Therearemenyetmoreprofound，whohaveheardthattwocolorlessliquorsmayproduceacolorbyunion，andthattwocoldbodieswillgrowhotiftheyaremingled。theyminglethem，andproducetheeffectexpected，sayitisstrange，andminglethemagain。
Icannottranscribethisextractwithoutanintenseinwarddelightinitswitandafullrecognitionofitsthoroughhalf-truthfulness。
Yetifwhilethegreatmoralistisindulginginthesevivacities，hecanbeimaginedasreceivingamessagefromMr。BoswellorMrs。
Thraleflashedthroughthedepthsoftheocean，wecansupposehemightbetemptedtoindulgeinanotheroracularutterance，somethinglikethis：——
Awisemanrecognizestheconvenienceofageneralstatement，buthebowstotheauthorityofaparticularfact。Hewhowouldboundthepossibilitiesofhumanknowledgebythelimitationsofpresentacquirementswouldtakethedimensionsoftheinfantinorderingthehabilimentsoftheadult。Itistheprovinceofknowledgetospeakanditistheprivilegeofwisdomtolisten。WilltheProfessorhavethekindnesstoinformmebywhatstepsofgradualdevelopmenttheringandtheloadstone，whichwerebutyesterdaythetoysofchildrenandidlers，havebecomethemeansofapproximatingtheintelligencesofremotecontinents，andwaftingemotionsunchilledthroughtheabyssesofthenolongerunfathomabledeep？——
This，youunderstand，Beloved，isonlyaconventionalimitationoftheDoctor’sstyleoftalking。Hewroteingrandbalancedphrases，buthisconversationwasgood，lusty，off-handfamiliartalk。Heusedveryoftentohaveitallhisownway。Ifhecamebacktouswemustrememberthattotreathimfairlywemustsupposehimonalevelwiththeknowledgeofourowntime。Butthatknowledgeismorespecialized，agreatdeal，thanknowledgewasinhisday。Mencannottalkaboutthingstheyhaveseenfromtheoutsidewiththesamemagisterialauthoritythetalkingdynastypretendedto。Thesturdyoldmoralistfeltgrandenough，nodoubt，whenhesaid，Hethatisgrowinggreatandhappybyelectrifyingabottlewondershowtheworldcanbeengagedbytriflingprattleaboutwarorpeace。
BenjaminFranklinwasoneoftheseidlerswhowereelectrifyingbottles，buthealsofoundtimetoengageinthetriflingprattleaboutwarandpeacegoingoninthosetimes。ThetalkingDoctorhitshimveryhardinTaxationnoTyranny：ThosewhowrotetheAddressoftheAmericanCongressin1775，thoughtheyhaveshownnogreatextentorprofundityofmind，areyetprobablywiserthantobelieveit：buttheyhavebeentaughtbysomemasterofmischiefhowtoputinmotiontheengineofpoliticalelectricity。toattractbythesoundsofLibertyandProperty，torepelbythoseofPoperyandSlavery。andtogivethegreatstrokebythenameofBoston。
ThetalkingdynastyhasalwaysbeenharduponusAmericans。KingSamuelII。says：Itis，Ibelieve，afactverifiedbeyonddoubt，thatsomeyearsagoitwasimpossibletoobtainacopyoftheNewgateCalendar，astheyhadallbeenboughtupbytheAmericans，whethertosuppresstheblazonoftheirforefathersortoassistintheirgenealogicalresearchesIcouldneverlearnsatisfactorily。
AsforKingThomas，thelastofthemonologicalsuccession，hemadesuchapieceofworkwithhispropheciesandhissarcasmsaboutourlittletroublewithsomeoftheSouthernStates，thatwecamerathertopityhimforhiswhimsandcrotchetsthantogetangrywithhimforcallingusboresandotherunamiablenames。
Idonotthinkwebelievethingsbecauseconsiderablepeoplesaythem，onpersonalauthority，thatis，asintelligentlistenersverycommonlydidacenturyago。Thenewspapershaveliedthatbeliefoutofus。Anymanwhohasaprettygiftoftalkmayholdhiscompanyalittlewhilewhenthereisnothingbetterstirring。Everynowandthenamanwhomaybedullenoughprevailinglyhasapassionoftalkcomeoverhimwhichmakeshimeloquentandsilencestherest。Ihaveagreatrespectforthesedivineparoxysms，thesehalf-inspiredmomentsofinfluxwhentheyseizeonewhomwehadnotcountedamongtheluminariesofthesocialsphere。Butthemanwhocan——giveusafreshexperienceonanythingthatinterestsusoverrideseverybodyelse。Agreatperilescapedmakesagreatstory-tellerofacommonpersonenough。Irememberwhenacertainvesselwaswreckedlongago，thatoneofthesurvivorstoldthestoryaswellasDefoecouldhavetoldit。Neverawordfromhimbefore。neverawordfromhimsince。Butwhenitcomestotalkingone’scommonthoughts，——thosethatcomeandgoasthebreathdoes。thosethattreadthementalareasandcorridorswithsteady，evenfoot-fall，aninterminableprocessionofeveryhueandgarb，——therearefew，indeed，thatcandaretoliftthecurtainwhichhangsbeforethewindowinthebreastandthrowopenthewindow，andletuslookandlisten。Weareallloyalenoughtooursovereignwhenheshowshimself，butsovereignsarescarce。Ineversawtheabsolutehomageoflistenersbutonce，thatIremember，toaman’scommontalk，andthatwastotheconversationofanoldman，illustriousbyhislineageandtheexaltedhonorshehadwon，whoseexperiencehadlessonsforthewisest，andwhoseeloquencehadmadetheboldesttremble。
AllthisbecauseItoldyoutolookoutforyourselvesandnottakeforabsolutetrutheverythingtheoldMasterofourtable，oranybodyelseatitseesfittoutter。AtthesametimeIdonotthinkthathe，oranyofuswhoseconversationIthinkworthreporting，saysanythingforthemeresakeofsayingitandwithoutthinkingthatitholdssometruth，evenifitisnotunqualifiedlytrue。
IsupposeacertainnumberofmyreaderswishveryheartilythattheYoungAstronomerwhosepoeticalspeculationsIamrecordingwouldstoptryingbysearchingtofindouttheAlmighty，andsignthethirty-ninearticles，ortheWestminsterConfessionofFaith，atanyratesliphisneckintosomecollarorother，andpullquietlyintheharness，whetheritgalledhimornot。Isay，rather，lethimhavehistalkout。ifnobodyelseasksthequestionsheasks，somewillbegladtohearthem，butifyou，thereader，findthesamequestionsinyourownmind，youneednotbeafraidtoseehowtheyshapethemselvesinanother’sintelligence。Doyourecognizethefactthatwearelivinginanewtime？Knowledge——itexcitesprejudicestocallitscience——isadvancingasirresistibly，asmajestically，asremorselesslyastheoceanmovesinupontheshore。ThecourtiersofKingCanuteIamnotafraidoftheoldcomparison，representedbytheadherentsofthetraditionalbeliefsoftheperiod，movehischairbackaninchatatime，butnotuntilhisfeetareprettydamp，nottosaywet。Therockonwhichhesatsecurelyawhileagoiscompletelyunderwater。AndnowpeoplearewalkingupanddownthebeachandjudgingforthemselveshowfarinlandthechairofKingCanuteisliketobemovedwhiletheyandtheirchildrenarelookingon，attherateinwhichitisedgingbackward。Anditisquitetoolatetogointohystericsaboutit。
Theshore，solid，substantial，agreatdealmorethaneighteenhundredyearsold，isnaturalhumanity。Thebeachwhichtheoceanofknowledge——youmaycallitscienceifyoulike——isflowingover，istheologicalhumanity。SomewherebetweentheSermonontheMountandtheteachingsofSaintAugustinesinwasmadeatransferablechattel。
Ileavetheintervalwideforotherstomakenarrow。
Thedoctrineofheritableguilt，withitsmechanicalconsequences，hasdoneforourmoralnaturewhatthedoctrineofdemoniacpossessionhasdoneinbarbaroustimesandstilldoesamongbarbaroustribesfordisease。Outofthatblackcloudcamethelightningwhichstruckthecompassofhumanity。Conscience，whichfromthedawnofmoralbeinghadpointedtothepolesofrightandwrongonlyasthegreatcurrentofwillflowedthroughthesoul，wasdemagnetized，paralyzed，andknewhenceforthnofixedmeridian，butstayedwherethepriestorthecouncilplacedit。Thereisnothingtobedonebuttopolarizetheneedleoveragain。Andforthispurposewemuststudythelinesofdirectionofalltheforceswhichtraverseourhumannature。
Wemuststudymanaswehavestudiedstarsandrocks。Weneednotgo，wearetold，tooursacredbooksforastronomyorgeologyorotherscientificknowledge。Donotstopthere！PullCanute’schairbackfiftyrodsatonce，anddonotwaituntilheiswettotheknees！Saynow，bravely，asyouwillsoonerorlaterhavetosay，thatweneednotgotoanyancientrecordsforouranthropology。Dowenotallhold，atleast，thatthedoctrineofman’sbeingablightedabortion，amiserabledisappointmenttohisCreator，andhostileandhatefultohimfromhisbirth，maygivewaytothebeliefthatheisthelatestterrestrialmanifestationofaneverupward-
