The young man entered the neat, prim, formal parlor.
"You are welcome!" said Mrs. Avenel, in a firm voice.
"The gentleman is heartily welcome," cried poor John.
"It is your grandson, Leonard Fairfield," said Mrs. Avenel.
But John who had risen with knocking knees, gazed hard at Leonard, and
then fell on his breast, sobbing aloud--"Nora's eyes!--he has a blink in
his eyes like Nora's."
Mrs. Avenel approached with a steady step, and drew away the old man
tenderly.
"He is a poor creature," she whispered to Leonard--"you excite him. Come
away, I will show you your room."
Leonard followed her up the stairs, and came into a room--neatly, and
even prettily furnished. The carpet and curtains were faded by the sun,
and of old-fashioned pattern, but there was a look about the room as if
it had long been disused.
Mrs. Avenel sank down on the first chair on entering.
Leonard drew his arm round her waist affectionately: "I fear that I have
put you out sadly--my dear grandmother."
Mrs. Avenel glided hastily from his arm, and her countenance worked
much--every nerve in it twitching as it were; then, placing her hand on
his locks, she said with passion, "God bless you, my grandson," and left
the room.
Leonard dropped his knapsack on the floor, and looked around him
wistfully. The room seemed as if it had once been occupied by a female.
There was a work-box on the chest of drawers, and over it hanging
shelves for books, suspended by ribbons that had once been blue, with
silk and fringe appended to each shelf, and knots and tassels here and
there--the taste of a woman, or rather of a girl, who seeks to give a
grace to the commonest things around her. With the mechanical habit of a
student, Leonard took down one or two of the volumes still left on the
shelves. He found SPENSER'S _Fairy Queen_, RACINE in French, TASSO in
Italian; and on the fly-leaf of each volume, in the exquisite
hand-writing familiar to his memory, the name "Leonora." He kissed the
books, and replaced them with a feeling akin both to tenderness and awe.
He had not been alone in his room more than a quarter of an hour, before
the maid-servant knocked at his door and summoned him to tea.
Poor John had recovered his spirits, and his wife sate by his side
holding his hand in hers. Poor John was even gay. He asked many
questions about his daughter Jane, and did not wait for the answers.
Then he spoke about the Squire, whom he confounded with Audley Egerton,
and talked of elections, and the Blue party, and hoped Leonard would
always be a good Blue; and then he fell to his tea and toast, and said
no more.
Mrs. Avenel spoke little, but she eyed Leonard askant, as it were, from
time to time; and after each glance the nerves of the poor severe face
twitched again.
A little after nine o'clock Mrs. Avenel lighted a candle, and placing it
in Leonard's hand, said, "You must be tired--you know your own room now.
Good-night."
Leonard took the light, and, as was his wont with his mother, kissed
Mrs. Avenel on the cheek. Then he took John's hand and kissed him too.
The old man was half asleep and murmured dreamily, "That's Nora."
Leonard had retired to his room about half-an-hour, when Richard Avenel
entered the house softly, and joined his parents.
"Well, mother?" said he.
"Well, Richard--you have seen him?"
"And like him. Do you know he has a great look of poor Nora?--more like
her than Jane?"
"Yes; he is handsomer than Jane ever was, but more like your father than
any one. John was so comely. You take to the boy then?"
"Ay, that I do. Just tell him in the morning that he is to go with a
gentleman who will be his friend, and don't say more. The chaise shall
be at the door after breakfast. Let him get into it: I shall wait for
him out of the town. What's the room you give him?"
"The room you would not take."
"The room in which Nora slept? Oh, no! I could not have slept a wink
there. What a charm there was in that girl!--how we all loved her! But
she was too beautiful and good for us--too good to live!"
"None of us are too good," said Mrs. Avenel with great austerity, "and I
beg you will not talk in that way. Good-night--I must get your poor
father to bed."
When Leonard opened his eyes-the next morning, they rested on the face
of Mrs. Avenel, which was bending over his pillow. But it was long
before he could recognize that countenance, so changed was its
expression--so tender, so motherlike. Nay, the face of his own mother
had never seemed to him so soft with a mother's passion.
"Ah!" he murmured, half rising, and flinging his young arms round her
neck. Mrs. Avenel, this time, and for the first, taken by surprise,
warmly returned the embrace: she clasped him to her breast, she kissed
him again and again. At length with a quick start she escaped, and
walked up and down the room, pressing her hands tightly together. When
she halted her face had recovered its usual severity and cold precision.
"It is time for you to rise, Leonard," said she. "You will leave us
to-day. A gentleman has promised to take charge of you, and do for you
more than we can. A chaise will be at the door soon--make haste."
John was absent from the breakfast-table. His wife said that he never
rose till late, and must not be disturbed.
The meal was scarce over before a chaise and pair came to the door.
"You must not keep the chaise waiting--the gentleman is very punctual."
"But he is not come."
"No, he has walked on before, and will get in after you are out of the
town."
"What is his name, and why should he care for me, grandmother?"
"He will tell you himself. Now, come."
"But you will bless me again, grandmother. I love you already."
"I do bless you," said Mrs. Avenel firmly. "Be honest and good, and
beware of the first false step." She pressed his hand with a convulsive
grasp, and led him to the outer door.
The postboy clanked his whip, the chaise rattled off. Leonard put his
head out of the window to catch a last glimpse of the old woman. But the
boughs of the pollard oak, and its gnarled decaying trunk, hid her from
his eye. And look as he would, till the road turned, he saw but the
melancholy tree.
(_To be continued._)
FOOTNOTES:
[8] This aphorism has been probably assigned to Lord Bacon upon the mere
authority of the index to his works. It is the aphorism of the
index-maker, certainly not of the great master of inductive philosophy.
Bacon has, it is true, repeatedly dwelt on the power of knowledge, but
with so many explanations and distinctions, that nothing could be more
unjust to his general meaning than to attempt to cramp into a sentence
what it costs him a volume to define. Thus, if in one page he appears to
confound knowledge with power, in another he sets them in the strongest
antithesis to each other; as follows, "Adeo, signanter Deus opera
potentiae et sapientiae diseriminavit." But it would be as unfair to Bacon
to convert into an aphorism the sentence that discriminates between
knowledge and power as it is to convert into an aphorism any sentence
that confounds them.
[9] "But the greatest error of all the rest is the mistaking or
misplacing of the last or farthest end of knowledge:--for men have
entered into a desire of learning and knowledge, sometimes upon a
natural curiosity and inquisitive appetite; sometimes to entertain their
minds with variety and delight; sometimes for ornament and reputation;
and sometimes to enable them to victory of wit and contradiction; and
most times for lucre and profession;"--[that is, for most of those
objects which are meant by the ordinary citers of the saying, 'Knowledge
is power;'] "and seldom, sincerely, to give a true account of these
gifts of reason to the benefit and use of men; as if there were sought
in knowledge a couch whereupon to rest a searching and restless spirit;
or a terrace for a wandering and variable mind to walk up and down, with
a fair prospect; or a tower of state for a proud mind to raise itself
upon; or a fort or commanding ground for strife and contention; or a
shop for profit or sale--and not a rich storehouse for the glory of the
Creator, and the relief of men's estate."--ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING, BOOK
I.
