Alida Part 55

[_NY Weekly_: Panegyric on Marriage:

How tranquil is the state of that bosom, which has, as it were, a door perpetually open to the reception of joy, or departure of pain, by uninterrupted confidence in, and sympathy with, the object of its affection! I know of no part of the single or bachelor's estate, more irksome than the privation we feel by it, of any friendly breast in which to pour our delights, or from whence to extract an antidote for whatever may chance to give us pain--]

"The mind of a good man is rather communicative than torpid. If so, how often may a person of even the best principles, expose himself to very disagreeable sensations, from sentiments inadvertently dropped, or a confidence improperly reposed. What but silence can be recommended, since, in breaking it, so much danger is incurred among those who are little interested in our welfare? A good heart, it is true, need not fear the exposition of its amiable contents. But, is it always a security for us, that we mean well, when our expressions are liable to be misconstrued by such as appear to lay in wait only to pervert them to some ungenerous purpose?"

[_NY Weekly_: Panegyric on Marriage:

The mind of a good man, I believe to be rather communicative than torpid:--If so, how often may a youth, of even the best principles, expose himself to very disagreeable sensations, from sentiments inadvertently dropped, or a confidence improperly reposed!--What, but silence, can be recommended to them; since, in breaking it: so much danger is incurred, among those little interested in our welfare? A good heart, it is true, need not fear the exposition of its amiable contents:--But, alas, is it always a security for us, that we mean well, when our expressions are liable to be misconstrued by such as appear to lie in wait only to pervert them to some ungenerous purpose?]

"The charms, then, of social life, and the sweets of domestic conversation, are pre-eminent. What more agreeable than the converse of an intelligent, amiable, interesting friend; and who more intelligent than a well educated female? What more engaging than gentleness and sensibility itself? Or what friend more interesting, than one we have selected from the whole world, as a companion in every vicissitude of life?"

[_NY Weekly_: Panegyric on Marriage:

The charms, then, of social life, and the sweets of domestic conversation, are no small incitements to the marriage state.--What more agreeable than the conversation of an intelligent, amiable, and interesting friend? But who more intelligent than a well-educated female? What more amiable than gentleness and sensibility itself? Or what friend more interesting than such a one as we have selected from the whole world, to be our steady companion, in every vicissitude of seasons or of life?]

"If either party be versed in music, what a tide of innocent pleasure must it prove, to be able to soothe in adversity, to humanize in prosperity, to compose in jargon, and to command serenity in every situation? How charming a relaxation from the necessary avocations of business on the one hand, and the employments at home, in domestic affairs, on the other! And as a finale, to chant the praises of the Almighty in hymns of praise and thanksgiving."

[_NY Weekly_: Panegyric on Marriage:

If either of these parties be versed in music, what a tide of innocent delight must it prove,--to soothe in adversity, to humanize in prosperity, to compose in noise, and to command serenity in every situation.... How charming a relaxation from the necessary avocations of business!----"Of business do you say?"--Yes; for I number this too, among the pleasures of the happily married. Let the lady find agreeable employment at home, in the domestic oeconomy of her household, but let the gentleman be pursuing by unremitted and honest industry, new comforts for her, for his children, and for himself.]

Albert had lately made several visits at some distance from home, where he had told his sister, were several young ladies, who were very agreeable. Alida did not think this of any importance, as she knew her brother heretofore had been difficult to please. She was one day rather surprised, when he wished her to accompany him thither. She declined the invitation, however, not thinking he wished it for any particular reason.

In the course of a few days he pressed her again to go with him. Alida now thought she would accompany him, if it was only out of curiosity.

When they arrived at the house of Albert's new acquaintance, several ladies were introduced one after the other, and Alida soon found, that one of them had arrested the attention of her brother particularly. She, however, thought him rather premature, as he had so recently become acquainted with the family. On their return home, he gave her to understand, that his affections were engaged, and in the course of a few months, she was called on to attend their nuptials.

The appearance of Eliza was interesting; she was tall and graceful. Her large dark hazel eyes sparkled beneath a beautiful arched eyebrow, and her transparent complexion was shaded and adorned by profuse locks of dark brown hair.

In the meantime Albert appeared perfectly happy, that he had at length found a fair one to please him, and shortly after he returned home with his bride, with sanguine expectations before him, antic.i.p.ating much future happiness.

CHAPTER x.x.xIII.

"On punit plus severement un ennemi par le mepris et par l'oubli, que par les chatimens les plus rigorieux: c'est, pour ainsi dire, le reduire au neant."

[De Vernage:

On punit plus severement un ennemi par le mepris et par l'oubli, que par les chatiments les plus rigoureux. C'est pour ainsi dire le reduire au neant....]

