Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-02-15
FOR TUE sTAI
THE BOURBON AMONG US.
BY PEREGRINA

troR TUE STAR
THE BOURBON AMONG US. .
BY rEREGRINA
'Havc we Bourbon among us 2"
am sure, gentlemen, neither know nor
care. / have no particular sympathy
with royalty, reigning or dethroned, and
[ care not whether my next door neigh
Dor is Bourbon or retired shoemaker,
so that he keeps everything quiet and
nice about the premises.
Yesterday afternoon, | was much graf
flied by hearing the Rev. Mr.. Williams
preach at the Church of the Epoiphany.
The pastor, Mr.. French, read the service,
and in brief, but very happy address to
his congregation, prepared them to listen
to an appeal in favor of the Abvrigines of
our country, in whose welfare Mr.. Will
liams is much interested. Mr.. Williams
proposes to live among them, and preach
to, and instruct the remnant of the New
York tribes. lie desires to make them
familiar with the truths ofreligion, as de-
clared in the Holy Scriptures.
The text of the reverend gentleman, on
the occasion of which [ speak, was well
chosen; his sermon useful, practical and
interesting. There was no attempt at
display-no aim to be eloquent. He evil
IDENTIFY comprehended and felt the truths
he wished to impart, and then applied
them to himself, his hearers, and the
world. He plead earnestly for assistance
to be rendered to the Indians in New
York to enable them to build a church,
which should also be used as a school
house. He declared his consciousness of
the claims of the Indian on those who
had dispossessed them of their country;
at least, as an equivalent, we should
show them the way to be better. He
deems the Indians in New York prepared
to receive instruction, and feels within
his breast an assurance that with aid
from those who have enough and to
spare, he may be the instrument of good
among them. He also reminded the
Episcopal Church of the time when she
was herself an object of missionary char
ity; and now that she has prospered and
is established, should she not render as
sistancc to those who are in similar need
As regards Mr.. Williams, confess to
disappointment on seeing him. He is
rather an old man, but there is nothing of
the dignity and grace in his appearance
which we would expect, either from one
of the royal families in old Europe, or
from person not less interesting to the
curious-a member of the old family OF
possessors of new America. Were he the
one, we had reason to hope for more pol
ished expressions, more attractive geS-
lures, when the royal parsonage, hum
bled it may be, by suffering and obscure
ty, had received the advantages of educa-
ton and good association. Neither did
observe the dignified attitudes, and strong
figures that characterize the orator of the
Indians. Mr.. Williams disappointed me,
therefore; for he is an ordinary person,
which he has no right to be.
He has not a particle of the Indian in
his appearance, face, or figure. When
he speaks or smiles Il saw him for mo-
ment in conversation after the service, J
you are reminded of the Indian by a
passing expression: association could ac-
count for this. [ do not think he is In
dian, yet he may be French, and not
Bourbon. Altogether l 90 not expect to
throw much light on the veXed question,
out will observe that think he is much
better off than was ever a Bourbon. Is
it not better to be an upright, useful
citizen of the United States. than to be-
long to the aristocracy of infidel France!
Is it not more honorable to be clergy
man in our Christian land, than to wear
crown that may be knocked Off at any
moment, and the head perhaps to Come
off with it! Ipledge you my word, gen.
tlemen, that I had rather brave the In
dams, within the limits of our shores,
than to be at the mercy Of the tickle love
and hate of French populace. I sim
cereIy hope that Mr.. Williams takes the
same view of it. -7
The little children Of our house are
sadly puzzled. They have been reading
Abbott's Life of the Dauphin, and they
wept over his sufferings and death. But
behold! here is the very individual, in
spite of Simon the .,ailor and the French
nation, grown into poftly, pleasant
clergyman, evidently in the enjoyment
of good health and dinners. | really
wish Putnam would decide the matter
| for the sake of the children, and let their
minds be at rest. Z
In the mean time, hope that many Of
our good citizens will send MIR. Williams
(who is the guest of the Rev. DR.. Butler,
some little donation that will help te
carry on his good work. Let them be
assured that the New York Indians are
anxious to be instructed in the Christian
faith. Should they not secure the oppor.
tunities, i can only compare their situa'
ton to that Of a grasping, dying man
who is, stretching forth his feeble arm
for the sparkling water in bis sight, thai