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Файл:Satanstoe; or, The Littlepage Manuscripts
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SATANSTOE; OR, THE LITTLEPAGE MANUSCRIPTS
Herman Mordaunt looked up with surprise, at this speech;
but Dirck and I had heard so many like it, that we saw nothing out of the way on this particular occasion. As for the ladies,
they were too well-bred to glance at each other, as girls sometimes will; but I could see that each thought the speaker a very
singular person.
«You fi nd, then, a difference in customs between the two
colonies, sir?» said Herman Mordaunt.
«A vast difference truly, sir. Now there was a little thing
happened about your daughter, ‘Squire Mordaunt, the very
fi rst time I saw her» – the present was the second interview –»
that could no more have happened in Connecticut, than
the whole of the province could be put into that tea-cup».
«To my daughter, Mr. Newcome!»
«Yes, sir, to your own daughter; Miss, that sits there looking as innocent as if it had never come to pass».
«This is so extraordinary, sir, that I must beg an
explanation».
«You may well call it extr’ornary, for extr’ornary it would
be called all over Connecticut; and I’ll never give up that
York, if this be a York usage, is or can be right in such a matter, at least».
«I entreat you to be more explicit, Mr. Newcome».
«Why, sir, you must know, Corny, here, and I, and Dirck
there, went in to see the lion, about which no doubt you’ve
heard so much, and Corny paid for Miss’s ticket Well, that was
all right enough, but»
«Surely, Anneke, you have not forgotten to return to
Mr. Littlepage the money!»
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JAMES FENIMORE COOPER
«Listen patiently, my dear sir, and you will get the whole
story, my delinquencies and debts included, if any there are».
«That’s just what she did, Squire Mordaunt, and I maintain
there is not the man in all Connecticut that would have taken
it. If ladies can’t be treated to sights, and other amusements,
I should like to know who is to be so».
Herman Mordaunt, at fi rst, looked gravely at the speaker,
but catching the expression of our eyes he answered with
the tact of a perfectly well-bred man, as he certainly was, on
all occasions that put him to the proof –
«You must overlook Miss Mordaunt’s adhering to her own
customs, Mr. Newcome, on account of her youth, and her little knowledge of any world but that immediately around her.
When she has enjoyed an opportunity of visiting Danbury, no
doubt she will improve by the occasion».
«But, Corny, sir – think of Corny’s falling into such
a mistake!»
«As for Mr. Littlepage, I must suppose he labours under
somewhat of the same disadvantage. We are less gallant here
than you happen to be in Connecticut; hence our inferiority.
At some future day, perhaps, when society shall have made
a greater progress among us, our youths will come to see
the impropriety of permitting the fair sex to pay for anything,
even their own ribands. I have long known, sir, that you of
New England claim to treat your women better than they are
treated in any other portion of the inhabited world, and it
must be owing to that circumstance hat they enjoy the advantage of being ‘treated’ for nothing».
With this concession Jason was apparently content. How
much of this provincial feeling, arising from provincial igno-
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SATANSTOE; OR, THE LITTLEPAGE MANUSCRIPTS
rance, have I seen since that time! It is certain that our fellowsubjects of the eastern provinces are not addicted to hiding
their lights under bushels, but make the most of all their advantages. That they are superior to us of York, in some respects,
I am willing enough to allow; but there are certainly points on
which this superiority is far less apparent. As for Jason, he was
entirely satisfi ed with the answer of Herman Mordaunt, and
often alluded to the subject afterwards, to my prejudice, and
with great self-complacency. To be sure, it is a hard lesson to
beat into the head of the self-suffi cient colonist, that his own
little corner of the earth does not contain all that is right, and
just, and good, and refi ned.
I left Lilacsbush, that day, deeply in love. I hold it to be
unmanly to attempt to conceal it. Anneke had made a lively
impression on me from the very fi rst, but that impression had
now gone deeper than the imagination, and had very sensibly
touched the heart. Perhaps it was necessary to see her in the retirement of the purely domestic circle, to give all her charms
their just ascendency. While in town, I had usually met her in
crowds, surrounded by admirers or other young persons of her
own sex, and there was less opportunity for viewing the infl uence of nature and the affections on her manner. With Mary
Wallace at her side, however, there was always one on whom
she could exhibit just enough of these feelings to bring out
the loveliness of her nature without effort or affectation. Anne
Mordaunt never spoke to her friend without a change appearing in her manner. Affection thrilled in the tones of her voice,
confi dence beamed in her eye, and esteem and respect were to
be gathered from the expectation and deference that shone in
her countenance. Mary Wallace was two years the oldest, and
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JAMES FENIMORE COOPER
these years taken in connection with her character, entitled
her to receive this tribute from her nearest associate; but all
these feelings fl owed spontaneously from the heart, for never
was an intercourse between two of the sex more thoroughly
free from acting.
