swearing that they should never + fall into the hands of the English. These, like the lost books of Livy, + had baffled the research of former historians; but these did I find the + indefatigable Diedrich diligently deciphering. He was already a sage in + year’s and experience, I but an idle stripling; yet he did not + despise my youth and ignorance, but took me kindly by the hand, and led me + gently into those paths of local and traditional lore which he was so fond + of exploring. I sat with him in his little chamber at the Roost, and + watched the antiquarian patience and perseverance with which he deciphered + those venerable Dutch documents, worse than Herculanean manuscripts. I sat + with him by the spring, at the foot of the green bank, and listened to his + heroic tales about the worthies of the olden time, the paladins of New + Amsterdam. I accompanied him in his legendary researches about Tarrytown + and Sing-Sing, and explored with him the spell-bound recesses of Sleepy + Hollow. I was present at many of his conferences with the good old Dutch + burghers and their wives, from whom he derived many of those marvelous + facts not laid down in books or records, and which give such superior + value and authenticity to his history, over all others that have been + written concerning the New Netherlands. + </p> + <p> + But let me check my proneness to dilate upon this favorite theme; I may + recur to it hereafter. Suffice it to say, the intimacy thus formed, + continued for a considerable time; and in company with the worthy + Diedrich, I visited many of the places celebrated by his pen. The currents + of our lives at length diverged. He remained at home to complete his + mighty work, while a vagrant fancy led me to wander about the world. Many, + many years elapsed, before I returned to the parent soil. In the interim, + the venerable historian of the New Netherlands had been gathered to his + fathers, but his name had risen to renown. His native city, that city in + which he so much delighted, had decreed all manner of costly honors to his + memory. I found his effigy imprinted upon new-year cakes, and devoured + with eager relish by holiday urchins; a great oyster-house bore the name + of “Knickerbocker Hall;” and I narrowly escaped the pleasure + of being run over by a Knickerbocker omnibus! + </p> + <p> + Proud of having associated with a man who had achieved such greatness, I + now recalled our early intimacy with tenfold pleasure, and sought to + revisit the scenes we had trodden together. The most important of these + was the mansion of the Van Tassels, the Roost of the unfortunate Wolfert. + Time, which changes all things, is but slow in its operations upon a + Dutchman’s dwelling. I found the venerable and quaint little edifice + much as I had seen it during the sojourn of Diedrich. There stood his + elbow-chair in the corner of the room he had occupied; the old-fashioned + Dutch writing-desk at which he had pored over the chronicles of the + Manhattoes; there was the old wooden chest, with the archives left by + Wolfert Acker, many of which, however, had been fired off as wadding from + the long duck gun of the Van Tassels. The scene around the mansion was + still the same; the green bank; the spring beside which I had listened to + the legendary narratives of the historian; the wild brook babbling down to + the woody cove, and the overshadowing locust trees, half shutting out the + prospect of the great Tappan Zee. + </p> + <p> + As I looked round upon the scene, my heart yearned at the recollection of + my departed friend, and I wistfully eyed the mansion which he had + inhabited, and which was fast mouldering to decay. The thought struck me + to arrest the desolating hand of Time; to rescue the historic pile from + utter ruin, and to make it the closing scene of my wanderings; a quiet + home, where I might enjoy “lust in rust” for the remainder of + my days. It is true, the fate of the unlucky Wolfert passed across my + mind; but I consoled myself with the reflection that I was a bachelor, and + that I had no termagant wife to dispute the sovereignty of the Roost with + me. + </p> + <p> + I have become possessor of the Roost! I have repaired and renovated it + with religious care, in the genuine Dutch style, and have adorned and + illustrated it with sundry reliques of the glorious days of the New + Netherlands. A venerable weathercock, of portly Dutch dimensions, which + once battled with the wind on the top of the Stadt-House of New Amsterdam, + in the time of Peter Stuyvesant, now erects its crest on the gable end of + my edifice; a gilded horse in full gallop, once the weathercock of the + great Vander Heyden Palace of Albany, now glitters in the sunshine, and + veers with every breeze, on the peaked turret over my portal; my sanctum + sanctorum is the chamber once honored by the illustrious Diedrich, and it + is from his elbow-chair, and his identical old Dutch writing-desk, that I + pen this rambling epistle. + </p> + <p> + Here, then, have I set up my rest, surrounded by the recollections of + early days, and the mementoes of the historian of the Manhattoes, with + that glorious river before me, which flows with such majesty through his + works, and which has ever been to me a river of delight. + </p> + <p> + I thank God I was born on the banks of the Hudson! I think it an + invaluable advantage to be born and brought up in the neighborhood of some + grand and noble object in nature; a river, a lake, or a mountain. We make + a friendship with it, we in a manner ally ourselves to it for life. It + remains an object of our pride and affections, a rallying point, to call + us home again after all our wanderings. “The things which we have + learned in our childhood,” says an old writer, “grow up with + our souls, and unite themselves to it.” So it is with the scenes + among which we have passed our early days; they influence the whole course + of our thoughts and feelings; and I fancy I can trace much of what is good + and pleasant in my own heterogeneous compound to my early companionship + with this glorious river. In the warmth of my youthful enthusiasm, I used + to clothe it with moral attributes, and almost to give it a soul. I + admired its frank, bold, honest character; its noble sincerity and perfect + truth. Here was no specious, smiling surface, covering the dangerous + sand-bar or perfidious rock; but a stream deep as it was broad, and + bearing with honorable faith the bark that trusted to its waves. I gloried + in its simple, quiet, majestic, epic flow; ever straight forward. Once, + indeed, it turns aside for a moment, forced from its course by opposing + mountains, but it struggles bravely through them, and immediately resumes + its straightforward march. Behold, thought I, an emblem of a good man’s + course through life; ever simple, open, and direct; or if, overpowered by + adverse circumstances, he deviate into error, it is but momentary; he soon + recovers his onward and honorable career, and continues it to the end of + his pilgrimage. + </p> + <p> + Excuse this rhapsody, into which I have been betrayed by a revival of + early feelings. The Hudson is, in a manner, my first and last love; and + after all my wanderings and seeming infidelities, I return to it with a + heart-felt preference over all the other rivers in the world. I seem to + catch new life as I bathe in its ample billows and inhale the pure breezes + of its hills. It is true, the romance of youth is past, that once spread + illusions over every scene. I can no longer picture an Arcadia in every + green valley; nor a fairy land among the distant mountains; nor a peerless + beauty in every villa gleaming among the trees; but though the illusions + of youth have faded from the landscape, the recollections of departed + years and departed pleasures shed over it the mellow charm of evening + sunshine. + </p> + <p> + Permit me, then, Mr. Editor, through the medium of your work, to hold + occasional discourse from my retreat with the busy world I have abandoned. + I have much to say about what I have seen, heard, felt, and thought + through the course of a varied and rambling life, and some lucubrations + that have long been encumbering my portfolio; together with divers + reminiscences of the venerable historian of the New Netherlands, that may + not be unacceptable to those who have taken an interest in his writings, + and are desirous of any thing that may cast a light back upon our early + history. Let your readers rest assured of one thing, that, though retired + from the world, I am not disgusted with it; and that if in my communings + with it I do not prove very wise, I trust I shall at least prove very + good-natured. + </p> + <p> + Which is all at present, from + </p> + <p> + Yours, etc., + </p> + <h3> + GEOFFREY CRAYON. + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + TO THE EDITOR OF THE KNICKERBOCKER. + </h2> + <p> + Worthy Sir: In a preceding communication, I have given you some brief + notice of Wolfert’s Roost, the mansion where I first had the good + fortune to become acquainted with the venerable historian of the New + Netherlands. As this ancient edifice is likely to be the place whence I + shall date many of my lucubrations, and as it is really a very remarkable + little pile, intimately connected with all the great epochs of our local + and national history, I have thought it but right to give some farther + particulars concerning it. Fortunately, in rummaging a ponderous Dutch + chest of drawers, which serves as the archives of the Roost, and in which + are preserved many inedited manuscripts of Mr. KNICKERBOCKER, together + with the precious records of New-Amsterdam, brought hither by Wolfert + Acker at the downfall of the Dutch dynasty, as has been already mentioned, + I found in one corner, among dried pumpkin-seeds, bunches of thyme, and + pennyroyal, and crumbs of new-year cakes, a manuscript, carefully wrapped + up in the fragment of an old parchment deed, but much blotted, and the ink + grown foxy by time, which, on inspection, I discovered to be a faithful + chronicle of the Roost. The hand-writing, and certain internal evidences, + leave no doubt in my mind, that it is a genuine production of the + venerable historian of the New-Netherlands, written, very probably, during + his residence at the Roost, in gratitude for the hospitality of its + proprietor. As such, I submit it for publication. As the entire chronicle + is too long for the pages of your Magazine, and as it contains many minute + particulars, which might prove tedious to the general reader, I have + abbreviated and occasionally omitted some of its details; but may + hereafter furnish them separately, should they seem to be required by the + curiosity of an enlightened and document-hunting public. + </p> + <p> + Respectfully yours, GEOFFREY CRAYON. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + A CHRONICLE OF WOLFERT’S ROOST. + </h2> + <h3> + FOUND AMONG THE PAPERS OF THE LATE DIEDRICH KNICKERBOCKER. + </h3> + <p> + About five-and-twenty miles from the ancient and renowned city of + Manhattan, formerly called New-Amsterdam, and vulgarly called New-York, on + the eastern bank of that expansion of the Hudson, known among Dutch + mariners of yore, as the Tappan Zee, being in fact the great Mediterranean + Sea of the New-Netherlands, stands a little old-fashioned stone mansion, + all made up of gable-ends, and as full of angles and corners as an old + cocked hat. Though but of small dimensions, yet, like many small people, + it is of mighty spirit, and values itself greatly on its antiquity, being + one of the oldest edifices, for its size, in the whole country. It claims + to be an ancient seat of empire, I may rather say an empire in itself, and + like all empires, great and small, has had its grand historical epochs. In + speaking of this doughty and valorous little pile, I shall call it by its + usual appellation of “The Roost;” though that is a name given + to it in modern days, since it became the abode of the white man. + </p> + <p> + Its origin, in truth, dates far back in that remote region commonly called + the fabulous age, in which vulgar fact becomes mystified, and tinted up + with delectable fiction. The eastern shore of the Tappan Sea was inhabited + in those days by an unsophisticated race, existing in all the simplicity + of nature; that is to say, they lived by hunting and fishing, and + recreated themselves occasionally with a little tomahawking and scalping. + Each stream that flows down from the hills into the Hudson, had its petty + sachem, who ruled over a hand’s-breadth of forest on either side, + and had his seat of government at its mouth. The chieftain who ruled at + the Roost, was not merely a great warrior, but a medicine-man, or prophet, + or conjurer, for they all mean the same thing, in Indian parlance. Of his + fighting propensities, evidences still remain, in various arrowheads of + flint, and stone battle-axes, occasionally digged up about the Roost: of + his wizard powers, we have a token in a spring which wells up at the foot + of the bank, on the very margin of the river, which, it is said, was + gifted by him with rejuvenating powers, something like the renowned + Fountain of Youth in the Floridas, so anxiously but vainly sought after by + the veteran Ponce de Leon. This story, however, is stoutly contradicted by + an old Dutch matter-of-fact tradition, which declares that the spring in + question was smuggled over from Holland in a churn, by Femmetie Van + Slocum, wife of Goosen Garret Van Slocum, one of the first settlers, and + that she took it up by night, unknown to her husband, from beside their + farm-house near Rotterdam; being sure she should find no water equal to it + in the new country—and she was right. + </p> + <p> + The wizard sachem had a great passion for discussing territorial + questions, and settling boundary lines; this kept him in continual feud + with the neighboring sachems, each of whom stood up stoutly for his + hand-breadth of territory; so that there is not a petty stream nor ragged + hill in the neighborhood, that has not been the subject of long talks and + hard battles. The sachem, however, as has been observed, was a + medicine-man, as well as warrior, and vindicated his claims by arts as + well as arms; so that, by dint of a little hard fighting here, and + hocus-pocus there, he managed to extend his boundary-line from field to + field and stream to stream, until he found himself in legitimate + possession of that region of hills and valleys, bright fountains and + limpid brooks, locked in by the mazy windings of the Neperan and the + Pocantico. [Footnote: As every one may not recognize these boundaries by + their original Indian names, it may be well to observe, that the Neperan + is that beautiful stream, vulgarly called the Saw-Mill River, which, after + winding gracefully for many miles through a lovely valley, shrouded by + groves, and dotted by Dutch farm-houses, empties itself into the Hudson, + at the ancient drop of Yonkers. The Pocantico is that hitherto nameless + brook, that, rising among woody hills, winds in many a wizard maze through + the sequestered banks of Sleepy Hollow. We owe it to the indefatigable + researches of Mr. KNICKERBOCKER, that those beautiful streams are rescued + from modern common-place, and reinvested with their ancient Indian names. + The correctness of the venerable historian may be ascertained, by + reference to the records of the original Indian grants to the Herr + Frederick Philipsen, preserved in the county clerk’s office, at + White Plains.] + </p> + <p> + This last-mentioned stream, or rather the valley through which it flows, + was the most difficult of all his acquisitions. It lay half way to the + strong-hold of the redoubtable sachem of Sing-Sing, and was claimed by him + as an integral part of his domains. Many were the sharp conflicts between + the rival chieftains for the sovereignty of this valley, and many the + ambuscades, surprisals, and deadly onslaughts that took place among its + fastnesses, of which it grieves me much that I cannot furnish the details + for the gratification of those gentle but bloody-minded readers of both + sexes, who delight in the romance of the tomahawk and scalping-knife. + Suffice it to say that the wizard chieftain was at length victorious, + though his victory is attributed in Indian tradition to a great medicine + or charm by which he laid the sachem of Sing-Sing and his warriors asleep + among the rocks and recesses of the valley, where they remain asleep to + the present day with their bows and war-clubs beside them. This was the + origin of that potent and drowsy spell which still prevails over the + valley of the Pocantico, and which has gained it the well-merited + appellation of Sleepy Hollow. Often, in secluded and quiet parts of that + valley, where the stream is overhung by dark woods and rocks, the + ploughman, on some calm and sunny day as he shouts to his oxen, is + surprised at hearing faint shouts from the hill-sides in reply; being, it + is said, the spell-bound warriors, who half start from their rocky couches + and grasp their weapons, but sink to sleep again. + </p> + <p> + The conquest of the Pocantico was the last triumph of the wizard sachem. + Notwithstanding all his medicine and charms, he fell in battle in + attempting to extend his boundary line to the east so as to take in the + little wild valley of the Sprain, and his grave is still shown near the + banks of that pastoral stream. He left, however, a great empire to his + successors, extending along the Tappan Zee, from Yonkers quite to Sleepy + Hollow; all which delectable region, if every one had his right, would + still acknowledge allegiance to the lord of the Roost—whoever he + might be. [Footnote: In recording the contest for the sovereignty of + Sleepy Hollow, I have called one sachem by the modern name of his castle + or strong-hold, viz.: Sing-Sing. This, I would observe for the sake of + historical exactness, is a corruption of the old Indian name, O-sin-sing, + or rather O-sin-song; that is to say, a place where any thing may be had + for a song—a great recommendation for a market town. The modern and + melodious alteration of the name to Sing-Sing is said to have been made in + compliment to an eminent Methodist singing-master, who first introduced + into the neighborhood the art of singing through the nose. D. K.] + </p> + <p> + The wizard sachem was succeeded by a line of chiefs, of whom nothing + remarkable remains on record. The last who makes any figure in history is + the one who ruled here at the time of the discovery of the country by the + white man. This sachem is said to have been a renowned trencherman, who + maintained almost as potent a sway by dint of good feeding as his warlike + predecessor had done by hard fighting. He diligently cultivated the growth + of oysters along the aquatic borders of his territories, and founded those + great oyster-beds which yet exist along the shores of the Tappan Zee. Did + any dispute occur between him and a neighboring sachem, he invited him and + all his principal sages and fighting-men to a solemn banquet, and seldom + failed of feeding them into terms. Enormous heaps of oyster-shells, which + encumber the lofty banks of the river, remain as monuments of his + gastronomical victories, and have been occasionally adduced through + mistake by amateur geologists from town, as additional proofs of the + deluge. Modern investigators, who are making such indefatigable researches + into our early history, have even affirmed that this sachem was the very + individual on whom Master Hendrick Hudson and his mate, Robert Juet, made + that sage and astounding experiment so gravely recorded by the latter in + his narrative of the voyage: “Our master and his mate determined to + try some of the cheefe men of the country whether they had any treacherie + in them. So they took them down into the cabin and gave them so much wine + and aqua vitae that they were all very merrie; one of them had his wife + with him, which sate so modestly as any of our countrywomen would do in a + strange place. In the end one of them was drunke; and that was strange to + them, for they could not tell how to take it.” [Footnote: See Juet’s + Journal, Purchas Pilgrim.] + </p> + <p> + How far Master Hendrick Hudson and his worthy mate carried their + experiment with the sachem’s wife is not recorded, neither does the + curious Robert Juet make any mention of the after-consequences of this + grand moral test; tradition, however, affirms that the sachem on landing + gave his modest spouse a hearty rib-roasting, according to the connubial + discipline of the aboriginals; it farther affirms that he remained a hard + drinker to the day of his death, trading away all his lands, acre by acre, + for aqua vitae; by which means the Roost and all its domains, from Yonkers + to Sleepy Hollow, came, in the regular course of trade and by right of + purchase, into the possession of the Dutchmen. + </p> + <p> + Never has a territorial right in these new countries been more + legitimately and tradefully established; yet, I grieve to say, the worthy + government of the New Netherlands was not suffered to enjoy this grand + acquisition unmolested; for, in the year 1654, the local Yankees of + Connecticut—those swapping, bargaining, squatting enemies of the + Manhattoes—made a daring inroad into this neighborhood and founded a + colony called Westchester, or, as the ancient Dutch records term it, Vest + Dorp, in the right of one Thomas Pell, who pretended to have purchased the + whole surrounding country of the Indians, and stood ready to argue their + claims before any tribunal of Christendom. + </p> + <p> + This happened during the chivalrous reign of Peter Stuyvesant, and it + roused the ire of that gunpowder old hero; who, without waiting to discuss + claims and titles, pounced at once upon the nest of nefarious squatters, + carried off twenty-five of them in chains to the Manhattoes, nor did he + stay his hand, nor give rest to his wooden leg, until he had driven every + Yankee back into the bounds of Connecticut, or obliged him to acknowledge + allegiance to their High Mightinesses. He then established certain + out-posts, far in the Indian country, to keep an eye over these debateable + lands; one of these border-holds was the Roost, being accessible from New + Amsterdam by water, and easily kept supplied. The Yankees, however, had + too great a hankering after this delectable region to give it up entirely. + Some remained and swore allegiance to the Manhattoes; but, while they kept + this open semblance of fealty, they went to work secretly and vigorously + to intermarry and multiply, and by these nefarious means, artfully + propagated themselves into possession of a wide tract of those open, + arable parts of Westchester county, lying along the Sound, where their + descendants may be found at the present day; while the mountainous regions + along the Hudson, with the valleys of the Neperan and the Pocantico, are + tenaciously held by the lineal descendants of the Copperheads. + </p> + <p> + The chronicle of the venerable Diedrich here goes on to relate how that, + shortly after the above-mentioned events, the whole province of the New + Netherlands ‘was subjugated by the British; how that Wolfert Acker, + one of the wrangling councillors of Peter Stuyvesant, retired in dudgeon + to this fastness in the wilderness, determining to enjoy “lust in + rust” for the remainder of his days, whence the place first received + its name of Wolfert’s Roost. As these and sundry other matters have + been laid before the public in a preceding article, I shall pass them + over, and resume the chronicle where it treats of matters not hitherto + recorded: + </p> + <p> + Like many men who retire from a worrying world, says DIEDRICH + KNICKERBOCKER, to enjoy quiet in the country, Wolfert Acker soon found + himself up to the ears in trouble. He had a termagant wife at home, and + there was what is profanely called “the deuce to pay,” abroad. + The recent irruption of the Yankees into the bounds of the New + Netherlands, had left behind it a doleful pestilence, such as is apt to + follow the steps of invading armies. This was the deadly plague of + witchcraft, which had long been prevalent to the eastward. The malady + broke out at Vest Dorp, and threatened to spread throughout the country. + The Dutch burghers along the Hudson, from Yonkers to Sleepy Hollow, + hastened to nail horseshoes to their doors, which have ever been found of + sovereign virtue to repel this awful visitation. This is the origin of the + horse-shoes which may still be seen nailed to the doors of barns and + farmhouses, in various parts of this sage and sober-thoughted region. + </p> + <p> + The evil, however, bore hard upon the Roost; partly, perhaps, from its + having in old times been subject to supernatural influences, during the + sway of the Wizard Sachem; but it has always, in fact, been considered a + fated mansion. The unlucky Wolfert had no rest day nor night. When the + weather was quiet all over the country, the wind would howl and whistle + round his roof; witches would ride and whirl upon his weathercocks, and + scream down his chimneys. His cows gave bloody milk, and his horses broke + bounds, and scampered into the woods. There were not wanting evil tongues + to whisper that Wolfert’s termagant wife had some tampering with the + enemy; and that she even attended a witches’ Sabbath in Sleepy + Hollow; nay, a neighbor, who lived hard by, declared that he saw her + harnessing a rampant broom-stick, and about to ride to the meeting; though + others presume it was merely flourished in the course of one of her + curtain lectures, to give energy and emphasis to a period. Certain it is, + that Wolfert Acker nailed a horse-shoe to the front door, during one of + her nocturnal excursions, to prevent her return; but as she re-entered the + house without any difficulty, it is probable she was not so much of a + witch as she was represented. [Footnote: HISTORICAL NOTE.—The + annexed extracts from the early colonial records, relate to the irruption + of witchcraft into Westchester county, as mentioned in the chronicle: + </p> + <p> + “JULY 7, 1670.—Katharine Harryson, accused of witchcraft on + complaint of Thomas Hunt and Edward Waters, in behalf of the town, who + pray that she may be driven from the town of Westchester. The woman + appears before the council.... She was a native of England, and had lived + a year in Weathersfield, Connecticut, where she had been tried for + witchcraft, found guilty by the jury, acquitted by the bench, and released + out of prison, upon condition she would remove. Affair adjourned. + </p> + <p> + “AUGUST 24.—Affair taken up again, when, being heard at large, + it was referred to the general court of assize. Woman ordered to give + security for good behavior,” etc. + </p> + <p> + In another place is the following entry: + </p> + <p> + “Order given for Katharine Harryson, charged with witchcraft, to + leave Westchester, as the inhabitants are uneasy at her residing there, + and she is ordered to go off.”] + </p> + <p> + After the time of Wolfert Acker, a long interval elapses, about which but + little is known. It is hoped, however, that the antiquarian researches so + diligently making in every part of this new country, may yet throw some + light upon what may be termed the Dark Ages of the Roost. + </p> + <p> + The next period at which we find this venerable and eventful pile rising + to importance, and resuming its old belligerent character, is during the + revolutionary war. It was at that time owned by Jacob Van Tassel, or Van + Texel, as the name was originally spelled, after the place in Holland + which gave birth to this heroic line. He was strong-built, long-limbed, + and as stout in soul as in body; a fit successor to the warrior sachem of + yore, and, like him, delighting in extravagant enterprises and hardy deeds + of arms. But, before I enter upon the exploits of this worthy cock of the + Boost, it is fitting I should throw some light upon the state of the + mansion, and of the surrounding country, at the time. + </p> + <p> + The situation of the Roost is in the very heart of what was the debateable + ground between the American and British lines, during the war. The British + held possession of the city of New York, and the island of Manhattan on + which it stands. The Americans drew up toward the Highlands, holding their + headquarters at Peekskill. The intervening country, from Croton River to + Spiting Devil Creek, was the debateable land, subject to be harried by + friend and foe, like the Scottish borders of yore. It is a rugged country, + with a line of rocky hills extending through it, like a back bone, sending + ribs on either side; but among these rude hills are beautiful winding + valleys, like those watered by the Pocantico and the Neperan. In the + fastnesses of these hills, and along these valleys, exist a race of + hard-headed, hard-handed, stout-hearted Dutchmen, descendants of the + primitive Nederlanders. Most of these were strong whigs throughout the + war, and have ever remained obstinately attached to the soil, and neither + to be fought nor bought out of their paternal acres. Others were tories, + and adherents to the old kingly rule; some of whom took refuge within the + British lines, joined the royal bands of refugees, a name odious to the + American ear, and occasionally returned to harass their ancient neighbors. + </p> + <p> + In a little while, this debateable land was overrun by predatory bands + from either side; sacking hen-roosts, plundering farm-houses, and driving + off cattle. Hence arose those two great orders of border chivalry, the + Skinners and the Cowboys, famous in the heroic annals of Westchester + county. The former fought, or rather marauded, under the American, the + latter under the British banner; but both, in the hurry of their military + ardor, were apt to err on the safe side, and rob friend as well as foe. + Neither of them stopped to ask the politics of horse or cow, which they + drove into captivity; nor, when they wrung the neck of a rooster, did they + trouble their heads to ascertain whether he were crowing for Congress or + King George. + </p> + <p> + While this marauding system prevailed on shore, the Great Tappan Sea, + which washes this belligerent region, was domineered over by British + frigates and other vessels of war, anchored here and there, to keep an eye + upon the river, and maintain a communication between the various military + posts. Stout galleys, also, armed with eighteen-pounders, and navigated + with sails and oars, cruised about like hawks, ready to pounce upon their + prey. + </p> + <p> + All these were eyed with bitter hostility by the Dutch yeomanry along + shore, who were indignant at seeing their great Mediterranean ploughed by + hostile prows; and would occasionally throw up a mud breast-work on a + point or promontory, mount an old iron field-piece, and fire away at the + enemy, though the greatest harm was apt to happen to themselves from the + bursting of their ordnance; nay, there was scarce a Dutchman along the + river that would hesitate to fire with his long duck gun at any British + cruiser that came within reach, as he had been accustomed to fire at + water-fowl. + </p> + <p> + I have been thus particular in my account of the times and neighborhood, + that the reader might the more readily comprehend the surrounding dangers + in this the Heroic Age of the Roost. + </p> + <p> + It was commanded at the time, as I have already observed, by the stout + Jacob Van Tassel. As I wish to be extremely accurate in this part of my + chronicle, I beg that this Jacob Van Tassel of the Roost may not be + confounded with another Jacob Van Tassel, commonly known in border story + by the name of “Clump-footed Jake,” a noted tory, and one of + the refugee band of Spiting Devil. On the contrary, he of the Roost was a + patriot of the first water, and, if we may take his own word for granted, + a thorn in the side of the enemy. As the Roost, from its lonely situation + on the water’s edge, might be liable to attack, he took measures for + defence. On a row of hooks above his fire-place, reposed his great piece + of ordnance, ready charged and primed for action. This was a duck, or + rather goose-gun, of unparalleled longitude, with which it was said he + could kill a wild goose, though half-way across the Tappan Sea. Indeed, + there are as many wonders told of this renowned gun, as of the enchanted + weapons of the heroes of classic story. + </p> + <p> + In different parts of the stone walls of his mansion, he had made + loop-holes, through which he might fire upon an assailant. His wife was + stout-hearted as himself, and could load as fast as he could fire; and + then he had an ancient and redoubtable sister, Nochie Van Wurmer, a match, + as he said, for the stoutest man in the country. Thus garrisoned, the + little Roost was fit to stand a siege, and Jacob Van Tassel was the man to + defend it to the last charge of powder. + </p> + <p> + He was, as I have already hinted, of pugnacious propensities; and, not + content with being a patriot at home, and fighting for the security of his + own fireside, he extended his thoughts abroad, and entered into a + confederacy with certain of the bold, hard-riding lads of Tarrytown, + Petticoat Lane, and Sleepy Hollow, who formed a kind of Holy Brotherhood, + scouring the country to clear it of Skinner and Cow-boy, and all other + border vermin. The Roost was one of their rallying points. Did a band of + marauders from Manhattan island come sweeping through the neighborhood, + and driving off cattle, the stout Jacob and his compeers were soon + clattering at their heels, and fortunate did the rogues esteem themselves + if they could but get a part of their booty across the lines, or escape + themselves without a rough handling. Should the mosstroopers succeed in + passing with their cavalcade, with thundering tramp and dusty whirlwind, + across Kingsbridge, the Holy Brotherhood of the Roost would rein up at + that perilous pass, and, wheeling about, would indemnify themselves by + foraging the refugee region of Morrisania. + </p> + <p> + When at home at the Roost, the stout Jacob was not idle; but was prone to + carry on a petty warfare of his own, for his private recreation and + refreshment. Did he ever chance to espy, from his look-out place, a + hostile ship or galley anchored or becalmed near shore, he would take down + his long goose-gun from the hooks over the fire-place, sally out alone, + and lurk along shore, dodging behind rocks and trees, and watching for + hours together, like a veteran mouser intent on a rat-hole. So sure as a + boat put off for shore, and came within shot, bang! went the great + goose-gun; a shower of slugs and buck-shot whistled about the ears of the + enemy, and before the boat could reach the shore, Jacob had scuttled up + some woody ravine, and left no trace behind. About this time, the Roost + experienced a vast accession of warlike importance, in being made one of + the stations of the water-guard. This was a kind of aquatic corps of + observation, composed of long, sharp, canoe-shaped boats, technically + called whale-boats, that lay lightly on the water, and could be rowed with + great rapidity. They were manned by resolute fellows, skilled at pulling + an oar, or handling a musket. These lurked about in nooks and bays, and + behind those long promontories which run out into the Tappan Sea, keeping + a look-out, to give notice of the approach or movements of hostile ships. + They roved about in pairs; sometimes at night, with muffled oars, gliding + like spectres about frigates and guard-ships riding at anchor, cutting off + any boats that made for shore, and keeping the enemy in constant + uneasiness. These mosquito-cruisers generally kept aloof by day, so that + their harboring places might not be discovered, but would pull quietly + along, under shadow of the shore, at night, to take up their quarters at + the Roost. Hither, at such time, would also repair the hard-riding lads of + the hills, to hold secret councils of war with the “ocean chivalry;” + and in these nocturnal meetings were concerted many of those daring + forays, by land and water, that resounded throughout the border. + </p> + <p> + The chronicle here goes on to recount divers wonderful stories of the wars + of the Roost, from which it would seem, that this little warrior nest + carried the terror of its arms into every sea, from Spiting Devil Creek to + Antony’s Nose; that it even bearded the stout island of Manhattan, + invading it at night, penetrating to its centre, and burning down the + famous Delancey house, the conflagration of which makes such a blaze in + revolutionary history. Nay more, in their extravagant daring, these cocks + of the Roost meditated a nocturnal descent upon New York itself, to swoop + upon the British commanders, Howe and Clinton, by surprise, bear them off + captive, and perhaps put a triumphant close to the war! + </p> + <p> + All these and many similar exploits are recorded by the worthy Diedrich, + with his usual minuteness and enthusiasm, whenever the deeds in arms of + his kindred Dutchmen are in question; but though most of these warlike + stories rest upon the best of all authority, that of the warriors + themselves, and though many of them are still current among the + revolutionary patriarchs of this heroic neighborhood, yet I dare not + expose them to the incredulity of a tamer and less chivalric age, Suffice + it to say, the frequent gatherings at the Roost, and the hardy projects + set on foot there, at length drew on it the fiery indignation of the + enemy; and this was quickened by the conduct of the stout Jacob Van + Tassel; with whose valorous achievements we resume the course of the + chronicle. + </p> + <p> + THIS doughty Dutchman, continues the sage DIEDRICH KNICKERBOCKER, was not + content with taking a share in all the magnanimous enterprises concocted + at the Roost, but still continued his petty warfare along shore. A series + of exploits at length raised his confidence in his prowess to such a + height, that he began to think himself and his goose-gun a match for any + thing. Unluckily, in the course of one of his prowlings, he descried a + British transport aground, not far from shore, with her stern swung toward + the land, within point-blank shot. The temptation was too great to be + resisted; bang! as usual, went the great goose-gun, shivering the cabin + windows, and driving all hands forward. Bang! bang! the shots were + repeated. The reports brought several sharp-shooters of the neighborhood + to the spot; before the transport could bring a gun to bear, or land a + boat, to take revenge, she was soundly peppered, and the coast evacuated. + This was the last of Jacob’s triumphs. He fared like some heroic + spider, that has unwittingly ensnared a hornet, to his immortal glory, + perhaps, but to the utter ruin of his web. + </p> + <p> + It was not long after this, during the absence of Jacob Van Tassel on one + of his forays, and when no one was in garrison but his stout-hearted + spouse, his redoubtable sister, Nochie Van Wurmer, and a strapping negro + wench, called Dinah, that an armed vessel came to anchor off the Roost, + and a boat full of men pulled to shore. The garrison flew to arms, that is + to say, to mops, broom-sticks, shovels, tongs, and all kinds of domestic + weapons; for, unluckily, the great piece of ordnance, the goose-gun, was + absent with its owner. Above all, a vigorous defence was made with that + most potent of female weapons, the tongue. Never did invaded hen-roost + make a more vociferous outcry. It was all in vain. The house was sacked + and plundered, fire was set to each corner, and in a few moments its blaze + shed a baleful light far over the Tappan Sea. The invaders then pounced + upon the blooming Laney Van Tassel, the beauty of the Roost, and + endeavored to bear her off to the boat. But here was the real tug of war. + The mother, the aunt, and the strapping negro wench, all flew to the + rescue. The struggle continued down to the very water’s edge; when a + voice from the armed vessel at anchor, ordered the spoilers to let go + their hold; they relinquished their prize, jumped into their boats, and + pulled off, and the heroine of the Roost escaped with a mere rumpling of + the feathers. + </p> + <p> + The fear of tiring my readers, who may not take such an interest as myself + in these heroic themes, induces me to close here my extracts from this + precious chronicle of the venerable Diedrich. Suffice it briefly to say, + that shortly after the catastrophe of the Roost, Jacob Van Tassel, in the + course of one of his forays, fell into the hands of the British; was sent + prisoner to New York, and was detained in captivity for the greater part + of the war. In the mean time, the Roost remained a melancholy ruin; its + stone walls and brick chimneys alone standing, blackened by fire, and the + resort of bats and owlets. It was not until the return of peace, when this + belligerent neighborhood once more resumed its quiet agricultural + pursuits, that the stout Jacob sought the scene of his triumphs and + disasters; rebuilt the Roost, and reared again on high its glittering + weather-cocks. + </p> + <p> + Does any one want further particulars of the fortunes of this eventful + little pile? Let him go to the fountain-head, and drink deep of historic + truth. Reader! the stout Jacob Van Tassel still lives, a venerable, + gray-headed patriarch of the revolution, now in his ninety-fifth year! He + sits by his fireside, in the ancient city of the Manhattoes, and passes + the long winter evenings, surrounded by his children, and grand-children, + and great-grand-children, all listening to his tales of the border wars, + and the heroic days of the Roost. His great goose-gun, too, is still in + existence, having been preserved for many years in a hollow tree, and + passed from hand to hand among the Dutch burghers, as a precious relique + of the revolution. It is now actually in possession of a contemporary of + the stout Jacob, one almost his equal in years, who treasures it up at his + house in the Bowerie of New-Amsterdam, hard by the ancient rural retreat + of the chivalric Peter Stuyvesant. I am not without hopes of one day + seeing this formidable piece of ordinance restored to its proper station + in the arsenal of the Roost. Before closing this historic document, I + cannot but advert to certain notions and traditions concerning the + venerable pile in question. Old-time edifices are apt to gather odd + fancies and superstitions about them, as they do moss and weather-stains; + and this is in a neighborhood a little given to old-fashioned notions, and + who look upon the Roost as somewhat of a fated mansion. A lonely, + rambling, down-hill lane leads to it, overhung with trees, with a wild + brook dashing along, and crossing and re-crossing it. This lane I found + some of the good people of the neighborhood shy of treading at night; why, + I could not for a long time ascertain; until I learned that one or two of + the rovers of the Tappan Sea, shot by the stout Jacob during the war, had + been buried hereabout, in unconsecrated ground. + </p> + <p> + Another local superstition is of a less gloomy kind, and one which I + confess I am somewhat disposed to cherish. The Tappan Sea, in front of the + Roost, is about three miles wide, bordered by a lofty line of waving and + rocky hills. Often, in the still twilight of a summer evening, when the + sea is like glass, with the opposite hills throwing their purple shadows + half across it, a low sound is heard, as of the steady, vigorous pull of + oars, far out in the middle of the stream, though not a boat is to be + descried. This I should have been apt to ascribe to some boat rowed along + under the shadows of the western shore, for sounds are conveyed to a great + distance by water, at such quiet hours, and I can distinctly hear the + baying of the watch-dogs at night, from the farms on the sides of the + opposite mountains. The ancient traditionists of the neighborhood, + however, religiously ascribed these sounds to a judgment upon one Rumbout + Van Dam, of Spiting Devil, who danced and drank late one Saturday night, + at a Dutch quilting frolic, at Kakiat, and set off alone for home in his + boat, on the verge of Sunday morning; swearing he would not land till he + reached Spiting Devil, if it took him a month of Sundays. He was never + seen afterward, but is often heard plying his oars across the Tappan Sea, + a Flying Dutchman on a small scale, suited to the size of his + cruising-ground; being doomed to ply between Kakiat and Spiting Devil till + the day of judgment, but never to reach the land. + </p> + <p> + There is one room in the mansion which almost overhangs the river, and is + reputed to be haunted by the ghost of a young lady who died of love and + green apples. I have been awakened at night by the sound of oars and the + tinkling of guitars beneath the window; and seeing a boat loitering in the + moonlight, have been tempted to believe it the Flying Dutchman of Spiting + Devil, and to try whether a silver bullet might not put an end to his + unhappy cruisings; but, happening to recollect that there was a living + young lady in the haunted room, who might be terrified by the report of + fire-arms, I have refrained from pulling trigger. + </p> + <p> + As to the enchanted fountain, said to have been gifted by the wizard + sachem with supernatural powers, it still wells up at the foot of the + bank, on the margin of the river, and goes by the name of the Indian + spring; but I have my doubts as to its rejuvenating powers, for though I + have drank oft and copiously of it, I cannot boast that I find myself + growing younger. + </p> + <h3> + GEOFFREY CRAYON. + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + SLEEPY HOLLOW. + </h2> + <p> + HAVING pitched my tent, probably for the remainder of my days, in the + neighborhood of Sleepy Hollow, I am tempted to give some few particulars + concerning that spell-bound region; especially as it has risen to historic + importance under the pen of my revered friend and master, the sage + historian of the New Netherlands. Beside, I find the very existence of the + place has been held in question by many; who, judging from its odd name + and from the odd stories current among the vulgar concerning it, have + rashly deemed the whole to be a fanciful creation, like the Lubber Land of + mariners. I must confess there is some apparent cause for doubt, in + consequence of the coloring given by the worthy Diedrich to his + descriptions of the Hollow; who, in this instance, has departed a little + from his usually sober if not severe style; beguiled, very probably, by + his predilection for the haunts of his youth, and by a certain lurking + taint of romance whenever any thing connected with the Dutch was to be + described. I shall endeavor to make up for this amiable error on the part + of my venerable and venerated friend by presenting the reader with a more + precise and statistical account of the Hollow; though I am not sure that I + shall not be prone to lapse in the end into the very error I am speaking + of, so potent is the witchery of the theme. + </p> + <p> + I believe it was the very peculiarity of its name and the idea of + something mystic and dreamy connected with it that first led me in my + boyish ramblings into Sleepy Hollow. The character of the valley seemed to + answer to the name; the slumber of past ages apparently reigned over it; + it had not awakened to the stir of improvement which had put all the rest + of the world in a bustle. Here reigned