,illustration3 ,,gay ,,and ,,serious4 ,engraved ,printed expressly for ,graham's ,magazine by ,s4 ,dainty 99 99 99 99 99 ,,graham',s ,,magazine4 ,,vol4 ,,xxxvi4 ,may1 #ahej4 ,no4 #e4 ,table of ,contents ,fiction1 ,literature and ,articles ,shakspeare4 ,ulrici's ,discovery4--,analysis of ,hamlet ,a ,gale in the ,channel ,valentine ,histories ,the ,game of ,draughts ,life's ,lessons ,teach ,charity ,loiterings and ,life on the ,great ,prairies of the ,west ,the ,lady of the ,rock 7continued7 ,home3 or ,a ,visit to the ,city ,spring ,snipe ,shooting of #ahej ,the ,fine ,arts ,review of ,new ,books ,poetry and ,music ,summer ,friends ,lines ,spirit ,of ,hope ,to ,mrs4 ,e4 ,c4 ,k4 ,the ,valley of ,shadow ,the 8,still ,small ,voice40 ,to the ,flower ,hearts-,ease ,ballads of the ,campaign in ,mexico4 ,no4 ,,iv ,the ,might of ,song ,the ,mountain ,spring ,happiness--,a ,sonnet ,sonnet4--,from the ,italian ,no ,joy ,i'll ,see but in ,those ,smiles ,transcriber's ,notes can be found at the end of this e,book4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,graham',s ,,magazine4 ,,vol4 ,,xxxvi4 ,,philadelphia1 ,,may1 #ahej4 ,,no4 #e4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,shakspeare4 ,,ulrici',s ,,discovery4--,,analysis ,,of ,,hamlet4 ,,by ,h4 ,c4 ,,moorhead4 ,,more than half a century ago1 one of ,shakspeare's most illustrious commentators deemed it necessary to accompany the free expression of his views with words like these3 8,i am almost frighted at my own temerity2 and when ,i estimate the fame and the strength of those that maintain the contrary opinion1 ,i am ready to sink down in reverential silence1 as neas withdrew from the defense of ,troy when he saw ,neptune shaking the wall1 and ,juno heading the besiegers40 ,but the enthusiastic study of ,shakspeare was then just beginning4 ,how many antiquarians1 book-worms and hypercritics have since toiled and quibbled over him6 how many philosophers have deeply meditated him6 how many ponderous volumes have been written upon him8 ,how many great actors have played him8 ,how many nations have heard and read him8 ,surely this mine1 however deep and fruitful1 must long since have yielded all its treasures4 ,if1 indeed1 the shadows of mighty names could subdue the inquiring spirit of this age to any degree of fear or reverence1 the ,shakspeare student might now be content to receive1 with implicit confidence1 the creed which has been written4 ,but whilst the works of ,nature are daily undergoing new investigations1 and receiving new illustrations1 it is fit that those works which of all human productions most resemble them--the works of ,shakspeare--should be subjected to a similar scrutiny4 ,and so they have been1 and with results worthy of the days of telegraphs and locomotives4 ,a ,german critic1 named ,ulrici1 has recently made a discovery which as far surpasses all former ,shaksperian discoveries1 as the voyage of ,columbus surpassed the voyages of those navigators who before him had timorously hugged the shore4 ,a writer in the ,north ,british ,review1 for ,november1 #ahdi1 explains the subject briefly thus3 8,ulrici's most remarkable discovery is1 that each of ,shakspeare's plays has for its foundation some moral idea or theme1 which is reflected and echoed over and over again with endless variety and profit1 in all the characters1 expressions1 and events of the piece4 ,the subtle ,german critic would have produced more converts to his doctrine had he illustrated it fully by the analysis of some one play1 instead of having merely suggested its prevalence by means of a slight sketch in each40 ,the reviewer1 then1 observing that ,ulrici's views had been received in ,england with a 8wide skepticism10 proceeds to prove them by analyzing the 8,merchant of ,venice40 ,he also1 incidentally1 mentions the theme of 8,timon of ,athens10 and of 8,love's ,labor ,lost40 ,beyond this no hint is given as to the 8ground-idea0 7as it is termed7 of any of the plays2 and yet so palpable is ,ulrici's theory1 that the writer of these pages1 after having read the reviewer's remarks1 found no difficulty in applying it to any of the plays with which he was familiar1 by simply revolving them in his mind4 ,as any person tolerably read in ,shakspeare may do the same1 the 8wide skepticism0 above referred to must soon give way to universal conviction1 accompanied by astonishment that the discovery was not sooner made1 and the frank admission that ,shakspeare has been understood by ,ulrici alone4 ,our author has always been called the ,poet of ,nature2 and the better he is understood1 the better he is found to deserve the title4 ,the leading features of all mountains1 of all lakes and rivers1 of all mankind1 are the same2 yet in the whole world there are no two of either precisely alike4 ,the theme in each of ,shakspeare's plays is one--pervading every part of it1 and giving tone and color to the whole4 ,yet how endless the variety of character1 of action1 of sentiment6 ,so striking1 indeed1 is the diversity1 that the unity has1 for more than two hundred years1 been strangely overlooked2 so consummate is the art1 that it has wholly 8concealed the art40 ,if we examine the play of ,hamlet by the light of ,ulrici's torch1 we shall find that its subject1 like its plot1 is very comprehensive4 ,yet there is in it a 8central idea10 to which all the various topics discussed are more or less intimately related4 ,this idea may be expressed by the single word ,,discretion--discretion in its most comprehensive sense1 as signifying1 8prudence1 discernment and judgment1 directed by circumspection40 ,i propose to show that with this idea every incident1 every character1 every speech1 ,i might almost venture to say1 every sentiment of the play is connected1 by the relation either of resemblance or of contrast4 ,it will be most convenient 7on account of the intricacy of the play7 to examine the several scenes and speeches1 in connection with different aspects of the theme4 ,i shall therefore employ the following division3 ,i4 ,reserve2 contrasted with which 7#a7 ,extravagance of conduct and language2 7#b7 ,espionage2 7#c7 ,inquisitiveness2 7#d7 ,flattery4 ,,ii4 ,vacillation4 ,,iii4 ,craft4 ,the reader will readily perceive that all these qualities have an intimate relation with the quality of discretion1 directly or by contrast1 in its use or its abuse4 ,as it is ,shakspeare's custom to pursue his subject into all its collateral branches1 there are doubtless many other modifications of the theme of ,hamlet1 but the above division will answer our present purpose4 ,i4 ,reserve4 ,in the second scene of ,act ,first1 the king and queen expostulate with ,hamlet on his immoderate grief for the death of his father2 reminding him that it is a common occurrence1 and urging him to 8cast his nighted color off40 ,in the next scene1 ,laertes1 who is about to embark for ,france1 makes a long speech to ,ophelia1 recommending throughout reserve in her conduct toward ,hamlet3 ,the chariest maid is prodigal enough1 ,if she unmask her beauty to the moon4 ,the admirable speech of ,polonius to ,laertes1 which immediately follows1 is composed of ponderous maxims1 all of the same import2 as1 for example1 8,give every man thine ear1 but few thy voice20 8,take each man's censure1 but reserve thy judgment20 8,neither a borrower nor a lender be10 etc41 etc4 ,and the scene closes with a speech from ,polonius to ,ophelia1 in which he cautions her respecting ,hamlet1 telling her to be 8somewhat scanter of her maiden presence10 etc4 ,in the next scene 7the fourth7 occurs ,hamlet's speech to ,horatio on drunkenness1 which1 it will be observed1 in conformity with the theme1 turns entirely upon the imprudence of the practice4 ,in the fifth scene of the same act1 ,hamlet1 after his interview with the ,ghost1 baffles the curiosity of ,horatio and ,marcellus4 ,not content with keeping his own secret1 and swearing them not to reveal what they had seen1 he makes them further promise that if he should see fit 8to put an antick disposition on10 they never will1 8with arms encumbered thus1 or this head-shake1 or by pronouncing of some doubtful phrase1 as ,well1 well1 we know2 or1 we could1 and if we would2 or1 if we list to speak1 or such ambiguous giving out10 intimate that they 8knew aught of him40 ,in the same scene the ,ghost says3 8,i could a tale unfold10 etc4 8,but that ,i am forbid to tell the secrets of my prison-house40 ,in the first scene of the third act1 ,hamlet's rude speeches to ,ophelia1 8,get thee to a nunnery10 etc41 are mainly on the same subject2 and the next following scene contains the celebrated advice to the players1 every word of which inculcates reserve or moderation2 it teaches the same lesson as the speeches of ,polonius and ,laertes1 above referred to1 though it is applicable to very different circumstances4 ,hamlet's speech to ,horatio1 immediately after1 is to the same purpose3 8,blessed are those ,whose blood and judgment are so well co-mingled1 ,that they are not a pipe for fortune's finger ,to sound what stop she pleases2 ,give me that man ,that is not passion's slave10 etc4 ,in the same scene ,rosencrantz and ,guildenstern endeavor to find out ,hamlet's secret2 but he baffles and rebukes them with the beautiful illustration of the flute3 ,ham4 ,will you play upon this pipe8 ,guild4 ,my lord1 ,i can not4 ,ham4 ,why look you1 now1 how unworthy a thing you make of me4 ,you would play upon me2 you would seem to know my stops2 you would pluck out the heart of my mystery2 you would sound me from my lowest note to the top of my compass2 and there is much music1 excellent voice in this little organ2 yet can not you make it speak4 ,s'blood1 do you think ,i am easier to be played on than a pipe8 ,call me what instrument you will1 though you can fret me1 you cannot play upon me4 ,such are a few of the chief passages in which the lesson of 8reserve0 is taught directly4 ,the reader will find many others1 7maxims1 illustrations and allusions17 in every scene2 but ,i pass on to the notice of some instances in which the same lesson is taught indirectly or by contrast4 ,these passages may properly be arranged under several heads4 7#a47 ,extravagance of conduct and language4 ,hamlet is for the most part1 calm and self-possessed4 ,but on the occasion of his first interview with the ,ghost1 in the #dth scene of the first act he is transported 7as1 indeed1 he well might be17 beyond all bounds of moderation3 in the words of ,horatio3 ,he waxes desperate with imagination4 ,his speech to ,laertes at the grave of ,ophelia is a still more remarkable example of extravagance3 ,zounds1 show me what thou'lt do2 ,woul't weep8 woul't fight8 woul't fast8 woul't tear thyself8 ,woul't drink up ,esil8 eat a crocodile8 ,i'll do't4 ,dost thou come here to whine8 ,to outface me with leaping in her grave8 ,be buried quick with her1 and so will ,i4 ,and1 if thou prate of mountains1 let them throw ,millions of acres on us2 till our ground1 ,singeing his pate against the burning zone1 ,make ,ossa like a wart6 ,nay1 an thou'lt mouth1 ,i'll rant as well as thou4 ,ophelia's madness is caused by the extravagance of her love2 and it is worthy of remark that she is finally drowned in consequence of venturing too far on the 8pendent boughs0 of a willow which grew 8ascaunt the brook40 ,in the last scene ,hamlet and ,laertes1 whilst playing with rapiers1 become 8incensed10 and thus the final catastrophe is produced4 ,in the last scene of the second act ,hamlet meets the players and makes them recite ,eneas' tale to ,dido4 ,the only justification of this long and otherwise tedious passage1 will be found in its close connection with the theme2 for it is an admirable specimen of bombast4 ,unequal matched1 ,pyrrhus at ,priam drives2 in rage1 strikes wide2 ,but with the whiff and wind or his fell sword ,the unnerved father falls4 ,then senseless ,ilium1 ,seeming to feel this blow1 with flaming top ,stoops to his base2 and with a hideous crash ,takes prisoner ,pyrrhus' ear1 etc41 etc4 ,how different this from ,shakspeare's own style6 ,we shall presently see that the speeches of the ,player ,king and ,player ,queen are direct illustrations of another aspect of the theme2 indeed every thing connected with this 8play within the play10 is directly to the main purpose4 ,in the latter part of the first scene of act second ,ophelia relates to her father the wild conduct and appearance of ,hamlet1 and ,polonius attributes it to the extravagance of his love3 ,this is the very ecstasy of love1 etc41 and descants on the 8violent property0 of that passion4 ,laertes1 as we have seen1 could speak well in favor of reserve1 but he seldom practiced it4 ,his conduct is generally violent1 and his speech ranting2 as in his riotous appearance before the king in act fourth1 scene fifth1 and in his contest with ,hamlet at the grave of ,ophelia4 7#b47 ,espionage4 ,this method of ferreting out secrets is extensively practiced throughout the play4 ,in the first scene of act second1 ,polonius instructs ,reynaldo 7who is going to ,paris71 where ,laertes then was1 to 8make inquiry of his 7,laertes'7 behaviour20 to find out his associates1 and by pretending to know his vices--by 8putting forgeries upon him10--draw from them an account of his way of life3 ,your bait of falsehood takes this carp of troth2 ,and thus do we of wisdom and of reach1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 ,by indirections find directions out4 ,in the next scene the king and queen employ ,rosencrantz and ,guildenstern as spies upon ,hamlet2 and1 to ascertain whether he loves ,ophelia1 the king and ,polonius agree to hide behind the arras1 whilst the latter1 as he expresses it1 8looses his daughter to him0 in the lobby4 ,rosencrantz and ,guildenstern make several attempts to sound ,hamlet1 but1 as they report to the king and queen--act third scene first--he 8with a crafty madness keeps aloof40 ,in act third1 scene fourth1 ,polonius again plays the eaves-dropper in order to overhear the conversation between ,hamlet and his mother1 and ,hamlet1 hearing him1 and supposing him to be the king1 makes a pass through the arras and kills him4 ,i took thee for thy better2 take thy fortune2 ,thou find'st1 to be too busy1 is some danger4 7#c47 ,inquisitiveness4 ,inquisitiveness is a very prevalent feature of the play4 ,there are the challenging of sentiments--ghost-seeing--the sending and receiving of messages--soliloquies--7a species of self-examination17--and the conversation is to an unusual extent made up of questions and answers4 ,to this head may also be referred1 7at any rate the reader will at once recognize their relation to the central idea17 the riddles of the old grave-digger in the church-yard scene1 7act fifth1 scene first17 and his witty evasions of ,hamlet's questions4 ,also ,hamlet's refined speculations1 in which1 as ,horatio says1 he 8considers the matter too curiously20 as1 when he shows in act fourth1 scene third1 how a 8worm may go a progress through the guts of a beggar20 and 8traces the noble dust of ,alexander till he finds it stopping a bung-hole10 in act fifth1 scene first2 and in his reflections on the lawyer's skull1 and on that of 8poor ,yorick40 7#d47 ,flattery4 ,in act third1 scene third1 ,rosencrantz and ,guildenstern vie with each other in flattering the king4 ,in act fourth1 scene seventh1 the king flatters ,laertes respecting his skill in fencing4 ,osric plays the flatterer when he agrees with ,hamlet first that it is very hot1 then cold1 then hot again2 and ,polonius1 when he sees the cloud in the shape of a camel first1 then of a weasel1 and then of a whale1 according as ,hamlet directs4 ,in act second1 scene second1 ,hamlet says to ,rosencrantz3 8,my uncle is king of ,denmark2 and those that would make mouths at him while my father lived1 give twenty1 forty1 fifty1 an hundred ducats a-piece for his picture in little40 ,and in act third1 scene second1 he teaches the use of flattery3 ,why should the poor be flattered8 ,no1 let the candied tongue lick absurd pomp1 ,and crook the pregnant hinges of the knee1 ,where thrift may follow fawning4 ,,ii4 ,vacillation4 ,discretion1 pushed to extremes1 ends in vacillation1 and this is the leading trait in ,hamlet's character4 ,his father's ghost appears1 tells how he was 8sleeping1 by a brother's hand cut off10 and enjoins on him1 as a solemn duty to avenge his death4 ,hamlet acknowledges the duty1 and resolves to perform it2 he feels himself 8prompted to his revenge by heaven and hell10 and yet he shows from the first a painful consciousness of his own infirmity of purpose4 ,the time is out of ,joint2 ,o cursed spite1 ,that ever ,i was born to set it right4 ,his numerous soliloquies are accordingly for the most part mere developments of this trait of his character2 and illustrations of the inevitable tendency of meditation to beget inaction4 ,the narrow or bigoted mind1 which either can not or will not see more than a single feature of a subject1 may well be prompt and decided2 but whoever is capable and willing to survey any great question in all its aspects1 will reach a firm conclusion1--if he reach it at all1--only by slow and painful steps4 ,laertes1 who is little better than a ranting madcap1 no sooner conceives a purpose1 than he hastens to execute it2 whilst ,hamlet1 who is a calm philosopher1 ponders1 and procrastinates1 and does nothing4 ,in the last scene of act second1 ,hamlet1 after having listened to the recitation of a player1 compares his own 8motive and cue for passion10 with that of a fellow1 who spoke merely 8in a fiction1 in a dream of passion20 and reproaches himself for coldness and inaction2 but ends at last in the conclusion that the spirit he had seen may be a devil1 and that he must have 8grounds more relative than this40 ,the next scene contains the great soliloquy on death4 8,to be or not to be10 etc4 ,on a former occasion ,hamlet had exclaimed3 ,o that the ,everlasting had not fixed ,his canon 'gainst self-slaughter6 ,and he now concludes that the most profound meditation on the subject merely ,puzzles the will1 ,and makes us rather bear those ills we have1 ,than fly to others that we know not of4 ,this soliloquy has sometimes been condemned as taking an unworthy and inadequate view of the great subjects of death1 and 8that undiscovered country0 beyond the grave2 and if it had been ,shakspeare's purpose to discuss these subjects1 the criticism would undoubtedly be just4 ,but let us bear in mind that his object in this passage was simply to illustrate 8vacillation of mind0 in connection with the highest subjects of human contemplation1 and we shall find that he has accomplished all he undertook in a manner entirely worthy of himself4 ,very similar to this is the king's soliloquy on repentance1 in act third1 scene third4 ,what if this cursed hand ,were thicker than itself with brother's blood8 ,is there not rain enough in the sweet heavens ,to wash it white as snow8 4 4 4 4 ,then ,i'll look up2 ,my fault is past4 ,but1 ,o1 what form of prayer ,can serve my turn8 4 4 4 4 ,try what repentance can3 ,what can it not8 ,yet what can it1 when one can not repent4 ,throughout the whole speech the mind of the guilty monarch fluctuates between hope and despair2 and ,hamlet1 seeing him on his knees1 exclaims3 8now might ,i do it1 pat2 and now ,i'll do it20 but again falls to moralizing1 and puts it off to a more convenient season4 ,hamlet's first soliloquy1 before he has seen the ,ghost1 7act first1 scene second17 turns on the queen's inconstancy in forgetting his father and marrying his uncle so soon3 8,but two months dead60 8,a beast that wants discourse of reason1 would have mourned longer40 ,and his conversation with ,horatio immediately after is to the same effect3 ,the funeral bak'd meats ,did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables4 ,in his interview with the queen in act third1 scene fourth1 where he compares the picture of his father with that of his uncle1 he dwells on the same topic4 ,see also the dumb show in act third1 scene second1 and the dialogue between the ,player ,king and ,player ,queen4 ,every line of these speeches illustrates the theme4 ,p4 ,king4 ,i do believe you think what now you speak2 ,but1 what we do determine oft we break4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 ,this world is not for aye3 nor 'tis not strange ,that even our loves should with our fortunes change4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 ,the great man down1 you mark his favorite flies2 ,the poor advanced makes friends of enemies4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 ,for who not needs shall never lack a friend2 ,and who in want a hollow friend doth try1 ,directly seasons him his enemy4 ,the constancy of ,hamlet's father is throughout opposed to the inconstancy of his mother4 ,the ,ghost on his first appearance dwells on the subject3 ,from me1 whose love was of that dignity ,that it went hand in hand even with the vow ,i made to her in marriage4 ,and after all the wrongs he has suffered1 whilst enjoining upon ,hamlet to change his course1 he charges him to contrive nothing against his mother2 and when he afterward appears at the interview between ,hamlet and the queen1 he interposes in her behalf3 ,but look6 amazement on thy mother sits2 ,o1 step between her and her fighting soul4 ,the queen also1 with all her faults1 remains constant in her affection for ,hamlet1 and 8lives1 almost1 by his looks40 ,ophelia is constant in her love1--to insanity and a watery grave2 and ,hamlet makes fine speeches on constancy of purpose4 ,his soliloquy in act first1 scene fifth1 is in a noble strain3 8,remember thee60 ,ay1 thou poor ghost1 while memory holds a seat1 ,in this distracted globe4 ,remember thee8 ,yea1 from the table of my memory ,i'll wipe away all trivial1 fond records1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 ,and thy commandment all alone shall live ,within the book and volume of my brain1 etc4 ,but his 8remembrance0 is like that of a man who 8beholdeth his natural face in a glass1 and goeth his way1 and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was40 ,,iii4 ,craft4 ,the word craft properly signifies art1 ability1 dexterity1 skill1 as well as cunning and dissimulation--and all these qualities have a close relation to discretion4 ,the pretended madness of ,hamlet is therefore illustrative of the theme2 just as the real madness of ,lear is illustrative of the theme of that play4 ,the dissimulation of ,hamlet1 however1 is not such as to lessen our esteem for his character4 ,surrounded as he is with spies and enemies1 we feel that it is a justifiable stratagem4 ,it is worthy of remark that ,edgar employs a similar means of defense in the ,play of ,king ,lear2 and that as ,shakspeare's love of contrast has led him thus to oppose the assumed madness of ,edgar to the real madness of ,lear1 so here we have the real madness of ,ophelia opposed to the assumed madness of ,hamlet4 ,hamlet displays craft also 7but still a justifiable craft17 in his device of the play1 8to catch the conscience of the king40 ,and when he has succeeded1 he triumphs in this proof of his own skill1 with a very natural vanity4 8,would not this1 sir1 and a forest of feathers1 7if the rest of my fortunes turn ,turk with me17 etc41 get me a fellowship in a cry of players80 ,in his interview with his mother1 7the picture scene17 he dwells chiefly on her want of discernment2 and1 at the conclusion of the scene1 alluding to his 8two schoolfellows10 he boasts that he will 8delve one yard below their mines1 and blow them at the moon20 a feat which he very fully accomplishes4 ,but after all he feels and acknowledges that he is a mere instrument in the hands of a higher power4 ,our indiscretion sometimes serves us well1 ,when our deep plots do pall2 and that should teach us1 ,there's a divinity that shapes our ends1 ,rough hew them how we will4 ,and when ,horatio endeavors to dissuade him from fencing with ,laertes1 because he acknowledges a foreboding of evil he replies3 8,not a whit1 we defy augury2 there is a special providence in the fall of a sparrow4 ,if it be now1 'tis not to come2 if it be not to come it will be now2 if it be not now1 yet it will come2 the readiness is all40 ,these solemn sentiments were a fit prelude to the tragic fate upon which he was rushing4 ,polonius frequently boasts of his own discernment4 ,as when he says to the king3 ,hath there been such a time 7,i'd fain know that17 ,that ,i have positively said 'tis so2 ,when it proved otherwise4 ,and though he was mistaken as to the cause of ,hamlet's madness1 he reasoned justly on the subject1 and erred in his conclusion only because there was a supernatural cause at work1 which he could not penetrate4 ,the king also dwells on the same topic 7skill or management17 in many places1 and especially in his several conversations with ,laertes4 ,but ,i must hasten to a conclusion2 hoping that ,i have awakened sufficient interest in the reader's mind to induce him to pursue the subject with the play before him2 and assuring him that he will find the theme in some one of its various phases1 ever present2 from the sentinel's challenge at the beginning1 to the speech of ,fortinbras on propriety at the end2 in the love-letter of ,hamlet2 in the carol of ,ophelia2 in the doggerel song of the old grave-digger2 and every where else4 ,a glance at the progress of the play will show that the theme1 like the plot and the characters1 is gradually developed4 ,a brief notice of the contents of each act will make this apparent4 ,act first4--,this act is wholly occupied with matters of an inquisitive character1 and lectures on reserve and prudence4 ,act second4--,craft is the characteristic of this act4 ,reynaldo is appointed a spy upon ,laertes3 ,hamlet begins to play the madman3 ,rosencrantz and ,guildenstern are appointed spies upon ,hamlet3 ,polonius and the king resolve to secrete themselves where they can overhear ,hamlet talking with ,ophelia3 and ,hamlet conceives the project of using the players to make the king betray his own guilt4 ,the object of all these plots1 however1 it will be observed1 is merely to gain information4 ,act third4--,in this act the several plots formed in the last1 are carried into execution4 ,act fourth4--,here the subject assumes a more serious aspect2 ,ophelia's indiscreet love ends in madness and death3 ,laertes1 who has heretofore discoursed like a philosopher on moderation1 now becomes furious1 bearding the king on his throne2 if craft is employed it is no longer for the mere purpose of finding out secrets1 but for the destruction of life2 as when the king sends ,hamlet to ,england1 to be put to death2 and when1 on his unexpected return1 ,laertes and the king concert his death by means of the treacherous fencing-match4 ,act fifth4--,inquisitiveness now assumes a more intricate form in the old grave-digger's riddles1 and in ,hamlet's refined speculations4 ,credulity 7as ,horatio's account of prodigies in the first act17 becomes bigotry in the priest who buried ,ophelia1 and faith in a special ,providence in ,hamlet4 ,foppery and affectation reach their height in ,osric2 discretion assumes its highest form in ,hamlet's frank apology to ,laertes1 and in his anxiety lest he should leave a 8wounded name0 behind him2 ,horatio crowns his constancy by resolving to die with his friend2 and ungoverned passion produces the scandalous conflict at ,ophelia's grave1 and the scuffle in fencing1 which is the immediate forerunner of the bloody catastrophe4 ,the change of rapiers has been condemned as a bungling device2 but was it not most probably designed to illustrate the theme1 showing1 as it does1 the blind and heedless rage of the combatants8 ,it is manifest that ,ulrici's method of reading these plays must lead to a re-consideration of the most important criticisms which have heretofore been made upon them4 ,the propriety and relevancy of each part being considered with reference to the 8central idea10 many apparent anomalies will be reconciled1 and many imputed faults vindicated4 ,a new value will also be given to them2 for1 viewed in this light1 the masters of eloquence1--the ,senator1 the ,advocate1 and the ,preacher1--may1 from these models1 learn how to discuss a theme1 or conduct a discussion4 ,the poet rambles through all nature1 yet never for one moment forgets his purpose2 now he convulses us with laughter1 and now melts us to tears2 now fires us with indignation1 and now chills us with horror2 yet ever1 amidst these various and conflicting emotions1 steadily pursues his argument4 ,every speech is to the same purpose1 and yet there is no repetition2 and1 though he perseveres till the subject is wholly exhausted1 our interest seldom for one moment languishes4 ,let him1 therefore1 who would see ,logic1 and ,rhetoric1 and ,poetry in their most perfect form and combination1 repair to the pages of ,,shakspeare4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,summer ,,friends4 ,,they came--like bees in summer-time1 ,when earth is decked with flowers1 ,and while my year was in its prime ,they reveled in my bowers2 ,but when my honey-blooms were shed1 ,and chilling blasts came on1 ,the bee had with the blossom fled3 ,i sought them--they were gone4 ,they came--like spring-birds to the grove1 ,with varied notes of praise1 ,and daily each with other strove ,the highest strain to raise2 ,but when before the frosty gale ,my withered leaves were strown1 ,and wintry blasts swept down the vale1 ,i sought them--they were gone4 ,i4 ,g4 ,b4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,lines4 ,,by ,,geo4 ,d4 ,,prentiss4 ,,sweet moon1 ,i love thee1 yet ,i grieve ,to gaze on thy pale orb to-night2 ,it tells me of that last dear eve ,i passed with her1 my soul's delight4 ,hill1 vale and wood and stream were dyed ,in the pale glory of thy beams1 ,as forth we wandered1 side by side1 ,once more to tell love's burning dreams4 ,my fond arm was her living zone1 ,my hand within her hand was pressed1 ,and love was in each earnest tone1 ,and rapture in each heaving breast4 ,and many a high and fervent vow ,was breathed from her full heart and mine1 ,while thy calm light was on her brow ,like pure religion's seal and sign4 ,we knew1 alas6 that we must part1 ,we knew we must be severed long1 ,yet joy was in each throbbing heart1 ,for love was deep1 and faith was strong4 ,a thousand memories of the past ,were busy in each glowing breast1 ,and hope upon the future cast ,her rainbow hues--and we were blest4 ,i craved a boon--oh6 in that boon ,there was a wild1 delirious bliss-- ,ah1 didst thou ever gaze1 sweet moon1 ,upon a more impassioned kiss8 ,the parting came--one moment brief ,her dim and fading form ,i viewed-- ',twas gone--and there ,i stood in grief ,amid life's awful solitude4 ,tell me1 sweet moon1 for thou canst tell1 ,if passion still unchanged is hers-- ,do thoughts of me her heart still swell ,among her many worshipers8 ,say1 does she sometimes wander now ,at eve beneath thy gentle flame1 ,to raise to heaven her angel-brow ,and breathe her absent lover's name6 ,oh when her gentle lids are wet1 ,i pray thee1 mark each falling gem1 ,and tell me if my image yet ,is pictured tremblingly in them6 ,ay1 tell me1 does her bosom thrill ,as wildly as of yore for me-- ,does her young heart adore me still1 ,or is that young heart changed like thee8 ,oh let thy beams1 that softest shine1 ,if still my love to her is dear1 ,bear to her gentle heart from mine ,a sigh1 a blessing1 and a tear4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,spirit ,,of ,,hope4 ,,by ,,mrs4 ,e4 ,j4 ,,eames4 ,enchantress1 come6 and charm my cares to rest4 ,,how shall ,i lure thee to my side again1 ,thou1 who wert once the ,angel of my ,youth8 ,thou1 who didst woo me with thy blandest strain-- ,tinting wild ,fancy with the hues of ,truth2 ,whose plumy shape1 floating in rosy light1 ,showered purest pearl-drops from its fairy wing1 ,making earth's pathway like the day-star bright1 ,thou charmer rare of life's enchanted spring6 ,fair were the scenes thy radiant pencil drew1 ,when on my eyes the early beauty broke3 ,and thy rich-ringing lyre1 when life was new1 ,a glowing rapture in my bosom woke4 ,then thy gay sister ,fancy made my dreams ,lovely1 and lightsome as the summer-hours1 ,and in her fairy loom wrought hues and gleams ,that clothed the ,ideal in a robe of flowers4 ,now1 thou hast vanished from my yearning sight-- ,thou comest no more in melting softness drest-- ,no more thou weavest sweet visions of delight1 ,no charm thou bring'st to lull my heart to rest4 ,the bloom has faded from thy face1 dear ,hope-- ,the light is lost--the shadow comes not back6 ,thy green oasis-flowers no more re-ope1 ,to scatter fragrance o'er life's desert track4 ,oh1 angel-spirit of my perished years6 ,thy early memory stands before me now3 ,ah6 by that memory1 which so fair appears1 ,unveil once more the beauty of thy brow2 ,come--if ,i have not quite outlived thee--come6 ,and bid thy rival dark ,despair depart-- ,his touch has left me blind and deaf and dumb-- ,bring thou one ray of sunshine to my heart6 99 99 99 99 99 ,a ,,gale ,,in ,,the ,,channel4 ,,by ,,charles ,j4 ,,peterson1 ,,author ,,of 8,,cruising ,,in ,,the ,,last ,,war10 ,,etc4 ,,it was on a sunny day in the winter of #ahc-1 that we dropped down the ,mersey and took our leave of ,liverpool4 ,our vessel was a new ship of seven hundred tons2 and as she spread1 one after another1 her folds of white canvas to the breeze1 ,i thought ,i had never seen a more beautiful sight4 ,the scene around was lively and inspiriting4 ,innumerable craft of all sizes covered the waters far and near3 here1 a large merchantman moving like a stately swan1 there1 a light yacht skimming along with the swiftness of a swallow4 ,the sunlight sparkled and danced on the billows2 the receding coast grew more picturesque as we left it astern2 and the blue expanse of the ,irish channel stretched away in front1 until lost in a thin haze on the opposite horizon4 ,i had been reading below for several hours1 but toward nightfall went on deck again4 ,how ,i started at the change6 ,it was yet an hour to sunset1 but the luminary of day was already hidden in a thick bank of clouds1 that lay stretched ominously along the western seaboard4 ,the wind had increased to a smart gale1 and was laden with moisture4 ,the billows increased in size every minute1 and were whitening with foam far and near4 ,occasionally as a roller struck the ship's bows1 the white spray flew crackling over the forecastle1 and sometimes even shot into the top3 on these occasions a foreboding1 melancholy sound1 like the groan of some huge animal in pain1 issued from the thousand timbers of the vessel4 ,already1 in anticipation of the rising tempest1 the canvas had been reduced1 and we were now heading toward the ,irish coast under reefed topsails1 courses1 a spanker and jib4 8,a rough night in prospect1 ,jack60 ,i said addressing an old tar beside me4 8,you may well say that1 sir10 he replied4 8,it's bad on the ,norway coast in ,december1 and bad going into ,sandy ,hook in a snow-storm2 but both are nothing to a gale in the channel here10 he added1 as a sudden whirl of the tempest covered us with spray4 8,i wish we had more sea room10 ,i answered musingly4 8,ay6 ,i'd give the wages of the voyage if we had4 ,how happy you all seemed in the cabin1 sir1 the ladies especially1 an hour or two ago--,i suppose it was because we are going home--ah6 little did any of us think10 he added1 with a seriousness1 and in a language uncommon for a sailor1 8that we might be bound to another1 and a last home1 which we should behold first40 ,at this moment the captain shouted to shorten sail1 and our conversation was of necessity cut short4 ,the ship1 ,i ought to have said1 had been laid close to the wind1 in order to claw off the ,english coast1 to which we were in dangerous propinquity2 and1 as the gale increased1 the heavy press of canvas forcing her down into the water1 she struggled and strained frightfully4 ,while the crew were at work1 ,i walked forward4 ,the billows1 now increased to a gigantic size1 came rolling down upon us one after another1 with such rapidity that our good craft could scarcely recover from one before another was upon her4 ,each time she struck a head-sea she would stagger an instant1 quivering in every timber1 while the crest of the shattered wave would shoot to the fore-top like the jet of a fountain3 then1 the vast surge sinking away beneath her1 she would settle groaning into the trough of the sea1 until another billow lifted her1 another surge thundered against her bows1 another shower of foam flew over her4 ,now and then1 when a more colossal wave than usual was seen approaching1 the cry 8hold on all0 rang warningly across the decks4 ,at such times1 the vast billow would approach1 its head towering in the gathering twilight1 until it threatened to engulf us2 but1 just when all seemed over1 our gallant ship would spring forward to meet it1 like a steed started by the spur1 and the mountain of waters would break over and around us1 hissing1 roaring and flashing by1 and then sinking into the apparently bottomless gulf beneath us4 ,meanwhile the decks were resounding with the tread of the sailors1 as they hurried to and fro in obedience to the captain's orders2 while the rattling of blocks1 the shouts of command1 and the quick replies of the seamen1 rose over the uproar of the storm4 8,let go bowlines10 cried the stentorian voice of the captain1 8ease off the tack--haul on the weather-braces40 ,away went the huge sail in obedience to the order4 8,ease off the sheet--haul up to lee60 ,the crew redoubled their quickness2 and soon the immense courses were stowed4 ,in a few minutes the ship's canvas was reduced to reefed topsails1 spanker1 and fore-topmast staysail4 ,by this time evening had set in1 though the long twilight of that latitude prolonged a sickly radiance4 ,but even this contraction of sail was not sufficient4 ,the thick duck tugged at the yards1 as if it would snap them in two4 ,every moment ,i expected to see the spanker go4 8,we must take in that sail10 said the captain finally1 8or she will tear herself to pieces4 ,all hands in with the spanker40 ,in an instant the men were struggling with the huge sheet of canvas2 and never before had ,i been so forcibly impressed with the power and usefulness of discipline4 ,in an incredibly short interval the gigantic sail1 notwithstanding its struggles1 was got under control1 and safely stowed4 ,the ship now labored less for awhile1 but1 as the storm increased1 she groaned and struggled as before4 ,the captain saw it would not do to carry even the little sail now remaining1 for1 under the tremendous strain1 the canvas might be continually expected to be blown from the bolt-ropes4 ,and yet our sole hope lay in crowding every stitch1 in order to claw off the ,english coast6 ,the sailor will understand this at a word1 but to the landsman it may require explanation4 ,our danger1 then1 consisted in having insufficient sea room4 ,if we had been on the broad ,atlantic1 with a hundred or two miles of ocean all around us1 we could have lain-to under some bit of a head-sail1 or fore-topmast sky-sail for instance1 or a reefed fore-sail4 ,but when a vessel lies-to1 or1 in other words1 faces the quarter whence the wind comes1 with only enough canvas set to steer her by1 she necessarily drifts considerably1 and in a line of motion diagonal to her keel4 ,this is called making lee-way4 ,most ships1 when lying-to in a gale1 drill very rapidly1 sometimes hundreds of miles if the tempest is protracted4 ,it is for this reason that a vessel in a narrow channel dares not lie-to1 for a few miles of lee-way would wreck her on the neighboring coast4 ,the only resource1 in such cases1 is to carry a press of sail1 and head in the direction whence the wind comes1 but not near so close to it as in lying-to4 ,this is called clawing off a lee-shore4 ,a constant struggle is maintained between the waves1 which set the vessel in the same track they are going themselves1 and the wind1 which urges her on the opposite course4 ,if the canvas holds1 and the ship is not too close to the shore under her lee1 she escapes3 if the sails part1 she drives upon the fatal coast before new ones can be got up and bent4 ,frequently in such cases the struggle is protracted for hours4 ,it is a noble yet harrowing spectacle to see a gallant ship thus contending for her life1 as if an animated creature1 breasting surge after surge1 too often in vain1 panting1 trembling and battling till the very last4 ,the captain did not appear satisfied with taking in the spanker2 indeed1 all feared that the ship could not carry what sail was left4 ,accordingly1 he ordered the topsails to be close-reefed4 ,yet even after this1 the vessel tore through the waters as if every moment she would jerk her masts out4 ,the wind had now increased to a perfect hurricane4 ,it shrieked1 howled and roared around as if a thousand fiends were abroad on the blast4 ,in moments of extreme peril strong natures gather together1 as if by some secret instinct4 ,it was in this way that the captain suddenly found himself near the old topman1 whom ,i had been conversing with in the early part of the evening1 and who1 it appeared1 was one of the oldest and best seamen in the ship4 ,the captain stood by the man's side a full minute without speaking1 looking at the wild waves that1 like hungry wolves1 came trooping down toward us4 8,how far are we from the coast80 he said at last4 8,perhaps five miles1 perhaps three1 sir60 quietly replied the man4 8,and we have a long run to make before we get sea-room10 said the captain4 8,we shall all be in eternity before morning10 answered the man1 solemnly4 ,the captain paused a moment1 when he replied1 8,our only hope is in the topsail-clews--if they give way1 we are indeed lost--,god help us60 8,amen60 ,i answered1 involuntarily4 ,silence now ensued1 though none of us changed our positions4 ,for myself1 ,i was occupied with thinking of the female passengers1 soon1 perhaps1 to be the prey of the wild waters4 ,every moment it seemed as if the topsails would give way1 she strained so frightfully4 ,it was impossible to stand up if exposed to the full force of the gale4 ,so we sheltered ourselves in the waist as we best could4 ,the wind as well as spray1 however1 reached us even here1 though in diminished violence1 the latter stinging the face like shot thrown against it4 ,it seemed to me1 each minute1 as if we made more lee-way4 ,at last1 after half an hour's suspense1 ,i heard the surf breaking1 with a noise like thunder1 on the iron-bound coast to the eastward4 ,again and again ,i listened1 and each time the awful sound became more distinct4 ,i did not mention my fears1 however1 for ,i still thought ,i might be mistaken4 ,suddenly the captain looked up4 8,hark60 he said4 ,he stood with his finger raised in the attitude of one listening intently1 his eyes fixed on the face of the old sailor4 8,it is