TomeheseemsveryunworthytobeHester\'slover，forsheisabeautifulwomanoffleshandblood。Mr。Dimmesdalewasnotonlyimmoral；hewasunsportsmanlike。Hehadnomorepluckthanachurch-mouse。Hismiserablepassionwasdegradedbyitsbrevity；
howcouldheseethiswoman\'sdisgraceforsevenlongyears，andneverpluckuphearteithertosharehershameorpeccareforliter？
Heisalayfigure，verycleverly，butsomewhatconventionallymadeandpainted。ThevengefulhusbandofHester，RogerChillingworth，isaMr。Casaubonstungintojealousanger。Buthisattitude，watchingeverbyDimmesdale，tormentinghim，andyetinhisconfidence，andeverunsuspected，remindsoneofaconceptiondeartoDickens。Heusesitin\"DavidCopperfield，\"whereMr。Micawberofallpeople!playsthistrickonUriahHeep；heusesitin\"HuntedDown\"；hewasaboutusingitin\"EdwinDrood\"；heuseditoldMartinandPecksniffin\"MartinChuzzlewit。\"ThepersonofRogerChillingworthandhisconductarealittletoomelodramaticforHawthorne\'sgenius。
InDickens\'smanner，too，isHawthorne\'slongsarcasticaddresstoJudgePyncheonin\"TheHouseoftheSevenGables\"，asthejudgesitsdeadinhischair，withhiswatchtickinginhishand。
OccasionallyachanceremarkremindsoneofDickens；thisforexample:Heistalkingoflarge，blackoldbooksofdivinity，andoftheirsuccessors，tinybooks，Elzevirsperhaps。\"Theselittleoldvolumesimpressedmeasiftheyhadbeenintendedforverylargeones，buthadbeenunfortunatelyblightedatanearlystageoftheirgrowth。\"ThismightalmostdeceivetheelectasapieceofthetrueBoz。Theirwidelydifferenttalentsdidreallyintersecteachotherwheretheperverse，thegrotesque，andtheterribledwell。
Tomyself\"TheHouseoftheSevenGables\"hasalwaysappearedthemostbeautifulandattractiveofHawthorne\'snovels。Heactuallygivesusalovestory，andcondescendstoaprettyheroine。Thecurseof\"Maule\'sBlood\"isagoodoldromanticidea，terriblyhandled。Thereismoreoflightness，andofacobwebbydustyhumourinHepzibahPyncheon，thedecayedladyshopkeeper，thanHawthornecommonlycarestodisplay。Doyoucareforthe\"firstlover，\"thePhotographer\'sYoungMan？Itmaybeconventionalprejudice，butIseemtoseehimgoingaboutonatricycle，andI
don\'tthinkhimtherightpersonforPhoebe。Perhapsitisreallythebeautiful，gentle，oppressedCliffordwhohauntsone\'smemorymost，akindoftragicandthwartedHaroldSkimpole。\"Howpleasant，howdelightful，\"hemurmured，butnotasifaddressinganyone。
\"Willitlast？Howbalmytheatmospherethroughthatopenwindow!
Anopenwindow!Howbeautifulthatplayofsunshine。Thoseflowers，howveryfragrant!Thatyounggirl\'sface，howcheerful，howblooming。Aflowerwiththedewonit，andsunbeamsinthedewdrops……\"ThiscomparisonwithSkimpolemaysoundlikeanunkindcriticismofClifford\'scharacterandplaceinthestory——itisonlyachancenoteofachanceresemblance。
Indeed，itmaybethatHawthornehimselfwasawareoftheresemblance。\"AnindividualofClifford\'scharacter，\"heremarks，\"canalwaysbeprickedmoreacutelythroughhissenseofthebeautifulandharmoniousthanthroughhisheart。\"Andhesuggeststhat，ifCliffordhadnotbeensolonginprison，hisaestheticzeal\"mighthaveeatenoutorfiledawayhisaffections。\"ThiswaswhatbefellHaroldSkimpole——himself\"inprisonsoften\"——atCoavinses!TheJudgePyncheonofthetaleisalsoamasterlystudyofswaggeringblack-heartedrespectability，andthen，inadditiontoallthepoetryofhisstyle，andthecharmofhishauntedair，Hawthornefavoursuswithabraveconclusionofthegoodsort，theoldsort。Theycomeintomoney，theymarry，theyarehappyeverafter。Thisisdoingthingshandsomely，thoughsomeofourmodernnoveliststhinkitcoarseanddegrading。Hawthornedidnotthinkso，andtheyarenotexactlybetterartiststhanHawthorne。
Yethe，too，hadhiseconomies，whichweresent。IdonotmeanhisnottellinguswhatitwasthatRogerChillingworthsawonArthurDimmesdale\'sbarebreast。Toleavethatvagueisquitelegitimate。
ButwhathadMiriamandthespectreoftheCatacombsdone？Whowasthespectre？Whatdidhewant？TohavetoldallthiswouldhavebeenbetterthantofillthenovelwithpaddingaboutRome，sculpture，andtheEthicsofArt。Asthesillysayingruns:\"thepeoplehasarighttoknow\"aboutMiriamandherghostlyacquaintance。{10}Butthe\"MarbleFaun\"isnotofHawthorne\'sbestperiod，beautifulasareahundredpassagesinthetale。
Beautifulpassagesareascommoninhisproseasgoldintherichestquartz。HowexcellentarehiswordsonthefirstfaintbutcertainbreathofAutumnintheair，felt，perhaps，earlyinJuly。
\"AndthencameAutumn，withhisimmenseburthenofapples，droppingthemcontinuallyfromhisoverladenshouldersashetrudgedalong。\"
KeatsmighthavewrittensoofAutumnintheorchards——ifKeatshadbeenwritingprose。
Therearegeniusesmoresunny，large，andgladthanHawthorne\'s，nonemoreoriginal，moresurefooted，inhisownrealmofmoonlightandtwilight。
CHAPTERXI:THEPARADISEOFPOETS
WeweretalkingofLove，Constancy，theIdeal。\"Whoeverlovedlikethepoets？\"criedLadyVioletLebas，herpure，palecheekflushing。\"Ah，ifeverIamtolove，heshallbeasinger!\"
\"Tenorsarepopular，very，\"saidLordWalter。
\"Imeanapoet，\"sheansweredwitheringly。
NearthemstoodMr。Witham，theauthorof\"Heart\'sChordsTangled。\"
\"Ah，\"saidhe，\"thatremindsme。Ihavebeentryingtocatchitallthemorning。Thatremindsmeofmydream。\"
