Friendship! thou sovereign balm of every care.
When all serene and placidly appear;
Domestic happiness! of that possessed,
Then may we leave to Providence the rest.
[Anonymous Couplet, no later than 1770:
Nor fell Despair, nor Noise invades the Ear;
But all serene and placid does appear.]
The father of Alida now thought proper to enter into a second marriage.
A lady of worth and understanding had wrought upon his fancy, and won
his particular regards. Her elegance of manner and dignified deportment
engaged general attention; and although she was rather advanced in life,
yet "the remains of former beauty were still visible in her appearance."
She was honourably descended from English parents, who had resided in
New-York since the revolution. Her father had been actively engaged in
business there, which had been ultimately crowned with the successful
gifts of fortune.
Her education had been governed by the strictness of the English
discipline. A foundation laid in early piety continued to influence her
mind with unaffected ardour, blended with a generous benevolence, the
genuine effects of the inexhaustible goodness of her heart. She was one
who manifested to the world that a "doer of good" is far preferable to
any other character, and in a superlative degree above those who
maintain high principles in theory, without ever once reducing them to
practice.
This lady had an only sister, who married a native of Ireland, and after
the course of a few years went to reside there, where she had recently
died. The children returned to this country, having lost their father
long before, and several of her nephews now resided in the city. Having
been always accustomed to reside in town herself, where her many
excellent qualities had endeared her to numerous friends and
acquaintances, who would now feel themselves lost without her society,
therefore the parents of Alida formed the conclusion to pass their
winters in the city, and return to the country in the summer season.
In the mean time, Alida's father thought the event fortunate, and was
pleased at this time to remove his daughter from the place where the
late scenes appeared so trying and afflictive, with the hope that in
mingling her with the gay world she would in a while forget Theodore,
while he in his turn would be induced to leave the neighbourhood.
It was now at that season when weary summer had lapsed into the fallow
arms of autumn, and was approaching to the chilly breezes of winter. The
morning was clear, and the light gales bore invigorating coolness on
their wings as they tremulously agitated the foliage of the western
forest, or fluttered among the branches of the trees that surrounded the
mansion. The green splendours of the lawn had faded into a yellow
lustre; the flowery verdure of the fields was changed to a russet hue.
[_A&M_:
It was that season of the year when weary summer is lapsing into the
arms of fallow autumn. The day had been warm, and the light gales
bore invigorating coolness on their wings as they tremulously
agitated the foliage of the western forest, or fluttered among the
branches of trees surrounding the mansion. The green splendors of
spring had begun to fade into a yellow lustre, the flowery verdure
of the fields was changed to a russet hue.]
A robin chirped in a favourite tree in the yard; a wren chattered
beneath, while some few solitary birds still continued to warble their
notes among the leaves of the aspen.
The surrounding groves partially rung with melody; while deep in the
adjacent wilderness the woodpecker, hammering on some dry and blasted
trees, filled the woods with reverberant echoes.
[_A&M_:
A robin chirped on a neighboring oak; a wren chattered beneath,
swallows twittered around the decayed buildings, the ludicrous
mocking bird sung sportively from the top of the highest elm, and
the surrounding groves rung with varying, artless melody; while deep
in the adjacent wilderness the woodcock, hammering on some dry and
blasted trees, filled the woods with reverberant echoes.]
The face of the Sound was ruffled by the lingering breezes, as they idly
wandered over its surface. Long Island was thinly enveloped in smoky
vapour; scattered along its shores lay the numerous small craft, with
larger ships, of the hostile fleet. A few skiffs were passing and
re-passing the Sound. Several American war-sloops lay on a point which
jutted out from the mainland into the river.
[_A&M_:
The sound was only ruffled by the lingering breezes, as they idly
wandered over its surface. Long-Island, now in possession of the
British troops, was thinly enveloped in smoky vapor; scattered along
its shores lay the numerous small craft and larger ships of the
hostile fleet. A few skiffs were passing and repassing the Sound,
and several American gun-boats lay off a point which jutted out from
the main land, far to the eastward.]
Alida walked leisurely around the yard, contemplating the various
beauties of the scene, the images of departed joys (that she was now
about to leave). The days when Theodore participated with her in
admiring the splendours of rural prospect, raised in her bosom the sigh
of deep regret. She entered the garden, and traced the walks, now
overgrown with weeds and tufted grass. The flower-beds were choked with
the low running brambles, and tall rushes and daisies had usurped the
empire of the kitchen garden. The viny arbour was principally gone to
decay, and the eglantine blushed mournfully along the fences.