the sound of breakers10 said the seaman4 8,breakers on the lee-quarter60 cried the look-out at this instant1 his hoarse voice sounding ominously across the night4 8,breakers on the lee-beam60 answered another4 8,breakers on the lee-bow60 echoed a third4 ,all eyes peered immediately into the darkness4 ,a long line of foam was plainly visible1 skirting quite round the horizon to leeward4 8,god have mercy on our souls60 ,i involuntarily ejaculated4 ,the captain sprung to the wheel1 his eye flashing1 his whole frame dilated--for he had taken a sudden and desperate resolution4 ,he saw that1 if no effort was made1 we should be among the breakers in twenty minutes2 but if the mainsail could be set1 and made to hold for half an hour1 we might yet escape4 ,there were nine chances to one that the sail would split the instant it was spread1 and in a less terrible emergency he would have shrunk from the experiment2 but it was now our only hope4 8,keep her to it60 he shouted2 8keep her well up4 ,all hands to set the main-course60 ,fortunately we were strong-handed1 so that it would not be necessary to carry the tack to the windlass1 notwithstanding the gale4 ,a portion of the crew sprung to man this important rope2 the remainder hurried up the rigging1 almost disappearing in the gloom overhead4 ,in less than a minute the huge sail fell from the yard1 like a gigantic puff of white smoke blown from the top4 ,it struggled and whipped terribly1 but the good ropes held fast4 8,brace up the yard--haul out the bowline60 thundered the captain4 8,ay1 ay1 sir60 and it was done4 8,haul aft60 ,the men ran off with the line1 and the immense sheet came to its place4 ,this was the critical moment4 ,the ship feeling the additional propulsion1 made a headlong plunge4 ,i held my breath4 ,i expected nothing less than to see the heavy duck blown from the yard like a gossamer2 but the strong fabric held fast1 though straining awfully4 8,she comes up1 don't she80 interrogated the captain of the man at the helm4 8,ay1 ay1 sir--she does60 8,how much80 8,two points1 sir60 8,if she holds for half an hour10 ejaculated the captain1 8we may yet be saved40 ,on rushed the noble ship1 seeming to know how much depended on her4 ,she met the billows1 she rose above them1 she struggled perseveringly forward4 ,in five minutes the breakers were visibly receding4 ,but hope had been given only to delude us4 ,suddenly ,i heard a crack1 sharper than an explosion of thunder1 and simultaneously the course parted from its fastenings1 and sailed away to leeward1 like a white cloud driven down the gale4 ,a cry of horror rose from all4 8,it is over60 ,i cried2 and ,i looked around for a plank1 intending to lash myself to it1 in anticipation of the moment for striking4 ,when the course went overboard1 the head of the ship fell off immediately2 and now the wild breakers tumbled and roared closer at hand each moment4 ,suddenly the captain seized my arm1 for we were holding on almost side by side4 8,ha60 he cried1 8is not that dark water yonder80 and he pointed across our lee-bow4 ,i looked in the direction to which he referred4 ,unless my eyes deceived me1 the long line of breakers came to an abrupt termination there1 as if the shore curved inwards at that point4 8,you are right--there is a deep bay ahead10 ,i cried1 joyfully4 8,look6 you can see the surf whitening around the cape40 ,the whole crew simultaneously detected this new chance of escape4 ,though unable to head to the wind as before1 there was still a prospect that we could clear the promontory4 ,accordingly1 the next few minutes were passed in breathless suspense4 ,not a word was spoken on board4 ,every eye was fixed on that rocky headland1 around which the waters boiled as in the vortex of a maelstrom4 ,the ship seemed conscious of the general feeling1 and struggled1 ,i thought1 more desperately than ever4 ,she breasted the huge billows with gallant perseverance1 and though each one set her closer to the shore1 she met the next wave with the same stubborn resolution4 ,nearer1 nearer1 nearer we drilled toward the fatal cape4 ,i could now almost fling a biscuit into the breakers4 ,i had noticed a gigantic roller coming for some time1 but had hoped we might clear the cape before it reached us4 ,i now saw the hope was in vain4 ,towering and towering1 the huge wave approached1 its dark side almost a perpendicular wall of waters4 8,hold on all60 thundered the captain4 ,down it came6 ,for an instant its vast summit hovered overhead1 and then1 with a roar like ten thousand cataracts1 it poured over us4 ,the ship was swept before it like a feather on a gale4 ,with the waters dashing and hissing over the decks1 and whirling in wild eddies under our lee1 we drove in the direction of the cape4 ,i held my breath in awe4 ,a strong man might almost have leaped on the extreme point of the promontory4 ,i closed my eyes shuddering4 ,the next instant a hurrah met my ear4 ,i looked up4 ,we had shot by the cape1 and miles of dark water were before us4 ,an old tar beside me had given vent to the cheer4 8,by the ,lord60 he said1 8but that was close scraping1 sir4 ,another sich would have cracked the hull like an egg-shell4 ,but this craft wasn't made to go to ,davy ,jones' locker60 ,and with all the coolness imaginable1 he took out a huge piece of pig-tail1 leisurely twisted off a bit1 and began chewing with as much composure as if nothing unusual had happened4 ,a year ago1 when in ,new ,york1 ,i met the captain again1 unexpectedly1 at the ,astor4 ,we dined together1 when ,i took occasion to ask him if he remembered our winter night's experience in the ,irish ,channel ten years before4 8,ay60 he said4 8,and do you know that1 when ,i went out to ,liverpool on my next trip1 ,i heard that search had been made all along the coast for the fragments of our ship4 ,the escape was considered miraculous40 8,sir10 ,i replied1 8,i've had enough of the ,irish ,channel40 99 99 99 99 99 ,,to ,,mrs4 ,e4 ,c4 ,k4 ,,by ,,mrs4 ,s4 ,t4 ,,martyn4 ,,lady1 when first upon my listening ear ,thy song harmonious fell1 subdued1 entranced1 ,and spell-bound by the strain1 my spirit glanced ,adown ,time's darkening track1 and as it hung ,upon the magic numbers1 seemed to hear ,the lay that erst to ,lycidas was sung1 ,by ,siloa's rapt bard1 whose visual orbs ,were quenched in the intenser brilliancy ,of ,truth's divinest radiance1 that absorbs ,all lesser brightness2 thus ,i mused of thee2 ,but when ,i saw thee1 fair as ,hope's young dream1 ,freshness like ,morning's on thy brow and cheek1 ,through which the soul's celestial light doth beam ,as through a sculptured vase1 ,i felt how weak ,are images of manhood's pride and fame ,that birth-right's priceless value to proclaim1 ,where genius1 wit1 and poesy divine1 ,make woman's heart of love their best and holiest shrine4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,valentine ,,histories4 ,,by ,s4 ,,sutherland4 ,,florence ,,hastings sat alone in one of the spacious apartments of her uncle's stately mansion in ---- square4 ,the luxuriously cushioned sofa was drawn quite close to the cheerful grate-fire1 while the pale cheek of its occupant1 and the slight form almost hidden in the folds of a large shawl1 betokened an invalid4 ,and such in reality was our young heroine4 ,fresh in her memory1 and consequently in its effects upon her personal appearance1 was a lingering and dangerous illness1 and barely three weeks had elapsed since the crisis was safely past1 and she had been pronounced convalescent4 ,books and writing materials were now scattered carelessly upon a table beside her--but they did not claim her interest4 ,she seemed in an unusually nervous1 restless mood4 ,at times her eyes would wander around the apartment with a strangely dissatisfied look1 7for every thing before her wore an appearance of splendor very agreeable to the gaze of the beholder17 then she would bury her face in her hands1 while something glittering and dewy--something greatly resembling a tear-drop1 would trickle slowly through those slender fingers4 ,could it1 indeed1 be a tear-drop8 ,what cause for sorrow had ,florence ,hastings1 the young and accomplished heiress8 ,florence was an orphan4 ,at the early age of ten years she had lost both the tender father1 and the sweet mother who had watched over her steps in infancy1 and since that period she had felt too deeply that there was no one to whom she could look for the true love and sympathy for which her spirit pined4 ,her uncle and guardian1 absorbed in the duties of an extensive mercantile establishment1 troubled himself little about his niece4 ,he was well assured that her own goodly inheritance amply supplied all her desires--and the morning salutation with which he honored ,florence as she took her accustomed seat beside him at the breakfast table1 and the gracious smile of approbation when he beheld her at evening bending over her studies in the parlor1 were generally sufficient to relieve his mind of all scruples concerning the duties of personal intercourse4 ,on this point1 however1 no one who knew ,mr4 ,hastings would have rested any blame upon him4 ,he was to all a man of few words--naturally cold and calm in manner4 ,his wife resembled him greatly in every respect--being of a quiet1 placid temperament1 which no emotion was ever observed to ruffle--pursuing the tenor of her way by rule rather than by impulse4 ,so in this case1 at least1 it was plainly evident that 8,love's delight0 had not consisted in 8joining contrasts40 ,casual observers might have said that a similar description would apply to ,mr4 ,hastings' niece--but in doing so they wronged her4 ,florence was1 indeed1 reserved1 and apparently cold1 but it was from habit and education--not by inheritance4 ,once she had been a sunny1 glad-souled child1 whose bounding footstep and merry laugh resounded gayly through a home where she was tenderly loved and cherished--but she was sensitive1 too1 beyond her years2 and when the light of that pleasant hearth was forever extinguished1 and she sat in affliction and desolation of spirit by the fireside of those who till then had been strangers to her1 the chilling atmosphere of her new home effectually checked the return of that animation of manner1 which1 from the fortunate inability of childhood to retain a lasting remembrance of sorrow1 might have been expected4 ,so the gleeful laughter of the once happy-hearted little ,florence was hushed1 and her joyous1 springing step exchanged for a slower and more measured tread4 ,it was a mournful thing for one so young and gentle and loving in spirit as ,florence1 to be obliged to repress all exhibition of the sweet1 frank impulses of her nature1 and live on with no voice to whisper words of encouragement and affection4 ,yet the orphan succeeded in moulding her manner in accordance with her new and strange existence4 ,a weary task it was1 and oftentimes did her rebellious soul 8,beat the bars ,with burning wing and passionate song1 ,and pour to the benignant stars ,the earnest story of its wrong40 ,but the 8benignant stars0 alone looked down upon these struggles2 no human ear ever caught the moan of that fettered and wounded spirit4 ,mrs4 ,hastings never dreamed1 nor is it to be supposed she would have cared1 that the quiet and apparently passionless child who came with such seeming carelessness to receive her customary good-night kiss1 would have clung to her fondly1 and returned the caress with impassioned earnestness1 had it been impressed upon her brow with the slightest token of feeling4 ,till ,florence had attained her fourteenth year her education had been superintended by a governess who came daily to her uncle's dwelling1 and with whom1 being devoted to books and study1 she had made rapid progress4 ,but for many reasons which ,i have not space here to enumerate1 it was at length thought advisable to send her to a celebrated seminary located in the neighborhood of her residence4 ,about the same period1 ,mr4 ,hastings' family received an addition1 by the arrival of a niece of his wife's1 who had also been consigned to his guardianship4 ,ida ,hamilton was about a year the senior of ,florence1 and a bright1 frank1 gay-spirited creature1 who had passed her life hitherto under none but genial auspices4 ,she was exactly what ,florence would have been had her soul always dwelt in the kindly atmosphere of affection4 ,at the school which they attended together1 ,ida was called 8the ,sunbeam10 and ,florence 8the ,iceberg20 and the society of the former was courted by all1 while the latter was uncared for1 though none dared to think her neglected1 for they said she was cold and proud-- 8,proud of her pride1 ,and proud of the power to riches allied20 and when in the hour of recreation she sat apart from all1 apparently absorbed in a book1 and paying little heed to what passed around her1 what token had they for suspecting that it was the indifference of a heart only too proud to seek for sympathy where she believed she would meet with no return4 ,ida ,hamilton had been an orphan from infancy2 but the place of her parents had been supplied by near and kind relatives1 who had petted and cherished her as their own4 ,her first grief had been her separation from these relatives1 when by the ill health of one of its members the family circle was broken up1 and a residence in the ,south of ,europe advised by the physicians4 ,ida was1 meanwhile1 left to the care of her guardian1 ,mr4 ,hastings2 and deeply as she at first mourned the departure of her beloved friends1 hope painted in glowing colors her reunion with them at some future day1 and so by degrees the young girl became reconciled to the change4 ,for awhile she felt1 indeed1 a restraint upon her happy spirit1 for the constraint and formality which seemed the governing powers of her aunt's domestic circle formed a vivid contrast with that free-hearted and universal cordiality of feeling to which she had been accustomed4 ,but it was scarcely to be supposed that she would long be daunted at the unpromising aspect of things around her4 ,confiding1 affectionate and yielding to those who loved her1 ,ida was 8as careless as the summer rill that sings itself along0 with those who had no claim upon her heart1 and possessed withal of a certain independence of manner which rendered all caviling out of the question4 ,if ,mrs4 ,hastings felt any surprise when her niece gradually cast aside the awe with which her presence had at first inspired her1 as usual1 she gave no manifestation of it4 ,but the servants1 well-trained as they were1 looked exclamation points at one another when1 while engaged in active duties1 they heard ,miss ,ida's lively sallies to their master and mistress1 and talked their astonishment when1 while in their own distinct quarters1 they caught the sound of her voice as it rang out dear and free in laughter1 or warbled silvery and sweet1 wild snatches of some favorite song4 ,it may be supposed that with such pleasant companionship the life of ,florence ,hastings had become more joyous4 ,but it was not so4 ,though for more than three years ,ida ,hamilton and ,florence had been domesticated beneath the same roof1 upon the morning on which my sketch begins 7the ever memorable ,fourteenth of ,february1 #ahej17 they were to all appearance scarcely better acquainted than upon the day of ,ida's introduction to ,mr4 ,hasting's dwelling4 ,bending daily1 as they had done1 over the same studies1 they had never sought one another's sympathy2 and when they left school1 it could scarcely be expected that the bond of union would be more closely cemented4 ,mutually calculated though they were to become warm-hearted friends1 beyond the common civilities of life1 no intercourse had subsisted between them4 ,ida never jested with ,florence1 or strove to provoke a smile by the thousand little witcheries that she sometimes practiced upon others--not excepting her stately uncle and aunt1 and at intervals even in this case with success4 ,florence often wished that she had but possessed a sister like ,ida2 her heart throbbed with a deep1 irrepressible yearning whenever that little1 soft hand by chance touched hers2 but she had learned too perfectly the art of keeping her feelings in check to betray them now1 even 8by faintest flutter of a pulse1 by lightest change of cheek1 or eyelid's fall40 ,as ,i have said1 ,florence was but just recovering from a lengthened and dangerous illness1 from the effects of which she was still weak4 ,during that illness she had been constantly attended by ,mrs4 ,hastings2 and while deeply grateful for her care1 she had1 though unobserved1 moments of irritability when the immobile features of her aunt were an absolute annoyance4 ,and it was enhanced by the striking contrast of ,ida's bright face1 who daily paid a ceremonious visit to the sick-room--,ida1 who was never cold to any one but her6 ,then she would wish that ,ida ,hamilton would not come near her at all--she was never so wretched as after the reception of her unconscious visiter2 and yet when ,ida delayed her coming an hour later than usual1 she was restless and uneasy6 ,and these spells of feverish excitability greatly retarded her recovery4 ,it was the return of one of them upon the present occasion1 by which the tears that filled her eyes may be explained4 ,among the various manuscripts lying upon the little table before her1 and bearing the signature of ,florence ,hastings1 was the following1 characteristic of her present emotions1 and upon the surface of which the ink was still moist4 ,she had evidently penned it but a few seconds previously4 ,this world is fair1 with sunshine and with flowers1 ,that fragrance to its happy wanderers bring2 ,and while with listless step ,i roam life's bowers1 ,fain would ,i pluck the blossoms where they spring2 ,ah6 must ,i check the wish and pass them by-- ,must sunless ever be my spirit's sky8 ,and yet they deem me reckless of the love ,of kindred spirits1 while they gaze with pain ,at the strange picture of a mind above ,all thoughts of waking warm affection's strain2 ,oh6 can they think my proud1 high heart would show ,the wish for blessings it may never know8 ,watchful and wary of each look and word1 ,lest they1 earth's joyous ones1 should chance to learn ,the feelings that within so oft are stirred1 ,that such emotions in my bosom burn1 ,yet here unseen1 unheard1 ,i must give way1 ,and for awhile to anguish yield the sway4 ,alone6 ,what weary thoughts at that word throng1 ,vainly some refuge from their weight ,i crave1 ,yet it shall be the burthen of my song ,until ,i rest within the quiet grave2 ,no brighter hope hath my sad spirit known-- ,and ,i must still live on unloved--alone6 ,they call me cold and reckless of the love ,of kindred spirits1 while they gaze with pain ,at the strange picture of a mind above ,all thoughts of waking warm affection's strain2 ,how can they dream my proud1 high heart would show ,the wish for blessings it may never know6 ,florence was suddenly aroused from her melancholy reverie by the sound of footsteps approaching the door of her chamber4 ,in another instant there was a low knock--and hastily dashing aside her tears1 and assuming1 as if by magic1 her wonted exterior1 she bade the intruder enter4 ,it proved to be a servant1 who placed a small package in her hand1 saying1 as she did so1 8,a ,valentine for you1 ,miss ,florence40 ,the latter started with pleasurable surprise2 who in all the wide world could have taken the trouble to write her a valentine8 ,but the query was answered by a single glance at the superscription4 ,it was strangely familiar--it was ,ida ,hamilton's6 ,just as she broke the seal the servant withdrew1 saying that she had been requested to call in half an hour for a reply4 ,when the package was unclosed1 the following verses met the gaze of the astonished and delighted ,florence4 ,they were entitled 8,a ,supplication to ,florence40 ,hearest thou my spirit chanting ,at the portals of thy heart8 ',tis to cross that threshold panting-- ,pining--bid it not depart4 ,list not to its prayer unheeding1 ,entrance though it seeks to win-- ,when it rises softly pleading1 ,prithee1 prithee take me in6 ,from a world of care and sadness1 ,from its shadows and its sin1 ,for ,love's sake1 with love and gladness1 ,prithee1 prithee take me in6 ,ah6 within that mansion holy1 ,may its nobler life begin8 ,turn not from its pleadings lowly1 ,prithee1 prithee take me in6 ,accompanying this playful but deeply earnest little strain--doubly earnest1 as coming from ,ida to ,florence--was an explanatory letter4 ,ida ,hamilton wrote thus3 8,it must1 doubtless1 seem very bewildering to you1 ,florence1 that ,i should have taken the liberty of addressing a ,valentine to one between whom and myself there has not hitherto existed an intimacy sufficiently familiar to warrant the presumption4 ,but when1 in excuse for my boldness1 ,i plead my sincere wish for a nearer intimacy1 my earnest desire to call you by the holy and tender name of friend--you will forgive me1 will you not1 dear ,florence8 8,for the past three years1 dearest ,florence1 your image has haunted and troubled me--haunted me1 because1 from the moment of our first meeting1 ,i have felt my heart irresistibly drawn toward you--troubled me1 because the belief of others1 and their oft-repeated assurance that you were totally destitute of warmth of character1 could not consequently be aught but a source of pain4 ,for this ,i must also crave your forgiveness1 for ,i know now that in having for a time given credence to such assertions1 ,i did you a grievous wrong4 8,for the last few months ,i have watched you closely1 ,florence1 though you little dreamed yourself the object of my scrutiny4 ,i have ascertained that you are not the statue-like being you have been represented1 and1 indeed1 appear--that you are in reality #8,not cold1 but pure--not proud1 but taught to know ,that the heart's treasure is a holy thing4' 8,you are not aware that once1 when you imagined yourself quite unobserved1 ,i beheld you bending tearfully over the miniature of that dear parent whom ,god so early recalled to his heavenly mansions--that ,i saw you press your lips to it wildly and passionately2 and though you spoke but the simple word 8,mother60 the tone in which that word was uttered1 was the revelation that ,i sought4 ,and from that moment ,i found it easy to realize how the chilling atmosphere of my aunt's domicil had operated upon your gentle heart1 while ,i felt that had ,i been transplanted to my present abode at an earlier and more impressible age1 ,i1 too1 should have learned to wear a mask similar to that which concealed your ardent and sensitive spirit4 ,and the discovery that brought such joy to my soul1 gave new life to its former yearnings for your friendship4 ,but toward myself you had never evinced the slightest token of preference--wearing in my presence the exterior which deceived all others2 and ,i could not offer advances which ,i feared might be intrusive and unwelcome4 ,so ,i strove to content myself with a silent interest in all your motions1 and never until your recent illness allowed myself to imagine that the affection of a faulty1 wayward heart like mine1 would prove to you an acceptable gift4 ,the occasion to which ,i refer was during one of my visits to your sick chamber1 when1 as ,i rose to leave you1 you clasped my hand for the first time with a pressure1 while as ,i spoke formally enough1 my pleasure at seeing you recovering so rapidly1 a faint color suffused your cheek4 ,it faded instantly1 however1 and your wonted self-possession returned2 but not before my heart had experienced a thrill of delight at the hope1 delusive though it may have been1 of winning your regard at some future day4 ,it is that hope which has given me courage for my present proceeding--it has emboldened me to ask whether we may not become friends--become dear friends1 ,florence8 8,in conclusion1 ,i would say to you that ,i have to-day received a letter from a distant relative1 who lives at the ,south1 urgently pressing me to come and reside with her till the friends of my early youth return from abroad4 ,she writes to me in a spirit of genial1 heart-breathed kindness1 very welcome to my thirsting soul--and her letter is different1 indeed1 from the precisely-worded epistle in which my aunt invited me to become a member of her household4 ,it rests with you1 ,florence1 to tell me whether ,i shall go or stay4 ,my present abode has never been a congenial one2 but your friendship would cast a heart-glow around it1 and render me perfectly content to remain where ,i am4 8,i await with impatience your answer4 ,if it should prove that ,i have had but a pleasant vision1 too bright and sweet ever to be realized1 be at least frank with me1 ,florence1 as ,i have been with you4 8,,ida40 ,florence ,hastings closed that precious letter1 upon which1 as she read1 her tears had fallen thick and fast4 ,to her it was the first of those moments in life 8,when such sensations in the soul assemble ,as make it pleasure to the eyes to weep40 ,and with scarce an instant's delay1 she traced the following reply4 8,do not leave me1 ,ida4 ,heaven bless you for your generous avowal--for your sweet offer of affection6 ,oh6 if you could but imagine how intensely happy it has made me6 ,i have always loved you1 though ,i scarcely dared confess it even to myself1 for ,i never dreamed that ,i could be an object of interest to any one4 ,my life has hitherto been so sad1 and dark1 and desolate2 and my proud efforts to conceal from view the yearning for sympathy and appreciation that possessed my soul1 have given me an apathy of manner which could not but prove repelling to those with whom chance brought me in contact4 ,you alone have read me aright--you alone know that ,i am not what ,i seem2 that discipline and not nature1 is shadowed forth in my outward demeanor4 8,come1 then1 to me1 darling1 and let me reveal myself to you more fully4 ,let me fold you to my bosom1 and then1 while ,i confess how precious to my soul is the promise of your true and earnest friendship1 you will forget that to you at least ,i have ever seemed 8,,the ,,iceberg40 ,florence had just finished her answer when the servant came for it1 and this time her voice trembled perceptibly1 as she repeated to the messenger her desire to see ,miss ,hamilton as soon as she had perused it4 ,five minutes elapsed2 ,florence1 meanwhile1 impatiently pacing the apartment1 her usually colorless cheek deeply flushed1 and her dark eyes glowing with an excitement that was destined speedily to end in happiness the most perfect she had known since early childhood4 ,at length there was a light1 hurrying tread upon the stair2 nearer and nearer it drew--and in another instant the door of ,florence's apartment was hastily unclosed1 and ,ida ,hamilton stood before her6 ,there was a quick burst of tears on the part of each2 then ,florence ,hastings sprung forward and clasped her newly found friend to her heart1 returning her caresses with impassioned fondness1 and in tones that thrilled to the inmost soul of her companion1 murmuring1 8,ida--my own ,ida6 ,darling1 darling ,ida60 ,the ,iceberg was irremediably thawed4 99 99 99 99 99 ,there is a cosy family party assembled in the well-lighted parlors of ,mr4 ,gordon's dwelling1 in ---- street4 ,it is the anniversary of his wedding-day4 ,upon the festival of ,st4 ,valentine1 exactly nine-and-forty years ago1 7for ,mr4 ,gordon has passed the allotted 8three score and ten107 as his wife1 he brought to his then humble abode a lovely and sunny-souled maiden of eighteen1 now metamorphosed into the gray-haired matron by his side1 who has proved his genial partner through all life's joys and sorrows--the still blithe and sweet-voiced ,grandma ,gordon4 ,from time immemorial1 the members of ,mr4 ,gordon's family1 from far and near1 have gathered together upon this especial occasion4 ,his own immediate household had consisted originally of five sons and as many daughters2 and though some of these now rested beneath the sod1 in their place had arisen a numerous flock of grandchildren--and a prouder boast still1 he had lived to pet1 and ,i had almost said spoil1 no less than two bright-eyed and most wonderful great-grandchildren--to wit1 ,master ,benjamin ,franklin ,gordon1 or little ,bennie1 as everybody calls him1 a promising young gentleman of some three or four summers1 and ,helen ,gordon ,bond1 a most precocious young lady1 who is now gliding rapidly onward toward her second birthday4 ,both these important juveniles are present upon this particular occasion4 ,grandfather ,gordon1 himself a silvery-haired1 benevolent-featured old man1 7in appearance precisely such a grandsire as the genius of a ,waldmuller would have delighted to immortalize upon canvas17 was seated in a capacious and well-cushioned arm-chair by the fire4 ,occupying with becoming dignity the post of honor upon his knee is little ,helen1 while ,bennie ,gordon has perched himself upon one arm of his grandfather's chair1 and is teasing him for the information whether the little toy-watch he holds in his hand--his first assumption of manliness--is wound up or wound down4 ,it will be1 perhaps1 proper to introduce the reader to a portion of the assembled family group4 ,yonder1 upon the sofa1 sit the two elder sons of ,mr4 ,gordon1 busily engaged in a discussion upon the merits of last year's ,art-,union exhibition4 ,alfred1 the senior1 is the genuine grandfather of little ,bennie4 ,that lady1 who is just about leaving her station at the piano1 is the parent of little ,helen4 ,she is a sweet1 fair creature1 so childlike in appearance1 that it is difficult to recognize her as a wife and mother4 ,she has just been singing1 8,be kind to the loved ones10 with a grace and feeling that touched all hearts4 ,next we behold a group of some half a dozen little girls1 huddled together in a corner1 in most sociable proximity to one another4 ,katie ,wilmot1 at present the 8leading member10 a rosy1 chatty little curly-pate1 is detailing most eloquently her experience of ,santa ,claus's last donation visit1 while the others are patiently waiting their turn to relate how lavishly he supplied their stockings4 ,those two maidens of 8sweet sixteen10 or thereabouts1 seated upon the ottoman1 with their arms very lovingly entwined round one another1 are ,mabel ,wilmot and ,fanny ,gordon1 light-hearted school-girls and affectionate cousins--inseparable companions whenever a happy chance throws them together4 ,but1 alas6 their opportunities of intercourse have as yet been 8few and far between10 for ,mabel's home is in the country1 many miles distant4 ,the cousins have recently1 however1 laid their plans for removing this obstacle to their intimacy4 ,they talk of becoming voluntary old maids1 and of coaxing grandfather to build for their sole occupation an 8,old ,maid's ,hall40 ,mabel has repeatedly declared her determination never to be such a goose as to get married2 while ,fanny1 in one of her frequent letters to ,mabel1 has written1 8,is it not a glorious thing to be an old maid8 ,and what further recommendation can a lady need in the eyes of society if it is known that she is an old maid60 ,it may be well if their plans are eventually put into execution1 for rumor says1 though ,mabel ,wilmot disclaims the assertion with a most indignant toss of her glossy ringlets1 that a certain ,mr4 ,merritt1 the high-souled1 noble-looking1 and wealthy rector of ,b----1 has lately1 for the first time1 been suspected of interested motives in his intercourse with a member of his flock2 while the bright eyes and witching smile of ,fanny ,gordon seem to argue for the future a prospectus of hearts beguiled1 one of which may eventually cause the overthrow of the projected building4 ,a youth of nineteen or so1 who is at present busily engaged entertaining several younger cousins1 is ,mr4 ,harry ,gordon1 a theological student1 with whom social qualities and professional abilities1 will always be happily blended4 ,he is amusing his juvenile companions with a game of his own invention--a sort of play upon names1 of which the following may be taken as examples3 ,what well known scriptural name might a mother use in requesting her son to escort home two young lady visiters8--,jeroboam4 78,jerry1 bow 'em607 ,if an old gentleman told his son to crowd into an already well-filled omnibus1 the name of what conspicuous personage present would form the command8--,benjamin4 78,ben1 jam in607 ,the names of what popular authors of ,great ,britain might a person1 while gazing at a large bonfire1 with propriety repeat8--,dickens1 ,howitt1 ,burns4 78,dickens6 how it burns607 ,the second of these was received with especial applause--not forgetting to mention the brilliant sparkle of ,grandfather ,gordon's eyes at this original mode of bringing his pet1 ,bennie1 into notice2 while the third particularly attracted the laughter and approval of a group around the centre-table1 consisting of ,mrs4 ,gordon1 the mother of ,harry1 ,amy ,carter1 her niece1 and ,mrs4 ,clinton1 her sister4 ,amy is an orphan1 and has been so from infancy4 ,but the tenderness of her grand-parents1 with whom she has always resided1 has shielded her from the evils of orphanage4 ,she is a blithe1 happy-hearted girl of seventeen1 the very soul of mirth and music4 ,she is grandma's especial darling2 and the dear old lady never gazes into that lovely1 sunny face1 never hears that sweet voice warbling its merry carols1 but she thinks of her own bright youth1 and says1 with complacent fondness of her treasured grandchild1 8,she is just what ,i was at her age40 ,it is ,grandfather ,gordon's firmly expressed opinion that ,amy1 more than any other member of their household1 resembles his wife as he first knew her4 ,cousin ,harry calls his favorite ,amy the ,household ,witch1 because she has managed to wind herself so closely about the hearts of all her relatives1 that every eye invariably brightens as her light footstep is heard approaching4 ,but this evening ,amy seems for once herself to have been bewitched1 for she has found an absorbing object of interest in a spirited volume now lying open before her1 entitled1 8,greenwood ,leaves10 by ,grace ,greenwood4 ,amy ,carter has long felt an appreciation of the authoress1 and to-night is not the first time that1 with all the fervor of a young1 warm1 generous heart1 she has wished her ,god speed in her journeys through ,authorland4 ,mrs4 ,clinton1 who sits close beside her1 with one of ,amy's hands resting lovingly in hers1 appears to be equally interested in a splendidly bound and illustrated volume of ,mrs4 ,osgood's poems4 ,she has just finished reading to her sister1 ,mrs4 ,gordon1 a brief essay upon the productions of her favorite poetess1 cut and preserved from a popular newspaper1 and from which the ensuing is an extract4 8,the poems of ,mrs4 ,osgood are not a laborious balancing of syllables1 but a spontaneous gushing forth of thoughts1 fancies1 and feelings1 which fall naturally into harmonious measures2 and so perfectly is the sense echoed in the sound1 that it seems as if many of her compositions might be intelligibly written in the characters of music4 ,in all her poems we find occasion to admire the author as well as the works4 ,her spontaneous and instinctive effusions appear in a higher degree than any others in our literature1 to combine the rarest and highest capacities in art with the sincerest and deepest sentiments1 and the noblest aspirations4 ,they would convince us1 if the beauty of her life were otherwise unknown1 that ,mrs4 ,osgood is one of the loveliest characters in the histories of literature or society40 ,and it was pleasant to see what a beautiful glow of sympathy and enthusiasm illumined the countenance of the reader as she concluded that most happy and fitting tribute to genius4 ,mrs4 ,clinton is the youngest child of ,grandfather ,gordon4 ,when only eighteen1 she became the wife of one to whom she was devotedly attached1 and two years afterward bent wildly over the death-couch of her idolized husband4 ,ten years have passed since then1 and time has softened the sorrow which at first seemed too grievous for human endurance4 ,though now past her thirtieth birth-day1 ,mrs4 ,clinton looks much younger4 ,you would scarcely suppose her more than two-and-twenty2 and though not what the world calls a beautiful woman1 it would be difficult to deny that there is something striking and noble in her appearance4 ,she is somewhat above the medium height1 with a form of faultless symmetry1 and a step and carriage1 though stately1 yet eminently graceful4 ,the contour of her head is certainly superb1 and its effect upon the observer greatly enhanced by the arrangement of her abundant soft1 brown hair1 which is always wound about it simply1 and with a grace the more perfect1 because1 while perfectly natural1 it is unconsciously artistic4 ,but her features are decidedly irregular and unimpressive2 and it is only when those large1 gray eyes are lighted1 as upon the present occasion1 from within1 when some inner chord is touched1 and the usually pale cheek is flushed and animated with the fire of feeling1 that you are ready to accord to her the power of fascination4 ,but once meet that peculiarly soulful look1 and it will reflect itself continually1 and haunt you forever after4 ,you will probably gaze frequently again upon the same immobile features1 but expressionless they will seem never more4 ,by those to whom she deigns to reveal herself1 ,mrs4 ,clinton is worshiped as the personification of all that is lovely and lovable and intellectual4 ,and there are many also who have caught accidental glimpses of that beautiful1 noble1 and impassioned spirit1 and who would give worlds for the slightest token that the deep interest with which she inspires them is returned4 ,mrs4 ,clinton has had many offers of marriage2 she has turned coldly yet tearfully from the homage of many a true and manly1 ay1 and gifted heart2 for though she has long since laid aside the weeds of widowhood1 her soul is still arrayed in mourning-garb for the husband of her bright1 fresh youth4 ,she is one of those beings1 few and rare1 indeed1 with whom1 having once passionately loved and survived the object of their attachment1 no compensation1 however heart-offered1 could induce one moment's oblivion of the past1 or the most remote thought of yielding to another that place in their holiest affections which has been occupied by the departed4 ,though shut out from a sphere of usefulness which she might truly have called her own1 the years of ,mrs4 ,clinton's widowhood had not been inactive4 ,as she recovered from the effects of that well-nigh overwhelming affliction1 her little niece1 ,amy1 was approaching the most interesting stage of childhood4 ,her beautiful1 bright face1 and the daily revealings of a mind unusually intelligent1 together with the sweet orphan's naturally winning and bewitching ways1 won more and more upon the heart of her aunt4 ,and so1 when ,amy ,carter was nine years old1 ,mrs4 ,clinton begged that her niece might be altogether withdrawn from school1 and that she might herself be allowed to superintend the little girl's education4 ,so from that time ,amy dwelt beneath the spiritual dominion of her aunt2 and never was pupil more docile1 or preceptress kinder or more fondly beloved4 ,and ,amy's devotion to ,mrs4 ,clinton is still as ardent and enthusiastic as in the days of her childhood4 ,wherever the latter has stationed herself1 you may be sure that the former is not very many paces distant4 ,mrs4 ,clinton sometimes laughingly1 but lovingly1 styles ,amy her shadow2 and her eyes are often suffused with happy tears at some unobtrusive mark of the young girl's earnest affection4 ,but upon the foregoing imperfect daguerreotypes1 gentle reader1 ,i have already lingered longer than my time admits2 for1 after all1 my principal object in asking you to bear me company within the precincts of this pleasant household1 was1 that we might inspect some of the ,valentines in yonder daintily-wrought basket resting upon the table1 beside which fair ,amy ,carter is seated4 7,as a particular secret1 dear reader1 ,i will whisper to you that the authorship of most of these little friendly missives is ascribed to ,mrs4 ,clinton47 ,the first ,valentine within our reach is addressed to ,harry ,gordon4 ,when on your downy couch you lie1 ,and thoughtful heave the pensive sigh1 ,or muse on conquests--,cupid's bow ,oft bent by thee-- ,ere slumber comes--just then bestow ,one thought on me4 ,and if your fancy can but paint ,a modest maid1 not quite a saint1 ,in stature small1 in visage fair1 ,mild and discreet1 ',tis she would free your mind from care ,with whispers sweet4 ,upon the reception of which1 it may be as well to mention1 our anticipated doctor of divinity had laid his hand most impressively upon his heart1 in token of his appreciating divination of a passion so divine4 ,next we have a ,valentine upon the tiniest of all tiny sheets of gilt-edged note-paper4 ,it is inscribed to little ,helen ,bond4 ,little ,helen--list awhile1 ,and ,i'll strive to wake a smile ,on thy pure and dimpled cheek1 ,as ,i tell thee of a freak ,that thy dainty spirit played1 ,dreaming not 'twould be betrayed4 ,little one--when thou to-day1 ,cradled in sweet slumber lay1 ,to a very distant goal1 ,lo6 thy truant spirit stole4 ,to my study1 love1 it came2 ,and ,i hope thou wilt not blame1 ,that with eager1 wild delight1 ,greeted ,i a guest so bright6 ,with a sweetly joyous shout1 ,first it gayly skipped about1 ,chanting forth a song of glee1 ,that awhile it might be free6 ,then it nestled at my side1 ,welcomed there with love and pride1 ,when it touched my silent lute1 ,asking why its chords were mute8 ,and with eyes upraised to mine1 ,pleaded for a ,valentine6 ,little ,helen--not in vain ,did thy spirit seek the strain2 ,not in vain1 love1 did it stray ,from its native haunts away2 ,for ,i roused my lyre again1 ,singing to a soft refrain ,prayers and wishes1 warm and fond1 ,for thy ,future--,helen ,bond6 ,and such prayers are and will be ,gushing from my soul for thee ,every day and every hour1 ,rare and lovely little flower6 ,long may they who guard thy bloom ,live thy life-path to illume2 ,and may hearts as true respond ,e'er to thine1 sweet ,helen ,bond6 ,where thy fairy feet fall lightly ,ever may their eyes beam brightly1 ,and those voices meet thine own1 ,cherishing its faintest tone4 ,so will ,love and ,happiness1 ,spirits bright1 that reign to bless1 ,o'er thee wave their magic wand1 ,darling little ,helen ,bond6 ,here are two ,valentines written upon the same sheet of paper--not for economy's sake1 gentle reader1 but to convey an idea that the parties addressed are as they profess to be--one in spirit4 ,the first is inscribed to ,mabel ,wilmot1 and the following is its language4 ,mable1 dear ,mable6 pray beware1 ,or else you'll fall into a snare2 ,laid down1 ,i'm very much afraid ,for you--a volunteer--old-maid6 ,he waits but