Biographical Sketches(From: "Fanshawe and Other Pieces") by Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

  • 8/14/2019 Biographical Sketches(From: "Fanshawe and Other Pieces") by Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864

    1/32

    ProjectGutenbergEBook,BiographicalSketches,byNathanielHawthorneFrom"FanshaweandOtherPieces"#72inourseriesbyNathanielHawthorne

    Copyrightlawsarechangingallovertheworld.BesuretocheckthecopyrightlawsforyourcountrybeforedownloadingorredistributingthisoranyotherProjectGutenbergeBook.

    ThisheadershouldbethefirstthingseenwhenviewingthisProjectGutenbergfile.Pleasedonotremoveit.Donotchangeoredittheheaderwithoutwrittenpermission.

    Pleasereadthe"legalsmallprint,"andotherinformationabouttheeBookandProjectGutenbergatthebottomofthisfile.Includedisimportantinformationaboutyourspecificrightsandrestrictionsinhowthefilemaybeused.YoucanalsofindoutabouthowtomakeadonationtoProjectGutenberg,andhowtogetinvolved.

    **WelcomeToTheWorldofFreePlainVanillaElectronicTexts**

    **EBooksReadableByBothHumansandByComputers,Since1971**

    *****TheseEBooksWerePreparedByThousandsofVolunteers*****

    Title:BiographicalSketches(From:"FanshaweandOtherPieces")

    Author:NathanielHawthorne

    ReleaseDate:Nov,2005[EBook#9245][ThisfilewasfirstpostedonSeptember25,2003][LastupdatedonFebruary8,2007]

    Edition:10

    Language:English

    Charactersetencoding:ASCII

    ***STARTOFTHEPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOK,BIOGRAPHICALSKETCHES***

    ThiseBookwasproducedbyDavidWidger

    FANSHAWEANDOTHERPIECES

    ByNathanielHawthorne

  • 8/14/2019 Biographical Sketches(From: "Fanshawe and Other Pieces") by Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864

    2/32

    BIOGRAPHICALSTUDIES

    CONTENTS:Mrs.HutchinsonSirWilliamPhipsSirWilliamPepperellThomasGreenFessendenJonathanCilley

    MRS.HUTCHINSON.

    ThecharacterofthisfemalesuggestsatrainofthoughtwhichwillformasnaturalanIntroductiontoherstory,asmostofthePrefacestoGay'sFables,orthetalesofPrior;besidesthat,thegeneralsoundnessofthemoralmayexcuseanywantofpresentapplicability.WewillnotlookforalivingresemblanceofMrs.Hutchinson,thoughthesearchmightnotbealtogetherfruitless.Butthereareportentousindications,changesgraduallytakingplaceinthehabitsandfeelings

    ofthegentlesex,whichseemtothreatenourposteritywithmanyofthosepublicwomen,whereofonewasaburdentoogrievousforourfathers.Thepress,however,isnowthemediumthroughwhichfeminineambitionchieflymanifestsitself;andwewillnotanticipatetheperiod(trustingtobegonehenceereitarrive)whenfairoratorsshallbeasnumerousasthefairauthorsofourownday.Thehastiestglancemayshowhowmuchofthetextureandbodyofcisatlanticliteratureistheworkofthoseslenderfingersfromwhichonlyalightandfancifulembroideryhasheretoforebeenrequired,thatmightsparkleuponthegarmentwithoutenfeeblingtheweb.Woman'sintellectshouldnevergivethetonetothatofman;andevenhermoralityisnotexactlythematerialformasculinevirtue.Afalseliberality,whichmistakesthestrongdivision-linesofNatureforarbitrarydistinctions,anda

    courtesy,whichmightpolishcriticism,butshouldneversoftenit,havedonetheirbesttoaddagirlishfeeblenesstothetotteringinfancyofourliterature.Theevilislikelytobeagrowingone.Asyet,thegreatbodyofAmericanwomenareadomesticrace;butwhenacontinuanceofill-judgedincitementsshallhaveturnedtheirheartsawayfromthefireside,thereareobviouscircumstanceswhichwillrenderfemalepensmorenumerousandmoreprolificthanthoseofmen,thoughbutequallyencouraged;and(limited,ofcourse,bythescantysupportofthepublic,butincreasingindefinitelywithinthoselimits)theink-stainedAmazonswillexpeltheirrivalsbyactualpressure,andpetticoatswavetriumphantlyoverallthefield.But,allowingthatsuchforebodingsareslightlyexaggerated,isitgoodforwoman'sselfthatthepathoffeverishhope,oftremuloussuccess,ofbitterandignominious

    disappointment,shouldbeleftwideopentoher?Istheprizeworthherhaving,ifshewinit?Famedoesnotincreasethepeculiarrespectwhichmenpaytofemaleexcellence,andthereisadelicacy(eveninrudebosoms,wherefewwouldthinktofindit)thatperceives,orfancies,asortofimproprietyinthedisplayofwoman'snatalmindtothegazeoftheworld,withindicationsbywhichitsinmostsecretsmaybesearchedout.Infine,criticismshouldexaminewithastricter,insteadofamoreindulgenteye,themeritsoffemalesatitsbar,becausetheyaretojustifythemselvesforanirregularitywhichmendonotcommitinappearingthere;andwoman,whenshefeelstheimpulseof

  • 8/14/2019 Biographical Sketches(From: "Fanshawe and Other Pieces") by Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864

    3/32

    geniuslikeacommandofHeavenwithinher,shouldbeawarethatsheisrelinquishingapartofthelovelinessofhersex,andobeytheinwardvoicewithsorrowingreluctance,liketheArabianmaidwhobewailedthegiftofprophecy.Hintingthusimperfectlyatsentimentswhichmaybedevelopedonafutureoccasion,weproceedtoconsiderthecelebratedsubjectofthissketch.

    Mrs.Hutchinsonwasawomanofextraordinarytalentandstrongimagination,whomthelatterquality,followingthegeneraldirectiontakenbytheenthusiasmofthetimes,promptedtostandforthasareformerinreligion.Inhernativecountry,shehadshownsymptomsofirregularanddaringthought,but,chieflybytheinfluenceofafavoritepastor,wasrestrainedfromopenindiscretion.Ontheremovalofthisclergyman,becomingdissatisfiedwiththeministryunderwhichshelived,shewasdrawninbythegreattideofPuritanemigration,andvisitedMassachusettswithinafewyearsafteritsfirstsettlement.Butsheboretroubleinherownbosom,andcouldfindnopeaceinthischosenland.Shesoonbegantopromulgatestrangeanddangerousopinions,tending,inthepeculiarsituationofthecolony,andfromtheprincipleswhichwereitsbasis,andindispensableforitstemporarysupport,toeatintoitsveryexistence.Weshallendeavortogiveamorepracticalideaofthispartofhercourse.

    Itisasummerevening.Theduskhassettledheavilyuponthewoods,

    thewaves,andtheTrimountainpeninsula,increasingthatdismalaspectoftheembryotown,whichwassaidtohavedrawntearsofdespondencyfromMrs.Hutchinson,thoughshebelievedthathermissionthitherwasdivine.Thehouses,strawthatchedandlowlyroofed,standirregularlyalongstreetsthatareyetroughenedbytherootsofthetrees,asiftheforest,departingattheapproachofman,hadleftitsreluctantfootprintsbehind.Mostofthedwellingsarelonelyandsilent:fromafewwemayhearthereadingofsomesacredtext,orthequietvoiceofprayer;butnearlyallthesombrelifeofthesceneiscollectedneartheextremityofthevillage.Acrowdofhoodedwomen,andofmeninsteeple-hatsandclose-croppedhair,areassembledatthedoorandopenwindowsofahousenewlybuilt.Anearnestexpressionglowsineveryface;andsomepressinward,asifthebreadoflifeweretobedealt

    forth,andtheyfearedtolosetheirshare;whileotherswouldfainholdthemback,butenterwiththem,sincetheymaynotberestrained.We,also,willgoin,edgingthroughthethrongeddoorwaytoanapartmentwhichoccupiesthewholebreadthofthehouse.Attheupperend,behindatable,onwhichareplacedtheScripturesandtwoglimmeringlamps,weseeawoman,plainlyattired,asbefitsherripenedyears:herhair,complexion,andeyesaredark,thelattersomewhatdullandheavy,butkindlingupwithagradualbrightness.Letuslookrounduponthehearers.Atherrighthandhiscountenancesuitingwellwiththegloomylightwhichdiscoversit,standsVane,theyouthfulgovernor,preferredbyahastyjudgmentofthepeopleoverallthewiseandhoaryheadsthathadprecededhimtoNewEngland.Inhismysteriouseyeswemayreadadarkenthusiasm,akintothatofthewomanwhosecausehehasespoused,

    combinedwithashrewdworldlyforesight,whichtellshimthatherdoctrineswillbeproductiveofchangeandtumult,theelementsofhispoweranddelight.Onherleft,yetslightlydrawnback,soastoevincealessdecidedsupport,isCotton,noyoungandhotenthusiast,butamild,gravemaninthedeclineoflife,deepinallthelearningoftheage,andsanctifiedinheart,andmadevenerableinfeature,bythelongexerciseofhisholyprofession.He,also,isdeceivedbythestrangefirenowlaiduponthealtar;andhealoneamonghisbrethrenisexceptedinthedenunciationofthenewapostle,assealedandsetapartbyHeaventotheworkoftheministry.Othersofthepriesthoodstand

  • 8/14/2019 Biographical Sketches(From: "Fanshawe and Other Pieces") by Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864

    4/32

    fullinfrontofthewoman,strivingtobeatherdownwithbrowsofwrinklediron,andwhisperingsternlyandsignificantlyamongthemselvesassheunfoldsherseditiousdoctrines,andgrowswarmintheirsupport.ForemostisHughPeters,fullofholywrath,andscarcecontaininghimselffromrushingforwardtoconvictherofdamnableheresies.There,also,isWard,meditatingareplyofemptypuns,andquaintantitheses,andtinklingjeststhatpuzzleuswithnothingbutasound.Theaudiencearevariouslyaffected;butnoneareindifferent.Ontheforeheadsoftheaged,themature,andstrong-minded,youmaygenerallyreadsteadfastdisapprobation,thoughhereandthereisonewhosefaithseemsshakeninthosewhomliehadtrustedforyears.Thefemales,ontheotherhand,areshudderingandweeping,andattimestheycastadesolatelookoffeararoundthem;whiletheyoungmenleanforward,fieryandimpatient,fitinstrumentsforwhateverrashdeedmaybesuggested.Andwhatistheeloquencethatgivesrisetoallthesepassions?Thewomantellsthen(andcitestextsfromtheHolyBooktoproveherwords)thattheyhaveputtheirtrustinunregeneratedanduncommissionedmen,andhavefollowedthemintothewildernessfornought.Thereforetheirheartsareturningfromthosewhomtheyhadchosentoleadthemtoheaven;andtheyfeellikechildrenwhohavebeenenticedfarfromhome,andseethefeaturesoftheirguideschangeallatonce,assumingafiendishshapeinsomefrightfulsolitude.

    TheseproceedingsofMrs.Hutchinsoncouldnotlongbeenduredbythe

    provincialgovernment.Thepresentwasamostremarkablecase,inwhichreligiousfreedomwaswhollyinconsistentwithpublicsafety,andwheretheprinciplesofanilliberalageindicatedtheverycoursewhichmusthavebeenpursuedbyworldlypolicyandenlightenedwisdom.Unityoffaithwasthestarthathadguidedthesepeopleoverthedeep;andadiversityofsectswouldeitherhavescatteredthemfromthelandtowhichtheyhadasyetsofewattachments,or,perhaps,haveexcitedadiminutivecivilwaramongthosewhohadcomesofartoworshiptogether.TheoppositiontowhatmaybetermedtheEstablishedChurchhadnowlostitschiefsupportbytheremovalofVanefromoffice,andhisdepartureforEngland;andMr.Cottonbegantohavethatlightinregardtohiserrors,whichwillsometimesbreakinuponthewisestandmostpiousmen,whentheiropinionsareunhappilydiscordantwiththose

    ofthepowersthatbe.Asynod,thefirstinNewEngland,wasspeedilyassembled,andpronounceditscondemnationoftheobnoxiousdoctrines.Mrs.Hutchinsonwasnextsummonedbeforethesupremeciviltribunal,atwhich,however,themosteminentoftheclergywerepresent,andappeartohavetakenaveryactivepartaswitnessesandadvisers.Weshallhereresumethemorepicturesquestyleofnarration.

