CHAPTER VIII.
_Lorenzo_.--Go in, Sirrah; bid them prepare for dinner. _Launcelot_.--That is done, sir; they have all stomachs. _Lorenzo_.--Goodly lord, what a wit-snapper are you! then bid them prepare dinner. _Launcelot_.--That is done too, sir.
MERCHANT OF VENICE.
The high square, pews of the little Congregational church, or (as inthose days the descendants of the Puritans, in order to manifesttheir abhorrence for popery, and all that in their judgment soundedpapistical, loved to call their places for public worship) the"meeting-house," were tolerably well filled by an attentivecongregation on Thanksgiving morning. We say only tolerably, someseats being vacant, which seldom of a Sunday missed of occupants. Therights of hospitality were allowed on this occasion to trench upon theduties of public worship, and many a good wife with the servants, whomno common storm or slight indisposition would have kept away, remainedat home to spread the board for expected guests. If there were somewhose stern principles condemned the practice as a carnality, theywere a small minority. Those whose fleshly appetites were to begratified by it took a different view of the subject very generally;and as this was the condition of pretty much the whole community,whose members figured now as hosts and now as guests, the verdict wasnearly unanimous in its favor. In truth, the due observance of theday seemed to consist of two parts, worship and feasting; each wasnecessary to the other to form a complement, and without both it wouldhave been jejune and unsatisfactory. Besides, this was the annualperiod for the reunion of friends and relatives, parted for therest of the year, and in some instances considerable journeys wereundertaken in order once more to unite the severed circle and gatheragain around the beloved board. Fathers and mothers, with smiles ofwelcome, kissed their returned children; brothers and sisters joinedcordial hands and rushed into each other's embraces, and the placidgrandparents danced the little ones on their knees, and tracedresemblances to others. It would have been a cold and inhospitablegreeting, to be invited, after listening to a two hours' sermon, tosit around a dinner not beyond the common. Not to such a feast didstout-hearted and hard-headed Jonathan invite his friends. He rightlyunderstood that there was a carnal and a spiritual man, nor was hedisposed to neglect the claims of either. The earth was given to thesaints "with the fullness thereof," and he meant to have his portion.Therefore it was that while one part of the family went to "meeting"to pray, the other remained at home to--cook. Thus, by a judiciousdivision of duties the honored day was celebrated with befitting ritesand ceremonies.
After waiting for a reasonable time, until all who were expected toattend were supposed to be in the house, the minister rose from hisseat, in the high, wine-glass shaped pulpit, over which hung, like thesword of Damocles, by a cord, an immense sounding-board, consideredindispensable, duly to scatter round that each might have hisappropriate portion, the crumbs of salvation he dispensed, and "gaveout" an appropriate hymn, in which the Supreme Being was acknowledgedas the Ruler of the Seasons. This was sung, it must be confessed, by asadly shrunken choir, stoutly supported, however, by the congregationin the body of the meeting-house, without the sound of tabret, orharp, or other musical instruments; for in those days not even theflute or grave bass-viol, those pioneers of the organ, were permittedin the Sanctuary. To the hymn succeeded a long and fervent prayer, inwhich Mr. Robinson, the minister (the term Reverend had then a slightpapistical twang), after bewailing with ingenious particularity thesins and back-slidings of himself and people, and the ingratitudeof the whole land, and recounting the innumerable blessings that hadcrowned their basket and their store, entreated that notwithstandingtheir manifold sins, iniquities and transgressions, the divine favormight not be withdrawn from a land where the Lord had planted his ownvine, and where the precious seeds of heavenly grace deposited inthe soil and nurtured and cultured by men "of whom the world was notworthy," had sprung up and borne the inestimable fruit of civil andreligious freedom. Upon the conclusion of the prayer followed anotherhymn, and after these "exercises," the sermon.