till you're free from school1 ,to take you 'neath his lordly rule2 ,for then he hopes to hear you say1 ,you'll 8love and honor and obey60 ',tis naught to you1 though wealth and merit ,beyond a doubt he does inherit2 ,you're bound to live and die a maid1 ,demure1 respectable and staid4 ,so1 ,mable1 darling1 do beware ,of that gay sportsman's cunning snare1 ,and as your hand and heart's his mark4 ,just bid your heart emit the spark6 ,upon the opposite page are traced the ensuing lines to ,fanny ,gordon4 ,sweet ,fanny6 deep within my 8heart of hearts10 ,a true and holy sentiment hath birth1 ,which there must ever dwell till life departs-- ,respect and reverence for thy modest worth6 ,like the dear violet1 blooming in the shade1 ,scarce daring e'en to court the sun's soft rays1 ,shrinking and trembling when by chance betrayed ,to the wild ardor of some earnest gaze4 ,thus art thou1 ,fanny6 and thus will the light ,of thy fair spirit burst from its disguise ,with sudden glory1 and the vision bright ,shall thrill all hearts with love and glad surprise2 ,and startled souls shall thy bright soul allure ,to kneel and worship at a shrine so pure6 ,you should have seen1 dear reader1 with what exuberance of glee ,katie ,wilmot received her ,valentine1 which is the one we are now about to unfold4 ,you should have caught the sound of her merry1 ringing laughter1 and the gayly triumphant tone in which1 holding her newly-gained treasure to view1 she exclaimed1 8,sister ,mabel--,cousin ,fanny1 can you guess who this is for8 ,ah1 you can't guess--you wouldn't dream of such a thing8 ,it's for me--for me60 ,then you should have witnessed how joyously the little fairy clapped her tiny hands together1 and the impromptu polka which she accomplished round the apartment after the following all-important little missive was read to her4 ,,to ,,katie4 ,within my heart1 you darling elf6 ,i've caged your little frolic self1 ,there will ,i hold you tight and fast-- ,and so you see you're caught at last2 ,while this resolve ,i've made sincerely1 ,to kiss and pet and love you dearly2 ,you need not struggle to get free1 ,you're snugly locked--,love has the key2 ,and once within his power1 you know1 ,he never lets a prisoner go6 ,you saucy witch6 you need not pout1 ,and vow you'll surely raise a route1 ,unless within one minute more1 ,i summon ,love to ope the door6 ,now plead not with that coaxing smile1 ,just to be free a little while2 ,you waste your cunning1 for in vain ,you strive to break ,love's silken chain4 ,whene'er he plays the jailor's part ,he's 8up to0 every dainty art1 ,and though you think he'll let you off1 ,when well you know you'll laugh and scoff ,the moment when1 on loosened pinions1 ,you wing away from his dominions2 ,from that wild dream you'll soon awaken1 ,to learn you're wofully mistaken2 ,love never yet betrayed a trust1 ,so1 for your comfort1 stay you must6 ,ah6 by this time ,i see you've found ,you're really safely caught and bound2 ,so1 having tamed you down in season1 ,i'm sure you soon will list to reason1 ,and cease for liberty to pine1 ,my true heart's captive ,valentine6 ,yes1 ,katie ,wilmot was very proud of that2 and she might have been heard from time to time1 through the evening1 repeating with peculiar satisfaction what seemed to be her two favorite lines1 ,while this resolve ,i've made sincerely ,to kiss and pet and love you dearly6 ,these three appropriate little verses1 addressed to ,amy ,carter1 next demand our attention4 ,the 8,household ,witch10 thy winning name1 ,because o'er all around thee1 ,to weave ,love's magic spell the aim1 ,which true as ,truth has found thee6 ,then as through future years thy smiles ,illume this favored dwelling1 ,all shadows by thy frolic wiles ,and witchery dispelling4 ,by wile and smile in every niche1 ,all needless gloom suppressing1 ,remaining yet the ,household ,witch1 ,still prove--the ,household ,blessing6 ,dear ,amy ,carter6 ,the ardent1 impulsive kiss which your lips imprinted upon that well-known handwriting1 told how precious was this pleasant tribute2 that you recognized and blessed the traces of your childhood's loving friend1 of your girlhood's guardian angel6 ,one more poetical heart-effusion and our recording space is filled even to overflowing4 ,it is inscribed to ,mrs4 ,clinton4 ,though ,i turn1 ,i fly not1 ,i cannot depart2 ,i would try1 but try not1 ,to release my heart2 ,and my hopes are dying1 ,while on dreams relying1 ,i am spelled by art4 ,thus the bright snake coiling ',neath the forest tree1 ,wins the bird beguiling ,to come down and see4 ,like that bird the lover1 ,round his fate will hover1 ,till the blow is over1 ,and he sinks--like me6 ,ah1 ,mrs4 ,clinton6 when you read that token of a never-fading attachment1 your sorrowing spirit murmured in tones of subdued melancholy1 8,for years he has followed me1 and though ,i have never encouraged his attentions1 it has seemed as if ,i could not be forgotten--as though he could not bear to give me up4 ,yet ,i can never be grateful for his love1 ,i must only regret that it has been bestowed upon me4 ,i can make him no return--for still with me 8,affection sheds its holiest light ,upon my husband's tomb60 ,and so with 8tears1 radiant emanations10 welling from the innermost depths of your soul1 and glistening in your eyes1 with intuitive delicacy1 you placed that avowal of disappointed affection in your portfolio1 deeming it there so safe from observation that not even ,amy1 your darling1 would ever catch a glimpse of it4 ,but1 unfortunately1 on the way to your own apartment1 it escaped from its hiding-place1 and was picked up upon the stair by one of your little nieces1 who transferred it to the general ,valentine-receptacle in the parlor4 ,by and by you will doubtless ask yourself with regretful wonder1 how it came there4 ,but the day is already too far spent to admit of a longer sojourn with the ,gordons4 ,and it is solely the fault of the recorder1 gentle reader1 if you are not able to bid them adieu with the firm conviction that theirs is one of those 8homes of ,america0 to whom ,miss ,bremer referred when she said so sweetly1 8wherever there is a good husband and father1 a true wife and mother1 dutiful children1 the spirit of freedom and peace and love1 and that beautiful feeling of noble minds which makes them confer happiness on their fellow-creatures according to their gifts and wishes1 there also would ,i fain be myself1 to see1 to enjoy1 to shed tears of delight that paradise still is to be found on this poor earth40 99 99 99 99 99 ,,the ,,valley ,,of ,,shadow4 ,,by ,,henry ,b4 ,,hirst4 ,,when daylight ends1 where night begins1 7,may ,jesus save us from our sins67 ,there lies a narrow1 shadowy vale-- 7,mark me1 ,i but repeat a tale ,which once1 ,i know not how1 or when1 ,came mystically within my ken37 ,a dark1 sepulchral1 silent vale1 ,lying beyond the ultimate pale ,of distant ,time--beyond the din ,of human tongues--by which the ,djin1 ,and ,ghoul1 and ,afreet1 hating light1 ,come in the noiselessness of night ,to chant unearthly notes and bars ,to the unquiet1 pensive stars-- ,to carol many a carping tune ,in mockery of the mourning moon-- ,by which the jackal and the lynx ,make curious queries to the ,sphynx1 ,who never drops her stony eyes ,from contemplation of the skies ,to heed the rout1 whose awful howls ,alarm the fiery-visioned owls1 ,that1 at the decadence of day1 ,flit round and round in search of prey4 ,without a stream1 without a tree1 ,the vale has been and still will be-- ,though obelisks with many a trace ,of many an immemorial race1 ,with many a mighty pyramid ,in which lost histories lie hid1 ,rudely engraved on silent stone1 ,for countless centuries unknown1 ,point1 here1 and there1 and yon1 to where ,god and his angels dwell in air2-- ,and thistles rise and grow and bloom1 ,and cypresses1 those trees of gloom1 ,frown everywhere along the pale ,which is the entrance to the vale2-- ,but nothing--nothing moves within3 ,there is no tumult and no din3-- ,shut out by hills that scarcely show ,a rift of sky to those below1 ,the dwellers in this lonely spot ,rest even by memory forgot3-- ,recumbent1 in a sunless rest ,they lie1 with hands across their breast1 ,so motionless of hand or head ,that he who gazed would deem them dead1 ,or sleeping1 when their toil was done1 ,until the rising of the sun4 ,they have no mind1 thus left alone2 ,strike them2 you will not hear a groan2 ,an icy torpor fills their veins2 ,they have no mortal cares1 or pains1 ,or sense1 as we have2 theirs is life1 ,if sleep be life1 with nothing rife ,which we who love the setting sun ,and crimson sky and crystal run1 ,and all things else that ,god has made-- ,we1 who would moulder in the shade1 ,can contemplate or understand ,like these inhabitants of the land1 ,these rigid and insensible blocks ,of clay1 as cold of heart as rocks3 ,still1 so the legend sings1 whose tune ,dropped1 dew-like1 from the tearful moon1 ,when sky and earth shall pass away1 ,when space becomes eternal day ,the ,dwellers of the ,vale will rise ,beyond what once have been the skies1 ,radiant1 before immortal eyes1 ,to live and love in ,paradise6 99 99 99 99 99 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,game ,,of ,,draughts4 ,engraved expressly for ,graham's ,magazine4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,the ,,game ,,of ,,draughts4 ,,with ,a ,,steel ,,engraving4 ,,by ,c4 ,f4 ,,ashmead4 ,there is a game1 ,a frivolous and foolish play1 ,wherewith we while away the day4 ,,byron',s ,,mazeppa4 ,,the ,lady ,arabella ,h---- was the reigning belle and beauty of a court not excelled1 in the long annals of its previous history1 for accomplished and fascinating women4 ,many stars1 of no little magnitude1 sparkled in the regal diadem of female loveliness1 but she outshone them all4 ,in the graces of her person1 in wit1 in accomplishments1 she appeared without a competitor--not to say without a rival4 ,her own sex reluctantly yielded the palm to her indisputable pretensions1 and the other proudly crowned her with its leaves4 ,she was the ,venus of the day4 ,countless suitors knelt at her feet--from the gay nobleman to the grave statesman--for in the versatility of her attractions lay some charm for all4 ,but the lady was strangely cold to the accents of love4 ,one gallant after another retired with his suit rejected1 and despair in his heart3 and it might have been believed that the exquisite temple of her form enshrined a soul callous to the passion it was so peculiarly fitted to inspire4 99 99 99 99 99 ,a brilliant ball was in progress4 ,it was graced by the presence of royalty1 and the arrangements and decorations were worthy of the distinguished visiters4 ,beauty and fashion1 and taste1 conspired to lend a magic to the festive scene4 ,conspicuous among the admired of her sex shone the graceful figure of ,lady ,arabella ,h4 ,her loveliness on this evening surpassed itself3 and there was a languishing tenderness in her eyes that bespoke a softer mood than her wont1 and lent hope once more to her despairing suitors4 ,with renewed energy1 these crowded around her to seek her smiles1 while new aspirants for her gracious favor added the meed of their respective homage4 ,one gallant alone remained aloof from the idol of universal worship4 ,this was the young ,lord ,r--1 remarkable for his handsome person1 his general accomplishments1 and more than all1 his noble soul4 ,it was but recently that he had appeared at court after an absence abroad4 ,on his first return1 he had seemed to share in the fascination caused by the charms of the ,lady ,arabella4 ,but by degrees1 he had shunned her society3 and on this evening1 he evidently avoided passing within the charmed circle of her blandishments4 ,his very glances appeared schooled to prevent their resting on her1 as he stood dejectedly within the door1 with his eyes cast upon the ground4 8,what aileth thee1 my lord1 that thou holdest thyself to-night beyond the attraction of yonder dazzling orb80 inquired ,sir ,charles ,g--1 advancing close beside him4 8,i may not approach without being singed by its fire1 from which ,i have already suffered more than enough for my happiness40 8,by my troth1 then1 the star is resolved to approach thee3 for lo6 the lady nears us now1 and takes her station not far from thy side1 attended by some of her satellites40 ,lord ,r4 did not trust himself with a single glance to ascertain the correctness of the assertion3 but turned his face toward the ante-room4 8,thou art too diffident of thyself10 continued ,sir ,charles4 8,attack the peace of the haughty belle even as she hath thine1 and she will surrender her hand at thy discretion40 8,you flatter1 my friend4 ,how dare ,i to entertain hope1 when so many have been rejected by her with less than indifference8 ,nay1 there remains no alternative for my happiness save to shun her altogether40 ,a stifled sigh here arrested the attention of the speakers1 and the fair being who was the subject of their remarks passed within the door-way in which they stood4 ,she leaned on the arm of a young nobleman who regarded her with looks of anxiety4 ,a sudden indisposition had that instant seized her1 and she was retiring to seek her recovery apart from the crowd4 8,leave me here alone10 said she to her companion1 when they had reached the recess of a window in the ante-room4 8,it is but a slight faintness1 and ,i shall be myself again presently40 ,the gallant obeyed1 and the lady occupied the ante-room in solitude4 ,giving way to a burst of tears1 she murmured1 8,alas6 he whom alone ,i love of all that seek my hand hath declared that he will in future shun me altogether2 and yet the very declaration implies that he is not indifferent to me4 ,untoward fate6 how hast thou permitted a misapprehension so cruel8----0 ,a succession of sobs interrupted her voice1 and her soliloquy sunk into inaudible words4 ,but her unhappy train of thought continued1 and she remained for a considerable time with her emotion deepening rather than diminishing4 ,at length1 by an effort1 she recovered in some measure her self-possession4 ,the surprise her absence from the dancers would occasion now suggested itself to her mind1 and she had arisen for the purpose of rejoining them1 when two persons entered the ante-room4 ,the projection of the window hid her from their observation3 and it was fortunate for her that this was the case2 for1 on recognizing in one of the intruders the graceful figure and handsome countenance of ,lord ,r41 her former emotion returned with increased violence4 ,smothering her sensations to prevent her attracting their attention1 until the effort almost choked her1 she sank back again upon her seat1 where the damask window-curtains afforded her an effectual screen from discovery4 ,entirely unconscious of her presence1 the two gallants drew a small side-table near the window1 and sat down to a game of draughts4 ,the gentleman who accompanied ,lord ,r4 was the same with whom he had recently been conversing1 and he had1 with the charitable design of diverting his friend's melancholy mood1 suggested a trial against himself of the noted skill of ,lord ,r4 at the game in question--he being himself also a scientific and accomplished player4 ,they went through five or six successive games1 and ,lord ,r4 was every time the winner4 ,as they played1 the ,lady ,arabella1 whose situation gave her an opportunity of viewing the board1 though1 as has been said1 it was such as to prevent her being herself observed1 gradually became interested in the moves1 enlisting all her sympathies on the side of the successful combatant4 8,conquered completely10 said ,sir ,charles at length1 pushing back the board and rising from the table4 8,you are more than a match for me1 and yet ,i have ever been counted no mean player40 8,i have never met any one able to beat me since the first dozen games ,i played as a tyro10 replied ,lord ,r41 as he followed the example of the other in leaving the table1 and linking his arm within that of his friend1 they made their exit from the apartment4 ,it was not until some little time after their departure that our heroine arose from the seat she occupied4 ,but when she did so1 it would have seemed1 from her countenance1 that some bright and sanguine idea had struck her1 possessing the power to dispel her previous desponding state of mind4 ,when she again appeared in the ball-room1 ,lord ,r4 had quitted the scene4 ,but her hope1 whatever it was1 evidently extended beyond the present into the future3 and the reader1 who is acquainted with her sentiments1 may augur1 from the beaming smiles which throughout the remainder of the evening she shed around her--too bright to be the result of aught else than heartfelt confidence and joy--that she had discovered some delicate mode of communicating her preference for him whose love for her1 the words she had so lately heard from his own lips1 left her no room to doubt4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the ,lady ,arabella suddenly grew extraordinarily partial to a pleasing1 though not heretofore engrossing amusement4 ,hoyle had not at that day been published2 but practice was her teacher1 and she became an astonishing adept at ,draughts4 ,a passion emanating from so admired a source soon spread throughout the court circle1 until checker-boards took the place of dancing and music1 and conversation1 in every festive concourse4 ,for the remainder of the season1 nothing else was in vogue4 ,the ball-room continued empty1 the drama remained unnoticed1 and the worshipers at the shrine of ,pleasure sought her only at the table of the fashionable game4 ,the lady who was skillful at draughts1 was deemed something more worthy to aspire to distant rivalry with the ,lady ,arabella1 and the man who excelled at the same1 was thought more fitting to become1 however unsuccessfully1 her suitor4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the excitement in the metropolis1 caused by the retirement of lords and ladies to their country residences1 was at its height4 ,the atmosphere exhaled the balmy softness and fragrancy of an ,english ,june2 and a succession of delicious days witnessed the arrival of a party of the first noblemen of the realm at the ,castle of ----4 ,this castle was beautifully situated on the margin of a winding lake1 surrounded by the most bewitching and graceful mountain scenery4 ,art1 moreover1 lent its aid to increase the attractions of the spot1 and gardens1 groves1 grottos1 arbors1 and fountains1 appeared at every turn in rich and tasteful variety4 ,it was a residence worthy of a divinity4 ,and such1 indeed1 ,fortune had placed in it1 for the magnificent domain was the inheritance of the father of the ,lady ,arabella1 while his daughter was the goddess of the place4 ,it was a singular mandate which here congregated around her the chivalry of the day4 ,she had caused it to be known that she desired her suitors1 one and all1 to meet her at this particular crisis1 in trial of their skill against her own1 at the late fashionable game of draughts4 ,he who should prove her successful antagonist1 the proclamation declared1 was to take his revenge in claiming her hand4 ,three months had been given them for practice1 and the time had at length expired4 ,the aspirants day by day were arriving in numbers1 and the castle became filled with guests4 ,england might well have been proud of the flower of her manhood1 as they showed on this occasion4 ,stately and stalwort forms1 and haughty brows1 and eyes of intellectual fire1 were to be seen among the motley but graceful crowd4 ,at length1 the day which limited any further arrivals dawned4 ,it was the same that was to decide the fate of those visiters already assembled4 ,at an early hour1 clad in a dress of simple white1 with a bodice of blue satin1 the ,lady ,arabella descended among her palpitating guests4 8,i am ready1 gentlemen10 said she1 with one of her radiant smiles4 8,i will retire to the adjoining colonnade1 and let him who wishes to make the first trial join me there4 ,when a single game with him is over1 another can take his place4 ,there is but one suggestion ,i would make10 she added1 8which is1 that those who are deemed the most skillful players remain until the last40 ,so saying1 she turned and departed4 ,the colonnade which the ,lady ,arabella had thus dedicated to the singular contest1 was situated so as to receive the breeze from the neighboring lake4 ,a fountain of pure water1 placed near1 likewise contributed to refresh the atmosphere1 while the picturesque mountain scenery in the distance delighted the eye1 and the songs of birds in an adjoining grove made melody to the ear4 ,after a few moments' consultation among her suitors1 our heroine was speedily followed into this pleasing retreat1 first by one and then by another in rapid succession4 ,the only interruption the routine experienced was that caused by the necessity of her taking some refreshment4 ,in this manner1 the day wore away1 and each of her antagonists retired in turn1 crest-fallen and vanquished4 ,it was almost twilight1 and there now remained but one gallant to be tested4 ,he had unanimously been voted the best player present2 and had therefore1 according to the ,lady ,arabella's suggestion1 been preceded by all his companions4 ,as he entered the colonnade with an embarrassed1 though graceful step1 the lady blushed1 and her eyes grew soft and tender4 ,intent upon the great stake before him1 these indications were lost upon the nobleman1 who took his seat at the board4 ,in fact1 he dare scarcely trust himself with more than a glance at the fair being opposite him1 lest the dazzling vision should disarm his skill4 ,but for the first time throughout the day1 the gentle combatant played carelessly4 ,her eyes were riveted upon the countenance of her opponent1 rather than as previously1 fixed upon the board4 ,her moves seemed made without foresight1 resembling those of a beginner more than an adept1 and she failed to crown a single king4 ,in a word1 the meanest antagonist might have won the game at issue1 and in a quarter of an hour her opponent gained an easy victory4 8,dare ,i10 asked he--gathering some suspicion of a preference on her part1 which alone could have led to this result1 after the skill she had previously manifested towards his rivals--8dare ,i presume to claim the rich reward80 ,his voice grew lower--he drew his chair to her side1 and ventured to raise his eyes to her countenance4 ,it beamed sweet affection2 and as she extended her hand to meet his1 the nobleman grasped the treasure as one which that gesture made willingly and confidingly his own4 ,the victorious gallant was ,lord ,r41 and ere another winter1 the ,lady ,arabella ,h---- became his bride4 ,draughts went out of fashion in the beau monde1 but1 during their hours of privacy1 the game continued1 throughout their life-time1 a favorite recreation of the happy pair whom it was instrumental in bringing to a blissful union4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,the 8,,still ,,small ,,voice40 ,,by ,a ,,new ,,contributor4 ,,the stars were weary--all the summer night ,they held high revelry through heaven's blue halls1 ,and danced along their wanton wanderings ,to the weird chiming of the 8,sister ,seven10 ,now1 slowly paling like young beauty's cheek ,returning from the midnight festival1 ,their glances faded1 lest they should behold ,the gentle dalliance of the earth and sky4 ,the silver lute of the young morning star ,thrilled faintly into silence1 as the dawn ,with red lip kissed the mountain's snowy brow1 ,which1 bathed in softest slumber1 blushed to own ,the gentle pressure4 ,as the waves of light ,broke o'er the margin of a darkened world1 ,in golden ripples1 faintly they revealed ,bright uplands1 where the spirit of the mist ,hung low upon the bosom of the hills1 ,and wept soft dewy tears1 while o'er their crests ,swept her long tresses of the wreathing cloud1 ,with white peaks flashing through their tangled curls1 ,like jewels crushed in the disheveled hair ,of maniac beauty1 in some gentle hour ,of quiet sadness2 and more faintly still1 ,gleamed through the shadows at the mountain's base1 ,where smiling valleys dimpled ,nature's cheek1 ,and laughing meadows cradled singing streams4 ,on ,horeb's mount a holy man of ,god ,stood forth to view the fragrant strife of morn1 ,sunshine with shadow--rosy day with night-- ,and sleeping ,death with glory-wakened ,life4 ,a close dark mantle wrapped his agd form1 ,his brow uncovered1 though a snowy lock1 ,stirred by the breeze of morning1 waved above ,its frozen marble2 while the gathered shades ,of many years hung1 like a coronal ,of withered leaves1 around it--and his eyes1 ,strange1 deep1 and fathomless1 gleamed forth beneath ,its deadly whiteness1 like two liquid flames4 ,from the recesses of a marble tomb4 ,mystic and subtle as some charmed perfume1 ,a sense of pleasure thrilled upon his heart1 ,as quick1 faint pulses of the scented breeze ,brought balmy odors from the dewy flowers1 ,waved the plumed monarchs of the forest proud1 ,and wafted on the islets of the cloud ,through liquid sapphire1 where they seemed to float ,softly and dreamily1 and full of love4 ,he bowed and worshiped--and 8the ,lord passed by40 ,the sky was changed--and hoarsely1 from afar1 ,a sound of waters1 and of mingled winds1 ,through forests raging1 crept upon the ear2 ,and1 driving o'er the azure fields of heaven1 ,cloud after cloud came rolling swiftly on1 ,black ,pelion upon gloomy ,ossa piled4 ,like giant towers they gather1 and from point ,to point along their frowning battlements ,red signal-fires are flashing far and free4 ,hark6 the deep watchword of the rushing storm6 ,the thunder-spirit calls his squadrons dark1 ,far through the trackless void of scowling space1 ,and lightning rends the cloudy canopy1 ,as prophet's vision tears aside the veil ,that shadows o'er the future1 and beholds ,beyond unfolded naught but dim1 and wild1 ,and fearful mystery4 ,then the sullen roar ,of elemental conflict crashing fell-- ,a mingled din of crushing thunderbolts1 ,and sadly moaning winds1 and heavy drops ,of rain1 as though the demons of the storm ,wept o'er the ruin which their fury wrought4 ',twas past--and o'er the eastern mountains rolled ,the cloudy banners1 and the chariot wheels ,of burning levin--by the tempest led1 7,as some great conqueror from battle won17 ,the serried hosts of falling waters passed ,beneath the rainbow's bright triumphal arch2 ,and ,nature shouted as the wing of peace ,fell softly o'er the wild and wasted track ,of elemental war4 8,the ,lord was not0 ,amid the rushing armies of the storm1 ,its fierceness was the shadow of his frown1 ,deep-veiled1 yet dark1 and terribly sublime2 ,and1 as upon its far retiring verge1 ,the glorious rainbow brightened1 'twas a dim ,and faint reflection of ,his mercy's smile6 ,again the spirit of a fearful change ,came stealing o'er the blue and tranquil heaven-- ,a hollow1 rushing murmur filled the air1 ,and the low sobbing of the rising wind ,grew deeper1 till in howling gusts it whirled ,dark wreaths of earthy fragments to the sky1 ,as though the maddened gnomes were hurling death ,against the vapory armaments of air2 ,and lurid flames with blue and ghastly glare ,gleamed o'er the face of ,nature till it blanched1 ,as though the warning of the last dread trump ,had smote her guilt upon a coward heart4 ,the earthquake rising from his burning lair1 ,deep in the bosom of a rock-ribbed world1 ,shook everlasting hills from out his path1 ,like a roused lion flinging from his mane ,the dewy drops of morning4 ,at his tread ,the pale earth trembled1 and anon there came ,a crushing down of rocky battlements1 ,which1 for a moment1 high and quivering hung1 ,on cloud-crowned pinnacles1 then thundering fell ,far down the dark1 immeasurable void ,which yawned beneath them like the livid lips ,of fierce1 insatiate hell4 ,he tore away ,the iron nerves from that strong mountain's heart1 ,as though the destiny of a conqueror lay ,deep hid within it1 and the hour was come ,when he must march to seek it1 in a last ,and wild death-revel4 ,as this passed away1 ,in racking throes1 which might have seemed the strong ,convulsive shudder of dissolving worlds1 ,the earth moaned feebly1 as a dying child ,will murmur faintly in its fever-dream-- ,then darkness gathered round it1 like the deep1 ,black jaws of cold annihilation4 ,it came--it vanished--and 8the ,lord was not0 ,throned high upon the earthquake's blasting rage2 ,but1 at the echo of ,his chariot wheels1 ,the iron land tossed like the ocean waves1 ,and mountains dashed aloft their crested heads ,as surging billows flout a stormy sky4 ,the air was stagnant1 cold1 and dark1 and dull1 ,heavy as morn to aching senses1 when ,some dreamer wakes to feel a load of care ,pressed back upon his memory1 and hastes ,to close his eyes1 that he may cast it off1 ,and dream once more of happiness and hope4 ,like molten lead along the sullen sky1 ,gray clouds hung drooping1 for the summer wind ,seemed frozen1 and its restless wing was dead4 ,strong1 swift1 and chainless as some maddening thought1 ,there came the spirit of a change1 which seemed ,to wave aloft the banner and the sword ,of a destroying angel--withering winds ,rose1 winged with lightning1 and the brazen sky ,was one red desert1 peopled with a host ,of burning shadows1 lurid shapes of hell1 ,that wildly mingled with the falling stars1 ,and whirled in flaming chaos up to heaven6 ,clouds heated to a whiteness writhed and tossed ,along the horizon's verge of liquid fire1 ,and1 from their snowy foldings rent and torn1 ,gushed forth a stream of meteors1 like deep gouts ,of crimson blood from ,beauty's mangled bosom4 ,bright glowed the valleys1 and the eternal hills ,seemed towering to the brassy vault of heaven ,in gorgeous pyramids of living flame-- ,a mighty holocaust1 and offered high ,on the red altars of a crumbling world ,to some fierce god of elemental fire4 ,it flamed--it faded--but 8the ,lord was not0 ,upon the burning pinions of its strength2 ,his glance1 which withers dynasties and thrones-- ,his passing breath1 where hangs the fate of kings ,and mighty nations1 kindled up the sky1 ,and lightened o'er a terror-stricken world4 ,noontide poured down upon the sleeping earth ,and dreaming waves a long and fervid kiss ,of panting passion1 and the ,orient's heart ,glowed in its languid atmosphere of love4 ,the storm1 the earthquake1 and the flashing fire4 ,had left it placid as the orbd brow ,of slumbering ,beauty--through the fragrant air ,there came no sounding sweep of angel wings1 ,no frowning fury rushing on to tread ,the wrathful wine-press of avenging ,god2 ,but the rich music of a 8still1 small voice10 ,from the far arches of the vaulted sky ,stole slowly earthward1 and as though the breath ,of ,god were sweeping o'er the olian line ,of universal being1 till it thrilled ,a new creation into loving life1 ,hushed was the chiming of each starry sphere1 ,the universe of harmony was dumb1 ,for in the music of that 8still small voice10 ,was blent the omnipresence of the ,lord4 ,the prophet shrouded up his lofty brow ,deep in his mantle1 and his soul grew still ,with silent worship1 as his thirsting heart ,drank the rich murmur of that mystic tone ,which told the mighty presence of his ,god6 ,the true existence of a gifted soul ,is like that prophet's vision1 and it seems ,a dread reality1 to which his trance ,was but the faint foreshadowing4 ,the hues ,of morning sleep upon enchanted earth ,when the young soul exulting presses on ,to chase the pleasures of its opening day4 ,its dreams are fairy cloudlets1 flushed with hope1 ,wrought into beauty by the singing wind1 ,which bears them on its wing so joyously2 ,while the glad revel of its morning song ,fills the blue arches of its summer heaven4 ,the strong day deepens1 as the spirit speeds ,along the crowded thoroughfares of life1 ,but apprehension's vague1 dim1 shadow flits ,o'er thought's bright beauty2 strange and fitfully ,gray tints of doubt will mingle with the hues ,of rainbow light1 with which it used to paint ,the future's glory--and the ,right and ,wrong ,will struggle fiercely in the wavering heart1 ,like light and shadow 'mid the wreathing folds ,of cloudy columns driven by the storm4 ,it grovels with the herd of ,mammon's slaves1 ,and drops of poisoned anguish from the heart ,will start and thicken on the pallid brow4 ,deep disappointment1 like the serpent's fang1 ,strikes through the spirit sharply1 and the cry ,of midnight whirlwinds shrieking on the wold ,is not so weird and fearful4 ,tempest-tossed1 ,the soul must wander on its weary way1 ,till1 from the caverns of its being1 rent ,by strong fatality1 a first1 great love ,bursts on its raptured vision1 as of old ,a mighty angel rolled away the stone ,which shrouded o'er the sepulchre of ,god1 ,and clothed in living glory1 as a robe1 ,came forth the ,crucified6 ,how soft at first ,the voiceless breathing of that atmosphere-- ,how sweet the stillness where no breezes sigh ,save that of ,love's impassioned oracle6 ,anon 'tis broken1 and the future sobs ,a low1 sad warning of the storm to come4 ',tis ,passion's earthquake rising in its might1 ,to scatter thought1 as gathered cloud on cloud1 ,it hangs around the pinnacles of mind1 ,perchance deep-freighted with some glorious truth1 ,which1 could it melt away in genial showers1 ,would bless and beautify a desert world4 ,as some strong column1 ,god-erected1 on ,the mountain's misty summit1 the young heart ,sways to and fro between the ,right and ,wrong-- ,the first may triumph1 or the last may win1 ,it matters not1 wild ,passion's dreams is past1 ,the soul is stagnant--but it sleeps no more4 ,cradled in heaven1 but entombed in hell1 ,then comes the torture of its aching void1 ,silent1 beneath the suffocating press ,of bitter1 sullen agony it lies4 ,the spirit sickens with its loneliness-- ,and thirst of power dissolves the icy spell1 ,which bound its pulses into leaden sleep2 ,then mad ,ambition withers down the wrecks ,of disappointed ,passion1 as the crash ,of thunder follows in the lightning's path2 ,the myrtle-wreath1 now trampled and despoiled1 ,is dashed aside to grasp a laurel crown4 ,the meed of genius1 and of victory6 ,the past becomes a broken altar-stone4 ,but from the ashes of its cold despair ,the strong soul rises into glorious life1 ,like a young ,phnix flaming into birth4 ,sweet rainbow-tinted fancies have decayed1 ,but lofty thoughts like gorgeous banners wave ,in triumph o'er the citadel of ,mind-- ,though tossed1 perchance1 upon a sigh which tells ,of ruined hope1 and desolated love2 ,the eloquence of passion-parted lips ,has softly faded1 like the rich perfume ,of burning incense--but a vaporous flame ,of proud defiance scathes the listening world4 ,thus goaded on to action by the fire ,that madly rages in a wasted heart1 ,it struggles on to win the dust of time1 ,to strew it o'er the amaranthine leaves ,of an immortal coronal2 its fame ,flashes1 a meteor through the changing sky ,of popular opinion1 ever urged 8,onward--still onward0--by the iron hand ,of strong1 resistless ,destiny4 ,the storm1 ,the rocking earthquake1 and devouring fire1 ,have done their work upon the heart and soul2 ,have torn away the sweetest bloom of life ,and flung it wantonly upon the world-- ,corroding ,care has shed its poison dew ,o'er ,pleasure1 which is foam upon the wave-- ,and ,shame's red plague-spot flashes in the heart1 ,while ,pride and ,passion's flaming lava-drops ,fall hissing through its purest depths1 to change ,their sweets to bitter burning4 ,o'er the fount1 ,erewhile so wild and troubled1 sweeps a spell ,and 8peace1 be still10 is in its music tone4 ,the 8still1 small voice10 which breathes of 8love divine10 ,steals o'er the spirit like the singing rain ,to blossoms by the summer lightning crushed4 ,shrouded in beauty1 flows the fountain calm4 ,in dewy light the feelings sparkle on1 ,for every wave of thought is full of prayer4 ,within its holy sanctuary hushed1 ,so softly beats the bosom purified1 ,so sweet the slumber of a soul forgiven1-- ,while blended with its harmony of thought ,that angel 8voice0 is sounding peacefully1 ,with waning life alone to pass away1 ,and fade into the melody of ,heaven6 ,memphis1 #ahej4 8,l',,inconnue40 99 99 99 99 99 ,,to ,,the ,,flower ,,hearts-,,ease4 ,,renounce thy name1 deceitful flower1 ,nor boast an art beyond thy power2 ,dost thou such consequence assume1 ,that yieldeth no such rich perfume8 ,the jessamine and fragrant rose ,surpass thee far1 yet humbler those3 ,nor does the woodbine e'er pretend ,to cheer or to console a friend4 ,cease1 cease to promise happiness-- ,what widow's desolate distress1 ,or aged parent's troubled soul ,hast thou been able to control8 ,thou pretty groveler on the ground1 ,no spell for sorrow can be found ,in thee--a gaudy1 rich attire ,is all thy votaries admire4 ,when varied colors1 gay and bright1 ,can give a joyless mind delight1 ,my muse shall celebrate thy fame-- ,till then1 false flower1 renounce thy name4 ,burlington1 ,n4 ,j4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,life',s ,,lessons ,,teach ,,charity4 ,,by ,,enna ,,duval4 ,turn thy eyes back upon thyself1 and see thou judge not the doings of others4 ,,thomas ,a',,kempis4 8,,we missed you so much at ,mrs4 ,fenton's last evening1 ,cornelia2 why did you not come80 asked ,miss ,lee4 8,because ,miss ,enna had just come to us1 and was not well2 nor did ,i feel very well myself40 8,mrs4 ,fenton told us ,miss ,duval had partly promised to come also10 said ,miss ,ellen ,lee1 a younger sister of the first speaker4 8,so ,i did10 ,i replied2 8when ,mrs4 ,fenton called at ,miss ,clemson's yesterday morning1 ,i told her if ,i felt well enough in the evening ,i would come40 8,what a very pleasant young person ,miss ,clemson is1 ,miss ,duval10 drawled out young ,colton1 a dangling beau of the ,miss ,lees1 8my sisters go to school to her1 and ,i had no idea their school ma'am was such a nice young woman40 ,the young ladies giggled at this would-be witty and patronizing remark1 to which ,i only replied with a cold assenting bow of my head4 8,i have never met with her before10 said ,miss ,ellen ,lee1 8but ,i really liked her very much40 8,she converses very well10 said the elder ,miss ,lee4 8,we had an opportunity of judging last evening1 for she did the most of the talking40 8,she's one of your talking women1 ,i believe1 but that's her business1 you know10 rejoined the dandy1 in an affected languid tone of voice1 as if the exertion of talking was too much for a person of gentility4 ,a sharp retort trembled on my tongue1 but ,i checked myself1 as my eyes passed over his insipid1 characterless face2 and ,i returned with such animation to a little drawing ,i was making for ,cornelia's mother1 that ,i snapped off the end of my pencil4 8,i did not know that ,miss ,clemson visited this winter in society10 said ,cornelia4 8,is she not in mourning80 8,oh6 no10 exclaimed ,miss ,ellen ,lee1 8she is not in mourning1 for she was dressed beautifully last evening1 she had on a light silver-gray silk1 very rich and expensive looking2--any thing but mourning40 8,she does not approve of mourning10 said the elder sister1 8and although her brother and his wife died only a few weeks since1 ,i suppose she does not approve of observing any of the customs of society on such occasions1 no matter how sad they may be40 8,why1 my dear10 said ,mrs4 ,knowles1 a purse-proud parvenue woman1 8persons not properly in society1 like ,miss ,clemson1 are excusable in differing from its usual customs2 it matters little what they do40 ,i quietly permitted the conversation to proceed1 for ,i felt too much contempt for the company1 to take any trouble to defend my dear friend1 ,mary ,clemson4 ,i knew their remarks proceeded from willful malice1 and that it would be of little use to set them right4 ,my little pencil sketch1 however1 from my repressed temper1 was growing quite as spirited under my quick1 impulsive touches1 as the original1 from which ,i was copying it--the only good that resulted from the gossip2 and ,i should have remained silent1 had not my friend1 ,cornelia ,payne--who was not acquainted with ,miss ,clemson1 joined in the conversation1 and animadverted pretty severely on ,miss ,clemson's want of feeling4 8,she might dress as she pleased10 said ,cornelia1 in reply to a flippant remark of ,ellen ,lee's1 that ,miss ,clemson dressed very expensively and extravagantly for one in her position and circumstances2 8dressing is a matter that belongs to one's own taste1 and so far as circumstances and means are concerned1 that is nobody's business2 but ,i think it argues a want of feeling1 a coldness of heart1 when one who has recently gone through so much trouble1 can so readily throw it aside and make their appearance at an evening party40 8,oh1 ,miss ,clemson prides herself upon being above all such weaknesses10 said ,miss ,hill1 another young lady present4 8,little ,sallie ,foster1 one of her pupils1 told me the other day1 that ,miss ,mary had given her quite a lecture because she cried at the prospect of a rainy day1 which would necessarily put off a ,may party1 and said she could scarcely conceive of the necessity of shedding tears1 no matter how great the trial might be40 ,my memory quickly recalled the scene ,miss ,hill alluded to4 ,i had been visiting ,mary ,clemson the week before1 and had been present at the conversation with little ,sallie ,foster4 ,the remark quoted had been meant to apply merely to temporal trials2 and as the sobbing ,sallie left the room1 ,i remembered the touching1 sad expression of my noble1 strong-minded friend's countenance1 as she turned to me1 and said1 8,heaven grant the poor child may never have real trials to weep for40 8,it's well she is strong enough to overcome natural feeling10 said ,cornelia ,payne1 in reply to ,miss ,hill's remark1 8that is1 well for her own worldly comfort1 ,i mean1 but ,i do not admire such unfeeling persons40 ,this was going a little too far for my patience1 for ,i respected and loved ,cornelia ,payne1 though ,i knew her to be somewhat uncharitable1 and harsh in her judgments of others4 8,cornelia10 ,i said1 8,miss ,clemson is not unfeeling2 she has as warm and sensitive a heart as any one ,i know40 8,oh1 we forgot10 exclaimed the ,misses ,lee in a breath1 8that ,miss ,clemson was an intimate friend of ,miss ,duval's40 8,yes10 ,i said1 looking at ,mrs4 ,knowles1 8my mother knew ,miss ,clemson's mother1 when she was the rich heiress1 ,miss ,fleming2 and your father ,mrs4 ,knowles1 made ,miss ,fleming's carriage1 which was the talk of the town1 at the time of her marriage with ,mr4 ,clemson4 ,i have heard my mother frequently speak of it4 ,you remember it1 do you not1 ,mrs4 ,payne80 ,i asked1 turning to ,cornelia's mother4 8,perfectly well1 my dear10 replied this gentlest of all gentlewomen1 smiling at my sudden arousing4 ,my tongue was now unloosened1 and ,i felt ready to measure swords1 or the more