UNCLE JOHN; OR, THE ROUGH ROAD TO RICHES.
England affords, even in these degenerate days of peace, innumerable
examples of the class called "lucky fellows;" that is to say, men who
have begun life with a charity-school education and a shilling, and are
now prosperous in wealth and station. Perhaps it is hardly fair to
impute to good-luck, what may be mainly owing to industry, frugality,
patience, and perseverance. But, after all, one may starve with all
these virtues, in spite of all that copy-book maxims may say to the
contrary. There is good-luck in success, whatever may have been the
qualities by which that good luck has been seized at the right moment
and turned to good account. Industry, frugality, patience, and
perseverance, form a perfect locomotive--good-luck is the engine-driver
who turns the handle and sets them in motion at the right moment.
Men who have been the "architects of their own fortunes," never admit
that good luck has had any thing to do with their prosperity. Their
pardonable vanity at their own success makes them guilty of a species
of ingratitude to Providence. Listen to one of these old gentlemen
holding forth to his hopeful son or nephew on his, the said old
gentleman's, past life; on his early poverty, his self-denial, his hard
work, and his subsequent reward; and the burden of his discourse is ever
the same,
"_Alone_ I did it, boy!"
Should the listener at any point be tempted rashly to exclaim "how
lucky!" the old gentleman will turn on him with a severe frown and say,
"luck, sir; nonsense. There's no such thing as luck. Live on a crust,
sir; that's the only way for a man to get on in the world." The old
gentleman quite forgets that if his first venture in the _Chutnee_ East
Indiaman had been a failure; or his first dabble in the stocks had not
been followed by the battle of Leipsic; or his senior partner, who had
nine-tenths of the profits of the business, had not departed this life
suddenly in an apoplectic fit, he would have held a very different
position in the world, and probably have been now a denizen of the
second floor over his counting-house in the city, instead of a resident
in Hyde Park Gardens.
An excellent specimen of this class of old gentlemen is "Uncle John."
The obscurity of his early days is so great that even he himself finds
it difficult to penetrate it. That he had a father and a mother is
incontestable; but these worthy people seem to have left this world of
sin at so early a period of "Uncle John's" existence, that, for all
practical purposes, he might as well have been without them. His first
juvenile recollections are connected with yellow stockings, leather
shorts, a cutaway coatee with a tin badge on it, and a little round
woolen cap with a tuft in the middle of it, resting on a head formed by
nature to accommodate a cap of double its dimensions. In a word, "Uncle
John" was a charity-boy.
It must not be imagined that the above fact has ever been communicated
by Uncle John himself; for the worthy man is weak enough to be ashamed
of it, though he will discourse of his early privations in a mystical
manner, with the design apparently of inducing you to regard him rather
as a counterpart of Louis Philippe in his days of early exile, than as a
commonplace, though equally interesting (to a right-thinking mind) young
gentleman in yellow stockings. It _is_ a fact, however, as indisputable
as that Uncle John is now worth thirty or forty thousand pounds.
Emerging from the charity-school, and exchanging the leather shorts and
yellow stockings for corduroys and gray worsted socks, Uncle John
obtained the appointment of office-boy to a Temple attorney. His duties
were multifarious--sweeping the office and serving writs, cleaning boots
and copying declarations. His emoluments were not large--seven shillings
a week and "find himself," which was less difficult, poor boy, than to
find any thing _for_ himself. But Uncle John persevered and was not
disheartened. He lived literally on a crust, and regaled himself only
with the savory smells issuing from the cook's-shop, which was not only
an economical luxury, but had the advantage of affording a stimulus to
the imagination. He actually saved two shillings a week out of his
salary, not to mention an occasional donation of a shilling on high days
and holidays from his master.
Uncle John was never idle. When he had nothing to do for his master,
which was rarely the case, he used to take a pen and any loose piece of
paper or parchment, and copy, or imitate, the lawyer's engrossing
hand--known as court-hand--till he became a good penman in this cramped
style of writing. Having accomplished this object, Uncle John determined
to "better himself," by getting a situation as copying clerk instead of
office boy. He succeeded in his attempts, and was installed in another
attorney's office as engrossing clerk at twelve shillings a week--a
salary which appeared to him, at the time, enormous. But riches did not
turn his head. The only increase which he made in his previous
expenditure, was in wearing a rather cleaner shirt, and discarding
corduroys for some more genteel material. Uncle John was too wise and
too self-denying to be seduced _inside_ the cook's-shop yet.
He was now saving at least six shillings a week, which is L15 a year!
For four years no change took place in his condition. He still lived in
his solitary garret; worked hard all day, and borrowed law books from
the articled clerks in the office, which he read at home at night. At
home! poor fellow--what a name for his miserable little room up in the
tiles of a house in a narrow court out of Fleet-street! But Uncle John
was a brave fellow, and worked on without stopping to sentimentalize.
A promotion now took place in the office, and Uncle John was made chief
common-law clerk at one pound a week. He had rendered himself quite
competent for the duties by his midnight studies. He was never absent
from his post, never forgot any thing, and was never ill; for he had the
strength of a horse. It is suspected that about this time, Uncle John
paid one or two visits to the cook's-shop; but it must not be supposed
that the visits were _more_ than one or two. As a rule, Uncle John dined
on a piece of the cheapest meat he could purchase, boiled by himself in
his garret.
He was wise enough, however, to be very neat in his dress, and thereby
gained the credit of being a very respectable young man in the eyes of
his employer; for it is a very remarkable fact that clerks are always
expected to dress like gentlemen when their salaries are not even large
enough to buy them food.
Another four years passed away, when one day Uncle John, having duly
screwed up his courage, walked into his master's private room, and,
after a little preliminary hesitation, ventured to hint that he should
like to be articled! The master stared--the clerk remained silently
awaiting his answer.
"Are you aware," inquired the former, "that the expense of the stamp,
&c., is one hundred and twenty pounds?"
Uncle John _was_ aware of it, and he was prepared with the money. He had
saved it out of his miserable salary.
The master stared still more. But, after a short time, he consented to
article Uncle John, and to continue his salary during the term of his
articles. Uncle John was in ecstasies, and so far forgot his usual
prudence that evening as to indulge in half a pint of bad port wine--a
taste, by the way, which he has retained to this day.
He was now a happy man. Every thing was "en train" now to make him one
day a "gentleman by Act of Parliament"--as attorneys are facetiously
termed. It would certainly require something more than even the
omnipotence of an Act of Parliament to confer the character on some of
the fraternity.
During the first year of his articles the managing clerk died, and Uncle
John was promoted to that office with a salary of two hundred a year.
Here was, indeed, a rise in life--from seven shillings a week to two
hundred a year! Happy Uncle John. But you deserved it all; for you had
plenty of the courage which is prepared for all ills, and endures those
which it can not conquer.
Long before the five years of his articles had expired, the clerk had
made himself so absolutely necessary to the master, that the latter
could scarcely have carried on the business for a month without him.
Therefore, when the time arrived at which he ceased to be a clerk and
became himself an attorney, Uncle John hinted to his master that he was
going to leave him. Cunning Uncle John! You had no such intention; but
you knew that your master would take alarm, beg you to stay, and offer
you a partnership. Of course--and he did so.
