第5章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"A Sentimental Journey",免费读到尾

  atleastforamouthorsixweeks;attheendofwhich,ifheisaharmlessfellow,hisinnocenceappears,andhecomesoutabetterandwisermanthanhewentin。

  IhadsomeoccasionIforgetwhattostepintothecourt-yard,asIsettledthisaccount;andrememberIwalk\'ddownstairsinnosmalltriumphwiththeconceitofmyreasoning-Beshrewthesombrepencil!saidI,vauntingly-forIenvynotitspowers,whichpaintstheevilsoflifewithsohardanddeadlyacolouring。

  Themindsitsterrifiedattheobjectsshehasmagnifiedherself,andblackened:reducethemtotheirpropersizeandhue,sheoverlooksthem-\'Tistrue,saidI,correctingtheproposition,-

  theBastileisnotaneviltobedespised;-butstripitofitstowers-fillupthefosse,-unbarricadethedoors-callitsimplyaconfinement,andsuppose\'tissometyrantofadistemper-

  andnotofaman,whichholdsyouinit,-theevilvanishes,andyoubeartheotherhalfwithoutcomplaint。

  Iwasinterruptedintheheydayofthissoliloquy,withavoicewhichItooktobeofachild,whichcomplained\"itcouldnotgetout。\"-Ilook\'dupanddownthepassage,andseeingneitherman,woman,norchild,Iwentoutwithoutfartherattention。

  Inmyreturnbackthroughthepassage,Iheardthesamewordsrepeatedtwiceover;and,lookingup,Isawitwasastarlinghunginalittlecage-\"Ican\'tgetout,-Ican\'tgetout,\"saidthestarling。

  Istoodlookingatthebird:andtoeverypersonwhocamethroughthepassageitranflutteringtothesidetowardswhichtheyapproach\'dit,withthesamelamentationofitscaptivity。\"I

  can\'tgetout,\"saidthestarling-Godhelpthee!saidI,butI\'lllettheeout,costwhatitwill;soIturnedaboutthecagetogettothedoor:itwastwistedanddoubletwistedsofastwithwire,therewasnogettingitopenwithoutpullingthecagetopieces-Itookbothhandstoit。

  ThebirdflewtotheplacewhereIwasattemptinghisdeliverance,andthrustinghisheadthroughthetrellispressedhisbreastagainstitasifimpatient-Ifear,poorcreature!saidI,I

  cannotsettheeatliberty-\"No,\"saidthestarling,-\"Ican\'tgetout-Ican\'tgetout,\"saidthestarling。

  IvowIneverhadmyaffectionsmoretenderlyawakened;nordoI

  rememberanincidentinmylife,wherethedissipatedspirits,towhichmyreasonhadbeenabubble,weresosuddenlycall\'dhome。

  Mechanicalasthenoteswere,yetsotrueintunetonatureweretheychanted,thatinonemomenttheyoverthrewallmysystematicreasoningsupontheBastile;andIheavilywalkedupstairs,unsayingeverywordIhadsaidingoingdownthem。

  Disguisethyselfasthouwilt,still,Slavery!saidI,-stillthouartabitterdraught!andthoughthousandsinallageshavebeenmadetodrinkofthee,thouartnolessbitteronthataccount-

  \'Tisthou,thricesweetandgraciousgoddess,addressingmyselftoLiberty,whomallinpublicorinprivateworship,whosetasteisgrateful,andeverwillbeso,tillNatureherselfshallchange-

  NoTINTofwordscanspotthysnowymantle,orchymicpowerturnthysceptreintoiron:-withtheetosmileuponhimasheeatshiscrust,theswainishappierthanhismonarch,fromwhosecourtthouartexiled!-GraciousHeaven!criedI,kneelingdownuponthelaststepbutoneinmyascent,grantmebuthealth,thougreatBestowerofit,andgivemebutthisfairgoddessasmycompanion,-andshowerdownthymitres,ifitseemsgooduntothydivineprovidence,uponthoseheadswhichareachingforthem!

