Iamsureshemusthaveseenthoseawfulprisonsofhis，outofwhichtheOpium-Eatergothisnightmarevision，describedbyanotheras\"cemeteriesofdepartedgreatness，wheremonstrousandforbiddenthingsarecrawlingandtwiningtheirslimyconvolutionsamongmoulderingbones，brokensculpture，andmutilatedinscriptions。\"
Suchablackdungeonfacedthepagethatheldtheblueskyandthesinglebird；atthebottomofitsomethingwascoiled，——what，andwhethermeantfordeadoralive，myeyescouldnotmakeout。
Itoldyoutheyounggirl’ssoulwasinthisbook。AsIturnedoverthelastleavesIcouldnothelpstarting。Therewereallsortsoffacesamongthearabesqueswhichlaughedandscowledinthebordersthatranroundthepages。Theyhadmostlytheoutlineofchildishorwomanlyormanlybeauty，withoutverydistinctindividuality。
Butatlastitseemedtomethatsomeofthemweretakingonalooknotwhollyunfamiliartome；therewerefeaturesthatdidnotseemnew——Canitbeso？Wasthereeversuchinnocenceinacreaturesofulloflife？Shetellsherheart’ssecretsasathree-years-oldchildbetraysitselfwithoutneedofbeingquestioned！Thiswasnocommonmiss，suchasareturnedoutinscoresfromtheyoung-lady-
factories，withparchmentswarrantingthemaccomplishedandvirtuous，——incaseanybodyshouldquestionthefact。Ibegantounderstandher；——andwhatissocharmingastoreadthesecretofarealfemmeincomprise？——forsuchthereare，thoughtheyarenottheoneswhothinkthemselvesuncomprehendedwomen。
Poetsareneveryoung，inonesense。Theirdelicateearhearsthefar-offwhispersofeternity，whichcoarsersoulsmusttraveltowardsforscoresofyearsbeforetheirdullsenseistouchedbythem。Amoment’sinsightissometimesworthalife’sexperience。I
havefrequentlyseenchildren，longexercisedbypainandexhaustion，whosefeatureshadastrangelookofadvancedage。Toooftenonemeetssuchinourcharitableinstitutions。Theirfacesaresaddenedandwrinkled，asiftheirfewsummerswerethreescoreyearsandten。
Andso，manyyouthfulpoetshavewrittenasiftheirheartswereoldbeforetheirtime；theirpensivemorningtwilighthasbeenascoolandsaddeningasthatofeveninginmorecommonlives。TheprofoundmelancholyofthoselinesofShelley，\"IcouldliedownlikeatiredchildAndweepawaythelifeofcareWhichIhaveborneandyetmustbear\"
camefromaheart，ashesays，\"toosoongrownold，\"——attwenty-sixyears，asdullpeoplecounttime，evenwhentheytalkofpoets。
Iknowenoughtobepreparedforanexceptionalnature，——onlythisgiftofthehandinrenderingeverythoughtinformandcolor，aswellasinwords，givesarichnesstothisyounggirl’salphabetoffeelingandimagerythattakesmebysurprise。Andthenbesides，andmostofall，Iampuzzledathersuddenandseeminglyeasyconfidenceinme。PerhapsIoweittomy——Well，nomatter！HowonemustlovetheeditorwhofirstcallshimthevenerableSo-and-So！——
IlockedthebookandsighedasIlaiditdown。Theworldisalwaysreadytoreceivetalentwithopenarms。Veryoftenitdoesnotknowwhattodowithgenius。Talentisadocilecreature。Itbowsitsheadmeeklywhiletheworldslipsthecollaroverit。Itbacksintotheshaftslikealamb。Itdrawsitsloadcheerfully，andispatientofthebitandofthewhip。Butgeniusisalwaysimpatientofitsharness；itswildbloodmakesithardtotrain。
Talentseems，atfirst，inonesense，higherthangenius，——namely，thatitismoreuniformlyandabsolutelysubmittedtothewill，andthereforemoredistinctlyhumaninitscharacter。Genius，ontheotherhand，ismuchmorelikethoseinstinctswhichgoverntheadmirablemovementsofthelowercreatures，andthereforeseemstohavesomethingoftheloweroranimalcharacter。AgoosefliesbyachartwhichtheRoyalGeographicalSocietycouldnotmend。Apoet，likethegoose，sailswithoutvisiblelandmarkstounexploredregionsoftruth，whichphilosophyhasyettolaydownonitsatlas。
Thephilosophergetshistrackbyobservation；thepoettruststohisinnersense，andmakesthestraighterandswifterline。
Andyet，tolookatitinanotherlight，isnoteventhelowestinstinctmoretrulydivinethananyvoluntaryhumanactdonebythesuggestionofreason？Whatisabee’sarchitecturebutanunobstructeddivinethought？——whatisabuilder’sapproximativerulebutanobstructedthoughtoftheCreator，amutilatedandimperfectcopyofsomeabsoluteruleDivineWisdomhasestablished，transmittedthroughahumansoulasanimagethroughcloudedglass？
Talentisaverycommonfamily-trait；geniusbelongsrathertoindividuals；——justasyoufindonegiantoronedwarfinafamily，butrarelyawholebroodofeither。Talentisoftentobeenvied，andgeniusverycommonlytobepitied。Itstandstwicethechanceoftheotherofdyinginhospital，injail，indebt，inbadrepute。
Itisaperpetualinsulttomediocrity；itseverywordisatrespassagainstsomebody’svestedideas，——blasphemyagainstsomebody’sO’m，orintangibleprivatetruth——
Whatistheuseofmyweighingoutantithesesinthisway，likearhetoricalgrocer？——Youknowtwentymenoftalent，whoaremakingtheirwayintheworld；youmay，perhaps，knowonemanofgenius，andverylikelydonotwanttoknowanymore。Foradivineinstinct，suchasdrivesthegoosesouthwardandthepoetheavenward，isahardthingtomanage，andprovestoostrongformanywhomitpossesses。ItmusthavebeenaterriblethingtohaveafriendlikeChattertonorBurns。Andhereisabeingwhocertainlyhasmorethantalent，atoncepoetandartistintendency，ifnotyetfairlydeveloped，——awoman，too；——andgeniusgraftedonwomanhoodisliketoovergrowitandbreakitsstem，asyoumayseeagraftedfruit-treespreadingoverthestockwhichcannotkeeppacewithitsevolution。
Ithinknowyouknowsomethingofthisyoungperson。Shewantsnothingbutanatmospheretoexpandin。Nowandthenonemeetswithanatureforwhichourhard，practicalNewEnglandlifeisobviouslyutterlyincompetent。Itcomesup，asaSouthernseed，droppedbyaccidentinoneofourgardens，findsitselftryingtogrowandblowintofloweramongthehomelyrootsandthehardyshrubsthatsurroundit。Thereisnoquestionthatcertainpersonswhoarebornamongusfindthemselvesmanydegreestoofarnorth。Tropicalbyorganization，theycannotfightforlifewithoureasternandnorthwesternbreezeswithoutlosingthecolorandfragranceintowhichtheirliveswouldhaveblossomedinthelatitudeofmyrtlesandoranges。StrangeeffectsareproducedbysufferinganylivingthingtobedevelopedunderconditionssuchasNaturehadnotintendedforit。AFrenchphysiologistconfinedsometadpolesunderwaterinthedark。Removedfromthenaturalstimulusoflight，theydidnotdeveloplegsandarmsattheproperperiodoftheirgrowth，andsobecomefrogs；theyswelledandspreadintogigantictadpoles。
Ihaveseenahundredcolossalhumantadpoles，overgrownZarvceorembryos；nay，IamafraidweProtestantsshouldlookonaconsiderableproportionoftheHolyFather’sonehundredandthirty-
ninemillionsasspirituallarvae，scullingaboutinthedarkbytheaidoftheircaudalextremities，insteadofstandingontheirlegs，andbreathingbygills，insteadoftakingthefreeairofheavenintothelungsmadetoreceiveit。Ofcoursewenevertrytokeepyoungsoulsinthetadpolestate，forfeartheyshouldgetapairortwooflegsby-and-byandjumpoutofthepoolwheretheyhavebeenbredandfed！Never！Never。Never？
Nowtogobacktoourplant。Youmayknow，that，fortheearlierstagesofdevelopmentofalmostanyvegetable，youonlywantair，water，light，andwarmth。Butby-and-by，ifitistohavespecialcomplexprinciplesasapartofitsorganization，theymustbesuppliedbythesoil；——yourpearswillcrack，iftherootofthetreegetsnoiron，——yourasparagus-bedwantssaltasmuchasyoudo。
Justattheperiodofadolescence，themindoftensuddenlybeginstocomeintoflowerandtosetitsfruit。Thenitisthatmanyyoungnatures，havingexhaustedthespiritualsoilroundthemofallitcontainsoftheelementstheydemand，witheraway，undevelopedanduncolored，unlesstheyaretransplanted。
Prayforthesedearyoungsouls！Thisisthesecondnaturalbirth；-
forIdonotspeakofthosepeculiarreligiousexperienceswhichformthepointoftransitioninmanylivesbetweentheconsciousnessofageneralrelationtotheDivinenatureandaspecialpersonalrelation。Thelitanyshouldcountaprayerfortheminthelistofitssupplications；massesshouldbesaidforthemasforsoulsinpurgatory；allgoodChristiansshouldrememberthemastheyrememberthoseinperilthroughtravelorsicknessorinwarfare。
