in the Hall of Public Benefactors," observed Sophos; "and even here,
in that nobleness of heart which all good men should honour, he will
scarcely meet with a superior. Master Porphyry has deserved well of
the world, and the world should honour him above the ambitious crowd
who strive for their notice. He has made of his great wealth a great
blessing. He has been a doer of good from his youth upward; and the love
which he has evinced for his fellow-creatures has been universal in its
object. Had he been born amongst us, or were his virtues transplanted
into our society, I have no doubt that upon the first occasion he would
be promoted to the rank of Optimus; but whether in Athenia or in
Columbus, or in whatever part of the world he may chance to be, there he
will be The Best, and there he will have sovereignty over all good men."
Oriel Porphyry listened with feelings of the most exquisite pleasure
to this eulogium, and he gazed, with a happiness in his eyes it was
long since he had experienced, upon the marble figure which had been
sculptured into a resemblance of his parent; but the delight of Zabra
seemed still more intense, and he turned from the statue to his friend,
and from his friend to the statue, as if he never could be tired of
gazing upon their noble countenances.
"It is here our great and good men come and meditate," continued the
stranger; "and, gazing upon the greatness and goodness they see around
them, standing in their places of honour, an impulse of emulation fills
their souls, their hearts are brimming over with generous sympathies,
and they return to the senate or the public hall with eloquence that
carries conviction to the hearer, and a purpose that can only be
satisfied by the production of some general and lasting benefit."
The party proceeded into other halls, some for public instruction,
others for social intercourse, and others for the deliberations of the
legislature, and in all they observed the same happy adaptation of the
means to the end, the same beautiful appearances, the same spirit of
benevolence, and the same admirable harmony in the disposition of the
different parts of the chamber, as they had noticed in the chambers
through which they had passed. After which they resumed their ride.
"There is nothing I have seen in my travels that has afforded me so much
pleasure as what I have observed during the brief stay I have made in
this city;" observed the young merchant.
"And as yet you have seen scarcely any thing of us, of our manners, or
of our institutions;" replied Sophos. "Let me now take you to a musical
entertainment given in the open air by an orchestra of at least a
thousand performers, and it will give you an opportunity of not only
hearing the best music performed in the most expressive manner, but of
mingling with the people of Athenia in their hours of relaxation and
amusement."
Permission having been readily granted, the carriage was driven off
to an open park, beautifully planted with noble trees and flowering
plants, (amongst which carriage ways and footpaths wound in graceful
sweeps), and possessing every variety of hill and dale, lake and rivulet
to increase its attractions.
"This is one of the public parks that have been planted to secure the
health and improve the pleasures of the citizens;" said the stranger.
"Here you see are thronging the young and the old, the philosopher and
the student, the statesman and the mechanic, all with happy faces, and
each intent that his neighbour shall share in his happiness."
"And who are yonder group of beautiful girls that seem so much delighted
with one another. It is strange that they should appear in a public
place without some male friends or relations;" observed Oriel.
"Not at all;" replied Sophos. "Who can look upon them without respect?
They want no protectors, for there is here no one who would even think
them harm. They are probably proceeding to the concert for the purpose
of joining in the choruses, and are the daughters of the noblest of our
citizens. We have made music a part of our system of education, and not
unwisely; for there is no source of gratification so capable of refining
and intellectualising the feelings. Each individual possesses the power
of distributing pleasure to the rest, and here, when they can escape
from the necessary labours of life, come all,--from the humblest to the
highest, from the most ignorant to the most enlightened, and tuning
their instruments and their voices into one grand harmonious concert,
they create such a powerful and delicious music as I should imagine it
would be impossible to excel."
The party had now arrived at the top of a hill, from which they had a
splendid view of the scene before them. Down to the very base of the
hill on which they stood, at least twenty thousand citizens, men, women,
and children, clad in a costume, varying in some degree from that worn
by Sophos, were reclining on the grass. Opposite to them was a hill of
smaller dimensions, upon which an immense orchestra was being arranged.