  THECAPTIVE。PARIS。

  THEbirdinhiscagepursuedmeintomyroom;Isatdownclosetomytable,andleaningmyheaduponmyhand,Ibegantofiguretomyselfthemiseriesofconfinement。Iwasinarightframeforit,andsoIgavefullscopetomyimagination。

  Iwasgoingtobeginwiththemillionsofmyfellow-creaturesborntonoinheritancebutslavery:butfinding,howeveraffectingthepicturewas,thatIcouldnotbringitnearme,andthatthemultitudeofsadgroupsinitdidbutdistractme——

  Itookasinglecaptive,andhavingfirstshuthimupinhisdungeon,Ithenlook\'dthroughthetwilightofhisgrateddoortotakehispicture。

  Ibeheldhisbodyhalf-wastedawaywithlongexpectationandconfinement,andfeltwhatkindofsicknessoftheheartitwaswhicharisesfromhopedeferr\'d。UponlookingnearerIsawhimpaleandfeverish:inthirtyyearsthewesternbreezehadnotoncefann\'dhisblood;-hehadseennosun,nomoon,inallthattime-

  norhadthevoiceoffriendorkinsmanbreathedthroughhislattice-Hischildren-

  Butheremyheartbegantobleed-andIwasforcedtogoonwithanotherpartoftheportrait。

  Hewassittinguponthegrounduponalittlestraw,inthefurthestcornerofhisdungeon,whichwasalternatelyhischairandbed:alittlecalendarofsmallstickswerelaidatthehead,notch\'dalloverwiththedismaldaysandnightshehadpassedthere;-hehadoneoftheselittlesticksinhishand,and,witharustynailhewasetchinganotherdayofmiserytoaddtotheheap。AsI

  darkenedthelittlelighthehad,heliftedupahopelesseyetowardsthedoor,thencastitdown,-shookhishead,andwentonwithhisworkofaffliction。Iheardhischainsuponhislegs,asheturnedhisbodytolayhislittlestickuponthebundle-Hegaveadeepsigh-Isawtheironenterintohissoul!-Iburstintotears-Icouldnotsustainthepictureofconfinementwhichmyfancyhaddrawn-Istartedupfrommychair,andcallingLaFleur:Ibidhimbespeakmearemise,andhaveitreadyatthedoorofthehotelbynineinthemorning。

  I\'llgodirectly,saidI,myselftoMonsieurleDucdeChoiseul。

  LaFleurwouldhaveputmetobed;but-notwillingheshouldseeanythinguponmycheekwhichwouldcostthehonestfellowaheart-

  ache,-ItoldhimIwouldgotobedbymyself,-andbidhimgodothesame。

  THESTARLING。ROADTOVERSAILLES。

  IGOTintomyremisethehourIproposed:LaFleurgotupbehind,andIbidthecoachmanmakethebestofhiswaytoVersailles。

  Astherewasnothinginthisroad,orrathernothingwhichIlookforintravelling,Icannotfilluptheblankbetterthanwithashorthistoryofthisself-samebird,whichbecamethesubjectofthelastchapter。

  WhilsttheHonourableMr-waswaitingforawindatDover,ithadbeencaughtuponthecliffs,beforeitcouldwellfly,byanEnglishladwhowashisgroom;who,notcaringtodestroyit,hadtakenitinhisbreastintothepacket;-and,bycourseoffeedingit,andtakingitonceunderhisprotection,inadayortwogrewfondofit,andgotitsafealongwithhimtoParis。

  AtParistheladhadlaidoutalivreinalittlecageforthestarling,andashehadlittletodobetterthefivemonthshismasterstaidthere,hetaughtit,inhismother\'stongue,thefoursimplewords-andnomore-towhichIown\'dmyselfsomuchitsdebtor。

  Uponhismaster\'sgoingonforItaly,theladhadgivenittothemasterofthehotel。ButhislittlesongforlibertybeinginanUNKNOWNlanguageatParis,thebirdhadlittleornostoresetbyhim:soLaFleurboughtbothhimandhiscageformeforabottleofBurgundy。

  InmyreturnfromItalyIbroughthimwithmetothecountryinwhoselanguagehehadlearnedhisnotes;andtellingthestoryofhimtoLordA-,LordA-begg\'dthebirdofme;-inaweekLordA-

  gavehimtoLordB-;LordB-madeapresentofhimtoLordC-;andLordC-\'sgentlemansoldhimtoLordD-\'sforashilling;LordD-

  gavehimtoLordE-;andsoon-halfroundthealphabet。Fromthatrankhepass\'dintothelowerhouse,andpass\'dthehandsofasmanycommoners。ButasallthesewantedtoGETIN,andmybirdwantedtoGETOUT,hehadalmostaslittlestoresetbyhiminLondonasinParis。

