denouement so disastrous and unexpected." She wishes. Notwithstanding her chilling looks, Edthen apprized Mrs. C. of Sinclaire's offer, which ward and Evora would look and feel happy--and tended greatly to smooth the deeply indented fur- without the least emotion, even of revengeful inrows on the brow of the disappointed, worldly- difference, towards the charitable Cliftons, they left minded mother, and contributed to disperse the for a distant city, which was to be their future pangs of her remorse and self reproof. No one home. Happiness attend you, and may you ever to have seen her gentle mein and amiable coun- continue to preserve in your hearts, untarnished, tenance a few hours afterwards, when listening that brightest of jewels, truth-for "out of the to Mr. Sinclaire's "honor of an alliance with heart proceed the issues of life." her charming and deeply adored daughter" would have thought her "coined face" the same that had flashed such dire looks of scorn upon the orphan and her noble lover. Come, reader, if you are not already wearied, we will bid you attend another interesting ceremony, which, perhaps, may gratify your taste for the splendid and a la mode more than the plain and All due explanations and arrangements were unpretending nuptials of Edward and Evora Lorimade on the part of the wealthy and dashing Sin-mor. It is the wedding déjeuné of Almeria Clifton claire-while the fondly assenting mamma begged and the elegant Sinclaire that we will now look in he would tenderly cherish her only child, whose upon with our usual familiarity. Never was a youth and inexperience would probably give him bride more magnificently arrayed in embroidered some anxious care. She had ever been an exotic muslin and mechlin lace, and exquisite was every of the most doating attention and protection-how- arrangement of her graceful person. Sinclaire ever, I feel confident, concluded she, "that I com- had not been remiss in the slightest act of devomit her to one who can support her in her accustomed ease, and cherish her with the same fostering tenderness." aire. tion. A richly wrought casket had that morning been laid on her bridal toilet (it contained a splendid set of pearls,) as also a beautiful corbeille, from The charming Almeria was not more willing which she drew a veil of surpassing eleganceto accept me than ma chère mère," said Sinclaire they were from her generous fiancé. With a look when he left Mrs. C.-" but 'tis strange, every of exultation and gratified pride, Almeria's fair hand thing, and all subjects were discussed but the mar- soon arranged both with her rich dark hair, and riage portion-those expectations of the sole heiress! after the toilet's all-engrossing duties were over, I hope the biter won't get bit-surely there can't be she breathlessly awaited the coming of her noble, any pretension about their wealth and style of refined Sinclaire. Nor was he slow to appear, living. Aristocracy and fashion wont shoe the feet, looking in truth the "glass of fashion and the mould or make the pot boil, as an homely adage says-of form." All the taste of the most fashionable but I dare say, with the fair and accomplished Al- tailor and perruquier in the city had been called meria I shall receive a comfortable marriage dou- into requisition, and well did his appearance jusThe deuce knows it wont come before it is tify their highest touch. Fashion never decked wanting so hie thee on, ye little god!-be ever or smiled more graciously upon a more elegant so speedy in thy arrangements for the very neces- looking couple. All of beauty, wit and ton were sary noce." gathered to witness the much talked of nuptials. It was not long afterwards a handsome carriage Not an accident or annoyance ruffled the pride and stood before the door of Mrs. Clifton's elegant man- dignified equanimity of the fond mother, or the sion, into which Edward Lorimor handed the blush-amour propre of the graceful bride, and after a tide ing Evora, another drew up, more splendid, and of good wishes and a scene of affectionate outmounted with livried attendants, in which the pourings from ma chère mère, all astonished, every stately Mrs. C. was gracefully assisted by Mr. one saw the happy couple start off to spend their Sinclaire-both drove off and again halted before honey moon in travelling. Alas! Sinclaire, your St. Paul's church. A few persons were assembled expecting hand received no comfortable douairearound the altar, and soon the pastor, in his flow-nay, not even a word, or note, of promise. Never ing robes, came forth to meet the advancing cou-mind," thought he, "when we return it will be all ple. Edward Lorimor never looked younger, hand-in due form settled, which assuredly must be in a somer, or happier, and if the reader could only have short time, for my borrowed funds can't last long." impertinently peered 'neath that jealous veil of the Well, well, people now-a-days have turned the trembling Evora, he would have seen a face equally world upside down, and wrong side out," said Mr. as happy, but whose loveliness was beyond ex- Brownslow, throwing down his morning's paper. pression's power to paint, so eloquent was it with "Here, wife, read about this' marriage in high life.' delicate emotions. After the ceremony was over, I suppose when our gals get married you will be all hearts offered their warmest congratulations, fool enough to do like old Mrs. Clifton, and give a bat the pressure of Mrs. Clifton's hand