appeared in sight, that at a little distance might have passed
for a group of gipsies; Paddy and the poney car, led the van.
Frederick, the three girls, Phil., and young Bentley brought up
the rear. We were together in the next moment, and in the midst
of salutations, I could not help remarking the anxiety of all
the young people about my aunt, whose expression of fatigue had
brought them back to offer aid, and satisfy themselves that she
was not ill. Frederick settled the cushions, and dispatched Paddy,
saying, that he must himself drive the little car, lest it should
go too fast. Fanny had brought a small basket, in which was a phial
of hartshorn, and a glass having been also produced, away ran
Charlotte to the stream which tumbles through this rocky glen, to
procure water,--all without _fuss_, or effort.
Yes, there is no question of it--what Oliphant says is true enough.
These people are not at all the worse for any thing that they have
said, done, learned, or acquired. My aunt was unusually gay, to
convince her children that nothing ailed her; and we all returned
home, laughing and talking as merrily as possible. Bentley was
asked to stay and dine, which Phil. had promised also to do, and so
sped Saturday away as smoothly as if it _rolled_ on _casters_.
In the evening we walked. I took my first lesson in botany from
Emily. We planned a trip to Killarney, for July, if my aunt makes
no objection, and finished the _revels_ with music.
What would you think, if I tell you, that Domine took the bass in
several glees, and has a remarkably fine sonorous voice. Our guests
departed. The bell rang. Servants were assembled, and the usual
prayer was read, with no other circumstance of change, than the
substitution of Mr. Oliphant, in quality of domestic chaplain, for
my aunt.
Just as we were about to separate, Fanny called me, and whispered,
"Don't go yet to your room. We are going to hold a conference for
a few minutes in the study, and you must assist at our council." I
accordingly lagged behind, and after Mr. Oliphant and my aunt had
severally retired, _we_ five mustered in the Library. Emily opened
the proceedings, by saying, "Arthur, my brother, sisters and I,
have set our hearts upon accomplishing a project which Frederick
and I devised in our walk this evening. It is to prevail with our
beloved mother to accompany us to Killarney. It is _many_ years
since she has been there, and I know that she will not revisit
that heavenly spot without the deepest emotion. Yet we cannot
help flattering ourselves with its being of such a nature as not
to amount to pain; and it will be counteracted by the pleasure of
beholding our rapture at seeing her make one in our excursion.
Phil. is in our secret, and _now_ so are you. We are going to
write a petition. She shall not have it to-night, because it might
agitate her; and it shall only be signed by her children, because
if such happiness as her compliance would impart, should be in
store for us, it is of that sacred character which we could not
bear to owe even to the dearest friends; and if, on the other hand,
as I am afraid may prove the case, we are asking too much, we
will not involve any one else in the pain of a refusal. Now good
night--wish us success, and meet us in the moss-house at eight in
the morning to learn our fate."
I went to my room quite unable to speak--I was suffocating, and,
_shall_ I confess to Falkland (but proclaim it not in Gath) tears,
such as I never shed before in all my life, coursed each other down
my "innocent nose." It is too much. Unmanned at a short turn, and
by what? a set of children laying schemes to have their mother's
company in a party of pleasure! Well, I know not what is to come
next, but this place will be the ruin of me, if this is the way
in which I go on resigning my understanding. Positively I shall
be absolutely unfit for society, and look when I go back to town
precisely as if I had been spending a couple of months with Noah in
the ark, and had just stepped out on Mount Ararat. I took myself to
task; shook myself; scolded myself; chewed the cud of the last ball
at Almack's; ditto at Lady Arabella Huntley's; placed myself in the
midst of that group with whom I passed my last London evening at
Lady Murray's after the Opera; but it would not do.
