The

All form a wreath more rich and rare, than ever conqueror

wore ;

A monarch's crown was never gemmed, so richly as thy floor; The mightiest sovereign quails and shrinks from thy tremendous power;

A fragment of thy countless wealth, would shame a princely

pure and spotless ocean pearl, arrayed in modest white; | scarce was the honey-moon over, when he couThe flashing diamond's sparkling blaze, in matchless splen- rageously tore himself from the arms of his bride, dor bright; and sailed for Barbary. Well-meaning friends did not fail to spread the report that a Corsair had captured the ship, and forced the crew to take service with his majesty of Morocco. Anxiety clouded the fair brow of Madame Hubert, repentance saddened the heart of her father, and truculent joy brightened the envious faces of the merchant's rejected rivals. But both sorrow and self-gratulation were groundless. A favorable wind wafted papa into Toulon laden with the gains of his enterprise, he flew to the arms of my mother, and the rapturous hour of their meeting was also that of my birth. Seldom has a child seen the light under happier auspices. The nurse assures me that my first

dower!

Age after age hath rolled away, and still thou art the same;
Fair, as when from its Maker's hand, the young creation

came;

No change is written on thy brow, thou ever-varying main,
Tho' faithless as a traitor's breast, thy wild, inconstant plain.
Ah! who shall solve thy mystery-who rule and guide thy
wave?

Who, but thy great Creator-who thy glorious beauty gave?
He, at whose voice all Nature bows; at whose supreme com-ery was that of delight—an omen that in after-

mand,

Thy floors were laid, thy boundless waves were measured

in his hand.

O, thou Majestic Ocean, dark! whose cold unfathomed bed Shall humbly yield, at Heaven's command, its wave-enshrouded dead,

Teach us his voice to hear and love, in thy deep-booming

roar,

And on thy beauty as we gaze, may we his power adore.

PASSAGES FROM THE LIFE OF A HAPPY MAN,

life, pleasurable sensations would ever predomi nate over those of an opposite nature; and such indeed has been the case. My earliest recollections are of mirth and pleasure. Mother and father were always jesting and laughing, and the grave old grandpapa, occasionally joined in with considerable spirit. The young Frenchman who shares the warm blood of the South, bears a light heart under the tatters of poverty; what then can trouble him in the lap of wealth? Instead then of wea rying my readers with a detail of my childish pranks, I will place them with myself in my fif teenth year, when I stood before my father and meditated an answer to his question; what profession I would choose. I knew not which to say. The honorable profession of the law, with its proThere are but few fortunate men who realize mise of fame and wealth, was the choice of my their happiness, and still fewer who publish it for grandfather; commerce, which searches every corthe benefit of the world. It is on this account ner of the globe and collects the wealth of each that the following pages have been written. In in its dazzling cornucopia, was that of my father; contrast with the majority of memoirs and auto- while the bustle and martial pomp of the camp biographies, the present author has nothing horri- took captive my mother's heart and mine with it; ble or pathetic to relate; and if his simple style for fortune began just then to smile again upon should never rise above mediocrity, the indulgent the French standards which had led back a few reader will attribute it solely to that contentedness years before, the heroes of liberty, crowned with of mind which has rendered him equally insensible to the allurements of ambition and inaccessible to the attacks of despondency.

ban.

FROM THE GERMAN OF SPINDLER.

olive and laurel, from North America. My father marked my indecision, and sought to reassure me. "Choose, my Victor," said he with a smile; "three paths are open before thee. Thy grandfather's inHow my father became acquainted with his bride terest will aid thee in the robe; my credit will esit imports but little to know; but I may mention tablish thee in commerce; thy uncle, the governor the engagement was formed at a ball in Montau- of the Military Institute, will help thee to thy Mr. Hubert was a handsome man, and epaulets. Honor and competence are the rewards Amanda de Lasèrre, a pretty girl; but her father, a of success in each profession, and their disadvan ci-devant seneschal-I know not where-and a tages are nearly equally balanced. If at the bar, very respectable old gentleman, looked with some- thou art worried by an insolent superior; if in thing of disdain, on the occupation of his future trade, thy business should be narrowed by hard son-in-law. But, who ever withstood the efforts times; or in the field if thou shouldst be wearied by of two lovers? M'sle de Lasèrre became Madame the toil of a midnight march; comfort thyself with Hubert, and added the respectability of her pedi- the reflection, that there are millions less fortunate gree to that of her husband's wealth. The ambi- than thou. And be not so unreasonable as to fear tion of my father was kindled by this accession, an honorable bankruptcy, an indiscriminating can and he panted for a more enlarged sphere of action: non ball, or the loss of a suit. Keep a clear con

science, and a light heart; the rest leave to comforted our hearts,-angels of Hope and Trust. God." How could we despond?

