Stylishwomen，Idon’tdoubt，——saidtheLittleGentleman——Don’ttellmethatatrueladyeversacrificesthedutyofkeepingallabouthersweetandcleantothewishofmakingavulgarshow。I
won’tbelieveitofalady。Therearesomethingsthatnofashionhasanyrighttotouch，andcleanlinessisoneofthosethings。Ifawomanwishestoshowthatherhusbandorherfatherhasgotmoney，whichshewantsandmeanstospend，butdoesn’tknowhow，letherbuyayardortwoofsilkandpinittoherdresswhenshegoesouttowalk，butletherunpinitbeforeshegoesintothehouse；——theremaybepoorwomenthatwillthinkitworthdisinfecting。Itisaninsulttoarespectablelaundresstocarrysuchthingsintoahouseforhertodealwith。Idon’tliketheBloomersanytoowell，——infact，Ineversawbutone，andshe——orhe，orit——hadamobofboysafterher，orwhateveryoucallthecreature，asifshehadbeena——
TheLittleGentlemanstoppedshort，——flushedsomewhat，andlookedroundwiththatinvoluntary，suspiciousglancewhichthesubjectsofanybodilymisfortuneareveryapttocastroundthem。Hiseyewanderedoverthecompany，noneofwhom，exceptingmyselfandoneother，had，probably，noticedthemovement。TheyfellatlastonIris，——hisnextneighbor，youremember——
Weknowinamoment，onlookingsuddenlyataperson，ifthatperson’seyeshavebeenfixedonus。
Sometimesweareconsciousofitbeforeweturnsoastoseetheperson。Strangesecretsofcuriosity，ofimpertinence，ofmalice，oflove，leakoutinthisway。ThereisnoneedofMrs。FelixLorraine’sreflectioninthemirror，totellusthatsheisplottingevilforusbehindourbacks。Weknowit，asweknowbytheominousstillnessofachildthatsomemischieforotherisgoing-on。A
younggirlbetrays，inamoment，thathereyeshavebeenfeedingon。
thefacewhereyoufindthemfixed，andnotmerelybrushingoveritwiththeirpencilsofblueorbrownlight。
Acertaininvoluntaryadjustmentassimilatesus，youmayalsoobserve，tothatuponwhichwelook。Rosesreddenthecheeksofherwhostoopstogatherthem，andbuttercupsturnlittlepeople’schinsyellow。Whenwelookatavastlandscape，ourchestsexpandasifwewouldenlargetofillit。Whenweexamineaminuteobject，wenaturallycontract，notonlyourforeheads，butallourdimensions。
IfIseetwomenwrestling，Iwrestletoo，withmylimbsandfeatures。Whenacountry-fellowcomesuponthestage，youwillseetwentyfacesintheboxesputtingonthebumpkinexpression。Thereisnoneedofmultiplyinginstancestoreachthisgeneralization；
everypersonandthingwelookuponputsitsspecialmarkuponus。
Ifthisisrepeatedoftenenough，wegetapermanentresemblancetoit，or，atleast，afixedaspectwhichwetookfromit。Husbandandwifecometolookalikeatlast，ashasoftenbeennoticed。Itisacommonsayingofajockey，thatheis\"allhorse\"；andIhaveoftenfanciedthatmilkmengetastiff，uprightcarriage，andanangularmovementofthearm，thatremindoneofapumpandtheworkingofitshandle。
Allthiscameinbyaccident，justbecauseIhappenedtomentionthattheLittleGentlemanfoundthatIrishadbeenlookingathimwithhersoulinhereyes，whenhisglancerestedonherafterwanderingroundthecompany。Whathethought，itishardtosay；
buttheshadowofsuspicionfadedofffromhisface，andhelookedcalmlyintotheambereyes，restinghischeekuponthehandthatworetheredjewel——
Ifitwereapossiblething，——womenaresuchstrangecreatures！
Isthereanytrickthatloveandtheirownfanciesdonotplaythem？
Justseehowtheymarry！AwomanthatgetsholdofabitofmanhoodislikeoneofthoseChinesewood-carverswhoworkonanyodd，fantasticrootthatcomestohand，and，ifitisonlybulbousaboveandbifurcatedbelow，willalwayscontrivetomakeaman——suchasheis——outofit。Ishouldliketoseeanykindofaman，distinguishablefromaGorilla，thatsomegoodandevenprettywomancouldnotshapeahusbandoutof——
Achild，——yes，ifyouchoosetocallherso，butsuchachild！DoyouknowhowArtbringsallagestogether？Thereisnoagetotheangelsandidealhumanformsamongwhichtheartistlives，andhesharestheiryouthuntilhishandtremblesandhiseyegrowsdim。
Theyouthfulpaintertalksofwhite-beardedLeonardoasifhewereabrother，andtheveteranforgetsthatRaphaeldiedatanagetowhichhisownisofpatriarchalantiquity。
ButwhythisloverofthebeautifulshouldbesodrawntoonewhomNaturehaswrongedsodeeplyseemshardtoexplain。Pity，I
suppose。Theysaythatleadstolove——
IthoughtthismatteroveruntilIbecameexcitedandcurious，anddeterminedtosetmyselfmoreseriouslyatworktofindoutwhatwasgoingoninthesewildheartsandwheretheirpassionatelivesweredrifting。Isaywildheartsandpassionatelives，becauseIthinkI
canlookthroughthisseemingcalmnessofyouthandthisapparentfeeblenessoforganization，andseethatNature，whomitisveryhardtocheat，isonlywaitingasthesapperwaitsinhismine，knowingthatallisinreadinessandtheslow-matchburningquietlydowntothepowder。Hewillleaveitby-and-by，andthenitwilltakecareofitself。
Oneneednotwaittoseethesmokecomingthroughtheroofofahouseandtheflamesbreakingoutofthewindowstoknowthatthebuildingisonfire。Hark！Thereisaquiet，steady，unobtrusive，crisp，notloud，butveryknowinglittlecreepingcracklethatistolerablyintelligible。Thereisawhiffofsomethingfloatingabout，suggestiveoftoastingshingles。Alsoasharppyroligneous-
acidpungencyintheairthatstingsone’seyes。Letusgetupandseewhatisgoingon——Oh，——oh，——oh！doyouknowwhathasgotholdofyou？Itisthegreatreddragonthatisbornofthelittleredeggswecallsparks，withhishundredblowingredmanes，andhisthousandlashingredtails，andhismultitudinousredeyesglaringateverycrackandkey-hole，andhiscountlessredtongueslappingthebeamsheisgoingtocrunchpresently，andhishotbreathwarpingthepanelsandcrackingtheglassandmakingoldtimbersweatthathadforgottenitwaseveralivewithsap。Runforyourlife！leap！oryouwillbeacinderinfiveminutes，thatnothingbutacoronerwouldtakeforthewreckofahumanbeing！
Ifanygentlemanwillhavethekindnesstostopthisrun-awaycomparison，Ishallbemuchobligedtohim。AllIintendedtosaywas，thatweneednotwaitforheartstobreakoutinflamestoknowthattheyarefullofcombustiblesandthatasparkhasgotamongthem。Idon’tpretendtosayorknowwhatitisthatbringsthesetwopersonstogether；——andwhenIsaytogether，Ionlymeanthatthereisanevidentaffinityofsomekindorotherwhichmakestheircommonestintercoursestrangelysignificant，asthateachseemstounderstandalookorawordoftheother。WhentheyounggirllaidherhandontheLittleGentleman’sarm，——whichsogreatlyshockedtheModel，youmayremember，——Isawthatshehadlearnedthelion-
tamer’ssecret。Shemastershim，andyetIcanseeshehasakindofaweofhim，asthemanwhogoesintothecagehasofthemonsterthathemakesababyof。
Oneoftwothingsmusthappen。Thefirstislove，downrightlove，onthepartofthisyounggirl，forthepoorlittlemisshapenman。
Youmaylaugh，ifyoulike。Butwomenareapttolovethemenwhotheythinkhavethelargestcapacityofloving；——andwhocanlovelikeonethathasthirstedallhislifelongforthesmileofyouthandbeauty，andseenitflyhispresenceasthewaveebbedfromtheparchedlipsofhimwhosefabledpunishmentistheperpetualtypeofhumanlonginganddisappointment？Whatwouldbecomeofhim，ifthisfreshsoulshouldstoopuponhiminherfirstyoungpassion，astheflamingodropsoutoftheskyuponsomelonelyanddarklagooninthemarshesofCagliari，withaflutterofscarletfeathersandakindlingofstrangefiresintheshadowywatersthatholdherburningimage？——
Marryher，ofcourse？——Why，no，notofcourse。Ishouldthinkthechanceless，onthewhole，thathewouldbewillingtomarryherthanshetomarryhim。
Thereisoneotherthingthatmighthappen。Iftheinterestheawakesinhergetstobeadeepone，andyethasnothingofloveinit，shewillglanceofffromhimintosomegreatpassionorother。
Allexcitementsruntoloveinwomenofacertain——letusnotsayage，butyouth。Anelectricalcurrentpassingthroughacoilofwiremakesamagnetofabarofironlyingwithinit，butnottouchingit。Soawomanisturnedintoalove-magnetbyatinglingcurrentofliferunningroundher。Ishouldliketoseeoneofthembalancedonapivotproperlyadjusted，andwatchifshedidnotturnsoastopointnorthandsouth，——asshewould，ifthelove-currentsarelikethoseoftheearthourmother。
