Newspaper Page Text
VOL. I.
vmi azmiaiA sufjaßß
!* published, every Friday morning, in Macon, Ga. on the follow
ing
CONDITIONS:
If paid strictly in advance - - Ji jO per annum.
If not so paid - . . - 300 u “
Legal Advertisements will be made to conform to the following pro
visions of the Statute:— °
v Sales of Land and Negroes, by Executors, Administrators and Guard
ing, are required by law to be advertised in a public gazette, sixty
‘Jays previous to the day of sale.
i ‘ r,lpsc sales must be held on the first Tuesday in the month, between
,‘f 1 * * louri °f ten in the forenoon and three in the afternoon, at the
X.ourt House in the county in which the property is situated.
The sales of Personal Property must be advertised in like manner for
ty days.
Notice to Debtors and Creditors of an Estate must be published forty
Jay*. J
Notice that application will be made to the Court of Ordinary fox
aave to sell Kind and Negroes, must be published weekly for four
months.
Citations or Letters of Administration must be published thirty days
—for Dismission from Administration, monthly , sir months —for Dis
‘mission from Guardianship,/cn-ty days.
*/rt for foreclosure of mortgage, must be published monthly, for
four months— for establishing lost papers for the full space of three
months for compelling titles from Executors or Administrators where
bond has been given by the deceased, the full space of three months.
Professional and Business Cards, inserted, according to the follow
ing scale:
For 4 lines or less per annum - - 85 00 in advance.
“ 6 ,in “* ** “ - 7 00 “ “
“ 10 “ “ “ - - 310 00 “ “
Sy Transient Advertisements will be charged 31, per square of 12
lines or less, for the first and 50 cts. for each subsequent insertion.——
• in thegg rates there will be a deduction of 20 percent, on settlement,
when advertisements are continued 3 months, without alteration
nr All Letters except those containing remittances must be post
paid or free.
Postmasters and others who will act as Agents for the “Citizen”
may retain 20 per cent, lor their trouble, on all cash subscriptions for
warded.
• Fl< hon Mulberry .Street, East of the Floyd House and near the
Market.
(!> jpoifs Conin',
FOLLOW YOUR LEADER.
The Story of a Life.
FROM “TOWN LYRICS,”’ BY CIIAS. MACK AY , LL. D.
Follow your Leader /” So said Hope,
In the joyous days when I was young.
O’er meadow path, up mountain slope,
i hrough fragrant woods, I followed and sung*
And aye in the sunny air she smiled,
Bright as the cherub in Paphos born.
And aye my soul with a glance she wiled,
And tinged all earth with the lines of morn.
Ling she led me o'er hill and hollow.
Through rivers wide, o’er mountains dun,
‘Till she soared at last too high to follow,
And singed her pinions in the sun.
“Follow your Leader !” So said Love,
Ora tairy sporting in his guise.
1 followed to lift the challenging glove
Os many a maid with tell tale eyes.
1 followed, and dreamed of young delights,
Alf msiuiuiali? L i -i
Us honeyed words m sirvpicss mgtn*,
And amorous tear-drops thick as rains.
But ah ! full soon the frenzy slackened :
There ca ne a darkness and dimmed the rav,
The passion cooled, the sunshine blackened,
l lost the glory of my day.
*• Follow your 1,-ader !” So said Fame
Jn the calmer hours of my fruitful noon.
O’er briery paths, through frost, through flame,
By torrent, and swamp, and wild lagoon,
Ever she led me, and ever I went.
With bleeding feet and sun-brown skin,
Eager ever and uncontent,
As long as life had a prize to win.
But dead Sea apples alone she gave me
To recompense me for my pain,
And still, though her hiring hand she wave me,
I may not follow her steps again.
Follow your Leader So said Cold,
Ere the brown of my locks gave place to gray.
I could not follow—her looks were cold :
Icy and brittle was the way.
And Gold spread forth her wiles in vain.
So taking Power to aid her spell,
*'Follow your Leader /” exclaimed the twain,
“For where we go shall pleasure dwell.”
I followed and followed, till age came creeping,
And silvered the hair on my aching head,
And I lamented in vigils weeping
A youth misspent, and a prime misled.
“ Follow your Leader !” I hear a voice
Whispering to my soul this hour: —
“Who follows my light shall forever rejoice,
Nor crave the perishing hand of Power,
Who follows my steps shall for ever hold
A blessing purer than earthly Love,
Brighter than Fume , richer than Gold—
Ho follow my light and look above.”
♦sis }ate to turn, but refuse I may not,
My trustful eyes are heavenward east,
And ever the sweet voice says, “ Delay not,
I'm thy first leader and thy last /”
*Tis the friend of my youth come back again,
Sobered and chastened—but lovelier far
“Than when in those days of sun and rain
She shone in my path a guiding star.
She led me then, a wayward boy,
To things of Earth, and never of Heaven,
But now she whispers diviner joy,
Os errors blotted, of sins forgiven.