6

self. But where were roses to be found when France lay a helpless victim, bound in thorns? In one's own breast; and in mine-I dare say it-were all the germs of happiness, had they not been nipt by the events of the times.

I took my father at his word, and designed to One morning, not long after the departure of chance, the decision between my vague inclinations Therese, we found an angel too, sitting on grandand the wishes of my parents. The lots were father's bed-friendly, but grave-and father said prepared; my grandfather dressed in his venerable to mother and me, who stood sobbing at his side: attire and ancient peruke, held the urn; I drew-"Behold the happy man! Enviable is his lot, who all eyes fixed upon me-I drew the merchant. My has made such a peaceful escape from a stormy father embraced me with tears of joy, and motherworld; who has dropped the veil of humanity like and grandpapa wished me all happiness, without the a useless garment, and departed without burdenslighest trace of disappointment in their faces.'ing our hearts with the sorrows of a farewell." To me all was right. Content with my lot, I My mother resisted this philosophy at first, but her thought no more on a seat in Parliament, or a mar-livelier son soon caught its tenor. He hung wreaths shal's staff; I fell to casting accounts, perching, and of evergreen over the chair of the departed senesmeasuring, and occasionally made short journeys chal, and sought garlands of fresh roses for himon my father's business. Thus occupied, I scarce marked the approach of the time when I was to be received as my father's partner. But with it came the revolution, and the fortune of our house fell before it. Grandfather mourned over the past; mother railed upon the present; and father saw My father had long suffered under the ceaseless yet darker days in the future. But he took his malice of an official, whose envy was roused by measures with prudence and firmness, closed his Hubert's selling a few hundred weight more than business and devoted his house to domestic peace he. Justice-for so it was called-was then to be and content. These household gods still dwelt found only in Paris, and it was determined that I where few others entered, and though the storm should carry my father's complaints thither. I was raged without, within reigned four happy hearts-glad of the commission: Therese and the splenhappy though forgotten by all the world beside. dors of the metropolis fired my fancy. Quick was I was as happy as any other member of our little my leave-taking from father and mother. Amanda family, and simply because I was not entirely for- wept, but father said: "Is the boy a child, and is gotten. I need only name Therese, the daughter'there no God in Heaven? He looks not like a conof our next neighbor Milon; and all Montauban, as spirator, a spy, a disguised priest or a prince inwell as the reader, knows the rest. Difficult as I cognito! The Committee of Safety will place no found it to get sight of the secluded maiden, once 'obstacle in his way. Go, then! be our fortunate, seen, her image never left my heart: such was my our beloved protector! all the blessings of virtue experience; and it might have been dearly pur-and a good consciene, attend you!" One more chased had not Therese found mine equally tena- grasp of the hand, and I sit in the diligence; the cious. So far all was right; we loved and were wheels fly, but my fancy outstripped them; it was innocent. The secret of first love is irresistibly already in Paris, when the rude and tattered police delightful, and ours was so well kept that only my agent demanded my pass at Sirry. relations, Therese's father and some few friends I had hoped diversion from the ceaseless tumult were aware of it. All gave their warm approval. of Paris, but in vain. Therese's image was ever My friends regarded Therese's beauty and virtue; before me; I thought but of her. At last I found hers, my expected inheritance. The revolution her father. The mob was bearing in triumph through destroyed the expectations on both sides. Milon the city his bust wreathed with garlands; and was sent delegate to Paris; there became a great his speeches at the Convent and Mountain, were orator and patriot, and began to dream of ministe- cried by the hawkers in every alley. One day I rial, if not of princely honors. He forbade The- heard him thundering from the Tribune, and the rese any further intercourse with me, and my family next met him at the Bureau of Safety, where his zealously seconded his wishes. The villagers voice was all powerful; where no one was heard, called us Pyramus and Thisbe. These restraints but the virtuous citizen Milon; where crowds of only increased our passion, and the delights of our clients asked only for the disinterested citizen stolen meetings; for we were fully convinced of Milon. I greeted him politely; he answered revoour mutual faith, and knew that in spite of every lutionarie. Hardly would I have known the man obstacle, we should succeed at last. The confi-again-so polite in his native village, and called, dence that filled my bosom preserved me from des-on account of his neatness, Père de la Vergette— pair, when Therese, at the command of her father, here a genuine sans-culotte. left Montauban for Paris. "Au revoir, dearest," said I, as she stepped into the carriage; she smiled through her tears, and thus we parted. But angels

6

6

"What are you doing here, Victor ?"
"I have business, Citizen."
"Of what nature ?"