IwouldtransportthischildtoRomeatonce，ifIhadmywill。SheshouldripenunderanItaliansun。Sheshouldwalkunderthefrescoedvaultsofpalaces，untilhercolorsdeepenedtothoseofVenetianbeauties，andherformswereperfectedintorivalrywiththeGreekmarbles，andtheeastwindwasoutofhersoil。Hasshenotexhaustedthisleansoiloftheelementshergrowingnaturerequires？
Idonotknow。ThemagnoliagrowsandcomesintofullfloweronCapeAnn，manydegreesoutofitsproperregion。Iwasridingoncealongthatdeliciousroadbetweenthehillsandthesea，whenwepassedathicketwherethereseemedtobeachanceoffindingit。
InfiveminutesIhadfallenonthetreesinfullblossom，andfilledmyarmswiththesweet，resplendentflowers。IcouldnotbelieveIwasinourcold，northernEssex，which，inthedrearyseasonwhenIpassitsslate-colored，unpaintedfarm-houses，andhuge，square，windy，’squire-built\"mansions，\"looksasbrownandunvegetatingasanoldrugwithitspatternsalltroddenoutandthecoloredfringewornfromallitsborder。
IfthemagnoliacanbloominnorthernNewEngland，whyshouldnotapoetorapaintercometohisfullgrowthherejustaswell？Yes，butifthegorgeoustree-flowerisrare，andonlyasifbyafreakofNaturespringsupinasinglespotamongthebeechesandalders，istherenotasmuchreasontothinktheperfumedflowerofimaginativegeniuswillfindithardtobebornandhardertospreaditsleavesintheclear，coldatmosphereofourultra-temperatezoneofhumanity？
Takethepoet。Ontheonehand，Ibelievethatapersonwiththepoeticalfacultyfindsmaterialeverywhere。Thegrandestobjectsofsenseandthoughtarecommontoallclimatesandcivilizations。Thesky，thewoods，thewaters，thestorms，life，deathlove，thehopeandvisionofeternity，——theseareimagesthatwritethemselvesinpoetryineverysoulwhichhasanythingofthedivinegift。
Ontheotherhand，thereissuchathingasalean，impoverishedlife，indistinctionfromarichandsuggestiveone。WhichourcommonNewEnglandlifemightbeconsidered，Iwillnotdecide。ButtherearesomethingsIthinkthepoetmissesinourwesternEden。
Itrustitisnotunpatriotictomentiontheminthispointofviewastheycomebeforeusinsomanyotheraspects。
Thereisnosufficientflavorofhumanityinthesoiloutofwhichwegrow。AtCantabridge，nearthesea，IhaveonceortwicepickedupanIndianarrowheadinafreshfurrow。AtCanoeMeadow，intheBerkshireMountains，IhavefoundIndianarrowheads。SoeverywhereIndianarrowheads。Whetherahundredorathousandyearsold，whoknows？whocares？Thereisnohistorytotheredrace，——thereishardlyanindividualinit；——afewinstinctsonlegsandholdingatomahawk——thereistheIndianofalltime。Thestoryofoneredantisthestoryofallredants。So，thepoet，intryingtowinghiswaybackthroughthelifethathaskindled，flitted，andfadedalongourwatercoursesandonoursouthernhillsidesforunknowngenerations，findsnothingtobreatheorflyin；hemeets\"Avastvacuity！allunawares，Flutteringhispennonsvain，plumbdownhedropsTenthousandfathomdeep。\"
ButthinkoftheOldWorld，——thatpartofitwhichistheseatofancientcivilization！ThestakesoftheBritons’stockadesarestillstandinginthebedoftheThames。TheploughmanturnsupanoldSaxon’sbones，andbeneaththemisatessellatedpavementofthetimeoftheCaesars。InItaly，theworksofmediaevalArtseemtobeofyesterday，——Rome，underherkings，isbutanintrudingnewcomer，aswecontemplateherintheshadowoftheCyclopeanwallsofFiesoleorVolterra。Itmakesamanhumantoliveontheseoldhumanizedsoils。Hecannothelpmarchinginstepwithhiskindintherearofsuchaprocession。Theysayadeadman’shandcuresswellings，iflaidonthem。ThereisnothinglikethedeadcoldhandofthePasttotakedownourtumidegotismandleadusintothesolemnflowofthelifeofourrace。Rousseaucameoutofoneofhissadself-torturingfits，ashecasthiseyeonthearchesoftheoldRomanaqueduct，thePontduGard。
Iamfarfromdenyingthatthereisanattractioninathrivingrailroadvillage。Thenew\"depot，\"thesmartly-paintedpinehouses，thespaciousbrickhotel，thewhitemeeting-house，andtherowofyouthfulandleggytreesbeforeit，areexhilarating。Theyspeakofprogress，andthetimewhenthereshallbeacity，withaHisHonortheMayor，intheplaceoftheirtrimbuttransientarchitecturalgrowths。Pardonme，ifIpreferthepyramids。Theyseemtomecrystalsformedfromastrongersolutionofhumanitythanthesteepleofthenewmeeting-house。Imaybewrong，buttheTiberhasavoiceforme，asitwhisperstothepiersofthePonsAlius，evenmorefullofmeaningthanmywell-belovedCharleseddyingroundthepilesofWestBostonBridge。
Then，again，weYankeesareakindofgypsies，——amechanicalandmigratoryrace。Apoetwantsahome。Hecandispensewithanapple-parerandareaping-machine。Ifeelthismoreforothersthanformyself，forthehomeofmybirthandchildhoodhasbeenasyetexemptedfromthechangewhichhasinvadedalmosteverythingaroundit——
Pardonmeashortdigression。Towhatsmallthingsourmemoryandouraffectionsattachthemselves！Iremember，whenIwasachild，thatoneofthegirlsplantedsomeStar-of-Bethlehembulbsinthesouthwestgornerofourfront-yard。Well，Ileftthepaternalroofandwanderedinotherlands，andlearnedtothinkinthewordsofstrangepeople。Butaftermanyyears，asIlookedonthelittlefront-yardagain，itoccurredtomethatthereusedtobesomeStar-
of-Bethlehemsinthesouthwestcorner。Thegrasswastallthere，andthebladeoftheplantisverymuchlikegrass，onlythickerandglossier。EvenasTullypartedthebriersandbrambleswhenhehuntedforthesphere-containingcylinderthatmarkedthegraveofArchimedes，sodidIcombthegrasswithmyfingersformymonumentalmemorial-flower。Naturehadstoredmykeepsaketenderlyinherbosom；theglossy，faintlystreakedbladeswerethere；theyaretherestill，thoughtheyneverflower，darkenedastheyarebytheshadeoftheelmsandrootedinthemattedturf。
Ourheartsarehelddowntoourhomesbyinnumerablefibres，trivialasthatIhavejustrecalled；butGulliverwasfixedtothesoil，youremember，bypinninghisheadahairatatime。Evenastonewithawhitishbandcrossingit，belongingtothepavementoftheback-yard，insistedonbecomingoneofthetalismansofmemory。
Thisintussusceptionoftheideasofinanimateobjects，andtheirfaithfulstoringawayamongthesentiments，arecuriouslyprefiguredinthematerialstructureofthethinkingcentreitself。Intheverycoreofthebrain，inthepartwhereDesCartesplacedthesoul，isasmallmineraldeposit，consisting，asIhaveseenitinthemicroscope，ofgrape-likemassesofcrystallinematter。
Buttheplantsthatcomeupeveryyearinthesameplace，liketheStar-of-Bethlehems，ofallthelesserobjects，givemetheliveliesthome-feeling。Closetoourancientgambrel-roofedhouseisthedwellingofpleasantoldNeighborWalrus。IrememberthesweethoneysucklethatIsawinfloweragainstthewallofhishouseafewmonthsago，aslongasIremembertheskyandstars。Thatclumpofpeonies，buttingtheirpurpleheadsthroughthesoileveryspringinjustthesamecircle，andby-and-byunpackingtheirhardballsofbudsinflowersbigenoughtomakeadoublehandfulofleaves，hascomeupinjustthatplace，NeighborWalrustellsme，formoreyearsthanIhavepassedonthisplanet。Itisarareprivilegeinournomadicstatetofindthehomeofone’schildhoodanditsimmediateneighborhoodthusunchanged。Manybornpoets，Iamafraid，flowerpoorlyinsong，ornotatall，becausetheyhavebeentoooftentransplanted。
Thenagoodmanyofourraceareveryhardandunimaginative；——theirvoiceshavenothingcaressing；theirmovementsareasofmachinerywithoutelasticityoroil。Iwishitwerefairtoprintaletterayounggirl，abouttheageofourIris，wroteashorttimesince。\"I
am*********，\"shesays，andtellsherwholenameoutright。Ah！——
