第1章

NEW-YORK

C。WILEY,3WALLSTREET

J。Seymour,printer1823

SouthernDistrictofNew-Yorkss。

BEITREMEMBERED,ThatonthethirteenthdayofJune,intheforty-seventhyearoftheIndependenceoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica,CharlesWiley,ofthesaidDistrict,hathdepositedinthisofficethetitleofaBook,therightwhereofheclaimsasproprietor,inthewordsandfiguresfollowing,towit:

\"TalesforFifteen;orImaginationandHeart。

ByJaneMorgan。\"

InconformitywiththeActofCongressoftheUnitedStatesentitled,\"AnActfortheencouragementofLearning,bysecuringthecopiesofMaps,Charts,andBooks,totheauthorsandproprietorsofsuchcopies,duringthetimeshereinmentioned。\"AndalsotoanAct,entitled,\"anAct,supplementarytoanAct,fortheencouragementofLearning,bysecuringthecopiesofMaps,Charts,andBooks,totheauthorsandproprietorsofsuchcopies,duringthetimeshereinmentioned,andextendingthebenefitsthereoftotheartsofdesigning,engraving,andetchinghistoricalandotherprints。\"

JAMESDILL,ClerkoftheSouthernDistrictofNew-YorkPREFACE

WHENtheauthoroftheselittletalescommencedthem,itwasherintentiontoformashortseriesofsuchstoriesas,itwashoped,mightnotbeentirelywithoutmoraladvantage;butunforeseencircumstanceshavepreventedtheircompletion,and,unwillingtodelaythepublicationanylonger,shecommitsthemtotheworldintheirpresentunfinishedstate,withoutanyflatteringanticipationsoftheirreception。Theyareintendedfortheperusalofyoungwomen,atthattenderagewhenthefeelingsoftheirnaturebegintoactonthemmostinsidiously,andwhentheirmindsareleastpreparedbyreasonandexperiencetocontendwiththeirpassions。

\"Heart\"wasintendedforamuchlongertale,andisunavoidablyincomplete;butitisunnecessarytopointoutdefectsthateventhejuvenilereaderwillsoondetect。Theauthoronlyhopesthatiftheydonogood,hertaleswill,atleast,donoharm。

IMAGINATION。

——-oOo——-

Ipraythee,gentlemortal,singagain:

Mineearismuchenamouredofthynote,Soismineeyeenthralledtothyshape;

Andthyfairvirtue’sforceperforcedothmoveme,Onthefirstview,tosay,toswear,Ilovethee。

MIDSUMMERNIGHT’SDREAM

{Shakespeare,\"AMidsummerNight’sDream\"ActIII,Scene1,lines137-141}

\"DO——writetomeoften,mydearAnna!\"saidtheweepingJuliaWarren,onparting,forthefirsttimesincetheiracquaintance,withtheyoungladywhomshehadhonouredwiththehighestplaceinheraffections。\"ThinkhowdreadfullysolitaryandmiserableIshallbehere,withoutasinglecompanion,orasoultoconversewith,nowyouaretoberemovedtwohundredmilesintothewilderness。\"

\"Oh!trustme,mylove,Ishallnotforgetyounoworever,\"repliedherfriend,embracingtheotherslightly,and,perhaps,ratherhastilyforsotenderanadieu;atthesametimeglancinghereyeonthefigureofayouth,whostoodinsilentcontemplationofthescene。\"AnddoubtnotbutIshallsoontireyouwithmycorrespondence,especiallyasImorethansuspectitwillbesubjectedtothecriticismsofMr。CharlesWeston。\"Assheconcluded,theyoungladycurtisiedtotheyouthinamannerthatcontradicted,byitsflattery,theforcedironyofherremark。

\"Never,mydeargirl!\"exclaimedMissWarrenwithextremefervour。\"Theconfidenceofourfriendshipissacredwithme,andnothing,no,nothing,couldevertemptmetoviolatesuchatrust。Charlesisverykindandveryindulgenttoallmywhims,buthenevercouldobtainsuchaninfluenceovermeastobecomethedepositaryofmysecrets。Nothingbutafriend,likeyourself,candothat,mydearAnna。\"

\"Never!MissWarren,\"saidtheyouthwithalipthatbetrayedbyitstremulousmotiontheinteresthetookinherspeech——\"neverincludesalongperiodoftime。But,\"headdedwithasmileofgood-

humouredpleasantry,\"ifadmittedtosuchadistinction,Ishouldnotfeelmyselfcompetenttothetaskofcommentingonsomuchinnocenceandpurity,asIknowIshouldfindinyourcorrespondence。\"

\"Yes,\"saidAnna,withalittleoftheenergyofherfriend’smanner,\"youmaywithtruthsayso,Mr。

Weston。TheimaginationofmyJuliaisaspureas——

as————-\"butturninghereyesfromthecountenanceofJuliatothatoftheyouth,rathersuddenly,theanimatedpleasureshesawdelineatedinhisexpressive,thoughplainfeatures,drovetheremainderofthespeechfromherrecollection。

\"Asherheart!\"criedCharlesWestonwithemphasis。

\"Asherheart,Sir,\"repeatedtheyoungladycoldly。

Thelastadieuswerehastilyexchanged,andAnnaMillerwashandedintoherfather’sgigbyCharlesWestoninprofoundsilence。MissEmmerson,themaidenauntofJulia,withdrewfromthedoor,whereshehadbeenconversingwithMr。Miller,andthetravellersdeparted。Juliafollowedthevehiclewithhereyesuntilitwashidbythetreesandshrubberythatcoveredthelawn,andthenwithdrewtoherroomtogiveventtoasorrowthathadsensiblytouchedheraffectionateheart,andinnotriflingdegreehauntedherlivelyimagination。

AsMissEmmersonbynomeansheldthegoodqualitiesoftheguest,whohadjustleftthem,insohighanestimationasdidherniece,sheproceededquietlyandwithgreatcomposureintheexerciseofherdailyduties;notintheleastsuspectingtherealdistressthat,fromavarietyofcauses,thissuddenseparationhadcausedtoherward。

Theonlysisterofthisgoodladyhaddiedingivingbirthtoafemaleinfant,andthefeverof1805had,withinaveryfewyearsofthedeathofthemother,deprivedtheyouthfulorphanofherremainingparent。Herfatherwasamerchant,justcommencingthefoundationsofwhatwould,intime,havebeenalargeestate;andasbothMissEmmersonandhersisterwerepossessedofgenteelindependencies,andtheaunthadlongdeclaredherintentionofremainingsingle,thefortuneofJulia,ifnotbrilliant,wasthoughtratherlargethanotherwise。MissEmmersonhadbeeneducatedimmediatelyafterthewaroftherevolution,andatatimewhentheintellectofthewomenofthiscountrybynomeansreceivedthatattentionitisthoughtnecessarytobestowonthemindsofthefuturemothersofourfamiliesatthepresenthour;

andwhen,indeed,thecountryitselfrequiredtoomuchofthecareofherrulersandpatriotstoadmitoftheconsiderationoflesserobjects。Withthebestofheartsandaffectionsdevotedtothewelfareofherniece,MissEmmersonhadearlydiscoveredherownincompetencytothelabouroffittingJuliafortheworldinwhichshewastolive,andshrunkwithtimidmodestyfromthearduoustaskofpreparingherself,byapplicationandstudy,forthissacredduty。Thefashionsofthedaywererapidlyrunningintotheattainmentofaccomplishmentsamongtheyoungofherownsex,andthepianofortewasalreadysendingforthitssonorousharmonyfromoneendoftheUniontotheother,whiletheglitteringusefulnessofthetambour-framewasdiscardedforthepalletandbrush。Thewallsofourmansionswerebeginningtogroanwiththesicklygreenofimaginaryfields,thatcaricaturedthebeautiesofnature;andskiesofsunnybrightness,thatmockedthegoldenhuesofevenanAmericansun。TheexperienceofMissEmmersonwentnofurtherthanthesimpleevolutionsofthecountrydance,orthedeliberateanddignifiedprocessionoftheminuet。Nowonder,therefore,thatherfacultieswerebewilderedbythecomplexmovementsofthecotillion:and,inshort,asthegoodladydailycontemplatedtheimprovementsofthefemaleyoutharoundher,shebecameeachhourmoreconvincedofherowninabilitytocontrol,orinanymannertosuperintend,theeducationofherorphanniece。

