Could I trace back the time, a distant date, since my ancestors
traversed these fields, and held possession of this wide domain.
The melancholy event had taken place, and Albert had lost his father.
His heavy and heartfelt affliction could not at this time be alleviated,
and his mind was involved in gloom and sadness, which he endeavoured in
vain to dissipate.
He was now deprived of the kind hand of a parent, who had used his
endeavours to lead him in the way he should go, from his infancy: and
assisted him with a kindly advice, and supplied him with a timely
experience, and in the wisdom of whose salutary council, he could now no
longer repose.
He felt himself deprived of this kind assistant, whose precepts had been
his guide ever since the first dawning irradiations of reason had began
to appear, to enlighten his mind, and with the eye of vigilance watched
over him, endeavouring to trace out his good or evil propensities, and
to point to the particular advantages on the one hand, and the baneful
effects on the other, and to train his ideas to whatever was most
commendable, and praiseworthy.
Albert had ever evinced a disposition pleasing to parental hopes and
wishes, and flattering to a fond father's most sanguine anticipations.
He was ever cheerful in complying with whatever he considered his duty,
and conformable to the will of his interested parent.
He now revolved in his mind, and reflected what had heretofore been his
particular wishes. It had long been the wish of his parent, that he
should close his business in New-York, and settle himself on the
paternal estate. He, therefore, was diligent in his endeavours to do
this, as soon as his spirits would in any wise allow him to attend to
these affairs, and at the commencement of the ensuing spring, he happily
terminated his business in the city, and returned to the country.
[_Alida_ page 128 (chapter XVI):
He had imparted to his son his wish for him to close and settle his
mercantile affairs in the city, (as the times were dreary,) and
return to the paternal estate.]
[_Alida_ page 153 (chapter XX):
He had long wished him to close his affairs of business in the city,
and settle himself on the paternal estate.]
The remembrance of his father for a long interval of time was in every
object around and about the mansion, in which he was established, and
reminded him of his bereavement, and he was affected with sorrowful
meditations, and a borrowed serenity was manifested in his appearance.
He reflected on his present condition,--he would say, how desultory is
the happiness of man, he lays plans of permanent felicity, when the
whirlwind of affliction arrives, and destroys the towering edifice of
creative hope, and his schemes of contentment are changed to
disappointment and wo.
[_NY Weekly_: Mrs. Mordaunt:
How desultory are the schemes of man, he lays plans of permanent
felicity, when the whirlwind of affliction arrives, and destroys the
towering edifice of creative hope.]
He had taken possession of the paternal estate, which had for some years
been the wish of his father. Like him he was fond of rural pleasures and
amusements, and to dissipate care amid the diversified scenes of rustic
life, afforded him satisfaction and pleasure.
[_Alida_ page 13 (chapter I):
The mind of its owner took particular delight in rural pleasures and
amusements; in dissipating a part of his time in the innocent scenes
of rustic life....]
To contemplate the inimitable works of Creation, was to him no less
pleasing than instructive. Where so many objects arrest the attention,
and afford abundance of entertainment, equally calculated to raise in
the human breast the most unfeigned offerings of wonder, gratitude and
praise to the great Dispenser of benefits to mankind, and the Author of
universal existence.
[_NY Weekly_: The School of Nature:
Nature presents to the imagination an inexhausted fund of rational
amusement. To contemplate the inimitable works of creation, is no
less instructive than pleasing. Animate as well as inanimate objects
afford an abundance of entertaining ideas, equally calculated to
raise in the souls of human beings the most unfeigned offerings of
wonder, gratitude, and praise. The gaiety of spring, the smiles of
summer, the secundity of autumn, and the dreariness of winter, all
combine to celebrate the Author of universal existence.]
The magnificence of the celestial, and the curiosity and variety of the
vegetable world, that have properties which, if accurately seen, yield
inconceivable astonishment to the eye of the beholder, and confess alike
the happy influence of the Deity. It charms in all the genial warmth and
softness of spring, when the earth teems with a matchless splendour,
when its green hues and universal verdure come forth in all their
pristine elegance and enchanting attractions, which constantly afforded
the contemplative mind of Albert, an inexhaustible variety of
entertaining and useful lessons.
[_NY Weekly_: The School of Nature:
The magnificent and wonderful objects of the celestial, and the
curiosity and variety of the vegetable world, as well as the
formation of all animals, reptiles, insects, and other productions
of Nature, have properties which, if accurately viewed, yield
inconceivable astonishment to the beholder.]