Uncle John's path in life was from henceforth comparatively smooth. He
was the working partner in a business which was both profitable and of
good quality. Within a few years his partner was foolish enough to
quarrel with him, and to demand a dissolution of the partnership. Uncle
John readily consented, and all the clients knowing well who was the man
that understood the business and transacted it, followed him; and he
became an attorney with a practice of two thousand a year, and no
partner to share the profits.
His economical habits never forsook him. He married and kept a decent
table; but save in a love of good wine (or at least what his uneducated
taste considered so), he had nothing but the ordinary necessaries of
life. How much he saved each year who shall say? He had no children, and
his practice increasing while his wants stood still, he became what he
is now--a prosperous and highly respected old gentleman.
It is the fashion of the old to point out such men as models for the
imitation of the rising generation. The young, on the contrary, make
them the subjects of their ridicule, for their bad grammar and worse
manners. Let us see if we can find out the truth, unbiased by either
party. Uncle John is now a rich man, an honorable man, a hardworking
man, and in the main a sensible man. He has attained his position in
life by patience, perseverance, and industry, favored also by a little
of that good luck to which we first referred. But Uncle John is
deficient in many of the characteristics which adorn human nature. Is it
not natural that he should be so? Where was he to learn the gentler
feelings of his kind--affection, sympathy, benevolence? In his garret,
alone and unfriended? He is mean and parsimonious. He is worth forty
thousand pounds, and his deceased brother's child is starving with his
wife in a suburban garret. Uncle John will not aid him with a penny. Who
aided _him_? Did _he_ not live in a garret, and save money too? Was _he_
such a fool as to marry before he could keep a wife? Uncle John was
guilty of no weaknesses in those days; he can not forgive them in
another.
His only brother dies, leaving a large family and a widow--unprovided
for: for the children have eaten up all he could ever earn. Uncle John
does not like the widow (perhaps because she had so many children), but
he gives her L50 a year. His own income is about four thousand.
His only sister is also left a widow without a sixpence. Uncle John
gives _her_ L50 a year. "People should not marry imprudently. He can
afford no more; he has a great many calls upon him." Perhaps so; but the
answer to such calls is always, "not at home."
He has many clerks now. He makes them all work twelve hours a day. Why
not? _He_ worked twelve hours a day.
He has articled clerks too. They must work twelve hours a day also. _He_
did it. True, Uncle John; but you had your salary for it; while they, on
the contrary, pay you for the privilege of working for you.
There is an old adage that a slave makes the worst tyrant. Uncle John
exemplifies it. Because he suffered poverty and privation, he thinks
that every youth should endure the same. Because nature had given him
the constitution of a horse, he thinks that every one should have a
similar one.
Such men as Uncle John are striking examples of certain qualities; and
of those particular qualities which conduce to success in life. Their
highest praise (perhaps there is no higher praise in the world) is their
unflinching integrity. But we can not bring ourselves to think them--on
the whole--models for imitation. After all, there is selfishness at the
bottom of their first motives, and this quality grows with their growth,
and strengthens with their strength, till, in their old age, they are
impatient at all the enjoyments of youth. The hardships of their younger
days are not only to be pitied for the pain they must have inflicted at
the time, but because they have closed up all the avenues through which
the gentler, nobler, and more generous sympathies of our nature find
their way into the heart. Their want of education has not been of the
mind alone, but of the affections; and as it is ten thousand times more
difficult to learn a language or a science in old age than in youth, so
it is infinitely more difficult (if it be not impossible) to teach the
science of the affections, and the language of the heart, to the old man
whose youth has known nothing of either. Affliction and adversity teach
oft-times sympathy and benevolence; but to do so they must have followed
on happier times, and not have been a birth-portion. You may praise and
respect "Uncle Johns," but you can not love them--neither can they love
you.
DARLING DOREL.
Dorothea Sibylla, Duchess of Brieg, was born at Coeln, on the River
Spree, in Prussia, on the 19th of October, 1590. She was the daughter of
Elizabeth of Anhalt, and of John George, Margrave and Elector of
Brandenburg, of the old princely Ascanian race. At the death of her
husband in 1598, the widowed margravine retired to Crossen to
superintend her daughter's education. In due time, suitors were not
wanting for the hand of young Dorothea Sibylla: among others, the King
of Denmark; but he sued in vain. Dorothea, at length, fixed her
affection on John Christian, Duke of Liegnitz and Brieg, who enjoyed a
great reputation for virtue, ability, and integrity. To him, after a
short courtship. Dorothea was married on the 12th of December, 1610, at
Crossen; and reached Brieg--the small capital of her future
dominions--on the first of January in the following year.
Such is the dry sum of a charming Court biography, which first appeared
in a periodical published in 1829, in Silesia, and which has been twice
republished in a separate form--once (in 1838) at Brieg, under the title
of "Passages from the Life of Dorothea Sibylla, Duchess of Liegnitz and
Brieg." It purports to consist of extracts from the journal of a certain
tanner and furrier of Brieg, named Valentinus Gierth, an occasional
guest at the ducal castle, and ardent admirer of the duchess. As a
simple, and--if internal evidence be worth any thing--truthful picture
of German-Court life during the early part of the seventeenth century,
it is not to be gainsayed; although suspicions of its authenticity have
been cast upon it, similar to those which damaged the charms of the
"Diary of Lady Willoughby," by eventually proving it to be a fiction.
Dorothea is described as a pattern of goodness, common sense, virtue,
and piety. In domestic management, she was pre-eminent. For her own
immediate attendants, she appointed fourteen maids of honor; and the
first families of the land looked upon it as an inestimable privilege to
place their daughters at the ducal court; which was a high school of
all noble virtues and accomplishments, "whereof the duchess herself was
the chief teacher and most perfect model."
Nothing could be more primitive than the duchess's intercourse with the
townspeople. Occasionally she walked in the streets of Brieg accompanied
by her maids of honor, and chatted with such of the townspeople as were
sitting on the benches outside their doors. The little children looked
forward with the greatest delight to these town walks of the duchess;
for the ladies-in-waiting invariably carried about with them in their
pockets all sorts of sweetmeats, which the duchess distributed among the
little claimants. For this reason, the little children stood peeping
round the corners of the streets, when it got wind that the duchess was
about to walk out; more especially when it was surmised that the duke
would not be with her. So soon, therefore, as Dorothea Sibylla left the
castle gate, the little urchins would run through the town, like
wildfire, crying out, "The darling Dorel is coming!--the darling Dorel
is coming!"
The manner in which this endearing designation first came to her ears is
related with affecting simplicity. "It happened," says Master Gierth,
with true German particularity, "on the 10th of September (old style) in
the year of our Lord, 1613;" that being the Feast of St. Sibylla--one of
the duchess's name-saints--and also the second birth-day of her son
George. There was a great feast at the castle; to which the towns-folks
and the children of the High and Guild Schools were invited.
"From the terrace," quoth the chronicler, "the whole procession moved
along a wide, smooth walk before the orangery; where the quality, as
well as the children, were richly treated with strong, spiced wine,
orange-water, and confectionery. Her ladyship did, likewise, lay certain
presents before the young lord, her son; she did, likewise, examine the
children's school-books, and the master's report, wherein the conduct of
the children was noted, and did put apposite questions to them touching
their Christian belief, and the like; and, on receiving right proper
answers, her face did shine like an angel's.