strivingmovementofdivinepower？Iftherelivesamanwhodoesnotwanttodisbelievethepopularnotionsabouttheconditionanddestinyofthebulkofhisrace，Ishouldliketohavehimlookmeinthefaceandtellmeso。
Iamnotwritingforthebasementstoryorthenursery，andIdonotpretendtobe，butIsaynothinginthesepageswhichwouldnotbesaidwithoutfearofoffenceinanyintelligentcircle，suchasclergymenofthehighercastesareinthehabitoffrequenting。
Thereareteachersintypeforourgrandmothersandourgrandchildrenwhovaccinatethetwochildhoodswithwholesomedoctrine，transmittedharmlesslyfromoneinfanttoanother。Butwethreemenatourtablehavetakenthediseaseofthinkinginthenaturalway。Itisanepidemicinthesetimes，andthosewhoareafraidofitmustshutthemselvesupcloseortheywillcatchit。
Ihopenoneofusarewantinginreverence。Oneatleastofusisaregularchurch-goer，andbelievesamanmaybedevoutandyetveryfreeintheexpressionofhisopinionsonthegravestsubjects。
Theremaybesomegoodpeoplewhothinkthatouryoungfriendwhoputshisthoughtsinverseisgoingsoundingoverperilousdepths，andarefrightenedeverytimehethrowsthelead。Thereisnothingtobefrightenedat。Thisisamanlyworldwelivein。Ourreverenceisgoodfornothingifitdoesnotbeginwithself-respect。
Occidentalmanhoodspringsfromthatasitsbasis。Orientalmanhoodfindsthegreatestsatisfactioninself-abasement。ThereisnouseintryingtograftthetropicalpalmupontheNorthernpine。Thesamedivineforcesunderliethegrowthofboth，butleafandflowerandfruitmustfollowthelawofrace，ofsoil，ofclimate。Whetherthequestionswhichassailmyyoungfriendhaveriseninmyreader’smindornot，heknowsperfectlywellthatnobodycankeepsuchquestionsfromspringingupineveryyoungmindofanyforceorhonesty。Asfortheexcellentlittlewretcheswhogrowupinwhattheyaretaught，withneverascrupleoraquery，ProtestantorCatholic，JeworMormon，MahometanorBuddhist，theysignifynothingintheintellectuallifeoftherace。Iftheworldhadbeenwhollypeopledwithsuchhalf-vitalizedmentalnegatives，thereneverwouldhavebeenacreedlikethatofChristendom。
IentirelyagreewiththespiritoftheversesIhavelookedover，inthispointatleast，thatatrueman’sallegianceisgiventothatwhichishighestinhisownnature。Hereverencestruth，heloveskindness，herespectsjustice。Thetwofirstqualitiesheunderstandswellenough。Butthelast，justice，atleastasbetweentheInfiniteandthefinite，hasbeensoutterlydehumanized，disintegrated，decomposed，anddiabolizedinpassingthroughthemindsofthehalf-civilizedbandittiwhohavepeopledandunpeopledtheworldforsomescoresofgenerations，thatithasbecomeamerealgebraicx，andhasnofixedvaluewhateverasahumanconception。
Asforpower，weareoutgrowingallsuperstitionaboutthat。Wehavenottheslightestrespectforitassuch，anditisjustaswelltorememberthisinallourspiritualadjustments。Wefearpowerwhenwecannotmasterit。butjustasfaraswecanmasterit，wemakeaslaveandabeastofburdenofitwithouthesitation。Wecannotchangetheebbandflowofthetides，orthecourseoftheseasons，butwecomeasnearitaswecan。Wedamouttheocean，wemakerosesbloominwinterandwaterfreezeinsummer。Wehavenomorereverenceforthesunthanwehaveforafish-tailgas-burner。westareintohisfacewithtelescopesasataballet-dancerwithopera-
glasses。wepickhisraystopieceswithprismsasiftheyweresomanyskeinsofcoloredyarn。wetellhimwedonotwanthiscompanyandshuthimoutlikeatroublesomevagrant。Thegodsoftheoldheathenaretheservantsofto-day。Neptune，Vulcan，Aolus，andthebearerofthethunderbolthimselfhavesteppeddownfromtheirpedestalsandputonourlivery。Wecannotalwaysmasterthem，neithercanwealwaysmasterourservant，thehorse，butwehaveputabridleonthewildestnaturalagencies。Themobofelementalforcesisasnoisyandturbulentasever，butthestandingarmyofcivilizationkeepsitwellunder，exceptforanoccasionaloutbreak。
WhenIreadtheLady’sletterprintedsometimesince，Icouldnothelphonoringthefeelingwhichpromptedherinwritingit。ButwhileIrespecttheinnocentincapacityoftenderageandthelimitationsofthecomparativelyuninstructedclasses，itisquiteoutofthequestiontoactasifmattersofcommonintelligenceanduniversalinterestweretheprivatepropertyofasecretsociety，onlytobemeddledwithbythosewhoknowthegripandthepassword。
WemustgetoverthehabitoftransferringthelimitationsofthenervoustemperamentandofhecticconstitutionstothegreatSourceofallthemightyforcesofnature，animateandinanimate。WemayconfidentlytrustthatwehaveoverusaBeingthoroughlyrobustandgrandlymagnanimous，indistinctionfromtheInfiniteInvalidbredinthestudiesofsicklymonomaniacs，whocorrespondstoaverycommonhumantype，butmakesusblushforhimwhenwecontrasthimwithatrulynobleman，suchasmostofushavehadtheprivilegeofknowingbothinpublicandinprivatelife。
IwasnotalittlepleasedtofindthattheLady，inspiteofherletter，satthroughtheyoungman’sreadingofportionsofhispoemwithagooddealofcomplacency。IthinkIcanguesswhatisinhermind。Shebelieves，assomanywomendo，inthatgreatremedyfordiscontent，anddoubtsabouthumanity，andquestioningsofProvidence，andallsortsofyouthfulvagaries，——Imeanthelove-
cure。Andshethinks，notwithoutsomereason，thattheseastronomicallessons，andthesereadingsofpoetryanddailyproximityatthetable，andtheneedoftwoyoungheartsthathavebeenlongfeelinglonely，andyouthandnatureandallimpulsesofsoulandsense，asColeridgehasit，willbringthesetwoyoungpeopleintocloserrelationsthantheyperhapshaveyetthoughtof。
andsothatsweetlessonoflovingtheneighborwhomhehasseenmayleadhimintodeeperandmoretrustingcommunionwiththeFriendandFatherwhomhehasnotseen。
TheYoungGirlevidentlydidnotintendthatheraccompliceshouldbealoserbythesummaryactoftheMemberoftheHaouse：ItookoccasiontoaskThatBoywhathadbecomeofallthepopguns。Hegavemetounderstandthatpopgunswereplayedout，butthathehadgotasquirtandawhip，andconsideredhimselfbetteroffthanbefore。
Thisgreatworldisfullofmysteries。Icancomprehendthepleasuretobegotoutofthehydraulicengine。butwhatcanbethefascinationofawhip，whenonehasnothingtoflagellatebutthecalvesofhisownlegs，Icouldneverunderstand。Yetasmallriding-whipisthemostpopulararticlewiththemiscellaneousNew-
Englanderatallgreatgatherings，——cattle-showsandFourth-of-Julycelebrations。IfDemocritusandHeraclituscouldwalkarminarmthroughoneofthesecrowds，thefirstwouldbeinabroadlaughtoseethemultitudeofyoungpersonswhowererejoicinginthepossessionofoneoftheseuselessandworthlesslittlecommodities。
happyhimselftoseehoweasilyotherscouldpurchasehappiness。Butthesecondwouldweepbittertearstothinkwhataraylessandbarrenlifethatmustbewhichcouldextractenjoymentfromthemiserableflimsywandthathassuchmagicattractionforsaunteringyouthsandsimperingmaidens。Whatadynamometerofhappinessarethesepaltrytoys，andwhatarudimentaryvertebratemustbethefreckledadolescentwhoseyearningfortheinfinitecanbestayedevenforasinglehourbysotriflingaboonfromthevenalhandsofthefinite！
Pardonthesepolysyllabicreflections，Beloved，butInevercontemplatethesedearfellow-creaturesofourswithoutadelicioussenseofsuperioritytothemandtoallarrestedembryosofintelligence，inwhichIhavenodoubtyouheartilysympathizewithme。ItisnotmerelywhenIlookatthevacuouscountenancesofthemastigophori，thewhip-holders，thatIenjoythisluxurythoughI
wouldnotmissthatholidayspectacleforaprettysumofmoney，andadviseyoubyallmeanstomakesureofitnextFourthofJuly，ifyoumisseditthis，butIgetthesamepleasurefrommanysimilarmanifestations。
IdelightinRegalia，socalled，ofthekindnotwornbykings，norobtainingtheirdiamondsfromtheminesofGolconda。Ihaveapassionforthoseresplendenttitleswhicharenotconferredbyasovereignandwouldnotbetheopensesametothecourtsofroyalty，yetwhichareasopulentinimpressiveadjectivesasanyKnightoftheGarter’slistofdignities。WhenIhaverecognizedintheevery-
