Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from Duke University Libraries http://www.archive.org/details/troubleoflivingaOOhofm THE TROUBLE LIVING ALONE. $ (Uofcef. F. B. HOFMAN. All the deliciousness of the purer parts of my life comes back to me, when contemplating what is right. BOSTON Arena Publishing Company COPLEY SQUARE 1894 COPYRIGHT BT F. B. HOFMAN, 1894. All rights reserved. INTRODUCTION. Up prance the mighty hordes Of fears, pretensions, sections, callous creeds And drivel wisdom Set with selfish tears. As rolls the mighty deep its roaring waves O'er landscapes hidden from inquiring eyes Down, deep, bedaggled, with such weighty gloom False ideas rage submerging where the fair Might range with pleasing air. There reptiles grovel — so are cares infest ! Down, deep, there lurks suspicion, serpent-like, And preys on hiding foes ; It lives not by its nourishment But on its self-wrought woes ! Kind creatures, heed the lesson of the hour ! If glittering gold no human eyes perceive And silver's shimmer be enwrapped in gloom Would you be dazzled by the thought thereof? Intrinsic value ranges with its creed — Oft when the hour of need is sorely pressed That merits solely that has not abscessed. Then onwards falls the onslaught — Amidst the din and terrors of the battle-cries The tumult rising, swaying to and fro, Anon a vantage, e'er the warfares' fates, The blistering, torrid thought comes home, "It is a war — INTRODUCTION. Would I were safe where cooling springs lave fevered brow, And arms of love entwine espoused their lord And cooing words ! " No sigh that heaves such as the weary one, Meet is for anguish, frenzy, brings despair; List! hearkening soul, The battle wages, hot ! At night the birdlings seek their tenored rest, One nutter and a pipe ere they sink low — Gloom brings them peace Or such security as suits them best, the lift from care. THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. CHAPTER I. £ORN AND REARED. I was born within the cheerful confines of the old Buck- eye state, where I played, studied, dreamed and labored, until in early manhood a spirit of roving took me away from the serene hills and peaceful valleys of my native home, whose picturesqueness was thereafter to linger for me solely in my fondly indulged remembrance of its love. Not altogether of alight nor for that matter either of a morose temperament, I possessed a spirit more turbulent and refractory than placid. I roved and wandered always — if not in fact, then with my fancies, and in the latter as well many real moments of delight were spent in locali- ties where all the delicious luxury of color and sound rapt the senses in ecstasies of pleasure. I could portray joy's glorious peace, -I could discover truth and rest; I could disport where pleased me best. Some at least of the vagaries of my enterprising fancy were to be realized — some exceeded. These things need 2 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. not startle us, did we but employ our natural wisdom; in their innovations on anything my mind had yet conceived or knowledge comprehended, I realized how nature in the appreciable constructions of the Great Creator excels our conjectures, and proves, in the most homely way, that our- selves cannot contrive as well as has already been done for us — ourselves only a part of the great structure. I learned, more and more, to have faith in the sublimity of things; to apprehend, that in the bosom and in the mind there might awaken in the plainest manner the strongest confidence in and consciousness of a higher Power and that Power through its consistent and persist- ent invocation reduce the resistance to our earnest desires to the smallest part. Proceeding, in trepidation, it was. with anguish and fearful concern, that I attempted to sound the depths, immeasurable, inscrutable ; to grasp the illimitable; to comprehend the indivisible ; to plunge into the darkness, with the pulsations of the heart almost stilled by apprehension — only to be buoyed and guided, in protection all the more grateful and colossal, in that its succoring might contrived through a mysterious and unf oreknown force and influence — the simple potency of faith. Why should I contrive: casting upwards, for power to survey the whole from off the commanding heights, I need but trust, to find the elevating spirit to give elucidation to my troubled brain. If inspiration comes unto the wicked's score And gilds his phantoms of a beauteous store, Because persistence merits its fair lore, Then may not well obtain the higher cause, As thus receiving start where oth'r must pause And then soar upwards, by the same curt laws ? I START. CHAPTER II. It was a glorious morning; the snn rose in all its splen- dor, and the outlook for my journey to be regarded as auspicious ; on the other hand, there lay in this brightness and joyousness of nature not the least suggestion of tears or regret at my departure. Indeed, there was no one particularly interested in this event, at least to my knowl- edge; though what tender, maidenly heart may have pulsated, or lips slightly quivered upon reading of my departure in the morning paper, I shall never know. Suffice it to say, that the severance of my social and commercial relations with my native place was devoid of the usual pain of such partings. With a trifling incum- brance of baggage and a purse which held no inducement to indolence or reckless extravagance, I proceeded to the depot — but not without a little shade or gloom falling upon me as I in passing looked more closely at each famil- iar object. I was not quite as indifferent as I appeared, or as my cheery greetings or responses to the few astir at the early hour before the business-world had resumed its humdrum, tended to show. And if I passed through a street whose directness could not have recommended it to me (I had taken the precaution to start early) can you question the feeling that led me past the abode of one whose sweet innocent eyes were yet closed in slumber, the fair one, glorious in my imagination and to my eyes, utterly unconscious of me, unless, indeed, at such moments some angel may whisper in caressing dream, that the incense of 4 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. devotion is nigh ? Nor knows she, that one whose distant admiration was the sole advance he dared — that, too, without recompense from her, then and there silently poured out the soft anguish of his sufferings ; and if per- haps a subtle uneasiness caused her to start from her repose, she will never indict for she knew me not, unless her glorious eyes may have rested a moment on mine, and the delicate fabric of her memory been imprinted by the ardor of my gaze at that time. Thus, my last devotion completed; and my memory hastened back to other maidenly charms, whose possessors' smiles I had unworthily enjoyed, with a touch of regret. The trees, the shrubbery, the grass ; the hills, near and in the distance ; the limpid stream, which had often given me refreshment and sport; the church- spires ; the court-house, whose clock-bell was then pealing the few strokes of the hour; the houses; at length to them all farewell. I thought so callous and austere had grown my heart, That I could leave these scenes with ne'er a sigh, But, yet, my spirit-heart effulges to my eye. I was perfectly agreed with myself to lean back in the soft cushioned seat of the railway coach, to close my eyes, to forget; to hear, see, comprehend nothing — nothing, until away from those familiar scenes; and as, after awhile, a drowsiness stole over me, the ensuing slumber and consequent oblivion was an agreeable curtain to the last hour. I BEGIN TO WANDER. CHAPTER III. I BEGIN TO WANDER. When I again realized my surroundings, I was far enough from my boyhood haunts to become at once aroused, and interested in what met my view. Youth is not com- patible with prolonged grief and channels, by which a suc- cession of thoughts at that time of life may course, are even easily deviated by every new object in the way. Strangely enough to one inexperienced, the people who came in sight, as we passed, resembled so closely, in some or many features, well-known friends or acquaint- ances at home, that I was almost inclined to accost them with familiar greetings — and my close gaze directed to some was at times undoubtedly disconcerting to them. The world becomes more circumscribed and the relation- ship between its inmates less diversified as one wanders farther and remains longer from home. These sensations are unique and peculiar to the traveler ; and, after a certain distance, his whole native state is composed of "friends" and " relations." Anyone he may meet therefrom, and, sub- sequently, anyone from his whole native country becomes kindred to him. Upon reaching the mountains, their acclivities and declivi- ties at places on the two sides of the railroad presented a rather startling effect to the verdant mind in prime con- dition for the first impressions of the wonders of creation, art and science, as exhibited elsewhere. I wondered at habitations hung on bleak sides, or placed in lonely hollows; that beings like myself should exist and move there. Con- 6 TUE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. jectured whether they felt just or similarly as I did or not. I noted the girls and boys old enough to comprehend, per- haps dreaming of the day, when they too might break through this stillness and monotony into that strangely imagined world beyond — perhaps, too, thereafter, only some day to wander back to that peaceful shelter for a solace from that same glittering outside turmoil and tumult with its attendant shocks. I contemplated the silent majesty of those straight forest constituents whose multi- tude is yielding to the axman's strokes and prowess for man's fantastical and fanciful manipulations and pastime of this earthly career, perforce, to become a source and subject of quarrels, dissensions and wrangles more tangled than the brush, that impedes the ready view and way, and yet from an origin so plain and simple and not yet nor need be exhausted ; the indigenous flowers, those bright little luminaries, that cheer the aching or wearily home-sick heart by recalling recollections of their little kindred at home; the wild rushing brooks, refreshing to the eye in the dust and smoke of the train. On this mysterious propulsion bore us — perhaps to our imminent destruction, perhaps to pleasure — this presently united concourse never to be identically together again. The stops for refreshment and other incidents in the train- service varied the monotony ; but to my eager, excited mind and alert feelings nothing had become irksome ; every sight made its impression as yet, nothing seemed a repetition — a devotion to nature which, by the way, forms a marked ele- ment in my disposition ! Passing what hours of night and repose intervened, to the latter of which a young, vigorous nature willingly accedes, there occurred nothing of note, to my knowledge, excepting the novelty of my situation. Shall this wild freak yet take me further on ? Have I not trembled when perused ere late I BEGIN TO WANDER. 7 Or at my father's knee the tale was told Of wily tongues that could of fortunes prate And sirens coyly such sweet bliss unfold ? How have I heard this is the cruel share The wretch abandoned scarcely dares to prog, While starving mites first weeting curse their lots ; And I had plenty on the fatted hog And my demands were honored on the spots. Then I was innocent and gay and free — Although the fantasy of what is not Distorted through my wild, conceited brain; That life were joy where every trail is hot; That in the tumult surely there be gain. What fond, deluded wretch not, now grown sere, Might whisper word to friv'lous youth, beware ! Might turn the tide, where well it were to stem, Could that young blood esteem the wisdom there Learned by hard fate enclosed by ripless hem. Where well is meed it to thy pleasant part — This life too short to stir the bitter dregs. There still remain, by fortune's fickle throw, Those who must strive (and this your pity begs) All innate genius learns this lot to know. For peace and joy reign where the mind is still From whirls and wild, disturbed, weird desire, A reach, a searching after things, which chill When even found; thus any genius' fire But must at length still smoulder to the fate That naught of worldly can all blasts endure, So much of toil that moves in any state That glances oft seek furtively death's door. How one would feel in walking in the air or on clouds, I do not knoAv ; but when I stepped from the train at Washington, I heeded not nor felt the ground, for my head was in a whirl between apprehension and confusion. The pushing, piling, rushing, crowding throng ; the babel of voices ; escaping and puffing steam, and smoke ; the cries of hackmen and hotel-runners, certainly fulfilled my ideas 8 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. and desires of 'bustle and excitement — what country -boy but has pictured to himself the importance he might attain if he could only reach this plane of existence. Checking my baggage I sallied forth with all the nonchalance I could muster. To the invitations of hotel-runners I tried very knowingly to shake my head, having predetermined to reconnoiter before selecting my hostelry, and to base my selection on what my observation and inquiry might discover. I carry my ordinary quantity of shrewdness about me with the purpose of putting it in use; and if I could not entirely conceal my verdancy from experienced eyes, I still hoped to convey a sufficient impression of solid- ity to remain unmolested. Direction was of no imme- diate concern to me, nor time to prosecute it in, so that by following the body of the crowd I could in no event go much afoul. The buildings, private and public, began to loom up, and the streets and cross-streets and their pedes- trians and vehicles, to and fro, bent on some mission inci- dental to this jamboree of life, paraded themselves before me. I soon began to look at everybody, which caused everybody to survey me, and I presume our admiration was mutual for I began to think a somewhat contemptuous look the proper thing in a large city. Once or twice, true, some insignificant bootblack or newsboy indulged in some humorous remark or other, addressed to me, but, I regarded such indifferently. I advanced without forcible opposition. In due course and circuitous order I visited the notable objects of interest, and found interest in many other objects, and passed the massive residences, with their outer show and inner speculation. Resting on a seat on one occasion, in one of the shady park-retreats, the quiet and freshness of the old Buckeye farm with the flowers and purling brooks and sweet repose of nature wafted themselves forcibly on my mem- I BEGIN TO WANDER. 9 Ory, as the incessancy of passers-by, men, women and chil- dren, hurried on the fretful courses, the look of peace nowhere portrayed. Was I impressed at the sight of the government great buildings ? Of course ; though, when I entered with awe, veneration and even superstitious dread the stately halls where wise men are supposed to assemble, and surveyed the statesmen, their attitudes and conduct, I lost some of my pristine aspirations. Soon I became absorbed in the architectural and designed intricacies of the building; and could not help ruminating on the expected modern perpetuation of the principles depicted in those noble and gorgeous historical paintings. And if the White House and its occupants became less the objects of my excitement, it was because of their mere humanity controlling and composing their existence, less appreciated at a distance, and by the ordinary, popular delusion in the instruments of government; it began to dawn upon me that to find anything removed from the frailties of these worldly affairs man's art and construction must not be sought, and that, after the physical and mental wants axe supplied that enter naturally in due course into our regimen, the remainder — the gloss and glitter — may only more glaringly disclose weaknesses and can never apotheo- size. I could conceive of a house, in the midst of acres of majestic forest presided over by the stately oak, brightened and refreshed by a capacious stream with a dashing cata- ract by way of variation, even in the loneliness and the fresh flowers and grasses, as a much more beautiful and in- spiring situation than the White House presented, and the former's attendant pastimes be preferable. Yet, art has there done much to make tolerable the slavery of con- strained existence, the loss of nature's glory of freedom; although, when trained to this life, it becomes unnaturally feasible, as stimulants may seem to revive a lost vitality. 10 TUE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. And continuing with a reflection on the petulancies that enter into the so-called delights of the closer and refined sociabilities with our fellowman and woman and purveyed on the positions of rank and -dominance, I could see so lit- tle hut decidedly inferior to the conditions of naturally moving graces and adaptations without the inquisitive, inquisitorial decrees and curiosities of our fellowman. I soon encountered some adventures, too. An elegant young man, who addressed me with the familiarity of an old acquaintance, invited me to take a walk with him — but, his proposed direction being contrary to mine, I declined. A little later, a most delicious being, superbly attired, smiled benignantly and lingeringly at me ; I had never beheld the like before — a female angel sprung into being, and so gracious, too. Yet I felt abashed, knowing that so resplendent a creature would find little in me to interest her, my qualifications extending not even to the intelligent discussion of the prospective corn-crop. I pos- sessed nothing to offer her, except a restless mind — she accustomed to ambrosial delectations, no doubt; hence, my consideration forbade me cruelly to inflict myself upon her, in which forbearance I was well fortified by a strong shyness and diffidence. But the apparition continued to haunt m«e for several minutes thereafter. And I have pondered on the importance of our personal adornments in respect to our material welfare. I proceeded thence to Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York — not as briefly but in the order named. I spent some time at different respectable employments, though often indifferently remunerated — still, ample in the re- spect that life and outward appearance were decently maintained and my small purse kept intact. I even on one or two occasions had enough surplus to indulge in a parlor- chair car in my transit from one place to the other — in I BEGIN TO WANDER. 11 fact, never worried, being convinced of the Divine interces- sion in the sparrow's faithful behalf. Hustling, bustling, toiling, whirling, Tumbling, tossing, seething, boiling, Teasing, tearing, trembling, scaring, Well-nigh fainting, all ill-faring, None but merits pity's sharing, And the crash, that knows no sparing, Ceaseless turmoil, headlong plunging, Cruel shift and crafty lunging ; — Ever, on the downward bearing, Climbing, mounting, yet, despairing, Naught for rest but wrecks comparing : Fleeting quicksands make no stairing. I received the impression, that about all the body of the great mass of people was doing for elevation and progress, was to climb over and on each other, in the delusion that despite the crushing weight at the expense of others they might be enabled to reach something higher ; when happi- ness is, all the time, in and about and around us, and not in dazzling heights, and requiring but our reach of realiz- ation. This, then, was the life I had sighed for — which my innocent rural surroundings and the vociferous announcements of the morning-cock had not suggested. Well, I had no reason to complain of ungratified desire in that regard, and had better not confess chagrin to sustain my pride. How has it come to pass that those massive structures — so much admired and representing an aggregate of skillful endeavor, yet after all not so wonderful from another standpoint — so generally are but monuments of deceit and conceit ? When I contemplated the amount of oppression and polished hypocrisy, that thrived as the fundament of and within those walls, I shuddered at the existing, 12 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. prevailing agony, clearly perceptible, yet tolerated. It is hard to believe, that in this must inevitably ensue or transpire the affairs of this world despite any human efforts or precautions. Perhaps it is true; but sad in every phase and aspect ! Lax morals make loose principles ; and to this touchstone much of our bitterness may be traced. The unheard voice, impotent in its silence, when its truthful courageous utterances might serve or save a fellow-human, because of its unknown sentiments is reckoned as endorsing these pernicious practices, and so in effect does, conducing furthermore to these conditions and allowing the management by unworthy servitors. While ease and rest are desirable, it is yet better that all good men and women exert themselves with the industry, alertness and carefully accpaired knowledge, which those who are injuring our whole fabric persist in — abstractly considered, so creditably. The success, merited by every industrious effort, is evidence of what may be accomplished by care and watchfulness, knowing no night of slumber, keeping vigil ever — for the success of evil must depend largely upon the slumbering of right. After a period, during which I added considerably to my meagre knowledge and experience, I began to consider the advisability as well as possibility, of yielding to an ardent desire I had long felt to make an ocean trip; and as among other pleasant and to me, in different ways, very helpful people I had met the captain of a sea-going vessel, who had begun to entertain for me a certain kindly inter- est, I broached the subject to him, and his response was favorable and cordial. So I was to bid good-by to firm soil for a period and in the sequel farewell to my native land. i ESSAY THE DEEP. 13 CHAPTER IV. I ESSAY THE DEEP. For the purpose of this narrative it will suffice to say that the vessel on which I shipped was one of the largest, newest and best equipped of its kind, and indeed a veri- table little palace on the briny, trackless expanse. My duties, owing to the especial contrivance of my friend, were not arduous, more in the nature of a companionship to my adjutor, and I was thus constantly enabled to expe- rience the inspiration of the occasion. It is not without emotion, that I recall many inci- dents. With the kind hearts on board, with the excellent provisions and cuisine, the pleasant sports and jollity, the monotony, which is engendered by the daily view of almost unbroken identity, was scarcely irksome, and for many moods became almost blissful. Day after day passed, and the little band grew closer and closer together, intercourse becoming less strained and real esteem more marked, so that some were beginning to proconceive the pain of separation, that should soon take place, and others to devise some plan for future meeting with some select one or company. The last day on Avhich it was my good fortune to enjoy their company, found an assemblage that could not be excelled anywhere for the good 'cheer, happy hopes and kindly disposition toward one another, which seemed to move and stimulate each individual. If any forebodings were harbored, or some spirit of evil presaged in the bosom of anyone the impending calamity, there was no 14 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. indication, not the slightest external ripple of it; and I felt no cross-grain in the flights of my gaiety. Toward noon and after the meal, flecks of clouds became notice- able, and as the atmospheric conditions changed the weather-beaten countenances of the old experienced cap- tain and some of the other seamen seemed, even to us, to take on a more serious aspect ; and before long even the quiet orders aroused somewhat our apprehensions. But nothing particular was said, and no great amount of alarm became prevalent, the gayer ones even growing more bois- terous. Still, we were evidently approaching a storm, and probably a very violent one, as the captain toward even- ing admitted to me. I was not much frightened and in due time sought my bunk, and was, ere many minutes, in the realm where no disturbance pained my ear or grief my heart. What little additional commotion had by this time arisen, and the swaying of the ship, but calmed and soothed me as I slept. CHAPTER V. STARTLING When I awoke, what was my astonishment to find my- self lying on the floor of the cabin, with a very sore ach- ing head and sickly sensations throughout my body. I listened ; all was silent, save the splash of the waves. A queer, fearful sensation, in the deathlike silence excited my alarm, and feeling that something was wrong, I started up only to be attracted to myself by the pain my move- ment called forth; then, putting my hand to my head, I felt that it had been bruised as though by a heavy fall or STARTLING! 15 hard blow; my position on the floor would indicate the former. The sun was shining brightly as the light through the port-hole glass indicated, and I imagined that the day was well-advanced. I again started up, my misgivings increas- ing with every moment, unlocked and opened the door and went out into the corridor. The door of the opposite cabin stood open, the room was deserted and everything in con- fusion. I took it in at a glance, but did not dwell on the spectacle. I was wild to get out beyond, to assure or reassure myself of something, I knew not, could not con- jecture what. I went on. Not a person, but an ominous stillness was there, and I was soon groping in darkness, for all the openings admitting light to the part I now had reached were closed, which alarmed me beyond measure and seemed to fulfill my worst forebodings. I found the stairs leading to the deck, which I rapidly ascended, and found the covering to this hatchway fortunately unfastened. I stepped on deck — nobody in sight; I ran all around the deck, at a breathless speed, and shouted and called — all in vain. Everywhere were the evidences of a fearfully devastating storm or hurricane, and — could it be true — the ship had been abandoned, and I was left behind or forgotten — I remained here alone! My first impulse was of terrible bitterness and full of reproach. Then my reflections staggered me; it was no time for reviling any- thing, certainly not my late, good friends, when I as yet knew nothing of them. But I buried my face in my hands in agony. Again, recollecting myself, I fancied that per- haps my apprehensions were only to be partially realized, and, again running, I proceeded to investigate all parts of the ship ; I hurried, I stopped, I listened ; after a little while I again called, and — more and more it forced itself upon my convictions, that my first dreadful belief was true. 16 TUE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. Beaching the side of the vessel, other than the one to which I had ascended and for the first time looking beyond the confines of it, I, to my overwhelming surprise, beheld frocks and land — saw that we had run on the rocks. 1 felt like laughing, then wept. So thus after all, although deserted, I was not lost — for, surely, I should find them on shore, or, discovering my absence, they would return or send back for me. I believed nothing else than that they had all gone on land ; had I reasoned, I might have concluded all would not have left, if not before the vessel grounded. The only supposition then I could have reached, would have been that they had gone ashore in the boats ; but excitement does not reason. And I began to feel easy, and to examine more critically the direful change which a fearful night must have wrought, and to experience the novelty of a wrecked ship. (I will add here, that my expectations of seeing again my fellow- passengers were never realized ; and to me their fates are unknown — whether the merciless, briny deep engulfed them or their bleached bones lie scattered upon some burn- ing beach ; or whether happy homes and friends again welcomed any of them. But I suspect that I am the only one left to relate this unhappy occurrence, though whether it will ever reach other ears, I, at this distance and as yet shut off from the outside world, cannot say. Perhaps, an all-absorbing gloom will forever seal their fate and my own in oblivion; but I believe an all-abiding God will make the disclosure. God bless their memories!) Still nervous, however, I glanced about. Every evidence be- tokened a heart-rending time which the kind indulgence of Providence had spared me. The masts had been splint- ered off, and that heavy seas had washed and drenched every portion of the surface, there was plenty of indica- tion. And upon furthur investigation it seemed to me STARTLING! 17 that the departure must have occurred precipitately, at any rate all the boats and almost every means of escape had been employed or removed (which, alone, had my reasoning faculties just then accompanied my observations, must have determined when they had abandoned the ship), though from all appearances I never could discover that much in the way of victualing was taken along. From this I reason that they delayed until a moment when perhaps in a panic they must have been in the worst state of demoralization, from which one can easily picture the saddest of results. The fact that all the openings to the flooding sea below had been closed shows that every precaution had been taken and hope indulged, until a fatal moment probably sent the hundreds of souls into eternity, abandoning what would have been safety. Tributes to their memories! Beginning to feel hungry (I was at that time buoyed by the expectation of finding them on this shore, all the fore- going reasoning being the later calm deliberation of which I was not capable then) I first opened the "water opposers," so that light might again be shed on the inner recesses; for it was now a beautiful, warm, bright day, the sun beaming and the sky serene as though not upon and over a scene of recent desolation. I proceeded below, first looking into the dining-room, where I saw nothing in the way of eatables, but some confusion of broken glass, etc. ; then to the kitchen and cooking department. Here there was no fire, but every evidence that the supper (or dinner) of the evening before was the last meal that had emanated from this department. A time-piece, that regis- tered as well the date, marked ten minutes of four o'clock and June 20 ; so that my last recollection of date being the 19th, I was aware that but one night had elapsed since I had last retired to sleep and unconsciousness, 18 T1IE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. Painful was the realization, that I was alone; and even though a hope still lingered to beguile my belief in a speedy reunion with my friends, I must confess that I had a foreboding or presentiment that they would never meet my gaze again. Have you yet known the deep solicitude, That yearns the being for its species, kind ? The silence grows oppressive with each hour As glow the stars o'er shaded sun still lower. CHAPTER VI. YET ALONE. No gentle lips dispose to welcome sounds Or give disclosure to a yearned presence near To troll the mind within its happy sphere. The voice is raucous for the want of such dear use To give in utterance the sweetly searching tones, That need a sympathy to draw them forth And, weeting, lingeringly permit them thus to course Until their ardors grow to beauty's rounds. Calm vision is dispelled, when naught is seen Save nature in its true, benignant grace — The charm still lacking of the fascinating human face. Whether alone in the multitude, or away from any human habitation or companionship, the drift of life stays not ; and ever the idea lingers, that it will not always be thus. I could not withstand the demands of a young, vigorous nature, and, despite the burden that weighed upon me, my hunger demanded appeasement ; for which purpose I had redescended, shuddering a little, for I half-dreaded some YET ALONE. 19 ghastly or ghostly apparition out of the stillness and imminent despair, some stalking spirit of a late friend (as though even if it should appear, such would harm me). But I gulped down the growing lump in my throat, and repaired to a well-supplied larder, where, without particu- lar choice or preparation of food and with a generous liba- tion of wine, I revived my fagging strength. Hastily I retraced my course to the deck ; and now began a more thorough and systematic survey of my surroundings and position. The ship had landed or rested high and dry, and to all appearances was not much damaged ; it must have been an unusually powerful billow and gale which had placed the vessel so far up and almost out of future danger, except from similar phenomena. I later saw in this a provision of Providence. My immediate view toward land was cut off by a high, rocky shore ; and after climbing over the side of the ship and descending by means of a rope- ladder which I found conveniently and had fastened and adjusted for the purpose, not without anxious misgivings I stepped on the rocks, and slowly, cautiously, as quietly as possible, clambered up. Reaching the top, I looked upon a beautiful stretch of country, expanding far out and away in natural stately grove and charming meadow, and in the distance the blue outline or maze seemed to indi- cate mountains. There were exquisite flowers, in variety, and I saw and heard birds, and some insects - — but noth- ing to denote the presence of man in this locality. The ocean spread out grandly behind me and at the side a charming beach extended itself, glistening and sparkling from the waves' spray and wash, on this gloriously sunlit day, azure canopied with the barest specks of fleecy cloud- lets interspersed. I could not suppress a feeling of admi- ration, and a blissful calm momentarily came over, seized me. "Monarch of all I surveyed," with a laden ship 20 Til E TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. behind and an unmeasured, inviting tract before me, I pro- ceeded farther, always with the utmost caution and cir- cumspection, with frequent quisitorial glances about me. Everything indicated a fertile soil for a fructiferous vegetation, and the scenery, after I had penetrated some distance from the shore, carefully noting all the while any evidences by which I might retrace my steps, possessed a charm of uncultivated verdure than which I had never beheld a greater, aided or unaided by the science or art of man; but, nowhere did I find a trace of that creature, and as the glooms of evening began to be manifest, I bethought myself of my return, feeling that the only friend and companion now left was one of man's handiwork — thus the human being ever turns to his spe- cies, or in the absence thereof, seeks comfort in something that remains of its touch. On remounting the deck and nervously pacing thereon, I sighed, "What a night!" I sat on deck long into the night, comfortably ensconced with a preparation for ready vision both to the ocean and land. Often I leaned backwards, resting my head on a coil of rope behind me, watching the stars burst into bril- liant darts and points, just as they did at home; and the moon arose, half full, to cast serenity, beauty and efful- gence upon the benign scene. Yet I contrasted this unfa- vorably with the preceding evenings, with a sad comment on the suddenness of sorrow. With turbulence in my heart I began to think upon and plan my future conduct, with no satisfactory solution of the vexed and mooted question. Fatigued nature gradually asserted itself, and the balminess of the delightful summer-night began to yield to the influences of the shades, admonishing me to seek rest and shelter. Going toward my cabin (I still occupied my own, although they now all and any stood open to me) I securely barred every avenue of approach YET ALONE. 21 to me, lastly bolting my cabin-door, and, with a half smothered sigh and muttered groan, threw myself, dressed, into my bunk, to sink shortly with sweet wel- come into the oblivion of sleep. I awoke and it was light, and but a moment sufficed for recollection. The time had come when I must think and act. Ascending to the deck, as the first duty and precau- tion, I assured myself that everything remained as I had found it the day before; the weather was still fine. I went down again, and after a refreshing and careful ablu- tion, this time built a fire in the range, and, after a little skirmishing and furbishing, prepared a generous repast. I had now cleared for action. I descried nothing in the unbroken horizon of my mental vision save the reparation to self-preservation and of the interstices of my faculties. I first made a more detailed, though still cursory, inspec- tion of the contents of my abode. Besides pictures, musical instruments and accoutrements of fancy, taste, fastidiousness, and the numerous incidentals of ship furnishings and employments, there was a library, with — as it proved, fortunately for me — a comprehensive scope. Besides scientific instruments and appliances, I found farm- ing implements, seeds, some plants, merchandise of nearly all kinds, and numerous other articles, which I did not then take time to examine; also there remained (but these I had already determined not to molest unless the extrem- ity of affairs demanded or justified) the trunks, and other baggage and personal belongings of the late ill-fated passengers and. crew. And the kitchen stores, supple- mented by the excellent butlery and medicine closet, were well stocked. I directed a long searching observation over the sea, using both field-glass and telescope, of which, among an ample assortment, I selected two magnificent specimens} 22 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. but not a speck appeared to give me hope. I next scanned what portion I could, from this point, of the land, and perceived nothing human. I then determined, bright and early, to issue forth upon a reconnoitering tour, to occupy the whole day if not checked by some circumstance sooner; and I at once set about preparing therefor. I took with me food, a double-barreled rifle, revolvers, ammunition, knife and dagger, a compass and the glasses referred to, besides seeing that my watch was wound up and set (and the ship's chronometer left in good running order) all securely strapped and adjusted to me, save the rifle, which I carried conveniently in my hands ready for prompt use. I might have come into collision with the laws relative to carrying concealed weapons, and so forth, if there had been any such in force, and anyone inclined to insist upon their provisions. Again reaching the top of the bank, I took bearings and noted any conspicuous objects, by which to guide my return, and proceeding in the same direction I had previously gone, at first through the suffrutescence, I soon entered pleasant woods and delightful glades, and traversed beautiful natural meadow patches. Although hampered and retarded, here and there, by brush and luxuriance of vegetation — the undis- turbed accumulation, it would seem, of ages, only fallen trees, and vines, I could not refrain from indulging my unbounded admiration of untrammeled nature, spark- ling in the freshness of the early morning's dew- drops, which glistened in the sunlight, and the delightful air, odoriferous with the fragrance of exquisite varicolored and oddly shaped flowers and some blossoms. It approached indeed my idea of the garden of Eden — only there lacked a sweet companion for me to complete the bower of bliss. In this case even a male companion- ship would have been cheerfully hailed. But I pushed YET ALONE. 