Juliawas,consequently,entrustedtothegovernmentofaselectboarding-school;and,aseventhemoralsofthedaywere,insomedegree,tincturedwiththeexistingfashions,hermindaswellashermannerswereabsolutelysubmittedtothediscretionofanhireling。NotwithstandingthiswillingconcessionofpoweronthepartofMissEmmerson,therewasnodeficiencyinabilitytojudgebetweenrightandwronginhercharacter;butthehomelynatureofhergoodsense,unassistedbyanyconfidenceinherownpowers,wasunabletocompetewiththedazzlingdisplayofaccomplishmentswhichmetherineveryhousewhereshevisited;andifshesometimesthoughtthatshecouldnotalwaysdiscovermuchoftheusefulamidthisexcessoftheagreeable,sheratherattributedthedeficiencytoherownignorancethantoanyerrorinthenewsystemofinstruction。Fromtheageofsixtothatofsixteen,JuliahadnoothercommunicationswithMissEmmersonthanthoseendearmentswhichneithercouldsuppress,andaconstantandassiduousattentiononthepartoftheaunttothehealthandattireofherniece。

{feverof1805=NewYorkCityhadsufferedamajorepidemicofyellowfeverinthesummerof1805;tambour-frame=acircularframeusedtoholdmaterialbeingembroidered}

MissEmmersonhadabrotherresidinginthecityofNew-York,whowasamanofeminenceatthebar,andwho,havingbeeneducatedfiftyyearsago,was,fromthatcircumstance,justsomuchsuperiortohissuccessorsofhisownsexbytwentyyears,ashissisterswerethelosersfromthesomecause。

ThefamilyofMr。Emmersonwaslarge,and,besidesseveralsons,hehadtwodaughters,oneofwhomremainedstillunmarriedinthehouseofherfather。

KatherineEmmersonwasbuteighteenmonthstheseniorofJuliaWarren;butherfatherhadadoptedadifferentcoursefromthatwhichwasordinarilypursuedwithgirlsofherexpectations。Hehadmarriedawomanofsense,andnowreapedtherichestblessingofsuchaconnexioninherabilitytosuperintendtheeducationofherdaughter。A

mother’scarewasemployedtocorrecterrorsthatamother’stendernesscouldonlydiscover;andintheplaceofgeneralsystems,andcomprehensivetheories,wassubstitutedthecloseandrigorouswatchfulnesswhichadaptedtheremedytothedisease;whichstudiedthedisposition;andwhichknewthefailingsormeritsofthepupil,andcouldbesttellwhentoreward,andhowtopunish。Theconsequenceswereeasilytobeseeninthemannersandcharacteroftheirdaughter。Heraccomplishments,evenwhereamasterhadbeenemployedintheirattainment,werenaturallydisplayed,andsuitedtoherpowers。Hermanners,insteadoftheartificialmovementsofprescribedrules,exhibitedthechasteanddelicatemodestyofrefinement,mingledwithgoodprinciples——suchaswerenotworninordertobeincharacterasawomanandalady,butweredeeplyseated,andformedpart,notonlyofherhabits,but,ifwemayusetheexpression,ofhernaturealso。MissEmmersonhadgoodsenseenoughtoperceivethevalueofsuchanacquaintanceforherward;but,unfortunatelyforherwishtoestablishanintimacybetweenhernieces,Juliahadalreadyformedafriendshipatschool,anddidnotconceiveherheartwaslargeenoughtoadmittwoatthesametimetoitssanctuary。HowmuchJuliawasmistakenthesequelofourtalewillshow。

SolongasAnnaMillerwastheinmateoftheschool,Juliawassatisfiedtoremainalso,butthefatherofAnnahavingdeterminedtoremovetoanestateintheinteriorofthecountry,hisdaughterwastakenfromschool;andwhilethearrangementsweremakingforthereceptionofthefamilyonthebanksoftheGennessee,Annawaspermittedtotaste,forashorttime,thepleasuresoftheworld,attheresidenceofMissEmmersononthebanksoftheHudson。

{Gennessee=GeneseeRiver,whichflowsnorththroughcentralNewYorkStatetoLakeOntario——atthetimeofCooper’sstoryitwasstillonthefrontierofsettlement}

CharlesWestonwasadistantrelativeofthegoodaunt,andwas,likeJulia,anorphan,whowasmoderatelyendowedwiththegoodsoffortune。Hewasastudentintheofficeofheruncle,andbeingagreatfavouritewithMissEmmerson,spentmanyofhisleisurehours,duringtheheatsofthesummer,intheretirementofhercountryresidence。

Whatevermightbethecomposureofthemaidenaunt,whileJuliawasweepinginherchamberoverthelongseparationthatwasnowtoexistbetweenherselfandherfriend,youngWestonbynomeansdisplayedthesamephilosophicindifference。Hepacedthehallofthebuildingwithrapidsteps,castmanyalongingglanceatthedoorofhiscousin’sroom,andthenrestedhimselfwithanapparentintentiontoreadthevolumeheheldinhishands;

nordidheinanydegreerecoverhiscomposureuntilJuliare-appearedonthelandingofthestairs,movingslowlytowardstheirbottom,when,takingonelonglookatherlovelyface,whichwasglowingwithyouthfulbeauty,andifpossiblemorecharmingfromthetracesoftearsinhereyes,hecoollypursuedhisstudies。Juliahadrecoveredhercomposure,andCharlesWestonfeltsatisfied。MissEmmersonandherniecetooktheirseatsquietlywiththeirworkatanopenwindowoftheparlour,andorderappearedtoberestoredinsomemeasuretothemansion。Afterpursuingtheirseveraloccupationsforsomeminuteswithasilencethathadlatelybeenastrangertothem,theauntobserved——

\"Youappeartohavesomethingnewinhand,mylove。Surelyyoumustaboundwithtrimmings,andyetyouareworkinganotheralready?\"

\"ItisforAnnaMiller,\"saidJuliawithaflushoffeeling。

\"IwasinhopesyouwouldperformyourpromisetoyourcousinKatherine,nowMissMillerisgone,andmakeyourportionofthegarmentsfortheOrphanAsylum,\"returnedMissEmmersongravely。

\"Oh!cousinKatherinemustwait。IpromisedthistrimmingtoAnnatoremembermeby,andIwouldnotdisappointthedeargirlfortheworld。\"

\"ItisnotyourcousinKatherine,buttheOrphans,whowillhavetowait;andsurelyapromisetoarelationisassacredasonetoanacquaintance。\"

\"Acquaintance,aunt!\"echoedtheniecewithdispleasure。\"Donot,Ientreatyou,callAnnaanacquaintancemerely。Sheismyfriend——myverybestfriend,andIloveherassuch。\"

\"Thankyou,mydear,\"saidtheauntdryly。

\"Oh!Imeannothingdisrespectfultoyourself,dearaunt,\"continuedJulia。\"YouknowhowmuchIowetoyou,andoughttoknowthatIloveyouasamother。\"

\"AndwouldyoupreferMissMillertoamother,then?\"

\"Surelynotinrespect,ingratitude,inobedience;

butstillImayloveher,youknow。Indeed,thefeelingsaresoverydifferent,thattheydonotatallinterferewitheachother——inmyheartatleast。\"

\"No!\"saidMissEmmerson,withalittlecuriosity——\"I

wishyouwouldtryandexplainthisdifferencetome,thatImaycomprehendthedistinctionsthatyouarefondofmaking。\"

