Alida Part 40

Her oldest nephew was about twenty-five years of age. The personal appearance of Mr. Bolton was highly prepossessing. He was particularly distinguished for his genuine politeness, affability, and witticism.

He inherited a considerable patrimony from his grandfather, which proved to be a disadvantage, as it prevented him from applying himself to any particular occupation. Since his aunt's marriage, and his acquaintance with Alida, his visits had become frequent, accompanied with partial attention; though on her part, indifference was visible, as his earnest a.s.siduities, were altogether unexpected, and implied a thing she had not thought of.

No one had as yet observed his growing fondness and predilection for Alida, except her father, to whom it was by no means pleasing. The habitual idleness of this young gentleman, caused him in a great measure to pa.s.s over the consideration of his many excellent qualities.

Among those, with whom Alida had become acquainted during her residence in the city, was the son of an old friend of her father's. This gentleman had place among the merchants in Broadway, and who, by a long course of industrious trading had ama.s.sed a handsome competency. There was something peculiar in his air and manner, which distinguished him among the men of business.

Speak of a person of commanding aspect, tall, slender, and majestic; quick in step, fluent in speech, with large light blue eyes, and light hair, approaching a little to the yellow. That was Mr. More. There was a neatness and uniformity in his appearance and dress. He might have been known by his blue suit, white vest, and cambric handkerchief. He was polite and agreeable, and by his a.s.sociates, he was much esteemed as an acquaintance. His judgment was mature in regard to his business. He managed his affairs with prudence and economy, and still stood firm amid the shock of failures around him.

[The Merchant's Daughter (describing the young lover):

George Gilmore was the son of an old friend of the family....]

[The Merchant's Daughter (describing the merchant):

Mr. Alstyne was a merchant in New York, who, by a long course of industrious trading had ama.s.sed a handsome competency. There was a something in his air and manner which distinguished him in Wall street--speak of a man about fifty years of age, stout, not corpulent; quick in step, fluent in speech, with a lively black eye, and dark hair slightly silvered on the temples,--that was Mr.

Alstyne. There was a neatness and uniformity too, in his dress--he might have been known by his blue coat, white ma.r.s.eilles vest, black pantaloons, and linen cambric napkin....]

Though his means were ample, his expenditures were not extravagant; every thing about him partook of the convenient and useful. Suitably free from the fashion mania which sometimes attack young people like an epidemic, he preferred rational pleasures, and the company of a few young men of liberal views and sentiments, to the empty display and unsubstantial show, which wins the smile of moneyed plebians.

[The Merchant's Daughter:

Though his means were ample, his expenditures were moderate: every thing around him was neat and plain, and intended only for use. Free from the fashion-mania which at that time attacked certain people like an epidemic, he preferred comfort and ease at his own fireside, and the company of a few friends to the empty display, and unsubstantial show which win the smile of moneyed plebeians.

His general deportment, his countenance and manner, discovered a mind and disposition, that had always been accustomed to unremitting indulgence. He was ardent in friendship; possessing a heart of the keenest sensibility, with a scrupulous regard for the feelings of others. He had been much in female society--in company with the amiable and intelligent. Still he had never seen any one that he thought was possessed of congenial feelings, or whose mind would a.s.similate with his own.

[The Merchant's Daughter:

He married, when young, a lady of congenial feelings....]

When he became acquainted with Alida, his sensations were awakened to a new influence;--that he did not attempt to banish from his mind. He never before had seen any one he thought so worthy of esteem, or so calculated to inspire him with lasting friendship. "The kindness, and sincerity of her heart, speaks in her artless manner," said he, (as he was one evening returning home from her father's.) "She delights the old and captivates the young. Yet her beauty is not so dazzling at first glance, but every day that she is seen, the more her features charm, the more her manners please. Innocence dwells in the silvery curls of her light auburn hair, that waves over her shoulders in simple elegance. She has been reared with proper care and attention, and educated not to shine in a ball-room, but with a soft soothing friendship, to dissipate ennui and gloom, and make the happiness of the domestic circle."

[The Merchant's Daughter:

the sincerity of her artless smile delighted the old and captivated the young. Her face was of the grecian mould, -- beautiful, yet her beauty was not so dazzling as at a first glance to hold the gazer in thrall -- but every day that she was seen, the more her features charmed, the more her manners pleased. The fresh bloom of health sported on her cheek, and innocence dwelt in the rich curls of her dark hair, that waved over a pure and stainless neck. In every motion of her sylph-like form was gayety and unaffected grace. She was reared with tender care, and educated not to shine in a ball-room, or flirt at a "rout," but to make a frugal housewife....]

CHAPTER XV.

Come, Contemplation, with thy boundless gaze, Inspire my song, while I his merits praise, A true description of his greatness name, And fame's bright annals, shall record the same.

Many were at this time risking their lives in defence of American liberty, and privileges;--nor were there at present any prospects of conciliatory measures between the contending powers. It became necessary for the people in the meantime, to call forth all their energies and patriotism, with the utmost exertion on their parts--in support of their country, in order to maintain the burden of the arduous conflict in which it was engaged, and sustain the present contest with honour to themselves, and with the hope that its final settlement might be to the satisfaction of America, and the future prosperity of the nation.

Many heroes ventured forth to the field of battle, with the ardent endeavour, still to preserve their independence; while at the same time the hearts of many were failing them with fear. It was a time for the patriot to use his influence to animate others anew to bravery, and persuade them to be zealous, in a just cause; at this season of general excitement, in which the feelings of the whole community had become strongly interested. Party spirit, and the conflicting interests of the different states were found to operate injuriously on many in their commercial transactions. The people were impoverished by the expenses of the war. Some were in debt. Creditors resorted to legal measures to enforce a collection of their demands, which involved many families in deep embarra.s.sment. Peace was sighed for by the mult.i.tude, but there were yet no signs of its realization.

