Alida Part 24

Having once formed his opinions, he set himself about accomplis.h.i.+ng his purposes.... His patriotism was undeviating; his integrity inflexible....]

Since his country was again brought to a lamentable destiny, he now became ardently active in its cause, and was prepared to carry to the full extent such measures of defence and resistance as should be necessary to repel every invasion of the just rights and privileges of the Americans that they had long been in possession of since their dear-bought independence, and could not therefore be willing to submit to anything like oppression, even from the mother country.

This national calamity, that seemed to awaken feelings of hilarity to some few among the mult.i.tude, but those of the deepest regret to so many others, where the parties must at length become personally engaged and animated against each other with an enthusiastic ardour, and with the hope to signalize themselves by their bravery--where the impetuosity of youth and the experience of age are called forth in open field to execute the decided discussions of government, and to engage with patriotic zeal in the common defence of their just rights and liberties; impelled with ambitious impulse to enlist themselves under the proud banners of their country, while the sound of martial music strikes a feeling of enthusiasm and enterprise to the bosom of the patriot.

[_NY Weekly_: On War:

On the first appearance of this dreadful and destructive calamity, the parties more particularly and personally engaged, are animated with an enthusiastic ardour, to have an opportunity of signalizing themselves in it. It is then that the impetuosity of youth, the fervour, the experience, the sapience, of old age, are called forth in open field, to put in force the discussions of the cabinet, and to engage with real zeal in the cause of their country; it is then that every manly breast feels a warlike impulse thrilling the whole frame! The sound of drums, the roaring of cannon, the clangor of every species of martial music, rise figuratively within us....]

Thus, in the name and cause of honour, the youth, generous and brave, with all those who are compelled to take arms, sally forth with the ambitious hope to bear down at once all contending opposition, and give themselves no time to reflect on the many disconsolate ones they leave behind them, that, however deeply concerned, can neither engage or a.s.sist in the shocking contest; while they go forward hastily to meet the foe, and hosts are advancing to dispute with them the victory, and they can indulge no thought concerning those who, when the battle is over, may have to lament the loss of a father, brother, or some other dear friend, and who mournfully await the decisive tidings, which perhaps is to render them for ever disconsolate; while they remain a prey to that incessant anguish which naturally awaits those who have lost, in this manner, their dearest friends and relations.

[_NY Weekly_: On War:

we sally forth, and bear down all mortal opposition. We scarcely, in our thoughts, survey the disconsolate many we left behind; who, though concerned, are not engaged, in the murderous contest. Flushed with the hopes of suspended victory, the insignia of triumph hanging doubtful over our heads, whole hosts advancing to dispute with us our martial prowess, we indulge no thoughts about those who lament the loss of a father, a child, a husband, a brother, or a friend.

Stunned with the fatal tidings, which mournfully announce the death of an affectionate father, behold the wretched family, the disconsolate.... A prey to that incessant grief which naturally accompanies those to whom the fatal loss happens, the worthy sire, and the tender matron, lament the eternal exit of their ill-fated son....]

Thick clouds were darkly pending Above the battle fray, And foemen were contending For the fortune of the day.

And high in air the banner bright, Waving o'er land and sea, The potent symbol of their might, The emblem of the free.

Brave hearts that stood amid the storm That burst in fury round; With many a stern and manly form, Sunk powerless to the ground.

Deep gloom had settled round them, And darkness veil'd the sky, When Freedom, with her starry train, Descended from on high.

When, at her bidding, lo, a chief Amid the throng appear'd; When, the G.o.ddess halted by his side, And thus his spirits cheer'd:

"Oh, let not care oppress thee, But banish far thy fears, For, in blessing, I will bless thee, And will wipe away thy tears;

"And a banner thou shalt still retain, And a hand to lead the brave To glory and to victory, Or to the hero's grave."

Then fear not, honoured chieftain, For yet again shall be, Your flag shall wave o'er every land, And float on every sea.

What though in foreign clime it waves, Careering on the wind, Whatever sh.o.r.e the ocean laves, A due respect will find.

And the thunders of your s.h.i.+ps of war Along the deep shall roll, While the canvas of your merchantmen Shall sweep from pole to pole.

"And now, oh gallant chief," she cried, "Hold fast the glorious prize; The flag with blue and crimson dyed, And stars that gemmed the skies,

"Have left their native spheres to shed Their radiance o'er the field; Then while it waves above your head, To the foeman never yield.