daynameofHisVeryWorthyHighEminenceofsomecabalisticassociation，theinconspicuousindividualwhosetriflingindebtednesstomeforvaluereceivedremainsinaquiescentstateandislikelylongtocontinueso，Iconfesstohavingexperiencedathrillofpleasure。Ihavesmiledtothinkhowgrandhismagnificenttitularappendagessoundedinhisownearsandwhatafeebletintinnabulationtheymadeinmine。Thecrimsonsash，thebroaddiagonalbeltofthemountedmarshalofagreatprocession，socheapinthemselves，yetsoentirelysatisfactorytothewearer，ticklemyheart’sroot。
PerhapsIshouldhaveenjoyedalltheseweaknessesofmyinfantilefellow-creatureswithoutanafterthought，exceptthatonacertainliteraryanniversarywhenItiethenarrowblueandpinkribbonsinmybutton-holeandshowmydecoratedbosomtotheadmiringpublic，I
amconsciousofacertainsenseofdistinctionandsuperiorityinvirtueofthattriflingadditiontomypersonaladornmentswhichremindsmethatItoohavesomeembryonicfibresinmytolerablywell-maturedorganism。
IhopeIhavenothurtyourfeelings，ifyouhappentobeaHighandMightyGrandFunctionaryinanyillustriousFraternity。WhenItellyouthatabitofribboninmybutton-holesetsmyvanityprancing，I
thinkyoucannotbegrievouslyoffendedthatIsmileattheresonanttitleswhichmakeyousomethingmorethanhumaninyourowneyes。I
wouldnotfortheworldbemistakenforoneofthoseliteraryroughswhosebrassknucklesleavetheirmarkontheforeheadsofsomanyinoffensivepeople。
Thereisahumansub-speciescharacterizedbythecoarsenessofitsfibreandtheacridnatureofitsintellectualsecretions。Itistoacertainextentpenetrative，asallcreaturesarewhichareprovidedwithstings。Ithasaninstinctwhichguidesittothevulnerablepartsofthevictimonwhichitfastens。Thesetwoqualitiesgiveitacertaindegreeofpowerwhichisnottobedespised。Itmightperhapsbelessmischievous，butforthefactthatthewoundwhereitleavesitspoisonopensthefountainfromwhichitdrawsitsnourishment。
Beingsofthiskindcanbeusefuliftheywillonlyfindtheirappropriatesphere，whichisnotliterature，butthatcircleofrough-and-tumblepoliticallifewherethefine-fibredmenareatadiscount，whereepithetsfindtheirsubjectspoison-proof，andthestingwhichwouldbefataltoaliterarydebutantonlywakestheeloquenceofthepachydermatousward-roompoliticiantoafiercershriekofdeclamation。
TheMastergottalkingtheotherdayaboutthedifferencebetweenracesandfamilies。IamremindedofwhathesaidbywhatIhavejustbeensayingmyselfaboutcoarse-fibredandfine-fibredpeople——
WetalkaboutaYankee，aNew-Englander，——hesaid，-asifallof’emwerejustthesamekindofanimal。Thereisknowledgeandknowledge，saidJohnBunyan。ThereareYankeesandYankees。Doyouknowtwonativetreescalledpitchpineandwhitepinerespectively？
Ofcourseyouknow’em。Well，therearepitch-pineYankeesandwhite-pineYankees。Wedon’ttalkabouttheinheriteddifferencesofmenquiteasfreely，perhaps，astheydointheOldWorld，butrepublicanismdoesn’talterthelawsofphysiology。Wehaveanativearistocracy，asuperiorrace，justasplainlymarkedbynatureasofahigherandfinergradethanthecommonrunofpeopleasthewhitepineismarkedinitsform，itsstature，itsbark，itsdelicatefoliage，asbelongingtothenobilityoftheforest。andthepitchpine，stubbed，rough，coarse-haired，asoftheplebeianorder。Onlythestrangethingistoseeinwhatacapriciouswayournaturalnobilityisdistributed。ThelastbornnoblemanIhaveseen，Isawthismorning。hewaspullingaropethatwasfastenedtoaMaineschoonerloadedwithlumber。Ishouldsayhewasabouttwentyyearsold，asfineafigureofayoungmanasyouwouldasktosee，andwitharegularGreekoutlineofcountenance，wavinghair，thatfellasifasculptorhadmassedittocopy，andacomplexionasrichasaredsunset。IhaveanotionthattheStateofMainebreedsthenaturalnobilityinalargerproportionthansomeotherStates，buttheyspringupinallsortsofout-of-the-wayplaces。TheyoungfellowIsawthismorninghadonanoldflannelshirt，apairoftrowsersthatmeanthardwork，andacheapclothcappushedbackonhisheadsoastoletthelargewavesofhairstraggleoutoverhisforehead。hewastuggingathisropewiththeothersailors，butuponmywordIdon’tthinkIhaveseenayoungEnglishnoblemanofallthosewhomIhavelookeduponthatansweredtothenotionofblood
sowellasthisyoungfellowdid。IsupposeifImadesuchalevellingconfessionasthisinpublic，peoplewouldthinkIwaslookingtowardsbeingthelabor-reformcandidateforPresident。ButIshouldgoonandspoilmyprospectsbysayingthatIdon’tthinkthewhite-pineYankeeisthemoregenerallyprevailinggrowth，butratherthepitch-pineYankee——
TheMemberoftheHaouseseemedtohavebeengettingadimideathatallthiswasnotexactlyflatteringtothehuckleberrydistricts。HisfeaturesbetrayedthegrowthofthissuspicionsoclearlythattheMasterrepliedtohislookasifithadbeenaremark。[IneedhardlysaythatthisparticularmemberoftheGeneralCourtwasapitch-pineYankeeofthemostthoroughlycharacterizedaspectandflavor。]——
Yes，Sir，——theMastercontinued，——Sirbeinganybodythatlistened，——thereisneitherflatterynoroffenceintheviewswhichaphysiologicalobservertakesoftheformsoflifearoundhim。Itwon’tdotodrawindividualportraits，butthedifferencesofnaturalgroupsofhumanbeingsareaspropersubjectsofremarkasthoseofdifferentbreedsofhorses，andifhorseswereHouyhnhnmsIdon’tthinktheywouldquarrelwithusbecausewemadeadistinctionbetweenaMorganandaMessenger。Thetruthis，Sir，theleansandysoilandthedroughtsandthelongwintersandtheeast-windsandthecoldstorms，andallsortsofunknownlocalinfluencesthatwecan’tmakeoutquitesoplainlyasthese，haveatendencytoroughenthehumanorganizationandmakeitcoarse，somethingasitiswiththetreeImentioned。Somespotsandsomestrainsofbloodfightagainsttheseinfluences，butifIshouldsayrightoutwhatI
think，itwouldbethatthefinesthumanfruit，onthewhole。andespeciallythefinestwomenthatwegetinNewEnglandareraisedunderglass——
Goodgracious！——exclaimedtheLandlady，underglass！——
Givemecowcumbersraisedintheopenair，saidtheCapitalist，whowasalittlehardofhearing——
Perhaps，——Iremarked，——itmightbeaswellifyouwouldexplainthislastexpressionofyours。RaisinghumanbeingsunderglassI
taketobeametaphoricalratherthanaliteralstatementofyourmeaning——
No，Sir！——repliedtheMaster，withenergy，——ImeanjustwhatIsay，Sir。Underglass，andwithasouthexposure。Duringthehardseason，ofcourse，——forintheheatsofsummerthetenderesthot-
houseplantsarenotafraidoftheopenair。ProtectioniswhatthetransplantedAryanrequiresinthisNewEnglandclimate。Keephim，andespeciallykeepher，inawidestreetofawell-builtcityeightmonthsoftheyear。goodsolidbrickwallsbehindher，goodsheetsofplate-glass，withthesunshiningwarmthroughthem，infrontofher，andyouhaveputherintheconditionofthepine-apple，fromthelandofwhich，andnotfromthatoftheotherkindofpine，herracestartedonitstravels。Peopledon’tknowwhatagainthereistohealthbylivingincities，thebestpartsofthemofcourse，forweknowtoowellwhattheworstpartsare。Inthefirstplaceyougetridofthenoxiousemanationswhichpoisonsomanycountrylocalitieswithtyphoidfeveranddysentery，notwhollyridofthem，ofcourse，buttoasurprisingdegree。Letmetellyouadoctor’sstory。IwasvisitingaWesterncityagoodmanyyearsago。itwasintheautumn，thetimewhenallsortsofmalariousdiseasesareabout。ThedoctorIwasspeakingoftookmetoseethecemeteryjustoutsidethetown，Idon’tknowhowmuchhehaddonetofillit，forhedidn’ttellme，butI’lltellyouwhathedidsay。
Lookround，saidthedoctor。Thereisn’tahouseinalltheten-
milecircuitofcountryyoucanseeover，wherethereisn’toneperson，atleast，shakingwithfeverandague。Andyetyouneedn’tbeafraidofcarryingitawaywithyou，foraslongasyourhomeisonapavedstreetyouaresafe——
Ithinkitlikely——theMasterwentontosay——thatmyfriendthedoctorputitprettystrongly，butthereisnodoubtatallthatwhileallthecountryroundwassufferingfromintermittentfever，thepavedpartofthecitywascomparativelyexempted。Whatdoyoudowhenyoubuildahouseonadampsoil，andtherearedampsoilsprettymucheverywhere？Whyyoufloorthecellarwithcement，don’tyou？Well，thesoilofacityiscementedallover，onemaysay，withcertainqualificationsofcourse。Afirst-ratecityhouseisaregularsanatorium。Theonlytroubleis，thatthelittlegood-for-