saidI，whenIreadthatfirstfrankdeclaration，——youareoneoftherightsort！——Shewas。Awingedcreatureamongclose-clippedbarndoorfowl。Howtiredthepoorgirlwasofthedulllifeabouther，——theoldwoman’s\"skeletonhand\"atthewindowopposite，drawinghercurtains，——\"Ma’amshooingawaythehens，\"——thevacuouscountryeyesstaringatherasonlycountryeyescanstare，——aroutineofmechanicalduties，andthesoul’shalf-articulatedcryforsympathy，withoutananswer！Yes，——prayforher，andforallsuch！Faithoftencurestheirlongings；butitissohardtogiveasoultoheaventhathasnotfirstbeentrainedinthefullestandsweetesthumanaffections！Toooftentheyflingtheirheartsawayonunworthyobjects。Toooftentheypineinasecretdiscontent，whichspreadsitsleadencloudoverthemorningoftheiryouth。Theimmeasurabledistancebetweenoneofthesedelicatenaturesandtheaverageyouthsamongwhomisliketobeheronlychoicemakesone’sheartache。Howmanywomenareborntoofinelyorganizedinsenseandsoulforthehighwaytheymustwalkwithfeetunshod！Lifeisadjustedtothewantsofthestrongersex。Thereareplentyoftorrentstobecrossedinitsjourney；buttheirstepping-stonesaremeasuredbythestrideofman，andnotofwoman。
Womenaremoresubjectthanmentoatrophyoftheheart。Sosaysthegreatmedicalauthority，Laennec。Incurablecasesofthiskindusedtofindtheirhospitalsinconvents。WehavethediseaseinNewEngland，——butnotthehospitals。Idon’tliketothinkofit。
IwillnotbelieveouryoungIrisisgoingtodieoutinthisway。
Providencewillfindhersomegreathappiness，oraffliction，orduty，——andwhichwouldbebestforher，Icannottell。Onethingissure:theinterestshetakesinherlittleneighborisgettingtobemoreengrossingthanever。Somethingisthematterwithhim，andsheknowsit，andIthinkworriesherselfaboutit。
Iwondersometimeshowsofragileanddistortedaframehaskeptthefieryspiritthatinhabitsitsolongitstenant。Heaccountsforitinhisownway。
TheairoftheOldWorldisgoodfornothing，hesaid，oneday——
Usedup，Sir，——breathedoverandoveragain。Youmustcometothisside，Sir，foranatmospherefittobreathenowadays。DidnotworthyMr。HigginsonsaythatabreathofNewEngland’sairisbetterthanasupofOldEngland’sale？IoughttohavediedwhenI
wasaboy，Sir；butIcouldn’tdieinthisBostonair，——andIthinkIshallhavetogotoNewYorkoneofthesedays，whenit’stimeformetodropthisbundle，——ortoNewOrleans，wheretheyhavetheyellowfever，——ortoPhiladelphia，wheretheyhavesomanydoctors。
Thiswassometimeago；butoflatehehasseemed，asIhavebeforesaid，tobeailing。Anexperiencedeye，suchasIthinkImaycallmine，cantellcommonlywhetheramanisgoingtodie，ornot，longbeforeheorhisfriendsarealarmedabouthim。Idon’tlikeit。
IrishastoldmethattheScottishgiftofsecond-sightrunsinherfamily，andthatsheisafraidshehasit。Thosewhoaresoendowedlookuponawellmanandseeashroudwraptabouthim。Accordingtothedegreetowhichitcovershim，hisdeathwillbenearormoreremote。Itisanawfulfaculty；butsciencegivesonetoomuchlikeit。Luckilyforourfriends，mostofuswhohavethescientificsecond-sightschoolourselvesnottobetrayourknowledgebywordorlook。
Daybyday，astheLittleGentlemancomestothetable，itseemstomethattheshadowofsomeapproachingchangefallsdarkeranddarkeroverhiscountenance。Natureisstrugglingwithsomething，andIamafraidsheisunderinthewrestling-match。Youdonotcaremuch，perhaps，formyparticularconjecturesastothenatureofhisdifficulty。Ishouldsay，however，fromthesuddenflushestowhichheissubject，andcertainothermarkswhich，asanexpert，Iknowhowtointerpret，thathisheartwasintrouble；butthenhepresseshishandtotherightside，asiftherewerethecentreofhisuneasiness。
WhenIsaydifficultyabouttheheart，IdonotmeananyofthosesentimentalmaladiesofthatorganwhichfiguremorelargelyinromancesthanonthereturnswhichfurnishourBillsofMortality。
Imeansomeactualchangeintheorganitself，whichmaycarryhimoffbyslowandpainfuldegrees，orstrikehimdownwithonehugepangandonlytimeforasingleshriek，——aswhentheshotbrokethroughthebraveCaptainNolan’sbreast，attheheadoftheLightBrigadeatBalaklava，andwithaloudcryhedroppeddeadfromhissaddle。
IthoughtitonlyfairtosaysomethingofwhatIapprehendedtosomewhowereentitledtobewarned。Thelandlady’sfacefellwhenImentionedmyfears。
Poorman！——shesaid——Andwillleavethebestroomempty！Hasn’thegotanysistersorniecesoranybodytoseetohisthings，ifheshouldbetookaway？Suchasightofcases，fullofeverything！
Neverthoughtofhisfailin’sosuddin。Acomplicationofdiseases，sheexpected。Liver-complaintoneof’em？
Afterthisfirstinvoluntaryexpressionofthetoonaturalselfishfeelings，whichwemustnotjudgeveryharshly，unlesswehappentobepoorwidowsourselves，withchildrentokeepfilled，covered，andtaught，——rentshigh，——beefeighteentotwentycentsperpound，——
afterthisfirstsqueakofselfishness，followedbyabriefmovementofcuriosity，soinvariableinmaturefemales，astothenatureofthecomplaintwhichthreatensthelifeofafriendoranypersonwhomayhappentobementionedasill，——theworthysoul’sbetterfeelingsstruggleduptothesurface，andshegrievedforthedoomedinvalid，untilatearortwocameforthandfoundtheirwaydownachannelwornforthemsincetheearlydaysofherwidowhood。
Oh，thisdreadful，dreadfulbusinessofbeingtheprophetofevil！
Ofallthetrialswhichthosewhotakechargeofothers’healthandliveshavetoundergo，thisisthemostpainful。Itisallsoplaintothepractisedeye！——andthereisthepoorwife，thedotingmother，whohasneversuspectedanything，oratleasthasclungalwaystothehopewhichyouarejustgoingtowrenchawayfromher！——
ImusttellIristhatIthinkherpoorfriendisinaprecariousstate。Sheseemsnearertohimthananybody。
Ididtellher。Whateveremotionitproduced，shekeptastillface，except，perhaps，alittletremblingofthelip——CouldIbecertainthattherewasanymortalcomplaint？——Why，no，Icouldnotbecertain；butitlookedalarmingtome——Heshallhavesomeofmylife，——shesaid。
Isupposethistohavebeenafancyofhers，orakindofmagneticpowershecouldgiveout；——atanyrate，Icannothelpthinkingshewillsherstrengthawayfromherself，forshehaslostvigorandcolorfromthatday。Ihavesometimesthoughthegainedtheforceshelost；butthismayhavebeenawhim，veryprobably。
Onedayshecamesuddenlytome，lookingdeadlypale。Herlipsmoved，asifshewerespeaking；butIcouldnotatfirsthearaword。Herhairlookedstrangely，asifliftingitself，andhereyeswerefullofwildlight。Shesunkuponachair，andIthoughtwasfallingintooneofhertrances。Somethinghadfrozenherbloodwithfear；Ithought，fromwhatshesaid，halfaudibly，thatshebelievedshehadseenashroudedfigure。
Thatnight，atabouteleveno’clock，IwassentfortoseetheLittleGentleman，whowastakensuddenlyill。Bridget，theservant，wentbeforemewithalight。Thedoorswerebothunfastened，andI
foundmyselfushered，withouthindrance，intothedimlightofthemysteriousapartmentIhadsolongedtoenter。
Ifoundthesestanzasintheyounggirl’sbookamongmanyothers。I
givethemascharacterizingthetoneofhersaddermoments。
UNDERTHEVIOLETS。
Herhandsarecold；herfaceiswhite；
Nomoreherpulsescomeandgo；
Hereyesareshuttolifeandlight；
Foldthewhitevesture，snowonsnow，Andlayherwherethevioletsblow。
Butnotbeneathagravenstone，Topleadfortearswithalieneyes；
AslendercrossofwoodaloneShallsay，thathereamaidenliesInpeacebeneaththepeacefulskies。
AndgrayoldtreesofhugestlimbShallwheeltheircirclingshadowsroundTomakethescorchingsunlightdimThatdrinksthegreennessfromtheground，Anddroptheirdeadleavesonhermound。
Wheno’ertheirboughsthesquirrelsrun，Andthroughtheirleavestherobinscall，And，ripeningintheautumnsun，Theacornsandthechestnutsfall，Doubtnotthatshewillheedthemall。
ForherthemorningchoirshallsingItsmatinsfromthebrancheshigh，Andeveryminstrelvoiceofspring，ThattrillsbeneaththeAprilsky，Shallgreetherwithitsearliestcry。
When，turningroundtheirdial-track，Eastwardthelengtheningshadowspass，Herlittlemourners，cladinblack，Thecrickets，slidingthroughthegrass，Shallpipeforheraneveningmass。
AtlasttherootletsofthetreesShallfindtheprisonwhereshelies，AndbeartheburieddusttheyseizeInleavesandblossomstotheskies。
Somaythesoulthatwarmeditrise！
Ifany，bornofkindlierblood，Shouldask，Whatmaidenliesbelow？
Sayonlythis:Atenderbud，Thattriedtoblossominthesnow，Lieswitheredwherethevioletsblow。
XI
Youwillknow，perhaps，inthecourseofhalfanhour’sreading，whathasbeenhauntingmyhoursofsleepandwakingformonths。I
cannottell，ofcourse，whetheryouareanervouspersonornot。
