Ineversetgreatstorebymyhead，anddidnotthinkMessrs。
BumpusandCranewouldgivemesogoodalotoforgansastheydid，especiallyconsideringthatIwasadead-headonthatoccasion。
Muchobligedtothemfortheirpoliteness。Theyhavebeenusefulintheirwaybycallingattentiontoimportantphysiologicalfacts。
ThisconcessionisduetoourimmensebumpofCandor。
AshortLectureonPhrenology，readtotheBoardersatourBreakfast-Table。
Ishallbegin，myfriends，withthedefinitionofaPseudo-science。
APseudo-scienceconsistsofanomenclature，withaself-adjustingarrangement，bywhichallpositiveevidence，orsuchasfavorsitsdoctrines，isadmitted，andallnegativeevidence，orsuchastellsagainstit，isexcluded。Itisinvariablyconnectedwithsomelucrativepracticalapplication。Itsprofessorsandpractitionersareusuallyshrewdpeople；theyareveryseriouswiththepublic，butwinkandlaughagooddealamongthemselves。Thebelievingmultitudeconsistsofwomenofbothsexes，feeblemindedinquirers，poeticaloptimists，peoplewhoalwaysgetcheatedinbuyinghorses，philanthropistswhoinsistonhurryingupthemillennium，andothersofthisclass，withhereandthereaclergyman，lessfrequentlyalawyer，veryrarelyaphysician，andalmostneverahorse-jockeyoramemberofthedetectivepolice——IdonotsaythatPhrenologywasoneofthePseudo-sciences。
APseudo-sciencedoesnotnecessarilyconsistwhollyoflies。Itmaycontainmanytruths，andevenvaluableones。Therottenestbankstartswithalittlespecie。Itputsoutathousandpromisestopayonthestrengthofasingledollar，butthedollarisverycommonlyagoodone。ThepractitionersofthePseudo-sciencesknowthatcommonminds，aftertheyhavebeenbaitedwitharealfactortwo，willjumpatthemerestragofalie，orevenatthebarehook。
Whenwehaveonefactfoundus，weareveryapttosupplythenextoutofourownimagination。HowmanypersonscanreadJudgesxv。
16correctlythefirsttime？ThePseudo-sciencestakeadvantageofthis——IdidnotsaythatitwassowithPhrenology。
IhaverarelymetasensiblemanwhowouldnotallowthattherewassomethinginPhrenology。Abroad，highforehead，itiscommonlyagreed，promisesintellect；onethatis\"villanouslow\"andhasahugehind-headbackofit，iswonttomarkananimalnature。Ihaveasrarelymetanunbiassedandsensiblemanwhoreallybelievedinthebumps。Itisobserved，however，thatpersonswithwhatthePhrenologistscall\"goodheads\"aremorepronethanotherstowardplenarybeliefinthedoctrine。
Itissohardtoproveanegative，that，ifamanshouldassertthatthemoonwasintruthagreencheese，formedbythecoagulablesubstanceoftheMilkyWay，andchallengemetoprovethecontrary，Imightbepuzzled。Butifheoffertosellmeatonofthislunarcheese，IcallonhimtoprovethetruthoftheGaseousnatureofoursatellite，beforeIpurchase。
Itisnotnecessarytoprovethefalsityofthephrenologicalstatement。Itisonlynecessarytoshowthatitstruthisnotproved，andcannotbe，bythecommoncourseofargument。Thewallsoftheheadaredouble，withagreatair-chamberbetweenthem，overthesmallestandmostcloselycrowded\"organs。\"Canyoutellhowmuchmoneythereisinasafe，whichalsohasthickdoublewalls，bykneadingitsknobswithyourfingers？Sowhenamanfumblesaboutmyforehead，andtalksabouttheorgansofIndividuality，Size，etc。，ItrusthimasmuchasIshouldifhefeltoftheoutsideofmystrong-boxandtoldmethattherewasafive-dollaroraten-
dollar-billunderthisorthatparticularrivet。Perhapsthereis；
onlyhedoesn’tknowanythingaboutat。ButthisisapointthatI，theProfessor，understand，myfriends，oroughtto，certainly，betterthanyoudo。Thenextargumentyouwillallappreciate。
Iproceed，therefore，toexplaintheself-adjustingmechanismofPhrenology，whichisverysimilartothatofthePseudo-sciences。
Anexamplewillshowitmostconveniently。
A。isanotoriousthief。Messrs。BumpusandCraneexaminehimandfindagood-sizedorganofAcquisitiveness。PositivefactforPhrenology。CastsanddrawingsofA。aremultiplied，andthebumpdoesnotloseintheactofcopying——Ididnotsayitgained——
Whatdoyoulooksofor？totheboarders。
PresentlyB。turnsup，abiggerthiefthanA。ButB。hasnobumpatalloverAcquisitiveness。Negativefact；goesagainstPhrenology——
Notabitofit。Don’tyouseehowsmallConscientiousnessis？
That’sthereasonB。stole。
AndthencomesC。，tentimesasmuchathiefaseitherA。orB。，——
usedtostealbeforehewasweaned，andwouldpickoneofhisownpocketsandputitscontentsinanother，ifhecouldfindnootherwayofcommittingpettylarceny。Unfortunately，C。hasahollow，insteadofabump，overAcquisitiveness。Ah，butjustlookandseewhatabumpofAlimentiveness！DidnotC。buynutsandgingerbread，whenaboy，withthemoneyhestole？Ofcourseyouseewhyheisathief，andhowhisexampleconfirmsournoblescience。
Atlastcomesalongacasewhichisapparentlyasettler，forthereisalittlebrainwithvastandvariedpowers，——acaselikethatofByron，forinstance。Thencomesoutthegrandreserve-reasonwhichcoverseverythingandrendersitsimplyimpossibleevertocorneraPhrenologist。\"Itisnotthesizealone，butthequalityofanorgan，whichdeterminesitsdegreeofpower。\"
Oh！oh！Isee——TheargumentmaybebrieflystatedthusbythePhrenologist:\"HeadsIwin，tailsyoulose。\"Well，that’sconvenient。
ItmustbeconfessedthatPhrenologyhasacertainresemblancetothePseudo-sciences。IdidnotsayitwasaPseudo-science。
IhaveoftenmetpersonswhohavebeenaltogetherstruckupandamazedattheaccuracywithwhichsomewanderingProfessorofPhrenologyhadreadtheircharacterswrittenupontheirskulls。OfcoursetheProfessoracquireshisinformationsolelythroughhiscranialinspectionsandmanipulations——Whatareyoulaughingat？
totheboarders。——Butletusjustsuppose，foramoment，thatatolerablycunningfellow，whodidnotknoworcareanythingaboutPhrenology，shouldopenashopandundertaketoreadoffpeople’scharactersatfiftycentsoradollarapiece。Letusseehowwellhecouldgetalongwithoutthe\"organs。\"
Iwillsupposemyselftosetupsuchashop。Iwouldinvestonehundreddollars，moreorless，incastsofbrains，skulls，charts，andothermattersthatwouldmakethemostshowforthemoney。Thatwoulddotobeginwith。IwouldthenadvertisemyselfasthecelebratedProfessorBrainey，orwhatevernameImightchoose，andwaitformyfirstcustomer。Myfirstcustomerisamiddle-agedman。
Ilookathim，——askhimaquestionortwo，soastohearhimtalk。
WhenIhavegotthehangofhim，Iaskhimtositdown，andproceedtofumblehisskull，dictatingasfollows:
SCALEFROM1TO10。
LISTOFFACULTIESFORPRIVATENOTESFORMYPUPIL。
CUSTOMER。
Eachtobeaccompaniedwithawink。
Amativeness，7。Mostmenlovetheconflictingsex，andallmenlovetobetoldtheydo。
Alimentiveness，8。Don’tyouseethathehasburstoffhislowestwaistcoat-buttonwithfeeding，——heyAcquisitiveness，8。Ofcourse。Amiddle-agedYankee。
Approbativeness7。Hatwellbrushed。Hairditto。Marktheeffectofthatplussign。
Self-Esteem6。Hisfaceshowsthat。
Benevolence9。That’llpleasehim。
Conscientiousness8？Thatfractionlooksfirst-rate。
Mirthfulness7Haslaughedtwicesincehecamein。
Ideality9Thatsoundswell。
Form，Size，Weight，4to6。AverageeverythingthatColor，Locality，cannotbeguessed。
Eventuality，etc。etc。
Andsooftheotherfaculties。
Ofcourse，youknow，thatisn’tthewaythePhrenologistsdo。Theygoonlybythebumps——Whatdoyoukeeplaughingsofor？totheboarders。IonlysaidthatisthewayIshouldpractise\"Phrenology\"foraliving。
EndofmyLecture——
TheReformershavegoodheads，generally。Theirfacesarecommonlysereneenough，andtheyarelambsinprivateintercourse，eventhoughtheirvoicesmaybelikeThewolf’slonghowlfromOonalaska’sshore，whenheardfromtheplatform。Theirgreatestspiritualdangerisfromtheperpetualflatteryofabusetowhichtheyareexposed。