nothingsthatcomeofutterlyused-upandworn-outstock，andoughttodie，can’tdie，tosavetheirlives。Sotheygrowuptodilutethevigoroftheracewithskim-milkvitality。Theywouldhavedied，likegoodchildren，inmostaveragecountryplaces。buteightmonthsofshelterinaregulatedtemperature，inawell-sunnedhouse，inadulymoistenedair，withgoodsidewalkstogoaboutoninallweather，andfourmonthsofthecreamofsummerandthefreshmilkofJerseycows，makethelittleshamorganizations——theworm-eatenwind-
falls，forthat’swhattheylooklike——hangontotheboughsoflifelikefroze-n-thaws。regularstruldbrugstheycometobe，agoodmanyof’em——
TheScarabee’searwascaughtbythatqueerwordofSwift’s，andheaskedveryinnocentlywhatkindofbugshewasspeakingof，whereuponThatBoyshoutedout，Straddlebugs！tohisownimmenseamusementandthegreatbewildermentoftheScarabee，whoonlysawthattherewasoneofthoseunintelligiblebreaksintheconversationwhichmadeotherpeoplelaugh，anddrewbackhisantennaeasusual，perplexed，butnotamused。
IdonotbelievetheMasterhadsaidallhewasgoingtosayonthissubject，andofcourseallthesestatementsofhisaremoreorlessone-sided。Butthatsomeinvalidsdomuchbetterincitiesthaninthecountryisindisputable，andthatthefrightfuldysenteriesandfeverswhichhaveragedlikepestilencesinmanyofourcountrytownsarealmostunknowninthebetterbuiltsectionsofsomeofourlargecitiesisgettingtobemoregenerallyunderstoodsinceourwell-to-
dopeoplehaveannuallyemigratedinsuchnumbersfromthecementedsurfaceofthecitytothesteamingsoilofsomeofthedangerousruraldistricts。Ifoneshouldcontrastthehealthiestcountryresidenceswiththeworstcityonestheresultwouldbealltheotherway，ofcourse，sothattherearetwosidestothequestion，whichwemustletthedoctorspoundintheirgreatmortar，infuseandstrain，hopingthattheywillpresentuswiththeclearsolutionwhentheyhavegotthroughtheseprocesses。OneofourchiefwantsisacompletesanitarymapofeveryStateintheUnion。
Thebalanceofourtable，asthereaderhasnodoubtobserved，hasbeenderangedbythewithdrawaloftheManofLetters，socalled，andonlythesideofthedeficiencychangedbytheremovaloftheYoungAstronomerintoourneighborhood。ThefactthattherewasavacantchaironthesideoppositeushadbynomeansescapedthenoticeofThatBoy。Hehadtakenadvantageofhisopportunityandinvitedinaschoolmatewhomheevidentlylookeduponasagreatpersonage。Thisboyoryouthwasagooddealolderthanhimselfandstoodtohimapparentlyinthelightofapatronandinstructorinthewaysoflife。Averyjaunty，knowingyounggentlemanhewas，good-looking，smartlydressed，smooth-checkedasyet，curly-haired，witharoguisheye，asagaciouswink，areadytongue，asIsoonfoundout。andasI
learnedcouldcatchaballontheflywithanyboyofhisage。notquarrelsome，but，ifhehadtostrike，hitfromtheshoulder。theprideofhisfatherwhowasamanofpropertyandacivicdignitary，andansweringtothenameofJohnny。
IwasalittlesurprisedatthelibertyThatBoyhadtakeninintroducinganextrapepticelementatourtable，reflectingasIdidthatacertainnumberofavoirdupoisouncesofnutrimentwhichthevisitorwoulddisposeofcorrespondedtoaveryappreciablepecuniaryamount，sothathewaslevyingacontributionuponourLandladywhichshemightbeinclinedtocomplainof。FortheCaputmortuumordeadhead，invulgarphraseisapttobefurnishedwithaVentervivus，or，aswemaysay，alivelyappetite。ButtheLandladywelcomedthenew-comerveryheartily——
Why！how——do——you——doJohnny？！withthenotesofinterrogationandofadmirationbothtogether，ashererepresented。
Johnnysignifiedthathewasdoingaboutaswellascouldbeexpectedunderthecircumstances，havingjusthadalittledifferencewithayoungpersonwhomhespokeofasPewter-jawIsupposehehadwornadentist’stooth-straighteningcontrivanceduringhisseconddentition，whichyouthhehadfinishedoff，ashesaid，ingoodshape，butattheexpenseofaslightepistaxis，wewilltranslatehisvernacularexpression——
Thethreeladiesalllookedsympathetic，buttheredidnotseemtobeanygreatoccasionforit，astheboyhadcomeoutallright，andseemedtobeinthebestofspirits-
Andhowisyourfatherandyourmother？askedtheLandlady-
Oh，theGovernorandtheHeadCentre？A1，bothof’em。Primeorderforshipping，——warrantedtostandanyclimate。TheGovernorsaysheweighsahunderdandseventy-fivepounds。Gotachin-tuftjustlikeEd’inForrest。D’dy’everseeEd’inForrestplayMetamora？Bully，Itellyou！MyoldgentlemanmeanstobeMayororGovernororPresidentorsomethingorotherbeforehegoesoffthehandle，you’dbetterb’lieve。He’ssmart，——andI’veheardfolkssayItakeafterhim——
SomehoworotherIfeltasifIhadseenthisboybefore，orknownsomethingabouthim。WheredidhegetthoseexpressionsA1andprimeandsoon？Theymusthavecomefromsomebodywhohasbeenintheretaildry-goodsbusiness，orsomethingofthatnature。Ihavecertainvaguereminiscencesthatcarrymebacktotheearlytimesofthisboardinghouse——Johnny——Landladyknowshisfatherwell——
Boardedwithher，nodoubt——TherewassomebodybythenameofJohn，Irememberperfectlywell，livedwithher。Irememberbothmyfriendsmentionedhim，oneofthemveryoften。Iwonderifthisboyisn’tasonofhis！IaskedtheLandladyafterbreakfastwhetherthiswasnot，asIhadsuspected，thesonofthatformerboarder——
Tobesureheis，——sheanswered，——andjestsuchagood-natur’dsortofcreatur’ashisfatherwas。IalwayslikedJohn，asweusedtocallhisfather。Hedidlovefun，buthewasagoodsoul，andstoodbymewhenIwasintrouble，always。Hewentintobusinessonhisownaccountafterawhile，andgotmerried，andsettleddownintoafamilyman。Theytellmeheisanamazingsmartbusinessman，——grownwealthy，andhiswife’sfatherlefthermoney。ButIcan’thelpcallinghimJohn，——law，weneverthoughtofcallinghimanythingelse，andhealwayslaughsandsays，That’sright。Thisishisoldestson，andeverybodycallshimJohnny。ThatBoyofoursgoestothesameschoolwithhisboy，andthinksthereneverwasanybodylikehim，——youseetherewasaboyundertooktoimposeonourboy，andJohnnygavetheotherboyagoodlicking，andeversincethatheisalwayswantingtohaveJohnnyroundwithhimandbringhimherewithhim，——andwhenthosetwoboysgettogether，thereneverwasboysthatwassochockfulloffunandsometimesmischief，butnotverybadmischief，asthosetwoboysbe。ButIliketohavehimcomeonceinawhilewhenthereisroomatthetable，asthereisnow，foritputsmeinmindoftheoldtimes，whenmyoldboarderswasallroundme，thatIusedtothinksomuchof，——notthatmyboardersthatIhavenowa’ntverynicepeople，butIdidthinkadreadfulsightofthegentlemanthatmadethatfirstbook。ithelpedmeonintheworldmorethaneverheknewof，——foritwasasgoodasoneofthemBrandreth’spillsadvertisements，anddidn’tcostmeacent，andthatyoungladyhemerriedtoo，shewasnothingbutapooryoungschoolma’amwhenshecometomyhouse，andnow——andshedeserveditalltoo。forshewasalwaysjustthesame，richorpoor，andsheisn’tabitproudernowshewearsacamel’s-hairshawl，thanshewaswhenIusedtolendherawoollenonetokeepherpoordearlittleshoulderswarmwhenshehadtogooutanditwasstorming，——andthentherewasthatoldgentleman，——Ican’tspeakabouthim，forIneverknewhowgoodhewastillhiswillwasopened，andthenitwastoolatetothankhim……
Irespectedthefeelingwhichcausedtheintervalofsilence，andfoundmyowneyesmoistenedasIrememberedhowlongitwassincethatfriendofourswassittinginthechairwhereInowsit，andwhatatidalwaveofchangehassweptovertheworldandmoreespeciallyoverthisgreatlandofours，sinceheopenedhislipsandfoundsomanykindlisteners。
TheYoungAstronomerhasreadusanotherextractfromhismanuscript。
Iranmyeyeoverit，andsofarasIhavenoticeditiscorrectenoughinitsversification。Isupposewearegettinggraduallyoverourhemisphericalprovincialism，whichallowedasetofmonkstopulltheirhoodsoveroureyesandtellustherewasnomeaninginanyreligioussymbolismbutourown。IfIammistakenaboutthisadvanceIamverygladtoprinttheyoungman’ssomewhatoutspokenlinestohelpusinthatdirection。
