TheMasterlookedatmewiththattwinkleinhiseyewhichmeansthatheisgoingtoparryaquestion——
BettersticktoBlair’sChronology。thatsettlesit。AdamandEve，createdFriday，October28th，B。C。4004。You’vebeeninashipforagoodwhile，andherecomesMr。Darwinondeckwithanarmfulofsticksandsays，Let’sbuildaraft，andtrustourselvestothat。
Ifyourshipspringsaleak，whatwouldyoudo？
Helookedmestraightintheeyesforabouthalfaminute——IfI
heardthepumpsgoing，I’dlookandseewhethertheyweregainingontheleakornot。IftheyweregainingI’dstaywhereIwas——Goandfindoutwhat’sthematterwiththatyoungwoman。
IhadnoticedthattheYoungGirl——thestorywriter，ourScheherezade，asIcalledher——lookedasifshehadbeencryingorlyingawakehalfthenight。Ifoundonaskingher，——forsheisanhonestlittlebodyandisdisposedtobeconfidentialwithmeforsomereasonorother，——thatshehadbeendoingboth——
Andwhatwasthematternow，Iquestionedherinasemi-paternalkindofway，assoonasIgotachanceforafewquietwordswithher。
Shewasengagedtowriteaserialstory，itseems，andhadonlygotasfarasthesecondnumber，andsomecritichadbeenjumpinguponit，shesaid，andgrindinghisheelintoit，tillshecouldn’tbeartolookatit。Hesaidshedidnotwritehalfsowellashalfadozenotheryoungwomen。Shedidn’twritehalfsowellassheusedtowriteherself。Shehadn’tanycharactersandshehadn’tanyincidents。Thenhewenttoworktoshowhowherstorywascomingout，tryingtoanticipateeverythingshecouldmakeofit，sothatherreadersshouldhavenothingtolookforwardto，andheshouldhavecreditforhissagacityinguessing，whichwasnothingsoverywonderful，sheseemedtothink。Thingsshehadmerelyhintedandleftthereadertoinfer，hetoldrightoutinthebluntestandcoarsestway。Ithadtakenallthelifeoutofher，shesaid。Itwasjustasifatadinner-partyoneoftheguestsshouldtakeaspoonfulofsoupandgetupandsaytothecompany，Poorstuff，poorstuff。youwon’tgetanythingbetter。let’sgosomewhereelsewherethingsarefittoeat。
Whatdoyoureadsuchthingsfor，mydear？saidI。
Thefilmglistenedinhereyesatthestrangesoundofthosetwosoftwords。shehadnotheardsuchveryoften，Iamafraid——
IknowIamafoolishcreaturetoreadthem，sheanswered，——butI
can’thelpit。somebodyalwayssendsmeeverythingthatwillmakemewretchedtoread，andsoIsitdownandreadit，andachealloverformypains，andlieawakeallnight——
Shesmiledfaintlyasshesaidthis，forshesawthesub-ridiculoussideofit，butthefilmglitteredstillinhereyes。Thereareagoodmanyrealmiseriesinlifethatwecannothelpsmilingat，buttheyarethesmilesthatmakewrinklesandnotdimples。Somebodyalwayssendshereverythingthatwillmakeherwretched。Whocanthosecreaturesbewhocutouttheoffensiveparagraphandsenditanonymouslytous，whomailthenewspaperwhichhasthearticlewehadmuchbetternothaveseen，whotakecarethatweshallknoweverythingwhichcan，byanypossibility，helptomakeusdiscontentedwithourselvesandalittlelesslight-heartedthanwewerebeforewehadbeenfoolsenoughtoopentheirincendiarypackages？Idon’tliketosayittomyself，butIcannothelpsuspecting，inthisinstance，thedoubtful-lookingpersonagewhositsonmyleft，beyondtheScarabee。IhavesomereasontothinkthathehasmadeadvancestotheYoungGirlwhichwerenotfavorablyreceived，tostatethecaseinmoderateterms，anditmaybethatheistakinghisrevengeincuttingupthepoorgirl’sstory。Iknowthisverywell，thatsomepersonalpiqueorfavoritismisatthebottomofhalfthepraiseanddispraisewhichpretendtobesoveryingenuousanddiscriminating。OfcourseIhavebeenthinkingallthistimeandtellingyouwhatIthought。——
Whatyouwantisencouragement，mydear，saidI，——Iknowthataswell，asyou。Idon’tthinkthefellowsthatwritesuchcriticismsasyoutellmeofwanttocorrectyourfaults。Idon’tmeantosaythatyoucanlearnnothingfromthem，becausetheyarenotallfoolsbyanymeans，andtheywilloftenpickoutyourweakpointswithamalignantsagacity，asapettifogginglawyerwillfrequentlyfindarealflawintryingtogetateverythinghecanquibbleabout。Butistherenobodywhowillpraiseyougenerouslywhenyoudowell，——
nobodythatwilllendyouahandnowwhileyouwantit，——ormusttheyallwaituntilyouhavemadeyourselfanameamongstrangers，andthenallatoncefindoutthatyouhavesomethinginyou？
Oh，——saidthegirl，andthebrightfilmgatheredtoofastforheryoungeyestoholdmuchlonger，——Ioughtnottobeungrateful！I
havefoundthekindestfriendintheworld。HaveyoueverheardtheLady——theonethatIsitnexttoatthetable——sayanythingaboutme？
Ihavenotreallymadeheracquaintance，Isaid。SheseemstomealittledistantinhermannersandIhaverespectedherprettyevidentlikingforkeepingmostlytoherself——
Oh，butwhenyouoncedoknowher！Idon’tbelieveIcouldwritestoriesallthetimeasIdo，ifshedidn’taskmeuptoherchamber，andletmereadthemtoher。Doyouknow，Icanmakeherlaughandcry，readingmypoorstories？Andsometimes，whenIfeelasifIhadwrittenoutallthereisinme，andwanttoliedownandgotosleepandneverwakeupexceptinaworldwheretherearenoweeklypapers，——wheneverythinggoeswrong，likeacaroffthetrack，——shetakesholdandsetsmeontherailsagainallright——
Howdoesshegotoworktohelpyou？——
Why，shelistenstomystories，tobeginwith，asifshereallylikedtohearthem。AndthenyouknowIamdreadfullytroublednowandthenwithsomeofmycharacters，andcan’tthinkhowtogetridofthem。Andshe’llsay，perhaps，Don’tshootyourvillainthistime，you’veshotthreeorfouralreadyinthelastsixweeks。lethismarestumbleandthrowhimandbreakhisneck。Orshe’llgivemeahintaboutsomenewwayformylovertomakeadeclaration。Shemusthavehadagoodmanyoffers，it’smybelief，forshehastoldmeadozendifferentwaysformetouseinmystories。AndwheneverI
readastorytoher，shealwayslaughsandcriesintherightplaces。
andthat’ssuchacomfort，fortherearesomepeoplethatthinkeverythingpitiableissofunny，andwillburstoutlaughingwhenpoorRipVanWinkle——you’veseenMr。Jefferson，haven’tyou？——isbreakingyourheartforyouifyouhaveone。SometimesshetakesapoemIhavewrittenandreadsittomesobeautifully，thatIfallinlovewithit，andsometimesshesetsmyversestomusicandsingsthemtome——
Youhavealaughtogethersometimes，doyou？——
Indeedwedo。IwriteforwhattheycalltheComicDepartmentofthepapernowandthen。IfIdidnotgetsotiredofstory-telling，IsupposeIshouldbegayerthanIam。butasitis，wetwogetalittlefunoutofmycomicpieces。Ibeginthemhalf-cryingsometimes，butaftertheyaredonetheyamuseme。Idon’tsupposemycomicpiecesareverylaughable。atanyratethemanwhomakesabusinessofwritingmedownsaysthelastoneIwroteisverymelancholyreading，andthatifitwasonlyalittlebetterperhapssomebereavedpersonmightpickoutalineortwothatwoulddotoputonagravestone——
Well，thatishard，Imustconfess。Doletmeseethoselineswhichexcitesuchsademotions——
Willyoureadthemverygood-naturedly？Ifyouwill，IwillgetthepaperthathasAuntTabitha。Thatistheonethefault-findersaidproducedsuchdeepdepressionoffeeling。ItwaswrittenfortheComicDepartment。Perhapsitwillmakeyoucry，butitwasn’tmeantto——
IwillfinishmyreportthistimewithourScheherezade’spoem，hopingthat——anycriticwhodealswithitwilltreatitwiththecourtesyduetoallayounglady’sliteraryefforts。
AUNTTABITHA。
WhateverIdo，andwhateverIsay，AuntTabithatellsmethatisn’ttheway。
Whenshewasagirlfortysummersago
AuntTabithatellsmetheyneverdidso。
Dearaunt！IfIonlywouldtakeheradvice！
ButIlikemyownway，andIfinditsonice！
Andbesides，IforgethalfthethingsIamtold。
Buttheyallwillcomebacktome——whenIamold。
Ifayouthpassesby，itmayhappen，nodoubt，HemaychancetolookinasIchancetolookout。
Shewouldneverendureanimpertinentstare，Itishorrid，shesays，andImustn’tsitthere。
Awalkinthemoonlighthaspleasures，Iown，Butitisn’tquitesafetobewalkingalone。
SoItakealad’sarm，——justforsafety，youknow，ButAuntTabithatellsmetheydidn’tdoso。
Howwickedweare，andhowgoodtheywerethen！
Theykeptatarm’slengththosedetestablemen。
Whataneraofvirtueshelivedin！——ButstayWerethemenallsuchroguesinAuntTabitha’sday？
