第15章

LeavingtheminutiaeoftheproceedingstothelegalreportofMr。Bernard，understoodtobeinthepress，weshallconfineourselvestoabrief，andveryimperfectoutlineofthespeeches，andthemostimportantpointsofthetestimony；merelyendeavouringtogivethereaderageneralideaofthecourseofthings，onanoccasionsoimportanttoHazlehurst。

Mr。Clappopenedthecaseinaregularspeech。Risingfromhisseat，heranhisfingersthroughhishair，andcommenced，muchasfollows：

“Wecomebeforeyouonthisoccasion，gentlemenofthejury，topleadacausewhichitisbelievedisunprecedented，initspeculiarfacts，amongtheannalsofjusticeinourgreatandgloriouscountry。Never，indeed，shouldIhavebelieveditpossiblethatanAmericancitizencould，underanycircumstanceswhatever，havebeencompelledduringsolongaperiodtoforegohisjustandlegalrights；ay，thathecouldbeforcedtotheveryvergeofabandoningthoserights——allbutforcedtoforgetthem。Yet，sucharethefactsofthecaseuponwhichyouarenowtodecide。Theindividualappearingbeforeyouthisday，claimingthatthestrongarmofthelawberaisedinhisbehalf，firstpresentedhimselftome，withtheverysamedemand，sixyearssince；tomyshameIconfessit，hewasdrivenunaidedfrommydoor——Irefusedtoassisthim；hehadalreadycarriedthesameclaimtoothers，andreceivedfromothersthesametreatment。Andwhatisthisclaim，sodifficulttoestablish？Isitsomeintricatelegalquestion？Isitsomedoubtfulpointoflaw？Isitamatterwhichrequiresmuchlearningtodecide，muchwisdomtofathom？No，gentlemen；itisaclaimclearlydefined，firmlyestablished；neveryetdoubted，neveryetdenied：itisaclaim，notonlyrecognizedinthecommon-lawofeveryland，protectedinthestatute-booksofeverynation，butitisaclaim，gentlemen，whichspringsspontaneouslyfromtheheartofeveryhumanbeing——itistherightofasontohisfather\'sinheritance。A

right，dearaliketothesonofoneofourmerchantprinces，andtothesonoftheporteronourwharves。“

“Mr。Clapppaused；helookedaboutthecourt，restedhiseyesonhisclient，ranhisfingersthroughhiscurls，andthenproceeded。

“Gentlemen；Ihavetoldyouthatitistherightofasontohisfather\'sinheritance，whichwethisdaycalluponyoutouphold。

Itismore；itisthesacredcauseoftheorphanthatyouaretodefend。Yes，gentlemen；atthemomentwhenWilliamStanleyshouldhavetakenpossessionoftheinheritance，whichwashisbythethreefoldtitleofnature，oflaw，andofparentalbequest，hewasamereboy，aminor，awandereronthedeep；oneofthatgallantclassofmenwhocarrythegloriouscoloursofourgreatandhappycountryintoeveryport，whowhiteneveryseawithAmericancanvass——hewasarovingsailor-boy！”

Andsettingoutfromthispoint，Mr。Clappmadeageneralstatementofthecase，colouredbyallthecheapornamentsofforensiceloquence，andvariedbyallusionstothegloryofthecountry，thelearningofalljudges，particularlyAmericanjudges，especiallythejudgesthenonthebench；thewisdomofalljuries，particularlyAmericanjuries，especiallythejurytheninthebox。Heconfessedthathisclienthadbeenguiltyoffollyinhisboyhood；“butnoone，gentlemen，canregretpastmisconductmorethanMr。Stanley；nosoneverfeltmoredeeplythanhimself，regret，thathecouldnothaveattendedthedeath-bedofhisfather，receivedhislastblessing，andclosedhiseyesforthelasttime！”Mr。ClappthenreadpartsofMr。

Stanley\'swill，gaveanoutlineofhisclient\'swanderings，andwasveryparticularwithnamesanddates。Thesailor\'sreturnwasthendescribedinthemostpatheticcolours。“Hebroughtwithhim，gentlemen，nothingbutthehumblecontentsofasailor\'schest，thehard-earnedwagesofhisdailytoil；he，whoinjusticewastheownerofasrichadomainasanyintheland！”

Theattemptsofthispoorsailortoobtainhisrightswerethenrepresented。“Helearnedthebittertruth，gentlemen，thatapoorseaman，aforemasthand，withatarpaulinhatandround-jacket，stoodlittlechanceofbeingheard，astheaccuseroftherichandthepowerful——themenwhowalkedabroadinpolishedbeavers，andaristocraticbroad-cloths。“Aristocracyhavingoncebeenbroughtuponthescene，wasmadetofigurelargelyinseveralsentences，andwasveryroughlyhandledindeed。TohaveheardMr。

Clapp，onewouldhavesupposedaristocracywasthemostsinfulpropensitytowhichhumannaturewasliable；theonlyverycriminalqualitytowhichrepublicannaturemightheinclined。Ofcoursethedefendantswereaccusedofthisheinoussin；thisbrilliantpassageconcludedwithadirectallusiontothe“veryaristocratictriobeforehim。“Mr。Stanleywasdeclaredtobenoaristocrat；hewaspronouncedthoroughlyplebeianinallhisactionsandhabits。“Liketheindividualwhohasnowthehonourofaddressingyou，gentlemen，Mr。Stanleyisentirelyfree，inallhishabitsandopinions，fromthehatefulstainofaristocracy。“Hecontinued，followinghisclient\'sstepsdowntothepresenttime，muchastheyarealreadyknowntothereader。

Then，makingasuddenchange，hereviewedtheconductofthedefendantsasconnectedwithhisclient。

{“Aristocracy“=SusanFenimoreCooperwasveryfamiliarwithcourtproceedingsinthe1840s。Herfatherwasatthistimeinvolvedinaseriesofgenerallysuccessfullibelsuitsagainstnewspapers，whichdefendedthemselvesbyaccusinghimofbeing“aristocratic，“asorepoint，ashehadrepeatedlydenouncedaristocracyastheworstofallformsofgovernment}

“WhatweretheirfirststepsatthedeathofMr。Stanley，thefather？Merelythosewhichwereabsolutelynecessarytosecurethemselves；theyinquiredfortheabsentson，buttheyinquiredfeebly；hadtheywaitedwithgreaterpatiencehewouldhaveappeared，forthestoryofhisdisinheritancewouldneverhavereachedhim。Whencedidthatstoryproceedfrom？Itisnotformetosay；othersnowpresentmaybeabletoaccountforitmorereadily。No，gentlemen，itisabittertruth，thattheconductoftheexecutorshasbeenconsistentthroughout，fromthemomenttheyfirsttookpossessionoftheStanleyestate，untiltheirappearanceinthiscourt；theconductoftherivallegateehasalsobeenmarkedbythesameconsistentspiritofopposition，fromthetimeofhisfirstinterviewwithMr。Stanley，afterhehadarrivedatyearsofdiscretion，andknewthevalueoftheestatehehopedtoenjoy；fromthemoment，Isay，whenhecoollyorderedtheunfortunatesailortobelockedupinMr。Wyllys\'ssmoke-house，untilthepresentinstant，whenhisonlyhopeliesindenyingtheidentityofMr。Stanley\'sson。“Mr。Clappdweltforsometimeuponthisfirstinterview，andthesmoke-house；ashehadpreviouslyhintedtoHazlehurst，helabouredtomakethataffair“lookugly，“tothebestofhisability。IfthelanguageoftheLongbridgelawyerhadbeenrespectfulthroughoutthepreliminaryproceedings，histuneinthecourt-roomchangedcompletely。Ashedrewtowardsthecloseofhisspeech，hegavefullscopetoaburstofvirtuousindignationagainstwickednessandhypocrisyingeneral，andparticularlyagainsttheconductofthedefendants。Hedeclaredhimselfforcedtobelieve，thatbothMr。WyllysandHazlehursthadsuspectedtheexistenceofWilliamStanleyfromthefirst——othersmighthavethecharitytobelievetheyhadbeenignorantoftheyoungman\'sexistence，heonlywishedhecouldstillbelievesuchtohavebeenthefact——hehadbelievedthemhonestlyignorantofit，untilitwasnolongerpossiblefortheprejudicesofalong-standingfriendshipandintimacytoblindhiseyes，underthefloodoflightpresentedbyproofsasclearasday——proofswhichhisrespectedbrother，theseniorcounsel，andhimself，wereabouttolaybeforethecourt。

Hewishedtobeunderstood，however；heneverforonemomenthadincludedinthesesuspicions——sopainfultoeverycandid，uprightmind，butwhichhadrecentlyforcedthemselvesuponhim——herepeated，thatinthemhehadneverincludedtherespectedladywhofilledtheplaceofstep-mothertohisclient，whoserepresentativehenowsawbeforehim，inthepersonofahighlydistinguishedlawyerofthePhiladelphiabar；hedidnotsupposethatthatvenerablematronhadeverdoubtedthedeathofherhusband\'sson。Heknewthatexcellentlady，hadoftenmetherinthesocialcircle；noneadmiredmorethanhe，thevirtuesforwhichshewasdistinguished；hehadneversupposeditpossible，thatifawareoftheexistenceofWilliamStanley，shecouldhavesatdowncalmlytoenjoyhisinheritance。Suchacaseofturpitudemightnotbewithoutexample；butheconfessedthatinhiseyes，itwouldamounttoguiltofsoblackadye，thathewasunwillingtoaccusehumannatureofsuchdepravity；itwentbeyondthepowersofhis，Mr。Clapp\'s，imaginationtocomprehend。

No，heacquittedMrs。Stanleyofallblame；shehadbeeninfluencedandguidedbythetwogentlemenbeforehim。Hehadhimselfobserved，thatduringallthepreliminaryproceedings，thevenerablestep-motherofhisclienthadshownmanysymptomsofdoubtandhesitation；itwashisfirmconviction，itwastheopinionofhisclient，ofhisbrothercounsel，thatiflefttoherownunbiassedjudgment，Mrs。Stanleywouldimmediatelyhaveacknowledgedherhusband\'sson，andreceivedhimassuch。Heappealedtothedefendantsthemselvesifthiswerenottrue；hecalleduponthemtodenythisassertioniftheycould——iftheydared！HereMr。Clapppausedamoment，andlookedtowardsMr。