"One little maiden, however, which was weak and ignorant, was not able
to answer the questions aright; whereupon her ladyship did ask:
"'My child, what is your name?' Whereunto she did answer, 'Anna Pohlin.'
"'Well,' asked her ladyship, 'and what is my name?'
"Straightway the little maiden did answer, 'Darling Dorel!'
"Hereupon Master Valentinus Gierth was somewhat affronted, but did
quickly recover himself and, stepping up to her ladyship, did say:
"'Most gracious lady! I trust your ladyship will pardon these words, and
not take them amiss; inasmuch, as it is true that the women of this
town, as well as of the neighboring villages, when they do speak of your
ladyship, do commonly call your ladyship the Darling Dorel.'
"Then did the duchess fold her hands, and, raising them to heaven, did
say:
"'God be praised for such a precious title! the which, as long as I am
in my senses, I would not exchange against 'Your Majesty!'
"The duke did, thereupon, embrace her ladyship, saying:
"'Away with the title, 'princely consort!' I will ever henceforth call
thee by none other save 'Darling Dorel!'"
We by no means intend to follow the good tanner through his minute
records; but merely write thus much, as necessary preface to a quaint
little love story. Premising that the duchess had sent, after her usual
fashion, a marriage present to a certain lady, by two of her maids of
honor (by name Agnes and Mary), we shall transfer the narrative to our
pages in Master Gierth's own manner.
After the presentation of the gifts, and when the marriage ceremony was
concluded, the two maids of honor were preparing to return to Brieg,
when the bride's father stopped them, saying:
"'How? Shall I suffer two such angels of joy to depart, without tasting
of my food and my drink? Nay, noble damsels, ye must abide here awhile
beyond the marriage festivities, and be of good cheer! I will
immediately dispatch a trusty messenger on horse to her most gracious
ladyship, the duchess, and obtain leave for your sojourn here.'
"The two damsels did, therefore, abide there the space of three days,
and became acquainted with two gallants of the place; with whom they did
exchange love-tokens and rings. But when the two damsels returned to
Brieg to render an account of their mission, the duchess did note the
rings on the fingers of the two damsels, and questioned them how they
came thereby. So soon, therefore, as the two damsels did confess the
truth, their mistress, half-jestingly, and half in earnest, said unto
them:
"'How now, ye gad-abouts! ye have scarce chipped the egg-shell, and
have, as yet, no means to make the pot boil, seeing that ye are poor
orphans, and under age; and ye yet dare to listen to the nonsense of
strange gallants, unbeknown to your foster-mother! Tell me, foolish
young things, ought I not to take the rod to you? Take off the rings
from your fingers, and give them to me. I will send them back; seeing
that the betrothal is null and void, and mere child's play.'
"The young damsels did then obey her ladyship, but wept apace the while.
This caused her ladyship to have compassion upon them, and she did
minister comfort to them thus:
"'Ah! beloved daughters! ye shed bitter, hot tears that ye do not
already wear the curch [the German head dress of married women]. But if
ye did but know the heaviness of being wedded wives, even when the cares
are lightest, ye would rejoice! Meanwhile, the matter hath been carried
on against all Christian order. I have always heard that the lover first
maketh his suit known to the parents or the guardians, and that then
the betrothal taketh place. Your suitors must needs be in great haste.
Why stand they in such great necessity of pushing their suit?'
"Hereupon the damsel Agnes plucked up an heart, and said quickly,
"'Most gracious lady! the gentlemen did come with us; and have already
the consent of their own parents to make their suit if they be but
encouraged by a sign of approval.'
"'Ah! Heaven have mercy!' cried the duchess, joining her hands. 'Have
ye, scape-graces indeed, brought your gallants hither? I dare not
inquire further. May be, ye have hidden them in your chambers? Meggy
(the duchess's nurse), beg his lordship to come hither; I must talk the
matter over with him.'
"'After the duke had come and heard that which had befallen, he
straightways asked the names of the gallants; and when the damsels had
informed his grace thereof, his lordship did turn unto his consort,
saying:
"'Listen, Darling Dorel: the parents, on both sides, are most worthy
persons, and of unblemished birth. I advise that thou shouldst give thy
consent thereunto! Remember, dearest, that we twain were of one mind
long before I made known my suit unto thy mother.'
"Whereupon her ladyship did strike her lord upon the mouth with her
kerchief, and said,
"'Well!--well!--but we must first look at these youths, and learn what
they are like. Tell us now, young damsels, where are your lovers hidden,
and what is the signal ye have agreed upon?'
"Agnes did immediately tell her ladyship that the gallants were housed
at the Golden Pitcher; and, whereas the Lion's Tower, in the palace,
could thence be plainly discerned, they had agreed to tie a white
kerchief round the neck of one of the lions as a signal that there was
hope for them! The gallants had agreed to abide at the hostel the space
of eight days. Should the matter, however, turn out ill, the kerchief
displayed was to be black.
"'Well done,' said the duchess to her husband; 'they wish to take two
fortresses at once; and would have the white flag wave without firing a
shot, and without attempting a storm.'
"Hereupon the Duke Christian did take the hand of his beloved wife, and
spoke, somewhat in an under tone:
"'Darling wife! was not the green branch so often stuck in your window
at Crossen; also a white flag? Moreover, thou knowest little of a siege;
preparations for storming a citadel are not made during the daylight;
but secretly, in the night season, in order that the garrison perceive
them not. Shots may already have been fired. Tell me, young girls, have
ye already kissed the gallants? Mary, do you speak; ye have not yet
opened your mouth: make a clean breast.'
"'Ah! most gracious liege,' answered Mary, 'the gentlemen have, indeed,
squeezed hands in secret, while we sat at table; and during the
marriage-dance, and at sundry other dances, we kissed each other--seeing
that others did the like. But we could not be alone with them at any
other time; for the bride's mother was always about us, and we lay in
her room. Neither, on the way home, had we much liberty; seeing that the
old secretary, whom her ladyship did send with us, did observe us most
narrowly. But, when the old man did look out of the window of the
carriage, then did the gallants look tenderly upon us, and did kiss
their hands to us."
"'There, now,' said his lordship, turning to his wife, 'you see that the
siege was conducted with vigor. The squeezing of hands was the parley;
the kisses the cannon-balls, sent so freely; and the tender looks the
shells. Depend upon it the storm can not long be delayed. Listen,
darling wife, my heart melts when I bethink me that we also, in our
youth, could not brook a long delay.'
"'Let the drums beat the chamade [parley], and let us show our colors!'
said the duchess; while she threw her arms round her husband's neck, and
stopped his mouth with a kiss. The duke did then ask her, jestingly,
'But which flag shall it be?'
"Hereupon the two young damsels did cry aloud, as with one voice:
"'The white!--most gracious liege!--the white!'
"The duchess could not choose but laugh heartily, and his lordship did
immediately order a servant to mount the tower, and to tie a white
kerchief round one of the lion's necks. His lordship did then sing an
old song the children are wont to sing on May-day:
"'A stately house my lord doth keep,
Two maidens from the windows peep;
A kerchief white the one doth wave,
Because they fain would husbands have.'