If，however，youaresuchaperson，——ifitislateatnight，——ifalltherestofthehouseholdhavegoneofftobed，——ifthewindisshakingyourwindowsasifahumanhandwererattlingthesashes，——
ifyourcandleorlampislowandwillsoonburnout，——letmeadviseyoutotakeupsomegoodquietsleepyvolume，orattackthe\"CriticalNotices\"ofthelastQuarterlyandleavethistobereadbydaylight，withcheerfulvoicesround，andpeoplenearbywhowouldhearyou，ifyouslidfromyourchairandcamedowninalumponthefloor。
Idonotsaythatyourheartwillbeatasminedid，Iamwillingtoconfess，whenIenteredthedimchamber。DidInottellyouthatI
wassensitiveandimaginative，andthatIhadlainawakewiththinkingwhatwerethestrangemovementsandsoundswhichIheardlateatnightinmylittleneighbor’sapartment？IthadcometothatpassthatIwastrulyunabletoseparatewhatIhadreallyheardfromwhatIhaddreamedinthosenightmarestowhichIhavebeensubject，asbeforementioned。So，whenIwalkedintotheroom，andBridget，turningback，closedthedoorandleftmealonewithitstenant，Idobelieveyoucouldhavegratedanutmegonmyskin，sucha\"goose-flesh\"shiverranoverit。Itwasnotfear，butwhatIcallnervousness，——unreasoning，butirresistible；aswhen，forinstance，onelookingatthesungoingdownsays，\"Iwillcountfiftybeforeitdisappears\"；andashegoesonanditbecomesdoubtfulwhetherhewillreachthenumber，hegetsstrangelyflurried，andhisimaginationpictureslifeanddeathandheavenandhellastheissuesdependingonthecompletionornon-completionofthefiftyheiscounting。Extremecuriositywillexcitesomepeopleasmuchasfear，orwhatresemblesfear，actsonsomeotherlessimpressiblenatures。
Imayfindmyselfinthemidstofstrangefactsinthislittleconjurer’sroom。Or，again，theremaybenothinginthispoorinvalid’schamberbutsomeoldfurniture，suchastheysaycameoverintheMayflower。AllthisisjustwhatImeanto，findoutwhileIamlookingattheLittleGentleman，whohassuddenlybecomemypatient。Thesimplestthingsturnouttobeunfathomablemysteries；
themostmysteriousappearancesprovetobethemostcommonplaceobjectsindisguise。
IwonderwhethertheboyswholiveinRoxburyandDorchesterareevermovedtotearsorfilledwithsilentaweastheylookupontherocksandfragmentsof\"puddingstone\"aboundinginthoselocalities。
Ihavemysuspicionsthatthoseboys\"heaveastone\"or\"fireabrickbat，\"composedoftheconglomeratejustmentioned，withoutanymoretearfulorphilosophicalcontemplationsthanboysoflessfavoredregionsexpendonthesameperformance。Yetalumpofpuddingstoneisathingtolookat，tothinkabout，tostudyover，todreamupon，togocrazywith，tobeatone’sbrainsoutagainst。
Lookatthatpebbleinit。Fromwhatcliffwasitbroken？Onwhatbeachrolledbythewavesofwhatocean？Howandwhenimbeddedinsoftooze，whichitselfbecamestone，andby-and-bywasliftedintobaldsummitsandsteepcliffs，suchasyoumayseeonMeetinghouse-
Hillanyday——yes，andmarkthescratchesontheirfacesleftwhentheboulder-carryingglaciersplanedthesurfaceofthecontinentwithsuchroughtoolsthatthestormshavenotwornthemarksoutofitwithallthepolishingofeversomanythousandyears？
Orasyoupassaroadsideditchorpoolinspringtime，takefromitanybitofstickorstrawwhichhaslainundisturbedforatime。
Somelittleworm-shapedmassesofclearjellycontainingspecksarefastenedtothestick:eggsofasmallsnail-likeshell-fish。Oneofthesespecksmagnifiedprovestobeacrystallinespherewithanopaquemassinitscentre。Andwhileyouarelooking，theopaquemassbeginstostir，andby-and-byslowlytoturnuponitsaxislikeaformingplanet，——lifebeginninginthemicrocosm，asinthegreatworldsofthefirmament，withtherevolutionthatturnsthesurfaceinceaselessroundtothesourceoflifeandlight。
Apebbleandthespawnofamollusk！Beforeyouhavesolvedtheirmysteries，thisearthwhereyoufirstsawthemmaybeavitrifiedslag，oravapordiffusedthroughtheplanetaryspaces。Mysteriesarecommonenough，atanyrate，whatevertheboysinRoxburyandDorchesterthinkof\"brickbats\"andthespawnofcreaturesthatliveinroadsidepuddles。
Butthenagreatmanyseemingmysteriesarerelativelyperfectlyplain，whenwecangetatthemsoastoturnthemover。Howmanyghoststhat\"thickmen’sbloodwithcold\"provetobeshirtshungouttodry！Howmanymermaidshavebeenmadeoutofseals！Howmanytimeshavehorse-mackerelsbeentakenforthesea-serpent！——
Letmetakethewholemattercoolly，whileIseewhatisthematterwiththepatient。ThatiswhatIsaytomyself，asIdrawachairtothebedside。Thebedisanold-fashioned，darkmahoganyfour-poster。Itwasneverthatwhichmadethenoiseofsomethingmoving。Itistooheavytobepushedabouttheroom——TheLittleGentlemanwassitting，bolsteredupbypillows，withhishandsclaspedandtheirunitedpalmsrestingonthebackofthehead，oneofthethreeorfourpositionsspeciallyaffectedbypersonswhosebreathingisdifficultfromdiseaseoftheheartorothercauses。
Sitdown，Sir，——hesaid，——sitdown！IhavecometothehillDifficulty，Sir，andamfightingmywayup——Hisspeechwaslaboriousandinterrupted。
Don’ttalk，——Isaid，——excepttoanswermyquestions——AndI
proceededto\"prospect\"forthemarksofsomelocalmischief，whichyouknowisatthebottomofalltheseattacks，thoughwedonotalwaysfindit。IsupposeIgotoworkprettymuchlikeotherprofessionalfolksofmytemperament。Thus:
Wrist，ifyouplease——Iwasonhisrightside，buthepresentedhisleftwrist，crossingitovertheother——Ibegintocount，holdingwatchinlefthand。One，two，three，four，——Whatahandsomehand！wonderifthatsplendidstoneisacarbuncle——One，two，three，four，five，six，seven，——Can’tseemuch，itissodark，exceptonewhiteobject——One，two，three，four，——Hangit！eightyorninetyintheminute，Iguess——Tongue，ifyouplease——Tongueisputout。Forgettolookatit，or，rather，totakeanyparticularnoticeofit；——butwhatisthatwhiteobject，withthelongarmstretchingupasifpointingtothesky，justasVesaliusandSpigeliusandthoseoldfellowsusedtoputtheirskeletons？I
don’tthinkanythingofsuchobjects，youknow；butwhatshouldhehaveitinhischamberfor？AsIhadfoundhispulseirregularandintermittent，Itookoutastethoscope，whichisapocket-spyglassforlookingintopeople’schestswithyourears，andlaiditovertheplacewheretheheartbeats。Imissedtheusualbeatoftheorgan——Howisthis？——Isaid，——whereisyourheartgoneto？——Hetookthestethoscopeandshifteditacrosstotherightside；therewasadisplacementoftheorgan——Iamill-packed，——hesaid；——therewasnoroomformyheartinitsplaceasitiswithothermen——Godhelphim！
Itishardtodrawthelinebetweenscientificcuriosityandthedesireforthepatient’ssaketolearnallthedetailsofhiscondition。Imustlookatthispatient’schest，andthumpitandlistentoit。Forthisisacaseofectopiacordis，myboy，——
displacementoftheheart；anditisn’teverydayyougetachancetooverhaulsuchaninterestingmalformation。AndsoImanagedtodomydutyandsatisfymycuriosityatthesametime。Thetorsowasslightanddeformed；therightarmattenuated，——theleftfull，round，andofperfectsymmetry。Ithadrunawaywiththelifeoftheotherlimbs，——acommontrickenoughofNature’s，asItoldyoubefore。Ifyouseeamanwithlegswitheredfromchildhood，keepoutofthewayofhisarms，ifyouhaveaquarrelwithhim。Hehasthestrengthoffourlimbsintwo；andifhestrikesyou，itisanarm-blowplusakickadministeredfromtheshoulderinsteadofthehaunch，whereitshouldhavestartedfrom。
Stillexamininghimasapatient，Ikeptmyeyesaboutmetosearchallpartsofthechamberandwentonwiththedoubleprocess，asbefore——Hearthitsashardasafist，——bellows-soundovermitralvalvesprofessionaltermsyouneednotattendto——Whatthedeuseisthatlongcasefor？Gothiswitchgrandmothermummiedinit？
Andthreebigmahoganypresses，——hey？——AdiabolicalsuspicioncameovermewhichIhadhadoncebefore，——thathemightbeoneofourmodernalchemists，——youunderstand，makegold，youknow，orwhatlookslikeit，sometimeswiththeheadofakingorqueenorofLibertytoembellishonesideofthepiece——Don’tIrememberhearinghimshutadoorandlockitonce？Whatdoyouthinkwaskeptunderthatlock？Let’shaveanotherlookathishand，toseeifthereareanycalluses。
Onecantellaman’sbusiness，ifitisahandicraft，veryoftenbyjusttakingalookathisopenhand。Ah！Fourcallusesattheendofthefingersoftherighthand。Noneonthoseoftheleft。Ah，ha！Whatdothosemean？