was coldly dayshuna wedding, instead of a good old-fashioned slight, and her eye glanced frowningly upon the one at night. If you are guilty of such ridiculous young bride when she uttered her parting friendly folly, may all the French sworay be a mere nothing 66 in mortifying you. But I hope better things, see- see from the close, pent up room of an upper story, ing you and the girls had enough then of your pretensions and efforts to climb the mighty hill of fashion and getting into the first circles." Evora Lorimor daily whirl past me in a splendid equipage, looking the picture of happiness, as her eye rests upon her handsome husband at her side, "I am truly rejoiced it is all over," echoed Mrs. who, to my infinite surprise, is one of the wealthiest Clifton, as she sat alone in her handsome parlor, and most influential lawyers in the city. Fareafter laying down the paper announcing the splendid well, a long farewell to all my greatness.' May I wedding déjeuné of Miss Clifton and Mr. Sinclaire. not come to you, ma chère mère, to relieve my "It cost enough, Heaven knows! but he must heart of its heavy weight of accumulated disaphelp me to pay for it-which, doubtless, he can pointments, and to escape from the noxious odor of easily do so great appears his wealth. I will leather, varnish, and the contamination of coarse break up now and make, I hope, a final move. I vulgarity? Your own Almeria S. Never, no never can I write that horrid name in mean to spend the balance of my days with Alme- The reader has only to read two letters, to see whether in Almeria's bright future was completed the picture to the entire satisfaction of her ambitious mother, and of her own high hopes. FROM ALMERIA TO HER MOTHER. FROM EDWARD LORIMOR TO HIS FRIEND LOUIS MON- "I hasten to answer your eager and many questions respecting my romantic marriage to the po tionless protegée of Mrs. Clifton. The want of wealth was her only deficiency-the purest blood flows in her veins-the best of mental and moral instruction was bestowed upon her by her sainted "Sympathize with me, ma chère mère, for never aunt, and her beauty,—you know it is heavenlywas a poor creature so cruelly duped-nay, so besides all this I occupied the interesting position utterly ruined in her every hope or prospect of hap- of guardian, mentor and friend at the solicitation of piness. Oh, what a fall from my once bright ele- Miss Catharine Beaufort, who was my lamented vation-what an awful pause in my worldly career, mother's intimate friend, as also her parents, who to end the whole eventful scene in being the wife died when Evora was a mere infant. Could I do of a low-born parvenu shoe-maker's son, who has otherwise than love her, and if I did, has it ever even had the audacity to tell me I must now go to been my practice to weigh happiness in the oppobinding shoes, instead of practising my music, or site scale with mercenary interest? Never-and embroidering my useful ottomans. Yes, Mamma, all that's bright in life now shines upon my pathyou can now only boast of being the mother-in-law way-I find her all that I wish, without a shade of of a most shameful impostor. Not even the aris- false pretension, and free from the base alloy of tocratic name of Sinclaire is left me; in its place worldly deceit. I would not woo her as the rich stares on his coarse sign Joseph Sniggery. He Edward Lorimor, on whom a few fleeting smiles of has confessed the whole of his nefarious plot to fickle fame had been bestowed, but I chose to seek me, that he married me for my money and ton, and and win her love for myself alone, and such I now after mutual recriminations of having been grossly warmly possess. I have emerged from my predeceived, he added that his art had not only sup- tended obscurity as a poor lawyer-but the splenported high birth, talents and wealth, but of youth dors surrounding my young wife never seem to also, whereupon he doffed his Hyperion curls! Oh, throw in the shade the merits of her sedate, and, as horrors! I saw a wig lie at my feet, and falling along she often says, "venerable mari." A truce to egotisthose matchless whiskers, while his hand extended tical confessions. I'm sorry to hear of the downfall towards my terrified vision, a fine set of teeth, of the aristocratic Cliftons, but pride is the best those exquisite rows of ivory, and with the other looking glass for pride'-and such does, 'indeed, go he maliciously wiped from his face its spurious before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a covering of paint, revealing a jaune sunken cheek fall.' It gives me pain, and often casts a shadow and cadaverous complexion instead of the fresh and o'er the fair brow of Evora, when we hear such manly beauty of my once god-like mari. Besides sad accounts of the disappointed Almeria, whose all this inhuman deception, his family is so low and husband has consented to Mrs. Clifton's living with coarsely plebeian, the Brownslows would appear him, provided she bears a portion of the domestic the personification of refinement by contrast-all expenses. But enough of them-it may be a leshis knowledge of French and foreign countries was son for them to look more to the cultivation of the gained when secretly following a gentleman of heart, which alone contains those powers, capable high standing to Paris as a pauvre humble serving of ensuring our happiness-while malice or deceit compagnon de voyage. But this is not all-ima- never yet has retained