CHAPTERVI.
ALITTLEbandofpainterscameintoEdinburghfromaprofessionalwalk.
ThreewereofEdinburgh——Groove,agedfifty;JonesandHyacinth,young;
thelatterlong—haired.
WiththemwasayoungEnglishman,theleaderoftheexpedition,CharlesGatty.
Hisstepwaselastic,andhismannerwonderfullyanimated,withoutloudness.
\"Abrightday,\"saidhe.\"Thesunforgotwherehewas,andshone;
everythingwasinfavorofart.\"
\"Oh,dear,no,\"repliedoldGroove,\"notwhereIwas\"
\"Why,whatwasthematter?\"
\"Theflieskeptbuzzingandbiting,andstickinginthework.That’stheworstofouto’doors!\"
\"Theflies!isthatall?Swearthespidersinspecialconstablesnexttime,\"criedGatty.\"Weshallwintheday;\"andlightshoneintohishazeleye.
\"Theworldwillnotalwaysputupwiththehumbugsofthebrush,who,toimitateNature,turntheirbackonher.Paintanouto’doorsceneindoors!Iswearbythesunit’salie!theonestupid,impudentliethatglittersamongtheliesofvulgarart,likeSatanamongBelial,Mammonandallthosebeggars.
\"Nowlookhere;thebarrenoutlinesofascenemustbelookedat,tobedone;hencethesketchingsystemslop—sellersoftheAcademy!butthemilliondelicaciesoflight,shade,andcolorcanbetrustedtomemory,canthey?
\"It’saliebigenoughtoshaketheearthoutofhercourse;ifanypartoftheworkcouldbetrustedtomemoryorimagination,ithappenstobethebareoutlines,andtheycan’t.Themillionsubtletiesoflightandcolor;learnthembyheart,andsaythemoffoncanvas!thehighestangelintheskymusthavehiseyeuponthem,andlookdevilishsharp,too,orheshan’tpaintthem.IgivehimCharlesGatty’swordforthat.\"
\"That’sveryeloquent,Icallit,\"saidJones.
\"Yes,\"saidpooroldGroove,\"theladwillnevermakeapainter.\"
\"Yes,Ishall,Groove;atleastIhopeso,butitmustbealongtimefirst.\"
\"Ineverknewapainterwhocouldtalkandpaintboth,\"explainedMr.
Groove.
\"Verywell,\"saidGatty.\"ThenI’llsaybutonewordmore,anditisthis.Theartificeofpaintingisoldenoughtodie;itistimetheartwasborn.Wheneveritdoescomeintotheworld,youwillseenomoredeadcorpsesoftrees,grassandwater,robbedoftheirlife,thesunlight,andflunguponcanvasinastudio,bythelightofacigar,andalie——and——\"
\"Howmuchdoyouexpectforyourpicture?\"interruptedJones.
\"Whathasthattodowithit?Withtheselittleswords\"(wavinghisbrush),\"we’llfightfornature—light,truthlight,andsunlightagainstaworldinarms——no,worse,inswaddlingclothes.\"
\"Withtheselittleswerrds,\"repliedpooroldGroove,\"weshallcutourownthroatsifwegoagainstpeople’sprejudices.\"
Theyoungartistlaughedtheolddaubsteramerrydefiance,andthenseparatedfromtheparty,forhislodgingsweredownthestreet.
Hehadnotleftthemlong,beforeamostmusicalvoicewasheard,crying:
\"Acaallerrowoo!\"
Andtwoyoungfishwiveshoveinsight.TheboysrecognizedoneofthemasGatty’ssweetheart.
\"Isheinlovewithher?\"inquiredJones.
Hyacinththelong—hairedundertooktoreply.
\"HelovesherbetterthananythingintheworldexceptArt.LoveandArtaretwobeautifulthings,\"whinedHyacinth.
\"She,too,isbeautiful.Ihavedoneher,\"addedhe,withasimper.
\"Inoil?\"askedGroove.
\"Inoil?no,inverse,here;\"andhetookoutapaper.
\"Thenhadn’twebettercut?youmightproposereadingthem,\"saidpooroldGroove.
\"Haveyouanyoysters?\"inquiredJonesoftheCarnieandtheJohnstone,whowerenowalongside.
\"Plenty,\"answeredJean.\"Haeyeonysiller?\"
Theartistslookedatoneanother,anddidn’tallspeakatonce.
\"I,madam,\"saidoldGroove,insinuatingly,toChristie,\"amafriendofMr.Gatty’s;perhaps,onthataccount,youwould_lend_meanoysterortwo.\"
\"Na,\"saidJean,sternly.
\"Hyacinth,\"saidJones,sarcastically,\"givethemyourverses,perhapsthatwillsoftenthem.\"
Hyacinthgavehisverses,descriptiveofherself,toChristie.Thisyoungsterwasoneofthosewhomindotherpeople’sbusiness.
_Alienisstudiisdelectatuscontempsitsuum._
Hisdestinywastobeabadpainter,sohewantedtobeanexecrablepoet.
Allthismorninghehadbeendoggreling,whenheoughttohavebeendaubing;andnowhewillhavetosupoffacoloredprint,ifhesupsatall.
Christieread,blushed,andputtheversesinherbosom.
\"Comeawa,Custy,\"saidJean.
\"Hets,\"saidChristie,\"giethepuirladstwarreeoysters,whatthewaurwillwebe?\"
Sotheyopenedtheoystersforthem;andHyacinththelong—hairedlookeddownontheotherswithsarcastico—benignantsuperiority.Hehadconductedasisterarttotheaidofhisbrotherbrushes.
\"Thepoet’sempire,allourheartsallow;Butdoggrel’spowerwasneverknowntillnow.\"
CHAPTERVII.
ATthecommencementofthelastchapter,CharlesGatty,artist,wasgoingtousherinanewstateofthings,trueart,etc.WaleswastobepaintedinWales,notPolandStreet.
Heandfiveorsixmoreyoungstersweretobeintheforemostfilesoftruth,andtaketheworldbystorm.
Thiswasattwoo’clock;itisnowfive;whereuponthepostureofaffairs,theprospectsofart,thefaceoftheworld,thenatureofthings,arequitethereverse.
Intheartist’sroom,onthefloor,wasasmallchild,whosemovements,andtheyweremany,wereviewedwithhugedissatisfactionbyCharlesGatty,Esq.Thispersonage,pencilinhand,satslouchingandmorose,lookinggloomilyathisintractablemodel.
Thingsweregoingonverybadly;hehadbeenwaitingtwohoursforaninfantineposeascommonasdirt,andthelittleviperwoulddiefirst.
Outofdoorseverythingwasnothing,forthesunwasobscured,andtoallappearanceextinguishedforever.
\"Ah!Mr.Groove,\"criedhe,tothatworthy,whopeepedinatthatmoment;
youareright,itisbettertoplowawayuponcanvasblindfold,asourgrandfathers——no,grandmothers——used,thantokillourselvestoilingaftersuchcoyladiesasNatureandTruth.\"
\"Aweel,Idinnaken,sirr,\"repliedGroove,insmoothtones.\"Ididnaliketoexpressmywarmapprobationofyoubeforethelads,forfearofmakingthemjealous.\"
\"Theybe——No!\"
\"Ikenwhatyewadsay,sirr,anitwadhaebeenavarajustan’
sprightlyobservation.Aweel,betweenoursels,Ilookuponyeasayounggentlemanofamazingtalentandmoedesty.Man,yedinnadoyourseljustice;yeshouldbeinth’Academy,atthehedeo’’t.\"
\"Mr.Groove,Iamapoorfaintingpilgrimontheroad,wherestrongerspiritshavemarchederectbeforeme.\"
\"Afaintin’pelgrim!Deilafrightso’ye,ye’reabriskandbonnylad.
