| | 1 | Author: | Brackenridge
H. H.
(Hugh Henry)
1748-1816 | Add | | | Title: | Modern chivalry  | | | | Published: | 2006 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Text collection | UVA-LIB-Text | | | | Description: | I have two objections to this duel matter.
The one is, lest I should hurt you; and the other is,
lest you should hurt me. I do not see any good it
would do me to put a bullet through any part of your
body. I could make no use of you when dead, for
any culinary purpose, as I would a rabbit or a turkey.
I am no cannibal to feed on the flesh of men.
Why then shoot down a human creature, of which
I could make no use. A buffaloe would be better
meat. For though your flesh might be delicate and
tender; yet it wants that firmness and consistency
which takes and retains salt. At any rate it would
not be fit for long sea voyages. You might make a
good barbecue, it is true, being of the nature of a
racoon or an opossum; but people are not in the habit
of barbecuing any thing human now. As to your
hide, it is not worth the taking off, being little better
than that of a year old colt. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 2 | Author: | Brown
Charles Brockden
1771-1810 | Add | | | Title: | The novels of Charles Brockden Brown | | | | Published: | 2006 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Text collection | UVA-LIB-Text | | | | Description: | Genius and knowledge command respect; but superior
genius and profound knowledge, combined with exalted
moral purity, cannot fail to excite unmingled admiration.
The reputation of an author in whom these qualities are
united, may be circumscribed during life; but its rise and
extension after death, prove that his claim to distinction
are well founded. It is no less the duty than the pleasure
of friendship, to fortify and sustain these claims. The impartiality
of criticism cannot but confirm the anticipations of
affection. I feel little reluctance in complying with your request.
You know not fully the cause of my sorrows. You are a
stranger to the depth of my distresses. Hence your efforts
at consolation must necessarily fail. Yet the tale that I am
going to tell is not intended as a claim upon your sympathy.
In the midst of my despair, I do not disdain to contribute
what little I can to the benefit of mankind. I acknowledge
your right to be informed of the events that have lately happened
in my family. Make what use of the tale you shall
think proper. If it be communicated to the world, it will
inculcate the duty of avoiding deceit. It will exemplify the
force of early impressions, and show the immeasurable evils
that flow from an erroneous or imperfect discipline. "What shall I say to extenuate the misconduct of last
night? It is my duty to repair it to the utmost of my power,
but the only way in which it can be repaired, you will not,
I fear, be prevailed on to adopt. It is by granting me an
interview, at your own house, at eleven o'clock this night.
I have no means of removing any fears that you may entertain
of my designs, but my simple and solemn declarations.
These, after what has passed between us, you may deem
unworthy of confidence. I cannot help it. My folly and
rashness has left me no other resource. I will be at your
door by that hour. If you choose to admit me to a conference,
14
provided that conference has no witnesses, I will
disclose to you particulars, the knowledge of which is of
the utmost importance to your happiness. Farewell. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 3 | Author: | Brown
Charles Brockden
1771-1810 | Add | | | Title: | The novels of Charles Brockden Brown | | | | Published: | 2006 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Text collection | UVA-LIB-Text | | | | Description: | I was resident in this city during the year 1793. Many
motives contributed to detain me, though departure was
easy and commodious, and my friends were generally solicitous
for me to go. It is not my purpose to enumerate
these motives, or to dwell on my present concerns and
transactions, but merely to compose a narrative of some
incidents with which my situation made me acquainted. Here ended the narrative of Mervyn. Surely its incidents
were of no common kind. During this season of
pestilence, my opportunities of observation had been numerous,
and I had not suffered them to pass unimproved.
The occurrences which fell within my own experience, bore
a general resemblance to those which had just been related,
but they did not hinder the latter from striking on my mind
with all the force of novelty. They served no end, but as
vouchers for the truth of the tale. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 4 | Author: | Brown
Charles Brockden
1771-1810 | Add | | | Title: | The novels of Charles Brockden Brown | | | | Published: | 2006 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Text collection | UVA-LIB-Text | | | | Description: | I sit down, my friend, to comply with thy request. At
length does the impetuosity of my fears, the transports of my
wonder permit me to recollect my promise and perform it.