To a purpling sky she points her finger,
As westwardly wearily I plod,
And while I follow her steps, I linger
Calm as herself, in the faith of God.
*IF I HAD A DEAR LITTLE WIFE of M\ OW N.’
by the young bachelor,
“If I had a dear little wife of my own,
I’d kiss her; and pat her, and love her alone;
Her smiles and her presence should be my delight,
From the dawn of the day to the close of the night.
With a mind tliat should rise, all superior to fate;
The proud I would scorn, nor once envy the great;
And not to the king, for his queen on her throne,
Would I barter that dear little wife of my own!
“If I had a sweet little wife of my own,
I’d not ask for riches, I’d seek not renown;
In her clear ruby lips, and her bright diamond eyes,
Would be then all the wealth I should ocvet to prize:
I care not for riches, I wish not for state,
With the proud and the haughty, the haughty may mate,
Love dwells with the loving and gentle alone,
And such must she be—that sweet wife of my own!
“If I had a dear little wife of my own,
I would happiness seek in her pleasure alone;
No joy would be joy that her smiles did not brighten,
No Borrow so weighty her love could not lighten;
I’d dwell in some cot by a green mossy wood,
Not too far from town, tho’ remote from the crowd,
Where with friends I’d be happy—but blest when alone,
If I had with me that dear little wife of my own.’”
P. S. STANZA SUPPLEMENTARY.
‘lf I had a sweet little wife of my own-
Near her there, ere long, would another be shown:
Another, I say, for I’d only have one;
And I think I’d have—yes !it should be so—a son !
And where in this world could I seek then for joy,
But to kiss my sweet wife, and to love my fair boy ?
And if, upon earth, perfect rapture is known,
‘Twould be mine, with that wife and that boy of my own !”
friendship, love and truth.
odd-fellow’s motto.
Three sunny islets on live’s river,
Three golden arrows in life’s quiver-
Ihrco stars that never fade or dim,
Three notes that angels love to hymn;
1 liree charms that guard the heart from sorrow,
Three whispers of a bright to-morrow:
Three links that bind with silken band,
Three watch-words on life's stand;
1 hrec harbors mid the hearts commotion,
Three beacons on life’s troubled ocean;
Three fragrant flowers most fair to see,
Three garlands twined round life’s tree;
Three gems of pure etherial light,
Three paths all lovely pure and bright,
I hrec threads of life from Heaven's throne
Three glories mingled into one.
Original Jtoprs.
For the Georgia Citizen.
EDUCATION.
lion I promised in my last communication on
tins subject, that I would in my next notice a class
of wiitors who try to write and talk like the common
negro, and who claim for themselves, all the informa
tion necessary to a seat among the learned. I
thought to make a lengthy notice of this class of
writers; since which time, I have concluded that a
short notice will be amply sufficient to show how
much injury such writers are doing the community.
I here is no sort ot doubt but most of these writers
can compose and write good English. And there is
as little doubt but that the mass of native Georgi
gians would understand it quite as well as they do
negro gibberish. If these two positions are admit
ted, (and 1 see no good reason why they should not
be) then, I ask, what reason can be ottered in sup
port of the practice ? It surely cannot be that the
negroes of this country take the papers and read
such articles, and that they, the writers, wish to hold
converse with the negro in his own tongue. Nor is
it reasonable to suppose that such articles are so
many com incing evidences of their exceeding great
learning. Nor can it be that the authors themselves
so understand it, as is proved from the fact, that they
seldom acknow ledge themselves to he the authors of
W-VJIiCU* -Wlo • U *1 i
vies, as they themselves admit, can possibly be of no
use either to the common negro or native Georgian,
and no honor to the writer! Well, then, 1 con
clude that the majority of such articles are written
and sent to the printer for publication without much
reflection on the part of the authors, to the detri
ment and damage of community, without the least
possible hope that any good can come from such a
source. As has been previously observed, the Eng
lish Language is every day becoming more and
more mixed, and more complex, dubious and uncer
tain, in proportion to the increase of the mixture. —
Many of the mixtures being themselves nothing but
mixtures and wholly impure, having been made up
from different sources. And as we grow in com
merce, so we increase in w ords from other nations.
And as our merchantmen tire already beginning to
i deal and trade with almost all the nations upon the
globe, we mav soon expect that to the English Lan
| gunge will be added the language of 500 other dif
i ferent nations.
Take the words of only one nation and add to our |
present bulk of what is now called the English lan
guage. Take China with her language as it is, 214 j
Hoots only, in the Chinese tongue; these are partly
letters and partly representations of things; added i
to tliis, in her spoken language, she has 80,000
words, which express qualities, proportions, quanti
ties, Ac. <fec. of the actual things themselves. Now,
sav that in 25 years, how many words will he added
to the two languages, when they become incorpora
ted with each other ? Will the calculation be un
reasonable to set the sum down at 200,000 ? It
seems to me, at any rate, that the increase will be
fast enough to produce confusion of tongues simi
lar to that at the building of the tower of Babel,
without adding the negro gibberish of the South
ern States. It is to such authors that we are in
debted for such words as “tote,” now to be found in
our best English Dictionaries. I may have occasion
at some future time, to make a few remarks upon
the effects of such articles upon parents, teachers,
and children; but for the present, I will dismiss that
class of authors who write negro gibberish.