Ah,sirr,inmyjuveniledays,wedidnafashwinature,andtruth,anthelike.\"
\"Thelike!Whatislikenatureandtruth,exceptthemselves?\"
\"Varatrue,sirr;varatrue,andsaeIdootIwillneverattaintheheighto’profeeciencyyehaereached.An’atthisvaramoment,sir,\"
continuedGroove,withdelicioussolemnityandmystery,\"yeseebeforeye,sir,amanwhaisinmaistdismalwant——o’tenshellen!\"(Apause.)
\"Ifyoursuperiortalenthasputyeinpossessionofthatsum,yewouldobleegemeinfinitelybyatemporaryaccommodation,Mr.Gaattie.\"
\"Whydidyounotcometothepointatonce?\"criedGatty,bruskly,\"insteadofhumblingmewithundeservedpraise.There.\"Grooveheldouthishand,butmadeawryfacewhen,insteadofmoney,Gattyputasketchintohishand.
\"There,\"saidGatty,\"thatisalie!\"
\"Howcanitbealee?\"saidtheother,withsourinadvertence.\"Howcanitbealee,whenIhaenaspoken?\"
\"Youdon’tunderstandme.Thatsketchisalibelonapoorcowandanunfortunateoak—tree.IdidthemattheAcademy.Theyhadneverdonemeanywrong,poorthings;theysufferedunjustly.Youtakethemtoashop,sweartheyareatreeandacow,andsomefool,thatneverreallylookedintoacoworatree,willgiveyoutenshillingsforthem.\"
\"Areyesure,lad?\"
\"Iamsure.Mr.Groove,sir,ifyoucannotsellaliefortenshillingsyouarenotfittoliveinthisworld;whereistheliethatwillnotsellfortenshillings?\"
\"Ishallthinkthebettero’leesallmydays;sir,yourwordsareinspeeriting.\"AndawaywentGroovewiththesketch.
Gattyreflectedandstoppedhim.
\"Onsecondthoughts,Groove,youmustnotasktenshillings;youmustasktwentypoundsforthatrubbish.\"
\"Twentypund!WhatforwillIseektwentypund?\"
\"Simplybecausepeoplethatwouldnotgiveyoutenshillingsforitwillofferyouelevenpoundsforitifyouasktwentypounds.\"
\"Thefules,\"roaredGroove.\"Twentypund!hem!\"Helookedcloserintoit.
\"Fora’,\"saidhe,\"Ibegintoobsairveitisaworkofgreatmerit.I’llseektwentypund,an’I’llnotaklessthanfifteenschell’n,atpresent.\"
Thevisitofthisroutinepainterdidnotcheerourartist.
Thesmallchildgotacoalandpoundedthefloorwithitlikeamachineincapableoffatigue.Sothewished—forposeseemedmoreremotethanever.
Thedaywaxeddarkerinsteadoflighter;Mr.Gatty’sreflectionstookalsoastillmoresomberhue.
\"EvenNaturespitesus,\"thoughthe,\"becauseweloveher.\"
\"Thencant,tradition,numbers,slangandmoneyareagainstus;theleastoftheseissinglyamatchfortruth;weshalldieofdespairorpaintcobwebsinBedlam;andIamfaint,wearyofahopelessstruggle;andoneman’sbrushistruerthanmine,another’sisbolder——myhandandeyearenotintune.Ah!no!Ishallnever,never,neverbeapainter.\"
Theselastwordsbrokeaudiblyfromhimashisheadwentdownalmosttohisknees.
Ahandwasplacedonhisshoulderasaflakeofsnowfallsonthewater.
ItwasChristieJohnstone,radiant,whohadglidedinunobserved.
\"What’swrangwi’ye,mylad?\"
\"ThesunisgonetotheDevil,foronething.\"
\"Hech!hech!ye’llnobelongahinthim;divyenothinkshame.\"
\"AndIwantthatlittlebrutejusttodoso,andhe’ddiefirst.\"
\"Oh,yevillain,toca’abairnabrute;there’sbutaebrutehere,an’
it’snoyou,Jamie,norme——isit,mylamb?\"
Shethensteppedtothewindow.
\"It’scleartowindward;intenminutesye’llhaeplentysun.Takyourtoolsnoo.\"Andatthewordshekneltonthefloor,whippedoutapaperofsugar—plumsandsaidtohimshehadchristened\"Jamie.\"\"Heb!Here’ssweetiestillye.\"OutwentJamie’sarms,asifhehadbeenamachineandshehadpulledtherightstring.
\"Ah,thatwilldo,\"saidGatty,andsketchedaway.
Unfortunately,Jamiewasquicklyarrestedonthewaytoimmortalitybyhismother,whocamein,saying:
\"Imaunhaemybairn——hecannabeayewastinghistimehere.\"
Thissallyawakenedthesatirethateverliesreadyinpiscatorybosoms.
\"Wastinghistime!ye’renoblate.Oh,ye’llbefortakinghimtothecollegetolaernpheesick——andteachmaenners.\"
\"Yeneednabeginonme,\"saidthewoman.\"I’mnomatchforNewhaven.\"
Sosayingshecutshortthedisputebycarryingoffthegristleofcontention.
\"Anotherenemytoart,\"saidGatty,hurlingawayhispencil.
Theyoungfishwifeinquirediftherewereanymoregriefs.Whatshehadheardhadnotaccounted,toherreason,forhercompanion’sdepression.
\"Areyesick,laddy?\"saidshe.
\"No,Christie,notsick,butquite,quitedowninthemouth.\"
Shescannedhimthirtyseconds.
Whathadyetillyourdinner?\"
\"Iforget.\"
\"Achoep,likely?\"
\"Ithinkitwas.\"
\"Ormaybeitwasasteak?\"
\"Idaresayitwasasteak.\"
\"Tastemygirdlecake,thatI’vebroughtforye.\"
Shegavehimapiece;heateitrapidly,andlookedgratefullyather.
\"Noo,divyenothinkshametolookmeintheface?Yehaenadinedava.\"
Andsheworeaninjuredlook.
\"Sityethere;it’sowerlatefordinner,butye’llgetacuptea.Dooni’themooth,naewonder,whennaethinggangsdoonyour——\"
Inaminutesheplacedatea—tray,andranintothekitchenwithateapot.
Thenextmomentayellwasheard,andshereturnedlaughing,withanotherteapot.
\"Thewifehadmaskitteatillhersel’,\"saidthislawlessforager.
Teaandcakeonthetable——beautyseatedbyhisside——allinlessthanaminute.
Heofferedherapieceofcake.
\"Na!Iamnoforany.\"
\"NorIthen,\"saidhe.
\"Hets!eat,Itellye.\"
Herepliedbyputtingabittoherheavenlymouth.
\"Ye’reawfu’opinionated,\"saidshe,withacountenancethatsaidnothingshouldinduceher,andeatingitalmostcontemporaneously.
\"Putplentysugar,\"addedshe,referringtotheChineseinfusion;\"mind,Ihaeasweettooth.\"
\"Youhaveasweetset,\"saidhe,approachinganothermorsel.
Theyshowedthemselvesbywayofsmile,andconfirmedtheaccusation.
\"Aha!lad,\"answeredshe;\"they’vebeenthedeatho’monyaherrin’!\"
\"Now,whatdoesthatmeaninEnglish,Christie?\"
\"Mygrinders——(afullstop.)
\"Whichyouapprove——(afullstop.)
\"Havebeenfatal——(afullstop.)
\"Tomanyfishes!\"
ChristiepridedherselfonherEnglish,whichshehadculledfrombooks.
Thenhemadeherdrinkfromthecup,andwasostentatiousinputtinghislipstothesamepartofthebrim.
Thensheleftthetable,andinspectedallthings.
Shecametohisdrawers,openedone,andwashorror—struck.
