The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

From the Massachusetts Magazine for 1789

SOMETHING UNACCOUNTABLE.

R. B. had received a learned education at one of the first seminaries in America. The dawn of childhood displayed uncommon traits of genius; and the morn of manhood returned him to his respectable friends, all that the fondest affection could wish. Early designed for the law, he soon became distinguished at the bar, and blest with a handsome fortune, exerted all his abilities in defending the widow, and protecting the fatherless. Villainy shrunk abashed from his penetrating eye; and the lawless oppressor trembled as he spoke. His manners were engaging to the highest degree. His morals irreproachable in the commerce with both sexes; his piety resulted from gratitude and love. The conscience void of offence, seldom feels the gloom of superstition; perhaps no man was freer from the least tincture of it, than this worthy character, and although a warm advocate for the agency of Providence, he frequently smiled at the vulgar notions of those extraordinary appearances which are deemed supernatural. A few years had rolled imperceptibly away, in performing continual acts of benevolence, and doing unlimited good to such as had none to help, when some special pleadings in a momentous cause, obliged him to undertake a journey of eighty miles. Business of various kinds delayed his setting out till the last day of term approached; he mounted his horse before sun-rise, travelled with expedition, and at eight in the evening reached within 10 miles of his intended tour. Excessively fatigued by the heats of a violent August sun, he seriously wished for repose, and called at a minister's house to whom he had letters, and who rather kept genteel lodgings for men of science, than a caravansary for general refreshment. The stranger was received with uncommon attentions, past a few moments in agreeable conversation--partook of a light supper--and retired to an elegant chamber. All nature was hush as the temple of death: not a voice to interrupt the calmness of repose: not a breath from the trees to disturb sleep; the family and servants were sunk in the arms of slumber; a universal solemn stillness pervaded the town; but neither wearisome lassitude, nor a predisposition for rest, were of any avail--Mr. B. turned from side to side, and as the hours past off grew more wakeful. A neighbouring church clock had struck twelve--the moon rose, and shed her fair influence around. He looked towards the door, and saw approaching his bed, a most beautiful girl about ten or fifteen. The elegance of her countenance, symmetry of limbs, and delicacy of shape, bespoke something more than human. It was a face he never had seen--the serenity of hope, the glow of faith, the rapture of joy, played upon features divinely expressive; yet her attitude was such, as displayed peculiar affection for him, and deeply interested the tenderest feelings. Her head gently inclined, her arms stretched out as to clasp a beloved object, awakened every emotion of compassion; and a visible languor that succeeded a healthy look--a deadly paleness that obliterated the fading rose, rendered this unexpected interview exquisitely affecting. He viewed her for some time with fixed attention, blended with the diffidence of beholding an angel in distress; drew the curtain on that side, and turned silently away. Again the appearance met his wondering sight, if possible, ten times more engaging than before. He had leisure to contemplate her dress, the animation that beamed from her eyes-- the lovely ringlet of auburn tresses that flowed on her bosom. The tout ensemble surpassed description. Convinced that his door was carefully locked, and no other aperture leading to the chamber, he put on his clothes, and determined to traverse the town till morn. The unknown fair, attended to the stair case --and instantly vanished, with a look that expressed filial affection, and asked parental pity. Various attempts to solve the inexplicable enigma busied his thoughts; he was assured it must be supernatural; the why and wherefore he could not fathom. Unwilling to hurt the feelings of the good old couple, he returned before they were up, called for his horse, settled the bill, took not the least notice of any thing extraordinary to the servant, and proceeded on his journey. A few days terminated the business in which he was engaged, a few more he resolved to dedicate to those friends who had honored him with pleasurable invitations. The accomplishments of this excellent young man were a passport to the politest circles; among others, his Excellency the Governor who resided in the capital where he then was, requested his company at dinner. Miss Amelia, his youngest daughter, bore a striking resemblance to the lovely form he had so lately seen: ten thousand confused ideas rushed upon his soul --he fell violently in love with this amiable lady, and previously to leaving the metropolis, made those honorable proposals which end in matrimony. Some intervening circumstances debarred him for two or three years the pleasure he sought for in a partner. At length the nuptials were consummated, and Madam B. retired with her husband, to the place of his abode.--The returning twelvemonth crowned the wishes of a new married couple with an infant daughter, the peculiar favourite of a fond father; the darling of an affectionate mother. Four or five annual revolutions lead us to forget many things that once affected with a peculiar pathos. This was the case with Mr. B. From a practising attorney, he had past to the grade of a barrister: from the bar, he had been summoned to the bench: and scarcely a trait of the fair one, whom he had once thought of with such various emotions, ever entered his mind. The little Amelia had nearly completed her ninth year: pronounced the paragon of beauty, and phoenix of accomplishments. Her grandfather (who still retained his post in government) wished to see her, and strongly advised her passing a few months with madam --, the hostess of the house where Mr. B. formerly put up, who since that period had founded an Academy for young ladies, and was justly celebrated as the first preceptress in that state. Every trace of the transaction which took place thirteen years before, had past off as the remembrance of a dream. The parents gave their consent and Miss Amelia was put under the tuition of this incomparable governess. The writer of the present anecdote had the pleasure to be introduced to her at his Excellency's and must in justice observe, that when imagination has taken the boldest flight--fancy collected every idea of perfection--judgment refined the whole-- and genius drawn the most finished picture, it will fall infinitely short of her real portrait. Her external, from head to foot, was precisely the same, that I conceive Eve's to have been previous to the fall--her mind a degree above it, it was angelic, ethereal, not a particle of earth belonging to the celestial inhabitant. But a few weeks elapsed, and Amelia was seized with the alarming symptoms of a putrid fever. All the physicians of eminence were instantly summoned; they candidly pronounced her case beyond the reach of art. An express was dispatched for Mrs. and Mr. B. They posted as on the wings of the wind. At the moment he entered the chamber (that very one where so long before he had seen the appearance already mentioned) Miss Amelia was standing nearly in the attitude above described, supported by two attendants, whilst others were changing the bed. Her father looked--the whole transaction rushed upon his mind; he burst into agonizing tears; and fervently exclaimed, "Thy will be done, Oh God of my fathers! It was she whom I saw: help is in vain: I resign thee, sweet inhabitress of ethereal realms! Thou wast lent for a moment, that hour is eternally past!" The third day from his arrival, she was no more. And I have frequently heard him say, that he recognized perfectly in this beloved daughter, the features and dress of the vision that appeared, whilst as yet he had no idea of marriage. And by comparing the minutes of the time when he undertook the journey heretofore spoken of, ascertained to a certainty, that the night of Miss Amelia's death completed fourteen years to an hour, from the moment of her first appearance to him, which was nearly six anniversaries previous to her having had existence.

Z.P.