It may be necessary to say, that the title of "President" is, probably, equivalent to that of Monsieur le Président, in French, or to that of Chief Justice, in English, as this is the more common use of the word in Sweden and in Germany,-though it would also be applied to a person who is president of any other public body, as well as of a court of justice. We will only add, further, that we present "The President's Daughters" to the American public, believing it to be the most interesting of the stories of Miss Bremer which have yet appeared in English; and that we intend to have it followed immediately by Nina and others, which, we hope, may deserve the favor we anticipate for this. BOSTON, May 5, 1843. THE PUBLISHERS. THE PRESIDENT'S DAUGHTERS. THE INTRODUCTION. "A learned woman, of what use is she? 66 cation. I might, indeed, have had something to say on the subject, but did not rightly understand how to express myself. "Čertainly," I began; the President interrupted me. "The education of my two eldest daugh "If my blessed wife had lived longer, my daughters would have had in her a sate "AND my excellent young lady," added model, by which they could have formed the President, laying his hand very earnest- themselves to perfection. God has deterly and expressively on my arm, remem- mined otherwise. My excellent young lady!" ber this well, for God's sake make no he continued, with as much ardor, as seriousprodigies of my daughters, no prodigies. ness and kindness, -"fill the place to them I wish for no shining or vain girls, learned, of this mother, imprint on their youthful proud, or pedantic ladies; simple, sensible minds the lessons which she would have women, good housewives and mothers, is given them, guide them according to her what I wish to have. They may have ac- excellent principles, in relation to which, I complishments, but only to entertain them- will, in future, have the pleasure to explain selves and others agreeably; I prefer going myself more fully ;-give them the affection, to a concert, and paying my crown, when I the maternal care," his emotion hindered listen to a prima donna. Above all, they him from going on, and he finished abruptmust not read more than is requisite to en-ly," and you can ask nothing which the able them to converse easily and readily on gratitude of their father shall regard as too subjects which are likely to be brought for- much." ward in common society. All greater reading, all curious learning, is hurtful to a wo-ters is nearly completed. Edla is twenty, man, and draws her out of the sphere in which alone she can be useful in common life. My Frederika,” the President continued, "my blessed wife, had this principle in the education of her daughters; in some things, to be sure, to follow the capricious requirements of the time in the forming of girls, but still never to depart in the least from the original form, which she believed assigned by the Creator for the life and being of woman; and this consists" and the President pronounced every word with marked emphasis "in quiet domestic life, gentleness, order, indulgence to others, severity to one's self, in industry, and in the faculty of being agreeable either in society, or in daily life at home. She rejected every species of show and ostentation, all bold and public exhibitions, which are now, unfortunately, so common among our young women, and insisted that a woman could only be happy in her domestic circle, as a good daughter, an affectionate wife and mother, and at the same time well-pleasing to her Creator, and useful to her fellow-creatures." I listened to all this with a kind of edifi Adelaide seventeen years old. They require now, above all things, the guidance of a female friend on their entrance into the world. My two little darlings, on the other hand, Mina and Nina, have every thing to learn, from their A B C. They are all dining to-day with my sister-in-law, and I expect them home every minute. I long to have it in my power to introduce them to you." At the same moment a carriage drew up to the door, and we saw the young ladies alight. The President rang hastily, and ordered lights, and I awaited, with a mingled feeling of curiosity, interest, and anxiety, the appearance of my future pupils. "Is she here? is she here already?" I heard called out, by a young and charming voice in the hall, and immediately after, four young ladies followed each other into the room. The first had a tall and slender figure, with plain features, a stiff and ungracious demeanour. She bowed coldly, and without approaching me. The President introduced her as Edla; then he presented Adelaide, and a young and beautiful creature approached me smiling, and embraced me with a blush. I thought I had never seen any thing more charming. 