    Itisaplaceofhumbleaspectwheretheeldersofthepeoplearemet,sittinginjudgmentuponthedisturberofIsrael.Thefloorofthelowandnarrowhallislaidwithplankshewnbytheaxe;thebeamsoftheroofstillweartheruggedbarkwithwhichtheygrewupintheforest;andthehearthisformedofonebroad,unhammeredstone,heapedwithlogsthatrolltheirblazeandsmokeupachimneyofwoodandclay.A

    sleetyshowerbeatsfitfullyagainstthewindows,drivenbytheNovemberblast,whichcomeshowlingonwardfromthenortherndesert,theboisterousandunwelcomeheraldofaNewEnglandwinter.Rudebenchesarearrangedacrosstheapartment,andalongitssides,occupiedbymenwhosepietyandlearningmighthaveentitledthemtoseatsinthosehighcouncilsoftheancientchurch,whenceopinionsweresentforthtoconfirmorsupersedethegospelinthebeliefofthewholeworldandofposterity.Herearecollectedallthoseblessedfathersoftheland,whorankinourvenerationnexttotheevangelistsofHolyWrit;andhere,also,aremany,unpurifiedfromthefiercesterrorsoftheage,

  • 8/14/2019 Biographical Sketches(From: "Fanshawe and Other Pieces") by Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864

    5/32

    andreadytopropagatethereligionofpeacebyviolence.InthehighestplacesitsWinthrop,--amanbywhomtheinnocentandguiltymightalikedesiretobejudged;thefirstconfidinginhisintegrityandwisdom,thelatterhopinginhismildness,NextisEndicott,whowouldstandwithhisdrawnswordatthegateofheaven,andresisttothedeathallpilgrimsthither,excepttheytravelledhisownpath.TheinfanteyesofoneinthisassemblybeheldthefagotsblazingroundthemartyrsinBloodyMary'stime:inlaterlifehedweltlongatLeyden,withthefirstwhowentfromEnglandforconscience'sake;andnow,inhiswearyage,itmatterslittlewhereheliesdowntodie.Thereareotherswhoseheartsweresmitteninthehighmeridianofambitioushope,andwhosedreamsstilltemptthemwiththepompoftheOldWorldandthedinofitscrowdedcities,gleamingandechoingoverthedeep.Inthemidst,andinthecentreofalleyes,weseethewoman.Shestandsloftilybeforeherjudgeswithadeterminedbrow;and,unknowntoherself,thereisaflashofcarnalpridehalfhiddeninhereye,asshesurveysthemanylearnedandfamousmenwhomherdoctrineshaveputinfear.Theyquestionher;andheranswersarereadyandacute:shereasonswiththemshrewdly,andbringsScriptureinsupportofeveryargument.Thedeepestcontroversialistsofthatscholasticdayfindhereawoman,whomalltheirtrainedandsharpenedintellectsareinadequatetofoil.But,bytheexcitementofthecontest,herheartismadetoriseandswellwithinher,andsheburstsforthintoeloquence.ShetellsthemofthelongunquietnesswhichshehadenduredinEngland,

    perceivingthecorruptionoftheChurch,andyearningforapurerandmoreperfectlight,andhow,inadayofsolitaryprayer,thatlightwasgiven.Sheclaimsforherselfthepeculiarpowerofdistinguishingbetweenthechosenofman,andthesealedofHeaven,andaffirmsthathergiftedeyecanseethegloryroundtheforeheadsofsaints,sojourningintheirmortalstate.Shedeclaresherselfcommissionedtoseparatethetrueshepherdsfromthefalse,anddenouncespresentandfuturejudgmentsonthelaud,ifshebedisturbedinhercelestialerrand.Thustheaccusationsareprovedfromherownmouth.Herjudgeshesitate;andsomespeakfaintlyinherdefence;but,withafewdissentingvoices,sentenceispronounced,biddinghergooutfromamongthem,andtroublethelandnomore.

    Mrs.Hutchinson'sadherentsthroughoutthecolonywerenowdisarmed;andsheproceededtoRhodeIsland,anaccustomedrefugefortheexilesofMassachusettsinallseasonsofpersecution.HerenemiesbelievedthattheangerofHeavenwasfollowingher,ofwhichGovernorWinthropdoesnotdisdaintorecordanotableinstance,veryinterestinginascientificpointofview,butfitterforhisoldandhomelynarrativethanformodernrepetition.Inalittletime,also,shelostherhusband,whoismentionedinhistoryonlyasattendingherfootsteps,andwhomwemayconcludetohavebeen(likemosthusbandsofcelebratedwomen)amereinsignificantappendageofhismightierwife.ShenowgrewuneasyawayfrowntheRhodeIslandcolonists,whoseliberalitytowardsher,atanerawhenliberalitywasnotesteemedaChristianvirtue,probablyarosefromacomparativeinsolicitudeonreligious

    matters,moredistastefultoMrs.HutchinsonthaneventheuncompromisingnarrownessofthePuritans.HerfinalmovementwastoleadherfamilywithinthelimitsoftheDutchjurisdiction,where,havingfelledthetreesofavirginsoil,shebecameherselfthevirtualhead,civilandecclesiastical,ofalittlecolony.

    Perhapshereshefoundthereposehithertosovainlysought.Secludedfromallwhosefaithshecouldnotgovern,surroundedbythedependantsoverwhomsheheldanunlimitedinfluence,agitatedbynoneofthetumultuousbillowswhichwereleftswellingbehindher,wemaysuppose

  • 8/14/2019 Biographical Sketches(From: "Fanshawe and Other Pieces") by Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864

    6/32

    that,inthestillnessofNature,herheartwasstilled.Butherimpressivestorywastohaveanawfulclose.Herlastsceneisasdifficulttobedescribedasashipwreck,wheretheshrieksofthevictimsdieunheard,alongadesolatesea,andashapelessmassofagonyisallthatcanbebroughthometotheimagination.Thesavagefoewasonthewatchforblood.Sixteenpersonsassembledattheeveningprayer:inthedeepmidnighttheircryrangthroughtheforest;anddaylightdawneduponthelifelessclayofallbutone.Itwasacircumstancenottobeunnoticedbyoursternancestors,inconsideringthefateofherwhohadsotroubledtheirreligion,thataninfantdaughter,thesolesurvivoramidtheterribledestructionofhermother'shousehold,wasbredinabarbarousfaith,andneverlearnedthewaytotheChristian'sheaven.Yetwewillhopethattherethemotherandchildhavemet.

    SIRWILLIAMPHIPS.

    Fewofthepersonagesofpasttimes(exceptsuchashavegainedrenowninfiresidelegendsaswellasinwrittenhistory)areanythingmorethanmerenamestotheirsuccessors.Theyseldomstandupinourimaginationslikemen.Theknowledgecommunicatedbythehistorianand

    biographerisanalogoustothatwhichweacquireofacountrybythemap,--minute,perhaps,andaccurate,andavailableforallnecessarypurposes,butcoldandnaked,andwhollydestituteofthemimiccharmproducedbylandscape-painting.Thesedefectsarepartlyremediable,andevenwithoutanabsoluteviolationofliteraltruth,althoughbymethodsrightfullyinterdictedtoprofessorsofbiographicalexactness.Alicensemustbeassumedinbrighteningthematerialswhichtimehasrusted,andintracingouthalf-obliteratedinscriptionsonthecolumnsofantiquity:Fancymustthrowherrevivinglightonthefadedincidentsthatindicatecharacter,whencearaywillbereflected,moreorlessvividly,onthepersontobedescribed.Theportraitoftheancientgovernorwhosenamestandsattheheadofthisarticlewilloweanyinterestitmaypossess,nottohisinternalself,buttocertain

    peculiaritiesofhisfortune.Thesemustbebrieflynoticed.

    ThebirthandearlylifeofSirWilliamPhipswereratheranextraordinarypreludetohissubsequentdistinction.Hewasoneofthetwenty-sixchildrenofagunsmith,whoexercisedhistrade--wherehuntingandwarmusthavegivenitafullencouragement--inasmallfrontiersettlementnearthemouthoftheriverKennebec.WithintheboundariesofthePuritanprovinces,andwhereverthosegovernmentsextendedaneffectualsway,nodepthnorsolitudeofthewildernesscouldexcludeyouthfromallthecommonopportunitiesofmoral,andfarmorethancommononesofreligiouseducation.EachsettlementofthePilgrimswasalittlepieceoftheOldWorldinsertedintotheNew.ItwaslikeGideon'sfleece,unwetwithdew:thedesertwindthatbreathed

    overitleftnoneofitswildinfluencesthere.ButthefirstsettlersofMaineandNewHampshirewereledthitherentirelybycarnalmotives:theirgovernmentswerefeeble,uncertain,sometimesnominallyannexedtotheirsistercolonies,andsometimesassertingatroubledindependence.Theirrulersmightbedeemed,inmorethanoneinstance,lawlessadventurers,whofoundthatsecurityintheforestwhichtheyhadforfeitedinEurope.Theirclergy(unlikethatreveredbandwhoacquiredsosingularafameelsewhereinNewEngland)weretoooftendestituteofthereligiousfervorwhichshouldhavekepttheminthetrackofvirtue,unaidedbytherestraintsofhumanlawandthedreadof

  • 8/14/2019 Biographical Sketches(From: "Fanshawe and Other Pieces") by Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864

    7/32

    worldlydishonor;andtherearerecordsoflamentablelapsesonthepartofthoseholymen,which,ifwemayarguethedisorderofthesheepfromtheunfitnessoftheshepherd,tellasadtaleastothemoralityoftheeasternprovinces.Inthisstateofsociety,thefuturegovernorgrewup;andmanyyearsafter,sailingwithafleetandanarmytomakewarupontheFrench,hepointedouttheveryhillswherehehadreachedtheageofmanhood,unskilledeventoreadandwrite.Thecontrastbetweenthecommencementandcloseofhislifewastheeffectofcasualcircumstances.Duringaconsiderabletime,hewasamariner,ataperiodwhentherewasmuchlicenseonthehigh-seas.AfterattainingtosomerankintheEnglishnavy,heheardofanancientSpanishwreckoffthecoastofHispaniola,ofsuchmightyvalue,that,accordingtothestoriesoftheday,thesunkengoldmightbeseentoglisten,andthediamondstoflash,asthetriumphantbillowstossedabouttheirspoil.Thesetreasuresofthedeep(bytheaidofcertainnoblemen,whoclaimedthelion'sshare)SirWilliamPhipssoughtfor,andrecovered,andwassufficientlyenriched,evenafteranhonestsettlementwiththepartnersofhisadventure.Thatthelandmightgivehimhonor,astheseahadgivenhimwealth,hereceivedknighthoodfromKingJames.ReturningtoNewEngland,heprofessedrepentanceofhissins(ofwhich,fromthenaturebothofhisearlyandmorerecentlife,therecouldscarcefailtobesomeslightaccumulation),wasbaptized,and,ontheaccessionofthePrinceofOrangetothethrone,becamethefirstgovernorunderthesecondcharter.Andnow,havingarrangedthesepreliminaries,weshall

    attempttopictureforthadayofSirWilliam'slife,introducingnoveryremarkableevents,becausehistorysuppliesuswithnonesuchconvertibletoourpurpose.

    Itistheforenoonofadayinsummer,shortlyafterthegovernor'sarrival;andhestandsuponhisdoorsteps,preparatorytoawalkthroughthemetropolis.SirWilliamisastoutman,aninchortwobelowthemiddlesize,andratherbeyondthemiddlepointoflife.Hisdressisofvelvet,--adarkpurple,broadlyembroidered;andhissword-hiltandthelion'sheadofhiscanedisplayspecimensofthegoldfromtheSpanishwreck.Onhishead,inthefashionofthecourtofLouisXIV.,isasuperbfull-bottomedperiwig,amidwhoseheapofringletshisfaceshowslikearoughpebbleinthesettingthatbefitsadiamond.Just

    emergingfromthedooraretwofootmen,--oneanAfricanslaveofshiningebony,theotheranEnglishbond-servant,thepropertyofthegovernorforatermofyears.AsSirWilliamcomesdownthesteps,heismetbythreeelderlygentlemeninblack,graveandsolemnasthreetombstonesonaramblefromtheburying-ground.Theseareministersofthetown,amongwhomwerecognizeDr.IncreaseMather,thelateprovincialagentattheEnglishcourt,theauthorofthepresentgovernor'sappointment,andtherightarmofhisadministration.Herefollowmanybowsandadealofangularpolitenessonbothsides.SirWilliamprofesseshisanxietytore-enterthehouse,andgiveaudiencetothereverendgentlemen:they,ontheotherhand,cannotthinkofinterruptinghiswalk;andthecourteousdisputeisconcludedbyajunctionoftheparties;SirWilliamandDr.Mathersettingforthsidebyside,thetwo

    otherclergymenformingthecentreofthecolumn,andtheblackandwhitefootmenbringinguptherear.ThebusinessinhandrelatestothedealingsofSataninthetownofSalem.Uponthissubject,theprincipalministersoftheprovincehavebeenconsulted;andthesethreeeminentpersonsaretheirdeputies,commissionedtoexpressadoubtfulopinion,implying,uponthewhole,anexhortationtospeedyandvigorousmeasuresagainsttheaccused.Tosuchcouncils,SirWilliam,bredintheforestandontheocean,andtincturedwiththesuperstitionofboth,iswellinclinedtolisten.

