the ruling tastes, deal much more in gossip than they deal in reason; the courts admit it as evidence; the juries receive it as fact, as well as the law; and as for the legislatures, let a piteous tale but circulate freely in the lobbies, and bearded men, like Juliet when a child, as described by her nurse, will “stint and cry, ay!” In a word, principles and proof are in much less esteem than assertions and numbers, backed with enough of which, anything may be made to appear as legal, or even constitutional.

But neither of our doctors entered into all these matters.  It was enough for them that the affair of the marriage was disposed of, for a time at least, and things were permitted to drop into their ancient channels.  The intercourse between Bridget and Anne was renewed, just as if nothing had happened, and Mark’s letters to his virgin bride were numerous, and filled with passion.  The ship was ‘taking in,’ and he could only leave her late on Saturday afternoons, but each Sunday he contrived to pass in Bristol.  On such occasions he saw his charming wife at church, and he walked with her in the fields, along with Anne and a favoured admirer of hers, of an afternoon, returning to town in season to be at his post on the opening of the hatches, of a Monday morning.

In less than a month after the premature marriage between Mark Woolston and Bridget Yardley, the Rancocus cleared for the Pacific and Canton.  The bridegroom found one day to pass in Bristol, and Doctor Yardley so far pitied his daughter’s distress, as to consent that the two girls should go to town, under his own care, and see the young man off.  This concession was received with the deepest gratitude, and made the young people momentarily very happy.  The doctor even consented to visit the ship, which Captain Crutchely, laughing, called St. Mark’s chapel, in consequence of the religious rite which had been performed on board her.  Mrs. Crutchely was there, on the occasion of this visit, attending to her husband’s comforts, by fitting curtains to his berth, and looking after matters in general in the cabin; and divers jokes were ventured by the honest ship-master, in making his comments on, and in giving his opinion of the handy-work of his own consort.  He made Bridget blush more than once, though her enduring tenderness in behalf of Mark induced her to sit out all the captain’s wit, rather than shorten a visit so precious, one moment.

The final parting was an hour of bitter sorrow.  Even Mark’s young heart, manly, and much disposed to do his duty as he was, was near breaking:  while Bridget almost dissolved in tears.  They could not but think how long that separation was to last, though they did not anticipate by what great and mysterious events it was to be prolonged.  It was enough for them, that they were to live asunder two whole years; and two whole years appear like an age to those who have not yet lived their four lustrums.  But the final moment must and did arrive, and the young people were compelled to tear themselves asunder, though the parting was like that of soul and body.  The bride hung on the bridegroom’s neck, as the tendril clings to its support, until removed by gentle violence.