\"Tellusyourdream，\"murmuredLadyVioletLebas，andhetoldit。
\"Itwasthroughanunfortunatebutpardonableblunder，\"saidMr。
Witham，\"thatIdied，andreachedtheParadiseofPoets。Ihad，indeed，publishedvolumesofverse，butwiththemostblamelessmotives。Otherpoetswerecontinuallysendingmetheirs，and，asI
couldnotadmirethem，anddidnotliketoreplybycriticalremarks，Isimplyprintedsomerhymesforthepurposeofsendingthemtothegentlemenwhofavouredmewiththeirs。Ialwayswroteonthefly-leafaquotationfromthe\"Iliad，\"aboutgivingcopperinexchangeforgold；andthefewpoetswhocouldreadGreekweregratified，whiletheothers，probably，thoughtacomplimentwasintended。Nothingcouldbelessculpableorpretentious，but，throughsomemistakeonthepartofCharon，IwasdraftedofftotheParadiseofPoets。
\"OutsidetheGoldenGateanumberofShadowswerewaiting，indifferentattitudesofdepressionandlanguor。BaviusandMaeviuswerethere，stillcomplainingof\'cliques，\'railingatHoraceforamererhymerofsociety，andatVirgilasaplagiarist，\'TakeawayhiscribsfromHomerandApolloniusRhodius，\'quothhonestMaevius，\'andwhatisthereleftofhim？\'Ialsometasocietyofgentlemen，inGreekcostume，ofvariousages，fromahalf-nakedminstrelwithatortoiseshelllyreinhishandtoanelegantoftheageofPericles。Theyallconsortedtogether，talkingvariousdialectsofAeolic，Ionian，AtticGreek，andsoforth，whichwereplainlynotintelligibletoeachother。Iventuredtoaskoneofthecompanywhohewas，buthe，withasweepofhishand，said，\'WeareHomer!\'WhenIexpressedmyregretandsurprisethattheGoldenGatehadnotyetopenedforsodistinguished，thoughcollective，anartist，myfriendansweredthat，accordingtoFick，Peppmuller，andmanyotherlearnedmen，theywereHomer。\'ButanimpostorfromChioshasgotinsomehow，\'hesaid；\'theydon\'tpaytheleastattentiontotheGermansintheParadiseofPoets。\'
\"AtthismomenttheGoldenGateswerethrownapart，andafairlady，inanearlyItaliancostume，carryingalaurelinherhand，appearedattheentrance。AlltheShadowslookedupwithanairofwearyexpectation，likepeoplewaitingfortheirturninadoctor\'sconsulting-room。Shebeckonedtome，however，andImadehastetofollowher。Thewords\'Charlatan!\'\'Youapoet!\'inavarietyoflanguages，greetedmebywayoffarewellfromtheShadows。
\"\'TherenownedLaura，ifIamnotmistaken，\'Iventuredtoremark，recognisingher，indeed，fromtheminiatureintheLaurentianlibraryatFlorence。
\"Shebowed，andIbegantoaskforheradorer，Petrarch。
\"\'Excuseme，\'saidLaura，asweglideddownamossypath，undertheshadeoftreesparticularlydeartopoets，\'excuseme，butthesonneteerofwhomyouspeakisonewhosenameIcannotbeartomention。HisconductwithBurns\'sClarinda，hisheartlessinfatuationforStella——\'
\"\'Youastonishme，\'Isaid。\'IntheParadiseofPoets——\'
\"\'Theyarepoetsstill——incorrigible!\'answeredthelady；thenslightlyraisinghervoiceofsilver，asabeautifulappearanceinatogadrewnear，shecried\'Catullomio!\'
\"Thegreetingbetweentheseaccomplishedghostswastookindlytoleaveroomfordoubtastotheardouroftheiraffections。
\"\'Willyou，myCatullus，\'murmuredLaura，\'explaintothispoetfromthelandoffogs，anymatterswhich，tohim，mayseempuzzlingandunfamiliarinourParadise？\'
\"TheVeronese，withacharmingsmile，tookmyhand，andledmetoashadowyarbour，whenceweenjoyedaprospectofmanyriversandmountainsinthepoets\'heaven。AmongtheseIrecognisedthetriplecrestoftheEildons，GrongarHill，CithaeronandEtna；
whilethereed-fringedwatersoftheMinciusflowedmusicallybetweenthebanksandbraeso\'bonnyDoontojointheTweed。
Blitheghostswerewanderingby，inallvarietiesofapparel，andI
distinctlyobservedDante\'sBeatrice，leaninglovingonthearmofSirPhilipSidney，whileDantewascloselyengagedinconversationwiththelostLenore，celebratedbyMr。EdgarAllanPoe。
\"\'InwhatcanmyknowledgeoftheParadiseofPoetsbeserviceabletoyou，sir？\'saidCatullus，asheflunghimselfatthefeetofLaura，onthevelvetgrass。
\"\'Iamdisinclinedtoseemimpertinentlycurious，\'Ianswered，\'buttheladiesinthisfair，smilingcountry——havethegodsmadethempoetical？\'
\"\'Notgenerally，\'repliedCatullus。\'Indeed，ifyouwouldbewellwiththem，Imaywarnyounevertomentionpoetryintheirhearing。
Theynevercaredforitwhileonearth，andinthisplaceitisatopicwhichtheprudentcarefullyavoidamongladies。Totellthetruth，theyhavehadtolistentofartoomuchpoetry，andtoomanydiscussionsonthecaesura。Thereare，indeed，afewladypoets——
veryfew。Sappho，forexample；indeedIcannotrecallanyotheratthismoment。TheresultisthatPhaon，ofalltheshadowshere，isthemostdistinguishedbythefair。Hewasnotapoet，youknow；
hegotinonaccountofSappho，whoadoredhim。Theyareestrangednow，ofcourse。\'
\"\'Youinterestmedeeply，\'Ianswered。\'Andnow，willyoukindlytellmewhytheseladiesarehere，iftheywerenotpoets？\'
\"\'Thewomenthatwereouridealswhilewedweltonearth，thewomenwelovedbutneverwon，or，atallevents，neverwedded，theyforwhomwesighedwhileinthearmsofarecognisedandlegitimateaffection，havebeenchosenbytheOlympianstokeepuscompanyinParadise!\'