At the top, on each side, were a pair of gigantic drums, between which
were several smaller ones. Below these were the brass instruments,
then the flutes, bassoons, oboes and clarionets: the double basses and
violincellos flanked the violins, and outside the stringed instruments,
the choruses were stationed; a place was left at bottom for the
principal singers, in the centre of which stood the conductor, ready to
give the time of the performance.
The spectators had hitherto carried on a conversation each in his own
circle; but immediately the conductor's bâton was seen in motion, every
one was in an attitude of attention, and then among the whole mass
of listeners not a sound arose. The first piece performed was for
instruments only. It commenced with a movement remarkable for the
solemnity of its character and the richness of its harmonies, which
changed into a sweet and graceful subject in quicker time, wherein
several beautiful phrases were worked up by the musician in a variety
of pleasing shapes. The piece ended with a more lively movement,
introducing a magnificent fugue, in which the different instruments
followed each other with an effect astonishing for its grandeur and
beauty. To say it was well played, would convey only a feeble conception
of the excellence of the performance: it was played with that perfect
precision, and exquisite attention to the expression required in the
composition, which can only characterise the very best performances.
As soon as it was over there arose from the delighted multitude who
thronged the hill a loud and continued burst of applause, mingled with
exclamations expressive of the approbation of the listeners, and every
one seemed to turn to his neighbour to observe if he was as well
gratified as himself.
A song, or rather descriptive scene for a bass voice, with orchestral
accompaniments, followed, in which the poet and musician sought
to describe the temptations to evil, its committal, and its evil
consequences; and the piece ended with a most harrowing picture of
madness and death. After this there was a dramatic duet between a treble
and tenor, delineating the first appearance and confession of a mutual
affection. This was succeeded by a vocal air for a female voice, marked
by a simple and exquisite pathos that seemed to touch every heart; and
its subject was the despair of the heart, when, having for a long time
believed itself beloved, it awakes to the full conviction that it is
deceived. A grand chorus in praise of nature followed; and the effect
of so many hundred voices swelling out the harmonies, was grand in
the extreme; and the act concluded by a descriptive symphony for the
orchestra, full of sweet pastoral effect, and admirable instrumentation.
Each composition was performed in a manner as nearly approaching
perfection as was attainable, and this the audience seemed to
acknowledge by the liberality of their plaudits. Upon Zabra the effect
seemed to be extraordinary. He drank in every sound as if his life
depended upon its enjoyment, and he listened with a sense of pleasure
beaming in his features that nothing but the most intense gratification
could have created. The rest of the performance was of a similar degree
of merit, and the party left the hill impressed with the conviction
that they had seen and enjoyed more rational pleasure than they had ever
known at any public place of amusement.
"I would not have missed the exquisite delight I have received, on
any consideration;" remarked Zabra. "Enraptured as I am with music,
I have known nothing in my experience that bears a comparison with
the enjoyments of this day. And what could create more pleasure? It
would be sufficient, one would suppose, to be made familiar with the
skill of ordinary musicians; but you could take no interest in their
performances, they are drilled to do them, and they can do nothing else:
but here is a multitudinous family of musicians, hastening from the
loom, the study, the workshop, the laboratory and the warehouse, who
each has a distinct business to which he must devote his attention, to
join, from a desire to please his fellow-citizens, in the execution of
the most difficult and beautiful productions of the musical art; and
every one takes his part, caring not, however unimportant it may be,
so that he is allowed to share in producing the general happiness.
Of all the arts of civilised life there can be none so humanising in
its tendency, so refreshing in its influence; so pure, exalting, and
subduing in its effects as music. The man who is insensible to its
charms is afflicted with a most pitiable blindness. There can be no
harmony in his nature. His feelings must be in an unchangeable state
of discord. But point out any human creature sensitive to all musical
impressions, and I would affirm that you might mould him into any good
purpose. Music, as a means of educating the feelings, can never be
excelled. The experience of a hundred ages has proved its power as an
instrument for creating or subduing the passions; and yet never till now
have I seen any attempt made to try its beneficial effects on a large
scale, and by making good musicians, to endeavour to create good men."
