Ifhewilllookalittleclosely，hewillseethattheprofileandthefull-faceviewsofthewillarebothtrueandperfectlyconsistent！
Nowletuscomeback，afterthislongdigression，totheconversationwiththeintelligentEnglishman。Webeginskirmishingwithafewlightideas，——testingforthoughts，——asourelectro-chemicalfriend，DeSauty，ifthereweresuchaperson，wouldtestforhiscurrent；
tryingalittlelitmus-paperforacids，andthenaslipofturmeric-
paperforalkalies，aschemistsdowithunknowncompounds；flingingthelead，andlookingattheshellsandsandsitbringsuptofindoutwhetherweareliketokeepinshallowwater，orshallhavetodropthedeep-sealine；——inshort，seeingwhatwehavetodealwith。
IftheEnglishmangetshisH’sprettywellplaced，hecomesfromoneofthehighergradesoftheBritishsocialorder，andweshallfindhimagoodcompanion。
But，afterall，hereisagreatfactbetweenus。Webelongtotwodifferentcivilizations，and，untilwerecognizewhatseparatesus，wearetalkinglikePyramusandThisbe，withoutanyholeinthewalltotalkthrough。Therefore，onthewhole，ifhewereasuperiorfellow，incapableofmistakingitforpersonalconceit，IthinkI
wouldletoutthefactoftherealAmericanfeelingaboutOld-Worldfolks。Theyarechildrentousincertainpointsofview。Theyareplayingwithtoyswehavedonewithforwhole-generations——
FOOTNOTE:
ThemoreIhaveobservedandreflected，themorelimitedseemstomethefieldofactionofthehumanwill。Everyactofchoiceinvolvesaspecialrelationbetweentheegoandtheconditionsbeforeit。Butnomanknowswhatforcesareatworkinthedeterminationofhisego。
Thebiaswhichdecideshischoicebetweentwoormoremotivesmaycomefromsomeunsuspectedancestralsource，ofwhichheknowsnothingatall。Heisautomaticinvirtueofthathiddenspringofreflexaction，allthetimehavingthefeelingthatheisself-
determining。TheStoryofElsieYenner，written-soonafterthisbookwaspublished，illustratesthedirectioninwhichmythoughtwasmoving。’Theimaginarysubjectofthestoryobeyedherwill，butherwillObeyedthemysteriousantenatalpoisoninginfluence——
Thatsillylittledrumtheyarealwaysbeatingon，andthetrumpetandthefeathertheymakesomuchnoiseandcutsuchafigurewith，wehavenotquiteoutgrown，butplaywithmuchlessseriouslyandconstantlythantheydo。Thenthereisawholemuseumofwigs，andmasks，andlace-coats，andgold-sticks，andgrimaces，andphrases，whichwelaughathonestly，withoutaffectation，thatarestillusedintheOld-Worldpuppet-shows。Idon’tthinkweonourparteverunderstandtheEnglishman’sconcentratedloyaltyandspecializedreverence。Butthenwedothinkmoreofaman，assuch，barringsomelittledifficultiesaboutraceandcomplexionwhichtheEnglishmanwilltouchusonpresently，thananypeoplethateverliveddidthinkofhim。Ourreverenceisagreatdealwider，ifitislessintense。Wehavecasteamongus，tosomeextent；itistrue；
butthereisneveracollarontheAmericanwolf-dogsuchasyouoftenseeontheEnglishmastiff，notwithstandinghisrobust，heartyindividuality。
Thisconfrontingoftwocivilizationsisalwaysagrandsensationtome；itislikecuttingthroughtheisthmusandlettingthetwooceansswimintoeachother’slaps。Thetroubleis，itissodifficulttoletoutthewholeAmericannaturewithoutitsself-assertionseemingtotakeapersonalcharacter。ButIneverenjoytheEnglishmansomuchaswhenhetalksofchurchandkinglikeMancoCapacamongthePeruvians。ThenyougettherealBritishflavor，whichthecosmopoliteEnglishmanloses。
Howmuchbetterthisthoroughinterpenetrationofideasthanabarreninterchangeofcourtesies，orabush-fightingargument，inwhicheachmantriestocoverasmuchofhimselfandexposeasmuchofhisopponentasthetangledthicketofthedisputedgroundwilllethim！——
Mythoughtsflowinlayersorstrata，atleastthreedeep。I
followaslowperson’stalk，andkeepaperfectlyclearunder-currentofmyownbeneathit。Underbothrunsobscurelyaconsciousnessbelongingtoathirdtrainofreflections，independentofthetwoothers。IwilltrytowriteoutaMentalmovementinthreeparts。
A——Firstvoice，orMentalSoprano，——thoughtfollowsawomantalking。
B——Secondvoice，orMentalBarytone，——myrunningaccompaniment。
C——Thirdvoice，orMentalBasso，——lowgrumbleofimportunateself-
repeatingidea。
A——Whitelace，threeskirts，loopedwithflowers，wreathofapple-
blossoms，goldbracelets，diamondpinandear-rings，themostdeliciousbertheyoueversaw，whitesatinslippers-
B——Deusetakeher！Whatafoolsheis！Hearherchatter！Lookoutofwindowjusthere——Twopagesandahalfofdescription，ifitwereallwrittenout，inonetenthofasecond。——Goahead，oldlady！
Eyecatchespictureoverfireplace。There’sthatinfernalfamilynose！Cameoverinthe\"Mayflower\"onthefirstoldfool’sface。
Whydon’ttheyweararinginit？
C——You’llbelateatlecture，——lateatlecture，——late，——late-
Iobservethatadeeplayerofthoughtsometimesmakesitselffeltthroughthesuperincumbentstrata，thus:——Theusualsingleordoublecurrentsshallflowon，butthereshallbeaninfluenceblendingwiththem，disturbingtheminanobscureway，untilallatonceIsay，——
Oh，there！Iknewtherewassomethingtroublingme，——andthethoughtwhichhadbeenworkingthroughcomesuptothesurfaceclear，definite，andarticulatesitself，——adisagreeableduty，perhaps，oranunpleasantrecollection。
Theinnerworldofthoughtandtheouterworldofeventsarealikeinthis，thattheyarebothbrimful。Thereisnospacebetweenconsecutivethoughts，orbetweenthenever-endingseriesofactions。
Allpacktight，andmouldtheirsurfacesagainsteachother，sothatinthelongrunthereisawonderfulaverageuniformityintheformsofboththoughtsandactions，justasyoufindthatcylinderscrowdedallbecomehexagonalprisms，andspherespressedtogetherareformedintoregularpolyhedra。
Everyeventthatamanwouldmastermustbemountedontherun，andnomanevercaughtthereinsofathoughtexceptasitgallopedbyhim。So，tocarryout，withanothercomparison，myremarkaboutthelayersofthought，wemayconsiderthemindasitmovesamongthoughtsorevents，likeacircus-riderwhirlingroundwithagreattroopofhorses。Hecanmountafactoranidea，andguideitmoreorlesscompletely，buthecannotstopit。So，asIsaidinanotherwayatthebeginning，hecanstridetwoorthreethoughtsatonce，butnotbreaktheirsteadywalk，trot，orgallop。Hecanonlytakehisfootfromthesaddleofonethoughtandputitonthatofanother——
Whatisthesaddleofathought？Why，aword，ofcourse——Twentyyearsafteryouhavedismissedathought，itsuddenlywedgesuptoyouthroughthepress，asifithadbeensteadilygallopingroundandroundallthattimewithoutarider。
Thewilldoesnotactintheinterspacesofthought，fortherearenosuchinterspaces，butsimplystepsfromthebackofonemovingthoughtuponthatofanother——
Ishouldliketoask，——saidthedivinity-student，——sincewearegettingintometaphysics，howyoucanadmitspace，ifallthingsareincontact，andhowyoucanadmittime，ifitisalwaysnowtosomething？——
Ithoughtitbestnottohearthisquestion——
Iwonderifyouknowthisclassofphilosophersinbooksorelsewhere。Oneofthemmakeshisbowtothepublic，andexhibitsanunfortunatetruthbandagedupsothatitcannotstirhandorfoot，——
ashelpless，apparently，andunabletotakecareofitself，asanEgyptianmummy。Hethenproceeds，withtheairandmethodofamaster，totakeoffthebandages。Nothingcanbeneaterthanthewayinwhichhedoesit。Butashetakesofflayerafterlayer，thetruthseemstogrowsmallerandsmaller，andsomeofitsoutlinesbegintolooklikesomethingwehaveseenbefore。Atlast，whenhehasgotthemalloff，andthetruthstrutsoutnaked，werecognizeitasadiminutiveandfamiliaracquaintancewhomwehaveknowninthestreetsallourlives。Thefactis，thephilosopherhascoaxedthetruthintohisstudyandputallthosebandageson；orcourseitisnotveryhardforhimtotakethemoff。Still，agreatmanypeopleliketowatchtheprocess，——hedoesitsoneatly！