Theselinesaremeanttocautionthem。
SAINTANTHONYTHEREFORMER。
HISTEMPTATION。
Nofearlestpraiseshouldmakeusproud！
Weknowhowcheaplythatiswon；
TheidlehomageofthecrowdIsproofoftasksasidlydone。
Asurface-smilemaypaythetoilThatfollowsstilltheconqueringRight，Withsoft，whitehandstodressthespoilThatsunbrownedvalorclutchedinfight。
Singthesweetsongofotherdays，Serenelyplacid，safelytrue，Ando’erthepresent’sparchingwaysThyversedistilslikeeveningdew。
Butspeakinwordsoflivingpower，——
TheyfalllikedropsofscaldingrainThatplashedbeforetheburningshowerSwepto’erthecitiesoftheplain！
ThenscowlingHateturnsdeadlypale，——
ThenPassion’shalf-coiledaddersspring，And，smittenthroughtheirleprousmail，Strikerightandleftinhopetosting。
Ifthou，unmovedbypoisoningwrath，Thyfeetonearth，thyheartabove，Canstwalkinpeacethykinglypath，Unchangedintrust，unchilledinlove，——
Tookindforbitterwordstogrieve，Toofirmforclamortodismay，WhenFaithforbidstheetobelieve，AndMeeknesscallstodisobey，——
Ah，thenbewareofmortalpride！
ThesmilingpridethatcalmlyscornsThosefoolishfingers，crimsondyedInlaboringonthycrownofthorns！
IX
Oneofourboarders——perhapsmorethanonewasconcernedinit——sentinsomequestionstome，theotherday，which，trivialassomeofthemare，Ifeltboundtoanswer。
1——Whetheraladywaseverknowntowritealettercoveringonlyasinglepage？
TothisIanswered，thattherewasacaseonrecordwherealadyhadbuthalfasheetofpaperandnoenvelope；andbeingobligedtosendthroughthepost-office，shecoveredonlyonesideofthepapercrosswise，lengthwise，anddiagonally。
2——Whatconstitutesamanagentleman？
TothisIgaveseveralanswers，adaptedtoparticularclassesofquestioners。
a。Nottryingtobeagentleman。
b。Self-respectunderlyingcourtesy。
c。Knowledgeandobservanceofthefitnessofthingsinsocialintercourse。
d。f。s。d。asmanysuppose。
3——Whetherfaceorfigureismostattractiveinthefemalesex？
Answeredinthefollowingepigram，byayoungmanabouttown:
QuothTom，\"Thoughfairherfeaturesbe，Itisherfigurepleasesme。\"
\"Whatmayherfigurebe？\"Icried。
\"Onehundredthousand！\"hereplied。
Whenthiswasreadtotheboarders，theyoungmanJohnsaidheshouldlikeachanceto\"stepup\"toafiggerofthatkind，ifthegirlwasoneoftherightsort。
Thelandladysaidthemthatmerriedformoneydidn’tdeservetheblessin’ofagoodwife。Moneywasagreatthingwhenthemthathaditmadeagooduseofit。Shehadseenbetterdaysherself，andknewwhatitwasnevertowantforanything。Oneofhercousinsmerriedaveryricholdgentleman，andshehadheerdthathesaidhelivedtenyearlongerthanifhe’dstaidbyhimselfwithoutanybodytotakecareofhim。Therewasnothin’likeawifefornussin’sickfolksandthemthatcouldn’ttakecareofthemselves。
TheyoungmanJohngotoffalittlewink，andpointedslylywithhisthumbinthedirectionofourdiminutivefriend，forwhomheseemedtothinkthisspeechwasintended。
Ifitwasmeantforhim，hedidn’tappeartoknowthatitwas。
Indeed，heseemssomewhatlistlessoflate，exceptwhentheconversationfallsupononeofthoselargertopicsthatspeciallyinteresthim，andthenhegrowsexcited，speaksloudandfast，sometimesalmostsavagely，——and，Ihavenoticedonceortwice，presseshislefthandtohisrightside，asifthereweresomethingthatached，orweighed，orthrobbedinthatregion。
Whilehespeaksinthisway，thegeneralconversationisinterrupted，andwealllistentohim。Irislookssteadilyinhisface，andthenhewillturnasifmagnetizedandmeettheambereyeswithhisownmelancholygaze。Idobelievethattheyhavesomekindofunderstandingtogether，thattheymeetelsewherethanatourtable，andthatthereisamystery，whichisgoingtobreakuponusallofasudden，involvingtherelationsofthesetwopersons。Fromtheveryfirst，theyhavetakentoeachother。Theonethingtheyhaveincommonistheheroicwill。Inhim，itshowsitselfinthinkinghiswaystraightforward，indoingbattlefor\"freetradeandnorightofsearch\"onthehighseasofreligiouscontroversy，andespeciallyinfightingthebattlesofhiscrookedoldcity。Inher，itisstandingupforherlittlefriendwiththemostqueenlydisregardofthecodeofboarding-houseetiquette。Peoplemaysayorlookwhattheylike，——shewillhaveherwayaboutthissentimentofhers。
ThePoorRelationisinadreadfulfidgetwhenevertheLittleGentlemansaysanythingthatinterfereswithherowninfallibility。
SheseemstothinkFaithmustgowithherfacetiedup，asifshehadthetoothache，——andthatifsheopenshermouthtothequarterthewindblowsfrom，shewillcatchher\"deatho’cold。\"
Thelandladyherselfcametohimoneday，asIhavefoundout，andtriedtopersuadehimtoholdhistongue——Theboarderswasgettin’
uneasy，——shesaid，——andsomeof’emwouldgo，shemistrusted，ifhetalkedanymoreaboutthingsthatbelongedtotheministerstosettle。Shewasapoorwoman，thathadknownbetterdays，butallherlivin’dependedonherboarders，andshewassuretherewasn’tanyof’emshesetsomuchbyasshedidbyhim；buttherewasthemthatneverlikedtohearaboutsechthings，exceptonSundays。
TheLittleGentlemanlookedverysmilingatthelandlady，whosmiledevenmorecordiallyinreturn，andadjustedhercap-ribbonwithanunconsciousmovement，——areminiscenceofthelong-pastpairing-time，whenshehadsmoothedherlocksandsoftenedhervoice，andwonhermatebytheseandotherbird-likegraces——MydearMadam，——hesaid，——Iwillrememberyourinterests，andspeakonlyofmatterstowhichIamtotallyindifferent——Idon’tdoubthemeantthis；butadayortwoafter，somethingstirredhimup，andIheardhisvoiceutteringitselfaloud，thus:-
Itmustbedone，Sir！——hewassaying，——itmustbedone！OurreligionhasbeenJudaized，ithasbeenRomanized，ithasbeenOrientalized，ithasbeenAnglicized，andthetimeisathandwhenitmustbeAMERICANIZED！Now，Sir，youseewhatAmericanizingisinpolitics；——itmeansthatamanshallhaveavotebecauseheisaman，——andshallvoteforwhomhepleases，withouthisneighbor’sinterference。IfhechoosestovotefortheDevil，thatishislookout；——perhapshethinkstheDevilisbetterthantheothercandidates；andIdon’tdoubthe’softenright，Sir。Justsoaman’ssoulhasavoteinthespiritualcommunity；anditdoesn’tdo，Sir，oritwon’tdolong，tocallhim\"schismatic\"and\"heretic\"andthoseotherwickednamesthattheoldmurderousInquisitorshaveleftustohelpalong\"peaceandgoodwilltomen\"！
Aslongasyoucouldcatchamananddrophimintoanoubliette，orpullhimoutafewincheslongerbymachinery，orputahotironthroughhistongue，ormakehimclimbupaladderandsitonaboardatthetopofastakesothatheshouldbeslowlybroiledbythefirekindledroundit，therewassomesenseinthesewords；theyledtosomething。Butsincewehavedonewiththosetools，wehadbettergiveupthosewords。IshouldliketoseeaYankeeadvertisementlikethis！——theLittleGentlemanlaughedfiercelyasheutteredthewords，————
Patentthumb-screws，——willcrushtheboneinthreeturns——
Thecast-ironboot，withwedgeandmallet，onlyfivedollars！——
Thecelebratedextension-rack，warrantedtostretchamansixinchesintwentyminutes，——moneyreturned，ifitprovesunsatisfactory。
Ishouldliketoseesuchanadvertisement，Isay，Sir！Now，what’stheuseofusingthewordsthatbelongedwiththethumb-screws，andtheBlessedVirginwiththeknivesunderherpetticoatsandsleevesandbodice，andthedrypanandgradualfire，ifwecan’thavethethingsthemselves，Sir？What’stheuseofpaintingthefireroundapoorfellow，whenyouthinkitwon’tdotokindleoneunderhim，——astheydidatValenciaorValladolid，orwhereveritwas？——
Whatstoryisthat？——Isaid。
