The vast and dull Prairie, where scarce a tree grows, (A dreary sight, enough to make one mope,) And, worse than all, the slavery of the Negroes, That cruel knavery which no power can stop. XII. Our hardships still were frightful beyond measure, Our weary journey through the woods and bogs. Amid my comforts, sitting at my ease, How fondly does my faithful memory treasure XIII. Niagara, however, gave me Rapture, Far more than aught which elsewhere I had seen; The Feelings that I felt would fill a Chapter, So Grand they were, yet Peaceful and Serene.With Spray to blind me, and the noise to stun me, I missed at first the Vastness of the Scene, But soon Sublime Sensations came upon me Great Heavens! what mighty Waters Bright and Green! CONFESSIONS OF AN OLD BACHELOR.-No. II. AN ADVENTURE IN THE WEST. HAVING recovered from the nervousness consequent upon the perusal of my own printed composition, I, "The Old Bachelor," am seized with the spirit of communicativeness; but, alas! celibacy has lost its charm at sixty, the gout confines me to the house, and I have neither wife nor child, that I might coax to the fire-side, to hear me relate a pleasing or a tedious narrative; no auditor can I obtain, to sit or stand, while I "Shoulder my crutch, and show how fields were won." Wherefore, I am necessitated to trace my genealogy to good father Adam, in order to make a legal demand upon the attention and forbearance of my numerous relatives. It was in the summer succeeding the year in which the widow, whose story I related in a preceding chapter, became known to me, that I found it necessary to visit that portion of my property which is situated in the west. I will beg of the reader to pass over the Shannon, and see me in the snug parlour of an inn. I had obtained a newspaper, and was endeavouring to make myself acquainted with some provincial intelligence, when a message was brought me that James Dolan wanted to see me, if it was pleasing. This was the son of a decent farmer, whose land and mine were contiguous; we had corresponded a few times relative to a field, which he demanded my assistance in a draining for our joint benefit. His letters were so intelligent, his remarks on the soil and agriculture of the country so sensible and well expressed, that I conceived a very favourable opinion of a young man, who must be more indebted to his taste than to his advantages for the liberal education he evidently possessed. On the entrance of my correspondent, I was well pleased to perceive that my prepossessions in his favour were not likely to be lessened by his personal appearance. He was a young fellow of a frank and pleasing aspect, and his address, though no better than that of a smart rustic, I fancied borrowed something from the intelligence of his countenance. When the object of his visit had been settled to our mutual satisfaction, to enjoy the company of my new acquaintance a little longer, I begged he would remain and take a glass of brandy punch with me. While it was preparing, I perceived my companion's countenance at intervals clouded, and one or two unconscious sighs assured me that he laboured under some secret trouble. At first I was delicate in noticing his uneasiness; but soon the generous beverage awakened a deep source of philanthropy in my heart-I could no longer be silent, and warmly pressed him to acquaint me with the cause that grieved him. The young man looked puzzled for a moment, but, I suppose, perceiving that I had an honest face, or, perhaps, moved by the potent spirit that had aroused me, he, with a glow a court lady might envy, stammered forth, "It is all on account of Mary, sir." "Ho!" said I, with exultation, "was there ever a mischief that was not caused by woman?—well, she proves herself the daughter of Eve. Is there a duel?-of course the quarrel has originated in some dispute concerning a woman! Does a poor fellow cut his throat, or drown himself? Why, 'tis a woman's fault, she has deceived him; or, else, been so unreasonable as to refuse him her heart, notwithstanding that he has given his to her." I was suddenly checked in my rhapsody, by perceiving the amazement which was painted in the young farmer's coun"I was merely explaining the matter," said I, "but pray tell me something more of Miss Mary. She is very peevish, or very passionate, or something; is she not ?” tenance. My companion for a few moments left me in suspense as to the character of the damsel, by declaring that there was not one in the world like her. "She is so good," said I, incredulously. "So good, sir, and so pretty, and so tidy and careful in a house." "You don't appear to remember your quarrel." "We never quarrelled, sir; but it was just to day I went to ask her father's consent, and he refused me, because he says I am not good blood. But I didn't tell you her name, sir; she is the daughter of old O'Connor, that lives near your house on the hill, if you remember him.” I knew the man well. He alleged, and it was fact, that he was one of the king of Connaught's descendants; his ancestors risked their property by adhering to the pusillanimous James, and lost it by putting trust in his fraudulent successor. This O'Connor, without a foot of ground, save what he rented, entertained a lively sense of his high-famed descent; he would have been pitied for the great wrong which had been done his family, had not his morose temper and stubborn illiberal idea of distinction created for him dislike. Without property, education, or lawful pretensions to many virtues, he was in principle an imperious aristocrat, priding himself on the rank his ancestors held more than a century since, and wholly regardless whether he himself possessed any claim upon the respect of the persons he wished to reverence him. "And what possessed you to think of Miss Mary O'Connor," said I; "I suppose her father has reared her a very fine lady ?" "There is nothing fine about her, sir; she is a good housewife, and can read and write pretty well; but as for any thing else, I believe I could teach her myself, for one time or other I read a good many books." "And have you a comfortable home to offer her?" "My father is sickly and wishes me to marry; he would give the farm to me; Mary knows herself that she would be happy; but