Inthis，thethirdseriesofBreakfast-Tableconversations，aslightdramaticbackgroundshowsoffafewtalkersandwriters，aidedbycertainsilentsupernumeraries。Themachineryismuchlikethatofthetwoprecedingseries。Someofthecharactersmustseemlikeoldacquaintancestothosewhohavereadtheformerpapers。AsIreadtheseoverforthefirsttimeforanumberofyears，Inoticeonecharacter。presentingaclassofbeingswhohavegreatlymultipliedduringtheintervalwhichseparatestheearlierandlaterBreakfast-Tablepapers，——Imeanthescientificspecialists。Theentomologist，whoconfineshimselfrigidlytothestudyofthecoleoptera，isintendedtotypifythisclass。Thesubdivisionoflabor，which，asweusedtobetold，requiredfourteendifferentworkmentomakeasinglepin，hasreachedallbranchesofknowledge。
WefindnewtermsinalltheProfessions，implyingthatspecialprovinceshavebeenmarkedoff，eachhavingitsownschoolofstudents。Intheologywehavemanycurioussubdivisions。amongtheresteschatology，thatistosay，thegeography，geology，etc。，oftheundiscoveredcountry。inmedicine，ifthesurgeonwhodealswithdislocationsoftherightshoulderdeclinestomeddlewithadisplacementontheotherside，wearenotsurprised，butringthebellofthepractitionerwhodevoteshimselftoinjuriesoftheleftshoulder。
Ontheotherhand，wehavehadorhavetheencyclopaedicintelligenceslikeCuvier，Buckle，andmoreemphaticallyHerbertSpencer，whotakeallknowledge，orlargefieldsofit，tobetheirprovince。TheauthorofThoughtsontheUniversehassomethingincommonwiththese，butheappearsalsotohaveagooddealabouthimofwhatwecallthehumorist。thatis，anindividualwithasomewhatheterogeneouspersonality，inwhichvariousdistinctlyhumanelementsaremixedtogether，soastoformakindofcoherentandsometimespleasingwhole，whichistoasymmetricalcharacterasabrecciaistoamosaic。
AsfortheYoungAstronomer，hisrhythmicaldiscoursemaybetakenasexpressingthereactionofwhatsomewouldcallthenaturalman
againsttheunnaturalbeliefswhichhefoundinthatlowerworldtowhichbedescendedbydayfromhismidnighthomeinthefirmament。
IhaveendeavoredtogivefairplaytotheprotestofgentleandreverentialconservatismintheletteroftheLady，whichwasnotcopiedfrom，butsuggestedby，onewhichIreceivedlongagofromaladybearinganhonoredname，andwhichIreadthoughtfullyandwithprofoundrespect。
December，1882。
PREFACETOTHENEWEDITION。
Itisnownearlytwentyyearssincethisbookwaspublished。BeingthethirdoftheBreakfast-Tableseries，itcouldhardlybeexpectedtoattractsomuchattentionastheearliervolumes。Still，Ihadnoreasontobedisappointedwithitsreception。Ittookitsplacewiththeothers，andwasinsomepointsaclearerexpositionofmyviewsandfeelingsthaneitheroftheotherbooks，itspredecessors。ThepoemsHomesickinHeavenandthelongergroupofpassagescomingfromthemidnightreveriesoftheYoungAstronomerhavethoughtsinthemnotsofullyexpressedelsewhereinmywritings。
Thefirstofthesetwopoemsisatwarwithourcommonmodesofthought。Inlookingforwardtorejoininginafuturestatethosewhomwehavelovedonearth，——asmostofushopeandmanyofusbelieveweshall，——weareapttoforgetthatthesameindividualityisrememberedbyonerelativeasababe，byanotherasanadultinthestrengthofmaturity，andbyathirdasawreckwithlittleleftexceptitsinfirmitiesanditsaffections。Themainthoughtofthispoemisapainfulonetosomepersons。Theyhavesocloselyassociatedlifewithitsaccidentsthattheyexpecttoseetheirdepartedfriendsinthecostumeofthetimeinwhichtheybestrememberthem，andfeelasiftheyshouldmeetthespiritoftheirgrandfatherwithhiswigandcane，astheyhabituallyrecallhimtomemory。
Theprocessofscientificspecializationreferredtoandillustratedinthisrecordhasbeengoingonmoreactivelythaneverduringtheselasttwentyyears。WehaveonlytolookoverthelistsoftheFacultiesandteachersofourUniversitiestoseethesubdivisionoflaborcarriedoutasneverbefore。Themovementisirresistible。itbringswithitexactness，exhaustiveknowledge，anarrowbutcompleteself-satisfaction，withsuchaccompanyingfaultsaspedantry，triviality，andthekindofpartialblindnesswhichbelongtointellectualmyopia。ThespecialistisidealizedalmostintosublimityinBrowning’sBurialoftheGrammarian。Weneverneedfearthathewillundervaluehimself。Tobethesupremeauthorityonanythingisasatisfactiontoself-lovenextdoortothepreciousdelusionsofdementia。IhaveneverpicturedacharactermorecontentedwithhimselfthantheScarabeeofthisstory。
BEVERLYFARMS，MASS。，August1，1891。
O。W。H。
THEPOET
ATTHE
BREAKFAST-TABLE。
I
Theideaofaman’sinterviewinghimselfisratherodd，tobesure。
Butthenthatiswhatweareallofusdoingeveryday。Italkhalfthetimetofindoutmyownthoughts，asaschool-boyturnshispocketsinsideouttoseewhatisinthem。Onebringstolightallsortsofpersonalpropertyhehadforgotteninhisinventory——
Youdon’tknowwhatyourthoughtsaregoingtobebeforehand？saidtheMemberoftheHaouse，ashecallshimself——
Why，ofcourseIdon’t。Blessyourhonestlegislativesoul，I
supposeIhaveasmanyboundvolumesofnotionsofonekindandanotherinmyheadasyouhaveinyourRepresentatives’libraryupthereattheStateHouse。Ihavetotumblethemoverandover，andopentheminahundredplaces，andsometimescuttheleaveshereandthere，tofindwhatIthinkaboutthisandthat。Andagoodmanypeoplewhoflatterthemselvestheyaretalkingwisdomtome，areonlyhelpingmetogetattheshelfandthebookandthepagewhereI
shallfindmyownopinionaboutthematterinquestion——
TheMember’seyesbegantolookheavy——
It’saveryqueerplace，thatreceptacleamanfetcheshistalkoutof。Thelibrarycomparisondoesn’texactlyhitit。Youstowawaysomeideaanddon’twantit，sayfortenyears。Whenitturnsupatlastithasgotsojammedandcrushedoutofshapebytheotherideaspackedwithit，thatitisnomorelikewhatitwasthanaraisinislikeagrapeonthevine，orafigfromadrumlikeonehangingonthetree。Then，again，somekindsofthoughtsbreedinthedarkofone’smindliketheblindfishesintheMammothCave。Wecan’tseethemandtheycan’tseeus。butsoonerorlaterthedaylightgetsinandwefindthatsomecold，fishylittlenegativehasbeenspawningalloverourbeliefs，andthebroodofblindquestionsithasgivenbirthtoareburrowingroundandunderandbuttingtheirbluntnosesagainstthepillarsoffaithwethoughtthewholeworldmightleanon。Andthen，again，someofouroldbeliefsaredyingouteveryyear，andothersfeedonthemandgrowfat，orgetpoisonedasthecasemaybe。Andso，yousee，youcan’ttellwhatthethoughtsarethatyouhavegotsalteddown，asonemaysay，tillyourunastreakoftalkthroughthem，asthemarketpeoplerunabutterscoopthroughafirkin。
Don’ttalk，thinkingyouaregoingtofindoutyourneighbor，foryouwon’tdoit，buttalktofindoutyourself。Thereismoreofyou——
andlessofyou，inspots，verylikely——thanyouknow——
TheMembergaveaslightbutunequivocalstartjusthere。Itdoesseemasifperpetualsomnolencewasthepriceoflisteningtootherpeople’swisdom。Thiswasoneofthosetransientnightmaresthatonemayhaveinadozeoftwentyseconds。HethoughtacertainimaginaryCommitteeofSafetyofacertainimaginaryLegislaturewasproceedingtoburndownhishaystack，inaccordancewithanAct，entitledanActtomakethePoorRicherbymakingtheRichPoorer。Andthechairmanofthecommitteewasinstitutingaforcibleexchangeofhatswithhim，tohismanifestdisadvantage，forhehadjustboughthimanewbeaver。Hetoldthisdreamafterwardstooneoftheboarders。
Therewasnothingverysurprising，therefore，inhisaskingaquestionnotverycloselyrelatedtowhathadgonebefore——
Doyouthinktheymeanbusiness？——
Ibegyourpardon，butitwouldbeofmaterialassistancetomeinansweringyourquestionifIknewwhotheymighthappentobe——