Why，——heanswered，——atthelastauto-da-fe，in1824or’5，orsomewherethere，——it’satraveller’sstory，butamightyknowingtravellerheis，——theyhada\"heretic\"touseupaccordingtothestatutesprovidedforthecrimeofprivateopinion。Theycouldn’tquitemakeuptheirmindstoburnhim，sotheyonlyhunghiminahogsheadpaintedalloverwithflames！
No，Sir！whenamancallsyounamesbecauseyougototheballot-
boxandvoteforyourcandidate，orbecauseyousaythisorthatisyouropinion，heforgetsinwhichhalfoftheworldhewasborn，Sir！Itwon’tbelong，Sir，beforewehaveAmericanizedreligionaswehaveAmericanizedgovernment；andthen，Sir，everysoulGodsendsintotheworldwillbegoodinthefaceofallmenforjustsomuchofHis\"inspiration\"as\"givethhimunderstanding\"！——Noneofmywords，Sir！noneofmywords！——
IfIrisdoesnotlovethisLittleGentleman，whatdoeslovelooklikewhenoneseesit？Shefollowshimwithhereyes，sheleansovertowardhimwhenhespeaks，herfacechangeswiththechangesofhisspeech，sothatonemightthinkitwaswithheraswithChristabel，——
ThatallherfeatureswereresignedTothissoleimageinhermind。
Butsheneverlooksathimwithsuchintensityofdevotionaswhenhesaysanythingaboutthesoulandthesoul’satmosphere，religion。
Womenaretwiceasreligiousasmen；——alltheworldknowsthat。
Whethertheyareanybetter，intheeyesofAbsoluteJustice，mightbequestioned；fortheadditionalreligiouselementsuppliedbysexhardlyseemstobeamatterofpraiseorblame。Butinallcommonaspectstheyaresomuchaboveusthatwegetmostofourreligionfromthem，——fromtheirteachings，fromtheirexample，——aboveall，fromtheirpureaffections。
NowthispoorlittleIrishadbeentalkedtostrangelyinherchildhood。Especiallyshehadbeentoldthatshehatedallgoodthings，——whicheverysensibleparentknowswellenoughisnottrueofagreatmanychildren，tosaytheleast。Ihavesometimesquestionedwhethermanylibelsonhumannaturehadnotbeenanaturalconsequenceofthecelibacyoftheclergy，whichwasenforcedforsolongaperiod。
Thechildhadmetthisandsomeotherequallyencouragingstatementsastoherspiritualconditions，earlyinlife，andfoughtthebattleofspiritualindependenceprematurely，asmanychildrendo。IfallshedidwashatefultoGod，whatwasthemeaningoftheapprovingorelsethedisapprovingconscience，whenshehaddone\"right\"or\"wrong\"？No\"shoulder-striker\"hitsoutstraighterthanachildwithitslogic。Why，IcanrememberlyinginmybedinthenurseryandsettlingquestionswhichallthatIhaveheardsinceandgotoutofbookshasneverbeenabletoraiseagain。Ifachilddoesnotassertitselfinthiswayingoodseason，itbecomesjustwhatitsparentsorteacherswere，andisnobetterthanaplasticimage——
HowoldwasIatthetime？——Isupposeabout5823yearsold，——thatis，countingfromArchbishopUsher’sdateoftheCreation，andaddingthelifeoftherace，whoseaccumulatedintelligenceisapartofmyinheritance，tomyown。AgooddealolderthanPlato，yousee，andmuchmoreexperiencedthanmyLordBaconandmostoftheworld’steachers——Oldbooks，asyouwellknow，arebooksoftheworld’syouth，andnewbooksarefruitsofitsage。Howmanyofalltheseancientfoliosroundmearelikesomanyoldcupels！Thegoldhaspassedoutofthemlongago，buttheirporesarefullofthedrosswithwhichitwasmingled。
AndsoIris——havingthrownoffthatfirstlassowhichnotonlyfetters，butchokesthosewhomitcanhold，sothattheygivethemselvesuptremblingandbreathlesstothegreatsoul-subduer，whohasthembythewindpipehadsettledabriefcreedforherself，inwhichloveoftheneighbor，whomwehaveseen，wasthefirstarticle，andloveoftheCreator，whomwehavenotseen，grewoutofthisasitsnaturaldevelopment，beingnecessarilysecondinorderoftimetothefirstunselfishemotionswhichwefeelforthefellow-creatureswhosurroundusinourearlyyears。
Thechildmusthavesomeplaceofworship。Whatwouldayounggirlbewhonevermingledhervoicewiththesongsandprayersthatroseallaroundherwitheveryreturningdayofrest？AndIriswasfreetochoose。Sometimesoneandsometimesanotherwouldoffertocarryhertothisorthatplaceofworship；andwhenthedoorswerehospitablyopened，shewouldoftengomeeklyinbyherself。Itwasacuriousfact，thattwochurchesasremotefromeachotherindoctrineascouldwellbedividedheraffections。
TheChurchofSaintPolycarphadverymuchthelookofaRomanCatholicchapel。IdonotwishtoruntheriskofgivingnamestotheecclesiasticalfurniturewhichgaveitsuchaRomishaspect；buttherewerepictures，andinscriptionsinantiquatedcharacters，andtherewerereading-stands，andflowersonthealtar，andotherelegantarrangements。Thentherewereboystosingalternatelyinchoirsresponsivetoeachother，andtherewasmuchbowing，withveryloudresponding，andalongserviceandashortsermon，andabag，suchasJudasusedtoholdintheoldpictures，wascarriedroundtoreceivecontributions。Everythingwasdonenotonly\"decentlyandinorder，\"but，perhapsonemightsay，withacertainairofmagnifyingtheirofficeonthepartofthedignifiedclergymen，oftentwoorthreeinnumber。ThemusicandthefreewelcomeweregratefultoIris，andsheforgotherprejudicesatthedoorofthechapel。Forthiswasachurchwithopendoors，withseatsforallclassesandallcolorsalike，——achurchofzealousworshippersaftertheirfaith，ofcharitableandserviceablemenandwomen，onethattookcareofitschildrenandneverforgotitspoor，andwhosepeopleweremuchmoreoccupiedinlookingoutfortheirownsoulsthaninattackingthefaithoftheirneighbors。Initsmodeofworshiptherewasaunionoftwoqualities，——thetasteandrefinement，whichtheeducatedrequirejustasmuchintheirchurchesaselsewhere，andtheairofstateliness，almostofpomp，whichimpressesthecommonworshipper，andisoftennotwithoutitseffectuponthosewhothinktheyholdoutwardformsasoflittlevalue。Underthehalf-RomishaspectoftheChurchofSaintPolycarp，theyounggirlfoundadevoutandlovingandsingularlycheerfulreligiousspirit。Theartisticsense，whichbetrayeditselfinthedramaticproprietiesofitsritual，harmonizedwithhertaste。Themingledmurmuroftheloudresponses，inthoserhythmicphrases，sosimple，yetsofervent，almostasifeverytenthheart-beat，insteadofitsdulltic-tac，articulateditselfas\"GoodLord，deliverus！\"——thesweetalternationofthetwochoirs，astheirholysongfloatedfromsidetoside，thekeenyoungvoicesrisinglikeaflightofsinging-birdsthatpassesfromonegrovetoanother，carryingitsmusicwithitbackandforward，——whyshouldshenotlovethesegraciousoutwardsignsofthoseinnerharmonieswhichnonecoulddenymadebeautifulthelivesofmanyofherfellow-worshippersinthehumble，yetnotinelegantChapelofSaintPolycarp？
TheyoungMarylander，whowasbornandbredtothatmodeofworship，hadintroducedhertothechapel，forwhichhedidthehonorsforsuchofourboardersaswerenototherwiseprovidedfor。Isawthemlookingoverthesameprayer-bookoneSunday，andIcouldnothelpthinkingthattwosuchyoungandhandsomepersonscouldhardlyworshiptogetherinsafetyforagreatwhile。Buttheyseemedtomindnothingbuttheirprayer-book。By-and-bythesilkenbagwashandedround——Idon’tbelieveshewill；soawkward，youknow；-
besides，sheonlycamebyinvitation。Theresheis，withherhandinherpocket，though，——andsureenough，herlittlebitofsilvertinkledasitstruckthecoinbeneath。Godblessher！shehasn’tmuchtogive；buthereyeglistenswhenshegivesit，andthatisallHeavenasks——ThatwasthefirsttimeInoticedtheseyoungpeopletogether，andIamsuretheybehavedwiththemostcharmingpropriety，——infact，therewasoneofoursilentlady-boarderswiththem，whoseeyeswouldhavekeptCupidandPsychetotheirgoodbehavior。AdayortwoafterthisInoticedthattheyounggentlemanhadlefthisseat，whichyoumayrememberwasatthecornerdiagonaltothatofIris，sothattheyhavebeenasfarremovedfromeachotherastheycouldbeatthetable。Hisnewseatisthreeorfourplacesfartherdownthetable。OfcourseImadearomanceoutofthis，atonce。Sostupidnottoseeit！Howcoulditbeotherwise？——Didyouspeak，Madam？Ibegyourpardon。Tomylady-reader。