an invulnerable mask. I gine my mortification and deep humiliation when I am glad to hear a better result attended the stumble of the Brownslows-or, as the good old man says, | are others, for whom, from the first, trials are famithat their 'eyes are properly opened,' for really liar things, whose spirits, like Arthur's, have been they were not wanting in good feelings, and but darkened and sorrowful even from their youth, and for pretension, the girls would have reflected credit who have early learned the sorrow which is knowon themselves and honor on their parents. You ledge. And now the dimness was heavy and palsay that Mons. Pierre has completely retired from pable around him, and he was saddened by a grief fashionable societé, and is now in the full enjoyment whose consolations are not of the earth. Hope of literary celibacy? For the sake of the fair, 1 had spread her wings and flown afar, and his soul hope, unless he becomes reasonable, that he will was dark and drooping beneath the mysterious continue alone in his intellectual seclusion. I wish shadows of death. He had returned refreshed and all possible happiness to the languishing Emilie, as tranquilized from scenes that had changed and the wife of a plain coach-maker, and Josee, affec-brightened the usual current of his thoughts, after tionate Josee, I have no doubt will make a good femme to the candid, unpretending Timothy Dobbins. 'O world, thy slippery turns.' And now farewell patient reader may you never become an actor in the little drama of pretension, or be more annoyed by its authority and show of truth' than when wading through our tedious, but I hope bearable, tale of Pretension." " Fredericksburg, Jan. 1st, 1844. THE POET'S MISSION. The smile is fading from thy lip, Thou pinest for that perfect peace Thy voice, though very soft and kind Too well I read, no earthly ties years of that dreamy and memory-tinted absence To dispositions, constitutionally poetical and reflective, there is no restoration of their usual happiness after the loss of one beloved. Against other sufferings they bear up proudly and resistfully; the more practical troubles of the world, the departure of riches, or the innumerable and nameless disappointments of ambition leave comparatively slight traces on minds whose greatest and noblest wealth lies within themselves, and whose confidence ever rebels and soars loftier after temporary depression. The favored dweller in the dream-land finds beautiful comfort in his visions: his mental being is twofold, and the cares whose footprints sully the purity of his outer life, never profane the starry temple of the poet's ideal. But when it is to this inner sanctuary the sorrow comes, when all of thought and feeling, of remembrance and anticipation combine to render affliction deeper-then has the dreamer no mortal consolations, for the sunshine of his lovelier world is irreparably clouded, and the starlight of his most rapturous delusions fades away from his heart with the closing of the eyes that made its radiance. He turns despondingly from a past that grieves him, to a future that proffers no human comfort, and his mind, once so illumined with enchanting conceptions, shrinks dejected from a world that had dealt with it too hardly, and too distinctly realizes that the woes of existence are its only enduring truths. The poet's solitary pilgrimage in far lands was past, and two or three months had elapsed since his long anticipated and fervently hoped-for return to his home. It has been well said that the truly happy are those who have never heard nor spoken "farewell;" and many bright days of life would Arthur have gladly sacrificed to have blotted out It is a sad, but prevailing feature in humanity, from his memory the sad occurrences which had that it seldom seeks the better and higher blessings come for him since that grief-speaking word had of our nature, until it has completely tested inferior been uttered. He had entered on one of the eras sources of happiness and found them vanity; that which sooner or later dawn on us all-eras whose it refuses to acknowledge, save from mournful, and impressions mark and divide existence, concentra-sometimes lengthened experience, that our common ting into moments the moral influences of years, enjoyments are but vexation of spirit. But grief and writing on the brow and the heart a life-long stands beside us like a solemn robed priest, and the and irrevocable history. There are blest ones for sacred places of the heart are unveiled. Like the whom such epochs rise radiantly, and on whose darkness preceding the dawning of day is the memories the characters thus enscribed are the trial which summons the abiding sunshine to the rainbow recordings of happiness; but alas! there 'soul, and such was the hallowing ordeal now existing for Arthur. He was in all respects visionary and lowing influence was now silently blessing the poet, enthusiastic; his emotions wild and impulsive, knew for well had she known and tested that other hopes no medium, and his affliction was overwhelming have no reward for the soul's voiceless troubles and uncontrollable. With irrepressible and painful and no realization for the enthusiast's loveliest vividness came back recollections of the lost, and dreamings. Arthur's career from the first, had the sweetest words he had ever heard were silent been a lonely and depressing one. He had lost in in their tenderness now. early infancy the only