  Itisimpossiblebutmanyofmyreadersmusthaveheardofhim;andifanybymerechancehaveeverseenhim,Ibegleavetoinformthem,thatthatbirdwasmybird,orsomevilecopysetuptorepresenthim。

  Ihavenothingfarthertoadduponhim,butthatfromthattimetothisIhavebornethispoorstarlingasthecresttomyarms-

  Thus:

  [Picturewhichcannotbereproduced]-

  Andlettheherald\'sofficerstwisthisneckaboutiftheydare。

  THEADDRESS。VERSAILLES。

  ISHOULDnotliketohavemyenemytakeaviewofmymindwhenIamgoingtoaskprotectionofanyman;forwhichreasonIgenerallyendeavourtoprotectmyself;butthisgoingtoMonsieurleDucdeC-wasanactofcompulsion;haditbeenanactofchoice,Ishouldhavedoneit,Isuppose,likeotherpeople。

  Howmanymeanplansofdirtyaddress,asIwentalong,didmyservileheartform!IdeservedtheBastileforeveryoneofthem。

  ThennothingwouldservemewhenIgotwithinsightofVersailles,butputtingwordsandsentencestogether,andconceivingattitudesandtonestowreathmyselfintoMonsieurleDucdeC-\'sgoodgraces-Thiswilldo,saidI-Justaswell,retortedIagain,asacoatcarrieduptohimbyanadventuroustailor,withouttakinghismeasure。Fool!continuedI,-seeMonsieurleDuc\'sfacefirst;-observewhatcharacteriswritteninit;-takenoticeinwhatposturehestandstohearyou;-marktheturnsandexpressionsofhisbodyandlimbs;-andforthetone,-thefirstsoundwhichcomesfromhislipswillgiveityou;andfromallthesetogetheryou\'llcompoundanaddressatonceuponthespot,whichcannotdisgusttheDuke;-theingredientsarehisown,andmostlikelytogodown。

  Well!saidI,Iwishitwellover-Cowardagain!asifmantomanwasnotequalthroughoutthewholesurfaceoftheglobe;andifinthefield-whynotfacetofaceinthecabinettoo?Andtrustme,Yorick,wheneveritisnotso,manisfalsetohimselfandbetrayshisownsuccourstentimeswherenaturedoesitonce。GototheDucdeC-withtheBastileinthylooks;-mylifeforit,thouwiltbesentbacktoParisinhalfanhourwithanescort。

  Ibelieveso,saidI-ThenI\'llgototheDuke,byheaven!withallthegaietyanddebonairnessintheworld——

  Andthereyouarewrongagain,repliedI-Aheartatease,Yorick,fliesintonoextremes-\'tiseveronitscentre-Well!

  well!criedI,asthecoachmanturn\'dinatthegates,IfindI

  shalldoverywell:andbythetimehehadwheel\'droundthecourt,andbroughtmeuptothedoor,Ifoundmyselfsomuchthebetterformyownlecture,thatIneitherascendedthestepslikeavictimtojustice,whowastopartwithlifeuponthetopmost,-nordidImountthemwithaskipandacoupleofstrides,asIdowhenI

  flyup,Eliza!totheetomeetit。

  AsIenteredthedoorofthesaloonIwasmetbyaperson,whopossiblymightbetheMAITRED\'HOTEL,buthadmoretheairofoneoftheundersecretaries,whotoldmetheDucdeC-wasbusy-I

  amutterlyignorant,saidI,oftheformsofobtaininganaudience,beinganabsolutestranger,andwhatisworseinthepresentconjunctureofaffairs,beinganEnglishmantoo-Hereplied,thatdidnotincreasethedifficulty-Imadehimaslightbow,andtoldhim,IhadsomethingofimportancetosaytoMonsieurleDuc。

