NEW-YORK
C。WILEY,3WALLSTREET
J。Seymour,printer1823
SouthernDistrictofNew-Yorkss。
BEITREMEMBERED,ThatonthethirteenthdayofJune,intheforty-seventhyearoftheIndependenceoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica,CharlesWiley,ofthesaidDistrict,hathdepositedinthisofficethetitleofaBook,therightwhereofheclaimsasproprietor,inthewordsandfiguresfollowing,towit:
\"TalesforFifteen;orImaginationandHeart。
ByJaneMorgan。\"
InconformitywiththeActofCongressoftheUnitedStatesentitled,\"AnActfortheencouragementofLearning,bysecuringthecopiesofMaps,Charts,andBooks,totheauthorsandproprietorsofsuchcopies,duringthetimeshereinmentioned。\"AndalsotoanAct,entitled,\"anAct,supplementarytoanAct,fortheencouragementofLearning,bysecuringthecopiesofMaps,Charts,andBooks,totheauthorsandproprietorsofsuchcopies,duringthetimeshereinmentioned,andextendingthebenefitsthereoftotheartsofdesigning,engraving,andetchinghistoricalandotherprints。\"
JAMESDILL,ClerkoftheSouthernDistrictofNew-YorkPREFACE
WHENtheauthoroftheselittletalescommencedthem,itwasherintentiontoformashortseriesofsuchstoriesas,itwashoped,mightnotbeentirelywithoutmoraladvantage;butunforeseencircumstanceshavepreventedtheircompletion,and,unwillingtodelaythepublicationanylonger,shecommitsthemtotheworldintheirpresentunfinishedstate,withoutanyflatteringanticipationsoftheirreception。Theyareintendedfortheperusalofyoungwomen,atthattenderagewhenthefeelingsoftheirnaturebegintoactonthemmostinsidiously,andwhentheirmindsareleastpreparedbyreasonandexperiencetocontendwiththeirpassions。
\"Heart\"wasintendedforamuchlongertale,andisunavoidablyincomplete;butitisunnecessarytopointoutdefectsthateventhejuvenilereaderwillsoondetect。Theauthoronlyhopesthatiftheydonogood,hertaleswill,atleast,donoharm。
IMAGINATION。
——-oOo——-
Ipraythee,gentlemortal,singagain:
Mineearismuchenamouredofthynote,Soismineeyeenthralledtothyshape;
Andthyfairvirtue’sforceperforcedothmoveme,Onthefirstview,tosay,toswear,Ilovethee。
MIDSUMMERNIGHT’SDREAM
{Shakespeare,\"AMidsummerNight’sDream\"ActIII,Scene1,lines137-141}
\"DO——writetomeoften,mydearAnna!\"saidtheweepingJuliaWarren,onparting,forthefirsttimesincetheiracquaintance,withtheyoungladywhomshehadhonouredwiththehighestplaceinheraffections。\"ThinkhowdreadfullysolitaryandmiserableIshallbehere,withoutasinglecompanion,orasoultoconversewith,nowyouaretoberemovedtwohundredmilesintothewilderness。\"
\"Oh!trustme,mylove,Ishallnotforgetyounoworever,\"repliedherfriend,embracingtheotherslightly,and,perhaps,ratherhastilyforsotenderanadieu;atthesametimeglancinghereyeonthefigureofayouth,whostoodinsilentcontemplationofthescene。\"AnddoubtnotbutIshallsoontireyouwithmycorrespondence,especiallyasImorethansuspectitwillbesubjectedtothecriticismsofMr。CharlesWeston。\"Assheconcluded,theyoungladycurtisiedtotheyouthinamannerthatcontradicted,byitsflattery,theforcedironyofherremark。
\"Never,mydeargirl!\"exclaimedMissWarrenwithextremefervour。\"Theconfidenceofourfriendshipissacredwithme,andnothing,no,nothing,couldevertemptmetoviolatesuchatrust。Charlesisverykindandveryindulgenttoallmywhims,buthenevercouldobtainsuchaninfluenceovermeastobecomethedepositaryofmysecrets。Nothingbutafriend,likeyourself,candothat,mydearAnna。\"
\"Never!MissWarren,\"saidtheyouthwithalipthatbetrayedbyitstremulousmotiontheinteresthetookinherspeech——\"neverincludesalongperiodoftime。But,\"headdedwithasmileofgood-
humouredpleasantry,\"ifadmittedtosuchadistinction,Ishouldnotfeelmyselfcompetenttothetaskofcommentingonsomuchinnocenceandpurity,asIknowIshouldfindinyourcorrespondence。\"
\"Yes,\"saidAnna,withalittleoftheenergyofherfriend’smanner,\"youmaywithtruthsayso,Mr。
Weston。TheimaginationofmyJuliaisaspureas——
as————-\"butturninghereyesfromthecountenanceofJuliatothatoftheyouth,rathersuddenly,theanimatedpleasureshesawdelineatedinhisexpressive,thoughplainfeatures,drovetheremainderofthespeechfromherrecollection。
\"Asherheart!\"criedCharlesWestonwithemphasis。
\"Asherheart,Sir,\"repeatedtheyoungladycoldly。
Thelastadieuswerehastilyexchanged,andAnnaMillerwashandedintoherfather’sgigbyCharlesWestoninprofoundsilence。MissEmmerson,themaidenauntofJulia,withdrewfromthedoor,whereshehadbeenconversingwithMr。Miller,andthetravellersdeparted。Juliafollowedthevehiclewithhereyesuntilitwashidbythetreesandshrubberythatcoveredthelawn,andthenwithdrewtoherroomtogiveventtoasorrowthathadsensiblytouchedheraffectionateheart,andinnotriflingdegreehauntedherlivelyimagination。
AsMissEmmersonbynomeansheldthegoodqualitiesoftheguest,whohadjustleftthem,insohighanestimationasdidherniece,sheproceededquietlyandwithgreatcomposureintheexerciseofherdailyduties;notintheleastsuspectingtherealdistressthat,fromavarietyofcauses,thissuddenseparationhadcausedtoherward。
Theonlysisterofthisgoodladyhaddiedingivingbirthtoafemaleinfant,andthefeverof1805had,withinaveryfewyearsofthedeathofthemother,deprivedtheyouthfulorphanofherremainingparent。Herfatherwasamerchant,justcommencingthefoundationsofwhatwould,intime,havebeenalargeestate;andasbothMissEmmersonandhersisterwerepossessedofgenteelindependencies,andtheaunthadlongdeclaredherintentionofremainingsingle,thefortuneofJulia,ifnotbrilliant,wasthoughtratherlargethanotherwise。MissEmmersonhadbeeneducatedimmediatelyafterthewaroftherevolution,andatatimewhentheintellectofthewomenofthiscountrybynomeansreceivedthatattentionitisthoughtnecessarytobestowonthemindsofthefuturemothersofourfamiliesatthepresenthour;
andwhen,indeed,thecountryitselfrequiredtoomuchofthecareofherrulersandpatriotstoadmitoftheconsiderationoflesserobjects。Withthebestofheartsandaffectionsdevotedtothewelfareofherniece,MissEmmersonhadearlydiscoveredherownincompetencytothelabouroffittingJuliafortheworldinwhichshewastolive,andshrunkwithtimidmodestyfromthearduoustaskofpreparingherself,byapplicationandstudy,forthissacredduty。Thefashionsofthedaywererapidlyrunningintotheattainmentofaccomplishmentsamongtheyoungofherownsex,andthepianofortewasalreadysendingforthitssonorousharmonyfromoneendoftheUniontotheother,whiletheglitteringusefulnessofthetambour-framewasdiscardedforthepalletandbrush。Thewallsofourmansionswerebeginningtogroanwiththesicklygreenofimaginaryfields,thatcaricaturedthebeautiesofnature;andskiesofsunnybrightness,thatmockedthegoldenhuesofevenanAmericansun。TheexperienceofMissEmmersonwentnofurtherthanthesimpleevolutionsofthecountrydance,orthedeliberateanddignifiedprocessionoftheminuet。Nowonder,therefore,thatherfacultieswerebewilderedbythecomplexmovementsofthecotillion:and,inshort,asthegoodladydailycontemplatedtheimprovementsofthefemaleyoutharoundher,shebecameeachhourmoreconvincedofherowninabilitytocontrol,orinanymannertosuperintend,theeducationofherorphanniece。