Grant。

Thedefendantshadalreadyspokentogetherforaninstant；Mr。

Ellsworthrose：“Theanswerwhichthecounselfortheplaintiffwassoanxioustoreceive，wasreservedforitsproperplaceinthedefence。Wheresomuchmightbesaid，heshouldscarcelybeabletoconfinehimselfwithintheboundsnecessaryatthatmoment。Letthecounselfortheplaintiffrestassured，however，thattheanswertothatparticularquestion，whengiven，wouldprove，likethegeneralanswerofthedefence，ofanaturethattheinterrogatorwould，doubtless，littlerelish。“

DuringMr。Clapp\'sabusiveremarks，andimpudentinsinuationsagainsthimselfandMr。Wyllys，Hazlehurst，placingonearmonthetablebeforehim，leanedalittle，forward，andfixedhiseyesteadily，butsearchingly，onthefaceofthespeaker。ItprovedasHarryhadexpected；thelawyerlookedtotherightandleft，hefacedthejudges，thejurors；heglancedattheaudience，raisedhiseyestotheceiling，orthrewthemuponhispapers，butnotoncedidhemeetthoseofHazlehurst。

“Gentlemenofthejury；youwillobservethatthequestionremainsunanswered！”continuedMr。Clapp，withatriumphantair。

Hethencontrivedtoappealtohisbrothercounseltodeclarehisownimpressions，andgaveMr。Reedanopportunityofaffirming，thathehadbelievedMrs。Stanleyinclinedtoacknowledgetheirclient；hespokecalmlyandimpressively，inamannerverydifferentfromthehurried，yetwhiningenunciation，andflourishinggesturesofhiscolleague。

Mr。Clappnowproceededtopreparethewayfortheevidence：hegaveageneralideaofitscharacter，expressingbeforehandthefirmestconvictionofitseffectonthecourt。“Ihavebeenengagedinhundredsofsuits，gentlemen；Ihavebeenaregularattendantincourtsoflawfromearlyboyhood，andnever，inthewholecourseofmyexperience，haveImetwithacase，sopeculiarandsoimportant，supportedbyabodyofevidencesoclear，sodecided，soundeniableasthatwhichweshallimmediatelylaybeforeyou；“andMr。Clappsatdown，runninghisfingersthroughhiscurls。

Thecourthereadjournedforanhour。Thecuriosityoftheaudienceseemedthoroughlyexcited；whenthejudgesreassembled，theroomwasevenmorecrowdedthaninthemorning。

Beforecallingupthewitnesses，Mr。Reedspokeforfiveminutes；

hisdignifiedmannerwasafavourablepreparationforthetestimonyintheplaintiff\'sbehalf。

Thefirstfactproved，wastheresemblanceoftheplaintifftoWilliamStanley；thispointwasthoroughlyinvestigated，andsettledwithoutdifficultyinfavouroftheplaintiff——somehalf-a-dozenwitnessesswearingtotheidentity，accordingtothebestoftheirbelief。Thefactthatthedefendantsthemselveshadacknowledgedthepersonalresemblance，wasalsomadetoappear；

andMr。Reedintroducedtheidentityofhandwritingtostrengthenthepersonalidentity——severalwitnessesgivingtheirtestimonyonthesubject。Itseemedindeed，clear，fromthewholeofthispartoftheevidence，thattherewasnorationalgroundtodoubtanyotherdifference，eitherinthepersonalresemblanceorthehandwriting，thanwhatmightnaturallyexistinthesameman，attheagesofeighteenandthirty-seven。

Thestatementofferedtothedefendantssomemonthssince，tracingthelastcareeroftheplaintiffwasnowintroduced，andtheprincipalfactslegallyprovedbydifferentwitnesses。

Officersandsailorsofdifferentvesselsinwhichhehadsailed，weresworn。Amongothers，Captain——，ofthepacketship***，testifiedtotheplaintiff\'shavingsailedinhisvessel，underthenameofWilliamStanley，nineyearspreviously；anditwasveryclearlyproved，thatatdifferentintervalssincethen，hehadcontinuedtobearthesamename，althoughhehadalsoshippedunderthoseofBennet，Williams，andBenson。Thestatement，asgivenalreadyinourpages，wasborneoutsatisfactorilyinmostofitsimportantfactsbytheevidence；althoughonsomepointsthecounselfortheplaintiffsconfessed，thattheyhadnotbeenabletoobtainallthelegalproofstheyhadwishedfor。Aftertracingtheplaintiff\'sstepsasasailor，thefactofhishavingbeenlongendeavouringtobringforwardtheclaimhenowmade，wasexamined。Mr。G——，ahighlyrespectablelawyerofBaltimore，testifiedtothefactthatseveralyearspreviously，theplaintiffhadappliedtohimtoundertakethecasethenbeforethecourt；tospeakfrankly，thisevidencesurprisedthedefendants，whowerescarcelypreparedforit。ThencameproofofthedifferentapplicationstoMr。Clapp，hisseveralvisitstoLongbridge，andhispresenceatWyllys-Roofsixyearspreviously，whenlockedupintheout-housebyHazlehurst；Mr。Clapprepeatingatthismoment，averybroadinsinuation，thatthedefendantknewtheclaimsoftheindividualhehadputinconfinement。Hiswillingnesstobeexamined，hisreadyconsenttoaninterviewwithMr。Wyllys，Mrs。Stanley，andHazlehurst，thecloseexaminationwhichheboreatWyllys-Roof，werebroughtforward；andMr。Clappmanagedtointroducemostoftheimportantquestionsofthedefendantsatthattime，withtheaccurateanswersoftheplaintiff，inhisaccountofthatmeting。

Thecourtadjournedatthistime，andmanyindividualsamongtheaudienceseemedtoinclineverydecidedlytowardstheplaintiff。

Thepersonalfriendsofthedefendantslookedsomewhatanxious，althoughMr。WyllysandHazlehurststillshowedasteadyfront。

Thetestimonywhichwehavegivensobriefly，asmuchofithasalreadyappearedinthenarrative，occupiedthecourtmorethanoneday，includingthedifferentcross-examinationsofseveralwitnesses，bythedefendants：thisdutyfelltothelotofMr。

Grant，whocarrieditoninhisusualdry，sarcasticmanner，butwasunabletoeffectanyimportantchangeinthestateofthings。

Thefollowingmorning，theplaintiff\'spaperswerelaidbeforethecourt。ThevolumeoftheSpectator，andthelettersalreadyproducedatWyllys-Roof，wereshown。Inadditiontothese，thefollowingpaperswerenowbroughtforward：AletteraddressedtothenameofBenson，onboardtheBritishsloop-of-war，Ceres；

anotherdirectedtoWilliamBennet，onboardtheDutchbarqueWilliam，whenatBatavia，nearlyeighteenyearssince；thisletterwasimportant，asitwasevidentlywrittentoanAmericansailor，andalludedtohishavingbeenrecentlyshipwreckedonthecoastofAfrica，andtakenupbyaDutchvessel。Thesedocumentswereallreceivedwithgreatinterest，andtheirprobableauthenticityseemedgenerallyadmitted。Mr。Reedthenobserved：“Weshallcloseourevidence，gentlemen，bylayingbeforeyoutestimony，sufficientinitselftoprovetriumphantlytheidentityoftheplaintiff，whenconnectedwithasmallportiononlyofthatwhichhasprecededit。“

HedrewfromhispapersanoldRussia-leatherpocketbook，withtheinitialsW。S。stampeduponinlargeGothicletters。

Mr。Wyllysmadeaninvoluntarymovementasitwasheldupforexamination；thatverypocket-book，oroneexactlylikeit，hadhegivenhimselftothesonofhisoldfriend，theverylasttimehesawhim。Hewatchedtheproceedingsatthismomentwithintenseinterest——evidenttoeverybody。

“Thispocket-book，gentlemen，isthepropertyoftheplaintiff，“

continuedMr。Reed。“Theinitialsofhisname，W。S。，stampeduponit，arehalf-effaced，yetstillsufficientlydistincttotelltheirstory。Butthecontentsofthispreciousbookareofstillgreaterimportancetotheinterestsofmyclient。“

Mr。Reedthenopeneditanddrewfromonesidealetter，andreadtheaddress，“WilliamStanley，NewYork，careofJonasThomson，MasteroftheshipDorothyBeck。““Thisletter，gentlemenofthejury，issignedJohnStanley——itisfromthefatherofWilliamStanley，inwhosenameInowsubmitittoyourexamination。“Theletterwasthenread；itcorrespondedentirelywiththecircumstancesalreadyknowntothereader；itsdate，nature，handwriting，allwereperfectlycorrect，andthesignaturewassworntobyseveralwitnesses。Mr。Wyllyswasevidentlymovedwhentheletterwasread；heaskedtolookatit，andalleyeswereturnedonhisvenerablecountenance，ashesilentlyexaminedthepaper。Itwasremarkedthatthehandwhichheldtheletterwasnotsteady，andthefeatureswhichbentoveritbetrayedperceptibleagitation。Mr。WyllysturnedtoHazlehurst，ashefinishedreadingthesheet。

“Itisundeniablygenuine；theletterofJohnStanleytohisson！”hesaid。

Ashortconsultationsucceededbetweenthedefendants。Hazlehurstwrotealineortwoonaslipofpaper，andhandedittoMr。

Wyllys，andthentoEllsworthandMr。Grant。

“Willthecounselfortheplaintifftellus，whythesedocumentswerenotproducedattheinterviewwiththedefendants？”askedMr。Ellsworth。

“Wehadseveralreasonsfornotdoingso，“repliedMr。Clapp。

“Hadourclientnotbeenreceivedsocoldly，andeveryeffortemployedtomisunderstandhim，weshouldhaveproducedthemearlier；althoughitwouldhavebeenimpossibletohaveshownthematthatmeeting，sincetheywerenottheninourpossession。“

“Willtheplaintiffstatewhere，andfromwhomhefirstreceivedthatpocket-book？”askedMr。Grant。

Herethecounselfortheplaintiffconsultedtogetheramoment。

Itseemedasiftheirclientwaswillingtoanswerthequestion；

andthatMr。Reedadvisedhisdoingso，butMr。Clappopposedit。

“Thedefendantsmustbeaware，“hesaid，“thattheyhadnorighttoquestionhisclient；Mr。Stanleythereforedeclinedanswering；

hehadalready，atthepropertimeandplace，answeredmanyinquiriesoftheirs，inamannerwhichhad，doubtless，appearedsatisfactorytothecourt，althoughithadnotsatisfiedthedefendants。Mr。Stanleyhadlostallhopeofansweringanyquestionofthedefendants，inamannerSATISFACTORYTOTHEM。“