  • 8/14/2019 Biographical Sketches(From: "Fanshawe and Other Pieces") by Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864

    8/32

    AsthedignitariesofChurchandStatemaketheirwaybeneaththeoverhanginghouses,thelatticesarethrustajar,andyoumaydiscern,justintheboundariesoflightandshade,theprimfacesofthelittlePuritandamsels,eyingthemagnificentgovernor,andenviousoftheboldercuriosityofthemen.Anotherobjectofalmostequalinterestnowappearsinthemiddleoftheway.Itisamancladinahunting-shirtandIndianstockings,andarmedwithalonggun.Hisfeethavebeenwetwiththewatersofmanyaninlandlakeandstream;andtheleavesandtwigsofthetangledwildernessareintertwinedwithhisgarments:onhisheadhewearsatrophywhichwewouldnotventuretorecordwithoutgoodevidenceofthefact,--awigmadeofthelongandstraightblackhairofhisslainsavageenemies.ThisgrimoldheathenstandsbewilderedinthemidstofKingStreet.Thegovernorregardshimattentively,and,recognizingaplaymateofhisyouth,accostshimwithagracioussmile,inquiresastotheprosperityoftheirbirthplace,andthelifeordeathoftheirancientneighbors,andmakesappropriateremarksonthedifferentstationsallottedbyfortunetotwoindividualsbornandbredbesidethesamewildriver.Finallyheputsintohishand,atparting,ashillingoftheMassachusettscoinage,stampedwiththefigureofastubbedpine-tree,mistakenbyKingCharlesfortheoakwhichsavedhisroyallife.Thenallthepeoplepraisethehumilityandbountifulnessofthegoodgovernor,whostrutsonwardflourishinghisgold-headedcane;whilethegentlemaninthestraightblackwigisleftwithaprettyaccurateideaofthedistancebetweenhimselfandhis

    oldcompanion.Meantime,SirWilliamsteershiscoursetowardsthetowndock.Agallantfigureisseenapproachingontheoppositesideofthestreet,inanavaluniformprofuselylaced,andwithacutlassswingingbyhisside.ThisisCaptainShort,thecommanderofafrigateintheserviceoftheEnglishking,nowlyingintheharbor.SirWilliambristlesupatsightofhim,andcrossesthestreetwithaloweringfront,unmindfulofthehintsofDr.Mather,whoisawareofanunsettleddisputebetweenthecaptainandthegovernor,relativetotheauthorityofthelatteroveraking'sshipontheprovincialstation.Intothisthornysubject,SirWilliamplungesheadlong.Thecaptainmakesanswerwithlessdeferencethanthedignityofthepotentaterequires:theaffairgrowshot;andtheclergymenendeavortointerfereintheblessedcapacityofpeacemakers.Thegovernorliftshiscane;

    andthecaptainlayshishanduponhissword,butispreventedfromdrawingbythezealousexertionsofDr.Mather.Thereisafuriousstampingoffeet,andamightyuproarfromeverymouth,inthemidstofwhichhisExcellencyinflictsseveralverysufficientwhacksontheheadoftheunhappyShort.Havingthusavengedhimselfbymanualforce,asbefitsawoodmanandamariner,hevindicatestheinsultedmajestyofthegovernorbycommittinghisantagonisttoprison.Thisdone,SirWilliamremoveshisperiwig,wipesawaythesweatoftheencounter,andgraduallycomposeshimself,givingvent,toafewoaths,likethesubsidingebullitionsofapotthathasboiledover.

    Itbeingnowneartwelveo'clock,thethreeministersarebiddentodinneratthegovernor'stable,wherethepartyiscompletedbyafew

    OldChartersenators,--menrearedatthefeetofthePilgrims,andwhorememberthedayswhenCromwellwasanursing-fathertoNewEngland.SirWilliampresideswithcommendabledecorumtillgraceissaid,andtheclothremoved.Then,asthegrape-juiceglideswarmintotheventriclesofhisheart,itproducesachange,likethatofarunningstreamuponenchantedshapes;andtherudemanoftheseaandwildernessappearsintheverychairwherethestatelygovernorsatdown.Heoverflowswithjovialtalesoftheforecastleandofhisfather'shut,andstarestoseethegravityofhisguestsbecomemoreandmoreportentousinexactproportionashisownmerrimentincreases.Anoise

  • 8/14/2019 Biographical Sketches(From: "Fanshawe and Other Pieces") by Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864

    9/32

    ofdrumandfifefortunatelybreaksupthesession.

    Thegovernorandhisguestsgoforth,likemenbounduponsomegravebusiness,toinspectthetrainbandsofthetown.Agreatcrowdofpeopleiscollectedonthecommon,composedofwholefamilies,fromthehoarygrandsiretothechildofthreeyears.Allagesandbothsexeslookwithinterestonthearrayoftheirdefenders;andhereandtherestandafewdarkIndiansintheirblankets,dullspectatorsofthestrengththathassweptawaytheirrace.Thesoldierswearaproudandmartialmien,consciousthatbeautywillrewardthemwithherapprovingglances;nottomentionthatthereareafewlessinfluentialmotivestocontributetokeepupanheroicspirit,suchasthedreadofbeingmadeto"ridethewoodenhorse"(averydisagreeablemodeofequestrianexercise,--hardriding,inthestrictestsense),orofbeing"laidneckandheels,"inapositionofmorecompendiousnessthancomfort.SirWilliamperceivessomeerrorintheirtactics,andplaceshimselfwithdrawnswordattheirhead.Afteravarietyofwearyevolutions,eveningbeginstofall,liketheveilofgrayandmistyyearsthathaverolledbetwixtthatwarlikebandandus.Theyaredrawnintoahollowsquare,theofficersinthecentre;andthegovernor(forJohnDunton'sauthoritywillbearusoutinthisparticular)leanshishandsuponhissword-hilt,andclosestheexercisesofthedaywithaprayer.

    SIRWILLIAMPEPPERELL.

    ThemightymanofKitteryhasadoubleclaimtoremembrance.Hewasafamousgeneral,themostprominentmilitarycharacterinourante-Revolutionaryannals;andhemaybetakenastherepresentativeofaclassofwarriorspeculiartotheirageandcountry,--truecitizen-soldiers,whodiversifiedalifeofcommerceoragriculturebytheepisodeofacitysacked,orabattlewon,and,havingstampedtheirnamesonthepageofhistory,wentbacktotheroutineofpeacefuloccupation.SirWilliamPepperell'sletters,writtenatthemost

    criticalperiodofhiscareer,andhisconductthenandatothertimes,indicateamanofplaingoodsense,withalargeshareofquietresolution,andbutlittleofanenterprisingspirit,unlessarousedbyexternalcircumstances.TheMethodisticprinciples,withwhichhewasslightlytinctured,insteadofimpellinghimtoextravagance,assimilatedthemselvestohisorderlyhabitsofthoughtandaction.Thusrespectablyendowed,wefindhim,whenneartheageoffifty,amerchantofweightinforeignanddomestictrade,aprovincialcounsellor,andcoloneloftheYorkCountymilitia,fillingalargespaceintheeyesofhisgeneration,butlikelytogainnootherposthumousmemorialthanthelettersonhistombstone,becauseundistinguishedfromthemanyworshipfulgentlemenwhohadlivedprosperouslyanddiedpeacefullybeforehim.Butintheyear1745,anexpeditionwasprojectedagainst

    Louisburg,awalledcityoftheFrenchintheislandofCapeBreton.TheideaofreducingthisstrongfortresswasconceivedbyWilliamVaughan,abold,energetic,andimaginativeadventurer,andadoptedbyGovernorShirley,themostbustling,thoughnotthewisestruler,thateverpresidedoverMassachusetts.Hisinfluenceatitsutmoststretchcarriedthemeasurebyamajorityofonlyonevoteinthelegislature:theotherNewEnglandprovincesconsentedtolendtheirassistance;andthenextpointwastoselectacommanderfromamongthegentlemenofthecountry,noneofwhomhadtheleastparticleofscientificsoldiership,althoughsomewereexperiencedintheirregularwarfareofthe

  • 8/14/2019 Biographical Sketches(From: "Fanshawe and Other Pieces") by Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864

    10/32

    frontiers.Intheabsenceoftheusualqualificationsformilitaryrank,thechoicewasguidedbyothermotives,andfelluponColonelPepperell,who,asalandedproprietorinthreeprovinces,andpopularwithallclassesofpeople,mightdrawthegreatestnumberofrecruitstohisbanner.Whenthisdoubtfulspeculationwasproposedtotheprudentmerchant,hesoughtadvicefromthecelebratedWhitefield,thenanitinerantpreacherinthecountry,andanobjectofvastantipathytomanyofthesettledministers.TheresponseoftheapostleofMethodism,thoughdarkasthoseoftheOracleofDelphos,intimatingthatthebloodoftheslainwouldbelaidtoColonelPepperell'scharge,incaseoffailure,andthattheenvyofthelivingwouldpersecutehim,ifvictorious,decidedhimtogirdonhisarmor.ThattheFrenchmightbetakenunawares,thelegislaturehadbeenlaidunderanoathofsecrecywhiletheirdeliberationsshouldcontinue;thisprecaution,however,wasnullifiedbythepiousperjuryofacountrymemberofthelowerhouse,who,intheperformanceofdomesticworshipathislodgings,brokeintoaferventandinvoluntarypetitionforthesuccessoftheenterpriseagainstLouisburg.Weofthepresentgeneration,whoseheartshaveneverbeenheatedandamalgamatedbyoneuniversalpassion,andwhoare,perhaps,lessexcitableinthemassthanourfathers,cannoteasilyconceivetheenthusiasmwithwhichthepeopleseizedupontheproject.AdesiretoproveintheeyesofEnglandthecourageofherprovinces;therealnecessityforthedestructionofthisDunkirkofAmerica;thehopeofprivateadvantage;aremnantoftheold

    PuritandetestationofPapistidolatry;astronghereditaryhatredoftheFrench,who,forhalfahundredyears,hadshedthebloodoftheEnglishsettlersinconcertwiththesavages;thenaturalpronenessoftheNew-Englanderstoengageintemporaryundertakings,eventhoughdoubtfulandhazardous,suchweresomeofthemotiveswhichsoondrewtogetherahost,comprehendingnearlyalltheeffectiveforceofthecountry.Theofficersweregravedeacons,justicesofthepeace,andothersimilardignitaries;andintheranksweremanywarmhouseholders,sonsofrichfarmers,mechanicsinthrivingbusiness,husbandswearyoftheirwives,andbachelorsdisconsolateforwantofthem.ThedisciplesofWhitefieldalsoturnedtheirexcitedimaginationsinthisdirection,andincreasedtheresemblancebornebytheprovincialarmytothemotleyassemblagesofthefirstcrusaders.Apartofthepeculiaritiesofthe

    affairmaybegroupedinonepicture,byselectingthemomentofGeneralPepperell'sembarkation.

    ItisabrightandbreezydayofMarch;andabouttwentysmallwhitecloudsarescuddingseawardbeforethewind,airyforerunnersofthefleetofprivateersandtransportsthatspreadtheirsailstothesunshineintheharbor.Thetideisatitsheight;andthegunwaleofabargealternatelyrisesabovethewharf,andthensinksfromview,asitliesrockingonthewavesinreadinesstoconveythegeneralandhissuiteonboardtheShirleygalley.Inthebackground,thedarkwoodendwellingsofthetownhavepouredforththeirinhabitants;andthiswayrollsanearnestthrong,withthegreatmanofthedaywalkinginthemidst.Beforehimstrutsaguardofhonor,selectedfromtheyeomanry

    ofhisownneighborhood,andstoutyoungrusticsintheirSundayclothes;nextappearsixfigureswhodemandourmoreminuteattention.Heinthecentreisthegeneral,awell-proportionedmanwithaslighthoar-frostofagejustvisibleuponhim;heviewsthefleetinwhichlieisabouttoembark,withnostrongerexpressionthanacalmanxiety,asifheweresendingafreightofhisownmerchandisetoEurope.AscarletBritishuniform,madeofthebestofbroadcloth,becauseimportedbyhimself,adornshisperson;andintheleftpocketofalargebuffwaistcoat,nearthepommelofhissword,weseethesquareprotuberanceofasmallBible,whichcertainlymaybenefithispious

  • 8/14/2019 Biographical Sketches(From: "Fanshawe and Other Pieces") by Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864

    11/32

    soul,and,perchance,maykeepabulletfromhisbody.Themiddle-agedgentlemanathisrighthand,towhomhepayssuchgraveattention,insilk,gold,andvelvet,andwithapairofspectaclesthrustabovehisforehead,isGovernorShirley.Thequickmotionofhissmalleyesintheirpuckeredsockets,hisgraspononeofthegeneral'sbrightmilitarybuttons,thegesticulationofhisforefinger,keepingtimewiththeearnestrapidityofhiswords,haveallsomethingcharacteristic.Hismindiscalculatedtofillupthewildconceptionsofothermenwithitsownminuteingenuities;andheseeks,asitwere,toclimbuptothemoonbypilingpebble-stones,oneuponanother.Heisnowimpressingonthegeneral'srecollectionthevoluminousdetailsofaplanforsurprisingLouisburginthedepthofmidnight,andthustofinishthecampaignwithintwelvehoursafterthearrivalofthetroops.Ontheleft,formingastrikingcontrastwiththeunruffleddeportmentofPepperell,andthefidgetyvehemenceofShirley,isthemartialfigureofVaughan:withonehandhehasseizedthegeneral'sarm;andhepointstheothertothesailsofthevesselflutteringinthebreeze,whilethefireofhisinwardenthusiasmglowsthroughhisdarkcomplexion,andflashesintipsofflamefromhiseyes.Anotherpaleandemaciatedperson,inneglectedandscarcelydecentattire,anddistinguishedbytheabstractedfervorofhismanner,pressesthroughthecrowd,andattemptstolayholdofPepperell'sskirt.Hehasspentyearsinwildandshadowystudies,andhassearchedthecrucibleofthealchemistforgold,andwastedthelifeallottedhim,inawearyefforttorenderit

    immortal.Thedinofwarlikepreparationhasbrokeninuponhissolitude;andhecomesforthwithafancyofhishalf-maddenedbrain,--themodelofaflyingbridge,--bywhichthearmyistobetransportedintotheheartofthehostilefortresswiththecelerityofmagic.Butwhoisthis,ofthemildandvenerablecountenanceshadedbylocksofahallowedwhiteness,lookinglikePeacewithitsgentlethoughtsinthemidstofuproarandsterndesigns?Itistheministerofaninlandparish,who,aftermuchprayerandfasting,advisedbytheeldersofthechurchandthewifeofhisbosom,hastakenhisstaff,andjourneyedtownward.Thebenevolentoldmanwouldfairsolicitthegeneral'sattentiontoamethodofavoidingdangerfromtheexplosionofmines,andofovercomingthecitywithoutbloodshedoffriendorenemy.WestartasweturnfromthispictureofChristianlovetothedark

    enthusiastclosebesidehim,--apreacherofthenewsect,ineverywrinkledlineofwhosevisagewecanreadthestormypassionsthathavechosenreligionfortheiroutlet.Woetothewretchthatshallseekmercythere!Athisbackisslunganaxe,wherewithhegoestohewdownthecarvedaltarsandidolatrousimagesinthePopishchurches;andoverhisheadherearsabanner,which,asthewindunfoldsit,displaysthemottogivenbyWhitefield,--ChristoDuce,--inlettersredasblood.Butthetideisnowebbing;andthegeneralmakeshisadieustothegovernor,andenterstheboat:itboundsswiftlyoverthewaves,theholybannerflutteringinthebows:ahuzzafromthefleetcomesriotouslytotheshore;andthepeoplethunderhacktheirmany-voicedreply.

