From Virtue's blissful paths away The double-tongued to stray; Good is forth-right journey still And mazy paths but lead to ill

"WIELAND" first American novel It appeared in 1798; its author was soon recognized earliest American novelist; and he remained the greatest, until Fenimore Cooper brought forth his Leather-stocking Tales, quarter of century later

Although modern sophistication easily points out flaws in Charles Brockden Brown's story-structure, and reproves him for improbability, morbidness, and style often too elevated, yet his work lives His downright originality is worthy of Cooper himself, weird imaginations and horribly sustained scenes of terror surpassed by few writers save Edgar Allan Poe

Wieland's Madness

by Charles Brockden Brown

FIRST PART

I

[ story opens, the narratress, Clara Wieland, is entering happy realization of her love for Henry Pleyel, closest friend of her brother "Wieland "

Their woodland home, Mettingen, banks then remote Schuylkill, abode of music, letters and thorough culture The peace of high thinking and simple outdoor life hovers over all ]

One sunny afternoon standing door house, when I marked person passing close edge bank that was in front His pace was careless and lingering one, and had none gracefulness and ease which distinguish person with certain advantages of education from clown His gait was rustic and awkward His form was ungainly and disproportioned Shoulders broad and square, breast sunken, his head drooping, his body of uniform breadth, supported by long and lank legs, were the ingredients frame His garb was not ill adapted to such figure slouched hat, tarnished weather, coat of thick gray cloth, cut and wrought, as it seemed, by country tailor, blue worsted stockings, and shoes fastened by thongs and deeply discolored by dust, which brush had never disturbed, constituted his dress

nothing remarkable appearances: they were frequently met with road and harvest-field tell why I gazed upon them, occasion, with more than ordinary attention, unless it were that such figures were seldom seen by me except road or field This lawn was only traversed by men whose views were directed pleasures walk or the grandeur scenery

He passed slowly along, frequently pausing, to examine the prospect more deliberately, but never turning his eye toward the house, so allow me view countenance Presently he entered copse at small distance, and disappeared My eye followed him while he remained in sight If his image remained for any duration in my fancy after his departure, because no other object occurred sufficient to expel it

I continued same spot for half an hour, vaguely, and by fits, contemplating the image wanderer, and drawing from outward appearances those inferences, with respect intellectual history person, which experience affords us I reflected alliance which commonly subsists between ignorance practice of agriculture, and indulged myself in airy speculations influence of progressive knowledge in dissolving this alliance and embodying the dreams poets I asked why the plow hoe become the trade of every human being, and how this trade made conducive to, or consistent with, the acquisition of wisdom and eloquence

Weary reflections, I returned kitchen to perform some household office I had usually but one servant, and she was girl own age busy near the chimney, and she was employed near the door apartment, when some one knocked The door was opened by her, and she was immediately addressed with, "Prythee, good girl, canst thou supply thirsty man with glass of buttermilk ? " She answered that none house "Aye, but some dairy yonder Thou knowest as I, though Hermes never taught thee, that, though every dairy be house, every house dairy " speech, though she understood only part of it, she replied by repeating her assurances that she had none "Well, then," rejoined the stranger, "for charity's sweet sake, hand me forth cup of cold water " The girl said go spring and fetch it "Nay, the cup, and suffer me to help myself Neither manacled nor lame, merit burial maw of carrion crows if I laid this task upon thee " She gave him the cup, and he turned spring

I listened dialogue in silence The words uttered person without affected me as somewhat singular; but what chiefly rendered them remarkable tone that accompanied them wholly new My brother's voice and Pleyel's were musical and energetic I had fondly imagined that, respect, they were surpassed by none Now my mistake was detected pretend to communicate the impression that upon me accents, or to depict the degree force and sweetness were blended They were articulated with distinctness that was unexampled in my experience But not all The voice was mellifluent and clear, but the emphasis was so just, modulation so impassioned, seemed heart of stone fail of being moved It imparted an emotion altogether involuntary and uncontrollable When he uttered the words, "for charity's sweet sake," I dropped the cloth that I held in my hand; my heart overflowed with sympathy and my eyes with unbidden tears

This description will appear trifling or incredible The importance circumstances manifested sequel The manner affected occasion was, to my own apprehension, subject of astonishment The tones were indeed such as I never heard before; but should in an instant, as it were, dissolve me in tears, will not easily be believed by others, and can scarcely be comprehended

readily supposed that somewhat inquisitive person and demeanor visitant After moment's pause, I stepped door and looked after him Judge my surprise when I beheld the selfsame figure that had appeared half-hour before bank My fancy had conjured up very different image form and attitude and garb were instantly created worthy to accompany such elocution; but this person was, in all visible respects, the reverse phantom Strange as it may seem, speedily reconcile myself disappointment Instead of returning to my employment, I threw myself in chair that was placed opposite the door, and sunk into fit of musing

My attention was recalled stranger, who returned empty cup hand I thought circumstance, or should certainly have chosen different seat He no sooner showed himself, than confused sense of impropriety, added suddenness interview, , not having foreseen it, I had made no preparation, threw me into state most painful embarrassment He brought placid brow; but no sooner had he cast his eyes upon me than his face was as glowingly suffused as my own He placed the cup bench, stammered out thanks, and retired

before recover my wonted composure I had snatched view stranger's countenance The impression made was vivid and indelible His cheeks were pallid and lank, his eyes sunken, his forehead overshadowed by coarse straggling hairs, his teeth large and irregular, though sound and brilliantly white, chin discolored by tetter His skin was of coarse grain and sallow hue Every feature was wide of beauty, outline face reminded you of an inverted cone

And yet his forehead, as shaggy locks would allow it seen, his eyes lustrously black, and possessing, midst of haggardness, radiance inexpressibly serene and potent, and something rest features which it in vain to describe, but which served to betoken mind highest order, were essential ingredients portrait This, effects which immediately flowed , I count most extraordinary incidents life This face, seen for moment, continued for hours to occupy my fancy, exclusion of almost image I had proposed the evening with my brother; but resist the inclination of forming sketch upon paper memorable visage Whether my hand was aided by any peculiar inspiration, or deceived by my own fond conceptions, this portrait, though hastily executed, appeared unexceptionable to my own taste

I placed it at all distances and in all lights; my eyes were riveted upon it Half the night passed away in wakefulness and in contemplation picture So flexible, and yet so stubborn, human mind ! So obedient to impulses the most transient and brief, and yet so unalterably observant direction given ! How little did I then foresee the termination chain regarded first link !

arose in darkness and storm Torrents of rain fell during the whole day, attended with incessant thunder, which reverberated in stunning echoes opposite declivity The inclemency air allow me to walk out I had, indeed, no inclination to leave my apartment I betook myself contemplation portrait, whose attractions time had rather enhanced than diminished I laid aside my usual occupations, and, seating myself at window, consumed the day in alternately looking out storm and gazing picture which lay upon table before me perhaps deem this conduct somewhat singular, and ascribe it to certain peculiarities of temper not aware of any such peculiarities account devotion image no otherwise than by supposing that its properties were rare and prodigious Perhaps suspect that such were the first inroads of passion incident to every female heart, and which frequently gains footing even more slight and more improbable than these controvert the reasonableness suspicion, but leave you at liberty to draw from my narrative what conclusions you please