Juliawas,consequently,entrustedtothegovernmentofaselectboarding-school;and,aseventhemoralsofthedaywere,insomedegree,tincturedwiththeexistingfashions,hermindaswellashermannerswereabsolutelysubmittedtothediscretionofanhireling。NotwithstandingthiswillingconcessionofpoweronthepartofMissEmmerson,therewasnodeficiencyinabilitytojudgebetweenrightandwronginhercharacter;butthehomelynatureofhergoodsense,unassistedbyanyconfidenceinherownpowers,wasunabletocompetewiththedazzlingdisplayofaccomplishmentswhichmetherineveryhousewhereshevisited;andifshesometimesthoughtthatshecouldnotalwaysdiscovermuchoftheusefulamidthisexcessoftheagreeable,sheratherattributedthedeficiencytoherownignorancethantoanyerrorinthenewsystemofinstruction。Fromtheageofsixtothatofsixteen,JuliahadnoothercommunicationswithMissEmmersonthanthoseendearmentswhichneithercouldsuppress,andaconstantandassiduousattentiononthepartoftheaunttothehealthandattireofherniece。
{feverof1805=NewYorkCityhadsufferedamajorepidemicofyellowfeverinthesummerof1805;tambour-frame=acircularframeusedtoholdmaterialbeingembroidered}
MissEmmersonhadabrotherresidinginthecityofNew-York,whowasamanofeminenceatthebar,andwho,havingbeeneducatedfiftyyearsago,was,fromthatcircumstance,justsomuchsuperiortohissuccessorsofhisownsexbytwentyyears,ashissisterswerethelosersfromthesomecause。
ThefamilyofMr。Emmersonwaslarge,and,besidesseveralsons,hehadtwodaughters,oneofwhomremainedstillunmarriedinthehouseofherfather。
KatherineEmmersonwasbuteighteenmonthstheseniorofJuliaWarren;butherfatherhadadoptedadifferentcoursefromthatwhichwasordinarilypursuedwithgirlsofherexpectations。Hehadmarriedawomanofsense,andnowreapedtherichestblessingofsuchaconnexioninherabilitytosuperintendtheeducationofherdaughter。A
mother’scarewasemployedtocorrecterrorsthatamother’stendernesscouldonlydiscover;andintheplaceofgeneralsystems,andcomprehensivetheories,wassubstitutedthecloseandrigorouswatchfulnesswhichadaptedtheremedytothedisease;whichstudiedthedisposition;andwhichknewthefailingsormeritsofthepupil,andcouldbesttellwhentoreward,andhowtopunish。Theconsequenceswereeasilytobeseeninthemannersandcharacteroftheirdaughter。Heraccomplishments,evenwhereamasterhadbeenemployedintheirattainment,werenaturallydisplayed,andsuitedtoherpowers。Hermanners,insteadoftheartificialmovementsofprescribedrules,exhibitedthechasteanddelicatemodestyofrefinement,mingledwithgoodprinciples——suchaswerenotworninordertobeincharacterasawomanandalady,butweredeeplyseated,andformedpart,notonlyofherhabits,but,ifwemayusetheexpression,ofhernaturealso。MissEmmersonhadgoodsenseenoughtoperceivethevalueofsuchanacquaintanceforherward;but,unfortunatelyforherwishtoestablishanintimacybetweenhernieces,Juliahadalreadyformedafriendshipatschool,anddidnotconceiveherheartwaslargeenoughtoadmittwoatthesametimetoitssanctuary。HowmuchJuliawasmistakenthesequelofourtalewillshow。
SolongasAnnaMillerwastheinmateoftheschool,Juliawassatisfiedtoremainalso,butthefatherofAnnahavingdeterminedtoremovetoanestateintheinteriorofthecountry,hisdaughterwastakenfromschool;andwhilethearrangementsweremakingforthereceptionofthefamilyonthebanksoftheGennessee,Annawaspermittedtotaste,forashorttime,thepleasuresoftheworld,attheresidenceofMissEmmersononthebanksoftheHudson。
{Gennessee=GeneseeRiver,whichflowsnorththroughcentralNewYorkStatetoLakeOntario——atthetimeofCooper’sstoryitwasstillonthefrontierofsettlement}
CharlesWestonwasadistantrelativeofthegoodaunt,andwas,likeJulia,anorphan,whowasmoderatelyendowedwiththegoodsoffortune。Hewasastudentintheofficeofheruncle,andbeingagreatfavouritewithMissEmmerson,spentmanyofhisleisurehours,duringtheheatsofthesummer,intheretirementofhercountryresidence。
Whatevermightbethecomposureofthemaidenaunt,whileJuliawasweepinginherchamberoverthelongseparationthatwasnowtoexistbetweenherselfandherfriend,youngWestonbynomeansdisplayedthesamephilosophicindifference。Hepacedthehallofthebuildingwithrapidsteps,castmanyalongingglanceatthedoorofhiscousin’sroom,andthenrestedhimselfwithanapparentintentiontoreadthevolumeheheldinhishands;
nordidheinanydegreerecoverhiscomposureuntilJuliare-appearedonthelandingofthestairs,movingslowlytowardstheirbottom,when,takingonelonglookatherlovelyface,whichwasglowingwithyouthfulbeauty,andifpossiblemorecharmingfromthetracesoftearsinhereyes,hecoollypursuedhisstudies。Juliahadrecoveredhercomposure,andCharlesWestonfeltsatisfied。MissEmmersonandherniecetooktheirseatsquietlywiththeirworkatanopenwindowoftheparlour,andorderappearedtoberestoredinsomemeasuretothemansion。Afterpursuingtheirseveraloccupationsforsomeminuteswithasilencethathadlatelybeenastrangertothem,theauntobserved——
\"Youappeartohavesomethingnewinhand,mylove。Surelyyoumustaboundwithtrimmings,andyetyouareworkinganotheralready?\"
\"ItisforAnnaMiller,\"saidJuliawithaflushoffeeling。
\"IwasinhopesyouwouldperformyourpromisetoyourcousinKatherine,nowMissMillerisgone,andmakeyourportionofthegarmentsfortheOrphanAsylum,\"returnedMissEmmersongravely。
\"Oh!cousinKatherinemustwait。IpromisedthistrimmingtoAnnatoremembermeby,andIwouldnotdisappointthedeargirlfortheworld。\"
\"ItisnotyourcousinKatherine,buttheOrphans,whowillhavetowait;andsurelyapromisetoarelationisassacredasonetoanacquaintance。\"
\"Acquaintance,aunt!\"echoedtheniecewithdispleasure。\"Donot,Ientreatyou,callAnnaanacquaintancemerely。Sheismyfriend——myverybestfriend,andIloveherassuch。\"
\"Thankyou,mydear,\"saidtheauntdryly。
\"Oh!Imeannothingdisrespectfultoyourself,dearaunt,\"continuedJulia。\"YouknowhowmuchIowetoyou,andoughttoknowthatIloveyouasamother。\"
\"AndwouldyoupreferMissMillertoamother,then?\"
