| | 1 | Author: | Ingraham
J. H.
(Joseph Holt)
1809-1860 | Add | | | Title: | Leisler, or, The rebel and king's man  | | | | Published: | 1997 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Text collection | UVA-LIB-Text | University of Virginia Library, Early American Fiction, 1789-1875 | UVA-LIB-EarlyAmFict1789-1875 | | | | Description: | Bits of history in a novel, especially at
the outset, we very well know, are by no
means relished by novel-readers, who
generally like to open at once upon the
action of the story. But it is sometimes
necessary, particularly when a romance
is based upon an interesting historical
incident, to lay before the reader a brief
outline of the events upon which the tale
hangs. It is better, we think, to do this
at the outset, in a fair and above-board
manner, than open with an interesting
scene, and before the reader has got half
a dozen pages, smuggle in two or three
solid pages of history, through which he
must flounder, or take them at a flying
leap. We don't like this mode of cheating
our friends, so we place our history
in the fore-ground, that it may be fairly
met at the outset. Sir: Knowing that you possess no little
influence and the confidence of the
Protestant citizens, and believing that a
communication to you will be the same
as to them in the aggregate, I proceed to
inform you that Lieutenant Colonel Nictolson;
late acting Governor of this Province,
under a commission from King
James II, having refused to acknowledge
the authority of William, the Prince of
Orange, has seen fit to abdicate his government.
He has this night past embarked
on board a Swedish ship now in the
harbor, and will sail at once for Europe.
It was his desire that I should accompany
him; but as it does not suit my purposes
to quit the Province just now, I remain.
Now herewith I propose to surrender the
post and all appertaining to it to you, for
the sum of ten thousand pounds; otherwise
I shall defend it with the soldiers
that are in it, against you and yours to
to the last extremity. `You perceive, gentleman,' he said as
they read the address, at the begining,
`that I have anticipated your suggestion.
I was interrupted, by your calling, in the
composition of a solemn remonstrance to
their Majesties, against Leisler's government.
I will read to you, what I have
written.' If you have a secure shelter,
do not quit it, for your life is in danger.
For my sake do not venture to town
again, as no disguise will protect you.—
Have you repented—will you become a
protestant? I think of you momently.—
My father has told me to-day, that I must
positively marry the burgomaster, on pain
of his displeasure. Oh, that you were a
protestant! I know not what or how to address
you. In a word, if you would have me,
you must come and take me! It is in vain
for me so resist my father and Van Vow
conjointly. I must fly from the fort, or
before eight o'clock to-night be the wife
of this hateful simpleton. I have no escape
unless I take poison or fly to you. I
think nothing of your being a Roman,
for I know when I am your wife you will
isten to me. I think only of my love for
you! of avoiding this horrible fate that
awaits me. My father is stern and unbending.
Van Vow is resolute. I have
thrown myself upon the mercy of the former
in vain; I have entreated the latter
to spare me. I have told him I love him
not, that I cannot love him. He is without
feeling. He has finally, within the
last half-hour said if I will pay him back
the thousand dollars he will release me.
I am mortified to allude to this, since you
have not done so. But what can I do?
I am in his power. If you can send the
money to me do so at once and let me
return it to him; for if he should inform
my father I shall have to confess all, and
I know not what will be my fate. You
see I write with frankness to you as one
in whom I trust my heart and happiness,
for I believe you truthful and noble, and
that you love me even as I love you. This
is a crisis when it would be weak and
foolish in me to disguise any thing I feel;
and I have not done so. Send the money,
if you can, or let me hear from you. Forgive the step I have taken.—
I could NOT become the wife of Mynheer
Van Vow.—I write to assure you of my
safety. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
|