\"Why,nothingiseasier,dearaunt!\"saidJuliawithanimation。\"YouIlovebecauseyouarekindtome,attentivetomywants,considerateformygood;

affectionate,and——and——fromhabit——andyouaremyaunt,andtakecareofme。\"

\"Admirablereasons!\"exclaimedCharlesWeston,whohadlaidasidehisbooktolistentothisconversation。

\"TheyareforcibleonesImustadmit,\"saidMissEmmerson,smilingaffectionatelyonherniece;\"butnowfortheotherkindoflove。\"

\"Why,Annaismyfriend,youknow,\"criedJulia,witheyessparklingwithenthusiasm。\"Iloveher,becauseshehasfeelingscongenialwithmyown;

shehassomuchwit,issoamusing,sofrank,solikeagirloftalents——solike——likeeverythingI

admiremyself。\"

\"Itisapitythatonesohighlygiftedcannotfurnishherselfwithfrocks,\"saidtheaunt,withalittlemorethanherordinarydrynessofmanner,\"andsufferyoutoworkforthosewhowantthemmore。\"

\"Youforgetitisinordertorememberme,\"saidJulia,inamannerthatspokeherownideasofthevalueofthegift。

\"Onewouldthinksuchafriendshipwouldnotrequireanythingtoremindoneofitsexistence,\"

returnedtheaunt。

\"Why!itisnotthatshewillforgetmewithoutit,butthatshemayhavesomethingbyhertoremindherofme————-\"saidJuliarapidly,butpausingasthecontradictionstruckevenherself。

\"Iunderstandyouperfectly,mychild,\"interruptedtheaunt,\"merelyasanunnecessarysecurity,youmean。\"

\"Tomakeassurancedoublysure,\"criedCharlesWestonwithalaugh。

\"Oh!youlaugh,Mr。Weston,\"saidJuliawithalittleanger;\"butIhaveoftensaid,youwereincapableoffriendship。\"

\"Tryme!\"exclaimedtheyouthfervently。\"Donotcondemnmewithoutatrial。\"

\"HowcanI?\"saidJulia,laughinginherturn。\"Youarenotagirl。\"

\"Cangirlsthenonlyfeelfriendship?\"inquiredCharles,takingtheseatwhichMissEmmersonhadrelinquished。

\"Isometimesthinkso,\"saidJulia,withherowngood-humouredsmile。\"Youaretoogross——tooenvious——inshort,youneverseesuchfriendshipsbetweenmenasexistbetweenwomen。\"

\"Betweengirls,Iwillreadilyadmit,\"returnedtheyouth。\"Butletusexaminethisquestionafterthemannerofthecourts——\"

\"Nay,ifyoutalklawIshallquityou,\"interruptedtheyoungladygaily。

\"Certainlyonesolearnedinthesubjectneednotdreadacross-examination,\"criedtheyouth,inherownmanner。

\"Well,proceed,\"criedthelady。\"IhavedrivenauntMargaretfromthefield,andyouwillfarenobetter,Icanassureyou。\"

\"Men,yousay,aretoogrosstofeelapurefriendship;inthefirstplace,pleasetoexplainyourselfonthispoint。\"

\"WhyImean,thatyourfriendshipsaregenerallyinterested;thatitrequiresservicesandgoodofficestosupportit。\"

{interested=notpure,havinganulteriormotive}

\"Whilethatofwomendependson——\"

\"Feelingalone。\"

\"Butwhatexcitesthisfeeling?\"askedCharleswithasmile。

\"What?whysympathy——andaknowledgeofeachother’sgoodqualities。\"

\"ThenyouthinkMissMillerhasmoregoodqualitiesthanKatherineEmmerson,\"saidWeston。

\"WhendidIeversayso?\"criedJuliainsurprise。

\"Iinferitfromyourlovingherbetter,merely,\"

returnedtheyoungmanwithalittleofMissEmmerson’sdryness。

\"Itwouldbedifficulttocomparethem,\"saidJuliaafteramoment’spause。\"Katherineisintheworld,andhashadanopportunityofshowinghermerit;

thatAnnahasneverenjoyed。Katherineiscertainlyamostexcellentgirl,andIlikeherverymuch;butthereisnoreasontothinkthatAnnawillnotproveasfineayoungwomanasKatherine,whenputtothetrial。\"

\"Pray,\"saidtheyounglawyerwithgreatgravity,\"howmanyofthesebosom,theseconfidentialfriendscanayoungwomanhaveatthesametime?\"

\"One,onlyone——anymorethanshecouldhavetwolovers,\"criedJuliaquickly。

\"Whythendidyoufinditnecessarytotakethatonefromaset,thatwasuntriedinthepracticeofwell-doing,whensoexcellentasubjectasyourcousinKatherineoffered?\"

\"ButAnnaIknow,Ifeel,iseverythingthatisgoodandsincere,andoursympathiesdrewustogether。

KatherineIlovednaturally。\"

\"Hownaturally?\"

\"Isitnotnaturaltoloveyourrelatives?\"saidJuliainsurprise。

\"No,\"wasthebriefanswer。

\"Surely,CharlesWeston,youthinkmeasimpleton。

Doesnoteveryparentloveitschildbynaturalinstinct?\"

\"No:nomorethanyouloveanyofyouramusementsfrominstinct。Iftheparentwaspresentwithachildthathedidnotknowtobehisown,wouldinstinct,thinkyou,discovertheirvicinity?\"

\"Certainlynot,iftheyhadnevermetbefore;butthen,assoonasheknewittobehis,hewouldloveitfromnature。\"

\"Itisacomplicatedquestion,andonethatinvolvesathousandconnectedfeelings,\"saidCharles。\"Butalllove,atleastallloveoftheheart,springsfromthecausesyoumentionedtoyouraunt——goodoffices,adependenceoneachother,andhabit。\"

\"Yes,andnaturetoo,\"saidtheyoungladyratherpositively;\"andIcontend,thatnaturallore,andlovefromsympathy,aretwodistinctthings。\"

\"Verydifferent,Iallow,\"saidCharles;\"onlyIverymuchdoubtthedurabilityofthataffectionwhichhasnobetterfoundationthanfancy。\"

\"Youusesuchqueerterms,Charles,thatyoudonottreatthesubjectfairly。Callinginnateevidenceofworthbythenameoffancy,isnotcandid。\"

\"Now,indeed,yourowntermspuzzleme,\"saidCharles,smiling。\"Whatisinnateevidenceofworth?\"

\"Why,aconvictionthatanotherpossessesallthatyouesteemyourself,andisdiscoveredbycongenialfeelingsandnaturalsympathies。\"

\"Uponmyword,Julia,youarequiteacasuistonthissubject。Doeslove,then,betweenthesexesdependonthiscongenialsympathyandinnateevidence?\"

\"NowyoutalkonasubjectthatIdonotunderstand,\"saidJulia,blushing;and,catchingupthehighlyprizedwork,sherantoherownroom,leavingtheyoungmaninastateofmingledadmirationandpity。

CHAPTERII。

ANanxiousfortnightwaspassedbyJuliaWarren,afterthisconversation,withoutbringinganytidingsfromherfriend。Shewatched,withfeverishrestlessness,eachsteam-boatthatpassedthedooronitsbusywaytowardsthemetropolis,andmettheservanteachdayatthegateofthelawnonhisreturnfromthecity;butitwasonlytoreceiveaddeddisappointments。AtlengthCharlesWestongood-naturedlyofferedhisownservices,laughinglydeclaring,thathisluckwasneverknowntofail。JuliaherselfhadwrittenseverallongepistlestoAnna,anditwasnowthepropertimethatsomeoftheseshouldbeanswered,independentlyofthethousandpromisesfromherfriendofwritingregularlyfromeverypost-officethatshemightpassonherroutetotheGennessee。

