The Family of Madame’s Sister—The Death of the latter.
AUNT found consolation for all her sorrows in the family of her
favourite sister. The promise of uncommon merit, which appeared in the
rising branches of that singularly fine family, was to her a peculiar
gratification; for no mother could love her own children more tenderly
than she did them. The two daughters, which were amongst the eldest,
passed, by turns, much of their time with her, and were, from their
beauty and their manners, the ornaments of her society; while their good
sense, ripened by being called early into action, made these amiable and
elegant young women more a comfort and assistance than a care or charge
to their aunt, at a very early period. They had four brothers; three of
whom are still living, and have, through life, done honour by their
virtues, their manners, and their conduct, in the most trying
exigencies, to the memory and example of their excellent parents, as
well as to that collateral school of pure morality, and sound and
genuine policy, of which they shared the benefit.
The history of this family, in the after vicissitudes in which the
political changes in their country involved them, would furnish a very
interesting detail, were it allowable to offend the delicacy of modest
worth, or eligible to expose the depravity and fury of enraged factions.
Of the brothers I shall only mention, that the third, in his childhood,
showed uncommon fire and vivacity; not seeming to retain the smallest
portion of that hereditary phlegm which could still be easily traced
through many of the settlers of this peculiar colony. He could scarce be
called an unlucky boy, for he never did harm designedly; yet he was so
volatile, eccentric, and original, in the frolicksome excursions of his
fancy, that many ludicrous and some serious consequences resulted from
them. He showed, however, amidst all these gaieties, from a very early
age, a steady and determined predilection towards a military life,
which, in due time, was indulged, and has been since the means of
leading him onto rank and distinction in the British service.[17] Of the
eldest brother I shall have occasion to speak hereafter; the second and
youngest were zealous partisans of government at the time of the
revolution. Their loyalty occasioned the loss of their fortunes and
their homes; but their worth and bravery procured them confidence and
important commands in that painful service which was carried on during
the American war, at the end of which they were partially rewarded by
grants of land in Upper Canada. Loyalty and courage seems hereditary in
this family. Many sons of those expatriated brothers are now serving
their country in different parts of the empire, undeterred by the losses
and sufferings of their parents in the royal cause. It was a marked
distinction of character to be observed in the conduct of aunt’s
protégéses, that though she was equally attached to the children of her
husband’s relations and her own, these latter only adopted her political
sentiments, with a single exception, which shall be mentioned in its
place.
Footnote 17:
The capture of Tobago was achieved by General C—r, who has for near
forty years been engaged in the most active and hazardous departments
of the service.
The defeat at Ticonderoga bore very hard upon the mind of madame; public
spirit was always an active principle in her strong and reflecting mind;
and from the particular circumstances in which she had always been
involved, her patriotism gained strength by exercise. The same ardent
concern for the public good, which could produce no other effect but
fruitless anxiety, would be as unavailing as unnecessary, in our secure
and tranquil state; but with her it was an exercised and useful virtue.
Her attachment to the British nation, which was to the very last a
ruling principle both of her actions and opinions, contributed to
embitter this blow to her and her family. The taking of Frontinac on the
western lakes, and the reestablishment of our power in that important
quarter, were achieved by General Bradstreet, whom Abercrombie
dispatched at the head of three thousand provincials. This was a cordial
much wanted by all, and more particularly gratifying to the family at
the Flats, as the colonel’s nephew, Philip Schuyler, though his was not
exactly a warlike department, had evinced much spirit, prudence, and
resolution, during that expedition; in which, without publicly
arrogating command, he, under Bradstreet (who was indeed a very able
man) directed most of the operations. In the mind of this extraordinary
person, qualities, suited to all occasions, lay dormant and unsuspected,
till called forth by the varying events of his busy, though not bustling
life; for he seemed to carry on the plans, public and private, which he
executed with superior ability and success, by mere volition. No one
ever saw him appear hurried, embarrassed, or agitated. The success of
this expedition, and the rising distinction of her nephew Philip, was
some consolation to madame for the late disaster, still friendly and
hospitable, she was as kindly disposed towards the British as ever, and
as indefatigable in promoting a good understanding between them and the
natives; but the army was now on a larger scale. It was in a manner
regularly organized, and more independent of such aid as individuals
could bestow; and the many children educated by her, or left orphans to
her care, became from their number, their marriages, and various
pursuits, objects of more earnest solicitude.
At this period Aunt Schuyler, now every where spoken of by that
affectionate designation, met with a severe affliction in the death of a
sister, whom she had always loved with more than common tenderness, and
whose family she considered in a manner as her own. This was Mrs.
Cuyler, the wife of that able and upright magistrate, Cornelius Cuyler,
of whose family I have just been giving some account. Mrs. Cuyler, with
a character more gentle and retiring, possessed the good sense and
benevolence for which aunt was distinguished, though her sphere of
action being entirely within the limits of her own family, she could not
be so well known, or so much celebrated. The colonel had always had a
great attachment to this valuable person; which still more endeared her
to his widow. She however always found new duties resulting from her
afflictions, so that she could not afford to sink under them. She now
was at pains to console her sister’s husband, who really seemed borne
down by this stroke; and the exertions she made for the good of his
singularly promising family, kept her mind occupied.
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