Why，thosechapsthataresettingfolksontoburnusallupinourbeds。Politicalfirebugswecall’emupourway。Wanttosubstitootthematch-boxfortheballot-box。Scareallouroldwomenhalftodeath——
Oh——ah——yes——tobesure。Idon’tbelievetheysaywhatthepapersputintheirmouthsanymorethanthatafriendofminewrotetheletteraboutWorcester’sandWebster’sDictionaries，thathehadtodisowntheotherday。Thesenewspaperfellowsarehalfasleepwhentheymakeuptheirreportsattwoorthreeo’clockinthemorning，andfilloutthespeechestosuitthemselves。Idoremembersomethingsthatsoundedprettybad，——aboutasbadasnitro-
glycerine，forthatmatter。ButIdon’tbelievetheyeversaid’em，whentheyspoketheirpieces，oriftheysaid’emIknowtheydidn’tmean’em。Somethinglikethis，wasn’tit？Ifthemajoritydidn’tdosomethingtheminoritywanted’emto，thenthepeopleweretoburnupourcities，andknockusdownandjumponourstomachs。Thatwasaboutthekindoftalk，asthepapershadit。Idon’twonderitscaredtheoldwomen——
TheMemberwaswideawakebythistime——
Idon’tseemtorememberofthemparticklerphrases，hesaid——
Dearme，no。onlylevellingeverythingsmack，andtramplingusunderfoot，asthereportersmadeitout。ThatmeansFIRE，Itakeit，andknockingyoudownandstampingonyou，whicheversideofyourpersonhappenstobeuppermost。Soundedlikeathreat。meant，ofcourse，forawarning。ButIdon’tbelieveitwasinthepieceastheyspokeit，——couldn’thavebeen。Then，again，Pariswasn’ttoblame，——asmuchastosay——sotheoldwomenthought——thatNewYorkorBostonwouldn’tbetoblameifitdidthesamething。I’veheardofpoliticalgatheringswheretheybarbecuedanox，butIcan’tthinkthere’sapartyinthiscountrythatwantstobarbecueacity。Butitisn’tquitefairtofrightentheoldwomen。Idon’tdoubtthereareagreatmanypeoplewiserthanIamthatwouldn’tbehurtbyahintIamgoingtogivethem。It’snomatterwhatyousaywhenyoutalktoyourself，butwhenyoutalktootherpeople，yourbusinessistousewordswithreferencetothewayinwhichthoseotherpeopleareliketounderstandthem。Thesepretendedinflammatoryspeeches，soreportedastoseemfullofcombustibles，eveniftheywereasthreateningastheyhavebeenrepresented，woulddonoharmifreadordeclaimedinaman’sstudytohisbooks，orbythesea-shoretothewaves。Buttheyarenotsowholesomemoralentertainmentforthedangerousclasses。Boysmustnottouchofftheirsquibsandcrackerstoonearthepowder-magazine。Thiskindofspeechdoesn’thelponthemillenniummuch——
Itain’tjestthethingtogreaseyourexwithileo’vitrul，saidtheMember——
No，thewheelofprogresswillsoonstickfastifyoudo。Youcan’tkeepadeadlevellong，ifyouburneverythingdownflattomakeit。Why，blessyoursoul，ifallthecitiesoftheworldwerereducedashes，you’dhaveanewsetofmillionnairesinacoupleofyearsorso，outofthetradeinpotash。Inthemeantime，whatistheuseofsettingthemanwiththesilverwatchagainstthemanwiththegoldwatch，andthemanwithoutanywatchagainstthemboth？——
Youcan’tgoaginhumannatur’，saidtheMember——Youspeaktruly。HerewearetravellingthroughdeserttogetherlikethechildrenofIsrael。Somepickupmoremannaandcatchmorequailsthanothersandoughttohelptheirhungryneighborsmorethantheydo。thatwillalwaysbesountilwecomebacktoprimitiveChristianity，theroadtowhichdoesnotseemtobeviaParis，justnow。butwedon’twanttheincendiary’spillarofacloudbydayandapillaroffirebynighttoleadusinthemarchtocivilization，andwedon’twantaMoseswhowillsmiterock，nottobringoutwaterforourthirst，butpetroleumtoburnusallupwith——
Itisn’tquitefairtorunanoppositiontotheotherfunnyspeaker，Rev。PetroleumV。What’s-his-name，——spokeupananonymousboarder——
Youmayhavebeenthinking，perhaps，thatitwasI，——I，thePoet，whowasthechieftalkerintheone-sideddialoguetowhichyouhavebeenlistening。Ifso，youweremistaken。Itwastheoldmaninthespectacleswithlargeroundglassesandtheiron-grayhair。Hedoesagooddealofthetalkingatourtable，and，totellthetruth，I
ratherliketohearhim。Hestirsmeup，andfindsmeoccupationinvariousways，andespecially，becausehehasgoodsolidprejudices，thatonecanrubagainst，andsogetupandletoffasuperficialintellectualirritation，justasthecattlerubtheirbacksagainstarailyourememberSydneySmith’scontrivanceinhispastureortheirsidesagainstanapple-treeIdon’tknowwhytheytaketothesesoparticularly，butyouwilloftenfindthetrunkofanapple-
treeasbrownandsmoothasanoldsaddleattheheightofacow’sribs。Ithinktheybeginrubbingincoldblood，andthen，youknow，l’appetitvientenmangeant，themoretheyrubthemoretheywantto。
Thatisthewaytouseyourfriend’sprejudices。Thisisasturdy-
lookingpersonageofagooddealmorethanmiddleage，hisfacemarkedwithstrongmanlyfurrows，recordsofhardthinkingandsquarestand-upfightswithlifeandallitsdevils。Thereisaslighttouchofsatireinhisdiscoursenowandthen，andanoddwayofansweringonethatmakesithardtoguesshowmuchmoreorlesshemeansthanheseemstosay。Butheishonest，andalwayshasatwinkleinhiseyetoputyouonyourguardwhenhedoesnotmeantobetakenquiteliterally。IthinkoldBenFranklinhadjustthatlook。Iknowhisgreat-grandsoninpace！hadit，andIdon’tdoubthetookitinthestraightlineofdescent，ashedidhisgrandintellect。
TheMemberoftheHaouseevidentlycomesfromoneofthelesserinlandcentresofcivilization，wherethefloraisrichincheckerberriesandsimilarbountiesofnature，andthefaunalivelywithsquirrels，wood-chucks，andthelike。wheretheleadingsportsmensnarepatridges，astheyarecalled，andhuntfoxeswithguns。whererabbitsareentrappedinfiggeryfours，andtroutcapturedwiththeunpretentiousearth-worm，insteadofthegorgeousfly。wheretheybetprizesforbutterandcheese，andrag-carpetsexecutedbyladiesmorethanseventyyearsofage。wherewheyweardress-coatsbeforedinner，andcocktheirhatsononesidewhentheyfeelconspicuousanddistinshed。wheretheysay——SirtoyouintheircommontalkandhaveotherArcadianandbucolicwayswhicharehighlyunobjectionable，butarenotsomuchadmiredincities，wherethepeoplearesaidtobenothalfsovirtuous。
Thereiswithusaboyofmodestdimensions，nototherwiseespeciallyentitledtotheepithet，whooughtbesixorsevenyearsold，tojudgebythegapleftbyhisfrontmilkteeth，thesehavingresignedinfavoroftheirsuccessors，whohavenotyetpresentedtheircredentials。Heisratheroldforanenfantterrible，andquitetooyoungtohavegrownintothebashfulnessofadolescence。buthehassomeofthequalitiesofboththeseengagingperiodsofdevelopment，ThememberoftheHaousecallshimBub，invariably，suchtermI
taketobeanabbreviationofBeelzeb，asbusistheshortformofomnibus。Manyeminentlygenteelpersons，whosemannersmakethemathomeanywhere，beingevidentlyunawareoftruederivationofthisword，areinthehabitofaddressingallunknownchildrenbyoneofthetwoterms，bubandsis，whichtheyconsiderendearsthemgreatlytotheyoungpeople，andrecommendsthemtotheacquaintanceoftheirhonoredparents，ifthesehappentoaccompanythem。TheotherboarderscommonlycallourdiminutivecompanionThatBoy。Heisasortofexpletiveatthetable，servingtostopgaps，takingthesameplaceawasherdoesthatmakesaloosescrewfit，andcontrivingtogetdriveninlikeawedgebetweenanytwochairswherethereisacrevice。Ishallnotcallthatboybythemonosyllablereferredto，because，thoughhehasmanyimpishtraitsatpresent，hemaybecomecivilizedandhumanizedbybeingingoodcompany。Besides，itisatermwhichIunderstandisconsideredvulgarbythenobilityandgentryoftheMotherCountry，anditisnottobefoundinMr。
Worcester’sDictionary，onwhich，asiswellknown，theliterarymenofthismetropolisarebyspecialstatuteallowedtobesworninplaceoftheBible。Iknowone，certainly，whonevertakeshisoathonanyotherdictionary，anyadvertisingfictiontothecontrary，notwithstanding。