And then did depart to put on better apparel, wherein to await the
coming of the wooers. He did also command that all the court ladies and
the courtiers should be present at the wooing. Meanwhile, 'Darling
Dorel' did ask the damsels where they had gotten the rings which they
had presented to their gallants in return for theirs? Thereupon Agnes
did reply unto her ladyship:
"'Most gracious lady! we are but poor orphans, and possess nought save
poor little gold rings belonging to our departed mothers, And these we
could not bear to part with. We have therefore promised to buy rings
with our savings, and deliver them to our gallants on some fitting
opportunity.'
"'In this case,' said her ladyship, 'ye are but half betrothed, and
there is yet time to think twice of the matter;' nevertheless, her
ladyship did praise the young damsels, inasmuch as they did not part
lightly and rashly with their mothers' trinkets. She advised them,
moreover, to tarry; as they or their gallants might change their minds.
"This speech did much alarm the damsels, who did then believe the whole
matter to be postponed; and they did forthwith begin to weep, and to
beseech her ladyship, not for this account, to cause their lovers to
alter their mind, seeing that they, the damsels, were poor, and were not
likely soon to get other suitors.
"The duchess did then say unto them: 'The misfortune would not be so
great! I would find husbands for you soon enough.' Hereupon, she turned
to old Meggy, and said,
"'Ah! most worthy nurse, what a life does a wretched princess lead! Had
I but married an honest burgher, then should I have had nothing but my
household duties and my children to attend to; I could have gone quietly
to bed, slept without care, and waked with pleasure; but in my position
every thing is otherwise. Alack, when my other damsels come hither, and
learn that these silly girls are already betrothed, they will all run
mad, and I shall have to send them to all the marriage feasts throughout
the duchy to pick up husbands.'
"Hereupon, she sent the nurse Meggy for her jewel box, opened it, and
gave to each of the two damsels a handsome ring, the which they might
present to their lovers, and thus return their pledge; but under this
condition, that they were not to deliver their rings until the duchess
gave them a sign thereunto with her kerchief.
"While all this was going on, the duke on his part had entered the
duchess's apartment, accompanied by the chamberlain, all the gentlemen
of his court, and the maids of honor. The lovers, meanwhile, were on the
look out, and were not aware that matters had gone to such a length
touching their love affairs. They had joyfully obeyed the white signal,
and stood near unto the gates of the castle waiting for some opportunity
of seeing their betrothed. The duke perceived this, and hereupon opened
the window, and called unto the soldiers on guard, 'Arrest me those two
fellows, and conduct them to the guard-house, until further orders!'
"Hereupon the damsels, Agnes and Mary, were exceedingly afraid. The
duke, however, did comfort them with the following words:
"'This is on your account; hasten and put on proper attire; ye still
have got on your old clothes, and must adorn yourselves.'
"The damsels ran gleefully and quickly into their rooms; whither the
duchess sent after them two other damsels to aid them in plaiting their
hair. They soon returned; and each of the damsels about to be betrothed
had put on the bridal wreath belonging to her mother.
"The duke now ordered the lovers to be summoned from the guard-house.
They were sore abashed when they entered the room; especially when his
gracious lordship addressed the following questions to them:
"'What are your names? Have you passports? and what is your will?'
"The young men twirled their caps in their hands; stared first at their
loves, and then at their gracious lieges; but could not utter a word,
and stood looking very sheepish.
"'Ah!' said his lordship, 'never in my life did I meet with two such
dumb fellows. My dominions will soon touch those of Oppeln, and you
serve excellent well as landmarks! can neither of ye say 'yea or nay?'
Answer me straight! Have ye got the consent of your parents to propose
for those two chits; and are ye ready to affirm the same on your word of
honor, as gentlemen?'
"Then did the young men recover their speech, and they both answered,
'Yea.'
"'Well,' said the duke, 'I will now believe ye, and keep you at my court
some few days; but as ye may be rogues and vagabonds for all that I
know, I will therefore send a messenger on horseback to your parents to
get further intelligence, and ye must have patience the while.'
"Hereupon the damsel, Mary, turned to the duchess, and said to her with
great simplicity,
"'Most gracious lady, the gentlemen have spoken truth! Their parents
have given them permission to woo us. We have concealed nothing from
them, but confessed in the presence of the old lady Wentzkin, that we
were poor orphan girls, and have no dower. But the mothers of our two
lovers said that all was well; if only we brought a blessing from
Darling Dorel, they should value it more than an earldom! This Agnes and
I can affirm on oath.'
"On hearing this, the duchess folded her hands in prayer, looked toward
heaven with tears in her eyes, and still praying, and gave the signal
with her kerchief. Immediately the damsels placed the rings on the
fingers of their lovers, knelt down before the duchess, and besought her
blessing. The duchess laid her hands upon the heads of the young girls
and said,
"'God alone, who is in heaven, knows whether this will prove a blessing
or a curse; but, if God hear the prayer of a weak woman, it will prove a
blessing! Bethink ye of your deceased parents; and may their blessing
evermore accompany ye! And therefore, let us most fervently utter the
Lord's Prayer.'
"Hereupon all present fell upon their knees, and prayed in a low voice;
but her most gracious ladyship did say the Lord's Prayer aloud.
"After the prayer was finished, the duchess made a sign to the chief
lady about the court, who did thereupon bring, on a silver salver, two
half wreaths, which were twined in the hair of the two damsels, Agnes
and Mary, after they had taken off their own wreaths; for it was the
custom, in Brieg, for betrothed maidens to wear only half wreaths until
their wedding-day, when they wore whole ones. The chamberlain did
hereupon display from the window a red flag; upon which signal the ducal
band did strike up a merry tune with trumpets and kettle-drums from the
castle tower; whereupon a crowd gathered in the town to know the cause
of such rejoicing at the palace.
"So soon, therefore, as the betrothed couples had duly thanked his grace
and the duchess by kissing the hems of their garments, her gracious
ladyship did announce to the betrothed damsels, that they should tarry
with her for the space of one year, in order more fully to learn their
household duties, and to strengthen them in the practice of the
Christian virtues; seeing that they were still, as the duchess said, as
ignorant as callow geese! Moreover, their clothes and furniture had to
be provided, and the like. But to the gentlemen, she said:
"Mind, gentlemen, ye must also make the best of it! Ye are scarce out of
leading-strings, and must go through some sort of ordeal. I would advise
you to travel, if so be your parents can afford it.'
"'By all means,' added the duke; 'my Darling Dorel is perfectly right:
you must travel; and, if ye know not whither, go to Jericho, and get ye
some beards to your faces.'
"As it was yet early in the day, his gracious lordship did order dinner
to be prepared: to which, besides the Town Council, and their wives and
children, Master Valentinus Gierth and his wife Susanna, were invited.
"His gracious lordship was exceeding merry, and the duchess was most
kind in her manner; nevertheless, the guests did not fail to mark that
her gracious ladyship did oftentimes look toward the new brides, and
that big tears did sometimes roll down her cheek the while."
COURTESY OF AMERICANS.