The text was the ninth verse of the twenty-sixth chapter ofDeuteronomy, "And He hath brought us into this place and hath givenus this land, even a land that floweth with milk and honey." TheThanksgiving sermon was formerly one on which more than common laborwas expended, and was intended to be a celebrity of the year. On thisoccasion the preacher laid out a wide field for his eloquence. Hecommenced by comparing the condition of the first colonists to thatof the children of Israel when they fled from the house of bondage. Hepainted the Pilgrim fathers landing on Plymouth Rock, snow, and ice,and desolation around, but the fire of faith in their hearts. Hecontrasted the feebleness of the beginning with the grandeur of theresult, whence he deduced the inference that the Lord had led hispeople with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm; he alluded to thechanged appearance of the country, converted from a heathen wildernessinto a Christian garden, whence the perfume of Christian devotionperpetually arose; he portrayed the horrors of the war of theRevolution, and exhorted his hearers to cherish the memory of the menwho had consecrated their lives and fortunes to Liberty, and sealedthat consecration with their blood. Warming with his subject, his eyesshone with a brighter lustre and seemed gazing into a far future, asin prophetic tones he proclaimed the advent of the latter days, whenthe beacon fires of Freedom kindled on the mountain tops of the newCanaan should send their streaming rays across the seas, and thekingdoms of this world should become the heritage of God and of HisChrist. "Seeing these things are so, brethren," he concluded, "seeingthat God hath chosen you unto himself for a peculiar people, the weakthings of the world to confound the strong, the rejected, the castaway and despised, to be held up as an example to the wonderingand admiring nations, what manner of men ought ye to be in all holyconversation and godliness?"
Such is an imperfect sketch of the remarks of Mr. Robinson. With suchlanguage sought the ministers in times past to keep alive the flameof patriotism, and to inspire with humility, yet animate with a justpride. Nor are such discourses thrown away. They do much towards theformation of a national character.
Long as was the sermon--and of not a moment of its orthodox length wasit defrauded--it was listened to with the deepest attention, by theolder members, especially, of the congregation. The grave decorum ofa place of public worship forbade any open exhibition of approval, butmore than one knit brow and lighted eye, betrayed the emotions excitedby the allusions. Let it be remembered, it was nearer the times thattried men's souls; the later events were fresh in their memory; someof the hearers, perhaps, had borne a personal part in them, and allwere animated by the generous fire of '76--sparks of which, we trust,still glimmer in the bosoms of their descendants. What to us, inthese colder and as some say more worldly days, might have seemedextravagant, if not vain-glorious, was to them sober truth; andif there were any who, perverting into poison what was meant forwholesome nutriment, thanked God that they were not as other men,there were others who, without losing their humility, felt an impulsegiven to the nobler feelings.
At the conclusion of the services, there was the usual grasping ofhands, and congratulations of the season, and inquiries after healths,and encomiums on the sermon, when the assembly dispersed to theirhomes, to attend, in another form, to the duties of the day. Mr.Armstrong and Faith waited for the minister, and the three walkedhome together. They were overtaken and joined by Doctor Elmer,who expressed regret at having been detained from the services byprofessional duties.
"But," added he, looking at Mr. Robinson, and bowing courteously, "ifI have been so unfortunate as to miss of one feast, I do not mean tobe deprived of another. I may say of myself, as Shakspeare says ofsomebody, 'Marry, sir, sometimes he is a kind of Puritan.'"
"I hope your Puritan principles do not consist merely in eatingThanksgiving dinners," said Mr. Robinson, with a smile.
"And remember, doctor," observed Faith, "what your own Shakspeare saysagain--
"'dainty bits Make rich the ribs, but bankerout qui
te the wits.'"
"My dear," interposed Mr. Armstrong, "is not this conversation of toolight a character?"
But he could not immediately check the doctor.
"Ha, Miss Faith," he cried, "'wilt thou show the whole wealth of thywit, in an instant? I pray thee, understand a plain man in his plainmeaning.' But
'The tongues of mocking wenches are as keen As is the razor's edge invisible, Cutting a smaller hair than may be seen.'Come," he added, observing that Mr. Armstrong looked grave, "take myarm, and we will discuss some serious subject, together." So saying,he offered his arm to Faith, which she took, and they followed, at afew steps distance, after Mr. Armstrong and the minister.
"I am afraid," said the doctor, slackening his pace, so as to allowthe others to get out of hearing, "you would prefer a certain younggentleman's arm to that of an old bachelor. It is rather hard that therogues, whose principal recommendation, I flatter myself, is that theyare twenty years younger, should steal away all my sweethearts."
Faith laughed, as she replied:
"Why, dear doctor, what would you have us do? You never will propose;so you must not complain if you drive us poor girls to desperation."
"You wicked little baggage, is this the way you laugh at the mostconstant of your admirers? How many long years have I spent in yourservice, from the time I began with rocking your cradle, occasionallygiving you, to sweeten your humors, a teaspoon of castor oil, or ahalf-dozen drops of elixir salutis, up to the present time, and thusyou reward my devotion! I begin to feel desperate, and have half amind to transfer my affections to Anne Bernard."
"Do not treat me so cruelly. I assure you, my love increases everyday. Besides, you might find your perfidy punished by meeting a tooformidable rival."