Therewerecoatsandtrousers,withtheirlimbsinterchangeablyintertwined,waistcoats,shirts,andcigars,hurledintochaos.
Sheinstantlytookthedrawerbodilyout,broughtit,leaneditagainstthetea—table,pointedsilentlyintoit,withanairofmajesticreproach,andawaitedtheresult.
\"IcanfindwhateverIwant,\"saidtheunblushingbachelor,\"exceptmoney.\"
\"Sillerdoesnabidewi’slovens!haeyeoftensiccanagaleo’windinyourdrawer?\"
\"Everyday!SpeakEnglish!\"
\"Aweel!How_do_you_do?_that’sEnnglish!Idaursay.\"
\"Jolly!\"criedhe,withhismouthfull.Christiewasnowfoldingupandneatlyarranginghisclothes.
\"Willyouever,everbeapainter?\"
\"Iamapainter!IcouldpainttheDevilpea—green!\"
\"Dinnaspeako’yonlad,Chairles,it’snocanny.\"
\"No!Iamgoingtopaintanangel;theprettiest,cleverestgirlinScotland,’TheSnowdropoftheNorth.’\"
Andhedashedintohisbedroomtofindacanvas.
\"Hech!\"reflectedChristie.\"ThirEnnglishhaeflatteringtongues,assureasDethe;’TheSnawdrapo’theNorrth!’\"
CHAPTERVIII.
GATTY’Sbackwashardlyturnedwhenavisitorarrived,andinquired,\"IsMr.Gattyathome?\"
\"What’syourwillwi’him?\"wastheScottishreply.
\"Willyougivehimthis?\"
\"Whatest?\"
\"Areyoufondofaskingquestions?\"inquiredtheman.
\"Ay!andfulescannaanswerthem,\"retortedChristie.
Thelittledocumentwhichtheman,inretiring,leftwithChristieJohnstonepurportedtocomefromoneVictoria,whoseemed,atfirstsight,disposedtoshowCharlesGattycivilities.\"Victoria——toCharlesGatty,greeting!(salutem).\"Christiewasmuchstruckwiththisinstanceofroyalaffability;shereadnofurther,butbegantothink,\"Victoree!
that’sthequeenhersel.Aletterfrathequeentoapainterlad!Picterswillrisei’themairket——itwillbeanordertopaintthebairns.Ihaebroughthimluck;Iamrealpleased.\"AndonGatty’sreturn,canvasinhand,shewhippedthedocumentbehindher,andsaidarchly,\"Ihaesomethingforye,atecketfraaleddy,ye’llnowantsillerfrathisday.\"
\"Indeed!\"
\"Ay!indeed,fraagreatleddy;it’svaragudeo’metogieyeit;heh!
takit.\"
Hedidtakeit,lookedstupefied,lookedagain,sunkintoachair,andglaredatit.
\"Laddy!\"saidChristie.
\"Thisisanewsteponthedownwardpath,\"saidthepoorpainter.
\"Isitnoanorrdertopainttheyoungprence?\"saidChristie,faintly.
\"No!\"almostshriekedthevictim.\"It’sawrit!Iowealotofmoney.
\"Oh,Chairles!\"
\"See!Iborrowedsixtypoundssixmonthsagoofafriend,sonowIoweeighty!\"
\"Allright!\"giggledtheunfriendlyvisitoratthedoor,whosedeparturehadbeenmoreorlessfictitious.
Christie,byanimpulse,notjustifiable,butnatural,drewheroyster—knifeout,andthistimethemanreallywentaway.
\"Hairtlessmon!\"criedshe,\"couldhenodohisamdirrtywork,andnogarmegiethepuirladth’action,andhelikeitmesaeweel!\"andshebegantowhimper.
\"Andloveyoumorenow,\"saidhe;\"don’tyoucry,dear,toaddtomyvexation.\"
\"Na!I’llnoaddtoyourvexation,\"andshegulpeddownhertears.
\"Besides,Ihavepicturespaintedworthtwohundredpounds;thisisonlyforeighty.Tobesureyoucan’tsellthemfortwohundredpencewhenyouwant.SoIshallgotojail,buttheywon’tkeepmelong.
Thenhetookaturn,andbegantofallintotheartistic,ortrueviewofmatters,which,indeed,wasneverlongabsentfromhim.
\"Lookhere,Christie,\"saidhe,\"Iamsickofconventionalassassins,humbuggingmodels,withdirtybeards,thatknittheirbrows,andtrytolookmurder;theynevermurderedsomuchasatom—cat.Ialwaysgoinfortherealthing,andhereIshallfindit.\"
\"Dinnaganginthere,lad,foronyfavor.\"
\"ThenIshallfindtheaccessoriesofapictureIhaveinmyhead——chainswithgenuinerustandancientmoulderingstoneswiththestainsoftime.\"
Hiseyebrightenedattheprospect.
\"Youamongfiefs,andchains,andstanes!Ye’llbreakmyhairt,laddy,ye’llnobeeasytillyoubreakmyhairt.\"Andthistimethetearswouldnotbedenied.
\"Iloveyouforcrying;don’tcry;\"andhefishedfromthechaoticdraweracambrichandkerchief,withwhichhedriedhertearsastheyfell.
Itismyfirmbeliefshecriednearlytwiceasmuchasshereallywantedto;shecontrivedtomakethegriefhers,thesympathyhis.Suddenlyshestopped,andsaid:
\"I’mdaft;ye’llacceptalaneo’thesillerframe,willyeno?\"
\"No!\"saidhe.\"Andwherecouldyoufindeightypound?\"
\"Auchtypund,\"criedshe,\"it’snoauchtypundthatwilldingChristieJohnstone,laddy.Ihaeboatsandnetsworthtwaauchtys;andIhaefortypundlaidby;andIhaesevenhundredpundatLondon,butthatIcannameddle.Myfeytherlentitthekingorthequeen,Idinnajustlymind;
shepaysmetheinteresttwicetheyear.SacyekenIcouldnabesaedirtyasseekmysiller,whenshepaysmeth’interest.Totheveryday,yeken.She’sjusttheonlyoneo’a’mydebtorsthat’shoenest,butneverheed,ye’llnogangtojail.\"
\"I’llholdmytongue,andsacrificemypictures,\"thoughtCharles.
\"Cheerup!\"saidChristie,mistakingthenatureofhisthoughts,\"foritdidnacomefraVictoreehersel’.Itwadsmello’themusk,yeken.Na,it’sjustawheenblackguardsatLondonthatmakesuseo’hernametotormentpuirfolk.Wadshepairsecuteapuirlad?Nolikely.\"
Shethenaskedquestions,someofwhichwereembarrassing.Onethinghecouldneversucceedinmakingherunderstand,how,sinceitwassixtypoundsheborrowed,itcouldbeeightypoundsheowed.
Thenoncemoreshepromisedhimherprotection,badehimbeofgoodcheer,andlefthim.
Atthedoorsheturned,andsaid:\"Chairles,here’sanauldwifeseekingye,\"andvanished.
ThesetwoyoungpeoplehadfallenacquaintedataNewhavenwedding.
Christie,belongingtonoone,haddancedwithhimallthenight,theyhadwalkedunderthestarstocoolthemselves,fordancingreels,withheartandsoul,isnotquadrilling.
ThenhehadseenhisbeautifulpartnerinEdinburgh,andmadeasketchofher,whichhegaveher;andbyandbyheusedtorundowntoNewhaven,andstrollupanddownacertaingreenlanenearthetown.
Next,onSundayevenings,alongwalktogether,andthenitcametovisitsathisplacenowandthen.
Andhere.RaphaelandFornarinawereinverted,ourartistusedtowork,andChristietellhimstoriesthewhile.
And,ashervoicecurledroundhisheart,heusedtosmileandlook,andlayinspiredtouchesonhissubject.
