Theyareapples!\"Thesmellofroses，ofpeonies，oflilies，hasbeenknowntocausefaintness。Thesightofvariousobjectshashadsingulareffectsonsomepersons。Aboar\'sheadwasafavoritedishatthetableofgreatpeopleinMarshald\'Albret\'stime；yetheusedtofaintatthesightofone。Itisnotuncommontomeetwithpersonswhofaintatthesightofblood。OneofthemostinveteratelypugnaciousofDr。Butts\'scollege-matesconfessedthathehadthisinfirmity。Strangerandfarmoreawkwardthanthisisthecasementionedinanancientcollection，wherethesubjectoftheantipathyfaintedatthesightofanyobjectofaredcolor。Therearesounds，also，whichhavestrangeeffectsonsomeindividuals。
Amongtheobnoxiousnoisesarethecrumplingofsilkstuffs，thesoundofsweeping，thecroakingoffrogs。Theeffectsindifferentcaseshavebeenspasms，asenseofstrangling，profusesweating，——allshowingaprofounddisturbanceofthenervoussystem。
Alltheseeffectswereproducedbyimpressionsontheorgansofsense，seeminglybydirectagencyoncertainnervecentres。Butthereisanotherseriesofcasesinwhichtheimaginationplaysalargerpartinthephenomena。Twonotableexamplesareaffordedinthelivesoftwoverydistinguishedpersonages。
PetertheGreatwasfrightened，whenaninfant，byfallingfromabridgeintothewater。Longafterward，whenhehadreachedmanhood，thishardyandresolutemanwassoaffectedbythesoundofwheelsrattlingoverabridgethathehadtodisciplinehimselfbylisteningtothesound，inspiteofhisdreadofit，inordertoovercomehisantipathy。ThestorytoldbyAbbeBoileauofPascalisverysimilartothatrelatedofPeter。AshewasdrivinginhiscoachandfouroverthebridgeatNeuilly，hishorsestookfrightandranaway，andtheleadersbrokefromtheirharnessandsprangintotheriver，leavingthewheel-horsesandthecarriageonthebridge。EverafterthisfrightitissaidthatPascalhadtheterrifyingsensethathewasjustontheedgeofanabyss，readytofallover。
Whatstrangeearlyimpressionwasitwhichledacertainladyalwaystoshriekaloudifsheventuredtoenterachurch，asitisrecorded？
Theoldandsimplewayofaccountingforitwouldbethescripturalone，thatitwasanuncleanspiritwhodweltinher，andwho，whensheenteredtheholyplaceandbroughtherspiritualtenantintothepresenceofthesacredsymbols，\"criedwithaloudvoice，andcameoutof\"her。Averysingularcase，thedoctorhimselfhadrecorded，andwhichthereadermayacceptasauthentic，isthefollowing:Attheheadofthedoctor\'sfrontstairsstood，andstillstands，atallclock，ofearlydateandstatelypresence。Amiddle-agedvisitor，noticingitasheenteredthefrontdoor，remarkedthatheshouldfeelagreatunwillingnesstopassthatclock。Hecouldnotgonearoneofthosetalltimepieceswithoutaprofoundagitation，whichhedreadedtoundergo。Thisverysingularidiosyncrasyheattributedtoafrightwhenhewasaninfantinthearmsofhisnurse。
Shewasstandingnearoneofthosetallclocks，whenthecordwhichsupportedoneofitsheavyleadenweightsbroke，andtheweightcamecrashingdowntothebottomofthecase。Someeffectmusthavebeenproduceduponthepulpynervecentresfromwhichtheyneverrecovered。Whyshouldnotthishappen，whenweknowthatasuddenmentalshockmaybethecauseofinsanity？Thedoctorrememberedtheverseof\"TheAncientMariner:\"
\"Imovedmylips；thepilotshriekedAndfelldowninafit；
TheholyhermitraisedhiseyesAndprayedwherehedidsit。
Itooktheoars；thepilot\'sboy，Whonowdothcrazygo，Laughedloudandlong，andallthewhileHiseyeswenttoandfro。”
Thisisonlypoetry，itistrue，butthepoetborrowedthedescriptionfromnature，andtherecordsofourasylumscouldfurnishmanycaseswhereinsanitywascausedbyasuddenfright。
Morethanthis，hardlyayearpassesthatwedonotreadofsomeperson，achildcommonly，killedoutrightbyterror，——scaredtodeath，literally。Sadcasestheyoftenare，inwhich，nothingbutasurprisebeingintended，theshockhasinstantlyarrestedthemovementsonwhichlifedepends。Ifamereinstantaneousimpressioncanproduceeffectslikethese，suchanimpressionmightofcoursebefollowedbyconsequenceslessfatalorformidable，butyetseriousintheirnature。Ifhereandthereapersoniskilled，asifbylightning，byasuddenstartlingsightorsound，theremustbemorenumerouscasesinwhichaterribleshockisproducedbysimilarapparentlyinsignificantcauses，——ashockwhichfallsshortofoverthrowingthereasonanddoesnotdestroylife，yetleavesalastingeffectuponthesubjectofit。
Thispoint，then，wassettledinthemindofDr。Butts，namely，that，asaviolentemotioncausedbyasuddenshockcankillorcrazeahumanbeing，thereisnoperversionofthefaculties，noprejudice，nochangeoftasteortemper，noeccentricity，noantipathy，whichsuchacausemaynotrationallyaccountfor。Hewouldnotbesurprised，hesaidtohimself，tofindthatsomeearlyalarm，likethatwhichwasexperiencedbyPetertheGreatorthatwhichhappenedtoPascal，hadbrokensomespringinthisyoungman\'snature，orsochangeditsmodeofactionastoaccountfortheexceptionalremotenessofhiswayoflife。Buthowcouldanyconceivableantipathybesocomprehensiveastokeepayoungmanalooffromalltheworld，andmakeahermitofhim？Hedidnothatethehumanrace；
thatwasclearenough。HetreatedPaolowithgreatkindness，andtheItalianwasevidentlymuchattachedtohim。Hehadtalkednaturallyandpleasantlywiththeyoungmanhehadhelpedoutofhisdangeroussituationwhenhisboatwasupset。Dr。Buttsheardthathehadoncemadeashortvisittothisyoungman，athisroomsintheUniversity。
Itwasnotmisanthropy，therefore，whichkepthimsolitary。Whatcouldbebroadenoughtocoverthefactsofthecase？Nothingthatthedoctorcouldthinkof，unlessitweresomecolor，thesightofwhichactedonhimasitdidontheindividualbeforementioned，whocouldnotlookatanythingredwithoutfainting。Supposethiswereacaseofthesameantipathy。Howverycarefulitwouldmakethesubjectofitastowherehewentandwithwhomheconsorted!Timeandpatiencewouldbeprettysuretobringoutnewdevelopments，andphysicians，ofallmenintheworld，knowhowtowaitaswellashowtolabor。