affection that never varies, Death! death! what a fearful awakener of re- that has no taint of selfishness or deception, and membrance art thou; how the soul shrinks startled the fresh years, whose impressions are indelible, and affrighted from thy terrible spell, as the spec- had elapsed without the cheering and sanctifying tres of old times and broken ties glide darkly, mys-guardianship of a mother's love. He had never teriously before us! They gaze upon us, their experienced the buoyancy of disposition, the elaslooks seem reproachful, and we turn appalled and ticity of feeling which are the beautiful and apself-convicting from the reproving of those still pointed portion of childhood. Sickness had been spirit-glances. They summon to our recollection around him like a dark cloud, dimming his thoughts words, perhaps, thoughtlessly spoken; we would and rendering them prematurely melancholy, and sacrifice years to recall words that grieved the then the painfully humiliating circumstances which heart that loved us, words that haunt us in our had made his home worse than desolate, had too troubled sleep. We stand beside the grave as peni-soon taught him to reflect, to conceal and to doubt. tents beside an altar, and have nothing to lay there Afterwards, when the self-elevating pride of intelbut the valueless offering of sorrowful regrets and the knowledge of responsibilities learned too late. O! thou, who readest this page and lovest, who art yet ignorant of the terrible agony of bereavement, thou, for whom the dear one liveth yet, and on whose blest pilgrimage still shineth the beautiful lustre of an answering love-oh! be thou thankful that thou may'st yet gather and hoard up treasures for memory; that the brief time for kind deeds and tender tones hath not passed away for thee! lect, the involuntary conviction of power and genius brought him pleasure, and when, later still, with all the impulsiveness of a nature whose warmest emotions had hitherto slumbered in unconsciousness, he loved, there was constantly, even then, at life's most enchanting era, a lingering of the influences which had sullied his childhood. He had striven in vain to rely undoubtingly on Theresa's tenderness; there was always about him a visionary yearning for more than his experience had realized, A change, the best and happiest one he had ever an overweening and unceasing desire for an affecknown, now dawned upon Arthur's character, and tion as engrossing, as all-absorbing as his own. the nature formerly so impetuous and restless in its This wish, he felt had been unfulfilled, though now upward yearnings, its vague and deluding expecta- that tenderness with all its placidity and restraint tions, laid aside its wild unquietness, and became seemed more precious than any thing which replacid and peaceful as a sleeping child. His stu-mained for him in life. dies and occupations, always intellectual, assumed It was nearly midnight, and Arthur was still a higher and graver aspect, and the volumes of seated beside the table, at which he had been busily poetry were no longer his only companions. He writing for several hours. A pile of folded letters had found in the pages of holier inspiration a loftier lay near him, which he was now occupied in sealpoetry than merely human genius has ever pour-ing. Edith was seated there also, with a book trayed, a concentration of all the loveliness and open before her, but her sad eyes fixed tearfully promise his purest and brightest fancyings had on her companion's face. Well she knew, that ever framed. The earnest language of prophecy those features she had loved for years to look on, stirred his inmost thoughts, unfolding a world he might never meet her longing gaze again, for once had hitherto but dimly beheld, and revealing a more, and for an indefinite period, Arthur was on voice speaking from the far past, to paint the truths the eve of departure from his native land. The of the farthest future. The touching assurances | flushing light of youth, the purple light that gives of solace and recompense refreshed his mind as the to the hereafter its own glowing hue had passed from cool dew comforts and revives the drooping flower. Edith's path, and maturer age is rarely full of hope. The bewildering excitement, the vain aspiration, Her life had been a calm and useful one, and her faded from his awakened spirit, as the dim shadows early disappointments, whatever they might have of twilight depart before the brightening stars, and been, had imprinted no visible trace; but the heahe withdrew sadly, but not in bitterness, from a viness of some old grief lay darkly on her heart, world that had misled and chastened him, to seek, and she had not attained, without prayerful sorrow, with all a poet's reverential fervor, the promises that freedom from selfishness, which is the holiest that fail not, and the peace ever gained by the lowly attribute of meek and enduring womanhood. Her and pure in heart. affection for Arthur, with its peculiar blending of guardianship and sisterly sympathy, had long been her only source of happiness in this world, and we With gentle and affectionate sympathy, Edith fostered and encouraged the tranquility whose hal may not blame her, if her heart, too sorely tried, | fell too fast for utterance, and as though dreading a now turned repiningly from its dim and lonely silence, he continued: "The voyage I shall take future. She realized again, what sooner, or later, woman