Now for an extract of a letter from Frederick Von
Raumer, on the subject of education, as practiced in
Manchester, England. He says: “Manchester af
fords an instructive example of the state of educa
tion in most of the towns of England. The town
contains about 50,000 children between the ages of
5 and 15. Os these the attendance is—
In dav .and evening schools about 10,000
In day and Sunday schools 10,000
In Sunday schools 23,000
Total 43,000
If we reflect that the Sunday and evening schools
afford but a very few hours of instruction during the
week, we may reckon the number of children who
are educated in the German manner at 20,000:
from it results that three-fifths receive no education
whatever. That I may not appear too severe in my
conclusions, I will confine myself to what a numer
ous, well disposed, and impartial commission have
stated in their Report of 1835 :
“A great part of the schools are conducted by wo
men, and old men of no education, where nothing is
taught but reading and needlework. They are gen
erally, in the most deplorable situation; dirty, un
wholesome rooms or cellars, without benches, chairs
or any suitable arrangement; and, with the most,
two or three books between all the pupils. Accor
ding to the opinion of the Commissioners, it cannot
be affirmed that 4,722 children, who attend these
schools, are in any way instructed or educated, “lhe
same account is given ot the day and evening
schools, and the Sunday schools, in spite of all their
defects, are pronounced to be the most useful. 1 &s
----sing over several other facts, I send you the general
and most important results ot the investigation.
“ ‘ln the first place,’ says the Report, “the number
of children stated to attend school gives a very im
perfect and deceiving indication of the real state of
education.
“3nbfpenitent in all things—Neutral in Kolljittg. ‘
MACON, GEORGIA, FRIDAY MORNING, JUNE, 14, 1850.
u Secondly. The existing means of education for
the lower classes in Manchester are wholly inade
quate, and, besides very little calculated to produce
a favorable result.
“ Thirdly. The children who attend the dame
schools may be said to receive no instruction at all,
and even that which is given to about 7,000 in the
day schools is scarcely deserving of the name. A
main cause ot this evil—the ignorance and incapa
city ot the teachers cannot be remedied till semina
ries are established for their instruction; and the er
ror is renounced, that the business of school mas
ters is the only one that does not require knowledge,
or capability.
fourthly. If wo may justly assume that Man
chester affords a fair average of the state of educa
tioii in England, we find a painful and mortifying
contrast to some States on the Continent. WhetU
er we consider the number of children who regular
ly attend school, or the kind and efficiency’ of in
struction which they receive.” So much for the
quotation. Let those yvlio read apply it to Georgia
Education as it exists now. OBSERVER.
[to de continued.]
THE VALLEY OF DIAMONDS.
[Extract from an unpublished work in MS.]
Br T. 11. Chivers, M. D.
The translators of the Bible have left the word Selali,
which occurs about seventy-five times in the Psalms, pre
cisely as they found it—untranslated. The Targums of On
kelos and Jerusalem, give the word the meaning of eternally
—forever. Gesenius says that it means, “ Let the instru-
ments play and the Singers stop.” Sommer says that it
signifies a ‘‘ blast of trumpets by the Priests”
I lie word for stringed instruments, in the Hebrew, is
A eg, noth. Many of the Psalms of David, are addressed
thus 1 o the Chief Musician on Neginoth" —which sig
nifies that the Poem was addressed to the Master or Over
seer of those who played on the stringed instruments. The
word is derived from Naugan,a Minstrel, or Player.
The word in the Hebrew language, for wind instruments,
is, A ehiloth. It is supposed to be derived from houlal to per
forate—its correlate, hauled, signifying a pipe.
It has, no doubt, reference to the praise of God, because it
is the same as xhchalleiof the word hallcluyah, which signi
fies praise ye the Lord. Bui how can Selali mean what is
said of it above by Gesscnius and Sommer ?
1 lie Hebrew word Siloah, signifies sending out, and is
translated Apostle from the Greek. It is symbolical of the
1 leu\ only Healer of all, and this is the reason why the Sa
viour sent the poor blind man to wash in the P<x>l of Siloam.
1 he meaning of the word, in Hebrew, is the same as Apos
tolos in Greek—the Apostle, or Prime Doctor. The word
Selali, in Nehcmiah, iii, 15, has reference to the same
Pool. It is symbolical of the power of Christ to heaj the dis
orders of the sin-sick soul. The various Psalms /Os David,
m which the word occurs, are Hallcluyah Paeans, prophetic)
of the coming of ( hrist. This was the sole object of the
HE NOS, or the EvKRCOMriiCS
tions. The work Selali, therefore, must mean to pour forth,
shout aloud with your voices, strike forth in a louder or
more exalted strain on the instruments, in an anticipative j
jubilee of the coming of the God who is to bring down Ilea
veil upon the earth.