SuchweresomeofthecrudefactsasDr。Buttsfoundtheminbooksorgatheredthemfromhisownexperience。HesoondiscoveredthatthestoryhadgotaboutthevillagethatMauriceKirkwoodwasthevictimofan\"antipathy，\"whateverthatwordmightmeaninthevocabularyofthepeopleoftheplace。Ifhesuspectedthechannelthroughwhichithadreachedthelittlecommunity，and，spreadingfromthatcentre，thecountryround，hedidnotseefittomakeoutofhissuspicionsadomesticcasusbelli。Paolomighthavementionedittoothersaswellastohimself。Mauricemighthavetoldsomefriend，whohaddivulgedit。ButtoaccuseMrs。Butts，goodMrs。Butts，ofpetittreasonintellingoneofherhusband\'sprofessionalsecretswastooseriousamattertobethoughtof。Hewouldbealittlemorecareful，hepromisedhimself，thenexttime，atanyrate；forhehadtoconcede，inspiteofeverywishtobecharitableinhisjudgment，thatitwasamongthepossibilitiesthattheworthyladyhadforgottentherulethatadoctor\'spatientsmustputtheirtonguesout，andadoctor\'swifemustkeephertonguein。
VIII
THEPANSOPHIANSOCIETY。
TheSecretaryofthisassociationwasgettingsomewhattiredoftheoffice，andtheofficewasgettingsomewhattiredofhim。ItoccurredtothemembersoftheSocietythatalittlefreshbloodinfusedintoitmightstirupthegeneralvitalityoftheorganization。ThewomansuffragistssawnoreasonwhytheplaceofSecretaryneedasamatterofcoursebefilledbyapersonofthemalesex。Theyagitated，theymadedomiciliaryvisits，theywrotenotestoinfluentialcitizens，andfinallyannouncedastheircandidatetheyoungladywhohadwonandworntheschoolnameof\"TheTerror，\"whowaselected。Shewasjustthepersonfortheplace:
wideawake，withallherwitsabouther，fullofeverykindofknowledge，and，aboveall，strongonpointsoforderanddetailsofmanagement，sothatshecouldpromptthepresidingofficer，todowhichisoftenthemostessentialdutyofaSecretary。ThePresident，theworthyrector，wasgoodatplainsailinginthetrackofthecommonmoralitiesandproprieties，butwasliabletogetmuddledifanythingcameuprequiringswiftdecisionandoff-handspeech。TheTerrorhadschooledherselfinthedebatingsocietiesoftheInstitute，andwouldsetupthePresident，whenhewasflooredbyanawkwardquestion，aseasilyasifhewereaninepinwhichhadbeenbowledover。
IthasbeenalreadymentionedthatthePansophianSocietyreceivedcommunicationsfromtimetotimefromwritersoutsideofitsownorganization。Oflatethesehadbeenbecomingmorefrequent。Manyofthemweresentinanonymously，andastherewerenumerousvisitorstothevillage，andtwoinstitutionsnotfarremovedfromit，bothfullofambitiousandintelligentyoungpersons，itwasoftenimpossibletotracethepaperstotheirauthors。ThenewSecretarywasalivewithcuriosity，andassagaciousalittlebodyasonemightfindifinwantofadetective。Shecouldmakeaprettyshrewdguesswhetherapaperwaswrittenbyayoungoroldperson，byoneofherownsexortheother，byanexperiencedhandoranovice。
Amongtheanonymouspapersshereceivedwasonewhichexercisedhercuriositytoanextraordinarydegree。Shefeltastrongsuspicionthat\"theSachem，\"astheboat-crewsusedtocallhim，\"theRecluse，\"
\"theNight-Hawk，\"\"theSphinx，\"asothersnamedhim，mustbetheauthorofit。Itappearedtohertheproductionofayoungpersonofareflective，poeticalturnofmind。Itwasnotawoman\'swayofwriting；atleast，sothoughttheSecretary。Thewriterhadtravelledmuch；hadresidedinItaly，amongotherplaces。ButsohadmanyofthesummervisitorsandresidentsofArrowheadVillage。Thehandwritingwasnotdecisive；ithadsomepointsofresemblancewiththepencilledordersforbookswhichMauricesenttotheLibrary，buttherewerecertaindifferences，intentionaloraccidental，whichweakenedthisevidence。Therewasanundertoneintheessaywhichwasinkeepingwiththemodeoflifeofthesolitarystranger。Itmightbedisappointment，melancholy，oronlythedreamysadnessofayoungpersonwhoseesthefutureheistoclimb，notasasmoothascent，butasoverhanginghimlikeacliff，readytocrushhim，withallhishopesandprospects。Thisinterpretationmayhavebeentooimaginative，buthereisthepaper，andthereadercanformhisownopinion:
MYTHREECOMPANIONS。
\"Ihavebeenfrommyyouthupwardsawanderer。Idonotmeanconstantlyflittingfromoneplacetoanother，formyresidencehasoftenbeenfixedforconsiderableperiods。FromtimetotimeIhaveputdowninanotebooktheimpressionsmadeuponmebythescenesthroughwhichIhavepassed。Ihavelonghesitatedwhethertoletanyofmynotesappearbeforethepublic。Myfearhasbeenthattheyweretoosubjective，tousethemetaphysician\'sterm，——thatIhaveseenmyselfreflectedinNature，andnotthetrueaspectsofNatureasshewasmeanttobeunderstood。OnewhoshouldvisittheHarzMountainswouldsee——mightsee，ratherhisowncolossalimageshapeitselfonthemorningmist。Butifineverymistthatrisesfromthemeadows，ineverycloudthathangsuponthemountain，healwaysfindshisownreflection，wecannotaccepthimasaninterpreterofthelandscape。
\"TheremustbemanypersonspresentatthemeetingsoftheSocietytowhichthispaperisofferedwhohavehadexperienceslikethatofitsauthor。Theyhavevisitedthesamelocalities，theyhavehadmanyofthesamethoughtsandfeelings。Many，Ihavenodoubt。Notall，——
no，notall。OthershavesoughtthecompanionshipofNature；Ihavebeendriventoit。Muchofmylifehasbeenpassedinthatcommunion。ThesepagesrecordsomeoftheintimaciesIhaveformedwithherundersomeofhervariousmanifestations。
\"Ihavelivedontheshoreofthegreatocean，whereitswavesbrokewildestanditsvoiceroseloudest。
\"Ihavepassedwholeseasonsonthebanksofmightyandfamousrivers。
\"Ihavedweltonthemarginofatranquillake，andfloatedthroughmanyalong，longsummerdayonitsclearwaters。
\"Ihavelearnedthe\'variouslanguage\'ofNature，ofwhichpoetryhasspoken，——atleast，Ihavelearnedsomewordsandphrasesofit。I
willtranslatesomeoftheseasIbestmayintocommonspeech。
\"TheOCEANsaystothedwelleronitsshores:——
Youareneitherwelcomenorunwelcome。Idonottroublemyselfwiththelivingtribesthatcomedowntomywaters。Ihavemyownpeople，ofanolderracethanyours，thatgrowtomightierdimensionsthanyourmastodonsandelephants；morenumerousthanalltheswarmsthatfilltheairormoveoverthethincrustoftheearth。Whoareyouthatbuildyourpalacesonmymargin？IseeyourwhitefacesasIsawthedarkfacesofthetribesthatcamebeforeyou，asIshalllookupontheunknownfamilyofmankindthatwillcomeafteryou。
Andwhatisyourwholehumanfamilybutaparenthesisinasinglepageofmyhistory？Theraindropsstereotypedthemselvesonmybeachesbeforealivingcreaturelefthisfootprintsthere。Thishorseshoe-crabIflingatyourfeetisofolderlineagethanyourAdam，——perhaps，indeed，youcountyourAdamasoneofhisdescendants。WhatfeelinghaveIforyou？Notscorn，nothatred，——