There was no time for a reply to be made to these observations, as
the carriage stopped at the door of a handsome mansion, and the party
prepared to alight.
"I must introduce you into our social circle," said Sophos, as he led
the way into his dwelling; "and I hope you will be able to find in it
the same happiness that I have so long enjoyed."
They followed him through several apartments furnished with superior
taste, till they entered a room of more moderate proportions ornamented
with a variety of elegant decorations, in which two females were
reclining on an ottoman, with a handsome youth standing before them
reading from an open book. The females were the wife and daughter of
their host; and both possessed countenances of exceeding beauty: the
maternal dignity of the one contrasting admirably with the affectionate
playfulness of the other; and the youth was the betrothed of the
daughter. As soon as Sophos entered they hastened to meet him, and
welcomed him with their endearments. These being over he introduced his
guests to their notice, who received from them such marks of kindness
and attention as made them instantly at ease. After an interesting
conversation, describing what had been witnessed during their morning's
ride, the party were summoned to the dining-room, where they partook of
wholesome food of exquisite flavour, served up without ostentation or
extravagance, and partaken of without epicureanism or gluttony.
"Zoe," said Sophos to his daughter, "has nothing transpired since my
absence that is worthy of recital?"
"I have something to communicate to you, my father," replied the
beautiful girl, as she pushed back from her eyes the dark ringlets that
seemed to have fallen from the little velvet cap embroidered with gold
which was worn tight upon the upper part of her head; "but I know not
whether it would interest your guests."
"I will excuse you, Zoe, if it should not," observed the father.
"I had gone to perform my customary duties, as nurse, at the Hospital of
Invalids," said Zoe, "when my attentions were required by a youth who
was in a state of intense delirium. He raved, he shouted and wept;
he entreated with all the eloquence of frantic excitement; and then
upbraided with the unsocial energy of despair: but most conspicuous in
all his ravings was the name of Lusa, which appeared to belong to some
maiden by whom he was enamoured, who did not return his attachment. In
his delirium he mistook me for the object of his passion, and by turns
praised me as the kindest of all created beings, and upbraided me as
the most cruel of my sex. To such an extent did these paroxysms arrive,
that, unless some plan was put into operation which would lessen the
excitement under which he laboured, there appeared no hopes of saving
his life. I knew nothing of him or of his history; and I knew as little
of Lusa and of the cause which prevented their mutual happiness; but
there was no doubt that the indifference of the maiden had created the
malady which threatened the youth's life; and I felt convinced, that
if I could make him imagine that a mutual sympathy existed, a healthy
action would ensue, and a recovery follow. Being addressed as Lusa, I
thought it would be advisable, under the character thus imposed upon
me, to give the sufferer hopes of a more blissful termination to his
affections; and, therefore, I cautiously and kindly made him imagine
that the heart he thought so unrelenting had been subdued by a wish
to alleviate his sufferings. You will pardon me this deception, dear
father, as it was done to save a life which might be made valuable to
the community."
"There was nothing wrong in it, Zoe; and these are deceptions that not
only become necessary, but are not to be avoided without inhumanity,"
said the father.
"The youth listened to me as if there was the power of life and death
upon my lips," continued Zoe; "every word seemed to sink into his heart:
his frenzy became subdued; the feverish fire fled from his eyes--he grew
calm, and blessed me with a fervour impossible to be described. After
this he fell into a profound sleep. Then I found myself placed in a
difficult and distressing position. I knew, that when he woke, he would
discover the deception that had been practised upon him, and I feared
that the result would be a relapse, from which there could be no
recovery. While I was vainly endeavouring to conceive some plan by which
I might escape from the embarrassing situation in which I was placed, a
young and handsome female entered that portion of the hospital in which
my duties were performed. She approached me, and inquired after the
health of the patient committed to my charge. She did not tell me who
she was, and I imagined her to be a relative. I therefore acquainted her
with the exact state of the case; and related the way in which I had
discovered the origin of his malady. I described to her the distressing
situation in which I had placed myself by the deception I had practised,
as I knew, that on his awaking, he must discover how cruelly he had
been imposed upon. I had noticed during my recital that the maiden had
appeared confused, had looked distressed, anxious, and full of sympathy
for the sufferer; but I was not prepared for the avowal she made when I
had told her all I had to communicate. She was Lusa."
