Afloat and Ashore: A Sea Tale

by James Fenimore Cooper

  CHAPTER XXI.

  "Drink! drink! to whom shall we drink? To a friend or a mistress?--Come, let me think! To those who are absent or those who are here? To the dead that we loved, or the living still dear? Alas! when I look I find none of the last! The present is barren--let's drink to the past." PAULDING.

  Though strictly a Manhattanese as a sailor, I shall not run intorhapsody on the subject of the beauties of the inner or outer bay ofthis prosperous place. No man but one besotted with provincial conceitcould ever think of comparing the harbour of New York with the Bay ofNaples; nor do I know two places, that have the same great elements ofland and water that are less alike. The harbour of New York is barelypretty; not a particle more, if quite as much; while the Bay of Naplesis almost what its owners so fondly term it, "a little bit of heaven,fallen upon earth." On the other hand, however, Naples, as a haven, isnot to be mentioned in the same breath with the great American mart,which, _as a port_, has no competitor within the circle of myknowledge, Constantinople alone excepted. I wish my semi-townsmen, theManhattanese, could be persuaded of these facts, as, when they _do_brag, as the wisest of mortals sometimes will, they might brag of theirstrong, and not of their weak points, as is now too often the case.

  The Major, Emily and myself, stood on the poop, regarding the scene, asthe ship glided onward, before a good south-east breeze. I watched thecountenances of my companions with interest, for I had the nervousnessof a tyro and a provincial, on the subject of the opinions of the peopleof other lands, concerning everything that affected my own. I couldsee that the Major was not particularly struck; and I was disappointed,_then_, whatever may be my opinion _now_. Emily better answered myhopes. Whether the charming girl really felt the vast contrast between aview of the unbroken expanse of the ocean, and the scene before her,or was disposed to please her host, she did not hesitate to expressdelight. I let her understand how much I was gratified; and thusour long, long voyage, and that, so far as degrees of longitude wereconcerned, nearly embraced the circuit of the earth, may be said to haveterminated with the kindest feelings.

  The ship was off Bedlow's, and the pilot had begun to shorten sail,when a schooner crossed our fore-foot, beating down. I had been toomuch occupied with the general movement of the bay, to notice one smallcraft; but, this vessel happening to tack quite near us, I could not butturn my eyes in her direction. At that instant I heard a shout from Neb,who was furling one of the royals. It was one of those irrepressible"nigger gollies" that often escaped from the fellow involuntarily.

  "What do you mean by that uproar, on the mizen-royal yard," I called outangrily--for the _style_ of my ship had now become an object of concernwith me. "Keep silence, sir, or I'll find a way to instruct you in theart."

  "Lord!--masser Mile--" cried the negro, pointing eagerly towards theschooner--"there go Pretty Poll."

  It was our old craft sure enough, and I hailed her, incontinently.

  "Pretty Polly, ahoy!"

  "Halloo!"

  "Where are you bound, sir; and when did that schooner get in from thePacific?"

  "We are bound to Martinique--The Poll got home from the South Seas aboutsix months since. This is her third voyage to the West Indies, since."

  Here then was the certainty that the cargo sent home, and the letterwith it, were all safe. I must be expected, and the owners would soonhear of my arrival. We were not kept long in doubt; for, as the shipentered the Hudson, a boat approached, and in her were two of theprincipal members of our firm. I had seen them, and that is all; butmy own letters, and the report of the officer who brought home theschooner, had told them all about me. Could Nelson, after his victoryof the Nile, have walked into the King of England's private cabinetwith the news of his own success, his reception would not have been moreflattering than that I now received. I was "Captain Wallingforded" atevery sentence; and commendations were so intermixed with inquiriesabout the value of the cargo, that I did not know which to answer first.I was invited to dine the very next day by both the gentlemen in thesame breath; and when I raised some objections connected with the dutyof the ship, the invitations were extended from day to day, for a week.So very welcome is he who brings us gold!

  We went alongside of a North River wharf, and had everything secure,just as the sun was setting. The people were then allowed to go ashorefor the night. Not a soul of them asked for a dollar; but the men walkedup the wharf attended by a circle of admiring landlords, that put themall above want. The sailor who has three years' pay under his lee, isa sort of Rothschild on Jack's Exchange. All the harpies about our ladsknew that the Crisis and her teas, &c. were hypothecated to meet theirown ten and twenty dollar advances.