feminine weapon1 darning-needles1 with them all4 ,i continued-- 8,i must scold my pretty1 thoughtless friend1 ,mrs4 ,fenton1 for deceiving ,miss ,clemson4 ,she assured us that only ,mrs4 ,fay and ourselves would be with her last evening2 and you1 ,cornelia1 were only invited1 because ,i had promised you and your mother to commence my visit here yesterday1 and ,mrs4 ,fenton wanted to secure me1 to accompany ,mary ,clemson4 ,mrs4 ,fenton has been one of ,miss ,clemson's most attentive friends1 and ,mrs4 ,fay knew ,mary's mother when she was a girl4 ,mrs4 ,fay wanted to see ,miss ,clemson on business1 and was too infirm to go to her2 she wishes ,miss ,clemson to take charge of her nieces1 the ,miss ,foresters40 8,what1 our cousins the ,foresters80 exclaimed the two ,lees4 8,why ,i think ,aunt ,fay might have consulted with mamma about it10 continued the elder one1 8however1 it will be a great thing for ,miss ,clemson to have them1 for the girls are immensely wealthy40 8,yes1 ,miss ,lee40 ,i replied1 trying to be very calm4 8,but who would have thought1 when your aunt1 the now rich ,mrs4 ,fay1 and your mother kept the fashionable boarding school1 at which ,miss ,fleming was educated1 that ,miss ,fleming's daughter would in turn be governess to the nieces of ,mrs4 ,fay and her sister4 ,life has many strange reverses1 ,mr4 ,colton40 ,poor ,steenie ,colton1 colored to the roots of his faded hair and whiskers4 ,i suppose he thought ,i was going to tell him of his respectable old grandfather1 who had kept a very nice meat and vegetable store1 but ,i spared him1 for ,i felt ,i had said enough to my discomfited gossips4 8,now tell me1 ,miss ,lee10 ,i asked1 8who all were at this evening party of ,lizzie ,fenton's40 8,it was no evening party1 ,miss ,duval10 replied the young lady sulkily4 8,neither ,ellen nor ,i have said so4 ,mr4 ,colton went in with us during the evening to see ,aunt ,fay40 8,excuse me10 ,i said1 8but did you go by invitation80 8,why1 ,miss ,duval80 inquired the younger one pertly1 as her elder sister answered me in the negative4 8,because10 ,i replied1 8my friend has been accused of heartlessness and want of feeling by one whom ,i respect1 and to clear ,miss ,clemson in ,cornelia ,payne's opinion1 is all ,i care for4 ,others may think as they please of her1 but ,cornelia can appreciate such a noble good woman as ,mary ,clemson40 ,the conversation naturally flagged after this1 and soon the morning visiters bade us good day4 8,bravo60 cried ,cornelia1 after they all left1 clapping her little hands on my shoulders4 8,bravo6 ,captain ,duval1 why you have routed my poor little gossiping brigade completely1 put them all to flight40 8,they are the most disagreeable people that visit us10 said ,mrs4 ,payne2 8as for those silly ,miss ,lees1 ,i wonder1 ,cornelia1 how you can endure them40 8,oh1 my dear mother10 replied the daughter1 8it takes all sorts of people to make up the world4 ,you know old ,patsie tells you that every day4 ,but1 ,enna1 ,i must know this paragon of yours2 we will call on her together40 ,i was about to remonstrate with ,cornelia for her harsh and hasty judgment1 during the preceding conversation1 but the entrance of some other visiters prevented me4 ,i loved and respected ,cornelia ,payne2 she was one of my dearest friends1 and1 unlike most girls of her age--we were only nineteen then--she had a strong1 decided character4 ,her oddities did not spring from affectation1 nor did her warmly expressed opinions proceed from a spirit of arbitrary obstinacy4 ,she was true and sincere1 and had a good1 strong mind4 ,she had faults1--who has not8 ,and her principal fault was a sad one1 she was harsh and uncharitable in her judgments of others4 ,she had never known trouble or temptation2 and honest1 firm1 and upright herself1 she always judged every one by her own standard--a standard that had never been tested by a single trial4 ,whenever we remonstrated with her1 her replies were such as 8,nine times out of ten appearances are the best to judge by10 or1 8,there is so much cant and affectation1 so much petty falsehood in society1 that it makes one forget there is such a virtue as charity10 or1 8,there are certain bounds to charity beyond which it ceases to be a virtue1 and becomes a weakness1 and a cowardly shield to vice10 which replies generally silenced me4 ,the evening following the conversation which opened this sketch1 we were all assembled in the cozie1 comfortable library4 ,some friends had called in1 and1 according to the too usual custom1 the conversation turned upon the absent4 ,the subject of discourse was the conduct of two persons1 a husband and wife1 with whom the company assembled were sufficiently acquainted1 to feel interested in their well or ill doings4 ,a few weeks previous the husband had made a most disgraceful failure1 and had been detected in various dishonorable transactions2 whereupon his wife1 with whom he had always lived happily1 apparently1 left him1 and returned to her family2 and since her desertion of him1 her friends had made application for a divorce4 ,this was commented upon pretty severely1 and almost every one blamed the wife for her heartlessness2 and circumstances were mentioned to prove the uniform kindness and lavish indulgence of the husband in the days of his prosperity4 ,my friend ,cornelia was almost the only one of the party who defended her4 8,that's so like you1 ,cornelia10 said her cousin1 ,harry ,peters1 laughing1 8you always lake #8the forlorne hope' in an argument1 and seize up the cudgels for the minority40 8,you are unjust1 ,harry10 replied ,cornelia1 a little piqued1 8,i always take the side of my opinion1 and defend that which ,i think honest and right4 ,i scarcely know ,mrs4 ,barclay1 therefore1 neither am ,i prejudiced1 for she is no favorite of mine2 she always seemed to me a cold1 selfish woman1 even when everybody1 and you particularly1 ,harry1 admired her so much4 ,but ,i do say1 that ,i do not excuse1 ,i uphold her conduct in this matter4 ,even thus should ,i have acted had ,i been thus placed1 guided by a strict sense of duty4 ,i could love as devotedly and truly as any of you1 but my love would wither away1 under the scorching breath of dishonor and crime40 ,the conversation grew very animated1 and all spoke at once1 to express their decided opposition to ,cornelia1 but she stoutly defended her position4 8,true1 ,cornelia10 said her mother1 8your love might be weakened1 but would that change of feeling justify desertion80 8,it would not be desertion1 mother10 replied ,cornelia1 8it would be fleeing from the plague spot of sin4 ,no one has a right to subject their spiritual nature to the degrading influence of daily association with crime40 ,this was what ,harry ,peters playfully called1 8one of ,cornelia's grand1 solemn1 rhetorical conclusions10 which generally silenced all further debate1 without convincing any one2 but often1 in after hours of sorrow1 ,cornelia's figure and countenance1 as she looked during this conversation1 would come before me1 with painful distinctness4 ,in her earnestness she had arisen from her seat1 and her fine1 tall figure seemed dilated with indignation1 while her beautiful face was stern and severe as that of the avenging ,archangel4 ,poor ,cornelia6 then1 she knew not what trouble was4 ,her father was a prosperous merchant1 and her mother was a gentle1 delicate woman1 who rarely interfered with any one1 except to do some sweet office of love4 ,cornelia was a complete contrast to both of her parents2 for her father1 a bright1 joyous1 warm-hearted man1 was even weakly indulgent to others4 ,they were a loving1 happy family1 and ,cornelia1 although stern and severe to what she called error1 was enthusiastic in her love for her family1 ready to sacrifice any thing for them1 if occasion required4 ,i always felt improved in spirit as well as in body1 after a visit to them1 for they all seemed to enjoy life so healthily and properly4 ,possessing ample means1 and in the midst of a pleasant circle of friends1 they appeared to be exempt from humanity's penalty--trouble4 ,but sunshine dwelleth not always with us1 and every light hath its shadow4 ,i had not been many days with my friends when ,i observed that the kind1 good natured father was not in his usual spirits4 ,it was in the spring1 following the winter of #ahc--1 a sad winter to commercial men in ----2 and long will it be remembered as a season of trying reverses4 ,mrs4 ,payne did not notice the change in her husband2 his health was not so strong as usual1 which would have accounted for his heaviness had she noticed it2 then1 fortunately1 her younger children monopolized her attention2 but ,cornelia1 ,i very soon saw1 both noticed and felt the change in her father's manner4 ,one pleasant1 soft morning1 ,mrs4 ,payne being too much engaged with some home duties1 to accompany us on a shopping or visiting excursion1 ,cornelia and ,i concluded to take a long drive out of the town1 that we might enjoy the refreshing spring air4 ,the trees were just budding1 and ,nature was unfolding a light1 tender green mantle of foliage4 ,we took long breaths of the delicious air1 and it seemed as if the heavy cloud1 which hung around us all in town1 was dispelled completely1 under the genial influence of the youthful spring4 ,cornelia was brighter1 and as we pointed out to each other striking bits of the landscape1 or noticed the graceful branches of the trees1 and the delicate hues of the blossoms1 we chanted aloud1 passages from the old ,english poets1 who so particularly rejoiced in1 and welcomed so melodiously1 the 8,coming of the longed-for ,may40 ,how vividly does my memory recal every word uttered during that drive4 ,i remember quoting with gleeful spirit1 a verse from ,herrick1 which is full of that bounding1 flowing melody that is heard in wild wood and dell1 ,nature's own music4 8,rise and put on your foliage and be seen ,to come forth like the spring time fresh and green1 ,and sweet as ,flora4 ,take no care ,for jewels for your gown or hair2 ,fear not the leaves will strew ,gems in abundance upon you2 ,besides the childhood of the day has kept1 ,against you come1 some orient pearls unwept40 ,as the horses' heads turned homeward ,cornelia's gayety faded away1 and after a few moments of serious silence1 she looked up and said1 8,my dear1 own ,enna1 ,i am very much afraid we are about to have some heavy trouble to contend with40 8,why1 ,cornelia80 was my reply1 for as this was the first time she had spoken to me of her presentiment of sorrow1 ,i did not wish to add to it1 by letting her know that ,i likewise had observed the cause for it4 ,she told me that she could not tell why she anticipated this trouble2 that she knew nothing certain1 but she had1 like myself1 noticed a change in her father--something of moment she was sure must be resting heavily on his mind1 for he had not had his usual spirits for some time4 8,at night10 said she1 8when my dear mother is asleep1 ,i hear him walking his dressing-room sometimes until day-dawn4 ,mother says he is not well1 but ,i am very confident that it is not sickness of the body that affects him2 it is1 ,i fear1 sickness of the mind2 and yet how foolish1 if it be pecuniary difficulties1 to grieve so much about it and keep it from us40 8,he knows1 dear ,cornelia10 ,i replied1 8how unfit his family are to bear reverses of fortune4 ,you alone are able to bear up against loss of means40 8,that's true10 she sighed1 8,god only knows what is coming1 but ,i pray ,he may send strength when the dark hour of trial does burst upon us40 ,poor girl1 she did not know how much her father needed her prayer at that very moment1 for the hour of trial had arrived to him1 and strength was indeed wanting4 ,at dinner ,mrs4 ,payne received a note from her husband1 in which he said1 that he would not be at home1 until late in the evening1 as he was very busy at the counting-house4 ,the meal was a silent one1 for even ,mrs4 ,payne looked serious1 and expressed her anxiety for her husband's health1 which she feared might be injured by over-exertion4 ,as we arose from the dinner table1 ,mrs4 ,payne put her arm affectionately around ,cornelia1 and said1 8,come1 my daughter1 give us some of your beautiful music1 something that is very brilliant to enliven us1 for we are rather heavy this evening40 ,i knew well that ,cornelia was unfit for any exertion1 and as we entered the gay1 light drawing-room ,i seated myself at the piano1 and asked ,mrs4 ,payne if my music would not answer the purpose as well as ,cornelia's4 ,cornelia's eyes expressed such a world of thanks1 that ,i felt quite repaid for the effort--for effort it was--and soon after ,i noticed that she quietly slipped out of the room4 ,mrs4 ,payne was passionately fond of music1 and ,i sang and played for her1 nearly two hours4 ,she was a fine harpist1 though she seldom played1 but ,i even prevailed upon her1 to play with me some harp duets4 ,while we were in the midst of a brilliant piece1 the waiter entered1 and said that ,mr4 ,payne wished to see me in the library4 8,mr4 ,payne at home80 inquired ,mrs4 ,payne4 8,yes1 ma'am10 answered the man1 8he has been in some time1 but has been busy with some gentleman in the library40 8,some news for you from home1 ,enna1 dear10 said ,mrs4 ,payne quietly4 8,i suppose ,mr4 ,payne thinks we have company with us1 we are so musical1 and he feels too tired to come up40 8,very likely40 ,i answered with forced calmness1 glad that her easy1 happy disposition prevented her from feeling the sad apprehensions which had chilled my heart at the summons4 ,i knew1 from the expression of the waiter's face1 that something was wrong1 and as ,i reached the lower hall he said to me1 as he left me1 8,miss ,cornelia's very sick in the library1 ,miss ,enna40 ,i opened the library-door1 and ,heaven grant such another sight may never be presented to me again4 ,on a lounge lay ,cornelia1 partly insensible1 and before her knelt her father1 not in trouble for her sickness only1 but in anguish1 deep1 heart-rending anguish4 ,in low tones he besought his child to open her eyes1 to look at him1 and tell him she did not despise him4 ,i saw the insensibility was passing off1 and ,i raised her head and moistened her lips with some water4 ,as ,i took the water from the table1 ,i saw on it a case of pistols1 over which ,i hastily threw my handkerchief1 though chilled and trembling with fear of ,i scarcely knew what4 ,when ,i raised ,cornelia1 and ,mr4 ,payne saw her returning consciousness1 he shrunk1 like a guilty thing1 behind a large1 old-fashioned screen1 that stood partly in front of the lounge4 ,cornelia stared wildly around4 8,where is father80 she exclaimed1 and before ,i could answer1 she darted from the lounge1 and was about leaving the room1 when she heard his low1 suppressed groan2 quick as thought she was beside him4 ,she covered his hands1 that hid his face1 with kisses--she soothed him with every affectionate endearing word1 and as he cowered to the ground1 she raised him as a mother would a child4 ,they sat on the lounge together1 her arms encircled him tenderly1 while her lips rested on his brow1 that was wrinkled with heavy lines of anguish4 8,my dear1 dear father10 she said1 8have you forgotten your daughter1 your ,cornelia1 who could not live without you8 ,come1 come1 ,i was only a little sick2 it is all over now1 and ,enna ,duval is here1 to take care of us both4 ,come1 cheer up2 think of mother1 and ,tom1 and ,cassy1 and all the dear ones4 ,we are all left to you yet40 ,thus she tenderly soothed him1 and ,i1 seeing that she was so much stronger1 thought ,i had better leave the room4 ,as ,i put my hand on the door1 ,cornelia gave a low cry of alarm1 ,i turned and saw that ,mr4 ,payne was in violent convulsions4 ,in a little while the best physicians in town were summoned1 and ,mr4 ,payne declared to be in great danger1 for his disease was a raging brain fever4 ,for days we watched beside his bed--,cornelia and ,i--for with nervous anxiety she kept every one from her father that she could4 ,he raved incessantly of disgrace and crime1 and during his agonized ravings1 my poor friend would weep bitterly4 ,i never saw such devoted tenderness as ,cornelia displayed during this fearful illness4 ,at one time death seemed almost inevitable1 but as ,mr4 ,payne possessed a good constitution1 and had always been a man of regular habits1 he rallied under this sickness1 which would have proved fatal to most men4 ,but when the delirium left him1 and he opened his languid eyes beaming1 though dimly1 with the light of reason1 their expression of anguish was painful indeed4 ,cornelia was beside him1 her arms around him1 and the sweetest1 tenderest words of love fell from her lips to greet his returning senses4 8,then1 my daughter10 he said in a low1 feeble whisper1 8you do not hate and despise your father40 ,no words could express the deep love of ,cornelia's embrace1 and with soothing1 tender expressions she sought to quiet him1 which succeeded1 for he sunk back in her arms with a calm1 peaceful smile on his sad1 care-worn face4 ,mr4 ,payne grew gradually better1 dear reader1 and during the hours of convalescence1 when ,i was at different times alone with him1 he told me the sad scene which had occurred previous to his sending for me to the library4 ,he had been staggering under a load of business difficulties for some time1 as ,cornelia had suspected1 but could not bear to look upon his affairs as they really were4 ,he could not summon strength and courage to come to his wife1 and tell her that all the fine fortune her father had left1 was gone1 that she and her children were penniless4 ,day after day he struggled on1--difficulties increased1 and in a moment of desperation1 to relieve himself of a pressing demand1 he added the crime of forgery to the load of debt2 hoping to relieve himself before he should be discovered4 ,this happened on the day1 at the very time of our drive1 when ,cornelia was praying for strength4 ,he had some days before written to a business firm in a neighboring town for assistance4 ,upon them he had some1 yes1 great claims1 for ten years before his capital had established them in business2 and he anxiously looked for an answer to his demand1 in order to relieve himself before any one could discover his weak act4 ,late in the afternoon he received1 instead of the frank1 friendly aid he expected1 a cold1 short refusal4 ,he staggered home4 ,the enormity of his offence increased upon him1 and as he reached his home1 the consciousness of having added disgrace to poverty1 almost set him wild4 ,he went first into the library1 which was in the lower part of the house1 because1 as he said1 the sound of music and gayety that came from the drawing-room1 maddened him4 ,he had scarcely entered the room when the hall-bell rang1 and the servant ushered into the dimly lighted library1 a gentleman2 and as he heard his name announced1 ,mr4 ,payne shuddered1--it was the very name he had used unlawfully1 a few hours before4 ,it was a young merchant of great property1 which he had inherited from his father4 8,i have come1 ,mr4 ,payne10 said the young man1 as the servant closed the door1 8to return to your hands a paper which you must destroy4 ,no human being knows of it1 but you and myself--and believe me1 my dear sir10 he added1 in a voice trembling with feeling1 as the guilty man buried his face in his hands1 groaning aloud1 8believe me1 ,i am certain1 that great1 great must have been the temptation--the trial that goaded ,hartley ,payne to such an act2 and ,i thank ,god6 it was upon me--upon the son of ,jacob ,hallett you did it4 ,you befriended my father in the dark hour of poverty1 you helped him up on the stepping-stone to fortune1 and had you come to me in your emergency for this money1--that and double1 and thrice treble the amount1 should have been freely yours40 ,young ,hallett then tore the note into a thousand pieces and burned it4 8,i thank you10 said ,mr ,payne in a hoarse voice1 8you have saved me from disgrace which is worse than death2 but you must leave me now1 and when ,i am more composed ,i will express to you my gratitude40 8,not until you will promise me10 answered young ,hallett1 8that you will let me come to you to-morrow1 and give me the satisfaction of assisting you in your trouble40 ,mr4 ,payne took the kind young man's proffered hand1 and pressing it1 assured him1 in broken words1 that he would accept his offer2 and young ,hallett seeing that ,mr4 ,payne was really suffering from the humiliation and mortification which his presence caused him1 left him4 ,mr4 ,payne walked up and down the room once or twice4 ,he felt like a maniac4 ,the crime he had committed stood before him in letters of fire4 ,maddened with remorse1 he opened an escritoir1 and taking from it a case of pistols1 which were loaded1 he laid it upon the table4 ,calmly he snapped the spring of the case1 and throwing back the lid1 took out one of the pistols1 which he held deliberately to his head4 ,as he did this1 he heard a low shriek beside him1 and with a strong grasp1 the pistol was taken from his hand4 ,he turned--and beside him stood ,cornelia4 ,she had been in the library all the while4 ,she had come there from the drawing-room after dinner1 to watch for her father's return1 and had fallen asleep on the lounge1 which was hidden by the large old screen that stood between it and the door4 ,her sleep was heavy from exhaustion1 and she had not awakened until ,mr4 ,hallett had entered2 this aroused her1 and with chilling horror she heard the whole conversation between them4 ,after he left the room1 she lay stunned1 and was only aroused by the click of the escritoir lock4 ,this startled her1 and she sprang to her feet1 just in time to save her father's life4 ,the revulsion was so great1 that she sank to the floor1 insensible1 and then it was he sent for me4 ,mr4 ,payne knew ,cornelia's stern1 severe opinions2 he remembered also how she always shrunk from all those who had been guilty of even venial sins1 and he felt more keenly1 the mortification of his crime before her1 than before any other living being4 ,but so beautifully1 so tenderly1 and respectfully did she bear herself toward him1 that one might have fancied she had forgotten every thing but the fear of losing her father4 ,he grew stronger1 and as soon as his health was restored he courageously examined his affairs4 ,young ,hallett1 who during ,mr4 ,payne's sickness had been an excellent and efficient friend1 was of great service4 ,every thing was given up1 the magnificent town house1 the carriages and horses1 the plate1 and every luxury2 but my friends looked very happy in their pleasant country home1 and though quite humble was their style of living1 they scarcely seemed to miss their former splendor4 ,even the tender1 delicate ,mrs4 ,payne1 who had been born and reared in luxury1 and for whom we had all trembled1 bore the reverse of fortune as brightly and philosophically as ,cornelia4 ,but the most beautiful sight was the great change that had taken place in my friend ,cornelia's character4 ,all sternness1 all severity had vanished1 and the gentlest spirit of ,christian1 loving charity displayed itself in every word1 every act of hers4 8,sweet are the uses adversity10 ,i often repeated to myself1 when looking at her4 ,toward her father she always displayed the most delicate and affectionate respect1 and the children no longer found in her a stern1 close judging ,mentor1 but a kind1 loving1 indulgent companion4 ,three years after1 a gay party assembled at ,mr4 ,payne's little country house4 ,it was the wedding party of our dear ,cornelia1 who was the bride of ,mr4 ,hallett4 ,she is now the mistress of a fine establishment1 and had the satisfaction of seeing her father once more comfortable4 ,he was for many years associated in business with his son-in-law1 and no one ever knew or dreamed that the highly respected ,hartley ,payne1 of the wealthy firm of ,hallett ,payne1 was once on the verge of disgraceful ruin4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,ballads ,,of ,,the ,,campaign ,,in ,,mexico4 ,,no4 ,,iv4 ,,by ,,henry ,,kirby ,,benner1 ,u4 ,s4 ,a4 ,illustration3 ,death of ,najira4 ,,an ,,incident ,,of ,,monterey4 7,,from ,,the ,,mexican ,,of ,,fernando ,,garcia47 ,,it was morn on the ,mother of ,mountains1#a ,while1 curling like incense1 away ,rose the mists from the ,eden-like valley1 ,in which lay our loved ,monterey3-- ,in the distance was green ,san ,domingo1 ,where1 wearied1 in silent repose1 ,slept the ranks of the resolute ,saxon1 ,the files of our conquering foes4 ,on the edge of the hills1 in our eyry1 ,like statues1 we silently stood-- ,our cavalry guarding the mountain1 ,our infantry watching the wood4 ,we gazed on our beautiful city1 ,we thought of the stain on our name4 ,and we swore that the sun of our country ,should never descend on our shame6 ,like a knight1 in his saddle ,najira#b ,sat1 watching the foeman with smiles1 ,as they mounted the rugged sierra1 ,and marched through its craggy defiles2 ,and he laughed1 as he turned to the vultures ,that circled and soared overhead1 ,coming down from their nests in the mountains ,to fatten and gorge on the dead4 ,on1 like wolves1 came the reckless invader3 ,we heard the huzzas of their men1 ,now low1 in the depth of the forest1 ,now loud1 when they formed in the glen2 ,and we saw the bright gleam of their muskets ,flash and fade through the emerald trees4 ,and the crimson and white of their banner ,as it rippled and flowed on the breeze4 ,arising erect in his stirrups1 ,najira looked round on his band1 ,and his eye flashed as brightly and keenly ,as the brand that he held in his hand3 8,for your altars--your country1 her honor6 ,your daughters1 your sires and your wives1 ,be warriors--be heroes10 he shouted1 8,and conquer1 or yield up your lives60 ,on they came1 and we looked on our leader1 ,who paused ere he gave us the word2 ,his dark eye was pregnant with passion1 ,his hand clutched the hilt of his sword2 ,but a moment1 and down1 like the whirlwind1 ,steed and man1 in the pride of our might4 ,we plunged on the ruthless invader1 ,and swam in the hell of the fight6 ,our noble1 chivalric ,najira1 ,over rock1 through defile and ravine1 ,wherever the danger was darkest1 ,wherever a foeman was seen1 ,led the charge1 as1 in old1 ,alvarado ,and ,cortez1 again and again1 ,led the ,spaniard to conquest and glory ,over many a ,mexican plain4 ,and his men1 full of ardor1 with vivas1 ,pursued where the enemy fled-- ,the hoofs of their horses disfiguring ,the faces and forms of the dead2 ,and ever the shout of ,najira ,was heard in the din of the fray1 ,as he swooped1 like his own native eagle1 ,with fire-flashing eyes1 on his prey4 ,full of terror the traitorous ,texan1#c ,that stain on the ,mexican name1 ,gave way in dismay1 as ,najira ,plunged on in his passion for fame4 ,as1 pursuing1 he wheeled round the mountain ,and swept like a storm through the gorge1 ,from an ambuscade1 deep in the forest1 ,their guns flushed like sparks from a forge4 ,their cannon swept o'er us and through us2 ,their rifles rained death on the field3 ,we had sworn by the ,mother of ,jesus ,to conquer1 but never to yield3 ,down1 down1 where he fought fell each hero1 ,horse and man1 one by one1 where he stood2 ,and the sands of the rugged sierra ,were crimson with ,mexican blood4 ,like a lion at bay rode ,najira3 ,not one of the troop that he led ,but was stretched on the side of the mountain-- ,thick strown with the dying and dead4 ,his coat and his saddle were bloody2 ,he reeled in his seat as he strove ,to strike once again for his country1 ,once again for the land of his love4 ,all alone1 all alone did he battle4 ,disdaining to yield1 or to fly2 ,he had failed1 as he promised1 to conquer1 ,and nothing was left but to--die6 8,surrender6 surrender60 his foemen1 ,full of wonder1 entreatingly cried1 ,as1 defying1 he galloped his charger ,along the sierra's steep side4 ,down1 down1 at each stroke an invader ,sank wounded1 and gasping1 and dead1 ,as he galloped from foeman to foeman1 ,his sword1 waved in scorn1 overhead4 ,but the bullet at last rent his bosom1 ,and down1 from the cliff to the plain1 ,rolled the form of the dying ,najira1 ,the bravest and best of the slain4 ,weep1 weep1 for the gallant ,najira6 ,for never will ,mexico own ,so heroic1 so gallant a soldier1 ,so fearless1 so faultless a son6 ,on his tomb lay your chaplets of laurel1 ,and1 ,maidens of ,mexico1 pray ,for the soul of the knightly ,najira-- ,pray1 ,maidens of ,mexico1 pray6 ,,notes4 #a ,the ,sierra ,madre4 #b ,lieutenant-colonel ,don ,juan ,najira1 7pronounced ,nah-hee-ra17 led the ,guanjuato regiment in its attack on ,general ,worth's division1 on the morning of the #bast ,september4 ,he was as brave as the ,chevalier ,bayard1 the knight 8sans peur1 et sans reproche40 ,,ripley1 in his 8,war with ,mexico10 says of him1 that--8,in spite of wounds he refused to surrender1 and struggled on1 until1 at length1 he fell from his horse1 and rolled1 dead1 down the side of the mountain40 #c 8,the traitorous ,texan10 an epithet which is purely ,mexican1 as the ballad is supposed to be the product of a ,mexican bard4 ,the retreat of the ,texan regiment1 however1 is a historical fact2 but the ,mexican lancers paid dearly for their short-lived triumph3 not a man of them 7,i quote ,ripley7 survived4 ,illustration 99 99 99 99 99 ,,loiterings ,,and ,,life ,,on ,,the ,,great ,,prairies ,,of ,,the ,,west4 ,,by ,j4 ,m4 ,,legare4 ,a ,,love ,,story ,,of ,,the ,,prairies4 ,,about the year #ahbj1 among the ,sioux1 on ,teton river1 was a young chief whose reputation had extended throughout the ,west1 and excited the envy and wonder1 not only of the warriors of his own nation1 but of every tribe1 from the ,chippeways1 who paddle bark canoes on the western lakes1 to the root-digging ,shoshones at the base of the ,rocky ,mountains2 and far and near the hearts of the young ,indian girls were taken captive by the rude chivalry which added brilliancy to his invariable success4 ,like many other heroes1 with his early history was mingled not a little of the fabulous and superhuman1 and what was most singular1 was1 that there appeared to be some grounds for this belief1 it being well known that he was not a ,sioux by birth--a hunting-party of that tribe having found him1 when a mere infant1 lying in the open prairie1 partially wrapped in a white buffalo-robe1 a string of grisly-bear's teeth around his neck1 and an eagle-feather in his little clenched hand--all unmistakable evidences of exalted birth4 ,the tradition did not stop here1 for if the testimony of some was to be credited1 a great war-eagle was perceived soaring away into the blue1 from whose talons1 beyond doubt1 the child must have dropped4 ,one thing was certain1 the insignia of a chief about the young stranger admitted of no dispute1 and accordingly as a chief and with no small care was he reared4 ,but now that ,ta-his-ka 78the white buffalo10 a name given him by the ,sioux1 from the robe in which he was found7 had grown1 young as he was1 to be the most prominent warrior and successful hunter from the ,pacific to the ,mississippi1 it appeared that his parentage was not so celestial as had been by some imagined1 for the ,pawnees formally demanded the chief as one of themselves2 and to prove their priority of right1 described minutely a scar on his hip1 which1 whether really what they claimed it to be1 or a mark of which they had obtained secret information and craftily turned to account1 was found to be as they had described4 ,the only result of this extraordinary proposal was a storm of words in the ,tepe-wah-kah 7council-house7 of the ,sioux1 directed against the audacity of the ,pawnees1 and an amount of hate cherished between the two tribes which filled some of the lodges with scalps and others with wailing as well on the ,teton1 as in the vicinity of the ,river ,platte4 ,ta-his-ka himself both in the council and on the prairies was foremost in opposing the ,pawnees1 and the trophies torn from these last were neither few nor bloodless when the young chief headed a hunting party whose search was more frequently after the hunters of the buffaloes than the herds themselves4 ,but the latter were not readily baffled1 and bringing all their ingenuity into play to entrap his person1 succeeded at last one day in decoying ,ta-his-ka into a ravine1 where his braves were every man slain1 and he himself1 while performing feats worthy of a copper-colored ,achilles1 stunned by an arrow and disarmed instantaneously4 ,overjoyed at having in their possession one whose presence they superstitiously believed to be a pledge of good luck to their lodges1 the captors hastened homeward1 guarding him with the utmost vigilance1 but always refraining from binding his limbs1 as they did not despair now by large promises and offers to induce him to acknowledge his ,pawnee paternity4 ,accordingly1 the chiefs loaded him with honors and caresses1 and made him proffers of squaws1 horses1 lodges1 robes1 and1 in short1 every thing which constitutes savage wealth2 to all of which he listened with a contemptuous indifference and total silence1 which was sufficient answer in itself4 ,at this time there existed among the ,pawnees a custom probably derived originally from the ,mandans1 remains of whose villages are to be seen even so low down the ,missouri as the mouth of the ,platte1 the words used to designate it being found in the latter tongue2 this custom was to select every alternate ten years the most beautiful female child of the tribe1 who was placed under the strict guardianship of two old squaws1 without whom she left the medicine-lodge neither day nor night1 and between whom she was obliged to sleep until her term of years expired1 in order that she might be a pure sacrifice to the ,evil ,spirit during the feast of green corn1 at the termination of the ten years1 when1 in the midst of barbarous ceremonies1 games1 etc41 the victim suddenly disappeared no one but the medicine-men knew where4 ,this doomed girl was called ,,mah-,,pen',,ke',,ka-,,morse1#d 7wife of the ,evil ,spirit17 and they supposed1 caused the fiend to abstain from injuring the tribe to which he was related by marriage4 ,now as ,ta-his-ka was believed to be in some sort supernatural1 one of the divisions of the medicine-lodge was assigned him1 and the partitions in an ,indian house being neither so impervious to sight nor bodily passage as plastered walls1 a most unheard-of thing took place--the appointed squaw of the ,evil ,one yielded up her heart and person to the illustrious prisoner1 eluding nightly the vigilance of her duennas4 ,as for ,ta-his-ka1 he loved for the first time1 and with all the resistless passion of a wild but earnest soul2 thus1 although he was brought every moon before the council of chiefs1 and the former offers renewed only to be answered by the same stern silence1 7for no man had heard him speak since his capture17 he made no attempt at escape1 contenting himself with merely food enough to sustain life1 and scorning to touch the prairie delicacies daily set before him4 ,so light were1 meanwhile1 the feet of the girl1 or so heavy the eyes of her ancient guardians1 that none dreamed of the secret intercourse2 and even when the condition of the former could no longer be concealed1 strange to say1 the medicine-men overlooked the proximity of the handsome captive1 and concluded their evil-divinity willed to bestow on their nation one of his own offspring1 who might in time assume the place proffered to the obstinate ,ta-his-ka4 ,but when the infant proved to be a girl1 they were at a loss to determine whether their hero was to be born of this squaw1 when arrived at woman's years1 or whether by the preference shown to the present wife above all precedent1 it was his wish to protract her existence4 ,while they still debated the matter1 an end was put to their discussions in rather a startling manner2 maternal affection and love for the chief from whom she had been parted some weeks1 got the better of prudence1 and in the act of bearing the infant to her husband1 7for the marriage rites are simple enough in the ,great ,west17 a cry from the former at last aroused the duennas1 and the whole was as clear as day even to their purblind eyes4 ,what a commotion was then in the village6 the old witches were immediately put to death1 and the unfortunate three reserved only until preparations for their torture could be made on a scale equivalent to the crime4 ,all apathy had suddenly disappeared from the noble face of the ,sioux chief1 his voice was found1 and dauntlessly acknowledging his child1 offered to lead them against whomsoever they desired1 if they would give him the ,ka-morse for a squaw4 ,but the tide had now turned as strongly against him as it had formerly flowed in his favor1 and his proposal was received with rage and horror4 ,they both bound his limbs1 and surrounded the hut to which he was removed with a circle of braves who slept as near to one another as might be reached with the arm2 but the ,white-buffalo was now at bay1 and resistless as of old4 ,in spite of these precautions1 on the second morning after the discovery1 one of the warriors was found stiff1 with a knife in his heart1 and despoiled of his weapons1 two others at the entrance of the medicine-lodge as effectually silenced1 and the two squaws who had been bound1 one on each side of the young mother1 strangled in their sleep1 the cords cut1 and their captive flown2 in short1 ,ta-his-ka had gnawed through1 or found means of severing his bonds1 and after liberating his wife and child1 had carried them off on his own horse1 deliberately selected4 ,such a feat astounded the ,pawnees1 but quietly recovering from their stupor1 every horse was bestrode1 and the whole body of warriors gave chase2 the trail of the fugitives being easily found and pursued4 ,after many hours of vain pursuit1 however1 and when they had found time to consider the hopelessness of recapturing on the open prairie a warrior noted for his own craft and endurance1 as well as the wonderful strength and size of his steed1 they resolved to refrain from farther pursuit1 but to send after the fugitives an enemy1 which1 with the high southern wind then blowing1 must overtake them before the sun went down--a terrible messenger on the prairies1 indeed--fire4 ,it was already past mid-day and ,ta-his-ka had repeatedly turned his face to speak encouraging words to the young wife1 while with covert uneasiness he watched the volumes of pale smoke rolling up from the line of horizon far behind1 and now that they had entered one of those vast luxuriant bottoms so dreaded1 even by the ,indians1 in autumn1 although nothing but the sky overhead could be perceived1 through the parted tops of the tall grass and reeds1 it was no longer to be hidden even from the terrified ,ka-,morse1 that a dimness had spread above not occasioned by clouds1 and that the scent of fire grew every moment less faint and uncertain4 ,the bottom lands to which ,i have referred as so pregnant with danger during conflagrations on the prairies1 can scarcely be called such1 as they extend for leagues1 and are not to the eye sensibly lower than the greater portion of the surrounding plain2 yet that there is some depression may be deduced from the frequent humidity of the soil1 and the wild luxuriance of the grass1 rising to the height of eight or ten feet1 and matted together about the stalks with innumerable pea-vines1 from which causes a horseman can pursue no other route than the trails made by the files of buffaloes1 and as these are often tortuous and winding in the last degree1 it sometimes occurs that ,indians or traders have found themselves enclosed between these combustible hedges1 turning in every direction1 when the whirlwind of fire behind would leave them little prospect of escape in a straight line and on the open prairie4 ,and in this imminent risk must we leave the fugitives1 and allow ,jean1 now that he comes into the simple narrative as an actor1 to continue the story in his own words as nearly as ,i can recall them4 8,voil60 cried ,jean1 standing up in his stirrups and reaching as high as he could with the hand1 from which he had let fall his rein1 8de grass was tall comme a1 oh1 vere tall1 and ,i could see not'ing mais smoke1 smoke1 and hear de rattlin' terrible ven de fire leap into de canebrake like de--what you call8--volley ob de ten thousands mousquets4 ,den de little deer and de big deer1 and de bears1 and de painters1 was all runnin' deir best to save deir hide from scorchin2 and de prairie-hens drop down and rise up and drop down agen--and it was all like one big oven6 ,mais--hola6 j'ai oubli de buffalo1 which was more worse dan all--he bellow and tear along on dis hand and on dat--je la confesse1 ,i was vere much afraid dat a big bull would choose de trail ,i was in1 and punce mon cheval in de hind part wid his horn6 8,presently1 ,i look behind--ah1 misricorde6 de grass was carry by de win' en avant1 all in de blaze1 and w'ere it fall1 it was one new fire immdiatement6 ,den ,i say to myself1 ,ah1 ,jean ,moreau1 mon brave1 you will be roast alive1 and dere is no help for it--and de beautiful skins will be lost in dis dam fire6 mais1 at de word1 something say1 not loud out1 but softly--#8,quelle sottise6 why you not pray1 eh8 better dan curse6' ,eh bien1 good1 ,i say--,i will pray6 ,mais1 ,i have not any prayers6 ,enfin1 je remembre--je dis in de voice haute1 #8,malbrouc s'en va't'en querre2' and--what do ,i see8 ,oh1 quelle joie--de grass not so high1 and in de front a short hill6 ,i gallop up--,i am on de pieds--,i am strike a light--,i blow vere softly1 den more hard--de grass is in one blaze--de win' take de fire--de black spot is dere w'ere ,i stan1 and--,i am save6 ,den ,i feel de heart vere light1 ,i smile at myself--,i smile at de horse1 ,i rub my hand1 and walk about--eh bien1 ,i was vere comfortble6 ,presently ,i look2 oh1 misericorde6 voila--voila de diable--misericorde6 and ,i run to hide1 for ,i was vere much scare2 but dere was no place to hide4 ,den ,i look agen1 and it was not de diable1 mais one ,ingen vere burn1 and on de face in de grass4 ,i make haste1 ,i pull him out ob de fire--dere was one leetle drop in de canteen--ah1 ha6 dat bring back de life4 8,mais w'en de life was com'1 he would have lose it immdiatement1 if ,i had not hold on to de horse4 #8,hola6' ,i say1 #8you burn your own self1 but you not roast mon cheval--non1 non6' 8,den he look at me hard1 and strike his breast1 and talk in ,ingen4 8#8,hist6 de chief and his squaw and little one saw de fire yonder4 ,look6 de prairie lies black1 and de chief is here1 but de squaw and little one are in de belly of de chief's horse6' 8#8,what is dat8' ,i cry1 bien surpris4 #8,dans son ventre6 oh sacre6 malheur--quel diable of a horse6 ,mais1 what for you let him eat up your squaw1 eh8' 8#8,non1 non6' he cry2 #8w'en de fire was vere close1 he kills son cheval1 and in de skin