Читать книгу The Affectionate Brothers - Барбара Хофланд - Страница 3

Table of Contents

Mr. Harewood was the only son of an officer, who died in the service of his country about the time when he was bidding adieu to a public school, where he had received his education. The last efforts of Captain Harewood had been attended by singular success, and all his military career distinguished by great personal bravery; while his private virtues, though less conspicuous, were still more deeply engraven on the hearts of all who knew him. Of these, some extended their friendship towards him beyond the grave; they exerted themselves to comfort his widow and assist her son; to the former they ensured her pension, and the arrears of what was due to the deceased, and procured for the latter a situation under government, which it well became a grateful country to bestow on the son of one of its gallant defenders.

These arrangements, however necessary and advantageous, could not hastily wipe away those tears which flowed for the memory of an excellent husband, cut off in the prime of his life, and the bereaved mourners wept over their loss together.

Mrs. Harewood was an excellent mother, a pious and enlightened woman, and she took the opportunity this period presented, of deeply impressing on the mind of her son, those awful precepts and divine consolations the impressive moment naturally awakened; she taught him to look to religious comfort, to consider the eternal importance of that state to which his father was called; and so to form his own future faith and conduct, that he might rejoice in the well-grounded hope of meeting his earthly father in the presence of his heavenly Father.

Charles did not forget her precepts; he treasured them in his mind—they grew with his growth; his piety he imbibed from his mother—a high sense of honour and virtuous integrity he had previously imbibed from his father, and he grew up an honour to both. Yet was there one thing wanting in his character—he was deficient in prudence, or at least that part of it which is combined with foresight; for though his honesty prevented him from a blamable extravagance, still Charles was one who never provided against a rainy day.

Poor Mrs. Harewood only lived until her son entered his twenty-second year. She had for some time perceived in him a growing attachment for a very amiable orphan, and was aware that he had only been prevented from soliciting her hand, from the fear of disturbing his declining mother. She spoke to him on this interesting subject, and entreated him to consider himself at full liberty to follow the wishes of his heart, adding, that it would be a consolation to her to know, that when Providence removed from him the parent who had so fondly loved him, her place would be supplied by a tender wife.

In consequence of this request, young Harewood advanced his suit with the amiable young person to whom he was attached, and they were married about two months before the affectionate mother breathed her last; and she had the satisfaction of perceiving that the amiable daughter she thus gained was of a disposition to make her husband happy, and to manage his domestic concerns in the way she desired. She endeavoured to imprint on the minds of both, a necessity for observing economy in their expenditure, as they were both very young, and might have a large family: and she knew that her son was inclined to be too liberal in his expenses. To this advice they promised to attend, and she departed in peace, her last words blessing them.

Mr. Harewood fully intended to obey the injunctions of his beloved mother, but he thought it was time enough to retrench expenses when the expected family should arrive; and was the more confirmed in this idea, because he had no children for several years. At length he became the father of a fine boy, for whom he felt willing to make any sacrifice, so delighted was he with the endearing acquisition; but yet, when in little more than a year his lady presented him with another, he considered them as yet too young to call for any abridgment of his expenditure, but determined to put every necessary system of economy in practice by-and-by.

The eldest of these boys was called after the father, Charles; the second, after his maternal grandfather, Thomas. The former was, from his birth, a healthy, handsome, robust, high-spirited, and lively boy—the latter, on the contrary, was subject to delicate health, and was of that cast of features and complexion which is usually styled "too pretty for a boy;" he was timid, but gentle and engaging to those who knew him; and though very apt to be overlooked by strangers in the presence of his more showy and attractive brother, never failed to make very sincere friends amongst those with whom he frequently associated.

In consequence of the difference in the health and the pursuits of these boys, one became very naturally the associate of one parent, and the other of the other. Charles excelled in all athletic exercises, and he was soon taught to ride on a pretty pony, and to accompany his father to town; whilst Thomas was, as the phrase is, tied to his mother's apron-strings, either reading some little book to her, or listening to her information, as he watered her plants, or attended to the wants of his favourite birds or rabbits. Though his body was not strong, yet his mind was active and penetrative, and from very infancy he discovered that disposition for study, and that perseverance in application, which promised high attainments in whatever branch of learning he should be induced to follow.

Nothing could exceed the judicious care and real tenderness with which Mr. and Mrs. Harewood managed the different powers and dispositions evinced by their children. Far from each making a separate favourite of the child who had, as it were, from the direction of Nature herself, become their more immediate companion, they endeavoured to pay more particular attention to the other party, whenever they were altogether; and by this impartiality led each to estimate whatever was excellent in the other, and in a great degree, through the force of pure fraternal love, to rejoice most in the qualities of the brother he loved.