notlove，——notloathing。No!——indifference，——blankindifferencetoyouandyouraffairsthatismyfeeling，sayratherabsenceoffeeling，asregardsyou——Ohyes，Iwilllapyourfeet，Iwillcoolyouinthehotsummerdays，Iwillbearyouupinmystrongarms，I
willrockyouonmyrollingundulations，likeababeinhiscradle。
AmInotgentle？AmInotkind？AmInotharmless？Buthark!Thewindisrising，andthewindandIareroughplaymates!Whatdoyousaytomyvoicenow？Doyouseemyfoaminglips？Doyoufeeltherockstrembleasmyhugebillowscrashagainstthem？IsnotmyangerterribleasIdashyourargosy，yourthunder-bearingfrigate，intofragments，asyouwouldcrackaneggshell？——No，notanger；deaf，blind，unheedingindifference，——thatisall。Outofmeallthingsarose；soonerorlater，intomeallthingssubside。Allchangesaroundme；Ichangenot。Ilooknotatyou，vainman，andyourfrailtransitoryconcerns，saveinmomentaryglimpses:Ilookonthewhitefaceofmydeadmistress，whomIfollowasthebridegroomfollowsthebierofherwhohaschangedhernuptialraimentfortheshroud。
\"Yewhosethoughtsareofeternity，comedwellatmyside。
Continentsandislandsgrowold，andwasteanddisappear。Thehardestrockcrumbles；vegetableandanimalkingdomscomeintobeing，waxgreat，decline，andperish，togivewaytoothers，evenashumandynastiesandnationsandracescomeandgo。Lookonme!\"Timewritesnowrinkle\"onmyforehead。Listentome!Alltonguesarespokenonmyshores，butIhaveonlyonelanguage:thewindstaughtmetheirvowelsthecragsandthesandsschooledmeinmyroughorsmoothconsonants。FewwordsareminebutIhavewhisperedthemandsungthemandshoutedthemtomenofalltribesfromthetimewhenthefirstwildwandererstrayedintomyawfulpresence。Haveyouagriefthatgnawsatyourheart-strings？Comewithittomyshore，asofoldthepriestoffar-dartingApollocarriedhisrageandanguishtothemarginoftheloud-roaringsea。There，ifanywhereyouwillforgetyourprivateandshort-livedwoe，formyvoicespeakstotheinfiniteandtheeternalinyourconsciousness。\'
\"Tohimwholovesthepagesofhumanhistory，wholistenstothevoicesoftheworldabouthim，whofrequentsthemarketandthethoroughfare，wholivesinthestudyoftimeanditsaccidentsratherthaninthedeeperemotions，inabstractspeculationandspiritualcontemplation，theRIVERaddressesitselfashisnaturalcompanion。
\"Comelivewithme。Iamactive，cheerful，communicative，anaturaltalkerandstory-teller。Iamnotnoisy，liketheocean，exceptoccasionallywhenIamrudelyinterrupted，orwhenIstumbleandgetafall。WhenIamsilentyoucanstillhavepleasureinwatchingmychangingfeatures。Myidlestbabble，whenIamtoyingwiththetriflesthatfallinmyway，ifnotveryfullofmeaning，isatleastmusical。Iamnotadangerousfriend，liketheocean；nohighwayisabsolutelysafe，butmynatureisharmless，andthestormsthatstrewthebeacheswithwreckscastnoruinsuponmyfloweryborders。Abidewithme，andyoushallnotdieofthirst，liketheforlornwretcheslefttothemerciesofthepitilesssaltwaves。Trustyourselftome，andIwillcarryyoufaronyourjourney，ifwearetravellingtothesamepointofthecompass。IfIsometimesrunriotandoverflowyourmeadows，IleavefertilitybehindmewhenIwithdrawtomynaturalchannel。Walkbymysidetowardtheplaceofmydestination。
Iwillkeeppacewithyou，andyoushallfeelmypresencewithyouasthatofaself-consciousbeinglikeyourself。Youwillfindithardtobemiserableinmycompany；Idrainyouofill-conditionedthoughtsasIcarryawaytherefuseofyourdwellinganditsgrounds:
Buttohimwhomtheoceanchillsandcrusheswithitssullenindifference，andtheriverdisturbswithitsnever-pausingandnever-endingstory，thesilentLAKEshallbearefugeandaplaceofrestforhissoul。
\"\'Vexnotyourselfwiththoughtstoovastforyourlimitedfaculties，\'itsays；\'yieldnotyourselftothebabbleoftherunningstream。Leavetheocean，whichcaresnothingforyouoranylivingthingthatwalksthesolidearth；leavetheriver，toobusywithitsownerrand，tootalkativeaboutitsownaffairs，andfindpeacewithme，whosesmilewillcheeryou，whosewhisperwillsootheyou。Cometomewhenthemorningsunblazesacrossmybosomlikeagoldenbaldric；cometomeinthestillmidnight，whenIholdtheinvertedfirmamentlikeacupbrimmingwithjewels，norspillonestarofalltheconstellationsthatfloatinmyebongoblet。Doyouknowthecharmofmelancholy？Wherewillyoufindasympathylikemineinyourhoursofsadness？Doestheoceanshareyourgrief？Doestheriverlistentoyoursighs？Thesaltwave，thatcalledtoyoufromunderlastmonth\'sfullmoon，to-dayisdashingontherocksofLabrador；thestream，thatranbyyoupureandsparkling，hasswallowedthepoisonousrefuseofagreatcity，andiscreepingtoitsgraveinthewidecemeterythatburiesallthingsinitstombofliquidcrystal。Itistruethatmywatersexhaleandarerenewedfromoneseasontoanother；butareyourfeaturesthesame，absolutelythesame，fromyeartoyear？Webothchange，butweknoweachotherthroughallchanges。AmInotmirroredinthoseeyesofyours？AnddoesnotNatureplantmeasaneyetobeholdherbeautieswhilesheisdressedinthegloriesofleafandflower，anddrawtheicylidovermyshiningsurfacewhenshestandsnakedandashamedinthepovertyofwinter？\'
\"Ihavehadstrangeexperiencesandsadthoughtsinthecourseofalifenotverylong，butwitharecordwhichmuchlongerlivescouldnotmatchinincident。Oftentimesthetemptationhascomeovermewithdangerousurgencytotryachangeofexistence，ifsuchchangeisapartofhumandestiny，——toseekrest，ifthatiswhatwegainbylayingdowntheburdenoflife。IhaveaskedwhowouldbethefriendtowhomIshouldappealforthelastserviceIshouldhaveneedof。
Oceanwasthere，allready，askingnoquestions，answeringnone。
Whatstrangevoyages，downwardthroughitsglaucousdepths，upwardstoitsboilingandfrothingsurface，waftedbytides，drivenbytempests，dispartedbyrudeagencies；oneremnantwhiteningonthesandsofanorthernbeach，oneperhapsbuiltintothecircleofacoralreefinthePacific，onesettlingtothefloorofthevastlaboratorywherecontinentsarebuilt，toemergeinfar-offages!
Whatstrangecompanionsformypall-bearers!Unwieldysea-monsters，thestoriesofwhicharecountedfablesbythespectacledcollectorswhothinktheircatalogueshaveexhaustednature；naked-eyedcreatures，staring，glaring，nightmare-likespectresoftheghastly-
greenabysses；pulpyislands，withlifeingelatinousimmensity，——
whatacompanyofhungryheirsateveryoceanfuneral!No!No!
