for awhile, however, it will be convenient to leave it unfinished, and
putting an end to the parenthesis in the most important part of the
Doctor's life, tell thee that the Interim is past, that in the month
of April 1761, he brought home his bride, and the bells of St. George
rang that peal,—that memorable peal which was anticipatively mentioned
in the 32d chapter. Many such peals have they rung since on similar
occasions, but they have rung their last from St. George's Tower, for
in 1836, it was thought necessary to remove them, lest they should
bring that fine old fabric down.
[Footnote 1: HOMER.]
Webster libelled the most exhilarating and the most affecting of all
measured sounds when he said
those flattering bells have all
One sound at weddings and at funerals.
_Es cierta experiencia que la musica crece la pena donde la halla, y
acrecieuta el plazer en el corazon contento;_ this is more true of
bell ringing than of any other music; but so far are church bells from
having one sound on all occasions, that they carry a different import
on the same to different ears and different minds. The bells of St.
George's told a different tale to Daniel Dove, and to Deborah, on
their wedding day. To her, they said, as in articulate words, varying,
but melancholy alike in import as in cadence,
[Illustration: descending musical tune.]
Deborah Bacon hath changed her name;
Deborah Bacon hath left her home;
Deborah Bacon is now no more.
Yet she had made what in every one's opinion was considered a good
match, and indeed was far better than what is commonly called good; it
promised in all human likelihood to be a happy one, and such it
proved. In the beautiful words of Mrs. Hutchinson, neither she nor her
husband, “ever had occasion to number their marriage among their
infelicities.”
Many eyes were turned on the Doctor's bride when she made her
appearance at St. George's Church. The novelty of the place made her
less regardful of this than she might otherwise have been. Hollis
Pigot who held the vicarage of Doncaster thirty years, and was then in
the last year of his incumbency and his life, performed the service
that day. I know not among what description of preachers he was to be
classed; whether with those who obtain attention, and command respect,
and win confidence, and strengthen belief, and inspire hope, or with
the far more numerous race of Spintexts and of Martexts. But if he had
preached that morning with the tongue of an angel, the bride would
have had no ears for him. Her thoughts were neither upon those who on
their way from church would talk over her instead of the sermon, nor
of the service, nor of her husband, nor of herself in her new
character, but of her father,—and with a feeling which might almost be
called funereal, that she had passed from under his pastoral as well
as his paternal care.
CHAPTER CLI.
SOMETHING SERIOUS.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account