Pray，doyouhappentorememberWordsworth’s\"BoyofWindermere\"？
Thisboyusedtoputhishandstohismouth，andshoutaloud，mimickingthehootingoftheowls，whowouldanswerhim\"withquiveringpeals，Andlonghalloosandscreams，andechoesloudRedoubledandredoubled。\"
Whentheyfailedtoanswerhim，andhehunglisteningintentlyfortheirvoices，hewouldsometimescatchthefaintsoundoffardistantwaterfalls，orthewholescenearoundhimwouldimprintitselfwithnewforceuponhisperceptions——Readthesonnet，ifyouplease；——itisWordsworthallover，——trivialinsubject，solemninstyle，vividindescription，prolixindetail，truemeta-
physically，butimmenselysuggestiveof\"imagination，\"touseamildterm，whenrelatedasanactualfactofasprightlyyoungster。
AllIwantofitistoenforcetheprinciple，that，whenthedoorofthesoulisonceopenedtoaguest，thereisnoknowingwhowillcomeinnext——
Ouryounggirlkeepsupherearlyhabitofsketchingheadsandcharacters。Nobodyis，Ishouldthink，morefaithfulandexactinthedrawingoftheacademicalfiguresgivenheraslessons，butthereisaperpetualarabesqueoffanciesthatrunsroundthemarginofherdrawings，andthereisonebookwhichIknowshekeepstorunriotin，where，ifanywhere，ashrewdeyewouldbemostlikelytoreadherthoughts。ThisbookofhersImeantosee，ifIcangetatithonorably。
IhaveneveryetcrossedthethresholdoftheLittleGentleman’schamber。Howhelives，whenheoncegetswithinit，Icanonlyguess。Hishoursarelate，asIhavesaid；often，onwakinglateinthenight，Iseethelightthroughcracksinhiswindow-shuttersonthewallofthehouseopposite。Ifthetimesofwitchcraftwerenotover，Ishouldbeafraidtobesocloseaneighbortoaplacefromwhichtherecomesuchstrangenoises。Sometimesitisthedraggingofsomethingheavyoverthefloor，thatmakesmeshivertohearit，——
itsoundssolikewhatpeoplethatkillotherpeoplehavetodonowandthen。OccasionallyIhearverysweetstrainsofmusic，——whetherofawindorstringedinstrument，orahumanvoice，strangeasitmayseem，Ihaveoftentriedtofindout，butthroughthepartitionIcouldnotbequitesure。IfIhavenotheardawomancryandmoan，andthenagainlaughasthoughshewoulddielaughing，Ihaveheardsoundssolikethemthat——Iamafooltoconfessit——Ihavecoveredmyheadwiththebedclothes；forIhavehadafancyinmydreams，thatIcouldhardlyshakeoffwhenIwokeup，aboutthatso-
calledwitchthatwashisgreat-grandmother，orwhateveritwas，——asortoffancythatshevisitedtheLittleGentleman，——ayoungwomaninold-fashioneddress，witharedringroundherwhiteneck，——notaneck-lace，butadull-stain。
Ofcourseyoudon’tsupposethatIhaveanyfoolishsuperstitionsaboutthematter，——I，theProfessor，whohaveseenenoughtotakeallthatnonsenseoutofanyman’shead！Itisnotourbeliefsthatfrightenushalfsomuchasourfancies。Amannotonlybelieves，butknowsherunsarisk，wheneverhestepsintoarailroadcar；butitdoesn’tworryhimmuch。Ontheotherhand，carrythatmanacrossapasturealittlewayfromsomedrearycountry-village，andshowhimanoldhousewheretherewerestrangedeathsagoodmanyyearsago，andtherearerumorsofuglyspotsonthewalls，——theoldmanhunghimselfinthegarret，thatiscertain，andeversincethecountry-peoplehavecalledit\"thehauntedhouse，\"——theownershaven’tbeenabletoletitsincethelasttenantsleftonaccountofthenoises，——soithasfallenintosaddecay，andthemossgrowsontherottenshinglesoftheroof，andtheclapboardshaveturnedblack，andthewindowsrattleliketeeththatchatterwithfear，andthewallsofthehousebegintoleanasifitskneeswereshaking，——
takethemanwhodidn’tmindtherealriskofthecarstothatoldhouse，onsomedrearyNovemberevening，andaskhimtosleeptherealone，——howdoyouthinkhewilllikeit？Hedoesn’tbelieveonewordofghosts，——butthenheknows，that，whetherwakingorsleeping，hisimaginationwillpeoplethehauntedchamberswithghostlyimages。Itisnotwhatwebelieve，asIsaidbefore，thatfrightensuscommonly，butwhatweconceive。AprinciplethatreachesagoodwayifIamnotmistaken。Isay，then，that，iftheseoddsoundscomingfromtheLittleGentleman’schambersometimesmakemenervous，sothatIcannotgettosleep，itisnotbecauseIsupposeheisengagedinanyunlawfulormysteriousway。
Theonlywickedsuggestionthatevercameintomyheadwasonethatwasfoundedonthelandlady’sstoryofhishavingapileofgold；itwasaridiculousfancy；besides，IsuspectthestoryofsweatinggoldwasonlyoneofthemanyfablesgotuptomaketheJewsodiousandaffordapretextforplunderingthem。Asforthesoundlikeawomanlaughingandcrying，Ineversaiditwasawoman’svoice；for，inthefirstplace，Icouldonlyhearindistinctly；and，secondly，hemayhaveanorgan，orsomequeerinstrumentorother，withwhattheycallthevoxhumanastop。Ifhemoveshisbedroundtogetawayfromthewindow，orforanysuchreason，thereisnothingveryfrightfulinthatsimpleoperation。Mostofourfoolishconceitsexplainthemselvesinsomesuchsimpleway。And，yet，forallthat，Iconfess，that，whenIwokeuptheotherevening，andheard，firstasweetcomplainingcry，andthenfootsteps，andthenthedraggingsound，——nothingbuthisbed，Iamquitesure，——IfeltastirringintherootsofmyhairasthefeastersdidinKeats’sterriblepoemof\"Lamia。\"
ThereisnothingveryoddinmyfeelingnervouswhenIhappentolieawakeandgetlisteningforsounds。Justkeepyourearsopenanytimeaftermidnight，whenyouarelyinginbedinaloneatticofadarknight。Whathorrid，strange，suggestive，unaccountablenoisesyouwillhear！Thestillnessofnightisavulgarerror。Allthedeadthingsseemtobealive。Crack！Thatistheoldchestofdrawers；youneverhearitcrackinthedaytime。Creak！There’sadoorajar；youknowyoushutthemall。
Wherecanthatlatchbethatrattlesso？Isanybodytryingitsoftly？or，worsethananybody，is——？Coldshiver。Thenasuddengustthatjarsallthewindows；——verystrange！——theredoesnotseemtobeanywindaboutthatitbelongsto。Whenitstops，youhearthewormsboringinthepowderybeamsoverhead。Thenstepsoutside，——astrayanimal，nodoubt。Allright，——butagentlemoisturebreaksoutalloveryou；andthensomethinglikeawhistleoracry，——anothergustofwind，perhaps；thataccountsfortherustlingthatjustmadeyourheartrolloverandtumbleabout，sothatitfeltmorelikealiveratunderyourribsthanapartofyourownbody；thenacrashofsomethingthathasfallen，——blownover，verylikely——Paternoster，quiesincoelis！foryouaredampandcold，andsittingboltupright，andthebedtremblingsothatthedeath-watchisfrightenedandhasstoppedticking！
No，——nightisanawfultimeforstrangenoisesandsecretdoings。
Whoeverdreamed，tilloneofoursleeplessneighborstoldusofit，ofthatWalpurgisgatheringofbirdsandbeastsofprey，——foxes，andowls，andcrows，andeagles，thatcomefromallthecountryroundonmoonshinynightstocrunchtheclamsandmuscles，andpickouttheeyesofdeadfishesthatthestormhasthrownonChelseaBeach？OuroldmotherNaturehaspleasantandcheerytonesenoughforuswhenshecomesinherdressofblueandgoldovertheeasternhill-tops；
butwhenshefollowsusup-stairstoourbedsinhersuitofblackvelvetanddiamonds，everycreakofhersandalsandeverywhisperofherlipsisfullofmysteryandfear。
Youunderstand，then，distinctly，thatIdonotbelievethereisanythingaboutthissingularlittleneighborofminewhichisasitshouldnotbe。Probablyavisittohisroomwouldclearupallthathaspuzzledme，andmakemelaughatthenotionswhichbegan，I
suppose，innightmares，andendedbykeepingmyimaginationatworksoasalmosttomakemeuncomfortableattimes。Butitisnotsoeasytovisithimassomeofourotherboarders，forvariousreasonswhichIwillnotstoptomention。Ithinksomeofthemareratherpleasedtoget\"theProfessor\"undertheirceilings。