[_A&M_:
Melissa walked around the yard, contemplating the varying beauties
of the scene: the images of departed joys--the days when Alonzo had
participated with her in admiring the splendours of rural prospects,
raised in her bosom the sigh of deep regret. She entered the garden
and traversed the alleys, now overgrown with weeds and tufted knot
grass. The flower beds were choaked with the low running bramble and
tangling five finger; tall, rank rushes, mullens and daisies, had
usurped the empire of the kitchen garden. The viny arbour was
broken, and principally gone to decay; yet the "lonely wild rose"
blushed mournfully amidst the ruins.]
Alida continued to walk the garden until the servant informed her that
the carriage was waiting to take her to the city.
Although they set out rather late in the day, they arrived in town some
hours before sunset. They drove immediately to their dwelling, which was
situated in a pleasant part of Greenwich-street, near the Battery.
Alida, after she had thrown off her travelling apparel, seated herself
by the window in silence. Her mind was absorbed in deep reflection and
thoughtfulness. She watched the slow declining sun, as it was sinking
beneath the horizon. Pensive twilight spread her misty mantle over the
landscape. The western sky glowed with the spangles of evening;
deepening glooms advanced. The last beam of day faded from the view, and
all was enveloped in night. Innumerable stars glittered in the
firmament, intermingling their quivering lustre with the pale splendours
of the milky way.
[_A&M_:
She then retired to her chamber, seated herself at the western
window, and watched the slow declining sun, as it leisurely sunk
behind the lofty groves. Pensive twilight spread her misty mantle
over the landscape; the western horizon glowed with the spangles of
evening. Deepening glooms advanced. The last beam of day faded from
the view and the world was enveloped in night. The owl hooted
solemnly in the forest, and the whipperwill sung cheerfully in the
garden. Innumerable stars glittered in the firmament, intermingling
their quivering lustre with the pale splendours of the milky way.]
When Alida was summoned to tea, her parents made various observations to
endeavour to amuse her thoughts, and draw her from her taciturnity.
After tea she again returned to the window, where she sat till a late
hour, apparently in deep meditation, till at length growing weary and
restless, she retired to her room.
As she had for several nights in succession slept but little, she soon
fell into a slumber, and did not awake till near the dawn of day. She
did not close her eyes again to sleep. Daylight soon appeared, and the
cheerful sun darting his enlivening rays through the windows of this
antique mansion, recovered her exhausted spirits, and dissipated, in
some measure, the cheerless reflections that still continued to hover
about her imagination.
[_A&M_:
.... As she, for two nights, had been deprived of her usual rest,
she soon fell into a slumber.
...
Daylight soon appeared, and the cheerful sun darting its enlivening
rays through the crevices and windows of the antique mansion,
recovered her exhausted spirits, and dissipated, in some degree, the
terrors which hovered about her mind.]
She arose, and went down to breakfast with spirits somewhat revived,
and changed to a temporary resignation to past events and recent
occurrences. A thought impressed her mind which gave her new
consolation.
"Who knows," said she, "but that the sun of peace may yet dispel the
glooms of these distressful hours, and restore this throbbing bosom to
its former serenity?"
[_A&M_ (Alonzo speaking):
"Who knows (he said) but that this may finally be the case; but that
the sun of peace may yet dispel the glooms of these distressful
hours!"]
In the meantime, Theodore remained in the neighbourhood of Alida until
he heard the family had left and gone to the city. He then prepared
himself to set out early the next day for the habitation of his parents.
He informed Raymond of his promise to write to Alida, and to transmit
letters through his agency for her inspection every convenient
opportunity.
After passing a weary watchful night, he arose at the first dawning of
day, and proceeded on his journey with a heavy heart and painful
reflections.
[_A&M_:
Alonzo journeyed along with a heavy heart and in an enfeebled frame
of spirits.]
After he had passed through the neighbouring village, and gained the
bridge, he looked over and bade the residence of Alida a mournful
farewell. Fearful forebodings crossed his mind that they were separated
forever; then again those more consolatory, that, perhaps, after a long
delay, he and Alida might yet again meet and be happy.
