_THE DINNER-PARTY._
By six o’clock, on the evening of the same day, a lively group, engaged
in animated conversation, were seated on the piazza of the handsome
cottage of Edmund Bonbright. This imposing summer residence occupied
one of those elevated, picturesque sites, which are so characteristic
of the outlying portions of Bar Harbor, and commanded a prospect, at
once rich, comprehensive, and varied. The cottage was of an irregular,
rambling style of architecture, and its numerous gables, porches, and
towers combined to give it a unique and romantic effect, even for this
resort, where handsome summer residences are so numerous. A broad
piazza extended around three sides of the house, but it was so broken
by angles, screens, and vines, that it appeared more like a series of
irregular vestibules and recesses. The gently sloping lawn was covered
with a velvety green turf, relieved here and there by bright masses
of color, which were made up of coleus, geraniums, and other bright
flowers; while around the whole, there was a low, massive, cemented
wall, covered with vining nasturtiums of plain and variegated colors. A
concreted driveway turned in from the street, and describing a graceful
curve through the lawn, passed under a spacious _porte-cochère_ at the
side of the house. A cosey covered lookout, upon the most elevated part
of the roof, commanded a view almost unequalled on the whole Atlantic
Coast. At one side, and a little to the rear of the cottage, was a
tennis court, surrounded by a high netting, and still further back,
was a commodious stable, stocked with a variety of sleek horse-flesh;
also a carriage house, containing vehicles, suitable for various
uses and occasions. A variety of hammocks, settees, and easy chairs
were carelessly scattered about upon the piazza, and every detail of
the establishment betokened taste, luxury, and wealth. From nearly
every window, as well as from the lookout, lay spread out before the
observer, a panorama of mountain, water, island, and forest scenery, of
magnificent proportions.
Several of the younger members of the party, a little apart from their
elders, were carelessly seated upon some rugs which had been thrown
down on the steps, in a partially sheltered location; for a breeze
had sprung up, and the temperature had become cool. Junius Van Roden
had been duly presented to Miss Jenness, and an animated conversation
between them, which indicated the discussion of interesting topics,
engaged the attention of the younger group.
As several members of this family party occupy prominent places in
this narrative, it may be well to present them to the reader, without
further delay or formality. The family of Edmund Bonbright consisted
of himself, wife and four children; Adelbert, a young Harvard man
already known to the reader, was the eldest; next the twin daughters,
Helen and Rosamond, and Tom, the youngest, who was much the junior of
the others. Mr. Bonbright, whose city residence was on Commonwealth
Avenue, Boston, was a banker by profession, stately and erect in
personal appearance; ostentatious and haughty in manner, but courteous
in bearing and address. His hair was of a silvery gray, and his closely
cropped mustache and scrupulousness in attire gave him the air of a
gentleman of the old school. His general deportment indicated a rich,
self-satisfied man of the world; a patrician, possessing not only a
family history, but also having personal energy and executive ability.
Mrs. Bonbright may be described as a person somewhat under medium size,
with a form rather thin and angular, and a sharpness of line about
the features, which indicated strength of purpose, and firmness in
any chosen line of duty. Her facial expression might be regarded as
somewhat austere, but quite conscientious, and while she was exacting
and rigid in judgment, she was neither unkind nor disagreeable. She was
punctilious in the performance of what she regarded as duty; a prudent
housewife, scrupulous in conduct, but not over-tolerant with those from
whom she differed.
The twin sisters were quite unlike in appearance, character, and
temperament. Helen Bonbright was ideally beautiful, though utterly
unconscious of her attractiveness. With a wealth of blond hair, large
limpid blue eyes, and a pink transparent complexion, was combined
a graceful and willowy figure of about the medium size. While
self-reliant, true in character, full of kindness, and graceful in
deportment, she was simple and unaffected. Her external loveliness was
only a natural and corresponding manifestation of her inner nature.
Rosamond also was exceptionally beautiful, but it was loveliness of a
different type. She was a brunette, with coal-black hair, and dark,
flashing eyes, arched by heavy drooping lashes. While intensely fond
of society and gayety, impulsive, coquettish, and devoted to dress and
display, she possessed much character and equipoise. The two sisters,
while so utterly unlike, were devotedly fond of, and loyal to each
other.
Tom, the youngest of the family, was a cripple and an invalid. Owing to
an accident which occurred in early childhood, he was obliged to use
a crutch, and at times was a great sufferer. He was now about twelve
years of age, simple-minded, and inclined to fun and mischief.