TheyoungmanJohn，forinstance，askedmetocomeuponedayandtrysome\"oldBurbon，\"whichhesaidwasA1。Onaskinghimwhatwasthenumberofhisroom，heanswered，thatitwasforty-’leven，sky-parlorfloor，butthatIshouldn’tfindit，ifhedidn’tgoaheadtoshowmetheway。Ifollowedhimtohishabitat，beingverywillingtoseeinwhatkindofwarrenheburrowed，andthinkingI
mightpickupsomethingabouttheboarderswhohadexcitedmycuriosity。
MightyclosequarterstheywerewheretheyoungmanJohnbestowedhimselfandhisfurniture；thislastconsistingofabed，achair，abureau，atrunk，andnumerouspegswithcoatsand\"pants\"and\"vests，\"——ashewasinthehabitofcallingwaist-coatsandpantaloonsortrousers，——hangingupasiftheownerhadmeltedoutofthem。Severalprintswerepinnedupunframed，——amongthemthatgrandnationalportrait-piece，\"BarnumpresentingOssianE。DodgetoJennyLind，\"andapictureofafamoustrot，inwhichIadmiredanewthecabalisticairofthatimposingarrayofexpressions，andespeciallytheItalicizedword，\"DanMacenamesb。h。MajorSlocum，\"
and\"HiramWoodruffnamesg。m。LadySmith。\"\"Bestthreeinfive。
Time:2。40，2。46，2。50。\"
Thatsetmethinkinghowveryoddthismatteroftrottinghorsesis，asanindexofthemathematicalexactnessofthelawsoflivingmechanism。IsawLadySuffolktrotamilein2。26。FloraTemplehastrottedclosedownto2。20；andEthanAllenin2。25，orless。
Manyhorseshavetrottedtheirmileunder2。30；nonethatIrememberinpublicaslowdownas2。20。Fromfivetotenseconds，then，inaboutahundredandsixtyisthewholerangeofthemaximaofthepresentraceoftrottinghorses。Thesamethingisseenintherunningofmen。Manycanrunamileinfiveminutes；butwhenonecomestothefractionsbelow，theytaperdownuntilsomewhereabout4。30themaximumisreached。Averagesofmasseshavebeenstudiedmorethanaveragesofmaximaandminima。WeknowfromtheRegistrar-General’sReports，thatacertainnumberofchildren——sayfromonetotwodozen——dieeveryyearinEnglandfromdrinkinghotwateroutofspoutsofteakettles。Weknow，that，amongsuicides，womenandmenpastacertainagealmostneverusefire-arms。A
womanwhohasmadeuphermindtodieisstillafraidofapistoloragun。Orisitthattheexplosionwouldderangehercostume？
Isay，averagesofmasseswehave，butourtablesofmaximaweowetothesportingmenmorethantothephilosophers。Thelessontheirexperienceteachesis，thatNaturemakesnoleaps，——doesnothingpersaltum。Thegreatestbrainthateverlived，nodoubt，wasonlyasmallfractionofanideaaheadofthesecondbest。Justlookatthechess-players。Leavingoutthephenomenalexceptions，theniceshadesthatseparatetheskilfulonesshowhowcloselytheirbrainsapproximate，——almostascloselyaschronometers。Suchapersonisa\"knight-player，\"——hemusthavethatpiecegivenhim。Anothermusthavetwopawns。Another，\"pawnandtwo，\"oronepawnandtwomoves。
Thenwefindonewhoclaims\"pawnandmove，\"holdinghimself，withthisfractionaladvantage，amatchforonewhowouldbeprettysuretobeathimplayingeven——Somucharemindsalike；andyouandI
thinkweare\"peculiar，\"——thatNaturebrokeherjelly-mouldaftershapingourcerebralconvolutions。SoIreflected，standingandlookingatthepicture——
Isay，Governor，——brokeintheyoungmanJohn，——thembosses’11
stayjestaswell，ifyou’llonlysetdown。I’vehad’emthisyear，andtheyhaven’tstirred——Hespoke，andhandedthechairtowardsme，——seatinghimself，atthesametime，ontheendofthebed。
Youhavelivedinthishousesometime？——Isaid，——withanoteofinterrogationattheendofthestatement。
DoIlookasifI’dlostmuchflesh——saidhe，answeringmyquestionbyanother。
No，——saidI；——forthatmatter，Ithinkyoudocreditto\"thebountifullyfurnishedtableoftheexcellentladywhoprovidessoliberallyforthecompanythatmeetsaroundherhospitableboard。\"
[Thesentenceinquotation-markswasfromoneofthosedisinterestededitorialsinsmalltype，whichIsuspecttohavebeenfurnishedbyafriendofthelandlady’s，andpaidforasanadvertisement。Thisimpartialtestimonytothesuperiorqualitiesoftheestablishmentanditsheadattractedanumberofapplicantsforadmission，andacoupleofnewboardersmadeabriefappearanceatthetable。Oneofthemwasoftheclassofpeoplewhogrumbleiftheydon’tgetcanvas-backsandwoodcockseveryday，forthree-fiftyperweek。Theotherwassubjecttosomnambulism，orwalkinginthenight，whenheoughttohavebeenasleepinhisbed。Inthisstatehewalkedintoseveraloftheboarders’chambers，hiseyeswideopen，asisusualwithsomnambulists，and，fromsomeoddinstinctorother，wishingtoknowwhatthehourwas，gottogetheranumberoftheirwatches，forthepurposeofcomparingthem，asitwouldseem。Amongthemwasarepeater，belongingtoouryoungMarylander。Hehappenedtowakeupwhilethesomnambulistwasinhischamber，and，notknowinghisinfirmity，caughtholdofhimandgavehimadreadfulshaking，afterwhichhetiedhishandsandfeet，andsolefthimtillmorning，whenheintroducedhimtoagentlemanusedtotakingcareofsuchcasesofsomnambulism。]
Ifyou，myreader，willpleasetoskipbackward，overthisparenthesis，youwillcometoourconversation，whichithasinterrupted。
Ita’n’tthefeed，——saidtheyoungmanJohn，——it’stheoldwoman’slookswhenafellahlaysitintoostrong。Thefeed’swellenough。
Aftergeesehavegottough，’n’turkeyshavegotstrong，’n’lamb’sgotold，’n’veal’sprettynighbeef，’n’sparragrass’sgrowin’
tall’n’slim’n’scatteryaboutthehead，’n’greenpeasaregettin’sobig’n’hardthey’dbedangerousifyoufired’emoutofarevolver，wegetholdofallthemdelicaciesoftheseason。Butit’stoomuchlikefeedin’onlivefolksanddevourin’widdah’ssubstance，tolayyourselfoutintheeatin’way，whenafellah’sashungryasthechapthatsaidaturkeywastoomuchforone’n’
notenoughfortwo。Ican’thelplookin’attheoldwoman。Corned-
beef-daysshe’stolerablecalm。Roastin’-dayssheworriessome，’n’
keepsasharpeyeonthechapthatcarves。Butwhenthere’sanythinginthepoultryline，itseemstohurtherfeelin’ssotoseetheknifegoin’intothebreastandjointscomin’topieces，thatthere’snocomfortineatin’。WhenIcutupanoldfowlandhelptheboarders，IalwaysfeelasifIoughttosay，Won’tyouhaveasliceofwiddah？——insteadofchicken。
TheyoungmanJohnfellintoatrainofreflectionswhichendedinhisproducingaBolognasausage，aplateof\"crackers，\"asweBostonfolkscallcertainbiscuits，andthebottleofwhiskeydescribedasbeingA1。
Undertheinfluenceofthecrackersandsausage，hegrewcordialandcommunicative。
Itwastime，Ithought，tosoundhimastothoseofourboarderswhohadexcitedmycuriosity。
WhatdoyouthinkofouryoungIris？——Ibegan。
Fust-ratelittlefilly；-hesaid——PootiestandnicestlittlechapI’veseensincetheschoolma’amleft。Schoolma’amwasabrown-
hairedone，——eyescoffee-color。Thisonehasgotwine-coloredeyes，——’n’that’sthereasontheyturnafellah’shead，Isuppose。
Thisisasplendidblonde，——Isaid，——theotherwasabrunette。
Whichstyledoyoulikebest？
WhichdoIlikebest，boiledmuttonorroastmutton？——saidtheyoungmanJohn。Like’emboth，——ita’n’tthecolorof’emmakesthegoodness。I’vebeenkindoflonelysinceschoolma’amwentaway。
Usedtoliketolookather。Ineversaidanythingparticulartoher，thatIremember，but——
Idon’tknowwhetheritwasthecrackerandsausage，orthattheyoungfellow’sfeetweretreadingonthehotashesofsomelongingthathadnothadtimetocool，buthiseyeglistenedashestopped。
Isupposeshewouldn’thavelookedatafellahlikeme，——hesaid，——
butIcomeprettyneartryin’。Ifshehadsaid，Yes，though，I
shouldn’thaveknownwhattohavedonewithher。Can’tmarryawomannow-a-daystillyou’resodeafyouhavetocockyourheadlikeaparrottohearwhatshesays，andsolongsightedyoucan’tseewhatshelookslikenearerthanarm’s-length。
Hereisanotherchanceforyou，——Isaid——WhatdoyouwantnicerthansuchayoungladyasIris？
It’snouse，——heanswered——Ilookatthemgirlsandfeelasthefellahdidwhenhemissedcatchin’thetrout——’To’od’a’costmorebuttertocookhim’n’he’sworth，——saysthefellah——Takesawholepieceo’goodstocoveragirlupnow-a-days。I’dasliefundertaketokeepaspanofelephants，——andtakeanostrichtoboard，too，——astomarryoneof’em。What’stheuse？Clerksandcounter-jumpersain’tanything。Sparragrassandgreenpeasa’n’tforthem，——notwhilethey’reyoungandtender。Hossback-ridin’a’n’tforthem，——