Dear！dear！Iamashamedtowriteandtalk，sometimes，whenIseehowthosefunctionsofthelarge-brained，thumb-opposingplantigradeareabusedbymyfellow-vertebrates，——perhapsbymyself。Howtheysparforwind，insteadofhittingfromtheshoulder！——
TheyoungfellowcalledJohnaroseandplacedhimselfinaneatfightingattitude——Fetchonthefellahthatmakesthemlongwords！——
hesaid，——andplantedastraighthitwiththerightfistintheconcavepalmofthelefthandwithaclicklikeacupandball——Yousmallboythere，hurryupthat\"Webster’sUnabridged！\"
Thelittlegentlemanwiththemalformation，beforedescribed，shockedtheproprietyofthebreakfast-tablebyaloudutteranceofthreewords，ofwhichthetwolastwere\"Webster’sUnabridged，\"andthefirstwasanemphaticmonosyllable——Begpardon，——headded，——forgotmyself。ButletushaveanEnglishdictionary，ifwearetohaveany。Idon’tbelieveinclippingthecoinoftherealm，Sir！IfI
putaweathercockonmyhouse，Sir，Iwantittotellwhichwaythewindblowsupaloft，——offfromtheprairiestotheocean，orofffromtheoceantotheprairies，oranywayitwantstoblow！Idon’twantaweathercockwithawinchinanoldgentleman’sstudythathecantakeholdofandturn，sothatthevaneshallpointwestwhenthegreatwindoverheadisblowingeastwithallitsmight，Sir！Waittillwegiveyouadictionary；Sir！IttakesBostontodothatthing，Sir！——
Somefolksthinkwatercan’trundown-hillanywhereoutofBoston，——remarkedtheKoh-i-noor。
Idon’tknowwhatsomefolksthinksowellasIknowwhatsomefoolssay，——rejoinedtheLittleGentleman——Ifimportingmostdrygoodsmadethebestscholars，Idaresayyouwouldknowwheretolookfor’em——Mr。Webstercouldn’tspell，Sir，orwouldn’tspell，Sir，——atanyrate，hedidn’tspell；andtheendofitwasafightbetweentheownersofsomecopyrightsandthedignityofthisnoblelanguagewhichwehaveinheritedfromourEnglishfathers。Language！——thebloodofthesoul，Sir！intowhichourthoughtsrunandoutofwhichtheygrow！WeknowwhatawordisworthhereinBoston。YoungSamAdamsgotuponthestageatCommencement，outatCambridgethere，withhisgownon，theGovernorandCouncillookingoninthenameofhisMajesty，KingGeorgetheSecond，andthegirlslookingdownoutofthegalleries，andtaughtpeoplehowtospellawordthatwasn’tintheColonialdictionaries！R-e，re，s-i-s，sis，t-a-n-c-e，tance，Resistance！Thatwasin’43，anditwasagoodmanyyearsbeforetheBostonboysbeganspellingitwiththeirmuskets；——butwhentheydidbegin，theyspeltitsoloudthattheoldbedriddenwomenintheEnglishalmshousesheardeverysyllable！Yes，yes，yes，——itwasagoodwhilebeforethoseothertwoBostonboysgottheclasssofaralongthatitcouldspellthosetwohardwords，IndependenceandUnion！Itellyouwhat，Sir，thereareathousandlives，aye，sometimesamillion，gotogetanewwordintoalanguagethatisworthspeaking。WeknowwhatlanguagemeanstoowellhereinBostontoplaytrickswithit。Wenevermakeanewwordtilwehavemadeanewthingoranewthought，Sir！thenweshapedthenewmouldofthiscontinent，wehadtomakeafew。When，byGod’spermission，weabrogatedtheprimalcurseofmaternity，wehadtomakeawordortwo。ThecutwaterofthisgreatLeviathanclipper，theOCCIDENTAL，——
thisthirty-wastedwind-and-steamwave-crusher，——mustthrowalittlesprayoverthehumanvocabularyasitsplitsthewatersofanewworld’sdestiny！
Heroseashespoke，untilhisstatureseemedtoswellintothefairhumanproportions。Hisfeetmusthavebeenontheupperroundofhishighchair；thatwastheonlywayIcouldaccountforit。
Putsherthroughfast-rate，——saidtheyoungfellowwhomtheboarderscallJohn。
Thevenerableandkind-lookingoldgentlemanwhositsoppositesaidherememberedSamAdamsasGovernor。Anoldmaninabrowncoat。
SawhimtaketheChaironBostonCommon。Wasaboythen，andrememberssittingonthefenceinfrontoftheoldHancockhouse。
Recollectshehadaglazed’lectionbun，andsateatingitandlookingdownontotheCommon。Lalocksfloweredlatethatyear，andhegotagreatbunchofffromthebushesintheHancockfront-yard。
Them’lection-bunsarenogo，——saidtheyoungmanJohn，socalled——
Iknowthetrick。Giveafellahafo’pennybuninthemornin’，an’
hedownsthewholeofit。Inaboutanhouritswellsupinhisstomachasbigasafootball，andhisfeedin’’sspiltforthatday。
That’sthewaytostopoffayoungonefromeatin’upallthe’lectiondinner。
Salem！Salem！notBoston，——shoutedthelittleman。
ButtheKoh-i-noorlaughedagreatraspinglaugh，andtheboyBenjaminFranklinlookedsharpathismother，asifherememberedthebun-experimentasapartofhispastpersonalhistory。
TheLittleGentlemanwasholdingaforkinhislefthand。Hestabbedaboulderofhome-madebreadwithit，mechanically，andlookedatitasifitoughttoshriek。Itdidnot，——buthesatasifwatchingit——
Languageisasolemnthing，——Isaid——Itgrowsoutoflife，——outofitsagoniesandecstasies，itswantsanditsweariness。Everylanguageisatemple，inwhichthesoulofthosewhospeakitisenshrined。Becausetimesoftensitsoutlinesandroundsthesharpanglesofitscornices，shallafellowtakeapickaxetohelptime？
Letmetellyouwhatcomesofmeddlingwiththingsthatcantakecareofthemselves——Afriendofminehadawatchgivenhim，whenhewasaboy，——a\"bull’seye，\"withaloosesilvercasethatcameofflikeanoyster-shellfromitscontents；youknowthem，——thecasesthatyouhangonyourthumb，whilethecore，ortherealwatch，liesinyourhandasnakedasapeeledapple。Well，hebeganwithtakingoffthecase，andsoonfromonelibertytoanother，untilhegotitfairlyopen，andthereweretheworks，asgoodasiftheywerealive，——
crown-wheel，balance-wheel，andalltherest。Allrightexceptonething，——therewasaconfoundedlittlehairhadgottangledroundthebalance-wheel。SomyyoungSolomongotapairoftweezers，andcaughtholdofthehairverynicely，andpulleditrightout，withouttouchinganyofthewheels，——when，——buzzzZZZ！andthewatchhaddoneuptwenty-fourhoursindoublemagnetic-telegraphtime！——TheEnglishlanguagewaswounduptorunsomethousandsofyears，Itrust；butifeverybodyistobepullingateverythinghethinksisahair，ourgrandchildrenwillhavetomakethediscoverythatitisahair-
spring，andtheoldAnglo-Normansoul’s-timekeeperwillrundown，assomanyotherdialectshavedonebeforeit。Ican’tstandthismeddlinganybetterthanyou，Sir。Butwehaveagreatdealtobeproudofinthelifelonglaborsofthatoldlexicographer，andwemustn’tbeungrateful。Besides，don’tletusdeceiveourselves，——
thewarofthedictionariesisonlyadisguisedrivalryofcities，colleges，andespeciallyofpublishers。Afterall，itislikelythatthelanguagewillshapeitselfbylargerforcesthanphonographyanddictionary-making。Youmayspadeuptheoceanasmuchasyoulike，andharrowitafterwards，ifyoucan，——butthemoonwillstillleadthetides，andthewindswillformtheirsurface——
DoyouknowRichardson’sDictionary？——Isaidtomyneighborthedivinity-student。
Haow？——saidthedivinity-student——Hecolored，ashenoticedonmyfaceatwitchinoneofthemuscleswhichtuckupthecornerofthemouth，zygomaticusmajor，andwhichIcouldnotholdbackfrommakingalittlemovementonitsownaccount。
Itwastoolate——Acountry-boy，lassoedwhenhewasahalf-growncolt。Justasgoodasacity-boy，andinsomeways，perhaps，better，——butcaughtalittletoooldnottocarrysomemarksofhisearlierwaysoflife。Foreigners，whohavetalkedastrangetonguehalftheirlives，returntothelanguageoftheirchildhoodintheirdyinghours。Gentlemeninfinelinen，andscholarsinlargelibraries，takenbysurprise，orinacarelessmoment，willsometimesletslipawordtheyknewasboysinhomespunandhavenotspokensincethattime，——butitlaythereunderalltheirculture。Thatisonewayyoumayknowthecountry-boysaftertheyhavegrownrichorcelebrated；anotherisbytheoddoldfamilynames，particularlythoseoftheHebrewprophets，whichthegoodoldpeoplehavesaddledthemwith——