Oceanclaimsgreatmultitudes，butdoesnotinvitethesolitarywhowouldfainberidofhimself。
\'ShallIseekadeeperslumberatthebottomofthelakeIlovethanIhaveeverfoundwhendriftingidlyoveritssurface？No，again。I
donotwantthesweet，clearwaterstoknowmeinthedisgraceofnature，whenlife，thefaithfulbody-servant，hasceasedcaringforme。Thatmustnotbe。Themirrorwhichhaspicturedmesooftenshallneverknowmeasanunwelcomeobject。
\"IfImustasktheall-subduingelementtobemylastfriend，andleadmeoutofmyprison，itshallbethebusy，whispering，notunfriendly，pleasantlycompanionableriver。
\"ButOceanandRiverandLakehavecertainrelationstotheperiodsofhumanlifewhichtheywhoarechoosingtheirplacesofabodeshouldconsider。Letthechildplayupontheseashore。Thewidehorizongiveshisimaginationroomtogrowin，untrammelled。Thatbackgroundofmystery，withoutwhichlifeisapoormechanicalarrangement，isshapedandcolored，sofarasitcanhaveoutline，oranyhuebutshadow，onavastcanvas，thecontemplationofwhichenlargesandenrichesthesphereofconsciousness。Themightyoceanisnottoohugetosymbolizetheaspirationsandambitionsoftheyetuntriedsouloftheadolescent。
\"Thetimewillcomewhenhisindefinitementalhorizonhasfoundasolidlimit，whichshutshisprospectinnarrowerboundsthanhewouldhavethoughtcouldcontenthimintheyearsofundefinedpossibilities。Thenhewillfindtheriveramorenaturalintimatethantheocean。Itisindividual，whichtheocean，withallitsgulfsandinletsandmultitudinousshores，hardlyseemstobe。Itdoesnotloveyouverydearly，andwillnotmissyoumuchwhenyoudisappearfromitsmargin；butitmeanswelltoyou，bidsyougood-
morningwithitscomingwaves，andgood-eveningwiththosewhichareleaving。Itwillleadyourthoughtspleasantlyaway，upwardstoitssource，downwardstothestreamtowhichitistributary，orthewidewatersinwhichitistoloseitself。Ariver，bychoice，tolivebyinmiddleage。
\"Inhoursofmelancholyreflection，inthoselastyearsoflifewhichhavelittleleftbuttendermemories，thestillcompanionshipofthelake，embosomedinwoods，sheltered，fedbysweetmountainbrooksandhiddensprings，commendsitselftotheweariedandsaddenedspirit。
Iamnotthinkingofthosegreatinlandseas，whichhavemanyofthefeaturesandmuchofthedangerthatbelongtotheocean，butofthose\'ponds，\'asourcountrymenusedtocallthemuntiltheywererechristenedbysummervisitors；beautifulsheetsofwaterfromahundredtoafewthousandacresinextent，scatteredlikeraindropsoverthemapofourNorthernsovereignties。Thelonelinessofcontemplativeoldagefindsitsnaturalhomeinthenearneighborhoodofoneofthesetranquilbasins。
Naturedoesnotalwaysplantherpoetswheretheybelong，butifwelookcarefullytheiraffinitiesbetraythemselves。TheyouthwillcarryhisByrontotherockwhichoverlookstheoceanthepoetlovedsowell。ThemanofmatureryearswillrememberthatthesonorouscoupletsofPopewhichringinhisearswerewrittenonthebanksoftheThames。Theoldman，ashenodsoverthesolemnverseofWordsworth，willrecognizetheaffinitybetweenthesingerandthecalmsheetthatlaybeforehimashewrote，——thestainlessandsleepyWindermere。
\"ThedwellersbyCedarLakemayfinditanamusementtocomparetheirownfeelingswiththoseofonewhohaslivedbytheAtlanticandtheMediterranean，bytheNileandtheTiber，byLakeLemanandbyoneofthefairestsheetsofwaterthatourownNorthAmericaembosomsinitsforests。”
MissLuridaVincent，SecretaryofthePansophianSociety，readthispaper，andponderedlonguponit。Shewasthinkingveryseriouslyofstudyingmedicine，andhadbeenforsometimeinfrequentcommunicationwithDr。Butts，underwhosedirectionshehadbegunreadingcertaintreatises，whichaddedtosuchknowledgeofthelawsoflifeinhealthandindiseaseasshehadbroughtwithherfromtheCorinnaInstitute。Naturallyenough，shecarriedtheanonymouspapertothedoctor，togethisopinionaboutit，andcompareitwithherown。Theybothagreedthatitwasprobably，theywouldnotsaycertainly，theworkofthesolitaryvisitor。Therewasroomfordoubt，fortherewerevisitorswhomightwellhavetravelledtoalltheplacesmentioned，andresidedlongenoughontheshoresofthewatersthewriterspokeoftohavehadalltheexperiencesmentionedinthepaper。TheTerrorrememberedayounglady，aformerschoolmate，whobelongedtooneofthosenomadicfamiliescommoninthisgeneration，theheadsofwhich，especiallythefemaleheads，canneverbeeasywheretheyare，butkeepgoingbetweenAmericaandEurope，likesomanypith-ballsintheelectricalexperiment，alternatelyattractedandrepelled，neverincontentedequilibrium。
Everyfewyearstheypulltheirfamiliesupbytheroots，andbythetimetheyhavebeguntotakeholdalittlewiththeirradiclesinthespotstowhichtheyhavebeensuccessivelytransplanteduptheycomeagain，sothattheynevergetatap-rootanywhere。TheTerrorsuspectedthedaughterofoneofthesefamiliesofsendingcertainanonymousarticlesofnotdissimilarcharactertotheoneshehadjustreceived。Butsheknewthestyleofcompositioncommonamongtheyounggirls，andshecouldhardlybelievethatitwasoneofthemwhohadsentthispaper。Couldabrotherofthisyoungladyhavewrittenit？Possibly；sheknewnothingmorethanthattheyoungladyhadabrother，thenastudentattheUniversity。AllthechanceswerethatMr。MauriceKirkwoodwastheauthor。SothoughtLurida，andsothoughtDr。Butts。
Whateverfaultstherewereinthisessay，itinterestedthemboth。
Therewasnothingwhichgavetheleastreasontosuspectinsanityonthepartofthewriter，whoeverheorshemightbe。Therewerereferencestosuicide，itistrue，buttheywereofapurelyspeculativenature，anddidnotlooktoanypracticalpurposeinthatdirection。Besides，ifthestrangerweretheauthorofthepaper，hecertainlywouldnotchooseasheetofwaterlikeCedarLaketoperformthelastofficesforhim，incaseheseriouslymeditatedtakingunceremoniousleaveoflifeanditsaccidents。Hecouldfindarivereasilyenough，tosaynothingofothermethodsofeffectinghispurpose；buthehadcommittedhimselfastotheimproprietyofselectingalake，sotheyneednotbeanxiousaboutthewhitecanoeanditsoccupant，astheywatcheditskimmingthesurfaceofthedeepwaters。
TheholderofthePortfoliowouldneverhaveventuredtocomebeforethepublicifhehadnotcountedamonghisresourcescertainpapersbelongingtotherecordsofthePansophianSociety，whichhecanmakefreeuseof，eitherfortheillustrationofthenarrative，orforadiversionduringthoseintervalsinwhichtheflowofeventsislanguid，orevenceasesforthetimetomanifestanyprogress。ThereadercanhardlyhavefailedtonoticethattheoldAnchorTavernhadbecomethefocalpointwhereagooddealofmentalactivityconverged。Therewerethevillagepeople，includinganumberofcultivatedfamilies；therewerethevisitors，amongthemmanyaccomplishedandwidelytravelledpersons；therewastheUniversity，withitslearnedteachersandaspiringyoungmen；therewastheCorinnaInstitute，withitseager，ambitious，hungry-souledyoungwomen，crowdingon，classafterclasscomingforwardonthebroadstreamofliberalculture，androundingthepointwhich，oncepassed，theboundlesspossibilitiesofwomanhoodopenedbeforethem。Allthisfurnishedmaterialenoughandtosparefortherecordsandthearchivesofthesociety。
ThenewSecretaryinfusedfreshlifeintothemeetings。Itmayberememberedthatthegirlshadsaidofher，whenshewasTheTerror，that\"shekneweverythinganddidn\'tbelieveanything。”Thatwasjustthekindofpersonforasecretaryofsuchanassociation。
Properlyinterpreted，thesayingmeantthatsheknewagreatdeal，andwantedtoknowagreatdealmore，andwasconsequentlyalwaysonthelookoutforinformation；thatshebelievednothingwithoutsufficientproofthatitwastrue，andthereforewasperpetuallyaskingforevidencewhere，otherstookassertionsontrust。