  I dressed myself hurriedly, and ordered Neb to imitate my example. Oneof the owners had kindly volunteered to see Major Merton and Emily toa suitable residence, with an alacrity that surprised me. But theinfluence of England, and Englishmen, in all America, was exceedinglygreat forty years since. This was still more true in New York, than inthe country generally; and a half-pay English Major was a species ofnobleman among the better sort of Manhattanese of that day. How many ofthese quasi lords have I seen, whose patents of nobility were merelythe commissions of captains and lieutenants, signed by the Majesty ofEngland! In that day--it is nonsense to deny it--the man who had served_against_ the country, provided he was a "British officer," was a betterman than he who had served in our own ranks. This was true, however,only as regarded _society;_ the ballot-boxes, and the _people_, givingvery different indications of their sentiments on such subjects. Noris this result, so far as New York was concerned, as surprising as, atfirst sight, it may possibly appear. Viewed as a class, the gentry ofNew York took sides with the crown. It is true, that the portion ofthis gentry which might almost be called _baronial_--it was strictly_manorial_--was pretty equally divided, carrying with them theircollaterals; but the larger portions of this entire class of the eliteof society took sides with the crown; and the peace of '83 found nosmall part of them in possession of their old social stations; theconfiscations affecting few beyond the most important, and the richestof the delinquents. I can give an instance, within my own immediateknowledge, of the sort of justice of these confiscations. The head ofone of the most important of all the colonial families, was a man ofindolent habits, and was much indisposed to any active pursuits. Thisgentleman was enormously rich, and his estates were confiscated andsold. Now this attainted traitor had a younger brother who was actuallyserving in the British army in America, his regiment sharing in thebattles of Bunker Hill, Brandywine, Monmouth, &c. But the Major was ayounger son; and, in virtue of that republican merit, he escaped theconsequences of his adhesion to the service of the crown; and afterthe revolution, the cadet returned to his native country, took quietpossession of a property of no inconsiderable amount, while his seniorpassed his days in exile, paying the bitter penalty of being rich in arevolution. It was a consequence of the peculiarities first mentioned,that the Manhattanese society set so high a value on English connection.They still admired, as the provincial only can admire; and theyworshipped, as the provincial worships; or, at a safe distance. Thestrange medley of truth, cant, selfishness, sophistry and good faith,that founded the political hostility to the movements of the Frenchrevolution, had as ardent believers in this country, as it had inEngland itself; and this contributed to sustain the sort of feelingI have described. Of the fact, there can be no doubt, as any one willtestify who knew New York society forty years ago.

  No wonder then, that Major Merton and Emily fared well, on their suddenarrival in the country. Some romance, moreover, was attached to theiradventures; and I had no great reason to give myself any anxiety ontheir account. There was little doubt of their soon being much more athome, than I could hope to be, though in my native land.

  Neb soon reported himself ready for shore-duty, and I ordered him tofollow me. It was my intention to proceed to the counting-house of theowners, to receive some letters that awaited me, and, after writingshort answers,
to despatch the black at once to Clawbonny, with theintelligence of my return. In 1802, the Battery was the court-end ofthe town, and it was a good deal frequented by the better classes,particularly at the hour at which I was now about to cross it. I havenever returned from a voyage, especially to Europe, without beingparticularly struck with two things in the great Western Emporium--sincethe common councils and the editors insist on the word--viz., theprovincial appearance of everything that meets the eye, and the beautyof the younger females; meaning, however, by the last, the true, native,portion of the population, and not the throng from Ireland and Germany,who now crowd the streets; and who, certainly, as a body, are not inthe least remarkable for personal charms. But an American can tell anAmerican, man or woman, as soon as he lays eyes on either; and therewere few besides native girls on the Battery at the time of which Iam writing. As there were many children taking their evening walk,and black servants were far more common than now, Neb had his share ofdelights, too, and I heard him exclaim "Golly!" twice, before we reachedthe centre of the Battery. This exclamation escaped him on passing asmany sable Venuses, each of whom bridled up at the fellow's admiration,and doubtless was as much offended as the sex is apt to be on suchoccasions.