"Here is my petition."

66

He read the paper and put it into his pocket. Neighbor, I charge myself with this matter." "I will be grateful for the trouble you give yourself."

a whit too late to be driven up as food for the enemy's powder. They measured me and took my signature, and an old surgeon, for form sake, examined my body. His hungry glance rested with keen desire on my fine coat and glittering chain. "Neighbor, I can refuse nothing to the unfortu-"Citizen, you are subject to the asthma," said he Where do you quickly, squeezing my ribs with such force that I scarce had breath to assure him my lungs were per

nate.

lodge ?"

You shall hear from me.

"At the De Berri Arms."

66

fectly free. "I think I detect some deformity of "At the Red Cap, you should say. Accustom the back." "God forbid! I am as straight as an yourself at once to the new names. We under-arrow." He placed himself before me, looked stand no jesting here. I will be with you to-day." with a cunning expression into my eyes, and tapWhy will you not suffer me to call upon you?" ping my vest pocket where some silver clinked"I have no regular lodgings. A patriot must quite a phenomenon at that time in France-slowly be every where and no where, come and go like said: "You must surely have weak eyes!" "On lightning. To night I sleep at the club, to-morrow the contrary, my sight is as sharp as a hawk's.” at a tavern, next night at the Bureau of a Section. The baffled chirurgeon left me, assuring his assoOne must be among the people to be beloved of ciates that I was blind without knowing it. With them, and not fall into the hands of his enemies. loud laughter they drew on me a rough soldier's Now and then I visit my daughter-whew! How you blush! It was on her account then, that you wished to visit my house-no more of that."

"But, Citizen, whence this sudden enmity towards me?"

"Your father is no patriot, and I will have no connection with him. We suit each other no longer. Therese is to be the wife of a brave major, and you must think of another, my lad. Your business however shall be cared for, as if I were your father-in-law."

ease.

This singular man kept his word: I had the pleasure, in the course of a few days, of sending a packet to Montauban, which put my father at It was well I forwarded it, as I was destined to remain somewhat longer absent. Resolved to devote a few days more to the pleasures of Paris and the hope of seeing Therese, whose residence Milon obstinately concealed, I had just left my bed one morning, when three fellows with tri-colored sashes, entered the chamber.

"Your name is Victor Hubert ?"

"Yes, my friends.”

"From Montauban ?"

"Yes, my friends."

"Come along, good friend.”

coat-my fine one was placed at the disposal of the Bureau,-a sabre was suspended from my shoulder, and the road to fame lay open before me.

Desponding, but not altogether dissatisfied with my lot, I commenced my march for the depot in company with a crowd of conscripts, who made the Faubourg St. Germain echo with the marcellaise. Suddenly I heard my name pronounced; and from the window of a large mansion which we were passing, an angel voice cried, "Ah! Victor! is it you? Don't you know me ?"

"Therese my life! my all!"
"Where are you going?"
"I am a soldier, my love."
"Horrible fate!"
"Fear not.

Victor."

66

Fortune will never forsake thy

Forget me not then in your prosperity." "What an expression! But you, my love-the Major-"

These words, the strongest assurance of truth. inspired my heart far more than the drum which called me away. Upon the march, I had full leisure to meditate upon my fortune. My father's suit was won, and I was called from my apathy into a state of unceasing activity. Had I not been

There was no alternative, and off we went to the Committee of Safety. Milon was there among the directors of the section, and availed himself forced from Paris as a conscript, I should not have of the tumult to whisper; "Your father's enemy 'has also sprung his mine. Enraged at our success, his associates have caused you to be seized 'for a conscript, in order to wound your father 'more deeply through you. Make no resistance, ' and do not betray me."