Allthisseemslongerinthetelling，ofcourse，thanitwasinfact。WhileIwasmakingtheseobservationsoftheobjectsaroundme，IwasalsoformingmyopinionastothekindofcasewithwhichIhadtodeal。
Therearethreewicks，youknow，tothelampofaman’slife:brain，blood，andbreath。Pressthebrainalittle，itslightgoesout，followedbyboththeothers。Stoptheheartaminuteandoutgoallthreeofthewicks。Choketheairoutofthelungs，andpresentlythefluidceasestosupplytheothercentresofflame，andallissoonstagnation，cold，anddarkness。The\"tripodoflife\"aFrenchphysiologistcalledthesethreeorgans。Itisallclearenoughwhichlegofthetripodisgoingtobreakdownhere。Icouldtellyouexactlywhatthedifficultyis；——whichwouldbeasintelligibleandamusingasawatchmaker’sdescriptionofadiseasedtimekeepertoaploughman。Itisenoughtosay，thatIfoundjustwhatI
expectedto，andthatIthinkthisattackisonlythepreludeofmoreseriousconsequences，——whichexpressionmeansyouverywellknowwhat。
Andnowthesecretsofthislifehangingonathreadmustsurelycomeout。IfIhavemadeamysterywheretherewasnone，mysuspicionswillbeshamed，astheyhaveoftenbeenbefore。Ifthereisanythingstrange，myvisitswillclearitup。
IsatanhourortwobythesideoftheLittleGentleman’sbed，aftergivinghimsomehenbanetoquiethisbrain，andsomefoxglove，whichanimaginativeFrenchprofessorhascalledthe\"OpiumoftheHeart。\"Undertheirinfluencehegraduallyfellintoanuneasy，half-wakingslumber，thebodyfightinghardforeverybreath，andthemindwanderingoffinstrangefanciesandoldrecollections，whichescapedfromhislipsinbrokensentences——
Thelastof’em，——hesaid，——thelastof’emall，——thankGod！Andthegraveheliesinwilllookjustaswellasifhehadbeenstraight。Digitdeep，oldMartin，digitdeep，——andletitbeaslongasotherfolks’graves。Andmindyougetthesodsflat，oldman，——flataseverastraight-backedyoungfellowwaslaidunder。
Andthen，withagoodtallslabatthehead，andafoot-stonesixfootawayfromit，it’lllookjustasiftherewasamanunderneath。
Aman！Whosaidhewasaman？Nomoremenofthatpatterntobearhisname！——Usedtobeagood-lookingsetenough——Where’sallthemanhoodandwomanhoodgonetosincehisgreat-grandfatherwasthestrongestmanthatsailedoutofthetownofBoston，andpoorLeahtherethehandsomestwomaninEssex，ifshewasawitch？——
Givemesomelight，——hesaid，——morelight。Iwanttoseethepicture。
Hehadstartedeitherfromadreamorawanderingreverie。Iwasnotunwillingtohavemorelightintheapartment，andpresentlyhadlightedanastrallampthatstoodonatable——Hepointedtoaportraithangingagainstthewall——Lookather，——hesaid，——lookather！Wasn’tthataprettynecktoslipahangman’snooseover？
Theportraitwasofayoungwoman，somethingmorethantwentyyearsold，perhaps。TherewerefewpicturesofanymeritpaintedinNewEnglandbeforethetimeofSmibert，andIamatalosstoknowwhatartistcouldhavetakenthishalf-length，whichwasevidentlyfromlife。Itwassomewhatstiffandflat，butthegraceofthefigureandthesweetnessoftheexpressionremindedmeoftheangelsoftheearlyFlorentinepainters。Shemusthavebeenofsomeconsideration，forshewasdressedinpaduasoyandlacewithhangingsleeves，andtheoldcarvedframeshowedhowthepicturehadbeenprizedbyitsformerowners。Aproudeyeshehad，withallhersweetness——Ithinkitwasthatwhichhangedher，ashisstrongarmhangedMinisterGeorgeBurroughs；——butitmayhavebeenalittlemoleononecheek，whichtheartisthadjusthintedasabeautyratherthanadeformity。Youknow，Isuppose，thatnurslingimpsaddictthemselves，afterthefashionofyoungopossums，totheselittleexcrescences。\"Witch-marks\"weregoodevidencethatayoungwomanwasoneoftheDevil’swet-nurses；——Ishouldliketohaveseenyoumakefunoftheminthosedays！——Thenshehadabroochinherbodice，thatmighthavebeentakenforsomedevilishamuletorother；andsheworearingupononeofherfingers，witharedstoneinit，thatflamedasifthepainterhaddippedhispencilinfire；——
whoknowsbutthatitwasgivenherbyamidnightsuitorfreshfromthatfierceelement，andlicensedforaseasontoleavehiscouchofflametotempttheunsanctifiedheartsofearthlymaidensandbrandtheircheekswiththeprintofhisscorchingkisses？
SheandI，——hesaid，ashelookedsteadfastlyatthecanvas，——sheandIarethelastof’em——Shewillstay，andIshallgo。Theyneverpaintedme，——exceptwhentheboysusedtomakepicturesofmewithchalkontheboard-fences。TheysaidthedoctorswouldwantmyskeletonwhenIwasdead——Youaremyfriend，ifyouareadoctor，——a’n’tyou？
Ijustgavehimmyhand。Ihadnotthehearttospeak。
Iwanttoliestill，——hesaid，——afterIamputtobeduponthehillyonder。Can’tyouhaveagreatstonelaidoverme，astheydidoverthefirstsettlersintheoldburying-groundatDorchester，soastokeepthewolvesfromdiggingthemup？Ineverslepteasyoverthesod；——Ishouldliketoliequietunderit。Andbesides，——hesaid，inakindofscaredwhisper，——Idon’twanttohavemybonesstaredat，asmybodyhasbeen。Idon’tdoubtIwasaremarkablecase；
but，forGod’ssake，oh，forGod’ssake，don’tlet’emmakeashowofthecageIhavebeenshutupinandlookedthroughthebarsofforsomanyyears。
Ihavehearditsaidthattheartofhealingmakesmenhard-heartedandindifferenttohumansuffering。Iamwillingtoownthatthereisoftenaprofessionalhardnessinsurgeons，justasthereisintheologians，——onlymuchlessindegreethanintheselast。Itdoesnotcommonlyimprovethesympathiesofamantobeinthehabitofthrustingknivesintohisfellow-creaturesandburningthemwithred-hotirons，anymorethanitimprovesthemtoholdtheblinding-
whitecanteryofGehennabyitscoolhandleandscoreandcrispyoungsoulswithituntiltheyarescorchedintothebeliefof——
TransubstantiationortheImmaculateConception。And，tosaytheplaintruth，Ithinkthereareagoodmanycoarsepeopleinbothcallings。Adelicatenaturewillnotcommonlychooseapursuitwhichimpliesthehabitualinflictionofsuffering，soreadilyassomegentleroffice。Yet，whileIamwritingthisparagraph，therepassesbymywindow，onhisdailyerrandofduty，notseeingme，thoughIcatchaglimpseofhismanlyfeaturesthroughtheovalglassofhischaise，ashedrivesby，asurgeonofskillandstanding，sofriendly，somodest，sotenderheartedinallhisways，that，ifhehadnotapprovedhimselfatonceadroitandfirm，onewouldhavesaidhewasoftookindlyamouldtobetheministerofpain，evenifheweresavingpain。
Youmaybesurethatsomemen，evenamongthosewhohavechosenthetaskofpruningtheirfellow-creatures，growmoreandmorethoughtfulandtrulycompassionateinthemidstoftheircruelexperience。Theybecomelessnervous，butmoresympathetic。Theyhaveatruersensibilityforothers’pain，themoretheystudypainanddiseaseinthelightofscience。Ihavesaidthiswithoutclaiminganyspecialgrowthinhumanityformyself，thoughIdohopeIgrowtendererinmyfeelingsasIgrowolder。Atanyrate，thiswasnotatimeinwhichprofessionalhabitscouldkeepdowncertaininstinctsofolderdatethanthese。
Thispoorlittleman’sappealtomyhumanityagainstthesupposedrapacityofScience，whichhefearedwouldhaveher\"specimen，\"ifhisghostshouldwalkrestlesslyathousandyears，waitingforhisbonestobelaidinthedust，touchedmyheart。ButIfeltboundtospeakcheerily——
Wewon’tdieyetawhile，ifwecanhelpit，——Isaid，——andItrustwecanhelpit。Butdon’tbeafraid；ifIlivelongest，Iwillseethatyourrestingplaceiskeptsacredtillthedandelionsandbuttercupsblowoveryou。
Heseemedtohavegothiswitstogetherbythistime，andtohaveavagueconsciousnessthathemighthavebeensayingmorethanhemeantforanybody’sears——Ihavebeentalkingalittlewild，Sir，eh？hesaid——Thereisagreatbuzzinginmyheadwiththosedropsofyours，andIdoubtifmytonguehasnotbeenalittlelooserthanIwouldhaveit，Sir。ButIdon’tmuchwanttolive，Sir；that’sthetruthofthematter，anditdoesratherpleasemetothinkthatfiftyyearsfromnownobodywillknowthattheplacewhereIliedoesn’tholdasstoutandstraightamanasthebestof’emthatstretchoutasiftheywereproudoftheroomtheytake。Youmaygetmewell，ifyoucan，Sir，ifyouthinkitworthwhiletotry；
