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.

17

CHAPTER II.
THUS in a moment was this man thrown from the summit of affluence to the lowest indigence. He had been
habituated to independence and ease. This reverse,
therefore, was the harder to bear. His present situation
was much worse than at his father's death. Then he
was sanguine with youth and glowing with health. He
possessed a fund on which he could commence his operations. Materials were at hand, and nothing was wanted
but skill to use them. Now he had advanced in life.
His frame was not exemptfrom infirmity. He had so
long reposed on the bosom of opulence and enjoyed the
respect attendant on wealth, that he felt himself totally
incapacitated for a new station. His misfortune had not
been foreseen. It was embittered by the consciousness
of his own imprudence, and by recollecting that the serpent which had stung him was nurtured in his own bosom.
It was not merely frugal fare and an humble dwelling
to which he was condemned. The evils to be dreaded
were beggary and contempt. Luxury and leisure were
not merely denied him. He must bend all his efforts to
procure clothing and food, to preserve his family from
nakedness and famine. His spirit would not brook dependence. To live upon charity, or to take advantage
of the compassion of his friends, was a destiny far worse
than any other. To this, therefore, he would not consent.
However irksome and painful it might prove, he determined to procure his bread by the labour of his hands.
But to what scene or kind of employment should he
betake himself? He could not endure to exhibit this
reverse of fortune on the same theatre which had witnessed his prosperity. One of his first measures was to
remove from New York to Philadelphia. How should
he employ himself in his new abode? Painting, the art
in which he was expert, would not afford him the means
of subsistence. Though no despicable musician, he did
not esteem himself qualified to be a teacher of this art.
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