ItwasastonishingtoseewhatonelittlecreaturelikeTheTerrorcouldaccomplishinthecourseofasingleseason。Shefoundoutwhateachmembercoulddoandwantedtodo。Shewrotetotheoutsidevisitorswhomshesuspectedofcapacity，andurgedthemtospeakatthemeetings，orsendwrittenpaperstoberead。Asanofficial，withtheprintedtitleattheheadofhernotes，PANSOPHIANSOCIETY，shewasaprivilegedpersonage。Shebeggedtheyoungpersonswhohadtravelledtotellsomethingoftheirexperiences。Shehadcontemplatedgettingupadiscussiononthewoman\'srightsquestion，butbeingawarylittlebody，andknowingthatthedebatewouldbecomeadisputeanddividethemembersintotwohostilecamps，shedeferredthisprojectindefinitely。Itwouldbetimeenoughaftershehadherteamwellinhand，shesaidtoherself，——hadfelttheirmouthsandtriedtheirpaces。Thisexpression，assheuseditinherthoughts，seemsratherforeigntoherhabits，buttherewasroominherlargebrainforawiderangeofillustrationsandanamplevocabulary。Shecouldnotdomuchwithherownmuscles，butshehadknownthepassionatedelightofbeingwhirledfuriouslyovertheroadbehindfourscamperinghorses，inarockingstage-coach，andthoughtofherselfintheSecretary\'schairasnotunlikethedriveronhisbox。Afewweeksofresthadallowedhernervousenergytostoreitselfup，andthesamepowerswhichhaddistancedcompetitionintheclassesofherschoolhadofnecessitytoexpendthemselvesinvigorousactioninhernewoffice。
Herappealshadtheireffect。Anumberofpaperswereverysoonsentin；somewithnames，someanonymously。Shelookedthesepapersover，andmarkedthosewhichshethoughtwouldbeworthreadingandlisteningtoatthemeetings。Oneofthemhasjustbeenpresentedtothereader。Astotheauthorshipofthefollowingonethereweremanyconjectures。Awell-knownwriter，whohadspentsomeweeksatArrowheadVillage，wasgenerallysuspectedofbeingitsauthor。
Some，however，questionedwhetheritwasnottheworkofanewhand，whowrote，notfromexperience，butfromhisorherideasoftheconditiontowhichastory-teller，anovelist，mustinallprobabilitybesoonerorlaterreduced。Thereadermustjudgeforhimselfwhetherthisfirstpaperistheworkofanoldhandoranovice。
SOMEEXPERIENCESOFANOVELIST。
\"Ihavewrittenafrightfulnumberofstories，fortyormore，I
think。Letmesee。Fortwelveyearstwonovelsayearregularly:
thatmakestwenty-four。InthreedifferentyearsIhavewrittenthreestoriesannually:thatmakesthirty-three。Infiveyearsoneayear，——thirty-eight。Thatisall，isn\'tit？Yes。Thirty-eight，notforty。IwishIcouldmakethemallintoonecompositestory，asMr。Galtondoeshisfaces。
\"Hero——heroine——mamma——papa——uncle——sister，andsoon。Love——
obstacles——misery——tears——despair——glimmerofhope——unexpectedsolutionofdifficulties——happyfinale。
\"Landscapeforbackgroundaccordingtoseason。Plantsofeachmonthgotupfrombotanicalcalendars。
\"Ishouldlikemuchtoseethecompositenovel。WhynotapplyMr。
Galton\'sprocess，andgetthirty-eightstoriesallinone？AlltheYankeeswouldresolveintooneYankee，alltheP——WestBritonsintoonePatrick，etc。，whatasavingoftimeitwouldbe!
\"Igotalongprettywellwithmyfirstfewstories。Ihadsomecharactersaroundmewhich，alittledisguised，answeredwellenough。
Therewastheministeroftheparish，andtherewasanoldschoolmastereitherofthemservedverysatisfactorilyforgrandfathersandolduncles。AllIhadtodowastoshiftsomeoftheirleadingpeculiarities，keepingtherest。Theoldministerworeknee-breeches。Iclappedthemontotheschoolmaster。Theschoolmastercarriedatallgold-headedcane。Iputthisintheminister\'shands。Sowithotherthings，——Ishiftedthemround，andgotasetofcharacterswho，takentogether，reproducedthechiefpersonsofthevillagewhereIlived，butdidnotcopyanyindividualexactly。Thusitwentonforawhile；butbyandbymystockcompanybegantoberathertoofamiliarlyknown，inspiteoftheirchangeofcostume，andatlastsomealtogethertoosagaciouspersonpublishedwhathecalleda\'key\'toseveralofmyearlierstories，inwhichI
foundthenamesofanumberofneighborsattachedtoaliasesofmyowninvention。Allthe\'types，\'ashecalledthem，representedbythesepersonagesofmystoryhadcometoberecognized，eachasstandingforoneandthesameindividualofmyacquaintance。Ithadbeenofnousetochangethecostume。Evenchangingthesexdidnogood。Ihadafamousoldgossipinoneofmytales，——amuch-babblingWidowSertingly。\'Sho!\'theyallsaid，that\'soldDeaconSpinner，thesamehetoldaboutinthatotherstoryofhis，——onlythedeacon\'sgotonapetticoatandamob-cap，——butit\'sthesameoldsixpence。\'
SoIsaidtomyself，Imusthavesomenewcharacters。Ihadnotroublewithyoungcharacters；theyareallprettymuchalike，——dark-
hairedorlight-haired，withtheoutfitsbelongingtotheircomplexion，respectively。Ihadanoldgreat-aunt，whowasatip-topeccentric。Ihadneverseenanythingjustlikeherinbooks。SoI
said，Iwillhaveyou，oldlady，inoneofmystories；and，sureenough，Ifittedheroutwithafirst-rateodd-soundingname，whichI
gotfromthedirectory，andsentherforthtotheworld，disguised，asIsupposed，beyondthepossibilityofrecognition。Thebooksoldwell，andtheeccentricpersonagewasvotedanovelty。Afewweeksafteritwaspublishedalawyercalleduponme，astheagentofthepersoninthedirectory，whosefamilynameIhadused，ashemaintained，tohisandallhisrelatives\'greatdamage，wrong，loss，grief，shame，andirreparableinjury，forwhichthesumofblankthousanddollarswouldbeamodestcompensation。Thestorymadethebooksell，butnotenoughtopayblankthousanddollars。Inthemeantimeacousinofminehadsniffedouttheresemblancebetweenthecharacterinmybookandourgreat-aunt。Wewererivalsinhergoodgraces。\'CousinPansie\'spoketoherofmybookandthetroubleitwasbringingonme，——shewassosorryaboutit!Shelikedmystory，——onlythosepersonalities，youknow。\'Whatpersonalities？\'saysoldgranny-aunt。\'Why，auntie，dear，theydosaythathehasbroughtineverybodyweknow，——didn\'tanybodytellyouabout——well，——Isupposeyououghttoknowit，——didn\'tanybodytellyouyouweremadefunofinthatnovel？\'Somebody——nomatterwho——happenedtohearallthis，andtoldme。Shesaidgranny-aunt\'switheredoldfacehadtworedspotscometoit，asifshehadbeenpaintinghercheeksfromapinksaucer。No，shesaid，notapinksaucer，butasiftheyweretwocoalsoffire。Shesentoutandgotthebook，andmadeherthesomebodythatIwasspeakingofreadittoher。Whenshehadheardasmuchasshecouldstand，——for\'CousinPansie\'explainedpassagestoher，——explained，youknow，——shesentforherlawyer，andthatsamesomebodyhadtobeawitnesstoanewwillshehaddrawnup。Itwasnottomyadvantage。\'CousinPansie\'gotthecornerlotwherethegroceryis，andprettymucheverythingelse。Theoldwomanleftmealegacy。Whatdoyouthinkitwas？Anoldsetofmyownbooks，thatlookedasifithadbeenboughtoutofabankruptcirculatinglibrary。
\"AfterthatIgrewmorecareful。Istudiedmydisguisesmuchmorediligently。Butafterall，whatcouldIdo？HereIwas，writingstoriesformylivingandmyreputation。Imadeaprettysumenough，andworkedhardenoughtoearnit。Notale，nomoney。Theneverystorythatwentfrommyworkshophadtocomeuptothestandardofmyreputation，andtherewasasetofcritics，——thereisasetofcriticsnowandeverywhere，——thatwatchasnarrowlyforthedeclineofaman\'sreputationaseveravillagehalfdrownedoutbyaninundationwatchedforthefallingofthewaters。ThefameIhadwon，suchasitwas，seemedtoattendme，——notgoingbeforemeintheshapeofawomanwithatrumpet，butratherfollowingmelikeoneofActaeon\'shounds，histhroatopen，readytopullmedownandtearme。
Whatafierceenemyisthatwhichbaysbehindusinthevoiceofourproudestbygoneachievement!