Butthehappymomenthadarrivedwhendisappointmentsweretocease。

Asusual,Juliawaswaitingwitheagerimpatienceatthegate,herlovelyformoccasionallyglidingfromtheshrubberytocatchaglimpseofthepassengersonthehighway,whenCharlesappearedridingatafullgalloptowardsthehouse;hiswholemannerannouncedsuccess,andJuliasprangintothemiddleoftheroadtotaketheletterwhichheextendedtowardsher。

\"IknewIshouldbesuccessful,anditgivesmealmostasmuchpleasureasyourselfthatIhavebeenso,\"saidtheyouth,dismountingfromhishorseandopeningthegatethathiscompanionmightpass。

\"Thankyou——thankyou,dearCharles,\"saidJuliakindly。\"Inevercanforgethowgoodyouaretome——

howmuchyoulovetoobligenotonlyme,buteveryonearound。Excusemenow,Ihavethisdearlettertoreadanothertime,IwillthankyouasI

ought。\"

Sosaying,Juliaranintothesummer-house,andfasteningitsdoor,gaveherselfuptothepleasureofreadingafirstletter。Notesandshortepistlesfromheraunt,withdiverslettersfromAnnawrittenslylyintheschool-roomandslippedintoherlap,shewasalreadywellacquaintedwith;butofreal,genuineletters,stampedbythepost-office,rumpledbythemail-bags,consecratedbythesteam-boat,thiswascertainlythefirst。This,indeed,wasarealletter:riversrolled,andvasttractsofcountrylay,betweenherselfanditswriter,andthatwriterwasafriendselectedonthetestimonyofinnateevidence。ItwasnecessaryforJuliatopauseandbreathebeforeshecouldopenherletter;andbythetimethiswasdone,herbusyfancyhadclothedbothepistleandwriterwithsomuchexcellence,thatshewaspreparedtoperusethecontentswitharespectborderingonenthusiasm:everywordmustbetrue——everyideapurityitself。Thatourreadersmayknowhowaccuratelysixteenandabrilliantfancyhadqualifiedhertojudge,weshallgivethemtheletterentire。

\"Mydearestlove,\"Oh,Julia!hereIam,andsuchaplace!——notown,nochurches,noBroadway,nothingthatcanmakelifedesirable;and,Imayadd,nofriend——nobodytoseeandtalkwith,butpapaandmamma,andahousefullofbrothersandsisters。Youcan’tthinkhowImissyou,everyminutemoreandmore;butI

amnotwithouthopesofpersuadingpatoletmespendthewinterwithyourauntintown。IdeclareitmakesmesickeverytimeIthinkofhersweethouseinPark-place。IfeverImarry,andbesureI

will,itshallbeamanwholivesinthecity,andnextdoortomyJulia。Oh!howcharmingthatwouldbe。Eachofustohaveoneofthosedelightfulnewhouses,withthenew-fashionedbasementstories;

wewouldruninandoutatallhoursoftheday,anditwouldbesoconvenienttolendandborroweachother’sthings。Idothinkthereisnopleasureunderheavenequaltothatofwearingthingsthatbelongtoyourfriend。Don’tyourememberhowfondIwasofwearingyourclothesatschool,thoughyouwerenotsofondofchangingasmyself;butthatwasnowonder,forpa’sstinginesskeptmesoshabbilydressed,thatIwasashamedtoletyoubeseeninthem。Oh,Julia!Ishallneverforgetthosehappyhours;noryouneither。Apropos——Ihopeyouhavenotforgotthefrockyoupromisedtoworkforme,torememberyouby。Ilongforitdreadfully,andhopeyouwillsenditbeforetherivershuts。IsupposeyouandCharlesWestondonothingbutrideroundamongthosebeautifulvillasontheisland,andtakecomfort。Idoenvyyouyourhappiness,Icantellyou;forIthinkanybeaubetterthannone,thoughMr。Westonisnottomytaste。Iamgoingtowriteyousixsheetsofpaper,forthereisnothingthatIsodelightinascommuningwithafriendatadistance,especiallysituatedasIamwithoutasoultosayawordto,unlessitbemyownsisters。Adieu,myever,everbelovedJulia——betomeasIamtoyou,afriendindeed,onetriedandnotfoundwanting。Inhaste,your\"ANNA。

\"Gennessee,June15,1816。

\"P。S。Don’tforgettojogauntEmmerson’smemoryaboutaskingmetoPark-place。

\"P。S。June25th。Nothavingyetsentmyletter,althoughIamsureyoumustbedyingwithanxietytohearhowwegeton,Imustadd,thatwehaveacompanionherethatwoulddelightyou——aMr。

EdwardStanley。Whatadelightfulname!andheisasdelightfulashisname:hiseye,hisnose,hiswholecountenance,areperfect。Inshort,Julia,heisjustsuchamanasweusedtodrawinourconversationatschool。Heisrich,andbrave,andsensible,andIdonothingbuttalktohimofyou。

Hesays,helongstoseeyou;knowsyoumustbehandsome;issureyouaresensible;andfeelsthatyouaregood。Oh!heisworthadozenCharlesWestons。ButyoumaygivemycomplimentstoMr。

Weston,thoughIdon’tsupposeheeverthinksitworthhiswhiletoremembersuchachickasme。I

shouldliketohearwhathesaysaboutme,andI

willtellyouallEdwardStanleysaysofyou。Oncemore,adieu。Yourlettersgotheresafeandindueseason。IletEdwardtakeapeepatthem。\"

ThefirsttimeJuliareadthislettershewascertainlydisappointed。Itcontainednodescriptionsofthelovelysceneryofthewest。Themoonhadrisenandthesunhadsetonthelakesoftheinterior,andAnnahadsaidnotonewordofeither。

Butthethirdandfourthtimeofreadingbegantoaffordmorepleasure,andatthethirteenthperusalshepronounceditcharming。Therewasevidentlymuchtobeunderstood;vacuumsthatthefancycouldeasilyfill;and,beforeJuliahadleftthesummer-house,theletterwasextended,inherimagination,tothepromisedsixsheets。Shewalkedslowlythroughtheshrubberytowardsthehouse,musingonthecontentsofherletter,orratherwhatitmightbesupposedtocontain,andunconsciouslyrepeatingtoherselfinalowtone——

\"Young,handsome,rich,andsensible——justasweusedtopaintinourconversation。Oh,howdelightful!\"

\"Delightfulindeed,topossessallthosefinequalities;andwhoisthehappyindividualthatissoblessed?\"askedCharlesWeston,whohadbeenlingeringinthewalkswithanumbrellatoshieldheronherreturnfromanapproachingshower。

\"Oh!\"saidJulia,starting,\"Ididnotknowyouwerenearme。IhavebeenreadingAnna’ssweetletter,\"

pressingthepapertoherbosomasshespoke。

\"Doubtlessyoumustbedonebythistime,Julia,and,\"pointingtotheclouds,\"youhadbetterhastentothehouse。Iknewyouwouldbeterrifiedatthelightningallalonebyyourselfinthatsummer-

house,soIcametoprotectyou。\"

\"Youareverygood,Charles,butdoesitlighten?\"

saidJuliainterror,andhasteningherretreattothedwelling。

\"Yourlettermusthaveinterestedyoudeeplynottohavenoticedthethunder——you,whoaresotimidandfearfuloftheflashes。\"

\"Foolishlyfearful,youwouldsay,ifyouwerenotafraidofhurtingmyfeelings,Iknow,\"saidJulia。

\"Itisanaturaldread,andthereforenottobelaughedat,\"answeredCharlesmildly。

\"Thenthereisnaturalfear,butnonaturallove,Mr。

Charles;nowyouarefinelycaught,\"criedJuliaexultingly。

\"Well,beitso。Withmefearisverynatural,andI

canalmostpersuademyselflovealso。\"

\"Ihopeyouarenotacoward,CharlesWeston。A

cowardlymanisverydespicable。Icouldneverloveacowardlyman,\"saidJulia,laughing。

\"Idon’tknowwhetherIamwhatyoucallacoward,\"

saidCharlesgravely;\"butwhenindangerIamalwaysafraid。\"