roll up de squaw1 voyez8' 8,ah1 dat was better--bien good6 j'tais satisfait1 moi60 ,this was the most stirring part of ,jean's narrative1 and therefore to save time and patience1 ,i will relate the remainder1 not in his but my words4 ,the night was so dark1 from the smoke obscuring the sky1 that none but an ,indian could have found his way back to where ,jean had sat composedly1 after watching the chief disappear toward the south on the former's horse4 ,back he came1 however1 after the lapse of some hours1 with a cheerful whoop1 bearing in his arms his wife and child1 the green skin having protected them while the fierce element swept over their heads4 ,the brave 7for as yet ,jean was ignorant of even the name of his companion7 professed to be acquainted with the prairie thereabouts1 and led them half a mile to an island in a moist hollow1 which had not been touched by the conflagration2 and here they all supped on the jerked meat which ,jean chanced to have with him1 all game being effectually frighted away4 ,there is no need of following them on their journey1 which was generally in the neighborhood of the ,missouri1 for the sake of the deer and buffalos which had fled for refuge to the wooded ravines and valleys intersecting the banks1 the young squaw and child riding1 while the men walked at her side4 ,not far from the mouth of the ,teton river they parted company1 ,jean to proceed to the station of the ,american ,fur ,company1 and ,ta-his-ka to rejoin his tribe1 the former insisting on the horse being retained for the use of the young mother1 whose slender frame had begun to waste away under a continuance of fatigue and excitement1 for which the peculiar nature of her former life1 so different from that of ordinary ,indian girls1 had rendered her totally unfit4 ,there ,jean learned for the first time the name of the chief--one long familiar to his ears--and the events already narrated4 ,he had not been more than a week at the company's fort1 when1 with marks of the deepest grief and rage stamped on his countenance1 ,ta-his-ka presented himself before him2 the child lay mutely in his arms1 but no squaw--where was she8 8,ee-ohk paze60 7dark-dead17 was the laconic answer1 but accompanied by a twitching of the mouth-corners1 which showed how the fierce spirit was moved4 ,it seemed that the numerous enemies jealousy of his fame and power had created among the ,sioux1 had taken advantage of the ,white-buffalo's prolonged absence1 to spread the most injurious and unfounded reports of his deeds1 and growing bolder by degrees1 asserted openly that ,ta-his-ka had abandoned his tribe1 delivered up the warriors who followed him to the knives of the ,pawnees1 and1 won over by their gifts and promises1 become a ,pawnee himself4 ,thus when the chief re-appeared1 he was charged before the council of braves with treachery of the most abhorrent kind1 and his ,pawnee wife cited as a proof of their accusations2 and but for his well-remembered strength and resistless fortune1 which no one cared to dispute1 even his proud and indignant denial would scarcely have delivered him from his former companions on the war-path4 ,but the frail flower from the ,platte had drooped and died on the return1 and it was his wish now to leave the child in charge of some one to whom it might be safely intrusted4 ,jean related the circumstances to the wife of one of the company's officers1 who immediately adopted the infant until the chief should return to claim it4 ,thus it was that ,wah 7snow7 had surprised us by the correctness of her ,english in the chief's lodge2 for even after he had become once more a powerful chief1 he contented himself with occasional and secret visits to the station1 and did not carry her home until about a year previous to our visit4 ,the rest of the story may be told in a few words4 ,ta-his-ka crossed the river and wandered on until he arrived at a village of the ,ioways4 ,these people pleased him1 and they were equally gratified by the presence of a warrior whose feats in their hunts or games appeared every day more marvelous2 for1 until the ,pawnees1 who had traced the fugitive to his retreat1 claimed his person with threats1 they were ignorant of the renown of their guest4 ,the ,ioways were too proud of their acquisition to pay much heed to the repeated menaces of the ambassadors1 and their principal chief dying about that time1 they chose the ,sioux by acclamation to lead them against the ,pawnees of the ,platte4 ,the old fire now returned to ,ta-his-ka's breast--he was once more the terrible medicine chief1 78,wakon107 and the scourge of his old enemies1 who1 losing more scalps in each skirmish than they could hope to regain while the ,white-,buffalo led on1 presently petitioned that the hatchet might be buried1 and conducted themselves with a crafty obsequiousness ,ta-his-ka took no pains to conceal his contempt of2 and1 in fact1 as in the instance occurring the night of our stay in his village1 by stern opposition to their evil plottings1 occasionally brought to light the smouldering hate lurking in their breasts4 ,the story of ,wah--the snow-flake--which ,i heard nearly two years afterward1 if less wild than that of her mother1 the young ,ka-morse1 was more touching1 and more tinged with delicate romance--one of those gentle episodes in the stir of prairie life1 like the soft down under the bristling feathers of the fierce war-eagle's wings4 ----- #d ,mandan4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,the ,,might ,,of ,,song4 ,an extract from a ,poem delivered by ,w4 ,h4 ,c4 ,,hosmer before the ,literary ,societies of ,hamilton ,college1 ,july1 #ahdh4 ,,if we were chained forever to the ,real1 ,god's benison would be indeed withdrawn2 ,without rich glimpses of the bright ,ideal ,in vain would morning dawn4 ,upward1 on pinions of sublime devotion1 ,the soul would cleave its native sky no more1 ,but loathsome grow--a pool devoid of motion1 ,foul to its weedy floor4 ,our grosser nature ever strives to win us ,from worship of the beautiful and bright1 ,and deaf are many to the voice within us ,that whispers 8seek the light60 ,not they alone work faithfully who labor ,on the dull1 dusty thoroughfare of life2 ,the clerkly pen can vanquish when the sabre ,is useless in the strife4 ,in cloistered gloom the quiet man of letters1 ,launching his thoughts like arrows from the bow1 ,oft strikes at ,treason1 and his base abettors1 ,bringing their grandeur low4 ,armed with a scroll1 the birds of evil omen ,that curse a country he can scare away1 ,or in the wake of ,error marshal foemen ,impatient for the fray4 ,scorn not the ,sons of ,song6 or deem them only ,poor1 worthless weeds upon the shore of ,time2 ,although they move in walks retired and lonely1 ,they have their tasks sublime4 ,when tyrants tread the hill-top and the valley1 ,calling the birth-right of the brave their own1 ,around the tomb of ,liberty they rally1 ,and roll away the stone3-- ,or1 roused by some dark peril1 they have written ,words that awe ,guilt behind his guarded wall1 ,or1 by the lightning of their numbers smitten1 ,beheld the ,bigot fall4 ,though fierce1 unbridled passions1 running riot1 ,hiss like ,medusa's vipers in the breast1 ,the witchcraft of harmonic sound can quiet ,the turmoil into rest4 ,who through the chieftain's castle-hall is stealing ,with the light foot-fall of some beast of prey1 ,while vengeance hushes every softer feeling1 ,nerving his arm to slay8 ,where is his home8 ,to flame its roof was given1 ,and heavy clouds above the ruin lower-- ,while the dread foe1 by whom his soul was riven1 ,unwarned1 is in his power4 ,where are his kinsmen8 ,ask the fox and raven ,that feed upon their corpses gashed and red2 ,and will he now turn back a trembling craven-- ,what1 what arrests his tread8 ,young ,annot ,lyle1 her ,highland clairshack waking1 ,trills an old ballad to remembrance dear-- ,and dagger-hilt his rugged hand forsaking ,brushes away the tear4 ,lo6 the proud ,norman and his host are flying1 ,while in pursuit1 with fierce1 triumphant cheers1 ,that drown the groans of horse and rider dying1 ,press on the ,saxon spears4 ,what stays their flight8 ,the song of ,rolla rising ,in angry swell above the dreadful roar-- ,again they charge6--the bolts of death despising1 ,and ,harold's reign is o'er4 ,dread ,power of ,song6 whose voice can thus awaken ,notes that consign an empire to the grave2 ,or1 when recoils a host by panic shaken1 ,from rout the valiant save4 ,the fearful mantle that the seer is wearing ,derives from thee its tints of living fire-- ,and higher mounts ,philosophy when sharing ,the wealth of thy attire3 ,and in the distance to thy vision brightly ,gleam happy homes beyond this land of graves1 ,as airy domes and towers at sunset lightly ,rise from ,sicilian waves4 ,when ,history1 her task but ill-achieving1 ,fails some far epoch faintly to illume1 ,her thread the muse1 like ,ariadne weaving1 ,conducts us through the gloom4 ,she fronts the sun--and on the purple ridges ,the virgin ,future lifts her veil of snow-- ,looks westward1 and an arch of splendor bridges ,the gulf of ,long ,ago4 ,she speaks1 and1 lo6 ,italian sunlight flashes ,over the dark expanse of northern skies-- ,death hears her thrilling cry1 and cold1 gray ashes ,take mortal shape1 and rise4 ,when factions vex a state1 and new abuses ,bring to her drooping banner-fold disgrace1 ,and ,mind1 forgetful of its nobler uses1 ,grows sensual and base-- ,when the gray fathers of a nation falter1 ,muffling their faces for the funeral knell4 ,a lightning-flash1 from her poetic altar2 ,the darkness can dispel4 ,then honored be the ,bard6--a heavenly mansion ,alone could be the birth-place of an ,art ,that gives to deathless intellect expansion1 ,and purifies the heart4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,the ,,lady ,,of ,,the ,,rock4 ,a ,,legend ,,of ,,new ,,england4 ,,by ,,miss ,m4 ,j4 ,,windle4 7,continued from page #bee47 ,,chapter ,x4 ,the sun was slowly sinking to the west ,pavilioned with a thousand glorious dyes2 ,the turtle-doves were winging to the nest1 ,along the mountain's soft declivities4 ,,croley4 ,,young ,,stanley',s congratulations that he alone knew of the communication held by ,lucy ,ellet and her sister with the mysterious creature whom he had seen1 were not destined to be of long duration4 ,the lady of the vapor was soon beheld by various other persons of the village at different times--and the ,haunted ,rock became an object of universal dread4 ,the rumor1 moreover1 speedily grew rife that the object of her visitations was to hold unholy intercourse with the young nieces of the governor of the colony4 ,these1 therefore1 from having been the idols of all classes in the place1 became subjects of curiosity and vague apprehension4 ,superstition1 when not arrayed in her full horrors1 had charms which makes us regret her banishment in a state of society enlightened by reason and education4 ,her system of imaginary terrors had something exciting to minds fond of feeding upon the marvelous4 ,this is especially true with regard to the lighter forms in which she sometimes appeared when fortune-tellers were introduced as part of the amusements of the age1 and their auguries regarded as serious and prophetic earnest4 ,but as we have seen1 none of the lighter forms by which imagination works upon her subjects were here indulged as the food of a wild and wayward fancy4 ,their belief1 though not less erroneous1 was founded on the records of that page which cannot lie1 and which warned them of the existence of one great and mighty spirit of evil1 wandering to and fro in the earth1 and seeking to decoy the souls of mankind to his abode of darkness4 ,the object of this dread was no other than he who had once stood high in ,heaven1 and afterward became prince of the powers of ,hell4 ,recollecting that the wiles of this same adversary practiced upon the mother of our race1 had become the means of expelling her from the bowers of ,paradise1 and bringing 8death into the world and all our wo10 it is not surprising that ,lucy and ,jessy ,ellet were now regarded with suspicion on all hands4 ,the gossips1 like the sybils1 after consulting their leaves1 arranged and combined their information1 which passed through a hundred channels1 and in a hundred different varieties in the village of ,l4 ,the rumors to which their communications gave rise were strange and inconsistent4 ,the result was that the society of the sisters became as much avoided as it had been previously sought after4 ,closer observation1 however1 caused the chief blame to rest upon ,lucy1 who was seen daily1 at sunrise and sunset1 wending her way to the haunted spot4 ,it was some weeks after ,stanley's first sight of the phantom lady that twilight overtook him on an evening ramble4 ,he had carefully1 since the time we have described1 avoided bending his steps toward that vicinity in any of his walks4 ,accordingly1 on this evening1 he had turned off at the outskirts of the village1 at a place where another road met that leading to the fearful spot4 ,having been occupied with reflections of a deeper cast than are common to youths1 he had remained until the slow departing sunset reminded him to retrace his steps4 ,on approaching the place where the two roads met1 he was startled by the sight of a light figure emerging into the main path4 ,the thought of the strange lady of the mist instantly suggested itself to the mind of the youth4 ,a new moon had just risen behind the dim embodiment1 and shed her soft rays upon the spot where it stood4 ,the last beams of the setting sun were almost lost beyond the distant hills1 and nothing but the soft light of that evening-queen lit the scene4 ,stanley advanced to meet the spectral shape--it turned--a pair of dark eyes flashed from beneath a silken hood1 and the clear voice of ,lucy ,ellet sounded in his ears4 8,well met1 ,master ,frank ,stanley10 it said2 8you have avoided me of late1 as have all our villagers40 8,after what ,i have been witness to1 ,miss ,lucy10 began ,stanley-- 8,believe me1 ,frank1 the interview you beheld between myself and the ,lady of the ,rock was pure as the intercourse above40 8,i beseech you1 ,lucy ,ellet10 exclaimed the youth1 earnestly1 and not heeding her words1 8for your own soul's sake1 for your young sister's sake1 cease these suspicious visits to yonder mysterious spot60 8,oblige me1 then1 in relieving me of my duty toward that unhappy lady1 by assuming the task hitherto performed by myself1 and ,i will go thither no more40 8,i would do aught but perjure my own soul1 to have thee and thy sister reinstated in the opinion of our little community1 to say nothing of saving ye both from future destruction4 ,yet10 continued he1 8if ,i also must hold frequent converse with that visionary form1 ,i dare not--0 8,out on thee1 ,frank10 interrupted the young lady1 8,i had thought thee a brave youth1 afraid of nothing but sin40 8,and is it not sin to hold constant speech with a spirit-messenger of ,satan80 inquired the boy4 8,i will request thee to have no speech of her2 ,i would merely depute you to bear1 morning and evening1 a little basket resembling this1 7and she drew one from beneath her shawl17 place it on the rock--wait until the unknown lady appears to remove it1 and replace it with another--then return to the village4 ,do this to oblige me1 ,frank1 and save me the necessity ,i shall otherwise be under of continuing the visits so execrated4 ,more confidence ,i cannot put in you at present2 but will you not have faith that ,i would not instigate you to the performance of an act that was otherwise than noble40 8,lucy ,ellet10 said ,stanley1 looking on her steadily1 8there is that in your manner and your words which shows me that you are actuated by some generous principle in this singular affair4 ,what this mystery may be1 time must prove4 ,i will do your errand40 8,the ,lord reward you10 replied ,miss ,ellet4 8,the basket1 then1 shall be placed under the large willow-tree at the end of your father's orchard1 that we may not seem to have any connection in regard to it4 ,you must always replace on the same spot the one you will receive at the rock2 and ,i will cause it to be removed and replenished in time to have it there again ready for your next visit4 ,but here we are within the village10 added ,lucy1 8and had better not be seen together1 lest it might excite suspicion4 ,you will find a circuitous path to the rock in yonder direction10 she continued1 pointing to the left1 8and had better use it in your excursions1 that you may be the more likely to escape notice40 ,so saying1 and without giving the youth time to reply1 ,lucy parted from ,stanley1 and soon after turned into her uncle's house4 ,the boy proceeded on his way with an undefinable sentiment of approval in his bosom4 ,some instinct had prompted him1 notwithstanding all his preconceived notions of horror at the abandonment of the young ,ellets to the power of the ,lady of the ,rock1 to accede to ,lucy's proposal that he would supply her place in her daily visits to that mysterious being2 and so far from feeling any reproaches of conscience in remembering that he had given her his promise to that effect1 he rather enjoyed all the elation of spirit experienced by one who generously sacrifices himself to suspicion for a noble cause4 ,something in ,lucy ,ellet's manner convinced him that feelings of the same kind had actuated her conduct in this strange affair1 and he thought of her now more with admiration than with reproach4 8,yet what10 said he to himself1 startled at the change a half an hour had wrought in his views1 8if this approbation of myself and ,miss ,ellet be only a suggestion of the arch tempter to place me in his power80 ,but no1 the idea was dismissed in a moment as incompatible with his feelings of satisfaction in what he had pledged himself to undertake4 ,stanley rose at sunrise on the following morning1 for the purpose of commencing the fulfillment of his promise4 ,seeking the willow-tree in the garden1 he found the little basket prepared for him1 and assuming the charge of it1 set out upon his walk4 ,he speedily turned into the winding path indicated by ,lucy ,ellet1 and pursued his way4 ,the morning beams were just breaking1 and their light glanced upon the dewy grass beneath his feet1 and caused it to sparkle as though his tread were upon myriads of diamonds4 ,the waking birds were chanting their matin lays1 and the insects humming in every brake and dingle4 ,every thing gave promise of one of those days in the latter end of ,may when spring seems resolved to triumph over summer1 by contrasting her superiority in beauty and freshness with that sultry season so soon to appear1 at the same time that she might almost vie with the latter in the genial heat of her noontide sun4 ,but the balmy morning and the day it presaged were alike lost on our hero1 whose mind was filled with reflections concerning his singular mission4 ,he walked on1 rapt in thought1 till he approached the foot of the hills4 ,he there paused1 despite his conclusions of the previous evening1 overpowered with a doubtful feeling regarding his errand4 ,he was about to minister to the shadowy spirit whom he had twice beheld upon that insecure summit4 ,what fearful spells might she not weave around him by thus doing her will8 ,he ascended a short distance1 and turned to look behind him4 ,a scene of more complete solitude1 having all its peculiarities heightened by the serenity of the weather1 the quiet composure of the atmosphere1 and the perfect stillness of the elements1 could hardly be imagined4 ,he could descry nothing of the scenes he had left1 save the valley beneath him1 and the spire of the village church in the distance4 ,should he return home or proceed8 ,he remembered his promise to ,miss ,ellet1 and again applied himself to continue his ascent4 ,he drew near the ominous spot--climbed a few steps higher--touched the rock1 and placed the basket upon its base4 ,slowly and gradually appeared the form of the lady of the mist4 ,it was not without something like alarm that ,stanley beheld this mysterious being standing close beside him4 ,she had been about to speak1 but seeing the boy1 cast her beautiful azure eyes on him with a look of surprise1 exchanged the basket for another1 and with a pensive smile1 disappeared from his view4 ,had all the spells he had dreaded in his approach to the spot been concentrated in that look and smile1 the change in the feelings of young ,stanley could not have been more instantaneous4 ,surprise succeeded to his former superstitious sentiments of awe1 for he had discovered that the ,lady of the ,mist was no vague embodiment as he had deemed1 but a gentle shape of human flesh and blood4 ,where or how she had vanished1 however1 was still a mystery2 but he was so overpowered with a sense of his discovery1 that he turned to descend without attempting to make any investigation1 and reached the village to encounter a day of great agitation4 ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,through solid curls of smoke1 the bursting fires ,climb in tall pyramids above the spires1 ,concentring all the winds2 whose forces1 driven ,with equal rage from every point of heaven1 ,whirl into conflict1 round the scantling pour ,the twisting flames1 and through the rafters roar4 ,,barlow4 ,yes1 thou must die--there is but one resource1 ,the last--the worst--if torture were not worse4 ,,byron4 ,several topics of excitement began at this time to prevail in the village of ,l41 in addition to that connected with the haunted rock4 ,one was the projected marriage of ,lucy ,ellet very shortly to ,mr4 ,elmore1 to whom she had been for some time betrothed2 another1 the reappearance of ,messrs4 ,brooks and ,dale in the village1 where they took up their abode for a short period2 and a third1 the threatened incursion of some of the neighboring ,indian tribes4 ,to guard against this last evil1 the inhabitants were obliged to appear at all times armed1 and prepared for repelling hostilities4 ,a fast was likewise appointed by the governor of the colony1 and public worship held daily to offer up prayer in view of the impending danger4 ,at such times1 a guard of men1 with muskets ready for immediate use1 was stationed without the building1 to repulse any attack of the savages1 and give the word of warning to those engaged within4 ,in this way1 as the situation of the village was in itself strong1 owing to the hills that surrounded it1 the inhabitants trusted that they were fully prepared to resist any sudden attack4 ,things were in this state1 when1 on a certain day1 the morning beams had shone on the unpretending spire of ,l4 for five or six hours1 and the people had assembled in the building beneath as usual4 ,the lengthy prayer with which the ,puritans were wont to commence their exercises had concluded1 and1 just as every voice was attuned to the melody of a pious psalm1 a loud and unusual noise was heard4 ,the worshipers of that humble meeting-house paused to listen with ears erect and faces filled with boding expectation4 ,it was the terrific yell of the approaching ,indians4 ,this was speedily followed by the appointed signal from the soldiery stationed without1 and at the instant that the report of the musketry rang in the air1 the congregation started from their seats in terror4 ,each man rushed for his arms1 and crowding to the doors and windows1 found the building completely surrounded by savages4 ,the females1 remaining in the interior1 shrieked in the extremity of their alarm4 ,the scene that followed is not easily described4 ,a fearful struggle1 of course1 ensued4 ,heaven1 too1 at that moment1 added its terrors to the scene4 ,a furious thunder-storm arose1 and amidst the most vivid flashes of lightning1 and awful reverberations1 the rain began to descend in torrents4 ,the villagers now yielded themselves completely to terror1 and abandoning the conflict1 prostrated themselves on their knees1 and resorted to prayer4 ,the ,indians took fresh courage from this circumstance1 and commenced firing the meeting-house4 ,for a little time the rain prevented their efforts from taking effect4 ,but at length1 as the strong army of a battle will rout the less powerful1 so did the fiercer element dispel the weaker4 ,the fire was finally triumphant1 and spouted in jets of flame out at each window of the consuming building1 while huge flakes of burning materials went driving on the wind1 and rolling a dark canopy of smoke over the neighborhood4 ,the lurid glow lit up the air1 and showed with terrible distinctness the waving crowd that stood around4 ,the rain1 however1 prevented the progress of devastation further4 ,but the shouts of the ,indians resounded far and wide1 as they turned to continue their work of destruction by setting fire to the other dwellings in the village4 ,at this crisis1 the villagers1 as if animated by a sudden and simultaneous impulse1 arose from their knees1 and betook themselves again to the defensive4 ,previously1 in their resistance1 wild confusion1 despair1 and frenzied efforts had been blended in such a manner as completely to destroy any thing like unity of action4 ,but now1 in concert1 and disposed according to the best military arrangements1 they advanced a second time upon these invaders4 ,the ,indians1 in confidence of their approaching triumph1 had uttered the whoop of success1 which called their warriors from the adjoining vicinity to behold the approaching scene4 ,in surprise1 therefore1 notwithstanding this addition to their forces1 they found themselves resisted with a power and a skill such as they had never before witnessed4 ,but their previous success had given new spirit to an enemy already sufficiently audacious1 and continuing their war-cries with redoubled ferocity1 they pursued the attack4 ,the combat raged for about half an hour1 when the ,indians were utterly defeated1 and betook themselves to flight4 ,at that moment the clouds of heaven suddenly opened1 shedding the blessed light of the returning sun upon the village2 and it might have been seen that the recent victory had been obtained through the means of a stranger1 who had appeared and aroused the people from their panic of fear1 assumed the command1 arranged and ordered them in the best military manner1 and thus enabled them to repel and rout the ,indians1 and save the village4 ,this person was a man of dignified and majestic bearing1 and with an interesting beauty and pallor of countenance4 ,the parting clouds had scarcely permitted the gleams of renewed sunshine to fall upon the rescued spot1 and the inhabitants began to realize their safety1 and look around to return thanks to the skillful and unknown commander to whom the rescue was due1 ere it was discovered that he had mysteriously vanished4 ,awe and amazement filled the minds of the spectators1 for they were utterly unable to account for the singular arrival and sudden disappearance of this remarkable person4 ,after many unsatisfactory conjectures1 the only conclusion they could arrive at was that the ,lord had sent an angel to their deliverance4 ,it was on the evening of the day on which this attack took place1 that ,frank ,stanley was proceeding on his second errand to the rock4 ,as he walked on1 he pondered deeply upon the discovery he had that morning made4 ,the recent scene of excitement in the village had banished the thoughts of it throughout the day from his mind4 ,but now his curiosity recurred to the subject with all the strength with which that feeling fixes upon a mystery but partially solved4 ,the stranger who had so singularly appeared during the conflict with the ,indians and put them to flight1 seemed somehow associated in the boy's mind with the ,lady of the ,rock1 and he could no more join with the villagers in believing the one an angel of the ,lord1 than he could now in supposing the other an evil spirit4 ,the more perplexed the more he reflected1 ,stanley one moment resolved at all hazards to penetrate the singular mystery1 to overcome on his present errand the internal and undefinable feelings which would restrain him from accosting the lady1 and offering her any further assistance in his power1 and discovering the place of her retreat4 ,yet to press himself on her confidence might be impertinence1 and as she had in the morning disappeared without noticing his presence1 it was evident that she did not mean voluntarily to make him her confident1 and probably she was involved in no difficulties where he might be useful4 ,the next instant1 therefore1 he resolved to suppress all desire to penetrate the secret1 dismiss his disquieting and fruitless conjectures1 and without attempting to invade the manner and place of the sudden disappearance of the fair but living vision1 await the period when time should throw light upon the subject4 ,he was thus divided in his own determinations when he reached the woods at the foot of the hill where his purposed visit lay4 ,at that moment he became startled from his reflections by the rustling of leaves4 ,remembering the assault from the ,indians in the morning1 the youth paused1 and leaned forward to listen1 holding his breath1 and condensing every faculty in the single sense of hearing4 ,silence1 however1 seemed restored to the disturbed foliage1 and reigned as completely as though it had previously been unbroken4 ,the boy pursued his course1 supposing the noise he had heard simply to have been occasioned by a sudden gust of wind4 ,but he had not proceeded many steps when the sound was distinctly perceptible of approaching voices1 speaking in the deep tones of the savages4 ,he turned1 and ere many minutes elapsed1 the forms of three ,indians were visible4 8,dog of the pale faces60 was their exclamation1 as they rushed upon him4 ,the youth was entirely alone--cheered by no friendly eye1 emboldened by no encouraging voice1 and so sudden had been the event that his mind was wholly unprepared for the emergency4 ,yet1 perceiving at once his danger1 and determined to make one bold effort for his life1 he burst from them ere they were aware of his purpose1 and bounded off with the swiftness and alertness of a deer4 ,there was but one breathless moment1 the ,indians raised the cry of alarm1 and pursued hotly after him4 ,as soon as a favorable instant presented itself1 he darted through an opening and ascended the hill4 ,a bullet grazed his clothes1 and several branches from the bushes at his side1 but not one harmed him4 ,stanley knew too well the nature of the struggle in which he was engaged to lose one of the precious moments4 ,accordingly1 he kept his way up the acclivity1 which1 though neither very high nor very steep1 was yet sufficiently toilsome to one contending for life to render it painfully oppressive4 ,there1 however1 he was obliged to slacken his speed to recover breath4 ,the violence with which his heart beat showed how great had been his exertions4 ,he must proceed again1 however1 for the footsteps of his pursuers were near4 ,he started off a second time1 but his strength was exhausted1 and ere he had gained the summit of the second hill1 he fell prostrate upon the ground4 ,he rose1 proceeded again for a few moments at his former swift pace4 ,by degrees this slackened--the ,indians were within a few yards of him4 ,he had a loaded pistol in his pocket--but he knew it could only destroy one of his enemies1 and there would still remain two to contend with4 ,generously1 therefore1 he refrained from using it1 and prepared to resign himself into their hands1 and yielded himself up a prisoner with a dignity that was remarkable for his years4 ,dragging him to a glen which intervened between the two hills1 they bound him tightly1 and then turned apparently to make some consultations respecting the manner of his fate4 ,the prospect of death is terrible at every period of life2 but in the first spring-tide of youth1 with all the capacities of pleasure astir and eager for gratification1 to be forcibly snatched from the untasted banquet is peculiarly trying1 even when the change comes in the form of a natural death-bed4 ,but to sit1 like young ,stanley1 in horrid uncertainty in regard to the mode in which life was to be extinguished1 was a situation to break the boldest spirit2 and the unhappy captive could not restrain the tears which flowed from his eyes4 ,we have seen that although he was a brave youth in any danger which could be met by action1 yet withal1 he was strongly imaginative and apt to be led away by the exaggerations of fancy--exaggerations likely to act more or less upon the soul of any one who is in suspense and passively awaiting an approaching calamity4 ,this agony of mind continued until the feelings of the youth arose almost to a state of frenzy4 ,he started up1 and struggled so violently to become freed from his bonds1 that it almost seemed that they should have burst by the force of his strength1 as did the withes of ,sampson4 ,but the cords were of too firm a texture1 and1 after an unavailing struggle1 the boy fell back exhausted4 ,the ,indians were evidently now preparing some torture1 which would put the sufferer to severe bodily anguish4 ,as ,stanley lay and looked on1 overcome with his late violent exertions1 the scene swam before him4 ,at this instant he became aware of an interruption to the preparations of the savages1 and had just time to recognize the mysterious stranger of the morning1 to whom the preservation of his native village was due1 and behold him fall upon the enemy1 when he became insensible4 ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,can no rest find me1 no private place secure me ,but still my miseries like bloodhounds haunt me8 ,unfortunate young man1 which way now guides thee4 ,guides thee from death8 the country's laid around for thee4 ,,women ,,pleased4 ,did ,i but purpose to embark with thee ,on a smooth surface of a ,summer sea1 ,and would forsake the skiff and make the shore ,when the winds whistle1 and the tempests roar8 ,,prior4 ,a hopeless darkness settles o'er my fate-- ,i've seen the last look of her heavenly eyes2 ,i've heard the last sound of her blessed voice-- ,i've seen the fair form from my sight depart-- ,my doom is closed4 ,,count ,,basil4 ,when young ,stanley first returned to consciousness he found himself in a place whose shaded artificial light seemed very grateful to his eyes1 aching as they were in sympathy with his throbbing brain3 without arousing himself sufficiently to consider the nature of his situation1 further than to know that his limbs were free1 and that he was lying upon a comfortable bed1 he fell into a heavy and unnatural slumber4 ,during this lethargy1 which lasted many hours1 sudden starts1 the perspiration which stood upon his brow1 the distortions of his countenance1 and the manner in which he flung about his limbs1 showed that in his dreams he was again encountering the terrors from which he had escaped4 ,this lasted for several hours1 but1 at length1 fatigue prevailed over nervous excitation1 and he relapsed into a soft untroubled repose4 ,after some time1 he sighed1 stirred and awoke4 ,on looking round1 he found himself in a place surrounded by walls of stone1 with an opening on one side1 blockaded by a piece of rock1 and leaving a single crevice through which a faint ray of daylight fell4 ,the floor and ceiling of earth1 showed that it was under ground2 yet it contained various articles of rude furniture1 and the moss bed on which he lay was soft and pliable under his weight4 ,the brands of a falling fire had been carefully raked together in one corner1 and were burning with a feeble and wavering flame1 which cast faint1 flickering shadows upon the dark walls4 ,continuing his inspection more closely1 the boy saw the figure of an aged man1 seated upon a stone1 bending over the pages of a large ,bible which lay open upon his knee4 ,his countenance was majestic and dignified4 ,his brow had a care-worn and anxious expression1 yet withal an air of calm resignation inexpressibly sublime4 ,his locks were almost completely white1 though his dark and intelligent eye still retained much of the fire of early youth1 while the hale cheek1 and undaunted presence indicated patience and content in the greatest suffering that can befall humanity4 ,stanley neither spoke nor moved2 but remained with his eyes riveted on the attractive countenance before him with a species of holy awe4 ,as he gazed1 the old man arose1 kneeled1 and poured out the aspirations of a pure spirit in fervent petitions to that ,power whose support he evidently needed4 ,while he was yet praying1 a manly form entered at the opening of the cavern4 ,the stranger wore a military cloak4 ,he stood in the shadow until the aged man had ceased and risen1 then dropped his cloak and approached the latter1 and ,stanley knew him for the mysterious deliverer of the village1 and the person whom he had seen when he lay bound by the ,indians1 to fall upon them1 and effect1 he felt certain1 the preservation he had experienced4 ,he was a specimen of manly beauty2 and the proud and lofty forehead1 the deep-set brow and eyes1 the expressive lip1 addressed themselves to the interest of the youth4 ,overcome with surprise1 the boy still remained immovable1 and the old man addressed the stranger4 8,has she not yet arrived8 the sun is high--it must be noon-day40 8,it is reason enough for her detention10 replied the other1 in a half impatient voice1 the tones of which were deep and clear1 8that ,i have gone forth to meet her4 ,all objects that ,i seek elude my pursuit3 there is a curse upon my every pathway40 8,give not way to repinings1 my son1 turn thine eyes upon the blessings that remain to thee1 which far exceed the deserts of the best of men40 8,talk not to me of blessings1 my father10 replied the other4 8,if there crawls upon the earth a living being deserving of pity1 ,i am that man4 ,my food no longer nourishes me1 my sleep fails to refresh me1 my devotions do not comfort me--all that is necessary and cheering to me has turned to poison4 ,vegetating on the same spot1 fancy1 feeling1 judgment and health gradually decaying1 like a tree whose bark has been destroyed--,i have been a man more sinned against than sinning40 8,he who is immured in a living grave like this10 he continued1 after an instant's pause1 8may well wish for one yet more calm and sequestered4 ,let us go forth1 and challenge the death that awaits us4 ,hunted by bloodhounds1 our fate is doomed4 ,rather1 then1 let it come at once than hold us longer in this state of misery40 8,william10 said the old man1 8would'st thou rashly cast away the boon of life that ,god has given thee8 ,canst thou be fated to death simply because the word of a vindictive king has gone forth against thee8 ,nay1 my son1 let us abide the ,lord's time1 and endure here unto the end1 that we may obtain a crown of rejoicing hereafter4 ,and10 he added1 while a tear dimmed his eye1 8would you leave ,alice and your child80 8,william10 pursued the aged man1 8you forbade me but now to tell you of blessings4 ,but1 surely1 thou art strangely unthankful for thine--even for the incalculable blessing thou hast in that noble-minded woman4 ,hath she not accompanied us hither1 and cheered and sustained us with her angel presence80 8,my father1 drive me not to frenzy10 exclaimed the other4 8,you have struck the chord which another touch would break4 ,it is the sight of her1 dearer to me than life itself--immured in this ghostly hiding-place1 and day by day1 growing thin and waxing pale1 and smiling in the midst of misery1 that is more than ,i can bear4 ,and it is ,i who have brought this evil upon her4 ,but for me1 she might now have been blooming in increasing beauty in some brilliant destiny beyond the seas4 ,never were the bright prospects of opening life more cruelly dashed4 ,and can she1 frail as she is1 much longer sustain the effort by which she has met this stroke of fortune8 ,will not the reaction1 when it comes1 be too terrible to be borne8 ,oh1 ,god1 the thought of her is agony60 and he covered his face with his hands4 ,a female form entered4 ,she advanced into the cave1 and throwing off a cloak and hood1 ,stanley recognized the mysterious ,lady of the ,rock4 ,for a second1 she regarded the younger of the two without speaking4 8,my dearest ,william10 said she1 at length1 as drawing close to him1 she laid her hand in a sympathetic manner on his arm1 8why do you yield thus to grief80 ,as if her touch and voice were magic1 the unhappy exile raised his head to meet her glance4 8,i grieve for you1 my ,alice10 he replied1 after gazing on her anxiously for some moments1 and throwing his arm around her passionately1 8to see you bereft of all the appliances of comfort1 and to behold your noble spirit display its courage in mild submission1 and generous efforts to support the hearts of others4 ,how cruel doth the decree of ,fate seem that you1 so pure1 so gentle1 so lovely1 should be visited thus heavily40 ,unable to endure his own thoughts1 he broke abruptly away from her1 and paced heavily up and down the cave4 8,my dear husband10 she said1 approaching him1 and looking in his face2 8do not think of my lot4 ,believe me1 it would have been but too happy if it could have alleviated the bitterness of yours1 or soothed one sorrow of my father's heart4 ,come hither1 my parent1 ,i have news of encouragement for you both4 ,there is reason to trust that our troubles will be but short-lived4 ,our friends have great confidence in the effect of a personal appeal from me to ,charles ,,ii4 ,nay1 look not thus distressed1 my father3 it is for your sakes that ,i leave those who are dearer to me than life itself4 ,i will present myself at the throne of the king1 and petition him for your pardon3 and ,heaven grant that if we meet again on earth1 it may be in circumstances of peace and safety40 8,alice1 thou shall not leave us60 exclaimed ,heath4 8,death were far preferable to life in this gloomy cavern uncheered by your presence4 ,i will go forth and yield myself up to my pursuers1 if thou talkest again of thine absence40 8,nay1 ,william1 ,i shall not leave you in this place4 ,the marriage of ,lucy ,ellet will occur to-night1 and ,mr4 ,elmore has kindly offered you both an asylum in his house until my return1 or for the remainder of your lives1 should it be necessary4 ,the remote and secluded nature of the spot will withdraw you from the intrusions of impertinent curiosity40 ,at that instant1 the voices of men were heard without the cavern1 and a fearful suspicion dawned suddenly on the minds of all present4 8,oh1 ,god60 exclaimed young ,stanley1 starting from his couch1 8your pursuers are seeking you3 keep a profound silence1 or your voices will betray you40 8,let them find us10 said ,heath1 aloud4 8,i am weary of eluding them1 and am glad my hour is arrived40 8,william1 dear ,william1 be silent10 whispered the lady1 bending toward him with a look of unspeakable terror1 as a deep flush mantled the cheek that a moment back was so pale4 8,alice1 ,i