good, old long-forgotten fashions; + the men were in home-spun garbs, evidently the product of their own farms + and the manufacture of their own wives; the women were in primitive short + gowns and petticoats, with the venerable sun-bonnets of Holland origin. + The lower part of the valley was cut up into small farms, each consisting + of a little meadow and corn-field; an orchard of sprawling, gnarled + apple-trees, and a garden, where the rose, the marigold, and the hollyhock + were permitted to skirt the domains of the capacious cabbage, the aspiring + pea, and the portly pumpkin. Each had its prolific little mansion teeming + with children; with an old hat nailed against the wall for the + housekeeping wren; a motherly hen, under a coop on the grass-plot, + clucking to keep around her a brood of vagrant chickens; a cool, stone + well, with the moss-covered bucket suspended to the long balancing-pole, + according to the antediluvian idea of hydraulics; and its spinning-wheel + humming within doors, the patriarchal music of home manufacture. + </p> + <p> + The Hollow at that time was inhabited by families which had existed there + from the earliest times, and which, by frequent intermarriage, had become + so interwoven, as to make a kind of natural commonwealth. As the families + had grown larger the farms had grown smaller; every new generation + requiring a new subdivision, and few thinking of swarming from the native + hive. In this way that happy golden mean had been produced, so much + extolled by the poets, in which there was no gold and very little silver. + One thing which doubtless contributed to keep up this amiable mean was a + general repugnance to sordid labor. The sage inhabitants of Sleepy Hollow + had read in their Bible, which was the only book they studied, that labor + was originally inflicted upon man as a punishment of sin; they regarded + it, therefore, with pious abhorrence, and never humiliated themselves to + it but in cases of extremity. There seemed, in fact, to be a league and + covenant against it throughout the Hollow as against a common enemy. Was + any one compelled by dire necessity to repair his house, mend his fences, + build a barn, or get in a harvest, he considered it a great evil that + entitled him to call in the assistance or his friend? He accordingly + proclaimed a ‘bee’ or rustic gathering, whereupon all his + neighbors hurried to his aid like faithful allies; attacked the task with + the desperate energy of lazy men eager to overcome a job; and, when it was + accomplished, fell to eating and drinking, fiddling and dancing for very + joy that so great an amount of labor had been vanquished with so little + sweating of the brow. + </p> + <p> + Yet, let it not be supposed that this worthy community was without its + periods of arduous activity. Let but a flock of wild pigeons fly across + the valley and all Sleepy Hollow was wide awake in an instant. The pigeon + season had arrived. Every gun and net was forthwith in requisition. The + flail was thrown down on the barn floor; the spade rusted in the garden; + the plough stood idle in the furrow; every one was to the hillside and + stubble-field at daybreak to shoot or entrap the pigeons in their + periodical migrations. + </p> + <p> + So, likewise, let but the word be given that the shad were ascending the + Hudson, and the worthies of the Hollow were to be seen launched in boats + upon the river setting great stakes, and stretching their nets like + gigantic spider-webs half across the stream to the great annoyance of + navigators. Such are the wise provisions of Nature, by which she equalizes + rural affairs. A laggard at the plough is often extremely industrious with + the fowling-piece and fishing-net; and, whenever a man is an indifferent + farmer, he is apt to be a first-rate sportsman. For catching shad and wild + pigeons there were none throughout the country to compare with the lads of + Sleepy Hollow. + </p> + <p> + As I have observed, it was the dreamy nature of the name that first + beguiled me in the holiday rovings of boyhood into this sequestered + region. I shunned, however, the populous parts of the Hollow, and sought + its retired haunts far in the foldings of the hills, where the Pocantico + “winds its wizard stream” sometimes silently and darkly + through solemn woodlands; sometimes sparkling between grassy borders in + fresh, green meadows; sometimes stealing along the feet of rugged heights + under the balancing sprays of beech and chestnut trees. A thousand crystal + springs, with which this neighborhood abounds, sent down from the + hill-sides their whimpering rills, as if to pay tribute to the Pocantico. + In this stream I first essayed my unskilful hand at angling. I loved to + loiter along it with rod in hand, watching my float as it whirled amid the + eddies or drifted into dark holes under twisted roots and sunken logs, + where the largest fish are apt to lurk. I delighted to follow it into the + brown accesses of the woods; to throw by my fishing-gear and sit upon + rocks beneath towering oaks and clambering grape-vines; bathe my feet in + the cool current, and listen to the summer breeze playing among the + tree-tops. My boyish fancy clothed all nature around me with ideal charms, + and peopled it with the fairy beings I had read of in poetry and fable. + Here it was I gave full scope to my incipient habit of day dreaming, and + to a certain propensity, to weave up and tint sober realities with my own + whims and imaginings, which has sometimes made life a little too much like + an Arabian tale to me, and this “working-day world” rather + like a region of romance. + </p> + <p> + The great gathering-place of Sleepy Hollow in those days was the church. + It stood outside of the Hollow, near the great highway, on a green bank + shaded by trees, with the Pocantico sweeping round it and emptying itself + into a spacious mill-pond. At that time the Sleepy Hollow church was the + only place of worship for a wide neighborhood. It was a venerable edifice, + partly of stone and partly of brick, the latter having been brought from + Holland in the early days of the province, before the arts in the New + Netherlands could aspire to such a fabrication. On a stone above the porch + were inscribed the names of the founders, Frederick Filipsen, a mighty + patroon of the olden time, who reigned over a wide extent of this + neighborhood and held his seat of power at Yonkers; and his wife, Katrina + Van Courtlandt, of the no less potent line of the Van Courtlandts of + Croton, who lorded it over a great part of the Highlands. + </p> + <p> + The capacious pulpit, with its wide-spreading sounding-board, were + likewise early importations from Holland; as also the communion-table, of + massive form and curious fabric. The same might be said of a weather-cock + perched on top of the belfry, and which was considered orthodox in all + windy matters, until a small pragmatical rival was set up on the other end + of the church above the chancel. This latter bore, and still bears, the + initials of Frederick Filipsen, and assumed great airs in consequence. The + usual contradiction ensued that always exists among church weather-cocks, + which can never be brought to agree as to the point from which the wind + blows, having doubtless acquired, from their position, the Christian + propensity to schism and controversy. + </p> + <p> + Behind the church, and sloping up a gentle acclivity, was its capacious + burying-ground, in which slept the earliest fathers of this rural + neighborhood. Here were tombstones of the rudest sculpture; on which were + inscribed, in Dutch, the names and virtues of many of the first settlers, + with their portraitures curiously carved in similitude of cherubs. Long + rows of grave-stones, side by side, of similar names, but various dates, + showed that generation after generation of the same families had followed + each other and been garnered together in this last gathering-place of + kindred. + </p> + <p> + Let me speak of this quiet grave-yard with all due reverence, for I owe it + amends for the heedlessness of my boyish days. I blush to acknowledge the + thoughtless frolic with which, in company with other whipsters, I have + sported within its sacred bounds during the intervals of worship; chasing + butterflies, plucking wild flowers, or vying with each other who could + leap over the tallest tomb-stones, until checked by the stern voice of the + sexton. + </p> + <p> + The congregation was, in those days, of a really rural character. City + fashions were as yet unknown, or unregarded, by the country people of the + neighborhood. Steam-boats had not as yet confounded town with country. A + weekly market-boat from Tarry town, the “Farmers’ Daughter,” + navigated by the worthy Gabriel Requa, was the only communication between + all these parts and the metropolis. A rustic belle in those days + considered a visit to the city in much the same light as one of our modern + fashionable ladies regards a visit to Europe; an event that may possibly + take place once in the course of a lifetime, but to be hoped for, rather + than expected. Hence the array of the congregation was chiefly after the + primitive fashions existing in Sleepy Hollow; or if, by chance, there was + a departure from the Dutch sun-bonnet, or the apparition of a bright gown + of flowered calico, it caused quite a sensation throughout the church. As + the dominie generally preached by the hour, a bucket of water was + providently placed on a bench near the door, in summer, with a tin cup + beside it, for the solace of those who might be athirst, either from the + heat of the weather, or the drouth of the sermon. + </p> + <p> + Around the pulpit, and behind the communion-table, sat the elders of the + church, reverend, gray-headed, leathern-visaged men, whom I regarded with + awe, as so many apostles. They were stern in their sanctity, kept a + vigilant eye upon my giggling companions and myself, and shook a rebuking + finger at any boyish device to relieve the tediousness of compulsory + devotion. Vain, however, were all their efforts at vigilance. Scarcely had + the preacher held forth for half an hour, on one of his interminable + sermons, than it seemed as if the drowsy influence of Sleepy Hollow + breathed into the place; one by one the congregation sank into slumber; + the sanctified elders leaned back in their pews, spreading their + handkerchiefs over their faces, as if to keep off the flies; while the + locusts in the neighboring trees would spin out their sultry summer notes, + as if in imitation of the sleep-provoking tones of the dominie. + </p> + <p> + I have thus endeavored to give an idea of Sleepy Hollow and its church, as + I recollect them to have been in the days of my boyhood. It was in my + stripling days, when a few years had passed over my head, that I revisited + them, in company with the venerable Diedrich. I shall never forget the + antiquarian reverence with which that sage and excellent man contemplated + the church. It seemed as if all his pious enthusiasm for the ancient Dutch + dynasty swelled within his bosom at the sight. The tears stood in his + eyes, as he regarded the pulpit and the communion-table; even the very + bricks that had come from the mother country, seemed to touch a filial + chord within his bosom. He almost bowed in deference to the stone above + the porch, containing the names of Frederick Filipsen and Katrina Van + Courtlandt, regarding it as the linking together of those patronymic + names, once so famous along the banks of the Hudson; or rather as a + key-stone, binding that mighty Dutch family connexion of yore, one foot of + which rested on Yonkers, and the other on the Groton. Nor did he forbear + to notice with admiration, the windy contest which had been carried on, + since time immemorial, and with real Dutch perseverance, between the two + weather-cocks; though I could easily perceive he coincided with the one + which had come from Holland. + </p> + <p> + Together we paced the ample church-yard. With deep veneration would he + turn down the weeds and brambles that obscured the modest brown + grave-stones, half sunk in earth, on which were recorded, in Dutch, the + names of the patriarchs of ancient days, the Ackers, the Van Tassels, and + the Van Warts. As we sat on one of the tomb-stones, he recounted to me the + exploits of many of these worthies; and my heart smote me, when I heard of + their great doings in days of yore, to think how heedlessly I had once + sported over their graves. + </p> + <p> + From the church, the venerable Diedrich proceeded in his researches up the + Hollow. The genius of the place seemed to hail its future historian. All + nature was alive with gratulation. The quail whistled a greeting from the + corn-field; the robin carolled a song of praise from the orchard; the + loquacious catbird flew from bush to bush, with restless wing, proclaiming + his approach in every variety of note, and anon would whisk about, and + perk inquisitively into his face, as if to get a knowledge of his + physiognomy; the wood-pecker, also, tapped a tattoo on the hollow + apple-tree, and then peered knowingly round the trunk, to see how the + great Diedrich relished his salutation; while the ground-squirrel + scampered along the fence, and occasionally whisked his tail over his + head, by way of a huzza! + </p> + <p> + The worthy Diedrich pursued his researches in the valley with + characteristic devotion; entering familiarly into the various cottages, + and gossiping with the simple folk, in the style of their own simplicity. + I confess my heart yearned with admiration, to see so great a man, in his + eager quest after knowledge, humbly demeaning himself to curry favor with + the humblest; sitting patiently on a three-legged stool, patting the + children, and taking a purring grimalkin on his lap, while he conciliated + the good-will of the old Dutch housewife, and drew from her long ghost + stories, spun out to the humming accompaniment of her wheel. + </p> + <p> + His greatest treasure of historic lore, however, was discovered in an old + goblin-looking mill, situated among rocks and waterfalls, with clanking + wheels, and rushing streams, and all kinds of uncouth noises. A + horse-shoe, nailed to the door to keep off witches and evil spirits, + showed that this mill was subject to awful visitations. As we approached + it, an old negro thrust his head, all dabbled with flour, out of a hole + above the water-wheel, and grinned, and rolled his eyes, and looked like + the very hobgoblin of the place. The illustrious Diedrich fixed upon him, + at once, as the very one to give him that invaluable kind of information + never to be acquired from books. He beckoned him from his nest, sat with + him by the hour on a broken mill-stone, by the side of the waterfall, + heedless of the noise of the water, and the clatter of the mill; and I + verily believe it was to his conference with this African sage, and the + precious revelations of the good dame of the spinning-wheel, that we are + indebted for the surprising though true history of Ichabod Crane and the + headless horseman, which has since astounded and edified the world. + </p> + <p> + But I have said enough of the good old times of my youthful days; let me + speak of the Hollow as I found it, after an absence of many years, when it + was kindly given me once more to revisit the haunts of my boyhood. It was + a genial day, as I approached that fated region. The warm sunshine was + tempered by a slight haze, so as to give a dreamy effect to the landscape. + Not a breath of air shook the foliage. The broad Tappan Sea was without a + ripple, and the sloops, with drooping sails, slept on its grassy bosom. + Columns of smoke, from burning brush-wood, rose lazily from the folds of + the hills, on the opposite side of the river, and slowly expanded in + mid-air. The distant lowing of a cow, or the noontide crowing of a cock, + coming faintly to the ear, seemed to illustrate, rather than disturb, the + drowsy quiet of the scene. + </p> + <p> + I entered the hollow with a beating heart. Contrary to my apprehensions, I + found it but little changed. The march of intellect, which had made such + rapid strides along every river and highway, had not yet, apparently, + turned down into this favored valley. Perhaps the wizard spell of ancient + days still reigned over the place, binding up the faculties of the + inhabitants in happy contentment with things as they had been handed down + to them from yore. There were the same little farms and farmhouses, with + their old hats for the housekeeping wren; their stone wells, moss-covered + buckets, and long balancing poles. There were the same little rills, + whimpering down to pay their tributes to the Pocantico; while that wizard + stream still kept on its course, as of old, through solemn woodlands and + fresh green meadows: nor were there wanting joyous holiday boys to loiter + along its banks, as I have done; throw their pin-hooks in the stream, or + launch their mimic barks. I watched them with a kind of melancholy + pleasure, wondering whether they were under the same spell of the fancy + that once rendered this valley a fairy land to me. Alas! alas! to me every + thing now stood revealed in its simple reality. The echoes no longer + answered with wizard tongues; the dream of youth was at an end; the spell + of Sleepy Hollow was broken! + </p> + <p> + I sought the ancient church on the following Sunday. There it stood, on + its green bank, among the trees; the Pocantico swept by it in a deep dark + stream, where I had so often angled; there expanded the mill-pond, as of + old, with the cows under the willows on its margin, knee-deep in water, + chewing the cud, and lashing the flies from their sides with their tails. + The hand of improvement, however, had been busy with the venerable pile. + The pulpit, fabricated in Holland, had been superseded by one of modern + construction, and the front of the semi-Gothic edifice was decorated by a + semi-Grecian portico. Fortunately, the two weather-cocks remained + undisturbed on their perches at each end of the church, and still kept up + a diametrical opposition to each other on all points of windy doctrine. + </p> + <p> + On entering the church the changes of time continued to be apparent. The + elders round the pulpit were men whom I had left in the gamesome frolic of + their youth, but who had succeeded to the sanctity of station of which + they once had stood so much in awe. What most struck my eye was the change + in the female part of the congregation. Instead of the primitive garbs of + homespun manufacture and antique Dutch fashion, I beheld French sleeves, + French capes, and French collars, and a fearful-fluttering of French + ribbands. + </p> + <p> + When the service was ended I sought the church-yard, in which I had + sported in my unthinking days of boyhood. Several of the modest brown + stones, on which were recorded in Dutch the names and virtues of the + patriarchs, had disappeared, and had been succeeded by others of white + marble, with urns and wreaths, and scraps of English tomb-stone poetry, + marking the intrusion of taste and literature and the English language in + this once unsophisticated Dutch neighborhood. + </p> + <p> + As I was stumbling about among these silent yet eloquent memorials of the + dead, I came upon names familiar to me; of those who had paid the debt of + nature during the long interval of my absence. Some, I remembered, my + companions in boyhood, who had sported with me on the very sod under which + they were now mouldering; others who in those days had been the flower of + the yeomanry, figuring in Sunday finery on the church green; others, the + white-haired elders of the sanctuary, once arrayed in awful sanctity + around the pulpit, and ever ready to rebuke the ill-timed mirth of the + wanton stripling who, now a man, sobered by years and schooled by + vicissitudes, looked down pensively upon their graves. “Our fathers,” + thought I, “where are they!—and the prophets, can they live + for ever!” + </p> + <p> + I was disturbed in my meditations by the noise of a troop of idle urchins, + who came gambolling about the place where I had so often gambolled. They + were checked, as I and my playmates had often been, by the voice of the + sexton, a man staid in years and demeanor. I looked wistfully in his face; + had I met him any where else, I should probably have passed him by without + remark; but here I was alive to the traces of former times, and detected + in the demure features of this guardian of the sanctuary the lurking + lineaments of one of the very playmates I have alluded to. We renewed our + acquaintance. He sat down beside me, on one of the tomb-stones over which + we had leaped in our juvenile sports, and we talked together about our + boyish days, and held edifying discourse on the instability of all + sublunary things, as instanced in the scene around us. He was rich in + historic lore, as to the events of the last thirty years and the + circumference of thirty miles, and from him I learned the appalling + revolution that was taking place throughout the neighborhood. All this I + clearly perceived he attributed to the boasted march of intellect, or + rather to the all-pervading influence of steam. He bewailed the times when + the only communication with town was by the weekly market-boat, the + “Farmers’ Daughter,” which, under the pilotage of the + worthy Gabriel Requa, braved the perils of the Tappan Sea. Alas! Gabriel + and the “Farmer’s Daughter” slept in peace. Two + steamboats now splashed and paddled up daily to the little rural port of + Tarrytown. The spirit of speculation and improvement had seized even upon + that once quiet and unambitious little dorp. The whole neighborhood was + laid out into town lots. Instead of the little tavern below the hill, + where the farmers used to loiter on market days and indulge in cider and + gingerbread, an ambitious hotel, with cupola and verandas, now crested the + summit, among churches built in the Grecian and Gothic styles, showing the + great increase of piety and polite taste in the neighborhood. As to Dutch + dresses and sun-bonnets, they were no longer tolerated, or even thought + of; not a farmer’s daughter but now went to town for the fashions; + nay, a city milliner had recently set up in the village, who threatened to + reform the heads of the whole neighborhood. + </p> + <p> + I had heard enough! I thanked my old playmate for his intelligence, and + departed from the Sleepy Hollow church with the sad conviction that I had + beheld the last lingerings of the good old Dutch times in this once + favored region. If any thing were wanting to confirm this impression, it + would be the intelligence which has just reached me, that a bank is about + to be established in the aspiring little port just mentioned. The fate of + the neighborhood is therefore sealed. I see no hope of averting it. The + golden mean is at an end, The country is suddenly to be deluged with + wealth. The late simple farmers are to become bank directors and drink + claret and champagne; and their wives and daughters to figure in French + hats and feathers; for French wines and French fashions commonly keep pace + with paper money. How can I hope that even Sleepy Hollow can escape the + general inundation? In a little while, I fear the slumber of ages will be + at end—the strum of the piano will succeed to the hum of the + spinning-wheel; the trill of the Italian opera to the nasal quaver of + Ichabod Crane; and the antiquarian visitor to the Hollow, in the petulance + of his disappointment, may pronounce all that I have recorded of that once + favored region a fable. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE BIRDS OF SPRING. + </h2> + <p> + My quiet residence in the country, aloof from fashion, politics, and the + money market, leaves me rather at a loss for important occupation, and + drives me to the study of nature, and other low pursuits. Having few + neighbors, also, on whom to keep a watch, and exercise my habits of + observation, I am fain to amuse myself with prying into the domestic + concerns and peculiarities of the animals around me; and, during the + present season, have derived considerable entertainment from certain + sociable little birds, almost the only visitors we have, during this early + part of the year. + </p> + <p> + Those who have passed the winter in the country, are sensible of the + delightful influences that accompany the earliest indications of spring; + and of these, none are more delightful than the first notes of the birds. + There is one modest little sad-colored bird, much resembling a wren, which + came about the house just on the skirts of winter, when not a blade of + grass was to be seen, and when a few prematurely warm days had given a + flattering foretaste of soft weather. He sang early in the dawning, long + before sun-rise, and late in the evening, just before the closing in of + night, his matin and his vesper hymns. It is true, he sang occasionally + throughout the day; but at these still hours, his song was more remarked. + He sat on a leafless tree, just before the window, and warbled forth his + notes, free and simple, but singularly sweet, with something of a + plaintive tone, that heightened their effect. The first morning that he + was heard, was a joyous one among the young folks of my household. The + long, deathlike sleep of winter was at an end; nature was once more + awakening; they now promised themselves the immediate appearance of buds + and blossoms. I was reminded of the tempest-tossed crew of Columbus, when, + after their long dubious voyage, the field birds came singing round the + ship, though still far at sea, rejoicing them with the belief of the + immediate proximity of land. A sharp return of winter almost silenced my + little songster, and dashed the hilarity of the household; yet still he + poured forth, now and then, a few plaintive notes, between the frosty + pipings of the breeze, like gleams of sunshine between wintry clouds. + </p> + <p> + I have consulted my book of ornithology in vain, to find out the name of + this kindly little bird, who certainly deserves honor and favor far beyond + his modest pretensions. He comes like the lowly violet, the most + unpretending, but welcomest of flowers, breathing the sweet promise of the + early year. + </p> + <p> + Another of our feathered visitors, who follows close upon the steps of + winter, is the Pe-wit, or Pe-wee, or Phoebe-bird; for he is called by each + of these names, from a fancied resemblance to the sound of his monotonous + note. He is a sociable little being, and seeks the habitation of man. A + pair of them have built beneath my porch, and have reared several broods + there for two years past, their nest being never disturbed. They arrive + early in the spring, just when the crocus and the snow-drop begin to peep + forth. Their first chirp spreads gladness through the house. “The + Phoebe-birds have come!” is heard on all sides; they are welcomed + back like members of the family, and speculations are made upon where they + have been, and what countries they have seen during their long absence. + Their arrival is the more cheering, as it is pronounced, by the old + weather-wise people of the country, the sure sign that the severe frosts + are at an end, and that the gardener may resume his labors with + confidence. + </p> + <p> + About this time, too, arrives the blue-bird, so poetically yet truly + described by Wilson. His appearance gladdens the whole landscape. You hear + his soft warble in every field. He sociably approaches your habitation, + and takes up his residence in your vicinity. But why should I attempt to + describe him, when I have Wilson’s own graphic verses to place him + before the reader? + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + When winter’s cold tempests and snows are no more, + Green meadows and brown furrowed fields re-appearing: + The fishermen hauling their shad to the shore, + And cloud-cleaving geese to the lakes are a-steering; + When first the lone butterfly flits on the wing, + When red glow the maples, so fresh and so pleasing, + O then comes the blue-bird, the herald of spring, + And hails with his warblings the charms of the season. + + The loud-piping frogs make the marshes to ring; + Then warm glows the sunshine, and warm glows the weather; + The blue woodland flowers just beginning to spring, + And spice-wood and sassafras budding together; + O then to your gardens, ye housewives, repair, + Your walks border up, sow and plant at your leisure; + The blue-bird will chant from his box such an air, + That all your hard toils will seem truly a pleasure. + + He flits through the orchard, he visits each tree, + The red flowering peach, and the apple’s sweet blossoms; + He snaps up destroyers, wherever they be, + And seizes the caitiffs that lurk in their bosoms; + He drags the vile grub from the corn it devours, + The worms from the webs where they riot and welter; + His song and his services freely are ours, + And all that he asks is, in summer a shelter. + + The ploughman is pleased when he gleams in his train, + Now searching the furrows, now mounting to cheer him; + The gard’ner delights in his sweet simple strain, + And leans on his spade to survey and to hear him. + The slow lingering school-boys forget they’ll be chid, + While gazing intent, as he warbles before them, + In mantle of sky-blue, and bosom so red, + That each little loiterer seems to adore him. +</pre> + <p> + The happiest bird of our spring, however, and one that rivals the European + lark, in my estimation, is the Boblincon, or Boblink, as he is commonly + called. He arrives at that choice portion of our year, which, in this + latitude, answers to the description of the month of May, so often given + by the poets. With us, it begins about the middle of May, and lasts until + nearly the middle of June. Earlier than this, winter is apt to return on + its traces, and to blight the opening beauties of the year; and later than + this, begin the parching, and panting, and dissolving heats of summer. But + in this genial interval, nature is in all her freshness and fragrance: + “the rains are over and gone, the flowers appear upon the earth, the + time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard + in the land.” The trees are now in their fullest foliage and + brightest verdure; the woods are gay with the clustered flowers of the + laurel; the air is perfumed by the sweet-briar and the wild rose; the + meadows are enamelled with clover-blossoms; while the young apple, the + peach, and the plum, begin to swell, and the cherry to glow, among the + green leaves. + </p> + <p> + This is the chosen season of revelry of the Boblink. He comes amidst the + pomp and fragrance of the season; his life seems all sensibility and + enjoyment, all song and sunshine. He is to be found in the soft bosoms of + the freshest and sweetest meadows; and is most in song when the clover is + in blossom. He perches on the topmost twig of a tree, or on some long + flaunting weed; and as he rises and sinks with the breeze, pours forth a + succession of rich tinkling notes; crowding one upon another, like the + outpouring melody of the skylark, and possessing the same rapturous + character. Sometimes he pitches from the summit of a tree, begins his song + as soon as he gets upon the wing, and flutters tremulously down to the + earth, as if overcome with ecstasy at his own music. Sometimes he is in + pursuit of his paramour; always in full song, as if he would win her by + his melody; and always with the same appearance of intoxication and + delight. + </p> + <p> + Of all the birds of our groves and meadows, the Boblink was the envy of my + boyhood. He crossed my path in the sweetest weather, and the sweetest + season of the year, when all nature called to the fields, and the rural + feeling throbbed in every bosom; but when I, luckless urchin! was doomed + to be mewed up, during the livelong day, in that purgatory of boyhood, a + school-room. It seemed as if the little varlet mocked at me, as he flew by + in full song, and sought to taunt me with his happier lot. Oh, how I + envied him! No lessons, no tasks, no hateful school; nothing but holiday, + frolic, green fields, and fine weather. Had I been then more versed in + poetry, I might have addressed him in the words of Logan to the cuckoo: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Sweet bird! thy bower is ever green, + Thy sky is ever clear; + Thou hast no sorrow in thy note, + No winter in thy year. + + Oh! could I fly, I’d fly with thee; + We’d make, on joyful wing, + Our annual visit round the globe, + Companions of the spring! +</pre> + <p> + Farther observation and experience have given me a different idea of this + little feathered voluptuary, which I will venture to impart, for the + benefit of my school-boy readers, who may regard him with the same + unqualified envy and admiration which I once indulged. I have shown him + only as I saw him at first, in what I may call the poetical part of his + career, when he in a manner devoted himself to elegant pursuits and + enjoyments, and was a bird of music, and song, and taste, and sensibility, + and refinement. While this lasted, he was sacred from injury; the very + school-boy would not fling a stone at him, and the merest rustic would + pause to listen to his strain. But mark the difference. As the year + advances, as the clover-blossoms disappear, and the spring fades into + summer, his notes cease to vibrate on the ear. He gradually gives up his + elegant tastes and habits, doffs his poetical and professional suit of + black, assumes a russet or rather dusty garb, and enters into the gross + enjoyments of common, vulgar birds. He becomes a bon-vivant, a mere + gourmand; thinking of nothing but good cheer, and gormandizing on the + seeds of the long grasses on which he lately swung, and chaunted so + musically. He begins to think there is nothing like “the joys of the + table,” if I may be allowed to apply that convivial phrase to his + indulgences. He now grows discontented with plain, every-day fare, and + sets out on a gastronomical tour, in search of foreign luxuries. He is to + be found in myriads among the reeds of the Delaware, banqueting on their + seeds; grows corpulent with good feeding, and soon acquires the unlucky + renown of the ortolan. Whereever he goes, pop! pop! pop! the rusty + firelocks of the country are cracking on every side; he sees his + companions falling by the thousands around him; he is the <i>reed-bird</i>, + the much-sought-for tit-bit of the Pennsylvanian epicure. + </p> + <p> + Does he take warning and reform? Not he! He wings his flight still farther + south, in search of other luxuries. We hear of him gorging himself in the + rice swamps; filling himself with rice almost to bursting; he can hardly + fly for corpulency. Last stage of his career, we hear of him spitted by + dozens, and served up on the table of the gourmand, the most vaunted of + southern dainties, the <i>rice-bird</i> of the Carolinas. + </p> + <p> + Such is the story of the once musical and admired, but finally sensual and + persecuted Boblink. It contains a moral, worthy the attention of all + little birds and little boys; warning them to keep to those refined and + intellectual pursuits, which raised him to so high a pitch of popularity, + during the early part of his career; but to eschew all tendency to that + gross and dissipated indulgence, which brought this mistaken little bird + to an untimely end. + </p> + <p> + Which is all at present, from the well-wisher of little boys and little + birds, + </p> + <h3> + GEOFFREY CRAYON. + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + RECOLLECTIONS OF THE ALHAMBRA. + </h2> + <h3> + By The Author Of The Sketch-Book. + </h3> + <p> + During a summer’s residence in the old Moorish palace of the + Alhambra, of which I have already given numerous anecdotes to the public, + I used to pass much of my time in the beautiful hall of the Abencerrages, + beside the fountain celebrated in the tragic story of that devoted race. + Here it was, that thirty-six cavaliers of that heroic line were + treacherously sacrificed, to appease the jealousy or allay the fears of a + tyrant. The fountain which now throws up its sparkling jet, and sheds a + dewy freshness around, ran red with the noblest blood of Granada, and a + deep stain on the marble pavement is still pointed out, by the cicerones + of the pile, as a sanguinary record of the massacre. I have regarded it + with the same determined faith with which I have regarded the traditional + stains of Rizzio’s blood on the floor of the chamber of the + unfortunate Mary, at Holyrood. I thank no one for endeavoring to enlighten + my credulity, on such points of popular belief. It is like breaking up the + shrine of the pilgrim; it is robbing a poor traveller of half the reward + of his toils; for, strip travelling of its historical illusions, and what + a mere fag you make of it! + </p> + <p> + For my part, I gave myself up, during my sojourn in the Alhambra, to all + the romantic and fabulous traditions connected with the pile. I lived in + the midst of an Arabian tale, and shut my eyes, as much as possible, to + every thing that called me back to every-day life; and if there is any + country in Europe where one can do so, it is in poor, wild, legendary, + proud-spirited, romantic Spain; where the old magnificent barbaric spirit + still contends against the utilitarianism of modern civilization. + </p> + <p> + In the silent and deserted halls of the Alhambra; surrounded with the + insignia of regal sway, and the still vivid, though dilapidated traces of + oriental voluptuousness, I was in the strong-hold of Moorish story, and + every thing spoke and breathed of the glorious days of Granada, when under + the dominion of the crescent. When I sat in the hall of the Abencerrages, + I suffered my mind to conjure up all that I had read of that illustrious + line. In the proudest days of Moslem domination, the Abencerrages were the + soul of every thing noble and chivalrous. The veterans of the family, who + sat in the royal council, were the foremost to devise those heroic + enterprises, which carried dismay into the territories of the Christians; + and what the sages of the family devised, the young men of the name were + the foremost to execute. In all services of hazard; in all adventurous + forays, and hair-breadth hazards; the Abencerrages were sure to win the + brightest laurels. In those noble recreations, too, which bear so close an + affinity to war; in the tilt and tourney, the riding at the ring, and the + daring bull-fight; still the Abencerrages carried off the palm. None could + equal them for the splendor of their array, the gallantry of their + devices; for their noble bearing, and glorious horsemanship. Their + open-handed munificence made them the idols of the populace, while their + lofty magnanimity, and perfect faith, gained them golden opinions from the + generous and high-minded. Never were they known to decry the merits of a + rival, or to betray the confidings of a friend; and the “word of an + Abencerrage” was a guarantee that never admitted of a doubt. + </p> + <p> + And then their devotion to the fair! Never did Moorish beauty consider the + fame of her charms established, until she had an Abencerrage for a lover; + and never did an Abencerrage prove recreant to his vows. Lovely Granada! + City of delights! Who ever bore the favors of thy dames more proudly on + their casques, or championed them more gallantly in the chivalrous tilts + of the Vivarambla? Or who ever made thy moon-lit balconies, thy gardens of + myrtles and roses, of oranges, citrons, and pomegranates, respond to more + tender serenades? + </p> + <p> + I speak with enthusiasm on this theme; for it is connected with the + recollection of one of the sweetest evenings and sweetest scenes that ever + I enjoyed in Spain. One of the greatest pleasures of the Spaniards is, to + sit in the beautiful summer evenings, and listen to traditional ballads, + and tales about the wars of the Moors and Christians, and the “buenas + andanzas” and “grandes hechos,” the “good fortunes” + and “great exploits” of the hardy warriors of yore. It is + worthy of remark, also, that many of these songs, or romances, as they are + called, celebrate the prowess and magnanimity in war, and the tenderness + and, fidelity in love, of the Moorish cavaliers, once their most + formidable and hated foes. But centuries have elapsed, to extinguish the + bigotry of the zealot; and the once detested warriors of Granada are now + held up by Spanish poets, as the mirrors of chivalric virtue. + </p> + <p> + Such was the amusement of the evening in question. A number of us were + seated in the Hall of the Abencerrages, listening to one of the most + gifted and fascinating beings that I had ever met with in my wanderings. + She was young and beautiful; and light and ethereal; full of fire, and + spirit, and pure enthusiasm. She wore the fanciful Andalusian dress; + touched the guitar with speaking eloquence; improvised with wonderful + facility; and, as she became excited by her theme, or by the rapt + attention of her auditors, would pour forth, in the richest and most + melodious strains, a succession of couplets, full of striking description, + or stirring narration, and composed, as I was assured, at the moment. Most + of these were suggested by the place, and related to the ancient glories + of Granada, and the prowess of her chivalry. The Abencerrages were her + favorite heroes; she felt a woman’s admiration of their gallant + courtesy, and high-souled honor; and it was touching and inspiring to hear + the praises of that generous but devoted race, chanted in this fated hall + of their calamity, by the lips of Spanish beauty. + </p> + <p> + Among the subjects of which she treated, was a tale of Moslem honor, and + old-fashioned Spanish courtesy, which made a strong impression on me. She + disclaimed all merit of invention, however, and said she had merely + dilated into verse a popular tradition; and, indeed, I have since found + the main facts inserted at the end of Conde’s History of the + Domination of the Arabs, and the story itself embodied in the form of an + episode in the Diana of Montemayor. From these sources I have drawn it + forth, and endeavored to shape it according to my recollection of the + version of the beautiful minstrel; but, alas! what can supply the want of + that voice, that look, that form, that action, which gave magical effect + to her chant, and held every one rapt in breathless admiration! Should + this mere travestie of her inspired numbers ever meet her eye, in her + stately abode at Granada, may it meet with that indulgence which belongs + to her benignant nature. Happy should I be, if it could awaken in her + bosom one kind recollection of the lonely stranger and sojourner, for + whose gratification she did not think it beneath her to exert those + fascinating powers which were the delight of brilliant circles; and who + will ever recall with enthusiasm the happy evening passed in listening to + her strains, in the moon-lit halls of the Alhambra. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0007" id="link2H_4_0007"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE ABENCERRAGE. + </h2> + <h3> + A SPANISH TALE. + </h3> + <p> + On the summit of a craggy hill, a spur of the mountains of Ronda, stands + the castle of Allora, now a mere ruin, infested by bats and owlets, but in + old times one of the strong border holds of the Christians, to keep watch + upon the frontiers of the warlike kingdom of Granada, and to hold the + Moors in check. It was a post always confided to some well-tried + commander; and, at the time of which we treat, was held by Rodrigo de + Narvaez, a veteran, famed, both among Moors and Christians, not only for + his hardy feats of arms, but also for that magnanimous courtesy which + should ever be entwined with the sterner virtues of the soldier. + </p> + <p> + The castle of Allora was a mere part of his command; he was Alcayde, or + military governor of Antiquera, but he passed most of his time at this + frontier post, because its situation on the borders gave more frequent + opportunity for those adventurous exploits which were the delight of the + Spanish chivalry. His garrison consisted of fifty chosen cavaliers, all + well mounted and well appointed: with these he kept vigilant watch upon + the Moslems; patrolling the roads, and paths, and defiles of the + mountains, so that nothing could escape his eye; and now and then + signalizing himself by some dashing foray into the very Vega of Granada. + </p> + <p> + On a fair and beautiful night in summer, when the freshness of the evening + breeze had tempered the heat of day, the worthy Alcayde sallied forth, + with nine of his cavaliers, to patrol the neighborhood, and seek + adventures. They rode quietly and cautiously, lest they should be + overheard by Moorish scout or traveller; and kept along ravines and hollow + ways, lest they should be betrayed by the glittering of the full moon upon + their armor. Coming to where the road divided, the Alcayde directed five + of his cavaliers to take one of the branches, while he, with the remaining + four, would take the other. Should either party be in danger, the blast of + a horn was to be the signal to bring their comrades to their aid. + </p> + <p> + The party of five had not proceeded far, when, in passing through a + defile, overhung with trees, they heard the voice of a man, singing. They + immediately concealed themselves in a grove, on the brow of a declivity, + up which the stranger would have to ascend. The moonlight, which left the + grove in deep shadow, lit up the whole person of the wayfarer, as he + advanced, and enabled them to distinguish his dress and appearance with + perfect accuracy. He was a Moorish cavalier, and his noble demeanor, + graceful carriage, and splendid attire showed him to be of lofty rank. He + was superbly mounted, on a dapple-gray steed, of powerful frame, and + generous spirit, and magnificently caparisoned. His dress was a marlota, + or tunic, and an Albernoz of crimson damask, fringed with gold. His + Tunisian turban, of many folds, was of silk and cotton, striped, and + bordered with golden fringe. At his girdle hung a scimitar of Damascus + steel, with loops and tassels of silk and gold. On his left arm he bore an + ample target, and his right hand grasped a long double-pointed lance. Thus + equipped, he sat negligently on his steed, as one who dreamed of no + danger, gazing on the moon, and singing, with a sweet and manly voice, a + Moorish love ditty. + </p> + <p> + Just opposite the place where the Spanish cavaliers were concealed, was a + small fountain in the rock, beside the road, to which the horse turned to + drink; the rider threw the reins on his neck, and continued his song. + </p> + <p> + The Spanish cavaliers conferred together; they were all so pleased with + the gallant and gentle appearance of the Moor, that they resolved not to + harm, but to capture him, which, in his negligent mood, promised to be an + easy task; rushing, therefore, from their concealment, they thought to + surround and seize him. Never were men more mistaken. To gather up his + reins, wheel round his steed, brace his buckler, and couch his lance, was + the work of an instant; and there he sat, fixed like a castle in his + saddle, beside the fountain. + </p> + <p> + The Christian cavaliers checked their steeds and reconnoitered him warily, + loth to come to an encounter, which must end in his destruction. + </p> + <p> + The Moor now held a parley: “If you be true knights,” said he, + “and seek for honorable fame, come on, singly, and I am ready to + meet each in succession; but if you be mere lurkers of the road, intent on + spoil, come all at once, and do your worst!” + </p> + <p> + The cavaliers communed for a moment apart, when one, advancing singly, + exclaimed: “Although no law of chivalry obliges us to risk the loss + of a prize, when clearly in our power, yet we willingly grant, as a + courtesy, what we might refuse as a right. Valiant Moor! defend thyself!” + So saying, he wheeled, took proper distance, couched his lance, and + putting spurs to his horse, made at the stranger. The latter met him in + mid career, transpierced him with his lance, and threw him headlong from + his saddle. A second and a third succeeded, but were unhorsed with equal + facility, and thrown to the earth, severely wounded. The remaining two, + seeing their comrades thus roughly treated, forgot all compact of + courtesy, and charged both at once upon the Moor. He parried the thrust of + one, but was wounded by the other in the thigh, and, in the shock and + confusion, dropped his lance. Thus disarmed, and closely pressed, he + pretended to fly, and was hotly pursued. Having drawn the two cavaliers + some distance from the spot, he suddenly wheeled short about, with one of + those dexterous movements for which the Moorish horsemen are renowned; + passed swiftly between them, swung himself down from his saddle, so as to + catch up his lance, then, lightly replacing himself, turned to renew the + combat. + </p> + <p> + Seeing him thus fresh for the encounter, as if just issued from his tent, + one of the cavaliers put his lips to his horn, and blew a blast, that soon + brought the Alcayde and his four companions to the spot. + </p> + <p> + The valiant Narvaez, seeing three of his cavaliers extended on the earth, + and two others hotly engaged with the Moor, was struck with admiration, + and coveted a contest with so accomplished a warrior. Interfering in the + fight, he called upon his followers to desist, and addressing the Moor, + with courteous words, invited him to a more equal combat. The latter + readily accepted the challenge. For some time, their contest was fierce + and doubtful; and the Alcayde had need of all his skill and strength to + ward off the blows of his antagonist. The Moor, however, was exhausted by + previous fighting, and by loss of blood. He no longer sat his horse + firmly, nor managed him with his wonted skill. Collecting all his strength + for a last assault, he rose in his stirrups, and made a violent thrust + with his lance; the Alcayde received it upon his shield, and at the same + time wounded the Moor in the right arm; then closing, in the shock, he + grasped him in his arms, dragged him from his saddle, and fell with him to + the earth: when putting his knee upon his breast, and his dagger to his + throat, “Cavalier,” exclaimed he, “render thyself my + prisoner, for thy life is in my hands!” + </p> + <p> + “Kill me, rather,” replied the Moor, “for death would be + less grievous than loss of liberty.” The Alcayde, however, with the + clemency of the truly brave, assisted the Moor to rise, ministered to his + wounds with his own hands, and had him conveyed with great care to the + castle of Allora. His wounds were slight, and in a few days were nearly + cured; but the deepest wound had been inflicted on his spirit. He was + constantly buried in a profound melancholy. + </p> + <p> + The Alcayde, who had conceived a great regard for him, treated him more as + a friend than a captive, and tried in every way to cheer him, but in vain; + he was always sad and moody, and, when on the battlements of the castle, + would keep his eyes turned to the south, with a fixed and wistful gaze. + </p> + <p> + “How is this?” exclaimed the Alcayde, reproachfully, “that + you, who were so hardy and fearless in the field, should lose all spirit + in prison? If any secret grief preys on your heart, confide it to me, as + to a friend, and I promise you, on the faith of a cavalier, that you shall + have no cause to repent the disclosure.” + </p> + <p> + The Moorish knight kissed the hand of the Alcayde. “Noble cavalier,” + said he “that I am cast down in spirit, is not from my wounds, which + are slight, nor from my captivity, for your kindness has robbed it of all + gloom; nor from my defeat, for to be conquered by so accomplished and + renowned a cavalier, is no disgrace. But to explain to you the cause of my + grief, it is necessary to give you some particulars of my story; and this + I am moved to do, by the great sympathy you have manifested toward me, and + the magnanimity that shines through all your actions.” + </p> + <p> + “Know, then, that my name is Abendaraez, and that I am of the noble + but unfortunate line of the Abencerrages of Granada. You have doubtless + heard of the destruction that fell upon our race. Charged with treasonable + designs, of which they were entirely innocent, many of them were beheaded, + the rest banished; so that not an Abencerrages was permitted to remain in + Granada, excepting my father and my uncle, whose innocence was proved, + even to the satisfaction of their persecutors. It was decreed, however, + that, should they have children, the sons should be educated at a distance + from Granada, and the daughters should be married out of the kingdom. + </p> + <p> + “Conformably to this decree, I was sent, while yet an infant, to be + reared in the fortress of Cartama, the worthy Alcayde of which was an + ancient friend of my father. He had no children, and received me into his + family as his own child, treating me with the kindness and affection of a + father; and I grew up in the belief that he really was such. A few years + afterward, his wife gave birth to a daughter, but his tenderness toward me + continued undiminished. I thus grew up with Xarisa, for so the infant + daughter of the Alcayde was called, as her own brother, and thought the + growing passion which I felt for her, was mere fraternal affection. I + beheld her charms unfolding, as it were, leaf by leaf, like the morning + rose, each moment disclosing fresh beauty and sweetness. + </p> + <p> + “At this period, I overheard a conversation between the Alcayde and + his confidential domestic, and found myself to be the subject. ‘It + is time,’ said he, ‘to apprise him of his parentage, that he + may adopt a career in life. I have deferred the communication as long as + possible, through reluctance to inform him that he is of a proscribed and + an unlucky race.’ + </p> + <p> + “This intelligence would have overwhelmed me at an earlier period, + but the intimation that Xarisa was not my sister, operated like magic, and + in an instant transformed my brotherly affection into ardent love. + </p> + <p> + “I sought Xarisa, to impart to her the secret I had learned. I found + her in the garden, in a bower of jessamines, arranging her beautiful hair + by the mirror of a crystal fountain. The radiance of her beauty dazzled + me. I ran to her with open arms, and she received me with a sister’s + embraces. When we had seated ourselves beside the fountain, she began to + upbraid me for leaving her so long alone. + </p> + <p> + “In reply, I informed her of the conversation I had overheard. The + recital shocked and distressed her. ‘Alas!’ cried she, ‘then + is our happiness at an end!’ + </p> + <p> + “‘How!’ exclaimed I; ‘wilt thou cease to love me, + because I am not thy brother?’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Not so,’ replied she; ‘but do you not know that + when it is once known we are not brother and sister, we can no longer be + permitted to be thus always together?’ + </p> + <p> + “In fact, from that moment our intercourse took a new character. We + met often at the fountain among the jessamines, but Xarisa no longer + advanced with open arms to meet me. She became reserved and silent, and + would blush, and cast down her eyes, when I seated myself beside her. My + heart became a prey to the thousand doubts and fears that ever attend upon + true love. I was restless and uneasy, and looked back with regret to the + unreserved intercourse that had existed between us, when we supposed + ourselves brother and sister; yet I would not have had the relationship + true, for the world. + </p> + <p> + “While matters were in this state between us, an order came from the + King of Granada for the Alcayde to take command of the fortress of Coyn, + which lies directly on the Christian frontier. He prepared to remove, with + all his family, but signified that I should remain at Cartama. I exclaimed + against the separation, and declared that I could not be parted from + Xarisa. ‘That is the very cause,’ said he, ‘why I leave + thee behind. It is time, Abendaraez, that thou shouldst know the secret of + thy birth; that thou art no son of mine, neither is Xarisa thy sister.’ + ‘I know it all,’ exclaimed I, ‘and I love her with tenfold the + affection of a brother. You have brought us up together; you have made us + necessary to each other’s happiness; our hearts have entwined + themselves with our growth; do not now tear them asunder. Fill up the + measure of your kindness; be indeed a father to me, by giving me Xarisa + for my wife.’ + </p> + <p> + “The brow of the Alcayde darkened as I spoke. ‘Have I then + been deceived?’ said he. ‘Have those nurtured in my very + bosom, been conspiring against me? Is this your return for my paternal + tenderness?—to beguile the affections of my child, and teach her to + deceive her father? It was cause enough to refuse thee the hand of my + daughter, that thou wert of a proscribed race, who can never approach the + walls of Granada; this, however, I might have passed over; but never will + I give my daughter to a man who has endeavored to win her from me by + deception.’ + </p> + <p> + “All my attempts to vindicate myself and Xarisa were unavailing. I + retired in anguish from his presence, and seeking Xarisa, told her of this + blow, which was worse than death to me. ‘Xarisa,’ said I, + ‘we part for ever! I shall never see thee more! Thy father will + guard thee rigidly. Thy beauty and his wealth will soon attract some + happier rival, and I shall be forgotten!’ + </p> + <p> + “Xarisa reproached me with my want of faith, and promised me eternal + constancy. I still doubted and desponded, until, moved by my anguish and + despair, she agreed to a secret union. Our espousals made, we parted, with + a promise on her part to send me word from Coyn, should her father absent + himself from the fortress. The very day after our secret nuptials, I + beheld the whole train of the Alcayde depart from Cartama, nor would he + admit me to his presence, or permit me to bid farewell to Xarisa. I + remained at Cartama, somewhat pacified in spirit by this secret bond of + union; but every thing around me fed my passion, and reminded me of + Xarisa. I saw the windows at which I had so often beheld her. I wandered + through the apartment she had inhabited; the chamber in which she had + slept. I visited the bower of jessamines, and lingered beside the fountain + in which she had delighted. Every thing recalled her to my imagination, + and filled my heart with tender melancholy. + </p> + <p> + “At length, a confidential servant brought me word, that her father + was to depart that day for Granada, on a short absence, inviting me to + hasten to Coyn, describing a secret portal at which I should apply, and + the signal by which I would obtain admittance. + </p> + <p> + “If ever you have loved, most valiant Alcayde, you may judge of the + transport of my bosom. That very night I arrayed myself in my most gallant + attire, to pay due honor to my bride; and arming myself against any casual + attack, issued forth privately from Cartama. You know the rest, and by + what sad fortune of war I found myself, instead of a happy bridegroom, in + the nuptial bower of Coyn, vanquished, wounded, and a prisoner, withing + the walls of Allora. The term of absence of the father of Xarisa is nearly + expired. Within three days he will return to Coyn, and our meeting will no + longer be possible. Judge, then, whether I grieve without cause, and + whether I may not well be excused for showing impatience under + confinement.” + </p> + <p> + Don Rodrigo de Narvaez was greatly moved by this recital; for, though more + used to rugged war, than scenes of amorous softness, he was of a kind and + generous nature. + </p> + <p> + “Abendaraez,” said he, “I did not seek thy confidence to + gratify an idle curiosity. It grieves me much that the good fortune which + delivered thee into my hands, should have marred so fair an enterprise. + Give me thy faith, as a true knight, to return prisoner to my castle, + within three days, and I will grant thee permission to accomplish thy + nuptials.” + </p> + <p> + The Abencerrage would have thrown himself at his feet, to pour out + protestations of eternal gratitude, but the Alcayde prevented him. Calling + in his cavaliers, he took the Abencerrage by the right hand, in their + presence, exclaiming solemnly, “You promise, on the faith of a + cavalier, to return to my castle of Allora within three days, and render + yourself my prisoner?” And the Abencerrage said, “I promise.” + </p> + <p> + Then said the Alcayde, “Go! and may good fortune attend you. If you + require any safeguard, I and my cavaliers are ready to be your companions.” + </p> + <p> + The Abencerrage kissed the hand of the Alcayde, in grateful + acknowledgment. “Give me,” said he, “my own armor, and + my steed, and I require no guard. It is not likely that I shall again meet + with so valorous a foe.” + </p> + <p> + The shades of night had fallen, when the tramp of the dapple-gray steed + sounded over the drawbridge, and immediately afterward the light clatter + of hoofs along the road, bespoke the fleetness with which the youthful + lover hastened to his bride. It was deep night when the Moor arrived at + the castle of Coyn. He silently and cautiously walked his panting steed + under its dark walls, and having nearly passed round them, came to the + portal denoted by Xarisa. He paused and looked around to see that he was + not observed, and then knocked three times with the butt of his lance. In + a little while the portal was timidly unclosed by the duenna of Xarisa. + “Alas! senor,” said she, “what has detained you thus + long? Every night have I watched for you; and my lady is sick at heart + with doubt and anxiety.” + </p> + <p> + The Abencerrage hung his lance, and shield, and scimitar against the wall, + and then followed the duenna, with silent steps, up a winding stair-case, + to the apartment of Xarisa. Vain would be the attempt to describe the + raptures of that meeting. Time flew too swiftly, and the Abencerrage had + nearly forgotten, until too late, his promise to return a prisoner to the + Alcayde of Allora. The recollection of it came to him with a pang, and + suddenly awoke him from his dream of bliss. Xarisa saw his altered looks, + and heard with alarm his stifled sighs; but her countenance brightened, + when she heard the cause. “Let not thy spirit be cast down,” + said she, throwing her white arms around him. “I have the keys of my + father’s treasures; send ransom more than enough to satisfy the + Christian, and remain with me.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Abendaraez, “I have given my word to return + in person, and like a true knight, must fulfil my promise. After that, + fortune must do with me as it pleases.” + </p> + <p> + “Then,” said Xarisa, “I will accompany thee. Never shall + you return a prisoner, and I remain at liberty.” + </p> + <p> + The Abencerrage was transported with joy at this new proof of devotion in + his beautiful bride. All preparations were speedily made for their + departure. Xarisa mounted behind the Moor, on his powerful steed; they + left the castle walls before daybreak, nor did they pause, until they + arrived at the gate of the castle of Allora, which was flung wide to + receive them. + </p> + <p> + Alighting in the court, the Abencerrage supported the steps of his + trembling bride, who remained closely veiled, into the presence of Rodrigo + de Narvaez. “Behold, valiant Alcayde!” said he, “the way + in which an Abencerrage keeps his word. I promised to return to thee a + prisoner, but I deliver two captives into your power. Behold Xarisa, and + judge whether I grieved without reason, over the loss of such a treasure. + Receive us as your own, for I confide my life and her honor to your hands.” + </p> + <p> + The Alcayde was lost in admiration of the beauty of the lady, and the + noble spirit of the Moor. “I know not,” said he, “which + of you surpasses the other; but I know that my castle is graced and + honored by your presence. Enter into it, and consider it your own, while + you deign to reside with me.” + </p> + <p> + For several days the lovers remained at Allora, happy in each other’s + love, and in the friendship of the brave Alcayde. The latter wrote a + letter, full of courtesy, to the Moorish king of Granada, relating the + whole event, extolling the valor and good faith of the Abencerrage, and + craving for him the royal countenance. + </p> + <p> + The king was moved by the story, and was pleased with an opportunity of + showing attention to the wishes of a gallant and chivalrous enemy; for + though he had often suffered from the prowess of Don Rodigro de Narvaez, + he admired the heroic character he had gained throughout the land. Calling + the Alcayde of Coyn into his presence, he gave him the letter to read. The + Alcayde turned pale, and trembled with rage, on the perusal. “Restrain + thine anger,” said the king; “there is nothing that the + Alcayde of Allora could ask, that I would not grant, if in my power. Go + thou to Allora; pardon thy children; take them to thy home. I receive this + Abencerrage into my favor, and it will be my delight to heap benefits upon + you all.” + </p> + <p> + The kindling ire of the Alcayde was suddenly appeased. He hastened to + Allora; and folded his children to his bosom, who would have fallen at his + feet. The gallant Rodrigo de Narvaez gave liberty to his prisoner without + ransom, demanding merely a promise of his friendship. He accompanied the + youthful couple and their father to Coyn, where their nuptials were + celebrated with great rejoicings. When the festivities were over, Don + Rodrigo de Narvaez returned to his fortress of Allora. + </p> + <p> + After his departure, the Alcayde of Coyn addressed his children: “To + your hands,” said he, “I confide the disposition of my wealth. + One of the first things I charge you, is not to forget the ransom you owe + to the Alcayde of Allora. His magnanimity you can never repay, but you can + prevent it from wronging him of his just dues. Give him, moreover, your + entire friendship, for he merits it fully, though of a different faith.” + </p> + <p> + The Abencerrage thanked him for his generous proposition, which so truly + accorded with his own wishes. He took a large sum of gold, and enclosed it + in a rich coffer; and, on his own part, sent six beautiful horses, + superbly caparisoned; with six shields and lances, mounted and embossed + with gold. The beautiful Xarisa, at the same time, wrote a letter to the + Alcayde, filled with expressions of gratitude and friendship, and sent him + a box of fragrant cypress-wood, containing linen, of the finest quality, + for his person. The valiant Alcayde disposed of the present in a + characteristic manner. The horses and armor he shared among the cavaliers + who had accompanied him on the night of the skirmish. The box of + cypress-wood and its contents he retained, for the sake of the beautiful + Xarisa; and sent her, by the hands of a messenger, the sum of gold paid as + a ransom, entreating her to receive it as a wedding present. This courtesy + and magnanimity raised the character of the Alcayde Rodrigo de Narvaez + still higher in the estimation of the Moors, who extolled him as a perfect + mirror of chivalric virtue; and from that time forward, there was a + continual exchange of good offices between them. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE ENCHANTED ISLAND. + </h2> + <h3> + By The Author Of The Sketch-Book. + </h3> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Break, Phantsie, from thy cave of cloud, + And wave thy purple wings, + Now all thy figures are allowed, + And various shapes of things. + Create of airy forms a stream; + It must have blood and nought of phlegm; + And though it be a walking dream, + Yet let it like an odor rise + To all the senses here, + And fall like sleep upon their eyes, + Or music on their ear.—BEN JONSON. +</pre> + <p> + “There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamed of in + our philosophy,” and among these may be placed that marvel and + mystery of the seas, the island of St. Brandan. Every school-boy can + enumerate and call by name the Canaries, the Fortunate Islands of the + ancients; which, according to some ingenious speculative minds, are mere + wrecks and remnants of the vast island of Atalantis, mentioned by Plato, + as having been swallowed up by the ocean. Whoever has read the history of + those isles, will remember the wonders told of another island, still more + beautiful, seen occasionally from their shores, stretching away in the + clear bright west, with long shadowy promontories, and high, sun-gilt + peaks. Numerous expeditions, both in ancient and modern days, have + launched forth from the Canaries in quest of that island; but, on their + approach, mountain and promontory have gradually faded away, until nothing + has remained but the blue sky above, and the deep blue water below. Hence + it was termed by the geographers of old, Aprositus, or the Inaccessible; + while modern navigators have called its very existence in question, + pronouncing it a mere optical illusion, like the Fata Morgana of the + Straits of Messina; or classing it with those unsubstantial regions known + to mariners as Cape Flyaway, and the Coast of Cloud Land. + </p> + <p> + Let not, however, the doubts of the worldly-wise sceptics of modern days + rob us of all the glorious realms owned by happy credulity in days of + yore. Be assured, O reader of easy faith!—thou for whom I delight to + labor—be assured, that such an island does actually exist, and has, + from time to time, been revealed to the gaze, and trodden by the feet, of + favored mortals. Nay, though doubted by historians and philosophers, its + existence is fully attested by the poets, who, being an inspired race, and + gifted with a kind of second sight, can see into the mysteries of nature, + hidden from the eyes of ordinary mortals. To this gifted race it has ever + been a region of fancy and romance, teeming with all kinds of wonders. + Here once bloomed, and perhaps still blooms, the famous garden of the + Hesperides, with its golden fruit. Here, too, was the enchanted garden of + Armida, in which that sorceress held the Christian paladin, Rinaldo, in + delicious but inglorious thraldom; as is set forth in the immortal lay of + Tasso. It was on this island, also, that Sycorax, the witch, held sway, + when the good Prospero, and his infant daughter Miranda, were wafted to + its shores. The isle was then + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + —-“full of noises, + Sounds, and sweet airs, that give delight, and hurt not.” + </pre> + <p> + Who does not know the tale, as told in the magic page of Shakspeare? + </p> + <p> + In fact, the island appears to have been, at different times, under the + sway of different powers, genii of earth, and air, and ocean; who made it + their shadowy abode; or rather, it is the retiring place of old worn-out + deities and dynasties, that once ruled the poetic world, but are now + nearly shorn of all their attributes. Here Neptune and Amphitrite hold a + diminished court, like sovereigns in exile. Their ocean-chariot lies + bottom upward, in a cave of the island, almost a perfect wreck, while + their pursy Tritons and haggard Nereids bask listlessly, like seals about + the rocks. Sometimes they assume a shadow of their ancient pomp, and glide + in state about the glassy sea; while the crew of some tall Indiaman, that + lies becalmed with flapping sails, hear with astonishment the mellow note + of the Triton’s shell swelling upon the ear, as the invisible + pageant sweeps by. Sometimes the quondam monarch of the ocean is permitted + to make himself visible to mortal eyes, visiting the ships that cross the + line, to exact a tribute from new-comers; the only remnant of his ancient + rule, and that, alas! performed with tattered state, and tarnished + splendor. + </p> + <p> + On the shores of this wondrous island, the mighty kraken heaves his bulk, + and wallows many a rood; here, too, the sea-serpent lies coiled up, during + the intervals of his much-contested revelations to the eyes of true + believers; and here it is said, even the Flying Dutchman finds a port and + casts his anchor, and furls his shadowy sail, and takes a short repose + from his eternal wanderings. + </p> + <p> + Here all the treasures lost in the deep are safely garnered. The caverns + of the shores are piled with golden ingots, hexes of pearls, rich bales of + oriental silks; and their deep recesses sparkle with diamonds, or flame + with carbuncles. Here, in deep bays and harbors, lies many a spell-bound + ship, long given up as lost by the ruined merchant. Here, too, its crew, + long bewailed as swallowed up in ocean, lie sleeping in mossy grottoes, + from age to age, or wander about enchanted shores and groves, in pleasing + oblivion of all things. + </p> + <p> + Such are some of the marvels related of this island, and which may serve + to throw some light on the following legend, of unquestionable truth, + which I recommend to the entire belief of the reader. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0009" id="link2H_4_0009"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + <i>THE ADELANTADO OF THE SEVEN CITIES</i>. + </h2> + <h3> + A LEGEND OF ST. BRANDAN. + </h3> + <p> + In the early part of the fifteenth century, when Prince Henry of Portugal, + of worthy memory, was pushing the career of discovery along the western + coast of Africa, and the world was resounding with reports of golden + regions on the main land, and new-found islands in the ocean, there + arrived at Lisbon an old bewildered pilot of the seas, who had been driven + by tempests, he knew not whither, and who raved about an island far in the + deep, on which he had landed, and which he had found peopled with + Christians, and adorned with noble cities. + </p> + <p> + The inhabitants, he said, gathered round, and regarded him with surprise, + having never before been visited by a ship. They told him they were + descendants of a band of Christians, who fled from Spain when that country + was conquered by the Moslems. They were curious about the state of their + fatherland, and grieved to hear that the Moslems still held possession of + the kingdom of Granada. They would have taken the old navigator to church, + to convince him of their orthodoxy; but, either through lack of devotion, + or lack of faith in their words, he declined their invitation, and + preferred to return on board of his ship. He was properly punished. A + furious storm arose, drove him from his anchorage, hurried him out to sea, + and he saw no more of the unknown island. + </p> + <p> + This strange story caused great marvel in Lisbon and elsewhere. Those + versed in history, remembered to have read, in an ancient chronicle, that, + at the time of the conquest of Spain, in the eighth century, when the + blessed cross was cast down, and the crescent erected in its place, and + when Christian churches were turned into Moslem mosques, seven bishops, at + the head of seven bands of pious exiles, had fled from the peninsula, and + embarked in quest of some ocean island, or distant land, where they might + found seven Christian cities, and enjoy their faith unmolested. + </p> + <p> + The fate of these pious saints errant had hitherto remained a mystery, and + their story had faded from memory; the report of the old tempest-tossed + pilot, however, revived this long-forgotten theme; and it was determined + by the pious and enthusiastic, that the island thus accidentally + discovered, was the identical place of refuge, whither the wandering + bishops had been guided by a protecting Providence, and where they had + folded their flocks. + </p> + <p> + This most excitable of worlds has always some darling object of chimerical + enterprise: the “Island of the Seven Cities” now awakened as + much interest and longing among zealous Christians, as has the renowned + city of Timbuctoo among adventurous travellers, or the North-east Passage + among hardy navigators; and it was a frequent prayer of the devout, that + these scattered and lost portions of the Christian family might be + discovered, and reunited to the great body of Christendom. + </p> + <p> + No one, however, entered into the matter with half the zeal of Don + Fernando de Ulmo, a young cavalier of high standing in the Portuguese + court, and of most sanguine and romantic temperament. He had recently come + to his estate, and had run the round of all kinds of pleasures and + excitements, when this new theme of popular talk and wonder presented + itself. The Island of the Seven Cities became now the constant subject of + his thoughts by day and his dreams by night; it even rivalled his passion + for a beautiful girl, one of the greatest belles of Lisbon, to whom he was + betrothed. At length his imagination became so inflamed on the subject, + that he determined to fit out an expedition, at his own expense, and set + sail in quest of this sainted island. It could not be a cruise of any + great extent; for according to the calculations of the tempest-tossed + pilot, it must be somewhere in the latitude of the Canaries; which at that + time, when the new world was as yet undiscovered, formed the frontier of + ocean enterprise. Don Fernando applied to the crown for countenance and + protection. As he was a favorite at court, the usual patronage was readily + extended to him; that is to say, he received a commission from the king, + Don Ioam II., constituting him Adelantado, or military governor, of any + country he might discover, with the single proviso, that he should bear + all the expenses of the discovery and pay a tenth of the profits to the + crown. + </p> + <p> + Don Fernando now set to work in the true spirit of a projector. He sold + acre after acre of solid land, and invested the proceeds in ships, guns, + ammunition, and sea-stores. Even his old family mansion in Lisbon was + mortgaged without scruple, for “he looked forward to a palace in one + of the Seven Cities of which he was to be Adelantado.” This was the + age of nautical romance, when the thoughts of all speculative dreamers + were turned to the ocean. The scheme of Don Fernando, therefore, drew + adventurers of every kind. The merchant promised himself new marts of + opulent traffic; the soldier hoped to sack and plunder some one or other + of those Seven Cities; even the fat monk shook off the sleep and sloth of + the cloister, to join in a crusade which promised such increase to the + possessions of the church. + </p> + <p> + One person alone regarded the whole project with sovereign contempt and + growling hostility. This was Don Ramiro Alvarez, the father of the + beautiful Serafina, to whom Don Fernando was betrothed. He was one of + those perverse, matter-of-fact old men who are prone to oppose every thing + speculative and romantic. He had no faith in the Island of the Seven + Cities; regarded the projected cruise as a crack-brained freak; looked + with angry eye and internal heart-burning on the conduct of his intended + son-in-law, chaffering away solid lands for lands in the moon, and + scoffingly dubbed him Adelantado of Lubberland. In fact, he had never + really relished the intended match, to which his consent had been slowly + extorted by the tears and entreaties of his daughter. It is true he could + have no reasonable objections to the youth, for Don Fernando was the very + flower of Portuguese chivalry. No one could excel him at the tilting + match, or the riding at the ring; none was more bold and dexterous in the + bull-fight; none composed more gallant madrigals in praise of his lady’s + charms, or sang them with sweeter tones to the accompaniment of her + guitar; nor could any one handle the castanets and dance the bolero with + more captivating grace. All these admirable qualities and endowments, + however, though they had been sufficient to win the heart of Serafina, + were nothing in the eyes of her unreasonable father. O Cupid, god of Love! + why will fathers always be so unreasonable! + </p> + <p> + The engagement to Serafina had threatened at first to throw an obstacle in + the way of the expedition of Don Fernando, and for a time perplexed him in + the extreme. He was passionately attached to the young lady; but he was + also passionately bent on this romantic enterprise. How should he + reconcile the two passionate inclinations? A simple and obvious + arrangement at length presented itself: marry Serafina, enjoy a portion of + the honeymoon at once, and defer the rest until his return from the + discovery of the Seven Cities! + </p> + <p> + He hastened to make known this most excellent arrangement to Don Ramiro, + when the long-smothered wrath of the old cavalier burst forth in a storm + about his ears. He reproached him with being the dupe of wandering + vagabonds and wild schemers, and of squandering all his real possessions + in pursuit of empty bubbles. Don Fernando was too sanguine a projector, + and too young a man, to listen tamely to such language. He acted with what + is technically called “becoming spirit.” A high quarrel + ensued; Don Ramiro pronounced him a mad man, and forbade all farther + intercourse with his daughter, until he should give proof of returning + sanity by abandoning this mad-cap enterprise; while Don Fernando flung out + of the house, more bent than ever on the expedition, from the idea of + triumphing over the incredulity of the gray-beard when he should return + successful. + </p> + <p> + Don Ramiro repaired to his daughter’s chamber the moment the youth + had departed. He represented to her the sanguine, unsteady character of + her lover and the chimerical nature of his schemes; showed her the + propriety of suspending all intercourse with him until he should recover + from his present hallucination; folded her to his bosom with parental + fondness, kissed the tear that stole down her cheek, and, as he left the + chamber, gently locked the door; for although he was a fond father, and + had a high opinion of the submissive temper of his child, he had a still + higher opinion of the conservative virtues of lock and key. Whether the + damsel had been in any wise shaken in her faith as to the schemes of her + lover, and the existence of the Island of the Seven Cities, by the sage + representations of her father, tradition does not say; but it is certain + that she became a firm believer the moment she heard him turn the key in + the lock. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding the interdict of Don Ramiro, therefore, and his shrewd + precautions, the intercourse of the lovers continued, although + clandestinely. Don Fernando toiled all day, hurrying forward his nautical + enterprise, while at night he would repair, beneath the grated balcony of + his mistress, to carry on at equal pace the no less interesting enterprise + of the heart. At length the preparations for the expedition were + completed. Two gallant caravels lay anchored in the Tagus, ready to sail + with the morning dawn; while late at night, by the pale light of a waning + moon, Don Fernando sought the stately mansion of Alvarez to take a last + farewell of Serafina. The customary signal of a few low touches of a + guitar brought her to the balcony. She was sad at heart and full of gloomy + forebodings; but her lover strove to impart to her his own buoyant hope + and youthful confidence. “A few short months,” said he, + “and I shall return in triumph. Thy father will then blush at his + incredulity, and will once more welcome me to his house, when I cross its + threshold a wealthy suitor and Adelantado of the Seven Cities.” + </p> + <p> + The beautiful Serafina shook her head mournfully. It was not on those + points that she felt doubt or dismay. She believed most implicitly in the + Island of the Seven Cities, and trusted devoutly in the success of the + enterprise; but she had heard of the inconstancy of the seas, and the + inconstancy of those who roam them. Now, let the truth be spoken, Don + Fernando, if he had any fault in the world, it was that he was a little + too inflammable; that is to say, a little too subject to take fire from + the sparkle of every bright eye: he had been somewhat of a rover among the + sex on shore, what might he not be on sea? Might he not meet with other + loves in foreign ports? Might he not behold some peerless beauty in one or + other of those seven cities, who might efface the image of Serafina from + his thoughts? + </p> + <p> + At length she ventured to hint her doubts; but Don Fernando spurned at the + very idea. Never could his heart be false to Serafina! Never could another + be captivating in his eyes!—never—never! Repeatedly did he + bend his knee, and smite his breast, and call upon the silver moon to + witness the sincerity of his vows. But might not Serafina, herself, be + forgetful of her plighted faith? Might not some wealthier rival present, + while he was tossing on the sea, and, backed by the authority of her + father, win the treasure of her hand? Alas, how little did he know + Serafina’s heart! The more her father should oppose, the more would + she be fixed in her faith. Though years should pass before his return, he + would find her true to her vows. Even should the salt seas swallow him up, + (and her eyes streamed with salt tears at the very thought,) never would + she be the wife of another—never—never! She raised her + beautiful white arms between the iron bars of the balcony, and invoked the + moon as a testimonial of her faith. + </p> + <p> + Thus, according to immemorial usage, the lovers parted, with many a vow of + eternal constancy. But will they keep those vows? Perish the doubt! Have + they not called the constant moon to witness? + </p> + <p> + With the morning dawn the caravels dropped down the Tagus and put to sea. + They steered for the Canaries, in those days the regions of nautical + romance. Scarcely had they reached those latitudes, when a violent tempest + arose. Don Fernando soon lost sight of the accompanying caravel, and was + driven out of all reckoning by the fury of the storm. For several weary + days and nights he was tossed to and fro, at the mercy of the elements, + expecting each moment to be swallowed up. At length, one day toward + evening, the storm subsided; the clouds cleared up, as though a veil had + suddenly been withdrawn from the face of heaven, and the setting sun shone + gloriously upon a fair and mountainous island, that seemed close at hand. + The tempest-tossed mariners rubbed their eyes, and gazed almost + incredulously upon this land, that had emerged so suddenly from the murky + gloom; yet there it lay, spread out in lovely landscapes; enlivened by + villages, and towers, and spires, while the late stormy sea rolled in + peaceful billows to its shores. About a league from the sea, on the banks + of a river, stood a noble city, with lofty walls and towers, and a + protecting castle. Don Fernando anchored off the mouth of the river, which + appeared to form a spacious harbor. In a little while a barge was seen + issuing from the river. It was evidently a barge of ceremony, for it was + richly though quaintly carved and gilt, and decorated with a silken awning + and fluttering streamers, while a banner, bearing the sacred emblem of the + cross, floated to the breeze. The barge advanced slowly, impelled by + sixteen oars, painted of a bright crimson. The oarsmen were uncouth, or + rather antique, in their garb, and kept stroke to the regular cadence of + an old Spanish ditty. Beneath the awning sat a cavalier, in a rich though + old-fashioned doublet, with an enormous sombrero and feather. When the + barge reached the caravel, the cavalier stepped on board. He was tall and + gaunt, with a long, Spanish visage, and lack-lustre eyes, and an air of + lofty and somewhat pompous gravity. His mustaches were curled up to his + ears, his beard was forked and precise; he wore gauntlets that reached to + his elbows, and a Toledo blade that strutted out behind, while, in front, + its huge basket-hilt might have served for a porringer. + </p> + <p> + Thrusting out a long spindle leg, and taking off his sombrero with a grave + and stately sweep, he saluted Don Fernando by name, and welcomed him, in + old Castilian language, and in the style of old Castilian courtesy. + </p> + <p> + Don Fernando was startled at hearing himself accosted by name, by an utter + stranger, in a strange land. As soon as he could recover from his + surprise, he inquired what land it was at which he had arrived. + </p> + <p> + “The Island of the Seven Cities!” + </p> + <p> + Could this be true? Had he indeed been thus tempest-driven upon the very + land of which he was in quest? It was even so. The other caravel, from + which he had been separated in the storm, had made a neighboring port of + the island, and announced the tidings of this expedition, which came to + restore the country to the great community of Christendom. The whole + island, he was told, was given up to rejoicings on the happy event; and + they only awaited his arrival to acknowledge allegiance to the crown of + Portugal, and hail him as Adelantado of the Seven Cities. A grand fête was + to be solemnized that very night in the palace of the Alcayde or governor + of the city; who, on beholding the most opportune arrival of the caravel, + had despatched his grand chamberlain, in his barge of state, to conduct + the future Adelantado to the ceremony. + </p> + <p> + Don Fernando could scarcely believe but that this was all a dream. He + fixed a scrutinizing gaze upon the grand chamberlain, who, having + delivered his message, stood in buckram dignity, drawn up to his full + stature, curling his whiskers, stroking his beard, and looking down upon + him with inexpressible loftiness through his lack-lustre eyes. There was + no doubting the word of so grave and ceremonious a hidalgo. + </p> + <p> + Don Fernando now arrayed himself in gala attire. He would have launched + his boat, and gone on shore with his own men, but he was informed the + barge of state was expressly provided for his accommodation, and, after + the fête, would bring him back to his ship; in which, on the following + day, he might enter the harbor in befitting style. He accordingly stepped + into the barge, and took his seat beneath the awning. The grand + chamberlain seated himself on the cushion opposite. The rowers bent to + their oars, and renewed their mournful old ditty, and the gorgeous, but + unwieldy barge moved slowly and solemnly through the water. + </p> + <p> + The night closed in, before they entered the river. They swept along, past + rock and promontory, each guarded by its tower. The sentinels at every + post challenged them as they passed by. + </p> + <p> + “Who goes there?” + </p> + <p> + “The Adelantado of the Seven Cities.” + </p> + <p> + “He is welcome. Pass on.” + </p> + <p> + On entering the harbor, they rowed close along an armed galley, of the + most ancient form. Soldiers with cross-bows were stationed on the deck. + </p> + <p> + “Who goes there?” was again demanded. + </p> + <p> + “The Adelantado of the Seven Cities.” + </p> + <p> + “He is welcome. Pass on.” + </p> + <p> + They landed at a broad flight of stone steps, leading up, between two + massive towers, to the water-gate of the city, at which they knocked for + admission. A sentinel, in an ancient steel casque, looked over the wall. + “Who is there?” + </p> + <p> + “The Adelantado of the Seven Cities.” + </p> + <p> + The gate swung slowly open, grating upon its rusty hinges. They entered + between two rows of iron-clad warriors, in battered armor, with + cross-bows, battle-axes, and ancient maces, and with faces as + old-fashioned and rusty as their armor. They saluted Don Fernando in + military style, but with perfect silence, as he passed between their + ranks. The city was illuminated, but in such manner as to give a more + shadowy and solemn effect to its old-time architecture. There were + bonfires in the principal streets, with groups about them in such + old-fashioned garbs, that they looked like the fantastic figures that roam + the streets in carnival time. Even the stately dames who gazed from the + balconies, which they had hung with antique tapestry, looked more like + effigies dressed up for a quaint mummery, than like ladies in their + fashionable attire. Every thing, in short, bore the stamp of former ages, + as if the world had suddenly rolled back a few centuries. Nor was this to + be wondered at. Had not the Island of the Seven Cities been for several + hundred years cut off from all communication with the rest of the world, + and was it not natural that the inhabitants should retain many of the + modes and customs brought here by their ancestors? + </p> + <p> + One thing certainly they had conserved; the old-fashioned Spanish gravity + and stateliness. Though this was a time of public rejoicing, and though + Don Fernando was the object of their gratulations, every thing was + conducted with the most solemn ceremony, and wherever he appeared, instead + of acclamations, he was received with profound silence, and the most + formal reverences and swayings of their sombreros. + </p> + <p> + Arrived at the palace of the Alcayde, the usual ceremonial was repeated. + The chamberlain knocked for admission. + </p> + <p> + “Who is there?” demanded the porter. + </p> + <p> + “The Adelantado of the Seven Cities.” + </p> + <p> + “He is welcome. Pass on.” + </p> + <p> + The grand portal was thrown open. The chamberlain led the way up a vast + but heavily moulded marble stair-case, and so through one of those + interminable suites of apartments, that are the pride of Spanish palaces. + All were furnished in a style of obsolete magnificence. As they passed + through the chambers, the title of Don Fernando was forwarded on by + servants stationed at every door; and every where produced the most + profound reverences and courtesies. At length they reached a magnificent + saloon, blazing with tapers, in which the Alcayde, and the principal + dignitaries of the city, were waiting to receive their illustrious guest. + The grand chamberlain presented Don Fernando in due form, and falling back + among the other officers of the household, stood as usual curling his + whiskers and stroking his forked beard. + </p> + <p> + Don Fernando was received by the Alcayde and the other dignitaries with + the same stately and formal courtesy that he had every where remarked. In + fact, there was so much form and ceremonial, that it seemed difficult to + get at any thing social or substantial. Nothing but bows, and compliments, + and old-fashioned courtesies. The Alcayde and his courtiers resembled, in + face and form, those quaint worthies to be seen in the pictures of old + illuminated manuscripts; while the cavaliers and dames who thronged the + saloon, might have beep taken for the antique figures of gobelin tapestry + suddenly vivified and put in motion. + </p> + <p> + The banquet, which had been kept back until the arrival of Don Fernando, + was now announced; and such a feast! such unknown dishes and obsolete + dainties; with the peacock, that bird of state and ceremony, served up in + full plumage, in a golden dish, at the head of the table. And then, as Don + Fernando cast his eyes over the glittering board, what a vista of odd + heads and head-dresses, of formal bearded dignitaries, and stately dames, + with castellated locks and towering plumes! + </p> + <p> + As fate would have it, on the other side of Don Fernando, was seated the + daughter of the Alcayde. She was arrayed, it is true, in a dress that + might have been worn before the flood; but then, she had a melting black + Andalusian eye, that was perfectly irresistible. Her voice, too, her + manner, her movements, all smacked of Andalusia, and showed how female + fascination may be transmitted from age to age, and clime to clime, + without ever losing its power, or going out of fashion. Those who know the + witchery of the sex, in that most amorous region of old Spain, may judge + what must have been the fascination to which Don Fernando was exposed, + when seated beside one of the most captivating of its descendants. He was, + as has already been hinted, of an inflammable temperament; with a heart + ready to get in a light blaze at every instant. And then he had been so + wearied by pompous, tedious old cavaliers, with their formal bows and + speeches; is it to be wondered at that he turned with delight to the + Alcayde’s daughter, all smiles, and dimples, and melting looks, and + melting accents? Beside, for I wish to give him every excuse in my power, + he was in a particularly excitable mood, from the novelty of the scene + before him, and his head was almost turned with this sudden and complete + realization of all his hopes and fancies; and then, in the flurry of the + moment, he had taken frequent draughts at the wine-cup, presented him at + every instant by officious pages, and all the world knows the effect of + such draughts in giving potency to female charms. In a word, there is no + concealing the matter, the banquet was not half over, before Don Fernando + was making love, outright, to the Alcayde’s daughter. It was his + cold habitude, contracted long before his matrimonial engagement. The + young lady hung her head coyly; her eye rested upon a ruby heart, + sparkling in a ring on the hand of Don Fernando, a parting gage of love + from Serafina. A blush crimsoned her very temples. She darted a glance of + doubt at the ring, and then at Don Fernando. He read her doubt, and in the + giddy intoxication of the moment, drew off the pledge of his affianced + bride, and slipped it on the finger of the Alcayde’s daughter. + </p> + <p> + At this moment the banquet broke up. The chamberlain with his lofty + demeanor, and his lack-lustre eyes, stood before him, and announced that + the barge was waiting to conduct him back to the caravel. Don Fernando + took a formal leave of the Alcayde and his dignitaries, and a tender + farewell of the Alcayde’s daughter, with a promise to throw himself + at her feet on the following day. He was rowed back to his vessel in the + same slow and stately manner, to the cadence of the same mournful old + ditty. He retired to his cabin, his brain whirling with all that he had + seen, and his heart now and then giving him a twinge as he recollected his + temporary infidelity to the beautiful Serafina. He flung himself on his + bed, and soon fell into a feverish sleep. His dreams were wild and + incoherent. How long he slept he knew not, but when he awoke he found + himself in a strange cabin, with persons around him of whom he had no + knowledge. He rubbed his eyes to ascertain whether he were really awake. + In reply to his inquiries, he was informed that he was on board of a + Portuguese ship, bound to Lisbon; having been taken senseless from a wreck + drifting about the ocean. + </p> + <p> + Don Fernando was confounded and perplexed. He retraced every thing + distinctly that had happened to him in the Island of the Seven Cities, and + until he had retired to rest on board of the caravel. Had his vessel been + driven from her anchors, and wrecked during his sleep? The people about + him could give him no information on the subject. He talked to them of the + Island of the Seven Cities, and of all that had befallen him there. They + regarded his words as the ravings of delirium, and in their honest + solicitude, administered such rough remedies, that he was fain to drop the + subject, and observe a cautious taciturnity. + </p> + <p> + At length they arrived in the Tagus, and anchored before the famous city + of Lisbon. Don Fernando sprang joyfully on shore, and hastened to his + ancestral mansion. To his surprise, it was inhabited by strangers; and + when he asked about his family, no one could give him any information + concerning them. + </p> + <p> + He now sought the mansion of Don Ramiro, for the temporary flame kindled + by the bright eyes of the Alcayde’s daughter had long since burnt + itself out, and his genuine passion for Serafina had revived with all its + fervor. He approached the balcony, beneath which he had so often serenaded + her. Did his eyes deceive him? No! There was Serafina herself at the + balcony. An exclamation of rapture burst from him, as he raised his arms + toward her. She cast upon him a look of indignation, and hastily retiring, + closed the casement. Could she have heard of his flirtation with the + Alcayde’s daughter? He would soon dispel every doubt of his + constancy. The door was open. He rushed up-stairs, and entering the room, + threw himself at her feet. She shrank back with affright, and took refuge + in the arms of a youthful cavalier. + </p> + <p> + “What mean you, Sir,” cried the latter, “by this + intrusion?” + </p> + <p> + “What right have you,” replied Don Fernando, “to ask the + question?” + </p> + <p> + “The right of an affianced suitor!” + </p> + <p> + Don Fernando started, and turned pale. “Oh, Serafina! Serafina!” + cried he in a tone of agony, “is this thy plighted constancy?” + </p> + <p> + “Serafina?