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Файл:Satanstoe; or, The Littlepage Manuscripts
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SATANSTOE; OR, THE LITTLEPAGE MANUSCRIPTS
was a certain amount of mirth, and various protestations of
an unwillingness to enlist; in which, I was glad to see, that
neither Anneke, nor her most intimate friend, Mary Wallace,
saw fi t to join, I liked their reserve of manner, far better than
the girlish trifl ing of their companions; and, I could see, that
all the men respected them the more for it. There was a good
deal of general and disjointed conversation that succeeded;
which I shall not pretend to follow or relate, but confi ne myself to such observations as had a bearing on matters that
were connected with myself.
As none of the young soldiers were addressed by their military titles, such things never occurring in the better circles,
as I now discovered, and, least of all, in those connected with
the army, I was not able, at the time, to ascertain the rank of
the three red-coats; though I afterwards ascertained, that
the youngest was an ensign, of the name of Harris; a mere boy,
and the younger son of a member of Parliament. The next oldest, Billings, was a captain, and was said to be a natural son of
a nobleman; while Bulstrode was actually the oldest son of
a baronet, of three or four thousand a year, and had already
bought his way up as high as a Majority, though only four-andtwenty. This last was a handsome fellow, too; nor had I been
an hour in his company, before I saw, plainly enough, that he
was a strong admirer of Anneke Mordaunt. The other two evidently admired themselves too much, to have any very lively
feelings on the subject of other persons. As for Dirck, younger
than myself, and diffi dent, as well as slow by nature, he kept
himself altogether in the back-ground, conversing, most of
the time, with Herman Mordaunt, on the subject of farming.
121
JAMES FENIMORE COOPER
We had been together an hour, and I had acquired suffi cient ease to change my seat, and to look at a picture or two,
which adorned the walls, and which were said to be originals,
from the Old World; for, to own the truth, the art of painting
has not made much progress in the colonies. We have painters, it is true, and one or two are said to be men of rare merit,
the ladies being very fond of sitting to them for their portraits;
but these are exceptions. At a future day, when critics shall
have immortalized the names of a Smybert, and a Watson, and
a Blackburn, the people of these provinces will become aware of
the talents they once possessed among them; and the grandchildren of those who neglected these men of genius, in their
day – ay, their descendants to the latest generations – will
revenge the wrongs of merit and talent, to the end of civilized time. It is a failing of colonies to be diffi dent of their own
opinions; but I have heard gentlemen, who were educated at
home, and who possessed cultivated and refi ned tastes, affi rm
that the painters of Europe, when visiting this hemisphere,
have retained all their excellence; and have painted as freely
and as well, under an American, as under a European sun. As
for a sister art, the Thespian muse had actually made her appearance among us, fi ve years before the time of my visit to
town in 1757, or in 1752; a theatre having actually been built
and opened in Nassau Street in 1753, with a company under
the care of the celebrated Hallam, and his family. This theatre
I had been dying to visit, while it stood, for as yet I had never
witnessed a theatrical performance; but my mother’s injunctions prevented me from entering it while at college. «When
you are old enough, Corny», she used to say, «you shall have
my permission to go as often as is proper; but you are now of
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SATANSTOE; OR, THE LITTLEPAGE MANUSCRIPTS
an age, when Shakspeare and Rowe might unsettle your Latin
and Greek». My task of obedience had not been very diffi cult,
inasmuch as the building in Nassau Street, the second regular theatre ever erected in British America, was taken down,
and a church erected in its place.
12
The comedians went to
the islands, and had not reappeared on the continent down to
the period of which I am now writing; nor did their return
occur until the following year. That they were expected, however, and that a new house had been built for them, in another part of the town, I was aware, though month after month
passed away, and the much-expected company did not appear.
I had understood, however, that the large military force collecting in the colony, would be likely to bring them back soon;
and the conversation soon took a turn, that proved how much
interest the young, the gay, and the fair, felt in the result. I was
still looking at a picture, when Mr. Bulstrode approached me,
and entered into conversation. It will be remembered, that
this gentleman was four years my senior; that he had been at
one of the universities; was the heir to a baronetcy; knew
the world; had risen to a Majority in the army, and was by nature, as well as training, agreeable, when he had a mind to be,
and genteel. These circumstances, I could not but feel, gave
him a vast advantage over me; and I heartily wished that we
stood anywhere but in the presence of Anneke Mordaunt, as
he thus saw fi t to single me out for invidious comparison, by
a sort of tête-à-tête, or aside. Still, I could not complain of his
manner, which was both polite and respectful; though I could
12
The church is now (1845) being converted into a Post-Offi ce.
123
JAMES FENIMORE COOPER
scarce divest myself of the idea, that he was covertly amusing
himself, the whole time.