When the mind gets one of these _wrenches_, it is in vain to
attempt setting matters to rights again in a hurry. I found, after
toiling to give a new bent to my reflections, that they would
still return with elastic force to the place whence they set out;
and I therefore gave vent to them in the new course which they
had channelled for themselves. While in this mood, I could not
help thinking, that if we measure life by the exercise of our
faculties, and the warmth of our feelings, instead of by such
evidences of existence as might apply to stocks and stones as well
as to sentient beings, I have only _lived_ in your society, and
since I came to Glenalta. A mournful chill stole over my heart as
I involuntarily asked myself, "Is my mother like _this_ mother,
or are my sisters like my cousins?" These questions led me to one
still more immediately painful--"Do I resemble Frederick?" The
inquiry was accompanied by a feeling of such bitterness, that I
fear it must have been answered in the negative, to each of my
self-addressed queries. Alas! thought I, of what light materials
are we formed! tossed about by every wind, and seizing on the
contagion of every new situation! Well, one week has worked a
strange _jumble_ of my tastes and opinions, but all will be
_stratified_ in regular order, according to received notions, by a
corresponding term, when I revisit Selby or Grosvenor Square. This
consolation seemed a _quietus_, for I fell asleep, and undisturbed
by farther moralizing, rose refreshed and full of spring, in due
season to keep my engagement.
What a vein of lovely weather! and what an influence does it exert
over our souls. The morning appeared as if determined to cheat me
into good humour with all the wearisome business of Sunday in "a
pious family" (oh that quaint expression) in the country. Nature
looked as if she had just stepped, in the luxuriance of youth and
beauty, that moment from her bath. A dew-drop glistened on every
blade of grass, and fragrance breathed around from every flower. I
set out with that invigorating sensation of hilarity which I have
always found an early walk on a fine day to produce. I believe,
that besides the animal gratification arising from sunshine,
perfumes, and the bracing quality of fresh air, we are insensibly
pleased with ourselves, when we have started from the enervating
effects of drowsy slumbers, and snatched a portion of time from
Lethe's wave.
I was in the humour to analyze, and I think that I was more
complacent in my feelings towards _myself_ than usual. If so, it
is not hard to account for the _balminess_ of charity towards
all things else--the key-note is ever to be found within our own
breasts, and it regulates the whole strain.
Half-musing, half-poetizing, I reached the moss-house, and was
ruminating on the sparkling stream that dashes over the rock,
amongst its tangled brush-wood, when with light feet, my nymphs and
their brother hastened round the wood, and appeared at the seat of
Congress.
After a joyous "good morrow," they told me that "mamma" had not
been awake when they left the house to attend the Sunday School,
and therefore they had no good news to impart to me; and only came
to the place of appointment, lest I should wait and accuse them of
a failure in punctuality.
The words "Sunday School," acted as a "killing frost" to all the
tender leaves and buds with which Fanny had wreathed my morning
walk, and looking I dare say like an icicle, I said, "And are you
_really_ enlisted amongst those troops of godly women dressed in
grey, and looking like flocks of Solon geese, who paddle from
house to house on the Sabbath, and make that which was given us for
an anniversary of repose, the most tiresome and laborious day of
all the weekly seven?" My companions laughed, and Frederick bade me
not be alarmed, assuring me that there were no Solon geese in the
poultry-yard of Glenalta.
"We do not belong," said Emily, "to a _train-band_ of any
description; and a very short portion of Sunday is sufficient
for our little task. But few children assemble at our school, as
Protestants are thinly scattered in Kerry; and, as it is a rule
here, never to teach to read where the Bible is not received, the
number of our scholars is very limited. This would be subject of
grief to mamma, were it not her fixed opinion, supported by the
experience and strong sense of our friend Mr. Otway, and the worthy
tutor, that in _this_ country matters are not ripe for the quantity
of education forced upon the people, and that a more gradual
process is for the advantage of every part of the community; but
were it otherwise, our individual labours would still be light.
Charlotte, Fanny, and I, go before breakfast to hear the children
read a chapter, repeat a collect, and answer a few questions, more
as _pioneers_ to Mr. Oliphant, than as teachers. This occupies
only one hour, and we do no more. Domine, as you call him, and the
Curate of our parish, who is a very good clergy-man, examine after
church, and this finishes the school-work of the day."
"Bless me!" said I, "I am very glad to hear these things, but must
own that your account is most unexpected. The ladies whom I have
heard called 'pious,' at our post town in Buckinghamshire, sit up,
I imagine, all Saturday night, and starve all Sunday. They defile
along in troops, looking sour enough to curdle milk into whey by
their presence, and are always to be seen loaded with tracts, and
carrying bags which are filled with other implements of the trade.