exceptonceayear，onFast-day。Andmarryin’a’n’tforthem。
Sometimesafellahfeelslonely，andwouldliketohaveaniceyoungwoman，totellherhowlonelyhefeels。Andsometimesafellah，——
heretheyoungmanJohnlookedveryconfidential，and，perhaps，asifalittleashamedofhisweakness，——sometimesafellahwouldliketohaveoneo’themsmallyoungonestotrotonhiskneeandpushaboutinalittlewagon，——akindofalittleJohnny，youknow；——it’soddenough，but，itseemstome，nobodycanaffordthemlittlearticles，exceptthefolksthataresorichtheycanbuyeverything，andthefolksthataresopoortheydon’twantanything。Itmakesniceboysofusyoungfellahs，nodoubt！Andit’spleasanttoseefineyounggirlssittin’，likeshopkeepersbehindtheirgoods，waitin’，andwaitin’，andwaitin’，’n’nocustomers，——andthemenlingerin’roundandlookin’atthegoods，likefolksthatwanttobecustomers，buthaven’tthemoney！
DoyouthinkthedeformedgentlemanmeanstomakelovetoIris？——I
said。
What！LittleBostonaskthatgirltomarryhim！Well，now，that’scumin’ofitalittletoostrong。Yes，Iguessshewillmarryhimandcarryhimroundinabasket，likealamebantam:Lookhere！——hesaid，mysteriously；——oneoftheboardersswearsthere’sawomancomestoseehim，andthathehasheardhersingin’andscreechin’。
Ishouldliketoknowwhathe’saboutinthatdenofhis。Helayslow’n’keepsdark，——and，Itellyou，there’sagoodmanyoftheboarderswouldliketogetintohischamber，buthedon’tseemtowant’em。Biddycouldtellsomethin’aboutwhatshe’sseenwhenshe’sbeentoputhisroomtorights。She’saPaddy’n’afool，butsheknowsenoughtokeephertonguestill。AllIknowis，Isawhercrossin’herselfonedaywhenshecameoutofthatroom。Shelookedpaleenough，’n’Iheardhermutterin’somethin’orotherabouttheBlessedVirgin。Ifithadn’tbeenforthedoubledoorstothatchamberofhis，I’dhavehadasquintinsidebeforethis；but，somehoworother，itneverseemstohappenthatthey’rebothopenatonce。
Whatdoyouthinkheemployshimselfabout？saidI。
TheyoungmanJohnwinked。
Iwaitedpatientlyforthethought，ofwhichthiswinkwastheblossom，tocometofruitinwords。
Idon’tbelieveinwitches，——saidtheyoungmanJohn。
NorI。
Wewerebothsilentforafewminutes——
Didyoueverseetheyounggirl’sdrawing-books，——Isaid，presently。
Allbutone，——heanswered；——shekeepsalockonthat，andwon’tshowit。Ma’amAllen，theyoungroguestickstothatname，inspeakingofthegentlemanwiththediamond，Ma’amAllentriedtopeekintoitonedaywhensheleftitonthesideboard。\"Ifyouplease，\"saysshe，——’n’tookitfromhim，’n’gavehimalookthatmadehimcurluplikeacaterpillaronahotshovel。Ionlywishedhehadn’t，andhadjestgivenheralittlesass，forI’vebeentakin’boxin’-
lessons，’n’I’vegotanewwayofcounterin’Iwanttotryontosomebody——
Theendofallthiswas，thatIcameawayfromtheyoungfellow’sroom，feelingthatthereweretwoprincipalthingsthatIhadtolivefor，forthenextsixweeksorsixmonths，ifitshouldtakesolong。Thesewere，togetasightoftheyounggirl’sdrawing。
book，whichIsuspectedhadherheartshutupinit，andtogetalookintotheLittleGentleman’sroom。
Idon’tdoubtyouthinkitratherabsurdthatIshouldtroublemyselfaboutthesematters。Youtellme，withsomeshowofreason，thatallIshallfindintheyounggirl’s——bookwillbesomeoutlinesofangelswithimmenseeyes，traceriesofflowers，ruralsketches，andcaricatures，amongwhichIshallprobablyhavethepleasureofseeingmyownfeaturesfiguring。Verylikely。ButI’lltellyouwhatIthinkIshallfind。Ifthischildhasidealizedthestrangelittlebitofhumanityoverwhichsheseemstohavespreadherwingslikeabroodingdove，——if，inoneofthosewildvagariesthatpassionatenaturesaresoliableto，shehasfairlysprunguponhimwithherclaspingnature，asthesea-flowersfoldaboutthefirststrayshell-fishthatbrushestheiroutspreadtentacles，dependuponit，Ishallfindthemarksofitinthisdrawing-bookofhers，——ifIcanevergetalookatit，——fairly，ofcourse，forI
wouldnotplaytrickstosatisfymycuriosity。
Then，ifIcangetintothisLittleGentleman’sroomunderanyfairpretext，Ishall，nodoubt，satisfymyselfinfiveminutesthatheisjustlikeotherpeople，andthatthereisnoparticularmysteryabouthim。
ThenightaftermyvisittotheyoungmanJohn，Imadealltheseandmanymorereflections。Itwasabouttwoo’clockinthemorning，——
brightstarlight，——solightthatIcouldmakeoutthetimeonmyalarm-clock，——whenIwokeuptremblingandverymoist。Itwastheheavydraggingsound，asIhadoftenhearditbeforethatwakedme。
Presentlyawindowwassoftlyclosed。Ihadjustbeguntogetovertheagitationwithwhichwealwaysawakefromnightmaredreams，whenIheardthesoundwhichseemedtomeasofawoman’svoice，——theclearest，purestsopranowhichonecouldwellconceiveof。Itwasnotloud，andIcouldnotdistinguishaword，ifitwasawoman’svoice；buttherewererecurringphrasesofsoundandsnatchesofrhythmthatreachedme，whichsuggestedtheideaofcomplaint，andsometimes，Ithought，ofpassionategriefanddespair。Itdiedawayatlast，——andthenIheardtheopeningofadoor，followedbyalow，monotonoussound，asofonetalking，——andthentheclosingofadoor，——andpresentlythelightontheoppositewalldisappearedandallwasstillforthenight。
ByGeorge！thisgetsinteresting，——Isaid，asIgotoutofbedforachangeofnight-clothes。
Ihadthisinmypockettheotherday，butthoughtIwouldn’treaditatourcelebration。SoIreadittotheboardersinstead，andprintittofinishoffthisrecordwith。
ROBINSONOFLEYDEN。
Hesleepsnothere；inhopeandprayerHiswanderingflockhadgonebefore，Buthe，theshepherd，mightnotshareTheirsorrowsonthewintryshore。
BeforetheSpeedwell’sanchorswung，EreyettheMayflower’ssailwasspread，WhileroundhisfeetthePilgrimsclung，Thepastorspake，andthushesaid:——
\"Men，brethren，sisters，childrendear！
Godcallsyouhencefromoversea；
YemaynotbuildbyHaerlemMeer，NoryetalongtheZuyder-Zee。
\"YegotobearthesavingwordTotribesunnamedandshoresuntrod:
Heedwellthelessonsyehaveheard>FromthoseoldteacherstaughtofGod。
\"YetthinknotuntothemwaslentAlllightforallthecomingdays，AndHeaven’seternalwisdomspentInmakingstraighttheancientways。
\"ThelivingfountainoverflowsForeveryflock，foreverylamb，Norheeds，thoughangrycreedsopposeWithLuther’sdikeorCalvin’sdam。\"
Hespake；withlingering，longembrace，Withtearsofloveandpartingsfond，TheyfloateddownthecreepingMaas，AlongtheisleofYsselmond。
TheypassedthefrowningtowersofBriel，The\"HookofHolland’s\"shelfofsand，AndgratedsoonwithliftingkeelThesullenshoresofFatherland。
Nohomeforthese！——toowelltheyknewThemitredkingbehindthethrone；
Thesailswereset，thepennonsflew，Andwestwardho！forworldsunknown——
Andtheseweretheywhogaveusbirth，ThePilgrimsofthesunsetwave，Whowonforusthisvirginearth，Andfreedomwiththesoiltheygave。
ThepastorslumbersbytheRhine，——
Inalienearththeexileslie，——
Theirnamelessgravesourholiestshrine，Hiswordsournoblestbattle-cry！
Stillcrythem，andtheworldshallhear，Yedwellersbythestorm-sweptsea！
YehavenotbuiltbyHaerlemMeer，Norontheland-lockedZuyder-Zee！
VIII
Therehasbeenasortofstillnessintheatmosphereofourboarding-housesincemylastrecord，asifsomethingorotherweregoingon。ThereisnoparticularchangethatIcanthinkofintheaspectofthings；yetIhaveafeelingasifsomegameoflifewerequietlyplayingandstrangeforceswereatwork，underneaththissmoothsurfaceofevery-dayboardinghouselife，whichwouldshowthemselvessomefinemorningorotherinevents，ifnotincatastrophes。Ihavebeenwatchful，asIsaidIshouldbe，buthavelittletotellasyet。Youmaylaughatme，andverylikelythinkmefoolishlyfancifultotroublemyselfaboutwhatisgoingoninamiddling-classhouseholdlikeours。Doasyoulike。Buthereisthatterriblefacttobeginwith，——abeautifulyounggirl，withthebloodandthenerve-fibrethatbelongtoNature’swomen，turnedlooseamonglivemen-
Terriblefact？