Ineversawanythinglikethetendernesswithwhichthisyounggirltreatsherlittledeformedneighbor。Ifhewereinthewayofgoingtochurch，Iknowshewouldfollowhim。Buthisworship，ifany，isnotwiththethrongofmenandwomenandstaringchildren。
I，theProfessor，ontheotherhand，amaregularchurch-goer。I
shouldgoforvariousreasonsifIdidnotloveit；butIamhappyenoughtofindgreatpleasureinthemidstofdevoutmultitudes，whetherIcanacceptalltheircreedsornot。Oneplaceofworshipcomesnearerthantheresttomyidealstandard，andtothisitwasthatIcarriedouryounggirl。
TheChurchoftheGalileans，asitiscalled，isevenhumblerinoutsidepretensionsthantheChurchofSaintPolycarp。Likethat，itisopentoallcomers。Thestrangerwhoapproachesitlooksdownaquietstreetandseestheplainestofchapels，——akindofwoodentent，thatoweswhatevergraceithastoitspointedwindowsandthehigh，sharproofs——traces，both，ofthatupwardmovementofecclesiasticalarchitecturewhichsoaredaloftincathedral-spires，shootingintotheskyasthespikeofafloweringaloefromtheclusterofbroad，sharp-wedgedleavesbelow。Thissuggestionofmedievalsymbolism，aidedbyaminuteturretinwhichahand-bellmighthavehungandfoundjustroomenoughtoturnover，wasallofoutwardshowthesmalledificecouldboast。Withintherewasverylittlethatpretendedtobeattractive。Asmallorganatoneside，andaplainpulpit，showedthatthebuildingwasachurch；butitwasachurchreducedtoitssimplestexpression:
YetwhenthegreatandwisemonarchoftheEastsatuponhisthrone，inallthegoldenblazeofthespoilsofOphirandthefreightsofthenavyofTarshish，hisglorywasnotlikethatofthissimplechapelinitsSundaygarniture。Fortheliliesofthefield，intheirseason，andthefairestflowersoftheyear，induesuccession，wereclusteredeverySundaymorningoverthepreacher’sdesk。Slight，thin-tissuedblossomsofpinkandblueandvirginwhiteinearlyspring，thenthefull-breastedanddeep-heartedrosesofsummer，thenthevelvet-robedcrimsonandyellowflowersofautumn，andinthewinterdelicateexoticsthatgrewunderskiesofglassinthefalsesummersofourcrystalpalaceswithoutknowingthatitwasthedreadfulwinterofNewEnglandwhichwasrattlingthedoorsandfrostingthepanes，——intheirlanguagethewholeyeartolditshistoryoflifeandgrowthandbeautyfromthatsimpledesk。Therewasalwaysatleastonegoodsermon，——thisfloralhomily。Therewasatleastonegoodprayer，——thatbriefspacewhenallweresilent，afterthemanneroftheFriendsattheirdevotions。
Here，too，Irisfoundanatmosphereofpeaceandlove。Thesamegentle，thoughtfulfaces，thesamecheerfulbutreverentialspirit，thesamequiet，thesamelifeofactivebenevolence。ButinallelsehowdifferentfromtheChurchofSaintPolycarp！Noclericalcostume，noceremonialforms，nocarefullytrainedchoirs。A
liturgytheyhave，tobesure，whichdoesnotscrupletoborrowfromthetime-honoredmanualsofdevotion，butalsodoesnothesitatetochangeitsexpressionstoitsownliking。
Perhapsthegoodpeopleseemalittleeasywitheachother；——theyareapttonodfamiliarly，andhaveevenbeenknowntowhisperbeforetheministercamein。ButitisarelieftogetridofthatoldSunday——no，——Sabbathface，whichsuggeststheideathatthefirstdayoftheweekiscommemorativeofsomemostmournfulevent。
Thetruthis，thesebrethrenandsistersmeetverymuchasafamilydoesforitsdevotions，notputtingofftheirhumanityintheleast，consideringitonthewholequiteadelightfulmattertocometogetherforprayerandsongandgoodcounselfromkindandwiselips。Andiftheyarefreerintheirdemeanorthansomeveryprecisecongregations，theyhavenottheairofaworldlysetofpeople。Clearlytheyhavenotcometoadvertisetheirtailorsandmilliners，norforthesakeofexchangingcriticismsontheliterarycharacterofthesermontheymayhear。Thereisnorestlessnessandnorestraintamongthesequiet，cheerfulworshippers。Onethingthatkeepsthemcalmandhappyduringtheseasonsoevidentlytryingtomanycongregationsis，thattheyjoinverygenerallyinthesinging。Inthiswaytheygetridofthataccumulatednervousforcewhichescapesinallsortsoffidgetymovements，sothataministertryingtokeephiscongregationstillremindsoneofaboywithhishandoverthenoseofapumpwhichanotherboyisworking，——thisspirtingimpatienceofthepeopleissolikethejetsthatfindtheirwaythroughhisfingers，andthegrandrushoutatthefinalAmen！hassuchawonderfullikenesstothegushthattakesplacewhentheboypullshishandaway，withimmenserelief，asitseems，toboththepumpandtheofficiatingyoungster。
Howsweetisthisblendingofallvoicesandallheartsinonecommonsongofpraise！Somewillsingalittleloud，perhaps，——andnowandthenanimpatientchoristerwillgetasyllableortwoinadvance，oranenchantedsingersoloseallthoughtoftimeandplaceintheluxuryofaclosingcadencethatheholdsontothelastsemi-breveuponhisprivateresponsibility；buthowmuchmoreofthespiritoftheoldPsalmistinthemusicoftheseimperfectlytrainedvoicesthanintheacademicnicetiesofthepaidperformerswhotakeourmusicalworshipoutofourhands！
IamoftheopinionthatthecreedoftheChurchoftheGalileansisnotlaiddowninasmanydetailsasthatoftheChurchofSaintPolycarp。YetIsuspect，ifoneofthegoodpeoplefromeachofthosechurcheshadmetoverthebedofasufferingfellow-creature，orforthepromotionofanycharitableobject，theywouldhavefoundtheyhadmoreincommonthanallthespecialbeliefsorwantofbeliefsthatseparatedthemwouldamountto。Therearealwaysmanywhobelievethatthefruitsofatreeaffordabettertestofitsconditionthanastatementofthecompostswithwhichitisdressed，thoughthelasthasitsmeaningandimportance，nodoubt。
Betweenthesetwochurches，then，ouryoungIrisdividesheraffections。ButIdoubtifshelistenstothepreacherateitherwithmoredevotionthanshedoestoherlittleneighborwhenhetalksofthesematters。
Whatdoeshebelieve？Inthefirstplace，thereissomedeep-rooteddisquietlyingatthebottomofhissoul，whichmakeshimverybitteragainstallkindsofusurpationovertherightofprivatejudgment。Overthisseemstolieacertaintendernessforhumanityingeneral，bredoutoflife-longtrial，Ishouldsay，butsharplystreakedwithfierylinesofwrathatvariousindividualactsofwrong，especiallyiftheycomeinanecclesiasticalshape，andrecalltohimthedayswhenhismother’sgreat-grandmotherwasstrangledonWitchHill，withatextfromtheOldTestamentforherhalter。Withallthis，hehasaboundlessbeliefinthefutureofthisexperimentalhemisphere，andespeciallyinthedestinyofthefreethoughtofitsnortheasternmetropolis——
Amancanseefurther，Sir，——hesaidoneday，——fromthetopofBostonStateHouse，andseemorethatisworthseeing，thanfromallthepyramidsandturretsandsteeplesinalltheplacesintheworld！Nosmoke，Sir；nofog，Sir；andacleansweepfromtheOuterLightandtheseabeyondittotheNewHampshiremountains！Yes，Sir，——andtherearegreattruthsthatarehigherthanmountainsandbroaderthanseas，thatpeoplearelookingforfromthetopsofthesehillsofours；——suchastheworldneversaw，thoughitmighthaveseenthematJerusalem，ifitseyeshadbeenopen！——Wheredotheyhavemostcrazypeople？Tellmethat，Sir！
Ianswered，thatIhadhearditsaidthereweremoreinNewEnglandthaninmostcountries，perhapsmorethaninanypartoftheworld。
Verygood，Sir，——heanswered——Whenhavetherebeenmostpeoplekilledandwoundedinthecourseofthiscentury？