Herethedefendantswereengagedforamomentinmakingnotes。

Mr。Reedproceededwiththecontentsofthepocket-book。“Theletterofthefathertohiserringson，isnottheonlytestimonyweshallproducefromthepocket-bookofmyclient，gentlemen。“

Aprintedslipofnewspaper，soiled，andyellowwithage，wasthendrawnfromoneofthepockets，andreadbyMr。Reed：

“Married，Wednesday，the10th，atTrinityChurch，NewYork，bytheRev。CharlesG。Stanley，JohnStanley，ofGreatwood，Pennsylvania，toElizabeth，daughterofthelateMyndertVanRyssen，ofPoughkeepsie。“

Againthedefendantsshowedevidentinterest。Mr。Wyllyspassedhishandoverhisface，todriveawaymelancholyrecollectionsofthepast；thepresentMrs。StanleywasMissVanRyssen，andatthatmarriagehehadstoodbythesideofhisfriends，asthepriestunitedthem。

“Isnotthatatouchingmemorial，gentlemen，oftheworkingsofnaturalfeelingintheheartofamisguidedboy？Hehadlefthisfather，lefthishome，lefthisfriendsinafitofrecklessfolly，butwhenhemeetswiththenameoftheparentfromwhomheisestranged，inanAmericanpaper，inadistantland，hecutstheparagraphfromthesheet，anditiscarefullypreservedamonghispreciousthings，duringmanysucceedingyearsofhardships，andofwrongs。Butthereisanotherstrikingfactconnectedwiththatscrapofpaper；theindividualwhosenamestandsthere，asconnectedintheclosestofhumantieswiththeyoungman\'sfather，isthesame，whoselegalrepresentativeInowseebeforeme，preparedtooppose，byeverymeansinhispower，theclaimofthesontotheinheritancebequeathedhim，withtheforgivenessofhisdyingfather。ThesimplestlanguageIcanchoose，willbestexpresstheforceoffactssopainful。Thecircumstancesarebeforeyou；itrestswithyoutosay，whethertardyjusticeshallnotatlengthmakesomeamendsforthewrongsofthelasteighteenyears。“

Thedefendantshereaskedtolookatthepaper；theycouldfindnofaultwithit；intexture，colour，accuracy，everypoint，itcorrespondedwithwhatitshouldbe。

Mr。Reedpausedaninstant，andthencontinued。“But，gentlemenofthejury，thisoldandwell-wornpocket-book，thecompanionofmyclient\'swanderings，andhardfortunes；theletterfromthefathertotheson，receivedasauthentic，withoutaninstant\'shesitation，bythedefendantsthemselves；themarriagenoticeofthedeceasedfatherandthestep-mother，nowhislegalopponent，arenottheonlyproofstobedrawnfromthisportionofourtestimony。“

Mr。Reedthenopenedthepocket-book，andshowedthatithadoriginallycontainedanumberofleavesofblankpaper；theseleaveswerepartiallycoveredwiththehand-writingofWilliamStanley。Thedateofhisgoingtosea，andthenamesofthevesselshehadsailedin，wererecorded。Brief，randomnotesoccurred，ofnootherimportancethanthatofprovingtheauthenticityofthepocket-book。Asailor\'ssongwaswrittenononepage；anotherwashalf-coveredwithfigures，apparentlysometriflingaccountsofhisown。Thedateofaparticularstormofunusualseverity，wasputdown，withthelatitudeandlongitudeinwhichitoccurred，thenumberofhoursitlasted，andthedetailsoftheinjurydonetothevessel。Thisrudejournal，ifsuchitmaybecalled，washandedtothejury，andalsoexaminedbythedefendants。

Mr。Granttookit，observingwithhisusualsetexpression，andcausticmanner，that“itwascertainlythepocket-bookofasailor，probablythepocket-bookofWilliamStanley。Itwasconnectedwithasingularstory，averysingularstoryindeed；

but，really，therewasonefactwhichmadeitaltogetherthemostextraordinarycompoundofleatherandpaper，thateverhappenedtofallinhisway。Ifhewasnotmistaken，hehadunderstoodthattheplaintiff，amongotherremarkableadventures，claimedtohavejustescapeddrowning，bytheskinofhisteeth，whenpickeduponthecoastofAfrica，inthewinterof181。Hispocket-bookseemedtohavebornetheshipwreckequallywell；itwaslandedhighanddryinthatcourt-house，withoutatraceofsalt-wateraboutit。Howdidtheplaintiffmanagetopreserveitsowell？Heshouldlikethereceipt，itmightproveuseful。“

{“receipt“=recipe}

Mr。Granthadbeenlookingdownveryattentivelyatthepocket-bookwhilespeaking，occasionallyholdingitupforotherstosee，withstudiedcarelessness；asheputthequestion，hesuddenlyraisedhiseyes，withoutchanginghisposition，andfixedthemsearchingly，withasortofironicalsimplicity，onMr。Clappandhisclient。

“Icantellhimallaboutit，“theplaintiffwasheardtosay，bythosenearhim。

Therewasamoment\'sconsultationbetweentheplaintiffandhiscounsel。Ajurorthenexpressedawishtoheartheexplanation。

Mr。Clapproseandsaid：“WhenMr。Stanleywaspickedupbythe\'William，\'doesthecounselformyclient\'sstep-mothersuppose，thathewastheonlyremnantofthewreckfloatingabout？Ifhedoes，hehappenstobemistaken。Mr。Stanleysaysthereweretwoothersofthecrewpickedupatthetimehewas，withthehopeofrestoringlife，buttheyweredead。Therewerealsoseveralchests，andvariousotherobjectsbroughtonboardthe\'William。\'

Oneofthechestswashisclient\'s。Thepocket-bookwascontainedinatinbox，whichhappenedtobewrappedinapieceofoldsail-cloth，andnothingintheboxwaswet。Itcontainedseveraloldbank-notes，besidesthepocket-book，andtheywerenotwet。

Hehopedthecounselforhisclient\'sstep-motherwassatisfied。“

Mr。Grantbowed。“Muchobligedfortheexplanation；buthewasstillinclinedtothink，thattheremusthavebeensomepeculiarprocessemployedwiththathighlyimportantpocket-book。“

Mr。Clapprepliedbyashortburstofindignation，attheintolerableinsinuationsofhisopponent，andappealedtothecourttosilencethem。Mr。Grantwasaccordinglyremindedbythejudge，thatunlesshehadsomethingbeyondmereinsinuationstooffer，hisremarkscouldnotbelistenedto。Mr。Reedthenrelatedhowthesepapershadbeenlostbyhisclient，someyearssince；theyhadbeenleftinaboxataboarding-house，duringavoyagehemadeinthePacific；thehousewasburntdown，andMr。

Stanleyhadbelievedhispaperslost，untilherecentlyheardtheywereinpossessionofashipmate，atNewBedford。Mr。Clappandhimselfhadgonethere，andeasilyobtainedthemagainfromRobertStebbins，themaninwhosehandstheyhadbeensincethefire。Thefactofthefirewasproved；Stebbinswassworn，andtestifiedtohavingsavedtheboxwithhisowneffects，andhishavingquitelatelyreturnedittotheowner，onfirsthearinganaccountofthesuitinwhichhewasengaged。ThispartofthetestimonywasclearlylaidbeforethecourtbyMr。Reed；andtheevidencefortheplaintiffswasclosed，withthesepapers，andtheexaminationofStebbins，throughwhosehandstheyhadcome。

Thecross-examinationofthedifferentwitnesseswasstillconductedbyMr。Grant；severalofthewitnessesweremadetocontradicteachother，andpartiallytocontradictthemselves；

butasitwasonlyonpointsofminorimportance，nomaterialchangecouldbeeffectedinthegeneralappearanceofthings，inspiteofallMr。Grant\'singenuity。HekeptStebbinsalongtimeonthestand；andonceortwicethisindividualseemedagooddealconfusedinmannerandexpression；stillnothingimportantcouldbedrawnfromhim，hisaccountofthepaperscorrespondingsufficientlywellwiththatoftheplaintiff。

Itwaslateintheafternoonwhentheproceedingsofthetrialreachedthisstage，andthecourtadjourned。SomeofHazlehurst\'sfriendswereuneasy，otherswereconfidentofsuccess；Mr。

Strykerdeclaredhethoughtthesailorhadmadeoutaverystrongcase，andhepredictedthathewouldgainthesuit。ItisnottobesupposedthatMrs。Stanley，andtheladiesatWyllys-Roof，wereleftinignoranceofwhatpassedinthecourt-room。RobertHazlehurst，atwhosehouseMrs。StanleyandMissWyllyswerestaying，madebriefnotesoftheproceedingseveryfewhours，andsentthemtohiswifeandfriends，whodespatchedthembyeverymailtotheyoungerladiesatWyllys-Roof。

Whenthecourtmetagain，thetimeforthedefendantstobeheardhadarrived。

ThedefencewasopenedbyHazlehurst；hehadhadbutlittlepracticeatthebar，but，likemosteducatedAmericans，itrequiredbutlittletofithimforspeakinginpublic。Hisvoicewasgood，hismannerandappearancewerehighlyinhisfavour；hehadthebestofmaterialstoworkwith，nativeability，cultivatedbyathorougheducation，andsupportedbyjustviewsandsoundprinciples。Energyofcharacterandfeelinghelpedhimalso；warmingasheproceeded，hethrewhimselffullyintohissubject，andwentonwithafacilitysurprisingtohimself，andfarsurpassingthemostsanguineexpectationsofhisfriends。Asforhisopponents，theyhadanticipatedverylittlefromhim。Wegiveasketchofhisopeningremarks：

“Itisthefirsttime，gentlemen，“hesaid，onrisingtospeak，“thattheindividualwhonowaddressesyou，haseverappearedinahighcourtofjustice，asanactofself-defence。Ihaveneveryetbeensolemnlycalledupontoaccountformypastactionsbyanyfellow-creature。Mymoralmotiveshaveneveryetbeenpubliclyimpugned。ThepositioninwhichInowstand，accusedofdenyingthejustrightsofanother，ofwilfullywithholdingtheparentalinheritancefromthesonofmybenefactor，isthereforeasnoveltomyselfinitswholecharacter，asitmustappearremarkabletoyouinitspeculiarcircumstances。