\"Surelynotinrespect,ingratitude,inobedience;
butstillImayloveher,youknow。Indeed,thefeelingsaresoverydifferent,thattheydonotatallinterferewitheachother——inmyheartatleast。\"
\"No!\"saidMissEmmerson,withalittlecuriosity——\"I
wishyouwouldtryandexplainthisdifferencetome,thatImaycomprehendthedistinctionsthatyouarefondofmaking。\"
\"Why,nothingiseasier,dearaunt!\"saidJuliawithanimation。\"YouIlovebecauseyouarekindtome,attentivetomywants,considerateformygood;
affectionate,and——and——fromhabit——andyouaremyaunt,andtakecareofme。\"
\"Admirablereasons!\"exclaimedCharlesWeston,whohadlaidasidehisbooktolistentothisconversation。
\"TheyareforcibleonesImustadmit,\"saidMissEmmerson,smilingaffectionatelyonherniece;\"butnowfortheotherkindoflove。\"
\"Why,Annaismyfriend,youknow,\"criedJulia,witheyessparklingwithenthusiasm。\"Iloveher,becauseshehasfeelingscongenialwithmyown;
shehassomuchwit,issoamusing,sofrank,solikeagirloftalents——solike——likeeverythingI
admiremyself。\"
\"Itisapitythatonesohighlygiftedcannotfurnishherselfwithfrocks,\"saidtheaunt,withalittlemorethanherordinarydrynessofmanner,\"andsufferyoutoworkforthosewhowantthemmore。\"
\"Youforgetitisinordertorememberme,\"saidJulia,inamannerthatspokeherownideasofthevalueofthegift。
\"Onewouldthinksuchafriendshipwouldnotrequireanythingtoremindoneofitsexistence,\"
returnedtheaunt。
\"Why!itisnotthatshewillforgetmewithoutit,butthatshemayhavesomethingbyhertoremindherofme————-\"saidJuliarapidly,butpausingasthecontradictionstruckevenherself。
\"Iunderstandyouperfectly,mychild,\"interruptedtheaunt,\"merelyasanunnecessarysecurity,youmean。\"
\"Tomakeassurancedoublysure,\"criedCharlesWestonwithalaugh。
\"Oh!youlaugh,Mr。Weston,\"saidJuliawithalittleanger;\"butIhaveoftensaid,youwereincapableoffriendship。\"
\"Tryme!\"exclaimedtheyouthfervently。\"Donotcondemnmewithoutatrial。\"
\"HowcanI?\"saidJulia,laughinginherturn。\"Youarenotagirl。\"
\"Cangirlsthenonlyfeelfriendship?\"inquiredCharles,takingtheseatwhichMissEmmersonhadrelinquished。
\"Isometimesthinkso,\"saidJulia,withherowngood-humouredsmile。\"Youaretoogross——tooenvious——inshort,youneverseesuchfriendshipsbetweenmenasexistbetweenwomen。\"
\"Betweengirls,Iwillreadilyadmit,\"returnedtheyouth。\"Butletusexaminethisquestionafterthemannerofthecourts——\"
\"Nay,ifyoutalklawIshallquityou,\"interruptedtheyoungladygaily。
\"Certainlyonesolearnedinthesubjectneednotdreadacross-examination,\"criedtheyouth,inherownmanner。
\"Well,proceed,\"criedthelady。\"IhavedrivenauntMargaretfromthefield,andyouwillfarenobetter,Icanassureyou。\"
\"Men,yousay,aretoogrosstofeelapurefriendship;inthefirstplace,pleasetoexplainyourselfonthispoint。\"
\"WhyImean,thatyourfriendshipsaregenerallyinterested;thatitrequiresservicesandgoodofficestosupportit。\"
{interested=notpure,havinganulteriormotive}
\"Whilethatofwomendependson——\"
\"Feelingalone。\"
\"Butwhatexcitesthisfeeling?\"askedCharleswithasmile。
\"What?whysympathy——andaknowledgeofeachother’sgoodqualities。\"
\"ThenyouthinkMissMillerhasmoregoodqualitiesthanKatherineEmmerson,\"saidWeston。
\"WhendidIeversayso?\"criedJuliainsurprise。
\"Iinferitfromyourlovingherbetter,merely,\"
returnedtheyoungmanwithalittleofMissEmmerson’sdryness。
\"Itwouldbedifficulttocomparethem,\"saidJuliaafteramoment’spause。\"Katherineisintheworld,andhashadanopportunityofshowinghermerit;
thatAnnahasneverenjoyed。Katherineiscertainlyamostexcellentgirl,andIlikeherverymuch;butthereisnoreasontothinkthatAnnawillnotproveasfineayoungwomanasKatherine,whenputtothetrial。\"
\"Pray,\"saidtheyounglawyerwithgreatgravity,\"howmanyofthesebosom,theseconfidentialfriendscanayoungwomanhaveatthesametime?\"
\"One,onlyone——anymorethanshecouldhavetwolovers,\"criedJuliaquickly。
\"Whythendidyoufinditnecessarytotakethatonefromaset,thatwasuntriedinthepracticeofwell-doing,whensoexcellentasubjectasyourcousinKatherineoffered?\"
\"ButAnnaIknow,Ifeel,iseverythingthatisgoodandsincere,andoursympathiesdrewustogether。
KatherineIlovednaturally。\"
\"Hownaturally?\"
\"Isitnotnaturaltoloveyourrelatives?\"saidJuliainsurprise。
\"No,\"wasthebriefanswer。
\"Surely,CharlesWeston,youthinkmeasimpleton。
Doesnoteveryparentloveitschildbynaturalinstinct?\"
\"No:nomorethanyouloveanyofyouramusementsfrominstinct。Iftheparentwaspresentwithachildthathedidnotknowtobehisown,wouldinstinct,thinkyou,discovertheirvicinity?\"
\"Certainlynot,iftheyhadnevermetbefore;butthen,assoonasheknewittobehis,hewouldloveitfromnature。\"
\"Itisacomplicatedquestion,andonethatinvolvesathousandconnectedfeelings,\"saidCharles。\"Butalllove,atleastallloveoftheheart,springsfromthecausesyoumentionedtoyouraunt——goodoffices,adependenceoneachother,andhabit。\"
\"Yes,andnaturetoo,\"saidtheyoungladyratherpositively;\"andIcontend,thatnaturallore,andlovefromsympathy,aretwodistinctthings。\"
\"Verydifferent,Iallow,\"saidCharles;\"onlyIverymuchdoubtthedurabilityofthataffectionwhichhasnobetterfoundationthanfancy。\"
\"Youusesuchqueerterms,Charles,thatyoudonottreatthesubjectfairly。Callinginnateevidenceofworthbythenameoffancy,isnotcandid。\"
\"Now,indeed,yourowntermspuzzleme,\"saidCharles,smiling。\"Whatisinnateevidenceofworth?\"
\"Why,aconvictionthatanotherpossessesallthatyouesteemyourself,andisdiscoveredbycongenialfeelingsandnaturalsympathies。\"
\"Uponmyword,Julia,youarequiteacasuistonthissubject。Doeslove,then,betweenthesexesdependonthiscongenialsympathyandinnateevidence?\"
\"NowyoutalkonasubjectthatIdonotunderstand,\"saidJulia,blushing;and,catchingupthehighlyprizedwork,sherantoherownroom,leavingtheyoungmaninastateofmingledadmirationandpity。
CHAPTERII。
ANanxiousfortnightwaspassedbyJuliaWarren,afterthisconversation,withoutbringinganytidingsfromherfriend。Shewatched,withfeverishrestlessness,eachsteam-boatthatpassedthedooronitsbusywaytowardsthemetropolis,andmettheservanteachdayatthegateofthelawnonhisreturnfromthecity;butitwasonlytoreceiveaddeddisappointments。AtlengthCharlesWestongood-naturedlyofferedhisownservices,laughinglydeclaring,thathisluckwasneverknowntofail。JuliaherselfhadwrittenseverallongepistlestoAnna,anditwasnowthepropertimethatsomeoftheseshouldbeanswered,independentlyofthethousandpromisesfromherfriendofwritingregularlyfromeverypost-officethatshemightpassonherroutetotheGennessee。
