the contrary, looked upon the young lady with an expression of scorn
that made his countenance appear darker than ever.
"It was a conviction of the truth of this theory that made me write my
work on the philosophy of mutual communion," continued their companion,
"where you will find proved, by arguments that cannot be confuted, that
there is no happiness in the world except in love--that love is this
mutual sympathy between two individuals of the two sexes--and that this
sympathy should invariably be indulged as often as it exists."
"Well, I have always had something of the same notion about love,"
remarked Posthumous, gravely. "I consider love to be a sort of a very
beautiful, interesting--a--you understand, in one person, for a
peculiar, charming, delightful--a--whatsoname in another."
"I should imagine, from what I have observed, that the true nature
of love is perfectly unknown to either of you," observed Zabra, with
some asperity; "it only dwells in the breasts of those whose qualities
assimilate with its own. It is the principle of truth, of purity, and
of excellence; and whomsoever it touches it makes true, and pure, and
excellent in the eyes of the lover. There is wisdom in it; for wisdom
is ever an emanation of truth. There is beauty in it; for beauty is the
essential spirit of purity. And there is in it an omnipotent power; for
in excellence will always be found the greatest degree of greatness.
Love, being true, enlightens; being pure, sanctifies; and being
excellent, strengthens all by whom it is possessed. It is a virtue from
which all virtues proceed. It is the nobility of nature. It is the
humanity of life. Without it the sun would be black, and the heavens a
void; a strife would be among all things, and a devouring death consume
the universe. With it the power of a perfecting will fills the glad
heart; and in whatever corner of the earth there breathes the principle
of existence, love will enter into its most secret depths; infuse into
them a purpose hitherto unknown; fill them with a power to suffer and
to conquer that cannot be set aside, and render the individual, the
atmosphere he inhales, and all things he sees, touches, or hears, the
receptacle of a perfect felicity, that endures even unto the very
threshold of oblivion. It is this feeling, and this feeling alone, that
has created whatever is admirable around us; we admire, because we love;
and we love, only to produce a continuation of the qualities we have
admired."
Oriel regarded the animated countenance of his youthful companion with
his usual affection. The young lady gazed upon his beautiful features
with apparently more sympathy than his friend had excited; and
Posthumous opened his mouth, rubbed his eyes, and stared, and looked all
the wonder and admiration his foolish face was capable of expressing;
and when he did find language, which was not for some minutes after the
speaker had concluded, he exclaimed--
"Yes, sir, that's exactly what I said. It is nothing in the world more
than a simple, a--something I have forgot, arising entirely in the
organisation of the individual--organisation of the individual?--yes,
organisation of the individual, that produces a peculiar sort of feeling
in the a--whatsoname."
CHAP. V.
THE PHILANTHROPIST IN TROUBLE.
Oriel Porphyry made a considerable stay in Australia, visiting most of
the principal cities, the manufacturing and agricultural districts, in
fact, whatever part of the country was considered most worthy of notice;
bartering his merchandise, and making purchases of such articles of
traffic as might be advantageously disposed of during his voyage.
Before he left the country he received from his father the following
communication:--
"I hope by this time, my dear Oriel, you are completely reconciled to
the way of life I wish you to follow, and I am quite sure that the
longer you live the more cause you will have to rejoice at pursuing
a path so honourable. Every day I exist, I the more fervently
congratulate myself upon having forsaken the deceitful splendour of a
false ambition, for wherever I look around among those who belong to
that undeservedly honoured section of society I was forced to leave in
disgust, I observe so much of envy, inquietude, pride, folly, hatred,
ignorance, ambition, and tyranny, I wonder that such things the
prejudices of custom can regard with homage. I see the title of majesty
applied to an individual who is the very reverse of majestic; his
highness is diminutive; his grace awkward; a fellow, though he be a
notorious cheat, may still be a nobleman; and however unworthy or
ignorant be a person of rank, he is allowed to take precedence of
virtue, of intellect, and of every species of human excellence,
undistinguished by the title he possesses. I do not mean to assert that
a man is in any way the worse for having this sort of distinction, for I
have found many real noble men among our aristocracy; what I maintain
is, that they are in no way exalted by it. And when I compare the good
effected by this class with the good effected by those who do not
belong to it, the disproportion is so immense that I must always call
in question the advantage of maintaining a section of society in an
acknowledged state of superiority to the rest, who, to the rest, are of
so little utility.
"The next thing to be considered is--are they a happier race of
individuals than those whom they think beneath them? Most of them are in
the enjoyment of many luxuries; but luxury and happiness are far from
being synonymous: and when we come to look into the artificial state of
life in which these people exist, and notice their exclusiveness, their
rivalries, their ostentatious splendour, and their prodigal meannesses,
we can afford them only a low place on the scale of happiness--one
certainly much beneath that possessed by persons whom they are in the
habit of thinking their inferiors. Yet this is the sort of greatness,
Oriel, you seemed so desirous of possessing. That desire, I hope, has
given place to better and nobler aspirations. There is a wider field now
open to you; from which the landscape shows every attraction which ought
to allure you forward. Go on, Oriel, go on and prosper. Let me see you
a philanthropist, and I shall die content.