On that day, besides the family, Miss Jenness, Van Roden, and a
few other friends were to dine at the cottage. The guests included
Bishop Alban, who was a brother of Mrs. Bonbright; Senator Van Roden,
father of the medical student; and Miss Sophy Porter, a Boston lady
of uncertain age, who often visited the Bonbrights at their city
residence. Miss Porter was well known as a reformer, lecturer,
woman-suffragist, and general champion of woman’s rights. While
awaiting the summons to dinner, lively manifestations from the party on
the piazza gave evidence of the social enjoyment and hearty good-will
which prevailed. The sound of music floating out from the drawing-room,
caused a sudden toning down of the conversation. After several themes
from Beethoven, which followed each other in rapid succession, the
final selection was a weird Hungarian rhapsody, during the performance
of which, the utmost silence prevailed among the whole party. The
most ordinary amateur would have noted a perfection of rendering and
divination, which indicated not only artistic finish, but a wonderful
power of interpretation. Passionate and subtle voices telling the story
of their loves and trials, their discords and harmonies, and gradual
transitions from one to the other, could be perfectly understood,
though evolved from so material a medium as a piano.
“Whom have we among us that can play so exquisitely?” asked Van Roden
after a pause, for though but an indifferent musician, he recognized
the hand of an artist.
“Oh, that is Helen Bonbright,” replied Miss Jenness; “no one who has
ever listened to her playing can afterwards mistake it. It is very kind
of her to give us such a delicious prelude to dinner, although it
seems like a descent from drinking in such a flow of melody, to the act
of eating material food.”
“Yes, I think the feast of melody should come as the last course, to
be in accord with the general law of progress,--from lower to higher,”
replied Van Roden.
“I infer that you are a believer in the doctrine of evolution,” said
Miss Jenness.
“I am not only a believer, but I must own to being somewhat of an
enthusiast,--or at least, I may say that I am an interested student of
evolutionary science.”
“Who are your favorite authors?” she asked.
“Darwin and Spencer, especially the latter, whom I regard as the most
interesting and comprehensive of any of the later writers on scientific
development,” replied Van Roden, “though I much enjoy Descartes,
and some of the earlier investigators. There has been a process of
evolution in evolutionary science itself, so that the latest modern
thought is much in advance of earlier speculations.”
“Will you kindly state a few of the cardinal principles of the theory
of development, as you accept them?” asked Miss Jenness.
“It would be very difficult to do so in a few words,” he replied; “but
perhaps a mere outline might be given, as follows. We believe that all
organisms, whether plants or animals, including man, have come into
existence by the gradual growth and unfoldment of primordial germs;
and that the whole physical universe, including everything organic
and inorganic, is a mechanism, and as such, is to be accounted for on
physical principles.”
Van Roden warmed up as he proceeded in the exposition of his favorite
topic, for Miss Jenness appeared interested, and this was unlike his
usual experience. As a rule, his listeners had been bored whenever he
had trotted out his favorite hobby.
“All structures,” he continued, “have proceeded by regular gradations
from extreme simplicity to greater complexity, and each has relations
with the other. There is also a close analogy between the different
series of gradations presented by the various species which comprise
any great group of animals or plants, and, still farther, large groups
of species of widely different habits present the same fundamental plan
of structure.”
Adelbert, who had drawn near, and partially grasped the line of
argument, interposing, said,--
“We are ready to accept the doctrine of evolution, Van, without further
proof, for we have evidence in you, that the process is going on, and
that you are rapidly being unfolded into a crank.”
Van Roden, however, seeing that Miss Jenness continued interested,
disregarded the interruption, and continued: “There are various
structures and organs in a rudimentary and useless condition, which
in the more advanced species of the same group have definite utility
and perfection. It is observable, also, that the effects of varying
conditions, or environment, exercise a modifying influence upon living
organisms.”
“What is it that evolves itself, and how was the process brought
about?” inquired Miss Jenness.
“As I before suggested,” said he, “the operation must have begun with
primordial germs; and a mechanical, physical force, which is inherent
in matter, caused their gradual unfoldment.”
“You can do me a great favor,” suggested Miss Jenness, with a
mischievous twinkle in her eye.
“I shall be most happy,” replied the unsuspecting medical student.
“If you will be so kind as to procure for me a small basket of those
primordial germs; I would like to take them home, when I return to
Philadelphia.”
Van Roden joined in the general laugh which followed, regardless of
the fact that it was at his own expense. However, Miss Jenness seemed
disposed to continue the discussion, and, putting aside her jesting
mood, inquired: “What about mind and its origin?”