Butthehappymomenthadarrivedwhendisappointmentsweretocease。
Asusual,Juliawaswaitingwitheagerimpatienceatthegate,herlovelyformoccasionallyglidingfromtheshrubberytocatchaglimpseofthepassengersonthehighway,whenCharlesappearedridingatafullgalloptowardsthehouse;hiswholemannerannouncedsuccess,andJuliasprangintothemiddleoftheroadtotaketheletterwhichheextendedtowardsher。
\"IknewIshouldbesuccessful,anditgivesmealmostasmuchpleasureasyourselfthatIhavebeenso,\"saidtheyouth,dismountingfromhishorseandopeningthegatethathiscompanionmightpass。
\"Thankyou——thankyou,dearCharles,\"saidJuliakindly。\"Inevercanforgethowgoodyouaretome——
howmuchyoulovetoobligenotonlyme,buteveryonearound。Excusemenow,Ihavethisdearlettertoreadanothertime,IwillthankyouasI
ought。\"
Sosaying,Juliaranintothesummer-house,andfasteningitsdoor,gaveherselfuptothepleasureofreadingafirstletter。Notesandshortepistlesfromheraunt,withdiverslettersfromAnnawrittenslylyintheschool-roomandslippedintoherlap,shewasalreadywellacquaintedwith;butofreal,genuineletters,stampedbythepost-office,rumpledbythemail-bags,consecratedbythesteam-boat,thiswascertainlythefirst。This,indeed,wasarealletter:riversrolled,andvasttractsofcountrylay,betweenherselfanditswriter,andthatwriterwasafriendselectedonthetestimonyofinnateevidence。ItwasnecessaryforJuliatopauseandbreathebeforeshecouldopenherletter;andbythetimethiswasdone,herbusyfancyhadclothedbothepistleandwriterwithsomuchexcellence,thatshewaspreparedtoperusethecontentswitharespectborderingonenthusiasm:everywordmustbetrue——everyideapurityitself。Thatourreadersmayknowhowaccuratelysixteenandabrilliantfancyhadqualifiedhertojudge,weshallgivethemtheletterentire。
\"Mydearestlove,\"Oh,Julia!hereIam,andsuchaplace!——notown,nochurches,noBroadway,nothingthatcanmakelifedesirable;and,Imayadd,nofriend——nobodytoseeandtalkwith,butpapaandmamma,andahousefullofbrothersandsisters。Youcan’tthinkhowImissyou,everyminutemoreandmore;butI
amnotwithouthopesofpersuadingpatoletmespendthewinterwithyourauntintown。IdeclareitmakesmesickeverytimeIthinkofhersweethouseinPark-place。IfeverImarry,andbesureI
will,itshallbeamanwholivesinthecity,andnextdoortomyJulia。Oh!howcharmingthatwouldbe。Eachofustohaveoneofthosedelightfulnewhouses,withthenew-fashionedbasementstories;
wewouldruninandoutatallhoursoftheday,anditwouldbesoconvenienttolendandborroweachother’sthings。Idothinkthereisnopleasureunderheavenequaltothatofwearingthingsthatbelongtoyourfriend。Don’tyourememberhowfondIwasofwearingyourclothesatschool,thoughyouwerenotsofondofchangingasmyself;butthatwasnowonder,forpa’sstinginesskeptmesoshabbilydressed,thatIwasashamedtoletyoubeseeninthem。Oh,Julia!Ishallneverforgetthosehappyhours;noryouneither。Apropos——Ihopeyouhavenotforgotthefrockyoupromisedtoworkforme,torememberyouby。Ilongforitdreadfully,andhopeyouwillsenditbeforetherivershuts。IsupposeyouandCharlesWestondonothingbutrideroundamongthosebeautifulvillasontheisland,andtakecomfort。Idoenvyyouyourhappiness,Icantellyou;forIthinkanybeaubetterthannone,thoughMr。Westonisnottomytaste。Iamgoingtowriteyousixsheetsofpaper,forthereisnothingthatIsodelightinascommuningwithafriendatadistance,especiallysituatedasIamwithoutasoultosayawordto,unlessitbemyownsisters。Adieu,myever,everbelovedJulia——betomeasIamtoyou,afriendindeed,onetriedandnotfoundwanting。Inhaste,your\"ANNA。
\"Gennessee,June15,1816。
\"P。S。Don’tforgettojogauntEmmerson’smemoryaboutaskingmetoPark-place。
\"P。S。June25th。Nothavingyetsentmyletter,althoughIamsureyoumustbedyingwithanxietytohearhowwegeton,Imustadd,thatwehaveacompanionherethatwoulddelightyou——aMr。
EdwardStanley。Whatadelightfulname!andheisasdelightfulashisname:hiseye,hisnose,hiswholecountenance,areperfect。Inshort,Julia,heisjustsuchamanasweusedtodrawinourconversationatschool。Heisrich,andbrave,andsensible,andIdonothingbuttalktohimofyou。
Hesays,helongstoseeyou;knowsyoumustbehandsome;issureyouaresensible;andfeelsthatyouaregood。Oh!heisworthadozenCharlesWestons。ButyoumaygivemycomplimentstoMr。
Weston,thoughIdon’tsupposeheeverthinksitworthhiswhiletoremembersuchachickasme。I
shouldliketohearwhathesaysaboutme,andI
willtellyouallEdwardStanleysaysofyou。Oncemore,adieu。Yourlettersgotheresafeandindueseason。IletEdwardtakeapeepatthem。\"
ThefirsttimeJuliareadthislettershewascertainlydisappointed。Itcontainednodescriptionsofthelovelysceneryofthewest。Themoonhadrisenandthesunhadsetonthelakesoftheinterior,andAnnahadsaidnotonewordofeither。
Butthethirdandfourthtimeofreadingbegantoaffordmorepleasure,andatthethirteenthperusalshepronounceditcharming。Therewasevidentlymuchtobeunderstood;vacuumsthatthefancycouldeasilyfill;and,beforeJuliahadleftthesummer-house,theletterwasextended,inherimagination,tothepromisedsixsheets。Shewalkedslowlythroughtheshrubberytowardsthehouse,musingonthecontentsofherletter,orratherwhatitmightbesupposedtocontain,andunconsciouslyrepeatingtoherselfinalowtone——
\"Young,handsome,rich,andsensible——justasweusedtopaintinourconversation。Oh,howdelightful!\"
\"Delightfulindeed,topossessallthosefinequalities;andwhoisthehappyindividualthatissoblessed?\"askedCharlesWeston,whohadbeenlingeringinthewalkswithanumbrellatoshieldheronherreturnfromanapproachingshower。
\"Oh!\"saidJulia,starting,\"Ididnotknowyouwerenearme。IhavebeenreadingAnna’ssweetletter,\"
pressingthepapertoherbosomasshespoke。
\"Doubtlessyoumustbedonebythistime,Julia,and,\"pointingtotheclouds,\"youhadbetterhastentothehouse。Iknewyouwouldbeterrifiedatthelightningallalonebyyourselfinthatsummer-
house,soIcametoprotectyou。\"
\"Youareverygood,Charles,butdoesitlighten?\"
saidJuliainterror,andhasteningherretreattothedwelling。
\"Yourlettermusthaveinterestedyoudeeplynottohavenoticedthethunder——you,whoaresotimidandfearfuloftheflashes。\"
\"Foolishlyfearful,youwouldsay,ifyouwerenotafraidofhurtingmyfeelings,Iknow,\"saidJulia。
\"Itisanaturaldread,andthereforenottobelaughedat,\"answeredCharlesmildly。
\"Thenthereisnaturalfear,butnonaturallove,Mr。
Charles;nowyouarefinelycaught,\"criedJuliaexultingly。
\"Well,beitso。Withmefearisverynatural,andI
canalmostpersuademyselflovealso。\"
\"Ihopeyouarenotacoward,CharlesWeston。A