\"\'Thenwherefore，\'Iinterrupted，\'doIseeRobertBurnsloiteringwiththatladyinaruff，——Cassandra，Imakenodoubt——Ronsard\'sCassandra？AndwhyistheincomparableClarindainseparablefromPetrarch；andMissPattyBlount，Pope\'sflame，fromtheSyrianMeleager，whileHISHeliodoreismanifestlydevotedtoMr。Emerson，whom，bytheway，Iamdelighted，ifrathersurprised，toseehere？\'
\"\'Ah，\'saidCatullus，\'youareanew-comeramongus。Poetswillbepoets，andnosoonerhavetheyattainedtheirdesire，anddweltinthecompanyoftheirearthlyIdeals，thantheyfeelstrangely，yetirresistiblydrawntoAnother。Soitwasinlife，soitwilleverbe。NoIdealcansurviveadailycompanionship，andfortunateisthepoetwhodidnotmarryhisfirstlove!\'
\"\'Asfarasthatgoes，\'Ianswered，\'mostofyouwerehighlyfavoured；indeed，IdonotrememberanypoetwhoseIdealwashiswife，orwhosefirstloveledhimtothealtar。\'
\"\'Iwasnotamarryingmanmyself，\'answeredtheVeronese；\'fewofuswere。Myself，Horace，Virgil——wewereallbachelors。\'
\"\'AndLesbia!\'
\"Isaidthisinalowvoice，forLaurawasweavingbayintoachaplet，andinattentivetoourconversation。
\"\'PoorLesbia!\'saidCatullus，withasuppressedsigh。\'HowI
misjudgedthatgirl!Howcruel，howcauselessweremyreproaches，\'
andwildlyrendinghiscurledlocksandlaurelcrown，hefledintoathicket，whencetheresoonarosethemelancholynotesoftheAusonianlyre。\'
\"\'Heisincorrigible，\'saidLaura，verycoldly；andshedeliberatelybegantotearandtossawaythefragmentsofthechapletshehadbeenweaving。\'Ishallneverbreakhimofthathabitofversifying。Buttheyareallalike。\'
\"\'Istherenobodyhere，\'saidI，\'whoishappywithhisIdeal——
nobodybuthasexchangedIdealswithsomeotherpoet？\'
\"\'Thereisone，\'shesaid。\'Hecomesofanortherntribe；andinhislife-timeheneverrhymeduponhisunattainablelady，orifrhymehedid，theaccentsnevercarriedhernametotheearsofthevulgar。Lookthere。\'
\"Shepointedtotheriveratourfeet，andIknewthemountedfigurethatwasridingtheford，withagreen-mantledladybesidehimliketheFairyQueen。
\"SurelyIhadreadofher，andknewher-
\"\'Shewhoseblueeyestheirsecrettold，Thoughshadedbyherlocksofgold。\'
\"\'Theyaredifferent；Iknownotwhy。Theyareconstant，\'saidLaura，andrisingwithanairofchagrin，shedisappearedamongtheboughsofthetreesthatbearhername。
\"\'Unhappyheartsofpoets，\'Imused。\'Lightthingsandsacredtheyare，butevenintheirParadise，andamongtheirchosen，witheverywishfulfilled，andunitedtotheirbeloved，theycannotbeatrest!\'
\"Thusmoralising，Iwendedmywaytoacrag，whencetherewasawideprospect。Certainpoetswerestandingthere，lookingdownintoanabyss，andtothemIjoinedmyself。
\"\'Ah，Icannotbearit!\'saidavoice，and，asheturnedaway，hisbrowalreadyclearing，hispainalreadyforgotten，IbeheldtheaugustformofShakespeare。
\"Markingmycuriositybeforeitwasexpressed，heansweredtheunutteredquestion。
\"\'ThatisasightforPagans，\'hesaid，\'andmaygivethempleasure。ButmyParadisewereembitteredifIhadtowatchthesorrowsofothers，andtheirtorments，howeverwelldeserved。Theothersaregazingonthepurgatoryofcriticsandcommentators。\'
\"Hepassedfromme，andIjoinedthe\'Ionianfatheroftherest\'——
Homer，who，withacountenanceofunspeakablemajesty，wasseatedonathroneofrock，betweentheMantuanVirgilofthelaurelcrown，Hugo，Sophocles，Milton，Lovelace，Tennyson，andShelley。
\"AttheirfeetIbeheld，inavastandgloomyhall，manyanhonestcritic，manyaneruditecommentator，anarmyofreviewers。Somewerecondemnedtorolllogsupinsuperableheights，whencetheydescendedthunderingtotheplain。Othersweresettoimpositions，andIparticularlyobservedthattheHomericcommentatorswereobligedtowriteoutthe\"Iliad\"and\"Odyssey\"intheircompleteshape，andwerealwaysdrivenbyfiendstothetaskwhentheyprayedforthebarecharityofbeingpermittedtoleaveoutthe\'interpolations。\'Others，fearfultonarrate，weretornintoasmanyfragmentsastheyhadmadeoftheseimmortalepics。Others，suchasAristarchus，werespittedontheirowncriticalsignsofdisapproval。Manyreviewerswerecompelledtoreadthebookswhichtheyhadcriticisedwithoutperusal，anditwasterribletowatchtheagoniesoftheworthypressmenwhoweresettothisunwontedtask。\'Maywenotbeletoffwiththepreface？\'theycriedinpiteousaccents。\'Maywenotglanceatthetableofcontentsandbedonewithit？\'ButthepresidingdemonswhohadbeenExaminersinthebodilylifedrovethemremorselesstotheirtoils。
\"AmongthecondemnedIcouldnotbutwitness，withsympathy，thepunishmentreservedfortranslators。ThetranslatorsofVirgil，inparticular，wereavastandmotleyassemblageofmostrespectablemen。Bishopswerethere，fromGawainDouglasdownwards；Judges，intheirermine；professors，clergymen，civilservants，writhinginallthetorturesthattheblankverse，theanapaesticmeasure，themetreofthe\"LayoftheLastMinstrel，\"theheroiccoupletandsimilardevicescaninflict。ForallthesemenhadlovedVirgil，thoughnotwisely:andnowtheirpenancewastoheareachotherreadtheirowntranslations。\"
\"Thatmusthavebeenmorethantheycouldbear，\"saidLadyViolet\"Yes，\"saidMr。Witham；\"Ishouldknow，fordownIfellintoTartaruswithacrash，andwrithedamongtheTranslators。\"
\"Why？\"askedLadyViolet。
\"BecauseIhavetranslatedTheocritus!\"
\"Mr。Witham，\"saidLadyViolet，\"didyoumeetyouridealwomanwhenyouwereintheParadiseofPoets？\"
\"Sheyetwalksthisearth，\"saidthebard，withatoosignificantbow。
LadyVioletturnedcoldlyaway。