“Ihavealreadylearned，however，duringthefewyearsthatI

havefilledaplaceonthebusystageofactivelife，thatintheworldtowhichwebelong，Truthherselfiscompelledtoappearonthedefensive，nearlyasoften，perhaps，asError。Ihavenorightthereforetocomplain。SolongasIamincludedinthesameaccusation，solongasIamassociatedinthesamedefencewiththevenerablemanatmyside——one，whosehonourablecareerhasfurnishedtothecommunityrepresentedbythisassembly，anoblemodelofconductduringthree-scoreyearsandten；onewhomithasbeentheespecialobjectofmyendeavourstofollow，inmyownpaththroughlife——solong，IcanhavenowishtoshrinkfromthesituationinwhichIamplaced；Icanfindnoroomfordoubtsormisgivings，astothewisdomandrectitudeofthecourseI

haveadopted。

“Thattheposition，however，inwhichwestandbeforeyou，onthepresentoccasion，gentlemen，isonethatrequiresexplanation，wereadilyadmit；itistooremarkableinitsparticularstoescapethesearchinginquiryofjustice。Weappearinthiscourt，theexecutorsandlegateeofMr。Stanley——hiswidow，hisnearestfriend，andhisadoptedrepresentative——todenyaclaim，justinitself，advancedinthenameofhisonlyson。Suchapositionmustbeeitherquiteuntenable，totallyunjustifiable，anoutrageuponthecommondecencyofsociety，oritmuststandonthefirmfoundationoftruth。Youwilleasilybelieve，thatsuchapositionwouldneverhavebeentaken，undercircumstancessoextraordinary，bythreeindividuals，possessingonlyacommonshareofhonestyandgoodsense，unlesstheyhadheldittobeonewhichtheycouldmaintain。Youwillreadilyadmit，thatitistheverylastpositionwhichamanofclearintegrity，goodcharacter，andnaturalfeelingwouldwishtoassume，unlessactingfromconscientiousmotives，andguidedbysoundreason。

“Ihavenowishtoparadeastoicalindifferencetothepecuniaryinterestsatstaketo-day；theyaresuchasmustseriouslyaffectmyfortunesforyears，possiblyforlife。Acauseinvolvingsolargeasumofmoney，sofinealandedestate，honourablyacquiredbythelateproprietor，andgenerouslybequeathedtomyself，mustnecessarilyincludemanyinterestsofavariedcharacter。Manygratefulrecollectionsofthepast，manyhopesforthefuture，havebeenconnectedinmymindwiththehouseatGreatwood；fromearlyboyhoodIhavebeentaughttolookforwardtoit，asahomeandaresting-place，whenthebusiestyearsoflifeshallhavepassed。Theseinterests，however，althoughamongthebestenjoymentsofexistence，areofanatureentirelypersonal，forgiveme，ifforamomentIhaveglancedatthem。

But，gentlemen，ifIhavealwaysvaluedthebequestofMr。

Stanley，fromitsownintrinsicimportance，fromthemanyadvantagesithasalreadyprocuredme，fromthehopeswithwhichitisconnected，andfromthegratefulrecollection，thattothefriendlyaffectionofmybenefactorIoweitspossession，yet，I

solemnlyaffirm，inthehearingofhundredsofwitnesses，thatthereisnohonestoccupation，howeverhumble，nolabour，howevertoilsome，thatIwouldnotatthisinstantcheerfullyexchangeforit，ratherthanretainthatinheritanceonehourfromitsrightfulowner，couldIbelievehimtobeliving。

“Nohumanbeing，Itrust，whoknowstheprinciplesfromwhichI

havehithertoacted，canshowjustgroundformistrustingthisdeclaration。

“But，fellow-citizensofthejury，toyouIamastranger。Thereisnotoneofyournumber，asInowscanthefacesinyourbox，thatIrecognizeasthatofanacquaintance。Icannot，therefore，expectyoutobelievethisassertion，unsupportedbyevidenceofitstruth。Iwillinglyleavevaindeclamationtothosewhohavenobetterweapontoworkwith；wereitinmypowertoinfluenceyourdecision，byvolleysofwordswithoutmeaning，soundwithoutsense，suchasonlytoooftenassailtheearsofjudgesandjuries，respectforthehonourableofficeyounowfill，woulddetermefromfollowingsuchacourse；self-respectwouldnaturallypreventmefromfollowingsocloselytheexampleoftheoratorwhofirstaddressedyouonbehalfoftheplaintiff。Ihaveoftenbeforeheardthatorator，fellow-citizensofthejury；thisisnotthefirstoccasionuponwhichIhavelistenedwithsimplewonder，toafluencywhicheverflowsundisturbed，undismayed，whethertheobstaclesinitswaybethoseoflaworjustice，reasonortruth。ButifIhavewonderedatafacilitysoremarkable，never，forasingleinstant，haveIwishedtorivalthissuppledexterity。Itisanaccomplishmentonecanscarcelyenvy。Ontheotherhand，thesewholesalesuppliesofbombasticdeclamationformsolargeapartofthelocalstockintradeoftheindividualtowhomIrefer，thatitwouldseemalmostcrueltodeprivehimofthem；wehaveallheardacommonexpression，moreeasilyunderstoodthanexplained，butwhichwouldbequiteapplicabletothepitiablestateofthecounselfortheplaintiff，whendeprivedofhischiefsupport，hisfavouritemodesofspeech——hewouldthenbereduced，gentlemen，toLESS

THANNOTHING。“Hazlehurst\'sfacewasexpressiveenoughasheutteredthesewords。

“No，fellow-citizensofthejury，Ishallnotaskyoutobelieveasingleassertionofmyown，unsustainedbyproof。Atthepropermoment，thetestimonywhichwepossessinfavourofthedeathofMr。Stanley\'sson，andthefactswhichhaveledustomistrustthestrangestorywhichyouhavejustheardadvancedinbehalfoftheplaintiff，willbelaidbeforeyou。Atpresent，sufferme，foramomentlonger，torefertotheleadingmotiveswhichhaveinducedustoappearinthiscourt，asdefendants，undercircumstancessosingular。

“Theimportancewhich，aslegateeofMr。Stanley，Iattachtohisgenerousgifthasnotbeendenied。But，independentlyofthis，thereareothercausessufficientinthemselvestohavebroughtmeintothishall，andthesemotivesIsharewiththefriendsassociatedinthesamedefence。Ifweconceiveourselvestobejustifiedinrefusingthedemandoftheplaintiff，asaconsequenceofthisconviction，wemustnecessarilyholdittobeanimperativedutytorepel，byeveryhonestmeansinourpower，aclaimwebelievefalse。Thisisacasewhichallowsofnomediumcourse。Ononehand，eitherwe，thedefendants，areguiltyofanactofthemostcruelinjustice；or，ontheother，theindividualbeforeyou，assumingthenameofWilliamStanley，isanimpostor。TheopinionofthosemostintimatelyconnectedwiththelateMr。Stanley，isclearlyproclaimed，bythestandtheyhavedeliberatelytaken，afterexaminingtheevidencewithwhichtheplaintiffadvanceshisextraordinaryclaim。Thisindividualwho，fromhisownaccount，wascontenttoremainforyearsinastateofpassiveindifferencetothesameimportantinheritance，nowclaimedsoboldly，indefianceofsomanyobstacles，webelievetobeanimpostor；notasingle，lingeringscruplepreventsmyrepeatingthedeclaration，thatIbelievehimtobeaboldanddaringimpostor。

“Withthisopinion，isitexpectedthatIshallcalmlyendurethatone，whoseonlytitleconsistsinhiscunningandhisaudacity，shouldseizewithimpunity，property，legallyandjustlymyown？IsitbelievedthatIshallstandidlyby，withoutastruggletodefendthenameofmydeceasedbenefactorfromsuchimpudentabuse？ThatIshouldbecontenttoseetheveryhearth-stoneofmyfriendseized，bythegrossestcupidity？ThatIshouldsurrendertheguardianshipofhisgravetoone，withwhomheneverhadathought，afeeling，asympathyincommon？——toone，whowouldnotscrupletosellthatgraveforabottleofrum？

“Everyfeelingrevoltsatthethoughtofsuchashamefulneglectofduty！No；Iacknowledgemyselfbound，byeveryobligation，toopposetothelastextremity，suchanaudaciousinvasionofrightandtruth。Everyfeelingofrespectandgratitudetothememoryofmybenefactor，urgesmeforward；whilealltheattachmentofthefriend，andalltheaffectionofthewidow，revive，anduniteinthedefence。

“But，fellow-citizensofthejury，myownpersonalrights，sufficientonacommonoccasiontorouseanyman，thedutiesowedbyeachofthedefendantstothememoryofMr。Stanley——dutiessacredintheeyesofeveryright-thinkingman，thesearenottheonlymotiveswhichcalluponustoopposetheplaintiff，torepelwithallthestrengthwecancommandthisdaringactofpiracy。

“Thereisanotherdutystillmoreurgent，aconsiderationofastillhighercharacter，involvedinthecoursewepursueto-day。

