Page:The crater; or, Vulcan's peak.djvu/356

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116 THE CRATER; all the Kannakas; not one of whom was permitted ever to enter it, or even to go near it. But defence, and building, and making soil, did not al together occupy the attention of the colonists during these important twelve months. Both the brothers of the go vernor got married ; the oldest, or the attorney-general, to the oldest sister of John Pennock, arid the youngest to a sis ter of the Rev. Mr. Hornblower. It was in this simple colo ny, as it ever has been, and ever will be in civilized society, that, in forming matrimonial connections, like looks for like. There was no person, or family at the Reef which could be said to belong to the highest social class of Ame rica, if, indeed, any one could rank as high as a class immediately next to the highest; yet, distinctions existed which were maintained usefully, and without a thought of doing them away. The notion that money alone makes those divisions into castes which are everywhere to be found, and which will probably continue to be found as long as society itself exists, is a very vulgar and fallacious notion. It comes from the difficulty of appreciating those tastes and qualities which, not possessing ourselves, are so many unknown and mysterious influences. In marrying Sarah Pennock, John Woolston was slightly conscious of making a little sacrifice in these particulars, but she was a very pretty, modest girl, of a suitable age, and the circle to choose from, it will be remembered, was very limited. In America that connection might not have taken place ; but, at the crater, it was all well enough, and it turned out to be a very happy union. Had the sacrifice of habits and tastes been greater, this might not have been the fact, for it is certain that our happiness depends more on the sub ordinate qualities and our cherished usages, than on prin ciples themselves. It is difficult to suppose that any refined woman, for instance, can ever thoroughly overcome her dis gust for a man who habitually blows his nose with his fingers, or that one bred a gentleman can absolutely overlook, even in a wife, the want of the thousand and one little lady-like habits, which render the sex perhaps more attractive than do their personal charms. Several other marriages took place, the scarcity of sub jects making it somewhat hazardous to delay : when Hob-