The Golden Butterfly

The Golden Butterfly which gives a name to this novel was seen by an English traveller two years ago preserved as a curiosity in a mining city near Sacramento where it probably still remains. This curious freak of Nature is not therefore an invention of our own. To the same traveller—Mr. Edgar Besant—we are indebted for the description on which is based our account of Empire City.The striking of oil in Canada in the manner described by Gilead P. Beck was accomplished—with the waste of millions of gallons of the oil for want of casks and buckets to receive it and with the result of a promise of almost boundless wealth—by a man named Shaw some ten years ago. Shaw speculated we believe; lost his money and died in poverty.Names of great living poets and writers have been used in this book in connection with a supposed literary banquet. A critic has expressed surprise that we have allowed Gilead Beck's failure to appreciate Browning to stand as if it were our own. Is a writer of fiction to stop the action of his story in order to explain that it is his character's opinion and not his own that he states? And it surely is not asking too much to demand of a critic that he should consider first of all the consistency of a character's actions or speeches. Gilead Beck a man of no education and little reading but of considerable shrewdness finds Browning unintelligible and harsh. What other verdict could be expected if the whole of Empire City in its palmiest days had been canvassed? Moreover we have never even from that great writer's most ardent admirers heard an opinion that he is either easy to read or musical. The compliments which Mr. Beck paid to the guests who honoured his banquet are of course worded just as he delivered them.Gilead Beck's experiences as an editor are taken—with a little dressing—from the actual experiences of a living Canadian journalist.From their Virginian home Jack Dunquerque and Phillis his wife send greetings to those who have already followed their fortunes. She only wishes us to add that Mr. Abraham Dyson was right and that the Coping Stone of every woman's education is Love. Most people know this she says from reading: but she never did read; and the real happiness is to find it out for yourself.W. B. / J. R. March 1877.CONTENTSJoseph and His Brethren.Phillis is my only joy.Phillis's Education.To taste the freshness of the morning air.Te duce Cæsar.I do not knowBid me discourse I will enchant thine ear.They say if money goes before all ways do lie open.By my modesty The jewel in my dowerI have in these rough words shaped out a manHigher she climbed and far below her stretch'dHearken what the Inner spirit singsShe never yet was foolish that was fair.You bear a gentle mind and heavenly blessingsBut if ye saw that which no eyes can seeSouvent femme varie Bien foi qui s'y fie.Now you set your foot on shoreDoubtfully it stoodWe do not knowGo seek your fortune farther than at home.Animum pictura pascit inani.Ambition should be made of sterner stuff.Call me not fool till Heaven hath sent me fortune.I had rather hear a brazen candlestick turn'dWhy she is cold to all the world.A right royal banquet.Greater humanity.Non possidentem multa vocaveris Recte beatum.It is my lady! Oh it is my lovePictoribus atque PoetisThis fellow's of exceeding honestyNulla fere causa est in qua non femina litem Moverit.An excellent play.In such a cause who would not give? What heartLove in her eyes lay hidingWhat is it that has been done?'Come now' the Master Builder cried'Tis well to be off with the old loveWhat is it you see?How green are you and fresh in this old world!La langue des femmes est leur epee et elles ne la laissent pas rouiller.Then a babbled of green fields.This comes of airy visions and the whispersSo on the ruins he himself had made.Farewell to all my greatness.Whisper Love ye breezes; sigh