23 and worked on. Besides flowers and birds and delightful shrubbery and small streams and sparkling cascades, and some fruits and berries, of which I tasted very charily, I saw nothing but seemingly impenetrable forest, relieved occasionally by bright fertile expanses in great lux- uriance, again skirted by huge forest trees and undergrowth. I had all the time carefully observed my bearings and did not consider myself lost. At noon, refreshed by a little cascade from a rock-basined spring where the ground began to be uneven and broken, I rested in comfortable enjoyment, though terribly impressed by the solitude. Never did a person sit down to a repast, more imbued with the alarm and feeling of utter loneliness ! So far, birds and insects, besides a respectable-looking snake or two, were the only living objects I had encountered, and these regarded me with varying degrees of indifference, none doing or attempting to do me harm. My discoveries still left me alone, and, what was worse, with no clue for further investigation, with only an interminable depth and mystery around. I concluded to prosecute my inquiries and researches on the morrow, as far as a day's endeavor would carry me, along the coast. Arriving again at my "residence" on the border of the deep, I readily saw that no disturbance had taken place there ; and another dreary night set in. The next day proved equally fruitless, and so the next, and the next, each day's explorations extending in a dif- ferent direction. Save a little difference in scenery, and one or two glimpses of some larger four-footed, but, to all appearance, yet harmless animals, which fled startled at my approach, I was substantially without progress; cer- tainly in the one cherished desire of finding some human existence besides my own on this enchanting spot, whose very loveliness, however, was beginning to mock my dis- 24 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. tress. I believe I could have embraced with joy a canni- bal, an enemy, the most hideous and endangering wild man, just to have seen a human being again. After deliberately cogitating and sunk in reverie awhile I determined to take an extensive tour, lasting perchance a month, to satisfy myself as to the presence of any inhabitants of the place, to ascertain whether or not the same were an island, and to seek for some means of escape. I wished to learn, if my life were spared and escape impossible, under what circumstances I must spend my remaining days here. Following the shoreline and making numerous digres- sions inland, I spent eight weeks, living on fruits and berries and eatable flesh I captured and cooked, for fish large and small in sea and in stream, large and small game and the best of fresh water I found in abundance and easily acquired, and all of a quality to tempt the desires and tickle the palate of the epicure; and carrying enough outfit to make camping practicable, I rested at night on a blanket spread on the ground in a sheltered place, lying Indian or Mexican fashion face downward. The nights were constantly pleasant, as always in this cli- mate at this part of the year ; a fire, and a rope encircling my open couch, warded off animal and reptilian encroach- ment on my private "apartment," if ever I was threat- ened therewith ; my precautions were, nevertheless, taken with regular system. And as day after day I still lived well — in fact, there was no exhausting the supply in sight — my return was further postponed, in the vain hope that perhaps one day more would bring the desired joy. But, no — doomed to disappointment in this, I retraced my way, going directly and as rapidly as I could, back to the ship — and to what solace I could find in the reminders of my former associations. I again found everything undis- MY MONOPOLY. 25 turbed, which was rather a melancholy pleasure than otherwise, and concluded to settle down, to apply my ener- gies to my own entertainment (I felt no alarm on account of physical necessities) looking forward to the hour of deliverance — possibly only that of death. Thus, the human heart quails and discouragement read- ily wraps the human being in gloom. CHAPTER VII. MY MONOPOLY I The next ten days were aimless for me; I ate, slept, read, yelled, played on the musical instruments — there were many of them, including an outfit for a brass band — scampered up and down and over and in and out, exam- ined everything, minutely, until the inventory of the ship's contents was at my tongue's end, so to speak. Sometimes I felt a little hilarious, which was however more than offset by the settling gloom on my once joyous temperament. At the end of that time, this sort of inertia became gruesome, and I began to consider what I might do to employ my mind. Impelled by a presage of present useless- ness I lost sanguineness of discovering anyone and felt con- vinced of the futility of an effort; not that faith is unnatural or unproductive, for it is the contrary. If indeed the land were inhabited at all, unless by some lone individual or small number cast thereon, somewhat like myself, this goodly portion would not remain so utterly unexplored and traeeless of human acts and occupation. My mind was in a terrible conflict, with chasing doubts and conject- 26 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. ures to aggravate the evil ; why might my companions not have readied the shore here somewhere ? Would they not, then, have looked for the wreckage on this beach ? Ah ! doubts and wishes and desires and despair, how they wring the human heart ! I had the idea, that I was on a very large domain, per- haps a continent itself. At any rate, I was beginning to consider a pure neces- sity — and that the greatest of all — the nourishment of the mind, to prevent its decline into actual insanity. I conceived the idea of making (the first food for the mind is regulation of an attachment) a little plantation and erecting an abode on land, and, besides using the seeds of which there was abundance in quantity and variety on board, to employ the indigenous plants and growths both for embellishment and use, and to find cultivation and companionship in these experiments. Nature is always ready to befriend you, and throws itself in your way to attract your attention and distract your sorrows. Land was cheap, apparently fertile, and the vagaries of my fancy would be so limited solely by my skill and some natural requirements. I had been here now upward of three months, as the hour and date annotator on board betokened. This I most studiously kept in order and running, during my prolonged absence having kept daily tally in a note-book of the passing days and not allowed my watch to run down. I had also established a sun-dial, by which to test the reg- ularity of my time-pieces; besides astronomical charts, works, instruments etc., amply stowed on ship, aided me. In the meantime however I noted that a change of season was setting in, admonishing me that a fall and winter of some description were to ensue. I had already begun to consider, judging from the kinds of nuts and fruits and grapes, and vegetation generally, that the climatic condi- MY MONOPOLY. 27 tions were very similar to those of my late country. The changed tints of the foliage, the cold rain, the bursting pods, and the fruits reminded me forcibly of the old farm at this time of the year. I began therefore — a kind of instinct, I presume — to gather of the bounty nature had so profusely and delectably provided yet seemed to be wast- ing, and as time and season progressed together, soon had stowed enough to satisfy a hundred persons; still, this useless surplus employment was the only diversion I could secure. Oh, nature's store, so much, profusely, yet, all scattered o'er Still famish thousands, who thy bounty ne'er have felt; There is some fault, before which railings melt. The crowdings, crushing to some space, as though no other fair ; The garnering, gathering over countless space by selfish few; The direful waste; unworthy most, who never seek to know, That Providence has sought for every need to sow. And many fields, as green, as e'er you've seen, Await your choice, when you will reap, not glean ; And will spread out all o'er this world's fit range ! The provisions on ship, in salted and canned articles, besides coffee, tea, sugar, spices, and so on, all securely and durably packed, alone would suffice for me for the next five years or more, so that anxiety on the score of food was no part of my troubles. Soon the wind began to blow and snow to fall, after an exquisitely fine Indian-summer. Thanksgiving day, which I kept with true American devotion, found me of course alone, but at a festive board crowned by a magnif- icent young wild turkey, with cranberry sauce and oyster- 28 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. dressing, a la cook-book, attended by bouillon and fresb fish, and numerous substantial and delicacies, including a veritable pudding and a mince-pie — in fact, such a spread as was not excelled by any of former years. A toast, in a glass of genuine imported champagne (such as a sea-cap- tain knows how to have) was drunk, silently, standing; and, if I could return fervent thanks for my strange pres- ervation in an opportune and bountiful manner, still, I felt sad at my loneliness, and at the fatality which had transplanted me hither, ever ready to forget that my own rashness in desiring foreign sights was primarily its cause. Yet I enjoyed the feast. (The exercise and fresh air in round after round of explorations of the possibilities and contents of my immediate neighborhood, had brought me health, and my weight and appetite were constantly increasing.) Under the circumstances even the presence of a dog would have been a solace — and what a feast the old fellow would have had on the profuse remnants; or, I do not know, he might have been a fellow-banqueter with me ! I spent the rest of the day prayerfully, and in read- ing the Bible. About the only other consolation I had was a violin, and hour upon hour, at times, found me pouring out the anguish of my soul by means of its sympathetic depths of expression, such as only it, next to the voice, can give. What a strange sound and melody this must have been to this primitive region ! Snow covered the ground, and ice began to form, until at Christinas a finer winter scene and condition could hardly be conceived in a temperate zone. My Christmas was both devotional and lonely, and, constrained to observe old customs by my inclinations even in this soli- tude, additional luxuries, or specially prepared dishes for my repast, ceremoniously arranged, and decorations of MY MONOPOLY. 29 green commemorated the occasion. Will you smile, when I say that I added a Christmas-tree to the festivities ? Game proved plentiful and, as yet, fat and savory; besides, fish, for which I had a great fondness, were so easily caught, seeming indeed to rush for the honor, as to present no sport. All in all, as far as bodily wants were concerned, connected with the ample supply of all kinds of apparel on board what mortal could intelligently and consistently desire more? Could he crave the turmoil and struggle of this life, in its human associations, espe- cially, after having experienced their bitterness and anxie- ties? These were the questions I frequently asked and attempted to rebuke myself for my seeming ingratitude, when never in my life had I been so free from outside cares. I recollected that dearth of many things which existed among the general inhabitants of civilization and their struggle for bare existence; and I was spared this, or rather freed from it, and a million other sorrows. Only, the solitude and monotony were intense, and therein lay a further use of philosophy. I read and read, and found hours of abstraction and pleasant companion- ship thus. Spring announced its approaches, as of old, and burst forth into delicious, bright splendor, soon studding the landscape with gorgeous bloom. I began to bestir myself for amusement and to while away the tedious time to planting and sowing, and to experiment with some of the seeds, of which there were such a variety and abundance on ship-board; and I soon had the excellent soil in a state of fine preparation, the incidental labor and sweating but proving a rest to my mind; and corn, pump- kins, potatoes, beans, radishes, lettuce and other vege- tables soon were properly imbedded to impregnate the virgin earth. 30 TIIE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. Need I continue with these minutiae? — let us end by saying, that when I gathered the yield was so manifold, that in a populated land, conducted as my old country was, in the state of civilization in vogue, the profits, rela- tively to the investment, would have been enormous, and I should soon have become a very wealthy man; but here it proved solely a superabundance — gratifying to the husbandman, but deplorable for the mere waste. I garnered some of the wild tributes of kind nature, as the year before, only to cast the bulk of them to the fishes in the following spring and house-cleaning, which served the purpose at least of attracting and congregating them to the watery vicinity of my abode and thus making them still easier prey. I constructed an elegant fantastical little abode, where I stayed and slept a part of the time, not very far from the shore, backed and bordered by a beautiful grove which I had cleared around about the dwelling and replaced with a well-trimmed lawn, and near it a fountain of cool, clear, sparkling water; vines and climbing roses picturesquely overran the house, adding their charm of beauty and odor; while flower-beds, and ornamental little trees and shrub- bery, transplanted from different spots, and mosses and ferns, besides the successful products of seeds I found in the ship all contrived, with the natural grove as a setting, a very charming park. I had also with the seeds I pos- sessed, planted an orchard to which I had added and pruned, grafted and cultivated of the indigenous kinds, by way of further variety aud experiment. If I did not possess a little Eden, that is, the garden thereof, where else could one be found ? I had plenty of time to indulge every fancy, acquired or imagined, in the way of decora- tive or landscape art, or for useful purposes, and, almost, no end of means. Botany was a study to which I became ALONENESS. 31 greatly attached; and geology and animal life received considerable attention. I had a respectable laboratory, and made a number of useful, entertaining chemical experiments. Five years — slow, drawn-out, almost weary — were spent without any particular or marking incidents, than such as I have narrated. As time with gentle drops of water wears through adamant, so the heart becomes accus- tomed and adapts itself to repetition — the mind is least troubled when the heart is at rest. The days had grown less irksome, since I had in a measure formed acquaintance and friendship with inanimate things. Five years — and I had grown that much older, and how far, how far removed from the time and accomplishments of the world ! Accom- plishments ? Does the world accomplish anything by misery and unhappiness and starvation, mental and physical ? CHAPTER VIII. ALONENESS. I had now arrived at a period, when, as few could, I was enabled from experience to philosophize on the query, "Is it well for man to be alone?" I had enjoyed, or rather been thrust into Adam's condition, barring special dispensations, before his marriage; and that under not unfavorable conditions. I had well-stocked provisions of the thoughts and contrivances of men for the mental and physical wants ; a country solely lacking other inhabitants, human habitations and handicrafts to complete the similar- ity to the one left. 32 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALOXE. Perhaps, it may be argued, had I never known man, his kind or contrivances, no solitude would have existed for me at this favored spot ; I would have been allied to the feath- ered and finny and hairy tribes, that animated the locality. That, however, remains within the realms of conjecture. The question still remains, Is it well for each individual to belong exclusively to himself; disregarding any idea of propagation, which is nothing, unless either the innate desire of company, or the natural propulsion of animal life ; but considering exclusively individual convenience, solace and comfort ? My experience answered : In the sublimest moments of self-abnegation; at the most abstract supposi- tion of total oblivion of any former contact with human- ity, is the heart, the soul, are the faculties content ? No. An inborn instinct feels craving, demands intercourse of like with like ; even condescends to inferiority, to gratify that import. And this union and re-union are susceptible of all refinements. Alone, then, though possessed of ample and plenty, enjoy- able to any degree that human ingenuity can devise out- side of the divine spell: and yet all this would be sacrificed and abandoned for less — if that less be accompanied only by the desired and cherished companionship. The love, lesser demonstrations of the principle that abandons palace for cottage; friends for its object; even, honor for its appeasing food! Xot that morbidness may not abuse even this principle. The provisions of the Creator cannot hence be so circumvented. As I lay down, like to Adam, a heavy slumber settled deeply over and upon me, and I awoke to my astonishment. HELLO/" 33 CHAPTER IX. "Hello!" I heard, or thought I heard (I was sleeping that night in the deck-cabin of the ship, it being now again summer), human voices — and I started up in affright. The sun- light was streaming brightly in indication that the day was already well advanced. Now, throughly awake, again that voice-sound broke upon my ear, accompanied, this time, by a dull soft smacking sound, a little shuffling, as of bare feet. Hastily jumping up and throwing on the light apparel which, in that warm weather, I wore, I sallied forth. But a few feet distant on the deck, there were the forms of two well-proportioned men, with their backs toward me, they being seemingly intent upon the observation of some object. They were clad in well-fitting dark seemingly home-spun clothing, with broad-brimmed hats, and were bare-footed. Imagine the quiver of surprise that shook my whole frame ! I was speechless with astonishment, and my first impulse, that instinct of well-grounded suspicion I had retained from my civilized life, was to rush back for a weapon — thus even in the midst of hopeless existence, the instinct for the preservation of life is self -accordant — then, recollecting myself, I calculated instantly that my chances of effectual resistance must be eventually blocked by the number of their probable associates, and I had noth- ing in jeopardy, anyway. Then the next instant, were they desperadoes or no, I would claim their companionship or find through them some succor or relief — almost any- thing would be the latter. M THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. All these varying and conflicting reflections passed through my mind in the flash of a moment. So, not without an exultant throb of joy that I might again use my voice to address a human being, I spoke as calmly as I could : " Good morning, gentlemen ! " and felt as though a great load was lifted off me, all at once, by the breaking of the long constrained silence ! A sudden almost ludicrous start passed visibly through the men, who immediately turned toward me their full- bearded ruddy weather-beaten countenances (I had during all this time regularly kept my face shaven) upon which were depicted courage and the hardihood of splendid physical condition, while an open character and kindly expression were apparent in their yet keen, blue eyes. They seemed to have their feelings under better control than I, perhaps because more accustomed to unusual occurrences or sur- prises, or perhaps each feeling fortified by the other, two to one. Yet, they could not know what hidden dangers lurked behind me, nor that I was alone, and their entire demeanor evinced caution, though not separated from an apparent curiosity, and an emotion which I did not then understand, hardly expecting, certainly not thinking of such a thing as what I afterward realized. Had I then known, that — although matured men, one even past mid- dle life — they had never before seen or heard a stranger, I should have spoken and acted differently, and presumed more for myself; but in no event would my joy have been less. Recovering from the momentary surprise, the elder of the two responded, in a deep, melodious voice, "Good morrow, my friend." The sound of a human voice again addressed to me ! Floods upon floods of recollections and keen sensations passed in that second over me, and tremb- ling I would have sunk to the floor but for the support of "HELLO!" 35 the door-post. The suddenness of this surprise out of the depths of hopelessness ! " Friends or foes," I almost whispered. Perceiving my agitation they both advanced, and the first speaker in the most kindly voice and manner imaginable, holding out both his hard, labor-encrusted hands to me, spoke again, "Friends, if you will. We extend a cordial greeting, though, encroaching upon your domain and hospitality, we should await the greeting from you." It was the grace of natural culture by which these words were uttered. "Ah! gentlemen," I replied, "pardon me ; your manner and speech assure me, and I will recol- lect myself; I have been so long alone" (they started with astonishment) "dwelling only in memory with my fellow-man, that it surprises me that I recollect or can utter speech at all. I was more overcome by delight than fear; by astonishment than trepidation; but, now, 1 bid you welcome, most heartily welcome, and, if I shed tears, for- give my weakness. Come, come with me ! " I had evidently become more than ever a mystery to them ; but, leading the way to the shaded side of the vessel, I rushed into the cabin and soon had lugged out two more deck chairs, which I placed near an accustomed seat of mine, with an invitation to them, that they seat themselves thereon. My request was complied with, and our mutual feelings at this time, when our respective histories, each remarkable, were unknown to one another, can be conject- ured in the light of subsequent disclosures. 36 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. CHAPTER X. REVIVED SOCIABILITY. Constance decks a life devoid of bliss. Thus blissful throbs run through the fevered veins, When tickling humors broil their happy frames, In joyous missives rendered part to part. As in pulsations wild the heart evolves And the whole mind suffuses with its surge Clear vision be restored; though dazzling joy Makes hard its brilliant depths thus oft to scan ; For all the purer elements of guileless bliss Are found in realms of inner virtuousness. "How romantic it would have been if these had been robbers, with wild adventures to our hero, and succor in the nick of time by an angelic and voluptuous maiden, with long flowing golden hair ! " But this was not the case, at least at this time; we must take life as it comes. A little interquestioning, with considerable excited speech and frequent ejaculation, in which the other and younger of the two joined with equal animation, soon dis- closed enough of our respective histories to acquaint one another with our relative fortunes or misfortunes. My delightful and delighted visitors were men of physical hardihood and great mental intelligence : they would have proven themselves entertaining anywhere, and notable in any grade or condition of society. Without relating their circumstances and arrival thereto until later, I will say that their residence in these parts dated from their births, although REVIVED SOCIABILITY. 37 this identical tract had never been before explored by them (and thus still remained my domain "by right of discovery," which they never disputed). On this occasion, these two bold and hearty adventurers had embarked upon a tour of exploration and investigation, on their own accounts — even among a few of mortality in existence the spirit of ever-restless research and ambition coming to the fore with its strifes and perilous endeavors. Employing a kind of small boat of their own rude, yet clever and serviceable construction, equipped with sailing means and a shelter-coop, with- out compass or guide for direction or return save as the shore would give them such indications, they had coasted for many days, making devious incursions in-land and sub- sisting mainly on the result of the chase by trapping and the net and line. They had discovered traces of some of the fires I had built, and thence concluded the existence of humanity somewhere about. The evening before they had run into a little sheltered cove, as was their nightly custom, and in making one of their periodical incursions on this morning had encountered my land habitation and gardens, whence the tracks or path to the ship were easily trace- able ; and to such hardy undertakers such a clue to some- thing would not be fled from. It can be imagined that they were wonderfully and agreeably surprised, when they beheld my ship, never having seen anything like this before, yet possessing man's instinctive appreciation of skill and beauty. These people in addition, as the sequel will show, possessed a high order of intelligence. Well, to make an otherwise long chapter short, I dined and wined them — the latter indulgence being entirely new, yet not unpleasant to them — and the toasts and merri- ment were thick and fast. The festive board groaned under everything the season, including my seasoning and 38 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. seizing, could afford, even to a fine Havana cigar apiece. Unfortunately my visitors' inquiries in regard to the latter and my instructions in the use of this so-called delectation, and, thereupon, their insistence, resulted in making us all sick, including myself, because unaddicted to the use of and not in love with tobacco. We talked, laughed and shouted far into that night; and I even got out the old fiddle and played with fantasti. cal variations, making the instrument fairly speak with joy and pathos, "Backward, oh, backward," "In the gloaming," "Her bright smile," "By the sad sea waves," "Fishers' hornpipe," "Home, sweet home," and a number of others — which they considered wonderful, reminding them, they said, of the portrayed possibilities of the upper, blissful realms, of which they had read. As a guest chamber, they occupied the best cabin on ship, with the costliest sheetings, coverings and hangings within grasp — unknown and unnecessary luxuries to my new friends, and like to the fairy-tales and stories of wonderland, of which they had read. They rather hesitated to touch these fine things, in their admiration for them. The happiest night of five years robbed me of slumber! It had been agreed that I should return with them to their habitation, and their outward voyage terminated at once with this "one grand discovery." I appreciated their enthusiasm in my behalf, which was quite natural under the circumstances, but assured them that their revelation was not less grateful and wonderful to me — its timeliness I alone could realize. So the morrow was busied with preparations for my departure. Having anchored their little craft in close proximity to the ship, we proceeded to load it to its utmost capacity, with the best at my command; eatables, wearables and drinkables; books and smaller musical instruments; contrivances for amusement; some REVIVED SOCIABILITY. 39 scientific and mechanical devices, such as we could con- veniently and safely stow, besides seeds, plants, drugs, chemicals and condiments, making altogether a very respectable peace-offering, still leaving a large and valu- able store behind. The astonishment and unflagging inter- est of the men, as they beheld article after article, was intense. After as securely as possible, fastening and locking all the avenues that opened into the interior of the vessel, I cast a parting look on my beautiful little gardens, which I was about to desert ruthlessly for the companionship of people, who might not possess any such ease and prosper- ity; which latter, however, I reckoned as comparatively nothing. Many now yearn for these and their joys who have not felt the burden of solitude, but realize only the cares of ordinary existence and the lack of complete, or even approximate happiness there. Indeed my several haunts had become dear to me despite myself and I felt regret at leaving them; and at the dear old ship I looked long and devotedly, and prayed that I might behold it again, intact. Still the alternative of remaining without the compan- ionship which I had just found, quickly dispelled all such reflections — and soon briskly sailing on our course, my animation reached its former height. Life soon forgets the dearlings of the Past, When pleasures new exhilarate its chase. On, catching at such gleams, that bid a choice Or chance, that radiant hues lie still beyond ; And still at ease descries each novel fund As so much new or better, finer bliss. But when sad aches can have no happy chose In contemplation of the wrecks of hopes Wherein bright prospects often were misspent, 40 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. Then turns the mind to conjure up the cause, That gave such ornament to bygone days, And lingers dearly o'er the happiness sped. And were't not so would this life be esteemed A truce, a truce wherein to thrall the cret'sins ? CHAPTEE XL NEW FACES. To divide one's attention is like hitching horses, one to each end of a vehicle — and then starting the opposing forces; there is apt to be little progress either way, and certainly much loss of time. Gaily I viewed the pinnacles of the structures erected by this little isolated colony, to whose abodes I was being con- ducted, as they first appeared in sight in the distance and were pointed out to me. I had learned in the meantime that fifty persons consti- tuted this little band, shut out and cut off from the out- side world ; none of them had seen another face than was embraced in their own little company, until these men saw me. They only knew of an outside world and other exist- ence of humanity from old literature in their possession and, strange as it may sound, by tradition. Accustomed only to hear of the authority of tradition in connection with savage or uncivilized, illiterate people, it is far from our reflections that such a condition might affect our descend- ants or the living ones of civilized people; but such of course may become, and was here as to the latter propo- sition, the fact. Behold powerful Babylon, glorious Jeru- salem, Tyre, Athens, Rome — their present inhabitants, many of them, perhaps are lineal descendants of their NEW FACES. 41 . once great minds and masters ; now among their ruins lin- gers a largely traditionary or legendary memory of them and their times. So we may sink into traditionary or legendary remembrance, perhaps our descendants decline into barbarism upon the greatness of our ruins. The people of this little colony could all, excepting the mere children, read and write in their tongue, the Eng- lish language ; a regular course of instruction, inaugurated by those whose mishap had first cast them on these shores, was studiously observed, though the printed literature was restricted to that primarily on hand, and bore evidence of long age and wear, although almost sacredly guarded. Their individual writings and records related in a steady sequence their history and discoveries. The foundation and system of perpetuation for an increasingly enlight- ened people, were well laid by their first ancestors here, who, coming from the civilized world, foresaw the danger of a benighted existence to their beloved progeny, and assiduously sought to arm them against such a calamity, until a merciful God or saviour should succor this help- less flock. Their standards of educational work, judged even from our standpoint, were high, and exhibited the closest attention on their part to the opportunities at hand — although ravages of time, from the long extent of their traditional civilization, and peculiarities that would nat- urally ensue from local causes and the absence of the more extended human associations, were apparent. Why do we not understand more — why are what we call the great discoveries of any age so often the result of accident — why may we not calmly and rationally know these things of our knowledge, and prove their sequence, link upon link ? It is because the medium of exchange be- tween us is unsatisfactory. But here were resources equal to those of any country on earth ; intelligent, honest peo- 42 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. pie; and yet what discovery elsewhere had already demon- strated as the simplest principles, were here unrealized; the urgent necessities, the numbers and diversity, had not brought mind and spirit to work, had not inspired them to words and deeds. I was thus by these accounts of them, tolerably well acquainted with the rest of my future coadjutors before I beheld them in the flesh. As we approached, we noticed a small boat hastily put out, and a boy hurriedly jumping into the same and tug- ging rapidly at a pair of oars, soon came alongside. The strapping, handsome little fellow joyfully greeted one of the men as father. Taken into our boat with his fastened to ours astern, almost beside himself with joy, he announced as well as his gasps and excitement would let him, that all had been and were well, and everything was in a satisfactory condition. Upon being presented to me, hav- ing, theretofore, scarcely been conscious of my presence, he was not a little abashed and awkwardly, almost fearfully, met my kindly and cordial greetings — with as much astonishment and wonder depicted on his bright glowing guileless countenance towards me, as though a supernatu- ral being were brought to vision to one of you. CHAPTER XII. AN ASTONISHED GROUP. The news of our little craft's approach had been indus- triously and enthusiastically heralded to every part of the abodes and places of occupation of the little colony, and as the sun was going down in gorgeous evening glow, the whole populace congregated on the shore to welcome their AN ASTONISHED GROUP. 43 beloved adventurers. Running close to a rocky projection and casting out the moorlines, which were quickly and skillfully seized by willing hands and fastened, the two men sprang ashore and were at once engaged in embrac- ing, kissing and shaking the hands of the dear friends, from whom they had been several months separated. This voyage was the longest that had ever occurred among them and was celebrated as an event, and regarded Avith marked attention on that account. I remained seated ; the boy had become interested and engaged in the cautious inspection of some of the strange articles we had brought along as my contribution. Pres- ently the elder of the two men of my acquaintance raised his hands in supplication of silence, and beginning slowly and calmly, said, " My dearly beloved, we have with us a sojourner in this land of magnificent distances and silent contemplation, a true man, who, had we solicited a visita- tion from heaven, could not have come more unexpectedly to us, or, almost, more welcome. It is an answer to our true prayers. He is of our kind, and of our species and race; but, unlike us, has come directly from that world beyond, of which even our best imagination, aided by such information as we still entertain thereof, cannot portray the wonders, concerning which he has given us, Victor and me, occasional glimpses in his information and explanations. He too has been ostracised here for some time, but not, comparatively, long ; " (I winced a little at that) "thither we have had dreams, and have longingly talked of what lies beyond those great natural walls of the horizon, this o'erreaching, intervening watery waste — and, as I said before, next to a visitor directly from heaven, this worldly emissary exceeds the fulfillment of all our other desires — being heaven-sent ! " I had stepped forward during this little homily, and, 44 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. advancing smilingly and in a state of suppressed excite- ment, was met by the other individuals with varying degrees of diffidence ; all seemingly were too much aston- ished, mystihed, perhaps even awed, as though a supernatu- ral visitation had in fact come to them, to utter more than a few words, as they timidly extended their hands, which I, each in turn, grasped firmly and heartily shook. Yet what a happy awakening from the stupor of the last five years ! Under the circumstances I rallied to myself the sooner, and resumed my natural equilibrium, feeling that I was more accustomed to meet people, and especially could feel more at home with strangers than they (of course, because they had never met a stranger before; just think of it !) and was consequently, save my two friends, the most at ease of any. "Friends and fellow-beings," I said: "a fated series of occurrences has thrown us together — from so far off, from such different origins. Some were sent of your number to me, when the years of solitude had settled an almost impenetrable gloom of despondency upon my spirit, under which even my stout heart was beginning to quail — but the faith in a Divine Providence can never err. At length I am made the messenger in answer to your prayers, and am succored in answer to mine ; and so it seems now clear to me, all the better for the trials and tribulations into which I had wandered and was made to pass, that I was intended to convey to you tidings from the known world about and to bring you the solace of information without. Our meeting is as auspicious as the beautiful evening-glow, suffusing the heavens with its glorious red and warmth of promise and auguring peace and radiance on the morrow. Receive me, then, brethren," I continued almost passionately, "into your congregation, to which I will bring, diligently and conscientiously, AN ASTONISHED GROUP. 