\"But，asIsaidabove，whatcouldIdo？Imustwritenovels，andI
musthavecharacters。\'Thenwhynotinventthem？\'askssomenovice。
Oh，yes!Inventthem!Youcaninventahumanbeingthatincertainaspectsofhumanitywillanswereverypurposeforwhichyourinventionwasintended。Abasketofstraw，anoldcoatandpairofbreeches，ahatwhichhasbeensoaked，satupon，stuffedabrokenwindow，andhadabroodofchickensraisedinit，——theseelements，dulyadjustedtoeachother，willrepresenthumanitysotruthfullythatthecrowswillavoidthecornfieldwhenyourscarecrowdisplayshispersonality。Doyouthinkyoucanmakeyourheroesandheroines，——nay，evenyourscrappysupernumeraries，——outofrefusematerial，asyoumadeyourscarecrow？Youcan\'tdoit。Youmuststudylivingpeopleandreproducethem。Andwhomdoyouknowsowellasyourfriends？Youwillshowupyourfriends，then，oneafteranother。Whenyourfriendsgiveout，whoisleftforyou？Why，nobodybutyourownfamily，ofcourse。Whenyouhaveusedupyourfamily，thereisnothingleftforyoubuttowriteyourautobiography。
\"Aftermyexperiencewithmygrand-aunt，Ibecamemorecautious，verynaturally。Ikepttraitsofcharacter，butImixedagesaswellassexes。InthiswayIcontinuedtouseupalargeamountofmaterial，whichlookedasifitwereasdangerousasdynamitetomeddlewith。Whowouldhaveexpectedtomeetmymaternaluncleintheguiseofaschoolboy？YetImanagedtodecanthischaracteristicsasnicelyastheoldgentlemanwouldhavedecantedabottleofJunoMadeirathroughthatlongsiphonwhichhealwaysusedwhenthemostsacredvintagesweresummonedfromtheircryptstorenderanaccountofthemselvesonhishospitableboard。Itwasanicebusiness，Iconfess，butIdidit，andIdrinkcheerfullytothatgooduncle\'smemoryinaglassofwinefromhisowncellar，which，withmanyothermoreimportanttokensofhisgoodwill，Icallmyownsincehislamenteddemise。
\"IsucceededsowellwithmyunclethatIthoughtIwouldtryacourseofcousins。Ihadenoughofthemtofurnishoutawholegalleryofportraits。Therewascousin\'Creeshy，\'aswecalledher；
Lucretia，morecorrectly。Shewasacripple。Herleftlowerlimbhadhadsomethinghappentoit，andshewalkedwithacrutch。Herpatienceunderhertrialwasverypatheticandpicturesque，sotospeak，——Imeanadaptedtothetenderpartsofastory；nothingcouldworkupbetterinameltingparagraph。ButIcouldnot，ofcourse，describeherparticularinfirmity；thatwouldpointheroutatonce。
Ithoughtofshiftingthelamenesstotherightlowerlimb，buteventhatwouldbeseenthrough。SoIgavetheyoungwomanthatstoodforherinmystoryalameelbow，andputherarminasling，andmadehersuchamodelofuncomplainingendurancethatmygrandmothercriedoverherasifherpooroldheartwouldbreak。Shecriedveryeasily，mygrandmother；infact，shehadsuchagiftfortearsthatI
availedmyselfofit，andifyourememberoldJudy，inmynovel\"HoniSoit\"HoneySweet，thebooksellerscalledit，——oldJudy，theblack-nurse，——thatwasmygrandmother。Shehadvariousotherpeculiarities，whichIbroughtoutonebyone，andsaddledontodifferentcharacters。Youseeshewasaperfectmineofsingularitiesandidiosyncrasies。AfterIhadusedherupprettywell，Icamedawnuponmypoorrelations。Theywereperfectlyfairgame；whatbetterusecouldIputthemto？Istudiedthemupverycarefully，andastherewereagoodmanyofthemIhelpedmyselffreely。Theylastedme，withoccasionalintermissions，Ishouldsay，threeorfouryears。Ihadtobeverycarefulwithmypoorrelations，——theywereastouchyastheycouldbe；andasIfeltboundtosendacopyofmynovel，whateveritmightbe，toeachoneofthem，——therewereasmanyasadozen，——Itookcaretomixtheircharacteristicfeatures，sothat，thougheachmightsuspectImeanttheother，nooneshouldthinkImeanthimorher。Igotthroughallmyrelationsatlastexceptmyfatherandmother。Ihadtreatedmybrothersandsistersprettyfairly，allexceptElishaandJoanna。
Thetruthistheybothhadlotsofoddways，——familytraits，I
suppose，butwerejustdifferentenoughfromeachothertofigureseparatelyintwodifferentstories。Thesetwonovelsmademesomelittletrouble；forElishasaidhefeltsurethatImeantJoannainoneofthem，andquarrelledwithmeaboutit；andJoannavowedanddeclaredthatElnathan，intheother，stoodforbrother\'Lisha，andthatitwasarealmeanthingtomakefunoffolks\'ownfleshandblood，andtreatedmetooneofhercries。Shewasn\'thandsomewhenshecried，poor，dearJoanna；infact，thatwasoneofthepersonaltraitsIhadmadeuseofinthestorythatElishafoundfaultwith。
\"Soastherewasnobodyleftbutmyfatherandmother，youseeforyourselfIhadnochoice。Therewasonegreatadvantageindealingwiththem，——Iknewthemsothoroughly。Onenaturallyfeelsacertaindelicacyithandlingfromapurelyartisticpointofviewpersonswhohavebeensoneartohim。One\'smother，forinstance:supposesomeofherlittlewaysweresopeculiarthattheaccuratedelineationofthemwouldfurnishamusementtogreatnumbersofreaders；itwouldnotbewithouthesitationthatawriterofdelicatesensibilitywoulddrawherportrait，withallitswhimsicalities，soplainlythatitshouldbegenerallyrecognized。One\'sfatheriscommonlyoftougherfibrethanone\'smother，andonewouldnotfeelthesamescruples，perhaps，inusinghimprofessionallyasmaterialinanovel；still，whileyouareemployinghimasbait，——youseeIamhonestandplain-
spoken，foryourcharactersarebaitstocatchreaderswith，——IwouldfollowkindIzaakWalton\'shumanecounselaboutthefrogyouarefasteningtoyourfish-hook:fixhimartistically，ashedirects，butinsodoingIusehimasthoughyoulovedhim。\'
\"Ihaveatlengthshownup，inoneformandanother，allmytownsmenwhohaveanythingeffectiveintheirbodilyormentalmake-up，allmyfriends，allmyrelatives；thatis，allmybloodrelatives。IthasoccurredtomethatImightopenanewfieldinthefamilyconnectionofmyfather-in-lawandmother-in-law。Wehavebeenthinkingofpayingthemavisit，andIshallhaveanadmirableopportunityofstudyingthemandtheirrelativesandvisitors。IhavelongwantedagoodchanceforgettingacquaintedwiththesocialsphereseveralgradesbelowthattowhichIamaccustomed，andIhavenodoubtthatIshallfindmatterforhalfadozennewstoriesamongthoseconnectionsofmine。Besides，theyliveinaWesterncity，andonedoesn\'tmindmuchhowhecutsupthepeopleofplaceshedoesn\'thimselflivein。Isupposethereisnotreallysomuchdifferenceinpeople\'sfeelings，whethertheyliveinBangororOmaha，butone\'snervescan\'tbeexpectedtostretchacrossthecontinent。Itisallamatterofgreaterorlessdistance。IreadthismorningthataChinesefleetwassunk，butIdidn\'tthinkhalfsomuchaboutitasIdidaboutlosingmysleevebutton，confoundit!Peoplehaveaccusedmeofwantoffeeling；theymisunderstandtheartist-nature，——thatisall。Iobeythatimplicitly；Iamsorryifpeopledon\'tlikemydescriptions，butIhavedonemybest。IhavepulledtopiecesallthepersonsIamacquaintedwith，andputthemtogetheragaininmycharacters。ThequillsIwritewithcomefromlivegeese，Iwouldhaveyouknow。Iexpecttogetsomefirst-ratepluckingsfromthosepeopleIwasspeakingof，andImeantobeginmythirty-ninthnovelassoonasIhavegotthroughmyvisit。”
