210 THE FRENCH BLOOD IN AMERICA 



Irishwoman, and her father a German. Thus that mar- 

 riage rolled four nationalities into one within two genera- 

 tions. But between the Huguenot and Piu-itan there wiis 

 no stream to bridge over. They had in their common 

 Calvinism and love of freedom a bond of sympathy and 

 union that brought them into harmony as soon as their 

 tongues had learned to speak a common language. 



It is evident that the absorption of the Huguenots 

 would occur more rapidly after the Revolution, and would 

 manifest itself unmistakably during the first half of the 

 nineteenth century, the time when the contrast between 



An iiiustra- the Ncw Euglauders and the Old Englauders made such 

 an impression upon Hawthorne and Emerson. The 

 result is so noteworthy that it is marvellous that we did 

 not long ago recognize the method of the brewing of that 

 race of men and the material which entered into it. 

 "There is a substance known to chemistry as diastase, 

 which is an active element in the germination of every 

 seed, and which, on being sprinkled, never so sparingly, 

 over a great mass of the brewer's cloudy, jjasty ' mash,' 

 clears it instantly and leaves it a sweet, pure, transparent 

 liquid. Such an office might the introduction of the 

 Huguenot into New England seem to have performed, in 

 dissipating the heaviness and dogged prejudice of our 

 insular kinsmen." That is Mr. Graves' conclusion, and 

 it is justified by the facts continually coming to light. 



A Social The Huguenot element, not only in New England, but 



Factor ^ 1 J b 1 



equally in New York and Pennsylvania and the Carolinas, 

 was a powerful social factor. Not numbers but character 

 made them so effective in changing conditions. Every 

 record we have of them in persecution and suffering and 

 torture displays the same disposition to endure bravely 

 and to make the best of the worst situations. Shipwreck, 

 stormy voyages, homelessness, deprivations and perils of 

 every kind — these circumstances only bring out the 

 courage and cheer and uprightness and dauntless spirit of 

 the Huguenots. And when circumstances improved, 