DuringthewarsoftheFrenchEmpire，nodoubt，——Isaid。
That’sit！that’sit！——saidtheLittleGentleman；——wherethebattleofintelligenceisfought，therearemostmindsbruisedandbroken！
We’rebattlingforafaithhere，Sir。
Thedivinity-studentremarked，thatitwasratherlateintheworld’shistoryformentobelookingoutforanewfaith。
Ididn’tsayanewfaith，——saidtheLittleGentleman；——oldornew，itcan’thelpbeingdifferenthereinthisAmericanmindofoursfromanythingthateverwasbefore；thepeoplearenew，Sir，andthatmakesthedifference。Oneloadofcorngoestothesty，andmakesthefatofswine，——anothergoestothefarm-house，andbecomesthemusclethatclothestherightarmsofheroes。Itisn’twhereapawnstandsontheboardthatmakesthedifference，butwhatthegamerounditiswhenitisonthisorthatsquare。
CananymanlookroundandseewhatChristiancountriesarenowdoing，andhowtheyaregoverned，andwhatisthegeneralconditionofsociety，withoutseeingthatChristianityistheflagunderwhichtheworldsails，andnottherudderthatsteersitscourse？No，Sir！Therewasagreatraftbuiltabouttwothousandyearsago，——
callitanark，rather，——theworld’sgreatark！bigenoughtoholdallmankind，andmadetobelaunchedrightoutintotheopenwavesoflife，——andhereithasbeenlying，oneendontheshoreandoneendbobbingupanddowninthewater，menfightingallthetimeastowhoshouldbecaptainandwhoshouldhavethestate-rooms，andthrowingeachotheroverthesidebecausetheycouldnotagreeaboutthepointsofcompass，butthegreatvesselnevergettingafloatwithitsfreightofnationsandtheirrulers；——andnow，Sir，thereisandhasbeenforthislongtimeafleetof\"heretic\"lighterssailingoutofBostonBay，andtheyhavebeensaying，andtheysaynow，andtheymeantokeepsaying，\"Pumpoutyourbilge-water，shoveloveryourloadsofidleballast，getoutyouroldrottencargo，andwewillcarryitoutintodeepwatersandsinkitwhereitwillneverbeseenagain；soshallthearkoftheworld’shopefloatontheocean，insteadofstickinginthedock-mudwhereitislying！\"
It’saslowbusiness，thisofgettingthearklaunched。TheJordanwasn’tdeepenough，andtheTiberwasn’tdeepenough，andtheRhonewasn’tdeepenough，andtheThameswasn’tdeepenough，andperhapstheCharlesisn’tdeepenough；butIdon’tfeelsureofthat，Sir，andIlovetoheartheworkmenknockingattheoldblocksoftraditionandmakingthewayssmoothwiththeoiloftheGoodSamaritan。Idon’tknow，Sir，——butIdothinkshestirsalittle，——
Idobelievesheslides；——andwhenIthinkofwhataworkthatisforthedearoldthree-breastedmotherofAmericanliberty，IwouldnottakeallthegloryofallthegreatestcitiesintheworldformybirthrightinthesoiloflittleBoston！——
Someofuscouldnothelpsmilingatthisburstoflocalpatriotism，especiallywhenitfinishedwiththelasttwowords。
AndIrissmiled，too。Butitwastheradiantsmileofpleasurewhichalwayslightsupherfacewhenherlittleneighborgetsexcitedonthegreattopicsofprogressinfreedomandreligion，andespeciallyonthepartwhich，ashepleaseshimselfwithbelieving，hisowncityistotakeinthatconsummationofhumandevelopmenttowhichhelooksforward。
Presentlyshelookedintohisfacewithachangedexpression，——theanxietyofamotherthatseesherchildsuffering。
Youarenotwell，——shesaid。
Iamneverwell，——heanswered——Hiseyesfellmechanicallyonthedeath’s-headringheworeonhisrighthand。Shetookhishandasifithadbeenababy’s，andturnedthegrimdevicesothatitshouldbeoutofsight。Oneslight，sad，slowmovementoftheheadseemedtosay，\"Thedeath-symbolisstillthere！\"
Averyoddpersonage，tobesure！Seemstoknowwhatisgoingon，——
readsbooks，oldandnew，——hasmanyrecentpublicationssenthim，theytellme，but，whatismorecurious，keepsupwiththeeverydayaffairsoftheworld，too。Whetherhehearseverythingthatissaidwithpreternaturalacuteness，orwhethersomeconfidentialfriendvisitshiminaquietway，ismorethanIcantell。IcanmakenothingmoreofthenoisesIhearinhisroomthanmyoldconjectures。ThemovementsImentionarelessfrequent，butIoftenheartheplaintivecry，——Iobservethatitisrarelylaughingoflate；——Ineverhavedetectedonearticulateword，butIneverheardsuchtonesfromanythingbutahumanvoice。
Therehasbeen，oflate，adeferenceapproachingtotenderness，onthepartoftheboardersgenerallysofarasheisconcerned。Thisisdoubtlessowingtotheairofsufferingwhichseemstohavesaddenedhislookoflate。Eithersomepassionisgnawingathiminwardly，orsomehiddendiseaseisatworkuponhim——
What’sthematterwithLittleBoston？——saidtheyoungmanJohntomeoneday——Therea’n’tmuchofhim，anyhow；but’tseemstomehelookspeakederthanever。Theoldwomansayshe’sinabadway，’n’
wantsapusstotakecareofhim。Thempussesthattakecareofoldrichfolksmarry’emsometimes，——’n’theydon’tcommonlyliveagreatwhileafterthat。No，Sir！Idon’tseewhathewantstodiefor，afterhe’stakensomuchtroubletoliveinsuchpooraccommodationsasthatcrookedbodyofhis。Ishouldliketoknowhowhissoulcrawledintoit，’n’howit’sgoin’togetout。Whatbusinesshashetodie，Ishouldliketoknow？LetMa’amAllenthegentlemanwiththediamonddie，ifhelikes，andbethisisafamily-magazine；butwea’n’tgoin’tohavehimdyin’。Notbyagreatsight。Can’tdowithouthimanyhow。A’n’titfuntohearhimblowoffhissteam？
Ibelievetheyoungfellowwouldtakeitasapersonalinsult，iftheLittleGentlemanshouldshowanysymptomsofquittingourtableforabetterworld——
Inthemeantime，whatwithgoingtochurchincompanywithouryounglady，andtakingeverychanceIcouldgettotalkwithher，I
havefoundmyselfbecoming，Iwillnotsayintimate，butwellacquaintedwithMissIris。Thereisacertainfranknessanddirectnessaboutherthatperhapsbelongtoherartistnature。For，yousee，theonethingthatmarksthetrueartistisaclearperceptionandafirm，boldhand，indistinctionfromthatimperfectmentalvisionanduncertaintouchwhichgiveusthefeeblepicturesandthelumpystatuesofthemereartisansoncanvasorinstone。A
trueartist，therefore，canhardlyfailtohaveasharp，well-
definedmentalphysiognomy。Besidesthis，manyyounggirlshaveastrangeaudacityblendedwiththeirinstinctivedelicacy。Eveninphysicaldaringmanyofthemareamatchforboys；whereasyouwillfindfewamongmaturewomen，andespeciallyiftheyaremothers，whodonotconfess，andnotunfrequentlyproclaim，theirtimidity。Oneoftheseyounggirls，asmanyofushereaboutsremember，climbedtothetopofajagged，slipperyrocklyingoutinthewaves，——anuglyheighttogetup，andaworseonetogetdown，evenforaboldyoungfellowofsixteen。Anotherwasinthewayofclimbingtalltreesforcrows’nests，——andcrowsgenerallyknowabouthowfarboyscan\"shinup，\"andsettheirhouseholdestablishmentsabovethathigh-
watermark。StillanotheroftheseyoungladiesIsawforthefirsttimeinanopenboat，tossingontheoceanground-swell，amileortwofromshore，offalonelyisland。Shelostallherdaring，aftershehadsomegirlsofherowntolookoutfor。
Manyblondesareverygentle，yieldingincharacter，impressible，unelastic。Butthepositiveblondes，withthegoldentintrunningthroughthem，areoftenfullofcharacter。Theycome，probablyenough，fromthosedeep-bosomedGermanwomenthatTacitusportrayedinsuchstrongcolors。Thenegativeblondes，orthosewomenwhosetintshavefadedoutastheirlineofdescenthasbecomeimpoverished，areofvariousblood，andinthemthesoulhasoftenbecomepalewiththatblanchingofthehairandlossofcolorintheeyeswhichmakesthemapproachthecharacterofAlbinesses。