  I must have passed twenty young women, that evening, either of whomwould induce a youth to turn round to look again; and, for the moment, Iforgot my errand. Neither Neb nor I was in any hurry. We were strollingalong, in this manner, gazing right and left, when a party approached,under the trees, that drew all my attention to itself. In front walkeda young man and young woman, who were dressed simply, but with a tastethat denoted persons of the better class. The former was remarkable fornothing, unless it might be a rattling vivacity, of which large doseswere administered to his fair companion, who, seemingly, swallowed itless reluctantly than doses of another sort are so often received. Atleast, I thought so, while the two were at a distance, by the beautifulglistening teeth that were shining like my own spotless pearls, betweenlips of coral. The air, beauty, figure, and, indeed, all connected withthis singularly lovely young creature, struck my imagination at once. Itwas not so much her beauty, though that was decided and attractive, asthe admixture of feminine delicacy with blooming health; the walk, sonatural and yet so full of lightness and grace; the laugh, so joyousand still so quiet and suited to her sex; and the entire air and manner,which denoted equally, buoyant health and happiness, the gracefulnessof one who thought not of herself, and the refinement which is quite asmuch the gift of native sentiment, as the fruit of art and association.I could not tell what her companion was saying; but, as they approached,I fancied them acknowledged lovers, on whom fortune, friends, andcircumstances smiled alike. A glance aside told me that even Neb wasstruck by the being before him, and that he had ceased looking at thesable Venuses, to gaze at this.

  I could not keep my gaze off the face of this lovely creature, who didnot let me get a good look of her dark-blue eyes, however, until Iwas quite near, when they were naturally turned towards the form thatapproached. For a few seconds, while in the very act of passing, welooked intently at each other, and the charm said to be possessed bycertain animals, was not more powerful than was our mutual gaze. In thismanner we had actually passed each other, and I was still in a sort ofmystified prance, when I heard suddenly, in a voice and tone that causedevery nerve to thrill within me, the single word--

  "Miles!"

  Turning, and taking another look, it was impossible any longer tomistake. Lucy Hardinge stood before me, trembling, uncertain, her facenow pale as death, now flushed to scarlet, her hands clasped, her lookdoubting, eager, shrinking, equally denoting hope and fear, and allso blended, as to render her the most perfect picture of female truth,feeling, diffidence, and natural modesty, I had ever beheld.

  "Lucy--is it--_can_ it be possible!--It is then _you_, I thought sogloriously beautiful, and that without knowing you, too."

  I take it for granted, had I studied a week, I should not have composeda more grateful salutation than this, which burst forth in a way thatset all the usual restraints of manners at defiance. Of course, I feltbound to go through with the matter as prosperously as I had commenced,and in spite of the publicity of the place, in spite of half a dozenpersons, who heard what passed, and had turned, smiling, to see whatwould come next, in spite of the grave-looking gentleman who had solately been all vivacity and gaiety, I advanced, folded the dear girl tomy heart, and gave her such a kiss, as I'll take upon myself to say, shehad never before received. Sailors, usually, do not perform suchthings by halves, and I never was more in earnest in my life. Such asalutation, from a young fellow who stood rather more than six feet inhis stockings, had a pair of whiskers that had come all the way from thePacific with very little trimming, and who possessed a manliness abouthim of which mere walking up and down Broadway would have robbed a youngHercules, had the effect to cover poor Lucy with blushes and confusion.

  "There--that will do, Miles," she said, struggling to get free--"atruce, I pray you. See, yonder are Grace and my father, and Rupert."

