The novels of Charles Brockden Brown, consisting of Wieland;or, The transformation. Arthur Mervyn; or, Memoirs of the year 1793. Edgar Huntly; or, Memoirs of a sleep-walker. Jane Talbot. Ormond; or, The secret witness. Clara Howard; or, The enthusiasm of love. With a memoir of the author.

THE SECRET WITNESS.

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cerity appeared less questionable. A somewhat different conclusion would be suggested by a survey of his
actions. In early youth he discovered in himself a remarkable facility in imitating the voice and gestures of
others. His memory was eminently retentive, and these
qualities would have rendered his career, in the theatrical
profession, illustrious, had not his condition raised him
above it. His talents were occasionally exerted for the
entertainment of convivial parties and private circles,
but he gradually withdrew from such scenes, as he advanced in age, and devoted his abilities to higher purposes.
His aversion to duplicity had flowed from experience
of its evils. He had frequently been made its victim:
in consequence of this his temper had become suspicious,
and he was apt to impute deceit on occasions when others,
of no inconsiderable sagacity, were abundantly disposed
to confidence. One transaction had occurred in his life,
in which the consequences of being misled by false appearances were of the utmost moment to his honour and
safety. The usual mode of solving his doubts he deemed
insufficient, and the eagerness of his curiosity tempted
him, for the first time, to employ, for this end, his talents
at imitation. He therefore assumed a borrowed character and guise, and performed his part with so much
skill as fully to accomplish his design. He whose mask
would have secured him from all other attempts was thus
taken through an avenue which his caution had overlooked, and the hypocrisy of his pretensions unquestionably ascertained.
Perhaps, in a comprehensive view, the success of this
expedient was unfortunate. It served to recommend
this method of encountering deceit, and informed him of
the extent of those powers which are so liable to be
abused. A subtlety much inferior to Ormond's would
suffice to recommend this mode of action. It was defensible on no other principle than necessity. The
treachery of mankind compelled him to resort to it. If
they should deal in a manner as upright and explicit as
himself, it would be superfluous. But since they were
in the perpetual use of stratagems and artifices, it was
allowable, he thought, to wield the same arms.