Sensibility [pp. 79-87]

SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER.
would afford him great pleasure if Miss Claremont
would make a selection from among them, of any thing
new to her." "He was very obliging-but her uncle's
library was large, and well selected, affording sufficient
intellectual nourishment for years-beside that he purchased every new work of merit." "Miss Claremont
was an equestrian. He had a palfrey that would rival
Margaret of Cranstoun's, which was entirely at her
service." "He was exceedingly kind-but Mr. Claremont had one that was at once so spirited and gentle,
that on his back she felt entirely at ease." Poor Gordon
knew not what next to do. He had racked his invention to render himself agreeable and necessary-not only
in the ways above enumerated-but by being always
observing, and ready to perform any little personal service that might be requisite, such as handing a glass of
lemonade, fetching a fan, picking up a stray glove, or
placing a chair in a more desirable situation. He had
actually labored hard, and had not advanced one step;
and the only gratification that attended his exertions,
was the obvious uneasiness of Alice, who pined under
the loss of his attentions. A half suppressed sigh often
struck on his ear; and a tear, as he thought, filled her
eye, as she witnessed his marked devotion to Margarette.
But for this sweet incense to his vanity, and his own
boasting to Montague, that he was resolved not to be
defeated, he would have relinquished so hopeless a pursuit. But pride and vanity impelled him onward; and
although he could devise no new mode of attack, he
determined to watch opportunities, and avail himself of
any circumstance that might occur in favor of his design.
As the heart of Mr. Gordon was a thing entirely out of
the question, except as it occasionally fluttered with
gratified vanity, or was momentarily depressed with
mortification at want of success, his head was entirely
free to devise plans in the best manner his abilities
would allow, and watch opportunities with the most
perfect coolness.
Mr. Montague had by degrees become interested in
watching the result of Gordon's various modes of attack;
and notwithstanding he had been rather displeased with
the apparent coldness of Margarette's character, he felt
gratified that she did not yield to the arts of Gordon.
Not that he was in the least jealous of his friend's general success with women; nor that he had any personal
wishes relative to Margarette; but he did wish to see
one woman who was not to be won by mere external
graces and accomplishments, and the little arts and
blandishments that are usually so successful. His interest in Gordon's progress, led him to notice Margarette more particularly than he would, perhaps, otherwise have done. Gradually, and unconsciously, he was
taking her up as a study; and the more he observed
her, the more interesting did the study become. "She
is a perfect enigma!" thought he. "I can never decide
whether the variations in her countenance have their
origin in the head or the heart. Her smile is the brightest-the most joyous-the most beautiful I ever beheld!
and yet there is something in it that leads me to fear
that it is like the brilliancy of the diamond-cold, while
it dazzles! She seems not easily moved; and yet, while
silently engaged in her work, I have seen her color
fluctuate, while others have been discussing an interesting subject. She knows, at least, how to appreciate
true greatness, for I have seen her eyes speak volumes
when a magnanimous action has been mentioned before
her. And, at any rate, I admire the firmness with which
she repels that small artillery that is so generally successful, when levelled against her sex!"
One evening quite a circle of friends collected at Mr.
Claremont's, among whom were both Montague and
Gordon. Gordon secured a seat between Alice and
Margarette, while Montague stood apart from them,
listening to the general conversation, but now and then
casting a glance at the trio, in which he took so much
interest. The conversation at length fell on reading.
Some expressed a preference for one class of reading,
some for another; but a large majority of the company
decided that biography was the most instructive, interesting, and entertaining. This resulted in a discussion
of whose biography was most valuable, when a gentleman remarked, "that the life of Lord Nelson was the
most interesting work he had ever read."
"Is it the book or the man, you so much admire?"
asked one of the company.
" 0, both-but the man particularly. His heroism
charmed me."
"O do not name him," said Mr. Claremont. "I sicken
with disgust when I read the fulsome panegyrics bestowed on him; and the numberless monuments raised
to his memory in Great Britain."
" le was a most noble creature!" said Gordon, in a
rather low tone to Margarette. She cast on him a look
of the most withering coldness, not unmingled with
contempt, but made no reply, as she listened to learn
what further her uncle would say.
".No wonder they are proud of him, and raise monuments to his memory," said the gentleman who had first
spoken of Nelson. "He secured more honor to the
British navy than any hero from the reign of Elizabeth
to the present time."
"Talk not of his heroism, or the glory he acquired
for Britain," said Mr. Claremont. "Devoured by ambition, did he fight for the good of his country? or to
attain individual honor? Was he not continually whining and complaining that his services were not sufficiently requited? Depend on it, he would not have
thought the crown of England an unreasonable reward!
And in his character as a hero, lies all the honor he can
claim. As a private man, he was despicable. Though
he could conquer the enemies of his country, he resigned himself without resistance to the dominion of the
basest passions, and was guilty of that, which in unrefined New England, would have caused him to be hooted
from society. Perfidious! hypocritical! base!-his
character was stained with vices of the deepest dye,and my astonishment can only be exceeded by my indignation, when in English publications I see him spoken
of; and that by pious persons-Madamn More, for oneas the "immortal A"elson!"-a being to be looked up to
with admiration!"
"You are warm, Mr. Claremont," observed one of
his firiends.
"Perhaps I am, sir; and on this subject I wish others
were as warm as myself. To eulogize such men as
Lord Nelson, and hold them up to youth as fit objects
for admiration and imitation, is laying the axe at the
root of all morality. It is not, indeed, going softly to
work, like a Rousseau, or Voltaire, to undermine the
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