  There they all were, sure enough, the whole family having come out, totake an evening walk, in company with a certain Mr. Andrew Drewett,a young gentleman who was a fellow-student of Rupert's, and who, as Iafterwards ascertained, was a pretty open admirer of Rupert's sister.There was a marked difference in the manner in which I was received byGrace and Lucy. The first exclaimed "Miles!" precisely as the last hadexclaimed; her colour heightened, and tears forced themselves into hereyes, but she could not be said to blush. Instead of first manifestingan eagerness to meet my salute, and then shrinking sensitively fromit, she flung her delicate arms round my neck, without the slightestreserve, both arms too, kissed me six or eight times without stopping,and then began to sob, as if her heart would break. The spectators, whosaw in all this the plain, honest, natural, undisguised affection ofa sister, had the good taste to walk on, though I could see that theircountenances sympathised with so happy a family meeting. I had but amoment to press Grace to my heart, before Mr. Hardinge's voice drew myattention to him. The good old man forgot that I was two inches tallerthan he was himself; that I could, with ease, have lifted him from theearth, and carried him in my arms, as if he were an infant; that Iwas bronzed by a long voyage, and had Pacific Ocean whiskers; for hecaressed me as if I had been a child, kissed me quite as often as Gracehad done, blessed me aloud, and then gave way to his tears, as freelyas both the girls. But for this burst of feeling on the part of agrey-headed old clergyman, I am afraid our scene would not altogetherhave escaped ridicule. As it was, however, this saved us. Clergymen werefar more respected in America, forty years ago, than they are to-day,though I think they have still as much consideration here as in mostother countries; and the general respect felt for the class would haveinsured us from any manifestations of the sort, without the nature andemotion which came in its aid. As for myself, I was glad to take refugein Rupert's hearty but less sentimental shake of the hand. After this,we all sought a seat, in a less public spot, and were soon sufficientlycomposed to converse. As for the gentleman named Drewett, he waited longenough to inquire of Lucy who I was, and then he had sufficient tact towish us all good evening. I overheard the little dialogue which producedthis explanation.

  "A close friend, if not a near relation, Miss Hardinge?" he observed,inquiringly.

  "Oh, yes," answered the smiling, weeping girl, with the undisguisedtruth of her honest nature--"both friend and relative."

  "May I presume to ask the name?"

  "The name, Mr. Drewett!--Why it is Miles--dear Miles--you surely haveheard us speak of Miles--but I forget; you never were at Clawbonny--isit not a most joyful surprise, dearest, dearest Grace!"

  Mr. Andrew Drewett waited, I thought, with most commendable patience forGrace to squeeze Lucy's hand, and to murmur her own felicitations, whenhe ventured to add--

  "You were about to say something, Miss Hardinge?"

  "Was I--I declare I have forgotten what it was. Such a surprise--such ajoyful, b
lessed surprise--I beg pardon, Mr. Drewett--ah. I remember now;I was about to say that this is Mr. Miles Wallingford, of Clawbonny, thegentleman who is my father's ward--Grace's brother, you know."

  "And how related to yourself, Miss Hardinge?" the gentleman continued, alittle perseveringly.

  "To me! Oh! very, very near--that is--I forget so much thisevening--why, not at all."

  It was at this moment Mr. Drewett saw fit to make his partingsalutations with studied decorum, and to take his leave in a manner sopolite, that, though tempted, I could not, just at the moment, stop thecurrent of my feelings, to admire. No one seemed to miss him, however,and we five, who remained, were soon seated in the spot I havementioned, and as much abstracted from the scene around us, as if we hadbeen on the rustic bench, under the old elm, on the lawn--if I dareuse so fine a word, for so unpretending a place--at Clawbonny. I had mystation between Mr. Hardinge and Grace, while Lucy sat next herfather, and Rupert next to my sister. My friend could see me, withoutdifficulty, owing to his stature, while I saw the glistening eyes ofLucy, riveted on my face, as leaning on her father's knee, she bent hergraceful form forward, in absorbed attention.

  "We expected you; we have not been taken _altogether_ by surprise!"exclaimed good Mr. Hardinge, clapping his hand on my shoulder, as ifto say he could now begin to treat me like a man. "I consented to comedown, just at this moment, because the last Canton ship that arrivedbrought the intelligence that the Crisis was to sail in ten days."

  "And you may judge of our surprise," said Rupert, "when we read thereport in the papers, 'The Crisis, _Captain Wallingford_.'"

  "I supposed my letters from the island had prepared you for this," Iobserved.

  "In them, you spoke of Mr. Marble, and I naturally concluded, when itcame to the pinch, the man would resume the command, and bring the shiphome. Duty to the owners would be apt to induce him."

  "He did not," I answered, a little proudly perhaps, forgetting poorMarble's probable situation, for an instant, in my own vanity. "Mr.Marble understood well, that if I knew nothing else, I knew how to takecare of a ship."