These saintly damsels are, I firmly believe, a set of whale-boned
exclusionists, who deny salvation to all who are not within their
pale, and able to answer their _qui va là?_ by the signs and
countersigns of their free masonry."
"Arthur," replied Emily, "though your anger diverts, I must
scold you for being too severe. Why should you judge so hardly
upon hearsay testimony of people whom it is your boast not to be
acquainted with? Surely starving, without food or rest by day,
and sleep at night, cannot be matter of _amusement_; and if your
picture be not greatly exaggerated, we may at least hope that the
motives are pure, which dictate so much self-denial."
"Not a bit of it, I assure you," answered I. "I promise you that
these folks are self-sufficient, as they are generally weak; and
have as much pride, vanity, and dogmatism, in their own _plain_
way, as their neighbours. They set up to be teachers, when they
would be much better employed in learning; and both men and women
of the new light get into the cant, and are sworn in to the
confederacies to serve very secular purposes. See how they nestle
into the houses of the great, marry the best fortunes, and while
they preach a religious republic, always take care if they can, to
secure the dictatorship."
"We know nothing here of these abuses," said Emily; "I have
heard of noble characters who devote all their time, money, and
influence, to the high purposes of reclaiming the vicious, and
teaching the Word of God to the ignorant. But if we lived in a
less refined spot than this, we should not even then be likely to
join any of the societies to which you allude, composed of such
as are technically, and most improperly called, when with design
to convey a _taunt_, 'good people.' Mamma dislikes _liveries_,
whether of dress or manners. She disapproves of bazaars, working
parties, and all religious exhibitions and excitements: in short,
of all demonstrations of what she calls a _gregarious_ spirit of
piety; though she makes it a point never to express an opinion in
the presence of any one who could wrest it to the unworthy purpose
of throwing either ridicule or reproach on numbers of excellent
persons of both sexes who differ from her in theory as well as
practice."
"I perceive," said I, with delight, "that my aunt does not consider
dancing a sin."--"No, so far from it," answered Frederick, "that
when the Sandfords were with us, we were very gay, and I hope
shall be so again when they return in the autumn. My mother loves
that piety should rear her altar in the heart, and does not
rest so much as some well meaning people are inclined to do, on
petty observances of a merely external kind. She cannot endure
_mannerism_, and her feelings are very strong upon the injury which
true religion sustains through want of judgment in her votaries.
The tithe of mint, anise, and cummin, occupies many, perhaps not
to the entire _exclusion_ of weightier matters; but _little_
things can be understood, and grasped by minds totally incapable
of enlarged views; and unfortunately these are often mistaken for
vital principles, when they are no more than sign-posts. For this
reason, the peculiar language which has become so common, is never
used here; and though Sunday at Glenalta is a very sacred day, I
hope that you will not find it more dull than other days."
As Fred. ceased to speak, who should enter our council chamber but
my aunt. "What! all my dears assembled in committee?" "Yes, dearest
mother," said Frederick, springing forward to meet her, "and with
Arthur in the chair, we have passed a resolution, that you will
make us the happiest group in Christendom, if you will grant the
boon implored in this petition." So saying, he slipped a paper into
her hand, and taking two of his sisters, leaving Fanny to grace
my arm, he added, "we must not take our sovereign by surprise.
She must have time to _dwell_ upon the prayer of her subjects. So
we will make a tour of St. Colman's rock, and be back like true
liegemen, to assist her in returning home." Off he hurried us, and
this was done to spare his mother that emotion which is always
felt when we know that what passes within the heart is seen and
comprehended by others. It is astonishing! These young people study
every look, and can follow the windings, however sinuous, of every
thought, when affection is the lamp to guide their way.
