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

by Frank V. Webster

  CHAPTER XIII.

  Friendship! thou sovereign balm of every care. When all serene and placidly appear; Domestic happiness! of that possessed, Then may we leave to Providence the rest.

  [Anonymous Couplet, no later than 1770:

  Nor fell Despair, nor Noise invades the Ear; But all serene and placid does appear.]

  The father of Alida now thought proper to enter into a second marriage.A lady of worth and understanding had wrought upon his fancy, and wonhis particular regards. Her elegance of manner and dignified deportmentengaged general attention; and although she was rather advanced in life,yet "the remains of former beauty were still visible in her appearance."

  She was honourably descended from English parents, who had resided inNew-York since the revolution. Her father had been actively engaged inbusiness there, which had been ultimately crowned with the successfulgifts of fortune.

  Her education had been governed by the strictness of the Englishdiscipline. A foundation laid in early piety continued to influence hermind with unaffected ardour, blended with a generous benevolence, thegenuine effects of the inexhaustible goodness of her heart. She was onewho manifested to the world that a "doer of good" is far preferable toany other character, and in a superlative degree above those whomaintain high principles in theory, without ever once reducing them topractice.

  This lady had an only sister, who married a native of Ireland, and afterthe course of a few years went to reside there, where she had recentlydied. The children returned to this country, having lost their fatherlong before, and several of her nephews now resided in the city. Havingbeen always accustomed to reside in town herself, where her manyexcellent qualities had endeared her to numerous friends andacquaintances, who would now feel themselves lost without her society,therefore the parents of Alida formed the conclusion to pass theirwinters in the city, and return to the country in the summer season.

  In the mean time, Alida's father thought the event fortunate, and waspleased at this time to remove his daughter from the place where thelate scenes appeared so trying and afflictive, with the hope that inmingling her with the gay world she would in a while forget Theodore,while he in his turn would be induced to leave the neighbourhood.

  It was now at that season when weary summer had lapsed into the fallowarms of autumn, and was approaching to the chilly breezes of winter. Themorning was clear, and the light gales bore invigorating coolness ontheir wings as they tremulously agitated the foliage of the westernforest, or fluttered among the branches of the trees that surrounded themansion. The green splendours of the lawn had faded into a yellowlustre; the flowery verdure of the fields was changed to a russet hue.

  [_A&M_:

  It was that season of the year when weary summer is lapsing into the arms of fallow autumn. The day had been warm, and the light gales bore invigorating coolness on their wings as they tremulously agitated the foliage of the western forest, or fluttered among the branches of trees surrounding the mansion. The green splendors of spring had begun to fade into a yellow lustre, the flowery verdure of the fields was changed to a russet hue.]

  A robin chirped in a favourite tree in the yard; a wren chatteredbeneath, while some few solitary birds still continued to warble theirnotes among the leaves of the aspen.

  The surrounding groves partially rung with melody; while deep in theadjacent wilderness the woodpecker, hammering on some dry and blastedtrees, filled the woods with reverberant echoes.

  [_A&M_:

  A robin chirped on a neighboring oak; a wren chattered beneath, swallows twittered around the decayed buildings, the ludicrous mocking bird sung sportively from the top of the highest elm, and the surrounding groves rung with varying, artless melody; while deep in the adjacent wilderness the woodcock, hammering on some dry and blasted trees, filled the woods with reverberant echoes.]

  The face of the Sound was ruffled by the lingering breezes, as they idlywandered over its surface. Long Island was thinly enveloped in smokyvapour; scattered along its shores lay the numerous small craft, withlarger ships, of the hostile fleet. A few skiffs were passing andre-passing the Sound. Several American war-sloops lay on a point whichjutted out from the mainland into the river.

  [_A&M_:

  The sound was only ruffled by the lingering breezes, as they idly wandered over its surface. Long-Island, now in possession of the British troops, was thinly enveloped in smoky vapor; scattered along its shores lay the numerous small craft and larger ships of the hostile fleet. A few skiffs were passing and repassing the Sound, and several American gun-boats lay off a point which jutted out from the main land, far to the eastward.]