—what mean you by Serafina? If it be this young lady + you intend, her name is Maria.” + </p> + <p> + “Is not this Serafina Alvarez, and is not that her portrait?” + cried Don Fernando, pointing to a picture of his mistress. + </p> + <p> + “Holy Virgin!” cried the young lady; “he is talking of + my great-grandmother!” + </p> + <p> + An explanation ensued, if that could be called an explanation, which + plunged the unfortunate Fernando into tenfold perplexity. If he might + believe his eyes, he saw before him his beloved Serafina; if he might + believe his ears, it was merely her hereditary form and features, + perpetuated in the person of her great-granddaughter. + </p> + <p> + His brain began to spin. He sought tho office of the Minister of Marine, + and made a report of his expedition, and of the Island of the Seven + Cities, which he had so fortunately discovered. No body knew any thing of + such an expedition, or such an island. He declared that he had undertaken + the enterprise under a formal contract with the crown, and had received a + regular commission, constituting him Adelantado. This must be matter of + record, and he insisted loudly, that the books of the department should be + consulted. The wordy strife at length attracted the attention of an old, + gray-headed clerk, who sat perched on a high stool, at a high desk, with + iron-rimmed spectacles on the top of a thin, pinched nose, copying records + into an enormous folio. He had wintered and summered in the department for + a great part of a century, until he had almost grown to be a piece of the + desk at which he sat; his memory was a mere index of official facts and + documents, and his brain was little better than red tape and parchment. + After peering down for a time from his lofty perch, and ascertaining the + matter in controversy, he put his pen behind his ear, and descended. He + remembered to have heard something from his predecessor about an + expedition of the kind in question, but then it had sailed during the + reign of Don Ioam II., and he had been dead at least a hundred years. To + put the matter beyond dispute, however, the archives of the Torve do + Tombo, that sepulchre of old Portuguese documents, were diligently + searched, and a record was found of a contract between the crown and one + Fernando de Ulmo, for the discovery of the Island of the Seven Cities, and + of a commission secured to him as Adelantado of the country he might + discover. + </p> + <p> + “There!” cried Don Fernando, triumphantly, “there you + have proof, before your own eyes, of what I have said. I am the Fernando + de Ulmo specified in that record. I have discovered the Island of the + Seven Cities, and am entitled to be Adelantado, according to contract.” + </p> + <p> + The story of Don Fernando had certainly, what is pronounced the best of + historical foundation, documentary evidence; but when a man, in the bloom + of youth, talked of events that had taken place above a century + previously, as having happened to himself, it is no wonder that he was set + down for a mad man. + </p> + <p> + The old clerk looked at him from above and below his spectacles, shrugged + his shoulders, stroked his chin, reascended his lofty stool, took the pen + from behind his ears, and resumed his daily and eternal task, copying + records into the fiftieth volume of a series of gigantic folios. The other + clerks winked at each other shrewdly, and dispersed to their several + places, and poor Don Fernando, thus left to himself, flung out of the + office, almost driven wild by these repeated perplexities. + </p> + <p> + In the confusion of his mind, he instinctively repaired to the mansion of + Alvarez, but it was barred against him. To break the delusion under which + the youth apparently labored, and to convince him that the Serafina about + whom he raved was really dead, he was conducted to her tomb. There she + lay, a stately matron, cut out in alabaster; and there lay her husband + beside her; a portly cavalier, in armor; and there knelt, on each side, + the effigies of a numerous progeny, proving that she had been a fruitful + vine. Even the very monument gave proof of the lapse of time, for the + hands of her husband, which were folded as if in prayer, had lost their + fingers, and the face of the once lovely Serafina was noseless. + </p> + <p> + Don Fernando felt a transient glow of indignation at beholding this + monumental proof of the inconstancy of his mistress; but who could expect + a mistress to remain constant during a whole century of absence? And what + right had he to rail about constancy, after what had passed between him + and the Alcayde’s daughter? The unfortunate cavalier performed one + pious act of tender devotion; he had the alabaster nose of Serafina + restored by a skilful statuary, and then tore himself from the tomb. + </p> + <p> + He could now no longer doubt the fact that, somehow or other, he had + skipped over a whole century, during the night he had spent at the Island + of the Seven Cities; and he was now as complete a stranger in his native + city, as if he had never been there. A thousand times did he wish himself + back to that wonderful island, with its antiquated banquet halls, where he + had been so courteously received; and now that the once young and + beautiful Serafina was nothing but a great-grandmother in marble, with + generations of descendants, a thousand times would he recall the melting + black eyes of the Alcayde’s daughter, who doubtless, like himself, + was still flourishing in fresh juvenility, and breathe a secret wish that + he were seated by her side. + </p> + <p> + He would at once have set on foot another expedition, at his own expense, + to cruise in search of the sainted island, but his means were exhausted. + He endeavored to rouse others to the enterprise, setting forth the + certainty of profitable results, of which his own experience furnished + such unquestionable proof. Alas! no one would give faith to his tale; but + looked upon it as the feverish dream of a shipwrecked man. He persisted in + his efforts; holding forth in all places and all companies, until he + became an object of jest and jeer to the light-minded, who mistook his + earnest enthusiasm for a proof of insanity; and the very children in the + streets bantered him with the title of “The Adelantado of the Seven + Cities.” + </p> + <p> + Finding all his efforts in vain, in his native city of Lisbon, he took + shipping for the Canaries, as being nearer the latitude of his former + cruise, and inhabited by people given to nautical adventure. Here he found + ready listeners to his story; for the old pilots and mariners of those + parts were notorious island-hunters and devout believers in all the + wonders of the seas. Indeed, one and all treated his adventure as a common + occurrence, and turning to each other, with a sagacious nod of the head, + observed, “He has been at the Island of St. Brandan.” + </p> + <p> + They then went on to inform him of that great marvel and enigma of the + ocean; of its repeated appearance to the inhabitants of their islands; and + of the many but ineffectual expeditions that had been made in search of + it. They took him to a promontory of the island of Palma, from whence the + shadowy St. Brandan had oftenest been descried, and they pointed out the + very tract in the west where its mountains had been seen. + </p> + <p> + Don Fernando listened with rapt attention. He had no longer a doubt that + this mysterious and fugacious island must be the same with that of the + Seven Cities; and that there must be some supernatural influence connected + with it, that had operated upon himself, and made the events of a night + occupy the space of a century. + </p> + <p> + He endeavored, but in vain, to rouse the islanders to another attempt at + discovery; they had given up the phantom island as indeed inaccessible. + Fernando, however, was not to be discouraged. The idea wore itself deeper + and deeper in his mind, until it became the engrossing subject of his + thoughts and object of his being. Every morning he would repair to the + promontory of Palma, and sit there throughout the live-long day, in hopes + of seeing the fairy mountains of St. Brandan peering above the horizon; + every evening he returned to his home, a disappointed man, but ready to + resume his post on the following morning. + </p> + <p> + His assiduity was all in vain. He grew gray in his ineffectual attempt; + and was at length found dead at his post. His grave is still shown in the + island of Palma, and a cross is erected on the spot where he used to sit + and look out upon the sea, in hopes of the reappearance of the enchanted + island. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + NATIONAL NOMENCLATURE. + </h2> + <h3> + TO THE EDITOR OF THE KNICKERBOCKER. + </h3> + <p> + Sir: I am somewhat of the same way of thinking, in regard to names, with + that profound philosopher, Mr. Shandy, the elder, who maintained that some + inspired high thoughts and heroic aims, while others entailed + irretrievable meanness and vulgarity; insomuch that a man might sink under + the insignificance of his name, and be absolutely “Nicodemused into + nothing.” I have ever, therefore, thought it a great hardship for a + man to be obliged to struggle through life with some ridiculous or ignoble + <i>Christian</i> name, as it is too often falsely called, inflicted on him + in infancy, when he could not choose for himself; and would give him free + liberty to change it for one more to his taste, when he had arrived at + years of discretion. + </p> + <p> + I have the same notion with respect to local names. Some at once + prepossess us in favor of a place; others repel us, by unlucky + associations of the mind; and I have known scenes worthy of being the very + haunt of poetry and romance, yet doomed to irretrievable vulgarity, by + some ill-chosen name, which not even the magic numbers of a Halleck or a + Bryant could elevate into poetical acceptation. + </p> + <p> + This is an evil unfortunately too prevalent throughout our country. Nature + has stamped the land with features of sublimity and beauty; but some of + our noblest mountains and loveliest streams are in danger of remaining for + ever unhonored and unsung, from bearing appellations totally abhorrent to + the Muse. In the first place, our country is deluged with names taken from + places in the old world, and applied to places having no possible affinity + or resemblance to their namesakes. This betokens a forlorn poverty of + invention, and a second-hand spirit, content to cover its nakedness with + borrowed or cast-off clothes of Europe. + </p> + <p> + Then we have a shallow affectation of scholarship: the whole catalogue of + ancient worthies is shaken out from the back of Lempriere’s + Classical Dictionary, and a wide region of wild country sprinkled over + with the names of the heroes, poets, and sages of antiquity, jumbled into + the most whimsical juxtaposition. Then we have our political god-fathers; + topographical engineers, perhaps, or persons employed by government to + survey and lay out townships. These, forsooth, glorify the patrons that + give them bread; so we have the names of the great official men of the day + scattered over the land, as if they were the real “salt of the + earth,” with which it was to be seasoned. Well for us is it, when + these official great men happen to have names of fair acceptation; but wo + unto us, should a Tubbs or a Potts be in power: we are sure, in a little + while, to find Tubbsvilles and Pottsylvanias springing up in every + direction. + </p> + <p> + Under these melancholy dispensations of taste and loyalty, therefore, Mr. + Editor, it is with a feeling of dawning hope, that I have lately perceived + the attention of persons of intelligence beginning to be awakened on this + subject. I trust if the matter should once be taken up, it will not be + readily abandoned. We are yet young enough, as a country, to remedy and + reform much of what has been done, and to release many of our rising towns + and cities, and our noble streams, from names calculated to vulgarize the + land. + </p> + <p> + I have, on a former occasion, suggested the expediency of searching out + the original Indian names of places, and wherever they are striking and + euphonious, and those by which they have been superseded are glaringly + objectionable, to restore them. They would have the merit of originality, + and of belonging to the country; and they would remain as reliques of the + native lords of the soil, when every other vestige had disappeared. Many + of these names may easily be regained, by reference to old title deeds, + and to the archives of states and counties. In my own case, by examining + the records of the county clerk’s office, I have discovered the + Indian names of various places and objects in the neighborhood, and have + found them infinitely superior to the trite, poverty-stricken names which + had been given by the settlers. A beautiful pastoral stream, for instance, + which winds for many a mile through one of the loveliest little valleys in + the state, has long been known by the common-place name of the “Saw-mill + River.” In the old Indian grants, it is designated as the Neperan. + Another, a perfectly wizard stream, which winds through the wildest + recesses of Sleepy Hollow, bears the hum-drum name of Mill Creek: in the + Indian grants, it sustains the euphonious title of the Pocantico. + </p> + <p> + Similar researches have released Long-Island from many of those paltry and + vulgar names which fringed its beautiful shores; their Cow Bays, and Cow + Necks, and Oyster Ponds, and Mosquito Coves, which spread a spell of + vulgarity over the whole island, and kept persons of taste and fancy at a + distance. + </p> + <p> + It would be an object worthy the attention of the historical societies, + which are springing up in various parts of the Union, to have maps + executed of their respective states or neighborhoods, in which all the + Indian local names should, as far as possible, be restored. In fact, it + appears to me that the nomenclature of the country is almost of sufficient + importance for the foundation of a distinct society; or rather, a + corresponding association of persons of taste and judgment, of all parts + of the Union. Such an association, if properly constituted and composed, + comprising especially all the literary talent of the country, though it + might not have legislative power in its enactments, yet would have the + all-pervading power of the press; and the changes in nomenclature which it + might dictate, being at once adopted by elegant writers in prose and + poetry, and interwoven with the literature of the country, would + ultimately pass into popular currency. + </p> + <p> + Should such a reforming association arise, I beg to recommend to its + attention all those mongrel names that have the adjective <i>New</i> + prefixed to them, and pray they may be one and all kicked out of the + country. I am for none of these second-hand appellations, that stamp us a + second-hand people, and that are to perpetuate us a new country to the end + of time. Odds my life! Mr. Editor, I hope and trust we are to live to be + an old nation, as well as our neighbors, and have no idea that our cities, + when they shall have attained to venerable antiquity, shall still be + dubbed <i>New</i>-York, and <i>New</i>-London, and <i>new</i> this and <i>new</i> + that, like the Pont-Neuf, (the New Bridge,) at Paris, which is the oldest + bridge in that capital, or like the Vicar of Wakefield’s horse, + which continued to be called “the colt,” until he died of old + age. + </p> + <p> + Speaking of New-York, reminds me of some observations which I met with + some time since, in one of the public papers, about the name of our state + and city. The writer proposes to substitute for the present names, those + of the State of Ontario, and the CITY OF MANHATTAN. I concur in his + suggestion most heartily. Though born and brought up in the city of + New-York, and though I love every stick and stone about it, yet I do not, + nor ever did, relish its name. I like neither its sound nor its + significance. As to its <i>significance</i>, the very adjective <i>new</i> + gives to our great commercial metropolis a second-hand character, as if + referring to some older, more dignified, and important place, of which it + was a mere copy; though in fact, if I am rightly informed, the whole name + commemorates a grant by Charles II. to his brother, the duke of York, made + in the spirit of royal munificence, of a tract of country which did not + belong to him. As to the <i>sound</i>, what can you make of it, either in + poetry or prose? New-York! Why, Sir, if it were to share the fate of Troy + itself; to suffer a ten years’ siege, and be sacked and plundered; + no modern Homer would ever be able to elevate the name to epic dignity. + </p> + <p> + Now, Sir, ONTARIO would be a name worthy of the empire state. It bears + with it the majesty of that internal sea which washes our northwestern + shore. Or, if any objection should be made, from its not being completely + embraced within our boundaries, there is the MOHEGAN, one of the Indian + names for that glorious river, the Hudson, which would furnish an + excellent state appellation. So also New-York might be called Manhatta, as + it is named in some of the early records, and Manhattan used as the + adjective. Manhattan, however, stands well as a substantive, and “Manhattanese,” + which I observe Mr. COOPER has adopted in some of his writings, would be a + very good appellation for a citizen of the commercial metropolis. + </p> + <p> + A word or two more, Mr. Editor, and I have done. We want a NATIONAL NAME. + We want it poetically, and we want it politically. With the poetical + necessity of the case I shall not trouble myself. I leave it to our poets + to tell how they manage to steer that collocation of words, “The + United States of North America,” down the swelling tide of song, and + to float the whole raft out upon the sea of heroic poesy. I am now + speaking of the mere purposes of common life. How is a citizen of this + republic to designate himself? As an American? There are two Americas, + each subdivided into various empires, rapidly rising in importance. As a + citizen of the United States? It is a clumsy, lumbering title, yet still + it is not distinctive; for we have now the United States of Central + America; and heaven knows how many “United States” may spring + up under the Proteus changes of Spanish America. + </p> + <p> + This may appear matter of small concernment; but any one that has + travelled in foreign countries must be conscious of the embarrassment and + circumlocution sometimes occasioned by the want of a perfectly distinct + and explicit national appellation. In France, when I have announced myself + as an American, I have been supposed to belong to one of the French + colonies; in Spain, to be from Mexico, or Peru, or some other + Spanish-American country. Repeatedly have I found myself involved in a + long geographical and political definition of my national identity. + </p> + <p> + Now, Sir, meaning no disrespect to any of our co-heirs of this great + quarter of the world, I am for none of this coparceny in a name that is to + mingle us up with the riff-raff colonies and off-sets of every nation of + Europe. The title of American may serve to tell the quarter of the world + to which I belong, the same as a Frenchman or an Englishman may call + himself a European; but I want my own peculiar national name to rally + under. I want an appellation that shall tell at once, and in a way not to + be mistaken, that I belong to this very portion of America, geographical + and political, to which it is my pride and happiness to belong; that I am + of the Anglo-Saxon race which founded this Anglo-Saxon empire in the + wilderness; and that I have no part or parcel with any other race or + empire, Spanish, French, or Portuguese, in either of the Americas. Such an + appellation, Sir, would have magic in it. It would bind every part of the + confederacy together as with a keystone; it would be a passport to the + citizen of our republic throughout the world. + </p> + <p> + We have it in our power to furnish ourselves with such a national + appellation, from one of the grand and eternal features of our country; + from that noble chain of mountains which formed its back-bone, and ran + through the “old confederacy,” when it first declared our + national independence. I allude to the Appalachian or Alleghany mountains. + We might do this without any very inconvenient change in our present + titles. We might still use the phrase, “The United States,” + substituting Appalachia, or Alleghania, (I should prefer the latter,) in + place of America. The title of Appalachian, or Alleghanian, would still + announce us as Americans, but would specify us as citizens of the Great + Republic. Even our old national cypher of U. S. A. might remain unaltered, + designating the United States of Alleghania. + </p> + <p> + These are crude ideas, Mr. Editor, hastily thrown out to elicit the ideas + of others, and to call attention to a subject of more national importance + than may at first be supposed. + </p> + <p> + Very respectfully yours, + </p> + <p> + Geoffrey Crayon. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0011" id="link2H_4_0011"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + DESULTORY THOUGHTS ON CRITICISM. + </h2> + <p> + “Let a man write never so well, there are now-a-days a sort of + persons they call critics, that, egad, have no more wit in them than so + many hobby-horses: but they’ll laugh at you, Sir, and find fault, + and censure things, that, egad, I’m sure they are not able to do + themselves; a sort of envious persons, that emulate the glories of persons + of parts, and think to build their fame by calumniation of persons that, + egad, to my knowledge, of all persons in the world, are in nature the + persons that do as much despise all that, as—a—In fine, I’ll + say no more of ‘em!” -REHEARSAL. + </p> + <p> + All the world knows the story of the tempest-tossed voyager, who, coming + upon a strange coast, and seeing a man hanging in chains, hailed it with + joy, as the sign of a civilized country. In like manner we may hail, as a + proof of the rapid advancement of civilization and refinement in this + country, the increasing number of delinquent authors daily gibbeted for + the edification of the public. + </p> + <p> + In this respect, as in every other, we are “going ahead” with + accelerated velocity, and promising to outstrip the superannuated + countries of Europe. It is really astonishing to see the number of + tribunals incessantly springing up for the trial of literary offences. + Independent of the high courts of Oyer and Terminer, the great quarterly + reviews, we have innumerable minor tribunals, monthly and weekly, down to + the Pie-poudre courts in the daily papers; insomuch that no culprit stands + so little chance of escaping castigation, as an unlucky author, guilty of + an unsuccessful attempt to please the public. + </p> + <p> + Seriously speaking, however, it is questionable whether our national + literature is sufficiently advanced, to bear this excess of criticism; and + whether it would not thrive better, if allowed to spring up, for some time + longer, in the freshness and vigor of native vegetation. When the worthy + Judge Coulter, of Virginia, opened court for the first time in one of the + upper counties, he was for enforcing all the rules and regulations that + had grown into use in the old, long-settled counties. “This is all + very well,” said a shrewd old farmer; “but let me tell you, + Judge Coulter, you set your coulter too deep for a new soil.” + </p> + <p> + For my part, I doubt whether either writer or reader is benefited by what + is commonly called criticism. The former is rendered cautious and + distrustful; he fears to give way to those kindling emotions, and brave + sallies of thought, which bear him up to excellence; the latter is made + fastidious and cynical; or rather, he surrenders his own independent taste + and judgment, and learns to like and dislike at second hand. + </p> + <p> + Let us, for a moment, consider the nature of this thing called criticism, + which exerts such a sway over the literary world. The pronoun we, used by + critics, has a most imposing and delusive sound. The reader pictures to + himself a conclave of learned men, deliberating gravely and scrupulously + on the merits of the book in question; examining it page by page, + comparing and balancing their opinions, and when they have united in a + conscientious verdict, publishing it for the benefit of the world: whereas + the criticism is generally the crude and hasty production of an + individual, scribbling to while away an idle hour, to oblige a + book-seller, or to defray current expenses. How often is it the passing + notion of the hour, affected by accidental circumstances; by + indisposition, by peevishness, by vapors or indigestion; by personal + prejudice, or party feeling. Sometimes a work is sacrificed, because the + reviewer wishes a satirical article; sometimes because he wants a humorous + one; and sometimes because the author reviewed has become offensively + celebrated, and offers high game to the literary marksman. + </p> + <p> + How often would the critic himself, if a conscientious man, reverse his + opinion, had he time to revise it in a more sunny moment; but the press is + waiting, the printer’s devil is at his elbow; the article is wanted + to make the requisite variety for the number of the review, or the author + has pressing occasion for the sum he is to receive for the article, so it + is sent off, all blotted and blurred; with a shrug of the shoulders, and + the consolatory ejaculation: “Pshaw! curse it! it’s nothing + but a review!” + </p> + <p> + The critic, too, who dictates thus oracularly to the world, is perhaps + some dingy, ill-favored, ill-mannered varlet, who, were he to speak by + word of mouth, would be disregarded, if not scoffed at; but such is the + magic of types; such the mystic operation of anonymous writing; such the + potential effect of the pronoun we, that his crude decisions, fulminated + through the press, become circulated far and wide, control the opinions of + the world, and give or destroy reputation. + </p> + <p> + Many readers have grown timorous in their judgments since the + all-pervading currency of criticism. They fear to express a revised, frank + opinion about any new work, and to relish it honestly and heartily, lest + it should be condemned in the next review, and they stand convicted of bad + taste. Hence they hedge their opinions, like a gambler his bets, and leave + an opening to retract, and retreat, and qualify, and neutralise every + unguarded expression of delight, until their very praise declines into a + faintness that is damning. + </p> + <p> + Were every one, on the contrary, to judge for himself, and speak his mind + frankly and fearlessly, we should have more true criticism in the world + than at present. Whenever a person is pleased with a work, he may be + assured that it has good qualities. An author who pleases a variety of + readers, must possess substantial powers of pleasing; or, in other words, + intrinsic merits; for otherwise we acknowledge an effect, and deny the + cause. The reader, therefore, should not suffer himself to be readily + shaken from the conviction of his own feelings, by the sweeping censures + of pseudo critics. The author he has admired, may be chargeable with a + thousand faults; but it is nevertheless beauties and excellencies that + have excited his admiration; and he should recollect that taste and + judgment are as much evinced in the perception of beauties among defects, + as in a detection of defects among beauties. For my part, I honor the + blessed and blessing spirit that is quick to discover and extol all that + is pleasing and meritorious. Give me the honest bee, that extracts honey + from the humblest weed, but save me from the ingenuity of the spider, + which traces its venom, even in the midst of a flower-garden. + </p> + <p> + If the mere fact of being chargeable with faults and imperfections is to + condemn an author, who is to escape? The greatest writers of antiquity + have, in this way, been obnoxious to criticism. Aristotle himself has been + accused of ignorance; Aristophanes of impiety and buffoonery; Virgil of + plagiarism, and a want of invention; Horace of obscurity; Cicero has been, + said to want vigor and connexion, and Demosthenes to be deficient in + nature, and in purity of language. Yet these have all survived the + censures of the critic, and flourished on to a glorious immortality. Every + now and then the world is startled by some new doctrines in matters of + taste, some levelling attacks on established creeds; some sweeping + denunciations of whole generations, or schools of writers, as they are + called, who had seemed to be embalmed and canonized in public opinion. + Such has been the case, for instance, with Pope, and Dryden, and Addison, + who for a time have almost been shaken from their pedestals, and treated + as false idols. + </p> + <p> + It is singular, also, to see the fickleness of the world with respect to + its favorites. Enthusiasm exhausts itself, and prepares the way for + dislike. The public is always for positive sentiments, and new sensations. + When wearied of admiring, it delights to censure; thus coining a double + set of enjoyments out of the same subject. Scott and Byron are scarce cold + in their graves, and already we find criticism beginning to call in + question those powers which held the world in magic thraldom. Even in our + own country, one of its greatest geniuses has had some rough passages with + the censors of the press; and instantly criticism begins to unsay all that + it has repeatedly said in his praise; and the public are almost led to + believe that the pen which has so often delighted them, is absolutely + destitute of the power to delight! + </p> + <p> + If, then, such reverses in opinion as to matters of taste can be so + readily brought about, when may an author feel himself secure? Where is + the anchoring-ground of popularity, when he may thus be driven from his + moorings, and foundered even in harbor? The reader, too, when he is to + consider himself safe in admiring, when he sees long-established altars + overthrown, and his household deities dashed to the ground! + </p> + <p> + There is one consolatory reflection. Every abuse carries with it its own + remedy or palliation. Thus the excess of crude and hasty criticism, which + has of late prevailed throughout the literary world, and threatened to + overrun our country, begins to produce its own antidote. Where there is a + multiplicity of contradictory paths, a man must make his choice; in so + doing, he has to exercise his judgment, and that is one great step to + mental independence. He begins to doubt all, where all differ, and but one + can be in the right. He is driven to trust to his own discernment, and his + natural feelings; and here he is most likely to be safe. The author, too, + finding that what is condemned at one tribunal, is applauded at another, + though perplexed for a time, gives way at length to the spontaneous + impulse of his genius, and the dictates of his taste, and writes in the + way most natural to himself. It is thus that criticism, which by its + severity may have held the little world of writers in check, may, by its + very excess, disarm itself of its terrors, and the hardihood of talent + become restored. + </p> + <h3> + G.C. + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0012" id="link2H_4_0012"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + SPANISH ROMANCE. + </h2> + <h3> + TO THE EDITOR OF THE KNICKERBOCKER. + </h3> + <p> + Sir: I have already given you a legend or two drawn from ancient Spanish + sources, and may occasionally give you a few more. I love these old + Spanish themes, especially when they have a dash of the Morisco in them, + and treat of the times when the Moslems maintained a foot-hold in the + peninsula. They have a high, spicy, oriental flavor, not to be found in + any other themes that are merely European. In fact, Spain is a country + that stands alone in the midst of Europe; severed in habits, manners, and + modes of thinking, from all its continental neighbors. It is a romantic + country; but its romance has none of the sentimentality of modern European + romance: it is chiefly derived from the brilliant regions of the East, and + from the high-minded school of Saracenic chivalry. + </p> + <p> + The Arab invasion and conquest brought a higher civilization and a nobler + style of thinking into Gothic Spain. The Arabs were a quick-witted, + sagacious, proud-spirited, and poetical people, and were imbued with + oriental science and literature. Wherever they established a seat of + power, it became a rallying place for the learned and ingenious; and they + softened and refined the people whom they conquered. By degrees, occupancy + seemed to give them a hereditary right to their foothold in the land; they + ceased to be looked upon as invaders, and were regarded as rival + neighbors. The peninsula, broken up into a variety of states, both + Christian and Moslem, became for centuries a great campaigning ground, + where the art of war seemed to be the principal business of man, and was + carried to the highest pitch of romantic chivalry. The original ground of + hostility, a difference of faith, gradually lost its rancor. Neighboring + states, of opposite creeds, were occasionally linked together in + alliances, offensive and defensive; so that the cross and crescent were to + be seen side by side fighting against some common enemy. In times of + peace, too, the noble youth of either faith resorted to the same cities, + Christian or Moslem, to school themselves in military science. Even in the + temporary truces of sanguinary wars, the warriors who had recently striven + together in the deadly conflicts of the field, laid aside their animosity, + met at tournaments, jousts, and other military festivities, and exchanged + the courtesies of gentle and generous spirits. Thus the opposite races + became frequently mingled together in peaceful intercourse, or if any + rivalry took place, it was in those high courtesies and nobler acts which + bespeak the accomplished cavalier. Warriors of opposite creeds became + ambitious of transcending each other in magnanimity as well as valor. + Indeed, the chivalric virtues were refined upon to a degree sometimes + fastidious and constrained; but at other times, inexpressibly noble and + affecting. The annals of the times teem with illustrious instances of + high-wrought courtesy, romantic generosity, lofty disinterestedness, and + punctilious honor, that warm the very soul to read them. These have + furnished themes for national plays and poems, or have been celebrated in + those all-pervading ballads which are as the life-breath of the people, + and thus have continued to exercise an influence on the national character + which centuries of vicissitude and decline have not been able to destroy; + so that, with all their faults, and they are many, the Spaniards, even at + the present day, are on many points the most high-minded and + proud-spirited people of Europe. It is true, the romance of feeling + derived from the sources I have mentioned, has, like all other romance, + its affectations and extremes. It renders the Spaniard at times pompous + and grandiloquent; prone to carry the “pundonor,” or point of + honor, beyond the bounds of sober sense and sound morality; disposed, in + the midst of poverty, to affect the “grande caballero,” and to + look down with sovereign disdain upon “arts mechanical,” and + all the gainful pursuits of plebeian life; but this very inflation of + spirit, while it fills his brain with vapors, lifts him above a thousand + meannesses; and though it often keeps him in indigence, ever protects him + from vulgarity. + </p> + <p> + In the present day, when popular literature is running into the low levels + of life and luxuriating on the vices and follies of mankind, and when the + universal pursuit of gain is trampling down the early growth of poetic + feeling and wearing out the verdure of the soul, I question whether it + would not be of service for the reader occasionally to turn to these + records of prouder times and loftier modes of thinking, and to steep + himself to the very lips in old Spanish romance. + </p> + <p> + For my own part, I have a shelf or two of venerable, parchment-bound + tomes, picked up here and there about the peninsula, and filled with + chronicles, plays, and ballads, about Moors and Christians, which I keep + by me as mental tonics, in the same way that a provident housewife has her + cupboard of cordials. Whenever I find my mind brought below par by the + commonplace of every-day life, or jarred by the sordid collisions of the + world, or put out of tune by the shrewd selfishness of modern + utilitarianism, I resort to these venerable tomes, as did the worthy hero + of La Mancha to his books of chivalry, and refresh and tone up my spirit + by a deep draught of their contents. They have some such effect upon me as + Falstaff ascribes to a good Sherris sack, “warming the blood and + filling the brain with fiery and delectable shapes.” + </p> + <p> + I here subjoin, Mr. Editor, a small specimen of the cordials I have + mentioned, just drawn from my Spanish cupboard, which I recommend to your + palate. If you find it to your taste, you may pass it on to your readers. + </p> + <p> + Your correspondent and well-wisher, + </p> + <h3> + GEOFFREY CRAYON. + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0013" id="link2H_4_0013"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LEGEND OF DON MUNIO SANCHO DE HINOJOSA. + </h2> + <h3> + By The Author Of The Sketch-Book. + </h3> + <p> + In the cloisters of the ancient Benedictine convent of San Domingo, at + Silos, in Castile, are the mouldering yet magnificent monuments of the + once powerful and chivalrous family of Hinojosa. Among these, reclines the + marble figure of a knight, in complete armor, with the hands pressed + together, as if in prayer. On one side of his tomb is sculptured in relief + a band of Christian cavaliers, capturing a cavalcade of male and female + Moors; on the other side, the same cavaliers are represented kneeling + before an altar. The tomb, like most of the neighboring monuments, is + almost in ruins, and the sculpture is nearly unintelligible, excepting to + the keen eye of the antiquary. The story connected with the sepulchre, + however, is still preserved in the old Spanish chronicles, and is to the + following purport. + </p> + <p> + In old times, several hundred years ago, there was a noble Castilian + cavalier, named Don Munio Sancho de Hinojosa, lord of a border castle, + which had stood the brunt of many a Moorish foray. He had seventy horsemen + as his household troops, all of the ancient Castilian proof; stark + warriors, hard riders, and men of iron; with these he scoured the Moorish + lands, and made his name terrible throughout the borders. His castle hall + was covered with banners, and scimitars, and Moslem helms, the trophies of + his prowess. Don Munio was, moreover, a keen huntsman; and rejoiced in + hounds of all kinds, steeds for the chase, and hawks for the towering + sport of falconry. When not engaged in warfare, his delight was to beat up + the neighboring forests; and scarcely ever did he ride forth, without + hound and horn, a boar-spear in his hand, or a hawk upon his fist, and an + attendant train of huntsmen. + </p> + <p> + His wife, Donna Maria Palacin, was of a gentle and timid nature, little + fitted to be the spouse of so hardy and adventurous a knight; and many a + tear did the poor lady shed, when he sallied forth upon his daring + enterprises, and many a prayer did she offer up for his safety. + </p> + <p> + As this doughty cavalier was one day hunting, he stationed himself in a + thicket, on the borders of a green glade of the forest, and dispersed his + followers to rouse the game, and drive it toward his stand. He had not + been here long, when a cavalcade of Moors, of both sexes, came prankling + over the forest lawn. They were unarmed, and magnificently dressed in + robes of tissue and embroidery, rich shawls of India, bracelets and + anklets of gold, and jewels that sparkled in the sun. + </p> + <p> + At the head of this gay cavalcade, rode a youthful cavalier, superior to + the rest in dignity and loftiness of demeanor, and in splendor of attire; + beside him was a damsel, whose veil, blown aside by the breeze, displayed + a face of surpassing beauty, and eyes cast down in maiden modesty, yet + beaming with tenderness and joy. + </p> + <p> + Don Munio thanked his stars for sending him such a prize, and exulted at + the thought of bearing home to his wife the glittering spoils of these + infidels. Putting his hunting-horn to his lips, he gave a blast that rung + through the forest. His huntsmen came running from all quarters, and the + astonished Moors were surrounded and made captives. + </p> + <p> + The beautiful Moor wrung her hands in despair, and her female attendants + uttered the most piercing cries. The young Moorish cavalier alone retained + self-possession. He inquired the name of the Christian knight, who + commanded this troop of horsemen. When told that it was Don Munio Sancho + de Hinojosa, his countenance lighted up. Approaching that cavalier, and + kissing his hand, “Don Munio Sancho,” said he, “I have + heard of your fame as a true and valiant knight, terrible in arms, but + schooled in the noble virtues of