Iwantedtowriteoutmyaccountofsomeoftheotherboarders，butadomesticoccurrence——asomewhatprolongedvisitfromthelandlady，whoisrathertooanxiousthatIshouldbecomfortablebrokeinuponthecontinuityofmythoughts，andoccasioned——inshort，Igaveupwritingforthatday——
Iwonderifanythinglikethiseverhappened。
Authorwriting，jacks？
Tobe，ornottobe：thatisthequestionWhether’tisnobl——
William，shallwehavepuddingto-day，orflapjacks？——
Flapjacks，an’itpleasethee，Anne，orapudding，forthatmatter。orwhatthouwilt，goodwoman，sothoucomenotbetwixtmeandmythought——
ExitMistressAnne，withstronglyaccentedclosingofthedoorandmurmurstotheeffect：Ay，marry，’tiswellfortheetotalkasifthouhadstnostomachtofill。Wepoorwivesmustswinkforourmasters，whiletheysitintheirarm-chairsgrowingasgreatinthegirththroughlazinessasthatill-manneredfatmanWilliamhathwritofinhisbooksofplayers’stuff。Onehadaswellmeddlewithaporkpen，whichhaththornsalloverhim，astrytodealwithWilliamwhenhiseyesberollinginthatmadway。
William——writingoncemore——afteranexclamationinstrongEnglishoftheolderpattern，——
Whether’tisnobler——nobler——noblerTodowhat？Othesewomen！thesewomen！tohavepuddingsorflapjacks！Oh！——
Whether’tisnobler——inthemind——tosufferTheslings——andarrows——ofOh！Oh！thesewomen！Iwille’enstepovertotheparson’sandhaveacupofsackwithHisReverenceformethinksMasterHamlethathforgotthatwhichwasjustnowonhislipstospeak。
SoIshallhavetoputoffmakingmyfriendsacquaintedwiththeotherboarders，someofwhomseemtomeworthstudyinganddescribing。Ihavesomethingelseofagravercharacterformyreaders。Iamtalking，youknow，asapoet。IdonotsayIdeservethename，butIhavetakenit，andifyouconsidermeatallitmustbeinthataspect。Youwill，therefore，bewillingtorunyoureyesoverafewpagesread，ofcoursebyrequest，toaselectpartyoftheboarders。
THEGAMBREL-ROOFEDHOUSEANDITSOUTLOOK。
APANORAMA，WITHSIDE-SHOWS。
Mybirthplace，thehomeofmychildhoodandearlierandlaterboyhood，haswithinafewmonthspassedoutoftheownershipofmyfamilyintothehandsofthatvenerableAlmaMaterwhoseemstohaverenewedheryouth，andhascertainlyrepaintedherdormitories。Intruth，whenIlastrevisitedthatfamiliarsceneandlookedupontheflammantiamaniaoftheoldhalls，Massachusettswiththedummyclock-dial，Harvardwiththegarrulousbelfry，littleHoldenwiththesculpturedunpunishablecheruboveritsportal，andtherestofmyearlybrick-and-mortaracquaintances，IcouldnothelpsayingtomyselfthatIhadlivedtoseethepeaceableestablishmentoftheRedRepublicofLetters。
ManyofthethingsIshallputdownIhavenodoubttoldbeforeinafragmentaryway，howmanyIcannotbequitesure，asIdonotveryoftenreadmyownproseworks。Butwhenamandiesagreatdealissaidofhimwhichhasoftenbeensaidinotherforms，andnowthisdearoldhouseisdeadtomeinonesense，andIwanttogatherupmyrecollectionsandwindastringofnarrativeroundthem，tyingthemuplikeanosegayforthelasttribute：thesameblossomsinitI
haveoftenlaidonitsthresholdwhileitwasstilllivingforme。
WeAmericansareallcuckoos，——wemakeourhomesinthenestsofotherbirds。IhavereadsomewherethatthelinealdescendantsofthemanwhocartedoffthebodyofWilliamRufus，withWalterTyrrel’sarrowstickinginit，havedrivenacartnotabsolutelythesameone，IsupposeintheNewForest，fromthatdaytothis。I
don’tquiteunderstandMr。Ruskin’ssayingifhesaiditthathecouldn’tgetalonginacountrywheretherewerenocastles，butIdothinkweloseagreatdealinlivingwheretherearesofewpermanenthomes。YouwillseehowmuchIpartedwithwhichwasnotreckonedinthepricepaidfortheoldhomestead。
Ishallsaymanythingswhichanuncharitablereadermightfindfaultwithaspersonal。IshouldnotdaretocallmyselfapoetifIdidnot。forifthereisanythingthatgivesoneatitletothatname，itisthathisinnernatureisnakedandisnotashamed。ButtherearemanysuchthingsIshallputinwords，notbecausetheyarepersonal，butbecausetheyarehuman，andarebornofjustsuchexperiencesasthosewhohearorreadwhatIsayareliketohavehadingreaterorlessmeasure。IfindmyselfsomuchlikeotherpeoplethatIoftenwonderatthecoincidence。ItwasonlytheotherdaythatIsentoutacopyofversesaboutmygreat-grandmother’spicture，andIwassurprisedtofindhowmanyotherpeoplehadportraitsoftheirgreat-
grandmothersorotherprogenitors，aboutwhichtheyfeltasIdidaboutmine，andforwhomIhadspoken，thinkingIwasspeakingformyselfonly。AndsoIamnotafraidtotalkveryfreelywithyou，mypreciousreaderorlistener。Youtoo，Beloved，werebornsomewhereandrememberyourbirthplaceoryourearlyhome。foryousomehouseishauntedbyrecollections。tosomeroofyouhavebidfarewell。
Yourhandisuponmine，then，asIguidemypen。Yourheartframestheresponsestothelitanyofmyremembrance。FormyselfitisatributeofaffectionIamrendering，andIshouldputitonrecordformyownsatisfaction，weretherenonetoreadortolisten。
IhopeyouwillnotsaythatIhavebuiltapillaredporticoofintroductiontoahumblestructureofnarrative。Forwhenyoulookattheoldgambrel-roofedhouse，youwillseeanunpretendingmansion，suchasverypossiblyyouwereborninyourself，oratanyratesuchaplaceofresidenceasyourministerorsomeofyourwell-
to-docountrycousinsfindgoodenough，butnotatalltoograndforthem。WehavestatelyoldColonialpalacesinourancientvillage，nowacity，andathrivingone，——square-frontededificesthatstandbackfromthevulgarhighway，withfoldedarms，asitwere。socialfortressesofthetimewhenthetwilightlustreofthethronereachedasfarasourhalf-clearedsettlement，withaglacisbeforethemintheshapeofalongbroadgravel-walk，sothatinKingGeorge’stimetheylookedasformidablytoanybutthesilk-stockinggentryasGibraltarorEhrenbreitsteintoavisitorwithoutthepassword。Weforgetallthisinthekindlywelcometheygiveusto-day。forsomeofthemarestillstandinganddoublyfamous，asweallknow。Butthegambrel-roofedhouse，thoughstatelyenoughforcollegedignitariesandscholarlyclergymen，wasnotoneofthoseoldTory，Episcopal-church-goer’sstrongholds。Oneofitsdoorsopensdirectlyuponthegreen，alwayscalledtheCommon。theother，facingthesouth，afewstepsfromit，overapavedfoot-walk，ontheothersideofwhichistheminiaturefrontyard，borderedwithlilacsandsyringas。Thehonestmansionmakesnopretensions。Accessible，companionable，holdingitshandouttoall，comfortable，respectable，andeveninitswaydignified，butnotimposing，notahouseforhisMajesty’sCounsellor，ortheRightReverendsuccessorofHimwhohadnotwheretolayhishead，forsomethinglikeahundredandfiftyyearsithasstoodinitslot，andseenthegenerationsofmencomeandgoliketheleavesoftheforest。Ipassedsomepleasanthours，afewyearssince，intheRegistryofDeedsandtheTownRecords，lookingupthehistoryoftheoldhouse。Howthosedearfriendsofmine，theantiquarians，forwhosegravecouncilsIcomposemyfeaturesonthetoorareThursdayswhenIamatlibertytomeetthem，inwhosehumanherbariumtheleavesandblossomsofpastgenerationsaresocarefullyspreadoutandpressedandlaidaway，wouldlistentoanexpansionofthefollowingbriefdetailsintoanHistoricalMemoir！
TheestatewasthethirdlotoftheeighthSquadronwhateverthatmightbe，andintheyear1707wasallottedinthedistributionofundividedlandstoMr。ffox，theReverendJabezFoxofWoburn，itmaybesupposed，asitpassedfromhisheirstothefirstJonathanHastings。fromhimtohisson，thelongrememberedCollegeSteward。
fromhimintheyear1792totheReverendEliphaletPearson，ProfessorofHebrewandotherOrientallanguagesinHarvardCollege，whoselargepersonalityswamintomykenwhenIwaslookingforwardtomyteens。fromhimtheprogenitorsofmyunbornself。