BostonhasenoughofEnglandaboutittomakeagoodEnglishdictionary，——saidthatfresh-lookingyouthwhomIhavementionedassittingattherightuppercornerofthetable。
Iturnedandlookedhimfullintheface，——forthepure，manlyintonationsarrestedme。Thevoicewasyouthful，butfullofcharacter——Isupposesomepersonshaveapeculiarsusceptibilityinthematterofvoice——Hearthis。
NotlongaftertheAmericanRevolution，ayoungladywassittinginherfather’schaiseinastreetofthistownofBoston。Sheoverheardalittlegirltalkingorsinging，andwasmightilytakenwiththetonesofhervoice。Nothingwouldsatisfyherbutshemusthavethatlittlegirlcomeandliveinherfather’shouse。Sothechildcame，beingthennineyearsold。Untilhermarriagesheremainedunderthesameroofwiththeyounglady。Herchildrenbecamesuccessivelyinmatesofthelady’sdwelling；andnow，seventyyears，orthereabouts，sincetheyoungladyheardthechildsinging，oneofthatchild’schildrenandoneofhergrandchildrenarewithherinthathome，whereshe，nolongeryoung，exceptinheart，passesherpeacefuldays——Threegenerationslinkedtogetherbysolightabreathofaccident！
Iliked——thesoundofthisyouth’svoice，Isaid，andhislookwhenI
cametoobservehimalittlemoreclosely。Hiscomplexionhadsomethingbetterthan，thebloomandfreshnesswhichhadfirstattractedme；——ithadthatdiffusedtonewhichisasureindexofwholesome，lustylife。Afineliberalstyleofnatureseemedtobe:
haircrisped，moustachespringingthickanddark，headfirmlyplanted，lipsfinished，asiscommonlyseesthemingentlemen’sfamilies，apupilwellcontracted，andamouththatopenedfranklywithawhiteflashofteeththatlookedasiftheycouldservehimastheysayEthanAllen’susedtoservetheirowner，——todrawnailswith。Thisisthekindoffellowtowalkafrigate’sdeckandbowlhisbroadsidesintothe\"GadlantThudnder-bomb，\"oranyforty-port-
holedadventurerwhowouldliketoexchangeafewtonsofironcompliments——Idon’tknowwhatputthisintomyhead，foritwasnottillsometimeafterwardIlearnedtheyoungfellowhadbeeninthenavalschoolatAnnapolis。Somethinghadhappenedtochangehisplanoflife，andhewasnowstudyingengineeringandarchitectureinBoston。
Whentheyouthmadetheshortremarkwhichdrewmyattentiontohim，thelittledeformedgentlemanturnedroundandtookalonglookathim。
GoodfortheBostonboy！——hesaid。
IamnotaBostonboy，——saidtheyouth，smiling，——IamaMarylander。
Idon’tcarewhereyoucomefrom，——we’llmakeaBostonmanofyou，——
saidthelittlegentleman。Pray，whatpartofMarylanddidyoucomefrom，andhowshallIcallyou？
Thepooryouthhadtospeakprettyloud，ashewasattherightuppercornerofthetable，andthelittlegentlemannextthelowerleft-
handcorner。Hisfaceflushedalittle，butheansweredpleasantly，tellingwhohewas，asifthelittleman’sinfirmitygavehimarighttoaskanyquestionshewantedto。
Hereistheplaceforyoutosit，——saidthelittlegentleman，pointingtothevacantchairnexthisown，atthecorner。
You’rego’n’tohaveayoungladynextyou，ifyouwaittillto-
morrow，——saidthelandladytohim。
Hedidnotreply，butIhadafancythathechangedcolor。Itcan’tbethathehassusceptibilitieswithreferencetoacontingentyounglady！Itcan’tbethathehashadexperienceswhichmakehimsensitive！Naturecouldnotbequitesocruelastosetaheartthrobbinginthatpoorlittlecageofribs！Thereisnouseinwastingnotesofadmiration。Imustaskthelandladyabouthim。
Thesearesomeofthefactsshefurnished——Hasnotbeenlongwithher。Broughtasightoffurniture，——couldn’thardlygetsomeofitupstairs。Hasn’tseemedparticularlyattentivetotheladies。TheBombazinewhomshecallsCousinsomethingorotherhastriedtoenterintoconversationwithhim，butretiredwiththeimpressionthathewasindifferenttoladies’society。Paidhisbilltheotherdaywithoutsayingawordaboutit。Paiditingold，——hadagreatheapoftwenty-dollarpieces。Hiresherbestroom。Thinksheisaverynicelittleman，butlivesdreadfullonelyupinhischamber。
Wantsthecareofsomecapablenuss。Neverpitiedanybodymoreinherlife——neverseeamoreinterestin’person——
Myintentionwas，whenIbeganmakingthesenotes，toletthemconsistprincipallyofconversationsbetweenmyselfandtheotherboarders。Sotheywill，veryprobably；butmycuriosityisexcitedaboutthislittleboarderofours，andmyreadermustnotbedisappointed，ifIsometimesinterruptadiscussiontogiveanaccountofwhateverfactortraitsImaydiscoverabouthim。Itsohappensthathisroomisnexttomine，andIhavetheopportunityofobservingmanyofhiswayswithoutanyactivemovementsofcuriosity。
Thathisroomcontainsheavyfurniture，thatheisarestlesslittlebodyandisapttobeuplate，thathetalkstohimself，andkeepsmainlytohimself，isnearlyallIhaveyetfoundout。
OnecuriouscircumstancehappenedlatelywhichImentionwithoutdrawinganabsoluteinference。BeingatthestudioofasculptorwithwhomIamacquainted，theotherday，Isawaremarkablecastofaleftarm。Onmyaskingwherethemodelcamefrom，hesaiditwastakendirectfromthearmofadeformedperson，whohademployedoneoftheItalianmoulderstomakethecast。Itwasacuriouscase，itshouldseem，ofonebeautifullimbuponaframeotherwisesingularlyimperfect——Ihaverepeatedlynoticedthislittlegentleman’suseofhisleftarm。CanhehavefurnishedthemodelIsawatthesculptor’s？——
Sowearetohaveanewboarderto-morrow。Ihopetherewillbesomethingprettyandpleasingabouther。Awomanwithacreamyvoice，andfinishedinaltorilievo，wouldbeavarietyintheboarding-house，——alittlemoremarrowandalittlelesssinewthanourlandladyandherdaughterandthebombazine-cladfemale，allofwhomareoftheturkey-drumstickstyleoforganization。Idon’tmeanthattheseareouronlyfemalecompanions；buttherestbeingconversationalnon-combatants，mostlystill，sadfeeders，whotakeintheirfoodaslocomotivestakeinwoodandwater，andthenwitherawayfromthetablelikeblossomsthatnevercametofruit，Ihavenotyetreferredtothemasindividuals。
Iwonderwhatkindofyoungpersonweshallseeinthatemptychairto-morrow！——
Ireadthissongtotheboardersafterbreakfasttheothermorning。
Itwaswrittenforourfellows；——youknowwhotheyare，ofcourse。
THEBOYS。
Hasthereanyoldfellowgotmixedwiththeboys？
Iftherehas，takehimout，withoutmakinganoise！
HangtheAlmanac’scheatandtheCatalogue’sspite！
OldTimeisaliar！We’retwentyto-night！
We’retwenty！We’retwenty！Whosayswearemore？
He’stipsy，——youngjackanapes！——showhimthedoor！——
\"Graytemplesattwenty？\"——Yes！white，ifweplease；
Wherethesnow-flakesfallthickestthere’snothingcanfreeze！
WasitsnowingIspokeof？Excusethemistake！
Lookclose，——youwillseenotasignofaflake；
Wewantsomenewgarlandsforthosewehaveshed，Andthesearewhiterosesinplaceofthered！
We’veatrick，weyoungfellows，youmayhavebeentold。
Oftalkinginpublicasifwewereold；
ThatboywecallDoctor，\"1andthiswecallJudge2——
It’saneatlittlefiction，——ofcourseit’sallfudge。
Thatfellow’stheSpeaker，\"3——theoneontheright；
Mr。Mayor，\"4myyoungone，howareyouto-night？
That’sour\"MemberofCongress，\"5wesaywhenwechaff；
There’sthe\"Reverend\"6What’shisname？——don’tmakemelaugh！
Thatboywiththegravemathematicallook7
Madebelievehehadwrittenawonderfulbook，AndtheROYALSOCIETYthoughtitwastrue！
Sotheychosehimrightin；agoodjokeitwas，too。
There’saboy，——wepretend，——withathree-decker-brainThatcouldharnessateamwithalogicalchain:
Whenhespokeforourmanhoodinsyllabledfire，Wecalledhim\"TheJustice，\"——butnowhe’s\"TheSquire。\"1
Andthere’saniceyoungsterofexcellentpith，2
FatetriedtoconcealhimbynaminghimSmith，Butheshoutedasongforthebraveandthefree，——Justreadonhismedal，——Mycountry，——ofthee！\"
Youhearthatboylaughing？——youthinkhe’sallfun，Buttheangelslaugh，too，atthegoodhehasdone；
Thechildrenlaughloudastheytrooptohiscall，Andthepoormanthatknowshimlaughsloudestofall！3