tell you it is useless----0 8,hush1 love1 for my sake1 for your child's sake10 urged the lady in his ear1 as her countenance became agonized4 ,the voices without now grew so audible that words could be distinguished4 ,the old man clasped his hands in resignation1 and his half-parted lips murmured1 8,the ,lord's will be done60 ,alice threw one arm around the neck of her husband1 with a gesture of unutterable love as though she would shield him1 and placed the other hand on his mouth1 while she trembled in every limb4 8,the entrance of their asylum is well hidden10 said one of the voices4 8,it will be a day's work to discover it40 8,let us spend the day at it then10 replied the other speaker1 in a gruffer and harsher tone4 8,we will not give up the search until we find it40 ,and they seemed approaching the mouth of the cavern4 ,a moment of intense and breathless anxiety to the inmates elapsed4 ,they stood still and silent as the rocks around them1 suspending every1 even the slightest external motion1 and would have ceased to breathe1 had nature permitted such an intermission of her functions4 ,more torturing their suspense than the long1 lingering seconds in which a duellist beholds his adversary's pistol wavering over his heart or brain4 ,their discovery seemed inevitable4 ,in a few minutes1 however1 those outside passed on1 and after a short time their voices grew fainter and fainter1 until they were lost in the distance4 8,seize the opportunity of escape ere their return10 said ,alice1 breaking the death-like stillness that had been preserved4 8,quick father1 ,william1 the moments fly4 ,make your way toward the house of ,mr4 ,elmore4 ,i will linger here to baffle the inquiries of your pursuers40 8,come1 my son10 said the old man1 rising with a sudden energy4 8,the ,lord has opened another door of salvation for us4 ,dost thou hear60 8,nay1 ,i will not again fly for my wretched life10 said ,heath4 8,i will passively await my fate40 8,william1 ,william10 exclaimed his wife1 in an agony of heartfelt urgency and sweetness1 8,i pray you1 by whatever is dear in our past association together--by all the claims1 ,i will not say of the continued love you but this day professed for me1 but by those of an affection on my part which would endure all things for your sake--to use the proper means for your preservation4 ,depart without delay20 and an expression of unanswerable entreaty beamed in the eye of the suppliant4 8,i will do aught that you ask1 beloved one1 even to the prolonging of my life of wretchedness10 rejoined her husband1 as he imprinted a kiss on her brow1 and drew her with him toward the door of the cave4 8,let me be your guide10 said ,stanley1 advancing and addressing ,heath4 8,it will be some small return for the service you have rendered me40 8,i had almost forgotten1 in my affliction1 to see to you1 kind youth4 ,but you have slept long1 and appear to be recovered40 8,thanks to you1 sir1 ,i am living and well10 answered the boy4 8,but time grows apace4 ,will you accept my services80 8,nay1 ,i am acquainted with the whole neighborhood4 ,you will do me a greater favor to remain with this deserted lady1 and see her safe in the hands of friends40 ,with a countenance of perfect calmness1 the heroic wife and daughter endeavored to hasten the moment of separation4 8,farewell10 she said1 casting her arms around the old man1 while a smile was on her lips4 8,farewell2 we may be parted for years1 perhaps for ever10--and she made a violent effort to repress her distress4 8,bless me and forgive me1 my parent1 ere you depart40 8,thou hast1 thou hast my blessing1 my suffering dove2 and for my pardon1 how canst thou ask it1 who hast never done me an offence since ,god made me parent to so noble a child8 ,may the ,lord be to thee a rock of shelter1 and a path of deliverance from affliction40 ,the old man here turned away1 and began to descend the hill4 8,you must not linger longer1 ,william10 said the lady1 turning to her husband1 who stood with his eyes fixed upon her face4 8,farewell2 our fortunes look dark1 it is true1 but mayhap the same bright morning will yet dawn for us4 ,and if not1 we are not still denied the glorious hope that in the darkest moments of separation clings to humanity--the anticipation of reunion in the future40 8,farewell10 said ,heath1 folding her in a long embrace to his heart1 while his cheek trembled1 and a tear dimmed his manly eye4 8,my beloved wife1 farewell3--my ,alice1 my own one1 adieu40 ,and drawing his cap over his brow1 and tightening the folds of the cloak he had resumed1 he broke away1 and followed his aged companion4 ,the lady watched the fugitives until they were out of sight1 and ,stanley remained by her side silent1 judging it best not to disturb her feelings at the moment with any ill-timed remark4 ,while they stood1 he had time to examine the entrance to the cavern1 which had eluded his discovery so completely on his former visits to the rock4 ,nothing could be more concealed than its entrance4 ,the opening1 extremely small1 lay in the face of the cliffs1 directly behind a large gray rock1 or rather upright stone1 which served at once to conceal it from strangers1 and as a mark to point out its situation to those who employed it as a place of retreat4 ,the space between the stone and cliffs was very narrow1 and might easily escape not only ordinary observation1 but the minute search of a mind not perseveringly active4 ,the boy did not marvel when he perceived its secret position1 that it had previously been unnoticed by him3 for it might have eluded the attention of those who had stood at its very opening4 ,as he was still engaged in admiring its security1 the lady turned and said to him1 8,let us return within till ,i make the necessary preparation for my departure40 8,i leave this spot10 said she1 as they entered1 8endeared by many sad associations1 never to return to it again40 8,you are likely to leave it in a way you do not imagine10 said a man1 springing in at the opening4 ,he was speedily followed by another1 and they both stood within the cave4 8,how is this80 said the latter1 looking surprised and disappointed--8a woman and a boy40 ,alice turned1 at first much startled3 but when a moment was past1 she prepared herself to receive the intruders with the perfect confidence which a woman never fails to feel in the mildness and reason of a man1 however rude4 ,moreover1 having nothing to fear for her husband and father1 she found little difficulty in retaining her self-possession1 supported by her inherent dignity4 ,one of them1 who was distinguished from his companion by much superiority of mien1 lifting his hat respectfully1 addressed her3 8,it is unpleasant to question a woman1 especially one of your appearance2 but1 madam1 where are your companions80 8,i am unable to inform you10 said ,alice modestly2 8yet ,i must say that in my present situation ,i could have wished to be spared the pain of confessing my ignorance40 ,the harsh features of the elder contracted into their sternest look1 and it was evident how much he was disturbed by the cool manner of her reply4 ,alice gazed at his lowering features for a moment in perfect composure1 as if she had naught to fear from his intentions4 8,perhaps you can give us the information we desire80 said he1 turning to ,stanley4 8,like this lady1 ,i must confess my ignorance of their whereabouts1 if you allude to ,messrs4 ,lisle and ,heath40 8,pardon us1 fair lady of this grotto10 replied the younger cavalier1 8but we will be obliged to search its inmost recesses40 8,true1 perhaps they are here1 and this coolness may be assumed10 said the other3 8let us proceed to make a thorough investigation40 8,i will vacate the premises for you1 gentlemen10 said ,alice1 drawing her arm through ,stanley's1 and leaving the cave4 ,after which1 at a slow pace1 they proceeded together toward the village4 ,,chapter ,,xiii4 ,bring flowers1 fresh flowers1 for the bride to wear6 ,they were born to blush in her shining hair3 ,she is leaving the home of her childhood's mirth1 ,she hath bid farewell to her father's hearth2 ,her place is now by another's side2 ,bring flowers for the locks of the fair young bride6 ,,mrs4 ,,hemans4 ,a calm and cloudless evening followed the exciting morning which had been experienced in ,l4 ,the fairest moon of ,may shone above the ruined meeting-house1 which lay in blackened rubbish upon the ground4 ,her soft light lit up the white dwellings and shrubbery of the village with a holy beauty1 until they stood out in bold relief against the surrounding hills1 which1 in like manner1 stood out in similar relief against a sky sparkling with myriads of stars4 ,the herbage sent up its sweetest fragrance1 and the air was balmy and delicious4 ,in short1 the earth and sky seemed wedded in harmony1 and formed a fitting emblem of the marriage-tie about to be celebrated4 ,the laws regulating wedlock in the colonies were suited to the infant state of society1 and threw but few obstacles in the way of the connection4 ,agreeably with this banishment of all unnecessary form1 it was not usual to celebrate their nuptials in places of public worship4 ,this was peculiarly fortunate in the case of ,lucy ,ellet1 whose marriage having been fixed for this evening1 would have had to be deferred1 had it been the expectation to celebrate it in the village meeting-house4 ,the arrangements1 however1 had been made for the performance of the ceremony in the house of her uncle1 and the unpleasant affair of the morning was not permitted to retard a matter of such vitality4 ,lucy's nerves1 too1 being of that firm kind which no shock could shatter or disturb beyond the passing moment1 there was no necessity for deferring the period4 ,the hospitalities of her uncle's house were thrown open to the villagers--not1 it is true1 by great displays1 such as grace nuptial feasts at the present day1 but by means of that unpretending welcome and abundance of cheer1 which appeals at once to the heart and appetite of the guest4 ,the best parlor was graced with vases of the freshest spring flowers1 and tasteful green branches interwoven with white roses--the whole answering to the idea of a fitting place for a marriage scene4 ,the gate leading to ,governor ,h--'s house was besieged by vehicles of almost every shape and description4 ,the company had assembled about eight o'clock1 and were awaiting the entrance of the bridal train1 when their attention was diverted by the appearance of ,jessy ,ellet1 the young sister of the bride1 holding by the hand of a lady1 who1 from the fact that she was a stranger1 as well as from something striking in her aspect1 elicited an unusual degree of notice4 ,care1 more than time1 had made inroads upon a face still exquisitely lovely2 and the extreme simplicity of her attire served to adorn the melancholy and touching beauty of her countenance4 ,there was something elevated in the sadness of her expression1 as though her hopes lay scarce any longer upon earth1 but were removed into a scene where disappointment and sorrow could never come4 ,but withal there was occasionally a lustre in her eye1 and a beaming smile upon her lip1 that proved her capable of the deepest and strongest earthly attachments4 ,this was evinced in her manner toward the child1 upon whom she frequently bestowed these momentary marks of affection4 ,retiring to a distant part of the room1 it was evident that she sought to escape observation4 ,curiosity1 however1 had been excited1 and every eye remained fixed upon her4 ,as she seated herself1 and the little ,jessy clung to her1 and looked up into her face1 to make some childish sally1 a strange resemblance became perceptible between the two4 ,upon the brow of each there was the same mild and placid expression2 the same azure eyes1 and the identical peculiar smile1 changing the expression of the whole countenance4 ,the bustle attending the arrival of the guests had subsided1 and the minister1 with his features settled into a suitable degree of solemnity1 stood waiting with becoming dignity the entrance of those upon whom he was lo pronounce the nuptial benediction4 ,the door opened1 and a group moved slowly forward4 ,lucy was in front1 leaning on the arm which ,henry ,elmore had given her as much for her support as from motives of courtesy4 ,she appeared attired in a manner suitable to the simplicity as well as the importance of the ceremony4 ,a dress of simple white concealed by its folds the graceful proportions of her slender form4 ,under it was a vest cut in the fashion of that period1 in such a manner as to give the exact outline of her shape4 ,a few orange blossoms were carelessly entwined in the raven braids of her hair1 showing more spotlessly by the contrast4 ,as they drew near to the expecting clergyman1 ,lucy's step1 which had been slightly unsteady1 grew firmer4 ,although she exhibited the least composure of the two1 yet she showed the most intentness on the solemnity before them1 and raising her eyes toward the clergyman1 she kept them fixed on him throughout the ceremony with sweet and earnest attention4 ,in a moment1 the low1 solemn tones of the minister were heard4 ,as he delivered the usual opening homily1 he paused frequently and long1 giving to each injunction a distinct and marked emphasis4 ,after performing the ceremony1 when he came to the closing words1 8what ,god hath joined together1 let not man put asunder10 he lifted his voice as though he were addressing the guests3 ,and when the blessing was pronounced1 for a few moments not a sound was heard in the room4 ,the minister advanced first1 and congratulated the pair1 followed by the guests1 who also approached and made their compliments4 ,the enjoyments of the ,puritans were of a very quiet nature4 ,they neither jested1 heard music1 nor drank healths1 and yet they seemed not the less to enjoy themselves4 ,political leanings had not then contributed their bitterness to private life3 but religion being the chief topic of their thoughts1 became also the principal subject of their conversation4 ,throughout the evening1 therefore1 metaphysical and doctrinal subjects were discussed1 creeds and sects compared1 and their own views fortified by ,bible authority among the elder gentlemen2 the merits of different preachers balanced by the more advanced ladies2 while the young people of both sexes1 without entering into the discussion of subjects of that nature1 yet tempered their remarks on more ordinary matters by many a scriptural phrase and pious expression4 ,a tone of cheerfulness1 however1 prevailed over all1 except when an eye occasionally rested on the stranger lady1 of whose melancholy look the faintest token of liveliness seemed a mockery4 ,this lady was not introduced to any of the company1 but remained throughout the evening in the recess she had first chosen4 ,she kept the hand of the fair child1 who seemed fascinated by her presence1 and continued riveted to her side4 ,every kindness and attention was paid her by her hosts4 ,frequently ,governor ,h4 and his wife approached her and conversed2 and the bride at one time during the evening remained seated with her more than an hour4 ,several persons made attempts to satisfy the curiosity her presence and appearance excited1 by questioning those whom they had seen speaking with her4 ,but their queries were evaded1 and they obtained little or no satisfaction4 ,for several days succeeding she continued to form a subject of much gossip and surmise4 ,not afterward1 however1 being seen in ,l41 her existence was soon forgotten4 ,a table groaning with every variety of excellent cheer1 and in the greatest abundance1 was provided for the company4 ,fish1 flesh and fowl1 cake of all kinds1 and sweetmeats in profusion1 graced the board4 ,nothing was wanting that trouble and good housewifery could supply4 ,this repast was partaken of at an early hour1 and the company returned to their homes4 ,,chapter ,,xiv4 ,i1 that please some1 try all3 both joy and terror ,of good and bad2--that make and unfold error-- ,now take upon me in the name of ,time ,to see my wings4 ,impute it not a crime ,to me or my swift passage that ,i slide ,o'er sixteen years1 and leave the ground untried ,of that wide gap4 ,,winter',s ,,tale4 ,the course of our narrative obliges us to pass over sixteen years ere we again introduce its characters to our readers4 ,to those of them who may happen to have lived nearly twice that period1 the interval will not appear long4 ,lucy ,ellet had removed on the day following her marriage to the house of ,henry ,elmore1 situated about five miles distant from ,new ,haven4 ,it was a cheerful country residence1 fitted up with much neatness4 ,around it1 lay a perfect wilderness of flower-gardens1 amid which a refined taste had caused to be erected little summer-houses1 which afforded points of view over the distant bay of ,new ,haven4 ,attached to these grounds was a large farm1 over which ,lucy soon learned to preside with much matronly grace and dignity4 ,the house itself had been originally small2 but shortly after the marriage of the owner1 it had been enlarged by the addition of a wing at the back part4 ,this was not exactly adjoining the main building1 but connected with it by a corridor4 ,with regard to the purpose for which it had been added nothing was known in the neighborhood with any certainty4 ,many stories had been circulated concerning its object1 and a belief had at length become current that it was haunted by spirits4 ,there were those1 indeed1 who stated that they had beheld through the opening of a curtain at the window a strangely emaciated face1 with sunken eyes of an unnatural lustre1 and a look that was not of earth4 ,the mystery that was attached to this portion of the building1 and the tales that were circulated in relation to it--together with the former reports that had attached to ,lucy ,ellet and her young sister--rendered its inmates avoided and unpopular throughout the neighborhood4 ,no distress or mollification1 however1 seemed to be felt at this circumstance by ,henry ,elmore and his wife1 who showed no disposition for the society of their neighbors1 and who no more exchanged visits with any other persons than ,governor ,h4 and his wife1 7who still resided in ,l417 visits which were mutually given and rendered as often as the distance that intervened between their homes allowed4 ,jessy ,ellet1 now grown to womanhood1 resided with her sister4 ,she had retained the exceeding beauty of her childhood1 but exhibited what appeared a wildness of character to those who were incapable of understanding the superiority of her nature4 ,she possessed a certain elevated independence1 and ardent feelings1 forming a character that few could love1 and still fewer could understand4 ,with the enthusiastic feelings we have described1 the love of natural objects was to her a passion capable not only of occupying1 but at times of agitating her mind4 ,scenes upon which her sister looked with a sense of tranquil awe or emotion1 and the recollection of which became speedily dissipated1 continued long to haunt the memory of ,jessy1 in moments of solitude and the silence of the night4 ,although she had no selfish pride or vanity1 yet there was an air of superiority in her every gesture1 which1 taken in connection with the other traits we have mentioned1 contributed to gain her the character of the eccentric young lady4 ,there was1 however1 a life and animation in her gayety1 a fascination in her manners and expression1 whether of language or countenance1 a touchingness also in her purity of thought1 which1 in conversation with the very few persons with whom she associated intimately1 gave her society a charm4 ,the parlor of ,lucy ,elmore's house was a neat and comfortable apartment4 ,all its arrangements bespoke the skill of a refined female genius--which genius was1 in fact1 her tasteful and fastidious sister4 ,it was ,jessy who had on this dark autumn-day caused the sofa to be wheeled out opposite the fire2 she it was who had a few weeks previous directed the graceful looping of the dimity and silk curtains in the windows4 ,the inventive mind of the same guardian divinity had likewise anticipated the more modern fashion of the centre or sofa-table1 and induced her to keep a piece of furniture of that description constantly replenished with various new specimens of literature and art4 ,the geraniums and other house-plants in the windows owed their flourishing condition to her training hand2 and many other little accessories to the tout ensemble of the room1 giving it an air of exceeding home-elegance and comfort--felt rather than perceived--were the results of her care4 ,it was the evening4 ,henry ,elmore was in his little study1 and his wife had taken a book in her hand1 and retired to the mysterious wing of the house where her sister knew she always spent an hour every morning and evening1 though for what purpose she had never inquired1 perceiving that ,lucy desired the object of these visits to be secret4 ,jessy was seated alone in the parlor we have described4 ,she had drawn near the table1 and bending over a volume of poetry which lay open before her4 ,one fair hand was engaged in playing with the ringlets of her hair1 and the other lay upon the classic page4 ,the fire had given a slight flush to her cheeks1 usually perhaps a shade too pale2 and1 as she sat thus1 it would have been difficult to imagine a more beautiful object4 ,sea and land might have been searched1 and they would have produced nothing half so interesting or half so lovely4 ,a slight knock at the door interrupted her reading1 and a young man of polished manners and handsome exterior presented himself4 ,the new comer was about five-and-twenty1 in a military undress1 and bearing in his manner and looks a good deal of the martial profession4 ,notwithstanding the great change which the lapse from youth to manhood makes in his sex1 it would not have been difficult for any who had known him in the former period1 to trace in the countenance of the visiter the lineaments of his boyhood4 ,there was the same brow1 surmounted by its chestnut curls--the latter1 it may be1 a shade darker and a fold thicker2 there was the same hazel eye1 with its peculiarly thoughtful expression1 and a lip which had preserved the native frankness of its smile4 ,in short1 the person entering was--but1 reader1 we will not anticipate ,jessy ,ellet in calling him by name4 ,she seemed slightly startled on recognizing him1 but rose with a blush and extended her hand4 ,no hue of rising or setting day was ever so lovely in the eyes of the young man as that blush was in his recollection1 nor ever did enthusiastic visionary or poetic dreamer discover so many fanciful forms in the clouds4 ,he advanced and took her offered hand with more of tenderness than courtesy in his manner1 for he held it a moment ere he resigned it4 ,some little time had elapsed in a few commonplace remarks1 when the gentleman drew his chair close to ,jessy's side4 8,miss ,ellett10 said he1 8,i have come this evening emboldened to pour into your ear the story of a long and devoted attachment40 8,mr4 ,stanley10 interrupted the lady1 blushing deeply1 while the small hand which lay upon the edge of the table might have been seen slightly to tremble1 8,i cannot allow you to place yourself at the disadvantage of uttering any thing you might regret when you become acquainted with what ,i must have to reply in regard to any declaration of this kind40 8,do not1 ,i beseech you1 ,miss ,ellet1 say aught to dash my dearest earthly hopes4 ,i had flattered myself--0 8,i know what you would say10 rejoined the young lady1 again interrupting him4 8,you mean that you had hoped--0 and she hesitated an instant1 8that you were not altogether indifferent to me4 ,but what avails it whether or no this be the case1 when ,i have that to reveal to you which may make you instantly withdraw your proffered affection80 8,no revelation that you could make would have the power to effect a change in the feelings of one who has known you so well40 8,nay1 wait until you hear what ,i have to tell4 ,know1 then1 that ,i am not what ,i appear40 8,your language is enigmatical10 said her lover1 looking at her bewildered2 8but if it were possible for any human being to surpass in internal graces the loveliest outside1 in that way ,i can believe that there is truth in your words40 8,i thank you for the compliment10 said ,jessy1 smiling in acknowledgment4 8,but it is not in regard to my personal graces1 either external or internal--for ,i have too much vanity1 ,i assure you1 to suppose that there is aught that can be said in disparagement of either--but in regard to my outward position ,i speak4 ,i pass for the niece of ,governor ,h41 and the sister of ,lucy ,elmore4 ,now ,i am confident that ,i am neither40 8,what is it you say80 said her lover1 looking at her in astonishment4 8,mr4 ,stanley10 continued she1 8do you recollect the melancholy-looking lady who was present at ,lucy's wedding80 8,i do10 said he1 8and can tell you more than you have probably ever known4 ,she was the mysterious ,lady of the ,rock1 and the noble wife of the exiled regicide4 ,i shall never forget her touching beauty1 nor the heroic fortitude with which she hastened the flight of her husband and father on the day when their hiding-place in the cave was discovered4 ,but what were you going to say of her80 8,i felt drawn to her by yearnings of a peculiar kind1 and a strange sympathy such as ,i have never known before or since for any human being4 ,at parting with me1 she dropped no tear on my face1 but pressing me to her heart with a lengthened and agonized caress1 whispered these words in my ears1 #8my daughter1 remember your mother6' ,mr4 ,stanley10 she continued1 looking at him steadily1 8do you see no singular resemblance in me to that strange lady8 ,methinks ,i can behold a marvelous likeness40 ,as she spoke1 a curious similarity in the beloved being before him to that unhappy lady1 whose image was impressed upon his memory1 struck him in the most forcible manner1 thrilling him in addition to ,jessy's words with the suspicion they suggested4 8,she was my mother10 continued ,miss ,ellet4 8,i know it by an instinct that cannot err4 ,look1 too1 how little coincidence of looks1 no less than taste1 exists between myself and my uncle's family4 ,lucy1 too1 although affectionate and kind1 resembles me in nothing4 ,i am a mysterious and lonely being40 8,there maybe truth in what you surmise10 replied ,stanley1 who had been pondering deeply during her last remarks2 8but call not yourself lonely1 unless you positively decline the companionship of one who desires no higher pleasure in life than to share it with you40 8,you do not shrink from me1 then1 because ,i am thus shrouded in mystery80 8,nay10 said he1 venturing to take her hand1 8nothing that could be either surmised or proven in regard to your parentage1 could change the feelings or wishes of my heart toward you4 ,jessy1 ,i sail in a few days for ,england1 to be absent for six months1 and would know my fate from you ere ,i depart80 ,there was a pause of a few moments of that expressive kind which such an occasion only witnesses1 and ,stanley gathered from its stillness that he might deem his suit not rejected4 ,some time longer passed1 in which the lovers remained alone conversing4 ,their language was of that kind which none but those who have been in the same situation can properly repeat1 and which1 therefore1 the inexperience of the historian prevents being here repeated4 ,at length ,lucy made her appearance1 not like one who had been dealing with spirits1 but full of cheerful interest in those earthly beings whom she encountered4 ,time had passed lightly over her1 and she looked as young and blooming as on the night of her marriage4 ,the remainder of the evening passed pleasantly4 ,stanley mentioned his intended visit to ,england1 and the conversation turned for a while upon the mother country4 ,the hour for family prayers arrived4 ,henry ,elmore read a chapter of the ,old ,testament in a deep1 solemn voice1 and all standing up1 he prayed fervently4 ,the house being some miles distant from the town of ,new ,haven1 the guest was shown to a room above the parlor4 ,a cheerful fire burned in the hearth3 the bed was curtained and quilted with white1 and every thing invited comfort and repose4 ,the occupant1 however1 was too full of his late happy interview to feel inclined to sleep1 and he threw himself into a large easy chair that stood near the fire4 ,he sat there long1 in a deep reverie4 ,after other reflections more intimately connected with his blissful emotions1 his thoughts reverted to the revelation ,jessy had made to him of her suspicions in regard to the ,lady of the ,rock4 ,his own mind had readily received these suspicions until1 in reconsidering them1 they amounted almost to a certainty4 ,what1 then1 had become of the lady1 and what was the fate of her companion8 ,she had announced in his hearing1 in the cavern1 her intention of going to ,england for the purpose of endeavoring to obtain their pardon4 ,but she had never returned1 nor had he heard her mentioned since the excitement caused by her appearance at ,governor ,h4's had subsided4 ,there had been no rumor of the apprehension of the regicides1 and it was therefore possible that they still remained hidden4 ,young ,stanley now recalled what he had likewise overheard in the cave1 about the exiles having been offered a home with ,mr4 ,elmore4 ,he had been absent prosecuting his studies1 when the mysterious wing was attached to the dwelling1 and in that way had missed hearing the reports to which it gave rise1 or it is possible he might have surmised differently in regard to it1 from the ordinary conclusion4 ,at his return1 the gossip had pretty much subsided into a steady avoidance of the family1 so that none of the rumors had ever reached him4 ,it was hardly possible1 then1 he thought1 as he had seen or heard nothing of the outcasts1 that they could be residing with ,mr4 ,elmore4 ,jessy1 too1 had never named any such inmates to him3 nor1 this evening1 when he had mentioned them in connection with the lady for whom she had expressed such interest1 had she evinced a knowledge of their being4 ,they had not1 therefore1 he concluded1 repaired to ,mr4 ,elmore's2 whither had they gone8 ,casting aside his reflections1 after a considerable length of time1 ,stanley rose from his seat and began to prepare for bed4 ,walking to a window1 he beheld a light in what seemed a house or room opposite4 ,it seemed strange to him that there should be any dwelling situated in this manner in regard to the house he was in--since it was in the country4 ,he was about to persuade himself that it was merely the reflection of his own room1 when he saw standing facing him the aged man of the cave4 ,convinced now that his own imagination was at work1 and had conjured up the likeness of one of those who had just occupied his thoughts to so great an extent1 he turned away1 and hastened to court repose4 ,conclusion in our next4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,the ,,mountain ,,spring4 ,,by ,,miss ,,mary ,,maclean4 ,,see ,,engraving4 ,,on a sultry noon in summer1 ,when the very air was still1 ,young ,jessie from her cottage ,came1 sighing1 to the rill3-- ,her graceless lover1 ,donald1 ,with his laird1 ,sir ,vasavour1 ,and a troop of gallant gentlemen4 ,were hunting on the moor2 ,and many a day and night had passed ,since he had sought her door4 ,but when the simple maiden ,drew slowly toward the spring-- ,so heavy with her loneliness1 ,she had not heart to sing-- ,she saw a stranger kneeling1 ,and paused1 with modest fears1 ,but the cadence of her footstep ,had reached his eager ears-- ,and ,jessie lay in ,donald's arms1 ,while he kissed away her tears4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,mountain ,,spring4 ,engraved expressly for ,graham's ,magazine by ,g4 ,j4 ,anderson 99 99 99 99 99 ,,happiness--,a ,,sonnet4 ,,by ,,richard ,,cox1 ,,jr4 ,,thou gilded phantom of the cheated brain1 ,through days and nights of long-successive years ,we follow thee--through sunshine and through tears1 ,with beating hearts and eager eyes1 in vain ,we wait thy coming6 now thou art anear1 ,and now afar-off straying1 and again ,dost give as something of thy bliss to feel1 ,that we1 contrasting thy sweet self and pain1 ,might know thee worthy all our woes to heal4 ,thou art the essence of a joy supreme1 ,too pure to dwell upon this earthly clod-- ,the real presence of the ,christian's dream2 ,thy dwelling is where mortal never trod1 ,thy home is ,heaven6 and thy creator--,god6 99 99 99 99 99 ,,home3 ,,or ,a ,,visit ,,to ,,the ,,city4 ,a ,,southern ,,story ,,of ,,real ,,life4 ,,by ,,the ,,author ,,of 8,,the ,,gold ,,beads40 ,,chapter ,i4 ,far from the mad'ning crowds ignoble strife ,their sober wishes never learned to stray1 ,along the cool sequestered vale of life ,they kept the even tenor of their way4 ,,gray',s ,,elegy4 ,,about thirty miles from ,savannah1 on the banks of the river of that name1 is a pretty little village1 which1 with its small white houses nestled away in the thick green woods1 is something like a hail-stone which has fallen in a cluster of green leaves4 ,scarce a quarter of a mile from the village is the modest residence of ,mrs4 ,delmont1 which is in itself a little paradise of beauty4 ,shaded by the stately sycamore1 the magnolia1 with its deep green leaves1 the catalpa1 with its silver blossoms1 and the luxuriant orange-tree1 it stands unrivaled for the romance of its situation for miles around2 while the cape-jessamine1 the japonica1 the oleander1 and many other rare and beautiful flowers lend their radiant hues to ornament the latticed piazza1 which is covered over with the fragrant honeysuckle1 together with jessamines of every hue4 ,in this beautiful and peaceful retreat ,mrs4 ,delmont had resided since the death of her husband1 which had taken place when her children1 of whom she had three1 were very young4 ,william1 her only son1 was a sunny faced boy of eight years old4 ,rosa1 two years older1 had the blue eyes and golden hair of her mother2 while ,clara had her father's dark eyes and shining hair1 which clustered in dark brown ringlets around her fair face4 ,clara had just completed her eighteenth year1 and was a tall1 graceful and beautiful girl2 she had been carefully trained by her affectionate mother1 and well did she repay that mother's anxious care1 for in her bereavement she was her comforter and assistant in many things1 and in nothing more than in undertaking the education of her little brother and sister1 a useful1 although we cannot agree with the poet in styling it a 8delightful task10 yet one that ,clara was well qualified to perform1 as she had herself received a finished education1 although she had never left her native village3 and she was thus occupied one morning1 when ,mrs4 ,delmont entered the room with an open letter in her hand1 and addressed our heroine in the following manner3 8,my dear ,clara1 your cousin ,mrs4 ,cleveland writes that she1 with ,mr4 ,cleveland and their three children1 will be here next ,wednesday evening1 to spend a fortnight with us1 after which they wish you to accompany them to their city residence1 and remain there for this winter40 8,oh1 mamma1 that would be delightful10 exclaimed ,clara4 8,i know ,i will enjoy my time with cousin ,florence2 and then1 you know1 the city is so gay a place4 ,i would be too happy to go40 8,so ,i think1 my dear10 replied her mother1 8and therefore if you wish it ,i have no possible objection2 but how can you leave ,mr4 ,seymour80 added she1 archly4 8,why1 ma10 exclaimed ,clara1 blushing deeply1 8what is ,mr4 ,seymour to me80 8,ah1 ,clara10 replied ,mrs4 ,delmont1 8,i know what he is to you1 better than you are willing to acknowledge to yourself4 ,but seriously1 my dear child1 you must decide at once1 so that ,i may write an answer to your cousin's letter40 8,of course1 mamma1 ,i should be delighted to go40 ,and ,mrs4 ,delmont retired to write the letter1 while ,clara indulged herself in a long walk1 in order to meditate on the news1 and to anticipate the delights of a visit to the city4 ,on the appointed day1 after assisting the cook to make a rich plum-cake1 and some delicate tarts1 she repaired to the parlor1 which she had taken great care and pains to assist her mother in furnishing as handsomely as their circumstances would allow1 and arranged with faultless taste the brilliant flowers which her little brother and sister1 who were now entirely in the spirit of preparation1 had gathered1 and placed the nuts they had cracked in a silver basket on the carefully polished table1 fastened back the snowy curtains1 with white chrysanthemums interspersed with their rich green leaves1 adjusting them so as to throw the most advantageous light on a beautiful painting which she herself had executed4 ,from the parlor ,clara proceeded to the apartment which she intended for her cousin3 it opened on a grove in which were several rustic seats and boxes of flowers1 and through an opening in the trees the broad river was seen to glide calmly on through banks now dressed in the brightest colors of an ,american autumn4 ,the furniture of this room was ,clara's peculiar taste1 and it well accorded with the simplicity and purity of her own mind4 ,the counterpane1 curtains and toilet were white as a snow-drift2 the curtains being on this occasion looped up with crimson roses1 and the toilet beautifully embroidered by ,clara's own hand1 and on it were laid a handsome ,bible and ,prayer-,book2 and she finished her preparations by taking a rich and antique ,china vase1 frosted with silver1 which she prized not a little1 and placing it on the table1 filled it with the choicest flowers the garden afforded4 8,oh1 mamma10 cried ,clara1 8come here20 and throwing open the parlor-door1 she exhibited the apartment2 8come here and see how you like my arrangements for cousin ,florence2 are not those flowers beautiful80 8,and will not ,cousin ,florence admire our new carpet1 mamma80 said little ,rosa4 8,i dare say10 said ,clara1 8it is handsomer than ,cousin ,florence's1 as it is in all probability so much newer40 8,yes1 my dears10 said ,mrs4 ,delmont1 smiling at the simplicity of the young girls1 while she was careful not to destroy their pleasant anticipations by undeceiving them4 8,yes1 my dears1 every thing looks very sweet and pretty2 those flowers are really beautiful1 and ,i give you a great deal of credit for your good taste4 ,come1 daughters1 and show me your cousin's room40 8,here1 mamma10 said ,clara1 opening the door1 8does it not look quiet and beautiful80 8,oh1 ma60 exclaimed ,rosa1 8look at those roses on the window-curtains4 ,sister ,clara1 how did you fasten them so prettily80 8,really1 my dear ,clara10 said ,mrs4 ,delmont1 8,i congratulate you on your success4 ,i do not think you will see a prettier room in ,savannah4 ,recollect1 ,rosa1 to have some plates in the parlor to eat those nuts in1 as ,i fear the children will soil the carpet with them40 8,oh1 ,cousin ,florence would not let them soil our pretty carpet1 ,i do not think1 mamma10 said little ,rosa1 as she tripped off for the plates4 ,the sound of wheels was now heard in the distance1 and ,clara and her mother hastened to meet their cousin1 whom they had not seen for several years4 ,it was late in ,october1 and the soft breath of summer was chilled1 but not frightened away by the coming winter1 and the vines that draped the windows still perfumed the air with the rich fragrance of their clustering blossoms4 ,a gentle melancholy1 peculiar to autumn1 overspread the scene1 which seemed the very habitation of beauty and happiness3 when ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,cleveland drove up the long avenue1 and alighted at the gate of ,primrose ,cottage1 as ,clara had called ,mrs4 ,delmont's house1 in memory of one of her favorite books1 the dear old ,vicar of ,wakefield4 ,mrs4 ,cleveland was the wife of a flourishing merchant in the city of ,savannah1 where she had resided since her marriage1 which had taken place about five years previous to the commencement of our story2 and was an amiable though an exceedingly indolent woman1 and indulged her children to such an extent that they were1 in consequence1 extremely annoying to every one by whom they were surrounded4 ,as soon as ,mrs4 ,cleveland entered the house complaining of excessive fatigue1 she was ushered by ,clara into her neat apartment1 which1 however1 we are sorry to say1 did not long remain so1 for the lady immediately threw herself on the bed1 caused her trunk to be unpacked1 insisted upon the children's dresses being changed1 while the mother1 the children1 and their nurse1 seemed to vie with each other in the attempt to fill every chair and vacant place with such articles as were not in immediate requisition1 which gave to the room so disorderly and careless an appearance1 that it would never have been recognized as the same sweet looking apartment which ,clara had prepared that morning for their reception4 8,ma1 ,i want something to eat10 whined ,george1 the eldest boy4 8,well1 my darling10 replied his mother1 8,cousin ,clara will get you some bread and honey20 and ,clara immediately left the room in quest of refreshments for the children1 who1 when they were obtained1 immediately placed them upon the new settee1 which ,clara had re-covered expressly for this occasion1 an arrangement which did not tend greatly to improve its appearance4 8,george10 said ,mrs4 ,cleveland1 8little ,lucy has been teasing for flowers the whole evening1 give her those on the table20 and the child1 in his haste to hand the flowers1 turned the honey over on the settee1 and what was still more annoying1 threw down ,clara's beautiful vase and broke it into twenty pieces4 ,tears filled the eyes of our unphilosophizing heroine at this unfortunate accident1 but her cousin only remarked3 8,there1 now1 you careless boy1 you have broken the pretty vase1 but don't cry now pet2 come kiss your mother2 ,martha1 7to the maid7 take up those pieces of broken china1 ,i am afraid they will hurt the children's feet2 ,cousin ,clara1 do you recollect who it is that says1 #8,crystal and hearts are only valuable for their fragility1' quite true40 ,tea was now announced1 after which the whole party adjourned to the parlor1 where the children commenced throwing the nuts over the floor2 regardless of the plates1 a proceeding at which little ,rosa was greatly scandalized2 particularly as ,mrs4 ,cleveland1 instead of admiring the carpet1 merely remarked1 8,really1 ,johnny1 it is well your aunt's carpet is not a very elegant one1 or you would soon spoil it40 8,how much better it is1 ,cousin ,clara1 to have a plain carpet1 children are so ruinous1 and yet they are so sweet one cannot scold them40 ,clara thought that if the sweetness of such spoiled children1 as they were1 was their only protection1 it was a coin that would not pass current