| | 1 | Author: | Cooper
James Fenimore
1789-1851 | Add | | | Title: | The Red Rover  | | | | Published: | 1997 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Modern English collection | UVA-LIB-Text | University of Virginia Library, Early American Fiction, 1789-1875 | UVA-LIB-EarlyAmFict1789-1875 | | | | Description: | In submitting this hastily-composed and imperfect
picture of a few scenes, peculiar to the
profession, to your notice, dear Shubrick, I
trust much more to your kind feelings than to
any merit in the execution. Such as it may
be, however, the book is offered as another
tribute to the constant esteem and friendship of No one, who is familiar with the bustle and activity
of an American commercial town, would recognize,
in the repose which now reigns in the ancient
mart of Rhode Island, a place that, in its day, has
been ranked amongst the most important ports along
the whole line of our extended coast. It would
seem, at the first glance, that nature had expressly
fashioned the spot to anticipate the wants and to
realize the wishes of the mariner. Enjoying the
four great requisites of a safe and commodious haven,
a placed basin, an outer harbour, and a convenient
roadstead, with a clear offing, Newport appeared,
to the eyes of our European ancestors, designed to
shelter fleets and to nurse a race of hardy and expert
seamen. Though the latter anticipation has
not been entirely disappointed, how little has reality
answered to expectation in respect to the former!
A successful rival has arisen, even in the immediate
vicinity of this seeming favourite of nature, to defeat
all the calculations of mercantile sagacity, and to
add another to the thousand existing evidences “that
the wisdom of man is foolishness.” “An accident has disabled the Master of the out
“ward-bound ship called the `Royal Caroline!' Her
“consignee is reluctant to intrust her to the officer
“next in rank; but sail she must. I find she has
“credit for her speed. If you have any credentials
“of character and competency, profit by the occasion,
“and earn the station you are finally destined to fill.
“You have been named to some who are interested,
“and you have been sought diligently. If this reach
“you in season, be on the alert, and be decided.
“Show no surprise at any co-operation you may un
“expectedly meet. My agents are more numerous
“than you had believed. The reason is obvious;
“gold is yellow, though I am | | | Similar Items: | Find |
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