45 whatever there is worthy in me ! " By the motive, enfran- chising power of eloquence, "We receive you!" "We welcome you!" "God bless you!" they broke in, in diverse and fervent exclamations ; seeming, all at once, to have regained their powers of speech. They crowded around me, with the whole fervency of their artless natures aglow, so that there could be no more cordial wel- come than was now accorded to me. Someone spoke of possible hunger on our parts, of which we had truly not thought ourselves, but now were forced to acknowledge ; and led to seats around a table in a cosy sheltering arbor we were soon bountifully and excel- lently regaled. Having since very early that morning labored incessantly to finish the voyage by evening, fatigue which even the prevalent excitement could not entirely subside, soon after readily led us to acquiesce in the suggestion of retirement. And such clean, plain, yet luxurious couches never received more grateful or, for the moment, happier frames, than sunk and rested upon these in blissful relief that night. Thus, after five years, I was to spend a night in repose with human slumberers around within easy call of me. Fitful shadows sweep at night, As alternating shade and light Disturb the peace ; The soul is not in soothing rest, In consonance with its behest, That all be right, When strict consistence and accord, In weighing every deed and word, Find much is lost. For, useless thoughts are mental dross, Which bears its weight with heavy loss ; For, being bought, 46 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. Is paid for at the price and pounds, In which the dearest sum resounds ; And good's foregone. Oh, gentle spirit, lead me not With thoughts of hell, nor, cruelly wrought, Disturb my rest; That not the night be full of dread, Or in wild anguish me o'erspread, Who need its peace. CHAPTER XIII. THE TRIALS OF OTHERS. More than half a century ago on a morning as bright serene and balmy, as nature is capable of, one of the finest passenger and freight vessels of that day, well laden and peopled, left an English seaport, as jauntily as the gayest of the many gay spirits on board could wish, and essayed the treacherous waves. Out of sight of land, that horrible invader of the human gastronomy, sea-sickness, began to manifest itself in divers quarters and in fact, made a sweeping onslaught on the large number of novices present; and, at this period, the tender solicitude, respectively, of three couples, attracted their reciprocal notice one to the other, drawing them together, as by some simple union of one accord — a separate little group of fellow-sufferers and, afterward, fellow-jubilators. So began an acquaint- ance and attachment between these people, of whose fated endurance and intimacy none then entertained the remot- est presage. They all belonged to the English middle class; were of the highest respectability, wealthy, refined THE TRIALS OF OTHERS. 47 and educated; and the several honeymoon couples, hail- ing from different sections of England were thus thrown together by chance — never, thereafter, to separate until death should dissolve the visible earthly bonds. And as, long after, one after the other of the white, sage heads was laid in the strange far-away soil of their last abode on earth, far from the relatives and friends who had long since been compelled to mourn them dead, those remaining shed tears of regret and loving remembrance over the unostentatious bier. And at length the sole survivor, the last connecting link with the outside world, with words of injunction befitting this finality entered into his rest, mourned and attended by those to whom civilization was only a narrative, the children and descendants of these three couples, who had been snatched from the dawn of humanity that their posterity might fashion out a new path, and perhaps wield an influence on the whole earth, from the morning of bright hopes had sunk to — the night of despondency, gloom, despair? Nay, the elements of cheer and comfort were about them in the existence of their beloved children — hence I will only add to the night of natural regret for the latter. But a brighter dawn revealed itself to these on their own accounts. As though the tombs of venerated Patriarchs, these silent graves by that ocean whence their fates had blown them possessed sanctity and fascination. But, to continue the original story, our voyagers were soon overtaken by misfortune. Day followed day of violently stormy weather, so that all had to remain below, the hatchways were closed, and gloom reigned within and without. Nor were there in those days the happy provi- sions of our present day steamers. The highest pitch of apprehension and nervous tension was felt for such a length of time, that, when the fatal climax arrived, it was 48 TUE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. paradoxically almost a relief; and, terrible though its few moments were, swiftly it dissolved the bonds of thraldom! All deeming the vessel lost, even the veteran calm experienced captain at last conceding this, the order for preparing the boats was instantly obeyed and these were peopled with such precipitation and confusion, to which the terribly heaving sea added consternation, that any attempt at order was utterly futile. Our little group, as usual, was together and a little aloof now under the leader- ship of the oldest of them — a young man of wonderful coolness and calculating strength of mind — who from that time seems tacitly and implicitly to have had their obedience in everything. He restrained them from enter- ing into the rush, believing and counseling that such con- duct would involve all engaged in disaster. And so it proved; for the launching of the boats, in the dreadfully violent seas, ended immediately under the very eyes of these six remaining on board, in the saddest of catastrophes. The captain, after in vain urging this united group to join them, had himself left the ship ; and the day grew darker, until the wildest of nights obscured all vision and wailed a dirge over the unescaped separate but not separable new watery graves. Now, without any apparent means of escape, the six had prepared themselves to die ; young wife clasped to hus- band's bosom, their mutual faithfulness never more to be tried, there remained to each but the consolation that he or she was not to be left behind the other, but that they could die, as they had loved to live, together — so thought they, bestowing upon each other the last glances of undying affection, when lo! a resounding crash, that seemed to shake every portion of the vessel. Then, a comparative settling of the ship and cessation of its motions, whilst the waves dashed against and over it, and the wind blew with THE TRIALS OF OTHERS. 49 awful vehemence — followed by oblivion, for, thrown and scattered violently about, all sank into unconsciousness, either fainting from the new fright and overwrought feelings, or stunned by the fall. Oh, might oblivion ever rush to aid The moments that so sorely try men's souls — Or might this sweet forgetfulness dissolve In vapors to but seem the tomb's incense ! They must have lain in this stupor for some time. Their leader was the first to revive, dazed and confused, in utter darkness. The vessel, though evidently grinding on and rubbing against some hard substance, was not moving much, from which he correctly inferred that it had grounded. He recollected having seen a lantern in a corner of the cabin, to which they had retired after the sad catastrophe related, and, making way thereto over the prostrate forms, was fortunate enough to find it, with the further happy event, that the same contained a candle inserted in its holder, and, therefore, was ready for use. God help the poor man's apprehensions at this time; he knew not how many of these dear companions, and his beloved wife, might also be beyond human aid ! The light seemed to work as a restorative, for the other two men opened their eyes, and the wife of the first began to move. By rubbing and charing, the remaining two ladies were restored to consciousness ; and the rejoicing of all was great. Our leader informed them of his belief as to the ship's situation, and the spirits of all became more buoy- ant. In the fitful glow of the dim light, with hopes revived, or immediate apprehension somewhat stilled, they awaited morning. The storm showed signs of abate- 50 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. ment. The hours passed slowly, but at length the dim dawn appeared. Making their way to the deck, as soon as there was sufficient light to see there, they beheld a still turbulent sea; but the wind had subsided and the sky gave speedy promise of serenity. On the other side they beheld a rock-bound shore ; their badly dilapidated vessel, foundered on a rough shoal, was wedged in between two peaks projecting from the rocky bottom beneath the water, like two rugged, intercepting sentinels — which proved a happy circumstance for them. Falling on their knees — they were devout people — they thanked God for this unexpected deliverance. The sun arose, and all became bright and gay again in nature ; frivolous, as though its own turmoils and embroil- ments had not recently darkened many another home, and brought gloom and despondency to hearts which had often rebounded at the brilliancy of its bland smiles. The ladies had speedily prepared a bounteous warm breakfast which revived the party to a considerable extent; upon the suggestion of their leader, a small quantity of liquor stimulant was imbibed by each, to offset the terrible strain of the last few days' ordeals; and all repaired to their couches for a few hours rest, now that excitement was beginning to wane succumbing to fatigue; other unconsciousness, save that of benign sleep, brings no rest. There is nothing more to add, save that their experi- ences upon landing on and exploring these shores, were similar to mine ; for though our respective points of loca- tion were widely separated, their topography, climate and productions varied little. The vessel did not last long; as soon as they had prepared sufficient quarters, they removed everything they could, and as the ship broke up assiduously gathered and saved all the parts they could transport to land from its wreckage, THE TRIALS OF OTHERS. 51 subsequently raising also many of the heavier parts that had remained in the water, using these latter for the pur- poses of their other industries. Of these remnants there still remained some vestiges, as reminders of the toils of some far away skillful race; and true gems of reliques they were. Convinced that an early deliverance was improbable they devoted themselves to their new life, which opened to be sure but an obscure, narrow vista. They adopted regu- lations and set resolutely about making themselves as comfortable as possible — not a bad tribute to English character — in which moreover they succeeded admirably. After awhile their population began to grow ; so that, when I arrived, the original persons having all passed away, there were fifty in all, descendants of the first parents now almost one family. To this was added, a few days later, a bright bouncing little fellow, who, in honor of my appearance almost coincident with his, was named "Penrod Hilbuck " before his honorable surname " Mason " ; and I became consequently and by choice his principal sponsor, in company with an estimable young lady, Kathleen Bertram. Keep an "eye" on the little "Pen"! The names of the first arrivals on this lonely but beau- tiful shore, were John (the leader referred to) and Elvira Bertram, Phelix and Alice Mason and Vernon Gregory and Lucy Marianne Talbot. 52 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. CHAPTER XIV. MY FIRST LECTURE. I spent fully the first week in delicious idleuess. Pet- ted and pampered by everyone as never before, and feasted every day, I was the hero of the hour. They were delightful people. Guile and stealth had not crept into their circle to impose on them a hard, sus- picious, hypocritical existence. I was now thirty years of age. One fascinat- ing stately blonde young lady began from the start to exercise a charm over me. Her large, expres- sive, deep, gloriously blue eyes, and her purely golden- hued hair, shimmering and glimmering like silken threads as it hung in rippling floods down far below her waist, added to her magnificent person and bearing and noble yet gentle demeanor, reminded me of the idyllic dreams of pure, effulgent, feminine realization. This little community was conducted in exquisite order. Its founders had inaugurated the best of their old customs at home and had handed the same down to their progeny. Therefore each family resided by itself, in a beautiful home, varying with individual tastes ; and, upon marriage, each young couple was equipped in a separate home ; each family had its own garden-plot, and raised its own pro- visions on land exclusively occupied by itself. Thus, individual inclinations could be gratified without infring- ing upon the rights and time that proportionately might belong to others ; and the little castle ever dear to the heart might have its independent existence. MY FIRST LECTURE. 53 Already trading was introduced, for, this one or that, better skilled and so inclined to produce some useful or ornamental article, found ready assent from the others to his employment, and was excused from the common co-operation in other things, to that extent. One individ- ual engaged his whole attention in teaching the children in a school they had established ; led in their devotional exercises, Sunday being religiously observed; and was also their annalist and general secretary, keeper of the archives and library; besides being the scholar of the community by reason of his familiarity and constant con- tact with the old library — in the matter of scholarship, however, I may add that the others were not much behind him. This official's bodily necessities had thus to be supplied from the contributions of the rest, who received the bene- fits from his exclusive endeavors. This is the basis of interchange of values, founded on personal independence and liberty, and must exist in all thriving communities, a mutual division, yielding and receiving. A community absolved from individual efforts robs a person of his con- sistent freedom and thwarts his intellectual growth. A community of goods, however, with popular election of the votaries to the several employments, comes nearest to this liberty, where the latter is being abused and requires an equitable adjustment. It is all wrong, that it is so hard for worthy people to get along, in our civilized countries; these affairs must be eased up, somewhere, and there is no excuse for the improper conduct of them, any- where ; it is caused by the imbecility of the people in the main, but they are corrupted by the perniciousness of exclusive rulers. I found thus here so far an orderly arrangement, studiously observed and fostered. 54 TIIE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. Their tools and mechanical contrivances consisted of some remaining from the ship, and the rest ingeniously fashioned after these examples ; and, incited and directed in a measure by the disclosures of the scientific works in their library, they had made excellent and advantageous experiments and employed many of the agencies with which nature abounds far beyond our present ken. Even art had its commendable and happy votaries. One evening I was asked to give an account of my native country. I had told them many things, in part and in individual sketches, and had prepared the fruitful soil of their minds for other knowledge ; but they wanted a more extended description of the whole. I consented, not without some misgivings, and the following Thursday evening was selected for my debut on the rostrum ; which, arriving, I spoke: "MY country and men. Full many a mile, ay thousands, it lies away, My country, my native vale, my land of youth ! Its broad expanse one score eight hundred miles From sea to sea, the mountain-skirt Pacific And pine-clad range of the Atlantic shore — Not ocean-washed, these stern acclivous hills, But, by a coast extending varying miles — And, sixteen hundred miles, from lakes and Britain's land To gulf and Mexico's wild, woolly stretch. The sun, refreshed, smiles on united soil, As, bringing morn, emerges from east's main, And beams the day on enterprising folk ; Whilst, all along, it passes pleasing scenes — Fine, rolling land, great, fertile plains, With shimmering dots, and silvery, sinuous threads, All speckled with the handicraft of man ; And bids good-eve to sturdy, gem-ribbed cliffs, MY FIBST LECTURE. 55 To glimmer back from snow-clad crests good-night And peaceful rest ; then, laves its heated face. — When, first, that land did greet the mariners' eyes, 1 Twas much entangled o'er with thrifty growth ; But, here and there, a space where man did reign — A wild or unrestrained tribal kind, With, yet, of art, that gave him human grace ; And there he roamed as free as nature rank. The mighty oak was emblem of the soil, And reared its kingly crest, through storm and age, Set in the garniture of arbors' bowers (Of species multiplied by kind, degree, And fructifying, well as timbers' spoils) ; From winter's piny knolls, through brumal winds, And pitchy realms in semi-tropic air, To rocky wastes, where tower or cling the trees, The forest-tracks were acres of deep gloom — Impressive scene. Here roved the buck (■And roams poetic fancy in the fane) And, when the vernal burst gave glory's kiss, Led roe and doe unto luxuriant plain. There teemed of animal life and strife. The savage man trod through in cautious-wise, Bent to his chase, or cruel retribute, And, scarcely, noted how the soil bare fruits, Or limpid streams might bear to precious marts. The happy songsters trilled their lays, I fain, On listless ears, that deemed their notes in vain. The enterprising folk have turned the tide, In which calm nature steadily progressed, To so constrain it, somewhat, to their use, That light has dawned within those forest-glades — Where pilgrims, seeking that inviting shore, Found hardy toil, and hewed and wrought, That, soon, the aspect smiled with cozy cheer, As danger after danger ceased to lurk ; Now, erstwhiles wilderness has lost its clue. From foe without and foe within, That hardy band, constrained, Weft through its way and woofed the web, And was not pent therein. 56 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. They've come, those folk, from every foreign shore — Have rushed, into the lurking jaws of death To flee oppression, which at home they could not brook, That dauntless spirit, which will not enslave ; Have, for a conscience' sake, sought peaceful shores - Wot peace nought threat'ning but the outward man ; Have sheltered in the balm of freedom's bliss. Some bold adventurers sought worldly gain ; Some fled for crime, some banished came ; And, yearly, thronged this course of wistful wights, All bent on profit, to this land of hope. And faith esteems that, which it makes : If profit, then, thereto betakes. Foundations, thus, built profit'bly, sure, For profit, then, must, still, endure. A country's, profit, fundament Must rear it to the firmament. All certainty lies inherent, its own bliss ! Not long, until, our fellow-men, with jealous eye, Began to list, with av'rice, toward the setting sun, And sought to menacle with might that range. Alas! the foe without to augment what Within had. been the years of dire distress ! But, recking not the prowess, that a right imbues, Our hateful brethren fared the lot of traves. And never was a freer freedom struck, When valor, growing wrothy, brigue forsook, And smote the tyranny of ruthless cant. With, then, a rest gained after so great trials, The nation grew, cemented, in its ties Of noble patriots, whom pain made wise, In that charmed region, seemingly, God-blessed; And danger, that had made a common foe, Had welded consonance to stem the woe. No wonder, noblest words from lip or pen Graced many a page and echoed mount and glen: For, manhood throttled, there, the vice of power ! Apace, then, grew the peaceful arts of life, As soon bright meadows laughed to grain-crowned hills, MY FIRST LECTURE. 5? And gentle domesticity gained sway. Small marts, with all the bustle of the trading world, In sprinkling dots, sprung on the busy scene ; And, as the frontier more and more grew hence, The reign of peace took on a firmer hold, And former avocations missed their wilds ; The savage man, and equal savage beast, But glowered from their lairs with quivering fear, And noted with what fell, encroaching strides The march of progress settled on their range. I left, my auditors, a country borne, In this our century, on wings of peace (■But, after some hard turbulences quelled) And glorious progress in the every world ; I saw, about me, spread the arts of life ; I could behold the busy weaver's skill, His taste of beauty and his choice of will ; The artisan wrought many useful things ; The miller plied his steady, needful grind; The forge was busy, loud the smithy clanged; And miners delved the bowels of the earth; Of kine, and kindred, all the life of farm, Whose fertile acres pictured Ceres' smile — I could delect you till your ears grow dull. They make of clothes and can prepare their food — From finest stuffs to coarser raiment kind, Of grains and fruits, that reach, near, all the sorts — In short, there is but little, that the nation wants. With sixty million people, scattered shore to shore, In peaceful homes, well-guarded by their love, The flight of genius coursed such atmosphere, And marvels, there, are wrought of nature's help, Adjusted, in devices, for the deeds, That have facilitated joyful needs. Four centuries is but all that's covered now. Yet, in that time, where naked red-skins roved, And forest-growth and flowers flourished wild, And beasts of prey were dang'rous to behold, A pow'rful nation ranks all other lands ! With farm and mine and forest-tracks supplies ; And grazing meads for herds, and masting swine; 58 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. With garden-plants and fruits ; the cotton bush and vine ; The crop of fleece, and silk-worin's little knot, Their semi-tropics and their temperate zone Extend so far, that they could live alone — That is, if sense and spirit limit to a spot. But, all the world is the American's home ! Their land could be enbound with metal bands, And sped thereo'er, their genius has devised, Long sentry-trains armed with a potent force, That not an instant be devoid of guard, And messages, dashed through with lightning gait, Could course the circle in few minutes' time, Or call the people to their borders' forts ; And sent'nels, cruising on the mains and lakes, Could be the watch-dogs of their landing-shores ! But, times, immurements crumble, as they fostered past! But, genius flourished in that land of grace. Called to its birth by adverse, cruel tides, It armed its friends with gifts of val'rous minds, And hence they smote, alway, with bravest deeds ; Then was surmounted what encroached the way, And laid the basis of a virtuous cause, Wherein its acts of kindness did not pause ; A policy, urged with a fervor, bent Upon internal, external, eternal rights, Was made to emanate from righteous hearts, Than which no body politic had purer parts. The conscience free, and homes made more secure, The groundwork biulded shall fore'er endure ! Then, genius nurtured in that land of thrift. Necessity establ'shing its degree, The keen alertness, due to healthy man, Caught on the scent in the prolific air, That scientists learned some twists of nature's laws, And, by unrav'ling, struck on many flaws, By which we had been taught to tread our ways. No doubt, these laws immutable were thus ; And, too, undoubtedly, were once well-kenned: But, driv'ling into oblivion, burnished new, MY FIRST LECTURE. 59 Were like the glorious sun -light to the erstwhile blind And eftsoons giddy ; the patient, toiling man Cleft through the rifts of gloomy mind And murky faith and mean adversity. To suffer, ere the glory won ; To die, perhaps, when just begun; Sometime, to perish, ere it's spun — In vain to linger, when 'tis done ! And yet the labor is not one-half done ! — In fact can, scarcely say it has begun ; Though we are wondrous at the marvelous gait, At which our eyes 've been opened here of late, I trow, 'tis faith, that will remove the clouds, Reanimate, where stupor, now, beshrouds ! Thus, genius fled not from the conquest hard. As oft it strove, impassioned in its zeal, It sought the world's advance and earthly weal ; It struggled in the gloomy hours, when night But barely gives an outline of its might, And, with short glimpses by a glimmering ray, Devised some means of ungent, ambient way. Of nature's power to nature is the play : With mystic force, applied to count'ring sway, The mean development is genius' lay! Where multitude requires multous things, Celerity now caters to such wants. The fecund soil, on which the settlers trod, Gave its response, as they adduced their care With such of skill and tools at their command ; The fur and finny tribes them clad and fed, So skins and flesh of other beasts, and fowl, And vegetable growths and fruitings fair; And, as the silent monarchs fell at strokes, They yielded shelter and protection, in their course. Thus fared the pioneer, to danger heark'ning, Oft, with a blanched cheek; the stealthy lurking Of foe, to seek his life-flowing blood, But gave him cautious front and hardihood. Of opportun'ty born of ample fold; Of ingenuity thriving with distress ; GO THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. Of noble efforts feeling on their way To circumscribe the peccant finitude: Born, raised, surmounted plenitude — O'erstepped the bounds, that threatened it to stop That furtive adiaphan might chase its way. An amaranth place for those worthy souls, Who graved the human cause on honor's rolls ! Swiftly, now, the message bears in missive fire From nook to nook the tale of early news, With speed, almost, in which the heart could yearn. And sounds speed through the space, reft into clefts, Sewn by wire-threads drawing into inguinal parts. You may preserve your cherished sounds and words, And, handing down your phiz, write, lock of hair, May, too, encase your voice in fav'rite ditty, Or, with your elocpaence, in passionate role, For devolution to posterity. With unctuous animation, like a whirl, To rush trite action to the fleet of time, You may be carried, whither, to or hence. To feed the hungry, and the limbs to clothe, One pair of hands may serve ten thousands, more If need there be compliance to be pressed, As, to their guidance, yield a million powers — And more, if need there be, and will. And, yet, this sweet, beneficent decree Is, not at all, beginning to be known. And, though, one pair, now, caters to the mil, Each of the thousand caters back again, In one long ceaseless twirl; Enlarging, twisting, labyrinthine ways, Untorn, unending in their joined tours, Each forming ringlets from a new-born ray, Bound in a circlet of an endless sway."' They expressed satisfaction at this my effort, but also regret at its brevity, in that it did not dwell on the con- trivances referred to, as to construction and applied adapt- ability to practical uses, and the manipulations of their products. Others desired to know more of the political WHAT IS LOVE. 61 organization and government of the people, and their prin- cipal pursuits and objectives: again, others were concerned with the apprehensions of and provision for a future exist- ence — and the dear ladies wanted to know something of the customs, habits and, though of course slightly hinted, of the means of allurement by the counter sexes. And divers other sequent items from all, now grown brave and curious ; so that I regarded my first effort with a sufficient mixture of alarm and comprehension to assure them, individually, of an intended compliance with their requests in the early future. In the meantime I set my wheels of cogitation and reflection to work. CHAPTER XV. WHAT IS LOVE. The bloom and blossom may delight the eye And please some sense and may dispense With many a sigh — but where's the prism Of sweet and tender, clear and blissful zest ? As before indicated, I had formed a decided feeling of attachment for Kathleen Bertram, the daughter of the elder of my discoverers. From the moment I saw her, which was very soon after landing, I was inspired of a near and important pres- ence, that sensation of intelligence in the natural and spiritual universe of the mutual fitness of things and conditions. This veridicalism may not be philosophically realized at the time, but, despite subsequent distresses and strictures on its authenticity, develops and superintends the fitness of the establishment. 62 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. ■ Appearing tall, she 'stood erect, a type of the pure, rosy, golden blonde, in the maturing stages of maiden develop- ment. Her abundant tresses, which, when unconfined, as they sometimes were, were sufficient to envelop her in maze or mist to her feet, a silken shimmer of softness, beauty and golden hue almost indescribable in its ravish- ing effect, were then loosely coiled high at the back of her symmetrical head, whilst loose strands waved naturally in dallying silkiness back from her white and shapely brow. If at first she noticed me at all, it must have been but incidentally to note the presence of a strange face, and the interest of this novelty was for the moment subdued in the passionate delight of the reunion with her father, which was exhibited with such natural grace. An unbeguiled child of nature in that quiet and undefiled far-off spot, reared in innocence, a delightful embellishment to the beautiful scenery of that paradise ! Eagerly trans- ported as I was at the time, to behold humanity again, prepared to hail as magnificent and inspiring the humblest of mankind, and feasting my eyes, as though upon the most beautiful vision of my life, intently, uninterruptedly, persistently on the whole group; yet the spirit itself made a distinction even at that time, and an involuntary thrill coursed through my veins, whenever I caught a glimpse of her. But nothing in her demeanor evinced anything but curiosity with reference to me ; although her whole carriage and manner portrayed inherent modesty and naive virtue, that would, I believe, have withstood any onslaught in any society — that is, she possessed and manifested an eminently pure heart and mind. For the strict decorum handed down as rules by the first settlers here, had been so quietly and firmly perpetuated, so under- stood as a matter of course, that in fact no one had even WHAT IS LOVE? 63 dreamed of a breach thereof. Her undoubted intellectual- ity shone from her radiant face; her skin was white, smooth and soft, with a pinkish tincture in her cheeks to give lusciousness to the picture, and that firm, compact, full flesh of youth and complete health. In the interim of the month, my reanimation, preceding my narrated lecture, I was charmingly engaged in culti- vating the acquaintance of these interesting personages, whose physical health, vigor and comeliness were no more remarkable than their mental and intellectual capacities. That their want of actual contact with things of, what we may choose to call the world, frequently disclosed itself to me, was to be expected ; but, on that account, as auditors they left nothing to be desired. I sometimes reflected, that their attention resembled what would be our attitude (out in our world) if an accredited agent from heaven were to recount incidents thereof in our midst, but prob- ably, owing to our cultivated conceits and attrite skepti- cisms, we should show less deference. During these conversations, in the intervals of their labors for, strange as it may seem, these free and multi-supplied folk were a very busy and industrious set— nearly all, old and young, would be present. Kathleen was a most attentive listener, quiet, not even venturing a question or remark ; and as on opportune occa- sions I had begun to scan her lovely visage (under what- ever arduous labor of discourse, that was all the refreshment I needed) I found her large, beautiful, soulful eyes gazing toward me with wondrous expression, with a greater vision inwardly, in the mental conjectures and adaptations of the reality to the impressions gained by the account, than, apparently, attracted by anything in their normal and nominal range. To have been piqued in my vanity, on that account, would have been useless much 64 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. more the silly and unhappy destruction of a charming and elevating spectacle. I loved to draw out my narrative, to dwell with almost breathless abidance, to sip the honey of the beautifully unfolding flower at such rare moments, to view the effects or reproductions in this, one of nature's most brilliant, sensitive, human mirrors — nature reproduces or illustrates every principle in life — for her native innocence, never having been invaded by our overdrawn or perverted culture, suggested no destruc- tion or bare discrimination. My converse, on these occasions, Avas desultory and suggested by random remarks and momentary occurrences. My first effort at any formal instruction was my just recounted lecture. This was, also, the occasion leading to my first opportunity at a passage with my beloved. The following morning I set about an engagement to construct a contrivance, recalled to me by my former expe- rience, which I perceived would be useful here, and, for the purpose of my labors, took up a convenient location, somewhat elevated and on a near cliff, overlooking the ocean and also the plantation on the land-side. What was my surprise and delight when, as I was gazing out to sea and picturing busy scenes way off in Ohio with Kath- leen as a central figure, I heard someone approach behind me and turned, to become aware of the sole presence I desired above all others — Kathleen, dazzlingly beautiful. Unabashed, she decorously remarked that she hoped she was not disturbing me; but having finished her immediate task, with a few minutes at her disposal, she had felt a curiosity regarding a matter I had vaguely touched upon in my late public discourse, and hoped that I would not be indisposed to gratify her. I was only too delighted, as you can imagine, and hastily rising, bowed her to my comfortably constructed seat, setting up a WHAT IS LOVE? 65 block a few feet distant for mine. She demurely took the proffered place, with an evident air of total absorption in whatever was engrossing her reflections. I was overjoyed with the prospect of even a few minutes alone with her, and viewed her with admiration beyond any efforts at con- cealment, which to a maiden of our civilized society would have been embarrassing, but on this sprig of naivete was completely lost. Sat, tall, five-six to measure her neat height ; A linten garment flowing to her form And girt about her shapely, slender waist ; One foot, clad wooden-soled and linen-up, Was crossed o'er other likewise e'en so meet; Her slender hands lay rested on her lap. In graceful poise, bent with attentive ear, Her luminous orbs filled with abstracted light Turned toward the deep, that lay before her view, As to draw in its depths, as well as yond, While paling cloudless skies before their hue, With brightness that might mirror sparkling founts, In that keen interest of the human soul That gnaws within the convent of its wist, Her visage glowed with that pure burst of light That puzzles whither her perplexing front — A crown of golden silk above her brow That dazzled o'er the same a yearned-for bliss ; Yet she so innocent of all desire. She hearkens for a sound to wake her will, She listens for the craved, she knows not what That stirs the animation of God's breath And rouses in the bosom blest aspire — Oh, curious innocence, oh, ignorant will ! As mildly as the tremulousness of my voice would per- mit me I inquired her wish. Without the least agitation, and frankly turning her eyes toward me, with every illu- 66 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. sion of any covertness of gaze dispelled from the most seeking scrutiny, and with the inkling of an artless, lovely smile playing about her fascinating lips, she said: "I wish to know something of the customs and pastime of the young people of the country you came from. Are they kind in their intercourse with each other ? Do they romp and are they gay and light-hearted? I have read eomething about amusements of the young in different books we have, but those occurrences are so long ago, that, although I know those works nearly all by memory, I have never exactly felt toward the subjects of these nar- ratives as though they were or could become play-fellows. You, who have passed through the actual experience — just, to think, actual contact ! It seems so marvelous, that I cannot but connect you, almost, with some existence beyond or other, than ours — something, that fills me with ideas of inexplicable mystery." I hung on every word, sound, that passed her lips ! "I am not surprised," I said, "that you should have such feelings. Your delightful little society, the very embodiment of ideal peace and tranquillity on earth, would know nothing but repose, were it not for this inherent longing for something bej-ond; but the human heart begins to yearn, the mind to crave, the whole keen insight to grow alert for the measure of circumclusion. " Think of the trials and tribulations that accompanied the settlements and aggregations of the different peoples, reft and sundered and swayed by their jealousies and ani- mosities and developed greeds, and how the ties of rela- tionships