butItellyoutherehasbeennotimeforthismanyayearwhenthesmelloffreshearthwasnotsweetertomethanalltheflowersthatgrowoutofit。There’snoanodynelikeyourgoodcleangravel，Sir。Butifyoucankeepmeaboutawhile，anditamusesyoutotry，youmayshowyourskilluponme，ifyoulike。ThereisapleasureortwothatIlovethedaylightfor，andIthinkthenightisnotfaroff，atbest——IbelieveIshallsleepnow；youmayleaveme，andcome，ifyoulike，inthemorning。
BeforeIpassedout，Itookonemoreglanceroundtheapartment。
Thebeautifulfaceoftheportraitlookedatme，asportraitsoftendo，withafrightfulkindofintelligenceinitseyes。Thedraperyflutteredonthestilloutstretchedarmofthetallobjectnearthewindow；——acrackofthiswasopen，nodoubt，andsomebreathofwindstirredthehangingfolds。Inmyexcitedstate，Iseemedtoseesomethingominousinthatarmpointingtotheheavens。IthoughtofthefiguresintheDanceofDeathatBasle，andthatotheronthepanelsofthecoveredBridgeatLucerne，anditseemedtomethatthegrimmaskwhomingleswitheverycrowdandglidesovereverythresholdwaspointingthesickmantohisfarhome，andwouldsoonstretchouthisbonyhandandleadhimordraghimontheunmeasuredjourneytowardsit。
Thefancyhadpossessionofme，andIshiveredagainaswhenIfirstenteredthechamber。Thepictureandtheshroudedshape；Isawonlythesetwoobjects。Theywereenough。Thehousewasdeadlystill，andthenight-wind，blowingthroughanopenwindow，struckmeasfromafieldofice，atthemomentIpassedintothecreakingcorridor。AsIturnedintothecommonpassage，awhitefigure，holdingalamp，stoodfullbeforeme。Ithoughtatfirstitwasoneofthoseimagesmadetostandinnichesandholdalightintheirhands。Buttheillusionwasmomentary，andmyeyesspeedilyrecoveredfromtheshockofthebrightflameandsnowydraperytoseethatthefigurewasabreathingone。ItwasIris，inoneofherstatue-trances。Shehadcomedown，whethersleepingorwaking，I
knewnotatfirst，ledbyaninstinctthattoldhershewaswanted，——
or，possibly，havingoverheardandinterpretedthesoundofourmovements，——or，itmaybe，havinglearnedfromtheservantthattherewastroublewhichmightaskforawoman’shand。Isometimesthinkwomenhaveasixthsense，whichtellsthemthatothers，whomtheycannotseeorhear，areinsuffering。Howsurelywefindthematthebedsideofthedying！HowstronglydoesNaturepleadforthem，thatweshoulddrawourfirstbreathintheirarms，aswesighawayourlastupontheirfaithfulbreasts！
Withwhite，barefeet，herhairlooselyknotted，cladasthestarlightknewher，andthemorningwhensherosefromslumber，savethatshehadtwistedascarfroundherlongdress，shestoodstillasastonebeforeme，holdinginonehandalightedcoilofwaxtaper，andintheotherasilvergoblet。Iheldmyownlampclosetoher，asifshehadbeenafigureofmarble，andshedidnotstir。Therewasnobreachofproprietythen，toscarethePoorRelationwithandbreedscandaloutof。Shehadbeen\"warnedinadream，\"doubtlesssuggestedbyherwakingknowledgeandthesoundswhichhadreachedherexaltedsense。Therewasnothingmorenaturalthanthatsheshouldhaverisenandgirdledherwaist，andlightedhertaper，andfoundthesilvergobletwith\"Exdonopupillorum\"onit，fromwhichshehadtakenhermilkandpossetsthroughallherchildishyears，andsogoneblindlyouttofindherplaceatthebedside，——aSisterofCharitywithoutthecapandrosary；nay，unknowingwhitherherfeetwereleadingher，andwithwideblankeyesseeingnothingbutthevisionthatbeckonedheralong——Well，Imustwakeherfromherslumberortrance——Icalledhername，butshedidnotheedmyvoice。
TheDevilputitintomyheadthatIwouldkissonehandsomeyounggirlbeforeIdied，andnowwasmychance。Sheneverwouldknowit，andIshouldcarrytheremembranceofitwithmeintothegrave，andaroseperhapsgrowoutofmydust，asabrierdidoutofLordLovers，inmemoryofthatimmortalmoment！Woulditwakeherfromhertrance？andwouldsheseemeintheflushofmystolentriumph，andhateanddespisemeeverafter？OrshouldIcarryoffmytrophyundetected，andalwaysfromthattimesaytomyself，whenIlookeduponherinthegloryofyouthandthesplendorofbeauty，\"Mylipshavetouchedthoserosesandmadetheirsweetnessmineforever\"？
Youthinkmycheekwasflushed，perhaps，andmyeyeswereglitteringwiththismidnightflashofopportunity。Onthecontrary，IbelieveIwaspale，verypale，andIknowthatItrembled。Ah，itisthepalepassionsthatarethefiercest，——itistheviolenceofthechillthatgivesthemeasureofthefever！Thefighting-boyofourschoolalwaysturnedwhitewhenhewentouttoapitchedbattlewiththebullyofsomeneighboringvillage；butweknewwhathisbloodlesscheeksmeant，——thebloodwasallinhisstoutheart，——hewasaslightboy，andtherewasnotenoughtoreddenhisfaceandfillhisheartbothatonce。
Perhapsitismakingagooddealofaslightmatter，totelltheinternalconflictsintheheartofaquietpersonsomethingmorethanjuvenileandsomethinglessthansenile，astowhetherheshouldbeguiltyofanimpropriety，and，ifhewere，whetherhewouldgetcaughtinhisindiscretion。AndyetthememoryofthekissthatMargaretofScotlandgavetoAlainChartierhaslastedfourhundredyears，andputitintotheheadofmanyanill-favoredpoet，whetherVictoria，orEugenie，woulddoasmuchbyhim，ifshehappenedtopasshimwhenhewasasleep。AndhaveweeverforgottenthatthefreshcheekoftheyoungJohnMiltontingledunderthelipsofsomehigh-bornItalianbeauty，who，Ibelieve，didnotthinktoleavehercardbythesideoftheslumberingyouth，buthasbequeathedthememoryofherprettydeedtoallcomingtime？Thesoundofakissisnotsoloudasthatofacannon，butitsecholastsadeallonger。
Thereisonedisadvantagewhichthemanofphilosophicalhabitsofmindsuffers，ascomparedwiththemanofaction。Whileheistakinganenlargedandrationalviewofthematterbeforehim，heletshischanceslipthroughhisfingers。Iriswokeup，ofherownaccord，beforeIhadmadeupmymindwhatIwasgoingtodoaboutit。
WhenIrememberhowcharminglyshelooked，Idon’tblamemyselfatallforbeingtempted；butifIhadbeenfoolenoughtoyieldtotheimpulse，Ishouldcertainlyhavebeenashamedtotellofit。Shedidnotknowwhattomakeofit，findingherselftherealone，insuchguise，andmestaringather。Shelookeddownatherwhiterobeandbarefeet，andcolored，——thenatthegobletsheheldinherhand，thenatthetaper；andatlastherthoughtsseemedtoclearup。
Iknowitall，——shesaid——Heisgoingtodie，andImustgoandsitbyhim。NobodywillcareforhimasIshall，andIhavenobodyelsetocarefor。
Iassuredherthatnothingwasneededforhimthatnightbutrest，andpersuadedherthattheexcitementofherpresencecouldonlydoharm。Lethimsleep，andhewouldveryprobablyawakebetterinthemorning。Therewasnothingtobesaid，forIspokewithauthority；
andtheyounggirlglidedawaywithnoiselessstepandsoughtherownchamber。
Thetremorpassedawayfrommylimbs，andthebloodbegantoburninmycheeks。Thebeautifulimagewhichhadsobewitchedmefadedgraduallyfrommyimagination，andIreturnedtothestillperplexingmysteriesofmylittleneighbor’schamber。
Allwasstilltherenow。Noplaintivesounds，nomonotonousmurmurs，noshuttingofwindowsanddoorsatstrangehours，asifsomethingorsomebodywerecominginorgoingout，ortherewassomethingtobehiddeninthosedarkmahoganypresses。IsthereaninnerapartmentthatIhavenotseen？Thewayinwhichthehouseisbuiltmightadmitofit。AsIthoughtitover，IatonceimaginedaBluebeard’schamber。Suppose，forinstance，thatthenarrowbookshelvestotherightarereallyonlyamaskeddoor，suchaswerememberleadingtotheprivatestudyofoneofourmostdistinguishedtownsmen，wholovedtostealawayfromhisstatelylibrarytothatlittlesilentcell。Ifthiswerelightedfromabove，apersonorpersonsmightpasstheirdaystherewithoutattractingattentionfromthehousehold，andwanderwheretheypleasedatnight，——toCopp’s-Hillburial-ground，iftheyliked，——I
saidtomyself，laughing，andpullingthebed-clothesovermyhead。
Thereisnologicinsuperstitious-fanciesanymorethanindreams。
Ashe-ghostwouldn’twantaninnerchambertoherself。Alivewoman，withavaluablesopranovoice，wouldn’tstartoffatnighttosprainheranklesovertheoldgravesoftheNorth-Endcemetery。
