CHAPTER IV. Will fortune never come with both hands fuil? King Henry IV. Part II. FROM the letters in the foregoing chapter, the domestic management of Mrs. Brainard may be easily understood. Educated from her infancy to consult her own feelings only, neither the interest, the happiness, nor the wishes of her husband, could induce her to yield to the necessity of the case, and endeavour to conquer her antipathy to the blacks. It was not principle, but prejudice, that actuated her conduct. She cared little for their fate, if removed from their sight. She feared and detested them, and they reciprocated reciprocated her dislike. They had rather be whipped than hated. It was in vain her husband attempted to reason with her-told her that his father, on his deathbed, in consigning to his care the servants, had solemnly charged him to treat them kindly, and never to sell or alienate those who behaved well. He told her, moreover, that no one could hold the system of slavery in greater abhorrence than himself; but the peculiar circumstances under which the slave-holders were placed, rendered a relinquishment of their right over their slaves, for the present, impracticable, But that he, with every noble-spirited gentleman, inhabiting the south, anticipated the day, when the necessity for slavery would cease to exist, and when their country, in being freed from its curse, would wipe off the only blot that stained her character. His arguments were given to the winds. The usual answer of Mrs. Brainard was, that there were were no slaves in New England, and there was no need of having any in South Carolina. But the discovery that her husband was a Roman Catholic, was a still more serious affair. His belief, like that of most men's, was more the effect of habit and education, than of reflection or serious examination. His parents, who lived as Christians ought to live, and died as Christians must wish to die, were Catholics; and the remembrance of their virtues and piety, hallowed, in the heart of their son, the religion they professed. Yet he was not bigotted to its particular tenets, and his benevolence of disposition always inclined him to think favourably of the motives of human conduct, and of the religions that differed from his own. Mrs. Brainard's piety, however, was of quite a contrary spirit. Elected to salvation, she had nothing to do but accept, and then there was no possibility of of her failing to gain the crown, however she might loiter by the way, or deviate from the prescribed course. And she could not believe any one would be saved who had not an experience to relate, and who had not been convicted and converted in the regular way. She had faith, but forgot to add to her faith, patience or charity, which is the greatest of all. Having naturally a timid mind, and being inclined to superstition, she imagined her husband's infidelity, for so she termed his liberal principles, was to punish her for her unfaithfulness to Reuben Porter. But the history of matrimonial infelicity is an unpleasant subject, especially when, as in the present case, it seems to be owing more to what may be termed fate and necessity, than folly or vice. The truth was, the habits, opinions, and tastes of the husband and wife were totally dissimilar, and neither was willing to make concessions, or relinquish their favourite favourite theories. He thought, as husbands are apt to think, that it was his prerogative to rule, and his wife's happiness must consist in studying and contributing to his. She rarely reasoned much on any subject. Her wishes had, beneath the paternal roof, been laws to all who approached her; and the transition from a goddess receiving adoration, to an obedient wife, was a falling off to which, as she had never anticipated, she did not submit with a very good grace. Those whom Providence seems to favour, by bestowing the means of luxury without the necessity of labour, are often the least enviable of our species. If they have much leisure, they will soon find it a heavy commodity on their hands, and be willing to exchange it even for the most trivial amusements and unprofitable pursuits. None save a judiciously-disciplined mind is fitted to properly enjoy and dignify leisure. It was certainly very unhappy for Mrs. Brainard, that VOL. I. D |