What was to be done? I made no resistance as they placed me before the commandant of the recruiting station. One man seized me rudely, swearing I had refused, out of pure aristocracy, to march under the colors, and ought to be shot. Another laughingly said I was a stout fellow, and came not

seen Therese, or heard from her lips those words which had inspired me with the courage of a hero; I had cause then to be contented with my lot. From the frontiers, whither we marched with all speed, I wrote to my parents. Barefoot, but fall of confidence; poorly armed, but overflowing with courage, I stepped upon the soil of Germany, a well-wishing enemy. I cried indeed, with my comrades, "War with the castle! peace with the cottage!" But I fired neither hut nor palace. I assumed the tone of a soldier, but the people wished me no evil. A fierce moustache bristled my hp,

ing thousands every day, and will never miss it; while solid gold I must have."

He ceased, and I reflected in silence. The

highways, succeeded in passing the few pickets I met, and had the inexpressible delight, one golden morning, of finding myself on the banks of the Rhine. Then for the first time, I sat down under a hedge, and counted over my treasure, which numbered faithfully, forty thousand livres, and something more. A boat, brought me by chance, bore me to my native soil.

but my host's children stroked it fearlessly. An opportunity at last occurred to display my valor. We met a hostile battalion, fought like lions, and gained both glory and booty. For my share I re-purse of a dead officer which I had got with my ceived a leaden ticket in my left arm, and the wound in the battle, contained more than the remanual was over for me. A sapper cut out the quired sum; I considered awhile, till a touch of bullet with his knife, and the Colonel said kindly; humanity prompted me to signify, by a scarce per"Citizen! you have done your duty. We have ceptible nod, my assent to the bargain. I left the no hospital at hand, and you would not, perhaps, room and counted out, by the dim light of a lamp, like to suffer yourself to be taken, in order to gain fifty glittering louis-d'ors, which, on my return, I admittance into one of the enemy's. Go home managed to convey to him unperceived, and rethen, and if your arm does not become stiff, you ceive with equal secrecy, a small paper package. can return to share our laurels." The mess loaded We could easily have cheated each other, but askme with rations and greetings for parents and ing no names, we concealed our respective acquisweethearts at home, and I turned my face home-sitions, and said no more. Soon after, I left the wards, without epaulets in deeds, but with the best town by an unfrequented path, kept off the military prospects of a civic crown and a happy meeting. How delighted was I as I turned my back upon the camp; but a few days travel brought me into a different scene. The main army had been defeated in several engagements, and a large force was interposed between me and my native country. I was therefore heartily grateful to a kind peasant who provided me with a change of coarse clothing, by the aid of which I passed the hostile posts. I With what joy my heart throbbed! Had I not found a little town which I had left under a French been pressed for a soldier-had I not received my garrison, again under foreign rule: a Hungarian wound, I should never have made that happy exregiment had routed the French, and were now in change, which placed me in the possession of a possession. By the aid of my disguise, however, competence. Filial love conquered my desire to I passed the gate, and slipped into a tavern near see Therese. Under the protection of my woundthe market-place, where I hoped, by a slight repast, ed arm, I directed my course to the South, and in to recover strength enough to carry me that night, a few days reached Montauban. There I found out of so dangerous a neighborhood. But for a all changed. My father's enemy had gained the moment, I repented of my temerity, when I saw upper hand, ruined his opponents, reduced my patwo sentinels stationed at the door of the bar-room. rents almost to beggary, and now sat as represenMy German, however, wretched as it was, deceived tative, at Paris, with a good prospect of buying a the Hungarians, who quietly let me in. The host pro-consulate. Milon, on the contrary, had experecognized me, and understanding my wink, treated rienced a sad reverse, and having with difficulty me as an old customer; but on a bench near the saved his head, had retired to Montauban, where fire lay one who eyed me more curiously. He in a garret with his daughter, he was happy to earn, was a French General, the commandant of the as a copyist, the means of dragging out his days captured garrison. Packages of all sizes were in obscurity and shame. lying around him; and while the grenadiers were drinking brandy, and talking noisily in their native tongue, the General scarce moving his lips asked “Are you not a Frenchman ?"

I was the messiah of my parents. Mother sobbed on my neck; father pressed my hand with joy too deep for words. A fowl was added to the frugal repast in honor of my welcome return; but emotion prevented the delighted couple from partaking even of the unusual dainty.

"How is it with you, father?" asked I at length, but without revealing my altered circumstances. Mother shrugged her shoulders, but father answered as gaily as ever.

"Right well, son. Your mother and I are alive and hearty; and love each other as dearly as ever. I earn my bread as a clerk to the rich Dral, who was formerly, as you may remember, my shop boy. Our dwelling is indeed, not our own, nor is it so large as our last; but it is comfortable and clean, and to-day, finer than the palace of Versailles, for you are here. What more could we desire ?"