IwonderifthereareanysuchbeingsnowadaysasthegreatEliphalet，withhislargefeaturesandconversationalbassoprofundo，seemedtome。Hisverynamehadsomethingelephantineaboutit，anditseemedtomethatthehouseshookfromcellartogarretathisfootfall。SomehavepretendedthathehadOlympianaspirations，andwantedtositintheseatofJoveandbeartheacademicthunderboltandtheaegisinscribedChristoetEcclesiae。Itisacommonweaknessenoughtowishtofindone’sselfinanemptysaddle。CottonMatherwasmiserableallhisdays，Iamafraid，afterthatentryinhisDiary：ThisDayDr。SewallwaschosenPresident，forhisPiety。
Thereisnodoubtthatthemenoftheoldergenerationlookbiggerandmoreformidabletotheboyswhoseeyesareturnedupattheirvenerablecountenancesthantheracewhichsucceedsthem，tothesameboysgrownolder。Everythingistwiceaslarge，measuredonathree-
year-oldsthree-footscaleasonathirty-year-oldssix-footscale。
butagemagnifiesandaggravatespersonsoutofdueproportion。Oldpeopleareakindofmonsterstolittlefolks。mildmanifestationsoftheterrible，itmaybe，butstill，withtheirwhitelocksandridgedandgroovedfeatures，whichthosehorridlittleeyesexhaustoftheirdetails，likesomanymicroscopesnotexactlywhathumanbeingsoughttobe。Themiddle-agedandyoungmenhaveleftcomparativelyfaintimpressionsinmymemory，buthowgrandlytheprocessionoftheoldclergymenwhofilledourpulpitfromtimetotime，andpassedthedayunderourroof，marchesbeforemyclosedeyes！AttheirheadthemostvenerableDavidOsgood，themajesticministerofMedford，withmassivefrontandshaggyover-shadowingeyebrows。followinginthetrain，mild-eyedJohnFosterofBrighton，withthelambentauroraofasmileabouthispleasantmouth，whichnoteventheSabbathcouldsubduetothetrueLeviticalaspect。andbulkyCharlesSteamsofLincoln，authorofTheLadies’PhilosophyofLove。APoem。1797
howIstaredathim！hewasthefirstlivingpersoneverpointedouttomeasapoet。andThaddeusMasonHarrisofDorchesterthesamewho，apooryouth，trudgingalong，staffinhand，beingtheninastressofsoreneed，foundallatoncethatsomewhatwasadheringtotheendofhisstick，whichsomewhatprovedtobeagoldringofprice，bearingthewords，Godspeedthee，Friend！，alreadyindecadenceasIrememberhim，withheadslantingforwardanddownwardasiflookingforaplacetorestinafterhislearnedlabors。andthatotherThaddeus，theoldmanofWestCambridge，whooutwatchedtherestsolongaftertheyhadgonetosleepintheirownchurchyards，thatitalmostseemedasifhemeanttositupuntilthemorningoftheresurrection。andbringinguptherear，attenuatedbutvivaciouslittleJonathanHomerofNewton，whowas，tolookupon，akindofexpurgated，reducedandAmericanizedcopyofVoltaire，butveryunlikehiminwickednessorwit。Thegood-humoredjuniormemberofourfamilyalwayslovedtomakehimhappybysettinghimchirrupingaboutMilesCoverdale’sVersion，andtheBishop’sBible，andhowhewrotetohisfriendSirIsaacCoffinaboutsomethingorother，andhowSirIsaacwrotebackthathewasverymuchpleasedwiththecontentsofhisletter，andsoonaboutSirIsaac，adlibitum，——fortheadmiralwashisoldfriend，andhewasproudofhim。ThekindlylittleoldgentlemanwasacollectorofBibles，andmadehimselfbelievehethoughtheshouldpublishalearnedCommentarysomedayorother。buthisfriendslookedforitonlyintheGreekCalends，——sayonthe31stofApril，whenthatshouldcomeround，ifyouwouldmodernizethephrase。Irecallalsooneortwoexceptionalandinfrequentvisitorswithperfectdistinctness：
cheerfulElijahKellogg，alivelymissionaryfromtheregionoftheQuoddyIndians，withmuchhopefultalkaboutSockBasonandhistribe。alsopooroldPoor-house-ParsonIsaacSmith，hisheadgoinglikeaChinamandarin，ashediscussedthepossibilitiesoftheescapeofthatdistinguishedcaptivewhomhespokeofunderthename，ifIcanreproducephoneticallyitsvibratingnasalitiesofGeneralMmbongaparty，——anamesuggestivetomyyoungimaginationofadangerous，loose-jointedskeleton，threateningusalllikethearmedfigureofDeathinmylittleNewEnglandPrimer。
Ihavementionedonlythenamesofthosewhoseimagescomeuppleasantlybeforeme，andIdonotmeantosayanythingwhichanydescendantmightnotreadsmilingly。Butthereweresomeoftheblack-coatedgentrywhoseaspectwasnotsoagreeabletome。Itisverycurioustometolookbackonmyearlylikesanddislikes，andseehowasachildIwasattractedorrepelledbysuchandsuchministers，agooddeal，asIfoundoutlongafterwards，accordingtotheirtheologicalbeliefs。Onthewhole，Ithinktheold-fashionedNewEnglanddivinesofteningdownintoArminianismwasaboutasagreeableasanyofthem。AndhereImayremark，thatamellowingrigoristisalwaysamuchpleasanterobjecttocontemplatethanatighteningliberal，asacolddaywarmingupto32Fahrenheitismuchmoreagreeablethanawarmonechillingdowntothesametemperature。
Theleastpleasingchangeisthatkindofmentalhemiplegiawhichnowandthenattackstherationalsideofamanataboutthesameperiodoflifewhenonesideofthebodyisliabletobepalsied，andinfactis，veryprobably，thesamethingaspalsy，inanotherform。
Theworstofitisthatthesubjectsofitneverseemtosuspectthattheyareintellectualinvalids，stammerersandcripplesatbest，butareallthetimehittingoutattheiroldfriendswiththewellarm，andcallingthemhardnamesoutoftheirtwistedmouths。
Itwasarealdelighttohaveoneofthosegood，hearty，happy，benignantoldclergymenpasstheSunday，withus，andIcanremember。
somewhoseadventmadethedayfeelalmostlikeThanksgiving。Butnowandthenwouldcomealongaclericalvisitorwithasadfaceandawailingvoice，whichsoundedexactlyasifsomebodymustbelyingdeadupstairs，whotooknointerestinuschildren，exceptapainfulone，asbeinginabadwaywithourcheerylooks，anddidmoretounchristianizeuswithhiswoebegonewaysthanallhissermonswereliketoaccomplishintheotherdirection。Irememberoneinparticular，whotwittedmesowithmyblessingsasaChristianchild，andwhinedsotomeaboutthenakedblackchildrenwho，liketheLittleVulgarBoy，hadn’tgotnosupperandhadn’tgotnoma，
andhadn’tgotnoCatechism，howIwishedforthemomentIwasalittleblackboy！thathedidmoreinthatonedaytomakemeaheathenthanhehadeverdoneinamonthtomakeaChristianoutofaninfantHottentot。Whatadebtweowetoourfriendsoftheleftcentre，theBrooklynandtheParkStreetandtheSummerstreetministers。good，wholesome，sound-bodied，one-minded，cheerful-
spiritedmen，whohavetakentheplaceofthosewailingpoitrinaireswiththebandannahandkerchiefsroundtheirmeagrethroatsandafuneralserviceintheirforlornphysiognomies！Imighthavebeenaministermyself，foraughtIknow，ifthisclergymanhadnotlookedandtalkedsolikeanundertaker。
Allthisbelongstooneoftheside-shows，towhichIpromisedthosewhowouldtaketicketstothemainexhibitionshouldhaveentrancegratis。IfIwerewritingapoemyouwouldexpect，asamatterofcourse，thattherewouldbeadigressionnowandthen。
Tocomebacktotheoldhouseanditsformertenant，theProfessorofHebrewandotherOrientallanguages。Fifteenyearshelivedwithhisfamilyunderitsroof。Ineverfoundtheslightesttraceofhimuntilafewyearsago，whenIcleanedandbrightenedwithpioushandsthebrasslockofthestudy，whichhadformanyyearsbeencoveredwithathickcoatofpaint。OnthatIfoundscratched。aswithanailorfork，thefollowinginscription：
EPE