Andshe,anartistofthetongue(withoutknowingherselfone),usedtomakehimgrave,orgay,orsad,atwill,andwatchtheeffectofherartuponhiscountenance;andaveryprettyartitis——the_vivavoce_
story—teller’s——andarareoneamongthenationsofEurope.
Christiehadnotlearneditinaday;whenshebegan,sheusedtotellthemliketheotherNewhavenpeople,withanobleimpartialityofdetail,wearisometothehearer.
Butlatterlyshehadlearnedtoseizethesalientpartsofanarrative;
hervoicehadcompass,and,likeallfinespeakers,shetraveledoveragreatmanynotesinspeaking;herlowtonesweregorgeouslyrich,heruppertonesfullandsweet;allthis,andherbeauty,madethehoursshegavehimverysweettoourpoorartist.
Hewaswonttobaskinhermusic,andtellherinreturnhowhelovedher,andhowhappytheywerebothtobeassoonashehadacquiredaname,foranamewaswealth,hetoldher.AndalthoughChristieJohnstonedidnotlethimseehowmuchshetookallthistoheartandbelievedit,itwasassweetmusictoherasherownhoneysucklebreathtohim.
Sheimprovedhim.
Hedroppedcigars,andmedicalstudents,andsimilarabominations.
Christie’scool,freshbreath,asshehungoverhimwhilepainting,suggestedtohimthatsmokingmight,peradventure,beasinagainstnatureaswellasagainstcleanliness.
Andheimprovedher;shelearnedfromarttolookintonature(theusualprocessofmind).
Shehadnoticedtoolittletheflickeringgoldoftheleavesatevening,thepurplehills,andtheshiftingstoriesandgloriesofthesky;butnow,whatevershesawhimtrytoimitate,shelearnedtoexamine.Shewasawoman,andadmiredsunset,etc.,forthisboy’ssake,andherwholeheartexpandedwithanewsensationthatsoftenedhermannertoalltheworld,andbrightenedherpersonalrays.
Thischarmingpictureofmutualaffectionhadhithertobeenadmiredonlybythosewhofiguredinit.
Butavisitorhadnowarrivedonpurposetoinspectit,etc.,attractedbyreport.
AfriendhadconsideratelyinformedMrs.Gatty,theartist’smother,andshehadinstantlystartedfromNewcastle.
ThiswastheoldladyChristiediscoveredonthestairs.
Hersuddenappearancetookherson’sbreathaway.
Nohumaneventwaslesslikelythanthatsheshouldbethere,yetthereshewas.
Afterthefirstsurpriseandaffectionategreetings,amisgivingcrossedhim,\"shemustknowaboutthewrit\"——itwasimpossible;butourmindsaresoconstituted——whenweareguilty,wefearthatothersknowwhatweknow.NowGattywasparticularlyanxioussheshouldnotknowaboutthiswrit,forhehadincurredthedebtbyactingagainstheradvice.
LastyearhecommencedapictureinwhichwasDurhamCathedral;hismotherbadehimstayquietlyathome,andpaintthecathedralanditsbanksfromaprint,\"asanyotherpainterwould,\"observedshe.
Butthiswasnotthelad’ssystem;hespentfivemonthsonthespot,andpaintedhispicture,buthehadtoborrowsixtypoundstodothis;theconditionofthisloanwas,thatinsixmonthsheshouldeitherpayeightypounds,orfinishandhandoveracertainhalf—finishedpicture.
Hedidneither;hisnewsubjectthrustasidehisoldone,andhehadnomoney,ergo,hisfriend,apicture—dealer,whohadfoundartistsslipperyinmoneymatters,followedhimupsharp,aswesee.
\"Thereisnothingthematter,Ihope,mother.Whatisit?\"
\"I’mtired,Charles.\"Hebroughtheraseat;shesatdown.
\"IdidnotcomefromNewcastle,atmyage,fornothing;youhaveformedanimproperacquaintance.\"
\"I,who?IsitJackAdams?\"
\"WorsethananyJackAdams!\"
\"Whocanthatbe?Jenkyns,mother,becausehedoesthesamethingsasJack,andpretendstobereligious.\"
\"Itisafemale——afishwife.Oh,myson!\"
\"ChristieJohnstoneanimproperacquaintance,\"saidhe;\"why!IwasgoodfornothingtillIknewher;shehasmademesogood,mother;sosteady,soindustrious;youwillneverhavetofindfaultwithmeagain.\"
\"Nonsense——awomanthatsellsfishinthestreets!\"
\"Butyouhavenotseenher.Sheisbeautiful,hermindisnotinfish;
hermindgraspsthebeautifulandthegood——sheisacompanionforprinces!WhatamIthatshewastesathoughtorarayofmusiconme?
Heavenblessher.Shereadsourbestauthors,andneverforgetsaword;
andshetellsmebeautifulstories——sometimestheymakemecry,forhervoiceisamusicthatgoesstraighttomyheart.\"
\"Awomanthatdoesnotevenweartheclothesofalady.\"
\"Itistheonlygenuinecostumeintheseislandsnotbeneathapainter’snotice.\"
\"Lookatme,Charles;atyourmother.\"
\"Yes,mother,\"saidhe,nervously.
\"Youmustpartwithher,orkillme.\"
Hestartedfromhisseatandbegantoflutterupanddowntheroom;poorexcitablecreature.\"Partwithher!\"criedhe;\"IshallneverbeapainterifIdo;whatistokeepmyheartwarmwhenthesunishid,whenthebirdsaresilent,whendifficultylooksamountainandsuccessamolehill?Whatisanartistwithoutlove?Howishetobearupagainsthisdisappointmentsfromwithin,hismortificationfromwithout?thegreatideashehasandcannotgrasp,andalltheformsofignorancethatstinghim,fromstupidinsensibilitydowntoclever,shallowcriticism?\"
\"Comebacktocommonsense,\"saidtheoldlady,coldlyandgrimly.
Helookeduneasy.Commonsensehadoftenbeenquotedagainsthim,andcommonsensehadalwaysprovedright.
\"Comebacktocommonsense.Sheshallnotbeyourmistress,andshecannotbearyourname;youmustpartsomeday,becauseyoucannotcometogether,andnowisthebesttime.\"
\"Notbetogether?allourlives,allourlives,ay,\"criedhe,risingintoenthusiasm,\"hundredsofyearstocomewillwetwobetogetherbeforemen’seyes——Iwillbeanimmortalpainter,thattheworldandtimemaycherishthefeaturesIhaveloved.Iloveher,mother,\"addedhe,withatearfultendernessthatoughttohavereachedawoman’sheart;
thenflushing,trembling,andinspired,heburstout,\"AndIwishIwasasculptorandapoettoo,thatChristiemightliveinstoneandverse,aswellascolors,andallwholoveanartmightsay,’Thiswomancannotdie,CharlesGattylovedher.’\"
Helookedinherface;hecouldnotbelieveanycreaturecouldbeinsensibletohislove,andpersisttorobhimofit.
Theoldwomanpaused,tolethiseloquenceevaporate.
Thepausechilledhim;thengentlyandslowly,butemphatically,shespoketohimthus:
\"Whohaskeptyouonhersmallmeanseversinceyouweretenyearsandsevenmonthsold?\"
\"Youshouldknow,mother,dearmother.\"
\"Answerme,Charles.\"
\"Mymother.\"
\"Whohaspinchedherself,ineveryearthlything,tomakeyouanimmortalpainter,and,aboveall,agentleman?\"
\"Mymother.\"
\"Whoforgaveyouthelittlefaultsofyouth,beforeyoucouldaskpardon?\"
\"Mymother!Oh,mother,IaskpardonnowforallthetroubleIevergavethebest,thedearest,thetenderestofmothers.\"
\"WhowillgohometoNewcastle,abroken—heartedwoman,withtheonehopegonethathaskeptherupinpovertyandsorrowsomanywearyyears,ifthisgoeson?\"
\"Nobody,Ihope.\"
\"Yes,Charles;yourmother.\"
\"Oh,mother;youhavebeenalwaysmybestfriend.\"
\"Andamthisday.\"
\"Donotbemyworstenemynow.Itisformetoobeyyou;butitisforyoutothinkwellbeforeyoudrivemetodespair.\"
Andthepoorwomanishheartleanedhisheadonthetable,andbegantosorrowoverhishardfate.