Yes，we’reboys，——alwaysplayingwithtongueorwithpen，——
AndIsometimeshaveasked，——Shallweeverbemen？
Shallwealwaysbeyouthfulandlaughingandgay，Tillthelastdearcompaniondropssmilingaway？
Thenhere’stoourboyhood，itsgoldanditsgray！
ThestarsofitsWinter，thedewsofitsMay！
Andwhenwehavedonewithourlife-lastingtoys，DearFather，takecareofthychildren，theBoys！
1FrancisThomas。
2GeorgeTylerBigelow。
3FrancisBoardmanCrowninshield。
4G。W。Richardson。
5GeorgeThomasDavis。
6JamesFreemanClarke。
7BenjaminPeirce。
III
[TheProfessortalkswiththeReader。HetellsaYoungGirl’sStory。]
Whentheelementsthatwenttothemakingofthefirstman，fatherofmankind，hadbeenwithdrawnfromtheworldofunconsciousmatter，thebalanceofcreationwasdisturbed。Thematerialsthatgotothemakingofonewomanweresetfreebytheabstractionfrominanimatenatureofoneman’s-worthofmasculineconstituents。Thesecombinedtomakeourfirstmother，byalogicalnecessityinvolvedinthepreviouscreationofourcommonfather。Allthis，mythically，illustratively，andbynomeansdoctrinallyorpolemically。
Themanimpliesthewoman，youwillunderstand。TheexcellentgentlemanwhomIhadthepleasureofsettingrightinatriflingmatterafewweeksagobelievesinthefrequentoccurrenceofmiraclesatthepresentday。SodoI。Ibelieve，ifyoucouldfindanuninhabitedcoral-reefisland，inthemiddleofthePacificOcean，withplentyofcocoa-palmsandbread-fruitonit，andputahandsomeyoungfellow，likeourMarylander，ashoreuponit，ifyoutouchedthereayearafterwards，youwouldfindhimwalkingunderthepalm-
treesarminarmwithaprettywoman。
Wherewouldshecomefrom？
Oh，that’sthemiracle！——
Iwasjustascertain，whenIsawthatfine，high-coloredyouthattheupperright-handcornerofourtable，thattherewouldappearsomefittingfemininecounterparttohim，asifIhadbeenaclairvoyant，seeingitallbeforehand——
IhaveafancythatthoseMarylandersarejustaboutnearenoughtothesuntoripenwell——HowsomeofusfellowsrememberJoeandHarry，Baltimoreans，both！Joe，withhischeekslikelady-apples，andhiseyeslikeblack-heartcherries，andhisteethlikethewhitenessofthefleshofcocoanuts，andhislaughthatsetthechandelier-dropsrattlingoverhead，aswesatatoursparklingbanquetsinthosegay，times！Harry，champion，byacclamation，ofthecollegeheavy-weights，broad-shouldered，bull-necked，square-
jawed，sixfeetandtrimmings，alittlescience，lotsofpluck，good-
naturedasasteerinpeace，formidableasared-eyedbisoninthecrackofhand-to-handbattle！Whoforgetsthegreatmuster-day，andthecollisionoftheclassicwiththedemocraticforces？Thehugebutcher，fifteenstone，——twohundredandtenpounds，——goodweight，——
stepsoutlikeTelamonianAjax，defiant。NowordsfromHarry，theBaltimorean，——oneofthequietsort，whostrikefirst；anddothetalking，ifthereisany，afterwards。Nowords，but，intheplacethereof，aclean，straight，hardhit，whichtookeffectwithaspankliketheexplosionofapercussion-cap，knockingtheslayerofbeevesdownasand-bank，——followed，alas！bythetooimpetuousyouth，sothatbothrolleddowntogether，andtheconflictterminatedinoneofthoseingloriousandinevitableYankeeclinches，followedbyageneralmelee，whichmakeournativefisticencounterssodifferentfromsuchadmirably-orderedcontestsasthatwhichIoncesawatanEnglishfair，whereeverythingwasdonedecentlyandinorder；andthefightbeganandendedwithsuchgravepropriety，thatasportingparsonneedhardlyhavehesitatedtoopenitwithadevoutpetition，and，afteritwasover，dismisstheringwithabenediction。
Ican’thelptellingonemorestoryaboutthisgreatfield-day，thoughitisthemostwantonandirrelevantdigression。Butallofushavealittlespeckoffightunderneathourpeaceandgood-willtomen，justaspeck，forrevolutionsandgreatemergencies，youknow，——
sothatweshouldnotsubmittobetroddenquiteflatbythefirstheavy-heeledaggressorthatcamealong。Youcantellaportraitfromanidealhead，Isuppose，andatruestoryfromonespunoutofthewriter’sinvention。Seewhetherthissoundstrueornot。
AdmiralSirIsaacCoffinsentouttwofineblood-horses，BarefootandSerabbyname，toMassachusetts，somethingbeforethetimeIamtalkingof。WiththemcameaYorkshiregroom，astockylittlefellow，invelvetbreeches，whomadethatmysterioushissingnoise，traditionaryinEnglishstables，whenherubbeddownthesilken-
skinnedracers，ingreatperfection。Afterthesoldiershadcomefromthemuster-field，andsomeofthecompanieswereonthevillage-
common，therewasstillsomeskirmishingbetweenafewindividualswhohadnothadthefighttakenoutofthem。ThelittleYorkshiregroomthoughthemustserveoutsomebody。Sohethrewhimselfintoanapprovedscientificattitude，and，inbrief，emphaticlanguage，expressedhisurgentanxietytoaccommodateanyclassicalyounggentlemanwhochosetoconsiderhimselfacandidateforhisattentions。Idon’tsupposethereweremanyofthecollegeboysthatwouldhavebeenamatchforhimintheartwhichEnglishmenknowsomuchmoreofthanAmericans，forthemostpart。However，oneoftheSophomores，averyquiet，peaceablefellow，juststeppedoutofthecrowd，and，runningstraightatthegroom，ashestoodthere，sparringaway，struckhimwiththesoleofhisfoot，astraightblow，asifithadbeenwithhisfist，andknockedhimheelsoverheadandsenseless，sothathehadtobecarriedofffromthefield。ThisuglywayofhittingisthegreattrickoftheFrenchgavate，whichisnotcommonlythoughtabletostanditsgroundagainstEnglishpugilisticscience。Theseareoldrecollections，withnotmuchtorecommendthem，except，perhaps，adashoflife，whichmaybeworthalittlesomething。
TheyoungMarylanderbroughtthemallup，youmayremember。HerecalledtomymindthosetwosplendidpiecesofvitalityItoldyouof。Bothhavebeenlongdead。Howoftenweseethesegreatred-
flaringflambeauxoflifeblownout，asitwere，byapuffofwind，——andthelittle，single-wickednight-lampofbeing，whichsomewhite-facedandattenuatedinvalidshadeswithtremblingfingers，flickeringonwhiletheygooutoneafteranother，untilitsglimmerisallthatislefttousofthegenerationtowhichitbelonged！
ItoldyouthatIwasperfectlysure，beforehand，weshouldfindsomepleasinggirlishorwomanlyshapetofilltheblankatourtableandmatchthedark-hairedyouthattheuppercorner。
Thereshesits，attheveryoppositecorner，justasfaroffasaccidentcouldputherfromthishandsomefellow，bywhosesidesheought，ofcourse，tobesitting。Oneofthe\"positive\"blondes，asmyfriend，youmayremember，usedtocallthem。Tawny-haired，amber-eyed，full-throated，skinaswhiteasablanchedalmond。Looksdreamytome，notself-conscious，thoughablackribbonroundhernecksetsitoffasaMarie-Antoinette’sdiamond-necklacecouldnotdo。Soinherdress，thereisaharmonyoftintsthatlooksasifanartisthadrunhiseyeoverherandgivenahintortwolikethefinishingtouchtoapicture。Ican’thelpbeingstruckwithher，forsheisatonceroundedandfineinfeature，lookscalm，asblondesareaptto，andasifshemightrunwild，ifsheweretrifledwith。ItisjustasIknewitwouldbe，——andanybodycanseethatouryoungMarylanderwillbedeadinlovewithherinaweek。
Thenifthatlittlemanwouldonlyturnoutimmenselyrichandhavethegood-naturetodieandleavethemallhismoney，itwouldbeasniceasathree-volumenovel。
TheLittleGentlemanisinaflurry，Isuspect，withtheexcitementofhavingsuchacharmingneighbornexthim。Ijudgesomainlybyhissilenceandbyacertainraptandseriouslookonhisface，asifhewerethinkingofsomethingthathadhappened，orthatmighthappen，orthatoughttohappen，——orhowbeautifulheryounglifelooked，orhowhardlyNaturehaddealtwithhim，orsomethingwhichstruckhimsilent，atanyrate。Imadeseveralconversationalopeningsforhim，buthedidnotfireupasheoftendoes。Ievenwentsofarastoindulgein，aflingattheStateHouse，which，asweallknow，isintruthaveryimposingstructure，coveringlessgroundthanSt。Peter’s，butofsimilargeneraleffect。Thelittlemanlookedup，butdidnotreplytomytaunt。Hesaidtotheyounglady，however，thattheStateHousewastheParthenonofourAcropolis，whichseemedtopleaseher，forshesmiled，andhereddenedalittle，——soIthought。Idon’tthinkitrighttowatchpersonswhoarethesubjectsofspecialinfirmity，——butwealldoit。
