"MY DEAR CHRISTIAN FREDERIK,
"Since your lamented mother's death, whose too early demise we ever
deplore, I do not know when I have felt myself more contented or in
such good spirits.
"In every man's life there is a certain point where his character and
inner nature undergo a change and become altered. His interests
continue as before, the amount of energy with which he approaches his
work need not lessen; and yet when he arrives at the turning-point,
he sees with other eyes, and is, in some respects, actuated by other
feelings.
"This transition, of which I can here give but a very imperfect
description, is the inevitable result of the change from youth to old
age, and this it is which of late years, ever since your mother's
death, has slowly and gradually manifested itself in me.
"With feelings of gratitude to a merciful Providence, I am able to
say that I feel happy in having become an old man.
"But my heart is chiefly filled with gratitude when I consider how
much bodily health and strength, and especially mental vigour, I
still retain, so that nothing of what has hitherto occupied my
thoughts has yet become alien or indifferent to me.
"I enjoy more peace of mind, the brain, undisturbed by passion, is
better fitted to perform its functions, and the somewhat precipitate
ardour of youth has given place to the circumspection of mature age.
"I write to you to-day, my dear son, more explicitly, and upon
subjects different from those on which we usually correspond. I am
led to do so, partly with a desire to inform you of what you are
about to undertake, and partly because this letter may be one of the
last which we shall exchange at a distance; for it is now my wish,
and my paternal injunction, that you, in conformity with our
prearranged understanding, should return home in the ensuing spring.
"I leave it to your choice to decide whether you will return from
Paris by Copenhagen, or whether you will go to England, and come
thence in one of the lobster-smacks.
"It will be a great joy to me to see you at home again, and in good
health. I hope also that you, on your part, will be contented and
happy, and prepared to take a part in the business.
"I have never forgotten that when I, in my youth, returned from a
long absence in foreign parts, Sandsgaard seemed to me an
out-of-the-way and neglected corner of the great world.
"But the experience of life has taught me that a man who is endowed
with a philosophical spirit and high principles, will easily
accommodate himself to whatever fate has prepared for him.
"I venture to hope that even if you should come direct from Paris,
you will not deem Sandsgaard an entirely unworthy residence; for of
late I have renovated and decorated the mansion, so that it seems
only to want a throng of young and happy people to conjure up those
times on which my memory loves to dwell, although clouded by
bereavement and sorrow.
"However, why should I again recall a grief which must always cast
its shadow on my life?
"Let us look forward to the future, which, for you younger people at
all events, seems likely to bring happier days.
"Perhaps, also, in the contemplation of your felicity, I may find
some compensation, and solace for many tears.
"Without doubt, you will have remarked that in our recent
correspondence I have, with a definite purpose, endeavoured to impart
to you such a general knowledge of our business as was practicable,
without being too prolix.
"I look upon you already as my fellow-worker and associate in
labours, for which your letters, and the accounts you have sent me,
as well as the reports of your superiors during your residence
abroad, encourage me to believe that you are not unfitted and still
less unworthy.
"You are aware that the firm has prospered, a matter which a merchant
does not care to talk of, but between us two, I may say that the firm
has met with extraordinary success.
"You will, therefore, find--to your agreeable surprise, I trust--that
many branches of the business which hitherto I had been unable to
develop adequately, by reason of the want of funds, have now, like
plants under a fertilizing shower, made auspicious growth, owing to
the abundance of ready money.
"You will, therefore, on your arrival, find a wide field for your
young energies, and you will be spared the anxiety and care which I,
for many years, unknown to you or to any other person, have
undergone.
"I now come to that point in my letter which may be termed the chief
or cardinal point, namely, our relations with Worse.
"In our correspondence we have never treated particularly of this
affair; nevertheless, I seem to have observed that it was only your
filial respect which restrained you from criticising my conduct in
admitting Jacob Worse into the firm.
"For this reason, my dear Christian Frederik, I will speak out once
for all, and say that it was neither more nor less than the salvation
of the firm.
"It may be that there is something humiliating in this avowal; but,
for my part, I can only say that it would have been far more
humiliating and more injurious to our credit to have secretly
accepted a subvention from one of our own _employes_.
"It was I, therefore, who proposed the change in the firm; for I
considered such an open proceeding, not only more in consonance with
our reputation, but also with the highest commercial principles. I
will not deny, however, that the change of the firm's name cost me a
struggle, and I am not blind to the complications to which it may
lead.
"I have of late carefully considered all this, and it is my purpose
to inform you in this letter of the present condition of affairs, and
briefly to confide to you the plan which I propose to follow, and
which I hope to carry out in the future.
"Our old Jacob Worse is very ill, and, after a visit which I paid to
his sick-bed a few days since, I can have but little doubt--I regret
to say--that his days are numbered. His marriage, as I both thought
and predicted, has brought him little happiness.
"His wife, as you know, is one of the religious enthusiasts, and of
late years she, in conjunction with her mother and the rest of the
pious folks, have succeeded in spoiling our old Worse to such an
extent that I do not care to sully this paper by a description of his
lamentable decadence. I shall, therefore, restrain my grief and
anger, and will confine myself to business matters.
"When Jacob Worse dies--and, considering his present condition, one
can only wish him a speedy and painless departure--it will be
necessary to divide his property between his widow and the son of his
first marriage, which may entail complications as regards the firm.