were severed or elasticated until they became weak and could return no more. " And contrast therewith the peace which prevails here, with no disturbing element except the natural ambition for knowledge. WHAT IS LOVE? 67 "Now you would marvel that anyone should entertain regret at leaving such a state of society and could desire to return thereto. Well in stoicism it does appear incon- gruous ; in logical sequence it seems that all thinking per- sons would hasten to withdraw from such chaos, and, in the solitude of secluded spots, commune with undefiled nature and nature's God for the inspiration in calm repose and aspiration for the spiritual existence. Inherently, does not the human soul long for peace; or is it an element of cherishing warfare ? "Born a part of the conglomerate mass, to seethe and surge with its revolutions — he is but the skep- tic, the eccentric, the unprofitable to himself and others, who attempts to withdraw himself; and then only with partial success, when he sinks to the degree of the wild beast, whose companionship in that event he cher- ishes to supply the attachments of his spiritual nature, unless a higher hope can supplant the present desire. It is unnatural for anything whatever in nature to be alone. " Fellow-being is as essential, as gratifying, and as inti- mately interwoven into our constitutions as it is material to our developments ; so should its intercourse be as consist- ently and universally at liberty as prudence and propriety with reference to our shortcomings can permit. But the stronger should first take off the burden of the weaker. "The active philosopher, the worthy preacher, the honor- able man, is he who acts and struggles, not above or below, but with the populace — but neither reserved beyond their pale, nor enveloped in their dross, from which a proper activity will always secure him. An exerted leverage is well, but he must appreciate the resist- ance to apply the power. Society transmits its powers; it transcends its rights, or rather it abuses its privileges. "Periodically, a wave of evolution sweeps over it, and 08 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. seems to search the very crevices in its cleansing or jar- ring powers — and affairs take another drift. Watch the potent little influences — for a time, the sentiments or linguistry of a book, the exalted similitudes of a series of dramatic representations; the outpouring of elo- quence that springs from periods of great calamity; how the cogencies thereof overspread into every part of the community! The centuries have continued their foibles — references with meagre details to active, somewhat glorious achievements, the collapse to ruin in or by which the undying spirit reared in new glory, progress, rebounding ever as the tide smote the wall of adamant separating this from the region of perfection. But, nothing exceeds in destructiveness or value — bringing, on the one hand, these overwhelming revolutions, on the other, overwhelming the agencies, that would produce the former — the steady instruction and development of right, altogether, equal, no king and no pauper, no priest and no peer, but, man's shoulder to man. Oh, may we seek to clamber o'er this cast ? With single efforts, then, we must essay to scale — The impetuous mass but bears us dashing on. How do the lads and embrace their golden hour? Born in the moulds that foist them gloomy brows They seek to shift from earliest dawn till death, And cry "Immortal, mortal," with expiring breath! "Our young folks find themselves diversely situated: some with every golden opportunity, princes and prin- cesses clothed with their semi-godhead, which a half-credu- lous or weak community grants them; some with the flowers of life sweet and luxuriant along their paths, whose oderiferousness offers to them their only employ- ment; some feel the vigor for an active life, implanted in WHAT IS LOVE? 69 them, the equipment and impulse for the necessary strife, while others drivel and drift, menaced and burdened from the start, and branded with the sears of doom! The naturally perverse, or unfortunate beyond the usual degree attendant upon everyone, we will not consider. "What then are their sports ? From the innocence, that would make the prattling princess the companion of the beggar's sprig, they drift through toys and merriment, and tears and fears, distinguishable only by their several opportunities. " Soon there breaks upon their common horizon a line demarque ! The tender sprout, whose tendrils cling to ' upper life,' is held exempt, exalts her imperious head, and is proud; the wistful mite, of other degree, soon learns the hard decree ! Their sports adapt individual ingenuity from their means and childish dreams and ambi- tions produce respective gyrations with various success and deportment. Clothed and fed by their parents according to the latter's means their society is gauged thereby and rearing are the weeds or flowers from the seeds, plot, care and attention and their gardener. Many an obscure plantlet, however, has proven the greatest blessing to the world— in which alone lies the sterling quality of man- hood and usefulness of mankind. "In the higher and more favored circles, the young approach the period of adolescence with much eager antici- pation, in the footsteps of their elders, or, consonantly with the proffered delights and experiences of others, to enter upon the established disports and routine of fashion. "The gilded palaces of their parents and their friends' parents, glimmer and glitter with all the trappings of wealth, and call upon the resources and contrivances of the world for their luxuries and dainties. "They have horses and carriages, sleighs and coachmen; 70 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. and they may spend some of their time, which only awaits killing, in such locomotion; then, they have Looks and art and music; and they have physical exercises and bathing and boating and skating and games ; and they indulge in balls and suppers and theatres and theatricals, and teas, picnics, excursions, parties — and, at last (often before) shed tears and experience spiteful pangs at the 'vicissi- tudes' of life — attributable only to the inordinacy of their desires. " The upper society deems it an unnecessary condescension to heed the less favored, though not less worthy, below, unless when moments of a leveling calamity call to their minds the universal brotherhood of man ; then anything that can soften the rigor of their realizations and fears of the common lot, are eagerly grasped at. "As a tribute to the American people it must be added, my appreciative auditor,'' (for she sat, as though transfixed with the interest she manifested ; and how I reveled in the delicious attitude ! ) " that, in times of great, widespread- ing distress, their responses to appeals for assistance, even sometimes before they are uttered, are magnanimous and make no distinctions, scarcely any restrictions; oppor- tunities that are, unfortunately, often abused. And this sentiment is growing in readiness, as the facilities are improving for transmission of intelligence- — there is an appreciable enlightenment and progress in this respect. " The middle classes are imitative — the happy mean from choice or compulsion — often mere reflections of the other highest favored class. They are, unwittingly, the strength of a nation, because they are forced to blend mere ideas with the operation thereof. To blend with the higher class is their individual dream; to reach thereunto meas- ures their joy. "The lowest class, the proverbial poor, grasp and snap in WHAT IS LOVE? 71 any direction, without any well-defined purpose, save that of existence; and their enjoyments depend altogether on the presentations of the moment. Where not a disease, poverty is a crime. " But usually they all love and are loved in turn." " What is love ? " here interposed Kathleen, for the first time breaking her silence. " What is love ? " " What is love ? " I said. " It is so old, or reputed to be, that it would have ripened into unutterable bliss could it change in the course of any time ; it would illumine as it does delight the earth. All ! darling" — I started at myself. " I beg your pardon, Kathleen ; this world would be a prickly pear without love." "Why?" she responded, "I have experienced nothing prickly about it; and I don't think love has come among us — at least, I have never seen it." "Yes, sweet — excuse me," I stammered; "it is here. You may not have seen it; but, but — I hope you will feel it." (What a blundering fool is a man in love ! ) "Will it hurt me ? " she said. "My sweet Kathleen — I beg your pardon," again I stammered (I could not refrain from a certain abstrac- tion of thought, which led me to think aloud my ardent wishes ) ; "a fair young lady, like yourself, in all candor I assure you, would not, should never be grieved by love — pure, virtuous stir of the depths of emotion ! " Kathleen seemed perplexed. It was plain that no feel- ing akin thereto had yet been awakened in her ; she did not understand it. Sentiments and reflections outside her quiet life might then first dawn upon her by reason of my presence and information. Was I, then, a beneficent visitor ? Might not her life otherwise have been passed in utter tranquillity and blissful ignorance of the woes of life? Fate, however, placed me here, so that I felt no 72 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. sense of guilt. Providence had guided my steps, and His inscrutable measures evolve benefits out of the means we may divert from their legitimate channels — as the sequel in this matter will undoubtedly show. Catching the puzzled, quizzical gaze in Kathleen's soul- ful eyes, I pitied her in her quandary and evident struggle for light; like the poor sunflower, transplanted to and unfolding its bloom in the Arctic regions, on the day of undying light or unsetting sun. I felt, that, after all, I was a wretch. But, as she gave no evidence of any pained feeling, I felt reassured and proceeded : u The day has darkened into night o'er many a lea And weary plodders have returned, with tired tread, Unto their sheltering homes ; a wistful glance is livened by a merry shout And answered by a welcoming smile of — It beams and breaks until its warming rays infuse the chilly heart. Then flow despair from off the clouded brow And momentarily of earth forget the travails of a few dark hours, That must course o'er us ere the light we see! Then 'tis so said that love bears on the torch And lights the pathway o'er its rose-hid thorns, That many a brier may be passed with ease. "Yet, you do not understand! Nay, not until a Heaven blends two spirits with an instantaneous mutual irradi- ance may the passion of these souls secure its natural vent. Such feelings need no action of the mind: they are of the heart." SOME HISTORY AS IT MIGHT APPEAR. Ti CHAPTER XVI. SOME HISTORY AS IT MIGHT APPEAR. A few days after my conversation with Kathleen, which was abruptly terminated by a call from her mother, in the closing hours of a heated afternoon the whole of this little colony was picturesquely grouped under the shade of a magnificent oak, while the children were disporting them- selves in youthful glee and the yet intense rays of the setting sun were obliquely illuminating the scene. One of the elderly members recalled to us all my promise to discourse farther on the civilization I had left behind. I arose, and the silence and attention at once accorded me could not have been more nattering or defer- ential. The curiosity and inquiring solicitude had greatly increased among my auditors, all of whom bore evidences, in their thoughtful, wistful countenances, of having, in the meantime, spent many moments in reflection, no doubt dreaming rosy descriptions of the invisible wonders just beyond the horizon. And the various fancies I have no doubt would have proven a study. I began : "No romancer ever stated or related a thing, that was not then in existence somewhere : for, the spirit cannot but relate truth. He may separate their parts, but he cannot disunite their principles. "Our people, referring distinctively to the United States of America, is conglomerate; hence, every other country may claim kinship with us by some distinctive feature. The cruel Tartar mingling, somewhere, his blood with the Moor, or some gentle disciple of mercy and goodness; the 74 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. Gentile and Jew, the christian and heathen — the passion of the torrid mingles in the veins of the colder zone ; and, as care and abandon, shrewdness and diffidence, cunning, deceit, flattery, vice, course with honor, integrity, sobriety, industry, patience and thrift and honesty — light and gloom — so, the mass, compound of all nationalities, pre- sents an anomaly — behind which there is a power and might, individually invincible and collectively invulner- able by any one other nationality. The result is a cement- ing, in fact, of the theoretical universal brotherhood — and let the result of extension and universal relationship speak for itself on its fields of unparalleled victories. "Our country was founded in genius — the genius formed by amalgamation of the divers nations, and the genius consisting of the spark by the friction of the several parts of adversity — hence, the means of swift intelligence, of retentive reproducing motive power — God's meteorite, God's scintillator. Speak not in softer tone but thunderous acclaim: Tli' United States are reared to mortals free! Heed not a drivelling cant but speed the sweet sesam', That mortals shall not bear a tyr'nt's decree. " One of its first steps was to establish a proper and perpetuating form of government — and upon that shortly followed the strife for power, even here — more the result of the teachings of the preceding perverse ages, than the untrammeled opinions of the contestors. As long as man has ambition, As long as he lias life, So long there will be attrition, Contumely and strife. "The ebb and flow of party-life would, of themselves, be an interesting story ; but form a distinctive feature. SOME HISTORY AS IT MIGHT APPEAR. 75 The prevailing policy, throughout, sought the principles underlying present necessities — those of security, health, and prosperity — hut were not at all times as pure in their motives and measures. "To these ends the forests were cleared, and industries placed in progress; and all the enemies of this onward march were, as much as possible, exterminated, whether of animal, vegetable or human life — the renegade and the savage, the beast of prey and nature's rank and briery growth, the usefulness of which was far outmeasured by its incumbrances. "Out of pleasant glens and cultivated dales the curling smoke of forge, factory and mill was wafted over the hill- tops, and here and there some far-visible and marking spire pointed to a place where grateful hearts could pour out their spirit of appreciation for God's manifest mercies; and, on the Sundays, the winding paths, still through brush and often forest, leading in the directions of those spires, were dotted with the surrounding inhabi- tants, wending their way thereto. " Through the dark days of savage onslaught and fearful attacks of wild beasts, of the treachery of brethren and relentlessness of foe, not without the glorious gleams of self-sacrifice and of heroism, there came an exaltation over these evils, and the gloomy difficulties were one by one surmounted — the beasts became extinct, or decimated in number, the savage saw his tribe disappear forever, and those of the white men who chose the hitter's companion- ship and, worse than either, possessed the attributes of both, in turn, bit the dust, as a reward of their skulking, iniquitous careers. "When at length the flint-rock rusted in the corner, and the woodman's blows resounded less, the hum of the various mills and the trip of the hammer in the forge 7G THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. were beginning to tell another tale. How great the changes, yet after all how sad the realization! It matters not whether, the cruel bedizened visage and leer of the savage, in the midst of physical plenty chills the heart's blood or the gaunt stalk of poverty and starvation menace the victim. "Gradually the clearings extended, and towns and cities sprung up. These confines gradually reached and engulfed the outposts of the more forward and intrepid settlers, who, in turn, proceeded further only again to be overtaken. "As the thrift and enterprises increased, rivalries arose and unlovely feelings multiplied with the grasping multi- tude ; so that at this time caste and conditions, craft and enterprises, combinations and resources, all have their demarkations, and become individually menacing, as they are favorably discriminated by a government, which should only exercise a balance of power between its prin- cipals, not an elevation of one over any other. "The vicious seek their prey ; the indolent disregard their obligations; the thrifty complain and with cause; the unworthy seek, like parasites, to feed and enrich at the expense of others. Rich men, too rich in wealth's arduous cares, are too suspicious in regard to it to enjoy its fruits; poor men are hateful and discouraged; the unscrupulous, ever working on the suspicions and fears of either, grasp and defraud in any direction; thus civiliza- tion is afflicted. "As long as laziness or viciousness infest any members of a community, thus so long will tranquillity be impossible, and suffering will ensue to everyone, in the effort for supremacy, or the danger of oppression, or, even, in the care of bare maintenance. Thousands upon thousands, running into millions, have multiplied in our country — SOME HISTORY AS IT MIGIIT APPEAR. 77 the asylum for the world. The evil-doers, banished, have come to us; the distressed have sought solace here; the enterprising, most of them, are here ; and of the scum of populations, which belong everywhere and nowhere, many have been thrust upon us, as well as drifted this way. This is a board for every game of life. But, we are best enabled to take care of them — they come to us and we do the rest ; our examples and free institutions have produced more good population from these outcasts than all the walled conventicles that ever existed. " We produce all the necessities of life, and many of the curatives of its ills; the babe may be swathed, and fed — and die an aged sire, enclosed in his cloth-covered casket, all within the province of this land. Ay, many a family that has scarcely ever gone beyond the pales of a back- woods farm for anything ! " I will not enumerate its products, nor dwell on the means of transportation — animal force or the mystical power of vapor or fire — nor tell how thought may be com- municated in an instant of time to great extents; all this seems incredible to you, as it did to us when first broached — yet, history will smile at our incredulity. " Much of this you have not yet the means among you, my dear colonists, of developing; although, lying inherent in your rocks and soil, as well as within yourselves, the elements are present, with the air, the water and the fire. For these researches you require developments of charac- ter and of resources, for which your mutual, circum- scribed contact is not enough. You may be happy, well enough off; but, must you not use that placed in your charge ? "The people of the United States dress, and there is a distinction in this respect, as well as a mark for the sexes, substantially conventional among them. As in all affairs 78 TUE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. of the world, unfortunately, a few lead and set the fashion, and the largely unthinking multitude follow. " There is no individual ingenuity, no regard for personal comfort or enjoyment. Yet to the items of their cloth- ing more time is devoted than to many things that are ele- vating ; and much trouble is entailed, solely to excel thereby someone who may be foolish enough to feel dis- tress on account of imagined inferiority. "Nothing that can be fabricated on earth is too fine to give ease and adornment to the human ; no food or drink too delectable. But, when the Creator of all sends one of His leveling influences — pestilence, famine, warfare, or any scourge of the kind — then the vanity of vanities disappears, and the real necessities are found few and not oppresive. " Still, precious stones which really delight by their glit- tering beauty, and charming soft raiment, which is truly a pleasure to the beholder and wearer, and elegantly con- structed abodes, and the downy couch, and pleasant vapors and odors, and entrancing, lulling sounds, and the delights of regalement, and of passion, are possibilities, potentialities of our mysterious organization, which indeed carry sadness in their wake. The milk and the honey of our existence is too often basely employed, gluttonously misused, and inequitably shared. "The farmer, the merchant, the manufacturer, the miner, the carrier, the builder, with their combinations and modifi- cations and assistants, constitute the busy class ; to which may be added the musieian, the artist, the author, and all those who administer to the intellect, or whose skill and knowledge contribute to the maintenance or cure of our physical bodies, or adjust the matters of our mutual relationships. "Schools are maintained and well distributed and attended; it is sought to inculcate virtue in all minds; SOME HISTORY A 8 IT MIGHT APPEAR. 79 the moans of informing anyone of the daily occurrences are quite adequately present. Our people affect the vio- lent athletic sports ; then there are milder games, embrac- ing mental calculation and physical skill, one or both, in uneven degrees; also, there are the amusements of the passions, emotions and inter-magnetic influences of individ- uals in society ; and the contemplation of miniature, or idealized reproductions, the false for the real, or reflections of existence. All these enter properly into occupation and would not, but for their abuse, disarrange the smooth even conduct of affairs. "You can regulate things, but not men; spirits, like gases, must be chastened and rarified before they escape their bad odors. But, a bright light shineth not but in the shade, hence, the brilliance caused by all luminaries is what our poor nature seems to be unable to endure, even in mental contemplation, envy and jealousy having their seats' therein. Still, we axe the brightest spots in the gloom, here. " Seventeen institutions comprise the affairs of men and these conglomerate and diversify : The filial relation. The single life of man or woman. Conjugal rights. Parental demands. Correlative regards, and justice, virtue and humanity between fellow-beings, mercy and the attribute of affinity with all things. Habits of industry. Discern- ment, courage, perseverance, and the principles of adapta- tion. Instruction, study and mutual acquisition. Defense, preparation and guard. Inspiration, the guarding of men's affairs and the relation of government, the delegation of power and representation. Interchange of values. The accordance of corresponding sustenance, maintenance and degree. The spiritual aspect and the instinct, premonition and direction of the soul. The mental development and cordial enfranchisement. The laws of nature. Kepara- 80 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING A L ONE. tion of or adjustment to wrongs, accident and dis- placement. And a corollary including honest discovery, production and construction. "Beginning with National administration — the child upon birth finds government, the last shall be first — are found the proposing, establishing and administering powers, powers within a power, three in one. The Nation pro- poses its amalgamation, its delegation establishes its decree and their functionaries administer, expatiating upon the necessity of government or the advisability of coalition among our human selves — Justice deals when mercy fails, Filtering, softening, racking deeds, Doing acts of rigid chore. Call and sough then when it rails, Cry for vengeance when it quails; 'Tis not trite nor of details — Justice plain and pure ! "Coming down to a vision of politics, we may discern in our organization the public and domestic relations. As domesticity resolved itself to individual division, so their relations involved and evolved a polity. A system sprung up, and abuses attended its comity, or retarded its completenient. " The domestic relation is individual propriety embodying the discreet concern with the affairs of all others and things and devout contemplation of future existence. Out of the domestic the public ministrations rise, being the spir- itual emanation of human association — and its necessity. " Regarding the disease that cankers continuously in the open and hidden sores of the institutions of man, many lose heart, fail and die — flowers withered by a sirocco's breath ! "Justice is encouragement and protection to all. SOME HISTORY AS IT MIGHT APPEAR. 81 "The producer, the delver, the artificer, the trafficker; the promoter, adjuster, applier and instructor — all their fruits are gathered and garnered in the store-house of govern- mental regulation. But when regulations disturb this equilibrium — when organization upon organization, and within the body whole, create themselves — the cancers and tumors of the physical body, that so far separate themselves from the remaining organization as to consti- tute localities and developments of themselves, and yet must and do retain their connections with the whole organism for their maintenance — foreign in every re qui- site and desire, and the worst kind of enemy, because inter- nal, familiar and devastating in every direction — then accreting evils manifest themselves. The wheels of industry, in our country, when I left, were clogged by dis- honesty, dissipation, the desire for luxury and ambition for personal splendor or power ; and the consecpient wan- ton speculations by means of trusts and monopolies — in short, those diseases which drain and contaminate the whole, being anomalous in absorbing all the foreign nutri- ment that is necessary and given to the body, and becom- ing themselves abnormal and diseased from over-indulgence besides withering the rest of the body from want of sus- tenance. What body can, exclusively, sustain itself? What internal disease can avoid communicating its ill to the whole body ? How can you long bruise one or more parts without engendering a destructive disease there? In the absence of these, personal management would result in successful commerce with the whole world — and com- petition from any source but stimulates excellence. "Thus far the government has done much to classify the people, if not equally as much as they have themselves. Yes, you say, they govern themselves. True, and it is with mismanagement or rather lack of diligence, that we 82 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. charge them — that they have allowed their affairs to drift toward the conditions and under the control of those powers to rid themselves of which ages have violently battled — our ancestors have bled and died — by which peoples have been crushed or enslaved — those of mighty but selfish rulers, and of self-eating monopolies. " See the folly of submission, and behold the potencies for evil! Unthinking, heedless, doomful throng, With minds kept weak when exercise makes strong! A few to cause intimidation's fear, Intrepid reft allow your course to veer ; Shame on all valor and your hardy frame, Fie, that your ardor be not more aflame ! "Private life, so called, consists of its various walks, avocations and indulgences. Yet the solid, cognizant facts of discoveries, occurrences, achievements, wonders, ocu- larly and auricularly demonstrated existences and perhaps some probabilities and possibilities, with inspiration, are the nucleus of education, which concerns itself thereby with the transmission of narrative, perpetuation of facile intercommunication and the developments. The begin- ning is the initiation into the mysteries of and is aggra- vated by the interminable conglomeration of the characters of human modes and methods. The learning is of convo- lutions in human antagonisms and struggling to acquire the methods of calculation in vogue to appease nature in achieving over fellow-men, which seems to be the main end taught, the conscience is only impressed by the omnipo- tence of the Creator, who manifests the meager mandates and callings of wisdom rendered useful by men. How subtle are men's intrusions in the aspect of their iniquities ! SOME HISTORY AS IT MIGHT APPEAR. 83 Man's glory makes good spirits merely mourn ; He flaunts vouchsafements to the dreary winds And bids another trust to his vain boasts ; The breezes, even, sigh their spirits' woes. Vain creature not a ruler over passion's self Nor trustworthy when storms take their own rise Within his mantled bosom's own turmoil: But cries to God, the searcher of his ways, And lies unmantled at his mercy's feet ! " You have here begun, and yours is solely, a history of the people. Continue the full, complete, connected narra- tive in that unbiased strain, giving your servants — which other nations call rulers — due meed, and no one can doubt the accuracy of it nor dispute the unfaltering bene- fit from such an institution. Precedent will then estab- lish the right. "Without having designated the conditions or mani- fested details, a tedium in one sense, yet a joy at the ample resource for employment to everyone, logically the world is not burdensome. Industrious, systematical appli- cation with intermediate and ulterior purposes of legiti- mate endeavors will reach to the evening of final rest and make death not what it is now but the hour of sweet repose. " It is apparent that my old country needs a thorough investigation into its affairs — a commission to be as par- ticularly and regularly appointed as the taking of its census. Thorough men of science and knowledge would devote themselves to the task with full powers and develop the means of much redress simply by the inform- ation they would disclose. Without remuneration there- for excepting the distinction and the value of the knowledge to themselves as eminent men and citizens their appointment would be universally hailed and the 84 TUE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. historical knowledge obtained and thereafter maintained by systematical continuance would be invaluable. Nothing can exceed in benefit authentic contemporary history! Knowledge leads to wisdom, advancement, exaltation and the suppression of evil ; an authentic report to and con- necting link with is the hope of posterity. " I thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for your kind attention — not that one-half has been told you, but enough for reflection, and I fear .to impose myself too much upon you." Bowing, I withdrew to one side. The applause and fervent, hearty expressions of pleasure and satisfaction put at rest any apprehensions, wrapt as I had become in the subject as I progressed, I might have felt regarding any undue infliction upon them. I cast a look in the direction of Kathleen — but she sat pensively gazing into abstraction, her mind undoubtedly Avandering far, far away, in that imagined, strange country. Was I associ- ated in those reveries ? CHAPTER XVII. AX INDUSTRIAL RESUME. First is power of the mechanics, second resume, third production's chose. When thought and impulse had full-coursed their way, There stole upon the horizon the dawn of day, In swift pursuit; and noise of click and clangor's sound, As, pending the burst storm, broke forth in tones, There rose the din, betokening urgent toil, And sharp endeavor, seeking every spoil. AN INDUSTRIAL RESUME. 85 Nor is content the science' searching ray, as, on its bent, it seeks each nook. There may lie hidden as the simplest thing And this it kens, hence often its guy fling As it discerns some mystery scarce unveiled, That its queer shape had nought to stem a hope, But, all of knowledge need not foil the stool, If its receiver will be ne'er the fool. How soars its flight, how sinks its feeling touch down to the inmost depths ! There is no vision but with lucid points, And no reflection, that has not its joints; Hence, can it pause, or hesitate to do, Or can it cease to jostle error's ways? What false excitement, superstition's fear — ~No creed is happier, than has its own seer ! The millions teemed, the millions swore their constant, firm behest! Ah, for the night, to solace in its gloom, To see, with no distraction, whate'er doom Can solve this speedy, scant, industrial range, To give invention to its risks and grasps, On, to lead forw r ard, ever, stern and true, Oft, that trends froward to make, sadly, rne. There is no doubt, the visions will reward the worthy, kind and pure. That such a scoffer was on genius bent, And, in his fruits, was, pitifully, shent, Creeds but the laws of any universe ; One thought, one sigh cannot be lost to ane. Have you no wisdom as to teach the lore, That in pure genius can be any chlore ? This circumvision, spection is unending, great and very fair. The hand may tremble, yet devise a stay, The arm be feeble, that constructs the sway, By part to part, to shake the fundament : The spirit, Spirit is the power unseen, The all, invisible, unseen the strength of might. Thus, Faith is for yourself, Hope to the other, And Charity with all, that none can bother. 86 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. When you lead on, devise the ways as sternly, yet as meet, as e'er you may. There cannot be conjectured, nor construed, A single problem, other than for good ! Contend you this endeavor then, or fear, That you have nought the power to endure? Stringe to the lists, and see that you were born To win as bright a pennant, e'er was torn. A loosely garment, red, and dight all o'er a supple female form — ■ Suggests the more, of ignorance within, That drives desire frenzied with chagrin. This heed e'er fastens to temptation's chore, That aught appears to waken your distrust : Be you, then, wary, pierce the folds, that hide, With your reflections, which, always, betide. Ah, glossy raven tresses, garb of crimson hue and lightly dight, and face so white — Is that not all-inflaming, fire and coal ? Thus eats luridity into the soul ! And may the deadening ashes semble face, Which first portrayed the white flames of the fire : For, soon, a withering, commonplace disgust Will, then, have met the lolly with its thrust. How they, the picturing words, set forth each thing, each crevice, any thought of ane. You may make no remark, yet, e'er so rude, But, beautifully, fits a truth, not crude, But forms a text, as ever, just and trite, And suits employment, such as always right; For, in directness there is, always, good : And must, with knowledge, be so understood. The timely application robs each and every deed of its seemed crime. But virtue, truth itself, may be abused, If, in their acts, not properly are used. Then, drivel not in cant, affected tears — There's nought so bad but augments with your fears ; There's nothing good, that may not be mistaken : And everything is fair, that's not forsaken ! AN INDUSTRIAL RESUME. 87 And language cannot err, like figure bold, speaks but one thing. Infallible, to so diverge from truthful says, Built course on course, in ways with reaching ways, It has, but properly, the forced sequence — One way begun, can never digress hence, But must add on the solvents, tricks and throws, Becomingly, and justly onward goes. What makes the seeming error of one's ways, are not the ways themselves. But, choice, or disconnections we do make ; The ways can, by themselves, you surely take, If you but heed the foresight to go on, And, by no folly, be led off your course: This logic, then, is truly God's device, That every soul may, savingly, take choice. All conscience, instincts, natural inclinations point to sense. That is, to wise endeavors and good choice, And, for restraints, each owns a strong device. There is, so little, that can justify, Where wanton notions fritter, here and there, That judgment, soon, would cause a vile duress Did mercy plead not for the foul weakness. But, brightness of this world, forever, fades — of what, or where, or when ! The thought, this moment brilliant, loses cast, To the own thinker, when a moment past ; And, leading, then, remembrance o'er the scene, Has learned a different moral by the preen. Oh, fadeless things we must not, here, esteem — If nothing else, our memories will so gleam. This latter proposition is not true, nay, it is cant. The estimation, weakly, so regards ; For, diligent knowledge this sore evil wards : There is in every course a natural swing, And is, as naturally, true to cause, That you have but to reck the onward course, To learn eventration to each source. The fleeting time, the days that are no more, the years now past ! 88 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. Yet, busily, the hum of thrift goes on. The seasons waken, each, in several turn — The seed-time, freshly, starts its new-born life, The earnest harvest yielding its fit fruits ; Then, rest, deep silence, save the storm, that roars, To make more comfort garnered peace indoors. The year has been divided, fitting to man's state, in miniature. First, weakly born (within the first few months In, deeply, then but slow from winter's slumps) At once burst forth to vigor's budding (Spring), Whence, then, unfolding, such the fecund seeds, The sterling manhood reaches harvest-time — Ends like beginning : Now must rhyme, rime ! What nature has supplied, man turns to thrifty, cautious use. There are embodied in calm nature's stores Such force and powers, that it fairly pours The bounties on the self -thralled style of man ; How charily,»in ignorance, man does touch ! More offers nature, than would grant his bliss — He has some inkling, got from that and this. One little atom serves a part, tends to sustain a ponderous mass. Thus, powers, spirits, turned ever loose From every finger-tip, from mind, abstruse, Dissolve and emanate, perpetuate and make In multiples on multiples, till all parts quake. Thus is the stream of increase ne'er t' be stemmed, For this is nature's benefit not to be hemmed. The untold cogent factors, the unnamed potents and designs ! Pure industry is ne'er without its means ; Is never, that its thrift, but that it gleans, If nothing else, the some strewn remnants left, That may heap storehouse to its margin's fill ; Then, comes a rest, a peaceful slumber-time, Now, termed a death — then, will be sweet in chime. The middle course, the medium, the steady and the mix. That is the range, which serves the steady will, Restrains, but grants in each way to distill, AN INDUSTRIAL RESUME. 