Iseethattheyhavecrowdedthechairsalittleatthatendofthetable，tomakeroomforanothernewcomeroftheladysort。Awell-
mounted，middle-agedpreparation，wearingherhairwithoutacap，——
prettywideintheparting，though，——contoursvaguelyhinted，——
featuresveryquiet，——sayslittleasyet，butseemstokeephereyeontheyounglady，asifhavingsomeresponsibilityforherMyrecordisablankforsomedaysafterthis。InthemeantimeI
havecontrivedtomakeoutthepersonandthestoryofouryounglady，who，accordingtoappearances，oughttofurnishusaheroineforaboarding-houseromancebeforeayearisout。Itisverycuriousthatsheshouldproveconnectedwithapersonmanyofushaveheardof。Yet，curiousasitis，Ihavebeenahundredtimesstruckwiththecircumstancethatthemostremotefactsareconstantlystrikingeachother；justasvesselsstartingfromportsthousandsofmilesapartpassclosetoeachotherinthenakedbreadthoftheocean，nay，sometimeseventouch，inthedark，withacrackoftimbers，agurglingofwater，acryofstartledsleepers，——acrymysteriouslyechoedinwarningdreams，asthewifeofsomeGloucesterfisherman，somecoastingskipper，wakeswithashriek，callsthenameofherhusband，andsinksbacktouneasyslumbersuponherlonelypillow，——awidow。
Oh，thesemysteriousmeetings！Leavingallthevague，waste，endlessspacesofthewashingdesert，theocean-steamerandthefishing-smacksailstraighttowardseachotherasiftheyraningroovesploughedfortheminthewatersfromthebeginningofcreation！Notonlythingsandevents，butourownthoughts，aresofullofthesesurprises，that，iftherewereareaderinmyparishwhodidnotrecognizethefamiliaroccurrenceofwhatIamnowgoingtomention，IshouldthinkitacaseforthemissionariesoftheSocietyforthePropagationofIntelligenceamongtheComfortableClasses。
Thereareaboutasmanytwinsinthebirthsofthoughtasofchildren。Forthefirsttimeinyourlivesyoulearnsomefactorcomeacrosssomeidea。Withinanhour，aday，aweek，thatsamefactorideastrikesyoufromanotherquarter。Itseemsasifithadpassedintospaceandboundedbackuponyouasanechofromtheblankwallthatshutsintheworldofthought。Yetnopossibleconnectionexistsbetweenthetwochannelsbywhichthethoughtorthefactarrived。Letmegiveaninfinitesimalillustration。
OneoftheBoysmentioned，theotherevening，inthecourseofaverypleasantpoemhereadus，alittletrickoftheCommons-tableboarders，whichI，nourishedattheparentalboard，hadneverheardof。Youngfellowsbeingalwayshungry——Allowmetostopdead-short，inordertoutteranaphorismwhichhasbeenformingitselfinoneoftheblankinteriorspacesofmyintelligence，likeacrystalinthecavityofageode。
AphorismbytheProfessor。
Inordertoknowwhetherahumanbeingisyoungorold，offeritfoodofdifferentkindsatshortintervals。Ifyoung，itwilleatanythingatanyhourofthedayornight。Ifold，itobservesstatedperiods，andyoumightaswellattempttoregulatethetimeofhighwatertosuitafishing-partyastochangetheseperiods。
Thecrucialexperimentisthis。Offerabulkyandboggybuntothesuspectedindividualjusttenminutesbeforedinner。Ifthisiseagerlyacceptedanddevoured，thefactofyouthisestablished。Ifthesubjectofthequestionstartsbackandexpressessurpriseandincredulity，asifyoucouldnotpossiblybeinearnest，thefactofmaturityisnolessclear——
Excuseme，——IreturntomystoryoftheCommons-table——Youngfellowsbeingalwayshungry，andteaanddrytoastbeingthemeagrefareoftheeveningmeal，itwasatrickofsomeoftheBoystoimpaleasliceofmeatuponafork，atdinner-time，andsticktheforkholdingitbeneaththetable，sothattheycouldgetitattea-
time。ThedragonsthatguardedthistableoftheHesperidesfoundoutthetrickatlast，andkeptasharplook-outformissingforks；——
theyknewwheretofindone，ifitwasnotinitsplace——Nowtheoddthingwas，that，afterwaitingsomanyyearstohearofthiscollegetrick，Ishouldhearitmentionedasecondtimewithinthesametwenty-fourhoursbyacollegeyouthofthepresentgeneration。
Strange，buttrue。Andsoithashappenedtomeandtoeveryperson，oftenandoften，tobehitinrapidsuccessionbythesetwinnedfactsorthoughts，asiftheywerelinkedlikechain-shot。
Iwasgoingtoleavethesimplereadertowonderoverthis，takingitasanunexplainedmarvel。Ithink，however，Iwillturnoverafurrowofsubsoilinit——Theexplanationis，ofcourse，thatinagreatmanythoughtstheremustbeafewcoincidences，andtheseinstantlyarrestourattention。Nowweshallprobablyneverhavetheleastideaoftheenormousnumberofimpressionswhichpassthroughourconsciousness，untilinsomefuturelifeweseethephotographicrecordofourthoughtsandthestereoscopicpictureofouractions。
Theregomorepiecestomakeupaconsciouslifeoralivingbodythanyouthinkfor。Why，someofyouweresurprisedwhenafriendofminetoldyoutherewerefifty-eightseparatepiecesinafiddle。
Howmany\"swimmingglands\"——solid，organized，regularlyformed，roundeddiskstakinganactivepartinallyourvitalprocesses，partandparcel，eachoneofthem，ofyourcorporealbeing——doyousupposearewhirledalong，likepebblesinastream，withthebloodwhichwarmsyourframeandcolorsyourcheeks？——AnotedGermanphysiologistspreadoutaminutedropofblood，underthemicroscope，innarrowstreaks，andcountedtheglobules，andthenmadeacalculation。Thecountingbythemicrometertookhimaweek——Youhave，myfull-grownfriend，oftheselittlecouriersincrimsonorscarletlivery，runningonyourvitalerrandsdayandnightaslongasyoulive，sixty-fivebillions，fivehundredandseventythousandmillions。
Errorsexcepted——DidIhearsomegentlemansay，\"Doubted？\"——IamtheProfessor。Isitinmychairwithapetardunderitthatwillblowmethroughtheskylightofmylecture-room，ifIdonotknowwhatIamtalkingaboutandwhomIamquoting。
Now，mydearfriends，whoareputtingyourhandstoyourforeheads，andsayingtoyourselvesthatyoufeelalittleconfused，asifyouhadbeenwaltzinguntilthingsbegantowhirlslightlyroundyou，isitpossiblethatyoudonotclearlyapprehendtheexactconnectionofallthatIhavebeensaying，anditsbearingonwhatisnowtocome？
Listen，then。Thenumberoftheselivingelementsinourbodiesillustratestheincalculablemultitudeofourthoughts；thenumberofourthoughtsaccountsforthosefrequentcoincidencesspokenof；
thesecoincidencesintheworldofthoughtillustratethosewhichweconstantlyobserveintheworldofoutwardevents，ofwhichthepresenceoftheyounggirlnowatourtable，andprovingtobethedaughterofanoldacquaintancesomeofusmayremember，isthespecialexamplewhichledmethroughthislabyrinthofreflections，andfinallylandsmeatthecommencementofthisyounggirl’sstory，which，asIsaid，Ihavefoundthetimeandfelttheinteresttolearnsomethingof，andwhichIthinkIcantellwithoutwrongingtheunconscioussubjectofmybriefdelineation。
IRIS。
Youremember，perhaps，insomepaperspublishedawhileago，anoddpoemwrittenbyanoldLatintutor？Hebroughtupattheverbamo，I
love，asallofusdo，andbyandbyNatureopenedhergreatlivingdictionaryforhimattheword，filia，adaughter。Thepoormanwasgreatlyperplexedinchoosinganameforher。LucretiaandVirginiawerethefirstthathethoughtof；butthencameupthosepicturedstoriesofTitusLivius，whichhecouldneverreadwithoutcrying，thoughhehadreadthemahundredtimes——
Lucretiasendingforherhusbandandherfather，eachtobringonefriendwithhim，andawaitingtheminherchamber。Tothemherwrongsbriefly。Letthemseetothewretch，——shewilltakecareofherself。Thenthehiddenknifeflashesoutandsinksintoherheart。