***
Mr。WithamwasneverinvitedtotheBluesagain——thenameofLordAzure\'splaceinKent。
ThePoetisshutoutofParadise。
CHAPTERXII:PARISANDHELEN
Thefirstnameinromance，themostancientandthemostenduring，isthatofArgiveHelen。Duringthreethousandyearsfairwomenhavebeenborn，havelived，andbeenloved，\"thattheremightbeasongintheearsofmenoflatertime，\"but，comparedtotherenownofHelen，theirgloryisdim。Cleopatra，whoheldtheworld\'sfateinherhands，andlayinthearmsofCaesar；MaryStuartMariaVerticordia，forwhosesake，asanorthernnovelisttells，peasantshavelainawake，sorrowingthatsheisdead；AgnesSorel，FairRosamond，labelleStuart，\"thePompadourandtheParabere，\"
canstillenchantusfromthepageofhistoryandchronicle。\"Zeusgavethembeauty，whichnaturallyrulesevenstrengthitself，\"toquotetheGreekoratoronthemistressofthemall，onherwho，havingneverlived，canneverdie，theDaughteroftheSwan。
WhileHelenenjoysthisimmortality，andistheidealofbeautyuponearth，itiscurioustoreflectonthemoderniteofherstory，theoldestofthelovestoriesoftheworld。InHomerwefirstmeether，thefairestofwomeninthesongofthegreatestofpoets。ItmightalmostseemasifHomermeanttojustify，byhisdealingwithHelen，someofthemostrecenttheoriesofliteraryart。Inthe\"Iliad\"and\"Odyssey\"thetaleofHeleniswithoutabeginningandwithoutanend，likeafriezeonaGreektemple。Shecrossesthestageasafigurefamiliartoall，thepoet\'saudienceclearlydidnotneedtobetoldwhoHelenwas，noranythingaboutheryouth。
ThefamousjudgmentofParis，thebeginningofeviltoAchaeansandIlianmen，isonlymentionedoncebyHomer，late，andinapassageofdoubtfulauthenticity。Ofherreconciliationtoherweddedlord，Menelaus，notawordissaid；ofherendwearetoldnomorethanthatforherandhimamansioninElysiumisprepared-
\"Wherefallsnothail，orrain，oranysnow。\"
WeleaveherhappyinArgos，asmileonherlips，agiftinherhands，aswemetherinTroy，beautiful，adoreddespiteherguilt，assweetinherrepentanceasinherunvexedArgivehome。Womenseldommentionher，intheepic，butwithhorrorandanger；menneveraddressherbutingentlecourtesy。Whatishersecret？HowdidsheleaveherhomewithParis——beguiledbylove，bymagic，ordrivenbytheimplacableAphrodite？Homerissilentonallofthesethings；thesethings，doubtless，wereknownbyhisaudience。
InhispoemHelenmovesasathingofsimplegrace，courtesy，andkindness，savewhensherebelsagainstherdoom，afterseeingherloverflyfromherhusband\'sspear。HadweonlyHomer，byfarourearliestliterarysource，weshouldknowlittleoftheromanceofHelen；shouldonlyknowthatalawlesslovebroughtruinonTroyandsorrowontheAchaeans；andthisisthrownout，withnomoralcomment，withoutpraiseorblame。Theend，welearn，waspeace，andbeautywasreconciledtolife。Thereisnoexplanation，nodenouement；andweknowhowmuchdenouementandexplanationshamperedScottandShakespeare。FromthesetrammelsHomerisfree，asagodisfreefrommortallimitations。
Allthismanneroftellingatale——amannersoancient，sooriginal——isakin，inpractice，torecenttheoriesofwhatartshouldbe，andwhatartseldomis，perhapsneveris，inmodernhands。
Modernenough，again，isthechoiceofamarriedwomanfortheheroineoftheearliestlovetale。ApolloniusRhodiussingsandnomanhaseversungsowellofamaiden\'slove；Virgil，ofawidow\'s；Homer，oflovethathasdefiedlaw，blindlyobedienttodestiny，whichdominatesevenZeus。Onceagain，Helenisnotaveryyounggirl；ungallantchronologistshaveattributedtoherI
knownotwhatage。WethinkofherasabouttheageoftheVenusofMilo；intruth，shewas\"agelessandimmortal。\"Homerneverdescribesherbeauty；weonlyseeitreflectedintheeyesoftheoldmen，whiteandweak，thin-voicedascicalas:buthersisaloveliness\"toturnanoldmanyoung。\"\"Itisnomarvel，\"theysay，\"thatforhersakeTrojansandAchaeansslayeachother。\"
Shewasembroideringatavastweb，workingingoldandscarletthesorrowsthatforhersakebefellmankind，whentheycalledhertothewallstoseeParisfightMenelaus，inthelastyearofthewar。
Thereshestands，inraimentofsilverywhite，herheartyearningforheroldloveandherowncity。AlreadyherthoughtisfarfromParis。WasherhearteverwithParis？Thatishersecret。Averyoldlegend，mentionedbytheBishopofThessalonica，Eustathius，tellsusthatParismagicallybeguiledher，disguisedintheformofMenelaus，herlord，asUtherbeguiledYgerne。SheseesthesonofPriamplaythedastardinthefight；sheturnsinwrathonAphrodite，whowouldlureherbacktohisarms；buttohisarmsshemustgo，\"forthedaughterofZeuswasafraid。\"Violenceisputuponbeauty；itissoiled，orseemssoiled，initswaythroughtheworld。HelenurgesParisagainintothewar。Hehasaheartinvinciblylightandgay；shamedoesnotweighonhim。\"Noteverymanisvalianteveryday，\"hesays；yetonceengagedinbattle，hebearshimbravely，andhisarrowsraindeathamongthemail-cladAchaeans。
WhatHomerthinksofPariswecanonlyguess。HisbeautyisthebaneofIlios；butHomerforgivessomuchtobeauty。Intheendofthe\"Iliad，\"HelensingstheimmortaldirgeoverHector，thestainlessknight，\"withthylovingkindnessandthygentlespeech。\"
Inthe\"Odyssey，\"sheisathomeagain，playingthegraciouspartofhostesstoOdysseus\'swanderingson，pouringintothebowlthemagicherbofEgypt，\"whichbringsforgetfulnessofsorrow。\"ThewanderingsonofOdysseusdepartswithagiftforhisbride，\"towearuponthedayofherdesire，amemorialofthehandsofHelen，\"