It was a proof that passion was getting the mastery over me,
that I now forgot Dirck, his obvious attachment, older claims,
and possible success. I know not how it was, or why it was,
but it was certain that Herman Mordaunt had a great regard
for Dirck Van Valkenburgh. The affi nity may have counted
for something, and it was possible that the father was already
weighing the advantages that might accrue from such a connection. Col. Follock had the reputation of being rich, as riches
were then counted among us; and the young fellow himself, in
addition to a fi ne manly fi gure, that was fast developing itself
into the frame of a youthful Hercules, had an excellent temper, and a good reputation. Still, this idea never troubled me.
Of Dirck I had no fears, while Bulstrode gave me great uneasiness, from the fi rst. I saw all his advantages, may have even
magnifi ed them; while those of my near and immediate friend,
gave me no trouble whatever. It is possible, had Dirck presented himself oftener, or more distinctly to my mind, a feeling of
magnanimity might have induced me to withdraw in time, and
leave him a fi eld to which he had the earliest claim. But, after
the morning at Lilacsbush, it was too late for any such sacrifi ce on my part; and I rode away from the house, at the side of
my friend, as forgetful of his interest in Anneke, as if he had
never felt any. Magnanimity and I had no further connection in relation to my pretensions to Anneke Mordaunt.
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SATANSTOE; OR, THE LITTLEPAGE MANUSCRIPTS
«Well», commenced Jason, as soon as we were fairly in
the saddle, «these Mordaunts are even a notch above your
folks, Corny? There was more silver vessels in that room
where we ate, than there is at this moment in all Danbury!
The extravagance amounts to waste. The old gentleman must
be desperate rich, Dirck?»
«Herman Mordaunt has a good estate, and very little of it
has gone for plate, Jason; that which you saw is old, and came
either from Holland, or England; one home, or the other».
«Oh! Holland is no home for me, boy. Depend on it, all
that plate is not put there for nothing. If the truth could be
come at, this Herman Mordaunt, as you call him, though I do
not see why you cannot call him ‘Squire Mordaunt, like other
folks, but this Mr. Mordaunt has some notion, I conclude, to
get his daughter off on one of these rich English offi cers, of
whom there happen to be so many in the province, just at this
time. I never saw the gentleman, but there was one Bulstrode
named pretty often this forenoon», – Jason’s morning always
terminated at his usual breakfast hour, –» and I rather conclude he will turn out to be the chap, in the long run. Such is
my calculation, and they don’t often fail».
I saw a quick, surprised start in Dirck; but I felt such
a twinge myself, that there was little opportunity to inquires
into the state of my friend’s feelings, at this coarse, but unexpected remark.
«Have you any particular reason, Mr. Newcome, for; venturing such an opinion?» I asked, a little sternly.
«Come, don’t let us, out here in the highway, begin to
mister one another. You are Corny, Dirck is Dirck, and I am
Jason. The shortest way is commonly the best way, and I like
185
JAMES FENIMORE COOPER
given-names among friends. Have I any particular reason? –
Yes; plenty on ‘em, and them that’s good. In the fi rst place, no
man has a daughter», – darter à la Jason, –» that he does not
begin to think of setting her out in the world, accordin’ to
his abilities; then, as I said before, these folks from home»
(hum) «are awful rich, and rich husbands are always satisfactory to parents, whatever they may be to children. Besides,
some of these offi cers will fall heirs to titles, and that is a desperate temptation to a woman, all over the world. I hardly
think there is a young woman in Danbury that could hold
out agin’ a real title».
It has always struck me as singular, that the people of Jason’s part of the provinces should entertain so much profound
respect for titles. No portion of the world is of simpler habits, nor is it easier to fi nd any civilized people among whom
there is greater equality of actual condition, which, one would
think, must necessarily induce equality of feeling, than in
Connecticut, at this very moment. Notwithstanding these
facts, the love of title is so great, that even that of serjeant is
often prefi xed to the name of a man on his tombstone, or in
the announcement of his death or marriage; and as for the militia ensigns and lieutenants, there is no end to them. Deacon
is an important title, which is rarely omitted; and wo betide
the man who should forget to call a magistrate «esquire». No
such usages prevail among us; or, if they do, it is among that
portion of the people of this colony which is derived from
New England, and still retains some of its customs. Then, in no
part of the colonies is English rank more deferred to, than in
New England, generally, notwithstanding most of those colonies possess the right to elect nearly every offi cer they have
186
SATANSTOE; OR, THE LITTLEPAGE MANUSCRIPTS
among them. I allow that we of New York defer greatly to
men of birth and rank from home, and it is right we should
so do; but I do not think our deference is as great, or by any
means as general, as it is in New England. It is possible the infl uence of the Dutch may have left an impression on our
state of society, though I have been told that the colonies farther south exhibit very much the same characteristics as we
do, ourselves, on this head.
16
As respects the love of titles that are derived from the people,
there is nothing-opposed to strict republican, or if the reader will,
democratic, principles, since it is deferring to the power that appoints, and manifests a respect for that which the community chooses to elevate. But, the deference to English rank, mentioned by Mr.