“Wealth, father; a home for your old days; and 'I coy not. Victor Hubert, shall I be thy wife! I bring it with me."

The good people stared; and I continued: "How are assignats now?"

"The galleys await him, who refuses to take them, but the day of the trash will soon be over." "Then we must use our time. I shall buy an estate."

"You?"

"Yes. I have made booty, and long for one of the confiscated estates. Is there not such a thing for sale in the neighborhood?”

“A dozen. There is the place at Golessis, the old donjon of Gibont, the Chateau de Barral."

"Right! The last will suit. Let a carriage be got; we must go over to-day, see it, buy it, and go to bed contented."

Take my hand, we have hoped, we have trusted, 'we have conquered."

The angels who had so long guarded our fortunes, witnessed at last our holy contract. The deserted Chateau of Barral became a temple of happiness. My father took charge of the fields, my mother, of the house, and Milon buried himself again among his books: Therese and I found the day too short for our happiness.

The sun that rose on our wedding day looked down once more on a peaceful land. The reign of terror was over, and light began to steal into the chaos. The streams of blood and tears were dried; the fugitives returned, and those who had remained, thought no more of flight. But the more our fields bloomed, the more fruitful they were, the more thoughtful became papa Milon, and the inquietude that agitated him was a discord in our joyful existence. At last I asked him the cause. "I have scruples, my dear son." "Of what nature ?"

So said, so done. The owner of the place, frightened at the counter-revolutionary movements in the South, eagerly seized the opportunity of ridding himself of the dangerous property, and speculating with the proceeds before the money lost its value. Bargain and payment were soon concluded, and in eight days we were in posses-me." sion of our Chateau. With what joy did we view the fine old mansion and broad fields, all our own! Therese alone was wanting to complete my happi

ness.

"The possession of this beautiful place disquiets

"Is that all? My conscience, a very tender one, is perfectly quiet. The Jacobins ruined my father, and with their wretched assignats, I have restored his wealth. The chest of the regiment was with

My resolution was taken quietly and quickly. out doubt forgotten. The making of the money Dressed in the uniform of the National Guard, cost nothing, nor has the seller of this place inwith my arm in a sling, my moustache neatly curl-curred any loss. For paper he sold, and with ed, and a cockade on my hat, I climbed the steep that led to Milon's garret. In deep confusion, papa bowed profoundly his powdered head; but with a shriek of rapture Therese flew to my arms.

"My own Victor!” cried she, “I have been true to thee, nor have I ever doubted thou would'st seek me out, even here.”

My kiss answered her, and a silent grasp of the hand replied cordially to her father's embarrassed salutations. “Darling Therese,” said I, "my heart 'is sound, though my arm is not worth much. I 'vowed to win golden epaulets, but woollen only have fallen to my lot: but I care not. If you 'yet love me, give me your hand, and come with 'me. I have a house for you and your father; and open arms and reconciled hearts await you 'there."

Therese wept; Milon was moved and ashamed. "Monsieur Hubert," stammered he, forgetting the republican phrase, “I know not whether honor will allow me to accept your proposal at once. I have injured you and promised Therese"

"What Brutus has done," answered I, "cannot affect the notary Milon. But as regards the Major —"

"He's dead," interrupted Therese, almost joyously. His death freed me from his insupportable solicitations, as well as from the necessity of

paper he bought again. All is right.”

“But the original possessor of Barral?

"The family has partly fallen under the axe of the revolution, and partly died abroad to my knowledge, not one of the ancient family of Ponjon is alive."

"But should the rightful heir return poor, wretched and needy?”

"You torment me with baseless suppositions. Candidly, I did not expect such scruples in Citizen Brutus Milon, who proclaimed from the Tribune, that the goods of the emigrants ought to be declared forfeit and without owners."

"Even so, my son. I caught the fury of the time, but experience has made me wiser and better." "Let us hope the same from our prosperity, and labor to improve the present favorable moment, without troubling ourselves with such anticipations."

I

This conversation was not without its fruits. stole more time from Therese, and employed it in redoubled activity. I obtained an army contract, and without being a rogue, I managed to lay by something considerable in that period of prodigality, before Therese bore me a son, to whom, at her earnest request, my name was given.

Years fled like days away, and France became France again. As I returned one evening from a short walk in the neighborhood, I saw in the twidisobeying my father's wishes. I hesitate not. light, a man leaning against the iron railing that