Thereisoneobjectbeforeus，farsurpassinginimportanceanytowhichIhaveyetalluded；itisone，fellow-citizensofthejury，inwhicheachindividualofyournumberisasdeeplyconcernedasourselves，inwhichthehighestearthlyinterestsofeveryhumanbeinginthiscommunityareincluded；itistheonegreatobjectforwhichthesewallswereraised，thishallopened，whichhasplacedthosehonourablemenasjudgesontheseatofjustice，whichhascalledyoutogether，fromthelessimportantpursuitofyourdailyavocations，togiveanimpartialopinionineverycasebroughtbeforeyou；itisthehighobjectofmaintainingjusticeinthecommunitytowhichweallequallybelong。Iamwillingtobelieve，fellow-citizensofthejury，thatyouarefullyawareoftheimportanceofyourownoffice，ofthedignityofthiscourt，ofthenecessityofitsexistence，ofitsactivitytoprotectthehonestandinoffensivecitizen，againstthedesigning，theunprincipled，andtheviolent。Suchprotectionweknowtobeabsolutelybindinguponeverycommunityclaimingtobecivilized；weknowthatwithoutitnostateofsociety，atallworthyofthedignityofhumannature，atallworthyofthedignityoffreemen，canexist；withoutactivejustice，indeed，thenameofFreedombecomesameresoundofmockery。Ihavebeentaughttoholdtheopinion，gentlemen，thatifthereisoneobligationmoreimperativethananyother，imposeduponanAmericanbytheprivilegesofhisbirth-right，itisthisverydutyofmaintainingjusticeinherfullintegrity；

ofraisinghisvoiceinherbehalfwhensheisthreatened，ofraisinghisarminherdefencewhensheisassailed。Tomoveatthefirstclearappealofjustice，issurelyoneofthechiefdutiesofeveryAmericancitizen，ofeverymanblessedwithfreedomofspeechandfreedomofaction；and，surely，ifthisbeageneralrule，itwouldbecomeadoubleactofmoralcowardice，todesertthepost，whenthoseindividualrights，confidedespeciallytomyownprotection，includinginterestssoimportanttomyself，areaudaciouslyassailed。Iftherearecircumstanceswhichpartiallyremovetheweightofthisobligation，ofthispublicstruggleforjustice，fromportionsofthecommunity，fromtheaged，whohavealreadyfirmlyupheldeveryhonourableprinciplethroughalongcourseofyears，andfromthosewhoareconfinedbytheirnaturalpositiontothenarrowbutholycircleofdomesticduties；ifsuchbehonourableexemptionsfrombearingthebruntofthebattle，itisonlytoopenthefrontranktoeveryactivecitizen，layingclaimtomanlinessandhonesty。SuchIconceivetobetheobligationimposeduponmyself，bythedemandoftheplaintiff。Uponexamination，Icanfindnosufficientevidencetosupportthisclaim；itbecomestherefore，inmybelief，byitsverynature，anatrociousoutragealiketothelivingandthedead——aninsultingviolationofnaturaljusticeandthelawoftheland，sufficienttorouseeveryjustifiableeffortinresistance。

“Wheneverattentionmaybecalledtoaquestion，ofacharacteraudaciouslyunprincipled，evenwhenquiteindependentofpersonaladvantageandpersonalfeeling，Ishouldstillhopethatdutyasaman，dutyasafreeman，wouldhavesufficientinfluenceovermyactions，tourgemeforwardinoppositiontoitsunrighteousdemands，justsofarascommonsenseandtrueprincipleshallpointtheway。SuchIconceivetobethecharacterofthepresentquestion；weretherenopecuniaryinterest，noindividualfeelingatstake，IshouldstillconceiveitadutytoholdonthepresentoccasionthepositioninwhichInowstand。

“Thegroundsuponwhichthisopinionastothecharacterofthecasehasbeenformed，thegroundsuponwhichwebaseourdefence，mustnowbelaidbeforeyou。“

Afterthisopening，Harryproceededwithanoutlineofthetestimonyforthedefence。Hisstatementwasveryclearandaccuratethroughout；butasitcontainednothingbutwhatisalreadyknowntothereader，weshallomitthispartofhisremarks。

Afterhehadgivenageneralaccountoftheconductandviewsofthedefendants，Mr。Ellsworthproceededtolaythelegalevidenceintheirpossession，beforethecourt。Thefirstpointexamined，wasthetestimonytheyhadreceivedastothedeathofWilliamStanley。ThewreckoftheJeffersonwaseasilyproved，byaletterfromthecaptainoftheAmericanshipEagle，whohadspokentheJeffersonthemorningofthegaleinwhichshewaslost，andhavingsafelyrodeoutthestormhimself，hadafterwardsseenthewreck。ThisletterwaswrittenonCaptainGreen\'sarrivalinport，andwasinanswertoinquiriesofMr。

Wyllys；besidesanaccountofthegale，andthewreckoftheJefferson，itcontainedtheunitedopinionsofhismatesandhimself，thatnoonecouldhaveescaped，unlessunderveryextraordinarycircumstances，asthevesselherselfhadfoundered，andnoboatcouldhavelivedinsuchatempest。Duringacalmwhichhadfollowedthegale，theyhadfalleninwithfragmentsofthewreck，someofwhichhadbeenusedinrepairingtheirownvessel；theyhadseenseveraldeadbodies，andhadtakenupanemptyboat，andseveralotherobjects，butnothingwhichthrewfartherlightonthesubject。WilliamStanley\'sname，asoneofthecrewoftheJefferson，wasnextproduced；thispartofthetestimonycamethroughouracquaintance，Mr。Hopkins，whohadbeentheowneroftheJefferson。Thencameproofsofthemanyeffortsmadebytheexecutors，toobtainaccountsofMr。

Stanley\'sson，byadvertisementstosailorsandshipmasters，inallthegreatportsofthecountry，repeatedduringfiveyears；

manylettersandcommunicationswerealsoproduced，allstrengtheningthereportoftheyoungman\'sdeath。AnagenthadbeenemployedbyMrs。Stanley，foroneyear，withnootherobjectthanthatofsearchingforintelligenceofherstep-son；themanhimselfwasdead，buthisletterswereread，andsworntobyhiswife。Onlyoncehadtheexecutorsobtainedafainthopeoftheyoungman\'sexistence；thesecond-mateofawhalerreportedthathehadknownaWilliamStanley，aforemasthand，inthePacific；

buteventuallyitappeared，thatthemanalludedtowasmucholderthanMr。Stanley\'sson，andhisnamewasSANLEY。Nothingcouldbemoreclearlyproved，thantheeffortsoftheexecutorstoobtainaccurateintelligenceastotheyoungman\'sfate；anditwasalsoevidentfromthereportsreceived，thattheycouldhavehadnogoodreasontodoubthisdeath。Thenextpointsexamined，includedthepersonandconductoftheplaintiff。Thebadcharacteroftheplaintiffwasmadetoappearinthecourseofthisexamination；“acharacterwhichseemsatleasttohavealwaysclungtothatindividual，underthevariousnamesithaspleasedhimtoassumeatdifferenttimes，“observedMr。

Ellsworth。Itwasclearlyshownthathewasconsideredamanofnoprinciples，evenamonghiscomrades。Thepersonalidentitywasfullyexamined；thispartofthetestimonyexcitedintenseinterestamongtheaudience，whileeventhecourtseemedtolistenwithincreasedattention。Theopinionsofthedifferentwitnessesonthispointwerenotdisputed；thegeneralresemblanceoftheplaintifftotheStanleyswasnotdenied；thesimilarityofhandwritingwasalsoadmitted；butMr。Ellsworthargued，thatsuchresemblances，amongpersonswhowereinnowayrelatedtoeachother，werenotuncommon；probablyeveryindividualinthatcourt-roomhadbeentoldfiftytimes，thathewaslikeA。，B。，orC。Occasionally，suchresemblanceswerereallyverymarkedindeed。HethencitedtheinstanceofamanwhowashangedinEngland，onthisverygroundofpersonalidentity，sworntobymanyindividuals；andyet，ayearafter，itwasdiscoveredthattherealcriminalwasliving；andthesetwomen，sostrikinglyalike，hadneverevenseeneachother，norweretheyinanymannerrelatedtoeachother。ButwhocouldsaywhethertheplaintiffwereactuallysomuchlikeWilliamStanley？

Itwasnotcertainthatanyindividualinthatroomhadseentheyoungmanforeighteenyears；butoneofthedefendantshadanydistinctrecollectionofhim，evenatthattime；thecolourofthehair，andageneralresemblanceincomplexionandfeatures，mightwellbetheamountofallthatcouldbeadvancedinfavourofthelikeness；theplaintiffresembledtheStanleys，fatherandson；butprobablyahundredothermenmightbepickedupinthecountry，inwhomthesameresemblancemightbefound——menwholaidnoclaimtothenameorestateofMr。Stanley。Similarityofhandwritingwasnotuncommoneither；andheresomedozennotesandletterswereproduced，andprovedtoacertaindegreethatthisassertionwascorrect；inseveralcasestheresemblancewasverygreat；andMr。Ellsworthmaintained，thatwiththedocumentsinthepossessionofthesailor，undeniablywrittenbyyoungStanley，anycommonwriter，devoidofhonesty，mighthavemouldedhishandbypracticetoanimitationofit，sufficientforforgery。Somuchfortheresemblance；hewouldnowpointoutthedifferencebetweentheplaintiffandWilliamStanleyintwopoints，which，ifclearlyproved，mustconvincethejurythatidentitywasutterlyimpossible，apurefiction，agrossdeception。HethenproducedtheportraitofWilliamStanley；

afteracknowledgingthattherewassomegeneralresemblance，hesuddenlyshowedthedifferenceintheformationofthehands，fingers，andnails，betweentheboyandtheplaintiff。Thisdifferencewasindeedstriking，forEllsworthtookamomenttopointitout，whenthesailorwasincourt，andengagedinputtingapieceoftobaccoinhismouth，andhishandswereinfullview。Forasecondheseemedoutofcountenance，buthesoonresumedtheconfidentlookhehadwornthroughout。Mr。Ellsworthenteredveryminutelyintothisfact，showingthatpaintersusuallygaveacorrectideaofthehand，whenitwasintroducedinaportrait；andtheimpossibilityofthenaturalformationofthehandbeingentirelychanged，eitherbytimeorhardwork，wasprovedbythetestimonyofanatomists。ThefamilyphysicianofthelateMr。Stanleywasanimportantwitnessatthisstageofthetrial；hesworetothefidelityoftheportrait，andconfirmedthefactoftheparticularformationofWilliamStanley\'slimbswhenaboy；hethoughtitveryimprobablethataladofhisframeandconstitutionwouldeverbecomeasheavyandrobustastheplaintiff。Hewasaskedbyajurorifhethoughtthisimpossible？“No；hecouldnotsayitwasimpossible。“Thedifferenceingaitwasthenexamined。

{“spokentheJefferson“=passedandcommunicatedwith}

“Thereisyetanotherpointtobeexamined，“saidEllsworth，“similarinnature，butstillmoredecidedinitsbearing。“Hethenbroughtforwardallthetestimonythathadbeencollected，astothetemperandcapacityofWilliamStanley；itwasclearlyproved，chieflybytheyoungman\'stutorsandcompanions，thathewasmoroseandstubbornindisposition，anddullinintellect。Sofarthispointwaseasilysettled；butitwasdifficulttoplacetheoppositefacts，oftheclevernessandbettertemperoftheplaintiff，asclearlybeforethecourtastheyhadappearedtothedefendants。AnyonewhohadseenhimunderthesamecircumstancesasMr。WyllysandHazlehurst，duringthelastthreemonths，wouldhavebeenconvincedofthisdifference；butinthecourt-roomitwasnotsoeasytoplacethematterbeyonddispute，althoughtwowitnessesgavetheiropinionsonthispoint，underoath，andEllsworthdidallhecould，byattractingattentiontotheplaintiff，tohismannerandexpression；buthewasnotquitesatisfiedwiththeresultofhisownendeavours。