Ifthemenweresowicked，I’llaskmypapaHowhedaredtoproposetomydarlingmamma。
Washeliketherestofthem？Goodness！WhoknowsAndwhatshallIsayifawretchshouldpropose？
Iamthinkingifauntknewsolittleofsin，WhatawonderAuntTabitha’sauntmusthavebeen！
Andhergrand-aunt——itscaresme——howshockinglysad。
Thatwegirlsofto-dayaresofrightfullybad！
Amartyrwillsaveus，andnothingelsecan。
Letmeperish——torescuesomewretchedyoungman！
ThoughwhentothealtaravictimIgo，AuntTabitha’lltellmesheneverdidso！
IV
TheoldMasterhasdevelopedonequalityoflateforwhichIamafraidIhardlygavehimcredit。Hehasturnedouttobeanexcellentlistener——
Ilovetotalk，——hesaid，——asagooselovestoswim。SometimesI
thinkitisbecauseIamagoose。ForInevertalkedmuchatanyonetimeinmylifewithoutsayingsomethingorotherIwassorryfor——
Youtoo！——saidI——Nowthatisveryodd，foritisanexperienceI
havehabitually。Ithoughtyouwererathertoomuchofaphilosophertotroubleyourselfaboutsuchsmallmattersastowhetheryouhadsaidjustwhatyoumeanttoornot。especiallyasyouknowthatthepersonyoutalktodoesnotrememberawordofwhatyousaidthenextmorning，butisthinking，itismuchmorelikely，ofwhatshesaid，orhowhernewdresslooked，orsomeotherbody’snewdresswhichmade——herslookasifithadbeenpatchedtogetherfromtheleavesoflastNovember。That’swhatshe’sprobablythinkingabout——
She！——saidtheMaster，withalookwhichitwouldtakeatleasthalfapagetoexplaintotheentiresatisfactionofthoughtfulreadersofbothsexes——
Ipaidtherespectduetothatmostsignificantmonosyllable，which，astheoldRabbispokeit，withitstargumoftoneandexpression，wasnottobeansweredflippantly，butsoberly，advisedly，andafterapauselongenoughforittounfolditsmeaninginthelistener’smind。ForthereareshortsinglewordsalltheworldremembersRachel’sHelas！whicharelikethoseJapanesetoysthatlooklikenothingofanysignificanceasyouthrowthemonthewater，butwhichafteralittletimeopenoutintovariousstrangeandunexpectedfigures，andthenyoufindthateachlittleshredhadacomplicatedstorytotellofitself-
Yes，——saidI，atthecloseofthissilentinterval，duringwhichthemonosyllablehadbeenopeningoutitsmeanings，——She。WhenIthinkoftalking，itisofcoursewithawoman。Fortalkingatitsbestbeinganinspiration，itwantsacorrespondingdivinequalityofreceptiveness。andwherewillyoufindthisbutinwoman？
TheMasterlaughedapleasantlittlelaugh，——notaharsh，sarcasticone，butplayful，andtemperedbysokindalookthatitseemedasifeverywrinkledlineabouthisoldeyesrepeated，Godblessyou，asthetracingsonthewallsoftheAlhambrarepeatasentenceoftheKoran。
Isaidnothing，butlookedthequestion，Whatareyoulaughingat？——
Why，IlaughedbecauseIcouldn’thelpsayingtomyselfthatawomanwhosemindwastakenupwiththinkinghowshelooked，andhowherprettyneighborlooked，wouldn’thaveagreatdealofthoughttospareforallyourfinediscourse——
Come，now，——saidI，——amanwhocontradictshimselfinthecourseoftwominutesmusthaveascrewlooseinhismentalmachinery。Ineverfeelafraidthatsuchathingcanhappentome，thoughithappensoftenenoughwhenIturnathoughtoversuddenly，asyoudidthatfive-centpiecetheotherday，thatitreadsdifferentlyonitstwosides。WhatImeanttosayissomethinglikethis。Awoman，notwithstandingsheisthebestoflisteners，knowsherbusiness，anditisawoman’sbusinesstoplease。Idon’tsaythatitisnotherbusinesstovote，butIdosaythatawomanwhodoesnotpleaseisafalsenoteintheharmoniesofnature。Shemaynothaveyouth，orbeauty，orevenmanner。butshemusthavesomethinginhervoiceorexpression，orboth，whichitmakesyoufeelbetterdisposedtowardsyourracetolookatorlistento。Sheknowsthataswellaswedo。
andherfirstquestionafteryouhavebeentalkingyoursoulintoherconsciousnessis，DidIplease？Awomanneverforgetshersex。Shewouldrathertalkwithamanthananangel，anyday——
ThisfrightfulspeechofminereachedtheearofourScheherezade，whosaidthatitwasperfectlyshockingandthatIdeservedtobeshownupastheoutlawinoneofherbanditstories。
Hush，mydear，——saidtheLady，——youwillhavetobringJohnMiltonintoyourstorywithourfriendthere，ifyoupunisheverybodywhosaysnaughtythingslikethat。SendthelittleboyuptomychamberforParadiseLost，ifyouplease。Hewillfinditlyingonmytable。
Thelittleoldvolume，——hecan’tmistakeit。
SothegirlcalledThatBoyroundandgavehimthemessage。Idon’tknowwhysheshouldgiveit，butshedid，andtheLadyhelpedheroutwithawordortwo。
Thelittlevolume——itscoverprotectedwithsoftwhiteleatherfromalongkidglove，evidentlysuggestingthebrilliantassembliesofthedayswhenfriendsandfortunesmiled-camepresentlyandtheLadyopenedit——Youmayreadthat，ifyoulike，shesaid，——itmayshowyouthatourfriendistobepilloriedingoodcompany。
TheYoungGirlranhereyealongthepassagetheLadypointedout，blushed，laughed，andslappedthebookdownasthoughshewouldhavelikedtoboxtheearsofMr。JohnMilton，ifhehadbeenacontemporaryandfellow-contributortotheWeeklyBucket——Iwon’ttouchthething，——shesaid——Hewasahorridmantotalkso：andhehadasmanywivesasBlue-Beard——
Fairplay，——saidtheMaster——Bringmethebook，mylittlefractionalsuperfluity，——Imeanyou，mynursling，——myboy，ifthatsuitsyoursmallHighnessbetter。
TheBoybroughtthebook。
TheoldMaster，notunfamiliarwiththegreatepicopenedprettynearlytotheplace，andverysoonfoundthepassage：Heread，aloudwithgrandscholasticintonationandinadeepvoicethatsilencedthetableasifaprophethadjustutteredThussaiththeLord：——
Sospakeoursire，andbyhiscountenanceseemedEnteringonstudiousthoughtsabstruse。whichEvePerceiving
wenttowaterhergeraniums，tomakeashortstoryofit，andleftthetwoconversationists，towit，theangelRaphaelandthegentleman，——therewasbutonegentlemaninsocietythen，youknow，——
totalkitout。
Yetwentshenot，asnotwithsuchdiscourseDelighted，ornotcapableherearOfwhatwashigh。suchpleasureshereserved，Adamrelating，shesoleauditress。
HerhusbandtherelatershepreferredBeforetheangel，andofhimtoaskChoserather。hesheknewwouldintermixGratefuldigressions，andsolvehighdisputeWithconjugalcaresses：fromhislipsNotwordsalonepleasedher。
Everybodylaughed，excepttheCapitalist，whowasalittlehardofhearing，andtheScarabee，whoselifewastooearnestfordemonstrationsofthatkind。Hehadhiseyesfixedonthevolume，however，witheagerinterest——
Thep’int’scarried，——saidtheMemberoftheHaouse。
Willyouletmelookatthatbookasingleminute？——saidtheScarabee。Ipassedittohim，wonderingwhatintheworldhewantedofParadiseLost。
Dermesteslardarius，——hesaid，pointingtoaplacewheretheedgeofonesideoftheoutercoverhadbeenslightlytastedbysomeinsect——
Veryfondofleatherwhilethey’reinthelarvastate——
Damagethegoodsasbadasmice，——saidtheSalesman——
EathalfthebindingoffFolio67，——saidtheRegisterofDeeds。
Somethingdid，anyhow，anditwasn’tmice。Foundtheshelfcoveredwithlittlehairycasesbelongingtosomethingorotherthathadnobusinessthere。
SkinsoftheDermesteslardaraus，——saidtheScarabee，——youcanalwaystellthembythosebrownhairycoats。That’sthenametogivethem——
Whatgooddoesitdotogive’emanameafterthey’veeatthebindingoffmyfolios？——askedtheRegisterofDeeds。
TheScarabeehadtoomuchrespectforsciencetoanswersuchaquestionasthat。andthebook，havingserveditspurposes，waspassedbacktotheLady。
Ireturntothepreviousquestion，——saidI，——ifourfriendtheMemberoftheHouseofRepresentativeswillallowmetoborrowthephrase。