  Thesecretarylook\'dtowardsthestairs,asifhewasabouttoleavemetocarryupthisaccounttosomeone-ButImustnotmisleadyou,saidI,-forwhatIhavetosayisofnomannerofimportancetoMonsieurleDucdeC——butofgreatimportancetomyself-C\'ESTUNEAUTREAFFAIRE,repliedhe-Notatall,saidI,toamanofgallantry-Butpray,goodsir,continuedI,whencanastrangerhopetohaveaccess?-Innotlessthantwohours,saidhe,lookingathiswatch。Thenumberofequipagesinthecourt-yardseemedtojustifythecalculation,thatIcouldhavenoneareraprospect;-andaswalkingbackwardsandforwardsinthesaloon,withoutasoultocommunewith,wasforthetimeasbadasbeingintheBastileitself,Iinstantlywentbacktomyremise,andbidthecoachmandrivemetotheCORDONBLEU,whichwasthenearesthotel。

  Ithinkthereisafatalityinit;-IseldomgototheplaceIsetoutfor。

  LEPATISSIER。VERSAILLES。

  BEFOREIhadgothalfwaydownthestreetIchangedmymind:asI

  amatVersailles,thoughtI,Imightaswelltakeaviewofthetown;soIpull\'dthecord,andorderedthecoachmantodriveroundsomeoftheprincipalstreets-Isupposethetownisnotverylarge,saidI-Thecoachmanbegg\'dpardonforsettingmeright,andtoldmeitwasverysuperb,andthatnumbersofthefirstdukesandmarquisesandcountshadhotels-TheCountdeB-,ofwhomthebooksellerattheQuaideContihadspokesohandsomelythenightbefore,cameinstantlyintomymind-AndwhyshouldInotgo,thoughtI,totheCountdeB-,whohassohighanideaofEnglishbooksandEnglishmen-andtellhimmystory?soIchangedmymindasecondtime-Intruthitwasthethird;forIhadintendedthatdayforMadamedeR-,intheRueSt。Pierre,andhaddevoutlysentherwordbyherFILLEDECHAMBREthatIwouldassuredlywaituponher;-butIamgovernedbycircumstances;-Icannotgovernthem:

  soseeingamanstandingwithabasketontheothersideofthestreet,asifhehadsomethingtosell,IbidLaFleurgouptohim,andenquirefortheCount\'shotel。

  LaFleurreturnedalittlepale;andtoldmeitwasaChevalierdeSt。Louissellingpates-Itisimpossible,LaFleur,saidI-LaFleurcouldnomoreaccountforthephenomenonthanmyself;butpersistedinhisstory:hehadseenthecroixsetingold,withitsredriband,hesaid,tiedtohisbuttonhole-andhadlookedintothebasketandseenthepateswhichtheChevalierwasselling;socouldnotbemistakeninthat。

  Suchareverseinman\'slifeawakensabetterprinciplethancuriosity:IcouldnothelplookingforsometimeathimasIsatintheremise:-themoreIlook\'dathim,hiscroix,andhisbasket,thestrongertheywovethemselvesintomybrain-Igotoutoftheremise,andwenttowardshim。

  Hewasbegirtwithacleanlinenapronwhichfellbelowhisknees,andwithasortofabibthatwenthalfwayuphisbreast;uponthetopofthis,butalittlebelowthehem,hunghiscroix。Hisbasketoflittlepateswascoveredoverwithawhitedamasknapkin;

  anotherofthesamekindwasspreadatthebottom;andtherewasalookofPROPRETEandneatnessthroughout,thatonemighthaveboughthispatesofhim,asmuchfromappetiteassentiment。

  Hemadeanofferofthemtoneither;butstoodstillwiththematthecornerofanhotel,forthosetobuywhochoseitwithoutsolicitation。

  Hewasaboutforty-eight;-ofasedatelook,somethingapproachingtogravity。Ididnotwonder-Iwentuprathertothebasketthanhim,andhavingliftedupthenapkin,andtakingoneofhispatesintomyhand,-Ibegg\'dhewouldexplaintheappearancewhichaffectedme。

  Hetoldmeinafewwords,thatthebestpartofhislifehadpassedintheservice,inwhich,afterspendingasmallpatrimony,hehadobtainedacompanyandthecroixwithit;butthat,attheconclusionofthelastpeace,hisregimentbeingreformed,andthewholecorps,withthoseofsomeotherregiments,leftwithoutanyprovision,hefoundhimselfinawideworldwithoutfriends,withoutalivre,-andindeed,saidhe,withoutanythingbutthis,-pointing,ashesaidit,tohiscroix-ThepoorChevalierwonmypity,andhefinishedthescenewithwinningmyesteemtoo。