cowardlymanisverydespicable。Icouldneverloveacowardlyman,\"saidJulia,laughing。
\"Idon’tknowwhetherIamwhatyoucallacoward,\"
saidCharlesgravely;\"butwhenindangerIamalwaysafraid。\"
Thewordswerehardlyutteredbeforeaflashoflightning,followedinstantlybyatremendouslyheavyclapofthunder,nearlystupifiedthemboth。
Thesuddennessoftheshockhad,foramoment,paralyzedtheenergyoftheyouth,whileJuliawasnearlyinsensible。Soonrecoveringhimself,however,Charlesdrewherafterhimintothehouse,intimetoescapeatorrentofrain。Thestormwassoonover,andtheirnaturalfearandsurprisewereasourceofmirthforJulia。Womenareseldomashamedoftheirfears,fortheirfrightisthoughttobefeminineendattractive;butmenarelesseasyundertheimputationofterror,asitisthoughttoindicateanabsenceofmanlyqualities。
\"Oh!youwillnevermakeahero,Charles,\"criedJulia,laughingheartily。\"Itiswellyouchosethelawinsteadofthearmyasaprofession。\"
\"Idon’tknow,\"saidtheyouth,alittlenettled,\"I
thinkIcouldmustercouragetofaceabullet。\"
\"Butremember,thatyoushutyoureyes,andbentnearlydoubleattheflash——nowyouownedallthisyourself。\"
\"Atleasthewascandid,andacknowledgedhisinfirmities,\"saidMissEmmerson,whohadbeenlistening。
\"IthinkmostmenwouldhavedoneasIdid,atsoheavyandsosuddenaclapofthunder,andsoveryneartoo,\"saidCharles,strivingtoconcealtheuneasinesshefelt。
\"WhenapprehensionforJuliamusthaveincreasedyourterror,\"saidtheauntkindly。
\"Why,no——IratherbelieveIthoughtonlyofmyselfatthemoment,\"returnedCharles;\"butthen,Julia,youmustdomethejusticetosay,thatinstantlyI
thoughtofthedangerofyourtakingcoldanddrewyouintothehouse。\"
\"Oh!youranfromanotherclap,\"saidJulia,laughingtillherdarkeyesflashedwithpleasure,andshakingherheaduntilherglossyhairfellinringletsoverhershoulders;\"youwillnevermakeahero,Charles。\"
\"Doyouknowanyonewhowouldhavebehavedbetter,MissWarren?\"saidtheyoungmanangrily。
\"Yes——why——Idon’tknow。Yes,Ihaveheardofone,Ithink,\"answeredJulia,slightlycolouring;\"but,dearCharles,excusemylaughter,\"shecontinued,holdingoutherhand;\"ifyouarenotahero,youarevery,very,good。\"
ButCharlesWeston,atthemoment,wouldratherbethoughtaherothanvery,very,good;he,therefore,rose,andaffectingasmile,endeavouredtosaysomethingtriflingasheretired。
\"YouhavemortifiedCharles,\"saidMissEmmerson,sosoonashewasoutofhearing。
\"IamsureIhopenot,\"saidJulia,withagooddealofanxiety;\"heisthelastpersonIwouldwishtooffend,heissoverykind。\"
\"Noyoungmanoftwentyispleasedwithbeingthoughtnohero,\"returnedtheaunt。
\"Andyetallarenotso,\"saidJulia,\"Ihardlyknowwhatyoumeanbyahero;ifyoumeansuchmenasWashington,Greene,orWarren,allaresurelynotso。Thesewereheroesindeeds,butothersmaybeequallybrave。\"
{Greene=NathanaelGreene(1742-1786),RevolutionaryGeneral;Warren=JosephWarren(1741-1775),Revolutionarywarhero,killedattheBattleofBunkerHill}
\"Imeanbyahero,amanwhosecharacterisunstainedbyanylowordegeneratevices,orevenfeelings,\"saidJulia,withalittlemorethanherordinaryenthusiasm;\"whosecourageisasnaturalasitisdaring;whoisabovefear,exceptofdoingwrong;whosepersonisanindexofhismind,andwhosemindisfilledwithimagesofglory;that’swhatIcallahero,aunt。\"
\"Thenhemustbehandsomeaswellasvaliant,\"
saidMissEmmerson,withasmilethatwashardlyperceptible。
\"Whythatis——is——notabsolutelymaterial,\"repliedJulia,blushing;\"butonewouldwishtohavehimhandsometoo。\"
\"Oh!byallmeans;itwouldrenderhisvirtuesmorestriking。ButIthinkyouintimatedthatyouknewsuchabeing,\"returnedMissEmmerson,fixinghermildeyesonJuliainamannerthatdenotedgreatinterest。
\"DidI,\"saidJulia,colouringscarlet;\"Iamsure——I
haveforgotten——itmustbeamistake,surely,dearaunt。\"
\"VerypossiblyImisunderstoodyou,mydear,\"saidMissEmmerson,risingandwithdrawingfromtheroom,inapparentindifferencetothesubject。
Juliacontinuedmusingonthedialoguewhichhadpassed,andsoonhadrecoursetotheletterofherfriend,thepostscriptofwhichwasall,however,thatshethoughtnecessarytoread:onthisshedweltuntiltheperiodswerelengthenedintoparagraphs,eachsyllableintowords,andeachletterintosyllables。AnnaMillerhadfurnishedtheoutlinesofapicture,thattheimaginationofJuliahadcompleted。ThenameofEdwardStanleywasrepeatedinternallysooftenthatshethoughtitthesweetestnameshehadeverheard。Hiseyes,hisnose,hiscountenance,wereavowedtobehandsome;andherfancysoongaveacolourandformtoeach。Hewassensible;howsensible,herfriendhadnotexpresslystated;butthenthepowersofAnna,greatastheyundoubtedlywere,couldnotcompassthemightyextentofsogiganticamind。Brave,too,Annahadcalledhim。Thisshemusthavelearntfromactsofdesperatecouragethathehadperformedinthewarwhichhadsorecentlyterminated;orperhapshemighthaveevendistinguishedhimselfinthepresenceofAnna,bysomeexploitofcoolanddetermineddaring。Herheartburnedtoknowalltheparticulars,buthowwasshetoinquirethem。Anna,dear,indiscreetgirl,hadalreadyshownherletters,andherdelicacyshrunkfromtheexposureofhercuriositytoitsobject。Afteramultitudeofexpedientshadbeenadoptedandrejectedasimpracticable,Juliaresortedtothecourseofcommittingherinquiriestopaper,mostsolemnlyenjoiningherfriendnevertoexposeherweaknesstoMr。Stanley。This,thoughtJulia,shenevercoulddo;itwouldbeunjusttome,andindelicateinher。SoJuliawroteasfollows,firstseekingherownapartment,andcarefullylockingthedoor,thatshemightdevoteherwholeattentiontofriendship,andherletter。
\"DearestAnna,\"Yourkindletterreach’dmeaftermanyananxioushourspentinexpectation,andrepaysmeten-foldforallmyuneasiness。Surely,Anna,thereisnoonethatcanwritehalfsoagreeablyasyourself。Iknowtheremustbealong——long——epistleformeontheroad,containingthosedescriptionsandincidentsyoupromisedtofavourmewith:howIlongtoreadthem,andtoshowthemtomyauntMargaret,who,Ibelieve,doesnotsuspectyoutobecapableofdoingthatwhichIknow,orratherfeel,youcan。
Knowingfromanythingbutfeelingandtheinnateevidenceofoursympathies,seemstomesomethinglikeheresyinfriendship。Oh,Anna!howcouldyoubesocruelastoshowmyletterstoanyone,andthattoagentlemanandastranger?I