Womanlywomenareverykindlycritics，excepttothemselvesandnowandthentotheirownsex。Thelessthereisofsexaboutawoman，themoresheistobedreaded。Buttakearealwomanatherbestmoment，——welldressedenoughtobepleasedwithherself，notsoresplendentastobeashowandasensation，withthosevariedoutsideinfluenceswhichsetvibratingtheharmonicnotesofhernaturestirringintheairabouther，andwhathassociallifetocomparewithoneofthosevitalinterchangesofthoughtandfeelingwithherthatmakeanhourmemorable？Whatcanequalhertact，herdelicacy，hersubtletyofapprehension，herquicknesstofeelthechangesoftemperatureasthewarmandcoolcurrentsoftalkblowbyturns？Atonemomentsheismicroscopicallyintellectual，critical，scrupulousinjudgmentasananalyst’sbalance，andthenextassympatheticastheopenrosethatsweetensthewindfromwhateverquarteritfindsitswaytoherbosom。Itisinthehospitablesoulofawomanthatamanforgetsheisastranger，andsobecomesnaturalandtruthful，atthesametimethatheismesmerizedbyallthosedivinedifferenceswhichmakeheramysteryandabewildermenttoIfyoufireyourpopgunatme，youlittlechimpanzee，Iwillstickapinrightthroughthemiddleofyouandputyouintooneofthisgentleman’sbeetle-cases！
Icaughttheimpthattime，butwhatstartedhimwasmorethanI
couldguess。Itisratherhardthatthisspoiledchildshouldspoilsuchasentenceasthatwasgoingtobe。butthewindshiftedallatonce，andthetalkhadtocomeroundonanothertack，oratleastfalloffapointortwofromitscourse——
I’lltellyouwhoIthinkarethebesttalkersinallprobability，——saidItotheMaster，who，asImentioned，wasdevelopinginterestingtalentasalistener，——poetswhoneverwriteverses。Andthereareagoodmanymoreofthesethanitwouldseematfirstsight。Ithinkyoumaysayeveryyoungloverisapoet，tobeginwith。Idon’tmeaneitherthatallyoungloversaregoodtalkers，——
theyhaveaneloquencealltheirownwhentheyarewiththebelovedobject，nodoubt，emphasizedafterthefashionthesolemnbardofParadisereferstowithsuchdelicioushumorinthepassagewejustheard，——butalittletalkgoesagoodwayinmostofthesecooingmatches，anditwouldn’tdotoreportthemtooliterally。WhatI
meanis，thatamanwiththegiftofmusicalandimpassionedphraseandloveoftendeedsthattoayoungpersonforawhile，whowreaksit，toborrowByron’sword，onconversationasthenaturaloutletofhissensibilitiesandspiritualactivities，islikelytotalkbetterthanthepoet，whoplaysontheinstrumentofverse。A
greatpianistorviolinistisrarelyagreatsinger。Towriteapoemistoexpendthevitalforcewhichwouldhavemadeonebrilliantforanhourortwo，andtoexpenditonaninstrumentwithmorepipes，reeds，keys，stops，andpedalsthantheGreatOrganthatshakesNewEnglandeverytimeitisplayedinfullblast。
Doyoumeanthatitishardworktowriteapoem？——saidtheoldMaster——Ihadanideathatapoemwroteitself，asitwere，veryoften。thatitcamebyinflux，withoutvoluntaryeffort。indeed，youhavespokenofitasaninspirationratherthanaresultofvolition——
Didyoueverseeagreatballet-dancer？——Iaskedhim——
IhaveseenTaglioni，——heanswered——Sheusedtotakeherstepsratherprettily。IhaveseenthewomanthatdancedthecapstoneontoBunkerHillMonument，asOrpheusmovedtherocksbymusic，theElsslerwoman，——FannyElssler。Shewoulddanceyouarigadoonorcutapigeon’swingforyouveryrespectably。
Confoundthisoldcollegebook-worm，——hehasseeneverything！
Well，didthesetwoladiesdanceasifitwashardworktothem？——
Whyno，Ishouldsaytheydancedasiftheylikeditandcouldn’thelpdancing。theylookedasiftheyfeltsocorkyitwashardtokeepthemdown——
Andyettheyhadbeenthroughsuchworktogettheirlimbsstrongandflexibleandobedient，thatacart-horselivesaneasylifecomparedtotheirswhiletheywereintraining——
TheMastercutinjusthere——Ihadsprungthetrapofareminiscence——
WhenIwasaboy，——hesaid，——someofthemothersinoursmalltown，whomeantthattheirchildrenshouldknowwhatwaswhataswellasotherpeople’schildren，laidtheirheadstogetherandgotadancing-
mastertocomeoutfromthecityandgiveinstructionatafewdollarsaquartertotheyoungfolksofconditioninthevillage。
Someoftheirhusbandswereministersandsomeweredeacons，butthemothersknewwhattheywereabout，andtheydidn’tseeanyreasonwhyministers’anddeacons’wives’childrenshouldn’thaveaseasymannersasthesonsanddaughtersofBelial。So，asItellyou，theygotadancing-mastertocomeouttoourplace，——amanofgoodrepute，amostrespectableman，——madamtotheLandlady，youmustremembertheworthyoldcitizen，inhisadvancedage，goingaboutthestreets，amostgentlemanlybundleofinfirmities，——onlyhealwayscockedhishatalittletoomuchononeside，astheydohereandtherealongtheConnecticutRiver，andsometimesonourcitysidewalks，whenthey’vegotanewbeaver。theygothim，Isay，togiveusboysandgirlslessonsindancinganddeportment。Hewasasgrayandaslivelyasasquirrel，asIrememberhim，andusedtospringupintheairandcrosshisfeet，aswecalledit，threetimesbeforehecamedown。Well，attheendofeachtermtherewaswhattheycalledanexhibitionball，inwhichthescholarsdancedcotillonsandcountry-dances。alsosomethingcalledagavotte，andIthinkoneormorewalkedaminuet。Butallthisisnotwhat——Iwantedtosay。Atthisexhibitionballheusedtobringoutanumberofhoopswreathedwithroses，oftheperennialkind，bytheaidofwhichanumberofamazinglycomplicatedandstartlingevolutionswereexhibited。andalsohistwodaughters，whofiguredlargelyintheseevolutions，andwhosewonderfulperformancestous，whohadnotseenMissTaglioniorMissElssler，weresomethingquitebewildering，infact，surpassingthenaturalpossibilitiesofhumanbeings。Theirextraordinarypowerswere，however，accountedforbythefollowingexplanation，whichwasacceptedintheschoolasentirelysatisfactory。Acertainlittleboneintheanklesofeachoftheseyounggirlshadbeenbrokenintentionally，secundumartem，ataveryearlyage，andthustheyhadbeenfittedtoaccomplishthesesurprisingfeatswhichthrewtheachievementsofthechildrenwhowereleftintheconditionofthenaturalmanintoignominiousshadow——
Thankyou，——saidI，——youhavehelpedoutmyillustrationsoastomakeitbetterthanIexpected。Letmebeginagain。Everypoemthatisworthyofthename，nomatterhoweasilyitseemstobewritten，representsagreatamountofvitalforceexpendedatsometimeorother。Whenyoufindabeachstrewedwiththeshellsandotherspoilsthatbelongedoncetothedeepsea，youknowthetidehasbeenthere，andthatthewindsandwaveshavewrestledoveritsnakedsands。Andso，ifIfindapoemstrandedinmysoulandhavenothingtodobutseizeitasawreckercarriesoffthetreasurehefindscastashore，IknowIhavepaidatsometimeforthatpoemwithsomeinwardcommotion，wereitonlyanexcessofenjoyment，whichhasusedupjustsomuchofmyvitalcapital。Butbesidesalltheimpressionsthatfurnishedthestuffofthepoem，therehasbeenhardworktogetthemanagementofthatwonderfulinstrumentIspokeof，——thegreatorgan，language。Anartistwhoworksinmarbleorcolorshasthemalltohimselfandhistribe，butthemanwhomouldshisthoughtinversehastoemploythematerialsvulgarizedbyeverybody’suse，andglorifythembyhishandling。Idon’tknowthatyoumustbreakanybonesinapoet’smechanismbeforehisthoughtcandanceinrhythm，butreadyourMiltonandseewhattraining，whatpatientlabor，ittookbeforehecouldshapeourcommonspeechintohismajesticharmonies。
Itisrathersingular，butthesamekindofthinghashappenedtomenotveryrarelybefore，asIsupposeithastomostpersons，thatjustwhenIhappenedtobethinkingaboutpoetsandtheirconditions，thisverymorning，Isawaparagraphortwofromaforeignpaperwhichisapttobesharp，ifnotcynical，relatingtothesamematter。Ican’thelpit。Iwanttohavemytalkaboutit，andifI
saythesamethingsthatwriterdid，somebodyelsecanhavethesatisfactionofsayingIstolethemall。
[IthoughtthepersonwhomIhavecalledhypotheticallytheManofLetterschangedcoloralittleandbetrayedacertainawkwardconsciousnessthatsomeofuswerelookingathimorthinkingofhim。
butIamalittlesuspiciousabouthimandmaydohimwrong。]
