Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-02-20
re- From tie Saturday Courier.
THE BRIDAL EVE.

Fourth Lecture OF, The Romance of
the, Revolution,,, delivered before the
Uiliam Uirt Institute, on Tuesday.
Dec %. lS45.
The time ofthis Legend was in the ear
ty part of the war, in ITS. during ArnoldsI
command near For. Edward, on the Hud-
son river. - ~-
One summer night, The blaze of many
lights. streaming from the windows Of an
old mansion, perched yander among The
rocks and woods. flashed far over the dark
waters of Lake Cham plain. ......-
a In quiet and comfortable chamber Of
that mansion. a party Of British officers,
sitting around table spread with wines
and viands, discussed a topic Of some in
terest if 1t was not the most important in
the world. while the tread Of the dancers
shook The floor. Of the adjoing room. .
Yes, while ali>was gaiety and dance and
music in the Iargcs, haiief the old mansion.
whose hundred lights glanced far over the
waters Of Champlain-here in this quiet
room. with the cool evening breeze blow
ing in their faces through the opened win
dows, here this party of BRUSH officers
had assembled TO discuss their wines and
their Eavorite topic, nm. -..-
The topic was-the comparative beauty
of the women Of The world.
LAS for me- said handsome young
Ensign, L will match the voluptuous
forms and dark eyes Of Italy against the
beauties of all the world y
And l.: said bronzed old veteran, who
had risen TO Colonelcy by his long SER
vice and hard fighting; and l have pref
~ lass Of daughter there in England.
whose blue eyes and aaxen hair would
shame your tragic beauties of Italy into
very ugliness.' trsa
Il have served in India, as you all must
know said the Major, who sat next 10 the
veteran. and | will confess, that / never
saw painting or statue, much less living
woman. half 80 lovely as some Of those
Hindoo maidens. bending down with wa
ter lilies in their hands; bending down
by the light Of torches, over the dark wave:
of the Ganges.' 49,.
And thus, one after another, Ensign
CoIonel. and Major. had given their opin
ion. until that young American Refugee
Wonder, at the foot Of the table, is left IL
decide the argument. That American
for blush to say li-handsome young frl
low as heis, with face full of manly beau
ty. deep blue eyes. ruddy cheeks. ant
glossy hair. that American is Refugee
and Captain The BRUSH Army. He " or
the handsome scarlet coat, the ghuerin!
epaule,ts, lace ruffles on his bosom, an.
around his wrists.
Come. Captain. pass the wine thi
way" shouted the Ensign; pass III
wine, and decide this great question:
Which are the most beautiful; the ret
cheeks Of Merry England. the dark eye
Of Italy, or the graceful forms of Hindoo
stan!' ..n .HF v .. -......
} The Captain .hesi,ated for moment
) and then tossed off bumper of old Made
ira. some what flushed as he was with wine
replied: a... e.
Mould your three models Of beauty
: your English lass. your Italian queen
your HintIoo nimph. into one, and add t
their charms athousand graces Of color All
form. and feature. and would not compar
this perfection OF loveliness for a singl
. moment. with the wild arlless beauty Of
an american GIRL. ........
The laugh of the three officers for MI
ment drowned the echo of the dance in IN
next rom.
compare his American milk-maid viii
the woman OF ltal !
Or the lass of England!
'Or the graceful Hindoo girl!'
This laughing scorn Of the British off
GERS s,ung the handsome Refugee TO III
quick. u g. - ~
: .Hark yer he cried, half rising fro'
D his seat, with flushed brow, but dee
D and deliberate voice 'I'o-tnorrow. ma
~ wife; an american gil! To,nigh
at midnight too. that American gill wi
: Join the dancers in the next room. Yo
: shall see her-you shall see her-you sha
Judge for yourselves! Whether the 4
Ican women is not The most beautiful
the world I! .se.5. ..-- .-s..
: There was something in the manner {
the young Refugee, more in the nature (
D his information. that arrested the attenlio
of his brother officers. For a moment the
were silent. 80 -a.s
). We haveheard something of your ma
e rage. Captain said die gay Ensign. b,
> we did not think it would occur so SUI
!. denly! Only think Of il Tomorrow
f you will begone -sellled--verdiet brougl
!. in-sentence passed-a married man.