89 Upholds the burden, ends must bear the brunt, Is there, in equilibrium when borne: Thus, to all cares, the mediums solace tears ; In all affairs the mediums serve the shares. Old gaunt Philosophy stalked, once, so solemnwise and dreadful, shrewd. He says, says he, " This is a sorry fix ! 'Tis ages since I saw much worse a mix. Why, bless the long-time lasting, glittering stars, The sun and moon, and slivering earth-quaked hills, I've pranced on planes until I'm wellnigh dead — But, die I may not, so the ancients said. What things would you, now, choose my fellow fine; there, my sweet maid ? No ? Hang your head — your modesty's afraid To speak out in the meeting — where, 'tis said, So many little children have found fault ? At this I'm not surprised, though I have said, When you are bent on mischief, read a line, And leave your mischief bent to fit your spine. Well, I have wondered, when patrolling, late at night, through many a storm. The storm of fears, and tears and troubled hearts, The violent commotions, renting parts In anguish, at some pale, mistaken foe. Now brethren, let me tell you, there's no woe. ' Look to, look to,' the ancients often said, And this, I now repeat, was then well-bred. I wish, my dearest, you had always better understood. There is in eduction, construction, production The best of concoction, that favors induction ; When once you have instanced the thought and endeavor, You will have discovered the powerful lever. In action, reflection the deeds serve and prove ; In interchange, intervail all objects move." 90 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. CHAPTER XVIII. SHIP AHOY! For some time a question had agitated itself in our midst, with reference to the possible existence of other lands within our reach, if our craft hut enabled us to make tours of discovery beyond our shores. In nautical and astronomical knowledge, that would make us successful voyagers or guide us in any positive direction or return, we were sadly deficient; and once out on the trackless main, we doubted our abilities to return; besides, almost every other consideration was obviated by our want of tools wherewith to construct a vessel of sufficient size. Still, from desultory discussions, the idea had grown that my whilom ship might be launched; she was not badly wedged, apparently not much broken, and, although stranded by an unusual storm, fortunately had been en- sconced in a comparatively safe and protected harbor dur- ing her five years of desuetude, and the appliances on board presented every possibility of her restoration to usefulness. It was thought, with our full male strength and the mechanisms our combined ingenuity might devise, we might yet proudly patrol the high seas in her. So that one evening the project was decided upon, and with a good deal of excitement it was determined to prepare at once for our intended experiment. The necessary crops being garnered or safely under way, to abide our return within such a reasonable time as we anticipated, all else could be looked after easily by the women. Two weeks were consumed in preparations. Enough SHIP AHOY! 91 rowing, pushing or towing craft were rudely constructed, in addition to the two or three boats on hand, to consti- tute a small fleet. We had simply to follow the shore-line and in a direction we knew to reach the location of the ship, and felt no concern in that quarter ; and, as to pro- visions, knew that the net and trap would over night sup- ply us at any time, if necessary, in addition to the stock distributed in the boats. The fervor with which I pressed Kathleen's hand at parting might have betokened something unusual, but I had no misgivings, for I felt cheerfully convinced of the success of our expedition and a speedy safe return, already dreaming of future discoveries in the following spring, and imagining myself an explorer ! There was of course, no melancholy brass band — although later, when the instru- ments were resurrected from the ship, their music became no unpleasant feature of our life here. There was not even speech-making ; but, with emotion at the agitation of those remaining behind, many a wave of the hand beckoned the last token before dropping out of sight. The weather being fine and our expedition uneventful, on the sixth of October we hove in sight of my old quar- ters, and it was with feelings of pride and joy, that I wel- comed the sight of the old hulk. There she was, safe and sound, and seemed quietly to indicate that her days of use- fulness were not yet over, by a great deal. The curiosity with which she was viewed by the party, and their careful inspection, were an inspiration to behold! My land abode had not suffered and my gardens were only overgrown. I felt like a lord in his own domain, and entertained with a lavish disregard and graciousness by reason of my great possessions. A poor boy of humble origin arisen to such splendor and prestige — but, that is American! 92 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. We proceeded at once to our object here, and worked like bees or beavers, incessantly but systematically. By a kind Providence, as it were, I found a volume on ship-building, repairing, and so forth, and one relating to ship-machinery, among the late captain's effects — and I felt devoutly thankful, for these volumes were worth to us more than a continent of gold. After ten days' labor our ship rode once more on the sea, and hoisting the bonny Stars and Stripes to its position of honor and predominance, I proposed three cheers, with the tears trickling down my weather-beaten cheeks, for the dear old flag and the sentiments it represents and protects, which were heartily, rousingly given! Those English bodies had an American spirit. Untrainmeled nature conforms to the natural. How many disloyal ones at home would not have marveled at the loyalty and spirit in the country's behalf, far and almost hopelessly away ! That night we slept on the water in well-ordered cabins and bunks. Early next morning everyone was astir and the deck was cleared for action. The excitement and enthusiasm increased with every hour. I was commodore of the fleet, captain of my vessel, engineer and master machinist. The other principal duties were appropriately distributed. Old John Bertram, the sound, steady, level- headed man, was placed at the helm, and the genial, yet if need be forcible, old Silas Mason placed second in command, which put him, virtually, in direction above, as I remained with the engines. In the control of these, although a novice myself, still with some general comprehension by reason of my daily contact, at home, with machinery, I was fast initiating the quick-witted Phineas Bertram (Kathleen's elder brother) who rapidly demonstrated a decided ability and inclination that way. If there is any difference and SHIP AHOY! 93 distinction, what is more responsible than the function that administers and superintends the pulsations of the heart — the motive power and its envelopes of machinery and life ! A book on engines had received my attentive and anxious perusal, and lay near at hand, with the places of its salient points duly marked; and never was a quan- tity of combustibles ignited with greater throbbing of the heart than I endured, when I built my first fire in the box to heat the boiler. And how anxiously I awaited prog- ress, minutes becoming hours, and how every thump and thud startled me, as evidences of unforeseen or hidden danger ; how my text-book was reviewed and myself assured and reassured, and then — at last — I nearly swallowed myself in my anxiety — the steam began to exert its actions and the great and powerful machinery moved — oiled and wiped and brushed, it proceeded smoothly enough. With special messenger hastened to the helmsman to be on his utmost guard, besides the cus- tomary or agreed upon mechanical signals, the great con- cern began to move. Carefully and skillfully controlled by John Bertram, she pointed her prow and took her direction. As night approached we anchored, placed lights out, instituted successions of watch (the machinery, in our opinions, or rather mine, needed watching) and, after a merry evening of mutual congratulations and toasts, sought repose, fatigued mentally and physically, and unstrung now that the reaction from great strain had set in. Fortunately, our stock of coal was still large ; and I learned that "black stuff like this" could be obtained a distance back and carried down a stream, that emptied not far from where the colony had their abodes, which embouchure also afforded a harbor, beautiful, picturesque and protected. So that cheerful prospects, all around, emerged from the recent gloom. 94 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. The spirit of gratitude moved within me, and I humbly prayed and gave thanks. CHAPTER XIX. TOGETHER AGAIN ! We cruised very leisurely. Anchoring at night, and with daily incursions on land, we trapped, fished and gathered quantities of wild fruits, nuts and berries ; I had inculcated the practices of drying, smoking and curing, salting, preserving and canning; with salt, sugar and condiments in ample store on board, we were preparing quite a stock of winter-supplies — more than thrice ample for our consumption and, in quality, what a choice ! The weather was delightful all the time, a sort of Indian-summer; a merrier, more genial group could not have been found. I enlivened many an evening hour, when the spirits of these benign days seemed to vie with the occasion, with my violin-playing, which delighted, as well as mystified them not a little ; and those plaintive, sighing or rollicking tones, how they have strangely broken in upon the lone, weird wilderness. How often, poured from the inmost depths of my heart, they have recorded there in indelible spirit-tongue the expression of my recollections of bygone scenes, thoughts and passionate longings — at such moments my abstraction, Begeisterung f was incomprehensible to them. Almost awed by my appearance of oblivious absence with the fascinating Wehmuth of my executed tones, they said that at such a time I communicated with some invisible, visiting spirit — and, who knows, the spirit and chimes of music, perhaps. We had timed it so that we should reach home after TOGETHER AGAIN! 95 nightfall, with the vessel full-rigged and decorated, yards manned, and so forth, and all brilliantly alight, and whistles sounding. The effect of such a sound and sight, suddenly imposed upon our unsuspecting dear ones, together with the novelty thereof, we could readily pic- ture to ourselves. A projection of the shore, several miles distant, hid our approach, where lying until the shades began to settle and preparing our little piece of pleasantry, we then steamed down upon the unsuspecting, defenseless little throng, who were, no doubt, straining every auric- ular nerve to catch the first sound of our safe return. Giving vent to all the power of the shrieking, scream- ing, whistling pipes and the deep, horrible soundings of the fog-horn — imagine the consternation of these women and children, at these demoniacal renditions and at the appearance of the glaring, looming yet beautiful apparition ! Knowing the water to be very deep close to the rock- bank of the shore, we ran alongside, anchored and ran out the gang-plank. Acting Captain Mason, swinging a lan- tern, passed over to land — all of the others remaining and standing in a blaze of light on deck — and, inviting all on shore to follow him, preceded and lighted them on board; eagerly and confidently following him, mutually joyful interchanges of greetings followed. I was the only one not present there at that moment, being still engaged below with the management of the engine. I was after- ward told by a humorously inclined, quick-witted old chap, that Kathleen peered about for me! But the " captain " of the vessel received his due share of homage and consideration, when he did appear. Headed by my assistant engineer and fireman, the whole group, excepting myself and two or three of the elderly men, paraded the vessel, from lookout to steerage, and the excitement, amazement and curiosity were edifying. My 9G THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. lively, witty assistant was quite equal to the showers of inquiries shot out. At the last, the doors were thrown open, and they were ushered into their first taste of artificial elegance — the beautifully lighted, and magnificent dining-room, where a banquet had been spread in anticipation of the happy event and midnight festivities, with all the marvels of glass and china and silver service, fine cloths, brilliant illumination in gorgeous holders, including incandescent electrical lights, all these things so "heavenly" to them. I presided, upon solicitation from all, with Kathleen at my side — as happy as a king, and, to all virtuous intents, the same as one. And on the serenity of that still night with no sound, save the note of a nightingale, and the murmur of the incessant tireless breakers, anon broke peals of laughter from within; and, if the memories of departed, who had occupied seats herein in life, occurred to me or suggested themselves to anyone, yet the waves of reflections or sadness must soon have vanished. I looked at Kathleen and thought what an auspicious time this would be for a betrothal. But, Kathleen did not yet seem, to my tutored mind, to understand what it means to love, hence I looked at her with a mixed feeling of chagrin and despair — but a silvery rim forever appears on the heavy clouds of the future, and a bound within my bosom bespoke happy things to occur — yet, a tinge of melancholy marked the terrestrial aspect. THE SCHOOL-MASTER MAKES A SPEECH. 97 CHAPTER XX. THE SCHOOL-MASTER MAKES AN IMPROMPTU SPEECH. Shortly after midnight, Mr. Talbot, the teacher of the school, arose, setting down his bumper, cleared his throat, and said that upon so important an occasion, one that marked a new era in their lives, he felt he had some- thing to say — and, with impressive mien, proceeded: "Brethren and fellow-merrymakers, it is with a deep appreciation and consciousness of the proprieties, as well as the unusualness of this occasion, that I perceive its import as well as direction. " Lingering, all our days, on the verge, on the borders of civilization, it is but recently, that we have received an inkling of the possibilities of man, which lie dormant even within us. We have now the first great direct evidences of his accomplishments — still regarded only as experi- ments by their authors. "Our immediate progenitors emanated from that dawning civilization but were snatched from it and separated here by the elements, when their lives were to blossom into its fullest realization. But they have reared us to its standard by account, example and we have maintained the same as nearly as tradition has enabled us. We have heard their words and regrets, cherish their dearest memories and at peace their resting place is as quiet and rest as tranquil as anywhere on earth. " What is our condition or what was it, when Almighty God sent this our friend into our midst, not until he too had been made to feel the weight of the burden of ostra- 98 THE TBOUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. cisni, in its heaviest form — that of total solitude; that he might give the move incentive to us, by the depths of one extreme taught the exaltation of the other, the highest and best in the world. " It is true, we have zealously preserved all we ever knew and heard, and have added a collection of useful local knowledge ; we have chronicled our doings, which in a busier world would be regarded as trifles unworthy of remembrance — but which are the sum and total of our history. In the fifty years of my life, what has been our progress? Are we to-day fitted for and equal with the society which our fathers and mothers left ? No, we have deteriorated. Within these few hours, we have received a practical demonstration, a loving glimpse into the pro- cedure of our brethren, somewhere, beyond these surround- ing seas — they have progressed. "True, were it not for this self-same ship-building (man's arts bring him his smarts), within a specimen of which we are now enjoying ourselves, none of us would be here. Thus, so far, we have been injured, yet, again, ben- efited by it. And conceive, as, thanks to this practical example, we are now better able to understand the accounts our friend has vouchsafed to us, what delights and pleasures, what luxuries, what entrancing sights, sounds and sensations, the arts and sciences in their high state of cultivation afford to the communities of our fellow- men! The store of this practical knowledge, whence comes it ? Is it the evolution of one province, one nation ? Nay, every corner of the inhabited earth has had part in this garnering — frustrated and scattered, or nursed, fos- tered and fanned into life again ; and the results, periodi- cally, speak as the special opportunities favor distinct developments. " We might remain here in our seclusion eternally, pass- THE SCHOOL-MASTER MAKES A SPEECH. 99 ing hence by the laws of nature and succeeded by our progeny, only to work through the mazes of doubt, experi- ence and experiment to where these civilized nations already are — from which point we might start, were we with them, or they united with us, and had we a choice and union with their knowledge. "I favor intercommunication of the freest kind through- out the world — I feel, that the people of the different localities possess diverse characteristics, have various local opportunities and facilities: that this world is a whole, in natural parts and functions, not separable with- out ill to the rest, and should be operated concurrently. That the greatest blessings flow from a healthy whole, smoothly, co-ordinately working body — no matter how well any part, in particular, may have developed, it can- not bear the entire brunt ; it will either be an isolated spot of health, preyed upon and surrounded by disease, which is ever reaching out toward it and sure in time to encroach upon and consume it, or it is, itself, a well- defined diseased development. "Now, when our noble ship courses o'er the main, and our studies and observations are stimulated by the possi- bilities it opens out before us, then we shall cast hither and thither for an enlargement of our vision, and increase of glorious powers of peace by intercourse with all our fellow-men, for our and their advantage and betterment, that God's aggregate may be enjoyed by all, as he intended it should be. Tell me not of little, curtailed range ! The spirit shall traverse the universe. We are God's favorites and his house 's our own, He wishes us each cosy nook for joy And has devised each place as such a nook. Would you displease him by your ignorant cant 100 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. Or by refusing to employ his store ? Does he construct in parts not of a whole, Himself the whole of all the glorious parts ? With lack of knowledge we abuse our gifts And though the groveling wretch excites your ire And your contempt arrays your goodly points, Behold in that example the distress : That poor unfortunate lacks a balanced creed, Bereft of power his might is more his need ; Employing but few of all exceeds with some — Since nature's scope must have fulfilled its glume." At the close of this speech, we attested our deep appre- ciation. Mr. Talbot was the distinguished personage of the hour, having dispersed the last settlement of gloom with the first ray of light, but he bore his honors in the staid manner of the reflective, imperturbable philosopher, as was his unostentatious, truthful, fearless, lovable character. We retired a happy-hearted set — all my guests, in the staterooms, on the vessel ; our prospects had brightened, and our motives were pure. CHAPTER XXI. THE FIKST KISS. The ensuing winter, which was very severe, and long, was, nevertheless, a very busy and interesting one for us, engaged as we were in the closest study and daily drill for our contemplated cruise of discovery as soon as the weather should again become pleasant. We had explored the coal- field, already referred to, and a part of our population was engaged in coal-mining ; the product, of first-class quality, THE FIRST KISS. 101 was laden on sleds, shoved down on the thick, solid ice of the little stream, which transported it to our vessel near this stream's mouth. A few others were storing the quan- tity of ice for the steamer's ice-hold; whilst others yet were fishing, and trapping game for supplies and raiment, the skins being variously dressed and adapted, in addition to which the ladies were giving enthusiastic assistance in their own ways. The command being entrusted to me, I endeavored to proceed systematically, with as little as pos- sible left to chance, and as we progressed we all felt that our preparations were substantial. So eagerly and per- sistently did we engage ourselves, that we were through before we could depart ; but each day seemed to suggest something more and much was acquired of general benefit in our other affairs. Thus, we added much to the comforts of our abodes and their enjoyments ; we discovered min- eral deposits in our mining prospectings ; Ave learned of valuable water-powers ; we discovered oil and even natural gas; salt deposits were found, and our hunters, now excited to especial zeal and attention, often stumbled upon veri- table mints of valuables, of no further benefit to us than to lay the foundations of a rare and, finally, complete mu- seum, itself an industrial history. I was the practical, untutored experienced man, while Mr. Talbot was rapidly becoming versed in the scientific and literary lore thereof and rendered us invaluable assistance. Beyond a doubt, agriculturally and minerally we had a rich country, amply adapted to give sustenance and happi- ness to millions of population. My previous knowledge and experience, naturally, enabled me to perceive many advantages, that had but to be turned to account, and there followed, of course, many improvements. I had these otherwise dry affairs interspersed with fes- 102 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. tivities on board the vessel. There was so much of abid- ing interest there : the fabrics and jewelry, utensils, china, pictures, style of dress and head-gear and a thousand arti- cles for the women; the fire-arms, tools, machinery, appli- ances and other things for the men — piano, guitar, violin and all the musical instruments' lessons — and the ladies, on one occasion, attired "in fashion," equal to a mas- querade. That life at this time was by no means dull goes without saying. Passing over this Spring's flora, her gentle breezes, hum- mings and carols, and her poetry maligned by those who could not tell Rhine-wine from a bottle of salted sea-water, we shall proceed to the eve of our first voyage of discov- ery. How we all had become concerned in star-lore, had repeatedly scrutinized the ship's charts and endeavored to grasp the portents of the instruments ; how we watched that beautiful, glowing sunset, and knew, or thought we did, that that was west, and figured out, somehow, our relative direction from the rest of the world. Only myself and ten of the hardiest of the men were to go, and, as an exception, the old helmsman ; 1'hineas, my valiant assistant, was now to become regular engineer, with Samuel Talbot as assistant ; old John Bertram to attend the wheel, with two substitutes, Ira Mason and George Bertram ; I commanded, with Ebenezer Mason, the eldest of the younger men, as lieutenant, and James Talbot did the cooking. Our force was small and, therefore, it would have been useless to draw strict lines on our several duties, had courtesy, even, permitted it, for our division of labor was only in the nature of expediency, nor was there any distinction in the pride each towards the other felt therefor. The generally merry group was quite subdued on this eve, excepting myself, of whom all possible encouragement was expected, as a matter of course, and excited no com- THE FIRST KISS. 103 ment; the intrepid band were heroes, yet, the objects of much yearning attention from those who were soon to be separated — perhaps, forever. This kind of anticipation was entirely concerned with those about to depart — with no thought that death might as well invade the little circle remaining behind and strike as cruel a blow. I felt a presage of good from our voyage, and did much to lighten the oppression by my arguments, sanguine statements and demeanor. Sweet Kathleen — well, I caught her gazing at me, I thought, rather longingly, and, as though casually, I drew near to her, and in a moment when there seemed to be a general distraction withdrew her, by a suggestion, from the others. In the bright moonlight, as zephyrs played with her soft, fluffy hair, and the mighty ocean seemed, contentedly, to roll : " Eternal, eternal," we slowly passed on, her hand in mine, then — her frame quivered — my arm gently stole around her waist, and, drawing her blush- ing face to mine, I — A pure kiss — ah, how, still, lingers its sweet ectasy, And thrills me through all life with memory's bliss ; I breathed my soul upon those chaste, warm lips, And, yet, inhaled the nectar of her heart Oh, moments heavenly, when I yielded mine, Thoughts so divine, when her soul came to me, As bosom throbbed to bosom one brief spell — And, yet, I leave thee for awhile, heed well, The seal has closed our compact, I am bound To cherish never other thought, than this, Sweet maid, pure love, in thee my ways entwine. Silently we stood, gazing out to sea, her bosom heaving as though with some inward commotion, which seemed partly suppressed ; she was closely clasped in my fervent embrace, her silky, beautiful head resting against my 104 TIIE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. shoulder — at this moment, her younger brother approached to announce the desired presence of all of us at the "All Hail and God-speeding*' banquet. After that, at parting, I had only the opportunity to press her hand- -the press- ure was quiveringly returned. CHAPTER XXII. VOYAGERS. A more auspicious morn could net have fallen to us. Boldly we stood out to sea. We had planned a directly western course, without any reason therefor other than a mere choice of lot. More heroism and determination, than physical strength sustained us through our trials and trepidations. Seasickness began to manifest itself as soon as land disappeared from sight, and the cook's occupation would have been gone for the next two days — even had he not been first, and worse afHicted than any of us. The smell from the kitchen is, ordinarily, enough for me on any kind of steamer out in motion, so I succumbed with the rest of them. After this healthy but unpleasant purgation, we enjoyed the benefit of learning that there may be times when death, even, can lose its terrors. Poor cook was the last to regain himself, and such cook- ing as was done until then, was desultory indeed. All were becoming practically familiar with their parts, and, as is always befitting in any vocation of life for its honor and success, were developing their several duties into objects of pride, when, on the evening of the seventh day out, wind arose and the waves began to dash high, when every nerve and muscle was strained to bear VOYAGERS. 105 the tests for our new accomplishments, and nobly the good old steamer bore herself through. Veteran tars could not have been more nonchalant — than we were after that! Afterwards the little storms, that traversed us, caused us no fear. Well, we ate and drank and were cheerful and merry, recalling, always, that to Providence we owed our entire guidance, and could feel as peaceful as the sleeping nurse- lings, in an abiding Faith. Forward plunged our intrepid monster, and we could count numerous knots the hour and many miles the day, but we were making no efforts to run very fast; our ship's log kept a respectable, if, for the time and occurrences, somewhat voluminous chronicle. On the evening of the fifteenth day we had inventoried our stock and, for the first time, discussed the advisability of returning; when our trusty lookout startled us by the announcement of a light or fire on the western horizon. The sun, was hinted ; but, that being improbable, at 11.30 p. m., some of us mounted, and through the glasses thought we, too, could distinguish something luminous there. The excitement, then, became intense — and sud- denly the idea of danger flashed into our minds almost simultaneously. We held a council of prudence, therefore, and decided to push forward. Sleepiness did not trouble us that night, as the interesting object did not disappear. With the disappearance of the gloom of night an imper- vious fog enveloped us. We deemed it well to stop, keep- ing out our signal-lights, and sounding our fog-horn, at the same time anxiously trying to pierce the surrounding density. About noon, the fog lifted, and away off ahead of us still, a dark rim seemed to be visible ; we hardly dared to believe our eyes ; and yet was it not the fulfill- ment of what we had devoutly trusted ? 106 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. Experience the meagerness, the fickleness of our faith, by no less an object lesson, than our emotions and incredu- lous fears at the attainment of our ardent desires! Misgivings began to present themselves as to our possible reception ; but Ave felt there was no alternative, certainly no turning back now — and, with a prayer for our safety and for those left behind, we stifled every other emotion, suppressed every consideration, excepting the one immediately before us, and proceeded as rapidly as we could, all hands on deck and to the fore, except the engineer and his assistant and the sturdy rudderer. Arming ourselves with fire-arms and other weapons, of which, with ammunition, there was no dearth — we stood arrayed for discovery or death ! Approaching, apparently, a lifeless expanse, until we feared to go nearer, a boat was lowered and, manned by myself and five others, rowed to the shore, where, I the first to leap on, this little detach- ment of us trod land once more. There was no time for exultation over that, as a little distance off we saw the ashes of a large fire, still warm, and — detected footprints leading to the water's edge, and also indications that some larger object had scraped there, on the sand and conducting into the water, probably a boat. Whither they had gone, nothing indicated — the water leaves no track behind, of those who have been borne or engulfed by it. We returned to the steamer and reported to our earnestly awaiting companions, and then concluded to coast this Newland, entering upon our project at once. That evening, as the sun was reddening the few fleecy clouds with a brilliant hue, we drew near to and perceived a set of habitations, orderly arranged and bearing evi- dence of a system thereabouts, and a distant sound to us, NEW FACES— YET, EVER, OLD TREY SEEM! 107 of activity, readied oar ears. At last, what a thrill of anticipation or doom ! Anchoring out, not far from this shore, I again with five ventured in a boat, alert to every indication, leaving the remaining as a guard to the vessel and a reserve in case of emergency. CHAPTER XXIII. NEW FACES YET, EVER, OLD THEY SEEM ! Is man not man, maid maid, woman, lad or babe, Whate'er geography locates their states ? The visible form is flesh, bone, blood and shape And reasons wrestles in a human crate. Then he's your brother, she your sister, while No dissonance can shirk your duty's sense ! Columbus, you recall upon our shore Did they not teach you then that human love And human thought could nourish in the wilds; And if some passions coursed within their bloods How muchly more they learned from your cohorts ? And you lamented how much natural grace Dissolved before the advent's paler face ! Your chains are jangling to teach the creed! Philosopher, from you we have the truth Indomitable courage is our God's Love ; Eequital in your fellow-man's reproof The curse you felt, but always blessed your God And sighing, Mercy, mercily forgave. Thus honored moulderings have filled your grave ! Oh, idle man you trend with caustic stuff, You lead a life that is not clear enough In freedom's measure not from right to swerve. In ev'ry Nation note the men of fame, Speak, in each clime is wisdom not the same ? 108 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. Then if co-ordinate men of fame are like Conduce such matches, that each friction's strike May cast a light upon this worldly gloom, That is, raise standards then all men thereto; To wrap within the higher recompense Makes equal man to man from clime to clime, % As goodly men, where'er, will, always, chime. There is a bond of sympathy, a real relationship between men of thoughtful, deliberative minds, that makes them coeval and equal, wheresoever chance in its indis- criminate choice has placed them; and the contemporane- ous discourses in the several countries each honor their respective masters. This moral or conclusion seems to arise herefrom, that distinctions are merely intellectual. Thus, to make your neighbors useful and pleasant to you, elevate them, if you are above and it is possible to do so, or elevate yourself and them together. Integrity, which is based on true enlightenment, promotes harmony; and general integrity is not promulgated by factional strife. We were well received at what w r e discovered was a busy town. Our advent aroused in these people curiosity and superstition. To our delight, their language was a fragment of the old English tongue, and was sufficient, with gesticulations and pointings, to conduct a fairly intel- ligible conversation. I shall briefly sketch their history hereafter. The town was of goodly size and constituted their prin- cipal fishing port; it was moreover their capital and prin- cipal market-town. Their population was over fifty thousand. These people bore evidence of having been isolated a long time. Certain features had become marked by the long continuance in a new climate, and new habits ; Out withal NEW FACES— YET, EVER, OLD THEY SEEM! 109 they must be described as a simple kindly dispositioued folk, with a natural but artless shrewdness and perspicuity, by no means to be despised. They were medium sized, quick, active, keen, and possessed of indomitable courage and persistence, that bordered on abandon in their deter- mination to accomplish their purposes. I afterwards learned, they represented a thorough intermixture of the English, German and French nationalities, with predomi- nance of the first, all of the humblest of their respective countries' classes, embarked as poor emigrants. Fortune deposited them here, to evolve a government from them- selves, who had been under the cruel lash of the dominant classes at home so long that little more, at first, than the mere instincts of dumb brutes could have been expected of them — but displaying excellent parts, as the long kept dormant and abused faculties dared to peer above the inculcated slavery. But that broad breadth of insight that belongs to the more enlightened had not yet reached that expansion, for want of opportunity and knowledge; but, nevertheless, they were a credit to themselves, an example of untram- meled nature in its orderliness. After a short time spent in their company, at the land- ing place, we bethought ourselves of the anxious suspense and curiosity of our companions remaining on board the vessel. The news of our arrival had spread over the town like wildfire, although precipitated upon them with an unto- ward suddenness, and a great throng pressed about us, as under my leadership we boldly stepped on shore, and sev- eral who appeared to be leading men and were treated with great deference by the crowd, extended to us their hospitality, but in a manner that evinced their feeling of awe. We explained our situation briefly, as best we 110 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. could, and received their marked deference and some show of confidence, as far as they were capable of understand- ing us. While surprised, apparently, and mystified, they put their best foot forward, so to say. The lights of the vessel were now visible and served us as a goal in the growing darkness; we rapidly pro- ceeded to our friends with the good tidings. As our boat pushed off, the mass gave a cheer, as though of delight or admiration. Those on board were breathless with excitement, as may be imagined ; which gave place to great exultation, when we told them of our impressions and surmises. We retired at once, with the precaution of a double watch and subsequent reliefs, and were up before dawn had fairly broken. After a hasty breakfast we set about putting our vessel in the neatest trim. With sunrise, first one, then another, and finally quite a little school of boats — row and sail — began cautiously to approach us, for the evident pur- pose of inspection. We hailed them, as any approached near enough, and beckoned them up; but none seemed willing to venture — superstition, thus, being so readily allied to ignorance, for, otherwise, they seemed to have no fear of us or our craft. After awhile, however, and as the crowd on shore began to thicken and grow each minute, as we could discern through our glasses, we perceived a larger, more like a gala or festival row-boat put out, seemingly manned by a number of oarsmen. Swiftly this pretty craft tended directly toward and ere long had reached us. Someone standing toward the front called to us something we did not understand; but, suspecting a formal visit from one in authority, we motioned to them to approach as closely as possible, at the same time dropping a ladder of rope down the vessel's side, which two of our party descended NEW FACES— YET, EVER, OLD THEY SEEM! Ill and, springing into their boat, aided its crew in securing to the hooks lowered from the vessel to it. Then five important personages ascended, decked in their garbs of state and office, and were heartily welcomed by us. The head man addressed us, gracefully. He said, sub- stantially, that after our departure last evening, at a meeting it was decided to treat with us and extend every courtesy, and they had been delegated to impart to us their kindly intentions. I responded on our behalf, that we esteemed their good- will very highly and should contribute all in our powers to