Mrs.Gattysoothedhim.\"Itneednotbedoneallinamoment.Itmustbedonekindly,butfirmly.Iwillgiveyouasmuchtimeasyoulike.\"
Thisbaittook;theweaklovetotemporize.
ItisdoubtfulwhetherhehonestlyintendedtopartwithChristieJohnstone;buttopacifyhismotherhepromisedtobeginandgraduallyuntietheknot.
\"Mymotherwillgo,\"whisperedhisdeceitfulheart,\"and,whensheisaway,perhapsIshallfindoutthatinspiteofeveryeffortIcannotresignmytreasure.\"
Hegaveasortofhalf—promiseforthesakeofpeace.
Hismotherinstantlysenttotheinnforherboxes.
\"Thereisaroominthissamehouse,\"saidshe,\"Iwilltakeit;Iwillnothurryyou,butuntilitisdone,Istayhere,ifitisatwelvemonthabout.\"
Heturnedpale.
\"AndnowhearthegoodnewsIhavebroughtyoufromNewcastle.\"
Oh!theselittleironwills,howisagreatartisttofightthreehundredandsixty—fivedaysagainstsuchanantagonist?
Everydaysawarepetitionofthesedialogues,inwhichgeniusmadegallantburstsintotheair,andstrong,hardsensecaughthimonhisdescent,anddabbedglueonhisgauzywings.
Oldageandyouthseelifesodifferently.Toyouth,itisastory—book,inwhichwearetocommandtheincidents,andbethebrightexceptionstooneruleafteranother.
Toageitisanalmanac,inwhicheverythingwillhappenjustasithashappenedsomanytimes.
Toyouth,itisapaththroughasunnymeadow.
Toage,ahardturnpike:
Whosetravelersmustbeallsweatanddust,whentheyarenotinmudanddrenched:
Whichwantsmendinginmanyplaces,andismendedwithsharpstones.
GattywouldnotyieldtogodowntoNewhavenandtakeastepagainsthislove,butheyieldedsofarastoremainpassive,andseewhetherthiscreaturewasnecessarytohisexistenceornot.Mrs.G.scoutedtheidea.
\"Hewastowork,andhewouldsoonforgether.\"Poorboy!hewantedtowork;hisdebtweighedonhim;aweek’sresolutelabormightfinishhisfirstpictureandsatisfyhiscreditor.Thesubjectwasaninterior.Hesettowork,hestucktowork,hegluedtowork,hisbody——buthisheart?
Ah,mypoorfellow,amuchslowerhorsethanGattywillgobyyou,riddenasyouarebyaleadenheart.
TunihilinvitafaciespingesveMinerva.
Itwouldnotloweramechanicaldog’sefforts,butitmustyours.
Hewasunhappy.Heheardonlyonesidefordays;thatsidewasrecommendedbyhisduty,filialaffection,anddiffidenceofhisowngoodsense.
Hewasbroughttoseehisproceedingswereeccentric,andthatitisdestructiontobeeccentric.
Hewasmadealittleashamedofwhathehadbeenproudof.
Hewasconfusedandperplexed;hehardlyknewwhattothinkordo;hecollapsed,andallhisspiritwasfastleavinghim,andthenhefeltinclinedtoleanonthefirstthinghecouldfind,andnothingcametohandbuthismother.
Meantime,ChristieJohnstonewasalsothinkingofhim,buthersingleanxietywastofindthiseightypoundsforhim.
ItisaNewhavenideathatthefemaleisthenaturalprotectorofthemale,andthisideawasstrengthenedinhercase.
Shedidnotfullycomprehendhischaracterandtemperament,butshesaw,byinstinct,thatshewastobetheprotector.Besides,asshewastwenty—one,andheonlytwenty—two,shefeltthedifferencebetweenherself,awoman,andhim,aboy,andtoleavehimtostruggleunaidedoutofhisdifficultiesseemedtoherheartless.
Twicesheopenedherlipstoengagethecharitable\"vilecount\"inhiscause,butshameclosedthemagain;thiswouldbeaskingapersonalfavor,andoneonsolargeascale.
Severaldayspassedthus;shehaddeterminednottovisithimwithoutgoodnews.
Shethenbegantobesurprised,sheheardnothingfromhim.
Andnowshefeltsomethingthatpreventedhercallingonhim.
ButJeanCarniewastobemarried,andthenextdaytheweddingpartyweretospendinfestivityupontheislandofInchCoombe.
ShebadeJeancallonhim,and,withoutmentioningher,invitehimtothisparty,fromwhich,hemustknow,shewouldnotbeabsent.
JeanCarnieenteredhisapartment,andatherentrancehismother,whotookforgrantedthiswashissweetheart,whisperedinhisearthatheshouldnowtakethefirststep,andlefthim.
WhatpassedbetweenJeanCarnieandCharlesGattyisforanotherchapter.
CHAPTERIX.
AYOUNGviscountwithincomeandpersoncannotlie_perdu_threemilesfromEdinburgh.
Firstonediscovershim,thenanother,thentwenty,thenalltheworld,asthewholecliqueismodestlycalled.
Before,however,LordIpsdenwascaught,hehadacquiredabrownertint,amoreelasticstep,andastouterheart.
TheAberfordprescriptionhaddonewondersforhim.
HecaughthimselfpassingonewholedaywithoutthinkingofLadyBarbaraSinclair.
ButevenAberfordhadmisledhim;therewerenoadventurestobefoundintheFirthofForth;mostofthedaystherewasnowindtospeakof;twiceitblewgreatguns,andthemenweresurprisedathislordshipgoingout,butnobodywasinanydangerexcepthimself;thefishermenhadallslippedintoportbeforematterswereserious.
Hefoundthemerchantmenthatcouldsailcreepingonwiththreereefsintheirmainsail;andtheDutchmenlyingtoandbreastingit,likeducksinapond,andwithnomorechanceofharm.
Ononeoftheseoccasionshedidobservealittlesteam—tug,goingaboutaknotanhour,androllinglikeawashing—tub.Herandowntoher,andaskedifhecouldassisther;sheanswered,throughthemediumofasootyanimalatherhelm,thatshewas(likeouruniversities)\"satisfiedwithherownprogress\";sheadded,beingunderintoxication,\"that,ifanydangerexisted,herschemewastodrownitinthebo—o—owl;\"andtwodaysafterwardhesawherpuffingandpanting,andfiercelydraggingagiganticthree—deckeroutintodeepwater,likeanindustriousfleapullinghisphaeton.
AndnowitismyofficetorelatehowMr.FluckerJohnstonecomportedhimselfononeoccasion.
AstheyachtworkedalongsideGrantonPier,beforerunningout,thesaidFluckercalmlyandscientificallydrewhislordship’sattentiontothreepoints:
Thedirectionofthewind——theforceofthewind——andhisopinion,asapersonexperiencedintheFirth,thatitwasgoingtobeworseinsteadofbetter;inreply,hereceivedanordertostepforwardtohisplaceinthecutter——theimmediatevicinityofthejib—boom.Onthis,Mr.Fluckerinstantlyburstintotears.
Hislordship,or,asFluckercalledhimeversincetheyachtcamedown,\"theskipper,\"deemingthatthehigherappellation,inquired,withsomesurprise,whatwasthematterwiththeboy.