Sheslidesfromherseat，andfallsdying。\"Herhusbandandherfathercryaloud。\"——No，notLucretia-
Virginius，——abrownoldsoldier，fatherofanicegirl。Sheengagedtoaverypromisingyoungman。DecemvirAppiustakesaviolentfancytoher，——musthaveheratanyrate。Hiresalawyertopresenttheargumentsinfavoroftheviewthatshewasanotherman’sdaughter。
ThereusedtobelawyersinRomethatwoulddosuchthings——Allright。Therearetwosidestoeverything。Audialterampartem。
Thelegalgentlemanhasnoopinion，——heonlystatestheevidence——
Adoubtfulcase。LettheyoungladybeundertheprotectionoftheHonorableDecemviruntilitcanbelookedupthoroughly——Fatherthinksitbest，onthewhole，togivein。Willexplainthematter，iftheyoungladyandhermaidwillstepthisway。Thatistheexplanation，——astabwithabutcher’sknife，snatchedfromastall，meantforotherlambsthanthispoorbleedingVirginiaTheoldmanthoughtoverthestory。Thenhemusthaveonelookattheoriginal。Sohetookdownthefirstvolumeandreaditover。
Whenhecametothatpartwhereittellshowtheyounggentlemanshewasengagedtoandafriendofhistookupthepoorgirl’sbloodlessshapeandcarrieditthroughthestreet，andhowallthewomenfollowed，wailing，andaskingifthatwaswhattheirdaughterswerecomingto，——ifthatwaswhattheyweretogetforbeinggoodgirls，——
hemelteddownintohisaccustomedtearsofpityandgrief，and，throughthemall，ofdelightatthecharmingLatinofthenarrative。
ButitwasimpossibletocallhischildVirginia。Hecouldneverlookatherwithoutthinkingshehadaknifestickinginherbosom。
Didowouldbeagoodname，andafreshone。Shewasaqueen，andthefounderofagreatcity。Herstoryhadbeenimmortalizedbythegreatestofpoets，——fortheoldLatintutorcloveto\"VirgiliusMaro，\"ashecalledhim，ascloselyaseverDantedidinhismemorablejourney。SohetookdownhisVirgil，itwasthesmooth-
leafed，open-letteredquartoofBaskerville，——andbeganreadingthelovesandmishapsofDido。Itwouldn’tdo。Aladywhohadnotlearneddiscretionbyexperience，andcametoanevilend。Heshookhishead，ashesadlyrepeated，\"——miseraantediem，subitoqueaccensafurore；\"
butwhenhecametothelines，\"ErgoIriscroceispercoelumroscidapennisMilletrahensvariosadversoSolecolores，\"
hejumpedupwithagreatexclamation，whichtheparticularrecordingangelwhohearditpretendednottounderstand，oritmighthavegonehardwiththeLatintutorsometimeorother。
\"Irisshallbehername！\"——hesaid。SohernamewasIris——
Thenaturalendofatutoristoperishbystarvation。Itisonlyaquestionoftime，justaswiththeburningofcollegelibraries。
Theseallburnupsoonerorlater，providedtheyarenothousedinbrickorstoneandiron。Idon’tmeanthatyouwillseeintheregistryofdeathsthatthisorthatparticulartutordiedofwell-
marked，uncomplicatedstarvation。Theymay，even，inextremecases，becarriedoffbyathin，waterykindofapoplexy，whichsoundsverywellinthereturns，butmeanslittletothosewhoknowthatitisonlydebilitysettlingonthehead。Generally，however，theyfadeandwasteawayundervariouspretexts，——callingitdyspepsia，consumption，andsoon，toputadecentappearanceuponthecaseandkeepupthecreditofthefamilyandtheinstitutionwheretheyhavepassedthroughthesuccessivestagesofinanition。
Insomecasesittakesagreatmanyyearstokillatutorbytheprocessinquestion。Youseetheydogetfoodandclothesandfuel，inappreciablequantities，suchastheyare。Youwillevennoticerowsofbooksintheirrooms，andapictureortwo，——thingsthatlookasiftheyhadsurplusmoney；butthesesuperfluitiesarethewaterofcrystallizationtoscholars，andyoucannevergetthemawaytillthepoorfellowseffloresceintodust。Donotbedeceived。Thetutorbreakfastsoncoffeemadeofbeans，edulcoratedwithmilkwateredtothevergeoftransparency；hismuttonistoughandelastic，uptothemomentwhenitbecomestiredoutandtasteless；
hiscoalisasullen，sulphurousanthracite，whichrustsintoashes，ratherthanburns，intheshallowgrate；hisflimsybroadclothistoothinforwinterandtoothickforsummer。Thegreedylungsoffiftyhot-bloodedboyssucktheoxygenfromtheairhebreathesinhisrecitation-room。Inshort，heundergoesaprocessofgentleandgradualstarvation——
ThemotheroflittleIriswasnotcalledElectra，likehersoftheoldstory，neitherwashergrandfatherOceanus。Herblood-name，whichshegaveawaywithherhearttotheLatintutor，wasaplainoldEnglishone，andherwater-namewasHannah，beautifulasrecallingthemotherofSamuel，andadmirableasreadingequallywellfromtheinitialletterforwardsandfromtheterminalletterbackwards。Thepoorlady，seatedwithhercompanionatthechessboardofmatrimony，hadbutjustpushedforwardheronelittlewhitepawnuponanemptysquare，whentheBlackKnight，thatcaresnothingforcastlesorkingsorqueens，swoopeddownuponherandsweptherfromthelargerboardoflife。
TheoldLatintutorputamodestbluestoneattheheadofhislatecompanion，withhernameandageandEheu！uponit，——asmalleroneatherfeet，withinitials；andleftherbyherself，toberainedandsnowedon，——whichisahardthingtodoforthosewhomwehavecherishedtenderly。
Aboutthetimethatthelichens，fallingonthestone，likedropsofwater，hadspreadintofair，roundrosettes，thetutorhadstarvedintoaslightcough。Thenhebegantodrawthebuckleofhisblacktrousersalittletighter，andtookinanotherreefinhisnever-
amplewaistcoat。Histemplesgotalittlehollow，andthecontrastsofcolorinhischeeksmorevividthanofold。Afterawhilehiswalksfatiguedhim，andhewastired，andbreathedhardaftergoingupaflightortwoofstairs。Thencameonothermarksofinwardtroubleandgeneralwaste，whichhespokeoftohisphysicianaspeculiar，anddoubtlessowingtoaccidentalcauses；toallwhichthedoctorlistenedwithdeference，asifithadnotbeentheoldstorythatoneinfiveorsixofmankindintemperateclimatestells，orhastoldforhim，asifitweresomethingnew。Asthedoctorwentout，hesaidtohimself，——\"Ontherailatlast。Accommodationtrain。
Agoodmanystops，butwillgettothestationbyandby。\"SothedoctorwrotearecipewiththeastrologicalsignofJupiterbeforeit，justasyourownphysiciandoes，inestimablereader，asyouwillsee，ifyoulookathisnextprescription，anddeparted，sayinghewouldlookinoccasionally。Afterthis，theLatintutorbegantheusualcourseof\"gettingbetter，\"untilhegotsomuchbetterthathisfacewasverysharp，andwhenhesmiled，threecrescentlinesshowedateachsideofhislips，andwhenhespoke；itwasinamuffledwhisper，andthewhiteofhiseyeglistenedaspearlyasthepurestporcelain，——somuchbetter，thathehoped——byspring——he——
mightbeable——to——attend——tohisclassagain——Buthewasrecommendednottoexposehimself，andsokepthischamber，andoccasionally，nothavinganythingtodo，hisbed。Theunmarriedsisterwithwhomhelivedtookcareofhim；andthechild，nowoldenoughtobemanageableandevenusefulintriflingoffices，satinthechamber，orplayed，about。
Thingscouldnotgoonsoforever，ofcourse。Onemorninghisfacewassunkenandhishandswerevery，verycold。Hewas\"better，\"hewhispered，butsadlyandfaintly。Afterawhilehegrewrestlessandseemedalittlewandering。Hismindranonhisclassics，andfellbackontheLatingrammar。
\"Iris！\"hesaid，——\"，filiolamea！\"——ThechildknewthismeantmydearlittledaughteraswellasifithadbeenEnglish——\"Rainbow！
\"forhewouldtranslatehernameattimes，——\"cometome，——veni\"——andhislipswentonautomatically，andmurmured，\"velvenito！\"——Thechildcameandsatbyhisbedsideandtookhishand，whichshecouldnotwarm，butwhichshotitsraysofcoldallthroughherslenderframe。Butthereshesat，lookingsteadilyathim。Presentlyheopenedhislipsfeebly，andwhispered，\"Moribundus。\"Shedidnotknowwhatthatmeant，butshesawthattherewassomethingnewandsad。Soshebegantocry；butpresentlyrememberinganoldbookthatseemedtocomforthimattimes，gotupandbroughtaBibleintheLatinversion，calledtheVulgate。\"Openit，\"hesaid，——\"Iwillread，segniusirritant，——don’tputthelightout，——ah！hoeretlateri，——Iamgoing，——vale，vale，vale，goodbye，good-bye，——theLordtakecareofmychild！Domine，audi——velaudito！\"Hisfacewhitenedsuddenly，andhelaystill，withopeneyesandmouth。Hehadtakenhislastdegree——