    Whentheexpeditionsailed,theprojectorscouldnotreasonablyrelyonassistancefromthemother-country.AtCanso,however,thefleetwasstrengthenedbyasquadronofBritishships-of-the-liceandfrigates,underCommodoreWarren;andthiscircumstanceundoubtedlypreventedadiscomfiture,althoughtheactivebusiness,andallthedangersofthesiege,felltotheshareoftheprovincials.Ifwehadanyconfidencethatitcouldbedonewithhalfsomuchpleasuretothereaderastoourself,wewouldpresent,awholegalleryofpicturesfromtheserichandfreshhistoricscenes.Never,certainly,sincemanfirstindulgedhisinstinctiveappetiteforwar,didaqueererandlessmanageablehost

  • 8/14/2019 Biographical Sketches(From: "Fanshawe and Other Pieces") by Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864

    12/32

    sitdownbeforeahostilecity.Theofficers,drawnfromthesame.classofcitizenswiththerankandfile,hadneitherthepowertoinstituteanawfuldiscipline,norenoughofthetrainedsoldier'sspirittoattemptit.Ofheadlongvalor,whenoccasionoffered,therewasnolack,norofareadinesstoencounterseverefatigue;but,withfewintermissions,theprovincialarmymadethesiegeonelongdayoffrolicanddisorder.Consciousthatnomilitaryvirtuesoftheirowndeservedtheprosperousresultwhichfollowed,theyinsistedthatHeavenhadfoughtasmanifestlyontheirsideaseveronthatofIsraelinthebattlesoftheOldTestament.We,however,ifweconsidertheeventsofafter-years,andconfineourviewtoaperiodshortoftheRevolution,mightdoubtwhetherthevictorywasgrantedtoourfathersasablessingorasajudgment.Mostoftheyoungmenwhohadlefttheirpaternalfiresides,soundinconstitution,andpureinmorals,iftheyreturnedatall,returnedwithruinedhealth,andwithmindssobrokenupbytheintervalofriot,thattheyneveraftercouldresumethehabitsofgoodcitizenship.Alustformilitaryglorywasalsoawakenedinthecountry;andFranceandEnglandgratifieditwithenoughofslaughter;theformerseekingtorecoverwhatshehadlost,thelattertocompletetheconquestwhichthecolonistshadbegun.Therewasabriefseasonofrepose,andthenafiercercontest,ragingalmostfromendtoendofNorthAmerica.Somewentforth,andmettheredmenofthewilderness;andwhenyearshadrolled,andthesettlercameinpeacewheretheyhadcomeinwar,therehefoundtheirunburiedbonesamongthefallenboughs

    andwitheredleavesofmanyautumns.OtherswereforemostinthebattlesoftheCanadas,till,inthedaythatsawthedownfalloftheFrenchdominion,theypouredtheirbloodwithWolfeontheHeightsofAbraham.Throughallthistroubledtime,thefloweroftheyouthwerecutdownbythesword,ordiedofphysicaldiseases,orbecameunprofitablecitizensbymoralonescontractedinthecampandfield.Dr.Douglass,ashrewdScotchphysicianofthelastcentury,whodiedbeforewarhadgatheredinhalfitsharvest,computesthatmanythousandbloomingdamsels,capableandwellinclinedtoservethestateaswivesandmothers,werecompelledtoleadlivesofbarrencelibacybytheconsequencesofthesuccessfulsiegeofLouisburg.Butwewillnotsaddenourselveswiththesedolefulthoughts,whenwearetowitnessthetriumphalentryofthevictorsintothesurrenderedtown.

    Thethunderingofdrums,irregularlybeaten,growsmoreandmoredistinct,andtheshatteredstrengthofthewesternwallofLouisburgstretchesoutbeforetheeye,fortyfeetinheight,andfarovertoppedbyarockbuiltcitadel.Inyonderbreachthebrokentimber,fracturedstones,andcrumblingearthprovetheeffectoftheprovincialcannon.Thedrawbridgeisdownoverthewidemoat;thegateisopen;andthegeneralandBritishcommodorearereceivedbytheFrenchauthoritiesbeneaththedarkandloftyportalarch.Throughthemassivegloomofthisdeepavenuethereisavistaofthemainstreet,borderedbyhighpeakedhouses,inthefashionofoldFrance;theviewisterminatedbythecentresquareofthecity,inthemidstofwhichrisesastonecross;andshavenmonks,andwomenwiththeirchildren,arekneelingat

    itsfoot.Aconfusedsobbingandhalf-stifledshrieksareheard,asthetumultuousadvanceoftheconqueringarmybecomesaudibletothosewithinthewalls.Bythelightwhichfallsthroughthearchway,weperceivethatafewmonthshavesomewhatchangedthegeneral'smien,givingitthefreedomofoneacquaintedwithperil,andaccustomedtocommand;nor,amidhopesofmoresolidreward,doesheappearinsensibletothethoughtthatposteritywillrememberhisnameamongthoserenownedinarms.SirPeterWarren,whoreceiveswithhimtheenemy'ssubmission,isaroughandhaughtyEnglishseaman,greedyoffame,butdespisingthosewhohavewonitforhim.Pressingforwardtothe

  • 8/14/2019 Biographical Sketches(From: "Fanshawe and Other Pieces") by Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864

    13/32

    portal,swordinhand,comesacomicalfigureinabrownsuit,andblueyarnstockings,withahugefrillstickingforthfromhisbosom,towhichthewholemanseemsanappendagethisisthatfamousworthyofPlymouthCounty,whowenttothewarwithtwoplainshirtsandaruffledone,andisnowabouttosolicitthepostofgovernorinLouisburg.InclosevicinitystandsVaughan,worndownwithtoilandexposure,theeffectofwhichhasfallenuponhimatonceinthemomentofaccomplishedhope.ThegroupisfilledupbyseveralBritishofficers,whofoldtheirarms,andlookwithscornfulmerrimentattheprovincialarmy,asitstretchesfarbehindingarmentsofeveryhue,resemblinganimmensestripofpatchworkcarpetingthrowndownovertheunevenground.Inthenearerrankswemaydiscernthevarietyofingredientsthatcomposethemass.Hereadvancearowofstern,unmitigable-fanatics,eachofwhomclincheshisteeth,andgraspshisweaponwithafistofiron,atsightofthetemplesoftheancientfaith,withthesunlightglitteringontheircross-crownedspires.Othersexaminethesurroundingcountry,andsendscrutinizingglancesthroughthegateway,anxioustoselectaspot,whitherthegoodwomanandherlittleonesintheBayProvincemaybeadvantageouslytransported.Some,whodragtheirdiseasedlimbsforwardinwearinessandpain,havemadethewretchedexchangeofhealthorlifeforwhatshareoffleetingglorymayfalltothemamongfourthousandmen.Buttheseareallexceptions,andtheexultingfeelingsofthegeneralhostcombineinanexpressionlikethatofabroadlaughonanhonestcountenance.Theyrollonward

    riotously,flourishingtheirmusketsabovetheirheads,shufflingtheirheavyheelsintoaninstinctivedance,androaringoutsomeholyversefromtheNewEnglandPsalmody,orthoseharsholdwarlikestanzaswhichtellthestoryof"Lovell'sFight."Thustheypouralong,tillthebatteredtownandtherabbleofitsconquerors,andtheshouts,thedrums,thesinging,andthelaughter,growdim,anddieawayfromFancy'seyeandear.

    ThearmsofGreatBritainwerenotcrownedbyamorebrilliantachievementduringthatunprosperouswar;and,inadjustingthetermsofasubsequentpeace,Louisburgwasanequivalentformanylossesnearerhome.TheEnglish,withverypardonablevanity,attributedtheconquestchieflytothevalorofthenavalforce.OnthecontinentofEurope,

    ourfathersmetwithgreaterjustice,andVoltairehasrankedthisenterpriseofthehusbandmenofNewEnglandamongthemostremarkableeventsinthereignofLouisXV.Theostensibleleadersdidnotfailofreward.Shirley,originallyalawyer,wascommissionedintheregulararmy,androsetothesuprememilitarycommandinAmerica.Warren,also,receivedhonorsandprofessionalrank,andarrogatedtohimself,withoutscruple,thewholecropoflaurelsgatheredatLouisburg.Pepperellwasplacedattheheadofaroyalregiment,and,firstofhiscountrymen,wasdistinguishedbythetitleofbaronet.Vaughanalone,whohadbeensoulofthedeedfromitsadventurousconceptiontillthetriumphantclose,andineverydangerandeveryhardshiphadexhibitedarareunionofardorandperseverance,--Vaughanwasentirelyneglected,anddiedinLondon,whitherhehadgonetomakeknownhisclaims.After

    thegreateraofhislife,SirWilliamPepperelldidnotdistinguishhimselfeitherasawarriororastatesman.Hespenttheremainderofhisdaysinallthepompofacolonialgrandee,andlaiddownhisaristocraticheadamongthehumblerashesofhisfathers,justbeforethecommencementoftheearliesttroublesbetweenEnglandandAmerica.

  • 8/14/2019 Biographical Sketches(From: "Fanshawe and Other Pieces") by Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864

    14/32

    THOMASGREENFESSENDEN.

    ThomasGreenFessendenwastheeldestofninechildrenoftheRev.ThomasFessenden.Hewasbornonthe22dofApril,1771,atWalpole,inNewHampshire,wherehisfather,amanoflearningandtalent,waslongsettledintheministry.Onthematernalside,likewise,hewasofclericalextraction;hismother,whosepietyandamiablequalitiesarerememberedbyherdescendants,beingthedaughteroftheRev.SamuelKendalofNewSalem.TheearlyeducationofThomasGreenwaschieflyatthecommonschoolofhisnativeplace,underthetuitionofstudentsfromthecollegeatHanover;andsuchwashisprogress,thathebecamehimselftheinstructorofaschoolinNewSalemattheageofsixteen.Hespentmostofhisyouthfuldays,however,inbodilylaboruponthefarm,thuscontributingtothesupportofanumerousfamily;andthepracticalknowledgeofagriculturewhichhethenobtainedwaslongafterwardsappliedtotheserviceofthepublic.Opportunitiesforcultivatinghismindwereaffordedhim,notonlyinhisfather'slibrary,butbythemoremiscellaneouscontentsofalargebookstore.Hehadpassedtheageoftwenty-onewhenhisinclinationformentalpursuitsdeterminedhimtobecomeastudentatDartmouthCollege.Hisfatherbeingabletogivebutlittleassistance,hischiefresourcesat,collegeconsistedinhiswagesasteacherofavillageschoolduringthevacations.Attimes,also,hegaveinstructiontoaneveningclassinpsalmody.

    Fromhischildhoodupward,Mr.Fessendenhadshownsymptomsofthathumorousturnwhichafterwardssostronglymarkedhiswritings;buthisfirsteffortinverse,ashehimselftoldme,wasmadeduringhisresidenceatcollege.Thethemes,orexercises,ofhisfellowstudentsinEnglishcomposition,whetherproseorrhyme,werewellcharacterizedbythelackofnativethoughtandfeeling,thecoldpedantry,themimicryofclassicmodels,commontoallsuchproductions.Mr.Fessendenhadthegoodtastetodisapproveofthesevapidandspiritlessperformances,andresolvedtostrikeoutanewcourseforhimself.Ononeoccasion,whenhisclassmateshadgonethroughwiththeircustomaryroundofverbiageandthreadbaresentiment,heelectrifiedthemandtheirinstructor,PresidentWheelock,byreading"_Jonathan's

    Courtship_."Therehasnever,tothisday,beenproducedbyanyofourcountrymenamoreoriginalandtrulyYankeeeffusion.Hehadcaughttherareartofsketchingfamiliarmanners,andofthrowingintoversetheveryspiritofsocietyasitexistedaroundhim;andhehadimbuedeachlinewithapeculiaryetperfectlynaturalandhomelyhumor.Thisexcellentballadcompelsmetoregret,that,insteadofbecomingasatiristinpoliticsandscience,andwastinghisstrengthontemporaryandevanescenttopics,hehadnotcontinuedtobearuralpoet.Avolumeofsuchsketchesas"Jonathan'sCourtship,"describingvariousaspectsoflifeamongtheyeomanryofNewEngland,couldnothavefailedtogainapermanentplaceinAmericanliterature.Theeffortinquestionmetwithunexampledsuccess:itranthroughthenewspapersoftheday,reappearedontheothersideoftheAtlantic,andwaswarmly

    applaudedbytheEnglishcritics;norhasityetlostitspopularity.Neweditionsmaybefoundeveryyearattheballad-stalls;andIsawlastsummer,ontheveteranauthor'stable,abroadsidecopyofhismaidenpoem,whichhehadhimselfboughtinthestreet.

