The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1856-12-25

BROWNS AMANUENsIs.
Brown was . magazine writer, of what Is ssme,
times called the fast school, His were the veries,
bubbles of the current literature of tho d.y. the
merest froth of the triaes'whieh are scimmed re-.
taer than read by the busy world of pleasure. He
touched-i borrow the beautiful language of q
iashionaoie reviewer-he touched the passing fol.
lies of the day with light and fAciIe pen, and
people smirked over his articles Ia q manner
pleasant to witness. My opinion is that his abli.
ties were-in short, not frat rate, but he used
them very ably. He never wrote in mems Ian.
guage for lady's magazine, and never threw
away the delicate wit which suited its pages upon
the middle aged gentlemen who prefer scandal and
satire
To the world of periodicals, Brown was known
as rising comic writer while to himself, he was
man of crushed ambition and rejected mann
scripts. In a drawer of his writing table under a
Cbubbs lock, were a treaties ON ethics. several
pamphlets political and financial questions a
biography of the poet Mason--nnduly neglected.
now. bat who h'nrished good deal in the last
century-and, lastly, history of Nova Zembla.
with an account Of the climate and productions of
that isolated region. These several manuscripts
were brought into existence when Mr.. Brown first
came to London. While he had money he wrote
what he pleased when he had mot he had the
good sense, and good fortune to write what pleased
the public. The result was, that he was in fair
way of doing well in his line of business
But Brown was, unhappily, rather OF a restless
temper. IN be butterfly" he said to himself
after he had hawked bis ethics from West to
East and back again; and for some months he Ia
bored with fair 10 the field OF the Iiahtest
literature, and got his bread and butter by it. and
amused himself in his leisure hours like any other
young gentleman. II must be observed, however
that lie never lost that lofty opinion of his own
talents which had formerly stimulated his efforts
a.ld be was on q look out for subject which he
might build great work of fiction. Fiction" he
said TO himself lis thing Ii could only get
hold Of plot real plot, would write romance
which should commence a new era in the literature
OF this country"
So Brown was accustomed to mediate; but il
was not until very recently that anything came OF
1t. 1t was after reading of important events ia
king place in Spain, that he determined to lay his
scenes there. Spain was the land of romance; his
characters should be the men now swaying its des
tinies his time the present day Il will read up
the history" he said, land with Gil Bias Mr.
Borrow, and the Tables of tie 14Naabra think
something may be done Familiarity with mod
erp Spanish customs was, however, indispensable,
and Browns kno Wedge of that subject was limit
ed. Fortunately, Information, like any other ar.
ticle, be obtained readily in London by those
who can pay for it, and after ten minEtes rehec
ton, which much as he now devoted to any
question, Brown sent the following advertisement
for insertion in the Times:
Amdnuensis Wdnted.-1he applicant will be re-
gured to have recently travelled resided in Spain
Remuneration according to qualiti cations. Apply
b. b., SO Hampstead road.
Brown had certaiA literary engagements which
it was necessary TO fulfil in given time, and he
set himself busiy to work to get rid of these as
soon as possible. To this end he summed amuse
ments public and private, retired into the solitude
of his apartments, and requested the prm maid
servant who attended at his call to receive all Wis
tiers with the assertion that he was out of town
In consequence of these arrangements he was en-
abled to produce in the course of the day great
deal Of what printers cali 'copy"-a name which,
In the present state of literature is frequently cor
rect in more senses than one.
On the morning when the advertisement ap
peared, Brown was seated at work as usual and
had just completed philosophical paper ION the
DmIshed Diameter of Ladies' Hats when the
maid servant, fresh from the country, opened the
door,
"If you please, sir'-
"Wel," said Brown, mildly.
"Theres lady down stairs, ard she wants you,
Now Brown was not accustomed to receive
visits from ladies, and the announcement caused
him some little surprise; but he was not curious,
and desired quiet So he replied, "She wants me,
does shel i am very sorry, but she can't have me.
Tell her so, Sarah, it you please"
80, sir, you're such funny gentleman" Sarah
said, and fingered.
That's how l pay my rent, Sarah" replied
Brown. "Remember, in future, that l am out OF
town to everybody"
.Please, sir, it's B. B. she wants." the girl per
sisted, who had received special directions as to
answers to the advertisement
"Eh! a ladyi Show her up" And Brown has
tily threw Oft his dressing gown, and assumed
garment somew hat less variegated. Odd, thought
hs-"decdadly;" and he seated himself IN his chair
to await the result A light step was heard on the
81 aircase, and the lady, who had sent no card en-
tered the room. Brown turned, and rose to offer
her chair, but paused suddenly without doing so.
The visitor was equally embarrassed, and the 81
lence endured until you have read the next para
graph Brown paused; because instead OF the
middle aged lady, with British museum complex
ion, whom he had expected to see there stood
before him young girl, whose age could not have
been more than twenty, and whose beauty was
enhanced by the deep blush which rose TO her
downcast eyes.
Brown first recovered himself, l am happy to
say and having got hold of a chair, he jerked it
rather nervously on to the ground and said some-
| thing about doing him the honor to be seated.
II fear sir, there is some mistake" The voice
was a very sweet one, as indeed, 1t could not help
being, Brown thought.
You wished to make some inquiry about my
advertisement" he said with some hesitation
Then you are b. b =
II am B. B., madam"
The visitor rose, and bowling her head to him.
said: Il must apologize for having intruded upon
| yor, asd beg you TO excuse the mistake which
which has caused this visit" and she moved to.
wards the door.
| moment. Will you be kind enough to explain"
pray, do not ask ae, sir" and again she turned
| to the Goor. Brown was by no means satisfied.
Il have no right to detAin you: but if be of
service to you in any way, pray do me the plea
| sure of saying So"
1t will be observed that Browns language was
| remarkably polished-a trait on which he prided
| himself.
1t is impossible" she said, looking up at him;
| and perhaps seeing something honest about his
| face, she continued:
II saw the advertisement, which seemed so well
suited to me, that hoped 1t might be from lady,
| or some one who-who could have accepted my
| services"
81 should be most happy" Brown began. She
shook her head, and replied, now without embar-
rassment:
II was mistaken"
You have been in Spaint" Brown asked
II have only just returned from there"
81 cannot, of course, press upon you anything to
which you have an objection but if you will per
mi, me, it may be possible TO arrange the matter
in a way which will overcome any difhculty."
She looked up, and Brown was encouraged to
proceed.
your own house, if such an arrangement would
suit you"
For q moment she looked as If It would, but
0lapcinp opca more at Brown, she seemed TO take