“Letusnowlookattheconductofthisindividual；weshallfindit，Ithink，quiteinconsistentwiththatanymanofplain，goodsense，wouldhavesupposedthemosteasyandnaturalcourseunderthecircumstances；while，ontheotherhand，itisentirelyconsistentthroughout，inbeingstronglymarkedwiththestampofimprobability，initsgeneralaspect，andinitsdetails。“Afterareviewoftheplaintiff\'scourse，asitstoodinhisownstatement，heproceededtoinvestigatehisconductduringthelastthreemonths，maintaining，thathadhereallybeenWilliamStanley，hewouldhavepresentedhimselflongsincetoMr。

Wyllys，unsupportedbyMr。Clapp；hewouldnothavefounditnecessarytovisitGreatwood，andexaminethehouseandplacesothoroughly，beforesubmittingtoanexamination；hewouldnothavewaitedtobeexamined，hewouldvoluntarilyhavetoldhisownstoryinamannertoproduceundeniableconviction。Forinstance，butafewweekssince，when，ifwemaybelievehisstory，thatpocket-bookcameintohispossessionagain，hadhegonetoMr。Wyllys，shownit，andmerelytoldhimaccurately，fromwhom，when，andwherehehadfirstreceivedit，hewouldhavebeenimmediatelyrecognizedastheindividualheclaimstobe。HadhebeenWilliamStanley，hecouldhavetoldthosesimplefacts，hewouldhavetoldthem；whiletheywerefactswhichitwasimpossiblethatanimpostorshouldknow，sincetheywereconfinedentirelytoMr。Wyllysandhisfriend\'sson——Mr。Wyllyshimselfhavinggiventhepocket-booktoWilliamStanleywhentheywerealonetogether。Heappealedtoeverymantherepresent，whatwouldhavebeenhisownconductundersuchcircumstances？AstothereadinessofMr。WyllystoreceiveWilliamStanley，couldhebelievehimliving，itwasprovedbythepastconductoftheexecutors，theiranxietytoobtainacorrectaccountoftheyoungman\'sfate，theirhopesatfirst，theirregretsatlast，whenhopehaddiedaway。Ellsworthclosedhisspeechbyobserving，thatafterthisreviewofthecircumstances，consideringthestrikingdifferencespointedoutinperson，temper，andcapacity，fromthoseofWilliamStanley，theirreconciliabledifferenceinthegaitandformationofthelimbs，andtheunnaturalconductoftheplaintiffthroughout，hadMr。WyllysreceivedthismanasWilliamStanley，thesonofhisdeceasedfriend，itwouldhavebeenagrossneglectofdutyonhispart。

Therenowremainedbutoneacttocompletethedefence。ItwasconcludedbyMr。Grant，whowentoverthewholecaseinaspeech，inhisusualwell-knownmanner，learnedandcloseinitsreasoning，causticandsevereinitsremarksontheoppositeparty。Hisgeneralviewwaschieflylegal；occasionally，however，heintroducedshortandimpressiveremarksonthegeneralaspectofthecase，andtheparticularcharacterofthemostsuspiciousfactspresentedbytheplaintiff；hewassevereuponMr。Clapp，showingashrewdandthoroughknowledgeoftheman，andthelegalspeciestowhichhebelonged。TheLongbridgelawyerputonanincreaseofvulgarnonchalancefortheoccasion，buthewasunabletoconcealentirelyhisuneasinessunderthesharpandwell-aimedhitsofone，somuchhissuperiorinstandingandrealability。Mr。GrantdweltparticularlyuponthesuspiciousappearanceofthefactsconnectedwiththevolumeoftheSpectator，andthepocket-book，bothofwhichheadmittedtohavebelongedtoWilliamStanleyoriginally；andheseemedtomanagethedifferenceintemperandcapacitymoreeffectuallythanMr。

Ellsworthhaddone。Hisspeechwaslistenedtowiththeclosestattentionduringseveralhours；afterhavingreviewedthetestimonyonbothsidesandfinishedhislegalsurveyoftheground，heconcludedasfollows：

“Gentlemenofthejury；thefactsofthiscasearebeforeyou，sofaratleastaswecouldreachthem；therearedoubtlessothersbehindthecurtainwhichmightprovehighlyimportantinassistingyourdecision。Youhavefollowedmeoverthedulltrackofthelawwhereveritledusnearthiscase，andIthankyouforthepatienceyouhaveshown。Thesubjectisnowfullybeforeyou，andIconceivethatyouwillagreewithmethatinthepresentcase，thecounselfortheplaintiffhaveundertakenataskofnoordinarydifficulty。Itseemsataskbynomeansenviableunderanyofitsdifferentaspects；butreally，inthewholecourseofmyexperienceatthebar，ithasneveryetfallentomylottowitnesssostartlingafeatoflegallegerdemain，asthatattemptedinthiscourt-roombythecounselfortheplaintiff。I

conceive，gentlemen，thattheyareengagedinataskseldomattemptedsincethedaysofwizardsandnecromancers——theyhaveundertakentoraiseaghost！”

Itwasnowtimefortheplaintiff\'slawyerstoclosethetrial。

Mr。Clappwishedtospeakagain，butMr。Reedtookthecaseentirelyinhisownhands；hewasevidentlyfirmlyconvincedoftheidentityofhisclientwithWilliamStanley，andthenaturalindignationhefeltattheaccusationsofthedefendants，andthetreatmentthesailorhadreceivedfromtheexecutors，gaveunusualwarmthtohismanner，whichwasgenerallycalm；itwasremarkedthathehadnevermadeastrongerspeechthanonthatoccasion。HedidnotdisputethehonestyoftheopinionsofMr。

WyllysandHazlehurst，butheconceivedtheyhadnorighttoholdsuchopinionsafterexaminingthetestimonyinbehalfoftheplaintiff。Heconceivedthatthedefendantattachedanimportancealtogetherpueriletomerecommonprobability，every-dayprobability；howmanyfacts，nowprovedasclearlyashumanevidencecanprove，havewornatfirstanimprobableaspecttomanyminds！Howmanylegalcasesofanimprobablenaturemightbecited！Hewouldonlyalludetoafew；andherehewentoverseveralremarkablecasesonrecord。

“Andyethewouldevenengagetoanswertheobjectionsagainsthisclientonthisverygroundofprobability；muchhadbeensaidaboutthevolumeoftheSpectator，butMr。HazlehurstcouldnotsweartohavingreaditatGreatwoodfouryearssince；whileitappearedoncross-examinationthathisbrotherhadthesameeditionofthatbookinPhiladelphia，andthatMr。H。wasinthehabitofreadinghisbrother\'sbooks；italsoappearedthatothervolumeshadbeenlostfromthehouseatGreatwoodinthecourseofthelastfouryears。Hehelditthentobeclearlyprobable；

first，thatMr。H。hadnotreadthatidenticalvolumeshownattheinterview，butonebelongingtohisbrother；secondly，thatthesamevolumehadnotbeenlostwithinthelastfouryears；

thatothershadbeenlostwascertain，butthatthisvolumehadbeeninthepossessionofhisclientfornearlytwentyyearswasPROBABLE。“Hewentoninthesamewaytoprovetheprobabilityofhisclient\'sgaithavingbeenchanged，likethatofothersailors，byalifeatsea；thathiswholebodyhadbecomeheavierandcoarserfromtwentyyears\'hardwork，andchangeofhabits。

HeheremadeDr。B。，thephysicianwhohadtestifiedonthissubject，appearinaridiculouslight，byquotingsomeunfortunatelyobscureremarkshehadmadeundercross-examination。

“Then，astohisclient\'stemper，hehopedithadimprovedwithage，buthethoughtthatpointhadnotbeenasclearlysettledashisbestfriendscouldwish；still，itwasbynomeansIMPROBABLE

thatithadimprovedunderthesalutaryrestraintsofgreaterintercoursewiththeworld。Whohasnotknownpersonswhosetempershavebecomebetterundersuchcircumstances？Astothecapacityofhisclient，thathadalsoPROBABLYbeenrousedintogreateractivitybythesamecircumstances。Whohasnotheardofstrikinginstancesinwhichboyshavebeenpronouncedstupidbytheirmastersandplayfellows，andyetthesameladshaveafterwardsturnedoutevenbrilliantgeniuses？”Hementionedseveralinstancesofthiskind。Hewentoverthemoststrikingfeaturesofthewholecaseinthismanner，butwearenecessarilycompelledtoabridgehisremarks。“Heacceptedthisgroundofprobabilityfullyandentirely；theconductofhisclienthadbeenthoughtunnatural；heconceivedthattheverysamestubborn，morosedisposition，whichthedefendantshadlabouredsohardtofastenuponWilliamStanley，wouldaccountinthemostPROBABLE

mannerforallthathadbeenunusualintheconductofhisclient。Thesameboywhoatfifteenhadsorecklesslyexchangedapleasanthomeandbrilliantprospectsforasailor\'shardships，mightverynaturallyhavecontinuedtofeelandtoactastheplaintiffhaddone。“

Hethenbroughttogetherallthepointsinfavourofthesailor，“TheresemblancebetweentheplaintiffandWilliamStanleyhadbeencalledtriflingbythecounselforthedefendants；heconsidereditaremarkablystrongresemblance，sinceitincludednotonlyacknowledgedpersonallikeness，butalsosimilarityofhandwriting，ofage，ofoccupation，thepossessionofdocumentsadmittedtobeauthenticbythedefendantsthemselves，withknowledgeofpastevents，persons，andplaces，suchaswouldbenaturalinWilliamStanleybutquitebeyondthereachofacommonstranger。Heconceivedthatthegreatnumberofdifferentpointsinhisclient\'sfavourwasafarstrongergroundforthetruthofhisclaim，thananyonefact，howeverstriking，standingalone。