Veryterrible。Nothingmoreso。Doyouforgettheangelswholostheavenforthedaughtersofmen？DoyouforgetHelen，andthefairwomenwhomademischiefandsetnationsbytheearsbeforeHelenwasborn？Ifjealousiesthatgnawmen’sheartsoutoftheirbodies，——ifpangsthatwastementoshadowsanddrivethemintoravingmadnessormopingmelancholy，——ifassassinationandsuicidearedreadfulpossibilities，thenthereisalwayssomethingfrightfulaboutalovelyyoungwoman——Ilovetolookatthis\"Rainbow，\"asherfatherusedsometimestocallher，ofours。Handsomecreaturethatsheisinformsandcolors，——theverypicture，asitseemstome，ofthat\"goldenblonde\"myfriendwhosebookyoureadlastyearfellinlovewithwhenhewasaboy，asyouremember，nodoubt，——handsomeassheis，fitforasea-king’sbride，itisnotherbeautyalonethatholdsmyeyesuponher。Letmetellyouoneofmyfancies，andthenyouwillunderstandthestrangesortoffascinationshehasforme。
Itisintheheartsofmanymenandwomen——letmeaddchildren——thatthereisaGreatSecretwaitingforthem，——asecretofwhichtheygethintsnowandthen，perhapsoftenerinearlythaninlateryears。Thesehintscomesometimesindreams，sometimesinsuddenstartlingflashes，——secondwakings，asitwere，——awakingoutofthewakingstate，whichlastisveryapttobeahalf-sleep。Ihavemanytimesstoppedshortandheldmybreath，andfeltthebloodleavingmycheeks，inoneofthesesuddenclairvoyantflashes。OfcourseIcannottellwhatkindofasecretthisis，butIthinkofitasadisclosureofcertainrelationsofourpersonalbeingtotimeandspace，tootherintelligences，totheprocessionofevents，andtotheirFirstGreatCause。Thissecretseemstobebrokenup，asitwere，intofragments，sothatwefindhereawordandthereasyllable，andthenagainonlyaletterofit；butitneveriswrittenoutformostofusasacompletesentence，inthislife。I
donotthinkitcouldbe；forIamdisposedtoconsiderourbeliefsaboutsuchapossibledisclosureratherasakindofpremonitionofanenlargementofourfacultiesinsomefuturestatethanasanexpectationtobefulfilledformostofusinthislife。Persons，however，havefallenintotrances，——asdidtheReverendWilliamTennent，amongmanyothers，——andlearnedsomethingswhichtheycouldnottellinourhumanwords。
Nowamongthevisibleobjectswhichhinttousfragmentsofthisinfinitesecretforwhichoursoulsarewaiting，thefacesofwomenarethosethatcarrythemostlegiblehieroglyphicsofthegreatmystery。Therearewomen’sfaces，somereal，someideal，whichcontainsomethinginthemthatbecomesapositiveelementinourcreed，sodirectandpalpablearevelationisitoftheinfinitepurityandlove。Iremembertwofacesofwomenwithwings，suchastheycallangels，ofFraAngelico，——andIjustnowcameacrossaprintofRaphael’sSantaApollina，withsomethingofthesamequality，——whichIwassurehadtheirprototypesintheworldaboveours。NowondertheCatholicspaytheirvowstotheQueenofHeaven！TheunpoeticalsideofProtestantismis，thatithasnowomentobeworshipped。
Butmindyou，itisnoteverybeautifulfacethathintstheGreatSecrettous，norisitonlyinbeautifulfacesthatwefindtracesofit。Sometimesitlooksoutfromasweetsadeye，theonlybeautyofaplaincountenance；sometimesthereissomuchmeaninginthelipsofawoman，nototherwisefascinating，thatweknowtheyhaveamessageforus，andwaitalmostwithawetoheartheiraccents。Butthisyounggirlhasatoncethebeautyoffeatureandtheunspokenmysteryofexpression。Canshetellmeanything？
Isherlifeacomplementofmine，withthemissingelementinitwhichIhavebeengropingafterthroughsomanyfriendshipsthatI
havetiredof，andthrough——Hush！Isthedoorfast？Talkingloudisabadtrickinthesecuriousboarding-houses。
YoumusthavesometimesnotedthisfactthatIamgoingtoremindyouofandtouseforaspecialillustration。Ridingalongoverarockyroad，suddenlytheslowmonotonousgrindingofthecrushinggravelchangestoadeepheavyrumble。Thereisagreathollowunderyourfeet，——ahugeunsunnedcavern。Deep，deepbeneathyouinthecoreofthelivingrock，itarchesitsawfulvault，andfarawayitstretchesitswindinggalleries，theirroofsdrippingintostreamswherefisheshavebeenswimmingandspawninginthedarkuntiltheirscalesarewhiteasmilkandtheireyeshavewitheredout，obsoleteanduseless。
Soitisinlife。Wejogquietlyalong，meetingthesamefaces，grindingoverthesamethoughts，thegravelofthesoul’shighway，——
nowandthenjarredagainstanobstaclewecannotcrush，butmustrideoverorroundaswebestmay，sometimesbringingshortupagainstadisappointment，butstillworkingalongwiththecreakingandrattlingandgratingandjerkingthatbelongtothejourneyoflife，eveninthesmoothest-rollingvehicle。Suddenlywehearthedeepundergroundreverberationthatrevealstheunsuspecteddepthofsomeabyssofthoughtorpassionbeneathus。
Iwishthegirlwouldgo。Idon’tliketolookathersomuch，andyetIcannothelpit。AlwaysthatsameexpressionofsomethingthatIoughttoknow，——somethingthatshewasmadetotellandItohear，——lyingtherereadytofallofffromherlips，readytoleapoutofhereyesandmakeasaintofme，oradeviloralunatic，orperhapsaprophettotellthetruthandbehatedofmen，orapoetwhosewordsshallflashuponthedrystubble-fieldofworn-outthoughtsandburnoveranageofliesinanhourofpassion。
ItsuddenlyoccurstomethatImayhaveputyouonthewrongtrack。
TheGreatSecretthatIrefertohasnothingtodowiththeThreeWords。Setyourmindateaseaboutthat，——therearereasonsIcouldgiveyouwhichsettleallthatmatter。Idon’twonder，however，thatyouconfoundedtheGreatSecretwiththeThreeWords。
ILOVEYOUisallthesecretthatmany，nay，mostwomenhavetotell。Whenthatissaid，theyarelikeChina-crackersonthemorningofthefifthofJuly。Andjustasthatlittlepatrioticimplementismadewithaslendertrainwhichleadstothemagazineinitsinterior，soasharpeyecanalmostalwaysseethetrainleadingfromayounggirl’seyeorliptothe\"Iloveyou\"inherheart。ButtheThreeWordsarenottheGreatSecretImean。No，women’sfacesareonlyoneofthetabletsonwhichthatiswritteninitspartial，fragmentarysymbols。ItliesdeeperthanLove，thoughveryprobablyLoveisapartofit。Some，Ithink，——
Wordsworthmightbeoneofthem，——spelloutaportionofitfromcertainbeautifulnaturalobjects，landscapes，flowers，andothers。
IcanmentionseveralpoemsofhisthathaveshadowyhintswhichseemtometocomeneartheregionwhereIthinkitlies。Ihaveknowntwopersonswhopursueditwiththepassionoftheoldalchemists，——allwrongevidently，butinfatuated，andnevergivingupthedailysearchforituntiltheygottremulousandfeeble，andtheirdreamschangedtovisionsofthingsthatranandcrawledabouttheirfloorandceilings，andsotheydied。Thevulgarcalledthemdrunkards。
ItoldyouthatIwouldletyouknowthemysteryoftheeffectthisyounggirl’sfaceproducesonme。Itisakintothoseinfluencesafriendofminehasdescribed，youmayremember，ascomingfromcertainvoices。Icannottranslateitintowords，——onlyintofeelings；andtheseIhaveattemptedtoshadowbyshowingthatherfacehintedthatrevelationofsomethingweareclosetoknowing，whichallimaginativepersonsarelookingforeitherinthisworldorontheverythresholdofthenext。
Youshakeyourheadatthevaguenessandfancifulincomprehensiblenessofmydescriptionoftheexpressioninayounggirl’sface。Youforgetwhatamiserablesurface-matterthislanguageisinwhichwetrytoreproduceourinteriorstateofbeing。Articulationisashallowtrick。FromthelightPoh！whichwetossofffromourlipsasweflinganamelessscribbler’simpertinenceintoourwaste-baskets，tothegravestutteranceswhichcomesfromourthroatsinourmomentsofdeepestneed，isonlyaspaceofsomethreeorfourinches。Words，whichareasetofclickings，hissings，lispings，andsoon，meanverylittle，comparedtotonesandexpressionofthefeatures。Igiveitup；IthoughtI
couldshadowforthinsomefeebleway，bytheiraid，theeffectthisyounggirl’sfaceproducesonmyimagination；butitisofnouse。