«You are a fortunate man, Mr. Littlepage», he commenced,
«in having had it in your power to do so important a service to
Miss Mordaunt. We all envy you your luck, while we admire
your spirit, and I feel certain the men of our regiment will take
some proper notice of it. Miss Anneke is in possession of half
our hearts, and we should be still more heartless to overlook
such a service».
I muttered some half-intelligible answer to this compliment, and my new acquaintance proceeded.
«I am almost surprised, Mr. Littlepage», he added, «that
a man of your spirit does not come among us in times as stirring
as these. They tell me both your father and grandfather served,
and that you are quite at your ease. You will fi nd a great many
men of merit and fashion among us, and I make no doubt they
would contribute to make your time pass agreeably enough.
Large reinforcements are expected, and if you are inclined for
a pair of colours, I think I know a battalion in which there are
a vacancy or two, and which will certainly serve in the colonies. It would afford me great pleasure to help to further your
views, should you be disposed to turn them towards the army».
Now all this was said with an air of great apparent frankness and sincerity, which I fancied was only the more visible
from the circumstance that Anneke was so seated as unavoidably to hear every word of what was said. I observed that she
even turned her eyes on me as I made my answer, though
I did not dare so far to observe her in turn as to note their
expression.
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SATANSTOE; OR, THE LITTLEPAGE MANUSCRIPTS
«I am very sensible, Mr. Bulstrode, of the liberality and
kindness of your intentions», I answered steadily enough, for
pride came to my assistance, «though I fear it will not be in my
power to profi t by it at once, if ever. My grandfather is still living, and he has much infl uence over me and my fortune, and
I know it is his wish that I should remain at Satanstoe».
«Where?» demanded Bulstrode, with more quickness and
curiosity than strictly comported with good-breeding perhaps.
«Satanstoe; I do not wonder you smile, for it has an odd
sound, but it is the name my grandfather has given the family place in Westchester. Given, I have said, though translated
would be better, as I understand the present appellation is
pretty literally rendered into English from the Dutch».
«I like the name exceedingly, Mr. Littlepage, and I feel certain I should like your good, old, honest, Anglo-Saxon grandfather. But, pardon me, it is his wish you should remain at Satansfoot?»
«Satanstoe, sir; we do not aspire to the whole foot. It is my
grandfather’s wish that I remain at home until of age, which
will not be now for some months».
«By way of keeping you out of Satan’s footsteps, I suppose.
Well, these old gentlemen are often right. Should you alter
your views, however, my dear Littlepage, do not forget me, but
remember you can count on one who has some little infl uence, and who will ever be ready to exert it in the behalf of one
who has proved so serviceable to Miss Mordaunt. Sir Harry
is a martyr to the gout, and talks of letting me stand in his
place at the dissolution. In that case my wishes will naturally
carry more weight. I like that name of Satanstoe amazingly!»
125
JAMES FENIMORE COOPER
«I am infi nitely obliged to you, Mr. Bulstrode, though I will
confess I have never looked forward to rising in the world by
taxing my friends. One may own that he has had some hopes
founded on merit and honesty –»
«Poh! poh! – my dear Littlepage, honesty is a very pretty
thing to talk about, but I suppose you remember what Juvenal
says on that interesting subject –» probitas laudatur et alget».
I dare say you are fresh enough from college to remember that
comprehensive sentiment».
«I have never read Juvenal, Mr. Bulstrode, and never wish
to, if such be the tendency of what he teaches –»
«Juvenal was a satirist, you know», interrupted Bulstrode
a little hastily, for by this time he too had ascertained that
Anneke was listening, and he betrayed some eagerness to get
rid of so fl agitious a sentiment; «and satirists speak of things as
they are, rather than as they ought to be. I dare say Rome deserved all she got, for the moralists give a very sad account of
her condition. Of all the large capitals of which we have any
account, London is the only town of even tolerable manners».
What young Bulstrode would have ventured to say next,
it is out of my power to guess; for a certain Miss Warren, who
was of the company, and who particularly affected the youth,
luckily called out at this critical instant –
«Your attention one moment, if you please, Mr. Bulstrode;
is it true that the gentlemen of the army have been getting
the new theatre in preparation, and that they intend to favour
us with some representations? A secret something like this has
just leaked out, from Mr. Harris, who even goes so far as to add
that you can tell us all about it».
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SATANSTOE; OR, THE LITTLEPAGE MANUSCRIPTS
«Mr. Harris must be put under an arrest for this, though
I hear the colonel let the cat out of the bag, at the Lt. Governor’s table, as early as last week».
«I can assure you, Mr. Bulstrode», Anneke observed calmly,
«that I have heard rumours to this effect for quite a fortnight.
You must not blame Mr. Harris solely, for your whole regiment has been hinting to the same purpose far and near».