  Theking,hesaid,wasthemostgenerousofprinces,buthisgenerositycouldneitherrelievenorrewardeveryone,anditwasonlyhismisfortunetobeamongstthenumber。Hehadalittlewife,hesaid,whomheloved,whodidthePATISSERIE;andadded,hefeltnodishonourindefendingherandhimselffromwantinthisway-unlessProvidencehadoffer\'dhimabetter。

  Itwouldbewickedtowithholdapleasurefromthegood,inpassingoverwhathappen\'dtothispoorChevalierofSt。Louisaboutninemonthsafter。

  Itseemsheusuallytookhisstandneartheirongateswhichleaduptothepalace,andashiscroixhadcaughttheeyesofnumbers,numbershadmadethesameenquirywhichIhaddone-Hehadtoldthemthesamestory,andalwayswithsomuchmodestyandgoodsense,thatithadreach\'datlasttheking\'sears;-who,hearingtheChevalierhadbeenagallantofficer,andrespectedbythewholeregimentasamanofhonourandintegrity,-hebrokeuphislittletradebyapensionoffifteenhundredlivresayear。

  AsIhavetoldthistopleasethereader,Ibeghewillallowmetorelateanother,outofitsorder,topleasemyself:-thetwostoriesreflectlightuponeachother,-and\'tisapitytheyshouldbeparted。

  THESWORD。RENNES。

  WHENstatesandempireshavetheirperiodsofdeclension,andfeelintheirturnswhatdistressandpovertyis,-Istopnottotellthecauseswhichgraduallybroughtthehoused\'E-,inBrittany,intodecay。TheMarquisd\'E-hadfoughtupagainsthisconditionwithgreatfirmness;wishingtopreserve,andstillshowtotheworld,somelittlefragmentsofwhathisancestorshadbeen;-

  theirindiscretionshadputitoutofhispower。TherewasenoughleftforthelittleexigenciesofOBSCURITY-ButhehadtwoboyswholookeduptohimforLIGHT;-hethoughttheydeservedit。Hehadtriedhissword-itcouldnotopentheway,-theMOUNTINGwastooexpensive,-andsimpleeconomywasnotamatchforit:-therewasnoresourcebutcommerce。

  InanyotherprovinceinFrance,saveBrittany,thiswassmitingtherootforeverofthelittletreehisprideandaffectionwish\'dtoseere-blossom-ButinBrittany,therebeingaprovisionforthis,heavail\'dhimselfofit;and,takinganoccasionwhenthestateswereassembledatRennes,theMarquis,attendedwithhistwoboys,enteredthecourt;andhavingpleadedtherightofanancientlawoftheduchy,which,thoughseldomclaim\'d,hesaid,wasnolessinforce,hetookhisswordfromhisside:-Here,saidhe,takeit;andbetrustyguardiansofit,tillbettertimesputmeinconditiontoreclaimit。

  ThepresidentacceptedtheMarquis\'ssword:hestaidafewminutestoseeitdepositedinthearchivesofhishouse-anddeparted。

  TheMarquisandhiswholefamilyembarkedthenextclayforMartinico,andinaboutnineteenortwentyyearsofsuccessfulapplicationtobusiness,withsomeunlook\'dforbequestsfromdistantbranchesofhishouse,returnhometoreclaimhisnobility,andtosupportit。

  ItwasanincidentofgoodfortunewhichwillneverhappentoanytravellerbutaSentimentalone,thatIshouldbeatRennesattheverytimeofthissolemnrequisition:Icallitsolemn;-itwassotome。

  TheMarquisenteredthecourtwithhiswholefamily:hesupportedhislady,-hiseldestsonsupportedhissister,andhisyoungestwasattheotherextremeofthelinenexthismother;-heputhishandkerchieftohisfacetwice——

  Therewasadeadsilence。WhentheMarquishadapproachedwithinsixpacesofthetribunal,hegavetheMarchionesstohisyoungestson,andadvancingthreestepsbeforehisfamily,-hereclaim\'dhissword。Hisswordwasgivenhim,andthemomenthegotitintohishandhedrewitalmostoutofthescabbard:-\'twastheshiningfaceofafriendhehadoncegivenup-helook\'dattentivelyalongit,beginningatthehilt,asiftoseewhetheritwasthesame,-

  when,observingalittlerustwhichithadcontractednearthepoint,hebroughtitnearhiseye,andbendinghisheaddownoverit,-Ithink-Isawatearfallupontheplace。Icouldnotbedeceivedbywhatfollowed。