"There have been some stirring doings in Columbia since you left the
country. Our rulers seem desperately intent upon working their own
destruction. I regret this. I regret it for the sake of these
inconsiderate men--I regret it more for the sake of the community at
large, who, if they are driven into open opposition and strife, and
bloodshed ensue, must be the immediate sufferers. Public meetings have
been held in various parts of the empire, particularly in the northern
provinces, and resolutions reflecting very strongly upon the ministers
have been agreed to in the presence of immense multitudes of the people.
Some disturbances have taken place, which were put down only at the
sacrifice of several lives, and many of the most influential of the
public prints, notwithstanding the ruinous prosecutions, fines, and
imprisonments, with which all who advocated the cause of the people
are punished, denounced the measures of the government in a very bold
tone. The meetings in the metropolis were equally important, and their
proceedings were conducted with a similar degree of energy.
"As the highest municipal officer--as a legislator of considerable
experience, independent of my reputation as a private individual, I
naturally enjoyed much influence among my fellow-citizens. They looked
up to me for advice, and were always anxious for my countenance. It was
with great uneasiness that I observed the mischievous policy pursued by
the Emperor's advisers. I saw that its tendency was to fill the hearts
of the people with a spirit of resistance, that must eventually lead to
a fierce and relentless civil war, that might deluge the country with
blood, and destroy its prosperity by the withering blast of flame and
the sword. What to do in this fearful crisis was not a subject to be
dismissed without deep reflection. To its consideration I gave anxious
days and sleepless nights. I knew that, if the existing feeling
continued, a struggle would commence that could not easily be stopped;
it would continue while there was hope on one side, and power on the
other; and to the true patriot there can be nothing so horrible as the
prospect of a savage warfare around him, in which the children of the
same soil must be set to slaughter one another. On the other hand, it
was equally evident that, if the government were allowed to carry on
their despotic proceedings, every citizen would be obliged to give up
the privilege of his manhood, and become a slave; and I had so much of
the mighty impulses of freedom in my nature as would not allow me to
look tamely on, while the chains were riveting around my subjected
country.
"I saw that there was but one way to secure my fellow-countrymen
from the approaching degradation without having recourse to deeds of
violence. From my place in the legislature I continually described the
alarming state of the empire, and foretold the fearful consequences
which must result if ministers proceeded in the course they were
pursuing. With all the eloquence of which I was master, I implored them
to desist. I entreated that the obnoxious measures might be abandoned,
and offered to become security for the immediate return of the public
tranquillity if the desire I expressed was complied with. At the same
time, whenever I was called upon to direct or attend a popular assembly,
which was almost daily, I strongly advised the propriety of refraining
from violence. I recommended continual public meetings, in which the
voice of the nation might be spoken without intemperance; and that the
ministers might be made sufficiently aware of the state of opinion, I
advocated the policy of petitioning the legislature for redress, in firm
but respectful language, throughout every part of the united empire.
The government paid no attention to my labours. I was listened to with
inattention, and my arguments were treated with disdain. Proud in the
use of a slavish and corrupt majority, proud in the exercise of a power
they wished to render irresponsible, and proud in the possession of
an immense standing army, whose services they retained by profligate
expenditure of the public money, they attempted to stifle the voice of
opinion, by constant endeavours to prevent the meetings of the people,
and by treating their petitions with studied contempt.
"The effect these proceedings had upon me I leave you to imagine. I
never could have supposed any set of men could have been found so
indifferent to their own interests. But the emperor resolved to render
his power absolute, and his advisers had urged the necessity of pursuing
what they called strong measures, arguing that, if they stopped now at
the clamour that had been raised, it would be impossible for them to
resume their measures at any future time. In vain I preached patience
and resignation, peace and temperance. Prosecutions and persecutions
were going on in every direction. The presses that laboured to diffuse
among the people a knowledge of their true situation were seized and
destroyed, and the persons connected with them were incarcerated
in dungeons; private dwellings were invaded, on the most frivolous
pretexts, in search of imaginary conspiracies, and their inmates were
subjected to every kind of indignity--mulcted in heavy penalties, or
carried off from their homes and never more heard of; spies appeared to
lurk in every house; and no sooner was a public meeting announced than
measures were taken to prevent its being held, by filling the place with
heavily armed troops. My anxiety grew more intense every day. I saw the
storm must burst; I knew that the strife must begin; and when I beheld
the almost countless masses of military that filled the country, ready
to act on the first emergency, and knew that they would oppose men
undisciplined and imperfectly armed, I shuddered at the mere
anticipation of the consequences.
