American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-01-13
from the Philadelphia Saturday Cour ier.l
T Ii f. B r j ID A l. EY e.

T II E B r ID A l. E e.
LEGEND.
EY GEORGE LIPPARD, ESQ. FYs#
One summer night, the blaze of many lights,
streaming from the windows of an old mansion,
perched yonder among the rocks and woods,
flashed far over the dark waters Of Lake Cham
plain.
In a quiet and comfortable chamber of that
mansion, a party of British officers, sitting
around table spread with wines and viands,
discussed topic Of some interest, if it was not
the most important In the world, while the
: tread of the dancers shook the floor of the ad-
joining room.
Yes, while all was gaiety and dance and
music in the largest hall of the old mansion,
whose hundred lights glanced far over the
waters of Champlaln-here in this quiet room,
with the cool evening breeze blowing in their
faces through the opened windows, here this
party of British officers had assembled to dis
cuss their wines and their favorite topic.
That topic was-the comparative beauty of
the women of the world.
GAS for me-" said a handsome young En-
sign, 81 will match the voluptuous forms and
dark eyes of Italy against the beauties Of all
the world !"
"And ~ said a bronzed old veteran, who
had risen to Coonelcy by his long service
and hard fighting, "and have pretty lass Of
daughter there in England, whose blue eyes
and faxen hair would shame your tragic beau
ties Of Italy into very ugness."
81 have served in India, as you all must
know" said the Major, who sat next to the
veteran, sand will confess that | never saw
painting or statue, much less a living woman
half so lovely as some of those Ilindoo maidens,
bending down with water-hlies in their hands,;
bending down, by the light of torches, over
the dark waves of the Ganges."
And thus, one after another, Ensign, Colonel
and Major had given their opinion, until that
young American Refugee yondor, at the foot
of the table, is left to decide the Argument
That American-tor blush to say it--hand-
some young fellow as he is, with face full of
manly beauty deep blue eyes rudy cheeks,
and glossy brown hair, that American is Il
Refugee, and a Captain in the British army.
He wore the handsome scarlet coat, the gilt
terIng epaulette, lace ruflles on his bosom, and
around his wrists
"Como, Captain, pass the wine this way ~
shouted the Ensign, "pass the wine, and decide
this great question Which arc the most UGau-
tful: the red cheeks of merry England, the
dark eyes Of Italy, or the graceful forms Of
Hindostan ~
The Captain hositatod for moment, and
then tossing Off bumper Of old Madeira,
somewhat flushed as he was with wine, replied
"Mould your three models Of beauty, your
English lass, your Italian queen, your Elindoo
nymPh, INTO one, and add TO their charms a
thousand graCes Of color and form and feature,
and | would not compare this perfection of
form and lovelinoss for a single moment with
the wild, artless beauty of--GR american girl.n
The laugh Of the three officers for u moment
drowned he echo Of the dance in the next
room.
"Compol his American milk maid with the
woman OF Italy
''Or no lass Of England"
Cor the graceful Hlndoo girl -
This laughing scorn Of the British officers
stung the handsome Refugee to the quick.
CLARK ye!" he erred, half rising from his
seat, with flushed brow, but deep and de-
lberate voice. "To-morrow marty a wife,
an american girl Tonight at midnight, too,
that American girl will on the dancers in the
next room. You shaiis see hof--you shall Judge
for yourselves! Whether tho American woman
is not the most beautiful in the worldn'
There was something in the manner Of the
young Refugee, more than the nature of his
information, that arrested the attention Of his
brother officers For moment they were ST.
lent.
eve have heard something Of your mar
'idSe, SdP'di1i s|Iu flN 10y Ltio'eh, 'DuI VIC
did not think it would occur so suddenly =
Only think oft! Tomorrow you will be gone
-settlod-vcrdlct brought in--sontenoe pass.
edo married man. Bat, tell me? How will
your lady-love be brought to this house TO-
night? thought she resided within the Rebel
linesi"
''She does reside there! But have sent q
messenger--a friendly Indian chief. on whom
can place The utmost dcpendence-to bring hel
from her present home, at dead of night
, through the forest to this mansion. He is tc
return by twelve; it is now half past elevea!"
Friendly lndIan9' echoed the veteran Colo
mel, "RatIer an odd guardian for a pretty wo
man! Quite az original idea of Il Dusnna
vow!n
''And you will match this lady against all III,
world for bean,y?" said the Major.
ayes! and if yon do not agree with me, thi,
hundred guineas which lay upon the table