"And how did you manage to arrange the matter, my Zoe?" inquired Sophos.
"I immediately made an appeal to her sympathies," replied his daughter.
"I described to her the positive danger in which the youth was placed
by her indifference--and endeavoured to awaken her feelings to a sense
of the pleasures she would be storing for herself if she resolved upon
rescuing him from the perils by which he was threatened. She replied
that he was amiable and good, and had given her no cause for her
apparent unkindness; but that she had not loved him in return for
his affections, because he had excited in her no similar feeling; and,
that hearing of his danger, her heart had been filled with tenderness,
and that she had come to the hospital for the express purpose of
endeavouring to tranquillise his mind with happier thoughts. This
confession rejoiced me more than I can possibly express; and I bade her
take my place at his bedside, while I remained at a distance to notice
the effect her appearance would have upon him when he awoke. I had not
waited long before I observed his head move on the pillow. His eyes
looked clearer--his countenance calm and intelligent.
"'Is it a dream?' he said, as his gaze wandering round fell upon the
blushing face of his Lusa. The look with which she answered the question
seemed to have subdued him.
"'Lusa!' he murmured, as he gazed upon her with a kindling eye and
quivering lip. 'Lusa, my beloved! My soul is on my lips--let me bless
you! My hope, my guide, my consolation! the very breath of my being--the
aim and glory of my dreams! in all earnestness, in all sincerity, and in
all love, I bless you; and may the blessing I confer remain upon you,
gladden the atmosphere you breathe, and fill with beauty every scene
upon which you gaze!'
"Lusa's eyes were filled with tears; and bending her head down to his
face, her lips rested upon his. She then moved away her head to conceal
her tears; and, taking his hand in hers, she talked to him of hope
and happiness; and assured him that she would endeavour to return the
affection he had lavished on her so liberally. To this he made no reply.
She looked upon his face and saw that his eyes were fixed and glassy.
A scream brought me to her side; and, gazing in fear and pity, we
discovered that he was dead."
"How dreadful!" exclaimed Zabra.
"He died happy," observed Sophos, "and his life had been blameless:
there is nothing dreadful in such a dissolution. I should say that,
under such circumstances, Death was robbed of all his terrors. The heart
of the affectionate youth was too full; he died of excessive happiness;
his breath passed away in a blessing, and his soul took flight in a
caress. Is there any other way of passing from existence which, to a
lover, could afford so much and so true an enjoyment?"
"I should think not," here remarked Zoe's betrothed. "It appeared as
if all the happiness of his existence had been concentrated into one
moment, and that its intensity destroyed him."
"He was young," said the matron; "and in youth, when the soul is
attached to one object, though there be no return to the passion, and
no hope except what the lover creates, he will love the more, the
more despairing becomes his attachment. As the individual acquires
experience, he loves more wisely; or, perhaps, I might say, he becomes
more selfish: he thinks of himself much more than his passion; and an
instance of devotion without a return is rarely, if ever, met with
beyond the period of youth. Manhood is prouder--age more cautious; and
as life passes on, the impulses which might have been wakened by a
breath are not to be stirred even by a whirlwind."
"Whence go you when you leave our shores?" inquired Sophos of the young
merchant, as if desirous of changing the conversation.
"I pass from here to Constantinople; and from there, after touching at
some of the principal ports in Europe, I intend visiting the classic
shores of England;" replied Oriel.
"'Tis an interesting voyage," observed his host; "especially your
intended visit to the English shores: it is an ancient country, and to
the philanthropist is connected with many associations that make it
regarded with peculiar interest. The brightest page in her book of
honour records the efforts she made to extinguish the slave trade
throughout the world. It was a great boast of the Englishmen of those
days, that a slave, as soon as he set his foot upon the honoured land
of England, became a free man."
