Entering Marston's mansion, we find its interior neater than its
weather-stained and paintless sides portended. Through the centre
runs a broad passage, and on the left and right are large parlours,
comfortably furnished, divided by folding doors of carved walnut. We
are ushered into the one on the right by a yellow servant, who,
neatly dressed in black, has prepared his politeness for the
occasion. With great suavity, accompanied by a figurative grin, he
informs us that master will pay his respects presently. Pieces of
singularly antique furniture are arranged round the room, of which,
he adds, master is proud indeed. Two plaster figures, standing in
dingy niches, he tells us are wonders of the white man's genius. In
his own random style he gives us an essay on the arts, adding a word
here and there to remind us of master's exquisite taste, and
anxiously waits our confirmation of what he says.
A large open fire-place, with fancifully carved framework and
mantel-pieces, in Italian marble of polished blackness, upon which
stood massive silver candlesticks, in chased work, denotes the
ancient character of the mansion. It has many years been the home of
the ever-hospitable Marston family.
In another part of the room is a mahogany side-board of antique
pattern, upon which stand sundry bottles and glasses, indicative of
Marston having entertained company in the morning. While we are
contemplating the furniture around us, and somewhat disappointed at
the want of taste displayed in its arrangement, the door opens, and
Sam, the yellow servant, bows Marston in with a gracious smile. It
is in the south where the polite part is played by the negro. Deacon
Rosebrook and Elder Pemberton Praiseworthy, a man of the world,
follow Marston into the room. Marston is rather tall of figure,
robust, and frank of countenance. A florid face, and an extremely
large nose bordering on the red, at times give him an aldermanic
air. He rubs his fingers through the short, sandy-coloured hair that
bristles over a low forehead (Tom, the barber, has just fritted it)
smiles, and introduces us to his friends. He is vain-vanity belongs
to the slave world-is sorry his eyes are grey, but adds an assurance
every now and then that his blood is of the very best stock. Lest a
doubt should hang upon our mind, he asserts, with great confidence,
that grey eyes indicate pure Norman birth. As for phrenology! he
never believed in a single bump, and cites his own contracted
forehead as the very strongest proof against the theory. Indeed,
there is nothing remarkable in our host's countenance, if we except
its floridness; but a blunt nose protruding over a wide mouth and
flat chin gives the contour of his face an expression not the most
prepossessing. He has been heard to say, "A man who didn't love
himself wasn't worth loving:" and, to show his belief in this
principle of nature, he adorns his face with thick red whiskers, not
the most pleasing to those unaccustomed to the hairy follies of a
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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