Thatpoetsaretreatedasprivilegedpersonsbytheiradmirersandtheeducatedpubliccanhardlybedisputed。Thattheyconsiderthemselvessothereisnodoubtwhatever。Onthewhole，Idonotknowsoeasyawayofshirkingallthecivicandsocialanddomesticduties，astosettleitinone’smindthatoneisapoet。Ihave，therefore，takengreatpainstoadviseotherpersonslaboringundertheimpressionthattheyweregiftedbeings，destinedtosoarintheatmosphereofsongabovethevulgarrealitiesofearth，nottoneglectanyhomelydutyundertheinfluenceofthatimpression。Thenumberofthesepersonsissogreatthatiftheyweresufferedtoindulgetheirprejudiceagainstevery-daydutiesandlabors，itwouldbeaseriouslosstotheproductiveindustryofthecountry。Myskirtsareclearsofarasotherpeopleareconcernedofcountenancingthatformofintellectualopium-eatinginwhichrhymetakestheplaceofthenarcotic。ButwhatareyougoingtodowhenyoufindJohnKeatsanapprenticetoasurgeonorapothecary？Isn’titratherbettertogetanotherboytosweepouttheshopandshakeoutthepowdersandstirupthemixtures，andleavehimundisturbedtowritehisOdeonaGrecianUrnortoaNightingale？Ohyes，thecriticIhavereferredtowouldsay，ifheisJohnKeats。butnotifheisofamuchlowergrade，eventhoughhebegenuine，whatthereisofhim。Butthetroubleis，thesensitivepersonswhobelongtothelowergradesofthepoeticalhierarchydonot——knowtheirownpoeticallimitations，whiletheydofeelanaturalunfitnessanddisinclinationformanypursuitswhichyoungpersonsoftheaveragebalanceoffacultiestaketopleasantlyenough。Whatisforgottenisthis，thateveryrealpoet，evenofthehumblestgrade，isanartist。
NowIventuretosaythatanypainterorsculptorofrealgenius，thoughhemaydonothingmorethanpaintflowersandfruit，orcarvecameos，isconsideredaprivilegedperson。Itisrecognizedperfectlythattogethisbestworkhemustbeinsuredthefreedomfromdisturbanceswhichthecreativepowerabsolutelydemands，moreabsolutelyperhapsintheseslighterartiststhaninthegreatmasters。Hisnervesmustbesteadyforhimtofinisharose-leaforthefoldofanymph’sdraperyinhisbestmanner。andtheywillbeunsteadiedifhehastoperformthehonestdrudgerywhichanothercandoforhimquiteaswell。Anditisjustsowiththepoet，thoughhewereonlyfinishinganepigram。youmustnomoremeddleroughlywithhimthanyouwouldshakeabottleofChambertinandexpectthesunsetglowtoreddenyourglassunclouded。Ontheotherhand，itmaybesaidthatpoetryisnotanarticleofprimenecessity，andpotatoesare。Thereisadispositioninmanypersonsjustnowtodenythepoethisbenefitofclergy，andtoholdhimnobetterthanotherpeople。Perhapsheisnot，perhapsheisnotsogood，halfthetime。butheisaluxury，andifyouwanthimyoumustpayforhim，bynottryingtomakeadrudgeofhimwhileheisallhislifetimestrugglingwiththechillsandheatsofhisartisticintermittentfever。
TheremayhavebeensomelesserinterruptionsduringthetalkIhavereportedasifitwasasetspeech，butthiswasthedriftofwhatI
saidandshouldhavesaidiftheotherman，intheReviewIreferredto，hadnotseenfittomeddlewiththesubject，assomefellowalwaysdoes，justaboutthetimewhenIamgoingtosaysomethingaboutit。TheoldMasterlistenedbeautifully，exceptforcuttinginonce，asItoldyouhedid。Butnowhehadheldinaslongasitwasinhisnaturetocontainhimself，andmusthavehissayorgooffinanapoplexy，orexplodeinsomeway——Ithinkyou’rerightaboutthepoets，——hesaid——Theyaretocommonfolkswhatrepeatersaretoordinarywatches。Theycarrymusicintheirinsidearrangements，buttheywanttobehandledcarefullyoryouputthemoutoforder。Andperhapsyoumustn’texpectthemtobequiteasgoodtimekeepersastheprofessionalchronometerwatchesthatmakeaspecialtyofbeingexactwithinafewsecondsamonth。Theythinktoomuchofthemselves。Sodoeseverybodythatconsidershimselfashavingarighttofallbackonwhathecallshisidiosyncrasy。Yetamanhassucharight，anditisnoeasythingtoadjusttheprivateclaimtothefairpublicdemandonhim。Supposeyouaresubjecttoticdouloureux，forinstance。Everynowandthenatigerthatnobodycanseecatchesonesideofyourfacebetweenhisjawsandholdsontillheistiredandletsgo。Someconcessionmustbemadetoyouonthatscore，aseverybodycansee。Itisfairtogiveyouaseatthatisnotinthedraught，andyourfriendsoughtnottofindfaultwithyouifyoudonotcaretojoinapartythatisgoingonasleigh-ride。
NowtakeapoetlikeCowper。Hehadamentalneuralgia，agreatdealworseinmanyrespectsthanticdouloureuxconfinedtotheface。Itwaswellthathewasshelteredandrelieved，bythecaresofkindfriends，especiallythosegoodwomen，fromasmanyoftheburdensoflifeastheycouldliftofffromhim。Iamfairtothepoets，——don’tyouagreethatIam？
Why，yes，——Isaid，——youhavestatedthecasefairlyenough，agooddealasIshouldhaveputitmyself。
Now，then，——theMastercontinued，——I’lltellyouwhatisnecessarytoalltheseartisticidiosyncrasiestobringthemintogoodsquarehumanrelationsoutsideofthespecialprovincewheretheirwaysdifferfromthoseofotherpeople。IamgoingtoillustratewhatI
meanbyacomparison。Idon’tknow，bytheway，butyouwouldbedisposedtothinkandperhapscallmeawine-bibberonthestrengthofthefreedomwithwhichIdealwiththatfluidforthepurposesofillustration。ButImakemightylittleuseofit，exceptasitfurnishesmeanimagenowandthen，asitdid，forthatmatter，totheDisciplesandtheirMaster。Inmyyoungerdaystheyusedtobringupthefamousoldwines，theWhite-top，theJuno，theEclipse，theEssexJunior，andtherest，intheiroldcobwebbed，dustybottles。Theresurrectionofoneoftheseoldsepulchreddignitarieshadsomethingofsolemnityaboutit。itwaslikethedisintermentofaking。thebringingtolightoftheRoyalMartyrKingCharlesI。，forinstance，thatSirHenryHalfordgavesuchaninterestingaccountof。Andthebottleseemedtoinspireapersonalrespect。itwaswrappedinanapkinandbornetenderlyandreverentlyroundtotheguests，andsometimesadeadsilencewentbeforethefirstgushofitsamberflood，andTheboldestheldhisbreathForatime。
Butnowadaysthepreciousjuiceofalong-deadvintageistransferredcarefullyintoacut-glassdecanter，andstandssidebysidewiththesherryfromacornergrocery，whichlooksjustasbrightandapparentlythinksjustaswellofitself。TheoldhistoricMadeiras，whichhavewarmedtheperiodsofourfamousrhetoriciansofthepastandburnedintheimpassionedeloquenceofourearlierpoliticaldemigods，havenothingtomarkthemexternallybutabitofthread，itmaybe，roundtheneckofthedecanter，oraslipofribbon，pinkononeofthemandblueonanother。
GotoaLondonclub，——perhapsImightfindsomethingnearerhomethatwouldservemyturn，——butgotoaLondonclub，andthereyouwillseethecelebritiesalllookingalikemodern，alldecantedofffromtheirhistoricantecedentsandtheircostumeofcircumstanceintotheevery-dayaspectofthegentlemanofcommoncultivatedsociety。ThatisSirCoeurdeLionPlantagenetinthemutton-chopwhiskersandtheplaingraysuit。thereistheLaureateinafrockcoatlikeyourown，andtheleaderoftheHouseofCommonsinanecktieyoudonotenvy。
Thatisthekindofthingyouwanttotakethenonsenseoutofyou。
Ifyouarenotdecantedofffromyourselfeveryfewdaysorweeks，youwillthinkitsacrilegetobrushacobwebfromyourcorkbyandby。Olittlefool，thathaspublishedalittlebookfulloflittlepoemsorothersputteringtokensofanuneasycondition，howIloveyoufortheonesoftnerveofspecialsensibilitythatrunsthroughyourexiguousorganism，andtheonephosphorescentparticleinyourunilluminatedintelligence！Butifyoudon’tleaveyourspun-sugarconfectionerybusinessonceinawhile，andcomeoutamonglustymen，——thebristly，pachydermatousfellowsthathewoutthehighwaysforthematerialprogressofsociety，andthebroad-shouldered，out-
of-doormenthatfightforthegreatprizesoflife，——youwillcometothinkthatthespun-sugarbusinessisthechiefendofman，andbegintofeelandlookasifyoubelievedyourselfasmuchabovecommonpeopleasthatpersonageofwhomTourgueneffsaysthathehadtheairofhisownstatueerectedbynationalsubscription——
TheMasterpausedandfellintoadeepthinkingfit，ashedoessometimes。Hehadhadhisownsay，itistrue，buthehadestablishedhischaracterasalistenertomyownperfectsatisfaction，forI，too，wasconsciousofhavingpreachedwithacertainprolixity——
IamalwaystroubledwhenIthinkofmyverylimitedmathematicalcapacities。Itseemsasifeverywell-organizedmindshouldbeabletohandlenumbersandquantitiesthroughtheirsymbolstoanindefiniteextent。andyet，Iampuzzledbywhatseemstoacleverboywithaturnforcalculationasplainascountinghisfingers。I