thebeautifulhands，thatinTroyorArgoswereneveridle。
OfHelen，fromHomer，weknownomore。Grace，penitenceinexile，peaceathome，thesearetheportionofherwhosetEastandWestatwarandruinedthecityofPriamoftheashenspear。AsinthestrangelegendpreservedbyServius，thecommentatoronVirgil，whotellsusthatHelenworeared\"star-stone，\"whencefellgoutsofbloodthatvanishederetheytouchedherswan\'s
Theseuscarriedheroff；herbrothersrescuedher。AlltheprincesofAchaeacompetedforherhand，havingfirsttakenanoathtoavengewhomsoevershemightchooseforherhusband。Thechoicefellonthecorrectandhonourable，butratherinconspicuous，Menelaus，andtheydweltinSparta，besidetheEurotas，\"inahollowoftheriftedhills。\"Then，fromacrossthesea，camethebeautifulandfatalParis，sonofPriam，KingofTroy。Asachild，Parishadbeenexposedonthemountains，becausehismotherdreamedthatshebroughtforthafirebrand。Hewasrescuedandfosteredbyashepherd；hetendedtheflocks；helovedthedaughterofarivergod，OEnone。ThencamethenakedGoddesses，toseekatthehandofthemostbeautifulofmortalstheprizeofbeauty。Aphroditewonthegoldenapplefromthequeenofheaven，Hera，andfromtheGoddessofwarandwisdom，Athena，bribingthejudgebythepromiseofthefairestwifeintheworld。Noincidentismorefrequentlycelebratedinpoetryandart，towhichitlendssuchgraciousopportunities。PariswaslaterrecognisedasoftheroyalbloodofTroy。HecametoLacedaemononanembassy，hesawHelen，anddestinyhaditsway。
Concerningthedetailsinthismostancientlove-story，welearnnothingfromHomer，whomerelymakesParisremindHelenoftheirbridalnightintheisleofCranae。ButfromHomerwelearnthatPariscarriedoffnotonlythewifeofMenelaus，butmanyofhistreasures。Tothepoetofthe\"Iliad，\"thepsychologyofthewooingwouldhaveseemedasimplematter。Likethelatervase-
painters，hewouldhaveshownusParisbesideHelen，Aphroditestandingnear，accompaniedbythefigureofPeitho——Persuasion。
HomeralwaysescapesourpsychologicalproblemsbythrowingtheweightofourdeedsandmisdeedsonaGodoraGoddess，orondestiny。Tohavefledfromherlordandheronechild，Hermione，wasnotinkeepingwiththecharacterofHelenasHomerdrawsit。
HerrepentanceisalmostChristianinitsexpression，andrepentanceindicatesaconsciousnessofsinandofshame，whichHelenfrequentlyprofesses。Thusshe，atleast，doesnot，likeHomer，inhischivalrousway，throwalltheblameontheImmortalsandondestiny。ThecheerfulacquiescenceofHelenindestinymakespartofthecomicelementinLaBelleHelene，butthemirthonlyarisesoutoftheincongruitybetweenParisianideasandthoseofancientGreece。
Helenisfreelyandbitterlyblamedinthe\"Odyssey\"byPenelope，chieflybecauseoftheruinousconsequenceswhichfollowedherflight。Still，thereisonepassage，whenPenelopeprudentlyhesitatesaboutrecognisingherreturnedlord，whichmakesitjustpossiblethatalegendchronicledbyEustathiuswasknowntoHomer，——namely，thetalealreadymentioned，thatParisbeguiledherintheshapeofMenelaus。Theincidentisveryold，asinthestoryofZeusandAmphitryon，andmightbeusedwheneveralady\'scharacterneededtobesaved。Butthisanecdote，onthewhole，isinconsistentwiththerepentanceofHelen，andisnotinHomer\'smanner。
Theearlylyricpoet，Stesichorus，issaidtohavewrittenharshlyagainstHelen。Shepunishedhimbyblindness，andheinditedapalinode，explainingthatitwasnotshewhowenttoTroy，butawomanfashionedinherlikeness，byZeus，outofmistandlight。
TherealHelenremainedsafelyandwithhonourinEgypt。Euripideshasmadethisidea，whichwascalculatedtopleasehim，thegroundworkofhis\"Helena，\"butitneverhadastrongholdontheGreekimagination。Modernfancyispleasedbythepictureofthecloud-brideinTroy，GreeksandTrojansdyingforaphantasm。
\"Shadowsweare，andshadowswepursue。\"
Concerningthelaterfeats，andthedeathofParis，Homersaysverylittle。HeslewAchillesbyanarrow-shotintheScaeangate，andprophecywasfulfilled。Hehimselffellbyanothershaft，perhapsthepoisonedshaftofPhiloctetes。Inthefourthorfifthcenturyofoureraalatepoet，QuintusSmyrnaeus，describedParis\'sjourney，inquestofahealingspell，totheforsakenOEnone，andherrefusaltoaidhim；herdeathonhisfuneralpyre。Quintusisapoetofextraordinarymeritforhisage，andscarcelydeservesthereproachoflazinessaffixedonhimbyLordTennyson。
Onthewhole，Homerseemstohaveakindofhalf-contemptuouslikingforthebeautifulParis。Laterartrepresentshimasabowmanofgirlishcharms，wearingaPhrygiancap。Thereisalatelegendthathehadason，Corythus，byOEnone，andthathekilledtheladinamomentofjealousy，findinghimwithHelenandfailingtorecognisehim。OnthedeathofParis，perhapsbyvirtueofthecustomoftheLevirate，Helenbecamethewifeofhisbrother，Deiphobus。
HowherreconciliationwithMenelauswasbroughtaboutwedonotlearnfromHomer，who，inthe\"Odyssey，\"acceptsitasafact。Theearliesttraditionalhintonthesubjectisgivenbythefamous\"CofferofCypselus，\"aworkoftheseventhcentury，B。C。，whichPausaniassawatOlympia，inA。D。174。Here，onabandofivory，wasrepresented，amongotherscenesfromthetaleofTroy，Menelausrushing，swordinhand，toslayHelen。AccordingtoStesichorus，thearmywasabouttostoneherafterthefallofIlios，butrelented，amazedbyherbeauty。