66 Ah, my little, sweet angels, Nina and Mina," said the President, now raising in his arms two of the loveliest little creatures. Light-haired, blue-eyed, rosy-lipped, delicately formed, they were so like each other, that I could not at first distinguish them. I was enchanted with the beautiful little children, and desired nothing better than to be permitted to make their acquaintance. The President did all that was possible to bring this about. But the little darlings kept close to their sisters, very shy and serious, until it came into my head to make certain longlegged figures, cut out of a card, the mediators between us. At sight of them, the children began to laugh, and in a short time I was covered with their carriages, dolls, and houses, and received the confidential communication, that they thought my nose rather large. Meanwhile I was observing the President and his two elder daughters, who had entered into discourse. Adelaide was telling her father the events of the day, of the guests and the dishes at dinner, whilst Edla added to her narrative, a remark here and there. I could not turn my eyes away from Adelaide. She appeared to me indescribably beautiful and attractive. Her face was rather round than oval, her brow high and beautifully arched, two large dark-blue eyes beamed with joy and goodness of heart; her nose was small and of the most beautiful form; the roses of health were upon her cheeks and lips. Her smile, even her whole face, was such as we imagine that of a cherub. She was of middling stature, her form rather full, yet delicate; neck, arms, and hands dazzlingly white, and of the most perfect symmetry. Her head, adorned with rich chestnut hair, was a little drawn back, which gave her an air of pride, perhaps even of a little superciliousness, which indeed was not contradicted by her whole manner, although it was softened by the expression of good-will and cordial kindness. Close to this image of light stood her sister, like a shadow, and I imagined, it was a consciousness of this contrast which made her so melancholy. The President himself had a noble and distinguished air. He was tall, somewhat inclined to corpulence, and appeared to attach much value to his exterior, I soon remarked that he was somewhat occupied with his handsome hands, and seemed fond of exhibiting them. On our separation at night, the President took me aside and said: "My two eldest daughters have peculiarities in their dispositions; they must be carefully guided. Edla is self-willed in her temper, she gave my blessed wife much anxiety, she gives it now to me; but we will hope the best. She requires, Miss Ronquist, much se riousness, much seriousness, she requires much oversight. To-morrow," he added, "there is a supper, a dance; charades are to be played, and God knows what not, at my brother-in-law's, his Excellency G.; my daughters are to be there. I hope, Miss Ronquist, you will be so good as to accompany them. My two little ones are to represent angels in a tableau vivant, and, as they are too young for such a scene to exercise any injurious influence on them, I have yielded to the earnest intreaties of my sisterin-law. And now good night, my excellent friend! Good night, my girls!" Adelaide sprang forward, singing, and showed me the way to my new habitation. It was spacious and pleasant. The little ones and I were to occupy the same room; near to my pleasant and pretty room were those of Edla and Adelaide. Before we went to bed, Adelaide made me acquainted with some of the circumstances of the family. She told me of her beautiful sister, the Countess Augusta U.; of her uncle, his Excellency G.; of their next day's festival; and while speaking, her countenance was radiant with joy. Afterwards she spoke of their mother, of her death; how she had expected it for a long time, and therefore had arranged every thing in her house so quietly and providently for the good of all; how kind and patient she had always been. At this, Adelaide wept abundantly. Edla stood there with her eyes cast down, no motion could be seen in her face; I might have thought her entirely indifferent, if I had not seen the light tremble in her hand. At last, Adelaide embraced her little sisters, who hung affectionately and half asleep around her neck, arranged my pillow, bade me good night, desiring me to remember my dreams. Adelaide's charming image smiled upon me in my sleep; but when I awoke, I thought to myself; "What can be hidden in the soul of poor Edla?" "The beautiful lady with the diadem of jewels," said she, "is the widowed Countess Natalia M., as rich in money as in intellect, and as intellectual as beautiful. The lady, who sits so comfortably in the corner of the sofa, with the Grecian but somewhat compressed profile, the large but wellproportioned