"Among those who took a part with me in opposing, in a constitutional
manner, the proceedings of the government, might be found many of the
most enlightened, the most admirable, and the most wealthy men in the
empire; men whose characters were unimpeachable, and whose property
formed an important stake in the country; and they were earnest in their
philanthropy, and sincere in their patriotism. They agreed with me in
opinion that peace ought to be preserved till they were absolutely
forced to take up arms. But there were others amongst us, young and
headstrong politicians, or crafty and deceitful spies, who appeared most
anxious to provoke an immediate collision. That the strife was about to
commence was the general impression, for many provided themselves with
arms, and others endeavoured to secure their property. This state of
things continued from day to day, creating the most tyrannical laws, and
making the indignation more general. All expected a blow to be struck;
but having no acknowledged leader, and no settled plan of action, none
were ready to strike. At last, as a final resource, I thought of once
more calling a public meeting; and to avoid its being prevented by the
government, as others had been, it was kept secret among known friends
till the last moment, when each communicated it to a separate circle
with such excellent effect, that the assembly was one of the most
crowded that had ever been held.
"It was my duty to open the business of the day. Much as I feared
the coming warfare, knowing that success could only be gained at the
expense of incalculable misery and suffering, I felt the painful truth
that the end justified the means, and endeavoured to prepare myself,
as well as my excited feelings would allow me, to take my share in the
approaching struggle. I abhor bloodshed; from my heart and soul I loathe
it. I would have sacrificed myself willingly to obtain justice for my
fellow-citizens; but justice seemed a thing only to be procured by
force. I addressed the meeting. I felt that the labours of a long life,
endured to create a more general happiness, were about to be risked in a
strife of brother against brother. All that I had endeavoured to avoid
would now become unavoidable--the reign of discord would commence--the
wounds I had healed would break out afresh--the good I had done would be
turned to evil--the felicity I had created would end in wretchedness.
With these convictions of the mind, the sympathies of the heart may
easily be imagined. I at first addressed the meeting as if mourning at
the funeral of my own hopes. I related all that had been endured, and
the eyes of my attentive auditors seemed to burn with indignation, and
their brows scowled with resentment. I described the patience with
which all had been endured, and their looks were restless and gloomy. I
detailed every instance of contempt with which that patience had been
regarded, and the breasts of the strong men heaved with passion, and
their glances were stern and fierce. I told them how much I lamented the
blindness and obstinacy of their rulers, and showed them the deep and
just cause I had for that regret; but having stated that all had been
attempted that the most patriotic philanthropist could have suggested to
escape unshackled from the evils with which we were threatened, I told
them that nothing now was to be done to preserve our liberties but to
maintain them by force of arms. Twenty thousand eager voices, joining in
one continued cheer, testified their readiness to follow the suggestion.
'A long life has been devoted to your service,' said I, 'whose greatest
pleasure has been created by the pleasures it has been enabled to
diffuse. I would much rather that the life had been prolonged to
continue its enjoyment in the same gladdening labour; but our rulers
have willed it otherwise. I cannot end my existence as hitherto it has
proceeded--not in the sweet indulgence of my friendly feelings towards
my species--not in the observance of the tranquil bliss they have
produced. No matter! I have ever been devoted to your service; my life
must end in pursuing the same duty. I will stand by you in the struggle
you must now commence; and all the power and wealth and influence I
possess shall aid you in obtaining its successful issue.' Cheers rent
the air--such cheers as, if they had heard them, and seen the immense
multitude from whom they proceeded, emulating each other in the
expression of their grateful enthusiasm, would have made our ministers
glad on any terms to undo the mischievous work they had executed.
"Many influential persons spoke to the same effect; and it was agreed
that as large a body of men as could be got together should go to the
emperor's palace, and desire the instant abrogation of the unpopular
edicts. If they met with force, it was to be resisted; and as soon as
the struggle became inevitable, the bells of the different churches were
to be rung to arms, and a simultaneous attack made on all the military
positions, so as to prevent the troops leaving their barracks while the
emperor's palace was stormed. This plan was no sooner agreed upon
than it was resolved to be put in immediate execution, to prevent
the government taking measures to prevent its success; and a general
rendezvous having been appointed, every man left the meeting with
the intention of preparing himself for the fray. I had returned home,
melancholy, I must acknowledge; for I could not reflect upon the dangers
to which the mass of my fellow-citizens would soon be exposed without
feelings of the deepest anguish; and I had scarcely crossed my own
threshold before I saw that the place was filled and surrounded by armed
men, by whom I was immediately seized, treated with every indignity,
dragged through the streets to a dungeon, and, after having been loaded
with heavy chains, there left to the contemplation of darkness and
filth.