  \"Ishallfind,\"saidhe,\"someOTHERWAYtogetitoff。\"

  WhentheMarquishadsaidthis,hereturnedhisswordintoitsscabbard,madeabowtotheguardiansofit,-and,withhiswifeanddaughter,andhistwosonsfollowinghim,walk\'dout。

  O,howIenviedhimhisfeelings!

  THEPASSPORT。VERSAILLES。

  IFOUNDnodifficultyingettingadmittancetoMonsieurleCountdeB。ThesetofShakespeareswaslaiduponthetable,andhewastumblingthemover。Iwalk\'dupclosetothetable,andgivingfirstsuchalookatthebooksastomakehimconceiveIknewwhattheywere,-ItoldhimIhadcomewithoutanyonetopresentme,knowingIshouldmeetwithafriendinhisapartment,who,I

  trusted,woulddoitforme:-itismycountryman,thegreatShakespeare,saidI,pointingtohisworks-ETAYEZLABOUTE,MON

  CHERAMI,apostrophizinghisspirit,addedI,DEMEFAIRECET

  HONNEUR-LE-

  TheCountsmiledatthesingularityoftheintroduction;andseeingIlook\'dalittlepaleandsickly,insisteduponmytakinganarm-

  chair;soIsatdown;andtosavehimconjecturesuponavisitsooutofallrule,Itoldhimsimplyoftheincidentinthebookseller\'sshop,andhowthathadimpelledmerathertogotohimwiththestoryofalittleembarrassmentIwasunder,thantoanyothermaninFrance-Andwhatisyourembarrassment?letmehearit,saidtheCount。SoItoldhimthestoryjustasIhavetolditthereader-

  Andthemasterofmyhotel,saidI,asIconcludedit,willneedshaveit,MonsieurleCount,thatIshallbesenttotheBastile;-

  butIhavenoapprehensions,continuedI;-for,infallingintothehandsofthemostpolish\'dpeopleintheworld,andbeingconsciousIwasatrueman,andnotcometospythenakednessoftheland,IscarcethoughtIlayattheirmercy-ItdoesnotsuitthegallantryoftheFrench,MonsieurleCount,saidI,toshowitagainstinvalids。

  AnanimatedblushcameintotheCountdeB-\'scheeksasIspokethis-NECRAIGNEZRIEN-Don\'tfear,saidhe-Indeed,Idon\'t,repliedIagain-Besides,continuedI,alittlesportingly,I

  havecomelaughingallthewayfromLondontoParis,andIdonotthinkMonsieurleDucdeChoiseulissuchanenemytomirthastosendmebackcryingformypains-

  Myapplicationtoyou,MonsieurleCountdeB-makinghimalowbow,istodesirehewillnot。

  TheCountheardmewithgreatgoodnature,orIhadnotsaidhalfasmuch,-andonceortwicesaid,-C\'ESTBIENDIT。SoIrestedmycausethere-anddeterminedtosaynomoreaboutit。

  TheCountledthediscourse:wetalk\'dofindifferentthings,-ofbooks,andpolitics,andmen;-andthenofwomen-Godblessthemall!saidI,aftermuchdiscourseaboutthem-thereisnotamanuponearthwholovesthemsomuchasIdo:afterallthefoiblesI

  haveseen,andallthesatiresIhavereadagainstthem,stillI

  lovethem;beingfirmlypersuadedthataman,whohasnotasortofaffectionforthewholesex,isincapableofeverlovingasingleoneasheought。

  EHBIEN!MONSIEURL\'ANGLOIS,saidtheCount,gaily;-youarenotcometospythenakednessoftheland;-Ibelieveyou;-NI

  ENCORE,Idaresay,THATofourwomen!-Butpermitmetoconjecture,-if,PARHAZARD,theyfellintoyourway,thattheprospectwouldnotaffectyou。