It does not appear to me to have reference solely to the
trumpets, as asserted by Sommer, but to the instruments, the
trumpets, and the voices. It, no doubt, signifies to repeat,
as Matheson believes, whenever it appears at the end of a i
Psalm, or, in fact, in the middle of it, hut with a more exalted
strain of music. This, 1 think, is proven by its being used in
almost every case after some very remarkable passage in the
Psalm—such, for instance, as the following: “ Sing unto
God. ye kingdoms of the earth; O, sing praises unto the
Lord !”
It appears to me to have been used in the same way as the
Chorus of the Greeks, namely, as a Mediator between the
Actors and the audience —that is, to lift up the souls ot the .
latter to the highest pitch of adoration.
2. The purest worship that Christ ever received upon the
earth, was when the children cried out “ Hosanna! in the (
Temple. That this outguisliing of praise was the result of !
the influx of the Divine Life of God into their souls, is proven |
by what Christ himself said in reply to the displeasure of the
Priests: “Have ye not read, Oat of the mouths of babes
and sucklings, hast /hou perfected praise?”
This is quoted from the eighth Psalm, and is a Prophecy
fulfilled by them of himself. It is addressed to the “ Chief
Musician upon Glttetli—a Psalm of David. 3 lie word
“ praise’, in the quotation is “ strength” in the Psalm.
3. Isaaek Walton, once, on hearing a Nightingale pour
out its soul in melody, exclaimed, “ Lord what, music hast :
thou prepared for the Saints in Heaven, if such music as
this is to he heard by bad men upon the earth ?”
4. In the Golden Age of the Most Ancient Church, the
Micro-Cosmos was suffused with the divine radiance of the
Miero-Uranos. Since then Man has receded back into the
nebulous state of the carnal Micro-Cosmos. It was to restore
Man back to the Iloly City that our Saviour descended upon
the earth, and glorified himself out of the Son of Mary, into
the Son of God.
5. The Tree of Forbidden Knowledge, which stood in the
midst of the Garden of the First Revelation, was Self. The
Tree of Life which was transplanted from Heaven to the
middle of the Garden of the Second Revelation by Christ, is
Charity. This beautiful Exotic grows on the banks of the
River of Life, which flows from the throne of God in the
centre of the New Jerusalem, and is tended by the hands of
the adoring Angels. Its fruit is Ambrosial. Eat and live.
G. “ Truth,” says Professor Tappan, in his Primordial
IvOgie, “is an antithetical idea; its opposite is falsehood.”
This is not so. It is impossible that it should be so. In the
manner of its inception into the mind of man this may be
predicated of it; but Truth, in its esse, is not so.
7. John J. Whittier, the Quaker Poet, is sounding the
praises of Frederika Bremer, whom he calls the “ Swan of
Abo.” This is a very good name for her, provided we deny
vocality to the Swan—as 1 believe she does not sing. But
does not any poet make an arrant goose of himself, to throw
away his time in singing the praises of foreign Birds, when
there are so many of more heavenly plumage at home ? 1
know several of the milk-white Cygnets of Phoebus, who sing
as sweetly as if they had just descended from circling on the
Lakes of Heaven.
8. Poe wanted three things in this life—that which every
true Poet wants—men with souls in their bodies—money—
and that which every true Poet is certain to get —that which
he now has— Heaven.
9. A pure life, or one which would image that of Christ,
might be lived out hereon earth,by following the determina
tion which St. Paul made to himself when he said, “ Christ
shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by
death.” In fact, I do not see how any person could realize
the Divine Ideal in any other way than by incarnating his
will.
10. “ When our eyelids are loosed with sickness, and our
bread is dipped in tears, and all the daughters of music are
brought low”—who will be our Comforter then ? He who
said, “ Igo to prepare a place for you.”
11. It is absolutely astonishing what a profound knowledge
Jaoob had of the of Correspondence—as may be seen
by a correct interpretation of Gen. 37 ;9. Joseph dreamed
that the Sun, Moon, and Stare, would come to bow down and
do obcdk’nce to him. The momept that the dream was
related to Jacob, it was interpreted by him to mean himself,
” an, l eleven sons. This is proof positive there are more
meanings in the letter of the Bible than one. This also
proves that the Sun means man, and the Moon woman.
12. Tbe sublimest eulogy ever pronounced by one man
upon another, is the following, by Isaaek Walton, on the Rev.
Richard Sibbs, Author of the “ Bruised Reed,” “ Soul's
Conflict. ;
u Gs this blest man let this just traisf. be given,
Heaven was in him, before iif. was in Heaven.”
Ibis I unhesitatingly pronounce the sublimest epitaph ever
engraved upon the tombstone of any man.
Gleanings from tbe Mexican War, IVo. 3.
RICHARD BEVERLY ; TIIE TEST.
PART 11.