I like the Americans more and more: either they have improved
wonderfully lately, or else the criticisms on them have been cruelly
exaggerated. They are particularly courteous and obliging; and seem, I
think, amiably anxious that foreigners should carry away a favorable
impression of them. As for me, let other travelers say what they please
of them, I am determined not to be prejudiced, but to judge of them
exactly as I find them; and I shall most pertinaciously continue to
praise them (if I see no good cause to alter my present humble opinion),
and most especially for their obliging civility and hospitable attention
to strangers, of which I have already seen several instances.
I have witnessed but very few isolated cases, as yet, of the unrefined
habits so usually ascribed to them; and those cases decidedly were not
among the higher orders of people; for there seems just as much
difference in America as any where else in some respects. The superior
classes here have almost always excellent manners, and a great deal of
real and natural, as well as acquired refinement, and are often besides
(which perhaps will not be believed in fastidious England) extremely
distinguished-looking. By the way, the captains of the steamboats appear
a remarkably gentlemanlike race of men in general, particularly
courteous in their deportment, and very considerate and obliging to the
passengers.--_Lady Emeline Wortley._
_Monthly Record of Current Events._
POLITICAL AND GENERAL NEWS.
THE UNITED STATES.
The past month has been remarkable for general quiet and for an absence
of excitement of any kind, rather than for events either of political or
general interest. It has often been noted as characteristic of the
American Republic, that, however fierce and menacing popular excitement
may appear to be, it disappears with the immediate event which gave it
birth. A presidential election, for instance, calls forth the most
embittered and apparently dangerous contests between different sections
of the Union, and an observer, unacquainted with the character of our
people, and the practical working of our institutions, would naturally
expect that the result, whatever it might be, would excite the defeated
party to armed resistance, and plunge the country into civil war. But
the whole country is never so quiet--the public mind is never so free
from agitation, as immediately after an excited election contest. The
adjournment of Congress has had a similar effect. Stimulants to
sectional or party feeling are no longer there applied; the public
attention is no longer fastened upon public men, and social and civil
life resume their ordinary channels of quiet and harmonious progress.
Some of the State Legislatures are still in session, but their action is
too local to excite general interest. A very important Act has passed
the Legislature of the State of New York, re-organizing the Common
School System of the State, and placing it partially upon the free
basis. By the law of 1849 all the common schools of the State were made
entirely free, their cost being paid by county, town, and district
taxation. This was found to be highly obnoxious, chiefly from that
provision which gave the _voters_ in any district power to tax the
_property_ of the district _ad libitum_ for school purposes. The new law
was passed to remedy those objections. By its provisions a State tax of
$800,000 is annually imposed upon the property of the State, and
distributed among the schools. The balance, if any should be required,
is to be collected by rate-bill from those who send to school, indigent
persons being exempt, at the expense of property of the town. The bill
has become a law and will go into operation next fall. Another very
important measure has been introduced into the Legislature, concerning
the enlargement of the Erie Canal. The Constitution of the State sets
apart the surplus revenues of the canals in each year, for the
completion of the enlargement; but the rapidly increasing competition of
railroads has led the Legislature to perceive the necessity of
accomplishing this work more rapidly than it can be done in the way
hitherto adopted. The bill referred to proposes to borrow money on the
credit of the surplus revenues set apart by the Constitution; and with
the money thus procured, to complete the enlargement forthwith, setting
apart the revenues as a fund to redeem the certificates. The measure was
very strenuously resisted by the Democratic party, chiefly on the ground
that it was unconstitutional. This, however, was denied by the friends
of the bill. It was argued with great ability and zeal on both sides. In
the Assembly the bill passed, by a vote of 76 ayes and 21 nays In the
Senate it is still under consideration. We have already recorded the
attempt and failure of the Legislature to elect a Senator in the
Congress of the United States. On the 18th of March the effort was
renewed by a joint resolution, and after a session protracted until two
hours after midnight, it resulted, through the absence of two Democratic
Senators, in the choice, by separate nomination of each House, of
HAMILTON FISH. In the Senate there were 16 votes for, and 12 against
him. In the House he received 68 votes and there were but 8 against him.
He has accepted the office.--The members of the Legislature and the
State Officers paid a visit of three days to the City of New York, on
the invitation of the Mayor and Common Council. They visited the
different public and charitable institutions, of this city and Brooklyn;
and were entertained at a public dinner at the Astor House, on the
evening of March 22d. This is the first visit of the kind ever made.--A
bill for the suppression of gambling, containing some stringent
provisions, having been introduced into the Senate, and referred to a
committee of three, GEORGE W. BULL, sergeant-at-arms of that body,
endeavored to enter into negotiations with the reputed proprietor of a
gambling "hell" in New York to delay or defeat the bill, for an adequate
compensation. He managed to procure a note from the committee to the
effect that the bill would not come up the present session. The attempt
was exposed, and the offender forthwith dismissed from his office. An
unsuccessful attempt was made to implicate the senatorial committee in
this scandalous affair, upon the ground that they could not have been
ignorant of the purpose for which their note was procured.
Nothing of special importance has occurred in any section of the
country. In Ohio the Legislature has adopted a series of resolutions
concerning the Fugitive Slave law, urging a faithful execution of the
law, but recommending such modifications as experience may prove to be
essential. In view of the Act of the Legislature of South Carolina,
providing for the appointment of delegates to a Southern Congress, the
General Assembly of Virginia has passed a series of resolutions to the
following purport: 1. That while Virginia sympathizes in the feelings
excited by the interference of the non-slaveholding States with the
domestic institutions of the South, yet the people of that State "are
unwilling to take any action, in consequence of the same, calculated to
destroy the integrity of this Union." 2. That regarding the Compromise
measures, "taken together, as an adjustment of the exciting questions to
which they relate, and cherishing the hope that if fairly executed, they
will restore to the country that harmony and confidence, which of late
have been so unhappily disturbed, the State of Virginia deems it unwise,
in the present condition of the country, to send delegates to the
proposed Southern Congress." 3. Virginia appeals to South Carolina "to
desist from any meditated secession upon her part, which can not but
tend to the destruction of the Union, and the loss to all the States of
the blessings that spring from it." 4. Believing that the Constitution
provides adequate protection to the rights of all the States, Virginia
"invokes all who live under it to adhere more strictly to it, and to
preserve inviolate the safeguards which it affords to the rights of
individual States, and the interests of sectional minorities." 5.
Reprobates all legislation or combinations designed to affect the
institutions peculiar to the South, as derogatory and offensive to the
Southern States, and calculated to "defeat the restoration of peaceful
and harmonious sentiments in these States." These dignified and
temperate resolutions passed with singular unanimity: the 3d with but
three, the 1st with only one, and the 4th and 5th without a single
dissenting voice, out of 118 members present and voting. They were
directed to be transmitted to the Executive of each of the States, with
the exception of Vermont. In the Senate an amendment was passed,
omitting this exception of Vermont; but the House refusing, by a very
close vote, to concur, the Senate receded.
There is little doubt that these resolutions embody the prevalent
sentiment of the South. The _Richmond Enquirer_, one of the ablest and
most influential Southern papers, affirms them to be "such an expression
of sentiment as will harmonize with the universal sentiment of the
South, with rare exceptions. South Carolina," it goes on to say, "still
wears the front of resistance and war; and in a portion of Mississippi
we expect to hear of secret pledges of dark import, of maps, drawings,
and lines of demarkation for a Southern Confederacy, of a President in
embryo, foreign ministers in expectancy, and, in short, all the
paraphernalia of a Southern Court. We have watched the Southern horizon
with a steady and keen eye, and with the slight exceptions alluded to
above, we can not but regard it as a fixed fact that the South has
already acquiesced in the Compromise measures."
In Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky, all the indications of
public sentiment are of the same tendency. In Missouri the State
Convention has adopted an address and resolutions in favor of the course
pursued by Mr. Benton in opposition to those who are regarded as the
enemies of the Union.
In South Carolina, the tone of the press and of public men is decidedly
hostile to the Union. It is, however, a significant fact that the
election of delegates to the State Convention failed to draw out a third
of the vote of the State. Col. ISAAC W. HAYNE, the Attorney-General of
the State, and member-elect from Charleston, of the State Convention,
has published a letter in which he laments this apathy on the part of
the voters. He affirms that any State has "a right to withdraw from the
Union, with or without cause;" that he has begun to "loathe the tie
which connects us with our miscalled brethren of the North." "Not the
victims of the tyranny of Mezentius," he goes on to say, "could have
shrunk in more disgust from the unnatural union of warm and breathing
life with the rotting carcass of what had once been a brother man, than
I do from this once cherished but now abhorred and forced connection."
The policy which he recommends, now that the occasion which the
"admission of California and the dismemberment of Texas" might have
afforded, has passed away unimproved is, "to teach that disunion is a
thing certain in the future; to direct, in contemplation of this, all
the energies of oar people first to preparation for a physical contest,"
and then "to develop all our own resources, and cut off, as far as
possible, all intercourse with the offending States. This done, to hold
ourselves ready to move on the first general ferment in the South,
which, my life upon it, will occur full soon, and in the meanwhile, to
cultivate the kindest relations, and to keep up, industriously and with
system, the closest intercourse with our sister States of the South."
A letter from Senator PHELPS of Vermont to a member of the Virginia
Legislature, respecting the Vermont law in relation to fugitives,
appears in the Southern papers. It bears date in January, but we believe
it is now first published. He gives it as his opinion that the law of
Vermont, of which a synopsis may be found in our January Number, was
passed in haste, and without due consideration, and does not embody the
deliberate sense of the people or of the legislative body of that State.
He affirms that the entire Congressional delegation of the State agree
with him in deprecating its passage; and expresses the opinion that it
will be repealed at the next session of the Legislature.
Chevalier HULSEMANN, the Austrian Charge, in reply to the famous
dispatch of Mr. Webster, says that the opinions of his Government remain
unaltered with respect to the mission of Mr. Mann; but that it "declines
all ulterior discussion of that annoying incident," from unwillingness
to disturb its friendly relations with the United States. Austria has
not demanded, and will not demand any thing beyond the putting in
practice the principles of non-intervention announced by President
Fillmore; and is "sincerely disposed to remain in friendly relations
with the Government of the United States so long as the United States
shall not deviate from those principles." Mr. WEBSTER, in reply, states
that the President regrets that the dispatch was unsatisfactory, but is
gratified to learn that the Imperial Government desires to continue the
present friendly relations; and also that it approves the sentiments
expressed in his Message, in accordance with which he intends to act. He
says that the Government of the United States is equally disinclined to
prolong the discussion; but declares that the principles and policy
avowed by the United States are "fixed and fastened upon them by their
character, their history, and their position among the nations of the
world; and it may be regarded as certain that these principles and this
policy will not be abandoned or departed from until some extraordinary
change shall take place in the general current of human affairs."
AMIN BEY, the Turkish Commissioner, in taking leave of the President,
preparatory to returning to his own country, read an address expressing
his appreciation of the courtesy shown him upon his visit, and his sense
of the progress and resources of this country. He carries with him to
Constantinople many valuable works, presented by Government and by
private liberality, relating to the agriculture, industry, and commerce
of the United States.
In Ohio the Constitutional Convention closed its labors on the 10th of
March, having been in session nearly six months. The Constitution which
they framed is to be voted upon on the third Tuesday in June. It
embraces 16 articles, divided into 168 sections. It provides for freedom
of religion, equality of political rights, trial by jury, the _habeas
corpus_, freedom of speech and of the press, and no imprisonment for
debt. The right of suffrage is vested in all free white male adult
citizens. All patronage is taken from the General Assembly; judicial and
executive officers are to be elected by the people; and the public
printing to be given to the lowest responsible bidder. No new county can
be formed without the sanction of the majority of voters in all the
counties of which the boundaries would be changed. Provision is made for
the liquidation of the State debt; and no new debt can be created by the
General Assembly except in case of war or insurrection, or to a limited
amount to meet any temporary deficiency; and funds borrowed for these
purposes can be used for no other. No special act of incorporation can
be granted; but a general law, subject to alteration or repeal, may be
passed, under which associations may be formed. The General Assembly is
prohibited from assuming the debt of any county, town, or city; from
loaning the credit of the State to, or becoming a stockholder on any
corporation or association. No divorce can be granted by the
Legislature. An article prohibiting licenses for the sale of
intoxicating liquors is to be separately voted upon. Provision is made
for law reform, and for amendments to the Constitution from time to
time. Every twenty years the question of a Constitutional Convention is
to be submitted to vote. The details of the legislative, executive, and
judicial systems, are not essentially different from those which
generally prevail.
In Virginia a Constitutional Convention is now in session. It is at
present occupied in discussing the question of the basis of
representation. The section of the State east of the Blue Ridge, with
about four-ninths of the free population, pays nearly two-thirds of the
taxes. They desire that one half of the representatives should be
apportioned in the ratio of the voters; and the other half in that of
taxation; which would secure the preponderance to the eastern section.
The west demand that representation shall be in the ratio of the voters,
which would give the political supremacy to their portion of the State.
The debates have been protracted and exciting.
The frontiers of Texas continue to be harassed by marauding parties of
Indians. An expedition has been fitted out to bring them to terms.
The little village of Socorro, in New Mexico, has been the scene of a
fearful tragedy. A band of desperadoes had gradually collected there,
who indulged in the most wanton acts of outrage and barbarity, upon the
Mexican residents, finally ending in more than one deliberate murder. A
few members of the Boundary Commission who had been left there, headed
an organization which captured a number of the gang, of whom three were
tried and hung on the spot. The ringleader, who had made his escape, was
soon after taken, and shared the same fate.
From California we have intelligence up to the 5th of March. The amount
of gold received during the month, exclusive of that in the hands of
passengers is about $1,817,000. The production continues abundant;
though the profits of agriculture are represented to be quite equal, and
more sure, than those of mining. Hostilities with the Indians still
continue. Another engagement has taken place, in which 40 of the Indians
were killed, without loss on the part of the whites. In Sacramento City,
a gambler engaged in a brawl, shot down a citizen who attempted to
prevent outrage. The murderer was seized by the populace, tried by Lynch
law, found guilty, and in spite of the efforts of some citizens, hung
from the branch of a tree, within a few hours of the commission of the
murder. In San Francisco two men came near sharing a similar fate for an
attempt at murder and robbery. They were, however, finally rescued from
the populace, and handed over to the civil authority. No Senator has
been elected. The Legislature met in joint convention; but after 144
ballots, finding no probability of succeeding in making an election,
adjourned _sine die_. The whole number of votes cast was 49; thus making
25 necessary for a choice. The highest number for Mr. Fremont was 16.