"Ah, ha! I understand. Yet, I feel my chivalry a little roused atthe idea of opposition. But, on the whole, Faith, I will accept yourpledge of affection, and stick to my colors like a man and a doctor.And, to exhibit my confidence, you may, meanwhile, flirt in moderationwith William Bernard. You will get tired of it when the novelty wearsoff; so I shall escape, and it is better that you should tease him nowthan me hereafter. But, dear me, here we are at your door."
Mr. Armstrong and the minister had waited for them on the step, andthe four entered together. Shortly after Pownal arrived, and somewhatlater the family of the Bernards.
We should deceive our readers if we left them to infer from thejesting talk of the doctor that any mutual attachment existed betweenMiss Armstrong and William Bernard. It was because his suspicions wereso vaguely expressed, and herself so unconscious of any feelings ofthe kind, that Faith had not thought it worth while to notice them.She and young Bernard had known each other from infancy; they hadattended the same school; the intimacy betwixt Faith and Anne, and thefriendly relations of the two families equals in wealth and station,had brought them frequently together, but nothing could be furtherfrom the fact than that any engagement existed between them. Theytreated one another, indeed, like brother and sister; but if anywarmer emotion was felt, it was not by Faith. Her engrossing affectionfor her father seemed to exclude all rivalship. The meeting exactlyexpressed the footing on which the families stood. Mr. Armstrong shookhands cordially with all, and in a few words uttered his pleasure atwelcoming them; Mrs Bernard kissed the cheek of Faith, with almostthe feeling of a mother; the greeting of the girls' was like that ofsisters, and Faith extended her hand to William Bernard, with a smile,but without a blush.
Though utterly unlike, it would be difficult to conceive of two morebeautiful creatures than Faith Armstrong and Anne Bernard. The darkhair of Faith, the large black eyes, the nose slightly aquiline, anexpression of countenance ordinarily composed, though not sad, butwhich could be lighted up into enthusiasm, and a graceful dignity thatmarked every action, while it seemed only a necessary part of herself,forcibly reminded one sometimes of the heroines of the ancientScriptures. So in her youthful years, before her eyes were fullyopened to the vision, and before to the sound of the clanging timbrelher voice responded to the triumph song of the children of Israel,might have looked the prophetess, Miriam.
No contrast could be stronger than that presented by sweet AnneBernard. Light colored hair fell in graceful curls around an oval andperfectly regular face, of the most delicate complexion. So thin, soalmost transparent was the skin, that the veins seemed hardly hidden,and a very slight emotion was sufficient to suffuse it with a tintthat needed to fear no rivalry with the rose. No heaven could be bluerthan the soft eyes that seemed "to love whate'er they looked upon,"and whether dimmed with the tear of pity, or flashing with mirth,revealed a pure, but not a timid spirit. But among features which allwere beautiful, if one could be called more beautiful than another, itwas the mouth, and white as snow were the regular and perfectly formedteeth which the crimson lips concealed. Her figure was rather belowthan above the ordinary height, and its roundness indicated themost perfect health. Let not this description be deemed a picture ofromance. Those acquainted with the beautiful daughters of New Englandwill acknowledge its truth, or, at least, confess, it errs not on theside of exaggeration.
The intermediate time between the arrival of the company and theserving up of dinner, was spent by them in such conversation asusually takes place on occasions of the kind. Somebody has said, thattwo Americans cannot meet without talking politics, but we can vouchfor the fact, that although Mr. Armstrong, the doctor, and divine werefederalists, and the Judge a democrat, having spent several of hisearly years in France, where he was supposed to have imbibed hissentiments, not a word on the subject was uttered. A reference or twowas made to the minister's discourse; the flourishing condition of thecountry and its prospects adverted to; and some items of domesticnews and village anecdotes narrated. Such was the conversation of theelders: as for what passed between the young people, we know there wassome laughing, but have forgot what they talked about. We regret thisirreparable loss, and promise to be more attentive for the future.
Al length, the ebony disc of Felix's face, rising pleasantly above asnow-bank of neck-cloth, appeared at the door, and announced dinner,when Mr. Armstrong offering his arm to Mrs. Bernard, preceded hisfriends into the dining-room. Faith accepted the Judge's escort, andPownal tried to wait on Anne, but somehow or other (and we suspect herof complicity in the affair), the divine secured the prize.