“Ah ! tell me not, that memory
Hheds gladness o’er the past;
What is recall’d by faded flow ers,
Save that they did not last.”
M oman's influence is never more potential than when ex
erted through motives of unadulterated selfishness, if she has
only the skill and adroitness to conceal the aim and end of its
particular exertion. It is ever a delirious dream of eetacy,
which the grateful expressions of preference, under these cir
cumstances, induce in the existence of an unsuspecting, con
fiding man. A\ ith the fair flatterer, the queen and castle are
commanded and the subordinate pieces in check, when she
has once succeeded in establishing confidence. This is indeed
the only part of the conquest which demands the utmost of
her skill and proficiency in the art of winning the citadel and
all the accessible points of the human affections. This accom-
plished, like the angler, who delights in the tortuous convolu
tions and floundering exertions of his ensnared fish, with cer
tainty of securing him, she gives the full extent to the line,
ami enjoys the excitement to her heart's content.
It does seem that many of the fairer sex learn the influence
of their charms so very early in life, that the excitement of
flirtation becomes an element of second nature, as essential as
ordinary aliment. **• Tis pity, yet ’tis true,” that an expert in
these mysteries of the heart, tin) early learns to disregard the
obligations of trust, and introduces into love affairs the ques
tionable policy of the world-renowned Italian diplomatist.—
She assumes that the means employed for the attainment of
an object, may be determined as well as varied from good to
had !>\ the character of the difficulties interposed to success
and the strength of her desires for the conquest. In this as
pect ot the ease, “t v sloop to conquer” is not even considered
or delayed as a “dernier resort.”
M e might prolong these general remarks, ad in finitum, hut
that we We fully satisfied that instead of curing the evil com
plained c 4, we should have the best constructed specimens of
ratiocination voted simply “ghostly abstractions” by those
with whom we would reason. A sentiment once adopted—
the study of the philosophy of flirtation once entered upon
with a will, and you would find quite as much difficulty in
eradicating the lovo of the excitement, as to win a person from
the habits in which he was most confirmed. We have been
LA “ito he eka amimc of events, as ItCtWgfU
that these thoughts were not the result of any communica
tion made by Beverly, but an expression of the universal con
viction of his associates, who could not explain the preference
manifested by the heiress and proud Castilian for their com
panion, humble as lie was, upon any other than that briefly
indicated. These friends for suelt they were indeed, watched
the intercouse of the parties with scrutiny, and while they be
lieved that the sergeant was infatuated Under the inspiration
of the flattering notice of Isabella, they felt it their duty to
open his eyes, and give him their own penetration and doubts.
It is not wonderful that those kind associates were astonished
at the cold manner in which Beverly received the hints. But
they concluded, as he had not asked their advice, like all gratu
itous proffers of the kind, he had a right to receive or reject
it. They therefore pitied lie uufortunate dreamer, and left
him, as they supposed, to work out the punishment of his own
blindness and presumption.
But let us direct you, gentle reader, to the events which
more intimately concern the parties, so that you may deter- j
mine for yourself, how well founded were the fears of our
messmate’s friends. AYe have seen that while Beverly at first -
visited Isabella for the simple pleasures of social and intellec- I
tual association, of a character which under his circumstan
ces, he could find no where else, that this very intercourse im
| perceptibly involved him in some mysterious plot, which to all ‘
outward appearances, existed in the purposes of the proud ;
Castilian maiden-*-purposes not sufficiently indicated to excite
the apprehensions of the object of them. Innocent himself,
no counter plot was ever dreamed of, notwithstanding the fre
quent hints of Beverly’s best friends. If there was indeed a
plot, were there other actors ? There was an officious Frencli
jnan, who had often met Beverly in the Plaza, but lie had done
nothing more than to convince the sergeant that he (the
Frenchman) being a friend of the Cordova family, had Keen
enough to know that every thing was right. True, the viva- ‘
eious companinion often sought tho company of Beverly, and :
evidenced his knowledge of the feelings of Isabella, without
any invitation to that end. True, at a time when the gener- .
al orders of tho Governor of Monterey, instituted a rigid
search into tho Mexican shops, for the purpose of breaking
up the trade in all artificial stimulants, this man would volun
teer to carry the sergeant into a place where by asking for
chapparal, the sparkling juice of some noted vintage would j
be offered. But in all of this, what was there to give alarm ?
A man so blinded as not to take a hint from the words of ad
ulation in which Isabella repeatedk expressed her surprise in ;
the contentment of her friend with his post in the army so far
below his merits, was not ikely U> read the purpose ot the
wily Frenchman, under the <iflicis of kindness which he vol
unteered toward his newly acquired friend.