Iseeinthisyounggirlthatunionofstrengthandsensibilitywhich，whendirectedandimpelledbythestronginstinctsoapttoaccompanythiscombinationofactiveandpassivecapacity，wecallgenius。Sheisnotanaccomplishedartist，certainly，asyet；butthereisalwaysanairineverycarelessfigureshedraws，asitwereofupwardaspiration，——theelanofJohnofBologna’sMercury，——
alifttothem，asiftheyhadonwingedsandals，liketheheraldoftheGods。Ihearhersingingsometimes；andthoughsheevidentlyisnottrained，yetisthereawildsweetnessinherfitfulandsometimesfantasticmelodies，——suchascancomeonlyfromtheinspirationofthemoment，——strangelyenough，remindingmeofthoselongpassagesIhaveheardfrommylittleneighbor’sroom，yetofdifferenttone，andbynomeanstobemistakenforthoseweirdharmonies。
IcannotpretendtodenythatIaminterestedinthegirl。Alone，unprotected，asIhaveseensomanyyounggirlsleftinboarding-
houses，thecentreofallthemen’seyesthatsurroundthetable，watchedwithjealoussharpnessbyeverywoman，mostofallbythatpoorrelationofourlandlady，whobelongstotheclassofwomenthatliketocatchothersinmischiefwhentheythemselvesaretoomatureforindiscretions，asoneseesoldroguesturntothief-
catchers，oneofNature’sgendarmerie，cladinacompletesuitofwrinkles，thecheapestcoat-of-mailagainsttheshaftsofthegreatlittleenemy，——sosurrounded，Irisspansthiscommonplacehousehold-
lifeofourswithherarchofbeauty，astherainbow，whosenamesheborrows，looksdownonadrearypasturewithitsfeedingflocksandherdsofindifferentanimals。
Theseyounggirlsthatliveinboarding-housescandoprettymuchastheywill。Thefemalegendarmesareoffguardoccasionally。Thesitting-roomhasitssolitarymoments，whenanytwoboarderswhowishtomeetmaycometogetheraccidentally，accidentally，Isaid，Madam，andIhadnottheslightestintentionofItalicizingtheword，anddiscussthesocialorpoliticalquestionsoftheday，oranyothersubjectthatmayproveinteresting。Manycharmingconversationstakeplaceatthefootofthestairs，orwhileoneofthepartiesisholdingthelatchofadoor，——intheshadowofporticoes，andespeciallyonthoseoutsidebalconieswhichsomeofourSouthernneighborscall\"stoops，\"themostcharmingplacesintheworldwhenthemoonisjustrightandtherosesandhoneysucklesareinfullblow，——asweusedtothinkineighteenhundredandnevermentionit。
Onsuchabalconyor\"stoop，\"oneevening，IwalkedwithIris。Wewereonprettygoodtermsnow，andIhadcoaxedherarmundermine，——
myleftarm，ofcourse。Thatleavesone’srightarmfreetodefendthelovelycreature，iftherival——odiouswretch！attempt，toravishherfromyourside。Likewiseifone’sheartshouldhappentobeatalittle，itsmutelanguagewillnotbewithoutitsmeaning，asyouwillperceivewhenthearmyouholdbeginstotremble，acircumstanceliketooccur，ifyouhappentobeagood-lookingyoungfellow，andyoutwohavethe\"stoop\"toyourselves。
Wehadittoourselvesthatevening。TheKoh-inoor，aswecalledhim，wasinacornerwithourlandlady’sdaughter。TheyoungfellowJohnwassmokingoutintheyard。Thegendarmewasafraidoftheeveningair，andkeptinside，TheyoungMarylandercametothedoor，lookedoutandsawuswalkingtogether，gavehishatapulloverhisforeheadandstalkedoff。Ifeltaslightspasm，asitwere，inthearmIheld，andsawthegirl’sheadturnoverhershoulderforasecond。Whatakindcreaturethisis！Shehasnospecialinterestinthisyouth，butshedoesnotliketoseeayoungfellowgoingoffbecausehefeelsasifhewerenotwanted。
Shehadherlockeddrawing-bookunderherarm——Letmetakeit，——I
said。
Shegaveittometocarry。
Thisisfullofcaricaturesofallofus，Iamsure，——saidI。
Shelaughed，andsaid，——No，——notallofyou。
Iwasthere，ofcourse？
Why，no，——shehadnevertakensomuchpainswithme。
Thenshewouldletmeseetheinsideofit？
Shewouldthinkofit。
Justasweparted，shetookalittlekeyfromherpocketandhandedittome。Thisunlocksmynaughtybook，——shesaid，——youshallseeit。Iamnotafraidofyou。
Idon’tknowwhetherthelastwordsexactlypleasedme。Atanyrate，Itookthebookandhurriedwithittomyroom。Iopenedit，andsaw，inafewglances，thatIheldtheheartofIrisinmyhand——
Ihavenoversesforyouthismonth，exceptthesefewlinessuggestedbytheseason。
MIDSUMMER。
Here！sweepthesefoolishleavesaway，Iwillnotcrushmybrainsto-day！
Look！arethesoutherncurtainsdrawn？
Fetchmeafan，andsobegone！
Notthat，——thepalm-tree’srustlingleafBroughtfromaparchingcoral-reef！
Itsbreathisheated；——IwouldswingThebroadgrayplumes，——theeagle’swing。
Ihatetheseroses’feverishblood！
Pluckmeahalf-blownlily-bud，Along-stemmedlilyfromthelake，Coldasacoilingwater-snake。
Rainmesweetodorsontheair，AndwheelmeupmyIndianchair，AndspreadsomebooknotoverwiseFlatoutbeforemysleepyeyes——
Whoknowsitnot，——thisdeadrecoilOfwearyfibresstretchedwithtoil，ThepulsethatfluttersfaintandlowWhenSummer’sseethingbreezesblow？
ONature！barethylovingbreastAndgivethychildonehourofrest，OnelittlehourtolieunseenBeneaththyscarfofleafygreen！
So，curtainedbyasingingpine，Itsmurmuringvoiceshallblendwithmine，Till，lostindreams，myfalteringlayInsweetermusicdiesaway。
X
IRIS，HERBOOK
Ipraytheebythesoulofherthatborethee，Bythineownsister’sspiritIimplorethee，Dealgentlywiththeleavesthatliebeforethee！
ForIrishadnomothertoinfoldher，Noreverleaneduponasister’sshoulder，TellingthetwilightthoughtsthatNaturetoldher。
ShehadnotlearnedthemysteryofawakingThosechordedkeysthatsootheasorrow’saching，Givingthedumbheartvoice，thatelsewerebreaking。
Yetlived，wrought，suffered。Lo，thepicturedtoken！
Whyshouldherfleetingday-dreamsfadeunspoken，Likedaffodilsthatdiewithsheathsunbroken？
Sheknewnotlove，yetlivedinmaidenfancies，Walkedsimplyclad，aqueenofhighromances，Andtalkedstrangetongueswithangelsinhertrances。
Twin-souledsheseemed，atwofoldnaturewearing，Sometimesaflashingfalconinherdaring，Thenapoormatelessdovethatdroopsdespairing。
Questioningallthings:WhyherLordhadsenther？
Whatwerethesetorturinggifts，andwhereforelenther？
Scornfulasspiritfallen，itsowntormentor。
Andthenalltearsandanguish:QueenofHeaven，SweetSaints，andThoubymortalsorrowsriven，Saveme！oh，saveme！ShallIdieforgiven？
Andthen——Ah，God！Butnay，itlittlemattersLookatthewastedseedsthatautumnscatters，ThemyriadgermsthatNatureshapesandshatters！
Ifshehad——Well！Shelonged，andknewnotwhereforeHadtheworldnothingshemightlivetocarefor？
Nosecondselftosayhereveningprayerfor？
Sheknewthemarbleshapesthatsetmendreaming，YetwithhershouldersbareandtressesstreamingShowednotunlovelytohersimpleseeming。
Vain？Letitbeso！Naturewasherteacher。
WhatifalonelyandunsisteredcreatureLovedherownharmlessgiftofpleasingfeature，Saying，unsaddened，——Thisshallsoonbefaded，Anddouble-huedtheshiningtressesbraided，Andallthesunlightofthemorningshaded？——
Thisherpoorbookisfullofsaddestfollies，Oftearfulsmilesandlaughingmelancholies，Withsummerrosestwinedandwintryhollies。
Inthestrangecrossingofuncertainchances，Somewhere，beneathsomemaiden’stear-dimmedglancesMayfallherlittlebookofdreamsandfancies。
Sweetsister！Iris，whoshallnevernamethee，Tremblingforfearheropenheartmayshamethee，Speaksfromthisvision-hauntedpagetoclaimthee。
Spareher，Ipraythee！Ifthemaidissleeping，Peacewithher！shehashadherhourofweeping。
Nomore！Sheleaveshermemoryinthykeeping。
Theseverseswerewritteninthefirstleavesofthelockedvolume。