Nodoubtyourheadaches，tryingtomakesomethingofmydescription。IfthereishereandthereonethatcanmakeanythingintelligibleoutofmytalkabouttheGreatSecret，andwhohasspeltoutasyllableortwoofitonsomewoman’sface，deadorliving，thatisallIcanexpect。Oneshouldseethepersonwithwhomheconversesaboutsuchmatters。Therearedreamy-eyedpeopletowhomIshouldsayallthesethingswithacertaintyofbeingunderstood；——
ThatmomentthathisfaceIsee，IknowthemanthatmusthearmeTohimmytaleIteach——
IamafraidsomeofthemhavenotgotasparequarterofadollarforthisAugustnumber，sothattheywillneverseeit——
Letusstartagain，justasifwehadnotmadethisambitiousattempt，whichmaygofornothing，andyoucanhaveyourmoneyrefunded，ifyouwillmakethechange。
Thisyounggirl，aboutwhomIhavetalkedsounintelligibly，istheunconsciouscentreofattractiontothewholesolarsystemofourbreakfast-table。TheLittleGentlemanleanstowardsher，andsheagainseemstobeswayedasbysomeinvisiblegentleforcetowardshim。Thatslightinclinationoftwopersonswithastrongaffinitytowardseachother，throwingthemalittleoutofplumbwhentheysitsidebyside，isaphysicalfactIhaveoftennoticed。Thenthereisatendencyinallthemen’seyestoconvergeonher；andI
dofirmlybelieve，that，ifalltheirchairswereexamined，theywouldbefoundalittleobliquelyplaced，soastofavorthedirectioninwhichtheiroccupantslovetolook。
Thatbland，quietoldgentleman，ofwhomIhavespokenassittingoppositetome，isnoexceptiontotherule。Shebroughtdownsomemignonetteonemorning，whichshehadgrowninherchamber。Shegaveasprigtoherlittleneighbor，andonetothelandlady，andsentanotherbythehandofBridgettothisoldgentleman——
Sarvant，Ma’amIMuchobleeged，——hesaid，andputitgallantlyinhisbutton-hole——Afterbreakfasthemustseesomeofherdrawings。
Veryfineperformances，——veryfine！——trulyelegantproductions，trulyelegant！——HadseenMissLinwood’sneedleworkinLondon，intheyeareighteenhundredandlittleornothing，Ithinkhesaid，-
patronizedbythenobilityandgentry，andHerMajesty，——elegant，trulyelegantproductions，veryfineperformances；thesedrawingsremindedhimofthem；——wonderfulresemblancetoNature；anextraordinaryart，painting；Mr。Copleymadesomeveryfinepicturesthatherememberedseeingwhenhewasaboy。UsedtoremembersomelinesaboutaportraitWrittenbyMr。Cowper，beginning，Ohthatthoselipshadlanguage！Lifehaspass’dWithmebutroughlysinceIheardtheelast。\"
Andwiththistheoldgentlemanfelltothinkingaboutadeadmotherofhisthatherememberedeversomuchyoungerthanhenowwas，andlooking，notashismother，butashisdaughtershouldlook。Thedeadyoungmotherwaslookingattheoldman，herchild，assheusedtolookathimsomany，manyyearsago。Hestoodstillasifinawakingdream，hiseyesfixedonthedrawingstilltheiroutlinesgrewindistinctandtheyranintoeachother，andapale，sweetfaceshapeditselfoutoftheglimmeringlightthroughwhichhesawthem——
Whatistherequitesoprofoundlyhumanasanoldman’smemoryofamotherwhodiedinhisearlieryears？Mothersheremainstillmanhood，andby-and-byshegrowstobeasasister；andatlast，when，wrinkledandbowedandbroken，helooksbackuponherinherfairyouth，heseesinthesweetimagehecaresses，nothisparent，but，asitwere，hischild。
IfIhadnotseenallthisintheoldgentleman’sface，thewordswithwhichhebrokehissilencewouldhavebetrayedhistrainofthought——
Iftheyhadonlytakenpicturesthenastheydonow！——hesaid——
Allgone！allgone！nothingbutherfaceassheleanedonthearmsofhergreatchair；andIwouldgiveahundredpoundforthepoorestlittlepictureofher，suchasyoucanbuyforashillingofanybodythatyoudon’twanttosee——Theoldgentlemanputhishandtohisforeheadsoastoshadehiseyes。Isawhewaslookingatthedimphotographofmemory，andturnedfromhimtoIris。
Howmanydrawing-bookshaveyoufilled，——Isaid，——sinceyoubegantotakelessons？——Thiswasthefirst，——sheanswered，——sinceshewashere；anditwasnotfull，butthereweremanyseparatesheetsoflargesizeshehadcoveredwithdrawings。
Iturnedovertheleavesofthebookbeforeus。Academicstudies，principallyofthehumanfigure。Headsofsibyls，prophets，andsoforth。Limbsfromstatues。HandsandfeetfromNature。Whatasuperbdrawingofanarm！Idon’trememberitamongthefiguresfromMichelAngelo，whichseemtohavebeenherpatternsmainly。
>FromNature，Ithink，orafteracastfromNature——Oh！——
Yoursmallerstudiesareinthis，Isuppose，——Isaid，takingupthedrawing-bookwithalockonit，——Yes，——shesaid——Ishouldliketoseeherstyleofworkingonasmallscale——Therewasnothinginitworthshowing，——shesaid；andpresentlyIsawhertrythelock，whichprovedtobefast。Weareallcaricaturedinit，Ihaven’ttheleastdoubt。Ithink，though，Icouldtellbyherwayofdealingwithuswhatherfancieswereaboutusboarders。Someofthemactasiftheywerebewitchedwithher，butshedoesnotseemtonoticeitmuch。Herthoughtsseemtobeonherlittleneighbormorethanonanybodyelse。TheyoungfellowJohnappearstostandsecondinhergoodgraces。Ithinkhehasonceortwicesentherwhatthelandlady’sdaughtercallsbo-kaysofflowers，——somebodyhas，atanyrate——Isawabookshehad，whichmusthavecomefromthedivinity-student。Ithadadrearytitle-page，whichshehadenlivenedwithafancyportraitoftheauthor，——afacefrommemory，apparently，——oneofthosefacesthatsmallchildrenloathewithoutknowingwhy，andwhichgivethemthatinwarddisgustforheavensomanyofthelittlewretchesbetray，whentheyhearthattheseare\"goodmen，\"andthatheavenisfullofsuch——Thegentlemanwiththediamond——theKoh-i-noor，socalledbyus——wasnotencouraged，I
think，bythereceptionofhispacketofperfumedsoap。HepullshispurplemoustacheandlooksappreciatinglyatIris，whoneverseeshim，asitshouldseem。TheyoungMarylander，whoIthoughtwouldhavebeeninlovewithherbeforethistime，sometimeslooksfromhiscorneracrossthelongdiagonalofthetable，asmuchastosay，Iwishyouwereupherebyme，orIweredowntherebyyou，——
whichwould，perhaps，beamorenaturalarrangementthanthepresentone。Butnothingcomesofallthis，——andnothinghascomeofmysagaciousideaoffindingoutthegirl’sfanciesbylookingintoherlockeddrawing-book。
NottogiveupallthequestionsIwasdeterminedtosolve，ImadeanattemptalsotoworkintotheLittleGentleman’schamber。Forthispurpose，Ikepthiminconversation，onemorning，untilhewasjustreadytogoup-stairs，andthen，asiftocontinuethetalk，followedhimashetoiledbacktohisroom。Herestedonthelandingandfacedroundtowardme。Therewassomethinginhiseyewhichsaid，Stopthere！Sowefinishedourconversationonthelanding。Thenextday，Imusteredassuranceenoughtoknockathisdoor，havingapretextready——Noanswer——Knockagain。Adoor，asifofacabinet，wasshutsoftlyandlocked，andpresentlyI
heardthepeculiardeadbeatofhisthick-soled，misshapenboots。
Theboltsandthelockoftheinnerdoorwereunfastened，——withunnecessarynoise，Ithought，——andhecameintothepassage。HepulledtheinnerdoorafterhimandopenedtheouteroneatwhichI
stood。Hehadonafloweredsilkdressing-gown，suchas\"Mr。Copley\"usedtopainthisold-fashionedmerchant-princesin；
andaquaint-lookingkeyinhishand。Ourconversationwasshort，butlongenoughtoconvincemethattheLittleGentlemandidnotwantmycompanyinhischamber，anddidnotmeantohaveit。
Ihavebeenmakingagreatfussaboutwhatisnomysteryatall，——aschoolgirl’ssecretsandawhimsicalman’shabits。Imeantogiveupsuchnonsenseandmindmyownbusiness——Hark！Whatthedeuseisthatoddnoiseinhischamber？——
IthinkIamalittlesuperstitious。Thereweretwothings，whenIwasaboy，thatdiabolizedmyimagination，——Imean，thatgavemeadistinctapprehensionofaformidablebodilyshapewhichprowledroundtheneighborhoodwhereIwasbornandbred。Thefirstwasaseriesofmarkscalledthe\"Devil’sfootsteps。\"Thesewerepatchesofsandinthepastures，wherenograssgrew，wherethelow-bushblackberry，the\"dewberry，\"asourSouthernneighborscallit，inprettierandmoreShakspearianlanguage，didnotspreaditsclingingcreepers，——whereeventhepale，dry，sadly-sweet\"everlasting\"couldnotgrow，butallwasbareandblasted。Thesecondwasamarkinoneofthepublicbuildingsnearmyhome，——thecollegedormitorynamedafteraColonialGovernor。Idonotthinkmanypersonsareawareoftheexistenceofthismark，——littlehavingbeensaidaboutthestoryinprint，asitwasconsideredverydesirable，forthesakeoftheInstitution，tohushitup。Inthenorthwestcorner，andonthelevelofthethirdorfourthstory，therearesignsofabreachinthewalls，mendedprettywell，butnottobemistaken。A
