University of Virginia Library

17. CHAPTER XVII.
AN AVOWAL.

On the evening succeeding the foregoing fete,
the light-hearted Ellen (whose artificial vivacity
had given place to the genuine ebullitions of real
felicity) sought a private interview with her affectionate
mother, into whose maternal ear she
poured her little tale of love. With her blushing
face concealed in the bosom of a doating parent,
she hesitated not in confiding to the same sanctuary
the tenderest secrets of her heart. Not a
thought nor a wish was disguised; she described
the real state of her affections, and related the particulars
of that interesting eclaircissement which
took place at the masquerade.

The result of this candid disclosure was, in the
course of the following week, thus announced
to the public, through the medium of Russell's
Columbian Centinel:

“Notice is hereby given, that William Orville
has become a joint partner in the mercantile house of
Nathan Cushing, and that the business of said
house will, in future, be conducted under the firm of
Gushing and Orville.”

The tenth day of December was fixed for the
celebration of the nuptials of Amelia, and all parties
consented, that on the same day the fortunate
Orville should lead his Ellen to the altar. Of a
happier family perhaps that metropolis could not
boast, until a slight tincture of gloom was thrown
over it by a letter from Mulberry Grove, containing
the unpleasant intelligence that Amelia's paternal
aunt was severely indisposed, although her
disorder was believed to be unattended with danger.
This letter was addressed by the major to
his son, who has generously permitted me to make
from the original copy the following

EXTRACT:

“Every thing in the political world indicates
an approaching war, and I am daily more and
more impressed with a conviction of its speedy
commencement. All nature seems to unite also
in predicting some uncommon event, and I will
venture to assert that the present year remains
unparalleled in modern history for physical phenomena.

One of those rare and erratic bodies, alike unusual
for its magnitude and brilliancy, is still sweeping
through the southern hemisphere, which it illuminates
with its “illimitable torch,” and for aught
I know,
An almost total eclipse of the sun has involved
our country in darkness at noon-day.[1] For the
intensity of the summer's heat, the oldest remembrance
“scarce can find a parallel.” In one place
the earth has been parched with drought; in
another deluged with torrents of rain; and unheard-of
inundations have, in many parts, swept
along with them, in promiscuous ruin, the works
of nature, the monuments of art, and the products
of the field. In many places pestilence, under a
form entirely new, has prevailed to an alarming
degree, prostrating whole families and settlements
at once. The proud city of Charleston has been
almost destroyed by a hurricane. Storms at sea
and disastrous shipwrecks, have impoverished
hundreds, and plunged thousands in mourning and
lamentation; while earthquakes on land have
caused our habitations to toter over our seemingly
devoted heads.

“I will not say that these things are certain
prognostics of any greater human calamity, but I
believe that they are the effects of that moral depravity
from which alone all human calamities
originate.

“I will insist that there is more analogy between
the moral and physical worlds than philosophers
are willing to admit. I do not contend that
comets produce wars and fightings, but I do believe

that the evil passions and lusts from which
wars and fightings are said to proceed, may sensibly
affect the motion of matter; and even, perhaps,
attract a comet from its regular orbit, to
“gaze on the monster man.”

“Recollect, this is merely my opinion. I would
not wish you to imbibe any weak or superstitious
ideas; but to view every thing in the light of
reason, revelation, and philosophy. But never,
I conjure you, lose sight of the close, real, and
inseparable connexion which exists between
spirit and matter, which is the same thing as between
cause and effect. This will enable you to
account for many phenomena that would otherwise
remain inexplicable. Of the reality of such
connexion I have abundant proof; and that wonderful
sympathy which could prompt your mother's
departing spirit to address her husband
through the motionless lips of a lifeless corpse,
has been displayed in numerous other instances,
equally extraordinary. But when, from the prejudices
of education and other causes, a man
becomes determined to deny the existence of
any connexion between the spiritual and natural
worlds, the most stupendous miracle would produce
no effect on his scepticism; he would not
be convinced though one rose from the dead. He
has adopted a different theory; and, right or
wrong, he is determined to adhere to it. Whatever
occurrence interferes with this theory, is
deemed an illusion of the bodily senses.

“I have little news to communicate. Emigration
to this part of the country continues to
be immense. I this morning received a letter
from our neighbour Fleming, who is now on a
tour of business in the state of Pennsylvania, accompanied

by his daughter. It was dated at
Robbstown, Westmoreland county, and contains
the following paragraph:

“In the course of the last four weeks, two hun
“dred and thirty-six waggons and other wheeled
“carriages passed through this place to the state
“of Ohio, with families. Sixty persons accom
“panied one waggon. About six hundred Me
“rino sheep have also passed in the same direc
“tion during that short period.”

“If your aunt's indisposition assumes a favorable
turn, (which the doctor says will be the
case) I shall be in Boston by the middle of November,
and there I hope to embrace a son-in-law.
Adieu.”

Although the countenance of Aylwin wore an
incredulous smile, while his cousin George was
reading the foregoing letter, to his uncle's family,
he yet perfectly agreed with the writer in one assertion;
that “every thing in the political world
indicated an approaching war;” he had for some
time considered that event inevitable. For several
years he had sailed as master of a vessel, experiencing
many of those vexations and losses
from the respective belligerents to which American
commerce had been exposed, and was convinced
that the honor of the nation required a
speedy settlement. Since his last return from
Europe, he observed with pleasure that the political
pulse beat in unison with his wishes on this
subject. He had no doubt that the approaching
session of congress would confirm his hopes, and
that war would be declared before it again adjourned.
“To continue therefore in the merchant
service would be sharing the dangers without
the honours of warfare: to privateering he
would not willingly descend. The regular service

appeared to him the only proper occupation
for one who disliked inglorious ease—the field
where his courage and nautical skill would find
their reward.”

With this impression Aylwin took an early opportunity
of communicating his wishes to captain
Hull, of the frigate Constitution, who invited him
to take the station of sailing master on board of
his ship, with an assurance that his exertions
should not be wanting to procure him a lieutenancy
as soon as practicable.