Nothing could have destroyed his confidence in the fair
creature, who sympathized with him in the embarrassments
of his post and the enthusiasm of his nature for the objects
he most loved, that of direct proof of faithfulness to the vows
she had so frequently reiterated. 110 would have been no
more surprised to see the Rio San Juan reverse the course of
its current in one night, than at a palpable proof of unfaith
fulness on the part of Isabella. IV by should the shadow of a
doubt on this point, interpose its gloom upon the prospects he
had so many reasons to cherish ? V\ as it not her recognition j
of fitness for her, as a companion, which stimulated every j
hope which he indulged, and animated the desires which he j
cherished, in reference to her ? If there was indeed any pre
sumption in demanding the affections ot Isabella, in recipro
cation of the unity and concentration of Ids heart's purestsenti
ments for her, she ought to have been very lenient in inflicting
its punishment, since her own efforts were its only inspiration.
The fair sex are indeed in many respects singularly endow
ed, and in nothing more than in the capacity of reading the
sentiments to which their own powers of attraction give vital
ity, and are seldom the last,even when there are but two parties
to the secret, of reading with accuracy the impressions which
their own efforts have traced upon the sentiments of man,
who by nature of their avo-jations are less accustomed to read
the human heart, with reference to the result of their own
exertions to please. In compensation for her relative position
in the important circle of human action, this insight which
seems not only to penetrate, but to scrutinize “the secret im
aginations of the thoughts,” has been given her, and those
moving glances of her eloquent eyes, under which the heart
of man seems literally fused into sentiment, are the mediums
of intelligence on the subject ot their search. This remark
was eminently true with rerpeet to Isabella, under the influ-
once which she exerted over our messmate. In this manner
she found confirmation of all the passionate declarations of
Beverly. She seemed to read the workings of his soul as lier
black eyes, rested in full gaze upon his.
Many interviews were held between the parties, and al
though Isabella was thoroughly convinced that her conquest
was completed, she hesitated to introduce the subject which
was eminently near her heart. On one occasion the pecnliar
tone which Beverly himself gave to the tele a tete conversa
tion, emboldened her in the purpose at which she had Hither
to but vaguely hinted. AVe shall report portions of that con
versation, after premising that the artful Castilian introduced
the subject with much caution, during those moments when
the heart of Beverly seemed more peculiarly in the words
which lie uttered.
“A\ ith all your declarations fresh U|>n my memory and of
ten dwelt upon with ecstacy, is it too much for me to ask vou
to settle upon a point of time, when our dreams of bliss may
be realized was a question which Beverly often asked, and
which was as frequently avoided. But at length Isabella, as
if she felt that her motives might be misunderstood if she
delayed the answer long, replied :
“I have certainly given you reason to hope that no obstacles
would be thrown in the way of our happiness. But in the
matter to which you have referred, others have spoken out,
and I cannot act without reference to their opinions. Sup
pose I grant an early day for our union, have you reflected
how soon the truce between your army and ours will end, and
how short a time we should spend together before you may be
ordered to a distant field of war. In such an event what do
you propose ?”
There was something in the tone of voice and manner in
which this last question was propounded which more than the
simple words affected the feelings of Beverly, and he main-
tained a profound silence for a few moments, as if in painful
reverie over the answer which he should frame.
“I know not why,” responded he, at length, “but I have
indulged the hope that the truce would lend to an amicable
settlement of the unhappy difference between our respective
countries. A\ by continue tlie waste of treasure and blood ?”
“In that hope, you will be wofully disappointed. The truce
has been anxiously employed by my people, in preparations
for continuing the strife, until the disgrace of previous defeats
shall be atoned fr. A\ ould you expect me to abandon my
home, to follow you in the inarches of your army, as
they carry the fire and sword into the heart of my own coun
try r
C ertainly I could not ask it,” responded Beverly, as his
eyes fell inquiringly ujh.ii those of Isabella, as if he would
thus seek some mode of resolving tbe serious embarrassments
which her unexpected words had created.
After a long and anxious pause, Isabella continued “I have
a simple condition, to which if you assent, there can be no
kind of difficulty, and with the consent of my family I will
give you my heart and hand at any moment that you shall
have the will to demand it.’’ And with this introduction, she i
used the blandishments of her charms to induce Beverly to i
abandon the service in which his rank was so humble, for a
position of distinction and emolument in the ranks of her
countrymen who were battling in the sacred cause of their re
amplified upon the change which
in the army was already in reservation for him. She gave i
renewed assurances of her love for him, and of her determi
nation to allow the matter of her own happiness to determine
u|K>n the course he should adopt under the circumstances.—
She spoke long and eloquently and with evident feeling, of the
suffering in store for her, if his decision was adverse to her
hopes. She dwelt upon pictures of their mutual happiness,
if he consented to the condition, and frankly confessed that
her own feelings in connection with the unyielding determi
nation of the family had made her the petitioner. She assert
ed that the value of his consent could only he known in the
future, when all hearts should envy their happiness. She
appea'ed to every sentiment which she had previously inspir
ed, and with the utmost candor to all appearances, assured
him that an adverse decision, could only lead her to hate j
him, as the author of hopes in her own bosom, with a settled
purpose to disappoint them, and indict irreparable injury up
on an innocent heart whose affections he had won, but to de
spise and the more certainly to inflict pain. Again anl again
in feeling terms she reverted to his position in the invading
army and drew an eloquent contrast between that and the
high post which she had the authority to offer him.