We took the round of St. Colman, a great white rock, about which,
there is a legend, that perhaps I may tell you at some other time,
and found my aunt seated where we left her: probably pondering
upon past happiness, and present gratitude, for blessings still
continued. Her _own_ sweet smile rested on her countenance, but
a tear had recently fallen on her cheek. She did not wait to be
addressed, but extending a hand to Fred. and his eldest sister,
told them by a beaming, but silent look, that she complied with
their entreaty. Fred. seized her in his arms in extacy, and having
given one emphatic kiss, which bore a world of thanks upon its
impress, he dashed out of the moss-house, unable to control the
feeling of his manly heart. He is a fine creature. Emily and
Charlotte glided away without uttering a word, and Fanny sobbed
aloud. Her mother kissed her, and taking my arm, with a tremulous
voice that seemed to struggle against display of those inward
conflicts which caused it to falter, said to me, "dear Arthur, you
are unused to scenes like this in fashionable life, yet they are
very sweet. Like Cornelia, I have my jewels, and they are precious
gems; but we shall be late, and Mr. Oliphant will wonder what has
become of his congregation." I felt again the plaguy _choke_, which
is an endemic, I suppose of these bogs, for I have scarcely ever
experienced a fit of the disease till I came here. I could not help
giving a gentle _squeeze_ to the hand that leaned upon my arm. "You
are the happiest set I ever saw," said I. A suppressed sigh met
my ear, and Fanny, jumping into the middle of the walk, to arrest
our progress, broke a chain which would have led to sorrow. "Oh!
mamma, stop: Arthur, don't put down your right foot for your life.
There, now he's safe poor thing," and in an instant, a frightful
frog, which had been hurt by some unlucky foot that had come down
too weightily on the reptile's leg, was gently deposited, first on
her hand, and then laid quietly on the grass under the shade of a
Lauristinus. "I will return after breakfast," muttered Fan. "and if
I find that you are not likely to recover, poor little wretch, you
shall be put out of your pain by old Lorry." How my sisters would
stare in wild amaze, were I to tell them of such an act! "Pray,"
said I, "Fanny, do you cherish in this manner, all the vile vermin
that chance brings into your path?" "To be sure; every creature can
live its short hour in pleasure or in pain; and the less pretty
and likely to excite sympathy, the more I feel to be its friend:
it is so pleasant to be kind to any thing that is unfortunate.
These little traits let you into whole regions of character, and
therefore it is that I relate them. You are very near the end of
my _sketches_, and must then be contented with letters that sum
up events; but I will not relax the labours of my _pencil_, to
commence upon those of my _pen_, till you have Sunday sent down the
stream of time, with the years before the flood."
Oliphant, who had not any _starch_ whatever in his features, met
us at the verandah, without his hat, and looking as benign as the
sky that he seemed to have stood admiring, before we reached the
door. He helped my aunt to take off her shawl, and then presenting
his arm, led the way towards the little room which serves as
a chapel, where the only addition to the usual orisons, was a
short and emphatic prayer for a blessing upon the employments and
instruction, whether public or private, of this day. Breakfast
ended, we soon set out to church, which is full a mile distant;
but the fineness of the weather tempted most of the party to walk.
My aunt and Emily accompanied Mr. Otway in his carriage; and young
Bentley, who is on a visit at Lisfarne, joined _us_.
Arrived at the parish church, upon the side of a bleak and barren
hill, I looked with amazement at the poverty of all around, not
that there was an absence of decency, or even comfort; but the
bare white-washed walls, the simple uncarved pulpit, unfringed
cushions, with the absence of monumental decoration, music, and
all the paraphernalia of church worship on our civilized side of
the channel, struck me most unfavourably as I entered the family
pew; but these things were soon forgotten, and the service was
admirably performed. It so happened, that a gentleman who was on
his way to some other part of the country, and whose talents as
as a preacher stand deservedly high, had halted the day before at
our parson's house, and was prevailed upon to take the pulpit.
