nzo and Melissa_. The opening words
of _Alonzo and Melissa_ are "During the late [American]
Revolution..."]]

[Dedication:]
His Excellency, / Charles Collins, Governor of Rhode-Island

[[Charles Collins was never Governor of Rhode Island. He was
Lieutenant Governor from 1824 to 1833.]]

CHAPTER I.

"Rien n'est si contagieux qui l'exemple; et nous ne faisons jamais
de grand biens: ni de grand maux, qui n'en produisent de semblables."

[La Rochefoucauld: _Moral Maxims_:

Rien n'est si contagieux que l'exemple, et nous ne faisons
jamais de grands biens ni de grands maux qui n'en produisent
de semblables.]

The ancestry of Alida was of ancient date in English heraldry, some of
whom emigrated to America a short time before the revolution, and
settled in the southern provinces, while her father fixed his abode in
the state of New-York.

In the calm retirement of the country, at a considerable distance from
the bustle of the town, was situated his beautiful residence, which had
every advantage in point of prospect that luxuriant nature could give
when it is most lavish of its bounties.

[_NY Weekly_: Essay No. I:

Their eyes wander with languor and indifference, over those scenes
in which nature has been most lavish of its beauties.]

The mind of its owner took particular delight in rural pleasures and
amusements; in dissipating a part of his time in the innocent scenes of
rustic life, and in attending to the cultivation of his estate, which
was large and extensive.

[_Alida_ page 207 (chapter XXIX):

Like him he was fond of rural pleasures and amusements, and to
dissipate care amid the diversified scenes of rustic life, afforded
him satisfaction and pleasure.]

Here he would contemplate, in all their variety, the natural beauties
of creation, when arrayed in its richest attire; in the inimitable
splendour of the surrounding scenery; or amuse himself in attendance to
diversified employments, some of which, as pastimes, served the two-fold
purposes of recreation and amusement.

[_Alida_ page 62 (chapter IX):

It was the beginning of autumn, and a yellow hue was spread over the
natural beauties of creation.]

[_Lives of Signers_: Thornton of New Hampshire:

where, in an attendance on his diversified employments, some of
which, as pastimes, served the twofold purposes of recreation and
amusement....]

Thus his year