Mr. Heydenfeldt, formerly of Alabama, was for a time the leading
Democratic candidate. He was opposed by a portion of his party, on the
alleged ground of having formerly advocated disunion. This is denied by
himself and his friends. Mr. Weller was subsequently taken up; and at
the last ballot received 18 votes. The Whig candidate throughout was Mr.
King, whose highest vote was 20.
MEXICO.
From Mexico the general aspect of intelligence is gloomy enough. It
would seem doubtful whether there is sufficient vitality left for the
re-organization of society, without an infusion of a more fresh and
vigorous blood. The administration of Arista has not thus far realized
the anticipations which had been cherished of it. The country is
infested with predatory Indians and brigands. On the 15th of February, a
train of wagons was attacked in broad daylight, a few miles from the
capital, by a band of 15 robbers who drove off the military escort and
carried away a large amount of goods. The Minister of War and Marine
urges the establishment of military colonies upon the frontiers; and
recommends the desperate measure of incorporating into these colonies
the agricultural Indians, such as the Seminoles, who are accustomed to
the use of arms, and are disposed to settle in fixed habitations, so
that they may serve as a barrier against the marauding Camanches,
Lipanes, and Apaches. The highroad leading from Mazatlan to the mines is
held by the Indians. In Yucatan fears are entertained of the
extermination of the whites. The refractory Bishop of Michoacan has at
length consented to take the oath to sustain the constitution and laws.
An act of the Legislature of Queretaro, restoring the Jesuits to that
State, has been pronounced by Congress to be a violation of the
Constitution. The exclusive right for 100 years to construct a railroad
from Vera Cruz to Madellan has been granted to Don Jose Maria Estellan.
GREAT BRITAIN.
Our last Record closed amidst the unsuccessful attempts to find somebody
who would undertake to carry on the government of the country. Stanley
and Russell, the representatives of the Free-trade and Protection
parties, felt too weak. Gladstone would not help Stanley, nor Graham
help Russell; and nobody would help Lord Aberdeen. At last the advice of
the Duke of Wellington was solicited; in accordance with which the
former Ministry were invited to resume their places. They left office on
the 22d of February because they were unable to obtain the confidence of
the House, and resumed on the 3d of March, under the pressure of the
same inability, every man his old office. At a meeting of the members of
the House who usually supported him, summoned by Lord John Russell, he
announced, among other measures, that it was the determination of the
Government to proceed with the Ecclesiastical Titles Bill, with certain
modifications. This aroused vehement remonstrances from a number of
Catholic Whigs, who announced their determination to oppose the Ministry
at all hazards. When the bill came to be presented, it was found that
all that remained was the prohibition for Catholic bishops to assume
titles derived from the name of any place in the United Kingdom. Dr.
Wiseman must not call himself Archbishop of Westminster, or Dr. M'Hale
sign himself "John of Tuam," under penalty of L100, if Government should
have the folly to prosecute. Meanwhile they may address each other by
these titles, and all Catholics may consider and address them so
unharmed. The bill, as modified passed to a second reading on the 22d of
March, by 438 ayes to 95 nays--a majority of more than four to one. Such
is the _finale_ of the absurd and disproportionate agitation with
respect to the "Papal Agression." Nobody is satisfied. The Church party,
who mourned over the shortcomings of the bill as originally presented,
are of course still less pleased with it as emasculated. The Catholics
who then opposed it as an injury, now resent it as an insult.
The Ministry has sustained a series of annoying defeats and checks on
unimportant measures; and have therefore kept back all the leading
business, such as the presentation of the Budget. The Protection and
Free-trade parties are mustering their strength throughout the country,
preparatory to a general election, which will probably take place at the
close of the present session.
The prevailing crime at present seems to be poisoning by arsenic. Wives
poison their husbands, husbands their wives, and servants both. A bill
has has been introduced by Lord Carlisle prohibiting the sale of arsenic
except in the presence of a witness, who with the purchaser, are to
register their names in a book. It is also proposed to enact that all
arsenic sold shall be mixed with substances which by their taste or
color will give warning of its presence.
An insurrection has broken out among the Kaffirs at the Cape, which
promises to be annoying and expensive. The ultimate cause is the gradual
expulsion of the savages, which always follows the colonization of their
territories by civilized nations. Thousands are driven from their lands,
and compressed into a space only sufficient for scores, and begin to
think it as well to die fighting as starving. The Governor at the Cape
having formally deposed and outlawed one of the powerful native chiefs,
dispatched an expedition to seize his person. This body of troops,
consisting of 600 men, was attacked in a narrow defile by the Kaffirs,
and suffered some loss. Attacks were then made upon three of the
frontier settlements, and the colonists, to the number of 70 massacred.
A levy _en masse_ of all males between the ages of eighteen and fifty
was summoned by the Governor, "to destroy and exterminate those most
barbarous and treacherous savages, who for the moment are formidable."
Several smart engagements have taken place, in which the savages, though
worsted, displayed great daring, and considerable skill and discipline.
Attention has been called in Parliament to the proceedings of the
various Revolutionary Committees composed of foreign refugees, and
headed by Mazzini, Ledru-Rollin, and Klapka. Their proceedings were
charged with being a violation of the obligations they incurred when
they came to seek the protection of English laws. Members of Government
expressed their decided disapprobation of the course pursued by the
refugees in endeavoring to excite insurrection in foreign countries.
A Miss Talbot, heiress to a fortune of L80,000, has entered a convent as
"postulant" with the intention of taking the vail in a few months, when
it is supposed that her fortune will pass to the church. This has
occasioned some excitement against convents, and a bill has been
introduced intended to prevent the forcible detention of females in
houses in which the inmates are bound by religious or monastic vows. It
provides that all such establishments shall be registered, and subject
to semi-annual visitation by public officers, who shall have power to
remove any female who desires it. Concealment of any part of the
premises, or of any person therein, false lists of the inmates, and any
obstruction to the visitors, are to be punished as misdemeanors.
Measures are also proposed regulating legacies made for religious
purposes.
At Chelmsford a man and woman were hung for murder, attended by the
usual disgraceful accompaniments of a public execution. Crowds gathered
from all the surrounding country; at the moment of execution 40,000 or
50,000 persons are said to have been present. Venders of edibles plied
their vocation in the most gross and revolting manner; pickpockets, as
usual, were in attendance, and the general deportment of the spectators,
men, women, and children, was disgusting and brutal. The man confessed
his guilt. The woman, whose crime was poisoning with arsenic, died
protesting her innocence.
"A monster address" signed by 61 noblemen, 110 members of the House of
Commons, and 321,240 other persons, lay members of the church of
England, has been presented by Lord Ashley to the Queen. It beseeches
her Majesty to resist the Papal aggression; and goes on to speak of that
act having been occasioned and invited by the conduct of many of the
clergy of the church of England, who have shown a desire to assimilate
the doctrines of their church to those of Rome. After specifying the
sacramental system and "histrionic arrangements" in the churches, it
says that "by the constitution and existing laws, there is vested in
your Majesty as the earthly head of our Church, a wholesome power of
interposition, which power we entreat your Majesty now to exercise."