with every one4 ,we will not linger over the remainder of ,mrs4 ,cleveland's visit to ,primrose ,cottage1 nor describe the many annoyances to which her children subjected ,clara and her mother1 nor will we tire the reader with the many pleasant anticipations which the former entertained of her visit to the city1 which1 in her simplicity1 she imagined to be the most delightful place in the known world4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,i remember its waking sigh1 ,we roamed in a verdant spot ,and he culled for me1 a cluster bright ,of the purple forget-me-not4 ,,ballad4 ,it was the last evening of ,mrs4 ,cleveland's stay2 and ,clara was dressed with peculiar taste4 ,an observing eye could also have discovered1 that the freshest and rarest flowers decked the flower-pots2 and that ,clara from time to time looked anxiously from the window2 who could she be expecting4 ,but the mystery was soon solved1 by the appearance of a very handsome young man1 who invited ,clara to join him in a walk1 a request which she readily granted2 and1 accordingly1 they soon left the domestic circle1 for a quiet stroll on the banks of the placid ,savannah4 ,it was a lovely evening1 the sun was setting in autumnal splendor2 the broad river1 gilded by its last rays1 rolled majestically on2 the tinkle of a bell was heard in the distance2 the ground was carpeted with leaves of the brightest colors2 and through the now nearly bare trees a beautiful view was obtained of the various windings of the river1 and of the little village1 with its small white houses and their latticed porches1 shaded by magnificent sycamore1 cypress1 and magnolia trees4 ,when we are happy1 autumn brings no melancholy to our hearts1 but the mournful sound of the wind1 the fading leaves1 and the hazy beauty of the landscape1 is fraught with sadness to one already anxious and dejected2 and on this evening ,edward ,seymour's handsome countenance was clouded with apprehension2 for in addition to his grief at parting with ,clara1 he could not banish from his mind the gloomy possibility1 that every bright hope he had cherished through the balmy gales of spring1 and the sunny hours of summer1 would vanish with the flowers and leaves of autumn4 ,but1 the reader will inquire1 did not ,clara sympathize with his feelings1 and soothe his fears8 ,to a degree1 she did2 but although ,clara loved him1 and would not have given him1 or any other friend1 up for the whole city of ,savannah1 yet1 like a giddy girl1 she was so much dazzled by its perspective gayeties that she could not be so deeply affected at leaving him as she would have been under other circumstances4 ,they returned to the house just as the stars began to appear2 and sat alone in the moonlit piazza2 for ,mrs4 ,delmont1 with a mother's judicious care1 had so arranged things that the children could pursue their boisterous sports in the back yard1 while she sat with ,mrs4 ,cleveland in her own room4 ,an hour passed delightfully away1 and when ,edward regretfully arose to take his departure1 he gave to ,clara a fresh bouquet of orange flowers1 which he had brought for her1 and as he did so1 kissed the little hand that trembled in his own4 ,a tear sparkled in ,clara's eye at this token of his affection1 but her feelings of sadness were quickly dissipated by the bustle of packing for her journey1 in which she was engaged1 as soon as ,mr4 ,seymour had taken his departure4 ,the next day was cold and rainy1 and it was late when the travelers arrived at the place of their destination1 and ,clara retired to her apartment much fatigued with her ride1 as she had carried ,johnny1 a troublesome child of three years old1 in her lap the whole way1 not because there was no room for him elsewhere1 but merely because the 8little darling0 wouldn't ride any where but with 8,cousin ,clara10 whose new riding-dress he also chose to daub with molasses candy4 ,the next morning1 when ,clara arose1 she was informed by a servant that breakfast was ready1 who at the same time requested her to excuse 8master and missus1 as they were too much fatigued with their journey to come down40 ,accordingly1 ,clara descended to an elegantly furnished breakfast-room1 which1 however1 was extremely cold1 on account of the very small fire2 and the handsome furniture seemed much tarnished by the children1 and the breakfast-table was much disordered1 as is always the case when1 as they did on this occasion1 any members of the family take their breakfast in their own room4 ,no one was at the breakfast-table but the two eldest children1 whose company was not very agreeable1 as they did nothing but quarrel with each other1 and call fretfully to the servants for articles which were not on the table2 and during her solitary meal ,clara could but compare the pleasant breakfast-room at ,primrose ,cottage1 with its neat carpet of domestic manufacture1 its snowy curtains1 and its blazing fire1 with the cold and comfortless apartment in which she now sat2 nor could she avoid drawing a like comparison between her own dear mother's quiet and cheerful neatness1 and the sweet-tempered voices of her little brother and sister1 with her cousin's careless self-indulgence1 and the fretful ill temper of her children2 yet1 while ,clara made these comparisons1 not very flattering to her cousin1 she also reflected that ,mrs4 ,cleveland had just returned from a journey2 and it was natural to suppose that the house would be in some confusion1 and the children tired1 and in consequence fretful1 immediately upon their return4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,but ,i was a gay and a thoughtless girl1 ,and ,i cast them all away1 ,and gathered the dandelion buds1 ,and the wild grapes gadding spray4 ,,ballad4 8,clara1 my love10 said ,mrs4 ,cleveland one morning to our heroine1 8you have now been here for some weeks1 and have received several calls1 not half so many though as you would have1 had ,i the industry to return visits that ,i owe to some of the most agreeable of my acquaintances2 however1 we will to-morrow return those which have been paid2 and do1 my dear1 wear the new silk which you thought me so extravagant in making you purchase1 merely because1 like a little country girl that you are1 you thought that it did not accord with your means40 ,to this proposal ,clara readily acceded1 but could not avoid thinking that her cousin might have exerted herself sufficiently to return the calls she mentioned1 if it were only on her account4 ,accordingly1 on the following morning ,clara1 dressed with much care1 descended to the parlor1 looking beautifully4 8,dear me1 ,clara10 exclaimed ,mrs4 ,cleveland1 8how charmingly you are dressed1 are you going out80 8,why1 my dear ,florence1 have you forgotten our arrangement to make calls this morning40 8,calls6 how provoking that ,i should have forgotten all about it2 and what is still more so1 have sent the carriage driver into the country1 to purchase some necessary articles for family use2 which1 however1 ,i could easily have done without1 had ,i recollected our intended excursion4 ,never mind1 ,clara1 my dear1 you shall not be disappointed1 for after dinner we will go shopping1 for ,i have some purchases to make which you shall assist me to select40 ,but the walk did not afford much pleasure to ,clara1 for it was nothing more than a continued search for articles in which ,mrs4 ,cleveland was too fastidious to be pleased1 and they returned home in the evening1 ,mrs4 ,cleveland much fatigued1 where they found that ,mr4 ,cleveland had just arrived before them4 8,well1 ,clara10 observed he1 as they took their places at the tea-table1 8you have me to thank that after your long walk1 you have not to be kept up to-night till ten o'clock with company3 ,mr4 ,hambden and ,mr4 ,lester asked leave to call1 but ,i saw you and ,florence out1 and concluded that you would be too much fatigued to see them this evening2 so ,i made some excuse4 ,they are very fine young men1 by the way1 and you must attempt a conquest the first time you happen in company with them40 ,now1 although ,clara had no idea of attempting a conquest1 yet naturally fond of company1 she would have been glad to have seen the gentlemen mentioned1 and wished that ,mr4 ,cleveland had not been so solicitous for her comfort2 she therefore made no answer1 but ,mrs4 ,cleveland exclaimed1 8,why1 ,cousin ,clara6 don't you recollect the very handsome and distingu looking young man you met this evening1 and admired so much2 well1 that was ,mr4 ,lester2 ,i have no doubt the impression was returned4 ,henry1 why didn't you let them call80 8,why1 my dear1 ,i thought that you and ,cousin ,clara were so happy in each other's company1 that ,i disliked to introduce any one else into our quiet circle2 ,i think1 now that ,cousin ,clara is with us1 we ought to be quite sufficient for our own happiness3 for when ,i am engaged in business ,i feel assured that my ,florence is not alone1 and ,i hope that her cousin will become so much attached to the city1 that she will hereafter spend every winter with us40 8,indeed ,i perfectly agree with you1 my dearest ,henry1 and ,i now see that you were quite right in acting as you did1 for ,i am quite sure that ,cousin ,clara enjoys herself with us4 ,as for me1 her company is such an acquisition that ,i shall scarcely leave the house this winter1 but shall reserve all my dissipation for the time when ,i shall be compelled to lose her1 and seek for amusement abroad4 ,clara1 my dear1 whenever you wish to retire ,mildred will give you a candle2 ,i am going now to sit in my own room1 you know the dear children will never go to sleep without mamma20 and so saying1 she retired to her own room1 accompanied by her husband1 after which ,clara went to her apartment1 which was rendered chilly1 by the small fire having nearly gone out2 as it had been hastily kindled by a careless servant4 8,after all10 soliloquized ,clara1 throwing herself on a chair in her cheerless apartment1 8after all1 it is not so very delightful in the city as ,i anticipated4 ,dear ,cousin ,florence is very kind and affectionate1 and yet it seems to me1 that she is a little thoughtless1 and although ,i would not mention it to any one1 yet ,i think she considers my comfort and amusement very little1 and is so domestic herself1 that she thinks ,i ought to be so too1 never considering for a moment that she has a husband and children to interest and occupy her mind1 while ,i am left to my own resources4 ,dull as my cousin seems to consider my own home1 ,i am beginning to wish ,i had never left it2 there every one studied my tastes1 and sought to promote my happiness2 here ,i am completely thrown into the shade4 ,but one thing ,i have learned1 and that is1 that whoever has a happy home should never sigh for the gayeties of a city life1 for they may feel assured1 that they will enjoy more true happiness at their own home1 in partaking of the pleasures which it affords1 and performing the duties which it enjoins40 ,as our heroine pronounced these words her eyes fell on an open drawer1 where1 crushed and faded1 were carelessly thrown the bouquet of orange flowers which ,edward had given her1 and while her now fast falling tears dropped over the neglected token1 how bitterly did she chide herself for the light value which she had attached to her last precious interview with him to whom1 however she might strive to conceal them even from herself1 she now felt that she must ever cherish sentiments of the sincerest affection4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,in early youth when ,hope is new1 ,the heart expands with love and joy1 ,each prospect wears a brighter hue1 ,and pleasure seems without alloy4 ,e4 ,m4 ,b4 8,my dear ,florence10 said ,mr4 ,cleveland1 as he entered the room1 some days after the circumstances related in the preceding chapter2 8,mr4 ,preston is in the parlor1 and if you and ,cousin ,clara wish to see him ,i will take you out40 8,certainly1 ,henry10 replied ,mrs4 ,cleveland1 8,i will go as soon as ,i can change my dress4 ,wait for me1 dearest ,clara1 ,i am always so terribly afraid of ,mr4 ,preston40 ,clara's heart beat tumultuously at the thought of meeting ,mr4 ,preston1 who was an eminent literary character1 and nearly related to ,edward ,seymour1 and ,clara knew that the latter would not only be pleased to hear from his cousin and early instructor1 whom he had not seen for a considerable length of time1 but had expressed an anxious wish that she should see and become acquainted with him4 ,meanwhile ,mrs4 ,cleveland1 accompanied by ,clara1 went to her own room and proceeded to arrange her dress1 a task in which she1 indeed1 seemed desirous to be expeditious1 but which she in reality1 loitered over for such a length of time1 as almost to exhaust our heroine's patience4 ,at length1 when the last ribbon had been fastened1 and the last ornament arranged1 ,mrs4 ,cleveland said1 8,well1 ,cousin ,clara1 ,i am ready2 yet1 stop one moment1 and let me pacify my little ,lucy1 she is so fretful40 ,but the one 8moment0 was extended to several1 and as ,mrs4 ,cleveland turned to the door1 her husband entered it and informed her that ,mr4 ,preston had just gone1 as he was compelled to leave the city that day1 and the boat was just starting4 8,really1 my dear10 added he1 8it is a pity you did not make more haste1 ,i never saw ,mr4 ,preston so agreeable40 ,without waiting to hear ,mr4 ,cleveland's comments1 or ,mrs4 ,cleveland's regrets1 poor ,clara turned1 disappointed1 to the window to catch a glimpse of one so nearly connected with her lover4 ,thus the winter passed fleetly away1 and although ,clara certainly spent some portions of her time agreeably1 and made some very pleasant acquaintances1 yet1 on the whole1 she was much disappointed with her visit to the city2 during which she was not only deprived of many novel and amusing scenes1 highly interesting to young persons1 by her cousin's indolence and want of thought1 but was1 by the same culpable negligence1 prevented from seeing many of the curiosities of the place1 from a view of which she had promised herself much amusement1 as her residence in the country had hitherto precluded her from any thing of the kind2 while ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,cleveland erroneously imagined that whatever was stale to them must necessarily be so to our heroine4 ,besides these sources of vexation1 ,clara had one1 which ,mrs4 ,cleveland1 habitually careless in money matters1 could not sympathize with more than she did with her other annoyances1 and this was the state of her purse1 as ,mrs4 ,cleveland1 with characteristic thoughtlessness insisted upon ,clara's purchasing whatever was handsome or fashionable1 without regard to expense4 ,in accordance with this habit1 ,mrs4 ,cleveland one morning addressed ,clara in the following manner3 8,at last1 my dear cousin1 we are to have an excellent performance by the ,thalian ,association2 and ,i have been anxious for you to see one1 ever since you have been with us2 you know there has been only one this winter1 and then ,i could not go because the children were so cross1 but the little rogues shall not prevent our going this time4 ,by the way1 my dear ,clara1 ,mrs4 ,dawson has some elegant head-dresses1 and we must go down this evening and get one for you40 8,but1 ,cousin ,florence1 you don't recollect that ,i have several already1 and one that ,i have never worn40 8,la1 ,clara1 you wore that to ,mrs4 ,armand's party40 8,but the wreath of white roses1 cousin40 8,oh1 ,clara1 that is too simple altogether40 8,to tell you the truth1 ,cousin ,florence1 the sum of money mamma gave me when ,i left home was1 ,i thought1 much more than ,i should need1 but ,i now find that it is nearly expended1 and if ,i purchase these superfluities ,i must exceed that sum1 and you know that our circumstances are limited40 8,pshaw1 child1 what of that8 you can get all you want from your mother's business man40 ,now1 our heroine ought to have had moral courage enough to have firmly declined making the unnecessary purchase1 but it must be recollected that she was very young1 and being always accustomed to depend on her mother in such matters1 it will not be wondered at if she quietly gave up the point4 ,as soon as the head-dress1 which was a very handsome one for six dollars1 was purchased ,mrs4 ,cleveland turned to a ribbon-box1 and selecting a very pretty piece insisted upon ,clara's purchasing it3 8,yes1 ,clara10 said she1 8it is only four dollars40 8,really1 ,i do not think ,i need it1 ,cousin ,florence10 replied our heroine4 ,but ,mrs4 ,cleveland would hear no objections1 so the sash was purchased1 and ,clara with her cousin left the shop4 ,when they returned home the sash was much admired by every one2 but ,mrs4 ,cleveland discovered that it was too long1 and cutting off the superfluity1 saying that1 8it would make beautiful pin-cushions for the fair which ,clara expected would take place shortly after her return home40 ,but ,mrs4 ,cleveland might have spared herself the trouble of assigning any use to the ribbon1 for ,johnny having risen in haste from the dinner-table1 his hands were in such a state as1 after having possessed himself of the ribbon1 soon to render it unfit for pin-cushions or any other purpose4 8,johnny6 you mischief10 exclaimed his mother1 8,cousin ,clara'll whip you40 ,she would have been mortified had she known that ,clara felt very much inclined to do so4 ,the evening at length arrived1 which ,clara hoped so much to enjoy2 but here again our heroine was destined to disappointment1 for immediately after tea1 ,mrs4 ,cleveland observed1 8,really1 my dear ,clara1 ,i am very sorry1 but ,mr4 ,cleveland has gone to the ,odd ,fellows ,lodge1 he expressed his intention before ,i said any thing about the performance2 and though he would willingly have staid and gone with us1 yet ,i did so much dislike to disconcert1 even the least of his arrangements1 that ,i said nothing about it4 ,never mind1 my love1 there will be many more performances before you leave ,savannah40 ,clara knew that she must shortly return home1 and that it was probable there would not be another performance before she left town1 and when she thought that she could not gratify her little brother and sister1 as she had promised1 with an account of the many beautiful things which she expected to see there1 and thought--shall we confess it--of her new sash and head-dress1 she retired to her own room1 and indulged in a girlish burst of tears4 ,in a few moments a knock was heard at the door1 and hastily drying her tears1 she opened the door1 when a servant entered and gave her a letter from her mother1 which informed her that1 ,mr4 ,b--1 an old friend of the family1 would visit ,savannah in the course of a few days1 and that if ,clara felt disposed1 it would be an opportunity for her to return home2 at the same time1 she desired her to consult her own inclinations on the subject4 ,clara's eyes sparkled at the thoughts of again being with the dear ones at ,primrose ,cottage1 and she retired to rest1 determined to accept ,mr4 ,b--'s protection home4 ,on the following morning1 when ,clara entered the breakfast-room1 ,mrs4 ,cleveland exclaimed1 8,my dear ,clara1 what do you think1 ,mrs4 ,wellwood's ball1 that has been so much talked of1 comes off next ,wednesday evening1 and cards have just been left for us2 now ,i will tell you what we will do this very morning1 we will go to ,dawson's1 and you shall get one of those beautiful robes1 they are just twelve dollars1 and how sweet you will look1 for ,i will tell you1 ,clara1 what ,i never did before1 that there are few girls in ,savannah with half your attractions4 ,now1 will it not be delightful80 ,clara hesitated a moment1 but considered that the enjoyment of the ball would not be adequate to the expense1 besides preventing her return home with ,mr4 ,b--1 she therefore replied3 8,in consequence of a letter ,i last night received from mamma1 ,i shall find it necessary1 my dear cousin1 to return home before that time40 8,oh1 ,clara60 exclaimed ,mrs4 ,cleveland1 8how can you leave the city for that dull place80 ,and ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,cleveland added many arguments and entreaties to prevail on her to remain2 but ,clara had made her decision1 she therefore affectionately but firmly insisted upon adhering to it2 and the few remaining days of her stay were spent in taking leave of her friends1 and making preparations for her journey4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,the wild rose1 eglantine and broom ,scattered around their rich perfume4 ,,scott4 ,sweet is the hour that brings us home4 ,quoted from recollection4 ,it was a bright and beautiful morning in ,march1 when ,clara1 after taking an affectionate leave of her cousin1 whom1 despite her little foibles1 she tenderly loved1 was seated by her old friend and commenced her homeward journey4 ,march1 in our southern clime1 is not always rude and boisterous1 but has many a gentle day1 when ,nature is dressed in as lovely a garb as she wears at any season of the year1 and such a day was the one of which we speak2 the woods were covered with fresh green leaves1 the marshes and banks of the streams were gay with the yellow jessamine1 the dew-drops sparkled like diamonds in the morning sun1 and the cooing of the turtle-dove1 the cheerful notes of the mockingbird1 and the fresh country air that fanned her cheek1 were to ,clara like friends of her early days4 ,the sun was just setting when from a winding in the road ,clara obtained a glance of ,primrose ,cottage1 as it stood imbosomed in trees arrayed in the freshest green--of the river1 whose banks1 where she had pursued her childish sports1 were now decked with wild flowers of every hue1 and finally1 of the group of expecting friends1 who at the sound of wheels had hastened into the piazza1 and ,clara's heart beat high as she recognized ,edward1 the foremost of the party4 ,clara was soon out of the carriage1 and in the arms of her mother1 nor did ,edward neglect to press her hand very tenderly1 as he handed her from the carriage1 after which she was conducted into the house4 8,and1 now1 which do you like best1 ,home or the ,city1 sister80 asked little ,rosa1 when ,clara had reached her own room1 and was removing her traveling dress1 and arranging her hair4 8,home1 my dear ,rosa10 replied our heroine1 8there ,i enjoy myself much more than ,i ever have during my visit to the city1 and yet1 mamma10 added she1 8if ,i had a house in ,savannah1 ,i would have young ladies to visit me1 and ,i know ,i would make these visits delightful40 ,they now returned to the parlor1 where they had left ,mr4 ,seymour1 and after tea1 ,clara sat once more with ,edward in the fragrant vine-covered piazza1 before mentioned1 where the moonbeams sparkled on the seat they occupied1 through a richly blossoming mass of yellow jessamine--that dear seat1 which seemed intended for the very use of which it was made1 namely1 that of ,edward's offering his hand1 and of ,clara's accepting the offer1 which was sealed by--no matter what it was sealed by1 gentle reader1 only accept that patient lover1 whom you have been so long trifling with1 and you will soon find out for yourself4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,spring ,,snipe ,,shooting ,,of #ahej4 ,,by ,,henry ,,william ,,herbert1 ,,author ,,of 8,,warwick ,,woodlands10 8,,my ,,shooting ,,box10 ,,etc4 ,,it is a singular thing1 and one which elucidates the great research necessary1 and the extreme difficulties encountered1 in the attempt to establish facts of natural history with regard to birds of passage1 that this beautiful little bird1 the general favorite of the sportsman and the epicure1 well known to all classes of men1 and a visitant1 in some one of its closely allied varieties1 of every known nation1 is still a mystery1 as regards some of its habits1 and continues to baffle the inquiries of the most learned and inquisitive ornithologists4 ,its habits1 the nature of its food1 and therefore the necessities of its existence1 render it an inhabitant of temperate climates1 and of regions in which the moist and loamy soil1 from which it derives its sustenance of small worms1 insects1 and the like1 is not frozen during the period of its visitations so hard as to preclude its boring with its delicate and sensitive bill for its semi-aquatic prey of worms and larv4 ,still1 as extreme cold prevents it from obtaining subsistence1 extreme heat would appear to be still less congenial to its tastes or temperament2 for1 whereas it lingers in the north until autumnal frosts seal up the marshes and the soft stream margins against its probing bill1 it flies from its winter quarters in the rice-fields of ,carolina and ,georgia1 and the farther morasses of ,texas and ,new ,mexico1 the instant that opening spring admits of its return to the fresh meadows and pure rivulets of the north-east4 ,the winter quarters of this bird1 then1 are fairly ascertained1 ranging from ,carolina southward until almost the northern limits of the ,tropics2 thence1 so soon as the blue-bird begins to pipe in the apple-trees1 the shad to appear in the rivers1 the willow-buds to turn yellow1 and the frogs to croak and chirrup1 with us to the northward1 the snipe is seen everywhere1 hurrying1 according to the progress of the season1 singly1 in whisps of ten or twelve1 or in huge flights1 ever1 ever1 northwardly4 ,in ,maryland1 in ,delaware1 in southern ,pennsylvania and ,new ,jersey1 he is wont to appear from the #ast to the #bjth of ,march2 in ,new ,york and ,new ,jersey northward1 from the #aeth of ,march to the #bjth of ,april1 remaining for a longer or shorter period according to the steadiness of the weather1 the state of the ground as regards wet or drought1 and the geniality of the season4 ,in mild1 soft1 temperate1 moist seasons1 with a prevalence of westerly weather1 he will linger with us into the lap of ,june2 and in such seasons1 more or less1 he woos his mate1 nidificates and rears his young among us1 from the ,raritan and the ,passaic northward and eastward to the ,great ,lakes1 and throughout ,michigan1 ,wisconsin probably1 and ,canada west1 up far into the ,arctic ,circles4 ,still1 those which breed with us in the ,united ,states1 and even in the ,canadas1 are but as drops of water to an ocean1 to those which rush on the untiring pinions moved by amatory instinct to the far breeding grounds of ,labrador1 ,symsonia1 and ,boothia ,felix1 where it is supposed they resort to rear their young in hyperborean solitude1 thence to reissue1 in the summer and the earlier autumn1 and re-populate our midland meadows4 ,in the neighborhood of ,amherstburg1 ,canada west1 they appear very early2 often in ,february of mild seasons1 always in ,march2 and there may breed1 and remain until banished by severe cold4 ,i shot one there myself last autumn1 the last bird of the season1 very late in ,november1 ,i believe on the #bhth or #bith2 and with the plover1 the ,hudsonian godwit1 and the ,esquimaux curlew1 they were seen there this spring in the first days of ,march4 ,around ,quebec1 ,i have shot ,english snipe on the uplands1 in fallow fields and rushy pastures--for the grass in the morasses does not begin to shoot in those far northern latitudes1 so as to afford them shelter1 until much later in the year--in the end of ,april and the beginning of ,may2 but they arrive there only by small scattered whisps1 or single birds1 tarry a few short days1 and flit onward to their unknown destination4 ,this1 then1 is their mystery--that in no known land are they perennial2 in no ascertained region--so far as ,i can learn--are they positively known to breed in the vast concourses which must breed somewhere1 in order to supply the prodigious flights which issue yearly from the northern regions of three continents1 ,europe1 ,america1 and ,asia1 to fill the warmer countries1 and to be slaughtered literally by myriads1 season after season1 without undergoing much if any visible diminution of numbers4 ,ever1 in all places1 in all countries1 in all continents1 which they visit in spring1 they are seen pressing northward still1 from ,march until ,may2 no one being able to say here ends their tide of emigration1 this is their chosen resting place4 ,their breeding season is from the middle of ,may to the beginning of ,july2 on the #dth of which month ,i have shot young birds1 with the pin-feathers undeveloped1 as large as the parents--these birds having been hatched on the ground whereon ,i killed them4 ,indeed1 it is my opinion1 that all birds which tarry in our latitudes beyond the #ajth of ,may1 either do breed with us1 or would do so but for the persecution of the pot-hunter--all which intend to steer farther north having departed ere that time4 ,about the #aeth of ,july the returning hordes1 young birds and old together1 full grown and in fine condition1 begin to reappear in the marshes of ,quebec and its vicinity1 which may be said to be the extremest northern point from which we have continuous and authentic annual information of their appearance4 ,at that time the slaughter of the snipe on the marshes of ,chateau ,richer1 and of the islands farther down the ,st4 ,lawrence1 is prodigious4 ,there they linger until the frosts become so severe as to drive them from their feeding-grounds1 which generally takes place early in ,september1 from which time1 throughout that month1 all ,october1 and a portion--more or less according to the season--of ,november1 and even ,december1 every likely swamp1 morass1 and feeding-ground of ,canada west1 of the western1 midland1 and eastern states1 from which they are not persecuted and banished by the incessant banging of pot-hunters and idle village boys1 swarms with them1 in quantities sufficient to afford sport to hundreds1 and a delicacy to thousands of our inhabitants1 if they were protected from useless and unmeaning persecution1 by which alone they are prevented from being as numerous among us as at any former period4 ,for ,i am well assured1 that1 unlike the woodcock1 which1 breeding in our midst1 and dwelling with us for months at a time1 is annually slaughtered while breeding1 hatching1 or immature1 and is thus in rapid progress toward extirpation--the snipe1 unmolested in its breeding-grounds1 is not diminished in its numerical production1 but is rendered scarcer in thickly settled districts1 nigh to large towns1 by incessant harassing1 which drives it to remoter and securer feeding-grounds4 ,i do not mean by this1 however1 to assert that the abolition of spring snipe-shooting would not be an advantage--on the contrary1 ,i am convinced that it would2 although well assured that no such measure can be hoped at the hands of our legislators2 for1 as the snipe ordinarily lays four eggs1 the destruction of each one of the breeders on their way northward1 of course diminishes the stock of the coming season by five birds4 ,so much for the times and places of the snipe's migrations4 ,of his appearance or characteristics--so well is he known--it is almost useless to speak6 ,it may1 however1 be well to observe that although commonly termed the ,,english ,,snipe1 our bird is a thorough native ,american1 differing from the bird of ,europe in being about one inch smaller in every way1 and in having two more feathers1 sixteen instead of fourteen1 in the tail4 ,in other minute1 but still permanent1 and therefore characteristic distinctions1 it differs from the ,asiatic and ,antarctic snipes2 although in their rapid1 zigzag flight and shrill squeak when flushed2 in their irregular soaring through the air in gloomy weather2 in their perpendicular towering and plumb descent1 their drumming with the wing-feathers1 and bleating with the voice1 during the breeding-season1 all the species or varieties so closely resemble each other that they are far more easily confounded than distinguished by the unscientific sportsman4 ,the ,american bird has1 however1 two or three habits1 during early spring-shooting1 which ,i have never observed in the ,european species1 nor seen noticed in any work of natural history2 the first of these is frequenting underwood and bushy covert abounding in springs and intersected by cattle-tracks1 and occasionally even high woods1 during wild1 stormy1 and dark weather1 especially when snow-squalls are driving2 and this is a habit of the bird meriting the attention of the sportsman1 as in such weather1 when he finds no birds on the open and unsheltered marshes1 he will do well to beat the neighboring underwoods1 if any1 and if not1 the nearest swampy woodlands2 by doing which he will oftentimes fill his bag when he despairs of any sport4 ,the second habit is that of alighting1 not unfrequently1 on rail-fences1 or stumps1 and even on high trees1 which ,i think ,i can safely assert that the ,european bird never does2 and the third is the utterance1 when in the act of skimming over the meadows1 after soaring1 bleating1 and drumming for an hour at a stretch in mid air1 of 8a sharp reiterated chatter1 consisting of a quick1 jarring repetition of the syllables1 kek-kek-kek-kek-kek1 many times in succession1 with a rising and falling inflection1 like that of a hen which has just laid an egg40#e ,there is no ,,jack ,,snipe in ,america1 though many persons ignorantly and obstinately assert the reverse2 the true ,jack ,snipe being a northern bird of ,europe and ,asia1 visiting the milder climates during the hard weather4 ,it is an exact counterpart of the ,english ,snipe1 only about one-half smaller2 it never utters any cry on rising1 and rarely flies above one hundred yards1 often dropping within fifty feet of the muzzle of a gun just discharged at it1 although unwounded4 ,the bird which is here confounded with it1 is the ,,pectoral ,,sandpiper1 a bird about one-third smaller than the snipe1 of a lighter brown1 with a short1 arched bill1 and a feeble1 quavering whistle4 ,it is found indiscriminately on the sea-shore1 and in upland marshes2 ,i have shot it from ,lake ,huron to the ,penobscot1 and the ,capes of the ,delaware2 it lies well before dogs1 which will point it1 and is a good bird on the table4 ,it is known in ,long ,island as the 8,meadow ,snipe0 and the 8,short ,neck10 in ,new ,jersey1 and thence westward1 as the 8,fat ,bird10 or 8,jack ,snipe0 indiscriminately4 ,it is not a snipe at all1 but a ,sandpiper1 ,tringa ,pectoralis4 ,the only other true snipe ascertained to exist in ,america1 is the ,,red ,,breasted ,,snipe1 ,scolopax ,noveboracensis1 better known as the 8,,dowitcher10 an unmeaning name1 adopted and persevered in by the ,baymen1 or as the 8,quail ,snipe40 ,at ,egg ,harbor the gunners call it the 8,brown-back40 ,it is found only on the salt marshes1 and is never hunted with dogs but shot from ambush over decoys4 ,it appears1 then1 that the coming and stay of the common snipe in our districts1 in spring1 is very uncertain1 and dependent on the state and steadiness of the weather4 ,some seasons1 they will stay for weeks on the moist1 muddy flats among the young and succulent herbage1 growing fat and lazy1 lying well to the dog1 and affording great sport4 ,sometimes they will merely alight1 feed1 rest1 and resume their flight1 never giving the sportsman a chance even of knowing that they have been1 and are gone1 except by their chalkings and borings where they have fed4 ,again1 at other seasons1 they will lie singly1 or in scattered whisps on the uplands1 in fallow fields1 even among stunted brushwood1 lurking perdu all day1 and resorting to the marshes by night1 leaving the traces of their presence in multitudes1 to perplex the sportsman1 who1 perhaps1 beats the ground for them1 day after day1 only to find that they were1 but are not4 ,this variance in the habit of the snipe it is1 which makes him so hard a bird to kill2 for1 although he is perplexing from his rapid and twisting flight to a novice1 ,i consider him1 to a cool old hand1 as easy a bird to kill as any that flies4 ,the snipe invariably rises against or across wind1 and in doing so hangs for an instant on the air before he can gather his way2 that instant is the time in which to shoot him1 and that trick of rising against wind is his bane with the accomplished shot and sportsman1 for by beating down the wind1 keeping his brace of dogs quartering the ground before him1 across the wind1 so that they will still have the air in their noses1 he compels the bird to rise before him1 and cross to the right on the left hand1 affording him a clear and close shot1 instead of whistling straight away up wind1 dead ahead of him1 exposing the smallest surface to his aim1 and frequently getting off without a shot1 as it will constantly do1 if the shooter beats up wind1 even with the best and steadiest dogs in the world4 ,the knack of shooting snipe1 as some people who can't do it choose to call it1 is no other than the knack of shooting quick1 shooting straight1 and shooting well ahead of cross shots--this done with a gun that will throw its charge close at #dj to #ej yards1 with #a oz4 of ,no4 #h shot1 equal measures of shot and of ,brough's diamond-grain powder will fetch three snipe out of every five1 which is great work1 in spite of what the cockneys say1 who pick their shots1 never firing at a hard bird1 or one over twenty paces away1 and then boast of killing twenty shots in succession4 ,verbum sap4 ,the great difference of the grounds to be beaten in different weathers2 the difficulty in determining which ground to assign to which day2 the immense extent of country to be traversed1 if birds are scarce or wild1 or if there are many varieties of soil1 covert1 and feeding in one range1 and the sportsman fail in his two or three first beats in finding game1 and therefore have to persevere till he do find them1 these1 and the hardness of the walking in rotten quagmires and deep morasses1 affording no sure foot-hold1 and often knee-deep in water1 these it is which make successful snipe-shooting one of the greatest feats in the art1 and the crack snipe-finder and snipe-killer--for the two are one1 or rather the second depends mainly on the first--one of the first1 if not the first artist in the line4 ,it is from this necessity of beating1 oftentimes1 very extensive tracts of land before finding birds1 and therefore of beating very rapidly if you would find birds betimes1 that ,i so greatly prefer and recommend the use of very fast1 very highly-bred1 and very far-ranging setters1 to that of any pointer in the world1 for snipe-shooting in the open--apart from their great superiority over the pointer in hardihood1 endurance of cold1 powers of retrieving1 beauty and good-nature4 ,of course1 speaking of dogs1 whether setter1 pointer1 dropper1 or cocking-spaniel1 it is understood that we speak of dogs of equal qualities of nose1 staunchness to the point1 and steadiness at coming to the charge the instant a shot is fired4 ,no dog which does not do all these things habitually1 and of course1 is worth the rope that should hang him2 and no man is worthy the name of a shot or a sportsman1 who cannot1 and does not1 keep his dogs1 whether setters1 pointers1 or cockers1 under such command that he can turn them to the right or left1 bring them to heel1 stop them1 or down charge them1 at two hundred yards distance if it be needful4 ,if these things1 then1 be equal1 as they can be made equal1 though ,i admit a setter to be more difficultly kept in discipline than a pointer--the fastest setter you can get1 is the best dog for snipe-shooting2 his superiority1 in other points1 infinitely counterbalancing the greater trouble it requires to break and control him4 ,i am well aware that it has been said1 and that by authorities1 that the best dog over which to shoot snipe1 is an old1 slow1 broken-down1 staunch pointer1 who crawls along at a foot's pace1 and never misses1 overruns1 or flushes a bird4 ,and so1 in two cases1 he is2 but in one case1 no dog is just as good as he is1 and in the other1 the argument is one of incapacity to use what is best1 and therefore is no argument4 ,if birds are so thick on the grounds1 and so tame that you can fill your bag in walking over one or two acres at a foot's pace1 a very slow pointer is better than fast setters--but no dog at all1 your walking up your birds yourself1 which you can do just as quickly as the dog can1 is better than the slow pointer4 ,indeed1 on very small grounds1 very thickly stocked1 it is by far the most killing way to use no dog1 but to walk up the birds4 ,if a man is so weak and infirm of purpose1 or so ignorant of the first principles of his art1 as to be unable to control his setters1 he must1 ,i suppose1 use a slow pointer2 but it cannot matter what dog such a man uses1 he never can be a sportsman4 ,if there be a hundred birds lying1 and lying well on one acre of feeding-ground1 the birds can be killed without a dog1 or with a slow dog1 as you will2 any man who can pull a trigger must fill his bag4 ,if there be a hundred birds scattered1 wild1 over five hundred acres of ground1 where are you with your slow dog1 or your no dog8 ,just no where4 ,while you are painfully picking up your three or four birds with your slow pointer1 your true sportsman1 and slashing walker1 with his racing up-head and down-stern setters1 will have found fifty1 and bagged twenty-five or thirty4 ,there are ten days in a season when birds are wild and sparse1 for one when they are congregated and lie hard2 and the argument comes to this1 that when birds can be killed with ease1 even without a dog at all1 a slow pointer is the best2 when they are difficult to find1 and hard to kill1 even by a crack shot1 the slow pointer is no where1 and of no use1 while the racing setters will fill the bag to a certainty4 ,for my own part1 ,i can say to a certainty1 that ,i have had more sport1 and killed more birds1 by many1 many times1 when birds have been widely scattered1 and difficult to find1 and when ,i have walked half or a quarter of a mile between every shot fired1 than ,i ever have when birds have lain close1 and jumped up at every pace under my feet2 and for a simple reason1 that the places in which birds so rise and lie1 are rare and of small extent1 and the days on which they do so few and far apart4 ,therefore ,i say1 friend--for all true sportsmen ,i hold friends--choose well thy day1 when the air is soft and genial1 the wind south-westerly1 the meadows green with succulent and tender grasses1 and moist with the deposit of subsiding waters--select thy grounds carefully2 in such a time as ,i have named1 the wide and open marsh meadows2 but if the wind be from the eastward1 cold1 squally and snow laden1 then try the bushy1 briary brakes1 where cattle poach the soil1 and the marsh waters creep1 or the verge of the meadows1 under the lea of the maple swamp1 or at the worst the very grounds where you would beat for woodcock in ,july--begin from the farthest windward point of thy beat1 casting thy brace of setters off from thy heel1 to the right and left1 and so often as they have