Alida; or, Miscellaneous Sketches of Incidents During the Late American War.

by Frank V. Webster

  CHAPTER XVII.

  A polished mien, with elegance of mind, A winning grace, with taste and sense refined, A kindly, sympathizing heart, sincere, The gloomy scene, the pensive thought to cheer.

  In a series of events, a period at length arrived, which manifested tomankind, in a more melancholy degree, the shocking consequences anddevastation of war, the overwhelming sorrow that is brought on familiesfor the loss of friends, with the discouraging embarrassments attendingall kinds of business.

  A severe engagement had recently taken place within half a mile of theNiagara cataract. General Scott, on his arrival at Niagara Falls,learned that the British were in force directly in his front, separatedonly by a narrow piece of wood. He soon pressed through the wood, andengaged the British on the Queenstown road. He advanced upon the enemy,and the action commenced at six o'clock in the afternoon, and continuedwith little intermission until twelve at night. The thunder of thecannon, the roaring of the falls, the incessant discharge of artilleryduring the six hours in which the parties were in combat, heightened bythe circumstance of its being night, afforded such a scene as is rarelyto be met with in the history of the wars of nations. The evening wascalm, and the moon shone with lustre when not enveloped in clouds ofsmoke from the firing of the contending armies. Taking intoconsideration the numbers engaged, few contests have ever been moresanguinary. The battle was one of the most severe that had been foughtduring the war. The British troops engaged in this action amounted to5000 men; many of them were selected from the flower of LordWellington's army. Colonel Miller's achievement, in storming thebattery, was of the most brilliant and hazardous nature, and entitledhim to the highest applause among the Americans.

  The measures of the president relative to the war were of such a natureas greatly to draw upon him the approbation and gratitude of the nation.He early began to turn his mind to a contemplation of the generalpolitics of his country. He, therefore, became advanced in the requisitequalifications to assume and maintain the important station he held overit. He had imbibed an attachment for civil liberty almost from hisinfancy, which influenced his every action. He was of a pacifictemperament, and pursued those measures as long as they would answer.But when it became actually necessary for him to recommend to congressto pursue a different course, it was then that the benefactor of hiscountry endeavoured to concert measures still to preserve America as anasylum for civil and religious liberty. He possessed qualities wellcalculated to fulfil the duties of his high station with honour tohimself and justice to the community. He was dignified in hisdeportment, kind, generous, and condescending; a patron to science;a uniform promoter of honourable enterprise, but an enemy to every thingdishonest, hypocritical, and disingenuous. And, as a Christian, hefirmly adhered to the gospel, and regulated his life by its precepts andinjunctions, in a consistent and exemplary manner. This illustriouspresident had the good fortune to be blessed with a consort whosequalifications in her particular capacity were no less adequate to fillwith dignity her elevated station. The parents of Mrs. Madison werenatives of Virginia. Their daughter was educated in Philadelphia amongthe Friends. She was, therefore, little indebted to acquired graces andaccomplishments for the admiration and regard which followed herwherever she was known. To much personal beauty she added a warm heartand a benevolent disposition--charms and attractions which won for hernot only admirers but friends, and exalted her to high eminence in thepublic estimation. Her natural and acquired endowments she carried intosociety with such pleasing manners and graceful demeanour, as producedalmost universally an impression highly favourable to herself among thecitizens of Washington. Her society was much esteemed in all thecompanies she frequented. Her mental powers were of a superior grade,and the effects of genuine piety and Christian benevolence distinguishedall her actions. To these she added an amiability of temper, thepolished address of a lady, with a conversation both pleasing andinstructive. Her deportment to all was prepossessing, by theaffectionate manner in which she addressed them separately, and theinterest she manifested in their welfare. In these she showed nodifference between the rich and the poor, and devoted much of her timeto the cause of charity. She was eminently distinguished for her amiablequalities, and a peculiar versatility of talent in her conversation andmanners. She entertained the numerous friends and guests of thepresident with cordial hospitality. She treated her husband's relativeswith regard and kindness; and in the president's house, whenever therewere female guests, Mrs. Madison always presided.

  After the president's, the house of the secretary of state was theresort of most company. The frank and cordial manners of its mistressgave a peculiar charm to the frequent parties there assembled. Allforeigners who visited the seat of government, strangers from thedifferent states of the Union, the heads of departments, the diplomaticcorps, senators, representatives, and citizens, mingled with an ease andfreedom, a sociability and gaiety to be met with in no other society.Even party spirit, virulent and embittered as it then was, by hergentleness, was disarmed of its asperity.

  Individuals who never visited the president's dwelling, nor met at theother ministerial houses, could not resist the softening influences ofher conciliatory disposition, with her frank and generous manners. Shewas constantly receiving and reciprocating civilities in the most kindand friendly manner with the inhabitants of Washington. The president,being wholly absorbed in public business, left to Mrs. Madison thedischarge of the duties of social intercourse. And never was womanbetter calculated for the task. Exposed as she necessarily was, in soconspicuous a situation, to envy, jealousy, and misconstruction, she somanaged as to conciliate the good-will of all, without offending theself-love of any of the numerous competitors for her favour andattention. Every visiter left her with the pleasing impression of beingan especial favourite, of having been the object of peculiar attention.She never forgot a name she had once heard, nor a face she had onceseen, nor the personal circumstances connected with every individual ofher acquaintance. Her quick recognition of persons, her recurrence totheir peculiar interests produced the gratifying impression in each andall of those who conversed with her that they were especial objects ofregard. The house was very plainly furnished, and her dress in no wayextravagant; and it was only in hospitality and charity that herprofusion was unlimited. The amiable and engaging qualities which havebeen here described, characterized Mrs. Madison in her husband's publiclife. In the midst of the bitterness of party spirit, and the violenceof political animosity, she was mild and courteous to all. The politicalassailants of her husband she treated with a kindness which disarmedtheir hostility of its individual rancour, and sometimes even convertedpolitical enemies into personal friends, and still oftener succeeded inneutralizing the bitterness of opposition.

  At this period her courage and firmness were put to a severe test. InAugust, 1814, the British troops landed forty miles below Washington,and approached that city. The president left the city to hold a councilof war. Before his departure he anxiously inquired if she had courage orfirmness to remain in their house until his return on the morrow, orsucceeding day. She assured him she had no fear but for him and thesuccess of the army. When the president reached Bladensburgh heunexpectedly found the two armies engaged. Meanwhile terror spread overthe city--all who could obtain conveyances fled to the adjoining towns.The sound of the cannon was distinctly heard, and universal confusionand dismay prevailed. Some personal friends who remained with Mrs.Madison, strongly urged her to leave the city. They had her carriagebrought to the door, but could not persuade her to enter it till herhusband should return, and accompany her. And she did not finally departtill several messengers had been despatched to bid her fly. Much as shegraced her public station, she was not less admirable in domestic life.Neighbourly and companionable among her country friends, as if she hadnever lived in a city, delighting in the society of the young, and neverbetter pleased than when promoting every youthful pleasure by herparticipation;--she still proved herself the affectionate consort,without neglecting
the duties of a kind hostess, and a faithful friendand relation. She smoothed and enlivened, occupied and appeased, eachvarying scene of life. Her husband knew, appreciated, and acknowledgedthe blessing which heaven had bestowed on him, in giving him such acompanion.