LETTER XXXIII.WilliamtoEmilia.
We have been in a most dreadful consternation occasioned by a false alarm, but it is now over, and has not been attended with any bad consequences. Edward was very curious to see the environs of this city, accordingly we went the day before yesterday to a village that is reckoned one of the pleasantest in Holland; the weather was that day very fine, considering the time of the year. Edward and I were conversing with great earnestness; he was particularly pleased with the high cultivation of the land, and the neat appearance of our farmhouses. Charles was some paces behind us; he stopped to assist two little childrenwho were defending themselves against a dog, that had been, as we afterwards heard, provoked and tormented by some idle wicked boys; before your brother could raise his stick the enraged cur flew at him and bit his leg. The children in the mean time ran away and the dog after them, with his tail between his legs and his mouth wide open; he rushed by Edward, who asked if I was not frightened, and we then turned round to look for Charles. We walked slowly till he overtook us; he said nothing of the accident, and we did not perceive a little spot of blood that was on his stocking.
When we entered into the village we found it in an uproar. We heard nothing on all sides but the dog is mad! the dog is mad! and, as is usually the case, every one endeavoured to make the story appear more dreadful; one said that he had bit a horse, another five cows, nay, addedthe third, it was five men. Charles looked pale, but we did not guess the cause, till he pointed to the spot of blood on his stocking, and cried out see there,—I am one of them. We then went into a public house, but Edward would not stay a moment, he enquired where the surgeon of the village lived, and ran like lightning to ask his advice; but, unfortunately, he was not at home. Edward would not return without him, and ran to the different places, where it was supposed, he might be.
In the mean time I remained with your brother in a situation of mind which I declare I never felt before, in a sort of stupefaction, which I cannot describe. Before he sat down he put a large poker in the fire, and once or twice I heard the name of his parents escape from his lips, in a voice scarcely articulate. I went to him and caught him by thehand, exclaiming, in an agony, did you visit me for this!
CHARLES.
CHARLES.
CHARLES.
Dear William, here, or in any other place, the same misfortune might have befallen me.
WILLIAM.
WILLIAM.
WILLIAM.
But you, my friend, who are so virtuous, whose heart is so generous, who never neglected your duty—surely, you did not deserve—
CHARLES,interrupting me.
CHARLES,interrupting me.
CHARLES,interrupting me.
Take care, William, do not let your friendship lead you to arraign the goodness of God! If I indeed have endeavoured to follow the good example of my father, and have been a comfort to my parents, I can with less terror view death; if I am indeed near it. But that may not be the case, I shall take the step that reason suggests, and leave the rest to God.
WILLIAM.
WILLIAM.
WILLIAM.
Noble soul! No, I repeat it, you merited a better fate.
CHARLES.
CHARLES.
CHARLES.
Shew more respect to the Sovereign Disposer of our destiny. Excuse my being a little serious with you; he who gave me being, has a right to take it away, when and how he pleases. I hope Dr. Bartlett’s lessons are not thrown away upon me; with gratitude and joy have I prayed to my heavenly Father, when I have been walking alone in the country—and even now I can pray to him.
He turned his eyes involuntarily up to heaven. I sobbed, threw myself round his neck, and could not speak, it was as if my lips were sealed together. He then enquired for Edward, and when he heard that he was gone for a surgeon, he said, friendly creature! what I dreadmost in this circumstance is suspense, but I must have patience. Should any accident befall me, William, be a comfort to my parents. I believe that the catastrophe of this disorder is described as much more dreadful than it really is; few men go mad on account of the bite of a mad dog, and I never heard of any who communicated the canine delirium to the friends or relations who attended on them.
He then earnestly requested me to leave the room for a few minutes. I was obliged reluctantly to comply; and when I returned, caught him courageously searing the part with the red hot poker which he had put into the fire for that purpose. He tried to conceal from me the violent pain he endured; and did not utter a single groan, lest he should increase my anguish. Edward that moment entered, in a transport, with the identical little cur in his arms, crying, Thereis no danger, make yourselves easy! Charles turned his eyes towards heaven, with a look of gratitude; for my part I was almost out of my senses for joy. The man, to whom the dog belonged, accompanied Edward, and informed us, that the poor creature, having been provoked and chafed about, ran hastily home and hid itself under a bed. The general cry at first, he owned, made him afraid, (in spite of his reason) that a dog, who half an hour, before was perfectly well, might now be mad; but that shortly after, when he enticed it from its hiding place, it was very glad to eat and drink, and he perceived that the poor creature had only been terrified by cries and blows, and did not shew the least sign of madness[1]. Fortunately this man lived at one of the houses Edward was directedto, when he was seeking for the surgeon.
1. In Holland, no dogs are allowed to run in the streets during the summer hot months, without being secured by a small cord.
1. In Holland, no dogs are allowed to run in the streets during the summer hot months, without being secured by a small cord.
Was it not a very happy circumstance, dear Miss Emilia, that the dog was not killed in the scuffle, for we should still have remained in the most painful state of suspense, if we had not seen the animal perfectly well. You will see the dog, for Edward bought him, not for his beauty, but to make Sir Charles and his Lady perfectly easy.
The surgeon soon followed, but did not find it necessary to bleed your brother; he applied a plaister to his leg, which was very painful on account of the searing. We hired a horse that he might not be obliged to walk home on it, and ran in high spirits by his side, for I was afraid that my mother might have heard of the accident before we arrived, and I knew the effect it would have on her spirits. What uncommon resignation and firmness of minddid your brother exhibit on this distressing occasion! Surely true courage can only arise from virtue. I always tenderly loved him, but never before felt such a degree of respect and admiration; even when he was in the most violent pain he thought less of himself than others. Dear Emilia, I know your heart will leap for joy, as does at present that of your affectionate friend
WILLIAM.
WILLIAM.
WILLIAM.
WILLIAM.
P. S. I must add a few lines to tell my dear sister that I am perfectly well. William has spoken too highly of my composure; if I had had more presence of mind, I should not have paid any attention to what those ignorant people said; I should have recollected how often I have heard stories in England about mad dogs and cats, that some trifling accident gave rise to. Tell myfather and mother, and tell yourself, that I never before felt that I loved you all so very very tenderly. God bless and preserve us all, and may we be a comfort to each other.
CHARLES.
CHARLES.
CHARLES.
CHARLES.