chivalry. Such do I trust to find you. In + me you behold Abadil, son of a Moorish Alcayde. I am on the way to + celebrate my nuptials with this lady; chance has thrown us in your power, + but I confide in your magnanimity. Take all our treasure and jewels; + demand what ransom you think proper for our person, but suffer us not to + be insulted or dishonored.” + </p> + <p> + When the good knight heard this appeal, and beheld the beauty of the + youthful pair, his heart was touched with tenderness and courtesy. “God + forbid,” said he, “that I should disturb such happy nuptials. + My prisoners in troth shall ye be, for fifteen days, and immured within my + castle, where I claim, as conqueror, the right of celebrating your + espousals.” + </p> + <p> + So saying, he despatched one of his fleetest horsemen in advance, to + notify Donna Maria Palacin of the coming of this bridal party; while he + and his huntsmen escorted the cavalcade, not as captors, but as a guard of + honor. As they drew near to the castle, the banners were hung out, and the + trumpets sounded from the battlements; and on their nearer approach, the + draw-bridge was lowered, and Donna Maria came forth to meet them, attended + by her ladies and knights, her pages and her minstrels. She took the young + bride, Allifra, in her arms, kissed her with the tenderness of a sister, + and conducted her into the castle. In the mean time, Don Munio sent forth + missives in every direction, and had viands and dainties of all kinds + collected from the country round; and the wedding of the Moorish lovers + was celebrated with all possible state and festivity. For fifteen days, + the castle was given up to joy and revelry. There were tiltings and jousts + at the ring, and bullfights, and banquets, and dances to the sound of + minstrelsy. When the fifteen days were at an end, he made the bride and + bridegroom magnificent presents, and conducted them and their attendants + safely beyond the borders. Such, in old times, were the courtesy and + generosity of a Spanish cavalier. + </p> + <p> + Several years after this event, the King of Castile summoned his nobles to + assist him in a campaign against the Moors. Don Munio Sancho was among the + first to answer to the call, with seventy horsemen, all staunch and + well-tried warriors. His wife, Donna Maria, hung about his neck. “Alas, + my lord!” exclaimed she, “how often wilt thou tempt thy fate, + and when will thy thirst for glory be appeased?” + </p> + <p> + “One battle more,” replied Don Munio, “one battle more, + for the honor of Castile, and I here make a vow, that when this is over, I + will lay by my sword, and repair with my cavaliers in pilgrimage to the + sepulchre of our Lord at Jerusalem.” The cavaliers all joined with + him in the vow, and Donna Maria felt in some degree soothed in spirit: + still, she saw with a heavy heart the departure of her husband, and + watched his banner with wistful eyes, until it disappeared among the trees + of the forest, + </p> + <p> + The King of Castile led his army to the plains of Almanara, where they + encountered the Moorish host, near to Ucles. The battle was long and + bloody; the Christians repeatedly wavered, and were as often rallied by + the energy of their commanders. Don Munio was covered with wounds, but + refused to leave the field. The Christians at length gave way, and the + king was hardly pressed, and in danger of being captured. + </p> + <p> + Don Munio called upon his cavaliers to follow him to the rescue. “Now + is the time,” cried he, “to prove your loyalty. Fall to, like + brave men! We fight for the true faith, and if we lose our lives here, we + gain a better life hereafter.” + </p> + <p> + Rushing with his men between the king and his pursuers, they checked the + latter in their career, and gave time for their monarch to escape; but + they fell victims to their loyalty. They all fought to the last gasp. Don + Munio was singled out by a powerful Moorish knight, but having been + wounded in the right arm, he fought to disadvantage, and was slain. The + battle being over, the Moor paused to possess himself of the spoils of + this redoubtable Christian warrior. When he unlaced the helmet, however, + and beheld the countenance of Don Munio, he gave a great cry, and smote + his breast. “Woe is me!” cried he: “I have slain my + benefactor! The flower of knightly virtue! the most magnanimous of + cavaliers!” + </p> + <p> + While the battle had been raging on the plain of Salmanara, Donna Maria + Palacin remained in her castle, a prey to the keenest anxiety. Her eyes + were ever fixed on the road that led from the country of the Moors, and + often she asked the watchman of the tower, “What seest thou?” + </p> + <p> + One evening, at the shadowy hour of twilight, the warden sounded his horn. + “I see,” cried he, “a numerous train winding up the + valley. There are mingled Moors and Christians. The banner of my lord is + in the advance. Joyful tidings!” exclaimed the old seneschal: + “my lord returns in triumph, and brings captives!” Then the + castle courts rang with shouts of joy; and the standard was displayed, and + the trumpets were sounded, and the draw-bridge was lowered, and Donna + Maria went forth with her ladies, and her knights, and her pages, and her + minstrels, to welcome her lord from the wars. But as the train drew nigh, + she beheld a sumptuous bier, covered with black velvet, and on it lay a + warrior, as if taking his repose: he lay in his armor, with his helmet on + his head, and his sword in his hand, as one who had never been conquered, + and around the bier were the escutcheons of the house of Hinojosa. + </p> + <p> + A number of Moorish cavaliers attended the bier, with emblems of mourning, + and with dejected countenances: and their leader cast himself at the feet + of Donna Maria, and hid his face in his hands. She beheld in him the + gallant Abadil, whom she had once welcomed with his bride to her castle, + but who now came with the body of her lord, whom he had unknowingly slain + in battle! + </p> + <p> + The sepulchre erected in the cloisters of the Convent of San Domingo was + achieved at the expense of the Moor Abadil, as a feeble testimony of his + grief for the death of the good knight Don Munio, and his reverence for + his memory. The tender and faithful Donna Maria soon followed her lord to + the tomb. On one of the stones of a small arch, beside his sepulchre, is + the following simple inscription: “<i>Hic jacet Maria Palacin, uxor + Munonis Sancij de Finojosa</i>:” Here lies Maria Palacin, wife of + Munio Sancho de Hinojosa. + </p> + <p> + The legend of Don Munio Sancho does not conclude with his death. On the + same day on which the battle took place on the plain of Salmanara, a + chaplain of the Holy Temple at Jerusalem, while standing at the outer + gate, beheld a train of Christian cavaliers advancing, as if in + pilgrimage. The chaplain was a native of Spain, and as the pilgrims + approached, he knew the foremost to be Don Munio Sancho de Hinojosa, with + whom he had been well acquainted in former times. Hastening to the + patriarch, he told him of the honorable rank of the pilgrims at the gate. + The patriarch, therefore, went forth with a grand procession of priests + and monks, and received the pilgrims with all due honor. There were + seventy cavaliers, beside their leader, all stark and lofty warriors. They + carried their helmets in their hands, and their faces were deadly pale. + They greeted no one, nor looked either to the right or to the left, but + entered the chapel, and kneeling before the Sepulchre of our Saviour, + performed their orisons in silence. When they had concluded, they rose as + if to depart, and the patriarch and his attendants advanced to speak to + them, but they were no more to be seen. Every one marvelled what could be + the meaning of this prodigy. The patriarch carefully noted down the day, + and sent to Castile to learn tidings of Don Munio Sancho de Hinojosa. He + received for reply, that on the very day specified, that worthy knight, + with seventy of his followers, had been slain in battle. These, therefore, + must have been the blessed spirits of those Christian warriors, come to + fulfil their vow of a pilgrimage to the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem. Such + was Castilian faith, in the olden time, which kept its word, even beyond + the grave. + </p> + <p> + If any one should doubt of the miraculous apparition of these phantom + knights, let him consult the History of the Kings of Castile and Leon, by + the learned and pious Fray Prudencio de Sandoval, Bishop of Pamplona, + where he will find it recorded in the History of the King Don Alonzo VI., + on the hundred and second page. It is too precious a legend to be lightly + abandoned to the doubter. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0014" id="link2H_4_0014"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + COMMUNIPAW. + </h2> + <h3> + TO THE EDITOR OF THE KNICKERBOCKER. + </h3> + <p> + Sir: I observe, with pleasure, that you are performing from time to time a + pious duty, imposed upon you, I may say, by the name you have adopted as + your titular standard, in following in the footsteps of the venerable + KNICKERBOCKER, and gleaning every fact concerning the early times of the + Manhattoes which may have escaped his hand. I trust, therefore, a few + particulars, legendary and statistical, concerning a place which figures + conspicuously in the early pages of his history, will not be unacceptable. + I allude, Sir, to the ancient and renowned village of Communipaw, which, + according to the veracious Diedrich, and to equally veracious tradition, + was the first spot where our ever-to-be-lamented Dutch progenitors planted + their standard and cast the seeds of empire, and from whence subsequently + sailed the memorable expedition under Oloffe the Dreamer, which landed on + the opposite island of Manhatta, and founded the present city of New-York, + the city of dreams and speculations. + </p> + <p> + Communipaw, therefore, may truly be called the parent of New-York; yet it + is an astonishing fact, that though immediately opposite to the great city + it has produced, from whence its red roofs and tin weather-cocks can + actually be descried peering above the surrounding apple orchards, it + should be almost as rarely visited, and as little known by the inhabitants + of the metropolis, as if it had been locked up among the Rocky Mountains. + Sir, I think there is something unnatural in this, especially in these + times of ramble and research, when our citizens are antiquity-hunting in + every part of the world. Curiosity, like charity, should begin at home; + and I would enjoin it on our worthy burghers, especially those of the real + Knickerbocker breed, before they send their sons abroad to wonder and grow + wise among the remains of Greece and Rome, to let them make a tour of + ancient Pavonia, from Weehawk even to the Kills, and meditate, with filial + reverence, on the moss-grown mansions of Communipaw. Sir, I regard this + much neglected village as one of the most remarkable places in the + country. The intelligent traveller, as he looks down upon it from the + Bergen Heights, modestly nestled among its cabbage-gardens, while the + great flaunting city it has begotten is stretching far and wide on the + opposite side of the bay, the intelligent traveller, I say, will be filled + with astonishment; not, Sir, at the village of Communipaw, which in truth + is a very small village, but at the almost incredible fact that so small a + village should have produced so great a city. It looks to him, indeed, + like some squat little dame, with a tall grenadier of a son strutting by + her side; or some simple-hearted hen that has unwittingly hatched out a + long-legged turkey. + </p> + <p> + But this is not all for which Communipaw is remarkable. Sir, it is + interesting on another account. It is to the ancient province of the + New-Netherlands and the classic era of the Dutch dynasty, what Herculaneum + and Pompeii are to ancient Rome and the glorious days of the empire. Here + every thing remains in statu quo, as it was in the days of Oloffe the + Dreamer, Walter the Doubter, and the other worthies of the golden age; the + same broad-brimmed hats and broad-bottomed breeches; the same knee-buckles + and shoe-buckles; the same close-quilled caps and linsey-woolsey + short-gowns and petticoats; the same implements and utensils and forms and + fashions; in a word, Communipaw at the present day is a picture of what + New-Amsterdam was before the conquest. The “intelligent traveller” + aforesaid, as he treads its streets, is struck with the primitive + character of every thing around him. Instead of Grecian temples for + dwelling-houses, with a great column of pine boards in the way of every + window, he beholds high peaked roofs, gable ends to the street, with + weather-cocks at top, and windows of all sorts and sizes; large ones for + the grown-up members of the family, and little ones for the little folk. + Instead of cold marble porches, with close-locked doors and brass + knockers, he sees the doors hospitably open; the worthy burgher smoking + his pipe on the old-fashioned stoop in front, with his “vrouw” + knitting beside him; and the cat and her kittens at their feet sleeping in + the sunshine. + </p> + <p> + Astonished at the obsolete and “old world” air of every thing + around him, the intelligent traveller demands how all this has come to + pass. Herculaneum and Pompeii remain, it is true, unaffected by the + varying fashions of centuries; but they were buried by a volcano and + preserved in ashes. What charmed spell has kept this wonderful little + place unchanged, though in sight of the most changeful city in the + universe? Has it, too, been buried under its cabbage-gardens, and only dug + out in modern days for the wonder and edification of the world? The reply + involves a point of history, worthy of notice and record, and reflecting + immortal honor on Communipaw. + </p> + <p> + At the time when New-Amsterdam was invaded and conquered by British foes, + as has been related in the history of the venerable Diedrich, a great + dispersion took place among the Dutch inhabitants. Many, like the + illustrious Peter Stuyvesant, buried themselves in rural retreats in the + Bowerie; others, like Wolfert Acker, took refuge in various remote parts + of the Hudson; but there was one staunch, unconquerable band that + determined to keep together, and preserve themselves, like seed corn, for + the future fructification and perpetuity of the Knickerbocker race. These + were headed by one Garret Van Horne, a gigantic Dutchman, the Pelayo of + the New-Netherlands. Under his guidance, they retreated across the bay and + buried themselves among the marshes of ancient Pavonia, as did the + followers of Pelayo among the mountains of Asturias, when Spain was + overrun by its Arabian invaders. + </p> + <p> + The gallant Van Horne set up his standard at Communipaw, and invited all + those to rally under it, who were true Nederlanders at heart, and + determined to resist all foreign intermixture or encroachment. A strict + non-intercourse was observed with the captured city; not a boat ever + crossed to it from Communipaw, and the English language was rigorously + tabooed throughout the village and its dependencies. Every man was sworn + to wear his hat, cut his coat, build his house, and harness his horses, + exactly as his father had done before him; and to permit nothing but the + Dutch language to be spoken in his household. + </p> + <p> + As a citadel of the place, and a strong-hold for the preservation and + defence of every thing Dutch, the gallant Van Horne erected a lordly + mansion, with a chimney perched at every corner, which thence derived the + aristocratical name of “The House of the Four Chimneys.” + Hither he transferred many of the precious reliques of New-Amsterdam; the + great round-crowned hat that once covered the capacious head of Walter the + Doubter, and the identical shoe with which Peter the Headstrong kicked his + pusillanimous councillors down-stairs. St. Nicholas, it is said, took this + loyal house under his especial protection; and a Dutch soothsayer + predicted, that as long as it should stand, Communipaw would be safe from + the intrusion either of Briton or Yankee. + </p> + <p> + In this house would the gallant Van Home and his compeers hold frequent + councils of war, as to the possibility of re-conquering the province from + the British; and here would they sit for hours, nay, days, together + smoking their pipes and keeping watch upon the growing city of New-York; + groaning in spirit whenever they saw a new house erected or ship launched, + and persuading themselves that Admiral Van Tromp would one day or other + arrive to sweep out the invaders with the broom which he carried at his + mast-head. + </p> + <p> + Years rolled by, but Van Tromp never arrived. The British strengthened + themselves in the land, and the captured city flourished under their + domination. Still, the worthies of Communipaw would not despair; something + or other, they were sure, would turn up to restore the power of the Hogen + Mogens, the Lord States-General; so they kept smoking and smoking, and + watching and watching, and turning the same few thoughts over and over in + a perpetual circle, which is commonly called deliberating. In the mean + time, being hemmed up within a narrow compass, between the broad bay and + the Bergen hills, they grew poorer and poorer, until they had scarce the + wherewithal to maintain their pipes in fuel during their endless + deliberations. + </p> + <p> + And now must I relate a circumstance which will call for a little exertion + of faith on the part of the reader; but I can only say that if he doubts + it, he had better not utter his doubts in Communipaw, as it is among the + religious beliefs of the place. It is, in fact, nothing more nor less than + a miracle, worked by the blessed St. Nicholas, for the relief and + sustenance of this loyal community. + </p> + <p> + It so happened, in this time of extremity, that in the course of cleaning + the House of the Four Chimneys, by an ignorant housewife who knew nothing + of the historic value of the reliques it contained, the old hat of Walter + the Doubter and the executive shoe of Peter the Headstrong were thrown out + of doors as rubbish. But mark the consequence. The good St. Nicholas kept + watch over these precious reliques, and wrought out of them a wonderful + providence. + </p> + <p> + The hat of Walter the Doubter falling on a stercoraceous heap of compost, + in the rear of the house, began forthwith to vegetate. Its broad brim, + spread forth grandly and exfoliated, and its round crown swelled and + crimped and consolidated until the whole became a prodigious cabbage, + rivalling in magnitude the capacious head of the Doubter. In a word, it + was the origin of that renowned species of cabbage known, by all Dutch + epicures, by the name of the Governor’s Head, and which is to this + day the glory of Communipaw. + </p> + <p> + On the other hand, the shoe of Peter Stuyvesant being thrown into the + river, in front of the house, gradually hardened and concreted, and became + covered with barnacles, and at length turned into a gigantic oyster; being + the progenitor of that illustrious species known throughout the + gastronomical world by the name of the Governor’s Foot. + </p> + <p> + These miracles were the salvation of Communipaw. The sages of the place + immediately saw in them the hand of St. Nicholas, and understood their + mystic signification. They set to work with all diligence to cultivate and + multiply these great blessings; and so abundantly did the gubernatorial + hat and shoe fructify and increase, that in a little time great patches of + cabbages were to be seen extending from the village of Communipaw quite to + the Bergen Hills; while the whole bottom of the bay in front became a vast + bed of oysters. Ever since that time this excellent community has been + divided into two great classes: those who cultivate the land and those who + cultivate the water. The former have devoted themselves to the nurture and + edification of cabbages, rearing them in all their varieties; while the + latter have formed parks and plantations, under water, to which juvenile + oysters are transplanted from foreign parts, to finish their education. + </p> + <p> + As these great sources of profit multiplied upon their hands, the worthy + inhabitants of Communipaw began to long for a market at which to dispose + of their superabundance. This gradually produced once more an intercourse + with New-York; but it was always carried on by the old people and the + negroes; never would they permit the young folks, of either sex, to visit + the city, lest they should get tainted with foreign manners and bring home + foreign fashions. Even to this day, if you see an old burgher in the + market, with hat and garb of antique Dutch fashion, you may be sure he is + one of the old unconquered race of the “bitter blood,” who + maintain their strong-hold at Communipaw. + </p> + <p> + In modern days, the hereditary bitterness against the English has lost + much of its asperity, or rather has become merged in a new source of + jealousy and apprehension: I allude to the incessant and wide-spreading + irruptions from New-England. Word has been continually brought back to + Communipaw, by those of the community who return from their trading + voyages in cabbages and oysters, of the alarming power which the Yankees + are gaining in the ancient city of New-Amsterdam; elbowing the genuine + Knickerbockers out of all civic posts of honor and profit; bargaining them + out of their hereditary homesteads; pulling down the venerable houses, + with crow-step gables, which have stood since the time of the Dutch rule, + and erecting, instead, granite stores, and marble banks; in a word, + evincing a deadly determination to obliterate every vestige of the good + old Dutch times. + </p> + <p> + In consequence of the jealousy thus awakened, the worthy traders from + Communipaw confine their dealings, as much as possible, to the genuine + Dutch families. If they furnish the Yankees at all, it is with inferior + articles. Never can the latter procure a real “Governor’s + Head,” or “Governor’s Foot,” though they have + offered extravagant prices for the same, to grace their table on the + annual festival of the New-England Society. + </p> + <p> + But what has carried this hostility to the Yankees to the highest pitch, + was an attempt made by that all-pervading race to get possession of + Communipaw itself. Yes, Sir; during the late mania for land speculation, a + daring company of Yankee projectors landed before the village; stopped the + honest burghers on the public highway, and endeavored to bargain them out + of their hereditary acres; displayed lithographic maps, in which their + cabbage-gardens were laid out into town lots: their oyster-parks into + docks and quays; and even the House of the Four Chimneys metamorphosed + into a bank, which was to enrich the whole neighborhood with paper money. + </p> + <p> + Fortunately, the gallant Van Hornes came to the rescue, just as some of + the worthy burghers were on the point of capitulating. The Yankees were + put to the rout, with signal confusion, and have never since dared to show + their faces in the place. The good people continue to cultivate their + cabbages, and rear their oysters; they know nothing of banks, nor joint + stock companies, but treasure up their money in stocking-feet, at the + bottom of the family chest, or bury it in iron pots, as did their fathers + and grandfathers before them. + </p> + <p> + As to the House of the Four Chimneys, it still remains in the great and + tall family of the Van Hornes. Here are to be seen ancient Dutch corner + cupboards, chests of drawers, and massive clothes-presses, quaintly + carved, and carefully waxed and polished; together with divers thick, + black-letter volumes, with brass clasps, printed of yore in Leydon and + Amsterdam, and handed down from generation to generation, in the family, + but never read. They are preserved in the archives, among sundry old + parchment deeds, in Dutch and English, bearing the seals of the early + governors of the province. + </p> + <p> + In this house, the primitive Dutch holidays of Paas and Pinxter are + faithfully kept up; and New-Year celebrated with cookies and + cherry-bounce; nor is the festival of the blessed St. Nicholas forgotten, + when all the children are sure to hang up their stockings, and to have + them filled according to their deserts; though, it is said, the good saint + is occasionally perplexed in his nocturnal visits, which chimney to + descend. + </p> + <p> + Of late, this portentous mansion has begun to give signs of dilapidation + and decay. Some have attributed this to the visits made by the young + people to the city, and their bringing thence various modern fashions; and + to their neglect of the Dutch language, which is gradually becoming + confined to the older persons in the community. The house, too, was + greatly shaken by high winds, during the prevalence of the speculation + mania, especially at the time of the landing of the Yankees. Seeing how + mysteriously the fate of Communipaw is identified with this venerable + mansion, we cannot wonder that the older and wiser heads of the community + should be filled with dismay, whenever a brick is toppled down from one of + the chimneys, or a weather-cock is blown off from a gable-end. + </p> + <p> + The present lord of this historic pile, I am happy to say, is calculated + to maintain it in all its integrity. He is of patriarchal age, and is + worthy of the days of the patriarchs. He has done his utmost to increase + and multiply the true race in the land. His wife has not been inferior to + him in zeal, and they are surrounded by a goodly progeny of children, and + grand-children, and great-grand-children, who promise to perpetuate the + name of Van Horne, until time shall be no more. So be it! Long may the + horn of the Van Hornes continue to be exalted in the land! Tall as they + are, may their shadows never be less! May the House of the Four Chimneys + remain for ages, the citadel of Communipaw, and the smoke of its chimneys + continue to ascend, a sweet-smelling incense in the hose of St. Nicholas! + </p> + <p> + With great respect, Mr. Editor, + </p> + <p> + Your ob’t servant, + </p> + <h3> + HERMANUS VANDERDONK. + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0015" id="link2H_4_0015"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CONSPIRACY OF THE COCKED HATS. + </h2> + <h3> + TO THE EDITOR OF THE KNICKERBOCKER. + </h3> + <p> + Sir: I have read with great satisfaction the valuable paper of your + correspondent, Mr. HERMANUS VANDERDONK, (who, I take it, is a descendant + of the learned Adrian Vanderdonk, one of the early historians of the + Nieuw-Nederlands,) giving sundry particulars, legendary and statistical, + touching the venerable village of Communipaw and its fate-bound citadel, + the House of the Four Chimneys. It goes to prove what I have repeatedly + maintained, that we live in the midst of history and mystery and romance; + and that there is no spot in the world more rich in themes for the writer + of historic novels, heroic melodramas, and rough-shod epics, than this + same business-looking city of the Manhattoes and its environs. He who + would find these elements, however, must not seek them among the modern + improvements and modern people of this moneyed metropolis, but must dig + for them, as for Kidd the pirate’s treasures, in out-of-the-way + places, and among the ruins of the past. + </p> + <p> + Poetry and romance received a fatal blow at the overthrow of the ancient + Dutch dynasty, and have ever since been gradually withering under the + growing domination of the Yankees. They abandoned our hearths when the old + Dutch tiles were superseded by marble chimney-pieces; when brass andirons + made way for polished grates, and the crackling and blazing fire of + nut-wood gave place to the smoke and stench of Liverpool coal; and on the + downfall of the last gable-end house, their requiem was tolled from the + tower of the Dutch church in Nassau-street by the old bell that came from + Holland. But poetry and romance still live unseen among us, or seen only + by the enlightened few, who are able to contemplate this city and its + environs through the medium of tradition, and clothed with the + associations of foregone ages. + </p> + <p> + Would you seek these elements in the country, Mr. Editor, avoid all + turnpikes, rail-roads, and steamboats, those abominable inventions by + which the usurping Yankees are strengthening themselves in the land, and + subduing every thing to utility and common-place. Avoid all towns and + cities of white clapboard palaces and Grecian temples, studded with + “Academics,” “Seminaries,” and “Institutes,” + which glisten along our bays and rivers; these are the strong-holds of + Yankee usurpation; but if haply you light upon some rough, rambling road, + winding between stone fences, gray with moss, and overgrown with elder, + poke-berry, mullein, and sweet-briar, with here and there a low, + red-roofed, whitewashed farm-house, cowering among apple and cherry trees; + an old stone church, with elms, willows, and button-woods, as old-looking + as itself, and tombstones almost buried in their own graves; and, + peradventure, a small log school-house at a cross-road, where the English + is still taught with a thickness of the tongue, instead of a twang of the + nose; should you, I say, light upon such a neighborhood, Mr. Editor, you + may thank your stars that you have found one of the lingering haunts of + poetry and romance. + </p> + <p> + Your correspondent, Sir, has touched upon that sublime and affecting + feature in the history of Communipaw, the retreat of the patriotic band of + Nederlanders, led by Van Horne, whom he justly terms the Pelayo of the + New-Netherlands. He has given you a picture of the manner in which they + ensconced themselves in the House of the Four Chimneys, and awaited with + heroic patience and perseverance the day that should see the flag of the + Hogen Mogens once more floating on the fort of New-Amsterdam. + </p> + <p> + Your correspondent, Sir, has but given you a glimpse over the threshold; I + will now let you into the heart of the mystery of this most mysterious and + eventful village. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Yes, sir, I will now—“unclasp a secret book; + And to your quick conceiving discontents, + I’ll read you matter deep and dangerous, + As full of peril and adventurous spirit, + As to o’er walk a current, roaring loud, + On the unsteadfast footing of a spear.” + </pre> + <p> + Sir, it is one of the most beautiful and interesting facts connected with + the history of Communipaw, that the early feeling of resistance to foreign + rule, alluded to by your correspondent, is still kept up. Yes, sir, a + settled, secret, and determined conspiracy has been going on for + generations among this indomitable people, the descendants of the refugees + from New-Amsterdam; the object of which is to redeem their ancient seat of + empire, and to drive the losel Yankees out of the land. + </p> + <p> + Communipaw, it is true, has the glory of originating this conspiracy; and + it was hatched and reared in the House of the Four Chimneys; but it has + spread far and wide over ancient Pavonia, surmounted the heights of + Bergen, Hoboken, and Weehawk, crept up along the banks of the Passaic and + the Hackensack, until it pervades the whole chivalry of the country from + Tappan Slote in the north to Piscataway in the south, including the + pugnacious village of Rahway, more heroically denominated Spank-town. + </p> + <p> + Throughout all these regions a great “in-and-in confederacy” + prevails, that is to say, a confederacy among the Dutch families, by dint + of diligent and exclusive intermarriage, to keep the race pure and to + multiply. If ever, Mr. Editor, in the course of your travels between + Spank-town and Tappan Slote, you should see a cosey, low-eaved farm-house, + teeming with sturdy, broad-built little urchins, you may set it down as + one of the breeding places of this grand secret confederacy, stocked with + the embryo deliverers of New-Amsterdam. + </p> + <p> + Another step in the progress of this patriotic conspiracy, is the + establishment, in various places within the ancient boundaries of the + Nieuw-Nederlands, of secret, or rather mysterious associations, composed + of the genuine sons of the Nederlanders, with the ostensible object of + keeping up the memory of old times and customs, but with the real object + of promoting the views of this dark and mighty plot, and extending its + ramifications throughout the land. + </p> + <p> + Sir, I am descended from a long line of genuine Nederlanders, who, though + they remained in the city of New-Amsterdam after the conquest, and + throughout the usurpation, have never in their hearts been able to + tolerate the yoke imposed upon them. My worthy father, who was one of the + last of the cocked hats, had a little knot of cronies, of his own stamp, + who used to meet in our wainscoted parlor, round a nut-wood fire, talk + over old times, when the city was ruled by its native burgomasters, and + groan over the monopoly of all places of power and profit by the Yankees. + I well recollect the effect upon this worthy little conclave, when the + Yankees first instituted then New-England Society, held their “national + festival,” toasted their “father land,” and sang their + foreign songs of triumph within the very precincts of our ancient + metropolis. Sir, from that day, my father held the smell of codfish and + potatoes, and the sight of pumpkin pie, in utter abomination; and whenever + the annual dinner of the New-England Society came round, it was a sore + anniversary for his children. He got up in an ill humor, grumbled and + growled throughout the day, and not one of us went to bed that night, + without having had his jacket well trounced, to the tune of “The + Pilgrim Fathers.” + </p> + <p> + You may judge, then, Mr. Editor, of the exaltation of all true patriots of + this stamp, when the Society of Saint Nicholas was set up among us, and + intrepidly established, cheek by jole, alongside of the society of the + invaders. Never shall I forget the effect upon my father and his little + knot of brother groaners, when tidings were brought them that the ancient + banner of the Manhattoes was actually floating from the window of the City + Hotel. Sir, they nearly jumped out of their silver-buckled shoes for joy. + They took down their cocked hats from the pegs on which they had hanged + them, as the Israelites of yore hung their harps upon the willows, in + token of bondage, clapped them resolutely once more upon their heads, and + cocked them in the face of every Yankee they met on the way to the + banqueting-room. + </p> + <p> + The institution of this society was hailed with transport throughout the + whole extent of the New-Netherlands; being considered a secret foothold + gained in New-Amsterdam, and a flattering presage of future triumph. + Whenever that society holds its annual feast, a sympathetic hilarity + prevails throughout the land; ancient Pavonia sends over its contributions + of cabbages and oysters; the House of the Four Chimneys is splendidly + illuminated, and the traditional song of St. Nicholas, the mystic bond of + union and conspiracy, is chaunted with closed doors, in every genuine + Dutch family. + </p> + <p> + I have thus, I trust, Mr. Editor, opened your eyes to some of the grand + moral, poetical, and political phenomena with which you are surrounded. + You will now be able to read the “signs of the times.” You + will now understand what is meant by those “Knickerbocker Halls,” + and “Knickerbocker Hotels,” and “Knickerbocker Lunches,” + that are daily springing up in our city and what all these “Knickerbocker + Omnibuses” are driving at. You will see in them so many clouds + before a storm; so many mysterious but sublime intimations of the + gathering vengeance of a great though oppressed people. Above all, you + will now contemplate our bay and its portentous borders, with proper + feelings of awe and admiration. Talk of the Bay of Naples, and its + volcanic mountains! Why, Sir, little Communipaw, sleeping among its + cabbage gardens, “quiet as gunpowder,” yet with this + tremendous conspiracy brewing in its bosom is an object ten times as + sublime (in a moral point of view, mark me) as Vesuvius in repose, though + charged with lava and brimstone, and ready for an eruption. + </p> + <p> + Let me advert to a circumstance connected with this theme, which cannot + but be appreciated by every heart of sensibility. You must have remarked, + Mr. Editor, on summer evenings, and on Sunday afternoons, certain grave, + primitive-looking personages, walking the Battery, in close confabulation, + with their canes behind their backs, and ever and anon turning a wistful + gaze toward the Jersey shore. These, Sir, are the sons of Saint Nicholas, + the genuine Nederlanders; who regard Communipaw with pious reverence, not + merely as the progenitor, but the destined regenerator, of this great + metropolis. Yes, Sir; they are looking with longing eyes to the green + marshes of ancient Pavonia, as did the poor conquered Spaniards of yore + toward the stern mountains of Asturias, wondering whether the day of + deliverance is at hand. Many is the time, when, in my boyhood, I have + walked with my father and his confidential compeers on the Battery, and + listened to their calculations and conjectures, and observed the points of + their sharp cocked hats evermore turned toward Pavonia. Nay, Sir, I am + convinced that at this moment, if I were to take down the cocked hat of my + lamented father from the peg on which it has hung for years, and were to + carry it to the Battery, its centre point, true as the needle to the pole, + would turn to Communipaw. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Editor, the great historic drama of New-Amsterdam, is but half acted. + The reigns of Walter the Doubter, William the Testy, and Peter the + Headstrong, with the rise, progress, and decline of the Dutch dynasty, are + but so many parts of the main action, the triumphant catastrophe of which + is yet to come. Yes, Sir! the deliverance of the New-Nederlands from + Yankee domination will eclipse the far-famed redemption of Spain from the + Moors, and the oft-sung conquest of Granada will fade before the + chivalrous triumph of New-Amsterdam. Would that Peter Stuyvesant could + rise from his grave to witness that day! + </p> + <p> + Your humble servant, + </p> + <h3> + ROLOFF VAN RIPPER. + </h3> + <p> + P. S. Just as I had concluded the foregoing epistle, I received a piece of + intelligence, which makes me tremble for the fate of Communipaw. I fear, + Mr. Editor, the grand conspiracy is in danger of being countermined and + counteracted, by those all-pervading and indefatigable Yankees. Would you + think it, Sir! one of them has actually effected an entry in the place by + covered way; or in other words, under cover of the petticoats. Finding + every other mode ineffectual, he secretly laid siege to a Dutch heiress, + who owns a great cabbage-garden in her own right. Being a smooth-tongued + varlet, he easily prevailed on her to elope with him, and they were + privately married at Spank-town! The first notice the good people of + Communipaw had of this awful event, was a lithographed map of the cabbage + garden laid out in town lots, and advertised for sale! On the night of the + wedding, the main weather-cock of the House of the Four Chimneys was + carried away in a whirlwind! The greatest consternation reigns throughout + the village! + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0016" id="link2H_4_0016"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + A LEGEND OF COMMUNIPAW. + </h2> + <h3> + TO THE EDITOR OF THE KNICKERBOCKER MAGAZINE. + </h3> + <p> + Sir: I observed in your last month’s periodical, a communication + from a Mr. VANDERDONK, giving some information concerning Communipaw. I + herewith send you, Mr. Editor, a legend connected with that place; and am + much surprised it should have escaped the researches of your very + authentic correspondent, as it relates to an edifice scarcely less fated + than the House of the Four Chimneys. I give you the legend in its crude + and simple state, as I heard it related; it is capable, however, of being + dilated, inflated, and dressed up into very imposing shape and dimensions. + Should any of your ingenious contributors in this line feel inclined to + take it in hand, they will find ample materials, collateral and + illustrative, among the papers of the late Reinier Skaats, many years + since crier of the court, and keeper of the City Hall, in the city of the + Manhattoes; or in the library of that important and utterly renowned + functionary, Mr. Jacob Hays, long time high constable, who, in the course + of his extensive researches, has amassed an amount of valuable facts, to + be rivalled only by that great historical collection, “The Newgate + Calendar.” + </p> + <p> + Your humble servant, + </p> + <h3> + BARENT VAN SCHAICK. + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0017" id="link2H_4_0017"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + <i>GUESTS FROM GIBBET-ISLAND</i>. + </h2> + <h3> + A LEGEND OF COMMUNIPAW. + </h3> + <p> + Whoever has visited the ancient and renowned village of Communipaw, may + have noticed an old stone building, of most ruinous and sinister + appearance. The doors and window-shutters are ready to drop from their + hinges; old clothes are stuffed in the broken panes of glass, while + legions of half-starved dogs prowl about the premises, and rush out and + bark at every passer-by; for your beggarly house in a village is most apt + to swarm with profligate and ill-conditioned dogs. What adds to the + sinister appearance of this mansion, is a tall frame in front, not a + little resembling a gallows, and which looks as if waiting to accommodate + some of the inhabitants with a well-merited airing. It is not a gallows, + however, but an ancient sign-post; for this dwelling, in the golden days + of Communipaw, was one of the most orderly and peaceful of village + taverns, where all the public affairs of Communipaw were talked and smoked + over. In fact, it was in this very building that Oloffe the Dreamer, and + his companions, concerted that great voyage of discovery and colonization, + in which they explored Buttermilk Channel, were nearly shipwrecked in the + strait of Hell-gate, and finally landed on the Island of Manhattan, and + founded the great city of New-Amsterdam. + </p> + <p> + Even after the province had been cruelly wrested from the sway of their + High Mightinesses, by the combined forces of the British and Yankees, this + tavern continued its ancient loyalty. It is true, the head of the Prince + of Orange disappeared from the sign; a strange bird being painted over it, + with the explanatory legend of “DIE WILDE GANS,” or The Wild + Goose; but this all the world knew to be a sly riddle of the landlord, the + worthy Teunis Van Gieson, a knowing man in a small way, who laid his + finger beside his nose and winked, when any one studied the signification + of his sign, and observed that his goose was hatching, but would join the + flock whenever they flew over the water; an enigma which was the perpetual + recreation and delight of the loyal but fat-headed burghers of Communipaw. + </p> + <p> + Under the sway of this patriotic, though discreet and quiet publican, the + tavern continued to flourish in primeval tranquillity, and was the resort + of all true-hearted Nederlanders, from all parts of Pavonia; who met here + quietly and secretly, to smoke and drink the downfall of Briton and + Yankee, and success to Admiral Van Tromp. + </p> + <p> + The only drawback on the comfort of the establishment, was a nephew of + mine host, a sister’s son, Yan Yost Vanderscamp by name, and a real + scamp by nature. This unlucky whipster showed an early propensity to + mischief, which he gratified in a small way, by playing tricks upon the + frequenters of the Wild Goose; putting gunpowder in their pipes, or squibs + in their pockets, and astonishing them with an explosion, while they sat + nodding round the fire-place in the bar-room; and if perchance a worthy + burgher from some distant part of Pavonia had lingered until dark over his + potation, it was odds but that young Vanderscamp would slip a briar under + his horse’s tail, as he mounted, and send him clattering along the + road, in neck-or-nothing style, to his infinite astonishment and + discomfiture. + </p> + <p> + It may be wondered at, that mine host of the Wild Goose did not turn such + a graceless varlet out of doors; but Teunis Van Gieson was an + easy-tempered man, and, having no child of his own, looked upon his nephew + with almost parental indulgence. His patience and good-nature were doomed + to be tried by another inmate of his mansion. This was a cross-grained + curmudgeon of a negro, named Pluto, who was a kind of enigma in + Communipaw. Where he came from, nobody knew. He was found one morning, + after a storm, cast like a sea-monster on the strand, in front of the Wild + Goose, and lay there, more dead than alive. The neighbors gathered round, + and speculated on this production of the deep; whether it were fish or + flesh, or a compound of both, commonly yclept a merman. The kind-hearted + Teunis Van Gieson, seeing that he wore the human form, took him into his + house, and warmed him into life. By degrees, he showed signs of + intelligence, and even uttered sounds very much like language, but which + no one in Communipaw could understand. Some thought him a negro just from + Guinea, who had either fallen overboard, or escaped from a slave-ship. + Nothing, however, could ever draw from him any account of his origin. When + questioned on the subject, he merely pointed to Gibbet-Island, a small + rocky islet, which lies in the open bay, just opposite to Communipaw, as + if that were his native place, though every body knew it had never been + inhabited. + </p> + <p> + In the process of time, he acquired something of the Dutch language, that + is to say, he learnt all its vocabulary of oaths and maledictions, with + just words sufficient to string them together. “Donder en blicksen!” + (thunder and lightning,) was the gentlest of his ejaculations. For years + he kept about the Wild Goose, more like one of those familiar spirits, or + household goblins, that we read of, than like a human being. He + acknowledged allegiance to no one, but performed various domestic offices, + when it suited his humor; waiting occasionally on the guests; grooming the + horses, cutting wood, drawing water; and all this without being ordered. + Lay any command on him, and the stubborn sea-urchin was sure to rebel. He + was never so much at home, however, as when on the water, plying about in + skiff or canoe, entirely alone, fishing, crabbing, or grabbing for + oysters, and would bring home quantities for the larder of the Wild Goose, + which he would throw down at the kitchen door, with a growl. No wind nor + weather deterred him from launching forth on his favorite element: indeed, + the wilder the weather, the more he seemed to enjoy it. If a storm was + brewing, he was sure to put off from shore; and would be seen far out in + the bay, his light skiff dancing like a feather on the waves, when sea and + sky were all in a turmoil, and the stoutest ships were fain to lower their + sails. Sometimes, on such occasions, he would be absent for days together. + How he weathered the tempest, and how and where he subsisted, no one could + divine, nor did any one venture to ask, for all had an almost + superstitious awe of him. Some of the Communipaw oystermen declared that + they had more than once seen him suddenly disappear, canoe and all, as if + they plunged beneath the waves, and after a while come up again, in quite + a different part of the bay; whence they concluded that he could live + under water like that notable species of wild duck, commonly called the + Hell-diver. All began to consider him in the light of a foul-weather bird, + like the Mother Carey’s Chicken, or Stormy Petrel; and whenever they + saw him putting far out in his skiff, in cloudy weather, made up their + minds for a storm. + </p> + <p> + The only being for whom he seemed to have any liking, was Yan Yost + Vanderscamp, and him he liked for his very wickedness. He in a manner took + the boy under his tutelage, prompted him to all kinds of mischief, aided + him in every wild, harum-scarum freak, until the lad became the complete + scapegrace of the village; a pest to his uncle, and to every one else. Nor + were his pranks confined to the land; he soon learned to accompany old + Pluto on the water. Together these worthies would cruise about the broad + bay, and all the neighboring straits and rivers; poking around in skiffs + and canoes; robbing the set-nets of the fishermen; landing on remote + coasts, and laying waste orchards and water-melon patches; in short, + carrying on a complete system of piracy, on a small scale, Piloted by + Pluto, the youthful Vanderscamp soon became acquainted with all the bays, + rivers, creeks, and inlets of the watery world around him; could navigate + from the Hook to Spiting-devil on the darkest night, and learned to set + even the terrors of Hell-gate at defiance. + </p> + <p> + At length, negro and boy suddenly disappeared, and days and weeks elapsed, + but without tidings of them. Some said they must have run away and gone to + sea; others jocosely hinted, that old Pluto, being no other than his + namesake in disguise, had spirited away the boy to the nether regions. + All, however, agreed in one thing, that the village was well rid of them. + </p> + <p> + In the process of time, the good Teunis Van Gieson slept with his fathers, + and the tavern remained shut up, waiting for a claimant, for the next heir + was Yan Yost Vanderscamp, and he had not been heard of for years. At + length, one day, a boat was seen pulling for the shore, from a long, + black, rakish-looking schooner, that lay at anchor in the bay. The boat’s + crew seemed worthy of the craft from which they debarked. Never had such a + set of noisy, roistering, swaggering varlets landed in peaceful + Communipaw. They were outlandish in garb and demeanor, and were headed by + a rough, burly, bully ruffian, with fiery whiskers, a copper nose, a scar + across his face, and a great Flaunderish beaver slouched on one side of + his head, in whom, to their dismay, the quiet inhabitants were made to + recognize their early pest, Yan Yost Vanderscamp. The rear of this hopeful + gang was brought up by old Pluto, who had lost an eye, grown + grizzly-headed, and looked more like a devil than ever. Vanderscamp + renewed his acquaintance with the old burghers, much against their will, + and in a manner not at all to their taste. He slapped them familiarly on + the back, gave them an iron grip of the hand, and was hail fellow well + met. According to his own account, he had been all the world over; had + made money by bags full; had ships in every sea, and now meant to turn the + Wild Goose into a country seat, where he and his comrades, all rich + merchants from foreign parts, might enjoy themselves in the interval of + their voyages. Sure enough, in a little while there was a complete + metamorphose of the Wild Goose. From being a quiet, peaceful Dutch public + house, it became a most riotous, uproarious private dwelling; a complete + rendezvous for boisterous men of the seas, who came here to have what they + called a “blow out” on dry land, and might be seen at all + hours, lounging about the door, or lolling out of the windows; swearing + among themselves, and cracking rough jokes on every passer-by. The house + was fitted up, too, in so strange a manner: hammocks slung to the walls, + instead of bedsteads; odd kinds of furniture, of foreign fashion; bamboo + couches, Spanish chairs; pistols, cutlasses, and blunderbusses, suspended + on every peg; silver crucifixes on the mantel-pieces, silver candle-sticks + and porringers on the tables, contrasting oddly with the pewter and Delf + ware of the original establishment. And then the strange amusements of + these sea-monsters! Pitching Spanish dollars, instead of quoits; firing + blunderbusses out of the window; shooting at a mark, or at any unhappy + dog, or cat, or pig, or barn-door fowl, that might happen to come within + reach. + </p> + <p> + The only being who seemed to relish their rough waggery, was old Pluto; + and yet he led but a dog’s life of it; for they practised all kinds + of manual jokes upon him; kicked him about like a foot-ball; shook him by + his grizzly mop of wool, and never spoke to him without coupling a curse + by way of adjective to his name, and consigning him to the infernal + regions. The old fellow, however, seemed to like them the better, the more + they cursed him, though his utmost expression of pleasure never amounted + to more than the growl of a petted bear, when his ears are rubbed. + </p> + <p> + Old Pluto was the ministering spirit at the orgies of the Wild Goose; and + such orgies as took place there! Such drinking, singing, whooping, + swearing; with an occasional interlude of quarrelling and fighting. The + noisier grew the revel, the more old Pluto plied the potations, until the + guests would become frantic in their merriment, smashing every thing to + pieces, and throwing the house out of the windows. Sometimes, after a + drinking bout, they sallied forth and scoured the village, to the dismay + of the worthy burghers, who gathered their women within doors, and would + have shut up the house. Vanderscamp, however, was not to be rebuffed. He + insisted on renewing acquaintance with his old neighbors, and on + introducing his friends, the merchants, to their families; swore he was on + the look-out for a wife, and meant, before he stopped, to find husbands + for all their daughters. So, will-ye, nil-ye, sociable he was; swaggered + about their best parlors, with his hat on one side of his head; sat on the + good wife’s nicely-waxed mahogany table, kicking his heels against + the carved and polished legs; kissed and tousled the young vrouws; and, if + they frowned and pouted, gave them a gold rosary, or a sparkling cross, to + put them in good humor again. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes nothing would satisfy him, but he must have some of his old + neighbors to dinner at the Wild Goose. There was no refusing him, for he + had got the complete upper-hand of the community, and the peaceful + burghers all stood in awe of him. But what a time would the quiet, worthy + men have, among these rake-hells, who would delight to astound them with + the most extravagant gunpowder tales, embroidered with all kinds of + foreign oaths; clink the can with them; pledge them in deep potations; + bawl drinking songs in their ears; and occasionally fire pistols over + their heads, or under the table, and then laugh in their faces, and ask + them how they liked the smell of gunpowder. + </p> + <p> + Thus was the little village of Communipaw for a time like the unfortunate + wight possessed with devils; until Vanderscamp and his brother merchants + would sail on another trading voyage, when the Wild Goose would be shut + up, and every thing relapse into quiet, only to be disturbed by his next + visitation. + </p> + <p> + The mystery of all these proceedings gradually dawned upon the tardy + intellects of Communipaw. These were the times of the notorious Captain + Kidd, when the American harbors were the resorts of piratical adventurers + of all kinds, who, under pretext of mercantile voyages, scoured the West + Indies, made plundering descents upon the Spanish Main, visited even the + remote Indian Seas, and then came to dispose of their booty, have their + revels, and fit out new expeditions, in the English colonies. + </p> + <p> + Vanderscamp had served in this hopeful school, and having risen to + importance among the bucaniers, had pitched upon his native village and + early home, as a quiet, out-of-the-way, unsuspected place, where he and + his comrades, while anchored at New York, might have their feasts, and + concert their plans, without molestation. + </p> + <p> + At length the attention of the British government was called to these + piratical enterprises, that were becoming so frequent and outrageous. + Vigorous measures were taken to check and punish them. Several of the most + noted freebooters were caught and executed, and three of Vanderscamp’s + chosen comrades, the most riotous swash-bucklers of the Wild Goose, were + hanged in chains on Gibbet-Island, in full sight of their favorite resort. + As to Vanderscamp himself, he and his man Pluto again disappeared, and it + was hoped by the people of Communipaw that he had fallen in some foreign + brawl, or been swung on some foreign gallows. + </p> + <p> + For a time, therefore, the tranquillity of the village was restored; the + worthy Dutchmen once more smoked their pipes in peace, eying, with + peculiar complacency, their old pests and terrors, the pirates, dangling + and drying in the sun, on Gibbet-Island. + </p> + <p> + This perfect calm was doomed at length to be ruffled. The fiery + persecution of the pirates gradually subsided. Justice was satisfied with + the examples that had been made, and there was no more talk of Kidd, and + the other heroes of like kidney. On a calm summer evening, a boat, + somewhat heavily laden, was seen pulling into Communipaw. What was the + surprise and disquiet of the inhabitants, to see Yan Yost Vanderscamp + seated at the helm, and his man Pluto tugging at the oars! Vanderscamp, + however, was apparently an altered man. He brought home with him a wife, + who seemed to be a shrew, and to have the upper-hand of him. He no longer + was the swaggering, bully ruffian, but affected the regular merchant, and + talked of retiring from business, and settling down quietly, to pass the + rest of his days in his native place. + </p> + <p> + The Wild Goose mansion was again opened, but with diminished splendor, and + no riot. It is true, Vanderscamp had frequent nautical visitors, and the + sound of revelry was occasionally overheard in his house; but every thing + seemed to be done under the rose; and old Pluto was the only servant that + officiated at these orgies. The visitors, indeed, were by no means of the + turbulent stamp of their predecessors; but quiet, mysterious traders, full + of nods, and winks, and hieroglyphic signs, with whom, to use their cant + phrase, “every thing was smug.” Their ships came to anchor at + night in the lower bay; and, on a private signal, Vanderscamp would launch + his boat, and accompanied solely by his man Pluto, would make them + mysterious visits. Sometimes boats pulled in at night, in front of the + Wild Goose, and various articles of merchandise were landed in the dark, + and spirited away, nobody knew whither. One of the more curious of the + inhabitants kept watch, and caught a glimpse of the features of some of + these night visitors, by the casual glance of a lantern, and declared that + he recognized more than one of the freebooting frequenters of the Wild + Goose, in former times; from whence he concluded that Vanderscamp was at + his old game, and that this mysterious merchandise was nothing more nor + less than piratical plunder. The more charitable opinion, however, was, + that Vanderscamp and his comrades, having been driven from their old line + of business, by the “oppressions of government,” had resorted + to smuggling to make both ends meet. + </p> + <p> + Be that as it may: I come now to the extraordinary fact, which is the + butt-end of this story. It happened late one night, that Yan Yost + Vanderscamp was returning across the broad bay, in his light skiff, rowed + by his man Pluto. He had been carousing on board of a vessel, newly + arrived, and was somewhat obfuscated in intellect, by the liquor he had + imbibed. It was a still, sultry night; a heavy mass of lurid clouds was + rising in the west, with the low muttering of distant thunder. Vanderscamp + called on Pluto to pull lustily, that they might get home before the + gathering storm. The old negro made no reply, but shaped his course so as + to skirt the rocky shores of Gibbet-Island. A faint creaking overhead + caused Vanderscamp to cast up his eyes, when, to his horror, he beheld the + bodies of his three pot companions and brothers in iniquity dangling in + the moonlight, their rags fluttering, and their chains creaking, as they + were slowly swung backward and forward by the rising breeze. + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean, you blockhead!” cried Vanderscamp, “by + pulling so close to the island?” + </p> + <p> + “I thought you’d be glad to see your old friends once more,” + growled the negro; “you were never afraid of a living man, what do + you fear from the dead?” + </p> + <p> + “Who’s afraid?” hiccupped Vanderscamp, partly heated by + liquor, partly nettled by the jeer of the negro; “who’s + afraid! Hang me, but I would be glad to see them once more, alive or dead, + at the Wild Goose. Come, my lads in the wind!” continued he, taking + a draught, and flourishing the bottle above his head, “here’s + fair weather to you in the other world; and if you should be walking the + rounds to-night, odds fish! but I’ll be happy if you will drop in to + supper.” + </p> + <p> + A dismal creaking was the only reply. The wind blew loud and shrill, and + as it whistled round the gallows, and among the bones, sounded as if there + were laughing and gibbering in the air. Old Pluto chuckled to himself, and + now pulled for home. The storm burst over the voyagers, while they were + yet far from shore. The rain fell in torrents, the thunder crashed and + pealed, and the lightning kept up an incessant blaze. It was stark + midnight, before they landed at Communipaw. + </p> + <p> + Dripping and shivering, Vanderscamp crawled homeward. He was completely + sobered by the storm; the water soaked from without, having diluted and + cooled the liquor within. Arrived at the Wild Goose, he knocked timidly + and dubiously at the door, for he dreaded the reception he was to + experience from his wife. He had reason to do so. She met him at the + threshold, in a precious ill humor. + </p> + <p> + “Is this a time,” said she, “to keep people out of their + beds, and to bring home company, to turn the house upside down?” + </p> + <p> + “Company?” said Vanderscamp, meekly; “I have brought no + company with me, wife.” + </p> + <p> + “No, indeed! they have got here before you, but by your invitation; + and blessed-looking company they are, truly!” + </p> + <p> + Vanderscamp’s knees smote together. “For the love of heaven, + where are they, wife?” + </p> + <p> + “Where?—why, in the blue-room, up-stairs, making themselves as + much at home as if the house were their own.” + </p> + <p> + Vanderscamp made a desperate effort, scrambled up to the room, and threw + open the door. Sure enough, there at a table, on which burned a light as + blue as brimstone, sat the three guests from Gibbet-Island, with halters + round their necks, and bobbing their cups together, as if they were + hob-or-nobbing, and trolling the old Dutch freebooter’s glee, since + translated into English: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “For three merry lads be we, + And three merry lads be we; + I on the land, and thou on the sand, + And Jack on the gallows-tree.” + </pre> + <p> + Vanderscamp saw and heard no more. Starting back with horror, he missed + his footing on the landing-place, and fell from the top of the stairs to + the bottom. He was taken up speechless, and, either from the fall or the + fright, was buried in the yard of the little Dutch church at Bergen, on + the following Sunday. + </p> + <p> + From that day forward, the fate of the Wild Goose was sealed. It was + pronounced a <i>haunted house</i>, and avoided accordingly. No one + inhabited it but Vanderscamp’s shrew of a widow, and old Pluto, and + they were considered but little better than its hobgoblin visitors. Pluto + grew more and more haggard and morose, and looked more like an imp of + darkness than a human being. He spoke to no one, but went about muttering + to himself; or, as some hinted, talking with the devil, who, though + unseen, was ever at his elbow. Now and then he was seen pulling about the + bay alone, in his skiff, in dark weather, or at the approach of + night-fall; nobody could tell why, unless on an errand to invite more + guests from the gallows. Indeed it was affirmed that the Wild Goose still + continued to be a house of entertainment for such guests, and that on + stormy nights, the blue chamber was occasionally illuminated, and sounds + of diabolical merriment were overheard, mingling with the howling of the + tempest. Some treated these as idle stories, until on one such night, it + was about the time of the equinox, there was a horrible uproar in the Wild + Goose, that could not be mistaken. It was not so much the sound of + revelry, however, as strife, with two or three piercing shrieks, that + pervaded every part of the village. Nevertheless, no one thought of + hastening to the spot. On the contrary, the honest burghers of Communipaw + drew their night-caps over their ears, and buried their heads under the + bed-clothes, at the thoughts of Vanderscamp and his gallows companions. + </p> + <p> + The next morning, some of the bolder and more curious undertook to + reconnoitre. All was quiet and lifeless at the Wild Goose. The door yawned + wide open, and had evidently been open all night, for the storm had beaten + into the house. Gathering more courage from the silence and apparent + desertion, they gradually ventured over the threshold. The house had + indeed the air of having been possessed by devils. Every thing was + topsy-turvy; trunks had been broken open, and chests of drawers and corner + cupboards turned inside out, as in a time of general sack and pillage; but + the most woful sight was the widow of Yan Yost Vanderscamp, extended a + corpse on the floor of the blue-chamber, with the marks of a deadly gripe + on the wind-pipe. + </p> + <p> + All now was conjecture and dismay at Communipaw; and the disappearance of + old Pluto, who was no where to be found, gave rise to all kinds of wild + surmises. Some suggested that the negro had betrayed the house to some of + Vanderscamp’s bucaniering associates, and that they had decamped + together with the booty; others surmised that the negro was nothing more + nor less than a devil incarnate, who had now accomplished his ends, and + made off with his dues. Events, however, vindicated the negro from this + last imputation. His skiff was picked up, drifting about the bay, bottom + upward, as if wrecked in a tempest; and his body was found, shortly + afterward, by some Communipaw fishermen, stranded among the rocks of + Gibbet-Island, near the foot of the pirates’ gallows. The fishermen + shook their heads, and observed that old Pluto had ventured once too often + to invite Guests from Gibbet-Island. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0018" id="link2H_4_0018"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE BERMUDAS. + </h2> + <h3> + A SHAKSPERIAN RESEARCH: BY THE AUTHOR OF THE SKETCHBOOK. + </h3> + <p> + “Who did not think, till within these foure yeares, but that these + islands had been rather a habitation for Divells, than fit for men to + dwell in? Who did not hate the name, when hee was on land, and shun the + place when he was on the seas? But behold the misprision and conceits of + the world! For true and large experience hath now told us, it is one of + the sweetest paradises that be upon earth.”—“A PLAINE + DESCRIPT. OF THE BARMUDAS:” 1613. + </p> + <p> + In the course of a voyage home from England, our ship had been struggling, + for two or three weeks, with perverse headwinds, and a stormy sea. It was + in the month of May, yet the weather had at times a wintry sharpness, and + it was apprehended that we were in the neighborhood of floating islands of + ice, which at that season of the year drift out of the Gulf of Saint + Lawrence, and sometimes occasion the wreck of noble ships. + </p> + <p> + Wearied out by the continued opposition of the elements, our captain at + length bore away to the south, in hopes of catching the expiring breath of + the trade-winds, and making what is called the southern passage. A few + days wrought, as it were, a magical “sea change” in every + thing around us. We seemed to emerge into a different world. The late dark + and angry sea, lashed up into roaring and swashing surges, became calm and + sunny; the rude winds died away; and gradually a light breeze sprang up + directly aft, filling out every sail, and wafting us smoothly along on an + even keel. The air softened into a bland and delightful temperature. + Dolphins began to play about us; the nautilus came floating by, like a + fairy ship, with its mimic sail and rainbow tints; and flying-fish, from + time to time, made their short excursive flights, and occasionally fell + upon the deck. The cloaks and overcoats in which we had hitherto wrapped + ourselves, and moped about the vessel, were thrown aside; for a summer + warmth had succeeded to the late wintry chills. Sails were stretched as + awnings over the quarter-deck, to protect us from the mid-day sun. Under + these we lounged away the day, in luxurious indolence, musing, with + half-shut eyes, upon the quiet ocean. The night was scarcely less + beautiful than the day. The rising moon sent a quivering column of silver + along the undulating surface of the deep, and, gradually climbing the + heaven, lit up our towering top-sails and swelling main-sails, and spread + a pale, mysterious light around. As our ship made her whispering way + through this dreamy world of waters, every boisterous sound on board was + charmed to silence; and the low whistle, or drowsy song of a sailor from + the forecastle, or the tinkling of a guitar, and the soft warbling of a + female voice from the quarter-deck, seemed to derive a witching melody + from the scene and hour. I was reminded of Oberon’s exquisite + description of music and moonlight on the ocean: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + —“Thou rememberest + Since once I sat upon a promontory, + And heard a mermaid on a dolphin’s back, + Uttering such dulcet and harmonious breath, + That the rude sea grew civil at her song? + And certain stars shot madly from their spheres, + To hear the sea-maid’s music.” + </pre> + <p> + Indeed, I was in the very mood to conjure up all the imaginary beings with + which poetry has peopled old ocean, and almost ready to fancy I heard the + distant song of the mermaid, or the mellow shell of the triton, and to + picture to myself Neptune and Amphitrite with all their pageant sweeping + along the dim horizon. + </p> + <p> + A day or two of such fanciful voyaging brought us in sight of the + Bermudas, which first looked like mere summer clouds, peering above the + quiet ocean. All day we glided along in sight of them, with just wind + enough to fill our sails; and never did land appear more lovely. They were + clad in emerald verdure, beneath the serenest of skies: not an angry wave + broke upon their quiet shores, and small fishing craft, riding on the + crystal waves, seemed as if hung in air. It was such a scene that Fletcher + pictured to himself, when he extolled the halcyon lot of the fisherman: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Ah! would thou knewest how much it better were + To bide among the simple fisher-swains: + No shrieking owl, no night-crow lodgeth here, + Nor is our simple pleasure mixed with pains. + Our sports begin with the beginning year; + In calms, to pull the leaping fish to land, + In roughs, to sing and dance along the yellow sand. +</pre> + <p> + In contemplating these beautiful islands, and the peaceful sea around + them, I could hardly realize that these were the “still vexed + Bermoothes” of Shakspeare, once the dread of mariners, and infamous + in the narratives of the early discoverers, for the dangers and disasters + which beset them. Such, however, was the case; and the islands derived + additional interest in my eyes, from fancying that I could trace in their + early history, and in the superstitious notions connected with them, some + of the elements of Shakspeare’s wild and beautiful drama of the + Tempest. I shall take the liberty of citing a few historical facts, in + support of this idea, which may claim some additional attention from the + American reader, as being connected with the first settlement of Virginia. + </p> + <p> + At the time when Shakspeare was in the fulness of his talent, and seizing + upon everything that could furnish aliment to his imagination, the + colonization of Virginia was a favorite object of enterprise among people + of condition in England, and several of the courtiers of the court of + Queen Elizabeth were personally engaged in it. In the year 1609 a noble + armament of nine ships and five hundred men sailed for the relief of the + colony. It was commanded by Sir George Somers, as admiral, a gallant and + generous gentleman, above sixty years of age, and possessed of an ample + fortune, yet still bent upon hardy enterprise, and ambitious of + signalizing himself in the service of his country. + </p> + <p> + On board of his flag-ship, the Sea-Vulture, sailed also Sir Thomas Gates, + lieutenant-general of the colony. The voyage was long and boisterous. On + the twenty-fifth of July, the admiral’s ship was separated from the + rest, in a hurricane. For several days she was driven about at the mercy + of the elements, and so strained and racked, that her seams yawned open, + and her hold was half filled with water. The storm subsided, but left her + a mere foundering wreck. The crew stood in the hold to their waists in + water, vainly endeavoring to bail her with kettles, buckets, and other + vessels. The leaks rapidly gained on them, while their strength was as + rapidly declining. They lost all hope of keeping the ship afloat, until + they should reach the American coast; and wearied with fruitless toil, + determined, in their despair, to give up all farther attempt, shut down + the hatches, and abandon themselves to Providence. Some, who had + spirituous liquors, or “comfortable waters,” as the old record + quaintly terms them, brought them forth, and shared them with their + comrades, and they all drank a sad farewell to one another, as men who + were soon to part company in this world. + </p> + <p> + In this moment of extremity, the worthy admiral, who kept sleepless watch + from the high stern of the vessel, gave the thrilling cry of “land!” + All rushed on deck, in a frenzy of joy, and nothing now was to be seen or + heard on board, but the transports of men who felt as if rescued from the + grave. It is true the land in sight would not, in ordinary circumstances, + have inspired much self-gratulation. It could be nothing else but the + group of islands called after their discoverer, one Juan Bermudas, a + Spaniard, but stigmatized among the mariners of those days as “the + islands of devils!” “For the islands of the Bermudas,” + says the old narrative of this voyage, “as every man knoweth that + hath heard or read of them, were never inhabited by any Christian or + heathen people, but were ever esteemed and reputed a most prodigious and + inchanted place, affording nothing but gusts, stormes, and foul weather, + which made every navigator and mariner to avoide them, as Scylla and + Charybdis, or as they would shun the Divell himself.” [Footnote: + “A Plaine Description of the Barmudas.”] + </p> + <p> + Sir George Somers and his tempest-tossed comrades, however, hailed them + with rapture, as if they had been a terrestrial paradise. Every sail was + spread, and every exertion made to urge the foundering ship to land. + Before long, she struck upon a rock. Fortunately, the late stormy winds + had subsided, and there was no surf. A swelling wave lifted her from off + the rock, and bore her to another; and thus she was borne on from rock to + rock, until she remained wedged between two, as firmly as if set upon the + stocks. The boats were immediately lowered, and, though the shore was + above a mile distant, the whole crew were landed in safety. + </p> + <p> + Every one had now his task assigned him. Some made all haste to unload the + ship, before she should go to pieces; some constructed wigwams of palmetto + leaves, and others ranged the island in quest of wood and water. To their + surprise and joy, they found it far different from the desolate and + frightful place they had been taught, by seamen’s stories, to + expect. It was well-wooded and fertile; there were birds of various kinds, + and herds of swine roaming about, the progeny of a number that had swam + ashore, in former years, from a Spanish wreck. The island abounded with + turtle, and great quantities of their eggs were to be found among the + rocks. The bays and inlets were full of fish; so tame, that if any one + stepped into the water, they would throng around him. Sir George Somers, + in a little while, caught enough with hook and line to furnish a meal to + his whole ship’s company. Some of them were so large, that two were + as much as a man could carry. Crawfish, also, were taken in abundance. The + air was soft and salubrious, and the sky beautifully serene. Waller, in + his “Summer Islands,” has given us a faithful picture of the + climate: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “For the kind spring, (which but salutes us here,) + Inhabits these, and courts them all the year: + Ripe fruits and blossoms on the same trees live; + At once they promise, and at once they give: + So sweet the air, so moderate the clime, + None sickly lives, or dies before his time. + Heaven sure has kept this spot of earth uncursed + To shew how all things were created first.” + </pre> + <p> + We may imagine the feelings of the shipwrecked marines on finding + themselves cast by stormy seas upon so happy a coast; where abundance was + to be had without labor; where what in other climes constituted the costly + luxuries of the rich, were within every man’s reach; and where life + promised to be a mere holiday. Many of the common sailors, especially, + declared they desired no better lot than to pass the rest of their lives + on this favored island. + </p> + <p> + The commanders, however, were not so ready to console themselves with mere + physical comforts, for the severance from the enjoyment of cultivated + life, and all the objects of honorable ambition. Despairing of the arrival + of any chance ship on these shunned and dreaded islands, they fitted out + the long-boat, making a deck of the ship’s hatches, and having + manned her with eight picked men, despatched her, under the command of an + able and hardy mariner, named Raven, to proceed to Virginia, and procure + shipping to be sent to their relief. + </p> + <p> + While waiting in anxious idleness for the arrival of the looked-for aid, + dissensions arose between Sir George Somers and Sir Thomas Gates, + originating, very probably, in jealousy of the lead which the nautical + experience and professional station of the admiral gave him in the present + emergency. Each commander, of course, had his adherents: these dissensions + ripened into a complete schism; and this handful of shipwrecked men, thus + thrown together, on an uninhabited island, separated into two parties, and + lived asunder in bitter feud, as men rendered fickle by prosperity instead + of being brought into brotherhood by a common calamity. + </p> + <p> + Weeks and months elapsed, without bringing the looked-for aid from + Virginia, though that colony was within but a few days’ sail. Fears + were now entertained that the long-boat had been either swallowed up in + the sea, or wrecked on some savage coast; one or other of which most + probably was the case, as nothing was ever heard of Raven and his + comrades. + </p> + <p> + Each party now set to work to build a vessel for itself out of the cedar + with which the island abounded. The wreck of the Sea-Vulture furnished + rigging, and various other articles; but they had no iron for bolts, and + other fastenings; and for want of pitch and tar, they payed the seams of + their vessels with lime and turtle’s oil, which soon dried, and + became as hard as stone. + </p> + <p> + On the tenth of May, 1610, they set sail, having been about nine months on + the island. They reached Virginia without farther accident, but found the + colony in great distress for provisions. The account they gave of the + abundance that reigned in the Bermudas, and especially of the herds of + swine that roamed the island, determined Lord Delaware, the governor of + Virginia, to send thither for supplies. Sir George Somers, with his wonted + promptness and generosity, offered to undertake what was still considered + a dangerous voyage. Accordingly, on the nineteenth of June, he set sail, + in his own cedar vessel of thirty tons, accompanied by another small + vessel, commanded by Captain Argall. + </p> + <p> + The gallant Somers was doomed again to be tempest-tossed. His companion + vessel was soon driven back to port, but he kept the sea; and, as usual, + remained at his post on deck, in all weathers. His voyage was long and + boisterous, and the fatigues and exposures which he underwent, were too + much for a frame impaired by age, and by previous hardships. He arrived at + Bermudas completely exhausted and broken down. + </p> + <p> + His nephew, Captain Mathew Somers, attended him in his illness with + affectionate assiduity. Finding his end approaching, the veteran called + his men together, and exhorted them to be true to the interests of + Virginia; to procure provisions with all possible despatch, and hasten + back to the relief of the colony. + </p> + <p> + With this dying charge, he gave up the ghost, leaving us nephew and crew + overwhelmed with grief and consternation. Their first thought was to pay + honor to his remains. Opening the body, they took out the heart and + entrails, and buried them, erecting a cross over the grave. They then + embalmed the body, and set sail with it for England; thus, while paying + empty honors to their deceased commander, neglecting his earnest wish and + dying injunction, that they should return with relief to Virginia. + </p> + <p> + The little bark arrived safely at Whitechurch, in Dorsetshire, with its + melancholy freight. The body of the worthy Somers was interred with the + military honors due to a brave soldier, and many volleys were fired over + his grave. The Bermudas have since received the name of the Somer Islands, + as a tribute to his memory. + </p> + <p> + The accounts given by Captain Mathew Somers and his crew of the delightful + climate, and the great beauty, fertility, and abundance of these islands, + excited the zeal of enthusiasts, and the cupidity of speculators, and a + plan was set on foot to colonize them. The Virginia company sold their + right to the islands to one hundred and twenty of their own members, who + erected themselves into a distinct corporation, under the name of the + “Somer Island Society;” and Mr. Richard More was sent out, in + 1612, as governor, with sixty men, to found a colony: and this leads me to + the second branch of this research. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0019" id="link2H_4_0019"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + <i>THE THREE KINGS OF BERMUDA</i>. + </h2> + <h3> + AND THEIR TREASURE OF AMBERGRIS. + </h3> + <p> + At the time that Sir George Somers was preparing to launch his cedar-built + bark, and sail for Virginia, there were three culprits among his men, who + had been guilty of capital offences. One of them was shot; the others, + named Christopher Carter and Edward Waters, escaped. Waters, indeed, made + a very narrow escape, for he had actually been tied to a tree to be + executed, but cut the rope with a knife, which he had concealed about his + person, and fled to the woods, where he was joined by Carter. These two + worthies kept themselves concealed in the secret parts of the island, + until the departure of the two vessels. When Sir George Somers revisited + the island, in quest of supplies for the Virginia colony, these culprits + hovered about the landing-place, and succeeded in persuading another + seaman, named Edward Chard, to join them, giving him the most seductive + pictures of the ease and abundance in which they revelled. + </p> + <p> + When the bark that bore Sir George’s body to England had faded from + the watery horizon, these three vagabonds walked forth in their majesty + and might, the lords and sole inhabitants of these islands. For a time + their little commonwealth went on prosperously and happily. They built a + house, sowed corn, and the seeds of various fruits; and having plenty of + hogs, wild fowl, and fish of all kinds, with turtle in abundance, carried + on their tripartite sovereignty with great harmony and much feasting. All + kingdoms, however, are doomed to revolution, convulsion, or decay; and so + it fared with the empire of the three kings of Bermuda, albeit they were + monarchs without subjects. In an evil hour, in their search after turtle, + among the fissures of the rocks, they came upon a great treasure of + ambergris, which had been cast on shore by the ocean. Beside a number of + pieces of smaller dimensions, there was one great mass, the largest that + had ever been known, weighing eighty pounds, and which of itself, + according to the market value of ambergris in those days, was worth about + nine or ten thousand pounds! + </p> + <p> + From that moment, the happiness and harmony of the three kings of Bermuda + were gone for ever. While poor devils, with nothing to share but the + common blessings of the island, which administered to present enjoyment, + but had nothing of convertible value, they were loving and united: but + here was actual wealth, which would make them rich men, whenever they + could transport it to a market. + </p> + <p> + Adieu the delights of the island! They now became flat and insipid. Each + pictured to himself the consequence he might now aspire to, in civilized + life, could he once get there with this mass of ambergris. No longer a + poor Jack Tar, frolicking in the low taveriis of Wapping, he might roll + through London in his coach, and perchance arrive, like Whittington, at + the dignity of Lord Mayor. + </p> + <p> + With riches came envy and covetousness. Each was now for assuming the + supreme power, and getting the monopoly of the ambergris. A civil war at + length broke out: Chard and Waters defied each other to mortal combat, and + the kingdom of the Bermudas was on the point of being deluged with royal + blood. Fortunately, Carter took no part in the bloody feud. Ambition might + have made him view it with secret exultation; for if either or both of his + brother potentates were slain in the conflict, he would be a gainer in + purse and ambergris. But he dreaded to be left alone in this uninhabited + island, and to find himself the monarch of a solitude: so he secretly + purloined and hid the weapons of the belligerent rivals, who, having no + means of carrying on the war, gradually cooled down into a sullen + armistice. + </p> + <p> + The arrival of Governor More, with an overpowering force of sixty men, put + an end to the empire. He took possession of the kingdom, in the name of + the Somer Island Company, and forthwith proceeded to make a settlement. + The three kings tacitly relinquished their sway, but stood up stoutly for + their treasure. It was determined, however, that they had been fitted out + at the expense, and employed in the service, of the Virginia Company; that + they had found the ambergis while in the service of that company, and on + that company’s land; that the ambergis, therefore, belonged to that + company, or rather to the Somer Island Company, in consequence of their + recent purchase of the island, and all their appurtenances. Having thus + legally established their right, and being moreover able to back it by + might, the company laid the lion’s paw upon the spoil; and nothing + more remains on historic record of the Three Kings of Bermuda, and their + treasure of ambergris. + </p> + <p> + The reader will now determine whether I am more extravagant than most of + the commentators on Shakspeare, in my surmise that the story of Sir George + Somers’ shipwreck, and the subsequent occurrences that took place on + the uninhabited island, may have furnished the bard with some of the + elements of his drama of the Tempest. The tidings of the shipwreck, and of + the incidents connected with it, reached England not long before the + production of this drama, and made a great sensation there. A narrative of + the whole matter, from which most of the foregoing particulars are + extracted, was published at the time in London, in a pamphlet form, and + could not fail to be eagerly perused by Shakspeare, and to make a vivid + impression on his fancy. His expression, in the Tempest, of “the + still vext Bermoothes,” accords exactly with the storm-beaten + character of those islands. The enchantments, too, with which he has + clothed the island of Prospero, may they not be traced to the wild and + superstitious notions entertained about the Bermudas? I have already cited + two passages from a pamphlet published at the time, showing that they were + esteemed “a most <i>prodigious</i> and <i>inchanted</i> place,” + and the “habitation of divells;” and another pamphlet, + published shortly afterward, observes: “And whereas it is reported + that this land of the Barmudas, with the islands about, (which are many, + at least a hundred,) are inchanted and kept with evil and wicked spirits, + it is a most idle and false report.” [Footnote: “Newes from + the Barmudas;” 1612.] + </p> + <p> + The description, too, given in the same pamphlets, of the real beauty and + fertility of the Bermudas, and of their serene and happy climate, so + opposite to the dangerous and inhospitable character with which they had + been stigmatized, accords with the eulogium of Sebastian on the island of + Prospero: + </p> + <p> + “Though this island seem to be desert, uninhabitable, and almost + inaccessible, it must needs be of subtle, tender, and delicate temperance. + The air breathes upon us here most sweetly. Here is every thing + advantageous to life. How lush and lusty the grass looks! how green!” + </p> + <p> + I think too, in the exulting consciousness of ease, security, and + abundance felt by the late tempest-tossed mariners, while revelling in the + plenteousness of the island, and their inclination to remain there, + released from the labors, the cares, and the artificial restraints of + civilized life, I can see something of the golden commonwealth of honest + Gonzalo: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Had I plantation of this isle, my lord, + And were the king of it, what would I do? + I’ the commonwealth I would by contraries + Execute all things: for no kind of traffic + Would I admit; no name of magistrate; + Letters should not be known; riches, poverty, + And use of service, none; contract, succession, + Bourn, bound of land, tilth, vineyard, none: + No use of metal, corn, or wine, or oil: + No occupation; all men idle, all. + + All things in common, nature should produce, + Without sweat or endeavor: Treason, felony, + Sword, pike, knife, gun, or need of any engine, + Would I not have; but nature should bring forth, + Of its own kind, all foizon, all abundance, + To feed my innocent people.” + </pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +But above all, in the three fugitive vagabonds who remained in +possession of the island of Bermuda, on the departure of their comrades, +and in their squabbles about supremacy, on the finding of their +treasure, I see typified Sebastian, Trinculo, and their worthy companion +Caliban: + + “Trinculo, the king and all our company being drowned, +we will inherit here.” + + “Monster, I will kill this man; his daughter and I will be king and +queen, (save our graces!) and Trinculo and thyself shall be viceroys.” + </pre> + <p> + I do not mean to hold up the incidents and characters in the narrative and + in the play as parallel, or as being strikingly similar: neither would I + insinuate that the narrative suggested the play; I would only suppose that + Shakspeare, being occupied about that time on the drama of the Tempest, + the main story of which, I believe, is of Italian origin, had many of the + fanciful ideas of it suggested to his mind by the shipwreck of Sir George + Somers on the “still vext Bermothes,” and by the popular + superstitions connected with these islands, and suddenly put in + circulation by that event. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0020" id="link2H_4_0020"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PELAYO AND THE MERCHANT’S DAUGHTER. + </h2> + <h3> + By The Author Of The Sketch-Book. + </h3> + <p> + It is the common lamentation of Spanish historiographers, that, for an + obscure and melancholy space of time immediately succeeding the conquest + of their country by the Moslems, its history is a mere wilderness of + dubious facts, groundless fables, and rash exaggerations. Learned men, in + cells and cloisters, have worn out their lives in vainly endeavoring to + connect incongruous events, and to account for startling improbabilities, + recorded of this period. The worthy Jesuit, Padre Abarca, declares that, + for more than forty years during which he had been employed in theological + controversies, he had never found any so obscure and inexplicable as those + which rise out of this portion of Spanish history, and that the only fruit + of an indefatigable, prolix, and even prodigious study of the subject, was + a melancholy and mortifying state of indecision. [Footnote: PADRE PEDRO + ABARCA. Anales de Aragon, Anti Regno, F2.] During this apocryphal period, + flourished PELAYO, the deliverer of Spain, whose name, like that of + William Wallace, will ever be linked with the glory of his country, but + linked, in like manner, by a bond in which fact and fiction are + inextricably interwoven. + </p> + <p> + The quaint old chronicle of the Moor Rasis, which, though wild and + fanciful in the extreme, is frequently drawn upon for early facts by + Spanish historians, professes to give the birth, parentage, and whole + course of fortune of Pelayo, without the least doubt or hesitation. It + makes him a son of the Duke of Cantabria, and descended, both by father + and mother’s side, from the Gothic kings of Spain. I shall pass over + the romantic story of his childhood, and shall content myself with a scene + of his youth, which was spent in a castle among the Pyrenees, under the + eye of his widowed and noble-minded mother, who caused him to be + instructed in everything befitting a cavalier of gentle birth. While the + sons of the nobility were revelling amid the pleasures of a licentious + court, and sunk in that vicious and effeminate indulgence which led to the + perdition of unhappy Spain, the youthful Pelayo, in his rugged mountain + school, was steeled to all kinds of hardy exercise. A great part of his + time was spent in hunting the bears, the wild boars, and the wolves, with + which the Pyrenees abounded; and so purely and chastely was he brought up, + by his good lady mother, that, if the ancient chronicle from which I draw + my facts may be relied on, he had attained his one-and-twentieth year, + without having once sighed for woman! + </p> + <p> + Nor were his hardy contests confined to the wild beasts of the forest. + Occasionally he had to contend with adversaries of a more formidable + character. The skirts and defiles of these border mountains were often + infested by marauders from the Gallic plains of Gascony. The Gascons, says + an old chronicler, were a people who used smooth words when expedient, but + force when they had power, and were ready to lay their hands on every + thing they met. Though poor, they were proud; for there was not one who + did not pride himself on being a hijo-dalgo, or the son of somebody. + </p> + <p> + At the head of a band of these needy hijodalgos of Gascony, was one + Arnaud, a broken-down cavalier. He and four of his followers were well + armed and mounted; the rest were a set of scamper-grounds on foot, + furnished with darts and javelins. They were the terror of the border; + here to-day and gone to-morrow; sometimes in one pass, sometimes in + another. They would make sudden inroads into Spain, scour the roads, + plunder the country, and were over the mountains and far away before a + force could be collected to pursue them. + </p> + <p> + Now it happened one day, that a wealthy burgher of Bordeaux, who was a + merchant, trading with Biscay, set out on a journey for that province. As + he intended to sojourn there for a season, he took with him his wife, who + was a goodly dame, and his daughter, a gentle damsel, of marriageable age, + and exceeding fair to look upon. He was attended by a trusty clerk from + his comptoir, and a man servant; while another servant led a hackney, + laden with bags of money, with which he intended to purchase merchandise. + </p> + <p> + When the Gascons heard of this wealthy merchant and his convoy passing + through the mountains, they thanked their stars, for they considered all + peaceful men of traffic as lawful spoil, sent by providence for the + benefit of hidalgos like themselves, of valor and gentle blood, who lived + by the sword. Placing themselves in ambush, in a lonely defile, by which + the travellers had to pass, they silently awaited their coming. In a + little while they beheld them approaching. The merchant was a fair, portly + man, in a buff surcoat and velvet cap. His looks bespoke the good cheer of + his native city, and he was mounted on a stately, well-fed steed, while + his wife and daughter paced gently on palfreys by his side. + </p> + <p> + The travellers had advanced some distance in the defile, when the + Bandoleros rushed forth and assailed them. The merchant, though but little + used to the exercise of arms, and unwieldy in his form, yet made valiant + defence, having his wife and daughter and money-bags at hazard. He was + wounded in two places, and overpowered; one of his servants was slain, the + other took to flight. + </p> + <p> + The freebooters then began to ransack for spoil, but were disappointed at + not finding the wealth they had expected. Putting their swords to the + breast of the trembling merchant, they demanded where he had concealed his + treasure, and learned from him of the hackney that was following, laden + with, money. Overjoyed at this intelligence, they bound their captives to + trees, and awaited the arrival of the golden spoil. + </p> + <p> + On this same day, Pelayo was out with his huntsmen among the mountains, + and had taken his stand on a rock, at a narrow pass, to await the sallying + forth of a wild boar. Close by him was a page, conducting a horse, and at + the saddle-bow hung his armor, for he was always prepared for fight among + these border mountains. While thus posted, the servant of the merchant + came flying from the robbers. On beholding Pelayo, he fell on his knees, + and implored his life, for he supposed him to be one of the band. It was + some time before he could be relieved from his terror, and made to tell + his story. When Pelayo heard of the robbers, he concluded they were the + crew of Gascon hidalgos, upon the scamper. Taking his armor from the page, + he put on his helmet, slung his buckler round his neck, took lance in + hand, and mounting his steed, compelled the trembling servant to guide him + to the scene of action. At the same time he ordered the page to seek his + huntsmen, and summon them to his assistance. + </p> + <p> + When the robbers saw Pelayo advancing through the forest, with a single + attendant on foot, and beheld his rich armor sparkling in the sun, they + thought a new prize had fallen into their hands, and Arnaud and two of his + companions, mounting their horses, advanced to meet him. As they + approached, Pelayo stationed himself in a narrow pass between two rocks, + where he could only be assailed in front, and bracing his buckler, and + lowering his lance, awaited their coming. + </p> + <p> + “Who and what are ye,” cried he, “and what seek ye in + this land?” + </p> + <p> + “We are huntsmen,” replied Arnaud, “and lo! our game + runs into our toils!” + </p> + <p> + “By my faith,” replied Pelayo, “thou wilt find the game + more readily roused than taken: have at thee for a villain!” + </p> + <p> + So saying, he put spurs to his horse, and ran full speed upon him. The + Gascon, not expecting so sudden an attack from a single horseman, was + taken by surprise. He hastily couched his lance, but it merely glanced on + the shield of Pelayo, who sent his own through the middle of his breast, + and threw him out of his saddle to the earth. One of the other robbers + made at Pelayo, and wounded him slightly in the side, but received a blow + from the sword of the latter, which cleft his skull-cap, and sank into his + brain. His companion, seeing him fall, put spurs to his steed, and + galloped off through the forest. + </p> + <p> + Beholding several other robbers on foot coming up, Pelayo returned to his + station between the rocks, where he was assailed by them all at once. He + received two of their darts on his buckler, a javelin razed his cuirass, + and glancing down, wounded his horse. Pelayo then rushed forth, and struck + one of the robbers dead: the others, beholding several huntsmen advancing, + took to flight, but were pursued, and several of them taken. + </p> + <p> + The good merchant of Bordeaux and his family beheld this scene with + trembling and amazement, for never had they looked upon such feats of + arms. They considered Don Pelayo as a leader of some rival band of + robbers; and when the bonds were loosed by which they were tied to the + trees, they fell at his feet and implored mercy. The females were soonest + undeceived, especially the daughter; for the damsel was struck with the + noble countenance and gentle demeanor of Pelayo, and said to herself: + “Surely nothing evil can dwell in so goodly and gracious a form.” + </p> + <p> + Pelayo now sounded his horn, which echoed from rock to rock, and was + answered by shouts and horns from various parts of the mountains. The + merchant’s heart misgave him at these signals, and especially when + he beheld more than forty men gathering from glen and thicket. They were + clad in hunters’ dresses, and armed with boar-spears, darts, and + hunting-swords, and many of them led hounds in long leashes. All this was + a new and wild scene to the astonished merchant; nor were his fears + abated, when he saw his servant approaching with the hackney, laden with + money-bags; “for of a certainty,” said he to himself, “this + will be too tempting a spoil for these wild hunters of the mountains.” + </p> + <p> + Pelayo, however, took no more notice of the gold than if it had been so + much dross; at which the honest burgher marvelled exceedingly. He ordered + that the wounds of the merchant should be dressed, and his own examined. + On taking off his cuirass, his wound was found to be but slight; but his + men were so exasperated at seeing his blood, that they would have put the + captive robbers to instant death, had he not forbidden them to do them any + harm. + </p> + <p> + The huntsmen now made a great fire at the foot of a tree, and bringing a + boar which they had killed, cut off portions and roasted them, or broiled + them on the coals. Then drawing forth loaves of bread from their wallets, + they devoured their food half raw, with the hungry relish of huntsmen and + mountaineers. The merchant, his wife, and daughter, looked at all this, + and wondered, for they had never beheld so savage a repast. + </p> + <p> + Pelayo then inquired of them if they did not desire to eat; they were too + much in awe of him to decline, though they felt a loathing at the thought + of partaking of this hunter’s fare; but he ordered a linen cloth to + be spread under the shade of a great oak, on the grassy margin of a clear + running stream; and to their astonishment, they were served, not with the + flesh of the boar, but with dainty cheer, such as the merchant had + scarcely hoped to find out of the walls of his native city of Bordeaux. + </p> + <p> + The good burgher was of a community renowned for gastronomic prowess: his + fears having subsided, his appetite was now awakened, and he addressed + himself manfully to the viands that were set before him. His daughter, + however, could not eat: her eyes were ever and anon stealing to gaze on + Pelayo, whom she regarded with gratitude for his protection, and + admiration for his valor; and now that he had laid aside his helmet, and + she beheld his lofty countenance, glowing with manly beauty, she thought + him something more than mortal. The heart of the gentle donzella, says the + ancient chronicler, was kind and yielding; and had Pelayo thought fit to + ask the greatest boon that love and beauty could bestow—doubtless + meaning her fair hand—she could not have had the cruelty to say him + nay. Pelayo, however, had no such thoughts: the love of woman had never + yet entered his heart; and though he regarded the damsel as the fairest + maiden he had ever beheld, her beauty caused no perturbation in his + breast. + </p> + <p> + When the repast was over, Pelayo offered to conduct the merchant and his + family through the defiles of the mountains, lest they should be molested + by any of the scattered band of robbers. The bodies of the slain marauders + were buried, and the corpse of the servant was laid upon one of the horses + captured in the battle. Having formed their cavalcade, they pursued their + way slowly up one of the steep and winding passes of the Pyrenees. + </p> + <p> + Toward sunset, they arrived at the dwelling of a holy hermit. It was hewn + out of the living rock; there was a cross over the door, and before it was + a great spreading oak, with a sweet spring of water at its foot. The body + of the faithful servant who had fallen in the defence of his lord, was + buried close by the wall of this sacred retreat, and the hermit promised + to perform masses for the repose of his soul. Then Pelayo obtained from + the holy father consent that the merchant’s wife and daughter should + pass the night within his cell; and the hermit made beds of moss for them, + and gave them his benediction; but the damsel found little rest, so much + were her thoughts occupied by the youthful champion who had rescued her + from death or dishonor. + </p> + <p> + Pelayo, however, was visited by no such wandering of the mind; but, + wrapping himself in his mantle, slept soundly by the fountain under the + tree. At midnight, when every thing was buried in deep repose, he was + awakened from his sleep and beheld the hermit before him, with the beams + of the moon shining upon his silver hair and beard. + </p> + <p> + “This is no time,” said the latter, “to be sleeping; + arise and listen to my words, and hear of the great work for which thou + art chosen!” + </p> + <p> + Then Pelayo arose and seated himself on a rock, and the hermit continued + his discourse. + </p> + <p> + “Behold,” said he, “the ruin of Spain is at hand! It + will be delivered into the hands of strangers, and will become a prey to + the spoiler. Its children will be slain or carried into captivity; or such + as may escape these evils, will harbor with the beasts of the forest or + the eagles of the mountain. The thorn and bramble will spring up where now + are seen the cornfield, the vine, and the olive; and hungry wolves will + roam in place of peaceful flocks and herds. But thou, my son! tarry not + thou to see these things, for thou canst not prevent them. Depart on a + pilgrimage to the sepulchre of our blessed Lord in Palestine; purify + thyself by prayer; enroll thyself in the order of chivalry, and prepare + for the great work of the redemption of thy country; for to thee it will + be given to raise it from the depth of its affliction.” + </p> + <p> + Pelayo would have inquired farther into the evils thus foretold, but the + hermit rebuked his curiosity. + </p> + <p> + “Seek not to know more,” said he, “than heaven is + pleased to reveal. Clouds and darkness cover its designs, and prophecy is + never permitted to lift up but in part the veil that rests upon the + future.” + </p> + <p> + The hermit ceased to speak, and Pelayo laid himself down again to take + repose, but sleep was a stranger to his eyes. + </p> + <p> + When the first rays of the rising sun shone upon the tops of the + mountains, the travellers assembled round the fountain beneath the tree + and made their morning’s repast. Then, having received the + benediction of the hermit, they departed in the freshness of the day, and + descended along the hollow defiles leading into the interior of Spain. The + good merchant was refreshed by sleep and by his morning’s meal; and + when he beheld his wife and daughter thus secure by his side, and the + hackney laden with his treasure close behind him, his heart was light in + his bosom, and he carolled a chanson as he went, and the woodlands echoed + to his song. But Pelayo rode in silence, for he revolved in his mind the + portentous words of the hermit; and the daughter of the merchant ever and + anon stole looks at him full of tenderness and admiration, and deep sighs + betrayed the agitation of her bosom. + </p> + <p> + At length they came to the foot of the mountains, where the forests and + the rocks terminated, and an open and secure country lay before the + travellers. Here they halted, for their roads were widely different. When + they came to part, the merchant and his wife were loud in thanks and + benedictions, and the good burgher would fain have given Pelayo the + largest of his sacks of gold; but the young man put it aside with a smile. + “Silver and gold,” said he, “need I not, but if I have + deserved aught at thy hands, give me thy prayers, for the prayers of a + good man are above all price.” + </p> + <p> + In the mean time the daughter had spoken never a word. At length she + raised her eyes, which were filled with tears, and looked timidly at + Pelayo, and her bosom throbbed; and after a violent struggle between + strong affection and virgin modesty, her heart relieved itself by words. + </p> + <p> + “Senor,” said she, “I know that I am unworthy of the + notice of so noble a cavalier; but suffer me to place this ring upon a + finger of that hand which has so bravely rescued us from death; and when + you regard it, you may consider it as a memorial of your own valor, and + not of one who is too humble to be remembered by you.” + </p> + <p> + With these words, she drew a ring from her finger and put it upon the + finger of Pelayo; and having done this, she blushed and trembled at her + own boldness, and stood as one abashed, with her eyes cast down upon the + earth. + </p> + <p> + Pelayo was moved at the words of the simple maiden, and at the touch of + her fair hand, and at her beauty, as she stood thus trembling and in tears + before him; but as yet he knew nothing of woman, and his heart was free + from the snares of love. “Amiga,” (friend,) said he, “I + accept thy present, and will wear it in remembrance of thy goodness;” + so saying, he kissed her on the cheek. + </p> + <p> + The damsel was cheered by these words, and hoped that she had awakened + some tenderness in his bosom; but it was no such thing, says the grave old + chronicler, for his heart was devoted to higher and more sacred matters; + yet certain it is, that he always guarded well that ring. + </p> + <p> + When they parted, Pelayo remained with his huntsmen on a cliff, watching + that no evil befell them, until they were far beyond the skirts of the + mountain; and the damsel often turned to look at him, until she could no + longer discern him, for the distance and the tears that dimmed her eyes. + </p> + <p> + And for that he had accepted her ring, says the ancient chronicler, she + considered herself wedded to him in her heart, and would never marry; nor + could she be brought to look with eyes of affection upon any other man; + but for the true love which she bore Pelayo, she lived and died a virgin. + And she composed a book which treated of love and chivalry, and the + temptations of this mortal life; and one part discoursed of celestial + matters, and it was called “The Contemplations of Love;” + because at the time she wrote it, she thought of Pelayo, and of his having + accepted her jewel and called her by the gentle appellation of “Amiga.” + And often thinking of him in tender sadness, and of her never having + beheld him more, she would take the book and would read it as if in his + stead; and while she repeated the words of love which it contained, she + would endeavor to fancy them uttered by Pelayo, and that he stood before + her. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0021" id="link2H_4_0021"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE KNIGHT OF MALTA. + </h2> + <h3> + TO THE EDITOR OF THE KNICKERBOCKER + </h3> + <p> + SIR: In the course of a tour which I made in Sicily, in the days of my + juvenility, I passed some little time at the ancient city of Catania, at + the foot of Mount Ætna. Here I became acquainted with the Chevalier L——, + an old Knight of Malta. It was not many years after the time that Napoleon + had dislodged the knights from their island, and he still wore the + insignia of his order. He was not, however, one of those reliques of that + once chivalrous body, who had been described was “a few worn-out old + men, creeping about certain parts of Europe, with the Maltese cross on + their breasts;” on the contrary, though advanced in life, his form + was still light and vigorous; he had a pale, thin, intellectual visage, + with a high forehead, and a bright, visionary eye. He seemed to take a + fancy to me, as I certainly did to him, and we soon became intimate, I + visited him occasionally, at his apartments, in the wing of an old palace, + looking toward Mount Ætna. He was an antiquary, a virtuoso, and a + connoisseur. His rooms were decorated with mutilated statues, dug up from + Grecian and Roman ruins; old vases, lachrymals, and sepulchral lamps. He + had astronomical and chemical instruments, and black-letter books, in + various languages. I found that he had dipped a little in chimerical + studies and had a hankering after astrology and alchymy. He affected to + believe in dreams and visions, and delighted in the fanciful Rosicrucian + doctrines. I cannot persuade myself, however, that he really believed in + all these: I rather think he loved to let his imagination carry him away + into the boundless fairy land which they unfolded. + </p> + <p> + In company with the chevalier, I took several excursions on horseback + about the environs of Catania, and the picturesque skirts of Mount Etna. + One of these led through a village, which had sprung up on the very tract + of an ancient eruption, the houses being built of lava. At one time we + passed, for some distance, along a narrow lane, between two high dead + convent walls. It was a cut-throat-looking place, in a country where + assassinations are frequent; and just about midway through it, we observed + blood upon the pavement and the walls, as if a murder had actually been + committed there. + </p> + <p> + The chevalier spurred on his horse, until he had extricated himself + completely from this suspicious neighborhood. He then observed, that it + reminded him of a similar blind alley in Malta, infamous on account of the + many assassinations that had taken place there; concerning one of which, + he related a long and tragical story, that lasted until we reached + Catania. It involved various circumstances of a wild and supernatural + character, but which he assured me were handed down in tradition, and + generally credited by the old inhabitants of Malta. + </p> + <p> + As I like to pick up strange stories, and as I was particularly struck + with several parts of this, I made a minute of it, on my return to my + lodgings. The memorandum was lost, with several others of my travelling + papers, and the story had faded from my mind, when recently, in perusing a + French memoir, I came suddenly upon it, dressed up, it is true, in a very + different manner, but agreeing in the leading facts, and given upon the + word of that famous adventurer, the Count Cagliostro. + </p> + <p> + I have amused myself, during a snowy day in the country, by rendering it + roughly into English, for the entertainment of a youthful circle round the + Christmas fire. It was well received by my auditors, who, however, are + rather easily pleased. One proof of its merits is that it sent some of the + youngest of them quaking to their beds, and gave them very fearful dreams. + Hoping that it may have the same effect upon your ghost-hunting readers, I + offer it, Mr. Editor, for insertion in your Magazine. I would observe, + that wherever I have modified the French version of the Story, it has been + in conformity to some recollection of the narrative of my friend, the + Knight of Malta. + </p> + <p> + Your obt. servt., + </p> + <h3> + GEOFFREY CRAYON. + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0022" id="link2H_4_0022"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + <i>THE GRAND PRIOR OF MINORCA,</i> + </h2> + <h3> + A VERITABLE GHOST STORY. + </h3> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Keep my wits, heaven! They say spirits appear + To melancholy minds, and the graves open!”—FLETCHER. +</pre> + <p> + About the middle of the last century, while the Knights of Saint John of + Jerusalem still maintained something of their ancient state and sway in + the Island of Malta, a tragical event took place there, which is the + groundwork of the following narrative. + </p> + <p> + It may be as well to premise, that at the time we are treating of, the + order of Saint John of Jerusalem, grown excessively wealthy, had + degenerated from its originally devout and warlike character. Instead of + being a hardy body of “monk-knights,” sworn soldiers of the + cross, fighting the Paynim in the Holy Land, or scouring the + Mediterranean, and scourging the Barbary coasts with their galleys, or + feeding the poor, and attending upon the sick at their hospitals, they led + a life of luxury and libertinism, and were to be found in the most + voluptuous courts of Europe. The order, in fact, had become a mode of + providing for the needy branches of the Catholic aristocracy of Europe. + “A commandery,” we are told, was a splendid provision for a + younger brother; and men of rank, however dissolute, provided they + belonged to the highest aristocracy, became Knights of Malta, just as they + did bishops, or colonels of regiments, or court chamberlains. After a + brief Residence at Malta, the knights passed the rest of their time in + their own countries, or only made a visit now and then to the island. + While there, having but little military duty to perform, they beguiled + their idleness by paying attentions to the fair. + </p> + <p> + There was one circle of society, however, into which they could not obtain + currency. This was composed of a few families of the old Maltese nobility, + natives of the island. These families, not being permitted to enroll any + of their members in the order, affected to hold no intercourse with its + chevaliers; admitting none into their exclusive coteries but the Grand + Master, whom they acknowledged as their sovereign, and the members of the + chapter which composed his council. + </p> + <p> + To indemnify themselves for this exclusion, the chevaliers carried their + gallantries into the next class of society, composed of those who held + civil, administrative, and judicial situations. The ladies of this class + were called <i>honorate</i>, or honorables, to distinguish them from the + inferior orders; and among them were many of superior grace, beauty, and + fascination. + </p> + <p> + Even in this more hospitable class, the chevaliers were not all equally + favored. Those of Germany had the decided preference, owing to their fair + and fresh complexions, and the kindliness of their manners: next to these + came the Spanish cavaliers, on account of their profound and courteous + devotion, and most discreet secrecy. Singular as it may seem, the + chevaliers of France fared the worst. The Maltese ladies dreaded their + volatility, and their proneness to boast of their amours, and shunned all + entanglement with them. They were forced, therefore, to content themselves + with conquests among females of the lower orders. They revenged + themselves, after the gay French manner, by making the “honorate” + the objects of all kinds of jests and mystifications; by prying into their + tender affairs with the more favored chevaliers, and making them the theme + of song and epigram. + </p> + <p> + About this time, a French vessel arrived at Malta, bringing out a + distinguished personage of the order of Saint John of Jerusalem, the + Commander de Foulquerre, who came to solicit the post of + commander-in-chief of the galleys. He was descended from an old and + warrior line of French nobility, his ancestors having long been seneschals + of Poitou, and claiming descent from the first counts of Angouleme. + </p> + <p> + The arrival of the commander caused a little uneasiness among the + peaceably inclined, for he bore the character, in the island, of being + fiery, arrogant, and quarrelsome. He had already been three times at + Malta, and on each visit had signalized himself by some rash and deadly + affray. + </p> + <p> + As he was now thirty-five years of age, however, it was hoped that time + might have taken off the fiery edge of his spirit, and that he might prove + more quiet and sedate than formerly. The commander set up an establishment + befitting his rank and pretensions; for he arrogated to himself an + importance greater even than that of the Grand Master. His house + immediately became the rallying place of all the young French chevaliers. + They informed him of all the slights they had experienced or imagined, and + indulged their petulant and satirical vein at the expense of the honorate + and their admirers. The chevaliers of other nations soon found the topics + and tone of conversation at the commander’s irksome and offensive, + and gradually ceased to visit there. The commander remained the head of a + national <i>clique</i>, who looked up to him as their model. If he was not + as boisterous and quarrelsome as formerly, he had become haughty and + overbearing. He was fond of talking over his past affairs of punctilio and + bloody duel. When walking the streets, he was generally attended by a + ruffling train of young French cavaliers, who caught his own air of + assumption and bravado. These he would conduct to the scenes of his deadly + encounters, point out the very spot where each fatal lunge had been given, + and dwell vaingloriously on every particular. + </p> + <p> + Under his tuition, the young French chevaliers began to add bluster and + arrogance to their former petulance and levity; they fired up on the most + trivial occasions, particularly with those who had been most successful + with the fair; and would put on the most intolerable drawcansir airs. The + other chevaliers conducted themselves with all possible forbearance and + reserve; but they saw it would be impossible to keep on long, in this + manner, without coming to an open rupture. + </p> + <p> + Among the Spanish cavaliers was one named Don Luis de Lima Vasconcellos. + He was distantly related to the Grand Master; and had been enrolled at an + early age among his pages, but had been rapidly promoted by him, until, at + the age of twenty-six, he had been given the richest Spanish commandery in + the order. He had, moreover, been fortunate with the fair, with one of + whom, the most beautiful honorata of Malta, he had long maintained the + most tender correspondence. + </p> + <p> + The character, rank, and connexions of Don Luis put him on a par with the + imperious Commander de Foulquerre, and pointed him out as a leader and + champion to his countrymen. The Spanish chevaliers repaired to him, + therefore, in a body; represented all the grievances they had sustained, + and the evils they apprehended, and urged him to use his influence with + the commander and his adherents to put a stop to the growing abuses. + </p> + <p> + Don Luis was gratified by this mark of confidence and esteem on the part + of his countrymen, and promised to have an interview with the Commander de + Foulquerre on the subject. He resolved to conduct himself with the utmost + caution and delicacy on the occasion; to represent to the commander the + evil consequences which might result from the inconsiderate conduct of the + young French chevaliers, and to entreat him to exert the great influence + he so deservedly possessed over them, to restrain their excesses. Don Luis + was aware, however, of the peril that attended any interview of the kind + with this imperious and fractious man, and apprehended, however it might + commence, that it would terminate in a duel. Still, it was an affair of + honor, in which Castilian dignity was concerned; beside, he had a lurking + disgust at the overbearing manners of De Foulquerre, and perhaps had been + somewhat offended by certain intrusive attentions which he had presumed to + pay to the beautiful honorata. + </p> + <p> + It was now Holy Week; a time too sacred for worldly feuds and passions, + especially in a community under the dominion of a religious order; it was + agreed, therefore, that the dangerous interview in question should not + take place until after the Easter holidays. It is probable, from + subsequent circumstances, that the Commander de Foulquerre had some + information of this arrangement among the Spanish chevaliers, and was + determined to be beforehand, and to mortify the pride of their champion, + who was thus preparing to read him a lecture. He chose Good Friday for his + purpose. On this sacred day, it is customary in Catholic countries to make + a tour of all the churches, offering up prayers in each. In every Catholic + church, as is well known, there is a vessel of holy water near the door. + In this, every one, on entering, dips his fingers, and makes therewith the + sign of the cross on his forehead and breast. An office of gallantry, + among the young Spaniards, is to stand near the door, dip their hands in + the holy vessel, and extend them courteously and respectfully to any lady + of their acquaintance who may enter; who thus receives the sacred water at + second hand, on the tips of her fingers, and proceeds to cross herself, + with all due decorum. The Spaniards, who are the most jealous of lovers, + are impatient when this piece of devotional gallantry is proffered to the + object of their affections by any other hand: on Good Friday, therefore, + when a lady makes a tour of the churches, it is the usage among them for + the inamorato to follow her from church to church, so as to present her + the holy water at the door of each; thus testifying his own devotion, and + at the same time preventing the officious services of a rival. + </p> + <p> + On the day in question, Don Luis followed the beautiful honorata, to whom, + as has already been observed, he had long been devoted. At the very first + church she visited, the Commander de Foulquerre was stationed at the + portal, with several of the young French chevaliers about him. Before Don + Luis could offer her the holy water, he was anticipated by the commander, + who thrust himself between them, and, while he performed the gallant + office to the lady, rudely turned his back upon her admirer, and trod upon + his feet. The insult was enjoyed by the young Frenchmen who were present: + it was too deep and grave to be forgiven by Spanish pride; and at once put + an end to all Don Luis’ plans of caution and forbearance. He + repressed his passion for the moment, however, and waited until all the + parties left the church; then, accosting the commander with an air of + coolness and unconcern, he inquired after his health, and asked to what + church he proposed making his second visit. “To the Magisterial + Church of Saint John.” Don Luis offered to conduct him thither, by + the shortest route. His offer was accepted, apparently without suspicion, + and they proceeded together. After walking some distance, they entered a + long, narrow lane, without door or window opening upon it, called the + “Strada Stretta,” or narrow street. It was a street in which + duels were tacitly permitted, or connived at, in Malta, and were suffered + to pass as accidental encounters. Every where else they were prohibited. + This restriction had been instituted to diminish the number of duels, + formerly so frequent in Malta. As a farther precaution to render these + encounters less fatal, it was an offence, punishable with death, for any + one to enter this street armed with either poniard or pistol. It was a + lonely, dismal street, just wide enough for two men to stand upon their + guard, and cross their swords; few persons ever traversed it, unless with + some sinister design; and on any preconcerted duello, the seconds posted + themselves at each end, to stop all passengers, and prevent interruption. + </p> + <p> + In the present instance, the parties had scarce entered the street, when + Don Luis drew his sword, and called upon the commander to defend himself. + </p> + <p> + De Foulquerre was evidently taken by surprise: he drew back, and attempted + to expostulate; but Don Luis persisted in defying him to the combat. + </p> + <p> + After a second or two, he likewise drew his sword, but immediately lowered + the point. + </p> + <p> + “Good Friday!” ejaculated he, shaking his head: “one + word with you; it is full six years since I have been in a confessional: I + am shocked at the state of my conscience; but within three days—that + is to say, on Monday next—” + </p> + <p> + Don Luis would listen to nothing. Though naturally of a peaceable + disposition, he had been stung to fury, and people of that character, when + once incensed, are deaf to reason. He compelled the commander to put + himself on his guard. The latter, though a man accustomed to brawl in + battle, was singularly dismayed. Terror was visible in all his features. + He placed himself with his back to the wall, and the weapons were crossed. + The contest was brief and fatal. At the very first thrust, the sword of + Don Luis passed through the body of his antagonist. The commander + staggered to the wall, and leaned against it. + </p> + <p> + “On Good Friday!” ejaculated he again, with a failing voice, + and despairing accents. “Heaven pardon you!” added he; “take + my sword to Têtefoulques, and have a hundred masses performed in the + chapel of the castle, for the repose of my soul!” With these words + he expired. + </p> + <p> + The fury of Don Luis was at an end. He stood aghast, gazing at the + bleeding body of the commander. He called to mind the prayer of the + deceased for three days’ respite, to make his peace with heaven; he + had refused it; had sent him to the grave, with all his sins upon his + head! His conscience smote him to the core; he gathered up the sword of + the commander, which he had been enjoined to take to Têtefoulques, and + hurried from the fatal Strada Stretta. + </p> + <p> + The duel of course made a great noise in Malta, but had no injurious + effect upon the worldly fortunes of Don Luis. He made a full declaration + of the whole matter, before the proper authorities; the Chapter of the + Order considered it one of those casual encounters of the Strada Stretta, + which were mourned over, but tolerated; the public, by whom the late + commander had been generally detested, declared that he had deserved his + fate. It was but three days after the event, that Don Luis was advanced to + one of the highest dignities of the Order, being invested by the Grand + Master with the priorship of the kingdom of Minorca. + </p> + <p> + From that time forward, however, the whole character and conduct of Don + Luis underwent a change. He became a prey to a dark melancholy, which + nothing could assuage. The most austere piety, the severest penances, had + no effect in allaying the horror which preyed upon his mind. He was absent + for a long time from Malta; having gone, it was said, on remote + pilgrimages: when he returned, he was more haggard than ever. There seemed + something mysterious and inexplicable in this disorder of his mind. The + following is the revelation made by himself, of the horrible visions, or + chimeras, by which he was haunted: + </p> + <p> + “When I had made my declaration before the Chapter,” said he, + “and my provocations were publicly known, I had made my peace with + man; but it was not so with God, nor with my confessor, nor with my own + conscience. My act was doubly criminal, from the day on which it was + committed, and from my refusal to a delay of three days, for the victim of + my resentment to receive the sacraments. His despairing ejaculation, + ‘Good Friday! Good Friday!’ continually rang in my ears. + ‘Why did I not grant the respite!’ cried I to myself; ‘was + it not enough to kill the body, but must I seek to kill the soul!’ + </p> + <p> + “On the night of the following Friday, I started suddenly from my + sleep. An unaccountable horror was upon me. I looked wildly around. It + seemed as if I were not in my apartment, nor in my bed, but in the fatal + Strada Stretta, lying on the pavement. I again saw the commander leaning + against the wall; I again heard his dying words: ‘Take my sword to + Têtefoulques, and have a hundred masses performed in the chapel of the + castle, for the repose of my soul!’ + </p> + <p> + “On the following night, I caused one of my servants to sleep in the + same room with me. I saw and heard nothing, either on that night, or any + of the nights following, until the next Friday; when I had again the same + vision, with this difference, that my valet seemed to be lying at some + distance from me on the pavement of the Strada Stretta. The vision + continued to be repeated on every Friday night, the commander always + appearing in the same manner, and uttering the same words: ‘Take my + sword to Têtefoulques, and have a hundred masses performed in the chapel + of the castle for the repose of my soul!’ On questioning my servant + on the subject, he stated, that on these occasions he dreamed that he was + lying in a very narrow street, but he neither saw nor heard any thing of + the commander. + </p> + <p> + “I knew nothing of this Têtefoulques, whither the defunct was so + urgent I should carry his sword. I made inquiries, therefore, concerning + it among the French chevaliers. They informed me that it was an old + castle, situated about four leagues from Poitiers, in the midst of a + forest. It had been built in old times, several centuries since, by + Foulques Taillefer, (or Fulke Hackiron,) a redoubtable, hard-fighting + Count of Angouleme, who gave it to an illegitimate son, afterward created + Grand Seneschal of Poitou, which son became the pro genitor of the + Foulquerres of Têtefoulques, hereditary Seneschals of Poitou. They farther + informed me, that strange stories were told of this old castle, in the + surrounding country, and that it contained many curious reliques. Among + these, were the arms of Foulques Taillefer, together with all those of the + warriors he had slain; and that it was an immemorial usage with the + Foulquerres to have the weapons deposited there which they had wielded + either in war or in single combat. This, then, was the reason of the dying + injunction of the commander respecting his sword. I carried this weapon + with me, wherever I went, but still I neglected to comply with his + request. + </p> + <p> + “The visions still continued to harass me with undiminished horror. + I repaired to Rome, where I confessed myself to the Grand Cardinal + penitentiary, and informed him of the terrors with which I was haunted. He + promised me absolution, after I should have performed certain acts of + penance, the principal of which was, to execute the dying request of the + commander, by carrying the sword to Têtefoulques, and having the hundred + masses performed in the chapel of the castle for the repose of his soul. + </p> + <p> + “I set out for France as speedily as possible, and made no delay in + my journey. On arriving at Poitiers, I found that the tidings of the death + of the commander had reached there, but had caused no more affliction than + among the people of Malta. Leaving my equipage in the town, I put on the + garb of a pilgrim, and taking a guide, set out on foot for Têtefoulques, + Indeed the roads in this part of the country were impracticable for + carriages. + </p> + <p> + “I found the castle of Têtefoulques a grand but gloomy and + dilapidated pile. All the gates were closed, and there reigned over the + whole place an air of almost savage loneliness and desertion. I had + understood that its only inhabitant were the concierge, or warder, and a + kind of hermit who had charge of the chapel. After ringing for some time + at the gate, I at length succeeded in bringing forth the warder, who bowed + with reverence to my pilgrim’s garb. I begged him to conduct me to + the chapel, that being the end of my pilgrimage. We found the hermit + there, chanting the funeral service; a dismal sound to one who came to + perform a penance for the death of a member of the family. When he had + ceased to chant, I informed him that I came to accomplish an obligation of + conscience, and that I wished him to perform a hundred masses for the + repose of the soul of the commander. He replied that, not being in orders, + he was not authorized to perform mass, but that he would willingly + undertake to see that my debt of conscience was discharged. I laid my + offering on the altar, and would have placed the sword of the commander + there, likewise. ‘Hold!’ said the hermit, with a melancholy + shake of the head,'this is no place for so deadly a weapon, that has so + often been bathed in Christian blood. Take it to the armory; you will find + there trophies enough of like character. It is a place into which I never + enter.’ + </p> + <p> + “The warder here took up the theme abandoned by the peaceful man of + God. He assured me that I would see in the armory the swords of all the + warrior race of Foulquerres, together with those of the enemies over whom + they had triumphed. This, he observed, had been a usage kept up since the + time of Mellusine, and of her husband, Geoffrey a la Grand-dent, or + Geoffrey with the Great-tooth. + </p> + <p> + “I followed the gossiping warder to the armory. It was a great dusty + hall, hung round with Gothic-looking portraits, of a stark line of + warriors, each with his weapon, and the weapons of those he had slain in + battle, hung beside his picture. The most conspicuous portrait was that of + Foulques Taillefer, (Fulke Hackiron,) Count of Angouleme, and founder of + the castle. He was represented at full-length, armed cap-a-pie, and + grasping a huge buckler, on which were emblazoned three lions passant. The + figure was so striking, that it seemed ready to start from the canvas: and + I observed beneath this picture, a trophy composed of many weapons, proofs + of the numerous triumphs of this hard-fighting old cavalier. Beside the + weapons connected with the portraits, there were swords of all shapes, + sizes, and centuries, hung round the hall; with piles of armor, placed as + it were in effigy. + </p> + <p> + “On each side of an immense chimney, were suspended the portraits of + the first seneschal of Poitou (the illegitimate son of Foulques Taillefer) + and his wife Isabella de Lusignan; the progenitors of the grim race of + Foulquerres that frowned around. They had the look of being perfect + likenesses; and as I gazed on them, I fancied I could trace in their + antiquated features some family resemblance to their unfortunate + descendant, whom I had slain! This was a dismal neighborhood, yet the + armory was the only part of the castle that had a habitable air; so I + asked the warder whether he could not make a fire, and give me something + for supper there, and prepare me a bed in one corner. + </p> + <p> + “‘A fire and a supper you shall have, and that cheerfully, + most worthy pilgrim,’ said he; ‘but as to a bed, I advise you + to come and sleep in my chamber.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Why so?’ inquired I; ‘why shall I not sleep in + this hall?’ + </p> + <p> + “‘I have my reasons; I will make a bed for you close to mine.’ + </p> + <p> + “I made no objections, for I recollected that it was Friday, and I + dreaded the return of my vision. He brought in billets of wood, kindled a + fire in the great overhanging chimney, and then went forth to prepare my + supper. I drew a heavy chair before the fire, and seating myself in it, + gazed muzingly round upon the portraits of the Foulquerres, and the + antiquated armor and weapons, the mementos of many a bloody deed. As the + day declined, the smoky draperies of the hall gradually became confounded + with the dark ground of the paintings, and the lurid gleams from the + chimney only enabled me to see visages staring at me from the gathering + darkness. All this was dismal in the extreme, and somewhat appalling; + perhaps it was the state of my conscience that rendered me peculiarly + sensitive, and prone to fearful imaginings. + </p> + <p> + “At length the warder brought in my supper. It consisted of a dish + of trout, and some crawfish taken in the fosse of the castle. He procured + also a bottle of wine, which he informed me was wine of Poitou. I + requested him to invite the hermit to join me in my repast; but the holy + man sent back word that he allowed himself nothing but roots and herbs, + cooked with water. I took my meal, therefore, alone, but prolonged it as + much as possible, and sought to cheer my drooping spirits by the wine of + Poitou, which I found very tolerable. + </p> + <p> + “When supper was over, I prepared for my evening devotions. I have + always been very punctual in reciting my breviary; it is the prescribed + and bounden duty of all chevaliers of the religious orders; and I can + answer for it, is faithfully performed by those of Spain. I accordingly + drew forth from my pocket a small missal and a rosary, and told the warder + he need only designate to me the way to his chamber, where I could come + and rejoin him, when I had finished my prayers. + </p> + <p> + “He accordingly pointed out a winding stair-case, opening from the + hall. ‘You will descend this stair-case,’ said he, ‘until you + come to the fourth landing-place, where you enter a vaulted passage, + terminated by an arcade, with a statue of the blessed Jeanne of France; + you cannot help finding my room, the door of which I will leave open; it + is the sixth door from the landing-place. I advise you not to remain in + this hall after midnight. Before that hour, you will hear the hermit ring + the bell, in going the rounds of the corridors. Do not linger here after + that signal.’ + </p> + <p> + “The warder retired, and I commenced my devotions. I continued at + them earnestly; pausing from time to time to put wood upon the fire. I did + not dare to look much around me, for I felt myself becoming a prey to + fearful fancies. The pictures appeared to become animated. If I regarded + one attentively, for any length of time, it seemed to move the eyes and + lips. Above all, the portraits of the Grand Seneschal and his lady, which + hung on each side of the great chimney, the progenitors of the Foulquerres + of Têtefoulque, regarded me, I thought, with angry and baleful eyes: I + even fancied they exchanged significant glances with each other. Just then + a terrible blast of wind shook all the casements, and, rushing through the + hall, made a fearful rattling and clashing among the armor. To my startled + fancy, it seemed something supernatural. + </p> + <p> + “At length I heard the bell of the hermit, and hastened to quit the + hall. Taking a solitary light, which stood on the supper-table, I + descended the winding stair-case; but before I had reached the vaulted + passage leading to the statue of the blessed Jeanne of France, a blast of + wind extinguished my taper. I hastily remounted the stairs, to light it + again at the chimney; but judge of my feelings, when, on arriving at the + entrance to the armory, I beheld the Seneschal and his lady, who had + descended from their frames, and seated themselves on each side of the + fire-place! “‘Madam, my love,’ said the Seneschal, with + great formality, and in antiquated phrase, ‘what think you of the + presumption of this Castilian, who comes to harbor himself and make + wassail in this our castle, after having slain our descendant, the + commander, and that without granting him time for confession?’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Truly, my lord,’ answered the female spectre, with no + less stateliness of manner, and with great asperity of tone; ‘truly, + my lord, I opine that this Castilian did a grievous wrong in this + encounter; and he should never be suffered to depart hence, without your + throwing him the gauntlet.’ I paused to hear no more, but rushed + again down-stairs, to seek the chamber of the warder. It was impossible to + find it in the darkness, and in the perturbation of my mind. After an hour + and a half of fruitless search, and mortal horror and anxieties, I + endeavored to persuade myself that the day was about to break, and + listened impatiently for the crowing of the cock; for I thought if I could + hear his cheerful note, I should be reassured; catching, in the disordered + state of my nerves, at the popular notion that ghosts never appear after + the first crowing of the cock. + </p> + <p> + “At length I rallied myself, and endeavored to shake off the vague + terrors which haunted me. I tried to persuade myself that the two figures + which I had seemed to see and hear, had existed only in my troubled + imagination. I still had the end of the candle in my hand, and determined + to make another effort to re-light it, and find my way to bed; for I was + ready to sink with fatigue. I accordingly sprang up the stair-case, three + steps at a time, stopped at the door of the armory, and peeped cautiously + in. The two Gothic figures were no longer in the chimney corners, but I + neglected to notice whether they had reascended to their frames. I + entered, and made desperately for the fire-place, but scarce had I + advanced three strides, when Messire Foolques Taillefer stood before me, + in the centre of the hall, armed cap-à-pie, and standing in guard, with + the point of his sword silently presented to me. I would have retreated to + the stair-case, but the door of it was occupied by the phantom figure of + an esquire, who rudely flung a gauntlet in my face. Driven to fury, I + snatched down a sword from the wall: by chance, it was that of the + commander which I had placed there. I rushed upon my fantastic adversary, + and seemed to pierce him through and through; but at the same time I felt + as if something pierced my heart, burning like a red-hot iron. My blood + inundated the hall, and I fell senseless. + </p> + <p> + “When I recovered consciousness, it was broad day, and I found + myself in a small chamber, attended by the warder and the hermit. The + former told me that on the previous night, he had awakened long after the + midnight hour, and perceiving that I had not come to his chamber, he had + furnished himself with a vase of holy water, and set out to seek me. He + found me stretched senseless on the pavement of the armory, and bore me to + this room. I spoke of my wound, and of the quantity of blood that I had + lost. He shook his head, and knew nothing about it; and to my surprise, on + examination, I found myself perfectly sound and unharmed. The wound and + blood, therefore, had been all delusion. Neither the warder nor the hermit + put any questions to me, but advised me to leave the castle as soon as + possible. I lost no time in complying with their counsel, and felt my + heart relieved from an oppressive weight, as I left the gloomy and + fate-bound battlements of Têtefoulques behind me. + </p> + <p> + “I arrived at Bayonne, on my way to Spain, on the following Friday. + At midnight I was startled from my sleep, as I had formerly been; but it + was no longer by the vision of the dying commander. It was old Foulques + Taillefer who stood before me, armed cap-à-pie, and presenting the point + of his sword. I made the sign of the cross, and the spectre vanished, but + I received the same red-hot thrust in the heart which I had felt in the + armory, and I seemed to be bathed in blood. I would have called out, or + have arisen from my bed and gone in quest of succor, but I could neither + speak nor stir. This agony endured until the crowing of the cock, when I + fell asleep again; but the next day I was ill, and in a most pitiable + state. I have continued to be harassed by the same vision every Friday + night; no acts of penitence and devotion have been able to relieve me from + it; and it is only a lingering hope in divine mercy, that sustains me, and + enables me to support so lamentable a visitation.” + </p> + <p> + The Grand Prior of Minorca wasted gradually away under this constant + remorse of conscience, and this horrible incubus. He died some time after + having revealed the preceding particulars of his case, evidently the + victim of a diseased imagination. + </p> + <p> + The above relation has been rendered, in many parts literally, from the + French memoir, in which it is given as a true story: if so, it is one of + those instances in which truth is more romantic than fiction. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0023" id="link2H_4_0023"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LEGEND OF THE ENGULPHED CONVENT. + </h2> + <p> + At the dark and melancholy period when Don Roderick the Goth and his + chivalry were overthrown on the banks of the Guadalete, and all Spain was + overrun by the Moors, great was the devastation of churches and convents + throughout that pious kingdom. The miraculous fate of one of those holy + piles is thus recorded in one of the authentic legends of those days. + </p> + <p> + On the summit of a hill, not very distant from the capital city of Toledo, + stood an ancient convent and chapel, dedicated to the invocation of Saint + Benedict, and inhabited by a sisterhood of Benedictine nuns. This holy + asylum was confined to females of noble lineage. The younger sisters of + the highest families were here given in religious marriage to their + Saviour, in order that the portions of their elder sisters might be + increased, and they enabled to make suitable matches on earth, or that the + family wealth might go undivided to elder brothers, and the dignity of + their ancient houses be protected from decay. The convent was renowned, + therefore, for enshrining within its walls a sisterhood of the purest + blood, the most immaculate virtue, and most resplendent beauty, of all + Gothic Spain. + </p> + <p> + When the Moors overran the kingdom, there was nothing that more excited + their hostility than these virgin asylums. The very sight of a + convent-spire was sufficient to set their Moslem blood in a foment, and + they sacked it with as fierce a zeal as though the sacking of a nunnery + were a sure passport to Elysium. + </p> + <p> + Tidings of such outrages committed in various parts of the kingdom reached + this noble sanctuary and filled it with dismay. The danger came nearer and + nearer; the infidel hosts were spreading all over the country; Toledo + itself was captured; there was no flying from the convent, and no security + within its walls. + </p> + <p> + In the midst of this agitation, the alarm was given one day that a great + band of Saracens were spurring across the plain. In an instant the whole + convent was a scene of confusion. Some of the nuns wrung their fair hands + at the windows; others waved their veils and uttered shrieks from the tops + of the towers, vainly hoping to draw relief from a country over-run by the + foe. The sight of these innocent doves thus fluttering about their + dove-cote, but increased the zealot fury of the whiskered Moors. They + thundered at the portal, and at every blow the ponderous gates trembled on + their hinges. + </p> + <p> + The nuns now crowded round the abbess. They had been accustomed to look up + to her as all-powerful, and they now implored her protection. The mother + abbess looked with a rueful eye upon the treasures of beauty and vestal + virtue exposed to such imminent peril. Alas! how was she to protect them + from the spoiler! She had, it is true, experienced many signal + inter-positions of providence in her individual favor. Her early days had + been passed amid the temptations of a court, where her virtue had been + purified by repeated trials, from none of which had she escaped but by a + miracle. But were miracles never to cease? Could she hope that the + marvelous protection shown to herself would be extended to a whole + sisterhood? There was no other resource. The Moors were at the threshold; + a few moments more and the convent would be at their mercy. Summoning her + nuns to follow her, she hurried into the chapel; and throwing herself on + her knees before the image of the blessed Mary, “Oh, holy Lady!” + exclaimed she, “oh, most pure and immaculate of virgins! thou seest + our extremity. The ravager is at the gate, and there is none on earth to + help us! Look down with pity, and grant that the earth may gape and + swallow us rather than that our cloister vows should suffer violation!” + </p> + <p> + The Moors redoubled their assault upon the portal; the gates gave way, + with a tremendous crash; a savage yell of exultation arose; when of a + sudden the earth yawned; down sank the convent, with its cloisters, its + dormitories, and all its nuns. The chapel tower was the last that sank, + the bell ringing forth a peal of triumph in the very teeth of the + infidels. + </p> + <p> + Forty years had passed and gone, since the period of this miracle. The + subjugation of Spain was complete. The Moors lorded it over city and + country; and such of the Christian population as remained, and were + permitted to exercise their religion, did it in humble resignation to the + Moslem sway. + </p> + <p> + At this time, a Christian cavalier, of Cordova, hearing that a patriotic + band of his countrymen had raised the standard of the cross in the + mountains of the Asturias, resolved to join them, and unite in breaking + the yoke of bondage. Secretly arming himself, and caparisoning his steed, + he set forth from Cordova, and pursued his course by unfrequented + mule-paths, and along the dry channels made by winter torrents. His spirit + burned with indignation, whenever, on commanding a view over a long + sweeping plain, he beheld the mosque swelling in the distance, and the + Arab horsemen careering about, as if the rightful lords of the soil. Many + a deep-drawn sigh, and heavy groan, also, did the good cavalier utter, on + passing the ruins of churches and convents desolated by the conquerors. + </p> + <p> + It was on a sultry midsummer evening, that this wandering cavalier, in + skirting a hill thickly covered with forest, heard the faint tones of a + vesper bell sounding melodiously in the air, and seeming to come from the + summit of the hill. The cavalier crossed himself with wonder, at this + unwonted and Christian sound. He supposed it to proceed from one of those + humble chapels and hermitages permitted to exist through the indulgence of + the Moslem conquerors. Turning his steed up a narrow path of the forest, + he sought this sanctuary, in hopes of finding a hospitable shelter for the + night. As he advanced, the trees threw a deep gloom around him, and the + bat flitted across his path. The bell ceased to toll, and all was silence. + </p> + <p> + Presently a choir of female voices came stealing sweetly through the + forest, chanting the evening service, to the solemn accompaniment of an + organ. The heart of the good cavalier melted at the sound, for it recalled + the happier days of his country. Urging forward his weary steed, he at + length arrived at a broad grassy area, on the summit of the hill, + surrounded by the forest. Here the melodious voices rose in full chorus, + like the swelling of the breeze; but whence they came, he could not tell. + Sometimes they were before, sometimes behind him; sometimes in the air, + sometimes as if from within the bosom of the earth. At length they died + away, and a holy stillness settled on the place. + </p> + <p> + The cavalier gazed around with bewildered eye. There was neither chapel + nor convent, nor humble hermitage, to be seen; nothing but a moss-grown + stone pinnacle, rising out of the centre of the area, surmounted by a + cross. The greensward around appeared to have been sacred from the tread + of man or beast, and the surrounding trees bent toward the cross, as if in + adoration. + </p> + <p> + The cavalier felt a sensation of holy awe. He alighted and tethered his + steed on the skirts of the forest, where he might crop the tender herbage; + then approaching the cross, he knelt and poured forth his evening prayers + before this relique of the Christian days of Spain. His orisons being + concluded, he laid himself down at the foot of the pinnacle, and reclining + his head against one of its stones, fell into a deep sleep. + </p> + <p> + About midnight, he was awakened by the tolling of a bell, and found + himself lying before the gate of an ancient convent. A train of nuns + passed by, each bearing a taper. The cavalier rose and followed them into + the chapel; in the centre of which was a bier, on which lay the corpse of + an aged nun. The organ performed a solemn requiem: the nuns joining in + chorus. When the funeral service was finished, a melodious voice chanted, + “<i>Requiescat in pace!</i>”—“May she rest in + peace!” The lights immediately vanished; the whole passed away as a + dream; and the cavalier found himself at the foot of the cross, and + beheld, by the faint rays of the rising moon, his steed quietly grazing + near him. + </p> + <p> + When the day dawned, the cavalier descended the hill, and following the + course of a small brook, came to a cave, at the entrance of which was + seated an ancient man, clad in hermit’s garb, with rosary and cross, + and a beard that descended to his girdle. He was one of those holy + anchorites permitted by the Moors to live unmolested in dens and caves, + and humble hermitages, and even to practise the rites of their religion. + The cavalier checked his horse, and dismounting, knelt and craved a + benediction. He then related all that had befallen him in the night, and + besought the hermit to explain the mystery. + </p> + <p> + “What thou hast heard and seen, my son,” replied the other, + “is but type and shadow of the woes of Spain.” + </p> + <p> + He then related the foregoing story of the miraculous deliverance of the + convent. + </p> + <p> + “Forty years,” added the holy man, “have elapsed since + this event, yet the bells of that sacred edifice are still heard, from + time to time, sounding from under ground, together with the pealing of the + organ, and the chanting of the choir. The Moors avoid this neighborhood, + as haunted ground, and the whole place, as thou mayest perceive, has + become covered with a thick and lonely forest.” + </p> + <p> + The cavalier listened with wonder to the story of this engulphed convent, + as related by the holy man. For three days and nights did they keep vigils + beside the cross; but nothing more was to be seen of nun or convent. It is + supposed that, forty years having elapsed, the natural lives of all the + nuns were finished, and that the cavalier had beheld the obsequies of the + last of the sisterhood. Certain it is, that from that time, bell, and + organ, and choral chant have never more been heard. + </p> + <p> + The mouldering pinnacle, surmounted by the cross, still remains an object + of pious pilgrimage. Some say that it anciently stood in front of the + convent, but others assert that it was the spire of the sacred edifice, + and that, when the main body of the building sank, this remained above + ground, like the top-mast of some tall ship that has foundered. These + pious believers maintain, that the convent is miraculously preserved + entire in the centre of the mountain, where, if proper excavations were + made, it would be found, with all its treasures, and monuments, and + shrines, and reliques, and the tombs of its virgin nuns. + </p> + <p> + Should any one doubt the truth of this marvelous interposition of the + Virgin, to protect the vestal purity of her votaries, let him read the + excellent work entitled “España Triumphante,” written by Padre + Fray Antonio de Sancta Maria, a bare-foot friar of the Carmelite order, + and he will doubt no longer. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0024" id="link2H_4_0024"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE COUNT VAN HORN. + </h2> + <p> + During the minority of Louis XV., while the Duke of Orleans was Regent of + France, a young Flemish nobleman, the Count Antoine Joseph Van Horn, made + his sudden appearance in Paris, and by his character, conduct, and the + subsequent disasters in which he became involved, created a great + sensation in the high circles of the proud aristocracy. He was about + twenty-two years of age, tall, finely formed, with a pale, romantic + countenance, and eyes of remarkable brilliancy and wildness. + </p> + <p> + He was of one of the most ancient and highly-esteemed families of European + nobility, being of the line of the Princes of Horn and Overique, sovereign + Counts of Hautekerke, and hereditary Grand Veneurs of the empire. + </p> + <p> + The family took its name from the little town and seigneurie of Horn, in + Brabant; and was known as early as the eleventh century among the little + dynasties of the Netherlands, and since that time by a long line of + illustrious generations. At the peace of Utrecht, when the Netherlands + passed under subjection to Austria, the house of Van Horn came under the + domination of the emperor. At the time we treat of, two of the branches of + this ancient house were extinct; the third and only surviving branch was + represented by the reigning prince, Maximilian Emanuel Van Horn, + twenty-four years of age, who resided in honorable and courtly style on + his hereditary domains at Baussigny, in the Netherlands, and his brother, + the Count Antoine Joseph, who is the subject of this memoir. + </p> + <p> + The ancient house of Van Horn, by the intermarriage of its various + branches with the noble families of the continent, had become widely + connected and interwoven with the high aristocracy of Europe. The Count + Antoine, therefore, could claim relationship to many of the proudest names + in Paris. In fact, he was grandson, by the mother’s side, of the + Prince de Ligne, and even might boast of affinity to the Regent (the Duke + of Orleans) himself. There were circumstances, however, connected with his + sudden appearance in Paris, and his previous story, that placed him in + what is termed “a false position;” a word of baleful + significance in the fashionable vocabulary of France. + </p> + <p> + The young count had been a captain in the service of Austria, but had been + cashiered for irregular conduct, and for disrespect to Prince Louis of + Baden, commander-in-chief. To check him in his wild career, and bring him + to sober reflection, his brother the prince caused him to be arrested and + sent to the old castle of Van Wert, in the domains of Horn. This was the + same castle in which, in former times, John Van Horn, Stadtholder of + Gueldres, had imprisoned his father; a circumstance which has furnished + Rembrandt with the subject of an admirable painting. The governor of the + castle was one Van Wert, grandson of the famous John Van Wert, the hero of + many a popular song and legend. It was the intention of the prince that + his brother should be held in honorable durance, for his object was to + sober and improve, not to punish and afflict him. Van Wert, however, was a + stern, harsh man of violent passions. He treated the youth in a manner + that prisoners and offenders were treated in the strong-holds of the + robber counts of Germany in old times; confined him in a dungeon and + inflicted on him such hardships and indignities that the irritable + temperament of the young count was roused to continual fury, which ended + in insanity. For six months was the unfortunate youth kept in this + horrible state, without his brother the prince being informed of his + melancholy condition or of the cruel treatment to which he was subjected. + At length, one day, in a paroxysm of frenzy, the count knocked down two of + his gaolers with a beetle, escaped from the castle of Van Wert, and eluded + all pursuit; and after roving about in a state of distraction, made his + way to Baussigny and appeared like a sceptre before his brother. + </p> + <p> + The prince was shocked at his wretched, emaciated appearance and his + lamentable state of mental alienation. He received him with the most + compassionate tenderness; lodged him in his own room, appointed three + servants to attend and watch over him day and night, and endeavored by the + most soothing and affectionate assiduity to atone for the past act of + rigor with which he reproached himself. When he learned, however, the + manner in which his unfortunate brother had been treated in confinement, + and the course of brutalities that had led to his mental malady, he was + roused to indignation. His first step was to cashier Van Wert from his + command. That violent man set the prince at defiance, and attempted to + maintain himself in his government and his castle by instigating the + peasants, for several leagues round, to revolt. His insurrection might + have been formidable against the power of a petty prince; but he was put + under the ban of the empire and seized as a state prisoner. The memory of + his grandfather, the oft-sung John Van Wert, alone saved him from a + gibbet; but he was imprisoned in the strong tower of Horn-op-Zee. There he + remained until he was eighty-two years of age, savage, violent, and + unconquered to the last; for we are told that he never ceased fighting and + thumping as long as he could close a fist or wield a cudgel. + </p> + <p> + In the mean time a course of kind and gentle treatment and wholesome + regimen, and, above all, the tender and affectionate assiduity of his + brother, the prince, produced the most salutary effects upon Count + Antoine. He gradually recovered his reason; but a degree of violence + seemed always lurking at the bottom of his character, and he required to + be treated with the greatest caution and mildness, for the least + contradiction exasperated him. + </p> + <p> + In this state of mental convalescence, he began to find the supervision + and restraints of brotherly affection insupportable; so he left the + Netherlands furtively, and repaired to Paris, whither, in fact, it is said + he was called by motives of interest, to make arrangements concerning a + valuable estate which he inherited from his relative, the Princess d’Epinay. + </p> + <p> + On his arrival in Paris, he called upon the Marquis of Créqui, and other + of the high nobility with whom he was connected. He was received with + great courtesy; but, as he brought no letters from his elder brother, the + prince, and as various circumstances of his previous history had + transpired, they did not receive him into their families, nor introduce + him to their ladies. Still they fêted him in bachelor style, gave him gay + and elegant suppers at their separate apartments, and took him to their + boxes at the theatres. He was often noticed, too, at the doors of the most + fashionable churches, taking his stand among the young men of fashion; and + at such times, his tall, elegant figure, his pale but handsome + countenance, and his flashing eyes, distinguished him from among the + crowd; and the ladies declared that it was almost impossible to support + his ardent gaze. + </p> + <p> + The Count did not afflict himself much at his limited circulation in the + fastidious circles of the high aristocracy. He relished society of a + wilder and less ceremonious cast; and meeting with loose companions to his + taste, soon ran into all the excesses of the capital, in that most + licentious period. It is said that, in the course of his wild career, he + had an intrigue with a lady of quality, a favorite of the Regent; that he + was surprised by that prince in one of his interviews; that sharp words + passed between them; and that the jealousy and vengeance thus awakened, + ended only with his life. + </p> + <p> + About this time, the famous Mississippi scheme of Law was at its height, + or rather it began to threaten that disastrous catastrophe which convulsed + the whole financial world. Every effort was making to keep the bubble + inflated. The vagrant population of France was swept off from the streets + at night, and conveyed to Havre de Grace, to be shipped to the projected + colonies; even laboring people and mechanics were thus crimped and + spirited away. As Count Antoine was in the habit of sallying forth at + night, in disguise, in pursuit of his pleasures, he came near being + carried off by a gang of crimps; it seemed, in fact, as if they had been + lying in wait for him, as he had experienced very rough treatment at their + hands. Complaint was made of his case by his relation, the Marquis de + Créqui, who took much interest in the youth; but the Marquis received + mysterious intimations not to interfere in the matter, but to advise the + Count to quit Paris immediately; “If he lingers, he is lost!” + This has been cited as a proof that vengeance was dogging at the heels of + the unfortunate youth, and only watching for an opportunity to destroy + him. + </p> + <p> + Such opportunity occurred but too soon. Among the loose companions with + whom the Count had become intimate, were two who lodged in the same hotel + with him. One was a youth only twenty years of age, who passed himself off + as the Chevalier d’Etampes, but whose real name was Lestang, the + prodigal son of a Flemish banker. The other, named Laurent de Mille, a + Piedmontese, was a cashiered captain, and at the time an esquire in the + service of the dissolute Princess de Carignan, who kept gambling-tables in + her palace. It is probable that gambling propensities had driven these + young men together, and that their losses had brought them to desperate + measures: certain it is, that all Paris was suddenly astounded by a murder + which they were said to have committed. What made the crime more + startling, was, that it seemed connected with the great Mississippi + scheme, at that time the fruitful source of all kinds of panics and + agitations. A Jew, a stock-broker, who dealt largely in shares of the bank + of Law, founded on the Mississippi scheme, was the victim. The story of + his death is variously related. The darkest account states, that the Jew + was decoyed by these young men into an obscure tavern, under pretext of + negotiating with him for bank shares to the amount of one hundred thousand + crowns, which he had with him in his pocket-book. Lestang kept watch upon + the stairs. The Count and De Mille entered with the Jew into a chamber. In + a little while there were heard cries and struggles from within. A waiter + passing by the room, looked in, and seeing the Jew weltering in his blood, + shut the door again, double-locked it, and alarmed the house. Lestang + rushed downstairs, made his way to the hotel, secured his most portable + effects, and fled the country. The Count and De Mille endeavored to escape + by the window, but were both taken, and conducted to prison. + </p> + <p> + A circumstance which occurs in this part of the Count’s story, seems + to point him out as a fated man. His mother, and his brother, the Prince + Van Horn, had received intelligence some time before at Baussigny, of the + dissolute life the Count was leading at Paris, and of his losses at play. + They despatched a gentleman of the prince’s household to Paris, to + pay the debts of the Count, and persuade him to return to Flanders; or, if + he should refuse, to obtain an order from the Regent for him to quit the + capital. Unfortunately the gentleman did not arrive at Paris until the day + after the murder. + </p> + <p> + The news of the Count’s arrest and imprisonment on a charge of + murder, caused a violent sensation among the high aristocracy. All those + connected with him, who had treated him hitherto with indifference, found + their dignity deeply involved in the question of his guilt or innocence. A + general convocation was held at the hotel of the Marquis de Créqui, of all + the relatives and allies of the house of Horn. It was an assemblage of the + most proud and aristocratic personages of Paris. Inquiries were made into + the circumstances of the affair. It was ascertained, beyond a doubt, that + the Jew was dead, and that he had been killed by several stabs of a + poniard. In escaping by the window, it was said that the Count had fallen, + and been immediately taken; but that De Mille had fled through the + streets, pursued by the populace, and had been arrested at some distance + from the scene of the murder; that the Count had declared himself innocent + of the death of the Jew, and that he had risked his own life in + endeavoring to protect him; but that De Mille, on being brought back to + the tavern, confessed to a plot to murder the broker, and rob him of his + pocket-book, and inculpated the Count in the crime. + </p> + <p> + Another version of the story was, that the Count Van Horn had deposited + with the broker, bank shares to the amount of eighty-eight thousand + livres; that he had sought him in this tavern, which was one of his + resorts, and had demanded the shares; that the Jew had denied the deposit; + that a quarrel had ensued, in the course of which the Jew struck the Count + in the face; that the latter, transported with rage, had snatched up a + knife from a table, and wounded the Jew in the shoulder; and that + thereupon De Mille, who was present, and who had likewise been defrauded + by the broker, fell on him, and despatched him with blows of a poniard, + and seized upon his pocket-book; that he had offered to divide the + contents of the latter with the Count, <i>pro rata</i>, of what the usurer + had defrauded them; that the latter had refused the proposition with + disdain, and that, at a noise of persons approaching, both had attempted + to escape from the premises, but had been taken. + </p> + <p> + Regard the story in any way they might, appearances were terribly against + the Count, and the noble assemblage was in great consternation. What was + to be done to ward off so foul a disgrace and to save their illustrious + escutcheons from this murderous stain of blood? Their first attempt was to + prevent the affair from going to trial, and their relative from being + dragged before a criminal tribunal, on so horrible and degrading a charge. + They applied, therefore, to the Regent, to intervene his power; to treat + the Count as having acted under an access of his mental malady; and to + shut him up in a madhouse. The Regent was deaf to their solicitations. He + replied, coldly, that if the Count was a madman, one could not get rid too + quickly of madmen who were furious in their insanity. The crime was too + public and atrocious to be hushed up or slurred over; justice must take + its course. + </p> + <p> + Seeing there was no avoiding the humiliating scene of a public trial, the + noble relatives of the Count endeavored to predispose the minds of the + magistrates before whom he was to be arraigned. They accordingly made + urgent and eloquent representations of the high descent, and noble and + powerful connexions of the Count; set forth the circumstances of his early + history; his mental malady; the nervous irritability to which he was + subject, and his extreme sensitiveness to insult or contradiction. By + these means they sought to prepare the judges to interpret every thing in + favor of the Count, and, even if it should prove that he had inflicted the + mortal blow on the usurer, to attribute it to access of insanity, provoked + by insult. + </p> + <p> + To give full effect to these representations, the noble conclave + determined to bring upon the judges the dazzling rays of the whole + assembled aristocracy. Accordingly, on the day that the trial took place, + the relations of the Count, to the number of fifty-seven persons, of both + sexes, and of the highest rank, repaired in a body to the Palace of + Justice, and took their stations in a long corridor which led to the + court-room. Here, as the judges entered, they had to pass in review this + array of lofty and noble personages, who saluted them mournfully and + significantly, as they passed. Any one conversant with the stately pride + and jealous dignity of the French noblesse of that day, may imagine the + extreme state of sensitiveness that produced this self-abasement. It was + confidently presumed, however, by the noble suppliants, that having once + brought themselves to this measure, their influence over the tribunal + would be irresistible. There was one lady present, however, Madame de + Beauffremont, who was affected with the Scottish gift of second sight, and + related such dismal and sinister apparitions as passing before her eyes, + that many of her female companions were filled with doleful presentiments. + </p> + <p> + Unfortunately for the Count, there was another interest at work, more + powerful even than the high aristocracy. The all-potent Abbé Dubois, the + grand favorite and bosom counsellor of the Regent, was deeply interested + in the scheme of Law, and the prosperity of his bank, and of course in the + security of the stock-brokers. Indeed, the Regent himself is said to have + dipped deep in the Mississippi scheme. Dubois and Law, therefore, exerted + their influence to the utmost to have the tragic affair pushed to the + extremity of the law, and the murder of the broker punished in the most + signal and appalling manner. Certain it is, the trial was neither long nor + intricate. The Count and his fellow prisoner were equally inculpated in + the crime; and both were condemned to a death the most horrible and + ignominious—to be broken alive on the wheel! + </p> + <p> + As soon as the sentence of the court was made public, all the nobility, in + any degree related to the house of Van Horn, went into mourning. Another + grand aristocratical assemblage was held, and a petition to the Regent, on + behalf of the Count, was drawn out and left with the Marquis de Créqui for + signature. This petition set forth the previous insanity of the Count, and + showed that it was a hereditary malady of his family. It stated various + circumstances in mitigation of his offence, and implored that his sentence + might be commuted to perpetual imprisonment. + </p> + <p> + Upward of fifty names of the highest nobility, beginning with the Prince + de Ligne, and including cardinals, archbishops, dukes, marquises, etc., + together with ladies of equal rank, were signed to this petition. By one + of the caprices of human pride and vanity, it became an object of ambition + to get enrolled among the illustrious suppliants; a kind of testimonial of + noble blood, to prove relationship to a murderer! The Marquis de Créqui + was absolutely besieged by applicants to sign, and had to refer their + claims to this singular honor, to the Prince de Ligne, the grandfather of + the Count. Many who were excluded, were highly incensed, and numerous + feuds took place. Nay, the affronts thus given to the morbid pride of some + aristocratical families, passed from generation to generation; for, fifty + years afterward, the Duchess of Mazarin complained of a slight which her + father had received from the Marquis de Créqui; which proved to be + something connected with the signature of this petition. This important + document being completed, the illustrious body of petitioners, male and + female, on Saturday evening, the eve of Palm Sunday, repaired to the + Palais Royal, the residence of the Regent, and were ushered, with great + ceremony but profound silence, into his hall of council. They had + appointed four of their number as deputies, to present the petition, viz.: + the Cardinal de Rohan, the Duke de Havré, the Prince de Ligne, and the + Marquis de Créqui. After a little while, the deputies were summoned to the + cabinet of the Regent. They entered, leaving the assembled petitioners in + a state of the greatest anxiety. As time slowly wore away, and the evening + advanced, the gloom of the company increased. Several of the ladies prayed + devoutly; the good Princess of Armagnac told her beads. + </p> + <p> + The petition was received by the Regent with a most unpropitious aspect. + “In asking the pardon of the criminal,” said he, “you + display more zeal for the house of Van Horn, than for the service of the + king.” The noble deputies enforced the petition by every argument in + their power. They supplicated the Regent to consider that the infamous + punishment in question would reach not merely the person of the condemned, + not merely the house of Van Horn, but also the genealogies of princely and + illustrious families, in whose armorial bearings might be found + quarterings of this dishonored name. + </p> + <p> + “Gentlemen,” replied the Regent, “it appears to me the + disgrace consists in the crime, rather than in the punishment.” + </p> + <p> + The Prince de Ligne spoke with warmth: “I have in my genealogical + standard,” said he, “four escutcheons of Van Horn, and of + course have four ancestors of that house. I must have them erased and + effaced, and there would be so many blank spaces, like holes, in my + heraldic ensigns. There is not a sovereign family which would not suffer, + through the rigor of your Royal Highness; nay, all the world knows, that + in the thirty-two quarterings of Madame, your mother, there is an + escutcheon of Van Horn.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” replied the Regent, “I will share the + disgrace with you, gentlemen.” + </p> + <p> + Seeing that a pardon could not be obtained, the Cardinal de Rohan and the + Marquis de Créqui left the cabinet; but the Prince de Ligne and the Duke + de Havré remained behind. The honor of their houses, more than the life of + the unhappy Count, was the great object of their solicitude. They now + endeavored to obtain a minor grace. They represented that in the + Netherlands, and in Germany, there was an important difference in the + public mind as to the mode of inflicting the punishment of death upon + persons of quality. That decapitation had no influence on the fortunes of + the family of the executed, but that the punishment of the wheel was such + an infamy, that the uncles, aunts, brothers, and sisters of the criminal, + and his whole family, for three succeeding generations, were excluded from + all noble chapters, princely abbeys, sovereign bishoprics, and even + Teutonic commanderies of the Order of Malta. They showed how this would + operate immediately upon the fortunes of a sister of the Count, who was on + the point of being received as a canoness into one of the noble chapters. + </p> + <p> + While this scene was going on in the cabinet of the Regent, the + illustrious assemblage of petitioners remained in the hall of council, in + the most gloomy state of suspense. The re-entrance from the cabinet of the + Cardinal de Rohan and the Marquis de Créqui, with pale, downcast + countenances, had struck a chill into every heart. Still they lingered + until near midnight, to learn the result of the after application. At + length the cabinet conference was at an end. The Regent came forth, and + saluted the high personages of the assemblage in a courtly manner. One old + lady of quality, Madame de Guyon, whom he had known in his infancy, he + kissed on the cheek, calling her his “good aunt.” He made a + most ceremonious salutation to the stately Marchioness de Créqui, telling + her he was charmed to see her at the Palais Royal; “a compliment + very ill-timed,” said the Marchioness, “considering the + circumstance which brought me there.” He then conducted the ladies + to the door of the second saloon, and there dismissed them, with the most + ceremonious politeness. + </p> + <p> + The application of the Prince de Ligne and the Duke de Havré, for a change + of the mode of punishment, had, after much difficulty, been successful. + The Regent had promised solemnly to send a letter of commutation to the + attorney-general on Holy Monday, the 25th of March, at five o’clock + in the morning. According to the same promise, a scaffold would be + arranged in the cloister of the Conciergerie, or prison, where the Count + would be beheaded on the same morning, immediately after having received + absolution. This mitigation of the form of punishment gave but little + consolation to the great body of petitioners, who had been anxious for the + pardon of the youth: it was looked upon as all-important, however, by the + Prince de Ligne, who, as has been before observed,—was exquisitely + alive to the dignity of his family. + </p> + <p> + The Bishop of Bayeux and the Marquis de Créqui visited the unfortunate + youth in prison. He had just received the communion in the chapel of the + Conciergerie, and was kneeling before the altar, listening to a mass for + the dead, which was performed at his request. He protested his innocence + of any intention to murder the Jew, but did not deign to allude to the + accusation of robbery. He made the bishop and the Marquis promise to see + his brother the prince, and inform him of this his dying asseveration. + </p> + <p> + Two other of his relations, the Prince Rebecq-Montmorency and the Marshal + Van Isenghien, visited him secretly, and offered him poison, as a means of + evading the disgrace of a public execution. On his refusing to take it, + they left him with high indignation. “Miserable man!” said + they, “you are fit only to perish by the hand of the executioner!” + </p> + <p> + The Marquis de Créqui sought the executioner of Paris, to bespeak an easy + and decent death—for the unfortunate youth. “Do not make him + suffer,” said he; “uncover no part of him but the neck; and + have his body placed in a coffin, before you deliver it to his family.” + The executioner promised all that was requested, but declined a rouleau of + a hundred louis-d’ors which the Marquis would have put into his + hand. “I am paid by the king for fulfilling my office,” said + he; and added that he had already refused a like sum, offered by another + relation of the Marquis. + </p> + <p> + The Marquis de Créqui returned home in a state of deep affliction. There + he found a letter from the Duke de St. Simon, the familiar friend of the + Regent, repeating the promise of that prince, that the punishment of the + wheel should be commuted to decapitation. + </p> + <p> + “Imagine,” says the Marchioness de Créqui, who in her memoirs + gives a detailed account of this affair, “imagine what we + experienced, and what was our astonishment, our grief, and indignation, + when, on Tuesday, the 26th of March, an hour after midday, word was + brought us that the Count Van Horn had been exposed on the wheel, in the + Place de Gréve, since half-past six in the morning, on the same scaffold + with the Piedmontese de Mille, and that he had been tortured previous to + execution!” + </p> + <p> + One more scene of aristocratic pride closed this tragic story. The Marquis + de Créqui, on receiving this astounding news, immediately arrayed himself + in the uniform of a general officer, with his cordon of nobility on the + coat. He ordered six valets to attend him in grand livery, and two of his + carriages, each with six horses, to be brought forth. In this sumptuous + state, he set off for the Place de Gréve, where he had been preceded by + the Princes de Ligne, de Rohan, de Croüy, and the Duke de Havré. + </p> + <p> + The Count Van Horn was already dead, and it was believed that the + executioner had had the charity to give him the coup de grace, or “death-blow,” + at eight o’clock in the morning. At five o’clock in the + evening, when the Judge Commissary left his post at the Hotel de Ville, + these noblemen, with their own hands, aided to detach the mutilated + remains of their relation; the Marquis de Crequi placed them in one of his + carriages, and bore them off to his hotel, to receive the last sad + obsequies. + </p> + <p> + The conduct of the Regent in this affair excited general indignation. His + needless severity was attributed by some to vindictive jealousy; by others + to the persevering machinations of Law. The house of Van Horn, and the + high nobility of Flanders and Germany, considered themselves flagrantly + outraged: many schemes of vengeance were talked of, and a hatred + engendered against the Regent, that followed him through life, and was + wreaked with bitterness upon his memory after his death. + </p> + <p> + The following letter is said to have been written to the Regent by the + Prince Van Horn, to whom the former had adjudged the confiscated effects + of the Count: + </p> + <p> + “I do not complain, Sir, of the death of my brother, but I complain + that your Royal Highness has violated in his person the rights of the + kingdom, the nobility, and the nation. I thank you for the confiscation of + his effects; but I should think myself as much disgraced as he, should I + accept any favor at your hands. <i>I hope that God and the King may render + to you as strict justice as you have rendered to my unfortunate brother.</i>” + </p> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Wolfert’s Roost and Miscellanies, by +Washington Irving + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WOLFERT’S ROOST AND MISCELLANIES *** + +***** This file should be named 8571-h.htm or 8571-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/8/5/7/8571/ + + +Etext produced by Charles Aldarondo, Tiffany Vergon, David Widger +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + +HTML file produced by David Widger + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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