Itisallveryeasyforyou，middle-agedreader，sittingoverthispageinthebroaddaylight，tocallmebyallmannerofasinineandanserineunchristiannames，becauseIhadthesefanciesrunningthroughmyhead。Idon’tcaremuchforyourabuse。Thequestionisnot，whatitisreasonableforamantothinkabout，butwhatheactuallydoesthinkabout，inthedark，andwhenbeisalone，andhiswholebodyseemsbutonegreatnerveofhearing，andheseesthephosphorescentflashesofhisowneyeballsastheyturnsuddenlyinthedirectionofthelaststrangenoise，——whatheactuallydoesthinkabout，asheliesandrecallsallthewildstorieshisheadisfullof，hisfancyhintingthemostalarmingconjecturestoaccountforthesimplestfactsabouthim，hiscommon-senselaughingthemtoscornthenextminute，buthismindstillreturningtothem，underoneshapeoranother，untilhegetsverynervousandfoolish，andremembershowpleasantitusedtobetohavehismothercomeandtuckhimupandgoandsitwithincall，sothatshecouldhearhimatanyminute，ifhegotverymuchscaredandwantedher。Oldbabiesthatweare！
Daylightwillclearupallthatlamp-lighthasleftdoubtful。I
longedforthemorningtocome，forIwasmorecuriousthanever。
So，betweenmyfanciesandanticipations，Ihadbutapoornightofit，andcamedowntiredtothebreakfast-table。Myvisitwasnottobemadeuntilafterthismorninghour；therewasnothingurgent，sotheservantwasorderedtotellme。
ItwasthefirstbreakfastatwhichthehighchairatthesideofIrishadbeenunoccupied——Youmightjestaswelltakeawaythatchair，——saidourlandlady，——he’llneverwantitagain。Heactslikeamanthat’sstruckwithdeath，’n’Idon’tbelievehe’llevercomeoutofhischambertillhe’slaidoutandbroughtdownacorpse——Thesegoodwomendoputthingssoplainly！Thereweretwoorthreewordsinhershortremarkthatalwayssoberpeople，andsuggestsilenceorbriefmoralreflections——
Lifeisdreadfuluncerting，——saidthePoorRelation，——andpulledinhersocialtentaclestoconcentrateherthoughtsonthisfactofhumanhistory——
Iftherewasanythingafellahcoulddo，——saidtheyoungmanJohn，socalled，——afellah’dlikethechanceo’helpin’alittlecripplelikethat。Helooksasifhecouldn’tturnoveranyhandierthanaturtlethat’slaidonhisback；andIguesstherea’n’tmanypeoplethatknowhowtoliftbetterthanIdo。Askhimifhedon’twantanywatchers。Idon’tmindsettin’upanymore’nacat-owl。Iwasupallnighttwicelastmonth。
[Myprivateopinionis，thattherewasnosmallamountofpunchabsorbedonthosetwooccasions，whichIthinkIheardofatthetime；——buttheofferisakindone，anditisn’tfairtoquestionhowhewouldlikesittingupwithoutthepunchandthecompanyandthesongsandsmoking。Hemeanswhathesays，anditwouldbeamoreconsiderableachievementforhimtositquietlyallnightbyasickmanthanforagoodmanyotherpeople。Itellyouthisoddthing:thereareagoodmanypersons，who，throughthehabitofmakingotherfolksuncomfortable，byfindingfaultwithalltheircheerfulenjoyments，atlastgetupakindofhostilitytocomfortingeneral，evenintheirownpersons。Thecorrelativetolovingourneighborsasourselvesishatingourselvesaswehateourneighbors。Lookatoldmisers；firsttheystarvetheirdependants，andthenthemselves。SoIthinkitmoreforalivelyyoungfellowtobereadytoplaynursethanforoneofthoseusefulbutforlornmartyrswhohavetakenaspiteagainstthemselvesandlovetogratifyitbyfastingandwatching——
Thetimecameatlastformetomakemyvisit。IfoundIrissittingbytheLittleGentleman’spillow。Tomydisappointment，theroomwasdarkened。Hedidnotlikethelight，andwouldhavetheshutterskeptnearlyclosed。Itwasgoodenoughforme；whatbusinesshadItobeindulgingmycuriosity，whenIhadnothingtodobuttoexercisesuchskillasIpossessedforthebenefitofmypatient？Therewasnotmuchtobesaidordoneinsuchacase；butIspokeasencouraginglyasIcould，asIthinkwearealwaysboundtodo。Hedidnotseemtopayanyveryanxiousattention，butthepoorgirllistenedasifherownlifeandmorethanherownlifeweredependingonthewordsIuttered。Shefollowedmeoutoftheroom，whenIhadgotthroughmyvisit。
Howlong？——shesaid。
Uncertain。Anytime；to-day，——nextweek，nextmonth，——Ianswered——
Oneofthosecaseswheretheissueisnotdoubtful，butmaybesuddenorslow。
Thewomenofthehousewerekind，aswomenalwaysareintrouble。
ButIrispretendedthatnobodycouldsparethetimeaswellasshe，andkeptherplace，hourafterhour，untilthelandladyinsistedthatshe’dbekillin’herself，ifshebegunatthatrate，’n’haftogiveup，ifshedidn’twanttobecleanbeatoutinless’naweek。
Atthetableweweregraverthancommon。Thehighchairwassetbackagainstthewall，andagapleftbetweenthatoftheyounggirlandhernearestneighbor’sontheright。Butthenextmorning，toourgreatsurprise，thatgood-lookingyoungMarylanderhadveryquietlymovedhisownchairtothevacantplace。Ithoughthewascreepingdownthatway，butIwasnotpreparedforaleapspanningsuchatremendousparenthesisofboardersasthischangeofpositionincluded。Therewasnodenyingthattheyouthandmaidenwereahandsomepair，astheysatsidebyside。Butwhatevertheyounggirlmayhavethoughtofhernewneighborsheneverseemedforamomenttoforgetthepoorlittlefriendwhohadbeentakenfromherside。Therearewomen，andevengirls，withwhomitisofnousetotalk。Onemightaswellreasonwithabeeastotheformofhiscell，orwithanorioleastotheconstructionofhisswingingnest，astrytostirthesecreaturesfromtheirownwayofdoingtheirownwork。ItwasnotaquestionwithIris，whethershewasentitledbyanyspecialrelationorbythefitnessofthingstoplaythepartofanurse。Shewasawilfulcreaturethatmusthaveherwayinthismatter。Anditsoprovedthatitcalledformuchpatienceandlongendurancetocarrythroughtheduties，sayratherthekindoffices，thepainfulpleasures，whichshehadchosenashershareinthehouseholdwhereaccidenthadthrownher。Shehadthatgeniusofministrationwhichisthespecialprovinceofcertainwomen，markedevenamongtheirhelpfulsistersbyasoft，lowvoice，aquietfootfall，alighthand，acheeringsmile，andareadyself-surrendertotheobjectsoftheircare，whichsuchtriflesastheirownfood，sleep，orhabitsofanykindneverpresumetointerferewith。
Dayafterday，andtoooftenthroughthelongwatchesofthenight，shekeptherplacebythepillow。
Thatgirlwillkillherselfoverme，Sir，——saidthepoorLittleGentlemantome，oneday，——shewillkillherself，Sir，ifyoudon’tcallinalltheresourcesofyourarttogetmeoffassoonasmaybe。Ishallwearherout，Sir，withsittinginthisclosechamberandwatchingwhensheoughttobesleeping，ifyouleavemetothecareofNaturewithoutdosingme。
Thiswasratherstrangepleasantry，underthecircumstances。Buttherearecertainpersonswhoseexistenceissooutofparallelwiththelargerlawsinthemidstofwhichitismoving，thatlifebecomestothemasdeathanddeathaslife——HowamIgettingalong？——hesaid，anothermorning。Heliftedhisshrivelledhand，withthedeath’s-headringonit，andlookedatitwithasadsortofcomplacency。Bythisonemovement，whichIhaveseenrepeatedlyoflate，Iknowthathisthoughtshavegonebeforetoanothercondition，andthatheis，asitwere，lookingbackontheinfirmitiesofthebodyasaccidentsofthepast。For，whenhewaswell，onemightseehimoftenlookingatthehandsomehandwiththeflamingjewelononeofitsfingers。Thesinglewell-shapedlimbwasthesourceofthatpleasurewhichinsomeformorotherNaturealmostalwaysgrantstoherleastrichlyendowedchildren。Handsomehair，eyes，complexion，feature，form，hand，foot，pleasantvoice，strength，grace，agility，intelligence，——howfewtherearethathavenotjustenoughofoneatleastofthesegiftstoshowthemthatthegoodMother，busywithhermillionsofchildren，hasnotquiteforgottenthem！Butnowhewasthinkingofthatotherstate，where，freefromallmortalimpediments，thememoryofhissorrowfulburdenshouldbeonlyasthatofthecasehehasshedtotheinsectwhose\"deep-damaskedwings\"beatoffthegoldendustofthelily-anthers，ashefluttersintheecstasyofhisnewlifeovertheirfull-blownsummerglories。
Nohumanbeingcanrestforanytimeinastateofequilibrium，wherethedesiretoliveandthattodepartjustbalanceeachother。
Ifonehasahouse，whichhehaslivedandalwaysmeanstolivein，hepleaseshimselfwiththethoughtofalltheconveniencesitoffershim，andthinkslittleofitswantsandimperfections。Butoncehavingmadeuphismindtomovetoabetter，everyincommoditystartsoutuponhim，untiltheveryground-planofitseemstohavechangedinhismind，andhisthoughtsandaffections，eachoneofthempackingupitslittlebundleofcircumstances，havequittedtheirseveralchambersandnooksandmigratedtothenewhome，longbeforeitsapartmentsarereadytoreceivetheircomingtenant。Itissowiththebody。Mostpersonshavediedbeforetheyexpire，——