“Mind is but a property or manifestation of matter,” he replied, “and
mental evolution is simply a more advanced, attenuated and refined
phase of material unfoldment. From the earliest operation of inanimate
nature, up to human mentality, reason and ethics, as they now present
themselves, the process has been a purely physical and mechanical
development. All phenomena may be traced from matter, and the forces
which inhere in its operations.”
“What a dismal, cold, heartless machine we are a part of,” responded
Miss Jenness. “I suppose we may regard ourselves as cogs in some small
wheel of the vast mechanism; or as automatons, worked by springs and
valves.”
Van Roden winced a little, as he detected the tinge of sarcasm in her
tones, but, regardless of that, he thought her bright and entertaining.
He was intolerant of dulness, but a keen opponent, especially of the
weaker sex, interested him. She continued: “You appear to be not only a
materialist, but a matter-worshipper.”
Van Roden prided himself upon having the former term applied to him,
but the latter he thought a little severe, and replied, “As a matter
of fact, Miss Jenness, I really cannot plead guilty to any kind of
worship.”
“If you find all potency in matter,” she replied, “you must,
unconsciously, at least, pay homage to it. In a most realistic sense,
man must worship something. That faculty is inherent in his nature.
He will reverence whatever in his own conception is the highest or
supremest power. You are aware that man unconsciously will grow like
his ideal, and, with a material conception of all life and power, he
will become more and more material, and progress will be earthward.”
Miss Jenness was becoming quite in earnest. “Looking backward to the
utmost, to an imaginative starting-point,” she continued, “you begin
with primordial germs, and from them proceed to evolve, not only the
whole universe of matter, but of mind also. How could inanimate things
originate such a skilful and intelligent evolutionary system? Where
does the genesis of conscious mind and will make its appearance? Have
you the assurance to claim that ethical and religious truth originated
in primordial germs?”
Miss Jenness had piled these questions upon each other so rapidly,
that Van Roden found it difficult to reply to them in detail, and
became a little uneasy. He pulled himself together, however, and
observed: “Spencer thinks that we must limit feeling and consciousness
to those organic beings that are endowed with a nervous system. With
the evolution of nerves came, gradually, feeling, and, finally,
consciousness.”
“How could such marvellous tendencies and possibilities have been
implanted in matter without not only infinite wisdom, but infinite
forethought?” replied Miss Jenness. “As to the evolution of material
nerves, they are no more spirit, will, or intelligence than is muscle.
That science which places the limit of its domain at materiality
is one-sided, and therefore, notwithstanding its arrogant claims,
unscientific. Its boundaries embrace only that part of related truth
which is lowest and least important, while it is blind to all the
higher and more intrinsic domain of spirit and spiritual law. When
in the dissecting-room, have you ever been able, with the aid of
your scalpels and microscopes, to peer into the body deeply enough to
find the man himself? The mind is the man, while the material part,
which from your standpoint you regard as man, is only an external
manifestation of him. I believe that there are many signs already
visible which indicate that the materialistic trend of the times is
beginning to turn; and that true science, which is comprehensive, and
which embraces all spiritual and immaterial law and progress, as well
as that which is physical, will soon displace the prevailing coarse
and superficial speculations, which refuse to recognize anything
beyond the cognizance of the physical senses. A word more in regard to
evolution, as a process. We accept the fact that the creative process
may be progressive, or, if you please, evolutionary, within some yet
undefined limitations; but that that fact invalidates in the slightest
degree the reign of spiritual law, or the existence of an All-Wise
and Supreme Creator, we most emphatically deny. A superb mechanism,
whether produced suddenly or gradually, proves its _previous_ existence
in the conception of its author. Let me assure you that it is only
_pseudo_-science, which rakes over and over the mud of materialism,
while it closes its eyes and ears to spiritual verities on every hand.”
Van Roden had a sensation of being _hors du combat_, and this by an
opponent of the weaker sex. He had become so accustomed to asserting
himself, and could so easily throw up what seemed to him a strong
intrenchment of materialistic argument, on short notice, buttressed
with quotations and sentiments from Darwin, Spencer, and Huxley,
that to find a woman able to discomfit him was a new sensation. His
attention was diverted for the moment from the argument to his fair
opponent, and the thought flashed through his mind that in her,
Evolution was well advanced, and had accomplished some very fine work.
Just then the announcement of dinner ended the discussion.
At the table, Miss Porter and Miss Jenness occupied seats respectively
at the right and left of the host, and Bishop Alban and Senator Van
Roden were placed in corresponding positions on either side of Mrs.