neverwouldhaveservedyouso,noteventogoodCharlesWeston,whomIesteemsohighly,andwhoreallywantsneitherjudgmentnorgoodnature,thoughheisdreadfullydeficientinfancy。YetCharlesisamostexcellentyoungman,andIgavehimthecomplimentsyoudesired;hewassomuchflatteredbyyournoticethathecouldmakenoreply,thoughIdoubtnotheprizedthehonourasheought。Weareallveryhappyhere,onlyfortheabsenceofmyAnna;butsolongasmilesofwearyroadsandendlessriversrunbetweenus,perfecthappinesscanneverreigninthebreastofyourJulia。Anna,Iconjureyoubyallthesacreddelicacythatconsecratesourfriendship,nevertoshowthisletter,unlessyouwouldbreakmyheart:youneverwill,Iamcertain,andthereforeIwillwritetomyAnnaintheunreservedmannerinwhichweconversed,whenfate,lesscruelthanatpresent,sufferedustoliveinthesunshineofeachother’ssmiles。Youspeakofacertainpersoninyourletter,whom,forobviousreasons,IwillinfuturecallANTONIO。Youdescribehimwiththepartialityofafriend;buthowcanIdoubthisbeingworthyofallthatyousay,andmore——sensible,brave,rich,andhandsome。Fromhisname,Isuppose,ofcourse,heiswellconnected。Whataconstellationofattractionstocentreinoneman!Butyouhavenottoldmeall——hisage,hisfamily,hisprofession;
thoughIpresumehehasbornearmsintheserviceofhiscountry,andthathismanlybreastisalreadycoveredwiththescarsofhonour。Ah!Anna,\"hejestsatscarswhoneverfeltawound。\"But,mydearcreature,yousaythathetalksofme:whatunderthesuncanyoufindtosayofsuchapoorgirlasmyself?ThoughIsupposeyouhave,inthefondnessofaffection,describedmypersontohimalready。Iwonderifhelikesblackeyesandfaircomplexion。Youcan’tconceivewhatabloomthecountryhasgivenme;Ireallybegintolookmorelikeamilk-maidthanalady。Dear,goodauntMargarethasbeenquitesicksinceyouleftus,andfortwodaysIwashardlyoutofherroom;thishasputmebackalittleincolour,orIshouldbeasruddyasthemorn。Butnothingoughtevertotemptmetoneglectmyaunt,andIhopenothingeverwill。BeassuredthatIshallbeghertowriteyoutospendthewinterwithus,forIfeelalreadythatwithoutyoulifeisaperfectblank。Youindeedmusthavesomethingtoenlivenitwithalittleinyournewcompanions,buthereisnobody,justnow,butCharlesWeston。Yetheisanexcellentcompanion,anddoeseverythinghecantomakeusallhappyandcomfortable。Heigho!howIdowishIcouldseeyou,myAnna,andspendonesweethalfhourinthedearconfidenceofmutualsympathy。Butliequiet,mythrobbingheart,thedayapproacheswhenIshallmeetmyfriendagain,andmorethanreceivearewardforallourgriefs。Ah!Anna,neverbetrayyourJulia,andwritetomeFULLY,CONFIDINGLY,andoften。
\"Yours,withallthetendernessoffriendshipthatisfoundedonmutualsympathy,congenialsouls,andinnateevidenceofworth。
JULIA。\"
\"P。S。IshouldliketoknowwhetherAntoniohasanyscarsinhisface,andwhatbattleshewasin。Onlythink,mydear,poorCharlesWestonwasfrightenedbyaclapofthunder——butCharleshasanexcellentheart。\"
Thisletterwaswrittenandread,sealedandkissed,whenMissEmmersontappedgentlyatthedoorofhernieceandbeggedadmission。Juliaflewtoopenit,andreceivedherauntwiththeguilelesspleasureherpresenceevergaveher。Afewwordsofintroductorymatterwereexchanged,when,beingbothseatedattheirneedlesagain,MissEmmersonasked——
\"Towhomhaveyoubeenwriting,mylove?\"
\"TomyAnna。\"
\"Doyourecollect,mychild,thatinwritingtoMissMiller,youarewritingtooneoutofyourownfamily,andwhoseinterestsaredifferentfromyours?\"
\"Idonotunderstandyou,aunt,\"criedJuliainsurprise。
\"Imeanthatyoushouldbeguardedinyourcorrespondence——tellnosecretsout\"——
\"TellnosecretstomyAnna!\"exclaimedthenieceinaspeciesofhorror。\"Thatwouldbeadeath-blowtoourfriendshipindeed。\"
\"Thenletitdie,\"saidMissEmmerson,coolly;\"theaffectionthatcannotsurvivethelossofsuchanexcitement,hadbetterbesufferedtoexpireassoonaspossible,oritmayraisefalseexpectations。\"
\"Why,dearaunt,indestroyingconfidenceofthisnature,youdestroythegreatobjectoffriendship。
Whoeverbeardofafriendshipwithoutsecrets?\"
\"Ineverhadasecretinmylife,\"saidMissEmmersonsimply,\"andyetIhavehadmanyafriend。\"
\"Well,\"saidJulia,\"yoursmusthavebeenqueerfriends;pray,dearaunt,nameoneortwoofthem。\"
\"Yourmotherwasmyfriend,\"saidMissEmmerson,withstrongemotion,\"andIhopeherdaughteralsoisone。\"
\"Me,mybelovedaunt!\"criedJulia,throwingherselfintothearmsofMissEmmersonandburstingintotears;\"Iammorethanafriend,Iamyourchild——
yourdaughter。\"
\"Whateverbethenameyougiveit,Julia,youareverynearanddeartome,\"saidtheaunt,tenderlykissinghercharge:\"buttellme,mylove,didyoueverfeelsuchemotioninyourintercoursewithMissMiller?\"
ItwassometimebeforeJuliacouldreply;when,havingsuppressedtheburstofherfeelings,sheansweredwithasmile——
\"Oh!thatquestionisnotfair。Youhavebroughtmeup;nursedmeinsickness;arekindandgoodtome;andtheideathatyoushouldsupposeIdidnotloveyou,wasdreadful——ButyouknowIdo。\"
\"Ifirmlybelieveso,mychild;itisyouthatIwouldhaveknowwhatitisthatyoulove:Iamsatisfiedformyself。Irepeat,didAnnaMillereverexcitesuchemotions?\"
\"Certainlynot:mylovetoyouisnatural;butmyfriendshipforAnnarestsonsympathy,andaperfectknowledgeofhercharacter。\"
\"Iamglad,however,thatyouknowhersowell,sinceyouaresointimate。Whattestimonyhaveyouofallthisexcellence?\"
\"Innateevidence。Iseeit——Ifeelit——Yes,thatisthebesttestimony——Ifeelhergoodqualities。Yes,myfriendshipforAnnaformsthespringofmyexistence;whileanyaccidentoreviltoyouwouldafflictmethesameasifdonetomyself——thisispurenature,youknow。\"
\"Iknowitispleasingtolearnit,comefromwhatitwill,\"saidtheaunt,smiling,andrisingtowithdraw。
CHAPTERIII。
SEVERALdayspassedafterthisconversation,intheordinaryquietofawellregulatedfamily。
NotwithstandingthehouseofMissEmmersonstoodinthemidstofthenumberlessvillasthatadornManhattanIsland,thehabitsofitsmistresswereretiringanddomestic。Juliawasnotofanagetominglemuchinsociety,andAnnahadfurnishedherwithathemeforhermeditations,thatratherrenderedheraversefromtheconfusionofcompany。
HermindwasconstantlyemployedincanvassingthequalitiesoftheunseenAntonio。Herfriendhadfurnishedherwithacatalogueofhisperfectionsingross,whichheractivethoughtswerebusilyarrangingintoformandsubstance。Butlittlepractisedintheworldoritsdisappoinments{sic},thevisionarygirlhadalreadyfiguredtoherselfapersontosuitthesequalities,andtheanimalwasnolesspleasing,thanthemoralbeingofherfancy。
WhatprincipallydelightedJuliainthesecontemplationsontheacquaintanceofAnna,wasthestronginclinationhehadexpressedtoknowherself。Thisflatteredhertendencytobelieveinthestrengthofmutualsympathy,andtheefficacyofinnateevidenceofmerit。Inthemidstofthispleasingemploymentofherfancy,shereceivedasecondletterfromherfriend,inanswertotheonewehavealreadygiventoourreaders;itwascouchedinthefollowingwords:
\"MyowndearJulia,myFriend,\"IreceivedyourletterwiththepleasureIshallalwayshearfromyou,andamtrulyobligedtoyouforyourkindoffertomakeinterestwithyearaunttohavemespendthenextwinterintown。Tobewithyou,isthegreatestpleasureIhaveonearth;
besides,asIknowIcanwritetoyouasfreelyasI
think,onecanreadilytellwhatatiresomeplacethismustbetopassawinterin。Thereare,absolutely,butthreeyoungmeninthewholecountywhocanbethoughtinanymanneraspropermatchesforus;andonehasnochancehereofformingsuchanassociationastogiveagirlanopportunityofmeetingwithhercongenialspirit,sothatIhopeandtrustyourdesiretoseemewillcontinueasstrongasminewilleverbetoseemyJulia。YousaythatIhaveforgottentogiveyouthedescriptionofourjourneyandofthelakesthatI
promisedtosendyou。No,myJulia,Ihavenotforgottenthepromise,noryou;butthethoughtofenjoyingsuchhappinesswithoutyourdearcompany,hasbeentoopainfultodwellupon。Ofthisyoumayjudgeforyourself。Ourfirstjourneywasmadeinthesteam-boattoAlbany;sheisamovingworld。Thevesselploughsthroughthebillowywatersinonwardprogress,andthesoulisleftinsilentharmonytoenjoythechange。ThepassageoftheHighlandsismostdelightful。Figuretoyourself,myJulia,therushingwaters,lesseningfromtheirexpandedwidthtothedegeneracyofthestagnantpool——rocksriseonrocksinoverhangingmountains,untilthewearyeye,refusingitsnaturaloffice,yieldstothefancywhatitsfeeblepowerscanneverconquer。Cloudsimpendovertheirsummits,andthethoughtspiercethevastabyss。
Ah!Julia,thesearemomentsofawfulromance;
howthesoullongsfortheconsolationsoffriendship。Albanyisoneofthemostpicturesqueplacesintheworld;situatedmostdelightfullyonthebanksoftheHudson,whichheremeandersinsylvanbeautythroughmeadowsofever-greenanddesertislands。WordsarewantingtopaintthemelancholybeautiesoftheridetoSchenectady,throughgloomyforests,wherethesilverypinewavesinsolemngrandeurtothesighingsofEolus,whileBoreasthreatensinvaintheirfirm-rootedtrunks。Butthelakes!Ah!Julia——thelakes!ThemostbeautifulistheSeneca,namedafteraGrecianking。Thelimpidwater,ne’erruffledbytherudebreathingsofthewind,shineswithgoldentintstothehomageoftherisingsun,whilethelightbarkgallantlylashesthesurge,rockingbeforethepropellinggale,andforciblybringstotheappalledmindthefleetinghoursoftime。ButImustpause——
mypenrefusestodojusticetothesubject,andtheremainderwillfurnishushoursofconversationduringthetediousmomentsofthedelightfulvisittoPark-Place。YouspeakofAntonio——deargirl,withmethesecretishallowed。Heisyethere;hiswholethoughtsareofJulia——frommydescriptiononly,hehasdrawnyourpicture,whichisthemoststrikingintheworld;andnothingcantearthedearemblemfromhiskeeping。Hecalledhereyesterdayinhisphaeton,andinsistedonmyridingafewshortmilesinhiscompany:Iassented,forIknewitwastotalkofmyfriend。Healreadyfeelsyourworth,andhandedmethefollowingverses,whichhebeggedmetoofferasthesincerehomageofhisheart。Heintendsaccompanyingmyfatherandmetotownnextwinter——providedIgo。
\"Oh!charmingimageofanartlessfair,\"Whoseeyes,withlightning,firetheverysoul;
\"Whosefaceportraysthemind,andebonhair\"Givesgraceandharmonyuntothewhole。
\"InvainIgazeentranc’d,invaindeplore\"Theleaguesthatrollbetweenthemaidandme;
\"LonelyIwanderonthedesertshore,\"AndJulia’slovelyformcanneversee。
\"Butfly,yefleetinghours,Ibegyefly,\"AndbringthetimewhenAnnaseeksherfriend;
\"Haste——Ohhaste,orEdwardsuremustdie。
\"Arrive——andquicklyEdward’ssorrowsend。\"
Iknowyouwillthinkwithme,thattheselinesarebeautiful,andmerelyafaintimageofhismanlyheart。Inthecourseofourride,duringwhichhedidnothingbutconverseonyourbeautyandmerit,hegavemeadetailednarrativeofhislife。Itwaslong,butIcandonolessthanfavouryouwithanabridgmentofit。EdwardStanleywasearlyleftanorphan:nofather’sguardianeyedirectedhisfootsteps;nomother’sfosteringcarecherishedhisinfancy。Hisestatewasprincely,andhisfamilynoble,beingawrongedbranchofanEnglishpotentate。Duringhisearlyyouthhehadtocontendagainstthemachinationsofamalignantuncle,whowouldhaverobbedhimofhislargepossessions,andlefthiminblackdespair,tohaveeatenthebreadofpenury。Hiscourageandunderstanding,however,conqueredthisdifficulty,andattheageoffourteenhewasquietlyadmittedtoanuniversity。Herehecontinuedpeacefullytowanderamidtheacademicbowers,untiltheblastofwarrunginhisears,andcalledhimtothefieldofhonour。Edwardwaseverforemostinthehourofdanger。Itwashisfatetomeettheenemyoften,andasoftendid\"hepluckhonourfromthepale-
fac’dmoon。\"HefoughtatChippewa——bledatthesideofthegallantLawrence-andnearlylaiddownhislifeontheensanguinedplainsofMarengo。Butitwouldbeafruitlesstasktoincludeallthescenesofhisdangerandhisglory。Thankstothekindfateswhichshieldthelivesofthebrave,heyetlivestoadoremyJulia。Thatyoumaybeashappyasyoudeserve,andhappierthanyourheart-
strickenfriend,istheconstantprayerofyourANNA。\"
\"P。S。Writemesoon,andmakemyverybestrespectstoyourexcellentaunt。ItwaslaughableenoughthatCharlesWestonshouldbeafraidofaflashoflightning。ImentionedittoAntonio,whocried,whilemanlyindignationcloudedhisbrow,’chillpenuryrepressedhisnoblerage,andfrozethegenialcurrentofthesoul。’However,saynothingtoCharlesaboutit,Ichargeyou。\"
{Highlands=theHudsonHighlands,amountainousregioninPutnamandDutchessCounties,throughwhichtheHudsonRiverpassesinadeepandpicturesquegorge;Eolus=Godofthewinds;
Boreas=GodoftheNorthwind;Seneca=oneoftheFingerLakesincentralNewYorkState;Grecianking=boththeSenecasofantiquity,therhetorician(54BC-39AD)andhissonthephilosopher/statesman(4BC-65AD),were,ofcourse,Romans——inanycase,LakeSenecaisnamedaftertheSenecanationoftheIroquoisIndians;
Park-Place=alreadyin1816afashionablestreetinlowerManhattan;Chippewa=anAmericanarmydefeatedtheBritishatChippewa,inCanadanearNiagaraFalls,onJuly5,1814;Lawrence=CaptainJames(\"Don’tgiveuptheship!\")Lawrence(1781-
1813)oftheU。S。FrigateChesapeakewaskilledonJune1,1813,ashisshipwascapturedbyH。M。S。
ShannonoutsideBostonharbor;Marengo=battlewonbyNapoleonagainsttheAustriansonJune14,1800——\"Antonio’s\"militarycareerwastrulyanamazingone!;pluckhonor……=slightlymisquotedfromShakespeare,\"KingHenryIV,PartI,\"ActI,Scene3,line202;chillpenury……=slightlymisquotedfromThomasGray,\"ElegyinaCountryChurchyard\"verse13}
Juliafairlygaspedforbreathasshereadthisepistle:herverysoulwasentrancedbythesong。