OfherlaterlifeinLacedaemon，nothingisknownonreallyancientauthority，andlatertraditionsvary。TheSpartansshowedhersepulchreandhershrineatTherapnae，whereshewasworshipped。
HerodotustellsushowHelen，asaGoddess，appearedinhertempleandhealedadeformedchild，makingherthefairestwomaninSparta，inthereignofAriston。Itmay，perhaps，beconjecturedthatinSparta，HelenoccupiedtheplaceofalocalAphrodite。InanotherlatestoryshedwellsintheisleofLeuke，ashadowybrideoftheshadowyAchilles。ThemockingLucian，inhisVeraHistoria，meetsHelenintheFortunateIslands，whencesheelopeswithoneofhiscompanions。Again，thesonsofMenelaus，byaconcubine，weresaidtohavedrivenHelenfromSpartaonthedeathofherlord，andshewasmurderedinRhodes，bythevengeanceofPolyxo，whosehusbandfellatTroy。But，amongalltheseinventions，thatofHomerstandsoutpre-eminent。HelenandMenelausdonotdie，theyaretoonearakintoZeus；theydwellimmortal，notamongtheshadowsofheroesandoffamousladiesdeadandgone，butinElysium，theparadiseattheworld\'send，unvisitedbystorms。
\"Beyondthesevoicesthereispeace。\"
Itisplainthat，asalove-story，thetaleofParisandHelenmusttomodernreadersseemmeagre。ToGreece，ineveryage，themaininterestlaynotinthepassionofthebeautifulpair，butinitsworld-wideconsequences:theclashofEuropeandAsia，thedeathsofkings，theruinwroughtintheirhomes，theconsequentfallofthegreatandancientAchaeancivilisation。TotheGreeks，theTrojanwarwaswhattheCrusadesareinlaterhistory。AsintheCrusades，theWestassailedtheEastforanideal，nottorecovertheHolySepulchreofourreligion，buttowinbackthelivingtypeofbeautyandofcharm。Perhaps，erethesungrowscold，menwillnomorebelieveintheCrusades，asanhistoricalfact，thanwedointhesiegeofTroy。Inasense，averyobvioussense，themythofHelenisaparableofHellenichistory。Theysoughtbeauty，andtheyfoundit；theyboreithome，and，withbeauty，theirbane。
WhereverHelenwent\"shebroughtcalamity，\"inthisatypeofallthefamousandpeerlessladiesofolddays，ofCleopatraandofMaryStuart。RomanceandpoetryhavenothinglessplausiblethanthepartwhichCleopatraactuallyplayedinthehistoryoftheworld，aworldwelllostbyMarkAntonyforhersake。TheflightfromActiummightseemasmuchamerepoet\'sdreamasthegatheringoftheAchaeansatAulis，ifwewerenotcertainthatitistrulychronicled。
Fromtheearliesttimes，evenfromtimesbeforeHomerwhoseaudienceissupposedtoknowallaboutHelen，theimaginationofGreece，andlater，theimaginationofthecivilisedworld，hasplayedaroundHelen，devisingaboutherallthatpossiblycouldbedevised。ShewasthedaughterofZeusbyNemesis，orbyLeda；orthedaughteroftheswan，orachildofthechangefulmoon，broodingon\"theformlessandmulti-formwaters。\"Shecouldspeakinthevoicesofallwomen，henceshewasnamed\"Echo，\"andwemightfancythat，likethewitchoftheBrocken，shecouldappeartoeverymaninthelikenessofhisownfirstlove。TheancientEgyptianseitherknewher，orinventedlegendsofhertoamusetheinquiringGreeks。ShehadtouchedatSidon，andperhapsAstarothisonlyherSidonianname。Whatevercouldbetoldofbeauty，initscharm，itsperils，thedangerswithwhichitsurroundsitslovers，thepuritywhichitretains，unsmirchedbyallthesinsthataredoneforbeauty\'ssake，couldbetoldofHelen。
Likeagoldencup，asM。PauldeSt。Victorsays，shewascarriedfromlipstolipsofheroes，butthegoldremainsunsulliedandunalloyed。Toheavenshereturnsagain，toheavenwhichisherown，andlooksdownserenelyonmenslain，andwomenwidowed，andsinkingships，andburningtowns。Yetwithdeathshegivesimmortalitybyherkiss，andParisandMenelauslive，becausetheyhavetouchedthelipsofHelen。ThroughthegraceofHelen，forwhomhefell，Sarpedon\'smemoryendures，andAchillesandMemnon，thesonoftheMorning，andTroyismoreimperishablethanCarthage，orRome，orCorinth，thoughHelen\"BurntthetoplesstowersofIlium。\"
Inonebriefpassage，MarlowedidmorethanallpoetssinceStesichorus，or，atleastsincetheepithalamiumofTheocritus，forthegloryofHelen。Romanpoetsknewherbestasanenemyoftheirfabulousancestors，andinthe\"AEneid，\"Virgil\'sherodrawshisswordtoslayher。ThroughtheMiddleAges，intheromancesofTroy，shewandersasashiningshadowoftheideallyfair，likeGuinevere，whosooftenrecallsherintheArthurianromances。ThechivalrousmediaevalpoetsandtheCeltscouldunderstandbetterthantheRomansthephilosophyof\"theworldwelllost\"forlove。
Modernpoetry，eveninGoethe\'s\"SecondpartofFaust，\"hasnotbeenveryfortunatelyinspiredbyHelen，exceptinthefewlineswhichshespeaksin\"TheDreamofFairWomen。\"
\"Ihadgreatbeauty；askthounotmyname。\"
Mr。WilliamMorris\'sHelen，inthe\"EarthlyParadise，\"charmsatthetimeofreading，but，perhaps，leaveslittleabidingmemory。
TheHelenof\"TroilusandCressida\"isnotoneofShakespeare\'simmortalwomen，andMr。Rossetti\'sballadisfantasticandsomewhatfalseintone——aromanticpastiche。WhereEuripidestwicefailed，inthe\"Troades\"andthe\"Helena，\"itcanbegiventofewtosucceed。Helenisbestlefttoherearliestknownminstrel，forwhocanrecapturethegrace，thetenderness，themelancholy，andthecharmofthedaughterofZeusinthe\"Odyssey\"and\"Iliad\"？
ThesightlesseyesofHomersawherclearest，andHelenwasbestunderstoodbythewisdomofhisunquestioningsimplicity。