In the course of this impassioned speech the fair speaker
disclosed a secret plan for inducing desertions from the
American army. Persons wi re engaged in the enterprise,
who were freely turning every stone to make up an indepen
dent corps from the ranks of the invaders. These persons,
accredited agents from the Mexican authorities, were not on
ly charged with this duty, but held a number of passports
to be given to deserters in order to facilitate their flight and
direct them to the place appointed beyond the mountains as
the rendezvous for those men. It appeared that the obsequi
’ ous Frenchman, of whom mention has been made, was the
chief actor and agent of the authorities in this delicate under
taking, and was assisted in this work by the Alcalde and oth
er influential citizens of Monterey, lie moved slowly and
certainly in his task, only venturing upon his appeals when he
had sufficiently mingled with the soldiers to know something
of their character. To some lie addressed himself to their
’ religious sentiments as consonant with that of those whose
faith the northern vandals came to destroy. To others, in
I whom cupidity was predominant, he held out golden induee
i ments and dwelt upon pictures of ease and luxury, until in
! too many instances he could see that the mind was intoxicat
ed and the subject of his labors feelingly appreciated. To
others, libertine and voluptuous in their de-sires, winning in-
dueements were elaborated. Already had his efforts to some
extent been crowned with success. It was not new to Bever
ly, that desertions were frequent during the truce, up to the
very time of this singular development, but he was utterly
ignorant until now of the means employed to seduce men
from their allegiance, at such an appropriate time for the un
dertaking, when the lassitude of inactive camp life haunted
the restless spirits of the previously active and arduous earn- i
paign, and left the mean-spirited fit for the wildest schemes
which promised employment, and a more agreeable rest for i
the future.
For the corps thus to be raised, the nucleus of which was
already at the rendezvous, it was intended to appoint a com
mander from their own ranks. For it the most honorable posts
would be reserved, and the commander should be allowed to
name his own rank and reward. The honors of the Repub
lic would be accessible to him. Broad lands in the country
would be voted him, as the reward of his exertions.
Isabella did not fail to make it appear that the influence of her
name and family would give this post, so honorable to her itt
her enthusiasm for her native land, to Beverly. 1 lere the
florid speech was interrupted, the parties separated by
the appearance of an American officer.
At this point of our story, it may not be inappropriate to
revert to some items of the history of the truce, which if not
deemed worthy of record in the cl iron ides of the army, form
ed the staple of conviction and general conversation among
the common soldiers of the line, and garnered up in the mem
ory among the events of the time. From testimony accred
ited at the time, it is certain that the plan for securing such of
our soldiers, as were accessible to the agents employed, was
practised to a limited extent, particularly at Monterey. The cir
cumstances of the army, together with the very small demand
upon the time of the soldiers, and the liberty of visiting the
city unattended by officers, emboldened these agents to make
their inciting proposition* in some few ea-ee, where a friendly
intercourse was indulged. It is not intended, nor indeed tin
it be construed as a reflection upon the body of our gallant
rank and file that men were occasionally found, who gave an
attentive eaTr to the promises and and propositions df
the agents in this disreputable business. These men knew
how and whereto work, for they were gifted in reading hu
man character as by intuition. Passports of the character in
dicated in our narrative were detected. and just such a being
as we have attempted to describe in the part df oar French
man, was found to be involved.
PART 111.
‘ r.-st off tin- weakness of regret, and gird thee to redeem thy loss.*
TtH-su.
The interruption of the interview between Beverly and Isa
bella Cordova, under the eircuinstances noticed in the second
part of this story, was at first blush particularly unpleasant td
the former. It was evident to him, that the impassioned
s|>eaker, urged her startling plea upon the assumption, that
her influence over him was so dcterminntely established tliai
a bare statement of the details of her plan and preparations
was necessary to secure his unalterable commitment. This
inference was fairly warranted in the freedom of her singular
communication; there was not the slightest indication of any
reservation whatever, as confidingly she related the entire plot
The intonation, the glow of intense interest suffusing her
cheeks, the glance of the eye which ever and again fixed iti
scrutiny upon his, in fact the substance of the communication
itself, were convincing proofs of the truth of the unexpected
developments. lie could not doubt with the array of inter
nal evidences, that the proud Castilian was encouraged by his
silence, and that she construed the thoughtful expression of
countenance, with which lie heard these things, into acquies
| cencc - Now, if the reader lias not discovered the fact we
will here announce that Beverly cordially detested a spirit
I who would willingly render himself obnoxious to the charge
of doing wrong, even by implication, and it was this sentiment
which urged him to repeated efforts to interrupt the speech
of Isabella until lie could place himself right before her. But
j unfortunately these essays were all interpreted as evidences
of intense interest in the communication, and the mistaken
enthusiast, under a conviction of the patriotism of her own
act, in making the lover a defender of her own fireside and
faith would not entertain a reply, until the whole plan, and
the inducements to prompt liisacquiescence, were unfolded.