diverged one hundred yards1 taming them with a whistle and a wave of the hand1 so that they shall cross continually before thy face1 down wind of thee1 at some thirty paces distant2 and so persevere--if birds be plenty and lie well1 walking not to exceed two miles the hour2 if they be rare and wild1 four miles1 or by 'r lady6 five1 if thou mayest compass it4 ,if one dog stand1 while the other's back is turned1 whistle1 that he shall turn his head1 then hold thy hand aloft1 with one quiet 8toho60 but no shooting2 if he be broke1 he shall stand like a carved stone4 ,then walk up to the point leisurely1 be sure that thou go down wind1 making a circuit if needs be1 with thy gun at half-cock1 the ball of thy thumb on the hammer1 and the nail of thy fore-finger inside the guard1 but not upon the trigger4 ,when the bird rises1 cock your gun1 and down him6 ,if thy dogs do their devoir1 they shall drop to the charge unbidden2 if they do not1 raise thy hand with an imperious gesture1 and cry coolly and calmly 8down charge20 but however ill they behave1 nay6 even if they run in and eat thy bird1 move not till thy gun is loaded2 then calmly walk up to them1 drag them1 pitilessly scourging them all the way1 to the place where they should have charged1 and rate them in the best of thy dog-language4 ,i say 8scourging them pitilessly10 because that is1 in truth1 the merciful course2 for so one or two whippings will suffice1 instead of constant small chastisement and irritation1 which spoil a dog's temper and break his spirit1 without conquering his obstinacy1 or gaining the ascendancy over him4 ,if1 on the contrary1 they charge as decent dogs should and do charge1 so soon as thy gun be loaded1 lift them1 with a 8,hold up1 good lads60 and cast them gently onward1 checking them with a 8,steady1 dogs60 if they show disposition to be rash1 until they point the dead bird1 if killed1 or draw on him1 if running4 ,then1 with a 8,toho6 ,steady60 walk to their point2 pick up the bird under their noses1 praising them the while1 or bid them 8,fetch60 according to the circumstances of the case2 but if they retrieve the bird without pointing him1 or even after pointing him1 until told to 8fetch10 let chastisement not hide her head4 ,this1 rest assured1 friend is the way to do it4 ,for the rest1 whether thou wear fen-boots1 or shoes and trowsers1 or1 as ,i use1 by deliberate preference1 arch-boots1 corduroy shorts1 and leggins1 suit thine own fancy2 but let thy shooting-jacket be roomy on the chest and shoulders1 and well supplied with ample pockets4 ,let thy gun be--for my choice--of #ca inches1 #ab or #ad gauge1 #g to #h pounds4 ,let thy powder be ,brough's diamond grain1 or ,john ,hall's glass--on no account any other--thou mayest get it of ,henry ,t4 ,cooper1 in ,broadway1 ,new ,york--thy shot ,no4 #h--thy caps ,starkey's central fire1 or ,moore ,gray's1 or ,westley ,richards'--by no means ,french1 or ,walker's1 the first of which fly1 while the latter are1 ,i think1 corrosive4 ,forget not to have in thy pocket a dog-whip1 a stout knife1 a yard or two of strong cord1 a pocket-flask1 replenished1 as thou wilt1 with old ,otard1 or as ,i recommend thee1 ,ferintosh or ,glenlivat whisky--stick in the seam of thy waistcoat a strong darning-needle1 headed with sealing-wax1 it is the only true and responsible gun-picker2 and so1 good sport to thee1 and health and temper to enjoy it6--as good sport1 gentle reader1 as ,i trust myself to enjoy this coming week of ,april1 the rain-gods and the river-gods permitting1 and the nymphs remembering us1 as their long-time adorer1 in their kind orisons4 ,the ,cedars1 ,march #be1 #ahej4 ----- #e ,frank ,forester's ,field ,sports of ,north ,america4 ,vol4 i4 p #afa4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,sonnet4--,,from ,,the ,,italian4 ,,by ,,giddings ,h4 ,,ballou4 ,,what is it to the fields of heaven ,light hath given1 ,radiance glowing1 unexpected1 ,and from soft imbosomed bowers1 ,and od'rous flowers1 ,hath sweet ,spring to us directed8 ,see6 by gentle ,may upholden1 ,beech-tree olden ,joyful welcomes springing leaflet2 ,spring the flowers of glorious tinting1 ,fair imprinting ,meadows kissed by smiling wavelet4 ,ah1 'tis ,lilla1 ever charming1 ,soul-disarming1 ,gathers flowers1 her hair adorning6 ,dearest ,lilla1 dost discover ,with thy lover ,spring and ,summer now returning8 ,flows for thee the tiny river1 ,cheerful giver1 ,early green and freshness bringing2 ,springs for thee the joyous morning1 ,heaven adorning1 ,all the air with praises ringing4 ,shepherds1 shepherds1 to the chorus6 ,see1 before us1 ,binds with flowers her hair dark flowing-- ,while our hearts all homage will her-- ,dearest ,lilla1 ,sing her name with praises glowing6 99 99 99 99 99 ,,the ,,fine ,,arts4 ,,national ,,academy ,,of ,,design4--,the twenty-fifth anniversary of this institution was held on the first of last month1 at the new galleries1 ,no4 #ffc ,broadway1 in the rear of the ,stuyvesant ,institute4 ,it is extremely gratifying to the friends of ,art to know that this excellent nursery of artistic talent has now suitable buildings for its accommodation1 and the display of the productions of the painters of ,new ,york4 ,it was only last fall that definite arrangements were made for the construction of this building1 and already1 as if at the bidding of the genii who ministered to the wants of our youthful friend ,aladdin1 it has sprung into existence4 ,this result has been effected by the constant exertions and devoted attentions of the building trustees1 ,messrs4 ,durand1 ,cummings1 ,ingraham1 ,edmonds1 ,sterges and ,leupp4 ,the new edifice is situated in the heart of the fashion of the metropolis2 the galleries are five in number1 all intercommunicating1 well lighted1 airy1 spacious and elegantly neat4 ,the coup d'il of the whole1 when filled with works of art for exhibition1 will present one of the most animating and beautiful scenes which the city can afford4 ,the artists of ,new ,york have a right to be proud of this edifice1 and we do not doubt that the public will be equally proud of those splendid productions with which they will adorn its walls4 ,at the advanced period1 when we write this article1 it is impossible to give any definite account of the present exhibition2 but the notes of preparation1 the foreshadowings and the glorious promise of an array of talented names1 are the tokens that it will be of unusual brilliancy4 ,every exertion will be made to give clat to the opening1 and more pains will be bestowed on this display1 that its debut before the public may be dazzling and defiant of criticism4 ,we learn from the ,new ,york papers1 and from other sources1 that all the artists of that city will offer 8tastes of their quality0 to the public4 ,huntington1 who has been exhibiting nearly all his prominent works for his own benefit1 states in the catalogue that his latest efforts have been retained privately for the opening of the new gallery4 ,durand has a new work1 of which report speaks in the most rapturous terms2 this1 with others of his elaborate and highly finished compositions1 will be displayed4 ,cummings1 ,ingraham1 ,gray1 ,edmonds1 ,elliott1 ,cropsey1 ,stearns1 ,kensett1 ,gignoux1 ,cafferty1 ,edouart1 ,audubon1 and others1 will contribute portraits1 compositions1 landscapes1 etc4 ,in fact1 the artists have determined by every means in their power to make the first exhibition in the new building both brilliant and attractive4 ,we hope by our next number to be able to speak more fully of this exhibition4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,the ,,philadelphia ,,art ,,union4--,it is but a few years only since the first plan of an ,art ,union was suggested in ,germany1 and already they are in existence wherever the beautiful is venerated and art admired4 ,in this country we have ,art ,unions in ,new ,york1 ,philadelphia1 ,boston1 ,newark and ,cincinnati4 ,the ,philadelphia institution differs from all the rest in its mode of distribution1 and follows1 we believe1 in every respect the ,london one1 which has been by far the most successful ever started4 ,in ,new ,york the managers purchase pictures and distribute them4 ,under this arrangement it frequently happens that the person who draws a prize is disappointed1 because he has not obtained some particular picture in the collection which pleased his fancy4 ,the ,philadelphia plan is to divide the proceeds of the subscription money into various sums1 which are allotted to the subscribers1 who with the certificates1 when successful1 can choose any picture which may suit their taste1 provided it is by an ,american artist1 and on exhibition in some accredited gallery of art in the country4 ,the annual distribution of the ,philadelphia ,art ,union takes place on the #fth of this month1 and we are pleased to learn that its prospects are most flattering4 ,the engraving for this year is from ,,huntington',s celebrated picture of 8,mercy's ,dream10 which will be executed in a mixed style of line1 stipple and mezzotint by ,a4 ,h4 ,,ritchie1 of ,new ,york4 ,this composition is derived from ,bunyan's ,pilgrim's ,progress1 where ,mercy relates to ,christiana the sweet dream she had in a solitary place1 where she saw a winged messenger approaching1 who placed a crown upon her head1 and invited her to a golden gate1 etc4 ,the landscape of this picture is clothed in the first shades of evening1 and the figures of ,mercy and the ,angel form the attraction of the work4 ,in calm1 spiritual expression1 anatomical precision1 delicacy of coloring1 and perfect keeping1 there is no modern work which can surpass this4 ,the ,free ,gallery of this ,institution1 located at ,no4 #baj ,chestnut ,street1 has doubtless had a most beneficial influence in disseminating a taste for ,art1 and preparing the public for its just appreciation4 ,the walls of this gallery have been constantly supplied with much-admired pictures1 and a crowd of visiters are always in attendance4 ,we hope hereafter to find much pleasure in referring to the new pictures exhibited in this gallery4 ,the effects which are dependent upon the success of the ,art ,union1 are shown by the great impetus which has been given of late years to many extremely varied branches of manufactures and commerce by a judicious encouragement of the ,arts of ,design4 ,it has been found1 more particularly in ,europe1 that numerous classes1 hitherto considered as inoperative and useless1 have been supplied with employment1 and entire districts revivified1 as it were1 by the establishment of certain manufactures1 whose excellence depended mainly upon the skill of the artist4 ,the surest means of effecting this result1 is to create a public taste1 and not merely comply with it as it exists at large2 and it may be brought about by offering rewards for the best designs1 by the publication of the best specimens of ,art at cheap prices1 by the erection of free galleries of painting1 and chiefly by the encouragement of ,art ,unions4 ,with such objects in view1 and such results to achieve1 the multiplication of these institutions in our country must be regarded as a cheering indication of the true progress of the age1 and the precursor of a widely diffused love of the ,beautiful in ,art1 which cannot but tend to the general improvement of the useful arts4 ,all such results must be effected by our citizens at large1 for we cannot expect legislative aid1 and hence it is that we feel the necessity of impressing upon the public attention the operation of the ,art ,unions1 as the great popular plan for fostering talent1 infusing a love for the beautiful in ,nature and ,art1 and cultivating those studies which invariably mark national progress in civilization1 refinement and general happiness4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,new ,,jersey ,,art ,,union4--,we announce with great pleasure that an association of the friends of art in ,newark have drawn up the programme of an ,art ,union1 and made a stirring appeal to the citizens of the ,state for encouragement and co-operation4 ,a free gallery will be opened immediately at ,newark1 and pictures purchased for distribution among subscribers4 ,for the present1 no engraving will be contracted for1 and this heavy item being dispensed with1 will increase the sum to be appropriated for the purchase of paintings4 ,we most cordially wish the enterprise success1 and trust that our ,new ,jersey friends will be prompt in sending their names to ,thomas ,h4 ,stephens1 the ,corresponding ,secretary1 at ,newark4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,gliddon',s ,,panorama ,,of ,,the ,,nile4--,this magnificent work has been exhibited in ,new ,york and ,boston with great clat4 ,mr4 ,,gliddon is favorably and extensively known as a lecturer on hieroglyphical literature1 and has rendered popular throughout our country1 the wonderful discoveries and theories of the ,champollionists of ancient mythological history4 ,as a work of art1 the superiority of this panorama cannot be doubted1 when we mention the facts1 derived from the ,boston ,transcript1 that while such artists as ,,warren1 ,,bonomi1 and ,,fahey1 in ,england1 aided by numerous assistants1 conceived and executed the painting2 ,martin1 the famed depictor of 8,belshazzar's ,feast10 volunteered the exquisite moonlight1 sunset1 and other transparent scenes1 where the effects of fire1 light1 and heat are produced with magical skill1 ,,carbould volunteered the magnificent ,arabian horses1 and ,weigall the boats1 and similar objects that actually seem to spring forth from the canvas4 ,the spectator of the panorama begins his supposed voyage at ,cairo1 ascends the eastern bank of the ,nile to the second cataract1 and descends on the western bank1 as far as the location of the ,sphinx4 ,the interest is not in the ancient associations alone1 but ,turks1 ,arabs1 ,bedouins1 ,nubians in their variegated costumes1 ,mohammed ,ali and his court1 the manners1 customs1 and usages of oriental life1 with the various geological1 botanical1 zoological1 and even atmospherical singularities of the land are faithfully depicted4 ,even the music which accompanies the exhibition is characteristically of ,eastern origin1 and novel airs of ,egypt1 ,arabia1 ,turkey1 ,greece1 etc41 are introduced4 ,the whole may be considered as a work of infinite attraction1 and of a high order of art4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,le ,,roi ,d',,yvetot4--,this comic opera1 by ,adolphe ,adam1 is but little known in this country1 except the overture1 and it is very recently that it has been presented1 for the first time1 to a ,london audience4 ,it was first produced ,october #ahdi1 in ,paris1 at the ,thtre ,royal de l',opra ,comique1 and made a very decided impression4 ,it is founded on the political chanson of ,branger1 and of course the caricatures of royalty1 and the hits at the nobility1 are the very life of the drama4 ,the music is full of vivacity and elegant melody4 ,it is somewhat singular that ,,adam is an expert organist1 and composes a fugue or a comic strain with equal facility2 his sacred compositions are very grand1 and he has a remarkable skill in adapting music to the most fantastic ideas and expressions in a libretto4 ,many of his works in the opera buffa are well known in our country--the 8,postilion de ,lonjumeau0 and 8,le ,brasseur de ,preston10 in particular1 while the mournful sweetness and touching simplicity of his ballet music1 in 8,giselle10 have been often felt and enjoyed4 ,we live in hopes that some day we may hear 8,le ,roi d',yvetot0-- ----the king ,in history little known1 ,who thought that glory1 useless thing1 ,would not become his throne4 ,a cotton night-cap graced his brows1 ,which ,jeannette1 mistress of his house1 ,gave him as crown4 ,o dear6 ,oh6 what a funny king was here4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,meyerbeer',s 8,,prophete0 was given fifty times at the ,grand ,opera in ,paris1 when it was withdrawn for a time1 as ,madame ,,viardot had to visit ,berlin1 to fulfill an engagement4 ,madame ,,castellan1 so well remembered in this country1 sung the part of ,berthe in this opera4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,verdi has selected the subject of ,shakspeare's 8,tempest10 for the libretto of his next opera4 ,the genius of ,,verdi will luxuriate in the storm of the elements and the fierce contentions of passion1 but he will never be able to illustrate the spirit of the 8dainty ,ariel10 or the innocent devotedness of ,miranda4 ,we should think1 however1 that he will construct a magnificent composition upon the many sublime themes and graphic word-paintings of the great bard4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,review ,,of ,,new ,,books4 ,the ,scarlet ,letter1 a ,romance4 ,by ,nathaniel ,hawthorne4 ,boston3 ,ticknor1 ,reed ,fields4 #a vol4 #abmo4 ,in this beautiful and touching romance ,hawthorne has produced something really worthy of the fine and deep genius which lies within him4 ,the 8,twice ,told ,tales10 and 8,mosses from an ,old ,manse10 are composed simply of sketches and stories1 and although such sketches and stories as few living men could write1 they are rather indications of the possibilities of his mind than realizations of its native power1 penetration1 and creativeness4 ,in 8,the ,scarlet ,letter0 we have a complete work1 evincing a true artist's certainty of touch and expression in the exhibition of characters and events1 and a keen-sighted and far-sighted vision into the essence and purpose of spiritual laws4 ,there is a profound philosophy underlying the story which will escape many of the readers whose attention is engrossed by the narrative4 ,the book is prefaced by some fifty pages of autobiographical matter1 relating to the author1 his native city of ,salem1 and the ,custom ,house1 from which he was ousted by the ,whigs4 ,these pages1 instinct with the vital spirit of humor1 show how rich and exhaustless a fountain of mirth ,hawthorne has at his command4 ,the whole representation has the dreamy yet distinct remoteness of the purely comic ideal4 ,the view of ,salem streets2 the picture of the old ,custom ,house at the head of ,derby's wharf1 with its torpid officers on a summer's afternoon1 their chairs all tipped against the wall1 chatting about old stories1 8while the frozen witticisms of past generations were thawed out1 and came bubbling with laughter from their lips0--the delineation of the old ,inspector1 whose 8reminiscences of good cheer1 however ancient the date of the actual banquet1 seemed to bring the savor of pig or turkey under one's very nostrils10 and on whose palate there were flavors 8which had lingered there not less than sixty or seventy years1 and were still apparently as fresh as that of the mutton-chop which he had just devoured for his breakfast10 and the grand view of the stout ,collector1 in his aged heroism1 with the honors of ,chippewa and ,fort ,erie on his brow1 are all encircled with that visionary atmosphere which proves the humorist to be a poet1 and indicates that his pictures are drawn from the images which observation has left on his imagination4 ,the whole introduction1 indeed1 is worthy of a place among the essays of ,addison and ,charles ,lamb4 ,with regard to 8,the ,scarlet ,letter10 the readers of ,hawthorne might have expected an exquisitely written story1 expansive in sentiment1 and suggestive in characterization1 but they will hardly be prepared for a novel of so much tragic interest and tragic power1 so deep in thought and so condensed in style1 as is here presented to them4 ,it evinces equal genius in the region of great passions and elusive emotions1 and bears on every page the evidence of a mind thoroughly alive1 watching patiently the movements of morbid hearts when stirred by strange experiences1 and piercing1 by its imaginative power1 directly through all the externals to the core of things4 ,the fault of the book1 if fault it have1 is the almost morbid intensity with which the characters are realized1 and the consequent lack of sufficient geniality in the delineation4 ,a portion of the pain of the author's own heart is communicated to the reader1 and although there is great pleasure received while reading the volume1 the general impression left by it is not satisfying to the artistic sense4 ,beauty bends to power throughout the work1 and therefore the power displayed is not always beautiful4 ,there is a strange fascination to a man of contemplative genius in the psychological details of a strange crime like that which forms the plot of the ,scarlet ,letter1 and he is therefore apt to become1 like ,hawthorne1 too painfully anatomical in his exhibition of them4 ,if there be1 however1 a comparative lack of relief to the painful emotions which the novel excites1 owing to the intensity with which the author concentrates attention on the working of dark passions1 it must be confessed that the moral purpose of the book is made more definite by this very deficiency4 ,the most abandoned libertine could not read the volume without being thrilled into something like virtuous resolution1 and the rou would find that the deep-seeing eye of the novelist had mustered the whole philosophy of that guilt of which practical rous are but childish disciples4 ,to another class of readers1 those who have theories of seduction and adultery modeled after the ,french school of novelists1 and for whom libertinism is of the brain1 the volume may afford matter for very instructive and edifying contemplation2 for1 in truth1 ,hawthorne1 in ,the ,scarlet ,letter1 has utterly undermined the whole philosophy on which the ,french novels rest1 by seeing farther and deeper into the essence both of conventional and moral laws2 and he has given the results of his insight1 not in disquisitions and criticisms1 but in representations more powerful even than those of ,sue1 ,dumas1 or ,george ,sand4 ,he has made his guilty parties end1 not as his own fancy or his own benevolent sympathies might dictate1 but as the spiritual laws1 lying back of all persons1 dictated to him4 ,in this respect there is hardly a novel in ,english literature more purely objective4 ,as everybody will read 8,the ,scarlet ,letter10 it would be impertinent to give a synopsis of the plot4 ,the principal characters1 ,dimmesdale1 ,chillingworth1 ,hester1 and little ,pearl1 all indicate a firm grasp of individualities1 although from the peculiar method of the story1 they are developed more in the way of logical analysis than by events4 ,the descriptive portions of the novel are in a high degree picturesque and vivid1 bringing the scenes directly home to the heart and imagination1 and indicating a clear vision of the life as well as forms of nature4 ,little ,pearl is perhaps ,hawthorne's finest poetical creation1 and is the very perfection of ideal impishness4 ,in common1 we trust1 with the rest of mankind1 we regretted ,hawthorne's dismissal from the ,custom ,house1 but if that event compels him to exert his genius in the production of such books as the present1 we shall be inclined to class the ,honorable ,secretary of the ,treasury among the great philanthropists4 ,in his next work we hope to have a romance equal to ,the ,scarlet ,letter in pathos and power1 but more relieved by touches of that beautiful and peculiar humor1 so serene and so searching1 in which he excels almost all living writers4 99 99 99 99 99 ,latter ,day ,pamphlets4 ,edited by ,thomas ,carlyle4 ,no4 #a4 ,the ,present ,time4 ,boston3 ,phillips1 ,sampson ,co4 ,the reader of ,carlyle will find nothing new in principle1 and little new in phraseology1 in this pamphlet1 but it is still fresh and racy1 and exhibits the author hammering as lustily as ever on his old anvil1 with his old tools4 ,the picture given of the poor simple ,pope1 with the ,new ,testament in his hand--the pitying contempt with which ,lamartine is alluded to--and the view of ,american democracy--will be found the most readable portions of the pamphlet4 ,lamartine1 with his fine ,french phrases and sentimentalities1 looks small enough as subjected to the surly tests of such an ,icelandic critic as ,carlyle--8a most eloquent1 fair-spoken literary gentleman1 whom thoughtless persons took for a prophet1 priest1 and heaven-sent evangelist1 and whom a wise ,yankee friend of mine discerned to be properly #8the first stump-orator in the world1 standing1 too1 on the highest stump for the time4' ,a sorrowful spectacle to all men of reflection during the time he lasted1 that poor ,m4 de ,lamartine2 with nothing in him but melodious wind and soft sowder1 which he and others took for something divine1 and not diabolic6 ,sad enough3 the eloquent latest impersonation of ,chaos-come-again2 able to talk for itself1 and declare persuasively that it is ,cosmos6 ,however1 you have but to wait a little1 in such cases2 all balloons do and must give up their gas in the pressure of things1 and are collapsed in a sufficiently wretched manner before long40 ,the wise ,yankee friend alluded to here is1 we suppose1 ,mr4 ,emerson4 ,carlyle1 though he seems with ,de ,tocqueville1 to consider ,democracy inevitable in ,europe1 still despises and hates it1 and thinks that even in ,america it is nothing more than 8,anarchy plus the constable40 ,his view of the ,united ,states1 sufficiently contemptuous as a whole1 closes with a bitter1 sardonic jest1 which we think will make the tour of the world1 and injure us more than a thousand ,trollopes and ,basil ,halls4 ,he asks1 8,what great human soul1 what great thought1 what great1 noble thing that one could worship1 or loyally admire1 has yet been produced there80 ,we might answer this question easily1 but ,carlyle answers it in a sufficiently provoking manner--8,what have they done8 ,they have doubled their population every twenty years4 ,they have begotten1 with a rapidity beyond recorded example1 eighteen millions of the greatest bores ever seen in this world before--that1 hitherto1 is their feat in ,history40 ,as regards ,great ,britain1 ,carlyle considers that the only practical way to remedy its evils1 is to reject all cant about liberty and constitutional government1 and enslave the lower classes4 ,he accordingly recommends to the ,english government a plan of enforced labor1 and puts an imaginary speech in the mouth of the ,prime ,minister1 addressed to the 8floods of ,irish and other ,beggars1 the able-bodied ,lackalls1 nomadic or stationary1 and the ,general ,assembly1 outdoor and indoor1 of the ,pauper ,populations of these ,realms40 ,this speech sounds well enough as a joke1 provided a man can view a horde of men as he would so many horses1 but it is ridiculous as a practical exposition of principles4 ,it is certain that in one hour after a ,british minister had made such a declaration1 army1 navy1 and party would melt away from him1 and he would be on the gallows or in ,bedlam4 ,as a politician1 ,carlyle is little more than a philosopher of sneers and negations1 without one positive practical principle4 ,his idea of government implies a falsehood in fact1 reposing on the monstrous assumption that civilized society is composed of a vast collection of men1 little better than brutes1 who would endure the tyranny of a smaller number of despots1 little better than ,carlyle4 99 99 99 99 99 ,modern ,literature and ,literary ,men3 ,being a ,second ,gallery of ,literary ,portraits4 ,by ,george ,gilfillan3 ,new ,york3 ,d4 ,appleton ,co4 #a vol4 #abmo4 ,mr4 ,emerson has remarked that 8it makes a great difference in the force of a sentence whether a man be behind it or no40 ,we hardly think that there is a true man behind the best of ,mr4 ,gilfillan's sentences4 ,he has a mind of much sensitiveness to his own merits1 and some to the merits of others1 and welters readily into the expression of both2 but his inspiration seems to spring from presumption and whisky-punch4 ,the reader is teased into attention by ,mr4 ,gilfillan's confident manner1 without having his attention rewarded by intimacy with ,mr4 ,gilfillan's nature4 ,there is merit in his occasional thoughts1 and truth in his detached remarks1 but the impression of the whole is of a slush of shining words4 ,the subject is only an occasion for the author to pour out his own memories and fancies1 and thus to exhibit himself4 ,the movement of his mind is half-way between a strut and a reel1 and his faculties are ever in a state of pert intoxication4 ,he paws rather than handles a great poet1 and we never witness his approach to a ,milton or ,wordsworth without a shudder4 ,having in his intellect no presiding will or even principle1 his compositions are an anarchy of opinions and terms1 without any intellectual conscientiousness or austere regard for the truth of things2 and their popularity is the result of that sack of the dictionary which has made so much of our popular literature a mere debauch in words4 99 99 99 99 99 ,cosmos3 a ,sketch of a ,physical ,description of the ,universe4 ,by ,alexander ,von ,humboldt4 ,translated from the ,german1 by ,e4 ,c4 ,ott4 ,new ,york3 ,harper ,brothers4 #b vols4 #abmo4 ,the noble head of ,humboldt which adorns the title-page of this edition gives at once a favorable impression of his capacity to treat even the vast subject which here has tasked his powers4 ,the head is high1 broad1 massive1 and roomy--spacious enough for knowledge as universal as his1 and strong enough to use that knowledge1 and not be used by it4 ,the work promises to be one which will leave its mark on the century4 ,even in ,england it is acknowledged by some men of science to be the greatest mental product of the time4 ,the advantage which ,humboldt holds over most savans is his appreciation of the two aspects under which nature may be viewed1 and the two uses she serves4 ,he combines the philosopher and the poet1 looking for beauty as well as truth1 and seeing also that there is a point where they unite4 8,cosmos0 contains a vast amount of generalized knowledge to satisfy the understanding2 but it is also replete with gorgeous descriptions of natural scenery to fill and stimulate the imagination4 ,we know of few works which can be more profitably read by enthusiasts either for the exclusively scientific or the exclusively poetic method of observing nature4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the ,east3 ,sketches of ,travel in ,egypt and the ,holy ,land4 ,by the ,rev4 ,j4 ,a4 ,spencer1 ,m4 ,a4 ,new ,york3 ,george ,p4 ,putnam4 #a vol4 #hvo4 ,this work is elegantly printed and appropriately illustrated4 ,the field of the author's travels is of exceeding interest1 and the mere title1 8,the ,east10 is sufficient to stir the imagination and kindle the curiosity of all 8the ,west40 ,mr4 ,spencer is a scholar1 a ,christian1 and1 we may add1 well versed in ,english ,composition1 but he has chosen to preserve the epistolary form in which he recorded his first impressions1 and this he has done without having in his letters much of that familiar charm which is the justification of the practice4 ,if the traveler be ,lady ,montagu1 or ,horace ,walpole1 or ,gray1 or ,cowper1 or ,byron1 or even ,lord ,chesterfield1 we should be inclined to wish to read his letters rather than his formal 8tour20 but few writers are gifted with a genius for epistolary composition2 and ,mr4 ,spencer is not one of the few4 ,there is much in his volume which might have been omitted with positive advantage4 ,his style is the very reverse of epistolary1 and yet he says a great many things having all the unimportance of chat without its raciness4 ,with this exception we think the book an excellent one1 containing valuable information clearly conveyed4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the ,optimist4 ,by ,henry ,t4 ,tuckerman4 ,new ,york3 ,george ,p4 ,putnam4 #a vol4 #abmo4 ,this is the most delightful of ,mr4 ,tuckerman's many volumes of essays4 ,it contains twenty-two papers1 on as many subjects1 is written in a style which evinces a graceful mastery of the resources of language1 and is no less fluent in thought than in expression4 ,perhaps the most pleasing quality of the volume is its wealth of illustration4 ,the writer's mind is not only affluent in comparison and imagery1 but his literary culture is so extensive as to give him a command of those sources of fascination which come from felicitous allusions to the world of authors and books4 ,the object of the volume is finely stated1 in an elegantly written preface1 to be the search for the good in life1 as that good is exhibited to one who can comment kindly on society1 and interpret the true and beautiful in common experience4 ,the best papers in the volume are those on ,new ,england ,philosophy1 ,art and ,artists1 ,lyric ,poetry1 ,eye-,language1 ,flowers1 ,costume1 ,music1 and ,conversation4 ,the volume should be on the shelves of every man who has the heart and imagination to enjoy the ,english essayists1 for to that goodly company it is a positive addition4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the ,history of the ,decline and ,fall of the ,roman ,empire4 ,by ,edward ,gibbon1 ,esq4 ,with ,notes by the ,rev4 ,h4 ,h4 ,milman4 ,a ,new ,edition1 to which is added a ,complete ,index of the ,whole ,work4 ,in six volumes4 ,boston3 ,phillips1 ,sampson ,co4 ,vols4 #a #b4 ,this is a cheap reprint of the latest and best edition of ,gibbon1 and when completed will place one of the greatest historical productions in the world within the reach of the most limited means--the price of the whole not amounting to four dollars4 ,milman's edition is in some degree founded upon ,guizot's ,french edition1 and includes the principal notes of the latter4 ,both ,milman and ,guizot have gone carefully over ,gibbon's authorities1 and while they have thus been enabled to correct his misrepresentations1 they have also added much which he overlooked1 or which has been brought to light since the period in which the history was written4 ,of the book itself1 it may be said1 that in the combination of vast erudition with philosophic thought1 it is the object of emulous despair to all succeeding historians4 ,the subject is the greatest within the range of historical composition1 and ,gibbon has so nearly exhausted it that even a philosophical historian like ,guizot is contented to be but an annotator when he approaches it4 ,the general reader1 after many repeated perusals of the work1 continually returns to it for the depth and acuteness of its reflections1 the richness and weight of its style1 and that masterly irony1 sapping a solemn creed with 8solemn sneer10 which1 though sometimes an expression of the author's moral deficiencies1 and in a few instances disgracefully disingenuous1 is still a weapon which makes falsehood and prejudice wither when it merely gleams1 and perish when it strikes4 99 99 99 99 99 ,a ,few ,thoughts for a ,young ,man4 ,a ,lecture1 delivered before the ,boston ,mercantile ,library ,association4 ,by ,horace ,mann4 ,boston3 ,ticknor1 ,reed ,fields4 ,the author of this eloquent lecture is known principally for his great services to the cause of popular education--a cause which he has adopted with his whole soul1 and into which he has thrown whatever of fire there is in his blood and of intelligence there is in his brain4 ,the present address flames with the peculiar characteristics of his genius--vehement1 rapid1 and epigrammatic in style1 large1 generous1 independent and original in thought4 ,we disagree with some of the positions he has assumed1 but we know of few books which contain1 in so small a space1 so much to breathe energy and aspiration into the souls of young men as this warm gush of blended thought and knowledge1 from a soul eminently energetic and aspiring itself4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the ,modern ,housewife4 ,by ,alexis ,soyer4 ,edited by an ,american ,housekeeper4 ,new ,york3 ,d4 ,appleton ,co4 #a vol4 #abmo4 ,this book we can commend to all ladies who are1 or hope to be1 housewifes4 ,it simplifies the whole art of cooking1 and has a receipt for every dish which the ,heliogabalus imagination of man has conceived4 ,it has been edited1 seemingly with great care1 by some gentleman amateur of the table1 and contains directions for the food equally of rich and poor1 the dyspeptic and the ostrich stomach4 99 99 99 99 99 ,memoirs of the ,life and ,writings of ,thomas ,chalmers1 ,d4 ,d4 ,,lld4 ,by his ,son-in-,law1 the ,rev4 ,william ,hanna1 ,,lld4 ,new ,york3 ,harper ,brothers4 #c vols4 #abmo4 ,the first volume of this important work has just been issued1 containing long extracts from the doctor's early diary and correspondence1 and full accounts of his life and writings to the year #ahad4 ,as the biography of a good and eminent man1 furnishing1 as it does1 the means of understanding the process according to which his character grew into such large proportions4 ,the work promises to be one of the most valuable of the season4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the ,red ,rover4 ,by the author of 8,the ,spy10 8,the ,pilot10 etc4 ,revised1 ,corrected1 and ,illustrated with a ,new ,introduction1 ,notes1 etc4 by the ,author4 ,new ,york3 ,geo4 ,p4 ,putnam4 #a vol4 #abmo4 ,we well recollect the excitement in the novel-reading world produced by this book on its first publication4 ,the rush on the circulating libraries was continued for a couple of months1 and even boys were considered behind the age1 unless they had read it4 ,in its present cheap and elegant form1 and enriched by the revision of the author's maturer judgment1 we hope it will have another term of popularity4 99 99 99 99 99 ,elements of ,natural ,philosophy4 ,by ,alonzo ,gray1 ,a4 ,m4 ,illustrated by #cjj ,wood ,cuts4 ,new ,york3 ,harper ,brothers4 #a vol4 #abmo4 ,this work is designed as a text book for academies1 high schools1 and colleges1 but it is well adapted also for the general reader4 ,principles are stated with equal clearness and accuracy1 and the examples and illustrations are happily selected4 ,the author evidently understands the avenues through which scientific knowledge must pass in order to reach the learner's mind4 99 99 99 99 99 ,hume's ,history of ,england4 ,vol4 #f4 ,boston3 ,phillips1 ,sampson ,co4 ,this volume is the last of the ,boston edition of ,hume--an edition which places one of the most valuable and fascinating works in the language within the reach of readers of the humblest means4 ,we are glad to see that the same enterprising house1 intend to issue an edition of ,gibbon in the same style1 and at the same low price4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,foreign ,,endorsement4--,it must be amusing to the subscribers of ,graham's ,magazine1 to see the ,american ,press praising the story of 8,the ,village ,doctor10 published in 8,blackwood's ,magazine0 last year as the first translation of that excellent ,french story4 ,the article appeared in 8,graham's ,magazine0 more than two years before1 i4 e4 in the ,october and ,november numbers1 #ahdg1 and had therefore been read in this country by at least one hundred thousand readers1 before it was copied by the weekly press in this country from ,blackwood4 ,the truth is1 the ,american ,magazines contain every month articles which would make the fortune of a ,london or ,edinburgh periodical1 which are passed over in silence1 but the most inferior article of ,english stamp is endorsed as something extraordinary1 merely because it is ,english4 ,this should be corrected4 ,mr4 ,leonard ,myers1 who translated the story of 8,the ,village ,doctor0 for us1 has just had published by ,messrs4 ,lippincott ,co41 a capital story from the ,french1 called 8,money-bags and ,titles40 ,it is a very creditable volume in every respect2 the story is well told and contains some admirable hits at the follies of the age4 ,it can be sent by mail1 and is published at the price of fifty cents the volume4 99 99 99 99 99 ,a ,,capital ,,story4--,the ,saturday ,courier has been publishing1 for the past few numbers1 a story of more than usual excellence1 called 8,linda10 by ,mrs4 ,caroline ,lee ,hentz1 whose stories heretofore in this admirable family paper have made so much stir among readers of light literature4 ,her story of the 8,mob-,cap0 ran through several editions1 and is still praised as one of the most effective articles that ever appeared in a periodical4 ,mr4 ,m#8,makin will find that 8,linda0 is destined to make a fresh demand for articles from the able pen of this lady1 and we are sure he will receive the thanks of his hundred thousand readers for his liberality in thus catering to their refined taste4 99 99 99 99 99 ,our correspondent1 ,richard ,coe1 ,jr41 is about to publish a volume of his beautiful poems--a neat edition for the centre-table at the price of one dollar per volume4 ,his address is #cc ,church ,alley1 ,philadelphia1 where any of his friends will be supplied4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,no ,,joy ,i',,ll ,,see ,,but ,,in ,,those ,,smiles4 ,,written ,,by ,,joseph ,a4 ,,nunes4 ,,composed ,,by ,,james ,,bellak4 ,published by permission of ,mr4 ,e4 ,l4 ,walker1 ,no4 #afj ,chestnut ,street4 ,illustration3 musical score ,i'll think of thee1 that thought alone ,can never from my mem'ry flee1 ,in ev'ry breeze ,i'll find a tone ,that whispers nought but love and ,illustration3 musical score thee ,and ev'ry sound that greets my ear1 ,and ev'ry object that ,i see1 ,will be to me more sweet1 more dear1 ,when mingled with the thought of thee4 ,should fortune smile1 and hope be bright1 ,and from the world be nought to fear1 ,oh6 what can add to that delight ,but the one thought that thou art near4 ,then pleasure1 with its thousand smiles1 ,will vainly strive this heart to free3 ,no joy ,i'll see but in those smiles1 ,no rapture feel away from thee4 ,and when existence's span is run ,and death impatient waits for me1 ,my soul1 as to its earthly sun1 ,will turn a lingering look on thee3 ,e'en when the last sad scene of life ,shall mingle with the shades of death1 ,my spirit1 in its latest strife1 ,will bless thee with its parting breath4 99 99 99 99 99 ,transcriber's ,notes3 ,table of ,contents has been added for reader convenience4 ,archaic spellings and hyphenation have been retained4 ,obvious type-setting and punctuation errors have been corrected without note4 ,other errors have been corrected as noted below4 ,for illustrations1 some caption text may be missing or incomplete due to condition of the originals available for preparation of the e,book4 page #cjd1 soulfull look1 and soulful look1 and page #cjf1 reader1 with what exhuberance reader1 with what exuberance page #cjh1 some of her satelites some of her satellites page #caj1 eyes were rivited upon eyes were riveted upon page #cah1 ,to batten and gorge on ,to fatten and gorge on page #cda1 of ,amherstbergh1 ,canada west1 of ,amherstburg1 ,canada west1 page #cda1 by incessant harrassing1 which by incessant harassing1 which page #cdf1 and whom libertinism and for whom libertinism ,end of ,graham's ,magazine1 ,vol4 ,,xxxvi1 ,no4 #e1 ,may #ahej