  Ihavesomethingwithinmewhichcannotbeartheshockoftheleastindecentinsinuation:inthesportabilityofchit-chatIhaveoftenendeavouredtoconquerit,andwithinfinitepainhavehazardedathousandthingstoadozenofthesextogether,-theleastofwhichIcouldnotventuretoasingleonetogainheaven。

  Excuseme,MonsieurleCount,saidI;-asforthenakednessofyourland,ifIsawit,Ishouldcastmyeyesoveritwithtearsinthem;-andforthatofyourwomenblushingattheideahehadexcitedinmeIamsoevangelicalinthis,andhavesuchafellow-

  feelingforwhateverisweakaboutthem,thatIwouldcoveritwithagarmentifIknewhowtothrowiton:-ButIcouldwish,continuedI,tospythenakednessoftheirhearts,andthroughthedifferentdisguisesofcustoms,climates,andreligion,findoutwhatisgoodinthemtofashionmyownby:-andthereforeamI

  come。

  Itisforthisreason,MonsieurleCount,continuedI,thatIhavenotseenthePalaisRoyal,-northeLuxembourg,-northeFacadeoftheLouvre,-norhaveattemptedtoswellthecatalogueswehaveofpictures,statues,andchurches-Iconceiveeveryfairbeingasatemple,andwouldratherenterin,andseetheoriginaldrawingsandloosesketcheshungupinit,thantheTransfigurationofRaphaelitself。

  Thethirstofthis,continuedI,asimpatientasthatwhichinflamesthebreastoftheconnoisseur,hasledmefrommyownhomeintoFrance,-andfromFrancewillleadmethroughItaly;-\'tisaquietjourneyoftheheartinpursuitofNature,andthoseaffectionswhichariseoutofher,whichmakeusloveeachother,-

  andtheworld,betterthanwedo。

  TheCountsaidagreatmanycivilthingstomeupontheoccasion;

  andaddedverypolitely,howmuchhestoodobligedtoShakespeareformakingmeknowntohim-ButAPROPOS,saidhe;-Shakespeareisfullofgreatthings;-heforgotasmallpunctilioofannouncingyourname:-itputsyouunderanecessityofdoingityourself。

  THEPASSPORT。VERSAILLES。

  THEREisnotamoreperplexingaffairinlifetome,thantosetabouttellinganyonewhoIam,-forthereisscarceanybodyI

  cannotgiveabetteraccountofthanmyself;andIhaveoftenwishedIcoulddoitinasingleword,-andhaveanendofit。ItwastheonlytimeandoccasioninmylifeIcouldaccomplishthistoanypurpose;-forShakespearelyinguponthetable,andrecollectingIwasinhisbooks,ItookupHamlet,andturningimmediatelytothegrave-diggers\'sceneinthefifthact,IlaidmyfingeruponYorick,andadvancingthebooktotheCount,withmyfingerallthewayoverthename,-MEVOICI!saidI。

  Now,whethertheideaofpoorYorick\'sskullwasputoutoftheCount\'smindbytherealityofmyown,orbywhatmagichecoulddropaperiodofsevenoreighthundredyears,makesnothinginthisaccount;-\'tiscertaintheFrenchconceivebetterthantheycombine;-Iwonderatnothinginthisworld,andthelessatthis;

  inasmuchasoneofthefirstofourownChurch,forwhosecandourandpaternalsentimentsIhavethehighestveneration,fellintothesamemistakeintheverysamecase:-\"Hecouldnotbear,\"hesaid,\"tolookintothesermonswrotebytheKingofDenmark\'sjester。\"Good,myLordsaidI;buttherearetwoYoricks。TheYorickyourLordshipthinksof,hasbeendeadandburiedeighthundredyearsago;heflourishedinHorwendillus\'scourt;-theotherYorickismyself,whohaveflourished,myLord,innocourt-

  Heshookhishead。GoodGod!saidI,youmightaswellconfoundAlexandertheGreatwithAlexandertheCoppersmith,mylord!-

  \"\'Twasallone,\"hereplied——

  IfAlexander,KingofMacedon,couldhavetranslatedyourLordship,saidI,I\'msureyourLordshipwouldnothavesaidso。

  ThepoorCountdeB-fellbutintothesameERROR-

  ET,MONSIEUR,EST-ILYORICK?criedtheCount-JELESUIS,saidI-VOUS?-MOI,-MOIQUIAIL\'HONNEURDEVOUSPARLER,MONSIEUR

  LECOMTE-MONDIEU!saidhe,embracingme,-VOUSETESYORICK!