don’tthinkanymanfeelswellgroundedinknowledgeunlesshehasagoodbasisofmathematicalcertainties，andknowshowtodealwiththemandapplythemtoeverybranchofknowledgewheretheycancomeintoadvantage。
OurYoungAstronomerisknownforhismathematicalability，andI
askedhimwhathethoughtwasthedifficultyinthemindsthatareweakinthatparticulardirection，whiletheymaybeofremarkableforceinotherprovincesofthought，asisnotoriouslythecasewithsomemenofgreatdistinctioninscience。
Theyoungmansmiledandwroteafewlettersandsymbolsonapieceofpaper——Canyouseethroughthatatonce？——hesaid。
Ipuzzledoveritforsomeminutesandgaveitup——
Hesaid，asIreturnedittohim，Youhaveheardmilitarymensaythatsuchapersonhadaneyeforcountry，haven’tyou？Onemanwillnoteallthelandmarks，keepthepointsofcompassinhishead，observehowthestreamsrun，inshort，carryamapinhisbrainofanyregionthathehasmarchedorgallopedthrough。Anothermantakesnonoteofanyofthesethings。alwaysfollowssomebodyelse’sleadwhenhecan，andgetslostifheislefttohimself。amereowlindaylight。Justsosomemenhaveaneyeforanequation，andwouldreadatsighttheonethatyoupuzzledover。ItistoldofSirIsaacNewtonthatherequirednodemonstrationofthepropositionsinEuclid’sGeometry，butassoonashehadreadtheenuciationthesolutionoranswerwasplainatonce。Thepowermaybecultivated，butIthinkitistoagreatdegreeanaturalgift，asistheeyeforcolor，asistheearformusic——
IthinkIcouldreadequationsreadilyenough，——Isaid，——ifIcouldonlykeepmyattentionfixedonthem。andIthinkIcouldkeepmyattentiononthemifIwereimprisonedinathinking-cell，suchastheCreativeIntelligenceshapesforitsstudiowhenatitsdivinestwork。
Theyoungman’slustrouseyesopenedverywidelyasheaskedmetoexplainwhatImeant——
WhatistheCreator’sdivinestwork？——Iasked——
Isthereanythingmoredivinethanthesun。thanasunwithitsplanetsrevolvingaboutit，warmingthem，lightingthem，andgivingconsciouslifetothebeingsthatmoveonthem？——
Youagree，then，thatconsciouslifeisthegrandaimandendofallthisvastmechanism。Withoutlifethatcouldfeelandenjoy，thesplendorsandcreativeenergywouldallbethrownaway。YouknowHarvey’ssaying，omniaanimaliaexovo，——allanimalscomefromanegg。Yououghttoknowit，forthegreatcontroversygoingonaboutspontaneousgenerationhasbroughtitintospecialprominencelately。
Well，then，theovum，theegg，is，tospeakinhumanphrase，theCreator’smoreprivateandsacredstudio，forhismagnumopus。Now，lookatahen’segg，whichisaconvenientonetostudy，becauseitislargeenoughandbuiltsolidlyenoughtolookatandhandleeasily。ThatwouldbetheformIwouldchooseformythinking-cell。
Buildmeanovalwithsmooth，translucentwalls，andputmeinthecentreofitwithNewton’sPrincipiaorKant’sKritik，andI
thinkIshalldevelopaneyeforanequation，asyoucallit，andacapacityforanabstraction。
Butdotellme，——saidtheAstronomer，alittleincredulously，——whatthereisinthatparticularformwhichisgoingtohelpyoutobeamathematicianorametaphysician？——
Itisn’thelpIwant，itisremovinghindrances。Idon’twanttoseeanythingtodrawoffmyattention。Idon’twantacornice，oranangle，oranythingbutacontainingcurve。Iwantdiffusedlightandnosingleluminouscentretofixmyeye，andsodistractmymindfromitsoneobjectofcontemplation。Themetaphysicsofattentionhavehardlybeensoundedtotheirdepths。Themerefixingthelookonanysingleobjectforalongtimemayproduceverystrangeeffects。
Gibbon’swell-knownstoryofthemonksofMountAthosandtheircontemplativepracticeisoftenlaughedover，butithasameaning。
Theyweretoshutthedoorofthecell，reclinethebeardandchinonthebreast，andcontemplatetheabdominalcentre。
Atfirstallwillbedarkandcomfortless。butifyouperseveredayandnight，youwillfeelanineffablejoy。andnosoonerhasthesouldiscoveredtheplaceoftheheart，thanitisinvolvedinamysticandethereallight。AndMr。Braidproducesabsoluteanaesthesia，sothatsurgicaloperationscanbeperformedwithoutsufferingtothepatient，onlybymakinghimfixhiseyesandhismindonasingleobject。andNewtonissaidtohavesaid，asyouremember，Ikeepthesubjectconstantlybeforeme，andwaittillthefirstdawningsopenslowlybylittleandlittleintoafullandclearlight。Thesearedifferent，butcertainlyverywonderful，instancesofwhatcanbedonebyattention。Butnowsupposethatyourmindisinitsnaturediscursive，erratic，subjecttoelectricattractionsandrepulsions，volage。itmaybeimpossibleforyoutocompelyourattentionexceptbytakingawayallexternaldisturbances。Ithinkthepoetshaveanadvantageandadisadvantageascomparedwiththesteadier-goingpeople。Lifeissovividtothepoet，thatheistooeagertoseizeandexhaustitsmultitudinousimpressions。LikeSindbadinthevalleyofpreciousstones，hewantstofillhispocketswithdiamonds，but，lo！thereisagreatrubylikeasettingsuninitsglory，andasapphirethat，likeBryant’sbluegentian，seemstohavedroppedfromtheceruleanwallsofheaven，andanestofpearlsthatlookasiftheymightbeunhatchedangel’seggs，andsohehardlyknowswhattoseize，andtriesfortoomany，andcomesoutoftheenchantedvalleywithmoregemsthanhecancarry，andthosethatheletsfallbythewaysidewecallhispoems。Youmaychangetheimageathousandwaystoshowyouhowharditistomakeamathematicianoralogicianoutofapoet。Hecarriesthetropicswithhimwhereverhegoes。heisinthetruesensefeliusnaturae，andNaturetemptshim，asshetemptsachildwalkingthroughagardenwhereallthefinestfruitsarehangingoverhimanddroppingroundhim，whereThelusciousclustersofthevineUponhismouthdocrushtheirwine，Thenectarineandcuriouspeach，Intohishandsthemselvesdoreach。
andhetakesabiteoutofthesunnysideofthisandtheother，and，everstimulatedandneversatisfied，ishurriedthroughthegarden，and，beforeheknowsit，findshimselfatanirongatewhichopensoutward，andleavestheplaceheknowsandloves——Foronehewillperhapssoonlearntoloveandknowbetter，——saidtheMaster——ButIcanhelpyououtwithanothercomparison，notquitesopoeticalasyours。Whydidnotyouthinkofarailway-
station，wherethecarsstopfiveminutesforrefreshments？Isn’tthatapictureofthepoet’shungryandhurriedfeastatthebanquetoflife？Thetravellerflingshimselfonthebewilderingmiscellanyofdelicaciesspreadbeforehim，thevarioustemptingformsofambrosiaandseducingdraughtsofnectar，withthesameeagerhurryandrestlessardorthatyoudescribeinthepoet。Dearme！Ifitwasn’tforAllaboard！thatsummonsofthedeafconductorwhichtearsoneawayfromhishalf-finishedsponge-cakeandcoffee，howI，whodonotcallmyselfapoet，butonlyaquestioner，shouldhaveenjoyedagoodlongstop——sayacoupleofthousandyears——atthisway-stationonthegreatrailroadleadingtotheunknownterminus！——
Yousayyouarenotapoet，——Isaid，afteralittlepause，inwhichIsupposebothofuswerethinkingwherethegreatrailroadwouldlandusaftercarryingusintothedarktunnel，thefartherendofwhichnomanhasseenandtakenareturntraintobringusnewsaboutit，——yousayyouarenotapoet，andyetitseemstomeyouhavesomeoftheelementswhichgotomakeone——
Idon’tthinkyoumeantoflatterme，——theMasteranswered，——and，whatismore，forIamnotafraidtobehonestwithyou，Idon’tthinkyoudoflatterme。IhavetakentheinventoryofmyfacultiesascalmlyasifIwereanappraiser。Ihavesomeofthequalities，perhapsImaysaymanyofthequalities，thatmakeamanapoet，andyetIamnotone。Andinthecourseofaprettywideexperienceofmen——andwomen——theMastersighed，Ithought，butperhapsIwasmistaken——Ihavemetagoodmanypoetswhowerenotrhymestersandagoodmanyrhymesterswhowerenotpoets。SoIamonlyoneoftheVoiceless，thatIrememberoneofyousingershadsomeversesabout。