  "So it seems, my dear boy, indeed, so it doth seem!" said Mr. Hardinge,kindly. "I hear from all quarters, you conduct commended; and therecovery of the vessel from the French, was really worthy of Truxtunhimself."

  At that day, Truxtun was the great gun of American naval idolatry, andhad as much local reputation, as Nelson himself enjoyed in England. Theallusion was a sore assault on my modesty; but I got along with it, aswell as I could.

  "I endeavoured to do my duty, sir," I answered, trying not to look atLucy, and seem meek; "and it would have been a terrible disgrace to havecome home, and been obliged to say the French got the ship from us, whenwe were all asleep."

  "But you took a ship from the French, in that manner, and kept her too!"said a soft voice, every intonation of which was music to me.

  I looked round and saw the speaking eyes of Lucy, just clear of the greycoat of her father, behind which she instinctively shrank, the instantshe caught my glance.

  "Yes," I answered, "we did something of that sort, and were a littlemore fortunate than our enemies. But, you will recollect we were muchfavoured by the complaisance of poor Monsieur Le Compte, in leaving us aschooner to work our mischief in."

  "I have always thought that part of your story, Miles, a littleextraordinary," observed Mr. Hardinge; "though I suppose thisFrenchman's liberality was, in some measure, a matter of necessity, outthere, in the middle of the Pacific."

  "I hardly think you do Captain Le Compte justice, sir. He was achivalrous fellow, and every way a gallant seaman. It is possible,he was rather more in a hurry than he might have been, but for hispassengers--that is all--at least, I have always suspected that the wishto have Miss Merton all to himself, induced him to get rid of us as soonas possible. He evidently admired her, and could have been jealous of adead-eye."

  "Miss Merton!" exclaimed Grace. "Jealous!"

  "Miss Merton!" put in Rupert, leaning forward, curiously.

  "Miss Merton! And jealous of dead-eyes, and wishing to get rid of us!"said Mr. Hardinge, smiling. "Pray who is Miss Merton? and who are the_us_? and what are the dead-eyes?"

  Lucy was silent.

  "Why, sir, I thought I wrote you all about the Mertons. How we met themin London, and then found them prisoners to Monsieur Le Compte; and thatI intended to carry them to Canton, in the Crisis!"

  "You told us some of this, certainly; but, though you may have written'all about' a _Major_ Merton, you _forgot_ to tell us 'about _all_the Mertons. This is the first syllable I have ever had about a _Miss_Merton. How is it, girls--did Miles speak of any one but the Major, inhis letter?"

  "Not a syllable to me, sir, of any young lady, I can assure you,"replied Grace, laughing. "How was it to you, Lucy?"

  "Of course he would not tell me that which he thought fit to concealfrom his own sister," said Lucy, in a low voice.

  "It is odd I should have forgotten to mention her," I cried,endeavouring to laugh it off. "Young men do not often forget to writeabout young ladies."

  "This Miss Merton is young, then, brother?"

  "About your own age, Grace."

  "And handsome--and agreeable--and accomplished?"

  "Something like yourself, my dear."

  "But handsome, I take it for granted, Miles," observed Mr. Hardinge,"by the manner in which you have omitted to speak of her charms, in yourletters!"

  "Why sir, I think most persons--that is the world in general--I meansuch as are not over-fastidious, would consider Miss Merton particularlyhandsome--agreeable in person and features, I would be understood tosay."

  "Oh! you are sufficiently explicit; everybody can understand you," addedmy laughing guardian, who had no more thought of getting me married tohis own daughter, than to a German princess of a hundred and forty-fivequarterings, if there are any such things; "some other time we will havethe particulars of her eyes, hair, teeth, &c., &c."

  "Oh! sir, you may save me the trouble, by looking at her yourself,to-morrow, since she and her father are both here."

  "_Here!_" exclaimed all four in a breath; Lucy's extreme surpriseextorting the monosyllable from her reserve, even a little louder thanfrom the rest.

  "Certainly, here; father, daughter, and servants; I dare say I omittedto speak of the servants in my letters, too; but a poor fellow who hasa great deal to do, cannot think of everything in a minute. Major Mertonhas a touch of the liver complaint; and it would not do to leave himin a warm climate. So, no other chance offering, he is proceeding toEngland, by the way of America."

  "And how long had you these people on board your ship, Miles?" Graceasked, a little gravely.