WIND-CLOUDSANDSTAR-DRIFTS。
VI
Thetimeisrackedwithbirth-pangs。everyhourBringsforthsomegaspingtruth，andtruthnew-bornLooksamisshapenanduntimelygrowth，Theterrorofthehouseholdanditsshame，Amonstercoilinginitsnurse’slapThatsomewouldstrangle，somewouldonlystarve。
Butstillitbreathes，andpassedfromhandtohand，Andsuckledatahundredhalf-cladbreasts，Comesslowlytoitsstatureanditsform，Calmstheroughridgesofitsdragon-scales，Changestoshininglocksitssnakyhair，Andmovestransfiguredintoangelguise，Welcomedbyallthatcurseditshourofbirth，AndfoldedinthesameencirclingarmsThatcastitlikeaserpentfromtheirhold！
Ifthouwouldstliveinhonor，dieinpeace，Havethefinewordsthemarble-workerslearnTocarvesowell，uponthyfuneral-stone，Andearnafairobituary，dressedInallthemany-coloredrobesofpraise，BedeaferthantheaddertothecryOfthatsamefoundlingtruth，untilitgrowsToseemlyfavor，andatlengthhaswonThesmilesofhard-mouthedmenandlight-uppeddames，Thensnatchitfromitsmeagrenurse’sbreast，Folditinsilkandgiveitfoodfromgold。
SoshaltthoushareitsglorywhenatlastItdropsitsmortalvesture，andrevealedInallthesplendorofitsheavenlyform，Spreadsonthestartledairitsmightywings！
Alas！howmuchthatseemedimmortaltruthThatheroesfoughtfor，martyrsdiedtosave，Revealsitsearth-bornlineage，growingoldAndlimpinginitsmarch，itswingsunplumed，Itsheavenlysemblancefadedlikeadream！
Hereinthispaintedcasket，justunsealed，Lieswhatwasonceabreathingshapelikethine，Oncelovedasthouartloved。therebeamedtheeyesThatlookedonMemphisinitshourofpride，Thatsawthewallsofhundred-gatedThebes，AndallthemirroredgloriesoftheNile。
Seehowtheytoiledthatall-consumingtimeMightleavetheframeimmortalinitstomb。
FilleditwithfragrantbalmsandodorousgumsThatstilldiffusetheirsweetnessthroughtheair，AndwoundandwoundwithpatientfoldonfoldTheflaxenbandsthyhandhasrudelytorn！
PerchancethouyetcanstseethefadedstainOfthesadmourner’stear。
Butwhatisthis？
Thesacredbeetle，bounduponthebreastOftheblindheathen！Snatchthecuriousprize，GiveitaplaceamongthytreasuredspoilsFossilandrelic，——corals，encrinites，Theflyinamberandthefishinstone，ThetwistedcircletofEtruscangold，Medal，intaglio，poniard，poison-ring，——
PlacefortheMemphianbeetlewiththinehoard！
Ah！longerthanthycreedhasblesttheworldThistoy，thusravishedfromthybrother’sbreast，WastotheheartofMizraimasdivine，Asholy，asthesymbolthatwelayOnthestillbosomofourwhite-robeddead，AndraiseabovetheirdustthatallmayknowHeresleepsanheirofglory。Lovingfriends，Withtearsoftremblingfaithandchokingsobs，Andprayerstothosewhojudgeofmortaldeeds，Wrappedthispoorimageinthecerement’sfoldThatIsisandOsiris，friendsofman，Mightknowtheirownandclaimtheransomedsoul>
Anidol？Manwasborntoworshipsuch！
Anidolisanimageofhisthought。
Sometimeshecarvesitoutofgleamingstone，Andsometimesmouldsitoutofglitteringgold，Orroundsitinamightyfrescoeddome，Orliftsitheavenwardinaloftyspire，Orshapesitinacunningframeofwords，Orpayshispriesttomakeitdaybyday。
Forsensemusthaveitsgodaswellassoul。
Anew-bornDiancallsforsilvershrines，AndEgypt’sholiestsymbolisourown，ThesignweworshipasdidtheyofoldWhenIsisandOsirisruledtheworld。
Letusbetruetoourmostsubtleselves，Welongtohaveouridolsliketherest。
Think！whenthemenofIsraelhadtheirGodEncampedamongthem，talkingwiththeirchief，LeadingtheminthepillarofthecloudAndwatchingo’erthemintheshaftoffire，Theystillmusthaveanimage。stilltheylongedForsomewhatofsubstantial，solidformWhereontohangtheirgarlands，andtofixTheirwanderingthoughts，andgainastrongerholdFortheiruncertainfaith，notyetassuredIfthosesamemeteorsofthedayandnightWerenotmereexhalationsofthesoil。
Arewelessearthlythanthechosenrace？
ArewemoreneighborsofthelivingGodThantheywhogatheredmannaeverymorn，Reapingwherenonehadsown，andheardthevoiceOfhimwhomettheHighestinthemount，Andbroughtthemtables，gravenwithHishand？
Yetthesemusthavetheiridol，broughttheirgold，Thatstar-browedApismightbegodagain。
Yea，fromtheirearsthewomenbraketheringsThatlentsuchsplendorstothegypsybrownOfsunburntcheeks，——whatmorecouldwomandoToshowherpiouszeal？Theywentastray，Butnatureledthemasitleadsusall。
Wetoo，whomockatIsrael’sgoldencalfAndscoffatEgypt’ssacredscarabee，Wouldhaveouramuletstoclaspandkiss，Andfloodwithrapturoustears，andbearwithusTobeourdearcompanionsinthedust，Suchmagicworksanimageinoursouls！
Manisanembryo。seeattwentyyearsHisbones，thecolumnsthatupholdhisframeNotyetcemented，shaftandcapital，Merefragmentsofthetempleincomplete。
Attwoscore，threescore，ishethenfullgrown？
Nay，stillachild，andasthelittlemaidsDressandundresstheirpuppets，sohetriesTodressalifelesscreed，asifitlived，Andchangeitsraimentwhentheworldcriesshame！
WesmiletoseeourlittleonesatplaySograve，sothoughtful，withmaternalcareNursingthewispsofragstheycalltheirbabes。
DoesHenotsmilewhoseesuswiththetoysWecallbysacrednames，andidlyfeignTobewhatwehavecalledthem？
HeisstillTheFatherofthishelplessnursery-brood，Whosesecondchildhoodjoinssocloseitsfirst，Thatinthecrowding，hurryingyearsbetweenWescarcehavetrainedoursensestotheirtaskBeforethegatheringmisthasdimmedoureyes，Andwithourhollowedpalmwehelpourear，Andtracewithtremblinghandourwrinklednames，Andthenbegintotellourstorieso’er，Andsee——nothear-thewhisperinglipsthatsay，Youknow——？Yourfatherknewhim——Thisishe，Totteringandleaningonthehireling’sarm，——
Andso，atlength，disrobedofallthatcladThesimplelifewesharewithweedandworm，Gotoourcradles，nakedaswecame。
XI
IsupposetherewouldhavebeenevenmoreremarksuponthegrowingintimacyoftheYoungAstronomerandhispupil，ifthecuriosityoftheboardershadnotinthemeantimebeensomuchexcitedattheapparentlycloserelationwhichhadsprungupbetweentheRegisterofDeedsandtheLady。Itwasreallyhardtotellwhattomakeofit。
TheRegisterappearedatthetableinanewcoat。Suspicious。TheLadywasevidentlydeeplyinterestedinhim，ifwecouldjudgebythefrequencyandthelengthoftheirinterviews。Onatleastoneoccasionhehasbroughtalawyerwithhim，whichnaturallysuggestedtheideathatthereweresomepropertyarrangementstobeattendedto，incase，asseemsprobableagainstallreasonstothecontrary，thesetwoestimablepersons，soutterlyunfitted，asonewouldsay，toeachother，contemplatedanalliance。Itisnopleasuretometorecordanarrangementofthiskind。IfranklyconfessIdonotknowwhattomakeofit。Withhertastesandbreeding，itisthelastthingthatIshouldhavethoughtof，——herunitingherselfwiththismostcommonplaceandmechanicalperson，whocannotevenofferhertheelegancesandluxuriestowhichshemightseementitledonchanginghercondition。
WhileIwasthusinterestedandpuzzledIreceivedanunexpectedvisitfromourLandlady。Shewasevidentlyexcited，andbysomeeventwhichwasofahappynature，forhercountenancewasbeamingandsheseemedimpatienttocommunicatewhatshehadtotell。
Impatientornot，shemustwaitamoment，whileIsayawordabouther。OurLandladyisasgoodacreatureaseverlived。Sheisalittlenegligentofgrammarattimes，andwillgetawrongwordnowandthen。sheisgarrulous，circumstantial，associatesfactsbytheiraccidentalcohesionratherthanbytheirvitalaffinities，isgiventochokingandtearsonslightoccasions，butshehasawarmheart，andfeelstoherboardersasiftheywereherblood-relations。
Shebeganherconversationabruptly——IexpectI’magoingtoloseoneofmyboarders，——shesaid——
Youdon’tseemveryunhappyaboutit，madam，——Ianswered——Wealltookiteasilywhenthepersonwhosatonoursideofthetablequittedusinsuchahurry，butIdonotthinkthereisanybodyleftthateitheryouortheboarderswanttogetridof——unlessitismyself，——Iaddedmodestly——
You！saidtheLandlady——you！Noindeed。WhenIhaveaquietboarderthat’sasmalleater，Idon’twanttolosehim。Youdon’tmaketrouble，youdon’tfindfaultwithyourvit——[Dr。Benjaminhadschooledhisparentonthispointandshealteredtheword]withyourfood，andyouknowwhenyou’vehadenough——