Ithinkthereisalittlemusicinme，butithasnotfoundavoice，anditneverwill。IfIshouldconfessthetruth，thereisnomereearthlyimmortalitythatIenvysomuchasthepoet’s。Ifyournameistoliveatall，itissomuchmoretohaveitliveinpeople’sheartsthanonlyintheirbrains！Idon’tknowthatone’seyesfillwithtearswhenhethinksofthefamousinventoroflogarithms，butsongofBurns’sorahymnofCharlesWesley’sgoesstraighttoyourheart，andyoucan’thelplovingbothofthem，thesinneraswellasthesaint。Theworksofothermenlive，buttheirpersonalitydiesoutoftheirlabors。thepoet，whoreproduceshimselfinhiscreation，asnootherartistdoesorcan，goesdowntoposteritywithallhispersonalityblendedwithwhateverisimperishableinhissong。Weseenothingofthebeesthatbuiltthehoneycombandstoreditwithitssweets，butwecantracetheveininginthewingsofinsectsthatflittedthroughtheforestswhicharenowcoal-beds，keptunchangingintheamberthatholdsthem。andsothepassionofSappho，thetendernessofSimonides，thepurityofholyGeorgeHerbert，theloftycontemplativenessofJamesShirley，arebeforeusto-dayasiftheywereliving，inafewtearsofamberverse。Itseems，whenonereads，Sweetday！socool，socalm，sobright，
or，Thegloriesofourbirthandstate，
asifitwerenotaverydifficultmattertogainimmortality，——suchanimmortalityatleastasaperishablelanguagecangive。Asinglelyricisenough，ifonecanonlyfindinhissoulandfinishinhisintellectoneofthosejewelsfittosparkleonthestretchedforefingerofalltime。Acoin，aring，astringofverses。Theselast，andhardlyanythingelsedoes。Everycenturyisanoverloadedshipthatmustsinkatlastwithmostofitscargo。Thesmallportionofitscrewthatgetonboardthenewvesselwhichtakesthemoffdon’tpretendtosaveagreatmanyofthebulkyarticles。Buttheymustnotandwillnotleavebehindthehereditaryjewelsoftherace。andifyouhavefoundandcutadiamond，wereitonlyasparkwithasinglepolishedfacet，itwillstandabetterchanceofbeingsavedfromthewreckthananything，nomatterwhat，thatwantsmuchroomforstowage。
Thepyramidslast，itistrue，butmostofthemhaveforgottentheirbuilders’names。ButtheringofThothmesIII。，whoreignedsomefourteenhundredyearsbeforeourera，beforeHomersang，beforetheArgonautssailed，beforeTroywasbuilt，isinthepossessionofLordAshburnham，andproclaimsthenameofthemonarchwhoworeitmorethanthreethousandyearsago。ThegoldcoinswiththeheadofAlexandertheGreataresomeofthemsofreshonemightthinktheywerenewerthanmuchofthesilvercurrencywewerelatelyhandling。
Aswehavebeenquotingfromthepoetsthismorning，Iwillfollowtheprecedent，andgivesomelinesfromanepistleofPopetoAddisonafterthelatterhadwritten，butnotyetpublished，hisDialogueonMedals。Someoftheselineshavebeenlingeringinmymemoryforagreatmanyyears，butIlookedattheoriginaltheotherdayandwassopleasedwiththemthatIgotthembyheart。Ithinkyouwillsaytheyaresingularlypointedandelegant。
Ambitionsighed。shefounditvaintotrustThefaithlesscolumnandthecrumblingbust。
Hugemoles，whoseshadowsstretchedfromshoretoshore，Theirruinsperished，andtheirplacenomore！
Convinced，shenowcontractshervastdesign，Andallhertriumphsshrinkintoacoin。
Anarroworbeachcrowdedconquestkeeps，BeneathherpalmheresadJudaeaweeps。
Nowscantierlimitstheproudarchconfine，AndscarceareseentheprostrateNileorRhine。
AsmallEuphratesthroughthepieceisrolled，Andlittleeagleswavetheirwingsingold。
Itisthesamethinginliterature。Writehalfadozenfoliosfullofotherpeople’sideasasallfoliosareprettysuretobe，andyouserveasballasttothelowershelvesofalibrary，aboutasliketobedisturbedasthekentledgeintheholdofaship。Writeastory，oradozenstories，andyourbookwillbeindemandlikeanoysterwhileitisfreshlyopened，andaftertha——Thehighwaysofliteraturearespreadoverwiththeshellsofdeadnovels，eachofwhichhasbeenswallowedatamouthfulbythepublic，andisdonewith。Butwriteavolumeofpoems。Nomatteriftheyareallbadbutone，ifthatoneisverygood。ItwillcarryyournamedowntoposterityliketheringofThothmes，likethecoinofAlexander。I
don’tsupposeonewouldcareagreatdealaboutitahundredorathousandyearsafterheisdead，butIdon’tfeelquitesure。Itseemsasif，eveninheaven，KingDavidmightrememberTheLordismyShepherdwithacertaintwingeofearthlypleasure。Butwedon’tknow，wedon’tknow——
WhatintheworldcanhavebecomeofThatBoyandhispopgunwhileallthissomewhatextendedsermonizingwasgoingon？Idon’twonderyouask，belovedReader，andIsupposeImusttellyouhowwegotonsolongwithoutinterruption。Well，theplaintruthis，theyoungsterwascontemplatinghisgastriccentre，likethemonksofMountAthos，butinalesshappystateofmindthanthosetranquilrecluses，inconsequenceofindulgenceintheheterogeneousassortmentofluxuriesprocuredwiththefive-centpiecegivenhimbythekind-heartedoldMaster。ButyonneednotthinkIamgoingtotellyoueverytimehispopgungoesoff，makingaSelahofhimwheneverIwanttochangethesubject。Occasionallyhewasill-timedinhisartillerypracticeandignominiouslyrebuked，sometimeshewasharmlesslyplayfulandnobodymindedhim，buteverynowandthenhecameinsoaproposthatIammorallycertainhegetsahintfromsomebodywhowatchesthecourseoftheconversation，andmeansthroughhimtohaveahandinitandstopanyofuswhenwearegettingprosy。ButinconsequenceofThatBoy’sindiscretion，wewerewithoutacheckuponourexpansiveness，andranoninthewayyouhaveobservedandmaybedisposedtofindfaultwith。
OneotherthingtheMastersaidbeforeweleftthetable，afterourlongtalkofthatday——
Ihavebeentemptedsometimes，——saidhe，toenvytheimmediatetriumphsofthesinger。Heenjoysallthatpraisecandoforhimandattheverymomentofexertinghistalent。Andthesingingwomen！
Onceinawhile，inthecourseofmylife，Ihavefoundmyselfinthemidstofatulip-bedoffull-dressed，handsomewomeninalltheirglory，andwhensomeoneamongthemhasshakenhergauzywings，andsatdownbeforethepiano，andthen，onlygivingthekeysasofttouchnowandthentosupporthervoice，haswarbledsomesweet，sadmelodyintertwinedwiththelongingsorregretsofsometender-
heartedpoet，ithasseemedtomethatsotohushtherustlingofthesilksandsilencethebabbleofthebuds，astheycallthechicksofanewseason，andlightuptheflameofromanceincoldhearts，indesolateones，inoldburnt-outones，——likemine，Iwasgoingtosay，butIwon’t，foritisn’tso，andyoumaylaughtohearmesayitisn’tso，ifyoulike，——wasperhapsbetterthantoberememberedafewhundredyearsbyafewperfectstanzas，whenyourgravestoneisstandingaslant，andyournameiscoveredoverwithalichenasbigasamilitiacolonel’scockade，andnobodyknowsorcaresenoughaboutyoutoscrapeitoffandsetthetipsyoldslate-stoneuprightagain——
Isaidnothinginreplytothis，forIwasthinkingofasweetsingertowhosevoiceIhadlistenedinitsfirstfreshness，andwhichisnowonlyanechoinmymemory。Ifanyreaderoftheperiodicalinwhichtheseconversationsarerecordedcanremembersofarbackasthefirstyearofitspublication，hewillfindamongthepaperscontributedbyafriendnotyetwhollyforgottenafewverses，livelyenoughintheirway，headedTheBoys。Thesweetsingerwasoneofthiscompanyofcollegeclassmates，theconstancyofwhosefriendshipdeservesabettertributethantheannualofferings，kindlymeant，astheyare，whichformanyyearshavenotbeenwantingattheirsocialgatherings。Thesmallcompanycountsmanynotedpersonagesonitslist，asiswellknowntothosewhoareinterestedinsuchlocalmatters，butitisnotknownthateveryfifthmanofthewholenumbernowlivingismoreorlessofapoet，——usingthatwordwithagenerousbreadthofsignificance。Butitshouldseemthatthedivinegiftitimpliesismorefreelydispensedthansomeothers，forwhilethereareorwere，foronehastakenhisLastDegreeeightmusicalquills，therewasbutonepairoflipswhichcouldclaimanyspecialconsecrationtovocalmelody。Notthatonethatshouldundervaluethehalf-recitativeofdoubtfulbarytones，orthebrilliantescapadesofslightlyunmanageablefalsettos，ortheconcentratedeffortsoftheproprietorsoftwoorthreeeffectivenotes，whomaybeobservedlyinginwaitforthem，andcomingdownonthemwithalltheirmight，andthelookontheircountenancesofI
tooamasinger。Butthevoicethatledall，andthatalllovedtolistento，thevoicethatwasatoncefull，rich，sweet，penetrating，expressive，whoseampleoverflowdrownedalltheimperfectionsandmadeupforalltheshortcomingsoftheothers，issilenthenceforthforevermoreforallearthlylisteners。