Bonbright. Van Roden, who had escorted Miss Jenness to the dining-room,
found an assignment which placed him next on her left; with Helen
Bonbright on his left. After expressing to Miss Helen his high
appreciation of her musical prelude, he again turned his attention to
Miss Jenness, merely, as he persuaded himself, to indulge in a little
study of character. He had never before met such a woman, for no one
previously had taken sufficient interest in his theories to confute
them; but here was “an opponent worthy of his steel.”
Adelbert Bonbright had been an interested observer of the discussion,
not because of any special interest in the subject, but on account of
Miss Jenness’s participation in it; and of the neat manner in which she
had spiked Van Roden’s guns.
A license for indulgence in mind-reading is sometimes granted to
the chronicler of events, and its application at that moment to
Adelbert Bonbright, as he cast a bitter glance at Van Roden, would
have revealed, in a mild form, the presence of the “green-eyed
monster,”--but as the young man’s solid sense came to his rescue, the
unwelcome spectre was quickly cast out.
The table and dining-room had been tastefully decorated with flowers by
the cunning hand of Rosamond, and the pleasing odor of tempting viands,
enhanced by the rich and massive service of silver and cut glass,
together with the bright faces and charming costumes of the young
people, formed a tableau of social life, full of interest and color.
Mr. Bonbright had been spending a few days in the city, and as he
had only returned the night before, his mind was much occupied with
market values, stocks and bonds, but he was too well bred to introduce
business topics at dinner. In political economy, ethics, social
science, and the tariff, he had positive views, and while discussing
a good dinner, he always enjoyed a little intellectual sparring--by
way of seasoning. He was especially fond of a tilt with Miss Porter,
who always posed as the embodiment of all “reforms” and “advances.”
Her greatest pride consisted in the fact that she was a radical; his,
in his conservatism. She had recently attended a convention in which
woman-suffrage, prohibition, nationalism, socialism, and various other
“isms,” had been discussed, and their merits satisfactorily proved and
demonstrated.
“I suppose that the world is to be recreated, and society reconstructed
on a new and improved plan, when your machinery all gets into working
order,” said Mr. Bonbright, addressing her.
Miss Porter had been giving an outline of the doings of a recent
gathering, where the leading spirits of “reform” had met for mutual
inspiration and encouragement.
“Yes,” she replied; “a radical change and reconstruction are necessary
in all departments. When woman, who always possessed the abstract
right of suffrage, gets that right recognized and made operative, a
grand step will have been taken toward moral, social, and economic
reform. Among the objective points will be: a more equal distribution
of wealth; the regulation and control of corporations; constitutional
prohibition; and other needed amendments and improvements.”
“What a bore it will be, if we are obliged to study politics, attend
caucuses, and go to the polls,” said Rosamond. “If the rival
candidates for any office were men, I should vote for the best-looking
one. Whatever the office might be, I should fancy a fine-appearing
official.”
“Points of that kind would not have a feather’s weight with me,”
observed Miss Porter, “but other things being equal, in the interest
of reform, I should vote for women for all offices. I think they would
prove more efficient, and be less liable to be swayed by mercenary
motives.”
“I trust that you have no inclination to do our sex the slightest
injustice,” said Senator Van Roden. “I have uniformly voted for every
measure of a reformatory character, and also favored a continual
increase and enlargement of the functions of the State. As to
woman-suffrage, I am heartily in sympathy with your views on the
subject, and have uniformly labored and voted in its behalf.”
“You may rest assured, Senator, that in my general observations,
nothing could have been farther from my intention than to reflect upon
you. I assure you, that your efforts for the enfranchisement of woman,
and for reforms in general, are highly appreciated by me, and by all
true reformers.”
“I would like to know how many women exist who would be uninfluenced
in their voting, and their political principles, by purely sentimental
considerations,” interposed Mr. Bonbright. “It is natural and well for
women to be sentimental, but sentiment does not harmonize well with
politics. It would be like a mixture of oil and water, or a combination
of romance and mathematics. How would a jury composed of those women
who take bouquets to the cells of notorious criminals stand the
pressure, when a desperado was brought before them for trial, in case
he were defended by a lawyer that could evolve unlimited supplies of
sympathy and pathos? Where would women get that necessary experience,
and knowledge of finance, tariffs, treaties, and political economy, for
which they have no opportunity, owing to the duties and occupations of
their domestic life? Allow me to suggest, Miss Porter, that if your sex
know when they are well off, they will keep their normal place, and try
to fill it, rather than attempt to spread themselves over unlimited
territory.”
“I think women would do their duty more faithfully than men, so far as
they understood it,” suggested Mrs. Bonbright, “but I have no desire to
vote, and do not believe in it.”