figure, is her aunt and good friend, Miss Margaret R., an extremely original and interesting person." The Baroness went on in this way for some time, and pointed out to me some perfection or other, in every member of the company. I should have asked about the Roman, but he was not now in the room. felt this in the highest degree, when I had a diadem of brilliants on her head, entered the splendid saloon of his Excel- which beamed from the most beautiful brow. lency G. After the President had present- The expression of her fine and noble couned me to the host and hostess, he led me to tenance was that of pride and sadness. a beautiful lady, who was engaged in con- She looked around, as if she found nothing versation with a gentleman standing near worthy of her notice. She was giving her, and said: "My daughter, the Count- various orders and commissions to the geness U." The young Countess - properly tlemen who were collected around her, and speaking, the President's step-daughter it seemed to give her peculiar pleasure to set was still wearing deep mourning, and had them all in motion. I was very curious to been, as I learned, a widow for a year. She learn the name of the beautiful and regreeted me with something of proud con-markable lady, when the Baroness G., our descension, and our short interchange of amiable hostess, sat down by me, and with civilities was soon at an end. While she great politeness made me acquainted with was talking with a lady who sat near her, the different persons around me. I had undisturbed leisure to observe the company. In the first place, I sought out my young ladies. Adelaide was surrounded with admirers, and one young man, who was tall, handsome, and of a ruddy complexion, seemed particularly occupied with her, constantly moving about her, and appearing exactly like a person much in love, and endeavouring to make himself agreeable. I observed Adelaide's manner with some solicitude, as it did not seem to me free from coquetry; but there was so much pleasure in her eyes, so much true animation in her gestures, that I was uncertain whether my fears were well founded. Edla had placed herself in a corner of the room; she spoke to no one, and no one spoke to her; she looked gloomy and reserved. The little ones were going from one to another, and receiving, with genuine childish delight, a universal tribute of caresses and flattery. My eyes next fell upon the person who had just been talking with the Countess Augusta, and who was now speaking to his Excellency G. When he was silent, the most remarkable expression of his noble features was, if I may so express myself, an unapproachable sternness; but when he spoke, animation and sweetness were diffused over them all. He was tall, and his figure expressed firmness and power. There was something of the Roman general in his manner and bearing. He was not dressed as one belonging to the army, but many ribbons and decorations showed, that he had once been, perhaps was still, a military officer. I could not decide positively, whether he were thirty or forty. I could not help instituting a comparison between him and his Excellency. On the countenance of the former was depicted that seriousness, which shows that thought and will are directed to a certain and determined end; on that of the latter, the seriousness, which is sometimes assumed, to conceal emptiness of thought, and feebleness of will. In the middle of the sofa, sat a lady in blue velvet, with the air of a princess; she "The most interesting person of my party this evening is not yet here," continued the Baroness. "It is a young lady, of the name of Angelica, a second Angelica Kaufmann; she comes here from the country, and will certainly attract great admiration by her uncommon talent for painting. She will assist us this evening in our tableaux. My relative, the lady of General Palm, discovered her in a small provincial town, and has brought her home with her, that she may see something of the world. The father is a mere common artist, but the daughter "Who is she? where did she come from? where is she?" asked Miss Margaret, who had approached us, and listened to the last words. "Here she is," answered the Baroness, standing up and quitting us, that she might go to meet an oldish, rather ridiculously dressed-out lady, who was at that moment coming in, accompanied by a person of so uncommon an appearance, that she drew upon herself at once, not only my attention, but that of the whole assembly. This young girl was about eighteen years old, uncommonly slender and delicate, but of extraordinary beauty. Her face was pale, and one might say it was illuminated by two large dark eyes, which beamed with all the splendor, life, and mysterious depth of the stars themselves. She was dressed simply