[_NY Weekly_: Detraction:
In a word, the whole reign confessed the happy influences of the
Deity, and charmed in all the genial softness of the spring.]
[_NY Weekly_: The School of Nature:
When spring, for example, returns with all it's native beauties, as
succeeding the gloomy aspect and forbidding horrors of winter; when
it teems with a matchless splendour and magnificence; when its
green hues and universal verdure come forth in all their pristine
elegance, and enchanting attractions.... which would afford him an
endless variety of useful and instructive lessons....]
In the meantime his new station in life called him to new
responsibilities, and a new field of action, unknown to him before,
presented itself, wherein he must act in many different capacities. He
was naturally of a domestic turn of mind, and had always declined
entering into the constant routine of engagements, to which the most
part of the fashionable world, more or less, subject themselves. He
avoided all excess and extravagance, in every respect, in which people
of this description lose the greater part of their time. He was
extremely fond of walking, as he considered gentle exercise the best
medicine of life, and he passed much of his time in strolling over the
fields or in the forest glen, amid the green wood shade, wrapped up in
solitary reflection.
[_NY Weekly_: Extraordinary Adventure of a Spanish Nobleman:
.... but his grace, who was of a domestic turn, and averse from the
vanities of high life, declined entering into any engagement which
might subject him to the impertinence, folly, and etiquette, to
which the major part of the fashionable world seem to abound, either
as servile imitators, or involuntary slaves....]
When the sun was gilding the western hemisphere, and the day shone in
all the mildness of the season, enveloped in serious thought and
reverie, Albert walked forth among the surrounding shades. "Happy, ye
freeborn sons of Columbia," said he, "liberty and plenty now bless your
domestic retirements,--War, devastation and wide-wasting rapine have
fled your peaceful shores. No dread of destruction to disturb your
uninterrupted tranquillity; the exercise of laudable industry can again
bring home to each family competency and repose." The clear cerulean sky
added a soft beauty to the adjacent landscapes, as he listlessly
wandered along the beach. The idle murmuring of the waves upon the sandy
shore, the confused gabbling of the waterfowl, and the near view of the
full-spread vessel majestically advancing over the white-capped billows,
that advanced and receded in gentle monotony, tended to soothe the lone
bosom to calmness and quietude.
[_NY Weekly_: The African's Complaint:
Phoebus had immersed his flaming forehead in the Western
main--smoothly glided the wild zephyrs.... enveloped in a pleasing
reverie, I walked forth amongst the surrounding shades. ----"Happy,
ye freeborn sons of Columbia," exclaimed I, "liberty and plenty
bless your domestic retirements; war, devastation, and wide-wasting
rapine have fled from your peaceful shores--no murderous assassin,
or night prowling incendiary, carries the hidden dagger of
slaughter, or dread torch of destruction to disturb your
uninterrupted tranquility....]
[_NY Weekly_: Extract from a Letter to Miss ****:
.... When we sailed gently down the harbour, the clear cerulean of
the sky added a softer beauty to the adjacent landscapes.... when
listlessly wandering on the rocky beach, the idle murmuring of the
waves upon the sandy shore, the confused gabbling of the sea fowl,
and the distant view of the "full spread vessel majestically
advancing over the white cap'd billows," tended to sooth the sorrows
of humanity, and lull the mind to quietude.]
The day ended, and calm evening drew on. The silver rays of the
full-orbed moon shed a majesty on each surrounding object. The scene
appeared in solemn grandeur; the dusky forest reflected a yellow
radiance; and the rolling wonders of the heavens glittered over the
head, while awful stillness reigned, interrupted only by the strains of
the night-bird, whose melodious notes served to soothe the heart to
harmony.
[_NY Weekly_: Extract from a Letter to Miss ****:
The day ended, and still evening drew on. Then did nature appear in
silent magnificence; while the silver rays of the full orbed moon
shed a majesty on each surrounding object. The lofty summit of the
cloud-topt mountain appeared in solemn grandeur; the dusky forest
reflected a yellow radiance; and the rolling wonders of the skies
glittered over our heads: while the awful stillness that reigned,
interrupted only by the lonely strains of the whip-poor-will, served
to exalt the soul, and distend the heart.]
Albert returned home with a leisurely step, his feelings were raised in
devotional gratitude to that beneficent Being, on whom we depend for
every present and future felicity, and who had surrounded us with so
many blessings, that conspire to compose the mind to calmness and
serenity.
[_NY Weekly_: Chearfulness:
Indeed, true piety is an invaluable treasure; and happy are they who
esteem its salutary tendency. It meliorates the morals and
disposition, and promotes present and future felicity.]