It seemed as if the alarm was
proportionate to the previous light-heartedness of fancied
security--and indeed it was so; for, since the days of King
Belshazzar, the solemn decrees of Doom have ever seemed most
terrible when they awe into silence the merry revellers of life.
So it was this year to which I come in the progress of my story.
The summer had been unusually gorgeous. Some had complained of
the steaming heat, but others had pointed to the lush vegetation,
which was profuse and luxuriant. The early autumn was wet and
cold, but people did not regard it, in contemplation of some proud
rejoicing of the nation, which filled every newspaper and gave
food to every tongue. In Eccleston these rejoicings were greater
than in most places; for, by the national triumph of arms, it was
supposed that a new market for the staple manufacture of the
place would be opened; and so the trade, which had for a year or
two been languishing, would now revive with redoubled vigour.
Besides these legitimate causes of good spirits, there was the
rank excitement of a coming election, in consequence of Mr. Donne
having accepted a Government office, procured for him by one of
his influential relations. This time, the Cranworths roused
themselves from their magnificent torpor of security in good
season, and were going through a series of pompous and ponderous
hospitalities, in order to bring back the Eccleston voters to
their allegiance.
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