in white, and her light brown hair fell in ringlets on her neck and shoulders; she ed out to the Roman, who was just coming had not the smallest jewel or ornament of any kind. "Ah," said Miss Margaret, in a low voice, "a heroine of romance, an Amanda!" The lady of General Palm, whose goodnature might be read in her countenance, presented the young lady right and left, who, serious and gentle, only inclined her head a little, proudly, recognizing some one occasionally here and there, and remaining standing until Adelaide requested her to sit by her. She did so, looking serenely upon the company with her dark flashing eyes. Scarcely had she seated herself, when Madame Palm was heard calling out: "Ah! she is so clever, so clever! You should just look at her alpus; she has an alpus, in which she sketches every body. Angelica, my sweet child, come here and show us your alpus." Angelica rose, while a light blush suffused her cheeks, and presented to her patroness the album which she held in her hand. in: "Ah! Count Rallrik, Count Rallrik! You have travelled, you are a connoisseur, you must see this alpus! You can appreciate it best." He took the book, turned over the leaves, and gave it back coldly, without a look or word of approbation. Angelica saw it, and blushed deeply. "Now what say you, Sir Count, is it not a charming alpus? Has she not an extraordinary talent?" asked the inexorable Madame Palm. Angelica was now called away by the Baroness, in order to assist in dressing Galatea, and did not therefore hear the Count, who said: "It is difficult to judge any thing from these sketches; after which he asked a few questions about Angelica, and when Madame Palm had answered these, always reiterating that she had an uncommon talent, and drew so charmingly, so charmingly, he arose and went away. After a while, he sat down not far from me, by an elderly gentleman, whose aspect, full of kindness and honesty, inspired confidence. "Ah, this is really too interesting an I sat near enough to hear their conversation. alpus," the lady continued, turning over the "Why, Alaric," said the old gentleman, leaves; 66 come now, and explain to us kind-"were you so severe against the so-called ly what all the drawings mean." Angelica alpus? Did you not see how distressingly stood by, silent and still, and seemed dis- the poor girl blushed? You could easily tressed. Fortunately for her, a little com- have said a good word." motion took place in the circle, which drew off attention from her. The Baroness entered with a note in her hand, and a disturbed countenance. 66 "What shall we do?" she exclaimedwe shall have no Galatea; little Eva is taken ill, and cannot come. Alas! alas! where, where shall we get a Galatea?" And her eyes glanced round inquiringly, fixing at last on Angelica, whom she began to importune vehemently to undertake the part of little Eva. Just then, the President came up to me eagerly, saying in an earnest whisper: "Cannot Adelaide, cannot Adelaide be Galatea?" I felt as if I had fallen from the clouds at this proposition, which seemed in such direct opposition to the principles of the President and his blessed wife; but I looked at the President, saw that he was in earnest, and merely said: "O! I think so, indeed" at the same moment, the Baroness turned from the obstinately refusing Angelica to the President, in order to propose taking his daughter for Galatea. 66 Against my conscience, certainly, and to the disadvantage of the poor girl. The drawings were below all criticism." "That may be, but yet, she is a young and a poor girl, all whose hope for the future rests on her talent." 66 Exactly for this reason. One might, without sinning against his conscience, say a word in favor of a mere common-place amateur; not so, to one whose whole wellbeing and progress in the world depend on not remaining in mediocrity. We can do no greater injury to the state, and to its youthful members, than by praising the feeblest attempts in music, poetry, and the plastic arts, as is, unfortunately, at present so often done. The artist must be great, must have genius, or he is in truth no artist." "Is not that too severe ? Cannot works of art of inferior merit give a species of enjoyment to the artist as well as to the public?" "Feebleness in art is desired by feeble minds, and it keeps them feeble. The highest and the peculiar life of art is a The affair was soon arranged. Adelaide mediatorial vocation; it must unite heaven said: "It must be very strange, to be dead and earth, the ideal and the real. This and then alive again. God grant, that I seems to be forgotten in our time, and this may keep sober!" The Baroness led her truth can only be made manifest again by off in triumph, and the General's lady call-powerful minds and true works of art. |