  Alida walked leisurely around the yard, contemplating the variousbeauties of the scene, the images of departed joys (that she was nowabout to leave). The days when Theodore participated with her inadmiring the splendours of rural prospect, raised in her bosom the sighof deep regret. She entered the garden, and traced the walks, nowovergrown with weeds and tufted grass. The flower-beds were choked withthe low running brambles, and tall rushes and daisies had usurped theempire of the kitchen garden. The viny arbour was principally gone todecay, and the eglantine blushed mournfully along the fences.

  [_A&M_:

  Melissa walked around the yard, contemplating the varying beauties of the scene: the images of departed joys--the days when Alonzo had participated with her in admiring the splendours of rural prospects, raised in her bosom the sigh of deep regret. She entered the garden and traversed the alleys, now overgrown with weeds and tufted knot grass. The flower beds were choaked with the low running bramble and tangling five finger; tall, rank rushes, mullens and daisies, had usurped the empire of the kitchen garden. The viny arbour was broken, and principally gone to decay; yet the "lonely wild rose" blushed mournfully amidst the ruins.]

  Alida continued to walk the garden until the servant informed her thatthe carriage was waiting to take her to the city.

  Although they set out rather late in the day, they arrived in town somehours before sunset. They drove immediately to their dwelling, which wassituated in a pleasant part of Greenwich-street, near the Battery.

  Alida, after she had thrown off her travelling apparel, seated herselfby the window in silence. Her mind was absorbed in deep reflection andthoughtfulness. She watched the slow declining sun, as it was sinkingbeneath the horizon. Pensive twilight spread her misty mantle over thelandscape. The western sky glowed with the spangles of evening;deepening glooms advanced. The last beam of day faded from the view, andall was enveloped in night. Innumerable stars glittered in thefirmament, intermingling their quivering lustre with the pale splendoursof the milky way.

  [_A&M_:

  She then retired to her chamber, seated herself at the western window, and watched the slow declining sun, as it leisurely sunk behind the lofty groves. Pensive twilight spread her misty mantle over the landscape; the western horizon glowed with the spangles of evening. Deepening glooms advanced. The last beam of day faded from the view and the world was enveloped in night. The owl hooted solemnly in the forest, and the whipperwill sung cheerfully in the garden. Innumerable stars glittered in the firmament, intermingling their quivering lustre with the pale splendours of the milky way.]

  When Alida was summoned to tea, her parents made various observations toendeavour to amuse her thoughts, and draw her from her taciturnity.After tea she again returned to the window, where she sat till a latehour, apparently in deep meditation, till at length growing weary andrestless, she retired to her room.

  As she had for several nights in succession slept but little, she soonfell into a slumber, and did not awake till near the dawn of day. Shedid not close her eyes again to sleep. Daylight soon appeared, and thecheerful sun darting his enlivening rays through the windows of thisantique mansion, recovered her exhausted spirits, and dissipated, insome measure, the cheerless reflections that still continued to hoverabout her imagination.

 
[_A&M_:

  .... As she, for two nights, had been deprived of her usual rest, she soon fell into a slumber. ... Daylight soon appeared, and the cheerful sun darting its enlivening rays through the crevices and windows of the antique mansion, recovered her exhausted spirits, and dissipated, in some degree, the terrors which hovered about her mind.]

  She arose, and went down to breakfast with spirits somewhat revived,and changed to a temporary resignation to past events and recentoccurrences. A thought impressed her mind which gave her newconsolation.

  "Who knows," said she, "but that the sun of peace may yet dispel theglooms of these distressful hours, and restore this throbbing bosom toits former serenity?"

  [_A&M_ (Alonzo speaking):

  "Who knows (he said) but that this may finally be the case; but that the sun of peace may yet dispel the glooms of these distressful hours!"]

  In the meantime, Theodore remained in the neighbourhood of Alida untilhe heard the family had left and gone to the city. He then preparedhimself to set out early the next day for the habitation of his parents.

  He informed Raymond of his promise to write to Alida, and to transmitletters through his agency for her inspection every convenientopportunity.

  After passing a weary watchful night, he arose at the first dawning ofday, and proceeded on his journey with a heavy heart and painfulreflections.

  [_A&M_:

  Alonzo journeyed along with a heavy heart and in an enfeebled frame of spirits.]

  After he had passed through the neighbouring village, and gained thebridge, he looked over and bade the residence of Alida a mournfulfarewell. Fearful forebodings crossed his mind that they were separatedforever; then again those more consolatory, that, perhaps, after a longdelay, he and Alida might yet again meet and be happy.

