Alida; or, Miscellaneous Sketches of Incidents During the Late American War.
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CHAPTER XX.
Charmed by returning pleasure's gentle voice, Each waken'd sense with new-born rapture beats; The adverse heart the welcome stranger greets, And bids each trembling nerve again rejoice.
The patriotic feelings of Alida's father partook in the general joy andsatisfaction of the community, and he soon turned his attention tocelebrate the event of the late peace with tokens of rejoicing. Numerouswere the company that collected at his house on the day set apart forthis purpose. The dwelling was illuminated, and the guests assembled atan early hour in the evening on this joyful occasion.
Unaffected pleasure enlivened the scene, and presided throughout theassembly; light-hearted wit broke forth in a thousand brilliant sallies,while unfeigned joy heightened the flush on the cheek of youth, andsmoothed the furrows on the brow of age. Nor did the sprightly fairones, with the gay young gentlemen, fail to exert themselves to enhancethe present felicity of the company. The gaiety of the scene, the flowof general joy, the sight of so many happy people, the countenances ofthe happy parents in witnessing the innocent mirth of their children,with the benevolent looks of the noble bestower of the entertainment,formed altogether a scene which failed not to fill the heart withsensations the most pleasing and satisfactory.
Mr. Bolton was occupied in attending the ladies generally, while agenuine witticism occasionally mingling with his discourse, gave one nomean opinion of his understanding, and increased their admiration of histalents. He was well calculated to please; there was somethingremarkably graceful in his exterior, and he exerted himself this eveningparticularly to assist Alida to entertain the numerous visiters.
Bonville endeavoured in various ways to attract attention. He wasextremely humorous and gay, and the whole party was enlivened by hisvivacity. He described the folly of some of the prevailing fashions ofthe town with sarcastic pleasantry, and related many anecdotes of thegay world and fashionable life, interesting to those who had lived inretirement. Alida could not but listen with some degree of pleasure tohis amusing conversation, and the pleasing allusions he frequently madegradually drew the attention of the whole company.
Albert selected from the rest an interesting young lady, to whom hedirected the most of his attention, while she, pleased with hispoliteness, exerted all her conversational powers to entertain him. Hisfather was much pleased to see his son endeavour to make himselfagreeable in ladies' society; he thought it augured a good sign, andwould be conducive to meliorate and refine his manners. He had longwished him to close his affairs of business in the city, and settlehimself on the paternal estate. He was anxious that he should seek outan amiable companion, of pious principles and exemplary manners, ofgenuine goodness and benevolence, in whose deportment was mingled therays of mildness, amiability, and cheerfulness; well-meaning towardsall, blended with an unaffected ease and politeness, joined with theusual accomplishments to complete the character of a lady.
An unusual degree of innocent amusement prevailed throughout the circleon this evening of general joy, and all were more or less enlivened andcheered by its salutary effects, except Mr. More, who, in the midst ofmusic and mirth, remained sad and melancholy; despondent reflections attimes deeply disturbed his tranquillity. In the midst of these scenes offestivity, he was serious and thoughtful; gloomy ideas would in spite ofhimself cloud his imagination, whenever his thoughts foreboded the fearof losing the only object of his affection.
The elderly gentlemen had a long consolatory conversation on the presentaffairs of the country, and their happy termination; the wisdom of thegovernment and its coinciding regulations, concluding that the latepeace, founded on principles of justice and honour, promised to belasting.
These festive scenes of gladness were concluded by a variety of music,both vocal and instrumental; the powerful influence of which all mustacknowledge; which is alike visible in all places, and in every stage ofsociety. And while it flings its spell over the gay abodes of pleasure,it produces likewise its sweet enchantment in the domestic dwelling. Theladies alternately played the piano, while the gentlemen assisted insinging, forming altogether a concert of melodious harmony that wakenedthe mind to the softest raptures, and threw its bewitching influencesover the imagination, calming all former corroding sensations, andanimating anew all the soft and sympathetic emotions.
Music! wake thy heavenly numbers, Queen of every moving measure, When at thy voice all sorrow slumber, Sweetest source of purest pleasure!
Who listens to thy varying strains, Will find their bosoms gently sooth'd, Lulled to repose all cares and pains, And waked to sympathy and love,
That calms with soft persuasive air The heart to harmony and peace. If any grief yet linger there, But touch thy chords and it will cease.
Who does not feel their bosoms glow, When the full choir their voices raise, To the Supreme of all below, Pour forth their song of ardent praise?
Each heart by sacred impulse driven, To high exalt his glorious name, Loud hallelujahs raise to heaven, And with one voice His praise proclaim.
Then music, queen of every art, O still thy matchless powers employ; Since none like thee can peace impart, And none like thee awaken joy.