considerableportionofthatcornermusthavebeencarriedaway，fromwithinoutward。Itwasanunpleasantaffair；andIdonotcaretorepeattheparticulars；butsomeyoungmenhadbeenusingsacredthingsinaprofaneandunlawfulway，whentheoccurrence，whichwasvariouslyexplained，tookplace。ThestoryoftheAppearanceinthechamberwas，Isuppose，inventedafterwards；butoftheinjurytothebuildingtherecouldbenoquestion；andthezig-zagline，wherethemortarisalittlethickerthanbefore，isstilldistinctlyvisible。Thequeerburntspots，calledthe\"Devil’sfootsteps，\"hadneverattractedattentionbeforethistime，thoughthereisnoevidencethattheyhadnotexistedpreviously，exceptthatofthelateMissM。，a\"Goody，\"socalled，orsweeper，whowaspositiveonthesubject，buthadastrangehorrorofreferringtoanaffairofwhichshewasthoughttoknowsomething——Itellyouitwasnotsopleasantforalittleboyofimpressiblenaturetogouptobedinanoldgambrel-roofedhouse，withuntenanted，lockedupper-chambers，andamostghostlygarret，——withthe\"Devil’sfootsteps\"inthefieldsbehindthehouseandinfrontofitthepatcheddormitorywheretheunexplainedoccurrencehadtakenplacewhichstartledthosegodlessyouthsattheirmockdevotions，sothatoneofthemwasepilepticfromthatdayforward，andanother，afteradreadfulseasonofmentalconflict，tookholyordersandbecamerenownedforhisasceticsanctity。
TherewereothercircumstancesthatkeptuptheimpressionproducedbythesetwosingularfactsIhavejustmentioned。Therewasadarkstoreroom，onlookingthroughthekey-holeofwhich，Icoulddimlyseeaheapofchairsandtables，andotherfour-footedthings，whichseemedtometohaverushedinthere，frightened，andintheirfrighttohavehuddledtogetherandclimbeduponeachother’sbacks，——asthepeopledidinthatawfulcrushwheresomanywerekilled，attheexecutionofHollowayandHaggerty。ThentheLady’sportrait，up-stairs，withthesword-thruststhroughit，——marksoftheBritishofficers’rapiers，——andthetallmirrorinwhichtheyusedtolookattheirredcoats，——confoundthemforsmashingitsmate？——andthedeep，cunninglywroughtarm-chairinwhichLordPercyusedtositwhilehishairwasdressing；——hewasagentleman，andalwayshaditcoveredwithalargepeignoir，tosavethesilkcoveringmygrandmotherembroidered。Thenthelittleroomdownstairsfromwhichwenttheorderstothrowupabankofearthonthehillyonder，whereyoumaynowobserveagraniteobelisk，——\"thestudy\"inmyfather’stime，butinthosedaysthecouncil-chamberofarmedmen，——sometimesfilledwithsoldiers；comewithme，andIwillshowyouthe\"dents\"leftbythebuttsoftheirmusketsalloverthefloor。Withallthesesuggestiveobjectsroundme，aidedbythewildstoriesthoseawfulcountry-boysthatcametoliveinourservicebroughtwiththem；——ofcontractswritteninbloodandleftoutovernight，nottobefoundthenextmorning，removedbytheEvilOne，whotakeshisnightlyroundamongourdwellings，andfiledawayforfutureuse，——ofdreamscomingtrue，——ofdeath-signs，——ofapparitions，nowonderthatmyimaginationgotexcited，andIwasliabletosuperstitiousfancies。
JeremyBentham’slogic，bywhichheprovedthathecouldn’tpossiblyseeaghostisallverywell-intheday-time。Allthereasonintheworldwillnevergetthoseimpressionsofchildhood，createdbyjustsuchcircumstancesasIhavebeentelling，outofaman’shead。
ThatistheonlyexcuseIhavetogiveforthenervouskindofcuriositywithwhichIwatchmylittleneighbor，andtheobstinacywithwhichIlieawakewheneverIhearanythinggoingoninhischamberaftermidnight。
ButwhateverfurtherobservationsImayhavemademustbedeferredforthepresent。Youwillseeinwhatwayithappenedthatmythoughtswereturnedfromspiritualmatterstobodilyones，andhowIgotmyfancyfullofmaterialimages，——faces，heads，figures，muscles，andsoforth，——insuchawaythatIshouldhavenochanceinthisnumbertogratifyanycuriosityyoumayfeel，ifIhadthemeansofsodoing。
Indeed，Ihavecomeprettynearomittingmyperiodicalrecordthistime。Itwasalltheworkofafriendofmine，whowouldhaveitthatIshouldsittohimformyportrait。Whenasouldrawsabodyinthegreatlotteryoflife，whereeveryoneissureofaprize，suchasitis，thesaidsoulinspectsthesaidbodywiththesamecuriousinterestwithwhichonewhohasventuredintoa\"giftenterprise\"examinesthe\"massivesilverpencil-case\"withthecopperysmellandimpressibletube，orthe\"splendidgoldring\"withthequestionablespecificgravity，whichithasbeenhisfortunetoobtaininadditiontohispurchase。
Thesoul，havingstudiedthearticleofwhichitfindsitselfproprietor，thinks，afteratime，itknowsitprettywell。Butthereisthisdifferencebetweenitsviewandthatofapersonlookingatus:——welookfromwithin，andseenothingbutthemouldformedbytheelementsinwhichweareincased；otherobserverslookfromwithout，andseeusaslivingstatues。Tobesure，bytheaidofmirrors，wegetafewglimpsesofouroutsideaspect；butthisoccasionalimpressionisalwaysmodifiedbythatlookofthesoulfromwithinoutwardwhichnonebutourselvescantake。Aportraitisapt，therefore，tobeasurprisetous。Theartistlooksonlyfromwithout。Heseesus，too，withahundredaspectsonourfacesweareneverlikelytosee。Nogenuineexpressioncanbestudiedbythesubjectofitinthelooking-glass。
Morethanthis；heseesusinawayinwhichmanyofourfriendsoracquaintancesneverseeus。Withoutwearinganymaskweareconsciousof，wehaveaspecialfaceforeachfriend。For，inthefirstplace，eachputsaspecialreflectionofhimselfuponus，ontheprincipleofassimilationyoufoundreferredtoinmylastrecord，ifyouhappenedtoreadthatdocument。Andsecondly，eachofourfriendsiscapableofseeingjustsofar，andnofarther，intoourface，andeachseesinittheparticularthingthathelooksfor。Nowtheartist，ifheistrulyanartist，doesnottakeanyoneofthesespecialviews。Supposeheshouldcopyyouasyouappeartothemanwhowantsyournametoasubscription-list，youcouldhardlyexpectafriendwhoentertainsyoutorecognizethelikenesstothesmilingfacewhichshedsitsradianceathisboard。
Evenwithinyourownfamily，Iamafraidthereisafacewhichtherichuncleknows，thatisnotsofamiliartothepoorrelation。Theartistmusttakeoneortheother，orsomethingcompoundedofthetwo，orsomethingdifferentfromeither。Whatthedaguerreotypeandphotographdoistogivethefeaturesandoneparticularlook，theverylookwhichkillsallexpression，thatofself-consciousness。
Theartistthrowsyouoffyourguard，watchesyouinmovementandinrepose，putsyourfacethroughitsexercises，observesitstransitions，andsogetsthewholerangeofitsexpression。Outofallthisheformsanidealportrait，whichisnotacopyofyourexactlookatanyonetimeortoanyparticularperson。Suchaportraitcannotbetoeverybodywhattheunglovedcall\"asnat’ralaslife。\"Everygoodpicture，therefore，mustbeconsideredwantinginresemblancebymanypersons。
Thereisonestrangerevelationwhichcomesout，astheartistshapesyourfeaturesfromhisoutline。Itisthatyouresemblesomanyrelativestowhomyouyourselfneverhadnoticedanyparticularlikenessinyourcountenance。
Heisatworkatmenow，whenIcatchsomeoftheseresemblances，thus:
There！thatisjustthelookmyfatherusedtohavesometimes；I
neverthoughtIhadasignofit。Themother’seyebrowandgrayish-
blueeye，thoseIknewIhad。Butthereisasomethingwhichrecallsasmilethatfadedawayfrommysister’slips——howmanyyearsago！Ithoughtitsopleasantinher，thatIlovemyselfbetterforhavingatraceofit。