  [_A&M_:

  He then, in extreme vexation and disappointment, flung himself into the sedan, and drove from the mansion. Frequently did he look back at the building, anxiously did he scrutinize every surrounding and receding object. A thrill of pensive recollection vibrated through his frame as he passed the gate, and the keen agonizing pangs of blasted hope, pierced his heart, as his carriage rolled over the bridge.]

  Traits of glory had painted the eastern skies. The glittering day-star,having unbarred the portals of light, began to transmit its retrocessivelustre. Thin scuds flew swiftly over the moon's decrescent form. Low,hollow winds murmured among the bushes, or brushed the limpid drops fromthe intermingling foliage.

  [_A&M_ (before previous passage):

  Traits of glory now painted the eastern skies. The glittering day-star, having unbarred the portals of light, began to transmit its retrocessive lustre. Thin scuds flew swiftly over the moon's decrescent form. Low, hollow winds, murmured among the bushes, or brushed the limpid drops from intermingling foliage.]

  The dusky shadows of night fled to the deep glens and rocky caverns ofthe wilderness. The American lark soared high in the air, consecratingits matin lay to morn's approaching splendours.

  [_A&M_:

  The dusky shadows of night fled to the deep glens, and rocky caverns of the wilderness. The American lark soared high in the air consecrating its matin lay to morn's approaching splendours.]

  The woodlands and forest tops on the high hills caught the sun's firstray, which, widening and extending, soon gemmed the landscape with avarying brightness.

  [_A&M_:

  The forest tops, on high mountains, caught the sun's first ray, which widening and extending, soon gem'd the landscape with brilliants of a thousand various dies.]

  It was late in the afternoon before Theodore arrived at his father's. Hefound his parents contented and happy at their present residence, whichwas extremely pleasant, and afforded them many accommodations.

  [_A&M_:

  In pursuance of his design he went to his father's. He found the old gentleman, with his man contentedly tilling his farm, and his mother cheerfully attending to household affairs, as their narrow circumstances would not admit her to keep a maid without embarrassment....]

  "You have been long gone, my son," said his father: "I scarcely knewwhat had become of you. Since I have become a farmer, I know little ofwhat is going on in the world, and we were never happier in our lives.We live as independently as we could desire, and realize the blessingsof health and contentment. Our only disquietude is on your account,Theodore. Your affair with Alida, I suppose, is not so favourable as youcould wish. But despair not, my son; hope is the harbinger of fairerprospects; rely on Providence, which never deserts those whosubmissively bow to its dispensations.

  [_A&M_:

  "You have been long gone, my son, (said his father) I scarcely knew what had become of you. Since I have become a farmer I know little of what is going forward in the world; and indeed we were never happier in our lives ... we live frugally, and realize the blessings of health, comfort and contentment; our only disquietude is on your account, Alonzo. Your affair with Melissa, I suppose is not so favourable as you could wish, but despair not, my son; hope is the harbinger of fairer prospects; rely on Providence, which never deserts those who submissively bow to the justice of its dispensations."]

  Place entire confidence and dependence on the Supreme Being," said hisfather, "and the triumph of fortitude and resignation will be yours."His father paused. His reasonings, however they convinced theunderstanding, could not heal the wounds of Theodore's bosom. In Alidahe had looked for as much happiness as earth could afford, nor could hesee any prospect in life which could repair to him her loss.

  [_A&M_ (Benjamin Franklin speaking):

  "... place entire dependence on the SUPREME, and the triumph of fortitude and resignation will be yours."

  Franklin paused. His reasonings, however they convinced the understanding, could not heal the wounds of Alonzo's bosom. In Melissa he looked for as much happiness as earth could afford, nor could he see any prospect in life which could repair the loss he had sustained.]

  Unwilling to disturb the serenity of his parents, he did not wish toacquaint them with the whole affair of his troubles. He answered, thatperhaps all might yet be well; that, however, in the present state ofhis mind, he thought a change of place and scene might be of advantage.He said, moreover, that he no longer had an excuse, and thatcircumstances now compelled him to join the army.

  [_A&M_ (previous sequence resumes):

  Unwilling to disturb the serenity of his parents, Alonzo did not tell them his troubles; he answered that perhaps all might yet come right, but that as in the present state of his mind he thought a change of situation might be of advantage, he asked liberty of his father to travel for some little time.]