Asiftoprovehowentirely，thoughsomanyhandspalteredwithherlegend，HelenisHomer\'salone，thereremainsnogreatortypicalworkofGreekartwhichrepresentsherbeauty，andthebreastsfromwhichweremodelledcupsofgoldfortheserviceofthegods。Wehaveonlypaintingsonvases，orworkongems，which，thoughgraceful，isconventionalandmightrepresentanyotherheroine，Polyxena，orEriphyle。NoHelenfromthehandsofPhidiasorScopashassurvivedtoourtime，andthegrassmaybegrowinginTherapnaeovertheshatteredremainsofheronlystatue。
AsStesichorusfabledthatonlyaneidolonofHelenwenttoTroy，so，exceptinthe\"Iliad\"and\"Odyssey，\"wemeetbutshadowsofherloveliness，phantasmswovenoutofclouds，andthelightofsettingsuns。
CHAPTERXIII:ENCHANTEDCIGARETTES
Todreamoverliteraryprojects，Balzacsays，islike\"smokingenchantedcigarettes，\"butwhenwetrytotackleourprojects，tomakethemreal，theenchantmentdisappears。Wehavetotillthesoil，tosowtheseed，togathertheleaves，andthenthecigarettesmustbemanufactured，whiletheremaybenomarketforthemafterall。Probablymostpeoplehaveenjoyedthefragranceoftheseenchantedcigarettes，andhavebroodedovermuchwhichtheywillneverputonpaper。Herearesomeof\"theashesoftheweedsofmydelight\"——memoriesofromanceswhereofnosinglelineiswritten，orislikelytobewritten。
OfmyearliestnovelIrememberbutlittle。Iknowtherehadbeenawreck，andthatthevillain，whowasbelievedtobedrowned，camehomeandmadehimselfdisagreeable。Iknowthattheheroine\'smouthwasNOT\"toolargeforregularbeauty。\"Inthatrespectshewasoriginal。Allheroinesare\"muckle-mou\'d，\"Iknownotwhy。Itisexpectedofthem。Iknowshewasmelancholyandmerry；itwouldnotsurprisemetolearnthatshedrownedherselffromacanoe。
Butthevillainneverdescendedtocrime，thefirstloverwouldnotfallinlove，theheroine\'sownaffectionswereprovokinglydisengaged，andthewholeaffaircametoadeadstopforwantofaplot。Perhaps，consideringmoderncanonsoffiction，thismighthavebeenaverysuccessfulnovel。Itwasentirelydevoidofincidentorinterest，and，consequently，wasagooddeallikereallife，asreallifeappearstomanycultivatedauthors。Ontheotherhand，allthecharacterswereflippant。Thiswouldneverhavedone，andIdonotregretnovelNo。I。，whichhadnotevenaname。
Thesecondstoryhadaplot，quantitiesofplot，nothingbutplot。
Itwastohavebeenwrittenincollaborationwithaverygreatnovelist，who，asfaraswewent，confinedhimselftomakingobjections。Thisnovelwasstoppednotthatmyfriendwouldeverhavegoneonby\"CalledBack，\"whichanticipatedpartoftheidea。
Thestorywasentitled\"WhereisRose？\"andthemottowas-
\"RosaquolocorumSeramoratur。\"
Thecharacterswere——1Rose，ayoungladyofquality。2TheRussianPrincess，herfriendneedIaddthat，tomeetapublicdemand，HERnamewasVera？。3YoungmanengagedtoRose。4
Charles，hisfriend。5Anenterprisingpersonnamed\"TheWhiteleyofCrime，\"theuniversalProviderofIniquity。Infact，heanticipatedSirArthurDoyle\'sProfessorMoriarty。Therestweredetectives，oldladies，mob，andawealthyyoungColoniallarrikin。NeithermyfriendnorIwasfondofdescribinglovescenes，sowemadetheheroinedisappearinthesecondchapter，andsheneverturnedupagaintillchapterthelast。Afterplayinginacomedyatthehouseofanearl，RosaandVeraenteredherbrougham。Soonafterwardsthebroughamdrewup，EMPTY，atRose\'sowndoor。WhereWASRose？Tracesofherwerefound，ofallplaces，intheHauntedHouseinBerkeleySquare，whichisnothauntedanylonger。AfterthatRosewaslongsoughtinvain。
This，briefly，iswhathadoccurred。ARussiandetective\"wanted\"
Vera，who，tobesure，wasaNihilist。TocatchVerahemadeanalliancewith\"TheWhiteleyofCrime。\"Hewasamanwhowoulddestroyaparishregister，orforgeawill，orcrackacrib，orbreakupaPro-Boermeeting，orburnahouse，orkidnaparightfulheir，ormanageapersonation，orissueamateurbank-notes，orwhatyouplease。Thinkingtokilltwobirdswithonestone，hecarriedoffRoseforherdiamondsandVeraforhisfriend，theMuscovitepoliceofficial，lodgingthembothintheHauntedHouse。ButthereheandtheRussiancametoblows，and，intheconfusion，Veramadeherescape，whileRosewasconveyed，ASVERA，toSiberia。Notknowinghowtodisposeofher，theRussianpoliceconsignedhertoanunneryatthemouthoftheObi。Herlover，inayacht，foundherhiding-place，andgotafriendlynuntogivehersomenarcoticknowntotheSamoyeds。ItwastheoldtrucoftheFriarin\"RomeoandJuliet。\"AtthemouthoftheObitheydonotburythedead，butlaythemdownonplatformsintheopenair。Rosewaspickeduptherebyherloveraccompaniedbyachaperon，ofcourse，wasgotonboardthesteamyacht，andallwentwell。Iforgetwhathappenedto\"TheWhiteleyofCrime。\"AfterhimIstillratherhanker——hewasahumorousruffian。Somethingcouldbemadeof\"TheWhiteleyofCrime。\"SomethingHASbeenmade，bytheauthorof\"SherlockHolmes。\"
Inyetanotherromance，agentlemantakeshisfriend，inacountryplace，toseehisbetrothed。Thefriend，whohadonlycomeintotheneighbourhoodthatday，isfounddead，nextmorning，hangingtoatree。Gipsiesandothersaresuspected。Buttheloverwasthemurderer。Hehadbeenapriest，inSouthAmerica，andtheladywasaCatholicwhoknewnotofhisOrders。Nowthefriendfellinlovewiththeladyatfirstsight，onbeingintroducedtoherbythelover。Asthetwomenwalkedhome，thefriendthreatenedtorevealthelover\'ssecret——histonsure——whichwouldbefataltohishopes。Theyquarrelled，parted，andtheex-priestlassoedhisfriend。Themotive，Ithink，isanoriginalone，andnotlikelytooccurtothefirstcomer。Theinventorisopentooffers。