[_A&M_:
He then, in extreme vexation and disappointment, flung himself into
the sedan, and drove from the mansion. Frequently did he look back
at the building, anxiously did he scrutinize every surrounding and
receding object. A thrill of pensive recollection vibrated through
his frame as he passed the gate, and the keen agonizing pangs of
blasted hope, pierced his heart, as his carriage rolled over the
bridge.]
Traits of glory had painted the eastern skies. The glittering day-star,
having unbarred the portals of light, began to transmit its retrocessive
lustre. Thin scuds flew swiftly over the moon's decrescent form. Low,
hollow winds murmured among the bushes, or brushed the limpid drops from
the intermingling foliage.
[_A&M_ (before previous passage):
Traits of glory now painted the eastern skies. The glittering
day-star, having unbarred the portals of light, began to transmit
its retrocessive lustre. Thin scuds flew swiftly over the moon's
decrescent form. Low, hollow winds, murmured among the bushes, or
brushed the limpid drops from intermingling foliage.]
The dusky shadows of night fled to the deep glens and rocky caverns of
the wilderness. The American lark soared high in the air, consecrating
its matin lay to morn's approaching splendours.
[_A&M_:
The dusky shadows of night fled to the deep glens, and rocky caverns
of the wilderness. The American lark soared high in the air
consecrating its matin lay to morn's approaching splendours.]
The woodlands and forest tops on the high hills caught the sun's first
ray, which, widening and extending, soon gemmed the landscape with a
varying brightness.
[_A&M_:
The forest tops, on high mountains, caught the sun's first ray,
which widening and extending, soon gem'd the landscape with
brilliants of a thousand various dies.]
It was late in the afternoon before Theodore arrived at his father's. He
found his parents contented and happy at their present residence, which
was extremely pleasant, and afforded them many accommodations.
[_A&M_:
In pursuance of his design he went to his father's. He found the old
gentleman, with his man contentedly tilling his farm, and his mother
cheerfully attending to household affairs, as their narrow
circumstances would not admit her to keep a maid without
embarrassment....]
"You have been long gone, my son," said his father: "I scarcely knew
what had become of you. Since I have become a farmer, I know little of
what is going on in the world, and we were never happier in our lives.
We live as independently as we could desire, and realize the blessings
of health and contentment. Our only disquietude is on your account,
Theodore. Your affair with Alida, I suppose, is not so favourable as you
could wish. But despair not, my son; hope is the harbinger of fairer
prospects; rely on Providence, which never deserts those who
submissively bow to its dispensations.
[_A&M_:
"You have been long gone, my son, (said his father) I scarcely knew
what had become of you. Since I have become a farmer I know little
of what is going forward in the world; and indeed we were never
happier in our lives ... we live frugally, and realize the blessings
of health, comfort and contentment; our only disquietude is on your
account, Alonzo. Your affair with Melissa, I suppose is not so
favourable as you could wish, but despair not, my son; hope is the
harbinger of fairer prospects; rely on Providence, which never
deserts those who submissively bow to the justice of its
dispensations."]
Place entire confidence and dependence on the Supreme Being," said his
father, "and the triumph of fortitude and resignation will be yours."
His father paused. His reasonings, however they convinced the
understanding, could not heal the wounds of Theodore's bosom. In Alida
he had looked for as much happiness as earth could afford, nor could he
see any prospect in life which could repair to him her loss.
[_A&M_ (Benjamin Franklin speaking):
"... place entire dependence on the SUPREME, and the triumph of
fortitude and resignation will be yours."
Franklin paused. His reasonings, however they convinced the
understanding, could not heal the wounds of Alonzo's bosom. In
Melissa he looked for as much happiness as earth could afford, nor
could he see any prospect in life which could repair the loss he had
sustained.]
Unwilling to disturb the serenity of his parents, he did not wish to
acquaint them with the whole affair of his troubles. He answered, that
perhaps all might yet be well; that, however, in the present state of
his mind, he thought a change of place and scene might be of advantage.
He said, moreover, that he no longer had an excuse, and that
circumstances now compelled him to join the army.
[_A&M_ (previous sequence resumes):
Unwilling to disturb the serenity of his parents, Alonzo did not
tell them his troubles; he answered that perhaps all might yet come
right, but that as in the present state of his mind he thought a
change of situation might be of advantage, he asked liberty of his
father to travel for some little time.]