  "Actually on board, with myself, about nine months, I should think; butincluding the time in London, at Canton, and on the island, I shouldcall our acquaintance one of rather more than a year's standing."

  "Long enough, certainly, to make a young lady sufficiently obvious to ayoung gentleman's memory, not to be forgotten in his letters."

  After this pointed speech, there was a silence, which Mr. Hardinge brokeby some questions about the passage home from Canton. As it was gettingcool on the Battery, however, we all moved away, proceeding to Mrs.Bradfort's. This lady, as I afterwards discovered, was much attached toLucy, and had insisted on giving her these opportunities of seeing theworld. She was quite at her ease in her circumstances, and belonged toa circle a good deal superior to that into which Grace and myself couldhave claimed admission, in right of our own social position. Lucy hadbeen well received as her relative, and as a clergyman's daughter; andGrace on her own account, as I afterwards learned. It would be attachingtoo much credit to Clawbonny, to say that either of the girls had notimproved by this association; though it was scarcely possible to makeGrace more feminine and lady-like than she had been made by nature.The effect on Lucy was simply to put a little reserve on her nativefrankness, and sturdy honesty; though candour compels me to say, thatmingling with the world, and, especially th
e world to which they hadbeen introduced by Mrs. Bradfort, had certainly increased the nativecharm of manner that each possessed. I began to think Emily Merton sofar from possessing any advantage over the two girls, might now improvea little herself, by associating with them.

  At the house, I had to tell my whole story, and to answer a multitude ofquestions. Not a syllable more was said about Miss Merton; and even Lucyhad smiles to bestow and remarks to make, as before. When we got to thelights, where the girls could remove their shawls and hats, I made eachof them stand before me, in order to ascertain how much time had alteredthem. Grace was now nineteen; and Lucy was only six months her junior.The greatest change was in the latter. Her form had ripened intosomething as near as possible to girlish perfection. In this respect shehad the advantage of Grace, who was a little too slight and delicate;whereas, Lucy, without any of the heaviness that so often accompaniesa truly rounded person, and which was perhaps a slight defect inEmily Merton's figure, was without an angle of any sort, in herentire outline. Grace, always so handsome, and so intellectual in theexpression of her countenance, had improved less in this respect, thanLucy, whose eyes had obtained a tenderness and feeling that renderedthem, to me, even more attractive than those of my own dear sister. Ina word, any man might have been proud, at finding two such admirablecreatures interested in him, as interested, every look, smile, syllable,and gesture of these dear girls, denoted they were in me.

  All this time, Neb had been overlooked. He had followed us to the house,however, and was already engaged in a dark-coloured flirtation with acertain Miss Chloe Clawbonny, his own second-cousin, in the kitchen; alady who had attracted a portion of his admiration, before we sailed,and who had accompanied her young mistress to town. As soon as it wasascertained the fellow was below, Lucy, who was quite at home in herkinswoman's house, insisted on his being introduced. I saw by theindulgent smile of Mrs. Bradfort, that Lucy was not exceeding herconceded privileges, and Neb was ordered up, forthwith. Never was therea happier fellow than this 'nigger' appeared to be, on that occasion. Hekept rolling his tarpaulin between his fingers, shifting his weight fromleg to leg, and otherwise betraying the confusion of one questioned byhis betters; for, in that day, a _negro_ was ready enough to allow hehad his betters, and did not feel he was injured in so doing. At thepresent time, I am well aware that the word is proscribed even in theState's Prisons; everybody being just as good as everybody else; thoughsome have the misfortune to be sentenced to hard labour, while othersare permitted to go at large. As a matter of course, the selections madethrough the ballot-boxes, only go to prove that "one man is as good asanother."

  Our party did not separate until quite late. Suppers were eaten in 1802;and I was invited to sit down with the rest of the family, and a gayset we were. It was then the fashion to drink toasts; gentlemen givingladies, and ladies gentlemen. The usage was singular, but very general;more especially in the better sort of houses. We men drank our wine,as a matter of course; while the ladies sipped theirs, in that prettymanner in which females moisten their lips, on such occasions. After atime, Mrs. Bradfort, who was very particular in the observance of forms,gaily called on Mr. Hardinge for his toast.