Thewordswerehardlyutteredbeforeaflashoflightning,followedinstantlybyatremendouslyheavyclapofthunder,nearlystupifiedthemboth。

Thesuddennessoftheshockhad,foramoment,paralyzedtheenergyoftheyouth,whileJuliawasnearlyinsensible。Soonrecoveringhimself,however,Charlesdrewherafterhimintothehouse,intimetoescapeatorrentofrain。Thestormwassoonover,andtheirnaturalfearandsurprisewereasourceofmirthforJulia。Womenareseldomashamedoftheirfears,fortheirfrightisthoughttobefeminineendattractive;butmenarelesseasyundertheimputationofterror,asitisthoughttoindicateanabsenceofmanlyqualities。

\"Oh!youwillnevermakeahero,Charles,\"criedJulia,laughingheartily。\"Itiswellyouchosethelawinsteadofthearmyasaprofession。\"

\"Idon’tknow,\"saidtheyouth,alittlenettled,\"I

thinkIcouldmustercouragetofaceabullet。\"

\"Butremember,thatyoushutyoureyes,andbentnearlydoubleattheflash——nowyouownedallthisyourself。\"

\"Atleasthewascandid,andacknowledgedhisinfirmities,\"saidMissEmmerson,whohadbeenlistening。

\"IthinkmostmenwouldhavedoneasIdid,atsoheavyandsosuddenaclapofthunder,andsoveryneartoo,\"saidCharles,strivingtoconcealtheuneasinesshefelt。

\"WhenapprehensionforJuliamusthaveincreasedyourterror,\"saidtheauntkindly。

\"Why,no——IratherbelieveIthoughtonlyofmyselfatthemoment,\"returnedCharles;\"butthen,Julia,youmustdomethejusticetosay,thatinstantlyI

thoughtofthedangerofyourtakingcoldanddrewyouintothehouse。\"

\"Oh!youranfromanotherclap,\"saidJulia,laughingtillherdarkeyesflashedwithpleasure,andshakingherheaduntilherglossyhairfellinringletsoverhershoulders;\"youwillnevermakeahero,Charles。\"

\"Doyouknowanyonewhowouldhavebehavedbetter,MissWarren?\"saidtheyoungmanangrily。

\"Yes——why——Idon’tknow。Yes,Ihaveheardofone,Ithink,\"answeredJulia,slightlycolouring;\"but,dearCharles,excusemylaughter,\"shecontinued,holdingoutherhand;\"ifyouarenotahero,youarevery,very,good。\"

ButCharlesWeston,atthemoment,wouldratherbethoughtaherothanvery,very,good;he,therefore,rose,andaffectingasmile,endeavouredtosaysomethingtriflingasheretired。

\"YouhavemortifiedCharles,\"saidMissEmmerson,sosoonashewasoutofhearing。

\"IamsureIhopenot,\"saidJulia,withagooddealofanxiety;\"heisthelastpersonIwouldwishtooffend,heissoverykind。\"

\"Noyoungmanoftwentyispleasedwithbeingthoughtnohero,\"returnedtheaunt。

\"Andyetallarenotso,\"saidJulia,\"Ihardlyknowwhatyoumeanbyahero;ifyoumeansuchmenasWashington,Greene,orWarren,allaresurelynotso。Thesewereheroesindeeds,butothersmaybeequallybrave。\"

{Greene=NathanaelGreene(1742-1786),RevolutionaryGeneral;Warren=JosephWarren(1741-1775),Revolutionarywarhero,killedattheBattleofBunkerHill}

\"Imeanbyahero,amanwhosecharacterisunstainedbyanylowordegeneratevices,orevenfeelings,\"saidJulia,withalittlemorethanherordinaryenthusiasm;\"whosecourageisasnaturalasitisdaring;whoisabovefear,exceptofdoingwrong;whosepersonisanindexofhismind,andwhosemindisfilledwithimagesofglory;that’swhatIcallahero,aunt。\"

\"Thenhemustbehandsomeaswellasvaliant,\"

saidMissEmmerson,withasmilethatwashardlyperceptible。

\"Whythatis——is——notabsolutelymaterial,\"repliedJulia,blushing;\"butonewouldwishtohavehimhandsometoo。\"

\"Oh!byallmeans;itwouldrenderhisvirtuesmorestriking。ButIthinkyouintimatedthatyouknewsuchabeing,\"returnedMissEmmerson,fixinghermildeyesonJuliainamannerthatdenotedgreatinterest。

\"DidI,\"saidJulia,colouringscarlet;\"Iamsure——I

haveforgotten——itmustbeamistake,surely,dearaunt。\"

\"VerypossiblyImisunderstoodyou,mydear,\"saidMissEmmerson,risingandwithdrawingfromtheroom,inapparentindifferencetothesubject。

Juliacontinuedmusingonthedialoguewhichhadpassed,andsoonhadrecoursetotheletterofherfriend,thepostscriptofwhichwasall,however,thatshethoughtnecessarytoread:onthisshedweltuntiltheperiodswerelengthenedintoparagraphs,eachsyllableintowords,andeachletterintosyllables。AnnaMillerhadfurnishedtheoutlinesofapicture,thattheimaginationofJuliahadcompleted。ThenameofEdwardStanleywasrepeatedinternallysooftenthatshethoughtitthesweetestnameshehadeverheard。Hiseyes,hisnose,hiscountenance,wereavowedtobehandsome;andherfancysoongaveacolourandformtoeach。Hewassensible;howsensible,herfriendhadnotexpresslystated;butthenthepowersofAnna,greatastheyundoubtedlywere,couldnotcompassthemightyextentofsogiganticamind。Brave,too,Annahadcalledhim。Thisshemusthavelearntfromactsofdesperatecouragethathehadperformedinthewarwhichhadsorecentlyterminated;orperhapshemighthaveevendistinguishedhimselfinthepresenceofAnna,bysomeexploitofcoolanddetermineddaring。Herheartburnedtoknowalltheparticulars,buthowwasshetoinquirethem。Anna,dear,indiscreetgirl,hadalreadyshownherletters,andherdelicacyshrunkfromtheexposureofhercuriositytoitsobject。Afteramultitudeofexpedientshadbeenadoptedandrejectedasimpracticable,Juliaresortedtothecourseofcommittingherinquiriestopaper,mostsolemnlyenjoiningherfriendnevertoexposeherweaknesstoMr。Stanley。This,thoughtJulia,shenevercoulddo;itwouldbeunjusttome,andindelicateinher。SoJuliawroteasfollows,firstseekingherownapartment,andcarefullylockingthedoor,thatshemightdevoteherwholeattentiontofriendship,andherletter。

\"DearestAnna,\"Yourkindletterreach’dmeaftermanyananxioushourspentinexpectation,andrepaysmeten-foldforallmyuneasiness。Surely,Anna,thereisnoonethatcanwritehalfsoagreeablyasyourself。Iknowtheremustbealong——long——epistleformeontheroad,containingthosedescriptionsandincidentsyoupromisedtofavourmewith:howIlongtoreadthem,andtoshowthemtomyauntMargaret,who,Ibelieve,doesnotsuspectyoutobecapableofdoingthatwhichIknow,orratherfeel,youcan。