Before the company sat down, which was in an order having reference totheir supposed tastes and attractions, at a request from the host, anappropriate grace was said by the minister, which happily avoidedthe extremes of too much brevity on the one hand, and of toogreat prolixity on the other; or, in other words, it was neitherirreverently short, nor impertinently long.
The dinner was of that kind which still graces the hospitable boardsof old Connecticut. At one end of the table a roasted turkey, whichhad been stuffed a couple of days before, in order that the spices,composing a part of the ingredients, might penetrate and flavorthe flesh of the noble bird, turned up his round full breast to thecarving-knife; at the other end, another turkey, somewhat smaller,boiled and served with oyster sauce, kept company with her mate, whilenear the centre, which was occupied by bleached celery in a crystalvase, a mighty ham balanced a chicken pie of equal size. Besides theseprincipal dishes there were roasted and boiled fowls, and ducks, andtongues, flanked by cranberry and apple sauces, and mashed turnips andpotatoes. On the sideboard (for be it remembered, it was "when thisold cap was new," and a practice which now is considered, at least,questionable, was then held in all honor, and its neglect was neverdreamed of, and would have drawn down an imputation of nigardlinessand want of breeding) stood bottles of wine, and flagons containingstill stronger liquors, together with a large pitcher of deliciouscider. Upon the removal of the first course followed various kinds ofpuddings, and pies, and custards, and tarts, and sillabubs, and they,in their turn, were succeeded by apples and different sorts of nuts,with raisins and figs, with which the repast was concluded. Such wasan old Thanksgiving dinner. The present
preliminary soup was unusualor unknown. It was an array capable of supplying the wants of a muchlarger company, and but a small part could be consumed, but it was thefashion, and it still continues. They were celebrating the bounty ofProvidence, and it was meet that the liberality of man should be inharmony with it. Felix, grave and decorous, as became the importanceof the occasion, and his assistant, multiplied themselves into athousand waiters, sedulous to anticipate the wants of the host and hisguests.
The conversation, which at first ran in several distinct rills beingconfined to each one's immediate neighborhood mostly, and interruptedby the serious business of dinner, seemed gradually, after a time, tounite its various streams into one common current. The attention ofthe doctor was first attracted from an unsuccessful attempt to quoteto Mrs. Bernard Shakspeare's famous recipe for cooking a beef-steak byan observation of Mr. Robinson to Mr. Armstrong, at whose left handhe sat, the seat at the right being occupied by Mrs. Bernard, next towhom sat the doctor.
"The results," said the minister, "furnish, I fear, littleencouragement for the future. Unless divine grace shall manifestitself in a more signal manner than has heretofore been vouchsafed,they seemed destined to die in their sins."
"Is there, then, no escape from a doom so horrible?" inquired thelow voice of Mr. Armstrong. "After being hunted from their ancientpossessions, and denied even the graves of their fathers, must theyperish everlastingly?"
"Can the clay say to the potter, 'What doest thou?'" said Mr.Robinson. "He maketh one vessel to honor and another to dishonor.Repeated attempts have been made to civilize and Christianize them,but in vain. Whom He will He hardeneth."
Mr. Armstrong sighed, and another sigh, so low it was unheard, stolefrom the bosom of his daughter.
"You are speaking of the Indians?" inquired the doctor.
"Yes," said Mr. Robinson, "and of the failure of all attempts byChristians to ameliorate their condition."
"And are you surprised it should be so?" inquired the doctor.
"The ways of Providence are inscrutable," replied Mr. Robinson. "Ipretend not to explain the reasons why they are deaf to the pleadingsof the Gospel."
"What," cried the doctor, slightly altering his favorite author,"'hath not an Indian eyes? Hath not an Indian hands, organs,dimensions, senses, affections, passions? fed with the same food, hurtwith the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by thesame means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer as aChristian is? If an Indian wrong a Christian, what is his humility?revenge; if a Christian wrong an Indian, what should his sufferancebe, by Christian example? why, revenge.' There, you have the whole ina nut-shell."
"In addition to the difficulty growing out of their treatment by thewhites, suggested by the doctor," said the Judge, "there is another,which I consider insuperable, arising out of a difference of race."
"I do not quite understand you," observed Mr. Robinson.
"It is said by naturalists," answered the Judge, "that mancomprehends, within himself, the peculiarities of all inferioranimals. Now, there are some capable of domestication, while othersare irreclaimable. You may tame the horse, but not the tiger. Thewild element controls the one, and is controllable in the other. Inmy opinion, this wild element so predominates in the Indian as to makehim incapable of civilization. He is the tiger."
"But some have been civilized," remarked Mr. Armstrong.