    Mr.Fessendenpassedthroughcollegewithafairreputationforscholarship,andtookhisdegreein1796.Ithadbeenhisfather'swishthatheshouldimitatetheexampleofsonicofhisancestorsonbothsides,bydevotinghimselftotheministry.He,however,preferredthelaw,andcommencedthestudyofthatprofessionatRutland,inVermont,

  • 8/14/2019 Biographical Sketches(From: "Fanshawe and Other Pieces") by Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864

    15/32

    withNathanielChipman,thenthemosteminentpractitionerintheState.Afterhisadmissiontothebar,Mr.Chipmanreceivedhimintopartnership.ButMr.Fessendenwasillqualifiedtosucceedintheprofessionoflaw,byhissimplicityofcharacter,andhisutterinabilitytoacquireanordinaryshareofshrewdnessandworldlywisdom.Moreover,thesuccessof"_Jonathan'sCourtship_,"andotherpoeticaleffusions,hadturnedhisthoughtsfromlawtoliterature,andhadprocuredhimtheacquaintanceofseveralliteraryluminariesofthosedays;noneofwhosenames,probably,havesurvivedtoourowngeneration,savethatofJosephDennie,onceesteemedthefinestwriterinAmerica.HisintercoursewiththesepeopletemptedMr.Fessendentospendmuchtimeinwritingfornewspapersandperiodicals.Atasteforscientificpursuitsstillfurtherdivertedhimfromhislegalstudies,andsoonengagedhiminanaffairwhichinfluencedthecomplexionofallhisafter-life.

    AMr.Langdonhadbroughtforwardanewlyinventedhydraulicmachine,whichwassupposedtopossessthepowerofraisingwatertoagreaterheightthanhadhithertobeenconsideredpossible.Acompanyofmechanicsandothersbecameinterestedinthismachine,andappointedMr.FessendentheiragentforthepurposeofobtainingapatentinLondon.Hewas,likewise,amemberofthecompany.Mr.Fessendenwasurgedtohastenhisdeparture,inconsequenceofareportthatcertainpersonshadacquiredthesecretoftheinvention,andweredeterminedto

    anticipatetheproprietorsinsecuringapatent.Scarcelytimewasallowedfortestingtheefficacyofthemachinebyafewhastyexperiments,which,however,appearedsatisfactory.Takingpassageimmediately,Mr.FessendenarrivedinLondononthe4thofJuly,1801,andwaitedonMr.King,thenourminister,bywhomhewasintroducedtoMr.Nicholson,agentlemanofeminentscientificreputation.Afterthoroughlyexaminingtheinvention,Mr.Nicholsongaveanopinionunfavorabletoitsmerits;andthequestionwassoonsettledbyaletterfromoneoftheVermontproprietorstoMr.Fessenden,informinghimthattheapparentadvantagesofthemachinehadbeenfoundaltogetherdeceptive.Inshort,Mr.Fessendenhadbeenluredfromhisprofessionandcountrybyasemptyabubbleasthatoftheperpetualmotion.Yetitiscreditablebothtohisabilityandenergy,that,layingholdof

    whatwasreallyvaluableinLangdon'scontrivance;heconstructedthemodelofamachineforraisingwaterfromcoal-mines,andothergreatdepths,bymeansofwhathetermedthe"renovatedpressureoftheatmosphere."OncommunicatingthisinventiontoMr.Nicholsonandothereminentmechanicians,theyacknowledgeditsoriginalityandingenuity,andthoughtthat,insomesituations,itmightbeuseful.ButtheexpensesofapatentinEngland,thedifficultyofobtainingpatronageforsuchaproject,andtheuncertaintyoftheresult,wereobstaclestooweightytobeovercome.Mr.Fessendenthrewasidethescheme,and,afteratwomonths'residenceinLondon,waspreparingtoreturnhome,whenanewandcharacteristicadventurearrestedhim.

    Hereceivedavisit,athislodgingintheStrand,fromapersonwhomhe

    hadneverbeforeseen,butwhointroducedhimselftohisgood-willasbeinglikewiseanAmerican.HisbusinesswasofanaturewellcalculatedtoexciteMr.Fessenden'sinterest.Heproducedthemodelofaningeniouscontrivanceforgrindingcorn.Apatenthadalreadybeenobtained;andacompany,withthelord-mayorofLondonatitshead,wasassociatedfortheconstructionofmillsuponthisnewprinciple.Theinventor,accordingtohisownstory,haddisposedofone-fourthpartofhispatentforfivehundredpounds,andwaswillingtoaccommodatehiscountrymanwithanotherfourth.Aftersomeinquiryintothestranger'scharacterandtheaccuracyofhisstatements,Mr.Fessendenbecamea

  • 8/14/2019 Biographical Sketches(From: "Fanshawe and Other Pieces") by Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864

    16/32

    purchaserofthesharethatwasofferedhim;onwhattermsisnotstated,butprobablysuchastoinvolvehiswholepropertyintheadventure.Theresultwasdisastrous.Thelord-mayorsoonwithdrewhiscountenancefromtheproject.ItultimatelyappearedthatMr.Fessendenwastheonlyrealpurchaserofanypartofthepatent;and,astheoriginalpatenteeshortlyafterwardsquittedtheconcern,theformerwaslefttomanagethebusinessashebestcould.Withaperseverancenotlesscharacteristicthanhiscredulity,heassociatedhimselfwithfourpartners,andundertooktosuperintendtheconstructionofoneofthesepatent-millsupontheThanes.Buthisassociates,whoweremenofnorespectability,thwartedhisplans;andaftermuchtoilofbody,aswellasdistressofmind,hefoundhimselfutterlyruined,friendlessandpenniless,inthemidstofLondon.Noothereventcouldhavebeenanticipated,whenamansodevoidofguilewasthrownamongasetofcraftyadventurers.

    Beingnowinthesituationinwhichmanyaliterarymanbeforehimhadbeen,herememberedthesuccessofhisfugitivepoems,andbetookhimselftothepenashismostnaturalresource.Asubjectwasofferedhim,inwhichnootherpoetwouldhavefoundathemefortheMuse.Itseemedtobehisfatalitytoformconnectionswithschemersofallsorts;andhehadbecomeacquaintedwithBenjaminDouglasPerkins,thepatenteeofthefamousmetallictractors.Theseimplementsweretheningreatvogueforthecureofinflammatorydiseases,byremovingthe

    superfluouselectricity.Perkinism,asthedoctrineofmetallictractorswasstyled,hadsomeconvertsamongscientificmen,andmanyamongthepeoplebutwasviolentlyopposedbytheregularcorpsofphysiciansandsurgeons.Mr.Fessenden,asmightbeexpected,wasabelieverintheefficacyofthetractors,and,attherequestofPerkins,consentedtomakethemthesubjectofapoeminHudibrasticverse,thesatireofwhichwastobelevelledagainsttheiropponents."TerribleTractoration"wastheresult.ItprofessestobeapoeticalpetitionfromDr.ChristopherCaustic,amedicalgentlemanwhohasbeenruinedbythesuccessofthemetallictractors,andwhoappliestotheRoyalCollegeofPhysiciansforreliefandredress.Thewitsofthepoordoctorhavebeensomewhatshatteredbyhismisfortunes;and,withcrazyingenuity,hecontrivestoheapridiculeonhismedicalbrethren,

    underpretenceofrailingagainstPerkinism.Thepoemisinfourcantos,thefirstofwhichisthebest,andthemostcharacteristicoftheauthor.ItisoccupiedwithDr.Caustic'sdescriptionofhismechanicalandscientificcontrivances,embracingallsortsofpossibleandimpossibleprojects;everyoneofwhich,however,hasaridiculousplausibility.Theinexhaustiblevarietyinwhichtheyflowforthprovestheauthor'sinventionunrivalledinitsway.ItshowswhathadbeenthenatureofMr.Fessenden'smentaltoilduringhisresidenceinLondon,continuallybroodingoverthemiraclesofmechanismandscience,hisenthusiasmforwhichhadcosthimsodear.Longafterwards,speakingofthefirstconceptionofthispoem,theauthortoldmethathehadshapeditoutduringasolitaryday'srambleintheoutskirtsofLondon;andthecharacterofDr.Causticsostronglyimpresseditselfon

    hismind,that,ashewalkedhomewardthroughthecrowdedstreets,heburstintofrequentfitsoflaughter.

    Thetruthis,that,inthesketchofthiswildprojector,Mr.Fessendenhadcaricaturedsomeofhisownfeatures;and,whenhelaughedsoheartily,itwasattheperceptionoftheresemblance.

    "TerribleTractoration"isaworkofstrangeandgrotesqueideasaptlyexpressed:itsrhymesareofamostsingularcharacter,yetfittingeachtoeachasaccuratelyasechoes.AsinallMr.Fessenden'sproductions,

  • 8/14/2019 Biographical Sketches(From: "Fanshawe and Other Pieces") by Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864

    17/32

    thereisgreatexactnessinthelanguage;theauthor'sthoughtsbeingthrownoffasdistinctlyasimpressionsfromatype.Inregardtothepleasuretobederivedfromreadingthispoem,thereisroomfordiversityoftaste;but,thatitisalloriginalandremarkablework,nopersoncompetenttopassjudgmentonaliteraryquestionwilldeny.Itwasfirstpublishedearlyintheyear1803,inanoctavopamphletofabovefiftypages.Beinghighlyapplaudedbytheprincipalreviews,andeagerlypurchasedbythepublic,aneweditionappearedattheendoftwomonths,inavolumeofnearlytwohundredpages,illustratedwithengravings.ItreceivedthepraiseofGifford,theseverestofEnglishcritics.Itscontinuedsuccessencouragedtheauthortopublishavolumeof"OriginalPoems,"consistingchieflyofhisfugitivepiecesfromtheAmericannewspapers.This,also,wasfavorablyreceived.Hewasnow,whatsofewofhiscountrymenhaveeverbeen,apopularauthorinLondon;and,inthemidstofhistriumphs,hebethoughthimselfofhisnativeland.

    Mr.FessendenreturnedtoAmericain1804.Hecamebackpoorerthanhewent,butwithanhonorablereputation,andwithunstainedintegrity,althoughhisevilfortunehadconnectedhimwithmenfarunlikehimself.HisfamehadprecededhimacrosstheAtlantic.Shortlybeforehisarrival,aneditionof"TerribleTractoration"hadbeenpublishedatPhiladelphia,withaprefatorymemoiroftheauthor,thetoneofwhichprovesthattheAmericanpeoplefeltthemselveshonoredintheliterary

    successoftheircountryman.AnothereditionappearedinNewYork,in1806,considerablyenlarged,withanewsatireonthetopicsoftheday.Itissymptomaticofthecoursewhichtheauthorhadnowadopted,thatmuchofthisnewsatirewasdirectedagainstDemocraticprinciplesandtheprominentupholdersofthem.Thiswassoonfollowedby"DemocracyUnveiled,"amoreelaborateattackonthesamepoliticalparty.

    In"DemocracyUnveiled,"ourfriendDr.CausticappearsasacitizenoftheUnitedStates,andpoursoutsixcantosofvituperativeverse,withcopiousnotesofthesametenor,ontheheadsofPresidentJeffersonandhissupporters.Muchofthesatireisunpardonablycoarse.Theliterarymeritsoftheworkareinferiortothoseof"TerribleTractoration";butitisnolessoriginalandpeculiar.Evenwherethe

    matterisamereversificationofnewspaperslander,Dr.Caustic'smannergivesitanindividualitynottobemistaken.Thebookpassedthroughthreeeditionsinthecourseofafewmonths.Itsmostpungentportionswerecopiedintoalltheoppositionprints;itsstrange,jog-trotstanzaswerefamiliartoeveryear;andMr.FessendenmayfairlybeallowedthecreditofhavinggivenexpressiontothefeelingsofthegreatFederalparty.

    Onthe30thofAugust,1806,Mr.Fessendencommencedthepublication,atNewYork,of"_TheWeeklyInspector_,"apaperatfirstofeight,andafterwardsofsixteen,octavopages.ItappearedeverySaturday.Thecharacterofthisjournalwasmainlypolitical;buttherearealsoafewflowersandsweet-scentedtwigsofliteratureintermixedamongthe

    nettlesandburs,whichaloneflourishinthearenaofpartystrife.ItscolumnsareprofuselyenrichedwithscrapsofsatiricalverseinwhichDr.Caustic,inhiscapacityofballad-makertotheFederalfaction,sparednottocelebrateeverymanormeasureofgovernmentthatwasanywisesusceptibleofridicule.Manyofhisprosearticlesarecarefullyandablywritten,attackingnotmensomuchasprinciplesandmeasures;andhisdeeplyfeltanxietyforthewelfareofhiscountrysometimesgivesanimpressivedignitytohisthoughtsandstyle.ThedreadofFrenchdominationseemstohavehauntedhimlikeanightmare.But,inspiteoftheeditor'ssatiricalreputation,"_TheWeekly

  • 8/14/2019 Biographical Sketches(From: "Fanshawe and Other Pieces") by Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864

    18/32

    Inspector_"wastooconscientiousapaper,toosparinglyspicedwiththeredpepperofpersonalabuse,tosucceedinthoseoutrageoustimes.Thepublicationcontinuedbutforasingleyear,attheendofwhichwefindMr.Fessenden'svaledictorytohisleaders.Itstoneisdespondentbothastotheprospectsofthecountryandhisownprivatefortunes.Thenexttokenofhislaborsthathascomeundermynoticeisasmallvolumeofverse,publishedatPhiladelphiain1809,andalliterativelyentitled"Pills,Poetical,Political,andPhilosophical;prescribedforthePurposeofpurgingthePublicofPiddlingPhilosophers,PennyPoetasters,ofPaltryPoliticians,andPettyPartisans.ByPeterPepper-Box,PoetandPhysician."Thissatirehadbeenwrittenduringtheembargo,but,notmakingitsappearancetillaftertherepealofthatmeasure,metwithlesssuccessthan"DemocracyUnveiled."