Knowingfromanythingbutfeelingandtheinnateevidenceofoursympathies,seemstomesomethinglikeheresyinfriendship。Oh,Anna!howcouldyoubesocruelastoshowmyletterstoanyone,andthattoagentlemanandastranger?I

neverwouldhaveservedyouso,noteventogoodCharlesWeston,whomIesteemsohighly,andwhoreallywantsneitherjudgmentnorgoodnature,thoughheisdreadfullydeficientinfancy。YetCharlesisamostexcellentyoungman,andIgavehimthecomplimentsyoudesired;hewassomuchflatteredbyyournoticethathecouldmakenoreply,thoughIdoubtnotheprizedthehonourasheought。Weareallveryhappyhere,onlyfortheabsenceofmyAnna;butsolongasmilesofwearyroadsandendlessriversrunbetweenus,perfecthappinesscanneverreigninthebreastofyourJulia。Anna,Iconjureyoubyallthesacreddelicacythatconsecratesourfriendship,nevertoshowthisletter,unlessyouwouldbreakmyheart:youneverwill,Iamcertain,andthereforeIwillwritetomyAnnaintheunreservedmannerinwhichweconversed,whenfate,lesscruelthanatpresent,sufferedustoliveinthesunshineofeachother’ssmiles。Youspeakofacertainpersoninyourletter,whom,forobviousreasons,IwillinfuturecallANTONIO。Youdescribehimwiththepartialityofafriend;buthowcanIdoubthisbeingworthyofallthatyousay,andmore——sensible,brave,rich,andhandsome。Fromhisname,Isuppose,ofcourse,heiswellconnected。Whataconstellationofattractionstocentreinoneman!Butyouhavenottoldmeall——hisage,hisfamily,hisprofession;

thoughIpresumehehasbornearmsintheserviceofhiscountry,andthathismanlybreastisalreadycoveredwiththescarsofhonour。Ah!Anna,\"hejestsatscarswhoneverfeltawound。\"But,mydearcreature,yousaythathetalksofme:whatunderthesuncanyoufindtosayofsuchapoorgirlasmyself?ThoughIsupposeyouhave,inthefondnessofaffection,describedmypersontohimalready。Iwonderifhelikesblackeyesandfaircomplexion。Youcan’tconceivewhatabloomthecountryhasgivenme;Ireallybegintolookmorelikeamilk-maidthanalady。Dear,goodauntMargarethasbeenquitesicksinceyouleftus,andfortwodaysIwashardlyoutofherroom;thishasputmebackalittleincolour,orIshouldbeasruddyasthemorn。Butnothingoughtevertotemptmetoneglectmyaunt,andIhopenothingeverwill。BeassuredthatIshallbeghertowriteyoutospendthewinterwithus,forIfeelalreadythatwithoutyoulifeisaperfectblank。Youindeedmusthavesomethingtoenlivenitwithalittleinyournewcompanions,buthereisnobody,justnow,butCharlesWeston。Yetheisanexcellentcompanion,anddoeseverythinghecantomakeusallhappyandcomfortable。Heigho!howIdowishIcouldseeyou,myAnna,andspendonesweethalfhourinthedearconfidenceofmutualsympathy。Butliequiet,mythrobbingheart,thedayapproacheswhenIshallmeetmyfriendagain,andmorethanreceivearewardforallourgriefs。Ah!Anna,neverbetrayyourJulia,andwritetomeFULLY,CONFIDINGLY,andoften。

\"Yours,withallthetendernessoffriendshipthatisfoundedonmutualsympathy,congenialsouls,andinnateevidenceofworth。

JULIA。\"

\"P。S。IshouldliketoknowwhetherAntoniohasanyscarsinhisface,andwhatbattleshewasin。Onlythink,mydear,poorCharlesWestonwasfrightenedbyaclapofthunder——butCharleshasanexcellentheart。\"

Thisletterwaswrittenandread,sealedandkissed,whenMissEmmersontappedgentlyatthedoorofhernieceandbeggedadmission。Juliaflewtoopenit,andreceivedherauntwiththeguilelesspleasureherpresenceevergaveher。Afewwordsofintroductorymatterwereexchanged,when,beingbothseatedattheirneedlesagain,MissEmmersonasked——

\"Towhomhaveyoubeenwriting,mylove?\"

\"TomyAnna。\"

\"Doyourecollect,mychild,thatinwritingtoMissMiller,youarewritingtooneoutofyourownfamily,andwhoseinterestsaredifferentfromyours?\"

\"Idonotunderstandyou,aunt,\"criedJuliainsurprise。

\"Imeanthatyoushouldbeguardedinyourcorrespondence——tellnosecretsout\"——

\"TellnosecretstomyAnna!\"exclaimedthenieceinaspeciesofhorror。\"Thatwouldbeadeath-blowtoourfriendshipindeed。\"

\"Thenletitdie,\"saidMissEmmerson,coolly;\"theaffectionthatcannotsurvivethelossofsuchanexcitement,hadbetterbesufferedtoexpireassoonaspossible,oritmayraisefalseexpectations。\"

\"Why,dearaunt,indestroyingconfidenceofthisnature,youdestroythegreatobjectoffriendship。

Whoeverbeardofafriendshipwithoutsecrets?\"

\"Ineverhadasecretinmylife,\"saidMissEmmersonsimply,\"andyetIhavehadmanyafriend。\"

\"Well,\"saidJulia,\"yoursmusthavebeenqueerfriends;pray,dearaunt,nameoneortwoofthem。\"

\"Yourmotherwasmyfriend,\"saidMissEmmerson,withstrongemotion,\"andIhopeherdaughteralsoisone。\"

\"Me,mybelovedaunt!\"criedJulia,throwingherselfintothearmsofMissEmmersonandburstingintotears;\"Iammorethanafriend,Iamyourchild——

yourdaughter。\"

\"Whateverbethenameyougiveit,Julia,youareverynearanddeartome,\"saidtheaunt,tenderlykissinghercharge:\"buttellme,mylove,didyoueverfeelsuchemotioninyourintercoursewithMissMiller?\"

ItwassometimebeforeJuliacouldreply;when,havingsuppressedtheburstofherfeelings,sheansweredwithasmile——

\"Oh!thatquestionisnotfair。Youhavebroughtmeup;nursedmeinsickness;arekindandgoodtome;andtheideathatyoushouldsupposeIdidnotloveyou,wasdreadful——ButyouknowIdo。\"

\"Ifirmlybelieveso,mychild;itisyouthatIwouldhaveknowwhatitisthatyoulove:Iamsatisfiedformyself。Irepeat,didAnnaMillereverexcitesuchemotions?\"

\"Certainlynot:mylovetoyouisnatural;butmyfriendshipforAnnarestsonsympathy,andaperfectknowledgeofhercharacter。\"

\"Iamglad,however,thatyouknowhersowell,sinceyouaresointimate。Whattestimonyhaveyouofallthisexcellence?\"

\"Innateevidence。Iseeit——Ifeelit——Yes,thatisthebesttestimony——Ifeelhergoodqualities。Yes,myfriendshipforAnnaformsthespringofmyexistence;whileanyaccidentoreviltoyouwouldafflictmethesameasifdonetomyself——thisispurenature,youknow。\"

\"Iknowitispleasingtolearnit,comefromwhatitwill,\"saidtheaunt,smiling,andrisingtowithdraw。

CHAPTERIII。

SEVERALdayspassedafterthisconversation,intheordinaryquietofawellregulatedfamily。

NotwithstandingthehouseofMissEmmersonstoodinthemidstofthenumberlessvillasthatadornManhattanIsland,thehabitsofitsmistresswereretiringanddomestic。Juliawasnotofanagetominglemuchinsociety,andAnnahadfurnishedherwithathemeforhermeditations,thatratherrenderedheraversefromtheconfusionofcompany。

HermindwasconstantlyemployedincanvassingthequalitiesoftheunseenAntonio。Herfriendhadfurnishedherwithacatalogueofhisperfectionsingross,whichheractivethoughtswerebusilyarrangingintoformandsubstance。Butlittlepractisedintheworldoritsdisappoinments{sic},thevisionarygirlhadalreadyfiguredtoherselfapersontosuitthesequalities,andtheanimalwasnolesspleasing,thanthemoralbeingofherfancy。

WhatprincipallydelightedJuliainthesecontemplationsontheacquaintanceofAnna,wasthestronginclinationhehadexpressedtoknowherself。Thisflatteredhertendencytobelieveinthestrengthofmutualsympathy,andtheefficacyofinnateevidenceofmerit。Inthemidstofthispleasingemploymentofherfancy,shereceivedasecondletterfromherfriend,inanswertotheonewehavealreadygiventoourreaders;itwascouchedinthefollowingwords:

\"MyowndearJulia,myFriend,\"IreceivedyourletterwiththepleasureIshallalwayshearfromyou,andamtrulyobligedtoyouforyourkindoffertomakeinterestwithyearaunttohavemespendthenextwinterintown。Tobewithyou,isthegreatestpleasureIhaveonearth;

besides,asIknowIcanwritetoyouasfreelyasI

think,onecanreadilytellwhatatiresomeplacethismustbetopassawinterin。Thereare,absolutely,butthreeyoungmeninthewholecountywhocanbethoughtinanymanneraspropermatchesforus;andonehasnochancehereofformingsuchanassociationastogiveagirlanopportunityofmeetingwithhercongenialspirit,sothatIhopeandtrustyourdesiretoseemewillcontinueasstrongasminewilleverbetoseemyJulia。YousaythatIhaveforgottentogiveyouthedescriptionofourjourneyandofthelakesthatI

promisedtosendyou。No,myJulia,Ihavenotforgottenthepromise,noryou;butthethoughtofenjoyingsuchhappinesswithoutyourdearcompany,hasbeentoopainfultodwellupon。Ofthisyoumayjudgeforyourself。Ourfirstjourneywasmadeinthesteam-boattoAlbany;sheisamovingworld。Thevesselploughsthroughthebillowywatersinonwardprogress,andthesoulisleftinsilentharmonytoenjoythechange。ThepassageoftheHighlandsismostdelightful。Figuretoyourself,myJulia,therushingwaters,lesseningfromtheirexpandedwidthtothedegeneracyofthestagnantpool——rocksriseonrocksinoverhangingmountains,untilthewearyeye,refusingitsnaturaloffice,yieldstothefancywhatitsfeeblepowerscanneverconquer。Cloudsimpendovertheirsummits,andthethoughtspiercethevastabyss。

Ah!Julia,thesearemomentsofawfulromance;

howthesoullongsfortheconsolationsoffriendship。Albanyisoneofthemostpicturesqueplacesintheworld;situatedmostdelightfullyonthebanksoftheHudson,whichheremeandersinsylvanbeautythroughmeadowsofever-greenanddesertislands。WordsarewantingtopaintthemelancholybeautiesoftheridetoSchenectady,throughgloomyforests,wherethesilverypinewavesinsolemngrandeurtothesighingsofEolus,whileBoreasthreatensinvaintheirfirm-rootedtrunks。Butthelakes!Ah!Julia——thelakes!ThemostbeautifulistheSeneca,namedafteraGrecianking。Thelimpidwater,ne’erruffledbytherudebreathingsofthewind,shineswithgoldentintstothehomageoftherisingsun,whilethelightbarkgallantlylashesthesurge,rockingbeforethepropellinggale,andforciblybringstotheappalledmindthefleetinghoursoftime。ButImustpause——

mypenrefusestodojusticetothesubject,andtheremainderwillfurnishushoursofconversationduringthetediousmomentsofthedelightfulvisittoPark-Place。YouspeakofAntonio——deargirl,withmethesecretishallowed。Heisyethere;hiswholethoughtsareofJulia——frommydescriptiononly,hehasdrawnyourpicture,whichisthemoststrikingintheworld;andnothingcantearthedearemblemfromhiskeeping。Hecalledhereyesterdayinhisphaeton,andinsistedonmyridingafewshortmilesinhiscompany:Iassented,forIknewitwastotalkofmyfriend。Healreadyfeelsyourworth,andhandedmethefollowingverses,whichhebeggedmetoofferasthesincerehomageofhisheart。Heintendsaccompanyingmyfatherandmetotownnextwinter——providedIgo。

\"Oh!charmingimageofanartlessfair,\"Whoseeyes,withlightning,firetheverysoul;

\"Whosefaceportraysthemind,andebonhair\"Givesgraceandharmonyuntothewhole。

\"InvainIgazeentranc’d,invaindeplore\"Theleaguesthatrollbetweenthemaidandme;

\"LonelyIwanderonthedesertshore,\"AndJulia’slovelyformcanneversee。

\"Butfly,yefleetinghours,Ibegyefly,\"AndbringthetimewhenAnnaseeksherfriend;

\"Haste——Ohhaste,orEdwardsuremustdie。

\"Arrive——andquicklyEdward’ssorrowsend。\"

Iknowyouwillthinkwithme,thattheselinesarebeautiful,andmerelyafaintimageofhismanlyheart。Inthecourseofourride,duringwhichhedidnothingbutconverseonyourbeautyandmerit,hegavemeadetailednarrativeofhislife。Itwaslong,butIcandonolessthanfavouryouwithanabridgmentofit。EdwardStanleywasearlyleftanorphan:nofather’sguardianeyedirectedhisfootsteps;nomother’sfosteringcarecherishedhisinfancy。Hisestatewasprincely,andhisfamilynoble,beingawrongedbranchofanEnglishpotentate。Duringhisearlyyouthhehadtocontendagainstthemachinationsofamalignantuncle,whowouldhaverobbedhimofhislargepossessions,andlefthiminblackdespair,tohaveeatenthebreadofpenury。Hiscourageandunderstanding,however,conqueredthisdifficulty,andattheageoffourteenhewasquietlyadmittedtoanuniversity。Herehecontinuedpeacefullytowanderamidtheacademicbowers,untiltheblastofwarrunginhisears,andcalledhimtothefieldofhonour。Edwardwaseverforemostinthehourofdanger。Itwashisfatetomeettheenemyoften,andasoftendid\"hepluckhonourfromthepale-

fac’dmoon。\"HefoughtatChippewa——bledatthesideofthegallantLawrence-andnearlylaiddownhislifeontheensanguinedplainsofMarengo。Butitwouldbeafruitlesstasktoincludeallthescenesofhisdangerandhisglory。Thankstothekindfateswhichshieldthelivesofthebrave,heyetlivestoadoremyJulia。Thatyoumaybeashappyasyoudeserve,andhappierthanyourheart-

strickenfriend,istheconstantprayerofyourANNA。\"

\"P。S。Writemesoon,andmakemyverybestrespectstoyourexcellentaunt。ItwaslaughableenoughthatCharlesWestonshouldbeafraidofaflashoflightning。ImentionedittoAntonio,whocried,whilemanlyindignationcloudedhisbrow,’chillpenuryrepressedhisnoblerage,andfrozethegenialcurrentofthesoul。’However,saynothingtoCharlesaboutit,Ichargeyou。\"

{Highlands=theHudsonHighlands,amountainousregioninPutnamandDutchessCounties,throughwhichtheHudsonRiverpassesinadeepandpicturesquegorge;Eolus=Godofthewinds;

Boreas=GodoftheNorthwind;Seneca=oneoftheFingerLakesincentralNewYorkState;Grecianking=boththeSenecasofantiquity,therhetorician(54BC-39AD)andhissonthephilosopher/statesman(4BC-65AD),were,ofcourse,Romans——inanycase,LakeSenecaisnamedaftertheSenecanationoftheIroquoisIndians;

Park-Place=alreadyin1816afashionablestreetinlowerManhattan;Chippewa=anAmericanarmydefeatedtheBritishatChippewa,inCanadanearNiagaraFalls,onJuly5,1814;Lawrence=CaptainJames(\"Don’tgiveuptheship!\")Lawrence(1781-

1813)oftheU。S。FrigateChesapeakewaskilledonJune1,1813,ashisshipwascapturedbyH。M。S。

ShannonoutsideBostonharbor;Marengo=battlewonbyNapoleonagainsttheAustriansonJune14,1800——\"Antonio’s\"militarycareerwastrulyanamazingone!;pluckhonor……=slightlymisquotedfromShakespeare,\"KingHenryIV,PartI,\"ActI,Scene3,line202;chillpenury……=slightlymisquotedfromThomasGray,\"ElegyinaCountryChurchyard\"verse13}