Poor little Tom, mild and fearful in himself, was yet proud of the prowess of Charles, and listened with delight to his praises, when visiters and schoolfellows related his exploits; and though he seldom spoke, yet his glistening eyes and glowing features shewed to every discerning eye how much was passing in his heart; and, on the other hand, never was any child spoken of as being clever and forward at his book, but Charles would eagerly advance with—"I'm sure he can't be more of a scholar than my brother Tom—I'll bet you what you like, I've a little fellow will match him:" and if even the most trifling exertion of bodily force was put in effect against the stripling, on account of his personal inability to punish the offender, Charles, though the best-tempered fellow in the world (in cases where he was alone concerned), resented such insult with warmth, and generally avenged it with only too much promptitude, in poor Thomas's opinion.

When these boys had attained their seventh and eighth years, their expences of course increased; and the sensible resolution formed by their father of giving them every advantage of education, seemed to call for some decided retrenchment in his establishment, at which his wife had repeatedly, though delicately, hinted very often of late.

Mr. Harewood declared seriously that he would do it, although, as they were not likely to have any more children, there was not much necessity. Whilst, however, this point was debating, he was presented with an increase of four hundred pounds per annum in his office, and all fears for the future from that moment were unfortunately banished from his mind.

It immediately struck Mrs. Harewood, that it would be a happy thing for all parties, if this new income were regularly laid apart, in order to furnish fortunes for their surviving children; but fearful that if she mentioned such a scheme, her husband might accuse her of selfishly endeavouring to secure herself from want, she blamably remained silent; and poor Mr. Harewood indulged a less prudent way of showing his affection for her, by purchasing an elegant carriage for her, and in various ways so far increased his expenditure, that the acquisition of property thus attained proved eventually a misfortune, since every indulgence only increases the number of our wants, and renders us less able to submit to future privations.

The boys, even after they were sent to school, and mingled with others in the same general pursuits, still retained much of their original character; each had separate excellencies and separate deficiencies, but both perfectly harmonized together; there was mutual dependence each on the other, which ever strengthens affection; but there was no point of rivalry, unless it was in the affection they bore their parents.

Mr. Harewood, on examining them, found at each vacation that Charles had those properties which appeared to fit him for active life; he wrote a beautiful hand—was quick, if not profound, as an accountant—had a pleasing address, fluent language, and, considering his youth, a good deal of penetration of character, and a steadiness of judgment, and even principle, that seemed to render him likely to sustain the character of a British merchant with propriety; but along with this he found that he had not by any means studied so deeply as he ought, to enable him to be a sufficient linguist, and he insisted on farther attention to this point, which Charles readily promised, but was too much inclined to forget, when any scheme of pleasure presented itself, or any lighter exercise could be substituted—he preferred acting to thinking at all times.

On the other hand, Thomas was an excellent Latin scholar, a very tolerable Grecian, and understood French thoroughly; he had no greater pleasure than solving a mathematical problem, or a difficult question in arithmetic: but the number of his external accomplishments continued much the same; he could neither ride, dance, nor fence—he was bashful and reserved to his friends, and impenetrable to strangers; and although his knowledge and good sense qualified him for writing a good letter, yet he had been so accustomed to scribble his numerous exercises, that his handwriting was become very indifferent; and he paid too little attention to every thing which required neatness and dispatch.

Mr. Harewood, with true parental anxiety, endeavoured to remedy the deficiencies of both his sons, and render each emulous of the merits of the other, without expecting from either of them that absolute similarity which it was perhaps impossible for them to attain; and as they had now passed that period of infancy when rivalry might have been dangerous, they both adopted the line of improvement the wisdom and affection of their beloved father pointed out. Charles was taught to consider himself designed for a merchant, and he looked forward to the period when he should be placed in some great counting-house with pride and pleasure—while Thomas, with equal though silent joy, contemplated the period when he might be permitted to pursue his studies at college, and in due time aspire to the honour he most coveted—of becoming a worthy clergyman.

"When I am a man," the eldest would say, "I will send ships, and take voyages into every part of the world; and whatever the people want in one place, I will supply from another—thus all will become rich, and civilised, and happy. I will have stores and warehouses full of all kinds of property, and a great number of clerks and porters employed to manage my business, and they too shall all be improving and merry. Oh, I love a great deal of bustle! and I don't mind how hard I work; I will get a great deal of money, and give a great deal away."

"Well, you are welcome to it all, dear Charles. For my part, I only want just enough to keep me in a little house, with a good library, in a country place, where the people around knew and loved me: I would pray with the sick, relieve the poor, and try to persuade all to do their duty, and that would satisfy me: indeed I think it is leading the life of heaven on earth, especially if my dear mother were with me," was the observation of Thomas.