"A _quasi_ civilization, I grant," said the Judge; "and were I toconcede more, the exceptions are so few as only to confirm the rule."
"Your theory opens a wide field for speculation," said Mr. Robinson,"and I could bring many objections to it. In the first place"----
"No doubt, no doubt," cried the Judge, hastily, and desirous to avoidthe arising collision, "and I shall be happy to examine the subject,at some future time, with you. I throw out these ideas only as hints.But there is another rule operative, if, indeed, it is not the samedifferently expressed--the inferior must always give place to thesuperior race"
"That is not clear, either," said the divine. "What race ever existedsuperior to the Jews? Yet, observe their condition."
"I am not understood. Why, the Jews prove my theory. If they had notbeen a superior race, they would long ago have been extinct. But theirnumber now is probably as great as it ever was. The Indians, however,are vanishing."
"And, really, Mr. Bernard," said his wife, "on your own principles,they will be no loss, if they do vanish. If a superior race succeeds,all the better."
"Right, right, my dear," cried her husband, "_rem acu_--pshaw! I wasgoing to quote Latin. They have had their day, and fulfilled theirdesign."
"It seems to me a deplorable necessity," said Mr. Armstrong.
"There are many laws and purposes at work in the rise and fall ofnations," said the minister, "beyond our view. A peculiar mysteryhangs over the devoted tribes; and, assign what reasons we please fortheir decay, there is only one satisfactory reason into which allthe others are resolvable, viz: the determination of Providence. Thatdetermination is obvious. As the inhabitants of Canaan, wereswept away for their iniquities, so is the red race destined to beextinguished; and it may be for a like reason--they will not abandontheir abominations."
"They are as moral as the whites, generally, I believe," said WilliamBernard.
"Alas, that word morality!" exclaimed the divine. "It is an _ignisfatuus_ to mislead--a broken reed to lean on."
"But," inquired Faith, anxiously, "do you think, sir, that nothing canbe done for those who are left?"
"I see but little prospect of it," said Mr. Robinson.
"There are some good people among them," said the doctor, warmly. "Iwish I was as sure of my own salvation as I am of poor Esther's."
This discussion scarcely disturbed the conversation between AnneBernard and Pownal, who, much to his delight, found himself seated byher side. Nor did the contiguity seem displeasing to the lovely girl.What is the charm that gives boldness to the timid, and eloquenceto the hesitating; which kindles the eye with a brighter lustre,and imparts a softer tone to the voice: which colors the cheek withfrequent blushes, and fills the heart with unwonted flutterings? Sweetmaiden, can you tell? Yet, what could they have so much to say toone another? They who are young, and they who have not forgotten thefeelings of youth will readily find an answer.
"My heart warms to the Indians," said Pownal, in a low tone, "wheneverI hear them spoken of. It appears to me, sometimes," continued he,smiling, "as if I were a sort of relation. Were I a believer in thetransmigration of souls, I should think I had been, in some previousexistence, an Indian myself."
"Probably a Sachem, with your hair nicely shaved, except a littlewhich was caught up into a knot like a cock's comb, on top to hold aneagle's feather," said the laughing Anne. "How elegantly you must havelooked after having made your toilette, preparatory to wooing someIndian Princess, with your face beautifully painted in all the colorsof the rainbow, only handsomer. How I should have liked to see you.Hard-hearted must have been the fair who could resist such charms."
"You have reason to laugh at me; it is very ridiculous, but"--
"And then to think of the sad change that has befallen you! To subsidefrom an eagle-feathered Sachem, eating succatash with an IndianPrincess, into a tame civilized gentleman, in a swallow-tailed coat,handing apples to a poor little Yankee girl! I do not wonder you weremelancholy and tried to shoot yourself."
"It was the most fortunate shot I ever made, since"--
"I am not sure of that. Perhaps if you had succeeded you might havebeen transmigrated back into the wigwam, and resumed your addresses tothe Princess."
"Your fancy outstrips mine. I find it hard, by the side of a realPrincess, to think of an imaginary one."
"Faithless, like all your fickle sex. Ah me, poor princess!"
Here Mrs. Bernard made a motion to rise, which was followed by theother ladies, and as Anne turned away she said:--
"You who have set me an example of desertion can not be surprisedat my leaving y
ou, which please to consider a punishment for thePrincess' wrongs."
"And a severe one," said Pownal.
But a short time elapsed before the ladies were rejoined by thegentlemen in the withdrawing room, where we will leave them to lookafter some other friends of ours.