LittleMissIriscouldnotbesaidtobeginlifewithaverybrilliantrainbowoverher，inaworldlypointofview。Alimitedwardrobeofman’sattire，suchaspoortutorswear，——afewgoodbooks，principallyclassics，——aprintortwo，andaplastermodelofthePantheon，withsomepiecesoffurniturewhichhadseenservice，——
these，andachild’sheartfulloftearfulrecollectionsandstrangedoubtsandquestions，alternatingwiththecheappleasureswhicharetheanodynesofchildishgrief；suchwerethetreasuressheinherited——No，——Iforgot。Withthatkindlysentimentwhichallofusfeelforoldmen’sfirstchildren，——frost-flowersoftheearlywinterseason，theoldtutor’sstudentshadrememberedhimatatimewhenhewaslaughingandcryingwithhisnewparentalemotions，andrunningtothesideoftheplaincribinwhichhisalteregg，asheusedtosay，wasswinging，tohangoverthelittleheapofstirringclothes，fromwhichlookedtheminute，red，downy，still，roundface，withunfixedeyesandworkinglips，——inthatunearthlygravitywhichhasneveryetbeenbrokenbyasmile，andwhichgivestotheearliestmoon-yearortwoofaninfant’slifethecharacterofafirstoldage，tocounterpoisethatsecondchildhoodwhichthereisonechanceinadozenitmayreachbyandby。Theboyshadrememberedtheoldmanandyoungfatheratthattenderperiodofhishard，drylife。
Therecametohimafair，silvergoblet，embossedwithclassicalfigures，andbearingonashieldthegraverwords，Exdonopupillorum。Thehandleonitssideshowedwhatusetheboyshadmeantitfor；andakindletterinit，writtenwiththebestoffeeling，intheworstofLatin，pointeddelicatelytoitsdestination。Outofthissilvervessel，afteralong，desperate，stranglingcry，whichmarkedherfirstgreatlessonintherealitiesoflife，thechildtookthebluemilk，suchaspoortutorsandtheirchildrenget，temperedwithwater，andsweetenedalittle，soastobringitnearerthestandardestablishedbythetouchingindulgenceandpartialityofNature，——whohadmingledanextraallowanceofsugarintheblamelessfoodofthechildatitsmother’sbreast，ascomparedwiththatofitsinfantbrothersandsistersofthebovinerace。
Butawillowwillgrowinbakedsandwetwithrainwater。Anair-
plantwillgrowbyfeedingonthewinds。Nay，thosehugeforeststhatoverspreadgreatcontinentshavebuiltthemselvesupmainlyfromtheair-currentswithwhichtheyarealwaysbattling。Theoakisbutafoliatedatmosphericcrystaldepositedfromtheaerialoceanthatholdsthefuturevegetableworldinsolution。Thestormthattearsitsleaveshaspaidtributetoitsstrength，anditbreaststhetornadocladinthespoilsofahundredhurricanes。
PoorlittleIris！Whathadsheincommonwiththegreatoakintheshadowofwhichwearelosingsightofher？——Shelivedandgrewlikethat，——thiswasall。Thebluemilkranintoherveinsandfilledthemwiththin，pureblood。Herskinwasfair，withafainttinge，suchasthewhiterosebudshowsbeforeitopens。Thedoctorwhohadattendedherfatherwasafraidherauntwouldhardlybeableto\"raise\"her，——\"delicatechild，\"——hopedshewasnotconsumptive，——
thoughttherewasafairchanceshewouldtakeafterherfather。
Averyforlorn-lookingperson，dressedinblack，withawhiteneckcloth，sentheramemoirofachildwhodiedattheageoftwoyearsandelevenmonths，afterhavingfullyindorsedallthedoctrinesoftheparticularpersuasiontowhichhenotonlybelongedhimself，butthoughtitveryshamefulthateverybodyelsedidnotbelong。Whatwithforebodinglooksanddrearydeath-bedstories，itwasawonderthechildmadeouttolivethroughit。Itsaddenedherearlyyears，ofcourse，——itdistressedhertendersoulwiththoughtswhich，astheycannotbefullytakenin，shouldbesparinglyusedasinstrumentsoftorturetobreakdownthenaturalcheerfulnessofahealthychild，or，whatisinfinitelyworse，tocheatadyingoneoutofthekindillusionswithwhichtheFatherofAllhasstreweditsdownwardpath。
Thechildwouldhavedied，nodoubt，and，ifproperlymanaged，mighthaveaddedanothertothelongcatalogueofwastingchildrenwhohavebeenascruellyplayeduponbyspiritualphysiologists，oftenwiththebestintentions，aseverthesubjectofararediseasebythecuriousstudentsofscience。
Fortunatelyforher，however，awiseinstincthadguidedthelateLatintutorintheselectionofthepartnerofhislife，andthefuturemotherofhischild。Thedeceasedtutoresswasatranquil，smoothwoman，easilynourished，assuchpeopleare，——aqualitywhichisinestimableinatutor’swife，——andsoithappenedthatthedaughterinheritedenoughvitalityfromthemothertolivethroughchildhoodandinfancyandfightherwaytowardswomanhood，inspiteofthetendenciesshederivedfromherotherparent——
Twoandtwodonotalwaysmakefour，inthismatterofhereditarydescentofqualities。Sometimestheymakethree，andsometimesfive。
Itseemsasiftheparentaltraitsatonetimeshowedseparate，atanotherblended，——thatoccasionally，theforceoftwonaturesisrepresentedinthederivativeonebyadiagonalofgreatervaluethaneitheroriginallineoflivingmovement，——thatsometimesthereisalossofvitalityhardlytobeaccountedfor，andagainaforwardimpulseofvariableintensityinsomenewandunforeseendirection。
Soitwaswiththischild。Shehadglancedofffromherparentalprobabilitiesatanunexpectedangle。Insteadoftakingtoclassicallearninglikeherfather，orslidingquietlyintohouseholddutieslikehermother，shebrokeoutearlyineffortsthatpointedinthedirectionofArt。Assoonasshecouldholdapencilshebegantosketchoutlinesofobjectsroundherwithacertainairandspirit。
Veryextraordinaryhorses，buttheirlegslookedasiftheycouldmove。BirdsunknowntoAudubon，yetflying，asitwere，witharush。
Menwithimpossiblelegs，whichdidyetseemtohaveavitalconnectionwiththeirmostimprobablebodies。By-and-bythedoctor，onhisbeast，——anoldmanwithafacelookingasifTimehadkneadeditlikedoughwithhisknuckles，witharhubarbtintandflavorpervadinghimselfandhissorrelhorseandalltheirappurtenances。
Adreadfuloldman！Besureshedidnotforgetthosesaddle-bagsthatheldthedetestablebottlesoutofwhichheusedtoshakethoseloathsomepowderswhich，tovirginchildishpalatesthatfindheaveninstrawberriesandpeaches，are——Well，IsupposeIhadbetterstop。
Onlyshewishedshewasdeadsometimeswhensheheardhimcoming。
Onthenextleafwouldfigurethegentlemanwiththeblackcoatandwhitecravat，ashelookedwhenhecameandentertainedherwithstoriesconcerningthedeathofvariouslittlechildrenaboutherage，toencourageher，asthatwickedMr。ArouetsaidaboutshootingAdmiralByng。Thenshewouldtakeherpencil，andwithafewscratchestherewouldbetheoutlineofachild，inwhichyoumightnoticehowonesuddensweepgavethechubbycheek，andtwodotsdartedatthepaperlookedlikerealeyes。
By-and-byshewenttoschool，andcaricaturedtheschoolmasterontheleavesofhergrammarsandgeographies，anddrewthefacesofhercompanions，and，fromtimetotime，headsandfiguresfromherfancy，withlargeeyes，farapart，likethoseofRaffaelle’smothersandchildren，sometimeswithwildfloatinghair，andthenwithwingsandheadsthrownbackinecstasy。Thiswasatabouttwelveyearsold，asthedatesofthesedrawingsshow，and，therefore，threeorfouryearsbeforeshecameamongus。Soonafterthistime，theidealfiguresbegantotaketheplaceofportraitsandcaricatures，andanewfeatureappearedinherdrawing-booksintheformoffragmentsofverseandshortpoems。