AndthesewerethelinesthatoneofTheBoys，astheyhavealwayscalledthemselvesforeversomanyyears，readatthefirstmeetingafterthevoicewhichhadneverfailedthemwashushedinthestillnessofdeath。
J。A。
1871。
OnememorytremblesonourlipsItthrobsineverybreast。
Intear-dimmedeyes，inmirth’seclipse，Theshadowstandsconfessed。
Osilentvoice，thatcheeredsolongOurmanhood’smarchingday，Withoutthybreathofheavenlysong，Howwearyseemstheway！
VaineverypicturedphrasetotellOursorrowinghearts’desire。
Theshatteredharp，thebrokenshell，Thesilentunstrunglyre。
Foryouthwasrounduswhilehesang。
Itglowedineverytone。
Withbridalchimestheechoesrang，Andmadethepastourown。
Oblissfuldream！OurnurseryjoysWeknowmusthaveanend，ButloveandfriendshipsbrokentoysMayGod’sgoodangelsmend！
Thecheeringsmile，thevoiceofmirthAndlaughter’sgaysurpriseThatpleasethechildrenbornofearth，WhydeemthatHeavendenies？
MethinksinthatrefulgentsphereThatknowsnotsunormoon，Anearth-bornsaintmightlongtohearOneverseofBonnyDoon。
OrwalkingthroughthestreetsofgoldInHeaven’suncloudedlight，HislipsrecallthesongofoldAndhumTheskyisbright。
Andcanwesmilewhenthouartdead？
Ah，brothers，evenso！
Theroseofsummerwillbered，Inspiteofwinter’ssnow。
ThouwouldstnotleaveusallingloomBecausethysongisstill，Norblightthebanquet-garland’sbloomWithgrief’suntimelychill。
Thesighingwintrywindscomplain，Thesingingbirdhasflown，——
Hark！heardInotthatringingstrain，Thatclearcelestialtone？
Howpoorthesepallidphrasesseem，Howweakthistinklingline，AswarblesthroughmywakingdreamThatangelvoiceofthine！
Thyrequiemasksasweeterlay。
Itfaltersonmytongue。
Forallwevainlystrivetosay，Thoushouldstthyselfhavesung！
V
IfearthatIhavedoneinjusticeinmyconversationandmyreportofittoamostworthyandpromisingyoungmanwhomIshouldbeverysorrytoinjureinanyway。Dr。BenjaminFranklingotholdofmyaccountofmyvisittohim，andcomplainedthatIhadmadetoomuchoftheexpressionheused。HedidnotmeantosaythathethoughtI
wassufferingfromtherarediseasehementioned，butonlythatthecolorremindedhimofit。Itwastruethathehadshownmevariousinstruments，amongthemoneforexploringthestateofapartbymeansofapuncture，buthedidnotproposetomakeuseofituponmyperson。Inshort，Ihadcoloredthestorysoastomakehimlookridiculous——
IamafraidIdid，——Isaid，——butwasn’tIcoloredmyselfsoastolookridiculous？I’vehearditsaidthatpeoplewiththejaundiceseeeverythingyellow。perhapsIsawthingslookingalittlequeerly，withthatblackandbluespotIcouldn’taccountforthreateningtomakeacoloredmanandbrotherofme。ButIamsorryifIhavedoneyouanywrong。Ihopeyouwon’tloseanypatientsbymymakingalittlefunofyourmetersandscopesandcontrivances。Theyseemsooddtousoutsidepeople。Thentheideaofbeingbronzedalloverwassuchanalarmingsuggestion。ButIdidnotmeantodamageyourbusiness，whichItrustisnowconsiderable，andIshallcertainlycometoyouagainifIhaveneedoftheservicesofaphysician。
Onlydon’tmentionthenamesofanydiseasesinEnglishorLatinbeforemenexttime。IdreamedaboutcutisoeneahalfthenightafterIcametoseeyou。
Dr。Benjamintookmyapologyverypleasantly。Hedidnotwanttobetouchyaboutit，hesaid，buthehadhiswaytomakeintheworld，andfounditalittlehardatfirst，asmostyoungmendid。Peoplewereafraidtotrustthem，nomatterhowmuchtheyknew。Oneoftheolddoctorsaskedhimtocomeinandexamineapatient’sheartforhimtheotherday。Hewentwithhimaccordingly，andwhentheystoodbythebedside，heofferedhisstethoscopetotheolddoctor。Theolddoctortookitandputthewrongendtohisearandtheothertothepatient’schest，andkeptitthereabouttwominutes，lookingallthetimeaswiseasanoldowl。Thenhe，Dr。Benjamin，tookitandapplieditproperly，andmadeoutwherethetroublewasinnotimeatall。Butwhatwastheuseofayoungman’spretendingtoknowanythinginthepresenceofanoldowl？Isawbytheirlooks，hesaid，thattheyallthoughtIusedthe，stethoscopewrongendup，andwasnothingbuta’prenticehandtotheolddoctor——
IammuchpleasedtosaythatsinceDr。Benjaminhashadchargeofadispensarydistrict，andbeenvisitingfortyorfiftypatientsaday，IhavereasontothinkhehasgrownagreatdealmorepracticalthanwhenImademyvisittohisoffice。IthinkIwasprobablyoneofhisfirstpatients，andthathenaturallymadethemostofme。
Butmysecondtrialwasmuchmoresatisfactory。Igotanuglycutfromthecarving-knifeinanaffairwithagooseofironconstitutioninwhichIcameoffsecondbest。IatonceadjournedwithDr。
Benjamintohissmalloffice，andputmyselfinhishands。Itwasastonishingtoseewhatalittleexperienceofmiscellaneouspracticehaddoneforhim。Hedidnotaskmeanymorequestionsaboutmyhereditarypredispositionsonthepaternalandmaternalsides。Hedidnotexaminemewiththestethoscopeorthelaryngoscope。Heonlystrappedupmycut，andinformedmethatitwouldspeedilygetwellbythefirstintention，——anoddphraseenough，butsoundingmuchlessformidablethancutisoenea。
IamafraidIhavehadsomethingoftheFrenchprejudicewhichembodiesitselfinthemaximyoungsurgeon，oldphysician。Butayoungphysicianwhohasbeentaughtbygreatmastersoftheprofession，inamplehospitals，startsinhisprofessionknowingmorethansomeolddoctorshavelearnedinalifetime。Givehimalittletimetogettheuseofhiswitsinemergencies，andtoknowthelittleartsthatdosomuchforapatient’scomfort，——justasyougiveayoungsailortimetogethissea-legsonandteachhisstomachtobehaveitself，——andhewilldowellenough。
TheoldMasterknowstentimesmoreaboutthismatterandaboutalltheprofessions，ashedoesabouteverythingelse，thanIdo。Myopinionisthathehasstudiedtwo，ifnotthree，oftheseprofessionsinaregularcourse。Idon’tknowthathehaseverpreached，exceptasCharlesLambsaidColeridgealwaysdid，forwhenhegetsthebitinhisteethherunsawaywiththeconversation，andifheonlytookatexthistalkwouldbeasermon。butifhehasnotpreached，hehasmadeastudyoftheology，asmanylaymendo。Iknowhehassomeshelvesofmedicalbooksinhislibrary，andhasideasonthesubjectofthehealingart。Heconfessestohavingattendedlawlecturesandhavinghadmuchintercoursewithlawyers。Sohehassomethingtosayonalmostanysubjectthathappenstocomeup。I
toldhimmystoryaboutmyvisittotheyoungdoctor，andaskedhimwhathethoughtofyouthfulpractitionersingeneralandofDr。
Benjamininparticular。
I’lltellyouwhat，——theMastersaid，——Iknowsomethingabouttheseyoungfellowsthatcomehomewiththeirheadsfullofscience，astheycallit，andstickuptheirsignstotellpeopletheyknowhowtocuretheirheadachesandstomach-aches。Scienceisafirst-ratepieceoffurnitureforaman’supperchamber，ifhehascommonsenseontheground-floor。Butifamanhasn’tgotplentyofgoodcommonsense，themoresciencehehastheworseforhispatient——
Idon’tknowthatIseeexactlyhowitisworseforthepatient，——I
said——
Well，I’lltellyou，andyou’llfindit’samightysimplematter。
Whenapersonissick，thereisalwayssomethingtobedoneforhim，anddoneatonce。Ifitisonlytoopenorshutawindow，ifitisonlytotellhimtokeepondoingjustwhatheisdoingalready，itwantsamantobringhismindrightdowntothefactofthepresentcaseanditsimmediateneeds。Nowthepresentcase，asthedoctorseesit，isjustexactlysuchacollectionofpaltryindividualfactsasneverwasbefore，——asnarlandtangleofspecialconditionswhichitishisbusinesstowindasmuchthreadoutofashecan。Itisagooddealaswhenapaintergoestotaketheportraitofanysitterwhohappenstosendforhim。Hehasseenjustsuchnosesandjustsucheyesandjustsuchmouths，butheneversawexactlysuchafacebefore，andhisbusinessiswiththatandnootherperson’s，——withthefeaturesoftheworthyfatherofafamilybeforehim，andnotwiththeportraitshehasseeningalleriesorbooks，orMr。
Copley’sgrandpicturesofthefineoldTories，ortheApollosandJupitersofGreeksculpture。Itisthesamethingwiththepatient。