The disagreeable facts so long in detail, had now taken a new turn for the better, and Theodore and Alida were again in possession of more than former felicity, after their long separation. Alida soon began to recover in some degree her native cheerfulness, soothing the bosom of her lover with her grief-dispersing smile. The unpleasant fears that had such a length of time harra.s.sed her mind, were now happily terminated by the return of Theodore and the clearing up of all doubts and suspicions concerning him, to the utter confusion of Bonville. All her corroding anxieties were now removed, and recent events had made her happy in comparison to what she was a few weeks before, and her present consolation fully compensated for all the preceding months of unhappiness.

[_A&M_ (Alonzo speaking):

.... come in all thy native loveliness, and cheer the bosom of wretchedness by thy grief dispersing smile!]

Theodore was again happy in the society of Alida, the pensive sweetness of her manner, her innate goodness, and amiability, which had attracted and secured the early affections of his heart, and made impressions that could never be obliterated. He gave a minute account of all that had happened, from the time they had parted until they had met again.

[_A&M_:

.... that pensive sweetness, those unrivalled virtues and matchless worth, which he found in Melissa, and which attracted, fixed, and secured the youngest affections of his soul?...

.... your ingenuous conduct has left impressions in my bosom which can never be obliterated....

Alonzo then gave Melissa a minute account of all that happened to him from the time of their parting ... until he met with her the day before.]

He had visited the merchants in England with whom his father had been concerned in business, and he found as he expected, that he had been overreached by swindlers and sharpers. The pretended failure of the merchants with whom he was in company, was all a sham, as, also, the reported loss of the ships in their employ. The merchants had fled to England; he had them arrested, and they had given up their effects to much more than the amount of their debts. He therefore procured a reversion of his father's losses, with costs, damages and interests, when legally stated.

[_A&M_ (Benjamin Franklin speaking to Alonzo):

.... I wrote to my correspondent in England, and found, as I expected, that he had been overreached by swindlers and sharpers.

The pretended failure of the merchants with whom he was in company, was all a sham, as also the reported loss of the ships in their employ. The merchants fled to England; I have had them arrested, and they have given up their effects, to much more than the amount of their debts. I have therefore procured a reversion of your father's losses, which, with costs, damages, and interests, when legally stated, he will receive of my agent in Philadelphia....]

Theodore then made his next visit to Raymond's. His friends were joyfully surprised at his arrival. He stayed the night and related a long narrative to his friend. Early next day he proceeded from thence to his father's house, where he arrived after a considerable journey.

Theodore found his parents more happy than he expected. With abundant joy they welcomed him whom they had given up for lost.

[_A&M_:

The friends of Alonzo and Melissa were joyfully surprised at their arrival....

Alonzo found his parents in penurious circ.u.mstances indeed, his father having, the preceding summer, been too indisposed to manage his little farm with attention, and being unable to hire labourers, his crops had yielded but a scanty supply, and he had been compelled to sell most of his stock to answer pressing demands. With great joy they welcomed Alonzo, whom they had given up as lost.]

Theodore then related to his father all the incidents that had happened in England, minutely particularizing his conduct with regard to the merchants with whom his father had been connected, and then presented him with the reversion of the estate.

The old gentleman fell on his knees, and with tears streaming down his cheeks, offered devout thanks to the great Dispenser of all mercies.

[_A&M_:

.... Alonzo then related to his father all the incidents of his travels, minutely particularizing the disinterested conduct of Franklin, and then presented his father with the reversion of his estate. The old man fell on his knees, and, with tears streaming down his withered cheeks, offered devout thanks to the great Dispenser of all mercies.]

In the meantime, the illness of Bonville had increased to an alarming degree. He sent for Theodore. He thought it his duty to attend the summons. When he arrived at the house of Bonville he was shown immediately into his apartment. He was surprised to see him stretched on a mattra.s.s, his visage pale and emaciated, his countenance haggard, his eyes inexpressive and glaring. He held out his hand and feebly beckoned to Theodore, who immediately approached the bed-side.

[_A&M_ (earlier):

.... As he pa.s.sed along the different apartments he was surprised at hearing his name called by a faint voice. He turned to the place from whence it proceeded, and saw stretched on a mattress, a person who appeared on the point of expiring. His visage was pale and emaciated, his countenance haggard and ghastly, his eyes inexpressive and glazy. He held out his withered hand, and feebly beckoned to Alonzo, who immediately approached him....]

[[In _Alonzo and Melissa_, this episode takes place in an English prison hospital. Beauman has had a leg amputated.]]

"You behold me, Theodore," said he, "on the verge of eternity. I have but a short time to continue in this world." He evidently appeared to have suffered much from the remembrance of his ungenerous conduct towards Theodore.

[_A&M_:

"... you behold me on the verge of eternity; I have but a short time to continue in this world."]

"I have caused much unhappiness between you and your Alida," said Bonville, "to which you will scarcely think it possible that I was designedly accessory." He then confessed to Theodore that he had intercepted his letters, and begged his forgiveness. "I could say much more on the subject would my strength admit," said he, "but it is needless." Here Bonville ceased. Theodore found he wanted rest; medical aid had been applied, but without effect. Theodore then left him, promising to call again next morning.