"The promptness and secrecy of my seizure I had not expected, or I
should have been prepared for resistance; and now I had but little hope
of ever being of the slightest service to any individual; for if my
friends succeeded in their exertions, they knew not the place where I
was confined, and were not likely during my existence to discover it,
so that my prospect was but a cheerless one. It was some hours before I
could distinguish with any accuracy the features of my prison. At last,
when my eyes got used to the darkness, I noticed that it was a narrow
cell, built of huge masses of stone. On one side, at the top, was a
small grating of iron, through which sufficient light entered to make
the darkness evident. The door was of iron, and it opened inwardly. The
floor was of stone, damp and cold. It was about seven feet by five in
size, and about ten feet in height. The place seemed never to have been
cleansed: it was fouled with every abomination, and vermin, toads, and
other loathsome objects abounded within its walls. Disgusting as such a
place must be to one used to comfort and convenience, I began to grow
careless of its horrors, and thought only of the effect my incarceration
would have upon my fellow-citizens. It was not so secretly done as to
prevent all knowledge of the transaction, and the few to whom it was
known, I knew would lose no time in making their intelligence public.
There would then, I felt convinced, commence a desperate struggle; and
which ever side had the victory, it could not be gained but at the
expense of a degree of human suffering, the imagination of which filled
me with pain and fear.
"While engaged in these thoughts, I heard footsteps approaching--they
stopped at the door--the strong bolts were undrawn, and a man, muffled
up in a large cloak and high slouched hat, entered the cell. He stopped
before me. I thought he was going to put me to death. I could see
nothing of his face but two large dark eyes glaring upon me with a
malignity I should have thought it impossible any human being could
feel. He spoke, and I knew the voice. It was Philadelphia.
"'So ho, old plotter of treason!' he exclaimed exultingly, 'you are now
in safe keeping, I think. Nothing would serve your plebeian soul but to
hatch rebellion. You could leave your beggarly buying and selling to
plot the overthrow of the state. You thought, doubtless, it would be an
easy matter to exterminate the power of the government, and felt assured
you should have but little difficulty in seating yourself upon the
throne of the Emperor. Ha ha! A fine plot truly: and a most admirable
successor you would make to our gracious monarch. But I had due notice
of your infamous designs. I have watched you long, old traitor! and only
waited an opportunity for putting an end to your ambitious career. The
object I sought is accomplished. How like you this dungeon? it is not
exactly the palace you expected. And these chains, they are not so
comfortable as the robe of state with which you imagined your vulgar
limbs would be adorned?'
"Truly the dungeon is not agreeable, and the chains do feel rather
heavy," said I, mildly.
"'Be satisfied,' replied he in a tone of mockery; 'you will get used
to them, and they will last your time. I came to gratify myself by
observing how you bore this sudden change in your fortunes. You are
tired of lamenting your miserable fate; you have exhausted your
imprecations upon me and my coadjutors in the government; you--'
"Common sense forbid that I should curse myself or any one, for it could
do no one any good, and might do myself harm," said I.
"''Tis all hypocrisy!' exclaimed Philadelphia, 'your heart is now ready
to burst with vexation--your soul is full of hatred--your mind is intent
upon revenge.'
"Indeed you wrong me," I replied.
"'No doubt, I do,' he added with a sneer. 'You are very much wronged.
You are quite a martyr to your patriotic intentions. Never was man
so ill used. Perhaps you are not a traitor--possibly you are not a
rebel--it may be you did not treacherously plot the destruction of the
peace of my family, by aiding in the elopement of my daughter.'
"A traitor I certainly am not--a rebel I am not--and as for your
daughter's elopement, I know no more than public rumour has declared,
which was, that she left your house to avoid a marriage you were
attempting to bring about against her inclinations," I responded.
"''Tis a lie! 'Tis a low, vulgar, designing lie!' shouted the enraged
noble, as part of his cloak falling from his face disclosed his proud
features distorted by passion. 'You have been scheming to bring about an
alliance between Eureka and your son--a base hound, unfit to breathe in
her presence. Tell me where she is--tell me where you have secreted her;
and wherever she may be, I will tear her limb from limb, rather than
allow her to disgrace herself by any connection with your accursed
family.'
"I know not her asylum," said I. "But I acknowledge I did wish that our
children should be united."
"'And how dared you so presume?' fiercely inquired he. 'Could you not
have found among your own vile money-getting crew some fit companion
for your cub, that you must needs think of uniting him with a daughter
of one of the noblest families in the empire? The world is indeed in a
sorry condition if it can tolerate such things. But that you know where
she is concealed I am assured, and I will have the secret out of you,
if torture can force it from your custody. Your nerves shall be racked,
your flesh lacerated; you shall starve, and die, and rot in this hole.'