Littlepage, is undeniably greater among the mass in New England,
than it is anywhere else in this country, at this very moment. One
leading New York paper, edited by New England men, during the
last controversy about the indemnity to be paid by France, actually
styled the Due de Broglie «his grace», like a Grub Street cockney, –
a mode of address that would astonish that respectable statesman,
quite as much as it must have amused every man of the world who
saw it. I have been much puzzled to account for this peculiarity –
unquestionably one that exists in the country – but have supposed
it must be owing to the diffusion of information which carries intelligence suffi ciently far to acquaint the mass with leading social features, without going far enough to compensate for a provincial position and provincial habits. Perhaps the exclusively English origin of
the people may have an infl uence. The writer has passed portions of
two seasons in Switzerland, and, excluding the small forest cantons,
he has no hesitation in saying that the habits and general notions of
Connecticut are more inherently democratical than those of any part
of that country. Notwithstanding, he thinks a nobleman, particularly
16
187
JAMES FENIMORE COOPER
We reached Satanstoe a little late, in consequence of
the delay at Lilacsbush, and were welcomed with affection and
warmth. My excellent mother was delighted to see me at home
again, after so long an absence, and one which she did not
think altogether without peril, when it was remembered that
I had passed a whole fortnight amid the temptations and fascinations of the capital. I saw the tears in her eyes as she kissed
me, again and again, and felt the gentle, warm embrace, as she
pressed me to her bosom, in maternal thanksgiving.
Of course, I had to render an account of all I had seen
and done, including Pinkster, the theatre, and the lion. I said
nothing, however, of the Mordaunts, until questioned about
them by my mother, quite a fortnight after Dirck had gone
across to Rockland. One morning, as I sat endeavouring to
write a sonnet in my own room, that excellent parent entered
and took a seat near my table, with the familiarity the relation
she bore me justifi ed. She was knitting at the time, for never
was she idle, except when asleep. I saw by the placid smile on
her face, which, Heaven bless her! was still smooth and handsome, that something was on her mind, that was far from disagreeable; and I waited with some curiosity for the opening.
That excellent mother! How completely did she live out of
herself in all that had the most remote bearing on my future
hopes and happiness!
«Finish your writing, my son», commenced my mother, for
I had instinctively striven to conceal the sonnet; «fi nish your
writing; until you have done, I will be silent».
an English nobleman, is a far greater man in New England, than he is
among the real middle-state families of New York. – EDITOR.
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SATANSTOE; OR, THE LITTLEPAGE MANUSCRIPTS
«I have done, now, mother; ‘twas only a copy of verses I was
endeavouring to write out – you know – that is – write out,
you know».
«I did not know you were a poet, Corny», returned my
mother, smiling still more complacently, for it is something to
be the parent of a poet.
«I! – I a poet, mother? – I’d sooner turn school-master,
than turn poet. Yes, I’d sooner be Jason Newcome, himself,
than even suspect it possible I could be a poet».
«Well, never mind; people never turn poets, I fancy, with
their eyes open. But, what is this I hear of your having saved
a beautiful young lady from the jaws of a lion, while you
were in town; and why was I left to learn all the particulars
from Mr. Newcome?»
I believe my face was of the colour of scarlet, for it felt as
if it were on fi re, and my mother smiled still more decidedly than ever. Speak! I could not have spoken to be thus
smiled on by Anneke.
«There is nothing to be ashamed of, Corny, in rescuing
a young lady from a lion, or in going to her father’s to receive
the thanks of the family. The Mordaunts are a family any
one can visit with pleasure. Was the battle between you and
the beast, a very desperate confl ict, my child?»
«Poh! mother: – Jason is a regular dealer in marvels, and
he makes mountains of mole-hills. In the fi rst place, for ‘jaws,’
you must substitute ‘paws,’ and for a ‘young lady,’ ‘her shawl.’«
«Yes, I understand it was the shawl, but it was on her shoulders, and could not have been disengaged time enough to
save her, had you not shown so much presence of mind and
189
JAMES FENIMORE COOPER
courage. As for the ‘jaws,’ I believe that was my mistake, for
Mr. Newcome certainly said ‘claws.’«
«Well, mother, have it your own way. I was of a little service to a very charming young woman, and she and her father
were civil to me, as a matter of course. Herman Mordaunt is
a name we all know, and, as you say, his is a family that any
man may be proud of visiting, ay, and pleased too».
«How odd it is, Corny», added my mother, in a sort of
musing, soliloquizing way, –» you are an only child, and Anneke Mordaunt is also an only child, as Dirck Follock has
often told me».
«Then Dirck has spoken to you frequently of Anneke, before this, mother?»
«Time and again; they are relations, you must have heard;
as, indeed, you are yourself, if you did but know it».
«I? – I related to Anneke Mordaunt, without being
too near?»
My dear mother smiled again, while I felt sadly ashamed of
myself at the next instant. I believe that a suspicion of the truth,
as respects my infant passion, existed in that dear parent’s
mind from that moment.
«Certainly related, Corny, and I will tell you how.
My great-great-grandmother, Alida van der Heyden, was a fi rst
cousin of Herman Mordaunt’s great-great-grandmother, by
his mother’s side, who was a Van Kleeck. So, you see, you and
Anneke are actually related».
«Just near enough, mother, to put one at ease in their
house, and not so near as to make relationship troublesome».
«They tell me, my child, that Anneke is a sweet creature!»
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