Hisdiseasehasfeaturesofitsown。thereneverwasandneverwillbeanothercaseinallrespectsexactlylikeit。Ifadoctorhassciencewithoutcommonsense，hetreatsafever，butnotthisman’sfever。Ifhehascommonsensewithoutscience，hetreatsthisman’sfeverwithoutknowingthegenerallawsthatgovernallfeversandallvitalmovements。I’lltellyouwhatsavestheselastfellows。Theygoforweaknesswhenevertheyseeit，withstimulantsandstrengtheners，andtheygoforoveraction，heat，andhighpulse，andtherest，withcoolingandreducingremedies。Thatisthreequartersofmedicalpractice。Theotherquarterwantsscienceandcommonsensetoo。Butthementhathavescienceonly，begintoofarback，and，beforetheygetasfarasthecaseinhand，thepatienthasverylikelygonetovisithisdeceasedrelatives。YourememberThomasPrince’sChronologicalHistoryofNewEngland，Isuppose？Hebegins，yourecollect，withAdam，andhastoworkdownfivethousandsixhundredandtwenty-fouryearsbeforehegetstothePilgrimfathersandtheMayflower。Itwasallverywell，onlyitdidn’tbelongthere，butgotinthewayofsomethingelse。Soitiswithscienceoutofplace。Byfarthelargerpartofthefactsofstructureandfunctionyoufindinthebooksofanatomyandphysiologyhavenoimmediateapplicationtothedailydutiesofthepractitioner。Youmustlearnsystematically，forallthat。itistheeasiestwayandtheonlywaythattakesholdofthememory，exceptmereempiricalrepetition，likethatofthehandicraftsman。DidyoueverseeoneofthoseJapanesefigureswiththepointsforacupuncturemarkeduponit？——
Ihadtoownthatmyschoolinghadleftoutthatpieceofinformation。
Well，I’lltellyouaboutit。Youseetheyhaveawayofpushinglong，slenderneedlesintoyouforthecureofrheumatismandothercomplaints，anditseemsthereisachoiceofspotsfortheoperation，thoughitisverystrangehowlittlemischiefitdoesinagoodmanyplacesonewouldthinkunsafetomeddlewith。Sotheyhadadollmade，andmarkedthespotswheretheyhadputinneedleswithoutdoinganyharm。Theymusthavehadaccidentsfromstickingtheneedlesintothewrongplacesnowandthen，butIsupposetheydidn’tsayagreatdealaboutthose。Afteratime，sayafewcenturiesofexperience，theyhadtheirdollallspottedoverwithsafeplacesforstickingintheneedles。Thatistheirwayofregisteringpracticalknowledge：We，ontheotherhand，studythestructureofthebodyasawhole，systematically，andhavenodifficultyatallinrememberingthetrackofthegreatvesselsandnerves，andknowingjustwhattrackswillbesafeandwhatunsafe。
Itisjustthesamethingwiththegeologists。Hereisamanclosebyusboringforwaterthroughoneofourledges，becausesomebodyelsegotwatersomewhereelseinthatway。andapersonwhoknowsgeologyoroughttoknowit，becausehehasgivenhislifetoit，tellsmehemightaswellborethereforlager-beerasforwater——
Ithoughtwehadhadenoughofthisparticularmatter，andthatI
shouldliketohearwhattheMasterhadtosayaboutthethreeprofessionsheknewsomethingabout，eachcomparedwiththeothers。
Whatisyourgeneralestimateofdoctors，lawyers，andministers？——
saidI——
Waitaminute，tillIhavegotthroughwithyourfirstquestion，——
saidtheMaster——Onethingatatime。Youaskedmeabouttheyoungdoctors，andaboutouryoungdoctor。Theycomehometresbienschausses，asaFrenchmanwouldsay，mightywellshodwithprofessionalknowledge。Butwhentheybeginwalkingroundamongtheirpoorpatients，theydon’tcommonlystartwithmillionnaires，——
theyfindthattheirnewshoesofscientificacquirementshavegottobebrokeninjustlikeapairofbootsorbrogans。Idon’tknowthatIhaveputitquitestrongenough。Letmetryagain。You’veseenthosefellowsatthecircusthatgetuponhorsebacksobigthatyouwonderhowtheycouldclimbintothesaddle。Butprettysoontheythrowofftheiroutsidecoat，andthenextminuteanotherone，andthentheoneunderthat，andsotheykeeppeelingoffonegarmentafteranothertillpeoplebegintolookqueerandthinktheyaregoingtoofarforstrictpropriety。Well，thatisthewayafellowwitharealpracticalturnservesagoodmanyofhisscientificwrappers，flings’emoffforotherpeopletopickup，andgoesrightattheworkofcuringstomach-achesandalltheotherlittlemeanunscientificcomplaintsthatmakeupthelargerpartofeverydoctor’sbusiness。IthinkourDr。Benjaminisaworthyyoungman，andifyouareinneedofadoctoratanytimeIhopeyouwillgotohim。andifyoucomeoffwithoutharm，Iwillrecommendsomeotherfriendtotryhim——
Ithoughthewasgoingtosayhewouldtryhiminhisownperson，buttheMasterisnotfondofcommittinghimself。
Now，Iwillansweryourotherquestion，hesaid。Thelawyersarethecleverestmen，theministersarethemostlearned，andthedoctorsarethemostsensible。
Thelawyersareapickedlot，firstscholarsandthelike，buttheirbusinessisasunsympatheticasJackKetch’s。Thereisnothinghumanizingintheirrelationswiththeirfellow-creatures。Theygoforthesidethatretainsthem。Theydefendthemantheyknowtobearogue，andnotveryrarelythrowsuspiciononthemantheyknowtobeinnocent。Mindyou，Iamnotfindingfaultwiththem。everysideofacasehasarighttothebeststatementitadmitsof。butIsayitdoesnottendtomakethemsympathetic。SupposeinacaseofFevervs。Patient，thedoctorshouldsidewitheitherpartyaccordingtowhethertheoldmiserorhisexpectantheirwashisemployer。
SupposetheministershouldsidewiththeLordortheDevil，accordingtothesalaryofferedandotherincidentaladvantages，wherethesoulofasinnerwasinquestion。Youcanseewhatapieceofworkitwouldmakeoftheirsympathies。Butthelawyersarequickerwittedthaneitheroftheotherprofessions，andablermengenerally。Theyaregood-natured，or，iftheyquarrel，theirquarrelsareabove-board。Idon’tthinktheyareasaccomplishedastheministers，buttheyhaveawayofcrammingwithspecialknowledgeforacasewhichleavesacertainshallowsedimentofintelligenceintheirmemoriesaboutagoodmanythings。Theyareapttotalklawinmixedcompany，andtheyhaveawayoflookingroundwhentheymakeapoint，asiftheywereaddressingajury，thatismightyaggravating，asIoncehadoccasiontoseewhenoneof’em，andaprettyfamousone，putmeonthewitness-standatadinner-partyonce。
Theministerscomenextinpointoftalent。Theyarefarmorecuriousandwidelyinterestedoutsideoftheirowncallingthaneitheroftheotherprofessions。Iliketotalkwith’em。Theyareinterestingmen，fullofgoodfeelings，hardworkers，alwaysforemostingooddeeds，andonthewholethemostefficientcivilizingclass，workingdownwardsfromknowledgetoignorance，thatis，——notsomuchupwards，perhaps，——thatwehave。Thetroubleis，thatsomanyof’emworkinharness，anditisprettysuretochafesomewhere。Theyfeedusoncannedmeatsmostly。Theycrippleourinstinctsandreason，andgiveusacrutchofdoctrine。Ihavetalkedwithagreatmanyof’emofallsortsofbelief，andIdon’tthinktheyarequitesoeasyintheirminds，thegreaternumberofthem。norsoclearintheirconvictions，asonewouldthinktohear’emlaydownthelawinthepulpit。Theyusedtoleadtheintelligenceoftheirparishes。nowtheydoprettywelliftheykeepupwithit，andtheyareveryapttolagbehindit。Thentheymusthaveacolleague。Theoldministerthinkshecanholdtohisoldcourse，sailingrightintothewind’seyeofhumannature，asstraightasthatfamousoldskipperJohnBunyan。theyoungministerfallsoffthreeorfourpointsandcatchesthebreezethatlefttheoldman’ssailsallshivering。Byandbythecongregationwillgetaheadofhim，andthenitmust，haveanothernewskipper。Thepriestholdshisownprettywell。theministeriscomingdowneverygenerationnearerandnearertothecommonleveloftheusefulcitizen，——nooracleatall，butamanofmorethanaveragemoralinstincts，who，ifheknowsanything，knowshowlittleheknows。Theministersaregoodtalkers，onlythestrugglebetweennatureandgracemakessomeof’emalittleawkwardoccasionally。Thewomendotheirbesttospoil’em，astheydothepoets。youfinditverypleasanttobespoiled，nodoubt。sodothey。
Nowandthenoneof’emgoesoverthedam。nowonder，they’realwaysintherapids。
Bythistimeourthreeladieshadtheirfacesallturnedtowardthespeaker，liketheweathercocksinanortheaster，andIthoughtitbesttoswitchoffthetalkontoanotherrail。
Howaboutthedoctors？——Isaid。