This dear mother, to the great surprise of the boys, presented them with a little sister, just as Charles completed his fourteenth year; and on this occasion they were sent for from school, about a fortnight before the regular commencement of the Midsummer vacation. Their affectionate hearts were delighted to receive this new claimant on their love; and Tom especially was never weary with examining its pretty features and curious little hands; but Charles, though equally warm-hearted, could not bear confinement; and a pony, which had been bought for him the preceding Christmas, divided his attention with little Emily: and he generally accompanied his father to London, who was desirous of giving him some general notions of business, as he only intended to keep him one year longer at school, and was naturally proud of showing such a boy among that circle of friends where he intended eventually to place him.

Meantime the heart of the mother was full of care; her family was increased—the period was again approaching when the boys must be an additional expence; and she was well aware that the many elegancies of her present situation consumed the whole of her husband's income. The anxiety she felt affected her health; and Mr. Harewood, ever most affectionately solicitous, pressed her so closely on the subject, that at length she confided to him all her fears, and besought him to adopt some plan to obviate the difficulties she foresaw; observing, that even if he had interest to provide for his boys, yet his girl would be portionless, unless something were saved for her future portion.

Mr. Harewood, smiling, kissed the babe, and observed, that she was a very young lady to want a portion; but, however, he would do his best for her—he would that very day secure her a dower, by paying an annual sum, which he could do without feeling the difference in his income—"Or," added he, "if I should, surely the sweet lamb will make me abundance of amends for such a trifling privation."

With much tenderness and sincere pleasure, Mrs. Harewood commended him for the resolution, and continued to chat on the inexhaustible subject of their children's welfare, until the fond father, starting up, declared that he should be too late; he was accustomed to the utmost regularity, and to atone for his delay he set out at full speed.

It was now July, and the weather was excessively hot. It was Mr. Harewood's custom to leave his horse at livery-stables about a mile from the office; and on dismounting at the stables, he found that a messenger had been dispatched for him, as his presence was particularly required. Already heated, he now hastened forward on foot, and just before he stepped into the house, imprudently assuaged his thirst by drinking a large glass of lemonade at a confectioner's near. Had he continued to walk, perhaps he would not have suffered much inconvenience from this; but as he now took his pen, and sat down to business in a cool retired room, the effects soon became apparent. He was seized with terrible pains, which he endured with resolution, on account of the peculiar press of business, which he did not leave until the excess of his sufferings completely subdued him, and he was carried in extremity to the nearest coffee-house.

From the bed on which this suffering father and husband was now laid, he never arose. It was found that inflammation had arisen to a degree it was impossible to allay, and in two days he was a corpse.

At the first intimation of danger, Mrs. Harewood had flown to his assistance; and she left him not till torn from him insensible and a widow. So overwhelmed was she by the suddenness and severity of the stroke, that those around her feared that her senses were fled for ever; but when she beheld her children, she evinced that she was yet a mother—that for them she could exert herself, and pray for her own return to a world which was robbed of its most precious treasure.

The poor boys were, in the first instant, stunned, in the next agonized, by this terrible stroke. Death had never visited their mansion before; and that their father—that dear, dear relative, whose goodness had been the delight of their lives, whose will was their law, whose smile was their reward, should be thus unexpectedly snatched from their eyes, in the full flower of manly strength and activity, was an event so dreadful, so overbearing, that they knew not how to comprehend or endure it; they flew into each other's arms shrieking and sobbing in the bitterest transport of grief, and utterly unable to attend to the condolences and remonstrances of those around them.

But when they were permitted to behold their mother—when they saw the deadly paleness of her cheek, the fearful hollowness of her eye, each felt at once convinced that she suffered more than all, and each strove so to command his own feelings, that he might console the dear—the only parent he had now left; and while large silent tears stole down their innocent faces, they yet sought to speak words of comfort to her.

But, alas! to weep over the memory of their beloved father was a satisfaction only too soon denied to this bereaved family; with him had perished the means of their support, and all that Mrs. Harewood had often feared now indeed came upon her, and she was soon called upon to exert herself, and consider how she must provide for the wants of future life, and the destination of those unhappy boys, who had till now basked in the brightest sunshine of prosperity, and were strangers to the very name of want, except to relieve it.

As the sight of her children never failed to renew her distress too acutely, and the education they had and might receive was become their sole dependence, the friends of Mrs. Harewood urged her to let them return to school for the following half-year, in which time she might be enabled to dispose of her house and property, and consider on some eligible plan for future life. Accordingly they bade her a short adieu, with streaming eyes, and tender assurances that they would in every thing obey her advice, which had particularly tended to impress on their minds the necessity of attending on their studies, as it was but too probable this would be the last opportunity of improvement they ever would enjoy.