AsIturnedthepages，Ihesitatedforamoment。Isitquitefairtotakeadvantageofagenerous，trustingimpulsetoreadtheunsunneddepthsofayounggirl’snature，whichIcanlookthrough，astheballoon-voyagerstellustheyseefromtheirhanging-basketsthroughthetranslucentwaterswhichthekeenesteyeofsuchassailovertheminshipsmightstrivetopierceinvain？Whyhasthechildtrustedmewithsuchartlessconfessions，——self-revelations，whichmightbewhisperedbytremblinglips，undertheveiloftwilight，insacredconfessionals，butwhichIcannotlookatinthelightofdaywithoutafeelingofwrongingasacredconfidence？
Toallthistheanswerseemedplainenoughafteralittlethought。
Shedidnotknowhowfearfullyshehaddisclosedherself；shewastooprofoundlyinnocent。HersoulwasnomoreashamedthanthefairshapesthatwalkedinEdenwithoutathoughtofover-liberalloveliness。Havingnobodytotellherstoryto，——having，asshesaidinherverses，nomusicalinstrumenttolaughandcrywithher，——nothing，inshort，butthelanguageofpenandpencil，——alltheveiningsofhernaturewereimpressedonthesepagesasthoseofafreshleafaretransferredtotheblanksheetswhichincloseit。
ItwasthesamethingwhichIrememberseeingbeautifullyshowninachildofsomefourorfiveyearswehadonedayatourboarding-
house。Thechildwasadeafmute。Butitssoulhadtheinnersensethatanswerstohearing，andtheshapingcapacitywhichthroughnaturalorgansrealizesitselfinwords。Onlyithadtotalkwithitsfacealone；andsuchspeakingeyes，suchrapidalternationsoffeelingandshiftingexpressionsofthoughtasflittedoveritsface，Ihaveneverseeninanyotherhumancountenance。
Iwonderifsomethingofspiritualtransparencyisnottypifiedinthegolden-blondeorganization。Thereareagreatmanylittlecreatures，——manysmallfishes，forinstance，——whichareliterallytransparent，withtheexceptionofsomeoftheinternalorgans。Theheartcanbeseenbeatingasifinacaseofcloudedcrystal。Thecentralnervouscolumnwithitssheathrunsasadarkstripethroughthewholelengthofthediaphanousmusclesofthebody。Otherlittlecreaturesaresodarkenedwithpigmentthatwecanseeonlytheirsurface。Conspiratorsandpoisonersarepaintedwithblack，beady-eyesandswarthyhue；Judas，inLeonardo’spicture，isthemodelofthemall。
Howeverthismaybe，IshouldsaythereneverhadbeenabooklikethisofIris，——sofulloftheheart’ssilentlanguage，sotransparentthattheheartitselfcouldbeseenbeatingthroughit。
Ishouldsaytherenevercouldhavebeensuchabook，butforonerecollection，whichisnotpeculiartomyself，butissharedbyacertainnumberofmyformertownsmen。IfyouthinkIover-colorthismatteroftheyounggirl’sbook，hearthis，whichthereareothers，asIjustsaid，besidesmyself，willtellyouisstrictlytrue。
THEBOOKOFTHETHREEMAIDENSISTERS。
InthetowncalledCantabridge，nowacity，water-veinedandgaswindpiped，inthestreetrunningdowntotheBridge，beyondwhichdweltSally，toldofinabookofafriendofmine，wasofoldahouseinhabitedbythreemaidens。Theyleftnonearkinsfolk，I
believe；whethertheydidornot，Ihavenoilltospeakofthem；
fortheylivedanddiedinallgoodreportandmaidenlycredit。Thehousetheylivedinwasofthesmall，gambrel-roofedcottagepattern，aftertheshapeofEsquires’houses，butafterthesizeofthedwellingsofhandicraftsmen。Thelowerstorywasfittedupasashop。Speciallywasitprovidedwithoneofthosehalf-doorsnowsorarelymetwith，whicharetowholedoorsasspencerswornbyoldfolkaretocoats。Theyspeakoflimitedcommerceunitedwithasocialorobservingdisposition——onthepartoftheshopkeeper，——
allowing，astheydo，talkwithpassers-by，yetkeepingoffsuchashavenottheexcuseofbusinesstocrossthethreshold。Onthedoor-posts，ateitherside，abovethehalf-door，hungcertainperennialarticlesofmerchandise，ofwhichmymemorystillhashangingamongitsfadedphotographsakindofnettedscarfandsomepairsofthickwoollenstockings。Morearticles，butnotverymany，werestoredinside；andtherewasonedrawer，containingchildren’sbooks，outofwhichIoncewastreatedtoaminutequartoornamentedwithhandsomecuts。ThiswastheonlypurchaseIeverknewtobemadeattheshopkeptbythethreemaidenladies，thoughitisprobabletherewereothers。SolongasIremembertheshop，thesamescarfand，Ishouldsay，thesamestockingshungonthedoor-
posts——YouthinkIamexaggeratingagain，andthatshopkeeperswouldnotkeepthesamearticleexposedforyears。Cometome，theProfessor，andIwilltakeyouinfiveminutestoashopinthiscitywhereIwillshowyouanarticlehangingnowintheveryplacewheremorethanthirtyyearsagoImyselfinquiredthepriceofitofthepresentheadoftheestablishment。[Thiswasaglassalembic，whichhungupinDanielHenchman’sapothecaryshop，cornerofCambridgeandChambersstreets。]
Thethreemaidenswereofcomelypresence，andoneofthemhadhadclaimstobeconsideredaBeauty。WhenIsawthemintheoldmeeting-houseonSundays，astheyrustledinthroughtheaislesinsilksandsatins，notgay，butmorethandecent，asIrememberthem，IthoughtofMyLadyBountifulinthehistoryof\"LittleKingPippin，\"andoftheMadamBlaizeofGoldsmithwho，bytheway，musthavetakenthehintofitfromapleasantpoem，\"MonsieurdelaPalisse，\"attributedtoDelaMonnoye，inthecollectionofFrenchsongsbeforeme。TherewassomestoryofanoldromanceinwhichtheBeautyhadplayedherpart。Perhapstheyallhadhadlovers；
for，asIsaid，theywereshapelyandseemlypersonages，asI
rememberthem；buttheirliveswereoutoftheflowerandintheberryatthetimeofmyfirstrecollections。
Oneafteranothertheyallthreedroppedaway，objectsofkindlyattentiontothegoodpeopleround，leavinglittleoralmostnothing，andnobodytoinheritit。Notabsolutelynothing，ofcourse。Theremusthavebeenafewolddresses——perhapssomebitsoffurniture，aBible，andthespectaclesthegoodoldsoulsreaditthrough，andlittlekeepsakes，suchasmakeuscrytolookat，whenwefindtheminolddrawers；——suchrelicstheremusthavebeen。Buttherewasmore。Therewasamanuscriptofsomehundredpages，closelywritten，inwhichthepoorthingshadchronicledformanyyearstheincidentsoftheirdailylife。Aftertheirdeathitwaspassedroundsomewhatfreely，andfellintomyhands。HowIhavecriedandlaughedandcoloredoverit！Therewasnothinginittobeashamedof，perhapstherewasnothinginittolaughat，butsuchapictureofthemodeofbeingofpoorsimplegoodoldwomenIdobelievewasneverdrawnbefore。Andtherewereallthesmallestincidentsrecorded，suchasdoreallymakeuphumblelife，butwhichdieoutofallmereliterarymemoirs，asthehouseswheretheEgyptiansortheAthenianslivedcrumbleandleaveonlytheirtemplesstanding。Iknow，forinstance，thatonagivendayofacertainyear，akindlywoman，herselfapoorwidow，now，Itrust，notwithoutspecialmerciesinheavenforhergooddeeds，——forI
readhernameonapropertabletinthechurchyardaweekago，——sentafractionalpuddingfromherowntabletotheMaidenSisters，who，Ifear，fromthewarmthanddetailoftheirdescription，werefasting，oratleastonshortallowance，aboutthattime。Iknowwhosentthemthesegmentofmelon，whichinherriotousfancyoneofthemcomparedtothosehugebargestowhichwegivetheungraciousnameofmudscows。ButwhyshouldIillustratefurtherwhatitseemsalmostabreachofconfidencetospeakof？Somekindfriend，whocouldchallengeanearerinterestthanthecuriousstrangersintowhosehandsthebookmightfall，atlastclaimedit，andIwasgladthatitshouldbehenceforthsealedtocommoneyes。
Ilearnedfromitthateverygoodand，alas！everyevilactwedomayslumberunforgotteneveninsomeearthlyrecord。Igotanewlessoninthathumanitywhichoursharpracefindsitsohardtolearn。Thepoorwidow，fightinghardtofeedandclotheandeducateherchildren，hadnotforgottenthepoorerancientmaidens。