Whateverofseemingcontradictiontheremightbeintheletterofherfriend,heractivemindsoonreconciled。Shewasnowreallybeloved,andinamannermostgratefultoherheart——bythesolepowerofsympathyandcongenialfeelings。
WhatevermightbetheadorationofEdwardStanley,itwasmorethanequalledbytheadmirationofthisamiablegirl。Herverysoulseemedtohertobedevotedtohisworship;shethoughtofhimconstantly,andpicturedouthisvariousdistressesanddangers;sheweptathissufferings,andrejoicedinhisprosperity——andallthisintheshortspaceofonehour。Juliawasyetinthemidstofthistumultoffeeling,whenanotherletterwasplacedinherhands,andonopeningitshereadasfollows:
\"DearJulia,\"Ishouldhaverememberedmypromise,andcomeoutandspentaweekwithyou,hadnotoneofMary’slittleboysbeenquitesick;ofcourseIwenttoheruntilherecovered。ButifyouwillaskauntMargarettosendforme,Iwillcometomorrowwithgreatpleasure,forIamsureyoumustfinditsolitary,nowMissMillerhasleftyou。TellaunttosendbytheservantalistofsuchbooksasshewantsfromGoodrich’s,andIwillgetthemforher,orindeedanythingelsethatIcandoforheroryou。Givemylovetoaunt,andtellherthat,knowinghereyesarebeginningtofail,Ihaveworkedheracap,whichIshallbringwithme。
Mammadesiresherlovetoyouboth,andbelievemetobeaffectionatelyyourcousin,KATHERINEEMMERSON。\"
Thiswaswellenough;butasitwasmerelyaletterofbusiness,oneperusal,andthatasomewhathastyone,wassufficient。Julialoveditswritermorethanshesuspectedherself,buttherewasnothinginhermannerorcharacterthatseemedcalculatedtoexcitestrongemotion。Inshort,allherexcellencesweresoevidentthatnothingwasleftdependentoninnateevidence;andourheroineseldomdweltwithpleasureonanycharacterthatdidnotgiveascopetoherimagination。Inwhateverlightsheviewedtheconductordispositionofhercousin,shewasmetbyobstinatefactsthatadmittedofnocavilnorofanyexaggeration。
Turningquickly,therefore,fromthisbarrencontemplationtoonebettersuitedtoherinclinations,Julia’sthoughtsresumedtheagreeablereveriefromwhichshehadbeenawakened。Shealsocouldpaint,andaftertwentytrialssheatlengthsketchedanoutlineofthefigureofamanthatansweredtoAnna’sdescription,andsatisfiedherowneye。Withoutbeingconsciousofthetheft,shehadcopiedfromaprintoftheApollo,andclotheditintheuniformwhichBonaparteissaidtohaveworn。Asmallscarwastracedonthecheekinsuchamannerthatalthoughitmightbefanciedastheravagesofabullet,itadmirablyansweredallthepurposesofadimple。Twoepaulettesgracedtheshouldersofthehero;andbeforethepicturewasdone,althoughitwassomewhatatvariancewithrepublicanprinciples,anaristocraticalstarglitteredonitsbreast。Hadhehisbirth-right,thoughtJulia,itwouldbethereinreality;andthisideaamplyjustifiedtheinnovation。Tothisimage,whichittookseveraldaystocomplete,certainverseswereaddressedalso,buttheywereneversubmittedtotheconfidenceofherfriend。Thewholesubjectwasnowbeginningtobetoosacredevenforsuchacommunication;andasthemindofJuliaeveryhourbecamemoreentrancedwithitsnewmaster,herdelicacyshrunkfromanexposureofherweakness:itwasgettingtooseriousforthelightcompositionsofepistolarycorrespondence。
Wefurnishacopyofthelines,astheymenotonlyindicativeofherfeelings,butmaygivethereadersomeideaofthepowersofherimagination。
\"Belovedimageofagod-likemind,\"InsacredprivacythypowerIfeel;
\"Whatbrightperfectioninthyform’scombin’d!
\"Howsuretoinjure,andhowkindtoheal。
\"Thineeagleeyebedazzlese’enthebrain,\"ThygallantbrowbespeaksthefrontofJove;
\"Whilesmilesenchantme,tearsintorrentsrain,\"Andeachseductivecharmimpelstolove。
\"Ah!haplessmaid,whydaringdostthouprove\"Thehiddendangersoftheurchin’sdart;
\"Whyfixthineeyeonthis,thegodoflove,\"Andheedlessthinktheetoretainthyheart!\"
Thiswasbutoneoffiftysimilareffusions,inwhichJuliapouredforthhersoul。Theflamewaskeptalivebyfrequentlettersfromherfriend,inallofwhichshedweltwithraptureonthemomentoftheirre-union,andneverfailedtomentionAntonioinamannerthataddednewfueltothefirethatalreadybegantoconsumeJulia,and,insomedegree,toundermineherhealth,atleastshethoughtso。
InthemeantimeKatherineEmmersonpaidherpromisedvisittoherfriends,andourheroinewasinsomedegreedrawnfromhermusingsonloveandfriendship。Themannersofthisyoungladywereconspicuouslynatural;shehadaconfirmedhabitofcallingthingsbytheirrightnames,andneverdweltintheleastinsuperlatives。Heraffectionsseemedcenteredinthemembersofherownfamily;norhadsheevergivenJuliatheleastreasontobelieveshepreferredhertoherownsister,notwithstandingthatsisterwasmarried,andbeyondtheyearsofromance。YetJulialovedhercousin,andwashardlyevermelancholyoroutofspiritswheninhercompany。ThecheerfulandaffectionategoodhumourofKatherinewascatching,andallwerepleasedwithher,althoughbutfewdiscoveredthereason。CharlesWestonsoonforgothisdispleasure,andwiththeexceptionofJulia’shiddenuneasiness,thehousewasonequietsceneofpeacefulcontent。ThepartyweresittingattheirworkthedayafterthearrivalofKatherine,whenJuliathoughtitagoodopportunitytointimateherwishtohavethesocietyofherfriendduringtheensuingwinter。
\"WhydidMr。Millergiveuphishouseintown,I
wonder?\"saidJulia;\"Iamsureitwasinconsideratetohisfamily。\"
\"Rathersay,mychild,thatitwasinconsiderationtohischildrenthathedidso,\"observedMissEmmerson;\"hisfinanceswouldnotbeartheexpense,andsufferhimtoprovideforhisfamilyafterhisdeath。\"
\"Iamsurealittlemoneymightbespentnow,toindulgehischildreninsociety,andtheywouldbesatisfiedwithlesshereafter,\"continuedJulia。\"Mr。
Millermustberich;andthink,aunt,hehassevengrownupdaughtersthathehasdraggedwithhimintothewilderness;onlythink,Katherine,howsolitarytheymustbe。\"
\"HadIsixsistersIcouldbesolitarynowhere,\"saidKatherine,simply;\"besides,IunderstandthatthecountrywhereMr。Millerresidesisbeautifulandpopulous。\"
\"Oh!therearemenandwomenenough,Idaresay,\"
criedJulia;\"andthefamilyislarge——eleveninthewhole;buttheymustfeelthewantoffriendsinsucharetiredplace。\"
\"What,withsixsisters!\"saidKatherine,laughingandshakingherhead。
\"Thereisadifferencebetweenasisterendafriend,youknow,\"saidJulia,alittlesurprised。
\"I——indeedIhaveyettolearnthat,\"exclaimedtheother,inalittlemoreastonishment。
\"Whyyoufeelaffectionforyoursistersfromnatureandhabit;butfriendshipisvoluntary,spontaneous,andamuchstrongerfeeling——friendshipisasentiment。\"
\"Andcannotonefeelthissentiment,asyoucallit,forasister?\"askedKatherine,smiling。