Itwasdullwork，ofcourse，forsuchayounggirltolivewithanoldspinsterandgotoavillageschool。Herbooksboretestimonytothis；fortherewasalookofsadnessinthefacesshedrew，andasenseofwearinessandlongingforsomeimaginaryconditionsofblessednessorother，whichbegantobepainful。Shemighthavegonethroughthisfloweringofthesoul，and，castingherpetals，subsidedintoasober，humanberry，butfortheinterventionoffriendlyassistanceandcounsel。
Inthetownwhereshelivedwasaladyofhonorablecondition，somewhatpastmiddleage，whowaspossessedofprettyamplemeans，ofcultivatedtastes，ofexcellentprinciples，ofexemplarycharacter，andofmorethancommonaccomplishments。Thegentlemaninblackbroadclothandwhiteneckerchiefonlyechoedthecommonvoiceabouther，whenhecalledher，afterenjoying，beneathherhospitableroof，anexcellentcupoftea，withcertaineleganciesandluxurieshewas。
unaccustomedto，\"TheModelofalltheVirtues。\"
Shedeservedthistitleaswellasalmostanywoman。Shedidreallybristlewithmoralexcellences。Mentionanygoodthingshehadnotdone；Ishouldliketoseeyoutry！Therewasnohandleofweaknesstotakeholdofherby；shewasasunseizable，exceptinhertotality，asabilliard-ball；andonthebroad，green，terrestrialtable，whereshehadbeenknockedabout，likeallofus，bythecueofFortune，sheglancedfromeveryhumancontact，and\"caromed\"fromonerelationtoanother，andreboundedfromthestuffedcushionoftemptation，withsuchexactandperfectangularmovements，thattheEnemy’scorpsofReportershadlonggivenuptakingnotesofherconduct，astherewasnochancefortheirmaster。
Whatanadmirablepersonforthepatronessanddirectressofaslightlyself-willedchild，withthelightningzigzaglineofgeniusrunninglikeaglitteringveinthroughthemarblewhitenessofhervirginnature！Oneofthelady-patroness’speculiarvirtueswascalmness。Shewasresoluteandstrenuous，butstill。Youcoulddependonherforeveryduty；shewasastrueassteel。Shewaskind-heartedandserviceableinalltherelationsoflife。Shehadmoresense，moreknowledge，moreconversation，aswellasmoregoodness，thanallthepartnersyouhavewaltzedwiththiswinterputtogether。
Yetnomanwasknowntohavelovedher，oreventohaveofferedhimselftoherinmarriage。Itwasagreatwonder。IamveryanxioustovindicatemycharacterasaphilosopherandanobserverofNaturebyaccountingforthisapparentlyextraordinaryfact。
Youmayremembercertainpersonswhohavethemisfortuneofpresentingtothefriendswhomtheymeetacold，damphand。Therearestatesofmindinwhichacontactofthiskindhasadepressingeffectonthevitalpowersthatmakesusinsensibletoallthevirtuesandgracesoftheproprietorofoneoftheselife-absorbingorgans。Whentheytouchus，virtuepassesoutofus，andwefeelasifourelectricityhadbeendrainedbyapowerfulnegativebattery，carriedaboutbyanovergrownhumantorpedo。
\"TheModelofalltheVirtues\"hadapairofsearchingeyesasclearasWenhamice；buttheywereslowertomeltthanthatficklejewelry。
Herfeaturesdisorderedthemselvesslightlyattimesinasurface-
smile，butneverbrokeloosefromtheircornersandindulgedintheriotoustumultofalaugh，——which，Itakeit，isthemob-lawofthefeatures；——andproprietythemagistratewhoreadstheriot-act。Shecarriedthebrimmingcupofherinestimablevirtueswithacautious，steadyhand，andaneyealwaysonthem，toseethattheydidnotspill。Thenshewasanadmirablejudgeofcharacter。Hermindwasaperfectlaboratoryoftestsandreagents；everysyllableyouputintobreathwentintoherintellectualeudiometer，andallyourthoughtswererecordedonlitmus-paper。Ithinktherehasrarelybeenamoreadmirablewoman。Ofcourse，MissIriswasimmenselyandpassionatelyattachedtoher——Well，——thesearetwohighlyoxygenatedadverbs，——
grateful，——supposewesay，——yes，——grateful，dutiful，obedienttoherwishesforthemostpart，——perhapsnotquiteuptotheconcertpitchofsuchaperfectorchestraofthevirtues。
Wemusthaveaweakspotortwoinacharacterbeforewecanloveitmuch。Peoplethatdonotlaughorcry，ortakemoreofanythingthanisgoodforthem，oruseanythingbutdictionary-words，areadmirablesubjectsforbiographies。Butwedon’talwayscaremostforthoseflat-patternflowersthatpressbestintheherbarium。
Thisimmaculatewoman，——whycouldn’tshehaveafaultortwo？
Isn’tthereanyoldwhisperwhichwilltarnishthatwearisomeaureoleofsaintlyperfection？Doesn’tshecarryalumpofopiuminherpocket？Isn’thercologne-bottlereplenishedoftenerthanitslegitimateusewouldrequire？Itwouldbesuchacomfort！
NotfortheworldwouldayoungcreaturelikeIrishaveletsuchwordsescapeher，orsuchthoughtspassthroughhermind。Whetheratthebottomofhersoulliesanyuneasyconsciousnessofanoppressivepresence，itishardtosay，untilweknowmoreabouther。IrissitsbetweentheLittleGentlemanandthe\"ModelofalltheVirtues，\"astheblack-coatedpersonagecalledher——Iwillwatchthemall——
HereIstopforthepresent。WhattheProfessorsaidhashadtomakewaythistimeforwhathesawandheard-
Andnowyoumayreadtheselines，whichwerewrittenforgentlesoulswholovemusic，andreadineventones，and，perhaps，withsomethinglikeasmileuponthereader’slips，atameetingwherethesemusicalfriendshadgathered。Whethertheywerewrittenwithsmilesornot，youcanguessbetterafteryouhavereadthem。
THEOPENINGOFTHEPIANO。
InthelittlesouthernparlorofthehouseyoumayhaveseenWiththegambrel-roof，andthegablelookingwestwardtothegreen，Atthesidetowardthesunset，withthewindowonitsright，StoodtheLondon-madepianoIamdreamingofto-night。
Ahme！howIremembertheeveningwhenitcame！
Whatacryofeagervoices，whatagroupofcheeksinflame，Whenthewondrousboawasopenedthathadcomefromoverseas，Withitssmellofmastic-varnishanditsflashofivorykeys！
Thenthechildrenallgrewfretfulintherestlessnessofjoy，Fortheboywouldpushhissister，andthesistercrowdtheboy，Tillthefatheraskedforquietinhisgravepaternalway，Butthemotherhushedthetumultwiththewords，\"Now，Mary，play。\"
Forthedearsoulknewthatmusicwasaverysovereignbalm；
ShehadsprinkleditoverSorrowandseenitsbrowgrowcalm，Inthedaysofslenderharpsichordswithtappingtinklingquills，Orcarolingtoherspinetwithitsthinmetallicthrills。
SoMary，thehouseholdminstrel，whoalwayslovedtoplease，Satdowntothenew\"Clementi，\"andstrucktheglitteringkeys。
Hushedwerethechildren’svoices，andeveryeyegrewdim，As，floatingfromlipandfinger，arosethe\"VesperHymn。\"——
Catharine，childofaneighbor，curlyandrosy-red，Weddedsince，andawidow，——somethingliketenyearsdead，
Hearingagushofmusicsuchasnonebefore，Stealsfromhermother’schamberandpeepsattheopendoor。
Justasthe\"Jubilate\"inthreadedwhisperdies，——\"Openit！openit，lady！\"thelittlemaidencries，Forshethought’twasasingingcreaturecagedinaboxsheheard，
\"Openit！openit，lady！andletmeseethebird！\"
IV
Idon’tknowwhetherourliteraryorprofessionalpeoplearemoreamiablethantheyareinotherplaces，butcertainlyquarrellingisoutoffashionamongthem。Thiscouldneverbe，iftheywereinthehabitofsecretanonymouspuffingofeachother。Thatisthekindofundergroundmachinerywhichmanufacturesfalsereputationsandgenuinehatreds。Ontheotherhand，Ishouldliketoknowifwearenotatlibertytohaveagoodtimetogether，andsaythepleasantestthingswecanthinkoftoeachother，whenanyofusreacheshisthirtiethorfortiethorfiftiethoreightiethbirthday。
Wedon’thave\"scenes，\"Iwarrantyou，ontheseoccasions。No\"surprise\"parties！Youunderstandthese，ofcourse。Intheruraldistricts，wherescenictragedyandmelodramacannotbehad，asinthecity，attheexpenseofaquarterandawhitepocket-
handkerchief，emotionalexcitementhastobesoughtinthedramasofreallife。Christenings，weddings，andfunerals，especiallythelatter，arethemaindependence；butbabies，brides，anddeceasedcitizenscannotbehadataday’snotice。Now，then，forasurprise-
party！