A sorrow unknown before seized upon the minds of his parents as Theodore
repeated these words. Sad and dreadful ideas crowded their imagination
at this gloomy period, when in the war's dread emergency they must risk
the life of an only son, to march to the field of battle. 'Tis true, he
might be again restored to them, but were there not a thousand chances
to one? They were overwhelmed with sorrow at these thoughts, till at
length they finally felt themselves obliged to consent to what they
considered his inevitable destiny, leaving the result of their united
wishes and prayers for his safe preservation to an over-ruling
Providence.
His father then offered him money he had on hand to defray his expenses.
Theodore refused, saying, his resources had not yet left him. He then
disposed of his horses and carriages, the insignia of his better days,
but now useless appendages.
[_A&M_ (continuing from mid-paragraph):
To this his father consented, and offered him a part of the money he
had on hand, which Alonzo refused, saying he did not expect to be
long gone, and his resources had not yet failed him.
He then sold off his books, his horses, his carriages, &c. the
_insignia_ of his better days, but now useless appendages from which
he raised no inconsiderable sum.]
After taking an affectionate leave of his parents, he set out the
ensuing day to join his companions on their route to meet the army,
which was far distant. When hostilities first commenced, Theodore had
said, that when it became actually necessary, and his father's affairs
were settled, he would enlist in the service of his country.
Nevertheless, he journeyed with a heavy heart and an enfeebled frame of
spirits, through disappointment, vexation, and fatigue. The scenes he
had so lately experienced moved in melancholy succession over his mind,
and his despondency had not abated, even in a small degree, when he
reached the army.
[_A&M_:
He then took a tender and affectionate leave of his parents, and set
out for New-London.
Alonzo journeyed along with a heavy heart and in an enfeebled frame
of spirits. Through disappointment, vexation, and the fatigues he
had undergone in wandering about, for a long time, in search of
Melissa, despondency had seized upon his mind....]
[[Middle of paragraph summarizes the earlier "He had an excuse..."
passage in _A&M_.]]
He now joined the forces under Colonel Van Renssalaer, "who, with a
detachment of about one thousand men, crossed the river Niagara, and
attacked the British on Queenstown heights. This detachment succeeded in
dislodging the enemy, but not being reinforced by the militia from the
American side, as was expected, they were ultimately repulsed, and
obliged to surrender. Eight hundred British soldiers now came to the aid
of the others, and pressed on to renew the attack. The Americans for a
time continued to struggle against this force, but were finally obliged
to surrender themselves prisoners of war."
[_Interesting Events_: Battle at Queenstown:
Early in the morning of the 13th of October, 1812, a detachment
of about 1000 men, from the army of the Centre, crossed the river
Niagara and attacked the British on Queenstown heights. This
detachment, under the command of Colonel Solomon Van Rensellaer,
succeeded in dislodging the enemy, but not being reinforced by the
militia, from the American side, as was expected, they were
ultimately repulsed, and were obliged to surrender.
...
Eight hundred British soldiers, from fort George, now hove in sight,
and pressed on to renew the attack. The Americans, for a time,
continued to struggle against this force, but were finally obliged
to surrender themselves prisoners of war.]
The fate of war was hard for Theodore, on his first expedition. He was
taken, and carried among the rest on board a prison-ship, and sent with
a number of others to England.
[[This paragraph summarizes the equivalent of several chapters
of _Alonzo and Melissa_.]]
This disastrous event, however, was shortly followed by one more
fortunate for the Americans. "General Dearborn embarked at Sackett's
Harbour, with sixteen hundred men, on an expedition against York, and
succeeded in the capture of that place.
[_Interesting Events_: Capture of York:
Gen. Dearborn embarked at Sackett's Harbor, with sixteen hundred
men, on an expedition against York....]
"York was the seat of government for Upper Canada, and the principal
depot for the Niagara frontier. More naval stores were taken by the
Americans than could be carried away. The government hall was burned,
contrary to the orders of the American general."
[_Interesting Events_: Capture of York:
... more naval stores were taken by the Americans than could be
carried away.... York was the seat of government for Upper Canada,
and the principal depot for the Niagara frontier, and Detroit....
In the government hall ... the mace and other emblems of power.
This building was burned, contrary to the orders of the American
General.]