The Water-Witch | Page 6

to approach my kinswoman. I do not disclaim certain
indiscretions, Sir; it would ill become me to deny them, in presence of
one whose virtue is as severe as that of Alderman Van Beverout. I have
my failings; perhaps, as you have just been pleased to intimate, it
would have been better had my motto been frugality; but the open hand,
dear Sir, is a part of the design you will not deny me, either. If I have
weaknesses, my enemies cannot refuse to say that I never yet deserted a
friend."
"Not having had occasion to tax your friendship, I shall not be the first
to make the charge.

"Your impartiality has come to be a proverb! 'As honest as Alderman
Van Beverout;' 'as generous as Alderman Van Beverout,' are terms in
each man's mouth; some say 'as rich;' (the small blue eye of the burgher
twinkled.) But honesty, and riches, and generosity, are of little value,
without influence. Men should have their natural consideration in
society. Now is this colony rather Dutch than English, and yet, you see,
how few names are found in the list of the Council, that have been
known in the province half a century! Here are your Alexanders and
Heathcotes, your Morris's and Kennedies, de Lanceys and Livingstons,
filling the Council and the legislative halls; but we find few of the Van
Rensselaers, Van Courtlandts, Van Schuylers, Stuyvesants, Van
Beekmans, and Van Beverouts, in their natural stations. All nations and
religions have precedency, in the royal favor, over the children of the
Patriarchs. The Bohemian Felipses; the Huguenot de Lanceys, and
Bayards, and Jays; the King-hating Morrises and Ludlows--in short, all
have greater estimation in the eyes of government, than the most
ancient Patroon!"
"This has long and truly been the case. I cannot remember when it was
otherwise!"
"It may not be denied. But it would little become political discretion to
affect precipitancy in the judgment of character. If my own
administration can be stigmatized with the same apparent prejudice, it
proves the clearer how strong is misrepresentation at home. Time was
wanting to enlighten my mind and that time has been refused me. In
another year, my worthy Sir, the Council should have been filled with
Van's!"
"In such a case, my Lord, the unhappy condition in which you are now
placed might indeed have been avoided."
"Is it too late to arrest the evil? It is time Anne had been undeceived,
and her mind regained. There wanteth nothing to such a consummation
of justice, Sir, but opportunity. It touches me to the heart, to think that
this disgrace should befall one so near the royal blood! 'Tis a spot on
the escutcheon of the crown, that all loyal subjects must feel desirous to
efface, and so small an effort would effect the object, too, with

certain--Mr. Alderman Myndert Van Beverout----?"
"My Lord, late Governor," returned the other, observing that his
companion hesitated.
"What think you of this Hanoverian settlement?--Shall a German wear
the crown of a Plantagenet?"
"It hath been worn by a Hollander."
"Aptly answered! Worn, and worn worthily! There is affinity between
the people, and there is reason in that reply. How have I failed in
wisdom, in not seeking earlier the aid of thy advice, excellent Sir! Ah,
Myndert, there is a blessing on the enterprises of all who come of the
Low Countries!"
"They are industrious to earn, and slow to squander."
"That expenditure is the ruin of many a worthy subject! And yet
accident--chance--fortune--or whatever you may choose to call it,
interferes nefariously, at times, with a gentleman's prosperity. I am an
adorer of constancy in friendship, Sir, and hold the principle that men
should aid each other through this dark vale of life--Mr. Alderman Van
Beverout----?"
"My Lord Cornbury?"
"I was about to say, that should I quit the Province, without expressing
part of the regret I feel, at not having sooner ascertained the merits of
its original owners, and your own in particular, I should do injustice to
sensibilities, that are only too acute for the peace of him who endures
them."
"Is there then hope that your lordship's creditors will relent, or has the
Earl furnished means to open the prison-door?"
"You use the pleasantest terms, Sir!--but I love directness of language,
above all other qualities. No doubt the prison-door, as you have so

clearly expressed it, might be opened, and lucky would be the man who
should turn the key. I am pained when I think of the displeasure of the
Queen, which, sooner or later, will surely visit my luckless persecutors.
On the other hand, I find relief in thinking of the favor she will extend
to those who have proved my friends, in such a strait. They that wear
crowns love not