The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-08-11

my selections was a beautiful edition of 'Un
dine, and found the story Just as wonderful
and enchanting as ever. 1 could not let it be
and, stealing seat in a recess to-day, took j
| up, and had just reached the account of til.
old Priests arrival at the cottage, and the mar
rage of the lovers, when Aunt LIS specta
cles bore down upon me, and her long digits
were extended for the book. She would know
| the subject of my studies / watched her facs
as she turned ever the leaves and read a passage
here and there, and should have smiled at he,
look OF supreme contempt and disgust, had
not been vexed at the tone in which she spoke
| OF my tastes, and advised me not to waste nv
precious time over such idle trash as that.
| Waste! don't see why it is not Just as well to
spend my precious time over book, Is in pull
ling and pinching and patting every fold and
plat in my dress until it becomes immaculate
| in primness, as does my excellent aunt! s
However, l made some unfortunate reply,
that brought down on me all the wise argu.
ments against novel reading that have been ad
vanced since the era of Richardson; for, az the
widow of rigid Calvinistic minister, she has
| them all at her tongues end.
81 attempted to defend myself, but as usual,
got excited, and then confused-the more so,
| as perceived her tone had drawn upon us the
attention Of the Professor, who was here to din
| ner, and papa, and that the latter was highly
| amused at the combat. Aunt L saw that
| they observed US, too, and triumphantly called
upon the Professor to lend the weight Of his elo-
quence against this 'pernicious habit
To do this, it will be necessary, first, that |
make a confession said the gentleman, with a
| humorous smile. Il must say. Mrs. l.,
that | really enjoy a good novel myself, now
| and thenl'
You'll Aunt's power of speech could do
no more.
So Yes; and, certainly, it must be admitted
that, like everything else, novel reading has its
| good and bad side
Good i cried Aunt, again finding herself
| mistress of her tongue, and heaving long
| sigh. My late husband, the Doctor she con
| tinued, drawing herself up with most dignifed
| air, thought otherwise, SIR
"'Just so, Mrs. l., and so do many very
excellent people of my acquaintance but sure
| y, it is unjust to condemn all fiction indiscrim-
| inately. Many works belong to this class, that
are written with pure and noble aim, and such
| | deem not only agreeable, but useful. Besides,
We should not forget that the craving for amuse-
ment is just as legitimate as any other want OF
| the mind, and should find suitable gratifica-
| ton
81 don't see how any aim or any craving OF
the mind can Justify the use of felton, returned
| Aunt, dryly.
Perhaps not said the Professor; still my
| own observation has taught me that. in many
instances, it is one of the most effective means
| of leading the young and 'thoughtless to admire
and love truth and goodness. There are some
minds-some stages of development-to which
TRUTH presented under this form, is far more at
tractive and impressive than when stated in a
| more grave, didactic form. For instance he
went on, coming forward, and taking from my
| hand Undne, there is underlying the whole OF
this wild tale of the most beautiful as well as
| most wonderful facts in our existence-worthy
of the study of men and angels-the develop
| ment of the soul through the affections. With
| all my reverence for intellect he continued,
| turning to my father Il am compelled to admit
that think this the only legitimate way to full
and perfect development. 1t is most exquis-
| itely deineated here, and goes far to prove the
| truth of the poets words, -
..rrue 6enon hath a higher end
Than fact; II IL Tie s@ible compared
With wha, is merely POSITIVE"
| When book does this, Mrs. l., we will
not quarrel with the form, the mere garment
| that serves to drape the living spirit
"Ah, M, you should have seen him, with
his face lit up, TRANSPORTED as it were, by that
beautiful expression which have noted some
| times before you should have heard those
clear, rich, persuasive tones of his, to compre.
bend the impression his words made on me.
felt tempted to fall on my knees before him, and,
| confessing my former rudeness, beg for forgive
ness. kae,c while he was speaking thai Aunt
was partly right-that have wasted my time
that there is something higher, better, nobler,
| to be realized in life than | have ever dreamed
| Of Il. soul developed through the af
lectons = What does it mean? ] shall read
Undine with deeper interest than ever"
Circumstances occurred to change my plan.
| did not spend the midsummer at Thorney-
croft as anticipated, but made the tour of the
lakes with party of friends. Our desultory
movements precluded the possibility Of a regu
lar correspondence, or indeed any; therefore,
! heard nothing from Stella, or nothing save q
rumor from home, that she was to beeome the
wife Of Mr.. Pinckney. did nRt find her p
town % my return, only short n9te ipfafming
me of the illness Of her mother, and the conse
| quent necessity of her remaining at Thorney-
croft to watch over her. Her mothers health was
delicate all the winter, but, from Stella's hasty
notes, Judged that she bore her disappoint
ment and a winter in the country with quite a
| philOsophic composure. Early in April, re-
ceived a letter which unravelled the myste,y
| 1t thus:
THORNEYCRoFT 1prH 10, 1874.
"M--, dear NJ, although you remain
so obstinately silent, | suppose you are well
aware that your friend Stella H is no more.
| Three weeks since, she became the wife of Prof
C. Don't ask me how it happened. /
should have told you before, if | had rightly
known myself All know is, that it is true,
aud | am SO happy.
IN as it not strange that hs-so good, so learn
ed, SO yise-sshould really lope | must write the
word, though somehow it seems right to hear
it only from his lipsl such a giddY girl as 2
All, NJ, | begin tS understand what he
meant by :saul developed through the affec
TONS He has taught me this mystery, and
through it begin to apprehend truly my own
Immortality.
"Most earnestly do / pray to be made worthy
of my noble husband, and for ability to make
him happy. | know he is happier than when
his life was solitary, for his hce noSV Vears
that beautiful expression aud the srlmsres are
| all gone. He is but fifteen years older than
myself, and surely he needs the experience of
these surplus years to train the wayward being
he has chosen for a wife.
You heard the rumor of my engagement to
Pinckney. Our relation never came to thar.
What it might have grown to, cannot say, if
l had not been conscious Of the dai,y-:aoreasing
conviction that needed a guide in my hus-
band-one to whom could look for strength
and support-a spiritual teacher as well as
pleasant household companion. Such have
found in G.. need hardly say how well
pleased papa and mama are With my eheice,
s. has taken 4 cattage ahoht two miles
from the Croft and papa and he have fitted it
up with excellent taste. His old landlady,
widow with whom he has boarded for some
years. has consented to be our housekeeper,
and she tells him that, for so young a person.
l have really some very correct ideas about
honsehod affairs Rnf Gonna and saa us co.