Ireallyfeltproudofthiseulogy，whichembracesthemostdesirableexcellencesofahumanbeinginthecapacityofboarder。
TheLandladybeganagain——I’mgoingtolose——atleast，IsupposeI
shall——oneofthebestboardersIeverhad，——thatLadythat’sbeenwithmesolong——
IthoughttherewassomethinggoingonbetweenherandtheRegister，——Isaid——
Something！Ishouldthinktherewas！Aboutthreemonthsagohebeganmakingheracquaintance。Ithoughttherewassomethingparticular。Ididn’tquiteliketowatch’emveryclose。butI
couldn’thelpoverbearingsomeofthethingshesaidtoher，for，yousee，heusedtofollowherupintotheparlor，theytalkedprettylow，butIcouldcatchawordnowandthen。Iheardhimsaysomethingtoheronedayaboutbetteringhercondition，andsheseemedtobethinkingveryhardaboutit，andturningofitoverinhermind，andIsaidtomyself，Shedoesn’twanttotakeupwithhim，butshefeelsdreadfulpoor，andperhapshehasbeensavingandhasgotmoneyinthebank，andshedoesn’twanttothrowawayachanceofbetteringherselfwithoutthinkingitover。Butdearme，——
saysItomyself，——tothinkofherwalkingupthebroadaisleintomeetingalongsideofsuchahomely，rusty-lookingcreatur’asthat！
Butthere’snotellingwhatfolkswilldowhenpovertyhasgotholdof’em——
Well，soIthoughtshewaswaitingtomakeuphermind，andhewashangingoninhopesshe’dcomeroundatlast，aswomendohalfthetime，fortheydon’tknowtheirownmindsandthewindblowsbothwaysatoncewith’emasthesmokeblowsoutofthetallchimlies，——
eastoutofthisoneandwestoutofthat，——soit’snouselookingat’emtoknowwhattheweatheris——
Butyesterdayshecomesuptomeafterbreakfast，andasksmetogoupwithherintoherlittleroom。Now，saysItomyself，Ishallhearallaboutit。Isawshelookedasifshe’dgotsomeofhertroubleoffhermind，andIguessedthatitwassettled，andso，saysItomyself，Imustwishherjoyandhopeit’sallforthebest，whateverIthinkaboutit——
Well，sheaskedmetosetdown，andthenshebegun。Shesaidthatshewasexpectingtohaveachangeinherconditionoflife，andhadaskedmeupsothatImight’havethefirstnewsofit。Iamsure——
saysI——Iwishyoubothjoy。Merriageisablessedthingwhenfolksiswellsorted，anditisanhonorablething，andthefirstmeraclewasatthemerriageinCanaan。Itbringsagreatsightofhappinesswithit，asI’vehadachanceofknowing，formyhusTheLandladyshowedherusualtendencytobreakfromtheconversationalpacejustatthispoint，butmanagedtoreinintherebelliousdiaphragm，andresumedhernarrative——
Merriage！——saysshe，——praywhohassaidanythingaboutmerriage？——
Ibegyourpardon，ma’am，——saysI，——IthoughtyouhadspokeofchangingyourconditionandI——ShelookedsoIstoppedrightshort-
Don’tsayanotherword，saysshe，butjestlistentowhatIamgoingtotellyou——
Myfriend，saysshe，thatyouhaveseenwithmesooftenlately，washuntingamonghisoldRecordbooks，whenallatoncehecomeacrossanolddeedthatwasmadebysomebodythathadmyfamilyname。
Hetookitintohisheadtoreaditover，andhefoundtherewassomekindofaconditionthatifitwasn’tkept，thepropertywouldallgobacktothemthatwastheheirsoftheonethatgavethedeed，andthathefoundoutwasme。Somethingorotherputitintohishead，saysshe，thatthecompanythatownedtheproperty——itwaseversorichacompanyandownedlandallroundeverywhere——hadn’tkepttotheconditions。Sohewenttowork，saysshe，andhuntedthroughhisbooksandheinquiredallround，andhefoundoutprettymuchallaboutit，andatlasthecometome——it’smyboarder，youknow，thatsaysallthis——andsayshe，Ma’am，sayshe，ifyouhaveanykindoffancyforbeingarichwomanyou’veonlygottosayso。Ididn’tknowwhathemeant，andIbegantothink，saysshe，hemustbecrazy。
Butheexplaineditalltome，howI’dnothingtodobutgotocourtandIcouldgetasightofpropertyback。Well，soshewentontellingme——therewaseversomuchmorethatIsupposewasallplainenough，butIdon’trememberitall——onlyIknowmyboarderwasagooddealworriedatfirstatthethoughtoftakingmoneythatotherpeoplethoughtwastheirs，andtheRegisterhehadtotalktoher，andhebroughtalawyerandhetalkedtoher，andherfriendstheytalkedtoher，andtheupshotofitallwasthatthecompanyagreedtosettlethebusinessbypayingher，well，Idon’tknowjusthowmuch，butenoughtomakeheroneoftherichfolksagain。
Imayaswelladdherethat，asIhavesincelearned，thisisoneofthemostimportantcasesofreleasingrightofreentryforconditionbrokenwhichhasbeensettledbyarbitrationforaconsiderableperiod。IfIamnotmistakentheRegisterofDeedswillgetsomethingmorethananewcoatoutofthisbusiness，fortheLadyveryjustlyattributesherchangeoffortunestohissagacityandhisactivityinfollowingupthehinthehadcomeacrossbymereaccident。
Somysupernumeraryfellow-boarder，whomIwouldhavedispensedwithasacumbererofthetable，hasprovedaministeringangeltooneofthepersonageswhomImostcaredfor。
Onewouldhavethoughtthatthemostscrupulouspersonneednothavehesitatedinassertinganunquestionedlegalandequitableclaimsimplybecauseithadlainacertainnumberofyearsinabeyance。
ButbeforetheLadycouldmakeuphermindtoaccepthergoodfortuneshehadbeenkeptawakemanynightsindoubtandinwarddebatewhethersheshouldavailherselfofherrights。Ifithadbeenprivateproperty，sothatanotherpersonmustbemadepoorthatsheshouldbecomerich，shewouldhavelivedanddiedinwantratherthanclaimherown。Idonotthinkanyofuswouldliketoturnoutthepossessorofafineestateenjoyedfortwoorthreegenerationsonthefaithofunquestionedownershipbymakinguseofsomeoldforgotteninstrument，whichaccidenthadthrowninourway。
Butitwasallnonsensetoindulgeinanysentimentinacaselikethis，whereitwasnotonlyaright，butadutywhichsheowedherselfandothersinrelationwithher，toacceptwhatProvidence，asitappeared，hadthrustuponher，andwhennosufferingwouldbeoccasionedtoanybody。Commonsensetoldhernottorefuseit。Sodidseveralofherrichfriends，whorememberedaboutthistimethattheyhadnotcalleduponherforagoodwhile，andamongthemMrs。
MidasGoldenrod。
Neverhadthatlady’scarriagestoodbeforethedoorofourboarding-
housesolong，neverhaditstoppedsooften，assincetherevelationwhichhadcomefromtheRegistryofDeeds。Mrs。MidasGoldenrodwasnotabadwoman，butshelovedandhatedintooexclusiveandfastidiousawaytoallowustoconsiderherasrepresentingthehighestidealofwomanhood。Shehatednarrowill-ventilatedcourts，wheretherewasnothingtoseeifonelookedoutofthewindowbutoldmenindressing-gownsandoldwomenincaps。shehatedlittledarkroomswithair-tightstovesinthem。shehatedrustybombazinegownsandlastyear’sbonnets。shehatedglovesthatwerenotasfreshasnew-laideggs，andshoesthathadgrownbulgyandwrinkledinservice。shehatedcommoncrockerywareandteaspoonsofslightconstitution。shehatedsecondappearancesonthedinner-table。she~
hatedcoarsenapkinsandtable-cloths。shehatedtorideinthehorsecars。shehatedtowalkexceptforshortdistances，whenshewastiredofsittinginhercarriage。Shelovedwithsincereandundisguisedaffectionaspaciouscitymansionandacharmingcountryvilla，withaseasidecottageforacoupleofmonthsorso。shelovedaperfectlyappointedhousehold，acookwhowasuptoallkindsofsalmisandvol-au-vents，aFrenchmaid，andastylish-lookingcoachman，andtherestofthepeoplenecessarytohelponeliveinadecentmanner。shelovedpicturesthatotherpeoplesaidwerefirst-
rate，andwhichhadatleastcostfirst-rateprices。shelovedbookswithhandsomebacks，inshowycases。shelovedheavyandrichlywoughtplate。finelinenandplentyofit。dressesfromParisfrequently，andasmanyascouldbegotinwithouttroublingthecustomhouse。RussiasablesandVenetianpoint-lace。diamonds，andgoodbigones。and，speakinggenerally，sheloveddearthingsindistinctionfromcheapones，therealarticleandnottheeconomicalsubstitute。