  TheCountinstantlyputtheShakespeareintohispocket,andleftmealoneinhisroom。

  THEPASSPORT。VERSAILLES。

  ICOULDnotconceivewhytheCountdeB-hadgonesoabruptlyoutoftheroom,anymorethanIcouldconceivewhyhehadputtheShakespeareintohispocket-

  MYSTERIESWHICHMUSTEXPLAINTHEMSELVESARENOTWORTHTHELOSSOF

  TIMEWHICHACONJECTUREABOUTTHEMTAKESUP:\'twasbettertoreadShakespeare;sotakingup\"MUCHADOABOUTNOTHING,\"ItransportedmyselfinstantlyfromthechairIsatintoMessinainSicily,andgotsobusywithDonPedro,andBenedict,andBeatrice,thatI

  thoughtnotofVersailles,theCount,orthepassport。

  Sweetpliabilityofman\'sspirit,thatcanatoncesurrenderitselftoillusions,whichcheatexpectationandsorrowoftheirwearymoments!-Long,-longsincehadyenumber\'doutmydays,hadI

  nottrodsogreatapartofthemuponthisenchantedground。Whenmywayistooroughformyfeet,ortoosteepformystrength,I

  getoffit,tosomesmoothvelvetpath,whichFancyhasscatteredoverwithrosebudsofdelights;andhavingtakenafewturnsinit,comebackstrengthenedandrefresh\'d-Whenevilspresssoreuponme,andthereisnoretreatfromtheminthisworld,thenItakeanewcourse;-Ileaveit,-andasIhaveaclearerideaoftheElysianfieldsthanIhaveofheaven,Iforcemyself,likeAEneas,intothem-IseehimmeetthepensiveshadeofhisforsakenDido,andwishtorecogniseit;-Iseetheinjuredspiritwaveherhead,andturnoffsilentfromtheauthorofhermiseriesanddishonours;-

  Ilosethefeelingsformyselfinhers,andinthoseaffectionswhichwerewonttomakememournforherwhenIwasatschool。

  SURELYTHISISNOTWALKINGINAVAINSHADOW-NORDOESMANDISQUIET

  HIMSELFinvainBYIT:-heoftenerdoessointrustingtheissueofhiscommotionstoreasononly-Icansafelysayformyself,Iwasneverabletoconqueranyonesinglebadsensationinmyheartsodecisively,asbeatingupasfastasIcouldforsomekindlyandgentlesensationtofightituponitsowngroundWhenIhadgottotheendofthethirdacttheCountdeB-entered,withmypassportinhishand。MonsieurleDucdeC-,saidtheCount,isasgoodaprophet,Idaresay,asheisastatesman。UN

  HOMMEQUIRIT,saidtheDuke,NESERAJAMAISDANGEREUX-Haditbeenforanyonebuttheking\'sjester,addedtheCount,Icouldnothavegotitthesetwohours-PARDONNEZMOI,MonsieurleCount,saidI-Iamnottheking\'sjester-ButyouareYorick?-

  Yes-ETVOUSPLAISANTEZ?-Ianswered,IndeedIdidjest,-butwasnotpaidforit;-\'twasentirelyatmyownexpense。

  Wehavenojesteratcourt,MonsieurleCount,saidI;thelastwehadwasinthelicentiousreignofCharlesII。;-sincewhichtimeourmannershavebeensograduallyrefining,thatourcourtatpresentissofullofpatriots,whowishforNOTHINGbutthehonoursandwealthoftheircountry;-andourladiesareallsochaste,sospotless,sogood,sodevout,-thereisnothingforajestertomakeajestof-

  VOILAUNPERSIFLAGE!criedtheCount。

  THEPASSPORT。VERSAILLES。

  ASthepassportwasdirectedtoalllieutenant-governors,governors,andcommandantsofcities,generalsofarmies,justiciaries,andallofficersofjustice,toletMr。Yoricktheking\'sjester,andhisbaggage,travelquietlyalong,Iownthetriumphofobtainingthepassportwasnotalittletarnish\'dbythefigureIcutinit-Butthereisnothingunmix\'dinthisworld;

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