Juliafairlygaspedforbreathasshereadthisepistle:herverysoulwasentrancedbythesong。

Whateverofseemingcontradictiontheremightbeintheletterofherfriend,heractivemindsoonreconciled。Shewasnowreallybeloved,andinamannermostgratefultoherheart——bythesolepowerofsympathyandcongenialfeelings。

WhatevermightbetheadorationofEdwardStanley,itwasmorethanequalledbytheadmirationofthisamiablegirl。Herverysoulseemedtohertobedevotedtohisworship;shethoughtofhimconstantly,andpicturedouthisvariousdistressesanddangers;sheweptathissufferings,andrejoicedinhisprosperity——andallthisintheshortspaceofonehour。Juliawasyetinthemidstofthistumultoffeeling,whenanotherletterwasplacedinherhands,andonopeningitshereadasfollows:

\"DearJulia,\"Ishouldhaverememberedmypromise,andcomeoutandspentaweekwithyou,hadnotoneofMary’slittleboysbeenquitesick;ofcourseIwenttoheruntilherecovered。ButifyouwillaskauntMargarettosendforme,Iwillcometomorrowwithgreatpleasure,forIamsureyoumustfinditsolitary,nowMissMillerhasleftyou。TellaunttosendbytheservantalistofsuchbooksasshewantsfromGoodrich’s,andIwillgetthemforher,orindeedanythingelsethatIcandoforheroryou。Givemylovetoaunt,andtellherthat,knowinghereyesarebeginningtofail,Ihaveworkedheracap,whichIshallbringwithme。

Mammadesiresherlovetoyouboth,andbelievemetobeaffectionatelyyourcousin,KATHERINEEMMERSON。\"

Thiswaswellenough;butasitwasmerelyaletterofbusiness,oneperusal,andthatasomewhathastyone,wassufficient。Julialoveditswritermorethanshesuspectedherself,buttherewasnothinginhermannerorcharacterthatseemedcalculatedtoexcitestrongemotion。Inshort,allherexcellencesweresoevidentthatnothingwasleftdependentoninnateevidence;andourheroineseldomdweltwithpleasureonanycharacterthatdidnotgiveascopetoherimagination。Inwhateverlightsheviewedtheconductordispositionofhercousin,shewasmetbyobstinatefactsthatadmittedofnocavilnorofanyexaggeration。

Turningquickly,therefore,fromthisbarrencontemplationtoonebettersuitedtoherinclinations,Julia’sthoughtsresumedtheagreeablereveriefromwhichshehadbeenawakened。Shealsocouldpaint,andaftertwentytrialssheatlengthsketchedanoutlineofthefigureofamanthatansweredtoAnna’sdescription,andsatisfiedherowneye。Withoutbeingconsciousofthetheft,shehadcopiedfromaprintoftheApollo,andclotheditintheuniformwhichBonaparteissaidtohaveworn。Asmallscarwastracedonthecheekinsuchamannerthatalthoughitmightbefanciedastheravagesofabullet,itadmirablyansweredallthepurposesofadimple。Twoepaulettesgracedtheshouldersofthehero;andbeforethepicturewasdone,althoughitwassomewhatatvariancewithrepublicanprinciples,anaristocraticalstarglitteredonitsbreast。Hadhehisbirth-right,thoughtJulia,itwouldbethereinreality;andthisideaamplyjustifiedtheinnovation。Tothisimage,whichittookseveraldaystocomplete,certainverseswereaddressedalso,buttheywereneversubmittedtotheconfidenceofherfriend。Thewholesubjectwasnowbeginningtobetoosacredevenforsuchacommunication;andasthemindofJuliaeveryhourbecamemoreentrancedwithitsnewmaster,herdelicacyshrunkfromanexposureofherweakness:itwasgettingtooseriousforthelightcompositionsofepistolarycorrespondence。

Wefurnishacopyofthelines,astheymenotonlyindicativeofherfeelings,butmaygivethereadersomeideaofthepowersofherimagination。

\"Belovedimageofagod-likemind,\"InsacredprivacythypowerIfeel;

\"Whatbrightperfectioninthyform’scombin’d!

\"Howsuretoinjure,andhowkindtoheal。

\"Thineeagleeyebedazzlese’enthebrain,\"ThygallantbrowbespeaksthefrontofJove;

\"Whilesmilesenchantme,tearsintorrentsrain,\"Andeachseductivecharmimpelstolove。

\"Ah!haplessmaid,whydaringdostthouprove\"Thehiddendangersoftheurchin’sdart;

\"Whyfixthineeyeonthis,thegodoflove,\"Andheedlessthinktheetoretainthyheart!\"

Thiswasbutoneoffiftysimilareffusions,inwhichJuliapouredforthhersoul。Theflamewaskeptalivebyfrequentlettersfromherfriend,inallofwhichshedweltwithraptureonthemomentoftheirre-union,andneverfailedtomentionAntonioinamannerthataddednewfueltothefirethatalreadybegantoconsumeJulia,and,insomedegree,toundermineherhealth,atleastshethoughtso。

InthemeantimeKatherineEmmersonpaidherpromisedvisittoherfriends,andourheroinewasinsomedegreedrawnfromhermusingsonloveandfriendship。Themannersofthisyoungladywereconspicuouslynatural;shehadaconfirmedhabitofcallingthingsbytheirrightnames,andneverdweltintheleastinsuperlatives。Heraffectionsseemedcenteredinthemembersofherownfamily;norhadsheevergivenJuliatheleastreasontobelieveshepreferredhertoherownsister,notwithstandingthatsisterwasmarried,andbeyondtheyearsofromance。YetJulialovedhercousin,andwashardlyevermelancholyoroutofspiritswheninhercompany。ThecheerfulandaffectionategoodhumourofKatherinewascatching,andallwerepleasedwithher,althoughbutfewdiscoveredthereason。CharlesWestonsoonforgothisdispleasure,andwiththeexceptionofJulia’shiddenuneasiness,thehousewasonequietsceneofpeacefulcontent。ThepartyweresittingattheirworkthedayafterthearrivalofKatherine,whenJuliathoughtitagoodopportunitytointimateherwishtohavethesocietyofherfriendduringtheensuingwinter。

\"WhydidMr。Millergiveuphishouseintown,I

wonder?\"saidJulia;\"Iamsureitwasinconsideratetohisfamily。\"

\"Rathersay,mychild,thatitwasinconsiderationtohischildrenthathedidso,\"observedMissEmmerson;\"hisfinanceswouldnotbeartheexpense,andsufferhimtoprovideforhisfamilyafterhisdeath。\"

\"Iamsurealittlemoneymightbespentnow,toindulgehischildreninsociety,andtheywouldbesatisfiedwithlesshereafter,\"continuedJulia。\"Mr。

Millermustberich;andthink,aunt,hehassevengrownupdaughtersthathehasdraggedwithhimintothewilderness;onlythink,Katherine,howsolitarytheymustbe。\"

\"HadIsixsistersIcouldbesolitarynowhere,\"saidKatherine,simply;\"besides,IunderstandthatthecountrywhereMr。Millerresidesisbeautifulandpopulous。\"

\"Oh!therearemenandwomenenough,Idaresay,\"

criedJulia;\"andthefamilyislarge——eleveninthewhole;buttheymustfeelthewantoffriendsinsucharetiredplace。\"

\"What,withsixsisters!\"saidKatherine,laughingandshakingherhead。

\"Thereisadifferencebetweenasisterendafriend,youknow,\"saidJulia,alittlesurprised。

\"I——indeedIhaveyettolearnthat,\"exclaimedtheother,inalittlemoreastonishment。

\"Whyyoufeelaffectionforyoursistersfromnatureandhabit;butfriendshipisvoluntary,spontaneous,andamuchstrongerfeeling——friendshipisasentiment。\"

\"Andcannotonefeelthissentiment,asyoucallit,forasister?\"askedKatherine,smiling。