ForthelifeofmeIcannotseeanythingSatanicinallthis。Tellme，Beloved，onlybetweenourselves，ifsomeofthesethingsarenotdesirableenoughintheirway，andifyouandIcouldnotmakeupourmindstoputupwithsomeoftheleastobjectionableofthemwithoutanygreatinwardstruggle？Eveninthematterofornamentsthereissomethingtobesaid。WhyshouldwebetoldthattheNewJerusalemispavedwithgold，andthatitstwelvegatesareeachofthemapearl，andthatitsfoundationsaregarnishedwithsapphiresandemeraldsandallmannerofpreciousstones，ifthesearenotamongthemostdesirableofobjects？Andisthereanythingverystrangeinthefactthatmanyadaughterofearthfindsitasweetforetasteofheaventowearaboutherfrailearthlytabernacletheseglitteringremindersofthecelestialcity？
Mrs。MidasGoldenrodwasnotsoentirelypeculiarandanomalousinherlikesanddislikes。theonlytroublewasthatshemixeduptheseaccidentsoflifetoomuchwithlifeitself，whichissooftenserenelyoractivelynobleandhappywithoutreferencetothem。Shevaluedpersonschieflyaccordingtotheirexternalconditions，andofcoursetheverymomentherrelative，theLadyofourbreakfast-table，begantofindherselfinastreakofsunshineshecameforwardwithalightedcandletoshowherwhichwayherpathlaybeforeher。
TheLadysawallthis，howplainly，howpainfully！yetsheexercisedatruecharityfortheweaknessofherrelative。Sensiblepeoplehaveasmuchconsiderationforthefrailtiesoftherichasforthoseofthepoor。Thereisagooddealofexcuseforthem。EvenyouandI，philosophersandphilanthropistsaswemaythinkourselves，haveadislikefortheenforcedeconomies，properandhonorablethoughtheycertainlyare，ofthosewhoaretwoorthreedegreesbelowusinthescaleofagreeableliving——
Theseareveryworthypersonsyouhavebeenlivingwith，mydear，——
saidMrs。Midas——[theMydearwasanexpressionwhichhadfloweredoutmoreluxuriantlythaneverbeforeinthenewstreakofsunshine]——
eminentlyrespectableparties，Ihavenoquestion，butthenweshallwantyoutomoveassoonaspossibletoourquarterofthetown，wherewecanseemoreofyouthanwehavebeenabletointhisqueerplace。
Itwasnotverypleasanttolistentothiskindoftalk，buttheLadyrememberedherannualbouquet，andheroccasionalvisitsfromtherichlady，andrestrainedtheinclinationtoremindherofthehumblespherefromwhichsheherself，therichandpatronizingpersonage，hadworkedherwayupifitwasupintothatworldwhichsheseemedtothinkwastheonlyonewhereahumanbeingcouldfindlifeworthhaving。Hercheekflushedalittle，however，asshesaidtoMrs。
Midasthatshefeltattachedtotheplacewhereshehadbeenlivingsolong。Shedoubted，shewaspleasedtosay，whethersheshouldfindbettercompanyinanycircleshewasliketomoveinthansheleftbehindheratourboarding-house。IgivetheoldMasterthecreditofthiscompliment。Ifonedoesnotagreewithhalfofwhathesays，atanyratehealwayshassomethingtosay，andentertainsandletsoutopinionsandwhimsandnotionsofonekindandanotherthatonecanquarrelwithifheisoutofhumor，orcarryawaytothinkaboutifhehappenstobeinthereceptivemood。
ButtheLadyexpressedstillmorestronglytheregretsheshouldfeelatleavingheryoungfriend，ourScheherezade。Icannotwonderatthis。TheYoungGirlhaslostwhatlittleplayfulnessshehadintheearliermonthsofmyacquaintancewithher。Ioftenreadherstoriespartlyfrommyinterestinher，andpartlybecauseIfindmeritenoughinthemtodeservesomething，betterthantheroughhandlingtheygotfromhercoarse-fibredcritic，whoeverhewas。Iseeevidencethatherthoughtsarewanderingfromhertask，thatshehasfitsofmelancholy，andburstsoftremulousexcitement，andthatshehasasmuchasshecandotokeepherselfatalltoherstated，inevitable，andsometimesalmostdespairingliterarylabor。Ihavehadsomeacquaintancewithvitalphenomenaofthiskind，andknowsomethingofthenervousnatureofyoungwomenanditsmagneticstorms，ifImayborrowanexpressionfromthephysicists，toindicatetheperturbationstowhichtheyareliable。Sheismoreinneedoffriendshipandcounselnowthaneverbefore，itseemstome，andIcannotbeartothinkthattheLady，whohasbecomelikeamothertoher，istoleavehertoherownguidance。
Itisplainenoughwhatisatthebottomofthisdisturbance。Theastronomicallessonsshehasbeentakinghavebecomeinterestingenoughtoabsorbtoomuchofherthoughts，andshefindsthemwanderingtothestarsorelsewhere，whentheyshouldbeworkingquietlyintheeditor’sharness。
TheLandladyhasherownviewsonthismatterwhichshecommunicatedtomesomethingasfollows：——
Idon’tquiteliketotellfolkswhataluckyplacemyboarding-
houseis，forfearIshouldhaveallsortsofpeoplecrowdingintobemyboardersforthesakeoftheirchances。Folkscomeherepoorandtheygoawayrich。Youngwomencomeherewithoutafriendintheworld，andthenextthingthathappensisagentlemanstepsupto’emandsays，Ifyou’lltakemeforyourpardnerforlife，I’llgiveyouagoodhomeandloveyoueversomuchbesides。andoffgoesmyyounglady-boarderintoafinethree-storyhouse，asgrandasthegovernor’swife，witheverythingtomakehercomfortable，andahusbandtocareforherintothebargain。That’sthewayitiswiththeyoungladiesthatcomestoboardwithme，eversincethegentlemanthatwrotethefirstbookthatadvertisedmyestablishmentandneverchargedmeacentforitneithermerriedtheSchoolma’am。
AndIthinkbutthat’sbetweenyouandme——thatit’sgoingtobethesamethingrightoveragainbetweenthatyounggentlemanandthisyounggirlhere——ifshedoosn’tkillherselfwithwritingforthemnewspapers，——it’stoobadtheydon’tpayhermoreforwritingherstories，forIreadoneof’emthatmademecrysotheDoctor——myDoctorBenjamin——said，Ma，whatmakesyoureyeslookso？andwantedtorigamachineupandlookat’em，butItoldhimwhatthematterwas，andthatheneedn’tfixuphispeekingcontrivancesonmyaccount，——anyhowshe’saniceyoungwomanaseverlived，andasindustriouswiththatpenofhersasifshewasatworkwithasewing-machine，——andthereain’tmuchdifference，forthatmatter，betweensewingonshirtsandwritingonstories，——onewayyouworkwithyourfoot，andtheotherwayyouworkwithyourfingers，butI
ratherguessthere’smoreheadacheinthestoriesthanthereisinthestitches，becauseyoudon’thavetothinkquitesohardwhileyourfoot’sgoingasyoudowhenyourfingersisatwork，scratch，scratch，scratch，scribble，scribble，scribble。
ItoccurredtomethatthislastsuggestionoftheLandladywasworthconsideringbythesoft-handed，broadcloth-cladspouterstothelaboringclasses，——socalledindistinctionfromtheidlepeoplewhoonlycontrivethemachineryanddiscovertheprocessesandlayouttheworkanddrawthechartsandorganizethevariousmovementswhichkeeptheworldgoingandmakeittolerable。Theorgan-blowerworksharderwithhismuscles，forthatmatter，thantheorganplayer，andmayperhapsbeexasperatedintothinkinghimselfadowntroddenmartyrbecausehedoesnotreceivethesamepayforhisservices。
IwillnotpretendthatitneededtheLandlady’ssagaciousguessabouttheYoungAstronomerandhispupiltoopenmyeyestocertainpossibilities，ifnotprobabilities，inthatdirection。OurScheherezadekeptonwritingherstoriesaccordingtoagreement，somanypagesforsomanydollars，butsomeofherreadersbegantocomplainthattheycouldnotalwaysfollowherquitesowellasinherearlierefforts。Itseemedasifshemusthavefitsofabsence。
Inoneinstanceherheroinebeganasablondeandfinishedasabrunette。notinconsequenceoftheuseofanycosmetic，butthroughsimpleinadvertence。Atlastithappenedinoneofherstoriesthataprominentcharacterwhohadbeenkilledinanearlypage，notequivocally，butmortally，definitivelykilled，donefor，anddisposedof，reappearedasifnothinghadhappenedtowardsthecloseofhernarrative。Hermindwasonsomethingelse，andshehadgottwostoriesmixedupandsenthermanuscriptwithouthavinglookeditover。ShetoldthismishaptotheLady，assomethingshewasdreadfullyashamedofandcouldnotpossiblyaccountfor。Ithadcostherasharpnotefromthepublisher，andwouldbeasgoodasadinnertosomehalf-starvedBohemianofthecriticalpress。
TheLadylistenedtoallthisverythoughtfully，lookingatherwithgreattenderness，andsaid，Mypoorchild！Notanotherwordthen，buthersilencemeantagooddeal。
Whenamanholdshistongueitdoesnotsignifymuch。Butwhenawomandispenseswiththeofficeofthatmightymember，whenshesheatheshernaturalweaponatatryingmoment，itmeansthatshetruststostillmoreformidableenginery。totearsitmaybe，asolventmorepowerfulthanthatwithwhichHannibalsoftenedtheAlpinerocks，ortotheheavingbosom，thesightofwhichhassubduedsomanystoutnatures，or，itmaybe，toasympathizing，quietinglookwhichsaysPeace，bestill！tothewindsandwavesofthelittleinlandocean，inalanguagethatmeansmorethanspeech。