    EverybodywhohasknownMr.Fessendenmusthavewonderedhowthekindestheartedmaninalltheworldcouldhavelikewisebeenthemostnotedsatiristofhisday.Formypart,Ihavetriedinvaintoformaconceptionofmyvenerableandpeacefulfriendasachampioninthestormystrifeofparty,flingingmudfullinthefacesofhisfoes,andshoutingforththebitterlaughterthatrangfrombordertoborderoftheland;andIcanhardlybelieve,thoughwellassuredofit,thathisantagonistsshouldeverhavemeditatedpersonalviolenceagainstthegentlestofhumancreatures.Iamsure,atleast,thatNaturenevermeanthimforasatirist.Oncarefulexaminationofhisworks,Idonot

    findinanyofthemtheferocityofthetruebloodhoundofliterature,--suchasSwift,orChurchill,orCobbett,--whichfastensuponthethroatofitsvictim,andwouldfaindrinkhislifeblood.Inmyopinion,Mr.Fessendenneverfelttheslightestpersonalill-willagainsttheobjectsofhissatire,except,indeed,theyhadendeavoredtodetractfromhisliteraryreputation,--anoffencewhichheresentedwithapoet'ssensibility,andseldomfailedtopunish.Withsuchexceptions,hisworksarenotproperlysatirical,buttheoffspringofamindinexhaustiblyfertileinludicrousideas,whichitappendedtoanytopicinhand.Attimes,doubtless,theall-pervadingfrenzyofthetimesinspiredhimwithabitternessnothisown.But,intheleastdefensibleofhiswritings,hewasinfluencedbyanhonestzealforthepublicgood.Therewasnothingmercenaryinhisconnectionwith

    politics.Toanantagonistwhohadtauntedhimwithbeingpoor,hecalmlyreplied,thathe"neednothavebeenaccusedofthecrimeofpoverty,couldhehaveprostitutedhisprinciplestopartypurposes,andbecomethehirelingassassinofthedominantfaction."Norcantherebeadoubtthattheadministrationwouldgladlyhavepurchasedthepenofsopopularawriter.

    IhavegainedhardlyanyinformationofMr.Fessenden'slifebetweentheyears1807and1812;atwhichlatterperiod,andprobablysometimeprevious,hewassettledatthevillageofBellowsFalls,onConnecticutRiver,inthepracticeofthelaw.InMayofthatyear,hehadthegoodfortunetobecomeacquaintedwithMissLydiaTuttle,daughterofMr.JohnTuttle,anindependentandintelligentfarmeratLittleton,Mass.

    ShewasthenonavisitinVermont.Afterherreturnhome,acorrespondenceensuedbetweenthisladyandMr.Fessenden,andwascontinuedtilltheirmarriage,inSeptember,1813.Shewasconsiderablyyoungerthanhimself,butendowedwiththequalitiesmostdesirableinthewifeofsuchaman;anditwouldnotbeeasytooverestimatehowmuchhisprosperityandhappinesswereincreasedbythisunion.Mrs.Fessendencouldappreciatewhatwasexcellentinherhusband,andsupplywhatwasdeficient.Inheraffectionategoodsensehefoundasubstitutefortheworldlysagacitywhichhedidnotpossess,andcouldnotlearn.Toherheintrustedthepecuniarycares,alwaysso

  • 8/14/2019 Biographical Sketches(From: "Fanshawe and Other Pieces") by Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864

    19/32

    burdensometoaliteraryman.Herinfluencerestrainedhimfromsuchimprudententerprisesashadcausedthemisfortunesofhisearlieryears.Shesmoothedhispathoflife,andmadeitpleasanttohim,andlengthenedit;for,asheoncetoldme(Ibelieveitwaswhileadvisingmetotake,betimes,asimilartreasuretomyself),hewouldhavebeeninhisgravelongago,butforhercare.

    Mr.FessendencontinuedtopractiselawatBellowsFallstill1815,whenheremovedtoBrattleborough,andassumedtheeditorshipof"TheBrattleboroughReporter,"apoliticalnewspaper.Thefollowingyear,incompliancewithapressinginvitationfromtheinhabitants,hereturnedtoBellowsFalls,andedited,withmuchsuccess,aliteraryandpoliticalpaper,called"_TheIntelligencer_."Heheldthisemploymenttilltheyear1822,atthesametimepractisinglaw,andcomposingavolumeofpoetry,"_TheLadies'Monitor_,"besidescompilingseveralworksinlaw,thearts,andagriculture.Duringthispartofhislife,heusuallyspentsixteenhoursofthetwenty-fourinstudy.In1822hecametoBostonaseditorof"_TheNewEnglandFarmer_,"aweeklyjournal,thefirstestablished,anddevotedprincipallytothediffusionofagriculturalknowledge.

    HismanagementoftheFarmermetunreservedapprobation.Havingbeenbreduponafarm,andpassedmuchofhislaterlifeinthecountry,andbeingthoroughlyconversantwiththewritersonruraleconomy,hewas

    admirablyqualifiedtoconductsuchajournal.ItwasextensivelycirculatedthroughoutNewEngland,andmaybesaidtohavefertilizedthesoillikerainfromheaven.Numerouspapersonthesameplansprungupinvariouspartsofthecountry;butnoneattainedthestandardoftheirprototype.Besideshiseditoriallabors,Mr.Fessendenpublished,fromtimetotime,variouscompilationsonagriculturalsubjects,oradaptationsofEnglishtreatisestotheuseoftheAmericanhusbandman.Versehenolongerwrote,except,nowandthen,anodeorsongforsomeagriculturalfestivity.Hispoems,beingconnectedwithtopicsoftemporaryinterest,ceasedtoberead,nowthatthemetallictractorswerethrownaside,andthattheblendingandmergingofpartieshadcreatedanentirechangeofpoliticalaspects,sincethedaysof"DemocracyUnveiled."Thepoeticlaurelwitheredamonghisgrayhairs,

    anddroppedaway,leafbyleaf.Hisname,oncethemostfamiliar,wasforgotteninthelistofAmericanbards.Iknownotthatthisoblivionwastoberegretted.Mr.Fessenden,ifmyobservationofhistemperamentbecorrect,waspeculiarlysensitiveandnervousinregardtothetrialsofauthorship:alittlecensuredidhimmoreharmthanmuchpraisecoulddohimgood;andmethinksthereposeoftotalneglectwasbetterforhimthanafeverishnotoriety.Wereitworthwhiletoimagineanyothercourseforthelatterpartofhislife,whichhemadesousefulandsohonorable,itmightbewishedthathecouldhavedevotedhimselfentirelytoscientificresearch.Hehadastrongtasteforstudiesofthatkind,andsometimesusedtolamentthathisdailydrudgeryaffordedhimnoleisuretocomposeaworkoncaloric,whichsubjecthehadthoroughlyinvestigated.

    InJanuary,1836,Ibecame,andcontinuedforafewmonths,aninmateofMr.Fessenden'sfamily.Itwasmyfirstacquaintancewithhim.Hisimageisbeforemymind'seyeatthismoment;slowlyapproachingmewithalampinhishand,hishairgray,hisfacesolemnandpale,histallandportlyfigurebentwithheavierinfirmitythanbefittedhisyears.Hisdress,thoughhehadimprovedinthisparticularsincemiddlelife,wasmarkedbyatrulyscholasticnegligence.Hegreetedmekindly,andwithplain,old-fashionedcourtesy;thoughIfanciedthathesomewhatregrettedtheinterruptionofhiseveningstudies.Afterafewmoments'

  • 8/14/2019 Biographical Sketches(From: "Fanshawe and Other Pieces") by Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864

    20/32

    talk,heinvitedmetoaccompanyhimtohisstudy,andgivemyopiniononsomepassagesofsatiricalverse,whichweretobeinsertedinaneweditionof"TerribleTractoration."Yearsbefore,Ihadlightedonanillustratedcopyofthispoem,bestrewnwithvenerabledust,inacornerofacollegelibrary;anditseemedstrangeandwhimsicalthatIshouldfinditstillinprogressofcomposition,andbeconsultedaboutitbyDr.Caustichimself.WhileMr.Fessendenread,Ihadleisuretoglancearoundathisstudy,whichwasverycharacteristicofthemanandhisoccupations.Thetable,andgreatpartofthefloor,werecoveredwithbooksandpamphletsonagriculturalsubjects,newspapersfromallquarters,manuscriptarticlesfor"_TheNewEnglandFarmer_,"andmanuscriptstanzasfor"TerribleTractoration."Therewassuchalitterasalwaysgathersaroundaliteraryman.Itbespoke,atonce,Mr.Fessenden'samiabletemperandhisabstractedhabits,thatseveralmembersofthefamily,oldandyoung,weresittingintheroom,andengagedinconversation,apparentlywithoutgivinghimtheleastdisturbance.AspecimenofDr.Caustic'sinventivegeniuswasseeninthe"PatentSteamandHot-WaterStove,"whichheatedtheapartment,andkeptupapleasantsingingsound,likethatofateakettle,therebymakingthefiresidemorecheerful.Itappearstome,that,havingnochildrenoffleshandblood,Mr.Fessendenhadcontractedafatherlyfondnessforthisstove,asbeinghismentalprogeny;anditmustbeownedthatthestovewelldeservedhisaffection,andrepaiditwithmuchwarmth.

    Theneweditionof"Tractoration"cameoutnotlongafterwards.Itwasnoticedwithgreatkindnessbythepress,butwasnotwarmlyreceivedbythepublic.Mr.Fessendenimputedthefailure,inpart,totheilliberalityofthe"trade,"andavengedhimselfbyalittlepoem,inhisbeststyle,entitled"WoodenBooksellers";sothatthelastblowofhissatiricalscourgewasgiveninthegoodoldcauseofauthorsagainstpublishers.

    Notwithstandingawidedifferenceofage,andmanymorepointsofdissimilaritythanofresemblance,Mr.Fessendenandmyselfsoonbecamefriends.Hispartialityseemednottobetheresultofanynicediscriminationofmygoodandevilqualities(forhehadnoacutenessin

    thatway),buttobegiveninstinctively,liketheaffectionofachild.Onmypart,Ilovedtheoldmanbecausehisheartwasastransparentasafountain;andIcouldseenothinginitbutintegrityandpurity,andsimplefaithinhisfellow-men,andgood-willtowardsalltheworld.Hischaracterwassoopen,thatIdidnotneedtocorrectmyoriginalconceptionofit.Heneverseemedtomelikeanewacquaintance,butasonewithwhomIhadbeenfamiliarfrommyinfancy.Yethewasarareman,suchasfewmeetwithinthecourseofalifetime.Itisremarkable,that,withsuchkindlyaffections,Mr.Fessendenwassodeeplyabsorbedinthoughtandstudyasscarcelytoallowhimselftimefordomesticandsocialenjoyment.DuringthewinterwhenIfirstknewhim,hismentaldrudgerywasalmostcontinual.Besides"_TheNewEnglandFarmer_,"liehadtheeditorialchargeoftwootherjournals,--

    "_TheHorticulturalRegister_,"and"_TheSilkManual_";inadditiontowhichemployment,hewasamemberoftheStatelegislature,andtooksomeshareinthedebates.Thenewmatterof"TerribleTractoration"likewisecosthimintensethought.SometimesIusedtomeethiminthestreet,makinghiswayonwardapparentlybyasortofinstinct;whilehiseyestooknoteofnothing,andwould,perhaps,passovermyfacewithoutsignofrecognition.Heconfessedtomethathewasapttogoastraywhenintentonrhyme.Withsomuchtoabstracthimfromoutwardlife,hecouldhardlybesaidtoliveintheworldthatwasbustlingaroundhim.Almosttheonlyrelaxationthatheallowedhimselfwasan

  • 8/14/2019 Biographical Sketches(From: "Fanshawe and Other Pieces") by Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864

    21/32

    occasionalperformanceonabass-violwhichstoodinthecornerofhisstudy,andfromwhichhelovedtoelicitsomeold-fashionedtuneofsoothingpotency.Atmeal-times,however,draggeddownandharassedashisspiritswere,hebrightenedup,andgenerallygladdenedthewholetablewithaflashofDr.Caustic'shonor.

    HadIanticipatedbeingMr.Fessenden'sbiographer,Imighthavedrawnfromhimmanydetailsthatwouldhavebeenwellworthremembering.Buthehadnotthetendencyofmostmeninadvancedlife,tobecopiousinpersonalreminiscences;nordidheoftenspeakofthenotedwritersandpoliticianswithwhomthechancesofearlieryearshadassociatedhim.Indeed,lackingaturnforobservationofcharacter,hisformercompanionshadpassedbeforehimlikeimagesinamirror,givinghimlittleknowledgeoftheirinnernature.Moreover,tillhislatestday,hewasmoreinclinedtoformprospectsforthefuturethantodwelluponthepast.Irememberthelasttime,saveone,thatweevermet--Ifoundhimonthebed,sufferingwithadizzinessofthebrain.Herousedhimself,however,andgrewverycheerful;talking,withayouthfulglowoffancy,aboutemigratingtoIllinois,wherehepossessedafarm,andpicturinganewlifeforbothofusinthatWesternregion.Ithassincecometomymemory,that,whilehespoke,therewasapurpleflushacrosshisbrow,--theharbingerofdeath.

