VOL. I. THE PORT FOLIO, CONDUCTED BY OLIVER OLDSCHOOL, ESQ. VARIOUS, that the mind Of desultory man, studious of change And pleased with novelty, may be indulged.-Cowper. FEBRUARY, 1822. ILLUSTRATIONS OF IVANHOE. No. II. No. II.-Resolution of Rebecca. "As she spoke, she threw open the latticed window which led to the bartizan, and in an instant after, stood on the very verge of the parapet, with not the slightest screen between her and the tremendous depth below. Unprepared for such a desperate effort, for she had hitherto stood perfectly motionless, Bois-Guilbert had neither time to intercept nor to stop her. As he offered to advance, she exclaimed 'Remain where thou art, proud Templar, or at thy choice advance!-one foot nearer, and I plunge myself from the precipice; my body shall be crushed out of the very form of humanity upon the stones of that court yard, ere it become the victim of thy brutality'." FOR THE PORT FOLIO. ART. II.-The Spy. A Tale of the Neutral Ground. By the author of " Precaution." Wiley and Halsted, 1821. Two vols. 12mo. New York. Whether the author of the Spy be in dread of that repulsive coldness with which we are accustomed to salute our native muse— or believing, like the Waverley Magician, that the spell would doubly charm while the enchanter is concealed, he has thought proper to try his powers behind the scene. To an American Reviewer, an anonymous publication is not unwelcome, for we are wholly averse from that ungentle criticism which in Great Britain wields the scourge without feeling or forbearance. In this instance, however, we should not fear to wound; we are delighted with so fair a specimen of native talent-and with the exhibition of such materials as confirm the opinion, that although we possess no popular traditions to enchain the imagination, yet in the history, the character, and the varied face of our country, there exists an ample fund for interesting narrations. The war which separated us from our unnatural mother, produced not only great men and great events, but must necessarily have evolved the latent qualities of our nature, both good and bad, in many a private dwelling. The Americans were driven from their homes on the approach of the enemy or remained to share them with hostile soldiers. Some were again obliged to fly when the British took the road towards their hastily-chosen retreats, and all endured innumerable vexations and privations. Many were the anecdotes and incidents, both ludicrous and affecting, which arose from these compulsory migrations. Friends were separated, and new connections formed by the accidental meeting of two families from the same city or town. Distinctions of rank were forgotten, for all were sacrificing alike in the same holy cause; and the plebeian was cordially received into the same log hut with the patrician during this temporary banishment from their native place. "These things will be talked of by our children when we are gone," said an active old patriot of Philadelphia, while he recounted, at the fire-side of a friend after the return of the citizens, the incredible hardships which his family had undergone. The zeal, the devotedness, and the fortitude which were displayed in those days by both sexes and all ages, require little from the imagination to produce in story a rich and splendid effect. In the year 1780, Mr. Wharton, a wealthy gentleman of New York, retires from that city, then in the possession of the British, to an estate in West Chester county, with his family, consisting of Miss Peyton, his sister-in-law, and his daughters, Sarah and Frances. His only son was an officer in his Majesty's troops. This part of the country had received the name of the Neutral ground, because it was occasionally occupied by either contending army, and the scattered population were compelled to wear a neutral mask. The Spy is soon introduced, and he keeps our curiosity alive. throughout the whole of the work. He is the Edie Ochiltree of these volumes. Mysterious, active, and useful, his motions always excite a deep and powerful interest. He is believed to be an emissary in the employ of the enemy, and is three times seized by the Americans and condemned to die. He escapes, however, and although gliding about, from place to place, unseen, he is ever in the way to perform some admirable exploit, in emergent cases. The Miss Whartons are both very lovely: Sarah is a loyal subject of her sovereign, because her heart was engaged to Col. Wellmere, an English officer, whom she had known in New York. Frances, like the most of her generous countrywomen, was a disciple of liberty, and engaged to Major Dunwoodie, of the Virginian cavalry. One stormy night, a stranger well mounted and of noble mein, asks for shelter in Mr. Wharton's cottage. Whilst he is detained several days by the rain, young Wharton in disguise, arrives on a visit to his father and sisters. The stranger is rigidly reserved, yet displays much dignity and benevolence. The son is discovered by his penetrating observation, or, perhaps, by information from Harvey Birch; but the terrified family are assured of his secrecy, and the soldier of his friendship, should his indiscreet enterprize involve him in danger. Soon after the departure of this gentleman, who called himself Mr. Harper, a detachment of Virginian cavalry arrives, and accidentally discovers the British officer, who is seized and put under guard. In the confusion of a battle between the Americans and Hessians, in view of the cottage, the prisoner contrives to escape, and rejoin his friends. The battle continues-he is wounded and retaken. |