WhilethesemattersweregoingontheMasterandIhadmanytalksonmanysubjects。Hehadfoundmeaprettygoodlistener，forIhadlearnedthatthebestwayofgettingatwhatwasworthhavingfromhimwastowindhimupwithaquestionandlethimrundownallofhimself。Itiseasytoturnagoodtalkerintoaninsufferableborebycontradictinghim，andputtingquestionsforhimtostumbleover，——thatis，ifheisnotaborealready，asgoodtalkersareapttobe，exceptnowandthen。
Wehadbeendiscussingsomeknottypointsonemorningwhenhesaidallatonce：——
Comeintomylibrarywithme。Iwanttoreadyousomenewpassagesfromaninterleavedcopyofmybook。Youhaven’treadtheprintedpartyet。Igaveyouacopyofit，butnobodyreadsabookthatisgiventohim。Ofcoursenot。Nobodybutafoolexpectshimto。Hereadsalittleinithereandthere，perhaps，andhecutsalltheleavesifhecaresenoughaboutthewriter，whowillbesuretocallonhimsomeday，andifheisleftaloneinhislibraryforfiveminuteswillhavehuntedeverycornerofituntilhehasfoundthebookhesent，——ifitistobefoundatall，whichdoesn’talwayshappen，ifthere’sapenalcolonyanywhereinagarretorclosetfortypographicaloffendersandvagrants——
Whatdoyoudowhenyoureceiveabookyoudon’twant，fromtheauthor？——saidI——
Givehimagood-naturedadjectiveortwoifIcan，andthankhim，andtellhimIamlyingunderasenseofobligationtohim——
Thatisasgoodanexcuseforlyingasalmostany，——Isaid——
Yes，butlookoutforthefellowsthatsendyouacopyoftheirbooktotrapyouintowritingabookseller’sadvertisementforit。I
gotcaughtsoonce，andneverheardtheendofitandnevershallhearit——Hetookdownanelegantlyboundvolume，onopeningwhichappearedaflourishingandeminentlyflatteringdedicationtohimself——There，——saidhe，whatcouldIdolessthanacknowledgesuchacomplimentinpoliteterms，andhopeandexpectthebookwouldprovesuccessful，andsoforthandsoforth？Well，Igetalettereveryfewmonthsfromsomenewlocalitywherethemanthatmadethatbookiscoveringthefenceswithhisplacards，askingmewhetherI
wrotethatletterwhichhekeepsinstereotypeandhaskeptsoanytimethesedozenorfifteenyears。Animustuusoculus，asthefreshmenusedtosay。IfherMajesty，theQueenofEngland，sendsyouacopyofherLeavesfromtheJournalofOurLifeintheHighlands，besureyoumarkyourletterofthanksforitPrivate！
Wehadgotcomfortablyseatedinhislibraryinthemeantime，andtheMasterhadtakenuphisbook。Inoticedthateveryotherpagewasleftblank，andthathehadwritteninagooddealofnewmatter——
Itellyouwhat，——hesaid，——there’ssomuchintelligenceaboutnowadaysinbooksandnewspapersandtalkthatit’smightyhardtowritewithoutgettingsomethingorotherworthlisteningtointoyouressayoryourvolume。Thefoolishestbookisakindofleakyboatonaseaofwisdom。someofthewisdomwillgetinanyhow。EverynowandthenIfindsomethinginmybookthatseemssogoodtome，I
can’thelpthinkingitmusthaveleakedin。Isupposeotherpeoplediscoverthatitcamethroughaleak，fullassoonasIdo。Youmustwriteabookortwotofindouthowmuchandhowlittleyouknowandhavetosay。Thenyoumustreadsomenoticesofitbysomebodythatlovesyouandoneortwobysomebodythathatesyou。You’llfindyourselfaveryoddpieceofpropertyafteryou’vebeenthroughtheseexperiences。They’retryingtotheconstitution。I’malwaysgladtohearthatafriendisaswellascanbeexpectedafterhe’shadabook。
Youmustn’tthinktherearenobetterthingsinthesepagesofminethantheonesI’mgoingtoreadyou，butyoumaycomeacrosssomethingherethatIforgottosaywhenweweretalkingoverthesematters。
Hebegan，readingfromthemanuscriptportionofhisbook：——
Wefindithardtogetandtokeepanyprivatepropertyinthought。
Otherpeopleareallthetimesayingthesamethingswearehoardingtosaywhenwegetready。[Helookedupfromhisbookjusthereandsaid，Don’tbeafraid，IamnotgoingtoquotePereant。]Oneofouroldboarders——theonethatcalledhimselfTheProfessorIthinkitwas——saidsomeprettyaudaciousthingsaboutwhathecalledpathologicalpiety，asIremember，inoneofhispapers。AndherecomesalongMr。Galton，andshowsindetailfromreligiousbiographiesthatthereisafrequentcorrelationbetweenanunusuallydevoutdispositionandaweakconstitution。NeitherofthemappearedtoknowthatJohnBunyanhadgotatthesamefactlongbeforethem。Hetellsus，Themorehealthythelustymanis，themoreproneheisuntoevil。Iftheconverseistrue，nowonderthatgoodpeople，accordingtoBunyan，arealwaysintroubleandterror，forhesays，AChristianmanisneverlongatease。
Whenonefrightisgone，anotherdothhimseize。
Ifinvalidismandthenervoustimiditywhichisapttogowithitareelementsofspiritualsuperiority，itfollowsthatpathologyandtoxicologyshouldformamostimportantpartofatheologicaleducation，sothatadivinemightknowhowtokeepaparishinastateofchronicbadhealthinorderthatitmightbevirtuous。
Itisagreatmistaketothinkthataman’sreligionisgoingtoridhimofhisnaturalqualities。BishopHallasyoumayremembertohaveseenquotedelsewhereprefersNaturebeforeGraceintheElectionofawife，because，saithhe，itwillbeahardTask，wheretheNatureispeevishandfroward，forGracetomakeanentireconquestwhileLifelasteth。
NatureandGracehavebeencontrastedwitheachotherinawaynotveryrespectfultotheDivineomnipotence。KingsandqueensreignbytheGraceofGod，butasweet，docile，piousdisposition，suchasisborninsomechildrenandgrowsupwiththem，——thatcongenitalgiftwhichgoodBishopHallwouldlookforinawife，——isattributedtoNature。InfactNatureandGrace，ashandledbythescholastics，arenothingmorenorlessthantwohostileDivinitiesinthePantheonofpost-classicalpolytheism。
WhatisthesecretoftheprofoundinterestwhichDarwinismhasexcitedinthemindsandheartsofmorepersonsthandaretoconfesstheirdoubtsandhopes？ItisbecauseitrestoresNaturetoitsplaceasatruedivinemanifestation。Itisthatitremovesthetraditionalcursefromthathelplessinfantlyinginitsmother’sarms。Itisthatitliftsfromtheshouldersofmantheresponsibilityforthefactofdeath。Itisthat，ifitistrue，womancannolongerbetauntedwithhavingbroughtdownonherselfthepangswhichmakehersexamartyrdom。Ifdevelopmentupwardisthegenerallawoftherace。ifwehavegrownbynaturalevolutionoutofthecave-man，andevenlesshumanformsoflife，wehaveeverythingtohopefromthefuture。Thatthequestioncanbediscussedwithoutoffenceshowsthatweareenteringonanewera，aRevivalgreaterthanthatofLetters，theRevivalofHumanity。
TheprevalentviewofNaturehasbeenakintothatwhichlongreignedwithreferencetodisease。Thisusedtobeconsideredasadistinctentityapartfromtheprocessesoflife，ofwhichitisoneofthemanifestations。Itwasakindofdemontobeattackedwiththingsofodioustasteandsmell。tobefumigatedoutofthesystemastheevilspiritwasdrivenfromthebridal-chamberinthestoryofTobit。TheDoctorofearlierdays，evenasIcanrememberhim，usedtoexorcisethedemonofdiseasewithrecipesofodoraspotentasthatoftheangel’sdiabolifuge，——thesmokefromafish’sheartandliver，dulyburned，——thewhichsmellwhentheevilspirithadsmelledhefledintotheuttermostpartsofEgypt。Theverymomentthatdiseasepassesintothecategoryofvitalprocesses，andisrecognizedasanoccurrenceabsolutelynecessary，inevitable，andasonemaysay，normalundercertaingivenconditionsofconstitutionandcircumstance，themedicine-manloseshishalf-miraculousendowments。ThemythicalserpentisuntwinedfromthestaffofEsculapius，whichthenceforthbecomesausefulwalking-stick，anddoesnotpretendtobeanythingmore。
Sin，likedisease，isavitalprocess。Itisafunction，andnotanentity。Itmustbestudiedasasectionofanthropology。Nopreconceivedideamustbeallowedtointerferewithourinvestigationofthederangedspiritualfunction，anymorethantheoldideasofdemoniacalpossessionmustbeallowedtointerferewithourstudyofepilepsy。Spiritualpathologyisapropersubjectfordirectobservationandanalysis，likeanyothersubjectinvolvingaseriesoflivingactions。