    Isawhimbutoncemorealive.OnthethirteenthdayofNovemberlast,

    whileonmywaytoBoston,expectingshortlytotakehimbythehand,alettermetmewithaninvitationtohisfuneral--hehadbeenstruckwithapoplexyonFridayevening,threedaysbefore,andhadlaininsensibletillSaturdaynight,whenheexpired.TheburialtookplaceatMountAuburnontheensuingTuesday.Itwasagloomyday;forthefirstsnowstormoftheseasonhadbeendriftingthroughtheairsincemorning;andthe"GardenofGraves"lookedthedreariestspotonearth.Thesnowcamedownsofast,thatitcoveredthecoffininitspassagefromthehearsetothesepulchre.Thefewmalefriendswhohadfollowedtothecemeterydescendedintothetomb;anditwastherethatItookmylastglanceatthefeaturesofamanwhowillholdaplaceinmyremembranceapartfromothermen.Hewaslikenoother.Inhislongpathwaythroughlife,fromhiscradletotheplacewherewehadnowlaidhim,he

    hadcome,amanindeedinintellectandachievement,but,inguilelesssimplicity,achild.Darkwouldhavebeenthehour,if,whenweclosedthedoorofthetombuponhisperishingmortality,wehadbelievedthatourfriendwasthere.

    Itiscontemplatedtoerectamonument,bysubscription,toMr.Fessenden'smemory.Itisrightthatheshouldbethushonored.MountAuburnwilllongremainadesert,barrenofconsecratedmarbles,ifworthlikehisbeyieldedtooblivion.Lethisgravebemarkedout,thattheyeomenofNewEnglandmayknowwherehesleeps;forhewastheirfamiliarfriend,andhasvisitedthematalltheirfiresides.Hehastoiledforthematseed-timeandharvest:hehasscatteredthegoodgrainineveryfield;andtheyhavegarneredtheincrease.Markouthis

    graveasthatofoneworthytoberememberedbothintheliteraryandpoliticalannalsofourcountry,andletthelaurelbecarvedonhismemorialstone;foritwillcovertheashesofamanofgenius.

    JONATHANCILLEY.

    Thesubjectofthisbriefmemorialhadbarelybeguntobeanactorin

  • 8/14/2019 Biographical Sketches(From: "Fanshawe and Other Pieces") by Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864

    22/32

    thegreatsceneswherehispartcouldnothavefailedtobeaprominentone.Thenationdidnothavetimetorecognizehim.Hisdeath,asidefromtheshockwithwhichthemannerofithasthrilledeverybosom,islookeduponmerelyascausingavacancyinthedelegationofhisState,whichanewmembermayfillascreditablyasthedeparted.Itwill,perhaps,bedeemedpraiseenoughtosayofCilley,thathewouldhaveprovedhimselfanactiveandefficientpartisan.Butthosewhoknewhimlongestandmostintimately,consciousofhishightalentsandrarequalities,hisenergyofmindandforceofcharacter,mustclaimmuchmorethansuchameedfortheirlostfriend.Theyfeelthatnotmerelyapartynorasection,butourcollectivecountry,haslostamanwhohadtheheartandtheabilitytoserveherwell.Itwouldbedoinginjusticetothehopeswhichliewithereduponhisuntimelygrave,if,inpayingafarewelltributetohismemory,weweretoaskanarrowersympathythanthatofthepeopleatlarge.Maynobitternessofpartyprejudicesinfluencehimwhowrites,northose,ofwhateverpoliticalopinions,whomayread!

    JonathanCilleywasbornatNottingham,N.H.,onthe2dofJuly,1802.Hisgrandfather,ColonelJosephCilley,commandedaNewHampshireregimentduringtheRevolutionaryWar,andestablishedacharacterforenergyandintrepidity,ofwhichmorethanoneofhisdescendantshaveprovedthemselvestheinheritors.GreenleafCilley,sonofthepreceding,diedin1808,leavingafamilyoffoursonsandthree

    daughters.Theagedmotherofthisfamily,andthethreedaughters,arestillliving.Ofthesons,theonlysurvivorisJosephCilley,whowasanofficerinthelatewar,andservedwithgreatdistinctionontheCanadianfrontier.Jonathan,beingdesirousofaliberaleducation,commencedhisstudiesatAtkinsonAcademy,atabouttheageofseventeen,andbecameamemberofthefreshmanclassofBowdoinCollege,Brunswick,Me.,in1821.Inheritingbutlittlepropertyfromhisfather,headoptedtheusualexpedientofayoungNew-Englanderinsimilarcircumstances,andgainedasmallincomebyteachingacountryschoolduringthewintermonthsbothbeforeand,afterhisentranceatcollege.

    Cilley'scharacterandstandingatcollegeaffordedhighpromiseof

    usefulnessanddistinctioninafter-life.Thoughnottheforemostscholarofhisclass,hestoodinthefrontrank,andprobablyderivedalltherealbenefitfromtheprescribedcourseofstudythatitcouldbestowonsopracticalamind.Histrueeducationconsistedintheexerciseofthosefacultieswhichfittedhimtobeapopularleader.Hisinfluenceamonghisfellow-studentswasprobablygreaterthanthatofanyotherindividual;andhehadalreadymadehimselfpowerfulinthatlimitedsphere,byafreeandnaturaleloquence,aflowofpertinentideasinlanguageofunstudiedappropriateness,whichseemedalwaystoaccomplishpreciselytheresultonwhichhehadcalculated.Thisgiftwassometimesdisplayedinclassmeetings,whenmeasuresimportanttothoseconcernedwereunderdiscussion;sometimesinmocktrialsatlaw,whenjudge,jury,lawyers,prisoner,andwitnesseswere

    personatedbythestudents,andCilleyplayedthepartofafervidandsuccessfuladvocate;and,besidestheseexhibitionsofpower,heregularlytrainedhimselfintheforensicdebatesofaliterarysociety,ofwhichheafterwardsbecamepresident.Nothingcouldbelessartificialthanhisstyleoforatory.Afterfillinghismindwiththenecessaryinformation,hetrustedeverythingelsetohismentalwarmthandtheinspirationofthemoment,andpouredhimselfoutwithanearnestandirresistiblesimplicity.Therewasasingularcontrastbetweentheflowofthoughtfromhislips,andthecoldnessandrestraintwithwhichhewrote;andthough,inmaturerlife,heacquired

  • 8/14/2019 Biographical Sketches(From: "Fanshawe and Other Pieces") by Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864

    23/32

    aconsiderablefacilityinexercisingthepen,healwaysfeltthetonguetobehispeculiarinstrument.

    Inprivateintercourse,Cilleypossessedaremarkablefascination.Itwasimpossiblenottoregardhimwiththekindliestfeelings,becausehiscompanionswereintuitivelycertainofalikekindlinessonhispart.Hehadapowerofsympathywhichenabledhimtounderstandeverycharacter,andholdcommunionwithhumannatureinallitsvarieties.Henevershrankfromtheintercourseofmanwithman;anditwastohisfreedominthisparticularthatheowedmuchofhissubsequentpopularityamongapeoplewhoareaccustomedtotakeapersonalinterestinthemenwhomtheyelevatetooffice.Infewwords,letuscharacterizehimattheoutsetoflifeasayoungmanofquickandpowerfulintellect,endowedwithsagacityandtact,yetfrankandfreeinhismodeofaction,ambitiousofgoodinfluence,earnest,active,andpersevering,withanelasticityandcheerfulstrengthofmindwhichmadedifficultieseasy,andthestrugglewiththemapleasure.Mingledwiththeamiablequalitiesthatwerelikesunshinetohisfriends,therewereharsherandsternertraits,whichfittedhimtomakeheadagainstanadverseworld;butitwasonlyatthemomentofneedthattheironframeworkofhischaracterbecameperceptible.

    Immediatelyonquittingcollege,Mr.CilleytookuphisresidenceinThomaston,andbeganthestudyoflawintheofficeofJohnRuggles,

    Esq.,nowasenatorinCongress.Mr.RugglesbeingthenaprominentmemberoftheDemocraticparty,itwasnaturalthatthepupilshouldlendhisaidtopromotethepoliticalviewsofhisinstructor,especiallyashewouldthusupholdtheprincipleswhichhehadcherishedfromboyhood.Fromyeartoyear,theelectionofMr.RugglestotheStatelegislaturewasstronglyopposed.Cilley'sservicesinovercomingthisoppositionweretoovaluabletobedispensedwith;andthus,ataperiodwhenmostyoungmenstillstandalooffromtheworld,hehadalreadytakenhispostasaleadingpolitician.Heafterwardsfoundcausetoregretthatsomuchtimehadbeenabstractedfromhisprofessionalstudies;nordidtheabsorbingandexcitingnatureofhispoliticalcareeraffordhimanysubsequentopportunitytosupplythedefectsofhislegaleducation.Hewasadmittedanattorney-at-lawin

    1829,andinAprilofthesameyearwasmarriedtoMissDeborahPrince,daughterofHon.HezekiahPrinceofThomaston,whereMr.Cilleycontinuedtoreside,andentereduponthepracticeofhisprofession.

    In1831,Mr.Ruggleshavingbeenappointedajudgeofthecourtofcommonpleas,itbecamenecessarytosendanewrepresentativefromThomastontothelegislatureoftheState.Mr.CilleywasbroughtforwardastheDemocraticcandidate,obtainedhiselection,andtookhisseatinJanuary,1832.ButinthecourseofthisyearthefriendlyrelationsbetweenJudgeRugglesandMr.Cilleywerebrokenoff.Timeformergentleman,itappears,hadimbibedtheideathathispoliticalaspirations(whichwerethendirectedtowardsaseatintheSenateoftheUnitedStates)didnotreceivealltheaidwhichhewasdisposedto

    claimfromtheinfluenceofhislatepupil.When,therefore,Mr.Cilleywasheldupasacandidateforre-electiontothelegislature,thewholestrengthofJudgeRugglesandhisadherentswasexertedagainsthim.Thiswasthefirstactanddeclarationofapoliticalhostility,whichwastoowarmandearnestnottobecome,insomedegree,personal,andwhichrenderedMr.Cilley'ssubsequentcareeracontinualstrugglewiththosetowhomhemightnaturallyhavelookedforfriendshipandsupport.Itsetshisabilitiesandforceofcharacterinthestrongestlight,toviewhim,attheveryoutsetofpubliclife,withouttheaidofpowerfulconnections,anisolatedyoungman,forcedintoapositionofhostility,

  • 8/14/2019 Biographical Sketches(From: "Fanshawe and Other Pieces") by Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864

    24/32

    notmerelywiththeenemiesofhisparty,butlikewisewithalargebodyofitsadherents,evenaccusedoftreacherytoitsprinciples,yetgainingtriumphaftertriumph,andmakinghiswaysteadilyonward.Surelyhiswasamentalandmoralenergywhichdeathalonecouldhavelaidprostrate.

    WehavethetestimonyofthosewhoknewMr.Cilleywell,thathisownfeelingswereneversoembitteredbythoseconflictsastopreventhimfrominterchangingthecourtesiesofsocietywithhismostviolentopponents.Whiletheirresentmentsrenderedhisverypresenceintolerabletothem,hecouldaddressthemwithasmucheaseandcomposureasiftheirmutualrelationshadbeenthoseofperfectharmony.Therewasnoaffectationinthis:itwasthegood-naturedconsciousnessofhisownstrengththatenabledhimtokeephistemper:itwasthesamechivalroussentimentwhichimpelshostilewarriorstoshakehandsintheintervalsofbattle.Mr.Cilleywasslowtowithdrawhisconfidencefromanymanwhomhedeemedafriend;andithasbeenmentionedasalmosthisonlyweakpoint,thathewastooapttosufferhimselftobebetrayedbeforehewouldcondescendtosuspect.Hisprejudices,however,whenonceadopted,partookofthedepthandstrengthofhischaracter,andcouldnotbereadilyovercome.Helovedtosubduehisfoes;butnomancoulduseatriumphmoregenerouslythanhe.

    Letusresumeournarrative.InspiteoftheoppositionofJudgeRugglesandhisfriends,combinedwiththatoftheWhigs,Mr.Cilleywasre-electedtothelegislatureof1833,andwasequallysuccessfulineachofthesucceedingyears,untilhiselectiontoCongress.HewasfivesuccessiveyearstherepresentativeofThomaston.In1834,whenMr.DunlapwasnominatedastheDemocraticcandidateforgovernor,Mr.CilleygavehissupporttoGovernorSmith,inthebeliefthatthesubstitutionofanewcandidatehadbeenunfairlyeffected.HeconsidereditastratagemintendedtopromotetheelectionofJudgeRugglestotheSenateoftheUnitedStates.Earlyinthelegislativesessionofthesameyear,theRugglespartyobtainedatemporarytriumphoverMr.Cilley,effectedhisexpulsionfromtheDemocraticcaucuses,andattemptedtostigmatizehimasatraitortohispoliticalfriends.

    ButMr.Cilley'shighandhonorablecoursewaserelongunderstoodandappreciatedbyhispartyandthepeople.Hetoldthem,openlyandboldly,thattheymightundertaketoexpelhimfromtheircaucuses;buttheycouldnotexpelhimfromtheDemocraticparty:theymightstigmatizehimwithanyappellationtheymightchoose;buttheycouldnotreachtheheightonwhichhestood,norshakehispositionwiththepeople.Butafewweekshadelapsed,andMr.Cilleywastheacknowledgedheadandleaderofthatpartyinthelegislature.Duringthesamesession,Mr.SpeakerClifford(oneofthefriendsofJudgeRuggles)beingappointedattorney-general,theRugglespartyweredesirousofsecuringtheelectionofanotheroftheiradherentstothechair;but,asitwasobviousthatMr.Cilley'spopularitywouldgainhimtheplace,theincumbentwasinducedtodelayhisresignationtill

    theendoftheterm.Atthesessionof1835,Messrs.Cilley,Davee,andMcCrotebeingcandidatesforthechair,Mr.CilleywithdrewinfavorofMr.Davee.Thatgentlemanwasaccordinglyelected;but,beingsoonafterwardsappointedsheriffofSomersetCounty,Mr.Cilleysucceededhimasspeaker,andfilledthesameofficeduringthesessionof1836.Allpartiesawardedhimthepraiseofbeingthebestpresidingofficerthatthehouseeverhad.