Upon the conclusion of his duties, Felix had opportunity to extend therights of hospitality to General Ransome, who, true to his promise,had not failed to make his appearance in due time in the kitchen.There the worthy warrior had been received with all customary forms ofpoliteness by Miss Rosa, and, installed in a high-back chair, awaitedhis share of the entertainment. And when the time arrived, seatedbetween his friends, and opposite two other servants, there were few,if any, lighter and more careless hearts that day than the General's.And of the whole company it may be said, that if they were notrefined, they were at least merry.
"Ladies and genlmn," said the General, soon after the repast hadcommenced, and seeming to think the toasts could not begin too soon,"do me de satisfacshum to fill you glasses. Wid you leave I'm going togib a toast."
On this day it was customary to extend an unusual degree of license tothe servants, and hence there was no lack of generous liquors on theboard, of the same descriptions as those drank by their superiors. Andto do them justice, it was seldom the privilege was abused.
The glasses were quickly filled, and the General proposed "de healt'ob de fair sec." This was drunk with acclamation, and a gentlemanobserved, "dat de whole world acknowledge de superur beauty ob de'Merican ladies." This toast was followed by "De day we celumbrate;"and it was admitted on all sides that Thanksgiving was one of the mostimportant institutions of the country. Felix, then, looking at hisfriend gave, "the heroes of the 'Merican Revolution;" whereupon, theold soldier considering it incumbent upon him to return thanks for thearray, requested permission to make some remarks. Of course leavewas readily granted, and the orator, gracefully rising and steadyinghimself on the sound leg, with the other a little drawn back, extendedhis right hand, and bowing all round began.
"Dere is noting," he said, "so sweet as liberty. 'Tis dis dat make deeagle fedder light, and de bob-o-link sich a good singer. See de grandbird how he wheel right about face up to de sun, and hear de moosic obde merry little fellow!
"Liberty, liberty, Berry nice to be free! Bob-o-link where he please, Fly in de apple trees, O, 'tis de Freedom note Guggle sweet in him troat! Jink-a-jink, jink-a-jink, Winky wink, winky wink, Ony tink, ony tink, How happy, Bob-o-link! Sweet! Sweet!
"King George, he want to make de Yankees drink tea instead ob coffee.Now dere is no comparishum 'atween de two, and who is dere would drinkde little tea leaves dat look as dey been all chew and den roll up,when he can git good coffee? Now King George he hab a great lot ob distea on hand, and it sell berry slow, and he want to git rid ob it, sohe send it to dis country wid orders dat ebery man, woman, and childshall drink at least four cup a day, and no coffee. So Broder Jonatanhe rise like a cat back, and he say (begging you pardon, ladies), 'damif I drink de tea.' And a great many ob dem dress demselves up likeInjuns, and one dark night dey heab all de tea oberboard in Bossonharbor, and all de fish get sick, dey say for a week. Now King Georgewhen he hear ob all dis he git mad and jerk his old wig on de ground,an stamp on it, and kick it in de fire, and say he make de 'Mericanspay for de tea. And after dat he send a big army to dis country, butit was no use. De 'Mericans whip dem orfully at Bunker Hill, and datwas de beginning ob de famous Resolution. And dey continues to drinkde coffee; and I nebber drink no better dan Miss Rosa make in dishouse (bowing to her). And for my 'sploits in de glorious Resolutionyou is welcome wid all my heart, ladies and genlmn; and for decomplemen to de officers and sogers I gib dere best knowledgmn on dis'casion."
The General sat down amid a storm of applause. Miss Rosa after theexcitement caused by his eloquence had subsided, observing that notoast had been given by any lady, offered to make up the deficiencyherself, which proposal being eagerly accepted, she gave "Miss Faith;and when she marry may she be happy as the angels." The toast wasdrank with right good will, though with somewhat more decorum thanthe others. Faith was greatly beloved by the servants, to that degreeindeed, that the affectionate creatures doubted whether there was anyman in the world fit to be her husband. But, enough of toasts and finespeeches. As the General very judiciously observed when Miss Rosa, whoseemed to think he could not have too many delicacies, nor too muchof them, offered to add to his already overfilled plate, "dere is'bundance of cranberry saace for dis turkey."
According to custom, as soon as it began to be dark, the bonfires werelighted, and flashing from various eminences made luminous the night,while joyous shouts of boys answered each other across the rivers andravines.
At nine o'clock the bell rang out its usual warning, and before theclock struck the next hour, the inhabitants of Hillsdale had courtedthe repose of their pillows.
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