ever learns, that she never can be loved as she loves; wise are they who lay that mournful lesson early to their yearning bosoms, and trustfully believe that the hope for perfect sympathy which proved so vain on earth, will be one of the bright fulfilments of the holier life to come. Arthur was gentle, attentive and grateful, and regarded her as his truest and most constant friend, but their aims, their destinies, were different. He was a man, affection was not his world, and he had loved another better. He had manhood's numberless resources too, its self-reliance and confidence, and he possessed also its courage to brave trial and encounter privation, while lacking the enduring fortitude which can suffer in silence, and, clasping the cross, be strong. His countenance now was pale and thoughtless, but not one lingering of its early, fitful clouds was on the tranquil forehead, curtained with its rich drapery of waving hair. The reflection of a mind at peace with all things shone on features that bore no sign of fretfulness or repining. “I am glad you have completed your task," said his companion at last, "for it is late, and you require rest before encountering the fatigues awaiting you." "Rest! dear Edith!" he replied with a smile, "occupation like this is not wearying, and you do not imagine how happy and tranquil I feel. How often, in my future wanderings, shall I remember your ever kind and tender watchfulness, whose solicitude was with me to the last." will probably renovate my health, and the strong desire of conferring benefit will cheer me onward when my soul is sad, and my way seems solitary. Here I am wretched, and in quitting my native land, I shall leave nothing to regret but you. Do not urge me to commence my better course by an act of selfishness, for such it would be to allow you to sacrifice your present comforts, to separate you from a sphere of happiness and usefulness, and from many who love you. I must have my will in this, dear Edith; let us look forward to our meeting, and strive to forget the pain of our farewell!" Ah! these were easy words to say, and the voice that said them was clear and youthful, but they were listened to with many tears, and a heart that had lost its trustfulness. Arthur spoke kindly, but with manhood's self-engrossed philosophy. He could not comprehend that he was sacrificing to his vague and visionary schemes of good, the feelings of one who had followed and cared for him with almost a mother's love. He told of a pleasant hereafter, while bidding her farewell for years, and he hoped and believed she would be happy, though he was leaving her to lengthened mental solitude. O! it is well for man's human happiness, that he looks into the spirit's depths so lightly, and better still for woman's peace in the time to come, that she has so often wept in disappointment and turned from her loneliness to heaven. Arthur's intention was to go abroad, to traverse various lands lying in spiritual darkness, to seek out and relieve the poor, and to teach the ignorant "Then, Arthur, why will you relinquish it? why he might meet in his wanderings. His wealth leave one who loves you so sincerely?" gave him advantages and facilities, and there was "Because here I am surrounded by associations a tinge of romance around the scheme which not too sorrowful and humiliating to be laid aside, or unusually blends with the missionary's visions. He forgotten; I do not feel contented and I would wil-proposed spending several years in these efforts for lingly taste the calm, self-approving enjoyment of those who forsake all things they hold dearest to go about to do good." others' good, and trusted finally to return with a more resigned and contented disposition. It was the plan of an enthusiast, but its object was pure, and it was with a sentiment of honest pride in his self-control, that the poet laid aside his personal ambition and that strong desire for literary fame which had grown with his youth, and with the pilgrim spirit of endurance in his heart, went forth to battle with care and privation and disappointment. "But why deny me the same happiness, why refuse me the consolation of being your companion amid the perils and privations you are about to dare? O! I would so gladly go with you to share your efforts, and to soothe your despondings." "Dearest, it cannot be. My life has nothing Low to lose; for it has long ago parted with its Slowly passed the gloomy period of the visionyouthful brightness; for me, the past is dim with ary's exile; how slowly, they only can tell who, many shadows, which the hereafter has no light to like Edith, have lived on with but one dream, one dissipate. My education and mode of life have hope in life; and after long continued warring with wholly unfitted me for repose; I must be active to constitutional feebleness, and a thousand ills and be useful, and I wish to obtain, by my own exer- perplexities, Arthur had written to announce his tions, the comforting consciousness of having be- promised return. The gloss had disappeared from stowed on others some glimmering of life's holier his wandering existence alone among strangers, aims, and of feeling, for my own consolation, that and his heart, though still high and brave, was sadI have not lived and suffered utterly in vain." He der than he liked to believe. He began to realize pansed as if expecting a reply, but Edith's tears that the spirit of benevolence which had carried VOL. X-39 |