IX
THESOCIETYANDITSNEWSECRETARY。
Thereisnouseintryingtohurrythenaturalcourseofevents，inanarrativelikethis。Junepassedaway，andJuly，andAugusthadcome，andasyettheenigmawhichhadcompletelypuzzledArrowheadVillageanditsvisitorsremainedunsolved。Thewhitecanoestillwanderedoverthelake，alone，ghostly，alwaysavoidingthenearapproachoftheboatswhichseemedtobecominginitsdirection。
Nowandthenacircumstancewouldhappenwhichhelpedtokeepinquiryalive。GoodhorsemanshipwasnotsocommonamongtheyoungmenoftheplaceanditsneighborhoodthatMaurice\'saccomplishmentinthatwaycouldbeoverlooked。Iftherewasawickedhorseorawildcoltwhoseownerwasafraidofhim，hewouldbecommendedtoMaurice\'sattention。Paolowouldleadhimtohismasterwithalldueprecaution，——forhehadnoideaofriskinghisneckonthebackofanyill-conditionedbeast，——andMauricewouldfastenonhislongspurs，springintothesaddle，andveryspeedilyteachthecreaturegoodbehavior。Theresoongotaboutastorythathewaswhatthefresh-waterfishermancalled\"oneo\'themwhisperers。”Itisacommonlegendenough，comingfromtheOldWorld，butknowninAmericanhorse-talkingcircles，thatsomepersonswillwhispercertainwordsinahorse\'searwhichwilltamehimifheisaswildandfuriousaseverCruiserwas。Allthisaddedtothemysterywhichsurroundedtheyoungman。Asingleimprobableorabsurdstoryamountstoverylittle，butwhenhalfadozensuchstoriesaretoldaboutthesameindividualorthesameevent，theybegintoproducetheeffectofcredibleevidence。Iftheyearhadbeen1692andtheplacehadbeenSalemVillage，MauriceKirkwoodwouldhaveruntheriskofbeingtreatedliketheReverendGeorgeBurroughs。
MissLuridaVincent\'scuriosityhadbeenintenselyexcitedwithreferencetotheyoungmanofwhomsomanystoriesweretold。ShehadprettynearlyconvincedherselfthathewastheauthorofthepaperonOcean，Lake，andRiver，whichhadbeenreadatoneofthemeetingsofthePansophianSociety。Shewasverydesirousofmeetinghim，ifitwerepossible。Itseemedasifshemight，asSecretaryoftheSociety，requestthecooperationofanyofthevisitors，withoutimpropriety。So，aftermuchdeliberation，shewroteacarefulnote，ofwhichthefollowingisanexactcopy。Herhandwasbold，almostmasculine，acuriouscontrasttothatofEuthymia，whichwasdelicatelyfeminine。
PANSOPHIANSOCIETY。
ARROWHEADVILLAGE，August3，18。
MAURICEKIRKWOOD，ESQ。
DEARSIR，——Youhavereceived，Itrust，acardofinvitationtothemeetingsofourSociety，butIthinkwehavenotyethadthepleasureofseeingyouatanyofthem。Wehavesupposedthatwemightbeindebtedtoyouforapaperreadatthelastmeeting，andlistenedtowithmuchinterest。Asitwasanonymous，wedonotwishtobeinquisitiverespectingitsauthorship；butwedesiretosaythatanypaperskindlysentusbythetemporaryresidentsofourvillagewillbewelcome，andifadaptedtothewantsofourAssociationwillbereadatoneofitsmeetingsorprintedinitsrecords，orperhapsbothreadandprinted。Maywenothopeforyourpresenceatthemeeting，whichistotakeplacenextWednesdayevening？
Respectfullyyours，LURIDAVINCENT，SecretaryofthePansophianSociety。
TothisnotetheSecretaryreceivedthefollowingreply:
MISSLURIDAVINCENT，ARROWHEADVILLAGE，August4，18。
SecretaryofthePansophianSociety:
DEARMISSVINCENT，——Ihavereceivedtheticketyoureferto，anddesiretoexpressmyacknowledgmentsforthepoliteattention。I
regretthatIhavenotbeenandIfearshallnotbeabletoattendthemeetingsoftheSociety；butifanysubjectoccurstomeonwhichIfeelaninclinationtowrite，itwillgivemepleasuretosendapaper，tobedisposedofastheSocietymayseefit。
Veryrespectfullyyours，MAURICEKIRKWOOD。
\"Hesaysnothingabouttheauthorshipofthepaperthatwasreadtheotherevening，\"theSecretarysaidtoherself。\"Nomatter，——hewroteit，——thereisnomistakinghishandwriting。Weknowsomethingabouthim，now，atanyrate。Butwhydoesn\'thecometoourmeetings？Whathashisantipathytodowithhisstayingaway？I
mustfindoutwhathissecretis，andIwill。Idon\'tbelieveit\'sharderthanitwastosolvethatprizeproblemwhichpuzzledsomanyteachers，orthanbeatingCrakowitz，thegreatchess-player。”
Tothisenigma，then，TheTerrordeterminedtobendallthefacultieswhichhadexcitedtheadmirationandsometimestheamazementofthosewhoknewherinherschool-days。Itwasaverydelicatepieceofbusiness；forthoughLuridawasanintrepidwoman\'srightsadvocate，andbelievedshewasentitledtodoalmosteverythingthatmendaredto，sheknewverywelltherewerecertainlimitswhichayoungwomanlikeherselfmustnotpass。
InthemeantimeMauricehadreceivedavisitfromtheyoungstudentattheUniversity，——thesamewhomhehadrescuedfromhisdangerouspredicamentinthelake。Withhimhadcalledoneoftheteachers，——
aninstructorinmodernlanguages，anativeofItaly。MauriceandtheinstructorexchangedafewwordsinItalian。Theyoungmanspokeitwiththeeasewhichimpliedlongfamiliaritywithitsuse。
Aftertheyleft，theinstructoraskedmanycuriousquestionsabouthim，——whohewas，howlonghehadbeeninthevillage，whetheranythingwasknownofhishistory，——alltheseinquirieswithaneagernesswhichimpliedsomespecialandpeculiarreasonfortheinteresttheyevinced。
\"Ifeelsatisfied，\"theinstructorsaid，\"thatIhavemetthatyoungmaninmyowncountry。Itwasanumberofyearsago，andofcoursehehasalteredinappearanceagooddeal；butthereisalookabouthimof——whatshallIcallit？——apprehension，——asifhewerefearingtheapproachofsomethingorsomebody。Ithinkitisthewayamanwouldlookthatwashaunted；youknowwhatImean，——followedbyaspiritorghost。Hedoesnotsuggesttheideaofamurderer，——veryfarfromit；butifhedid，Ishouldthinkhewaseveryminuteinfearofseeingthemurderedman\'sspirit。”