Heheldthatthismassofevidence，bothpositiveandcircumstantial，couldbeaccountedforinnootherwayatallprobable，thanbyadmittingtheidentityofhisclient。Heconceiveditalsoprobablethatanyunprejudicedmanwouldtakethesameviewofthiscase；acasesingularinitsfirstaspect，thoughnotmoresingularthanhundredsofothersonrecord，andentirelywithintheboundsofpossibilityineveryfact，whileitassumedgreaterprobabilitythefartheritwasexamined。“Hethenadvertedtoseveralpointsmerelylegal，andfinallyconcludedbyastrongappealinbehalfoftheplaintiff。

Thejudgerosetomakehischarge；itwasstrictlylegalandimpartial，chieflyremindingthejurythattheyweretodecideentirelyfromthefactswhichhadbeenplacedbeforethem；iftheythoughttheevidencetowhichtheylistenedsufficienttoprovelegallytheidentityoftheplaintiffasWilliamStanley，theymustgiveaverdictinhisfavour；iftheyheldthatevidencetobeincompleteandinsufficient，accordingtothelegalviewswhichmustbetheirguide，theymustpronounceaverdictinfavourofthedefendants：concludingwithexplainingoneortwolegalpoints，andaninjunctiontoweighthewholeevidenceimpartially，thejudgetookhisseat。

Thejuryrose；marshalledbyconstablesandheadedbytheirforeman，theyturnedfromtheboxandleftthecourt-roomtoconsidertheirverdict。

Anothercausewascalled。Thepartiesinterested，theirfriends，andthecrowdofcuriousspectatorspouredfromthebuilding，discussingastheymovedalongtheprobableresult，whichcouldscarcelybeknownuntilthenextmorning，foritwaslateonthefourthnightthatthetrialclosed。

CHAPTERXIX。{XLII}

“Toutestperduforsl\'honneur！”

FrancoisI。

{“Toutestperduforsl\'honneur“=allislostbuthonor(French)。FrancisIofFrance(1494-1547)，lettertohismother，1525；by1840aproverbialexpression}

HAZLEHURST\'Sfriends，fullyawareoftheimportanceofthecausetohisinterests，hadfollowedthetrialwithgreatanxiety。Mrs。

Stanley，Mrs。RobertHazlehurst，MissWyllys，andMrs。Creightonwereregularlyinformedoftheeventswhichhadpassedwheneverthecourtadjourned。TheyoungladiesatWyllys-Roof，Elinor，Jane，andMaryVanAlstynewereobligedtowaitlongerforinformation；theyhadreceived，however，regularreportsoftheproceedingsbyeverymail；theyhadlearnedthatthetrialhadclosed，andwerenowwaitingmostanxiouslyforthefinaldecisionofthejury。

“Ihadnoideathetrialwouldlastsolong；hadyou？”observedMaryVanAlstyne，asthethreefriendsweresittingtogetherwaitingforthatday\'smail，whichmustatlengthbringthemtheimportantnews。

“Yes；grandpapatoldmethatitmightpossiblylastaweek。“

“Idon\'tseewhytheycannotdecideitsooner，“saidJane；

“anybodymightknowthatsailorcouldnotbeWilliamStanley。

PoorHarry！whattroublehehashadwiththemaneversincehecamehome！”

Atthatmomentcarriage-wheelswereheardapproaching；Elinorrantothewindow。

“Theyarecoming！”shecried；andinanotherinstantshewasonthepiazza，followedbyMaryandJane。Twocarriageswereapproachingthedoor。

“Heretheyare——allourfriends！”exclaimedMaryVanAlstyne，assherecognizedinthefirstopenwagonMr。WyllysandEllsworth，andinthebarouchebehind，theladies，includingMrs。Creighton；

whileHarryhimselfsatatthesideofthecoachman。

Elinorwasonthelaststepofthepiazza，lookingeagerlytowardsthefacesofherfriendsastheyadvanced。

“Grandpapa！”sheexclaimed，lookingallanxiouscuriosity，asthewagonstopped。

Mr。Wyllyssmiled，butnottriumphantly。

Ellsworthshookhisheadashesprangfromthewagonandtookherhand。

“Canitbepossible！——Isthesuitlost？”sheagainexclaimed。

“Onlytoopossible！”repliedMr。Ellsworth。“Thejuryhavegivenaverdictfortheplaintiff，inspiteofourbestendeavours。“

ElinorturnedtowardsHarry，andofferedhimbothherhands。

Hazlehurstreceivedthemwithfeeling，withemotion。

“Ican\'tacknowledgethatIamsuchapoorforlornfellowasonemightfancy，“hesaid，smiling，“whileIhavestillsuchkindandwarmfriends。“

Elinorblushingtofindherselfbetweenthetwogentlemen，advancedtoreceivethekissofherauntandMrs。Stanley。Thecountenanceofthelatterladyshowedevidenttracesofthepainfulfeelingsshehadexperiencedatthedecision。Mrs。

Creightontoolookedalittledisturbed；thoughgracefulaseverinhermanner，shewasnoteasy；itwasclearthatshehadbeenmuchdisappointedbyHarry\'sdefeat。

“Iamgrievedtohearthebadnews，Mr。Hazlehurst！”saidMaryVanAlstyne。

“PoorHarry——Iamsosorryforyou！”exclaimedJane，lookingverylovelyassheraisedhereyestoherkinsman\'sface。

“Ellsworth，can\'tyoumanagetoloseallyouareworthandalittlemore？”saidHarry，smiling，afterhavingthankedtheladiesfortheirkindreception。

“AsIcouldnotkeepyourpropertyforyouwiththebestwillintheworld，nodoubtIcouldgetridofmyowntoo，“repliedhisfriend。

Whenthewholepartyassembledinthedrawing-room，nothingwastalkedofforawhilebutthetrial。Itappearedthatthejuryhadbeenfifteenhoursconsideringtheirverdict。Thedoorsofthecourt-roomhadbeencrowdedbypeoplecurioustolearnthedecisionofthecase，andwhenthejuryenteredthecourtwiththeirverdicttherewasarushforwardtohearit。

“Verdictfortheplaintiff——“wasannouncedbytheclerkinaloudvoice，intheusualofficialmanner。

“Clappwasstandingnearmeatthemoment，“saidHarry，“therewasaflashoftriumphinhisfaceasheturnedtowardsme。Thesailoractuallylookedbewilderedforaninstant，buthesoonappearedverywellsatisfied。Asformyself，IhonestlydeclarethatIexpectedsuchwouldbetheresult。“

“Itwastoolatetowritetoyou，mychild，“saidMr。Wyllys；“weonlyheardtheverdictintimetoprepareforleavingtowninthemorning\'sboat。Andnow，Nelly，youmustgiveussomeconsolationintheshapeofagooddinner。“

Itwasveryevidentthatalthougheverybodyendeavouredtowearacheerfulface，thedefeathadbeenmuchfeltbyMrs。Stanley，Mr。

Wyllys，andEllsworth。Hazlehursthimselfreallyappearedbetterpreparedforthemisfortunethananyoftheparty；infactheconceivedMrs。Stanley\'spositiontobemorepainfulthanhisown，thoughsomuchlesscriticalinapecuniaryview。Mrs。

Creightonwascertainlyneithersogay，norsoeasyasusualinhermanner；onemighthavefanciedthatshefeltherselfinanunpleasantandratheranawkwardposition——averyunusualthingforthatlady。ItmighthavestruckanobserverthatshewishedtoappearasamiableasevertoHarry，butshedidnotsucceedentirelyinconcealingthatherinterestinhimwasmateriallydiminished，nowthathewasnolongerMr。Stanley\'sheir。Itwasonlybytriflingshadesofmanner，however，thatthiswasbetrayed；perhapsnooneofthecircleatWyllys-Roofremarkedit；perhapsitwasnotlostuponHazlehurst；thereseemedtobeanoccasionalexpressioninhiseyewhichsaidso。

Afterthepartyhadseparatedtopreparefordinner，Elinorjoinedheraunt，andlearnedmanyfartherparticularsofthetrial。

“Istherenohope，Aunt？——cannothingbedone——nonewtrial？”

“Iamafraidnot。Thegentlemenaretoholdseveralconsultationsonthatpoint，however，buttheyseemtoagreethatlittlecanbedone。BothyourgrandfatherandHarryweredeterminedtogoonifthereweretheleastprobabilityofsuccess；butMr。Grant，Mr。

Ellsworth，andseveralothergentlemensaytheycangivethemnogroundsforencouragement；thetrialwasperfectlyregular，andtheythinkanappealforanewtrialwouldberejected；andevenifitweregranted，theyseenoreasontohopeforadifferentverdict。“

“Andyettherecannotbeadoubt，Aunt，tousatleast，thatthismanisanimpostor！”exclaimedElinor。

“No，nottouscertainly；butitwasnotpossibletoplacetheproofsofthisasclearlybeforethecourtastheyhaveappearedtous。Harrysayshewasafraidfromthebeginningthatthiswouldbethecase。“

“Howwellhebearsit！”exclaimedElinor。“AndMrs。Stanley，shecanscarcelyspeakonthesubject！”

“Shefeelsitmostkeenly。Wouldyoubelieveit，mychild，whenwearrivedonboardtheboatthismorning，wefoundMr。Clappandthismanalreadythere；andatamomentwhenMrs。StanleyandI

weresittingalonetogether，thegentlemenhavingleftus，andMrs。Creightonbeingwithanotherparty，theycameandwalkedupanddownbeforeus。Mr。Clapptookoffhishat，andrunninghishandthroughhishair，ashedoessooften，hesaidinaloudvoice：“Well，Mr。Stanley，whendoyougotoGreatwood？”Happily，Harrysawusfromtheothersideofthedeck，andheinstantlyjoinedus。Ofcoursewedidnotmentiontohimwhathadpassed；

andalthoughMr。Clappwasnoisyandvulgar，yethedidnotcomesonearusagain。“

“Whatamiserablemanheis！”exclaimedElinor。“AndisitpossiblethatsailorisgoingtotakepossessionofmyuncleStanley\'shouseimmediately？”

“Idonotknow，mychild。EverythinghasbeenleftinthehandsofRobertHazlehurstandMr。Grant，byourfriends。“