the desired result. Thereupon we suggested, that their men might also come up; bnt to this they quietly shook their heads — evidently, degrees of society were here in existence, and it grieved me forcibly to be recalled, thus, to society's blemishes. To my friends this was of course the first practical demonstration of the establish- ment I had told them of, and was received with not a little astonishment, accustomed, as they were, to pure fra- ternal regard, in practice and beneficial policy. Then followed a round of seeing and sight-showing on the vessel. Business in that town was suspended that day ; I doubt even whether the people ate ; and the news ere evening had spread many miles into the country, whence people at once began to come in. As time went on they seemed to lose their first assurance, and on reflection after witnessing our manifestations, innocent and unavoidable enough, were, evidently, questioning the propriety of their beginning. They were a good folk, and their simple hearts dreaded a possible foreboding from the heavens. Learning the water near the shore or landing was very deep and there was afforded a sheltered cove we aroused to greater energy the unextinguished fires and soon had 112 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. steam blowing off in volumes and great clouds of smoke gracefully curling upwards and the vessel in motion towards the shore. The alarm on board and on land was magical — horrible. The rowers in the gala-craft help- lessly in tow were in abject consternation and impreca- tion and prayer mingled. Is it to be wondered that they esteemed the monster a living thing and ourselves imps of its construction, despite our friendly and arduous assur- ances of man's contrivance ? At this time, it was more interesting for me to behold than to describe the motley assemblage, edging and push- ing forward to peer at us, as we stepped on shore. Seeing that the monster, our vessel, had become comparatively quiet, and was no longer approaching, they had mostly ventured to return. As everywhere, nearly, in this world, caste existed here with no qualifications of pity, and showed itself plainly in outward appearances and mannerisms. But, in this hour of one common concern, rags and fine raiment, the ballooned paunch and gaunt spareness hustled each other or stood, pressed closely together, side by side. They had not escaped the inculcations of their ancestral experiences. Can you appreciate my feelings at once more seeing a. multitude, as my memories darted back to former occa- sions of popular excitement or announcements, which I had witnessed ? No brass band enlivened this occasion ; on the contrary, an oppressive, awful silence reigned instead of any sound or noise. Individuals in uniform led the way for our advance, and we were conducted to a large wagon or car, capable of comfortably seating us all, yet primi- tively constructed, and drawn by about twenty donkeys hitched in twos, led by three attendants, equidistantly distributed. Donkeys, I will add, were their only beasts of burden; and goats furnished their milk products, besides NEW FACES— YET, EVER, OLD THEY SEEM! 113 fabrics from their hair and skins — and their flesh, too, at times was eaten. They were thus far better off than my friends. We proceeded through the principal thoroughfares, the passages on both sides densely lined with spectators, to an edifice of greater pretensions and significance than the rest, and suggestive of a majestic sombreness and over- shadowing — it might well have been the monument to the specter, that has arisen from the sorrows of past ages. This was the Governmental Residence — that is, here resided the presiding officer, together with an oligarchy of ten additional members, and their families. A common table was served in a court, which in summer was open overhead, in winter closed. The architecture was grotesque, yet served convenience. Off to the southeast, connecting directly from one corner by a covered passage, was another square building, larger than the former, and consisting of but one room or hall; this building was so located, that the passage entered the nearest wall, the northwesterly, by a large aperture in its center, and stood transversely to the southeastern corner of the other building — and was so presented, because, their projectors and architects said, man's oppression of the unfortunate and the weak extends to the four cardinal points : this shall ever be a reminder, that in this court and legislative hall the utmost corners shall be sought for justice, and the greatest reach of a square, the extent between the diagonal corners, is thus squarely fronted upon; their surmounting motto was, "The Earth seeks round in mean ends square." The effect was of course curious, and shows their ideas. All public business was conducted here in open session. Here the laws were passed, courts held and every order issued in a loud tone of voice, resounding and distinctly 114 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. understood in every part of the hall. Nothing in the way of secret societies existed here. The enactment of laws was simple and brief in number and anyone might, during the presentment, publicly urge any repeal or new enact- ment. It was, therefore, in one sense a much simplified popular government, in another quite arbitrary ; their needs were simple and simple remedies were required. The terms of office were for life and embraced no other busi- ness for the incumbents, nor allowed any. Upon the death of a member, a new one was elected by the majority vote of all the electors, being only males and restricted to real estate owners — that is, having arrived at a requisite age they must own unencumbered lands. Encumbrances con- sisted of a kind of registration of indebtedness — from judgments in their court or freely attached liens. This caused electoral disqualification until these records were lightened. I presume this was to encourage independent thrift and extension as well as to promptly regard or avoid such obligation. Originality brings with it necessarily some peculiarities. (There was ample scope for the owner- ship of realty by everyone, and this provision was, evi- dently, to encourage husbandry.) As their territory was large, to facilitate justice, as well as to accommodate people by saving them long trips to the capital, the country was divided in districts, and these eleven appointed two persons in each to act therein as judges and sub-governors ; and twice each year the eleven made the round to three distributed regular points, where they heard the appeals, or inspected the judgments ren- dered by their subordinates, and completed the whole national records therefrom, and listened to addresses by and from any of the people; subsequently, all these matters, so accumulated, were publicly announced in the hall at the capital. There were no lawyers, each person NEW FACES— YET, EVER, OLD THEY SEEM! 115 becoming, in fact, cognizant of the laws by direct concern for him or herself; an accusation or prayer for redress and defense were publicly stated by the parties them- selves, or in their absence by a friend, and anyone present might state his or her knowledge or views on the subject; no oath was required, but, where it was shown by a num- ber of creditable persons' statements that anyone had willfully lied, punishment was meted out according to a set of criminal statutes. These were their salient points — primitive yet withal effective, because they were honest, zealous and open to the world. Their affairs thus were not inequitably conducted, and as, at the stage we found them, their ruling men were unselfish philosophers, who esteemed as the highest honors the knowledge and estab- lishment of truth, it would have been sad to disturb this tranquillity by suggesting improvements, which would have been to precipitate a new, unknown order of things — and a good reform is bad before the subjects are pre- pared for it. Reaching the entrance to the hall, and having alighted, preceded by the president, we, following next and in turn followed by the ten others, were led to the raised platform, and first assigned to seats at the table, the president occu- pying his, and the others remaining standing. The vast room soon filled and overflowed with an admirably behaved audience, standing because of no seats. As the president arose, a hush fell upon the assemblage. He spoke in a deep, powerful tone of voice, with musical intonations; substantially, he announced to them, that we had suddenly come among them on what he conceived to be a search- journey; that we were evidently enlightened beings and seemed to carry the universal assurance of intending them no harm; that we were, probably, from some land or country, of the existence of which, it would be remembered, 116 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. they had traditionary cognizance and had, often, vaguely conjectured; that it was, at least, due, that we should be courteously and considerately treated, and that therefore they would consider it an honor to entertain us, and hoped that all would contribute to make our sojourn as pleasant as possible. A ripple of assent followed his conclusion. Thereupon he led us through the covered passage into the other building. CHAPTER XXIV. FEASTED. A truly delectable repast awaited us, spread with inviting nicety, with a garlandure that evinced a refined taste. We were presented to the women, and all seated them- selves at the festive board, each judge with his wife to his left; we succeeding, in a row, at the chieftain's right, who sat at the head of the table. Servants attired in white brought in the viands, in courses, on platters made of burnt clay and some shaped out of hard, medicinal-propertied woods. Our plates were of a peculiarly hard, whitish wood, shaped round and scraped smooth with the sharp edges of shells ami rubbed and polished, until they were really beautiful. A broth, flesh of fish, wild fowls and game, preparations of some succulent roots, which imparted a pleasant flavor and agreeable easiness to the digestion, and other indigen- ous vegetation, besides goat's-milk and preparations there- from, were served in succeeding order with the precision of epicures. A kind of barley-meal furnished their bread. FEASTED. 117 They possessed salt and sugar, and, also, a delightful liquor, agreeable to the taste and exhilarating, without being intoxicating. We enjoyed the repast exceedingly. It was interspersed with gay good-humor and excellent sallies, marred only for us by the difficulty of intercommunication. I under- stood them better than I could make them understand me. After we had all regaled ourselves, I arose and, speak- ing very slowly, said that it was a source of very great pleasure to us that we had found human beings, and espe- cially of such advancement. When we might have en- countered savages — we' were agreeably surprised by enlightened, humane people, from an intercourse with whom we expected much benefit in the future, and hoped to contribute our share to the common fund of the general weal ; that we desired to extend our hands of fellowship and true brotherhood in any enterprises, and offer every facility in our powers for their beneficial use; that words could not express the feelings of our hearts, and we should, certainly, insist upon entertaining as many of them, in return for their kind treatment of us, as could be con- veyed to our welcoming shores. They understood me, and the next to the chief, an elderly, white-haired man, gracefully and briefly thanked us for our manifestation of satisfaction. After we had arisen from the table, the children were brought in, large and small, a healthy, rollicking, romping lot, who, whilst a little abashed at our unusual presence, sparkled with curiosity — such are children the world over — as they shyly glanced at us. By their table etiquette, the children with their guard, a dignified matron, always waited until their parents had partaken, for their meals. 118 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. We were next shown the apartments at our disposal, a series of ten rooms, set apart for guest-chambers for any distinguished governmental visitors — which heretofore had been confined to those of the country districts. It was then suggested that Ave should take a survey of the city ; but I first begged that our three companions left on shipboard, who had thus far missed these ceremonies and pleasures, should be allowed to come ashore and enter the party, and said that I would take the place as watch, they being unused to such sights ; whereas I was by my previous experience differently situated. Although demur- ring to my severance from them, upon my reasonable insistence they yielded, and we were driven to the land- ing, whence we speedily rowed to our vessel and soon had effected the intended transfers. I wanted to gratify these three companions. I desired also to learn the effect of the simple intercourse between these excellent specimens of detoned people in their receded conditions from the progressive civilization their ancestors had eminently or as purely as possible emanated. That I regarded a protection requisite on board, was not the opinion of these people's predatory inclination, as they manifested but good-will coupled with curiosity; but it must be remembered I had dwelt long enough and incul- cated in me after birth in my native, most highly and exemplary civilized surroundings and experience the acquired prudence of established insincerities. I may say the habit of suspicion, then and there, hung tenaciously to me. Whether or not this propriety continues I, now, far removed with no expectation or hope to return, to you ascribe for solution, who are in the distant land of civili- zation and my former habitation. I may be instrumental that an intercommunication between these people and yourselves will ensue, when I pray you to treat them as FEASTED. 119 brethren, and not, ever, treat my fellow-man with distrust. Simplicity of manner and plain confidences do not attend outraged trusts; but the last-named foster a contrary sentiment, that, thereafter, manifests itself in every transaction of life, much, to any harm, carried, even, to the echoless wastes. Then, I wanted to think, to ponder — and sweet Kath- leen arose in my mind and demanded a devotion. I watched them out of sight, saw the commotion among the dense crowd of people ; then descended to the engine- room, making a careful inspection of the condition of things, and found them in excellent order. Phineas took such a pride in his vocation, that he loved his machinery as though a mate to him, and proved his regard by the dress, the dazzle that shone from every part, the result of his diligent rubbing and polishing, and the whole moving without a jar, from his careful oiling and adjustment. Returning on deck, I threw myself in a large easy-chair, in the shade and facing to the shore — and reflected. Here were a primitively acting people, civilized in a measure, yet, upon the whole, not advanced or rather not progressive but in fact deteriorated. In some respects I preferred their state — their simplicity of manners, for instance ; still, may not that be only relative to all their surroundings ? Would I willingly forego the pleasures and delights of a higher civilization ? No. It was not homesickness, for I had no particular home to return to or any marked attachment to attract me thither, but I could intelligently attribute the feeling, first, to desire of the glory of the whole; that failing, of personal achievement; and to the healthy, active energy in man, which craves this fulfill- ment of the highest destiny on earth. God gave to the human family the earth and the seas 120 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. and the skies, and their attendant functions and offerings, intermediaries and Mendings. From them man receives his first common resources — swayed, thereafter, when mere necessity is supplied. Necessity again levels mankind — witness the ship- wrecked when raiment and food assume their proper sphere, that only of comfort and sustenance, and shelter that of protection. A natural, pure sentiment dictates a division of toil according to adaptation and best calculated for the general good — yet who is to apportion the several duties? A spirit advances, first, cautiously, then another, and are countermet to be restrained, somewhat; but at least a war ensues between the different representative ideas, desires and exultations. Indolence on the part of some, insatiability with others, add to the derangements. Oh, this interminable entanglement, that the human heart, mind and soul cannot exist without employment and solely, somehow or other, diverted from its proper chan- nel to rush blendedly, hither and thither, increasing, thereby, their respective confusions. Few quietly, pain- fully for a time heed and ponder and strike in the direc- tion to regain the proper course, all bring care and trouble, when everything might be smooth and pleasant ! Somewhere, within the confines of this earth and powers are vouchsafed to us the same results beneficially sought, easily, safely and pleasantly accomplished with but a pure, mere manifestation of desire and but its happy accompaniment of joyful exercise. I watched the fisherman toiling at his net, nearly cap- sizing his boat in his strenuous efforts and thus in peril of his life; another toiler labored in the sweat of his brow, as he belabored his lazy old donkey, who gave indications that she was very tired, also, of life, and very listlessly FEASTED. 121 proceeded to pull along the heavily laden cart ; but here a merry young maiden skipped lightly to the water's edge and, darting down, dipped a vessel into the ocean's brine, bearing away her trophy with the measures of her foot- steps marked out and accompanied by the sounds of her voice in a gleeful song. But the June sky and breezes, cool and pleasant, carry- ing murmurs upon their wings, subdued my senses as I slipped into a drowsy, oblivious doze. I was startled by a sound and call, and looking whence it came, saw the fisherman alongside in his little smack beckoning to me. I gathered that he would like to come up so lowered the rope-ladder, which he fastened to his boat and then ascended. He was a man about sixty years of age — hale, hearty and muscular ; he would have meas- ured five feet six inches in height, a large size for these people; his hair was long and gray and he wore a full bushy gray beard. He was clothed in a singular suit made of one piece of goods, cut with arm-holes, through which extended the bare arms, the piece slit up at the bottom in the middle to the length of his legs, and the ends to com- plete and hold the encircling of the body and legs fas- tened together by leather threads or thongs run or seamed through. His large feet were bare, his bronzed calloused hands large, and on his head, fronted by a broad and high forehead, was a wide, flat head-gear, made of the same material as his other garment and stiffened a little, by some means, in the brim. He addressed me in a conglom- eration of speech, but was respectful and diffident. I judged him of German descent and thought to detect Ger- man words in his utterances. I could estimate, that while hesitating in his manner, mayhap out of deference or dis- cretion, he was a courageous personage and not easily moved by superstition. 122 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. He indicated to me that he did not regard us or our craft as emissaries from the devil, pointing down, or as scourging visitations from above. I gathered thus the drift of comment among the people, as well as a remnant or indication of orthodoxy in religion among them. Seeing that he was curious, I conducted him all around, but his dazed, puzzled, yet often admiring looks were com- ical to behold. He ventured not a remark, not an exclam- ation. When we again reached deck, he hurried to the ladder and quickly disappeared over the side of the ves- sel, much to my astonishment ; but directly I saw his head reappear and a moment later he stood on deck with a receptacle, of some kind of rude wicker work, full of small but choice table-fish, which he deposited on the floor, and, uttering something, accompanied by a kind of curtsy, turned, descended the ladder, loosened his boat and had soon paddled around the steamer and out of sight. I placed his present, which was an evidence of his apprecia- tion as well as requiting generosity, in the cook's receptacle. I took a pace around the vessel in true watchman's style. But all was quiet and serene. I ate a little sup- per, as the glowing radiance of the skies betokened the sun's good-night — that same sun I had seen in Ohio, in whose shield it formed one of its emblems, light, in whose rays I had basked and blistered my back in the brook's ripple, there it was, and within the last twenty -four hours it had lighted the visages of former acquaintances and friends, where, I could mentally locate, but not find them, they physically have found but could not locate me, and Kathleen's brow and sunny hair, too, had been kissed by some of those rays. I wondered if I might intercept these with my lips, or had they remained on that sunny head charmed thereby by their own resemblance — I was FEASTED. 123 in love and I knew it. I drew a loving, quivering Low over my sensitive fiddle, as I fondly laid my cheek on its smooth surface, and sent forth a wailing melody. The breeze was toward the shore and bore the fantastic tones thither, and as the twilight was dimming the view, I, with my last glimpses thereby, saw people gathering there — and what their startled, wrought-up feelings were in these days of our strange presence at the weird sound- wavelets, I can only announce from what I afterward learned, that they believed they heard some angelic bird from the celestial shore. I don't know how long I played ; but I continued to pour out my s oul in "Home, sweet Home," "Kathleen," "'Tis years since last we met; or, Her bright smile," and numerous others, besides improvisations, in which I could best interpret my incomprehensible nature, completely lost in reverie, when a lusty cheer awakened me to the fact of my companions' return. I had even forgotten to hang out the lights (subject to their surprised censure, had they not been too happy but to overlook anything) and hastily lighting a lantern (we were very careful of matches in those days, using a wafer, which was lighted at the fire, in the cook-stove, at least, kept glowing always) held it that they might see their way to come up. All were delighted with the afternoon and evening's entertainment; everything was so novel to them, and to see so many persons alone a revelation. The difference between ourselves and our children is, that we have become accustomed to our ordinary sights. Frequently a body of legislators are no more decorous, than a lot of boys in an unsuperintended school-room ; the latter have an absence to excuse them, the former nothing. They had no room or time to feel any vanities of distinction bestowed upon them, nor had they, as yet, appreciated conditions of caste 124 THE TllOUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. or degrees in society, trained to different reflections by their own guileless institutions. This primitive enlight- enment is what we must seek again to attain — for to them each one they saw was of their brethren. This bespoke the real truth and best as it assured in their unbounded delight at worldly contact a widened sphere, society and comprehension ; they saw the objects attained without reference to their varied ingrediences to emanate solely from the human mind. They recounted to me with great, almost childish, enthusiasm all the happenings dur- ing their parade; children, maiden and youths strewed flowers on their way — the minutest details seemed not to have escaped their notice — and commented favorably on the industrial advances; whereas I, just previously, had in my own private contemplation noted the retardation of progress here. CHAPTER XXV. DISCUSSION. The transpired is an indelible occurrence ; history is infallible. For- gotten ; but, it cannot be extinguished — except in oblivion and, thus, seems largely the Past. Early next morning, they seemed constantly to advance upon us in the initiative, we received a messenger who informed us that the goverment wished an interview with us, and asked Avhether or not it pleased us to accede to their request. I answered that it was our ardent desire, and invited the whole body with their wives to our vessel. The cook, with two assistants for the occasion, set about providing a special spread worthy of our guests. In an DISCUSSION. 125 hour from that time they were seated in their barge of state and being rowed toward us ; on this occasion we motioned them to remain seated, whereupon I and two others descended, and, fastening their boat to the lowered hoisting apparatus, to their new alarm lifted them, boat and all, bodily from the water and deposited them safely on deck. We then politely requested them to step out and down to the deck, which they did with alacrity. Let me describe their costumes of state for the occasion, which were, if unique, not unpicturesque, and certainly service- able and decorous. One of the first things that struck me was the apparent modesty and morality of these people. Still that need not be surprising since, it is often repeated, many primitive people were introduced to vice by their civilized discover- ers; just as to-day, it is said, much of the populace of the Chinese — who probably antedate us in so-called civil- ization, to treat some genius ami device as such, having reached their individual culmination, and therefore incip- ient decay, long since — now on the wane — can give us revelations in that direction astounding, even, to our enlightenment. Therefore, vices grow with our progress, more, than keep pace and encircle the front to cause the early culminations successively transpired traceable to this, underlying, principle. The recession of true or the substitution of false religion. The United States is the best, of highest promise and the most enlightened, religious country on earth; free from bigotry and intolerance to discountenance religious hierarchy and pure against a mere oligarchy ; to stem by faith the preposterous claim of temporal organization. The will of God is, that man should not control man, because He Himself gives freedom, except by the free intercourse of his presence and agencies. The claims of 126 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. special guardianships are unruly. A great many may claim successorship to merely designated conditions. Through faith all things are possible to everyone without distinction or human intercession save the humanitarian principle to and of Christ: the Redemption. This is religion, philosophy, science, conscience — the free agency God has implanted and allowed, These people were, thus, in the first stages of or rather emanated from a state of civilization, He knows the most, who speaks from sorrow's ken, Whose words are jewels hewn from out the dross, Where, therein, hiding, he might know his loss ; But, he has suffered most for, hiding, thus, With all his brilliance pent-up with its rays — E'er, gleam again or pass through hardship's frays, that transplanted in a few specimens far removed from the locality of birth was to rear especially a promise to their children. They had to solve the question of existence — as we that of restraint. No human automatons to do their work and their mere enjoyments of the usufructs and, yet, pernicity of social distinction was apparent — hence, slavery is not beneficial to the wielder and is a curse to the community. The good man speaks the truth ; The wayward tries from heart and birth — Conglomerate they both say true. The one sees brightly in the gleam of light, The other in the dread storm's flashing flight. Recurring to the items of dress, I learned that the materials of their fabrics were grasses, wood or plant- fibre and goat-hair or wool. These they ingeniously DISCUSSION. 127 handled and skillfully and artistically arranged — the first thing humanity has seemed to learn is how to cover its nakedness, to hide its most artistic outline — the simplest of procedures and best apparel made by the simplest of people, and the greatest of vanities, covering the real cause for the only pride we ever had cause to possess — our beautiful bodily resemblance to the highest ingrediences and powers in the universe. As to-day it chances elsewhere that otherwise ignorant natives of some favoring climes can produce fabrics of a texture and artistic coloring that make them of prime value and delight in the world, not to be duplicated else- where. So, I found here, that in the working of these materials into clothing-stuffs they occupied a pre-eminence, truly distinguishable, and in clay manipulation and hard wood-wares they had obtained high proficiency. The ladies' garb, on this occasion of eminence, seemed to consist of one piece, general or connective, but made up of three materials and dexterously worked in or woven together where they joined, forming a perfect, graduated blending of color and texture and fulfilling the evidently desired effects. The stuff was thin, not raising the heat of the body, but otherwise dense. The style or fit curved gracefully high up about the neck and throat, then hung in loose, interblending folds down to the waist, and was confined there by belting; the sleeves were full and airy, leaving bare the shapely wrists; then followed what might be termed the divided skirt, gathered and held closely at the ankle, over high kid-leather encasings of the feet, in natural color, following the natural shape of the feet, with soft leather soles, thence upwards in ample full- ness to the waist, making an easy, graceful and delightful garment to the wearer. Their hair, which was thick and inclined to waviness, was very fine, glossy, and included 128 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. respectively the several shades, and somewhat huffily hung loose, reaching to their shoulders, and was plainly brushed back. Everything about their personal appearance, face, ears, hands, finger-nails, beautiful, white, healthy teeth and their whole attire supplemented their excpiisite taste and betokened habits of and strict attention to cleanliness and neatness. The men wore bushy beards, and hair very similar to their wives, though not so long, and coarser. Among the more advanced in years gray commingled with the jet or gold, as the case might be. The attire of the men consisted also of one piece, fastened together down a divide or opening in front, being made to fit very snugly, but not uncomfortably, to the body, from the good fashion about the neck to the fastening at the knee, with a sash- belt about the waist-line to give a dressed appearance; their legs were enclosed in kid leggings and goat-leather shoes clad their feet. The men's siuts were black on this occasion, while the ladies affected various shades of color suitable to their individual complexions, in which they showed such good taste as to excite rapturous admiration, the blending of shades and harmony of coloring not being an unnatural intuition in the human family, if individually allowed what might be called the proper instincts and relations therein. The goat-hair materials in these instances were more for the strengthening the places for connecting the different materials where the strain would be greatest, as, in the equable climate, the use of much of it would have made the garment too warm. The dignitaries of the world indulge their pleasures in the semi-guise of public affairs or in the more intimate relations gain the knowl- edge to inveigle themselves into confidences, though at this stage the craftiness of man comes to the fore. Rou- tine is iuevitable and the next thing was our exhibition. DISCUSSION. 129 After the forinai greetings, being an occasion of state, the visitors at once entered into unrestrained appreciation of the situation, and seemed entirely free from embarrass- ment, having no doubt been assiduously schooled thereto, in view of the circumstances. Each part of the ship and the exposed parts of the machinery shone and appeared at their best. Everything had been put in readiness, and, raising the anchors, each man at his post, the machinery was started and the vessel moved. A sort of quiver at first seemed to seize our visitors, but they were anon lost in astonishment at the wonderful operation, at length enabled by analogy to conjecture a power of the mechan- ics, and the surprises of their new experience ; they marveled at everything we had and did, undisguisedly. We had decided to treat them to an excursion as part of the entertainment, the day being delightful and the sea calm, and, as none of them had ever been out of sight of land, to extend the trip that far. Their glee grew as the minutes passed, and reassurance manifested itself more and more with familiarity. With their easy, quiet tread they seemed fairly to glide, in their graceful movements, over the vessel, as in their animation they darted hither and thither, with a view to every vantage point; and as a gentle lurch of the vessel, on this quiet day and sea, would sometimes almost upset them, the incident but added to the zest of the novelty. We regaled the party with most lavish outlay, away out in the outlying sea out of sight of any other habitation or foot-rest. Our choicest viands were prepared and served in our best style, in selecting which I tried to exhibit as much as possible the tastes and arts in vogue in the United States. A number of toasts were drunk in bump- ers of our excellent wine. On the whole, they enjoyed the feast very much, although the dishes were as novel to 130 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. them as our selection from our store could make tliem; and, with the effects of the libations, by way of novelty, too, which however we judiciously curtailed, the jollity and good humor of the hour might be said to have been "unconfined." Excitement, probably, spared them any feelings of sea-sickness, aided too by the exceeding calm- ness of the sea. We returned to our anchoring-place as the dusk began to come on, and it was a happy group that stood listening to our parting words, preparatory to going ashore. SCIOMACHY. The shadows, falling as they dance upon the leas of wealth, Contrive a cruel fascination's mystic bond And, hence, they spread, throughout, their fantasies with stealth, Which lead to visions, whither, nought trends fond; As in prone man his spirits rove in chambers three, Those borne to impulse, soul, to heart and mind, Therein to scourge their fetters, emanate, thence, free, Thus, they will rankle, ever, in their spirits' kind. All progress stayed on elevation's highest plane, There, one straight course is this for life inane ? Peace, didst thou rest upon a mortal's crest Or cease the tumult of his anguished breast — Was e'er his soul with blissful joy so blest, That not another hour frightfully did wrest ? So, was a man : A little shadow dashed forninst his brow, A mist-enveloped gleam came to his mind, So, tired and fatigued it scarce could shine In its scarce, living, shiv'ring, trembling, light; Yet, he felt luminated by its frangent ray And posed a head-light with its flick'ring torch ! The daring culprit, DISCUSSION. 131 Easping, every hour from birth to doom — Does he conspire to end this teeming earth, Or does he wish to plunge a poniard, life, To still its impulse and its pulse for trade Or does he rant ? No period, soothing as the last-drawn sigh, No sigh, so longing as the last-sought hope, No hope, so fearless as its wished for end. SCIOMANCY. By shadows we may measure heights ; But, heights contain themselves. All visions tend but to forecast some news, The fascination of the mental views Wrought on a sensitive endeavor of the mind Are not unworthy ; but, portend of kind. The simple child has fancies not its own, It borrows from its lights and inwards sown Deprive it not of that sweet, sated rest, That loves to nestle where it lingers best; All musing hours are shadows cast before, They trace each subtle passage as of yore. When, then, the muser scoffs at his own guile Or pensively develops many a while, Thereby, prepares the strokes for master-hands, He has not challenged what his life demands — How many would have worshiped, such, his hours, How may we disregard their unguent powers ! How weary, weird the thought of utter bliss, Like to some maiden, yearning for a kiss l^rom her fresh lips just burst to woman-state — It may prove pleasant; yet, it may abate The would-have ardors judged not for their pair: In life meet system is its prime affair. Thus, in the bud or winter of all life The thought is uppermost, oh, seek, ah, rife Is all that of the future care, to rest Is but the assuage to seek it best. 132 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. "When portents hover o'er their inklings wide, They do in fashion all their charms bestride And point directions, whither, mightst thou steer ? Or being courseful thither shouldst thou veer! One reck'ning gives conclusion to amounts ; But, these give drift and body to accounts. On the next morning the government officers appeared early, for the contemplated discussion. They came as a body and organized for public business, to which no other considerations were admitted, thus manifesting their earn- estness. They were unaccompanied by anyone else, and showed as much eagerness and impatience to proceed with the objective business as politeness would possibly permit, and to this end as considerately as possible waived every other attention, that we thought to bestow. My compan- ions were not a little astonished at these business-like methods, or what appeared to them the severities of prac- tical life without any mollifying social features, in the direct attention to matters in hand ; they felt confused and inclined to keep aloof, because of the newness of the evidences before them. But this latter was very foreign to my purposes with them, for divers reasons. Amongst others I wished to note their natural temperaments untrammeled as they were yet by any artificial abuses refined by society into fine art with severe technicalities and their natural penalties instead of pure, unswayed tendencies of promise primarily endowed by the Creator; then, I wanted them to experience, in their own vigorous state, the responsibility of the contact with calculating minds, disciplined to a routine and serrated by elements that have brought into warfare ignorant requisitions of unnatural alliances. Besides, there were their own interests and requirements, of which they knew their necessities by experience, and, as their wits would become DISCUSSION. 