Arewenotyoung？Arewenotfreshandblooming？Wait，abit。Theartisttakesameanlittlebrushanddrawsthreefinelines，divergingoutwardsfromtheeyeoverthetemple。Fiveyears——Theartistdrawsonetolerablydistinctandtwofaintlines，perpendicularlybetweentheeyebrows。Tenyears——Theartistbreaksupthecontoursroundthemouth，sothattheylookalittleasahatdoesthathasbeensatuponandrecovereditself，ready，asonewouldsay，tocrumpleupagaininthesamecreases，onsmilingorotherchangeoffeature——Holdon！Stopthat！Giveayoungfellowachance！ArewenotwholeyearsshortofthatinterestingperiodoflifewhenMr。Balzacsaysthataman，etc。，etc。，etc。？
Therenow！Thatisourself，aswelookafterfinishinganarticle，gettingathree-milepullwiththeten-footsculls，redressingthewrongsofthetoilet，andstandingwiththelightofhopeinoureyeandthereflectionofaredcurtainonourcheek。IshenotaPOET
thatpaintedus？
\"Blestbetheartthatcanimmortalize！\"
COWPER——
Youngfolkslookonafaceasaunit；childrenwhogotoschoolwithanygivenlittleJohnSmithseeinhisnameadistinctiveappellation，andinhisfeaturesasspecialanddefiniteanexpressionofhissoleindividualityasifhewerethefirstcreatedofhisrace:Assoonasweareoldenoughtogettherangeofthreeorfourgenerationswellinhand，andtotakeinlargefamilyhistories，weneverseeanindividualinafaceofanystockweknow，butamosaiccopyofapattern，withfragmentarytintsfromthisandthatancestor。Theanalysisofafaceintoitsancestralelementsrequiresthatitshouldbeexaminedintheveryearliestinfancy，beforeithaslostthatancientandsolemnlookitbringswithitoutofthepasteternity；andagaininthatbriefspacewhenLife，themightysculptor，hasdonehiswork，andDeath，hissilentservant，liftstheveilandletsuslookatthemarblelineshehaswroughtsofaithfully；andlastly，whileapainterwhocanseizeallthetraitsofacountenanceisbuildingitup，featureafterfeature，fromtheslightoutlinetothefinishedportrait——
Iamsatisfied，that，aswegrowolder，welearntolookuponourbodiesmoreandmoreasatemporarypossessionandlessandlessasidentifiedwithourselves。Inearlyyears，whilethechild\"feelsitslifeineverylimb，\"itlivesinthebodyandforthebodytoaverygreatextent。Itoughttobeso。Therehavebeenmanyveryinterestingchildrenwhohaveshownawonderfulindifferencetothethingsofearthandanextraordinarydevelopmentofthespiritualnature。Thereisaperfectliteratureoftheirbiographies，allalikeintheiressentials；thesame\"disinclinationtotheusualamusementsofchildhood\"；thesameremarkablesensibility；thesamedocility；thesameconscientiousness；inshort，analmostuniformcharacter，markedbybeautifultraits，whichwelookatwithapainfuladmiration。Itwillbefoundthatmostofthesechildrenarethesubjectsofsomeconstitutionalunfitnessforliving，themostfrequentofwhichIneednotmention。Theyarelikethebeautiful，blushing，half-grownfruitthatfallsbeforeitstimebecauseitscoreisgnawedout。Theyhavetheirmeaning，——theydonot-liveinvain，——buttheyarewindfalls。Iamconvincedthatmanyhealthychildrenareinjuredmorallybybeingforcedtoreadtoomuchabouttheselittlemeeksufferersandtheirspiritualexercises。Hereisaboythatlovestorun，swim，kickfootball，turnsomersets，makefaces，whittle，fish，tearhisclothes，coast，skate，firecrackers，blowsquash\"tooters，\"cuthisnameonfences，readaboutRobinsonCrusoeandSinbadtheSailor，eatthewidest-
angledslicesofpieanduntoldcakesandcandies，cracknutswithhisbackteethandbiteoutthebetterpartofanotherboy’sapplewithhisfrontones，turnupcoppers，\"stick\"knives，callnames，throwstones，knockoffhats，setmousetraps，chalkdoorsteps，\"cutbehind\"anythingonwheelsorrunners，whistlethroughhisteeth，\"holler\"Fire！onslightevidence，runaftersoldiers，patronizeanengine-company，or，inhisownwords，\"blowfortubNo。11，\"orwhateveritmaybe；——isn’tthataprettynicesortofaboy，thoughhehasnotgotanythingthematterwithhimthattakesthetasteofthisworldout？Now，whenyouputintosuchahot-blooded，hard-
fisted，round-cheekedlittlerogue’shandasad-lookingvolumeorpamphlet，withtheportraitofathin，white-facedchild，whoselifeisreallyasmuchatrainingfordeathasthelastmonthofacondemnedcriminal’sexistence，whatdoeshefindincommonbetweenhisownoverflowingandexultingsenseofvitalityandtheexperiencesofthedoomedoffspringofinvalidparents？Thetimecomeswhenwehavelearnedtounderstandthemusicofsorrow，thebeautyofresignedsuffering，theholylightthatplaysoverthepillowofthosewhodiebeforetheirtime，inhumblehopeandtrust。
Butitisnotuntilhehasworkedhiswaythroughtheperiodofhonestheartyanimalexistence，whicheveryrobustchildshouldmakethemostof，——notuntilhehaslearnedtheuseofhisvariousfaculties，whichishisfirstduty，——thataboyofcourageandanimalvigorisinaproperstatetoreadthesetearfulrecordsofprematuredecay。Ihavenodoubtthatdisgustisimplantedinthemindsofmanyhealthychildrenbyearlysurfeitsofpathologicalpiety。IdoverilybelievethatHewhotookchildreninHisarmsandblessedthemlovedthehealthiestandmostplayfulofthemjustaswellasthosewhowererichestinthetuberculousvirtues。I
knowwhatIamtalkingabout，andtherearemoreparentsinthiscountrywhowillbewillingtolistentowhatIsaythantherearefoolstopickaquarrelwithme。InthesensibilityandthesanctitywhichoftenaccompanyprematuredecayIseeoneofthemostbeautifulinstancesoftheprincipleofcompensationwhichmarkstheDivinebenevolence。ButtogetthespiritualhygieneofrobustnaturesoutoftheexceptionalregimenofinvalidsisjustsimplywhatweProfessorscall\"badpractice\"；andIknowbyexperiencethatthereareworthypeoplewhonotonlytryitontheirownchildren，butactuallyforceitonthoseoftheirneighbors——
Havingbeenphotographed，andstereographed，andchromatographed，ordoneincolors，itonlyremainedtobephrenologized。ApolitenotefromMessrs。BumpusandCrane，requestingourattendanceattheirPhysiologicalEmporium，wastootemptingtoberesisted。WerepairedtothatscientificGolgotha。
Messrs。BumpusandCranearearrangedontheplanofthemanandthewomaninthetoycalleda\"weather-house，\"bothonthesamewoodenarmsuspendedonapivot，——sothatwhenonecomestothedoor，theotherretiresbackwards，andviceversa。Themoreparticularspecialityofoneistolubricateyourentranceandexit，——thatoftheothertopolishyouoffphrenologicallyintherecessesoftheestablishment。Supposeyourselfinaroomfullofcastsandpictures，beforeacounterfulofbookswithtakingtitles。Iwonderifthepictureofthebrainisthere，\"approved\"byanotedPhrenologist，whichwascopiedfrommy，theProfessor’s，folioplate，intheworkofGallandSpurzheim。Anextraconvolution，No。
9，Destructiveness，accordingtothelistbeneath，whichwasnottobeseenintheplate，itselfacopyofNature，wasveryliberallysuppliedbytheartist，tomeetthewantsofthecatalogueof\"organs。\"ProfessorBumpusisseatedinfrontofarowofwomen，——
horn-combersandgold-beaders，orsomewhereaboutthatrangeoflife，——lookingsocredulous，that，ifanySecond-AdventMillerorJoeSmithshouldcomealong，hecouldstringthewholelotofthemonhischeapestlie，asaboystringsadozen\"shiners\"onastrippedtwigofwillow。
TheProfessormeaningourselvesisinahurry，asusual；letthehorn-comberswait，——heshallbebumpedwithoutinspectingtheantechamber。
Taperoundthehead，——22inches。Comeon，old23inches，ifyouthinkyouarethebetterman！
Feelsthoraxandarm，andnuzzlesroundamongmusclesasthosehorridoldwomenpoketheirfingersintothesalt-meatontheprovision-stallsattheQuincyMarket。Vitality，No。5or6，orsomethingorother。Victuality，organatepigastrium，someothernumberequallysignificant。
Mildchampooingofheadnowcommences。’Extraordinaryrevelations！
Cupidiphilous，6！Hymeniphilous，6！Paediphilous，5！
Deipniphilous，6！Gelasmiphilous，6！Musikiphilous，5！
Uraniphilous，5！Glossiphilous，8！！andsoon。Meantforalinguist——Invaluableinformation。Willinvestingrammarsanddictionariesimmediately——Ihavenothingagainstthegrandtotalofmyphrenologicalendowments。