AlreadyhadElinor\'smindbeenbusywithplanningreliefforHazlehurst；ifhewerenowworsethanpenniless，shewasrich——itwouldbeinherpowertoassisthim。Thepointitselfhadbeenlongsincesettledbyher，butthemannerinwhichitwastobedonewasnowtobeconsidered。Shewasdeterminedatleastthatheroldplayfellowshouldhavetheuseofanysumhemightrequire，underthecircumstancesthatwouldbetheeasiestandmostacceptabletohimself。Hergrandfathermustmaketheoffer；

theywouldeitherwaituntilhereturnedfromthecruiseinthePetrel，orpossiblyitwouldbebettertowritetohimwhileabsent。

Elinorhad，perhaps，beenmoredisappointedbytheverdictthananyone，forshehadbeenverysanguineastotheresult；shehadnotconceiveditpossiblethatsuchgrossinjusticecouldtriumph。

But，alas，howimperfectismerelyhumanjusticeinitsbestform！Itisahumiliatingreflectionforthehumanrace，thatJustice，oneofthehighestattributesofTruth，shouldhavesolittlepoweramongmen；thatwhenguidedbyhumanreasonalonesheshouldsooftenerr！

ToguardfaithfullythegeneralpurityofJustice，towatchthatherarmisneithercrippledbyviolencenorpalsiedbyfear，thatherhandsarenotpollutedbybribery，norherearsassailedbyflattery，isallthathumanmeanscando；butwo{sic}tothesocietywherethisdutyisneglected，fordisgraceandgeneralcorruptionaretheninevitable。

ItwasadayofmovementatWyllys-Roof；afterthearrivalofthepartyfromPhiladelphiatherewereconstantcommunicationswiththeirneighboursatBroadlawn，asthelongtalkedofcruiseofthePetrelhadbeenonlypostponedforHarry\'sreturn，andyoungdeVauxwasnowallimpatiencetobeoff。WhenElinorwentdownfordinnershefoundEllsworthandHarryonthepiazzaplayingwithBruno，thefineNewfoundlanddogwhichHazlehursthadgivenherwhenhefirstwentabroad。

“Heisanoblecreature！”exclaimedEllsworth。

“IammakingfriendswithBrunoagain，yousee，“saidHarryasElinordrewnear。“WhatwouldyousayifIcoaxedhimofftothePetrelwithmeto-morrow？”

“Youareverywelcometohiscompanyforthevoyage，ifyoucanpersuadehimtogo。DownBruno，downmygoodfriend，“shesaid，asthedogboundedtowardsher；“Iwishyouwouldrememberthatathinwhitedressmustbetreatedwithsomerespect。Areyoureallygoingto-morrow？”sheadded，turningtoHarry。

“Yes；weareundersailingorders。IhavejustbeenovertolookatthePetrel，andeverythingisready。DeVauxhasonlybeenwaitingforme——therestofthepartyhasbeencollectedforsomedays。IfoundSmiththeconchologist，andStryker，atBroadlawn。“

“Hasyourcoursebeenfinallysettled？”askedEllsworth。

“Yes；wearetocircumnavigateLong-Island。“

“Youwillhaveanagreeablecruise，Idaresay，withapleasantsetofmessmates；HubertdeVauxisagoodfellowhimself，andStrykerisinhiselementonsuchoccasions。“

“WearetohaveCharlieHubbardtoo，andHarmanVanHorne。“

“Howlongwillyoubegone？”saidElinor。

“Sometendays，orafortnightattheveryfarthest。“

“CanweseeanythingofMr。deVaux\'sboatfromhere？”askedMrs。

Creighton，steppingonthepiazza。

“Onlyhermasts；inthisdirection，nearthegrove，“repliedHarry。“Sheisaschooner，andabeautifulcraft，too。“

“MissWyllys，youshouldcoaxMr。deVauxtogivetheladiesapic-nicwhenhereturns，“saidMrs。Creighton。

“Nodoubthewouldbehappytodoso，ifyouweretoexpressthewish，“saidElinor。

“UnfortunatelyIshallnotbehere。Wyllys-Roofisadangerousplace，onealwaysstaysheretoolong；butIcannotpositivelyaffordmorethanadayortwoatpresent；IhavepromisedtobeintownonThursday。“

Elinorexpressedherregretsveryhospitably；andtheyweresoonaftersummonedtodinner。

Intheevening，HubertdeVauxandthegentlemenfromBroadlawn，engagedforthecruise，walkedin。CharlieHubbardwastheretoo；

hehadremainedinPhiladelphiaduringthewholetrial，andhadjustreturnedhomethatmorning。

“Andsoyouarepositivelygoingto-morrow，“saidMr。WyllystoyoungdeVaux。

“Positively；atsixinthemorning。“

“Isitpartofyourplan，tostowyourselvesawayatnightinthePetrel？”

“ThePetrel\'scabinisnottobedespised，Iassureyou，sir。IthassixasgoodberthsasthoseofanyNorth-Riversloopthatevercarriedpassengersindaysofyore。Butweshallonlysleeponboardoccasionally，forthefunofthething。“

{“North-Riversloop“=theHudsonRiverwasalsocalledtheNorthRiver，andbeforesteamboats，passengerstravelledbetweenNewYorkandAlbanybywhatwereknownasHudsonRiverorNorthRiversloops}

“Atwhatplacesdoyouintendtoputintoport？”

“WearegoingtoshootforadayortwoonLong-Island；andweshalllettheYankeeshaveasightofthePetrel，atNewHaven，Sachem\'s-Head，andNantucket。“

{“Sachem\'sHead“=SachemHeadharborisabout10mileseastofNewHaven，Connecticut}

“Ihavenodoubtyouwillhaveapleasantexcursion。“

“Ouronlydifficultyatpresentseemstheprospectoftoomuchcomfort，“saidCharlie。“Mrs。deVauxexpressedsomefearsofafamineatLongbridgeinconsequenceofthiscruise，wecarryoffsuchastockofprovisions。“

“Notabittoomuch；peoplealwayswanttwiceasmuchonapartyofpleasureasatothertimes，“saidHubertdeVaux。

Theplanofthecruisewastalkedoverinallitsdetails，andthewholepartyseemedpleasedwiththeidea。YoungVanHorne，nowapractisingphysicianinNewYork，wasdelightedwiththeprospectofaweek\'sliberty；Mr。Smith，theconchologist，hopedtopickupsomepreciousunivalveorbivalve；CharlietalkedoftakingasketchofCapeCod；Harrydeclaredhewasdeterminedtoenjoythetrip，asthelastholidayhecouldallowhimselfforalongtime；andMr。Strykerpromisedhimselfthebestofchowders，asea-dishinwhichheprofessedhimselftobeagreatconnoisseur。Mrs。Creightonindeeddeclared，thathelookeduponthatseasonaslost，inwhichhecouldnotmakesomeimprovementinhiscelebratedreceiptforchowder。Whetheritwasthatthislady\'sgaietyandcoquetryinstinctivelyrevivedinthecompanyofsomanygentlemen，orwhethershefeltafraidofMr。Stryker\'skeen，worldlyscrutiny，hermannerintheeveningresumedentirelyitswontedappearance；shewaswitty，graceful，piquant，andflatteringasever，andquiteasmuchsowithHazlehurstaswithany。

“Whatdoyousaytoagameofchess，Mrs。Creighton？”askedMr。

Wyllys。

“Withpleasure，sir；Iamalwaysatyourservice。Notthatitisverypleasanttobebeatensooften，butIreallythinkIimproveunderyourinstructions。Youaresomuchinterestedyourselfthatyouinspireothers。“

“Youmustallowme，Mrs。Creighton，tosuggestsomethingforyourimprovement，“saidMr。Stryker。

“Andwhatisit，pray？”

“Youtalktoomuch；youmakeyourselftooagreeabletoyouradversary——thatisnotfair。“

“Oh，itisonlyarusedeguerre；andMr。Wyllysbeatsmeninegamesoutoften，inspiteofmychattering。“

{“rusedeguerre“=militarystrategem(French)}

“Nodoubt；butifyoucouldmakeupyourmindtobelesscharmingforhalfanhour，youmighthavethehonoursofthegameoftener。“

“Imustgainthebattlemyownway，Mr。Stryker，ornotatall。“

“Ileaveyoutoyourfate，then，“saidthegentleman，turningaway。

Charlie，Elinor，Harry，andJanewerequietlytalkingtogether；

Janehavingnowresumedherplaceinthefamilycircle。TheywerespeakingofCharlie\'ssketches，andtheyoungwidowaskedifheeverpaintedportraitsnow；MissWyllys{sic}wishedtohaveher\'staken，beforesheleftthemtoreturntoherparents。

{“MissWyllys“=shouldreadJane(orMrs。Taylor)；ElinorWyllysisanorphan}

“Youdopaintportraits，“saidElinor；“IhaveseenthoseofyourmotherandMissPatsey。“

Charliechangedcolour，andhastilydeniedanyclaimtobecalledaportrait-painter。

“Yetitwouldbepleasant，“saidElinor，“tohaveapictureofmycousinpaintedbyyou。“

JaneobservedsheshouldliketohaveElinor\'s，bythesamehand。

“Oh，myportraitwouldnotbeworthhaving，“saidElinor，smiling；“certainlynotiftakenbyanhonestartist。“

“Youwillboth，Ihope，farebetterfromthehandsofMr。I——

orMr。S——，“saidCharlie，withsomelittleembarrassment。

Mr。Ellsworth，whohadbeenstandingnearthegroup，nowaskedElinortosing。

“Whatwillyouhave？”shereplied，takingaseatatthepiano。

“Anythingyouplease。“

“PraythengiveusRobinAdair，MissElinor，“saidCharlie。

Elinorsangthewell-knownsongwithgreatersweetnessthanusual——shewasdecidedlyingoodvoice；bothCharlieandHarrylistenedwithgreatpleasureastheystoodbyherside；Janewasalsosittingnearthepiano，andseemedmoreinterestedinthemusicthanusual；itwasasongwhichtheyoungwidowhadsooftenheard，inwhatshenowlookedbacktoasthehappydaysofhergirlhood。MorethanoneindividualintheroomthoughtitcharmingtolistentoElinorandlookatJane，atthesameinstant。Severalofthegentlementhensang，andthepartybrokeupcheerfully。

Littlewasitthought，thatneveragaincouldthesamecirclebere-unitedatWyllys-Roof；allwhocrossedthethresholdthatnightwerenottoreturn。

CHAPTERXX。{XLIII}

“Ipr\'ytheehearmespeak！”

RichardIII。

{WilliamShakespeare，“RichardIII“，IV。iv。180}