  "My dear Mrs. Bradfort," said the divine, good-humouredly, "if it werenot in your own house, and contrary to all rule to give a person who ispresent, I certainly should drink to yourself. Bless me, bless me, whomshall I give? I suppose I shall not be permitted to give our new Bishop,Dr. Moore?"

  The cry of "No Bishop!" was even more unanimous than it is at thismoment, among those who, having all their lives dissented from episcopalauthority, fancy it an evidence of an increasing influence to join in aclamour made by their own voices; and this, moreover, on a subject thatnot one in a hundred among them has given himself the trouble even toskim. Our opposition--in which Mrs. Bradfort joined, by the way--was ofa very different nature, however; proceeding from a desire to learn whatlady Mr. Hardinge could possibly select, at such a moment. I never sawthe old gentleman so confused before. He laughed, tried to dodge theappeal, fidgeted, and at last fairly blushed. All this proceeded, notfrom any preference for any particular individual of the sex, but fromnatural diffidence, the perfect simplicity and nature of his character,which caused him to be abashed at even appearing to select a femalefor a toast. It was a beautiful picture of masculine truth and purity!Still, we would not be put off; and the old gentleman, composing hiscountenance five or six times in vain efforts to reflect, then lookingas grave as if about to proceed to prayer, raised his glass, and said--

  "Peggy Perott!"

  A general laugh succeeded this announcement, Peggy Perott being anold maid who went about tending the sick for hire, in the vicinity ofClawbonny, and known to us all as the ugliest woman in the county.

  "Why do you first insist on my giving a toast, and then laugh at itwhen given?" cried Mr. Hardinge, half-amused, half-serious in hisexpostulations. "Peggy is an excellent woman, and one of the most usefulI know."

  "I wonder, my dear sir, you did not think of adding a sentiment!" criedI, a little pertly.

  "And if I had, it would have been such a one as no woman need be ashamedto hear attached to her name. But enough of this; I have given PeggyPerott, and you are bound to drink her"--that we had done already; "andnow, cousin, as I have passed through the fiery furnace--"

  "Unscathed?" demanded Lucy, laughing ready to kill herself.

  "Yes, unscathed, miss: and now, cousin, I ask of you to honour us with atoast."

  Mrs. Bradfort had been a widow many years, and was fortified with thepanoply of her state. Accustomed to such appeals, which, when she wasyoung and handsome, had been of much more frequent occurrence than oflate, she held her glass for the wine with perfect self-possession,and gave her toast with the conscious dignity of one who had often beensolicited in vain "to change her condition."

  "I will give you," she said, raising her person and her voice, as if toinvite scrutiny, "my dear old friend, good Dr. Wilson."

  It was incumbent on a single person to give another who was also single;and the widow had been true to the usage; but "good Dr. Wilson" was ahalf-superannuated clergyman, whom no one could suspect of inspiringanything beyond friendship.

  "Dear me--dear me!" cried Mr. Hardinge, earnestly; "how much morethoughtful, Mrs. Bradfort, you are than myself! Had I thought a moment,_I_ might have given the Doctor; for I studied with him, and honour himvastly."

  This touch of simplicity produced another laugh--how easily we alllaughed that night!--and it caused a little more confusion in theexcellent divine. Mrs. Bradfort then called on me, as was her right;but I begged that Rupert might precede me, he knowing more persons, andbeing now a sort of man of the world.

  "I will give the charming Miss Winthrop," said Rupert, without amoment's hesitation, tossing off his glass with an air that said, "howdo you like _that?_"

  As Winthrop was a highly respectable name, it denoted the set in whichRupert moved; and as for the young lady I dare say she merited hiseulogium, though I never happened to see her. It was something, however,in 1802, for a youngster to dare to toast a Winthrop, or a Morris, ora Livingston, or a de Lancey, or a Stuyvesant, or a Beekman, or a VanRenssellaer, or a Schuyler, or a Rutherford, or a Bayard, or a Watts, ora Van Cortlandt, or a Verplanck, or a Jones, or a Walton, or any ofthat set. They, and twenty similar families, composed the remnant ofthe colonial aristocracy, and still made head, within the limits ofManhattan, against the inroads of the Van--something elses. Alas! alas!how changed is all this, though I am obliged to believe it is all forthe best.