diedtoallearthlylongings，sothatthelastbreathisonly，asitwere，thelockingofthedoorofthealreadydesertedmansion。Thefactofthetranquillitywithwhichthegreatmajorityofdyingpersonsawaitthislockingofthosegatesoflifethroughwhichitsairyangelshavebeengoingandcoming，fromthemomentofthefirstcry，isfamiliartothosewhohavebeenoftencalledupontowitnessthelastperiodoflife。AlmostalwaysthereisapreparationmadebyNatureforunearthingasoul，justasonthesmallerscalethereisfortheremovalofamilktooth。Therootswhichholdhumanlifetoearthareabsorbedbeforeitisliftedfromitsplace。Someofthedyingarewearyandwantrest，theideaofwhichisalmostinseparableintheuniversalmindfromdeath。Someareinpain，andwanttoberidofit，eventhoughtheanodynebedropped，asinthelegend，fromtheswordoftheDeath-Angel。Somearestupid，mercifullynarcotizedthattheymaygotosleepwithoutlongtossingabout。Andsomearestronginfaithandhope，sothat，astheydrawnearthenextworld，theywouldfairhurrytowardit，asthecaravanmovesfasteroverthesandswhentheforemosttravellerssendwordalongthefilethatwaterisinsight。Thougheachlittlepartythatfollowsinafoot-trackofitsownwillhaveitthatthewatertowhichothersthinktheyarehasteningisamirage，notthelesshasitbeentrueinallagesandforhumanbeingsofeverycreedwhichrecognizedafuture，thatthosewhohavefallenwornoutbytheirmarchthroughtheDeserthavedreamedatleastofaRiverofLife，andthoughttheyhearditsmurmursastheylaydying。
Thechangefromtheclingingtothepresenttothewelcomingofthefuturecomesverysoon，forthemostpart，afterallhopeoflifeisextinguished，providedthisbeleftingooddegreetoNature，andnotinsolentlyandcruellyforceduponthosewhoareattackedbyillness，onthestrengthofthatodiousforeknowledgeoftenimpartedbyscience，beforethewhitefruitwhosecoreisashes，andwhichwecalldeath，hassetbeneaththepallidanddroopingflowerofsickness。Thereisasingularsagacityveryoftenshowninapatient’sestimateofhisownvitalforce。Hisphysicianknowsthestateofhismaterialframewellenough，perhaps，——thatthisorthatorganismoreorlessimpairedordisintegrated；butthepatienthasasensethathecanholdoutsomuchlonger，——sometimesthathemustandwillliveforawhile，thoughbythelogicofdiseaseheoughttodiewithoutanydelay。
TheLittleGentlemancontinuedtofail，untilitbecameplainthathisremainingdayswerefew。Itoldthehouseholdwhattoexpect。
Therewasagooddealofkindfeelingexpressedamongtheboarders，invariousmodes，accordingtotheircharactersandstyleofsympathy。Thelandladywasurgentthatheshouldtryacertainnostrumwhichhadsavedsomebody’slifeinjestsechacase。ThePoorRelationwantedmetocarry，asfromher，acopyof\"Allein’sAlarm，\"etc。Iobjectedtothetitle，remindingherthatitoffendedpeopleofold，sothatmorethantwiceasmanyofthebookweresoldwhentheychangedthenameto\"ASureGuidetoHeaven。\"
ThegoodoldgentlemanwhomIhavementionedbeforehascometothetimeoflifewhenmanyoldmencryeasily，andforgettheirtearsaschildrendo——Hewasaworthygentleman，——hesaid，——averyworthygentleman，butunfortunate，——veryunfortunate。Sadlydeformedaboutthespineandthefeet。HadanimpressionthatthelateLordByronhadsomemalformationofthiskind。Hadheerdtherewassomethingthematterwiththeankle-j’intsofthatnobleman，buthewasamanoftalents。Thisgentlemanseemedtobeamanoftalents。Couldnotalwaysagreewithhisstatements，——thoughthewasalittleover-
partialtothiscity，andhadsomefreeopinions；butwassorrytolosehim，——andif——therewasanything——he——could。Inthemidstofthesekindexpressions，thegentlemanwiththediamond，theKoh-i-
noor，aswecalledhim，asked，inaveryunpleasantsortofway，howtheoldboywaslikelytocutup，——meaningwhatmoneyourfriendwasgoingtoleavebehind。
TheyoungfellowJohnspokeup，totheeffectthatthiswasadiabolishsnobbyquestion，whenamanwasdyingandnotdead——TothistheKoh-i-noorreplied，byaskingiftheothermeanttoinsulthim。WheretotheyoungmanJohnrejoinedthathehadnoparticul’rintentionsonewayort’other-TheKohi-noorthensuggestedtheyoungman’ssteppingoutintotheyard，thathe，thespeaker，might\"slaphischops。\"——Let’emalone，saidyoungMaryland，——it’llsoonbeover，andtheywon’thurteachothermuch——Sotheywentout。
TheKoh-i-noorentertainedtheverycommonidea，that，whenonequarrelswithanother，thesimplethingtodoistoknockthemandown，andthereistheendofit。Nowthosewhohavewatchedsuchencountersareawareoftwothings:first，thatitisnotsoeasytoknockamandownasitistotalkaboutit；secondly，that，ifyoudohappentoknockamandown，thereisaverygoodchancethathewillbeangry，andgetupandgiveyouathrashing。
SotheKoh-i-noorthoughthewouldbegin，assoonastheygotintotheyard，byknockinghismandown，andwiththisintentionswunghisarmroundafterthefashionofrusticsandthoseunskilledinthenobleart，expectingtheyoungfellowJohntodropwhenhisfist，havingcompletedaquarterofacircle，shouldcomeincontactwiththesideofthatyoungman’shead。Unfortunatelyforthistheory，ithappensthatablowstruckoutstraightisasmuchshorter，andthereforeasmuchquickerthantherustic’sswingingblow，astheradiusisshorterthanthequarterofacircle。Themathematicalandmechanicalcorollarywas，thattheKoh-i-noorfeltsomethinghardbringupsuddenlyagainsthisrighteye，whichsomethinghecouldhaveswornwasapaving-stone，judgingbyhissensations；andasthisthrewhispersonsomewhatbackwards，andtheyoungmanJohnjerkedhisownheadbackalittle，theswingingblowhadnothingtostopit；andastheJewelstaggeredbetweenthehithegotandtheblowhemissed，hetrippedand\"wenttograss，\"sofarastheback-yardofourboardinghousewasprovidedwiththatvegetable。Itwasasignalillustrationofthatfatalmistake，sofrequentinyoungandardentnatureswithinconspicuouscalvesandnegativepectorals，thattheycansettlemostlittlequarrelsonthespotby\"knockingthemandown。\"
Weareinthehabitofhandlingourfacessocarefully，thataheavyblow，takingeffectonthatportionofthesurface，producesamostunpleasantsurprise，whichisaccompaniedwithoddsensations，asofseeingsparks，andakindofelectricalorozone-likeodor，half-
sulphurousincharacter，andwhichhasgivenrisetoaveryvulgarandprofanethreatsometimesheardfromthelipsofbullies。A
personnotusedtopugilisticgesturesdoesnotinstantlyrecoverfromthissurprise。TheKoh-i-noorexasperatedbyhisfailure，andstillalittleconfusedbythesmarthithehadreceived，butfurious，andconfidentofvictoryoverayoungfellowagooddeallighterthanhimself，madeadesperaterushtobeardownallbeforehimandfinishthecontestatonce。Thatisthewayallangrygreenhornsandincompetentpersonsattempttosettlematters。Itdoesn’tdo，iftheotherfellowisonlycool，moderatelyquick，andhasaverylittlescience。Itdidn’tdothistime；for，astheassailantrushedinwithhisarmsflyingeverywhere，likethevansofawindmill，beranaprominentfeatureofhisfaceagainstafistwhichwastravellingintheotherdirection，andimmediatelyafterstrucktheknucklesoftheyoungman’sotherfistasevereblowwiththepartofhispersonknownastheepigastriumtoonebranchofscienceandthebread-baskettoanother。Thissecondroundclosedthebattle。TheKoh-i-noorhadgotenough，whichinsuchcasesismorethanasgoodasafeast。Theyoungfellowaskedhimifhewassatisfied，andheldouthishand。Buttheothersulked，andmutteredsomethingaboutrevenge——Jestasyelike，——saidtheyoungmanJohn——Clapasliceo’rawbeefsteakontothatmouseo’yours’n’’t’lltakedowntheswellin’。Mouseisatechnicaltermforabluish，oblong，roundedelevationoccasionedbyrunningone’sforeheadoreyebrowagainstanother’sknuckles。Theyoungfellowwasparticularlypleasedthathehadhadanopportunityoftryinghisproficiencyintheartofself-defencewithoutthegloves。TheKoh-i-noordidnotfavoruswithhiscompanyforadayortwo，beingconfinedtohischamber，itwassaid，byaslightfeverish，attack。