Thenextnovel，basedonadream，wascalled\"InSearchofQrart。\"
WhatisQrart？IdeclinetodivulgethissecretbeyondsayingthatQrartwasaproductofthecivilisationwhichnowsleepsunderthesnowsofthepole。Itwasanarticleoftheutmostvaluetohumanity。FartherIdonotintendtocommitmyself。TheBrideofaGodwasoneofthecharacters。
Thenextnovelis，atpresent，myfavouritecigarette。ThesceneispartlyinGreece，partlyattheParthianCourt，about80-60B。C。
Crassusisthevillain。TheheroinewasanactressinoneofthewanderingGreekcompanies，splendidstrollers，whoplayedattheIndianandAsiaticCourts。Thestoryendswiththerepresentationofthe\"Bacchae，\"inParthia。TheheadofPentheusiscarriedbyoneoftheBacchaeinthatdrama。Behold，itisnotamask，butTHEHEADOFCRASSUS，andthusconveysthefirstnewsoftheRomandefeat。Obviously，thisisanovelthatneedsagreatdealofpreliminarystudy，asmuch，indeed，as\"Salammbo。\"
AnotherstorywilldealwiththeIcelandicdiscoverersofAmerica。
Mr。Kipling，however，hastakenthewindoutofitssailswithhissketch，\"TheFinestStoryintheWorld。\"ThereareallthemarvelsandportentsoftheEyrbyggjaSagatodrawupon，thereareSkraelingstofight，andwhyshouldnotKarlsefni\'ssonkillthelastmastodon，and，asQuetzalcoatl，bethewhite-beardedgodoftheAztecs？AfterthataromanceontheintriguestomakeCharlesEdwardKingofPolandsoundscommonplace。Butmuchmightbemadeofthat，too，iftherightmantookitinhand。Believeme，thereareplentyofstoriesleft，waitingforthemanwhocantellthem。
Ihavesaiditbefore，butIsayitagain，ifIwerekingIwouldkeepcourtofficials，Mr。StanleyWeyman，Mr。Mason，Mr。Kipling，andothers，totellmemyownstories。IknowthekindofthingwhichIlike，fromthediscoveryofQrarttothatoftheFrenchgoldintheburnatLochArkaig，orin\"thewoodbythelochside\"
thatMurrayofBroughtonmentions。
AnothercigaretteIhave，theadventuresofaPoet，aPoetborninaPuritanvillageofMassachusettsabout1670。Hawthornecouldhavetoldmemystory，andhowmyfriendwasdrivenintothewildernessandlivedamongtheRedMen。IthinkhewaskilledinanattempttowarnhiscountrymenofanIndianraid；IthinkhisMS。poemshaveabullet-holethroughthem，andbloodontheleaves。
TheywereinCarew\'sbestmanner，thesepoems。
AnothertaleHawthornemighthavetoldme，thetaleofanexcellentman，whoseveryvirtues，bysomebanefulmoralchemistry，corruptandruinthepeoplewithwhomhecomesincontact。Idonotmeanbygoadingthemintotheoppositeextremes，butrathersomethinglikeamoraljettatura。Thisneedsagreatdealofsubtlety，andwhatistobecomeofthehero？Ishetoplungeintovicetilleverybodyisvirtuousagain？Itwantsworkingout。Ihaveomitted，afterall，aschoolboyhistoricalromance，explainingWHY
QUEENELIZABETHWASNEVERMARRIED。AScottishpaperofferedaprizeforastoryofQueenMaryStuart\'sreign。Ididnotgettheprize——perhapsdidnotdeserveit，butmystoryranthus:YoumustknowthatQueenElizabethwassingularlylikeDarnleyinpersonalappearance。Whatsonaturalasthat，disguisedasapage，herMajestyshouldcomespyingabouttheCourtofHolyrood？DarnleyseesherwalkingoutofQueenMary\'sroom，hethinksheranhallucination，discoversthatsheisreal，challengesher，andtheyfightatFaldonside，bytheTweed，ShakespeareholdingElizabeth\'shorse。Elizabethiswounded，andiscarriedtotheKirkofField，andlaidinDarnley\'schamber，whileDarnleygoesoutandmakeslovetomyruralheroine，theladyofFernilee，aKerr。ThatnightBothwellblowsuptheKirkofField，Elizabethandall。Darnleyhasonlyoneresource。Borrowingtheridinghabitoftheruralheroine，theladyofFernilee，hefleesacrosstheBorder，and，fortherestofhislife，personatesQueenElizabeth。ThatiswhyElizabeth，whowasDarnley，hatedMarysobitterlyonaccountoftheKirkofFieldaffair，andTHATISWHYQUEENELIZABETHWAS
NEVERMARRIED。Side-lightsonShakespeare\'sSonnetswereobviouslycast。TheyoungmanwhomShakespeareadmiredso，andurgedtomarry，was——Darnley。ThisromancedidnotgettheprizetheanachronismaboutShakespeareisworthyofScott，butIamconceitedenoughtothinkitdeservedanhonourablemention。
Enoughofmyowncigarettes。Butthereareothersofamorefragrantweed。WhowillendformethenovelofwhichByrononlywroteachapter；who，asBulwerLyttonisdead？Afineropening，onemoremysteriouslystirring，youcannowhereread。Andthenovelinletters，whichScottbeganin1819，whoshallfinishit，ortelluswhathedidwithhisfairVenetiancourtezan，acharactersomuchoutofSirWalter\'sway？Hetosseditaside——itwasbutanenchantedcigarette——andgaveus\"TheFortunesofNigel\"
initsplace。Iwantboth。Wecannotcallupthosewho\"lefthalftold\"thesestories。Inahappierworldweshalllistentotheirendings，andallourdreamsshallbecoherentandconcluded。
Meanwhile，withouttrouble，andexpense，anddisappointment，andreviews，wecanallsmokeourcigarettesoffairyland。Wouldthatmanypeoplewerecontenttosmokethempeacefully，anddidnotrushonpen，paper，andink!
CHAPTERXIV:STORIESANDSTORY-TELLING
FromSTRATHNAVER
Wehavehadadroughtforthreeweeks。DuringawholeweekthisnorthernstrathhasbeenassunnyastheRivieraisexpectedtobe。