"And look at the efforts it made for the regeneration of every other
country;" added Fortyfolios. "For how long a period did it take the lead
in civilisation! Its learning enriched the whole world; its manufactures
produced clothing for almost every people by whom clothing was required;
and its mechanical improvements conferred wealth and power on every
nation that adopted them."
"But the picture to be true to nature requires a little shadow, don't
you see;" observed the doctor. "There are some accounts of cruelty, and
oppression, and bigotry, which ought to find a place in their history.
We must not forget the manner in which they acquired their possessions
in India; the tyranny and slaughter they introduced among the natives
of Southern Africa; the infamous system of slavery they encouraged in
the West Indies; and the destructive and unjust warfare they waged with
their colonists in America."
"Although I cannot defend the manner in which the English acquired new
territory abroad," said the professor; "when I compare it with the more
savage policy of the Spaniards, the Portuguese, the Dutch, the French,
and other nations who endeavoured to add to their possessions by
conquering distant lands and massacring the natives, I think England
comparatively blameless. Their behaviour to the Africans in the interior
of the Cape of Good Hope was produced by the colonists they found there,
not by the colonists they introduced there; the evils of West Indian
slavery ought to be forgotten in consideration of their constant
efforts to ameliorate the conditions of their own slaves, and the great
sacrifices they made to put down slavery in every part of the world; and
their treatment of their colonists in America should only be remembered
as the cause--the glorious cause--which created one of the most
important empires that ever existed upon the face of the globe."
"There are certainly a few blots upon the fame of this great people,"
remarked Sophos; "but the good they effected--a good which is enjoyed by
every portion of the civilised world at this moment--was attempted on so
grand a scale, and produced such magnificent results, that, in justice,
we ought not to look too narrowly upon their errors. And now, Zoe, as
the strangers are about to visit the shores of England, endeavour to
delight them, as you have done me, with that ancient song which appears
to be so great a favourite of yours."
"I will, O my father, if you will ask Alcibiades to join me; for it is
more fit for his voice than for mine;" replied Zoe.
"Alcibiades does not require an invitation, dear Zoe, for so delightful
a purpose;" said the youth, looking all that his words expressed.
With rich harmonious voices that blended together with exquisite effect,
and with a manner so expressive that it stirred the hearts of those
around them to feelings of the most intense gratification, the two
commenced the following song:--
"Hurra for merry England, the island of the blest,
Where gen'rous thoughts, and loving hopes, are nursed in ev'ry
breast;
Where valleys green, and mountains high, and rivers strong and
deep,
Are fill'd with blissful memories Time cannot set to sleep.
Hurra for merry England! Confusion on her foe!
And gladness shine upon her homes--for merry England ho!
"Hurra for mighty England! the island of the brave!
Whose conquering flag hath waved its pride o'er ev'ry shore and
wave;
From eastern hills arose the sun, he kiss'd the western streams,
And still he found that English swords were flashing in his
beams.
Hurra for mighty England! Destruction on her foe!
And triumph dwell within her hearts--for mighty England ho!
"Hurra for noble England! the island of the free!
Where coward souls and slavish minds were never known to be;
Who, proudly as they look'd upon their own unfetter'd gains,
Gave other lands their bravery, and dash'd away their chains.
Hurra for noble England! Dishonour on her foe!
And glory rest upon her lands--for noble England ho!"
END OF THE SECOND VOLUME.
LONDON:
Printed by A. SPOTTISWOODE,
New-Street-Square.
Transcriber's Note
A table of Contents has been added.
Text in italics has been placed between _underscores_ and text in small
capitals has been changed to all capitals.
Some punctuation errors have been corrected silently. Inconsistent use
of quotation marks in some parts of the book has not been changed.
The following corrections have been made, on page
31 "immemediately" changed to "immediately" (the stranger,
immediately stopping in his career)
55 "exexception" changed to "exception" (with the exception of the
one you have)
118 "hyprocrisy" changed to "hypocrisy" ('Tis all hypocrisy!)
197 "incompent" changed to "incompetent" (utterly incompetent to
appreciate their merits)