[_Lives of Signers_: Bartlett of New Hampshire (quotation marks in original):

"when every face gathered blackness, and the stoutest men's hearts were failing them for fear;"]

[_Lives of Signers_: Hanc.o.c.k of Ma.s.sachusetts:

Seasons of much excitement, in which the feelings of a whole community are strongly interested ...

Conflicting interests of different states were found to operate injuriously on those of individuals, in their commercial transactions.... The people were impoverished by the expenses of the war. Many were in debt. Creditors resorted to legal measures to enforce a collection of their demands, which involved many families in deep embarra.s.sment.]

An engagement had just taken place on Lake Erie. The American fleet was commanded by Commodore Perry, a young officer; that of the British under Com. Barclay, an old and experienced officer, who had served under Nelson. After a contest of three hours the Americans gained a complete victory, and captured every vessel of the enemy. Commodore Perry announced this victory in the following laconic style: "We have met the enemy, and they are ours." The Americans took six hundred prisoners, which exceeded their whole number engaged in the action. This battle was succeeded, several weeks afterwards, by another that was alike fortunate, between the American army under General Harrison, and the British under Gen. Proctor, in which they were defeated, and Detroit fell into the hands of the Americans.

[_Interesting Events_: Battle on Lake Erie:

The American fleet consisted of nine vessels, carrying fifty-four guns, commanded by Commodore Perry, a young officer. The British fleet of six vessels and sixty-three guns, under Commodore Barclay, an old and experienced officer, who had served under Nelson.

After a contest of three hours the American fleet gained a complete victory, and captured every vessel of the enemy. Commodore Perry announced this victory in the following laconic style:-- "_We have met the enemy, and they are ours!_"

The Americans.... took six hundred prisoners, which exceeded the whole number of Americans engaged in the action.]

[_Interesting Events_: Death of Tec.u.mseh (immediately after preceding pa.s.sage):

On the 5th of October, a battle was fought between the American army under Gen. Harrison, and the British, under Gen. Proctor, in which the British were defeated, and Detroit fell into the hands of the Americans.]

The success of this action may be entirely attributed, (under the favour of heaven,) to the abilities and military skill of General Harrison.

[_Sketch of Harrison_ (disconnected pa.s.sages throughout):

his patriotism, his abilities, and his military skill.]

After General Hull had tamely surrendered to the British this important post, with the gallant force that composed the garrison, an event which spread consternation far and wide throughout the western country, and greatly increased the difficulty and arduous nature of Gen. Harrison's duties, he immediately organized the brave troops under his command, and commenced a course of rigid discipline, and military trainings, with the confident hope of retrieving the consequent disasters of this proceeding.

[_Sketch of Harrison_:

About this time the cowardice and imbecility of General Hull tamely surrendered to the British the important post of Detroit, with the gallant force which composed its garrison. This event spread consternation, far and wide, through the western country, and greatly increased the difficulty and arduous nature of Governor Harrison's duties. He immediately organized the brave troops under his command, and commenced a course of rigid discipline and military training: with the confident hope of retrieving the disasters consequent upon the cowardly surrender of Detroit.]

The American army advanced in order of battle, and were in the immediate neighbourhood of the enemy; the reconnoitering parties brought in intelligence of the dispositions Proctor had made, wherein he had committed an irretrievable error in ranging his regular soldiers in order, and extending his line by placing the files at a distance of three or four feet from each other. Harrison, with the rapid decision of an able general, instantly availed himself of the error of his opponent.

The extended and weakened line of the enemy, could offer but a feeble resistance to the charge of his gallant troops, who dashed forward at the earnest solicitation of the people of the territory,--and with the public expression of the most flattering approbation, on the part of the chief executive;--till at length they gained a complete victory.

[_Sketch of Harrison_:

General Proctor.... committed an irretrievable error, in placing his regular soldiers in open order, and extending his line by placing the files at a distance of three or four feet from each other.

The American army advanced in order of battle, and when in the immediate neighbourhood of the enemy, the reconnoitering parties brought in intelligence of the dispositions Proctor had made.

Harrison, with the rapid decision of an able general, instantly availed himself of the error of his opponent.... The extended and weakened line of the enemy could offer but a feeble resistance to the charge of these gallant troops; who dashed through their ranks....]

[_Sketch of Harrison_ (as governor of Indiana):

... he was re-appointed, at the earnest solicitation of the people of the territory, and with the public expression of the most flattering approbation on the part of our chief executive....]

The various and arduous duties of the governor of Indiana, required, for this office, a man of very superior abilities--one possessed of stern integrity and prudent moderation, accompanied by the most unwavering firmness. Such a man Governor Harrison, in the long course of his administration, fully proved himself to be. And in acting his part as a general he merits no less the applauses of his countrymen, in training and leading their armies to victory. The nervous and impa.s.sioned eloquence, and cla.s.sical felicity of ill.u.s.tration, with which he enforced his arguments, gained him much applause and influence,-- and discovered his abilities to be of the highest order, blended with the truest republican principles;-- in which were manifested an ardent zeal for the good of his country, and an earnest desire to serve her best interests. Though vested with unusual powers, both as governor and general, he was never known during the whole of his command, to exercise his authority in an unjust or oppressive manner. His measures were energetic but always qualified by his characteristic moderation and humanity, joined with integrity, prudence, and capacity for civil government. Many high encomiums were lavished upon him by those whose friends and neighbours had partic.i.p.ated in this campaign, and who were consequently familiar with its details, and with the merits of their commander.