"In order to avoid this as much as possible, I have made up my mind
to offer to young Romarino Worse, when the time arrives, a sum of
money in lieu of a position in the firm. I am inclined to think that
he will acquiesce, partly because, according to my slight knowledge
of his character, a considerable sum, either in cash or convertible
security, will be much appreciated by him.
"As I have already said, I know but little of the young man, still I
have formed an impression that young Worse is not a person with whom
we should like to work.
"Although I believe that so long as Providence vouchsafes to me
strength to continue at the head of the firm, we should know how to
manage him, yet I would not embarrass you with a companion in whom we
could not place entire confidence.
"I hope to accomplish this change by the time you arrive, and I hope,
moreover, that it will meet with your approval.
"On the one hand, there is no doubt something decidedly unpleasant in
our recent alliance with Worse, but, on the other, we must never
forget that it was old Jacob Worse's money that saved us, and I
enjoin you herewith to keep an eye on the family; we ought to stand
by them, both by word and deed.
"When this affair is arranged, my mind will be at ease; and I hope
that we have yet before us a fair number of years in which to work
together in the firm of Garman and Worse.
"If, as I suppose from your last letter, you have already reached
Paris, you will, no doubt, have enjoyed the pleasure of meeting with
your brother Richard at our legation, whither I send this letter.
"I am convinced that you will mutually derive much benefit and
satisfaction from each other's society in the great city.
"Your brother Richard, by reason of his connections, will be able to
introduce you to circles which would otherwise be inaccessible to a
stranger. On the other hand, I do not doubt that your presence may,
in many respects, be advantageous to your younger brother.
"The career which Richard has adopted entails much greater expense
and a more luxurious mode of life than is necessary or becoming to a
merchant. Nevertheless, I would put it to you, whether you could not,
by means of brotherly counsels impress upon Richard the propriety of
greater economy. Do not misunderstand me, or suppose that it is my
desire that you should mar your brief intercourse by lecturing him,
nor do I wish that your communications should lead him to think that
I am dissatisfied with him.
"On the contrary, I wish that you may both employ your time in Paris
in acquiring those pleasant impressions for which that city affords
such an excellent opportunity, to such an extent and with such
moderation as befits gentlemen in our position, avoiding that useless
extravagance which only testifies to a vain desire for ostentation
unsuitable to persons of refinement.
"As your brother's stay in Paris will apparently be of longer
duration than yours, I will cause the letter of credit, which the
firm sends by this post, to be made out in his name; and whilst I am
on the subject of your younger brother, I will make a confidential
announcement to you.
"After my death, you will find no reference to Richard in my
accounts. His education has, for many reasons, been far more
expensive than yours. Nevertheless, it is my desire that, like good
brothers, you should share and share alike. I enjoin you, however, to
deal out to your brother by degrees the portion which may appertain
to him.
"For your brother Richard, with all his talents and excellent
qualities, has, I fear, but little aptitude for acquiring and
retaining this world's goods. You, my dear Christian Frederik, who
have been endowed with this facility, must, therefore, act as a
guardian to your brother. Remember me kindly to the dear boy, and ask
him to seek some musical friends who will assist you to purchase a
good piano of Erard's, which you will see carefully packed and sent
off, or, perhaps, you can bring it with you in the spring, when you
return home.
"Our old piano does not satisfy modern requirements, and, moreover,
ever since your mother's death it is painful to hear tones which too
sadly remind me of my great loss.
"For several weeks we have experienced severe and continuous storms,
and we have heard of many wrecks and disasters along the coast.
Happily none of our own vessels are in these waters; but people are
anxiously awaiting news of many ships belonging to this town, which
are on their way from the Baltic.
"You will be surprised to find how much the trade and shipping of the
good town has increased during these last few years, and I fancy that
much of what happens, or is attempted here, will seem as strange to
you as it does to me.
"That which especially excites my wonder and anxiety is the religious
enthusiasm which, in my youth, was confined to peasants and
uneducated people.
"So far from disappearing or being cured, as one would expect and
hope, it seems rather to expand, and to gain adherents amongst those
whose intelligence should protect them from such folly.
"I have also heard that some of the younger clergy have approved
of--nay, have actually joined--this absurd and hurtful revival. Every
true patriot must greatly deplore this; for just as a judicious
enlightenment is beneficial to the common people, so, on the other
hand, is it injurious when hypocrites and ignorant persons devote
themselves to the Holy Scriptures, which they can neither understand
nor apply rightly.
"And if it really should happen--though I can scarcely credit
it--that the clergy allow themselves to be dragged down by ignorance
and enthusiasm, I should greatly fear that it will be to the
detriment of our dear fatherland.
"In the meantime, you will understand that, in a certain sense, there
is a great distance between Sandsgaard and the town, and I trust that
you will find the atmosphere here as fresh and pure as ever.
"And now, my dear son, I will conclude with an affectionate
salutation from myself and your two aunts. The good ladies are in
'court mourning,' as Jacob Worse used to term it in the old days;
nevertheless, they are looking forward to the pleasure of seeing you
once more.
"I have a suspicion that they are planning a marriage for you, for
they are devoted to small children.
"I, too, to speak plainly, have a great wish that new life, laughter,
and the sound of tiny footsteps should be heard once more in the old
house.
"Your loving father,
"Morten W. Garman."