Onlythatandnothingmore，butthestorytolditself。MasterEdwardPearson，thenaboutashighasthelock，wasdisposedtoimmortalizehimselfinmonumentalbrass，andhadgotsofartowardsit，whenasuddeninterruption，probablyasmartboxontheear，cheatedhimofhisfame，exceptsofarasthispoorrecordmayrescueit。Deadlongago。Irememberhimwell，agrownman，asavisitoratalaterperiod。and，forsomereason，IrecallhimintheattitudeoftheColossusofRhodes，standingfullbeforeagenerouswood-fire，notfacingit，butquitethecontrary，aperfectpictureofthecontentaffordedbyablazinghearthcontemplatedfromthatpointofview，and，astheheatstolethroughhispersonandkindledhisemphaticfeatures，seemingtomeapatternofmanlybeauty。Whatastatuegalleryofposturingfriendsweallhaveinourmemory！TheoldProfessorhimselfsometimesvisitedthehouseafterithadchangedhands。Ofcourse，myrecollectionsarenottobewhollytrusted，butIalwaysthinkIseehislikenessinaprofilefacetobefoundamongtheillustrationsofRees’sCyclopaedia。SeePlates，Vol。IV。，Plate2，Painting，DiversitiesoftheHumanFace，Fig。4。
Andnowletusreturntoourchiefpicture。Inthedaysofmyearliestremembrance，arowoftallLombardypoplarsmountedguardonthewesternsideoftheoldmansion。Whether，likethecypress，thesetreessuggesttheideaofthefuneraltorchorthemonumentalspire，whethertheirtremulousleavesmakewitsafraidbysympathywiththeirnervousthrills，whetherthefaintbalsamicsmelloftheirfoliageandtheircloselyswathedlimbshaveinthemvaguehintsofdeadPharaohsstiffenedintheircerements，Iwillguess。buttheyalwaysseemedtometogiveanofsepulchralsadnesstothehousebeforewhichstoodsentries。Notsowiththerowofelmswhichyoumayseeleadinguptowardsthewesternentrance。Ithinkthepatriarchofthemallwentoverinthegreatgaleof1815。IknowI
usedtoshaketheyoungestofthemwithmyhands，stoutasitisnow，withatrunkthatwoulddefythebullyofCrotona，orthestrongmanwhoseliaisonwiththeLadyDelilahprovedsodisastrous。
TheCollegeplainwouldbenothingwithoutitselms。Asthelonghairofawomanisaglorytoher，arethesegreentressesthatbankthemselvesagainstskyinthickclusteredmassestheornamentandtheprideoftheclassicgreen。YouknowtheWashingtonelm，orifyoudonot，youhadbetterrekindleourpatriotismbyreadingtheinscription，whichtellsyouthatunderitsshadowthegreatleaderfirstdrewhisswordattheheadofanAmericanarmy。Inalinewiththatyoumayseetwoothers：thecoralfan，asIalwayscalleditfromitsresemblanceinformtothatbeautifulmarinegrowth，andathirdalittlefartheralong。Ihavehearditsaidthatallthreewereplantedatthesametime，andthatthedifferenceoftheirgrowthisduetotheslopeoftheground，——theWashingtonelmbeinglowerthaneitheroftheothers。Thereisarowofelmsjustinfrontoftheoldhouseonthesouth。WhenIwasachildtheoneatthesouthwestcornerwasstruckbylightning，andoneofitslimbsandalongribbonofbarktornaway。Thetreeneverfullyrecovereditssymmetryandvigor，andfortyyearsandmoreafterwardsasecondthunderboltcrasheduponitandsetitsheartonfire，likethoseofthelostsoulsintheHallofEblis。Heavenhadtwiceblastedit，andtheaxefinishedwhatthelightninghadbegun。
ThesoiloftheUniversitytownisdividedintopatchesofsandyandofclayeyground。TheCommonandtheCollegegreen，nearwhichtheoldhousestands，areononeofthesandypatches。Fourcursesarethelocalinheritance：droughts，dust，mud，andcanker-worms。I
cannotbutthinkthatallthecharactersofaregionhelptomodifythechildrenborninit。Iamfondofmakingapologiesforhumannature，andIthinkIcouldfindanexcuseformyselfifI，too，weredryandbarrenandmuddy-wittedandcantankerous，——disposedtogetmybackup，likethoseothernativesofthesoil。
Iknowthis，thatthewayMotherEarthtreatsaboyshapesoutakindofnaturaltheologyforhim。IfellintoManicheanwaysofthinkingfromtheteachingofmygardenexperiences。Likeotherboysinthecountry，Ihadmypatchofground，towhich，inthespring-time，I
entrustedtheseedsfurnishedme，withaconfidenttrustintheirresurrectionandglorificationinthebetterworldofsummer。ButI
soonfoundthatmylineshadfalleninaplacewhereavegetablegrowthhadtorunthegauntletofasmanyfoesanddialsasaChristianpilgrim。FlowerswouldnotBlow。daffodilsperishedlikecriminalsintheirconedemnedcaps，withouttheirpetalseverseeingdaylight。rosesweredisfiguredwithmonstrousprotrusionsthroughtheirverycentres，——somethingthatlookedlikeasecondbudpushingthroughthemiddleofthecorolla。lettucesandcabbageswouldnothead。radishesknottedthemselvesuntiltheylookedlikecentenerians’fingers。andoneverystem，oneveryleaf，andbothsidesofit，andattherootofeverythingthatdew，wasaprofessionalspecialistintheshapeofgrub，caterpillar，aphis，orotherexpert，whosebusinessitwastodevourthatparticularpart，andhelporderthewholeattemptatvegetation。Suchexperiencesmustinfluenceachildborntothem。Asandysoil，wherenothingflourishesbutweedsandevilbeastsofsmalldimensions，mustbreeddifferentqualitiesinitshumanoffspringfromoneofthosefatandfertilespotswhichthewitwhomIhaveoncebeforenoteddescribedsohappilythat，ifIquotedthepassage，itsbrilliancywouldspoiloneofmypages，asadiamondbreastpinsometimeskillsthesocialeffectofthewearer，whomighthavepassedforagentlemanwithoutit。Youraridpatchofearthshouldseemtothenaturalbirthplaceoftheleanervirtuesandtheablervices，——oftemperanceandthedomesticproprietiesontheonehand，withatendencytolightweightsingroceriesandprovisions，andtoclandestineabstractionfromthepersonontheother，asopposedtothefreehospitality，thebroadlyplannedburglaries，andthelargelyconceivedhomicidesofourrichWesternalluvialregions。YetNatureisneverwhollyunkind。EconomicalasshewasinmyunparadisedEden，hardasitwastomakesomeofmyfloralhourisunveil，stillthedamaskrosessweetenedtheJunebreezes，thebladedandplumedflower-de-lucesunfoldedtheirclose-wrappedcones，andlarkspursandlupins，lady’sdelights，——plebeianmanifestationsofthepansy，——self-sowingmarigolds，hollyhocks，theforestflowersoftwoseasons，andtheperenniallilacsandsyringas，——allwhisperedto’thewindsblowingoverthemthatsomecaressingpresencewasaroundme。
Beyondthegardenwasthefield，avastdomainoffouracresorthereabout，bythemeasurementofafteryears，borderedtothenorthbyafathomlesschasm，——theditchthebase-ballplayersofthepresenterajumpover。ontheeastbyunexploredterritory。onthesouthbyabarrenenclosure，wheretheredsorrelproclaimedlibertyandequalityunderitsdrapeaurouge，andsucceededinestablishingavegetablecommunewhereallwerealike，poor，mean，sour，anduninteresting。andonthewestbytheCommon，notthendisgracedbyjealousenclosures，whichmakeitlooklikeacattle-market。Beyond，asIlookedround，weretheColleges，themeeting-house，thelittlesquaremarket-house，longvanished。theburial-groundwherethedeadPresidentsstretchedtheirwearybonesunderepitaphsstretchedoutatasfulllengthastheirsubjects。theprettychurchwherethegoutyToriesusedtokneelontheirhassocks。thedistrictschoolhouse，andhardbyitMa’amHancock’scottage，neversocalledinthosedays，butrathertenfooter。thenhousesscatterednearandfar，openspaces，theshadowyelms，roundhilltopsinthedistance，andoverallthegreatbowlofthesky。Mindyou，thiswastheWORLD，asIfirstknewit。terraveteribuscognita，asMr。Arrowsmithwouldhavecalledit，ifhehadmappedtheuniverseofmyinfancy：
ButIamforgettingtheoldhouseagaininthelandscape。Theworstofamodernstylishmansionis，thatithasnoplaceforghosts。I
watchedonebuildingnotlongsince。Ithadnopropergarret，tobeginwith，onlyasealedintervalbetweentheroofandattics，whereaspiritcouldnotbeaccommodated，unlessitwereflattenedoutlikeRavel，Brother，afterthemillstonehadfallenonhim。Therewasnotanookoracornerinthewholehorsefittolodgeanyrespectableghost，foreverypartwasasopentoobservationasaliteraryman’scharacterandcondition，hisfigureandestate，hiscoatandhiscountenance，aretohisorherBohemianMajestyonatourofinspectionthroughhisorhersubjects’keyholes。