From the foregoing facts, may bo seen the reason, why
Ueverly was at first troubled about the interruption of the
interview. He even doubted for some time after the separa
tion, whether lie should not return, and under any circum
stances, reproach the woman, who had wilfully enlisted his
affections in order to insult him with propositions that no hon
orable man could entertain. His soul was indignant, and in the
eha tings of the galling insult he cursed from his heart, her
whom he had so recently blessed. He was in no mood for
reflection, fur his Southern blood burned its course through the
reins, as he forced himself through the streets of Monterey
against the almost resistless impulse to return and vent the
j pent up feelings of his indignation upon the head of the offen
-1 ders. With Beverly, duty and a good character were par
amount to all other considerations.
Arrived at his quarters, he sought his captain, an officer
in whose friendship and judgment he had the roost implicit
with the plot, as this part of the story more particularly at
tracted the notice of the officer. Beverly felt to some extent
I relieved when he had finished this recital. The officer was
deeply moved, and after a few common place remarks, by
way of assuring bis friend that the very character of Isabella
as developed in this interview and her complicity in a disrepu
table effort to alienate him from his highest duty, should in
duce him to “east off the weakness of regret.” lie continued,
j “Aside from any personal considerations, as a soldier, you
• ought to feel bound to take advantage of the facts which have
come to your knowledge, and pursue and ferret out the origi
nators of this system of seduction from our army. Pursue
it in your own way and I stand pledged to aid you to any ex
: treme.”
“1 thank you, my friend,” replied Beverly, his eyes welling
up with tears of gratitude at the renewed manifestation of the
friendship of his officer and boon companion in the civil walks
of life at home, where both occupied a common eminence,
I ‘‘Your suggestion has given me pleasure, for when the heart
is made to bleed by the infidelity of one we had trusted, the
best antidote is the profitable employment of the mind, so as
to divert it from brooding over the origin of the wound.”
“Let me into your secrets,” modestly demanded the gen
erous officer, “It may be important to your own personal se
curity in prosecuting the cause indicated, tliat you should
have an accredited witness, especially so in case of failure, if
i you follow out this plot front any knowledge you have gained
from the fair cats paw.”
“I shall not withhold any part of my plan from you,” re
joined Beverly, “but during its execution I must enjoin se
en ey. I would not have the seal removed until the work
of detecting the villians, who have already induced some
score of desertions from the regular and volunteer armies, is
; consummated. The task is a delicate one. and on the tliresh
hold I feel loth to take the step to deceive Isabella into the
conviction that 1 yield to her plan, but I ought not to doubt the
du-y her own developments have imposed upon me.”
“You would beheld culpable with what you know of the
connection of the parties associated in this scheme, to suffer
any considerations to overrule your convictions of duty. You
are under no obligations to the woman who has so insultingly
abused your trust and affections. If the course you intend
to pursue drags her to the light with the rest of the gang;
j you cannot, hesitate. Whose fault is it ? Emulate the old
j Roman father, who offered his own son to answer the de-
mands of a violated law. You have done nothing to w ar
rant Isabella in hoping that you would make yourself justly
censurable by shielding villians that you abominate, and if she
really feels thus warranted, it only wants the positive proof,
after the excitement of the occasion is passed off, to elicit her
disrespect, if she is a woman of any propriety and good feel
ing, for the man who could be taken in a snare so very trans
parent.’’
“You have echoed my own sentiments,” said Beverly,
“and this I say that you may understand that I desire no mo
tives stronger than my duty to incite me attempt its perform
ance. My first impulse, when g<aded by the insult, was t 8
disabuse the mind of Isabella in respect to the character she ad
dressed, but now I really rejoice that the interruption check
ed the torrent of indignation which would have attended that
eff rt. I shall visit her again, and if I can but possess myself
of the passports to which she alluded, I may thus gain suffi
cient evidence to convict those who are apparently friends to our
\K?ople, but who really use these fair appearances as mediums
to dastardly ends.
After this speech, the captain felt pained that hetiad suffer
ed his own warmth to induce remarks w hich might be con
strued into reflections upon the sergeant, but in this case there
was r.o need of an apology. It is unnecessary to report the
conversation which filled up the hours that these friends spent
together, as the following narrative will detail all the points of
any interest to the reader as connected with the task under
taken by our messmate. The tattoo broke off the interview;
and the sergeant silently retired to his own tent where instead
of sleep, he spent the night in working out, mentally, the steptf
of his future operations. Never was Commander-in-ehlef
more intent upon the evolutions of his div isions in a pro6pec
! tive engagement than was Beverly in determining the best
i means to be adopted for the success of his counter-plot. He
j thoroughly canvassed the auxiliaries, which his prolific mind
rtigjested to him, in various shapes ; but these were all di
i carded, and he finally determined to commence the work
NO. 12*
