The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-01-08
MsteIlal1sor1s.
From Macmillan's Magazine for December.
ROBERT GOULD SHAW.
ny MRS. GAsKELL.

should like some of the readers Of Macmil-
Ian to remember the name of the late Colonel
Robert Gould Shaw, as the name OF one who
gave up his life for what he believed to be right
deliberately risked and cheerfully laid down
prosperous, happy, beloved, and loving life.
Forgive me, dear American friends, II seem
20 trench a little too much on what Is personal!
Before end my narrative think you will un-
derstand why do Il.
NV first acquaintance with the Shaw family
was In Paris. in the year 1888. Mrs. Shaw and
her young daughters were spending the winter
there Mr.. Shaw had gone to America to SUI
perintend the building Of large family house
on Staten Island, that pleasant suburb Of New
York. There was only one son, Robert Gould
Shaw, and he was absent from Paris at this time
studying In Germany. think. The family
had been for nearly fvc years in Europe, tray-
elling In Italy and Egypt, and stopping where
they liked, after the manner OF wealthy Ameri-
cans. and educating their children not after the
usual manner of wealthy people. l remember
the large, pleasant suite of rooms, looking into
the Tuileries gardens, occupied by Alrs. Shaw
and her daughters ; the pretty, thoughtful,
original girls, clustering round their sweet, low
ing mother the birds and pet animals, which
she taught them to care for and attend TO. l
recollect scraps of the conversation Of those
days how Mrs. Shaw spoke Of her husband as
anu ldituiul ucSSChuout VI Wv VI VIZ
Pilgrim Fathers who had left everything for
conscience's sake I; how anxious she was that.
while her daughters benefited In every way by
the real advantages which Paris offered in the
way of Intellectual education, they should not
be tainted by the worldliness and the love Of
dress so often fostered by q residence there.
She spoke of the pity II was that the American
girls in general were 50 encouraged, by the
wealth Of their parents. to spend great sums OF
money on themselves, 50 that this habit OF ex-
pendiiure always produced self-indulgent
To marriages of true love and then she went
on to say how much she and her husband fear
ed the adoption of riches as q comparative STAN
dard of worth. But, again, she was fully alive
to the real advantages that might be derived
from wealth. One of her daughters drew well,
and loved animals; she had Lessons from Rosa
Bonheur. The house at staten Island was 70
be home not merely ior their cn,laren' pu. ior
their children's friends each child was TO have
sitting-room and bedroom, ana an extra oed-
room opening into the sitting-roo ior rairiehu'
These plans came lightly to the surface OF con-
yersation, and every now AMI then had gimp
ses, unconsciously to my friend, OF what she
and her husband felt to be the deeper responsi
biltes of their position.
Well, this happy, prosperous family returned
TO America the next year: From time to time
| gave Ehghsh irienus Soins T" No" iVrA tu-
productions to the Shaws; and one ana ais
OF the KIM hSspitalty Mn'ea was snSwn r 70
them-the bright home, tuil treasures OF buro,
pean aT, collected during 'ae,r nVs years
travel; Tue uPr,sn', honS,ao'e ashe
mother, 'ne eiaes. uausui.,, IJ nvI u M .ho,nh,
living at home with her nusoana-li ,nougn,
how well the education hsd answeree .nat naa
lei to a"marriage oi true minds, 10 "hlch
no want OF riches on the distinguished nus
bands part had proved "impediment") 1.-THE
pretty, elegant daughters playing at croque'
ON the lawn, before the game was 50 commoh
IN Engiand,,'he nooie, hanusome' Yu,S 81 az, ~
with oo'h ms parents onarac.els sa v..nuH ~, ;"
his. and sunny lie OF prosPerity Se!vIe @ u,m.
That was the last picture haa 0, tne h'm'
knew that my friends were deeply impressed
with the sin Of slavery; they were thoughuui
Abolitionists, aud hid taken part IN all poiiti-
cal questions bearing upon the subjects both