Nowtheoldhousehadwainscots，behindwhichthemicewerealwaysscamperingandsqueakingandrattlingdowntheplaster，andenactingfamilyscenesandparlortheatricals。Ithadacellarwherethecoldslugclungtothewalls，andthemisanthropicspiderwithdrewfromthegarishday。wherethegreenmouldlovedtogrow，andthelongwhitepotato-shootswentfeelingalongthefloor，ifhaplytheymightfindthedaylight。ithadgreatbrickpillars，alwaysinacoldsweatwithholdinguptheburdentheyhadbeenachingunderdayandnightfaracenturyandmore。ithadsepulchralarchesclosedbyroughdoorsthathungonhingesrottenwithrust，behindwhichdoors，iftherewasnotaheapofbonesconnectedwithamysteriousdisappearanceoflongago，therewellmighthavebeen，foritwasjusttheplacetolookforthem。Ithadagarret。verynearlysuchaoneasitseemstomeoneofushasdescribedinoneofhisbooks。
butletuslookatthisoneasIcanreproduceitfrommemory。Ithasaflooringoflathswithridgesofmortarsqueezedupbetweenthem，whichifyoutreadonyouwillgoto——theLordhavemercyonyou！wherewillyougoto？——thesamebeingcrossedbynarrowbridgesofboards，onwhichyoumayputyourfeet，butwithfearandtrembling。Aboveyouandaroundyouarebeamsandjoists，onsomeofwhichyoumaysee，whenthelightisletin，themarksoftheconchoidalclippingsofthebroadaxe，showingtherudewayinwhichthetimberwasshapedasitcame，fullofsap，fromtheneighboringforest。Itisarealmofdarknessandthickdust，andshroud-likecobwebsanddeadthingstheywrapintheirgrayfolds。Foragarretislikeaseashore，wherewrecksarethrownupandslowlygotopieces。Thereisthecradlewhichtheoldmanyoujustrememberwasrockedin。thereistheruinofthebedsteadhediedon。thatuglyslantingcontrivanceusedtobeputunderhispillowinthedayswhenhisbreathcamehard。thereishisoldchairwithbotharmsgone，symbolofthedesolatetimewhenhehadnothingearthlylefttoleanon。thereisthelargewoodenreelwhichtheblear-eyedolddeaconsenttheminister’slady，whothankedhimgraciously，andtwirleditsmilingly，andinfittingseasonboweditoutdecentlytothelimbooftroublesomeconveniences。Andthereareoldleatherportmanteaus，likestrandedporpoises，theirmouthsgapingingaunthungerforthefoodwithwhichtheyusedtobegorgedtobulgingrepletion。andoldbrassandirons，waitinguntiltimeshallrevengethemontheirpaltrysubstitutes，andtheyshallhavetheirownagain，andbringwiththemthefore-stickandtheback-logofancientdays。andtheemptychurn，withitsidledasher，whichtheNancysandPhoebes，whohavelefttheircomfortableplacestotheBridgetsandNorahs，usedtohandletogoodpurpose。andthebrown，shakyoldspinning-wheel，whichwasrunning，itmaybe，inthedayswhentheywerehingingtheSalemwitches。
Underthedarkandhauntedgarretwereatticchamberswhichthemselveshadhistories。Onapaneinthenortheasternchambermaybereadthesenames：
JohnTracy，RobertRoberts，ThomasPrince。Stultusanotherhandhadadded。WhenIfoundthesenamesafewyearsagowrongsideup，forthewindowhadbeenreversed，IlookedatonceintheTriennialtofindthem，fortheepithetshowedthattheywereprobablystudents。Ifoundthemallundertheyears1771and1773。
Doesitpleasetheirthinghoststhustobedraggedtothelightofday？HasStultusforgiventheindignityofbeingthuscharacterized？
ThesoutheastchamberwastheLibraryHospital。Everyscholarshouldhaveabookinfirmaryattachedhislibrary。Thereshouldfindapeaceablerefugethemanybooks，invalidsfromtheirbirth，whicharesentwiththebestregardsoftheAuthor。therespected，butunpresentablecrippleswhichhavelostcover。theoddvolumesofhonoredsetswhichgomourningalltheirdaysfortheirlostbrother。
theschool-bookswhichhavebeensooftenthesubjectsofassaultandbattery，thattheylookasifthepolicemustknowthembyheart。
theseandstillmorethepicturedstory-books，beginningwithMotherGoosewhichadearoldfriendofminehasjustbeenamusinghisphilosophicleisurewithturningmostingeniouslyandhappilyintothetonguesofVirgilandHomer，willbepreciousmementosbyandby，whenchildrenandgrandchildrencomealong。WhatwouldInotgiveforthatdearlittlepaper-boundquarto，inlargeandmostlegibletype，oncertainpagesofwhichthetenderhandthatwastheshieldofmyinfancyhadcrossedoutwithdeepblackmarkssomethingawful，probablyaboutBEARS，suchasoncetaretwo-and-fortyofuslittlefolksformakingfaces，andtheverynameofwhichmadeushideourheadsunderthebedclothes。
Imadestrangeacquaintancesinthatbookinfirmaryupinthesoutheastattic。TheNegroPlotatNewYorkhelpedtoimplantafeelinginmewhichittookMr。Garrisonagoodmanyyearstorootout。ThinksItoMyself，anoldnovel，whichhasbeenattributedtoafamousstatesman，introducedmetoaworldoffictionwhichwasnotrepresentedontheshelvesofthelibraryproper，unlessperhapsbyCoelebsinSearchofaWife，orallegoriesofthebittertonicclass，astheyoungdoctorthatsitsontheothersideofthetablewouldprobablycallthem。Ialways，fromanearlyage，hadakeeneyeforastorywithamoralstickingoutofit，andgaveitawideberth，thoughinmylateryearsIhavemyselfwrittenacoupleofmedicatednovels，asoneofmydearestandpleasantestoldfriendswickedlycalledthem，whensomebodyaskedherifshehadreadthelastofmyprintedperformances。Iforgavethesatireforthecharmingespritoftheepithet。BesidestheworksIhavementioned，therewasanold，oldLatinalchemybook，withthemanuscriptannotationsofsomeancientRosicrucian，inthepagesofwhichIhadavaguenotionthatImightfindthemightysecretoftheLapisPhilosophorum，otherwisecalledChaos，theDragon，theGreenLion，theQuintaEssentia，theSoapofSages，theVinegarofPhilosophers，theDewofHeavenlyGrace，theEgg，theOldMan，theSun，theMoon，andbyallmannerofoddaliases，asIamassuredbytheplethoriclittlebookbeforeme，inparchmentcoversbrownedlikeameerschaumwiththesmokeoffurnacesandthethumbingofdeadgoldseekers，andthefingeringofbony-handedbook-misers，andthelongintervalsofdustyslumberontheshelvesofthebouquiniste。fornextyearitwillbethreecenturiesold，andithadalreadyseenninegenerationsofmenwhenIcaughtitseyeAlchemiaeDoctrinaandrecognizeditatpistol-shotdistanceasaprize，amongthebreviariesandHeuresandtrumperyvolumesoftheoldopen-airdealerwhoexposedhistreasuresundertheshadowofSt。Sulpice。IhaveneverlostmytasteforalchemysinceIfirstgotholdofthePalladiumSpagyricumofPeterJohnFaber，andsought——invain，itistrue——throughitspagesforaclear，intelligible，andpracticalstatementofhowI
couldturnmyleadsinkersandtheweightsoftallkitchenclockintogoodyellowgold，specificgravity19。2，andexchangeableforwhateverIthenwanted，andformanymorethingsthanIwasthenawareof。Oneofthegreatestpleasuresofchildhoodfoundinthemysterieswhichithidesfromtheskepticismoftheelders，andworksupintosmallmythologiesofitsown。Ihaveseenallthisplayedoveragaininadultlife，——thesamedelightfulbewildermentsemi-
emotionalbeliefinlisteningtothegaseouspraisesofthisorthatfantasticsystem，thatIfoundinthepleasingmiragesconjuredupformebytheraggedoldvolumeIusedtoporeoverinthesoutheastattic-chamber。
Theroomsofthesecondstory，thechambersofbirthanddeath，aresacredtosilentmemories。
Letusgodowntotheground-floor。Ishouldhavebegunwiththis，butthatthehistoricalreminiscencesoftheoldhousehavebeenrecentlytoldinamostinterestingmemoirbyadistinguishedstudentofourlocalhistory。Iretainmydoubtsaboutthosedentsontheflooroftheright-handroom，thestudyofsuccessiveoccupants，saidtohavebeenmadebythebuttsoftheContinentalmilitia’sfirelocks，butthiswasthecausetowhichthestorytoldmeinchildhoodlaidthem。ThatmilitaryconsultationswereheldinthatroomwhenthehousewasGeneralWard’sheadquarters，thattheProvincialgeneralsandcolonelsandothermenofwarthereplannedthemovementwhichendedinthefortifyingofBunker’sHill，thatWarrensleptinthehousethenightbeforethebattle，thatPresidentLangdonwentforthfromthewesterndoorandprayedforGod’sblessingonthemenjustsettingforthontheirbloodyexpedition，——