133 sharpened, heated by actual friction, possibilities would unfold themselves, better understood and appreciated by them, because of their assistance in developing and dis- covering them; concerns bring ample store; also their knowledge would be enlarged and memory awakened. Repairing to the dining-room, which was the coolest as well as most appropriately arranged place for our purpose, I proposed that I should act as general secretary, and the second in order of the judges to preside, since the presi- dent himself was to conduct the remarks on their side. Our helmsman was to do the <* steering" for us here, too. It was to be expected, that, besides my notations, I should keenly watch all the proceedings, and be heard from in order, representing as I did a third interest, and to be called a friend to everybody in my knowledge and independence. We were seated at the long table in the center, the pre- siding officer at the head with the president judge at his right, myself to his left, Mr. Bertram next to me, then, respectively, on our sides the remaining persons of each party in successive seats. The white-haired but yet vigor- ous president of the governing delegation arose, and with a graceful yet dignified bow to the chair and to the assembly, with the elements of courtesy and proprieties, sequacious to culture, even the natural exhibition of human char- acter, he began with the happiest allusions to the auspi- ciousness of the occasion and its agreeable revelations to them ; and, in language equal to that of any accomplished diplomat, in the customary happy commonplaces and pre- ludes, indulged delicately in complimentary references to us, our achievements, enterprises, prospects, and the prom- ise of benefit they, humbly but unmistakably, recognized in any future intercourse we might graciously accord to them, instruct them, share our products for anything we 134 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. might esteem of use or enjoyment of theirs. To these sentiments we politely bowed in modesty our thanks. Proceeding, the speaker said that there were several things, that became inevitably apparent and impressed themselves on every reflective, earnest individual in the daily as well as periodical occurrences of affairs. It was required of all of us, that we be diligent in order to know what is going on and for that reason likely to take place and to suggest expediences ; that unforeseen accident may, ostensibly, thwart seemingly well-laid plans ; but, that this latter proposition is doubtful, anyway not as well established as known, that our faults have their natural sequences and almost every disaster can be traced to preceding human fault, not referred to in a spiritual sense, readily waived because of the infrequent effort made to understand it; but the material, although not as potent. He hoped for and believed in evolution- — a rational, comprehensible evolvement into higher and better affairs, but his sub- scription to the doctrine was largely consequent upon previous downfall or retrogation by reason of disas- ter or misconduct to or on the part of our ancestors. Mani- festly victims of a retrogression of race, they could perceive in the supposed progress of the world periodical recoveries from abjection and the degeneration of the old to be supplied by new energies. That it were easy to esti- mate ourselves better than our predecessors, that is, advanced upon their knowledge and practices, to argue that we have improved or bettered the natures they have trans- mitted to us — did we not witness in ourselves the unmis- takable evidences of deterioration or temporal suspension of progression, from allowing our principles to relax. From indolence or vice arises want of knowledge and strength, wisdom, industry and — success ; as a studious government officer, with the welfare of the populace at DISCUSSION. 135 heart, he found those elements of social disease, those cankers in humanity, traceable to our own transmission and imparting, though hampered by the wilful errors of our ancestors and some extraneous natural causes. Situated as they were by the wise provisions of their forefathers, they esteemed the establishment prudent by their training and knowledge of no better, they had ample leisure as well as the power, trust and opportunity to put any principle to test, which their diligence and forethought could suggest and prosecute. The transition of narratives ascribed to their predecessors strict integrity, industrious propriety and investigation for true knowledge, which adduces morality and makes its maintenance a free and urgent choice ; that with indolence in the individual, thereafter in the concourse they discovered the first indi- cations and invention of vice, whereas those engaged with the true affairs of life were filled with odium at these harmful dispositions, the result purely of cultivated taste. The legitimate functions are crowded out of the space necessary for their administration. In this extent, perhaps degree, improvement is possible, evolution a fact, a regener- ation, renewal, reacquisition of the pristine glory of man, when he was pure. Mercy, not the will ; to regain the early vigors after a determinate destructive influence on them, all the joys of manhood as one blessed — a progress possible, a rehabilitation. To avoid these cataclysms is feasible. That they felt these conclusions to be natural and evidential : secluded here for generations, evolving from themselves whatever woe man inflicted upon himself, they had no source of evil from beyond nor any view to succor from such a source ; and, if a deterioration became notice- able, or, even, a source or degree of evil existed, their range was not so great, but that the result was attribu- 136 TI1E TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. table within a circumscribed limitation. That the shades of human existence became unavoidable for reflection by their magnitude in the small frame; the world brought things around to us and was lighted provided to and by ourselves. In the confusion of ideas ignorance spins mysteries for want of reflection and manipulated by unscrupulous persons created false doctrines into great climaxes. These were begotten in iniquity and born in venom, reared by our cultivation and use a dosed remedy or agony and destruction. No explanation for an incon- gruity otherwise existed. Where, then, were their further knowledge and susceptible transactions ? "You, excepting the Secretary, have had a still more limited range and less elasticity of human connections, and that is shown by your still greater simplicity and mutual love and consideration in regard to affairs which have happier fruits than ours ; and our friend, the Secre- tary, I can conjecture from analogy, can and will tell us of still greater complication in transactions in those larger fields, where the greater number tend more to the down- ward course, than we, even, imagine — because they bear down on each other and there is the greater number to do it. I contend, in my primitive way, that human inter- course and desires are the result of instruction — thus, that by instruction the best conditions of our respective rela- tions and affairs should and could be inculcated, looking to, then as now, the one result, practice ; the human heart responds generously when its comprehension is pleased — I hope the Secretary will bear me out from his larger range of knowledge, as we have come to the conclusion and in favor of the free schooling system, out of that arises respect, from that religion — not intimidation. How may our people be restrained from lowering tendencies, or their massing alone from contributing to that weight and result, DISCUSSION. 137 and their present state recur to their proper elements of buoyancy ? "The question is, whether, in addition to and after these pleasant social exchanges, further communication between us is advisable — whether that intercourse shall be only nominal or merely friendly; shall extend to assistance in calamity and danger, and no further ; shall be a strained relation of suspicions, and the profits, arbitrarily, that can be derived from the other; or whether it is to embrace every feature that can contribute to the general welfare from the means and articles the Creator has variously yet conjointly distributed over this earth, for our enjoy- ment and the balancing of our and their powers. "The first burst of sentiment and heart-felt loyalty says the latter, of course — reason is never far behind it, the former being God's unlaborious presentment, the lat- ter your exercise — and reflection says so too. "My dear friends, there is no doubt that you can help us — in morals that is sufficient reasoning for the execu- tor under the will of God and the good of men though the beneficiary may not, in mere propriety, urge it — by your knowledge, your connections, your resources, your possi- bilities. You can turn us and ours to account, for our- selves — and we think we can be of service to you, beyond this beneficial exercise, and beyond mere amusement. This is the law of the universe. "In our greater number — because of thereby greater circumscribed opportunities, I should say more multifarious necessities draining on our resources and curtailing indi- vidual portion — we appear to you more solicitous and per- haps are. Still, we have our numbers in construction, assistance and employment to offer you. Perhaps we have less occasion to be selfish, as our vision has been enlarged to abhor its baneful effects. But we assure you of our 138 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. earnest good-will, and willingness to contribute, numeri- cally and specifically, in full measure and as an experi- ment of us if desired, to establish with you, and the world, our good faith. The expediency, the means and degrees of interchange remain, solely, to be adjusted. "Of our resources you have some adequate idea; prob- ably, have discovered the dearth of improvement, that we might well be expected to have made or be making, and have marveled at our ignorance. We have nothing approaching such contrivance as you here possess, although no doubt we possess all the means therefor. Oh, knowledge! The facilities thrust themselves at us; but, we have no comprehension. We forcibly feel the wonderful existence of our ignorance, sigh for emancipa- tion, which, next to the Heavenly Power, can only come from contact and intercourse with the aggregation of the people — all of them are necessary to the healthy, created whole- -outside of our immediate pale. Can there be any question of benefit for the whole in every race, if their several peculiar functions are freely and rightly employed ? Improvement is thus in all experience engendered and born, and what troubles then arise are due to the lack of attention and nurture. " We, in our own people here, are composed of several nationalities — humble and obscure subjects, yet thus greatness exudes — whose peculiarities are known to us by some still perceptible traits that crop out here and there, despite the freest intermingling of blood. Records in the history of general blood lie not. Practically we know no other history. " What we know, at all, from an outside world is tradi- tion of those first locating here by mishap, perpetuated by the successive generations, how correctly we do not know. DISCUSSION. 139 "But, you have opened possibilities to us — we are like a, newly discovered people, snatched from an incipient heathendom. Think, how your posterity, your dearest earthly objects, might sink to such a decline Where ? Remove the locus by wisdom and design ! Why did not progress materially favor us ? " But, kind friends, open the ways for us — we are your prisoners, but not your criminals — to satisfy the cravings that disturb any rest within our seeking souls ! Show us the possibilities of the earth — and we will prove to you the glory of Heaven — mercy and gratitude — as you have witnessed it, and we will aid you in embellishing it as you have never even dreamed; or together, aided by the mutual light, that we may shed or invoke, beaming with the^ladness thereof on earth and in Heaven, the divers constellations, we will endeavor to enlarge our visions, our very stripes will become luminously light (< the stars aud stripes'), and we shall comprehend and embrace the beauties and joys this earth is certainly intended to con- tain for us, could we perceive. But we must enbound it. Become acquainted with our people and we with yours, and, together, we will search the utmost approachable recesses of the earth ; we offer you ourselves, for the search, and only ask that you share the surplus with us, which will give us comfort and joy. Kindly let us hear from you, and we will add our views on anything that we have inadvertently omitted, or you may wish to know from us upon. No single nation can ever prosper — unless it embraces the world ! " He sat down, and we were so astonished by his unex- pected quality of discourse, that we remained silent wrapped in awe by the grand spectacle of this eloquent, earnest old man, growing grand and luminous, until his visage was one, either of fascinating attraction or terrible 140 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. glow, according to the beholder, but with the evident light of truth. He pled the human cause as the result of his almost unaided reflections. Contemporaneous observation and*the meager, unintelligible accounts sifted down to him accreted with much foreign stuff left him, still, unself- ishly to plead for the unbiased elevation of the human race. He regarded the means with an entirely different motive — by which, otherwise, selfishly, so much doom has been wrought. His remedy for the ardors, cravings, yearnings, of the soul was knowledge — not of good and evil, but the former to eschew the latter; this was not as remarkable as the suggestion, that inferentially the human races had a common, mutually comprehensive role, from the many, seemingly incongruous parts to conclude practi- cally to a happy whole. Was this abstract, unbrylled philosophy ? I slightly turned to Mr. Bertram, as though to call upon him to express the considerations of our little colony ; which movement he understood, and gravely arose, deep in thought, as though a field of new ideas had unfolded itself to him. His fine physique contrasted with the somewhat small body of the old judge, and his large, well- shaped head and lofty brow gave him a majestic appear- ance, from which fairly beamed and glowed the benignity of a virtuous life. Ah ! vicious visionaries of maid or man Within your countenances, which to scan Gleam fearful names. "Friends," he said, "we have hearkened to a grand exposition of what the books and the outside world evi- dently call unselfishness, as touched upon by the honor- able and venerable speaker. In our midst we know or knew nothing of those things that seem to disrupt all the DISCUSSION. 141 so highly desirable relations of the human family, except as some vague, hardly understood rumors were handed down to us, or we read; but hearing does not approach feeling, and since here, for the first time, we have seen a multitude of people, whom we could not but esteem as something different and unknown to us, in our image but to be regarded as strangers and without familiar friendli- ness or relation — here, for the first time, dawned upon us the friction of such contact — practice and history speak- ing together seem to us at present but poor instructors for emulation. We have had our natural foibles, but not acquired vicissitudes. " At this period, when we have heard so much, already, of the anxieties to which one is to be exposed by becoming a part of the world, their divisions, subdivisions, and indi- viduals — and, on the other hand, can ponder upon, from experience, the stress of solitude or circumscribed associa- tion, and the lack of those productions, evolutions of the necessities of numerous co-inhabitants — what a perplexity is ours "Cowardice would turn back — only to pine for the opportunities missed. Something urges on to the mystic fray — perhaps to save some souls with the new vigor in the battle. Conscience and thought are not reprehensible and fear no doom ; doubts enfeeble the constitution and quake, that the inmost impulses lose the purity they might purvey. In expressing an astoundment, pardon me, my dear friends, we would rather not have spoken, but yielded to your urgent requests as a requital for your gen- erosity. We wish calmly to review the situation, you bestow caution upon it, although you sigh; we have unequivocal confidence in you. Would you betray that, we should acquire a new insight into the workings of the heart though not our own versions of its functions, for the 142 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. natural developments in us have not led us that way or to such considerations. I do not desire to dwell on the sadness of life, nor do I yield to morose tendencies, but clearly onward there is a light, success, with a little rub- bish in the way, which I push aside with my foot, and proceed to the goal. Our natural necessities seem to be supplied, excepting such as appertain to the spirit ; these desire variation to fulfill their destiny, because the means therefor have been placed here unmistakably for their use, and they have a right to yearn for their own. And yet not all of the physical wants are supplied, either, since the different localities must produce several articles, distinctly and really required even by our physical conditions. "We, you" (bowing to the judges) "and ourselves, differ from the Secretary in that we deplore the lack of opportu- nity, in being deprived of the numbers and the expansion incidental thereto and the receiving of new ideas ; whilst the Secretary laments a narrowness of sentiment in multi- plied restriction, the over-crowding of populace, and deplores the struggle, that ensues for existence in the inadequate circumferences insisted by their practices to be maintained as sole ends and means ; on the one hand is the solitude, from which it is sought to escape; on the other, the oppression of being too closely crowded; between the two is the salutary mean at which both should meet, and, working thence, reap the undoubtedly happy results of all equilibrium. We have not yet learned to regard everyone with suspicion, nor does it seem intel- ligible to me that selfishness is a wise course, as, creating suspicion, it exposes every individual to constant warfare and doubt even in things of good; neither do I behold in it the elements of prudence, or of even temporary profit, since I cannot conceive that one in such acquired condition could lead a practical, feasible life. Self-protection and DISCUSSION. 143 grasping are opposite elements, and the former would be unheard of but for the latter, for what care nature involves is but in its ordinary, self-regulated concern, a pleasure to accede to; but it is wilful human agency that consciously and maliciously disrupts, without any self-explainable reason, the regularity of affairs. " Our colony, each individual thereof, is individually our- selves ; would one starve or perish or suffer, that the other could, in the susceptibility of his complete nature, forego the sharing of the mishap ? It is incomprehensible to me, that I could shield myself and see one of them lost, but, my impulse, my judgment, my esteem and consideration would place me at their side to combat jointly the threat- ened danger. What could induce otherwise? Wrong inflicted by me. Whence this wrong ? From a mistaken judgment, and bad judgment arises from mysterious con- jectures and false experiments not natural impulses. Though, from the heart spring evil designs, in the even temperament, elevation and tireless tendency of the soul in its struggle for its destiny is always the prime impetus for good. This is the highest and only implanted law, marred solely, and eternally injured by gradual, total suppression. "While with you, my honorable judge, thought has con- cerned affairs temporal, we have principally wandered in spiritual realms, since temporal affairs did not disturb our tranquillity; our brows are unclouded, since by the spiritual food Ave acquired the most necessary parts of our nature from God's unquestionable store ; not till we hear of these things of which you inform us, did we know how happy we were, by comparison — not an aristocracy of happiness, but a pitying soul, to which pain and suffering are more manifest than to the reality. That the fisherman should drag his net, the laborer dig, we esteem pleasures and rec- reations, not hardships; but when the spirit is made to 144 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. suffer thereby from scoffing of other persons — as long as ignorance or superstition or brute force can maintain these shackles, the distinctions of the social scale, then the real evil becomes apparent. How it does grieve one to hear of these conditions — how it must yoke those who feel them — but onward, we will share your doom, shall endeavor to distribute to you of the stock God has given us ; must learn your sorrows, perhaps, but our principles forbid us to eschew you, our natures bid you welcome. "We will throw open to you our ports and our enter- prises ; we will exchange opinions and products, and form a coalition with you against the only enemy of mankind's welfare : a besotted, sordid, benighted mind, with its indo- lence and intentional perversity. The multitude must not tolerate the viperous individual — or with the scorn that withers he will grow and multiply. The commonalty must be very defective in the existence of misery, and I venture the so-called honorable are the most depraved, with or without religious guise, or the things would not be. For, whither the head turns the eyes may look — possess- ing, individuals necessarily wield for good or evil. Incul- cate thorough intolerance of vice, which seed will again rear the physical and mental man. Contemplation can discern happiness far off — reach out to it, reach out to it — and, we welcome you to us." Mr. Bertram sat down, and his shining example of human disposition unmarred by the sickening flaws of civilization was enthusiastically received, especially by the judges, who hung on every word as it was slowly, distinctly uttered, appreciating every sentiment; for the first time learning that pure thoughts the world over are without distinction, as they could so well themselves understand the workings of the human heart. The speak- er's cordial invitation to them to participate with them in DISCUSSION. 145 their joint affairs filled them with great emotion, the more as the speaker seemed to comprehend that their hitherto happy tranquillity might be disturbed or agitated by the elements of deterioration the preceding speaker had outlined as existing in their more multifarious midst. That true manhood and humanity uttered itself, and most nearly fulfilled the destiny of its origin, there could be no doubt; the selfishness he descried and discriminated could not be laid in any part to his charge, since the most deliberate humane reasoning explained his conclusions. All now turned to me, and the task imposed upon me, in view of the preludes and the expected solutions of many practical problems that now presented themselves, filled me with a little quaking of fear so that I too might have fled in the first trepidation of the august moment; greatness is not as much appreciated when thrust upon us. I had been so wrapt in their discussions, that I had not thought for myself, being entirely unprepared for the surprise of their handling of these topics. Still I managed to catch enough of the fervency and realize the import- ance of the occasion and the prospects before us, to be keenly alive to what might be expected, and to formulate, as well as the time admitted, the circumstances with which I had formerly been familiar or at all acquainted. The mind may be very active, when an urgent concatenation draws it into severe conclusions, as you all know. Under such scrutinizing expectation as Avas now directed to me, such pleading confidence, attention and solicitation, I almost trembled like a schoolboy. "Kindest of people and noblest of friends," I began, "there is system in everything; somewhere, somehow, in some degree, within this world, there exists that alterna- tive for everyone of good and evil, and the worst, most debased of criminals, natural or from any acquired cause, 146 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. in his or her appropriate situation, would be so docile, so honorable, as to grace the very best of mankind. The lack is misapplication to the proper turns of affairs. The woman is not complete in her happy nature, until the man has been accorded to her companionship and the two together form the mutual partnership, physical and men- tal, as well as, more remotely, spiritual, for their common elevation and the welfare of mankind. What errors mar this principle of perfect unity, or the benefit from inter- communication of true parts under naturally proper condi- tions, are those of ignorance, wilful disregard, and violent, useless, silly experiments. Spirituality requires no great or any show. Its grandeur is manifested by itself and annihilates merely temporal affairs. It is best judged by its simplicity — not the mere assumption thereof but its act. The greatest nonentity with possible potence is soci- ety's taste, to act without detection its test and creed. Envy dogs its every footstep, hence it welcomes hypocrisy. "A symbol or an endeavor is vacant, that does not with a sensitive elevation raise therefrom the elements of discord that surround the unfortunate mass. Many thoughts pass in a moment ; but ideas nourish, when the incidents have connected into a complete chain of trans- mission in which the vastness of the envelopment and con- course have been regarded. By this the system becomes freed from the dross of neglect and the uniform propulsion is satisfied. " Adverting to recent incidents, kind friends, do not fail to read aright the appearances of regret or of wilful ani- mosity. The sensibilities of a vague effort are not aroused by idly cringing to local conduct or experience, frequently, heretofore, expressed in pitiful moanings of the spirit. Many days ago, when on the verge of despair, the turmoil of affairs and the recollection of it, aroused a spirit of ani- DISCUSSION. 147 mation to resist the anarchy that was fast displaying its tentative fascinations for the evanescent faculties. But, with the recurring light, the possibilities of hope and the cheerfulness of a reunited, feasible effort revived the the desires. How silently the factors move the insight into these seeming mysteries and carefully progress it over the uneven ground. This is no greater than the power of expression, which, if it fails, is a blame to the incipiency of signs ; but the spirit, the heart, the mind, will ever contend within their limits. Enlisted for years in the patient, suffering tranquillities of nature, the arrival is at the portal of discernment or despair. Heeding the quivering, seething, undulating mass there is no stop, no enclosing the elements of corruption; but they must be purged, ejected through their natural channels. " I shall pass to a consideration of our temporal affairs with the premise that no individual lacks the power to succeed him or herself in the little discriminations which fill the additionals of our lives. There is no unbiased estimation of a deliberation or a dilemma to estivate a happy existence. The interloekings of life are unloosened or strengthened according to the .existing exigencies. Wearily you drag or rush on the path of necessary recti- tude or lovingly linger in the rouged light of momentary bliss, the effluvescent tendencies and exhibitions indicate the decay of the firm matter and strong fibers of your character and accord their sustenance. The undoubtedly erroneous flourish for a time in your regard and neglectful privilege ; sometimes your forbearance, patience, construed by them into right ; your necessity, sometimes their deliv- erance : but the laws can manifestly only favor right and leave their untrammeled enjoyments for a time in wrong only in consideration of the burdens of right to be crushed by curtailment of, or their intrepid contrivings. 148 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. "You have never felt a desire for mal-administration ; you do not yearn for direful adventure ; when aspects are murky, you do not rush to individually established gods of meager taste and false ideas : but, the fountains, the flood-gates of your sorrows pour forth anathemas, and you cry aloud, fiercely piercing the wild storm of your emotions, that the Power that superintends and wields a mighty destroying influence over all constructures, has again sped a menacing distress into the realms of bliss. Obliged to tranquillity in commotion, enthralled every moment in painful anxiety, the endeavor strives to grasp the illimitable in its frenzied efforts to perceive beyond its narrowed prevision. Fearfully it racks every constituent of power, delves in the bowels of woe for a bated seclu- sion, thrives on the disgusts of conventionalities until the ingrediencies of conception are exhausted, when the throt- tled, gasping victim expires a burden of an impoverished .load. This is the wail of wrong. The meager details revolve about the firmly implanted stake, that thwarts every effort to remove it, holding relentlessly to the bounden fetters, which, too, refuse to yield their duress or to transplant into other sordid fields. The pasture is that of selected grace and none other. Thus, the development of an inner grossness supplies a care-worn field in the sterility of production, which, again, dwindles to a dead exhibition of withered hopes and dreaded expectations. A cant comes to the rescue and describes the votaries at the stake as victims of an unbegotten cause and furnishes even unseemly bier-holders in their excoriating anguish. One single thought with which they wildly guile their feverish hours Is sometimes more there fraught with sad, regretted plight, Than burdens millions upon millions of true toils ; DISCUSSION. 149 In no event but all is such mere gloss Spread ten times o'er by envy's thoughtless task. "How severely doubts enter into your lives is shown by the repeated vain declarations of undue distinction; the struggling tender to each other of a trifling share of the fruits of one's own spoiled energy, for a return that cannot be measured but by the discontent of the ungratified desires. There is no escaping the conclusion, that the evil of intent is not beggared by the developments of the sin- ner ; he fosters every thought and transcends every deed, ' that not an impulse of detriment is allowed to escape in his perverted construction of obligation. Could he envel- ope this world with an inflexible band of flinchless steel, he woidd feel inclined to encircle it with his desires. The evil of these contentions, the destruction of the simpler allotments to each individual part, have turned affairs into a chaos, until not even the heedful know each and every discrimination to be made in time. "What is duty? Not the sole thrift for individual use; but heeding in the upward, onward steps to the goal an extended reach to take along all, who will not successfully struggle to escape. By this precaution is supplied with the strength of surrounding good parts, brave deeds and noble friendships, and exposure of the bad and protection of the weak, despite that now and then a traitor recedes, which will be solely to his own detriment. "The differences of the several concerns of life contrive themselves into so many worshiping follies, that the mind is overwhelmed by the abstract delineations ; perhaps, when the glories of achievement have fallen at your rest- less feet, in a moment, plunged into the intricacies of a further discernment, the gloom appears greater than before because of the little dazzling light that has suddenly 150 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. shed its beams where the refractory powers were least developed. That brilliance should emanate from the out- reaching and over-reaching between two destructive, per- nicious agencies, is one of those strange facts that throw the whole into that impenetrable gloom from which it can- not evolve itself. It is visibly affecting, that affairs for better are blocked by the unwillingness of practice to be purged of its hardships as though life depends on con- troversy and not on real needs. " Lastly, not a sigh is breathed that is not borne into its realm of discreet consideration. Could anyone doubt that a grief-stricken, woe-begotten heart could escape its griev- ous impulses, such a one would fear to attempt to pene- trate the causes that led thereto ; such a one would not tread with benign confidence the mazes of dread and despair, or dare to asseverate that the ends of all justice meted to the wandering creatures any measure of redress. The unequivocal effort indulges in no such fallacy, the tireless ardor of the soul knows no security of favor nor yields a moment to such misanthropy until overwhelmed by agencies which subdue it to their course. The hour reckons this one the hero, the mighty premier, who has once more agitated the main for a new bearing billoA\ r of a scene upon its angry crest — shortly dashed asunder and gone except a little moisture and spray to soak in or evaporate. A few more faint regards and the power of endurance will break. Soon the esteemed ambition of hopes will have dwarfed into the significance of aroused resentment to vile encroachment. In an hour the devel- opment of a life may grow naught; a gentle whisper turn the tides of any intended flood of thoughts; but, the reverence due to God is fruitful. " Experiments are right or falsely represented to delude into unwariness or attempts to gratify a mistaken direc- DISCUSSION. 151 tion by blending affectation of the belief of the useful with dread of exposure of the faultful. Genius may come or be the result of wild dreams; but, when its benign influence is felt the little scoffers seek to array themselves along the potent factors. Hence, that the progress of affairs is not more systematical. False hopes of a vainly glorious age ! "You will now extend your commerce and perchance your domain ; you will seek to rival your neighbors, then to exceed them — your young vigor will attract and go out, and will be your excuse for ignorance and arrogance alike. You will not hesitate to thrust upon your new neighbors, or cast against them the improbabilities of the existence of another reckoning power, than your own judgments ; thus, the fallacies of life will repeat themselves, as they have recurred for ages before. An extension is made to you of gratitude and gradual endeavor ; you are not supposed to comprehend the former or abuse the latter ; you are led into a sphere, where the elements alike and facts and fig- ures favor every vagary, that may infest the idle fancy. If you are prepared to face with intrepid courage and skill the inevitable results of a social contest for a fitful eleva- tion, you have chosen the realm of man for your warfare. A few considerations will thwart or discourage your inten- tions. What is the polity of sovereign benediction ? Do you contemplate, in the unfolding fields of enterprise which stretch before you, the objects of usefulness that cry to you to raise them to their proper levels ? "Despair not; mankind is not hopelessly lost. Trended in part that way, it has been unscrupulously swayed. But an element is growing, developing, that will no longer grovel before a few depraved assumptions of mankind to abject all the conscience and every instinct of generosity to less than a beastly level. With that more powerful 152 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. factor the unmitigatingly unfortunate cannot stem the tide; but, a pitying provision will have for them an asylum with the predominating pure impulses and the feeble conditions of our nature will yield to faithful, patient attribution and attrition to an elevating power and to the prayer of a saving grace. "Extend yourselves, spread over the contiguous terri- tories, and know no stay to your virtuous endeavors save the sleep to waft you into silence and bliss, whither thoughts may hie with burdens; but whence they return not laden. "Your estimation will be the appreciation of results, and a few firm resolutions to abide the evidences of principle will invest themselves properly and necessarily in your prospects. " The measure of your interchange of values : "Can you, restricted to yourselves, produce everything necessary for happiness and welfare ? If so, your limits need not be broken, unless humanity on the outside cries to you for help — then you cannot be happy within, with- out being brutal. " A few leagues hence lies the domain of this handful of people, compared with you in numbers, as a drop in a bucketful of water; yet, possessing an area of territory utterly useless, excepting in a trifling part to the whole, for any and all of their purposes. You have more than ample territory, yet, for all of your concerns, but you lack the knowledge to properly develop your resources, and therefore are in want where there is wasted superabund- ance. Still you esteem yourselves in want of more improved territory, labor and possession, when your own is more than ample, while my friends here, still more primitive, desire your company. But you have no advance- ment in this alone, as their small additional labor would not DISCUSSION. 