Irememberedittheotherday，asIstoodbyherplaceofrest，andIfeltsurethatitwasrememberedelsewhere。Iknowthereareprettierwordsthanpudding，butIcan’thelpit，——thepuddingwentupontherecord，Ifeelsure，withthemitewhichwascastintothetreasurybythatotherpoorwidowwhosedeedtheworldshallrememberforever，andwiththecoatsandgarmentswhichthegoodwomencriedover，whenTabitha，calledbyinterpretationDorcas，laydeadintheupperchamber，withhercharitableneedleworkstrewedaroundher——
SuchwastheBookoftheMaidenSisters。YouwillbelievememorereadilynowwhenItellyouthatIfoundthesoulofIrisintheonethatlayopenbeforeme。Sometimesitwasapoemthatheldit，sometimesadrawing，angel，arabesque，caricature，oramerehieroglyphicsymbolofwhichIcouldmakenothing。Aragofcloudononepage，asIremember，withastreakofredzigzaggingoutofitacrossthepaperasnaturallyasacrackrunsthroughaChinabowl。Onthenextpageadeadbird，——somelittlefavorite，I
suppose；foritwasworkedoutwithaspeciallove，andIsawontheleafthatsignwithwhichonceortwiceinmylifeIhavehadalettersealed，——aroundspotwherethepaperisslightlycorrugated，and，ifthereiswritingthere，thelettersaresomewhatfaintandblurred。Mostofthepagesweresurroundedwithemblematictraceries。Itwasstrangetomeatfirsttoseehowoftensheintroducedthosehomelierwild-flowerswhichwecallweeds，——foritseemedtherewasnoneofthemtoohumbleforhertolove，andnonetoolittlecaredforbyNaturetobewithoutitsbeautyforherartisteyeandpencil。Bythesideofthegarden-flowers，——ofSpring’scurleddarlings，thehyacinths，ofrosebuds，deartosketchingmaidens，offlower-de-lucesandmorning-glories，nay，oftenerthanthese，andmoretenderlycaressedbythecoloredbrushthatrenderedthem，——werethosecommongrowthswhichflingthemselvestobecrushedunderourfeetandourwheels，makingthemselvessocheapinthisperpetualmartyrdomthatweforgeteachofthemisarayoftheDivinebeauty。
Yellowjapannedbuttercupsandstar-diskeddandelions，——justasweseethemlyinginthegrass，likesparksthathaveleapedfromthekindlingsunofsummer；theprofusedaisy-likeflowerwhichwhitensthefields，tothegreatdisgustofliberalshepherds，yetseemsfairtolovingeyes，withitsbutton-likemoundofgoldsetroundwithmilk-whiterays；thetall-stemmedsuccory，settingitspaleblueflowersaflame，oneafteranother，sparingly，asthelightsarekindledinthecandelabraofdecayingpalaceswheretheheirsofdethronedmonarchsaredyingout；theredandwhiteclovers，thebroad，flatleavesoftheplantain，——\"thewhiteman’sfoot，\"astheIndianscalledit，——thewiry，jointedstemsofthatironcreepingplantwhichwecall\"knot-grass，\"andwhichlovesitslifesodearlythatitisnexttoimpossibletomurderitwithahoe，asitclingstothecracksofthepavement；——alltheseplants，andmanymore，shewoveintoherfancifulgarlandsandborders——Ononeofthepagesweresomemusicalnotes。Itouchedthemfromcuriosityonapianobelongingtooneofourboarders。Strange！TherearepassagesthatIhaveheardbefore，plaintive，fullofsomehiddenmeaning，asiftheyweregaspingforwordstointerpretthem。Shemusthaveheardthestrainsthathavesoexcitedmycuriosity，comingfrommyneighbor’schamber。Theilluminatedbordershehadtracedroundthepagethatheldthesenotestooktheplaceofthewordstheyseemedtobeachingfor。Above，alongmonotonoussweepofwaves，leaden-
hued，anxiousandjadedandsullen，ifyoucanimaginesuchanexpressioninwater。OnonesideanAlpineneedle，asitwere，ofblackbasalt，girdledwithsnow。Ontheotherathreadedwaterfall。
Theredmorning-tintthatshoneinthedropshadastrangelook，——
onewouldsaythecliffwasbleeding；——perhapsshedidnotmeanit。
Below，astretchofsand，andasolitarybirdofprey，withhiswingsspreadoversomeunseenobject——Andontheverynextpageaprocessionwoundalong，afterthefashionofthatonthetitle-pageofFuller’s\"HolyWar，\"inwhichIrecognizedwithoutdifficultyeveryboarderatourtableinallthegloryofthemostresplendentcaricature——threeonlyexcepted，——theLittleGentleman，myself，andoneother。
IconfessIdidexpecttoseesomethingthatwouldremindmeofthegirl’slittledeformedneighbor，ifnotportraitsofhim——Thereisaleftarmagain，though；——no，——thatisfromthe\"FightingGladiator，\"the\"JeuneHeroscombattant\"oftheLouvre；——thereisthebroadringoftheshield。Fromacast，doubtless。[Theseparatecastsofthe\"Gladiator’s\"armlookimmense；butinitsplacethelimblookslight，almostslender，——suchistheperfectionofthatmiraculousmarble。IneverfeltasifItouchedthelifeoftheoldGreeksuntilIlookedonthatstatue。]——Hereissomethingveryodd，tobesure。AnEdenofallthehumpedandcrookedcreatures！Whatcouldhavebeeninherheadwhensheworkedoutsuchafantasy？Shehascontrivedtogivethemallbeautyordignityormelancholygrace。ABactriancamellyingunderapalm。Adromedaryflashingupthesands，——sprayofthedryoceansailedbythe\"shipofthedesert。\"Aherdofbuffaloes，uncouth，shaggy-maned，heavyintheforehand，lightinthehind-quarter。[Thebuffaloisthelionoftheruminants。]AndthereisaNormanhorse，withhishuge，roughcollar，echoing，asitwere，thenaturalformoftheotherbeast。
Andherearetwistedserpents；andstatelyswans，withansweringcurvesintheirbowednecks，asiftheyhadsnake’sbloodundertheirwhitefeathers；andgrave，high-shoulderedheronsstandingononefootlikecripples，andlookingatliferoundthemwiththecoldstareofmonumentaleffigies——Averyoddpageindeed！Notacreatureinitwithoutacurveoratwist，andnotoneofthemameanfiguretolookat。Youcanmakeyourowncomment；Iamfanciful，youknow。Ibelievesheistryingtoidealizewhatwevulgarlycalldeformity，whichshestrivestolookatinthelightofoneofNature’seccentriccurves，belongingtohersystemofbeauty，asthehyperbola，andparabolabelongtotheconicsections，thoughwecannotseethemassymmetricalandentirefigures，likethecircleandellipse。Atanyrate，IcannothelpreferringthisparadiseoftwistedspinestosomeideafloatinginherheadconnectedwithherfriendwhomNaturehaswarpedinthemoulding——
Thatisnothingtoanothertranscendentalfancyofmine。I
believehersoulthinksitselfinhislittlecrookedbodyattimes，——ifitdoesnotreallygetfreedorhalffreedfromherown。Didyoueverseeacaseofcatalepsy？YouknowwhatImean，——transientlossofsense，will，andmotion；bodyandlimbstakinganypositioninwhichtheyareput，asiftheybelongedtoalay-figure。Shehadbeentalkingwithhimandlisteningtohimonedaywhentheboardersmovedfromthetablenearlyallatonce。Butshesatasbefore，hercheekrestingonherhand，herambereyeswideopenandstill。I
wenttoher，shewasbreathingasusual，andherheartwasbeatingnaturallyenough，——butshedidnotanswer。Ibentherarm；itwasasplasticassoftenedwag，andkepttheplaceIgaveit——Thiswillneverdo，though，andIsprinkledafewdropsofwateronherforehead。Shestartedandlookedround——Ihavebeeninadream，——
shesaid；——Ifeelasifallmystrengthwereinthisarm；——givemeyourhand！——Shetookmyrighthandinherleft，whichlookedsoftandwhiteenough，but——GoodHeaven！Ibelieveshewillcrackmybones！Allthenervouspowerinherbodymusthaveflashedthroughthosemuscles；aswhenacrazyladysnapsherironwindow-bars，——shewhocouldhardlygloveherselfwheninhercommonhealth。Iristurnedpale，andthetearscametohereyes；——shesawshehadgivenpain。Thenshetrembled，andmighthavefallenbutforme；——thepoorlittlesoulhadbeeninoneofthosetrancesthatbelongtothespiritualpathologyofhighernatures，mostlythoseofwomen。
TocomebacktothiswondrousbookofIris。TwopagesfacedeachotherwhichItookforsymbolicalexpressionsoftwostatesofmind。
Onthelefthand，abrightblueskywashedoverthepage，speckedwithasinglebird。Notraceofearth，butstillthewingedcreatureseemedtobesoaringupwardandupward。Facingit，oneofthoseblackdungeonssuchasPiranesialoneofallmenhaspictured。