Mrs. Bonbright was intensely loyal to her sex, but her ideas of woman’s
province did not coincide with Miss Porter’s.
Van Roden glanced at Miss Jenness as if to divine her sentiments; but
she remained provokingly silent.
“Woman has a vast field for usefulness,” said Helen, “but it appears
to me, that neither by nature nor education, is she fitted to take an
active part in politics and legislation. Her place in society is not
boundless in extent, but it is all-important. There is work enough
that she is suited for, and her ambition should be to do that peculiar
work well. The highest possible occupation consists in laying moral
foundations in individual character, for which service woman has
especial adaptability, and when that is well done, the particular forms
and methods by which that character expresses itself are of secondary
importance. If Miss Porter will pardon both the sentiment and the
incongruity, I will vote that women do not vote.”
“I quite agree with you, my dear niece, so far as woman-suffrage is
concerned,” observed Bishop Alban, “and may I suggest to Miss Porter
that all moral reform, to be genuine, must be developed through
divinely appointed channels. The Church is the arbiter of morals, for
all morality is the direct outgrowth of religion, and religion has
expression in organized and appointed institutions, doctrines, forms,
and sacraments. While with us the Church and State are distinct,
yet the State should receive from the Church a direct moulding and
regulative influence. All ethical legislation should find its first
principles from that source, and that alone.”
“With all respect,” replied Helen, “may I suggest, that while
institutions--especially the Church--as a means, are indispensable, for
the reason that they elevate and refine character, yet in their nature,
they appear to be auxiliary, rather than ultimate.”
“When all the reforms which can be brought about by improved
legislation are inaugurated,” suggested the Senator, “we will have a
much nearer approach to an ideal condition of society, than has been
realized. There will be a great improvement in the ways and means for
the distribution of wealth, and the State will not merely regulate,
but transact in its own name the business now monopolized by great
corporations, and the brotherhood of man will gradually become a
reality.”
“Excuse me,” said Mr. Bonbright, “but I am tired of this nonsense about
the brotherhood of man that is to be brought about by reducing all
sorts and conditions of men to one dead level, and a very low level
at that. Must we all lose our individuality, and require a paternal
government to watch over us, as would be necessary if we were all
infants or imbeciles? Give me a monarchy, where there is at least some
personal freedom, rather than a government which, while ostensibly
democratic, would become a great tyrannical machine--cast-iron in
every detail. There could be no oppression more severe than that
of a majority which is enforced merely for that reason. By means of
the machinery of legislation, natural and fundamental rights can be
trampled upon which are older than the Decalogue. As an instance take
those States where, under the forms of legislative law, natural and
moral law is violated by the establishment of unremunerative rates for
the sale of railway service. The buyers, being the majority, force the
sellers to accept a price dictated by purchasers, and this proves that
stealing can be done by a State, as easily as by an individual. If this
rapid progress towards paternal tyranny continues, I shall emigrate
to some quarter of the globe where individual energy, ambition, and
talent, have some value.”
“I quite agree with you,” said Miss Jenness, who up to this time had
taken no part in the general conversation. “Anything but a dead level.
Complete unity is formed of variety. Society, to be ideally perfect,
and in order to form harmonious completeness, must be composed of
dissimilar elements. Each member of a perfect organism must be in, and
fill its peculiar place, then all will go well. As Pope well puts it,--
‘Where order in variety we see,
And where, though all things differ, all agree.’
A brotherly spirit should permeate all the members, but as to the
external ways of its manifestation, there must be individual freedom.
By a wonderful inherent process, each element will find the place
where it can do the most for itself, and for others, and thus the
law of moral and social specific gravity will make a thousandfold
finer adjustments than would be possible from the fruits of the best
legislation, piled ‘Ossa on Pelion.’ There is a strong inclination at
the present time, to push legislation beyond its normal limits, and
when so strained, it becomes artificial, impractical, and injurious.
It aggravates evils which have in them the elements of self-regulation,
or self-destruction.”
Van Roden cast an appreciative glance at Miss Jenness as she concluded
her argument, and was pleased that she had as clearly come off victor
in the contest with his senatorial parent, as she had done with him.
This young woman was an enigma to him. She appeared equally ready on
all subjects. Must he revise his opinions of the sex, or was this
specimen a “_rara avis_”?
Before either the Senator or Miss Porter found opportunity to re-open
their batteries, the last course had been served, and, at the motion of
the hostess, the whole party adjourned to the drawing-room. The evening
was occupied with social converse, music, whist, and the making of
plans for excursions on the following day.