it's no use in talking, when her father wont give his consent." I had already had a very reasonable measure of wine, and not having a head liquor-proof, the brandy soon drew forth exhilaration. My joyous spirits conducted me back to the days of my youth, when I had surmounted so many obstacles that opposed the happiness of young people; visions floated before me already I beheld the bride and bridegroom, and fancied the music of jigs and reels resounded in the apartment. I forget the glowing language in which I poured forth my encouragement and prognostics of future happiness. But I believe my companion perceived the source of my eloquence, for instead of being comforted by my assurances, he thanked me for my good intentions, but declared he had no hopes, as he had not only to contend with the old man's prejudices, but also with a rival. As I suspected I was not very steady in my views of the subject, I wished good night to Dolan, and resolving never again to drink brandy after wine, I went to bed and fell asleep. The next day I inquired into the matter from uninterested parties. The account pleased me. I learned that my young farmer was an industrious, well-conducted man, but his rival was a person of good blood, and possessed a fodgene which he called an estate; yet, by universal opinion, he was neither so good nor so sightly a man as the young fellow who had bad blood and no fodgene. When the merits of two such opposite lovers should be weighed in the scale O'Connor's mind presented, I foresaw that my interference in Dolan's behalf promised little success; however, I would not let myself be deterred by difficulties, and accordingly set off for O'Connor's dwelling. The cynic will smile in compassion for the intellect of a foolish old fellow, who so promptly entangled himself in the concerns of strangers. Well, let him. I am sure, to be instrumental in the happiness of a fellow-being, even though his joy has no connexion with you, is to partake of the most serene pleasure the heart can conceive. I never perused the splendid speeches of Edmund Burke, but I thought of an action which reads more beautiful than they; 'Twas practising philanthropy, to put money into the hands of the little ragged creatures whose hearts bounded to see the show. As it was some years since I had last seen O'Connor, I engaged my mind in recollections concerning him. The object that occasioned my present visit, I remembered as a little white headed girl, a cherry lipped fairy, from whom I had often obtained a kiss for a large red apple. Pursuing these reminiscences, I fancied myself again the sportsman, returning on an unsuccessful day, and wending my way to O'Connor's house by the road side. It had been with me an invariable custom, when Diana did not accompany me in the chase, to rest myself at his door; I was certain to find consolation for my ill luck in the asperity of his remarks. "A bad day; no wonder; there's a curse upon the land; the upstarts are lords of every thing, and the lawful owners, that once were princes, are now beggars." It was an amusement to me to pass away an hour in the society of this descendant of royalty. Our opinions were not similar on two subjects, but that was the pith of my entertainment. I introduced a topic, listened to his quaint and prejudiced remarks, and when I was not too indolent to reply, overruled every thing my antagonist said; though it is possible I often had as little experience of the matter as himself. But I must confess, for the stability of my disputant's principles, he never once acknowledged himself convinced by my arguments, or enlightened by my eloquence. My retrospective views haunted me till I was in the actual presence of my old acquaintance, and the delusion might longer have continued, for O'Connor was much the same, and the appearance of the place was familiar. But little Mary aroused me from the dream, and with a gulping sigh, I was forced to remember that fourteen summers had dignified my mien, since last I stood upon that floor. How excessively awkward is this rapid growth of girls. The little urchin that we hold upon our knee, and hoist in the air, in a few years is a "woman." Adieu to cakes and apples, and such familiar gifts; we must then reverence her as a grandmother. O'Connor had not much difficulty in recognising his quarrelsome acquaintance; of his wife I had little knowledge; but my pet Mary I was obliged to remind of the days when she had climbed upon my knee. Dolan's account of her beauty was not the raving statement of a lover; though perhaps, had I not seen her on a holiday, being then attired in her gayest robe, I might have remarked something in her appearance to warrant the ridicule with which I treated the encomiums of enamoured swains. Mary was a fair, interesting, and delicate featured girl; as she was an only child, and of a sickly constitution, she had been exempted from those toils which other young women in her station were obliged to undergo. I never admired those famed women of knowledge. Some are fluent on the tongue, and disgust by the ill nature and sarcasm of their comments; while others have so sublime an admiration for themselves, they fancy because their attainments are higher than those of other women, that they were born to cope in learning even with the men. I believe it was this opinion which reconciled me to the deficiency of intellect in Mary's countenance; indeed, were I to have judged by her physiognomy, I would have said that her head was rather dull, but her heart very good. When I had uttered a few remarks, and replied to as many more, I made the interested enquiry, "when do you intend to have Mary married? It is time for her to have a house of her own now." All girls are nervous when the subject of matrimony is introduced, and Mary O'Connor sought some engagement in the next apartment. The father did not reply; but I perceived, from the twisting of his mouth, that he was about to pronounce a dissertation on the subject; but the mother, stimulated by maternal pride, quickly replied that it was Mary's own fault that she was not married long since. "That is very silly," said I, and being anxious to come directly to the point, I continued, "especially as young Dolan bears so good a character." |