Biographical Sketches: (From: "Fanshawe and Other Pieces") — John Shaqi
Biographical Sketches: (From: "Fanshawe and Other Pieces")Hawthorne, Nathaniel
History
Biographical Sketches: (From: "Fanshawe and Other Pieces")
Hawthorne, Nathaniel
New England -- Biography
blooming damsels, capable and well inclined to serve the state as wives
and mothers, were compelled to lead lives of barren celibacy by the
consequences of the successful siege of Louisburg. But we will not
sadden ourselves with these doleful thoughts, when we are to witness the
triumphal entry of the victors into the surrendered town.
The thundering of drums, irregularly beaten, grows more and more
distinct, and the shattered strength of the western wall of Louisburg
stretches out before the eye, forty feet in height, and far overtopped
by a rock built citadel. In yonder breach the broken timber, fractured
stones, and crumbling earth prove the effect of the provincial cannon.
The drawbridge is down over the wide moat; the gate is open; and the
general and British commodore are received by the French authorities
beneath the dark and lofty portal arch. Through the massive gloom of
this deep avenue there is a vista of the main street, bordered by high
peaked houses, in the fashion of old France; the view is terminated by
the centre square of the city, in the midst of which rises a stone
cross; and shaven monks, and women with their children, are kneeling at
its foot. A confused sobbing and half-stifled shrieks are heard, as the
tumultuous advance of the conquering army becomes audible to those
within the walls. By the light which falls through the archway, we
perceive that a few months have somewhat changed the general's mien,
giving it the freedom of one acquainted with peril, and accustomed to
command; nor, amid hopes of more solid reward, does he appear insensible
to the thought that posterity will remember his name among those
renowned in arms. Sir Peter Warren, who receives with him the enemy's
submission, is a rough and haughty English seaman, greedy of fame, but
despising those who have won it for him. Pressing forward to the
portal, sword in hand, comes a comical figure in a brown suit, and blue
yarn stockings, with a huge frill sticking forth from his bosom, to
which the whole man seems an appendage this is that famous worthy of
Plymouth County, who went to the war with two plain shirts and a ruffled
one, and is now about to solicit the post of governor in Louisburg. In
close vicinity stands Vaughan, worn down with toil and exposure, the
effect of which has fallen upon him at once in the moment of
accomplished hope. The group is filled up by several British officers,
who fold their arms, and look with scornful merriment at the provincial
army, as it stretches far behind in garments of every hue, resembling an
immense strip of patchwork carpeting thrown down over the uneven ground.
In the nearer ranks we may discern the variety of ingredients that
compose the mass. Here advance a row of stern, unmitigable-fanatics,
each of whom clinches his teeth, and grasps his weapon with a fist of
iron, at sight of the temples of the ancient faith, with the sunlight
glittering on their cross-crowned spires. Others examine the
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