  "Do _you_ know Miss Winthrop?" I asked of Grace, in a whisper.

  "Not at all; I am not much in that set," she answered, quietly. "Rupertand Lucy have been noticed by many persons whom I do not know."

  This was the first intimation I got, that my sister did not possess allthe advantages in society that were enjoyed by her friend. As is alwaysthe case where it is believed to be our _loss_, I felt indignant atfirst; had it been the reverse, I dare say
I should have fancied it allvery right. Consequences grew out of these distinctions which I couldnot then foresee, but which will be related in their place. Rupert nowcalled on Grace for her toast, a lady commonly succeeding a gentleman.My sister did not seem in the least disconcerted: but, after a moment'shesitation, she said--

  "Mr. Edward Marston."

  This was a strange name to me, but I afterwards ascertained it belongedto a respectable young man who visited Mrs. Bradfort's, and who stoodvery well with all his acquaintances. I looked at Rupert, to note theeffect; but Rupert was as calm as Grace herself had been, when he gaveMiss Winthrop.

  "I believe I have no one to call upon but you, Miles," said Grace,smiling.

  "Me! Why, you all know I am not acquainted with a soul. Our Ulstercounty girls have almost all gone out of my recollection; besides, noone would know them here, should I mention twenty."

  "You strangely forget, brother, that most of us are Ulster county folk.Try if you can recall no young lady--"

  "Oh! easily enough, for that matter; a young fellow can hardly havelived nine months in the same cabin with Emily, and not think of her,when hard pushed; I will give you, Miss Emily Merton."

  The toast was drunk, and I thought Mr. Hardinge looked thoughtful, likeone who had a guardian's cares, and that Grace was even grave. I didnot dare look at Lucy, though I could have toasted her all night, had itbeen in rule to drink a person who was present. We began to chat again,and I had answered some eight or ten questions, when Mrs. Bradfort, muchtoo precise to make any omissions, reminded us that we had not yet beenhonoured with Miss Lucy Hardinge's toast. Lucy had enjoyed plentyof time to reflect; and she bowed, paused a moment as if to summonresolution, and then mentioned--

  "Mr. Andrew Drewett."

  So, then, Lucy Hardinge toasted this Mr. Drewett--the very youth withwhom she had been in such animated discourse, when I first met theparty! Had I been more familiar with the world, I should have thoughtnothing of a thing that was so common; or, did I understand human naturebetter, I might have known that no sensitive and delicate woman wouldbetray a secret that was dear to her, under so idle a form. But Iwas young, and ready myself to toast the girl I preferred before theuniverse; and I could not make suitable allowances for difference of sexand temperament. Lucy's toast made me very uncomfortable for the restof the evening; and I was not sorry when Rupert reminded me that it waseleven, and that he would go with me to a tavern, in order to look for aroom.

  The next morning was passed in transacting the business of the ship. Ifound myself much noticed among the merchants and ship-masters; and oneof my owners took me on 'Change, that I might see and be seen. As thepapers had spoken of the recapture of the Crisis, on the arrival of thePretty Poll, and had now each an article on the arrival of the ship,I had every reason to be satisfied with my reception. There are men sostrong in principle, as well as intellect, I do suppose, that they canbe content with the approbation of their own consciences, and who cansmile at the praises or censure of the world, alike; but I confess toa strong sympathy with the commendation of my fellow-creatures, and asstrong a distaste for their disapprobation. I know this is not the wayto make a very great man; for he who cannot judge, feel and act forhimself, will always he in danger of making undue sacrifices to thewishes of others; but you can have no more of a cat than the skin; andI was sufficiently proud at finding myself a miniature hero, about thelower end of Wall-street, and in the columns of the newspapers. As forthese last, no one can complain of their zeal in extolling everythingnational. To believe them, the country never was wrong, or defeated, orin a condition to be defeated, except when a political opponent could bemade to suffer by an opposite theory; and then nothing was everright. As to fame, I have since discovered they consider that of eachindividual to be public property, in which each American has a part andparcel--the editors, themselves, more than the man who has thrownthe article into the common lot. But I was young in 1802, and even aparagraph in my praise in a newspaper had a certain charm for me, that Iwill not deny. Then I _had_ done well, as even my enemies, if I had anymust have admitted.