At length am I somewhat delivered from suspense and from
tremors. At length the drama is brought to an imperfect
close, and the series of events, that absorbed my faculties,
that hurried away my attention, has terminated in repose. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 5 | Author: | Brown
Charles Brockden
1771-1810 | Add | | | Title: | The novels of Charles Brockden Brown | | | | Published: | 2006 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Text collection | UVA-LIB-Text | | | | Description: | I am very far from being a wise girl. So conscience
whispers me, and though vanity is eager to refute the charge,
I must acknowledge that she is seldom successful. Conscience
tells me it is folly, it is guilt to wrap up my existence
in one frail mortal; to employ all my thoughts, to lavish all
my affections upon one object; to dote upon a human being,
who, as such, must be the heir of many frailties, and whom
I know to be not without his faults; to enjoy no peace but
in his presence, to be grateful for his permission to sacrifice
fortune, ease, life itself for his sake. "If you ever injured Mr. Talbot, your motives for doing
so, entitle you to nothing but compassion, while your present
conduct lays claim, not only to forgiveness, but to gratitude.
The letter you entrust to me, shall be applied to
no purpose but that which you proposed by writing it. Inclosed
is the paper you request, the seal unbroken and its
contents unread. In this, as in all cases, I have no stronger
wish than to act as | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 6 | Author: | Brown
Charles Brockden
1771-1810 | Add | | | Title: | The novels of Charles Brockden Brown | | | | Published: | 2006 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Text collection | UVA-LIB-Text | | | | Description: | Stephen Dudley was a native of New York. He was
educated to the profession of a painter. His father's trade
was that of an apothecary. But this son, manifesting an attachment
to the pencil, he was resolved that it should be
gratified. For this end Stephen was sent at an early age
to Europe, and not only enjoyed the instructions of Fuzeli
and Bartolozzi, but spent a considerable period in Italy, in
studying the Augustan and Medicean monuments. It was
intended that he should practice his art in his native city, but
the young man, though reconciled to this scheme by deference
to paternal authority, and by a sense of its propriety,
was willing, as long as possible to postpone it. The liberality
of his father relieved him from all pecuniary cares. His
whole time was devoted to the improvement of his skill in his
favorite art, and the enriching of his mind with every valuable
accomplishment. He was endowed with a comprehensive
genius and indefatigable industry. His progress was
proportionably rapid, and he passed his time without much
regard to futurity, being too well satisfied with the present to
anticipate a change. A change however was unavoidable,
and he was obliged at length to pay a reluctant obedience to
his father's repeated summons. The death of his wife had
rendered his society still more necessary to the old gentleman. An hour ago I was in Second street, and
saw you. I followed you till you entered the Indian Queen
Tavern. Knowing where you are, I am now preparing to
demand an interview. I may be disappointed in this hope,
and therefore write you this. Why do I write? For whose use do I pass my time thus?
There is no one living who cares a jot for me. There was a
time, when a throbbing heart, a trembling hand, and eager
eyes, were always prepared to read, and ruminate on the
scantiest and poorest scribble that dropped from my pen;
but she has disappeared; the veil between us is like death. I need not tell you, my friend, what I have felt, in consequence
of your silence. The short note which I received, a
fortnight after you had left me, roused my curiosity and my
fears, instead of allaying them. You promised me a longer
account of some mysterious changes that had taken place in
your condition. This I was to receive in a few days. At
the end of a week I was impatient. The promised letter did
not arrive. Four weeks passed away, and nothing came
from you. Yes; the narrative of Morton is true. The simple recital
which you give, leaves me no doubt. The money is
his, and shall be restored the moment he demands it. For
what I have spent, I must a little while be his debtor. This
he must consent to lose, for I never can repay it. Indeed,
it is not much. Since my change of fortune, I have not
been extravagant. A hundred dollars is the most I have
laid out, and some of this has been in furniture, which I
shall resign to him. "I shall not call on you at Hatfield. I am weary of traversing
hills and dales; and my detention in Virginia being
longer than I expected, shall go on board a vessel in this
port, bound for New York. Contract, in my name, with
your old friend, for the present accommodation of the girls,
and repair to New York as soon as possible. Search out
No.—, Broadway. If I am not there to embrace you,
inquire for my wife or daughter, and mention your name.
Make haste; the women long to see a youth in whose education
I had so large a share; and be sure, by your deportment,
not to discredit your instructer, and belie my good
report. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
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