Oneofthecrew,who,bytheby,squinted,suggested,\"Itwasaslightillustrationofthepassionoffear.\"
Fluckerconfirmedthetheorybygulpingout:\"We’llneverseeNewhavenagain.\"
Onthistheskippersmiled,andorderedhimashore,somewhatperemptorily.
Straightwayhebegantohowl,and,saying,\"Itwasbettertobedrownedthanbethelaughing—stockoftheplace,\"wentforwardtohisplace;onhissafereturntoport,thisyounggentlemanwasverysevereonopenboats,which,hesaid\"bredwomanishnotionsinheartsnaturallydauntless.Givemealidtothepot,\"addedhe,\"andI’llsailwithOldNick,letthewindblowhighorlow.\"
TheAberfordwaswrongwhenhecalledloveacutaneousdisorder.
Therearecutaneousdisordersthattakethatname,buttheyarenomorelovethanverseispoetry;
Thanpatriotismisloveofcountry;
Thantheologyisreligion;
Thanscienceisphilosophy;
Thanpaintingsarepictures;
Thanrecitingontheboardsisacting;
ThanphysicismedicineThanbreadisbread,orgoldgold——inshops.
Loveisastateofbeing;thebelovedobjectisourcenter;andourthoughts,affections,schemesandselvesmovebutroundit.
Wemaydivergehitherorthither,butthegoldenthreadstillholdsus.
Isfairordarkbeautythefairest?Theworldcannotdecide;butloveshalldecideinamoment.
Ahalosurroundsherwelove,andmakesbeautifultoushermovements,herlooks,hervirtues,herfaults,hernonsense,heraffectationandherself;andthat’slove,doctor!
LordIpsdenwascapableoflovinglikethis;but,todoLadyBarbarajustice,shehaddonemuchtofreezethegermofnoblepassion;shehadnotkilled,butshehadbenumbedit.
\"Saunders,\"saidLordIpsden,onemorningafterbreakfast,\"haveyouenteredeverythinginyourdiary?\"
\"Yes,mylord.\"
\"Allthesegoodpeople’smisfortunes?\"
\"Yes,mylord.\"
\"Doyouthinkyouhavespelledtheirnamesright?\"
\"Whereitwasimpossible,mylord,IsubstitutedanEnglishappellation,hidenticalinmeaning.\"
\"HaveyouenteredanddescribedmyfirstinterviewwithChristieJohnstone,andsomebodysomething?\"
\"Mostminutely,mylord.\"
\"HowIturnedMr.Burkeintopoetry——howshelistenedwithhereyesallglistening——howtheymademetalk——howshedroppedatear,he!he!he!atthedeathofthefirstbaron——howshockedshewasatthekingstrikinghimwhenhewasdying,tomakeaknight—banneretofthepooroldfellow?\"
\"Yourlordshipwillfindalltheparticularsexactlyrelated,\"saidSaunders,withdrypomp.
\"Howshefoundoutthattitlesarebutbreath——howIanswered——somenonsense?\"
\"Yourlordshipwillfindallthetopicsincluded.\"
\"Howshetookmeforamadman?Andyouforaprig?\"
\"Thelattercircumstanceeludedmymemory,mylord.\"
\"ButwhenItoldherImustrelieveonlyonepoorpersonbyday,shetookmyhand.\"
\"Yourlordshipwillfindalltheitemsrealizedinthisbook,mylord.\"
\"Whatabeautifulbook!\"
\"Albaareconsiderablyameliorated,mylord.\"
\"Alba?\"
\"Pluralofalbum,mylord,\"explainedtherefinedfactotum,\"moredelicate,Iconceive,thanthevulgarreading.\"
ViscountIpsdenreadfrom\"MR.SAUNDERS’SALBUM.
\"Toillustratetheineleganceoftheinferiorclasses,twojuvenilevendersofthepiscatorytribewerethisdayusheredin,andinstantaneously,withouttheaccustomedpreliminaries,plungedintoafamiliarconversationwithLordViscountIpsden.
\"Theirvulgarity,shockingandrepulsivetomyself,appearedtoaffordhislordshipasatisfactiongreaterthanhederivesfromthegracefulamenitiesoffashionableassociation——\"
~\"Saunders,Isuspectyouofsomething.\"
\"Me,mylord!\"
\"Yes.Writinginanannual.\"
\"Ido,mylord,\"saidhe,withbenignant_hauteur._\"Itappearseverymonth——_ThePolytechnic.\"_
\"Ithoughtso!youarepolysyllabic,Saunders;_enroute!\"_
~\"InthishallucinationIfinditdifficulttoparticipate;associatedfrominfancywiththearistocracy,Ishrink,likethesensitiveplant,fromcontactwithanythingvulgar.\"
~\"Isee!Ibegintounderstandyou,Saunders.Orderthedog—cart,andWordsworth’smareforleader;we’llgiveheratrial.Youareanass,Saunders.\"
\"Yes,mylord;IwillorderRoberttotellJamestocomeforyourlordship’scommandsaboutyourlordship’svehicles.(Whatcouldheintendbyarecentobservationofadiscourteouscharacter?)\"
Hislordshipsoliloquized.
\"Ineverobserveditbefore,butSaundersisanass!LaJohnstoneisoneofNature’sduchesses,andshehasmademeknowsomepoorpeoplethatwillbericherthantherichoneday;andshehastaughtmethathoneyistobegotfrombank—notes——bymerelygivingthemaway.\"
AmongtheobjectsofcharityLordIpsdendiscoveredwasoneThomasHarvey,amakerandplayeroftheviolin.Thismanwasapersonofgreatintellect;hemasteredeverysubjectheattacked.Byacarefulexaminationofallthepointsthatvariousfine—tonedinstrumentshadincommon,hehadarrivedatatheoryofsound;hemadeviolinstocorrespond,andwasremarkablysuccessfulininsuringthatwhichhadbeentoohastilyascribedtoaccident——afinetone.
Thisman,whowasinneedycircumstances,demonstratedtohislordshipthattenpoundswouldmakehisfortune;becausewithtenpoundshecouldsetupashop,insteadofworkingoutoftheworld’ssightinaroom.
LordIpsdengavehimtenpounds!
Aweekafter,hemetHarvey,moreraggedanddirtythanbefore.
Harveyhadbeenrobbedbyafriendwhomhehadassisted.PoorHarvey!
LordIpsdengavehimtenpoundsmore!
Nextweek,Saunders,enteringHarvey’shouse,foundhiminbedatnoon,becausehehadnoclothestowear.
Saunderssuggestedthatitwouldbebettertogivehiswifethenextmoney,withstrictorderstoapplyitusefully.
Thiswasdone!
Thenextday,Harvey,findinghisclothesuponachair,histoolsredeemedfrompawn,andabeefsteakreadyforhisdinner,accusedhiswifeofhavingmoney,andmeanlyrefusinghimthebenefitofit.Sheacknowledgedshehadalittle,andappealedtotheimprovedstateofthingsasaproofthatsheknewbetterthanhetheuseofmoney.Hedemandedthesaidmoney.Sherefused——heleatheredher——sheputhiminprison.
Thiswasthebestplaceforhim.Themanwasadrunkard,andalltherichesofEgyptwouldneverhavemadehimbetteroff.
Andhere,gentlemenofthelowerclasses,awordwithyou.Howcanyou,withyoursmallincomes,hopetobewelloff,ifyouaremoreextravagantthanthosewhohavelargeones?
\"Usextravagant?\"youreply.