allthesethingshavebeentold，andperhapsnoneofthemneedbedoubted。
Butnowforfiftyyearsandmorethatroomhasbeenameeting-groundfortheplatoonsandcompanieswhichrangethemselvesatthescholar’swordofcommand。Pleasantitistothinkthattheretreatinghostofbooksistogiveplacetoastilllargerarmyofvolumes，whichhaveseenserviceundertheeyeofagreatcommander。
Forherethenoblecollectionofhimsofreshlyrememberedasoursilver-tonguedorator，oureruditescholar，ourhonoredCollegePresident，ouraccomplishedstatesman，ourcourtlyambassador，aretobereverentlygatheredbytheheirofhisname，himselfnotunworthytobesurroundedbythataugustassemblyofthewiseofallagesandofvariouslandsandlanguages。
Couldsuchamany-chamberededificehavestoodacenturyandahalfandnothavehaditspassagesofromancetobequeaththeirlingeringlegendstotheafter-time？Thereareothernamesonsomeofthesmallwindow-panes，whichmusthavehadyoungflesh-and-bloodowners，andthereisoneofearlydatewhichelderlypersonshavewhisperedwasbornebyafairwoman，whosegracesmadethehousebeautifulintheeyesoftheyouthofthattime。Oneespecially——youwillfindthenameofFortescueVernon，oftheclassof1780，intheTriennialCatalogue——wasafavoredvisitortotheoldmansion。buthewentoverseas，Ithinktheytoldme，anddiedstillyoung，andthenameofthemaidenwhichisscratchedonthewindowpanewasneverchanged。Iamtellingthestoryhonestly，asIrememberit，butImayhavecoloreditunconsciously，andthelegendarypanemaybebrokenbeforethisforaughtIknow。Atleast，Ihavenamednonamesexceptthebeautifuloneofthesupposedherooftheromanticstory。
Itwasagreathappinesstohavebeenborninanoldhousehauntedbysuchrecollections，withharmlessghostswalkingitscorridors，withfieldsofwavinggrassandtreesandsingingbirds，andthatvastterritoryoffourorfiveacresaroundittogiveachildthesensethathewasborntoanobleprincipality。Ithasbeenagreatpleasuretoretainacertainholduponitforsomanyyears。andsinceinthenaturalcourseofthingsitmustatlengthpassintootherhands，itisagratificationtoseetheoldplacemakingitselftidyforanewtenant，likesomevenerabledamewhoisgettingreadytoentertainaneighborofcondition。Notlongsinceanewcapofshinglesadornedthisancientmotheramongthevillage——nowcity——
mansions。Shehasdressedherselfinbrightercolorsthanshehashithertoworn，sotheytellme，withinthelastfewdays。Shehasmodernizedheraspectsinseveralways。shehasrubbedbrighttheglassesthroughwhichshelooksattheCommonandtheColleges。andasthesunsetsshineuponherthroughtheflickeringleavesorthewirysprayoftheelmsIrememberfrommychildhood，theywillglorifyherintotheaspectsheworewhenPresidentHolyoke，fatherofourlongsincedeadcentenarian，lookeduponherinheryouthfulcomeliness。
ThequietcornerformedbythisandtheneighboringresidenceshaschangedlessthananyplaceIcanremember。Ourkindly，polite，shrewd，andhumorousoldneighbor，whoinformerdayshasservedthetownasconstableandauctioneer，andwhobidsfairtobecometheoldestinhabitantofthecity，wastherewhenIwasborn，andislivingthereto-day。ByandbythestonyfootofthegreatUniversitywillplantitselfonthiswholeterritory，andtheprivaterecollectionswhichclungsotenaciouslyandfondlytotheplaceanditshabitationswillhavediedwiththosewhocherishedthem。
Shalltheyeverliveagaininthememoryofthosewholovedthemherebelow？Whatisthislifewithoutthepooraccidentswhichmadeitourown，andbywhichweidentifyourselves？Ahme！Imightliketobeawingedchorister，butstillitseemstomeIshouldhardlybequitehappyifIcouldnotrecallatwilltheOldHousewiththeLongEntry，andtheWhiteChamberwhereIwrotethefirstversesthatmademeknown，withapencil，stanspedeinuno，pretty，nearly，andtheLittleParlor，andtheStudy，andtheoldbooksinuniformsasvariedasthoseoftheAncientandHonorableArtilleryCompanyusedtobe，ifmymemoryservesmeright，andthefrontyardwiththeStar-of-Bethlehemsgrowing，flowerless，amongthegrass，andthedearfacestobeseennomorethereoranywhereonthisearthlyplaceoffarewells。
Ihavetoldmystory。Idonotknowwhatspecialgiftshavebeengrantedordeniedme。butthisIknow，thatIamlikesomanyothersofmyfellow-creatures，thatwhenIsmile，Ifeelasiftheymust。
whenIcry，Ithinktheireyesfill。anditalwaysseemstomethatwhenIammosttrulymyselfIcomenearesttothemandamsurestofbeinglistenedtobythebrothersandsistersofthelargerfamilyintowhichIwasbornsolongago。IhaveoftenfearedtheymightbetiredofmeandwhatItellthem。Butthen，perhaps，wouldcomealetterfromsomequietbodyinsomeout-of-the-wayplace，whichshowedmethatIhadsaidsomethingwhichanotherhadoftenfeltbutneversaid，ortoldthesecretofanother’sheartinunburdeningmyown。Suchevidencesthatoneisinthehighwayofhumanexperienceandfeelinglightenthefootstepswonderfully。Soitisthatoneisencouragedtogoonwritingaslongastheworldhasanythingthatinterestshim，forheneverknowshowmanyofhisfellow-beingshemaypleaseorprofit，andinhowmanyplaceshisnamewillbespokenasthatofafriend。
InthemoodsuggestedbymystoryIhaveventuredonthepoemthatfollows。Mostpeoplelovethisworldmorethantheyarewillingtoconfess，anditishardtoconceiveourselvesweanedfromitsoastofeelnoemotionatthethoughtofitsmostsacredrecollections，evenafterasojournofyears，asweshouldcountthelapseofearthlytime，——intherealmwhere，soonerorlater，alltearsshallbewipedaway。Ihope，therefore，thetitleofmylineswillnotfrightenthosewhoarelittleaccustomedtothinkofmenandwomenashumanbeingsinanystatebutthepresent。
HOMESICKINHEAVEN。
THEDIVINEVOICE。
Goseekthineearth-bornsisters，——thustheVoiceThatallobey，——thesadandsilentthree。
Theseonly，whilethehostsofheavenrejoice，Smilenever：askthemwhattheirsorrowsbe：
Andwhenthesecretoftheirgriefstheytell，Lookonthemwiththymild，half-humaneyes。
Saywhatthouwastonearth。thouknowestwell。
Soshalltheyceasefromunavailingsighs。
THEANGEL——
Whythus，apart，——theswift-wingedheraldspake，——
SityewithsilentlipsandunstrunglyresWhilethetrisagion’sblendingchordsawakeInshoutsofjoyfromalltheheavenlychoirs？
THEFIRSTSPIRIT——
Chidenotthysisters，——thustheanswercame——
Childrenofearth，ourhalf-weanednatureclingsToearth’sfondmemories，andherwhisperednameUntunesourquiveringlips，oursaddenedstrings。
Forthereweloved，andwhereweloveishome，Homethatourfeetmayleave，butnotourhearts，Thougho’erusshinethejasper-lighteddome：——
Thechainmaylengthen，butitneverparts！
Sometimesasunlitspherecomesrollingby，Andthenwesoftlywhisper，——canitbe？
Andleaningtowardthesilveryorb，wetryTohearthemusicofitsmurmuringsea。
Tocatch，perchance，someflashingglimpseofgreen，Orbreathesomewild-woodfragrance，waftedthroughTheopeninggatesofpearl，thatfoldbetweenTheblindingsplendorsandthechangelessblue。
THEANGEL——
Nay，sister，nay！asinglehealingleafPluckedfromtheboughofyontwelve-fruitedtree，Wouldsoothesuchanguish，——deeperstabbinggriefHaspiercedthythrobbingheart——
THEFIRSTSPIRIT——
Ah，woeisme！
Ifrommyclingingbabewasrudelytorn。
HistenderlipsalovelessbosompressedCanIforgethiminmylifenewborn？
Othatmydarlinglayuponmybreast！
THEANGEL——
Andthou？
THESECONDSPIRIT。
Iwasafairandyouthfulbride，Thekissoflovestillburnsuponmycheek，HewhomIworshipped，everatmyside，——
HimthroughthespiritrealminvainIseek。
Sweetfacesturntheirbeamingeyesonmine。
Ah！notinthesethewished-forlookIread。
StillforthatonedearhumansmileIpine。
Thouandnoneother！——isthelover’screed。
THEANGEL——