"Bright forms shall hover o'er thee In the midst of war's alarms; And in triumph shall restore thee To a nation's waiting arms.

"Then on to Freedom's stormy height, Go forth in valour and in might, And bear aloft this emblem bright, Amid the battle fray."

Now around their chief they rally, And with zeal their bosoms glow; While the hoa.r.s.e cannon bellows forth Defiance to the foe.

The battle rages loudly, A dreadful carnage flows; When the messenger of victory The clarion trumpet blows.

Now clap your wings, oh Liberty, And upward take your flight; And let the gladsome tidings ring Throughout the realms of light.

And bid your eagle sound her cry, Wide o'er the land and sea; For patriot arms have triumphed, And the nation still is free.

Once more the song of Victory Shall spread the earth around, And the freemen on a thousand hills Re-echo back the sound.

And a banner long shall wave on high, And long your children stand, United, with a sacred tie, To guard their native land.

[[A song called "Thick Clouds Were Darkly Pending" was popular in the Civil War years, but has not been located.]]

[Transcriber's Note:

The next several chapters--most of VII-XII, and much of VI and XIII--are taken from _Alonzo and Melissa_ (see Sources section), often verbatim.

Subst.i.tutions: Melissa = Alida; Alonzo = Theodore; Beauman = Bonville; Vincent and Mrs. Vincent = Raymond and Mrs. Raymond; Melissa's brother Edgar = Alida's brother Albert; Melissa's aunt has no equivalent, except as a walk-on.

New London and New York are conflated into New York; the Revolutionary War is changed to the War of 1812.

In _Alonzo and Melissa_, the father is cruel and mercenary; the plot complications (all seen from Alonzo's point of view) are, as the t.i.tle has it, "caused by the barbarity of an unfeeling father".

Melissa's mother is alive throughout the novel, but she is such a doormat that her existence makes no difference to the plot.]

CHAPTER VI.

And may each day returning, with it bring That peace that o'er the weary senses fling A calm content; where no alloy attends The pleasing intercourse of happy friends.

Albert, the brother of Alida, during his residence in New-York, had formed an indissoluble friends.h.i.+p with a young gentleman who had lately graduated at Columbia College. His name was Theodore. He was about twenty years of age: he had been esteemed an excellent student. His appearance was manly, open, and free. His eye indicated a n.o.bleness of mind; he was naturally cheerful, although his aspect was tinged with melancholy, and his disposition was rather of the romantic cast. His father was an eminent merchant in the city, and had long been engaged in the various scenes of commerce. His son was designed for the law; but as the students were allowed some vacant time after their graduation before they entered upon their professional studies, he thought to improve this interim in mutual friendly visits, mingling sometimes with select parties in the amus.e.m.e.nts of the day, and in travelling through some parts of the United States.

[_A&M_ (opening paragraph):

In the time of the late revolution, two young gentlemen of Connecticut, who had formed an indissoluble friends.h.i.+p, graduated at Yale college in New Haven; their names were Edgar and Alonzo; Edgar was the son of a respectable farmer, Alonzo's father was an eminent merchant--Edgar was designed for the desk, Alonzo for the bar; but as they were allowed some vacant time after their graduation before they entered upon their professional studies, they improved this interim in mutual, friendly visits, mingling with select parties in the amus.e.m.e.nt of the day, and in travelling through some parts of the United States.]

[_A&M_:

Alonzo was about twenty one years old; he had been esteemed an excellent student. His appearance was manly, open and free--His eye indicated a n.o.bleness of soul; although his aspect was tinged with melancholy, yet he was naturally cheerful. His disposition was of the romantic cast....]

The spring was advancing, and already began to shed its cheering influences over the face of nature, when, after a long period of clouds and darkness, the sun, with his illuminating beams, was chasing away the gloomy remains of winter, and recalling again to life and animation the innumerable beauties of creation.

The day was fixed on when Alida was to return to her native residence.

Albert was to attend her home, and he invited his friend Theodore to accompany him. It was evening when they arrived at the house of Albert's father, where they found considerable company collected, as was customary on the celebration of his birth-day.

[_A&M_ (second paragraph):

Edgar had a sister who, for some time had resided with her cousin at New-London. She was now about to return, and it was designed that Edgar should go and attend her home: previous to the day on which he was to set out, he was unfortunately thrown from his horse, which so much injured him as to prevent his prosecuting his intended journey; he therefore invited Alonzo to supply his place....

It was evening when Alonzo arrived at the house of Edgar's cousin.]