Yes!yourincomeistenshillingsaweek;outofthatyouspendthreeshillingsindrink;ay!you,thesoberones.Youcan’taffordit,myboys.Findmeamanwhoseincomeisathousandayear;well,ifheimitatesyou,andspendsthreehundreduponsensuality,Ibetyoutheoddsevenhundredhedoesnotmakebothendsmeet;theproportionistoogreat.And_two—thirdsofthedistressofthelowerordersisowingtothis——thattheyaremoremadlyprodigalthantherich;intheworst,lowestandmostdangerousitemofallhumanprodigality!_
LordIpsdenwenttoseeMrs.Harvey;itcosthimmuchtogo;shelivedintheOldTown,andhehateddisagreeablesmells;healsoknewfromSaundersthatshehadtwoblackeyes,andhehatedwomenwithblackeyesofthatsort.Butthisgoodcreaturedidgo;didrelieveMrs.Harvey;
and,bare—headed,sufferedhimselftobebedewedtenminutesbyhertearfultwaddle.
ForonceVirtuewasrewarded.ReturningovertheNorthBridge,hemetsomebodywhombutforhischarityhewouldnothavemet.
Hecameinonebrightmomentplumpupon——LadyBarbaraSinclair.Sheflushed,hetrembled,andintwominuteshehadforgotteneveryhumaneventthathadpassedsincehewasbyherside.
Sheseemedpleasedtoseehim,too;sheignoredentirelyhisobnoxiousproposal;hewiselytookhercue,andso,onthissecretunderstanding,theywerefriends.Hemadehisarrangements,anddinedwithherfamily.
Itwasafamilyparty.IntheeveningLadyBarbaraallowedittotranspirethatshehadmadeinquiriesabouthim.
(Hewashighlyflattered.)Andshehaddiscoveredhewaslyinghidsomewhereintheneighborhood.
\"Studyingtheguitar?\"inquiredshe.
\"No,\"saidhe,\"studyinganewclassofthecommunity.Doyouknowanyofwhattheycallthe’lowerclasses’?\"
\"Yes.\"
\"Monstrousagreeablepeople,aretheynot?\"
\"No,verystupid!Ionlyknowtwooldwomen——excepttheservants,whohavenocharacters.Theyimitateus,Isuspect,whichdoesnotsaymuchfortheirtaste.\"
\"Butsomeofmyfriendsareyoungwomen;thatmakesallthedifference.\"
\"Itdoes!andyououghttobeashamed.Ifyouwantaloworderofmind,whydesertourowncircle?\"
\"Myfriendsareonlylowinstation;theyhaveratherloftyminds,someofthem.\"
\"Well,amuseyourselfwiththeseloftyminds.Amusementistheendofbeing,youknow,andtheaimofallthemenofthisday.\"
\"Weimitatetheladies,\"saidhe,slyly.
\"Youdo,\"answeredshe,verydryly;andsothedialoguewenton,andLordIpsdenfoundthepleasureofbeingwithhiscousincompensatehimfullyforthedifferenceoftheiropinions;infact,hefounditsimplyamusingthatsokeenawitashiscousinsscouldbeentrappedintothehumorofdecryingthetimeonehappenstolivein,andadmiringanyepochoneknowsnexttonothingabout,andentrappedbythenotionofitsoriginality,aboveallthings;theideabeingthestalecommonplaceofassesineveryage,andthemannerofconveyingtheideabeingamereimitationoftheGermanwriters,notthegoodones,_bienentendu,_butthequill—drivers,thesnobsoftheTeutonicpen.
Buthewastolearnthatfolliesarenotalwayslaughable,that_eademsentire_isabond,andthat,whenacleverandprettywomanchoosestobeafool,herlover,ifheiswise,willbeagreater——ifhecan.
Thenexttimetheymet,LordIpsdenfoundLadyBarbaraoccupiedwithagentlemanwhosefirstsentenceproclaimedhimapupilofMr.ThomasCarlyle,andhehadthemortificationtofindthatshehadneitheranearnoraneyeforhim.
Humanopinionhassomanyshadesthatitisraretofindtwopeopleagree.
Buttwopeoplemayagreewonderfully,iftheywillbutletathirdthinkforthemboth.
Thusitwasthatthesetworansosmoothlyincouples.
Antiquity,theyagreed,wasthetimewhentheworldwasold,itshairgray,itsheadwise.Everyonethatsaid,\"Lord,Lord!\"twohundredyearsagowasaChristian.Therewerenoearnestmennow;Williams,themissionary,wholivedanddiedfortheGospel,wasnotearnestinreligion;butCromwell,whopackedajury,andsomurderedhisprisoner——Cromwell,inwhosemouthwasheaven,andinhishearttemporalsovereignty——wasthepatternofearnestreligion,or,atallevents,secondinsinceritytoMahometalone,intheabsenceofdetailsrespectingSatan,ofwhomweknowonlythathismouthisaScriptureconcordance,andhishandsthehandsofMr.Carlyle’ssaints.
Thentheywentbackacenturyortwo,andwereeloquentaboutthegreatantiqueheart,andthebeautyofanagewhosesampleswereAbbotSampsonandJoanofArc.
LordIpsdenhatedargument;butjealousyisabrassspur,itmadeeventhismanfluentforonce.
Hesuggested\"thatfivehundredyearsaddedtoaworld’slifemadeitjustfivehundredyearsolder,notyounger——andifolder,grayer——andifgrayer,wiser.
\"OfAbbotSampson,\"saidhe,\"whomIconfessbothagreatandagoodman,hisauthor,whowithallhistalentbelongstotheclassmuddle—head,tellsusthatwhenhehadbeentwoyearsinauthorityhisredhairhadturnedgray,fightingagainstthespiritofhisage;howthedeuce,then,couldhebeasampleofthespiritofhisage?
\"JoanofArcwasburnedbyacclamationofherage,andisadmiredbyourage.Whichfactidentifiesanagemostwithaheroine,togiveheryourheart,ortogiveherablazingfagotanddeath?\"
\"AbbotSampsonandJoanofArc,\"concludedhe,\"provenomoreinfavoroftheirage,andnolessagainstit,thanLotdoesfororagainstSodom.
LotwasinSodom,butnotofit;andsowereSampsonandJoanin,butnotof,thevillainoustimestheylivedin.
\"Theverybesttext—bookoftruereligionistheNewTestament,andI
gatherfromit,thatthemanwhoforgiveshisenemieswhiletheiraxdescendsonhishead,howeverpooracreaturehemaybeinotherrespects,isabetterChristianthanthemanwhohastheGodofMercyforeveronhislips,andwhosehandsareswifttoshedblood.
\"Theearnestmenofformeragesarenotextinctinthis,\"addedhe.
\"Wheneverascaffoldiserectedoutsideaprison—door,ifyouareearnestinpursuitoftruth,andcanputupwithdisgustingobjects,youshallseearelicofancientmannershanged.
\"Therestillexist,inpartsofAmerica,riversonwhosebanksareearnestmenwhoshalltakeyourscalp,thewife’sofyourbosom,andtheinnocentchild’sofherbosom.
\"InEnglandweareasearnestaseverinpursuitofheaven,andofinnocentworldlyadvantages.If,whentheconsiderationoflifeanddeathinterposes,weappearlessearnestinpursuitofcomparativetriflessuchaskingdomsordogmas,itisbecausecoolerinactionwearemoreearnestinthought——becausereason,experience,andconsciencearethingsthatchecktheunscrupulousnessorbeastlyearnestnessofman.
\"Moreover,hewhohasthesensetoseethatquestionshavethreesidesisnolongersointellectuallyaswellasmorallydegradedastobeabletocuteverythroatthatuttersanopinioncontrarytohisown.
\"Ifthephrase’earnestman’meansmanimitatingthebeaststhataredeaftoreason,itistobehopedthatcivilizationandChristianitywillreallyextinguishthewholeraceforthebenefitoftheearth.\"
LordIpsdensucceededinannoyingthefairtheorist,butnotinconvincingher.
Themediaevalenthusiastslookedonhimassomeroughanimalthathadburstintosacredgroundsunconsciously,andgraduallyedgedawayfromhim.
CHAPTERX.