AndwhencethysadnessinaworldofblissWhereneverpartingcomes，normourner’stear？
Artthou，too，dreamingofamortal’skissAmidtheseraphsoftheheavenlysphere？
THETHIRDSPIRIT——
Nay，taxnotmewithpassion’swastingfire。
Whentheswiftmessagesetmyspiritfree，Blind，helpless，lone，Ileftmygray-hairedsire。
Myfriendsweremany，hehadnonesaveme。
Ilefthim，orphaned，inthestarlessnight。
Alas，forhimnocheerfulmorning’sdawn！
Iweartheransomedspirit’srobeofwhite，YetstillIhearhimmoaning，Sheisgone！
THEANGEL——
Yeknowmenot，sweetsisters？——AllinvainYeseekyourlostonesintheshapestheywore。
Thefloweronceopenedmaynotbudagain，Thefruitoncefallenfindsthestemnomore。
Child，lover，sire，——yea，allthingslovedbelow，Fairpicturesdamaskedonavapor’sfold，Fadeliketheroseateflush，thegoldenglow，Whenthebrightcurtainofthedayisrolled。
Iwasthebabethatslumberedonthybreast——
And，sister，minethelipsthatcalledtheebride——
Minewerethesilveredlocksthyhandcaressed，Thatfaithfulhand，myfalteringfootstep’sguide！
Eachchangingform，frailvestureofdecay，Thesouluncladforgetsitoncehathworn，Stainedwiththetravelofthewearyday，Andshamedwithrentsfromeverywaysidethorn。
Tolie，aninfant，inthyfondembrace，Tocomewithlove’swarmkissesbacktothee，Toshowthineeyesthygray-hairedfather’sface，NotHeavenitselfcouldgrant。thismaynotbe！
Thenspreadyourfoldedwings，andleavetoearthThedustoncebreathingyehavemournedsolong，TillLove，newrisen，ownshisheavenlybirth，Andsorrow’sdiscordssweetenintosong！
II
Iamgoingtotakeitforgrantednowandhenceforth，inmyreportofwhatwassaidandwhatwastobeseenatourtable，thatIhavesecuredonegood，faithful，lovingreader，whoneverfindsfault，whonevergetssleepyovermypages，whomnocriticcanbullyoutofalikingforme，andtowhomIamalwayssafeinaddressingmyself。Myoneelectmaybemanorwoman，oldoryoung，gentleorsimple，livinginthenextblockoronaslopeofNevada，myfellow-countrymanoranalien。butonesuchreaderIshallassumetoexistandhavealwaysinmythoughtwhenIamwriting。
Awriterissolikealover！Andatalkwiththerightlistenerissolikeanarm-in-armwalkinthemoonlightwiththesoftheartbeatjustfeltthroughthefoldsofmuslinandbroadcloth！Butittakesverylittletospoileverythingforwriter，talker，lover。Thereareagreatmanycruelthingsbesidespovertythatfreezethegenialcurrentofthesoul，asthepoetoftheElegycallsit。Firecanstandanywind，butiseasilyblownout，andthencomesmoulderingandsmoke，andprofitless，slowcombustionwithoutthecheerfulblazewhichshedslightallroundit。TheoneReader’shandmaysheltertheflame。theoneblessedministeringspiritwiththevesselofoilmaykeepitbrightinspiteofthestreamofcoldwaterontheothersidedoingitsbesttoputitout。
Isuppose，ifanywriter，ofanydistinguishableindividuality，couldlookintotheheartsofallhisreaders，hemightveryprobablyfindoneinhisparishofathousandoramillionwhohonestlypreferredhimtoanyotherofhiskind。Ihavenodoubtwehaveeachoneofus，somewhere，ourexactfacsimile，solikeusinallthingsexcepttheaccidentsofcondition，thatweshouldloveeachotherlikeapairoftwins，ifournaturescouldoncefairlymeet。IknowIhavemycounterpartinsomeStateofthisUnion。IfeelsurethatthereisanEnglishmansomewherepreciselylikemyself。Ihopehedoesnotdrophish’s，foritdoesnotseemtomepossiblethattheRoyalDanecouldhaveremainedfaithfultohisloveforOphelia，ifshehadaddressedhimas’Amlet。ThereisalsoacertainMonsieur，tomeatthismomentunknown，andlikewiseaHerrVonSomething，eachofwhomisessentiallymydouble。AnArabisatthismomenteatingdates，amandarinisjustsippinghistea，andaSouth-Sea-Islanderwithundevelopedpossibilitiesdrinkingthemilkofacocoa-nut，eachoneofwhom，ifhehadbeenborninthegambrel-roofedhouse，andcultivatedmylittlesand-patch，andgrownupinthestudyfromtheheightofWalton’sPolyglotBibletothatoftheshelfwhichheldtheElzevirTacitusandCasaubon’sPolybius，withallthecomplexinfluencesabouthimthatsurroundedme，wouldhavebeensonearlywhatIamthatIshouldhavelovedhimlikeabrother，——alwaysprovidedthatIdidnothatehimforhisresemblancetome，onthesameprincipleasthatwhichmakesbodiesinthesameelectricconditionrepeleachother。
For，perhapsafterall，myOneReaderisquiteaslikelytobenotthepersonmostresemblingmyself，buttheonetowhommynatureiscomplementary。Justasaparticularsoilwantssomeoneelementtofertilizeit，justasthebodyinsomeconditionshasakindoffamine——foronespecialfood，sothemindhasitswants，whichdonotalwayscallforwhatisbest，butwhichknowthemselvesandareasperemptoryasthesalt-sicksailor’scallforalemonorarawpotato，or，ifyouwill，asthosecapriciouslongings，whichhaveacertainmeaning，wemaysuppose，andwhichatanyratewethinkitreasonabletosatisfyifwecan。
IwasgoingtosaysomethingaboutourboarderstheotherdaywhenI
gotrunawaywithbymylocalreminiscences。Iwishyoutounderstandthatwehavearatherselectcompanyatthetableofourboarding-house。
OurLandladyisamostrespectableperson，whohasseenbetterdays，ofcourse，——alllandladieshave，——buthasalso，Ifeelsure，seenagooddealworseones。Forshewearsaveryhandsomesilkdressonstateoccasions，withabreastpinset，asIhonestlybelieve，withgenuinepearls，andappearshabituallywithaverysmartcap，fromunderwhichhergraycurlscomeoutwithanunmistakableexpression，conveyedinthehieraticlanguageofthefemininepriesthood，totheeffectthatwhilethereislifethereishope。AndwhenIcometoreflectonthemanycircumstanceswhichgotothemakingofmatrimonialhappiness，Icannothelpthinkingthatapersonageofherpresentableexterior，thoroughlyexperiencedinallthedomesticartswhichrenderlifecomfortable，mightmakethelateryearsofsomehithertocompanionlessbachelorveryendurable，nottosaypleasant。
TheconditionoftheLandlady’sfamilyis，fromwhatIlearn，suchastomaketheconnectionIhavealludedto，Ihopewithdelicacy，desirableforincidentalaswellasdirectreasons，providedafittingmatchcouldbefound。IwasstartledathearingheraddressbythefamiliarnameofBenjamintheyoungphysicianIhavereferredto，untilIfoundoninquiry，whatImighthaveguessedbythesizeofhisslicesofpieandotherlittlemarksoffavoritism，thathewasherson。HehasrecentlycomebackfromEurope，wherehehastoppedoffhishometrainingwithafirst-classforeignfinish。AstheLandladycouldneverhaveeducatedhiminthiswayoutoftheprofitsofkeepingboarders，IwasnotsurprisedwhenIwastoldthatshehadreceivedaprettylittlepropertyintheformofabequestfromaformerboarder，averykind-hearted，worthyoldgentlemanwhohadbeenlongwithherandseenhowhardsheworkedforfoodandclothesforherselfandthissonofhers，BenjaminFranklinbyhisbaptismalname。Herdaughterhadalsomarriedwell，toamemberofwhatwemaycallthepost-medicalprofession，that，namely，whichdealswiththemortalframeafterthepractitionersofthehealingarthavedonewithitandtakentheirleave。Sothrivinghadthisson-in-lawofhersbeeninhisbusiness，thathiswifedroveaboutinherowncarriage，drawnbyapairofjet-blackhorsesofmostdignifieddemeanor，whoseonlyfaultwasatendencytorelapseatonceintoawalkaftereveryapplicationofastimulusthatquickenedtheirpacetoatrot。whichapplicationalwayscausedthemtolookrounduponthedriverwithasurprisedandoffendedair，asifhehadbeenguiltyofagraveindecorum。
TheLandlady’sdaughterhadbeenblessedwithanumberofchildren，ofgreatsobrietyofoutwardaspect，butremarkablycheerfulintheirinwardhabitofmind，moreespeciallyontheoccasionofthedeathofadoll，whichwasanalmostdailyoccurrence，andgavethemimmensedelightingettingupafuneral，forwhichtheyhadacompleteminiatureoutfit。Howhappytheywereundertheirsolemnaspect！