    In1836,hewasnominatedbyalargeportionoftheDemocraticelectorsoftheLincolnCongressionalDistrictastheircandidateforCongress.

  • 8/14/2019 Biographical Sketches(From: "Fanshawe and Other Pieces") by Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864

    25/32

    ThatdistricthasrecentlyshownitselftopossessadecidedWhigmajority;andthiswouldhavebeenequallythecasein1836,hadanyothermanthanMr.CilleyappearedontheDemocraticside.Hehadlikewisetocontend,asinalltheformerscenesofhispoliticallife,withthatportionofhisownpartywhichadheredtoMr.Ruggles.Therewasstillanotherformidableobstacle,inthehighcharacterofJudgeBailey,whothenrepresentedthedistrict,andwasacandidateforre-election.Allthesedifficulties,however,servedonlytoprotractthecontest,butcouldnotsnatchthevictoryfromMr.Cilley,whoobtainedamajorityofvotesatthethirdtrial.Itwasafataltriumph.

    Inthesummerof1837,afewmonthsafterhiselectiontoCongress,ImetMr.Cilleyforthefirsttimesinceearlyyouth,whenhehadbeentomealmostasanelderbrother.ThetwoorthreedayswhichIspentinhisneighborhoodenabledustorenewourformerintimacy.Inhispersontherewasverylittlechange,andthatlittlewasforthebetter.Hehadanimpendingbrow,deep-seteyes,andathinandthoughtfulcountenance,which,inhisabstractedmoments,seemedalmoststern;but,intheintercourseofsociety,itwasbrightenedwithakindlysmile,thatwillliveintherecollectionofallwhoknewhim.Hismannershadnotafastidiouspolish,butwerecharacterizedbythesimplicityofonewhohaddweltremotefromcities,holdingfreecompanionshipwiththeyeomenoftheland.Ithoughthimastruearepresentativeofthe

    peopleasevertheorycouldportray.Hisearlierandlaterhabitsoflife,hisfeelings,partialities,andprejudices,werethoseofthepeople:thestrongandshrewdsensewhichconstitutedsomarkedafeatureofhismindwasbutahigherdegreeofthepopularintellect.Helovedthepeopleandrespectedthem,andwasprouderofnothingthanofhisbrotherhoodwiththosewhohadintrustedtheirpublicintereststohiscare.Hiscontinualstrugglesinthepoliticalarenahadstrengthenedhisbonesandsinews:oppositionhadkepthimardent;whilesuccesshadcherishedthegenerouswarmthofhisnature,andassistedthegrowthbothofhispowersandsympathies.Disappointmentmighthavesouredandcontractedhim;butitappearedtomethathistriumphantwarfarehadbeennolessbeneficialtohisheartthantohismind.Iwasaware,indeed,thathisharshertraitshadgrownapacewith

    hismilderones;thathepossessedironresolution,indomitableperseverance,andanalmostterribleenergy;butthesefeatureshadimpartednohardnesstohischaracterinprivateintercourse.Inthehourofpublicneed,thesestrongqualitieswouldhaveshownthemselvesthemostprominentones,andwouldhaveencouragedhiscountrymentorallyroundhimasoneoftheirnaturalleaders.

    Inhisprivateanddomesticrelations,Mr.Cilleywasmostexemplary;andheenjoyednolesshappinessthanheconferred.Hehadbeenthefatheroffourchildren,twoofwhomwereinthegrave,leaving,Ithought,amoreabidingimpressionoftendernessandregretthanthedeathofinfantsusuallymakesonthemasculinemind.Twoboys--theelder,sevenoreightyearsofage;andtheyounger,two--stillremained

    tohim;andthefondnessofthesechildrenfortheirfather,theirevidentenjoymentofhissociety,wasproofenoughofhisgentleandamiablecharacterwithintheprecinctsofhisfamily.Inthatbereavedhousehold,thereisnowanotherchild,whomthefatherneversaw.Mr.Cilley'sdomestichabitsweresimpleandprimitivetoadegreeunusual,inmostpartsofourcountry,amongmenofsoeminentastationashehadattained.Itmademesmile,thoughwithanythingbutscorn,incontrasttothearistocraticstatelinesswhichIhavewitnessedelsewhere,toseehimdrivinghomehisowncowafteralongsearchforherthroughthevillage.Thattraitalonewouldhavemarkedhimasa

  • 8/14/2019 Biographical Sketches(From: "Fanshawe and Other Pieces") by Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864

    26/32

    manwhosegreatnesslaywithinhimself.Heappearedtotakemuchinterestinthecultivationofhisgarden,andwasveryfondofflowers.Hekeptbees,andtoldmethathelovedtositforwholehoursbythehives,watchingthelaborsoftheinsects,andsoothedbythehumwithwhichtheyfilledtheair.Iglanceattheseminuteparticularsofhisdailylife,becausetheyformsostrangeacontrastwiththecircumstancesofhisdeath.Whocouldhavebelieved,that,withhisthoroughlyNewEnglandcharacter,insoshortatimeafterIhadseenhiminthatpeacefulandhappyhome,amongthosesimpleoccupationsandpureenjoyments,hewouldbestretchedinhisownblood,slainforanalmostimpalpablepunctilio!

    ItisnotmypurposetodwelluponMr.Cilley'sbriefcareerinCongress.Briefasitwas,hischaracterandtalentshadmorethanbeguntobefelt,andwouldsoonhavelinkedhisnamewiththehistoryofeveryimportantmeasure,andhaveborneitonwardwiththeprogressoftheprincipleswhichhesupported.Hewasnoteagertoseizeopportunitiesofthrustinghimselfintonotice;but,whentimeandtheoccasionsummonedhim,hecameforward,andpouredforthhisreadyandnaturaleloquencewithasmucheffectinthecouncilsofthenationashehaddoneinthoseofhisownState.Witheveryeffortthathemade,thehopesofhispartyrestedmoredecidedlyuponhim,asonewhowouldhereafterbefoundinthevanguardofmanyaDemocraticvictory.Letmesparemyselfthedetailsoftheawfulcatastrophebywhichallthose

    proudhopesperished;forIwritewithabluntedpenandaheadbenumbed,andamthelessabletoexpressmyfeelingsastheyliedeepatheart,andinexhaustible.

    Onthe23dofFebruarylast,Mr.CilleyreceivedachallengefromMr.GravesofKentucky,throughthehandsofMr.WiseofVirginia.Thismeasure,asisdeclaredinthechallengeitself,wasgroundedonMr.Cilley'srefusaltoreceiveamessage,ofwhichMr.Graveshadbeenthebearer,fromapersonofdisputedrespectability;althoughnoexceptiontothatperson'scharacterhadbeenexpressedbyMr.Cilley;norneedsuchinferencehavebeendrawn,unlessMr.Graveswereconsciousthatpublicopinionheldhisfriendinadoubtfullight.Thechallengewasaccepted,andthepartiesmetonthefollowingday.Theyexchangedtwo

    shotswithrifles.Aftereachshot,aconferencewasheldbetweenthefriendsofbothparties,andthemostgenerousavowalsofrespectandkindlyfeelingweremadeonthepartofCilleytowardshisantagonist,butwithoutavail.Athirdshotwasexchanged;andMr.Cilleyfelldeadintothearmsofoneofhisfriends.WhileIwrite,aCommitteeofInvestigationissittinguponthisaffair:butthepublichasnotwaitedforitsaward;andthewriter,inaccordancewiththepublic,hasformedhisopinionontheofficialstatementofMessrs.WiseandJones.Achallengewasnevergivenonamoreshadowypretext;aduelwasneverpressedtoafatalcloseinthefaceofsuchopenkindnessaswasexpressedbyMr.Cilley:andtheconclusionisinevitable,thatMr.Gravesandhisprincipalsecond,Mr.Wise,havegonefurtherthantheirowndreadfulcodewillwarrantthem,andoversteppedtheimaginary

    distinction,which,ontheirownprinciples,separatesmanslaughterfrommurder.

    Alasthatoverthegraveofadearfriend,mysorrowforthebereavementmustbemingledwithanothergrief,--thathethrewawaysuchalifeinsomiserableacause!Why,ashewastruetotheNortherncharacterinallthingselse,didbeswervefromhisNorthernprinciplesinthisfinalscene?Buthiserrorwasagenerousone,sincehefoughtforwhathedeemedthehonorofNewEngland;and,nowthatdeathhaspaidtheforfeit,themostrigidmayforgivehim.Ifthatdarkpitfall--that

  • 8/14/2019 Biographical Sketches(From: "Fanshawe and Other Pieces") by Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864

    27/32

    bloodygrave--hadnotlaininthemidstofhispath,whither,whithermightitnothaveledhim!Ithasendedthere:yetsostrongwasmyconceptionofhisenergies,solikedestinydiditappearthatheshouldachieveeverythingatwhichheaimed,thatevennowmyfancywillnotdwelluponhisgrave,butpictureshimstillamidthestrugglesandtriumphsofthepresentandthefuture.

    1838.

    ***ENDOFTHEPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOK,BIOGRAPHICALSKETCHES***ByNathanielHawthorne

    ******Thisfileshouldbenamedhaw7210.txtorhaw7210.zip******

    CorrectedEDITIONSofouretextsgetanewNUMBER,haw7211.txtVERSIONSbasedonseparatesourcesgetnewLETTER,haw7210a.txt

    ThiseBookwasproducedbyDavidWidger[[email protected]]

    ProjectGutenbergeBooksareoftencreatedfromseveralprinted

    editions,allofwhichareconfirmedasPublicDomainintheUSunlessacopyrightnoticeisincluded.Thus,weusuallydonotkeepeBooksincompliancewithanyparticularpaperedition.

    WearenowtryingtoreleasealloureBooksoneyearinadvanceoftheofficialreleasedates,leavingtimeforbetterediting.Pleasebeencouragedtotellusaboutanyerrororcorrections,evenyearsaftertheofficialpublicationdate.

    Pleasenoteneitherthislistingnoritscontentsarefinaltilmidnightofthelastdayofthemonthofanysuchannouncement.TheofficialreleasedateofallProjectGutenbergeBooksisatMidnight,CentralTime,ofthelastdayofthestatedmonth.A

    preliminaryversionmayoftenbepostedforsuggestion,commentandeditingbythosewhowishtodoso.

    MostpeoplestartatourWebsitesat:http://gutenberg.netorhttp://promo.net/pg

    TheseWebsitesincludeaward-winninginformationaboutProjectGutenberg,includinghowtodonate,howtohelpproduceourneweBooks,andhowtosubscribetoouremailnewsletter(free!).

    ThoseofyouwhowanttodownloadanyeBookbeforeannouncement

    cangettothemasfollows,andjustdownloadbydate.Thisisalsoagoodwaytogettheminstantlyuponannouncement,astheindexesourcataloguersproduceobviouslytakeawhileafteranannouncementgoesoutintheProjectGutenbergNewsletter.

    http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/etext03orftp://ftp.ibiblio.org/pub/docs/books/gutenberg/etext03

    Or/etext02,01,00,99,98,97,96,95,94,93,92,92,91or90

  • 8/14/2019 Biographical Sketches(From: "Fanshawe and Other Pieces") by Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864

    28/32

    Justsearchbythefirstfivelettersofthefilenameyouwant,asitappearsinourNewsletters.

    InformationaboutProjectGutenberg(onepage)

    Weproduceabouttwomilliondollarsforeachhourwework.Thetimeittakesus,aratherconservativeestimate,isfiftyhourstogetanyeBookselected,entered,proofread,edited,copyrightsearchedandanalyzed,thecopyrightletterswritten,etc.Ourprojectedaudienceisonehundredmillionreaders.Ifthevaluepertextisnominallyestimatedatonedollarthenweproduce$2milliondollarsperhourin2002aswereleaseover100newtextfilespermonth:1240moreeBooksin2001foratotalof4000+Wearealreadyonourwaytotryingfor2000moreeBooksin2002Iftheyreachjust1-2%oftheworld'spopulationthenthetotalwillreachoverhalfatrillioneBooksgivenawaybyyear'send.

    TheGoalofProjectGutenbergistoGiveAway1TrillioneBooks!Thisistenthousandtitleseachtoonehundredmillionreaders,whichisonlyabout4%ofthepresentnumberofcomputerusers.

    Hereisthebriefestrecordofourprogress(*meansestimated):

    eBooksYearMonth

    11971July101991January1001994January10001997August15001998October20001999December25002000December30002001November40002001October/November60002002December*90002003November*

    100002004January*

    TheProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundationhasbeencreatedtosecureafutureforProjectGutenbergintothenextmillennium.

    Weneedyourdonationsmorethanever!

    AsofFebruary,2002,contributionsarebeingsolicitedfrompeopleandorganizationsin:Alabama,Alaska,Arkansas,Connecticut,Delaware,DistrictofColumbia,Florida,Georgia,Hawaii,Illinois,Indiana,Iowa,Kansas,Kentucky,Louisiana,Maine,Massachusetts,Michigan,Mississippi,Missouri,Montana,Nebraska,Nevada,New

    Hampshire,NewJersey,NewMexico,NewYork,NorthCarolina,Ohio,Oklahoma,Oregon,Pennsylvania,RhodeIsland,SouthCarolina,SouthDakota,Tennessee,Texas,Utah,Vermont,Virginia,Washington,WestVirginia,Wisco