LORDIPSDENhadsoonthemortificationofdiscoveringthatthisMr.————
wasaconstantvisitoratthehouse;and,althoughhiscousingavehimherearinthisman’sabsence,onthearrivalofherfellow—enthusiasthehadeverthemortificationoffindinghimself_detrop._
Onceortwicehedemolishedthispersonageinargument,andwasrewardedbyfindinghimselfmore_detrop._
ButonedayLadyBarbara,beinginacousinlyhumor,expressedawishtosailinhislordship’syacht,andthishintsoonledtoapartybeingorganized,andasortofpicnicontheislandofInchCoombe;hislordship’scutterbeingthemodeofconveyancetoandfromthatspot.
NowithappenedonthatverydayJeanCarnie’smarriagewascelebratedonthatveryislandbyherrelationsandfriends.
SothatweshallintroduceourreaderstoTHERIVALPICNICS.
Webeginwith_Lesgenscommeilfaut._
PICNICNO.1.
Theservantswereemployedinputtingawaydishesintohampers.
Therewasacalmsilence.\"Hem!\"observedSirHenryTalbot.
\"Eh?\"repliedtheHonorableTomHitherington.
\"Mamma,\"saidMissVere,\"haveyoubroughtanywork?\"
\"No,mydear.\"
\"Atapicnic,\"saidMr.Hitherington,isn’titthethingforsomebody——aw——todosomething?\"
\"Ipsden,\"saidLadyBarbara,\"thereisanunderstanding_between_youandMr.Hitherington.IcondemnyoutoturnhimintoEnglish.\"
\"Yes,LadyBarbara;I’lltellyou,hemeans———doyoumeananything,Tom?\"
_Hitherington._\"Can’tanybodyguesswhatImean?\"
_LadyBarbara._\"Guessfirstyourself,youcan’tbesuspectedofbeinginthesecret.\"
_Hither._\"WhatImeanis,thatpeoplesingasong,orrunraces,orpreachasermon,ordosomethingfunnyatapicnic——aw——somebodygetsupanddoessomething.\"
_LadyBar._\"ThenperhapsMissVere,whosesingingisfamous,willhavethecomplaisancetosingtous.\"
_MissVere._\"Ishouldbehappy,LadyBarbara,butIhavenotbroughtmymusic.\"
_LadyBar._\"Oh,wearenotcritical;thesimplestair,orevenafragmentofmelody;theseaandtheskywillbeabetteraccompanimentthanBroadwoodevermade.\"
_MissV._\"Ican’tsinganotewithoutbook.\"
_SirH.Talbot._\"Yourmusicisinyoursoul——notatyourfingers’ends.\"
_LordIpsden,toLadyBar._\"Itisinherbook,andnotinhersoul.\"
_LadyBar.,toLordIps._\"Thenithaschosenthebettersituationofthetwo.\"
_Ips._\"MissVereistothefineartofmusicwhattheengrossersaretotheblackartoflaw;itallfiltersthroughthemwithoutleavinganysediment;andsothemusicofthedaypassesthroughMissVere’smind,butnoneremains——tostainitsvirginsnow.\"
Hebows,shesmiles.
_LadyBar.,toherself._\"Insolent.Andthelittleduncethinksheiscomplimentingher.\"
_Ips._\"PerhapsTalbotwillcometoourrescue——heisafiddler.\"
_Tal._\"Anamateuroftheviolin.\"
_Ips._\"Itisallthesamething.\"
_LadyBar._\"Iwishitmayproveso.\"
[Note:originalhasmusicnotationhere]
_MissV._\"Beautiful.\"
_Mrs.Vere._\"Charming.\"
_Hither._\"Superb!\"
_Ips._\"Youareawarethatgoodmusicisathingtobeweddedtoimmortalverse,shallIreciteabitofpoetrytomatchTalbot’sstrain?\"
_MissV._\"Oh,yes!hownice.\"
_Ips.(rhetorically)._\"A.B.C.D.E.F.G.H.I.J.K.L.M.N.O.P.
Q.R.S.T.U.V.W.X.Y.Z.Y.X.W.V.U.T.S.O.N.M.L.K.J.I.
H.G.F.A.M.littlep.littlet.\"
_LadyBar._\"Beautiful!Superb!Ipsdenhasbeentakinglessonsonthethinkinginstrument.\"
_Hither._\"Hehasbeen_perdu_amongvulgarpeople.\"
_Tal._\"AndexpectsapupilofHerztoplayhimtunes!\"
_LadyBar._\"Whataretunes,SirHenry?\"
_Tal._\"SomethingIdon’tplay,LadyBarbara.\"
_LadyBar._\"Iunderstandyou;somethingweoughttolike.\"
_Ips._\"IhaveaStradivariusviolinathome.Itisyours,Talbot,ifyoucandefineatune.\"
_Tal._\"Atuneis——everybodyknowswhat.\"
_LadyBar._\"Atuneisatune,thatiswhatyoumeanttosay.\"
_Tal._\"Ofcourseitis.\"
_LadyBar._\"Bereasonable,Ipsden;nomancandotwothingsatonce;howcanthepupilofHerzcondemnathingandknowwhatitmeanscontemporaneously?\"
_Ips._\"Isthedrinking—songin’DerFreischutz’atune?\"
_LadyBar._\"Itis.\"
_Ips._\"AndthemelodiesofHandel,aretheytunes?\"
_LadyBar.(pathetically)._\"Theyare!Theyare!\"
_Ips._\"Andthe’RussianAnthem,’andthe’Marseillaise,’and’Ah,Perdona’?\"
_Tal._\"And’YankeeDoodle’?\"
_LadyBar._\"SothatSirHenry,whopridedhimselfonhisignorance,hasawidefieldforitsdominion.
_Tal._\"Allgoodviolinplayersdolikeme;theyprelude,notplaytunes.\"
_Ips._\"ThenHeavenbethankedforourblindfiddlers.Youlikesyllablesofsoundinunmeaningrotation,andyoudespiseitswords,itspurposes,itsnarrativefeats;carryoutyourprinciple,itwillshowyouwhereyouare.Buyadirtypaletteforapicture,anddreamthealphabetisapoem.\"
_LadyBar.,toherself._\"IsthismycousinRichard?\"
_Hither._\"Mind,Ipsden,youareamanofproperty,andtherearesuchthingsascommissions_delunatico.\"_
_LadyBar._\"Hisdefensewillbethathisfriendspronouncedhiminsane.
_Ips._\"No;IshallsubpoenaTalbot’sfiddle,cross—examinationwillgetnothingoutofthatbut,do,re,mi,fa.\"
_LadyBar._\"Yes,itwill;fa,mi,re,do.\"
_Tal._\"Violin,ifyouplease.\"
_LadyBar._\"AskFiddle’spardon,directly.\"
_Soundoffiddlesisheardinthedistance._
_Tal._\"Howluckyforyou,therearefiddlesandtunes,andthenativesyouaresaidtofavor,whynotjointhem?\"
_Ips.(shakinghisheadsolemnly)._\"Idreadtoencounteranotherprelude.\"
_Hither._\"Come,Iknowyouwouldlikeit;itisawedding—party——twoseamonstershavebeenunited.Thesailorsandfishermenareallblueclothandwash—leathergloves.\"
_MissV._\"He!he!\"
_Tal._\"Thefishwivesunitethecolorsoftherainbow——\"
_LadyBar._\"(Andweallknowhowhideoustheyare)——tovulgar,bloomingcheeks,staringwhiteteeth,andsky—blueeyes.\"
_Mrs.V._\"Howsatiricalyouare,especiallyyou,LadyBarbara.\"
HereLordIpsden,afterawordtoLadyBarbara,theanswertowhichdidnotappeartobefavorable,rose,gavealittleyawn,lookedsteadilyathiscompanionswithoutseeingthem,anddepartedwithoutseemingawarethathewasleavinganybodybehindhim.