"The flower is hidden until the electricities of the sun and light
draw it forth into life and beauty."
In speaking of the "choice of a husband," I referred to the only case I
recollected where the lady's hesitation rendered a third meeting
necessary. The exception was interesting.
Early in my reign, whilst one day walking near the sea-shore, I was
struck by the appearance of a little girl who was attending a flock of
goats. A kid had fallen over a rock into the sea. The child was a lovely
creature, with a beautiful complexion, handsome and expressive eyes,
small hands and feet, and silken hair flowing over her shoulders. Her
beauty was heightened by the expression of tenderness and grief at the
loss of the kid. I was greatly interested, and watched her movements
unperceived. She showed great intelligence and presence of mind.
Near the sea grows a peculiar kind of stringy reed, very strong and
pliable. She tied several of these reeds together, made a noose at one
end, and with the other end tied herself to a rock near the edge of the
precipice, that she might not overbalance herself, and be dragged down
in her endeavours to recover her kid. She then threw down the noose at
the other end of the line, and after one or two attempts succeeded with
great dexterity in getting it round the body of the kid, which she
gradually hauled up to the rock where she stood. Her movements were most
graceful, and her address and dexterity truly astonishing. As soon as
her success was complete she fondled and embraced the kid as though it
had been a favourite sister whom she had saved.
In straining over the precipice she had drawn the knot that secured her
to the rock so tight that she could not liberate herself until I came to
her assistance and set her free. I then talked with her, and found that
she had remarkable capacity, tenderness, and sweetness of nature, but
was altogether uninstructed. I said to myself, it is impossible that a
creature could be found so beautiful and intelligent unless Providence
had intended her for something better than her present occupation.
By my orders she was thoroughly educated and cared for. She showed great
aptitude for her appointed studies, and having passed one ordeal after
another with great honour, she was ultimately, thanks to our
institutions, deemed worthy of a superior rank, and became one of our
great ladies. In mind, form, and feature, she was a remarkable person,
and her manners were most sweet and fascinating. She was a frequent
guest at my palace. I delighted in her discourse on the rare occasions
when my occupations gave me the opportunity of conversation.
Gratitude to her benefactor had given rise to a deep affection.
Observing this I told her that the peculiarity of my position, and the
necessity for completing my great work, had decided me not to marry, and
that the affection of a friend was all that I could give her. Marry, I
said, and I will always watch over you. Had I married, she would have
been my choice. In obedience to my wishes, she allowed the "marriage
choice meeting" to be called. She was so beautiful and engaging that the
number of competitors was far beyond that required to complete the
meeting. The suitors selected were the most promising young men in the
city, and held the highest positions, but all the three several marriage
meetings remained without result, except to confirm her resolution not
to marry.
By our laws every woman, however high in rank, who elects to remain
single, is obliged to follow a calling adapted to her capacity and
inclination. This interesting person possessed a peculiar talent for
inventing and improving ciphers for telegraphic correspondence. This
talent was turned to account. She was also entrusted with the
superintendence and examination of the reports made by those charged
with the instruction of the clerks engaged in the telegraph department,
and proved superior in every important quality to any of the men
occupied in similar pursuits.