  A sorrow unknown before seized upon the minds of his parents as Theodorerepeated these words. Sad and dreadful ideas crowded their imaginationat this gloomy period, when in the war's dread emergency they must riskthe life of an only son, to march to the field of battle. 'Tis true, hemight be again restored to them, but were there not a thousand chancesto one? They were overwhelmed with sorrow at these thoughts, till atlength they finally felt themselves obliged to consent to what theyconsidered his inevitable destiny, leaving the result of their unitedwishes and prayers for his safe preservation to an over-rulingProvidence.

  His father then offered him money he had on hand to defray his expenses.Theodore refused, saying, his resources had not yet left him. He thendisposed of his horses and carriages, the insignia of his better days,but now useless appendages.

  [_A&M_ (continuing from mid-paragraph):

  To this his father consented, and offered him a part of the money he had on hand, which Alonzo refused, saying he did not expect to be long gone, and his resources had not yet failed him.

  He then sold off his books, his horses, his carriages, &c. the _insignia_ of his better days, but now useless appendages from which he raised no inconsiderable sum.]

  After taking a
n affectionate leave of his parents, he set out theensuing day to join his companions on their route to meet the army,which was far distant. When hostilities first commenced, Theodore hadsaid, that when it became actually necessary, and his father's affairswere settled, he would enlist in the service of his country.Nevertheless, he journeyed with a heavy heart and an enfeebled frame ofspirits, through disappointment, vexation, and fatigue. The scenes hehad so lately experienced moved in melancholy succession over his mind,and his despondency had not abated, even in a small degree, when hereached the army.

  [_A&M_:

  He then took a tender and affectionate leave of his parents, and set out for New-London.

  Alonzo journeyed along with a heavy heart and in an enfeebled frame of spirits. Through disappointment, vexation, and the fatigues he had undergone in wandering about, for a long time, in search of Melissa, despondency had seized upon his mind....]

  [[Middle of paragraph summarizes the earlier "He had an excuse..." passage in _A&M_.]]

  He now joined the forces under Colonel Van Renssalaer, "who, with adetachment of about one thousand men, crossed the river Niagara, andattacked the British on Queenstown heights. This detachment succeeded indislodging the enemy, but not being reinforced by the militia from theAmerican side, as was expected, they were ultimately repulsed, andobliged to surrender. Eight hundred British soldiers now came to the aidof the others, and pressed on to renew the attack. The Americans for atime continued to struggle against this force, but were finally obligedto surrender themselves prisoners of war."

  [_Interesting Events_: Battle at Queenstown:

  Early in the morning of the 13th of October, 1812, a detachment of about 1000 men, from the army of the Centre, crossed the river Niagara and attacked the British on Queenstown heights. This detachment, under the command of Colonel Solomon Van Rensellaer, succeeded in dislodging the enemy, but not being reinforced by the militia, from the American side, as was expected, they were ultimately repulsed, and were obliged to surrender. ... Eight hundred British soldiers, from fort George, now hove in sight, and pressed on to renew the attack. The Americans, for a time, continued to struggle against this force, but were finally obliged to surrender themselves prisoners of war.]

  The fate of war was hard for Theodore, on his first expedition. He wastaken, and carried among the rest on board a prison-ship, and sent witha number of others to England.

  [[This paragraph summarizes the equivalent of several chapters of _Alonzo and Melissa_.]]

  This disastrous event, however, was shortly followed by one morefortunate for the Americans. "General Dearborn embarked at Sackett'sHarbour, with sixteen hundred men, on an expedition against York, andsucceeded in the capture of that place.

  [_Interesting Events_: Capture of York:

  Gen. Dearborn embarked at Sackett's Harbor, with sixteen hundred men, on an expedition against York....]

  "York was the seat of government for Upper Canada, and the principaldepot for the Niagara frontier. More naval stores were taken by theAmericans than could be carried away. The government hall was burned,contrary to the orders of the American general."

  [_Interesting Events_: Capture of York:

  ... more naval stores were taken by the Americans than could be carried away.... York was the seat of government for Upper Canada, and the principal depot for the Niagara frontier, and Detroit.... In the government hall ... the mace and other emblems of power. This building was burned, contrary to the orders of the American General.]