Alida Part 56

[_A&M_:

"You are unhappy, Alonzo, [said Beauman] in the death of your Melissa, to which it is possible I have been undesignedly accessory.

I could say much on the subject, would my strength permit; but it is needless--she is gone, and I must soon go also...."

Here Beauman ceased. Alonzo found he wanted rest: he enquired whether he was in want of any thing to render him more comfortable; Beauman replied he was not; "for the comforts of this life [said he]

I have no relish; medical aid is applied, but without effect."

Alonzo then left him, promising to call again in the morning.]

He was startled at the confession of Bonville; he felt at first indignant, and meditated what course to pursue. After due reflection, he at length made the decision.

His devotions to Alida he did not wonder at. The pride of parental attachment and nature had graced her with every charm and accomplishment. He at length determined to cast a veil of pity over the actions of Bonville, and not to upbraid him, but to treat his past conduct with silent contempt, and endeavour as far as possible, to bury the remembrance of his errors in oblivion.

[Amelia, or the Faithless Briton:

.... The pride of parental attachment had graced her with every accomplishment that depends upon tuition....]

He called to see him next morning; he perceived an alarming alteration in his appearance. He was cold--a chilling sweat stood upon his face, his respiration was short and interrupted, his pulse weak and intermitting. He took the hand of Theodore and feebly pressed it. He soon fell into a stupor; sensation became suspended. Sometimes a partial revival would take place, when he would fall into incoherent muttering, calling on the names of his deceased father, mother, and Alida. Towards night he lay silent, and only continued to breathe with difficulty, when a slight convulsion gave his freed spirit to the unknown regions of existence. Theodore attended his funeral, and then journeyed on to the dwelling of Albert. He informed Alida of the death of Bonville, and of his confession.

[_A&M_:

When Alonzo called the next morning, he perceived an alarming alteration in Beauman. His extremities were cold, a chilling, clammy sweat stood upon his face, his respiration was short and interrupted, his pulse weak and intermitting. He took the hand of Alonzo, and feebly pressing it....

Beauman soon fell into a stupour; sensation became suspended; his eyes rolled up and fixed. Sometimes a partial revival would take place, when he would fall into incoherent mutterings, calling on the names of his deceased father, his mother and Melissa; his voice dying away in imperfect moanings, till his lips continued to move without sound. Towards night he lay silent, and only continued to breathe with difficulty, till a slight convulsion gave the freed spirit to the unknown regions of immaterial existence. Alonzo followed his remains to the grave; a natural stone was placed at its head, on which Alonzo, un.o.bserved, carved the initials of the deceased's name, with the date of his death, and left him to moulder with his native dust.]

At the mention of Bonville's fate, she sighed deeply. "It is true," said she, "he has perplexed me with many vain fears, by misrepresentation, but could he have lived, I would freely have forgiven him."

[_A&M_ (later):

At the mention of Beauman's fate, Melissa sighed. "With how many vain fears (said she) was I perplexed, lest, by some means he should discover my existence and place of residence, after he, alas! was silent in the tomb!"]

He evidently fell a victim to disappointed pride and remorse at the remembrance of his own baseness.

CHAPTER x.x.xIV.

In the Almighty Power he placed his trust, Through all the changing scenes of deep distress; His fortune now is better than before; Again the Omniscient Hand has deigned to bless.

Theodore's father was soon in complete re-possession of his former property. The premises from which he had been driven by his creditors, were yielded up without difficulty, to which he immediately removed. He not only recovered the princ.i.p.al of the fortune he had lost, but the damages, with the interest; so that, although like Job, he had seen affliction, like him, his latter days were better than the beginning.

Like him, he reposed faith and confidence in his Maker, who had secretly supported him in his misfortunes; and who now, like a cheering sun dispersing the surrounding gloom, again gladdened his heart with returning peace and prosperity. Wearied of the business of life, he did not again enter into its affairs, but placing his money at interest in safe hands, he lived retired on his estate.

[_A&M_:

Alonzo's father was soon in complete repossession of his former property. The premises from which he had been driven by his unfeeling creditors were yielded up without difficulty, and to which he immediately removed. He not only recovered the princ.i.p.al of the fortune he had lost, but the damages and the interest; so that, although like Job he had seen affliction, like him his latter days were better than his beginning. But wearied with the bustles of life, he did not again enter into the mercantile business, but placing his money at interest in safe hands, lived retired on his little farm.]