Mr. Oliphant, whose voice is well modulated, and whose devotion
communicates a kindred feeling to his auditors, read the lessons,
and prepared the mind, by the simple energy of his manner, for the
powerful impression which awaited it. The sermon was upon prayer,
and described the efficacy of supplication for divine mercy and
assistance. The preacher, who perhaps I may never see again, has
left an indelible impression upon my mind. He was tall, thin, and
pale, with a wonderful benevolence of aspect. A holy calm sat
upon all his features, which the serene but clear light of his
eye distinguished completely from the dulness of vanity. There
was nothing monotonous in the repose of his appearance; and when
he opened his lips, the effect was of music spoken. To the finest
voice I ever heard, he added the perfection of its adaptation to
every variety of meaning which his matter was designed to convey,
and while every inflection seemed to be suited to the words which
it uttered with such correspondence of expression, that had _they_
been removed echo would still have given back all they could
have imparted; _study_ was the last idea that suggested itself
in listening to this eloquent being. All his tones, each look,
each emphasis, appeared to be the spontaneous drapery in which a
bright understanding clothed the feelings of his heart. I never
was so transfixed in my life, and the apostolic sacredness of his
figure harmonized so entirely with the simplicity of that lowly
building divested of even the common-place decoration usual in
English country churches, that for some time I was untrue to our
beloved _Gothic_, and actually began to fancy that I had never till
yesterday been amongst the faithful worshippers of God in His own
Temple.
When the sermon was finished, the preacher remained in his pulpit,
apparently desirous of allowing the congregation to disperse before
his departure; and we saw no more of him.
The family of Glenalta had heard frequently of his extraordinary
powers, but till now had never had an opportunity of judging for
themselves. As we walked home, our talk by the wayside naturally
enough took its hue from the scene which we had just quitted, and
I asked Mr. Oliphant whether Mr. Leighton, whose performance had
excited such general admiration, held the opinions distinctively
denominated Calvinistic? "No, I should imagine not; but cannot
speak positively, as I am not personally acquainted with him."
Young Bentley, who was a little behind us, stepped up, and said, "I
believe that I may answer with _certainty_; for an uncle of mine,
who lives in the north, is very intimate with Mr. Leighton, and
once asked him the question, from having heard some reports which
were circulated touching the doctrines that he inculcated; and he
entered upon that occasion into a full statement of his sentiments,
which, to sum up briefly, may I fancy be comprised in two words,
Gospel truth. He professed the most perfect charity for those who
sincerely differ from him; and likewise the deepest admiration
for holiness both of life and character, in some of those writers
who held the peculiar tenets that mark Calvin's creed: but he
unequivocally declared that he did not adopt the Genevan opinions,
while he as unhesitatingly asserted his belief in evangelical
piety as the only vital religion." "Pray," said I, "tell me what
you mean; for with _us_ evangelical preachers are synonymous
with Calvinists." "Aye," said Mr. Oliphant, "and probably with
Methodists too: there is nothing so easy as a _name_ by which
people are in the habit of representing things not understood
or inquired into? I once knew a young man who, being met in the
street by another who had known him at the university, was suddenly
asked, 'Why, Dick, when did you turn Calvinist?' My young friend
stared, and the other flippantly added, 'I heard that you never
dance now, and therefore suppose you to be one of the new light.'
In this way, idleness and folly make sad confusion; but to answer
_your_ question, as to differences between certain opinions, I
will put a volume into your hands, whenever you please, which will
give you in detail the points upon which Calvin dissented from the
Lutheran doctrines, and formed a sect now known by his name. Very
many individuals are called Calvinists in the unthinking manner
which I have described, without being in reality such; and many who
incontrovertibly held Calvin's opinions, and others who do hold
them at the present day, have been, and are, men whose virtues
ought to excite our deepest veneration, and inspire an earnest
desire of imitation; however we may consider them mistaken in their
explanation of those parts of the Bible which _appear_ to sanction
their doctrines. A pure evangelical faith embraces all that seems
necessary to salvation, namely, the most perfect self-abasement
before God, together with a lively sense of human unworthiness,
full implicit confidence in the free gift of atoning mercy as the
only way to everlasting glory, and an earnest desire, by increasing
holiness and obedience, to prove ourselves the children of God.
These principles, with the addition of a clear sense that we must
_adopt_ them, and become, through the divine spirit infused into
our souls, awakened from the delusive securities of natural pride,
and humbled by an abiding consciousness of our sins and infirmity,
constitute a summary of the Christian system, and comprise all that
is essentially evangelical."