Thestudentwascurious，inhisturn，toknowalltheinstructorcouldrecall。HehadseenhiminRome，hethought，attheFountainofTrevi，wheresomanystrangersgobeforeleavingthecity。Theyouthwasinthecompanyofamanwholookedlikeapriest。Hecouldnotmistakethepeculiarexpressionofhiscountenance，butthatwasallhenowrememberedabouthisappearance。Hisattentionhadbeencalledtothisyoungmanbyseeingthatsomeofthebystanderswerepointingathim，andnoticingthattheywerewhisperingwitheachotherasifwithreferencetohim。Heshouldsaythattheyouthwasatthattimefifteenorsixteenyearsold，andthetimewasabouttenyearsago。
Afterall，thisevidencewasoflittleornovalue。SupposetheyouthwereMaurice；whatthen？WeknowthathehadbeeninItaly，andhadbeenthereagoodwhile，——oratleastweinfersomuchfromhisfamiliaritywiththelanguage，andareconfirmedinthebeliefbyhishavinganItalianservant，whomheprobablybroughtfromItalywhenhereturned。Ifhewrotethepaperwhichwasreadtheotherevening，thatsettlesit，forthewritersayshehadlivedbytheTiber。WemustputthisscrapofevidencefurnishedbytheProfessorwiththeotherscraps；itmayturnoutofsomeconsequence，soonerorlater。Itislikeapieceofadissectedmap；itmeansalmostnothingbyitself，butwhenwefindthepiecesitjoinswithwemaydiscoveraveryimportantmeaninginit。
Inasmall，concentratedcommunitylikethatwhichcentredinandimmediatelyaroundArrowheadVillage，everydaymusthaveitslocalgossipaswellasitsgeneralnews。Thenewspapertellsthesmallcommunitywhatisgoingoninthegreatworld，andthebusytonguesofmaleandfemale，especiallythelatter，fillinwiththeoccurrencesandcommentsoftheever-stirringmicrocosm。ThefactthattheItalian，teacherhad，orthoughthehad，seenMauricetenyearsbeforewascirculatedandmadethemostof，——turnedoverandoverlikeacake，untilitwasthoroughlydoneonbothsidesandallthrough。Itwasaverysmallcake，butbetterthannothing。MissVincentheardthisstory，asothersdid，andtalkedaboutitwithherfriend，MissTower。Herewasonemorefacttohelpalong。
ThetwoyoungladieswhohadrecentlygraduatedattheCorinnaInstituteremained，astheyhadalwaysbeen，intimatefriends。Theywerethenaturalcomplementsofeachother。Euthymiarepresentedacomplete，symmetricalwomanhood。Heroutwardpresencewasonlyanindexofalarge，wholesome，affluentlife。Shecouldnothelpbeingcourageous，withsuchafirmorganization。Shecouldnothelpbeinggenerous，cheerful，active。Shehadbeentoldoftenenoughthatshewasfairtolookupon。SheknewthatshewascalledTheWonderbytheschoolmateswhoweredazzledbyhersingularaccomplishments，butshedidnotovervaluethem。Sherathertendedtodepreciateherowngifts，incomparisonwiththoseofherfriend，MissLuridaVincent。
Thetwoagreedallthebetterfordifferingastheydid。Theoctavemakesaperfectchord，whenshorterintervalsjarmoreorlessontheear。Eachadmiredtheotherwithaheartinesswhichiftheyhadbeenlessunlike，wouldhavebeenimpossible。
Itwasapleasantthingtoobservetheirdependenceoneachother。
TheTerroroftheschoolroomwastheoracleinherrelationswithherfriend。AllthefreedomofmovementwhichTheWondershowedinherbodilyexercisesTheTerrormanifestedintheworldofthought。Shewouldflingopenabook，anddecideinaswiftglancewhetherithadanymessageforher。Herteachershadcomparedherwayofreadingtothetakingofaninstantaneousphotograph。WhenshetookupthefirstbookonPhysiologywhichDr。Buttshandedher，itseemedtohimthatifsheonlyopenedatanyplace，andgaveonelook，herminddrankitsmeaningup，asamoistspongeabsorbswater。\"WhatcanI
dowithsuchacreatureasthis？\"hesaidtohimself。\"Thereisonlyonewaytodealwithher，treatherasonetreatsasilkworm:
giveititsmulberryleaf，anditwillspinitsowncocoon。Giveherthebooks，andshewillspinherownwebofknowledge。”
\"Doyoureallythinkofstudyingmedicine？\"saidDr。Buttstoher。
\"Ihaven\'tmadeupmymindaboutthat，\"sheanswered，\"butIwanttoknowalittlemoreaboutthisterriblemachineryoflifeanddeathwearealltangledin。Iknowsomethingaboutit，butnotenough。I
findsomeverystrangebeliefsamongthewomenImeetwith，andI
wanttobeabletosilencethemwhentheyattempttoproselytemetotheirwhimsandfancies。Besides，Iwanttoknoweverything。”
\"Theytellmeyoudo，already，\"saidDr。Butts。
\"Iamthemostignorantlittlewretchthatdrawsthebreathoflife!\"
exclaimedTheTerror。
Thedoctorsmiled。Heknewwhatitmeant。Shehadreachedthatstageofeducationinwhichthevastdomainoftheunknownopensitsillimitableexpansebeforetheeyesofthestudent。Weneverknowtheextentofdarknessuntilitispartiallyilluminated。
\"YoudidnotleavetheInstitutewiththereputationofbeingthemostignorantyoungladythatevergraduatedthere，\"saidthedoctor。
\"Theytellmeyougotthehighestmarksofanypupilontheirrecordsincetheschoolwasfounded。”
\"Whatagrandthingitwastobethebiggestfishinoursmallaquarium，tobesure!\"answeredTheTerror。\"Hewassixincheslong，themonster，——alittletoobigforbaittocatchapickerelwith!
Whatdidyouhandmethatschoolbookfor？DidyouthinkIdidn\'tknowanythingaboutthehumanbody？\"
\"YousaidyouweresuchanignorantcreatureIthoughtIwouldtryyouwithaneasybook，bywayofintroduction。”
TheTerrorwasnotconfusedbyherapparentself-contradiction。
\"ImeantwhatIsaid，andImeanwhatIsay。WhenItalkaboutmyignorance，Idon\'tmeasuremyselfwithschoolgirls，doctor。Idon\'tmeasuremyselfwithmyteachers，either。YoumusttalktomeasifI
wereaman，agrownman，ifyoumeantoteachmeanything。Whereisyourhat，doctor？Letmetryiton。”
Thedoctorhandedherhiswide-awake。TheTerror\'shairwasnotnaturallyabundant，likeEuthymia\'s，andshekeptitcutrathershort。Herheadusedtogetveryhotwhenshestudiedhard。Shetriedtoputthehaton。
\"Doyouseethat？\"shesaid。\"Icouldn\'twearit——itwouldsqueezemyeyesoutofmyhead。Thebookstoldmethatwomen\'sbrainsweresmallerthanmen\'s:\"perhapstheyare，——mostofthem，——Inevermeasuredagreatmany。Butwhentheytrytosettlewhatwomenaregoodfor，byphrenology，Iliketohavethemputtheirtaperoundmyhead。Idon\'tbelieveintheirnonsense，forallthat。Youmightaswelltellmethatifonehorseweighsmorethananotherhorseheisworthmore，——acart-horsethatweighstwelveorfourteenhundredpoundsbetterthanEclipse，thatmayhaveweighedathousand。Givemealistofthebestbooksyoucanthinkof，andturnmelooseinyourlibrary。IcanfindwhatIwant，ifyouhaveit；andwhatI