[_Power of Religion_: Job:

.... At length, the goodness of that G.o.d whom he served, and who had secretly supported him under all his sufferings, broke forth upon him with increased energy; and, like a cheering sun dispersing the surrounding gloom, again gladdened his heart with returning peace and prosperity.]

It was also the decided choice of Theodore and Alida to reside in the country. The calm and serene pleasures of retirement were particularly interesting to both, and they were now supremely blest in each other's society.

The parents of Theodore rejoiced at their present happiness, and took upon themselves the necessary preparations for their nuptials, which were to take place as soon as all was in readiness for this happy event.

No cross purposes stood ready to intervene, to disturb their repose or interrupt their tranquillity. It was at that season when nature was arrayed in her richest ornaments, and adorned with her sweetest fragrance. Silk-winged breezes played amidst the flowers, and birds of every description carolled their song in varying strains. The air was clear and salubrious, and the scene enchanting.

[_A&M_:

.... No _cross purposes_ stood ready to intervene their happiness, no determined rival, no obdurate father, no watchful, scowling aunt, to interrupt their transports. It was the latter end of May; nature was arrayed in her richest ornaments, and adorned with her sweetest perfumes. The sun blended its mild l.u.s.tre with the landscapes'

lovely green, silk-winged breezes frolicked amidst the flowers; the spring birds carolled in varying strains....]

And now, reader of sensibility, indulge the pleasing sensations of thy bosom, at the approaching union of Theodore and Alida. To our hero and heroine, the rural charms of the country furnished a source of pleasing variety. Spring, with its verdant fields and flowery meads--summer, with its embowering shades--the fertility of autumn, with its yellow foliage--winter, with its hollow blasts and snowy mantle, all tended to fill their bosoms with sensations of pleasing transition.

[_A&M_:

And now, reader of sensibility, indulge the pleasing sensations of thy bosom, for Alonzo and Melissa are MARRIED.

To our hero and heroine, the rural charms of their secluded village were a source of ever pleasing variety. Spring, with its verdured fields, flowery meads, and vocal groves; its vernal gales, purling rills, and its evening whipper-will: Summer, with its embowering shades, reflected in the gla.s.sy lake, and the long, pensive, yet sprightly notes of the solitary strawberry-bird; its lightning and its thunder: autumn, with its mellow fruit, its yellow foliage and decaying verdure: winter, with its hoa.r.s.e rough blasts, its icy beard, and snowy mantle, all tended to thrill, with sensations of pleasing transition, the feeling bosoms of ALONZO and MELISSA.]

Their religious principles were the same. They were a constant a.s.sistance to each other in the fulfilment of their pious duties, truly endeavouring to follow the life of the Redeemer, who taught by his example and practice, what he required of us. a.s.siduously cultivating those innate Christian principles and perfections, best calculated to promote the praise and glory of G.o.d, and whereby we may obtain the everlasting favour of that ineffable Disposer of all things, in whom we live, and move, and have our being.

But soon a mournful shade was thrown over their peaceful tranquillity and happy antic.i.p.ations; and manifest was their grief, when they received the dreadful intelligence that Mr. More had committed suicide.

At the news of this rash and sinful action, they were thrown into an abyss of sorrow, the painful remembrance of which, for a long time, threw a dark and melancholy cloud over their felicity.

It is to be regretted that a spirit of religion and philosophy had not been more duly exercised in the mind of Mr. More, that at length by patience and resignation, he might have been brought to see how vain and transitory are all these things; and thereby have been led to look for permanent happiness to a n.o.bler source.

POEMS.

[Only the poems whose sources have been identified are repeated here. t.i.tles in brackets are included for completeness.]

[HYMN.]

CHRISTIAN INSt.i.tUTE.

"Be doubly blest th' auspicious day The edifice was plann'd; And may immortal gifts repay The founder's lib'ral hand:"

Angels with joy beheld it rise, To train immortals for the skies.

How sweet to mark the artless throng, To hear the ingenuous youth, Raise with one voice the infant song, And learn the word of truth.

"Delightful work his path to trace, Who died to save our ruined race."

"Now, Fancy, o'er life's little span Glances her busy eyes, And sees them bear the name of man, Industrious, good, and wise:"

Bids them each useful art employ, Antic.i.p.ates their future joy.