153 contribute materially to any development of your resources, while their attraction of your populace would diminish your force and but raise them to your level. Then you do not stop there ; the first step is proper, provided you intend and do carry the matter farther, otherwise you will be more happy to remain as you were discovered, with a request not to be discovered again ; as to foist new ideas upon either of you will be but to entail the labor of learning them with no valuable consequences, unless the sequences naturally are observed. One will suffer more than the other by unequal advantages, which will rebound against the latter; and, finally, causes for strife, on each side, will develop, all traceable to folly in its origin. Thus, you may have ignorance in the lack of certain knowledge, which latter you must unearth. There the advantage of your present union becomes manifest — ■ increase of territory, kinds of resources you combinedly have understood and exhausted and now deplore as a dearth. In your blind visions you have not observed your teeming opportunities ; but, a combination of you will enlarge your comparisons. New mental faculties bring renewed considerations and you have further starting-points nearer to desired discoveries. Not at all foreign to the general principle I may shed such light in my power, when the doctrine enunciates, that different frictions are caused by new contacts and additional advan- tages adduced as every discovery is of something good by the great Creator. "Now then, having embarked upon the search for knowl- edge as the requisite to be sought for your necessities and enjoyments, we will take it, that we have together discov- ered another, a savage country where dangers threaten us, but with our advanced appliances, we hold their onslaught at bay until we can parley with them, or awe them suf- 154 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. iiciently with our greater prowess to win their fear and respect. What benefit is this to us and to them ? I will express my opinion. "You see, at a glance, these savages need the benefit of your contact for their improvement ; if not, then you had better adopt their modes, for undoubtedly there is a choice in favor of one or the other; but better, there is certainly a measure of benefit to be derived by each. Topographi- cally, they also have some resources that you have not, others that you have exhausted, and you are like a man renewed in his energies by a sure, ample restocking of his stores ; never fear, in true virtue, you have ample to exchange with for what has no value to them, because of the superabundance of that particular kind, whereas they have exhausted or have not certain things, that will add much to their real, enlightened delights in life and spiritual elevation, as well. Then, you are nearer to other discoveries, because, on the expedition we are on, knowledge, idleness is not encouragable ; also, we may have approached nearer civilization. "You proceed and you now arrive at my old country. Imagine the curiosity, in the present condition of affairs, you would excite ! I, myself, could not escape therefrom, being become in such lapse of time rusty and out of style. You come to a nation whence every source of knowledge, that is ascertainable in this world, can be reached. It was, originally, the most enlightened aggregation and govern- ment of people ever assembled together; selfishness was nought, and what measures of circumclusion were adopted were merely temporary efforts of desperate resistance, adopted as a desperate extreme, not to be maintained. Tending to liberality, which reaches out to enlightenment and prosperity, lighting the way ahead for itself by its own luminosity, it proves the glorious power of example, DISCUSSION. 155 and the happiness it brings with it. What it has barred herein is only by its own restrictions to foster a few selfish interests within its bowels, whence its excruciating pains, to be met by necessary purgative or result in death. " In search of indolence foster protection and vice ! Never before were the wisdom of past ages and their knowledge handed down as to us — to employ their virtues and shun their vices. In the crucible of aroused indigna- tion the oppression of humanity by man was crushed and consumed by the burning shame it had engendered. The votaries of oppression have always exercised the excluding dignity of high protection by government. A sovereign does not want another admitted free — but the idea of a sovereign people is a myth where exclusion one against the other is practiced. " If you wish to quell tyrants, encourage competition, their mutual devouring will be your salvation the world over. Our country had mapped out the most enlightened way to emancipation. Do they again want high protec- tion, that fosters sovereigns and ignobles ? There is a world-wide bond of sympathy between the people, between whom every contact is jealously guarded by those who exempt themselves from their common struggles. Palaces are reared on the ashes of cottages to make room — groans are not unmusical to some ears. " The imaginary lines of boundaries are but to rear so many ambitions and put on violent commotion and destruc- tion in heated cauldrons so many confined quantities. A range for distribution provides the only means of escape. People's minds as their products must travel — the constrained family habitude or intellect does not mani- fest the glories of man's nature. " Those who most zealously guard protected industries, because of their direct benefits are personally the rampant 156 TIIE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. free-traders — those very products, their means, are lav- ished any and everywhere upon any enterprise and for every pleasure. The life-blood, that is confined in the victim, when at length drawn at pleasure for use or vice versa is freely spread over the world — to distribute its stench perhaps. A foundation laid in God in not the pretended but avowed principles scrapes the contents of the earth to its bowels. Everything thrusts itself in the way for use, benefit, and the spiritual emancipation recog- nizes and hails enough wisdom to allow the dormant powers to become known. "Willingness and not ability, instruction in the place of ignorance, are the wholesome lessons to share with true hospitality the unavoidable rewards, the humble, diffident, but true proffering of the best of each. Thus, in the double, laudable object to open ports, the noble, elevating attributes of human nature are gained, assistance and knowledge fnlfilled, and society and zest for life created. In short, free to the world, permitted and then accorded, Christian here and everywhere, is there a wrong to be recorded, a hate to be engendered? Christianity not practicable - — then abolishable ! •< The liberality, which is none at all at best but a plain duty to self and mankind, spoken of, creates friends and coadjutors, unavoidably. By this means alone distress is abridged. The great luminary searches into the small- est penetrable corners of the universe. Retardation is the restriction of conscience and good science : poisonous remedies are better antidotes, than nourishment. "Xo government should foster a single condition; if industry or general folly bring elevation or grief, the merits or punishment are therein. Government should not interfere with the natural rights or contracts thereof. Being no crime therein, prohibition is useless. An asylum DISCUSSION. 157 of mercy should be practiced and not mistakable force, if necessary. "Whenever we shall recede from this luminous way opened before us, the interest of the few will not compen- sate; but, we shall be forced to witness the most awful gloom. The grace that has beamed upon us is not for selfishness; when wandering over the earth as homeless traders for denial of this grace, as history may record in an instance, we may sigh, that we denied its bound- lessness, in a boundless endurance. We sigh for exclusion and our king — God forbid ! "Shall a few shallow spirits for aggrandizement create a besotted power and be maintained by slavish restriction or slavish, worse, persecuted exclusion ? Wisdom has no delight in the revelry and debauches of the aggrievers. Let the hitherto unthinking multitude attack this vulner- able point. The people immured into slavery, their mas- ters have a loftier spirit over them, which extends and enters into alliance with the like the world over; the visions of these controllers are unrestrained, their means are boundless. Credence is exceeded hereby ; but, repeated investigation would unearth the awful truth. " Such ideas are barbarous in civilization. The secrets of the dungeon, the cruel exile, stealthy inquisition, close conclave, intrigues combination in the view of the world are premanifested by suspicion and meet its condemna- tion, It is but the wile of the individual at the expense of the whole. "The instigator, who long since has borne the utter odium in addition to the common woes, is hurled from his ill-gotten pleasures by his own disappointments and fallacies. "But, having arrived at this port, you have entered a great country — made so by God's blessings and nature's 158 THE ThOUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. courses ; marred only by man's contrivances. You should be challenged there but for the most laudable purposes — we did not, ami shall )><>t, hurt you by our free entry here; a certain consideration is properly demandable from you, that the country may be in a position to accord liberty, satisfaction for yourself, your business and property and your legit invite pleasures. "But on the other hand that tribute in substance should be hospitably scrutinized by your host, should be so reasonably gauged that nothing unreasonable or impos- sible should be expected from you in your conduct, either, while on your visit. "Exclusion means internal festering! The best appear- ing are the soonest ripe ! "America is for the Americans; but all may become the latter, as these are of all, when, upon their due supplica- tion, Ave annex their territory : they gain more than we lose. You have not erred, when you have come to us for the greatest amount of intelligence to be gained at any one place, although it is not to be gainsaid that outside of this point there are many, very many, places full of things of true advantage, also. A reference may articulate a truth both ways as well as one relative proposition. " What will you offer in exchange ? Remember, nothing will be furnished you without recourse or value, and that alone will furnish you constant employment and profit; a free-trading nation cannot be bankrupted ! You have territory, now, that you have already united, a great extent of it, more in fact than you yourselves have any definite idea of, and you can, very acceptably, offer two things. "You have, already, heard, indefinitely, that an excess of population, so to speak (formerly this was usually got- ten rid of by wholesale murder, called war, for the delec- DISCUSSION. 159 tation of potentates; then, too, they rid their power of so much menace) exists within the narrow range, in which they seem to insist everything must be conducted according to some set fashion, or not at all, and the result is that with many there is a constant struggle to meet or successfully thwart the clashing interests and unavoidable contacts -within the narrow range. God has provided for population — man has curtailed the range! That they possess all unlimited range of territory, which they might improve before bringing yours into requisition, leads us to a discussion which may later be taken up in the abstract, and brings you now to the idea of development. "You require something more — you need a certain amount of communication with other conditions and all their incidents; and both you and they are benefited by the intermingling of their several products and, thus, engender a new life — the old succumbing at a certain stage for the benefit of the new, not able itself to prevent a determination of affairs. Parturition is a painful joy, but, borne by the most glorious of mankind, gives the impetus to evidently intended results. A happy combi- nation favors a lovable issue. All places need the rest of this worldly space to distribute their surpdus and foster their employments. God never sends a cloud over this earth without its blessings — the negro and darkest Africa bring refreshments to this garden, as it is new life that carries on existence of affairs. "Reform is the healthy emanation of happy admixture and the fruit thereof — new brain, new knowledge, until the diseased and weak are provided for. This is the nude in art, and as essential as the quivering, shivering mass, that poses therefor. "Upon the details of things, the most expedient and initiatory are adopted; subsequently, everything is treated. 160 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. You assume everything to good use, and add to the useful- ness by the emergencies, that suggest improvements. Beware of spurious issue. "Now, then, you may offer the following considerations to the United States why they should cheerfully receive you, to wit: Upon the first aspect, you take up for your use and consume many of their articles of almost every description, which they have constructed for the very pur- pose; you have opened to them an encouraging avenue, consequently, they are pleased and undoubtedly benefited by the result, which, it should be assumed, they appre- ciate as a satisfactory fact. That some should employ, outside, beyond, everywhere and the room kept up for contin- ued in vigorous, successful, beneficent employment, therein lies the sole principle of happiness in life, individual, mutual, universal. "And acting upon this truth, the United States offer you the facilities of the application of all their industries, to instruct you in the beneficial use of their products until your experience and understanding make these two things profitable to you; and you will have offered a locality where the skilled men of their nation can find employ- ment (and think, yours, too), the field being more than supplied at their home if the consumption is restricted to the home market, and seeking aid with high emoluments if it is not. Otherwise, that field of endeavor, where the heart as well as the mind may be desirably exercised, would be cut off but to a favored few, or you would sink into apathy, gladly hailing the end of your enforced days. "Every corner-storebox has its philippers and fillupers — every individual under some circumstance is a linguistic host. Upon your premises you are an orator, although the top of a stump may be too uneven. Here the free- booters mount with acrobatic skill, though the hardy DISCUSSION. 161 woodsman, who in preparing the settlements also prepared the 'stump,' is not nimble on its surface. With no premises of their own they here call for the strategetic events and become free fellows at your home with the request to rule and live off you. They desire to cut off supplies from elsewhere, that no time be given you to rule yourself in the attentions they require or the ' rest ' they wish periodically to enforce upon you without a chance for succor. In this way they may leisurely balance their accounts with and charge the difference to you with inter- est. These have never been your friends — neither to the newcomer seeking admission to the higher realms of man nor to the subjects of their prey. The only free, compara- tively useless property they find here is the ' stump,' and appropriate it and call you forth for a barter or trade. Where do they get their provisions but with their coadju- tors whilst drawing you from the defense of your homes and stores? Let not such Aviles draw you into the denuded wilderness for the unknown terrors of a combat, with a foe in companionship with the unprovidential and grasp- ing, whose fort is the power of menace. Your castle is your joy, fortify your virtues, admit your friends and fellows in general interest the world over, and the host you will muster will debar all ' domesticating' wolves. "Where you are hopelessly general, and not specifically pure, you start with infatuation for a few, end with adoration for all, and reach the issue, happily, if before death or destruction in the meantime. But where you faithfully admire all, you enjoy their company and they reward your faith. In this conscientious intercourse with a nation you will have developed your means, produced your resources, mutually afforded knowledge and facilities, and the mutual assistance has distributed your stores to unbounded satisfaction and employment. Your foreign 162 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. relation is indeed happy and auspicious. If trade with restriction can be beneficial, without it must be multiplied. "Why is it, my humble friend, that kingly houses and the powerful seek to unite their family interests? Is it not for local power regardless of the foreign substance of the force ? Does anyone question the motive of such mutual alliance of power ? "A happy stimulus for surplus productions, and therefore the best employment of forces, is the application to dis- pose of them. "Now, then, you may come to a point where you both have so completely supplied each other with your mutual supplies (no formal agreement, no reciprocity, but neces- sity is the compact of enlightened procedure) that your range has, again, become limited. What is possible of thought is feasible. You will never become limited except by utter impossibility, and at that time the provision of the great Creator comes in with the end of your trials, with acquittal, if you are innocent. The dolor (or dollar) of your needs in your house must determine the sense (or cents) out of it; but, you must go out. Your house cannot supply itself for or from its own construction, still supplies others through you that you may inhabit it by them. "But you shall, we will say, proceed to France, to Germany, to England, to Russia, and the several other countries and nations. (You Avill wonder why there are so many names ; I will tell you, To quarrel about.) " One might go on and adduce, interestingly, the several kinds of productions the various countries are respectively capable of offering to the world for exchange or such they are incapable of producing ; how the different climates, topographies and zones possess divers faculties for the developments of knowledge and resources ; that the people DISCUSSION. 163 in their race peculiarities offer inducements and mutual advantages — all of which would be fascinating in the narrative. Then add thereto the advantages of inter- mingling of products from all these various sources and you again have before you the pleasing problem, that leads but to the one happy result, the creation of new life to delight you, unlimited, varied, restrained solely because our possible uses cannot embrace all. Yet, swiftly, unin- terruptedly see — let the world first come to you and erect the power-house whence to conduct this electrical portation, grant the space for such a beneficent result and the profits enormously will be yours. The world now awaits a general enterprise to give its bounty. The intellects that can henceforth devote themselves to this investigation and welfare of the world have a happy and unrestricted life's work before them. The lack of employ- ment is the lack of enterprise. "Thus, you will linger long and patiently, with enthusi- asm, confidence and delight, inquire into, perceive and learn the divers facilities, and will receive their possibili- ties and developing powers, and, in return, offer them your field for their experiments. Thus, ever working for each other, a strengthening in the chain, yet a flexibility, each part a complete little self, a link, yet a uniform, encircling, beautiful whole, as durable as all life. Then we shall not be compelled to quibble over foolish unestablishments, strained circumstances produced by narrow views, but only perceive the measure that is accorded to existence. Here we can abduce the true evolution, that is to figure for this life. "But you suggest the sordid motives, the inequality of different people and conditions — the disparagement in the case of one over the other. The difference alluded to is largely of estimation and entirely of forced inadaptation. 164 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. Because one soil produces what another fails is not a difference in production but results. Not even this for the second will produce equally as profitable. Everyone is fit somewhere. " The whole resolves itself not to the fiction of difference in true parts for humane purposes but the establishment of propriety, and this is an unmistakable thing. Per- verted by fault and ignorance appears in your daily expe- riences ; yet, no thing is so trifling as not to be embraced by this underlying principle. Everything is a part and legitimate in its purposes. An absence would leave an imperfection, as the vacancy from the principle would leave nothing to be considered. "You trade ; you cannot live off yourself — cannot cling to your own parts for protection. To be connected even means to be torn and crushed with the disaster of the sup- port ; but, alone, affright is sufficient to quell the senses. "To flourish means to benefit and be benefited by. Can you deny man's benefit to you ? Have you not made him what he is and will make what he remains ? What would you resort to in his absence — or pine eternally ? "In a proud moment a little individual success elates, envelopes the fancies, that hardly a sickly gleam of intel- lect is left. Every likelihood is then burlesqued and Ave presume on distinctions, where it is shown none truly can exist. The same law, that is raising, giving to the other, maintains the identical prestige — more than that even in its time and space. But, where one result necessarily leads to another, your neighbor becomes illimitable, unless you eliminate yourself. Be not duped by a momentary use; to-morrow's sun may not only shine on a different scene but your circumstances will lift you to the common sphere despite every protest and contrariness. Appreciate your surroundings, comprehend them by education. DISCUSSION. 165 " You speak of weaknesses. Alas ! God pity us, and there is where we need His pity. You soy truly, 'our weaknesses,' for they are our property, our production. If we wish to point with pride to anything, we can proudly asseverate, 'Behold our handiwork; our genius!' — and no patent-right will be denied us, because of any like invention, or one that will supersede us in that respect. " The best is not always for you ; sometimes a very medi- ocre fits your best and is all that is required, the best being preserved for those who need it most. Because of our pride we are weak; when we are passionate, angry, indo- lent, perverse, and refuse to persevere where the goal, undoubtedly, promises the most delightful ends, we expose ourselves to, not insinuations only, but charges of our transgressions and consequent imbecility. One or the other, or more than one of them usually infest our prac- tices, and are the stumbling-blocks which plunge us into ignorance. First Ave excuse, then seek to save whatever good emanates. Virtually our affairs are in chaos, from which the extradition of what is good is the so-called invention of ourselves. We vaunt our discoveries and seek to protect them for ourselves — dependent on others. We mingle the fruits of our successes with chance, fortune, experience, accident; but, the accepted consequence of pure knowledge is not a fact. "One ponders and wonders; yet cannot charge pervers- ity to man covertly with insinuations as is frequently done, but must judiciously take a bold stand. The search for principle is not discouragable as it saves from malig- nity the many candidates for the honor of true manhood and womanhood. "The sneaking, creeping viper is the most certain foe! The open scourge is a blessing, compared with the terrors 166 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. of a hidden death. But, to return to the consideration of our weaknesses, we owe, not to ourselves but to our neigh- bor, compassion and commiseration — ourselves should aim to purge ourselves of our iniquities, not so much in grieving over past offences, but in rehabilitation and a renewal, as much as possible, of the pristine strength. Your silence, in your countenance, speaks your desire. Your example elevates. Your wish guides. ""Wealth, is your desire? — wealth, and power, and the attributes and the incidents you choose to ascribe to it ? "That seared withered old man, who has spent a life of licentiousness, of debauchery, of dishonesty, cruelty, cold- blooded dissimulation, and yet withal, and even by these means themselves, collected what it pleases you to call wealth, has enjoyed himself in that way, and has also accomplished more than you, in the common race for the same object, that is, wealth. "Has the anatomy of such a one ever been dissected? I mean now with a view to the question in hand. "Assuming, that you are diametrically opposed to his course: look at him, he bespeaks his life. That you term their's enjoyment, therein lies the dilemma. They have annoyed their neighbors ; but, from the estimation alone of their neighbors have they derived their prestige. In other words, fail to perceive any reason for a man's eminence by his selfish acquisitions and you crush the incentive. Your envies and bickerings afford the very results you deplore. Eschew caste. How many know the eminent minds and able men, that exist. Those who have an abiding faith in principle suffer little or none herein; but, are pityingly, solicitously, prayerfully grieved. "That old decrepit, disgusting, unrefined, ignorantly mannered man, assumes a position from his mass of dross, and ascribes to himself, really, candidly, a virtue, a dis- DISCUSSION. 167 tinction, and exhibits an evident contempt for yonr relative position in 'society,' because you cower and cringe to his assumptions — hence his position, his so-called powers. "Now, my anarchistically inclined friend, this is no solace for you, as he borrows no glory from and, hence, has none to return to you ; neither could you give or con- sent to be given that which you never had or, in any measure, controlled. If your ideas of division are based on absolute right — you are wrong; but, seriously now, that old croak is miserable ; depreciated, or falsely appre- ciated, worn out, disgusted, 'no more worlds to conquer/ because he has exhausted his ability, and has no desire to vacate these premises where he has some gleams of fitful j°y- "Bad practices destroy good manners. "The quantity of delicacies at a rich man's table is his surfeit. " I, it will be remembered, but a short time ago had a plentiful supply, yet lacked everything — in spirit. " As a rule the delights of the table have become sordid, soured or commonplace. The meager appetite of one is no cause for complaint of another in his ravishing desire because he has and the other not — the former is surfeited and lacks the enjoyment, the latter is in dearth and suf- fers; the occupation of the former is without a desire for gratification in consumption, while the latter's seemingly calls for greater supplies. Herein is the enigma of the relative existence, fostered mutually by restriction and idleness. " Thus the elementary principle of life becomes disgust- ing. With downy couches, elegant equipages, service, there is no delight alone ; the absence of these is no depri- vation although their pleasures are beyond question, 1G8 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. because their possibilities are for use. But in the conduct alone lies success and mutual enjoyment. "Now, as conducted, the exultation of the one over, and the envy of the other at possession, create the only appre- ciable zest, are too the only causes of friction, and lay the foundation of the pernicious social principle underlying this fictitious fabric. That only the unfortunate com- plain is no comment on the silence of the others. Sooner or later the burden falls between them and then the general anguish bacomes manifest. Distribution would be favored if possession were not exalted in the minds. "Property would be a burden were it not the adored manifestation of selfishness. Its limitation lies in the industry of the others to acquire other and not to tender a high regard, in hesitation. "Where were you begotten and born? The world is the field for the righteous, heaven its storehouse. Because you can see no further you conceive yourself in gloom. But read aloud the promptings of your heart and you perceive everything. They say to you, Vain man, your foibles trouble you not enough. You chase shadows when a little forethought would conduct you upon another course to await the things the shadows have forecast. Or you would go to them. An inspiration enlightens the heart and mind and glows through the soul. It is from heaven ; pure are then the motives, leading but to right. You have no right to complain; not a destructive, violent sorrow is consider- ate to the several principles, but it is enunciated these must control for properly onward propulsion. "No man is wealthy, but collectively that accord, privi- lege, appellation has been made him. Withold wisely this consideration, make him again your equal by your undistinguishing regard, first in your individual opinion, DISCUSSION. 169 then collectively, and yon remove his exercise of his rela- tive situation. "Or remove yourself from his immediate contact and what price remains not his social sacrifice? Leave him his matter but deny your companionship and you thwart all his desires. The higher intelligence must come from you. Let his price be refused. "His wealth is only a relative position to yours in the opportunities you grant him, which for his delectation lies principally in your jealousies, where, in your fair-minded- ness, ought to be pity. Your estimation is that makes a rich man proud, haughty, cruel. His exorbitance is your knavish connivance. "Let intelligence supply every calling, education find its avenue in each, and the otherwise humblest virtues will exalt humanity to equality and abolition of caste. "But as long as pre-eminence is generally sought in caste, it must be allowed, and the burden of ungracious life continues. "Earth is for the good) but where all are wicked, folly metes the share to the wise — and wisdom may be as sor- did as a hog. How would you, then, quell the riot of a rich man ? We have discussed what makes him rich : your esteem. Now, let us see where his esteem arrives, if he ever has any. Transplant this rare flower from his gardens, you will find him a rarely indigenous plant, a fungus, an overgrowth, of doubtful beauty there, but per- haps some drug or a manure, still draining the earth of more of its fruitfulness, than he can ever alone contrib- ute to it again. Take him where the blooms are of another order, and in a clime of a haughtier, hardier, more majestic growth, and whither languishes his desire ? If he is at all enabled to exist alongside of the substance- draining, over-bearing, shadowing plants, when they fall 170 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. he is crushed beneath, perchance, unless he is so withered and shrunken, by that time, that they cannot touch him even by disaster ; or the new soil and food are death and destruction, themselves, being inadequate in substance to his enterprise. He passes hence into insignificance. Among his equals he is no peer; with his superiors he fades from light; with his light, alone, he illumines no other's path. Away from his power he sheds no beam, whatever; and when cold death embraces his chill heart, it is no wel- coming touch, for, it is not the cooling, delightful zephyr, that wafts ease and blissful enjoyment in rest to an earnest existence spent in fruitful garnering of an even harvest of delight and plenty. " The spirit of man may be ever proud, but his victors are his insatiable desires; he may desire all the possibili- ties of this earth, he cannot hold them all at once, and yet his insatiety will disturb his every thinking moment. "He yields not, this mortal, to the necessities of the day, but, racks in the night, and he goes down into the darkness of his gloom and despair a wrecked mortality, unfitted for the strife of the morrow. Let him live in social enjoyment of right. "It is not necessary to speak of this or that iniquitous influence ; it boots nothing to refer to these feeble indica- tions of the unfavorable tendencies of man, unless a mighty effort, a stern endeavor and desire uphold and uplift the knowledge, that presents itself to view in these visions. It is useless for me to augur you an enlightened, beneficial time, if you do not, in the first instance, realize your important, active engagement therewith ; nor can one premise a condition of things to be, unless there are direc- tions to point out the tendencies, that may bring about such affairs. God made us for a whole, and mutual esteem and social quality. DISCUSSION. 171 "No single nation has ever prospered — and none embraced the world." I sat down and was at once touched and moved by the appearance of anxiety and dread that had settled itself upon the assemblage, for to them appeared, for the first time, a possibility of a worse state of affairs, than those they were now trying to escape. Their gaze was abstracted, especially that of the judges, and several had drooped their heads. My friends were evidently bolder, in their hardier manhood, and uncontam- inated, in any measure, by previous social relation. I suggested, at this stage, that dinner was probably about ready — and, establishing my surmise, the meal-gong sounded its not unwelcome summons. I offered, during the noon-hour, to prepare a series of resolutions, which should, in brief, outline the skeleton of a preparatory or provi- sional compact, that no misunderstanding should mar our much-to-be-wished pleasant relations, as in all human relations the clearest understandings are the foundation and basis of progress. They acceded to my proposal, and under the hospitable leadership of Mr. Bertram presently filed out of the room — a somewhat subdued set, willing to concede that life certainly presented some perplexing anomalies — ah, when emancipation is about to ensue, ever the worst of the first fears of despair; then, glorious happiness forever, rest! Left alone, I was plunged unrestrainedly into the depths of my pent-up feelings and experienced the sorrow of regret — there came to me, again, one of those times, when we are burdened and borne down in the heaviness of our spirits with deep, afflicting ponderance on human affairs. But I had not much time to yield to doubt-creating theo- ries in the short . space before me to determine expedi- 172 THE TliOUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. encies in the highly practical, important occasion before us all. It was all of the world we were treating; it was but a small concern, compared with many great ones, that are before the larger world — but, importance is not meas- ured by its extent, but its bearing. I formulated as follows : "1st. The affairs of man are in chaos. "2d. A mutual consideration imposes an interchange- able esteem. "3d. Esteem and consideration are, mutually, indis- pensable. "4th. Under the direction of a benign influence a sol- emn realization may be accomplished. "5th. Individual desires and tastes merit their careful attention. " 6th. It is an undoubted principle of good, that inter- communication be fostered, not restricted ; that good-will and well-intention be manifested without reserve ; that no burden be cast upon another, which is not willingly borne in return; and that the highest beneficial result is to be anticipated and realized in the pure development of comprehension. "7th. That the ports are to be thrown open; that each accord the other an investigation into the other's resources, to satisfy the doubtful ones, although, there is no question of faith and, therefore, knowledge in the many and majority; that the facilities of development be mutually accorded." When they returned, it was with brighter, beaming countenances. They were profuse in their offerings of condolence at my enforced absence from the good things they found prepared for them, but I waived their good- natured sympathy, and began at once to read to them these several items, at the conclusion of which Mr. Ber- tram added: THE RETURN HOME. 173 "8th. Plain expressions raise no uncertain distinctions." And the whole was adopted with enthusiasm and heart- felt joy and thankfulness, the gloomy forebodings giving way to the certain, enlightened future, that dawned upon the world, thenceforth, as a new basis upon which to join their old affairs. CHAPTER XXVI. THE RETURN HOME. Political economy with early domestic propriety is the field for the future man. Those who complain loudest are usually the worst — reform must begin with them and their complaints. Never profit without principle or you will generally be mulcted despite of it thereafter. The sound that lingers were it many dreary miles away, No joy, no scene, no grief can rob its name ; Nor thought but has a fondness for the erstwhile day And " home " remains the beacon-light to gleam. We spent two more days with these people, who were daily manifesting greater confidence in and regard for us as the facts became generally known and understood, and their liking for us increased, when they had learned, also, our further amicable intentions. Already their imagina- tions were becoming fired by the promising outlook ; while the authorities lavished such attentions upon us, as proved their high opinion of us since our formal, consultory meet- ing, and the evidences they had then derived as to our sturdy, resolute views. We had again quietly discussed the matter among our- selves, and entertained the unanimous wish to extend every facility to advancement in our powers, and our every conduct and expression towards our friends and whilom 174 THE TROUBLE OF LIVING ALONE. entertainers exhibited that resolution ; all of which had the beneficent effect of putting everyone in the best of humor, and Ave mutually enjoyed the freest intercourse with one another. We met and became acquainted with their leading peo- ple in the several branches of their industry and callings, and found them, in the main, as we had found their rulers, to be possessed of brave, simple, kindliest characteristics as outlined. A people may safely be judged by their rulers. That they were a people who promised much in their integrity, industry and intelligence, we became more and more convinced, as their reserve wore off. One day was devoted to an excursion, or, better, incur- sion into the country for a distance, to embrace a view of their husbandry. We found here a neat arrangement of all that they undertook in the way of farming and garden- ing. Their products were not so very numerous ; they comprehended and used, advantageously, the sciences of manuring, and draining of surplus water, therewith, too, internal ventilation where necessary. The farmers were a neat, industrious, intelligent set of people, who furnished the basis of