«Then the delinquent will escape, this time. I confess
the charge; we have hired the new theatre, and do intend to
solicit the honour of the ladies coming to hear me murder
Cato, and Scrub; a pretty climax of characters, you will admit,
Miss Mordaunt?»
«I know nothing of Scrub, though I have read Mr. Addison’s play, and think you have no need of being ashamed of
the character of Cato. When is the theatre to open?»
«We follow the sable gentry. As soon as St. Pinkster has received his proper share of attention, we shall introduce DomCato and Mr. Scrub to your acquaintance».
All the young ladies, but Anneke and her friend Mary Wallace, laughed, two or three repeating the words ‘St. Pinkster,’ as
if they contained something much cleverer than it was usual to
hear. A general burst of exclamations, expressions of pleasure,
and of questions and answers followed, in which two or three
voices were heard at the same moment, during which time Anneke turned to me, who was standing near her, at the spot occupied by Bulstrode a minute before, and seemed anxious to
say something.
«Do you seriously think of the army, Mr. Littlepage?» she
asked, changing colour at the freedom of her own question.
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JAMES FENIMORE COOPER
«In a war like this, no one can say when he may be called
on to go out», I answered. «But, only as a defender of the soil,
if at all».
I thought Anneke Mordaunt seemed pleased with this answer. After a short pause, she resumed the dialogue.
«Of course you understand Latin, Mr. Littlepage, although
you have not been at the universities?»
«As it is taught in our own colleges, Miss Mordaunt».
«And that is suffi cient to tell me what Mr. Bulstrode’s quotation means – if it be proper for me to hear».
«He would hardly presume to use even a Latin saying in
your presence, that is unfi t for your ear. The maxim which
Mr. Bulstrode attributes to Juvenal, simply means ‘that honesty is praised and starves.’«
I thought that something like displeasure settled on
the fair, polished, brow of Miss Mordaunt, who, I could soon
see, possessed much character and high principles for one of
her tender years. She said nothing, however, though she exchanged a very meaning glance with her friend Mary Wallace.
Her lips were moved, and I fancied I could trace the formation of the sounds «honesty is praised and starves!»
«And you are to be Cato I hear, Mr. Bulstrode», cried one of
the young ladies, who thought more of a scarlet coat, I fancy,
than was for her own good. «How very charming! Will you
play the character in regimentals or in mohair – in a modern
or in an ancient dress?»
«In my robe de chambre, a little altered for the occasion,
Unless St. Pinkster and his sports should suggest some more
appropriate costume», answered the young man lightly.
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SATANSTOE; OR, THE LITTLEPAGE MANUSCRIPTS
«Are you quite aware what feast Pinkster is?» asked Anneke, a little gravely.
Bulstrode actually changed colour, for it had never crossed
his mind to inquire into the character of the holiday; and, to
own the truth, the manner in which it is kept by the negroes of
New York, never would enlighten him much on the subject.
«That is information for which I perceive I am now about to
be indebted to Miss Mordaunt».
«Then you shall not be disappointed, Mr. Bulstrode; Pinkster is neither more nor less than the Festival of Whit-sunday, or the Feast of Pentecost. I suppose we shall now hear no
more of your saint».
Bulstrode took this little punishment, which was very
sweetly but quite steadily uttered, with perfect good-humour,
and with a manner so rebuked as to prove that Anneke possessed great control over him. He bowed in submission, and
she smiled so kindly, that I wished the occasion for the little
pantomime had not occurred.
«Our ancestors, Miss Mordaunt, never heard of any Pinkster, you will remember, and that must explain my ignorance»,
he said meekly.
«But some of mine have long understood it, and observed
the festival», answered Anneke.
«Ay, on the side of Holland – but when I presume to
speak of our ancestors, I mean those which I can claim the honour of boasting as belonging to me in common with yourself».
«Are you and Mr. Bulstrode, then, related?» I asked, as it
might be involuntarily and almost too abruptly.
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JAMES FENIMORE COOPER
Anneke replied, however, in a way to show that she thought
the question natural for the circumstances, and not in the least
out of place.
«My grandfather’s mother, and Mr. Bulstrode’s grandfather, were brother and sister», was the quiet answer.
«This makes us a sort of cousins, according to those Dutch
notions which he so much despises, though I fancy it would
not count for much at home».
Bulstrode protested to the contrary, stating that he knew
his father valued his relationship to Mr. Mordaunt, by the earnest manner in which he had commanded him to cultivate
the acquaintance of the family the instant he reached New
York. I saw by this, the footing on which the formidable Major
was placed in the family, everybody seeming to be related to
Anneke Mordaunt but myself. I took an occasion that very
evening, to question the dear girl on the subject of her Dutch
connections, giving her a clue to mine but with all our industry, and some assistance from Herman Mordaunt, who took
an interest in such a subject, as it might be ex offi cio, we could
make out no affi nity worth mentioning.
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